Hello!
So, before you begin reading I have a couple of things for you.

1. I wrote this story many many years ago. It is not finished, I make no promises as to if I ever will finish it, but I plan to upload all I have as I go back and edit. Hopefully you will still enjoy it all the same!
2. My timeline does get a little odd in places, but I do not plan to fix it as it would create an entirely new story that I don't have time to write.

3. I thought that I had uploaded this story back when I first was writing it, and thought that I would come and just re-upload edits, but apparently the story is no longer on my site, so it's like uploading a new story! :)

Enjoy!
~Alex Michele

Chapter 1: A Christmas Surprise

It was the first Christmas after the final battle. The first Christmas that was something other than normal. The atmosphere was joyful, yet sad. Harry walked across the snow-covered ground towards the Weasley Burrow. He almost lived here; if it weren't for number twelve Grimmauld Place, he would live here. He was here now to pick up his seventeen year old girlfriend, Ginny Weasley, for their Christmas Eve date. He wanted to get her out of the house for a while. He knew Mrs. Weasley would be moping around the house still grieving for her lost son. He knew it took Mrs. Weasley a long time to recover from something like this, and he had a surprise for Ginny.

He walked right in to find Mrs. Weasley making dinner.

"Hello Dearie," Mrs. Weasley said, patting his arm as he had made a move to hug her.

"Hey Mrs. Weasley," he replied.

"Ginny's in her room. Knock before you enter, she might not be done getting ready." Harry released Mrs. Weasley and headed up the stairs to the third story bedroom he knew was Ginny's.

"Knock, Knock," he said opening her door. It'd been a little over two weeks since he'd seen her last.

"Harry!" she exclaimed throwing herself at him. He laughed as he embraced her warm hug.

"Miss me much?" he smiled as she tilted her head to look into his shining green eyes. She smiled.

"Just a little," she replied as she snuggled her head against his chest.

"Are you all set?" She pulled back quickly kissing him before walking across the room to retrieve her cloak and bag. She nodded her head and took his hand. Together they walked back into the kitchen

"What time should we return?" Harry asked Mrs. Weasley.

"By ten if you don't mind. I'd like to have some family time before bed. Ron's out with Hermione until then," she said

"See you then mum," Ginny said hugging her mother before she walked outside into the brisk cool air with Harry.

"Where are we going?" Ginny asked excitedly.

"Out for dinner and then maybe shopping."

"I told you, I don't want anything but to be with you," she sighed. Harry only smiled.

"That's exactly what you'll be getting. We're apparating here," he said. Ginny, who really had missed her sixth year due to Voldemort and the death eaters, had not learned to apparaite as the rest of them had done. Harry pulled her close knowing how uncomfortable side along apparition was, and turned on the spot. In a matter of two seconds they were in front of the diner they would be eating at. Ginny shrugged her shoulders from his comment and said nothing.

The two of them talked about their plans for next year. Hogwarts would re-open and have twice as many first years. The entire school was to repeat the year they were supposed to have come out of, and they couldn't really hold the new first years back. This was so that the students could have a proper year and learn the things they didn't. Any seventeen year old who was in their seventh year had a choice if they returned or not. At this rate, few from Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff were to return and no Slytherins were returning. Most of the Gyrffindors were returning including Ron and Hermione. Harry however was not so sure.

"I really like the idea of you being with me one last year," Ginny said.

"I'm not sure I want to go back though," Harry paused, "I'm already the world's greatest wizard." Ginny smiled. The thought that The Harry Potter was her boyfriend was something she was more than proud of. She also knew how difficult it would be having him at Hogwarts, all the other girls would be jealous. Harry could have any girl he wanted, but he had Ginny.

"I'll keep everyone away. I mean, have you seen my bat-bogey?" Harry laughed.

"I think it would be the other way around. I'll have to keep the jealous girls from jinxing you."

"Well, I still think you should return. Ron and Hermione will be there. Neville, Luna, and I will be there. What would you do without us anyways?" she batted her eyes at him.

