Sorry about the late upload but I've been real busy lately. Now that COVID has hit, i might have more time to write!

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The Life of the Party

Harry sat in the small sitting room off the Hall with a Butterbeer clutched in his hand. He was feeling excited and nervous. It was new, having a party at your own house, with only the people you want to be there. Especially after the service it would be good to be around friends for a while, in the Drawing Room, a Wizarding Wireless was blasting the Weird Sisters. James had suggested the Drawing Room to set up in because of its size and many couches. The both of them even asked him to move their Portrait in there so they could watch.

This sitting room seemed to be to use the floo, as it was the only fireplace in the house with the powder close by. The clock on the wall ticked closer to seven. The fire suddenly flashed green, and out of the flames stepped Minerva McGonagall, then Kingsley. The Wizard shook his hand. "Good to see you Harry. What of our deal with the Goblins?" Minerva looked at Harry curiously.

"I'll hold up my end of the bargain."

"Well done indeed. This should weaken the conservative faction by quite a lot with their asset's frozen."

The Headmistress looked at the Minister reproachfully. "Must you talk Politics, tonight? I know you were passed over for Head Boy but, really."

Kingsley laughed. "Never change Professor. Now to important matters, Where's the bar my Lord?"

Harry grinned. "In the Drawing Room, just follow the music and Minerva knows her way around here." The wizard held out his arm, which the witch took and they disappeared. Harry was surprised to see them both acting so strange, the same problem every student notices when they see their teachers outside of the classroom. As he made to sit back down a chime rang through the house. Someone's at the gate? He hurried outside and squinted to see who was waiting, as he neared he saw that Teemy had beaten him to it and was letting in who he could see now was the Grangers.

Before Hermione could accost the elf about his working conditions Harry stepped in and hugged Hermione. "Mione, Jane, Dan. I'm glad you could made it."

Dan replied. "Glad to be here, I hear everyone is going to be here." Ah, he's here for Ron.

"I'm not that much of a party animal." Jane laughed. And he led the Grangers to the Drawing Room, now dubbed the 'Party Room' by Dan. All the while ignoring Hermione questioning looks. I gotta sic her to Ron before she asks what's wrong with me. He left them at the door and made his way back to the 'floo room.' As he neared he could hear voices and the flash of the fire. As soon as he entered Molly rushed over and pulled him into a suffocating hug and Arthur shook his hand. Ron punched him on the arm for a greeting while George ruffled his hair, and Ginny to his surprise, hugged him.

"It's been too long." George waved her away. "We've all been busy dear shareholder. Weasley's Wizard Wheezes being a family business and all." Harry led them out of the room.

"Tell me everything."

"Oh? Does our biggest investor want to know the inner workings of the joke business?"

"Uh, no-"

"Tut-tut, you have to know." And Harry endured George's full description of running a joke shop. He was surprised to hear that Ron and Ginny both worked at the shop now. After depositing the group he hurried back to the floo room to find Hagrid, Dean, Seamus, Parvati, Padma. They all greeted him then Hagrid pulled him into a bone-breaking hug. "I 'aven't been 'ere in years."

"Can you show the others to the Drawing Room? There's more coming."

"Aye, see yeh soon then." And he led the group away. Just has Harry was finishing his Butterbeer Neville and his Grandmother appeared. Augusta took the lead. "Lord Potter-Black, thank you for the kind invitation."

"I couldn't forget you two, plus I need to be brought up to speed about this Lordship business."

Neville laughed. "You'll regret that Harry." Augusta smiled at her Grandson. And Harry showed them to the Party Room, nicking another Beer on the way back while he waited for Luna and Andi. He was feeling happier the more of his friends turned up. Maybe this was a good idea after all. When Luna arrived he nearly goggled at her. The fact that she was dressed normally surprised him, he was fully prepared for an odd outfit. Though she was wearing her Spectrespecs.

"Luna, its good to see you."

She hugged him. "Likewise Harry Potter, you have less Nargles hanging around you than usual."

"I'm glad, do you mind waiting here for a while? I'm just waiting for one more."

"Of course not, is Neville here?'

"Yes, why?"

"Oh, I'm just curious about what he told me during the Battle."

"He's good for you Luna."

She blinked through he Spectrespecs. "Really?"

