Lady in Red
a/n: let's just pretend that half-blood prince didn't send two characters off the deep end. Besides, they're not really relevant to the rest of the story anyway. If you haven't read it yet, I won't spoil it for you.
Onward!
CHAPTER FOUR:
The Burrow was looking fit to burst, as was the norm round the holidays. A somewhat nervous Harry reclined in his chair, taking in the sight of the crowded living room. There were Bill and Fleur, perched upon the couch, their freckly baby boy gurgling happily between them under a tuft of silvery hair. Ginny toyed with her brother's ponytail from the arm of the sofa, deep in conversation with Nymphadora Tonks, who was comfortably nestled in Remus Lupin's lap.
Molly and Arthur Weasley hovered apprehensively near the kitchen door, keeping a wary eye on their red-headed sons, who had suspiciously offered to cook dinner—and, in turn, earned themselves a sharp reprimand from Hermione Granger for employing two elderly house-elves to do the job instead. Ronald Weasley dashed from the fireplace to his fiancé's side, hoping to placate her tirade until at least after dinner.
Even with all the ruckus surrounding, Harry Potter's mind was with the small black box stowed inside his jacket pocket. He fingered it fretfully, as though afraid it, along with his nerve, might vanish.
Ginny walked up and seized his free hand, pulling him to the dinner table in good spirits. Just seeing the ardent flame in her eyes warmed him more than the fire, and strengthened his resolve.
The turkey was stuffed and served, thankfully by Fred and George, along with a side of Mrs. Weasley's creamy mashed potatoes and a slice of cinnamon apple pie.
Cranberry remnants sparkled upon empty plates like Christmas holly after many second helpings, and when the goblets of eggnog passed around where sloshed with a drop of firewhiskey, Harry did it.
He dropped his fork to the floor with a clatter.
Ginny bent sideways in her chair to retrieve it, but her fingers fluttered across something square and velvet instead.
She surfaced it to the tabletop, where it was caught by a second hand. Harry eased it open, so that the box yawned widely to reveal one pearly diamond ring.
Ginny gasped, trying to trap her breath back in her mouth with fumbling fingers as Harry got down on one knee, just as he had done over two years previously. Everyone fell silent, the excitement in the room so palpable Molly could taste it in her eggnog, and she smiled into her drink as Harry began to speak:
"Ginevra," he said, relishing every syllable as it rolled across his tongue, "We have been through so much together—watched the days become nights, helped the moon birth stars, turned sorrow into strength. I want to be able to wake up to that every morning for the rest of my life. You've become my love, my best friend, and my better equal. Please, stay by my side, and say you'll be my wife."
There were tears in Ginny's eyes as she nodded wordlessly—even the twins were looking rather misty-lidded. Mrs. Weasley broke into loud, happy sobs, burying her face in Mr. Weasley's neck. Ron and Hermione simply beamed at them, Bill looked almost comically flabbergasted, and Lupin, Fleur, and Tonks began to clap.
Harry slipped the ring onto Ginny's finger, knowing he had learned what need not be challenged again…marriage and partnership had a synonymous relation.
---
Cheerful strands of phoenix song seeped the summery air, as the soon-to-be Ginny Potter walked to the altar on her father's arm.
Amazing, how her smile decided now the time was ripe for an escape from her face, so that it flickered on and off, as a dying neon sign would.
And she had been the one with no doubts, no fear, no uncertainty that this marriage would come to pass! But as wild, half-formed, illogical thoughts thrive under circumstances such as these, Ginny found she had to constantly assure herself that Neville Longbottom would, indeed, not run stark-naked before the assemblage, nor would Luna Lovegood ride in on a Crumple-Horned Snorkack to announce that she had discovered the five-second cure for Dragonpox. Seamus Finnigan had no alcohol in hand, therefore could not burst into drunken, raucous song about the old warlock from Nantucket, and Lavender Brown's securely fastened dress robes guaranteed she would not begin a strip tease atop the piano for the crowd's enjoyment.
Slightly consoled and kissing her father goodbye, Ginny stood before Harry, his comforting hand cradling hers. This simple gesture calmed her more than any Draught ever could, and as she looked into his startlingly vivid emerald eyes, Ginny's self-consciousness ebbed away.
She didn't really pay much attention to the ceremony, but continued to gaze into those eyes, reading the promises hidden in them: promises of protection, love, and equality. He needn't said anything at all, but when the time for vows came, Harry repeated his proposal speech, so eloquently spoken it was much more beautiful the second time around. Ginny cleared her throat, casting a look upon everyone gathered.
