A/N: I know… it's been too long. I have no excuse. The next chapter will be better…
"So how did mum find out?" I asked Harry as we walked back to my office. We had promised Hermione and George that we would meet up with them after work, so I wanted a few minutes alone with Harry. "Evidently she walked in on them in the shop about a month ago, and they told her about it and she promised that she wouldn't tell Ron as long as either Hermione broke it off with Ron or broke it off with George," Harry said, his fingers laced into mine. "You've got to be giving me the mickey! Did he tell you how long it's been going on?" I said, shocked at my brother and Hermione. "Well, he said that they had been meeting secretly for about five or six months now," Harry replied, knowing that I would be shocked. I gasped, my mouth open in surprise. Harry laughed quietly, the corners of his eyes crinkling pleasantly. My eyes caught his and I smiled. "I missed you," I said, reaching up to touch his cheek. His smile softened to a small, sweet smile that he reserved just for me. "Gin, I love you," he said after leaning down to kiss my cheek. "I love you too, Harry," I sighed, a goofy smile threatening to overcome my lips.
Once back at the office, I worked like a house elf to finish the Paddington portfolio before Lavender's meeting with them at 4:00. I'm sure that it seems that I've been doing a whole lot of nothing lately, and it's true. However, the job of an interior designer is to be able to know instinctively what will look best. So basically, I make it up as I go. Lavender was the one who took care of the money and the paper work, leaving me to do most of the designs for all of the houses.
After picking out the supplier for some rugs, I closed the file on the Krum mansion and headed out the door to meet up with Hermione, George, and Harry at Florean Fortescue's for some ice cream and a chat. Harry and Hermione were chatting at a table outside when I arrived. I brushed the seat off before sitting down in my pale yellow robes. Harry smiled at me and scooted closer to me on the bench, his leg brushing against mine. Hermione smiled as she watched us, finally looking happy for the first time in a year or more. "Alright, Hermione?" I said to her, smiling. She laughed and replied, "As long as Ron's not around." I sighed and shook my head, "My stupid git of a brother… Tell me; is he still starkers about this whole thing?" Hermione rolled her eyes and said, "I've already gotten three howlers today after your mum talked to him." I shook my head. He deserved a bat-bogey hex.
George arrived soon after our conversation about Ron had begun. George's hands and face were dirty from what looked like soot. "Ruddy bastard! Sent me five howlers at once and they exploded before I could open them!" he fumed, flopping down in the seat next to Hermione. "I'm sorry," she said softly. George instantly cheered up and said, "Oh sweetheart! It's not your fault!" He scooped Hermione into his arms and kissed her cheeks until she laughed, which didn't take long. I shook my head and smiled. Harry looked at me quizzically and I whispered, "It's been dark for so long and it's nice to see some sunshine again." He frowned in thought and then smiled, his hand sliding over the top of mine.
We told Hermione and George about Dumbledore's symptoms as Hermione took notes, chewing on her quill thoughtfully at times. She promised that she would head to Hogwarts in the morning to do some research. Hermione's job as a magical chemist left her with a lot of free time. Since she used some potentially dangerous substances, she was only allowed to work every other day and she had to perform a special shielding spell each time she went to work. She was paid extremely well though; she said American muggles called it "danger pay."
"So, Harry, what did you do these three years that you've been gone?" George asked, my eyes flicking to Harry's face. Harry chuckled and then said, "You'll never believe it, but I was a singer in a muggle band." Hermione choked on her ice cream and I gasped. "I didn't know you could sing, mate," George said, trying not to laugh. Harry laughed and said, "Oh, I can't really. It's all fake. I never even appeared on stage." Hermione nodded in agreement and added, "They have computers that can change voices and make them sound better." George frowned in confusion and said, "What's a com-com-pooter?" Hermione giggled and said, "I'll show you mine later." Always the prankster, George manipulated her statement and said in a seductive voice, "Why, Hermione, you're so forward today. But what if I'm not ready to show you mine?" She rolled her eyes and pretended to be annoyed, but quickly dissolved into giggles.
After setting up plans with Hermione and George for the following night, Harry walked me home and came up to my apartment. When I flicked my wand to light all the candles and torches, I saw that a howler had exploded on my kitchen table and had left scorch marks. Sighing loudly, I flicked my wand again to perform a repairing spell that Lavender had taught me. Harry followed me to the living room and plopped down on the love seat as I took off my shoes. Apparently, I wasn't going fast enough for him because he grabbed my waist and pulled me down onto his lap, his arms around my middle. "Harry!" I said, half giggling, half startled. I felt his smile against my cheek just before he turned me to face him. "I love you, Gin," he whispered, burying his face in my long hair. "I love you too, Harry," I said, my hands instinctively going for his messy black hair, manipulating it so that it stood on end. He sighed, leaning back to look at me, "I don't want to leave." I glanced at the clock on the wall. 11:30pm. I needed to get to bed soon because I had to work in the morning. "Well," I said resolutely, "You can just stay here."
To be continued!