Harry's lips skimmed over the delicate skin of Ginny's neck as he sat beside her on the love seat.
"Could you at least pretend that you are listening?" Ginny scolded as she leaned out of his reach.
"Hmmm?" Harry asked lazily as her pulled back toward him.
"I'm trying to discuss plans for our wedding and you're not even listening," Ginny said somewhat angrily.
"I'm sorry Gin," Harry said, "I'll try harder. It is just that you are so distracting and honestly we could get married in our pajamas out by the shed and it would still be the happiest day of my life."
"I understand that," Ginny said, a small smile breaking through her annoyance, "But if you could keep in mind that I have been dreaming about my wedding since I was a little girl and it is important to me, I would appreciate it."
"I'm sure whatever you, Fleur and your Mum decide will be fine," Harry said.
"I would like your opinion through," Ginny said,
"Okay," Harry said, "I'm going to move to this chair over here and then maybe I can concentrate better on what you're saying."
Ginny smirked and shook her head, it was too hard to stay mad at him when what was distracting him was the exact thing that distracted her most of the time too. "We got confirmation on both the minister and the church in Godric's Hollow for December 23rd. I have met with and ordered my gown from that French dress designer that Fleur insisted I use. I have chosen the bridesmaid's dresses but we can't order them until I know how many bridesmaids I am having. Have you figured out who you want to have stand up for you?"
Harry nodded and said, "Ron, Neville and George."
"Okay," Ginny said, "Then I'm going to ask Hermione, Fleur and Luna."
"We can ask Bill and Charlie to be ushers?" Harry asked.
"What about Percy?" Ginny asked.
"We could have three ushers, right?" Harry asked.
"I don't see why not," Ginny agreed she scanned her notes before continuing, "You'll have to pick out some dress robes for you and the groomsmen and ushers to wear when we go into Diagon Alley to get our stuff for school, okay? The flowers and décor is pretty much all going to be Christmassy. Do you have an opinion on what kind of food is served at the reception?" When Harry shook his head she continued, "The reception is going to be in a heated tent back at the Burrow. I would like your help picking out the invitations and the cake."
"Okay," Harry agreed.
"Um…where are we going to go for the wedding night?" Ginny asked, "We won't have a place of our own yet since we'll still be in school and I don't fancy our first time together to be in my bedroom with my brothers and parents under the same roof."
"Let me take care of that, I have a plan," Harry offered.
"What is it?" Ginny asked curiously.
"It's a secret," Harry said.
"Are we going to go on a honeymoon?" Ginny asked.
"If you want to," Harry said. "We could leave the day after Christmas and plan to get back in time to catch the train back to Hogwarts after New Year's."
"That would give us a little over a week," Ginny calculated, "Where shall we go?"
"Where do you want to go?" Harry asked.
"Somewhere warm!" Ginny said.
"Okay, how about I handle that too," Harry offered.
"Thank you," Ginny said.
"What else?" Harry asked.
"This is awkward but I have to buy you a ring…" Ginny began.
"But you don't have any money," Harry finished, "I forgot to tell you, I added your name to my account at Gringotts and I have an extra key for your upstairs. My money is your money too and I want you to pay for whatever you can with it. Your parents don't have to finance this wedding."
"But they want to," Ginny said, "I'm their only daughter."
"I know, but try to pay for some of it with our money," Harry said, "They don't need to pay for all of it."
Ginny smiled and said, "I like the sounds of that; our money."
"Get used to it," Harry said with a grin, "A lot of things are going to become 'ours' soon."
"Do you want to use the standard vows or shall we write our own?" Ginny asked.
"Let's write our own," Harry said, "It's more personal that way."
"I was hoping you would say that," Ginny said happily.
"Anything else?" Harry asked.
"That is it for now," Ginny said.
"Good," Harry said as he moved back onto the love seat with her and pulled her to him. Ginny giggled as Harry's mouth found its way to the sensitive spot beneath her ear.
"Oy, you two," Ron bellowed from the doorway, "Get off each other and come open your school letters, they've just arrived."
Composing themselves they headed into the kitchen to open their letters. Harry was surprised to see how thick his letter was, much bulkier than he'd remembered it being ever before. He opened the envelope and there was a clatter of metal on the table as he slid the folded letter out of the envelope. Expecting only to see his Quidditch Captain's badge he was surprised when he looked down and also saw a Head Boy badge. He let out a sigh, he really hadn't wanted that.
Hermione shrieked in surprise when she, Ginny and Ron also pulled a Head Boy or Girl badge from their envelopes, "Four Head Students this year?"
"What?" Ron asked in surprise.
Hermione unfolded her letter and read to the group, "Dear Harry, Hermione, Ron and Ginny, After the tumultuous year Hogwarts (as well as the entire wizarding world) saw last school year I and the entire Hogwarts faculty agreed that extra Head Students and Prefects might ensure that things get back to usual and remain controlled through out the upcoming school year. Not to mention that all of you are so busy with other activities that it might work out best to have more coverage.
