Chapter 5

Harry exhaled. The chaos unfolding around him reminded him of the battles he'd fought in during his time as an aurror. The mall was extremely crowded with various types of people, last minute shoppers, employees on breaks, and of course his group. Families with children waiting to see Santa. Normally, he took Lilly a few weeks earlier to avoid some of the frenzy. This year things had been so hectic and he hadn't had time until now. The week before Christmas. His parents were at his sides and Lilly was seated on his shoulders. They approached the end of the line when he heard someone call.

"Harry!" he turned to see Ginny in the middle of the line waving the Potters over to her and Zoe. As they approached he heard her say to the people behind her that she'd been saving them a place and she hoped they wouldn't mind. Luckily the people were in the Christmas spirit and weren't upset. Harry felt grateful that they wouldn't have to wait as long as he'd thought. It would probably be another hour still but that was better than nothing.

"Thanks for that." He said stepping in line. Lilly was squirming to get off his shoulders so he put her down and she and Zoe began to play some hand clap game.

"Of course it's nice that Zoe has someone to help distract her now."

"Ginny, it's been a while. How are you?" Lilly (adult) inquired.

"Very well thank you. We've been waiting forever. I'll never let myself wait this long to take Zoe to see Santa again!" She chuckled.

"It's like a madhouse!" James agreed.

They settled into a pleasant round of chatter while Lilly and Zoe played and giggled together. Harry liked how close the two were becoming. It was nice that Lilly had someone who she could share all her secrets with. He also really liked Zoe, she was a bright and kind young girl and he thought that for someone who'd lost her parents so young she was quite well adjusted. He suspected that had everything to do with Ginny.

"So, Ginny Harry tells us you work for the MDD," Lilly said.

"Yes, I started there just after Zoe came to live with me. It's been almost three years now."

"And you focus in new spell development? That's quite interesting, may I ask what you're working on now?"

"Of course, I'm working on a spell that can turn someone invisible for a set amount of time. I've gotten it up to an hour but I don't feel comfortable releasing it until I can get it set for a minimum of three hours and I also want to enable a counter that the aurror can cast to end the invisibility earlier than that if needed."

"Fascinating!" Lilly exclaimed. "It would solve the problem of the invisibility cloaks, they are so rare…" she eyed her son and husband and a secret look passed between the three. Ginny noticed it but chose not to say anything.

"A friend of mine used to work for the MDD, Remus Lupin did you know him?" James asked.

"Yes, Lupin actually trained me when I first began. We were sorry to see him go. How has he been?"

"Very well, he and Tonks are moving back from Scotland soon and Teddy is doing well also, he'll be six in January."

"Wonderful!" Ginny smiled.

They continued to chat as the line moved slowly but surely. Lilly and Zoe asked to go to the bathroom and Lilly volunteered to take the two while the others waited in line. After they left the Potter men and Ginny fell back into an easy banter and Harry had to remind himself several times that Ginny was off limits to him. His was reconsidering his choice when they heard someone call for Ginny. She turned to see a woman with brown curly hair and a tall man with red hair approaching. Ginny smiled and waved.

"Hermione, Ron what brings you here?"

"Just finishing up our Christmas shopping." The woman replied.

"Well good luck it's a madhouse here. This is Harry and James Potter. Harry's daughter has become a very good friend of Zoe's."

"Very nice to meet you." Hermione said as she and Ron shook their hands.

"Speaking of Zoe where is the little hellion?" Ron asked.

"Harry's mother took the girls to the bathroom a few minutes ago they should be back any minute. Just as Ginny said that they heard a booming voice yell "UNCLE RON AUNTIE HERMIONE!"

A heap of limbs and blond hair flew into the arms of the youngest Weasley. He twirled her around once before putting her down for Hermione to dote on.

"Did you guys come to see Santa too?" She asked.

"No, dear we came to do a little shopping." Hermione replied smiling. They chatted for a few minutes before Ron and Hermione had to make their departure.

