Disclaimer: The rights of Harry Potter belong to JK Rowling and Warner Bros. I am making no financial gain from this story whatsoever.

Chapter 14
Harry Decides to Meddle

Harry stood very uncomfortable outside. The forecast said sunny in this island. Sunny! Instead he stood under a downpour of incredible proportions. He later swore he thought he mistakenly apparated into the middle of a hurricane. As tempted as he was, he couldn't just apparate right back out.

He had given Ginny a portkey and he was expecting her to come in a minute. He had no idea how to approach this. He gave it to her under a made-up reason and he lost the element of surprise. He needed to get her out of this, this would've been the least romantic question ever.

Ginny appeared out of thin air, and Harry swiftly walked in the direction of her entrance. He was going to tell her he made a mistake, that they needed to get out of the island quickly, before of course she could figure out his intentions.

But as he saw her while he approached her, her red hair soaked in the rain, her weirdly finding the whole thing hilarious of herself appearing in what Harry considered had to be the beginning of a flood, he changed his mind and decided that it was romantic anywhere he'd ask this question. So in mid-stride he changed his mind, and his hand reached into his pocket and took out a small ring box.

Ginny was still distracted by the rain she didn't notice what was in Harry's hand until after he started to kneel. Harry thought she squealed but he really didn't hear as some loud bang occurred at the same time. He knew he'd have to yell out his proposal. And shorten it... there really was no way his initial planned words would be able to be said completely in such a weather.

"Ginny," he yelled through the loud pattering sounds of rain. "I love you, I love being with you, and I would love to be with you for the rest of our lives. Will you marry me?"

Ginny was saying 'yes' amongst other words, but Harry didn't hear that because at that moment the object that had just made that loud noise introduced itself into the conversation by hitting Harry. Or more accurately a coconut, carried by the fierce winds, slammed right on the side of Harry's head.

You surely don't need to be told that knocked him out cold.

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Harry was waiting for Ron at Tottenham Court Road, under the rain. It was rather unpleasant weather, but Harry couldn't reschedule this. Ron showed up and to Harry's annoyance, said they had to wait a bit longer as Percy was coming too.

And they waited even longer as the downpour continued. The umbrellas weren't too helpful considering the wind kept blowing them around. By the time Percy had arrived, they were soaked. Harry no longer even cared to try to hide from the rain. Percy showed up with Luna.

"Why didn't you just stay indoors?" he said.

"I thought it was just Ron..." began Harry. "Oh forget it. Let's move on."

"I think the rain in this month can be quite helpful," said Luna. "Washes away the invisible gnashters on your necks."

The three men just stopped and looked at her. Luna giggled a bit.

"I'm joking," she said, and they continued to move on. "Everyone knows gnashters aren't invisible," she said under her breath.

They made their way to a hotel nearby and went to the restaurant on the ground floor. Ron, to Harry's endless humour spotted Malfoy first.

"What's Malfoy doing in a muggle hotel...?" said Ron, who's looks of realisation always was patently obvious to anyone who paid attention. "Noooooo..."

"Unfortunately, yes," said Harry.

"No, Harry," said Ron, and then turning to Percy, "come on!"

"Don't look at him," said Harry. "It was his idea in the first place."

"For shame, Percy," said Ron.

"You know what they say politics makes..." said Percy before being interrupted.

"If you say Malfoy, me and bedfellows in the same sentence, so help me I'll deck you," said Ron. "Seriously, what does he want? Me to soften criminal laws?"

"Well more like trade laws," said Harry.

"Harry, we fought Voldemort," he said. "And then went to the Magical Law Enforcement, of which I was the only one of the three who didn't leave it. Do I look the least bit knowledgeable about trade laws? He could be wanting me to soften it to import dangerous crates of firegoats or something."

"You'll have advisors for that," said Harry. "And that's where we come in. I know the international laws, Percy and Luna the business side. Just go say hi to the Slytherin."

What progressed was one of the oddest meetings Harry had ever sat in. It took awhile so perhaps the highlights of it would suffice (and yes, it should). It started off pleasantly enough, asking about the kids etc... well if you forget the very subtle jab Malfoy made about Ron's divorce, and if you ever seen Ron even once you'll know he wasn't going to forget that.

"So," said Ron. "Do you still want to offer your support? Or you've changed your mind?"

"Do you find my issue near to your point of view?" said Malfoy.

"Unless someone's trying to import a bunch of foreign fighters," said Ron, "do you think I ever gave the slightest bit of thought to trade?"

"I've never given thought to what you gave thought of," said Malfoy.

Percy was about to say something, but Luna shushed him as she watched the two men intently. Harry nodded to her in approval.

"There's been agreements that has made it more difficult to sell things to some countries, but they can sell to us without issues," said Malfoy, sighing. "I need an attempt to level the playing field, making things easier for us, or harder for them. Can I count on you for that?"

"Hmmm," said Ron, stroking his chin. "I'll talk to Percy about the particulars of this matter and get back to."

"Get back to me, then," said Malfoy through gritted teeth. "I have a meeting to go to, if you'll excuse me."

When he left, Harry looked at Ron. Ron didn't say anything, looking innocent. Harry kicked his shin in response.

"Yes, yes," said Ron. "I am familiar with what he was talking about, but I wasn't going to be so easy."

"Really?" said Harry, shaking his head.

"Actually I wanted to see the reasoning behind such a weird situation," said Ron. "Maybe there's a good reason for that, which I'd agree with. I need to think about it first."

They sat for awhile longer talking aimlessly about things, including Luna's insistence in trying to get Percy to accept a fact-finding mission to Bolivia to find the Welsh Hummingdragon which 'left this island four centuries ago'. Percy looked like he had a headache after awhile.

