Chapter 30: moving on

"Ginny! Hurry up. We're going to be late," called Harry. He was standing in the sitting room of their small flat tapping his foot impatiently. Once again they were late for Sunday lunch at the Burrow.

A whole month had passed since the trials of the former Death Eaters ended. Harry and Ginny's lives had started to feel somewhat normal again. The Holyhead Harpies were having an excellent season and Ginny was at the top of her game. The Auror department had been somewhat boring for Harry recently, but he figured this was a good thing. This meant that there were no dark wizards wrecking havoc on the wizarding world at the moment. Harry decided he could live with the boredom.

"Ginny! You know what your mum said last week. She's not going to wait for us if we're late again. What's taking so long?" said Harry.

"I'm coming, I'm coming," said Ginny as she finally emerged from the bedroom. "I couldn't get my hair to do anything I wanted it to."

"You look fine Gin," said Harry impatiently. "Now come on, I don't want to be late," he added as he took her by the hand and lead her to the fireplace. He scooped up a handful of floo powder and tossed it into the grate. One by one they stepped into the emerald flames and shouted 'the Burrow', stumbling a moment later onto the hearth rug at Arthur and Molly Weasley's.

"There you two are!" exclaimed Molly as they stood wiping soot from their clothes.

"Sorry mum. I was having a slight hair emergency," said Ginny as she walked over to hug Molly.

"Harry, dear," said Molly as she wrapped him into one of her famous bone crushing hugs. "How are you?"

"Good Mrs. Weasley," said Harry.

"How many times have I told you? Call me Molly or mum. None of this 'Mrs. Weasley' stuff. It makes me feel old and besides, you're a part of this family. Have been for years," said Molly good-naturally.

"Sorry mum. I forgot," laughed Harry.

"Well come on you two. Everyone's in the kitchen. We're about to start lunch," said Molly.

Harry smiled when he entered the kitchen. By everyone, Molly had really meant EVERYONE. Bill, Fluer, George, Ron, Hermione, Percy, Charlie and Arthur were seated around the table and they all greeted him and Ginny when they entered.

"What took you guys so long?" asked Ron.

"Don't worry about it," said Ginny. "We're here now," she added before turning to hug Hermione.

Confused, Ron looked over at Harry who mouthed the word 'hair' causing Ron to roll his eyes. Ginny however, had not missed this exchanged and smacked both Harry and Ron on the arm.

"Gee Ginny. We were only kidding," said Harry in mock hurt causing her to laugh.

"Seriously Gin? Your hair? Since when have you become a girly girl?" asked George.

"Shut it," said Ginny playfully.

"All right kids. Dig in," said Molly as she levitated a large plate of roasted chicken into the center of the table.

After they were finished lunch, Harry, Ron, Ginny, Charlie, George, Bill and Hermione made their way into the back garden for a game of three a side quidditch (Hermione chose to watch as she wasn't fond of flying).

"Sorry, but I'm not playing against Harry, Ginny and George," said Ron. "How is that fair? They've got the best seeker, beater and chaser."

"The best seeker?" said Charlie. "I beg to differ."

"We know, we know," said Ginny. "You were the seeker for Gryffindor at Hogwarts. But seriously Charlie, that was like a hundred years ago," she added, laughing.

"She's got a point old man," said George. "And Harry was the youngest seeker in a century and all."

"Guys, I'm still not playing against you guys," said Ron. "It's not fair."

"Stop being such a baby," said Hermione, joining the conversation for the first time.

"Hermione," whined Ron. "You know it's not fair. Harry could have played professionally if he wanted and Ginny is!"

"How about this. Why don't George, Bill and Charlie play one side and you, Harry and Ginny play the other," said Hermione.

"Well . . . I guess that would work," said Ron.

"Can we play now?" asked Harry. He was itching to get back on his broom. It seemed like forever since the last time he had the opportunity to fly.

"Come on," said Ginny. She grabbed Harry by the hand and pulled him in the direction of the broom shed, the others trailing not far behind them.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

"I told you Harry was the best seeker," said Ron, a big grin on his face as he clapped Charlie on the back.

"It's just been a really long time since I've played," said Charlie in an attempt to make an excuse for not catching the snitch.

Ron laughed. "If that's what you have to tell yourself," he said.

"Ron, leave Charlie alone," said George, a wide grin on his face. "Old age will do that to you!"

Charlie elbowed George in the ribs. "I'm not old!" he said although he couldn't help but laugh along with his brothers. It had been a long time since he had seen George have this much fun.

"We should do this again sometime," said Harry once he caught up with them. "I haven't played quidditch in forever."

"Easy for you to say," said Ginny as her and Hermione caught up with the group. "You don't have to play it almost every day."

"Hey sis, you chose that career path," said Bill as he draped his arm around her shoulder.

"And I love it," said Ginny. "It can just be tiring."

"And your absolutely brilliant at it," said Bill.

"I wouldn't go that far," said Ginny modestly.

"Gin, you know it's true," said Harry causing her to blush.

By the time they all reached the Burrow, it had started to get dark. Harry glanced down at his watch, his eyes widening when he realized what time it was.

"Gin, we should head home. You've got an early practice and I still haven't finished that paperwork for Valentine," said Harry. Ginny groaned.

"I almost forgot about that practice. Gwenog wants us all there by eight since we have that big game next Friday. Early practices all week," said Ginny.

"Yeah, I've got to go too. I've got to open the shop tomorrow," said George. "Ron, don't forget, we have that meeting with the real estate agents in Hogsmeade tomorrow at noon."

"I'll be there," said Ron.

"So you've finally decided to try to expand the shop?" asked Harry. He and Ginny were hoping George would decide to do this.

"I've thought about it a lot. Fred always talked about doing it someday," said George.

"That's great", said Bill. "I better get inside and find Fluer," he added before disappearing into the Burrow.

"Let me know how it goes. I better go in here and say bye to mum and dad. I'll see you guys next Sunday," said Charlie.

Once everyone was finished with their good-byes, Harry and Ginny flooed back to their flat.

"I'm glad George is thinking about expanding. He seems to have really started to move on with his life," said Ginny as she and Harry curled up together on their sofa.

"Me too," said Harry. "I was starting to worry about him there for a while."

"I think we all were."

"Harry, I thought you had to finish that paperwork," said Ginny.

"Oh, yeah," groaned Harry. "I guess I better go do that."

"I'm going to go to bed. I'm starting to get tired," she yawned as she stood from the sofa and stretched.

"I'll be in the study. I shouldn't be too long," said Harry as he also stood. He leaned down and gave her a lingering kiss. "Good night love."

"Night"

Harry stood and watched her retreat to the bedroom before heading into his study and closing the door behind him. He moved over to his desk, and the pile of paperwork that awaited him, and sat down. He sat for a moment staring blankly at the stack of parchment in front of him, deep in thought before pulling out his wand and tapping one of his desk drawers, unlocking it. From inside, he pulled out a small black box and sat it on his desk. He leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms over his chest, and stared at the box. Maybe if they win the big game this week, he thought to himself before stowing the box back into his desk and locking it once more. Grudgingly, he turned his attention back to his paperwork and settled into a long night of work.

*************************************************************************************************************************************************************

A/N: Let me know what you think, please review. Don't make me beg! :)