Chapter XLV — The Plans

When Harry arrived back into the common room the first thing that he did was look for Ron, Hermione, and Ginny. When he found them sitting in the Head Boy's room he grinned and closed the door behind him.

"Harry! You were gone a long time." Hermione replied.

Harry nodded. "Yeah, and you will never believe what just happened!"

"What?" Ron asked.

Harry quickly told them about his long, and extremely odd conversation with the Dursleys. How they had wanted to know all about his life, and how they wanted him to write to them from time to time; how they wanted to attend his first Quidditch game; and how they asked for his help in curing Dudley. Hermione and Ginny looked slightly thoughtful, but Ron was as usual a perfect audience as he sat and stared at Harry in none other then mind-blowing shock.

"What the hell happened to them?" Ron asked.

Harry shrugged. "How should I know? I think it has something to do with Dudley's dumbass move on Ginny. It really scared them or something, like they had never realized that their son was capable of doing something like that. They were really interested in what exactly Dudley had done, and why or how he had done it. Then they wanted to know about me and if I thought they had been ignoring Dudley's aggressiveness. Let me tell you, it was the oddest conversation that I have ever had in my entire life."

Ron nodded. "Hell, I'd say so. After everything that they've done to you and they just expect you to be … friends? Harry, why the hell didn't you curse them?"

"Ron!" Hermione exclaimed. "Harry was taking the peace offering for a reason; he doesn't want to fight with them. It's called being nice, something you, Ronald Weasley, know nothing about."

"Hey!" Ron said. "I know how to be nice, and don't pull this crap on me, Mione, you'd like to curse them into oblivion yourself so don't deny it."

Ginny giggled. "Do you two ever stop arguing?"

Harry laughed. " Tell me about it. Look, Ron and Hermione are both right. Yeah I thought about cursing them quite a few times, but today when I got there I talked to Remus and Tonks and then before I could find out what they wanted Uncle Vernon asked me about Quidditch and I just about swallowed my tongue. After I got over the shock I realized that I did want to take the peace offering. If they're going to be nice to me, then sure I'll take it. They treated me bad my entire life so it was nice to just … well, it was nice. They've realized their mistake with Dudley and they want to get him help."

Ron snorted. "A git like that won't ever be helped; he's stuck being a dumbass for his entire life."

Hermione smacked him in the arm. "Ron!"

"Ow! What was that for?" Ron demanded.

"You should know!"

"Well, I don't, what did I do wrong?"

"Humph!" Hermione replied. "Well, if you don't know then I'm not going to tell you."

Ginny walked over to take a seat next to Harry on the arm of his chair. "Geez, we can't even have a normal conversation without them going on."

Harry grinned. "I've noticed. Can you imagine them married?"

Ginny laughed. "Yes … and they're going to be so happy together."

"Yeah, they will be." He pulled her down into his lap and brought his lips gently to hers. "I know that you're going to be doing some healer training at St. Mungo's so I was wondering if you could recommend a good counsellor or mind healer type of person who works there to talk with Dudley. I told my aunt and uncle that a witch or wizard would be better than a muggle because Dudley knows too much about the magical world."

Ginny nodded. "Of course. I understand that he needs help, Harry, and … well after I Bat Bogey Hexed him … I felt so much better."

Harry took her face into his hands and looked into her eyes. "I know that you're not as okay as you say you are. Come on, Gin, no matter what happened afterwards you've got to feel … I don't know."

"I am okay, Harry. I'm over it, I mean … he almost … I'm okay. I still have dreams but … they will go away in time." She leaned down and brought her lips to his to show him that as long as she had him, she would continue to be fine. Harry slipped his fingers into her hair as he kissed her back and he heard Ron groan loudly in what sounded like distress. He pulled back and glanced over at his friend.

"What's up, Ron?"

"Do you have to always bloody-well have your lips locked with my sisters'?"

Harry grinned. "Well, how else was I supposed to occupy my time when you and Hermione began yet another argument? Ginny and I don't want to listen to your ranting."

Ron grinned. "Good point. So I believe you were saying something about helping the Dursleys."

