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Author: KEDme Story: Bring Me to Life Rating: Teens Setting: Pre-DH Status: Completed Reviews: 19 Words: 42,493
Disclaimer: The characters and situations of Harry Potter depicted in this story are the legal property of J.K. Rowling, Bloomsbury, and AOL Time Warner, and have been used without permission. No copyright infringement is intended. Chapter titles and lyrics are the property of Evanescence. ~*~ I can feel the night beginning. ~Evanescence~ The dawn of the wedding day turned out to be a perfect September morning that promised to be an even more perfect afternoon. Ginny's mum had somehow managed to convince her to remain at home until after the wedding. Neither she nor Harry was exactly happy about this arrangement but they hadn't wanted to argue much. It was enough that she had forgiven them, and they decided they could wait a week to be together again. In a way, she was actually almost glad, even though she missed him terribly. Between the wedding preparations and Harry's training, they had only managed to squeeze in brief moments alone together and they certainly hadn't had time for anything more serious than snogging. The separation, although difficult, certainly was building the anticipation of the wedding night for them both. The wedding itself was a simple affair with only immediate friends and family invited. The ceremony was to be held outdoors. An arch of flowers that included lilies of all varieties had been created by the best florist in Britain, in honour of Harry's mother. Ginny, herself, had chosen a simple bouquet of fresh Calla Lilies to carry down the aisle. Their only attendants were Ron as the best man and Hermione as the maid of honour. Ginny's dress robes had been specially made by Madame Malkins for the occasion and she had chosen to wear her Auntie Muriel's tiara fixed with a long veil designed especially to go with her dress. Harry had insisted that she not skimp on the wedding and had added Ginny to his account at Gringotts the first chance he got. He made Ginny promise to spare no expense when it came to the wedding. It was her day to splurge, Harry insisted. Ginny agreed only because this was Harry's day too and she wanted it to be as special for him as it was going to be for her. Besides, she really didn't want to burden her parents financially any more than necessary. A large opulent tent had been erected in the field behind the Burrow where the boys used to play Quidditch before the war. That was where the reception would take place after the ceremony, catered by the best chefs in the entire Wizarding World. The ceremony itself was to be held in the backyard under the canopy of their special tree, the one they had kissed under the night of her birthday party and where he had asked her to marry him a little over a week ago. The boys and her father had already drawn up rows of white chairs with ribbons and flowers on the backs to accommodate the guests. Looking out her bedroom window, Ginny thought it the most beautiful she had ever seen the Burrow. Everyone had pulled together for this, determined to make it a special day for her and Harry. It was amazing that it had all come together in a week, but she supposed that was the advantages of having money and magic at their disposal. Being wealthy would take some getting used to – she wasn't marrying Harry for his money no matter what that stupid article had implied. A knock on the door interrupted her thoughts. "Ginny, are you in there?" Hermione's muffled voice carried in from behind the closed door. "Come in, Hermione," she said eagerly. She moved away from the window, tying the sash on her dressing gown tighter. Hermione entered, looking every inch the definition of perfection. She had tamed her hair with Sleek Easy and it was fixed on top of her head in tiny pin curls with sparkly faux diamonds scattered all over the updo. Her dress robes were raw silk, dyed the most beautiful shade of pale blue. They hugged her body in all the right places, making her look more sophisticated than Ginny could ever remember seeing her best friend. The sight of it made Ginny want to cry – there was no way she could ever look as beautiful as Hermione. "What's wrong?" Hermione asked worriedly, checking herself over with her hands. "Did I do a horrible job on my hair? You know, it's murder to fix just right-" "You look beautiful," Ginny assured her with a watery smile, fighting to hold back the tears. "That's the problem… I'm ugly compared to you." She began crying irrationally as Hermione hugged her. Her mother opened the door just then. "Ginny dear, the baker is here with the cake and we were wondering… oh," she said in surprise as she caught sight of her daughter's teary face. Hermione motioned to Mrs. Weasley that she would handle it, and she backed out of the room awkwardly. "Never mind, I'll take care of it, dear. You and Hermione just have a nice chat, alright?" Ginny didn't miss the amused smile on her face as she closed the door quietly behind her. "What's this all about," Hermione