Harry found himself in the kitchen the morning after the funeral, with Ron, Ginny and Hermione.
Harry sighed loudly, frustrated he flung the paper down on the counter with a 'thud'.
He, Ron, Ginny and Hermione had made the front page.
They were walking solemnly side by side, supporting each other as they walked towards Hogwarts the day before.
"Couldn't help themselves, huh?" Ron grumbled, glancing at the paper, shaking his head.
Harry nodded, walking to sit down he didn't want to read what the paper said at that moment.
They were waiting for a member of Kingsley's staff to come take the funeral wear they had, back.
Several of the Weasleys joined them just shortly before the little wizard arrived and he cursed himself a little internally. he didn't want Ginny to find out in front of the whole family.
The little wizard had a list of all the clothing items and jewels he needed to collect.
When they got to the onyx necklace.
"nope, that one stays." The ministry official explained.
Ginny specifically did a double take at this comment.
Had she heard the little wizard correctly.
"But, why?" Fleur whined. "Why does she get to keep hers?" She interrupted.
Harry blinked. He hadn't expected this.
Bill gave Fleur a sideways glance and she quieted down, but still looked like she expected an answer.
The little wizard smiled.
"Well this one was purchased, so it gets to stay." He explained..
Harry's neck turned a little red. why did the kitchen have to be so full.
Now Ginny blinked..
Harry chuckled a little.
Ginny looked at him and he smiled slightly.
'No. He didn't.' She thought in her head.
But the look on his face clearly expressed he had done this.
"Thank you." He said to the wizard as he packed up.
"Oh." Fleur said, slightly confused.
"W-what? No no. No one bought this?" Percy questioned, clearly oblivious.
"No one bought that it was ridiculously expensive?" Percy laughed, as if it was a joke the little wizard was playing.
Harry internally cursed Percy.
The little wizard clearly didn't know what to say.
"No I assure you. It's all set. Mr Potter paid for it." The little wizard explained, his neck now turning pink as well.
Harry pressed his lips together.
Percy's mouth sort of fell open a little bit.
he looked extremely surprised. like someone had hit him.
"But, that was like. 2500 gallons?" Percy gaped without hesitation.
Harry's stomach turned.
"What?" Several people asked at once.
Percy looked a little uncomfortable after he said this.
Ginny's eyes went wide with shock.
"Ha, thanks Percy." Harry said plainly.
Percy sat down.
"Sorry, that probably wasn't necessary?" He admitted readjusting his spectacles.
The little wizard quickly took this second to leave.
The second he left everyone started speaking at once.
Harry caught Ginny's eye and she mouthed 'thank you." She looked a bit confused at this grand gift but smiled.
Harry waved everyone down.
"Yes I bought the necklace. And, no it wasn't as much as Percy thought it was. He was mistaken about that." Harry said, trying not to sound rude.
Percy sat up "yeah, I'm sorry i could've been wrong. It wasn't my place." He blurted out. He had already caused enough issues the past three years.
He wasn't exactly wrong. It hadn't been quite that much though.
But, the necklace had cost him 2300 gallons. But no one needed to know that.
What was the point of being alive and having lifetimes worth of gold and multiple vaults filled with expensive heirlooms if he couldn't spend money on his girlfriend.
Harry was grateful once everyone cleared out of the house and he and Ginny could sneak away.
They sat outside on the back steps.
"You didn't need to do this?" She told him, touching the necklace. She was wearing it.
"I wanted you to have it. Don't worry about what Percy said either." He explained.
She smiled coyly
"Your sure it wasn't too much?" She questioned.
"It was affordable. Trust me." Harry assured her.
It wasn't necessarily untrue.
Ginny nodded. Not completely sure she believed him.
"Well thank you, I do love it."
"Can we go for a walk?" She added.
Harry nodded.
Together they walked hand in hand through the orchard.
"You know, Ron and Hermione are going to be gone a whole month probably." Ginny mused, breaking the comfortable silence.
"I've heard. I hope we can do this more while they're gone. I know it's been hard to find time alone." Harry told her.
And it was true. Most of the time Ron and Hermione were always with them.
This was one of the rare moments they had away from them.
each throughly enjoying their time together.
They sat under a tree near the small stream that ran towards the pond at the outskirts of The Burrow.
Ginny sat in Harry's lap and he held on to her. It was slightly chilly out with the breeze and Ginny had goosebumps over her skin.
She rested her head on his shoulder.
"I'm kinda surprised,Ron hasn't come looking for us yet." Ginny mentioned at one point.
Harry chuckled.
She wasn't wrong. Harry was also surprised.
They had been gone for at least an hour.
"I'm not complaining." Ginny explained chuckling.
"Oh, me either." Harry told her, kissing her.
After several long seconds they broke apart.
"Soon, it will actually be warm enough to swim, you know." Ginny indicated the large pond they had.
"I need a bathing suit, first." Harry chuckled.
"You didn't need one last time we went swimming." Ginny teased.
