They all met outside the gates, while Ginny went to talk to someone. She returned with a lanyard for each of them. "There are our VIP passes, they will get us to the front of the lines for the rides," she explained, handing them out. "And on the back is your pass for the magical part of Disneyland. We should all go through together for that."
"How did you get these?" asked Remus, taking four and looking at them before handing them to his family.
"My sister-in-law's family handles a lot of functions here; the Delacours are well known in Paris," said Ginny, as they started filing through the gates.
"The Delacours? I believe they're sponsoring an exhibition at an art gallery tomorrow night," exclaimed Hermione.
"I called them, asked a favour and here we are," said Ginny. "Oh, over this way. Come on, Hope."
Both Hope and Tonks looked excited as one of the Disney princesses came towards her. "Does she know the princesses?" Ginny asked Tonks.
Tonks nodded. "Hermione brought her the books; she loves them."
"Good, because, as her present from me and my husband," – she shot Hermione a cheeky look – "we're giving her a princess makeover, whichever princess she wants to be."
Hope clapped excitedly as Snow White came to her. "Happy Birthday, Hope," she said, smiling at the little girl's excitement. "Would you and your mummy like to come with me?"
"Whewe?" asked Hope, shyly.
"Me and my friends want to wish you a happy birthday. Would you like to meet my friends – Ariel, Jasmine and Belle?"
"Weally?" asked Hope. Even Tonks looked excited.
"There they are, just over there," said Snow White, pointing to her group of women having their photos taken with other visitors to the famous park.
"Mummy, I see Belle," pointed Hope.
"She was always my favourite," smiled Hermione, beginning to feel excited herself.
"Go on, we'll meet you back here soon," urged Lily. "How long will it take?" she asked Snow White.
"Well, we will probably have a tea party too, with a special cake. Mickey Mouse said he might stop by, too. Maybe a couple of hours? I hope that's all right, Hope?" asked Snow White.
Hope's eyes widened as she nodded, too overcome to speak.
Remus kissed her cheek. "Go, have a wonderful time, my princesses," he said, encompassing both Hope and Tonks in a hug.
The Disney princesses came up to surround Hope and Tonks, and they all left together.
"Can we hit the rollercoasters?" asked Ryan, excitedly. Harry and James nodded expectantly, and they all set off for a day of fun.
Lily, Serena and Hermione begged off the rides, so Harry, Ginny, Teddy, Ryan, James, Sirius and Remus left them and headed for the biggest rollercoaster in the park. Rupert surprised them all by coming with them, and screamed the loudest of them all.
Having the passes saved them a lot of time, as they were able to go on a lot of rides before going back to wait for Hope and Tonks. When Teddy complained, Remus reminded him that they were there because it was his sister's birthday. Teddy mumbled, but cheered up when they began to talk about what they would do after lunch, which they planned to have when they were all together again.
Remus' eyes lit up when he saw his daughter, and even Sirius got a bit teary. Hope came over to them, dressed as -
"I'm Cindewella," she announced happily, her hair tied up and weary a pretty blue dress, which she swished.
"You're my special princess," gushed Remus, picking her up for a big hug.
Tonks thanked Harry and Ginny. "I didn't even know they did that sort of thing here, but she loved it. Thanks so much," she said.
"Did Mickey Mouse really come to your tea party?" asked Teddy.
Hope nodded. "Mickey, and Goofy and even 'laddin. 'Mione, I saw all the princesses from my books!" she cried, looking at Hermione.
Hermione knelt down to look at a photo Tonks had taken of Hope and all the Disney princesses at a tea party. "Oh wow, did you tell them you read their books, too?"
Hope nodded. "And I told Belle you like her best."
Hermione laughed and hugged the little girl again.
Harry's eyes bugged out when Ariel walked past, smiling flirtatiously at him. "Well, I definitely have a thing for redheads," he said, and Sirius snapped a photo of Harry sandwiched between Ariel and Ginny, both kissing his cheek.
"We have to get you one of those clam shell bras," Harry whispered to Ginny, grinning.
