the festivity of true love [jily/hinny] | ⚑

deux

February 14th, 2014. Le Pont des Arts, Paris.

"Oh, Harry, it's such a beautiful sight." Said Ginny Potter, looking at the millions of locks on the bridge. Harry smiled and took her hand, leading them to one of the benches nearby.

"It is, isn't it? It's such a shame that they might be taking it down. Something about the locks weighing down the bridge." He looked crestfallen. All of these secrets, and promises of love, would all disappear.

"You know, I think a simple Strengthening charm might just do the job." Said Ginny, looking slightly mischievous.

"I see that age clearly does not change you, Mrs. Potter." Harry said affectionately, pulling Ginny close to him.

"Age does not change me, Mr. Potter. If I did, I don't possibly see I could still be married to you." Harry clenched his heart, and pretended to look hurt.

"Ginerva Molly Potter, you continue to break my heart," he proclaimed. "And yet I, a simple fool, continue to love you with all of its broken pieces." Ginny giggled, and pulled him into a light kiss.

"This is all very sweet, Harry, but I still think that the Strengthening charm is necessary."

"Have you got no feelings? I just poured my heart out to you, and you're still thinking about the bridge." Harry grinned at her, and inside, he agreed with her idea wholeheartedly.

"Oh, Potter. You're right. Screw the stupid bridge. Let's just sit on this bench and wait for it to come crashing down with us." Harry laughed, and she leaned on his shoulder, watching life flutter around them.

"Think of the children, Ginny. How could anyone explain to them that their parents had been crushed by several thousand pounds of metal?"

"They'd take it fine, I'm sure of it. Mum would take care of them. They'll have fun listening to Celestina Warbeck." She giggled at the thought.

"Heartless to her husband and heartless to her children, this one is." Said Harry, to no one in particular.

"Harry." She said, condescendingly. "I don't believe you've ever been on the receiving end of my Bat-Bogey Hexes, but there's a first for everything." Harry chuckled heartily and fell silent.

"I do suppose you're right – about the bridge, I mean." Said Harry, after a moment. He pulled out his concealed wand and performed a non-verbal Strengthening charm without the Muggles noticing.

"Mr. Head Auror, bending the rules?" Ginny said, looking surprised, but pride shone fiercely in her brown eyes.

"I think they'll forgive me for this one." He turned to her, his eyes wrinkling as he smiled broadly.

"I think they will." She murmured as her lips melted onto his.

The love shared between Ginny and Harry Potter couldn't have been stronger.

They both pulled away, and Ginny snuggled against Harry's chest once more. Harry reached for the lock in his pocket, and pulled it out. He gave it to Ginny, and she smiled.

"The finishing touch to our stay here at Paris. I love it, Harry." Ginny whispered, as Harry kissed her forehead.

"You can choose where to put it," Harry smiled, and Ginny got up. "Just make sure you tell me where."

They were quiet for a while after, Ginny searching for a place for the lock, and Harry admiring the Seine, watching couples throw the keys to their locks into its shimmering waters.

"Harry," Ginny spoke, sounding flabbergasted. She paled slightly. "Harry!" Harry stood up, and rushed to her side, and checked to see if she was hurt.

"Ginny, what is it?" He said, scanning her face. His eyes trailed to what was in her hands.

Time seemed to slow as Harry recognized the outlines of a stag and a doe.

He couldn't believe it. It had to be them. Looking at the lock closely, he noticed the faint aura of magic around it, and checked the bottom of the lock.

"December 24th, 1979..." Ginny started, and her eyes welled up. Harry was mesmerized by the lock, and couldn't take his eyes off of it. The two stayed crouching, admiring it.

"Prongs." said Harry. He looked broken, and lost. Ginny reached out and squeezed his hand gently, and Harry rubbed his fingers over the engravings.

It was as if he had triggered the mechanism of the lock. Two figures flew out of it, giggling and waltzing around Harry and Ginny. Harry immediately recognized them as James and Lily Potter.

None of the Muggles had noticed the two glistening figures. Harry tried to absorb as much detail as he could – from the wrinkles on the corner of his mother's eyes to the untied shoelaces of his father. And just like that, they were gone.

Harry and Ginny stayed silent for a while, Ginny with tears running down her face.

"She had always been exceptionally good at Charms." Harry finally choked out. Ginny nodded, and knelt down towards the lock, and attached theirs right next to it. She muttered some words, and the two locks glowed once more. Harry took her hands as she stood up, and pulled her into a warm embrace.

Words could not describe how they felt at that moment, but as long as they had each other, everything would always be well.

Fin