September 1st was fast approaching, and there were four people in particular who were dreading it. Harry and Ginny had spent every possible moment together, especially now that Molly had relented and allowed Ginny to stay at the Manor overnight, but only one or two nights a week. Ron and Hermione were much the same, with Ron helping her assist her parents with their move home and getting their affairs in order. Though Harry was quite upset that Ginny would be going to back to school for another year, he was also upset that the trio was being separated. For seven years, it had been him, Ron and Hermione. This year would be the first that he and Ron would have to look after themselves, because really, they did need Hermione. Ron had decided to move into the Manor, to "help" with Teddy. Which actually translated to Ron was also feeling the pain of the trio being separated and wanted to be with at least one other third. The boys were going to King's Cross to see the girls off.
Harry and Ginny had been living in each other's pockets, and pants, since Ginny had turned seventeen. Ginny had had Hermione take her to Victoria's Secret more than once, because Harry had found he quite liked looking at her in nothing but her underwear, almost as much as he enjoyed taking it all off. Though they were yet to go all the way, they had gotten pretty close. They were still discovering the little things about each other that really got them going. Ginny was hoping it would all come to a head before she left for school. Hermione had been a bit weird when Ginny told her, due to them having only been together a short while, but was then reminded that Harry and Ginny had actually been together for over a year, they just hadn't seen each other for some of that time.
Ron and Hermione had also been engaging in everything but. However, Hermione had explained to him that she really felt that they needed to be together longer before they did have sex, purely because she wanted to be sure. She loved that Ron was being so understanding about it all. She hadn't thought he would be any different, but it was still good to know that was how he actually felt.
She and Harry had sat down for a chat, because she was feeling anxious about going back to Hogwarts without him and Ron. After she and Harry had spent so much time just the two of them, they'd really come to understand each other more than ever, in a new way. It was a purely platonic understanding, with each seeing the other as a close sibling. Hermione had promised to look out for Ginny and Harry had done the same for Ron. They'd both noticed he'd been drinking that little bit more now, often joining in with George. They both hoped this would lessen now that he would be moving in with Harry.
XOXOXOXOXOXO
"Harry, there are only a few days until I leave for Hogwarts."
"Yes, I know Gin."
They were seated on the small couch that had been placed in Harry's study. They were drinking the tea that Kreacher had bought them, along with some biscuits Ginny had bought from Molly. Tonight was one of the approved stay over nights. They'd just put Teddy to bed after reading him a bedtime story, and were now relaxing, as was their routine.
"Well, I was thinking that maybe, well, maybe, we could…"
"Could what?" Upon seeing the look on her face though, Harry didn't need clarification. "Oh. Are you sure?"
"Yes, I am. I don't think I have ever been surer of something in my life. Harry James Potter, I want to have sex with you and I want it to happen before I leave for Hogwarts."
"Okay, as much as I would also love for that to happen, I want to make sure you're not just doing this because you think you have to."
"I know. I want to. I promise."
Harry stood up, grabbing Ginny's hand and silently pulled her through the door to his bedroom. He stood her at the foot of the bed, looking down into her face, silently asking if she really wanted this. She answered by leaning up and passionately kissing him, pulling him down onto the bed with her.
Ginny put her hands underneath Harry's shirt, pulling it up over his head and throwing it Godric-knows where. Their kiss was broken once again when Harry stopped to take Ginny's cardigan and singlet off of her. They moved backwards towards the head of the bed, with Ginny's head now resting on the pillows. She put her hand on Harry's belt, trying to unbuckle it but not having the best luck. The look of concentration on her face made Harry want to laugh, but he didn't for fear of upsetting her.
"Here Gin, I got it baby." He expertly unbuckled and pulled his belt off, leaving her free to unbutton and unzip his jeans. He shimmied out of them, leaving him in just his socks and jocks. Ginny lay back down while Harry tickled her thigh where her shorts ended. He couldn't wait any longer and undid her shorts, pulling them down quickly. Despite the fact that he had seen her in just her underwear quite a few times now, he still couldn't get used to seeing her like this, so raw, so vulnerable, so sexy.
