POCKET FULL SUNSHINE

If he was being honest, Harry was glad she was going to see Petunia. Not because he thought Ana owed it to her, of course not. But because he knew Ana and he knew that she might at some point, beat herself up over it. Even if it was years from now, Harry didn’t want her to put anymore thought into them than necessary, so if anything, this would at least give her the permanent closure she needed. Harry told Ana he’d go to the Dursley home before she got there and if that was to threaten her father beforehand, no one else had to know. Harry had distanced himself from the rest of their family upon arriving, trying to will away every ill feeling he had for Ana’s sake. Despite that, he gave her a small, gentle smile when she stepped through and walked over to bring her into his arms, fully aware of Dudley’s presence somewhere off to the side. “Last chance to back out, Ana Banana,” he whispered  softly against her hair, pulling back to look at her, his expression serious. “Don’t let them get to you, okay? I’m here. I’m not leaving your side. Focus on me. When you’re ready to go, say the word and we’re out.”

»

♕ ---- Ana looked around before Harry reached her and pulled her into a hug. She felt suddenly transported back to when she was eleven and had to leave when she decided to learn how to be a witch like Harry did, and her great-aunt before him. She purposely made sure not to meet the gaze of her father because she knew that she would run right back out the door if she did. And none of them deserved that satisfaction. She looked back at Harry when he pulled back and simply nodded at his words. “Let’s just end this chapter, once and for all.”

♕ ---- Ana stepped out of the fireplace after wiping the soot off her cloak and carefully stepped into the home that she spent a good chunk of her childhood in. “I’m here Pops,” she called out to her uncle. “Lets get this goodbye to my grandmother over with,” she murmured.

He snorted. “Do I need to ask what happened fourth year?” Ryland smirked and took it from her, looking it over. “Where’d you come across this, anyway?”

»

♕ ---- “Mm, no,” Ana wrinkled her nose at the memory. “Doesn’t really matter, my big brother Teddy took care of the bullies.” Her brows at his question. “I found it at the school actually. I’m hoping it’s nothing too dangerous.”

“It should work like a dual citizenship.” Xavi laughed, “But you know the government is always going to be behind the times. It’s like they can’t help it.” He held open the lift door for her so she could go first. “And I’m positive thats one of the reasons they put the stairs in. To give them a reason to be late.” 

»

♕ ---- Anastasia chuckled. She agreed with him though she was fairly certain that her uncle was to blame for her dislike for how their government was set up. She stepped into the lift and leaned against the back wall before she tilted her head to look up at him. “Seems a bit counterproductive for a school. But what do I know, I’m just a grumpy ol’ professor trying to teach little wizards how to get around in the muggle world.”

“You know I could always go the best man and best woman route, right?” He looked over at her with a smirk. “Because I love Jasper with all my heart and he’s like my brother, but come on, let’s be real. He’s only as leveled out as he is right now because his husband is on him for it like a psychopath.” Teddy shrugged off his jacket and draped it on the back of his chair, crossing the room to go through his file cabinet to get the forms she needed. “Yeah, she’s good. We haven’t had to obliviate anymore muggles due to her morphing into various animals.” He turned to her with a smirk, handing it over. Teddy tapped is wand against them so it would magically highlight where she needed to fill out. “The Minister’s wordy as hell. You don’t actually have to read any of that and I’d suggest not to.” He sat on the edge of his desk across from her and nodded. “But yeah, you’re right. Honestly, she was so little when Pan died and Vic’s always been there. The transition’s been a lot easier than it could have been otherwise.”

»

♕ ---- Ana let out a snort. “That’s the easy way out, Teddy, no one wants that. I want the full title or not at all. I don’t want to share like I’m a puppet on sesame street.” She took the forms from him and reached for the quill that was on his desk before she quickly changed her mind and went for the pen that was in her bag. She settled down in her seat and looked up at him before she started to fill out what he said she needed to. “I’m sure she’ll be excited by it all.”

