Proposals, Weddings, Births, and Classes

On September the First, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Neville, and Draco started their sixth year; Ginny, Luna, and Caitrin, their fifth year at Hogwarts. They all said goodbye to Dudley, Aimee, Audrey, Percy, Bill, Fleur, Remus, Tonks, Dan and Emma Granger, and Hope and sat in one compartment. Ginny, Luna, Hermione, and Caitrin sat on their respective boyfriends' laps. They discussed the summer, played Exploding Snap, took turns teasing one another and blushing when it was their turn to get teased, and joking. At Hogsmeade Station, one of the Aurors standing guard was Tonks, who winked at them happily.

Meanwhile, at Potter Manor, Dudley, as well as Aimee, were starting to study basic Arithmancy, History of Magic, Care of Magical Creatures, Herbology, and Potions. They studied first-year syllabus and were reasonably good at it even at the beginning.

At Hogwarts, after each and every student was thoroughly checked and let in, Professor McGonagall stood up and welcomed the new teachers, "Professor Bill Weasley, your new DADA teacher! Professor Charlie Weasley, your new CoMC teacher! Professor Slughorn, your new Potions teacher! Give them all a round of applause! Let the feast begin!"

Harry was the new captain of the Gryffindor Quidditch team. He held trials and selected a mixture of old players and new entries.

It took a day for them to get used to "Professor Weasley" as opposed to "Bill" or "Charlie". Even Fleur had to be addressed as Mrs. Weasley.

During the first week, they all took time off to go and see how Charlie managed his classes. Charlie did a wonderful job, and Hagrid was thoroughly impressed. Charlie, for his part, was given his quarters on the second floor of the castle. His office was close to the stairs and hence, quickly accessible.

On Wednesday, they had their first DADA class of the year, and Bill Weasley walked in, grinning. Bill was a knowledgeable person and was amazingly good at his job. Apart from Remus Lupin, Harry noted, Bill was the only ever competent Defense Against The Dark Arts Professor Harry had known at Hogwarts. Bill had been given the couples quarters, a chamber meant for married professors, where he and Fleur lived.

September went by like a cool breeze. Harry loved his DA sessions, Quidditch practice, school work, the time he spent with all his friends, and most of all, those precious hours he spent with Ginny. His mind connection to Ginny was stronger than ever, and it made them yearn for each other stronger than they used to. Harry took this as a sign to mean that the next stage of their relationship was upon them. Harry's DA sessions were doing so much better. The older DA members were now recruiting newer DA members and teaching them whatever they had learned from Harry. As for his friends, Ron and Hermione were so madly in love that they were starting to have eyes for no one apart from each other most of the time, and Harry had started getting the notion that the trio was becoming more of a couple and the third wheel (Harry). Neville was now officially dating Luna, as were Caitrin and Draco. Harry knew that Aimee and Dudley were serious in their relationship too.

Romilda Vane hadn't given up her pursuit of Harry. She made feeble attempts to catch his attention. However, she was no match for Ginny and Hermione. Harry felt so blessed when he saw Hermione and Ginny work like a team because if these two girls came together, that meant that it was impossible to defeat them! Harry knew Ron felt good about this too. Ron, on the other hand, had strictly told Romilda that he could report Romilda for pushing him into the lake when all he did was to tell her not to stalk Harry. These factors kept Romilda from attempting another stupid Love Potion trick or something.

The start of October brought them the news that Fred and George were marrying Angelina Johnson and Alicia Spinnet, respectively, on the second of November. George and Fred were extremely successful in the joke shop that they were able to afford a dual wedding quite easily and without any strain on any of their siblings. Alicia Spinnet and Angelina Johnson were also paying for the wedding.

Alicia had maintained that George was a brave man who had saved the honor of a woman, so having one ear doesn't bother her, and she loved him anyway.

Like Bill's and Percy's weddings, the twins' weddings were also held at the Burrow. Angelina was from an African American family. Her extended family had come from different parts of Canada and the United States for the wedding. Alicia also had her extended family come from other parts of the U.K. and France. For obvious reasons, the guests were larger than even the numbers at Bill's wedding. The decorations were lavish, and the celebrations lasted for a long time. Everybody was thrilled, and it was such a welcome break from all the dark activities, deaths, and disappearances around them.

George and Alicia decided to operate from Diagon Alley, while Fred and Angelina moved to open the Hogsmeade branch of Weasley Wizards Wheezes. Lee Jordan took up the job of traveling across the country selling the products. Most of the profit he made from it went to him, Fred and George had insisted. George and Fred had actually told Lee that Lee could've all the profit but Lee had insisted that at least some of the profit must go to the Weasley twins.

