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Spring Cleaning | ||||
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Category: Post-Hogwarts Characters:None Genres: Fluff Warnings: None Story is Complete Rating: PG Reviews: 7 Summary: Harry is surprised to find that Ginny's kept something odd from their time at Hogwarts. Hitcount: Story Total: 3018 Awards: View Trophy Room Disclaimer: Harry Potter Publishing Rights © J.K.R. Note the opinions in this story are my own and in no way represent the owners of this site. This story subject to copyright law under transformative use. No compensation is made for this work. Author's Notes: This one-shot takes place twenty years after the Battle of Hogwarts |
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Ginny Potter sighed, wiped a drop of sweat from her forehead, and put aside a stack of cracked potion vials. She looked around the attic and sighed again. “Accio,” Ginny muttered, and a box full of children’s clothing that no longer fit flew to her side and sat itself at the top of the stack to her right. Even with the help of magic, this clear out had taken much longer than she’d thought when planning her spring cleaning. Still, one more box to add to the stack at her left and - “Luv, what are you doing,” said a voice behind her. Ginny jerked and stumbled into the stack of boxes to her right and knocked them over with a crash that shook the floor. Dust flew up and choked her. She sneezed three times, wiped her eyes, and turned to see her husband standing there with a guilty grin on his face. “Harry James Potter!” She shouted. “Do you know how long it took for me to sort out that lot?” Harry stepped back from her blazing eyes and her scarlet face. He looked at the pile of old cauldrons, quills with bent and shredded feathers, faded and crumpled parchment, a few books, worn-out robes, and a pair of old shoes. “Sorry,” he said. “You should know better than to sneak up on someone.” “Who did you think it was, Ginny? No one can enter the house unless they’re family or friends.” Ginny put her wand in her pocket and crossed her arms over her chest. “That’s not the point, dear husband. I was concentrating on this mess and didn’t hear you.” “I am sorry,” Harry said as he dared approach his irritated wife. “I know,” Ginny said after a long pause. She let Harry kiss her, and then she turned to the mess. “Help me clear this up.” “Sure, but why aren’t you using magic. You’d have it done in no time.” “I was nearly finished when you made me knock over that stack,” Ginny explained through gritted teeth as her eyes began to spark again. “I’ll just clear that up, shall I,” said Harry. He lifted his wand and set the mess before him to separating into boxes. Clothes folded themselves and flew into a carton. The shoes joined them as the quills, parchment and more cracked potion vials sailed into a smaller container. He smiled as the books stacked themselves neatly. “Thank you,” Ginny said graciously, but irritably. “For your information, Harry Potter, I was using magic, but as you know, cleaning and sorting spells aren’t my strong suit. Ironically, you’re better at it than me.” “You’re better in the kitchen, Luv,” Harry teased. “I adore your full breakfasts on Sunday mornings.” “That’s because you’re a typical man; you’re always hungry.” Harry pulled her into his arms and kissed her, and this time she didn’t resist him. Ginny released her grip on him when she needed breath. “Harry, why are you home at noon?” “I told you I was taking half the day off to spend time with my wife.” “Oh yeah, I remember you did say something. Harry, I wish we could’ve managed a Holiday at the same time. It’s so beautiful outside, and we only have two weeks until kids are home from school.” “That’s the beauty of being the head of your department. You can delegate.” Ginny’s eyes lit up, and this time they were shining with happiness. “But, I thought you were organizing Hermione’s security. Her trip to the International Magical Cooperation Seminar’s at MACUSA headquarters is only three days away.” “You know Hermione,” Harry shrugged as he played with a strand of Ginny’s hair, which had fallen from the knot on her head. “She believes she can take care of herself and that the Aurors are better here, protecting the magical community. She never thinks about herself when it comes to protection.” “I admire her sentiments, but Harry, she’s going to America. It’s so far away.” “I know, and I wish I could assign myself as her bodyguard, but she wouldn’t hear of it. She’s stubborn, not unlike you.” “Harry Potter,” Ginny playfully shoved him away. Harry stepped back, stumbled over the sleeve of an old robe, and fell into another stack of boxes. They tumbled over with a thunderous crash. “Bloody Hell,” he cursed and picked himself up. “I’m sorry,” Ginny said as she laughed. “That’s was not funny,” Harry grumbled. “Yes, it was Luv.” Harry shook his head, brushed off his work robe, and then crouched again when his eyes fell on a familiar book. “What is this?” He picked up the book and held it out to Ginny. She blushed crimson to her