Hello dearies! (Sorry to any male readers, then it would be hello mates or whatever), sorry it took such a long time to get this chapter out, as a treat for making you wait, I made it longer. I just really wanted to get this chapter out of the way. I hope it's not too fluffy, but sometimes a little fluff is nice. I'm still outlinined chapters five through ten before we actually plunge into the big stuff. Check out the series, it might be updated more so you have something to read while you wait. Well, I'm not keeping you any longer, Read, Enjoy and REVIEW! xxx
Chapter Four: The Wedding (Finally)
Over the past few days, Fred and George noticed a definite change in Ginny's behavior. All of a sudden, she seemed to be smiling more, laughing more and generally morphing back to her old self. Her grins were contagious and suddenly they were hit with a pang of homesickness. They missed having Ginny around. Out of their entire sibling, she was by far they're favorite. And whenever people told them that she took after them, they beamed with pleasure. Fred particular attached to her. Both of them had agreed that Ginny crashing with them was a good treatment. Her dullness and blankness had vanished. Ginny had returned.
"Fred! Where the hell are you?" came her muffled voice from behind a stack of boxes.
"Over here!" he hollered back from somewhere behind the counter.
"Oh, that was real helpful!" Her voice retorted back angrily.
"Right. Sorry…just dump'em somewhere!"
"Fine. Have it your way"
THUD
Ginny dropped the boxes to the floor and tossed her hair back. A haughty expression lit her face mockingly. Fred's head came up from behind the counter and raised his eyebrow. Ginny grinned impishly and he rolled his eyes and ducked again behind the counter. Chuckling, she picked the boxes up again and placed them on the counter top. Fred mumbled something under his breath when George suddenly sent something whizzing through the air and she swore and hit the floor.
"Wow! Great reflexes there Gin!" George said impressed now lunging for the antique box whizzing throughout the shop.
"Yeah right." She replied shortly picking herself up.
"No seriously, I mean it! Where'd you learn them?" he asked curious.
"Hello? I broke into the broomshed to learn how to fly on a broom, and I've played on the Quidditch team, are you sensing a connection?" she replied back sarcastically.
"My, isn't someone riding a high horse!" Fred's voice chimed in.
Ginny rolled her eyes and bit back a retort. Instead she concentrated on opening the boxes with her fingernails. With a clean slice, the tape was opened and she apprehensively took a look at what she was supposed to unpack. Duck tape. Rolls and rolls of duck tape. Knitting her eyebrows, she picked up a roll and examined it. She had heard of duck tape before, it was like the Muggle spellotape. Ginny ran a slender finger over it and felt the strange bumps and ridges. It was a dull gray color and rather heavy. Intrigued she threw it up and down uselessly while Fred watched her amusedly.
"Uh, Gin? What are you doin?" he asked trying hard not to laugh.
"To see if this tape does anything" she replied back studying the duck tape she was tossing.
"It doesn't do anything…..yet" George said evilly.
Ginny dropped the roll of duck tape immediately.
"Relax. We're going to magically enhance it. Apparently duck tape is really strong and some muggle's claim it's man's best friend. So all we're going to do is add a little bit of this and a little bit of that and badda bing! We plan on marketing it for the aurors. Somehow, we want to make it like super strength, awesome coolio type thingy" Fred said waving his arms around.
"Right." Ginny said rolling her eyes. She placed the duck tape on the counter and hopped onto the counter when the door chimed open.
The Weasly clan entered along with Harry and Hermione. They stepped into the shop rather cautiously as if Ginny was going to send them bat boogey hexes at them. With a smile, she jumped off the counter top and stuck her hands in her pockets of her faded shorts. Mrs. Weasly hung back averting her daughter's eyes and Ginny chuckled. She flung her arms around her mother and gave her hug, which was a big improvement from the dress fittings they had previously.
"Morning Mum!" Ginny said pulling back a little soberly.
"Morning Ginny….you look…er…." Mrs. Weasly said fumbling for the right words.
"Better? Human? Alive?" Ginny supplied her with a small smile.
