Chapter 9: To Meet the Future

Christmas morning, the Weasleys were stunned to find a large pile of new presents underneath their tree.

"I take it those are from Delian," Ron assumed, immediately going over to the pile. The others hesitantly followed and soon they each had a present.

As Ron opened his seemingly empty box, a note fell out.

"Say 'Enlargo'."

He did as he was told and yelped as the box exploded apart and Ron found himself holding a life-size, honest-to-goodness Firebolt.

"Oh my…Ron…" Molly gasped, knowing how much her son had wanted one of these, but could never even dream of affording it. Ron's head was bent over his new broom, and everyone knew he wasn't examining it. Ginny even thought she saw a tear fall onto the handle, but said nothing about it. Quickly, the others began unwrapping their presents.

Mr. Weasley received a number of books on the workings of muggle objects such as TV's and computers, which he set about reading right away. Mrs. Weasley received a tiny figurine of a house elf that got bigger and came to life when you pointed your wand at it, to help her around the house. Delighted, she pointed her wand at it and immediately began asking it questions about itself.

Bill was presented with a guide to ancient curse breaking techniques that worked better than the present day's. Fleur received a veela-made visual bubble that would expand and show you anything you wished to see. She immediately took the opportunity to look in on her old friend Ceres and her new son.

Charlie was thrilled when he opened his box to find a very alive, tiny, silver winged dragon that looked similar to a snake, except it had four perfect little legs. The note that came with it told him that it was a Corion Dragon, a very rare beast that was only found in the depths of Dwarven diamond mines. Tonks was ecstatic about her new hair-styling books and set about changing her image several new ways.

Percy received quite a few books on wizard politics and the ministry. Fred and George were thrown into crows of delight when their box opened to reveal many vials of very hard to come by ingredients that could be used in their pranks.

Everyone soon realized that Ginny had yet to open her gift, which was in a rather large box.

"Open it, Gin!" Ron urged, moving forward eagerly. Ginny smiled weakly, almost afraid to. Harry had thrown her many hints as to what this gift was during the previous part of the school-year, and she was hesitant to open something that might attack her if she did.

With a sigh, she gingerly lifted the lid of the box and flinched as she waited for something to happen. Nothing did. A little more confident, she peered over the edge of the box and a startled yelp left her lips.

Inside was a tiny creature unlike any she had seen before. It had the body and head of a cat, it's ears were like a rabbit's and it's tail was like a cat's except it came to a point at the end. It's fur was so white it looked almost purple, and the very tips of it's tail, feet and ears were a pastel purple. It had a diamond-shaped patch of fur on it's forehead that was blue, and it's eyes were a metallic blue-purple color. All-in-all it was a stunning animal.

"Ginny…that's a Daisher," Bill breathed, his eyes glued to the animal. Ginny looked up and frowned.

"A what?"

"A Daisher. Most people believe them to be things of legend because they are so rare and pretty much impossible to find. No one knows what their origin is, but I read somewhere that when they are given as a gift, they bond to the recipient of that gift for life."

Ginny stared down at the animal, and then carefully put a hand into the box for it to sniff. The Daisher then looked up at her and emitted a high-pitched whistle, before pushing its head affectionately against her hand. Ginny smiled and stroked its ears, watching as its eyes closed in pleasure.

"Its fur is so soft…like silk!" She announced, gently lifting the creature from the box. It had been sitting on a piece of paper that Ginny immediately snatched up and began to read.

Dear Ginny,

I hope that you enjoy your gift. She is a Daisher, a creature that is very rare where you live, but very common to my people. They are protectors of the Elves and companions to the other inhabitants here. I have one myself, and I will introduce him to you when you come.

As you know, yours is a girl. She is a baby, only a few moon-turns old, and her name is Jade (funny, I know). She will be your constant companion from now on, and will protect you if you ever need it. She eats plants and meat (if it is cooked), and she is partial to carrots.