After the weddings, Harry and Hermione accompanied the Weasleys, who now included Angelina Weasley and Alicia Weasley, to Arthur and Molly's graves. As the twins tearfully introduced Alicia Weasley and Angelina Weasley, the other Weasleys and Harry and Hermione cried silently. Ron, however, had gone back to furiously muttering, "Wait till I get Dolohov!" Harry had to pat Ron's back to calm him down. Harry spent the rest of the day calming down a sobbing Ginny.

As November moved on, the weather became colder and colder. By now, Romilda Vane had given up all her attempts to woo Harry. She knew that Harry's sister, as Hermione was now called at Hogwarts (Harry was called her brother, likewise) would be on the lookout and that Harry was already irreversibly smitten by one Ginny Weasley.

The Quidditch season started, and Harry was elated to see his team perform extraordinarily. When some Slytherins made to mock Ron and the other players, Draco firmly put his foot down and strictly told them off.

By mid-November, an elated Bill told Ron, Ginny, Hermione, and Harry that Audrey was expecting a baby! Aimee had been running around the Manor happily like a child! Everyone was so happy for Percy and Audrey.

Soon, it was December. One evening, Ginny sat cuddled into Harry in the Common Room on a single armchair in front of the fire. Just then, Harry was stuck with an idea.

"Gin, w-will you come with me to Godric's Hollow on Christmas Day? I've been thinking about it, and I really want to visit my parents' graves. With you, it will be even more special."

Ginny lifted her head and looked into him before her head dropped back onto his chest, "Sure, Harry! I'll come with you."

That was why, as the Christmas Holidays started, Harry took Ginny with him to Godric's Hollow. At sunset, Harry led Ginny into the graveyard behind the Church in Godric's Hollow. There was a headstone made of white marble, which read the birth dates of James Potter and Lily Potter. Both were recorded to have died on the 31st of October, 1981. Harry read, 'The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.' Hot tears came out of his eyes and froze on his cheeks due to the biting cold. He wished he could've been there with Lily and James under the snow. Ginny had enveloped him into a hug standing on tiptoe. Harry obliged by bending and letting her cover him with her arms as he sobbed into her chest.

After a while, he regained composure and put a basket of flowers at the grave. Ginny, too, conjured flowers and placed them on top of Harry's flowers.

Finally, he took a moment to look into Ginny's eyes. Green eyes locked themselves into brown eyes. Then, without planning, without any warming, Harry dropped on one of his knees, pulled out a sapphire ring, and held Ginny's hand.

"Ginevra Molly Weasley! From the day I met you on September the First in 1991, I've known love, care, and affection such as I had never known before! As months passed by, I became more and more aware of my feelings for you. By the time that Chamber incident happened, I had realized how much I love you! Since then, my love for you has only grown! Even before I inherited my fathers' title of 'Lord Potter', I have always known in my heart that you're the one! Even when the world thought I would be smitten by Hermione, even when people like Romilda Vane bothered me, I always knew none of them were going to be Lady Potter. You, only you deserve that title! Will you do me the honor of taking on the title of Lady Potter? Will you marry me?"

Ginny's chocolate brown eyes filled up. "I — Yes, YES! Of course, Harry James Potter!" She cried. Harry put the diamond ring on her ring finger, and it shone blue in the dark. Then, Harry took Ginny's left hand and turned to his parents' grave.

"Mum! Dad! Meet your daughter-in-law, Ginevra Molly Weasley! Ginny, this is my mother, Lily Potter, and father, James Potter!"

As it began to snow gracefully, the young couple embraced each other tightly.

With an arm around Ginny, Harry led the way to the house where Harry could have lived a happier life, with both parents, without a scar on his forehead, the place where he lost everything because of Voldemort.

When he touched the snowy and thickly rusted gate, a signboard appeared, which read, "On this spot, on the night of 31 October 1981, Lily and James Potter lost their lives. Their son, Harry, remains the only wizard ever to have survived the Killing Curse. This house, invisible to Muggles, has been left in its ruined state as a monument to the Potters and as a reminder of the violence that tore apart their family."

There were scribbles on the board expressing condolences and support for Harry Potter. Harry felt Ginny's hand rub his cheeks and knew he was still crying, albeit silently. He gave her a watery smile.