"Exactly!" her mum replied back grinning and placing a kiss on her cheek.
"Well, Ginny looks a hell of a lot better now" Ron said in a low tone to Hermione.
"So she has. Sending her to Fred and George's was a good move."
"And Fleur didn't complain about anything for once!"
"She's going to be your sister in law in two days!" Hermione reprimanded him.
"So? That doesn't mean I have to like her." Ron protested.
"True that. I'm siding with Ron on this one" Ginny said startling the pair.
"Ginny! What the---?"
"So Hermione, has my romantically inept brother asked you to be his girlfriend yet?" Ginny asked grinning at them wickedly.
Hermione blushed and Ron looked away and Ginny sighed. When the hell are they going together! Harry overheard this and laughed quietly at this. Ginny bit back a grin and left the blushing pair and joined Harry.
"Hey" she said a little hesistantly.
"Hey" Harry replied back staring back at her with those brilliant green eyes.
"So….." Ginny said a little awkwardly.
Harry gave a small smile and brushed a lock of her hair from her face. Determined to show him anything, Ginny tried rather hard not shiver from his touch. His hair seemed even longer and messier now, and for some reason the stare he gave her seemed a little bit more shadowed…perhaps a little bit more cryptic.
"You said you wanted to talk" Harry head himself saying, praying that she would.
"So I did" she replied back thoughtfully.
"Well, now we're here, we're supposed to be getting a few more things for the wedding and then you're coming back home." He said trying not to sound all desperate.
"Um, not quite." She said in a small voice.
"What?"
"I think it's best if I just continue to stay here. Fred and George keep me busy, I don't mope and Fleur's not here to drive me bananas. I enjoy working here and plus it's easier to think." Ginny said reluctantly.
"Oh." Harry said crestfallen. He wanted her home, in her right bed with all of them. But then again, he was leaving the Weasly's right after the wedding….so it was probably right if she continued to stay with Fred and George.
"We're still going to see each other now and then. I mean it's not as if I'm going to Nam and never coming back" Ginny said laughing a little.
Harry chuckled and opened the shop door letting her out first.
"So where are we going off to first?" Harry asked her quizzically.
"Don't ask me. I don't live at home anymore" Ginny replied back shrugging her shoulders.
Harry rolled her eyes and Ginny punched him playfully on his shoulder. Grinning like an idiot, he started walking down the street with Ginny falling in step with him. He noticed that she was getting quite a few glances towards her. And why wouldn't she? She was after all rather attractive. She was dressed in old faded shorts and a simple white summer blouse with fingerless black gloves. Her long fiery hair was tied up in a messy bun and she wore worn sneakers. Never had she seemed more beautiful to him. It was with painful regrets that sent Harry wishing she were still his girlfriend. She's not your girl anymore Harry. She's free to have anyone staring at her. Don't think about it. Whadda ya mean don't think about it? I wanna punch those idiots right in the nose!
"So Harry, where exactly are we wandering too? Ginny asked interrupting his thoughts.
"I dunno….let's go…." But he was cut off by Mrs. Weasly's voice yelling "WHERE DO YOU THINK YOU'RE GOING? HARRY AND GINNY, COME BACK HERE RIGHT NOW! WE HAVENT' GOT ALL DAY TO ACCOMPLISH THINGS!"
He groaned and swore under his breath. Ginny looked at him laughing slightly.
"What?" he asked confused.
"Nothing, I rather like it when you swear" she replied back grinning as she spun on her heel to walk back towards the rest of them.
For what seemed like the thousandth time, Harry mentally slapped himself for breaking up with Ginny Weasly.
All of a sudden, those two days that they had left had whizzed by. Ginny was swearing colorfully and was heaved out of bed at four in the morning on Saturday. Groaning and still swearing she drunkenly waved her fist around and connected with something. Then an "OW" was heard and she opened her eyes groggily.
"Why hell are you waking me up now? Even the angels in heaven must be asleep!" She said crossly as she picked herself up.
"You punched me in the face!" Fred retorted rubbing his hand over his nose.
