Happy Radish Love to everyone!
Author: ebilgatoloco
Recipient: the community
Title: Time Well Spent
Rating: R
Warnings/additional pairings: Sexual Situations, Ron/Hermione; Neville/Ginny; former Harry/Ginny
Summary: When you look for love, you will only find what you think you want. If you let it find you, you may discover something you never knew existed.
Word Count: Approximately 9,500
Disclaimer: All Harry Potter characters herein are the property of J.K. Rowling and Bloomsbury/Scholastic. No copyright infringement is intended. All chracters engaging in sexual activity are sixteen years or older.
Author's Notes: Thanks to tailoredshirt for her patience and understanding as a mod. Furthermore, thanks to my beta that is critical but kind with her words and opinions. And lastly, my apologies for the rushed like ending.
Time Well Spent
After he defeated Voldemort, Harry Potter had a rather small list of goals he wanted to accomplish with the remainder of his life: marry Ginny and settle down in a quiet town to live a simple life. Unfortunately, even the best of plans tend to fall apart.
At the age of seventeen, everyone expected Harry to become an Auror and live happily ever after. And as everyone had expected of him, he started dating Ginny Weasley again right after the war. Except, being Ginny Weasley's boyfriend wasn't exactly what Harry expected. All those nights of wandering the countryside with Hermione, staring at the Marauder's Map for Ginny's dot and the dreams he had of being with her, quickly fell apart under the scrutiny of the public eye and the vicious words of Rita Skeeter.
They had a couple of blissful months right after the war in which everything was fine and dandy. Everyone was too busy picking up the pieces of their own lives to worry about the Chosen One.
And as it often tends to happen around wartime, a flurry of marriages and engagements happened right after the defeat of Voldemort; however, while Harry wanted to marry Ginny, he didn't feel the need to hurry up the process. But then Ginny began hinting about marriage and their future together. It didn't help that Ron and Hermione happened to be one of those couples that got engaged only weeks after the war ended.
Harry found it odd that while he felt he should have been jumping on the bandwagon with all the other couples that paired up or married right after the war, deep inside of him, instinct, or perhaps self-preservation, kept him from proposing to the redhead.
Slowly but surely, Harry began to question his ambitions. Did he really want to be an Auror? He'd had enough of that for a lifetime, and truthfully, if it hadn't been for Hermione's knowledge he wouldn't have been able to beat Voldemort all by himself. Further, did he really want to live a simple life in a quiet town? Would Ginny want that? Was Ginny the one he wanted to marry? It wasn't that he didn't love her. He just doubted that they shared a vision of their future together.
Instead of joining the Aurors, Harry had chosen to take a year off to discover himself and explore his career choices because fighting evil for seven years had a toll on the young man, and he wasn't sure he wanted to continue doing that. Let someone else deal with the bad guys for a change.
Harry had also taken his NEWTs early during the clean up of the Ministry of Magic instead of going back to Hogwarts to finish his seventh year. Ginny had frowned on this and pouted that they'd just end up spending more time apart when they could have finished school together.
Furthermore, Harry shied away from the limelight and the perks of being a hero. He didn't want monetary compensation from random strangers or the Ministry for helping to get rid of Voldemort. It had been, after all, predestined many years before that he'd be the one to defeat Tom Riddle.
And the ultimate crime in Ginny's eyes was when Harry spoke in defense of Narcissa and Draco Malfoy during their trials at the Wizengamot. Ginny felt it was an insult to speak in favor of vile "pureblood scum." Harry frowned upon her refusal to forgive and forget. She always seemed quick to remind him of the past transgressions of the Malfoy family and couldn't seem to understand why he had kept them out of Azkaban.
"They deserved to rot in there, Harry!"
"No, Ginny, they didn't. Lucius, yes, but not Narcissa or Draco."
"Well, you didn't have to go and save them you know! Now we'll have to keep putting up with their lot for years to come. Their line could have just died with Draco."
"Ginny! You don't mean that!" he angrily murmured.
"You're wrong Harry Potter! I do! And you can't tell me what I mean or not," she screamed before Apparating away while Harry angrily kicked the wall.
After a year of dating, their relationship came to an end when he and the youngest Weasley got into a row about marriage, Ginny waiting for him, and Harry not living up to the expectations everyone else had of him as the Savior of the wizarding world.
The day came when she demanded in front of her family during the weekly Weasley Sunday brunch if he had any plans of them marrying, and Harry had stared at her angrily for confronting him so publicly.
"This isn't the appropriate time for this Ginny," he cautioned.
"Oh well, when would be a more appropriate time, Harry? I left Hogwarts a week ago, and I thought the time apart would be ok, but it's not. I love you Harry Potter, but you don't seem to love me back the same!" the red head replied scathingly.
"Ginny, it's not as simple as that."
"Well, why don't you elaborate?" she spat angrily.
He scowled at the young girl, and pushed his chair back. "Ginevra Weasley, cornering me into proposing isn't very Gryffindor of you. You know better than anyone else how much I hate to be manipulated. I'm going home to Grimmauld Place. If you wish to speak civilly to me about our relationship you're welcomed to visit. Excuse me, Mrs. Weasley, Mr. Weasley."
Harry nodded to the rest of the Weasley family, and stomped into the Burrow so he could Floo home. As he threw the powder into the fireplace, he saw Ginny storm past him and up the stairs into her room followed closely by her mother. The youngest redhead scowled at him while the oldest grimaced slightly. He began to feel a bit guilty but he knew that this was not how he wanted their future to begin so he went to his old and lonely home.
A week passed in which he didn't allow himself to think of her before Harry received a letter from Ginny. Her letter stated that she was not going to apologize for voicing her thoughts. She still stood by her belief that enough time had gone by for him to make up his mind, and that she wouldn't wait for him forever.
Harry sadly folded the letter and wrote that they should meet to talk soon. He asked her to choose a place and time, and he'd be there. He received a prompt reply:
Hogsmeade, Our Tree
Saturday, 3 p.m
Ginny
When Harry arrived at what he so fondly called "their tree" he found Ginny already waiting for him. He walked up to the young woman he had been in love with for the past couple of years, and saw tears in her eyes. Guilt ran through his blood, but Harry still stood by his belief that he didn't want to be manipulated into marrying. She welcomed him with a warm embrace and a short peck on the lips before sitting down at the base of the tree, pulling him down with her. They sat in contemplative silence for a while before Harry spoke, "Gin, I'm sorry about our fight last week. It wasn't my intention to make you cry. "
"It's ok Harry, I forgive you."
They sat in quiet companionship before she spoke again, "I've had some time to think and talk about our relationship with Hermione."
"Hermione?"
"Yes, Hermione."
"Why?"
"Because she's our friend, and cares about both of us and our happiness whether we are together or not. She can be objective you know."
"Right."
Taking a deep sigh, Ginny put her head on his shoulder before continuing, "Harry, do you know why I've been pushing for us to get married?"
"Not really. We're only eighteen and seventeen and we have a whole future ahead of us. Frankly, I don't think either one of us is ready for that sort of commitment given our tempers and stubbornness. I don't want us to jump into something ill prepared only for it to fall apart later. I love you, Ginny but I can't marry you right now. I'm sorry."
"But Harry, that's exactly why we should get married now! Everyone else has gotten married or is engaged."
"I'm sorry, Ginny, but I can't give you that," Harry murmured into her hair, as she sobbed quietly. After a couple of minutes in which neither one said anything, Harry thought about the life they could have had together. His heart ached for the loss of what could have been.
He was just about to take his words back when Ginny pulled away and looked into his eyes and said, "I understand. I always have, Harry Potter."
Then she gave him a last kiss, stood up, and smiled sadly at him before she turned around walking away from him forever.
***
Harry woke up to the small pitter-patter of feet outside his bedroom door, and the screaming of his newborn daughter down the hall. He could also hear the soft, melodic voice of his wife singing to their child. He rolled on his stomach and felt the side on which his beautiful wife slept in; it was warm. She must have woken up a couple of minutes before he did. He hugged the pillow she used close to him and inhaled the sweet scent that made her unique. Harry smiled lazily before he decided to get up and help her with their brood. It was a Saturday but he knew he wasn't going to be able to sleep in. Merlin knew he hadn't had a single weekend of lazing about ever since he married his wife unlike Ron. Harry still couldn't figure out how Ron convinced Hermione to let him sleep in on Saturdays every weekend for the past three years of their marriage.
After finishing his morning routine and dressing, he walked down to the small kitchen of his humble home. He felt his chest swell with pride at the domestic picture before him:
His seven-year old daughter, Sophie, a miniature version of her mother, was squashing her breakfast with a spoon and turning it into an unsightly glob. He wasn't sure he wanted to know what her breakfast was supposed to have been though by the stack of pancakes in the middle of the table he assumed it had once been fluffy bread. His four-year old son, Mika, was currently drawing on the table with the crayons Hermione had bestowed upon him as a gift for his birthday last month, his innate magic was making the pictures move at random intervals. His wife stood at the kitchen sink staring at the dark weather outside.
"Harry, you're up," her airy voice mentioned as if it were a surprise he was up at all.
"I made breakfast," she added a minute later as he sat down, waving a hand vaguely at the pile of pancakes.
"Thanks, love," he answered while grabbing his breakfast and pouring an unhealthy amount of syrup on top. He happily dug into his food, washing it down with a cuppa. If he had married Ginny she would surely have been fretting over his health and reprimanding him over his sugar intake like she often did with her own husband, Neville. But Luna seemed to be much more subtle in her worries. Whenever she thought he had too much sugar, Luna would just switch her cooking to healthier foods. It annoyed him but considering he didn't cook, Luna told him he had no room to complain. Not that he ever did.
"It's nice outside, should we go on a picnic today?" she asked him as he helped Mika with a forkful. Harry turned around and stared blankly at the grey clouds. He knew better than to question his wife's motives after nine years of marriage but it truly looked like it was going to rain, and the children had just gotten over Dragon Pox two weeks ago. It would figure that the Potter children would contract a disease that was almost non-existent during their family holiday to Romania. It had been quite an experience explaining to the Healers why his children had contracted Dragon Pox but not their baby. And it had been quite the eye opener when Luna insisted on staying with the children at St. Mungo's, not once leaving their side, while Harry stayed at home to take care of Abby.
"I'm not sure a picnic would be appropriate, Luna. It looks like it might rain any minute."
"Don't be silly, Harry. I didn't mean outside."
"Erm…"
"We can have an inside picnic up in the attic and enjoy watching the approaching storm. Wouldn't that be nice? I'm going to go set up," she said with a finality that left Harry wondering why he hadn't seen that one coming.
He was twenty-nine years old and Harry finally had everything he had ever dreamed of having ever since he first learned he was a wizard at the age of eleven: a family, a loving wife, beautiful children, and a dead megalomaniac who had not bothered anyone for the past twelve years. Well, he hadn't wished for a wife and children at the age of eleven, but he had ardently hoped for a family of his own. And now he had it. It was small and unconventional by anyone's standards, but it was his. It had taken him a while to get here too, but he wouldn't trade the experience for all the riches in the world.
