It had only been three months since the second great Wizard War had ended, and although there was more than enough to reconstruct, it was as though a new society was slowly emerging from the dark. Harry and company had spent the summer rebuilding both heart and home; attending funerals, spending as much time together and making huge headway in the efforts to fix the damage done to Hogwarts.
Thankfully, the Burrow had remained intact and a safe haven for Harry, Hermione, Ron and the rest of the surviving Weasleys. Over the months, the usual chaotic environment of the home returned and the familiarity of a somewhat regular life was beginning to show its face, even if it was a scarred one.
"It's not fair." Ginny pouted as she curled further into Harry who had his arms completely enveloped around her as they lay under one of the Burrow's many trees.
"We've had the summer. You'll start your final year at Hogwarts and Ron and I will start our Auror training." Harry repeated the same side of the argument that had been volleyed between the two for the past week. He himself wasn't exactly looking forward to being without Ginny day in and day out, not to mention the night.
"I suppose I should finish packing then." She said, but making no motion to move.
Harry smiled. "You mean start."
"I'm sure Hermione has packed and repacked three times already. I am glad though that she'll be joining me."
"You say that now but wait until her revision schedule for NEWTS comes to haunt you." His smile slowly faded when there wasn't a reply. "Gin'?"
It took a moment but she finally replied softly. "I just can't believe that my biggest worry is nothing more than a school test… Voldensort is finally gone. You guys aren't on the run anymore…although I'll still worry about you and Ron being Aurors. As if the trouble doesn't always find you, you're going to intentionally seek it out." She finished with a huff.
"You're right, he is gone. But some of his barmy followers aren't. The wizarding world won't be right until they are. And besides, we're only starting our training, it's not like we're going to be in danger every hour of every day."
Harry tensed slightly as he heard footsteps approaching. At this Ginny looked up to see who was near as a new voice appeared. "Mad-Eye would go nuts if he heard you say that." Ron said, hand in hand with Hermione. "Constant Vigilance."
Speaking specifically to Hermione, Ginny started "I was just talking with Harry here about how he and therefore Ron needn't go looking for trouble when—"
"He's such a magnet already?" Hermione finished with a smile, although she was met with two blank Weasley gazes. "Muggle contraption." She mumbled.
"Anyways, are you all ready and packed Hermione?" Harry asked, easing back into the conversation.
"Of course she is mate. She's packed as if we were on the hunt again. Even with magic, I'm surprised her trunks not fit to burst." Ron answered for her.
Squaring her shoulders and leaning indignantly away from her boyfriend, she said, "When we were, weren't you glad at how much packing I had done. It doesn't hurt anyone to be well prepared." She finished her face going slightly flush.
"I was thinking of going to the Alley tomorrow with Harry for some last minute things. Would either of you be interested in accompanying us?" Ginny said successfully changing the subject.
Ron looked sideways at Hermione for a moment but decided to answer for them both. "Yeah, we'd like that."
The rest of the day passed uneventfully; Harry and Ginny decided to pop over to Hogwarts and help with the repairs as they had done almost every week that summer. The familiar face of the new Headmistress welcomed them and ushered them to the areas in most need of repair before school was to begin in a week's time. They ended up having afternoon tea with Hagrid before returning to the Burrow. They found Ron and Hermione snuggled next to each other on the couch, apparently any discord having been dealt with while they were away. After dinner the pair retired early, having spent a good amount of energy helping with the repairs. They kissed good night on the stair case and went to their separate rooms.
Over the summer they had become accustomed to each other's nightmares. After the incident where the found out that Harry was using silencing charms at night, they each made a pact that they would go to each other or help the other any way they could. Tonight was no exception.
Harry's horrid dreams were beginning to lessen, never in intensity but frequency slowly but surely. He had however awoken in the middle of the night after seeing Dobby killed, again. After the others had cast a charm to alert them if any silencing spells were used Harry trained himself to be immediately quiet when he awoke, typically without complete silence but quiet enough to not be heard over Ron's snores. He rubbed his eyes, trying to rub away the images that his closed eyes still saw. He thought he should maybe wake Ginny. She was always able to make them go away. But no, they were going to be apart for months at a time he would just have to learn to deal with it. He rolled over, now facing and looking out the window. He wrapped himself back up with the blanket he had thrown off in the midst of trying to but inevitably failing again to save his friend. Suddenly, he was upright with his wand in his hand and pointed at the now creaking door before the intruder had a toe inside their room.
"Harry!" Ginny's frantic whispered voice found him. "It's just me!" She opened the door the entire way so he could fully see she was who she said she was.
"Gin? Whaa?" He took a moment to figure out that he was in fact about to curse his girlfriend.
"You gonna put your wand down?" She asked, as she walked towards him no longer with hesitation.
"Um yeah. Sorry." He said, immediately feeling the guilt run through him.
"Hush. Just try to sleep again." She said, now sitting next to him, slightly pushing him back onto the bed to rest.
"You need rest too…how did you know?" He asked, feeling already calmer already as she ran her hands through his hair. He always loved when she did that.
"I love you Harry. Go to sleep now and I'll see you in the morning, bright and early." She kissed him for a few moments and then resumed brushing her fingers through his hair. She knew that always worked. "Night luv."
"M'night." He mumbled back, eyes already closed.
The group of four had gotten up early as promised and with multiple reassurances and comments about "being safe" and remembering that they "aren't quite out of war times to be completely comfortable in such a public place" from Mrs. Weasley they side-along apparated to Diagonal Alley. The boys were particularly thankful they got their apparition tests out of the way in early July. Ginny had yet to take hers, but it made travel so easy to have a boyfriend who had.