"You need someone who will take the time to understand you. Neville will."

"Hmmm, rather like yourself and Hermione."

He coughed on his Butterbeer. "Err, no Luna." Before she could question him the fire flashed again and out stepped Andi with Teddy.

Harry hugged Andi. "It's so good you could come."

"I couldn't miss a chance to show off my grandson."

Harry chuckled. "If you need anything, I'll ask Teemy." He saw her look at Luna. "This is Luna Lovegood."

"Ah, so you're Xenophelius's daughter. I was friendly with your mother."

Luna smiled. "He's cute."

Harry smiled at Teddy. "That he is. Mind if I hold him?" Andi gave the gave the baby to him and Harry led them to meet the others.

...

When they entered the room the women collectively squealed and rushed over to look at the baby. Even Hermione, Jane and Minerva moved over slower than the rest and Harry eventually let them all take turns to hold him. After Relinquishing Teddy he joined Dan, Kingsley and Hagrid. (Dan on Kingsley's other side.)

"We were just talking about future careers Harry. What are your plans?" asked Kingsley.

Harry noticed Dan lean in a bit for his answer. "Well Minerva is compiling a list of Tutors for me so I can get my NEWTS without going back to Hogwarts."

"Hmmm, What will you be studying for?"

"Uuh, not sure yet. I always thought about being an Auror but I'm not so sure now."

"Its dangerous but rewarding work Harry."

Hagrid chimed in. "Yeh'd make a great Auror 'arry."

Kingsley nodded in agreement. But Dan spoke up. "What about teaching?"

Harry looked at him blankly. "Teaching?"

Dan continued. "Sure. Hermione told us in her letters about your secret Defence classes. You actually managed to teach my daughter a thing or two, it seems like you're a natural."

Harry grinned at his quip about Hermione. "It's quite hard finding something that she doesn't know how to do. Hmmm, I've never thought about it like that."

"Just saying Harry, if you enjoy it. Do it. It's no good working for something you're not passionate about. These two will agree." Hagrid and Kingsley nodded.

"Hmm, I'll think about it." Harry excused himself to look for Ron. He found the redhead talking to their former dorm-mates.

"Cracking house Harry," Exclaimed Seamus has Harry joined them. "Might have to show the twins around later on."

Ron laughed as Dean looked at Seamus. "Not without me you're not. That is, if you don't mind Harry?"

He laughed, glad for some normal conversation. "At you're own risk, I haven't been in all of the rooms yet. Just stay out of my Bedroom ok?"

Seamus replied. "Aye Harry. Well lets make a start Dean." Dean sighed but moved away with him to find the twins.

Now left with Ron he got down to business. "So? How're you going to get through to Mione?"

Ron fidgeted nervously. "Not sure yet." Harry drained his beer and summoned two more, handing one to Ron.

"Figure something out, talk to her parents as well." He looked around the room. Augusta was talking to Andi, George was talking to Minerva and Hagrid, Kingsley was in conversation with Dan. Luna was in the corner with Neville, Hermione and Ginny were with the twins and Seamus and Dean. Jane was talking to Molly and Arthur Weasley. Harry nudged Ron in the ribs. "Go on." He moved over to the twins and Harry went to Andi.

...

After a thorough crash course in Ministry Politics and Head of Family responsibilities, he excused himself so he could grab another Butterbeer when he bumped into Ginny. Instantly he felt awkward, even after all the alcohol he had consumed so far. "Um Ginny-"

"Don't, I forgive you."

"I Just-You what? You do?"

"Yeah, it was fun while it lasted." She eyed him up and down. "It's a shame, you're older now." He thought about her meaning for a moment before it hit him. Well she doesn't want a relationship, she wants... Me!? Fuck. She is quite attractive...

"I do remember you mentioning that you liked that."

She moved closer to him. "I loved it." Everything she was saying brought out something animalistic in him. Must be the Butterbeer. He looked over to Hermione and Ron who were in a deep conversation of their own. Ginny grabbed his wrist, pulling his attention back to her. And while his plan for Ron must be working the way she grabbed his wrist set something off inside of him.

He grasped the offending arm and pulled her closer to him and growled. "You. Never. Take control of me."