He finished the rest of his breakfast, chewing thoughtfully, considering the items they would need for their indoor picnic. They would most certainly need some ice cream. He walked over to the icebox and found it rather bereft.
"Luna! I'm going to grab some ice cream before the storm breaks loose!" he yelled up the stairs as he headed to the front door.
No response. Harry smiled to himself as he grabbed his coat. It was typical of her not to reply. He was used to it by now, and rarely forgot that whenever she went into what he tenderly called as "Lovegood Mode" she seemed to tune out the rest of the world.
Just as he was walking out the front door, Harry felt someone tug on his trousers.
"Papa, can I come with you?" Mika asked, innocent green eyes beaming up at him as he looked down.
"Of course, son."
***
Harry hadn't expected Ron to take their breakup so well, but considering that his best mate didn't want him sleeping with his little sister, Harry understood. Not that Harry had even slept with Ginny in the first place, he was a Gryffindor through and through - he wouldn't have disrespected her in such a manner.
Hermione offered him comfort and emotional support in lieu of Ron's overenthusiastic "I'm just glad you're not shagging my sister" attitude.
Even though Ron and Hermione insisted he was still welcomed at the Burrow, Harry stayed away nonetheless. Harry didn't think he was welcomed in the first place. In addition, he didn't fancy being in the same room with the brothers of his ex-girlfriend whose heart he had broken irrevocably. He valued his life and Harry may not have been actually sorted into Slytherin, but ever since the end of the war he was all about self-preservation.
And that's how Harry found himself wandering the streets of London the day after his nineteenth birthday. He had celebrated with his friends at the Leaky Cauldron where Tom offered all the drinks ordered that night on the house. He played billiards, darts, and ate happily all night. He drank Butterbeer freely, and even though he was recently single, Harry didn't feel that hollowness that he had expected after the end of their long relationship.
Instead, he laughed and joked merrily with his friends until Ginny had shown up to the pub accompanied by Neville Longbottom. Harry had felt the infamous chest monster roar a bit but then he remembered why they had broken up in the first place, and the beast within quieted down. He sat down at the bar for a while and watched his ex-girlfriend interact with his former classmate.
It was obvious that Neville cared for Ginny in a way that Harry never had. His eyes lit up whenever she looked his way and his eyesight followed her possessively around the room. And Neville rarely spent much time away from her, which Harry found amazingly ironic considering he had no problem being away from Ginny. At one point during the night, Harry and Neville both ended up standing outside the Muggle side of the Leaky enjoying a breath of fresh air. The awkwardness that surrounded them was tangible but Harry, always the Gryffindor, decided that their friendship was more important; except Harry seemed to have forgotten Neville was a Gryffindor too.
"Listen, Neville -"
"Harry, I -"
They chuckled nervously.
"You first," insisted Harry.
"Erm. Well, while you were gone during our seventh year, Ginny and I became rather close and I had always hoped that some day she'd look at me the way she looks at you. And well since you're no longer in her life, I just..." he trailed off, nervously.
"It's fine, Neville. You don't have to ask me for permission to date, Ginny," Harry found himself saying quite happily. "Ron is the one you should be worried about there, mate."
They chuckled at the memory of Ron and his temper as the tension between them dissipated.
Yet, Harry couldn't help but scowl as he saw them leave together later that night even if he had said he was fine with Neville and Ginny dating. He reached for the nearest drink to him, and gulped it down.
When the Prophet started plastering their pages with the scandal that was the love triangle between "the Heroes of Hogwarts" Harry decided he had enough. He packed a rucksack, said goodbye to Ron and Hermione, and left England. Even after taking a year off, Harry still didn't know what he wanted to do with his life so he decided to travel in order to do some deep soul searching. Ron was already working with George; Hermione was deep in her work at the Ministry; and Ginny was a seeker for the Harpies. It felt like everyone knew what he wanted to do with his respective life, except Harry.
Suddenly, at the age of nineteen, Harry felt lonelier than he had ever felt before.
***
Harry secured Mika to his toddler seat inside the multi-colored VW Bus T2 he and Luna purchased upon coming back to England five years ago. Just as he started to walk around to the driver side, the front door flew open and Sophie ran all the way down the path of their house until she was right in front of Harry.
"Papa! Mum says you should pick up some strawberries since you're going out 'cause it won't be a picnic without strawberries," she airily murmured while staring off into space.
Harry blinked at daughter. "Sophie, strawberries are not in season right now. Tell your mum I'll bring some oranges and apples. And what have I told you about just running out of the house? It's not safe!"
"Okay, Papa!" she said happily and skipped all the way back inside, promptly slamming the door shut. Harry shook his head in disbelief at her behavior but then chuckled at the thought of her at Hogwarts. She would definitely give the professors a couple of headaches. She'd probably end up in Ravenclaw like Luna. Sophie had her mother's inquisitiveness for knowledge. However, her thirst for knowledge definitely got her into more than enough trouble. Luna called it Sophie's Gryffindor streak.
"Ready to go there, mate?" Harry asked Mika. The little boy smiled at him and began laughing.
"Right," he murmured to himself walking around to his side. He climbed into the seat and turned on the car quickly pulling out of their tiny driveway, and was cruising down the roads of Ottery St. Catchpole.
Living near the Weasleys and the Burrow wasn't in Harry's plans when he came back to England with a heavily pregnant Luna and toddler in tow. In fact, if he had it his way, he would have never set foot in the Burrow again, but life happens and Harry learned long ago you either roll with the punches or take the hit. It was hilarious to Harry that he had spent so many years just taking hits while pretending to want to roll with the punches. It wasn't until after he married Luna that he just learned to deal with life as it came. She was a balm to his soul.
One of the reasons Harry had been reluctant to come back to England was because he valued his privacy and that of his family. In Australia no one bothered them, but their children were going to have to go to school at some point and Harry preferred they attend Hogwarts.
Adjusting once more to British weather hadn't been hard but the whispering that followed them everywhere they went that drove Harry slightly mad.
"Did you hear, he married Loony Lovegood," he'd hear in the streets just as he'd be turning a corner - loud enough for him to hear it, but soft enough to not be able to find the origin of the speaker.
"Perhaps she used Amortentia. I mean, what does he see in her?" Harry once heard a customer mutter quietly to his friend just as they were leaving. This last one always made Luna laugh loudly when he shared it with her over dinner.
Harry knew he loved Luna; she brought joy to his life in ways that no one else had been able to do so. He felt very secure in the knowledge that their marriage was strong. It had a rocky start that's for sure, but they worked through it, and came out stronger because of it. He reckoned that people giving him incredulous looks came with the territory of marrying the Luna Lovegood. But in a similar fashion, being Harry Potter's wife was not easy but Luna seemed to manage well enough.
When they first came back, Harry decided to settle into Grimmauld Place on a temporary basis because it was Unplotabble, and close to Diagon Alley where he opened a business as a Quidditch supplier.
However, after Mika was born, it became obvious that he and Luna couldn't stay at Grimmauld Place anymore. It wasn't suited to raise children in regardless of all the cleaning that had taken place on the property or all the wards his clever wife had put in place to keep their children safe from the Dark curses that still haunted the place.
Therefore, being the Gryffindor that he was, Harry decided to move his cubs and mate to a safer place, away from danger and harm. At first, he had wanted to buy a house in Godric's Hollow but Harry soon found that the memories were too much for him. When Ron mentioned a house was available near the Burrow, he took it. It was reasonably sized for a house on the outskirts of the village. He almost didn't take it because it wasn't Unplottable, but Luna, in her eternal wisdom, reminded him that it wouldn't do to hide from the eternally prying eyes of the world. Harry had scowled at her for a couple of days until he decided to just buy the house after Sophie got lost. She spent half a day inside the secret passageways throughout the old house, which made Harry go spare with worry.
When they first moved to their new home it was a bit torn down, and Harry spent a couple of weeks fixing it up, but he enjoyed it. And Harry was able to put up all the wards he wanted to keep out trespassers and unwanted solicitors.
Even though they lived on the outskirts of town, as far as the residents of Ottery St. Catchpole were concerned, Harry and Luna were considered to be the eccentric couple that lived in Old Harrington Farm. Luna grew potion ingredients in their backyard next to daisies and lilies. Their children's toys littered the front yard, and while Harry had cast several Disillusionment spells, he was fairly sure that some of the Muggles had done double takes when toys flew across the yard seemingly all on their own.
Not that they didn't try to dissuade the Muggles of their thinking; Luna often wore flowing skirts and dresses in lieu of robes when she was around Muggles. Harry almost had a heart attack when he learned, a year after they married, that she often went without a brassiere. At first, he had demanded she wear undergarments, because it just wouldn't do with him hexing anyone who looked at her. Instead, she had saucily replied, "Isn't this better though, Harry? Easy access to my bosom whenever the mood strikes." True to her word, there had been many times when he had dragged her into dark alleys in order to ravish her because Apparating them home would take too long.
Even after nine years of marriage, he couldn't help himself from staring at her ample breasts whenever they went into town - it drove him barmy with desire. Once Harry hexed an overzealous Seer who had stared too long and then glared at Luna for wearing such a low cut shirt. He secretly thought she enjoyed parading her body around just to anger him. Harry had always had a chest monster, but whenever it came to Luna it became a chest monstrosity. He never did consider himself to be the jealous type or overly possessive but Merlin he still lusted after his wife and he couldn't help it.
That really explained why they had three children as well, which was more than any of the Weasleys currently had. Sophie was a complete surprise, joyful, but unexpected. Their marriage hadn't been on the best possible foundation when Luna announced she was pregnant, and Harry's reaction wasn't the most noble. In fact, Harry still felt ashamed at the reaction he'd had all those years ago: hyperventilating and then passing out from shock. He was also glad Luna forgave him for the other stupid things he did at the beginning of their marriage. He wasn't sure he would have been so forgiving himself.
He was almost pretty sure that Mika was conceived at the Burrow's upstairs bathroom, and he still blushed profusely whenever he thought about what he and Luna had done in there. He couldn't look Mrs. Weasley in the eye for weeks after that. Abby was the only one that was sort of planned. A year ago, he and Luna were lying about during one of those rare moments of silence and sleep when raising children, and she had asked, "Want to make another baby?" Harry didn't think she was serious, and was not one to refuse sex so he jumped at the opportunity. Nine months later, Abby came into the world, kicking and screaming and not liking it one bit. Of their three children, Abby had been the fussiest as a newborn and Harry often felt it has been hard on them as a couple. You would think that by the time the third one had popped out they would have it down to a routine but as it turned out all children were different. Lesson learned. Ron and Hermione had only just started on their family planning though Harry thought it was hilarious that they were "planning" their family after being married for so long. If anything families weren't planned, they were made with love, hard work, hot sex, lots of hugs, kisses, and plenty of treacle tart.
