Together at Last

Harry leaned against the edge of the desk in the library, a drink in his hand and his eyes on his friends. He had only been in residence a week, and all of the bookcases were still empty, making the room a little echoy. Even so, it remained the coziest room in the house for entertaining a small group. After cleaning out the house with Molly and Minerva, Hermione had systematically repaired, refurbished and re-upholstered all of the antiques in the house. She transformed the dusty moth-eaten furniture back into showroom quality pieces with gleaming woodwork and inviting cushions to sink into. As he scanned the room, his eyes lingered on Ginny. She noticed his stare and joined him at the desk. “So,” he said. “You and Neville. I didn’t see that one coming.”
“Yeah, well ‘Toujours Pur’ right?” Ginny laughed at Harry’s shocked face. “Relax, I’m kidding. Neville has all those strong Gryffindor traits I admire.” She turned her gaze toward her husband and smiled. “Love of family, dedication to friends, stubbornness, bravery bordering on stupidity.” She raised her glass to Harry. “And he’s straight.”
Harry smiled at her. He had forgotten how easy it was to talk to Ginny. “Well, nobody’s perfect.”
“Luckily he meets my version of perfect, not yours.” The pair clinked glasses and drank. “And speaking of perfect, what a waste of a man.” Harry followed her eyes and saw Oliver sitting on the chaise with Luna.
“Says you.” Harry knew the smile stretching his face was dopey. After a few moments of self-indulgent staring he turned back to Ginny. “What do you suppose those two are talking about?” He gestured to Hermione and Neville.
“Standing slightly away from everyone, heads together, a hiss of whispers. Most spouses would assume an affair. Ron and I know it means they are talking work. The Ambassador to the Muggles conferring with the Aurors Head of Department on who knows what.”
Every day Harry realized there was more and more he needed to learn about the lives of his friends. “They do this often at parties?”
“No, not often. Just when things are busy.” She looked down into her empty wine glass. “Are Kreacher and Winky on strike?”
Harry laughed. “No, Winky has baby Molly and I insisted Kreacher take the night off.”
“Bet that went over well.”
“Yup. He’s sulking under the boiler in that closet off the kitchen. I’ll get you a refill.”
Ginny shook her head. “It amazes me how rarely you use your wand.” She gave a graceful flick of her wand and an open bottle of red drifted to them from the bar trolley in the corner. When it reached them, she gave them both a generous glass. “Maybe you should find him some help. I can help you find an elf, if you like.”
“Yeah, that’d be great.” Harry wanted to learn more about his childhood friends. “And what are your brothers talking about?”
“That’s easy, Quidditch and business.”
“And Luna and Oliver?”
“Judging from the dazed look on his face it is either a recap of the latest Quibbler or a lesson on wand lore.”
“Why wand lore?” Harry asked.
“I forget how long you were gone. Luna worked with Olivander for five years, until he died last spring. He left her everything. Olivander’s is now Luna’s.”
“Wow. Luna as business woman.” Harry took a deep drink of his wine.
“More like artist. You remember how odd Olivander was. My sister-in-law seems like his perfect heir.” The two shared a laugh. “But seriously her wands are excellent.”
“And you?”
“Me.” Ginny took a long slow drink of her wine. “Don’t tell anyone, but I am an accountant.”
“What?” Harry stared at her in disbelief. “You’re kidding.”
“I am not. You’ve met my brothers and Luna. Who do you think manages the business accounts? Who do you think organizes their inventories? Me, that’s who!” Fire snapped in Ginny’s eyes as she glared at Harry.
“I’m sorry,” Harry said. “Put like that it makes perfect sense. I just always pictured you as an Auror or something else a little wild.”
“One dangerous job is enough in any house hold.” Her worry showed fleetingly as she looked at her husband.
“Hey, let’s rescue Oliver and break up the business meetings.” He threw his arm around Ginny’s shoulders and headed across the room.
Late in the evening Oliver and Harry curled together on the chaise with Ron stretched out on the couch and Hermione in a chair. “So what do you think of the square, Harry,” Hermione asked. “It’s really cleaned up.”
“Yeah, I noticed,” Harry said. “When did that happen?”
“When word got out that we were cleaning this place up, other wizards and witches started to check out the area. Now over half the houses on the square are magical families. Most of them around our age.” Hermione shared a look with Ron. “You haven’t run into anyone?”
Hermione looked nervous, never a good sign in Harry’s opinion. “And by anyone you mean some one I would know.”
“She means Malfoy, mate.” Ron sat up to better see Harry’s reaction. There was none, just a blank face. “He gave Malfoy Manor to the Ministry for the Wizarding Museum and bought a house across the square.”
“He gave Malfoy Manor…”
Hermione continued. “Well his dad is serving life in Azkaban and his mother fled to the south of France, leaving him sole administrator of the Malfoy estate.”
“Oh,” was all Harry could manage.
“I’m sorry we keep bombarding you with information,” Hermione apologized. “But we thought you should know.”
Harry leaned against Oliver. “Thanks.” He looked at the floor. “I’ll keep an eye out for him.”
Ron stood and turned to heave Hermione out of her chair. “Come on, wife, let’s get home. Oliver, always good to see you. Harry, you’ll call if you need us?”
“Of course.” He stood and hugged them both. “I assume you have a Ministry car?”
“Yes,” Hermione answered. “I love you.” She hugged him again.
Once the door closed behind them Harry returned to Oliver. “I hope you are spending the night.”
Oliver took Harry in his arms. “I would love to.” He kissed Harry softly. “Lead the way.”