The Power the Dark Lord Knows Not
By: lbfan
Edits by: The Ink Stained One, MollyCoddles
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of the characters and background of Harry Potter. JK Rowling, AOL Time Warner, and some publishers own all of it. This story was created for entertainment purposes only. No profit would be made from this.
Chapter 3 – Belonging
Fawkes returned them to the edge of the clearing.
Feeling her shivering in his embrace, Harry realized Ginny was cold.
As he was removing his overcloak, Harry clutched his forehead in pain. Falling to his knees, he gasped in agony.
Ginny's eyes went wide. Through her chattering teeth she said, "You really are Harry! What's wrong?" She looked around. They were in what looked like the Forbidden Forest. Desperately she called out, "Help!"
Harry regained control over the connection with Voldemort with his Occlumency. Forcing his head clear of Voldemort's wrath, he slowly stood up. He wrapped his outer cloak around Ginny and explained, "He knows you're gone. My feelings must have alerted him."
Confused, Ginny asked, "What feelings? How?"
Embarrassed, Harry answered, "I haven't experienced love in over a month. Seeing and holding you in my arms must have been enough to wake him from his sleep."
Ginny wrapped her arms around him and muttered something to him. He did not understand what she said because he was distracted by everyone running from his or her tents to see what the commotion was about.
Reaching them first, Remus immediately noticed the long red hair and wrapped his arms around the two of them. "Mind telling us next time you decide to go off on a rescue mission?" He scolded.
Harry explained, "It happened all of a sudden. Would you please show Ginny the pass phrase so I can get her out of the cold?"
Tonks showed up in time to share a significant look with Remus. Still in mild shock, Remus fumbled in his pocket and pulled out a piece of paper. He showed it to Ginny. "Think about what the words say and look around."
Ginny's gaped with awe as she took in the campsite before her.
Harry started to usher her to his little pup tent when Tonks protested, "Not there. Take her to my tent." Tonks took Ginny's other hand and guided her to her tent.
Harry insisted, "She's staying with me from now on."
Tonks continued to usher them to her and Remus' tent.
Harry relented, figuring that he would argue about it inside where it was warm.
Slightly disappointed, Harry looked around the magical tent to find it was smaller than his own tent. It appeared that Remus and Tonks had been sleeping on a pullout sofa sleeper together that was still in its bed form. The covers were thrown about as if they had just woken up.
Tonks took Ginny into the loo to talk with her privately.
With a few flicks of the wand, Remus made the bed and put it away. Pulling Harry down into one of the dinette chairs, Remus told him, "You can't take her in like a lost puppy. She is a girl, and she is not your responsibility."
Irritated, Harry explained, "You don't understand. She is my responsibility now. I need her, and she needs me. She is staying with me."
Remus countered, "You just can't take on a young lady as a pet project. She is an individual with feelings and emotions. Did it ever occur to you that she may be in love with someone else? You are not her family, and you can't fill that role without giving her something in return."
Harry wanted to continue arguing with him, but his curiosity was piqued. "What do I have to give her?"
Stoically Remus answered, "Your life. Not just a month or two, but forever and everything."
He realized what Remus meant and he flushed as he turned the concept over in his mind.
Remus continued, "You see? That is why she has to go. You are too young to give your life away to another. If you are too young to consider the commitment, she is definitely too young. She is whole year younger than you."
Patting him on the shoulder, Remus suggested, "We can contact her brothers in Canada and see if they will take her."
Tonks and Ginny exited the loo. Ginny ran to Harry and embraced him tightly.
Harry asked Tonks and Remus to give them a few minutes to talk, kicking them out of their own tent. Tonks grabbed Remus's hand and pulled him out of the tent, answering, "No problem, I want to take this blood sample to Moody anyway."
Harry thought that was peculiar. What is it with the blood samples? They took his the day after he arrived.
After they left, Harry asked Ginny, "What were the other things Tonks had?"
Ginny hesitantly replied, "Just some empty potion vials and a Portable Pensieve. As a female Auror, she is used to helping… survivors."
"I'm sorry, Ginny. I didn't mean to…" Seeing that she became sad thinking about it, Harry quickly changed the subject. He pulled her into the chair next to him so he could talk with her.
"Ginny, I was clearly wrong to break up with you. It was foolish of me to think that you would be safer without me in your heart. There was nothing I could do to remove you from mine.
