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God the 11 year old girls you put on this earth to climb trees and play with plastic animals are buying foundation at the drug store

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Finally, having time for themselves.

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@ginnystrophyhusband Microfics July Day 28 Prompt: Shy

Bill didn't often feel shy.

To be honest, he wasn't sure if he'd ever felt that, whatever Mum said about his childhood. The thing about growing up with six rowdy younger siblings was that there was little opportunity for emotions like that.

Weasleys had always operated on a system of grab first and hard.

But now, standing on Grimmauld Place's doorstep, he felt shyer than he ever had before—even when he'd been inducted into the Order in this very place.

When he finally gathered the courage to go in, his brother's freckled face was the first thing he saw, tension that changed to bewilderment. He wondered if the baby would inherit the Weasley freckles, or if the Delacour perfection would cancel them out.

"Bill?" Ron questioned, hand on his wand. Being an Auror hadn't made him any less of a quick-draw or wary.

That wasn't a surprise. Bill didn't see his little brother and his best mate outside of the weekly dinners at the Burrow, the occasional party and the rare excursion to Shell Cottage for 'beach day' or to visit Dobby's grave.

"Is Harry home?" He asked, not commenting. They'd left security questions behind a while back.

"Yeah. Just got back, so he'll be arguing with Kreacher in the back." He jabbed a thumb vaguely in the direction. "See you around." He stepped out and disapparated.

Bill found Harry exactly there, with a still healing cut on his cheek. Kreacher disappeared in a huff as he turned to Bill. "Hey. What brings you here?"

"Wanted to talk to my kid brothers," he said, perching on a chair. That brought a flicker of a smile to Harry's face. "Ask for advice from one of them."

Now his eyebrows furrowed. "From me? What about?"

He took a deep breath, unable to believe the words even as he said them. "Fleur's pregnant."

Harry beamed, glowing almost as much as Fleur. "Wow! That's - congratulations!"

He grinned in return, nodding his thanks, before taking a breath and continuing: "And since you're the only one in the family who's a parent. . ."

His probably soon-to-be brother-in-law only looked confused for a moment, before realization dawned and reflexively: "I'm not Teddy's parent—"

"Maybe not, but you do have experience in the role," Bill pointed out. Then he sighed. "How did you cope? You're eighteen."

And he, almost a decade older, was quaking in his boots at the thought when he had half a year to prepare.

"I guess. . ." Harry said slowly. "It's about loving them. No matter what. That's the important part. The rest of it, the actual practicalities, you'll learn along the way. Especially when you have people with you, to support and teach. Like you have your parents. And Fleur, of course."

The way his gaze softened and flicked to a photo of Ginny on her broom, raising her fist in triumph and winking at the camera, it was fairly obvious who he was thinking of.

Bill hadn't known of their relationship until after the war. He hadn't realized the reason Ginny had been especially upset before his wedding, the reason she'd been targeted and dismissed by Death Eaters especially as the Chosen One's ex.

But it was impossible to miss after. They didn't overtly show it, didn't kiss or grope each other or anything in front of them, but the way they gravitated to one another was obvious. How when in vicinity they were always touching, light, comfortable. Pinkies joined, arm around the waist, leaning on each other, comforting presses, soft pecks to the forehead and cheek. How they looked at each other, soft and playful and communicating non-verbally through small tics.

How tactile Harry was with her, in ways he had never been with anyone. Not even Ron and Hermione, who had previously been the only ones who could touch him without prompting a flinch or discomfort.

Sometimes seeing all that felt more voyeuristic than if they'd caught sight of them actively having sex.

Harry had always been family, of course. Ever since Ron had sat in his compartment, probably.

But his relationship with Bill's little sister brought that more in focus than anything else.

He didn't think he could've approached anyone else Ginny might have dated for advice on something like this.

"And you?" He raised an eyebrow.

Harry blushed faintly, cleared his throat. "If I'm still around, absolutely."

"Don't see how you can get away from us now, really," he laughed.