***
After traveling the continent for a couple of months, Harry grew bored and decided to explore the rest of the world. He ended up spending a couple of weeks in China where he ran into Luna Lovegood. She stood out amongst the black masses of hair. Her flaxen hair shone from the other side of the street, and Harry hadn't initially recognized her but was more captivated by the fact that there was someone with blond hair around. Without giving it a thought, Harry started chasing the figure, which to his surprise moved rather quickly through the throng of market goers. He eventually caught up to her, a bit out of breath, and was surprised to recognize the amused silver eyes that stared back at him.
"Harry!"
"Luna!"
"What are you doing here?" she airily asked before giving him a hug and soft smile as her eyes seem to lose focus.
"I. Uh. Erm," he spluttered nervously. She nodded enthusiastically as if encouraging him to continue.
"Sorry, Luna. I meant to say that I'm traveling the world before returning to England. What are you doing here in China?"
"I heard the Crumple-Horned Snorkack was spotted here not too long ago, and I thought I would catch a glimpse at it."
Harry scratched his head. "Oh." He looked around confused and then said, "But I thought you said it lived in Sweden?"
Luna's eyes gleamed in excitement. "It does, which is why it's so exciting that it was spotted here. It might be a different species of Snorkack!"
Her enthusiasm was contagious and before Harry realized what was happening, he had agreed to join her in her search.
***
As he drove down the winding road, Harry saw Mrs. Schroedinger wave at him. He waved back. There were a few friendly people in the village that didn't think they were weird, and they were mostly magic folk. As far as Harry was concerned, Mrs. Schroedinger was far weirder than he and Luna put together - she had ten bloody cats for Merlin's underpants! She had actually given them a cat the first time they met a couple of months ago.
One day Luna, while pregnant with Abby, fancied a walk to town. Harry had sort of stared at her like she'd grown two extra heads considering town was several miles away. When he pointed out this fact to her, she wouldn't hear of it and began waddling down the dusty road. Exasperated, Harry had counted his lucky stars that their other offspring were with Ron and Hermione who were "practicing" taking care of children so he chased after his wife. He caught up to her in a very foul mood - it was hot and humid, he was sweating like a pig. All he really wanted was to laze about with Luna before their third child was born. As it turned out, it was quite a nice walk. They walked by the River Otter and stopped several times to admire the landscape and wildlife. The birds chirped and bathed in the river, and Harry smiled lazily as he enjoyed this moment in life. Everything seemed well with the world, until they crossed a bridge where Luna decided to take a rest and lose her shoes. They had forlornly stared as one of her shoes fell in a slow twirling motion into the deceptively slow moving river. Just as Harry was taking out his wand to summon it back, he saw, with horror, as the former Ravenclaw threw her other shoe into the water.
"What the duck? Luna, why did you throw your other shoe? I was going to summon the first one back!" he half-bellowed, all peace with the world gone.
"It just seemed like the thing to do," she airily replied, sitting down on a tree stump, and rubbing her belly in a slow soothing motion.
He had stared, dumbfounded, for what seemed forever until he too sat down at her feet tired of constantly trying to figure out his wife and what made her tick. Goodness knew fourteen years of knowing her hadn't clued him in yet, but that was no reason to lose his temper with her. Soon her small hands were massaging his scalp, and her fingers ran tenderly through his black locks brushing away with them any worries and frowns he might have had on his face.
Harry, a captive of his wife's blatantly sexuality, was soon moaning as she began massaging his shoulders and leaning down a bit to nip at his neck. Desire and lust spread through him, and he turned around to look at his wife with an expression that read: "I'm going to fuck you right here in the middle of the day and I don't care who sees." But first, Harry had kissed his wife's pregnant belly while sneaking his hand into her slick heat. He fondled her in a way that only a lover of many years would have known how, and soon she was softly moaning and squirming around his hand. He stared, hypnotized, her cheeks were flushed with excitement, and soft puffs of hot air escaped her mouth, brushing exquisitely against his nose. He loved seeing his wife lose control like this, it brought him incredible pride, and he almost climaxed himself as she brutally caught his mouth in a kiss in order to silence her moans. Her reddened cheeks, and sleepy demeanor turned him on ever more, along with a surge of feelings he knew were there but rarely voiced.
"I love you, Luna," he whispered into her ear.
"I know, Harry."
"I'm sorry, love, for losing it earlier. I just…it's exasperating having to…."
She silenced him with a kiss. "It's ok, Harry. I know I'm not the clearest crystal ball to view into but you've always been able to see past the fog."
Harry kissed her tenderly. "And I'm not the most patient man on earth but you make me feel like I'm the Dahli Llama."
"Don't be silly. The Llama is anything but a patient man. Do you want me to take care of that?" she huskily continued, rubbing her small palm up against the bulge in his pants.
Harry lost it at those words. He felt like a randy teenager as he sat back, undid his zip, stroked himself frantically a couple of times, and pulled Luna on top of him, guiding her on top of him. As he plunged into her heat, Harry cried out with pleasure and wanted to desperately pump wildly into her, but he knew from experience that while pregnant it was all about her in order not to hurt her or cause her discomfort. He had almost died as she slowly rose and sunk back down on him, and after a couple of minutes of watching himself disappear into her female depths, Harry let go with a guttural moan. He cast a couple of cleaning charms on themselves and tenderly plundered his wife's mouth.
"Gods, you bewitch me, Luna Lovegood," he murmured into her lips.
After consummating their love in the wild in a rare moment of true passion, they continued their walk, holding hands, stealing kisses, and enjoying their post-coital bliss.
And that's how Harry and Luna met Mrs. Schroedinger and her ten cats, since her house was the first one that led into town. Harry reckoned they must have been a sight to behold themselves. Here he was, the Savior of the Wizarding world, holding hands with his wife, who was currently sporting bare muddy feet, at least seven months pregnant, who just glowed in that "I just got shagged" aura that all pregnant women seem to carry with them. He, himself, was sporting leaves in his hair and had that look which clearly stated he had a roll in the hay not too long ago. He blushed with embarrassment until Mrs. Schroedinger opened her mouth: "Well, I always did tell Erwin the woods were a great place to shag in public and no one would be none the wiser, except of course unless you show up looking like that."
Luna had laughed, and Harry had wished that a bolt of lighting struck him there and then like the one on his forehead. He wasn't one for public sex, and he was usually able to wait until they got home to ravish his wife, but sometimes the lust took over and he couldn't help himself. Harry was imagining all sorts of headlines splashed all over the Prophet: Boy Who Lived to Shag the Loony in Public! Or Boy Who Lived to be a Perv.
Then amazingly enough, Mrs. Schroedinger invited them to tea.
Margaret, as she insisted they call her, made delicious treacle tart, and even gave the recipe to Luna for which Harry vowed to himself to run any errand the old woman wanted from now on. They learned that she was a witch, when she subtly mentioned seeing Harry and Luna in Diagon Alley. They ended up Flooing back home through her fireplace much later that night after she insisted they stay for dinner, which was good because Luna's feet were swollen, and Harry was too tired to Apparate them back. Just as Harry had finished helping Luna climb onto the fireplace and made sure she was fine, he turned to thank Margaret one more time when she pushed a calico kitten into his arms.
"He seems taken with you two. Take care of my fluffy one, will you?"
Now as Harry neared her house, he slowed down and pulled over to see if Mrs. Schroedinger needed anything from town. He knew she could take care of herself, but he owed her for the treacle tart that Luna made every Sunday.
"Good morning, Harry, why are you up so early?"
"Mrs. Schroedinger, I haven't had a lie in since I married Luna."
"Margaret, Harry, how many times must I remind you?"
"Margaret. Is there anything you need? I'm headed into town to buy some ice cream for an indoor picnic."
"Indoor picnic, hmmm? Well, that sounds interesting. Luna's idea, I'm sure. I'm okay, Harry. I don't need anything right now. I went to Diagon Alley yesterday and picked up a couple of needed items. I also saw your shop. It looked like it was thriving quite well. When are you going to open on a Saturday?"
Harry stared at Mrs. Schroedinger taking in all of her fast words, mentally separating all the questions and remarks. He chose to ignore the obvious inane chit-chat and moved on straight to answering her questions. "This is the first year I haven't opened on a Saturday, Mrs. Margaret but that's only because Luna's last pregnancy was so complicated, and Abby is rather fussy. I just didn't feel right being away from her all the time."
"Oh, you're such a good husband, Harry, I'm sure she would have understood. She seems capable enough, and I'm sure I've seen your adorable family at the shop."
"Yes, Luna and the children visit before I close a couple of times of the week and we head out to eat at the Golden Wand."
"Hmm…"
"Papa! Ice cream!" screamed Mika from the back.
"Well, I have to go Mrs. Margaret, you've heard the monster," he said, turning on the car again and moving it forward. He waved and saw her waving back before completely disappearing into town and the nearest shop.
***
As the days turned to weeks and the weeks to months, Harry found that he enjoyed the company of Luna. She was a good traveler, and a great cook. Their search for the Crumple-Horned Snorkack had been abandoned a month after it started.
Harry often realized that he could have parted ways with Luna and gone back home to England. She was rather adept and clever; she didn't need him as much as he told himself she did. He needed to stop being such a Gryffindor.
Then again, he was also immensely enjoying seeing the world again with a traveling companion as opposed to alone. Luna often pointed out the things that escaped his notice the first time around. The murals and frescoes of the Renaissance artists seemed brighter and happier when Luna described them to him. Gothic architecture wasn't as gloomy as he once thought. Italian food tasted better when shared between friends.
All was well with the world, that is, until they decided to go to Egypt. They visited the pyramids of Giza, the Great Sphinx, and Bill Weasley.
Bill Weasley, who took them inside the pyramids where he was working as a curse-breaker at Luna's insistence because she wanted to see the Wongleboo Beetle infamous for living in arid environments and having a distinctive mating dance.
Harry still doesn't know if the air was just thin that day or if Wrackspurts were rampant in Egypt, but looking back on it, taking them inside the pyramids wasn't one of Bill's brightest ideas. Harry didn't regret going inside the ancient pyramids even if they were dark, dusty, and dank. Inside the pyramids a world of ancient and dark magic existed that most wizards never got to see in a lifetime; and Bill Weasley got to see it everyday while deconstructing delicately powerful curses. It was enough to make anyone walk around in awe and not pay attention to where he was walking; or listen to the precautions of the curse-breaker in charge; or heed the warning of the residual magic that lingered dangerously on the walls.
To this day, Harry doesn't remember much of what happened that morning besides the blood, a cracking of bones, screaming, darkness, and Luna holding on to his hand.
***
Harry parked, took Mika out from the toddler seat, and cradled him on his hip. The little boy grabbed on to his collar, and choked Harry in the process.
"Mika, you're going to have to let go a bit. Papa can't breathe."
"Sorry, Papa!" the little boy whimpered, burying his head on Harry's neck. Harry petted his son's head. "You didn't do anything wrong, Mika. Now cheer up."
"Ok, Papa!" the little boy murmured into his skin.
Harry waved his wand discreetly to set the anti-theft alarm. Then he walked into the store before setting Mika down. Harry decided to get the ice cream first. Ron and Hermione often shopped in Diagon Alley, but Harry had found he liked going to the Muggle shops better. It was familiar to walk down the aisles where no one knew who he was, or bothered him.
