Hey all, just a quick note before we get to it.
I have been writing Hinny fanfics for about eleven years or so. Most of my stories are posted here, but as I am Brazilian, all of them are in Portuguese.
After five years living in Ireland and using English for literally everything, I started to think I might be ready to do some of my writing in English and see how it goes.
I decided to start with a translation of one of my own stories, and I really hope you like it. If it all goes well, there might be more to come soon, who knows? Remember English is not my native language, be kind and consider letting me know what you think of it =)

x

Harry Potter was a common person.

So much so, that everything in his life was equally common: he lived in Fulham, a common residential neighbourhood in the suburbs of London, his height and weight were in the national average for a male in the United Kingdom, he slept the recommended eight hours every night, worked business hours from Monday to Friday, and even took his afternoon tea daily at 5PM, milk and sugar please and thank you, like a good British citizen.

Now it's important to point out that common is not an automatic synonym for boring, because that's something Harry Potter was far from being. The guy had that natural interesting aura around himself, capable of making everyone pay attention to the messy haired man with hands buried in his pockets as he walked to and from the train station every morning on his way to work.

Most people, and here we mainly talk about his neighbours, would wonder who was the cute guy from the house at the end of the street, always alone and looking indifferent, apparently never paying attention to anything around. After a good few months of theories that were never supported due to the lack of evidences, they would just settle into calling him weird.

For the minority of people, though, those who have that very same aura and clever eyes, as a consequence of the attention they themselves call, someone like Harry Potter would be best described as attractive. That was exactly the adjective Ginny Weasley thought of when she laid eyes on him for the first time, sitting on a bench at the Hyde Park on a Thursday afternoon, 9th of October 2014, holding a Kindle but staring into the space.

Ginny Weasley was not a common person, starting by her own name: who the hell was called Ginevra!? Well, she was and has never tried to hide it.

The lady we now talk about has that very rare self-confidence, where the person feels so good about themselves they don't feel the need to constantly try to hide their flaws. She shared a small apartment with the head quarters of her own company, in which she was the only employee, and fully enjoyed the flexibility to work under her own terms. Ginny literally felt physical discomfort only imagining herself having to produce on demand and obey the non sense rules imposed by one of those huge companies. And for the queen's despair, she hated tea.

Harry's neighbours were right when they though he didn't pay much attention around, because only when the sweaty woman with remarkable red hair and running gears sat on the bench beside him, even though all the other benches around where empty, had he noticed her.

The first thing that came to his mind after a discreet glance, was that she was beautiful. The second was what type of person had free time to run on a Thursday afternoon? The latter was probably not the best way to start a conversation, though.

If she chose his bench to sit down, that could only mean she was open to some contact, or else that she was very close to an asthmatic crises. She didn't seem to have any short of breath, so it seemed reasonable to discharge the second option. Harry was not the kind of person who would willingly talk to strangers, but there was something about her that pushed him to give it a try:

-Many kilometres?

-Four so far, but I'm trying to get to ten. Many pages? - She pointed at the Kindle still on his hand, even though the screen had already turned off automatically.

-Two so far, but it isn't really an interesting story.

-What are you reading?

-John Green.

-At first sight you didn't strike me as the kind of guy who fancies The Fault is in Our Stars.

-I guess I'm not the kind of guy who fancies books in general, but I'm trying. And it's actually Looking for Alaska, very well advised by a friend of mine.

-Sad ending, but interesting story overall. - Ginny pointed at the Kindle, showing she was talking about the same book.

-So you're the kind of girl who fancies books?

-Not really, but this one was very well advised by a friend of mine. - She then smile at the first common point between them.

For some reason, Harry wanted to know more about her, about what kind of girl she was. Unfortunately, his lunch break didn't care much about what he wanted, and his alarm rung even before he could completely recover from that unexpectedly beautiful smile she had volunteered him with.

-I have to head back to work. - His tone spoke for itself he would rather stay longer.

-Of course. It was nice to meet you…? - She held out a polite hand.

-Harry. - He didn't hesitate in taking it.

-It was nice to meet you Harry, I'm Ginny.

