Back Home

[harrylives.livejournal.com]

The Slythendor door opens and Harry and Ginny burst through, looking cheerful and relaxed. Their bags are dropped on the floor (more bags than they took away from the looks of things.)

"I guess I'll let people know were back." Harry says, and sends Hedwig out to first Lily, then James with the same brief message.

Back at Hogwarts, see you soon. Harry and Ginny.

While Harry's out, Ginny changes into a new nightdress bought on the trip, and pushes the bags away so she can unpack them after some rest.

Then when Harry returns from sending Hedwig, he collapses onto a couch, leans back and closes his eyes cheerfully. Ginny curls up on the couch with him, snuggling close, and falls asleep.

Comments

[dungbombsrule.livejournal.com]

Ron tumbled out of bed at the noise and grabbed his wand, crawling to the door. He then burst out, pointing his weapon at the intruders. "Oi!"

...

"Oi, Harry! Ginny!" Wand immediately being hid in his pockets, he moved to give Harry, then Ginny a bear hug. The fact they were sitting down made it a bit difficult.

"How the hell have you two been? Harry, look at you! Did you take a sidetrip into the sun itself?"

[harrylives.livejournal.com]

Harry grins up at Ron, returning the hug with one arm (the other is supporting Ginny).

"We went to this island in Greece, it was brilliant!"

[ginevram.livejournal.com]

*Ginny halfway wakes up due to Harry moving about and Ron hugging her*

*mumbled* "'lo Ron! It was loads of fun. Harry got all tanned and ... mmmmm ..." *Ginny rubs her eyes and wakes up a little more.*

"How've things been since we left? Are you okay? Did you check on Arnold for me?"

[dungbombsrule.livejournal.com]

"Yeah, I noticed. Geeze, Harry, did Ginny put you up to it? You didn't, you know, do it on purpose, right? Because sunbathing is sorta a thing girls- Uh. But you look nice, I guess. Might fool the wicked."

He grinned and gave Harry a light punch in the shoulder, turning to Ginny. "Things have been alright. I took Transfiguration taught by Lupin, and it was great. I had to take it with Ed, though. I swear Harry, he is such a prat... and then I took Charms with Professor Malfoy, but Lil- your mom was my partner. So then it was switched: bad prof, good partner."

"Wait, you were here for those, weren't you? Then nothing. And Arnold's fine! Spot barely even touched 'em."

[harrylives.livejournal.com]

"I didn't sunbathe! It was just really sunny all the time!"

Harry punches Ron back, lightly and then gets up and rummages through a bag. "I can't believe you're still not getting on with Ed. He's a great guy." Harry doesn't say anymore because he's had a flashback to midsummer.

[dungbombsrule.livejournal.com]

"Oh, yeah. He's bloody fantastic. When he's not being a jackass. So you probably only got to know him from 5:39 to 5:42 AM on May 16th? Still, what a golden time that was." He rubbed his arm and looked in the bag.

He then mumbled, "Maybe you want him to be your best mate if you like him so much."

[ginevram.livejournal.com]

"I missed transfiguration, but went to Charms. I don't remember much of it though. I reckon my head's still on vacation."

Ginny frowns a little at all the talk of Ed. She's still not sure what's going on there, but she can sense something, and she thinks they need to talk about it, but she'd rather wait until Harry's ready.

What Ron said about Arnold starts to sink in a little though and she turns to him, glaring. "What do you mean spot barely touched him? What happened to Arnold, Ron?"

[dungbombsrule.livejournal.com]

Ron widened his eyes innocently. "Nothing, Ginny! All he got was a little slobber on him. Lucky, since he needed a bath, too. It just means that Spot likes him."

[harrylives.livejournal.com]

Harry decides to let Ron's remarks about Ed slide, becaus ehe doesn't much want to talk about midsummer and also because he's found what he was looking for in the bag.

He pulls out a paper bag and tosses it to Ron. "Here, we got you this."

(http://photobucket.com)

((ooc: it's a Greek soccer shirt IRL, but I figured it could be a Greek Quidditch supporters shirt for our purposes :) ))

[ginevram.livejournal.com]

While Harry's getting out the shirt, Ginny turns to Ron, eyes narrowed.

"How did Spot get slobber on Arnold? Spot doesn't fling drool around or anything!"

[dungbombsrule.livejournal.com]

"He was just saying hello, Ginny. Oh, look at that!" He held up the jersey to cover his features from his sister, and grinned at his best friend.

"It looks real nice, Harry! Though I can't say I root for the team." He narrowed his eyes. "What was the occasion?" Ron was never the type to accept presents easily. He liked it when Harry spoiled his sister, but as to him...

[ginevram.livejournal.com]

Ginny stomped her foot and put her hands on her hips, glaring at her brother. "Ron! What happened?"

[dungbombsrule.livejournal.com]

"Nothing, Ginny! Yeesh. Check on it, if you're so worried!" He looked back at Harry.

[harrylives.livejournal.com]

Harry is familiar with Ron's unwillingness to accept presents, so he claps him on the back and grins.

"I bought something for everyone." He glances at Ginny. "I've never really been on holiday before and I guess I got a bit out of control at the souvenir shops."

