Valentines Surprises
The second book of the trio's adventures was released in late January. Luna scheduled six media days spread over the next month to promote the books and provide for press questions. Harry was actually getting better at these events since his quidditch fame resulted in lots of autograph signings. It was hard not to be in a good mood when every other fan was a young boy or girl with no ulterior motives other than to get you to sign their favorite memento. Harry figured that the press storm would die down again after the book was released. It did last time.
The end of January slowly melted into February and during the same time Harry and Ginny melted into a stable lifestyle. For the most part they were now living in the carriage house loft. After their honeymoon Ron and Hermione lived at their own flat more often. The friends gathered at least one night a week to share dinner or go out on the town.
Ron, Harry, and Ginny set up their tents only for the days immediately before and day of their matches. This allowed them three to four days a week of peace as couples. It was working, Harry and Ginny had structured time together and their play level on the field was actually improving. Ginny's game improved dramatically; her goals per game and assist ratio climbed, her turnover ration declined. She was now leading the team in assists, and third in goals scored, but more importantly she was having fun. Her dream was becoming reality and she was happier than Harry had ever seen her.
Harry, Ginny, Ron and Hermione went to the Weird Sisters concert and used the back stage passes to meet the group. The backstage party was overwhelming and both couples enjoyed it. Ginny was ecstatic and the band members were pleased to find out she played with the Harpies. Ginny left them suite tickets to the game in three weeks, the game versus the Cannons. Life after the war was finally starting to live up to the dream of life after the war.
Dear Gin,
Our plans have to change a bit. Andromeda's not feeling well and she's allergic to one of the ingredients in the healing potion so she can't take it. She's contagious for at least the next four or five days. Your Mum flooed over to the Tonks' place and brought Teddy to stay with us until Andromeda feels better. I'll bring him with me tomorrow when we come to see you play. Good thing I don't have a game this week.
See you soon, fly fast chaser girl.
Love,
Harry
Ginny smiled at the note. Having Teddy with them was fine, in fact it was better than fine. Whenever Teddy was around Harry acted about ten years younger, allowing himself to enjoy some of the childhood he missed out on at the Dursleys.
Ginny woke to a very enthusiastic but wet kiss on Saturday morning. When she opened her eyes Teddy's smile filled her field of vision. "Hi Teddy, how ya doing sport?" She picked him up, then tossed him down gently and started to tickle him. Teddy laughed heartily. The harder he laughed the longer and brighter his hair grew, finally ending in a bright green hue with locks almost shoulder length.
"Sorry Gin, I told him to stay out of here and let you sleep in," Harry apologized. "Obviously he didn't listen. But breakfast is ready come on in." He stepped from the door and went back to the kitchen area of the tent.
Ginny shuffled out a little later with Teddy following behind her. Her hair was still mussed from sleeping, she wore Harry's old jersey and sweats with 'Future Mrs. Potter' printed on the bum. George had printed the saying on damn near anything he could think of, to the point Harry asked him to tone it down a little. George was distinctly in favor of Harry marrying Ginny so he made sure his sister had plenty of the items to wear forcing Harry to notice.
"Wear those a lot do you?" Harry teased as he brought her a plate of scrambled eggs and a glass of juice.
"Girl can hope can't she?" she replied smiling. She slid her plate closer and helped Teddy into a high chair. She fed Teddy bits of egg from her plate as she ate.
Harry teased her about her 'Future Mrs. Potter' wardrobe every once in a while and both of them felt it was humorous the lengths George was going through to push them along. It unfortunately brought to the subsurface of their lives the only questions still left unresolved. Ginny wasn't sure when Harry might propose again. Plus, she still had the ring, and of course last time he asked it was the nuclear meltdown of all proposals, disintegrating in front of her entire family. Ginny honestly didn't know if he would ask again, she also wasn't about to push the issue at this point.
After breakfast Ginny left for the stadium to prepare for the game. At game time Harry and the rest of the family climbed the stands into the Harpies box seats. Harry was looking forward to the game more than anyone else in the family. The last time he watched Ginny play was at school last spring. The game itself was exiting the Harpies would get a run and go up several goals and the Tornadoes would retaliate evening up the score. Ginny was flying well; she was above her average for goals scored and assists. Wendy Mueller, the Harpies seeker, caught the snitch near the north end sealing a Harpies victory. Harry picked up Teddy and headed down to the field to see Ginny.
