"I can't find my red t-shirt!" Ginny called out.
Harry sighed. She couldn't find anything and anyway, that shirt clashed with her hair.
"Have you asked Kreacher?" He called back.
He was downstairs in the drawing room working on some parchment work and she was upstairs packing. He heard her thunder down the stairs, most likely looking for the house-elf. He was going to miss her. Now, he was going to experience what it was like to be her when he was on a mission.
"Found it!" She cried, running by the drawing room door.
He shook his head. She was very excited about this trip. Harry scooted his chair away from his desk. He could deal with the work later. His wife was going away tonight for an entire month. Sure, he'd see her in a week, but it wasn't the same.
"Ron!" Ginny shouted after what sounded like her bumping into something.
"Calm down" Harry, as he began to climb the stairs, heard Ron say. "Mental," he mouthed to Harry.
Harry reached for Ginny's arm and pulled her to him.
"When are you leaving?"
"I have to meet the team at 5."
"I'll miss you."
"I'll miss you, too."
Behind them, Ron made gagging noises.
"Do I have to watch? My baby sister no less?"
"Come on, let's go to the privacy of our bedroom."
Ginny ran into the room and shut the door as soon as Harry entered.
"You've everything you need?" He asked eyeing the bags on the bed.
"Yeah."
Ginny pulled Harry down with her onto the bed and began kissing him. They fell into a nice routine when they were interrupted by a knock on the door.
"Yes?" Ginny squeaked.
"Oh!" Hermione had opened the door and turned red at the sight of them on the bed. "I'm going to kill that Ron Weasley!"
"What?" Ron asked walked up behind her. "Oy, Ginny!"
"Don't 'Oy, Ginny!' me!" She shouted as Harry put his shirt back on. "We are married and we did have the door closed. We didn't ask you to watch." She threw her red shirt at him.
"Oy, I can't think about you two…"
"Oh, grow up," she growled.
"Anyway…" Hermione said trying to change the subject. "I believe we're leaving for the Burrow soon." She looked to Ron for confirmation. "We're still having lunch there?"
"Yes," said Ginny climbing off the bed. "As soon as I finish packing."
"You do that. We're going right over," Ron said.
Ron and Hermione left and could be heard walking down the stairs.
"Shall we get back to what we were doing?"
Harry glanced at the clock on the bedside table.
"I reckon we have enough time."
---
"We were starting to worry," Mrs. Weasley said when Harry and Ginny arrived by Floo roughly an hour later.
"Sorry." Ginny stole a glance at Harry. "Packing too me longer than expected." She tucked her hair behind her ear right before her mum ran up to her and gave her a big squeeze.
"I'll miss you."
"Mum, you'll see me in a week." She struggled out of Mrs. Weasley's death grip. "You are coming to the match next week?"
Her entire family had been invited to England's opening match of the '02 Quidditch World Cup. So far, it looked like everyone was coming. Work-a-holics Percy and Hermione were actually taking time off and Charlie was coming from Romania.
"Of course, Ginny dear."
She hugged her again, this time not so tight.
"Tell everyone lunch is ready."
Ginny and Harry entered the sitting room where everyone, fittingly, sat. Bill, Percy, Ron, and Hermione squeezed on the couch. Fleur, looking extremely pregnant and uncomfortable though she had a few more months to go, sat in on armchair. Mr. Weasley sat in the other with Victoire in his lap.
"Mum says lunch is ready," Ginny announced.
"There's the Quidditch star!" Bill said getting up to help his wife.
"'Tar!" Victoire repeated with a squeal.
'I'm not a star. I'm only third team."
"Ever so modest." Harry put his arm around her and kissed her cheek.
The family sat around the table to a lunch of bacon sandwiches. Everyone discussed the upcoming tournament.
"I heard Ireland has put together a very competitive team," Bill said. "It will be interesting to see what they offer after not being a part of the last world cup."
Neither England nor Ireland sent a team to the '98 World Cup due to the Second War with Voldemort.
