It's not mine it's JKR's. All I get is the odd reveiw, which are most welcome, and an ever increasing hitcount!

Birthday Nerves.

Harry woke late on the morning of his eighteenth birthday. The sun was shining through the opened curtains, and a light breeze was flickering shadows of the leaves of the tree just outside across the bedroom ceiling. They had all stayed up as long as possible the previous evening. Hermione had insisted they try and acclimatise themselves for the coming late night, as the Ball was meant to last until first light. For the first time in years he wished it was already tomorrow. It wasn't the Ball that was worrying him greatly. He had a beautiful date after all, that is if your wife could be considered a date, and Ginny had brought him new robes, which she had said would match her evening gown. He had wanted to see the gownto make sure they hadn't skimped on it. Ginny though had wanted it to be a surprise, and no amount of pressure would change her mind.

What was worrying him the most was the award ceremony, or at least the press conference that was to be staged right after it. Something else Ron and Hermione had failed to mention until the previous evening. He was going to try his best to wriggle out of it, and find somewhere to hide until it was all over. He had very little hope that he would succeed.

He turned over to see if Ginny was awake yet, and was surprised to find that she had already got up and gone. Feeling a little disappointed and abandoned, he got up and went down to the kitchen grabbing a couple of slices of toast, and went to look for her. She was in the sitting room with Hermione and Ron, and they seemed to be waiting for him.

"Happy Birthday Harry, again," Ginny said moving over to let him sit down next to her.

"So what have you lot been up to before I got here?" he asked noticing a small present on the table.

"We've been discussing hairstyles for tonight," Ginny answered.

"Oh, I'm sorry to have missed that," Harry said raising his eyebrows at Ron who returned his gesture two fold.

"Don't worry you haven't missed anything we haven't decided yet, but now you're here we'll let you decide." Warning signs started to flash in his brain. This was a potential minefield, it didn't matter what he was going to say, it was going to be wrong.

"I like your hair just the way it is."

"You don't want me to try something new, put it up, and tie it in some sort of knot or style it somehow?"

"Not really, but go ahead if you want to."

"That's not exactly helpful."

"Look I like running my hands through your hair, but if you want to tie it up for one night I can forgo the pleasure."

"Look I'm doing this for you. The least you can do is give me a straight opinion."

"I thought I just did, besides why are you asking me. What do I know about hair? You only have to see what's on top of my head to know I haven't a clue," Harry said rubbing the top of his head making it look more of a mess than normal.

"He has a point Ginny," Ron said.

"Oh don't you start, you've haven't been any help either."

"Never said I was," Ron said. "I admit it, I'm more clueless than Harry when it comes to girly things, and that's pretty clueless."

"It's nothing to be proud of Ron," Hermione snapped.

"It just doesn't interest me. I like the way your hair was before you were hurt, and I can't wait for your hair to re-grow back to its former glory. It's just part of who you are. So have you decided what you're going to do?" he asked her, concern on his face.

"I don't know," she said dispiritedly.

"She's worried about the scar on the back of her neck, Harry," Ron said when he saw the quizzical look on his face.

"That scar is nothing to be ashamed of Hermione," Harry said more forcibly than he intended. "It shows that you were out there risking everything, while half those prats we'll meet tonight were hiding under their kitchen table, hoping that Voldemort would either just go away, or win. If you want to put your hair up you go right ahead and do it, and damn the lot of them."

"I'll get lots of stares though won't I?" she said.

"Yes, yes I'm afraid you will, and if that's going to spoil your evening then keep your hair down." Hermione sighed, and then seemed to come to a decision.

"I'd like to have it up, but I don't think I could stand all the looks. That's what comes with hanging around you Harry. I know how invasive it can be."

"I expect I'll be getting a lot of looks, as people check to see whether that curse scar has really gone. This is going to be the first time I'll have been out in public since the hospital. I'm really not looking forward to it. How was it for you Ginny, when you went shopping with your mum?"

"We went to muggle London, a huge place called Harold's I think, something like that, nobody recognised me," she said.

"I just hate having to adjust what I want, because of other people's reactions," Hermione said, "and it was Harrods, not Harold's."

