Disclaimer: Harry Potter belongs to J.K. Rowling. I make no claims to ownership.
Ginny had just graduated from Hogwarts, Harry had just graduated from a fast-track version of the Auror training, and Hermione kept giving them glances like she expected there to be a ring on Ginny's finger any day now. More surprising was that Mrs. Weasley wasn't giving them the same looks, although she did find excuses for Harry and Ginny to be in the same room together. Most of the time, Ginny acted like none of it was happening, but sometimes there was a conversation like this which made Harry wonder when she expected him to propose.
"Snape's portrait is up in the Headmistress' office," Ginny told him as they set the table. "I thought you'd like that."
"What?" Harry turned his gaze from his task. "Oh, yeah. I suppose."
She smiled and pushed one strand of fiery hair behind her ear. "Well, he did save you, after all."
"He didn't," said Harry. "He was pointlessly murdered. And I would've sacrificed myself anyway."
Her smile dropped and she rounded the table. With one gentle hand, she stopped him from laying down the next knife. "Harry," she said softly. "Snape did a lot for us."
He let out a breath. Although he was grateful for what Snape had done, it didn't make up for the rest of Snape's actions. Nearly twenty years of abuse couldn't be forgiven just because of a few good deeds.
"Well, don't expect one of our kids to be named after him," he said. "James and Severus Potter? That's asking for disaster."
"Are you sure? I rather like the name James Severus Potter."
Somewhere, Harry was certain that both his father and Snape were having a conniption. He could only hope that Ginny had been joking. Still, in case she was serious, he said, "Maybe if we have two sons, the second one can have Severus as a middle name."
She smiled again. "It's a deal."
Mrs. Weasley came outside then with a large pot of stew. To celebrate Ginny and Hermione's graduation from Hogwarts, Mrs. Weasley insisted the entire family come to the house for dinner. Noticing Ron following behind his mother, Harry averted his gaze. Despite his efforts, he had not been able to get Ron into the same fast-track program, so Ron still had another two years of Auror training.
Unwilling to look directly at his friend, Harry covertly watched Ron from beneath his lashes. For once, he was grateful for his glasses; they helped cover eye movement. Ron set the other pot of stew on the table, unaware of Harry's guilty gaze.
"Has anyone seen Hermione?" asked Ron.
"She said she'll be here later," Ginny answered. "Something about her parents."
"Look who I found!" another voice crowed.
Charlie had just rounded the side of the house while pulling a bedraggled George behind him. It looked like George was even wearing the same clothes he'd gone to bed in. A lump of emotion formed in Harry's throat. He hadn't seen George since Christmas, before George moved out of the Burrow and back into the flat he had shared with Fred.
"Hey, mate," Harry said, standing to greet George.
George looked at him with vacant eyes. "Hey," he said in a tone lacking any vitality. "You look exhausted."
Harry blinked and then forced a smile. "You too."
From Mrs. Weasley's sharp inhalation, he knew that was the wrong thing to say, but then, ever so slightly, so minute he wasn't sure if it actually happened, Harry thought he saw George's lips shift.
Ron also came over to greet his brother.
"You weren't in the last time I visited," he said, slinging an arm over George's shoulders. "Too busy with the shop, eh?"
George blinked slowly. "Yeah, must've been."
"Well, if you ever need help, I'm here."
"Yeah," George said in the same toneless voice.
Ron's own expression was now downcast, like he hated himself for not knowing what to do. Harry was in a similar situation and after a grimace and a slight shake of the head to Ron, he wandered back over to Ginny, who had begun talking to Percy. He had just arrived with his girlfriend, Audrey Greaves, a Muggleborn he had rescued during the war. Mrs. Weasley was particularly fond of Audrey, who had helped Percy see the error of his ways. If it hadn't been for her, Percy never would have reconciled with the family before Fred died.
As they all sat around the large picnic table, Harry wished he had thought of bringing Teddy. His godson was now a year old and absolutely loved being outside. His birthday gift from Harry had been a broom, and Teddy's favorite sport had quickly become chasing Harry around the yard while Andromeda watched on, a wistful smile upon her face. When Teddy was around, the age lines from the war eased from her eyes. It always eased a small part of Harry's heart when he saw it happen.
"Earth to Harry…"
He startled back to reality when Ron waved a hand in front of his face.
"Hermione!" Harry exclaimed, finally noticing the person next to Ron. "When'd you get here?"
She grinned at him. "Just now. What were you thinking about?"
"Teddy," he answered, a note of fondness in his voice.
To his surprise, Hermione's brows drew together in concern.
"Because of the orphanage?" she asked quietly.
Harry's chest tightened. In actuality, he had not once thought of Teddy while he was visiting the Refuge. He knew he should have. Teddy was just like those children, except he had a grandmother and godfather to look after him.
Underneath the table, Ginny squeezed his hand.
"Teddy's nothing like those kids," she said soothingly. "His parents were good, upstanding people instead of criminals."
For a moment, Harry thought he stopped breathing. Her words echoed in his ears, and all he could think about was how Aunt Petunia referred to his own parents. Slowly he turned to face his girlfriend, who immediately realized she had said something wrong. She looked earnestly into his eyes.
"I didn't mean it like that," she assured him, her own brown eyes wide as she tried to convince him.
Harry narrowed his eyes at her. "I'm sure you didn't," he said.
With deliberate motions, he turned back to his stew and ate a mouthful. Ginny frowned but otherwise said nothing more. Across from them, Ron opened his mouth, and Harry knew what he was going to say before the words even came out.
"Well, Ginny's right, isn't she? Teddy's not like those kids…"
"Ron," Harry said in a forcibly neutral tone, "if you do not shut up, I am going to punch you."
Hermione must have done something, for Ron's mouth snapped shut again. Instead, he settled for looking between Harry and Ginny, his expression tight.
For the rest of the dinner, Harry was just as quiet and animated as George. Afterward, he quietly dismissed himself, citing his exhaustion from the tour earlier. Mr. Weasley raised one eyebrow but waved him away for some rest. George watched him walk away, his eyes tightening ever so slightly, and Harry was glad to see some emotion from him. Envy was better than nothing.