A/N: I hate to be a downer, but this is the last chapter before the epilogue! (Tear) I absolutely loved writing this story and the epilogue will explain what I am planning on doing next. Thank you so much for reading!
Who's who?
Harry placed Ginny gently down on the kitchen table after clearing it off, as it was the flattest surface in the house. Her hair draped out behind her as Harry kept his eyes on her and gave orders.
"Ron, go to the Burrow. Have Hermione take Teddy to Shell Cottage, then come here and bring your mom directly here. Ginny's going to need some help." Harry pulled up a chair, and then turned his gaze on Draco, leaning against the far wall. "Draco, what curse is she under?" Ron turned on his heels and vanished in an instant.
Draco sighed then started listing them in his head. Harry watched as Draco ticked them off with his fingers. The he looked back at Harry.
"She is under a heavy sleep spell, induced by a maximum emotion spell, with my father's signature on it. Basically, she won't wake up until either my father comes back, or she suffers from a massive emotional outburst, like a fit of anger or passion, which won't happen because she is asleep." Harry groaned and leaned back against his chair.
A sudden crack startled him, as he hadn't expected Ron back so soon. But it was just Kretcher, returning from his weekly night off. Harry waved the elderly house elf away and to bed. This was where Kretcher spent his summers, for it was when he wasn't working at Hogwarts. The house elf went willingly to bed only with Harry's promise that he would be woken if he was needed in the slightest. Harry then turned back to Ginny.
"It's funny how the decisions we make affect us so profoundly," murmured Draco, looking at his shoes. "I made the choice not to follow my father anymore and it led me to the house of Harry Potter, hoping for the good health of his fiancée. Life is funny that way." Harry grunted in agreement and stood over Ginny, taking her hand in his.
"In truth, do we really know how it will all turn out in the end?" questioned Draco. "We convince ourselves that we do, but in the end, we are only as good as our actions and one small mistake can lead to many more. Veering off course for even a moment can be a bad thing, especially in this ongoing hell of a war. Where does it end?"
"Draco, why did you come here tonight?" asked Harry.
"I no longer support my father and your side seems to be the better one," replied Draco, shrugging his shoulders.
"So what happens if their side seems to be the better one?"
Draco looked out the window. "Their side will never seem like the better one ever again because I have gotten my priorities straight and your side is the only one that fits those standards. I have no choice but to side with you if I am to even begin to follow my own ethics."
Harry nodded, now fully convinced of Draco's unyielding support. Then he thought of something.
"Draco, didn't you say she would be awoken if she felt strong feelings of passion?"
Draco nodded. Harry looked at Ginny. "I know she might not feel the same, but I feel passionate about her. It's worth a try, right?" Draco nodded seeing where Harry was going on his trail of thoughts.
Harry sighed and looked at the beautiful girl below him. He wiped a long strand of red hair from her forehead and cupped the side of her face. He then put his other hand on the nape of her neck and brought her face up to meet his. The instant their lips met, Harry felt the undeniable electricity between them ignite again. His hands softly gripped Ginny's face and pulled her closer as he felt her lips start moving beneath his. Happiness flooded out of him and he kissed her with even more enthusiasm and she kissed him back. Her arms circled his waist and pulled him close to her. Finally, they broke apart and Harry saw Ginny's bright brown eyes looking back at him. She was smiling, but her face suddenly fell and she released him. His hands fell, slowly.
"Oh no, oh no! How did I get here?" cried Ginny, sitting up on the table and getting to her feet. But her head spun as she stood up and she started to fall. Harry caught her around the waist and hauled her over to the loveseat, where she leaned against him, holding her head. She put her forehead on his shoulder and closed her eyes, wishing away the pain. "Harry, how did I get here? Where is here?"
"Ginny, this is my parents' house. Draco brought you here. He is on our side now. Tell me, how are you feeling?"
Ginny looked up into his green eyes and saw only genuine concern. Her eyes watered as she thought of how she had hurt him only hours ago by leaving him. Harry hugged her around the shoulders and she gripped his t-shirt, pulling him close.
"I'm so sorry, Harry, I just didn't know what to do. I wouldn't blame you if you never forgave me, but, if it helps, I still love you. I always have."
"I love you too, Ginny."
"And I love both of you!" cried Ron, from the corner, where Harry and Ginny were now just noticing the tiny cluster of people. Mrs. Weasley and Hermione both had tears in their eyes, but Hermione's gaze turned stony as she hit her boyfriend on the arm.
"Ronald! Leave them be!"
"I'm sorry, Hermione, but I don't want to walk in on my baby sister and my best mate cuddling by the fire!"
"Ron, just shut up," cried Hermione, pecking him softly on the lips. That shut him up efficiently. Ginny giggled and then looked to her mother. She got up slowly and went to Molly, who gave her daughter the once over before rushing over and hugging her tightly, sobbing into her shoulder. Ginny cried too, holding her mother, saying over and over again "I'm ok, Mum. It's all going to be ok." Molly hugged Harry afterwards and then let Ginny be hugged by Harry again.
"So, what date should I put on the save-the-dates? For the wedding of course!" Molly dabbed at the corners of her eyes and smiled greatly. Ginny looked at Harry, who turned and took her hands in his own. Ginny began to speak.
"Mum, I don't know. Harry and I still need to discuss even getting married." Harry stopped her with a hand and got down on one knee, in his living room, pulling from his pocket a small golden band inlaid with sparkling diamonds.
"Ginerva Molly Weasley, I love you with all my heart. I want to spend the rest of my life making you happy. Will you please agree to be my bride?" Mrs. Weasley's sobs were heard audibly while Hermione's were muffled by Ron's hugging of her. Draco smiled for the first time in a long time at the happy pair. Ginny lunged at Harry and hugged him tight as they toppled over backwards. Ginny pressed her lips firmly to Harry's.
"A hundred, thousand, million times yes!" cried Ginny, looking down at Harry. Harry smiled brightly, seeming to light up the whole room. The incandescence spread to everyone and for the first time since he defeated Voldemort 3 years ago. He was 21 now and the girl he loved was in his arms and his forever. This was now all he had to look forward to. And right now, nothing seemed better than that.
A/N: I have one final request: For you to submit a review! Please do so.... NOW!!
