#nightmare perpective i hate you :)

[shadowsartistartsometimes]

[spinlyrightround]

Wading into the debate on beliefs, ethics and attitudes: Nicky Edition

There have been so many amazing character analyses that have arisen from this movie but I want to dig into one in a little more depth. Many of us (including myself )

have commented on the dualistic dynamics of Joe and Nicky’s personalities. But one thing I wanted to dive into further is the origin of these traits and how experience can inform our actions. There have been so many posts recently taking about the ethical and moral underpinnings of these characters

See

for some excellent examples ( there are more, but it seems I have saturated my page with old guard reblogs and likes to the point the point that it is nearly impossible to find specific posts 😳)

One common theme that I see arising in discussion is Nicky as the moral compass of the group. There are so many example of him making profound statement about death morality and actions. The most explicit of which is his direct discussion of it with Immoral Mad Scientist TM.

But he indirectly touches on these themes throughout the movie (Where are the kids, We are meant to find each other; Tell us about it [your Dream], we all die, if it is Adromache’s time). His character doesn’t speak often, but when he does it is often profound and rarely avoids hard subjects ( death nightmares loss). I think this is a very interesting character trait that is played wonderfully by Luca.

This is particularly true when put into the perpective of his characters’ arc. When Joe and Nicky met, Nicky was on the wrong side of history. When asked by Nile if they were good guys or bad guys this is indirectly referenced. It depends on the century. Later When addressing how they met we get this beautiful interaction.

Many have commented that while the moment is treated by the group as humorous, Nicky’s face looks pained. I do think these early moments in Joe and Nicky’s relationship had a profound impact on him.

As he says, the love of my life was of the people he had been taught to hate. And I think that the realization that he was so wrong about his hate and that it was directed at his soulmate humbled him. One of the main traits we seem to have come to a consensus around is that Nicky is contemplative of the morality of his actions. I believe the etiology of his moral compass arose from reflecting on the ignorance of his early life and the devastation that wrought ( both wholisticly to the world because, you know, crusades; but also personally as it was directed at the love of his life.

And that is how I see many of his actions, humble, thoughtful, and contemplative.

Many have taken this scene as praying and even I have commented that it mirrors images as knights with heads bowed in prayer. But it could also be a look of contemplation. And that I think is a key aspect of this character. Having been on the wrong side of history, I think, has shaped his personality and made him more reflective of the morality of his actions. He was able to learn and grow (undoubtedly with help and guidance from his partner Joe) from a place of hate to a place guided by love. This gives him a keen and unique perspective on morality and I think sets him up as a moral touchstone for the team.

[bootypopper]