"Gin, are you absolutely sure?"
"Harry, shut up and have sex with me."
It was all Harry needed to hear. He made quick work of disposing their underwear, not worrying about any spells because Ginny had been on a potion for the past month. He positioned himself in front of her entrance, looking up, silently asking for permission one last time. She nodded and bit her lip, as he started to ease into her.
Ginny had expected pain, and a lot of it. Fortunately, there was only a little. Harry stayed still, waiting for her to say to continue. He was only worried about hurting her.
"Keep going, please." It was all he needed. He started slowly pumping in and out, building up the speed as Ginny's moans got louder. They got to a comfortable pace, with both of them enjoying it and never wanting it to end. However, it did need to come to an end.
"Gin, I'm close, baby."
"Keep going then." Harry thrust a few more times and then released while still inside of her. He kept thrusting, wanting to send Ginny over the edge, which only took another two thrusts. She screamed out, letting him know how much he had satisfied her. Harry rolled off her, grabbing his wand from the nightstand so he could clean up the mess.
"Is there blood?"
"What?"
"Blood. I read you're supposed to bleed your first time."
"Gin, I didn't bleed."
"Not you! Me! Is there any blood?"
"No, baby. There isn't."
"Oh, good."
After Harry had finished cleaning, he laid back down, pulling Ginny down to lay across his chest.
XOXOXOXOXOXO
That position is exactly where Hermione found them the next morning.
"Harry! You need – oh my Godric! I am so sorry! I didn't, I'm sorry, I'm just, bye!"
The young couple sat up, looking for who had woken them up. They saw the door closing, which meant the person had just been in here.
"Gin, who was that?"
"I don't know, Harry. I was asleep too. It sounded like Hermione though."
"Right. I'm gonna chuck some clothes on and then find out why she burst into our room."
Ginny couldn't hide her pleasure at Harry calling the bedroom 'our room'. It always made her feel warm and fuzzy inside.
Harry grabbed an old top and some trackies before heading downstairs, where he found Hermione in the kitchen drinking tea and eating a scone.
"Morning. Enjoying Kreacher's food?"
"Oh yes. Quite enjoyable. Though probably not as enjoyable as your night."
"Shut it, Hermione. You'll embarrass her."
"I'm not wanting to embarrass her. You on the other hand, it is tempting."
"Why are you here?"
"It's about Ron."
"Yes?"
"I don't think he actually wants to be an Auror."
"I know. Remember, I was there for that conversation with Kingsley. I also remember the subsequent argument you two had over it."
"Yes, well, all that aside, I don't think he even wants to participate in the roundup. He keeps talking to George and they keep having meetings about products."
"What do you want me to do, Hermione? Convince him to become an Auror, or at least do the roundup?"
"No. The opposite. I want you to convince him that he doesn't have to do the roundup or be an Auror. I think it has something to do with his 'always-the-sidekick' mentality that he feels he has to do it because you are."
"I don't even know if I am anymore, Hermione. I want a year off. I haven't had one since I found out I was a wizard. First year I had to defeat Quirrell as Voldemort. Second year had to deal with hearing a voice, finding out I could talk to snakes, defeating a giant snake and saving Ginny's life. Third year thought I was being hunted by a man who wanted to kill me, turns out he was my godfather and it was actually my best mate's rat out to get me . Fourth year some psycho put my name in the Goblet and I actually had to duel with Voldemort while also seeing a good friend die. Fifth year I started having dreams as Voldemort and saw my godfather die. Sixth year all that crap with Dumbledore, the cave and then seeing HIM die. And well, you know what last year was like. I just want a year off."
"About bloody time you realised you need one!"
"Oh, hi Ginny!" Hermione turned in her seat to greet her female best friend deciding to not mention that she had a hickey on her neck. She'd tell her later.
"Morning, Hermione. Can I ask why you've burst into the house at such an ungodly hour?"