"We are so young, and there is so much we still haven't experienced. I feel it would be a mistake to not try."
Ginny interrupted him, "Harry, please. I don't understand." Her eyes were pleading with him.
Harry continued by getting down on his knee in front of her. "I love you. You are my comfort and my joy. Ginevra Molly Weasley, will you marry me?"
She snapped back, "What you on about? I'm not good enough to be your girlfriend, but you need Ron's baby sister to be your wife? If you need a companion to keep you warm at night, get a dog! If you need someone to cook and clean for you, get a house elf! If you have hormonal urges that need a release, forget it!
"I want to be loved. I demand respect. You can't say you love me then put me on a shelf for later. You can't promise to keep me safe then hide me away. Stay by my side. I am going to be out in the fight with you or without you."
He stood and sternly matched her tone. "And you stay by my side. From now on, I'm not going to stop you from putting yourself in danger, but when I believe you are, I'll be there. In case you haven't noticed, I love you."
Fuming, she stomped her foot. "You don't know what love is! For years, my heart pined for you. Other boys do nothing but increase my appreciation for who you are. When you smile at me, it brings me so much happiness; it feels like sunshine on a cloudy day. The caress of your lips makes time stand still and troubles seem distant. Each time you save my life, I feel my life is worth nothing unless I spend it with you."
Smugness filled his face as he countered, "Ha! That's the best you can do? It has only been a year, but your presence fills my life with joy. Your smile brings hope and happiness whenever I see it. Your eyes carry the very food for my soul. Your lips, smooth and delicate, have a way of enchantment no witch could match. The scent of your hair is the aroma of my Amortentia Potion. You are the fight that keeps me going, my reason for living. If you were to die, my heart would cease to squeeze out another beat.
"When I broke up with you, I was punishing myself for feeling happy. Afterwards, it felt as if air was stricken from my lungs, and the sun would never rise. The only thing keeping me from begging you to take me back was the hope that your life could be spared. I now realize that you are my comfort and my source of strength and you are in just as much danger apart from me as you are with me."
Still irritated, she distrustfully pressed, "I want to live my life with you. I think about you all the time. We even enjoy the same things, like flying and mischief. When I am with you, I feel fulfilled and content. Hesitating because of the ignorance of youth is ignorant in itself when your heart tells you it is sane. You are my hero and my happy ending. Why do you want to tease me with this life when you don't even what to be my boyfriend?"
Blowing off more steam, Harry thundered, "Why would I ask to be taken back as your boyfriend when that isn't really what I want? I want you for all time. All I want is to be your husband. I can clean and cook myself, and if you don't greet me happily at the door, we will get a dog. For my sanity, I need to know you are protected, provided for, and loved."
She battled on, "Say I do become your fiancée. How is that any different than being your submissive little girlfriend? What are you planning on doing with me in the short term? Ship me off to Madam Maxime in France until I turn seventeen?"
Finally tiring, Harry implored in a lighter tone, "Don't leave. Take me as your common law husband and stay with me here, tonight. It will take a few weeks, but we can get a marriage ceremony in Scotland under Muggle law. Here in Scotland you only have to be sixteen, and no parental permission is required. Once the Scottish Government recognizes our marriage, everyone would have to respect it, even the Ministry of Magic. Stay with me tonight and… forever."
A smile started to spread across her face. "I don't know… forever is a long time."
He looked into her eyes. "To me, an eternity isn't long enough when it comes to you."
They forcefully embraced and kissed. The kiss lingered, deepened and continued for minutes.
Some time later, as if from a great distance, they heard Tonks clear her throat loudly, as if she had done it several times before.
He looked at Tonks. She was looking at them with a goofy grin. "Worcher, Harry. Are you finished talking? We heard the yelling stop, and I thought I should check."
All of a sudden, he realized what he wanted to ask Ginny. Knowing he did not get his answer, he asked her, "Will you marry me?"
A smile shone in her bright brown eyes as she answered him, "Yes, Harry I will."
Tonks' face relaxed into a smile as she witnessed the proposal. Getting back to business, she told them, "I'll go get Remus and then we'll leave."
Ginny gave Harry a questioning look as Tonks ducked out the flap of the tent.
Harry responded by tightening his arm around her.
As Remus returned, Harry again heard many voices from the camp outside the tent. Remus explained, "We can now get going. Since the twins are in Toronto, we can start with them first."