The 2nd December 2017 I had a terrible dream, or should I say nightmare. I don't remember most of it but close to its end; I am depressed, I hear about a trend of kids inhaling candle fumes and then dying suddenly. I then see a candle and without thinking I am over it and quickly inhale its fumes. Immediately, I slump into the ground, face down, and I feel my whole body become numb. As if my soul is slowly leaving my body. At that moment I felt a slight relief, but then I am consumed with regret as I see my mother plead and scream "No!No!Please NO!". I couldn't move and there was no turning back. I was dying. When I woke up, I felt more determined than ever to stay alive, to live my life to the fullest and never EVER place my mother in such position.  Now its Monday, 18th of December 2017 and I find out that a great artist and influencer of my life ended his life after struggling with his battle against depression. Kim JongHyun passed after inhaling fumes from a burnt brisket, consequently suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning. Like myself, fans and individuals all over the world were caught in disbelief and surprise to have lost such an amazing person to mental illness.  I spent my day remembering how Jonghyun impacted my life. I remembered being introduced to Kpop by my high school friends with Shinee's 'Ring Ding Dong' music video. It was all new to me. I probably commented how Jonghyun resembled a girl with his longish blond hair. That was the beginning of a whole new perpective. Thanks to that perfectly sounding "Babay~" I was interested and that interest only grew and developed to this wonderful love I have for Kpop and Korean culture as a whole.  I remembered getting my first taste of Korean reality shows through Shinee's 'Hello Baby'. I remembered wainting hours infront of Abbey Road Studios back in 2011 to get a glimpse of Onew, Key, Jonghyun, Minho and Taemin in British soil. I remembered how much my young brother loved the Ring Ding Dong song and how hard he danced to it during his Christening/Birthday party, making everyone so happy.  I must say that over the years I developed my own problems with depression. During that time I distanced myself from everything and everyone; friends, family, music, work, school, life. I chose not to be positively influenced by Jonghyun's or any other artist's work. I broke myself down and refused to set a new foundation. I was a lost soul and I accepted my end.  31st December 2016 I took a bunch of Anadin Extra packs I had at home and put then in my handbag. I had planned to leave the house, travel as far as I could and then consume them all in one go. I was on the hedge that day and an unnecessary argument with my mum resulted in me leaving the house suddenly with nothing but my coat, phone and debit card. I was so triggered but I couldn't do anything. I had left my bag at home. I contemplated suicide for so long before, that on the day I planned to die I could only think about the aftermath. How will they react when they find out? How will it affect them in the long term? I don't want to hurt anyone, I'm just sick of how useless I am. They'll be better off without me. They won't have to see how pathetic I look anymore. All I do is bring pain and disappoint. I don't deserve their love. I wondered around for hours and entered 2017 on my own ...in the middle of a bunch of strangers, watching the London fireworks. I can't remember what I was thinking at that time, but I guess I had given myself another chance. I know exactly how Jonghyun felt. It's the worst feeling of hopelessness you could ever have and it's all consuming. The truth is that I will never get over my depression but I will not allow it to get me to were I was the afternoon of New Years eve 2016 or the day I didn't go to school and sent a 'help me' letter to my teacher. I am still young and I have soooo much to give and receive. I am a special human being and I will bring hope and joy to you who may be experiencing the despair Jonghyun and I felt. I keep surviving and he remains alive through his music, craft, advice and countless memories. You too are strong and will continue to spread endless positivity in this beautiful Shinee world. You can do it. Earlier I posted: Jonghyun was one of those entertainers that exuded such happiness and positivity that you could hardly imagine him going through such hard times. I too considered myself to be a happy person and I'm sure my friends and family felt the same. Unfortunately, I let myself go and all of a sudden I lost all interest in life. If you don't understand that feeling, consider yourself a very lucky person and pray to never EVER feel that way. I could have been in his position at the beginning of this year and I am proud and extremely glad that I am  still here, today, looking forwards to another year. If you feel the slightest depressed, do not hold on to that feeling. Let it go. Speak to someone, anyone. Send me a message if you want. I may be a stranger but what I have to say may help you live another day. We failed Jonghyun but there are a lot more souls out there that need saving. I admit that this news is a trigger for me, although I only saw him through the eyes of a fan, it is extremely unfortunate that I now feel closest to him by knowing exactly how he felt in his last moments. I am crying but I don't grieve this Star with sadness, despite the unknown, Jonghyun brought lot of hope and joy to many of us along his short life. I Thank God for bringing such an individual to our lives and I wish that Kim Jong Hyun Rests In Pure Peace in Shinee World. His final letter read: I’m broken on the inside. The depression that slowly gnawed away at me eventually devoured me. I couldn’t overcome it. I hated myself. I resolved to hold on to memories and shouted at myself to come to my senses, but there was no answer. If there is no way to relieve stifling breath, it’s better to just stop. I asked who can be responsible for me. It’s only you. I was utterly alone. It’s easy to say you’re going to end things. It’s hard to actually end things. I lived with that difficulty this whole time. You told me that I wanted to escape. That’s right. I wanted to escape. From me. From you. You asked who is over there. I said it was me. I said it was me again. And I said it was me again. I asked why I keep forgetting my memories. You told me it was because of my personality. I see. I see that everything is my fault in the end. I hoped that people would notice but nobody knew. You never met me so of course you would not know I was there. You asked why I live. Just because. Just because. Everyone just lives just because. If you ask why people die, they would probably say it’s because they’re exhausted. I suffered and agonized about it. I never learned how to turn this pain into happiness. Pain is just pain. I tried to push myself past it. Why? Why am I keeping myself from putting an end to it all? I was told to search for the reason why it hurts. I know all too well. I’m hurting because of me. It’s all my fault, because I was born this way. Doctor, is this what you wanted to hear? No. I didn’t do anything wrong. When you told me in that calm voice that it’s because of my personality, I thought how easy it must be to be a doctor. It’s almost fascinating, that it hurts this much. People that have it harder than me seem to get along just fine. People weaker than me get along just fine. But that must not be true. Among the people in this world, no one has it harder than me, and no one is weaker than me. But I still tried to live. I asked myself why I had to do so hundreds of times, and it was never for me. It was for you. I wanted to do something for me. Please stop telling me things you don’t understand. You tell me to figure out why I’m having a hard time. I told you several times why. Am I not allowed to be this sad just for those reasons? Does it have to be more specific and dramatic? Do I need to have better reasons? I already told you. Were you even listening? Things you can overcome don’t remain as scars. I guess I was not meant to confront the world. I guess I was not meant to lead a life in the public eye. That’s why it was hard. Confronting the world, and being in the public eye. Why did I make those decisions. It’s ridiculous. It’s great that I even made it this far. What more can I say. Just tell me I did well. Tell me I did well enough and that I went through a lot. Even if you can’t smile while sending me off, don’t say it’s my fault. You did well. You really went through a lot. Goodbye.