"Come on, I'm hungry," urged Ryan.
"Then can we go on more rides?" asked Teddy, and Sirius nodded.
They managed to nab three tables close together, and planned the next part of their day over lunch. The males were keen to keep riding the fast rollercoasters, but Remus declined, saying he would go on the more sedate ones with Hope. Tonks immediately said she wanted to try some of the faster rides, so, after lunch, they split up again. Lily, Serena, Remus and Hope went one way, while the rest headed off looking for fast rides and fun. Rupert had promised Hermione he wouldn't take her on anything too fast or high up, so she went along with the others.
They all had a fun afternoon, but Hope was asleep by four o'clock. Remus and Tonks planned to leave, but Teddy and Ryan wanted to keep going. So Harry, James, Sirius and Rupert offered to stay another couple of hours, while the rest returned to the villa.
Harry wanted Ginny to stay, but she declined, saying she was waiting for an important owl. She told him to go off and have fun with his family, and she'd see him home later.
The guys returned several hours later, laden with pizza boxes. Again, they all gathered out in the garden, this lovely weather was too good to pass up by being inside. Harry noticed Ginny seemed quieter, but when he asked her if everything was all right, she simply nodded and reached for another slice of pizza.
They discussied the next day's plans, which included an early morning shopping trip for Ginny, Selena and Hermione, then a visit to the beach for the Lupin family. Harry and Ginny wanted to go swimming too, and offered to bring Ryan. When Hermione and Lily announced their plans to go to the art exhibition that night, Ginny said she'd like to go too.
So with all the plans made, everyone went their separate ways, after all, it had been quite a full on day at Disneyland. Harry had been hoping for an early night with Ginny when his mum stopped them from leaving.
"Not so fast, you two," she said, in a tone that booked no argument. At their curious look, she pointed to the seats that Selena and Sirius had just vacated. "Sit, talk. Explain," she said.
James shot them a sympathetic look, but he too was curious. "We just have some questions," he assured them. He and Lily had talked long into the night regarding the Harry/Ginny situation. They trusted their son implicitly, but this was really something they had never imagined he would do.
Ryan was hanging around, but with one quirk of his mother's eyebrow, Ryan figured it would be best to go see what Uncle Sirius was up to.
"Right then," said Lily, leaning forward, her gaze piercing into both Harry and Ginny, "what exactly is going on?" she asked.
Harry placed his left hand on Ginny's right one protectively and Lily immediately noted the lack of any rings. "Mum, I told you what happened, with Sirius."
"Yes, yes," said Lily, waving her hand as if that were irrevelant, "but I want to know about the two of you, your plans for the future," she said.
Harry and Ginny looked at each other, although Ginny looked away first. "We really haven't talked about it yet," she admitted.
"We just wanted to get reaquainted, it's been over a year, Mum, Dad," reminded Harry, smiling at his wife.
"We just want to help you kids," offered James.
"Are you honestly expecting us to believe you were married over a year ago and haven't seen each other till yesterday?" asked Lily, increduously.
Harry nodded.
"I really don't understand this at all. Harry, this is so not you," sighed Lily.
"We were drunk," acknowledged Ginny, then shot a look at Harry and smirked. "Pretty drunk."
"Very drunk," agreed Harry, but turned to look at his mother, "but we knew what we were doing. We knew that she had to go back to her Quidditch team in Australia, and that I had to finish my Auror exchange program in the States."
Ginny nodded. "We knew we'd be apart for a year."
"What if you got lonely in that time, or met someone you wanted to start a relationship with?" asked James, looking between them. He settled on his son. "Your mother and I have been worried how unsocial you've been this past year, no word on dating or partying, just a few nights out with your other Aurors. This" – he gestured between the two of them – "would certainly explain that, I suppose."
Harry nodded. "I wasn't interested in going out, hooking up or anything. Dad, I'm a married man. I took my vows seriously, even as drunk as I was."