"I'll keep my hair down as well then," Ginny said smiling at Hermione.

"Sounds good to me," Harry said running his fingers through it. "It's one of your better attributes."

"Oh yes, pray tell me what else do you like?"

"What you want me to tell you with Ron here? I might traumatise him again."

"Tell me later then, in private. Do you want to open my present to you now?"

"I thought you'd never ask." Ginny handed him a small neatly wrapped box, which he quickly opened, and revealed two plain gold wedding rings.

"One for you, and one for me. Now you don't have to wear it, if you don't want to. I know how funny some men can be about wearing rings." Harry could feel a surge of love flow through him.

"Of course I'll wear it. I should have bought them for you in the first place, thank you." He leaned over and kissed her.

"You two really have done all this inside out and back to front, haven't you," Ron said. "First you get married without telling anybody, including yourselves. Then you go on the Honeymoon, come back and cut the cake, and now you're exchanging rings. I suppose the reception is tonight."

"You know me Ron. I can never do things the easy way, and I suppose that includes Ginny now. It's the Potter way." He slipped the ring on his finger, and Ginny tapped it with her wand so it fit snugly. He then placed the other ring on her finger. He lifted his hand up twisting it in the sun light, when a thought struck him.

"We can't really wear these until we've announced to the World that we're actual married."

"So maybe you should announce it then," Hermione said peering out from behind a copy of the Daily Prophet. The front page proclaiming the imminent return of Harry Potter to the Wizarding World, along with Ginny Weasley. Harry leant forward to see what else they were saying, but the print was too small to read, from where he was sitting. He sat back again, not really wanting to know what they were speculating about, as they had no facts to go on.

He could always rely on Hermione to tell him any important news. To be honest he was surprised the news of their marriage hadn't already leaked out somehow. He'd learned since, that all magical marriages were automatically recorded in a book at the Ministry, but they were so rare he guessed nobody looked at it very often.

"What do you think Ginny, should we announce it?"

"I suppose so, but how are we going to do it?" she said not looking really bothered.

"Sometime tonight, I guess. If the opportunity arises."

"It'll give you something to talk about at the press conference," Ron said enjoying winding Harry up about it.

"Yea thanks for reminding me about it Ron. That's going to be the highlight of my evening. I'll tell you what. I'll pay you to speak on my behalf. What do you say, you can be my representative?"

"Oh no it's you and Ginny they want to talk to, not the rest of us. They caught Hermione and me, just over a week ago. We also saw a brief interview with Neville. They must have caught him at a bad moment because it was a ghastly picture. Tonight I intend to sit there looking dark and mysterious."

"I'd like to see you try that. Dark and mysterious hah!" Ginny said laughing, while Hermione tried to suppress a snort.

"If an opening comes up then I'll announce it tonight, unless you want to make the announcement Ginny," Harry said almost a hopeful look on his face.

"Oh no, you're the media expert."

"We could always wait until Professor McGonagall calls you Mrs Potter at Hogwarts. That would be the start of a great rumour."

"I don't think you can wait that long," Hermione said, "besides what's the big deal, most people would be shouting it from the roof tops."

"They may well do, but this is just going to end up as another media frenzy," Harry answered.

"So what," Hermione said, "everything you do at the moment is news. At least this will be for something real, and by the time we return to Hogwarts it'll be old news, and the papers will all be talking about why England lost the Quidditch World cup, and what they should have done instead.

"Hermione you can't say that. England can win the cup, our Chasers are much better than the Bulgarians, and Ireland still won even though they didn't catch the snitch," Ron said appalled at Hermione's defeatist attitude, and thoughts of wedding announcements forgotten.

"The Bulgarian Chasers are better than they were at the last World Cup, but England's are not as good as Ireland's were then."

"Yea but Tommy Quick is a much better Seeker than Lynch could ever hope to be," Ron said. Harry nudged Ginny and they both stood up making their way to the sitting room door, with the passionate debate still going on.

"Look Ron," Hermione said earnestly as Harry and Ginny reached the door, "you're just being emotional, but the cold hard facts tell anybody who can be logical about it, that Viktor will catch the snitch long before England can get a hundred and fifty points ahead." Harry closed the door quietly.

