Challenge February 2012: The Best Advice
Title: The Best Advice
Words: 969
Prompt: Blackout! :D
Rating: PG-13
Characters/Pairings: Arthur/Molly, Bill/Fleur, Charlie/?, Percy/Audrey, George/Luna, Ron/Hermione
Summary: Not knowing what to give Ginny for Valentine's Day, Harry asks his family for help.
Author’s Notes: Thank you to miss_daizy for her awesome beta-ing! Happy Valentine's Day Y'all! :)
Harry didn't have a clue about Valentine's Day. He hadn't planned anything until Hermione informed him he'd get in trouble with Ginny for ignoring their first Valentine's Day together. Harry supposed Hermione would know, since she's a girl.
Ron didn't want Harry stealing his brilliant idea for Hermione's gift and wouldn't discuss it, the prat. Harry was certain it wasn't perfume, given how Ron's last attempt with *that* gesture was received. Harry couldn't believe Ron gave Hermione black perfume that would have been appropriately named "Eau de Troll Farts".
Harry's only experience with Valentine's Day was his absolutely disastrous date with Cho. Madam Puddifoot's was as evil as Voldemort with red tablecloths instead of red eyes, and stupid cupids throwing heart-shaped confetti like Bellatrix casting Cruciatus. Harry could still taste the parchment hearts in his coffee. He remembered with horror the fluffy pink baskets on the red tables filled with pink candy hearts proclaiming "Be Mine" in red writing. Pink and red should be outlawed as a color combination. Honestly.
Harry needed help, and for once, Ron and Hermione weren't providing it. Too embarrassed to ask Mr-er Arthur, he asked Bill. Having married a part-Veela, Bill must know about romance, and Valentine's Day, and things, right?
"I'm sending Fleur a dozen roses and making her dinner-Fleur's mum owled the recipes for her favorite foods. We'll use the good china and candles and have French chocolates for dessert."
Bill's idea sounded romantic, but Harry didn't know how to cook anything and didn't own china or candles, except for the creepy stuff in the attic of Grimmauld Place, so he asked Charlie what he was planning for his Valentine's Day date.
"You aren't doing that to my baby sister, Potter!"
Harry asked Percy next, as surprisingly, he'd also managed to get married.
"Audrey treasures the love letters I wrote her during the war when we were forced to be apart. A poem would be acceptable, too, if that's more your style."
Percy was more relaxed since his wedding. Harry considered Percy's advice and attempted poetry.
You are my true love.
You fly like a dove.
We are soulmates.
We need to go on lots of dates.
I enjoy your affection.
What in bloody hell rhymes with affection?
Harry's poem was utter shite, so he asked George for ideas.
"Harry, my boy! Here's our adult products catalogue. Tap your wand on each product and a moving illustration appears to demonstrate how everything works. I highly recommended the edible body paint."
At least George would never beat him up for anything he might or might not do with Ginny.
Harry decided he was going about things the wrong way. To discover what Ginny wanted, he needed to ask other women, not her brothers.
Fleur said, "When Beel and I were flirting at work, he pretended to be my secret admirer. Zat was very sexy. Jewellery is always an excellent gift. Or dancing-it iz ze way to make love in public!"
While Harry wanted to make love to Ginny more than anything, he figured it might be best to do it in private first. He asked Audrey.
"Flowers are nice occasionally, but I just enjoy spending time alone with Percy, no matter what we're doing."
Good advice. Harry certainly enjoyed spending time with Ginny, but he had another person to ask.
"George likes it when I sing to him." Luna began singing something about fools and blibbering humdingers, finally crooning, "'I can't help falling in love with you.' If I don't know all the words I just make them up."
"You sing beautifully, Luna, but I can't carry a tune in a cauldron."
Luna beamed at Harry's compliment. "I didn't mean you should sing, Harry. George likes my singing, but I don't think Ginny would like yours very much. Don't give Ginny something 'women' want. Give her something she wants that's just for her. Showing her you know her would be the best Valentine's Day present."
