Chapter 10: Ginny's Birthday Surprise

When August 11th arrived, Harry looked at Ginny. She didn't know what he and her parents had planned for her birthday. And she didn't know that everyone was coming to their house later.

Harry and Ginny were preparing for the quiet wedding, which would take place inside the great hall at Hogwarts before the first students arrived, about a week before the Hogwarts Express would leave.

Then they would spend the remainder of the break at their new home, and learning from their ancestors.

When Ginny awoke, she looked to the bed. Harry, who usually slept in the bed with her so they could talk at night, was nowhere to be found. She started to get up, but saw the door open.

Harry was at the door, and carried a tray.

"Happy birthday, darling," Harry said, putting the tray down.

"Thank you," Ginny said, kissing him. "And a good morning to you too."

Harry smiled and looked at his beautiful girlfriend.

"Well," Harry said, looking at her. "I guess before we go to the Burrow, I want to give you something."

"What's this?"

"Ginevra Molly Weasley, I just want you to know how much I love you."

"I know, Harry," Ginny said, smiling anyway.

"I just want to ask you to marry me officially."

Ginny smiled and nodded.

Harry gave her a gold ring with an emerald in it. The Emerald was surrounded by diamonds.

"Your mother's?"

Harry nodded.

"She won't mind," Harry said. "And there's someone I'd like to introduce you to."

"Who is that?"

"After you eat, my darling. I'll be in the study when you get through. And take your time. We're in no hurry."

"Mum wants us over for lunch since we're coming for dinner here."

Harry nodded.

"I know, darling," he said. "We'll be there."

"Good," Ginny said. "Did you cook this?"

"Yes," Harry said. "It took a lot of persuading, but the elves were glad to let me cook since they get to cook tonight."

Ginny nodded.

"Why did you do it?"

"To show you how much I love you. And Rimmy taught me a few cooking secrets as well."

"Harry, you're something else," Ginny said, smiling at him. "I'll be along shortly."

"Ok," Harry said.

Ginny looked at the ring. She smiled when she saw it. It was beautiful. And the emerald matched Harry's eyes, and those of his mother.

After she ate and got a bath, Ginny walked to the study to hear Harry talking to someone.

"Yes. She's a beautiful girl, and I know I can't wait for her to finally meet you, Mum."

"Me too," Lily Potter said to her son.

Ginny knocked.

"Come in," Harry said.

Ginny walked in and looked around. She saw two new portraits on the wall.

"I had them moved here," Harry said. "Mum, Dad, I want you to meet Ginny Weasley. She's the girl I'm going to marry."

"She is as beautiful as your mother," James said. "And that's saying a lot."

Harry could sense his mother blush though she was in a portrait.

"Nice to meet you," Ginny said, smiling at them.

Lily examined Ginny. James winked at Harry, who had to stop himself from sniggering.

"Nice to meet you too," Lily said. "Is it true that you're the heir of Helga Hufflepuff and Rowena Ravenclaw?"

Ginny nodded.

"Merlin."

"I'll be his heir too, Mr. Potter, as soon as I marry Harry."

Lily and James chuckled.

"I know," James said. "You would have made a great addition to the Marauders. Speaking of them, where is Remus?"

"It's a full moon," Harry said. "So he's holed up somewhere."

James nodded thoughtfully.

"Harry, so that means you're uniting three founders and Merlin against Slytherin's heir?"

"Yes, mum," Harry said. "Grandfather told me that once we marry, automatically, we will be chosen as the heirs to each of them."

"Wonderful," the woman said. "So that prophecy is true then?'

"What prophecy?"

"The heir of three founders and a great wizard will come and defeat the heir of Slytherin."

"It must be," Ginny said. "Harry and I are united against them, and we're marrying next week in order to have time to study and learn our new powers."

Lily nodded.

"Rightly so. And you destroyed the locket?"

"Bill Weasley helped," Harry said. "But he talked me through the process of identifying curses on objects for when we find another of the items."

"Ginny, you must be proud to have a family like yours," Lily said. "Six brothers. Merlin, you must be driven crazy sometimes."

"I am," Ginny said. "But they fear the Bat Bogey Hex."

James and Lily laughed.

"Well, I did too," James said. "Harry, your mum was a great witch too. I'd be surprised if anyone could surpass her talent in any age."