We felt that the four of you most deserved this honor due to your heroic actions last year whether they were demonstrated in or outside of Hogwarts. We feel that the other students will look up to you and respect your authority.
Harry, I know that you expressed a desire not to be made Head Boy, but I'm hoping that in light of the changes made to the post you will be willing to accept this honor.
As you may or may not be aware the Head Students have always enjoyed the privilege of their own private dormitories separate from their houses. This year there will be two Head dormitories. The first will be shared by Hermione and Ginny and the second by Harry and Ron. When you return from Christmas break one of the dorms will be converted into a kind of residence for the newly married Mr. and Mrs. Potter (Congratulations!) and Ron and Hermione will share the other, which will be modified to afford each a certain measure of privacy.
Looking forward to seeing you all back at school for one final year!
Headmistress Minerva McGonagall."
Harry and Ginny grinned at each other across the table; the knowledge that the dilemma of sleeping arrangements had been sorted out without their even having to inquire was wonderful to hear. Harry heartily looked forward to sharing a dorm with Ginny after they were married. He could just imagine the baths they could enjoy in the swimming pool sized bathtub in the Head's bathrooms and sleeping in together on Saturday mornings and…
"When should we head to Diagon Alley to buy our school things?" Hermione asked, interrupting Harry's reverie.
"Anyone busy today?" Ron asked.
Harry and Ginny shook their heads.
"Shall we go after lunch then?" Hermione asked.
Everyone agreed.
As the four of them prepared to disapparate to Diagon Alley Harry worried slightly about appearing in public after the news of his and Ginny's engagement. He was used to the attention but he felt bad dragging Ginny into the spotlight with him. He hoped that people would just see that they were happy and leave well enough alone. A few days after he had proposed a story appeared about their engagement on the front pages of the Daily Prophet. Harry wondered who the source had been. The details in the story were all accurate but the source was only listed as someone close to the couple.
"Ready?" Ginny asked as she linked an arm through his. "It will be fine," she whispered as she smiled up at him, understanding what he was looking worried about.
"I hope so," Harry said.
After a quick trip into Gringotts to withdraw some gold from their vault the four of them headed to Flourish and Blots to get the books listed in their letter. Harry was glad to see that the store was mostly empty.
"What do you think it means when on the book list for Defense Against the Dark Arts it says, to be determined?" Ron asked.
"Probably that they haven't figured out who is going to teach that class yet," Hermione reasoned, "No one wants that job."
As Harry paged through his school list he noticed a sheet of paper that he hadn't noticed previously. It was a letter from McGonagall.
Dear Harry,
I have a request to ask of you. I'm hoping that you have time to come out to Hogwarts so I can discuss the matter with you in person. Don't worry about scheduling a time with me; just come when it is most convenient to you.
See you soon,
Headmistress Minerva McGonagall
Harry showed the letter to Ginny and asked her if she would mind picking up the rest of his school supplies so he could go meet with her. Ginny nodded and Harry reminded her that he had almost nothing, all his school things had been burned in his Aunt and Uncle's house. "No problem," Ginny said and gave him a quick kiss.
Harry stepped outside of the shop before apparating outside the gates to Hogwarts. It was a glorious summer day and Harry worked up a sweat by the time he reached the front doors. The air in the stone hallways felt cool and refreshing. As Harry approached the stone gargoyle outside the headmaster's office he realized that if there was a password he didn't know what it was. Feeling silly he stepped up to the statue and said, "Er…Harry Potter here to see the Headmistress." Nothing happened. Harry tried again, "I'm here to see Headmistress McGonagall….is she up there?"
"The password is Potter," said Headmistress McGonagall behind him.
"Oh," Harry said as he whirled around to face her, "Hello."
"How are you Harry?" she asked.
"Fine, how are you?" Harry replied.
"I'm well, thank you for asking," She said, "Would you mind taking a little walk while we discuss the matter at hand?"
"Sure," Harry agreed. Together they strolled out of the castle into the magnificent sunlit grounds. "The castle looks good, I don't see too many reminders of the battle."
"Yes, it cleaned up well," she said, "Harry, as you may be aware we are having a hard time finding someone to take up the Defense Against the Dark Arts post. We have worked out a solution but only if you agree to help us out. Six of the teachers have agreed to take on the Defense class for one year of students. However, we are short one teacher to take on the seventh years. It was suggested that with a little guidance you could teach the class, after all you taught the majority of the seventh year students while you were running the DA." Harry was stunned into silence. Taking this as bad news Headmistress McGonagall launched into another line of reasoning, "You are also an auror which gives you the credentials to take on the class without too many raised eyebrows."