[theazkabandreamer]

Midday Chats and Exploding Snap

This is a sequel to my first story, Midnight Chat. I felt that I needed to continue this and I wanted to include James and Lily in it as well. It’s from Ginny’s perpective.

______

Ginny Potter was busy rummaging in the kitchen, trying to find her Husbands hiding place where he secretly stashed the contraband chocolate that she tasted last night when she kissed him. She searched the kitchen thoroughly before deeming the task a lost cause.

Harry and Albus assured her at breakfast that the chocolate that they had last night was a bar given to Albus by Scorpius and that there was no other chocolate in the house.

But Ginny wasn't fooled. She knew her Husband and Son like the back of her hand and she knew that they weren't being entirely truthful. 'Those two' She thought fondly. 'Far more alike than they care to admit'.

As if on cue, the sounds of Exploding Snap and laughter came from the Living Room where Harry and Albus were playing their game.

Ginny's expression softened as she listened, remembering her own game with Harry back at the end of her First Year at Hogwarts all those years ago.

She was all alone. A scared little girl in the Gryffindor Common Room. It was her first night after being let out of The Hospital Wing after her ordeal in The Chamber of Secrets. She was sitting in the far corner where no one paid her any attention. She didn't blame them. Not after all the things she had done. She was still surprised that she wasn't expelled. She had been stupid to trust Tom. She was lucky that no one had died. Hermione Granger told Ginny that she didn't blame her in the slightest. But Ginny still felt guilty for what had happened.

 She would have thought that Percy or Fred and George would come to try and cheer her up but they were busy. Fred and George were laughing with Lee Jordan whilst Percy was doing Prefect Duty. Percy hardly spoke to her after the incident in the Chamber.

 He just inquired how she was and then proceeded to ignore her. He was clearly still sore after she accidentally walked in on him snogging Penelope Clearwater the other day. Something that she wouldn't forget anytime, soon.

 Ron seemed to have eyes only for Hermione. Despite helping Harry rescue her from The Chamber, he seemed to take her wellbeing for granted.

 Ginny put her head in her hands and screwed up her eyes, lost in her misery, determined to fight the howl of anguish that was threatening to escape her, when she heard her name being called.

"Ginny?"

 She looked up to see Harry Potter looking down at her with a concerned expression on his face and a pack of cards in his hands.

"Do you want to play Exploding Snap with me?" He asked her.

 She felt her face go red and words failed her and she accidentally knocked her books to the floor with her elbow. Why did she have to make a fool of herself right now when Harry was going out of his way to speak to her?

 She nodded vigorously and Harry sat down and began to set up the cards, taking no notice of the fallen books. He never seemed to mind her clumsiness which she was very grateful for. As if sensing her uneasiness, he looked up and gave her a reassuring smile which made her heart melt. His smile gave her the strength to find her voice.

"T-thanks." She stammered.

 For the first time since her ordeal in the Chamber, Ginny laughed during her game with Harry. She was having so much fun, that she forgot her crush on him. In that moment, it was if as he were her friend. Perhaps one day,he could be her friend and maybe, just maybe, if it wasn't for that stupid crush, he would like her back.

Ginny smiled at the memory and imagined what her eleven year old self would do if she was told that she would end up marrying Harry Potter.