The following day, the couple made their way back to Potter Manor. But when they reached, they saw something peculiar. Everybody seemed curious about something. Hope wasn't the only House-elf there. Dobby, Winky, and even Kreacher happened to be there! There were a little more than a dozen house elves, all waiting for instructions.

Suddenly, a red-haired figure called out to them. Harry saw that it was Ron. Ginny had a funny look on her face. Ron was making the elves play Quidditch. Luna was commentating from a sheet, "Welcome to the House Elf Quidditch Match! This is a game where House Elves get to relax, play Quidditch, and have a break from their monotonous routine! Hope and Fury are the captains! Captains, shake hands, please!"

Hope made her way forward, as did a stern-looking house-elf, older than Hope.

"Hey, Fury!" Hope greeted him.

Fury had a gruff voice as he curtly greeted Hope, "Hello, Hope!"

Luna suddenly roared, "Let the match BEGIN!"

The elves didn't need brooms. Their magic let them fly by themselves. The match got over in ten minutes. Dobby caught the Golden Snitch, winning Hope's team an extra 150 points and a victory.

Hermione was jumping up and down in joy. A game for house-elves! A chance for house-elves to play happily! Harry suddenly realized what Ron might have in mind.

Just as everybody made their way up the lawn into the Manor and Hermione started hugging all the elves; and yes, even a grumbling Kreacher; Ron made his way forward and went on one knee beside Hermione.

"Hermione Jean Granger! From the day I met you on September the First in 1991, I always knew that something about you made me like you. Your seriousness, courage, wit, strength, and anger… Everything about you is adorable! Since before our fourth year, I have known that you're the one for me! W-Will you marry me?"

Hermione stared at him in shock. Harry and the others held bated breath. Suddenly, Hermione broke into happy tears and bellowed, "YES! Ronald Bilius Weasley! I have always been smitten with you! I love you too!"

Ron took out a diamond ring and put it on Hermione's ring finger as everybody in Potter Manor turned around in alarm, realized what had happened, and applauded happily. Harry and Ginny were so ecstatic that they clapped Ron and Hermione on their backs, again and again, shouting, "Congratulations, guys!"

As the cheers finally came down, it was Ginny and Harry who spoke. "Harry proposed to me on Christmas Day, and I said yes!" Ginny squealed in delight as Harry said, "She agreed to become Lady Potter!"

The cheers that had just stopped erupted again! Hermione and Ron were the ones patting Harry's and Ginny's backs now, "Congratulations, guys!"

Bill, Fleur, Percy, Audrey, Charlie, Fred, Angelina, George, and Alicia all beamed at them as they all congratulated the couples. They were followed by Remus, Tonks, Dudley, and Aimee, who beamed at them as they congratulated the couples. Draco arrived with Caitrin that afternoon, and upon finding out, they both congratulated the couples.

"So, you and Harry asked Hermione and Ginny out already?" Neville asked Ron, who nodded with a grin. Neville had come to Potter Manor with his grandmother and Luna, all of who had wasted no time in congratulating the couples.

"Ron, how did you plan this?" Neville asked.

"Well, I adore Quidditch, and Hermione is the defender of house-elves, the activist who fights for their rights. So, I thought of a recreation game for the house-elves. That would make Hermione and me happy. I thought to propose her when she is ecstatic." Ron said.

"Brilliant!" Neville said and turned to Harry, "And you, Harry?"

Harry went red in the face, "Well, there was this emotional moment when Ginny and I were in the graveyard. Then, all of a sudden, I gathered the courage and simply proposed to her in front of my parents' graves!"

"Cool!" Neville said and looked over at Luna, who was being kept busy by all the ladies in Potter Manor. Apparently, half the occupants were already planning two weddings!

"Hey, excuse me, ladies! Harry called out. "There's still time. We'll be getting married but not so soon that you've to start planning the wedding."

"Same here." Ron assured them, "But we'll inform you when we're ready!"

As Harry turned, he saw Dudley looking at Aimee. Dudley had a small purple box, half-open, inside which sat a platinum ring. From this, and the slight hesitancy on Dudley's face, Harry knew what Dudley was thinking. He whispered to Ron, "Looks like you and I have inspired more people to come out with their feelings, mate!" Ron grinned.

Harry went up to Dudley and patted his shoulder, "Take a deep breath, have confidence, and go ahead, Big D! I'm sure she likes you. There's no need to get all worked up!" Dudley stared at him. As Harry stared back into Dudley's eyes, the exact color of Aunt Petunia's eyes, Dudley seemed to make up his resolve.

