Once again: a huge thank-you to mew-tsubaki for the brilliant beta work!

Saturday

Harry was making breakfast the next morning, when Hermione arrived. He knew that Hermione was going to start questioning him, seeing that they were alone, so he braced himself for the inquisition.

"Are you sure this is a good idea?" asked Hermione.

"Straight to the point, eh?" said Harry. "Yes, I do."

"But, what about..."

"Look, Hermione," interrupted Harry. "If Ginny is okay with this, and I'm okay with this, you shouldn't be worried. Let us do what we think is right, okay?"

Hermione stared at him for a while and then shrugged. "Okay," she said quietly.

"Wow, that wasn't as much of a fight as I'd imagined you'd put up," said Harry.

"Well, honestly, there's nothing else we can do. I'd much rather see Ginny and you together, than her having to live with Zacharias Smith."

"Me too," said Ginny from the doorway.

"Morning, Ginny," said Harry. "Sleep okay?"

"Good morning, you two. Yeah, I slept better than expected," replied Ginny.

Harry took a deep breath and looked directly at Ginny. "Do you still want to do this today?" he asked.

"Yes," she said staring back at him. "Do you?"

"Yes," he replied, still staring at her.

"All right, we better get ready then," she said.

"Good. Breakfast first. Hermione, do you want some?" asked Harry.

"Yes, please. I haven't had anything yet. Ron said he'd be here soon, too."

"So, I better put some more on then," joked Harry.

Just as they sat down to eat Ron arrived, sniffing with approval.

"Excellent. Breakfast. I'm starved," he said.

"You're always hungry. You'd eat all day, every day, if you could," said Hermione.

"Good thing I cooked more, then," said Harry.

Ron joined them at the table and they started to discuss their plans for the day.

"I found someone who can do the service for you," started Hermione. "He works in the law office with me and will be discreet."

"Excellent, thanks, Hermione," said Harry.

"He'll meet us at three in my office and we can go wherever you like from there," she continued.

"I've booked a couple of rooms in a Muggle hotel, up near the Lakes for tonight," said Ron.

"Oooh, the one we went to last year?" asked Hermione. "That was lovely; very peaceful and quiet."

"It had a great restaurant, too," said Ron.

"You would think of that," Ginny said.

"Well it was!" exclaimed Ron.

"Would there be anywhere near there, where we could have the service?" asked Ginny. "I really don't want to get married in the Ministry of Magic."

"There were some nice gardens, would that be okay?" asked Hermione.

"That will be fine," said Ginny. "I just need to get something to wear. What about you lot?"

"I've got new suit that I haven't had to wear yet. That should do me," said Harry.

"I've got a dress I can wear, and Ron's got a suit, too, so we should be fine. I can go with you and help, if you like, Ginny?" said Hermione.

"Thanks. That would be good. What do you two have to do?" asked Ginny.

"Well, I need to go to my vault, so I'll have to head into Diagon Alley," said Harry.

"I might go and see Mum and Dad, and tell them that we're organising something and not to worry," said Ron.

"Good idea, though, you might not want to tell them what it is just yet. They'll probably still be a little upset. We'll tell them tomorrow," said Ginny.

"Are you sure?" asked Ron.

"Yes, they'll just stop us and try to look for another way, which won't appear, so I'd end up having to be with Zacharias Smith," said Ginny. "We'll let them know when we're done."

Hermione and Ginny disappeared to the shops as soon as breakfast was finished. Harry quickly cleaned up and got ready to head to Diagon Alley.

"I won't be that long. Do you want to meet back here just before one? That should give us time to pack and get organised," said Harry.

"Yeah, I'll see you then," replied Ron.

"Good luck with your mum and dad," said Harry.

"It'll be fine," said Ron. "By the way, mate, thanks for doing this. I've been thinking and I'd rather see Ginny have a chance at being happy, and I know you'll be good to her. Just promise me one thing: no more dates with other women, please?"

"I promise. I'll look after her and there will be no more dates with other women."

Harry and Ron headed off individually to their separate destinations. Harry quickly went to Gringotts and collected some Muggle money, as well as some Galleons. He also found his mother's engagement ring, and both his parent's wedding rings. After leaving the bank he headed back to his flat and started packing for the night.