“Did I mention I love you for that?” She pouted, before shaking her head dismissively, and getting up. “No, you’re good. Give me a second.” She carefully carried her son to his nursery and came back a few minutes later, taking her spot beside Ana again. She picked up her lesson plans and laid with her head on the other’s lap, lips pursed as she scanned them. “Okay, but how pissed do you think McGongall would be if I canceled my finals?” She looked up at Ana. “Mostly because I don’t feel like dealing with them, but also I don’t see the point in stressing my kids out to cram in a bunch of facts day before a test and then letting it all go five minutes after they hand it in.”

»

♕ ---- Ana wrinkled her nose and waved her hand as if it was no big deal. She knew if the roles were reversed, Cassie would help her if she needed it. “I will have to admit that I had to brush up on my potion skills, it’s been awhile since I’ve tried to teach anything magical,” she said with a chuckle before she looked down at her friend. “She hasn’t said anything about my lack of a final,” she replied. “Mind you, Muggle Studies is an elective so not quite the same as potions. But if you feel like it’s not necessary,” she said before she reached for her iced coffee. “You could just have them do a final review of the potions that they learned this year. Not an examination but just making sure they actually learned something from the course.”

“Yeah, yeah. You’re right.” Harry opened the door for her. “But even if I had fifty grandkids, she knows she’d be my favorite,” he smirked and stepped in behind Ana, moving his arm back around her as they walked inside and to an empty table. “So no new guys I need to threaten?” He looked up at her with a small smirk, not bothering with the menu since they frequented at the little cafe. “Well damn. I hadn’t scared any of your dates off in a while. i was looking forward to it.”

»

♕ ---- Ana snorted as she followed him to the table. “I’m just happy I’m among the ones that are your favorites. Can’t imagine my life without hanging out with you.” She settled into her seat and rested back. She rolled her eyes playfully and shook her head. “I’m fairly certain that you and Teddy scared all potential prospects away. You’ve got what wanted, I’m going to be the spinster of the family.”

“It does. I’m a guy. I’m not smart about this kind of stuff.” He snorted at that, shaking his head. “Well, I don’t know. You might be a top contender for that since he ran off and eloped to his boyfriend of five months without telling anyone.” He let his cousin step out first, following her to his office. “How’s Iris in general or with the Vic thing?” Teddy questioned, before shrugging. “She’s good. And I think she’d be completely fine with me asking Vic to marry me, but you know, I’m obviously talking to her first. I wouldn’t want her thinking I’m trying to replace Pandora or anything.”

»

♕ ---- Ana chuckled and didn’t say anything because she agreed. He hadn’t been very smart about that stuff. “Don’t put that in my head unless you plan on asking me because I would be an amazing Best Man. You wouldn’t have to worry about a thing. I’d have it all planned out and organized.” She leaned against his desk once they got to his office and she looked up at him with a raised brow. “I just asked in general,” she said before she nodded. “No one could replace her mum but I think she more than knows there is always room for more people to love and care for her. She has a big adoptive family to prove that. Myself included.”

“So, did you touch it?” He questioned, eyeing the supposedly cursed object sitting on the table. Ryland hadn’t done any tests on it yet, but based on the other’s description, it sounded like it could be. He looked up to meet their gaze, wincing a bit. “You might be screwed if you did. Maybe.”

»

♕ ---- Ana held up her hands that were still wearing the leather gloves that she had placed on. “Definitely not with my bare hands. Learned that lesson in my fourth year. Do not touch things that looks exceptionally old, especially jewelry. Wizards and Witches like cursing pretty jewelry. It’s a waste,” she said with a snort.

“I swear I was listening, but somewhere in the middle I zoned out.” Cassie gave the other an apologetic pout. “I’m sorry,” she shifted the thankfully still-sleeping newborn in her arms. “This kid is determined to only let us sleep two hours tops. My brain is complete mush.”

»

♕ ---- Ana looked over at her friend sympathetically. “I just wanted to make sure I got all you lesson plans correctly for this week since I’m covering your classes while you’re away,” She explained, “but if you would rather take a nap while I go over them, I completely understand,” she added before she patted her lap for her friend to rest in. 

“Oh the age old permit problem.” Xavi laughed, “I don’t miss that one.” He started leading her towards the elevator. “Yeah the school thing has always bothered me. But I guess it comes in handy sometimes.” He thought about the battles that school had seen. 

