A Day in the Life of Harry James Potter

Chapter 8 – A Day in the Life of Harry James Potter

Of course, all good things must come to an end, or at least a temporary one. When Harry least expected it, he saw Hermione approach him, a suspicious look on her face. “Harry, I'd like to speak to you.”

“What about?”

“I hear you’re seeing Ginny again.”

“So? What business is that of yours? We’re not together anymore. Haven’t been for six months.”

“That’s not the issue. I'm just concerned about the girls. What if they saw something inappropriate going on between you?”

“Don’t worry about that. I make sure the girls are elsewhere before anything happens. Whatever else I am, I’m not an exhibitionist and have no intention of doing anything ‘inappropriate,’ as you call it … especially not in front of them! Frankly I’d be more worried about my own conduct if I were you.”

Hermione’s eyes became hard. “What is that supposed to mean?”

“You know exactly what I mean. If you find yourself wanting to shag someone, kindly make sure our girls are nowhere around. I don’t want them to catch you with a lover again, nor do I care to have to re-explain to them later on just what you were doing and who you were doing it with. In fact, aren’t they due to visit you next weekend?”

“I believe so. But for your information, I’m not seeing anyone at the moment.”

“I never claimed you were. I just want you to make sure to take the proper precautions where the girls are concerned once you start,” he returned calmly. “Now, if you don’t mind, I’m hungry and don’t have a lot of time to eat.” Hermione glared at him but couldn’t argue the point any longer, and she took her leave to sit down at another table halfway across the staff room from Harry.

Harry was glad she was gone. He was expecting Ginny and was glad she hadn’t walked in on his confrontation with his ex-wife. By this time, it didn’t make much difference whether or not he and Ginny kissed in public, so once she arrived they did just that, and Harry frankly hoped ’Mione had seen them. They were too engrossed in each other to notice afterwards, but Hermione had indeed seen Harry snog Ginny, then cuddle with her at the other table, their heads together and their hands intricately intertwined. They even, to her great displeasure, occasionally kissed in between bites of food.

For Harry’s sake, Hermione hoped he was happy with Ginny again; she just wished he didn’t have to be so bloody obvious about it. In fact, she couldn’t help envying his newfound happiness and told herself it didn’t matter that she was alone, although deep down she knew it really did. But she had no time to dwell on it at the moment. There would be time enough to take care of that problem later. She had to figure how to entertain the girls next weekend.

* * * * *

And just when Harry least expected it (fortunately, Ginny wasn’t around at this point; she had a class), he saw his least favourite person approaching him as he was heading back to his own classroom. “What are you doing here, Malfoy?” he demanded as the blond man fell into step beside him.

“I warned you what would happen if you harassed Ginny, Potter.”

“I’m not harassing her. She’s seeing me of her own free will. We’re very happy together. You can ask her if you don’t believe me. And what do you care what she does or who she’s with? You’re not married to her anymore.”

“She’s still the mother of my sons, Potter, so watch your step. The last thing I or my business needs is unsavoury publicity because of you,” Draco shot back.

Harry thought of a sharp retort but really didn’t feel like getting into a long harangue with Malfoy just now, so he refrained.

“Harassment goes both ways, Malfoy; I suggest you remember that,” he returned coolly, although he was anything but cool on the inside. “Now, if you don’t mind, I have a class in a few minutes and need to prepare for it. Good day.” They were standing at the door of the Defence classroom, and Harry was getting ready to close it.

Draco glared at Harry but couldn’t think of anything else to say, so he simply gave a curt nod and departed, which suited Harry just fine. It not only gave him time to prepare today’s lesson, but he could also think about Ginny and their upcoming night together. He would be free because Hermione was due to take the girls for her regularly scheduled visit. He could fix dinner, then he and Ginny could make love, which they had been doing fairly regularly several times a week since they had reconciled roughly a month ago. He could just imagine how she would react once he told her about Draco’s confronting him again but preferred not to dwell on it too much; there were much better, nicer things for him to think about.

Just then, a brown owl swooped in the open window and headed for his desk, quickly dropping an envelope on it before flying off again. He was both surprised and pleased to see that it was from Remus. Had Minerva contacted him again? He had no idea if that had been the case or not, but what mattered was that he had heard from Moony again at last. He opened the envelope and was even more pleased to learn that Remus had learned that he was seeing Ginny steadily again.

… I’m very pleased to learn this, Harry, and hope it continues. However, my earlier statement still stands until and unless you actually make your relationship with Ginny permanent. Let me know once you propose to her again, then perhaps we can get together and really catch up on things. I also promise that I won’t confiscate your wand again, nor will I forcibly restrain you. I have been speaking with the other members of the Order and they have agreed to admit you both as regular members once you actually marry her. The main reason she is not already a member is as I think you can surmise: she was not allowed to join for the duration of her marriage to Draco. After all, how would it look for the son of a Death Eater to be married to a member of the Order of the Phoenix?

PS – I also understand that you’ve been able to reconcile with Molly. Congratulations on being back in the fold; I hope you stay there this time.

This was the best news Harry had had from Remus in a long time, and it made him feel like a great weight had been lifted from his shoulders. It was now only a matter of time until he was back as part of the Order as well as godson to Padfoot and Moony again. He entertained these thoughts for a moment before setting the letter aside; he had best finish his lesson plan because his next students were due in just a few minutes and he wanted to have at least some idea of how to proceed with the current class before they arrived.