"I wonder if You-Know-Who will be there," Ron spoke after inhaling a sandwich.
"Voldemort?" Ginny asked.
"No," Hermione said. "I haven't talked to him since Bill and Fleur's wedding."
A look of pleasure appeared on Ron's face. Harry shook his head and glanced at Fleur who sat diagonally from him. She carefully picked at her sandwich, eating maybe one bit. All of a sudden her eyes bulged out and her hands flew to her stomach. Bill, deep in a conversation with his siblings and parents, did not notice.
"Fleur?" Harry asked.
"I'm—I'm—" she grimaced. "It's too early to 'ave ze baby, but I sink I am going into labor." She added something French at the end.
"Are—are you sure?" Bill asked anxiously.
Fleur nodded, grimacing through another contraction.
"It's too early," he said.
"Take her to St. Mungo's," Mrs. Weasley said.
"Oh. Oh!" Bill jumped up and helped his wife to her feet.
"Contact my midwitch," Fleur said standing. She rubbed Victoire's hair, trying to soothe her as she was now crying.
From somewhere Hermione had produced parchment, ink, and quill, and was already writing a letter to the Delacours.
"They need to know their second grandchild is on it's way," she said when she spotted Harry looking at the letter.
He nodded. That's Hermione for you.
Eventually, Bill and Fleur made their way to the fireplace and Floo'd to the wizarding hospital. Mrs. Weasley held the crying Victoire and Hermione rushed to send Errol off with the two notes, having wrote a quick one to the midwitch. Everyone else sat at the table.
"Do you think we should go to St. Mungo's?" Percy asked. "Bill will probably need someone there for him."
Harry was surprised to hear that come from him. The Percy he knew at Hogwarts was not the Percy who sat before him.
"I'm going," Percy announced standing up.
"I'll join you," Mr. Weasley said.
They both walked past Hermione on their way out.
"I sent the letters," she said to them.
"I should go, too," Mrs. Weasley said, having calmed down her granddaughter a bit. She walked out of the kitchen and then re-entered it remembering she had the baby. "Oh, I'll have to get her stuff together before I can leave."
"We'll watch her," Hermione suggested reaching out for the two-year-old. "Just keep us updated."
"Thank you, dear." She handed Victoire over. "Bye, Victoire."
"No!" she whined.
"We'll have a good time together, you, me, and your Uncle Ron."
"No!" she repeated.
"I'm sorry about this," Harry said to Ginny. "This was supposed to be your lunch."
"I'm alright," she replied.
"Ron, help me with Victoire," Hermione called out.
"I—er—uh," he stammered.
Hermione gave him this look that had him shoot out of his chair and over to her.
"I promised George I'd visit him before I left anyway." Ginny said.
George had to work at the shop with Angelina and Verity so he could not make the lunch.
Harry detected a hint of disappointment in her voice, but he didn't say anything.
"Ginny needs to say goodbye to George, so we're leaving now," he said to Hermione and Ron, who were on the floor of the sitting room with Victoire.
Hermione jumped up and gave Ginny a hug. Ron followed. Ginny knelt down to Victoire's level.
"Bye, Victoire."
"Bye," she replied so plainspoken causing Ginny to smile again. She patted her on the top of the head.
Dear Ginny,
I'm sorry everything became a fuss over Fleur. I hope you're having fun with your team. You've been gone barely a few hours, but I miss you terribly.
Fleur did not have the baby. She was experiencing what Hermione calls Braxton-Hicks contractions. They are preliminary contractions to get her body ready for the actual labor. The midwitch gave her a really strong potion to take the pain away. Bill promised they would be at your match.
I love you!
Harry XXXOOO
He quickly sealed the note, tied it to Oberon's leg, and sent him off. It had been a stressful day and now he was all alone in his big house. Ron and Hermione were at her flat. They spent a lot more time there these days. Maybe they didn't like this place either.
