Chapter 23 – The interview

When Harry got back home, was in a foul mood. The afternoon had been crippling embarrassing. His staff, after the first hesitation in the morning, had started to joke about it, sniggering and taking the mickey. Carola, an outspoken young Auror, had sellotaped the picture of him on the wall beside her desk 'It helps me managing my stress level' she said with a grin when Harry disgruntled asked explanation.

'Get a stress ball' Harry barked ripping it off the wall and throwing it in the closest paper basket.

Ginny, on the other side, was short of buoyant. She loved the cover picture, she loved to be on it, she loved everything about it. The magazine was pressed against her breast like a darling child. Harry found her with her head in the kitchen fire and it was a full hour of 'I know!' and 'Isn't it amazing?' and 'I literally love it!' and 'It will look so well on the wall!' before he succeeded in talking to her.

'I'm not going to the office tomorrow' he said sulkily.

'Harry don't be childish' Ginny answered looking longingly at the fireplace, eager to start another conversation full of excited high-pitched exclamations.

'You try to be denuded by morbid stares and tell me if you like it'

'You look awesome, stop complaining. I actually had the loveliest day at work. Melissa and Rosemary said that they would give their right hand to have you as a husband and then we went through the interview together, which by the way is very flattering, did you read it?'

'No, I didn't' he replied even more sulkily 'But I was there, remember?'

'Yes, but there is the introduction and everything! Read it' she said thrusting the magazine under his nose.

As soon as he grabbed it, a sudden realisation flashed in his mind. His head jerked in her direction.

'You knew they were going to publish them! It was in the contract!' He yelled outraged 'That paper you made me sign on Thursday wasn't the admission form for the boys at Hogwarts, it was the contract! That's why you…' but he tailed off as her head was already in the fire with renewed 'I know!' and 'It is beautiful' and 'No, he is behaving ridiculously, like usual'

He darkened but then shook his head and started to read.

"My dear readers this is a very special edition. An edition, I'm sure, all of you like me have been craving for a very long time.

After almost twenty years of silence and secrecy our much-admired hero Harry Potter agreed to be interviewed by no less than our magazine. He granted a well bestowed trust in a publication that always showed a marked partiality toward him (showed with ambushes, assaults and spread of vicious lies).

I'm in the comfortable living room of my Richmond villa, staring at the spot where, only a few minutes ago, Harry Potter and his wife (Ginevra Weasley) were sitting. (What? Which dining room of which villa? Richmond?)

Spread in front of me are the many pictures taken over the past years, stolen pictures that much revealed of his private life (they reveal nothing but your nosiness). Just beside the new ones, fresh printed and willingly conceded make me relive the salient point of this interview.

Many are the topics canvassed and I can avow that our conversation was so pleasant that they decided to stay well beyond the time fixed for it, accepting courteously a light refreshment my personal house elf prepared especially (What? What refreshment? House elf? Hermione is going to kill me… And her…).

I can admit that a strong bond of friendship had sprouted from it and many anecdotes were bestowed to my trustworthy ears that for the sake of this new-born friendship, I'm, alas, not at liberty to relate. (What friendship? What anecdotes? Heaven forbids! I'm going to kill her. Together with Hermione.)

I must say I spent my morning in an agitation of spirit scarcely describable (Really? Somehow, I cannot picture it… I wonder why).

The mystery concealed behind this icon is great. Who is this much admired, much loved, much longed for man of whom scarcely anything is known? What lays behind the many stolen pictures? What's hidden behind the conjectures and gossips?

I was going to find out first person.

Only a few people had the pleasure of entertaining with him besides his closest circle, as we all know he praises his privacy (it doesn't look like since everybody is always prying), only a few can flatter themselves to know the real him (and from today I can included myself as being one of those lucky numbers) so I was very excited but also mildly fearful (you seemed to me the antithesis of fearful... however, if you say so, it must be so…). What if he would turn out haughty or arrogant? That could easily be a possibility considering what he accomplished in life. Closest friends always told us how it isn't the case, but I was going to experience it first person, an honour not granted to many and only to the very top-class members of ours lively magical community (I don't even bother to comment).

My dear readers you will be much surprised in discovering that there is not a trace of it.

I was struck from the beginning by his affability and politeness (thank you ma'am). He left on me a strong prepossession toward his person. The real has nothing to envy to the icon (Should I be glad of it?).

He gave me straight away the idea to be humble, and unassuming.