Ginny responded, "I already have somewhere to stay."
With a surprised look, Remus asked, "Where are you going then?"
She answered with a smirk, "I'm staying with Harry as his common law wife. At least, until we officially get married."
Remus looked at each of them in turn and stammered, "You shouldn't… You can't… There are other options. You're engaged now?" He gestured to them to sit down on the sofa, and he grabbed a dinette chair for himself.
Harry answered, "Yes, you said she needs to be with family, and I gave her everything, all of me for eternity. We are now a family."
Grabbing his head as if it was going to split, Remus sat and sorted through the information. Taking a deep breath, Remus continued, "Because of the physical changes that occur to a witch and wizard at seventeen, the law has always disallowed marriage until that age. For the two of you, there is an old loophole in the law that will allow you to marry as early as tonight."
Confused, Harry asked, "What loophole? And why us?"
Remus answered, "It is a long story. Sixteen years ago, Molly and Arthur were deeply in debt. Your dad, James, wanted to help them, but they were too proud to take money from him.
"When he and Lily visited Molly and Arthur after Ginny's birth, James was immediately smitten by the precious baby as he held her. He did not want to let her out of his arms because he felt such a strong bond to her. While the rest of us mingled and talked, James sat in the chair cooing and muttering blessings over her.
"When it was time to leave, James reluctantly returned Ginny to Molly's arms and talked to Arthur. James gave Arthur enough money to add on the needed addition to the home and title to property, thus releasing the mortgage on the Burrow. Again, Arthur refused, but James insisted and said, 'Please consider it as payment for Ginevra's betrothal to Harry.'
"Molly and Arthur both didn't believe in betrothals, but they also knew that Lily and James would never force a loveless marriage contract on either of their children. Knowing that James was just looking for way to honorably help them out of their financial troubles, Arthur accepted. In light of the terrible threat that they were all facing, it was laughable to think that we would ever survive long enough to see you two grow old enough to go through with it.
"As you grew up, Molly and Arthur chose not to even mention the betrothal to anyone. They wanted the two of you to marry out of love, not contract. Here you are today, engaged without the knowledge of the betrothal. It is because of this betrothal that the two of you can marry whenever you want. An old ministry law permits betrothed marriages for females as young as fifteen years old."
Harry was dumbfounded. He asked Ginny, "Did you know about this?"
Embarrassed, she answered, "Charlie teased me about it on more than one occasion. Each time, Mum would punish him. When I realized that you were contractually my future husband, I did fancy you, but Mum forbade any of us from mentioning the betrothal to you. When it was apparent that you didn't fancy me, I started dating other guys."
Harry muttered, "If I knew about the betrothal, I would have forbidden you from seeing Dean a year ago. I wouldn't have even considered Cho, being promised to such a beautiful girl."
Pleased on how well they took the news, Remus ushered them out of the tent into the camp. "There are a few people here to see a wedding."
The camp was filled full of people from the Order of the Phoenix. Unfortunately, neither Hermione nor any of the Weasleys were there.
Firenze cantered over to them. Harry asked Firenze, "Professor, did you foresee this?"
Disdainfully Firenze answered, "Actually, Sybil Trelawney originally predicted it, including the time and location." He lightened up as he continued, "After I confirmed her prediction, everyone started to believe it was possible. You must understand, you were missing, and Ginny was captured and presumed dead."
Ginny looked at Harry in curiosity. Harry nudged her, "I'll explain later."
Tonks grabbed Harry's arm and brought them to the center of the camp. "You picked the most inappropriate time to get married. We are all tired, so we are going do what we can to make this short. Moody has already started the ritual by doing the compatibility test. That is what we needed your blood for."
Even though it was the middle of the night, the encampment was warm. Someone must have cast a warming charm over the area. Even the ground was warm enough for Ginny to walk on with her bare feet.
Noticing the nightdress, Tonks waved her wand, and Ginny's nightdress turned into beautiful wedding gown.
Ginny was in awe at the beautiful gown. Never had she worn anything remotely as beautiful. Still curious about the compatibility test, she asked, "What was the result?"
Moody heard the question and answered, "Let's just say there is not another man alive that was more suited for you. You two are clearly soul mates."
Harry was confused by this, being raised as a Muggle.
