For my dearest Matrixaffiliate, the best cheerleader and the nicest person! I hope you love it. This fic is part of the Ginuary Gift Exchange 2021.

Family

Harry walked into the kitchen at Grimmauld Place and surveyed the scene. Every inch of worktop was strewn with baking implements and ingredients. Ginny was at the centre of the kitchen, her tongue just peeking out between her lips as she concentrated. She was icing a large chocolate cake, her eyes screwed up and her hair all piled up on top of her head.

She frowned as Harry approached, "Don't interrupt me, I've literally just managed to charm the chocolate frogs to stop bursting out the top."

Harry laughed, "You know you're my favourite, right?" He reached over and brushed icing off the end of her nose.

"I better be." Ginny frowned again, muttering under her breath. "I just want it to look amazing, a showstopper!"

"I have every faith in you," Harry scooted around her, dipping his finger into the icing as he went. Ginny flapped at him, urging him away from the cake.

"The frogs will jump out again," she wailed.

Harry wisely kept quiet and began collecting up dishes into the sink, he added hot water and with a wave of his wand set them to cleaning. Next, he began gathering up bags of flour and icing sugar, sealing them and putting them back into cupboards. He watched Ginny out of the corner of his eye, smiling as she added the finishing touches to the cake in front of her.

He moved around the counters, randomly swishing his wand at the split ingredients that littered the countertops. Ginny stepped back as he stepped forward, placing his hands on her hips.

"Do you think she'll like it?" Ginny asked, her voice a little uneven.

"I think she'll love it," he rested his chin on her shoulder, breathing her in. She smelt lovely as usual, her floral perfume overlaid with the scent of chocolate. "How many frogs did you convince in there?"

"Four, it's supposed to be five, of course, one for each decade, but frog five was a jumpy little bugger and he's gone."

"I expect your mum won't mind that you've knocked a decade off for her," Harry grinned, placing a gentle kiss on her shoulder. "You should clean up, I said to your dad I'd be around earlier to help with the marquee again."

Ginny nodded, turning in his arms to look up at him. Harry leant down gently, brushing his lips against hers briefly, then firmly pushing her back. "Go get ready, I'll clean up here and then we can head over to the Burrow."

Ginny pouted, pressing herself against him. Harry sighed, running his fingers through her hair.

"We have a little time still," she said trailing her fingers up his arm.

Harry smiled in response, shivering as she stroked her hand across his shoulders. He took a steadying breath.

"You have chocolate in your hair, love"

"Fine...fine! I will go wash my hair. Do not touch the cake!"

Harry nodded as she pulled away, "Don't touch the cake, got it."

Harry and Ginny walked up the path to the Burrow, Harry floating the boxed cake in front of them as they walked. Ginny squeezed Harry's hand as they strolled along.

"Nervous?" he asked.

"I just hope she will love the cake, it's hard when mum is such a good baker."

"She's going to love it Gin, you've put so much effort into it."

"I hope that Ron and Hermione have put together all the decorations alright," Ginny nudged Harry's shoulder.

"Are you nervous?"

"No, I'm family remember!" Harry gently shoved her back, laughing to himself as she huffed at him.

"I know that you nonsense. I just meant the whole family are coming, it's a lot." Ginny absently plucked at invisible fluff on Harry's cloak.

"Ginny...hey, what is it? You never normally worry about me," Harry reached out, placing his hand on her arm to pause her.

Ginny gave him a small smile, "I worry about you all the time, Harry."

Harry didn't say anything further, but he gently pushed a stray hair from her face. Ginny licked her lips as Harry ran his thumb along her jaw, his eyes searching hers.

"I'm still a little nervous. I really want mum to enjoy herself after everything these last couple of years. She's not so good at letting us do the work for her. And Fred..." her voice was quiet suddenly and she trailed off into silence.

"Fred, yes." "Harry sighed, "Fred will always be here, Gin. I'm sure George has something up his sleeve that will be big enough for the both of them. The evening is going to be perfect for your mum."

Ginny nodded at Harry, a reluctant smile played across her lips. Harry opened his arms and she stepped into him, tucking her head into his shoulder. Harry stroked her hair, his chin resting on her head.

"We've got each other," he pulled her back and looked at her, "Let's go make this evening special for your mum,"

"You always know just what to say to me," Ginny took his hand again and they turned towards the Burrow.