Ginny and other team members were already seated at a table signing autographs for fans when Harry reached her. Ginny's line was quite long, filled mostly with star-struck teenage boys and younger girls. The remainder of her fans tended to be young men anxiously waiting to chat her up and prove they were her perfect match. Many of her younger girl supporters wore Ginny jerseys, fake ponytails or both.
"Hi Miss Weasley I have a fan to meet you," Harry called from behind her.
"Hi guys." She waved and smiled briefly before turning back around to sign another poster. Teddy walked to her; she picked him up setting him on her lap while she continued to autograph different items and pose for pictures. She was still in her game robes and signed for fans until the line emptied almost an hour later.
Ginny stood from the table and gave Harry a hug. She massaged her wrist as she led them towards the locker room. "Wait here, I'll be out in a jif." She stepped into the locker room. Thirty minutes later Ginny reappeared freshly showered, sporting a clean Harpies training suit. She gathered Teddy in her arms so they could return to the tent.
The couple mingled with the remaining family members and enjoyed the foods and drinks. Long before the party wound down they retired to their tent and put Teddy down for the night. Once Teddy was situated the couple retired to their room.
On Sunday afternoon Harry, Ginny and Teddy flooed over to the Burrow for Sunday dinner, half an hour later than expected. Upon arriving Molly grabbed them up, Teddy squirmed free of Ginny's hold on him and toddled for the living room.
"Hi dears, come in, come in." As she welcomed them into the kitchen she held Ginny's hands taking care to study her daughter's ring finger.
"Mum, honestly if he proposed I'd have told you." Ginny shook her head. "Mum, don't…"
"Don't what? It's a mother's natural curiosity." Molly tried to defend her actions, but Ginny wasn't buying it. "Welcome Harry, drinks are on the counter, help yourself. Bill and Fleur are in the study." Molly returned to her cooking.
Ron and Hermione landed on the front porch arguing good naturedly about something inconsequential. Both entered smiling, giving Ron's Mum a kiss as they passed through the kitchen on their way to the living room. "Hello dears, how are my son and his lovely wife?" Molly asked, looking past Ron and more towards Harry. Harry quickly snatched a drink and left before Molly could make any more marriage innuendos. Ginny followed him.
Mrs. Weasley finished the dinner preparations, Ginny and Fleur aided her in setting the table. Soon the rest of the family was seated for dinner. Three couples caught up with each other discussing quidditch, politics and Arthur's possible promotion at the Ministry.
Teddy and Victoire screeched as they played in the study. Fleur listened intently to the children until she was certain all was fine. Molly turned to her. "Fleur do we know when our little Victoire is going to have a new brother or sister?"
Without waiting for Fleur's response she posed the same question to Ron and Hermione. "Hermione do you two have any news on that front?"
"Mum, we've only been married a month!" Ron spluttered through a mouth full of pudding. Hermione choked on her pumpkin juice.
"Well I'm sure we will have children some day. Ron and I have not discussed the timing of children seriously, and we still have jobs to attend to. It will be a while," Hermione recovered smoothly.
"And you Ginny, well of course it's too early for you since you are not yet Harry's wife." Molly turned her gaze towards Harry. "Harry do you know when that might change?" she posed the question in an innocent tone, but her intent was clear. She expected them to be married now that the two of them mostly lived together at the carriage house.
Arthur weighed in on the conversation, "Yes, Harry do you have a plan yet? The prophet is babbling on again and I'm afraid the comments are not complimentary. It does cast a shadow over your and Ginny's reputations."
"Did they run another article? The last one I saw mentioned that Ginny was tired of me and chasing after Malcolm somebody or other," Harry replied coolly.
"No Harry, it was Richard Malcolm, he owns the company that makes the chocolate frogs. I was going after him because he supposedly has more gold than you. Sorry you found out like this. I'll move out on Monday." Ginny smiled and slowly ran her foot up Harry's leg under the table. Harry cast a devious smile at her.
"Young lady these are serious accusations! Yet you and Harry just plod along, without any real plan for the future. If you married it might help quench some of these nasty rumors," Arthur said forcefully, as he looked first at Harry, then at Ginny.