asked soothingly in her best big sister voice. "You're not having second thoughts, are you?" "I don't deserve him," she cried, flinging herself down on the bed miserably. "I'm plain and ugly, I don't have any money or a job, and-" "-and Harry loves you," Hermione said. Ginny stopped crying. "Are you certain?" she asked, sniffling. She knew she sounded very much like a small child, but she couldn't help it. She felt all out of sorts today. "Of course I'm certain." Hermione sat down on the edge of the bed beside her. "He's happier than I've ever seen him – I even caught him whistling yesterday after you left. His biggest dilemma this week seems to be at night. I hear him pacing the floor at all hours, but as soon as he sees you he just lights up, Ginny. I think he's had problems sleeping because he wants so badly to be with you." "I haven't been sleeping well at all, either," Ginny admitted. "I've told myself that it's just wedding jitters, but really it's because I miss him so much. Nighttimes are the worst, Hermione. I haven't had a good night's sleep since the night we eloped." Hermione looked troubled for a second, then smiled. "I suppose that's natural. The two of you just got married and then your family forced you apart. It would be enough to drive any couple insane." She handed Ginny a tissue. "Now how about we get you ready to walk down that isle?" Ginny stood reluctantly and made her way in front of the mirror. "I look a fright," she said with an unhappy frown. "Well, you've certainly looked better," the mirror agreed. "Thanks," Ginny said dryly. "Nonsense," Hermione declared. "You'll be the most beautiful bride ever… just you wait." She began gathering up makeup, potion bottles, brushes and combs, organizing them on the dressing table. "Humph," Ginny sniffed, noting the dark circles under her eyes and the pinched expression on her face. "Harry will probably take one look at me and run away screaming." Hermione laughed. "I think you underestimate him, Ginny. He's already married you once and this wedding is all he's talked about all week. Technically, this is just a formality." "You're right, of course…" Ginny said uncertainly. "Trust me," Hermione said, smiling. "You're going to knock him flat when he sees you today. Leave it to me. I didn't room with Lavender and Parvati all those years without picking up a thing or two about beauty charms." An hour later Ginny stood in front of the same full length mirror gaping stupidly. Even the mirror was impressed with the results. Hermione had worked a miracle – Ginny barely recognized herself. Her face was flawless with hardly a freckle in sight and her hair was the shiniest she had ever seen it. It was piled on top of her head in a fashionable updo, Auntie Muriel's tiara pinned securely around it. The long veil flowed down her back, spilling over the train of her wedding robes. The robes themselves had turned out more beautiful than she could have imagined. They were elegant and simple – snow white with a small embellishment of crystal beadwork imported directly from Austria just for her dress. The silk material was cut just right for her frame, emphasizing her flat stomach, long, slender neck, and slim figure, making her appear taller than she was and older, too. Hermione had loaned her a pearl necklace and earring set that completed the look, and when she was dressed she felt like a sophisticated, beautiful, elegant princess after all – despite her initial mood. Hermione sighed. "You look gorgeous. Harry won't know what hit him." Her mother came in just then, stopping dead in her tracks when she saw her daughter. She looked gobsmacked. "How do I look, Mum?" she asked hopefully. Her mum looked like she was about to cry. She dabbed at her teary eyes with lace hanky that matched her new dress robes and smiled sadly. "You're all grown up," she sniffed. Ginny felt tears welling up in her eyes again but tried to fight them. Hermione had worked too hard on her makeup to ruin it with a good cry. But Hermione too was also fighting tears of joy as she watched the emotional exchange between mother and daughter. Her mum walked over to her and grasped her by the hands. "I have never seen a more beautiful bride," she said proudly. Ginny smiled. "Thanks Mum. Do you think Harry will approve?" "He'd be a fool not to," she answered with a shrewd smile. "Is he here yet?" Ginny asked eagerly. "Have you seen him?" "Yes, dear," her mum answered. "He's with the boys changing into dress robes. I had to give the twins a stern talking to a few minutes ago – they were going to charm his cummerbund to play the wedding tune as you marched down the aisle. I told them if they even think about pulling a childish prank today they would have me, you, and Harry to deal with." She patted Ginny's hand reassuringly. "Don't you worry, dear. They promised they would behave themselves." She winked. "I made them take an unbreakable vow." Hermione gasped. "You didn't!" "Well, of course I didn't. But they don't know that, do they?" They were still laughing when Ginny's dad walked into the