H. Granger's Journal

August

Sunday, August 3rd, 2003

8:54 pm

The whole flat process has been horrendously long and complicated. I believed we would have a flat when Harry arrived in Cardiff; but our prospective landlady allowed another pair of prospective tenants to apply, and so at the last moment all of Harry's things, many of my books, Harry, Fred, and George had to be diverted to my grandmother's house near Bristol. We piled everything in her cellar; of course my grandmother and her neighbours are not supposed to observe levitating chests of drawers, so we had to sneak about a bit. Fred and George threw themselves into the process with glee and did not do anything worse than cheerfully informing my grandmother that they had almost given themselves scurvy a few months ago: "We started getting delusions. And really chapped lips." Am still not sure whether they meant it; would not expect Fred and George to be that low on funds, but naturally they would never ask their parents for money, if they had overextended themselves.

We eventually gave up and turned to a different flat altogether. Harry is there now, unpacking. I have come back to the Burrow to box up the books I felt I couldn't live without for a month or two, which is an extraordinarily difficult process, since I am always convinced I will need them as soon as I let them out of sight.

Monday, August 4th, 2003

10:13 am

Woke up this morning reaching out for Harry . . . Strange how just two mornings in the same place set one's expectations. Must pack books quickly and return to Cardiff.

Tuesday, August 5th, 2003

1:23 pm

To Cardiff again today, with boxes and boxes of books, and a basket of vegetables from Mrs. Weasley's garden, including tiny marrows and the most astonishingly purple basil. Back to the Burrow tomorrow, to think about packing clothing. Then an event for the Duelling Society this weekend, and Ron might visit sometime next week! But after Ron leaves we'll be in Cardiff permanently.

Ginny has taken to teasing me about commitment-- Harry and I are practically married, she insists. I don't know why this bothers me, exactly; maybe just that being Harry's friend is already such a commitment, the thought of an actual ceremony is overwhelming.

Of course, Ginny doesn't understand my feelings about children, either (which are very definitely settle-the-career-first . . . and I do sometimes wonder if Harry would even know what to do with a child). I've been restraining myself from pointing out that I grew up without six brothers, and may not have family on the brain.

Monday, August 11th, 2003

8:31 pm

Duelling Society this weekend was remarkable mostly for the fact that every girl Neville has ever been officially romantically involved with was present. (Including me-- it lasted all of three weeks, but Neville was practically my first kiss-- but not including Ginny, since Neville and Ginny were never officially together.) Laura Madley's the most recent of his girls, and was still feeling rather uncomfortable about the whole thing, especially since she must know that she and Neville didn't work out largely because he was still pining after Katie. (Neville is in some ways much more suited to be a Romantic Hero than Harry ever has been. Neville truly does pine, where Harry, no matter what his darker moments, seems happier watching breasts bounce.) Laura and Viktor, now, that would work out-- and create a bizarre web of romantic connection centered on me and Neville-- but alas, Viktor is too old and, more importantly, too far away.

But I'm in Cardiff now, fully prepared with stacks of brilliant purple onions courtesy of Mrs. Weasley.

Friday, August 15th, 2003

6:08 pm

Living with Harry has been pleasant, and, save for the travails of getting ourselves hooked up to the Floo network, remarkably uneventful. We're still quarreling about the existence of this journal, though; he goes into a sulk any time a tangentially related subject comes up. It makes life difficult for me; assuming that I won't abandon my project just because Harry objects, I can choose either to endure Harry's sulks, or to sneak around him. And being secretive seems so silly.

Chatted with Ron in the fire a bit the other night, though our connection's been in and out. He's been offered a position in Japan . . . And also a job in London, in Percy's department. Ron is torn and more than torn; he half-promised Percy, before he was certain about Japan, and it appears that Percy genuinely needs the help (or the human touch), but the prospect of giving up on adventure and staying in England with family is difficult for him to take.

Will almost certainly see Ron at the beginning of September, though. We can all go to a Duelling Society event together, and get properly drunk.

Thursday, August 21st, 2003

3:35 pm

Neville came through Cardiff with us last weekend; he's planning a holiday nearby with his grandmother. It was quite pleasant to wake up to Harry and Neville discussing duelling strategies.

Since then it's been just Harry and me, with the occasional chat with Ron. Ron has accepted the position in Japan but delayed his arrival, so he can work for Percy for a few months first; we'll see how well he survives.

Friday, August 29th, 2003

10:15 pm

Having a flat-warming party tomorrow, with whomever we can persuade to Cardiff (or who happens to be here already-- Bill has suddenly decided to move here, at least for a few months, and there are one or two girls who were a few years behind me at Hogwarts.) Alicia is here for the weekend, dissecting ancient Quidditch games with Harry; Angelina and Roger are off celebrating their wedding anniversary (so strange!) but Neville and Katie will be here tomorrow, along with Fred and George. Ginny's working, alas, and Ron couldn't scrape up the funds for expeditions two weeks in a row. Still, it should be entertaining; I've been teaching all of my bowls to bake, though Harry isn't inclined to be patient with the inevitable spills.