Hey guys! I am very pleased that this story is well received! I honestly thought only my friends would read this but I'm getting hundreds of views so I'm stoked!
It's looking like I might focus mainly on Ginny's perspective (I've always identified with her character) but they are soon going to be in separate places so we'll see what happens then :)
Chapter 3
"What are you doing you weirdo?" Harry's yell rang out across the yard as Ginny's head bent in even deeper concentration.
"Harry, I swear to Merlin, if you make me mess this up you will be a virgin for ever." She growled as she applied the finishing touches and sat back on her heels, nodding in satisfaction.
"What is it?"
"It's a present."
"For who?"
"Luna." Harry leaned closer, inspecting the contraption but no apparent use sprung to mind.
"I don't get it." Ginny sighed and tapped a panel with her wand. The thing sprung to life, whirring and chirping.
"Well first off, it's adorable," said Ginny, gazing affectionately at her creation. "But mainly, it's enchanted to adapt to her needs. For example, this surface here is for her to mix her paints on and it could potentially help her get the same shade consistently or, given an example, mix new shades for her."
"Wow, you made that yourself?" Harry could see many other parts to the machine and could only imagine how many uses it would have, especially in the hands of one so creative as Luna.
"Hermione helped iron out a few kinks but yeah," replied Ginny shrugging "Luna and I always joked that she needed ten extra hands for all the ideas she had going at once."
"What's the occasion?" Ginny giggled at the question, causing Harry to look at her bemusedly.
"There is none, I'm just going to anonymously send it to her and see if she figures it out." Harry sighed at his girlfriend's crazy sense of humour and slung his arm around her shoulder.
"I will never understand you, Weasley." Ginny leaned her head against his shoulder, relishing the feeling after so long without it.
"That's the idea, Potter."
The last few days had been draining on everyone's emotions, even with Bill and Percy's organizing, people had still attended multiple funerals. The memorial service had been well thought out and had gone smoothly, Ginny had almost been dehydrated by the end of it because of all the tears shed.
After all the official mourning was over, the wizarding world shifted into celebration mode and the four friends had attended many parties where they were the unwilling centres of attention.
Ginny could tell that this was hard on Harry who, after all he had been through, needed a little bit more normalcy.
Today was the first quiet day in a while the group were taking a well deserved breather. Suddenly filled with relief at the peace and quiet, Ginny wrapped her arms around Harry's waist. As he glanced down at her she flicked her wand sending Luna's contraption on it's way and leaned up to kiss him.
The sun became twice as warm and bright as his lips met hers, and when his hand cupped her face she thought she might actually melt. The war had stolen many things from her but Harry hadn't been one of them. She kept her eyes closed as he drew back and rested his forehead against hers.
"Andromeda will be dropping Teddy off soon." He murmured and laughed as Ginny squealed in delight.
"I get to cuddle Teddy, I get to cuddle Teddy!" Ginny kept chanting as she pranced across the yard, heading inside to change into clean clothes.
"He's my godson!" She heard Harry call out behind her as she rushed into the cool kitchen.
"Whatever, he likes me best!" Ginny retorted, grabbing a freshly baked cookie from the cooling rack and dancing up the stairs.
When she came downstairs, Andromeda was having tea with Mrs Weasley and Teddy had already been claimed by Hermione who was holding up different pictures so that the giggling baby could shift to mimic what he saw. Ginny settled down beside the brunette and laughed as Teddy changed his hair to perfectly match Ginny's.
She spent the whole rest of the afternoon entertaining Teddy and watching Harry bond with his godson. Despite how tiring babysitting was, they all protested when Andromeda came to take her grandson away and only cheered up again when they were told he would be coming around again in three days. After dinner, they mucked around in the living room until a knock on the door interrupted a particularly rowdy hand of exploding snap.
The four friends sobered up as they saw Professor McGonagall and Kingsley Shacklebolt entering the room. They began to get up to leave the room but Mr and Mrs Weasley stopped them, indicating that they should stay. Ginny wondered why she was included in this discussion when it had always been just the golden trio, she felt quite pleased with herself as she settled down on the couch next to Harry.
"I'm sure this conversation will come as no surprise" began Mcgonagall as the Harry, Ron and Ginny looked confused and Hermione sat up a little straighter.
Kingsley, noticing the three bemused faces, chuckled quietly and clarified.
