‘Are you okay?’
Cuddled up against Ginny, the sound of Harry’s voice seemed to echo in the silent room, even though it was barely above a whisper. It had only been about two months since the battle, and emotions were still raw. The Burrow seemed filled with a constant smog of grief and dread. But sleeping in the same bed (or doing anything but sleeping) calmed the couple more than any other remedy.
‘Better now that you’re here’ Ginny answered, her voice muffled against Harry’s thin hand-me-down shirt.
‘I wish I could make it easier for you, for us, for everyone.’ Harry said, the sound barely audible. Ever since May, Harry had been plagued with survivor’s guilt, PTSD, and lucid nightmares as he slept. On the other hand, Ginny simply couldn’t sleep. Constantly being awake with just your own thoughts is torturous for anyone, but the loss of Fred, Tonks, Remus, and countless others made the toll on her body even worse.
‘Every day you make it easier for everyone. I don’t think you really notice with all your nobility nonsense.’ Ginny said with a painfully forced chuckle.
‘I think we’re all doing our best’ Harry said with a light smirk that quickly faded. ‘But it’s just hard. Seeing Teddy today, it just makes it all even more real, you know?’
Ginny did know. Even after burying Fred, she still saw him in places she didn’t expect to. In the rustle of bushes she expects will jump out and prank her, or in the missing space on the Weasley clock. Harry was the same, but his grief came even more from the feeling that he had orphaned a boy who never even got to know his parents. Although Harry and Ginny had met with Andromeda and Teddy before, as the baby grew, Harry couldn’t help but see every characteristic he shared with his now dead parents. The warmth in his eyes that was just so Remus. Or the mischievous giggling as he played with Ginny that was identical to Tonks. Harry knows that one day, he will have to tell Teddy of everything innocent people sacrificed. Although Harry is proud of what they’ve accomplished, he can’t help the dread that builds in his stomach imagining the future. A future that, thanks to him has no Remus, Tonks, or Fre-
‘Harry you’re thinking a little too hard.’ Ginny remarks, cutting into his thoughts.
‘Am I?’ Harry says with a natural smile. One that’s hard to come by these days.
‘Yeah I can see it in your eyes.’ Ginny answers.
‘Well I’m glad I’ve got you to bring me back to Earth, you know.’
‘Yeah, without me your brain would just be filled with all the rubbish you believe.’
They chuckle, and fall into an unnatural silence.
Harry can tell Ginny wants to say something, but before he even has the chance to pry, she talks first.
‘I know what you’re thinking about. Listen Harry, Teddy already adores you beyond belief. You’re already the best godfather I’ve ever seen. The way you care for him, it’s so natural. I know you’re having a hard time believing that, but everyone can see it. Besides, they wouldn’t have named you godfather if they thought you weren’t everything he needs and more. I know it’s hard Harry, but every day we’re getting better. Better with talking, better with laughing, better with shag-‘
Harry cuts her off with his hardest laugh since the start of summer.
‘Anyways, you are the most noble git I’ve ever met.’
After a long pause, she finishes her thought. ‘And it’s going to be okay. I just know it.’
They don’t exchange many words after that, but Harry knows she meant every word of what she said. And a hopeful part of him agrees with her.
For the first time in what feels like a few lifetimes, Harry doesn’t wake up in his sleep, and Ginny sleeps for an entire 6 hours.