It had been a couple of weeks since Ginny had given Harry the note she found in the bottom of her locker. He had been cleared for work last week by Madam Pomfrey, but she only cleared him for light duty only. Harry had promised her he wouldn't be doing any field work. The wizard technicians at the Auror Department did find some fingerprints on the parchment but they couldn't find a match in their archives. Tom and the team interviewed several of Ginny's teammates and the office staff, but they were getting nowhere. Nobody could believe that somebody would want to hurt Ginny. Even if somebody didn't like her, they had enough respect for her and Harry that they didn't try anything. Tom wouldn't let Harry sit in on any of the interviews, sighting protocols and the fact that Harry was too close to the investigation. He did, however, allow Harry to read over the transcripts and any notes the team had took to see if he could pick up on anything. The best lead they had was Abagail Cook but she was traveling abroad on vacation. Tom was waiting patiently for her to come back so he could talk to her. Andromeda agreed to staying at 12 Grimmauld place after speaking with Harry, Ginny, and Tom about the situation. Tom thought her and Teddy would be safest there since they really didn't know who had sent the note. As far as Tom was concerned, it could have been anybody.
Ginny had started her off season training regime, but it wasn't the same routine. Ginny begrudgingly agreed that going to the quidditch pitch could be risky even with the protection detail that Tom had set up. She was doing her strength training at the auror's gym at the Ministry three times a week and her flying drills in the back garden on the other days. The weekends she took off. Everybody pitched in to help Ginny train. Harry helped Ginny with her passing and dodging drills after work to keep her reaction times up to her standard. Ginny ran laps around the garden to keep her endurance up while Teddy timed her and Andromeda made sure that Ginny kept to high protein, low carbohydrate diet.
Today was Saturday and Harry had taken the day off to spend time at home. He was up in his office reading over transcripts and notes from the interviews, again, trying to find something, anything the team could use. Ginny was having tea outside, sitting at the little outdoor patio set enjoying the early afternoon sun. Teddy was quietly playing on the floor of the sitting room while Andromeda and Kreacher got lunch ready.
Andromeda poked her head out the backdoor and told Ginny, "Dear? Lunch is almost ready."
Ginny stood up from her chair and nodded, "Thank you Andie. Is Harry still in his office?"
Andromeda nodded. Ginny replied, "I'll get him then."
Ginny quietly looked in on Teddy as she walked past the sitting room. He was quietly playing with some toy figures. From what Ginny heard, Teddy was pretending that the figures were quidditch players. Ginny smiled as she continued to the stairs. She reached Harry's office and knocked on the door and heard his voice say, "Come in."
Ginny walked in to see Harry with small stack of parchment on his desk with a piece of it in one hand, shaking his head, and rubbing his temple with his free hand. She knew Harry was taking this whole situation hard. It was written all over his face as he looked up at her and forced a smile.
Harry said, "Hi. Lunch Ready?"
Ginny walked over to Harry and plucked the piece of parchment out of his hands and placed it back on the pile. She then picked it all up and put it back in the folder where they came from. Ginny told him, "Just about. Love, it's Saturday. You're off today." Harry loved the fact that Ginny called him Love.
Harry sat back and sighed, "I know." Harry looked like he hadn't slept in days. He had dark circles under his eyes and his hair was messier than usual.
Ginny sat down on Harry's lap and wrapped an arm around him. She said, "Are you ok?"
Refusing to meet his wife's eyes, Harry stared off across the room. He gave Ginny his standard response, "Yeah. I'm fine."
Ginny took hold of Harry's chin and moved his head to force him to look at her. Ginny told him, "No you're not. I know you're worried. I'm worried too. I also know you haven't slept in close to a week. I wake up in the middle of the night and you're not there." Ginny then pulled Harry's head to her chest and rubbed his back, "You need to stop. The weight of the world is not on your shoulders, not this time."
Harry sighed and looked up into Ginny's beautiful chocolate brown eyes, "No it's not, but something much more important is."
