The conference room of the Department for Dark Magic Enforcement sat across the narrow hall from the Department itself. It contained one large U shaped table, capable of seating five hundred people. The chairs were all leather, high backed, armed chairs, and the table was intricately carved with representations of Harry Potter's life. The depictions included Voldemort's attempt to kill him at age 1, Harry's confrontation with Professor Quirral, the Chamber of Secrets, the Tri-wizard Tournament, Voldemort's rebirth, and various depictions of Harry fighting Death Eaters, including Harry's death.
Inside, seated at the center of the U bend, was Minister Weasley, lined up on the Minister's right side were; Dumbledore, Ron, Hermione, Cindy and Draco. On the Minister's left were; Molly, Annie, Peggy, Tonks, and Neville.
They were all talking animatedly about Cindy's return, and Ginny's recovery. Those who knew how they both came about were very secretive, and the others knew something was amiss.
Ginny walked into the room flanked by two very professional looking house elves, Dobby and Winky. They crossed the opening of the U shaped table, and stepped right in front of the Minister. Arthur smiled at his youngest child, and began tapping his glass for attention. The room quieted.
"Good morning." Ginny began. "I'm sure those of you who were not here last night have been wondering what has happened, I'm here to tell you. The pride and joy of the Dark Aurors, Hermione Granger, managed to decipher the events of last May. She managed to solve the most complex riddle ever created by wizard kind, one that no one, not even Voldemort, could have understood. She managed to figure out where Cindy went even though she left no clues, and more importantly, where Harry's body was taken. To explain the entire plan, I give you the beautiful and intelligent, and hopefully, my future sister, General Hermione Granger." Ginny said, pointing to Hermione, who was blushing something fierce.
Ginny walked around the table, flanked by her two body guards, hugged Hermione tighter than ever before, and took Hermione's vacated seat.
"Thank you Ginny." Hermione started, once she was inside the U. "I don't know if I deserve such praise, but thank you. It is my honor to announce a most joyful occasion, but before I do that, I want to explain certain details of that sad day in May. A very smart friend, Tonks, asked me a question that made me realize certain facts that had eluded us before."
"What did she ask?" Ron interrupted.
"She asked what Harry had left you and me when he died." Hermione answered.
"But he didn't leave us anything." Ron interrupted again.
"Exactly Ron, do you think Harry would have entrusted the care of his only daughter, and not seen to the arrangements for his death? I think not, Harry is smarter than anyone has ever given him credit for." Hermione was saying, before being interrupted again.
"Are you saying what I think you're saying, Miss Granger?" Dumbledore asked, causing the others to look at him strangely.
"Yes Professor, I am. But for the benefit of those who have not caught on yet, let me continue. I noticed that on that day in May, Cindy watched her father fall, she casually walked right up to him, and vanished with Harry's body. Why? Why she have done that, how could she have done that, and more importantly; why did she take Harry's dead body?" Hermione paused for effect, looking at the dumbfounded expressions on Ron and Draco's faces. "I concluded she had to have been expecting this, she had to have foreknowledge of the whole situation, nothing else would have been logical. And if she did have foreknowledge, and she knew exactly what she was doing, like guiding Draco into the wall of fire. What did she say to you Draco?" Hermione asked pleasantly to Malfoy.
"She said Harry was expecting me." Draco answered.
"How would she know that? How would she have known the fire would not hurt you? There was really only one answer." Hermione paused again, hoping someone would finish her statement, she was not disappointed.
"Because the whole thing was planned," Ron answered smiling.
"What do you say Professor, ten points to Gryffindor?" Hermione jokingly asked Dumbledore.
"Yes, Miss Granger, ten points to Gryffindor." Dumbledore answered.
"And," Hermione went on. "If it had been planned, that would have meant that Harry had a suspicion that Voldemort would come out of hiding, and that he would try and kill Harry." Hermione stopped for a drink of water.
"But if Harry knew Voldemort was coming, than why didn't he do anything? Unless he planned…" Draco stopped, realizing what he was implying.
"Professor, ten points to Slytherin?" Hermione joked again.
"Fifteen, Miss Granger." Dumbledore corrected her.
"What?" Annie asked.
"Harry's alive." A voice came from behind them.
They all turned to see Harry standing behind them.
"Harry!" Ron screeched, rushing over to hug his best friend. Even Draco rushed over to embrace him, Harry accepted him like a brother.
"It's good to see you all." Harry said warmly. "But don't let me interrupt." He added, taking the seat next to Ginny.
"Yes, it meant Harry was alive. He planned this down to the most minuscule detail, only; he miscalculated. Voldemort's killing curse was almost too much for him to absorb, he's been lying in a hospital bed in St. Mungo's since that fatal day in May, and he was released this morning." Hermione finished.
