Playing Defense

Chapter 1: Pre-Season

Late August, 2016

Ron Weasley sighed, looked around the small room in the upstairs section of the Leakey Cauldron, pulled out a chair for his wife and sat down quickly next to the open chair. As soon as his wife had settled he turned to her, brows narrowed in concern. "Are you sure about this? She seemed pretty worried."

"Ron." Hermione pushed her hair back and gave her husband a quick shrug. "We got the note at the same time. I don't know any more than you do."

"Well, you're the Auror."

She shook her head. "That doesn't make me a Seer. I'm not Trewlawney."

The thought of him marrying the former Divination professor was so absurd that he snorted. "Thank Merlin for that." His attention was drawn to the sound of footsteps coming down the hall, footsteps that were accompanied by a voice that he knew well speaking to whoever from the Leakey that had shown her where to go. "Ok, Ginny's here, she'll know what this is all about."

Sitting in the chair facing the doorway Hermione watched with only a smidgeon of her Auror habits active. Even with all of her accomplishments over the years Hermione still felt just slightly competitive with Ginny, although in her heart of hearts she knew it was quite silly. Yes, Ginny still had a good figure, playing Quidditch professionally would do that to a person, and Ginny was in the magazines and other things, and she had dated Viktor Krum for a small time, but if they were being quite honest Hermione knew there were quite a few things in her life that Ginny would reciprocate with small jealousies. Hermione did the quick calculations and realised that she and Ron had been married for over a decade, had two wonderful children and even though things hadn't been easy it had been worth it. Ginny and Harry...well…

"Hello, hello, hello." Ginny sat down in a chair and looked from her brother to her sister-in-law's faces. "So, which one of you's going to tell me why we're here? It's Harry, it can't be that bad."

"Us?" Ron gave her a very odd look and then glanced at his wife for a second before turning back. "We thought you'd tell us. You set this up, right?"

All three of them looked at each other oddly before Ginny sighed and leaned forward. "I'm pretty sure I know who set this up. Hermione?"

Catching Ginny's eyes Hermione raised an eyebrow and turned to her husband. "Think about the timing, Ron. What's the big news these days?"

Ron sat back in his chair and feigned being very thick. "Oh, Merlin, I dunno. It's almost time for Hogwarts to start, it rained on Tuesday, Peruvian Darkness Powder's gone up a quarter-Sickle for bulk purchase. That's it." He popped his eyes open wide and snapped his fingers. "Oh, and Ginny got engaged to some bloke named Wood. Think he might'a played Quidditch at school and does summing with it now. Reporter? Issat it?" Laughing to himself Ron saw the looks of the witches around him, causing his expression to turn back to normal and he shrugged. "So my guess is someone's worried about her Dad, then?"

After taking a quick look at her watch Hermione began drumming her fingers softly on the table. "We'll see in about a minute." The sound of the door opening made her smile. "Or now. Hello, Athena."

Ginny watched as her daughter swept into the room, sat down and pulled a stack of folders out of her bookbag and set them quickly on the table. She looked so like Harry when she was like this, very intent, but there was no way the poor girl could ever escape her Weasley genetics, not with that hair. And just like her father that poor hair just would not behave, not as bad as Harry's, thank Merlin, but still. She reached over and pushed some hair away from Athena's face, causing the girl to push her hand away and scoot over more towards her uncle.

"Merlin, Mum, who cares about my hair. This is important." Ignoring her mother she focused on her aunt and uncle, originially starting with her uncle, moving to her aunt and then back to her uncle. "As you know Mum an' Ollie are getting married."

Ron turned to Hermione and only half-whispered. "Ollie, eh? Guess they get on fairly well, then."

"God." Athena rolled her eyes. "Yeah, I like him ok. He's a good guy and all...but I'm not talking about him. Well, I am. Kinda. He and Mum are getting married but that leaves Dad all by himself, and it's not fair. Not after everything he went through. And he told me everything. So you know it's not fair."

Hermione's head snapped up sharply and she stared at Ginny. "Everything?"

