Chapter Three
*Two Months Later*
Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes were busily stocking the new store in Hogsmeade. Today was the first Hogwarts visit and they were expecting a lot of business. Ron had come to the store for today to help Harry and George. Harry and Ron were stocking the shelves with as much as they could hold. George was in the back room making sure they were organized in case they needed to restock the shelves quickly.
"Alright boys," George said coming out of the back room with a clipboard in hand. "Students will be flooding the streets in ten minutes. Are we all ready?"
"I think so," Harry said. "The shelves are stocked, the cash registers are full for change and we have the outside easily recognizable. I think we'll get some good business today."
"Definitely," Ron said.
"Alright, then I want the two of you on the registers. I'll move around the store and make sure people aren't stealing and are getting all the help they need," George said.
"Sounds good," Ron said walking to the front counter.
"Oh by the way I fixed that theft detector," Harry said. "I tested it on every product and it works great."
"Alright great," George said. "Katie's coming in a few hours, at which time Harry can be set free to go with Ginny around town."
"That'll be the high point of my day," Harry said. George looked at him. "Not that working here isn't amazing."
"Alright, look alive the first few students are in sight," George said stepping back from the window.
An hour later the store was packed to the gills with students. They recognized some of the older students and were able to speak to them for a few seconds. For the rest, Harry felt like hitting some of them because they were so annoying. Two third year students had been caught trying to steal and they had been yelled at and then kicked out of the store by George.
Ginny had arrived at the store in the first wave of students so Harry had time to give her a tour of the store. This store was a three-floor building so Harry showed her that too. The second floor had three desks for the three owners, George, Ron, and Harry. Since that only took up a portion of the floor they had closed off some of the floor and made it into an inventing room. The third floor had been made into a flat. George was living in this one and Ron had moved into the one above the Diagon Alley store. Angelina and Hermione were frequent visitors of the flats, respectively. The Hogsmeade branch had a second bedroom that Harry occasionally stayed in when he was working late in the office. Harry had been put in charge of the financial aspects of the store. He paid Verity and Katie and split the profits between George, Ron, and himself. George and Ron had decided that he had to be in charge of something since they were each in charge of a branch. Harry had accepted even though he got the worst end of the deal. Running a branch was mainly running the money and partly about stocking shelves and making things run smoothly. Harry got to be in charge of the money of both branches. It meant a lot of paperwork, a lot of math, and a lot of trips to Gringotts where the goblins weren't big fans of him.
"So, you're a busy man," Ginny said coming downstairs to the store with Harry.
"Definitely," Harry said looking at the suddenly full shop. "We're a little busy so I should get on a register." Harry walked behind the counter and opened a register. Three people had paid for their purchases when Ginny walked up next to him and opened the next register.
"I can help someone over here," Ginny called to the people in the other two long lines. Several people swarmed over to Ginny and she started adding up the prices.
"You don't have to do that Ginny," Harry said handing someone a bag with their purchases. "Come back again."
"I've got nothing better to do until Katie gets here," Ginny said as someone spread their purchases out across the counter.
"Fine, if that's really what you want to do," Harry said. The next hour passed like that with the two of them on the registers and making small talk while ringing things up. Finally Katie showed up and Harry and Ginny were free to go.
"See ya later Ron," Ginny said. "I'll be back to say goodbye."
"Have fun on your break Harry," Ron called after him. He hadn't had a break from the register for hours.
"Maybe we'll bring you back some lunch," Harry called back. Ron didn't seem too unhappy about that so he shut up. Once they had escaped the store Harry grabbed Ginny's hand and pulled her down the side alley next to the store. He pushed her up against a wall and kissed her. He pulled apart a few minutes later. "Sorry, I just had to do that," Harry said.
"I'm with you on that one," Ginny said kissing him again. Once they pulled apart they were breathing heavily. "It's been awhile since we got to do that."
"You have no idea how much I've missed it," Harry said.
"I think I do actually," Ginny said. "Come on, let's go get a drink." As they walked along towards the three broomsticks they talked about school. Ginny filled him in on everything even though he knew a lot of it from her letters. Once they reached the pub they ordered their drinks and settled down at the counter. Madam Rosmerta came back a few minutes later with two glasses of mulled wine.