"I'd hardly call eleven an ungodly hour Ginny. Just because you were up late doesn't mean you can be tardy. Your mother wants you home by noon, remember?"
"Oh shit. I gotta shower."
"And remove the hickey from your neck!"
'Harry James Potter' was shouted from the other room as Ginny hurried to the en suite bathroom to shower and dress. She had to be home by noon, because her father was coming home at half-past to take her to the Ministry so she could do her Apparition test. She was one of the few Hogwarts students who had to do it outside of school.
Turning back to Harry, Hermione restarted their conversation.
"So, you hadn't told her about your gap year yet?"
"No. I also haven't spoken to Kingsley yet. I was going to do it today but forgot about Gin's test. I don't want to have to ask Kreacher to look after Teddy, again."
"I'll take him. Teddy that is, not Kreacher. Speaking of which, where is Teddy?"
"In his nursery. Kreacher watches over him in the morning so Gin and I can have a sleep. Teddy loves him. Has started saying 'Kree-Kree'. Which, surprisingly, Kreacher loves. He dotes on him."
"Is it bit surprising considering what he used to be like. Is Teddy saying anything else?"
"Gin, Hermy, Ron, Nev, Moose, dog, 'ag, 'oof'."
"I'm going to need clarification for a few of those."
"Moose is Seamus, 'ag is stag and 'oof' is wolf."
"You've been teaching him about the Marauders?"
"A little. The stuffed animals you gave him are what helped him learn those names. I'll wait a year or ten before teaching him about Messrs Moony, Padfoot and Prongs though."
"Unless George gets to him first."
"Well, yes, there is that possibility." The two dissolved into laughter, thinking about the young child, and his future being raised around the Weasley family. Though the two of them had only been a part of it for a few years, they felt like it had been there whole life. In seven short years, many of their decisions had been shaped by the Weasleys, their views and their morals.
"It's going to be so different this year, Harry."
"I know Hermione, but it was always something that was going to happen."
"You were never planning on completing your education?"
"Oh, no, I was. But we were always going to finish, I was going to Auror training, you were going to something brilliant like find a cure for death and Ron, well, Ron was going to do what he wanted – either become an Auror with me or go work with Fred and George. We weren't going to be in each other's pockets anymore, we weren't going to be just a common room apart, we weren't going to be eating three meals a day together or sneaking off to see Hagrid under the cloak. It was always going to change eventually."
"Yeah, but I don't want it to. I think after the last year, I just want some sense of normalcy. That is why I was so upset that Ron wasn't coming back to Hogwarts. I always knew you wouldn't, but I held out hope for him."
"School isn't his thing 'Mione, and you know it."
"I get that Harry, but it is so wrong to want him to try? I don't know, maybe I am being selfish. Part of me thinks I only want him back at school so I still have someone."
"You'll have Gin."
"But she has her own friends. I don't even have Neville or Dean, or even Seamus. I don't think I am ever going to enjoy a lesson again now that Seamus won't be around to blow things up."
"Come on Granger, you're not getting nostalgic are you now?"
"Shut up, Potter. If I want to talk about the old days, just let me." She smiled at him, so happy to see this carefree Harry who truly looked like the world had been removed from his shoulders. "You know you will have to constantly write to me, don't you?"
"Yes, Hermione. And don't worry, I'll tell you what he won't."
"Thank you. I worry. I found three empty firewhiskey bottles under his bed the other day."
"What did he say?"
"Nothing, because I didn't mention it. To be honest, alcoholism is not something I am familiar with."
"Is it really alcoholism? It seems to be his method of grieving."
"Harry, I don't see him most nights and if I do, he reeks of alcohol. He was even asking my father about Muggle alcohol the other night. Covered it up by saying his parents were wondering, so that when my parents eat there they have something to offer them. In reality, I think he is just trying to broaden his horizons."
"I didn't realise he was getting that bad."
"I don't expect you to. He is covering it up well, I just happen to know him better than he thinks I do. I just don't know how to catch him out."