"Your nose looks fine. Now answer the damn question!"
"Mum sent us an owl last night saying you needed to be there by four fifteen, she wants you to help set up and then get dressed and all that good junk."
"Damn it!"
"Keep that going and Mum will have you wash your mouth with soap"
"Shuddap"
"I'm just sayin"
"Up yours!" she snarled at her older brother as she stumbled out of the room.
Fifteen minutes later, Ginny was down the stairs falling asleep again with her dress and some make up and her George had tied her shoes around her neck. Sighing, he threw in some floo powder and shoved Ginny into the fire. Opening her eyes blearily she managed to utter "The Burrow!" before falling asleep again.
Harry and Ron had both of their heads propped up by their hands as they spooned cornflakes. Both were also half asleep when Ginny tumbled out of the fire. She fell face first until Harry had the sense of alarm to catch her before she broke her nose. Muttering darkly under her breath she opened her eyes with a tremendous effort and inwardly groaned that Harry was laughing at her.
"Obviously you're not a morning person" he said teased her.
"Argh. First Fred, and then George tied my shoes around my neck and now you!" Ginny said annoyed.
"I think you should get your hands off my sister" Ron said narrowing his eyes.
Ginny woke up right away when she saw indeed that Harry's arms were around her waist. Obviously noticing that too, he propped her properly on her feet and she felt heat creep up in her cheeks. Not wanting to see Ron scowling at her she ran up the stairs to scare the hell out of Hermione.
After what seemed like endless hours of running back forth and decorating the house inside and out, Ginny collapsed to the ground feeling drained. She was still in her pajamas, her hair needed to be washed and dammit she was hungry! But too exhausted to move, she simply slumped against the wall and tried to catch her breath. However, Ginny was pleased at what she had done. The inside of the house was festive with hothouse flowers everywhere along with garlands that hung from the doors. All the windows sparkled and shone and were wide open leaving the now white and airy curtains to blow gently back. She and Hermione had magically enchanted the ceiling to drop rose petals and the whole house smelled fresh and clean. Sighing, Ginny picked herself up from the floor and stared around in satisfaction. The blowing breezes whispered softly of happiness and joy for today.
Harry and Ron staggered back into the house with earth all over them. They had mowed the grass, trimmed all the bushed again and set up the reception area with great difficulty. With Charlie's help, the tables were now covered with elegant satin like tablecloths and Gabrielle had made the flower arrangement for each table beautiful. Remus had fashioned a gorgeous white and rose colored huppah with intricate wood carvings of tiny roses and leaves and that stood in place with the alter. Mr. Weasly had the white carpet out, the three steps, the whole shebang ready. Nothing was going to ruin his son's wedding. Nothing.
"Bloody hell, I'm exhausted, I want to just lie down and die!" Ron panted pouring out some water.
"be careful for what you wish for Ron, it might just happen" Harry said darkly.
"Oh yeah" he replied comprehension dawning on his face.
"mmhmm"
"Okay you two, go get the girls, and then get showered, dressed and come back down" Fred commanded.
"In that order" George added.
"And no opposite sexes in the shower, you will all take turns" Fred said mocking a stern face.
Both Ron and Harry blushed like an American Rose. Fred and George roared with laughter and Ron chucked the dirty bucket at them. Dodging it, the twins left the kitchen still laughing.
"Gits" Ron said with his ears still red.
"My eyes are mentally scarred for life" Harry moaned.
"What? Why? Oh wait….UGH!" Ron yelled disgusted at that graphic picture that was displayed in his mind.
"Oh man! That's one of my best friend you're…you're, tschak!" Harry said making a face.
"Aw man? Whadda ya mean, 'aw man'? That's my sister you're---"
"My sister…that usually concerns me, am I in trouble?" Ginny asked coming into the room.
"what? Oh no! Harry…." Ron said threateningly giving him a stern look that Harry understood at once.
"Don't worry 'bout at mate. I'm sure that Hermione will not mind if you're tie isn't straight or hell if you even go in a suit" Harry added the last part evilly.