"Can you believe that," Ginny said astounded, "Hermione talking knowledgeable about Quidditch?"

"I know, still it's nice to know that they can argue, civilly for a change, even when Hermione brings up Vicky," Harry said smiling. "I missed you this morning."

"I couldn't sleep any longer, and I didn't want to wake you up with my thrashing about. I'm a little sacred, and excited about tonight, and you were looking so peaceful. I wanted you to get all the sleep you could, tonight's going to be a trial for you."

"It won't be so bad with you there," Harry said, "and I don't believe you been scared in your life. I've said it before, and I'll say it again you're the bravest person I know."

"I'm scared that you might not be there one day. I can't imagine life without you anymore. You and my happiness are the same thing now, and that scares me even more." Her anxiety clearly showed on her face and Harry could feel it as well..

"It's a frightening thought that you can be so reliant on someone else, but wonderful as well. Life is better when we're together," Harry said wrapping his arms around her. "I'm much more with you, than I am without you. Now when am I going to see this gown? I bet you didn't spend enough."

"All in good time, and if you behave yourself you can zip me in."

"I'd rather zip you out, to be honest."

"Oh you can do that too, but much later. So what are we going to do with the rest of the afternoon?"

"Well we could open a few more letters I guess. That way we can try and keep up with it."

"I really don't think I can face yet another day doing that. We really need some help," Ginny said.

"Yea but who. It needs to be somebody we can trust, and Ron and Hermione have done more than their fair share. We'll have to think about it, and I do my best thinking on a broom."

"Sounds great it's not long to go until my birthday treat, so a bit of practise won't go amiss."

Well that was something to look forward to, Harry thought, all he had to do was endure the next few hours, and they had the prospect of a day training with the England Quidditch team to look forward to. Fame had some blessings it wasn't all negative.

XXXXX

Harry had spent most of the afternoon on his broom. The freedom he felt in the air pushed his worries about the up coming evening away, and the longer he could do that the better. The time came though when he couldn't put off getting ready any longer, and he flew back to the house. Ginny had gone in over an hour before, and was doing Merlin knows what.

Ginny wasn't in their room so he stripped off, and got into the shower, wondering where she had got to. He made a half hearted attempt to tame his hair, and quickly put the new robes on. From beginning to end, he was pleased to notice, had taken less than twenty minutes. Assuming that Ginny and Hermione were getting dressed together he made his way downstairs, and found Ron fully dressed, engrossed in a Herbology text book. Wonders never cease, now Ron was studying without having to be nailed to the floor.

"Been ready long?" he asked.

"Seems like hours," Ron answered closing the book. "Any sign of them being ready yet?"

"I don't even know where they are."

"They took over one of the spare bedrooms, and I think Winky's giving them a hand as well. I don't understand what takes them so long. It's not like their even doing their hair up," Ron said shaking his head.

"Well fortunately if we're late I won't be bothered," Harry said.

"It's all right for you, but I'm the one who'll get the tongue lashing from my mum. Hermione's perfect in her eyes. You can do no wrong, and of course Ginny now being married to you is beyond reproach, so yours truly will get the blame."

"Tell your mum, its Fred and George's fault," Harry said laughing at Ron's morose face.

"That might work. She's always prepared to think the worst of those two, not without reason mind. The trouble is the revenge Fred and George would exact for dumping them in it."

"I can't help you then. I'll just sit here hoping it'll all go away."

"You really don't want to go, do you? You're getting an Order of Merlin first class doesn't that excite you at all?"

"No not really. I didn't fight Riddle for a medal Ron, and nor did you."

"I know you didn't Harry, but people want to honour you. People are grateful. You only have to look in your study to see that."

"I know, and I am grateful they want to honour me, but couldn't they just post the damn thing to me."

"Yea right they going to do that," Ron laughed. "So what are you going to tell the press?"

"I'll tell them as little as possible, and absolutely nothing about Horcruxes."

"Are you going to be alright when they ask... you know that question?"

