A/N: This is an edited version. There is still some bad language, but it isn't as bad as it originally was.

Disclaimer: I do not own anything you recognize from the Harry Potter series. I do, however, happily own the lovely Tim Lucas.

Seamus had been spot-on about Lavender and Parvati. They were the first to notice, or at least ask about, the ring on Ginny's finger and, of course, they were the farthest from discreet anyone could ever be.

"Ginny! What's that on your left hand?" Lavender practically shouted across the table.

"I don't believe that's your business," Ginny answered in an attempt to brush her off.

"I think it is," Parvati responded right away. "Where'd you get that? You don't even have a boyfriend!" Parvati did shout that time, drawing attention from the Hufflepuffs behind them.

"A piece of jewelry isn't worth yelling over," she scolded them. "Please try to control yourself."

"It's worth yelling over when it's on that finger," Parvati said, voice only slightly quieter. It didn't matter though because she'd already attracted the unwanted attention.

"No one wears a ring on that finger unless engaged or married." Lavender informed anyone who was listening in a superior tone.

Seamus walked over then, having just entered the Great Hall and, with a determined look on his face, sat beside Ginny. "What's all the hollering about?"

"Ginny's wearing a ring on her left ring finger and won't tell us where it's from," Lavender filled him in quickly.

"Excuse me," a muffled shout came from slightly down the table, followed by the sounds of someone choking. Unfortunately this grabbed the attention of anyone between who hadn't been paying attention and Ginny desperately hoped she could put an end to this before the whole hall was filled in on her personal life. "She's wearing a ring where?"

"You heard me right Ron," Lavender smirked, knowing she'd get some answers now that he was involved.

"Who the bloody hell gave you that ring?" he demanded, stalking up the table towards the source of the commotion. Harry and Hermione were close behind and looking like they didn't want to be involved one bit. "You don't even have a boyfriend."

"I did," Seamus answered simply before Ginny could. Other than hearing a few forks hit the table, everyone sat in stunned silence. No one, not even Ginny, had been expecting that.

"Seamus, what are you doing?" she asked in a barely audible whisper.

"Answering questions Princess, I thought that was obvious." He whispered back just as quietly, a smirk playing on his lips.

"I must be hard of hearing today," Ron shook his head. "Did you just say you gave her that ring Seamus?"

"He better not have just said that." They turned to see Dean heading up the table, his fists clenched tightly at his sides.

"I did say that," Seamus nodded.

"What the bloody hell do you mean you gave her that ring?" Dean shouted.

"I mean I bought a ring and offered it to her," Seamus said, oddly calm considering his best mate looked ready to hit him.

"And what's the ring for? You aren't engaged to her are you?" Dean snarled.

"No, we aren't engaged," Seamus answered, quickly casting a wink in Ginny's direction that most people luckily missed.

Dean and Ron both visibly relaxed at that information. Ginny felt bad for them because she knew they weren't going to like what they were about to find out. She couldn't believe Seamus was doing this.

"You couldn't have mentioned that earlier mate?" Dean asked.

"Yeah, did you have to get us so worked up?" Ron added on.

"I did have to get you worked up." Seamus stood, pulling Ginny with him. No one missed the arm that protectively pulled her into him and no one missed the way she turned and leaned into him like she would need that protection. "There's something you should know."

"What the does that mean?" Ron asked, angry at the vagueness and confusion he was feeling. Lavender and Parvati were hanging on the edge of their seats in excitement, along with most of the hall who, unfortunately, were silently listening in now. How often do they get drama this good?

"It means," Ginny answered this time, taking some on the tension off Seamus, "that I have something I need to tell you. And you probably won't like it."

"It doesn't have anything to do with that bloody ring does it?" Ron frowned.

"It does," she said. She took a deep breath before continuing. "Seamus and I got married last night."

"What?" The surprised yell came from both Ron and Dean, though the latter sounded far more angry.

"Oh Ginny please tell me you're joking," Hermione pleaded, speaking up for the first time.

"Sorry Hermione," she smiled, "I'm completely serious."

"How the bloody fuck could you do this to me?" Dean hollered, trying to get at Seamus. Luckily Neville had made his way down the table and with Harry's help they held him firmly in place. Seeing Dean was restrained, Ron tried to get to Seamus, his anger coming out now that the shock was wearing off. A few of the nearest Hufflepuffs made a grab for Ron to stop him. Since everyone was ignoring her authority, Hermione desperately turned to the Head table, searching for any teacher who could help stop the inevitable fight. Her spirits were crushed as she saw only Professor Trelawny at the table. Honestly where were all the teachers this time of day? Trelawny wouldn't have any idea what was going on.

"I'm sorry Dean," Seamus said sadly, sounding like he truly meant it.

"Like bloody hell you are," he snapped back. "You knew how I felt about her still and you go and marry the fucking girl behind my back?"

"I know mate, I can't say anything other than I'm sorry."

