Harry stood waiting out in the front yard of The Burrow for Ginny. It had been 8 days. 8 glorious days since the battle of Hogwarts. He took a deep breath, grateful to be alive.

Ginny came bounding out into the yard, beaming at him.

He smiled at her, and she took his hand. He found himself feeling elated to spend so much quality time with her over these next few weeks.

He had often been desperately lonely while on the road. Hermione and Ron were good enough companions but, the pair had often been so close and had such a bond while away, that he couldn't help miss Ginny especially horribly in those moments.

"I'm so excited, I've never used a pay phone before." Ginny told him, chuckling as they walked through the front garden.

Harry chuckled too. "I'll give you a crash course on making calls. It's super easy once you know how." He explained kindly.

Harry groaned when they saw a few reporters at the gate. He and Ginny would likely be on the front page of the Prophet the following day.

However, it did appear that these reporters grew fewer and fewer each passing day it seemed.

Ginny squeezed his hand.

"No comment. No. Move, please." Harry said curtly as they pushed past the reporters. The throng of them continued to take photos and ask questions.

No doubt they'd make the front page the following day. Ginny glared at them.

Once they were several feet away from the gate, Harry decided to get them out of there before Ginny hexed one of the reporters.

He grabbed Ginny's hand and they disappeared with a loud "pop".

They reappeared just beyond the bend in the road that hid them from view of the photographers and reporters.

"I'm sorry about the reporters." Harry told her, squeezing her hand kindly. "I wouldn't be surprised if we make the front page again." He said curtly.

"It's not your fault that they're out there." Ginny whispered to him.

"Honestly, I kind of feel like it is. They are out there because of me." He murmured, shuffling along.

"Well, interest in you has certainly increased in the last week." Ginny blinked.

"And, i understand why. But, i want to be able to live without showing up on the front page every other day." Harry groaned.

Ginny squeezed his hand. "I know. It'll happen, it just might take a little while longer." She smiled.

At that moment, Harry realized that the past week had been one of the longest of his life. He had done so much and so much had happened since the battle just eight days before. He felt like a whole lifetime had happened during that time.

The walk to town didn't take very long, maybe 15 minutes.

"Ugh, I love it down here." Ginny smiled.

Harry smiled fondly back at her. "You know, I don't think I've ever come down here." he told her.

He smiled looking around. She wasn't wrong, it was quite nice there. The sidewalks were made up of crooked cobblestones and many houses had old ornate shudders, or colorfully painted front doors. There were also houses covered in ivy and a small town square that bustled with early morning shoppers.

"Oh, mom used to bring us here as kids all the time." Ginny smiled.

Harry wasn't surprised. It seemed like a thing Molly would have done with her children.

Harry happily pointed out the red rectangular form of the pay phone box once they turned a corner.

He held the door open and let Ginny go in first, he followed closely behind her.

Harry was starting to become more and more grateful that he had agreed to allow Marjorie to become his personal assistant, especially since she had been able to get him money out of his vault when it seemed no one else could. she also had been able to get him some muggle money too, so that they could work the pay phone. It appeared that working with the ministry had its perks.

Perhaps being friends with this new Ministry wouldn't be so bad after all. Several of Kingsley's pre-assessors had tried and failed to do this. Harry couldn't help but feel like this was the only administration that truly deserved his presence and respect.

"Oh, this is cool." Ginny snuggled up next to him inside the booth.

At that moment, Harry couldn't help but appreciate just how small the phone booth was.

"Alright, here we go." Harry said.

Ginny clapped a little excitedly, reminding him briefly of her father..

"I wonder how they are doing so far?" Ginny inquired.

Harry understood this was in reference to Ron and Hermione.

"Hopefully, better than yesterday." Harry quipped.

Ginny chuckled.

"It kinda seems like they're kinda in a serious relationship?" Ginny mused.

Harry was reminded of eavesdropping on her and Hermione yesterday.