'Probably blush' she thought dryly. 'Or faint.'

Harry was doing for Albus what he did for her all those years ago.

Despite all the things that he had to go through, he had never stopped being that caring person that she fell for all those years ago.

He was never one to give up and Harry and Albus's improving relationship was testament to that. Both were as determined as each other to heal the divide between them.

Ginny was washing up as James came shuffling into the room, jet black hair a complete mess and looking worse for wear after his night out with his Cousin, Fred.

"Morning." He groaned as he sank down at the kitchen table.

"Good afternoon." She corrected him.

"W-what?"

James looked confused as he looked round at the clock. It was midday

"You seem to have had a bit of a lie in." Ginny remarked casually. "Enjoy your Firewhiskey?"

"H-how did you know that?" James panicked as the colour drained from his face.

"Your Uncle George Flooed us this morning and told us that Fred and yourself helped yourselves to quite a few bottles, last night." She told him.

"He was the one that brought you home, by the way. He offers you his 'congratulations' after helping him with the new super strength Puking Pastels. But you're lucky that you don't owe George and Angelina a new rug, by the way. Do you have any idea how irresponsible you have been?!" Ginny finished her tirade sternly as James winced.

"God! Mum not so loud. I've got a pounding headache!" He moaned.

Ginny was about to retort when the back door opened and Lily came in looking windswept.

"Hi, Mum!" She called cheerfully. "Hi, James!"

"Hi, love." Ginny called back. "Good flight?"

"Yeah, it was really great!" She replied enthusiastically. "Good Quidditch conditions!"

"Stop shouting, Lily! I've got a hangover!" James moaned. A mischievous grin spread across Lily's face as she walked up to the table.

"HI JAMES!" She shouted into James's ear.

James recoiled instantly and Lily burst into giggles.

"Lily, will you stop being annoying?!" James exclaimed, holding his head.

"That's what little sisters are for." Lily stated simply. Ginny turned away so that her kids couldn't see her laughing.

James grumbled under his breath as Lily took her copy of Fantastic Beasts and where to find them from the book shelf and sat at the table reading it.

Ginny finally took pity on her son and summoned a small bottle or fiery orange potion.

"Here." She said to him. "Drink the lot. This will cure your hangover."

James uncorked the bottle and took a swig of it. He scrunched his face up in disgust and choked on it.

"That's disgusting!" He spluttered. Lilly bust into giggles at the sight of his face.

"You should have thought about that before you drank all that Firewhiskey, last night!" Ginny retorted. "And don't you dare spit it out!" She added dangerously.

James glared at her before pinching his nose and began forcing down the rest of the potion in one gulp.

Lily was watching him, smirking.

"Lily, either read your book or go and do something productive." Ginny told her.

"Laughing at my idiot brother is quite productive." Lily argued calmly.

"Yes, but there are other things that are far more productive." Ginny pressed. "Your room, for instance. It needs tidying."

Lily groaned. "Can't I do it tomorrow?"

"That's what you said yesterday." Ginny told her. "And the day before that and all of last week. I want that room cleaned now, please."

"So unfair!" Lily burst out venomously. "Why can't I do Magic outside of School like James?"

"Because James is of age and is legally an adult. You, on the other hand, are not."

"He's not an adult!" Lily cried. "He's this big….Manchild!"

It was James's turn to smirk as Lily sat fuming.

"You're just jealous of my magical maturity." He grinned smugly.

"The day you're 'magically mature' will be the day that the Chudley Cannons don't finish at the bottom of the league." Lily retorted.

"Uncle Ron says their doing well this season." James snorted. "You should've seen him the other day. He was practically skipping." James roared with laughter while Lily giggled at the thought of her Uncle skipping.

Ginny rounded on James.

"I don't know what you're laughing about, young man!" She snapped. "Your room happens to be the filthiest!"

The sounds of voices echoed from the living room. James's face darkened as the laughter from Lily's face disappeared.

"Dad and Al aren't arguing again, are they?" James demanded. Lily looked close to tears.

"No." Ginny said hastily. "They're just playing Exploding Snap."

James looked confused. "What are they playing Exploding Snap, for?" He asked.

"Your father and Al are working really hard to repair their relationship." Ginny told them. "This is just a way for them to spend time together."

