Disclaimer: I own no part of Harry Potter or its associated canon nor, any other already copyrighted material.

(A/N): One relatively happy chapter.

Chapter 4

A Weasley Wedding

In the few days leading up to Bill and Fleur's wedding it was easy for Ginny and Harry to sneak away unnoticed to talk for a few stolen moments. The rest of the Burrow's residents were too occupied with the wedding, or in Ron and Hermione's cases, each other, to notice that they were again speaking to each other at length and seemed altogether happier. Had they happened upon the couple during one of these stolen moments they would have found them not snogging, but talking.

There were a number of things that Ron and Hermione knew that Ginny did not. Harry knew that trying to stop her from helping was pointless and had given over to helping her help him. Carefully tracing his recollections from his earliest magical memory to his first transit on the Express to the past year at Hogwarts he tried to fill in all the bits the trio had been engaged in over the years and everything he had learned. At each new revelation of exactly what had had happened here or there and each piece of new information she responded with laughter, concern and the occasional tear for what he had suffered. Harry himself was surprised at the more objective perspective he gained on events of the last decade with the advantage of hindsight. He could see from this time far in the future how even events long ago had begun shaping his path.

Her final bout of shock came as he told her of Voldemort's Horcrux and the fake one he and Dumbledore had recovered. He also added Ron's idea that the real one was at the Order's HQ in the Black's…his house. She looked up from against the tree where she was sitting to him, laying on the grass in the shade, eyes closed.

"It's…yours?"

"Yeah. Sirius left it to me in his will. I was a bit shocked when Dumbledore told me last summer, but I guess I've just accepted it. I figured the Order might as well use it since I'm not."

"Wow…"

"What?"

"Harry…you're not even of age yet and you already own your own house."

"Yeah…a dead man's house. The Black family house. I don't want it."

"But Harry…" She moved from the tree and kneeled down next to him. When he opened his eyes he found himself looking directly up into her pointed gaze, red hair cascading around her face. "It wasn't just his house; it wasn't just the Black family house. It was his home. He wanted you to have it. He wanted you to have a place to call your own. Your home. I know you like living here, but think about it…not a room grudgingly given at your Aunt's, not a bed in your friend's room, but your own room. Your own house. Your own…home. A place that was yours and yours alone. Sirius wanted you to have that. Are you really going to deny a dead man his last wish?" Harry was momentarily surprised at the fervor in her voice.

He stared up at her considering her words. For the first time he saw it as more than his dead godfather's house. He could see it. His own room… One he could arrange however he wished. A whole house he could arrange. But it would be too big for just him. Well she'd be there of course. And there'd be plenty of rooms for the kids and for Ron and Hermione to stay when they visited. He could take over the whole third floor right now and not disturb the Order. Wait…kids? He rapidly backpedaled away from that flight of fancy but he couldn't hide the smile on his face.

"You know…you have a point."

"I usually do."

"Now, I just have to figure out how to get your mother to teach me to cook with out having her move in to 'watch out for me'."

"Oh, she's taught me plenty. I can cook for the both of us." She smiled for a second before the look melted into surprise at what she had just said. "I mean…that is…I didn't…" He pushed himself up on his elbows and kissed her lightly.

"I'd like that." He pulled back, smiling. She bit her lower lip a little, hoping he was implying what she thought he was. Before he could say more though, her mother's voice rang through the backyard.

"GINNY!! Where are you?" Ginny rose to her feet and dusted off the knees of her skirt. Harry rose beside her and dusted off his pants. They walked side by side from beneath the tree toward the Burrow's back door.

"Probably wants me try on those robes again. Don't see why I have to be a bridesmaid. Besides, the robes are hideous." Bill and Fleur had been apperating in daily to finish the wedding plans and drive a good portion of the family a little crazy. Mrs. Weasley had been in frenzy that hadn't slackened for days. He was a little worried she was going to pass out. Or explode.

"Actually…I kind of like them. Or maybe it's just that you're wearing them. It could be I'm a little biased." She smiled at the compliment, a slight hint of a blush creeping up her neck.

"Well, then. I guess I'd better try them on again, if only for you." Reaching the door he pulled it open for her. As he did he noticed Bill sitting, miraculously alone, on a bench in the garden.

"I'll see you in a bit. I'm going to go talk to Bill."

"Okay. Later." She pulled the door shut and cut off Mrs. Weasley's joyous chorus at her return. Harry turned and stepped slowly over to Bill, looking for any sign he wanted to be alone. A few feet from the bench Bill looked up and gestured to the unused half of the seat, leaning as he was against the back, head thrown back. Sitting, Harry got a good look at his face. The scars were almost completely gone and he wouldn't have seen them if he hadn't know what he was looking for.