Harry saw his mum smile.

"Well," Lily said. "If what Harry told us is correct, Miss Granger is going to be a very smart one. Harry, what did you do on your OWLs?"

"I got seven," Harry said. "With an outstanding in DADA."

"And you, Miss Weasley?"

Ginny blushed.

"I got outstanding on everything I took," she said. "Including Arithmancy."

James and Lily looked at her.

"Really? I've never heard of that happening."

Ginny smirked.

"Well," she said. "I did have a lot of help from Hermione. She's a bright witch too."

"And Harry is smart, but he doesn't apply himself," James said, seriously. "Harry, I want to hear that you scored Outstanding on your NEWT classes. Which ones are you taking?"

"Charms, Transfiguration, Potions, Defense against the Dark Arts, and Herbology. And we'll take an OWL level healing class."

"Great, Harry," James said. "What about you, Ginny?"

"I'm taking those plus Arithmancy and Ancient Runes with Hermione. We decided that it would be beneficial if at least some of us studied some of the harder subjects."

Harry blushed as his parents gave Ginny a knowing look.

"I'm happy for the two of you," Lily said. "I always hoped Harry would grow up to be a wonderful wizard and find a great witch. And I think both of those dreams have come true."

Harry smiled at Ginny.

"I think Ginny is a very good witch," Harry said. "She's got the qualities that most men would die for."

"I know the feeling," James said, giving Harry a knowing look.

"Enough, James," Lily said. "We've put that behind us, remember? Before we were married?"

"Of course, dear," James said.

"And I think Harry is a great man, even if he was raised by that horrible woman," Ginny said.

"You're calling my sister horrible," Lily asked Ginny.

"Yes I am," Ginny said. "It'll be a while before I forgive them for the suffering Harry has had at their hands. It's a miracle he's the great person he is today. I think that comes from his parents, as it's obviously not from his aunt and uncle."

James nodded, but didn't say a word. He knew when to open his mouth and when to keep it shut. Besides, from what Godric had told them of their son's actions, Lily and James were proud to be compared to him in any way.

Soon, Harry and Ginny were walking out of the study. Ginny took Harry by the arm, and noticed that he had his invisibility cloak.

"Why the cloak?"

"Just in case," he said. "I'm going to have it with me at all times."

Ginny nodded.

Soon, they'd packed a small bag and Harry put it in his pocket. It contained a few items they may need if they had to escape from the Burrow for any reason.

And Harry had also put a charm on the bag so that only he and Ginny could open it, as it contained portkeys to their house.

When they got to the entry way, Harry saw his house elf Jinks there.

"Jinks, we'll be back later today. And thank you for helping us out."

"You're welcome, Master Harry," the elf said. "The Dursleys have been taken to another house by Master Remus and Mistress Tonks."

"Thank you, Jinks," Harry said, as his ring glowed. "Looks like it's time to go."

"Yup," Ginny said, touching her ring as Harry touched his.

They whispered the incantation, and the rings transported them to their destination.

"I was getting worried," Mrs. Weasley said, as the two arrived.

"We're ok, Mum," Ginny said. "We were having a conversation with Harry's parents."

"How," Mrs. Weasley asked, surprised.

"Their portraits," Harry said. "I know it's not them, but it's the best I can do."

Mrs. Weasley nodded sadly. She was one of those who regretted that Harry had to live knowing that his parents had died because Voldemort was after him.

"Now, about the wedding," Mrs. Weasley said to her daughter. "Harry, oh, by the way, Ronald is degnoming the garden."

"I'll go help him," Harry said, finding a way to get out of the kitchen while the two women discussed the wedding.

"Harry!" Hermione said, giving him a hug. "Where's Ginny?"

"She and Mrs. Weasley are discussing the wedding."

"I'll go in there," Hermione said. "We've much to discuss about the search."

Harry nodded. He'd been meeting his friends at his house for dueling practice in a room set up for it, under the instructions of Godric and Merlin. They also had portraits in that room. There were two more portraits, but Harry was told they'd come later, after he met them at Hogwarts.

"Want to help?"

"Sure, Ron," Harry said, as he looked at his best friend.

Ron didn't say much, as he was still fuming over Ginny's decision to stay with Harry. But his mum had told him it was the right thing for her to do, as she had to make sure everything was ready at the house.

