Chapter Text
Ginny left Harry in the garden, sitting cross-legged in a pile of dirt thinning the lilies. He had a huge knot of them in his lap, fingers carefully working one free from the tangle of roots before dropping it in a bucket of water, where they could safely wait to be returned to the garden.
He felt better than he did this morning and certainly much better than last night. He liked working with his hands like this. It always took his mind off what he'd been worrying about, and often he'd be able to turn his thoughts around in his head, letting him look at things in a new light.
Between the clarity he found working with the lilies and the easy distraction Ginny had given him that morning, he felt much more grounded than he had in the past few weeks. He'd changed his mind about talking to Lucius. If he didn't, things would continue as they had been, which he knew wasn't the worst thing in the world. But, there was a possibility for change, for something better. There were always solutions to problems. He just had to look for them.
He sat back on his heels, watching Lucius walk down from the house. He stopped under the shade of one of the apple trees, the breeze ruffling his hair.
"Hullo," said Harry, "did you just get in?"
Lucius nodded, swiping a smudge of dirt off Harry's chin, "I did," he said, "I fear I've been neglecting you."
Harry bit his lip, looking away. He picked at the grass next to the edge of the garden bed, "I know you're really busy right now."
"I am, but I would still like to make time for you when I can."
He proposed that they spend the afternoon together, suggesting they go into London, "there is an exhibition at the botanical garden I think you'd like."
"I think that sounds lovely," said Harry slowly, "but you're tired, I'm tired. Can't we just stay in tonight?"
"If that's what you want."
Harry nodded, "yeah, it is. Just a nice lazy night. Maybe we can get take away? I've wanted Thai Food for ages."
A lazy evening at home turned out to be exactly what Harry needed. He spent the rest of the afternoon in the garden, slowly untangling the mess of lilies before thinning a particularly large patch of irises. By the time he came inside, he was filthy. Dirt ground into his hands and knees. His windswept hair was tangled with twigs, and the tips of his nose and shoulders were a warm, faded pink from the sun.
The golden late afternoon light followed him into the house. It filtered in the tall kitchen windows, starbursts of light across the floors. Harry stood at the door, trying not to get dirt all over the pristine floor. He muttered a quick cleaning charm, shuddering as it passed over him. He needed a shower. A long hot shower to wash away all of the aches from sitting bent over.
It helped. The water washed away the last of the tension between his shoulders, and when he returned to the kitchen, feeling much lighter than before, he found dinner waiting for him on the counter.
Harry sat at the end of the island, clumsily using his chopsticks to scoop up the thick saucy noodles. He hummed happily, "It's always nice when you order something, and it's exactly what you were hoping it would be," he said.
"I take it dinner is satisfactory?"
He nodded, "we should order from here more often."
"I'll keep that in mind," said Lucius. He pushed a thick gilded envelope towards Harry, "this arrived for you while you were in the shower."
Harry eyed the envelope; it looked expensive. His name was written in thin looping gold on the back. He was tempted to ignore it. Maybe even set it on fire. But He didn't. He set it aside. He'd open it later once he was sure that he wanted to. He couldn't help that he was curious. He hadn't gotten anything in the mail in ages. Ginny never bothered with the Owl Post. Why would she when she could send him long strings of text messages detailing anything from her latest encounter with Oliver Wood to when she accidentally spilled a coffee all down her front while waiting for the train." I think I burnt off my tits," is what she'd said.
Harry doubted whatever the letter said was nearly as interesting as that. Still, he wanted to know who sent it since it had come to the correct address.
He took it with him into the office after dinner, running his fingers over the heavily textured envelope. He curled into Lucius's side on the couch against the far wall, turning it over in his hands. Still not quite daring to open it.
"Do you know who it's from?" asked Lucius.
Harry shook his head, "I guess there's only one way to find out."
He ripped the envelope open, pulling out an embossed card with a long thin slip of parchment taped to the center. It read:
Dear Harry,
I hope you are well! I'm sorry I haven't written to you sooner, I meant to. But that was then, and now here we are.
I know that these kinds of events are your worst nightmare, and I hate to ask, but Neville was kind enough to help me put together an event for the benefit of Moke, and I do hope you'll come. It would mean so much.
I'm not sure how he's managed to get all of these important people interested in the well being of the Moke, as most of them seem content to pretend it doesn't exist. Still, I think in the end, it's the thought that counts, don't you?
Even if you can't make it, I want you to know that I really appreciated your words of support when I saw you last. I think without them, I wouldn't have bothered with this, but I'm very glad I did.