"Hey Harry."

"Hi." Harry sat and leaned forward, his arms resting on his knees, hands clasped. "So…how you been."

"Good. Real good. Exhasted, but good."

"Good… How's the…" Harry gestured to his own face and shoulder where Bill's scars would be.

"It's not so bad. Found I have an affinity for rare meat now, but otherwise… Full moons aren't even that bad. Minor cosmetic changes. I can keep my mind rather well with just a little Wolf's Bane." His head came forward and he too stared out over the garden. "Fleur stayed with me the first night. Never left my side. Lupin and Tonks were in a nearby room while Moody watched over the both of us." He paused again. "I never saw a hint of fear in her eyes. God…I love that woman." That much was clear from the lok in his eyes.

"Where…where did you…?"

"Hogwarts. We figured the castle would be the safest and Minerva didn't mind." Harry's mind caught for a split second on that, as it often did when he heard one of his professors referred to by their first name.

"Oh…" Harry leaned back as well and let silence settle over them for a few minutes before he spoke again. "Bill…if you don't mind me asking…when did you know? About Fleur I mean." Bill glanced at him for a moment, considering the question. A slightly cocked eyebrow indicated he was wondering where this question had come from.

"Hm…I'm really not sure. I think it just happened one day when I tried to picture the future without her and I couldn't." His eyes flicked past Harry to the door Ginny had entered for a split second.

"Oh…"

"And after tomorrow, I won't have to." His head came up again as he and Harry looked over the large white arch set on a larger dais covered with flowers. Dozens of white folding chairs were broken into two sections on either side of the white marble aisle. It had been a quick setup thanks to magic, and it would be just as quick to pull apart.

Harry rose and left Bill to what were likely to be his last moments of peace for a couple days. He decided to head for the kitchen. Maybe he could catch a glimpse of Ginny in her bridesmaid robes.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, may I present Mr. and Mrs. Bill Weasley!" The over 100 strong crowd rose to its feet as one and cheered the new couple. A second later a congratulations banner appeared behind the pair and much of the crowd, including Mrs. Weasley looked around to see where it had come from. Only Harry noticed the Twins surreptitiously replacing their wands in their robes next to him. He leaned over to George.

"That was nice." Both of them grinned in response.

"Don't tell a soul Harry. We've got a reputation to uphold after all."

"Not a word." His eyes followed the couple as they made their way back down the aisle to the reception area set up nearer the house. A large dance floor was surrounded with plenty of tables for everyone. Harry followed the flow of the crowd and broke off near the buffet table. Mrs. Weasley had outdone herself for the event, creating incredible amounts of food for the guests. Taking cover near the unbelievably intricate wedding cake Mrs. DeLacour had made he glanced over the crowd.

Off to the side the small official ministry contingent consisting of Minister Scrimgeour, a few Auror guards and, surprisingly, Percy was already dissapperating. They had cone only out of requirement, sat stolidly in the back and, honestly, everyone was just a little happier when they had left. Bill had tried to talk to Percy but had gotten no more than curt congratulations out of him before he fell silent.

Several members of the Order and a few Hogwarts teachers were present as well, each wishing the couple well. The Order members were easy to pick out though Harry was surprised when he finally recognized Tonks. Not only was she wearing a dress but her hair was a normal dark brown that just happened to match Lupin's suit and flowed down past her shoulder blades. Even Moody had cleaned up a bit for the ceremony, looking saner than Harry could ever remember, despite the eye spinning wildly in his socket.

Everyone had broken into small groups after visiting the buffet table and were either sitting or standing in little clusters. He could pick out certain people as he looked around. Charlie and his wild hair were chatting up a couple of witches near the table. The twins were off to the side entertaining a group of children with some of their less destructive goods. Ron and Hermione sat near the dance floor also watching the crowd and talking. She made a gesture toward her shoulder that it took Harry a moment to figure out. It was only when she made a sweeping motion beneath her neck followed by Ron's slight blush he realized she was talking about a dress. Why still escaped him.

Continuing his visual sweep he found the unofficial Ministry contingent made up of Arthur Weasley's friends. They were gathered in a loose group apparently commenting to each other about the others present and greeting those that came by. Off in the largest group was the wedding party consisting of the couple, their parents and the attendants. He watched this group for several minutes as many of the guests filed by and offered congratulations. Eventually the crowd thinned and some members were able to break away. Arthur escaped to join his friends from the ministry. Ginny broke free and began searching the crowd. When her eyes locked on Harry's she began a hurried walk to him.

"Hey."

"Hey." She glanced around trying to figure out what to say next. "So…hungry?"