"I would have asked her again, but she's found another bloke who has more galleons than I have." Harry smiled, slipping his foot up the side of Ginny's leg and rubbed her inner thigh. Ginny's eyes sparkled with mischief at his actions.
"This is serious!" Mr. Weasley's temper was beginning to stew.
Harry almost snapped, catching himself before he got angry. He answered in a firm voice. "Yes it is. Which is why when I'm ready, and I think Ginny is ready, I MIGHT ask her again. I won't do it to appease The Daily Prophet, Witch Weekly, or even her parents." Harry looked her father in the eye and then gave the same look to Molly. He softened his voice as he continued. "We understand your position, but please let us figure out what we need, don't push."
"Now then, is everyone coming to the game? If so, how many tickets do we need?" Harry asked trying to change the conversation to a less confrontational subject. The family counted off, Harry, Ron and Ginny tallied them up. Between Ron and Harry the family could stay as a group in the Cannons' box, Ginny would let the Warrington's use her box seats.
It closed in on eight o'clock before Bill, Fleur, Harry and Ginny readied to leave for the night. Ginny stepped to the coat rack and pulled their cloaks free of the hooks.
"Teddy, come here, time to go," Harry called for his godson. Teddy trotted out from the study and Harry picked him up. He helped Ginny pull the child's cloak around the boy and fastened his own cloak. "Good night everyone." Harry waved from the front door.
"Goodnight Mum, Dad, everyone." Ginny waved to her family, then took Harry's hand and the couple left the Burrow.
The couple held hands as they walked back to their flat. Harry was carrying Teddy, keeping him tucked to his chest to keep the night chill from him. The trip to their place wasn't too long and most of it passed in silence as they pondered her parents' actions. Harry broke the silence when they passed the half way point of the walk.
"Your parents certainly let us know their agenda didn't they," Harry surmised.
"To them, living together unmarried is an abomination. I hear about it from Mum pretty regularly. She never liked the whole detention thing either, but she let it go, knowing we'd get together somehow," answered Ginny. "Percy owled me as well, says it reflects on his reputation at the Ministry."
"Percy feels the need to criticize you? He needs a reminder that he was one step from becoming a Death Eater…stupid git," Harry responded. "How do you feel about it?"
Ginny thought for a long moment, Harry could see her mind working behind her eyes. "I'm happy Harry. You and I are together, I'm NOT chasing Richard Malcolm…" she smiled at him. "…I'm content. A year from now if I'm in the same situation I won't be happy, but I don't think it will work out that way. I have you, the Harpies, and Teddy sometimes. I'm really happy."
"What about your parents?" He asked as he led her into the carriage house and up the steps to the flat.
"They can sod off… Putting more pressure on us isn't going to hasten our decisions. If they want to play that game then I'll push back." Ginny muttered the unlocking charm and pushed open the door.
"No, WE'LL push back… Now are you staying here tonight or are you going to Malcolm's place?" He tickled her ribs as he helped remove her cloak.
"Hmmm, I don't feel like having to put my cloak back on so I suppose I'll stay here." She tickled him back. Together they readied Teddy for bed, and tucked him into his bed in the spare room. Ginny turned and climbed the spiral stairs to the loft. Harry relocked the front door and placed the protective spells on it before heading for the loft himself.
Valentine's Day dawned sunny and warm for the time of year. Harry and Teddy woke early to surprise Ginny. The two 'men' sat across the small table from each other making valentines for Ginny. Sunlight streamed into the flat's kitchen bathing the table in natural light. Teddy drew and colored shapes that were supposed to resemble hearts from red and pink paper. Harry cut them out and performed the sticking charms to add the decorations to the blank cards. Harry cooked a light breakfast as they worked and soon both of them brought the cards and breakfast to Ginny in bed.
She sat up as they entered. Ginny loved the homemade cards, rewarding the effort by kissing Teddy and Harry for the valentines. The remainder of the day passed by in a leisurely manner.
As evening approached Harry took Ginny and Teddy to town for dinner, in celebration of the day. He chose a casual diner offering a variety of foods. With dinner finished the small family strolled across the town square towards the indoor arcade. Harry interrupted the short walk to the arcade to chat with a gentleman about his classic sports car. Ginny and Teddy waited for him as he admired the man's auto. When Harry lived at the Dursleys he dreamed, like every muggle boy, about getting a car and his driver's license. He remembered seeing a car like this one and loved the lines of it. Soon Harry bade farewell to the man and continued to the arcade.