The next morning Harry awoke to his owl sitting on the edge of the bed with a letter attached to his leg.
Dear Harry,
That's it? Preliminary contractions? Why is she always trying to steal my thunder? She doesn't want the spotlight on anyone else but herself. Of course she wants to come to the Quidditch match so she can steal the spotlight yet again. Maybe she'll go into actual labor over here.
I miss you, too. It's brilliant here, but you would make it better. Can't wait to see you.
Love you lots,
Ginny XXXX
Harry could feel the anger radiating off the parchment. Things had been better between Ginny and Fleur, but they weren't perfect and it looked like they might never be.
---
"Are we all here?" Harry asked after Apparating to the campgrounds in Germany near the site of the World Cup.
"Yes," Mrs. Weasley said after a few seconds in which Harry assumed she was counting heads.
Mr. Weasley walked up to a brown haired older man standing inside what basically amounted to a box. He was obtaining the family's spot for their two tents, which he and Bill had purchased the week before.
The family of nine entered the campground. It was very similar to 1994, except not as crowded and more German was spoken. Harry noted even in Germany wizards and witches had a hard time dressing like Muggles. They passed by a man wearing a yellow rain slicker and blue fuzzy house slippers.
"There it is," Harry said.
They had arrived at the portion of the campground reserved for the teams. He spotted the Irish flag on a bunch of tents and next to them was the English flag. A group of players sat outside talking. He studied them until he spotted his beautiful redheaded dame. Busy talking with the two guys and a girl she did not notice him until the girl nudged her with her elbow and pointed in his direction.
Ginny looked up. Focusing on the group, she jumped up, and ran to Harry, giving him a great big kiss on the mouth. He pulled her into a hug and could hear her counting.
"Someone's missing," she said.
"Fleur decided to stay home with Victoire. She hates missing your match, but with her contractions she thought it best to stay home and rest," Bill spoke up.
"That's too bad," Ginny said. Harry knew she did not mean it. "Charlie!" she cried, spotting her second oldest brother. She ran over to hug him.
"Hey, Ginny."
"I didn't think you'd come."
"And miss you playing in the World Cup? Not on my life! I told you I'd be here and here I am."
Ginny smiled as she returned to Harry's side.
"Oh, I've missed you," she said to Harry, reaching for his hand as she led them to her tent.
"I've missed you, too."
"Oh, I've great news!" she exclaimed. "The Head of the Sports Department for the Daily Prophet talked to me. He wants me to write a weekly article about the World Cup. They were looking for someone to do it and somehow came across the old article I wrote in regards to Skeeter's book. With me being on the team they thought it'd be brilliant to have an insider's view."
Harry watched her talk with such excitement. She was so beautiful.
"Harry, are you all right?"
"Yeah, yes, I'm sorry." He said, coming back down to Earth. "You'll be working for the Prophet?"
"Yes, oh, I know you have had problems in the past, but this is truly exciting."
"I'm proud of you and will be looking forward to your article every week."
"Her-my-own-ninny?"
Harry looked away from Ginny to see the Bulgarian Seeker, Viktor Krum, approach the group.
"Viktor!" Hermione called out in a tone Harry thought was a little too excited.
She offered him her left hand, which he promptly kissed, earning a grunt from Ron.
"Is this—are you--?" Krum asked flustered for the right words.
"Ron and I are engaged." Hermione put her arm around Ron's waist, drawing him close, bring a bright smile to his face.
"Vhen is the vedding?"
"No date's been set. I want things to quiet down at work before we concentrate on that."
"I vill receive invitation, no?"
Hermione looked at Ron. They seemed to be having a conversation with their eyes.
"Yes, of course," she replied.
"Vhere is Fleur?" Krum asked inspecting the rest of the group.
"She is expecting our second child shortly and is resting at home," Bill answered. He pulled a photo out of his pocket. "That's our daughter, Victoire."
"She is beautiful."
"Thanks."