Ron opened his mouth back to retort but Ginny let out a sound of disgust and Harry snapped his attention to her.
"What?"
"Don't ever talk about those kind of things in front of me again! For heaven's sakes, he's my brother!"
Towards eleven, the men and women had showered and Hermione and Ginny were laughing hysterically about old memories. Hermione was wearing a pastel pink spaghetti strap dress and had her normally bushy hair tamed and sleeked back. It was tied up with a few curls and tendrils hanging down. A blush was added to her cheeks and a shimmery lip gloss was on her lips. Hermione looked very pretty and Ginny couldn't help but give her a hug.
"What was that for?" Hermione asked surprised.
"For looking beautiful" Ginny answered keeping hard from her voice from wavering.
"Aw, Ginny!" Hermione said giving her a hug in return, she was touched.
"Yeah, it just suddenly dawned on me….we're growing up and my brother is getting married!" Ginny said with a few tears falling down her face.
"Aw, Ginny. Don't cry, everything's just changing."
"And sometimes, change can be for the worse" Ginny said quietly.
Hermione fell silent and smoothed Ginny's hair. Even though she had improved and there was life in her eyes, Ginny was still fragile. She had always had a slim build, and now she was still rather gaunt. Sometimes, the Weasly's still liked to think of Ginny as a little girl. And maybe, just a tiny part of Ginny was a little girl.
Once Ginny had calmed down a bit she resumed to getting ready. Rather then doing the traditional fashion, she left her long hair down and simple, with it's natural soft curls falling down her mid back. She slipped on the dress and her shoes and added some make up and felt like she was done. Hermione smiled fondly at her and gave her a hug and both girls started down the stairs carefully.
Meanwhile, Harry, Ron, Fred and George were busy feeling like idiots and rather uncomfortable. They were all attacking their ties because they felt like it choking them. All of them were dressed in black and white tuxedoes and Harry's hair still stuck up everywhere; no matter how hard he tried to flatten with it, not even magic worked! Resigned, he settled on trying to make sure his tie was straight and his shirt not crinkled.
"Honestly, I feel like I should be wearing a top hat and have a cane with me" Fred grumbled purposely rumpling his long hair.
"Yeah, we ought to be in those old fashioned muggle things….movies!" George agreed breaking into his uncomfortable dress shoes.
"Oh please, all of look fine!" Ginny's voice said while she came down the last step.
Harry felt his throat constrict when he saw her. The 'aquamarine' dress was a halter style dress that clung to her from the waist up and then it flowed smoothly about her. Her long hair cascaded down her back. Ginny's normally fiery dark eyes were suddenly more femine and mysterious with the eyeliner. Her usually sharp and lively features of her face were softened with a small smile and a natural pink colored her high cheekbones. Her mouth was darkened and altogether she looked stunning. He had never seen her look so elegant, or so fragile in that moment. Ginny was the most beautiful person in the world to him.
"Looks like young Harry here is a little shocked by our baby sister's appearance" Fred whispered loudly to all of them.
Harry felt himself blush and he mumbled something under his breath. Ron slapped him lightly on the back of his head and he tore his attention from Ginny.
"Ron, your tie is crooked" Hermione commented as she moved to retie it. Ron's breath caught as her fingers quickly redid his tie. He knew he had feelings for her. Hell, everyone knew. But he wasn't quite sure how to tell her. Ron often had wild fantasies of grabbing her and throwing her down on the bed and kissing her senseless. But of course, he was way too shy to do it. And he didn't really want to voice his fears to Harry because he was afraid that Harry would laugh at him. But then again, Harry was infatuated by his little sister, so he wouldn't probably even be paying attention.
"Hello? Earth to Ron?" Hermione asked shaking him out of his reviere.
"Huh?" he said trying hard not to notice her bare shoulders.
"Yeah, he's all there Hermione" Ginny said laughing.
"Come on! Girls, go calm down Fleur, boys, go talk to Bill!" Mrs. Weasly said breaking them apart.
"What? Why?" Fred asked confused.
"Pre wedding jitters" Mrs. Weasly said grimly.