Hermione and Ron stood with her at the altar, the Maid of Honor and Best Man. Molly and Arthur Weasley sat front and center, watery grins on their faces. Ginny turned back to Harry, and, taking a breath, declared,
"There is a time in the life of every living thing which brings forth change—a butterfly from its cocoon, a child from its womb, a flower from its seed. Sometimes the change is gradual, and sometimes it is not. Sometimes it pulls the ground out from right underneath us. For me, this change was from a schoolgirl crush to everlasting love, and I thank you, Harry Potter, for giving me that change."
Although he would never mention it, Harry let one tear fall at the end of these words. A storm of clapping commenced as the phoenix began to sing, and the tiara of live golden butterflies woven into Ginny's hair flapped their wings furiously whilst she kissed her husband, as if they were applauding too.
---
Night had really fallen when Mr. and Mrs. Harry Potter danced their first dance as husband and wife, amid the fuzzy glow of golden candlelight from the surrounding tables. Couples talked and laughed, joining in on the dance floor to pass on their congratulations.
A small cough echoed from the stage where the band played, and all turned to see Ronald Weasley smiling sheepishly at them. "Harry…Ginny, we have a little gift for you. All of us do." And as one, the Weasley family clamored onto the stage—Arthur and Molly, followed by Bill and Fleur, Charlie, and, surprisingly enough, Percy and Penelope Clearwater-Weasley (as of the month-ago elopement). Fred and George, and Hermione brought up the rear, flicking their wands so a piece of film began to project itself across the stage wall.
Ginny, waving furiously in a diaper and pigtails, beamed at the audience. A two-year-old Ron toddled over to her, attempted to pick her up, and crashed to the floor with a look of surprise. The image faded smoothly to a little boy with messy dark hair, his father's glasses hanging crookedly off one ear in laughter as he rode on the back of a bear-like black dog…
Ginny in school robes, hanging off the train door for her first ride to Hogwarts; Harry, shaking hands with the Weasley twins as they introduced themselves to him his first year.
Harry and Ginny emerging from the Chamber of Secrets to greet Ron…
A large Hungarian Horntail bearing its fangs viciously at an airborne broomstick—a clan of red-headed people clutching binoculars to their faces, following the Hogwarts champion's flight.
The secret meetings of the D.A., silver Patronuses soaring around the room—Madam Pince flinging schoolbooks at the retreating backs of Harry and Ginny for eating chocolate in the library…
And then a new song began to play, introducing Ginny in her scarlet robes, coming down a marble staircase for her Graduation Ball.
Ron opened his mouth hesitantly, noticed Hermione grab hold of Fred and George's wands, and began to sing:
"I've never seen you looking so lovely as you did tonight
I've never seen you shine so bright
I've never seen so many men ask if you wanted to dance
They're looking for a little romance, given half a chance
I have never seen that dress you're wearing
Or the highlights in your head that catch your eyes
I have been blind."
And then, accompanied by the rest of the Weasleys, as Harry and Ginny danced both on screen and upon the floor, Ron led:
"The lady in red
Is dancing with me cheek to cheek
There's nobody here, it's just you and me,
It's where I wanna be
But I hardly know this beauty by my side
I'll never forget, the way you look tonight."
As the screen changed to Ginny walking down the altar, Arthur stepped forward, revealing a low, melodic:
"I've never seen you looking so gorgeous as you did tonight
I've never seen you shine so bright
You were amazing."
Molly accepted her husband's outstretched hand and continued with:
"I've never seen so many people want to be there by your side
And when you turned to me and smiled
It took my breath away."
Together, they crooned, as Ginny and Harry kissed:
"I have never had such a feeling
Such a feeling of complete and utter love
As I do tonight."
Percy bellowed theatrically, holding Penelope round the waist:
"The way you look tonight!"
Along came Bill and Fleur, who trilled:
"I will never forget..."
"Zee way 'oo look tonight."
Then Charlie:
"The lady in red."
And Fred and George:
"The lady in red."
And Ron and Hermione:
"The lady in red."
And finally Harry, who whispered audibly enough for all to hear:
"My lady in red.
I love you."
He kissed Ginny's hand, waving at their guests in gratitude as Hermione gave thanks from the stage for all the memories people had allowed to be pried from their Pensieves in the making of the presentation.
The wind shook the tree, causing the candlelight to flutter, and both Harry and Ginny swore they heard the voice of their old headmaster escape from a hollowed trunk to cry:
"Ah, music. A magic beyond all we do..."
Fin
A/n: yes, this really is the end. I was reluctant to finish, which is why it took so long to post. Thanks for reading and reviewing, I adore you all!
un beso dulce,
HiPa
2005