"I was the same, I just concentrated on Quidditch. I was in a different country far from home, didn't really know anyone except my teammates, who are all mostly Aussies," said Ginny.
"Why didn't you even see each other all year? Did you a least send owls, or anything?" asked Lily.
"I owled him at Christmas time, but I didn't know where he was living, so I sent it via the Ministry, and I guess it got lost in all the post at that time," shrugged Ginny.
Harry nodded, squeezing her hand, "I received it after the new year, after I returned from England," he told her.
"And I was in England then, a quick visit home for the birth of my brother's son," said Ginny, smiling ruefully.
"I planned to try to see her at Easter, but then you owled, Mum, saying you and Dad were coming for a visit and wanted me to show you around," said Harry.
"But why on earth didn't you tell us?" cried Lily. "An owl, a fire-call, anything?"
Harry shrunk down. "Sorry, Mum, but there wasn't much to tell, at least, not till I had spoken to Ginny."
"Well, what's going to happen now?" asked James, trying to give Lily some time to process everything.
"I really can't say, not yet. I'm still in negotiations with several clubs back home," said Ginny.
Harry assumed those were the owls she was constantly waiting for. He supposed they would bring her any trade offers.
"I'll be home by Christmas, my exchange program finishes at the end of November," reminded Harry.
"And you're definitely returning home?" asked Lily to Ginny, who nodded, but said nothing. "Well," – she sighed in relief – "that's something, I suppose. You'll be together, then. Have you thought about where you want to live?"
"No, Mum, we haven't talked about any of that," said Harry. Both he and Hermione usually stayed at Stinchcombe Castle when in England, in a wing separate to their parents. Harry supposed Hermione and Rupert would be looking for their own place soon, too.
"We know we've got a lot to discuss, Mrs Potter, but as soon as we make any plans, we'll let you know," said Ginny, gently.
"Thank you, dear, I'd, we'd," – she quickly amended, shooting James a look – "certainly appreciate it...and call me Lily. After all, there is now two Mrs Potters," she smiled kindly.
James and Harry both laughed, while Ginny chuckled. Then both couples went their separate ways.
Harry and Ginny walked back to their room, hand in hand. "Your family is really great," she said. " It's nice that you're all so close."
" Yeah," agreed Harry. " We're a bit of a mixed bunch, but somehow we all work," he noted. James, Sirius and Remus were quite different personalities but had been best friends since their Hogwarts days. He and Hermione were quite dissimilar in their interests and personalities too, but he counted her as a best friend as well as a sister.
They reached their bedroom. " So I guess we should talk about –mmmm," began Harry, when Ginny started kissing him.
"Not yet...not now," implored Ginny, forcing him to walk backwards to the bed. She pushed him onto it.
" All right," shrugged Harry, his eyes lighting up as she began to undress.
Down to her underwear, she straddled him. " So, wanna play Exploding Snap?" she asked, smirking, slapping his wandering hands away.
" Not bloody likely," he said, and rolled her over, pinning her beneath him and began kissing her all over.
He woke late next morning and reached for Ginny, only to find her side of the bed empty. Immediately he sat up, worried, but his heart stopped racing when he read a note from her, explaining that she had gone on the prearranged shopping trip with Selena and Hermione, and would meet him later for the trip to the beach.
He lay back, content. He didn't know why he'd had a moment of panic that she had gone. Still, he had liked waking up with her yesterday, and looked forward to doing it more often.
He hoped she was getting on well with Selena, who was a genuinely nice person.
Deciding to get up, he wondered if perhaps his brother would like to go for a quick fly. It amused him to think of his brother having a crush on Ginny and hoped he got over it soon.
/*/*/*/*
Ginny was having a good time with Selena, who she found easy to talk to. Both ladies were looking for some new swimwear, and Ginny was also looking for some casual clothes too. Hermione had gone to another store, looking for a fancy dress to wear to the art exhibtion that night, and Ginny said she would meet up with her there after trying on her swimwear.
Whilst trying on casual clothing with Selena had been fun, Hermione was a bit more intense, insisting the dresses that were searching for had to be just right. Not too formal, but absolutely not too casual.