[dungbombsrule.livejournal.com]

Ron shrugged, still feeling a bit uncomfortable. "Yeah, I remember wanting to go wild in Egypt. What's better, Ginny? Egypt or Greece?" He almost made to roll the shirt into a ball, but caught himself and gently folded it instead.

[ginevram.livejournal.com]

"Well, Harry wasn't with us in Egypt, so I'd have to say Greece."

She was still glaring at Ron, but remembering how they spent much of their time on the island makes her features soften quite a bit.

[dungbombsrule.livejournal.com]

"Yeah," Ron mumbled, looking a bit down. "One of these days my family's gonna have to take you on vacation too, Harry." He quickly adds, "And I have to plan my trip with Primavera!"

Return owl, heavily warded, charmed to turn into sand if opened by anyone but Harry or Ginny

[lilypotter60.livejournal.com]

Harry and Ginny ~

Glad that you're back, loves. Too tired for a welcoming committee?

~ Mum

[harrylives.livejournal.com]

Ginny's a little tired, but I'm fine. Come by Slythendor, I have a present for you.

~ Harry

[lilypotter60.livejournal.com]

Harry ~

I'm on my way. Still don't know the password, so do you want to meet me outside Slytherin in about ten minutes?

~ Mum

---

Ten mintues later Lily rounded the corner and walked up to the Slytherin entrance. She was grinning and carrying a basket of brownies she'd nicked from the House Elves.

((OOC: Reposted for typing error. *facepalm*))

[harrylives.livejournal.com]

Harry is waiting by the open door, looking for Lily. He grins widely when he sees her.

He is looking relaxed, happy and very tanned and he gives her a hug when she gets close enough.

"Hi, how are you?"

[lilypotter60.livejournal.com]

Wrapping her arms around him, Lily hugged Harry tightly. Stepping back she looked at him. "Not nearly as good as you, apparently," she grinned. "Merlin, look how tan you are!" Holding out the basket she said a bit sheepishly, "I was on my way to raid the kitchen when I got your owl. Figured I might as well bring along a bite."

She studied him for a moment again, before reaching out to ruffle his hair. "You look good, love. Relaxed. Seems to be the way of it lately - your Da and Sirius took a bit of a holiday themselves. How's Ginny, then? Did you two enjoy yourselves?"

[harrylives.livejournal.com]

Harry steps back, indicating that Lily should come in. He smiles and takes the basket "Hey, thanks. These look great." He starts eating one with his free hand, holding the door open with his shoulder.

"Ginny's great, it was such a relaxing trip. It's so beautiful there, it's just amazing!"

[lilypotter60.livejournal.com]

Walking through the door, suppressing a the slight shudder she always felt when she went into Slytherin, she winked at Harry and snagged herself a brownie, "Only the best for my son."

Letting Harry lead, Lily kept her hand resting lightly on her wand and her eyes alert. She appeared relaxed though and her smile didn't fade. None of the fear or stress that had previously haunted her was visible. "Where did you two go? Obviously someplace with sun, yeah? Did you let Sirius and your Da know you were back?"

[harrylives.livejournal.com]

"We went to the Greek Islands, Sirius recommended this one called Kephalonia. It was brilliant."

He puts the brownies down on the table in the middle of the room and sits down on a couch. "Yeah, Hedwig went to you and Da-uh, James."

[lilypotter60.livejournal.com]

Lily sat down next to him, grinning. "Greek Islands? When was Sirius in Greece? Lucky bugger - furthest I've ever been on a holiday is the seashore."

Taking a bite of her brownie, Lily quickly tapped her wand on the table and conjured up two cups of tea, silently offering one to Harry. "Good. Sirius and Ja-your Da will want to come see you, I'm sure. Want to make sure you got back in one piece and the like." She rolled her eyes and took a drink of her tea. "And they'll wait until Ginny and I are out of the room and then there will be boyish nudging and winking and the like. Of course, Ginny and I will pretend not to notice." She laughed, "Ancient way of it, love."

[toujours-sirius.livejournal.com]

A big smile on his face, Sirius strolled into Slythendor.

"Did I hear someone mention my name?" Sirius gave Harry a man-hug and then went over to Lily and kissed her on the cheek. "I was in Greece during one of the years I was on the run from the law, as they say. Saw a lot of lovely places, me and Buckbeak. But I'm more interested in Harry's trip. How was it? You and Ginny enjoy yourself?"

Sirius walked over to his liquor cabinet, unlocked it, and pulled out some Firewhisky. "Drinks?"

[lilypotter60.livejournal.com]

Grinning at Sirius, she returned the embrace and rolled her eyes. "Please, love, don't offer my son drinks ten minutes after he's been in the door. Though I wouldn't mind a bit."

Leaning back, she finished her brownie and held out her tea cup for a splash of Firewhisky. "Look how tan Harry is," she laughed, teasing. "Positively radiant glow, that is." She turned back to Harry and nudged him with her foot. "Do tell, love. I'm dying to hear how the trip was."