"Good thing I don't want to, then." Harry grinned. He glanced at Uncle Fabian's watch. "If you stick around for a bit, you can see Teddy. Get some experience too."

Bill nodded. "And till then, you can tell me what Ginny's up to."

Harry raised a brow. "She writes to your mum. Don't tell me she doesn't discuss every detail with you lot."

"She does, but Ginny definitely tells you more. So. Out with it, Potter."

Harry laughed and obliged.

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can we just appreciate how harry potter truly gives no fucks?

he will choke you in broad daylight on a public street for stealing something from his dead godfather.

he will beat you bloody, again in broad daylight in front of his entire team and an entire stadium of people for mocking his best friend.

he will use an unforgivable torture curse on you for spitting on one of the few adults he actually respects.

he will laugh at and mock and wave at the death eater, who just killed his godfather and is trying to kill him, for how much trouble she’ll be in with the darkest wizard ever for failing to get the prophecy like he instructed.

he will call some random boy’s mother stupid for believing bullshit stated in the prophet.

he will mock the spoiled boy for his father being in jail when it was him that put the boy’s father in jail.

he will also mock the spoiled boy’s mother for her shitty husband being in jail even though he’s the reason her husband is in jail and will also dare her to take a shot at him there and then in a public store.

he will mock his dead father’s friend to his face for trying to be a daredevil like his godfather and leaving his pregnant wife behind.

he will make fun of the same girl for crying because:

1) she thought his best friend of four years was his girlfriend

2) she lost the quidditch match to him

3) her best friend who sold out his illegal resistance group and his best friend put a permanent acne jinx on her best friend

he will send his bitter teacher across the room with a protection spell and treat said teacher like he’s his subordinate.

he will throw a badge at his best friend’s forehead for not believing him and mock him for being jealous of his fame.

he will lie saying his godfather is a convicted murderer to get his abusers to abide his requests.

he will threaten to reveal his identity as a wizard to their guests if they fail to meet his commands.

he will carry out masterful psychological warfare using the memory of his death mother on a member of authority to get what he wants out of him.

harry’s jar of fucks is empty and collecting dust on the shelf. the fucks he gives are buried six feet under with his family. it’s so funny to me when people who haven’t seen the books call movie harry rude or bitchy or annoying because it’s like mate, YOU HAVE NO IDEA. these weaklings would NOT be able to handle book harry.

he’s so iconic.

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Heyyy hope you're doing well! I just wanted to ask if you have any head cannon about harry and Ginny's kids. Please share them with us. Thank you!

I actually don't have nearly as many original thoughts and headcanons about the Potter kids as I do about their parents! Much as I love em. All I know is that I like Cursed Child about as much as I like Grawp. (There was a Cursed Child poster up right by my house for the first two months of this year, and every single day I had to walk past it and start my day in a quiet rage. Also no offence whatsoever to the current actress playing Ginny on the West End, but why did they dress Ginny like some kind of frump! She is in her mid-late thirties when Albus goes to school! How dare you! Also I was at a party the other day and my friend walked in fresh from seeing Cursed Child and went 'uhh so I just had to watch three hours of Harry Potter for some reason being horrible to his gay son I need a drink', and now that is all I can think of whenever I think about Cursed Child).

The only headcanons that really come to mind are:

James and Ginny think they're the funny ones of the family, everyone eye rolls at them but secretly agrees; Harry and Albus bond in Albus' late teens over sad Muggle music together (I had a stupid fic idea where I was like... Albus and Harry at a Phoebe Bridgers concert. Or at least The National. Sad dad and his introvert son? Sign me up); everyone in the family teases Harry relentlessly and he's like err sorry I did not marry one of you and bring the three of you into existence to be roasted every day of my life (obviously he secretly loves it).