"Don't call me mate. You're not my damn mate. My mate wouldn't marry my ex-girlfriend when he knew I still had feelings for her. And fuck!" he shouted. "How long have you even been with her?"

Seamus froze at the question. Everything was suddenly making sense to the whole of the Great Hall.

"You have got to be fucking kidding me!" Dean yelled when he got no answer, coming to the same realization as everyone else. "Please at least tell me it hasn't been that long!"

"I'm sorry," Seamus said quietly, hanging his head.

"You disgust me." Dean sais harshly.

Ginny squeezed Seamus' hand that still held on to her for comfort. Her own eyes were already fighting to hold in tears from this all. She couldn't believe Seamus would do this for her. She was ecstatic at first, but not any more. Not after seeing the looks on everyone's faces as they whispered with the people sitting nearest them. Everyone but the Slytherins look disgusted with them; the Slytherins just look glad to have some entertainment. Why should they be disgusted though? So what if they hid this from Dean and everyone? Most of them would have done the same thing in their situation. And they were happy together. Why should everyone else be able to ruin what was supposed to be one of the happiest times of her life? With a new resolve, Ginny turned on Dean.

"Where the hell do you get off to ruin my happiness?" she demanded.

"Are you fucking joking?" he nearly laughed. "You're going to try to turn this on me?"

"Yes I bloody well am!" she retorted hotly, her free hand going to her hip. "When I woke up this morning I was deliriously happy and so was my husband! Where do you get off ruining that? You need to get your head out of your arse and get over me. You have no chance. I love Seamus. I have since I was dating you still and you will not ruin today for me you stupid git!" The whole hall fell silent again at her outburst, anxious to hear another fight. Even Ron and the other counterparts of the trio didn't seem to want to interfere with this one.

"I'll ruin any bloody day of your life I want!" Dean bellowed. Seamus' head snapped up at his volume.

"You'll not be talking to her like that again Thomas," he said threateningly.

"Oh right, because I'm going to listen to your demands." Dean laughed humorlessly before turning back to Ginny. "Why the hell shouldn't I ruin your day?"

"Just get over it you bastard," she snapped, truly annoyed with him. "You're making a ridiculously big deal out of this."

"I'm making a big deal? You don't think I have a bloody fucking reason to make a big deal about this?"

"I told you not to talk to her like that," Seamus spoke up again while taking a threatening step towards Dean. Harry and Neville, who had released Dean, stepped slightly in front of him now as if for protection.

"You've no right to tell me what to do Finnigan. I'll talk to the bloody tramp however I want to!" Many eyes widened in unison at that. This wasn't like Dean. He was a carefree, friendly guy. No one had ever seen him worked up like this and it as a startling contrast to his normal attitude.

Seamus didn't care anymore if he was the one in the wrong. He didn't care if Dean had been his best mate for six years. He didn't care if he got a detention every day for the rest of school, or about expulsion. All he cared about was defending his wife.

He growled and made a move for Dean, satisfied as he heard the sound of his fist connecting with Dean's jaw repetitively. The Hufflepuffs quickly scrambled to pull him off, seeing as Neville and Harry each took an unfortunate hit for being in Seamus' way. He struggled against them and only calmed down when Ginny stepped forward and placed one hand on his arm and one on his cheek.

"Calm down love" she said soothingly. "Let's not make this worse then it already is."

"The bloody wanker just called you a tramp and you're telling me to calm down?" he mumbled angrily.

"Please love, just no starting fights."

Seamus sighed, to everyone's surprise. Seamus didn't get too worked up easily, but when he did no one wanted to be in his way – a few Slytherins would be the first to admit it. The fact that she had calmed him down so quickly was amazing. "Alright Princess," he told her. "I'll try, but I can't promise you. If he runs his mouth like that again there will be hell to pay."

"All I ask is for you to try," she smiled. She leaned up to kiss him and he returned it readily. After a moment he tugged his arms out of the others' slackening hold and slipped them around her waist, forgetting everyone who was staring at them.

Ron, who never did handle watching his little sister with boys well, snapped back into action. Though it was more annoyance than anger now he snapped out, "Get off my sister!"

"Ronald!" Ginny scolded, breaking away from Seamus. "He's my husband and he can kiss me if he wants to."

"Why would you do this Ginny?" Hermione asked before Ron could start a pointless argument.

"I love Seamus, Hermione," she answered easily. "He asked me to marry him and I said yes. It's that simple."

"I understand that much," Hermione nearly rolled her eyes. "Did you really have to elope though?"

"Yes," was Ginny's simple response.

"Look guys," Seamus sighed, ready to just put this all behind him, "as you've all figured out, we've been together since she broke it off with Dean. We can't help that we fell in love; it's not something anyone has control over. I asked her to marry me yesterday and she said yes. We were going to wait and have a proper wedding after she graduated, but she didn't want to have to deal with her mum's wedding plans and I just wanted to marry her whenever I could."