Besides, Ginny and Hermione spent time with Mrs. Weasley planning the wedding while Ron and Harry ran errands for them, and for the wedding.

"Ron, what's wrong," Harry asked.

"Should you ask," Ron asked his friend. "You and my sister."

"Ron, we're not sleeping together."

"But you stay in the same bed."

"Yes. But we're not shagging or anything like that."

"Are you sure?"

"I'll swear an oath to you to prove it," Harry said.

"Even the Unbreakable?"

"Yes. I promised Ginny and your parents that I wouldn't do anything like that until we were officially married. And by that I mean a wedding ceremony."

Ron nodded.

"Well then, I think that settles that question. But Bill and Charlie want to talk to you. The Twins, well, you know the twins do too."

Harry nodded.

"I know. We can talk after dinner."

Ron nodded.

"I guess so, Harry. And we do have an Order meeting here this afternoon."

"It's another reason I'm here," Harry said. "And you know, Ginny can't apparate, yet."

Ron nodded.

"What about your transfiguration?"

"I'm still studying the book and doing the homework we've been assigned," Harry said. "I think I have it together. And we do have an entire potions lab in the house."

"Thanks to your mum. She was great at potions."

"I know," Harry said. "She's tutoring me and Ginny."

"Really? From her portrait?"

"Yes," Harry said. "She has one in the lab. And Dad can go in it as well so they can chat with us and make sure we don't mess anything up."

"Why are you two so studious now," Ron asked. "Hermione bugs the hell out of me to get me to study."

"Because we have a goal," Harry said. "And we must have this down before we go to McGonagall's office on September 1st."

Ron nodded.

He and Hermione now knew about the planned year within a year. They would study their seventh year at Hogwarts with his parents, taking the five core classes that Harry was taking. Otherwise, they would be studying with Dumbledore.

"Harry?"

"Yes Hermione?"

"Mrs. Weasley wants to talk to you."

"Ok," Harry said. "I'll be back."

Hermione looked at Harry and smiled.

"The ring you gave her is gorgeous."

"Thanks, Hermione. My Dad had good taste."

Hermione nodded.

"Ginny told me."

When Harry got in there, Mrs. Weasley gave him a big hug.

"Harry, that's a beautiful ring."

"It was mum's," Harry said. "And I could think of no other woman in the world who was qualified to wear it."

Ginny beamed.

"And, Harry," Ginny said.

"Right," Harry said, reaching into his pocket.

He pulled out the bag and resized it. Then he opened it, pulling out a key ring. He took off a ring and handed it to Mrs. Weasley.

"What's that?"

"It's a portkey," Harry said. "To my house. The elves will identify you before allowing you out of the secured room."

Mrs. Weasley nodded.

"What if someone else gets in there?"

"Well, they can't get out," Harry said. "Thanks to Godric, we were able to cast a charm that made wands useless. And the person will stay there until the elves disarm and restrain them. Then we'll go from there."

"Nice touch," Hermione said.

"Hermione, you know how to get there without one, but let me see your Order ring."

Hermione gave it to him, and saw him tap it with his wand, muttering something.

"Ok. Now you can whisper the words 'portus Potter Manor' and will get there," Harry said. "But as with the Order portkey, you can't bring anyone else."

Hermione nodded.

"Does Ginny have one?"

"My engagement ring is a portkey to the house for me only," Ginny said. "And later, for my kids."

Hermione nodded thoughtfully.

"And Harry's wedding ring will do the same for him," Ginny said. "We've set the charm already."

"Where is the ring?"

"It's in a safe location," Ginny said. "Well protected. Only I can open it right now."

Hermione nodded.

"Good thought," Hermione said.

"What else do you need me for, darling," Harry asked Ginny.

"I want to ask a question," Mrs. Weasley said. "Do you want the Minister of Magic to attend the wedding?"

"No," Harry said. "He is not a friend of mine. And weddings are for family and friends."

Mrs. Weasley nodded.

"Rightly so. But you do want your school friends invited?"

"Some of them," Harry said. "I don't want a lot of people. And the Dursleys can be invited too, though I doubt they come."

Mrs. Weasley nodded.