"Well that's good," Said Lily. "I hate it when they fight." James nodded sadly.

"Yeah," He said. "They can be so stubborn, sometimes."

"Well, they're working past their differences." Said Ginny. "They are trying. Both of them."

"I can't forget last year when Dad said he wished Albus wasn't his son." Lily said tearfully.

Ginny walked over to Lily and wrapped and arm around her shoulders.

"Your Dad didn't mean it." She told her softly. "He regretted it the moment he said it. I know your Dad. He's been beating himself up about it for a while now. He was ever so worried when Albus went missing. He loves him. He loves you all."

"Yeah, Lils." Grinned James. "You know what Dad's like when we get him started."

"You should've seen your Father when he was Al's age!" Ginny laughed as she withdrew her arm from Lily. "He could be a nightmare!"

"Worse than Al?" Lily grinned.

"Definitely!" Ginny chuckled. James and Lily both laughed.

"But your Dad went through a lot, at your age." Ginny said seriously after the laughter died down.

"He didn't have the love and support that we had whilst growing up. The stories of your Dad being mistreated aren't some dinner table stories. They're true. Your Uncle Ron said that your Dad had bars on his bedroom window, that summer when he went to rescue your Dad from his Aunt and Uncle's."

"Is that when Uncle Ron used Granddads flying car with Uncle George and Uncle Fred to fly to Dads?" James asked. "The one that they also flew to Hogwarts with?"

"The very same." Ginny said coolly.

"I think Al jumping off the train though beats flying a car to Hogwarts! People will be talking about that for years!" James grinned.

"Don't be ridiculous!" Ginny exclaimed. "He could have been killed! He's lucky to be alive!"

"But why did he do it in the first place?" Lily asked.

Ginny explained to James and Lily that Albus and Scorpius tried to change time to save Cedric Diggory so that his father Amos could have his son back.

"He didn't know how complicated Time Turners were and he didn't realise until it was too late that that evil Delphi woman was manipulating him. But he found a way to contact us and we're very proud of him. Your Father especially."

"We're proud of him too, Mum." said James.

"Yeah" Lily nodded. "We were so worried about him!"

"We didn't get any sleep, that night. We stayed awake in the Common Room waiting for news." James told Ginny.

"You should've seen your Father that night." Ginny said sadly. "I've never seen him so broken. He blamed himself, that night. Said it was all his fault. Albus said the same thing about himself. They're a funny pair, those two."

Ginny lapsed into silence as she remembered that night. Harry being transformed into Voldemort, Harry, Heartbroken at Albus's disappearance Voldemort killing Harry's parents, Harry's devastation at their deaths. The memories were enough to draw tears to her eyes.

Lily noticed and motioned sadly to James and he got up and hugged his Mother. Ginny hugged him back noting how tall he had gotten.

"I'm alright, love." She told him. "Just some bad memories. But everything's fine, now."

James let her go and pulled his wand out of his dressing gown pocket. He conjured a tissue and handed it to her.

"Thanks, love." She smiled as she dabbed her eyes. Just then, an elated shout came from the Living Room and Albus ran into the Kitchen, face flushed with happiness.

"Mum!" He cried. "I won!"

"That's great, Albus!" Ginny exclaimed as James thumped him on the back. Lily got up and hugged him.

Harry appeared at the Kitchen doorway, grinning from ear to ear, watching James and Lily congratulating Albus.

"Dad!" Lily said suddenly. "One of your eyebrows is missing!" She burst into giggles as Harry put a hand up to his missing eyebrow that seemed to have been completely burnt off. James thumped Albus on the back again.

"Brilliant, Al!" He laughed as Albus gave an embarrassed grin

"Suits you, Harry." Ginny grinned. Harry laughed.

"I'll remember that." He said dryly but he was still grinning.

"Good game, Albus." He said proudly.

"Thanks." Albus grinned. "Err…Sorry about your eyebrow, though." He added sheepishly. James and Lily laughed.

"It's just an eyebrow." Harry shrugged "I'll grow it back. The game was more important. " .

"You look a bit weird with only one eyebrow, though. Fancy a game with me, Dad?" James grinned mischievously.

"The last time I had a game with you, you almost blew up the house." Harry retorted. "Nice to see you up, by the way. Have a good night out?"