"Well," Hermione said carefully, "congratulations then."

"Thanks," Ginny said with relief in her voice.

"How can you show approval of this?" Dean asked harshly, his jaw having been fixed up by a Hufflepuff Healer-to-be.

"They're my friends Dean" Hermione told him, drawing herself to her full height in an effort to look confident. "They're happy."

"This is unbelievable," he grumbled.

"Dean, mate, I think it's time to stop. Arguing isn't getting you anything but pain," Neville reasoned.

With a glare to Seamus and Ginny, Dean marched out of the Great Hall, all eyes watching him leave before turning back to the married couple, not wanting to miss anything.

"Don't think this is over Finnigan," Ron warned half-heartedly. He knew he had no control over anything anymore – not like he ever really did – but he wouldn't forfeit so easily. "I'll be writing to the family about this."

"Oh I know it's not over Ron, but thanks for the heads up," Ginny said, smiling sweetly at her brother.

"I wasn't talking to you Ginny!"

"Well, you'd better clarify next time. There are two Finnigans here now," she smirked.

Ron flushed in anger before turning and following Dean's path out of the hall. Neville was the next to say something.

"I won't lie and say I'm extremely happy with either of you right now. I wish this would have all happened differently, but if you're happy who am I to argue? Congrats guys." He clapped Seamus on the shoulder and turned towards Hermione gesturing towards the doors. She nodded and they made their way out as well.

"You have a tough road ahead of you," Harry shook his head. "And so you know Seamus, Mrs. Weasley will hold over you're head the fact that she didn't get to plan a wedding." A grin crossed his face as he leaned forward a bit and quietly said, "If you need some leverage though, I happen to know she eloped too."

He turned and left in the same fashion as the others. A few of their other friends came up to tentatively congratulate them, others just throwing them nasty looks and leaving. They couldn't care less. A lot of the guys who had been asking her out shot jealous looks at Seamus. Only one didn't look upset with him; he actually looked pleased. The last person to have asked her out before she was a married woman. Tim Lucas, a well known 6th year Hufflepuff, who had been helping hold Ron and Seamus back previously. He shocked everyone in the hall, except Seamus and Ginny of course, with his reaction.

"Hey Seamus, Ginny, I thought I'd stop over real quick and say congratulations. Oh, and to say sorry about asking out your girlfriend," he said flippantly. "I obviously didn't know or I wouldn't have."

"I can't blame you Timmy, my wife's a real catch," Seamus grinned, earning a faint blush from Ginny and a chuckle from Tim.

"Welcome to the family Ginny," Tim grinned, leaning over to kiss her cheek, shocking the hall again; it wasn't a well known fact that Seamus and Tim were related. Everyone just assumed they were friends.

"Thanks, Tim. I suppose you'll have to put up with me over the holidays now."

"Bloody hell," Seamus said suddenly.

"What's wrong love?"

"You're my wife."

"Well I'm sorry if that's such a problem," Ginny said, clearly offended.

"No," he corrected hastily. "I didn't mean that. It's just that husbands and wives live together."

"Oh, I do see a problem in that," she nodded. "We'll have to move in together at one of our houses I suppose."

"Will you be moving in with me then Princess?" Seamus raised an eyebrow.

"Our mum's are going to have heart attacks love," Ginny grinned back.

"Forget his mum, Uncle Kyle is going to be going all kinds of nutty," Tim quipped.

"His dad?" she asked. "Really?"

"You've no idea Princess," Seamus shook his head. "He's always telling me how proud he'll be to see me standing at an altar, welcoming a beautiful girl to our family."

"Now that you mention it," Ginny said slowly, "my dad won't be much better. I'm his only girl; he'll probably have had his heart set on walking me down the aisle."

"Have fun telling your parents guys," Tim smirked. "I'd suggest you owl them and ask that they meet you in Hogsmeade today. It's best to tell them in person. If you just tell them via owl you'll get some nasty howlers from both your mums." They both nodded at his advice; he was right.

"Lovely idea Tim," Ginny smiled. "You'll be joining us to meet them too."

"That's what you think," he snorted. "You aren't dragging me into that mess."

"Oh come on. We need a neutral party!"

"Or rather someone on our side," Seamus corrected. "Sorry Timmy, I vote you in."

"Fine," Tim muttered. "You always have gotten me into messy situations."

Mum,

I need to tell you something; it's very urgent. Can you and Dad meet me in Hogsmeade today? Please be at the Hog's Head at three o'clock this afternoon if you can. There's more privacy there.

With love,

Ginny

Mum,

I have some news to tell you and dad both. I'll have to tell you in person though, not through a letter. I need you to meet me in Hogsmeade, at the Hog's Head, at three today. We'll need the privacy. I hope you can make it.

Please bring dad with you. He needs to hear this too.

See you soon,

Seamus