"Hmm. So it would seem." Harry joked.

Harry vaguely wondered if she had a reason for bringing this up.

"Hermione told me they're really in love with each other." Ginny explained.

Harry nodded. "Ron also told me that. I think it might have just been a long time coming." He shrugged happily.

"Yeah, that's true." Ginny nodded.

But Harry couldn't help but feel like she looked slightly disappointed for some reason.

Harry wondered if perhaps she wanted him to tell her that he loved her too. He considered this for a brief moment.

He did suppose he loved her, but he wasn't sure it was the right time to say it. he wasn't sure if it was something he had enough time to process yet.

Ginny looked at the pay phone and then back at him.

She was waiting to call. Harry shook off his internal thoughts, skipping to the reason they were there.

"So first step. Money. We have to pay or else we can't call." Harry explained taking a few unfamiliar looking coins out of his pocket.

He held them out in the palm of his hand to show her, she fingered them just slightly.

"These little things?" Ginny asked, confused.

"Hmm. These are called quarters." Harry explained.

Ginny nodded.

Harry put them in the slot on the phone.

Picking up the phone he took the piece of paper out of his pocket that contained the phone number to the hotel where Ron and Hermione were staying.

"Now, We have to dial the right number to reach them." Harry explained, smirking.

The pay phone thankfully has been updated and didn't have a rotary dial.

"Wanna help?" Harry offered.

Ginny nodded happily.

Harry took her hand and guided her to the right buttons. she probably didn't need that much help but she didn't protest. Ginny couldn't help but enjoy the feel of his large rough hands.

Harry knew they had done it right when the phone started to ring. He smiled at her.

"Oh, it's ringing." Harry told her.

Ginny pressed herself up against him, leaning her ear next to the phone.

Harry held on to her lovingly. He smiled softly.

Suddenly, screaming came through the phone.

"HARRRYYY! IS THAT YOU?" Ron bellowed as loudly as he could into the phone.

Harry pulled the phone away just slightly. Ginny jumped slightly too.

"Ron I told you not to yell, they can hear you just fine normally." Hermione said in the background.

"But, England is super far away. Maybe they can't hear me?." Ron sputtered.

"Nope, we can hear you loud and clear. Just fine." Harry spoke into the receiver, wincing.

"Oh good!" Ron gasped.

"How have things been going? Was the trip over good?" Harry asked.

"Oh, not too bad!" Ron explained happily. "You won't believe it Harry, the phone here doesn't have a cord. You can walk anywhere in the room you want to and it still works."

"That's cool." Harry mused. "I wonder how that works?" He questioned.

"No clue." Ron chuckled.

"What time is it there?" Ginny whispered.

Harry relayed the question.

"Ahh. Mione? What time is it?"

"It's almost 2pm here." They heard Hermione explain in the background.

"We went to the ministry here this morning, it was wicked cool. Way cooler than ours. Got to talk to the muggle liaison office this morning and they are going to help find Hermione's parents, I guess, so less pressure on us." Ron explained.

"Oh, that's helpful. Hopefully it will be a quick trip then." Harry said happily. Already missing them both.

Ginny pulled away looking at him. She shook her head and Harry smiled, trying not to laugh.

"Don't rush back though, enjoy time with Hermione's parents." Ginny recommended.

"Of course we will." Ron said with a full mouth.

Ginny grimaced. "Ugh, Ron what are you eating?"

"Hmm. Hermione ordered us room service. They bring the food right to your door and everything." Ron explained happily.

"Well, sounds like a great place for you." Harry joked.

"Ha, definitely." Ron joked.

"Harry, Ginny we miss you!" Hermione called through the phone.

"Miss you too!" Ginny and Harry echoed together. Perhaps too quickly.

"Hope you guys have a good time together!" Ginny added.

"We are going to the beach soon, but do you promise to call back tomorrow to check in again?" Hermione asked.

Harry and Ginny agreed before hanging up.