"Talk to Gin? She is pretty good at catching out her brothers when they lie."
"Hmm, I could try that. What is taking her so long? I'm going to have to Side-Along her if she takes any longer."
"Hermione, I've seen you take plenty of time to get ready before. Besides, she uh, probably has some extra work to do. I don't even want to think about what Molly would do to me if she saw Ginny's neck like that."
Hermione laughed at him, finding great humour in the fact that her best friend was so fearful of his mother in law. Though after seeing Molly take down Bellatrix Lestrange in such a badass way had left Hermione with that much more respect for Molly.
Fortunately the duo didn't have to wait for Ginny too much longer, as she came bounding down the stairs with her handbag over her shoulder.
"I have to go, I'm sorry, bye, I love you, I'll see you both later, bye!" She ran to the living room, where the fireplace was, so she could Floo to her own house, though lately she had begun thinking of the Manor as more her home than the Burrow. As far as she was concerned, her home was where Harry, and Teddy, were. They heard her exclamation of 'The Burrow' and the whoosh of her going into the flames.
"Well Harry, are you going to go and see Kingsley today?"
"I probably should. Are you sure you can watch Teddy for a bit?"
"Of course, he has really grown on me."
"For the love of God Hermione, I do not, and let me repeat this, do not want to be an uncle to your children, yet."
"You're an idiot. I am not clucky, I just like to hold the baby and look after the baby and dote on him and buy him things and think about having my own one day. But I'm not clucky. Yet." She smirked, already off in her thoughts of little red-headed children who loved to read.
Harry just shook his head at her, then left the room, heading upstairs to have a shower so he could go reject the offer of a job from the Minister of Magic.
XOXOXOXO
Harry stood in the Atrium of the Ministry, marvelled at how it changed so much already since he was last here. The terrible statue depicting magical superiority was gone; one of the first things Kingsley did in fact. There was now a big where it had been, as it had taken the place of the original fountain of magical beings working together. It wasn't just the décor that was different though. The witches and wizards going about their business around him were happier, more upbeat. They were all talking, discussing the weather, what they did on the weekend and that this might actually be the Cannons' year. There was a lack of guards, many choosing to leave their jobs once the Voldemort regime fell, due to having only stayed out of fear of either their own death, or that of their families.
Keeping his head down to avoid recognition, Harry made his way towards an empty elevator, going straight up to Kingsley's office. When he got to that floor he found Dolores Umbridge's previous office empty, void of any cat paraphernalia and the colour pink, which just added to Harry's joy. The woman herself was currently sitting in a cell in Azkaban, awaiting trial for crimes against Muggleborns. Much to some people's chagrin though, it had been found out that due to her not actually being a Death Eater she couldn't be tried or punished the same as those were Death Eaters. Certain prominent figures in the community however, had started pressuring the Ministry and the Wizengamot into treating her the same, as she happily accepted the role of Head of the Muggle-Born Registration Commission, as well as boasting of her pure-blood status and connection to the Selwyn family. Harry knew this 'connection' was most likely a fabricated story but hadn't had any inclination to speak up, hoping the old hag would get exactly what she deserved – not just for her actions in the past year but also her actions during her time as a Hogwarts professor.
He made his way to the Minister's office, which was being guarded by two Aurors, who immediately moved when Harry approached them.
"Mr Potter, good morning, but we can't allow you in unless your identity is verified." Auror Number One's tone was very matter-of-fact, regarding Harry in a manner than he was not accustomed to.
"Of course, I understand. How do we go about that?"
"You and the Minister know each other on a personal level, correct?" Auror Number Two seemed a bit friendlier, like he believed that Harry was truly Harry and not some imposter trying to make an attempt on the Minister's life.
"Correct." Harry wasn't quite sure where the Aurors were going with this, but he was feeling a tad awkward.
"Okay, just a moment Mr Potter." Auror Number One disappeared into the Minister's office for a few minutes, before returning and looking Harry straight in the eye.
