Harry and Ginny had another week left before they planned to return to the States. They were content to stay at the villa, taking trips around Paris or to the beach with the family, but most nights escaping early to their room.
Ginny had succumbed to Ryan's pleas and most mornings had been spent flying at the Delacour's huge property, with Ginny giving him Chaser tips. He was in seventh heaven, while Harry was happy to see Ginny getting on so well with his family once again.
They had Apparated to the property on the second to last day to go for their usual fly; Harry, Ginny and Ryan. They noticed a lot of activity going on at the house, with marquees going up.
" They must be hosting a party, maybe a fund raiser," suggested Ginny, as they met in the sky on their brooms. " It's what they do. Come on, Ry, let's see what you've got."
They flew off, not giving the Delacours another thought. After lunch they had another fun day at the beach with the Lupins and Ryan, while James, Lily, Hermione, Rupert, Sirius and Selena said they had plans.
They returned to the villa about four, to find the others hadn't yet returned. Instead they found a note, asking them to come to the Delacours after they had showered and dressed nice. As usual, Harry and Ginny took extra long, and as such, the Lupins had already left by the time they were ready.
They Apparated to the grounds where they usually arrrived each morning, but were quickly directed to the main house. Huge bouquets of flowers were arriving, and Ginny was amazed at how beautiful it all looked.
They arrived at the house, hand in hand. They'd expected to be greeted by the house elves, or perhaps Mr or Mrs Delacour, but instead they found...everyone!
" Surprise!" they all chorused.
" What? What's this – Mum, Dad...Luna! What's everyone doing here?" cried Ginny, rushing to hug her mother and Luna at the same time. Over their shoulders she saw her brothers and their families. She then hugged her dad, who explained.
"We know you're already married but, if you'll allow us, we'd like to give you a wedding. I've been looking forward to the day I'd walk my daughter down the aisle ever since you were born...I hope you'll let me," he said gently.
Harry and Ginny looked around the smiling faces of all their loved ones. " You mean, this is all for us?" asked Harry, increduously.
Lily nodded. " Helena and Phillipe have graciously allowed us to use their beautiful home. If you don't want to have a ceremony, we can simply make this a party. But we" – she looked at James, Arthur and Molly, who all nodded – "we'd like to give you a proper wedding, with all your family and friends here."
Harry and Ginny were stunned. " I don't know what to say...yes, thank you, yes," cried Ginny.
Ryan leaned over to whisper in Harry's ear. " Don't get drunk at this one, Harry." Harry laughed and clapped his brother on the back.
" But I don't have a special dress, or anything," realised Ginny.
" What do you think we've been doing the past few days while you have been flying, or at the beach?" asked Hermione, gesturing to her, Lily and Selena.
"Everything is waiting for you upstairs, Ginny," smiled Selena.
"And for you, Harry," nodded James.
" You did all that, for us?" asked Ginny, touched. She looked around. " Thank you so much," she whispered.
" Come on, Ginny, it's bad luck for Harry to see you before the ceremony," said Luna, taking her arm.
" But Luna, I- you know what, never mind," chuckled Harry, waving them away. "Go, make yourself even more beautiful, if it's possible."
Ginny's other arm was taken by Hermione, and Selena followed them up the stairs. Ginny hesitated, looking back down. " Mum, are you coming?"
A tearful Molly smiled. " Of course, dear, I wouldn't miss it for anything." She hurried after the other ladies, as did Angelina, Katie and Fleur. Audrey was shown to the closest chair, with Percy watching her closely.
Harry was surrounded by James, Sirius, Ryan and Lily. " I can't believe you did this," he said, still stunned. " Thank you."
Lily hugged him so hard he could barely breathe. " Lily, don't break a rib. Come on, it's time for Harry to get ready. Sorry, Lil, men only," said James.
Harry kissed his mother's cheek as she reluctantly let him go. He was then ushered away with his dad, his brother and godfather.
Lily sniffed into a handkerchief that was handed to her from Arthur. " Thank you," she said tearfully.
"I may need it back when I see my daughter again," he joked.
She nodded. " You will. She will look stunning in her dress."
It was a beautiful intimate ceremony, especially for one planned only days ago. A string quartet played as Ginny walked down the aisle on her proud father's arm, stopping only to kiss her mother, before stepping up to face her husband.
" Well, this is familiar," she quipped, and he grinned. Taking her hand, they turned to the minister to renew their vows; Sirius at Harry's side, Luna at Ginny's.