Ginny nodded. "She's a seventh year now, Hermione. They study it in History, starting in fifth year. Harry and I agreed she needed to know the truth."

"Blimey." Ron sat back and, for lack of anything to do, scratched his head for a bit, mussing his hair. "I'm glad we've got a few years before Rosie an' Hugo get there." He turned to his sister. "How much firewhiskey did it take?"

"None." Ginny held up her head proudly until Athena tapped her on the arm. After looking slightly chagrined she turned to her brother. "Ok, a good bottle of wine. But just one."

Even through she'd listened to the interplay between the other occupants at the table Hermione had focused in on Athena's cause. It made sense, in a way. Even though the girl was well-loved, and carried the double-moniker of Weasley-Potter, Harry and Ginny had never married. They'd tried to carry on after the war, but realised early on that they'd changed too much. The fact that during one of those times they'd 'carried on' was the reason that they had a daughter was not lost on them; they handled it much more maturely than anyone ever thought would happen, including her. And now, with one parent getting married it naturally caused their daughter to think about the other parent. Manufacturing the little meeting with the secrecy involved was just one more little proof that made her smile; she always knew Ginny and Harry were more Slytherin than they let on, but Athena didn't really hide it all. The little bit about fairness didn't escape her, though; the girl was the daughter of two Gryffindors, after all.

Clearing her throat Hermione pulled the table's attention. "So we're here to find your father a wife?"

"What? Are you mental?" Athena shook her head. "You know how he is, he'd tell us we're being, well, stupid. It's gonna take us this long to get him a date to Mum an' Ollie's wedding. How would that look, them up there and at the reception Dad just standing over there, half-full pint of cider, people going 'Oh, look at poor Harry Potter. Such a shame.' You know he hates that shite."

"Language." Ginny shook her head and then turned to her brother. "But she does have a point. You know the press will be all over him. Remember Neville and Hannah's wedding?"

"Vividly." Hermione gave Ron a faint withering glance, which caused her husband to shudder slightly. Ron had tried to speak to the press when they came to find Harry, and in his usual manner, albeit a bit more enhanced due to the alcohol at the reception, he'd stumbled about and mentioned that Harry'd 'had lots of dates, just a shame none of them had worked out and all,' thus fueling a round of speculation to exactly who Harry had dated. Needless to say Harry appreciated what Ron had tried to do for him but wasn't too fond of the result. Returning from her memories Hermione glanced at the folders and raised an eyebrow. "Your research? Likely candidates, then?"

"Oh. Yeah." Athena pushed her reddish-brown hair behind her ears and adjusted her glasses. "I researched all of Dad's previous girlfriends to get an idea of...not you, Mum, don't worry."

Ginny smiled sarcastically. "Such a relief."

Ignoring her mum Athena pushed on, focusing on her true target. "Here's the potential dates folder. Ron, what do you think?"

As initial shock turned to something like pride Ron pulled the proffered folder over, opening it and smiling. "Well, the first one's fit even though I don't know who she is." He turned to his wife. "Love?"

Hermione leaned over, her chin on her husband's arm. "Ronald Weasley! You old goat, how old is she? Twenty?"

"It's a date, not a wedding. Trust me, he wouldn't mind."

After sighing Ginny reluctantly pulled the folder away from her brother, somewhat shocked to see the young woman in the photo wearing an almost impossibly skimpy bikini. It wasn't a casual snap, either, instead it was a professional modeling photo. "Thena, who is this?"

"Really? That's Paloma Nunez, the Bolivian model." She waited as the three adults gave her incomprehensible looks. "Honestly? You don't know? She's only the top model for wizarding...you are all so old. She's famous, really famous. Think what would happen, they'd let Dad alone, sorta, and focus on Paloma. That means Mum and Ollie can get married and not worry. But that's just my first choice."

As Athena pulled more photos out of her folder Ron nudged Hermione, getting an understanding nod from his wife. Using his long legs he tapped his sister with his foot under the table, and although she gave him an odd look eventually she shrugged. Taking this as his cue Ron interrupted his neice, this time with photo of some woman who had shaved the hair off of one side of her head for some reason. "Listen, Athena, before I agree to help you out answer me one thing; does your dad know about this little plan of yours?"