Before getting too far from the bench where she was still comfortably sitting, Harry turned and added the information as casually as he managed to:

-I work nearby and always spend my lunch break around here, so we might run into each other again sometime.

-I'll keep an eye for that. Good day at work, Harry.

-Good six last kilometres, Ginny.

She watched him walking away before getting to her feet and go back to exercising. He waited a while before looking back, but she wasn't around anymore. Both of them resumed their activities with that pleasant feeling left by an interesting event, but none of them knew just yet that event marked the beginning of their story.

Harry continued living his routine of hands in his pockets, earphones whenever possible and lunch times spent in varied activities in the park in front of his workplace. For the days following that peculiar encounter, he consciously chose to sit on the same bench where that beautiful stranger found him. Unfortunately though, even with an attentive eye around, he didn't see anyone remotely as interesting. Two weeks with no sign of Ginny were enough to convince him they would never again see each other, so his attention returned uniquely to his own life instead of turning his head at every runner he crossed during business hours.

The following week, after eating his spiced beed and mustard sandwich, Harry put on his jacket and headed out of the office to enjoy some fresh air with his newly acquired crosswords. He crossed the street and took the way for that same bench, now more as a habit than anything else, only this time the seat was not empty.

Ginny was quite distracted and didn't notice while he studied her face, pale skin and red hair evidenced by the thick burgundy scarf around her neck. Even the messy bun holding her hair up, so common on loads of women around, looked beautiful on her.

-What a pleasant surprise.

-I came to ask how you found the book.

-Sad and pointless, I finished it as unsure of the author's purpose as I was at the beginning.

Ginny liked the honesty and laughed, making him follow the gesture. Her eyes followed to his hands and she raised an eyebrow:

-So you're the type of guy who does crosswords in the park?

-Sometimes I am.

She really liked the way he shrugged. Combined with the round glasses, it made him look younger than the thirty years or so she assumed him to be.

-Not running today?

-No, I did my part yesterday.

-So you're the type of girl who fancies running?

-We could say so, at least until I get bored of it and take up something new.

-Ten kilometres once in a while is already quite impressive, I wouldn't demand as much as enjoying it forever.

-And what is your hobby?

-I like reading astrology magazines and doing astral charts for my friends. - Harry managed to hold a straight face while saying it.

-Seriously!? - Ginny was less efficient in hiding her surprise.

-No, I'm kidding. - He frowned at the idea as they both laughed.

-Damn, I was about to tell you I'm a Leo with Pieces rising and ask for your opinion on that. - The false disappointment behind the open smile made Harry think she was very cute.

-I would say that from here you look a lot like a female human, but fine with me if you'd rather be a mix between a lion and a fish, I believe everyone should be who they want to be.

She laughed at the joke, but took note of the very important fact that he was in favour of freedom of identity.

-I like old movies, mainly about historical events, but old movies in general are my hobby.

-That's a particular one, the kind of hobby I would have guessed for high school history teachers, not for someone working for a huge company in the middle of London.

-How do you know I work for a huge company in the middle of London? - It was his turn to raise an eyebrow at her.

-Because it's all there's around. - Ginny pointed vaguely at the skyscrapers beyond the tress around them.

-That makes a lot of sense. Should I assume then you don't work for a huge company somewhere?

-I work for myself, which has uncountable benefits.

-Such as?

-My boss is the best and I can cross the city on a Tuesday afternoon to spend half an hour sitting with a half stranger at the Hyde Park.

Ginny's answer came with that same smile that got his attention the last time. Harry would have loved to think of a creative answer, but nothing came to mind and he set on something way too basic:

-I'm flattered.

Before they could say anything else, the annoying alarm told them it was time for Harry to get back to work.

-And it is definitely an advantage. - He said mostly to himself as he stopped the loud noise.

-It was a pleasure again, Harry. - Ginny raised her Costa Cafe cup in a polite farewell, but didn't show any intention of ending her own free time as of yet.

-It was my pleasure. I was thinking that you could tell me where I can casually meet you some day, preferably after half five if on weekdays. I would love to have the chance to also cross the city to spend half an hour with a half stranger in some other park.

-I can't think of anywhere I go methodically at the same time on any specific day.

-Right, and I guess it would be a bit creepy if I walked around your neighbourhood all day long looking for you.