Harry hugged Luna. He knew exactly what to do for Ginny.
~*~
Early on Valentine's Day, Ginny Flooed to Grimmauld Place. Harry caught her before she lost her balance, and kissed her deeply. "Happy Valentine's Day, Ginny," he whispered.
Ginny responded, "Happy Valentine's Day, Harry," and kissed him again.
Before they settled into a lengthy snog, Harry pulled back from their embrace and gave Ginny an envelope.
Ginny immediately ripped it open. Upon seeing the contents, she shrieked. "Harry! I thought the Harpies/Kestrels Valentine's Match was sold out! Nobody can get tickets!"
Harry blushed, "I used the whole 'Man-who-Defeated-Voldemort' thing. Shall we go?"
The day was cloudy but not terribly cold. Harry and Ginny cuddled under a blanket in their seats anyway. The stadium was packed, the match was exciting, and the Harpies won.
Afterwards, Harry and Ginny wandered through the fields of heather holding hands rather than waiting in line at the Apparition point to leave the stadium. With a clap of thunder, the clouds burst open, soaking Harry and Ginny in seconds. They ran through the rain, arriving drenched at the Apparition point, which no longer had a line.
When they returned to Grimmauld Place, wet to the skin, Ginny pulled her sodden jumper over her head and threw it on the rug in front of the fire. Her sopping tee shirt clung to her form, and Harry eyed her appreciatively.
Ginny smirked, "Like what you see, Potter? I'm thinking the 'Man-Who-Defeated-Voldemort' got us caught in the rain on purpose."
Harry chuckled, "That only works for tickets, not rain."
"It's time for your present." Ginny wrapped her arms around Harry, pressing her body against his. "Mum thinks I'm spending the night at Luna's, so I don't have to leave."
"You mean . . .?"
Ginny nodded, smiling.
"Remind me to thank Luna for the best advice ever."
Words: 969
Prompt: Blackout! :D
Rating: PG-13
Characters/Pairings: Arthur/Molly, Bill/Fleur, Charlie/?, Percy/Audrey, George/Luna, Ron/Hermione
Summary: Not knowing what to give Ginny for Valentine's Day, Harry asks his family for help.
Author’s Notes: Thank you to miss_daizy for her awesome beta-ing! Happy Valentine's Day Y'all! :)
Harry didn't have a clue about Valentine's Day. He hadn't planned anything until Hermione informed him he'd get in trouble with Ginny for ignoring their first Valentine's Day together. Harry supposed Hermione would know, since she's a girl.
Ron didn't want Harry stealing his brilliant idea for Hermione's gift and wouldn't discuss it, the prat. Harry was certain it wasn't perfume, given how Ron's last attempt with *that* gesture was received. Harry couldn't believe Ron gave Hermione black perfume that would have been appropriately named "Eau de Troll Farts".
Harry's only experience with Valentine's Day was his absolutely disastrous date with Cho. Madam Puddifoot's was as evil as Voldemort with red tablecloths instead of red eyes, and stupid cupids throwing heart-shaped confetti like Bellatrix casting Cruciatus. Harry could still taste the parchment hearts in his coffee. He remembered with horror the fluffy pink baskets on the red tables filled with pink candy hearts proclaiming "Be Mine" in red writing. Pink and red should be outlawed as a color combination. Honestly.
Harry needed help, and for once, Ron and Hermione weren't providing it. Too embarrassed to ask Mr-er Arthur, he asked Bill. Having married a part-Veela, Bill must know about romance, and Valentine's Day, and things, right?
"I'm sending Fleur a dozen roses and making her dinner-Fleur's mum owled the recipes for her favorite foods. We'll use the good china and candles and have French chocolates for dessert."