"I think I preferred you in a bad mood," he said.

"Write a bad article and you'll see it," said Luna sweetly.

Harry wasn't paying much attention, watching the door. Ron was suspicious.

"What are you waiting for?" said Ron. "Another money-bags meeting?"

"No, no," said Harry, unconvincingly. "Just checking the weather, hoping it'll stop raining soon."

"Liar," said Ron, but Harry didn't respond.

"Well, then," said Percy. "I have to go. I'll contact you if anything comes up."

Harry's eyes still didn't leave the main doors. Ron asked again what was going on, and this time Harry did respond.

"Ah perfect timing," he said.

Ron turned to see Hermione walking in, also soaking wet from the rain. Seriously, they were the saddest group of wizards and witches getting soaked in the rain like that... but they were in muggle territory to be fair.

"Harry, what did you do?" said Ron.

"Nothing," said Harry, shaking his head. "It's just a coincidence. Hermione!" He waved her over.

"Harry, don't go anywhere, don't got anywhere," said Ron. "Don't make this awkward."

Hermione reached them. Harry looked at his watch.

"Oh look at the time," he said, to no one in particular. "Luna, we have that thing to go to."

Ron looked at Luna with pleading eyes. Luna looked at Harry, then Ron, and then at Harry again.

"Oh... that thing," said Luna. "I left the rash-remover at home, let's go get it for you."

Harry blushed at that idea.

"You're leaving?" said Hermione. "Didn't you call me to tell me to come here?"

"Ron's not leaving with us," said Harry. "My apologies. Dinner's on me then."

Without waiting for a reply, Harry called over a waiter and told him to charge everything on him. He obviously was known by this restaurant.

"Enjoy yourselves," he told them, and with a wink at Ron quickly left the place.

"That was odd," said Luna.

"Nah, I have my reasons," said Harry.

"They were married before, you know," said Luna.

"I hadn't forgotten," he said.

Before they left, Harry said one last thing.

"I never said I was sorry for you on losing Rolf," he said.

"And I never said sorry for you either," said Luna.

"Does... does..." started Harry. "Does it ever get back to normal?"

"Normal?" said Luna. "No, but it gets better. Only after time. I did have some help. Lorcan and Lysander were around. I'm sorry, Harry."

"No, thanks for the honesty," said Harry. "Take care."

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Ted Lupin was getting ready to go out when the apartment door was knocked. He was a bit surprised to see his godfather standing outside.

"Oh, having a night out?" asked Harry.

"Victoire wanted to check something out," said Ted.

"Victoire?" said Harry. "Again? That's an on-off-on-off-on thing isn't it?"

"I dunno," said Ted. "When we're together we let the little things bother us. When we're apart nobody interests us."

"Dysfunctional if you ask me," said Harry. "But I won't judge."

"Didn't you just do exactly that?" said Ted. "Anyways, it's nice of you to visit. You seem better these days."

"Well, I did mean to stop by sometime," said Harry.

"But you decided to avoid the world and all that," said Ted, waving it away. "Why don't you come with us?"

"You want me to tag along on your date?" Harry asked with a raised eyebrow.

"It's your godson and niece," said Ted. "It won't be a date if you come too."

"It bloody well won't be," said Harry. "I'll pass on that. We'll hang out some other time."

"As you wish," said Ted. "I'm happy you stopped by, and you seem a bit more available nowadays."

"I know," said Harry. "Nothing personal meant, I felt suffocated."

"I understand," said Ted.

The doorbell rang. As Ted was about to walk to the door, Harry pulled him by the shoulder.

"Listen, Ted," he said. "You deserve stability. If you feel like you're not in a good situation when you're with someone it's not smart to miss it once you've ended it. Either stay with her, or move on. This could be hurtful."

"I know, Harry," said Ted. "It's just I keep thinking 'this time will be different'."

"Well make this time different," said Harry. "Or accept it as the last time. You have your life and a career to live. And so does my niece."

"I'll try Harry," said Ted. "I promise."

"Uncle Harry!" said an excited Victoire.

"How's my favourite niece?" said Harry.

"You say that to every niece you have," she said, mock-pouting.

"I'm lying to them," said Harry, enveloping her in a hug.

"Sure, sure," she said. "So, you're coming along?"

Harry rolled his eyes. "What's the matter with you? Ted suggested the same thing," he said. "I'm not chaperoning a date."

"Some other time then, Uncle?" she said.

"Tell you what," said Harry, "bring along some of your cousins and that's a promise from me."

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The fuzzy silhouette was the first thing Harry saw, and it slowly improved to the point Harry guessed he was in a room with white painted walls. Unlike what you would think, nobody was waiting patiently for him to wake up. In fact, the room was empty save for Harry.

He didn't know at first where he was, nor did he know why he had such a splitting headache apart from it was not a hangover as he never really felt like his head was physically split in two with that. A few minutes, however, and he slowly remembered what had occurred. He quickly got up, he needed to find Ginny and find out what her answer was.

The moment he got up from the pillow, whatever pain he had in his head tripled at least. He slowly lowered back his head onto the pillow.

He leaned to his side to get a drink of water from that enticing jug and glass that was on the bed-table to his right. After he put down the glass he noticed a small folded piece of paper. He squinted his eyes to read the letter as he didn't want to lean again to get his glasses. It was short, anyways.

Harry

They said you may be unconscious for days, so I headed back to get you some of your things.

Ginny

P.S. It's yes, of course. Not that either of us doubted it. If you hadn't proposed I would've done so soon enough. That, or kidnap you and force you in a wedding without your consent. Whichever sounded more appropriate at the time.