Noticing his questioning look, Ginny explained, "It is customary before a wizarding wedding to perform a test to predict the potential longevity of the marriage. It really doesn't mean that we won't fight or have hard times. It just means that we have a higher chance of working out our differences in the end."
Tonks nudged Ginny with a grin on her face and quietly added, "And it also means that he is less likely to cheat on you in the future."
Leaving Harry and Ginny standing in the center facing each other, the wedding guests formed a circle around them.
Being the eldest, Moody presided over the ceremony. "Do you, Harry James Potter, take Ginny to be your lawfully wedded wife: to have and to hold; for sickness or health; for richer or poorer; for as long as you so live?"
Looking into her bright brown eyes, Harry responded, "I do."
Moody continued, "Do you, Ginevra Molly Weasley, take Harry to be your lawfully wedded husband: To have and to hold; for sickness or in health; for richer or poorer; for as long as you so live?"
She gazed back into Harry's green eyes and answered, "I do."
Holding each other's hand, the people surrounding them in a circle began the wedding ritual chant. A bright light surrounded them and started to pulse.
Harry felt like he could not ever be happier. Through the warm touch of her hand, he felt her emotions of love. A shimmering light glowed brightly around them before shooting out in all directions.
Moody asked, "Do you have the ring?"
"Ring?" Harry asked, suddenly queasy.
Remus spoke, "Oh, I have it." He approached Harry and Ginny while hunting through all of his pockets. Suddenly, he pulled a small gold ring out of an inside pocket.
Harry looked at him in disbelief.
Noticing the look, Remus told him, "With the predictions and all, I had to be prepared."
A smile spread on Harry's face. "Thank you, I'll pay you back."
With a warm gentle look, Remus told him, "Don't worry about it. Sirius left us both plenty of money. This is something I wanted to do for you. Your parents would have wanted me to be here for you too."
"Thank you, Remus." Harry's face was full of emotion as he gave him a one-armed hug.
Remus straightened up. "Go on now. Don't keep her waiting."
Harry turned back to Ginny to see her smiling passionately. Tears of happiness brimmed in her eyelashes. He gave Moody a quick nod, and then turned his attention back on to his beautiful bride.
Moody continued, "Repeat after me: With this ring, I thee wed."
Harry told her, "With this ring, I thee wed." Harry gently slipped the ring on to her finger. He noticed that the ring had a brilliant one-carat diamond with clear rubies clustered around it.
Moody declared, "I now pronounce you Man and Wife: Mr. and Mrs. Harry Potter. You may kiss your bride."
Harry and Ginny leaned in close and gently kissed each other. Harry willed his kiss to convey his deep love for her. When they broke apart, she seemed happy. Her smile and bright brown eyes made him feel happier than he had been in his whole life. For once in his life, he felt complete, and he felt whole.
A loud cheer sounded around them. Fairies circled around them, surrounding them with their warm light.
One by one, the wedding guests greeted them and conveyed their blessings. Professor McGonagall told them, "The two of you will not be able to return to school as students anymore, but you will always be welcome to come and visit. Lupin has offered to tutor you through the remainder of your studies. You can even take the N.E.W.T.'s with us."
Tonks was the last to congratulate them. "Usually there are wedding bells and fireworks. The reception party would go on for hours. Since you decided to marry in middle of the night and when we are in hiding, we have to keep it short and quiet. Good night, you two. See you in the morning."
Harry walked Ginny over to his tent. Seeing her confusion, Harry pulled out the slip of paper for her to read, "Harry's tent is made in China." A weary smile broke across her face as she noticed the tattered old pup tent.
Harry explained, "Don't worry. It will be fine. You'll like the inside."
When she crawled in, she was surprised. The tent was clean, spacious and new on the inside. She squealed in happiness and she hugged her husband. "Oh, Harry. I love it."
She quickly prepared for bed. By the time Harry returned from using the loo and washing up, she was already underneath the satin sheets. With a smile of contentment, Harry started to leave the room.
Ginny told him, "Harry, come to bed. I'm tired."
Harry was worried that she would not want to be intimate with him because of her traumatic incarceration with the Death Eaters. Instead, she insisted on his presence to allow her to sleep peacefully. He happily complied, crawled under the sheets and snuggled her close.
"Mrs. Potter?" Harry asked softly into her neck.
In lazy contentment, she replied, "Uh hum?"
"Happy Birthday."
