Chapter 15

~ Christmas Eve 2001 ~

"Would you please stop messing around? You're making Teddy look mature."

"Oh don't be such a spoilsport."

"He's just eaten his bodyweight in sugar. If you keep doing that he's going to chuck up all over you."

"Chuck up? Is that your official healer's diagnosis?"

Harry folded his arms and tried to make himself impervious to George's impish grin. He was watching the man bounce Teddy on his shoulders while the little boy shrieked with delight.

"On your head be it," Harry said imperiously. "It's you he'll be throwing up all over."

"Again, Uncle George!" Teddy laughed.

"Once more and then that'll do," George said as Teddy clung on tightly before he spun around quickly as Teddy squealed.

Harry watched with a smile, shaking his head fondly as George stopped spinning, looking as though he might be sick himself. "Alright boys, are we done with behaving like loons?"

"Yes sir," George said, wrapping an arm around Harry's shoulders and pressing a kiss to his temple. "What's next on the agenda?"

Harry nestled into George's hold and smiled up at their godson, who was still perched happily on George's shoulders, delighted with his position. "What do you want to do, darling?" he asked the little boy. "We have an hour before we have to get you back to Gran's."

"Can we go skating?"

"Excellent idea, Mr Lupin. We can laugh at Uncle Harry trying to stay upright."

"Mean," said Harry, prodding George in the ribs. "Come on then, boys. Ice skating it is."

They had Teddy for the day and had been keeping up the traditions that Harry had set down for the last couple of years. They always went to the Christmas market in Diagon, followed by carol singing in the main square.

They then usually went for hot chocolate and bought Teddy far too many sweets, after which the ice rink at Hogsmeade beckoned. They would always finish off the day with a visit to Santa's grotto and Harry would watch, enchanted, as Teddy sat on Santa's lap, his eyes wide with wonder.

They had an informal arrangement with Andromeda where Teddy's care was concerned and the little boy spent half his time living with them. Harry and George both adored him and, while it was sometimes hard juggling childcare with work and studying, it was more than worth it. Teddy was happy and healthy and Harry loved that he was an integral part of the boy's life.

They apparated to Hogsmeade and headed for the ice rink, renting skates and helping Teddy on with his. For all the grace and skill Harry possessed on a broomstick, he was a hopeless ice skater, and he clung to the sides while George whizzed around with Teddy.

He couldn't understand how anyone could manage to stay upright on ice, it wasn't bloody natural. He wouldn't have gone near the place if Teddy didn't love it so much but he was content to make a twat of himself if it pleased his godson.

"Oh darling," George said with a laugh as he skated over to Harry, holding Teddy's hand as the little boy skated ably beside him. "You look a picture."

"Shut up, you show-off."

"Is it embarrassing that our 3 and a half year old godson is showing you up?"

"Teasing someone for their shortcomings isn't really in the spirit of Christmas, is it?"

"Oh look at that pout, you're so adorable," George said with a grin, leaning over and giving Harry a chaste peck on the lips.

"Uncle Harry, come and skate," Teddy implored.

"I'm doing my best," Harry groused as his feet slid from underneath him and he had to cling onto the side for dear life. "I mean it's ridiculous. I don't know how anyone stays upright."

"It's really quite easy," Teddy said with a shrug.

"Well I'm glad you think you," Harry replied grumpily.

George chuckled and said, "Stay here for a bit, my love and I'll take Teddy out for a spin."

Harry continued to grab onto the side while he watched George waltz around the rink with Teddy. Despite his own lack of skill at the Christmas past-time, he loved watching them enjoy themselves and he always turned to a soppy mess whenever he watched George and Teddy together, regardless of the fact that Teddy was an almost permanent fixture in their lives.

He knew it was still a fair way into the future, he was only 21 after all, but he knew with utter certainty that he wanted a family with George. He wanted the man to be the father of his children, wanted to share the trials and tribulations of parenthood with him and he couldn't wait to watch George with their children the way he watched him with Teddy.

He was eventually coaxed away from clutching onto the railings and he allowed himself to be led to the centre of the rink while he clung onto George with tight fingers. Teddy kept declaring how easy it was, whilst showing off how he was able to skate smoothly, totally unaided, while Harry inched forward in sputtering movements.

"Alright, can we go now?" Harry pleaded as his feet began heading in separate directions.

"Watch me spin, Uncle Harry," Teddy said excitedly before performing a funny kind of pirouette, propelled by one foot as though he was on a skateboard.

"That's wonderful, pumpkin. Very impressive," Harry said, wondering if he could perhaps apparate back to the safety of the side.

"Shall we take pity on Uncle Harry, my love?"

"But I like skating," Teddy protested.

"Don't you want to go and see Father Christmas?" George asked as he held Harry's waist tightly.

