Disclaimer: See chapter 1
A/N: For those that have put up with my update schedule on this fic, thank you. This is the final planned chapter as I wind down the story. In this update the last of the babies for the main characters will come. There will be a graduation and Ginny getting married.
There may be an epilogue at some point, but no promises.
-oOo-
Chapter 20
-oOo-
December 25, 1997
London, England
"Are you sure that there is enough butterbeer?" Susan asked worriedly. It was getting close to noon and everyone would be arriving soon.
"It is fine, Susan," auntie said.
"What about food? We told Tipsy to expect up to forty people, right?" she asked.
"Yes. Tipsy knows. Just take a deep breath, Susie. Where is Ron?" auntie enquired.
Susan put her hands on her stomach. At thirteen weeks, her stomach was always upset. She found it hard to keep half her food down most days. "Ron went to the Burrow to help his parents with the twins. He was going frantic, so I thought it best to get him out of here for a bit. I just want things to go well," she told auntie.
Aunt Ami chuckled. "You mean you're going spare and needed him out of your hair."
Susan gave a small smile. "Am I that bad?"
Auntie came over and kissed her forehead. "No. I'm sorry I couldn't be around as much over the years. I'm not going to seek re-election next year so I can be around more for you and Ron and any little red heads you have around here."
Susan gave a big smile. "If only this little one would let me eat."
Auntie gave her a sympathetic smile. The woman had never been able to know the joys and pains of children. Susan was happy that she was looking forward to grandchildren though. There was the sound of the Floo in the main atrium. "Let's go meet your big family," auntie told her.
Susan had a happy gurgle in her stomach.
"Susie? Aunt Amelia?" Ron called out. They came out of the hall. Susan would have rather set up in the sitting room upstairs, but there were going to be too many people. Instead, they had setup a comfortable area around the large fireplace with a tree that was twenty feet tall. It was surrounded by presents. Couches, chairs, small tables and a buffet had been lain out, giving the large hall a homely feeling she had never seen in Grace Hall before.
"Right here, Ron," she called out.
The Floo flared again as they walked into the atrium. Ron was holding one of his sisters. At five months, Erica was much more alert. The girl looked so cute in a dress that was a nice burgundy colour. Susan couldn't wait to have her own. Another almost seven months. Her father-in-law stepped out next with Eunice. Eunice didn't like the Floo as much and was cranky. Eunice was in the same dress, but with a green bow in her hair, instead of the red one in Erica's. Susan moved over to him to give him a hug. Susan really did enjoy belonging to such a large family.
"Happy Christmas, Susan," Arthur said, reaching to give her a one arm hug.
The Floo flared again to let in Ginny. The lithe girl had developed from a skinny short teen into a short teen with nice curves and a body that most would be jealous of. Eunice grabbed onto Susan as she tried to back away. "I think she wants her Auntie Susan," Arthur said with a laugh.
"That's no problem. Is it, cutie?" Susan said, rubbing her nose into Eunice's. The little girl giggled and hit her hands off Susan's face. Susan giggled at the small girl.
"Happy Christmas," her auntie greeted the others. Molly came through last, giving her a hug. She hugged Ginny, then the Floo flared again. Ron was showing them all into the hall. Eunice balanced easily on her hip, content to grab her hair with one hand while the other was shoved into her mouth.
Hannah stumbled out. Auntie caught her. "Thanks, Amelia," her best mate said.
"Are you alright? I don't remember you having an issue before," auntie said concerned.
"I find I get really dizzy taking the Floo, but it's better than apparition. I can't wait for June," Hannah told her. Hannah hugged her auntie. "Happy Christmas. Are my family here yet?"
Neville stepped out next.
"Not yet. You are the second ones to arrive. Happy Christmas," Auntie said.
Hannah came over to her. "Susie, that was quick," Hannah said with a smile. She kissed Eunice first, getting a happy squeal from the girl.
As she hugged Hannah, Susan said, "Well, you know, Ron and I like to go it fast."
Hannah giggled. "I hear hard too."
"Hannah!" Susan hissed at her.
