Soul Mate - Chapter 11:

As the seventh-year students of Hogwarts were increasingly absorbed in their tense N.E.W.T.s

revision, the two-month-long trials of the Death Eaters finally came to an end.

Thanks to Harry’s suggestion or perhaps his intervention the

Ministry of Magic had taken a relatively lenient approach this time.

Of course, those who truly deserved imprisonment were locked away,

and those who warranted the Dementor’s Kiss received it without mercy.

The so-called leniency applied only to those whose crimes were minor or to the

relatives of Death Eaters.

Hogwarts’ Slytherin House emerged largely intact.

Apart from those who had left early to join the Death Eaters, no one else had been implicated.

Strict warnings and extended supervision were inevitable,

but this was far better than expulsion or a stint in Azkaban.

So, in the end, the outcome left people feeling grateful.

The media hailed the Ministry’s actions as merciful and fair,

though what the officials themselves truly thought remained known only to them.

Post-war reconstruction also progressed smoothly. Most damaged public spaces were repaired,

displaced wizards were compensated, and

Muggles who had suffered losses received restitution as well.

Funding came largely from the assets seized during the Death Eater trials.

Rumor had it that the Malfoy family alone contributed seven hundred thousand Galleons,

enough to run the Ministry for an entire year with surplus to spare.

Everything was moving in a positive direction,

and the wounds of war were gradually receding from people’s hearts.

For once, Harry put down his books. He abandoned the library and

devoted a rare day entirely to Ginny. Even Hermione supported his decision,

knowing that over the past year he had spent far too little time with her.

The endless war, the evasion of the press, and now the N.E.W.T.s preparation

had left Harry neglecting Ginny for far too long. Fortunately,

she was always understanding and patient, never complaining about his busy schedule.

Today was Hogsmeade weekend, and he had taken her out on a date.

They strolled leisurely, not intending to buy much, but simply savoring their private time together.

When they arrived at Honeydukes, they squeezed through the crowd of visitors in the sweet,

fragrant shop. Harry bought Ginny a large, transparent rainbow-colored lollipop and

watched her giggle as she savored it.

Feeling a bit tired, Harry suggested heading to the Three Broomsticks. Ginny agreed,

adding they could stop by the jewelry shop afterward since she wanted a necklace.

They exchanged a brief, affectionate kiss and held hands as they made their way to the pub.

The Three Broomsticks was bustling as usual,

but they found an empty table near the door and

settled in with Butterbeer, laughing and relaxing.

Harry and Ginny’s relationship was steady; they had

known each other long enough to understand one another deeply.

He was close with the Weasleys, and Aunt Molly had repeatedly hinted

at how happy she would be to truly consider him part of the family.

Harry was more than willing. If nothing went awry,

he planned to propose in the years following graduation and

finally build the life he had longed for a family of his own,

a dream he had nurtured since childhood, unwavering and unshaken.

Suddenly, Ginny leaned toward him, lowering her voice.

She had spotted someone across the room.

Harry turned and noticed a dazzling shock of platinum blonde hair Malfoy and an unfamiliar,

strikingly beautiful Slytherin girl. They seemed oblivious to Harry and Ginny,

taking a more secluded table.

Curious, Harry asked who the girl was. Ginny explained she was Astoria Greengrass,

a fifth-year Slytherin and Daphne’s sister. Harry strained to recall and vaguely remembered

Daphne from fifth year, a pretty girl often seen with Pansy.

Ginny mentioned the Greengrass family was a well-known pure-bl00d lineage,

though recently somewhat entangled in the aftermath of the war.

Ginny speculated about a possible arranged marriage with Malfoy, and Harry considered it.

Malfoy was attractive in his own right voted Hogwarts’ most charming boy seven years running

and combined with the rising prominence of the Malfoy family, he made an ideal match.

Harry felt a pang of pity, realizing how little control pure-bl00d heirs often had over their marital

choices. Shaking off the thought, he redirected the

conversation to the upcoming N.E.W.T.s awards ceremony.

Many war heroes were current Hogwarts students, especially seventh-year graduates,

so the Ministry had thoughtfully postponed the ceremony to avoid conflicts with exams.

Harry had little interest in attending. If he could avoid it, he would.

Yet it was impossible to skip. Sighing, he asked Ginny about Kingsley’s instructions.

She teased, explaining he had ordered her to make sure Harry attended.

She acknowledged Harry’s dislike for such events but said it was necessary.

Harry shrugged, understanding that the public still needed a figure of hope.

He had spent seventeen years as the Boy Who Lived and was now, officially, the Chosen One.

He despised the title, past, present, and likely forever, but he managed a faint, ironic laugh.

Ginny held his hand, concerned, but Harry reassured her with a smile and suggested they go buy

the necklace. Ginny, finally relieved, linked arms with

him as they stepped out of the Three Broomsticks.

Unnoticed by them, a subtle gaze followed their every move.

Its owner’s hair was a brilliant shade of platinum.