A smile played at the corners of Ginny's lips as she said, "I love you too, but you need to slow down. The best team with the best arrest record in the department is on this, plus you're helping. It's just a matter of time. We're all taking the proper precautions. It's going to be fine."
Harry nodded, "I know. You're right. It's just this whole thing drags up bad memories." Ginny could see the frustration Harry felt as he continued, "Just when I thought I finally had a handle of things, BAM! I'm almost right back at the beginning again."
Ginny frowned slightly. She knew that this investigation was wearing on Harry. "I've noticed. I also noticed that you've been hitting up the fire whisky a bit too. Don't get me wrong, if anybody needs a drink now and again, it's you. I just don't want a repeat of the time I came home from being out with my mum and I found you drunk in the kitchen. Ginny quickly added, "And I don't want Teddy seeing you like that either." Ginny sighed, "You know I'm here for you. That's part of being married, being there for each other. You're always there for me to lean on, and I'm always here for you."
Since that afternoon when Ginny found Harry drunk in the kitchen, he had stayed true to his word. Anytime that Harry thought he couldn't deal with the memories from the war, he sought comfort in Ginny. They talked about whatever was on Harry's mind while she held him. Sometimes he cried, sometimes she cried, and sometimes they both cried. In the end they both felt better, and life carried on.
Harry bowed his head and stared into Ginny's lap. He said, "I'm sorry."
Ginny raised Harry's head to meet his eyes, "Oh Love, it's not your fault. You didn't ask for any of it. You've carried the weight of the world on your shoulders. But, for right now I need you to stop being such a Gryffindor." Ginny softly kissed his lips. She stared into those beautiful emerald eyes and saw pain and sadness creep into them. My god how she loved those eyes, and it broke her heart to see that pain settle into them. All Ginny wanted to do was take it all from him, however she could. As she continued to stare into those eyes, all she could do was remember how broken Harry was after the war. Ginny remembered how sad he looked and how he just sat around the Burrow and withdrew from everything and anybody. She was not about to let that happen again. Ginny would do anything to keep Harry from feeling that pain.
Ginny thought for a moment before the idea struck her. She smiled and told Harry, "What you need is a distraction. And I have the perfect thing."
Harry's eyebrows rose into his hair line. He asked, "What's that?"
Ginny wrapped her arms around Harry's neck, "Let's have a date night."
Harry's eyebrows rose into his hairline, "How are we going to have a date night? It's kind of hard to have a romantic evening with the protection detail."
Ginny smiled as she said, "We'll do it here. We can all get dressed up, Andie and Teddy too. Kreacher can be our waiter. After lunch I'll have Kreacher, and Andie help me get everything together."
Harry's mood lightened as a smile crept across his face. Having a date night at home sounded fun and Harry could use some fun. He kissed Ginny quickly, "Ok. I'm in. Date night at home. I love it!"
Ginny kissed Harry back, "You just leave everything to me. Now let's get some lunch."
Lunch was already on the table when Harry and Ginny arrived in the kitchen. Andromeda and Kreacher prepared different types of sandwiches and some salads. Teddy told Harry how he was playing quidditch with his toy figures. He told teddy they could go flying in the back-garden tomorrow. Ginny told Andromeda about her plan to have date night at home. Andromeda thought it sounded fun. It had been long time since her and Teddy had gotten dressed up. She was more than happy to help Ginny prepare for it. After lunch was over, Ginny told Harry to get some rest and she would get him when it was time to get ready.
After Harry retired to his and Ginny's bedroom, Ginny called for Kreacher. Andromeda told him and Teddy about Ginny's plan. Teddy was excited to be doing something for Harry. He said that since Harry worked so hard at catching the bad wizards, he needed a break. Kreacher thought it was wonderful and offered many of his dishes for the menu, including Ginny's pot roast. For the menu Ginny settled on her pot roast, a chicken dish, a fish dish, all with appropriate vegetables and side dishes. Andromeda said she and Teddy would set the dining room table with a silk tablecloth, candles, and the best china and crystal Ginny and Harry owned. Ginny talked privately with Andromeda about her own little surprise for Harry after dinner.