"But, one, how did he absorb the killing curse, and two, how did he stay two months in St. Mungo's without anyone knowing?" Draco asked.
"Shall I Harry?" Hermione asked Harry.
"Feel free, we're all family here." Harry answered, staring specifically into Draco's eyes.
"In answer to your first question, Harry is an animagus, a magical creature who cannot be killed by magic, a griffin of gold, to be exact. In answer to your second question, Harry bribed, oh I'm sorry, donated money to St. Mungo's, and received his own private, security wing, and a healer who would never talk. His room is quite large, with, not one bed, but two, one for him, and one for Cindy." Hermione answered.
"Before you continue on, Hermione, I'd like to explain something to the crowd." Harry said, causing Hermione to stop.
"First, let me apologize to all of you, my intention was to fool Voldemort, then tell you of my plan afterwards, unfortunately, as Hermione mentioned, I miscalculated Voldemort's spell, and have been unconscious in the hospital all this time. Second, I want to explain what I have deduced. There are three types of magical creatures who cannot be killed by magic, one you know, is a griffin of gold; the other two are unicorns and phoenixes. If a human becomes an animagus of one of these creatures, he can alter his insides to that of the creature, and still remain outwardly human, but, they cannot be killed by magic. There are only two other people in this world who can accomplish this, and one you know all too well; Voldemort." Harry waited until the whispering stopped. "He's a phoenix, which is why his eyes are red. I am a griffin, when I change internally; my eyes are yellow. Voldemort did not die when his spell rebounded on him sixteen years ago, because he was internally a phoenix, but since a phoenix is reborn from its own ashes, Voldemort could not wait for his body to re-grow to manhood, so he remained a spirit until he found a servant to care for his infant form, Pettigrew. Than he concocted the scheme to grow to manhood using an ancient spell, that's why he's alive today. Not because he's all powerful, not because he knows more magic than you, but because he's a phoenix animagus." Harry explained.
"Than how do we kill him?" Ron asked.
"You all know of the other timelines by now, and if you don't, ask somebody, but, in one of those timelines a woman I was in love with, a vampire actually, taught me one thing, almost any creature can be killed, if you take his head." Harry said, summoning an intricately carved, ivory handle, tanto bladed sword. He swung the sword like a professional, like someone who had been studying fencing and swordsmanship since the day he was born.
"That will be my job." Harry said banishing the sword to its proper place, the mantle of Potter Castle.
"May I finish now?" Hermione asked impatiently.
"Oh, I'm sorry Hermione, I forgot. Please continue." Harry said, feeling admonished.
"Like I said in the beginning, I have the honor of announcing a most joyful occasion, the wedding of Harry James Potter to Virginia Ann Weasley." Hermione announced, clapping happily.
Only those who knew, Arthur and Molly Weasley, clapped along with her.
"Surprise," Harry joked.
"Mum, dad, you're actually allowing your sixteen year old daughter to get married?" Ron asked confused and angry.
"No son, we're not just allowing it, we suggested it." Arthur corrected his son.
"You what," Ron asked indignantly.
"I told you he would take it bad." Harry whispered to Ginny.
Ginny couldn't take it anymore.
"Ronald Weasley! How dare you question your parents! Harry and I are getting married tomorrow, if you don't like it, too bad!" Ginny screamed, making Ron freeze in place.
Harry turned to Ginny, but spoke so everyone could hear. "Should I still ask him to be best man tomorrow?" He asked.
"I don't think so!" Ginny answered loudly.
Harry turned to Hermione. "You'll still be maid of honor, won't you?" Harry asked tentatively.
"Of course I will Harry, regardless of what some SIMPLE MINDED people might think." Hermione answered, standing behind Harry and Ginny.
Ron looked totally frightened, no one could tell if it was because of his parents, Harry, Ginny or Hermione, but Ron was frozen with fear.
"I um, I um," Ron couldn't speak.
"You what," Ginny yelled.
"I um, would be honored to be the best man?" Ron said, sounding like a question.
"Good answer!" Ginny yelled.
Arthur leaned passed Ginny to Harry. "Are you sure you want to marry her?" He asked jokingly, receiving a slap from Molly and Ginny.
"More than anything, Arthur," Harry said, looking into Ginny's eyes.
Congratulations started flying around, even Draco seemed genuinely happy for Harry and Ginny. They had broken into two small groups, males and females.
"Do Fred and George know yet?" Ron asked Harry.
Harry looked at Arthur, but he turned away.
"They won't be coming, no one outside this room will be there, it'll just be us." Harry said sadly.
"Why? It should be a huge affair." Ron said confused.
