Grasping at straws

I'm thinking I may really need to move this from its current section. But I'm not sure how. This has gone from just a Severus/Hermione story to something totally different. But hopefully you all don't mind that.

All canon characters belong to JKR.

Thanks for June for her suggestions and her help.

Chapter 12 – Grasping at Straws.

As Lucius and Ginny walked around the garden, Harry made his way to his room. He’d been cooped up inside for too many days, playing chess with Ron and trying to get Ginny’s attention. He was so wrapped up in his own needs that he didn’t realize his campaign of keeping Ginny for himself was lost, even after he’d seen them in bed together. He found his Firebolt Omega and launched himself from the balcony of his room. As he flew above the castle he looked down at the two figures walking towards the castle, then directed his attention to the mountains, thinking that a little fresh air might help him see things in a better light.

Lucius and Ginny walked towards the table where Severus and Ron were sitting.

“So, did I hear correctly this morning, or did Albus decided to forgo the fireworks for this weekend?” asked Lucius.

“No, it seems that we will be ringing in the New Year with bells and whistles, as Hermione would say,” said Severus.

Ron looked towards Ginny and Lucius, who were holding hands still.

“Ginny, I got an owl from Mum this morning,” Ron said. “She wants to know if we are going to come by for New Year’s. If you want to stay here, I’m sure she’d understand, but I think I might go spend a few days with them.” Ron stood up. After watching his sister with Lucius, he decided Ginny might want to spend time with her new admirer without the worry of her brother watching her every move. Ron really was happy for her. He only hoped Harry would follow his lead and leave the castle on his own accord.

Lucius smiled, then turned to Ginny.

“If you wish to spend time with your family, Ginny, you go on.” He hoped she would say no and stay with him.

“It’s not every day that one gets to ring in a new year in such a beautiful castle. I can visit my parents afterwards. I’d like to stay.” She squeezed Lucius’ hand, then looked at Ron. “I’ll Floo Mum later and let her know.”

Ron nodded and walked into the castle.

Severus was relieved. With Neville gone and now Ron soon to be making his way home, Harry was the only rain cloud left in his otherwise perfect holiday sky. Severus didn’t mind having Albus and Minerva around. They were good company and didn’t mind taking care of the children, allowing himself and Hermione some private time. He always liked spending time with Lucius; and now since Lucius and Ginny were together, it would be nice to have another couple to do things with.

While he didn’t hate Harry, Severus knew that the young man was desperately trying to hang on to his youth. Harry was a war hero, as was Severus, but it was different for him. Severus had been well into his late thirties by the time the war got in full swing and eventually ended. He was ready to move on with his life. He wanted to put the war behind him, and – quite frankly – had never been very comfortable with all of the attention his Order Of Merlin gave him.

But Harry – well, Harry had been barely nineteen when the Dark Lord finally was defeated. Harry became the darling of the wizarding world. Everywhere he went, people wanted to meet him. Women wanted to be seen with him. He had been offered a job at the Ministry, and practically anything he asked for he was given. While he didn’t take advantage of his position, every once in a while Harry would accept little things here and there. The women constantly seeking him out was great for his ego. And it was always nice to have the best seats at Quidditch matches or a brand new broom every year, given by manufacturers touting that the great Harry Potter flew on their broom. Harry was now in his early thirties, and the Golden Boy image he was so desperately clinging to was slowly slipping away. Sadly though, he seemed to be the only person who didn’t realize it.

Severus hoped that perhaps Harry would see that it was time to grow up. Ginny choosing to be with Lucius may have been the kick in the pants Harry needed to finally accept that he was now an adult.

As the afternoon turned into evening, the others finally came back from their trip to China. Odin and Sage immediately ran to their father, eager to show him all of the magical fireworks they found.

“Daddy, this one turns into a Phoenix,” said Sage, holding up a large box.

“This one is a snake! It slithers all around the sky!” yelled Odin as he waved his box in front of Severus.

Severus smiled and listened intently as his children excitedly told him of their day. Hermione watched happily. During her student years at Hogwarts, she could never have imagined that the stern Potions master could be such an attentive father. But she was happy to have been given the opportunity to find out.

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Three days passed quickly. Lucius and Ginny were growing increasingly closer, and Harry increasingly bitter. Ron left for the Burrow that morning. The redhead tried to convince Harry to go with him and spend some time with his family, but Harry couldn’t pry himself from the castle.

Harry briefly thought about trying to slip Ginny a love potion, but he had never been very good at potions, so he nixed that idea. Then an idea hit him. Lucius was a former Death Eater, but due to his help and work with the Order before the fall of Voldemort, he had been given a pardon. One of the stipulations, however, was that Lucius had to describe in full detail all of the raids he had participated in. Harry could get his hands on that document. He thought that if he could show Ginny just what kind of a man she was in love with, then perhaps there was a chance with her. He smiled and began to write his note to his Ministry contact. Ginny would be his before the end of the day

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Just before dinner, Severus had been standing near the front gates of the castle. He’d spotted some rare plants he wanted to research when he got back home. After picking some leaves, he walked back up the stone walkway and noticed Hedwig flying towards Harry’s room with a large package attached to her legs. That in itself wouldn’t have been odd; however, the package was bright yellow with a large purple letter on it. Severus knew this to be a Ministry package – only the Ministry used that kind of packaging, so completely obvious. His naturally suspicious mind began to wonder just what Harry was getting from the Ministry that would be so important as to interrupt his holiday.

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I'll have more this week. I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. Thanks for reading.