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He never needed to look at a calendar to know when another year had passed.
He didn't count the days, he never thought "Oh it's a week from tomorrow."
He never needed to.
It was his dreams that told him, dreams that once showed him his hated foe now showed the woman he loved.
Every year, without fail, the night before he dreamt of the night they got engaged.
They were back in the garden of her family's home, neither intending for the other to be there and yet unsurprised.
Her hand was warm against his cheek, and his hand was warm against hers. He winked playfully before she kissed him.
"I love you."
"I love you, too."
"When this is over, marry me."
"I'll have the officiant on standby, the body won't even be cold before I am your wife."
They laughed, and kissed, and were in love.
He awakes with a smile on his face every time. He loves that dream almost as much as he loves her.
He always awakes later on this day. He brushes his teeth slowly, looking in the mirror at her looking at him. He smiles softly seeing her there. She winks at him and is gone by the time he turns around. He'll see her this afternoon.
He makes sure he has everything for dinner, he's making her favorites like he does every year. He doesn't like half of them, but eats them anyway. For her. Her family, their family, is coming in for the anniversary like they always do. One change is that Gabrielle is bringing a man with her. It must be serious this time.
He's not working today, even though it's a weekday. They know what today is and that he won't be in. He doesn't even have to request the time off anymore. Water is wet, Filch is a prick, Harry doesn't work on this day. Instead he straightens the house up a bit, Fleur always complimented him on how neat he was for a man, then goes to pick up flowers for her— a bouquet of lilies with a single red rose in the center— the Delacours made fun of his taste in floral arrangements at first but once he explained his reasoning they understood.
Flowers prepared with a charm to keep them fresh and Kreacher ready to receive the Delacours when they arrive he heads to where Fleur is waiting for him. He always meets with her before her family arrives, a private moment for the two on a day otherwise taken by family.
He can see her there, standing with her back turned. He stares longingly for a few moments before walking up and placing the flowers at her feet.
He's never been great with words, but he never prepares what he's going to say in advance. Fleur once told him the genuineness made up for the ineloquence.
"Fleur, it's been another year. It's amazing how time flies, isn't it? Ten years since the battle."
He closes his eyes and he's back there.
It's chaos, explosions deafening him, the flash of spells making it nearly impossible to see. All he knows is the direction of his foe and the warmth of her hand in his as they steadily advance.
"They say we're the sum of our experiences, but it's amazing how a few moments, a few minutes in the years that are our lives, can be such a large part of who we are."
They watched friends die that day. The Killing Curse may be considered unforgiveable, but at least it's quick for the victim. At least it's easier for the witnesses seeing the aftermath. Not everyone had a quick death that day, not every family had a body to bury. The survivors to a one still had nightmares about it.
"I didn't think I could win, honestly. Didn't think I'd live through it. But I did. Because of you."
Few could rival Fleur Delacour when it came to charms, and she made sure every defensive charm she knew was applied and reinforced frequently as the battle dragged on. Harry couldn't count how many curses fizzled, how much debris was redirected, under the spell work of the radiant guardian angel beside him.
"People always place the success at my feet, but they're wrong to. I couldn't have done it without you, I know that. More than your skill, more than your passion, just having you with me kept me from giving up."
In the present he can hear her laughing. He smiles alongside it, tears fall down his face as he's overwhelmed with emotion.
"I love you, Fleur. I always will. It's not always easy, but I wouldn't have it any other way."
They weren't expecting Voldemort to appear behind them.
"My heart is yours, and it always will be."
There's a flash of green light, he hears her scream her defiance. "YOU WILL NOT HAVE HIM!"
"I miss you."
He sees the love in her eyes before their light fades.