As Ginny started getting ready for bed, Harry walked up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. Ginny smiled as she leaned into him. She closed her eyes as Harry moved her hair and gave her small kisses on the back of her neck.
Ginny let out a breath as she said, "That feels good. Mm. Thank you."
In between kisses harry whispered, "You're welcome."
As Harry moved from kissing Ginny's neck to nibbling on her earlobe, Ginny asked, "Do you think anything will come of that note I gave you?"
Harry stopped nibbling and turned Ginny around, "With our history, who knows. I do know Tom though. He'll figure it out." Harry then smiled, "Besides, I'll be back at work soon to help. We'll get to the bottom of this."
Ginny nodded as she hugged Harry, "I know. I'm just worried. I just thought all this stuff was behind us. You know, the looking over our shoulders and looking in the shadows. I thought it was all over. After the war was over and the rest of the Death Eaters were caught, I thought we wouldn't have to worry about this type of thing." She sighed as she asked, "When's your next exam with Madam Pomfrey?"
Harry kissed Ginny, "I know. I'm tired of it too. I see Madam Pomfrey in a couple of days. Since I've been taking the reversal potion every day, my leg has gotten much better. I almost never need my cane around the house. I use it mostly when we're out and I haven't had to use the pain relief potion in days. I'm sure she'll clear me for work once I tell her that I won't be out in the field anymore."
Ginny smiled. She hated seeing Harry in pain. Especially when she couldn't do anything to help him. Once Harry got back to work, she knew that between him, Tom, and the rest of the team, everything would get cleared up quickly. Ginny felt safer already. She trusted Harry and he trusted Tom and the rest of the team. Ginny didn't have much to worry about concerning themselves. With the protection detail that Tom was going to assign, Ginny could still run her errands. 12 Grimmauld Place had so many protections and wards placed on it. Nobody could get to them here unless they were welcomed. The list of people who could come and go at the house was family, extremely close friends, The Order of Phoenix, and only the most important Ministry officials. Having all the protections did make having parties and get togethers a bit tough but they managed it. People who didn't know where the home was, side-along apparated to a spot by the broom shed in the back garden with others that belong to what Harry referred to as 'the inner circle'. With Harry's choice of profession and Ginny's high profile with the Harpies, all their friends and acquaintances understood why they had set up the home this way. Ginny was really worried about Andromeda and Teddy. She knew Harry had put up protections and wards at the Tonks house, but she still worried. Although Andromeda was a skilled witch, she wasn't as young as she used to be, and Teddy was so young. His life was just starting. Ginny would never forgive herself is anything happened to either of them.
Ginny looked up at Harry, "I want Andie and Teddy to stay here until this is all cleared up."
Harry nodded, "That's a great idea. Why didn't I think of that? With all the protections that we have set up, they'll be much safer." Harry knew what Ginny was thinking and he couldn't blame her. Harry loved Teddy like a son and had grown to love Andromeda and looked to her as a mother/aunt of sorts.
Ginny broke the embrace and finished getting ready for bed as Harry got settled into bed. Once Ginny had changed into her nightgown, she climbed in next to Harry. Harry wrapped Ginny up in his arms. As Ginny laid her head on his chest, he asked, "How did your lunch go with Andie? I know you've been worried about telling her that Teddy started calling you mummy."
Ginny replied, "It went really well. She seemed genuinely happy about it. It was like she had been expecting it."
Harry smiled, "Good. I'm glad it went well."
Ginny really did love that little boy. He almost never gave Ginny a hard time about anything. On the rare occasion that he did act up, Ginny scolded him, and Teddy was quick to correct himself afterwards. Ginny changed his diapers, sang him lullabies, read to him, and stayed up at night with him when he didn't feel good. Ginny helped potty train him, taught him the alphabet, his colors, and his numbers. She made sure that Teddy was becoming a sweet and kind boy. They also had so much fun together. They played games like tag and hide and go seek and now Ginny was now teaching him how to cook and bake. Teddy loved the time he spent with her. When Harry brought him to the quidditch pitch, Ginny and the girls all fawned over him and he loved every minute of it. When Ginny told him that she was the new captain of the team, Teddy drew her a picture of her in her quidditch kit with a big yellow C on her chest. She took the picture, framed it, and set it on her dresser. In the drawing, her head and hands were far too big for her body and the broom was too tiny for anybody to ride, but she loved it because Teddy made it. That picture earned Teddy ice cream at Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor before dinner that night.
Ginny chuckled, "Andie also said that whether I like it or not, I'm a lot like my mum."
Harry kissed Ginny's head, "That's not necessarily a bad thing."
Ginny smiled. She knew Harry loved her mother. Mrs. Weasley was the only mother that Harry had ever known. She took Harry in without a second thought, just like Ginny did with Teddy, even before she and Harry were married. Mrs. Weasley treated Harry just like a son, just like Ginny treated Teddy. Mrs. Weasley gave Harry the love that he deserved, just like Ginny did with Teddy.
Ginny moved up to get Harry a kiss, "I guess it's not."
Harry kissed Ginny back, "One question. Why does he call you mummy and me Harry?"