"Oh"
Ginny groaned and sunk down on a footrest and cupped her chin in her fingers. She gave her Mum a pleading look and Mrs. Weasly rolled her eyes. "Fine, Ginny you can stay."
"Yea!" Ginny cheered.
Harry also hung back too. He wasn't too good with comforting people. And part of him really wanted to talk to Ginny. Once they all had cleared the room, He kneeled in front of Ginny and stared up at her. She smiled at him and Harry took her hands in his. He missed her, and was continually kicking himself in the pants for breaking up with him. And she was here, all alone with him. Fred was not there, George wasn't there and thankfully neither was Ron. He also smiled up at her.
"Do you want to tell me something Harry?" Ginny asked.
"Yeah" He said.
She laughed and then said "go ahead"
"You look beautiful today" he let out.
Ginny felt like her smile was reaching all the way to her ears. "Thanks, Harry. You look rather handsome today."
Harry felt himself blush again. He felt like an idiot. He missed her, so he should tell her that right? "You said you wanted to talk"
"Yeah, and now I'm going to" Ginny told him reassuringly.
"Okay, so go ahead"
"Well, since Dumbledore's death, everything seemed like it didn't really matter anymore. I didn't feel angry, or happy or sad for awhile. I just felt sort of numb and hollow, like I could never feel the sunshine on me. And then you broke up with me, because you have to go and play the noble hero, that really brought me down" Ginny said the last part quietly.
Harry felt immense guilt on his part. He never wanted to hurt or harm Ginny. But was he really protecting her if he was hurting her by breaking apart with her?
"Don't go feeling guilty Harry. I know that you only want to protect me. But Harry, I need to let you know, I'm not going back to Hogwarts this September, even if it opens" she told him seriously.
"What! No Ginny, you can't, you have your whole life in front you! Don't let me be the one holding you back!" Harry said shocked.
"No Harry. This is my personal choice. It's not going to be the same if I go back. You're not going to be there, Dumbledore's not there….Hogwarts is the past for me. And I'm not throwing my life away. Harry, you have your whole life in front of you as well, and I'm going to be there for you." Ginny said clearly.
"What?" he asked not understanding.
"Everywhere you go, I will follow. Every step of the way, I'm going to be there with you. I will be your shadow Harry. Even though we're not going out anymore, we're still friends. And friends help friends. I'm going to be there, by your side." She said fiercely.
At that moment, Harry fully understood just how amazing Ginny Weasly was. She was beautiful, smart, and talented; and she pledged his allegiance to him. Her forehead was touching his and Harry had his arms around her waist. He smiled at her and leaned his head ever so slightly to the right and she also gave a small smile and leaned her head ever so slightly to left and they closed the distance between them. He kissed her hungrily and gained entrance to her mouth. After a few moments, they pulled apart breathless.
"Took you long enough" Ginny said.
"Yeah" Harry answered regretfully.
"So what does this mean?" she asked looking into his eyes directly.
"It means nothing. You caught me at my weak point" Harry said finally.
He felt torn as the happiness slid off her face and a look of hurt illustrated it instead. She broke her eye contact with him and pulled back. Harry clung to her, he wanted her yes. Needed her, yes, but he couldn't steer himself in that direction to tell her that.
"So that's what I am? Your weak point?" She asked coolly.
"We can't be together, not now at least. It's too dangerous, and I have to work alone" He muttered to her.
"Bullshit" she replied.
He let out a frustrated sigh. "I don't want you to get hurt. Can't we just be friends?" he asked.
Ginny gave a short laugh. "Friends? Harry, we were never friends" she said with a twisted smile on her face.
"Why can't we just go back to how things were before?" Harry asked desperately.
"Harry, for as long as I've known you, we were never really friends. I just know from the first day that I saw you, sitting on the train, that I wanted to be your girlfriend. I didn't care that you were The Boy Who Lived, or The Chosen One. I only cared about the fact that you had a pair of taped up glasses and beautiful eyes. And later you spent the summers at my house, I only cared about the person you were before you had this huge burden on your shoulder." Ginny said honestly.