"They are literally just on one big vacation." Ginny rolled her eyes.

Harry chuckled. "It would appear so." He joked, but shrugged. "I guess they deserve it after this last year."

"What about you? Don't you deserve it too?" Ginny asked.

"They asked me to come. I just didn't want to, I wanted to stay here with you." Harry smiled down at Ginny.

She smiled and they both leaned in to kiss each other.

After what could have been an hour they broke apart.

"You really gave up a trip to Australia to hang out with me for a month?" Ginny asked, not believing him.

"Yup. I'm a total sucker. you have me at your mercy." Harry joked, trying to keep his face impassive.

Ginny kissed him again. "Oh Harry." Ginny hugged him.

"I could go on vacation any old time." Harry smiled, holding her back. "Plus, it wouldn't be so much fun without you." Harry explained as they emerged onto the street.

Ginny squeezed his hand.

"We could go on a vacation if you wanted, you know?" Harry mused, as they walked hand in hand through the streets.

Gunny looked at him.

"Really?" She asked, surprised..

"Sometime, sure. As long as your parents don't mind." He added.

"Ah, that could be a possible deterrent." Ginny grumbled.

Harry nodded. "Don't worry. We'll do all the things we want one day." Harry put his arm around her.

"We have all the time in the world now." He told her. His heart filling to the brim.

Ginny smiled. "Thanks to you." She turned and kissed him chastely.

"I had a lot of help." He replied as they broke apart.

Ginny smirked.

They soon found an empty alleyway to disaperate from.

Ginny gladly held onto him as they spun on the spot and reemerged outside the Leaky Cauldron.

Hand in hand they went inside. Thankfully, it was quite crowded and no one but the bar man Tom saw them. Harry stopped to shake his hand but quickly ushered Ginny through the back of the bar where the entrance to Diagon Alley was.

When they stepped through, it was like he was transported back in time, Diagon Alley had been quickly and he suspected magically repaired and returned to its former glory.

He smiled. It was so busy that people also seemed not to notice him easily. He was very grateful. He wore the hood of his sweatshirt up, that also helped.

But, inside the shops was another story. When they walked into Eeylops Owl Emporium, several shoppers practically ran over trying to touch or talk to him. Harry clasped their hands and thanked them for their kindnesses. He was however grateful once they left him alone to do his shopping.

Harry walked through every aisle looking at all the owls, but wasn't so sure he found one he favored.

"What about this one?" Ginny would ask pointing out a cool looking owl on occasion.

But Harry wasn't able to decide.

"Why don't we go look at broomsticks? I can't decide yet. We'll come back." Harry offered.

"I'll never say no to that." Ginny gasped. "Let's go." And, Ginny led the way to Quality Quidditch Supplies.

Once again Harry was accosted the second he entered the shop. It took several long minutes for the commotion to die down.

After a few minutes harry found a magnificent broom. It was a Firebolt. Just like the one he'd lost. But, It was more of a darker brown color than his had been, and tail also looked a little sleeker than his previous had. The broom clearly had some updates.

"Are you gonna get one?" Ginny asked.

Harry nodded.

Ginny squealed a little. "Oh, can I ride it once it comes in?" She pleaded as they made their way over to the desk.

"Of course." Harry whispered to her.

When they got to the front of the line the clerk stared for several seconds before answering the question that Harry had asked.

"Oh, the Firebolt? We could have one delivered within the week."

"Perfect. I'll take it." Harry beamed.

The shop clerk looked like he could have done a backflip.

"Here's a form, just fill out your information. We'll get it to you." The clerk explained.

Harry quickly jotted down everything the form wanted. He was also relieved to see they would just take the money out of his account. So, his pocket money hadn't been depleted. Majorie had explained to him that his families full estate was now available to him that he was of age. This had significantly increased Harry's wealth it would appear from what he'd been told. And, Harry couldn't help finding himself itching to spend some of it.

