Disclaimer: My lawyers tell me I don’t own Harry Potter. That must be rubbish right? I’ve got copies of all the books right here let me check the spine. Rowling…what the heck is a Rowling? Oh, J.K. Rowling, apparently J.K. Rowling owns Harry Potter. I wonder what it is that I own exactly? Do I own this pen? It says Bic on the side. Is that J.K. Bic, or do I really own this pen. The mysteries of the universe never cease to amaze me. Well apparently the lawyers are right Harry Potter is owned by J.K. Rowling…I’ll ask them about the pen tomorrow.

Chapter 1: There She Was

And there she was.

It wasn’t exactly like he’d been avoiding her. Not exactly like that at all. He’d been busy. Well and of course he’d promised Ron that he’d never kiss her. Well technically that he’d never grope her again, but the conversation echoed in his mind. It won’t happen again. What a stupid thing to promise.

Of course at the time he hadn’t exactly been thinking clearly. He’d been seventeen and full of hormones and just had the best kiss of his life. Not to mention he had a demented madman taking over the country who was personally intent on killing him. It was enough to make a bloke temporarily insane. Temporarily insane enough to promise to never entangle himself romantically with the great love of his life, clearly, hero or not, Harry Potter was an idiot. Now she was standing there, in kitchen of her childhood home wearing a Muggle mini-skirt. Always with the Muggle clothes this one. No wonder he’d been not quite avoiding her for the last five years. Legs like hers could give a bloke a heart attack.

Now he was standing just inside the doorway to the sitting room, watching her from the back like some pervert. Because to travel further into the kitchen would mean talking to her, something he steadfastly avoided at all costs, and turning and leaving would mean he wouldn’t be able to watch her anymore.

“Unky Harry!” A devastating cute girl with a bob of curly blonde crashed into his leg with a giggle and attached herself, seemingly permanently, to it. This would make escaping much trickier.

“Hi sprog!” Harry smiled widely at the small girl. She was here for the same reason he was. The wedding rehearsal, she was the flower girl. He’d dropped the ring bearer off in the garden on his way in.

He looked up in time to see Ginny glance away from him and unreadable expression on her face. He was not so lucky when he turned to face Fleur. The very pregnant half Veela was smirking at him. Clearly stating that she knew everything, and she was going to start on him again as soon as they were out of Ginny’s ear shot. Harry sighed. Why did Ron and Hermione have to get married now?

“Piggy back wide!” Victoire shouted.

“Okay, okay, sprog, hop on.” Harry bent down so that the small girl could climb up his back. “Let’s go find Teddy.” She giggled wildly and she scrambled up Harry’s back looping her slender arms around his neck. Harry risked one more glance at Ginny and found her watching him, a sad smile on her lips. He stood up and bounced towards the door eliciting shrieks from Victoire followed by still more giggles.

Fleur grinned evilly as they passed her and he whispered to her. “Not today, please?”

“Of course today, you are thinking I would let an opportunity like this pass by?”

He loved Fleur, but she really could be frightening sometimes. “Shouldn’t you be helping Hermione with something?” Harry asked desperately.

“Shoo, it’s time for girl talk,” Fleur swatted him on his bum in fair imitation of encouraging a horse to move. “I shall speak with you later…”

The insinuation was clear. It was going to be another one of those conversations. She’d only been nagging him at every turn for the last four years, to find a girl already. Why would today be any different?

He bounced out the door to find his Godson.

***

The rehearsal went well, as rehearsals always do. It’s the wedding that always falls to pieces, the rehearsals always seem to go beautifully. Now they were having dinner after. It was interesting watching Hermione’s parents. Harry had never met anyone who was so comfortable at not fitting in, as Hermione’s parents seemed. The wedding was being held in hall near Hermione’s parent’s new home. This was to facilitate, having both Muggles and wizards being there at the same time. Thankfully, the guest list had been limited, to try and avoid any of the Muggles from realizing there were wizards there. The trade off had been that this was a Muggle wedding, and Mrs. Weasley had been caterwauling for months now about the fact that it was not a real wedding. A sentiment shared, albeit much more quietly with a large part of the rehearsal dinner’s guests. The boisterous and often obnoxious crowd often took turns trying to amaze Hermione’s parents, who seemed neither shocked nor overly impressed by the magic around them. Harry had asked Hermione’s father, David, about this and he replied with a smile. “Once you’ve seen the things my daughter can do, not much else impresses you.” Harry had to agree.