"Oh yes please!" Teddy said with wide eyes, obviously having forgotten that the special visit was on the cards.

"Thank God for that," Harry said with a relieved sigh, letting George guide him gently to the edge.

They retrieved their shoes, Harry very thankful to be back on solid ground, and headed towards the other end of the village to the Christmas grotto. Teddy chatted excitedly between them as they walked and Harry and George shared an indulgent smile as they listened to him.

They were met at the grotto by a teenage girl in an elf costume who clearly took her role very seriously. It was as though she'd been imbued with every last drop of Christmas spirit and Teddy was absolutely enchanted by her. She led him away to meet the reindeer and George and Harry watched with a smile.

The grotto was full of Christmas things and the children had to work their way around the impressive display before they found Father Christmas waiting for them. Teddy's favourite thing was the intricately-designed train set that wended its way through Christmas scenes and his little eyes lit up as he followed its magical path.

"I can't believe our baby's going to be 4 in a few months," George murmured as he wrapped his arms around Harry's waist and rested his chin on his shoulder.

Harry smiled and snuggled in closer as they watched the little boy looking at the Christmas scene with wonder. George often referred to Teddy in such terms, as though he was their son and not just their godchild. They were fathers to him in all but name and Harry often found himself thinking of Teddy as his, as theirs.

Teddy found his way to Father Christmas and Harry and George watched, hand-in-hand, as the little boy sat on his lap and recounted his Christmas wishes. "Thank God I managed to find that dinosaur set in time," Harry whispered and George chuckled.

"No one could be more devoted to Christmas than you, my love."

They returned Teddy to Andromeda's in time for his tea and left with the promise that they would return for lunch on Boxing Day as they always did. They had taken to hosting friends at theirs on Christmas Eve so they returned home to prepare for everyone's arrival.

"Have I told you today how ridiculously handsome you are?" George asked as he pulled Harry close the moment they were back in the flat.

"You're only saying that because you want to get your leg over," Harry said with a grin.

"We have time before everyone arrives," George insisted. "And you are ridiculously handsome. I can't take my eyes off you."

"Good, I like having your eyes on me," Harry said as he pulled George into the bedroom, both making short work of their clothes as they went.

It had been over three years and they knew every inch of each other's skin. They knew exactly how to interpret each other's needs and desires and how to satisfy them completely. Harry had expected their sex life to dip after a while together but, while the frequency had slowed down a little, the quality of that side of things was better than ever.

He pulled George close, their kisses hot and heavy as their bare skin met. A tingle ran up his spine at the contact, his body reacting immediately to George's touch. "Mm, don't need foreplay, too impatient," he muttered, while he arched into George's skilled hands.

"My insatiable brat," George chuckled against his throat. "How do you want me, gorgeous?" he asked, his hands travelling down to cup Harry's backside firmly.

Harry answered by pushing him down onto the bed and straddling him, a well-timed preparation charm enabling him to slide down onto George's hard length in one fluid motion. They both groaned in appreciation and Harry gripped George's shoulders as the man wrapped his arms tightly around him.

Harry moved his hips rhythmically, taking George inside him over and over again, revelling in the feeling of the man's hard length impaling him. George's hands moved against the muscles of his back and Harry's hands slid up into George's hair, George's expression so gorgeously focused on him that Harry thought he could lose himself in it.

"Oh baby you feel so good," George whispered, rolling his hips to match Harry's movements.

Harry hummed his agreement, biting his lip as he continued to move, George's hands hot and firm against his skin. He often lost himself in these moments, able to trust George so completely that he could allow himself that rare opportunity to let go, knowing that George would protect him.

They both loved switching and Harry would never give up topping for the world but he loved having George inside him more than anything. The feeling of the man's hardness moving within him was utter perfection and he closed his eyes as he rocked harder, the pleasure beginning to pulse through him.

"Open those eyes, gorgeous. I want to see you," George instructed with a breathy whisper as he thrust up into Harry's willing body.

Harry complied and met George's dazzling blue eyes. God but he loved the man's face, loved the intensity of his expressions during these moments. With a wicked quirk of his lip, George grasped Harry's straining prick and moved his lubricated hand up and down it expertly.

"You're coming to come for me, love and then I'm going to flip you over and fuck you senseless."

"Fuck yes," Harry moaned. He loved it when George was vocal in the bedroom, it always undid him completely. George stroked him firmly, rolling his palm over the head of his cock and keeping the pressure deliciously consistent. He rode George hard in time with the man's strokes, his hands grasping George's shoulders tightly.

"Oh fuck," he breathed, pleasure coiling tightly inside him. He held George's devilish gaze, his own lip caught between his teeth as his orgasm built and built until it finally overwhelmed him and he came hard, spilling himself all over George's hand.

