Chapter 18 – Dressing Up

Tonight, was the night of the Harpies Gala. Harry and Ginny always looked forward to this event more than any other. They always had a great time. Harry liked the formal event because besides the Harpies owner and a couple of the other husbands, everybody treated Harry just like, well, Harry. Ginny's teammates loved to tease him about being Ginny's "trophy husband" and ribbed him about being at her every beck and call. He always just laughed it off, even though he enjoyed it. Harry tried to get along with the other husbands, but it wasn't always easy. They were a nice enough bunch, but all they wanted to talk about with him was his work and tonight would be no exception. Harry just planned on either fading into the background or just hanging on Ginny's arm for the night. Ginny enjoyed the gala because it gave her a good excuse to get dressed up and have a lot of fun with Harry and the girls. The dinner was always delicious, and she loved dancing with Harry. The awards ceremony was almost always predictable, so she didn't enjoy that portion of the night as much. Ginny knew she would get the lion's share. With all the hard work she put into her training and prep work, she felt she deserved them.

Harry stood in the upstairs bathroom. As he looked at himself in the mirror, Harry straightened his tie. Harry admired how he looked. He thought to himself, 'Ginny's right, I do look pretty dashing in a muggle tux.' He just hoped Ginny liked his new tuxedo. He ordered it last month at a tailor shop in muggle London. It was made from black cashmere imported from China. The tailor took all his measurements and talked with Harry about the look he wanted. The tailor also mentioned that Harry might want to get a new cane to match his tuxedo. After some thought, Harry agreed with the man and chose a cane that was stained with a rich black pigment to match the tuxedo and had a sliver ball on top that fit his hand perfectly. He told the tailor he would pick up both at the same time. Harry picked up the finished tuxedo just yesterday. The jacket was cut to accentuate his broad shoulders, but it wasn't tight. Overall, the entire tuxedo was cut close to the body but allowed total freedom of movement. It was deceptively comfortable.

While Ginny got ready in the master bedroom with the master bath, Harry got ready in one of the guest rooms. It was somewhat of a tradition for them to get ready in different rooms. They started it after the war, before they got married. The first time it had happened, Harry had left the bedroom to give Ginny some privacy while she got dressed. Ginny thought it was very gentlemanly of Harry to leave the room while she got ready. The side effect of it was the anticipation of seeing what the other one looked like, which they both enjoyed. They had done it ever since.

Harry ran a comb through his hair, but it still looked all tussled. He shook his head but with a satisfied nod on how he looked, he decided it was time to see if Ginny was ready. Harry grabbed his new cane and left the bathroom. His leg was quite better. It still hurt from time to time, but it wasn't nearly as bad as when he was first released from St. Mungo's. Harry only needed the pain reliving potion really at night. Around the house he didn't need the help of a cane that often. Madam Pomfrey was incredibly pleased at his last exam but hadn't cleared him to go back to work. She had also warned Harry to stick to dancing only during the slow songs if he danced at all. Harry slowly made his way to the master bedroom. On his way, he noticed his palms were slightly sweaty. He quickly pulled out a handkerchief and dried his hands. Once he arrived at the door, Harry let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding. After all this time, Ginny could still make him feel 15 again.

Harry softly knocked on the bedroom door, "Ginny? Are you ready? It's almost time to go."

Ginny yelled through the closed door, "Almost ready. I just need a couple more minutes."

Harry nodded to himself, "OK. Oh, did you sign your new contract yet?"

Harry heard Ginny's voice, "Yes Love. I met Gwen and Mr. Smith this morning and signed it. Remember?"

Harry leaned up against the wall, "Yeah, right. Did you get the terms you wanted?"

Harry heard Ginny tell him, "Yes I did. I got a three-year extension with a retirement clause I can activate after year one plus a no trade/no movement clause for the full term. I also worked in a bit of a pay raise, too. Not as much as I wanted but I did get the two clauses, so it was worth leaving some money on the table."

Harry smiled. They had talked about Ginny possibly retiring from quidditch but ultimately, she had decided to resign with the Harpies. Harry thought meeting that little girl after the championship match had helped her make her decision. Ginny fell in love with her and had a photo of the two of them on her dresser. Ginny was standing in her black undershirt and quidditch pants with the girl wearing Ginny's jersey. They both were grinning from ear to ear. It was an extremely sweet moment.

Harry smiled again, "That's great! I'm happy you got everything you wanted."

Harry could hear Ginny giggle, "Thank you Love, but you know it's going to take me longer to finish getting ready if we keep talking. Just give me five more minutes."

