It was Christmas day at the Burrow and everything was going well. Ginny was up and cooking breakfast with her mum. The twins had just arrived from the flat they were sharing above the shop and were helping too. Fred was saying, "I miss the noise actually. It's not quite the same without Gin-bug to tease." He winked at her and she laughed, "Ah well I can't say I miss that part. He chuckled and shrugged his shoulders, "Well I'm glad to be home on Christmas Day. What time are Fleur and Bill supposed to be coming?" Her mum checked her watch, "About an hour from now." Harry came downstairs, a big grin on his face and he said happily, "Merry Christmas everyone!" He went and kissed her mum on the cheek, who grinned widely and said, "Happy Christmas Harry dear!" He had obligingly put on his Christmas jumper.
He then came over to Ginny and hugged her from behind, wrapping his arms around her waist before kissing her on the cheek, "Happy Christmas, Gin," he said, a huge smile plastered over his face. She smiled and turned to face him, "Happy Christmas, Harry." She leant forward and kissed his lips before George commented, "Honestly, next thing you guys will be having babies! I don't want to be an uncle so soon, thank you very much." Harry rolled his eyes and replied, "Don't be stupid. It's not happening anytime soon!" Ginny couldn't help but glare at George as she commented, "When you get a girlfriend, I'm going to tease her mercilessly!" George chuckled, "Sure you will!"
Ron walked down the stairs then, looking pale as a ghost and Ginny smiled, "Happy Christmas Ron!" she said. Ron nodded, "Happy Christmas everyone," he said none too enthusiastically. She asked Harry, "What's up with him?" Harry chuckled, "Lavender sent him a Christmas gift of sorts." Ron glared at Harry irritably, " Don't…" Harry smirked and Ginny pestered, "What is it?" Harry shook his head, sensing Ron's desperation to keep it a secret and replied, "Just something…very small."
At this moment, two figures appeared at the end of the yard. One was tall and thin, whom Ginny recognized as Rufus Scrimgeour, Minister of Magic, and the other…Ginny dropped the knife she was using to chop vegetables with for their big dinner that evening…Percy. She prodded Fred in the shoulder who looked up from his chopping and spat, "Percy! What the…?" Her mother turned and saw Percy walking down the road before yelling, "ARTHUR! Arthur! The Minister is here!" Ginny noticed how she tactfully neglected to mention that Percy was too. Her father came hurrying down the staircase, said "Merry Christmas everyone!" and hurried off to greet Scrimgeour. When he saw Percy, he stood stock still and Ginny couldn't blame him. Her dad was the one Percy had had the big argument with. It was the first time they'd come face to face since, probably.
There was silence in the kitchen as her father greeted the Minister, ignored Percy somewhat and they entered the room. Ginny looked at Harry tensely and he took her hand subtly. The minister cleared his throat, "Excuse me, Mrs Weasley, I did not want to have to come and disturb you on Christmas Day, but Percy here said he needed to come and see his family." Percy looked pained as he nodded in agreement and choked, "Hello mother." Her mum began sobbing hysterically as she threw her arms around Percy.
Her mother also offered the minister a seat and he declined swiftly, "No thank you, Molly dear. I would actually like to speak with Mr Potter, since I am here." Ginny felt Harry squeeze her hand tightly. Harry grimaced and nodded, "Alright we can talk." The minister frowned and replied, "Maybe a walk outside where it's quieter?" he suggested.
Ginny felt Harry release her hand as he followed the minister out of the house rather begrudgingly. Her mother was still gushing over Percy and Ginny turned to see Fred and George quickly mashing some parsnip against a knife while her mother was distracted by asking, "How are you, Perce? We've missed you so much." At that, Ginny felt anger boiling up inside her. She hadn't missed him. He'd been away for so long-such a ministry suck-up that he was- that he didn't even care about them. His own family.
She helped the twins pretend like they were making the meal, their backs turned. Percy pretended to enquire after all of them, but they refused to respond. It would have been a childish behavior, had it not been for the way in which Percy acted. He gave them every reason to be childish. The way he acted made you want to vomit.
Eventually, they managed to mash up enough parsnip. Fred whispered, "We're each taking a handful and throwing it at him, agreed?" They all nodded seriously as her mother was trying to convince him to stay. Ginny grabbed a handful, as did the twins and George whispered, "On the count of three. One…two…" and they all threw a handful of the stuff at their brother. Ginny's landed in his face, and Fred and George's landed on his robe. He howled in angry frustration, just as Harry was heading back inside with the minister. The minister chuckled, "Oh dear, Mr Weasley. You should clean yourself up." Percy grumbled angrily, "I'll do it when I get to my office." The minister nodded seriously, "Very well. Thank you all for your time and I hope you can save your meal."
Scrimgeour walked to the end of the property before disapparating as Ginny yelled after Percy right before he disappeared, "That's for being the BIGGEST JERK ALIVE!" With that, she slammed the front door behind her. Harry smiled, "What was that about?" Ginny shrugged and replied as she washed her hands, "Just a little revenge." Fred chuckled, "Don't get on our sisters bad side Harry." George nodded, "Or ours, for that matter."
Ron was comforting her crying mother and Harry said to them, "He wanted me to "work alongside" the ministry. To show the world that I am…uh…supporting them." Ron frowned, "And you said?" Harry shook his head, "Definite no." Ron nodded his approval and said, "Good call." Harry nodded and sighed before shaking his head. He turned to her mum and hugged her, "I'm sorry about Percy." This only made her cry harder and she said sorrowfully, "Thank you dear. Thank you." Ginny rolled her eyes. Her mum was acting as though the prick had died for goodness sake! She heard George mumble under his breath, "Good riddance!"