He was feeling quite strange. He could not quite believe that he would be marrying the girl that he had loved for years. It was just a shame that it was because of necessity, rather than being something they both really wanted. Hopefully they would be happy together.

-H&G-

Ginny returned to Harry's flat at half past eleven. Harry had finished his packing by then and was sitting at the table when she walked in.

"Did you find something?"

"Yes. It wasn't that hard, actually. I found a lovely dress in the first shop we went to, and then I found shoes to match in a shop nearby. So I think I have everything ready to wear."

"I think you might be missing one thing."

"Really? What?"

Harry took a deep breath and brought his mother's engagement ring out of his pocket. He held it up for her to see.

"This."

"Oh, Harry! It's beautiful."

"It was my mum's. I want you to have it."

"Are you sure? Surely this should be for the woman that you're madly in love with."

"Gin, I want you to have it," he said, looking straight into her chocolate coloured eyes.

"Okay then," she replied quietly, holding his gaze.

Harry slipped it on her finger and she held her hand up to examine it.

"I also have my parent's wedding rings here. Would you like to use those, or would you prefer to go and get something new?"

"Do you want to use them?"

"I honestly don't mind. If you feel weird about it, we don't have to."

Ginny took a moment to answer.

"Let's use them. They were happy together. Hopefully that will be a good omen for us using them."

Harry smiled at her words. What a lovely thing to say.

"All right then. I guess we're organised."

-H&G-

Hermione and Ron arrived back at Harry's flat, with their overnight bags, at half past twelve.

"I told Thomas that I would collect him at three, and take him up to the hotel. That gives us time to go there now and get ready," said Hermione.

The four of them Apparated to a quiet spot, just outside of the hotel. Once they had checked in, Harry and Ron went to one room to get ready, while Ginny joined Hermione in the other.

Harry showered and dressed reasonably quickly. He sat down and watched the television while Ron took ages in the shower. Ron eventually finished dressing, and joined him in front of the television to watch a game of football. Harry tried to explain the rules to Ron as the game progressed. Ron was not overly impressed that there was only one goal so far. He said that the lack of scoring made it dull.

Just before three o'clock, Hermione appeared at their door to let them know that she was about to go and collect Thomas. Harry decided that he and Ron would head down to the lakeside to find a quiet spot. Hermione said she would collect Ginny when she returned and bring her down.

-H&G-

Harry turned towards the hotel. Ginny and Hermione were walking down the stone pathway, past the colourful garden beds and flowering shrubs. Harry could feel his heart hammering away in his chest. Ginny took his breath away. She was dressed simply, yet elegantly in a white shift dress that hugged her curves. Her hair was pulled back from her face with blue, glittery clips, and it fell in waves down her back. What really finished her appearance was the radiant look on her face, as she walked along chatting to Hermione.

Just then, she noticed he was staring at her, and gave him a cheeky smile and a wink. Merlin, what had he gotten himself into? Would he be able to get through this without collapsing at her feet or blurting out his feelings to her?

"You all right there, mate?" asked Ron.

"Um, yeah."

"You sure you want to marry my sister?"

"Yeah, I do."

"What's wrong then? You look a little out of sorts."

"Nothing's wrong. I was just watching Ginny. She looks great."

"I guess she scrubs up okay."

"Mmm. She's gorgeous."

"I just see my annoying little sister, though she is dressed a lot nicer than usual."

Harry was saved from saying any more by the arrival of Ginny, Hermione, and a man, who was most likely Hermione's co-worker, Thomas.

The ceremony was short and to the point. They said their vows and exchanged rings, before signing the official paperwork for the Ministry. After that, Thomas announced them as Mr. and Mrs. Potter and told Harry he could kiss his bride. He leaned down, intending to brush his lips briefly against Ginny's. Once his lips had touched hers, he did not want to pull away. He hugged her closer to him and kept kissing her. Ginny's hands travelled up his arms to cradle his face and she returned his kiss. It was only the flash from a camera that brought him back to reality. He looked around and saw Ron with a camera and Hermione smirking at them. Thank Merlin it was not a reporter from The Daily Prophet or Witch Weekly.

"I thought we should take some pictures of this. Mum will ask for them, you know," said Ron.

Harry stood with Ginny as Ron took photo after photo. He was rapidly getting sick and tired of smiling. Apparently, so was Ginny.