Hannah gave her a huge smile. Susan could feel the bump forming on her friend. Hers was just barely starting to show.
Neville came over. "Happy Christmas, Susie. Who's your doppelganger?"
Susan gave Neville a hug. "Neville, meet Susan two," she joked with him.
Neville laughed. "Which one is she? I can't tell. I thought it was bad with Fred and George, now theirs two of them."
"It's Eunice. She has this darker freckle right here," Susan said, tickling the girls neck. Eunice squealed with laughter and squirmed in her arms. Susan tipped her head as the girl pulled on her hair. Susan's hair was darker than the Weasley's, but they were still all red heads.
Hannah laughed, tickling the girl herself. Eunice squealed again.
"We are all in the hall today," Susan told them. "You look nice, Hannah."
Hannah grinned, twirling with her red dress. It was sinched at the bodice and flared out to cover her bump. "I like it."
Susan rolled her eyes. "You are such a show off."
Hannah grinned. "Neville doesn't complain."
The boy behind her flushed some but had a pleased smile on his face. "I'm not complaining about my present this morning."
Susan giggled.
The Floo flared again. They all looked to see Harry stepping out. The second they did, Aster started to whine. The black hair girl was in a cute green dress that matched her eyes. "Shhhh," Harry said, bouncing her. "It's all right. Aster doesn't like the Floo."
"You could have asked one of your elves to pop you over. Family is invited that way," her auntie told him.
Lavender came out next. Susan hoped that within two months she would get her figure back like Lavender had. She was in a very pretty silver dress that clung to her curves in way that was sinful for someone that had a child such a short time ago. It didn't stop her from hugging Lavender and wishing her a Happy Christmas. Susan really loved her extended family.
Aster was now laying her head on her father's shoulder. She didn't look happy yet, but she was happier than she had been. Harry was rubbing her back as she hugged him. "Happy Christmas," she said.
"Happy Christmas, Susan. You too, Eunice," Harry said, then winced as the little girl grabbed at his messy hair. Aster didn't move from Harry, now grabbing his nice jumper with a fist. Eunice was reaching for Harry.
"How can you tell them apart?" Neville asked.
"The freckles," Harry easily answered. Neville, Hannah and Lavender looked at him then Eunice.
"I can't do it. I still get Fred and George mixed up all the time," Lavender told them. "Harry is one of the few I know that never mixes them up."
"I didn't think it that hard." Aster started to fuss. "Do you have a room I could change Aster in?"
Lavender handed Harry a backpack. "Need me to come?"
"I got it," Harry told her, kissing her cheek.
"You can use the receiving room, if you want. I didn't think about it. Tipsy?" she called out.
Tipsy came hustling out of the hall. "Mistress Susan called Tipsy?"
"I did. Could you please get the bassinet out of the nursery and put it in the receiving room?" Susan requested.
Tipsy nodded, happy to have so much to do today. "Tipsy will do." The small house elf snapped her fingers and was gone.
"I'll join you in a few," Harry told them, heading off towards the room Susan indicated. It was the room right of the main entrance. That door was so rarely used though.
"He loves being a dad, doesn't he?" Hannah asked.
Lavender gave a beautiful smile. "She has him wrapped around her little finger. I think he adores her more than me most of the time."
Neville chuckled. "Believe me, he adores you both."
Susan smiled at him. Lavender had adoring eyes to watch Harry disappear through the doorway. "I don't think I could have gotten luckier."
"I think we all got lucky," Hannah said, wrapping an arm around Neville's.
Ron came back out to join them. "Mum and dad set out a blanket with some toys if you want to put Eunice there."
"I'm good. She seems pretty happy here," Susan answered. Except for Harry, Eunice hadn't wanted to get out of her arms.
"Happy Christmas," Ron told them before hugging Hannah and Lavender and shaking Neville's hand.
When the Floo turned green this time, Fred and Angelina stepped out. Angelina was just about as far along as Susan was. Ron and her didn't find out until five weeks, a week after Angelina had. She hadn't even realized she was pregnant at Halloween. After some hugs and greetings, they went into the hall. Harry joined them there with Aster still clinging to his shoulder.
