A LONG LOST FOE

I'm soooo sorry for the long wait, guys! I've been really busy with school this year. I miss writing this story and I'll try to be better at updating. So, here it is. I hope you enjoy! :)

I was utterly speechless. That was the last thing I thought would come out of Harry's mouth at that moment, but I certainly wasn't complaining. In fact, I was overjoyed. It all seemed so surreal, like none of it was even happening. I had to be dreaming. I envisioned this moment lots of times in my head, but none of them were as great as this.

Harry was looking at me, awaiting me answer anxiously. I wouldn't make him wait any longer, so without another thought, I attacked him with a tight hug and just about screamed, "Yes!"

"Yes," Harry repeated my response as if it was hard for him to register. "You said yes!"

I could feel his arms relax around me, no longer having to be nervous. He kissed me slowly and tenderly. I brought my arms around his neck, pulling him closer to me. There were no words for how I felt right now. I didn't care if I was only eighteen. That didn't matter. Harry and I had been through so much together, even when we were just friends. I could recall every moment that I shared with him, when it was just the two of us. I remembered those peaceful, calm afternoons by the Black Lake. The first of those was after he kissed me. I remembered how I thought my mind was playing tricks on me. I never thought that Harry would reciprocate my feelings for him, but here we stood. Only this time, I wasn't going to let him go no matter what.

I heard a giggle from behind me, bringing me back to reality. I pulled away from Harry and turned around to see Ellie looking at us with a wicked grin plastered on her face.

"Ellie…" I said, smiling awkwardly. This was a little humiliating, having your new adopted daughter watch her parents stuck to each other like glue. I definitely wouldn't want that to be my first memory in a new family. I felt my face slowly turn red. I knew Harry caught it as well because he was smirking at me. "We were just…"

"It's okay," she interrupted, still grinning and looking from me to Harry. "So, my parents are getting married?" she asked, excitedly. Of course she overheard that. I wasn't exactly keeping it quiet when I told Harry my answer.

"Yes, they are," Harry replied, grinning just as wide as she was. Ellie squealed with happiness and hugged as both.

"I'm so happy for you!" she exclaimed. I smiled, hugging her back. This felt nice, just the three of us together. I couldn't picture anything more perfect than this.

-o-o-o-

"So, which one do you like?" Hermione asked. To be honest, I never liked planning for these types of things. But the fact that this was my own wedding with the man of my dreams changed all of that. I observed the dresses hanging in front of me. Carefully, I took the long skirt of the dress that was the farthest to the right in my hands. It was white, like every other classic wedding gown, but it was simple and gorgeous. I knew that this had to be the one. I could already see myself wearing it, walking down the aisle.

"This is it," I say to her before removing the dress from the hangar. Hermione smiled, seeming to like my decision.

"It's lovely, Ginny," she said thoughtfully.

"Thanks," I smiled as we walked over to the counter, where the owner of the shop, Madam Malkin, was standing. I put the dress down gently, not wanting to ruin it before I even got the chance to wear it.

"Great choice. That's a very popular dress," she told me, offering me a kind smile to which I returned.

"I can see why. It's beautiful. Did you design it yourself?"

"Yes, it's an original. Thank you," she smiled and prepared the dress for me to take home. "That will be 10 galleons and 2 sickles, please."

I reached into my bag to take out my money, but Hermione stopped me.

"Ginny, the bride shouldn't have to buy her own wedding dress," she insisted as she took out her own pouch of coins.

I looked at her skeptically. "Hermione, you can't just-"

"I've got it, Ginny. It's fine," she smiled and placed the money on the table. Madam Malkin smiled graciously and handed me the dress. Feeling ashamed, Hermione and I left the store. I never liked people doing things for me, especially when it clearly should have been me doing it. It was my wedding after all. I'm sure Hermione bought her own dress, so it seemed only fair that I should've bought my own.

Voicing my thoughts, I said, "You know you really didn't have to do that, Hermione."

She looked at me and laughed. "But I wanted to." Instead of protesting, I stayed silent. There was no point in getting into an argument about something that was already over and done with. All I could think about now was the wedding. I was never this nervous in my whole life about anything. Just anticipating the event created butterflies in my stomach, but at the same time, it was exhilarating. If I had all these emotions creeping up on me now, then I couldn't wait for the day of the wedding. I knew it would only get worse the closer it came.

Hermione appeared to have noticed my anxiety because she wore a look of understanding as she spoke. "Nervous, aren't you?"