"I remember." He smiled, fondly.
He remembered that day very well.
'Ginny was standing in front of him, looking down at him.
She gave him a blazing look, but it was different than the one she typically gave him. This was more sultry, more private.
This look was just for him.
"Come in the water with me?" She asked.
"In the Black Lake?" He asked, surprised, looking around. No one was in sight.
"There's all sorts of creatures in there?" He questioned.
He swallowed hard when she unbuttoned the top button of her uniform.
"I'm not afraid." She said, still giving him that look.
"I -I don't have a bathing suit." He replied.
She undid another button.
"Me either." She replied, boldly.
She undid another button.
Harry almost choked.
"Are you taking all your clothes off?" He asked, practically gaping at her, as her shirt fluttered down to the ground.
She chuckled.
"You wish, Harry Potter." She teased, before she let her skirt fall to the floor. "You thought I'd get naked that easily for you?" She teased him again.
Harry smiled. "No, I didn't." He explained quickly. Feeling slightly embarrassed.
Ginny chuckled.
She stood before him just in her bra and underwear now..
"You coming?" She walked down to the water.
Harry suddenly felt like his pants were suddenly far too small for him. He attempted to adjust himself before discarding them.
he shook his head. this would certainly be the least offensive rule he'd ever gotten in trouble for breaking, if they were caught.
He discarded his shirt and shoes and socks next.
Leaving him in just his boxer briefs.
The water was cool but not cold when his feet touched the edge of the lake with his toes.
Ginny was floating a few feet away. She smiled happily.
Harry waded out to reach her.
He wrapped his arms around her
"So, you don't have that tattoo?" She joked.
Harry laughed, remembering the conversation about the horntail a few days before.
"No. Unfortunately not. Feel free to spread the word." He joked.'
A noise in the present brought him back into focus.
Ginny was still on his lap and she was looking around the tree they were propped against.
She sighed.
"It's Ron and Hermione." She whispered.
"Well, they'll find us eventually." He told her.
She agreed. Nodding.
She stood up, holding out her hand to him. He quickly took it.
Soon, they found Hermione and Ron close by.
Later that day, Ron was packing with little help from Harry up in their attic bedroom.
Harry was stretched out on his bed, while Ron frantically packed.
"I left it too late, didn't I?" Ron moaned.
"Oh, don't worry you're getting it done." Harry encouraged him.
Ron nodded, throwing more into the suitcase.
The girls were downstairs in Ginny's room, also packing, Harry assumed.
"I know that this trip is mostly about finding her parents. But? It's a lot of pressure, you know? It's the first time it'll just really be me and her. You know, without others around." Ron was saying.
Harry nodded. Not sure where Ron was going with this.
"I'm sure you understand?" Ron asked.
Ron turned slightly pink.
"Ah, yeah." Harry agreed, although not enthusiastically.
Ron looked at him, guilt evident on his features.
"I'd like to spend more time with Hermione, alone." Ron admitted, as if getting something horrible off his chest.
Harry eyed him, cautiously.
Harry's spirits lifted, perhaps that was a good thing.. "Okay. I'm sure you'll do that since you'll be alone together for like a month straight." Harry pointed out.
Ron gave him an awkward look.
"Like today." Ron added. "Well all of the time really. I mean I still love when we all are together. I'd just like more privacy sometimes." Ron added quickly, clearly desperate to get everything out.
Harry desperately tried to act casually. His spirits were lifting even more.
"Oh." He said, feigning understanding, trying not to seem too happy.
"I mean, that makes sense." Harry nodded, trying to seem accommodating.
Ron sighed.
"So, you're not mad?" Ron questioned
"No no. Of course not. It's understandable." Harry nodded.
Ron nodded and looked relieved.
Harry smiled.
"I can clear off for a bit." Harry offered, shrugging, desperately trying not to seem excited.
"Cool." Ron said happily.
When Harry walked out of their room he paused for just a moment to revel in his good luck. Perhaps this new and improved Ron wouldn't follow him and Ginny around like a guard dog so often.
He passed Ron's current distraction on the stairs and greeted her kindly.
"Thanks." He whispered.
She gave him a knowing look and disappeared up the stairs.
Harry couldn't help but wonder if this had been Hermione's plan all along. Surely she must have thought Ron spent too much time with them too.
But, No matter the reason he was glad.
Ginny's bedroom door was open when he reached the landing outside her room..
She was sitting on the floor on a cushion below her window nook where'd they sat several days before together.
she had a little note pad in front of her and she was writing with a quill.
Harry knocked softly.
She looked up, and smiled when she saw him.
"Hey." She patted the floor next to her.
He came and sat next to her, and realized that she had been not writing, but drawing.
"It's supposed to be pigwidgon, but he's a terrible model. And, I'm also a terrible drawer." Ginny admitted, pointing to the little owl balancing on one leg.
Harry looked at the drawing. It did hold a slight resemblance of the owl perched across from them on a chest of drawers.
"Huh. I don't know, it does kinda look like him." Harry told her.