"The two of you are coming to the burrow for Christmas right?" Hermione aske.

"Of course, we wouldn't miss it. Right Z?"

"Nope, Molly makes the best cakes!" the little girl grinned.

After they left Lilly turned to Ginny. "I was wondering if it would be alright for Zoe to have a sleepover at our house after the holiday. We were planning on having Lilly over anyway and she got the idea on the way to the bathroom. They've been quite excited about it."

"Well, I suppose that's alright. You're sure it wouldn't be too much trouble?"

"Not at all!" James insisted. "We have a dog named Leo, do you like dogs Zoe?"

"Yes I love dogs!" Zoe replied.

"It's settled then. We'll see you the 28th." Lilly smiled. By that time they were next in line and both girls got their pictures with Santa and they said their goodbyes.

HPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHP

Harry, James and Lilly sat in the living room finishing off some of the brownies the family had made the other day. Lilly had fallen asleep on the way home from the mall and didn't stir when they had put her into bed. The day had been long and fun and exciting which resulted in the girls exhaustion.

"So Harry," James started "what's going on with you and Ginny?"

Harry looked at his father, surprised. "Nothing, we're becoming friends since the girls are so close."

"Are you sure that's all it is?" Lilly asked.

"Yes, why do you ask?"

"Whenever you are around her she holds your gaze. You can't keep your eyes off of her." James laughed.

Harry shook his head. "Look, Ginny is beautiful and smart and funny and kind. It would be a lie for me to tell you that I'm not interested. But you have to understand Zoe and Lilly have become great friends. If we were to get together and it didn't work out then they both would suffer."

"I don't think that's true at all." Lilly said. "You both are completely devoted to your girls. If anything went wrong between the two of you I think it might be a bit awkward for a while but you'd figure it out. And you would never make the girls stop seeing each other. And what if nothing goes wrong?"

Harry stared at his parents. What they were saying made a lot of sense but he wasn't sure if Ginny was even interested. When he voiced that opinion both of the older Potters laughed.

"Son, no wonder you need glasses. You're blind as a bat. She looks at you the way you look at her. You just haven't noticed."

After another hour with his parent's words running through his mind Harry said goodnight and went to bed. It was no surprise when his dreams were filled with Ginny.

HPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHP

Christmas day had come and gone. It had been wonderful Ginny and Zoe had opened the presents from 'Santa' and had waffles. That evening they went to the burrow and opened the rest of them. The day had ended and Zoe was fast asleep. Ginny too, was exhausted she had almost finished cleaning the kitchen when her phone rang.

"Hello?" She said without checking the caller ID.

"Ginny, hi. How was your Christmas?" She smiled as she heard his voice.
"It was very good Harry. How was yours?"
"Great Lilly went to bed covered in ribbon and clutching her new doll."

"It was the same story here." She moved to the couch to sit down and tried to ignore the way her heartbeat quickened.

"It was a fun day but I'm glad it's over. Now maybe I can relax a bit."

"That sounds heavenly." Ginny said.

"Gin, the reason I called is because, well I was wondering if you'd like to go out with me? My parents will have both girls on Friday and I was thinking we could go to dinner."

Ginny paused for a long moment. She really did want to go out with Harry but all the reasons not too kept playing in her head again and again.

"Gin, are you there?" Harry asked.

"Yes, Harry I am. And honestly I really do want to go out with you. I'm just not sure it's a good idea."

"I thought the same thing but I've reconsidered. Look, I'll make you a deal go out with me and we can talk through all the reasons it's a terrible, horrible idea and if we decide it's not worth it we won't go out again. No hard feelings."

Ginny smiled and chuckled to herself. She had a feeling that once they were out they would decide to throw all the reasons not to date out the door.

"Alright then, I'd love to."

AN: Thanks to all who are reviewing. I know I make a lot of spelling/grammar mistakes but I've always been like that. I'm still looking for a proof reader if anyone wants the job. Hope you're enjoying.