Ginny had never been one to fuss about fashion, so once she found a gown she liked and felt comfortable in, she felt she was done. She offered her opinion on the dresses Hermione held up for inspection, but eventually left Selena to advise her, feeling the older woman had more experience at this kind of thing than she did.
The ladies stopped for coffee and pastries, at a cafe near the shops. Ginny felt quite comfortable around Selena, and asked her about hers and Sirius' relationship. The older woman was happy to tell how she had met Sirius about two years ago, and their instant attraction had led to an intense affair, divided between his home in England, her home in Spain, and many places in between.
However, Selena was a businesswoman in her home city, and couldn't afford to continue to tryst with Sirius whenever he was available. She knew he was a natural flirt, and given the distance in their everyday lives, she worried she was just another notch on his bedhead. So she gave him an ultimatum, and to her utmost surprise, after a trip to the States with the Potters, he turned up on her doorstep, down on one knee with a huge diamond ring. They had married several weeks ago, and were ending their honeymoon by meeting up with the Potter and Lupin families.
Harry had told Ginny of his close connection with Sirius, and Selena confirmed that Sirius had told her the same. As much as he loved all the Potter and Lupin kids, and was a great 'uncle' to them all, he felt a special bond with Harry, who of course, was his godson.
Hermione agreed that the two were exceptionally close, and had always been so. She confirmed that, as long as she could remember, Sirius' love life had been quite amusing to the family, but none of his lady friends had ever been invited to any family gatherings. She acknowledged that Sirius had changed for the better when he met Selena, and agreed with Harry, that she was the best thing to ever happen to him. She assured Selena that her parents felt the same, and that she was definitely considered part of the family.
On that happy note, and with their shopping complete, the ladies returned to the villa. Harry had been anxiously waiting for Ginny's return, and accompanied her to their room to see what she had purchased. Upon seeing her bikini, and her modelling it for him, they ended up being quite late to lunch.
They caught a commuter bus to the beach, content to simply mingle with the Muggles. Upon arrival they found the perfect spot, and began unpacking. Ryan and Teddy raced straight to the water after Harry and Ginny applied sunblock to the two. Ginny had started on Ryan, but seeing his brother's face get quite red as she began to rub his back, Harry hastily swapped.
Harry helped Remus set up umbrellas for them all, and Ginny laid out towels while Tonks prepared Hope. Then they all set off for the water; Harry and Ginny swimming out to join the boys while Remus and Tonks stayed in the shallower water with Hope.
The boys showed off their body surfing skills, and Ginny was keen to try with a small board. She picked it up fairly quickly, Harry supposed it was because of her athleticism. He was proud of her and quickly dragged her off for some fun in the water, grown up style.
He groaned as she wrapped her legs around his waist, and his hands skimmed up, wanting so desperately to undo her bikini top, but knowing he couldn't. Besides, he didn't want anyone else seeing his wife like that.
After some teasing and taunting from Ryan and Teddy, they cooled their ardour to return to the beach for a snack with the others. Hope climbed onto Harry's lap, telling him about the sandcastle she and Remus had built.
They shared some sandwiches, biscuits and fruit, washed down with soft drinks and fresh cold water. It was a glorius day, one for being outdoors.
After waiting nearly an hour, the boys returned to the water. Remus was content to sit out this time, so Harry offered to take Hope out with him, to let Tonks have a swim. She and Ginny swam out to the boys, and Tonks impressed Teddy with her body surfing skills.
It was a happy, tired bunch that caught the commuter bus back to the villa, conversing with other people who had also been at the beach. It was a day close to perfect, as far as Harry was concerned. Hope fell asleep on his lap on the way home, and Ginny rested her head on his shoulder, looking down at the sleeping girl. They shared a soft smile, unaware of Remus and Tonks watching them, and smiling to see them so in love.