room. "Molly, dear. The caterer would like to have a word with you. It seems there's a problem with the cherub centrepieces. They are shooting arrows at people as they pass by and… oh my," he said, seeing Ginny for the first time. His jaw dropped and he stared, flabbergasted. "Ginny, darling, you look beautiful!" "Thanks, dad," she said, smiling. "Are you ready to walk down the isle with me?" "Well… er," his face reddened. "Oh, my!" Hermione and Mrs. Weasley exchanged secret smiles but Ginny couldn't take her eyes off her dad. He was also dressed in new robes, looking more dapper than she could ever remember seeing him. When Bill had married Fleur he had cleaned up and worn his best robes, but her mother had insisted he buy new ones for Ginny's wedding since the old ones were getting a little tight around the middle and magic was not enough to make them fit anymore. The new dress robes matched the wedding party's – all of Ginny's brothers were involved in the wedding as ushers, responsible for seating guests. Her father looked quite handsome in his new attire, and she told him so. He blushed and seemed to recover his speech. "I never thought I'd see the day when I walked my little girl down the aisle. It seems like just yesterday you were breaking into the broom shed to take your brothers' brooms out for a spin." Ginny gasped in surprise. "You knew about that?" "Well, of course we did," her mother declared. "Who do you think distracted your brothers long enough to let you get by with it?" "And here I thought I was being so sneaky," Ginny chuckled. "You were such a tiny little thing," her father reminisced. "Your mother wanted to stop you from doing it at first, but the moment you got on that broom and took off I knew you'd be alright. I'll never forget the look of pure joy on your face that first day." "You scared the dickens out of me, young lady," her mother laughed. "All those loop'd loops and backwards rolls!" Her face softened. "Then you came down and quietly put the broom back, your face all rosy and your eyes gleaming. I haven't seen that look on your face again until…" She sighed deeply as her voice trailed off. "Until when, Mum?" Ginny asked curiously. Her mother sniffled. "Until the night Harry picked you up for your first date, that night in the kitchen. When you walked through the doorway and caught sight of that boy, I just knew." "We both knew," her father added. "He's a good lad, Ginny. I'm very proud of you both." The tears were threatening to come again and Ginny swallowed hard to keep them down. She really didn't want to ruin her face by bawling her eyes out. Hermione must have noticed because she poked Ginny in the ribs. "It's perfectly okay to cry, you know. The makeup is charmed to be waterproof. I tucked the remover potion in your overnight case. It's the only thing that takes it off." That's all it took for her to let loose the tears again. They slid freely down her face as she hugged her mum and dad tightly. Soon it was time to leave her little bedroom and make her way downstairs towards the garden. Hermione helped her with her train so she didn't trip on it coming down the stairs. She was thankful for her heelless slippers because they made it much easier to manoeuvre the winding and crooked staircase; it was ironic considering she had only been thinking of the soft soil in the garden when she had bought them. The bright afternoon sun was wafting in from the kitchen windows as she and Hermione approached. Her father was waiting for them in the entranceway. Outside she could see the tops of people's heads as they waited for the bridal party to draw near. Her brothers had finished seating the last of the guests and now were lined up at the back until they were needed again after the ceremony. The soft music of the string quartet came drifting over the crowd and through the closed door of the kitchen, setting the butterflies loose in her stomach. What if Harry had changed his mind? What if he hated the way she looked? What if- "Ginevra," her father said gently, taking her arm. "It's time." He seemed as if he was barely holding it together himself and Ginny took his arm, smiling at him in reassurance. He smiled back but Ginny knew he was a jumble of emotions, just like her. Hermione handed her the small bouquet of Calla Lilies tied up with a white ribbon and then picked up her own small arrangement. Somebody threw open the door and suddenly the music was louder, the sunlight brighter. Hermione walked through and down the isle first allowing Ginny time to gather her composure and let her eyes adjust to the change in lighting before stepping out herself on her father's arm. And there he was, standing at the end of the aisle, his face even more gobsmacked than her father's had been. He hadn't changed his mind and, unless she was mistaken, he really liked what he was seeing. His eyes danced and he broke out in a soft, pleased smile that was pure Harry. Her heart melted at the sight of him dressed to kill in his new robes. They never took their eyes off each other the entire time Ginny was