A/N: Nothing to report today. Happy Wednesday, everyone!

Tallyho!

Chapter 36 (Interlude):

Early October 2001

The table sat in stunned silence as Ginny and Molly glared at one another. Molly had made one too many not-so-subtle comments to Ginny and Neville about getting married when Ginny snapped and revealed to her mother- and everyone else- that she and Neville were already married and had been for over a year.

"What do you mean 'over a year?'" Molly asked, her voice, dangerously low.

"We got married last summer when we were in Berlin," Ginny answered, her voice just as low.

"How could you keep something like that from me?!" Molly said, her voice getting higher with each word.

"We made the decision impulsively while on vacation. And, so far, it's been the best decision I've ever made."

"You kept this from me for nearly a year and a half?!" Molly screeched, looking back and forth between her daughter and (surprise) son-in-law. "How could you?!"

"It was our decision, mum! Not yours!" Ginny argued.

"That doesn't matter! You know how I feel about elopement! You know I wanted a real wedding for you!"

"Yeah, well, I didn't! I didn't want the big white wedding, I didn't want all the fuss and all the stress that goes into planning a wedding! I just wanted Neville. And he wanted me. So we did what we had to."

Molly had tears in her eyes and shook her head. "You're not wearing a ring-" she started to say but stopped when Ginny tapped her finger with her wand and the disillusionment charm faded, showing her wedding ring- Neville did the same with his own finger and a large wedding band appeared on his left hand. Molly looked at it and bit back a sob. "Well, it appears you made your decision," she said. Then she stormed out of the dining room and upstairs.

"Molly-" Neville started but stopped when Arthur stood and shook his head at the young man. "Don't, Neville," he said.

Ginny looked to her father, tears in her eyes and shrugged. "I suppose you hate me too, then?"

Arthur sighed and shook his head. "I'm disappointed in both of you," he said. "But I could never hate you." He looked to Neville and gave him a small smile. "Welcome to the family, Neville," he said.

Arthur began to walk out of the room but stopped next to his daughter and squeezed her shoulder. "Give your mother time; she'll come around," he said. Then he left the room.

Ginny bit back a sob and stormed out of the house, Neville following close behind. Everyone left at the table sat silently for a moment before Ron spoke. "Just so we're clear, no one takes sides on this. Deal?" Everyone at the table agreed before getting up and very quietly leaving the Burrow.

Eventually, the only people left were Ron, Daphne, Harry, and Hermione. "Is there anything we can do to help?" Hermione asked.

Ron shook his head. "No; this is something mum has to work through on her own." Daphne wrapped her arms around Ron's waist and he sighed. "You two go home," he said, looking at Harry and Hermione. "We'll clean up here and then head out ourselves."

"Are you sure?" Harry asked.

Daphne nodded. "Positive; we'll be done in no time," she said.

Harry and Hermione nodded, hugging the couple goodbye before leaving the Burrow and apparating back home to the quiet halls of the Manor (Teddy was with Hermione's parents for the night). "Do you think everything will turn out okay?" Hermione asked.

Harry nodded. "Yeah; Molly's just hurt at the moment. Give it a few days or even a week and she and Ginny will make up and then everything will be okay again."

"I hope you're right," Hermione said.

Augusta took the news much better than Molly had. "Oh, I've known you two were married for several months now!" she told the young couple.

Neville's jaw dropped. "What?"

Augusta chuckled. "There was one evening that you came by here and you forgot to put the disillusionment charm on your hand so your ring was easy to spot. I never said anything because I knew you'd tell me in time."

Neville blushed in embarrassment at his forgetfulness but Ginny furrowed her brows. "You're not angry?" she asked.

Augusta shook her head. "No, dear. I know you had your reasons for keeping it quiet. However, I am glad that you chose to tell me. Now I can admire that ring that my grandson gave you openly. You have exquisite taste, Neville," she said.

Neville blushed again. "Thank you, gran."

Ginny smiled at him and dropped her shoulders in relief. At least not everyone was angry with them at the moment.

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