The next morning, after he was done showering and getting dressed, Harry noticed Ginny woke up. She snapped up in bed and looked around in fear and confusion.
She was mumbling, "This can't be real. I must have been dreaming." She was pinching herself in hopes that reality would come into view.
Harry approached her cautiously and knelt beside her. He was afraid that she would denounce her marriage to him. "Ginny, please stop pinching yourself. You are not dreaming. Everything around you is real, and you are safe."
She answered, "This can't be. Last night, I fell asleep in my cell."
Harry reassured her, "Yes, and Fawkes and I rescued you." Fawkes greeted her with a warble.
Her eyes went wide as she connected, "Then you and I are really…"
Harry nodded and tenderly lifted her left hand, showing her the ring. This was the moment that Harry feared the most.
Ginny looked at the ring with a wide expression and back at Harry. She was gasping for breath with tears in her eyes.
Sadly, Harry asked, "So you want to annul the marriage?"
She threw her arms around him and said, "No! I want you. I love you. I just can't believe it came true. I'm married!"
He returned her warm embrace and started passionately kissing her. "I love you, Mrs. Potter."
"I love you too, Harry."
A few hours later, Harry and Ginny stepped out of their tent to be greeted with applause. Moody conceded, "You can have the day off from your training, but be prepared to work twice as hard tomorrow."
Remus walked up to them. Giving each of them a hug, he announced, "I have made arrangements with Gringotts for the both of you to review your holding, get everything put jointly in both of your names, and review some wills.
Harry and Ginny allowed Remus and Tonks to join them on their trip to Gringotts. After last night, Harry considered Remus as a parent. When he arrived at the bank, the account clerk was a bit too loud as he repeated his name. Some heads turned to look at the four of them. Harry insisted on Griphook's assistance instead. Griphook took Harry to all of his vaults. Besides his trust vault, Harry also had a Potter Family vault and a Black Family vault.
In the Black Family vault, Ginny noticed a haphazard pile of family heirlooms in the middle of the floor. She exclaimed, "I recognize this stuff. I thought we tossed all of this stuff out when we cleaned Grimmauld Place."
Harry looked over the items. "Maybe Kreacher had a way to move them into this vault."
Pointing at a piece of jewelry, she said, "I remember that. That is the locket that wouldn't open."
The word "locket" stuck in his mind. He quickly picked it up and inspected it. Sure enough, it was the Slytherin necklace.
Harry asked Remus, "Did Sirius have a family member with a first name that starts with 'R'?"
Casually Ginny answered before Remus could reply, "Regulas Black was Sirius's brother."
Excited, Harry started looking around for anything else that could resemble a Horcrux.
Inside a roll-top desk in the Black Family vault, Harry found a number of documents and notes, but he didn't find anything else. After quickly gathering them up, he shrunk them and gave them to his wife, for safekeeping. At her questioning look, he replied, "I'll explain later. Instead of taking a large sack of gold and pound notes, Griphook gave Harry and Ginny a money pouch that was linked directly to their vault. This money pouch would magically empty out just the right amount of money required for the purchase. The pouch is also a security feature, since only they could use it.
For Muggle purchases, he gave them credit cards with a pin number so they could get cash. Ginny looked fondly at her card as it read "Ginevra M Potter." It was her first piece of identification that labeled her as Harry's wife.
After the tour of the vaults, Harry and Ginny met with the goblins in the estate and trust department. Harry became teary eyed as he read the letters that Sirius, his mum, his dad, and Dumbledore left him. Ginny wrapped her arm around him and shared his emotions.
Harry asked to be let out the back door to the bank because of the scene the other goblin made. Sure enough, when they walked out into the Alley, a group of Aurors was waiting for them outside the front door. He quietly asked Remus and Tonks to meet them at Gladrags in Hogsmeade instead. Holding out an arm to Ginny, he Apparated them to Hogsmeade. Ginny purchased a full wardrobe. Some of the items she purchased made Harry blush. Harry insisted that she purchased everything new and buy the best.
When she was done, she pulled Harry, Remus and Tonks over to the Shrieking Shack. A mischievous glint was in her eyes as she told them to wait over by the fence as she pulled out of her pocket a dark grey canister and a small cardigan sweater. She called out, "Kreacher!"
Kreacher appeared before her pulling on his ears and muttering, "No, I won't serve this Blood Traitor. No I won't."