"That's a good choice. We'll keep the invitation list small, just because this should be something that everyone should understand that could impact your future if the word got out."

Harry nodded.

"And," Harry said. "I want to place a charm to prevent an animagus from entering and staying in his or her form."

"Why?"

"Rita Skeeter," Harry said, and Hermione nodded.

"Can you do it?"

"Ginny and I can," Harry said. "But I can place the charm myself if required."

"And I think that would be the better option," Hermione said. "With the Muggle tradition of not seeing the bride before she walks down to join you in marriage."

"Good idea," Harry said. "I think it's an ok idea. Besides, I think it would better sear the image in my memory if I see how beautiful Ginny is when she's being walked down by her father."

Ginny smiled at Harry.

"Do you think I'll be beautiful?"

"Always," Harry said, with a smile. "Is there anything else? Ron is probably getting frustrated."

"No," Mrs. Weasley said, with a smile. "And do have a chat with him. He seems kind of upset."

"I know," Harry said. "I think I cleared up some of it."

"What was the problem?"

"He thought we were…"

"We're not doing that," Ginny said. "Not after we promised mum and dad not to do that until our wedding night."

"I know," Harry said. "And I think it was the right choice. After all, don't you think it would make the night extra special for us to do that for the first time?"

Ginny nodded.

"I think so."

Harry soon left, leaving the women looking at each other and smiling.

"Ginny, how do you do it," Hermione asked.

"Do what?"

"Find someone like Harry who is able to control his urges?"

"A Bat Bogey hex comes in handy," Ginny said, causing everyone to laugh.

"But Harry doesn't try to force you, does he?"

"He knows better," Ginny said. "Seriously, he suggested it to me to save us a lot of problems. I think it was more to protect him from my brothers, and their extendable ears."

Hermione caught Ginny's statement and saw the ear. Before she could react, Ginny pulled out her wand and sent a curse down the ear.

"What was that?"

"A trick Harry taught me," Ginny said. "He read it in one of the books you've given him over the years about sending curses and hexes through objects that touch someone else."

They could hear yelling.

"Ginny! This isn't funny."

"Bat Bogey Hex from Hell," Ginny said, getting her mother to laugh. "At least that's why Harry called it when I used it on him once."

"Why?"

"Oh, he was being Harry," Ginny said. "And thinking about seeing how he could hunt for one of the items alone. He vanished them quicker than most people."

"Harry is a powerful wizard," Mrs. Weasley said. "And he's only growing in power."

"I can feel his curses," Hermione said. "And his hexes. I'll be afraid to duel him if I didn't know I had a powerful shield."

"How do you have a powerful shield?"

"Harry's teaching Ron and I how to produce more powerful shields. He's found a secret. But I think Gryffindor and Merlin led him to the Secret."

"Yes," Ginny said. "They're cryptic when they teach us. We have to figure out what they meant and it's more meaningful that way. Harry really enjoys it now."

"Why? I thought he didn't like to think about things."

"His performance at school is a function of the professors and everyone else. Godric and Merlin know Harry, so it's easier for them to get him to think about things. Most of the professors don't know how Harry thinks."

"I see," Mrs. Weasley said. "Do you know?"

"Of course. On our homework assignments that are due in September, which Harry and I have already finished by the way, I got him thinking, and he produced the most wonderful paper on an Animagus. And he did the same for the other classes since he has the motivation."

"What was the motivation," Mrs. Weasley asked.

"I told him that I wouldn't kiss him until he got it right. And he didn't miss a thing I thought was important."

Hermione smiled.

"You keep that up and Harry will have Outstanding NEWT scores."

"That's the plan," Ginny said. "He'll max out DADA for sure. Charms and Transfiguration will be next."

Hermione nodded.

"He's smarter than he thinks he is. So is Ron. I see sparks of genius. They're just not pushed in the right way."

"Hermione," Ginny said. "Maybe you can get Ron to work like I do for Harry."

"How? We don't date."

"Start," Ginny said.

"But…"

"Don't, Hermione," Ginny said. "Mum, they're up to something outside."

"How do you know?"

Ginny put her hand to her necklace.

When they looked outside, they saw the two boys taking turns pulling up the gnomes and then sending them off with their wands. Ginny laughed as one of the gnomes bit Harry. Harry reacted and cursed the gnome, sending it yelping and running toward the field.