He had saved the Wizarding World after all. Some extravagance was well deserved. Or, at least he thought so.

Harry had a broad grin on his face as they left Quality Quidditch Supplies.

Ginny grinned too. "Those broom upgrades are something. I'm excited to try it out." She chuckled, leaning against him.

Harry leaned against her, chuckling at her excitement. "We'll have to take it out together later this week when it comes in." He grinned.

"Hm. I'd like to ride it with you." She flirted with him.

He smirked, but was momentarily distracted by a window display that had several owls.

Ginny also saw something to catch her eye. She gasped excitedly.

"Oh, Harry there's kittens." Can we go in?" Ginny asked, pointing to the kittens near the front of the shop. "Just to look?" She promised.

Harry nodded smiling, but he only had eyes for the larger owl up front, perched on a golden bird stand.

Ginny had made a bee line for the kittens but Harry approached the large black owl with white tips on the bottom of his feathers. He had bright green eyes.

The owl hooted and ruffled his feathers importantly.

Harry put his hand out and the owl jumped right over. he gasped a little in surprise.

"If you want him he's half off." The shop keeper had snuck up behind him.

Harry turned to her, and her eyes lit up upon seeing him.

"Oh, Mr Potter we've met once before several years ago." She stuck out her hand and Harry clasped it kindly.

Harry nodded and smiled. He, Ron and Hermione had visited the Magical Menagerie several years prior. It's where Hermione had gotten Crookshanks.

"He seems to like you. If you want you can just take him." She whispered.

Harry blinked. "Oh no, I have to pay you."

The shop keeper looked weary still.

"Well, like I said. He is half off anyway... But, I have to give you an extra discount..you're you." The shop keeper fussed.

"Oh no. That's not necessary at all." Harry explained quickly.

He hadn't expected this.

"Okay fine. 60% off the bird? But, I'm charging full price for the kittens." She eyed Ginny.

Harry looked over and smiled delightfully at Ginny. She was cuddling one fluffy kitten in her arms feeding it snacks, while another sat on her shoulder. She giggled at them both gleefully.

The kittens were nearly identical down to the last whisker, expect for their colors. Both were cream colored cats, but one had a flaming orange hue around its snout, ears, and tail, while the other had chocolate colored accents.

"Deal." He Found himself agreeing. His new owl hooted serenely on his arm.

" perfect, this way." She waved him to the front of the shop.

"He has camouflage abilities. He's quite good at it. Can change the composition of his fathers. Last family said they kept losing him." She shrugged.

This peaked Harry's interest even further.

"His last family returned him?" Harry asked, shocked. He was a gorgeous owl.

"Hmm. Yes, they said the kids kept losing him. He's about a year old, they only had him a few months." She explained, shaking her head in frustration.

"…Apparently, he's a bit of a bully to other owls too. He'd need to be your only owl." She told him.

"Oh, that's fine. I don't have another."

"Wonderful. You'll be fast friends"

Harry smiled.

"The kittens are 90 gallons, 9 sickles." The shop keeper explained.

Harry sighed. He looked back at Ginny still happily enjoying the cats.

He paid the shop keeper for his new owl a cage for him and the two kittens, and their authenticity papers that proved they were part kneezel.

"Oh, take this for free, it's for the kittens." The shop keeper handed him a sack of sorts .

"Ah thanks." Harry gave a half smile.

"Come back anytime." The shop keeper called.

Harry nodded and smiled, ready to leave. He's had enough interactions for that moment.

Harry smiled as he walked over to Ginny, his new owl in his roomy cage floating along side him.

"Beautiful owl. Great choice." Ginny beamed at him.

The sign above her read 'Ragdoll x Kneezels'

"What's that bag for?" Ginny questioned. The two kittens now on each shoulder, surveying Harry with interest.

"It's for the kittens." He said, trying to keep a straight face.

"W-what?" She questioned him, dumbfounded.