hair and yanked it from his hand. “Oh, you weren’t meant to see that. It’s going to the secondhand shop with the rest of this lot.” “Ginny Potter, why do you still have “Gadding with Ghouls?” “I have all of them, actually,” Ginny said as Harry laughed until he choked on the dust hovering in the air. “It’s not funny,” Ginny shouted, and she shoved past him to clatter down the stairs “Ginny,” Harry hurried behind her until they reached the kitchen. “Wait! Why are you so upset? It’s an old book written by a fraud who’s still stuck in St. Mungo with no memory and no reputation. Do you have a secret fancy for him that I should know?” “That’s not funny,” Ginny whimpered, and tears welled up in her cinnamon eyes. “Hey,” Harry tried to pull her into his arms, but she ducked out of his way. “What did I do?” “You don’t remember, so —“ “Don’t remember what?” “You gave me that set of Lockhart books my first year. He gave them to you for free, and you passed them to me. I know you were twelve and it didn’t mean anything to you but I —“ Harry managed to pull her into his embrace. “You’re right, I didn’t remember, but now I do. I had no idea you’d held onto them for so long. Why?” Ginny met his eyes. “Because I was an eleven old girl with a fancy for the famous Harry Potter. You saved my life that year.” Harry’s eyes began to shine a little. “I don’t like to think about the Chamber of Secrets,” he said quietly. “That night, I didn’t know it with my head, but somehow, I knew with my heart that you and I were meant to be. The thought of how close I came to losing you forever still haunts me when I think about our years at Hogwarts. “Oh, Harry,” Ginny dropped the book on the kitchen table. “I’m sorry. I was hurt because you laughed at me.” “I know,” Harry whispered into her hair. “I’m sorry, too. Will you accept my sincere apology?” “If you help me finish packing up for the junk and secondhand shops, and —“ She whispered in his ear. Harry didn’t think he could still blush after years of marriage, but her last request sent hot blood racing to his face. “Um, I think I can handle both. Can we tick off the last request as first on the list.” Ginny rolled her eyes. “You are a typical wizard, Harry Potter.” “Not lately,” Harry said seriously. “I’ve spent far too much time at work, and I’ve neglected you.” “We’ve neglected each other,” Ginny corrected him. “Let’s rectify that mistake tonight.” “You have me until the kids return. Hermione threatened to sack me if she sees my face before the end of June.” “Remind me to thank her later.” Harry smiled and pushed back her hair. “Come on, let’s finish our chores so we can enjoy the evening.” HPHPHPHPHPHP Later, candles burned low and flickered over Ginny’s face as she sat up in bed with a plate of eggs, sausage, bacon, tomatoes, and mushrooms. “There is nothing more delicious than a full breakfast in bed for dinner. Thank you,” Harry said after a sip from his wine glass. “I love you,” she said and leaned over for a kiss. “I love you, too.” “So what are we going to do for the next two weeks. We didn’t plan a trip or anything special.” “Maybe we can sell your Lockhart books,” Harry said and ducked when she reached out to smack his arm. “Just kidding, Luv.” “They wouldn’t fetch much anyway.” “I don’t know about that,” Harry said. “You could sell them as a set with a stamped parchment declaring that the famous Ginevra Molly Potter once owned them. I’m sure that one of your fans would love to have them.” “I’m not famous,” Ginny protested. “You were one of the best Chasers the Holyhead Harpies ever had.” “I’d debate that with you, Harry, but I’m tired.” “Oh, you are,” Harry said as he waved his wand, and the dishes stacked themselves on a tray and floated away down to the kitchen. “Yes, no more from you, Mr. Potter. “ He jumped at her and tumbled her over on the bed. “I like it when you call me Mister. “ “Not funny,” she pushed him away and slithered out of bed. “Where are you going?” “To read my book,” she said primly. Harry leaped out of bed and chased her around the room until he trapped her in one corner. “That was not funny, wife.” “Yes, it was.” “Come back to bed,” he said, and his green eyes held her more effectively than his arms. “Fine,” Ginny rolled her eyes and sighed. “I will join you in bed with one condition.” “Agreed.” “That you never tell anyone that I still have Lockhart’s books.” “All right, but I thought you were giving them to the junk shop.” “I am, but I don’t want Ron to know how long I kept them.” Harry grinned at her, and Ginny narrowed her eyes at his expression. “I promise I won’t tell Ron.” Ginny frowned, then took his hand and led him back to their bed. “Harry, I don’t need them anymore. I forgot about them until I started cleaning the attic and found them. You can toss them in the bin, and I’d be happy.” “I know,” Harry said and smirked at her. “Oh, you,” Ginny tackled him to the bed. “You’re lucky that I love you.” “Yes, I am.” Harry agreed. “Good, then you won’t mind helping me finish cleaning the boys room tomorrow.” |
| Reviews 7 |
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