Ginny asked him, "Do you know what this is?" She was fondly fingering the strange looking grey canister.
After giving her a contemptuous look, he replied, "No, Kreacher does not know what that is."
She explained, "This is a wish giver. It would be very dangerous in the wrong hands. After pulling out this pin, the wisher puts it up under their nose and smells. It would be awful if someone like Bellatrix got a hold of this. She would have so much power."
Kreacher asked, "Why did you call Kreacher? And how did you call Kreacher?"
Shocked, Ginny snapped out of her reverie to explain, "Oh, I asked you here to introduce myself to you and give you a gift. I'm your new mistress." She set the grey canister down in front of her and turned around to pull out the cardigan from behind her. She purposely took her time as she did so. "I know how much you hate working for Mr. Potter and me, so I'm giving you this." She handed him the cardigan sweater. She added, "You know so many of our secrets, and you are not allowed to speak of them to Bellatrix or anyone else."
With a disdainful, pointy-toothed smile, Kreacher said, "Kreacher hate you and Potter. Kreacher is free and he will tell anyone Kreacher likes, whatever he likes."
Disgusted, Ginny turned away and walked back to Harry. She heard him pop away as she reached Harry. "Did he take it?"
With a wry smile, Harry replied, "Yes, he took it. Did you know what you gave him?"
A sneaky smirk spread across her lips as she asked, "What do you mean? Besides the clothes?" She innocently batted her eyelashes.
Harry coughed out a chuckle as he said, "The grey canister. Do you know what that was?"
Indignantly she answered, "I was raised in a decent Muggle-loving home. We do pick up some knowledge of Muggle weapons. Besides, with Fred and George's knack for mayhem, I have seen those things quite a bit. It is a smoke bomb."
Shaking his head, he replied, "Before you get into any more of my things, I need to explain what each of those things is. You have just given him a magically enhanced, highly explosive bomb. When she pulls that pin, it will be Neville and I who will be getting our wish."
Ginny blanched, "Oh no. Please don't tell Hermione. She will be mad enough that I have given him clothes. Now there won't be a head left to put up on a wall."
Everyone laughed at the absurdity.
Stoically, Remus asked, "How can you be sure he won't share information with the Death Eaters?"
She replied, "There is nothing that Kreacher knows that Snape doesn't already know. I'm just glad that Harry waited long enough for me to do the honors of giving him clothes. That felt good."
Concerned, Tonks suggested, "We should get back. It won't be long before he brings the Ministry or Death Eaters."
They went back to Camp Padfoot. As Ginny was making dinner for them, Tonks explained what had happened after the battle. She had difficulties concentrating on the cooking as she grieved for Charlie. Tonks tried to help, but in her clumsiness spilt things and caused other things to burn.
Tonks called out, "Harry, could you come in here and help?"
Harry hurried into the kitchen to find a frying pan catching on fire. He almost slipped on some batter spilt on the floor before placing a lid on the pan to snuff out the flames.
Desperate, Harry called out, "Dobby!"
Harry turned off the burners, turned on the range hood vent and cautiously made his way over to Ginny to comfort her.
Dobby appeared in the messy kitchen. After wearily looking around, he bowed to Harry and asked, "Does the great Harry Potter need Dobby?"
Harry asked, "Dobby, would you be so kind as to clean up the mess and finish the meal for us? I'm sorry for asking this of you."
Ecstaticly, Dobby said, "It would be an honor to Dobby to do this for Harry Potter Sir." Bouncing in happiness, he started to work.
Harry guided Ginny into the living room and sat beside her on the sofa.
Feeling ashamed, Tonks apologized, "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have told her that while she was busy. It was very insensitive of me."
Harry looked at Ginny then up at Tonks. "No, she needed to hear it. It is better she learn about it now."
Tonks and Remus continued the story to Ginny while Harry comforted her.
When the meal was ready, Dobby asked, "Harry Potter, Sir, what happened to your house elf, Kreacher?"
Harry looked over at Ginny before answering, "We gave him clothes today."
Ginny added, "He was a bad house elf."
Dobby nodded and pulled on his robe. "Does Harry Potter need a new house elf?"
Harry answered, "No, I don't."
Ginny quickly corrected him. "Yes! Dobby, would you be our house elf?"
Harry rolled his eyes in resignation.
Dobby looked questioningly at Harry then at Ginny.