"Got a great deal on them. Do you think your mom will freak?" Harry beamed.

Ginny smiled with glee.

"Oh, Harry you didn't have to do this. This is too much." She looked at him.

He smiled. He loved seeing her happy.

"Well, they are coming home with us." He smiled.

She gaped at him.

He put the bag on her shoulder, and the kittens clearly knew what to do, because they both bounded into the bag.

Ginny squealed in delight. The kittens popped their heads out of the bag, looking around.

Harry and Ginny chuckled. "Ha, they are adorable. Thank you." Ginny hugged him, before they left the shop hand in hand.

"What are you going to name him?" Ginny asked, pointing towards his new owl.

"Have you ever heard of the tale of the three brothers?" Harry asked her as they walked through the alley.

Ginny looked at him inquisitively, as she followed him.

Together, Harry and Ginny walked hand in hand through the throng of shoppers.

"So you're naming him after the third brother?" Ginny asked, after he had explained the story's suspected connection to the Peverel family.

Harry nodded.. "Ignotus."

"That's awesome, seems fitting if he really can become invisible?" Ginny mused.

Harry nodded happily. "He's not the only one." He joked.

Ginny smirked. "So. He's got his very own built in cloak of invisibility?" She mused.

"Yeah, the shop keeper says he can camouflage himself. Not exactly sure how he does it though." Harry explained, surveying his new owl. He looked the same as he had in the shop.

Later, they sat outside of Florian Fortescue's ice cream parlor eating ice cream cones together.

There was a new owner now, a young light skinned Black man. He couldn't have been more than 25 or 26.

He was old enough that Harry had never been at Hogwarts at the same time as him, because he didn't know him, but he also was young enough to not look over 30.

Harry thought back on the interaction they'd just had, as he and Ginny enjoyed the spring day.

Harry had been extremely glad it took till they were checking out for the man to notice him.

The man chuckled and introduced himself, shaking Harry's hand.

"Ha, I'm Lucas. Florian was my grandfather." He had explained

"We were sad to hear he had died." Ginny said, kindly.

"Oh, thank you. I'm trying to continue his legacy now. It was important to him that the shop be passed down. So, now I'm in charge." Lucas explained.

Harry tried to pay him but he waved him off.

"My grandfather always gave you free ice cream! The tradition continues! Enjoy!" He waved them off.

Harry sighed. Blinking.

Harry and Ginny profusely thanked him and then went to go sit outside with Ignotus who was hooting happily to enjoy their ice cream.

And that was where how Harry found himself sitting with Ginny eating ice cream outside in the sunshine. It was slightly cool for ice cream but it had been so long since he had any it didn't matter all that much.

Together, they sat and talked for awhile, occasionally interrupted by a passerby wanting to talk to Harry.

But, eventually they'd had enough and made their way back to the Leaky Cauldron hand in hand.

They sadly passed Fred and George's shop. It wasn't opened yet.

George and Lee were now running the store, but George had been struggling so much that they had to push the grand reopening to the following weekend.

A small window up at the very top of the building was lit up, but other than that the shop was quiet.

Harry assumed that was George's flat.

"We"ll visit him soon." Ginny answered his unspoken question.

Harry nodded, and they kept walking together.

Harry couldn't think of a better day he'd ever had in his whole life once they were walking back through the Leaky Cauldron. Except maybe the day he'd first visited Diagon Alley.

Harry held onto Ginny once they were in the alleyway outside the Leaky Cauldron.

They reappeared again on the road that lead back to The Burrow.

Ginny giggled when the kittens popped up out of the bag again, looking all around, looking dizzy.

"I don't think they like apperating much." She chuckled as the kittens shook their fur out quickly.

"Not so much." Harry chuckled, agreeing.

"Not as much as this guy wants out." Harry mused, opening Ignotus' cage. The owl happily flew out and upward. He hooted happily and flew in circles around.

When he passed a large clump of trees he momentarily disappeared. Blending in with the dark trees behind him.