making her way down the centre of the rows of chairs. She didn't notice the people standing in her honour, smiling and whispering to each other, or the camera Colin Creevy was clicking from the sidelines. All she could see was Harry, staring at her like she was the most stunning creature on earth – and for that one moment, Ginny truly felt like she was the luckiest woman in the universe. She couldn't believe this day had finally come; it was surreal, and she was glad that she was holding on to her father for support, otherwise she might have stumbled. All doubt was gone – a distant memory. Dark thoughts did not belong here on this day and they were banished from her mind, along with all her anxiety and worry. The walk down the aisle seemed to take a lifetime but soon she was there standing in the front of the garden, trying not to get lost in his smiling, wide green eyes. Then the vicar cleared his throat and began the ceremony, talking about love, friendship, tribulations, and commitment. Harry dragged his eyes away from her reluctantly to listen politely, giving her a chance to observe the rest of him. He was dressed in formal emerald green dress robes made especially for him by Monsieur Malkin's Dress Robes for Men, a new division of Madam Malkin's growing business. The robes fit him impeccably well, unlike so many of his regular clothes. Harry had never found the trick to buying clothes that actually fit, a throwback from years of wearing Dudley's cast-offs. He also never mastered the knack of getting his hair to lie flat and today it was just as wind-blown and messy as always. Looking at his serious profile out of the corner of her eye, she thought he was the most handsome man she had ever laid eyes on. "Who gives this woman to be married to this man?" the vicar asked, breaking Ginny out of her trance. "Her mother and I do," her father stated firmly. "So let it be," the vicar said, nodding for Harry to step forward. Her father patted their hands in a private blessing as he put hers into Harry's, visibly choking up with emotion. Red-faced, he made his way back to his wife who was openly crying, dotting her eyes with her handkerchief. On the other side of the aisle Remus Lupin sat with his wife Nymphadora Tonks-Lupin. They were occupying the seats usually taken by the groom's parents, both sporting wide, watery smiles. They said their vows to each other as if in a dream world; no one else existed but them. Ginny barely took notice of Hermione as she handed her Harry's ring, or of Ron as he handed Harry her ring. But she thought carefully about every word she spoke… meant them with her whole heart. She heard every word Harry said to her… felt Harry's soft hands as he slid the cool metal cleanly onto her left ring finger. They joined hands and the vicar drew his wand, performing a binding spell over their joined left hands. Ginny watched in fascination as the ribbons of energy wrapped around their hands, sealing the bond they were making. It was even more thrilling than the first time they had done this, mostly because of the whoops and yells of the crowd led by four of her brothers at the back of the rows of chairs. Percy was the only one of them maintaining any self control. The others were shouting at them to hurry up and snog each other. Harry stepped forward and gently pulled her towards him for a very thorough kiss, causing the crowd to erupt in resounding cat-calls, whistles, and applause. They turned to face their friends and family, officially a married couple in both the eyes of the law and in the eyes of the entire Weasley family. No one, least of all them, could stop smiling. *** The reception area was packed by the time they made their way through the receiving line and took some pictures together under the archway with the wedding party. Harry had stayed beside her the whole time and introduced her to his friends and co-workers from the Ministry who had been invited to the wedding. All of their friends from Hogwarts had come, as well as Ginny's extended family – most of whom Harry had only met once before at Bill's wedding. He smiled warmly at them all and blushed profusely when ancient Auntie Muriel gave him a big, fat kiss on the cheek, declaring him the finest catch in all of the British Isles. "I beg your pardon, ma'am," Harry had said politely, glancing towards Ginny. "But I think you're mistaken. I'm certain that I've caught the finest witch in all of the British Isles… present company excepted, of course." He bowed gallantly, making her old auntie almost swoon. Luckily, Fred and George had been assigned as her minders, and they caught her arms before she fell. Their entry into the tent was treated with the greatest fanfare, and they were immediately whisked away to the table of honour where Ron and Hermione were already seated. Ron eyed the cherub in the centre of the table warily. "Watch out," he warned them. "Bill had to use a stunner on that one earlier today. He's a mean little buggar. Shot Bill in the buttocks with his arrow," he said, pointing to the pointed heart sticking