After the dinner started to break up conversations flowed around the Burrow’s garden, as groups stood around to catch up. The tables had mostly been deserted as the guests milled about. Harry was swirling a rather uninteresting glass of mead that he’d spent more time considering than actually drinking, thanking his lucky stars that most of the people at this gathering were rather used to him. It made sitting quietly at social gatherings much easier. Occasionally, someone would move over and attempt to engage him for a few minutes, before giving up and making some excuse to find more pleasant conversationalists. Sometimes Harry wished he was more socially adept, but most of the time, he just wished he was less popular to have at social gatherings. As twilight approached Harry was slowly slipping into the shadows, by pretending to be one.

“Umph” Fleur exhaled as she plopped about as ungracefully as he’d ever seen her into the chair next to him.

“Why are you not mingling in ze crowd?” Fleur asked.

“I’m staying here, where people are less inclined to gawk at me,” Harry replied.

Fleur stared wide eyed at him raising her eyes not so subtly to his forehead in a fair imitation of most people’s first glimpse of Harry Potter. Harry smirked at her and she laughed. “Eet is not so safe here, you see?”

Harry only nodded.

“I do not think that is why you sit here.” Fleur stated after a moment. She was inspecting her fingernails, like there was some possible nick in the beautifully polished nails. Harry had yet to ever see that happen. “I think that you are afraid of talking to someone in particular.”

“Why am I not surprised?” Harry asked.

“Because you are not a complete idiot…only mostly,” Fleur replied evenly before she smiled and placed a hand on the back of Harry’s neck. “You should talk to her.”

“Who?” Harry asked despite the fact that he was well aware of whom Fleur was speaking.

Her hand tightened in the hair at the back of Harry’s head. “Great Aunt Muriel of course, who did you think I was speaking of?” She gave him a rather sharp look. “Who does it help, this being alone all the time? Ron is moving out, you know. It will just be you in that ridiculous apartment.”

“My apartment is not ridiculous,” Harry replied defensively.

“You are neither a Muggle, nor a teenager, so you do not belong there. You definitely should not be sulking there alone.”

“I don’t sulk.”

“What do you call this then?”

“Relaxing,” Harry replied forcefully.

Fleur made a noise that sounded like a disbelieving snort, except that Veela do not snort, so it must have been something else. “If you will not speak to her, then I think I shall tell Gabrielle that you are freely available tomorrow.”

Harry glanced at Fleur in a panic. “What?”

“Gabrielle is coming tomorrow, unescorted. She has been asking if you would be attending alone. I told her I did not know, but now I am thinking I will give her a Floo call in the morning. She has been waiting to try her Veela charm on you since my wedding. You were rather hard to find in your silly disguise,” Fleur replied airily.

“But she’s a child!”

Fleur gave him a thoroughly reproachful look. She’s will be seventeen in two months time. Old enough I think to decide who exactly she wishes to pursue romantically.”

“But she’s still in school!” Harry sputtered.

“Don’t worry Harry, Beauxbatons has no silly rules about staying at ze school. Any student old enough to Apparate can stay wherever zey like. I’m sure she could find plenty of opportunities to see you.”

“That’s not the point!”

“Were you making a point, ‘arry?”

“Why would you want me involved with your sister?” Harry hopped he didn’t sound too horrified. He quite liked Fleur. Even her sister had seemed nice on the few occasions he had spoken to her, just really young.

Fleur sighed. “Harry you are my very good friend, and I love you. But it is always one of two things with you, work or Quidditch. I think you are never truly happy, you just feel your life is happy enough. But this can only be, because you do not understand what it means to be with someone you truly love. I want you to be happy, but also you come to our house for dinner one or two times a week, and I always love to see you. But Teddy plays with Victoire and you and Bill talk Quidditch or Politics or Auror training. Eet was interesting for a while, but now I think it would be better if you had a woman with you for me to talk to.” Fleur paused for a moment. “My sister, she is an excellent conversationalist.” Fleur smirked at him. “If nothing else the two of you could have fascinating conversations. Conversing while you are naked, eet is an…invigorating…experience.”

“Fleur!” Harry squawked.

“You should not try it right away of course. You should practice with the clothes on I think. Maybe then you will be more comfortable.”

Harry was quite sure the heat from his face was going to cause the table in front of them to burst into flames at any moment.

“Well,” Fleur started as she wobbled unsteadily in her attempt to stand up. “I must find my ‘usband. Eet is getting late, and I wish to go home. Have a good evening, ‘arry. Gabrielle will be staying with us tomorrow if you would like to stop by and ask to be her escort properly, or you can wait until the wedding. I know you will be quite busy.”

Before Harry could even start to answer, Fleur bent down awkwardly and pecked him on the cheek before walking into the deepening darkness. Her shimmering hair and bulging belly made it difficult for her to get lost in the silhouettes.