After reaching the frozen food section, Harry and Mika perused the ice cream choices available to them.
"What do you say, mate?"
"Chocolate!"
"Hmm…chocolate does sound good."
"Vanilla too!"
"Yes, vanilla is more picnic appropriate," he murmured, watching his son nod vigorously. Harry smiled slyly before grabbing both the chocolate and vanilla flavor pints. He knew he indulged his children too much, but considering he wasn't allowed to have much of a sweet tooth growing up, who was he to deprive them?
Then they headed to the produce section where Harry let Mika choose the fruit for the picnic. Harry lifted Mika so that he could pick out the 'best fruit' available. After four oranges were plucked from their nest like structure, Harry noticed that they were on the verge of falling.
"Hold on, Mika, these oranges are loose, let me - " He didn't finish his sentence because he didn't notice his son pry another orange loose. And as Harry was pulling Mika away, the orange came with him, and down went the pile. It scattered all over the floor.
***
When he fell through the trap door, Harry felt the dark curses guarding the secret tunnels pulling at him from all directions. They stung, bit, and sunk deep into his skin, torturing him as agony washed over him. Harry didn't remember screaming, the massive loss of blood, or breaking his leg. He didn't remember Luna jumping in after him, instead of running back for Bill in order to get help. He didn't remember that they spent hours stuck inside the dark tunnel as Luna held his hand while the curse-breakers tried to break through to save them. Harry didn't remember the ancient marriage-bonding spell that Luna cast in order to save his life and counteract the blood loss by tethering his life to hers.
However, even with the bond, Harry ended up spending a week in the hospital, most of it in a haze. Yet, the calming presence of Luna was never far from him, and for this Harry was grateful until he woke up and learned of their bond.
"Welcome back to the land of the living, Harry!" Bill greeted him.
"What happened?"
"You fell into a trap, and lost a lot of blood. Luna saved you. Congratulations on your marriage."
"My what?"
"Your marriage."
"What?"
"Did the fall affect your hearing, Harry? Luna bonded you together in order to stop the blood loss."
Harry stared in disbelief at Bill.
"Where's Luna? I need to talk to her."
***
Harry stared with embarrassment at the oranges that scattered over the floor. His blush got deeper as the other patrons snickered at the antics of his son who found it all rather amusing.
Yet, even with the embarrassment, Harry couldn't help but laugh along with his son. Mika's merriment was infectious and it brought joy to Harry's heart when he was able to share in such special moments with his children.
With the help of a store clerk, Harry picked up the escapee oranges in record time and made his way to the counter in order to pay for the items they needed for the picnic.
As they drove back home, Mika chattered about oranges, ice cream, the picnic, and the rain that had threatened to pour all week. This was the same rain that drenched them to the bone as they ran back into the house. And apparently, it was also the same rain that decided to wreck havoc on their roof and flood their picnic.
***
"Did you prefer I let you bleed to death, Harry?" Luna asked solemnly.
"Erm. Of course not," Harry answered. "I'm just wondering what that means for us now. I mean, I know it's a marriage bond, but what does that mean?"
"We're married," Luna deadpanned.
"Right."
Luna smiled brightly. "We should get rings."
"Rings," Harry repeated, closing his eyes as if in pain.
Harry couldn't believe he was bonded to Luna. A part of him began to panic while the rational part, and smallest, of him began saying soothingly, "Relax, this isn't as bad as you think! Luna did save your life." But Harry's panic-stricken side was having an apoplexy.
He didn't want to be married so young, much less magically bonded, and wasn't this one of the reasons he and Ginny broke up? His wonderful and sweet Ginny whose heart he broke because he was too much of a pansy to step up to the job of husband. Oh, how he missed her luscious red hair and soft skin. And she was probably kissing that sod that called himself Harry's friend.
"Harry?"
Harry groaned. There had to be a way to null the bond. Perhaps, he could go back and marry Ginny after all. Walk up to the Burrow and say, "Ginevra Weasley! I've made a mistake. Marry me! Please!"
"Harry? Would you like some headache potion?"
He opened one eye to the sweet face of Luna, and instantly felt like the biggest prick on the planet.
"I'm sorry, Luna. No. I'm ok. I…this is just a lot of information to process. It feels like a dream."
Harry began feeling utterly alone in the world. After defeating Voldemort, things were supposed to have gotten easier. He was supposed to have joined the Aurors, marry Ginny, and have three wonderful children whom they would name after Dumbledore, Snape, Sirius, his parents, and Ginny's best friend, Luna.
Luna, the woman he was married to now.
***
After cleaning the carnage of the freaky summer storm, Harry and Luna spent the rest of the day playing with their children until bedtime.
"I don’t want to go to bed!" screamed Sophie, stomping her foot and turning bright red.
"This is not optional, young lady," Harry sternly said.
Sophie pouted.
"That's not going to work again for tonight, Sophie," Luna chipped in from the doorframe.
Sophie glared at Harry and Luna for a couple of minutes before she resigned herself and climbed into bed. Harry kissed her forehead and tucked her in.
"I want Rawr!" Sophie chirped. Luna walked over to the closet and brought out a stuffed snake to hand to Sophie.
"Goodnight, Sophie," Harry whispered as she yawned quite loudly while snuggling with Rawr. Just as Harry was going to pull away, Sophie patted his cheek and said, "Goodnight, Papa."
Harry smiled. Sophie was always the hardest to put to bed. She always put up a fight and threw a tantrum. On the other hand, Mika loved to sleep and was usually the first to go to bed as well as the last to wake up. Abby had just learned to sleep through a whole night and didn't put up much of a fight on days when they did a lot of activities together as a family.
He loved all of his children, but he'd never forget the night Sophie was conceived. It was the night he let himself fall in love with Luna.
***
It was their one-year anniversary. Even though he'd forgotten, Luna hadn't. She had prepared a splendid meal for them in order to celebrate the occasion. He had come home from work and had been surprised to find a candle light dinner waiting for him with a very beautiful Luna sitting by the fireplace knitting.
"Luna? I thought your birthday was a couple of weeks ago? Did I forget? I'm sorry. I'll make it up to you. I - "
"We've been married for a year," she deadpanned.
"Oh."
Harry blushed, and ran a hand through his hair. "I'm sorry."
"It's okay, Harry. I didn't expect you to remember. I mean, it's not like you had a choice in our marriage."
Harry stood speechless before walking over to her and kneeling in front of her. "I'm sorry, Luna. I've been such prat to you over the past year. I haven't been a husband to you."
"I didn't expect you to be a husband, Harry. Just my friend."
"I guess I haven't been much of a friend. I keep resenting the fact that you bonded with me just to save my life and not of our own free will."
"Do you regret it?"
"Not at all, Luna. I only regret that we couldn't make that choice on our own terms."
"Just because the Thestrals pull the carriage it doesn't mean you can't guide it, Harry," Luna murmured softly.
Harry stared at Luna's silver eyes, and felt his heart beat faster. He was sure that some of it was due to his nerves but another part of him rationalized that this blonde woman was his wife. Had been his wife for the past year, and he hadn't fulfilled his role as husband even if he had gone into it unwillingly. A flush of mortification painted his cheeks as he realized that he was a twenty-one year old married man and still a virgin. If Harry didn't believe that some higher being had some depraved sense of humor before, now he did without conviction.
He reached tentatively towards his wife, and brushed a stray lock of hair behind her ear. Luna smiled. Over the past year that they had traveled together, Luna had put up with a lot of his shenanigans, and he was wishing at that moment that the ground opened and swallowed him whole.
"You're beautiful," he managed to splutter instead.
"Thanks, Harry. You're beautiful too."
"Erm. I don't think men can be beautiful, Luna."
"Says who?"
"Hmm, I reckon you're right," he replied nervously. He smiled and reached for her soft hand. Harry was surprised she didn't recoil from his touch, or slap him. He was waiting for it, but it never came. Instead, a surge of heat enveloped his body, and Harry felt like someone up high had turned up the thermostat just to mess around with him.
"It's a hot night, isn't it?" Luna asked.
He nodded in reply, not trusting his voice to fail him. Suddenly, Luna stood up, pulling him along with her as she walked them to their dinner table.
"I made your favorite, treacle tart."
They enjoyed their roast beef dinner with too much wine and decided to walk around the lake while holding hands after dessert. When they reached the edge of the lake, Luna let go of his hand and walked towards the water, kicking and splashing it all around.
He felt a bit bereft at the loss, but forgot all about her hand, when all of a sudden Luna pulled her Muggle dress over her head to reveal tantalizing milky white skin.
Harry gulped quite audibly as he stood in front of a very naked Luna. Ok, almost naked. She was still in her knickers. Harry's eyes glazed over as he noticed her undergarments were white with frilly hearts all over. He fleetingly thought and realized that she wasn't wearing a bra, and wondered if this had always been the case. To think that he'd been around a bra-less Luna for over a year and not once had been able to cop a feel made Harry feel like the git of the century. Luna was a young woman after all. She was attractive, and if Harry's bits had anything to say in the matter, very desirable.
Suddenly, a spray of water splattering over his face brought him back to the present, and he noticed that where Luna had once stood now laid a dress as well as girly knickers next to it. The realization that a very naked Luna was only but a couple of meters away from him made Harry burn with lust. Before he knew what was happening, his chest monster took over and he was tearing his clothes off frantically. He tripped and landed on his side as he tried to jump out of his trousers and pants at the same time. He heard a giggle and he grinned sheepishly at the scene he must have made. He continued working on his clothes, and it wasn't until after he was down to his socks that Harry became suddenly shy. He covered his manly bits with his hands, and squinted looking for Luna under the light of the moon.
He stumbled a bit into the water but quickly saw an outline of her womanly features. They splashed around, kissed, and laughed before he Apparated them back to their room. He gaped at her womanly form as she lay down on their bed, wet from their swim in the lake. Her golden locks were plastered over her face and parts of her neck while clear rivulets of water made their way down her skin. Her downcast eyes made her appear much more demure than she was leading on to be, and only slightly distracted Harry.
He groaned and made his way over to her.
"You're fucking beautiful!" he gasped, kneeling in front of her and tentatively touching her legs. His hands made their way up her thighs and stopped at her entrance. He paused as he saw her displaying herself so wantonly with her legs spread open, wet in more ways than one. As he reached for her womanhood, the slight trembling of her legs made Harry stop. Luna was scared.
"Luna, are you scared?"
"Aren't you?"
Harry stopped and stared at her before answering. He thought of the life he could have had with Ginny - a life he hadn't thought about in a long time since his unintended marriage to Luna. But then he thought of the life he could have with Luna if he allowed himself to do so. A life he had shared with her over the past two years - a woman who smiled at his jokes, didn't question his choice in career, and made him treacle tart every Sunday. Luna loved him in her own way. And he was sure he loved her too. The adventures they'd had over the past two years were not just memorable, but a small glimpse of the life they could have. He was exhilarated at the thought.
