The next several months almost literally went by in a blur, there was so much activity going on in preparation for the upcoming wedding between Harry and Ginny. It had been decided to maintain Harry's privacy as much as possible, that guests would be kept to a minimum and limited only to those closest to the couple, be it by bonds of blood or friendship. The head of the Division of Marriage and Children at the Ministry would Apparate in to marry them when the time came and the Burrow would be magically expanded to hold all the family members, both by blood and marriage.

Molly and Arthur had recently learned that Ginny's other five brothers intended to come and bring their wives/families—Bill with Fleur and their two children; Charlie with his wife, Rosabelle, who was now six months pregnant; Percy with his wife, Penelope, and their son; Fred with his new wife, the former Angelina Johnson; and George with his fiancée, whose name Harry could not immediately recall but whom he knew from school, although she had been in the same year as the twins. Ron, of course, would be there with Hermione, whom he planned to marry six months after Harry and Ginny had "tied the knot," as it were.

As it turned out, even with magic, they barely managed to pull it off, with all the hundreds of myriad details; at best, Molly was sure that they'd missed something along the way. Of course, even if everything didn't turn out perfectly, what mattered was that the young couple would finally be married. For a long time, no one was sure that it would ever happen, what with Harry's stubborn insistence on breaking up with Ginny, even ostensibly to protect her from Voldemort and company. Not to mention her rape trauma at Draco and Dudley's hands and the ensuing trials for both.

Fortunately all that was behind them now, and everyone closest to the couple were certain that once they were married, they would remain so for the rest of their natural lives … and considering how long wizards and witches usually lived, that would be at least a century, if not more. But when one loved as they did, even that would seem but a short space of time.

Molly was also convinced that Ginny would likely be every bit as prolific as she was, the proverbial brood-mare, but that seemed to be par for the course—at least in the Weasley family, the members of whom tended to procreate like rabbits. Thankfully Harry had plenty of money left to him by his parents and they wouldn't have to skimp and save as she and Arthur always had.

Of course, they didn't intend to simply live off his inheritance; he definitely planned on being an Auror part-time and a DADA teacher the rest of the time when not occupied with his Auror duties; he would simply have to obtain a teaching degree in order to do so, although that shouldn't take too long. Ginny would be a Healer at St. Mungo's, specializing in patients with Spell Damage; those three things would also bring in a fair amount of money, so financially they were pretty well set. (Not to mention emotionally, but that was to be expected, given their deeply tender yet equally passionate love for each other.)

Almost before they knew it, the wedding day had arrived. Even at the last minute there seemed to be a million and one details to take care of; Molly was glad to have her myriad daughters-in-law there to help out—or at least Rosabelle, Angelina and Hermione, daughter-in-law-to-be. With Hermione's brains and organizational ability, the reception had been planned in roughly half the time it would ordinarily take, and it would also be held in the living room of the Burrow once the wedding decorations had been squared away.

Harry, Ron and his five brothers were all helping each other dress for the wedding, all the married ones assuring their younger companions that it would turn out just fine and not to worry about a thing. Not that either fully believed them, of course, but pretended that they did because there was no time to argue the point—the wedding was in less than an hour.

The women and children were in Arthur and Molly's bedroom, the children being readied first and Arthur delegated to keep an eye on them while the women got ready and prepared both themselves and the nervous but at the same time ecstatically happy bride-to-be. All too soon a knock came on the door to Fred and George's old room; Bill answered the door to find Molly standing there in her mother-of-the-bride wedding finery.

"You look great, Mum," Bill opined when he saw her.

"Thank you, son," she smiled even as she turned attractively pink. "How are you lot coming along? Ready yet?"

"Pretty much. Harry's just putting on the finishing touches. Of course, he's been doing that for at least the last hour. I swear, I never saw anyone primp so much, not even Fleur!"

Unfortunately that was just about the time that Harry came up to them. "I heard that, Bill," he returned in an ominously quiet tone. "You're lucky I haven't got time to get you for it right now, since I'm getting married in less than half an hour. Besides, I don't care to have to explain to my future wife just why I hexed her older brother into the middle of next week on our wedding day. Besides, I seem to recall just how long you primped when you were getting married to Fleur!"

"Primp? I never primp," Bill doggedly claimed.

"Oh yes, you did—and at least as long as I supposedly have, if not longer. Don't try to deny it. Everyone in this room was there and can corroborate my story."

Bill held up his hands in a gesture of surrender. "All right, all right, I concede. Mainly because we don't have time to argue. Take a look at the clock."

All eyes turned to the nearby clock on the wall and decided to Apparate downstairs to save time; upon arrival they took their designated places. Molly noted that Hermione and Rosabelle were now looking after the children, surmising that Arthur had gone to join Ginny and prepare to walk her down the aisle. Not long after they arrived, the wizard who had been chosen to marry her and Harry Apparated in and took his place behind the flower-decorated altar.

Not long afterward one look from Molly in Fred's direction prompted him to start the Wedding March; it was then that the doors to the living room opened and Arthur walked in, Ginny on his arm, a vision in white lace, her long red-gold hair loosely curled and white roses entwined through it in lieu of a veil. She also carried a bouquet of white roses and pink baby's-breath held together with white ribbons.

Neither Harry nor anyone but Hermione knew this, either, and wouldn't until the reception, but Ginny had conjured up a lacy garter and even now it was on her right leg just above the knee. She frankly could hardly wait to see the look on Harry's face when she finally told him, especially when she told him that she had done it for his benefit so that he would be able to get in a brief caress in public, if only on her leg, while removing the garter in preparation for her throwing it to all the as-of-yet unmarried ladies in the room.