Harry shrugged. "Dudley needs help, and I'm willing to make sure that he gets it. Other than that, I think everything has been mentioned." His stomach let out a loud rumble. "Except that I haven't eaten since breakfast and I'm starving. Who wants to sneak off to the kitchens with me?"

It was the final day of school and Harry couldn't help but feel sad as he double checked to make sure that the last of his things were packed up before they boarded the train. Last night's feast had been spectacular, a regular goodbye feast he supposed, but to him, it had been the last. McGonagall had told them that their N.E.W.T.s would come with the post over the summer along with their diplomas; if they passed of course. As soon as those words had been spoken, Hermione had begun to fret about her marks and Ron had rolled his eyes at her, causing another row between them. Harry grabbed his trunk and headed down the stairs. He glanced around at everything, taking everything in as he moved farther away from Gryffindor Tower.

Hogwarts had been his first real home and he felt almost heartbroken to be leaving it. He sighed as he made it outside into the sun and placed his trunks with everyone else's stuff just as Colin Creevey came running towards him.

"Hiya Harry!"

Harry managed a small smile. "Hello, Colin. What's up?"

Colin grinned. "Well, I wasn't sure if you had seen the paper this morning, so I thought you might want to take a look at it. I also added in a copy of Witch Weekly there's something about you in there too."

Harry sighed. "Thanks Colin. Is it bad?"

Colin shrugged. "Not bad, but … well, just read it for yourself when you get a chance."

Harry nodded. "Thanks Colin." He waved goodbye and headed into the carriage where he saw Ginny sitting with Neville and Luna.

"Hey Harry, what do you have there?" Ginny asked.

Harry shrugged. "Something about me. Colin gave it to me." He opened up the article in Witch Weekly first and groaned as soon as he read the title; quickly skimming through it and making his worst suspicions come true. Ginny took it from him and began to read out loud.

THE MAN WHO DEFEATED VOLDEMORT MEETS THE BOY WHO LIVED:

Written By: Emily Verrickson

Harry Potter will be leaving Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry today after spending seven wonderful years there. With Lord Voldemort gone the world is curious as to what Harry Potter plans to do with his life now. Well, Witch Weekly has managed to discover just what the fans are anxious for. Harry Potter killed Lord Voldemort, freeing the world of the Darkest Wizard known to mankind. Voldemort had even been worse than Grindelwald himself. Now when Harry was just baby, a year and half old to be exact, he caused Voldemort to disappear for eleven years, becoming the Boy Who Lived, the only known person to ever survive a killing curse. The world praised him for years because of this triumph. However, when Harry Potter returned to the wizarding world Voldemort reappeared, as if he was waiting for just the right moment for Harry to return.

Harry Potter again triumphed over Voldemort taking from him the Philosopher's Stone and he repeated his bravery and courage over the years showing the world exactly what a brave hero he is. As Harry Potter began to get older, he adopted two other skills that seem to draw such attention to him other than his famous scar and his incredible bravery. First of all is his incredible talent on the Quidditch pitch. Harry Potter became the youngest seeker in over a century to play Quidditch and with his extraordinary skill, many fans take to watching him play as a favourite past time. Second, Harry Potter has grown into an incredibly handsome man. Those gorgeous emerald green eyes and that thick black hair and let's not forget his magnificent body. Girls, I know what your thinking … yum … which is why Witch Weekly voted him Sexiest Teen Wizard … well in a new pole that the fans decide Harry Potter has earned a new title: Sexiest Man Alive. Witch Weekly is hoping that Mr. Potter will grant an interview to comment on this new title.

Now the question that everyone has been wondering: what does The Boy Who Lived/The Man Who Defeated Voldemort/Sexiest Teen Wizard/Sexiest Man Alive/Harry James Potter, plan to do with his life? Harry Potter has accepted the seeker position for Scotland's own Pride of Portree . It looks like young Mr. Potter will be playing professional Quidditch. Also, some bad news for all those lovely fans out there, but Harry Potter plans to be married before the year is out. Miss Ginevra Molly Weasley seems to be the lucky culprit of this true hero in history. Miss Weasley is a beautiful young woman who will be turning seventeen in August. Her red hair is long and hangs in waves down her back and witnesses say that Mr. Potter likes his hands in it. She has dark brown eyes and is small in build, but she has won his heart. So let's give him our congratulations and hers as she has managed to bag the hero.