Five hours later with as few hiccups as possible, Christmas dinner was served and placed on the table. They had a large crowd this evening so they were sitting outside. There were all of the Weasley's (excluding Percy and Charlie), Fleur, Hagrid, Tonks and Remus which made a grand total of twelve people at Christmas dinner. Her mother had outdone herself truly. There were three main dishes to choose from: pork, lamb and turkey, as well as cauliflower and cheese sauce as well as two bowls of roasted vegetables.
Everyone was in a rather cheery mood. Her father stood up and began before they ate dinner, "I'd like to make speech. I just want to say thank you, to Harry, for without you I would not be here. It was a year ago today that I was able to return home to my family after being the hospital and I will be forever grateful to you. And for saving Ginny. To Harry!" Harry smiled appreciatively and then Ginny said, "And to Sirius." Silence fell over the table. No-one had really mentioned Sirius's death in front of Harry since it happened, but she reckoned it was because they were nervous. Harry whispered, "Thanks, Gin."
She nodded and everyone said, "To Sirius!"
After dinner, Ginny spoke to Hagrid about the ministry coming. He approved Harry's decision of rejecting the ministries proposal. He said it was "madness" for them to expect him to join them and act like everything is safe and secure. Ginny agreed profusely. When dinner ended, her mum brought out the trifle, Ginny bought the ice-cream (which was home-made) and Bill bought the apple crumble. By the end of the dessert, Ginny was so full she felt as if she had eaten an entire house! She was sufficiently stuffed.
Her mother made the dishes wash themselves so they all retired to the lounge for coffee and tea. Her mum listened to Celistina Warbeck over the radio who shrieked her way through a dreadful song. Fleur at least seemed to have a decent taste in music. Ginny could only ascertain this from her facial expression which showed clear dislike for the woman singing. She tried to speak over it and her mum was throwing her dirty looks. Ginny sat on the fluffy rug by the fire beside Harry. They were playing a game of Exploding Snap, and Ron was currently winning.
When the evening ended at around eleven, Remus and Tonks got up to leave. Ginny hugged Tonks goodbye and she said, "Thanks for coming. I'm sorry we didn't get to talk more!" Tonks nodded, "I agree. Next time, Ginny. Look after yourself and Harry, please." Ginny promised that she would try. Tonks still seemed sad, but a little happier than when Ginny had seen her in Hogsmeade. She had a sneaky suspicion that she liked Remus. She had kept looking at him during dinner anyway.
They left and Hagrid left with the twins shortly after. Then it was just the Weasley's, Fleur and Harry. Finally, when Bill and Fleur left, the rest of the family got up to go to sleep. As she was about to get up Harry whispered, "I still need to give you my present." Ginny swallowed and nodded, avoiding his green gaze. She said goodnight to her parents, as did Harry and her mum said sternly, "Don't be up too late." Ginny nodded. She was not surprised her parents had let them stay alone together for more than a minute. Usually, they were very cautious of leaving her and Harry alone, and it was a no-brainer as to why.
Harry moved to the sofa and she followed him. Sitting down beside him, Harry smiled and whispered, "I wasn't sure what to get you, Gin." Ginny blushed. She felt awful because she hadn't been able to get him anything. She didn't know what he even wanted, and he could buy it. She had to give him something personal too. It was so stressful getting him something meaningful. Ginny replied, "Harry, you didn't have to get me anyth…" before she could finish her sentence though, he pulled out a blue wrapped rectangle shape. She frowned and he smiled and said before she asked, "It didn't cost a lot, I promise you."
She couldn't help but laugh and she eagerly opened the blue wrapping. Her heart melted when she found the picture taken at Slughorn's Christmas party in a neat, little blue frame. The picture was moving and Harry was leaning forwards to kiss her on the cheek from behind-both of them smiling. Ginny couldn't help but smile as she wrapped her arms around him and kissed his cheek, "Thank you! You're the best boyfriend a girl could ask for!"
Ginny could feel him smiling against her cheek and he sighed, "I love you, Gin." Ginny knew that he meant it, and so she pulled back and began kissing him fiercely. His eyes widened and she felt him pull away as he said, "Uh…Gin…we've there are other people in this house…" Ginny nodded in smirked, "I know. This is my present to you-alone time." Harry raised his eyebrows and smiled softly, "They seriously consented to give us that?"
Ginny nodded, "Not more than an hour, but an hour is enough time to snog the hell out of you!" He laughed throatily and she pressed her lips to his. Harry pulled away again quickly to ask, "What about Ron?" Ginny shrugged and replied, "He knows. Mum and dad told him not to give me trouble about it. Besides, we go back to school tomorrow and mum trusts you…you know…not to…" Harry nodded and cutted her off, "I get what you're saying, thanks Gin. It's the best present." She laughed, "Anytime. I love you, Harry." He smiled happily and replied, "I love you too." They kissed until their lips were sore, and they were out of breath. When they finished, they lay on the couch together, Harry wrapped an arm around her waist, pulled a blanket over both of them and they fell asleep by the warmth of the fire, tired but content.
Author's Note: Finally managed to write another one! I know these last few chapters have been very much about Harry and Ginny, but I needed to focus on them a bit. Life at the Burrow is a lot more chilled than life at Hogwarts. At Hogwarts there are loads of distractions and people getting in the way. They needed some time to be together and be happy without being interrupted…and to talk about important stuff. Anyway thought you guys should have an explanation as to why I wrote the last three chapters with so much focus on their relationship. It's good to know that Ginny also feels insecure about her future with Harry. Who wouldn't in her shoes? But from now on it's back to Hogwarts and back to business! Thanks to all of my loyal readers and reviewers!