"I'd think of something, but I'd miss you all." Ginny sighed. She couldn't tell if she was winning this battle or losing it.

"Are you ready to go now? I have something I'd like to do before I take you home," Harry said standing up from the table.

"No Christmas presents," Ginny said sternly following suit.

"It's a present, but it's for more than just Christmas. Why is it anyways that I can't give you presents?"

"You are my present. Besides, I don't want anything else," she retaliated with an emphasis on the "You". Harry nodded his head and they walked outside leaving the sickles on the table.

"Alright, well we're apparating here," within seconds they were in Ginny's garden.

"I thought we were going shopping?" Ginny questioned.

"I had said maybe, but I changed my mind. I have what I want. I couldn't think of a better place than here, this is where we first came after the final battle," he took both her hands in his. "It was here that I realized, I can't live without you. I think that you realized that you couldn't live without me then too, and so," he paused to take a small box from his pocket. Ginny stared at him wanting to shake her head but found herself not being able to move. He held the box in his hand and pushed it towards her.

"Ginevera Molly Weasley," he said, opening the box to reveal a gold ring with small shining silver diamonds on top. "Will you marry me?" Tears of happiness began to fall from Ginny's eyes, the coldness of the air causing them to sting her face. She took the box from his hand and gently lifted the ring. She placed it in his hand along with her left hand.

When he put it on her she wrapped both her arms around his neck and began to passionately kiss him.

"I would be honored to marry the great Harry Potter. I love you," she said when she finally pulled away wrapping her arms around his waist and resting her head on his chest.

"I love you too. Merry Christmas Ginny," he said pulling her a little closer.

They walked around the house, hand in hand to the kitchen door.

"What am I going to tell my parents?" Ginny stopped abruptly in her tracks.

"Your dad already knows. I needed some advice. As for your mum, well, I was hoping that you would be able to answer that one." Ginny chuckled.

"Maybe we should wait to tell her. It's the first Christmas without both the twins. Mum's still devastated," she sighed.

"What about you? I know you miss him just as much,"

"Yeah, it's a lot quieter here. George isn't the same, Percy isn't the same, it's really still a sore topic all around. I'm doing alright, I think Ron's the best out of us all but Dad and I are staying strong." Harry squeezed her hand as they walked the rest of the way into the house.

"You're home early," Mrs. Weasley said as they walked in. She was sitting at the table with a cup of tea in her hands. Ginny quickly pocketed her left hand.

"We decided to just have dinner," Harry said.

"You could have stayed out later if you wanted. Arthur will be home soon and then when Ron and Hermione get here I'd like to have some family time, and Harry, you and Hermione are not excluded for that. I'd like to have you both here." Mrs. Weasley replied.

"All right Mrs. Weasley," Harry nodded his head.

"We'll be upstairs," Ginny said dragging Harry along with her.

"If you had kept standing there she'd have never shut up," Ginny said as she closed her bedroom door behind them. Harry took off his cloak, took Ginny's from her, and hung them on the back of her the chair at her desk. When he turned around Ginny was making faces on her frost-covered window. He crept up behind her wrapping his arms around her waist.

"I love you," he said.

"I love you too," she replied leaning her head back against him. "Mrs. Potter," she said aloud, "Ginny Potter. It has a nice sound," she smiled, looking at the gold and silver ring on her finger. "It's beautiful."

"It was my mothers. McGonagall found a box addressed to me in the headmasters office, from Snape of all people. Inside the box was that ring and a note," he pulled it out of his back pocket, and moved to sit down on the bed. Naturally, Ginny followed.

Potter,

I visited your parent's house seventeen years ago after the Dark Lord had killed all but you. It was I who turned you over to Dumbledore and officially reported them dead. I was so angry with the Dark Lord for killing your mother that I teamed up with Dumbledore to help keep you safe. I loved her. I took this ring from her finger the night that I found them and I am now returning it to her by giving it to you to give to the girl of your dreams, whether it is Miss Chang, Miss. Weasley, or some other girl. I think that your parents would have wanted that.