"So, what's this in your last letter about buying a house?" Ginny asked. "Haven't you already one of those?"
"Yes, but that is for the kids. I wasn't planning on living there permanently," Harry said. "Besides, when I saw this place I couldn't pass by the for sale sign. It's beautiful. "It's quite a bit bigger than I was planning on going for myself, but I really liked it."
"I look forward to seeing it," Ginny said. "Tell me about it."
"It's absolutely breathtaking," Harry said. "There are more bedrooms then we'll ever use in our lives, and just as many bathrooms. There's a big ballroom type thing with a bar that could be absolutely perfect for parties. There's a gigantic kitchen and dinging room. There's about four family and living rooms. The master bedroom's massive and it has a private fireplace and living area. I put an incredibly comfortable king size bed in there that I feel lost in by myself. There's a huge office on the main floor that's perfect for all the file cabinets and stuff that I need. I made a bedroom for Teddy. He's only stayed in it once but I think he liked it. He's walking now."
"Oh, I can't believe I missed that," Ginny said. "He'll have a playmate soon enough. I can't believe Fleur's pregnant."
"I don't know how her tiny figure is gonna hold a baby for six more months," Harry said.
"Is she showing yet?" Ginny asked.
"Yeah, a little bit. She hates it," Harry said. "She thinks people won't know she's pregnant and they'll think she's just fat."
"Fleur worried about her image? That's preposterous," Ginny said.
"Exactly," Harry said.
"So, back to the house," Ginny said. "Does it have a basement?"
"It has a huge basement," Harry said. "I have a pool table and a bar down there right now. There are a couple couches too."
"It sounds like you've made it into quite a boy's house," Ginny said.
"I'm sure you'll change that next month," Harry said. "Oh, I didn't tell you in my letters, but I've been talking to your parents about you being allowed to spend some time at my house over break."
"Of course I can spend time over there," Ginny said. "They can't keep me from doing that."
"No, I mean staying overnight," Harry said. "I've been working on convincing them ever since I bought the house. I told them that nothing would happen and I just wanted to be with you as much as possible."
"Did you get a big fat no?" Ginny asked.
"Not entirely," Harry said. Ginny looked up and widened her eyes. "I had originally asked for you to stay an entire week with me. They shot that down without thinking."
"Of course they did," Ginny said.
"Well, I didn't want to get nothing out of this so I bargained lower and lower and we finally reached an agreement. You'll be allowed to stay at my house on night a week while you're home and I can stay at the Burrow one night a week too," Harry said.
"In the highest room in the house," Ginny said.
"No, they agreed that we're old enough to sleep in the same room, with the door open of course," Harry said.
"Well, that's better than nothing," Ginny said. "I can't believe you talked to my parents."
"I want you to be with me as much as possible," Harry said. "I'm starting to regret that week in the hotel. It feels so empty laying in a bed without you now."
"I told you that would happen," Ginny said. She looked out the window at the looming darkness. "Is the sun setting already?"
Harry followed her glance. "I suppose that means you should be heading back to school then?"
"Unfortunately," Ginny said. "Come on, let's head back to the shop." They stood up and Harry tossed a few sickles onto the bar. They walked out of the pub and made their way back to the shop. It was empty when they got back. All the students were heading back to school.
"Ah, we were just about to come look for you," George said from his spot on the counter. Angelina was standing next to him. Ginny ran up and gave her a hug.
"Hi, I'm sorry I couldn't come sooner," Angelina said. "We had Quidditch practice."
"That's alright, I'm glad I got to see you," Ginny said. "I really should be heading back though."
"We'll walk you," Ron said grabbing his coat and pulling it on. "We're closing anyways."
"Okay, great," Ginny said. She took Harry's hand and they headed out into the cold November night.
They walked the familiar path out of Hogsmeade and towards the gates of Hogwarts. Ten minutes later they were standing at the gates. Students flooded past them and onto the school grounds. Filch was standing there checking off names. He was eying their little group as if daring them to try and come in.
"Well Gin, it looks like this is as far as we're gonna get with you. I could've gone for a nice Hogwarts dinner," Ron said.
"I'll bet it's been different not having someone prepare you dinner every night," Ginny said.
"Yeah," Ron said.