"What was the last thing Albus Dumbledore said to Kingsley Shacklebolt and Remus Lupin?"
"Harry is the best hope we have. Trust him."
"You may go in, Mr Potter."
Harry entered the office, where he was met with a warm welcome from the Minister, who he had not seen in a few weeks.
XOXOXOXO
Harry re-entered the Manor about two hours later, finding Hermione playing with Teddy and his 'Marauders' on the floor of the living room. She was trying to teach him the sounds they make, though so far had only had luck with the sound of the wolf, which was obviously howling. The coincidence didn't escape her notice though.
"Harry! How did it go?"
"He understands completely, and the offer still stands for when I am ready, just like it does for you."
"Well, that's fantastic! A whole year – what will you do?"
"Try to not get into any trouble." They both chuckled, though both hoped that this year Harry really could stay out of trouble.
XOXOXOXO
Over the next week, Harry, Ginny, Hermione and Ron were almost inseparable. They spent their days at Harry's, occasionally with add-ons, playing Quidditch and swimming in the pool that Hermione and Ginny had very smartly persuaded Harry to install. They'd ventured down to the little river at the back of the property, skipping stones and picking wild flowers. Ginny had spent a majority of the nights at the Manor, due to having convinced her mother that it was only fair since she and Harry were about to be separated for a year. This meant that they had been having a crazy amount of sex, trying to fit in as much as they could. Ginny had also taken up drinking coffee with her breakfast, and numerous times throughout the day, as she found it was the only way she could keep going with so many late nights.
However, as much as they all wished their slice of heavenly summer could last forever, it could not happen. Before they knew it, it was August 31st and the girls were packing their trunks. They were laden with clothes, robes, books, parchment, quills and what seemed to be hundreds of photos. Hermione had been photo crazy all week, trying to capture as many moments as she could, not wanting to forget the first time her family had been truly happy in such a long time.
Ginny was apprehensive about going back to school. She was going back without Harry, but also with the fact that she was Harry's girlfriend, which was sure to make her a target for other girls who happened to be in love with him. However, it wasn't just girls in Hogwarts who were in love with Harry. It was girls on the streets and in shops and bars that were too. They all wanted a piece of the Boy Who Lived, even though it was more than evident he was with Ginny. One girl had even hit on him while Ginny was standing with her arm around his waist.
Hermione didn't want to leave Ron, worried about him in such a vulnerable state. Though Harry had promised to keep an eye on him and make sure he stayed out of trouble, she knew Harry couldn't always be there, as much as he thought he could be. He had the responsibility of Teddy and it wasn't fair that he should play minder to Ron too. She also didn't want to go back to Hogwarts without Ron or Harry – they had never been apart like this. From when they'd first become friends in their first year, they'd remained glued together, even if certain thirds had collided at times.
Harry was worried about Ginny going back without him – she was gorgeous and he couldn't help but feel that she would realise she would want to be with someone less famous, more normal, better for her. Not someone who still had nightmares about someone who could no longer hurt him. He had no qualms about her being unfaithful, because she wasn't that kind of girl, but the thought that she would find better plagued him.
Ron didn't know how he was going to cope without Hermione. He would never mention it to her, or anyone else for that matter, but it was the truth. She had looked after him since they were eleven and he really didn't know how he was going to manage now she was going back to Hogwarts and he was going to be helping George in the shop. Would she realise she wanted an educated man who didn't sink his sorrows in firewhiskey every night? Would she realise that true love wasn't helping someone into bed because they could barely walk straight let alone find their bed. She'd probably find McLaggen and realise he was the right person for her. He almost wanted to grab her and shout that she couldn't leave because he was scared she would never come back to him. But he couldn't, that would be selfish and he knew how much getting her education was to Hermione.
Molly had asked that the four of them stay at the Burrow, so they could have one last Hogwarts departure together. It was hard for her, watching Ginny get ready for her seventh year. She wasn't ready for her baby to be let into the world, even though the world was a lot safer than it had been previously. It was more the thought that the last of her children was grown up and might not need her anymore. What she didn't realise was that two of sons really needed her at the moment, they just weren't showing it.
