Snapshots From Life

Chapter 12 - The Stroll

Harry and Ginny walked out of the restaurant into the night. It was a beautiful night out. The sky was clear, and the moon shone brightly. The breeze was a bit chilly as Ginny pulled her shawl up over her bare shoulders. Harry noticed Ginny's reaction to the cool air. He slipped off his sport coat and slipped it around her. Ginny wrapped the coat around herself and gave Harry a smile of appreciation, "Thank you Love."

Harry smiled, "Did you enjoy dinner?"

Ginny nodded, "Very much. The food was fantastic, and the service was impeccable. I had a great time. It was so magical you could hardly tell it was muggle owned. I'm so glad we decided to come out tonight."

Harry said, "Me too. It's been a long time since we went out to dinner. When was the last time?"

Ginny was thoughtful for a moment, "I think it was right before I went to training camp. We went to the Leaky Cauldron with Percy and Audrey."

Harry chuckled, "Now I remember. I tried to tell them a muggle restaurant would be better instead of eating in Diagon Alley."

Ginny laughed, "Yup. You tried to tell him the press would be all over us and Percy insisted they wouldn't be. About 2 minutes after we sat down, the press was there."

Harry started laughing harder, "The look on Audrey's face was priceless when they started taking photographs of us eating."

Ginny giggled as she took Harry's arm, "I thought Percy was going to have a fit."

When Harry and Ginny did manage to find time to go out to dinner, they usually ate at muggle restaurants and cafes. They found that they got a lot more privacy and could actually enjoy themselves without the wizarding press around asking about Harry's latest case or Ginny's last match with the Harpies. Over the years, it had gotten a bit harder to get around the wizarding world. With Harry's high-profile cases from time to time and the Harpies winning the championship match so many times, they were easily recognized just about everywhere they went. Having close friends and family high up in the Ministry didn't help matters either. A lot of people asked them for favors from time to time. These favors ranged from getting rid of small citations people had received to asking to get entire laws changed. Harry and Ginny both declined to help anybody in that way.

Harry asked, "Shall we walk home? It's such a nice night out."

Ginny replied, "That sounds good. We're close enough."

As they walked down the street Harry and Ginny both enjoyed just strolling along. Times like this were few and far between. He cherished the times that they could just stop and enjoy themselves and be by themselves. Even though Harry and Ginny both made time for the physical aspects of their marriage, this is what Harry deeply missed. He always tried to make moments like these last for as long as he could. Harry smiled as they slowly made their way home.

Ginny looked over to Harry and said, "I'm so glad we now have a restaurant so close to home that we can go to."

Harry nodded, "Me too. We'll have to go more often. I really enjoyed the kidney pie. It was almost as good as your mum's."

Ginny smiled, "The roasted chicken was amazing."

After a few minutes, Harry asked, "Did I tell you we got a new auror in the office?"

Ginny shook her head, "No, you didn't."

Harry said, "He's a transfer from America named Tom. He just came over a couple of weeks ago. Good bloke, too. He's a muggle born. He said he has wizard relatives in Wales, that's why he moved here. After graduating from Ilvermorny, he joined the American Army and spent 20 years with a wizard unit before joining MUCSA as an auror. He fought in some serious conflicts. His methods are a bit unorthodox, but I think that has more to do with the culture differences than anything else. I can't argue with his results though. He knows his stuff, that's for sure. I sat in on one of his interrogations and I tell you, this guy can make just about anybody talk with just a look. All he did was sit there and stare at the suspect. After about 5 minutes the wizard was spilling everything to Tom. The witches in the office fancy him quite a bit but most of the men find him to be a bit crude."

With a puzzled look Ginny asked, "Why do the other men think he's crude?"

Harry smiled, "Well, honestly he's more unpolished than anything. He's not hung up on his image, as much as he cares about doing his job. You know a lot of the wizards in the Auror Office put a lot of effort into their public appearance and image while Tom really doesn't seem to care about that. He's not hung up on or impressed with titles either. He gets impressed with an auror's arrest record and as he says, 'time served'. Plus, he uses a lot of American military terms. Terms like SNFU, FUBAR, whiskey tango foxtrot, and oscar mike." Harry could see Ginny smiling at the strange terms. Harry smiled too, "Don't ask what they mean because I'm not sure I do."

Ginny asked, "What do you think of him?"

Harry replied, "I personally like him. I think he's an exceptionally talented wizard who really cares about making a difference. He seems to be a bit aggressive, but he doesn't cross the line. Tom tends to be loud and a bit crass. The guy has a great sense of humor though. I think that has to do with his military background, I think he's learned to laugh even in the most dire circumstances. With his military experience, he's a natural in the field and as a leader. He's not afraid to yield his authority to somebody who has more experience though and he's open to new ideas."

Ginny nodded, "Sounds like an interesting wizard. Now, if he spent 20 years in the American military, that would put him older than you wouldn't it? How does that work, you being a younger man giving him orders? Did he say why he joined up?"

Harry smiled, "When I first met him, I ask him about that. He said it wouldn't be a problem, my reputation proceeded me." Harry chuckled a little, "I think I'm about the only one who can give him orders. I don't think he really trusts anybody else yet. It really winds up some of them too," Harry chuckled again. "I asked him about his military service too. He said he joined because it's kind of a family tradition. He has a few family members that have either served or still serving."

Ginny nodded. She let him go on about this new auror because Harry actually seemed excited about having a new wizard on his team. She saw a spark of excitement in Harry's eyes that she didn't see very often. It made her smile.

Harry intentionally kept talking about the new auror Tom while they walked in hopes that Ginny wouldn't noticed that they walked by the house twice already. Once they found their way back to the house a third time, Harry led Ginny to the square in front, "Let's sit before going inside." Ginny nodded.

They walked over to a bench. Harry bend down and swept it off with his hand before Ginny sat down. Harry put his arm around her and pulled Ginny close. He kissed her head while Ginny settled into him.

Harry sighed, "We really need to do this more."

Ginny nodded, "This has been fun. We need to start making time for things like this."

The couple sat in comfortable silence and just enjoyed being together. After a few minutes Ginny sat up, "Love, what do think of me leaving the girls?"

Harry took Ginny's hand and replied, "Are you sure? I mean, playing for the Harpies has been your dream ever since I've known you. Plus, you're at the top of your game right now. You're one of the best players in the game. Not to mention one of the most popular."

Ginny looked to her left hand and gazed at her engagement ring and wedding band for a moment, "I'm not sure yet. I've realized that I really miss being home and being with you. I'm not saying I'm going to stay home all the time. I'll probably take some time off for a bit then get a job that would allow me to be home at night and keep a regular schedule."

Harry nodded, "If that's what you want to do. I'll fully support your decision. You know that."

Ginny nodded as she took Harry's hand, "I know. I'm not sure yet. The championship match is in a couple of days. Next week that we'll have the media day and I'll clean out my locker. After that I'll have a few weeks off, which we'll be on holiday for at least one of them, then it's back to training for the next season. I love playing quidditch, I'm just not sure I still want to go through all the training anymore." With a sly smile Ginny added, "An added benefit with me starting a new career and having a regular schedule is it'll make having a family a lot easier."

Harry smiled, "True. It's something to think about anyway." Harry started to stand, "I could go for a nightcap before bed. How about you?"

Ginny stood. With a smile she pulled Harry's sport coat a little tighter around herself, "I thought you'd never asked."