Although these remarkable virtues are almost swept away by his person. Stolen pictures are incapable to render justice of his features. However, our highly skilled photographers have been able to catch every nuance of them. Starting from his olive skin to the dark soft curls falling gently on his forehead hiding the famous scar that rather add to his person (I'll take your word for it), down to his mouth full and prone to laugh, even if, more than once, some sadness could be perceived behind that ready smile when some delicate topics were touched upon (by you if I remember properly). But what really focalises his whole person (besides, obviously, the gorgeous body I had the extreme luck to spot when shooting (wtf?)) are his green eyes. Of a shade is rarely seen, very expressive.

Overall, I can confirm what is already under every eye; he is a very handsome man. (Thanks again)

Probably because of it, a fame of a womanizer built up. Many times, news of his infidelity towards his wife (Ginevra Weasley!) have been published (by your bloody magazine!) but observing them from close, I must say, they are hard to believe. He doesn't seem flirty in any way, he behaved toward her lovely companion in a most faithful way.

Harry Potter and his wife (Ginevra Weasley! Ginevra Weasley! Is it so difficult?) are a charming couple, easy-going and affectionate between each other (Did you read that Phil-jerk?!). He is full of attention toward her and there hasn't been a single moment during the interview in which he didn't show her some sort of attention or sweetness. She is a really lucky woman. (I'm luckier).

They arrived hand in hand as if two teenagers and I straight away remarked a complicity not often seen in many couples.

Ginevra Weasley, age thirty-four, looks radiant entering her seventh month. She is gracious and sweet, and I posed to her my first question. (That's it? Only two sentences dedicated to my lovely Ginny?! Bloody hag)

Me: How's life with Harry Potter?

GW: (She laughs) Normal I'd say. He is a very good husband.

HP: Am I? Didn't you say just three days ago that I drive you crazy with my messiness?

GW: (turning to Me) Well, he is quite messy but despite that he is a good husband. We share chores, he cooks dinner sometimes…

Me: I cannot imagine Harry Potter with house chores to be honest…

HP: Why not? I can dust quite well actually. (He says wryly)

Me: You married early, didn't you?

GW: I was eighteen and he nineteen.

Me: Why so early?

HP: What was the point of waiting?

GW: We loved each other, and we were sure of doing the right thing.

Me: (turning to GW) When did you fall in love with him?

GW: When I was ten and I saw him for the first time.

HP: Come off it! I was just a kid and not a very endearing one at that.

GW: Oh Harry! You were Harry Potter! That was enough to fall in love.

HP: And with that sentence goes my hope to have had some natural manly magnetism or something…

GW: I couldn't believe my luck in being able to see him from close. (she speaks to me ignoring his sentence). I managed to get a picture of him, and I slept with that one under my pillow for ages!

HP: Did you? (he is clearly amazed)

GW: Yes, of course. And I wasn't the only one. I mean, the-boy-who-lived… You were every girl's dream…

HP: Was I?

GW: (she rolls her eyes)

Me: And when did you fall in love with her? (I ask to HP)

HP: I realised it when I was sixteen, but I guess I've always been in love with her. I just didn't know it yet.

(they smile at each other)

Me: There were voices saying that you had a love story with Hermione Granger while in Hogwarts and many pictures have been taken even later on of the two of you exchanging effusions.

HP: Rubbish. She is just a friend. A very good one. She has always been a friend since we were kids and I consider her one of the best I ever had.

Me: Past?

HP: Present.

Me: Speaking about friends. Sources informs us that you severed your relationship with another very good friend of your, your wife's brother and husband of the former. Ronald Weasley. He seems actually disappeared from the magical community.

HP: He had to relocate for personal reasons. We had some disputes, but we are still friends. (The slight frown on his face induced me to press the point)

Me: Despite what happened? It's generally known that he was the one responsible for the accident.

HP: That's exactly the right word. Accident. He surely didn't intend to do my daughter any harm and he shouldn't be condemned for it.

Me: By Ronald Weasley assertion you had an argument just before the tragic event. Could you tell us the reason of it?

HP: I don't see why I should. It's a private matter. (he replies gruffly)

Me: And yet it must have been something quite serious to arrive to a magical and physical altercation that brought such nefarious consequence.

HP: Whatever may be to motive, or the seriousness of it, it doesn't regard anybody but me and my circle.

Me: What can you tell us about this new baby is about to be born? Is it going to be a boy or a girl? (I ask to GW)

GW: We are obviously very excited, and we decided for a surprise. Only my healer knows. (She caresses tenderly her swollen tummy)

Me: Any preference?

