Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter and the universe it is in.
"Harry! Wait up!" Ron called as he tried to follow a determined Harry Potter through the streets of Daigon alley. He snuck out, with the permission of Molly Weasley, form the Burrow. His reason, officially, was to find something for a friend. Unofficially that friend was her Daughter, Virginia Weasley.
He told Ron that he wanted to know where the watch came from so he could ask the shopkeeper about his parents. It was partly true but he didn't want to tell him that he also wanted something for her sister. It would rather be embarrassing for him to do so.
The moment when she gave him the gift was still fresh in his mind. In his glee, he embraced Ginny in front of everyone, forgetting that the entire Weasley clan was watching. His embarrassment and the teasing was worth his while for he had felt the young woman in his arms. A soft, huggable and smelled like roses kind of woman.
Young woman.
He liked that.
Young woman. He never thought of her like that before. But through the years he thought that what he felt for her was purely platonic. But a year and a half ago, his perspective changed.
Hogwarts: One and a half years ago.
The night was still and nothing stirred. The halls of the great school felt cold in its emptiness. Bursting with life in the day and almost a tomb in the night, Harry felt a shiver in his spine every time he snuck out in the middle of the night.
Under his invisibility cloak, he felt protected. Not because he was invisible but because the cloak belonged from his father. It was like he was with him wherever he went. With his son whenever he felt like doing mischief, no doubt inheriting the trait from his father.
He always walked the gloomy halls of the school to ease his mind. The other thing that could do that was riding his Firebolt and beating Slytherin in quidditch. Also seeing Malfoy's face when they lost.
But now he had a lot in his mind. He walked aimlessly, going where his feet would take him. Sometimes, he was surprised where it took him.
This was one of those occasions.
He never knew where he was until he saw some familiar sign. And the sign today was Hagrid's hut.
He sighed as he decided is he should visit his old friend. That was a no brainer. He always feel welcomed when it was Hagrid.
Walking towards the hut, he heard the giggling of a female. It sounded familiar so it caught his interest. Too familiar.
Harry walked past Hagrid's hut and found something that melted his heart.
Three full-grown unicorns were surrounding a student. The student was sitting on the ground and stroking one of the unicorns that rested its head on her lap. It was a moment to be treasured.
Harry instantly fell in love with the sight. If he had been Colin he would have taken a photo of it. But he doubted he would do it anyway for fear that the picture will not do the scene justice.
Harry silently stood where he was and smiled. However, something bothered him about this scene.
What caught his attention was the student. Her long red hair flowed like a waterfall of autumn leaves from her head, her skin was almost as white and pure as the unicorns' and her face was lovely although familiar somehow.
The girl laughed as one of the unicorns tickled her. She had the most amazing laugh that further melted his heart, if any piece of it survived. Harry was pretty sure that it was a goddess amidst these awesome creatures.
But like all good things, it must come to an end.
"I have to go," the girl said to the unicorns. Although obviously saddened, they bowed to her, touching their golden horns on her head and galloped away. It was like they revered her as a queen. Waving them goodbye, the girl slowly turned and walked towards Harry's direction.
At first he was afraid that he was seen. But as the girl hummed happily he told himself that he was only paranoid. But when he saw her face his heart stopped, if it was possible since it had been damaged beyond repair.
He saw the beautiful face of Virginia Weasley. He could not believe it. His goddess was under his nose the whole time and he was too daft to see it.
Harry drank the image as if he was parched from walking in the desert for long. Trying to remember every detail, trying to remember her well.
Ginny passed him and he smelled the scent of roses drawn by the wind.
She finally disappeared through the doors leading into the school leaving Harry standing there wondering if it was all a dream.
Present day
Harry smiled as he remembered Ginny's face that time. After that, whenever he saw her, he doubted that she was human. No human could look that beautiful, can they?
And when he took her in his arms, he never wanted to let go. He feared that he would lose her once he did.
He feared it more than he feared Voldemort.
She felt warm in his arms, like she belonged in them. He really wanted to hold her again but if he rushed things, he may face the wrath of her brothers. The thought of the twins with their little bats made Harry cringe. History will show that quidditch did not call them beaters for nothing.
"Oi! Harry!" Ron called. Harry blinked and looked at him, removing any trace of him thinking about his sister.
"What is it?" he asked straining to stay calm.
"You almost slammed into that store," Ron pointed. Harry looked up and noticed the sign on the window. It would be very hard not to notice for it was right in front of him. He looked into the window and found curiosities that range from elegant to magnificent.
The shops name? The Lion's Heart.
Harry entered the shop before he could stop himself. It was like he was drawn in for some reason. The same reason why fate always show themselves to those who are worthy.
Ron followed him inside and was amazed by the displays. Statuettes, jewelry, curiosities, it was like they were owned by royalty one time or another.