Even if the event isn't a success- although Neville has assured me it will be, it will at least raise awareness, and that's really all I want. For people to care.
I hope you see you there, but if not, I'm sure we will see each other soon.
Luna
Harry carefully pulled the tape off the invitation. He was going to have to go. Luna had told him about her struggles with working to protect the last of the Moke . The amount of time and care she put into the cause was impressive. If anyone deserved support and recognition for working tirelessly for something they believed in, even when no one else did, it was her. He fully intended to show up for her; after all, she had cared enough to show up for him when he didn't think anyone would.
Lucius looked over his shoulder, "are you going to go?"
Harry nodded, running a thumb over the invitation. "The Ministry presents an event in collaboration with the Department of Magical Creatures and Lovegood Sanctuary. Do you think lots of people will go?"
"I'm sure of it," said Lucius, "I am."
"Oh? You are?"
"Yes, for a work commitment. I don't have very many work connections left in the Wizarding community, and this one is rather important. I was going to mention it tonight, but now I see you'll already be attending."
"Well," said Harry, "it can't be so bad if you're going to be there."
Just because he said it, it didn't mean he believed it.
"It's going to be miserable," he moaned, covering his face with one of Ginny's fluffy white pillows. He lay in the center of her bed, his feet dangling limply off the side.
"If you're going to complain this much, just don't go," said Ginny.
"I have to go! If I don't, I'm a terrible friend."
"You're going to be with Lucius. You'll be fine, you big baby."
"I won't, actually," said Harry, voice muffled by the pillow, "we've decided to go separately."
"What? Why ? That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard."
She sat perched on the edge of the bed, one leg tucked under her bum. She poked Harry in the ribs with one of her long pointy fingernails, "seriously," she said, "what's that nonsense all about?"
Harry pulled the pillow away from his face, "It's just-" he said, "I haven't gone anywhere in the Wizard world in ages. Not since that Rita Skeeter article"
"Ah," said Ginny nodding, "that still doesn't explain why you aren't just going with Lucius?"
"We kind of decided it would be better to not come together in case it causes some kind of commotion. I know I sound like a total tosser saying this, but people get weird about me, and I don't want it to affect Luna's event. She's worked so hard."
Ginny laughed, "if it was anyone but you, that would sound terribly up your own arse. I don't think it matters. Luna knew you'd come together when she invited you, and if someone wants to make a scene, that's entirely on them."
She was right, and later that evening, Harry lay on the rug in the corner of Lucius's office with her words still bouncing around inside his head.
"Ginny thinks it's stupid we aren't going to the Ministry event together," he said, breaking the companionable silence.
"What do you think?"
"I think she's right," said Harry, "it is stupid. She said that if someone decides to make a scene, that's on them, not us."
Lucius waited for him to continue, "and I agree with her. I do, but I still can't help feeling like if something happens, it will be my fault," said Harry, picking at thread coming off the end of the rug, "and I won't lie I really don't want to walk into the room alone."
"If you want to go together, then we will," said Lucius, "but you should know that I'll be arriving late," said Lucius. "I have something important to take care of, and unfortunately, it can not be done another time, and I know you won't want to be late."
"I don't," said Harry, "but I don't want to stand around waiting for you either."
"Then take Ginny. I'm sure she'd be happy to accompany you."
He asked her over breakfast. She had brought coffee from the cafe two blocks away from her flat, sliding the coffee carrier onto the edge of the counter. It was a cold early autumn morning, frost creeping around the edges of the windows before it melted away in the morning light.
She sat curled around her coffee, a thick black beanie pulled down around her ears, "I swear to god I'm going to freeze my arse off if they don't turn the bloody heating on."
"You can't turn your own heating on?" asked Harry
She shook her head, "No, the landlord turns it on for the whole building. I've called twice, and they say it turns on at the end of the month." She huffed grumpily, "I suppose it's up to me to find a way to stay warm in the meantime."
"Can't you just set a heating charm on your bed?"
"I could do," said Ginny, "but I was thinking more along the lines of luring Oliver Wood home with me."
Harry laughed, "you're mad."
She stuck her tongue out at him, stealing a slice of bacon off the edge of his plate, "I'm just saying," she said, "that a big strong quidditch player would work a treat. Speaking of, are you coming to the match on Saturday with me?"
He shifted uneasily on his chair, "I dunno, I'm already really nervous about the Ministry event."
"Yeah, but the quidditch match will actually be fun," said Ginny, "besides, it might prove that you're worried over nothing."
"Or it might prove I've got lots to be worried about," Harry said, pushing a lone potato around the edge of his plate with his fork, "I talked to Lucius about what you said, about how it's stupid we're not going together."
