The next morning, Ginny awoke to find sun streaming into the room. She rolled over lazily to kiss Harry but only found a rose on his pillow with a note.
Sorry I left without saying goodbye - it read – but you looked so beautiful sleeping and I didn't want to wake you when I went to work.
Ginny took the rose and smelt it's sweet perfume, before she realised that she was in danger of being late for her class and got up hurriedly.
Harry's day passed in a daze. All he could think of was Ginny. It was lucky that he was behind a desk today, doing paperwork, because he probably would have got himself killed daydreaming out on the job. As it was, he was having to erase Ginny's name from all the forms he was filling out. He was just doing such when he knocked his pot of ink all over his desk. An hearty laugh came from his office door.
'What on earth are you doing, Harry?' questioned Sirius Black, still laughing.
Harry grinned at his godfather. It was still strange to see Sirius out in public after him being on the run for so long. But Sirius had been pardoned after spending twelve long years in Azkaban for a crime he hadn't committed. He was now teaching charms at Hogwarts.
'Sirius! What are you doing here?'
'Just called in to say hello. I called in on Hermione this morning and she told me her and Viktor's news.'
Harry smiled at the mention.
'It's great, isn't it?' he motioned for Sirius to sit down. Sirius took a seat while Harry tried to clean up the ink from his papers.
'Having trouble concentrating?' teased Sirius 'I bet you've got another girl taking up all your time.'
Harry laughed at this.
'What do you mean "another". You were quite the ladies' man when you were young, and I bet you had a lot more girlfriends than I've had.' He teased back.
Sirius laughed.
'Touché.' He took out his wand and helped Harry clean up the ink, 'But seriously, who is it?'
Harry shook his head.
'No you don't. This one's my little secret. Besides, it's nothing serious yet.'
' Oh yes,' replied Sirius, his eyebrow arched 'Is that why you've got her name doodled on your paperwork?' Harry blushed when Sirius pointed out the amount of times he'd written Ginny's name.
'Ginny Weasley? Be careful Harry, don't forget her father's your boss.' Sirius giggled delightedly.
'Ha ha. I'm so glad I this amuses you. But, dear godfather, it's none of your business.' Harry grabbled back his papers and waggled his finger at Sirius playfully.
'Point taken. Want to go with me to lunch? I'm meeting Remus and Arabella.' Harry nodded. He hadn't seen Remus Lupin for awhile. Remus had been one of Harry's defence against the dark arts teachers in Harry's third year, and his new wife Arabella Figg had watched over Harry during his childhood, disguised as an old muggle woman living in the neighbourhood.
'Just let me call in on Hermione.' Harry grabbed his cloak and they left his office. On the way out of the Ministry, Harry and Sirius called into Hermione's small office in the research section of the Ministry. She had her head in her hands when they walked in the door, but soon looked up when she heard them come in.
'Hello Harry, hey Sirius.' Hermione sounded tired and looked terrible.
'Jeez Hermione, you look shocking.' Blurted out Harry.
'Thank you so much Harry. You'd look shocking too if you'd had your head down a toliet bowl all morning.' Replied Hermione, giving Harry a withering glance.
'We're off to lunch,' piped up Sirius 'Want to come along? We're meeting Remus and Arabella.'
Hermione shook her head.
'I couldn't eat a thing. I think I'd throw up.' At the mention of food, Hermione turned a little green.
'You will eat. I've come to take you to lunch.' A firm voice spoke up from behind Harry and Sirius, and Viktor walked into the room frowning.
'Honestly Viktor. I cannot and will not eat. I'll be sick.' Moaned Hermione.
'Then we'll take a refreshing walk before. Now come on.' Viktor walked around to Hermione and dragged her to her feet.
'Bye then.' Harry said as he and Sirius left them to it.
They left the Ministry grounds and disapparated, apparating a moment later in Hogsmeade. Sirius had arranged with Remus to meet at the Three Broomsticks, so he and Harry hurried there. Remus spotted them first and began waving. In his arms was a small boy, about three years old. He had Remus' pale blue eyes, but he had his mother's thick black hair. Arabella came out from the Three Broomsticks and her face broke into a grin when she saw Harry and Sirius.
'Hello!' she called out. As she turned to smooth her son's hair, Harry spotted an unmistakable bump in the front of her robes.
'Is there something in the water or what?' he whispered to Sirius.
'Why didn't you tell us?' questioned Sirius as he kissed Arabella.
'Surprise!' she laughed.
'That makes two today,' Sirius embraced Remus 'Hermione and Viktor are expecting as well.'
'Really?' Remus exclaimed 'I must send them our congratulations!'
They all entered the Three Broomsticks and Arabella lend them to their table. Madame Rosmerta approached and they all ordered butterbeers, except for Arabella who ordered milk for herself and her son James.
'So what have you been up to Harry? I haven't seen you in a while.' Asked Remus.
Harry shrugged.
'Same old same old.'
'Now Harry, tell Remus the truth.' Winked Sirius mischievously. Harry blushed.
'I'm sure I don't know what you mean.' Said Harry, staring across the room.