Susan gave a contented smile to see the small girl wrapped partially in a blanket now. Her eyes looked to be shifting closed. "She didn't really take a nap earlier," Harry told them.
Lavender rubbed her daughter's back. "If you can keep her up, we might get a full night's sleep tonight."
Harry yawned. Susan hadn't realized how tired he looked. Lavender did too. "That would be nice, but you know how cranky she gets if she doesn't get a nap. If you don't mind, I'm just going to go find somewhere quiet to sit."
"In the hall. If you need somewhere else, the sitting room upstairs is quiet," Susan offered.
"I want to be with everyone," Harry told her. "Why don't you stay here and socialize."
Lavender gave him a loving kiss on the lips. "I'll take her in a bit."
"Enjoy yourself. You haven't gotten out much lately," Harry told her.
"We'll be going over to see Parvati tomorrow," Lavender replied.
As tired as they both looked, Susan wanted what they had. Ron put an arm around her shoulder, as though knowing her thoughts. Hannah looked like she was going to be a puddle of goo. "He is so sweet."
"He is," Lavender agreed.
George and Yvonne were next. Yvonne was getting big. Unlike Lavender and Hannah, though, she was glowing at over seven months pregnant. They were quickly past them as Charlie, Rebecca and Ian came through next. Unlike his niece… it was odd to think the boy's niece was only two days younger than him… Ian was awake and didn't seem to mind the Floo. Like her daughter, Rebecca had regained her figure as well. Maybe if was a family thing with them?
They hardly had time to say, "Happy Christmas," before Hannah's parents came in. She had hardly pointed them towards the hall, where Neville and Hannah had joined the others, before Bill, Fleur and Renee joined them. She could see the small girl would already be as striking as her mother with blue eyes and strawberry blond hair.
What surprised her was to have Mr and Mrs Delacour join them with the younger blonde fireball known as Gabrielle. Susan and auntie were more than happy to have them here. As far as Susan was concerned, they were family too.
With all their guests there, she walked into the hall with Ron at her side and Eunice on her hip. The girl was starting to fuss now, having been really good for the last half hour as everyone arrived. By the tree a blanket with baby toys was home to three of the five babies. Erica was sitting up, happily banging on a wooden bench that she was supposed to be putting blocks of different shapes into. Ian was on his stomach, just watching everything going on. Renee was sitting in her grandmother's lap as Mrs Delacour played with a stuffed bunny with her.
Susan put Eunice down, who started to slap at the bench like her sister. They started to babble with each other.
Ron wrapped his arms around her waist. She wrapped her arms around his. This house had been so quiet for so long, now it was full of happy people talking. It was like the house was as happy as she was to have family in it again. Ron leaned his head on her shoulder. "Happy Christmas," he said to her.
She leaned into his cheek. "Happy Christmas," she replied. She smiled to see Harry laying on a couch. His eyes were closed as Aster snoozed on his chest. She wasn't sure he was sleeping too, even with everything going on around them.
She could see Ron doing that in a few months.
-oOo-
June 14, 1998
Hogwarts, Scotland
Poppy Pomfrey would have never thought that her hospital wing would become a maternity ward. The eighth child to be born at Hogwarts since the mid-eighteen hundreds, was crying away as the new parents learned to care for the new-born. Seven of them had come in the last few months. Healer Tonks was teaching Hannah Longbottom how to nurse. Neville was looking at his new son and his wife with a sense of wonder.
Minerva walked up next to her. "How are they?"
"Mrs Longbottom should be fine. She had a relatively easy delivery and Mr Longbottom looks to be taking to it. I think his friends, the Potters, have helped him," she told her long-time friend.
Minerva nodded her head. "As much as I hate this law, most of the couples seem to be doing well."
Poppy shook her head. "They are doing the best they can in the current situation, but I worry. Most are still so young. They don't have a job. Mrs Longbottom will need to take her NEWTs still, and we expect them to be adult enough to raise a child."
