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Word Count: 389

Hogwarts Assignment 1: Egyptology, Task 4: Write about a character in their old age


A Promise of Soon


Harry conjured a flame on his hand and threw it into the fireplace, smiling when the fire crackled merrily as the wood caught. There was already a warming charm built into his wards to protect against the cold winter weather raging outside, but little brought him such simple pleasure as the fire dancing in the grate.

He hobbled over to his favoured armchair and relaxed back into the soft cushions, letting the heat of the fire wash away the aches and pains that age brought to his brittle bones. He laughed when his cat—Merlin—hopped up onto his lap, she too enjoying the heat of the fire.

She batted at his jumper sleeve for attention until he scratched behind her ears, just the way she liked it. Harry couldn't deny the contentness that seeped into his bones. It truly was the mundane things in life that brought him the most pleasure these days.

Ever since the kids had moved out, since he'd lost his dear, sweet, Ginny a couple of years ago, he'd had to learn to find happiness in the little things. It was hard, but he had no doubt that she was waiting for him impatiently, and he knew, he could feel it, that he would be with her soon.

He wasn't scared of it, in fact, that he'd lived old enough to die of old age was a privilege he was still surprised he'd been allowed. Even now, many decades after the death sentence that had been placed on him when he was still the crib.

Merlin purred on his lap, and Harry closed his eyes, ready for a nap of his own. Every time he fell asleep, he wondered if it would be the time that Ginny would come for him, but he was never sad when he woke, either.

She'd come for him soon, he knew, and until then he was content with his life as it was. Lily Luna would be coming by later in the evening, and she'd hopefully be bringing the kids with her.

Harry, even at his age, never felt more alive than when he had his grandchildren climbing all over him, begging for stories.

He smiled as sleep claimed him, dreamless except for the faint scent of Ginny's favourite perfume. It was a promise, he knew.

A promise of soon.


Written for:

Book Club: 6. Flame

Games Corner: Pink: Northumberland Avenue: Relaxed

Snail Mail: 3. Cat

Pucker Up: Molly Weasley: 2. Jumper

365: 98. Mundane

Insane Challenge: 934. Cold