word count: 555


There's something about seeing Ginny exchange her vows that makes Arthur's heart ache. This is it. This is proof that his little girl is all grown up and doesn't need her dad anymore. Then again, he knows she's always been so fierce, fiery, and independent, and marrying Harry isn't going to have too much impact on that.

Even so, Arthur finds himself sniffling silently and dabbing at his damp eyes with a tissue while Molly leans in closer, resting her head on his shoulder. "Oh, Arthur," she says softly.

"I know," he whispers. "I know."

Ginny isn't the first of his kids to get married, but something about her wedding is different. Maybe it's the fact that when she was younger, she would often be attached to Arthur's leg, begging for stories or games or just plain attention. Her brothers would tease her for it and accuse her of trying to be Arthur's favorite child, but Ginny never cared. She would still find her father and spend every moment she could with him.

He smiles at the memory. Now, it's time to let go. Of course, he knows she will still be his little girl, and she can come to him for anything. But he sees the way she looks at Harry, and his heart melts. All he wants is for his children to be happy, and he can see the joy in his daughter's eyes.

"Dad!" Ginny hurries forward, grabbing Arthur by the hand as she laughs. "Come on! Dance with me!"

He chuckles. It's just like when she was a little girl, and she'd ask him to dance. Arthur would scoop her into his arms and hum a nonsensical little tune as they would spin and sway. "What do you want to dance with an old man like me for?"

She rolls her eyes and shakes her head. "Please. You're not old," she says before tugging his hand urgently. "Come on!"

He knows he can't say no to her. "Fine, fine. Anything for the most beautiful bride here," he says, and he allows her to lead him onto the dance floor.

The music plays, but he hears Ginny humming that silly little tune he would hum when she was younger, and he finds himself smiling.

"You look happy," he tells her.

She looks up, grinning."I am. Can you believe it really happened?"

Of course he can. Arthur remembers all the nights Ginny would ramble about Harry, the times she would cry because she was so afraid Harry would think she was weird. He also remembers the moments when Harry would steal glances, like he didn't think anyone would notice. Of course, Arthur always noticed.

And now they're married, and he's never seen Ginny smile so brightly before. It's like the perfect ending of some romance novel (the type Molly likes to read but will never admit to).

"Dad? You're crying," Ginny says quietly.

Arthur touches a finger to his eyes. Sure enough, he can feel a teardrop clinging to his lashes, and he laughs. "I'm just so happy."

He supposes today is supposed to be a bittersweet sort of day. That's what he always hears his fellow father friends at the Ministry say. But for him, there is no bitterness to tarnish the sweetness. Ginny is happy, and nothing else matters.