Harry helped Teddy play a few different arcade games winning him a stuffed dragon. Ginny received a stuffed bear after Harry won the basket toss. Teddy insisted on riding the carousel so Ginny helped steady him as he rose and fell with the tiger he was riding in circles. He rode the black horse, the unicorn, a white horse, a lion and a motorcycle before Ginny could get him to leave the ride.
As they exited the arcade to head home Ginny saw a pair of horse drawn carriages at the taxi stand. Each carriage was white with a pair of forward facing seats and a driver's station. Sparkling gold pin striping and trim accented the thin fenders and spoked wheels. The horses stood tall and proud, white harnesses contrasting with the shiny black coat of each magnificent animal.
"Please, come on lets go for a ride." Ginny pointed to the carriages. Teddy nodded as she held him. Harry agreed and soon the three of them were snuggled under a blanket in the rear seat of the carriage as it weaved its way through the softly lit streets of Ottery St. Catchpole.
"Mmmm, this has been a good day, Ginny murmured into Harry's ear. Teddy wiggled between them.
"Yes it has, best Valentines Day ever." He pulled Ginny a little closer hugging her shoulder. A light mist was falling over the town creating a halo effect around the streetlights.
"Watch it, I nearly run ya down!" the driver shouted as he stopped the carriage. Harry looked up to see the driver slump over in his seat. Three men in dark cloaks rushed into the street.
The figure on the right stepped away from the other two and pointed his wand at Harry. Harry instinctively pushed Ginny and Teddy to the floor of the carriage and then rolled to his right. A flash of yellow light burst from the man's wand. The lantern on the left side of the carriage exploded in a hail of broken glass.
"Protego!" Harry's shield covered the back seat area. Teddy screamed in fear. Movement to his left caught Harry's eye and he saw the other two men sliding to his left in an effort to get a better angle at Harry's back. He shot a stunning spell at the one on the far left, but missed high, scorching the building behind them. He quickly turned back to the wizard on the right. Two more flashes of light lit the street, one sailed over his head, and the other ricocheted off the back of the carriage blasting a small hole in the wood.
"Stupefy!" Harry cast the spell back towards the man on the far left. He missed again, but it was wide right and actually hit the middle of his three attackers. Teddy was still wailing and Ginny was keeping the boy covered. Harry and Ginny locked gazes briefly, understanding innately what the other was about to do. She nodded to Harry and then cast her own shield charm to protect her and the toddler, allowing Harry to focus on the attack. He ducked again; a shot of red light hit his right shoulder.
"Arrghh!" he shouted in pain. He could feel the familiar sensation of his blood running down his arm. Harry slid from the carriage and crouched near the front wheel advancing his position. The wizard on the right threw another hex at him but it fell short blasting apart a section of the harness. The horse jumped wildly in fright, upsetting the carriage. As the horse bucked against its restraints the carriage bounced wildly nearly tipping over. Harry sent another stunner to the man on the left to keep him back.
"Reducto!" Harry's wand tip touched the remnants of the harness. It disintegrated quickly freeing the scared horse. The horse immediately bolted forward, stampeding down the street. The wizard on the right dove to keep from getting trampled.
"Stupefy!" Harry's spell hit the man square in the chest freezing him. Harry then ducked and ran around the front of the carriage getting a clear shot at the last attacker.
"Stupefy!" Another good hit and the last attacker flew back from the sheer power of the spell. Harry jumped into the front seat of the carriage and leaned over to check Ginny and Teddy. Ginny released her shield and hugged Teddy tightly.
"Shhh, its okay Teddy…shhh its okay," she cooed to the boy trying to calm him. Harry used his good arm to sweep the hair from Ginny face.
"You hurt Gin?" he questioned as he quickly checked her over for injury.
"No I'm good, Teddy is too. He's just scared," she said examining the child for any injuries. "Shhh…Teddy, its fine baby, its fine. Shhh…" she kept whispering in the boy's ear and wrapping him in her arms to comfort him. "Hey how bad is that?" Ginny gestured to Harry's bleeding shoulder.
