Harry was in huge trouble! He might have survived if it had been the first time, but this was the second time he'd forgotten about their anniversary.
He wouldn't have remembered it either if it hadn't been for Neville.
He'd gotten off work early and decided to pay Neville a visit. Neville ran a small nursery in a small, dingy corner of Diagon Alley called Sprouts, Sprigs, and Stems.
"Hey, Neville," Harry called, stepping through the door. The space was dark compared to the brightly sunlit streets. Harry could hear Neville working off somewhere in the back.
He emerged at last, with dirt-streaked overalls and mud-caked fingernails. He had a bright smile on his face and a confident step. Harry could still remember the timid boy who had run off with the hat after his sorting.
"Hey, Harry! How are you?" Neville stepped forward and clapped his back.
"Alright, you?" Harry replied, smiling.
Neville always had an infectious, positive energy around him that could lift Harry from his darkest moods.
"Came to get some flowers for the special occasion?" Neville asked, a hint of teasing in his voice.
Harry was at sea. "Special occasion? Has something happened?"
Neville laughed. "Alright, I won't ask. Have your surprise."
Harry's eyes widened and he looked at Neville with a panicked expression. It didn't take Neville long to realise.
"I wasn't aware you needed to be told of your own anniversary." Neville chuckled. "Ginny's quite excited, you know."
Harry then remembered the previous anniversary. It had been a complete disaster. Ginny had dropped hints all day, but Harry hadn't even noticed.
He'd finally realised Ginny was upset when she didn't call for him at bedtime as usual, and it had taken a lot of 'please' and 'sorry' for Ginny to tell him what was wrong.
Harry had promised not to forget the next time, and now here he was, panicking because he'd forgotten again and had no idea what to get Ginny in such a short amount of time.
Harry looked out of the shop window, thinking of what he could get Ginny at such short notice, but he was distracted by the smells of Neville's shop; his shop which sold flowers.
When he looked back at his friend, Neville was in the front, completing a customer's transaction. Harry waited, trying not to show how impatient he was.
At last the customer left, and Neville turned to Harry. "How can I help?"
"Uhh, you got any flowers for Ginny?"
Neville looked amused. "Forgot, did you?"
"Whatever gave you that idea?" Harry asked dryly.
"You know," Neville said, leading Harry further into the shop. "I should thank you. You won me my bet."
"You bet that I would forget my anniversary?" Harry asked incredulously.
"Can you blame me?" Neville asked lightly.
"Guess not." Harry laughed.
They reached the back of the shop, and Harry could see flowers of all colours. A beautiful scent hung in the air, making Harry feel a little heady.
"Now, what is Ginny's favourite flower?" Neville asked in a brisk voice.
"How should I know?" Harry said, feeling more panicked by the second.
"What about colour?" Neville asked, looking amused.
"Purple," Harry answered immediately.
Neville pointed at the bottom corner of the wall where an array of purple flowers stood. "There's lavender, columbine, and bluebells."
Harry looked closer to inspect them and got a whiff of the smell that hung around Ginny. "Which one is smelling so good?"
"The lavender," Neville said, pointing it out. "You want a bouquet?"
"Yes, please," Harry replied. "Can you do more than one?" A plant of lilies had caught his eye.
"Of course," Neville replied, already choosing the best branches out of the lavender pots.
"Then I want the lilies, too, please."
"Good choice," Neville said, looking pleased. "Why don't you leave the Ministry and come help me out?" he added in a joking tone.
They both laughed.
Harry left ten minutes later, holding a beautiful bouquet in his arm. He hoped Ginny would like it as much as Harry did.
Reaching the apparition point, Harry twisted and disappeared with a small crack.
He didn't fall as he used to, but apparating still wasn't his favourite mode of transport. He took a few minutes to orient himself, then walked briskly to the tiny house about five minutes away.
Harry was still quite a bit away when he heard noise from the house. A small smile played across his lips. Little James' voice could rival a small group of people.
Ginny opened the door almost before he got there. The red, silk dress she only wore on special occasions was flowing in the wind. He noticed the matching jewelry, a gold-plated ring, and a necklace with red sapphires.
"Hey," Harry said, walking up to her. "Are you going somewhere?"
"No," Ginny answered. She turned away from him and stepped to the side so he could enter. "Why do you ask?"
"You said you bought that dress for 'special occasions'."
"You can't remember anything special about today?" Ginny asked, looking half exasperated, half amused.
Harry shook his head, looking appropriately confused, and stepped into the house.
Ginny put her hands on her hips. "Take a guess, then."
Harry held his breath to avoid bursting into laughter and shook his head. He looked at his shoes, not daring to look up so Ginny wouldn't see the amusement in his face.
"Look at me, Harry!" Ginny demanded, sounding frustrated.
Harry couldn't help it; he laughed.
Taking the flowers out of his bag, he handed them to Ginny, laughter dancing in his eyes. "I love you, Ginny."
It took a moment for Ginny to catch up, and then she burst out into laughter, too.
"You idiot, Harry! Do you like to see me angry?"
"I don't know," Harry answered. "Do I?" He leaned forward and they shared a kiss.
The End