When Hope called out that it was lunchtime, everybody made their way to the kitchens. Dudley took his chance.

He sat next to Aimee, took her hand, and kneeled on one knee on the floor. "Aimee, I saw you for the first time in Smeltings Academy when Piers and I were returning from basketball one evening after a nice match. You were returning from the library, your blond hair shining in the moonlight. That's when I knew I was falling for you. Over the last few months, I have become surer and surer that you're indeed the one for me! I know you're fifteen and I am sixteen, and we have three years to go before we both are legal adults. Well, two years, if you take into account wizarding law. Even so, I'm asking you now. W-Will you marry me, Aimee Jones?" He inserted the ring into her ring finger.

Harry had just put a spoonful of roasted potatoes in his mouth when Aimee's loud and excited voice rang across the house, "YES! I will! Dudley Dursley!"

Harry choked on his food, and Ron thumped him hard on his back. Then, as he drank water, Harry saw Dudley walk in, holding Aimee's hand. Both were blushing.

A moment of shocked silence later, Audrey burst into tears and gathered her sister and Dudley into the signature Weasley hug. Neville and Luna stared as everybody made forward to congratulate the new couple. As Draco Malfoy followed Caitrin back after the two had wished the couple, Draco asked, "What happened, Nev? You all right?"

"A-All right." Neville said weakly.

That night, Neville stayed awake in his bedroom back home. He had dropped Luna at her house and had returned home. Neville turned over the events in his mind.

Harry had proposed to Ginny.

Ron had proposed to Hermione.

Dudley had proposed to Aimee.

Even Draco was going to propose Caitrin any day now.

Why hadn't he, Neville, yet mustered the courage to propose Luna yet?

He remembered her blonde hair, falling gracefully over her shoulders, her sparkling eyes that screamed mystery, and her good nature. He recalled that smile that graced her lips. Her musical voice rang in his ears, and hell felt a surge of warmth. He remembered her talk about Nargles, Wrackspurts, Blubbering Humdingers, and Crumple Horned Snorkacks. He remembered how much she cared for him, the way she looked at him, and her affection for him.

He remembered what made him fall in love with her. He decided that that would be the first thing he did the following day. As a result, he woke up at dawn and wore a nice shirt and trousers. His first stop was in London. An hour later, he went to meet Luna at her house.

Xenophilius Lovegood opened the door, "Ah, Neville! Come in!"

"Hello, Mr. Lovegood! Luna and I are going to Potter Manor today." Neville said brightly. Xenophilius nodded happily.

"Neville!" Luna came out and hugged him. The top of her head touched Neville's chin, and he felt her cheek press against his chest. He felt ecstatic! This was the time!

"L-Luna, let's go out, shall we?" Neville asked. Luna looked up at him and smiled, "Sure, Neville."

Neville led Luna out into the pastures, explaining the various herbs he had read in Herbology. Luna loved listening to Neville explain Herbology. She loved it when Neville explained all those plants, herbs, shrubs, and mushrooms and what they're useful for.

Neville stayed back as Luna went forward and bent to hold some water from a flowing river nearby in her palm. Then, she turned around and saw Neville still standing there.

"N-Neville?"

"We need to talk."

T-Talk? Luna's heartbeat rose rapidly, and she began tearing up. Surely, this did not mean…?

Neville panicked, seeing her rapidly filling eyes. So, he immediately stood on one knee and said, "Luna Pandora Lovegood! I have known you since the last year. But I've known somewhere that you're the one! W-Will you m-marry me?" Neville finished hastily and shut his eyes.

But Luna merely stood, her eyes filling up. "Y-Yes. YES!" she bellowed. "Yes, Neville Frank Longbottom, I will!"

Surprised, Neville stood up. Luna rushed into his arms and began sobbing into his chest, "You prat! You scared me for a minute there!"

Neville couldn't believe it! She had said yes! She loved him! He put his arms around her. A while later, Luna looked up, and the two shared a passionate kiss.

Half an hour later, Augusta Longbottom and Xenophilius Lovegood were crying tears of joy and congratulating the two. Another hour later, at Potter Manor, everybody cheered as Neville finally told them that he had asked Luna and she had said yes!

"Well done, mate!" Harry and Ron patted Neville on his back! Ginny and Hermione patted Luna on the back as well, congratulating them.

Draco Malfoy was impressed. "Wow, Nev! You did it! Guess I'm the only one left now!"

Neville grinned. Malfoy smiled.