"What did he use," Hermione asked, concerned.

Ginny smiled.

"It's a new hex that he fell in love with. He's going to teach it to the DA."

"What does it do?"

"Well, if you try to fight against the caster's will, you'll be shocked."

"That's a dark curse," Hermione said.

"No," Ginny said. "The only dark magic is magic that's used for evil purposes. Godric and Merlin were very careful to make sure we understood that point. With that said, we are to refrain from the Unforgiveables."

Hermione nodded, still not accepting the logic.

"Hermione, some of the items we use in potions that are considered dark magic items were used quite often in potions in the past."

"I know," Hermione said. "It still doesn't mean I don't like it."

"True," Ginny said.

Later, after lunch, Harry looked at the Order members as they arrived. Many were nodding at Harry. The topic of today's meeting was the upcoming wedding, and the protections put in place for that. Since the attack at Bill and Fleur's wedding a few weeks back, they had taken Minerva's offer of having the wedding at Hogwarts, a secure place.

And that would give Harry and Ginny time to help Minerva place wards on the school that Albus had partially removed when he and Harry had flown back into the school to the Astronomy tower on that fateful night.

"Welcome," Minerva said. "Mr. Potter and Miss Weasley are especially welcome, as we are here to discuss the plans for securing their wedding."

There were nods around the table as the central Order members and a few others met.

Neville and Luna were invited here today, and they'd been inducted in the Order to help the other four Hogwarts students protect the school.

The two weren't surprised, as Harry and Ginny had told them when the couple had visited Neville and Luna earlier in the week.

"Harry and Ginny, who have been under the tutelage of Godric Gryffindor and Merlin by way of their portraits, are now capable of helping me restore protective wards around Hogwarts. Alastor informs me that Harry and Ginny have successfully placed strong anti-apparition and anti-flying wards around the Burrow and several other locations that Mr. Potter now owns. They will help me with that in the days leading up to the wedding."

Ginny and Harry nodded.

Luna and Neville had been brought in on some of the knowledge that Harry and Ginny were passing on, after learning it themselves.

Some knowledge, like the languages they suddenly could speak, weren't able to be passed on because only heirs could learn the languages used.

"Professor," Harry said. "I thought that we could also put up a temporary Animagus ward as well."

"Rita Skeeter," Minerva asked.

"Yes professor."

"I agree, Mr. Potter. If you don't mind, I'd like for you to have a chat with Peeves. I believe he'll listen to you and Miss Weasley now. We don't want him messing anything up."

Harry nodded.

"I agree, professor. I will have a chat with him on the morning of the wedding and before everyone starts decorating. But I will add an instruction for him to make a loud crash in case we have unexpected visitors while the wedding and the celebrations are taking place."

"Good, Mr. Potter. Now, Remus, what are you doing?"

"I'll be in the wedding," Remus said. "There are a number of us who are guests at the wedding, and we'll position ourselves on the outside of the crowd."

"The ministry has assigned aurors to patrol Hogwarts starting next week," Kingsley said. "I'll be there that day for my patrol, and Tonks, as you know, will become Transfiguration professor."

"And I'll be a professor as well," Bill said. "I'm going to teach curse breaking techniques to advanced seventh years."

Bill looked at the six students.

"Bill will be there twice per week," Minerva said. "Harry, what about DA?"

"I plan on restarting," Harry said. "With Neville and Luna being in charge when Ron, Hermione, Ginny, and I are absent on our mission."

There were nods.

"Harry, we can't…"

"Neville, you can," Harry said. "You were there fighting with us at the Department of Mysteries. And you were there fighting with others at Hogwarts when the Death Eaters got in with the help of Draco Malfoy. I trust you can help. Luna, the same goes for you. I trust you two can perform the job. If I didn't believe it, then I would suggest someone else to lead."

Neville beamed. Ginny squeezed Harry's hand, telling him it was a nice thing to do.

"What about teaching?"

"Actually, I'll deal with most of that," Harry said. "If I have to go, I'll try to leave an idea of what spells and charms you need to cover. Otherwise, you just go by your own judgment. And now, we'll do something I didn't think possible."

"What's that?"

"We'll divide the DA into teams. The teams will watch out for each other in the event of a battle."

"How big will the teams be," Remus asked, interested.

