Chapter 3: Some Things Never Changed

Harry slithered his arms around his wife's waist from her back, startling her. He kissed her head, tightening his hold on her. Then Ginny smiled, reciprocating his hold.

"The effect of this room in my heart is still the same as it did 19 years ago. It is like we are time-warped. Back when you turned 17 and I was just close to being 16. And tomorrow… tomorrow, you're going to leave me and never will I be sure if you can still come back to me."

"Gin…"

Ginny sniffed as quietly as she possibly can, trying her best to hold back the tears. But Harry obliged her to face him, holding her shoulders. He wiped her silent tears and kissed her forehead, leaning, one hand on her waist, the other on the side of her neck. Seeing her this vulnerable broke his heart into pieces. The horror of the war was still fresh in her. And for this, he cannot blame her. She had lost a brother, she almost lost her entire family, he left her with no choice and for a moment, she thought he was dead.

"Gin, listen to me. That won't happen again. I know I've hurt you, much more than a person can feel and in return I've hurt myself just as much for sacrificing my only hope to have what I've always dreamed of. But that's just a memory, a scar…we are together now and will be for all eternity."

She grinned over her tear-stained face. "I know. I'm sorry, Harry. I'm being silly and childish and immature and…"

Before she can finish her apology, her husband pulled her in a tight embrace, and whispered on her ear.

"Remember what Jenny told Oliver in Love Story? The film we watched on our Honeymoon in muggle France?"

"Love means never having to say you're sorry." They recited in unison, that made them both smiled, reminiscing.

"In the first place, nothing to sorry for. You are perfectly aware I have my moments too."

Ginny chuckled, leaning her head on her husband's shoulder.

"Confirm or deny, Honey. My gift on your 17th was the best gift you have ever received."

"I have no intentions on denying it my modest Queen." Harry pulled himself from their embrace and did an exaggerated curtsy, making both of them laughed. He held her hands to guide it towards his neck and his hands rested on her still slender waist, looking straight in each other's eyes, as he continued.

"It was the best gift I've ever received in my entire life in fact. So fantastic that until now, I can still sincerely remember every details of our kiss. Your blazing look… your sweet scent… your electrifying touch… your soft lips…"

"I did succeed, huh? What I did made you remember me by?"

"I didn't only remember you by. I married you and now, we already have three young ones."

"Lucky you."

With one look, with one smile, every feelings they have for each other was conveyed. Before they knew it, their lips met like it was the first time. Full of passion and love. Yes, they were indeed each other's happily ever after.

Their foreheads still closed to one another, breathing shallow breaths, Harry said, "And besides, I won't be needing anything to keep you in my heart. Your memories kept me sane. Your memories inspired me to thrive my hardest. Everything about you was my last when I knew death was already in front of me and made me come back because I felt you were waiting for me."

"I love you, Harry. And that is a pretty impressive argument."

"And I love you more, my Mrs. Potter. Some things never changed."

Their lips found each other again, gentle but more demonstrative, deep and careless. They could care less if somebody walked in on them. Just like the old times…

"Wooooo! Newly weds, Mum and Dad are already looking for you. Some things never changed. Still sneaking!"

"Ron, you're here," said Harry, blankly. It was final. No matter how much he loved his best friend, he still hated his ever perfect timing.

"I suppose you two are right. Some things never changed. Still interrupting us!"

Ron shrugged. A shrug that meant, "this is me, you don't have any choice."

Ron, of all the good qualities he has, I don't know why this should be the one her eldest son, his godson and nephew, inherited from him. A natural talent in interrupting intimate couples.

Just like the old times.


"So, Bill and his whole family may be on their way to the portkey going to France now to visit Fleur's folks?" Molly asked as if she didn't know yet and checking if the rumors were true.

"Uh-huh," Arthur answered in between his bites.

"Charlie, our dear Charlie is still in Romania. I hope he finds someone meant for him."

Her husband nodded, too drawn with the tasty meal his wife prepared.

"Percy, Audrey and the kids? In Audrey's family too. George and the children…Angelina's. What will we do if our youngest children are not here anymore?"

Molly muttered under her breath.

"Donworrymumwewontbegoinanywhere," Ron mumbled, mouthful of food, more than he can chew. Hermione groaned and was about to say something when their eldest child Rose promptly handed her father a table napkin.

"Dad, people who can see you may find your eating habit gross."

Everyone except Ron roared with laughter. He swallowed the food as soon as he can to talk more clearly.

"Can you blame me? I missed Grandmum's cooking!" After speaking to his daughter he turned to his mother. "And Mum, don't worry, we won't be going anywhere. In case you want to know, that's what I said a while ago. Oh… and all of us will be here on Christmas Day."

"Grandmum's? Even if the food was cooked by Mum or Aunt Ginny, you are always…"

"Shut it!"

"Ronald, your daughter is just stating some facts. And besides, everybody who is not blind can conclude that your eating habit is not that adorable," said Hermione, wiping Hugo's mouth.

"Fine!" surrendered Ron. He knew better than to argue with the girls of his life.

"You want more, Honey?"

"Yes, please. Maybe you can try this at home. Let's ask Kreacher to buy some of the ingredients you needed."

Harry kissed Ginny on her cheek while she served him his 2nd servings. Oblivious that they were not alone in the room.