"Because Ron, no one is supposed to know Harry's alive." Neville explained, defending Harry.
"But you trust Fred and George, don't you?" Ron asked, with a small bark in his voice.
"I love them like brothers, and I trust them with my life, but, they have big mouths, if Voldemort even suspects I'm alive, my trap won't work." Harry explained to Ron.
"Ron, please accept Harry's decision to keep the wedding party small, it is the right choice." Arthur added, causing Ron to agree.
"Where are you holding the wedding?" Neville asked, realizing he didn't know.
"My house," Harry answered distractedly.
"Cindyland," Draco asked.
"Nope, Potter Castle," Harry corrected him.
"Potter Castle, Harry?" Dumbledore asked.
"Yeah," Harry said, smiling sheepishly.
"And where is Potter Castle? Or are we not to know?" Ron asked.
"Australia, on an island," Harry answered honestly, without giving too much detail.
"You have a castle on an island, in Australia? How much money do you have?" Draco asked greedily.
"Plenty," Harry answered vaguely.
"When do we leave?" Ron asked.
Harry looked at his watch. "Twenty two minutes, thirteen seconds." Harry answered specifically.
"Huh?" Ron asked.
"Dobby will be here with the port keys at that time." Harry clarified.
"Oh." Ron said, understanding.
When they all rejoined into one group, Hermione walked up to Harry. "Potter Castle, is there anything you would like to tell me?" Hermione asked playfully.
"Um, yeah, there is, make sure you wipe your feet when you enter." Harry joked back. Hermione playfully slapped his arm.
"So, when are you and Ron tying the knot?" Harry jokingly asked.
"With Ron, maybe he'll get the nerve in thirty or forty years." She answered, not entirely sure if she was kidding.
"He loves you, you know." Harry whispered to Hermione, while staring at Ron.
"I know, he tells me, but I just don't know about him sometimes." Hermione said honestly.
Harry snapped his head up. "We'll continue this at the castle." Harry whispered to Hermione. "Everybody, take whatever Dobby hands you." Harry instructed, and watched as people kept disappearing to the castle.
Harry waited, only Draco was left, when Draco picked up the port key, nothing happened.
"Hey, mine didn't work." He said to Dobby, who popped out. "Hey!" He yelled.
"It's all right Draco, I just wanted to talk in private, yours will work in five minutes." Harry explained.
Draco got nervous, all of a sudden.
"I wanted to thank you personally. You went in search of my daughter when you thought she was in danger. That, to me, makes you a good friend. I wanted to give you something." Harry said, handing him a small box.
"What is it?" He asked, opening the box.
"It's the ring of the Dark Aurors, that stone." Harry pointed to the blue stone on the ring. "Is a pure blue diamond, its color is so rare, it would be worth millions of Galleons in today's money." Harry said smiling.
"Millions," Draco asked disbelievingly.
"Godric Gryffindor told me where he hid my inheritance. He told himself before he died that he would wait until a worthy descendant would be born, and he would give him or her, his fortune. That diamond is one of five perfect blue diamonds in his collection, one I give to you, one to my best man, one to Neville, who has always stood by me, one to Arthur, who is the only father I have ever known, and the last one, to Dumbledore, who has watched over and protected me since I was one year old. I want you to wear it with pride. You are a Dark Auror, the best of the best. And my friend," Harry explained.
"Harry, I can't accept this." Draco said looking longingly at the ring.
"You can, and you will. It's a token of my respect and admiration, please accept it." Harry said, pleadingly.
Draco looked at Harry. "I accept it." He said.
"Good, let's go." Harry said, waiving his hand at Draco's port key, activating it.
When Harry apparated to the entrance to Potter Castle, he saw the others staring around disbelievingly. The Castle had the approximate size of Hogwarts, and stood at the top of the Island, looking over other islands in the Whitsunday chain, as well as mainland Australia.
"You can see the Great Barrier Reef from the turrets." Harry informed the awestruck crowd.
"Harry, this place is amazing." Hermione told him.
"Thanks. Let's get inside; I'd like to eat lunch soon." Harry said, opening the front doors.
Upon entering, they were all dumbstruck with the sheer vastness of the Greeting Hall. It measured sixty meters by sixty meters, and had huge, floor to ceiling windows on either side of the door. At the opposite end of the Hall, there was a double staircase that wound in opposite directions. Immediately to the left of the entrance was the Ball Room, almost as vast as the entrance, but much more brightly lit by the wall of windows at the southern side of the room. Immediately to the left of the entrance was the library, two stories of floor to ceiling bookshelves, with various chairs, tables and desks scattered around.
"Wow." Ron said, looking around.