"I'm not sure how comfortable I am with teaching my peers," Harry said.
"We did consider putting you in charge of the first years, but we worried that with your celebrity you might be more of a distraction for them than anything," Headmistress McGonagall said.
"Well, it might be okay," Harry said, "Does this mean that I'm not taking Defense Against the Dark Arts this year?"
"As the teacher you would be exempt," she explained, "Not to mention that you defeated Voldemort, there isn't anyone who needs the class less than you."
"Can I think it over and let you know by tomorrow sometime?" Harry asked.
"Certainly," she said with a smile, "I'm sure that Ginny, Hermione and Ron will be able to help you decide."
"For the record, I'm leaning toward yes, but I need to think it over just a bit more," Harry said.
"Good!" Headmistress McGonagall said with a smile, "Can I walk you back to the front gates? I dare say that you'll need to be getting back to your finance."
"We were in Diagon Alley shopping for school supplies when I noticed your letter," Harry said, "Otherwise I would have come sooner."
"Not a problem," she said, "Congratulations on your engagement! How very exciting."
"Thank you, we are very happy," Harry said.
As they approached the gate she added, "I will expect an owl from you by tomorrow evening. And please give Ginny my congratulations as well."
"Thank you," Harry said. As soon as he was outside the gates he turned and apparated back to Diagon Alley. He checked three stores before he found them stocking up on parchment, quills and ink.
"That was quick," Ginny said when she spotted him, "What did she want?"
"Well, how much shopping is left to do?" Harry asked.
"A bit, why?" Ginny asked.
"This is the kind of conversation that goes best over a sundae," Harry said, "Besides I need everyone's undivided attention for this."
"That bad?" Ginny asked with a grimace, "And I was hoping for a stress free school year for once."
"It's not bad at all, I just have a decision to make and I would like everyone's opinion," Harry explained.
"Another decision?" Ron asked, "Why does everything happen to you?"
"I don't know," Harry said, "Let's finish up the shopping then I'll treat everyone to ice cream and we can talk about it."
Harry and Ginny quickly bought Harry a new cauldron, scales and potions ingredients for both of them. They also visited Eyelops Owl Emporium to pick up more owl treats for August. Finally they stopped by Madame Malkin's to pick up the school robes they had ordered the week before and to pick up dress robes for the wedding. When they had finished with all of it they met Ron and Hermione at the newly reopened Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour. Harry placed an order for all four of them and once they were seated at an outside table enjoying their ice cream he began.
"So I know why the book list said, 'to be determined' for Defense Against the Dark Arts," Harry said, "You were right Hermione, they cannot find a teacher for that post, no one wants the job. Six of the current Hogwarts teachers have offered to take on the defense classes for the first through sixth years. The first through sixth years probably have books assigned based on which teacher is assigned to their year. There is no one to take on the seventh year class though. Professor McGonagall wanted to see me today to ask me if I would be willing to teach the defense class for the seventh years. I guess since I already taught most of them when we were doing the DA and I'm an auror I'm the best option. I wondered what you all thought of that. Do you think I can pull of teaching a class?"
"Absolutely," Hermione said, "You were a wonderful teacher when we were holding DA meetings. Remember how quickly everyone caught onto the things you taught us. You'll be excellent."
"You'll be the best teacher we've had since Lupin," Ron said, "Plus we can count on you not to assign pointless homework like some teachers."
Harry was surprised when he turned to Ginny that she looked upset. "Gin?" Harry asked, "What do you think?"
"Can you two give us a few minutes?" Ginny asked Ron and Hermione. When they had moved to a table on the other side of the patio she said, "Why is it always you?" Harry opened his mouth to respond but she shook her head and continued, "No, I get it, you are the best person for this job and you will be brilliant…what I mean why does it have to be you. I'm already going to have to fight for your time this year; between Quidditch and being Head Boy and Auror Training and possibly auror missions and now a teaching post…am I going to get to see you at all?"
Harry chuckled and said, "Is that why you're upset?"
Ginny punched him in the arm and said, "It's not funny."
"I'm sorry," Harry said, "I know that I'm going to be busy but you know that will always be my number one priority. Besides we will spend loads of time together playing Quidditch and doing rounds as Head Boy and Girl. We will see a lot of each other than it seems like, I promise."
Ginny sighed and said, "I know, I'm being irrational, I just get tired of sharing you sometimes."
"I get that Ginny, I do," Harry said, "I thought you wanted me to come back to school."
"I do," Ginny said.
"Well then you just need to understand what there are going to a lot of demands on my time. But no matter how busy I am, you are always most important and above any of my other commitments I am yours. Okay?" Harry asked.
"Okay," Ginny said sheepishly, "You really will be a brilliant teacher. How many people get their own fiancé as their teacher?"
"Alright?" Harry asked.
"Yeah," Ginny said quietly.
