Harry took a look around. He and his family had taken a villa in Paris for a family holiday, something they did every year. Some might think it strange that a man of twenty four would be happy to vacation with his family, but he didn't care. Sometimes it was the only chance they had to all catch up with each other.
Last year it had been California, the year before the Greek Isles. Harry smiled at the memories; good times.
This year, for the first time in years, it was absolutely all the family, extended and otherwise. His parents, his elder sister and her fiance, his younger brother, his godfather and his recent bride, his dad's other best friend and his family, which included two children. So in total there were twelve of them.
They had all arrived by various Portkeys, coming from different parts of the world. Harry himself had come from America, his parents and brother, Ryan from Bulgaria, his godfather, Sirius and his wife, Selena, from Spain and his dad's best friend, Remus, his wife Tonks and their children Teddy and Hope, from England. Harry's sister, Hermione and her fiance Rupert were based temporarily in Paris, so they had been waiting to welcome everyone.
Harry had been the last to arrive, and had barely had any time to himself since. His parents had been worried about him the past year, all alone in America, so he didn't even try to stop his mum fussing over him. His sister was just as bad; his dad shrugged in amusement when he implored him for help after yet another smothering hug from Hermione. James simply smiled and walked over to talk with Sirius and Remus.
Ryan, fifteen, couldn't wait to tell Harry about the World Cup, and how he got to meet the Bulgarian coach and former champion, Viktor Krum. He told his brother the man had been really nice, especially seeing as how they had been beaten by England that day.
"Harry, England's Chasers were amazing that day. Ginny Weasley especially, was on fire. She totally deserved to get the best player award, even Mr Krum said so," said Ryan excitedly.
Nobody noticed Harry stiffen at the name of England's predominant Chaser. Ginny Weasley was probably the most famous Quidditch player in the world right then, having just bagged England the World Cup.
"Harry, hey Harry," called Teddy, eight.
"Hey Teddy, boy, you've grown a lot," admired Harry.
"Hawwy, Hawwy." They all turned to see Hope Lupin, two, chasing after her elder brother.
Harry squatted down and scooped her into his arms. He placed a smooshy kiss on her plump cheek, thrilling to feel her arms around his neck.
"I missed you, Hawwy," she said.
"How's my best girl?" he asked her, tickling her.
She giggled. "You came for my party?"
"Wouldn't miss it for anything," replied Harry. "It's not everyday a girl turns two."
"I'm gonna be free, Hawwy, fwee," corrected Hope, holding up three fingers.
"No way, really? Wow, you are growing up so quickly, you'll be at Hogwarts in no time," grinned Harry.
"Me first, Harry," protested Teddy.
"All right, you lot, leave Harry alone," called Tonks, coming over to take Hope from him. The little girl clung to Harry until he tickled her again.
Tonks leaned over to kiss Harry's cheek. "Good to see you, love," she said. She looked at her daughter with affection. "This one was worried you'd miss her birthday tomorrow."
"Not a chance," laughed Harry.
"Come on, you lot, dinner," called Lily. She smiled to see Harry pretend to race Teddy, and let the younger boy win. She couldn't help but hug her eldest son yet again. "It's so good to see you again," she whispered.
"Mum, I came home for Christmas, then you and Dad visited me this past Easter," protested Harry, laughing.
"We've been worried about you," admitted Lily. Her second child had changed over the last year. He was quieter, seemed more introverted. All he talked about was his Auror training, never about hanging with friends or any social outings and definitely no mention of any girlfriends.
"Come on, Mum, let Harry go," insisted Hermione.
Harry shot her a grateful look, and went to sit between Sirius and Ryan. His brother had been named Orion, Sirius' middle name, but the family had always used the diminutive.
With everyone seated around the long outdoor dining table, the house elves began to bring out the meals. Platters of meats, bowls of salads, fresh bread and tantalising fruit were enough to make everyone's mouth water. Bottles of wine, soft drink and water quenched their thirsts.
The children finished eating first, and Teddy was good enough to promise his mother he would watch Hope for awhile if they could be excused. When he'd finished, Ryan offered to hang with Teddy and Hope too, no doubt hoping Teddy would ask about the World Cup. Ryan was Quidditch mad and was a Seeker with the Gryffindor team.
The adults used the time for a catch up on Sirius and Selena's honeymoon, with the usual teasing about their still being life in the old dog these days. Harry slid over to catch up with his sister. He hadn't seen her since Rupert proposed at Christmas time, but she told him there was still no wedding date set. Hermione was teaching Charms at Beauxbaton's, while Rupert studied wizarding law at the prestigious Universitié de Magie nearby. Both were intending to return to England in another year.
Harry and Hermione both looked up as their brother Ryan ran to the table. He looked wild, his face pale and his mouth open to speak, but it was as if he couldn't. He looked at his family, then back over his shoulder, gesticulating wildly.