Harry was just thinking that perhaps he should head back to his room when another silhouette broke away and headed for him. He knew instantly who it was and he took a deep breath, although he didn’t know why, as she approached.

“Hi Harry,”

“Hello,” That was such a terrifically lame thing to say. Why couldn’t he think of something suave?

“Where’s Teddy?” Ginny asked.

“Oh he and Andromeda headed home right after dinner,” Harry replied.

“You’re really terrific with him, you know?”

Harry grinned. “He’s easy.”

“Maybe, but your good with Tori too. I think maybe you’re just good dad material.”

“Maybe,” Harry agreed reluctantly

“So, are you taking Ron out tomorrow night?”

Harry’s grin disappeared. “Um…why do you ask?”

“Well because if you are, then someone needs to distract Hermione. You know how she feels about that kind of stuff. But if your not, then I don’t have worry about some lame thing to keep Hermione busy tomorrow night.”

“Uh, well…I mean it’s just a few drinks, and …”

“I don’t need details, okay?” Ginny interrupted. “Yes or no, to the distracting Hermione thing is good enough”

“Yes.” Harry nodded.

Ginny nodded in reply.

“Why are you helping?” Harry finally asked.

“Because it’s my brother, and he should live it up a little. A little, mind you, but he’s only going to get married this one time. I don’t want him and Hermione rowing on their wedding day, and really I think she’s blowing the whole stag night thing out of proportion. I know you wouldn’t let Ron get himself into any real trouble. Can I trust that if I help you, that you won’t let anything upsetting happen?”

“Of course, Ginny,” Harry said sincerely.

“Good.” Ginny plopped unceremoniously down in the chair beside him and appeared to want to chew her fingernails for a minute before she sat on both her hands. Harry was momentarily distracted by the leg showing at the bottom of her mini-skirt as she sat down. “Can you believe it’s taken them this long to finally get married?”

“I think I can understand. We’ve been so busy the last few years. Ron and I in Auror training, it’s not like they saw each other that much. It’ll be interesting to see how they survive since neither of them like to do household chores and Ron’s become rather reliant on Kreacher.”

“How is Kreacher?” Ginny asked

“Oh, you know, slightly barmy, but always exceedingly cheerful as long as there’s plenty to do.”

“I really don’t know. I’ve heard all of you talking about him, but I’ve only seen him a couple of times since …well, it’s just hard to picture him as being really friendly.”

“He still has a foul mouth at times, but he really is a very nice elf. Sometimes I wish he wasn’t quite so dedicated.”

“Is Hermione still trying to free him?” Ginny asked.

“Of course,” Harry shrugged helplessly. “I don’t know what to do about it. He wails inconsolably whenever anybody talks about giving him clothes. I’d much rather pay him to be honest, or let some other family pay him. He’s going to be a lot of elf, when it’s just me.”

“Do you really have more free time? I mean now that you’re out of the Auror academy?”

Harry shrugged again, feeling daft. “I guess eventually, I spend a lot of time at work. It’s six days on, and my only off day I spend with Teddy. I’ve been putting in a lot of training hours after my shift. McKinnon says that I’m going to either get killed or get Higgins killed during this first year. I’m trying to prove him wrong.”

“When do I get to meet this mysterious Higgins?”

“Probably on Saturday, Ron couldn’t very well not invite my partner to the wedding, could he?” Harry replied.

“I was just curious, if, you know, you might be around more. I’ve hardly seen you…well for a long time…and” Ginny was staggering through the question in obvious discomfort.

Harry stopped her. “I honestly don’t know.” He’d like nothing more than to see more of Ginny Weasley, but he didn’t need the distraction. He really didn’t want to get Higgins killed this year. And then there was the promise…

“Oh,” The stony mask that Ginny had worn around him all the time broke for a moment and she frowned in the moonlight. She quickly recovered. “So what was Fleur badgering you about earlier?”

Harry felt himself blush slightly. “Er, she was trying to set me up with her sister.”

“Gabrielle?” Ginny asked inhaling sharply.

“That’s the one.” Harry nodded.

“So, when are you two going out?”

Harry raised an eyebrow at her. “We’re not. It’s just Fleur. She’s always got some scheme to find a woman for me. You’d think nobody could ever be happy by themselves to hear her tell it.”

Ginny scoffed. “It isn’t like you of all people need help. You could have pretty much any girl you wanted. All you’d have to do is ask.”

“Right, because I have such a history as a ladies man.” Harry laughed.

“Harry girls literally fall all over each other trying to get a single evening with you. If you wanted to have a fling it’d be easy enough. If you wanted… something more substantial, I don’t reckon it’d be that hard to find that either.”

Harry was not prepared to have this conversation, with this girl. He decided to shift subjects. “Well what about you. You must have the men lining up.”