"I need to send an owl to Professor McGonagall to let her know my decision by tomorrow morning, are you sure you're okay with this?" Harry asked.
"Yes," Ginny said, "Everyone should get to benefit from the things you can teach them."
"Thank you," Harry said.
"Why are you thanking me?" Ginny asked.
"I wouldn't do this if you weren't okay with it," Harry said, "And I really want to do this."
"Just make sure you give me an O," Ginny said with a grin, "Okay?"
Harry chucked and said, "I'm sure you will be a model pupil."
Harry waved Ron and Hermione back over. The four ate their ice cream and talked excitedly about heading back to school. It was amazing how normal it seemed after how very different things had been just few months before. When all the ice cream had been consumed they decided to go visit Percy and George at the shop before heading back to the Burrow.
As the afternoon wore on Diagon Alley had become more and more congested with people doing their back to school shopping. When they entered the shop it was crowed with people and the four of them were quickly recruited to help restock and ring up customers.
Harry stowed all their back to school shopping purchase in the apartment above the shop before grabbing a large box of skiving snack boxes from the back room to restock the shelves. As he reentered the store and moved toward the skiving snack box display he saw that Ron and Hermione were ringing up sales behind the counter. He scanned the crowd for Ginny, maybe she could help him with the snack boxes. He continued searching the crowd for her as he moved toward the empty snack box shelves. Finally he spotted her in the middle of a crowd of girls, including Lavender and Pavarti, who were asking her a myriad of questions as they admired her ring. Harry grinned and continued onto the shelves by himself. She would find him when she got away from that lot.
Harry stacked the snack boxes onto the shelves for the next half an hour before realizing that Ginny still hadn't come to find him. He looked over to where he had last seen her and didn't see her there. He stood from where he was kneeling in front of the shelves and scanned the store for her. He moved further into the store and was surprised to see her near the back corner talking to Dean. Harry's eyes narrowed as he moved toward them. As Harry came up behind Dean he could see the discomfort as well as some anger in Ginny's eyes. When Ginny spotted him relief washed over her face and she said, "Dean, here's Harry you can congratulate him yourself."
When Dean turned Harry could tell by his expression that congratulating him was the last thing on his mind, "Hey Harry," he said, "So you and Ginny are engaged. You didn't waste any time did you?"
"I guess not," Harry said, "But now that the war is over I just want to be with her, forever."
"So when is the wedding?" Dean asked.
"December 23rd," Ginny said.
"Four months, that's not a lot of time," Dean said.
"If you ask me it's too much time," Harry said. Sensing that Dean wasn't going to run out of comments any time soon he said, "Ginny, can you help me get more of the prank wands from the back room?"
"Sure," Ginny said as she moved to Harry's side.
"See you on September first Dean?" Harry asked. Dean nodded and Harry added, "Enjoy the rest of your summer."
When Harry and Ginny were safely closed into the back room Harry asked, "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," Ginny said angrily her brown eyes flashing, "I can take care of myself you know."
"I know you can," Harry said, "I wasn't coming to rescue you, but it looked like he had your cornered."
"I'm not mad at you," Ginny practically snarled at him, her cheeks flushed deeply pink.
"Then who are you mad at?" Harry said, "I don't understand."
"Myself and him," Ginny said, "I'm mad at myself for letting his comments get to me and letting myself get cornered by him. I'm mad at him because, what right does he have to say those sorts of things to me? How dare he?"
"What did he say?" Harry asked.
"That you stole me from him and we should still be together and he's going to all he can to win me back," Ginny said, "Doesn't he remember that I broke up with him to be with you? It has always been you, since I was about six. He said you don't deserve me."
"He might be right about that last point," Harry said.
"How can you say that?" Ginny asked.
"Did he threaten you?" Harry asked.
"No, he basically threatened you though," Ginny said, "Nothing specific but he kept saying things like he would prove to me just how unworthy you were."
"We'll have to keep an eye on him and make sure that he doesn't corner you again," Harry said.
"What about you?" Ginny asked.
"I can take care of myself too," Harry said, "You're okay though?"
"Yes, just angry," Ginny said, "How could I ever have dated someone so vile?"
"Jealously brings out the worst in people," Harry said as he pulled her into his arms, "Can I tell you something though?"
"What," Ginny said as her rage started to dissolve a bit.
"You are amazingly irresistible when you are angry," Harry said, "The way your eyes look and the color you turn, I might just have to take to provoking you every now and then so I can see you like this again."
In response Ginny pushed him against the wall and kissed him heartily.
Author's Note: I am on a roll…two new chapters in as many days – thank my job for being very slow at the moment. I know that Harry teaching the Defense class is not a new idea but it just makes so much sense. Please review and let me know if you have any suggestions! The next chapter will be their return to Hogwarts!! Thanks for reading! Best!