As December came to a close, Angelina and Fred, along with Alicia and George excitedly told everybody that they were also expecting now! Everyone was happy for the two couples, and they were hugged and congratulated, as were Percy and Audrey.

Once the term started in January, everybody got busy once again. Meanwhile, everybody at Potter Manor was coming up with a plan to corner and fight Voldemort and his Death Eaters. The Room of Requirement had become a popular place for these discussions at Hogwarts. There had been Hogsmeade weekends in November and January, but both occasions were normal Death-Eater free weekends. Harry had taken Ginny out for a date on both occasions, and they had had fun. Harry knew that Hermione and Ron had had a good time in those days, as did Luna and Neville. Draco had also been on a date with Caitrin during the November Hogsmeade trip. While everybody at and away from Hogwarts was glad that these Hogsmeade trips weren't violent like the ones before, Harry still felt like it was the calm before the storm.

"Harry, I'm just saying, but what if you're overthinking?" Hermione questioned one afternoon in class.

"O-Over thinking? Herr-Mmy-Oh-Nee! How can you say I'm overthinking? Don't you find any of this suspicious? Why is Voldemort quite all of a sudden since August? You'd think once the likes of Bellatrix are killed, Voldemort would come charging through your front door! Why, Ron, are you silent? Don't tell me you're not waiting for Dolohov to come back for another fight! Don't you think he would've gone to his master, Voldemort? Surely you don't think Voldemort has just disappeared into oblivion?" Harry ranted in exasperation.

"Harry," Bill's voice came. "You aren't paying attention, Potter. One more time, and I'll have to deduct points." Harry had been ranting during the DADA class, and Bill shook his head.

"S-Sorry, Professor." Harry apologized, "But I'm just telling how this could be the calm before the storm, and Voldemort might be planning something, Bi — Professor." Harry immediately said.

"Be what it may, Potter. Harry, you can tell me what you suspect this evening at my office, not now." Bill said. Harry gave up trying and moodily focused on the Reducto curse Bill demonstrated.

After the sixth years, Bill had a class of fifth years to teach. He called Ginny as the class settled down, "Harry was talking about some 'calm before the storm' and claiming that he is planning something. I pretended not to take his words seriously, but I was worried. Will you tell your brother, Harry, and Hermione to come to my office this evening? I also want you and Charlie there."

"Sure, Bill." Ginny whispered and returned to her seat as Bill resumed his class. "So, Miss Weasley here has demonstrated the wand movement in her project well. I suggest you all take a note from her."

"Thanks, Professor." Ginny said.

That evening, Charlie and Ginny sat in Bill's office as the Golden Trio came walking in.

"Bill, I don't like this. Voldemort could be planning anything for all we know!" Harry said. Bill noted that Harry had begun to get extremely restless over the last few days.

"Arry!" Fleur said kindly, "Not to worry. We are also coming up with a plan, aren't we? Just yesterday, you were talking about the Riddle House in Little Hangleton and how you suspect that to be where he is hiding. We'll be ready."

By the end of January, Kingsley Shacklebolt had confirmed that Voldemort was indeed hiding at Riddle House with most of his Death Eaters. Malfoy Manor was no longer Voldemort's preferred choice of hiding location.

When February came, however, Harry woke up one day to find Ron already out of bed. The entire morning, he saw neither Ron nor Hermione. He asked Ginny if she had seen them, and she said no. The two of them spoke to many others, like Harry's dorm mates, Hermione's dorm mates, Ginny's dorm mates and classmates, Draco, and even the professors at Hogwarts. None of them had an inkling of where Ron or Hermione was.

Getting desperate and trying to avoid imagining his two best friends in mortal danger or, Merlin forbid, dead, Harry began running around the castle during breakfast time. He wasn't the only one, though. Ginny, Luna, Neville, Bill, Charlie, Draco, Dean, and Seamus skipped breakfast and searched the entire castle. Just as Harry stropped in front of the Room of Requirement, catching his breath, a loud yell made him jump. The Room of Requirement had opened, and out came Ron, holding Hermione's hand!

"Ron!" Harry bellowed furiously but was glad they were okay. "Hermione!"

"W-We have good news, Harry!" Ron said, not noticing the look of tension, anger, and relief on Harry's face.

"Before that, let me call everybody! Did you know that no less than nine of us were looking for you two?"

"W-What? Why? We were on a date." Ron said.

"On a date? Early in the morning? Without informing anyone?" Harry shouted.

Ginny was the first to reach. "You prat! Beds empty, no note! You could've died for all we knew! Why did you do this?"