-Definitely.

-So I could cross the city to spend a previously scheduled time with you, if you tell me in which part of London I can find you and give me your phone number.

Ginny was counting on it when she decided to take the short trip earlier that day, so she was happy to call out her phone number and wait for him to save it in his contacts.

-You can find me in Camden.

-Alternative. - Harry actually wanted to say exotic, but thought better of it.

-It has that unique vibe you'll never find in those boring neighbourhoods where all the buildings are the exact same.

Harry laughed at the comment, but kept for himself the fact that she had just described the place he lived.

-I really need to go now Ginny. I'm looking forward to seeing you again.

-Likewise, Harry. Take care.

Once again she watched him walking away, only this time she was still there when he looked back and they waived each other good bye once more. Harry hated being late, but this time he didn't seem to mind returning to his desk three minutes after the time he should be there.

Ginny was an anxious person, so when she headed back home that afternoon, she was fully aware that from then on she would jump every time a notification rung on her phone. Fortunately, Harry couldn't handle pending items on his reminders, so he texted on the same day:

"Good afternoon Ginny. I was wondering when would it be a good opportunity to make a little day trip to Camden,

Harry"

She smiled at the message, asking herself who started a date proposal with "good afternoon".

"Hey half stranger. My agenda is flexible enough, so you can tell me when and I'll make time for it,

Gin"

Harry checked his reminders and calendar before answering, all while he sipped on his tea. Thirteen messages later, they had a date for Saturday at 2PM, in front of the Camden station.

On the day, he arrived seven minutes before the agreed time, while Ginny didn't seem to notice she only showed up eleven minutes later.

She couldn't help but notice he was definitely more attractive without the formal clothes he worn on the other occasions they met. When they greeted each other with a peck on the cheek, he confirmed the good floral scent he felt the other day was definitely hers.

-So, what's the program? - He asked with a smile.

-Dunno, we can walk around or sit somewhere if you prefer. What do you like to do when you come to Camden?

Harry absently scratched his head and frowned while looking around to the numerous souvenir shops, all selling the same Chinese shit, and the mix of rockers, gothic, tourists and esoteric walking around.

-To be honest… - He started searching for the words to explain it the best way he could without being misunderstood, but when he looked back at her, Ginny seemed to be amused.

-Got it, you're not the kind of guy who comes to Camden.

-Not really. - He confessed and smiled back.

-So I know exactly what we're going to do. May I lead the way?

-Please do. - Harry was happy to see Ginny's excitement and followed her with pleasure.

That's how he had his first real visit through the most exotic area of London. Ginny knew her neighbourhood very well, and didn't hold back on the effort to help him discover why she loved it so much: they spent a couple of hours visiting each and every corner of the Camden Market, then got takeaway fish and chips at Poppies and ate it on one of the tables close to the Camden High Street. They also laughed at how creative souvenirs shop were at developing expensive and useless gadgets tourists would literally queue to buy.

Apart from the most detailed city tour Harry ever took part on, he also discovered Ginny was a graphic designer, the youngest of seven kids and only girl between all of them. He found out she loved photography and knew an impressive lot about music, specially classic rock. In exchange, he told her he was an only child, worked as an insurance broker and lived in Fulham. That last part really made her laugh, and he knew it was because she had indirectly said his neighbourhood is boring.

The sun was long gone when they both walked back to the same metro station where the day started, after an atypical six hours long first date. Harry asked once more if she was sure she didn't want him to walk her back home, but she only had to walk five minutes after dropping him to the station and really didn't see the need.

-I hope you enjoyed your day.

-It couldn't have been any better, thanks a lot. When will I be able to return the courtesy and bring you in my kind of adventurous day?

-I'm free next weekend and really looking forward to it. Should I prepare any special gears?

-Nope, just meet me at South Kensington station. We're going for a tour in the Natural History Museum.

-I know that museum, Harry. - She rolled her eyes at him, but didn't even consider saying no.

-Have you ever had a guided tour with curiosities you won't find in the signs? - He lifted an eyebrow in challenged and she denied with a smile. - So what about next Saturday at 10?

-Sounds good, I'll see you then.