The large garden was a hive of activity and Harry smiled as a wave of nostalgia washed over him. They had thought about hiring a venue and having a large party for Molly but looking around at the familiar scene for birthdays Harry knew that Ginny and her siblings had made the right choice.

Arthur, Bill and Percy were in one corner laying out the marquee, near them, Hermione waved, merrily charming bunting and lights around the trees.

Harry squeezed Ginny's hand, "I'll go help your dad, okay?"

Ginny nodded and made her way towards the long table where George, Angelina and Ron were arranging large platters of the Weasley family favourites. Harry watched her charm the cake over to the centre of the table and grinned as she gave George a look which stopped him in his tracks. He chuckled, worrying over those frogs again no doubt, he thought to himself as he meandered over to Arthur who appeared to be trying to get Bill and Percy to use tent pegs and a mallet to put the marquee up.

A couple of hours later the garden was ready, the table set for the whole family. The whole marquee was festooned in fairy lights twinkling softly and music drifted across the lawn towards the house. The summer air was warm and balmy, perfect for a large outside family dinner. Molly was due to arrive shortly as Harry knocked on Ginny's bedroom door. Ginny had been living with him since she finished up Hogwarts and so it had been a while since he had waited nervously outside her room for her.

"You ready?" he called through.

"Just about, come in here!"

Harry pushed the door open and felt his blood drain from his head. Ginny looked absolutely gorgeous, her forest green dress was cut straight across the top, her collarbones peeking through, it fit her closely, cutting off at the knee. Harry took a steadying breath, all thoughts dashed from his brain as he walked towards Ginny.

"May I?" He took her necklace from her hands and Ginny smiled, turning around to watch in the mirror as Harry placed it around her neck, clasping it at the back. He ran his hands across her bare shoulders, planting small, soft kisses as he did so.

"You're beautiful, Gin."

"Flatterer," she murmured but her eyes sparkled at him.

"C'mon, your mum will be here soon, we need to be ready to surprise her."

They walked down to the kitchen, collecting the last couple of touches for the table, vases overflowing with flowers, roses mixed in with dahlias and soft strands of eucalyptus. Nearly all the Weasleys were seated, with space at the head of the table for Arthur and Molly. Harry and Ginny hurried to their seats, as a hush descended over the table.

A soft pop heralded the arrival of their guest of honour, and they stood expectantly.

Molly gasped as she rounded the corner and they yelled surprise at her. Harry glanced at Ginny, smiling at her face, as she waved manically at her mum. Molly and Arthur took their seats, Molly flapping at Bill and Fleur as they pushed a party hat towards her, laughing. George and Angelina took up the cry of speech, as Molly acquiesced to the party hat.

"Thank you, darlings. Thank you all for thinking of me, it's all so beautiful, the flowers, the lights! Even a gorgeous cake, thank you." Molly beamed around the table at them all and Harry grinned back at her.

Arthur took pity on Molly and raised his glass. "To my darling wife, and head of our family, happy birthday!"

They cheered, and Molly blushed, "Please, eat!"

They didn't need telling twice and Harry piled his plate high with food, adding to Ginny's as well as they passed the dishes around.

Finally it came to the singing and cake cutting, Ginny nervously floated the cake in front of Molly. After a resounding rendition of happy birthday Molly cut into the cake. The frogs burst from the cake in a flurry as she removed the first slice. Ginny grinned from ear to ear at her mum's exclamations.

"One for each decade!"

"How lovely, Ginevra dear, very thoughtful of you."

Ginny sat down, her face flushed with excitement. "I think she loved it!"

Harry laughed, kissing her on the end of the nose, "She did, and I love you!"

As the meal drew to a close, the boys set the dishes levitating towards the house and Hermione charmed the tables to part, leaving a space in the centre. Harry watched her as she bustled around, herding and cajoling the Weasleys into space. "Should we help her?"

Ginny smiled, "Probably," she squeezed his hand and moved towards Hermione.

"Do you need some help organising them all?"

"Please... why don't they stay in one place?"

"They need a firm hand, Hermione,"

"I know! I have prizes! And trophies."

"Did I hear the word prize?" George suddenly looked interested, "I like prizes!"

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Alright! So now you know there are prizes let me explain. Since it's a particularly special birthday Ron and I organised party games and we're going to play a muggle one to start,"

"A muggle game?" George frowned now, "Well I'm not sure about that."

Harry smiled, fortunately for Hermione, Arthur had overheard her last statement.

