Hey guys, thank you so much for all the positive reviews! I'm really enjoying writing this story! This chapter's a bit longer than the last few, but I'm back to work tomorrow after a week off (boooo) so unfortunately updates shall be slower :( hopefully this will satisfy you all for now! Much love x
Grimmauld Place was quiet for the next 2 weeks. Kingsley Shacklebolt had agreed for Harry and Ron to shadow himself and some fellow Aurors at the Ministry and they ended up going on a Death Eater chase on their third day. At first, Kingsley was reluctant to let them both tag along, but seeing as between them, Harry and Ron had successfully stunned about 200 Death Eaters and Snatchers, (not to mention Harry defeating the most powerful dark wizard of all time) he couldn't really say no.
Each day was a long shift, starting at 6am and ending at 8pm, so Harry and Ron barely had time to grab something to eat before they collapsed exhaustedly into their beds, let alone talk about their day.
For the first few days, Ginny felt so lonely in the big house all by herself, although she had managed to excel in her cake baking skills out of boredom and the boys appreciated being able to hungrily wolf down huge slices of her delicious creations when they got home.
One day, the doorbell rang at about 11am and Ginny frowned.
"Who could that be?"
She made her way down the long hallway and opened the door to find Fleur stood there, Teddy holding one of her hands and Victoire resting on her hip.
"'Ello Ginny. I am so sorry to drop in on you like zis." Fleur looked distressed and sighed as Teddy ran over to Ginny and hugged her leg.
"What ever is the matter Fleur? You look so stressed out!"
"My father… 'e has taken ill and has been rushed to zee 'ospital in my hometown in France. I must go immediately… but Bill is on important business at work and cannot come home. I was 'oping you could look after these two for me until he finishes tomorrow morning."
Ginny nodded feverently. "Of course Fleur! You go!" She took Victoire out of Fleur's arms and rested her on her own hip. "It's no trouble at all, you get straight to your father."
Fleur bit her lip and handed a rucksack with some of the childrens' toys, nappies and food inside to Ginny's free hand. "Zank you so much Ginny, I owe you one!"
"Honestly Fleur, you don't owe me anything." Ginny shook her head and waved as Fleur gave her a slight smile then disapparated.
Ginny let out a deep breath, then smiled. "Right, come on then you two! Let's go play!"
"Yay! Play! Aunt Gin Gin!" Teddy shrieked and ran into the living room. Ginny chuckled and followed him, then placed the spare play mat that they kept for when Teddy used to visit on the floor so she could lie Victoire down on it. Victoire began blowing raspberries and babbling incoherently as Teddy got out his favourite flying Quidditch set.
"GET DOWN!"
Harry and Ron coughed and spluttered and gasped for breath as they hid behind a massive rock from 3 Death Eaters who were adamant that Voldemort was still alive and had blown up an old ruined building right by them causing a large cloud of dust and debris to surround them.
"Recruited Potter and Weasley have you?! The Dark Lord will be delighted when we bring them to him!" One of the Death Eaters cackled evilly. "Come on, come out and play!"
Harry growled under his breath and quickly darted out from the rock, pointing his wand at another large boulder beside one of the Death Eaters.
"Confringo!" Harry yelled and blew the boulder to pieces, knocking one of them unconscious.
Ron and Kingsley both jumped up and began stunning.
"STUPEFY!" Ron flicked his wand, aiming the spell at the Death Eater closest to him, but he dodged and grinned.
"Not good enough Weasel! Crucio!"
"Protego!" Ron managed to block the unforgivable curse and then darted back behind the rock.
Kingsley had managed to body bind the other Death Eater, before using Impedimenta on the one that was attacking Ron.
Ron sheepishly made his way over to Harry and Kingsley, who were now handcuffing the dark wizards.
"Sorry Kingsley… I should have tried harder."
"Nonsense Weasley…" Kingsley shoved the Death Eaters to his colleagues that had just arrived and watched as they took them away, Azkaban being where they would end up. "You are only young. You are only here for experience. Once you take your NEWTs and begin real training, you will be brilliant in no time."
Ron raised a small smile and a blush formed along his cheeks and on the tips of his ears. "Thanks Kingsley. That makes me feel better."
"Pleasure. Now, get home, both of you. It's past 9 and I expect Ginny will be wondering where you are. Just two more days and you can get back to normal, but trust me, this will become normality one day if you still want it. Goodnight boys." Kingsley nodded curtly at them and disapparated.
Harry patted Ron on the back with a tired smile. "C'mon, let's get to bed. I don't know about you, but I'm knackered!"
"I am too mate, trust me." Ron sighed and they both disapparated home.
"Night mate." Ron walked straight upstairs to his room as soon as they got back to Grimmauld Place.
"Night Ron."
Harry rubbed his eyes and pushed his muddy hair out of his face vowing to himself to get straight in the shower as soon as he's said goodnight to Ginny and to get a hair cut as soon as this work experience was over. Harry made his way into the lounge and stopped in the doorway as the sight he saw was too precious to disturb.
Ginny was sound asleep on the sofa with baby Victoire cradled in one arm and Teddy snuggled into her other side, both of whom were also fast asleep. Harry smiled affectionately and realised that he was more in love with this beautiful red head than he'd ever realised before.