"And?"
"He said he had something important to do, so he'll be really late."
Ginny frowned at him.
"He suggested I take you," he said, "so I don't have to walk in alone."
"So, is this you asking me if I want to go with you?"
"Yes?"
She rolled her eyes, "I suppose since you asked me so nicely."
"Are you sure?"
She whacked him on the shoulder, "don't be daft; of course, I'll go with you. Now, what are we going to wear? We should match."
Harry groaned, "I suppose we have to wear dress robes, don't we?"
"We don't have to do anything. What are they going to do? Give us the boot?"
That was exactly what Harry thought they would do. She laughed at him and told him to wear a suit and to send her a picture. She was set that they would match, so that is what they did, and Harry had to agree that they looked good walking in together. Having Ginny with him made it easier to keep his head up when half the crowd turned to stare at them.
"Honestly," said Ginny, whispering loudly in his ear as they wove through the crowd, "haven't they anything better to do than to gawk at us- I know we're fit, but it's embarrassing."
She swiped two drinks on their way past one of the black-clad servers, stopping at one of the tall tables scattered around the room.
Luna had outdone herself, decorating the room like the night sky with swaths of foamy chiffon and hundreds of tiny white sparkling lights. The dim light helped to hide the boring beige of the ballroom, transforming it into something unworldly.
She met them in front of the drink table, looking ethereal in a pink champagne shimmering robe, her white-blond hair piled on top of her head, soft curls framing her fame.
"You came," she said, eyes lighting up when she saw them.
She pulled Harry into a tight hug, her long fingers digging into his shoulder, "I'm so glad you made it," she said, "and that I got to see you! I've been so busy. There's simply so much to do. I've hardly had a moment to breathe."
"It's lovely," said Harry, squeezing her back, "you've done amazing; I wouldn't miss it."
She beamed at them both, and then she was gone, pulled off by the caterer to do something very important, leaving them alone at the end of the drinks table.
They moved away from the crowd milling the drinks, meandering towards the tall cocktail tables scattered around the edges of the room.
"I've always wondered why these events never have any seats," said Harry.
Ginny raised her eyebrows, putting on her very best posh accent. She said, "that would be terribly undignified, sitting- psh."
"Yeah, because it's so dignified to have aching feet," grumbled Harry. She snorted loudly into her champagne. Being dignified, it turned out, was very boring. Once Ginny had finished her second glass of champagne, she kicked off her tall heels, suddenly shrinking nearly half a foot. Bringing the table nearly up to her chin. She thought it was funny, leaning forward to rest her head on the table, blinking up at Harry with doe eyes, sending them both into peels of half-stifled laughter.
"Pwer-" she said not long after, "You're right. I really would like to sit down. How do these people do it? Standing around looking bored for hours at a time?"
Which is how they ended up in the very back of the room, crammed in the corner, sitting precariously on the edge of a potted plant. One of the large leaves kept getting stuck behind the collar of Harry's shirt, tickling the back of his neck.
Ginny's heels had tipped over, lying next to the potted plant. Harry wrapped an arm around her shoulders, "I'm glad you came," he said, "this would be unspeakably boring without you."
"It is my job, as your friend, to be your proxy date to boring events," she said, "Although I will admit I wasn't entirely being altruistic, rumor has it that Puddlemore got invites."
"You're going to talk to Oliver then?"
"Of course I am," said Ginny, "I look great."
"You know," said Harry, "I envy your confidence. You're just so brave."
Ginny tipped her head back, cackling, "I'm not brave," she said, wiping a tear away from her eyes, "I'm bloody terrified all the time. I just do it anyway. Because life is too short not to, you know?"
"I'd never have guessed," said Harry, surprised, "You hide it well."
"Only when I'm in public. I'm a total wreck at home. You should have seen me before I came to your birthday. I think I cried five times. Worth it, though."
"I still think you're brave," said Harry, "I don't know if I'd have been able to do that."
"If you want to think I'm brave, and you know, tell me every once and a while, I'm certainly not going to complain," she said, "it's doing wonders for my self-esteem."
She nudged his shoulder, "Lucius is here," she said, pointing toward the front of the room. Harry craned his neck to spot him; his white-blond hair always stood out in a crowd. He could just make him out somewhere near the entrance.
"Harry?"
"Hm?"
"Is there where you used to hide during events?"
"Yeah, why?" he asked.
She bent over, giggling madly, "so," she said when she caught her breath, "you used to sit in a potted plant and stare at him through the leaves?"
Harry's face started heating up, "er- yeah, but when you put it like that, it sounds really creepy."