Ron voiced exactly what Harry was thinking at the moment, "You sound like Mum, Ginny."

"Course I do!" Ginny shouted and broke down even as the others reached. Everyone was delighted and furious at the same time. Ron and Hermione were okay, but they had made it look like something was seriously wrong. Harry patted Ginny's back as she had leaned into him. He glared at his two best friends. "Care to explain?"

Hermione blushed furiously, "W-Well, Ron turns seventeen in March. So, the two of us are planning to get married next month."

There was shocked silence, even from Ginny. "W-What?" she said blankly.

"M-Married?" Bill said, as though he had never heard of the term. "B-But, you're both still at school."

"No, Bill. We have decided. We don't want to delay, given that we're at war and we don't want to take chances. We want to do things we love while we have the opportunity." Ron said.

"M-Maybe if you considered getting married after…." Charlie trailed off. Ron shook his head, "No. Next month. We've decided. We were discussing this for the last few days. We had to reach a decision today, and that was why we met in the Room of Requirement just after dawn. I agree, I should have at least dropped a note." Ron apologized.

Hermione apologized as well, "I share the blame too. I'm sorry I didn't think of it. We both will never do such a thing again. Sorry for frightening all of you."

It didn't end there, though. Loads of other students like Padma, Parvati, Lavender, Caitrin, Colin, Dennis, and Demelza, and many professors like McGonagall, Sprout, and Flitwick were all furious. Hermione and Ron spent the entire day apologizing and informing everyone that they were getting married. Often, people said things alongside Bill's words, "You are both still in school." But the young couple had already made up their mind.

"Getting married next month? mon Dieu!" Fleur exclaimed.

"So, you have both decided?" McGonagall was exasperated. Two of her students were getting married while at school.

"Yes. We also want to move into the couples chambers for the rest of the year and for next year, Professor." Hermione quickly stated.

"Professor Dumbledore would've handled this better! Why did that Parkinson girl have to kill him?" McGonagall moaned.

"It's okay, Professor. You're handling this fine. Besides, we're only going to be sharing a room after we get married. Nothing else, we promise." Ron assured his professor.

Potter Manor was, once again, bustling with wedding planning and activity now. Mr. and Mrs. Granger were joined by Remus, Bill, Charlie, Percy, and the Weasley twins. Tonks and Fleur would have joined, but they were close to giving birth these days. Audrey, Angelina, and Alicia took to helping the two pregnant ladies.

Aimee had taken to doing short chores, like fetching something for someone, etc. Dudley, on the other hand, was busy arranging the Burrow. The wedding, obviously, was going to be held at the Burrow. Harry went out of his way to help with everything, even working late into the night and getting up first thing in the morning to help. It was his two best friends' wedding, after all! Ginny was also excited and took on her mother's role as she went around fussing over preparations and ordering people on how to get the things in order. Neville and Luna also showed up at the Burrow. They helped with the tents and the party decorations. Draco joined Harry with the preparations.

Aunt Muriel had always stayed in Potter Manor for Bill's, Percy's, and Fred's and George's weddings, and she did the same this time as well. As she and Ginny walked in, she looked at her, "It's your turn next, young lady. Tell me. Do you have somebody in mind?"

Ginny blushed, "Yes, Aunt Muriel."

"W-Who is that chap? You and he must be sharing the details of everything going on here, right? Isn't he gentleman enough to come and help you during all these preparations?" Muriel barked. Ginny flushed redder than usual. Harry coughed and looked away.

Ginny led Muriel into the room she was staying in and shut the door. "Sorry for her remark, Harry."

"Come on, Ginny, no need to apologize. I've known her since Bill's wedding." Harry laughed.

"She will be in for a rude shock when she finds out." Ginny laughed.

"Yeah!" Harry nodded happily.

Ron's birthday was celebrated in Potter Manor. Ron's older brothers had all put in money and brought him a large gold watch. "Mum and Dad would've gifted this to you. But… Anyway, we are gifting this to you instead. Even Ginny put in some of her pocket money even though we insisted she didn't have to!" Ron's eyes watered. In the evening, a large chocolate cake with blue icing, and lots of food, drinks, music, dance, and fireworks.

At midnight, Hope was adamant and stubborn as she insisted every single one of them go to bed. "The wedding is tomorrow, and everybody needs to be up early!" She reminded them.

The following day, Harry was at Ron's room (Harry was the Best man), and Ginny, Hermione's room (Ginny was the bridesmaid).