GW: We don't have one. A boy or a girl is going to be equally welcome. (HP nods slightly)

Me: And yet you have two very fine boys already, growing to be much admired by our younger readers. Wouldn't be rather nice to have a new girl to replace your tragic loss? (HP seems upset by my reasonable observation but as on the verge of speaking GW after a quick glance to him takes the word first)

GW: This baby is not a replacement. We don't wish to replace her. A girl would be cherished as much as a boy, no more, no less.

Me: I feel I must pose you an impertinent question which is on many lips since the news of your pregnancy has been disclosed. Many affirm that it shows a lack of sensitivity to try for a child so soon after your loss. What do you think about it?

HP: I think that those "many" should really… (GW rests a hand on his knee, and he tails off)

GW: We didn't look for it. It happened. And it happened in a moment when we desperately needed to be comforted. Our loss has been a great one, more than it can be possible imagined. This baby saved us. There are not two other ways about it.

Me: (turning to HP) Your life has been punctuated by difficulties of every kind. Your past alone harbours many losses and struggles. Some have never been fully explained and many mysteries still surround the defeat of one of the darkest wizards of all times. Would you be willing to unravel some for us?

HP: (leerily) I have not much pleasure to speak about those times…

Me: And yet between the hundreds of questions I would like to ask, there is a one that bothered more than one and threw a shadow over the much longed for defeat.

The day of the final Hogwarts battle you were seen by some scurrying about the castle. It is generally known you were looking for something, although none knows what precisely. At your refusal to surrender or face You-Know-Who many innocent people perished by Death Eaters' hands. Deaths that could easily be spared if your research could have been postponed. Families of the deceased accused you of cowardice or, in some other cases, of disdain for other people lives. How do you respond to it?

GW: I think it's a very unfair and unfounded accusation. My husband saved more than… (GW interjects upset but HP stops her gently)

HP: It's fine. I'll answer that (he reassures her and turning to me with a somewhat sterner expression). I regret all those deaths very much, they burden my shoulders daily, some of them were friends, some not but nevertheless I'm even too aware they died to grant me some more time for my research, unavoidable, in order to achieve his defeat.

I won't explain why because it's confidential. It sounds weak, I know, especially for all those people who lost dear ones, but I can affirm with clear conscience that I didn't waste not a second of it and thanks to them many others have been saved, amid those myself and I'm truly grateful for it. More than that I cannot say, and I'd be glad if we could change topic. As I have previously stated I have not much pleasure canvassing about the past.

Me: Of course. It surely must have been challenging and scarring. How did you deal with it? It mustn't have been easy.

HP: It hasn't been. But I've been surrounded by good friends in my youth who always supported me, and I have an extraordinary wife. She helped me greatly. Without her I could never have made it. (he kisses her).

Me: You seems to owe very much to women in general. Hermione Granger, your wife…

HP: It may be true. I've been lucky enough to be surrounded by clever, tough women. I don't think I would be what I am, let alone alive, if I couldn't have counted on Hermione's help when young. And it goes the same for Ginny, her support year after year has been everything to me.

Me: (turning to GW) You are lucky in having such a loving husband. How do you deal with his extreme popularity? Are you jealous?

GW: I'm actually not of jealous disposition, not too much at least (she adds hurryingly seeing HP opening his mouth to retort). I cannot say that it leaves me totally indifferent, but I trust him completely. I have no choice anyway since all that is published about him. It is he the jealous one.

HP: I am not.

GW: (she stares hard at HP)

HP: Ok all right. I'm as jealous as hell.

Me: Why, after all these years of silence have you decided to leave this interview?

HP: The situation was starting to get out of hand. It's a desperate attempt to calm the curiosity of the magical community. We are going to have a baby. We are not the first, we are not to be the last. But we need to be left alone. I appreciate greatly people wanting to share with us their enthusiasm and joy at this news, but we prize our privacy and a quiet life.

Me: I see. I hope it may help you and I thank you to have chosen Witch Weekly for your interview."

When finished, he threw it on the table. Rubbish. But it could have been worse. At least she had indeed published only what they said without any unwelcome addition, besides the introduction obviously.

Ginny was very happy and that was all it mattered. He could bear it, and if Ginny wasn't bothered by the fact that he had become the number one sexual fantasy of the whole magical community so there was no reason he should feel so.