"Hurts pretty bad. Slicing hex I think," he commented as he climbed up to check the driver. "I'll live, the driver is just stunned."
"Expecto Patronum!" His patronus stag leapt from his wand galloping off to deliver his message to Kingsley Shacklebolt.
A few minutes later the still street became busy as Aurors and the Minister apparated to the scene of the attack.
Harry and Ginny each gave their account of the events to Samuel Westin, the lead Auror assigned to the incident. Other team members set to fixing spell damage, recovering the horse and altering the memory of the driver. Kingsley made his way to Harry, Ginny and Teddy.
"Harry, Ginny, I'm sorry we have to meet under these circumstances. This doesn't fit into any organized sect of dark wizards we know of. From what we can get from their memories here, it appears they were just trying to make a name for themselves."
"Make a name?" Ginny queried.
"Sure, being the wizard that takes out Harry Potter is a pretty big feather in a dark wizard's cap. Most aren't dumb enough to try, but these guys were," Kingsley explained. "We can find out more after we interrogate them at the Ministry. I'll let you know what we find Harry."
"Kingsley, can we go now? I'd like to get Teddy home. I can come by the ministry tomorrow if needed." Harry offered.
"Sure, head home. Don't worry about coming to the ministry unless we notify you. Get your shoulder looked at," the Minister of Magic suggested.
"I'll get the wound fixed up, I know a private healer so I don't have to go to St. Mungo's." Harry shook Kingsley's hand and offered his thanks to the team. "Come on Gin, let's go home."
The couple apparated to their flat. Teddy was calming down. Ginny gave him a bit of sleeping draught to settle him and tucked the toddler into bed. "We're fine here, go get your shoulder looked at. I could do it, but I don't have a potions kit here," Ginny instructed.
Harry walked to the fireplace and threw a pinch of powder into the fireplace. "Meredith! Its Harry are you free for a fix-up?" Harry spoke loudly into the green fire.
"Yes! Floo in directly." Meredith's voice called back from the fire. Harry tossed a handful of powder into the fire and then stepped in calling, "Meredith's!" as he went.
Ten minutes later he returned with a fresh bandage on his shoulder and a set of three potions. He shook off the ash from the floo travel and strode across the flat grabbing Ginny in a hug.
"You sure you're not hurt?" he questioned.
"I'm fine, have some coffee." She passed him a hot cup and led him to the sofa. "Teddy's fine too, he's resting."
"That didn't go very well, they almost got me. I should be more careful," he confessed.
"Didn't go well? It was three on one and you got them all. Did I see a different fight than you did?" she replied.
"But at first my spells missed by a mile. I hit the middle guy first, but was aiming at the one on the left. And the horse charging down the other guy was luck; I was doing it to make you and Teddy safe. The fact it stampeded the guy was simple luck." He took another sip of coffee.
Ginny ran her hand around his neck and kissed his forehead. "You did fine, just out of practice a little."
"I'll need to start practicing some, at least a few times a week." He looked at the floor and sighed. "It's never going to be over is it?"
"What?" Ginny asked.
"People coming after me, trying to kill me." He looked up sadness showing on his face. "It's been so nice the last few months; you and I being together all the time, relaxing. But there's always going to be somebody ready to take me down. Moody was right, constant vigilance…constant vigilance."
"Well, you did fine. You protected me and your godson until I could get my shield up, and disposed of three dark wizards. All in all I'd say you did quite well."
Harry rose and stepped to the door to leave. "STOP! You're not going after them now are you?" Ginny glared as she stood up.
"Calm down, I'm not going anywhere. I want to strengthen the wards around the house and I'll be right back. Is that acceptable?" He smiled and walked back to her, pulling her into another hug. "We went over this that night in the tent. I've made that mistake once; I'll never make it again. I'm never leaving you, never."
"Sorry I snapped. You go do the wards, and I'll put on something that might get your mind off those nasty wizards." She teased him by kissing his neck. Teddy cried out from the spare room. "Go on, I'll check on him."
Harry went out to strengthen the wards, Ginny slipped quietly into the spare room to calm Teddy. She was still by his bed when Harry returned ten minutes later. Teddy settled out once Harry sat at his bedside. A few minutes later the boy once again rested peacefully.
