Round 7

Theme: An Anniversary

Sub-Forums: [action] dancing

[dialogue] "Oh, come on, [name]! What do you have to

Triggers: mentions of family disputes.

words: 1247

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.

Harry and Ginny sat back in her chair as he watched the festivities of those around him. It had been a year since Harry and Ginny had wed and the two decided to throw a bit of an anniversary party to celebrate the occasion. Molly was the one that did most of the planning. Ginny and Harry were very relaxed. After everything both of them had gone through, the couple was perfectly content having simple festivities, perhaps a dinner with a few friends, maybe even a night at the Three Broomsticks in Hogsmeade.

Molly Weasley however did not know the meaning of the phrase simple festivities. Once Ginny first uttered in casual conversation that she and Harry's anniversary was coming up, Molly was already making plans.

Now she was here, there, running around like a chicken with its head cut off wanting to make sure that everything was just perfect.

"Alright, we have the flowers, we have the banners, we have the food, the sweets."

Ginny couldn't help but laugh. "Mum….mum…mummy!" Molly suddenly came to a stop.

"You are putting way too much stress on yourself over this. If you keep pacing like this you'll wear a hole through the floor."

Molly looked at the floor and could not help but giggle as she noticed the scuff marks on the floor. With a flick of her wand, she cast a repairing charm and the floor was as good as new.

"I'm sorry, dearie," Molly said, shaking her head slightly. "It's just we never get to do things like this very often so when those opportunities present themselves, I want to take full advantage of said opportunity."

"Well I can tell you that Harry and I will be happy however this turns out. Isn't that right, darling?" She then looked to her husband for some form of confirmation.

Harry just smiled. "Oh don't mind me, I'm just enjoying the fun."

The two women couldn't help but giggle at that response. "Who all is going to be invited to this?" Molly asked.

Ginny started to go through the list in her head. "Hmmm…Ron and Hermione are definite guests, and Neville and Luna are also certain ones….Draco and his new wife…"

Molly couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at the mention of Malfoy. "You want to invite Draco Malfoy?"

Ginny shrugged and had a smile on her face. "He's gotten more friendly as he's gotten older. I think everything that happened with Voldemort changed him a bit."

Molly nodded and accepted her daughter's logic.

"What about Percy?" Harry asked. "What are the chances that he'd come around?"

Molly let out a heavy sigh. "Percy has still been acting aloof."

Ginny could not help but roll her eyes in disappointment. "Blast him. I don't understand that boy sometimes."

"I think to a lesser extent, Percy is still ashamed over how he treated everyone while under Cornelius."

"He's ashamed about what he did but he won't apologize. When was the last time he's come around to any family events?" Ginny asked. "That sounds less like shame and more like pride."

"Weasley boys being prideful?" Harry said with a smile trying to diffuse the situation. "That would be inconceivable." Both girls tried to keep a straight face, but everyone soon erupted in giggles and laughter.

—-

The night of the party came and the Weasley home was filled with the sound of laughter and music. Nearly everyone that was invited had come. The biggest surprise of the night was the arrival of Percy. He never did fully apologize for the way he had treated his family, but he did apologize for hiding from them.

Most of the couples had spent the better part of the night drinking and dancing with each other. Harry however remained mostly content watching everyone else have fun while he nursed his drink.

"Is this seat taken?"

Harry looked up to see Percy staring straight at him. His hair was curly and he had a bit of a beard. What caught Harry's eye more than anything was how tired the man looked. "Not at all," the young man said, offering Percy a seat.

Percy gave a grateful smile and sat down, cradling a glass of fine wine in his hand.

"Ginny and I were wondering if you were even going to come. Well, she wasn't certain, but I figured it was always a possibility."

Percy couldn't help but chuckle. "Well, truth be told I wasn't sure that I'd make it myself." He then let out a heavy sigh.

"I'm…I'm sorry, Harry."

"I'm sorry?" Harry asked as he lifted an eyebrow unsure of whether he heard Percy correctly.

"Yes, I'm sorry. I'm sorry about how I didn't believe you about You-Know…" Percy took a deep breath, "...Voldemort. I'm sorry about how I treated you and the rest of the family after I got that promotion. None of you deserved that."

Harry simply smiled. "Hey, you came when you were needed the most. As far as I am concerned, that's all water under the bridge."

"Perhaps, but it still doesn't excuse some of my actions. I was the fool whose ambition and inferiority complex clouded my judgment."

Percy took another swig before glancing at Ginny who was dancing with George and Draco in a small circle. He then looked back at Harry.

"So," he started to say with a bit of a cheeky lift to his voice. "I'm noticing you're sitting here by yourself rather than dancing with your wife."

"I'm not much of a dancer," Harry confessed quietly with a blush.

Percy almost did a spit take from a fit of laughter. "Oh, come on, Harry! What do you have to lose?"

Harry gave Percy a deadpan stare. "My pride, my sanity, my lunch."

Percy couldn't help but smirk. "After everything that the great Harry Potter has gone through, I never would have thought that he'd turn cowardly over a dance. You took on the Dark Lord himself, you stared Death itself in the face and made it blink twice, and yet you can't even ask your wife to dance. For shame, Potter."

Harry grew beet red as he found himself becoming flustered. It wasn't long before he got up from the table.

"You know what, fine! I will ask her."

Harry approached Ginny and cleared his throat loudly as she turned around.

"Harry!" Ginny blurted as her eyes widened in surprise.

"I know I don't usually ask; but, would you like to dance with me?" Harry asked as he offered his hand.

Ginny couldn't help but smile at the offer. Harry was right. He didn't do this sort of thing often, but when he did she was more than willing to take advantage of it. In these moments, she felt special and cherished because she was the only one whom he would ever dance with.

"It'd be an honor," Ginny smiled winningly as she curtsied and took his hand. She allowed him to lead her to the center of the dancefloor.

Both of them were poor dancers, but neither one of them cared. They merely gave themselves over to the moment, finding peace and contentment in each other's arms. Slowly, ever so slowly, they leaned into each. The music, the chatter, the people…Everything had gradually faded away as they closed the gap between them. At that moment, their lips met in a passionate kiss, no one and nothing existed except the other. Overall, it was a pretty good anniversary.