"I share some of your concern, but I must say that most of the married couples are acting far more mature than their classmates. The Ministry is looking at establishing a program to help support the new couples for the first two to three years, so that they can get established outside of Hogwarts," Minerva responded.
Poppy nodded. "I read the proposal. A thousand galleons a year won't support them. You know that most entry level jobs pay four to five thousand, and it will take about eight to keep a family of three floating and doing well enough to consider a second child."
Minerva sighed. "I know, Poppy. The best we can do is support them. We have the funds to support ten a year in a Mastery, if they don't have the funds. In about ten years from now, it's expected our budget will more than quadruple with the number of students expected. We will be able to do more for them."
"Perhaps," Poppy replied.
The door to the Hospital wing opened. Poppy smiled to see the group that walked in. The Potters, the Bones, the Patils, Granger and Thomas. Aster Potter was eight months old. Lavender was holding her. Aster had a blankie in her hands she was flailing about while mouthing, "dadadadadada."
Poppy smile to see the little green-eyed, blonde girl. She was most likely going to be a looker like her mother.
Of the others, Susan Bones was getting large. The girl was about six to seven weeks from delivering their first child. She was waddling a little. That was probably because she was carrying twins, which they only discovered shortly after they came back from Christmas Hols. Even magical tests could be inconclusive until the child was farther along.
"We just heard Hannah had the baby?" Susan Bones said.
"She has, but I am unsure if she is ready to see anyone," Poppy told them.
"Susie? Is that you?" Hannah asked from behind the screen. "Come see your nephew."
Poppy smiled. "You can go in, but the rest of you should stay until she is ready for you."
Susan smiled, moving over to Hannah.
"Congratulations," Susan said excitedly, taking Hannah's hand as their new child was at her breast. "Do you have a name?"
"Franklin Elijah Longbottom," Hannah said. "No arguments."
Neville held up his hands. "I'm not arguing."
Poppy could understand the boy's reluctance to use his father's name, but Mrs Longbottom had ideas of her own. Minerva chuckled. "Alice was just as adamant."
Poppy smiled. "Yes. I miss them both."
Minerva rose an eyebrow. "You haven't heard?"
Poppy looked to her. "Heard what?"
Minerva smiled. "Augusta and I had tea last week. They started a new potions regiment for her Frank and Alice. She said that Frank called her mum the other day and recognized Alice. Alice used a nickname for Frank that she hasn't since that night."
Poppy's eyes widened. "Really? You mean there is hope?"
"I think there may be. She hasn't told Neville yet, not wanting to get his hoped up with Hannah being so close, but I think there is hope," she told her. Minerva had a faraway look for a moment. "I think Augusta is here. Probably the Abbotts too. I just felt three people enter the grounds."
"We should get this lot out of here then. They can see her later," Poppy said.
Neville came around the curtain to meet his friends. There was a general round of congratulations, some hugs, handshakes and slaps to the back. It was nice to see the boy with so many close friends after how he seemed so lonely the first few years.
"Franklin Elijah. I like that," Minerva said from besides her.
"It is a good name," Poppy agreed. "I still think the Unspeakables need to find a way to break the covenants."
"I agree, but we must do the best we can by our students as we can," Minerva said with some conviction.
-oOo-
June 27, 1998
Hogwarts, Scotland
Hermione was looking around at the gathered students, parents and relatives in the Great Hall. This would be the last time that her and her classmates would be sitting in this Hall. All those not graduating or staying for siblings had left on the Hogwarts Express earlier in the day.
Looking out at the gathered crowd, she smiled to see her parents. Minister Bones had made a decree allowing Muggle families to come to the castle for graduation if they were escorted. The Abbotts had agreed to bring them and Erica.
Dean and her had broken up a few weeks ago, but she wasn't sad about it. Dean had been a good first boyfriend, and she may have even fallen in love with him, but they had mutually agreed that they had only been so close because of the Covenants, and they wanted to go to different schools. With apparition they could have easily kept up their relationship, but Hermione wanted to focus on school. She had her A levels in a month and then was applying to Uni a year late, but had no doubt she would get in,.