Athena looked at her uncle, shock written all over her face. "Are you kidding? Of course he doesn't. He'd do what he usually does when I talk to him about this kind of stuff, he'll laugh, give me a hug and then say he has to work on a Defense lesson plan. That's where you three come in, you've known him the longest so you'll be able to help me come up with how to convince him. Right?"

It was later, after Athena was convinced that her plan was going to work and had left to go over to her best friend's house, that the Weasleys sat in the back office of Weasleys' Wizarding Wheezes over a cup of tea. Ron leaned back in his chair, feet on a crate of Skiving Snackboxes and shook his head. "I can't believe we're going along with this plan."

"Oh, we are, just to make sure some of those tarts in that folder don't end up with Harry." Hermione looked over to Ginny, whose expression matched what she was feeling. "It is all a bit mental, but sweet and naive as well. He's going to hate this, isn't he?"

Ginny nodded. "Normally I'd agree, but when he finds out it's Athena's idea, and it's only for the wedding, he'll do what he usually does; he'll grumble a bit, for show, but do what he can to make her happy."

-ooo-

The afternoon sun was making a feeble attempt to break through the clouds, clouds that threatened rain, and it didn't make Ted Lupin's mood any better. He sat sideways in a rather well-worn, overstuffed chair, legs draped over an arm, and mindlessly thumbed through a Quidditch magazine. He didn't know how Harry did it, still being interested in a sport where his ex was prominantly displayed but being able to handle the story about his ex marrying his former Hogwarts Quidditch captain right there on the cover. There was no way he could possibly be that calm about it if Victoire was thrown in his face that way; there was more than one reason he didn't read the fashion magazines, after all. The room was mostly quiet, only the wireless burbling softly in the corner, but that ended when the Floo came to life, depositing his godfather in a rush of soot.

"Ted, please don't sit like that. Your Gran would have my hide."

Ted rolled his eyes and eased his legs off, coming back to the normal sitting position. "It's your place, Harry. She won't know."

After siphoning away the Floo powder with his wand Harry shook his head. "She would, somehow she would. So what brings you over today?" He paused, taking in Ted's slight expression of worry. "Something wrong with the new job?"

"Merlin, how do you do that? Yeah, I'm about this close..." He held up a hand and put his index finger and thumb only centimeters apart "...to getting sacked. I don't think it's for me. How'd you know it was time to quit the Aurors?"

"Oh." Harry sat down in one of the chairs opposite of Ted. "Well, that was different."

After waiting a bit, but without any additional words forthcoming, Ted sighed. "C'mon, Harry. Do the 'dad bit' and give me some advice here."

Harry sighed and took off his glasses. He'd talked with Ted about what to do after Hogwarts, and it was frustrating for everyone. Ted just didn't seem that interested in many things, some things he was interested in he just didn't have the aptitude or didn't have the proper qualifications. Along with Andromeda Harry had been been relieved when his godson had taken a position at the Ministry in the Games and Sport department. Unfortunately for all involved Ted was good at many things but the tedium of dealing with filing Quidditch paperwork and being the lowest rung on the department ladder wasn't one of them. Compound that with the tailspin he'd gone into when Victoire Weasley chucked him and he wasn't a model employee by any stretch of the imagination.

Thankfully his lack of response was interrupted by Kreacher; the old house elf was inquiring if he needed tea. It also didn't escape his notice that Kreacher had pointedly not asked if Ted needed anything. Some things never changed, and unfortunately when the topic was his godson Harry wished it would. "Well, it was different when I was with the Aurors. I didn't love it, but I didn't hate it, it was just a job. I thought it would be different, sort of like being in the movies, but mostly it was paperwork. And then Athena was born and after that, well, getting offed in a dark alley by some bloke over counterfeit dark objects just wasn't a good idea. Not that it ever was, really, but with Athena..."

"Right. So you're no help." Ted smirked at Harry and glared at Kreacher. "Sorry, Kreacher, but I don't want any tea, thanks."