"Terrified," he whispered.
Recipient: the community
Title: Time Well Spent
Rating: R
Warnings/additional pairings: Sexual Situations, Ron/Hermione; Neville/Ginny; former Harry/Ginny
Summary: When you look for love, you will only find what you think you want. If you let it find you, you may discover something you never knew existed.
Word Count: Approximately 9,500
Disclaimer: All Harry Potter characters herein are the property of J.K. Rowling and Bloomsbury/Scholastic. No copyright infringement is intended. All chracters engaging in sexual activity are sixteen years or older.
Author's Notes: Thanks to tailoredshirt for her patience and understanding as a mod. Furthermore, thanks to my beta that is critical but kind with her words and opinions. And lastly, my apologies for the rushed like ending.
Time Well Spent
After he defeated Voldemort, Harry Potter had a rather small list of goals he wanted to accomplish with the remainder of his life: marry Ginny and settle down in a quiet town to live a simple life. Unfortunately, even the best of plans tend to fall apart.
At the age of seventeen, everyone expected Harry to become an Auror and live happily ever after. And as everyone had expected of him, he started dating Ginny Weasley again right after the war. Except, being Ginny Weasley's boyfriend wasn't exactly what Harry expected. All those nights of wandering the countryside with Hermione, staring at the Marauder's Map for Ginny's dot and the dreams he had of being with her, quickly fell apart under the scrutiny of the public eye and the vicious words of Rita Skeeter.
They had a couple of blissful months right after the war in which everything was fine and dandy. Everyone was too busy picking up the pieces of their own lives to worry about the Chosen One.
And as it often tends to happen around wartime, a flurry of marriages and engagements happened right after the defeat of Voldemort; however, while Harry wanted to marry Ginny, he didn't feel the need to hurry up the process. But then Ginny began hinting about marriage and their future together. It didn't help that Ron and Hermione happened to be one of those couples that got engaged only weeks after the war ended.
Harry found it odd that while he felt he should have been jumping on the bandwagon with all the other couples that paired up or married right after the war, deep inside of him, instinct, or perhaps self-preservation, kept him from proposing to the redhead.
Slowly but surely, Harry began to question his ambitions. Did he really want to be an Auror? He'd had enough of that for a lifetime, and truthfully, if it hadn't been for Hermione's knowledge he wouldn't have been able to beat Voldemort all by himself. Further, did he really want to live a simple life in a quiet town? Would Ginny want that? Was Ginny the one he wanted to marry? It wasn't that he didn't love her. He just doubted that they shared a vision of their future together.
Instead of joining the Aurors, Harry had chosen to take a year off to discover himself and explore his career choices because fighting evil for seven years had a toll on the young man, and he wasn't sure he wanted to continue doing that. Let someone else deal with the bad guys for a change.
Harry had also taken his NEWTs early during the clean up of the Ministry of Magic instead of going back to Hogwarts to finish his seventh year. Ginny had frowned on this and pouted that they'd just end up spending more time apart when they could have finished school together.
Furthermore, Harry shied away from the limelight and the perks of being a hero. He didn't want monetary compensation from random strangers or the Ministry for helping to get rid of Voldemort. It had been, after all, predestined many years before that he'd be the one to defeat Tom Riddle.
And the ultimate crime in Ginny's eyes was when Harry spoke in defense of Narcissa and Draco Malfoy during their trials at the Wizengamot. Ginny felt it was an insult to speak in favor of vile "pureblood scum." Harry frowned upon her refusal to forgive and forget. She always seemed quick to remind him of the past transgressions of the Malfoy family and couldn't seem to understand why he had kept them out of Azkaban.
"They deserved to rot in there, Harry!"
"No, Ginny, they didn't. Lucius, yes, but not Narcissa or Draco."
"Well, you didn't have to go and save them you know! Now we'll have to keep putting up with their lot for years to come. Their line could have just died with Draco."
"Ginny! You don't mean that!" he angrily murmured.
"You're wrong Harry Potter! I do! And you can't tell me what I mean or not," she screamed before Apparating away while Harry angrily kicked the wall.
After a year of dating, their relationship came to an end when he and the youngest Weasley got into a row about marriage, Ginny waiting for him, and Harry not living up to the expectations everyone else had of him as the Savior of the wizarding world.
The day came when she demanded in front of her family during the weekly Weasley Sunday brunch if he had any plans of them marrying, and Harry had stared at her angrily for confronting him so publicly.
"This isn't the appropriate time for this Ginny," he cautioned.
"Oh well, when would be a more appropriate time, Harry? I left Hogwarts a week ago, and I thought the time apart would be ok, but it's not. I love you Harry Potter, but you don't seem to love me back the same!" the red head replied scathingly.
"Ginny, it's not as simple as that."
"Well, why don't you elaborate?" she spat angrily.
He scowled at the young girl, and pushed his chair back. "Ginevra Weasley, cornering me into proposing isn't very Gryffindor of you. You know better than anyone else how much I hate to be manipulated. I'm going home to Grimmauld Place. If you wish to speak civilly to me about our relationship you're welcomed to visit. Excuse me, Mrs. Weasley, Mr. Weasley."
Harry nodded to the rest of the Weasley family, and stomped into the Burrow so he could Floo home. As he threw the powder into the fireplace, he saw Ginny storm past him and up the stairs into her room followed closely by her mother. The youngest redhead scowled at him while the oldest grimaced slightly. He began to feel a bit guilty but he knew that this was not how he wanted their future to begin so he went to his old and lonely home.
A week passed in which he didn't allow himself to think of her before Harry received a letter from Ginny. Her letter stated that she was not going to apologize for voicing her thoughts. She still stood by her belief that enough time had gone by for him to make up his mind, and that she wouldn't wait for him forever.
Harry sadly folded the letter and wrote that they should meet to talk soon. He asked her to choose a place and time, and he'd be there. He received a prompt reply:
Hogsmeade, Our Tree
Saturday, 3 p.m
Ginny
When Harry arrived at what he so fondly called "their tree" he found Ginny already waiting for him. He walked up to the young woman he had been in love with for the past couple of years, and saw tears in her eyes. Guilt ran through his blood, but Harry still stood by his belief that he didn't want to be manipulated into marrying. She welcomed him with a warm embrace and a short peck on the lips before sitting down at the base of the tree, pulling him down with her. They sat in contemplative silence for a while before Harry spoke, "Gin, I'm sorry about our fight last week. It wasn't my intention to make you cry. "
"It's ok Harry, I forgive you."
They sat in quiet companionship before she spoke again, "I've had some time to think and talk about our relationship with Hermione."
"Hermione?"
"Yes, Hermione."
"Why?"
"Because she's our friend, and cares about both of us and our happiness whether we are together or not. She can be objective you know."
"Right."
Taking a deep sigh, Ginny put her head on his shoulder before continuing, "Harry, do you know why I've been pushing for us to get married?"
"Not really. We're only eighteen and seventeen and we have a whole future ahead of us. Frankly, I don't think either one of us is ready for that sort of commitment given our tempers and stubbornness. I don't want us to jump into something ill prepared only for it to fall apart later. I love you, Ginny but I can't marry you right now. I'm sorry."
"But Harry, that's exactly why we should get married now! Everyone else has gotten married or is engaged."
"I'm sorry, Ginny, but I can't give you that," Harry murmured into her hair, as she sobbed quietly. After a couple of minutes in which neither one said anything, Harry thought about the life they could have had together. His heart ached for the loss of what could have been.
He was just about to take his words back when Ginny pulled away and looked into his eyes and said, "I understand. I always have, Harry Potter."
Then she gave him a last kiss, stood up, and smiled sadly at him before she turned around walking away from him forever.
***
Harry woke up to the small pitter-patter of feet outside his bedroom door, and the screaming of his newborn daughter down the hall. He could also hear the soft, melodic voice of his wife singing to their child. He rolled on his stomach and felt the side on which his beautiful wife slept in; it was warm. She must have woken up a couple of minutes before he did. He hugged the pillow she used close to him and inhaled the sweet scent that made her unique. Harry smiled lazily before he decided to get up and help her with their brood. It was a Saturday but he knew he wasn't going to be able to sleep in. Merlin knew he hadn't had a single weekend of lazing about ever since he married his wife unlike Ron. Harry still couldn't figure out how Ron convinced Hermione to let him sleep in on Saturdays every weekend for the past three years of their marriage.
After finishing his morning routine and dressing, he walked down to the small kitchen of his humble home. He felt his chest swell with pride at the domestic picture before him:
His seven-year old daughter, Sophie, a miniature version of her mother, was squashing her breakfast with a spoon and turning it into an unsightly glob. He wasn't sure he wanted to know what her breakfast was supposed to have been though by the stack of pancakes in the middle of the table he assumed it had once been fluffy bread. His four-year old son, Mika, was currently drawing on the table with the crayons Hermione had bestowed upon him as a gift for his birthday last month, his innate magic was making the pictures move at random intervals. His wife stood at the kitchen sink staring at the dark weather outside.
"Harry, you're up," her airy voice mentioned as if it were a surprise he was up at all.
"I made breakfast," she added a minute later as he sat down, waving a hand vaguely at the pile of pancakes.
"Thanks, love," he answered while grabbing his breakfast and pouring an unhealthy amount of syrup on top. He happily dug into his food, washing it down with a cuppa. If he had married Ginny she would surely have been fretting over his health and reprimanding him over his sugar intake like she often did with her own husband, Neville. But Luna seemed to be much more subtle in her worries. Whenever she thought he had too much sugar, Luna would just switch her cooking to healthier foods. It annoyed him but considering he didn't cook, Luna told him he had no room to complain. Not that he ever did.
"It's nice outside, should we go on a picnic today?" she asked him as he helped Mika with a forkful. Harry turned around and stared blankly at the grey clouds. He knew better than to question his wife's motives after nine years of marriage but it truly looked like it was going to rain, and the children had just gotten over Dragon Pox two weeks ago. It would figure that the Potter children would contract a disease that was almost non-existent during their family holiday to Romania. It had been quite an experience explaining to the Healers why his children had contracted Dragon Pox but not their baby. And it had been quite the eye opener when Luna insisted on staying with the children at St. Mungo's, not once leaving their side, while Harry stayed at home to take care of Abby.
"I'm not sure a picnic would be appropriate, Luna. It looks like it might rain any minute."
"Don't be silly, Harry. I didn't mean outside."
"Erm…"
"We can have an inside picnic up in the attic and enjoy watching the approaching storm. Wouldn't that be nice? I'm going to go set up," she said with a finality that left Harry wondering why he hadn't seen that one coming.
He was twenty-nine years old and Harry finally had everything he had ever dreamed of having ever since he first learned he was a wizard at the age of eleven: a family, a loving wife, beautiful children, and a dead megalomaniac who had not bothered anyone for the past twelve years. Well, he hadn't wished for a wife and children at the age of eleven, but he had ardently hoped for a family of his own. And now he had it. It was small and unconventional by anyone's standards, but it was his. It had taken him a while to get here too, but he wouldn't trade the experience for all the riches in the world.