She put her hand on his shoulder, craning her neck to see better, "it is a little creepy," she said, "I'm not surprised he tried to confront you when he noticed, but honestly, it's kind of endearing."
"Oh boy, Gin, you know how to make me feel good about myself," Harry said, blushing a bright crimson.
Harry watched Lucius from across the room, and now that Ginny mentioned it, he did feel like a little bit of a creep.
She was still talking. Saying something about an explosion at George's shop. Harry wasn't listening. Too focused on Lucius on the other side of the ballroom.
"And then," said Ginny, "I had two llamas in hats, and we went to the cinema."
"Oh?" he said.
"Yeah, and Umbridge was there, wearing her best party frock in bubble gum pink."
"Wait- what?!"
"Oh, so now you're listening," said Ginny grinning deviously, "a bit distracted there, Potter?"
Harry was not listening. All of his attention focused on Lucius, on the far side of the ballroom. The crowd started to part as the sound of violins swelled, filling the hall to make way for dancing in the center of the room.
"I think I'm going to go," said Harry.
"Where? To see Lucius or to the moon?"
"Do you think he would say yes if I asked him to dance?"
Ginny pinched the bridge of her nose, "Harry," she said, "my love, I know you aren't paying attention to a word I'm saying, but that man would do anything for you. If you asked for the Minister's head on a plate, he would bring it to you. Of course, if you ask him to dance, he'll say yes."
"But what if this time he says no."
She rolled her eyes and started shoving at his shoulder, "stop being silly. I can't believe you sometimes. If you want his attention go do something about it. My god ."
Harry laughed as she pushed him to his feet, "fine, I'm going. I'm going!"
He wove through the crowd toward where Lucius stood near the center of the ballroom with two tall witches dressed all in silver. The brunette had silver stars in her long straight hair. She smiled, touching Lucius's shoulder.
The closer he got, the more Harry started to slow, nervousness getting the better of him.
But Ginny was right. If he wanted something, he had to ask, and after watching Lucius flitting around the ballroom talking to everyone but him, Harry wanted his attention.
If he was honest, he wasn't used to seeing Lucius pay attention to other people. He knew that he did when he went to meetings, but when it was the two of them, Harry was used to being the center of his attention. Now that he wasn't, he'd started to feel just a little jealous, which was silly and probably terribly selfish, but he felt it all the same.
He stopped behind the group and tapped Lucius on the shoulder before he lost his nerve. Lucius turned, "There you are, my Darling," he said, running his hand up Harry's arm, "I've been looking for you."
Already he started to feel better.
"How was your meeting?" he asked.
"It went better than expected."
Lucius turned to the tall, slender witch he'd been speaking with, "Stella, it was a pleasure as always. I'm sure I'll see you soon."
She smiled, showing her perfect white teeth, "of course," she said and took her friend's arm, vanishing into the crowd.
Harry could already feel the eyes on his back. They felt like a weight around his neck, slowly starting to choke him. Lucius led him out of the crowd towards the sides of the room. The eyes still followed, even if there were less of them.
They skirted the edge of the dance floor. "Where were you?" asked Lucius, raising his voice to be heard over the crescendoing violins.
"Gin and I were in the back," said Harry, "there's never anywhere to sit at these things, and her feet hurt. There's this big plant back there. The pot makes a good place to rest."
Lucius leaned closer, the corner of his mouth twitching, "you would know, wouldn't you?"
Harry went red, "yeah," he said, "I suppose I would. Sorry- I think I came off a little creepy, you know, staring at you through a plant."
Lucius chuckled softly, "It got my attention didn't it?"
"And I'm very glad that it did," Harry said, resting his head against Lucius's shoulder, "you know, I realized tonight that I get a bit jealous watching you go around talking to people without me."
"Is that so?"
He nodded, "I think I want them to know we're together. I don't care what they think about it, but I want them to know, and," he shrugged, "then maybe they'll be more apt to leave me alone."
Harry could still feel the crowd watching him. It made his skin crawl, but leaning on Lucius like this helped. Ginny said he should just do it scared, so that's what he would do.
"Really," said Lucius, "and how do you want to go about telling them?"
"I think you should ask me to dance," he said, sounding far more confident than he felt.
Lucius held out his hand, "shall we?" he said, leading Harry onto the dance floor.
Panic rose in Harry's chest when he stepped into Lucius's arms; leaning close to his ear, he said, "I should probably warn you, I'm a terrible dancer."
"Lean on me, and you'll do just fine."