out of the creature's bow. The round little cherub seemed to grumble silently, but otherwise didn't make a move. "Fleur didn't seem to mind much, though. He went more gaga than usual over her." "Whose idea was it to have cherubs as centrepieces, anyway?" Ginny said, mystified. "I don't remember doing that." Hermione looked embarrassed. "They needed the work," she said, blushing. "I had no idea they could be so… violent." "Well, they do make a beautiful table," Ginny said. "Painting them gold was a nice touch." Hermione beamed and promptly changed the subject. "You've never told us, you two," she said with a sly smile. "Where are you spending your honeymoon?" Harry smiled secretly. "That's for me to know, isn't it? Nice try, Ginny… it won't work." "Darn it, Harry!" Ginny cried out in frustration, stamping her foot under the table. "Why won't you tell me? You said you would after the wedding," she pouted. He leaned in and whispered in her ear. "I love it when you pout, it's very sexy. I haven't told you yet just how delicious you look in those robes, have I?" She smiled wickedly and leaned in close. "Just you wait, Potter. I have some surprises of my own planned tonight." His face flushed and she kissed his cheek. "I don't even want to know what they're saying to each other," Ron muttered grouchily to Hermione. "Probably not," Hermione agreed. Then she leaned over and whispered something in Ron's ear which had him turning pink and loosening his collar. "Call it payback for all of the times I've had to suffer through it," Harry said, laughing. Suddenly, their table came to life and plates of food appeared covered with silver warmers. Bottles of champagne and crystal goblets also materialized. "Thank goodness," Ron said getting ready to dig in. "I'm starving." "Not yet, Ron," Hermione hissed quietly, stopping him. "You have to give the toast first." "Toast!" Ron croaked. "No one told me that." "It's tradition," Hermione whispered. "And no one can eat until it's done." Ginny was very aware that everyone was looking at their table expectantly and she helped Hermione shame Ron into standing up. He looked like he'd rather be waltzing with Hagrid than have to give a speech, but he slid out of his chair and seemed to gather his Gryffindor courage. Harry caught her eye and grinned – he obviously thought it was very funny. "Well… I, um," Ron began awkwardly, but no one could hear him. "For heaven's sake, Ron," Hermione said loudly. "Do a Sonorous Charm!" "Yeah… right." He pointed his wand at his throat and said, "Sonorous!" "That's better," he said more loudly. Ginny was surprised to hear the confidence return to her brother's voice. "Welcome, everyone… thank you for joining us on this special day. As you probably already know, I'm Ron Weasley, Ginny's brother and Harry's best mate. Today we are here to honour my sister and best friend, Mr. and Mrs. Potter." He paused as people, whooped and whistled. Ron smiled and waited for the noise to die down. When it did, he continued. Ron turned to Harry, emotion pulling at his face. "Harry, we've been best friends since that first train ride to Hogwarts, and I'm not sure if I've ever told you or not but sitting in that compartment that day was the best decision I've ever made next to finally getting the courage to ask Hermione out... properly. We've all been through a lot together – much more than anyone but us three knows about – and I've never once regretted being your friend and standing by you through everything Voldemort threw at you. Most people in this room know Harry, but very few can say they have seen the sacrifices that this man has made for the sake of others. Now it's time for him to allow himself some happiness, and bloody hell I'm glad he's come around! Harry, I'm honoured to call you my brother." Ron turned to Ginny next. "Ginny, I am so proud of you," he said in a choked voice. "If I could pick any witch on the planet to be my sister, I'd choose you hands down. You're one of the bravest, most headstrong people I've ever met next to Harry and Hermione. Once you make up your mind about something, you never back down. From the first time you laid eyes on Harry at the age of ten, you decided that he was the one and despite the obstacles this prat put in your way, you never gave up. I wish I had even an ounce of your tenacity." He grinned slyly at Harry. "But, at the same time mate, I'm glad it's you, and not me, who has to live with her." The assembled group laughed gaily along with Harry and Ginny, who were now teary eyed and beaming from Ron's speech. "Ginny and I stuck together growing up," he continued. "Thanks to Fred and George, we had to get used to watching each other's backs in order to survive childhood." The crowd laughed again as Fred yelled back in a good-natured, threatening voice, "Oi! And you'd better watch your back, Ronnikens, when this speech is over if you're not careful!" Ron didn't seem phased by the threat at all. "That's not a problem," he said seriously to Fred and the others after the laughter had subsided. "You see, I not only have my