A/N In case it isn't entirely clear, this chapter is entirely a series of flashbacks, that aren't in order.
3.
"I'm so glad you understand Muggle money, because this weird paper stuff is beyond confusing," Ginny spoke quietly, glancing around the supermarket they were currently standing in, checking once more they were definitely out of earshot of any Muggles that might be nearby.
It was unlikely that they would be overheard, considering the time, most Muggles did not frequent their local superstore at almost two am, despite its' twenty-four hour opening.
It had become something of a weekly ritual after Harry had bought the flat. He had asked Ginny to move in before he even had, stating that, finally, after over a decade and one Hogwarts dormitory, numerous holidays at the Burrow then Grimmauld Place, a year in a tent, a further year in Grimmauld Place and eventually a scruffy Muggle flat that was possibly more accurately described as a bedsit, cohabiting with Ronald was officially behind him and it was time for the two best friends to live with their girlfriends.
It hadn't been long before both parties had come to realise that night time was just as much of a frustrating enigma as it was to each other; neither using the time the land was surrounded in darkness to sleep, both were plagued by harsh memories and bleak reflections of a war they'd been too involved, and lost too much, in. And so together, they didn't sleep; instead choosing to spend the time doing what everyone did during the daylight hours; they cleaned their flat, went for long walks discussing their hopes and dreams, often they'd fly, disillusioning themselves and speeding over the rolling English landscape below, and once a week they did their main food shop.
"It's not really that difficult to work out once you're used to it," Harry replied, answering Ginny's statement about Muggle money, "The amount is written on it."
Ginny nodded, examining the twenty pound note she was currently holding. She looked around the chilled aisle they were currently standing in, her throat dry as she tried to ignore the unintentional guilt she felt affording whatever food she wished. Bending to examine some pizzas, she heard Harry's voice across the aisle behind her excitedly exclaim, "Oh, they have strawberry milkshake," Ginny turned her head, looking at the plastic bottle Harry was holding, the pink liquid swirling slightly at the movement, standing up, she listened to Harry continue, "Once my Uncle Vernon caught me sneaking some milkshake they'd bought for Dudley...I don't think I ate for three days aft…" He trailed off, suddenly flustered, replacing the milkshake hastily and making to move on down the aisle.
Ginny caught his sleeve, "Harry," she began, her voice soft, noticing a red tinge creep onto Harry's neck, "you...you didn't always eat?" She asked, horrified.
"Forget about it, did you choose a pizza?" He said, in one breath, swallowing hard.
xxx
The small, rectangular box was poised between Ginny's hands. Shaking slightly, she ran the pad of her right thumb over the intricate gold leaf pattern on the box's exterior, already aware that this was the most expensive present she had ever been given.
The necklace inside was beautiful, an elaborate white gold chain lay on a bed of red satin. The chain itself was extraordinary, shaped into numerous vines with tiny, emerald encrusted leaves branching off here and there. Ginny felt her breath catch in her throat as she stared at the piece of jewelry.
"Oh, Harry...I...I don't know what to say."
"Do you like it?" Harry asked, nervously.
"I love it." The redhead answered, her voice a choked whisper.
It was the first time the couple had exchanged, what Ginny had penned grown-up gifts, since the witch had graduated from Hogwarts only a few months prior and now both she and Harry were out of education. Flickering her gaze between her necklace and her boyfriend, Ginny swallowed, it was Harry's turn to open her gift.
"It's okay...if you don't, like it, I mean. I can return it for something-" Harry mumbled in a rush before Ginny cut him off;
"No, Harry I love it, I promise, it's just...your present is nowhere near as nice and this," she examined the necklace closer, "is so...wow."
Harry bent towards his witch, putting his face so close to hers she could count have counted the hairs of his stubble and looked deep into her eyes before stating matter of factly, "You could give me a pair of old socks, and I'd love them."
Ginny smiled, before leaning in, closing the gap between them, placing a firm kiss on Harry's mouth, before replying, "It's a tiny bit better than old socks, I promise."
"Well, then it's already better than basically every present I got growing up," Harry said, snorting a laugh, before reaching to pick up the wrapped gift at his side.
Ginny didn't join his laughter, there had been no trace of sarcasm in his words she realised, as she recalled a conversation with Ron she'd had a few years before, where her brother had talked about Harry's aunt and uncle, and specifically the 'bloody crap presents' they gave him.
Forcing herself not to sigh audibly, Ginny looked at the necklace once more, a smile creeping on her face at the beautiful piece, trying not to ponder her boyfriend's admission too much, vowing that never again would Harry Potter ever receive a bloody crap present.
xxx
A raucous, collective laughter filled the kitchen of the Burrow, since the battle, laughter was few and far between in the Weasley family, but that night wasn't about grief, and loss; but memories and love.
George had been recounting a tale in which he and Fred had successfully persuaded their mother that Percy was responsible for a number of mishaps involving the garden gnomes.
"We kept it up for three years," George was relaying, "pretty sure mum and dad thought Percy had developed an unhealthy attraction to them." He finished to another chorus of laughter.
"You boys," Mrs. Weasley began, a kind smile on her plump face as she reached over from her current position towards the large stove, and ruffled George's hair, "we did find out eventually, though, didn't we?" The matriarch continued, "And what happened to you and Fred when we did?"
"You made us apologise to every gnome individually, took bloody hours!" George concluded.
Later that evening, Harry and Ginny were saying a hurried goodnight on one of the Burrow's staircases, before Harry alighted up a further floor, to Ron's bedroom.
"You okay? You seemed a bit quiet tonight," Ginny queried.
Harry paused for a second, not meeting his girlfriend's eyes, "Yeah, George's gnome story just got me thinking."
"About what?"
"The creative punishments your mum came up with."
Ginny chuckled, "They weren't always like that, we got sent to our rooms often enough too."
Harry let out a sharp exhale of breath through his nose in something of a sigh, "I was lucky if I got sent to my cupboard."
Ginny had very little response to offer, except a comforting smile and her arms snaking around his neck, "I'm sorry," she breathed in his ear.
"Don't be, I don't want sympathy, I just...forget sometimes, how great your family is."
Ginny nodded against Harry's shoulder, before replying, "Your family too."
Harry stayed entirely still for a moment before she felt him echoing her nod, "My family too," he said, softly.