Harry looked outside. The people were still there. He needed to get out of the house, away from the memories of Cho. He disapparated and apparated moments later at Gringotts in Diagon Alley. Harry ran up the white staircase and entered the building. People noticed him and whispered, but he ignored them. He grabbed a handful of galleons from his money bag and changed it for muggle money. Harry quickly exited Gringotts and made his way to the Leaky Cauldron. Walking quickly through the pub, he exited on to a street in muggle London. He always wore muggle clothing, so he was not out of place. In the muggle world, Harry was nobody. No one knew of his past, or cared who he was. That was the kind of anonymity he craved at the moment. He made his way to a muggle cinema and paid to see the latest movie. As Harry slipped into a seat in the back of the theatre he at last felt secure. But it didn't last long. Half way through the previews, someone sat next to him.
'Is it okay if I sit here? The theatre's rather full.'
Harry turned to answer the person when he realised it was Ginny Weasley.
'Ginny!' he exclaimed 'I thought you were in Australia visiting Ron?'
Ginny turned with a start.
'Harry, I didn't realise it was you!' Ginny blushed as red as her long hair. 'I was visiting Ron, but we came home early. He got called in from his holidays.'
'I'm glad, it's so good to see you!' Harry grinned.
They would have continued talking, but the previews to the movie had ended and so they left the cinema and walked around London.
'How are you going today, Harry?' Ginny sounded hesitant.
Harry shrugged.
'I'm fine. I just needed to get away from everything in the wizarding world.' Harry spoke softly, as not to attract the attention of passing muggles. 'Hermione and Viktor visited me this morning.'
'Oh! I didn't realise they were back from Bulgaria!' Ginny looked pleased to hear of Hermione, who had been a close friend at Hogwarts.
'Yes, only just. They had to leave rather suddenly, though. I think they had some appointment in London.'
'Perhaps we'll see them then.' Ginny brushed strands of her long, red hair from her face.
They walked on for a while, before settling at a table in a small café. They ordered drinks and sat in silence. Harry looked down into his mug before looking up to see Ginny studying his face.
'Ginny!' he laughed 'You're staring!' She blushed, but laughed as well.
'Sorry! It's just that I was so used to seeing you with your scar, that it's odd to see it isn't there anymore. Plus you got your vision corrected: no more glasses.'
Harry self-consciously rubbed his forehead. The scar he'd had since his first encounter with Voldemort had unexplainably disappeared after his last encounter with the Dark lord.
'It looks good though.' Hurried Ginny, taking a quick sip of her drink. As she did so, she caught site of a couple walking down the street towards them. The man had his arm around the woman's shoulder and he was bending his neck slightly to whisper in her ear. Her eyes shone happily and she laughed. All of a sudden, the woman caught site of Ginny and Harry.
'Ginny!' she called, hurrying towards them. The man quickly caught up with her.
'Take it easy Hermione.' Viktor Krum's thick Bulgarian accent could be recognised by Harry without the need for him to turn around.
'Harry! You're here too, what a surprise!' Hermione had reached their table now, Viktor by her side.
'Hello! We were only just talking about you!' Ginny grinned broadly at her friend.
Hermione returned the smile.
'Good things I hope. May we join you?'
'Of course, pull up some chairs.' Harry helped Hermione into a spare chair. Viktor sat beside her, grabbing her hand as he did so. He signalled for the waitress.
'I'll have a cappucino,' he turned to Hermione
'And another-'
'I don't think so, Hermione.' He turned to the waitress 'One cappucino, one strawberry milkshake.' The waitress scribbled down the orders and left the table.
'Honestly, Viktor. One cappucino wouldn't hurt.' Hermione playfully slapped his hand.
'Yes it would. You heard the doctor. Don't argue.' He said as she went to open her mouth.
Meanwhile, Harry and Ginny sat at the table, speechless.
'Is this what I think it is, Hermione?' asked Ginny. Hermione grinned.
'That depends. What do you think it is?'
'Are you and Viktor having a baby?' At this, Hermione's smile became even broader and she looked lovingly into Viktor's eyes.
Ginny squealed exitedly.
'Oh, Hermione!' she kissed Hermione on the cheek, followed by Viktor.
'I'm speechless.' Stammered Harry.
'No, you're not,' pointed out Hermione 'You just said something.'
Harry kissed her, and shook Viktor's hand.
'This needs a special dinner. I insist. At my house. Harry and I'll cook.' Said Ginny.
'So that's where you had to go this morning!' mused Harry.
Viktor nodded.
'We're sorry we didn't tell you then, but we wanted to be sure.' He said apologetically.
They all chatted happily for the next hour; Harry and Ginny laughing at Viktor's attempts to baby Hermione. After that, Harry and Ginny bade farewell to the expectant parents and hurried to Ginny's flat to prepare dinner. On the way they stopped and bought champagne and sparkling fruit juice for Hermione, to celebrate.
Ginny's flat was small, but extremely tidy. Her cat Julius, who rubbed against her leg affectionately, greeted her. Ginny hurried into the kitchen and started pulling out ingrediants. While she did, Harry looked around. The walls of Ginny's small loungeroom were covered it pictures of family and friends.
