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Festivalstadt:
Ginny awoke suddenly, looking around the darkened room. For the life of her, she couldn't figure out what had woken her. She knew it couldn't be the dreams that had haunted her since her first year at Hogwarts. Ever since then, until just recently, the memories of what she had been forced to do by Tom Riddle had followed her, invading her sleep, filling her dreams. Even her waking hours had not been spared. Memories would flow unbidden at the worst times, and visions would come to mock her, and make her doubt even her magic. Only when she had been able to have a hand in the downfall of the Dark Lord had all of that abated. It had felt to her like the tide had gone out, and she had breathed freely for the first time in years. It hadn't been very long since that had started to go away. Thinking of those dreams made her think of the visions she knew Harry had seen for so long. As she thought of that, she turned toward him in the bed, and saw that he looked restless, as if his sleep wasn't as restful as it should be. She curled up next to her boyfriend, putting her arm around him. As she did so, she felt him relax, and knew that he had fallen into a more restful slumber. Now, she could rest content herself.
The next morning, they decided to be a bit lazy, and just relax and enjoy themselves. They had a leisurely breakfast, then spent the rest of the morning in each other's arms, on the couch. After a while, Ginny had to ask the question that had been in the back of her mind since the early hours of the morning. With her head in his lap, she looked up at him, with a questioning look.
"Harry, what do you see in your dreams, now?"
A startled look passed over his face for a moment, then he grew thoughtful. "Well, I don't remember them anywhere near as vividly as I used to." He put his hands over his eyes for a moment, then put one arm around her again. The fingers of his other hand combed through his hair. "I think that now they're just dreams, you know? Ever since we got rid of him, even though I still have the occasional nightmare, it's a lot easier to deal with. When I wake up, the details are already fading, the way a dream should." He smiled. "Nowadays, I have a lot more good dreams. Ones that I want to remember, but even those are different. Before, if I had a good dream, I was desparate to commit it to memory. It was like I thought it would be the last good one I would have forever." He shuddered violently. "There were times when I was almost as scared after the good dreams as after the bad. Before I finally started to get the hang of occlumency, I was afraid that if I dreamed something good, he would know it, and find a way to twist it, turn it into something else." Harry's voice had dropped, so Ginny could barely hear it. She could hear the pain in his voice all too well as he recounted this. "That's why I worked so hard at occlumency, as hard as I worked at any offensive spell I could find. I knew that, if Voldemort knew how much Ron, Hermione, and you, meant to me, that he would find a way to use it against me. That was the one weapon he really had over me. If he'd ever known, he wouldn't have hesitated in using that. If he'd managed to take any one of you, I would've given everything up, to get you back to me." He looked down at her tenderly. "You know, you really always were very important to me. I don't know how I would've made it through the past couple of years, without your friendship and love. Even if I never realized it before."
She slapped him playfully on the arm. "Certainly took you long enough!" She grinned up at him, saying, "You do realize that you are stuck with me now. I mean, we've told the Twins we're together, not to mention Mum."
He rolled his eyes. "With Mum knowing, I wonder how long it took her to tell Ron and Hermione. Wonder what his reaction to the news was."
"Knowing her, I'd wager not long at all. As to his reaction, hard to say. Hermione had been trying for ages to get me to tell you how I really felt. I just never felt that you would see me as anything more than that flighty little first year with the embarassing crush." She mused, "I really do think Ron was trying to fix us uo, too."
Harry let out a chuckle at this, then his eyes narrowed a bit, remembering something. "I have a question for you, about your first year, dear."
Not really wanting to remember much about that year, she nevertheless asked, "What?"
"Do you have any idea who started the Hogwarts chapter of my fan club?"
"Harry, I was eleven! I had the worst crush on you, then. Had done, since I could remember. I had no idea it would snowball like that!" The puppydog eyes appeared again. "Please forgive me?"
He appeared to think this over. "I really should find a way to make you pay for that. Do you have any idea how unsettling it is for a fifteen year old to suddenly discover that he has hordes of admirers who all want a part of him, for something he did that he can't even remember?" Harry shook his head. "It's a wonder I didn't come out of it stranger than Draco and Colin put together." He waggled a finger at her, saying "You're just lucky I happen to be madly in love with you, or I'd think of something really devious."