"Ronald. That's it. We've had enough. You've got enough," she snapped.

"Yeah, thanks, mate," said Harry calmly, trying to keep the peace.

"You know, Ronald, we should let Harry and Ginny have some time together," said Hermione from a bench nearby, where she had been sitting talking with Thomas. "I'm sure they have lots they would like to talk about."

Harry looked at Hermione. She was smirking at them again. It was that I know something important smirk that she often had at school. What is she up to? He decided to go along with her suggestion. It would not be a hardship to spend time with Ginny, after all.

"Ah, sure. That might be nice," he said. "Do you want to go for a walk, Ginny?"

"Okay," she replied.

"Good," said Hermione. "We'll see you later up at the hotel." With that she gestured to Ron and Thomas to follow her, leaving Harry and Ginny by themselves. Harry reached for Ginny's hand and they started walking slowly down a nearby path.

-H&G-

Harry and Ginny walked hand in hand through the extensive gardens, down towards the small lake. At the lake edge, they both stopped and looked quietly across the lake. Ginny was the first to break the silence.

"Harry, are you going to tell me why you have given up everything for me?"

"I haven't given up everything," he said turning to look down at her.

"But, all the women you were pictured with..."

"Ginny, I know you probably won't believe this, but my social life is nothing like it's made out to be."

"So what do you do with your time?"

"I work, listen to Quidditch, and sometimes go to Quidditch, by myself. I see Ron and Hermione. I visit Teddy ... really, that's about it."

"So all of the witches you are pictured with ..."

"Ginny, please believe me about this. Ron and Hermione don't, and I can't convince them. I get invited to lots of Ministry events, and I tend to leave finding a date to the last possible moment, in the hope that I'll be on a mission and won't have to go at all. I usually end up asking someone the day before. When I'm there, I only stay for the shortest time possible and I usually leave without my date."

"Why don't you go alone?"

"I did the first time and got a stern talking to about my responsibilities and Ministry expectations."

"What?"

"Yeah! I said I'd be quite happy not to attend, but that didn't go down well, either."

"So why didn't you take someone who you liked, you know, as a friend?"

Harry took a deep breath before he decided to go on. "Because the only woman I really wanted to take wasn't available."

"Oh."

Harry took Ginny's hand again and they started walking back towards the hotel. Harry could feel Ginny looking at him regularly.

"So... all of them have just been ... um ... eye candy?"

Harry laughed. "Eye candy ... where did you hear that one?"

"I'm not sure, but I like it!"

"Honestly, after the war was over and things had settled down a bit, I did date a few witches. Not many, but a few."

"What happened?"

"They just didn't work out. I soon realised that I was just trying to find girls to distract me."

"From what?"

"Um, from the fact that I couldn't be with the girl I really wanted. I went out with girls who were totally different from her, and it really was never going to be good. They were all pretty much airheads."

"So, there was someone you really liked?"

"Yeah. Very much."

"Still?"

"Yeah."

"So why, in the name of Merlin, did you suggest this then? Why marry me, you great prat?"

"Look, it's not an issue."

"Yes it is. Do I know her?"

"Uh, yeah, you do."

Harry watched Ginny as she mentally scrolled through the names of whom she thought it might be.

"It's not ... er ... not Hermione, is it?"

"NO! Merlin, no. She's like a sister to me."

"Hannah?"

"No."

"Susan?"

"No."

"Angelina?"

"No."

"Luna?"

"No."

"Malfoy?"

"WHAT? Ginny, come on."

"Who, then?"

"You really want to know?"

"Yes."

"You sure?"

"Yes. I do."

Harry took a deep breath and waited a little while before he quietly spoke. As he spoke, he looked down through his eyelashes at her to see her reaction.

"You."

Harry watched Ginny's face, as what he said sank in. She looked up at him, shocked.

"What?"

"You."

"Me? Since when?"

"Um, I first realised that I fancied you in my sixth year."

"WHAT?" Ginny yelled. "Why didn't you say anything?"

"Well, you were going out with Dean, then Dumbledore died and I had to go away hunting horcruxes. After the final battle, I thought about it, but everyone was upset about Fred and everyone else, and then you went back to school and started dating what's his name ..."

