If I’m not going to sleep, at least I can get some work done.
He pulled out a pile of folders, full of parchment that had clearly been hastily stuffed into them. He blinked the fatigue from his eyes, preparing to make sense of what had been the clutter on his desk that morning. Taking a last look into the chest, just to be sure he hadn’t left any folders, his eyes froze as they landed on brown leather. He reached in and laid their scrapbook on his lap, glancing with a smile at Ginny.
Thanks, Gin. This is a much more meaningful way to spend this night.
He gently turned over the cover, realizing that he hadn’t seen it since Ginny had unwrapped it the morning after their wedding. He smiled at the first page, ‘The Potter Family Album’ written in Ginny’s handwriting above a large picture. Squinting in the dark, Harry wasn’t able to make it out. He glanced at his wife and realized it would take far more than a little light to wake her now.
“Lumos.” Harry’s wand lit, spilling light onto the page. His throat constricted. He watched himself stride into the Gryffindor common room as Ginny, still in her Quidditch robes, ran into the frame and threw her arms around him. Their first kiss played out before him. Moments after they left together, the scene began again. After watching it four times, he noticed a note taped below it.
Ginny,
When I developed this, I set it aside to give to you for Christmas.
With everything that has happened, I almost changed my mind.
But I know you, Gin. I know he’s out there fighting like hell to
make a world where people like the two of you can be happy.
I hope this picture reminds you of happier times. They will come
again. Keep your chin up, we will win this.
Happy Christmas,
Colin
Harry stared at Colin’s signature, emotions coursing over him. He glanced again at his wife.
I had no idea about this. Maybe I’m too emotional to be looking at this right now.
She let out a little snore, and Harry almost laughed.
Nice, Gin. Thanks for the sympathy.
Deciding to embrace bravery, he turned the page. “VOLDEMORT DEFEATED!” the front page of the Daily Prophet declared. Harry shook his head, skimming the story. His eyes flicked to the paper’s date: Sunday, May 24, 1998.
Almost five years ago. Seems like so much more…His eyes again settled on Ginny. And so much less.
The next few pages displayed pictures from the award ceremonies following the war, as well as funerals and memorials. A few more page turns revealed their graduation letters and N.E.W.T. scores, with pictures from their final year at Hogwarts scattered throughout. The next few pages had no pictures, just letters that Harry hadn’t seen in almost four years.
DATE: 1 July, 1999
APPLICANT NAME: Harry James Potter
We have considered your application based on your
examinations and interviews; please note that we have
determined the following.
On behalf of the British Auror Academy and the Ministry of
Magic, we are pleased to offer you a place in our training
program, for the year beginning 1 August, 1999. This is a three
year program leading to certification as a fully accredited Auror.
Your place in the program is subject to annual reconsideration
based on satisfactory completion of the training program
requirements.
As a member of our institution, you will be expected to
satisfactorily perform all requirements of the training program as
described in the Trainee Manual. The award of a certificate of
satisfactory completion of the program is conditional upon
meeting all program requirements at the time of award.
You will also be expected to follow Academy policies and
procedures. The Academy and the Ministry of Magic reserve the
right to modify these policies.
We look forward to your joining us. Your response of intent to
attend is expected within two weeks, after which you will
receive extensive orientation materials. I encourage you to
familiarize yourself with this information.
Sincerely,
Auror Gawain Robards
Interim Director, British Auror Academy
Harry smiled at the next letter, brushing his fingers over the embossed parchment stationary stamped ‘Office of the Minister of Magic’.
Harry,
I can’t tell you how thrilled I was to hear that you’ll be at the
Academy this year. As you surely know, I have more respect for
you than many seasoned Aurors. Between us, this includes the
fine men and women currently running the program that you are
now enrolled in. We’re still in the process of restructuring both
the Auror Department and the Academy.
Which brings me to the reason for this letter. I have a proposal
for you. As a trainee, you will be in the perfect place to assess
the quality and effectiveness of the Academy. I’d like you to be
an advisor to me in this area. If you are interested, I would also
ask that you apply your research to an assessment of the Auror
Department, assisting in the development of a more functional
structure.
I realize I’m asking a lot, and I ask that you only accept if this is
something you would be interested in being a part of. Stop by my
office this week and we’ll discuss it.
Thank you Harry, and enjoy your last days of freedom!