I do hope that you like her. She is the mate of my Daisher, Kuro (For some odd reason, Daishers know who their mates are at the time of birth, unlike humans). I also hope that your family likes their presents. I knew that Ron wanted a new broom, and Charlie has always liked dragons. I received this one from a Dwarf-Lord who breeds them. There are several at our palace, and one that has taken a liking to me, whom you'll meet as well. I guessed on all the others, so I hope I got them right!

I have to sign off, now, but I will be there in a few days to pick you up.

I love you, my Ginevra.

Yours forever,

Delian

The Weasley's took every opportunity to enjoy their gifts that week.

Ron insisted on gathering his siblings for several brutal games of Quidditch so he could break in his new broom. Percy buried himself in his old room, reading his books with vigor. The twins locked themselves away in their room, inventing new pranks that would make their new product line a success.

Bill practiced some of the ancient spells on his father's many muggle locks (the ones that had keys, of course). He would curse the locks and then use the new spells to fix them. Fleur discovered that the bubble also worked as a communicator and managed to have several long conversations with a delighted Ceres on the other end. Charlie got to know his new dragon whom he named "Sickle", and Tonks could be seen with a new hair style every hour.

Ginny had gotten used to having Jade follow her around everywhere she went, except when the creature decided to take a nap. She enjoyed having the Daisher's warm, comforting body pressed up against her back at night, the time when she missed Delian the most. During the day her attention was taken up by her family, but at night, her mind always drifted back to him.

"Ginny! Guess what!"

The girl sat up from her reclining position on the couch and frowned at her brother slightly.

"What?"

"Delian invited me to come with you! He reckons Malfoy needs some company while he spends time with you."

"Draco? What's he doing there?" Ginny asked in confusion. Ron shrugged.

"He mentioned something about Snape and Mrs. Malfoy being together. Plus with Malfoy-bloody-Senior on the loose, I don't blame her for hiding there," he muttered. Then his face brightened again.

"Anyway, he's coming tomorrow to pick us up, and then we're just going back to school from there. Mum and dad already know, and they said it was alright."

Ginny watched as her over-excited brother bounded up the stairs, his words trailing off as his bedroom door slammed behind him. She smiled and reached down to pet Jade before going back to her book.

Delian smiled as the entire Weasley family piled out of the house to see Ron and Ginny off. Mrs. Weasley was calling out threats in the event that they didn't write the moment they got back to school, and Mr. Weasley was trying his best to calm her. The Weasley brothers (and their wives/fiancees) were all yelling out their goodbyes and various other parting words (some more snarky than others, in Bill's and the twin's cases).

Ron was in awe as they entered the forest, shocked by the sudden change in the usually familiar surroundings. His eyes followed the sound of raven crows to the tops of some nearby trees, and his companions stopped to give an explanation as to why they were there.

The rest of the journey was filled with Harry explaining to Ron and Ginny about their surroundings and pointing out other paths that could be taken to reach different parts of the world. His audience listened with rapt attention, taking in everything he said. Both were amazed at the many places that the people of the Four Realms could go by way of these trails. They were especially shocked that one of those paths led right to their home.

When they finally reached the ridge of the valley, Ginny and Ron froze at the sight that lay below them.

"Bloody hell," Ron choked his eyes impossibly wide. Ginny simply stared, her eyes locked on the shimmering white palace that lay at the center of the town. Vast amounts of green trees and shrubbery hid most of the houses from sight, but the palace was quite visible.

"This is where you live?" She finally breathed. Harry smiled.

"Yes. This was where I was raised," he murmured, looking around in satisfaction. The valley was silent as always, though crickets and other creatures could be heard in the forest behind them.

"And I suppose your kids will be raised here too?" Ron asked a thoughtful frown on his face.

"Yes. But I will insist that they visit the Burrow on a regular basis," Harry laughed, his eyes twinkling. Ginny snapped out of her stupor and blushed as she realized that they were also talking about her future children.