"A muggle game, Hermione? Splendid!" He moved over towards them from the table he and Molly were still sitting at, "Molly, Hermione is teaching us a muggle party game!"

Molly moved over somewhat reluctantly to listen to Hermione's explanation. A few minutes later they were all roaring with laughter as George successfully emerged from the centre, cereal box clutched triumphantly between his teeth.

"Excellent George!" cried Arthur, patting him on the back and grabbing the box to put it back on the floor. "My turn, watch the professional muggle sports player!" His face was delight personified, eyes sparkling and a grin which spread across his features.

Harry laughed to see him so keen, "Wait, Arthur, we've to trim it first."

"Trim it?"

Hermione used her wand to remove a thin layer and placed the now shorter cereal box in the centre of the circle again. Arthur laughed and rubbed his hands together. Immediately stooping to pick up the box with his teeth. "What mad games these muggles play with no magic to entertain them!"

Hermione trimmed the box again and the circle moved on without incident until it reached George's second turn, who promptly fell flat on his face missing the box completely.

Harry roared with laughter as George stumbled up, sheepishly avoiding Molly's eyes as he slunk off to lick his wounds.

"You don't think he'll mind being first out?" Hermione asked. Ron laughed, soothing her and then stepped forward to take his turn, successfully picking up the box and whooping with delight.

Hermione trimmed the box again and Molly took a turn, surprising them all as she deftly bent and grasped the box. The game continued on, each of them gradually failing to pick up the ever-shrinking box until only Harry and Ginny remained.

Harry winked at Ginny from across the circle "You think you can beat me, Weasley?"

"Please, Potter. That trophy is mine."

Harry went first and rose triumphantly. He waggled his eyebrows, used his wand to take the box lower and then set the box down as Ginny stepped forward. "After you,"

Ginny laughed, attempted to pick up the box and found she couldn't get close enough. Frustrated she growled and tried again.

Ron laughed "Come on Ginny! Beat him,"

"I'm trying! It's this bloody dress, I wouldn't have picked it if I knew the party games would be physical"

Harry couldn't keep the grin from his face, "Excuses, excuses! C'mon, Gin beat me."

Ginny made a rude hand gesture as Ron and Harry fell about laughing.

"He's cheating Hermione! He didn't do that height!"

Hermione laughed too, "Those are the rules Ginny, we can have Harry try that height too but if he gets it, he wins."

"Give it one more try, Ginny," Arthur's tone was gleeful, clearly still having the time of his life.

Ginny obliged and failed again. "I can't reach it, it's too low! You're up Potter," she smiled reluctantly as she gestured at the box.

Harry strolled forward, feeling confident. He gave a mock lunge, to which Ginny rolled her eyes and then swiftly bent to pick up the remnants of the box. The group reacted immediately, rushing forward to pile on Harry, who held the box in victory over his head.

Hermione held out a large flashing badge with the number 1 on it. Harry took it from her outstretched hand, pinning it proudly to his chest. He gathered Ginny up with his other arm.

"Well, are you proud of me?"

"Are you going to wear that ridiculous badge for the rest of the night?"

He smiled and shrugged, "A trophy's a trophy."

Ginny laughed, "I can't be mad when you are so pleased, it's cute."

Harry leant down to kiss her, and Ginny softened against him. "Well done, Potter."

Harry whispered gently in her ear as the others began the next party game started behind them.

"Walk with me?"

Ginny gave him a grin and with a quick glance at the rest of the group they wandered towards the orchard. As the sounds of the family faded into the background they ducked deeper into the trees.

"Lumos,"

The soft light from their wands pooled a soft circle of light around them, Harry leant back against a tree and pulled Ginny to him.

"I love your hair in this light," he trailed a finger along her collarbone, "And I love this dress,"

Ginny laughed, "I did too until it made me lose Hermione's game."

Harry smiled and flashed his badge, "You had superior competition." They laughed together, linking hands. Harry brushed her stray hair which had come loose back over her shoulder, his hand cupping her jaw. He leant down to capture her lips with his, kissing her softly amongst the trees.

The need for oxygen broke them apart, and Ginny laid her hand on his chest. Harry laid his hand over hers.

"I want this for us,"

"Want what for us?"

"This..." He freed his hands and gestured around him. "I want all of this, I want our own family."

Ginny's eyes were bright and she brushed at them as she looked back up at him.

"I want that for us too."

With thoughts of their future hanging all around them they joined together, their lips hurried and desperate as they sank back onto the soft loam of the orchard.