"It's all right Ron, Fred caught me by surprise. Ginny and I had a chat about it later, and I know what I'm going to say, and what I'm not." At that moment a Patronus otter gambolled into the room, and ran straight into Ron.

"They want to meet us at the bottom of the stairs," he said blinking in surprise. "That was a funny feeling, pleasant, but weird." The pair of them got up and made their way to the main entrance hall. The butterflies in Harry's stomach began to make themselves known now that the time to leave was approaching. They were all going to apparate to the Burrow, and take a Portkey from there to the Ministry. That way they would avoid any crowds that maybe waiting for them. Harry would have to thank Scrimgeour for that later, if he got a chance to talk to him.

His thoughts though were interrupted as the two most important women in his life began to descend the stairs, although that didn't do them justice as to his eyes they seemed to float down. His eyes naturally gravitated to Ginny first who was dressed in a deep purple gown held up by the thinnest of shoulder straps. The top half hugged her figure tightly until it spread almost bell like down to her ankles, and Harry could see a short train spreading out behind her. Wrapped around her waist was a long wide lilac sash or belt, Harry wasn't sure what you'd call it, clipped together with a diamond buckle that sparkled as she walked under the hall lights.

To say Harry was gob smacked was an understatement, Ginny was outrageously beautiful, and if they had been any doubt before, there wasn't now, she was a fully grown woman in her prime. He caught her eye, and he silently mouthed, 'I love you.'

Hermione had kept her hair down, but a great deal of something had been poured on it, as it flowed much more like Ginny's, and had lost it's untidy bushiness. Her gown though was a deep blue, with shimmering beads in a flora pattern on the top half, and the bottom, like Ginny's, ended just above her ankles, but without any train. Harry looked over at Ron who had a glazed look on his face, and smiled.

"Well it was certainly worth the wait, you both look terrific," Harry said once he realised Ron wasn't going to say anything.

"Yea you look great Hermione," Ron said having finally found the gift of speech again.

"So are we ready to go?" Harry asked.

"I guess so," Hermione said.

"Where are your wands?" Harry said, looking at Ginny and Hermione who as far as he could tell had nowhere to carry them. Ginny just flicked around the part of the lilac belt that was hanging down the front of the dress, to reveal her wand attached to the back of it. Hermione though just said.

"Don't ask, but I do have it with me."

"Fine I just don't know what to expect tonight, so it's best to be prepared."

"See you at the Burrow then," Ron said. Then he and Hermione apparated away one after the other, leaving Harry alone with Ginny.

"You really do look magnificent. I'm going to enjoy showing you off," Harry said.

"I'm enough of a trophy wife, am I then?"

"No you're much, much better. You're the real thing, and I apologies for even thinking you were anything else."

"Apology accepted," Ginny said moving towards him. Harry held her in his arms breathing in her scent, and revelling in her warmth and softness. A question had been nagging at him ever since she had started to come down stairs.

"Ginny?"

"Yes."

"How are you going to stop people treading on your dress with that bit dragging behind you?" Harry asked his curiosity aroused as he looked over her shoulder.

"I've bewitched it so that it moves out of the way. Go on try to stand on it." Harry moved behind Ginny, and hesitatingly lifted his foot over the train, not wanting to damage it, but it elegantly swayed out of the way. He had another go, this time a little quicker, and again it moved smoothly out of the way.

"That's really impressive. At least I won't have to worry about stepping on it tonight, or anybody else doing it for that matter."

"Thank you Harry. Now we'd better go or everybody will think we've done a runner."

"We still could you know," Harry said.

"Harry we can't stay shut off for ever. This way we rejoin the Wizarding community in controlled circumstances. The place is going to be heaving with Aurors, and we're going to be among friends and family. They'll keep an eye out for us. I guarantee it"

"Alright then let's go. Do you want me to take you, or will you apparate yourself? After all you haven't got your license yet, and I don't want you getting into trouble," Harry said grinning at her, already knowing her answer.

"I'll risk getting caught thanks." They both arrived outside the Burrow to find nearly everybody waiting for them in the garden on a warm summer evening. The entire Weasley family had been invited to attend the festivities, to Harry's pleasure. Only Percy was missing and Harry assumed he was still working, or he hadn't bothered to leave.