beautiful, intelligent fiancé watching my back… I also have my sister, the best hexer in the whole Wizarding World, and my new brother, Harry, behind me, too – exactly where he's always been for a very long time now." "Aye, aye!" a chorus of Weasley men exclaimed from various parts of the room, including Fred and George. "Let's get to the drinking!" George shouted impatiently, raising his glass, as everyone laughed. Ron complied by raising his glass too, and everyone in the room did the same save the bride and groom. "Here's to the most deserving couple I know," he said earnestly. "I wish you a lifetime of health and happiness together. Cheers!" The entire tent echoed Ron's sentiments and there was a moment of silence in which the only sounds came from the clinking glasses and the sounds of people drinking. Harry and Ginny smiled and nodded their thanks, and Ginny even got up and kissed Ron's cheek. "Now for the highlight of the evening, at least for me," Ron announced. "Let's eat!" The room erupted in loud agreement and merriment as the music started up again. Everyone tapped the lids on their plates with their wand and made the silver covering vanish, revealing the exquisitely prepared food underneath. "That was a fantastic speech Ron," Harry told him with a grin when he had cancelled the Sonorous Charm and sat back down. "Thanks, mate." Ron shrugged modestly, shooting Hermione a half disgruntled, half self-satisfied look. "It could have been better if I'd had time to prepare." "I didn't say anything because I knew you'd stress out about it," Hermione told him, primly cutting her meat into tiny pieces. Ginny noticed that Ron didn't bother… he just picked up the entire piece with his fork and bit into it. "But you did a brilliant job anyway… just like I knew you would." "It was very sweet," Ginny agreed, grinning. "Thanks, big brother." Ron took a large swallow of champagne. "You're welcome," he said casually. Ginny was once again struck by how much he had matured over the last few years. The old Ron would have been arguing with Hermione over her not telling him about the speech, or gloating needlessly. But Ron had done neither, and he had handled himself with grace… something she never would have imagined out of him when they were kids. He had definitely grown up. Harry took Ginny's hand and squeezed it. "Can you believe we're finally married?" "Harry," she said patiently. "We've been married for over a week now." "I know, but it finally seems real." He looked deeply into her eyes. "I've never been happier, Ginny." She melted once again. "Me either," she said sappily. "Will you two stop?" Ron complained from across the table. "I'm trying to eat over here." He let out a loud 'ooaf' as Hermione deftly kicked him under the table. "They're allowed to be as sappy as they want today," she announced. "This is their day, Ron." Harry took a bite of his steak and brandished the fork in Ron's direction after he chewed and swallowed. "You can be sappy on your big day too, mate." "Just start working on the bloody toast now," Ron mumbled. "You know she'll make you do one, too." "You got it," Harry said, his eyes gleaming. Ginny knew that at one time in Harry's life, like Ron, giving a public speech would have been an ordeal worse than death. But nowadays she supposed it wasn't that big a deal to him, and he had matured, too. They finished their meal in companionable silence. As they took the last bite, the music began playing and in the middle of the floor a gigantic cake appeared out of nowhere. "Time to cut the cake," Hermione said, beaming. "Off you go, you two," she said, shooing them up. Harry turned to whisper in Ginny's ear as they obediently complied. "Who made her boss of this wedding, anyway? I thought it was our day." Ginny leaned in and whispered back, "That would be me," she admitted guiltily. "Between her and Mum, I got so tired of being told what to do I finally just threw up my hands and let them have their way. I don't really care about any of this… as far as I'm concerned our real wedding was a week ago. I would have been happy to forego all this hoopla." "Really?" Harry said quietly, plainly surprised as they stopped in front of the humongous wedding cake. "Do you really feel that way?" Ginny met his questioning gaze steadily, still keeping her voice low. "I really do," she confirmed. "This wedding was nice, Harry, but I'd give it all up in a heartbeat just to be alone with you right now." Ginny saw the look that came into his eyes just then, and she knew exactly what he was thinking because she was having similar thoughts. The familiar flush to his cheeks and that piercing gaze was unmistakable; Ginny was certain if they hadn't been the centre of attention they would have been finding a more private place to finish this conversation. Together, they awkwardly cut the cake for their guests, and then fed each other a bite. Ginny shivered when her fingers slipped into Harry's mouth and paused there, as if they had a will of their own. The room full of people blissfully disappeared and, at that moment, they