Kreacher simply glared at Ted and left, causing Harry to shake his head. "You two should just apologise to each other."

"Nope." Ted shook his head. "Not my fault."

"Fine." Harry took a sip of tea. "Is that the new Quidditch Weekly?"

"Um, yeah." Closing the book quickly he looked over to his godfather. "Harry, there's, uh, a big spread on Ginny an' Oliver."

Harry laughed. "I'm sure Oliver will love that. Ginny as well."

"How do you do it?" Ted swiveled forward in his seat and peered intently at his godfather, as if by concentrating enough he'd finally notice a crack in the exterior. "I mean, you two have Athena. You're actually happy for them?"

"Hard to believe, I know, but I am." Harry sighed. He'd been down this road of a conversation topic many, many times. "You know how things were after the war, I've told you, and..." His attention rapidly shifted as the Floo roared to life in-between his chair and Ted's, depositing his daughter in a much more elegant and poised Floo manner than he'd ever achieved. "Hi sweetie, what brings you by?"

"Hi Dad. Ted." Athena siphoned away Floo powder with her wand and sat down on the sofa between the two of them. "Dad, I need to talk to you."

"This looks serious." Ted got up from his chair. "I'll see you…"

"Nope, sit." Athena motioned him down with her hand. "I'm going to need your help as well."

"This sounds important." Harry leaned forward, his face full of concern. "Something wrong?"

"Yes. Something's wrong." Athena took a deep breath. "You need a date for Mum and Ollie's wedding."

Tension quickly left Harry's body as he sighed. "Athena. Honey...don't worry about me." Harry sat back and crossed his legs, taking up his tea once again. "This is your mum's wedding, just let it be about her. I'll be fine."

Sighing, and mouthing 'hopeless' under her breath, Athena turned to Ted. "Ted, you're going to help me, aren't you?"

"Me?" Ted shrugged. "This is all too weird and Slytherin for this Gryffindor. Plus, like I'm any good at this stuff."

"Yes, Vic dumped you, so what? She's annoying." Athena adjusted her glasses. "But you are funny, smart and you dress nicely. He can't just show up at the wedding for the first time with his date, so they'll have to go out a few times before that. And Dad, you can't look like you normally do. Ted, you can help him with that."

"Really?" Ted looked down at his jeans, low boots and his shirt. Athena thought he had good taste in clothes? Glancing over to Harry he made a comparision; sure, what Harry had on was fine to teach Defense at Hogwarts, but it would be dreadful on a date. "You know, I guess I can."

Watching the interplay between Ted and Athena made Harry sit back and scowl slightly behind his glasses. When those two ganged up on him it never ended well.

-ooo-

As it was the week before classes started at Hogwarts Harry had a simple breakfast with Kreacher, skimmed through the Daily Prophet and packed his large leather bag. It had been a present from Molly and Arthur when he accepted the Defense position at Hogwarts. Arthur said it was a Muggle bag that was used by soldiers to pack 'ammanition' for war, but Harry had simply accepted it gratefully, knowing that it was a rather upscale version of of a postman's bag. Regardless, he liked it, as it was worn in spots, could hold as much as he needed without an undectable extension charm. Every year when he began packing it for the first trip to Hogwarts it gave him a sense of comfort. To say that his school years at Hogwarts were unnatural was an understatement of the highest magnitude, so the fact that he was simply Athena's dad, the Hogwarts Defense Professor, made things much more satisfying.

He closed the top flap, buckled the two straps into the worn brass clasps and stood up, lifting it over his head so the strap went cross-ways over his chest and rested the bag at his hip. As he made his way to the Floo he paused, as he'd caught his reflection in the hallway mirror where the portrait of Sirius' mum used to hang.

