Life and Love After Voldemort

A few days later, Harry and Ginny were entwined on a plush couch in front of the Sweeper-approved fireplace in the library at Grimmauld Place , discussing the ramifications of the impending sale of the Cannons. The rampant embezzlement at the casino had depleted the Chudleighton fortune to a devastating degree, leaving Nessie little choice but to sell the team at the peak of its value. Harry and Ginny were surprised to learn that the value stayed elevated in the estimation of bidders despite the fact that most of the roster were either leaving the sport or accepting transfers to other clubs in return for cash. As it turned out, the Chudleighton family had sought to divest themselves from professional sports decades earlier and concentrate on their resort and casino endeavors, but most of the wizarding community had been convinced that the team had been truly cursed, leaving the Chudleightons with no buyers and little interest in improving the on-field product.

The Cannons' victory proved otherwise, and numerous potential purchasers emerged before one was selected, who according to Harry was seeking to maintain the level of excellence that the club had briefly tasted. "For instance, I heard from George that the new owner is in talks with Krum to be the Cannons Seeker. Viktor's apparently quite taken with the area - or Clara, take your pick. Can't wait to see Ron's reaction," Harry added sarcastically.

"When did you see George?" asked Ginny.

"I dropped by his shop on the way home to go over ideas for some prank wedding gifts for Ron."

"Wow, you're certainly loosening up; you've never been the prankster type. Must be a result of your impending official merger with the Weasley clan!" said a giggling Ginny.

"It was actually a favor I did for Hermione. She knows George will be up to shenanigans as the big day approaches, but doesn't want Ron to be subjected to anything that he might take to heart."

('The twins have given him quite enough neuroses, lest we forget his issues with spiders,' Hermione had reminded Harry.)

"I managed to convince George to go easy on Ron by keeping the merriment limited to short-term stuff like Freckle Flashers that make his freckles shoot out blinking neon-green light beams for a couple of hours. Before that, George and Fred's portrait were having a high old time trying to top each other for the most embarrassing gag they could pull on Ron during his honeymoon -- all of the 48-hour or longer variety, from Super-Stick Shorts to Hula Hips," said Harry with a smirk. "I couldn't let them do that to my future comrade-in-wands and brother-in-law... not that it wouldn't have been an absolute riot."

Ginny couldn't contain herself as she pictured Ron under the influence of the twin's trickery. "I can just hear his outcry when he can't stop swaying to-and-fro: "Aloha... Oi!!!" Ginny and Harry fell off the couch, laughing uncontrollably. When they regained composure, they remembered what they were talking about before their tumble.

"At least Nessie has no hard feelings about my transfer to the Harpies; her wedding gift is absolutely lovely," said Ginny. "I can't wait to see the honeymoon suite at the Honolulu Chudleighton. And before you pipe up, no more 'lei' jokes today, if you please."

"No, you've already won the pun of the day, m'dear," Harry shot back. "I'll fill you in on the prize later." The couple smiled at each other and settled into a comfortable silence.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Harry slowly stroked his fiancée's hair and embraced the inner calm that her presence always provided him. The peaceful setting invited Harry to reflect on his life as he faced another turning point: he'd said farewell to Quidditch and prepared to enter married life and lead the division of the Ministry of Magic that dealt with fighting the dark forces of the world. He had sometimes wondered whether he had a purpose beyond defeating Voldemort, but his subsequent experiences had proven that he had a lifetime's worth of service to share with his friends, family, and the entire wizarding world.

Harry had relied on the help and support of his friends to get through his recent challenges, and he gradually realized that those closest to him had needed his help and support just as much as he'd needed theirs to find direction in life. Harry was more than the Boy-Who-Lived or some Chocolate Frog Card to those he loved. He was an integral part of their lives, and he had found further purpose in contributing to their happiness and well-being as best he could. For the first time, Harry's destiny and those of his wife-to-be and two best friends were surrounded by answers rather than questions. Harry knew that the passage of time would lead to the healing of the scars each harbored from their battles with the dark forces as they faced the responsibilities of adulthood together.

"My hero," whispered Ginny dreamily.

I love you too, darling.