"Newly weds, don't you think these staring and kissing in front of us aren't gross as well?"

Ginny shut a murderous glare at her brother. But to her surprise, even before she can retort…

"Uncle Ron, I've been wanting to ask you this question for ages. Mummy and Daddy have been married for 13 years, but how come you call them newly weds?" asked Lily, gazing at her uncle intently.

"Oh, that? Simple. Look at your parents, Lily," replied Ron, puppy dog eyes met his sister's deadly glare. "For your information kids, they are as sweet as that ever since they got together. They are like newly weds."

"Dad, when exactly did you and Mum get together?" asked James, taking an interest to the topic.

"Since Mum is 15 and I am 16, Jamie," answered Harry, proudly, staring at his wife for the nth time.

"Wooohhh!" The children all cheered, couldn't believe what they were hearing. The adults contented with exchanging glances.

Albus butt in too. "So it means, you've been in love for almost 20 years and you're still as enamored as ever? That is quite an accomplishment!"

"Yes, it is Allie. There is nothing to be ashamed of being in love." Ginny spoke at last. "Daddy and I are so similar we are perfect for each other. Uncle Ron and Aunt Hermione's differences made them perfect for one another. We are like this because we are Harry and Ginny and they are Ron and Hermione who wouldn't be complete if they are not bickering. There's no such thing as a perfect person but we can possibly be to fill in each other's life."

Harry held Ginny's hand and kissed the back side of it, saying, "your mother is worth all the waiting I've done. She's my dream came true." Ginny squeezed his hand in appreciation with his words.

"Waiting? It took you so long to realize Mum is the one for you and to ask her out?" James intruded once again. Evidently curious, natural for a growing up boy who was most of the time in the company of a 19 year old young man he considered as his hero.

But before Harry can answer his son's question, Ron offered to do the talking. "Because your Dad is bloody coward to ask your Mum out. We have no idea he's feeling something special for her other than brotherly affection. Then all of sudden, he shocked the whole Gryffindor house by kissing her in front of us after we have won the Quidditch Cup!"

"Wooohhh!" The children's eyes almost popped out from what they were hearing.

"You did that?" exclaimed Molly, a delayed shock on her face. Yes, she may have a clue that there was something unusual going on between her daughter and the love of her life since she was 10, but never in her imagination that the relationship started out that way.

The summer after Ginny's 5th year was one of the most crucial for them. Bill was attacked by Greyback, Dumbledore died, and the girl who used to light up every room she has been in, rarely smiled and talked. And when she smiled, it was hardly genuine, when she talked, more than just a whisper, solemn and dull. It was as if pain was written all over her face. As if what her heart was feeling can be conveyed in every expressions and movements. To someone who has a personality like Ginny, it was impossible not to notice anything far from the ordinary. She need not speak what she was feeling. Her family knew, her mother knew.

And then Harry came home. The boy was like a son to her. He may not be keen on speaking his heart, but the years she had known him, it was confirmed that her hunches were true.

Harry and Ginny were in love. And in no time, they will be with each other again. To get married, to give her grandbabies and to live a peaceful, fulfilled and happy life.

Her granddaughter's voice woke her up from her shock that lead her to reminisce what they've been through, realizing she had just asked her daughter about that matter, waiting for her response.

"Uncle Ron, you said to me about…" Lily tapped her pointing finger to her chin, analyzing, like what she loved to do the most, "a few months back, that you and Aunt Hermione got together when you're 18. So it means, Daddy and Mummy went out first?"

"Fantastic. You are not my daughter for nothing," Ginny said, preparing to put her brother on his place. Her girl made it easier for her vengeance. She gave Lily a kiss on her forehead before resuming. "Coward, huh? You call Harry's worries to ask me out because he valued his friendship with you, cowardice? Then what can you call yourself, being in love with Hermione since your 2nd year but just finally made a move after 5 long years? Or is it the other way around?"

Everyone except the man in question laughed so hard, the Burrow almost collapsed, mischievous glint, still in Ginny's eyes.

"Rose Hermione Weasley! You're actually laughing with them!" Ron scolded his daughter, expecting she was logical enough not to make fun of her father.

"Daddy, it's funny! It's impossible not to laugh! Right, Mum?"

"Too right you are, Rosie!"

"Ronald Hugo…" this time, he sought for his son's support but he too was busy laughing behind his food.

"I cannot believe this, my own family is ganging up on me!"

"Ron, we're just having fun! Don't be too softy!" Arthur said to his youngest son, amused on his daughter's ability to maneuver conversations in her favor. This is actually a talent. I know my little girl so well but until now, I am still amazed with her extraordinary abilities. My witty Princess.

"Too much fun," Ron murmured, talking to himself more, temper on a high level.

"This is what you call, 'a taste of your own medicine,' brother dearest," shot Ginny, reaching out to pat her brother's cheek.

"I love you, Gin. I told you, Mate, don't ever spark your sister's temper."

"I love you back, Harry," she said, wrapping both her arms around Harry's waist.

"By the way, before I forgot, you two…" Molly Weasley pin pointing Harry and Ginny with her pouting lips, "did you really kiss in front of the whole Gryffindor house?"

"Come on , Mum! 20 years!"