"Bag the hero? The author makes you seem like … like … I don't know!" Ginny exclaimed as she closed the magazine shut.

Neville stifled a laugh. "They've certainly given you some titles I believed they called them. Sexiest Man Alive is the newest."

Harry glared at his friend. "Shut up, Neville."

Ginny laughed and kissed Harry's cheek. "You should be flattered not embarrassed."

"And if I wasn't famous but just some ordinary bloke, would I be given the title of Sexiest Man Alive, no I would not."

Ginny grinned. "Just because you're not given the title doesn't make it any less true."

Luna smiled. "Ginny has a point there, Harry. So what does the newspaper say?"

Ginny picked it up and began to read out loud again:

HARRY POTTER IS THE NEW SEEKER FOR THE PRIDE OF PORTREE:

Written By: David Diderot

Harry James Potter, age 17, has accepted the position of seeker for the Pride of Portree's Quidditch team. His friend Ronald Weasley, age 18, will be taking the position of keeper as well.

Coach Edward MacDonald comments on the new recruits: "Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley are some of the most exceptional Quidditch players that I have seen in a long time. I am honoured that they have agreed to play for Portree, and I believe that they will be nothing more than assets to the team." MacDonald refused any further comment on either one of his new players.

It seems that Harry Potter has found himself a career after all; he no longer has any worries now that he is The Man Who Defeated Voldemort, instead of The Boy Who Lived.

"That one was good. He even mentioned Ron." Ginny replied.

Harry nodded. "Yeah, I'm glad MacDonald refused to comment more, I bet that really ticked the reporter off."

Neville laughed. "True."

Luna was glancing at the paper in Ginny's hand as they got out of the carriage and climbed onto the train to find a compartment. Once the four of them were seated in the compartment Luna spoke. "I think there's another article there about Harry and there's a picture."

Ginny turned the newspaper over as Harry and Neville put everyone's trunks up in the space up top. Once they were seated she turned the paper around to show everyone the picture. It was a picture of Harry and Ginny snogging intensely on the Hogwarts grounds. She began to read again:

HARRY POTTER TO BE WED:

Written By: Natalie Pane

Harry James Potter, age 17, plans to marry is girlfriend of two years before the year is out, though an exact date is not yet known. Miss Ginevra Molly Weasley, age 16, is the daughter of the new Minister of Magic Arthur Weasley, and according to witnesses; the two have been in love for the last two years. The date of the wedding is unknown, but when we know for sure, the public will be informed.

"Like hell they will be!" Harry exclaimed angrily. "Gin, let's elope, I don't want a damn string of reporters hanging around our wedding."

Ginny laughed. "I don't either, but we're not eloping. Don't worry, once we make the guest list and get everything organized there will be wards up around the wedding. And we have not been together for two years, it has been fourteen months."

Harry sighed. "Oh yeah, I forgot you could do that. And who cares how long they think we've been together, only we have to care about the exact length."

Neville grinned. "I still can't believe that the two of you are getting married."

Luna smiled. "It's so romantic."

Ginny smiled. "Yeah. So Neville have you decided what you want to do now that you're leaving Hogwarts?"

Neville grinned. "Actually, yeah. Yesterday Luna and I were out for a walk near the green houses and Professor Sprout came out and she asked me if I would like to apprentice with her next year. I took her up on the offer. I will be learning all sorts of things and I will be close to Luna. After that I'm going to try to get into the ministry as a herbologist to work in the labs there, maybe develop some more medicines and stuff."

Luna nodded. "Neville's so smart; he's going to try to come up with a cure for his mum and dad."

"Good idea, Neville." Harry said encouragingly. "It won't hurt to try."

Neville grinned. "Yeah, you're right."