were the only ones who mattered in the world. He smiled evilly as he returned the favour, obviously seeing the effect he was having on her. The music started up again and the cake was turned over to Fleur and Mrs. Weasley, who took charge of dispersing the rest of it to the guests. She and Harry set their plates down and Harry bowed to her and asked for a dance. Ginny wasn't sure when Harry had learned to waltz like this… Hermione had once told her that he was unteachable when it came to the art of dancing. But today his step was flawless as he expertly led her over the dance floor, her white dress robes billowing around her with a graceful sweep. She had never felt so grown up and desirable as she did today. It was absolutely perfect. They danced by themselves first and then her father broke in and asked for his daughter's hand. Harry willingly turned her over, but to their surprise returned immediately with her flustered but extremely pleased mum. They danced another round until they were joined by Ron and Hermione as well as other couples, then her parents paired up and they had time to sneak off and get a drink from the bar. It was then that Ginny caught sight of the ostentatious ice sculpture of a majestic stag standing side-by-side with a big, shaggy dog. "Nice," she commented. "Did Fred and George do that?" "Actually, no," Harry said, admiring the large sculpture. Appropriately, the brim of the container was full of lager and beer of all kinds. "Moony made it. I asked him what would be a fitting tribute to my dad and Sirius, and he came up with this. Do you think it's too much?" "Not at all," Ginny said, grabbing one of the bottles. "Ginny!" Harry said, eyeing the bottle of lager in her hand worriedly. "Have you ever had one of those?" She raised an eyebrow, wondering whether to tell him about the numerous times Fred and George had decided to take her out and cheer her up. She definitely was not a virgin when it came to beer – or anything else now for that matter, thanks to Harry. Instead she asked, "Have you?" Harry flushed and reached for one too. "Of course," he said, still shooting her nervous glances. "Then I suppose neither of us is that innocent, huh?" she retorted, popping the cap expertly and taking a long swig. It felt really good on her parched throat. Harry laughed and popped his own lid, clinking his bottle to hers noisily. "Cheers, Mrs. Potter," he said, grinning. "I'm looking forward to getting to know you better, even if it takes me a lifetime." "Cheers, Harry," she agreed, a self-satisfied expression on her face. "I promise… it won't be boring." He grinned approvingly. When the reception finally started winding down and the majority of the guests had left, Harry whispered in her ear that it was time to go. "How are we getting there?" she asked, curiously. He opened his jacket pocket and held out a small box for her. "Open it," he said mysteriously. She did. Inside was a small gold key. "What's this?" she asked curiously. "It's a key, obviously," Harry grinned. "I made it into a Portkey to take us to the place where we're going to spend the rest of the week. As soon as we can manage it, I'll take you on a proper honeymoon… a much longer one." "I thought we had agreed that we couldn't afford to take time off right now because of training," Ginny said. "I can't be gone longer than a day, Harry. Monday is my orientation, and you start a new block of training next week on detection spells." "We can do both, Ginny," Harry said, still smiling wickedly. "I want you to feel like a princess, and this was as close as I could get without leaving London. We can still Apparate to ACT every day, attend our classes and perform our duties, and then we have the rest of the night to ourselves. You're lessons are during the day, and I'm in a phase of training that doesn't require nights or evenings… so it's perfect." He nodded towards Ron and Hermione, still dancing. "Besides, Hermione leaves soon and I think they'd appreciate some time alone, too." "They're not the only ones," she said smiling, hoping to convey her wicked thoughts through her expression. The way he flushed, she was pretty sure she had succeeded. "What are you waiting for then, Potter?" she said in a low, throaty voice. "I think it's high time we ditched this party." He leaned in and kissed her soundly, taking her breath away. "I'll get the bags and meet you back here in five minutes. Then you're all mine." Her smile froze on her face but he had already turned around so he hadn't noticed. But she shook them off determinedly – nothing would spoil this day. Absolutely nothing.
[A/N: One more chapter to go! I almost lost the four chapters of the sequel I had written when my computer crashed this weekend, but good news… I managed to recover them before it crashed again. I did lose one chapter of the new story I'll be publishing after this one, but it could have been much, much worse. However, it's time for a new laptop, I think. Until next week! Thanks for reading and reviewing!]
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