With all due respect,

Severus Snape

"Cho?" Ginny questioned after reading the note.

"She is my ex girlfriend, I really liked her."

"So you weren't just dating her to make me jealous?"

"Ginny, I didn't know you liked me then. I didn't know I liked you until I saw you with Dean!"

"That's why Dean and I had so many arguments at the end you know," she whispered.

"Why?"

"When I realized that you finally liked me back, Dean just became a pain. He wasn't you. He knew that I didn't like him anymore, but he didn't want to let me go." Harry nodded his head. He remembered this all too well. He and Ron both were ready to smash Dean's face in for it.

There was a knock on the door as it slowly opened. "Ginny, Harry," Hermione's face appeared in the doorway, "You can come down now, everyone's here," she said smiling.

"Someone else had a perfect Christmas eve," Ginny giggled after Hermione had gone downstairs.

"For now, put the ring back in the box" Harry suggested.

"No way! I'll just put it on my other hand. It'll cause less suspicion there," Harry smiled.

"I love you," he said as he pulled her in for another kiss.

"I love you too. We should head down now," They headed down into the family room where everyone was waiting.

"Merry Christmas Ginny, Harry," Mr. Weasley said as they joined the group.

"Merry Christmas dad," Ginny said hugging him.

"Merry Christmas sir," Harry followed.

"Did you do it?" Mr. Weasley whispered to Harry looking at his only daughter's left hand.

"Right hand," Harry replied back in a whisper. Mr. Weasley's face lit up with a questioning expression.

"Don't want mum to see it," Harry added.

"There's a stack of presents for everyone. I thought we might enjoy some presents tonight and then the rest following breakfast in the morning. Arthur, help me pass them out please," Mrs. Weasley spoke up. Mr. Weasley quickly flitted to her side.

They all sat around opening their presents, talking, smiling, having the best of times when suddenly there was a loud knocking at the door.

"I wonder who would be here at this time of night," Mrs. Weasley said as she arose to answer the door. Mr. Weasley quickly followed. The rest of the Weasleys' along with Harry and Hermione all looked at one another puzzled.

"Bill!" Mrs. Weasley exclaimed. "I haven't heard from you in over a week! Come in, come in, where's Fleur?"

"She'll be 'round in a moment. Is all the family here?" Bills booming voice sounded.

"All but Charlie, Harry and Hermione are here if that counts," Mrs. Weasley said as Fleur came around the corner. She looked like a scared little girl whose mother had wrapped her in many robes to keep out the cold.

"Fleur dear are you really that cold?" Mrs. Weasley asked. At this, the remaining Weasleys and Harry and Hermione gathered around the kitchen door so they could hear more of what was going on. Ron sniggered at the comment and whispered to Hermione

"Is she mental? Fleur's been known to be a cold bit..." he was cut off before he could call her an evil witch.

"Hush Ron, she's not that bad anymore."

"It's actually a long story," They heard Bill say.

"Come into the family room Molly, give them some space," Mr. Weasley said. Mrs. Weasley's eyes were filled with curiosity and wonder. The six who were crowded in the doorway scurried back to their former places. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley sat down in their chairs as Bill and Fleur entered the room.

"Merry Christmas Weasleys," Bill said, "Fleur and I have an announcement to make." Fleur smiled at him as he helped her take her many coats off. When she was finally wearing only her favorite sweater they could all clearly see their announcement.

"'We're going to have a baby!" Fleur spoke up. Mrs. Weasley began to uncontrollably sob.

"I've been so worried!" she choked out through her tears, "I haven't heard from either of you in months, your letters have been so short lived, when I've tried to come visit you always tell me that she's sick. Bill, you could have told me."

"We wanted to surprise everyone," Bill said in an attempt to comfort his mother.

"Molly, dear, come on. It'll be easier for you to calm down in another room," Mr. Weasley said to his wife as he stood to lead her out of the room.

"I'll be back. I'd like a chance to talk to you," he whispered to Bill.