Still with both hands deeply buried in the pockets of her coat, Ginny took two steps forward and tiptoed to reach his mouth. Harry was surprised at first, but only took him one second to hold her body against his and deepen the kiss for as long as they could before bloody oxygen started missing.

-Night Harry, I'll see you next week.

-Night Gin, see you then.

With a smile clinging to his face, he watched her walking away, admiring the confident steps and the tip of the scarf flying behind her back. Only when she took a left and disappeared, did he go down the stairs and took the metro home.

It wasn't because of shyness or false moralism that Ginny went home alone that night. Her only reason was that she was enjoying way too much the expectation that handsome guy left behind every time they said good bye. So why not enjoying it just a tiny bit more, before letting the desire she perfectly well knew they both felt, take over?

The week before their next date was full of messages, hidden smiles in Harry's case and open smile in Ginny's case, and expectations. On Saturday at 10:15, the skeleton of the gigantic blue whale was greeting then as they entered the museum atrium.

Ginny had already visited that place a couple of times, but it was impossible not to be impressed by the amount of interesting information Harry somehow knew.

During this date they went a bit deeper into talking about their daily lives and family, and then his knowledge made a lot more sense: Harry's parents were both teachers, his mom taught history and his dad, biology. Unfortunately, they had both died in a car accident in the same year as he turned eighteen.

Apart from the sad stories, he also told her that he used to swim and even went to some competitions, but the sport was now only a hobby whenever he had the time for it. Ginny told him she was really good at chess, which she learned from one of her brothers, and also that she could play the guitar, but had not done it in a while.

They ate sandwiches at the restaurant on the ground floor, and later on had a coffee break on the café on the third floor, where Ginny ordered a latte with no sugar for herself and a tea for Harry.

Between dinosaur bones, stolen kisses and endless conversations, they only noticed the day had come to an end when a member of the staff told them the building would close in fifteen minutes. Harry sped up on the explanation about the meteors' room, and they left.

Walking through the tunnel back to South Kensington station, still laughing at something one of them had said, Harry put his hands in his pockets out of habit, and at the same time Ginny took his arm and laid her head against his shoulder. He felt the exact moment she noticed what she had just done and hesitated, so he turned and kissed the top of her head as to say it was okay.

The difference in height didn't allow any of them to see that the other also had a content smile on their face, as well as an even higher expectation to the night that was only beginning.

Harry, who had never really fallen in love, asked himself if the feeling could be described as the prolonged state of the satisfaction he was feeling as he crossed a train station with that beautiful lady stuck to his arm. Ginny on the other hand, who had a collection of failed relationships, couldn't believe that was happening again and strongly hoped for a happier ending. But not even for a second did she consider taking her distance, physically or metaphorically speaking.

Once in the wagon with the doors closed, they looked for a corner to stand in front of each other instead of a place to sit. In spite of their proximity, none of them was really sure about what to say next.

Like any good citizen who only uses public transport, Harry knew the metro map by heart and therefore he knew Ginny wouldn't take long to drop off. Trying to hide his hopes as much as he could, he asked:

-Where to now?

-Are you trying to invite yourself to another tour in Camden? - The smile that followed the question showed Harry that better even than understanding his invitation, she was very likely accepting it.

-Or I might be inviting you for a tour in Fulham. I promise you it's not that bad.

-Well, surprise me then.

Harry accepted the challenge and reached his free hand to pull her closer, it was surely better to cross the rest of the Piccadilly line holding her like this. When they both dropped off at Parsons Green station, located only five minutes from his apartment, Ginny was much more sure of herself when she took his arm this time.

As she walked all the way looking around with curiosity, discovering that part of the city she had never been before, Ginny could't have known that was only the first of many many times she would cross those streets. Later on, when they undressed each other with that urgency of every first time, they couldn't have known they would have all the time in the world ahead of them to discover every single part of the person they were holding that closely.

-I'm really happy you like running. - Harry whispered with his arms around her, his eyes heavy with sleep.

-I'm really happy you have a boring job and a friend who advises you bad books. - Ginny answered without opening her eyes, comfortable against his body.

They couldn't have known, but in the near future that hug would become their perfect definition of home.