The Moonlight Gang

Thank you for visiting my fic! Please leave a review to let me know what you thought.
I was watching back to back episodes of the Dog Whisperer (Cesar is my weird crush) and this plot bunny just appeared in my head, and wouldn't stop jumping around until I sat at my computer to write. Enjoy!


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Harry limped up the stone path towards the house. The weeds had grown between the slabs again, he noticed, despite all his hard work tending to the garden last year. Grunting a little, he bent down and grabbed a dandelion by the stalk, pulling until the head popped off in his hand, juice from the stem dribbling down his palm. When he heaved his sluggish body back into an upright position he started, for there was suddenly a face in one of the windows.

Lily Potter had pressed her tiny face against the glass, her grin huge and her nose squashed and white. Harry lifted his hand to wave at his daughter, the little yellow flower still firmly in his grip. He saw her mouth "Daddy!" before her breath fogged up the glass, clouding her face. She rubbed at the window furiously, taking one last glance at her father before disappearing. Harry hobbled a little faster then, in an effort to reach the large red door as quickly as possible. He reached out a hand to knock, but before his fist could land, the door swung open.

"Ginny!" Harry grinned at the woman stood in the doorway. She looked different - her hair was up off of her face and she had swapped the jeans and t-shirt Harry was so used to for a form-fitting blue shirt and knee-length grey skirt. No longer the girl he fell in love with all those years ago, Harry's brain supplied for him suddenly.

"You said you wouldn't be here until tomorrow. You promised me you wouldn't let the kids see you like this." Ginny wasn't smiling. In fact, her expression was cold. Harry blinked up at her, pressing his hands together. He realised he was still holding the squashed flower, and, feeling foolish, he let it fall, wiping his hands on his trousers nervously. Ginny glanced down at the flower rolling away in the wind, before looking up at Harry, her eyebrows raised in question.

"Er.. I'm sorry. I can explain," he offered, "Please, Gin, I just wanna see them." Ginny's expression softened at the use of the nickname. She stood for a moment, considering him, before sighing. Opening the door fully, she gestured inside.

"Come on then."

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Harry sat down gingerly on the couch, shrugging his way out of the battered coat he had been using for a few too many years. His nose tingled with both familiar and unfamiliar scents as he inhaled, and he glanced around at the room he had been in so many times before, the family portraits on the wall catching his eye. The door to the kitchen opened and Ginny came in at that moment, holding a flowery tray. She looked at him, following his eyeline and pausing, before setting the tray down loudly on the small coffee table between them. Harry looked away awkwardly, taking the cup that Ginny was holding out to him. Their fingers brushed for a moment, and Ginny sighed again when Harry snatched his hand away. She sat down heavily in the chair opposite him, pulling out her wand and waving it, causing the pot of tea to come rushing aggresively towards Harry's face. He plucked it from the air before it could do him any serious harm, pouring a small amount for himself. After setting the pot back on the tray, he wrapped his fingers around the cup for warmth, holding it defensively in front of his face.

"Where are they?" Harry asked, his eyes meeting Ginny's, who looked away quickly. She busied herself pouring her own cup before answering.

"Upstairs. With Dean."

Harry stiffened then, and took a loud sip to collect himself. Ginny looked disgusted. He "aah-ed" with contentment after he finished, but it sounded weak.

"Now tell me why you're here this early." Ginny ordered, but then took a loud, insecure sip of her own. She was looking at his shoulder instead of his face. Harry set his cup down on the table, leaning towards her slightly.

"I received an owl from the Ministry this morning when I got back from..." Harry cleared his throat and paused. He searched his pocket for a piece of parchment, which he slid across the table, and then continued. "Classified. Even signed off by Kingsley. Said I'm needed immediately for an extremely important matter. Doesn't say what though. I've scanned it for any trace of Dark magic and it's clear. I have to leave tomorrow." Harry felt at ease confiding this information with Ginny, as he had so many times before. This time of course was different, hugely so, but she placed her cup down and pushed back the strands of hair surrounding her face before placing her elbows on her knees, a familiar gesture. It wasn't the first time he had been contacted by the Ministry. Ginny picked up the parchment, unfolding it to read.

"That's why I came today. I have to go, of course. I didn't want to have to miss Lily's birthday, Gin, I'm sorry." Ginny looked up at his eyes then, searching his face. Harry smiled thinly at her. "I've brought her a present. I've brought them all presents. Can I see them? Please?"

Harry's voice had wavered a bit on that last word. He cleared his throat again, taking another loud sip of tea. It had gone cold.

Ginny sighed again.

"Ok. Ok. Fine. That's fine." She seemed to have warmed towards him a little. Harry thought that she might be worried for him, but he couldn't tell. He didn't want to presume. Ginny stood up, brushing the creases from her skirt.

"I'll go get them." Harry didn't need to hear the unspoken 'stay there'. He nodded, watching Ginny's hair sway as she slipped out of the door.

By the time the door opened again, Harry had left his chair and was pacing, his head bowed and fingers drumming against his legs. Ginny stepped into the room first and her eyes widened upon seeing the empty couch, but she visibly relaxed when she caught sight of Harry by the window. She was guiding his youngest son, Albus, into the room, her hand placed protectively on his back. Next came little Lily, dragging behind her a tall man that Harry recognised from school. Dean Thomas. He had Lily's hand held firmly in his own, but the girl slipped from his grasp, running towards Harry with a bright smile and her arms open wide. Harry braced himself, picking her up with ease, despite the soreness of his muscles.

"Oof!" He exclaimed as she collided with him, burying his face into her hair.

"Daddy!" Lily was all smiles as she hugged into him, rubbing her cheek on his shoulder lovingly. Harry looked up to see his oldest son James stepping into the room. Harry grinned at him. His three children embraced him, and for the first time in a while, Harry's heart felt light and lifted.

After an awkward interaction with Dean, and after a anxious look from Ginny, Harry placed his daughter back on the ground. He reached into his pocket, bringing out three tiny packages, which he then enlarged, and handed them happily to his three small children. They spent half an hour together, Dean and Ginny floating around nervously all the while, before it came time for him to leave and say goodbye.

Harry stood up from embracing his children, looking down at them one last time, before stepping back to view them.

"Be good, I'll see you soon. James, look after your brother and sister. Happy Birthday Lily. I'll send you a special birthday patronus!" He ruffled Albus' hair, glancing up to smile at Ginny. Nodding at Dean, who inclined his head in return, he stepped backwards out of the door, waving. Before the door closed, Lily stuck her head out of the gap, and Harry bent down to kiss her cheek.

"I love you." He whispered, and she giggled.

"Come on Lily!" Ginny said, and with that, the face of Harry's precious daughter disappeared and the door closed. Sighing, his body deflating, Harry turned to regard the waning moon above him. He considered it for a moment, before turning and apparating into the night with a *pop*.

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End of Chapter 1. We won't be seeing the kids again for a while, so say your goodbyes!