"Consider this your home as well; the master bedroom, Cindy's bedroom, and the servants quarters are all marked, feel free to choose which bedroom you prefer." Harry told the crowd.
"How many bedrooms are there?" Arthur asked.
"One hundred and fifty," Harry said matter-of-factly.
"Whoa." Draco said.
"Each bedroom had its own ensuite bathroom, so don't worry, whichever one you choose, will be good." Harry explained.
"Dobby," Harry called out. Dobby appeared at his feet. "Have a house elf escort each guest, have them choose a bedroom, and prepare for measurements." Harry instructed the elf bowed deeply.
"How many house elves do you have?" Hermione asked.
"Twelve and they're all free elves, just in case you were curious." Harry told her.
"And what do you mean measurements?" Draco asked.
"Tuxedos, we're dressing like muggles for the ceremony." Harry explained.
"Muggles," Neville asked.
"The preacher presiding over the ceremony is a muggle, so we're having a muggle wedding." Ginny explained.
"Do you have a gown?" Peggy asked excitedly.
"With a train you won't believe." Ginny said smiling.
"I'm going to get cleaned up, Dobby, have our guests escorted to their rooms." Harry said, taking Ginny's and Cindy's hands and going up the stairs.
The guests choose their bedrooms, and were each measured by the house elves. Harry had the clothing custom made, so the measurements were phoned to the local tailor on the mainland. The weather couldn't have been more agreeable, the air was warm, the sky was clear, and the day of the wedding was expected to be the same.
They met at seven o'clock that evening in the cavernous Dinning Hall. Easily as long and as wide as the Dinning Hall in Hogwarts, but with only one table spanning the center of the room. They all congregated at the far end, where the dishes and silverware had been carefully placed.
Harry entered the room with Ginny on his right and Cindy on his left. They walked the length of the room, like a king and his queen entering a ball. Harry was dressed in a black Armani suit, and Ginny and Cindy wore matching Armani evening gowns. The small group stared as they walked the length of the Dining Hall.
The others wore suits and dresses Harry had preordered before their arrival and the finishing touches were done after their measurements were taken. The group looked like a respectable muggle dinner group, meeting to discuss various financial situations.
Dumbledore, with his long hair and beard, stood out like a sore thumb. Harry had to stifle a laugh when he saw him.
"Friends, please take your seats." Harry said regally.
"Tonight we celebrate the eve of our wedding, I know the group is small, but it is our family. Ginny and I have some gifts for you all; I hope you'll appreciate the gesture." Harry announced, summoning gifts out of thin air.
Harry handed the gifts to Ron, Neville, Dumbledore and Arthur, while Ginny handed the gifts to Molly, Hermione, Annie and Peggy.
"Now the gifts for the men are identical, and the gifts for the women are identical, but make no mistake, they are all special." Harry explained.
Hermione walked over to Harry.
"What about Draco?" She whispered in his ear.
"Oh, my apologies, for those of you who don't know, I have taken the liberty of giving Draco his gift, earlier today." Harry clarified for the group.
They began opening their presents.
"Harry, this ring is beautiful." Ron said, staring at the gift.
"And worth a king's ransom, so don't lose it." Harry warned.
"A king's ransom," Arthur asked for clarification.
"Millions," Draco answered.
"What?" Neville asked.
"Those stones are part of my inheritance from Godric Gryffindor; he told me where they were. Each stone is a flawless dark blue diamond, so rare, only five perfect specimens have ever been discovered, these five." Harry said, not specifying that Godric told him this in another timeline.
"Godric Gryffindor, Harry? Inheritance?" Arthur asked.
"Yes. I am Godric's heir." Harry said simply.
The girls had watched and waited until the men opened their gifts.
"Ginny, just how rich is Harry?" Peggy asked.
"Before April, filthy rich, after April, the richest," Ginny said smiling.
"You're marrying the richest wizard in the world?" Annie asked.
"Um, yeah," Ginny answered.
"Well then, let's open our gifts." Hermione said jokingly.
The women opened their gifts; each received a single diamond necklace, with a stone the size of which they had never seen.
"Harry? How many karats are these diamonds?" Annie asked.
"They are approximately 10 karats each. They are called the Tears of Joy. They are pink diamonds, in a tear shape, that were mined over a thousand years ago. An American jeweler placed a value on each one at twenty million U.S. dollars, about 2 and ½ million Galleons." Harry explained.
"Harry. We can't accept these." Molly said.
"Of course you can, you're the First Lady of Magic, you should always wear such jewels, and I'll be sure to buy them every year." Harry said smiling.
"Very smart Harry, make the mother in law happy." Arthur said again, smiling. They all laughed.