She explained, "I'm now Mrs. Potter. You would be working for the both of us."
Dobby was so excited, tears shone in his large eyes. "Yes, Dobby would be very happy to serve Master and Mistress Potter. Would Dobby be paid?"
Ginny said, "No. You will be our house elf."
Giving Ginny a look of exasperation, Harry interjected, "You will have as much money and time off as you want."
Ginny returned Harry's irritated look and added, "You will have full belonging to the Potter family, and the Potter family belongs to you."
Harry wanted to add in something else, but he could not think of anything to say.
After a few seconds, Ginny told Dobby, "If this is agreeable with you, you may tell Professor McGonagall that you will no longer be working for her at the school."
Dobby ran up between Harry and Ginny at the dining room table and took a hand from each of them. He bowed his head and said, "Dobby hereby bonds himself to Mr. and Mrs. Potter to be their house elf." Magic from the promise surrounded the three of them. With a big smile, Dobby let go and popped out of the tent.
Harry gave Ginny a stern look and asked. "Was that necessary? What is Hermione going to think?"
Ginny snapped back, "Bugger 'spew,' and bugger Hermione. We have to stop looking a gift horse in the mouth and do something about it. He needs us just as much as we need him."
He retorted, "We don't really need him. We both can cook and clean ourselves"
Truly irritated, Ginny snapped, "You try having nine young children and keep up the laundry, cooking and the cleaning."
Feeling a bit uncomfortable with the tone of the discussion, Remus and Tonks got up to leave. "We should probably go."
Unsure, Harry insisted, "No, don't leave. We are done. She won the argument. Please stay and enjoy the dinner with us."
With a satisfied smile, Ginny started helping herself to the food and passing it around.
A minute later, Harry quietly asked her, "Are you serious about nine children?"
With a quick glance and a shy smile, she answered, "If that is alright with you of course."
Surprised, he responded, "No, that would be great! I love children."
Remus and Tonks shared a warm smile as they quietly ate their meal.
After the meal, Remus and Tonks left to give Harry and Ginny some time alone.
Harry showed Ginny how to work the telly. Afterwards, he sat at the desk in the spare bedroom/office and started to write the letter he promised Hedwig.
Curiously, Ginny peeked into the office and asked, "Who are you writing?"
Sheepishly Harry answered, "Your parents, especially your mother. She is probably having kittens right now. If I at least tell her that we are safe and alive, she would probably be able to rest a little more easily."
"Would you mind if I read what you are writing and add a little something?"
He responded, "Sure, I was hoping you would. Just keep important details and unknown facts out of it."
Sassy, she inquired, "You mean like the fact that I'm sleeping with you, or that we are married?"
Rolling his eyes, he told her. "I'm telling them that part. I mean anything that would give a reader a clue where we are and how we are staying hidden."
She wrote a few paragraphs and signed her name too.
Harry beckoned over Hedwig and told her, "Try your best not to be followed or detected. Take your time. The hardest part will be finding them. If you have to, abandon the letter and come safely back. The letter is not worth your life. On your way back, make sure that you are not being tracked before coming here. Worse comes to worst, I'll find you."
He gave his letter to Hedwig and sent her off.
For the rest of the evening, Harry told Ginny about the Horcruxes and the importance of the Slytherin necklace.
Author Notes:
You are probably thinking, "No Way, anyone would marry like that!"
The premise behind this story is that, before the funeral, Harry and Ginny individually have determined that they are destined to marry each other eventually. The biggest hurdle in the natural dating process had been already overcome by this. Once the couple has determined, without a doubt, that their future is in each other, it is only a small step to move the relationship to engagement or marriage. At that point, it is just nerves.
Marrying Young: I rarely ever see authors in H/P fan fiction commit their characters to marriage early on. Early marriage in our society statistically guarantees demise in divorce. With the costs of divorce being high, emotionally and financially, most young couples tend to simply live together. Personally, I see it as a sad sign of our times.
Young marriages can work. I personally can attest that it is a big blessing to live as a married couple during the late teens and early twenties.
Most fan fiction authors would rather write about pre-marital intimacy. I would prefer that if Harry and Ginny has physical intimacy it would be with the benefit of a long-term commitment.
Where many stories tend to end with a marriage, I have written this story to begin with one. Marriages are not the mark for an end to an adventure, but it is just a beginning.