[harrylives.livejournal.com]

Harry sips his tea and then starts up "Oh it was brilliant. The beach was all white sand and clear blue ocean and it was warm! The water was warm like you're in a bath or something! We went to the big town Argostoli? But it's not that big it's just the biggest on the island and everyone was so friendly! Oh!"

He puts down his cup and goes to rummage in one of the bags. "I got you guys presents..."

[lilypotter60.livejournal.com]

Lily winked at Sirius. "Presents!" she said to him, grinning like a sprog at Christmas. Turning back to Harry, she laughed, "My brilliant son. He knows the first rule of holiday is to bring back presents for those less fortunate."

[harrylives.livejournal.com]

"Ah! Here it is." Harry draws out a little bag and hands it to Lily. Inside are:

(http://photobucket.com)

Harry looks a bit shy "I hope you like them..."

[lilypotter60.livejournal.com]

Lily's jaw dropped as she fingered the delicate earrings. "Harry," she breathed, a grin working its way across her face. "They're...I..." She looked up at him, her eyes sparkling. "They're lovely, son. Thank you." Reaching out with her free arm, Lily pulled Harry into a tight hug. She may have misted up a bit, but she'd deny it. The fact that this was the first gift she'd ever received from her son wasn't lost on her and she couldn't seem to stop smiling.

[harrylives.livejournal.com]

Harry is very relieved that he picked the right thing (with Ginny's help). He returns the hug and grins.

[toujours-sirius.livejournal.com]

Sirius smiled down at Harry. His expression was unmistakably proud.

"Well done, Harry, they're brilliant. I reckon your mum's just a hair away from having herself a nice little cry...either that or from running around proclaiming to anyone who will listen that her son is the best bloody son ever."

Sirius looked over at Lily with a half happy, half amused expression on his face.

[lilypotter60.livejournal.com]

"I already tell everyone he's brilliant," Lily said, her arms still holding fiercely tight to her son. "And I'm not going to cry, Black," she tried to sound gruff, but was grinning too hard. Finally letting Harry go, she looked over at Sirius and met his eyes, her smile proud and happy and every inch a mother who had just received her first gift from her son.

"Thank you, son," she said, putting the earrings on and smiling first at Harry and then at Sirius, then pulling Harry back into another quick hug. "Now, you best give Sirius his gift before he starts to feel left out," she teased lightly.

Owl to Harry, warded to give a terrible sunburn to unintended readers (except for Ginny, of course)

[toujours-sirius.livejournal.com]

Harry,

Your dad told me you're back. How was your vacation? I hope the island didn't disappoint and that the trip (you went by broom, right?) wasn't too rough on the arse. I'd love to hear all about it.

Sirius

Hedwig back

[harrylives.livejournal.com]

Sirius, why don't you come by Slythendor? Mum's here and Ron, that way we don't have to tell the stories over and over again.

Harry

And another trip for Hedwig!

[toujours-sirius.livejournal.com]

Harry,

See you soon, then!

Sirius

charmed to sing the message only to Harry, and to piddle on anyone else

[going-stag.livejournal.com]

S'Happy Holiday Returns,

Hope you had a brilliant time. Took a bit of a vacation with your godfather. We went wicked up in the woods and frightened all the fairies. We also got absolutely nothing for anybody. Hopefully you're much nicer than I am, and will at least have brought back sand or something.

Your mum's spread it about you've a birthday coming up. Guess seeing I missed your 17th, I should give you the man to man talk for this one, yeah? Make plans, check your schedule, send me a date and a time. We'll go out get sloshed. Just you and me. You still owe me for cutting out on your first meeting. Afraid you'd be pants flying against your Da? C'mon now, mate. Potters are better than that. Show some courage.

You owled your mum, right? She's a girl, all weepy about stuff like this. She'll want to hug you and squeeze you and feed you or something. So if you haven't, do it now. And I'll see you when Sirius drags me off to check you're actually alive and in once piece.

-Cheers, James.

[harrylives.livejournal.com]

Singing letters? That's a neat charm, can you teach it to me?

Everyone's already here in Slythendor so why don't you come by too? We can sort out a time to go flying then.

Harry

charmed to sing out loud 'Daft, Dafter, Daft.' until touched by Harry.

[going-stag.livejournal.com]

Harry,

Of course I'll teach it to you. And I'll be down in a jiff. When I get there, be prepared to tell me just what you did wrong with your return letter.

-James

[going-stag.livejournal.com]

One of the good things about having a best mate from Slytherin, now matter how weird that thought was, was knowing and keeping abreast of the Slytherin password.

James arrived with butterbeer, and only butterbeer in his hands. In his backpocket was a flask of firewhiskey.

He kicked and knocked at the door to the suite. "Oi. Someone let a Da in already. Respect your elders and all that."

[harrylives.livejournal.com]

Harry goes to the door and opens it, smiling.

"Hi Da..uh, James..and I think technically I'm older than you, remember?"

[going-stag.livejournal.com]

"I was born before you. Here, hold these." He pushed the bottles held between his fingers at Harry and shooed him into the room.

[harrylives.livejournal.com]

Harry takes the bottles, nearly fumbling them, but managing them just.

"Well, can't argue with that logic."