"For your mother's cooking? Always."

"Good. Then we can sit down. These shoes are killing me." The forced grin told him just how bad they were.

"They look good though." She cocked and eyebrow at his response and let out a slight grin. Taking his offered hand they headed for the buffet table. There was quite a group at the table as Molly's cooking was well known. Harry did his best to help Ginny by supporting her weight on one side at a time so she could rest her feet in turns. After following the slow line and loading up on a little of almost everything they made their way over to an empty table near the back. They talked about various things as they tried this and that from the wide selection of Molly's cooking they had gathered.

"So…quite a crowd."

"Yeah. I was surprised Percy showed up."

"Had to I imagine. Always waiting at Scrimgeour's heels."

"I suppose." Continuing through the plates they fell into a comfortable silence. After a few minutes Ginny noticed Harry had stopped eating and was just staring off into the distance. Glancing where he was looking and finding nothing she turned back.

"Harry?" He started and turned back to her, a small grin on his face.

"Yeah?"

"What were you thinking about? Not Voldemort. You promised me you'd take one day off from all of that."

"And to that I hold true. I was thinking far more pleasant things."

"About?" Say me. Say me. Please.

"My…house." Oh. "Can't think about you all of the time."

"Okay…I'll forgive you. This time. So…what were you thinking about your house?" He pushed the plate away and turned to face her. Repositioning her feet on the other side of her discarded shoes, she did the same.

"I was thinking about what you said. How I could make it my home. Having my own room certainly has an appeal. In my aunt's house, here, even at Hogwarts I've never had a room that I could call my own. And now I've got an entire house…"

"You do?" They turned as Hermione and Ron appeared. Though Hermione had asked, both looked impressed. They each had half a plate of food and sat next to Ginny. Harry nodded in confirmation.

"Yeah. Sirius left it to me in his will." Ron looked at him in wonder.

"You mean…his house? Blimey…the whole house?" Hermione cut her eyes at him for his insensitivity.

"Yes Ron. And he only had to lose his godfather to get it."

"Oh…right. Sorry mate."

"It's okay." Hermione looked at him thoughtfully.

"So, what are you going to do with it? I mean beside the Order?"

"Well…I thought I might…" He trailed off as he spied Headmistress McGonagall striding through the crowd. Rising quickly from his seat he started toward her. "Sorry. I'll just be a minute." He reached the Headmistress and spoke too quietly for them to hear. Letting him be, Hermione turned to Ginny.

"Ready to cut your feet off yet?"

"Almost. Bloody high heels." Ron then made the monumental mistake of speaking.

"I don't mind them," for response he received sinister glares from both girls.

"You don't have to wear them," they said in unison, spooking him just a little.

"Right…uh…anyway…Harry mate, what did you want with McGonagall?" Thankfully Harry had returned to rescue him.

"Oh…I was just asking about Hogwarts." The three looked at him expectantly, waiting for him to continue. "Right…the governors are going to be voting next week. They're waiting until the last possible moment. Letters will go out five minutes later one way or the other." They nodded in response. Hermione considered it for a moment.

"Can't really blame them for waiting. They'd want to put as much distance between the funeral and the announcement as possible." After a moments glancing around, she continued. "Anyway…you were saying? About your house?"

"Yeah…I was thinking about moving in." Even Ginny was mildly surprised at this. "Once I come of age. Don't get me wrong, I love living here and I know your mum doesn't mind, but I would like to get out on my own a little. Besides Ron, you'd get your bed room all to yourself again."

"Good point…" Hermione rose and pulled Ron to his feet as the band started up.

"Come on. If I'm wearing these the least you could do is dance with me." Ron looked like he was going to start whining as she led him away. With their departure Harry turned back to Ginny. She could tell he was trying to say something.

"What is it Harry."

"Well…I know you have certain ideas about me trying to protect you…" Her look made it clear just what those ideas were, but she nodded for him to continue. "But I…please…just let me do one thing. I promise this isn't some sort of trick to keep us apart. But there's one thing I want to do. Please?"

"What?"

"Uh…I…can't tell you. Yet."

"And you just want me to agree to let you? With out knowing what it is?"

"Ye…ah… Please?"

"Okay…one thing Potter." He leaned in and planted a quick kiss on her lips.

"Thank you." Their attention was drawn to clapping near the buffet table. They realized a moment later the cake was being cut with a rather ornate knife. Molly raised her wand and with a quick flourish a plate with a piece of cake appeared in front of every seated person. Harry glanced down at the crumbly marbled texture. "I love magic."

(A/N): If you feel it is warranted feel free to review. I welcome any and all opinions.