The five-course dinner that Winky prepared was exceptional, the roast, the potatoes, the vegetables, were all perfect, they all retired to the library as full as they could be.
The library, as it had been in Cindyland, was Harry's favorite room, he had designed it to be the gathering room for all his future dinner parties. The chairs and the sofas were all plush and comfortable, making them perfect for after dinner conversation.
"So Ginny, what are your honeymoon plans?" Hermione asked loudly.
She blushed slightly. "We're staying here." She said softly.
"In this big castle, just the two of you," Hermione pressed.
"No, just the three of us," Ginny corrected her.
"Actually Ginny, I was thinking of taking my grand daughter home for two weeks, to get to know her better." Molly said smiling.
"Really gam'ma, two whole weeks," Cindy asked excitedly.
"Absolutely dear, and we can have a whole bunch of fun." Molly said to Cindy.
"And we could get to know our niece." Annie added.
"It's settled, we take Cindy for two weeks then." Arthur added.
"Ginny? Is this a private conversation, or can anybody join in," Harry asked, uncomfortable talking about honeymoons with his future in-laws.
"I don't think we're allowed to join in Harry, apparently these things have been decided for us." Ginny answered slightly miffed.
"Get used to it Harry, I think you've lost your vote in your own life." Draco joked.
"No, I think he just lost his life. Again," Ron also joked. They all laughed.
"Well, I'm taking this beautiful creature to bed." Arthur announced, picking Cindy up off the floor.
As soon as Arthur and Cindy were gone, Molly spoke again.
"I don't think a six year old child should be on a honeymoon." Molly said.
"Molly, it's not really a honeymoon, it's more of a self-imposed prison sentence. I made a conscious decision to fake my own death; my poor bride has to live with that decision. I fully expect to take her somewhere romantic, after Voldemort is finally gone." Harry explained.
"Be that as it may, this gilded cage of yours is perfect for a honeymoon, you have a private beach, plenty of servants, and a spectacular view." Molly argued.
"And one indoor pool and one outdoor pool," Ginny added slyly.
"Planning any skinny dipping this week Harry?" Hermione asked slyly.
"Ok, I think that mine and Ginny's love life has become a taboo conversation in my home, thank you very much." Harry answered her.
"Harry." Dumbledore said, getting everyone's attention. "They only want the best for you, and for Ginny. Enjoy Molly's gift to you, and enjoy Hermione's teasing, this is what family is all about, this is what evil men and women cannot destroy, the love of family." Dumbledore said seriously.
Arthur walked back in just after Dumbledore's speech.
"Harry, you have some daughter." Arthur said, sitting down.
"She means the world to me." Harry said smiling.
"Can you explain to me how it is that she probably knows more magic than most fully qualified wizards?" Arthur asked, causing the room to look at him.
"I have been teaching her personally since I adopted her. She has to be safe." Harry said, feeling the stares of everybody in the room.
"Molly." Arthur said turning to his wife. "Do you know our granddaughter can perform wandless magic, and elemental magic?" Arthur asked.
"She can? How," Molly asked astounded.
"And she's an animagus as well." Harry added guiltily.
"A what," Arthur asked.
"She's a unicorn." Ginny said simply.
"You knew?" Molly asked.
"Of course, tomorrow I will be her mother for crying out loud." Ginny said sounding angry.
"How can a child of six, learn so much magic?" Dumbledore, of all people, asked.
"Albus, we are entering a new era for wizards, the realization that anything is possible. Cindy is living proof. She could defend herself against even the most dangerous Death Eater, she has to, she's my daughter." Harry answered.
"Are you teaching Ginny?" Dumbledore asked.
"Yes he is." Ginny answered.
"Then Miss Weasley, or should I say Mrs. Potter, you will teach a select group of instructors at Hogwarts, who'll in turn, teach a select group of students." Dumbledore commanded.
"I will?" Ginny asked.
"And in return for your assistance, I'll allow you to live here while you go to school. I presume Harry has already taught you how to bypass the anti-apparition barriers we have on the school?" Dumbledore asked.
"He has." Ginny answered honestly.
"Anybody else able to bypass the anti-apparition barriers," Dumbledore asked the group. Only Neville raised his hand.
Only Neville raised his hand.
"Mr. Longbottom, I'm surprised. Well, you'll have to visit the Potters on the weekends for added instruction, and then report back to me." Dumbledore commanded.
"Harry?" Tonks asked, speaking for the first time since entering the library. "How about me, I'm not in school, I have time for training." Tonks pointed out.
"You are welcome here whenever you want. I'll personally train you if you like, but, you will have to put in an eight hour day at the Ministry." Harry said.
"Understood," Tonks agreed.
"Annie, Peggy, I'd like you to come for training as well." Harry said.