"Two to four people," Harry said. "I think divisible by two is the best thing, as it allows for great flexibility in assembling two, four, six, or eight person teams."

Remus nodded.

"And we should do the Order the same way," Minerva said. "I know Harry, Ginny, Ron, and Hermione are a team."

There were nods.

Then this plan was hatched for the Order. It was a quick organization, but with one stipulation: the teams had to have trustworthy teammates.

That was the best way to do things. Harry and Ginny demonstrated a method of team fighting they'd perfected over practice with Godric. Ron and Hermione did the same thing, and then they swapped partners.

"What we're doing," Harry explained. "Is to put together each person in teams that will pertain to the task. If we require a strong offensive and defensive arm, Ginny and I should team up. If we want to split that, then I'll team with Ron and Ginny will team with Hermione. We can team with whoever we're with when a distress call comes out or something happens."

There were nods.

"But why did you dumb down the techniques," Ginny asked.

"In case someone is watching," Harry said, getting nods of approval. "We don't want to give away all our secrets, now do we?"

"Let's worry about the organization later," Minerva said. "That was a great demonstration, and I'm sure Aberforth is impressed."

Tonks nodded.

"I think Harry and Ginny can teach us a thing or two," Kingsley said. "You know how they took down ten aurors within five seconds, don't you?"

There were head shakes.

Harry and Ginny smiled, as this secret was theirs. They'd gotten more powerful due to their wands at that time, and some of the knowledge they'd been given by Godric and Merlin.

"How," Tonks asked. "I don't remember how you did it."

"Ginny shielded us and I attacked," Harry said. "It was simple. Three aurors fired stunners at us, and they reflected right back on them."

"And we felt the energy from the shield and your stunners," Remus said. "Standing about a hundred yards away."

Soon, the plans for the wedding security were completed. Harry took Ginny by the hand and then activated his portkey. They arrived at the house and then sat down in the sitting room to chat, as Ron and Hermione joined them.

"Nice demo," Ron said. "I did notice you left out some of our better tactics."

"Of course, Ron," Hermione said. "It's for our safety."

Harry nodded.

"So, what's this surprise we have," Ginny asked.

"What surprise?"

"The one I sense you have completed for me."

Harry looked at Ginny and whispered in her ear.

She giggled and blushed, causing Ron to look at Harry with an angry face, and Hermione to smile knowingly.

"What," Harry asked, catching Ron's look.

"What are you going to do with my sister?"

"Not much," Harry said. "Other than die snogging her."

Ginny giggled again.

"Oh yeah. That's a way to die," Hermione said. "At least I don't have to worry about that from Ron."

"Hey! Leave me out of this."

Ginny and Harry smiled.

"Ron, come on," Harry said. "You know you like her."

"And Hermione likes you. It's so obvious."

"What do you mean," Ron asked.

Hermione shook her head. But she grabbed Ron by the ears and pulled him close.

"What are you…."

Ron stopped when her lips touched his.

Harry and Ginny smiled and walked to the study to look at the books they wanted to go over for today.

When the others started arriving, Ginny looked surprised. There were numerous gifts being brought to her from many of their friends.

"Why did you invite them, Harry?"

"I wanted you to enjoy your birthday," Harry said.

Ginny smiled and kissed him.

"And we're going to enjoy our wedding night too."

Harry nodded and smiled at her before Ginny broke free of him and then ran to hug her father.

After the dinner, the Order members were alerted, and all of them looked at their rings. Everyone had a ring glowing.

"Let's go," Remus said to everyone.

"What about the non members," Harry asked.

"Right," Remus said. "Harry, you and Ginny stay to get them out to their homes. Then you come if I signal you."

"Ok," Harry said, sighing.

Ron and Hermione looked at Remus.

"Want us to stay?"

"We need everyone we can get," Remus said, after seeing a patronus with a message. "Change of plans. Harry, Ginny, you have to come with us. The elves can get your other guests to safety."

Harry nodded and left quick instructions to Jinks, who was more than happy to make sure the others were able to get home, apparating them to their houses, or to a place where they could apparate themselves. That was required because they only could use port keys to enter the house, as Harry didn't want it connected to the Floo Network right now.

He touched his ring with Ginny by his side, and they were soon at the scene of the battle.