Daddy's Little Princess

Celebration

July 6th

After checking up on her family and making sure that everything was ready, Ginny went back into her room to wake little Gwen. She sat down on the bed and stroked slowly through the wild red hair.

"Wake up, honey." She stroked the few astray curls from her forehead and kissed her daughter on the cheek. She grumbled and her eyes fluttered slightly, but stayed close.

"It's your big day, Gwen. Presents and cake and a party." Gwen grumbled again and tried to snuggle under the duvet.

"Mmh, maybe I should tell your guests that you don't want to celebrate." Ginny mused out loud.

"I go and tell Harry that the party is cancelled." She didn't have time to move one inch, before her wrist was caught in two small but very strong hands. Big pleading eyes were staring at her and Gwen crawled onto her lap, shaking her head all the time.

"Morning and Happy Birthday." Ginny squeezed her tight and kissed her head. After a little fresh-up in the bathroom her fiery daughter was finally completely awake and bounced into the kitchen. The whole family was gathered and sang loud and totally off key the birthday song. The breakfast was filling up most of the morning and consisted of every thinkable variation of pancakes.

Of course that led to the disaster that only a two-year-old on sugar rush can accomplish. Half of them were busy cleaning up, while the others tried to power her out so she would take her afternoon nap.

Her brothers had scheduled the party for 3pm, everyone was already there and it was Ginny's task to get Gwen ready.

So once again she had to wake her up. Gently, of course or it would end in frustration and headaches (for her).

"Gwen, you need to dress. Do you want to be late for your own birthday party?"

"No, let's go." She held on tight to Gwen.

"You can't go like this. Everything is rumbled." When she had finally fallen asleep one hour ago nobody had dared to undress her in fear of waking her up again. Gwen crossed her arms and sulked. Ginny was closing her eyes in frustration and rubbed her temples.

"Come on, we'll make it quick, just put on this new dress from Auntie Fleur and you'll look like a princess." It seemed she had found the key word. Gwen at least bothered to look at the new clothes and nodded slowly.

"Good. Now arms up."

Ten minutes later the two walked out onto the grounds and after taking a little short cut rounded a corner and once again a loud chorus was heard for the birthday girl. Not that Gwen was interested. She caught sight off black shaggy hair and let go of her mother's hand with a loud shrill 'Hawwy'.

She ran to him and hugged his legs, after waiting a few seconds to be picked up she looked at the person and jumped back when she realised her mistake.

Unfortunately she had mixed him up with James. Looking around she scanned the crowd for the right one and practically flew into his open arms and he twirled her around.

"Hey my little princess, I wish you a happy happy birthday."

"Thank you." She mumbled into his neck and snuggled closer, ignoring everyone else.

"He looks like you." She sulked.

"What? No, darling, Harry looks like me." James insisted, while Sirius sniggered.

Gwen was persistent.

"No, you look like my Daddy Hawwy." James was left speechless and only shook his head at the smiling pair.

Harry kissed her cheek and put her back down.

"What do you want to have first? Your presents or the giant cake?" He asked and held one hand out to Ginny who took it with a small smile.

"Cake! Cake! Cake!" Gwen called loudly and skipped over to the brightly decorated table.

"You look a bit tired." Harry said and closed the little gap between them and pressed his lips to hers.

"She was a little menace today." Ginny admitted quietly, so that only he would hear it. He gave a short nod and they made their way over to the table. Percy had helped Gwen into the seat and Molly put the cake closer, so she was able to reach it.

"So, little one..."

"...now you need to..."

"...make a wish and..."

"...blow out all candles."

The twins stood on either side of her and pointed at the two pink candles.

Gwen nodded seriously and took a big breath. Blowing as powerful as she could she managed the task and smiled proudly at all the people around her.

Molly stroked her hair back in place and began handing out the slices.

Ginny was happily sipping her cup of coffee, eyes closed in an attempt to find two minutes of peace. She imagined herself on a warm sunny beach, where an rude insect was poking her thigh persistently. Huh? She opened her eyes, against better judgement and saw Harry smirking at her.

"I hope I didn't interrupt some nice fantasy, but you might be needed over there." He pointed over his shoulder and what she saw was making her jaw drop open.

Apparently Gwen was the first to finish her piece and must have slipped out of her chair, when nobody was paying attention and sneaked to the pile of presents. Her red hair poked out like a flame. Ginny sighed and stood up to collect her little devil.

Bending over the first small pile she grabbed Gwen under her arms and lifted her up. She shrieked in surprise, before blushing at being caught.

"Sorry?" Ginny raised an eyebrow at the question and walked back to her seat. Gwen tried every thing, but nothing worked, she had to wait till everyone was done and that meant everyone. Even Ron, who didn't bother to hide his smile when reaching for number five. Gwen grumbled loudly, but was ignored.

Unwrapping the presents only took a quarter of the time that was needed for wrapping them in the first place, but it was worth it to see the fun she had. Every toy or dress or plushie was awarded with a happy squeal, a loud thanks and big hug for the giver.

After Ginny had cleaned up the now useless wrapping paper she sat next to Harry.

"You really shouldn't have spend that much on her." She told him.

"Don't worry about it."

"How can you be so careless? She is only two, she is going to loose the necklace within a week and than all of that money will be for nothing." She exclaimed in a angry hiss.

"No, she won't, there are all kind of spells on it, the most important one is the fact that it is a portkey. If she ever gets lost again, we will be able to get her back immediately."

"Really? How?" She couldn't believe that.

"You just use the counter-part." His arms closed around her neck, his fingertips were sliding delightfully over her skin. He pulled back and she felt cool metal settle on her neck. The chains were the same pure silver but the pendant was different. Gwen had a small angel whilst she had a medallion with delicate ornaments.

"I took the liberty and put a photo of you and Gwen inside. Just say 'Angelus domum' and you'll get her back." She didn't know what to say, so she merely leaned over and kissed him, not caring in the slightest who could watch.

The nice snuggling was interrupted by a squealing Gwen. The fireworks had startled her and she scrambled onto Harry's lap for shelter.

"It's not going to harm you, just pretty colours and sparkles." She tried to convince her, but Gwen shook her head.

"It's already pass your bedtime, honey."

Her brothers really had made this day a wonderful fun experience for her daughter, it felt like she was smiling all day long, always laughing and giggling. It was slowly turning dark around them and Rose had already succumbed to sleep and had been carried inside half an hour ago by Lily.

"Me not sleepy." She mumbled and hid her yawn in Harry's chest.

"Of course your not. Mummy's just being silly." He winked at her and began stroking Gwen's hair. She was still clutching the white unicorn plushie she had given her.

Her little girl was mumbling nonsense and fell asleep five minutes later.

Enjoy!