"How do we get here?" Peggy asked.
"You'll live here. I have a hundred and fifty bedrooms, I'm sure you could find somewhere to stay." Harry explained.
"Any room for me," Molly asked, making Arthur look at her. "With Annie and Peggy here, I'll be all alone at the Burrow." She added, looking at Arthur pleadingly.
"And you can stay here too Arthur. There is definitely no place safer in the magical world, I guarantee it." Harry said surly.
"People might suspect something, if I'm not home." Arthur said.
"Don't worry; I know some tricks. They'll call your house on the floo network, and the fireplace in your office here will activate, no one will ever know your not home." Harry argued.
Arthur thought for a moment. "What about the twins, and Percy?" Arthur asked.
"Just tell them you're in hiding for security's sake, they won't question it, you're the Minister." Harry argued again.
"You're making it difficult to say no Harry. Are you sure you want your in-laws living with you, being newlyweds and all?" Arthur asked.
"No, not my in-laws, my family," Harry corrected him, making Molly cry.
"Than it's settled," Dumbledore said standing. "Arthur, Molly, Annie and Peggy will live here, Ginny and Tonks will commute daily, and Neville on weekends. The Death Eaters won't stand a chance." He added pleasantly.
"Hey, what about me and Ron," Hermione asked feeling left out.
"As soon as you and Mr. Weasley have learned to bypass the anti-apparition barriers, you're free to come and go, but only to the Potter Castle." Dumbledore said.
"And when that happens, with Albus' permission, you're both welcome to live here." Harry added.
"Do you really want Ron living with you and Ginny?" Hermione asked playfully.
"Hermione, my castle is so large; he and I could walk around for a week, and never run into each other." Harry said honestly.
"It's getting late." Arthur said, looking at the grandfather clock at the end of the room. "We all have a big day tomorrow." He added, standing.
"Good night my guests," Harry said smiling at them.
They all started walking upstairs. Harry stayed back with Ginny.
"So, where are you sleeping tonight?" She asked, implying he wasn't sleeping in their room.
"I guess a guest room." Harry answered, hugging her tightly.
"Well, you can't very well see the bride before the ceremony, now can you?" She added.
"Good night Ginny, I love you." Harry said, kissing Ginny deeply.
"How did I get so lucky?" Ginny asked kissing him back.
"Ron," Answered Harry.
"Ron?" She asked.
"Yeah, if I hadn't become best friends with Ron, then I probably would never have gotten to know you better, and I probably would never have fallen in love with you." Harry explained.
Ginny got a strange look on her face. "I never really thought of it, quite like that." Ginny admitted.
"You'd better get to bed, one minute until midnight." Harry said, making Ginny run for the staircase.
"Women," Harry said to himself smiling.
When Ginny awoke the next morning, she found Molly, Hermione, Cindy, Annie, Peggy, Tonks and Winky all staring back at her.
"Ambush," she asked groggily.
"Not quite, miss." Winky said, handing her a note from Harry.
"And what are you girls doing here at this ungodly hour?" She asked again.
"We're here to get you ready." Molly said smiling.
"And to see the dress," Peggy added.
"Ginny, is this the master bedroom?" Hermione asked.
"Yeah, why," Ginny asked back.
"Because I've never seen a bedroom this large before, you have a dining table, a sitting room, a bathroom that's bigger than the Gryffindor common room, and a two-story closet, that's bigger than our dorm room. So, I figured, if it wasn't the master bedroom, I would claim this as my own." Hermione explained, making them all laugh.
"Breakfast misses." Winky declared, standing next to the en-suite dining table.
The women sat down to eat, Ginny, as nervous as she was, still managed to finish off her entire breakfast.
"Keep eating like that and you won't fit into your wedding dress." Annie joked.
"Keep talking like that and you'll get to see, first hand, the wonderful dungeon Harry had built in the basement." Ginny joked back.
"What was the note about?" Tonks asked.
"I don't know I forgot to read it." Ginny said, fumbling for the note.
"Oh, wedding instructions. Harry wants the procession to start in a secret exit to the castle and to proceed to…" Ginny started to tear up.
"What?" Hermione said, grabbing the note. "Oh, that's so romantic." Hermione exclaimed.
"What?" Molly asked.
"They're getting married on the beach." Hermione said, crying herself.
"Wow, that is romantic, a barefoot wedding." Tonks added.
"Was this a surprise?" Peggy asked.
"He told me not to worry, that I would love it, and I do." Ginny said, starting to cry again.
The women finished their breakfast, and Molly began on children.
"So, have you and Harry discussed children?" Molly asked.
"Mother, she hasn't even gotten married yet." Annie scolded her.