Although the hustle and bustle of Diagonal Alley hadn't returned fully to what it once was, there was still enough people to feel like they were constantly in motion, walking to the comfortable pace of the populace.
"While we're here I'd like to look at a couple of optional books on our list." Hermione directed.
"We would expect nothing less from you 'Mione." Ron smiled, his arm already around her shoulders giving her a fond squeeze.
"I'll go with! I still have a book to get for DADA. It'll be interesting to see what our new teachers will be like." Ginny said, easily walking arm in arm with Hermione down to one of the many bookstores they frequented.
"Shall we just make our way up the lane then?" Harry offered.
"Why not." Ron replied, hands in pocket.
They ducked in a few shops, first in Quidditch and then a new defense shop having things in the window that caught their eyes. "I wish there was a way for Ginny and I to talk while she's at Hogwarts." Harry mumbled, having kept a lookout for any such product.
"I know what you mean. I guess we can send those Alfredo message things that Lupin taught us right?" Ron offered, his mood also slipping into dejection.
"Adfero. And those are only good for short voice messages. And they get garbled if they get too long. I want to be able to see her..If only I knew how Sirius or rather my mum made those mirrors." His mood souring by the moment.
Not being able to think of anything new Ron said, "Every Hogsmeade weekend and Quidditch game we'll be there! Besides, we'll probably be so busy with training it won't seem like such a long time."
"You're probably right. Anyways we better meet back up with the girls." They made their way back, taking a moment to stop in front of a very familiar joke shop.
"He says he wants to nearly triple his stock for the opening." Ron said, motioning to the orange building that has been closed since before the war ended. "It'll be awhile yet, maybe 'round Halloween or Christmas I expect." They continued walking again when something caught Harry's eye, making him stop altogether. "Harry?"
Harry started walking towards the Owl Emporium, a tiny dark brown owl sat on a bar inside the window, free to fly wherever he wanted. Harry looked into the gold speckled eyes and could feel a warmth behind them. He hadn't thought about getting a new familiar once since Hedwig. But now…it just seemed right.
"You gonna stare at the birds all day mate?" Ron asked, shaking him out of his thoughts.
"Uh. I think I'm going to buy one." Her. He added to himself, knowing exactly which one he wanted.
"Well let's go in then."
Not ten minutes later the pair walked out of the emporium, a smaller than average burrowing owl settled perfectly on Harry's shoulder, nibbling on an owl treat. "Why don't you head back to the Burrow, huh girl? We'll give the girls a right surprise later on." With an affectionate nip, the owl expanded her wings at flew off, already knowing where home was.
"Surprised you got such a small one. Don't know if it'll make the longer trips." Ron commented, as they looked around for the girls.
Harry smiled. "Don't underestimate the small ones."
"Whatever you say. At least now you'll be able to talk with Gin without the threat of Pig colliding you with every letter."
"Too true. There they are." Harry pointed to the girls carrying a couple bags of books, surrounded by the growing crowds.
The girls waved back and came straight towards them.
Ginny cave Harry a peck on the cheek. "Find anything good while we were gone?"
"Not really, you?" Harry said, glaring at Ron when he softly snorted.
"I got a book on muggle electricity, just to see if I can help dad out in understanding it all. Why don't we head back home?"
"Sounds good to me. I have to reorganize my case to fit my books. And don't say a word you two!" Hermione added as an afterthought.
They apparated back to the Burrow, landing right inside the wards near the back stoop. As they filed into the kitchen, Mrs. Weasley came round giving them each a squeeze with a light pat on the cheek for Harry as well. "Dinner will be in about ten minutes dears. How'd it go? See any school friends?"
Ron took a seat at the empty table. "I didn't even think about it but no we didn't run into any one really. The Prophet had some cameras skulking around but nothing new there."
Molly nodded understandingly and turned to Harry. "Harry, dear, I was wondering if you wanted to use one of our old cages for our new visitor?" She asked as she started putting plates down. As Ginny and Hermione were setting the silverware down, they stilled, immediately looking at Harry who had a sheepish smile on his face.
"Owl's out of the barn now." Ron chimed in, smirking.
"Harry?" Ginny asked for further explanation.
Harry was about to call his owl who still needed a name when she came swooping in and landing softly in Harry's raised hands. He had only pictured her in his mind and she had come.
The girls cooed at the magnificent little bundle of fur. "What's her name Harry?" Hermione asked as the owl responded warmly towards her petting.
"I haven't got a name in mind just yet." Ginny could see the moment he started thinking about Hedwig, a slight grimace accompanying his thoughts. She gently squeezed his hand. Seeing this, Ron, Hermione and Mrs. Weasley decided to give them some space.
"Harry," Ginny began softly, "Hedwig was a great owl. And this girl will be too, won't you?" He said, stroking the owl's head that was sitting in Harry's hand.
"I guess I just hadn't thought much 'bout Hedwig since she died. And I really had no intention of getting another familiar, it wasn't even on my mind."
"What made this darling stand out?"
"There's just something about her…She makes me feel warm like I'm at peace. And honestly, I'm only now starting to get that feeling back." He straightened up and smiled. "Besides, I needed to get a way to talk to you any time I want."
She leaned over and kissed him. A few minutes later of snogging and they were interrupted by a cacophony of Weasley noise as each filed in to take their seat at dinner. Another night surrounded by family, and another night down before each person at the table would begin another adventure.
So I had a few paragraphs of this story started about six months ago, then I read some FanFic, got back into the stories/movies and my HP bug is back! This is the first story I've outlined in full. Based on this chapter length, this story may in its eventuality be around 25,000 words. However, I can't promise anything.
Reviews do help!