Chapter 12: Paradise

Harry rolled over in the warm king size bed, reaching out for Ginny, only to find an empty spot where Ginny should be. He sat up, groping for his glasses as he did so. He could hear the shower running in the washroom, and he got slowly out of bed.

He yawned but didn't really feel tired. Today was their first official day as husband and wife and the first day of their honeymoon. Hope was with Ron and Hermione and although Harry did miss her, thought the idea of being alone with Ginny was a rather intriguing idea.

He opened the bathroom door and saw the blurry outline of Ginny's form in the shower, under the spray of the water. The bathroom was full of hot steam and he was having a bit of trouble breathing as the hot water contained little oxygen.

"Harry?" Ginny called out over the rush of the shower.

"Morning love!" Harry he replied cheerfully.

Ginny reluctantly turned the refreshing water off, grabbed her towel, which hung from the shower door, an opened the door, drying her hair.

Harry's jaw immediately dropped. She stood before him wearing nothing. She smiled at his reaction and wrapped a towel around herself. She stepped gracefully from the shower, wrapped her wet arms around his neck and kissed him by way of greeting.

"Morning," she said softly, pulling back and stepping past him to change.

Harry shook his head moments later, trying to regain his composure, but then followed her into the bedroom, where Ginny had just slipped a cute little sundress over her body. It was a white dress held up by thin straps and the bottom of the dress barely skimmed her knees.

Harry walked up to her and kissed her again. He had realized just last night how wonderful it was to be able to do that as much as he wanted. Harry deepened the kiss and pulled her closer. Ginny realized what he wanted to do this morning and stepped back, much to his disappointment.

"We'll never make it for breakfast if we go in that direction!" She reminded him teasingly. Harry nodded reluctantly and hurriedly dressed himself in shorts and a T-shirt.

"Where are we going for breakfast?" Ginny asked, drying her hair with her wand before running a brush through it.

"Restaurant in the hotel; it's a buffet. Then I'd figured we'd go spend some time on the beach together. It's beautiful out today. There's a nice breeze and it's not too warm."

"And you just planned on lying on the towel with me all day?" She asked, raising an eyebrow.

Harry simply shrugged at her and turned away to hide his guilty grin. "Yes."

"Uh-huh," Ginny smirked. "Well, good."

After breakfast, Harry and Ginny changed into swimsuits and went down to the beach. Harry found a shady spot under a large palm tree and set out a blanket for them.

Ginny stretched out on the soft blanket and sighed in content. Harry placed his wand in his swim trunks' pocket and spotted the bar.

"Want something to drink?" He asked, getting back to his feet.

"If you're having something," she replied, putting her sunglasses on and sitting up. Harry headed for the bar and Ginny looked around the beach with content.

This was paradise: happy couples were scattered all over the sandy beach, while children scampered around, laughing and chattering over their sandcastles or splash fights in the water.

She spotted a man, a pregnant woman and a small child all holding hands, as they walked across the beach. Ginny suddenly realized what she would have missed if Harry hadn't come back; what she and Hope would never have had.

Harry returned and handed her a chilled bottle of Corona- a popular muggle alcoholic drink. Harry noticed her expression and sat down looking concerned.

"Anything wrong?" He asked.

Ginny averted her eyes to Harry and a gentle smile played across her face.

"Nothing. Everything's perfect"

Harry smiled and kissed her cheek affectionately. Ginny thought her heart would burst from happiness. Finally her life was back on track! Harry was back in her life, he loved her, he was a loving and caring father and she, Harry and Hope were finally a real family.

An hour passed and they had long ago finished their drinks. They walked into the cooling ocean water until it reached their waists. Ginny felt so protected and relaxed right now, as if nothing could ever go wrong.

Suddenly, Ginny felt a foot slink in front of her own and trip her. Harry grinned, mischief sparkling in his emerald green eyes. Ginny rose back to her feet, now soaked from head to toe.

She smirked, and tackled Harry so he went completely under the water. He rose quickly, being much stronger than Ginny was. Ginny's arms were still around his middle, and he quickly realized the close distance between their faces.

"I love you," Harry spluttered breathlessly.

She laughed at him. She supposed it would be a while before everything settled down and it stopped feeling like some sort of dream.

"I love you too."

Before he could kiss her, she shoved him back under water and bolted for the shore before he could get up again. Harry jumped to his feet and began to stride through the waves.

She beat him to their spot and lay back down on the blanket, pulling her towel around herself. He was grinning, as he sat down, pulling his own towel over his body to dry himself.

"You, Miss Wea- I mean, Mrs. Potter, will be in a lot of trouble tonight" He teased.

"Oh?" Ginny asked playfully, drying her hair with her towel.

"I really do think a punishment is necessary"

Ginny smirked and slapped him playfully. He wrapped his arms around her and she settled against him, exceedingly pleased that never again would she have to worry about her daughter's future or her life without a father. Everything was going to be all right.

A woman finally tore her eyes from Harry and Ginny, sliding her dark sunglasses higher up on her nose as she did so. She pushed her brown hair from her shoulders, letting it tumble down her back.

'I'm going to get highest honours for this…' the woman thought nastily.

She glanced back at Harry and Ginny, wondering what the boss would think of her now. He had always thought she was rather useless, however the plan was finally following through and everything was about to go according to how it was planned.

Revolted, she continued to watch them flirt shamelessly and kiss every so often. She finally shook her head and stared out over the water.

'The faster I get this over with the better,' she thought moodily.

She closed the book she had been pretending to read with a snap. The woman stood slowly, as to not arouse any suspicions or watchful eyes. Let alone Harry's eyes, though she doubted he could ever tear them from his pitiful wife.

It wouldn't be too hard to destroy the happiness that they had built up in such a short while. She shot one last glance at the couple with a sickening feeling in her stomach, disgusted by their affections.

"That's right," she whispered with a satisfied smirk. "Kiss her while you can Potter. She's not going to be around for much longer."