The pretty young redhead pulled him down for a long kiss, not letting him up for air, for quite a while. When they finally broke for a breath, she said quietly, "I know just how lucky I am, love."
They sat together for a while, plaesantly lost in each other. When Harry got up to stretch and get a drink, he asked, "How do you feel about going out for a while? I was thinking about doing a little more looking around, maybe see if we could find a few more souvenirs to take back with us."
"Why not? Sounds like it could be fun. I enjoy showing off my boyfriend."
He shook his head at her, laughing. "You do realize that we're not in London, and nobody has any idea you're out with the 'famous' Harry Potter, right?"
"That's not what I'm showing off. I'm showing off a very handsome, fit man, who has a cute bum." She grinned at him, and grabbed at him, with a mock look of disappointment, as he dodged out of the way.
"You're mental, you know that?"
They continued teasing each other as they got ready to go out, and as they walked through the store to the sidewalk.
As they headed down the street, they each kept an eye out for anything they thought someone at home would like. The couple stopped into an bookstore they found tucked into a side street, thinking that it would be the perfect place to find something unusual for Hermione. Browsing through the shelves, Ginny found a complete boxed set of romance novels, by the same author she had gotten her friend hooked on a couple summers before. They were older volumes, ones that Ginny had never run across before. She picked these up, thinking they would be the perfect wedding gift for her soon to be sister-in-law. Now, she just had to find something for her brother, Ron.
She and Harry had been amazed the night before, when they found out that the other two were engaged. They were even more astounded, when they had heard the details. It was hard to believe that the thoughtful, romantic man she had heard described was Ron. Amazing really, the effect the bushy haired girl had had on him.
Harry found a few things that looked interesting, but nothing that really jumped out at him as a gift for anyone. He wandered the stacks, thinking that they'd probably never get Hermione out of here, if she were to find this place. He was starting to get an idea for a wedding gift for them. He'd have to talk to the Twins, and Arthur, when they got home.
After paying for the books the two had found, they wandered along the street, looking in windows, watching people pass. They found an ice cream parlour, and decided to sit down and have a sundae. As they sat at a table out on the sidewalk, enjoying the desserts, Ginny saw a little girl looking in the window of the parlour, with a look of longing on her face. She couldn't have been more than five, with curly blonde hair and sky-blue eyes.
She turned to the harried looking woman with her and asked, "Please, Mom?" The little girl had a hopeful look on her face, though one that said she didn't really expect her to say yes. Her mother replied, "I'm sorry, Ashley, but we don't have enough right now."
Ginny got Harry's attention, and asked him for some money. Mystified, he pulled out a small roll of bills and handed it to her, with a questioning look. She quickly got up, and walked over to where the girl stood. She asked the mother, "Do you mind if I buy her an ice cream?"
The mother looked closely at the young witch, and after a moment said, "I wouldn't want to impose on you like that." She started to take Ashley's hand to go, but Ginny stopped her.
"You look like you could stand to relax for a bit. I'll let her pick something out. You'll be able to see the counter from that table over there." She pointed to where Harry was seated. "That's my boyfriend, Harry. Don't worry, I won't let her spoil her appetite." She smiled impishly, then. "Much."
The woman nodded and walked over to Harry's table, and he stood for a moment when she got there. "I hope you don't mind."
He smiled and said, "Not at all. Please, have a seat."
As she sat, visibly relaxing, she said, "She's pretty much a force of nature, isn't she?"
Harry laughed, saying, "Yes, I think that's the perfect way to describe Ginny, when she gets the bit between her teeth." He held out his hand. "Hi, I'm Harry."
She shook the proferred hand and replied, "Hi, I'm Anne. Nice to meet you." As they watched Ginny and Ashley inside the shop, getting sundaes, Anne looked at him out of the corner of her eye a few times. Finally, she turned to him and asked, "I know I'm being nosy as hell, but do I know you from somewhere? I have the feeling I've seen you somewhere before, but can't place where."