"Alistair."

"Yeah, him."

"That wasn't long or serious."

"I know, but you were away at school. I was going to say something once you had finished school, but I had to go on that mission and when I came back you were back together with Dean. I didn't even know that you two had broken up until yesterday. Ginny, I could never have said anything to you while you were going out with someone else. That wouldn't have been fair."

"So you've fancied me for nearly four years? Does anyone else know?"

"I don't think so."

"I can't believe you never said anything. I didn't have a clue. Is that why you've avoided being at the Burrow?"

"Yeah. It was a little difficult seeing you and Dean together, so I tended to avoid being there when I could."

They had reached the hotel by this stage. Ginny was looking up at him with a gleam in her eye. Harry could feel his heart beating faster just from the look she now had. She reached out and laced her fingers through his and started walking inside and towards their room, pulling him along behind her. He really wished that he had mastered Legilimancy, as he would have loved to know what she was thinking, right at that moment. Once they were inside their room, she turned towards him.

"You know, if you had said something to me, I probably would have dumped Dean on the spot."

"What?" Harry was amazed.

"Well, you remember that I had a crush on you when we first met, don't you?"

Harry all too well remembered the elbow in the butter and the way Ginny was too embarrassed to talk to him. At the time, he had found it embarrassing, but years later he thought she was very cute at that stage.

"Sure I do, but you got over that. Hermione told me that you got over me and moved on."

"I wouldn't say that I got over you. I knew you would never notice me, so I decided to live my life and not be weighed down by a crush. So, I started going out with some boys who were nice and it helped. You and I became friends and that was good. I was so happy to be your friend. It was much better having you in my life as a friend than nothing. So I went out with Michael, Dean and Alistair. They were lovely boys, but they weren't the one."

Harry had been watching Ginny's face as she was telling him this. She looked like the young girl he saved from the Chamber, very unsure of herself and nervous-looking. He saw her take a deep breath and square her shoulders, before she looked into his eyes, continuing her story.

"Deep down inside, my feelings were basically the same. It just wasn't a crush anymore. I've always been attracted to you."

"Gin, you don't have to say this to make me feel better."

"I know. I'm not. I thought seeing that you'd come clean, it would be the best time for me to say something, too."

"So, you have feelings for me, too?" Harry asked quietly.

"Yes. I always have. I just chose to hide them for a while. It helped me grow up, especially in your eyes, I think. If I had kept on acting like I did when I was eleven, there's no way we would have even become friends."

"I don't know. You were pretty cute when you were eleven," teased Harry.

"Merlin! That's just plain embarrassing," she groaned, looking down to the floor. A moment later she quickly looked up with a slightly angry look. "Hey, what do you mean I was cute? So, I'm not cute any more then, hey Potter?"

"Ginny, you're not just cute. I think you are so beautiful. I have for a long time."

They both stood looking at each other. Then, almost as if they had both agreed on it, they moved towards each other, wrapping their arms around each other. Their mouths came together in a tender kiss. Harry moved a hand to the back of her head and ran his fingers through her glorious hair. Ginny's arms stayed around him tightly, holding him close. Very quickly, the kiss started to deepen, with their mouths opening and their tongues playing together. Her hands moved over his back, across his hips and settled on his backside. Harry groaned and started exploring her back with his own hands.

Just then, there was a quick knock on the door. Before they could move or say anything, the door opened to reveal Ron with a shocked look on his face. Hermione was coming down the hallway with a typically annoyed look on her face.

"Ronald, I told you not to disturb them," Hermione said firmly.

Harry still had his arms around Ginny, holding her close. He could feel her tense in his arms.

"You wanted something, Ron?" asked Ginny.

Ron was looking very uncomfortable, standing at the doorway scratching his chin. "Um ... yeah ... sorry. I didn't think you'd be ... um ... "

"No, you don't tend to think, do you?" replied Ginny.

"What's up, mate?" asked Harry. He wasn't too upset with Ron. He would not have minded if he and Ginny were still snogging. Though, it probably was a good thing that they were interrupted before things went too far, too fast.

"We're heading down for dinner. I thought you may want to join us," replied Ron.

Harry looked down at Ginny, who was still in his arms. She was looking right back up at him and nodded.

"Yeah, mate. We'll be down shortly," said Harry.