'There's some photos there from Australia.' Ginny called out from the kitchen. Harry looked around and saw a packet of wizard photos resting on the coffee table. He shuffled through them and saw all the Weasleys waving energetically at him. Ron was standing nearing to the back, beside his older brother Percy.
'I'm surprised Percy got time off from work.' Harry laughed.
Ginny stepped back into the loungeroom.
'Yes, it was a bit of a surprise. But he did send frequent owls back to the Ministry. Even Dad didn't do that.' They both laughed, thinking of Percy's addiction to work.
Harry went back to looking at the photos.
'Ron doesn't look very happy, does he?' He showed Ginny several pictures of Ron that although showed him smiling, showed his unhappy eyes as well.
Ginny took one and examined it.
'No, he's not that happy. I think he likes his job all right, but he misses Hermione terribly.'
Harry grimaced.
'He won't take the news too well then.'
Ginny shrugged.
'He'll get over it. At the moment I'm too happy for Hermione and Viktor to worry about Ron's injured pride.' Ginny walked back into the kitchen and Harry followed. They began cutting vegetables, basting meat and whipping up desserts. Several hours later, a delicious smell was wafting through the apartment. Ginny washed her hands and took off her apron.
'Finished. I'll just go and get changed.'
Harry grinned sheepishly.
'I'd better nick home and do the same.' He pointed to his holy jeans. Ginny laughed at him and went into her bedroom. Harry disapparated and apparated a moment later in his house in Hogsmeade. He raced around his house and quickly dressed. He disapparated as he was tying his tie and was still fiddling with it when he apparated back at Ginny's.
'Here, let me do that.' Harry stared at Ginny. She'd changed into a beautiful silver dress that made her hair shine. She began tying his tie for him.
'You look great!' exclaimed Harry.
'You don't look to bad yourself, now that your tie's tied.' She said, standing back to look at him.
Just then, the doorbell rang. Ginny answered it to find Viktor and Hermione standing outside.
'Come in, come in!' She embraced Hermione and Viktor. Harry did the same.
'Everything's ready, sit down and we'll bring it in.' Ginny hurried to the kitchen followed by Harry. A moment later they bought out plates of delicious food.
The conversation was light and pleasing as they ate their dinner.
'What are you going to call the baby?' asked Harry, slicing his potatoes.
'Well, we were thinking Elizabeth Rose for a girl and maybe, Harry for a boy.' Hermione looked slyly at Harry, who was choking on his potatoes.
'I'll kill you if you do!' he joked 'Do you know how many witches and wizards have called their sons Harry? It's ridiculous! Something else, please.' The others laughed.
'Seriously though, we haven't given it that much thought yet.' Hermione patted her stomach affectionately.
After the plates had been cleared, Ginny brought out her famous lemon meringue pie, which they all drooled at. She cut them generous serves, and for a few minutes there was silence as they all ate.
'How was Australia?' asked Hermione. Ginny looked up in surprise.
'Great. We all had a wonderful time.'
'How is Ron?' asked Viktor; it was obvious Hermione wouldn't ask.
'He's fine. He likes Australia, and his job.' Ginny looked nervously at Hermione, but Hermione didn't seem in the least embarrassed.
'That's good.' Hermione took another mouth full of pie.
Ron wasn't mentioned again, and the night progressed into a wonderful celebration. After opening the champagne, they all toasted the baby, as well as ongoing peace in the wizarding world. Hermione complained about not being able to have champagne, but Viktor was firm and only filled her glass with the fruit juice. The night wore on, with the three drinking champagne becoming decidedly tipsy. Hermione decided at midnight that she and Viktor would go, and so he held onto her while she disapparated form Ginny's flat after wishing Harry and Ginny thanks for the evening.
After their visitors had gone, Harry and Ginny collapsed onto the couch, giggling madly. They began talking about the old days back at Hogwarts with Fred and George playing tricks on everyone.
'Remember when they hexed the custard creams, and Neville turned into a canary?' gasped Ginny through a torrent of laughter. Harry answered her by kissing her suddenly. Ginny jumped, but returned the kiss. Harry wrapped his arms around Ginny and the kiss became more passionate.
'I've wanted to do that all night.' He whispered in her ear.
'I've wanted you to do that all night.' She murmured back. He kissed her again. They sat on the couch entwined in each other's arms, kissing and whispering to each other. Soon, Ginny slowly got to her feet and pulled Harry up with her. She grabbed his hand and led him in the direction of her room. But Harry paused.
'Ginny, are you sure?' He asked her softly, tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear. She rested her cheek against his hand and nodded. He kissed her again and followed her silently.
Hours later, Harry lay awake. Ginny was curled up beside him, her head resting on his chest, and her hair cascading out behind her. Harry stroked her hair, and gently kissed the top of her head. She stirred and smiled sleepily at him.
'Go back to sleep,' he whispered. She shook her head and reached up to kiss him. It started softly, but became more intense. Harry returned the kiss, and dozens more in what seemed like the hours to follow.