Harry rested on the bed as Ginny readied herself in the bath. "Need any help?" he offered.
"No." she called back laughingly. "I'd never get it on if you 'helped' me. Not that it's going to stay on that long anyway." Harry gasped when she came to the bed. A white satin negligee was all that covered her, and it wasn't doing much of that. She pushed him back kissing his chest, leaning over his body. He responded by running his hands down her back to her bum. His fingers lingered near the edges of the thin material.
"Haareeee, haa reee, msss gineeee!" Teddy cried from the other room. Ginny sighed and rolled off Harry. She left and when she returned she was carrying Teddy, kissing him and hugging him.
"I don't think he's going to stay down without us near him," she stated ruefully. "Here, get him settled with us. She passed him his godson and the stuffed dragon. She stepped away to the bath. Teddy crawled into the bed and pulled up the covers, clenching his dragon tightly. Ginny returned wearing sleep pants, a 'Future Mrs. Potter' T-shirt and held a paper bag at her side.
"We tried." She smiled.
"I know." He smiled back. "Here this is for you. I didn't just want to buy you something, so I did this." He passed her a parchment.
Ginny opened it and started to read. Immediately she looked at him crossly. He waved her to continue. When she did so she smiled.
Dearest Ginny,
You have given me some of the best moments of my life. I'd like to relive one of the more unique times tonight.
'His eyes are as green as a fresh pickled toad.'- I know you hate this, but bear with me. True, this may not be the best analogy to use, being compared to a pickled toad, but what amazes me is what you saw. You didn't see someone famous, or infamous, or The-Boy-Who-Lived, you saw me. Just Harry with green eyes, the same person you still see. I value that more than you will ever know.
'His hair is as dark as a blackboard.'- Hopefully I'll always feel your fingers running through my hair. Allowing me to know how much you care. For most my life physical contact meant pain, and then I met you and your family. Since that day physical touch has been a good thing and no one's touch makes me feel better than yours.
'I wish he was mine, he's really divine'- You no longer need to hope for this wish. I started to fall for you after the battle at the Ministry of Magic. I kept falling as we talked through the summer. I was completely yours that day in the common room. You've had me ever since. I'm not sure I live up to 'Divine'. I do hope I make you happy and that you respect me.
'The hero who conquered the Dark Lord'- Well this came true didn't it, but at a horrible price. Without you helping me I might have won the battle, but I never would have been able to continue on. I am grateful every day for you and all the time you've invested in me.
So this isn't really a gift, but it is some of my thoughts about you, and how truly special you are to me. The reason I've kept this valentine after all these years is that it was my very first valentine. Did you know that? Did you know to this day you are the only person in my life that has given me a valentine? Now you know.
I love you. Happy Valentines Day.
All my love,
Harry.
Ginny hugged him tightly. "Thank you, I love you." She handed him the bag. "I didn't know what to get you either, so I'm doing this."
Teddy tossed over distracting them from each other. Each of them stroked his head comforting him so he would keep sleeping.
Harry focused back on Ginny and the paper sack; he slipped his hand into the bag feeling the smooth, soft fabric that could only be his invisibility cloak. As he lifted it out he felt the small box wrapped within it slide into his hand. He recognized it immediately and looked to Ginny. He started to question her.
"Please." She pressed a finger to his lips, shushing him. "You told me the biggest mistake you ever made was getting on your bike that day. Well the biggest mistake I ever made was not going after you." She caught her breath and continued, "It is my heart's single greatest desire that some day you will want to ask me again. If that day comes, you'll need this. So, not today of course, but someday when you're ready, know my heart is open and waiting for you. I love you Harry James Potter."
Harry leaned to her and kissed her as best he could, as gently as he could without waking Teddy. "Thank you. I love you too."
He put the ring box and cloak in his nightstand, she placed her parchment next to it. The two of them closed in around Teddy, comforting him and each other prior to drifting off to sleep.
Three days later Ginny and Harry returned Teddy to Andromeda. They explained the week's events in detail, especially the night of the attack. Andromeda kept the same opinion as Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, Teddy was completely safe with Harry. She quickly discounted any notion that Harry wasn't fit to care for Teddy or that he somehow put him in danger. Her affirmation, reinforced by Ginny's support, quenched the last of his fears.