"So you don't care that I have to kill Voldemort?" He asked a little upset for the first time.
Sensing his hurt, she stood up. Harry also got up as well. Ginny shook her head slowly and then gave him a sad smile. "I care a lot about you Harry. And I know you have to defeat Voldemort. I know you have to destroy the horcruxes. And that's why I'm not going to chase after you, or start acting all slutty to win you back. Harry, I love you, and that's why I'm going to respect your decision of not dating me, even though it kills me." She finished.
Harry was taken aback. "Wow" was all he could say.
"Well, I have to go and meet up with the rest of the bridesmaid, you have to go to meet up with the rest of the guys, see you soon" she said starting to walk away.
"Wait, Ginny!" he called out before she left.
"Yeah?" she asked turning around.
"I….." he stammered.
"Its' okay Harry." Ginny said quietly.
Towards one, the guest were seated out in the garden and the sun was shining brightly overhead. Bill was standing up with the huppah over him, the minister behind him. It was time. Fleur was calmed down, and Gabrielle was flustered at the site of Harry. The wedding music started the bridesmaid were escorted down the aisle. Hermione and Ron went first and Ginny and Harry followed. Harry felt extremely privileged for some odd reason for escorting Ginny down the aisle. Ron's ears were red and Hermione was grinning a mile wide. Fleur's second cousin came as maid of honor and finally, Fleur started down the aisle. Her father accompanied her with a wide smile and Ginny felt a smile also tugging on her lip. It truly was something, that a wedding could be held in such dark times. It seemed pure, innocent and cleaning in her mind. Fleetingly, she hoped that someday, it would be her walking down the aisle towards Harry. But she shook her head slightly and paid attention to the ceremony.
Fleur felt like her heart was beating a hundred miles an hour. The man she loved with all her might was standing there with a beaming face. Bill's scars had healed now and some of them had even faded away. She loved his scars, she felt that it gave him an edgy side to him and it showed everyone that he was brave. His long hair was appropriately tied back with a few strands escaping and framing his sharp-featured face. He was really hers. She had dreamed of this day ever since she was a little girl and now it came. Everything was perfect, even if Ginny was wearing an aquamarine dress. Her friends and family were there…. nothing could ruin this moment for her.
Her father gave her arm a squeeze as they finally reached the alter. Bill took her hand and gently lifted her veil over her face. The dress she was wearing was magnificent; she was magnificent. The old fashioned traditional dress complete with veil and tiara. Her dazzling blue eyes had a deep set glow to them and she gave him a perfect smiled. Both of them looked expectantly at the minister who opened the bible and began.
"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today for the union of William Anus Weasly and Fleur Maria Delacour…."
Bill zoned out waiting only to kiss his beautiful bride. He felt everyone smiling at them and even Fred and George were smiling and not making jokes for once. His mum was crying, his father was beaming at him. Harry and Ron were grinning at him. Even Ginny had a small smile on her face.
"Do you, William Anus Weasly take Fleur Maria Delacour as your lawfully wedded wife?" the Minister asked him gravely.
"I do" Bill answered resolutely.
"And do you Fleur Maria Delacour take William Anus Weasly as your lawfully wedded husband?"
"I do!" Fleur answered just as strongly.
"And with the power vested in thee, I now pronounce you husband and wife!" The Minister concluded breaking into a wide smile.
They slipped their wedding bands onto each other's fingers and feeling like he was going to explode if he didn't kiss her, Bill grabbed Fleur and gave her a movie star kiss; complete with the dipping her back in his arms.
"WOOO! More, more, more!" Fred and George said enthusiastically. Their mum shot them a mortified look and once Bill and Fleur surfaced, they both beamed and laughed.
Both of them ran down the aisle while everyone showered them with birdseed and rice laughing back into the house.