"That's ok Annie, actually we have. As soon as I'm ready, Harry wants to start a large family, his exact words were; I want to give your parents a run for their money." Ginny said blushing.
"And when will you be ready?" Molly asked.
"I'm not sure, after school definitely, but I was also thinking about starting my own clothing line. So maybe I'll put it off a bit." Ginny answered honestly.
"Not too long, Cindy will tied me over, but she'll want brothers and sisters as soon as possible." Molly said, hugging and kissing Cindy, who was now on her lap.
"And I want more godchildren, who knows when Ron will ever get up the courage to propose." Hermione added.
"Knowing my son like I do, you'll end up proposing." Molly said.
"Excuse me misses, the clothes is here." Winky interrupted.
"Let's have a look then." Molly said standing.
Harry had had a quiet night. He awoke just on time; he was surprised to see he wasn't as nervous as he feared. He, unlike the girls, went down to the Dining Hall to eat his breakfast.
When he arrived, he saw all the men deep in conversation about Voldemort. But the conversation came to an abrupt end the moment Harry entered the room.
"You don't need to stop because of me." Harry said, joining them at the table.
"Yes we do, you should only be thinking about my daughter." Arthur said.
"Take my word for it Arthur, that's all I ever think about." Harry said honestly.
"Nervous?" Ron asked.
"Actually, no, I have no doubts about what I'm doing, I love Ginny, and I want to spend the rest of my life with her." Harry answered seriously.
"You don't suspect any trouble, do you?" Neville asked.
"Trust me Neville; no one will ever be able to find me, or anybody else, here. There is more magic protecting this island, and the surrounding water, than the rest of the magical community combined. I took the liberty of infusing my magic into, not only the castle, but the entire island itself." Harry explained.
"The entire island Harry, do you realize how much magi that is?" Dumbledore asked.
"Of course I do, I was laid up for a week." Harry answered.
"So, what time is the ceremony?" Dumbledore asked.
"One o'clock. On the beach," Harry answered, swallowing a mouth full of eggs.
"On the beach, why," Ron asked.
"Because clod, it's romantic." Draco answered. "Do you even have a romantic bone in your body? I sympathize with Hermione." Draco added.
"I'm romantic." Ron argued.
"Really, what have you ever done that's romantic?" Draco asked.
"I went out with Hermione to a very expensive restaurant." Ron declared.
"Sorry son, that one doesn't count, Harry planned the entire dinner, and invited you and Hermione." His father corrected him.
"Ok, well, there was that time when, when I, I'm romantic." Ron said again, unable to think of a single romantic thing he had ever done.
"Son, you and I really need to talk." Arthur told Ron.
"Draco, I just realized, I don't know much about your personal life, anybody special?" Harry asked, changing the subject.
"Actually Harry, there is this one girl, I was always afraid to get to close, because my father wouldn't like her, but now, maybe I will." Draco said honestly.
"Why wouldn't your father like her?" Neville asked.
"Because she's a muggle," Harry answered.
"How did you know?" Draco asked.
"Because I know your father," Harry lied, knowing full well his knowledge came from another timeline where that Draco had feelings for a muggle.
"Yeah, Harry's right, she's a muggle. But so beautiful, I have always told myself it was lust, but now I know I love her." Draco said smiling.
"How about you, Neville," Harry asked.
"No, you'll laugh." Neville said shyly.
"No we won't, or rather, I won't." Harry corrected himself.
"I kind of have a thing for, um, Luna." Neville said.
Ron burst out laughing. "You like loony Luna?" He said between fits of laughter.
"Yes I do!" Neville said indignantly.
"Ron, I like Luna, and I consider her a friend, and an asset." Harry said seriously. "Neville, go for it. If anyone deserves to be happy, it's you and Luna." Harry said honestly.
"Thanks Harry." Neville said, feeling confident.
"And you Albus?" Arthur asked jokingly. "Any young girls on the horizon for you," he added.
Dumbledore laughed. "I don't think there's a woman that blind on the planet." Dumbledore joked back. They laughed.
Harry took the men on a tour of the castle; he showed them the turrets, the dungeons, and the training room. They were all impressed with the immense size of the place. Besides having five floors above the ground level, it had ten stories below the ground level, including several ways of escaping undetected.
Nothing impressed the Minister more than the room Harry had chosen for him and Molly.
Here Arthur, I'd thought you'd like this." Harry was saying.
"When did you put my name on the door?" Arthur asked.
"When I had the castle built." Harry answered.
"You knew we'd be staying?" Arthur asked amazed.
"I had hoped, yes. My perfect world consists of the Weasleys, my beautiful wife Ginny, my beautiful daughter Cindy, and all my friends, living with me in this castle, that's why I built it." Harry said, opening the door.