Harry quickly led his friends down the familiar path and into the town. Ginny and Ron seemed to grow more comfortable as they neared the castle, something that rather surprised him.

Once there, Harry was immediately attacked by his youngest sister, much to the amusement of Ron, until she proceeded to jump on him as well. After Harry introduced her to them, they walked up the stairs of the castle to meet with his parents who stood there in wait. Aire took an instant liking to the petite red-head that was to be her daughter-in-law, and she began to make Ginny feel at home right away. Zephyr started up a conversation with Ron about Quidditch (something he was obsessed with and was trying to introduce to the Realms), and they entered the palace chatting.

Harry noticed that neither Weasley was given much time to be awed by their new surroundings, due to the fact that they were accosted by all of his family at once and their attention was drawn elsewhere. Once they had all reached the palace's reception room, Ceres, who had heard more about Ginny from Arnea, began to discuss possible wedding ideas. Ginny looked quite shocked at the subject, but warmed up to in when Aire, Arnea, and Hestia all joined in.

Harry wasn't surprised that they were anxious about the wedding, seeing as his coronation was to be only days after he finished his seventh and final year at school. And the day of his coronation would also be their wedding day.

"So you're getting married on the day you become King? What a drip! No time for the honeymoon!" Ron teased. Harry blushed, but managed to control his urge to hit Ron over the head.

"We will have plenty of time. Grandfather and father are to be my confidantes and they will watch over the kingdom in my absence. A king is not expected to take over immediately after his wedding, nor is the throne in any danger. Hostile takeovers and uprisings are rare here, and only happen when there is a cruel or unfit ruler on the throne," he informed his friend.

"And Delian is by no means cruel or unfit, as the people are well aware. They have been looking forward to his coronation since he was an infant," Zephyr added. Ron grinned at this while Harry blushed.

The attention of the men, however, was soon drawn away from Harry when Draco, Narcissa Malfoy, and Severus made their appearance and immediately joined in the conversations about weddings.

"The wedding will be in the Crystal Grotto. That is where all the Kings are wed."

Harry mentally groaned as his grandfather said this. The older man had joined the group for supper, and when he learned of the wedding plans, he didn't hesitate to put his two-bits in.

"But of course. We were thinking about an elfin made dress for Ginevra…they are exquisite! And elfin robes in white and blue for Delian. The flowers would have to be white…perhaps roses and lilies…" Aire trailed off, her voice rapturous at the thought of planning her son's wedding. Ginny, however, looked slightly uncomfortable at the last words from her mouth. Aeolus noticed.

"What is it, my dear?" He asked, causing everyone's attention to be drawn to the blushing young woman.

"Well…I was hoping…if it was not too much to ask…that we could have lavender as well," she whispered. Harry's heart thundered as he comprehended what that flower meant to Ginny and why she wanted it in the wedding. Aire, however, looked uncertain.

"I agree. Lavender will be the main flower at our wedding, mother. I insist," he said quickly, his eyes moving to his beloved. When Aire opened her mouth to argue, her father-in-law held up his hand.

"If that is what Delian and Ginevra wish, that is what they will receive. Lavender, lilies, and roses will be the main flowers. You may work the color schemes around those," Aeolus said, the tone of his voice leaving no room for argument. Harry noticed that his grandfather had taken a liking to his mate, something that Harry was grateful for.

"This will be such a lovely wedding! I can't wait!" Narcissa exclaimed, her pureblood-breeding evidentially having no effect on her at the moment. Severus rolled his eyes at his lover's enthusiasm, while Draco shot a mock-desperate look at Harry that said clearly, 'she's gone insane!'

"We will choose the fabric design and colors tomorrow…"

At Aire's words, Ginny turned pale.

"Mother, this is a bit soon…" Delian pointed out, quickly catching his mate's hand in a comforting grip. Aire sighed in annoyance.