The guests rose and cheered, whooped and clapped. Ginny proceeded to take off her shoes and throw them up in the air much to the disapproval of her mum and Ron let out an ear splitting whistle. They all moved to the reception area where great amount of food was served along with bizarre French dishes that Harry and the gang avoided. Fred, George, Ron, Hermione, Harry and Ginny all sat at one table laughing as food was served and at how Bill was canoodling with Fleur. When it came to cut the cake, Bill smashed some in Fleur's face, and she smashed some into his. And then to Ginny and Ron's horror, it was time to take endless pictures.
"Alright, I want the Groomsmen first!" Mr. Weasly hollered at them. Fred, George, Harry and Ron groaned but got up anyways. They stood for several pictures and then they were followed by the bridesmaid and maid of honor, the flower girl and everyone else. After numerous pictures were taken of the happy couple, they were dismissed and then one of Fleur's relatives had conjured up a big dance floor.
The small orchestra played and Bill whisked Fleur away for the first dance. Everyone oohed and said aww a lot. Frankly, Ginny was getting quite tired of it. Escaping unnoticed, she managed to find her old willow tree that had a nook that was just large enough for her to sit in. Ginny loved the willow tree, the leaves hanging around her like a delicate curtain, shielding her away from the rest of the world. From here, she had a perfect view of the couples dancing. Her mum and dad were dancing, along with many of Fleur's relatives. Charlie and Fred and George were attempting to do seventies disco dance in slow motion bringing out many laughs and pictures. And finally, Ginny spotted her brother clumsily dancing with Hermione. Chuckling, she enjoyed watching them. Hermione was blushing and Ron was concentrating on not stepping on her feet. She was so concentrated that she didn't even notice Harry come up next to her.
"They look rather good together, don't you think?" Harry asked laughing lightly.
"Harry! You startled me!" Ginny replied almost falling out from her seat in the tree.
"Sorry, what are you doing holed up in this tree? Shouldn't a pretty girl like you be dancing?" he teased her.
"Ha! This pretty girl doesn't have a pretty boy to dance with!" she answered back tartly.
Harry chuckled and then asked "Mind if I join you?"
"If you don't mind me sitting on your lap, of course" she replied.
Ginny hopped off and Harry climbed on and then Ginny sat on his lap with her arms around her neck. His chin sat on top of her head, which was against his chest. She sighed comfortably and continued to watch the dancers.
"So really, why aren't out there dancing?" Harry asked curiously.
"'Cos I'm not too much into dancing…. and I don't see you out there either" she replied.
"True…. that's 'cos I couldn't find you" he answered honestly.
"Really? You found me now" Ginny murmured.
"Yeah…. but I rather like us like this" he remarked.
"Me too." She said quietly.
"What's wrong Gin?" Harry asked noticing how quiet she had become.
"Us. Harry, you claim that we can't be together, and yet we kissed before the wedding, you had your hand on my knee throughout dinner and now I'm sitting in your lap, much like we used to do in school. And yet you still say we can't be together" She said in a rush.
This time, it was Harry's time to sigh. "I'm sorry Ginny. It's just that I don't know what to do. I mean, I have to do all of this, and I don't want you to get hurt. But your killing me every time you send a glance at my way. You're like a drug, the perfect drug that I'm addicted to."
"Wow, you really have a way with words Harry. No boy has ever called me the perfect drug before, I'm quite honored." Ginny replied smiling.
Harry gave a short laugh. "Well, I try."
"Yeah, you do. You try too bloody hard. Harry, if I'm the perfect drug that you're addicted too, then everyone says that sometimes it's easier just to continue using the drug" she said seductively.
"That's true…and I wouldn't want to get off the drug that makes me the happiest man on Earth" Harry murmured as she turned her face to his.
"I think it's time for another dose of me….isn't it?" she whispered with a wicked glint in her eyes. And with that, she crushed her mouth against his. She felt him smile against her lips and gave her entrance to his mouth.
While Harry was being busy by being given another big dose of Ginny, the last notes of the music had died and the dance floor was cleared. Fleur and Bill hugged and kissed everyone and then all the ladies assembled behind her. Closing her eyes, she threw her bouquet of flowers over her shoulders and then disapparated with Bill for their honeymoon.
Hermione caught the bouquet.