AN: I am fully aware I have to update Ritual Magic but since my borrowed computer (my brother's old laptop that he replaced) gave out, I'm waiting until I can get a bluetooth keyboard for my phone. I can borrow my mom's laptop to post new chapters but I'd rather not borrow it for writing them.
Anyway; I got this idea while contemplating life and a warm summer dusk in my garden.
The breeze was a soft caress on Harry's skin. Only a few degrees cooler than his own body, it wrapped about him and brought him the scent of cut grass and damp earth, of the Oriental and Kingfish lilies, and the honey sweet smell of the Sweet Alyssum Hermione had insisted every garden needed. The light was just receding, the day ending on a light note. Harry's closest neighbor had a herd of sheep and Harry could vaguely hear his calls to the sheepdogs. It was time for the sheep to leave the field for the day.
It was days like this that brought bittersweet tears to Harry's eyes and made him breath deep and thank whoever was listening for his life. Hermione had once told him that this was life's way of repaying him for all the pain it had given him so early on. She, Ron, George, Neville, Hannah, Angelina, and Luna had all spent the day with him. Their empty drink glasses still sat on the garden table.
The soft cooing of a pair of doves that had made a nest in the closest tree brought a smile to his face. He had spent a full hour watching them with Teddy this morning. It had been one of the many wonderful moments Harry was thankful for, spending time with the precious four year old. Teddy was the closest Harry might ever get to his own children. Ginny had wanted to get back together but Harry had been unable. He didn't want any responsibility that wasn't Teddy and the running of his own house.
He was done owing anyone anything. It had been four years since that horrible day and Harry was free. Everyday, he spent it like a normal stay at home dad. His biggest decision was what he'd make for meals. Harry thought this simple life in the country was his prize. Teddy's bright companionship was all he needed to be fulfilled. Watching him grow and teaching him was a balm to all his hurt. Teddy was a symbol, of his past and of his future. Harry's proudest moment was the first time Teddy called him dad. At the moment, Teddy was dozing on their large St. Bernard, and flipping through the picture book Hannah had gifted him.
Harry had awoken the morning after the battle to a crushing feeling of emptiness and the sounds of the wizarding world trooping through the castle to find loved ones and to stare at the place their boogie man had finally died. Their awe and adoration schaffed at Harry. The seemingly endless trials, appraisals of laws, restructuring of the Ministry and Hogwarts had drained him of any energy he might have held on to. It was two months later that Andromeda Tonks had visited him to introduce him to Teddy. The warm weight of the almost three month old baby, and his soft scent had healed something in Harry. When the baby had turned his eyes a brilliant green and babbled at him, Harry had found a source of strength. He'd stopped the constant hubbub around him and made his choices. Ginny, Ron, Minerva, and the general public had complained. Neville had been the one to back him up. He'd reminded them Harry had always wanted family and freedom, and quiet.
It had taken some time but here he was. After everything, Harry was living in a quiet cottage, one he only left to see his friends and the Muggle book and cooking clubs he'd joined. His daily life was simple and quiet, his most adventurous days involving day trips and short vacations in the Muggle world with Teddy. Or days like today, with friends and good food and Teddy in the sunny garden of their home.
The sun slowly slid from the sky, leaving the quaint two story cottage and its inhabitants to the creeping grayness that came before the dark of night. Harry sipped from his iced tea, a recipe Luna had brought back from the United States. She'd told Harry it attracted Joyful Jimblies and Harry had laughed and agreed he wanted more of those in his life. The enchanted fairy lights (enchanted muggle ones, not actual fairies or Hermione might decapitate him) had started to light by the time he realized Teddy had fallen asleep on the poor patient pooch. Harry gave his neat garden one last, awed look before scooping the four year old up.
He might have been severely depressed during and after the war. He might be running away from growing up (or so Ginny had said when he refused to continue their relationship). He might have refused to become an Auror or work in the Ministry or Hogwarts. He might be as hermit-like as a twenty two year old, single father of an active sociable boy could be. He might not be any of the things anyone had expected of him. But….Harry James Potter was finally, finally happy. Harry carried his son into the warm cottage and left the cooling garden to a perfect early summer night.
An; IDK i just needed some soft comfort. Nothing long or stressful ya kno?