Disclaimer: The Harry Potter universe and characters belongs to J.K. Rowling, unfortunately not me.

A/N: I hope everyone's enjoying it so far! Thanks for the favorites/follows to let me know I should continue. Special shout out to Ern Estine 13624 for the reviews!

Chapter 3

The next few weeks did not pass in the honeymoon-like bliss that Harry had imagined now that their children were off at Hogwarts. In the months leading up to Lily's first day at the school, he had fantasized about romantic dinners, carefree flirting, and plenty of sex. In short, he had expected to go back to how it was in the early days of their marriage. This was probably an unrealistic fantasy to have, and Harry had to admit he was somewhat disappointed. He and his wife had not sex since the first night alone, and there wasn't much conversation at all beyond grumbles about their days at work, let alone carefree flirting. Harry figured they just needed some time to adjust to life without at least one of their children around at all times, and once they adjusted things would get better.

Harry had had a rough day at work, and he was looking forward to nothing more than slipping into his pajamas and drinking a couple of beers. He just needed to relax. Stepping into the house, he called for his wife, "Hey, Gin, I'm home."

Ginny appeared at the top of the stairs a couple seconds later, dressed in a shimmery, black cocktail, slipping an earring into her ear. "Hi, honey, I'm glad you're home. I made us reservations at that new French restaurant in Diagon Alley that we've been wanting to try." She descended the stairs and kissed her husband chastely on the cheek. She could feel the tension rolling off him. "What's wrong? Bad day at work?"

Harry sighed, "Just long, is all. I was looking forward to a relaxing evening in."

Ginny pouted slightly before looking him right in the eye, "Harry, I don't know if you've noticed this, but the last few weeks we've been in a bit of rut. I think a nice night out could do us some good."

Sighing again in defeat, Harry replied, "You're right, Ginny, and you look absolutely gorgeous. I'll go change into something a little nicer."

Ginny beamed at him before grabbing his hand and leading him upstairs to get ready.

About halfway through dinner Harry sat sipping whatever expensive wine that Ginny had ordered for the two of them and wracking his brain for something, anything really, to talk about. They had already spoken in detail about their days at work, the recent letter they had received from Lily, and their relief that they hadn't received a letter from the Headmistress about either of their sons yet. When had he lost the ability to have an easy, prolonged conversation with his wife? He thought back over the last several years and realized that their lives had revolved around taking care of their children for so long. Somehow they had lost touch with one another. The real question, then, was would they be able to find their way back? He shook his head and frowned, attempting to not dwell on such dark thoughts.

"Knut for your thoughts?" Ginny spoke up, brushing her hand over his hand that was resting on the table.

Harry panicked. He didn't want to tell Ginny what he had been thinking about so instead he replied with the first thing that came to mind. "I was just thinking that Malfoy never owled us about what he wanted at King's Cross." As soon as it was out of his mouth, he knew it was a mistake.

Ginny's face darkened and snapped back, "Seriously, Harry? Malfoy? That's what you were thinking about while we're out on a date? Honestly, I thought this silly obsession of yours had ended ages ago."

Harry sputtered indignantly, nearly choking on his sip of wine. "Obsession? With Malfoy? Ginny, that's ridiculous."

"Is it, Harry? You followed him around all through school, you defended him and his mother at their trials after the war, and you immediately notice anytime he walks into a function we're attending."

Harry stared at her, mouth agape. He took a deep, slow breath to calm his temper before he responded. The last thing that he needed was a public argument with his wife that could end up in the Prophet. Even after all these years, people were still fascinated by any hint of drama in the war hero's life. "I followed him around in school because he was always up to something. I defended him and his mother because they both saved my life during the war, and without them Voldemort would have won. I hardly think that I immediately notice anytime he walks in a room, but if I do it is simply because I have been an Auror for over 20 years so I am trained to be observant." Ginny gave him a skeptical look but took a sip of her wine instead of responding. "Don't give me that knowing look. You're bloody mental if you think I'm obsessed with Malfoy."

"Of course, dear. If it bothers you so much, you may as well owl him when we get home to ask what he wanted."

"Maybe I will," Harry responded with a curt nod. The remainder of dinner was spent in a stony silence from Harry and annoyed glances from Ginny. When they got home, Harry locked himself in his study until he was sure that his wife had already fallen off before sliding into bed next to her.

The next morning, Harry awoke still fuming. How dare she accuse him of such a ridiculous thing? He had bloody well hated the git all through school but that doesn't mean that he was obsessed with him. As he lay in bed, still thinking over the previous night, he soon realized that he was less upset about what Ginny had actually said than why it bothered him so much. Hermione used to say the same thing while they were in school and even after they had left Hogwarts, and sure, he had gotten annoyed at her. His reaction to Ginny's remark was far past annoyed and on to downright furious. Resolving to let it go, Harry sighed and slowly climbed out of bed. He would apologize to Ginny about his overreaction and hopefully things would go back to normal. He was still going to owl Malfoy though, no matter what his wife thought. He couldn't help being curious about what the man had wanted from them when they had run into him at the train station.

When Harry arrived in the kitchen, Ginny was already sitting at the table drinking tea and reading the Daily Prophet. "Good morning, Gin," he said with a smile before giving his wife a kiss on the cheek. Ginny smiled wearily before turning back to her paper. "I'm really sorry about last night. I overreacted."

She looked up again, this time relieved. "I'm sorry too, dear. I didn't mean what I said." Harry couldn't help but notice that he wasn't quite convinced by his wife's apology. Instead of arguing, however, he simply nodded and poured himself some water to make tea. There was no sense arguing with her about this. It would only make things worse.

As the couple continued to drink their tea, the all too familiar silence descended between them, and Harry did his best not to let it bother him. Instead, he set about trying to figure out what the bloody hell he was going to say to Malfoy.