Love's Battle Revisited

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

Of course, naturally 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 wish 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 a long time."

"That's not the issue. What about the girls? What if they saw something ... inappropriate going on between you?"

"Don't worry about that. I made sure the girls were elsewhere before anything happened. Whatever else I am, I'm not an exhibitionist, and have no intention of doing anything 'inappropriate,' as you term 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 further, simply taking her leave to sit down at another table halfway across the room from Harry.

Harry was glad she was gone; he was frankly 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 they 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 after this, but Hermione had indeed seen Harry snog Ginny, then cuddle with her at the other table, their heads together and their hands intricately entwined, even occasionally kissing in between bites of food.

For Harry's sake, she 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 new-found happiness and told herself it didn't matter that she was alone ... although it really did. But she had no time to dwell on it right now. 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. "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 about now, so he refrained from saying it. "Harassment goes both ways, Malfoy, so I suggest you remember that," he returned coolly, although he was anything but, 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 DADA 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 not only prepare today's lesson, but he could 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, then dropped an envelope on it and flew off again. He was both surprised and pleased to see that it was from Remus. Had Minerva contacted him again or what? He had no idea if that had been the case or not, but what mattered was that he had heard from Moony again. 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 her 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.

I hope you understand that due to what you did last time, that we require the actual marriage as proof of your feelings for her, not simply the engagement. We have also been exchanging regular owls with Hermione and intend to meet with her, as I mentioned to you last time, and deal with her as her misdeeds warrant. She will not be admitted as an Order member until she has proved to us that she has shown proper remorse for her wrongdoing where you're concerned, which includes refraining from harassing you and your renewed love with Ginny in any way.

I look forward to spending time with you and being brought up to date again, particularly about your DADA teaching, and will give you advice to help you on that score. I also believe that both your parents and Padfoot would be pleased with you for the effort you have shown in making amends to everyone for the wrongs you have done them. I've missed you and want very much to renew my relationship with you, but you need to prove your sincerity first. Once you've done that to my satisfaction, I will be happy to reinstate you as both Padfoot's and my godson. You will also be allowed to call me Moony again.

Keep up the good work!

Remus

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. Best that he get to his lesson plan now, though, 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.