Andromeda smiled, "He's going to love it. You two deserve to have some fun."
Ginny smiled, "I hope he will. It's been so long." Ginny then headed out to the back garden to set up for her surprise.
After everything was set up to Ginny's satisfaction for dinner Ginny went upstairs to the bedroom to check on Harry. She quietly walked into the room to find Harry in bed, sleeping soundly. He was curled up on his side facing the doorway with a slight smile on his face. Ginny smiled as she walked softly over to the bed. She bent down and lightly kissed his cheek. Ginny whispered in Harry's ear, "Love, it's time to get up."
Harry stirred and his eyes fluttered open to see Ginny's smiling face. Harry asked, "Is it time to get ready?"
Ginny nodded, "I'm going to shower and get changed. I'll meet you in the sitting room in 45 minutes."
Harry smiled and got out of bed. While Ginny went to shower, Harry picked out some navy-blue robes, a tie to match, got a clean white dress shirt, and grabbed his socks and shoes and left the bedroom to get ready himself.
Harry came down to the sitting room to find Andromeda and Teddy already waiting. Teddy looked handsome in his black robes with his hair the turquoise blue he liked. Andromeda was wearing a set of maroon robes and looked very elegant. There was a table of drinks by the doorway. Harry took a butterbeer as he sat down to wait for Ginny. Harry smiled at Teddy and said, "Looking very spiffy there."
Teddy smiled, "Thank you Harry."
Harry complimented Andromeda by saying, "Very elegant Andie. That color really suits you."
Andromeda blushed ever so slightly as she smiled, "Thank you. You look very handsome."
Harry smiled, "I think this is going to be fun. What do you think Teddy?"
Teddy just nodded has he drank a glass of pumpkin juice.
The three of them made small talk about Harry's and Teddy's flying plans tomorrow before heading to the Burrow for Sunday dinner. Since the investigation started, Mrs. Weasley had extended her standing Sunday dinner invitation to Andromeda and Teddy. She didn't like the thought of the two of them eating alone on Sundays. Andromeda gladly accepted Mrs. Weasley's hospitality. After a few minutes, Ginny walked into the sitting room. She was wearing a black, knee length skirt with a white blouse. Her hair was done in a French twist. She paired the outfit with her black dress pumps. Harry smiled and immediately stood up and crossed the room. He met Ginny just inside the doorway. He could smell her flowery perfume that he loved so much. Harry said, "You look beautiful. You would like a drink?"
Ginny softly kissed Harry, "Very handsome as always. A butterbeer sounds good."
Harry took a butterbeer off the table and poured it into a glass for her.
After a moment Kreacher walked into the room and announced, "Potter? Party of four, your table is ready."
Harry chuckled while he took Ginny's arm. She said with a smile, "We're dining at a very exclusive café. The wait for a table in months long." He glanced to his side as he watched Teddy imitate him by offering his grandmother his arm. Andromeda smiled and took it. Harry looked up at her and smiled. Kreacher led the group to the dining room. The table was covered in a red silk tablecloth and the candles that were there were lit. Harry also noticed that the good crystal glasses were being used. Harry pulled out a chair and motioned for Ginny to sit then took the seat next to her. Harry watched Teddy try to do the same for Andromeda and smiled.
Kreacher passed out menus as everyone took their seats and asked, "May Kreacher offer you something from the bar?"
Ginny and Harry asked for butterbeers, Teddy asked for a pumpkin juice, and Andromeda asked for a glass of white wine.
Harry started looking at the menu and said, "Well, I know what I'm getting. Ginny's pot roast."
Teddy smiled, even though he really couldn't read yet he knew Ginny's name when he saw it, "Me too!"
Ginny thought for a moment and going along with the fun of being at a restaurant, she stated "I think I'm going to get the fish. I hear it's particularly good here."