He finished the rest of his breakfast, chewing thoughtfully, considering the items they would need for their indoor picnic. They would most certainly need some ice cream. He walked over to the icebox and found it rather bereft.
"Luna! I'm going to grab some ice cream before the storm breaks loose!" he yelled up the stairs as he headed to the front door.
No response. Harry smiled to himself as he grabbed his coat. It was typical of her not to reply. He was used to it by now, and rarely forgot that whenever she went into what he tenderly called as "Lovegood Mode" she seemed to tune out the rest of the world.
Just as he was walking out the front door, Harry felt someone tug on his trousers.
"Papa, can I come with you?" Mika asked, innocent green eyes beaming up at him as he looked down.
"Of course, son."
***
Harry hadn't expected Ron to take their breakup so well, but considering that his best mate didn't want him sleeping with his little sister, Harry understood. Not that Harry had even slept with Ginny in the first place, he was a Gryffindor through and through - he wouldn't have disrespected her in such a manner.
Hermione offered him comfort and emotional support in lieu of Ron's overenthusiastic "I'm just glad you're not shagging my sister" attitude.
Even though Ron and Hermione insisted he was still welcomed at the Burrow, Harry stayed away nonetheless. Harry didn't think he was welcomed in the first place. In addition, he didn't fancy being in the same room with the brothers of his ex-girlfriend whose heart he had broken irrevocably. He valued his life and Harry may not have been actually sorted into Slytherin, but ever since the end of the war he was all about self-preservation.
And that's how Harry found himself wandering the streets of London the day after his nineteenth birthday. He had celebrated with his friends at the Leaky Cauldron where Tom offered all the drinks ordered that night on the house. He played billiards, darts, and ate happily all night. He drank Butterbeer freely, and even though he was recently single, Harry didn't feel that hollowness that he had expected after the end of their long relationship.
Instead, he laughed and joked merrily with his friends until Ginny had shown up to the pub accompanied by Neville Longbottom. Harry had felt the infamous chest monster roar a bit but then he remembered why they had broken up in the first place, and the beast within quieted down. He sat down at the bar for a while and watched his ex-girlfriend interact with his former classmate.
It was obvious that Neville cared for Ginny in a way that Harry never had. His eyes lit up whenever she looked his way and his eyesight followed her possessively around the room. And Neville rarely spent much time away from her, which Harry found amazingly ironic considering he had no problem being away from Ginny. At one point during the night, Harry and Neville both ended up standing outside the Muggle side of the Leaky enjoying a breath of fresh air. The awkwardness that surrounded them was tangible but Harry, always the Gryffindor, decided that their friendship was more important; except Harry seemed to have forgotten Neville was a Gryffindor too.
"Listen, Neville -"
"Harry, I -"
They chuckled nervously.
"You first," insisted Harry.
"Erm. Well, while you were gone during our seventh year, Ginny and I became rather close and I had always hoped that some day she'd look at me the way she looks at you. And well since you're no longer in her life, I just..." he trailed off, nervously.
"It's fine, Neville. You don't have to ask me for permission to date, Ginny," Harry found himself saying quite happily. "Ron is the one you should be worried about there, mate."
They chuckled at the memory of Ron and his temper as the tension between them dissipated.
Yet, Harry couldn't help but scowl as he saw them leave together later that night even if he had said he was fine with Neville and Ginny dating. He reached for the nearest drink to him, and gulped it down.
When the Prophet started plastering their pages with the scandal that was the love triangle between "the Heroes of Hogwarts" Harry decided he had enough. He packed a rucksack, said goodbye to Ron and Hermione, and left England. Even after taking a year off, Harry still didn't know what he wanted to do with his life so he decided to travel in order to do some deep soul searching. Ron was already working with George; Hermione was deep in her work at the Ministry; and Ginny was a seeker for the Harpies. It felt like everyone knew what he wanted to do with his respective life, except Harry.
Suddenly, at the age of nineteen, Harry felt lonelier than he had ever felt before.
***
Harry secured Mika to his toddler seat inside the multi-colored VW Bus T2 he and Luna purchased upon coming back to England five years ago. Just as he started to walk around to the driver side, the front door flew open and Sophie ran all the way down the path of their house until she was right in front of Harry.
"Papa! Mum says you should pick up some strawberries since you're going out 'cause it won't be a picnic without strawberries," she airily murmured while staring off into space.
Harry blinked at daughter. "Sophie, strawberries are not in season right now. Tell your mum I'll bring some oranges and apples. And what have I told you about just running out of the house? It's not safe!"
"Okay, Papa!" she said happily and skipped all the way back inside, promptly slamming the door shut. Harry shook his head in disbelief at her behavior but then chuckled at the thought of her at Hogwarts. She would definitely give the professors a couple of headaches. She'd probably end up in Ravenclaw like Luna. Sophie had her mother's inquisitiveness for knowledge. However, her thirst for knowledge definitely got her into more than enough trouble. Luna called it Sophie's Gryffindor streak.
"Ready to go there, mate?" Harry asked Mika. The little boy smiled at him and began laughing.
"Right," he murmured to himself walking around to his side. He climbed into the seat and turned on the car quickly pulling out of their tiny driveway, and was cruising down the roads of Ottery St. Catchpole.
Living near the Weasleys and the Burrow wasn't in Harry's plans when he came back to England with a heavily pregnant Luna and toddler in tow. In fact, if he had it his way, he would have never set foot in the Burrow again, but life happens and Harry learned long ago you either roll with the punches or take the hit. It was hilarious to Harry that he had spent so many years just taking hits while pretending to want to roll with the punches. It wasn't until after he married Luna that he just learned to deal with life as it came. She was a balm to his soul.
One of the reasons Harry had been reluctant to come back to England was because he valued his privacy and that of his family. In Australia no one bothered them, but their children were going to have to go to school at some point and Harry preferred they attend Hogwarts.
Adjusting once more to British weather hadn't been hard but the whispering that followed them everywhere they went that drove Harry slightly mad.
"Did you hear, he married Loony Lovegood," he'd hear in the streets just as he'd be turning a corner - loud enough for him to hear it, but soft enough to not be able to find the origin of the speaker.
"Perhaps she used Amortentia. I mean, what does he see in her?" Harry once heard a customer mutter quietly to his friend just as they were leaving. This last one always made Luna laugh loudly when he shared it with her over dinner.
Harry knew he loved Luna; she brought joy to his life in ways that no one else had been able to do so. He felt very secure in the knowledge that their marriage was strong. It had a rocky start that's for sure, but they worked through it, and came out stronger because of it. He reckoned that people giving him incredulous looks came with the territory of marrying the Luna Lovegood. But in a similar fashion, being Harry Potter's wife was not easy but Luna seemed to manage well enough.
When they first came back, Harry decided to settle into Grimmauld Place on a temporary basis because it was Unplotabble, and close to Diagon Alley where he opened a business as a Quidditch supplier.
However, after Mika was born, it became obvious that he and Luna couldn't stay at Grimmauld Place anymore. It wasn't suited to raise children in regardless of all the cleaning that had taken place on the property or all the wards his clever wife had put in place to keep their children safe from the Dark curses that still haunted the place.
Therefore, being the Gryffindor that he was, Harry decided to move his cubs and mate to a safer place, away from danger and harm. At first, he had wanted to buy a house in Godric's Hollow but Harry soon found that the memories were too much for him. When Ron mentioned a house was available near the Burrow, he took it. It was reasonably sized for a house on the outskirts of the village. He almost didn't take it because it wasn't Unplottable, but Luna, in her eternal wisdom, reminded him that it wouldn't do to hide from the eternally prying eyes of the world. Harry had scowled at her for a couple of days until he decided to just buy the house after Sophie got lost. She spent half a day inside the secret passageways throughout the old house, which made Harry go spare with worry.
When they first moved to their new home it was a bit torn down, and Harry spent a couple of weeks fixing it up, but he enjoyed it. And Harry was able to put up all the wards he wanted to keep out trespassers and unwanted solicitors.
Even though they lived on the outskirts of town, as far as the residents of Ottery St. Catchpole were concerned, Harry and Luna were considered to be the eccentric couple that lived in Old Harrington Farm. Luna grew potion ingredients in their backyard next to daisies and lilies. Their children's toys littered the front yard, and while Harry had cast several Disillusionment spells, he was fairly sure that some of the Muggles had done double takes when toys flew across the yard seemingly all on their own.
Not that they didn't try to dissuade the Muggles of their thinking; Luna often wore flowing skirts and dresses in lieu of robes when she was around Muggles. Harry almost had a heart attack when he learned, a year after they married, that she often went without a brassiere. At first, he had demanded she wear undergarments, because it just wouldn't do with him hexing anyone who looked at her. Instead, she had saucily replied, "Isn't this better though, Harry? Easy access to my bosom whenever the mood strikes." True to her word, there had been many times when he had dragged her into dark alleys in order to ravish her because Apparating them home would take too long.
Even after nine years of marriage, he couldn't help himself from staring at her ample breasts whenever they went into town - it drove him barmy with desire. Once Harry hexed an overzealous Seer who had stared too long and then glared at Luna for wearing such a low cut shirt. He secretly thought she enjoyed parading her body around just to anger him. Harry had always had a chest monster, but whenever it came to Luna it became a chest monstrosity. He never did consider himself to be the jealous type or overly possessive but Merlin he still lusted after his wife and he couldn't help it.
That really explained why they had three children as well, which was more than any of the Weasleys currently had. Sophie was a complete surprise, joyful, but unexpected. Their marriage hadn't been on the best possible foundation when Luna announced she was pregnant, and Harry's reaction wasn't the most noble. In fact, Harry still felt ashamed at the reaction he'd had all those years ago: hyperventilating and then passing out from shock. He was also glad Luna forgave him for the other stupid things he did at the beginning of their marriage. He wasn't sure he would have been so forgiving himself.
He was almost pretty sure that Mika was conceived at the Burrow's upstairs bathroom, and he still blushed profusely whenever he thought about what he and Luna had done in there. He couldn't look Mrs. Weasley in the eye for weeks after that. Abby was the only one that was sort of planned. A year ago, he and Luna were lying about during one of those rare moments of silence and sleep when raising children, and she had asked, "Want to make another baby?" Harry didn't think she was serious, and was not one to refuse sex so he jumped at the opportunity. Nine months later, Abby came into the world, kicking and screaming and not liking it one bit. Of their three children, Abby had been the fussiest as a newborn and Harry often felt it has been hard on them as a couple. You would think that by the time the third one had popped out they would have it down to a routine but as it turned out all children were different. Lesson learned. Ron and Hermione had only just started on their family planning though Harry thought it was hilarious that they were "planning" their family after being married for so long. If anything families weren't planned, they were made with love, hard work, hot sex, lots of hugs, kisses, and plenty of treacle tart.