"A brilliant one, thanks." James said proudly. "Uncle George says that the super strength Puking Pastels are a resounding success. The Firewhiskey proved to be surprise ingredient."

"Well you're lucky that don't owe your Uncle George and Aunt Angelina a new rug. We're going to have to have a chat, sometime." Harry said sternly.

"Could we have a chat when you have two eyebrows, again?" James asked cheekily "The temptation to burst out laughing is surprisingly strong, right now."

Lily burst into giggles again and Albus looked like he was trying to keep a straight face. Harry shook his head in despair and Ginny stepped in quickly.

"How about you tidy your room, young man?" She said. "And you, Lily." She added.

Lily groaned.

"James is just going to tidy his room with Magic!" Lily exclaimed. "It's not fair!" She stamped her foot in frustration.

"Good point." Harry said quickly. "James, give me your wand."

"What?!" James exclaimed.

"Give me your wand." Harry repeated. "This is your punishment for that reckless binge drinking last night. You know you can sometimes be far too confident for your own good."

Ginny saw Albus catch Harry's eye before quickly turning away, hiding his grin.

"So either hand over you wand or it's no Quidditch for a month." Harry finished.

The prospect of no Quidditch for a month seemed to James to be too terrible to contemplate. He handed Harry his wand without a word of complaint.

"Right. James, Lily. I want those rooms tidied, please." Ginny said.

Moaning and grumbling, James and Lily made their way upstairs. Harry said something about keeping an eye on them and followed them upstairs leaving Ginny and Albus alone.

"Well done again, Albus." Ginny said proudly. "I knew you would do it."

"I did what you suggested." Albus told her. "I gave Dad a chance and everything, and it worked."

"You see!?" Ginny beamed.

"Mum. I had fun with him." Albus said.

"You certainly did." Ginny remarked. "I could hear you two laughing from here. That was brilliant, by the way. Burning off your Dad's eyebrow. Suits him, don't you think?" She added slyly.

Albus gave her shy little grin as he nodded.

"When we were playing the game, it felt like he loved me." Albus confessed.

Ginny smiled sadly. "Albus." She said. "Your Dad loves you very much. He's always loved you. It's just taken him. Both of you, some time to sort things out. You haven't been arguing with him this summer, have you?"

Albus shook his head. "No. Things have been a lot better, now."

"Well there you go." Ginny beamed. "Things are going better between you two. You know your Dad did the same for me after I came out of the Hospital Wing after I was taken down to The Chamber of Secrets in my First Year at Hogwarts. I was all alone and everyone was ignoring me. But then your Father came across the Common Room and challenged me to a game of Exploding Snap. I was feeling so lonely but your Dad helped cheer me up that day."

"So who won?" Albus asked.

"I think we both drew." Ginny laughed. "But I know it's hard, when you have people expecting you to be like your Father all the time. But the best bits of your Dad, are heroic in really quiet ways. Something which I think has been passed onto you."

Albus looked embarrassed.

"I'm nothing like Dad." He mumbled. "I'm more like you. Dad said so himself."

"You've got your Dad's quiet heroism." Ginny told him. "You befriended Scorpius when no one else would. You're more like him than you know, Albus."

Ginny's words seemed to have an effect on Albus. He seemed to inflate right before her eyes and he looked far happier then she had seen him in a while.

"I'm going to keep trying." He told her. "Things haven't been this good for a while, now. I don't want to screw this up."

"That's another thing of your Father's that you've got: His sheer determination." Ginny smiled.

Albus seemed to, if it were possible, to inflate even further at her words. His bright green eyes, so much like his Fathers, sparkled with happiness as he beamed at her.

"You really think I'm like Dad?" Albus asked her. His voice full of hope.

"I think you've got the best of both of us." Ginny said thoughtfully. "But you definitely have your Dads tendency to wander off and get into trouble. I know you saved the world but a lot of people were worried about you. You need to speak to James and Lily, by the way. They were just telling me that they were worried about you."

Albus nodded as Harry came back into the Kitchen, eyebrow still missing.

"Everything alright up there?" Ginny asked him.

"Yeah." Harry sighed. "They should be finished, soon."

"Dad. Your eyebrow's still missing." Albus pointed out.