Andromeda chuckled as she said, "I'm going to order the chicken."
Kreacher came back with their drinks and took their orders. The four talked about tomorrow while waiting for their dishes. Once dinner was served the conversation died down while they ate. During dinner, Ginny noticed Harry taking quick side glances at her. 'It's working.' She thought to herself. Ginny just got tired of Harry sequestering himself in his office when he was home reading over transcripts and notes. At least this time he wasn't blaming himself for what was happening. Ginny had gotten her Harry back from that awful accident, but now she was losing him in a different way. She wasn't about to let Harry slip back into old patterns and bad habits.
After dinner was finished and Harry favorite dessert, treacle tart, was served Ginny leaned over to Harry and said, "After desert I have a surprise for you."
Harry looked up from his plate, "I thought this was the surprise."
Ginny smiled as she shook her head, "No Love. This was just the beginning."
Harry and Ginny both finished their dessert. Ginny looked at Andromeda and Teddy as she stood up. She said, "If you'll excuse us." She took Harry's hand as he stood and walked him out of the dining room. As they walked past Kreacher, Ginny said, "Kreacher, everything was perfect. Our compliments to the chef." Kreacher smiled and nodded in return.
Ginny led Harry outside to the back garden to the little patio set. On the table were two glasses and a bottle of fire whiskey setting next to the wireless. Ginny let Harry's hand go and poured some fire whiskey for them both and turned on the wireless. She tapped the unit with her wand and a slow, love type song started to spill out of its speaker. Ginny handed Harry his drink and took a sip of hers. Harry slowly raised the glass to his lips, never taking his eyes off Ginny. She looked beautiful. She bit her bottom lip, and he closed the gap between them. Harry stared into her beautiful chocolate brown eyes and softly kissed her lips. Harry took Ginny's glass from her and placed them both on the patio table. He quietly asked, "May I have this dance?"
Ginny nodded as Harry took her right hand in his left and slipped his right arm around her waist. He pulled her close as they started to waltz around the patio to the tune of the music. Harry held her so close he could smell her beautiful flowery perfume. Everything else faded from view. All Harry could hear was the music and all he could feel was Ginny's body pressed up against him as they danced. All of life's stresses left Harry's body. All he could think about was Ginny. No investigation, no notes, no transcripts, just Ginny. His beautiful, wonderful Ginny. The woman that stole his heart and never gave it back. Harry closed his eyes and just basked in the love that they shared, the love that got him through the day.
Ginny looked at Harry and watched him relax and close his eyes. She smiled as Harry lost himself in their dance. Ginny loved dancing with Harry. It always made her feel so close to him. She loved how Harry held her and carefully led her around the patio. Ginny loved how his body felt pressed up against hers while they moved in time to the music as she took in his intoxicating, musky scent. Harry opened his eyes and saw his beautiful wife smiling. Ginny noticed the pain from earlier was gone from Harry's eyes. He really missed dancing with Ginny. He loved how their bodies moved as one across the patio, perfectly in sync. Harry loved how Ginny felt in his arms as he cradled her carefully with his right arm. They hardly spoke while they danced, instead they communicated with their eyes. They knew each other so well that words weren't always necessary.
Harry leaned in just a bit and pressed his lips to Ginny's. Ginny could taste the traces of treacle tart still on his lips. It made her giggle inside. As they stopped moving, Ginny raised her hands and ran them through Harry's hair. He sighed with pleasure as he pulled Ginny closer. Ginny kissed Harry back with passion. Harry slowly moved his mouth to Ginny's neck and gave her butterfly kisses along it. Ginny let out a low moan as she grabbed Harry's shirt. Harry stood there and just hugged his wife.
Ginny pulled away and looked up into Harry's eyes. She bit the corner of her bottom lip. Almost above a whisper she said, "I love you."
Harry smiled that goofy smile that melted Ginny's heart and replied, "I love you too."