The compartment door of the train slid open and Lavender and Seamus stood there. "Hey, you guys, do you mind if we join you?" Seamus asked, pulling his trunk behind him.

"No, come on in." Harry said.

Seamus quickly put both his and Lavender's trunks up in the slots and they took a seat. "Been here long?"

Neville shrugged. "Not too long, I think we we're one of the first ones to arrive on the train."

Lavender grinned as she cuddled back into Seamus, his arm loosely draped over her shoulders. "So what we're you talking about?"

"What everyone is doing with their lives now." Luna supplied.

Lavender smiled. "I have no idea what I want to do yet."

Seamus grinned. "Well, I'm playing for Ireland, and then of course when I retire I'll take over the pub from me dad. It's a family tradition for someone to run the bar just outside of Dublin."

"A bartender?" Harry said, grinning. "You know I can so see that, especially with the memory of you, Dean, and Ron, drunkenly singing The Drunk Scotsman loudly in the common room."

Everyone laughed at the memory.

Then Neville spoke up. "Seamus, you said that your dad's a muggle, right?"

"Yup. Me Mam's a witch. Why?"

Neville shrugged. "Well, I was just wondering, if your dad is a muggle, and it's a family tradition to own the bar and all that, won't there be a problem with you owning a muggle enterprise?"

"Nah, it's Ireland, everyone there, well at least everyone that I know, believes somewhat in magic and since my parents have been together muggles and witches and wizards have mixed in the bar for decades, it's perfectly normal." He explained.

"Really?" Ginny asked. "I mean the muggles don't go crazy or anything."

Seamus shook his head . "No, over half the village is witches and wizards, not too many muggles in the first place, and it's a small town. Everyone gets along peacefully."

Lavender smiled. "It sounds wonderful. I can't wait to go visit you."

Seamus turned to capture her mouth in his. Everyone seemed to take this as a cue that they could snog as well, so Harry turned to Ginny and Neville to Luna. They were interrupted when the compartment door slid open again a few minutes later, this time it was Ron and Hermione.

"What's this, a snog fest?" Ron asked, pulling Hermione to him for a long kiss.

Hermione pushed him back, grinning foolishly. "Ron, we have to patrol the corridors!"

Seamus laughed. "The last trip as Head Boy and Head Girl. You two better make it last, it's going to be hectic."

No sooner were the words out his mouth when there was an explosion from the hallway and Ron groaned. "Hey you! Yeah you, the stupid git who just got himself cursed, come here."

"Ron! You don't talk to people that way!" Hermione exclaimed.

The four of them laughed as they watched Ron and Hermione leave, closing the compartment door behind them. "I'm going to miss this." Neville replied.

Harry nodded. "Yeah me too."

Seamus, Lavender and Ginny nodded. "Yeah."

Luna sighed. "I'll still be here."

Neville grinned. "Yeah and I'm technically coming back."

Luna smiled and cuddled into Neville. "I'm glad."

Seamus grinned. "Alright, enough with this sappy trip down memory lane, who's up for a game of exploding snap?"

By the next day, everyone was happily settled into the Burrow for what Harry hoped would be a festive two weeks. He and Ron had already worked it out that they would live at Potter Manor during practice and come back to the Burrow after practice on Saturdays to spend the evening and all day on Sundays. But for now, Harry found himself sitting at the kitchen table with Ginny and Molly trying to come up with wedding plans. He groaned silently, why was he being tortured this way?

"Ginny, what kind of flowers would you like at the wedding?" Molly asked as sorted through the lists that she had made. "We have to make sure that it grows in England at Christmas time though."

Harry shook his head. "No, Mrs. Wea – Molly, Ginny can have any type of flowers that she wants, I've got the money to import them."

Molly smiled at Harry. "Oh, that's wonderful dear."

Ginny smiled at Harry. She knew that he didn't really want to be there, but until Ron came back her mum was making sure he was a part of the plans. "I want tons of different kinds of flowers like lilies and sunflowers and daffodils. Maybe some wild flowers."

"No orchids, dear? They are a traditional wedding flower."

Ginny shook her head. "No, I'm not a big fan of orchids."