"I'm not that bad." He adjusted the collar of his light blue shirt, tucking the ends into the vee of the heathery-grey jumper. His hair was short, how he'd kept it ever since the Aurors, and he'd finally given into Hermione's pleas and changed glasses. The oval hornrims glowed slightly due to the sunlight. Yes, he was going a bit grey, what Molly said would be a 'dashing salt and pepper' look, but to be honest it just made him feel a bit old. But old, he reminded himself as he adjusted the strap of the bag, old was good because old meant alive. He started to step away and heard a small sound, looked down and realised that the lace of his trainers had come untied. Bending down to retie the trainers made him wince slightly, as he'd been wearing the same trainers for...years. Not that there was anything wrong with them, they were just well-worn. That was it. Broken-in. Comfortable. He didn't need Ted's advice on clothing. It was while he was still thinking about his daughter's new project that he entered the fireplace, tossed a pinch of Floo powder down and said 'Hogwarts Staff Floo.'

Thankfully it was a rather relaxed Staff Room that he entered, only Headmistress McGonagall, Neville and Daphne sitting about with Flitwick. His arrival caused all the heads to turn, and after sitting his bag down on one of the low tables he took the offered seat next to Neville.

"Good to see you, Harry. Ready for another year?" Neville smiled broadly. "Think we've got a chance for the Quidditch cup."

"Please." Daphne Greengrass rolled her eyes. "You say that every year, Neville. Hello, Harry."

Minerva gave a very small smile. "As head I'm supposed to be impartial, but...Gryffindor should be rather good."

Flitwick laughed softly. "I don't believe any of us thinks you impartial, Minerva, especially those of us that have known you for years."

"Yes, well, try not to make it obvious outside of the staff room." Minerva turned back to Harry. "And how are you doing? Holding up?"

"Uh, yeah. I'm ok." Harry looked at his former Transfiguration professor somewhat oddly. "Is something wrong? New stuff to prepare for OWL and NEWTS?"

Daphne leaned over. "She's talking about Ginny's wedding, I believe."

"Oh. That." Harry relaxed. "I'm fine. Happy for her and Oliver. Athena likes him, so that helps." He saw everyone's attention focus over to Daphne and then flit back to him. "Am I missing something?"

"Well..." Neville nodded to Daphne. "It's her story to tell, but..."

Daphne turned to Harry. "I got a...questionnaire from your daughter."

"Oh shit." Harry sat back. "So you know what she's trying to do, then? Bollocks." He watched as both Neville and Flitwick chuckled, Minerva raised an eyebrow and Daphne rolled her eyes. "Come on, she's just trying to be helpful."

"Thank Merlin, because when was the last time you were on a date, Harry?" Neville gave him a sheepish look. "Sorry, I mean, after Strahl and that debacle I don't blame you, but..."

Flitwick couldn't contain himself this time, as the laugh came out rather short and loud. "So sorry, Harry, but that was possibly..."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah, it didn't go well." Harry waved him off. "Don't you lot have something to do? I need to go to my classroom."

That seemed to be enough of a sign that everyone but Daphne took their leave, promising to keep Athena's plan to themselves. After they left Daphne reached down into a folder and brought out a piece of parchment. "Here. Read it for yourself." As Harry read the questionnaire Daphne sighed. The girl was a Slytherin but this was way too bold of a play; far too Gryffindor for the house of cunning. And as for the reason she'd received the missive it had to be the one time that she and Harry had represented Hogwarts at that international magical educator's conference. They'd gone to the reception, and it was a formal event, so apparently that was enough of a date-like occurrence that it made the cut for Athena. They'd had a nice time, obviously, but to be honest they'd spent most of the night keeping overzealous fans of Harry's away and talking about his daughter.. Harry had a maturity beyond his years, and definitely beyond what he'd shown at Hogwarts, when he and Ginny managed to be completely civil about things. Her ex? Marcello? The thought of their breakup still infuriated her at times, but luckily that had been years ago.

"I can't believe she sent this to you. I'm sorry." Harry sat the parchment on the table. "I'll speak to her."

"Why?" Daphne tilted her head at him, causing her blonde hair to fall about her shoulders and the long pendant she wore to slide over to one side of her bottle-green jumper. "She's not wrong, Potter. Besides Weasley your dating life has been atrocious. Pitiful, even."

"Not you, too." Harry sat back in the chair. "I'm not that bad."