"Ginny, Harry you got here, for a minute I thought you'd run away," Mr Weasley said when he spotted them.

"Don't think that Harry didn't think about it. How are you Dad?" Ginny said hugging her father.

"I'm fine my dear, a little nervous to be honest. This is a big day for the Weasley family." Harry had been so wrapped up in how this was going to affect him that he hadn't considered anybody else's feelings, and he felt a little ashamed. It was a big deal, he realised, and even though he didn't care for the award that didn't mean his friends evening should be ruined by his gloomy mood. He promised himself that he would try and lighten up.

"Well so long as none of us trip over when we go to receive the Order it should be fine," Harry said.

"Oh, now you've given me something else to be worried about," Mr Weasley said. "You both look fantastic, and if I feel any prouder I think I might burst."

"Don't do that Dad," Fred said.

"It would make a terrible mess in the garden," George finished. The arrival of the twins made Harry immediately nervous. Why he wasn't sure, after all he was their landlord and business partner. On top of that they actually respected, if not feared Ginny, but all the same when they spoke he felt nervous.

"I want to apologise again Harry, for what I said last time," Fred said suddenly serious.

"You don't have to Fred. In fact you did me a favour. When they ask me that question tonight I'll be ready, and if I'm not you can let something off as a distraction."

"We can at that."

"You can rely on us," they both said.

"You two will do nothing to ruin tonight, do you hear me," Mrs Weasley said. "Hello Ginny, hello Harry you're both looking lovely. I'm so glad we went for that gown instead of the other one, even if it was more expensive, that one suits you so much more. Now have you put a charm on that buckle? I wouldn't want it to get lost."

"Yes mum its fine, stop worrying," Ginny said.

"I can't help it," Mrs Weasley replied brushing off imaginary flecks of fluff off Ginny's gown. "Now where are the Lovegoods, they'll make us all late if they don't arrive soon," and then she was off again through the crowd of Weasley's.

"Your parents are in a right state, anybody would have thought they were the ones being forced to parade in front of all those people," Harry said having a sudden attack of nerves.

"Yea I know," Ginny said feeling Harry's nerves, and grasping his hand in support.

"Mr Potter, if it's possible, could I please have a quick word with both of you?" Harry turned around and to his surprise saw the face of Amos Diggory. Time and the death of his only son had not been kind to him. What was left of his hair was completely grey, and there were large bags under his eyes. There was a general tiredness, and defeated attitude about him. Harry thought that he probably no longer slept very well.

"Of course you can Mr Diggory," Harry answered, nervous about where this was heading. Mr Diggory paused for a moment as he tried to collect himself.

"I just wanted to personally thank you for avenging the death of my son. If there is anything, that I or my wife can give or do for you, please never hesitate to ask. We are in your debt."

"That's very kind of you Mr Diggory, but you don't need to be in our debt."

"I need to be in your debt. I want to be in your debt," Diggory said in a fit of sudden passion.

"Ok Mr Diggory if something comes up I'll remember," Harry said taken aback. Mr Diggory nodded, happy that he had made his point, and turned away to leave.

"Mr Diggory," Ginny suddenly said her face thoughtful.

"Yes," he answered turning round again.

"You might have read about our visit to an Orphanage the other day."

"Yes I did, it did my heart good, to read about it. You're good people."

"Well Harry's been donating some of the money that people have been sending him to them, and the Orphanage Board has offered him a position with them. The trouble is that with us going back to Hogwarts he's not going to have the time. Maybe you or your wife could fill in."

"So you want me to take over for him?"

"Only if you want to, Mr Diggory. They meet twice a month so it's quite a commitment." Harry said looking at Ginny with admiration. He hadn't wanted to let the Orphanage down, but this would be a great compromise.

"So what do you say?" Harry said.

"They may not want me to replace you. They may just be after your name."

"You maybe right Mr Diggory, but at least this way we'll know for sure, and besides you'll be my representative that should be enough. Will you do it, or do you want some time to think about it?" Harry asked.