"Ry, is everything all right?" asked Hermione, worriedly.
Ryan shook his head, but looked over his shoulder again.
"Ryan, where's Hope and Teddy?" asked Remus, looking around.
Everybody looked around too. Then they heard a musical laugh, and Ryan swallowed.
"It's her," he gasped, running back from where he had come from.
James, Sirius and Remus exchanged worried looks, and began to stand. Harry had already moved around to the front of the table, when Ryan reappeared.
"She-" he gulped. "She's coming here!"
A sense of foreboding struck Harry. Hermione stood to move to his side.
"Here is everybody," announced Teddy.
Tonks had her hand on her wand in seconds, her old Auror instincts kicking in. A woman with long red hair walked over, holding Teddy's hand and carrying Hope on her hip. She was laughing at something Hope had told her, but her brown eyes swept the tables as she became aware of everyone watching her.
"You're right, Teddy, everyone is here," she said. She looked at Ryan. "Thanks, Ryan."
Ryan blushed and stammered as he replied, "Y-y-y-you're w-welcome."
She set Hope down and moved to the table. "Oh, you're just as I pictured you all," she said happily. "Of course, you're James," she said, throwing her arms around him.
His startled eyes met Lily's, but the stranger quickly released him and moved on to Lily herself. "Lily Potter. Mrs Potter, such a pleasure." Lily too, received a hug.
"Hey, if you're giving out free hugs, I'll step up, take one for the team," offered Sirius, behind Lily. He held his arms out wide. His new wife Selena smiled, knowing her husband was a terrible flirt.
"Ah, the notorius Sirius Black, I assume," said the red head, and walked right into his arms.
"Never assume," he told her, "it'll only make an ass of -"
"u and me," finished the woman, chuckling. "Now, if you're Sirius, then," -she looked around – "ah, you must be Remus. Hello, Mr Lupin," she greeted.
Remus wasn't as open with his hug as Sirius, especially a stranger who had hoodwinked her way into this family dinner via his children. "Er, yes," he said, patting her back, while over her shoulder he mouthed, 'who is she?'
James and Sirius smirked at Remus, who was clearly uncomfortable, but she seemed to sense this and quickly let go. "Full moon in a few days, right?" she asked, before moving on to Tonks. Remus' mouth dropped open that she knew his secret.
"Hi, Tonks, right? I think you may know my brother, Charlie," she said, hugging the older witch. "Your kids are great," she said.
"Thanks," grinned Tonks, for anyone who thought her kids were great were all right by her.
"We'll talk later," promised the woman, for she had already seen the next person to greet. She moved around Tonks to get to her.
"And you," she said, taking her two hands and squeezing. "You must be Hermione. I've heard a lot about you," she said.
"Well, I've heard absolutely nothing about you-oomph." Hermione gasped as the girl, nearly a head shorter than her, dropped her hands and hugged her so hard.
The woman let her go, and surveyed the table. "I don't know you," she said to Selena, "or you," she said to Rupert, "but I'm sure we'll have a chance to talk soon," she said. She looked around. "It's so great to finally meet you all."
"Erm, excuse me, strange lady who gives really nice hugs, but who are you, exactly?" asked James.
"Dad, I can't believe you didn't recognise her. We just saw her at the World Cup," gasped Ryan.
"We did?" asked James and Lily together.
"It's Ginny Weasley! The best Quidditch player in the league," cried Ryan, throwing his hands up in the air in exasperation. This was perhaps the biggest moment in his life.
"Thanks, Ryan. If you ever want a job as my press secretary, come see me," smiled the stranger they now knew to be Ginny Weasley.
"Huh?" Ryan had no idea what that meant but blushed when she winked at him.
"Ginny Weasley, really? Well, er, would you like to join us?" offered James.
Lily nudged him. "Ow, Lily, what was that for?" protested James, rubbing his stomach where her elbow had reached.
Lily frowned and gestured to Ginny. Sirius snorted. "I think what Lily is trying to get James to ask is, why are you here and how do you know about all of us?" he asked.
Ginny chuckled. "Isn't it obvious?"
Lily, James, Remus, Tonks, Sirius and Hermione looked at each other, then back at her. "No," they all chorused.
Ginny turned to the one person she hadn't yet addressed. "I'm here because of Harry."
"Harry? You know Harry?" asked Ryan, his eyes bulging out his head in disbelief. He looked at his brother in awe.
Ginny nodded. "I should think so," she replied, amused. "He's my husband."
All eyes turned to Harry.
"Surprise!" smirked Ginny.
He took a long swallow of his drink, as his green eyes met mischievous brown eyes. Slowly he set his drink down and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.
"Hello, wife," he finally said.