"Here Fleur, have a seat," Percy said jumping out of his chair so that she could sit.

"Thank you," she replied. "Ermione, Beel and I 'ave talked about you being 'ze Godmozzer," Fleur said, "We wanted to be sure that our leetle baby could 'ave someone outside of 'ze family to look up to." Hermione smiled and was about to open her mouth to reply when she heard Ron give a cough when Fleur mentioned "Outside of the family" and could only wonder what he was coughing about.

"I'd love to Fleur. I couldn't be more honored," Hermione answered after glaring at Ron whose ear tips turned bright red as he shrugged at her.

Harry looked at how happy Bill and Fleur seemed to be. He couldn't help but think of his parents. He wondered if Sirius looked as proud as Hermione did when they named him to be his godfather.

"You alright?" Ginny whispered touching his arm.

"I'll be okay," he replied shaking her hand away. She looked offended, oh how he hated that look, but there would be time to talk later. He didn't know how to start to talk to her about it.

Mr. Weasley came back into the room.

"All right Weasleys' it's nearly midnight, time to get to bed," he said. "Bill, you and Fleur are welcome to stay for a while."

"Merry Christmas and congratulations Bill, Fleur," Percy said standing up. He gave them each a hug and kissed Fleur on the cheek. He was the first to leave the room. George followed Percy's example next, without kissing Fleur. After all the "congratulations", "Merry Christmases", and "goodnights" were said, Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny headed up the stairs.

"Are you going home?" Ginny whispered to Harry as they reached the second floor landing.

"Do you want me to?" he asked as he watched Ron and Hermione continue ascending the stairs. He was hoping she'd say no.

"Hermione will be going home. Her parents want to spend the final Christmas with her as she's moving out next summer." Harry nodded his head. Of course she would know that before he would. Aside from Ron and Harry, Ginny was Hermione's best friend.

"You didn't answer my question. I'll stay if you want me to," Harry said drawing her close. They were standing in front of her room. She wrapped her arms around his neck looking into his emerald green eyes.

"Until I fall asleep," she began, "But I want you back for breakfast tomorrow," she said dreamy like. She always lost her train of thought when she looked into his eyes. Harry chuckled as he lifted her off her feet. She was now eye level with him.

"I love you," he said as her carried her into her room.

"I love you too," she began to kiss him, catching him off guard, and the pair stumbled to the ground.

"What happened? Are you alright?" Hermione and Ron came running in. Harry and Ginny were in a pile, their arms and legs tangled together and they were laughing. Ron was surprised. He hadn't heard his sister laugh so merrily in a very long time.

"We fell," Ginny finally was able to say through her laughter, after she and Harry sat up.

"You two are nuts," Ron said shaking his head and smiling. Hermione couldn't help but laugh at the couple as well.

"Well, Merry Christmas you two, see you in the morning," Hermione said as she took Ron's hand and led him back into the hallway. Ginny leaned her head over onto Harry's shoulder.

"I haven't heard you laugh like that since before the world turned upside down," Harry said hugging her.

"I haven't been this happy since then. So many things have gone wrong and been an absolute mess. You make me happy. That's not even a piece of how much I love you," she replied moving her ring from her right hand back to her left.

Harry tilted her head so he could kiss her. This kiss was a much more intense one. Ginny was the one who unwillingly pulled back before they began to tear their clothes off.

"I'm sorry," she murmured.

"Its okay," he whispered back moving her hair from her face. Suddenly they heard footsteps in the hall.

"Quick! Pretend we're asleep," Ginny said jumping up and into her bed dragging Harry with her. With a flick of her wand, the lights went out as Harry scrambled to fix himself next to her throwing his wand and glasses on the table beside her bed. Ginny quickly threw her wand onto the table only for it to roll onto the floor, and she snuggled down beside Harry.

They had been situated almost a full minute before Mr. and Mrs. Weasley opened the bedroom door. Mrs. Weasley noticed Harry first.