"Really? Then why don't we play a little game." As Daphne's blue eyes narrowed she gave him a mischievious grin. "Let's go through them all. Don't worry, it won't take that long."

"Evil Slytherin. Why should I play your game?"

"Because you'll understand a bit better what Athena is thinking. Humour me. You still owe me for Strahl."

After slightly huffing and crossing his arms Harry nodded. "Fine. Only because of Strahl."

"Oh good." Daphne clapped her hands. "Let's start there. The new Hogwarts potion professor, straight from Germany, you did her staff orientation and she just blew through you like a hippogriff. You did ask her out for a drink, though, so initially it's on you."

"She asked where there was to get a drink around her so I told her and she just said it would be lovely to go together or something. I don't know, I was being nice and I didn't know what else to say. I panicked."

Daphne laughed. "I didn't think anyone teaching potions could be that different from Snape, but leave it to her. She's so bloody...ethusiastic. Perky. Gods I hate perky."

"Don't remind me." Harry sat back, remembering how it had all unfolded. The welcoming drink amongst colleagues, as he had envisioned it, obviously meant something quite different to one Rachel Strahl. Instead of the drink she suggested going out for a bite to eat right before they took the Floo, and when they arrived at the restaurant she picked he almost swallowed his tongue. It was one of those impossibly twee Italian restaurants, complete with waiters singing romantic songs, candlelight, tables only for two. During dinner he found himself trying, but mostly failing, to get in any comments as she was far too busy making plans. She knew the most charming little bed and breakfast in Germany, up in the mountains, that would be perfect for them. It was close to her parents' house, and they'd love to meet him. It was all he could do to make it through the dinner without being completely rude, and once they'd made it back to the castle he dropped her off at her quarters and made a beeline to Daphne's room.

"You paced around and ranted for at least fifteen minutes." Daphne tapped a manicured finger on the table. "Highly entertaining. But as I didn't want you derelict in your duties to my Slytherin students I had to help you out. Do you know she still gives me dirty looks?"

"What did you say to her?" Harry leaned forward. "You never told me."

"Ah ah ah." Daphne mimed zipping her lips shut. "A girl needs her secrets. Don't worry your scarred little head, she won't bother you anymore."

"Fine. I owe you."

"Precisely, so let's go through the rest, eh? This will be fun. Here I thought today was just going to be more Arithmancy preparation, but this is much more entertaining."

Harry stuck out his tongue at her. If she wasn't such a good friend he would have told her to bugger off, but Athena's plan was still hovering around in the back of his mind. Maybe his daughter did have a point after all. "Right. Well, the first one was Agnes, Agnes Trumbow. She works in the Ministry with Hermione. That was a setup and it was ok it was just...I dunno, I'd just left the Aurors, she's a bit older than me and I think she was really looking to settle down. I definitely wasn't. Plus Athena was only two at the time and that's when Ginny went back to Harpies, so I was really just more concerned about being a father. Didn't make it easier that I was a working Auror at the time."

"Understandable, and fifteen years ago." Daphne nodded. "Next?"

"Um...let me think. Oh. Right. Her name was Kimberley Franklin, you wouldn't know her, she's a Muggle. Athena's teacher, but I waited until Athena wasn't in her class to ask her out. I thought it would be nice, not having to explain things, but it was just too hard. I mean, trying to explain..." He waved his hands in frustration. "It was just too hard. She was very nice, though. Huh." He paused. "She was older than me, too."

Daphne mimed taking notes. "Likes older women."

"Stop."

"Fine, and how old was Athena then?"

"Um, I'd just started at Hogwarts then, so, Thena was six."

"Eleven years ago. Such the playboy." She smirked at him. "That can't be it."

"No, one more. George set me up with her, a reporter from America. Heidi...Selk, no Selden. Yeah, that's it. She came over to do a piece of George's shop and I was over there to talk to Ron. It was a mistake. Way too many questions. Guess I should have known that, a reporter and all." He held up his hand to stop the question he knew was coming. "Athena had just started Hogwarts, so it was six years ago." Suddenly he smacked himself on the forehead. "Forgot one. Total disaster. Barbara Martin, plays for the Canadian National Quidditch team."