Ginny giggle and replied, "I asked Andie about that too. She thinks that because that since you didn't have a good childhood, when you're with Teddy you act more like a playmate than a father. When you two are playing together, we're not sure who's the child. You or Teddy."
Harry laughed, "I guess you're right. I do get lost in it all. It's just so much fun you know?"
Ginny nodded as she laid her head back on Harry's chest, "I do. It is a lot of fun playing with Teddy."
Harry smiled at Ginny, "He really loves you and you've taught him so much over the past few years. Even before we got married you were his mum."
Ginny blushed, "Don't sell yourself short though Harry." Ginny knew that Harry worried about being a father and that he didn't do enough for Teddy. Ginny continued, "You teach him things too. It's just not straight forward like I do. It's more the way you act and the way you treat people. You've set an example of how he should behave just by being you. You've been a wonderful father figure for him." Ginny lifted her head back up to look at Harry, "You've taught Teddy extremely important lessons that some witches and wizards never learn. You've taught him to do the right thing. By being an auror, you've taught him the difference between right and wrong and that it's important to help people who need it. I think the most important thing you do with Teddy is you talk to him instead of talking down to him. You treat Teddy like a person, not a child. You value his opinion and weather you realize it or not, Teddy does appreciate it."
Harry smiled, "You're right. So, you're ok with him calling you mummy?"
Ginny nodded, "I am. I'm just going to embrace it. It could be worse. We could not like each other."
Harry chuckled, "That would be a sight. OH! I almost forgot!" He sat up and reach over to nightstand and grabbed a magazine. It was the latest issue of Witch Weekly. Harry handed to Ginny, "We made the cover."
Ginny looked at the magazine. Butterflies fluttered in her stomach as she said, "I've been dreading this. I was in such a mood that day. I hope I came off ok." Ginny knew she tried to make the journalist, Olivia Corbyn, and her photographer Marcus Wilson feel welcome, but she was still apprehensive. When the press wrote about Ginny's quidditch career, she didn't really care. She let her play talk for her. When it came to articles about her and Harry's personal life, she worried. Ginny didn't like the press that much after most publications called Harry a liar and a nutter all those years ago, but Harry vouched for Olivia, so she went along with it.
Harry replied, "I've already read it and you came off great. Remember when she wrote that article about me shortly after the war? That interview went great and, more importantly, the article was honest."
Ginny nodded, "I remember that. The only reason why I agreed to the interview was because you said she was ok."
Ginny took the magazine. On the front cover was a photo of her and Harry both smiling. Across the cover was written 'Life With The Potters: An Inside Look At Wizarding Britain's Favorite Couple. Story on page 12'. Both Ginny and Harry were smiling in the photo. They were sitting at the kitchen table. You could see them holding hands. Harry had his teacup in his free hand. Ginny flipped to page 12 and started reading.
Life With The Potters
Written by Olivia Corbyn
Photographs Marcus Wilson
Hello dear readers! This month's expose is about none other than Wizarding Britain's favorite couple: The Potters! The last time I spoke to Mr. Potter, I'm sure you all will remember, was following the end of the war. I felt it was time to catch up with him and meet his lovely wife.
My photographer Marcus and I had the extreme pleasure of spending an afternoon with Mr. and Mrs. Potter last week at their beautiful home in London. The day started off with meeting the young couple at The Leaky Cauldron and side-along apparating to their home. With Mr. Potter's position with the auror department and Mrs. Potter's high-profile occupation as the star chaser for the Holyhead Harpies, the location of the home is top secret. Sorry Potter fans. The location remains a mystery, even to this writer. As you can tell from the photographs the home is simply magnificent. The kitchen where we talked over tea and biscuits has all its original hardwood cabinets and beautiful slate tile floor. On one wall, as you can see from the photographs, is a beautiful hand carved cupboard that displays numerous knick-knacks and trinkets that Mr. Potter has picked up in his travels all over the United Kingdom for his lovely wife. I did get a brief tour of the home that Mr. Potter inherited from his godfather Sirius Black. Incidentally, Mr. Black was posthumously pardoned for all his crimes. If you remember he was wrongly incarcerated for allegedly killing Mr. Peter Pettigrew and 12 muggles in board daylight in October of 1981. The Black home had been completely remodeled to Mr. and Mrs. Potter's tastes. The home boasts four floors including the basement. The walls were covered with photographs of themselves, Mr. Potter's godson Teddy Lupin, friends, and extended family members. One wall in the sitting room is what little Teddy had named the 'Remember Wall'. On the wall are photographs of friends and family of the Potters that were lost during the war. The Potters gave the home a cozy, welcoming feeling that you pick up on as soon as you enter. Marcus and I instantly felt at home. The photographs just don't do the home justice. I could write an entire book about the home itself, so please just refer to photo spread that follows this story for more details about the home.