What I do have is this tiny very abridged list of fics I have loved that have helped shape how I think about the Potter kids and strongly recommend:

try and hide the night by tosca1390 - (oneshot, James POV, James trying to understand his parents' war, just really lovely family dynamics here)

all the pieces fall by @lanaturnergetup - (multichapter, completed, Albus/Scorpius, adult!Potter kids, I would die for this Albus)

and tomorrow came again by @bettysgarden12 - (multichapter WIP, next gen Hogwarts fic - I'm actually super behind on the last couple of chapters but this is e n c h a n t i n g)

little accomplishments and motte and bailey by irnan (oneshots, H/G, Teddy and the Potter kids, just such wonderful colour to these and a perfect balance of happy with a twinge of sad)

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@ginnystrophyhusband Microfics July 12th Prompt: Muster

Hermione told him he was being ridiculous. Multiple times.

Since he hadn't been able to muster the courage to ask Ron if he thought it was a good idea, much less ask Ginny the question itself, he thought his fear was justified.

"It doesn't even mean anything until she comes of age!" Hermione had pointed out exasperatedly.

Asking Ron and Hermione had been easy enough—Ron had, after all, put down his and Hermione's names in return.

And he suspected the horcrux hunt was the last time he tried to dissuade his best friends from staying at his side. How many times had he done that over the years, only for it to be futile? When he likely wouldn't have survived without them anyway?

No. While he would always maintain that they would've been luckier not knowing him, the blank lines under 'Emergency Contacts' expectantly waiting to be filled did not cause the sullen resignation or the welling of grief for Sirius (not much, anyway) they once would have. Not when he knew he'd always have—couldn't get rid of—Ron and Hermione.

But there was someone else whose name he needed listed in it. Someone who he wanted desperately to be the centre and foundation of his new post-Voldemort life.

Even if she says no, Harry thought to psych himself up to it, she'd be at Hogwarts for the next year anyway. Maybe he could ask her again when she turned seventeen—but that was only in a couple months. He didn't want to be needy or pathetic.

Sure, they were together, but that had come with the promise of getting to know one another again, after a year apart and becoming practically new people after all they'd gone through. And yes, he loved her, but he'd also been told quite witheringly that that didn't mean he got to keep huge secrets from her or tell her what to do.

This was neither of that, of course, but still. . . . .

He needn't have worried about bringing the matter up, though, since Hermione's loud hints lost subtlety at a remarkable pace. As the deadline for the submission of the fast-tracked auror forms loomed on them, they seemed to make Ginny and Ron think he was dying.

"You. . . alright, mate?" Ron asked awkwardly after Hermione pointed out how the keeper who'd gotten bludgered in the match they were listening to would have family with him.

He rolled his eyes. "Yeah, I'm fine."

"He just needs to talk to Ginny!" He shot her a betrayed look, which she answered with a pointed nudge of the chin.

Ginny gave a bemused look at her brother, before shrugging and jumping lightly onto her feet from the arm of the sofa they'd taken. "Orchard, Harry?"

"I s'pose," he muttered reluctantly, and sent another resentful look at his best friend before following Ginny out.

"So?" Ginny leaned against a tree and quirked an inquisitive eyebrow.

Harry took a moment to admire the way the white flowers framed her as he tried to muster up the words. Somehow 'do you mind getting owled or flooed when I inevitably get myself nearly killed on my new job?' did not seem particularly well-constructed.

"Ron and Neville and the others and I need to give in the Auror forms by tomorrow," he blurted out.

Ginny didn't seem surprised and merely hummed in agreement. "Yeah, I know Ron told Dad he's listing him and Mum as emergency contacts after you and Hermione. Good thing he didn't go to Mum."

Here, she sounded bitter and distant. Harry thought about the fragile and determined way Mrs. Weasley held herself these days and silently agreed.

He nodded. "And I wrote Ron and Hermione," he said.

"Of course," she said in her no-nonsense manner. "Though you know Mum and Dad and George and everyone else would love to be added, right?"

"I don't know about love," he muttered awkwardly. "But, uh. I was more wondering about ... you."

Her eyes widened with surprise and he frantically wondered if this was too early or serious, how he could brush this whole conversation off.

"But - I'll still be at Hogwarts!"