"We are here to talk about your futures." as realisation dawned, he continued "It must have become clear to you all when you attended many of those parties that the wizarding world is keen to know what your future will hold." Ginny inwardly groaned as she remembered the exhausting amounts of reporters, business people and gossips who had insisted on inquiring about every detail of each of their lives. She had been surprised that she had been included in the frenzy but people must have caught wind of her relationship with Harry as well as her involvement in much of the resistance at Hogwarts.
"There are many directions each of your careers could take." McGonagall fixed them each with a serious look, "I cannot stress enough how many opportunities have opened themselves to you as a result of your achievements." her face was warmed by a rare smile as she considered each of her pupils with pride.
Her attention shifted to Harry and Ron "Are the two of you still set on your plans to become aurors?" when they both nodded enthusiastically she continued "The choice is yours then, whether you finish your final year at Hogwarts or enter training right away," She glanced at Kingsley "The auror department usually only accepts people who have achieved outstanding OWLs in the required subjects. However, considering the circumstances, the two of you will be granted an exception to that rule."
The two men exchanged excited looks and said without hesitation and in perfect unison "When do we start?" Kingsley laughed at their enthusiasm and drew two stacks of paper from a satchel
"Initial trials start on Monday week. If you pass those then you will begin full training the following week." He fixed each of them with a firm look "Aside from the leniency in the entry criteria, you will be considered as regular trainees so expect no special treatment." Harry and Ron nodded solemnly as the took the proffered forms.
McGonagall then then turned to the two women and Ginny felt a jolt of apprehension in her gut.
"This offer stands for the two of you as well but seeing as neither of you has expressed any interest in this career path, am I right in assuming that this isn't something you plan to pursue." When both women confirmed this, she continued "I would strongly recommend that you, Miss Weasley continue at Hogwarts for your final year, considering the interruptions your sixth year was subjected to." Ginny smiled ruefully and nodded.
"I'm still not entirely sure what I want to do with my life so that would probably be wise." McGonagall nodded briskly and raised an eyebrow at the final person on the couch.
Hermione had been biting her lip the whole time and before McGonagall could address her, she blurted out.
"I would like to attend my final year at Hogwarts also."
"You do realise, Miss Granger, that even without your incredible contribution towards ending the war that your grades have been so impressive that any employer would beg to have you." Hermione blushed at her Professor's words and shook her head.
"I still feel like there is so much more to learn and I still haven't figured out what direction I want to take. S.P.E.W. still needs a lot more work before it starts making impact and the demands of a job might inhibit my efforts in that area." As she paused to take a breath, she glanced around definitely, expecting to see incredulity on her friends faces but only finding respect.
"Very well, Miss Granger, Miss Weasley, I look forward to your continued presence at Hogwarts." McGonagall looked at Mr and Mrs Weasley and seeing their approval of the choices made, began to gather her things. Kingsley, however, didn't make any move to leave, instead addressed Hermione.
"Miss Granger, I was wondering if you realised the severe illegality of the obliviate charm you performed on your parent's last year."
Hermione's expression shifted to one of pain and Ron slipped an arm around her shoulder, looking warningly at the Minister for Magic.
"I was aware, Minister," Hermione began, placing a reassuring hand on her boyfriend's knee. "However, I felt I was left without a choice, considering the circumstances." Kingsley nodded solemnly, regarding the young women in front of him.
"Considering the circumstances, I have decided to step in on your behalf and prevent charges from being placed." His expression softened somewhat. "I have sent the ministries best team of confunders to retrieve them and restore their memories. This is all done with the understanding that no further exceptions will be given in regards to you and the statute of secrecy or any other wizarding law you may break." Hermione nodded furiously and rushed to embrace the stately man, stuttering her thanks between tears.
That night, as they prepared for bed, Ginny and Hermione speculated excitedly about what their year would be like now that they were in the same year.
"It's going to be great sharing a dorm with you." said Hermione as Ginny came back from washing her face in the bathroom.
"I'll finally have you as a study buddy all to myself!" Ginny added gleefully, twisting her long hair into a messy bun and flopping onto her bed.
When they had exhausted themselves with chatter, they settled down to sleep and Ginny was left alone with her thoughts. She truly had no idea what she wanted to do after Hogwarts and she found it quite daunting that her friends seemed so sure of themselves. She staved of the panic threatening to engulf her by reassuring herself that she had a another whole year before she had to make up her mind. Feeling slightly less worried, she allowed herself to slip into the deep sleep that had been calling to her since dinner.
I wrote this chapter so fast! It's like this story has been waiting inside me for so long and now that I'm finally writing it, I can't type fast enough! Please review because I love to hear from you guys and I want to know how I can improve! :)