Harry offered to carry Hope to the Lupin's rooms, so Ginny said she would return to their room, shower and be waiting for him. Anticipating another afternoon of 'reaquainting' with his wife, Harry hurried to the room after laying Hope on her bed. Unfortunately, he found Ginny asleep, so he showered and lay next to her, thrilling when she turned over to snuggle against him. With his arm around her, he too, fell asleep.
It was another communal dinner that night with some of the local fare. Hermione and Lily talked about the museums they, along with Rupert and James, had visited, and a winery too. In fact, they offered up some bottles they had brought back with them. That began a great debate about who offered the best wines, Paris or Selena's home country. The debate then continued onto food, with Italian and Greek being thrown into the mix. It was lively, it was, at times, loud, but it was fun; it was family.
The Lupins and Ryan bade them all a farewell when James and Lily, Rupert and Hermione, Sirius and Selena and Harry and Ginny left for the art gallery and it's latest exhibition.
Harry, Ginny, Sirius and James didn't linger around the gallery, not understanding some of the abstract art they saw. Hermione, Rupert, Lily and Selena lingered, discussing the artists and meaning behind the artwork. They all met up again, and headed for the new exhibition.
The men nabbed glasses of champagne for their ladies, as they toured the new work and met the artist. Harry was pleasantly surprised to find it was his Hogwarts chum, Dean Thomas, who was as pleased and surprised to see Harry as Harry had been.
He proudly introduced his wife and family to Dean, who thanked them all for coming and offered them a tour of his paintings with him by their side. Dean was a great host, and Selena and Sirius brought one of his paintings.
Dean was called away by his manager, and he excused himself to the Potters and Blacks, apologising profusely. It had been comforting to see a familiar face at his first main exhibition, which turned out to be quite the success for a new artist.
They managed to see Dean again, to say goodbye. Selena and Sirius were going on to meet some friends of Selena's, so the Potters and Rupert decided to stop for a last drink before returning home. Rupert, Harry and James decided to sample the local beers, but the ladies preferred tea and coffee.
Harry was pleasantly buzzed by the time they arrived home. He hugged his parents and sister, telling them how happy he was and how much he loved them. He even hugged Rupert, telling the man he better make his sister happy, or else. Luckily, Rupert was as tipsy as Harry and took the threat goodnaturedly. In the end, both men agreed that Hermione was simply the best.
Laughing at the two, Ginny and Hermione hauled their men away, and went to their separate rooms. Hermione had to hush Rupert, who began serenading Hermione at the top of his voice. Hermione shooshed him, and hurried him away.
Ginny led Harry to theirs, stopping for a quick snog along the way. They let themselves into their room, where an owl awaited them. Harry swayed over to it, but it hooted and ignored him. Ginny led Harry to the bed and took the letter from the owl. It hooted and flew off.
Harry wiggled up the bed, kicking off his shoes and trying to unbutton his shirt.
"Gin, I need some help," he finally admitted, when he had struggled to undo even one button. "It's really hard," he whined.
Ginny turned around, clutching the letter to her chest. "Oh, Harry," she sighed sadly.
"Wha-?" He struggled to sit up. "Everfin' all right?"
She came to his side. "It's the offer I've been waiting for. A chance to transfer from the Wollongong Warriors to one of the top teams in the English league. The one I really wanted," she said excitedly. She helped him undo his shirt and remove it.
"Tha's great, Gin," he slurred. He rolled over.
"There's just one thing," she said.
"Hmmm?" he murmured, already close to sleep. "Come 'ere," he urged, patting the sheets next to him.
Ginny lay next to him. With his glasses off, she was a red blur. He slung an arm over her waist.
Ginny brushed the hair off his brow. "Harry. I've wanted to play for the Holyhead Harpies ever since I began flying. They've made me an amazing offer, one I'd be silly to pass up."
"Good, tha's good. Take it," he muttered, yawning.
She took a deep breath, rolling onto her back. She looked up at the ceiling. "If I take it" – she took another big gulp – "Harry, we'd need to get divorced."
When there was no answer, she looked over at him. But Harry was asleep, and Ginny didn't even know if he had heard her.