Even though the couple do have a house-elf, Mrs. Potter, herself, served us tea and biscuits while we chatted. I found Mr. and Mrs. Potter to be a very charming couple. They complement each other perfectly. While Mr. Potter tends to be a bit reserved, I found Mrs. Potter to be more assertive. With her fire red hair tied up in a simple ponytail, dressed casually in jeans, a simple blouse, and a pair of comfortable flats, she radiates beauty. Any wizard would be lucky to have her hanging on his arm for sure! I found Mrs. Potter to a wonderful hostess. She regaled me with tales from the Potters' courtship, before and after the war. As it turns out, Mr. Potter tends to be a quite the romantic. Mr. Potter, on the other hand, was dressed more for the office with a white button shirt and trousers and acted as expected to be, a bit tight lipped. His explanation was "Everyone knows so much about me and my life, I really don't think I could add much to it." In my conversation with the Potters, I saw firsthand that they still are head over heels in love with each other and still haven't finished the honeymoon stage of their marriage. They truly only have eyes for each other.
I did manage to get a little one on one time with each of them. I spoke to Mr. Potter first. In our conversation he revealed to me that Mrs. Potter was the one who has made the biggest impact on his life when he moved in with Mrs. Potter's family, the Weasleys, after the war. "She always reminded me everything that happened wasn't my fault and stuff. Ginny was the one who got me to talk about things." When he spoke of his wife, you could tell that his love for her is genuine. "Anyway, there's times when she gives me this look and bites her bottom lip and I just turn to mush and feel like I'm 15 again. You know what I'm saying, all awkward and stuff around girls?" Mr. Potter described Mrs. Potter as a loving, caring person and strong willed. "I love her so much. She's my whole world." He described a totally different side of her that we just don't get to see often. He told of how she helped him through the darkest time in life while still processing the loss of her brother in the war, Mr. Fred Weasley. Mr. Potter told me how Mrs. Potter helped him when the, what the muggles call, post-traumatic stress syndrome that he was suffering got to be too much to handle. Mrs. Potter really is a remarkable woman. When the subject of children came up, Mr. Potter told me about his godson Teddy. I didn't get a chance to meet the young boy but from how he was described to me, he must be a joyful child.
When I spoke to Mrs. Potter, she spoke of her husband with love and affection. "He's the sweetest person in the world." She told me about how brave and courageous Mr. Potter is, but there's also a sweet side that doesn't gets seen by the general public that often. "He's always so thoughtful and caring, sometimes he's too caring." As Mrs. Potter told me tales of her husband and his deeds, this writer could tell that Mrs. Potter is totally taken by her husband. Her eyes sparkled with enthusiasm as she spoke about him. She really does seem to have it all dear readers! Mrs. Potter is married to one of the most respected wizards in Britain, has a wonderful career with the Holyhead Harpies, is gorgeous with her slightly petite athletic build, lives a beautiful home, and she's just a delight to be with. She is definitely her own woman, too. Mrs. Potter doesn't allow herself to be categorized. She can be sweet and caring, but I could tell she can be tough as nails when it's needed. Mrs. Potter was very personable during my visit and welcomed me into her home and life. When she spoke of Mr. Potter's godson, I could see how much she cared for the little boy that was left an orphan by the war, living with this maternal grandmother. I could also tell from our chat that Mrs. Potter is not one to cross. She can duel with the best witches and wizards around. I'll tell you that. Mrs. Potter is a war hero after all and growing up with six older brothers sure can't hurt.
While together, the Potters usually just enjoy each other's company. They do have the occasionally date night. Usually when they do have the time for a night out, they enjoy going to dinner at area restaurants and the occasional lunch. Dancing was also high on the list for nighttime activities but unfortunately due to a work-related injury that Mr. Potter suffered, that activity has been put on hold. Most night's though, you can find them at home. Little Teddy completes the picture by spending a lot of his time at the Potter's home. Both Mr. and Mrs. Potter have taken great strides in teaching little Teddy about his parents along with fun activities. Mr. Potter has been teaching him to fly on a broomstick and Mrs. Potter has been teaching Teddy how to cook and bake. Mr. and Mrs. Potter both consider Teddy and his grandmother family. They both agreed that when to time is right; they'll have biological children. Except for my little chats alone with them, I couldn't help noticing that more times than not, they hold hands. I also noticed each of them stealing side glances of each other. There was good natured teasing almost all afternoon and they laughed at themselves as well as each other. I could tell that the foundation for this marriage was laid many years ago when they first met in their preteen years. They both admit that not everything is perfect and, just like every other couple, they do argue. The Potters told me their secret to a happy marriage is when things get rough, they both take a step back, calm down, and talk things out.
We had such a wonderful time, the afternoon passed quickly and much to our dismay, our time with the Potters was up. Mr. and Mrs. Potter side-along apparated Marcus and I back to the Leaky Cauldron and bid us farewell. We thanked them for a lovely time as we shook hands and parted ways.
Well readers, there you have it. Wizarding Britain's favorite couple. The Potters are really just like the rest of us. No scandals or juicy tidbits. No tales if infidelity or strange interests. Although, they both told me about one incident at the Ministry Ball two years ago, but that's not really my story to tell.
Ginny smiled as she finished reading the story and looked at the photographs. She said, "Very nice."
Harry took the magazine and placed it back on the nightstand and turned off the light. He leaned back over to Ginny and deeply kissed her as he pulled the blanket up over them.
Ginny giggled as she slid underneath her husband.