He did, turning his face into Lucius's chest, so he wouldn't be tempted to peek at the crowd around them. Just because he wanted to make a point didn't mean he liked the attention it brought.
He could feel people watching, he did his best to ignore the low murmur following them around the dance floor, positive it wasn't anything he wanted to hear.
As long as he didn't look and focused on the rise and fall of the music, it was comfortable here in Lucius's arms, and when the song finished, Lucius said, "are you happy with having made your point?"
"No," said Harry, cupping Lucius' cheek. He stood on his tiptoes and kissed him. Closing his eyes, his fingers curled in the soft silk of Lucius's robes.
When he stepped back, he smiled, "now I'm happy I've made my point," he said.
It went over in the press as well as one could suspect. Lucius stepped in front of the third camera someone tried to shove in Harry's face. Blocking the camera with his back, "I think," he said, "it may be time to call it a night."
Harry didn't argue. He had expected a reaction and wasn't disappointed, but it made enjoying the rest of the evening virtually impossible.
They left through a side door, walking down long, empty hallways leading them back to the atrium. Half of the magical fireplaces still burned a bright green in the grates lining the walls.
They were halfway across the expansive marble floor when Ginny called after him, "Harry!"
She waved, her other hand clasped around Oliver Wood's arm. Harry slowed, letting her catch up, "that was quite the show," she said, grinning. Harry could feel the blush creeping up his neck, "you didn't have to watch," he said.
"No, but everyone else was, so I did too," she said, "I think the rest of the night might be a bit of a bore after that."
"Was everyone really watching?"
She winked but didn't comment.
They started down the long flight of stairs outside the Ministry leading to the street. Going their separate ways at the corner. Ginny waved enthusiastically, "night," she called after him before disappearing around the corner, her arm wrapped around Oliver's waist.
They didn't stop at the corner to wait for the car like Harry had expected. Instead, they crossed, continuing down the street.
"How was your night?" asked Lucius.
Harry wrapped his hand tighter around his arm, falling into step with him, "It was fun. I'm glad I went with Ginny," he said, "I would have rather gone with you, but it was good. I met Gin at her flat, and we got ramen from this new place. We should go. I think you'd really like it."
"I'm glad you didn't go alone," said Lucius.
"Me too," said Harry, "I can't believe how many people came. Luna did an amazing job, especially for her first fundraiser. I hope her sanctuary does really well."
They rounded a corner down a long tree-lined street. Harry recognized it; they were a few blocks from Ginny's flat. They had gone for a walk around here a few weeks ago, looking for a particular style of fancy door for a shoot she was doing.
"With that turnout, I'm sure it will. She has a knack for events. It will serve her well."
Harry nodded, "well, Neville helped, but they make a really good team."
They slowed their pace, stopping in front of the tall brick houses.
"I know you wanted me to come with you tonight," said Lucius, "and I feel I owe you an explanation as to why I couldn't. There's something I want to show you."
"Show me what?"
"I may have done something impulsive," he said, smiling crookedly.
Harry furrowed his brow confused, "sorry, what have you done?" he asked.
"I had wanted to have you help me make a decision, but then an opportunity fell at my feet," said Lucius. He pulled a large brass key from his pocket and handed it to Harry, "I hope I made the right decision."
Harry turned it over a few times in his hands, looking at the house in front of them. A wrought iron grate ran around the large square garden covered in roses. He felt a lump form in his throat, "is this for me?" he asked softly.
"Yes," said Lucius, "for us both."
"Can you show me?" asked Harry, he thought that maybe he understood, but he wanted to be sure.
Lucius nodded, "I'd love to. Can you unlock the gate?"
Harry's hands shook, but he slid the key into the lock, turning it to allow the gate to swing open. Lucius led him down the wide path leading to the dark house. Harry looked out over the garden; roses climbed the walls in pink and white and yellow. He could smell the lavender but couldn't see it. It must be behind the house, the garden wrapped around the back.
"I'm afraid the electricity won't be on until tomorrow," said Lucius holding the door open. Harry could see candles flicking up the staircase in front of the door.
He didn't know what to say. It felt wonderful and far too much all at once. He felt at home at the manor, at least until recently, but it hadn't been his. He so rarely had anything that was his, and now Lucius bought him this beautiful house. Just for him. For them.
It was something he hadn't known he'd wanted, but now that he had it, it felt like the most important thing in the world.
He held tightly to Lucius's hand as they walked slowly through the dark house. Even in the dark, he knew it was perfect. It was perfect because it was theirs, and they could do whatever they wanted. They could make it into whatever they needed it to be, and they would do it together.
And after so long, Harry knew he was happy.
The End