"So will Hermione," he pointed out.

"You really want me on the list too?" Her brow furrowed thoughtfully.

"Can't think of anyone I'd want or need more when it comes to 'emergency contact'," he said truthfully. "I think Andromeda would prefer it coming from one of you rather than an official notice."

He knew she wasn't too happy about someone as notorious as him being her grandson's godfather, and he agreed with the sentiment, though he refused to let it affect his interactions with Teddy.

"Not even Ron or Hermione?" She sounded teasing, but he could tell this was a serious question.

He considered it. "Them too," he said finally. "But they're inevitable - and you're. . . different, a bit. I don't know." There was a pause. "I just wasn't sure— I mean, being an Auror, it's dangerous, and you might not want to. . ." He frowned, frustrated with himself for not finding the words. "You know."

Ginny smiled, now. It wasn't that she was insecure about Harry's friendships, but it was always nice to be reassured, especially after the past year. It was one thing knowing Harry would want to be with her if he could and quite another knowing.

"I did say, didn't I, that I knew you wouldn't be happy unless you were hunting all the evil in the world?"

"I think you said Voldemort, actually."

"Yeah, that's what I said now too," she grinned teasingly.

"Well, reckon I'll stick to the low goal of the British Wizarding World only, but—" And now he gave the lopsided wry smile that had always caused Ginny's heart to skip a beat. "I suppose that's the general idea."

She tapped her chin thoughtfully. "And here you are, getting so worked up about asking obvious questions. Does not bode well, Auror Potter."

"I think it's quite fine when the answer isn't obvious, Ginevra," he mimicked her tone. He was smiling now, though, the tentative feeling loved one that always had her gooey.

"Don't be ridiculous," she scolded and tugged him in to kiss him.

(The only change that was ever made in the emergency contact list Harry handed in at seventeen was just a few years later, from Ginevra M. Weasley to Ginevra M. Potter.)

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looks like James, blind like James, quidditch crazy like James

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I love how under Harry's indifference, apathy, and cynical personally there's genuinely someone who believes and holds hope for the future, who thinks people can change and who's heart will bleed for everyone if he lets it, who at his core genuinely believes people are worth saving

He's mean and snarky, he's hard to get along with and doesn't get people, he hates it when other's cry and can't comfort anyone for the life of him, he's blunt and abrasive, he's judgmental, he's impulsive, he lies, he's secretive, he's nosy to a fault

He loves being around other people, he's kind and empathic, he hates seeing other people be mistreated, he always stands up for what's right, he's noble and does his best to do right by everyone, he's sweet and polite, he's genuine, he's altruistic, he's perceptive and notices details other people ignore, he's trusting, he see's the good in others

he wants to be the one to kill Voldemort, he forgives Voldemort and offers him a chance at redemption, he resents the adults in his life for not protecting him, he cares so deeply about them and forgives them, he's depressed and stops caring about his hobbies and passions, magic and learning new things still sparks joy in him

Deep inside of him, no matter how much hope he’s lost, how much he's changed, how the world has shaped him just down to whatever he needs to survive, he's the boy who sits in front of a mirror just to catch a glimpse of his dead family, he's the boy who wants to die standing upright so he can at least die like his parents, he's the boy who's only concern is making it back to his friends when he's attacked by dementors, who gets through the summers with he mere thought of reuniting with his godfather, he’s still the boy in the cupboard who dreams every for a distant relative to come take him away and save him

Harry is at his core is so, so resilient

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"harry had one spell and a dream" "harry only uses expelliarmus" "learn a new spell"

he did not only know expelliarmus. this gets exaggerated by the fandom bc in-universe it's uncommon to use it in extreme situations, so other characters took note of it, expressed surprise, and "fans" ran with that, and eventually started to take it literally. it used to be a joke but people forget that now, so it's become overused and unfunny

if you pay attention he knew tons of interesting spells, literally taught them to DA members, but NOT fighting fancy is key to his character... he wants to survive, not impress. this is very much the same line of thinking that led him to latch onto being an auror — it's suggested to him and he never has to consider another career because being an auror is fine, it will help him survive. he can't think of another career he'd want anyway... everything he does is about survival. this loss of interest or pleasure in most or all normal activities can be connected to his clinical depression

that's the point. expelliarmus is effective. it's simple. it's saved his life countless times. he's fully capable of fancier magic, but chooses to keep it simple to survive. he has nothing to prove

in fact, he uses fancier spells every time he duels draco malfoy bc then he's a kid, not a martyr, and wants to impress. in those moments, he has something to prove. all other times he dgaf because he's tired, he just wants to live.