All I could manage was a brusque nod of the head. What if Harry changed his mind? Maybe he was overthinking the whole thing and he would realize it just as we said our vows. I dismissed my thoughts before they completely immersed me. I was never this tense before, and believe me, that was saying a lot.

"You know you can tell me anything, Ginny," she reminded me.

I looked at her, knowing she was right. If anyone knew anything about this it was Hermione. Not only was she the smartest girl I knew, but she was getting married soon as well.

I sighed. "I know, I'm sorry. It's just that this whole thing…What if he changes his mind?"

"He's not going to change his mind, Ginny. Harry isn't one of those guys and you should know that."

She was right again. No surprise there. Harry wouldn't do something like that so I let that thought pass away, leaving more room for the other hundreds of worries I had wandering through my head. "So, you're experiencing this to?"

"Absolutely," she assured me. "Ask any bride-to-be and they will say the exact same thing."

"I'd be pretty nervous if I was getting married to Ron," I laughed.

She laughed with me. "Well, it's pretty busy planning the wedding on my own. Ron puts in no effort whatsoever."

"Don't you have someone to help you?" I asked, then quickly recalled that her and Ron were having a private wedding. It was just going to be the two of them, which was very different from what Harry and me were planning ours to be.

"Well, my mom has been helping me some," she confessed. "But mostly it's been me and my fiancé when he feels like being not so careless."

I snorted with amusement. Ron was always lazy even when it came to the most vital things. He couldn't even get off his butt to help with the most important day of his life. To be honest, I wished that I could go to their wedding. I'm sure Hermione was putting a lot of work into it, so it seemed unfair that it was only the two of them to witness it.

"Speaking of Ron, I better go. We're supposed to be going on a date soon," Hermione said.

"Well, have fun with that," I laughed. "Thanks for the help with the dress, by the way."

"No problem, Ginger," she smiled and we said goodbye before she disapparated.

-o-o-o-

Harry and I were sitting under the stars without a care in the world. Well, besides everything that has been stuck in my head for the past few months. All this planning was starting to make me feel drowsier and it was all that I thought about now. Cake. Decorations. Flowers. Everything. It all was giving me one giant headache, but I guess you could say it would be worth it in the end. As I turned over to face Harry, I felt his lips on mine in an instant. I kissed him passionately, placing my hands on either side of his face, pulling him toward me. His hands slid down to my hips and the kiss lasted for several minutes. Reluctantly, I pulled away for air, but his lips wandered down to my neck. I watched him, smiling.

He let his lips linger on my collarbone for a little longer before saying, "I think we have everything planned, don't you?"

My skin was tingling as I felt his breath on my neck. He really had a way of making me forget everything. "Yes, I think so."

Harry smiled, his lips brushing my jawbone now. I knew he loved the effect he had on me. So now you know, Harry Potter is not the most modest person you will ever meet, but then again neither was I. It was my turn now. I sensed him pulling away when I began to kiss down the left side of his neck, slowly. I smiled against his skin. He was shaking when he went over the details for the wedding.

"So, Ron will be the best man, Jenny will be the maid of honor, Ellie will be the flower girl…" he trailed off when I found my way to his lips.

"I think everything's done, Harry," I said, wrapping my arms around him.

"I think so, too," he agreed and smiled down at me as I laid my head on his chest.

Everything was calm and quiet while we sat there in each other's arms. At least, that's what I thought. When I lifted my head back up, I noticed something on the other side of the clearing. Well not something, but someone. Squinting my eyes, I tried to get a better look. I could tell that he knew I was watching him because he hid behind one of the tall, oak tress at the edge of the woods.

"What's wrong, Gin Gin?" Harry asked, finally realizing what I was doing.

I kept my eyes on the tree for any sudden movements- or just any movement at all- but everything was still. He couldn't have left. I was watching him the whole time. Unless it was a wizard, of course. Then he could've easily disapparated. But for some reason, I felt like he was still there, watching us.

"Gin, you're starting to scare me. Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, really," I replied, never taking my eyes off the tree.

"Ginny, look at me," Harry gently pulled my head toward his so that I was now facing him. And sure enough, that's all that had to happen. The unwanted visitor was running away quickly, but not quick enough. I had just enough time to catch a glimpse of his blonde hair before he vanished from sight and that's all I needed to see to know just who it was.

Malfoy.

Well, that's it for this chapter. What do you guys think Malfoy was doing there? Spying? Just passing by? (I highly doubt that one.) Please review and tell me what you think! I hope you all enjoyed it! :) I'll try to update on the weekend, but no promises.