Bill's idea sounded romantic, but Harry didn't know how to cook anything and didn't own china or candles, except for the creepy stuff in the attic of Grimmauld Place, so he asked Charlie what he was planning for his Valentine's Day date.
"You aren't doing that to my baby sister, Potter!"
Harry asked Percy next, as surprisingly, he'd also managed to get married.
"Audrey treasures the love letters I wrote her during the war when we were forced to be apart. A poem would be acceptable, too, if that's more your style."
Percy was more relaxed since his wedding. Harry considered Percy's advice and attempted poetry.
You are my true love.
You fly like a dove.
We are soulmates.
We need to go on lots of dates.
I enjoy your affection.
What in bloody hell rhymes with affection?
Harry's poem was utter shite, so he asked George for ideas.
"Harry, my boy! Here's our adult products catalogue. Tap your wand on each product and a moving illustration appears to demonstrate how everything works. I highly recommended the edible body paint."
At least George would never beat him up for anything he might or might not do with Ginny.
Harry decided he was going about things the wrong way. To discover what Ginny wanted, he needed to ask other women, not her brothers.
Fleur said, "When Beel and I were flirting at work, he pretended to be my secret admirer. Zat was very sexy. Jewellery is always an excellent gift. Or dancing-it iz ze way to make love in public!"
While Harry wanted to make love to Ginny more than anything, he figured it might be best to do it in private first. He asked Audrey.
"Flowers are nice occasionally, but I just enjoy spending time alone with Percy, no matter what we're doing."
Good advice. Harry certainly enjoyed spending time with Ginny, but he had another person to ask.
"George likes it when I sing to him." Luna began singing something about fools and blibbering humdingers, finally crooning, "'I can't help falling in love with you.' If I don't know all the words I just make them up."
"You sing beautifully, Luna, but I can't carry a tune in a cauldron."
Luna beamed at Harry's compliment. "I didn't mean you should sing, Harry. George likes my singing, but I don't think Ginny would like yours very much. Don't give Ginny something 'women' want. Give her something she wants that's just for her. Showing her you know her would be the best Valentine's Day present."
Harry hugged Luna. He knew exactly what to do for Ginny.
~*~
Early on Valentine's Day, Ginny Flooed to Grimmauld Place. Harry caught her before she lost her balance, and kissed her deeply. "Happy Valentine's Day, Ginny," he whispered.
Ginny responded, "Happy Valentine's Day, Harry," and kissed him again.
Before they settled into a lengthy snog, Harry pulled back from their embrace and gave Ginny an envelope.
Ginny immediately ripped it open. Upon seeing the contents, she shrieked. "Harry! I thought the Harpies/Kestrels Valentine's Match was sold out! Nobody can get tickets!"
Harry blushed, "I used the whole 'Man-who-Defeated-Voldemort' thing. Shall we go?"
The day was cloudy but not terribly cold. Harry and Ginny cuddled under a blanket in their seats anyway. The stadium was packed, the match was exciting, and the Harpies won.
Afterwards, Harry and Ginny wandered through the fields of heather holding hands rather than waiting in line at the Apparition point to leave the stadium. With a clap of thunder, the clouds burst open, soaking Harry and Ginny in seconds. They ran through the rain, arriving drenched at the Apparition point, which no longer had a line.
When they returned to Grimmauld Place, wet to the skin, Ginny pulled her sodden jumper over her head and threw it on the rug in front of the fire. Her sopping tee shirt clung to her form, and Harry eyed her appreciatively.
Ginny smirked, "Like what you see, Potter? I'm thinking the 'Man-Who-Defeated-Voldemort' got us caught in the rain on purpose."
Harry chuckled, "That only works for tickets, not rain."
"It's time for your present." Ginny wrapped her arms around Harry, pressing her body against his. "Mum thinks I'm spending the night at Luna's, so I don't have to leave."
"You mean . . .?"
Ginny nodded, smiling.
"Remind me to thank Luna for the best advice ever."