Ginny shrugged. “It’s not like that.”

“What’s it like then?”

“I just, I don’t want to get tangled up with some guy in case things change.”

“Things?”

Ginny shot him a look with such anger, and pain behind it he didn’t know what to make of it. “Yes. THINGS.”

They sat in an uncomfortable silence. Harry wasn’t stupid, she was clearly waiting for something from him. After five years she was still waiting. Such a stupid promise, he really was an idiot.

“It’s just that,” Ginny started hesitantly. “I know you broke up with me at Dumbledore’s funeral. So I get it, we weren’t a couple anymore. I thought I understood what you were trying to do. You didn’t have time to think about a girlfriend because you were trying to stop Voldemort. I wish I could have gone with you, girlfriend or no, but I wasn’t of age and my tracker, would have made it impossible for me to do magic and stay hidden. So I was resigned to going back to Hogwarts and waiting. It was hard, but it wasn’t exactly a time when people were going to be going and finding new people to fall in love with, when anyone could be a Death Eater. Nobody trusted anybody. Then Fred was killed at Hogwarts, and Tonks and Lupin, and, God, I was a mess. I know how much you hate crying women Harry, I do, but I couldn’t help it. You were so good, that whole summer, I could never have gotten through it without you. I’d have had a break down or something. But you were always there, every day, I just got used to it. I mean I we never kissed or anything, but you held my hand when I needed it, you hugged me when I needed it, and you told me exactly what I needed to hear, when I needed to hear it. I never expected you could be so... I mean you had your own stuff you were going through, and I was so focused on what I had lost. But I thought we’d gotten closer. Then I left for school and you turned into a ghost. Your letters became strictly utilitarian. I’d hoped maybe you come for a Hogsmeade weekend, but nope. They finally let me leave Hogwarts I hoped you might want to see me, but it’s been two years. It’s like you’re avoiding me.” Ginny hugged herself, the goose pimples shining in the moonlight.

She didn’t look at him throughout her narration. Ginny was watching the tablecloth. Harry was at a loss for what to say. “Ginny, I’ve never forgotten. I wanted to see you, but I just can’t.”

“Why?” she asked turning to face him. Her eyes glistening even in the low light.

“I just can’t.”

“That’s not good enough, Harry. I need to know why. Do you not feel anything for me anymore? Is that it?”

“No, that’s not it. It’s just a promise is a promise, and I can’t.”

“Never?” Ginny asked in exasperation.

Harry nodded.

“What the hell kind of promise did you make?” Ginny demanded.

“I …I can’t say.” That was a lie, he could say, he just couldn’t bear to say.

“Why can’t you say?” Ginny persisted.

“I just can’t.” Harry sighed deeply. “Look I’ll meet you after the wedding, and I’ll tell you everything, I promise.” Why do I keep making promises? “But I can’t tell you right now.”

Ginny glared at him. “Everything?”

“Well everything about this,” Harry replied, now positive he’d made another huge mistake. At least Ron would be on his honeymoon and Ginny would have some time to cool down.

“It better be good.”

Harry raised his hands helplessly. “I can only promise the truth.”

“Will you stop avoiding me until then?”

“I haven’t been avoiding you,” Harry replied defensively.

She quirked an eyebrow at him. “The truth, remember?”

“It’s true, I really have been insanely busy. I’ve mostly not been avoiding you. It’s not like you’re so easy to track down. You spend more time locked in Gringotts then my gold.”

“Well you’re going to know where I am all day tomorrow and Saturday. I expect you to talk to me, and to look me in the eye until you tell me whatever your deep dark secret is.”

“All right,” Harry replied groaning internally. Looking Ginny in the eye was like throwing lit matches at a pile of dynamite, eventually something explosive was going to happen and if you were lucky, all you’d be missing is a few fingers.

Ginny grinned. “And you’ll dance with me at the wedding?”

“What?” Harry sputtered. “How does that have anything to do with this?” Dancing was definitely a bad idea, holding Ginny Weasley was even more dangerous than looking at her.

“Harry?” Ginny said warningly.

“But that’s completely off the topic!”

“You promised to stop being a prat, or whatever it is, until you’d tell me the truth. If you’re not going to dance with me at the wedding, then I want the truth now.”

“Okay, okay, I’ll dance with you at the wedding. Any other riders you want to attach to this agreement.” Harry replied irritably.

Ginny gave him the most mischievous grin he’d seen from her since they’d stopped being a couple. “I’m sure I’ll think of something.” She replied before leaning over and kissing him lightly on the cheek. She giggled before jumping up and dashing towards the house. “Night Harry!” she called over her shoulder.

Clearly this was going to be trouble.