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Zayn here is so @blvnk-art’s adult Harry coded.

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Hello!! So, I saw an argument about Harry's uhm looks? I guess. A lot of people basically headcanon him as someone buff. I digress, I'm part of the uhm more realistic? group. Harry's been starved and abused his entire life. I doubt he'll gain the weight and the height everyone else wants him to have. Years later. maybe. But in 6th year? While on the run? 3 years after the war? Doubt. do you think he would be able to get super tall and buff? Also, do you think its possible he used the same methods the dursleys used to punish himself?

I mean, anyone can headcanon whatever they want, but, I'll try to explain via quotes, what Harry's height and muscle situation is likely to be. I believe the reasons some headcanon him as buff and tall are:

Harry had pinned Mundungus against the wall of the pub by the throat. Holding him fast with one hand, he pulled out his wand.

(HBP)

He lifts Mundungus by his throat with one hand easily, and he practices Quidditch like 3 times a week at least. This implies that Harry has some muscle on him.

And he's mentioned to be James' height when he's 17:

James was exactly the same height as Harry.

(DH)

Which was supposedly tall, according to both, Harry:

tall and untidy-haired like Harry, the smoky, shadowy form of James Potter

(GoF)

And Voldemort:

the tall black-haired man in his glasses

(DH)

Now, let's put Harry's height in the context of other character heights. Particularly of interest are characters taller than him, to get an image of how tall is "tall." And some shorter characters to help figure out his exact height.

Sirius, Ron, Voldemort, and Dumbledore are all taller than Harry and exceptionally tall in general. They are each likely to be over 6 feet tall, making Harry likely less than 6' (183 cm). Supporting this is this quote:

Once the painful transformation was complete he was more than six feet tall, and from what he could tell from his well-muscled arms, powerfully built.

(DH)

This means Harry is less than 6' and isn't super buff. But, I want to get to his specific height, because I have a lot to say about character heights.

Like, Dumbledore is probably the tallest character who isn't a half-giant because he's towering over everyone except Hagrid and Maxime. In book 6, he's literally taller than all the inferi in the cave:

Dumbledore was on his feet again, pale as any of the surrounding Inferi, but taller than any too,

(HBP)

And Abeforth (who's as tall as Dumbledore) is taller than Ron, who's one of the other tallest characters in the books:

Ron looked slightly sick. Aberforth stood up, tall as Albus, and suddenly terrible in his anger and the intensity of his pain.

(DH)

Making the Dumbledores really tall. My estimate is around a whooping 6'5 (195 cm).

Sirius is mentioned to be taller than Snape, and the tallest Marauder:

said Sirius, standing up. He was rather taller than Snape

(OotP)

To Sirius’s right stood Pettigrew, more than a head shorter

(DH)

A head, in height, should be around one foot (30.48 cm). As the average height of a man in England in 1998 was around 5'8 (174.4 cm), this would make Sirius around 6'2 (188 cm), therefore taller than average, and Pettigrew around 5'2 (157 cm), shorter than the average, but still both at a reasonable height.

Ron is almost as tall as the twins at 11:

“Shut up,” said Ron again. He was almost as tall as the twins already and his nose was still pink where his mother had rubbed it.

(PS)

And, just, really tall in general:

He stepped forward. Not as tall as Ron, he had to crane his neck to read the yellowish label affixed to the shelf right beneath the dusty glass ball.