Looking at her other friends, she felt happy, sad and even a little jealous of them. Harry was happy. He was very happy. Aster was bouncing in his lap as he held her up in a standing position. She had never seen him so happy. Lavender was as much a part of it as Aster and those that surrounded him.
A small part of her wished she could have made him that happy, but she knew she wasn't ready for what he now had. She also knew that Lavender was much better for him than her. She knew deep down she would have pushed him to push himself, and that was not what he needed. He was actually a very motivated individual but shied away or fought back when pushed. He still didn't know what he wanted to do, but he had accepted an internship at the Eastern European Broom Company, the same company that made the Firebolt line of brooms.
Next to him, Lavender Potter was whispering with her best mate, Parvati. Lavender had really grown and matured over the last two years. Far more than Hermione had ever thought. She was still surprised how good a friend she had become with Lavender. Parvati was still a bit immature, but supported Lavender and Harry in any way she could.
Then there was Hannah and Neville. Like Harry and Lavender, they felt more like family now than anything else. She adored all four of their children. The Abbotts had Franklin, but only because Neville's parents were still at St Mungo's. That had been a small miracle that had their friend a ball of nerves the last few weeks. With a new-born, his parents suddenly recovering and his gran besides herself with both, he had been stressed.
Next to them were Ron and Susan. Susan looked about ready to pop. Hermione couldn't think of a better way to put it. She was big. She looked ready to be over with her pregnancy. The poor girl still had another month or so. Ron was rubbing her back as they sat.
"As we send all our graduates out into the world, I would like to say that this class has had more adversity than most and I am extremely proud to say they have risen to the challenge," Headmistress McGonagall was saying.
Hermione had to agree. The last few years had been hard on many, but the old blood prejudice and the shakeup of everything had tried them. Hermione knew they would rise above it and potentially become one of the strongest generation of witches and wizards in a long time.
"… so, I would like to acknowledge the Head Girl and Boy for this year. They came in as out top one and two students," the woman said with some pride.
Corner had congratulated her earlier. He wanted the top position, but she had beat him fair and square. She stood as they had been told.
"Now, if all those graduating would raise their wands," Professor McGonagall said. "Repeat after me. Draco dormiens nunquam titillandus."
They all did, and their wands tips all lighted up as their House colours.
"The sleeping dragon was definitely tickled and we all came to the challenge. Always remember your House mates, but as you leave these doors, you are no longer a Slytherin, Gryffindor, Hufflepuff or Ravenclaw. You are adults in the eyes of magic and the professors here. We hope to see the same cooperation you have shown in the last two years to continue as you go forth in your life."
As she spoke, she flicked her wand. All the lights floated into the ceiling of the great hall. "As all alumni know, the stars of the ceiling at night are not those of the sky, but those of our graduates."
She had never known that. She watched her own burgundy ball of light turn white.
"The stronger your light is in our world the brighter you will shine here. I hope you all will shine bright until your end of days, and all your children and their children will join your light here someday," Professor McGonagall said to them, a tinge of emotion on her voice.
They all jumped when a bright blue firework suddenly exploded among the thirty-four lights over their heads. She looked down to see Harry wrestling his wand away from Aster, who was giggling. Professor McGonagall didn't realize her sonorous charm was still active when she said, "I'm too old to put up with another Potter."
Most around the hall laughed.
-oOo-
August 6, 1998
London, England
Ron was becoming too familiar with St Mungo's. George and Yvonne had Terrance Arthur Weasley, who born in March. Racheal Rose Weasley, Fred and Angelina's child, had come a week ago. Charlie had just announced that Rebecca was expecting again. The next Weasley was due in February. The newest twins would be a year-old next week. He had two nieces and nephews that would be a year old in October. In the last year, he had been to the maternity ward a half dozen times.
None of that really mattered at the moment though. He was holding the prettiest girl he had ever seen. Granted, her head was mostly bald, she stank as she needed a diaper change, but the brown eyes looking up at him had his heart catching in his throat. She was going to be as beautiful as her mother.
"You going to just stare into her eyes all day or change her?" Susan asked amusedly.