Harry nervously raked his hand through his hair and replied, "Right. Sorry. I'll be downstairs in the sitting room."

Harry heard Ginny say, "Ok Love," as he walked away.

Harry nervously paced in the sitting room with a bottle of butterbeer. After he drained the last of it, he heard Ginny's footsteps coming down the stairs. He rushed as fast as his injured leg would let him to the doorway. As he reached the doorway, he saw Ginny reach the bottom of the stairs. Harry stood with his mouth open in awe of his wife.

Ginny wore a floor length light cream-colored evening gown accented with silver piping at the edges. It was form fitting and shimmered slightly in the light when she moved. The gown was a spaghetti strap design with a neckline that was low enough to show just a touch of cleavage. The bottom of the gown ended in a bit of a train and the front was a little higher than her feet to help prevent her tripping on it. She wore a thin, delicate looking, silver choker style necklace and simple but elegant pair of silver stud earrings. Ginny paired the ensemble with some peep-toe cream color pumps that matched her gown. Her fire red hair was done up in the usual French twist that Harry loved so much, and her makeup was barely noticeable. In short, Ginny looked angelic. The only time Harry could remember Ginny looking more beautiful was on their wedding day.

Ginny took a couple of steps to Harry. She reached over and closed his mouth, "I take it you like it?"

Harry's voice failed him, so he could only nod. Ginny smiled and her cheeks turned slightly pink, "Well, you look very dashing. Is the tuxedo new?"

Finally finding his voice, Harry answered, "Yes, it is. I picked it up just yesterday morning." He lifted his cane, "So is the cane."

Ginny smiled and ran her hand up Harry's arm, "Mm. Cashmere is so soft. It looks incredibly good on you. There's just one small problem."

Harry frowned as he leaned on his cane. Ginny smiled as she took her wand and waved it over Harry's chest. Harry's tie and pocket square turned colors from white to the same shade of cream as Ginny's gown. Ginny smiled again, "That's better."

Harry smiled, "Thank you. You look amazing tonight."

Ginny stepped back, twirled around, and asked, "You really think so?"

Harry leaned into Ginny and gave her a soft kiss, "Yes I do. There is one thing though."

Raising her eyebrows, Ginny looked at Harry, "And what's that?"

Harry cracked a smile and said, "No freckles."

Ginny chuckled and waved her wand so the small group of freckles on her nose that she covered up appeared, "Better?"

Harry kissed her nose and nodded, "Yes. Shall we go?" Ginny giggled.

Ginny grabbed her clutch purse as she took Harry's free arm. The pair left the protective wards of 12 Grimmauld Place and apparated outside the hall where the gala was being held.

Once they walked into the hall, people ran over to say hello and complimented how beautiful Ginny looked. Harry shook a few hands and gave a couple of one-armed hugs to Ginny's teammates.

Abagail mentioned to Ginny, "Better watch out Potter, with your husband looking that good, I just may have to take him home with me."

Ginny scoffed and retorted, "You'd have to stun him first. Besides, you wouldn't know what to do with him even if he came with instructions." Everybody within ear shot laughed except Abagail. Her face turned red as she scowled at Ginny. Ginny then asked Harry, "Should we go to the bar before finding our seats?"

Still smiling at Ginny's remarks to Abagail, "Madam Pomfrey said a couple of drinks wouldn't hurt. I just can't overdo it."

Once they got their drinks, they found their seats at one of the tables. It turned out that Harry and Ginny were sitting with Gwen, Ava, and their respective dates. Harry was relieved because Gwen and Ava both didn't care about Harry's "celebrity" status. While Ginny, Gwen, and Ava gossiped about other teammates Harry couldn't help but noticed that the two men sitting at the table really didn't seem to want to be at the gala. They barely noticed who Harry was, much to his pleasure. He tried making small talk, but it wasn't working very well. They really didn't get much past introductions. The gentleman with Gwen was a close friend who only agreed to come to the gala so Gwen wouldn't be single. The other man had been out on a couple of dates with Ava but wasn't sure where the relationship was going. So, Harry just sat back and watched couples on the dance floor while he listened to girls' conversation.

I can't believe she said that to you!

I hear her divorce is going to be final this off-season.

Her contract is up at the end of next season and if she doesn't do something to impress, she won't be back.

She's been a nightmare the past few months.

Where did you get that dress?

Forget the dress, those shoes are to die for!

How high are those? Oh, my goodness! I could never walk in heels that high!

After a while dinner was served. Ginny and Harry both had the pot roast dish with roasted potatoes and vegetables. It was cooked to perfection.

During dinner Gwen stood up, "I'm headed to the bar. Anyone else need a drink?"