"I-I am suddenly nervous, Harry! A-Are you sure I made the right decision?" Ron asked, and Harry laughed. Remus entered just then, "You know? James Potter asked Sirius Black this very question on their wedding day? I had to slap the back of his head to bring him to his sense. Do you need that reminder, Ron?"

"No, Professor!" Ron gulped, "I mean, Remus."

"Good. We're waiting for you guys." Remus patted Ron's back and left.

Hermione, on the other hand, watched Emma Granger tying her hair and Ginny Weasley buttoning up the back of her wedding dress.

Dan Granger walked in just then. Ginny spoke, "Hermione, I'll leave you alone for some time." and tactfully left the room so Hermione could have a heart-to-heart talk with her parents. "Thanks, Ginny!" Hermione told her and turned to her parents. "Mum… Dad… D-Do you like my decision?"

Dan and Emma gave a watery smile, "Hermione, it is your choice. You made your choice, and Ron Weasley, a brilliant, strong, dedicated young man, happens to be your choice. We couldn't have asked for better!"

Hermione shook her head, "I'm sorry that ever since I started at Hogwarts, you both have had to put up with all strange and mysterious things. Like this fu — stupid war!" Hermione completed.

"Hermione, language!" Emma chided her. "Sorry, Mum!" Hermione grinned sheepishly.

"You don't have to apologize for that. You're special and magical. And you happen to be in the middle of a war." Emma said.

"It's not your fault that a war is going on when you're in the magical world!" Dan said. "And don't you ever beat yourself up because you're special. We're glad you are special, end of the story."

Ginny waited for ten minutes, calmly looking out into the bright blue sky outside. She remembered her parents. Molly would have been over the moon, happily planning her Dear Ronnie's wedding! Ron was her baby son, as Ginny was the baby of the family. Ron might not know, but Ginny knew how protective everybody in the family was of Ron. Arthur would've been running all over the place. He always wanted everything to be perfect for Ron, the baby boy of the family. Ginny wiped her eyes and turned back to see Emma Granger and Dan Granger come out of the room. To her surprise, Dan Granger and Emma Granger shook her hands and thanked her!

"Thank you, and many thanks to your brothers and your parents, and loads of thanks to Harry Potter, for doing so much to our daughter! She would've been clueless and lonely in this wizarding world if not for any of you!"

"W-What? No!" Ginny said, taken aback. "No, sir! Hermione is my best friend! Without Hermione, Harry and my family, including me, would be the clueless ones. My brother and Harry would have died in their first year if not for Hermione! I would have died in that chamber if Hermione had not figured out those clues!"

"We are just thankful Hermione met the Weasleys, Harry, and all the others. Especially your brother, Ron! He is a perfect gentleman, always showing care for us apart from Hermione, who he is always so protective of! We know that Mr. Ronald Weasley will take care of her."

"Y-Yes!" Ginny said and went inside the room.

"What took you so long?" Hermione asked.

"Oh, well, you know, stuff." Ginny said vaguely and smiled before proceeding to hum to herself as he got Hermione ready for the wedding.

Tonks and Fleur sat in the front row together. On either side sat Remus and Bill. Bill and Remus were on the front row to ensure Fleur and Tonks got medical assistance immediately should they need anything. Charlie sat next to Bill, sniffing, "Our baby brother has grown up!"

Bill sniffed as well, "Yeah, he was only a baby! When did even he grow up?"

"Probably when he met his beloved and his best friend." Percy, sitting in between Charlie and Audrey, referring to Harry and Hermione, wiped his eyes. Next to Audrey, Aimee was jumping on her seat. "Come on, start!" she demanded.

Directly behind Aimee, the Weasley twins sat with Angelina and Alicia, next to whom Parvati and Padma Patil looked gorgeous in Indian traditional attire. They wore matching sarees and bangles.

A lot of other guests sat there that included Muriel, the professors at Hogwarts, Ron's dormmates, Hermione's dormmates, and the couple's friends.

Dudley was holding a camera ready. Colin had lent him one to help him with the pictures. Dudley was trying this for the first time since Colin alone had taken photos during the previous weddings. As Dudley was now taking the photos of the guests seated in the rows behind, Emma came down the aisle sniffing and sat on one of the front seats. The seat next to her was for Dan.

Soon enough, the music blared. Harry saw Ginny walk up the aisle, followed by Dan Granger with Hermione Granger. Ginny smiled at Harry and Ron as she positioned herself behind Hermione. Dan sat next to Emma.