They would be going home soon. "I just can't get over how beautiful she is."
"And your son?" Susan questioned.
"A boy can't be beautiful," he said, moving over to the changing station.
Susan chuckled. "He's just as handsome as his father."
Ron had just finished changing her diaper when a knock came at the door. "Are there some new Bones in the world?" Harry asked.
Ron picked up his daughter and happily turned to his best mate. "Where is Lav?"
"Aster was being rather fussy, and Rebecca needed a few hours to herself, so the cousins are playing at our place," Harry said. "Looking good, Susie."
Susan gave him an incredulous look. "I look awful, but thanks."
"I told her she looks beautiful and just about got my head chewed off," Ron whispered to him.
"How are Cadence and Karl?" Harry asked. He had been by yesterday, but said he would stop by again today to see if they needed anything.
"You just missed changing her diaper, Uncle Harry," Susan said with a smile.
"I get enough of those myself," Harry cheekily replied.
"Well, we get double. Thought you might like to help," Ron replied.
"No thanks," Harry said. "How are you doing, Susie? Do you need anything?"
Susan gave Harry a smile. Karl was sleeping in her arms. "I think we are good right now. The Healer said they should release us this afternoon."
"Well, if you need anything, you know how to get Lav and I," Harry told her. "How you holding up?"
Ron shrugged, looking back down at Cadence. "How long did it take you to fall in love with Aster?"
"The second I saw her eyes," Harry replied.
Ron had to agree. He had fallen in love with his twins that same second as well.
-oOo-
New Year's Eve, 1999
Hilston, England
A little to the east of Hull along the North Sea, the estate of Ocean's Bluff, looked out onto a mostly calm ocean. It was a nice day for December. The almost full moon was out and shining off the snow that had just fallen the day before. The wind out of the north was just little puffs. Even with how nice a night it was, inside the brightly lit hall of Ocean's Bluff, the revellers didn't much care.
Ginny was laughing, blushing profusely as her new husband slid his hands up her leg. They had decided to go with a garter belt, and he was playing to the crowds jeers and good-natured ribbing. Her mother didn't look as pleased, but Ginny didn't care. She was trying not to jump Grant as his fingers brushed her knickers. They may have decided to save themselves for their wedding night, but that didn't mean they hadn't done other things. The way his fingers pressed into the material before he worked on her garter, she felt the heat in her grow.
Well, saving things for their wedding night also had a lot to do with her desire to hold off on children too.
"Just take it off before I jump you here," Ginny said in a hot whisper. Demelza, Susan, Lavender, Hannah, Angelina and Yvonne had told her how hot the covenants made them feel the day of their wedding, but she hadn't expected this.
Grant gave her a cheeky grin. "I thought you wanted to wait."
"Bloody hell, Grant," she hissed as his fingers teased her again.
He finally took the garter off. Not that there were many eligible bachelors here, but Grant had thought it a laugh to do this. The devilish grin on his face had her wanting to hit him, then snog the life out of him while she finally felt him inside her.
Grant held up the lacy garter in triumph. Many cheered around them. His parents seemed as uptight as her mother, but Ginny laughed to see their friends and family happy with this.
As she looked at the crowd, she was happy to see so many at her wedding. Charlie and Bill where with their wives and two young children. Lavender was looking close with their second. Harry was holding Aster back as she looked ready to go after their cake.
Ginny wasn't sure her twin sisters weren't already going after it with how her father was running around. Fred and George were with their wives. Each of them had their own child, with Angelina expecting again.
Susan was looking ripe herself with her and Ron's third. Ron had both his in his arms. Those twins were walking about an into everything.
Grants family and friends were in much the same position. Ginny loved the chaos of it all. She had enjoyed growing up with her family, and having more was always good.
"Throw it!" one of his friends yelled.
"You can't have it, Trent," Grant called back. Trent had gotten married last summer.
Eventually someone got it and Grant turned to take her hand. "Would the Heiress Sparkford like a dance?"
As primly as she could, she replied, "The Heiress Sparkford would."