"I don't know. Have you ever spent much time in London? Diagon Alley?"
"Not in a few years. We went over there before I went to college. My parents wanted to visit some cousins over there. They weren't magical, though. Pretty gruesome muggles, actually. A couple named the Dursleys."
Up to this point, Harry had been absolutely positive that it was impossible to make ice cream shoot through your nose. He was mistaken. "Did you say the Dursley's? Vernon and Petunia? Obese prat of a son named Dudley? Those Dursleys?"
":Yeah, that would be them. How do you..." Her voice trailed off, as she made the connection. "Wait a minute. Harry. Harry Potter? Their nephew?"
"Yes, The Freak, as they delighted in calling me. How in Merlin's name are you related to them? My mum didn't have any other family living that we knew of, or I never would have been put with them."
She answered, "Vernon is my dad's second cousin. His parents were total squibs, and he was the first ever born in that family that had absolutely no magic to him. Even his parents could manage the odd potion or two. My parents moved here right after they finished Hogwarts, during the rise of You-Know-Who. They've followed the news over there ever since. The only ones I know of around here that actually still subscribe to the Daily Prophet. They actually mentioned you to me a little while back, after the Dark Lord was defeated. I never thought I'd actually meet you. I think they're still amazed at the fact that somebody who'd lived in that home turned out to be a powerful enough wizard to do what...I'm sorry. I'm babbling." It had seemed to Harry that she had said most of this on the same breath, kind of like a certain best friend of his back home.
"Your last name wouldn't be Granger, by any chance, would it?" This was asked with a grin. Ginny had come back while Anne was talking, and had heard his question.
She smacked him on the arm. "Of course not! You are rotten, you know that?"
Anne had watched this exchange, as her daughter sat down next to her. "Would that be a bad thing?"
Ginny said, "Not at all. One of our best friends back home is a girl by the name of Hermione Granger. She was the brightest witch in hers and Harry's year, and is actually quite nice." She gave a rueful grin. "She wouldn't be able to stand being engaged to my brother, otherwise. He can be a bit of a prat at times, though I have to say that he's gotten better over the years."
Harry spoke up with, "Actually, the reason I asked that is because she has this knack for coming out with absolutely brilliant insights one right after the other. At times, it seems like she has to give them all in one go, without breathing. Ron and I were quite stunned the first few times she did it. Afterwards, she would always change the subject to something else entirely, or just walk in the other direction." He paused a moment. "It was probably because, with as intelligent as she was, she'd always gotten picked on for it. Hermione enjoys being recognized for her smarts, but is leery of it, too. She's definitely the brainy type. A bit mental at times, but very smart. Sweet, too." He had a fond look on his face. "She's always been like a sister to me. Ron just better make her happy, or I'll make his life hell."
Ginny chuckled at this. "Get in line, love. If he ever makes her miserable, I doubt he'll last the day, with the whole family, you, and half of Hogwarts after him. By the second day, he'd be wearing his arse the wrong way round his body." She cocked an eyebrown at Harry. "Do you have any idea how many people actually wouldn't have made it through OWLs or NEWTs without her? Besides you and Ron, that is.", she teased. "You may be the most powerful wizard around, but even you wouldn't have passed those tests, without her badgering you, or double-checking your homework, right? No matter the fact that Witch Weekly said you recieved more votes than Lockheart ever did for the Most Charming Smile award." A thought struck her, making her giggle. "Good thing he never did get his memory back. He would've been mortified by that."
Ashley was thoroughly enjoying her PumpkinCranberry Crunch sundae, and giggling at the two of them.
Ginny asked, "By the way, have you met Ashley, yet?"
He replied, "No, I was wondering when I'd get an introduction." He turned to the little girl. "Hi Ashley. I'm Harry. It's very nice to meet you."
As she had her mouth full at the moment, she hurried to swallow before responding, "Hi Harry. You're cute!"
Harry looked at his girlfriend, shaking his head and asking, "So you've corrupted another one, have you then?"