Molly nodded and wrote down the flowers that she had mentioned. "Okay, now of course for the most pressing matter, where is the wedding going to be held? We can't really have it out doors in the middle of winter?"

Ginny sighed. "That would be romantic if it was outside."

Molly nodded. "Yeah, it would be but … wait a minute, Ginny! I think your father knows of a special spell that can be used to transform an area into the scene outside. We can be inside and still have a winter wonderland wedding."

Ginny grinned. "Really?"

Harry smiled. She looked so excited; he couldn't help but feel happy when she was so happy. "How would you bring the winter in?"

Molly smiled. "By having icicle statues and light snow falling, it will be so beautiful with all of the flowers around. Oh! But we still need a place for the wedding to be."

Ginny sighed. "I don't know of anywhere big enough. I mean, Harry, you don't want to get married at Potter Manor, do you?"

Harry shrugged. "Not so much no, but if it's the only space available we will."

Molly looked thoughtful for a moment and then she jumped up happily. "I think I know just the right place! But wait … I need to check … I'll be back." She hurried out of the room and Ginny glanced at Harry who was grinning.

"What are you grinning at, Harry?"

"Your mum, she's cute. She's so excited about this wedding."

Ginny smiled. "Well, she really gets to plan this one. Fleur barely let her do anything and turned down most of her ideas. I think it hurt her a bit since Bill was her first born, but I know that she understood, after all it was Fleur who was getting married. Then Percy went out and got himself married without telling anyone from the family. This is the moment she's been waiting for. And soon she'll have Ron and Hermione's wedding to plan too."

Harry nodded. "If they ever set a date."

Ginny laughed. "They will. They said that they wanted to wait a while and Ron still has to get her a ring."

Harry smirked. "I think he was going to do that today."

"Good, it's about time."

Harry smiled. "Gin, really I don't want to be rude, but how much can I really do for these wedding plans?"

Ginny laughed. "I know, but Ron isn't here to entertain you, so mum thinks you should stay. It's only for today anyway."

"Okay." Molly came back into the room grinning. "Ginny, Harry, I know the perfect place. There's this castle in Ireland. It's very old and very well cared for. Only the magical community can see it and it is there specifically for weddings. There's a huge room made just for the ceremony and the reception area. I just talked to Arthur about it and he said that if you'd like he can work on renting it out for the twenty-third and the twenty-fourth so that we have one day to decorate. What do you think?"

Harry looked at Ginny who shrugged. "Can we see it first?"

Molly nodded. "Of course. They almost always have tours; let's go check it out now."

The three of the Apparated to the castle in Ireland and Molly greeted the man at the front desk in the lobby who graciously agreed to allow a tour. When they stepped into the room, Ginny grasped Harry's hand tightly in hers and he knew why. It was beautiful. The room which the wedding and reception would be held in was still fashioned in the medieval castle age. The stone walls glistened and gorgeous old-fashioned chandeliers held with hundreds of candles from the ceiling. The floor was stone as well and where it looked bare and empty, Harry knew that Ginny and Molly saw the potential. The room was empty like that for exactly that reason. The only thing in the room was the large high oak table built for medieval lords to dine on. Harry knew that it would be a perfect wedding table.

"Harry, what do you think?" Ginny asked.

Harry shrugged. "I think that if you like it then it's perfect. I'll marry you anywhere."

Ginny smiled and kissed him softly. "I want to marry you here."

Harry nodded and he walked over to the guy who had brought them into the room to negotiate the price. Thirty minutes later, they arrived back at the Burrow with a contract stating the days that they had rented the room and who had rented it to them. Harry handed it to Molly when he walked in.

"As I'm sure it will be you and Ginny doing most of the decorating, I think that you should hold onto this."

Molly smiled. "I will." Then she threw her arms around Harry. "It will be so wonderful to have you in our family for real this time."

Harry grinned. "Yeah, it will be." He kissed her cheek, making her blush furiously just as Ron came in. "Mate, you left me alone with flower arrangements all day."

Ron laughed. "Sorry, want to go play Quidditch?"

Harry laughed. "Sure, just let me go grab my broom."