Harry and Ginny gasped. It was extremely cool to witness.

"Woah." Harry said as he reemerged, blue sky now behind him, leaving him starkly visible.

"He's so cool, Harry." She tapped his hip.

Harry gaped at Ignotus. That was by far one of the coolest things he'd ever witnessed.

"Ha, I'd say." He agreed.

The owl continued to enjoy himself as he dove and soared overhead.

Harry and Ginny enjoyed the sight of him flying above as they walked hand in hand back to The Burrow.

The kittens specifically were eager to explore, they jumped out of the bag that they so enjoyed being carried around in, once they passed the gates to the house.

Oddly Harry noticed immediately that all the reporters that had been there before were now gone.

"See, they must have a new story to chase now." Ginny squeezed his hand.

"Yeah, yeah. For sure." Harry agreed, looking around. He hoped that wasn't a bad sign.

The kittens bounded through the garden happily and Ginny laughed at them.

Harry was distracted by Ignotus as he landed on his shoulder, hooting.

"Hi, this is where we live." He greeted him. Ignotus hooted happily.

Together, they walked into the house, the kitchen was quiet and also empty. It didn't appear anyone was there. Or, if they were they were upstairs.

Ignotus flew by the window, and landed gracefully on the kitchen window ledge.

He looked around and flew into the house, landing on a small table in the living room.

Harry and Ginny deposited themselves on the sofa and started rolling balls of string for the kittens to play with.

The kittens bounded and played together. Rolling all over the floor.

Harry and Ginny sat together on the living room floor, backs pressed up against the sofa, chuckling at the kittens.

Harry looked over at Ginny and smiled.

"What?" She mused happily.

Harry leaned over and kissed her softly on the lips.

She smirked and kissed him back.

Their tongues softly caressed together, as they melted into one another's arms just briefly.

Suddenly, a noise from above startled them both. They both looked up in confusion.

Someone was running down the stairs.

"Ginny, Harry?" Molly yelled as she emerged into the kitchen.

"Mom, what's up?" Ginny asked, getting to her feet.

Harry stumbled up to stand as well, bracing himself slightly against the couch as he did so.

"You're both okay?" She asked breathlessly.

Harry's brow furrowed slightly and Ginny gaped at her mother.

"W-what happened?" Harry asked, realizing something must have been wrong.

"It just came across the wireless. Several Death Eaters escaped ministry custody this afternoon." Molly looked close to tears.

Harry gasped, rubbing the back of his neck. Desperate for more information.

Ginny looked terrified and slung a piece of her hair around one of her fingers.

At least one thing was certain, Harry and Ginny certainly wouldn't be making the front page of the paper the following morning. Or, the morning after that.

Not even a moment after learning of the escape, George, Arthur, and Percy all walked into the kitchen. They had clearly been in some type of altercation.

Percy had what looked like the remains of a bloody nose and all three of them had dirty robes.

Harry looked at Arthur who spoke.

Molly looked terrified.

"five Death Eaters escaped Ministry custody this afternoon." He explained.

"B-but, how does that happen? I thought they were being transported to Askaban?" Molly screeched.

"They were. That was the plan. It was just happening slowly. Many Death Eaters are still being held at the ministry" Percy explained, grimly.

"we didn't get em." George shook his head.

"that's hardly your job?" Molly cried.

"the ministry will catch them." Arthur promised.

Harry kept looking at him. He needed to know who.

Next to him, Ginny was white as a ghost. He could see her out of the corner of his eye. He was desperately wishing he could openly comfort her at that moment.

"who?" Harry asked. Holding his breath.

Percy sighed. "Travers, the Carrows, McNair, and...Dolohov."

Harry felt like he'd been kicked. The man that had killed Remus Lupin couldn't be free. This couldn't happen.

He barely heard the rest of the story after that.

For the rest of the week, Harry would be followed around by a surly Auror 10 years his senior.