This didn't faze Ginny as she looked up at him. "Are you going to take control of me?"

He was losing his self-control. "Yes."

She bit her lip. "Meet me upstairs in ten minutes then." And she left the room, leaving him to grab the beer he originally came to get. As he opened it Hermione appeared next to him.

"Did you just fight with Ginny?"

He coughed. "Not really. I'll go talk to her though, he looked over and saw Ron looking at them. Go back to Ron, I'll sort this out." Her eyes narrowed but she did turn to return to him. As she walked away he took a shot of Firewhisky and went after Ginny. Harry found the stairs and ascended them wondering where Ginny would be. His first guess was found to be correct as he opened the door of his Bedroom to find the witch in question fully naked, lying on top of his bed. He simply stood and stared at her. She cooed at him. "What took you so long?"

The whole point of his relationship with Ginny in sixth year was to help him feel normal, to give in to the hormones that he usually ignored. He felt himself changing as he stood there. His future never had Ginny in it, but at that moment, he didn't care. "I had to decide on your punishment, for teasing me like that."

She hopped off the bed and grabbed him by the shirt, her breathing heavy "I've wanted you for so long, use me Harry." He pushed her roughly back onto the bed and she squealed...

...

Half an hour later Harry stumbled out of the room, his thoughts a complete mess. God it felt good. But, what happened to me though, I'm not like that? Am I? What had just happened didn't sit right with him. Probably because I love Hermione, fuck. He imagined Hermione in place of Ginny and it felt perfect. Not that it would ever happen outside of his imagination, but it felt good to dream. Making sure he had redressed himself properly, he entered the Drawing Room to find a similar scene to when he left. Hermione made a beeline for him as soon as he grabbed another Beer. "Did you two sort it out?"

"Yeah, she just needed some time alone." What have I become? I'm already lying to Hermione!

"I'll go talk to her." And before he could stop her, she disappeared. The bottle of Firewhisky caught his eye so he poured himself a shot. Downing it he spotted George coming towards him.

"What are ya trying to forget Harry?"

Harry studied the shot glass. "Not really sure."

"Ahhh, problems in Potterville eh?" he clapped Harry on the back. "You told me to keep going, so now it's time I told you the same." While he spoke he poured a shot for them both. "To keeping on going."

Harry murmured. "To keeping on going." And they both downed their share. Harry moved over to talk with Neville and George went to see the baby. Muttering something about using metamorphagus traits for their next products. After a while Hermione appeared his shoulder. "Sorry Neville, I just need to borrow Harry for a moment." She dragged him out of the room. Once they were far enough away from the noise she rounded on him. "Do you realise what you just did?"

The alcohol sprang to his defence. "Of course. What's your problem?"

She gaped. "What's my problem? I have a two actually, but I'll leave my other one till last."

He took a sip of his Beer. "Go on."

She frowned at him. "Why did you just have sex with Ginny?"

"Why not?"

"WHY NOT!? I thought you regretted using her like that!"

"I did, but she wanted it."

"Just because she wants it, doesn't mean you have to give it to her Harry. You have to think about what you want now."

He snapped. "WELL MAYBE I CAN'T GET WHAT I WANT! BETWEEN EVERYONE TREATING ME LIKE A FUCKING GOD TO MOVING INTO A HUGE HOUSE WITH NO ONE BUT AN ELF AND A PORTRAIT OF MY PARENTS THAT I HAD TO FILL IN ON HOW I'VE STAYED ALIVE UP TO NOW!" He threw the half-full bottle at the wall and it shattered.

Her voice was soft. "What do you want Harry?"

Breathing heavily he looked away, tired of everything. "You. I want, you." He turned to her, hoping that his life wasn't about to be ruined.

*SLAP* He looked at her in confusion.

"How DARE you! You have sex with Ginny, and spend two days forcing Ron to be with me? But you WANT me!? Annnnd it's ruined. You just had to open your big mouth Potter.

He turned away, His voice low. "I knew you would never feel the same. I'm sorry Mione." He made his way back to the party, leaving her in the hallway. I'll have to start my studies earlier than I thought. When he entered the room he saw that Ginny had returned and was talking to the twins. Grabbing another Butterbeer he crossed the room to Minerva...

...

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So was he spiked or did he give into his hormones? oooo