"You think? It's not done yet." Ginny explained, resting her head in his shoulder.
"I'm going to have to get a new owl soon. I suddenly have found myself with quite a lot of mail to respond to." Harry joked.
"Can we go soon?" Ginny asked.
Percy had told them that morning that Diagon Alley would be opening back up later that week.
"Yeah, we can go this weekend if you want?" Harry offered.
Ginny nodded. "After Ron and Hermione leave for Australia?"
Harry agreed.
Ron and Hermione would be leaving for Australia the following day and would be gone at least a month most likely.
Harry would miss them and it probably would feel odd without them around but he was excited to have time with Ginny without them around.
"I didn't know you draw?" Harry asked, curiously pointing at her drawing.
Ginny smiled.
"Well after we were stranded at Muriel's I started, it filled the time." Said, Ginny.
Harry nodded.
"Wanna help me with it?" She asked, indicating her drawing.
Harry was surprised. Most people wouldn't have offered this.
Ginny was rarely uptight or idealistic like so many girls. she was fun. He loved this about her.
Harry nodded agreeing.
Taking turns they added to the photo.
They drew a top hat on pigwidgon, then gave him a wand, and a stack of gallons, then a butter beer balancing on his top hat.
They laughed as they put the finishing touches on it.
"Look at him." Ginny chuckled.
"Seems realistic." Harry joked.
"Neither of us is very good, huh?" Ginny laughed.
"Mmm, could be worse." He kissed her on the temple.
Pigwideon still was perched precariously on the chest of drawers..
"You can go away now Pigwidgeon." Ginny told him.
The little owl flew off through the open window overhead.
Ginny turned and leaned in like she was going to kiss him..
Harry moved to kiss her back but a small knock on the door startled them..
It was Mrs Weasley.
"Hey. Mom. What's up?" Ginny asked, sounding just a little too casual.
Mrs Weasley surveyed them.
"Hi. I hadn't seen anybody in a little while, figured I'd come check in." Mrs Weasley explained.
"Alls good here?" Ginny smiled, hoping her mother would leave them.
Mrs Weasley nodded..
"What have you two been up to?" She asked, clearly trying to sound merely curious.
"Drawing Pigwidgeon." Harry explained.
Ginny showed her the drawing
"Oh, well that's lovely dears." Mrs Weasley smiled.
"Where are Ron and Hermione?" She asked, brow furrowed.
"I don't know. I think they might have gone for a walk after they finished packing." Ginny lied.
Harry glanced at her just slightly, surprised.
"Hmm. Well Im sure I'll track them down." Mrs Weasley said before making her way up the stairs.
Harry turned to Ginny. She answered his unspoken question.
"I figured they wanted alone time, didn't want her to but in. But, she's definitely going to anyway.
Suddenly there was a small yell from a few floors above.
"And, this is packing?" They could hear Mrs Weasley scolding.
Ginny winced.
"I tried to help them." Ginny snickered a little.
That night, after Mrs Weasley had yelled at Ron and Hermione and subjected everyone to Celestina Warbeck at dinner.
Ron and Hermione and Ginny and Harry once again split off to do their own things..
Ginny had beaten Harry at exploding snap at least 5 times before they switched to play chess.
They were cuddled up on the sofa under a blanket, chess set splayed out in between them.
Harry could have won the game but Ginny gave him a sweet imploring look.
"Sorry bud, you're done for. Knight to E5." Harry commanded glumly.
The knight yelled at him in protest. And the Knight yelled something that made his face turn bright scarlet.
The knight fell, ending the game.
"Ooh. He's just throwing you under the bus now isn't he?" Ginny teased him, giving him that same sultry look that was just for him. "
"that unruly knight, giving out all your secrets." Ginny chuckled, her cheeks also slightly pink.
"I-I-I, I didn't let you win because I want to-." He cut himself off, his lips twisting into a coy smile.
" he's a trouble maker." Harry explained, his lips still twisting in a smile, pointing at the crumbled knight.
"I let you win, because I didn't want you to lose. " He admitted, quietly, smiling.
"likely, story." Ginny quipped, beaming at him.
Ginny leaned over, and kissed him swiftly.
They chuckled a little when they broke apart.
Just then, Mrs Weasley appeared in the kitchen, across from the sitting room.
"Don't go to bed too late, you two." She warned kindly.
"Good night, mom. Love you." Ginny told her.
"We'll turn in soon, goodnight." Harry replied.
She waved before disappearing up the stairs.
They ended up not turning in so soon, and spent a large amount of the night downstairs in the living room. Playing chess and catching up.
Eventually, they fell asleep next to each other, with their feet out on the ottoman.
That was where Mrs Weasley found them the next morning
(AN: Hope you are enjoying the story! These first chapters will be close together, but as time goes on i suspect they will become more spaced apart in the timeline. The year after the war ended likely would have been extremely hectic and busy. As always I own nothing but ideas of my own creation, the rest belongs to JK.)