Ginny asked for some red wine, Ava asked for the same. Gwen and Ava's dates asked for a couple of mugs of mead. With a Scottish brogue, Harry asked for a martini, shaken not stirred. Ginny laughed uncontrollably while the others just stared at him.

Harry's face went pink as he said, "Inside joke."

After dinner, the band started playing a slow tune. Harry stood up and offered his hand to Ginny, "May I have this dance?"

Ginny grinned as she took his hand and replied, "I thought you'd never asked."

Harry left the cane behind as Ginny helped him to the dance floor. Harry placed his right hand on Ginny's hip and took her other hand in his left. They started to move around the dance as their gazes locked.

Ginny smiled, "I miss this."

Harry's face turned pink, "Me too. You really do look amazing."

Now it was Ginny's turn to blush, "Thank you. I can't believe you asked for a martini, shaken, not stirred."

Harry smiled as he said, "I know you've been waiting to hear me say that for a while."

Ginny chuckled, "I really like the new tuxedo. You look so handsome."

Harry smiled, "Thank you. I was worried."

Ginny leaned into Harry and gave him a soft kiss. She placed her head against his shoulder. Harry wrapped his arm around her waist tightly. Harry softly kissed Ginny's hair. All he could hear was the music and all he could smell was Ginny's flowery perfume that he loved so much.

As they danced, Ginny quietly asked Harry, "How's your leg?"

Harry replied, "Pretty good tonight. I do have a couple of vials of pain reliver potion in my jacket, just in case. What awards do you think you'll receive tonight?"

Ginny looked up into those emerald green eyes she loved so much and smiled, "Probably the usual assortment."

Harry kissed Ginny's nose as she giggled, "I'm so proud of you." Ginny's face turned red.

As the couple danced, Ginny just kept staring into Harry's loving gaze and felt his arm around her waist. She felt so safe with him. Ginny knew Harry loved her so much. She felt it all the time and Ginny loved him right back. The image of Harry lying in St. Mungo's crept into her mind, but she got her Harry back. Not the Harry that everybody thought they knew. Ginny didn't get The Boy Who Lived, or The Chosen One, The Man Who Destroyed Voldemort, or the man who's auror team had the best arrest record. Ginny got her Harry. She got the man she fell in love with, the man who always made her feel safe, the man who made her laugh more than anybody else, the man who completed her, and the man who loved her back just as much as she loved him. Ginny didn't know what she would have done if Harry had died. While Harry lay there in that hospital bed, Ginny only saw her whole world coming apart. She could feel her life beginning to unravel. Fate stepped in for her in the form of an auror from America named Tom Warrington and Ginny got her Harry back. That's all she cared about. Sure, quidditch was fun and she loved the sport. She loved playing for the Harpies. The girls became a second family for her. The awards and winning the Championship Cup were just icing on the cake, but nothing compared to being with Harry. That was a feeling that could never be replicated.

Harry looked into Ginny's beautiful brown eyes and asked, "Everything ok?"

Ginny grinned, "Never better Love."

When the song was over the couple could hear Gwen getting everyone's attention. The couple walked back to their table hand in hand. Once everybody was seated, Gwen made her way to the front of the hall and stood at a podium.

"Good evening everybody and thank you all for coming. Before this year's awards are passed out, I do have an announcement to make. I know there's been rumors floating around about me stepping down, not just as captain but as a player as well. I'm here to tell you that, yes indeed I am retiring, but I'm not going far. I've taken a position in the front office with the scouting department." Everybody clapped. Gwen continued, "I'm also here to announce your next captain. She's a player who has shown unwavering dedication. Her competitiveness is second to none. She's also the hardest working player I've ever seen, on and off the pitch. She comes to every match prepared to win. The next captain for the Holyhead Harpies is Ginny Potter!"

Everybody cheered apart from Abagail. With a shocked look on her face, she stood and acknowledged Gwen and gave her thanks to everyone. Harry beamed with pride as she sat back down.

Harry kissed her and said, "Congratulations Captain!"

Ginny blushed, "Thank you."

Gwen smiled, "With that, let's get to passing out this year's awards!" Everybody cheered with excitement.

Ginny ended up receiving Most Goals in the season, Most Assists in the season, The Player's Player Award for her presence in the locker room and helping devise game strategies, The Goodwill Award for her charity work with the team, along with The Good Girl Award for always being available to the fans and the press.

Once the excitement of the awards ceremony was over, the band started playing again. Ginny looked over to Harry, "One more dance before we go?"

Harry took Ginny's hand and smiled, "I think I can manage that."