"Yes, but this is the only time we will be able to make such plans! You will be going back to school in a few days," she reminded him. Ginny was still pale.

"But her family has no idea…except for Ron that is…that she is even engaged! And she is not even that, in fact, because I have not gotten a chance to ask her properly yet!" Harry argued. At this, Aeolus sighed.

"I am afraid, my grandson, that your mother has a point. There is little time, and so much that must be done. This is a very strange case, but we have faith that everything will work out."

"But what about her schooling? Ginny still has a year of school left," Ron added to the argument, looking slightly uncomfortable.

"There are several ways to go about that, Ronald. She could take a few tests to pass her N.E.W.T.S. early, or she can have a private tutor come to give her lessons so she can finish," Severus said thoughtfully. Ron looked relieved, and Ginny looked slightly offended that he had no other argument than that. He was supposed to be her overprotective brother, after all! Harry smiled as he noticed this, and slid an arm around her.

"Don't worry, love. Everything will work out."

And Ginny relaxed, knowing that if he said it, then it would come true.

The next day, Delian was dragged to Eledron, the largest Elfin city in the Realms, to be fitted for his wedding garments. His father, grandfather, and uncle had quite a time getting him to agree to go, much to Draco and Ron's amusement.

They were not amused, however, when they too, were fitted for wedding clothes.

Several hours later, it was off to the Dwrarven jewel designers, to choose rings for the ceremony. While there, Delian made a secret purchase that he refused to allow any of his companions to see.

When they finally returned to the palace, the sun was setting beyond the forest and the women still had yet to return from their excursion.

After a supper filled with 'male bonding', as Severus sarcastically called it, Harry made his way to his private study, to catch up on some political work his grandfather had left for him. The room was warm and silent, something he reveled in after the excruciating day of shopping.

The quiet was broken, however, by a knock on the door.

"Delian, can I talk to you?"

Harry looked up to see a slightly shaken Draco, standing in the doorway. Alarmed, he motioned to the chair next to him and the blonde boy collapsed into it. He buried his head in his hands and ran his fingers nervously through his hair.

"What is it?" He asked, worry immediately filling his chest. Draco sighed.

"Mum and the others got back a little while ago. She called me up to her rooms to talk," he broke off here, as if uncertain of what to say.

"You knew that she was seeing Severus, right?"

"I think everyone is well aware of that, Draco," Harry snorted in a very un-princely way. Draco groaned.

"They are. It's just, knowing it, and having proof of it are two different things."

"What!"

"Mum's pregnant, Delian. With Severus' child," Draco choked out. Harry froze, unable to respond.

"I'm going to be a brother. And Snape's going to be my step-father," Draco went on. This brought Harry back to earth.

"That's just…strange. I knew she was his mate, and I knew they were sharing a bed chamber, but I never expected a child to come out of it," he said in an awed voice. Draco smiled slightly.

"That makes two of us."

"Well, I suppose it is good news, then. And even more so if Uncle is able to get custody of you. Then you would be away from your father. He won't put off having you marked for long, you know. Voldemort is not a patient man, and you are quite a powerful wizard, making you an even sweeter prize if he gets you," Harry commented. Draco shuddered.

"Yeah, I wouldn't mind having Sev as my guardian," he muttered in a half-sarcastic voice, causing Harry to laugh.

"Still, this is really weird. I mean, you are getting married, and you aren't eighteen and she's not seventeen. I'm going to be a big brother at my age, Weasley's not freaking out about his little sister getting married, in fact, he supports it. This is all a little too strange for my tastes," Draco commented with a laugh. Harry grinned.

"Welcome to my life. Get used to it, cousin!"

This earned him a hit up-side the head.

"How am I every going to tell my parents?" Ginny groaned the next day, as she and Harry walked through the palace halls, their hands linked.

"Perhaps after they find out that I am of mixed blood. It will be easier for them to accept that way," he sighed. Her fingers tightened around his.