After only a moment of allowing him to catch his breath, George kept his word and flipped Harry onto his back, managing to stay deep inside him. Harry, still in a post-orgasm haze, lay back with a contented grin as George used his body mercilessly, pounding into him with abandon.

"God I fucking love you," he breathed next to Harry's ear before his body went taut and he came with a shudder.

Harry weaved his fingers through George's hair as they lay trying to get their breath back. In those moments he wanted to keep George inside him for as long as possible and always felt bereft when the man slipped from him.

"Mm, what a fantastic Christmas present," George almost purred as he pulled out gently and rolled to the side as he cast a cleaning charm.

"Yours or mine?" Harry asked with a grin as he slid his arm around George's slim torso.

George laughed and said, "Both," dropping a kiss on top of Harry's head. They lay in a contented pile for a while, George stroking Harry's hair while Harry traced lazy patterns on George's cooling skin.

Eventually they migrated to the shower and kissed languidly beneath the hot stream of water. Harry always treasured these moments of post-sex bliss, where George's gentle touches flooded him with contentment. He loved George's affectionate nature, loved the thousand little touches the man bestowed on him during the day and how each one made him feel loved and cherished.

They were ready in time to welcome their guests and everyone was in lively spirits. They didn't see Lee, Dean and Seamus as often as they used to but it was always fun when they did meet up. Oliver and Gin, who had been a couple for nearly two years, visited as often as they could, but their quidditch careers kept them both busy.

Oliver was captaining the England team and Ginny had been scouted straight out of school to play for the Holyhead Harpies. She had begun as a reserve and had been playing as Chaser for nearly a year. She had the England team in her sights and was working hard towards that goal.

It was Neville who they saw most regularly, despite the fact that he lived in Germany on an almost full-time basis. He came home most weekends and would often meet with Harry and George, accompanying them on outings with Teddy or popping out for a Friday night drink.

Ron and Hermione had settled permanently in Australia and were both working for the wizarding government. They popped back for occasional visits and Harry and George went over when their schedules allowed. Harry missed them but their relationship was strong enough to withstand the distance and when they did see each other they picked up where they'd left off with little difficulty.

"I still can't believe we didn't know," Seamus said with a laugh.

"Excuse me, I knew," Neville said, smirking at Harry. "It was so bloody obvious."

"It never occurred to me that they were shagging."

Harry and George's relationship was often a topic of conversation and nearly everyone had expressed disbelief that they'd spent so much time sleeping together without realising they were in a relationship.

"They were so obviously in love," Neville said with a snort.

Harry tilted his head to smile up at George, who was sitting behind him on the floor, Harry nestled comfortably against his chest. George leant down and pressed a kiss to his temple, nuzzling him with his nose.

"Are so obviously in love," George corrected, holding Harry tightly.

"God, don't they make you sick?" Seamus said good-naturedly, and Harry stuck his tongue out at him.

"Yes," Neville said, rolling his eyes. Harry knew he didn't mean it, not really, but his latest brief relationship with a fellow student at the Institute had ended badly a month or so ago and he was still smarting slightly.

Neville seemed intent on keeping most things casual, which was probably why Marc had bowed out already. Harry knew Neville's primary focus was his education and trying to build a business but it always felt as though Neville simply didn't want to commit himself to anything fully.

"I like to think that I broke him in, gave him a taste for Weasleys," Ginny said with a wicked smile as she sat snuggled in the armchair with Oliver.

"Oh Jesus, Gin," Harry said with a groan.

"What a lovely thought," George said dryly. "As long as you don't want him back, I'm holding onto this one."

Harry threaded their fingers together and cuddled in closer, loving George's declaration. The man often said things like that and each time it made Harry feel so secure. They were both in it for the long haul and neither of them was going anywhere.

"How goes the house-hunting?" Dean asked, and Harry and George both groaned.

"Bloody awful so far," Harry said. "I think our estate agent may actually be the most useless person on the planet."

They were taking the rather large step of buying a house together but had yet to find the perfect one. They were outgrowing the flat, especially as Teddy got older, and George wanted to be closer to the office and workshop he and Erik had in Berkshire now they were officially business partners.

They both wanted somewhere quiet, away from the hustle and bustle of a city, and Harry was quite taken with the idea of a renovated farmhouse. He wanted somewhere that could grow into a family home if and when children came along and he was excited at the idea of creating a home with the man he loved.

"We should look for someone else come the New Year, see if we have more luck," George said stroking Harry's arm.

"I think Hannah Abbot's cousin has an agency," Ginny said. "You could try them."

Talk turned to work and study and the various endeavours they were all undertaking. George and Erik's partnership was going from strength to strength while Dean and Seamus had gone into business running The Hog's Head together. Harry was still waiting for them to drink all their profits but they seemed to be managing fairly well together.

"How's placement going?" Neville asked and Harry smiled.

"Great so far. It's lovely to spend some time out of the classroom and get some practical experience."