"What're you going on about? Hermione makes you dinner every night unless she's busy and then you come to my house or back to the Burrow. He's yet to make himself so much as a sandwich," Harry said.
"Oh, now I know what I'm gonna write Hermione in her next letter," Ginny said.
"You can't cut off my food supply," Ron said in a panicked tone.
"I'm not gonna tell her to cut it off," Ginny said. Ron breathed a sigh of relief. "I'm gonna tell her to teach you how to make something so she doesn't always have to. She has a job that's a lot more pressing than working at a joke shop."
"A lot of work goes into running a joke shop," Ron said.
"Not when you're not the one doing all the financial parts," Ginny said. "You wouldn't have any money to buy food if Harry wasn't working there because the two of you don't have any idea how to work with money. It'd all be gone if it were up to you."
"Well, that's exactly why we have Harry," George said. "That never was my department."
"Clearly," Harry said.
"Alright, well I should really head in," Ginny said. "I'll see you guys next month for Christmas."
"I don't know if I'll see you," Katie said.
"You're not coming to Christmas?" Ginny asked.
"I don't want to intrude on your family," Katie said.
"Nonsense, Molly loves having people over on Christmas. It's her favorite part of Christmas," Harry said.
"Well, maybe I'll see you," Katie said.
"If you don't come for Christmas we'll have to get together for lunch," Ginny said.
"Definitely," Katie said.
"Just the girls," Angelina said.
"Sounds good," Ginny said going over and hugging them at the same time. "It's so good to see you guys." Ginny hugged George next and said, "Say hello to Perce and Audrey for me."
"Will do," George said. Ginny moved onto Ron then.
"Tell Hermione I miss her," Ginny said.
"I'm sure she'll ask me a million questions about you," Ron said. "I'll convey the message."
"Thanks," Ginny said. She walked back over to Harry and stood in front of him. "Say hi to everyone else for me, especially Mum and Dad."
"I will," Harry said. He pulled his hand out of his pockets and extended his arms to her. She wrapped herself in his arms and stayed there for much longer than all her other hugs.
"Write like always," Ginny said pulling out of the hug.
"Of course," Harry said. "I'll pick you up at the train station."
"Okay," Ginny said. She stood on her tiptoes and kissed him. It was a brief kiss due to the fact that they were with two of her brothers and several Hogwarts students who were staring as they walked past.
"See you next month," Harry said after they broke the kiss. Ginny nodded her head and walked towards the gate. As Filch was checking off her name she turned and waved to them. Then she walked behind the gate and they lost sight of her. They stood there for another moment and then turned to head back to Hogsmeade so they could apparate home.
"It won't be as long this time Harry," Ron said patting Harry on the back.
"I know," Harry said. "It doesn't get easier though to say goodbye to her."
"I didn't think it would," Ron said. "You wanna come over for dinner tonight? Hermione's making pot roast."
"No thanks," Harry said. "I have a little party-planning to do."
"Party-planning?" George asked. "Where and when will the said party be taking place."
"Christmas Eve," Harry said. "Your Mum and Dad have Christmas Day and that's mainly for family. Everyone goes to their own families for Christmas so I thought a Christmas Eve party might be a good idea to get all our friends together."
"That's a great idea Harry," Angelina said. "Did you just think of that now?"
"Yeah," Harry said. "Katie actually made me think of it. Plus, Ginny's been away and it would be nice for her to see all her friends together before she heads back to school."
"That's sweet," Katie said.
"So, you guys can help me make a guest list. Can you guys make a list of all the people you want at the party? You can leave the obvious people out. Just put the people that you personally want there. Individual lists please and then I can put them together into one big list," Harry said.
"When do you want the list by?" Ron asked.
"By next weekend at the latest," Harry said. "Can you pass that along to your brothers too? Great thanks." They were back in Hogsmeade so Harry apparated home. Sitting in the fully furnished living room Harry had never felt more alone. Seeing Ginny again and saying goodbye again was bringing back bad memories all over again. To get his mind off Ginny he went upstairs to his office and sat down at the desk. He opened up the laptop he had bought a few days ago and started to make up a guest list for the Christmas Eve party and a list of things to buy for it. By the time he was done with that it was late enough to go to bed.