"I must be going. Good to see you again. Good luck against Spain tomorrow, Ginny."
As soon as Krum walked away Ron piped up, "I can't believe you invited him to our wedding!"
"Why are you complaining? We don't even have a date. Besides, he's my friend."
"Would you like to pick a date? I'd be more than happy to marry you right now!"
"Quidditch sure brings out the best in them," Ginny whispered to Harry. "Remind me to never again invite them to a Harpies match."
"Is this Harry Potter?" One of Ginny's female teammate's asked as they reached camp.
"Yes," Ginny replied abruptly.
"You're so lucky."
"I know."
Harry smiled at his wife's response.
"Elizabeth, this is my family: Harry, my husband, Molly and Arthur Weasley, my parents, Bill, Charlie, Percy, George, and Ron, my brothers, and Hermione Granger, Ron's fiancée and my best girl friend. Everyone, this is Elizabeth, second team Chaser for England and first team Chaser for Appleby."
They all shook hands with Elizabeth and the she disappeared inside one of the tents.
"Let me show you around before dinner."
Ginny showed her family the two tents: one for the males (16 players) and one for the females (5 players), and one for staff. She introduced them to all the players they came across which was not even half the team, all teams included.
"Ah, Charlie Weasley!" Ken Jackson, second team Beater, said. "Such a shame you gave up Quidditch. You are still the best Seeker I ever saw."
"Er, thanks," he replied. "I'd rather spend my time taking care of dragons."
"Ooh, sounds dangerous."
"Yeah, er, I have to go."
The group headed away from the male tent and over to the dining area.
Later in the evening the Weasleys, Potters, and Hermione sat outside with most of the rest of the team simply hanging out. The outdoors was very noisy as other teammates' family members were present.
"Harry," Ginny said, leaning her had against Harry's chest. "I have some bad news."
Harry sat up straighter than he had been sitting. Ginny did not move her head.
"You can't sleep in the tent with me and I have to sleep in the girls' tent tonight," she spoke softly.
Harry looked down at her freckled face, into her brown eyes, such beautiful eyes. He missed looking into those eyes every morning. And that nose. He missed seeing that nose when he woke and before he went to sleep. The pink lips, how he missed the sweet taste! He leaned over and met her lips with his.
"Harry," Ginny made out between kisses, "this isn't helping!"
He continued kissing her until someone made gagging noises beside them.
"Bugger off, George!" Ginny sat up straight.
"I'd be careful, if I were you. You don't want that to end up in the Prophet."
Ginny grumbled something Harry couldn't make out and stood up about to drag Harry away.
"Dear, where are you off to?" Mrs. Weasley asked. "You've been so wrapped p in Harry we haven't had a chance to visit with you."
"He's my husband, Mum."
Mrs. Weasley looked hurt, but she didn't say anything.
"Ginny," her father began.
She let out a sigh and sat down next to her parents bringing Harry with her. Everyone else remained silent during this display.
---
"Hurry!" Mr. Weasley said the next morning. "The pre-match festivities begin in an hour."
Harry sat at the table in the men's tent drinking a cup of tea and eating toast with Charlie, George, and Bill, who was reading an owl he had just received from Fleur. Ron had gone to the women's tent. Percy sat on his bed with parchment work from the Ministry. Mr. Weasley ran around telling everyone what to do.
"I'll see if the women are ready," he said leaving the tent.
"How is she?" Charlie asked Bill.
"Good. She hasn't had any more pains if you don't count Victoire."
"She's two now?"
"The terrible two's."
"They're waiting on you," Mr. Weasley interrupted.
Harry gulped down the last of his tea, stuffed the end of the toast in his mouth, grabbed his omnioculars off his bunk, and headed out of the tent.
Once in the stadium Harry pulled out his omnioculars and watched the crowd. He kept the 'oculars on a man eating an egg salad sandwich. He kept it on instant replay, watching the man bite into the sandwich over and over again.
"Harry!" Hermione interrupted him pointing down to the pitch.