"Bloody hell," Ron said under his breath as it nearly took it all.
Harry couldn't agree more. It was awesome. Not even a shop outside Daigon alley could compare. It was like magic. Which he didn't doubt it was.
"Good morning my lords," a tall man about the same height of Ron stood by the counter. "What's your pleasure?"
Both of them only looked at him, shocked that they didn't hear him enter the room. His violet eyes looked at them curiously but friendlily. His smile reminded Harry of Dumbledore's. Quiet, kind and understanding. And for reasons he could not fathom, he began to trust this stranger immediately.
"I'm looking for something for a friend," Harry finally said as he came over his initial shock.
"One can find anything if one could find it deep in the Heart," he smiled. Ron raised an eyebrow. It sounded like something Hermoine would say. Harry understood the cliché and laughed.
"You really know how to tend to your customers," he said.
"I do not have customers, only guests," the man said. A cute, light green creature looked at Harry curiously with its obsidian eyes. It wagged its fluffy tail as she looked at him.
"What is that?" Ron asked impressed with such a creature.
"Her name's Carbuncle," the shopkeeper said. "It seems that she recognizes a scent. Tell me, when was the last time you took a bath?" Harry blushed in embarrassment.
"I do not smell," Harry countered.
"It is another scent that Carbuncle had noticed," the shopkeeper smiled. Carbuncle leaned forward to sniff him more. "And by you blush, I could tell that it was a woman."
"I was in a hurry," he said shyly as his cheeks flared. It was rather embarrassing to admit but he liked Ginny's scent on him. It was a constant reminder of what she smelled like.
And she smelled heavenly.
"Who was the last person you came in close contact with?" his question made him blush more. How could he admit to a total stranger, in front of Ron even, that the woman was his friend's sister?
"A friend of mine," Harry said almost evasively as he looked away to hide his embarrassment.
"Ah," the man smiled in understanding. It was like a weight was lifted within him when he understood. "Then you must be Harry Potter. I'd never realized how she easily had taken for you. I must say, with the evidence present, she really made an impression." Harry was dumbfounded. Only two questions and he knew. "She was in here two days ago looking for a perfect gift. I surmised that you were quite pleased with it."
"It was lovely," Harry said. Ron smiled wickedly as he saw his friend blush. He knew he had feeling for his sister but didn't mind. Better it to be Harry than some git from school. But still, she's his sister and needs constant vigilance.
"So lovely that you grabbed her in your arms?" the shopkeeper couldn't help but tease.
"How did you know?" Harry asked incredulously. This man was starting to frighten him. Was he a soothsayer?
"Carbuncle could smell her on you," he smiled as he stroked the creature's head. "And now you want something to give her. Something that would start a possible relationship?" Now Harry was beginning to freak out. So far he was on the dot every single time. "Perhaps you wish to purchase one of my best engagement rings." The shopkeeper duck down on one of the shelves and emerged holding a small velvet box.
"A Solomon Diamond," he said as he opened the box. Harry's jaw dropped. Never had he seen anything like it before. The ring was made of pure gold and the diamond... the diamond was about the biggest one he had ever seen.
Cut in the shape of two hearts overlapping, the diamond was as large as a grape.
"No thank you sir..." Harry started but the man smiled.
"Come now, it even has her name on it," giving the rind to Harry, the boy-who-lived saw the inscription inside the ring and was baffled. Inside were the words "Our hearts are intertwined Forever. Ginny and Harry."
"I'm just seventeen," Harry protested. "I'm too young."
"No one's too young to love," the shopkeeper teased. "In fact, I've known people who were family men at the age of sixteen."
This conversation was getting out of hand. He needed a distraction and fast for if this continued, he didn't know if he could hide his embarrassment from Ron.
"Sir, how did you come across the watch?" Ron asked. Harry mentally thanked his friend and sighed in relief. Why didn't he think of that? The shopkeeper frowned in thought and then frowned in annoyance. Mostly because he failed to sell the ring to Harry.
"A James Potter came in here one day looking for a gift for a very special girl. He wanted it so special that it would last through eternity," the shopkeeper took out a pair of stools from behind the counter and bade them to sit. Harry was so intrigued by the story that he didn't realize that he sat and looked at him with such interest that he felt like a child listening to a very good story.
"He found the artifact, or rather, they found him."
"They?" Harry was confused. It was just a single pocket watch, wasn't it? What was he hiding?
"You'll find out sooner or later," he smiled cryptically. "Although, he picked a musical timepiece and asked to attach a photo of the three of you in it for a memento for you. He was about to charm it but he was afraid he might ruin it," the shopkeeper chuckled. "The inscription was given to him as a gift. He liked it and it was placed in the watch." He had a sad smiled when he continued. "He never picked it up."