Kingsley
Harry smiled, marveling at Ginny’s forethought. This letter marked one of the milestones of his life, and he hadn’t even wondered what had happened to it.
Just one more reason that I couldn’t live without you. He took a moment to gaze at his wife, motionless on the bed, completely silent except for the deep hum of the life-monitoring charms.
Ginny’s invitation to join the Holyhead Harpies was followed by several pages of magazine clippings scattered amongst pictures that captured her in action. Page by page, Harry’s smile slowly returned.
The pictures from her nineteenth birthday made Harry pause. He watched himself standing sheepishly behind Ginny as she not-so-subtly flashed her new ring. The scene flipped and bounced, finally settling to show Molly’s bottom half running into the frame to hug them, the camera forgotten. The next page displayed a clipping from The Quibbler.
Ginevra Weasley and Harry Potter
Arthur and Molly Weasley of Ottery St. Catchpole are pleased to
announce the engagement of their daughter, Ginevra Molly
Weasley, to Harry James Potter, son of James and Lily Potter.
Ginevra, Ginny to her friends and fans, graduated from
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in 1999. Upon
graduation, she was immediately recruited to the Holyhead
Harpies. She is currently a starting chaser for the team, already
in the top five scorers in the league and leading the pack in
assists. When asked if getting married meant hanging up her
robes, she just winked and gave the following statement:
“Let’s just say that all discussions of when in what
manner I decide to hang up my robes will be taking place
privately between Harry and I.” Mr. Potter only blushed,
presumably having nothing to add.
Harry has shouldered many titles, from the Boy-Who-Lived to the
Chosen One, from Undesirable Number One to Savior of the
Wizarding World. He graduated from Hogwarts School of
Witchcraft and Wizardry in 1999, a little over a year after
defeating the dark wizard Voldemort. The following summer he
enrolled at the British Auror Academy, scoring top marks in his
class. He has recently completed his two year training course
and is currently serving his apprentice year, after which he will
be a certified Auror.
Harry & Ginny were engaged on August 11, 2000 and are
planning a late December wedding next year. We at
The Quibbler wish them all the happiness in the world.
Harry flipped pages, watching another year of their lives flash past.
And then it was their wedding. The invitation and program were offset with pictures from the day. One held Harry’s attention for several minutes; he watched Ginny step out of the Burrow and slowly walk past, beaming as her eyes locked onto someone behind the camera.
Merlin, and she was smiling like that for me.
He looked over at her, unmoving in the bed next to him. Brushing a hand across her cheek, he sighed again.
We’ll get through this. I know you’re strong enough. Let’s hope I am.
Looking down, he realized that enough light was coming through the window that he no longer needed his wand. He checked the clock as he extinguished the light, it was 5:43.
Turning his attention back to the album, he flipped past several articles about cases he’d worked on, finally stopping as he hit the letter from St. Mungo’s.
27 July, 2002
OFFICIAL DOCUMENT
This document verifies that the tests performed on
GINEVRA M WEASLEY on the above date had the
following results.
POSITIVE
Please note that an appointment has been made for follow up
tests on
Monday, 11 November at 9:00AM.
Harry swallowed, remembering his reaction when Ginny had shown him this. It had been the evening of his birthday. He hadn’t even known she had gone to be tested.
11 November, 2002
OFFICIAL DOCUMENT
This document verifies that the tests performed on
GINEVRA M WEASLEY on the above date had the
following results.
CBC “ NORMAL
VIRAL SCREEN “ NEGATIVE
IMMUNITY SCREEN “ NORMAL
FETUS IS MALE
DUE DATE: 30 MARCH, 2003
Ginny’s sharp intake of breath made Harry jump to his feet, the album sliding to the floor. She moaned, and he reached to stroke her hair. Her eyes flew open and latched onto Harry as she took several calming breaths.
“Good morning, beautiful.” She shot him a look of disbelief as she tried to sit up. “Stay down, let the potion finish wearing off before you move.”
“Wisely spoken,” said a tall healer as she entered the room. “You don’t know how many witches fall right off the bed after sleeping through contractions. Let’s see if you’re any closer.” She waved her wand over Ginny several times, then smiled at them. “Well, Mr. and Mrs. Potter, I’d say you’re going to have a baby today.”
Ginny let out a breath in relief. Even as she squeezed his hand in pain, she beamed at him. “Harry, he’s coming. James is coming.”