'I'm intrigued.' Replied Remus, eyebrows raised 'You'll have to tell us now Sirius.'
'Harry's got a new girlfriend.'
'Sirius.' Harry muttered warningly.
'Ooh, who?' asked Arabella, eyes shining.
'Ginny Weasley.' Sirius said promptly.
'About time,' Laughed Remus 'She's had a crush on you for years, Harry.'
'If you're all done discussing my love life, let's change the subject.' Harry turned to Arabella 'Any names yet?'
She shook her head.
'I can't decide on a name until I see her.'
'Her?' piped up Remus 'What about him?'
'No, it's definitely a her Remus. I can tell.' Said Harry, taking a sip of the butterbeer Madame Rosmerta had just brought over.
'How can you tell?' asked Arabella.
'Don't know. I just can. Only after about four months though. Any earlier than that and I get confused signals. Although,' Harry paused and squinted at Arabella 'You're going to have to think of two names.'
Remus spat out his butterbeer.
'Two?' he exclaimed.
Harry nodded.
'I've never been wrong my friend. I can always tell.' Harry grinned at Remus, who still looked shocked.
Sirius burst out laughing.
'You're sure going to have your hands full!'
Remus nodded, grinning all the while.
'We're definitely going to explore your abilities, Harry.' Spoke up Arabella.
They chatted about names through lunch, and then Harry bade his friends farewell and headed back to the Ministry.
Back at the Ministry, Harry couldn't concentrate. All he could think about was how different everything was since his last year at school. Voldemort was finally defeated; he and all his friends were spread all over the place; Hermione and Viktor were having a baby; and Ginny. Harry grinned at the thought of her. He checked his watch. She'd almost be finished teaching. His paperwork was just about done, nothing was stopping him from leaving a little early. He grabbed his cloak and then had a thought.
'Can't go into muggle London dressed like this.' He muttered, pulling at his robes. Pulling out his wand, Harry transfigured his robes into muggle clothing. He then quickly left the Ministry and disapparated and apparated into Diagon Alley. Harry made his way through the Leaky Cauldron and then walked through muggle London to the school where Ginny taught.
She was just ending her class when he arrived, and gave him a shy smile when she saw him. He smiled back and waited outside the class for her.
'Hey,' he gave her a kiss on the cheek 'Want to go for a drink?'
'How about a drink at your house?' she whispered.
'You're on. We'll leave from Diagon Alley.' Hand in hand, they left muggle London and apparated at Harry's house in Hogsmeade.
Once they were inside, Ginny threw down her books and wrapped her arms around Harry's neck.
'Good day at work?' she murmured as she kissed his neck.
'Uh, not bad.' He replied, stroking her back. 'How about you?'
'Hectic. I could do with a back rub.'
'Is that a hint?' teased Harry.
'You sure are perceptive.' She teased back.
'I've got a better idea, how about a bath?' Harry grinned.
'Mmm, even better.' Ginny pulled out her wand and gave it a flick. Instantly they could hear water running in the bathroom.
'Here, give your feet a rest.' Said Harry as he swept her up into his arms.
'Oh how romantic, I'm being carried off.' Ginny placed her hand on her head dramatically.
'Yes, and now I have you I'm going to ravish you!' Harry replied, carrying her towards the bathroom. Ginny laughed merrily.
'Sounds good to me!'
Harry lay awake later on that night, his head full of Ginny. She was snuggled up beside him, her hand entwined with his. Her vibrant red hair covered her shoulders and lay across Harry's arm. As he looked down at Ginny, he couldn't help think of another. His mind was flooded with pictures of Cho. Cho grinning devilishly at him during a Quidditch game, Cho holding his hand, Cho just being Cho. Harry carefully pulled away from Ginny and climbed out of bed. Ginny sighed softly and rolled over, still asleep. Harry tiptoed out and dragged out his old photo album. He flicked through the pages until he came to the photo of Cho. He still loved her, but he had Ginny now. Despite this, he couldn't help think of what might have been. He would be with Cho right now if Voldemort hadn't killed her.
'Don't think of what never was, Harry.' An echoing, but gentle voice came from beside him. Harry whipped his head around to see Cho sitting beside him. But she was not really there at all.
'Cho,' he whispered hoarsely. She smiled at him.
'Harry, you have to get on with your life. You have Ginny now. She'll make you happy.'
'But, I still love you Cho.' He tried to touch her, but couldn't.
'I know. And now you love Ginny. Live for the moment Harry, not for the past.' She extended her arm and touched his cheek with a cold hand. He closed his eyes, and then when he opened them, she was gone. Harry looked down at the photo. Cho in the picture gave him a wave and blew him a kiss. Harry smiled, he knew he could move on with his life, with Ginny.
A few moments later, he crawled back into bed and Ginny immediately zeroed in on him.
'Where did you go?' she murmured sleepily.
'Had to get a drink,' replied Harry, stroking her hair 'go back to sleep.' She curled up beside him and rested her head on his chest. Her breathing became more even and Harry knew she was asleep. He closed his eyes and slept.