"What is it with you and Quidditch, Harry? Regardless, well done!" Daphne mock applauded. "So young and fit then, and we're breaking the string of older women. How about the reporter?"

After a sigh he looked at her over his glasses. "A few years older."

"At least you tried to break the trend. Now, if we count our 'date' at the conference like your daughter does, you'll find that I'm older than you by a few months. So let's do the arithmancy here, in seventeen years you've been on approximately five dates, six if you count me, and mostly with older women. Can you understand why your daughter is concerned about your ability to find a date for Weasley's wedding?" Daphne's eyes softened. "Harry, she's not wrong. You do need help, even if it is just for one night to make her happy. That's all you really want, isn't it?"

"Pretty direct for a Slytherin." He smirked at her. "Sure you're the right head of house?"

Daphne rolled her eyes. "I knew hanging about you and Longbottom for so long was bound to affect my judgment. But I'm right, aren't I?"

"Yes, dammit."

"I do so love to hear that, especially from you. Ok, so let's hear what one of my little snakes has cooked up so far for her daddy. When is the blessed event?"

"January." Harry saw the odd look on her face. "It's an international break for Quidditch then."

"A January wedding, how...something. Well, since this whole endeavor is going to be entirely too Quidditch themed to be in good taste I'm just going to play along. We are now in pre-season. Time to find out who's going to make the first round of cuts to make the team. I'm sure Athena will let you know when the players take the pitch."

-ooo-

Ginny stood in the doorway to her sitting room, just out of sight, and took in the scene before her. There, both of them sprawled out on the floor, were her daughter and Teddy. Ted. She mentally chastised herself, as he didn't want to be called Teddy anymore. It didn't seem right that the two of them were so grown up now, Ted had left Hogwarts and Athena would soon; it just seemed like the other day when the two of them were crawling all over in nappies, fighting over stuffed toys.

"Hey." Oliver's voice was soft as he came up behind Ginny and put his arms around her waist, his chin resting on her shoulder. "How long have they been doing that?"

"Since supper." Ginny's voice was also quiet as she didn't want Athena and Ted to think she was spying on them. "They're worried about Harry."

Oliver's chuckle was soft. "I would no worry about Harry. He can take care of himself, eh?"

"Normally I would agree, but I think she has a point."

"Wha?" He shifted about and turned her towards him. "Yer not..."

"Shhh." Ginny put a finger to his lips. "Of course not. You know better than that. We're friends, more than that since we have Athena, but that was almost twenty years ago. But he doesn't deserve to be lonely, even if it is just for our wedding."

"Yeah, I know." Oliver turned to look into the sitting room and made a 'hmmmm' noise. "Look at that an' tell me what you see."

Ginny turned her attention back to the sitting room where Ted and Athena had relocated to the sofa. Ted was sitting properly, his feet on an ottoman, but Athena had her back against the far armrest and her feet were in Ted's lap. "What am I looking at? I don't see anything."

"Ah, it's no a thing, love. My mistake." Oliver smiled to himself. It might not be anything, yet.

A/N: Insert standard statement regarding other WIP stories, lack of attention and new chapters in the future. Yeah, another multi-chapter story, but this one won't go too long. (Actually the third chapter is done and working on the fourth, which should be the last one. See? Not too bad.) I was just looking through notes and reference stuff the other day and thought about what would happen if Harry and Ginny didn't get married but had a kid. And Athena has popped up in other stories of mine before, in different permutations, but I thought I'd have a little fun.

Also as a change usually I have an idea who the pairings will be when I start writing and sometimes change that, but this time I have some likely candidates and no idea whatsoever what will happen when the story ends. That's kind of fun. So will this be a light, fluffy thing? Yeah, probably. If you want dark head on over to Aurors and Assassins or Goodbye, Hermione. But in this one, why not Hermione the Auror? She's the one who thinks fastest on her feet throughout the whole HP canon. So it's an 'Epilogue, What Epilogue?' story with maybe a few twists. We'll see.

As always, thanks for reading and review if you wish.