"Let me talk to my wife. I expect she may want to be involved as well. Thank you Mr Potter this means a lot to me. I'll send you an owl with our decision."

"Please call me Harry, and it would be better if you sent the letter here to Mr Weasley, as I have a bit of a post problem at the moment."

"Fine, and please it's Amos." As Mr Diggory walked away Harry thought that there was a little more purpose in his stride.

"I've married a very smart witch," Harry said to Ginny.

"And don't you forget it. Wait here I want to talk to Luna, she's just arrived. I want to tell her that we're married before we announce it."

Harry couldn't help wondering what Luna's reaction would be, but Ginny had told him to wait, so he did watching the exchange from a distance. After a short conversation, and Ginny showing Luna her wedding ring, Harry got a shock when Luna leapt forwards and hugged Ginny. Of all the reactions that was the one he hadn't been expecting, and from Ginny's face nor had she. He really shouldn't have been surprised. Luna had always had the capacity to do, and say, the unexpected.

"Right it's time to go," Mr Weasley announced, "everybody grab the rope." Harry joined them, and within moments he appeared in the Ministry Atrium to find Percy waiting for them.

"This way everybody," he said assuming an air of superiority, and walking through the golden gates, without bothering to check if anybody was following him. All the lifts were open and waiting for them, and Percy stood in front of them waiting for everybody to catch up. "Come on, come on hurry up."

"Percy if you continue in this vein one or more member of your family is going to hex you into the middle of next week," Mr Weasley said, "and I wouldn't blame them." Mrs Weasley promptly glared at her family daring them to do so. Nobody did.

"I'm sorry father," Percy said looking a little embarrassed. "Now everything is going to happen in the Apparation Test Centre on level six. It's the largest open space we have here at the Ministry. It's also useful that the Floo Network Authority is just down the corridor, and will be open so guests can Floo home when they wish. Those who are, how shall I put it, slightly worse for wear will be able to get a Portkey."

"Thank you Percy," Mrs Weasley said as she entered a lift. "No dawdling everyone." Harry moved into a lift away from Percy and was followed by Ginny and Luna.

"Hello Harry, Ginny told me the news. I'm very pleased for both of you," Luna said. "I can't wait for you both to make me an Auntie."

"Right err… thank you Luna." Harry was, like many times before, lost for words when talking to Luna. "Are you looking forward to tonight?"

"Not really, I'm feeling a little nervous. I don't like crowds of strangers."

"Stick with us," Ginny said, "we must look after Auntie." Harry couldn't help himself, and let out a laugh. Luna turned her eyes onto him.

"You're both making fun of me," she said.

"Just a bit Luna. I think you being an Auntie is a wonderful idea," Harry said. "Just not anytime soon," he muttered to himself.

The lift opened and they made their way to where Harry had got his Apparation licence a year ago, Luna and Ginny on either side of him. His nerves increased as he heard the sound of hundreds of people talking. Ginny found his hand, and he could feel her nerves as well. He glanced at Luna and her usual air of indifference was gone replaced with one of anxiety. Without thinking about it he grabbed Luna's hand and squeezed it. He was rewarded with a squeeze back and a grateful look. Outside the Apparation centre was a very relieved looking Neville when he saw that they had all turned up.

"The six of us have to stay here until we're called," he stammered out.

"Are we going in together or one by one," Ron asked his normally rosy cheeks looking pale.

"I don't know I didn't ask." Harry looked around at his five friends who had faced Death Eaters intent on killing them. All of them seemed to look, as Harry was feeling mildly terrified. It was ridiculous instead of being excited about being honoured everybody looked as though they were about to be hung drawn and quartered.

"I haven't felt this nervous since I had to face that Hungarian Horntail," Harry said with a half forced grin. "Mind you at least I had half a plan then." The mood amongst the small group lightened as they all smiled.

"So where would you prefer to be now?" Ron asked. "Here or waiting in that tent to face that dragon."

"No contest, the dragon. Look how about we all go in together no matter what they want?" Harry asked. The five smiling faces told him all he needed to know.

"One for all, and all for one," Hermione said.

"Not quite how I'd put it but close enough," Harry answered.