"And when will that be?" She questioned. Harry winced.

"I have no clue," he muttered, using a phrase he had heard Ron use before. This made Ginny giggle and relax.

They walked in silence once more, until they reached a pair of frosted glass doors. Opening them, he led her into the room beyond. Once her eyes adjusted to the bright sunlight emitting from the many windows Ginny gasped and stepped backwards with a cry.

This was the very room from her dream. It was made almost entirely out of clear glass, and was filled with greenery of all types and varieties. A stream trickled through the middle of it, and a path wound its way around the huge place.

"How…where…"

"I should have realized from the first when you were describing the room from your dreams to me, but I didn't put two-and-two together until a few days ago that this was the room that you dreamed about. The boy you saw in your dream was me, at the age that we first met. And those words…those words were my soul calling out to yours," he murmured, putting his arm around her waist as he drew her into the garden-room.

Ginny looked around in awe, her amber eyes wide with delight. Behind them, Jade and Kuro (Harry's Daisher), decided to race each other around their masters and then dart out of sight into the shrubbery. Harry's Curion dragon, a pretty little blue thing with purple eyes named Zuzu, flew above their heads, enjoying the more humid climate of the room.

"This is spectacular," she finally whispered, after they had wandered through the place for a bit. Harry smiled softly.

"Yes. My grandfather had it added onto the palace when he learned that my grandmother dreaded winter because all the plants would die. She loved flowers. He made this place for her so she could have them all year round. When she died when father was young, it became a type of memorial place for her. Grandfather swears he can still feel her presence here," he murmured, looking around at the place he had come to love so much as a child, if just to be closer to the grandmother he had never known.

"I used to come in here, believing that she could see me. I wanted her to be proud of me. I even 'talked' to her on occasion, though I have virtually given that up, now," he chuckled. Ginny raised an eyebrow at him, but smiled nonetheless.

"I'm sure she would have loved you," she assured him.

"And I know she would have loved you. You are like her in many ways, my grandfather tells me. He even admitted that he was a bit startled about just how similar you two were, but don't tell him I told you. If you did, he'd deny everything," he laughed. She smiled and leaned against him, breathing in his unique scent, a mixture of spicy pine and sweet rain.

"Ginny…may I ask you something?"

She looked up and smiled, not noticing how his voice had grown nervous and his body tense.

"Will you marry me?" He whispered. Ginny's eyes widened.

"But…we are getting married…"

"I know. But I wanted to ask you correctly. And I wanted to give you this."

He conjured a tiny velvet box and opened it, revealing a stunning heart-shaped diamond surrounded by small emeralds, and set into a band of gold.

Ginny caught her breath as tears came to her eyes at the sight of the gorgeous ring. It was something a princess should wear…not a girl who could not even afford new books for the school-year! She shakily covered her face as her tears escaped and fell down her cheeks.

"Ginny? What is it? Are you angry with me? Have I hurt you in any way?" He asked desperately, his heart tearing at the sight of her tears flowing out from behind her hands. She shook her head but could not say anything for quite some time.

When she finally calmed, he led her over to a bench and sat down, still holding the ring in it's box.

"Do you not like it? I can trade it for some other…"

"NO! No…it is beautiful. But Delian…it is a princess's ring! It is too good for my hand…I'm just a poor girl…a Weasley! I don't deserve it…"

Her speech was cut short by his lips descending on hers. The kiss was desperate, his lips moving over hers as his tongue begged for entrance. Finally they broke apart, her gasping for breath as his lips began to trail over her jaw and down her neck.

"Don't you ever…say that again…about my fiancee. You deserve…everything…and more," he murmured in between kissing her throat. Ginny whimpered and in her pleasure-filled daze, she never felt him slipping the ring on her finger.

"I love you, Ginevra Weasley, more than my own life. And you deserve the world."

She only whimpered in answer to this, for her lips had once again been possessed by the man she would soon be marrying.