The five men stopped dead in their tracks. It was an identical copy of the Burrow, even the view from the windows were the same. Neither Arthur nor Ron could believe the accuracy of the duplicate.
Ron walked up to the clock that showed the whereabouts of the Weasley family, and noticed the duplicate had an extra location added, Potter Castle.
"Wicked," Ron said.
"Harry, this is amazing. Anyone calling would never notice the difference, even the view is perfect." Arthur said.
"I'm glad you like it, I used my pensive to get the details perfect." Harry explained.
"I'm impressed Harry, the planning, the thought you've put into this castle, it's amazing." Arthur said.
"Just wait until we get to Dumbledore's chamber." Harry announced.
"Expecting me soon Harry?" Dumbledore asked.
"Actually, yes," Harry answered honestly.
"And where's Malfoy Manor?" Draco asked jokingly.
"Sorry Draco, I didn't think you'd want to remember that place, so I designed one for you, you'll like it." Harry told him.
"Let's go see it then." Draco demanded.
"Nope, unfortunately I have to get ready. My wedding starts in one hour." Harry announced, looking at his watch.
They all headed for their chosen rooms. Harry showered and dressed quickly, and met the others in the entrance hall of the castle.
When they all arrived, Harry looked at the five men.
"You guys look good." Harry announced.
"I always look good." Draco declared.
"You ready Harry?" Ron asked.
"You have the rings?" Harry asked back.
"Oops." Ron said running back up the stairs.
"There's still time to choose a reliable best man." Arthur whispered to Harry.
"No Arthur, there is nobody more perfect than Ron." Harry whispered back.
They all made their way down to the beach. The pastor and his assistant were there waiting for them.
"Mr. Potter, congratulations." The pastor said.
"Thank you Pastor, may I introduce the father of the bride, Arthur Weasley, the brother of the bride, and my best man, Ronald Weasley, our former Headmaster, Albus Dumbledore, and my two good friends, Draco Malfoy and Neville Longbottom." Harry introduced them. They all shook hands.
"Well Harry, I have to go fetch my daughter." Arthur announced, following the prepared trail back towards the castle.
"Places then gentlemen," the pastor announced.
Harry took his place on the right side of the makeshift alter, Ron stood next to him, then Dumbledore, Neville and Draco. They waited for the sound of the wedding march.
The music started, and all talking stopped. Cindy was the first one to come around the bend; Harry had chosen light blue gowns for the women, and bouquets of white roses. Cindy looked like an angel.
Next to come out was Molly; she was beaming, never had she seemed prouder of any of her children. She walked up to Harry, and kissed him lightly on the cheek.
Then Tonks emerged, no one had ever seen her look so feminine, she was stunning. She changed the color of her hair to match the roses she was carrying, pure white.
Then Annie and Peggy came out together. Harry had noticed how alike Peggy and Ginny looked before, but now it was downright spooky. They kissed Harry on each cheek, and took their places next to Molly.
When Hermione emerged, everyone heard Ron say "wow"; she was so incredibly beautiful, that even Neville and Draco couldn't keep their eyes off of her.
Then the moment of truth arrived, Ginny. She emerged in a form fitting wedding gown with a ten-meter, magically enhanced train. She wore a veil of such a thin fabric that it was almost invisible. She had done up her hair with flowers, and the glow she wore on her face, made her look even more stunning than Harry could ever have imagined.
Ginny took her place beside Harry, he couldn't take his eyes off her, she was so beautiful. The preacher smiled, and began his speech.
"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to bear witness to the joining of Harry James Potter to Virginia Ann Weasley. I understand this was a match made in Heaven, Harry and Ginny have been in love for many years now, and have decided to bond their relationship in holy matrimony. If there is any just cause why these two should not be wed, please speak now, or forever hold your peace." The preacher paused. "Then, do you have the rings?" The preacher asked Ron, who quickly handed them to him. "Harry, please place this ring on her finger, and recite your vow." The preacher instructed.
"I, Harry James Potter, take you Virginia, to be my lawfully wedded wife. I vow to love only you, to protect you, to keep you happy for as long as I shall live, and longer." Harry said, placing the ring on her finger.
"Virginia, please place this ring on Harry's finger, and recite your vow." The preacher instructed her.
"I, Virginia Ann Weasley, do take you Harry, to be my lawfully wedded husband; I also vow to love only you, to honor you, to cherish you, and to make you the happiest man on Earth, for as long as I shall live, and longer." Ginny said, placing the ring on Harry's finger.
"What God has brought together, let no man put asunder. By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride." The preacher instructed Harry.
They kissed deeply.