Ginny looked back at him, trying not very successfully to hide a laugh. "Nope. She's a smart one. Figured it out all on her own." She smirked at him. "Maybe she needs a member's badge. I might have a couple around." She started rummaging through her bag, finally losing her battle with the giggles, as she saw him bury his head in his hands, muttering, "Bugger. I knew it. I bloody well knew it. She started it."
Anne looked at Ginny questioningly. "What's wrong with him?"
"Well, back in England, especially in London, there's a huge Harry Potter fan club. It's been quite a bother for him at times. There have been times when he couldn't even walk through Diagon Alley, without being mobbed. They go absolutely barking mad over him."
At this point, Harry lifted his head from his hands and asked, "They? Let's try the word 'we', why don't we, Madame President."
"Now, love, you know that was only an honorary thing, and only lasted the month."
Harry looked over at Anne, seeing that she was trying to avoid his eyes, a slight pink tinge playing over her cheeks. "Oh no, Anne, Please. Not you too. You're not even in bloody England for Merlin's sake!"
A bit defensively, she said, "The club was really big over here for a while, a couple years back. One of my friends gave me a membership for Christmas, along with a subscription to the magazine. Of course, the pictures were a little out of date even then, so it's no wonder I didn't recognize you" She said, shyly, "They really didn't do you justice."
Feeling a bit dazed, like a bludger after the World Cup, Harry asked weakly, "Magazine?" He closed his eyes. "Ginny, you never told me there was a magazine..."
His girlfriend was a bit stunned herself. "I never knew. Probably a good thing, that." She shook her head. "It was bad enough, the way I was when I first met him. Everytime he'd say something to me, I'd squeak and run away. Ron and the Twins didn't help, either. He'd tease me non-stop, and the two of them would find ways to 'help' me." She quickly told Anne the story of the dwarf-delivered singing valentine. "It was quite the worst thing they'd ever done to me. Of course, they thought it was the funniest thing ever, up til that point."
Harry grinned. "You know, I don't think we ever got back at them for that. We may have to find a troll to deliver a special message. Ever heard one of them sing?" He got a slightly evil grin now. "Actually, I think I have just the thing. We'll just tell them a dwarf is going to take a singing message to Professor McGonagall, detailing exactly how some of their best candies work, so that she and Professor Flitwick can come up with counter-charms."
Ginny's eyes went wide and her jaw dropped. "Harry, you wouldn't. Do you have any idea how much money they'd lose like that?"
"That's the best part, Gin. We don't have to, for the prank. All we have to do is let it slip around someone who will tell them about it, that we are going to send the message, but without any details. They'll drive themselves spare trying to figure out who's taking the message, and trying to stop it."
When the two had finally stopped laughing, Ginny looked at him and asked, "Is it any wonder that you have a fan club? Merlin's Beard, I'm glad you were on our side in the war. I'd hate to have to work against a devious mind like yours."
"Flattery, my dear, will get you everywhere."
She gave him a doubting look. "Promises, promises."
Anne was sitting back, amused, watching the two of them go back and forth. "So, how long have you two been together?"
Harry said, "It's been about three weeks now, right, Gin?"
She was dumbfounded. "Three weeks, and you're like this already?"
Ginny said, "We've known each other a long time, and been best friends for about the past year or so. It was only three weeks ago that this git finally realized we belonged together."
"Actually, I think I knew it a long time ago, but then she told Hermione she was over me, so..."
Anne could see that this was the kind of discussion that could go in circles forever, and decided to head it off. "Well, you two, we have to run. We have a few more things to do before we go to my parents tonight. Just wait til I tell them who I met today." She gave Harry a grin. "I might even dig out the old badge for Ashley." At Harry's groan, she gave them a wave, and they said goodbye.
As the couple watched the mother and daughter walk away, Ginny spoke up. "I think we have a new member for the fan club." giggling as she saw his reaction. "Come on," As she tugged his hand to get him to stand. "Let's go walk off these sundaes."