He amused himself in one of his own. How many times, in the brief space of the few hours since the publication, his image had been used in illicit reveries? And by whom? Doing a mental list of candidates, he realised straight away it was a dangerous double-edge fantasy, it could get very pleasant on one side and extremely disgusting in some others. He casted away the thought unworthy of any further consideration considering his status: married/head of a family (would Ginny approve this definition?)/father of two and 3/4 (used to be three… Why death must be so hopelessly irreversible?).

Ginny was, however still immersed in her world of gay feminine chat and, judging by the undiminished talk's speed or enthusiasm, didn't seem she was going to remerge very soon from it.

Harry called down the boys for dinner.

As soon as they got into the kitchen, they spotted the magazine. Albus grasped it greedily, studying the front cover.

James peered from over his shoulder.

'It's not that bad actually' Albus affirmed critically starting to riffle through it.

Ginny, despite being deaf to anything else, caught this remark and drew out her head from the fire, beaming.

'Do you like it, sweetie?'

'Yes, mum. It looks ok' he answered still intent in perusing the magazine in searching of the interview.

From the fireplace Luna's face appeared.

'Hello everybody' she said dreamily.

'Hey Luna. All right?' Harry muttered concentrated on the stove.

'Yes Harry, just chatting with Ginny about the interview on Witch Wobbly…'

'Witch Weekly!' Ginny corrected scandalised.

'…she is very excited' Luna concluded with a beatific smile.

'I know…' Harry mumbled absent minded stirring the content of the pot.

'The pictures are beautiful'

Harry felt a flush creeping and concentrated very hard on serving the meal into dishes.

'Perhaps just a tiny bit overacted though, don't you think?' she said pensively 'I mean, all that wetness and everything. It surely conveys the message, but I didn't think you were the kind who enjoyed having that kind of pictures taken…'

Harry, despite feeling the fifth essence of embarrassment and, torn whether to ask what massage she thought it wanted to convey, snapped 'In fact I don't! I've been tricked into it, by Ginny too! I didn't know they were going to be published!'

'What pictures?' James asked looking up but before anybody could answer Albus emitted a gasp followed straight away by a vigorous roar of laughter making Harry turn magenta in a split second.

James looking back down and seeing what had caused Albus' reaction snatched the magazine from his hands looking flabbergasted.

'What's that?' he asked a second later livid and red at the same time, waving the magazine in Harry's direction.

'It's none of your business' Harry gibbered sulkily prying the magazine from him.

'It is my business! I'm your son remember? I have to return to Hogwarts in September and my life is already hard enough there without you stripping for a magazine!'

'Hey! Watch your tone!' Harry warned feeling wrapped in a bundle of shame.

'He didn't strip, honey' Ginny tittered witnessing James and Harry's embarrassed expressions.

'He is actually partly naked' Luna interjected serenely.

'Luna, please!' Harry blorted out exasperated.

'I'm not going back to school!' James piped out gruffly while Albus was sitting down in front of his meal still sniggering 'I want to read the interview' he said taking a mouthful of food.

Ginny pleased by the interest showed, slipped the magazine from Harry's hand giving it to him eyes twinkling 'Here you go, sweetie'

'You are going back alright' Harry replied to James sitting likewise, trying to master his flush thinking that at least James had until September before to have to show his face in public while he had to go to work the next day 'It's up to me to decide what I shall or shan't do' he mumbled starting to eat.

'Have you got an idea of what it means for us any time you end up on a magazine?!' James asked belligerent.

'I don't mind…' Albus mumbled still perusing randomly the interview 'What were you looking for dad?' he asked but then stopping abruptly 'Oh look! We are mentioned!' he said brightening.

'Where?!' James asked alarmed flinging on the magazine. Reading the sentence in question grew so scarlet it was almost possible to see steam sprouting from his face.

'It's true!' Albus boomed referring to the interview 'He is always surrounded by girls at school'

'That's lovely, James' Luna said gleeful 'Chosen one yet?'

'He actually has!' Ginny exploded giddily 'She is called Bianca!'

'She is just a friend!' James boomed in a mix of embarrassment and outrage 'It's nobody's business!'

By that point though Ginny was eager to start again her conversation with Luna and she, boding farewell to everybody, turned a last time to Harry who was still glowering darkly.

'If you should feel the need to strip again come to the Quibbler though…' she said brightly and before Harry could retort, turned to James who was likewise glowering even more darkly, peeping at the magazine as if the embodiment of evil and added 'It goes the same for you James in a year or two…'