***
After traveling the continent for a couple of months, Harry grew bored and decided to explore the rest of the world. He ended up spending a couple of weeks in China where he ran into Luna Lovegood. She stood out amongst the black masses of hair. Her flaxen hair shone from the other side of the street, and Harry hadn't initially recognized her but was more captivated by the fact that there was someone with blond hair around. Without giving it a thought, Harry started chasing the figure, which to his surprise moved rather quickly through the throng of market goers. He eventually caught up to her, a bit out of breath, and was surprised to recognize the amused silver eyes that stared back at him.
"Harry!"
"Luna!"
"What are you doing here?" she airily asked before giving him a hug and soft smile as her eyes seem to lose focus.
"I. Uh. Erm," he spluttered nervously. She nodded enthusiastically as if encouraging him to continue.
"Sorry, Luna. I meant to say that I'm traveling the world before returning to England. What are you doing here in China?"
"I heard the Crumple-Horned Snorkack was spotted here not too long ago, and I thought I would catch a glimpse at it."
Harry scratched his head. "Oh." He looked around confused and then said, "But I thought you said it lived in Sweden?"
Luna's eyes gleamed in excitement. "It does, which is why it's so exciting that it was spotted here. It might be a different species of Snorkack!"
Her enthusiasm was contagious and before Harry realized what was happening, he had agreed to join her in her search.
***
As he drove down the winding road, Harry saw Mrs. Schroedinger wave at him. He waved back. There were a few friendly people in the village that didn't think they were weird, and they were mostly magic folk. As far as Harry was concerned, Mrs. Schroedinger was far weirder than he and Luna put together - she had ten bloody cats for Merlin's underpants! She had actually given them a cat the first time they met a couple of months ago.
One day Luna, while pregnant with Abby, fancied a walk to town. Harry had sort of stared at her like she'd grown two extra heads considering town was several miles away. When he pointed out this fact to her, she wouldn't hear of it and began waddling down the dusty road. Exasperated, Harry had counted his lucky stars that their other offspring were with Ron and Hermione who were "practicing" taking care of children so he chased after his wife. He caught up to her in a very foul mood - it was hot and humid, he was sweating like a pig. All he really wanted was to laze about with Luna before their third child was born. As it turned out, it was quite a nice walk. They walked by the River Otter and stopped several times to admire the landscape and wildlife. The birds chirped and bathed in the river, and Harry smiled lazily as he enjoyed this moment in life. Everything seemed well with the world, until they crossed a bridge where Luna decided to take a rest and lose her shoes. They had forlornly stared as one of her shoes fell in a slow twirling motion into the deceptively slow moving river. Just as Harry was taking out his wand to summon it back, he saw, with horror, as the former Ravenclaw threw her other shoe into the water.
"What the duck? Luna, why did you throw your other shoe? I was going to summon the first one back!" he half-bellowed, all peace with the world gone.
"It just seemed like the thing to do," she airily replied, sitting down on a tree stump, and rubbing her belly in a slow soothing motion.
He had stared, dumbfounded, for what seemed forever until he too sat down at her feet tired of constantly trying to figure out his wife and what made her tick. Goodness knew fourteen years of knowing her hadn't clued him in yet, but that was no reason to lose his temper with her. Soon her small hands were massaging his scalp, and her fingers ran tenderly through his black locks brushing away with them any worries and frowns he might have had on his face.
Harry, a captive of his wife's blatantly sexuality, was soon moaning as she began massaging his shoulders and leaning down a bit to nip at his neck. Desire and lust spread through him, and he turned around to look at his wife with an expression that read: "I'm going to fuck you right here in the middle of the day and I don't care who sees." But first, Harry had kissed his wife's pregnant belly while sneaking his hand into her slick heat. He fondled her in a way that only a lover of many years would have known how, and soon she was softly moaning and squirming around his hand. He stared, hypnotized, her cheeks were flushed with excitement, and soft puffs of hot air escaped her mouth, brushing exquisitely against his nose. He loved seeing his wife lose control like this, it brought him incredible pride, and he almost climaxed himself as she brutally caught his mouth in a kiss in order to silence her moans. Her reddened cheeks, and sleepy demeanor turned him on ever more, along with a surge of feelings he knew were there but rarely voiced.
"I love you, Luna," he whispered into her ear.
"I know, Harry."
"I'm sorry, love, for losing it earlier. I just…it's exasperating having to…."
She silenced him with a kiss. "It's ok, Harry. I know I'm not the clearest crystal ball to view into but you've always been able to see past the fog."
Harry kissed her tenderly. "And I'm not the most patient man on earth but you make me feel like I'm the Dahli Llama."
"Don't be silly. The Llama is anything but a patient man. Do you want me to take care of that?" she huskily continued, rubbing her small palm up against the bulge in his pants.
Harry lost it at those words. He felt like a randy teenager as he sat back, undid his zip, stroked himself frantically a couple of times, and pulled Luna on top of him, guiding her on top of him. As he plunged into her heat, Harry cried out with pleasure and wanted to desperately pump wildly into her, but he knew from experience that while pregnant it was all about her in order not to hurt her or cause her discomfort. He had almost died as she slowly rose and sunk back down on him, and after a couple of minutes of watching himself disappear into her female depths, Harry let go with a guttural moan. He cast a couple of cleaning charms on themselves and tenderly plundered his wife's mouth.
"Gods, you bewitch me, Luna Lovegood," he murmured into her lips.
After consummating their love in the wild in a rare moment of true passion, they continued their walk, holding hands, stealing kisses, and enjoying their post-coital bliss.
And that's how Harry and Luna met Mrs. Schroedinger and her ten cats, since her house was the first one that led into town. Harry reckoned they must have been a sight to behold themselves. Here he was, the Savior of the Wizarding world, holding hands with his wife, who was currently sporting bare muddy feet, at least seven months pregnant, who just glowed in that "I just got shagged" aura that all pregnant women seem to carry with them. He, himself, was sporting leaves in his hair and had that look which clearly stated he had a roll in the hay not too long ago. He blushed with embarrassment until Mrs. Schroedinger opened her mouth: "Well, I always did tell Erwin the woods were a great place to shag in public and no one would be none the wiser, except of course unless you show up looking like that."
Luna had laughed, and Harry had wished that a bolt of lighting struck him there and then like the one on his forehead. He wasn't one for public sex, and he was usually able to wait until they got home to ravish his wife, but sometimes the lust took over and he couldn't help himself. Harry was imagining all sorts of headlines splashed all over the Prophet: Boy Who Lived to Shag the Loony in Public! Or Boy Who Lived to be a Perv.
Then amazingly enough, Mrs. Schroedinger invited them to tea.
Margaret, as she insisted they call her, made delicious treacle tart, and even gave the recipe to Luna for which Harry vowed to himself to run any errand the old woman wanted from now on. They learned that she was a witch, when she subtly mentioned seeing Harry and Luna in Diagon Alley. They ended up Flooing back home through her fireplace much later that night after she insisted they stay for dinner, which was good because Luna's feet were swollen, and Harry was too tired to Apparate them back. Just as Harry had finished helping Luna climb onto the fireplace and made sure she was fine, he turned to thank Margaret one more time when she pushed a calico kitten into his arms.
"He seems taken with you two. Take care of my fluffy one, will you?"
Now as Harry neared her house, he slowed down and pulled over to see if Mrs. Schroedinger needed anything from town. He knew she could take care of herself, but he owed her for the treacle tart that Luna made every Sunday.
"Good morning, Harry, why are you up so early?"
"Mrs. Schroedinger, I haven't had a lie in since I married Luna."
"Margaret, Harry, how many times must I remind you?"
"Margaret. Is there anything you need? I'm headed into town to buy some ice cream for an indoor picnic."
"Indoor picnic, hmmm? Well, that sounds interesting. Luna's idea, I'm sure. I'm okay, Harry. I don't need anything right now. I went to Diagon Alley yesterday and picked up a couple of needed items. I also saw your shop. It looked like it was thriving quite well. When are you going to open on a Saturday?"
Harry stared at Mrs. Schroedinger taking in all of her fast words, mentally separating all the questions and remarks. He chose to ignore the obvious inane chit-chat and moved on straight to answering her questions. "This is the first year I haven't opened on a Saturday, Mrs. Margaret but that's only because Luna's last pregnancy was so complicated, and Abby is rather fussy. I just didn't feel right being away from her all the time."
"Oh, you're such a good husband, Harry, I'm sure she would have understood. She seems capable enough, and I'm sure I've seen your adorable family at the shop."
"Yes, Luna and the children visit before I close a couple of times of the week and we head out to eat at the Golden Wand."
"Hmm…"
"Papa! Ice cream!" screamed Mika from the back.
"Well, I have to go Mrs. Margaret, you've heard the monster," he said, turning on the car again and moving it forward. He waved and saw her waving back before completely disappearing into town and the nearest shop.
***
As the days turned to weeks and the weeks to months, Harry found that he enjoyed the company of Luna. She was a good traveler, and a great cook. Their search for the Crumple-Horned Snorkack had been abandoned a month after it started.
Harry often realized that he could have parted ways with Luna and gone back home to England. She was rather adept and clever; she didn't need him as much as he told himself she did. He needed to stop being such a Gryffindor.
Then again, he was also immensely enjoying seeing the world again with a traveling companion as opposed to alone. Luna often pointed out the things that escaped his notice the first time around. The murals and frescoes of the Renaissance artists seemed brighter and happier when Luna described them to him. Gothic architecture wasn't as gloomy as he once thought. Italian food tasted better when shared between friends.
All was well with the world, that is, until they decided to go to Egypt. They visited the pyramids of Giza, the Great Sphinx, and Bill Weasley.
Bill Weasley, who took them inside the pyramids where he was working as a curse-breaker at Luna's insistence because she wanted to see the Wongleboo Beetle infamous for living in arid environments and having a distinctive mating dance.
Harry still doesn't know if the air was just thin that day or if Wrackspurts were rampant in Egypt, but looking back on it, taking them inside the pyramids wasn't one of Bill's brightest ideas. Harry didn't regret going inside the ancient pyramids even if they were dark, dusty, and dank. Inside the pyramids a world of ancient and dark magic existed that most wizards never got to see in a lifetime; and Bill Weasley got to see it everyday while deconstructing delicately powerful curses. It was enough to make anyone walk around in awe and not pay attention to where he was walking; or listen to the precautions of the curse-breaker in charge; or heed the warning of the residual magic that lingered dangerously on the walls.
To this day, Harry doesn't remember much of what happened that morning besides the blood, a cracking of bones, screaming, darkness, and Luna holding on to his hand.
***
Harry parked, took Mika out from the toddler seat, and cradled him on his hip. The little boy grabbed on to his collar, and choked Harry in the process.
"Mika, you're going to have to let go a bit. Papa can't breathe."
"Sorry, Papa!" the little boy whimpered, burying his head on Harry's neck. Harry petted his son's head. "You didn't do anything wrong, Mika. Now cheer up."
"Ok, Papa!" the little boy murmured into his skin.
Harry waved his wand discreetly to set the anti-theft alarm. Then he walked into the store before setting Mika down. Harry decided to get the ice cream first. Ron and Hermione often shopped in Diagon Alley, but Harry had found he liked going to the Muggle shops better. It was familiar to walk down the aisles where no one knew who he was, or bothered him.