He brought the omnioculars to real time and aimed them in the direction she pointed. Both teams' reserve players entered the field. Ginny marched in close to the end of the line for England holding on to her,
"Firebolt 2!" Ron exclaimed. "Blimey, she didn't say they were flying on those."
"She mentioned nothing of it," Harry said.
"Firebolt 2!" Harry heard George exclaim a few people away. "Harry, why didn't you tell us?" He leaned over Bill and Charlie.
"I didn't know," Harry shrugged.
Still looking through the lenses he saw Ginny turn around and look up. He waved and shouted her name, but she did not see him. He sat back a tad dejected.
The announcements began in German. Harry listened, but not knowing any German, he could not understand what was said. The announcer said something that really made the crowd cheer so Harry and his group cheered along with them. Then the Spanish National Team flew out.
"And now, here's England," the announcer said in German. "Horton Keeper, Finwick and Jones Beaters, Deverill, Llewellyn, and Jenkins Chasers, and Whisp Seeker."
The team flew once around the pitch and then got into the position for the official to release the Quaffle, the Bludgers, and the Snitch.
"Interesting?" Charlie said an hour later with the score 10-20 in favor of England.
"I've seen better," Harry admitted.
"I've fifty Galleons England wins by 20 so Spain better score," George said.
"Reminds me of a match my fourth year against Ravenclaw. Lasted into the night. Thought we'd lost the Snitch, but fortunately I found it before it got too late," said Charlie.
"I remember that," Bill joined in. "Many students left after the first six or so hours."
"You were one of them."
"I was not!" Bill exclaimed. "Alright, I left for lunch and dinner, but I came back."
"Riding on a broomstick for over ten hours is quite an experience. I don't reckon I've been able to walk straight since."
No one listened to the announcer as he spoke in German so it was rather hard to keep up with the match. Hours went by with the score increasing to 60-50 in favor of Spain.
"We've reached the six hour mark," Charlie said. "They've added anew rule in international play that they can substitute up to three players for fifteen minutes every six hours to let others get their rest."
Harry watched as England subbed Elizabeth for Llewellyn and Birch for Horton. Spain traded one Beater.
The match lasted another four hours. During the entire six hours none of the group stayed put. They went down at one point for lunch. Near the end Mrs. Weasley and Bill left the stadium. Mrs. Weasley was tired and Bill wanted to write a letter to Fleur. Percy had gone off with Elizabeth's sister, Audrey, who had been sitting next to them.
"They've been talking all day about work," Hermione said after the match ended with England capturing the Snitch, allowing them to win with a score of 110 Spain to 260 England.
"How boring," Ron said.
"Apparently, she works at Gringott's and is just as into it as Percy is with the Ministry."
"Shockingly, they did spend the entire time together," Ron added. "I didn't think Percy could engage anyone that long. Penelope Clearwater included.
At Ron's last words the trio reached the bottom of the stadium having broken apart from Mr. Weasley, Charlie, and George.
"What about Penelope Clearwater?" Ginny asked, leaning against the rail. "Percy dated her at Hogwarts?"
"Your brother, Percy Ignatius Weasley, spent the entire match talking to Elizabeth's sister, Audrey. Ron commented he didn't think anyone would want to talk to Percy that long, Penelope included," Harry said.
"Elizabeth's sister? According to Elizabeth she's a real brain."
"That sounds like you, Hermione," Ron said earning a smack on the arm from Hermione. "I mean, that's perfect for Percy."
"Anyway," Harry said.
"I'm sorry you lot came all the way here and I didn't play."
Harry reached for her gloved hand.
"I'd watch you sit the bench any time. Your brothers, too, although I reckon they're more excited over the free World Cup Quidditch Match," Harry finished ignoring Ron's grunts.
"Thanks, Harry." She patted his hand. "I've to go change. When I get back I hope food is waiting. I'm starved."
Harry shook his head. Even with the surname Potter she was all Weasley.