XOXOXOXO
September 1st. It was D-Day.
Hermione woke up at her usual first day of school time, seven-thirty, wanting to be first in the shower. She spent twenty minutes in there, cleaning herself to a pristine condition. She dressed in jeans and a t-shirt, wanting to look appropriate to greet the new prefects as Head Girl, something she was yet to tell her friends about.
Ginny was woken by her mother at eight, telling her she didn't want to be late on her last first day and so she too jumped up, showering and throwing on trackies and a top, not making as much effort as Hermione, despite having to attend the Prefects meeting – something only Harry knew about. She hadn't wanted her parents to make a fuss when George and Ron still weren't coping with Fred's death.
Harry and Ron woke at the same time, due to Pigwidgeon screeching loudly wanting his morning treat. As much as the owl annoyed Ron, he could never get rid of it due to Sirius having given him to him, and therefore meant a lot to Ron.
The boys made their way downstairs where they found their respective girlfriends helping Molly with breakfast. Teddy was in his high chair, gurgling away, watching his godmother and aunt help his god-grandmother in the kitchen. He loved all three women so much and was always happy when they around. In fact, today seemed to be a Ginny day because his hair was currently the same orange as hers. That changed when Harry walked in though, and he changed it black hair, with matching green eyes. No matter who else was in the room, it was always a Harry day for the young Lupin.
"Well, Teddy, are they making us a fine breakfast?"
The bub just smiled a two-tooth grin at him and dribbled onto the tray of the chair. Ron ruffled the little guy's hair and made his way to the coffee pot that Ginny had pleaded her parents to invest in.
The breakfast itself was quiet, with no one at the table sure how to act. Harry wanted to talk about Ginny being a Prefect but wasn't allowed. Hermione wanted to discuss her plans for Hogwarts as Head Girl but didn't want everyone fussing. Ron wanted to tell Hermione to not leave him but didn't want to be selfish. Ginny wanted to stay and help Harry raise Teddy and just live a happy life with him. And Molly? Well, she just wanted to burst into tears, missing the noise that used to fill her table on September 1st.
At ten precisely they exited the house to find two Ministry cars that Kingsley had sent to take them all to the station. One had a baby seat in it for Teddy, so Harry and Ginny claimed that one, while Molly joined Hermione and Ron in the second. They were at the station by ten-forty-five, so plenty of time before the train left. They all kept their heads down, hoping to not cause too much of a commotion. The girls had shrunk their trunks so they could fit in their pocket, which was so Muggles also didn't stare at them as they passed.
They got through the barrier, where the usual hustle and bustle of September 1st was underway. Unfortunately, their plan of not being recognised backfired and Harry was seen straight away by an adoring third year who couldn't believe his luck at meeting THE Harry Potter. The girls shared a quick good-bye with the boys, Molly and Teddy before running for the train. Their companions didn't wait for the train to leave, as was tradition for them, but left straight away, trying to escape the hordes of admirers.
If the trip had taught them anything, it was that Harry really could not go anywhere without being recognised anymore, and that could make life very difficult indeed.
Harry went home to the Manor with Teddy, while Molly and Ron went back to The Burrow, though not without telling Harry he had to come to dinner that night.
Harry entered his home, to find an owl sitting on the banister of his stairs. He recognised the gorgeous owl straight away – it was the one he had bought Ginny as a start-of-school present, so they could keep in contact.
Harry,
Just had the Prefects meeting – Hermione is Head Girl. And Ernie MacMillan? He is Head Boy! Isn't that great? Nice to see two Muggleborns as Heads, really tells the Purebloods who agreed with Lord Dickhead that they can go shove it. Go McGonagall! I hope this got to you by the time you got home!
I love you and Teddy so much, and miss you both already. Give Ted a big kiss and cuddle from me, and Teddy? Give Harry a kiss and cuddle from me.
Always yours,
Ginny
xxxxxx