A short time later she reached the altar where Harry and Ron waited for her; Hermione had followed Ginny down the aisle and presently stood behind her, a vision in blue lace and her hair also entwined with roses—this time blue silk ones, her chestnut hair done in an upsweep with tendrils hanging down both the sides of her face and the back of her neck, although her bouquet was also white roses.

The bride and groom then linked arms and hands, turning to face the wizard from the Division of Marriage and Children. The wizarding ceremony was similar in many ways to the Muggle ceremony, but there were at least two significant differences, although Harry could not recall just what they were at the moment. Even at that, he was sure the wizard from the Division did—but he wasn't particular in that regard. What mattered to him was that he and Ginny were finally going to be married.

"Did you wish to have the two wizarding marriage procedures done or not?"

"With all due respect, sir, we would prefer to simply be married," Harry returned quietly. "That is, if you don't mind. It wouldn't make the marriage any less legal, after all. We can have it done later on should we decide to renew our vows at some point."

"Of course not, young man. Of course not. I quite understand. So let's get on with the ceremony, shall we?"

And they did.

If Harry thought he'd been nervous before the ceremony, it was nothing to how he felt either during or after it. The worst part, at least for him, was when he'd had to put the ring on Ginny's finger. He missed it at least twice, smiling at her apologetically before finally managing to slide the ring on—his mother's wedding ring. She, on the other hand, had no trouble whatsoever in placing his father's wedding ring on his finger.

For him, the best part was when they had been pronounced husband and wife and he was given leave to kiss his new bride. And one may be assured, Harry did so, long and tenderly—but at the same time, with barely suppressed passion. He could hardly wait to be alone with her and was sure she felt the same when it came to him. But he had been unable to help blushing when she had whispered about the garter on her right leg, which would give him a chance for a brief caress while removing it.

It's not the same, he told her mentally even as she lifted her dress above her right knee and allowed him to slide the garter down her leg, lifting her foot briefly so he could slip it all the way off. It helps, but it's not the same.

I know, luv, but we'll be alone soon enough. Hang in there, she whispered back with a provocative smile, lightly stroking the back of his hand that removed the garter.

Please, Gin, don't do that. I can scarcely control myself as it is, he mentally shot back at her.

Sorry, luv. Couldn't resist, she returned apologetically. Let's get out of the way now; they've got to set up for the reception. They moved to a secluded corner of the room. I know a perfect way to pass the time, she suggested. How about a nice snog while we're waiting?

What in Merlin's name are you trying to do, love, kill me? I already told you how hard it is for me to control myself, he scolded her affectionately. If I started snogging you now, I don't think I'd be able to stop.

All the same, they began to do just that—and it was fortunate that everyone else was too occupied with preparing for the reception to realize that things between the newlyweds were fast getting out of hand. What they finally ended up doing was ducking into the nearby hall, which fortunately was situated so no one could look into it without turning a corner and thus alerting the lovers to anyone that might be coming. That is, if they were in any condition to notice!

Dear gods, I can't stand it any longer. Gin, lower your knickers while I lower my trousers and boxers. Your dress can cover us.

After they had done so, Ginny wrapped her legs around her husband's hips while he situated himself between her legs and began to move his hardness sensuously, even deliciously, within her, his lips and tongue fairly devouring hers even as his hands pressed her tightly to him. They did their best to keep quiet but at several points were sure that they had been heard, although fortunately no one came to check. Good thing, too, because neither were far away from a mind-boggling climax resulting from their impromptu yet very passionate shagging.

It wasn't much longer before Harry felt the telltale signs of imminent climax and began to increase the rapidity of his movements within his wife's body. Gods … oh, gods … Ginny … I can't wait much longer …

Nor can I, my love, she mentally returned just before she herself began to feel the telltale signs of imminent climax. Oh gods, Harry …

It seemed to hit them virtually simultaneously, washing over them like a virtual tidal wave of feeling; the only way they managed to keep from crying out audibly was by engaging in another passionate lip-lock. Ginny could scarcely breathe, in fact, but considering the almost indescribable ecstasy Harry had just given her, she hardly missed it—and was just as sure that he hadn't missed it either.

Once she managed to unlock her knees from around him, he had to hold her up until she got her strength back so she could stand up again. Dear gods, but that was great, he shot provocatively at her. With any luck, that should at least take the edge off until we can get through the reception.

Even now, Ginny felt the strength coming back in her legs and managed to stand up by herself, shielding Harry as he replaced his trousers. Of course, they were still flushed with passion, so they would have to go to the loo to freshen up. Even at that, they probably wouldn't be able to hide their suspiciously bright eyes, but hopefully they could get away with it by saying they had been snogging.

Of course, it remained to be seen whether or not anyone would believe them, but that was a chance they had to take. What mattered was that no one could prove they had been doing otherwise. Once he was ready, they headed for the nearby loo and freshened up with a wet washcloth and drink of cool water. It wasn't until they'd stepped out into the living room again that they were spotted.

"Well! Where have you two been? It's time for the reception," Hermione informed them. "Or need I ask?" She gave the couple a knowing smile and look.

"We just decided to snog while we were waiting," Harry claimed with a straight face, although Ginny was extremely hard-pressed to keep hers straight.

"Umm-hmm," Hermione returned skeptically but didn't challenge them, at least not here. Time enough for that later. After all, even if they'd been doing what she suspected, they were married now, so it was perfectly legal. Of course, they'd been shagging long before that, but that was beside the point. What mattered was that they had acted responsibly by using the Contraceptive Charm. No need to use it now, of course, unless they chose to.

"Well, let's get going. The others are waiting." The couple exchanged Christmas-morning smiles behind their friend's back as they followed her back to where the others were waiting. They received knowing looks and smiles from still others in the group, but that was all—it was time to get to partying. Time enough for grilling later.