After reaching the frozen food section, Harry and Mika perused the ice cream choices available to them.
"What do you say, mate?"
"Chocolate!"
"Hmm…chocolate does sound good."
"Vanilla too!"
"Yes, vanilla is more picnic appropriate," he murmured, watching his son nod vigorously. Harry smiled slyly before grabbing both the chocolate and vanilla flavor pints. He knew he indulged his children too much, but considering he wasn't allowed to have much of a sweet tooth growing up, who was he to deprive them?
Then they headed to the produce section where Harry let Mika choose the fruit for the picnic. Harry lifted Mika so that he could pick out the 'best fruit' available. After four oranges were plucked from their nest like structure, Harry noticed that they were on the verge of falling.
"Hold on, Mika, these oranges are loose, let me - " He didn't finish his sentence because he didn't notice his son pry another orange loose. And as Harry was pulling Mika away, the orange came with him, and down went the pile. It scattered all over the floor.
***
When he fell through the trap door, Harry felt the dark curses guarding the secret tunnels pulling at him from all directions. They stung, bit, and sunk deep into his skin, torturing him as agony washed over him. Harry didn't remember screaming, the massive loss of blood, or breaking his leg. He didn't remember Luna jumping in after him, instead of running back for Bill in order to get help. He didn't remember that they spent hours stuck inside the dark tunnel as Luna held his hand while the curse-breakers tried to break through to save them. Harry didn't remember the ancient marriage-bonding spell that Luna cast in order to save his life and counteract the blood loss by tethering his life to hers.
However, even with the bond, Harry ended up spending a week in the hospital, most of it in a haze. Yet, the calming presence of Luna was never far from him, and for this Harry was grateful until he woke up and learned of their bond.
"Welcome back to the land of the living, Harry!" Bill greeted him.
"What happened?"
"You fell into a trap, and lost a lot of blood. Luna saved you. Congratulations on your marriage."
"My what?"
"Your marriage."
"What?"
"Did the fall affect your hearing, Harry? Luna bonded you together in order to stop the blood loss."
Harry stared in disbelief at Bill.
"Where's Luna? I need to talk to her."
***
Harry stared with embarrassment at the oranges that scattered over the floor. His blush got deeper as the other patrons snickered at the antics of his son who found it all rather amusing.
Yet, even with the embarrassment, Harry couldn't help but laugh along with his son. Mika's merriment was infectious and it brought joy to Harry's heart when he was able to share in such special moments with his children.
With the help of a store clerk, Harry picked up the escapee oranges in record time and made his way to the counter in order to pay for the items they needed for the picnic.
As they drove back home, Mika chattered about oranges, ice cream, the picnic, and the rain that had threatened to pour all week. This was the same rain that drenched them to the bone as they ran back into the house. And apparently, it was also the same rain that decided to wreck havoc on their roof and flood their picnic.
***
"Did you prefer I let you bleed to death, Harry?" Luna asked solemnly.
"Erm. Of course not," Harry answered. "I'm just wondering what that means for us now. I mean, I know it's a marriage bond, but what does that mean?"
"We're married," Luna deadpanned.
"Right."
Luna smiled brightly. "We should get rings."
"Rings," Harry repeated, closing his eyes as if in pain.
Harry couldn't believe he was bonded to Luna. A part of him began to panic while the rational part, and smallest, of him began saying soothingly, "Relax, this isn't as bad as you think! Luna did save your life." But Harry's panic-stricken side was having an apoplexy.
He didn't want to be married so young, much less magically bonded, and wasn't this one of the reasons he and Ginny broke up? His wonderful and sweet Ginny whose heart he broke because he was too much of a pansy to step up to the job of husband. Oh, how he missed her luscious red hair and soft skin. And she was probably kissing that sod that called himself Harry's friend.
"Harry?"
Harry groaned. There had to be a way to null the bond. Perhaps, he could go back and marry Ginny after all. Walk up to the Burrow and say, "Ginevra Weasley! I've made a mistake. Marry me! Please!"
"Harry? Would you like some headache potion?"
He opened one eye to the sweet face of Luna, and instantly felt like the biggest prick on the planet.
"I'm sorry, Luna. No. I'm ok. I…this is just a lot of information to process. It feels like a dream."
Harry began feeling utterly alone in the world. After defeating Voldemort, things were supposed to have gotten easier. He was supposed to have joined the Aurors, marry Ginny, and have three wonderful children whom they would name after Dumbledore, Snape, Sirius, his parents, and Ginny's best friend, Luna.
Luna, the woman he was married to now.
***
After cleaning the carnage of the freaky summer storm, Harry and Luna spent the rest of the day playing with their children until bedtime.
"I don’t want to go to bed!" screamed Sophie, stomping her foot and turning bright red.
"This is not optional, young lady," Harry sternly said.
Sophie pouted.
"That's not going to work again for tonight, Sophie," Luna chipped in from the doorframe.
Sophie glared at Harry and Luna for a couple of minutes before she resigned herself and climbed into bed. Harry kissed her forehead and tucked her in.
"I want Rawr!" Sophie chirped. Luna walked over to the closet and brought out a stuffed snake to hand to Sophie.
"Goodnight, Sophie," Harry whispered as she yawned quite loudly while snuggling with Rawr. Just as Harry was going to pull away, Sophie patted his cheek and said, "Goodnight, Papa."
Harry smiled. Sophie was always the hardest to put to bed. She always put up a fight and threw a tantrum. On the other hand, Mika loved to sleep and was usually the first to go to bed as well as the last to wake up. Abby had just learned to sleep through a whole night and didn't put up much of a fight on days when they did a lot of activities together as a family.
He loved all of his children, but he'd never forget the night Sophie was conceived. It was the night he let himself fall in love with Luna.
***
It was their one-year anniversary. Even though he'd forgotten, Luna hadn't. She had prepared a splendid meal for them in order to celebrate the occasion. He had come home from work and had been surprised to find a candle light dinner waiting for him with a very beautiful Luna sitting by the fireplace knitting.
"Luna? I thought your birthday was a couple of weeks ago? Did I forget? I'm sorry. I'll make it up to you. I - "
"We've been married for a year," she deadpanned.
"Oh."
Harry blushed, and ran a hand through his hair. "I'm sorry."
"It's okay, Harry. I didn't expect you to remember. I mean, it's not like you had a choice in our marriage."
Harry stood speechless before walking over to her and kneeling in front of her. "I'm sorry, Luna. I've been such prat to you over the past year. I haven't been a husband to you."
"I didn't expect you to be a husband, Harry. Just my friend."
"I guess I haven't been much of a friend. I keep resenting the fact that you bonded with me just to save my life and not of our own free will."
"Do you regret it?"
"Not at all, Luna. I only regret that we couldn't make that choice on our own terms."
"Just because the Thestrals pull the carriage it doesn't mean you can't guide it, Harry," Luna murmured softly.
Harry stared at Luna's silver eyes, and felt his heart beat faster. He was sure that some of it was due to his nerves but another part of him rationalized that this blonde woman was his wife. Had been his wife for the past year, and he hadn't fulfilled his role as husband even if he had gone into it unwillingly. A flush of mortification painted his cheeks as he realized that he was a twenty-one year old married man and still a virgin. If Harry didn't believe that some higher being had some depraved sense of humor before, now he did without conviction.
He reached tentatively towards his wife, and brushed a stray lock of hair behind her ear. Luna smiled. Over the past year that they had traveled together, Luna had put up with a lot of his shenanigans, and he was wishing at that moment that the ground opened and swallowed him whole.
"You're beautiful," he managed to splutter instead.
"Thanks, Harry. You're beautiful too."
"Erm. I don't think men can be beautiful, Luna."
"Says who?"
"Hmm, I reckon you're right," he replied nervously. He smiled and reached for her soft hand. Harry was surprised she didn't recoil from his touch, or slap him. He was waiting for it, but it never came. Instead, a surge of heat enveloped his body, and Harry felt like someone up high had turned up the thermostat just to mess around with him.
"It's a hot night, isn't it?" Luna asked.
He nodded in reply, not trusting his voice to fail him. Suddenly, Luna stood up, pulling him along with her as she walked them to their dinner table.
"I made your favorite, treacle tart."
They enjoyed their roast beef dinner with too much wine and decided to walk around the lake while holding hands after dessert. When they reached the edge of the lake, Luna let go of his hand and walked towards the water, kicking and splashing it all around.
He felt a bit bereft at the loss, but forgot all about her hand, when all of a sudden Luna pulled her Muggle dress over her head to reveal tantalizing milky white skin.
Harry gulped quite audibly as he stood in front of a very naked Luna. Ok, almost naked. She was still in her knickers. Harry's eyes glazed over as he noticed her undergarments were white with frilly hearts all over. He fleetingly thought and realized that she wasn't wearing a bra, and wondered if this had always been the case. To think that he'd been around a bra-less Luna for over a year and not once had been able to cop a feel made Harry feel like the git of the century. Luna was a young woman after all. She was attractive, and if Harry's bits had anything to say in the matter, very desirable.
Suddenly, a spray of water splattering over his face brought him back to the present, and he noticed that where Luna had once stood now laid a dress as well as girly knickers next to it. The realization that a very naked Luna was only but a couple of meters away from him made Harry burn with lust. Before he knew what was happening, his chest monster took over and he was tearing his clothes off frantically. He tripped and landed on his side as he tried to jump out of his trousers and pants at the same time. He heard a giggle and he grinned sheepishly at the scene he must have made. He continued working on his clothes, and it wasn't until after he was down to his socks that Harry became suddenly shy. He covered his manly bits with his hands, and squinted looking for Luna under the light of the moon.
He stumbled a bit into the water but quickly saw an outline of her womanly features. They splashed around, kissed, and laughed before he Apparated them back to their room. He gaped at her womanly form as she lay down on their bed, wet from their swim in the lake. Her golden locks were plastered over her face and parts of her neck while clear rivulets of water made their way down her skin. Her downcast eyes made her appear much more demure than she was leading on to be, and only slightly distracted Harry.
He groaned and made his way over to her.
"You're fucking beautiful!" he gasped, kneeling in front of her and tentatively touching her legs. His hands made their way up her thighs and stopped at her entrance. He paused as he saw her displaying herself so wantonly with her legs spread open, wet in more ways than one. As he reached for her womanhood, the slight trembling of her legs made Harry stop. Luna was scared.
"Luna, are you scared?"
"Aren't you?"
Harry stopped and stared at her before answering. He thought of the life he could have had with Ginny - a life he hadn't thought about in a long time since his unintended marriage to Luna. But then he thought of the life he could have with Luna if he allowed himself to do so. A life he had shared with her over the past two years - a woman who smiled at his jokes, didn't question his choice in career, and made him treacle tart every Sunday. Luna loved him in her own way. And he was sure he loved her too. The adventures they'd had over the past two years were not just memorable, but a small glimpse of the life they could have. He was exhilarated at the thought.
"Terrified," he whispered.