He was now in his third year of healer training and, despite the often very hard work, he loved every minute of it. He now got to shadow a Senior Healer on the wards three days a week and, although he sometimes had to handle a starstruck patient, he loved the work.

"He looks so fucking sexy in his healers robes," George said, his voice low, and Harry grinned. "It's a struggle letting him out the door some days."

"Oh please, must we?" Neville said, rolling his eyes.

"Well it's true, he looks damn good."

The evening continued pleasantly and everyone said their goodbyes around midnight. Harry watched them go, nerves beginning to assault him as he patted the small box nestled in his pocket. He'd been debating the perfect moment and decided to just follow his gut, go for the time that felt right.

He knew he didn't have any reason to be nervous, not really, but surely everyone felt this way beforehand, regardless of the circumstances. He braced himself and walked over to George, wrapping his arms around him and kissing him deeply.

"Mm, what was that for?" George asked, letting his hands run up and down Harry's back.

"Just can't resist you," Harry said with a smile. "Merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas, my love."

"I…I want to give you one of your presents early," he said, feeling his heartbeat speed up.

"Ooh, I wouldn't say no, you know how I love presents."

"Well, I hope you'll like this one."

Taking a deep breath, Harry extracted the small box from his pocket and paused before he opened it to reveal a slim, platinum band. "George, will you marry me?" he asked, thankful his voice didn't break.

Whatever response Harry might have expected or hoped for, laughter hadn't been among them. He stood there in disbelief as George shook his head as he chuckled and used all his restraint not to throw the ring at the pillock's head.

"Oh darling, I'm sorry," George said, still smiling. "I'm not laughing at you, I promise," he said, cupping Harry's cheeks and looking contrite.

"Should I take this as a 'no'?" Harry asked, feeling like an utter twat.

George grinned then reached into his own pocket, extracting a very similar-looking box. He opened it to reveal an almost identical ring and said, "You beat me to it. I had a very romantic proposal planned too."

Harry stared at the ring in disbelief before he looked up at George and broke out in a smile. "You're asking me to marry you?"

"Well I was going to but instead I think I'll just accept your proposal."

"I can't believe this," Harry said with a laugh. "We're such twats."

"Too late to back out now, Potter," George said, taking the ring Harry was holding and placing it on his finger. He held up his hand and said, "Nice choice, it looks great. Your turn."

Harry took the ring from George's box and placed it on his own finger, feeling absolutely giddy. "Holy fuck, did we just get engaged?" he asked.

"I'd say so, Mr Potter. I'd say so," George said with a smile. "And…I have a request."

"Engagement sex?" Harry said with a grin.

"Well that's a given, obviously. I expect you to have me naked and bent over the sofa before I can say 'groom' but I actually wanted to ask about our wedding date."

"Oh?" Harry said, feeling a thrill go through him at the thought of their wedding.

"I…I'd like to get married on my birthday," George ventured.

"You would?"

"I know April Fool's Day seems a bit daft for a wedding but…for the last few years my birthday hasn't exactly been a barrel of laughs. I want to…I don't know…reclaim the date, make it something worth celebrating, mark it with joining myself to the love of my life."

"Oh love," Harry said, touched beyond words. "Of course we can, I'd be honoured."

"Next year?" George asked hopefully.

"As in four months from now?" Harry asked, surprised.

"I've never been more sure of anything than I am of my feelings for you. I know what I want and I want you to be my husband. But if you think it's too soon – "

"No, no I think it's perfect," Harry said, sliding his arms around George's neck. "I can't wait to be your husband."

He felt giddy at saying the word 'husband' and he couldn't believe he was actually going to be George's in four months' time. It seemed another world when he had thought they were no more than fuck buddies, and here they were about to commit their lives to one another.

"You want to hear something pretty amazing?" George asked, running his hands gently up and down Harry's back. Harry nodded with a smile and George said softly, "I was able to cast a patronus the other day."

"Oh George," Harry said, overwhelmed for George's sake. The man had been unable to cast one since Fred's death and it had been a constant thorn of grief for him.

"I thought of you. I thought of how far we've come together, the future we have in front of us. I don't know what I would have done without you, I'm honestly not sure I'd still be here today if it weren't for you."

"You saved me too, in more ways than you know. I can't wait for our future together, I can't wait to build it with you."

"You know you'll never be rid of me, don't you?" George asked with a grin and Harry returned it as he pulled himself closer.

"I'm banking on it, Mr Weasley. I'm banking on it."

AN: And we're done! I really hope you enjoyed it and I can't wait to hear your thoughts on the epilogue. This isn't quite the end of the road for our boys as they're going to pop up in my next fic - a Neville/Draco story that takes place in this timeline/universe, so you'll be able to see what they're up to a few years down the road.

Lots of love my dears x