"Oh yeah. I don't have time to re grow it yet. I've got to de gnome the garden." Harry said. "That was brilliant, by the way, our game." He continued. "It was great. Spending time with you."

Ginny decided to get on with the washing up as she thought that Harry and Albus's conversation was a private one. But she still listened in.

"I liked spending time with you as well." Albus was saying. "Dad. When we were playing, it felt like you loved me."

Ginny felt a pang in her heart.

"I do love you, Albus." Harry was saying. "I love you very much, I should've said it, a long time ago. It's just…I'm not very good with feelings, you know. I'm going to try and work on that. I don't want to screw this up."

"Neither do I." Albus admitted. "And thanks. I-I love you too. I always have. It's just… You could drive me crazy, sometimes. You still do, as a matter of fact."

Ginny suppressed a laugh as she thought exactly the same thing.

"But I really did have fun with you. Thanks for the game."

There was silence and Ginny turned around to see Albus hugging Harry. Tears sprang to her eyes at the sight and she wiped them away to see Harry's eyes bright with tears as well.

"You're hugging me again." Harry noted. Voice choked with emotion.

"Think of it as a new version of us." Albus said.

"That's a brilliant way of looking at it." Harry laughed.

They parted and the usual silence fell between them but Ginny noticed that it wasn't as awkward as it used to be.

"Do you want a hand?" Albus asks suddenly. "With de-gnoming the garden, I mean."

"You want to help de gnome the garden with me?" Harry asked slowly, looking touched.

"Yeah." Albus said. "You said it needs doing and I don't mind helping, so…"

"That's very thoughtful of you, Albus. " Harry beamed. "We usually have to force you lot at wand point to help around the House. Do you want to put your dragonskin gloves on? Because they sure can bite, those Gnomes. They're a lot more vicious then the ones at The Burrow."

Albus said that he would get them and rushed off upstairs leaving Harry and Ginny alone. Ginny took one look at her Husband's burnt off eyebrow and burst out laughing.

"Sorry." She said after she calmed down. "It's just that he got you good and proper, there."

Harry was grinning.

"Yeah. He did." He laughed. His voice full of pride. "You were right. I think we were missing Exploding Snap."

Ginny shook her head at her Husband in despair.

"The important thing is that he felt that love from you that he didn't feel before." She said. "You were yourself, for once and were honest with him."

"You should've seen him, Gin." Harry smiled. "I haven't seen Albus this happy since before he started Hogwarts."

"It's taken a bit of time, for both of you. But you're getting there. As I knew you would." Ginny told him.

Harry raised his remaining eyebrow.

"You knew we would get there?" He asked, amazed.

"I never doubted you." Ginny said. "James and Lily were a bit worried about you two earlier. You might want to have a chat with them."

"Are they alright?" Harry asked worriedly.

"They are now. They were quite pleased when I told them that you two were playing Exploding Snap. They thought you two were having another argument."

Harry looked guilty and he ran his hand through his hair again.

"Ginny." He said suddenly. "You know that you tasted Chocolate last night when we…"

"Yes" Ginny said, eyes narrowing.

"Well I might have some hidden away, but it's for medicinal purposes."

"Medicinal purposes?" Ginny repeated. "That's a new one." She said dryly

"Well, I've found out that Chocolate is very good for nightmares as well as Dementors." Harry said sheepishly. "And I gave Albus some last night for his nightmare. I need it in my line of work, anyway. After all the things I've seen"

Ginny's expression softened.

"You're lucky you've only got one eyebrow at the moment, Harry Potter because that's just saved you from being hexed into next week." She laughed.

"So I'm forgiven?" Harry grinned hopefully. Ginny thought for a moment.

"Well. It did help Albus with his nightmare." She said slowly. "And I know that you get a lot of nightmares. So yes. You're forgiven. But if you lie to me again, you'll be sleeping on the sofa." She finished dangerously.

Albus came back into the Kitchen with his dragonskin gloves.

"James and Lily said they're going to help us." He told Harry.

"That's great!" Harry beamed.

"Are you going to help us, Mum?" Albus asked Ginny.

Ginny looked between Harry and Albus who were watching her hopefully.

"All right then." She said. "I'll get my gloves."

Ten minutes later, the Garden was full of flying Gnomes and laughter as the five Potters de Gnomed the Garden.