"Needless to say, the watch was kept here until the day it was claimed," his jovial smile returned. "It 'was' claimed."
"How much did she pay for it?" Ron was curious. The truth was, Harry was curious too. But he would never judge a gift by its price.
"Come now, my lord. It is a secret," he smiled. "Would you want YOUR girlfriend to know how much her gift cost?" he teased. Ron suddenly blushed furiously almost matching his hair. Harry laughed at this. It was fun seeing his friend squirm.
"I.. I.. I don't have a girlfriend!" he protested but the way the shopkeeper was smiling, he knew otherwise.
"I heard otherwise," the shopkeeper smiled at Ron's discomfort. "Word has it that your much of a prat to notice her though it was quite obvious to the rest of the Gryiffindor clan."
"Who are you?" Ron asked getting nervous. They do not know this man but he knew a lot of them. But the man smiled cryptically and nodded to the shelves.
"Look around and maybe you may find something for her," he told Ron who, with a final sigh, did just that. "And now master Potter, friendship, love, engagement or passion? If you don't want the ring..."
"Maybe when I'm sure of her answer, then I'll get the ring," Harry said shyly.
"Now that's the spirit," the shopkeeper smiled. "Well now, what would it be in the meantime?" he asked. This time, Harry blushed, feeling all of the blood in his cheek. He considered lying but the man was so sincere he was ashamed of even considering lying.
"I'll have to say friendship," he said. "I want to take it easily. I might make a mistake when I rush it."
"Good answer!" he said and ducked under the counter. "What was the lady's name again, Ginny?"
"Ginny," Harry answered as he browsed around.
"G.. G.. Ginny!" a childlike voice called. Harry looked at the source and found her eyes smiling and her tail wagging. His jaw dropped as the implication sunk in.
"Ron?" he called his friend who now was standing beside him.
"I know Harry," Ron stood there in awe.
The shopkeeper stood from behind the counter and looked at Carbuncle with sad eyes. But in a moment he smiled again and scratched her head.
"You have chosen, haven't you?" he asked. Carbuncle was happy by the scratch or something else, Harry was not sure.
"Chosen?" Harry asked. It baffled him why such a creature would chose.
"Carbuncle chooses her master and friend for life," the shopkeeper explained as he stoked the creature's fur. "When she has chosen she will utter her master's name. One who she thinks is worthy."
"Ginny!" Carbuncle said happily. Harry was at a loss and Ron was no help. Seeing their confused reactions, the shopkeeper elaborated further.
"A Carbuncle is a protector, my lords. Somewhat, a guardian. A luck charm if you will. She has chosen who she will protect and protect her she will. Lady Ginny will be happy," he smiled.
"Are you my gift to her?" Harry asked Carbuncle but she shook her head. The shopkeeper laughed and handed her to Harry.
"Carbuncle could be a handful but she's not what I was referring too. She's what you say.. .. a bonus. This will look good on her," he gave Harry a rectangular box and a smile. There was something mischievous in his smile that made Harry nervous. He looked at the book, trying to figure out what it was. But instead, he only looked at the shopkeeper for help.
"When you return I will not be here." His announcement surprised him.
"Why not?" Ron asked somewhat disappointed.
"I have to close the shop," he explained. "Business up north."
"But how do we take care of her?" Harry asked. The shopkeeper smiled slyly at the word "we".
"She is a vegetarian and pretty damned smart. She'll tell you what she wants," he said. "Have you chosen anything, Lord Weasley?"
"How did you know my name?" Ron asked nervously.
"Tall redhead who's always with Harry Potter and is secretly in love with the smartest girl in Hogwarts. That's you isn't it?" Ron's blush confirmed his words. Suddenly, Ron whispered into the man's ear and whatever the boy said, pleased the shopkeeper.
"I will deliver it to you. Now off you two go. I need to work." He carefully pushed the two teens out of his shop and on to the streets.
"But.." Harry was protesting. He wanted to know more about.. .. well, about everything.
"What about the payment?" Ron asked.
"We will meet again," he said confidently as he smiled and he closed the door.
"Come on Harry, let's go home," Ron said as he lead the way. Carbuncle snuggled in Harry's chest and arms, making herself comfortable. Harry smiled at the cute creature as he followed Ron.
But his curiosity got the better of him and with one hand, opened his present for Ginny. Beautiful will not be enough to describe it. Its beauty matched its next owner, indescribable. It was an intricate necklace of a maiden with wings; an angel. Her wings were made of white crystal and her elaborate body was made of silver.
Smiling he pocketed the necklace and held Carbuncle carefully in his arms. Now all he needed to think about was how to give Ginny her gifts.
Smiling at himself, he followed Ron back to the Burrow.
End chapter 3