Ron looked at them questioningly for a while, and when neither Harry nor Ginny moved, he shrugged, turned around and walked out of the door. He was followed down the hall by Hermione.

"I guess we should head down," said Harry.

"Mmm. I am hungry. There's no rush, though. I'm sure hanging around here a little longer will annoy Ron a bit more, which is always a good thing."

"Why do you want to annoy Ron?"

"He barged in here. So I want him to imagine all the things that could be going on up here, while he's waiting."

"You're cruel."

"Only to my brothers when they annoy me."

"Remind me to not get on your bad side," said Harry. "So how long are we making him wait?"

"Ten minutes or so should be enough," stated Ginny. "I'll just go and freshen up a little."

Before she could walk away from him, Harry pulled her against him again and lowered his mouth to meet hers. The kiss was brief, yet passionate.

"I thought we might as well do something that Ron could be imagining us doing!" Harry said.

Ginny chuckled as she walked into their bathroom.

Fifteen minutes later, he and Ginny met Ron and Hermione in the bar. Hermione handed Ginny and then Harry a glass of champagne.

"About time," muttered Ron. "We've been waiting for you two so we can get started."

"Congratulations," said Hermione, raising her own glass.

"Yeah. Congratulations," said Ron. "We hope everything goes well for you two."

-H&G-

Harry enjoyed the relaxed dinner with Ginny, Ron and Hermione. The hotel had presented them with a bottle of champagne and a small cake to help them celebrate their special day. After dinner, they headed back into the bar and shared a few more drinks. Ginny had even managed to drag him up onto the dance floor. He had to admit that he thoroughly enjoyed holding her in his arms as they swayed together to the music. He was even able to press a few kisses onto her forehead as they danced. In return, Ginny had gently kissed his neck and shoulder.

They headed back up to their room late in the evening and said goodnight to Ron and Hermione, as they disappeared into their room. Harry suddenly felt nervous. He was not really sure what to expect for the rest of the night. They had not had much of a chance to talk, since they had returned from the garden earlier. He had no idea what Ginny was thinking or what she wanted to happen. They really, really needed to talk. As soon as he had closed the door to their room, he turned towards his new wife.

"Ginny, we need to talk about some things."

"Yeah, I guess we do. We didn't get a chance to talk about what comes next, did we?"

"No, we didn't, and to be honest I'm feeling a little confused and nervous right about now."

"Really?"

"Erm, well yeah. We got married today, but not for the usual reasons. Then, after we got married, you weaselled out of me that I've had feelings for you for a while, and then you tell me that you're attracted to me. Next, we have that awesome kiss, which was rudely interrupted by Ron. And, up until now we've been with Ron and Hermione, so we didn't get the chance to talk. When we came upstairs just now, I just didn't know what … oh Merlin … this is just weird," he said, gesturing awkwardly with his hands.

"It doesn't have to be weird, you know," Ginny said softly.

"I thought it'd be easy enough before I told you how I felt. I was going to be a perfect gentleman and just let you take the bed for the night and give you lots of space to do what you want."

Ginny chuckled and pulled a face at him.

"What?" he asked.

"The papers would have a field day with that bit of news. Harry Potter, the perfect gentlemen," she said laughing.

"Oh, shut it, you."

"Okay. I can understand why you're feeling weird. It is a strange situation. Any normal couple would be in bed by now on their wedding night."

"Yeah, but I don't want to force you or rush into anything. We're going to be together every day for a long time. I don't want to do anything to jeopardise our friendship."

"I understand that Harry. I don't want to muck this up either."

"So what should we do?"

"Well… why don't we just do what we're both comfortable with? If either of us is uncomfortable with something, then we tell the other one and we don't do it."

"I suppose that could work. We'd have to be totally honest with each other."

Ginny walked over so that she was standing right in front of him staring into his eyes.

"I promise I will be totally honest with you," she said.

"And I'll be perfectly honest with you, too," he replied.

"Well, good."

Harry and Ginny stood in the middle of their room looking at each other. Ginny eventually broke the silence by yawning.

"Right," Harry said. "Bed for you."

"That's a good idea, but I really don't expect you to be gentlemanly. You have to join me."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"Okay, then. It's probably just as well. That sofa is tiny."