They had decided to have the wedding close to dinner time, and anyone that wanted to stay later could welcome in the new year's with them. She leaned her head onto his shoulder as they moved to the slow music. "Are you having a good time?"
"This is great. How about your family and friends? They don't seem as rambunctious as mine," she asked.
Grant chuckled. "They are having a good time. We expected this knowing your family and friends. Personally, you know I like tweaking my parents."
She smiled, kissing his neck. She was starting to feel rather randy after his teasing.
Grant gave her a little growl. "Do you want to wait or go to our rooms now?"
"We still have to cut the cake," she told him, sucking on his neck. There was a clink of glasses as spoons hit them from around the room. She pulled back, happy for the excuse to snog her husband for a moment. There were cheers as she kissed him.
They were only broken from their kiss when something barrelled into her leg. She laughed to look down and see Erica. "And what do you want?" she asked her sister.
"Up," Erica told them.
Grant reached down and picked her up. "I get two beautiful girls," he teased.
Erica giggled as he spun her around.
Her haggard looking father came over. "I'm sorry, Ginny. I was trying to keep her away."
"It's fine, dad. I think Grant has her," she said. Grant loved her family and Erica had seemed to latch onto him. Eunice really liked Susan and Ron. Ginny was starting to realize she would miss her sisters now that she was moving out of the house. "Would you dance with me?"
"Don't worry about me, I have a new girl," Grant said with a smile and her two-year-old sister kept giggling as he spun her around the dance floor.
Her father gave her a smile. "You found a good man."
"I love him," she said, letting her father take her into a formal waltz.
"I'm glad. I was rather concerned when all this started," he told her.
Ginny gave him a smile. "I was a different person then."
"It wasn't just you, Gin," he said, kissing her forehead. "I hope that you and Grant find all the happiness you want."
"I will, dad," she said with a big smile.
"You and Grant are welcome to the Burrow whenever you want. It will always be your home," he said, tears threatening on his eyes.
She felt her own eyes tear up. "Stop that. You'll make my make up run," she told him, wiping the tears away.
"I can't help it to see my beautiful daughter on her wedding day. You were our youngest," he told her.
"Well, you have the girls now," she said. She never lamented losing the youngest child status. She liked it as much as she loathed it. Until the twins, all her brothers and parents had treated her like the baby of the family. She felt like a proper young woman now.
Her father sighed. "Yes, they are taking after their brothers, but Fred and George or their wives are the ones that always want to take them."
Ginny laughed. "I'm sure once Aster and Ian get to school with them that there may not be anything left of Hogwarts."
Her father gave a mischievous smile. "Don't let you mother think that. She might try to make them into proper young ladies before they have their fun."
"Oh, you just wait. Harry and Lavender are already pulling their hair out with that little girl. Harry says she is channelling his father and Sirius," she told him.
Her father laughed. "I wouldn't doubt that. I understand James Potter and them were quite the terrors. Worse than Fred and George."
Ginny looked dubious. "I doubt that," she said.
"Well, we'll find out. Hopefully they won't corrupt Renee and Victoire," he said.
"I think they will get into their own trouble. Renee already has all the men in the family entranced with her," Ginny answered. The song ended. "Another? I won't see you and mum for two weeks."
"Of course, and then I'll save Grant," he told her.
Ginny looked to her husband, who was still dancing around with Erica. "I think he'll be alright for a bit."
She wasn't going to say seeing him with her sister kept the urge down to jump the boner she had felt in his pants.
Somehow, she managed to keep away from him until the time most of the people that had young children went home. That left most of their immediate friends and older relatives. After saying goodbye to her parents, she leaned over to Grant. She kissed his ear, then whispered, "I'm not ready to go to our room, but Merlin, do I need you to shag me now."
Grant's eyes reflected the need in her. "Come on," Grant told her, dragging her away from the Floo. They could join their guests soon enough.
It was more than an hour later they re-joined the party to bring in the New Years.
-oOo-
C'est Fin.
-oOo-
This is where I had originally thought to end this story. I don't know if I will write an epilogue. Hope you all enjoyed it.