»

♕ ---- “I feel like if you’re muggleborn, you shouldn’t have to have a permit to go back to the side of the world you’re from but I digress.” She followed beside him and let out a snort. “I think the students who come tumbling into class late would disagree with you on the handy part. Makes for a convenient excuse though.”

Marcie was on her way back to her office when she nearly bumped into someone. “Sorry!” she gave her an apologetic smile. “Oh darling, you’re in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, they’re completely useless,” she smirked and winked at her. “You need to go to Communications, it’s on the other side of the building, I can take you there if you want?”

»

♕ ---- Ana glanced over and had to bite back a laugh at the other’s words. “I would greatly appreciate that,” she replied with a smile. “I need to get this permit taken care of, especially before summer begins. As much as I love the magical world, I don’t want to have to be stuck in it the whole three months that I’m off of school.”

“She was coming out of her relationship,” he offered as an excuse, before following her into the elevator. “It was complicated.” Teddy hit the button to his floor. “You’re the only person who knows I’m doing it, so I’m serious. Mouth zipped. Jasper’s already going to be pissed off if he finds out he wasn’t the first to know.”

»

♕ ---- “If that makes you feel better,” Ana said with a snort before she rolled her eyes. “Yeah, yeah, tell no body, I know. Jasper can deal. He’s going to be picked for your best man anyway. I can have being your secret keeper.” She stepped out of the elevator once they reached his floor and brushed her hair off her shoulder. “How’s Iris,” she asked curiously.

“I don’t blame you, sweetheart.” Harry had attempted, a long time ago, to forgive and move on, but he couldn’t. Not with them. How they’d treated Ana had only made it worse. Still, he couldn’t help but smirk at the question, keeping her close as they walked towards Hogsmeade. “Nice conversation shift,” Harry looked down at her with a knowing smirk. “I’m alright. I’ve been working from home more and taking more time off since I promoted Jasper, but I’m slightly regretting that because Iris won’t leave me alone,” he teased. “Have plans for when school’s done in a few months?”

»

♕ ---- Ana only chuckled a bit at his statement and shrugged. It wasn’t the most subtle of topic changes but at least he followed along. “Yeah, well, you are her grandfather and despite the fact that her generation of the family is growing, she’s still you’re only grandchild at the moment. So I’m sure she’s enjoying it as much as she can,” she said. “Not really,” she added with a shrug. “There are a few music festivals that I’ll probably check out but there’s not much going on for me socially outside of work at the moment.”

“Yeah? Try having his last name. And him being your boss. It’s a bitch.” Teddy reached out to hit the button to their floor, waiting for the lift. “No, I haven’t started looking. I have an idea though, based on what I’ve seen her wear before. Honestly, I’m still trying to tell myself it’s not too soon for me to ask her.” Teddy looked back at Ana. “It’s not, right? Given our history. Even if we’ve only been back together a few months?”

»

♕ ---- “We’re talking about me right now, Teddy,” she teased but nodded nonetheless. “Yeah, I’m sure it’s not easy to have his shadow where you work.” When the elevator opened, she carefully stepped inside and leaned back. “It’s long overdue in my opinion,” she said. “The fact that you dated other people when you started to date again was so dumb when Vic was right there.”

“Hi yourself,” Teddy smirked down at her. He hummed with a nod. “We can actually do that in the auror office. Head Auror bitched enough until they approved,” Teddy rolled his eyes, fondly. “Come on up. I’ll take care of it for you.” He was about to say something else, but stopped at her question. Teddy opened his mouth and closed it a few times, settling for giving his cousin a look. “I swear to God, Dursley, if you say anything. Especially to Dad.”

»

♕ ---- “Merlin, thank you! I was already dreading the process and paperwork and the line. And the inevitable ‘Oh, Harry Potter is your guardian, what was that like,’ conversation.” She shook her head before she let out a snort. “I haven’t said anything to anyone! I’m just saying... like, have you even started looking? Do you know what kind of cut she likes, or stone. Would she rather gold, white gold, or rose gold? I’m just trying to help you with the details. Because who else will?”