The two walked down the sidewalk, finding more stores that they hadn't seen before, surprised at the variety of the wares in some of them. In one, Kettle Cauldron, and Beyond, they mainly found kitchen gadgets, made with the wizarding home in mind. One thing in particular that caught Ginny's eye was the KitchenWitch enchanted dishwasher. Instead of electricity, it used a salamander to make hot water for the dishes. Harry made arrangements to have one of these, along with a few other choice items he'd found, shipped back to England. It would make the perfect birthday present for Molly. That was coming up, in about two weeks.
Another shop they stopped in, The Crystal Pensieve, held enough magical gadgets, with no apparent purpose, to make even Dumbledore giggle. Harry picked out a couple that would leave the old headmaster happily mystified for days, until he figured them out. Harry had no clue what the assemblages of gleaming tubes, highly polished woods of all colors, and exotic ivories actually did, but had no doubt they would delight his mentor. Harry still felt a bit guilty for trashing his office at the end of fifth year, and this would help to put it behind him.
At the end of one of the side streets was a sight that amazed Harry. It was a huge sign, in gold and silver letters, which read, "Mueller's Brewery, Home to Butterbeer, a Genuine Draught". Below was a smaller sign directing people around to an entrance on one side of the building, where they could take magically guided tours. He and Ginny decided that they couldn't pass up a chance like this, so went inside to sign up for a tour group.
The dwarfs that worked here were different from the ones they knew back home. They didn't seem to have the bitterness that some of them did back in London. The one who conducted the tour of the brewery was, quite possibly, one of the cheeriest beings either had ever met. The group was shown where the ingredients were magically enhanced to bring out unique flavors, the huge vats where everything was combined, the areas where it fermented and aged, the bottling area, and finally the materials apparation point, where shipments could go out, and the raw materials were brought in. At the end of the tour, they were given souvenir mugs, full of the glowing golden beverage. It was an enjoyable way to spend the rest of the afternoon.
A while later, they let themselves back into the apartment in the back of Weasley's. Harry had done a little judicious exploring before they had left for the day, so they could find the outside entrance. That way, they wouldn't have to worry about what time they returned.
After a light dinner, they watched the wizard's telly for a while, and fell asleep in each others arms, on the couch.
A/N: I've had some very interesting reviews on this story. To be honest, I never expected to get the response I have, with my first fanfic. Well, not exactly the first. The first was my little one-shot, Potions Helpline. That one was fun to write, and definitely got the creative juices flowing. This is the first one that actually felt like writing, rather than jotting down a few random thoughts, giggling a bit, then going off to surf the web. This one has become something that actually consumes quite a lot of my time, even when I'm not at the keyboard. I'll find myself, while in the midst of something else entirely, smacking myself in the forehead and yelling out, "Of course!", and scurrying to go write an idea down, so I don't forget it. A bit awkward that, in the middle of a meeting. Especially when you find yourself giggling and wondering why everybody's staring at you so strangely. Of course, I've always considered 'normal' to be a bit overrated, so I've gotten quite used to those kinds of looks. It's when I don't get those looks that I'll know something's wrong. Anyway, as I started to say before I so rudely interrupted myself...where was I...oh yes... I'm not exactly sure where this ride is going to take us, but I hope you continue to enjoy it, at least as much as I've enjoyed writing it.
GiGiFanFic: Thanks again, for your wonderful comments. You are truly too kind. As for the other, my wife, unaccountably, seems to agree with you. To be honest, I've never known what I did right to find her when I did. A little over 12 and 1/2 years later, I'm still trying to figure it out. If you knew what I was like then, you'd be as confused as I am.
Byron245: I'm glad you liked it. While I may not have been able to go to the same lengths Ron did in his proposal, I can identify with the feelings he had. They were, all of them, out in force the night I proposed to my now wife, and I felt the same way he did when she accepted.
Rachel132: ::sweeping bow:: Thank you, milady. I'm very glad you enjoyed it, though romace was the last thing I ever thought I'd write here. Just goes to show, the story goes where it will.
Xayne: Yep. You caught me. I am a bit of a softie, at times. Glad you like how Ron pulled it off. I had given some thought to having things go not quite right for him, but I just didn't have the heart to do it to him. My wife probably would've hit me with something in my sleep if I had. By the way, please let me know why you'd be appalled to see Ginny and Harry engaged. Just curious.