"Arthur! She's sleeping with him!" she whisper yelled.

"Shit," Harry heard Ginny say under her breath.

"Calm down Molly. Look, they've not done anything, they're both still in their clothes."

"Yes, but," Mrs. Weasley began to argue.

"Look," Mr. Weasley walked over and uncovered them to reveal two fully clothed bodies snuggled together.

"Arthur, what's that?" Mrs. Weasley said pointing clearly at the glistening ring on Ginny's left hand that was draped across Harry.

"Shit!" Ginny whispered again. Harry wanted to laugh but dared not to for it might give them away.

"What Molly? Are you all right tonight? You've been really out of character," Mr. Weasley said as he began to lead her away from the fake sleeping pair.

"Her left hand Arthur, don't play dumb!" tears began to fall from her eyes again. They stopped in the doorway. "Our eldest shows up after a week of me worrying sick, only for me to find that we're finally going to be grandparents, our oldest twin isn't here with us this year and our only daughter's engaged and hasn't told me!" she was in full sobs again. Mr. Weasley tried to comfort her.

"Bill and Fleur wanted to surprise us, that isn't too much to ask. Fred's in a better place, somewhere where he can't and won't be harmed again, and Harry only proposed tonight."

"YOU KNEW ABOUT THIS?" she shouted, causing Harry and Ginny to flinch.

"Molly, calm down, Harry wanted some manly advice. He wanted to make sure he did it right, the traditional way. We're the only adult's he has left to turn to. Everyone else he could have asked is gone. Maybe they wanted to tell you and I in private before telling the boys. It's okay sweetheart."

"No, Arthur, it's not okay," she said crying silently.

"Look," he said turning her so that they both faced Harry and Ginny, "She's happy. Ron said he heard her laugh a bit ago didn't he? She hasn't been this happy since before they were together the first time. Have you seen her at peace since then? I know I haven't. He's the world's greatest wizard now, and we should be honored to have him join our family. We can trust that he'll take care of her. I wouldn't want her to be with anyone else. I know he loves her. She's my baby girl too you know, I wouldn't allow just anyone to change her name." Ginny and Harry had never heard Mr. Weasley express his feelings so thoroughly. Mrs. Weasley sniffled as Mr. Weasley wrapped his arms around her.

"I've always wanted him to be a part of the family."

"And now he will be. Do me a favor, act surprised when they finally do tell you. Don't ruin it for them."

"I'll try."

"Oh, and Mollywobbles?"

"Hmm?"

"I love you," she laughed.

"I love you too dear," she said taking her husband's hand as he led her out of the room shutting the door behind them

When they were sure that Mr. and Mrs. Weasley had gone to bed Ginny sat up. Harry of course followed.

"I never knew my parents felt that way."

"I never knew you were that unhappy," Harry retaliated, putting his glasses back on. He didn't know how she had gotten through their separation earlier in the year. They had never talked about it. Ginny ignored him and moved to pick her wand up off of the floor and lay it beside Harry's.

"I was completely miserable knowing that you were out there and there was a chance that you wouldn't return. You said earlier that it wasn't until that first night that you realized you couldn't live without me. I have to say that I realized I couldn't live without you around the time of Dumbledore's funeral, and even more when you took off and left me. It killed me not knowing when I'd see you again."

"Well, you won't have to live without me. I'll never leave you like that again, even if it is for your own good. I know now that you can handle anything that gets thrown our direction." Ginny nodded her head as Harry pulled her close. "I missed you more than Ron and Hermione even knew. It killed me having to leave here without you when the Death Eaters attacked. But I had been foolish, and promised Ron I wouldn't even so much as look at you after he caught us kissing."

"I love you," Ginny whispered.

"As I love you," he smiled kissing the top of her head.

"I'm starting to get sleepy. Will you stay all night?" She asked looking up into his shiny green eyes.

"I think it'll be easier that way. Especially if you want me around in the morning."

"Goodnight Harry."

"Night Ginny," he replied kissing her one last time before they snuggled down in her bed.