Ron and Hermione were soon married, and Harry and Ginny had the loudest of cheers. The entire Burrow shook with applause, cheers, and fireworks. Ron was, after all, everybody's baby brother, Ginny mused. The evening was glorious with bright stars winking at the couple. Harry could not think of anyone who deserved so much joy other than Hermione and Ron.

Soon, the dance floor opened and the newlyweds opened the dance. The second couple to grace the stage was Harry and Ginny. One by one, everybody else went on to the dance floor. Harry could smell Ginny's hair as her cheek pressed against his heart. He saw that Ron and Hermione had disappeared into the night.

They had more surprises waiting for them. The following night, Tonks went into labor. Remus, Bill, Fleur, and Charlie rushed her to St. Mungos, where she gave birth to a healthy baby boy, who she and Remus named Teddy.

Just after midnight, Fleur went into labor. Thankfully, they were all in the hospital, and soon after, Fleur gave birth to a healthy baby girl she and Bill named Victorie.

All in all, March became a month of triple joy and festivities for the Weasleys and Harry (Hermione now being one of the Weasleys).

Hermione stared at the portrait of Woof the Wolf. Lord Woof had lived in the twelfth century and had owned a large estate. "Password?" He stated. The suite was along to the corridor to the right of the Fat Lady's portrait.

"State your password, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley." Professor McGonagall still hadn't gotten used to Miss Granger becoming Mrs. Weasley. To her surprise, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley together said, "Potter!"

"P-Potter?" Harry Potter? That's the password? McGonagall stared. The young couple shrugged.

The chambers were huge. They entered the sitting room directly from the portrait hole. From the sitting room, there were paths to a kitchen made of white marble, a lavish bedroom with a king-size bed, and a balcony. There was a large table with two chairs. The bed had red and gold hangings. The suite was exemplary!

"I'll leave you guys to it, then." Professor McGonagall left.

At the end of March, Dudley and Aimee completed their first-year magic portions and started the second-year portions as April began. They studied only the parts that did not require magic, so they could finish the portions without taking an entire school year. So, on the first of April, when Aimee and Dudley showed up at Hogwarts and announced that they'd be doing the second year portions at Hogwarts, the Golden Trio, Silver Trio, Draco, and Caitrin thought this was a brilliant prank.

But it was true. The two of them would arrive at Hogwarts at breakfast time four days a week, attend Arithmancy, Care of Magical Creatures (with the third and fourth years), Potions, and Herbology the entire day, have lunch at one in the afternoon, and leave for Potter Manor. Both of them had dropped History of Magic after completing their first-year portions.

Dudley and Aimee would attend classes on Wednesdays to Fridays They had Herbology at 9 AM, Potions at 10:30 AM, Care of Magical Creatures at 12:30 PM, and Arithmancy at 2 PM. They'd leave for Potter Manor at 3:30.

Dudley and Aimee loved the days they could go to Hogwarts. They could get to learn magical subjects and meet their friends at lunch. On those days, once they returned to Potter Manor, Mr. and Mrs. Granger and everybody in the Manor would ask them about Hogwarts and Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Luna, Neville, Draco, and Caitrin.

Harry sometimes imagined his mother and Aunt Petunia coming to Hogwarts together. If only! Then, Aunt Petunia wouldn't have been so jealous, would have treated Harry much better, and might have married someone other than Uncle Vernon, and Dudley would've not existed. He picked up a weed and tore it into two. Ginny saw it. "What's up, Harry?"

"Oh, nothing." Harry shrugged.

"This. Is. Buckbeak!" Hagrid roared genially.

"So, this is the Hippogriff Draco offended and tried to have executed?" Dudley whispered. Draco bent his head in shame, "Yeah, I'm ashamed of that, really. It was my mistake offending the creature, and trying to get the creature killed was an even bigger sin on my part."

Nobody said anything. It was best to leave Draco alone and let him introspect all his past actions and misdeeds.

Meanwhile, Voldemort was cursing in frustration. "Why does Dark Magic take so bloody long to complete? Why is this potion taking so long, Pyrites?" He demanded furiously. Voldemort had recently discovered that he had created a Horcrux in Harry Potter! He was delighted! He could use the boy! He could lure him, and kill him. But, he needed this potion to carry out what he had in mind!

Authors Note: This chapter is light on purpose. The following chapters get darker since the plot needs to advance. That's right! The Battle Of Hogwarts!

Hope you all liked the romance and light-headed stuff. I know I don't post author's notes often. This is my first time writing a long fanfiction. Thanks for sticking by me!