And So Dinner Begins
"…Werewolf."
Ginny gasped, "Did Remus…?"
"Oh no, of course not!" he seemed indignant.
"But who did?"
"I'm not sure who it was, I just know it happened."
Ginny lowered her gaze, "I'm sorry."
"For what?"
"Everything."
He smiled, "Thanks."
"For what?"
"For caring."
Ginny looked up again, "If you don't mind me asking, where do you go during a full moon?"
"I don't mind you asking anything, I just might not answer. To answer your question though, I go to the basement."
Ginny stood up suddenly, "I need a drink."
"Marrying a werewolf that bad, huh?"
Ginny's eyes narrowed, "What!"
He smiled, "Good answer!" And he gestured to the liquor cabinet, "By all means."
Ginny looked through the different whiskeys, after a moment she looked up, "You wouldn't happen to have anything stronger, would you?"
He laughed, "I'm glad you're taking this so well."
"Anything?"
"I suggest the Irish coffee."
"Lead me to it!"
He laughed again, and moved his wand in a strange way, "Here you go!" He handed her a tray with a coffee pot and two cups, "Fill your cup with coffee half-way and then top it off with some Firewhiskey."
Ginny tried the strange drink, "I think I've found a drink I can knock my brothers out with."
He smiled, "This is my favorite night cap."
"I think it's mine, too."
He stood up and stretched, "Goodnight, Ginny. Do you remember the way back to your rooms?"
"Um…no."
"Turn left in the hallway, then take the first right. It's straight ahead from there."
"Right."
He walked out of the room.
He seems nice, Ginny thought as she sipped her coffee, but he's a little shy.
Ginny carried her coffee down the hallway, into her rooms. She marveled, again, at the beauty and effort that had gone into her part of the house, beautiful artwork, priceless antiques, and the most wonderful colors.
She entered her gigantic bedroom, and got ready for bed. She looked through at the floor-to-ceiling bookcase and chose an old favorite, The Hobbit. She often laughed at the description of Gandalf, amused at the strange way that Muggles pictured wizards.
She opened the book, but didn't get further than the first page before drifting off to sleep.
Ginny awoke and stretched.
"Good morning, Ginny," came a voice from beside her.
"Good morning, Harry," Ginny found herself saying.
He leaned in and their lips touched in a passionate kiss.
Ginny opened her eyes and then immediately shut them against the glaring sunlight. She blinked a few times before being able to see properly. What was that about?
There came a knock on the door, "Ginny? Breakfast is ready."
"I'll be there in a moment!" Ginny called out.
After filling the bath, she sank into the steaming water for a moment.
Ginny walked into the kitchen and tried to help him cook, but to no avail. He was everywhere at once, never stopping, moving to fast to be focused on fir more than a minute, "How do you do it?" she asked.
He looked up, "Do what?"
Ginny gestured around her, "Cook, clean, practice magic…how?"
He shrugged, "Practice."
Ginny sat at the bar, hoping to learn a little more about her husband, "You've lived here alone since you were eleven?"
He didn't even look up from the eggs he was frying, "Yes."
"And you haven't spoken with anyone since they read Sirius's will?"
The frying pan started to sizzle strangely, He's crying! Ginny realized, "I'm sorry!" she said hurriedly.
He sighed, "Don't worry about it, I tend to get emotional when the full moon is close."
"Do you know why? Remus only gets a little aggravated."
He set a plate in front of her, "Werewolves are all different, and the moon affects us all differently. For example, as a werewolf I have never made any sound, none at all."
He sat down next to her, "Speaking of my symptoms, I need to ask you for a favor."
Ginny thought a moment, "What is it?"
"Promise me, if I even seem to get violent, you'll stun me."
"I promise."
"Thank you."
Ginny tried to smile, "On a lighter subject, Mum told me to tell you that you're welcome for dinner any time."
"Oh no, I'd never eat dinner at the Burrow before they had dinner here."
Ginny smiled for real, "Harry, I can say, with all honesty, that you are the most chivalrous, straight man I've ever met."
He smiled, "Thanks, but that is the saddest thing I've ever heard."
Ginny laughed out loud, "Isn't it though?"
He laughed as well, "Send, my owl, Hedwig, to the Burrow and ask how many for dinner."
"I will, after I do this wonderful breakfast justice."
Dear Mum,
Harry has declined your invitation until you dine here. (He doesn't mean to insult you, if you're thinking that.) I hope you will come tomorrow at five o' clock. Would you please send a list of everyone that can make it? I'll tell Hedwig to wait for your reply, Errol isn't getting any younger!
Your loving daughter (who is enjoying spending time with Harry),
Ginny
The next morning, Ginny glanced up at the window, "Hello, Hedwig!" she walked to the window and let the owl inside.
Hedwig dropped her letter on the table and nipped Ginny's finger affectionately before flying back outside.
Ginny opened the letter, and then groaned. She walked toward the kitchen where he was getting ready to cook, "Harry?"
A slightly muffled reply came through the doors, "Come in."
Ginny walked through the doors, "Start cooking, you have twelve people to feed."
"Twelve?"
"Remus and Tonks are coming too."
"Oh…" he stared at the floor for a moment before looking up again, "I've got to cover those windows!"
He pulled out his wand and began to cover ever window at eye level.
"Harry what are you doing?"
"I can't cook with distractions!"
Ginny smiled, "Just a friendly warning, Fred and George like to show up early and pull pranks."
"I they do, please keep them in the garden."
"I will, I hope," Ginny walked to the China Room, He must have had a gay decorator, she thought.
Ginny chose the plain white dishes and set them on the tables in the garden.
With a loud crack, Fred and George Weasley Apparated behind their sister.
"And so it begins!" Ginny muttered under her breath.