(OotP)

So I estimate Ron at around 6'3 (190 cm).

Voldemort who grew up on war rations is still described very consistently as tall, regardless of childhood malnourishment:

He was his handsome father in miniature, tall for eleven years old, dark-haired, and pale

(HBP)

tall, pale, dark-haired, and handsome — the teenage Voldemort.

(HBP)

Taller than Bellatrix (who's taller than Harry). Voldemort is also considerably taller than Pettigrew, as he has to bend to reach Pettigrew's arm when both are standing:

Voldemort bent down and pulled out Wormtail’s left arm; he forced the sleeve of Wormtail’s robes up past his elbow

(GoF)

I usually place Voldemort at around the same height as Ron, so 6'3 (190 cm).

Fred and George, though, are mentioned to be shorter and stockier, more similar to Molly's build:

Charlie was built like the twins, shorter and stockier than Percy and Ron, who were both long and lanky.

(GoF)

but are mentioned to shrink to become Harry in book 7:

Hermione and Mundungus were shooting upward; Ron, Fred, and George were shrinking

(DH)

I actually place the twins around 6' (183 cm) so they could be taller than Harry, but shorter than Ron. The twins are likely taller than Charlie.

Bellatrix, as a woman, should also be shorter on average, but considering how tall Sirius is mentioned to be, it appears the Blacks are just considerably taller than the average, even the women:

a tall dark woman with heavy-lidded eyes, who had stood at her trial and proclaimed her continuing allegiance to Lord Voldemort

(OotP)

She was taller than he was, her long black hair rippling down her back, her heavily lidded eyes disdainful as they rested upon him;

(DH)

So I place her at around 6' (183 cm) as well, as an exceptionally tall lady.

So where does this place Harry?

During the first 4 books, Harry is short and small for his age. When he's 13, he and Hermione are bit shorter than Pettigrew:

He was a very short man, hardly taller than Harry and Hermione.

(PoA)

(Ron, noticeably, is taller than Pettigrew at 13)

So, so Harry at 13 was around 5'1 (155 cm). And so was Hermione.

Then in between books 4 and 5 puberty kicks in and probably causes a slight growth spurt that makes him more attractive to girls around him:

Parvati Patil and Lavender Brown, the last two of whom gave Harry airy, overly friendly greetings that made him quite sure they had stopped talking about him a split second before. He had more important things to worry about, however:

(OotP)

And then he has another, larger growth spurt between books 5 and 6:

“You’re like Ron,” she [Molly] sighed, looking him up and down. “Both of you look as though you’ve had Stretching Jinxes put on you. I swear Ron’s grown four inches since I last bought him school robes.

(HBP)

“And it doesn’t hurt that you’ve grown about a foot over the summer either,” Hermione finished, ignoring Ron. “I’m tall,” said Ron inconsequentially. [Ron is objectively correct]

(HBP)

Post book 6 growth spurt, we know Harry is below 6' (183 cm) but close enough to 6' to be above the average of 5'8 (174.4 cm) and be considered "tall", and grow "about a foot" after said growth spurt.

I personally place his height at 5'11 (180 cm), to make all of the above make sense.

And while he is physically fit, he is likely very thin from years of malnourishment. So, he likely has some muscle on him, but he's very lean with little to no fat during his Hogwarts years (he'd likely gain more weight as an adult living peacefully with regular meals). So, Harry in the books isn't what I'd call buff, but he has some muscle and can definitely through a punch. As he grows older post-canon, I think he could get buff if he set his mind to it.

(I actually have notes about the height of a bunch of other characters. Hermione is shorter than Harry and Ron, but noticeably taller than Ginny (5'2 or 157 cm) and probably around 5'4 (162 cm) by book 7. Draco is said to be slightly taller than Harry "Harry did not dare look directly at Draco, but saw him obliquely; a figure slightly taller than he was" - DH, placing Draco at around 6' (183 cm))

For your other question, no, I don't think Harry self-harms, definitely not in any way related to the Dursleys, but that's a different post because I went off about heights.