Harry graciously thanked the Delacours for the use of their home for their celebration and then the Weasleys for coming so far on short notice, and simply, "thank you for Ginny," which made the ladies teary. He gave a special thanks to the ladies who had helped Ginny prepare for the ceremony, and to his mother, sister and godmother Selena for the pre-wedding planning. Selena was touched to be called his godmother, and toasted him with her glass of champagne.
Ginny decided she wanted to make a speech too, which surprised no-one. Like her husband, she thanked the Delacours for their generous hospitality. She too thanked Lily, Hermione and Selena for planning the dress, suits and flowers, and also Tonks and Remus for keeping both Harry and herself busy that they weren't aware what was going on. She then looked at her new family.
"From the moment I arrived at the villa, what was that, just over a week ago, you all welcomed me as family. I never thought I would be as comfortable with you as I am with my own family, but I am. James, I'm sure Harry will follow in your footsteps and become a wonderul husband and father. Lily, Hermione, Selena, Tonks..." She laughed giddily. " I grew up with so many brothers, but now I find myself surrounded by so many amazing women. I love you all." She looked at her sisters-in-law as well.
She looked at Tonks and Remus, and their children. "Thank you for letting me be a part of your amazing family too. Hope did a wonderful job for us today, as did Teddy and my new brother-in-law, Ryan." Hope had carried their rings on a special pillow, while Teddy and Ryan had assisted everyone with the seating.
" To my own mum and dad. You've given me the best example of what a loving marriage should be like. I love you both very much," she said tearfully.
Arthur hugged Molly, who wiped tears away. Lily laughingly handed Arthur back his handkerchief. The elder Weasleys had arrived the day before and enjoyed getting to know James and Lily and the other members of the family that they had so far been introduced to. They looked forward to getting to know their only son-in-law better, though.
Ginny grasped Harry's hand. "To my husband. Isn't he smashing?" She giggled as Harry blushed when everyone hooted and whistled. "He is handsome and kind and wonderful, and I truly am the luckiest woman in the world. To Harry," she toasted.
" To Harry," they chorused, toasting him with their glasses.
Harry stood next to Ginny, and they whispered to each other for a minute. "Erm, we do have a couple of announcements to make. First of all, we recently found out that Harry has finished his exchange program earlier. He needs to return to America to sign off his program and gather his belongings," said Ginny.
" And for our second announcement...Ginny has signed to play for the Holyhead Harpies this coming Quidditch season. She's the first married player to sign," said Harry proudly. "Ryan?"He looked over at his brother and nodded.
Ryan whipped off his formal robes to show the Holyhead jersey, turning around so everyone could see the name ' Potter' emblazoned on the back, above the number 7. " My sister-in-law," he boasted. "Hot off the presses."
Applause broke out. Lily, James, Arthur and Molly looked stunned at these change of plans. George and Fred hurried over to Ryan to examine the jersey and think of ways they could turn this into a financial advantage.
" But how...how did this all happen?" asked James.
" The Auror I exchanged with has some family situation, so has requested an early exit on compassionate grounds. As long as I was okay with it, the DMLE was okay with it too, seeing as how close I was to finishing. We're leaving for the States in a few days." Harry smiled down at Ginny.
"I don't have to be at Holyhead till the end of August, so we've got a bit of time to look at flats," explained Ginny.
"We can help," said Lily and Molly together.
"We were counting on it, actually," said Harry, his arm over Ginny's shoulder. "I'll be starting back at our ministry at the beginning of August."
"Lee Jordan is in real estate, we'll have a chat with him when we get home," said George, speaking of his and Fred's best friend.
"Thank you...thank you all for making this such a great day," called Ginny.
"Now it's time to cut the cake," announced Helena Delacour.
"Mum, did you make this?" gasped Ginny. " It's gorgeous."
Molly nodded, accepting praise from everyone.
Harry and Ginny cut the cake, then happily mingled with their guests. Harry was trying to keep track of all the Weasley brothers and their wives. Teddy was being chased by Victoire, while Dominique was happy to sit with her Aunt Gabby who was talking with her Uncle Ron. Percy and Audrey were content to watch the goings on. Fred and George's twins, ran around, with little Lucy trying to keep up with them.
" Ginny dear, it's time to toss the bouquet, then I believe you and Harry have a Portkey to take," smiled Helena.
" A Portkey?" asked Ginny, puzzled. Harry looked no more knowledgable than she did.
" To our house in Spain. A two day honeymoon," explained Selena.
Ginny hugged her, then Sirius. " Thank you...for everything," she said to Sirius.
" Anything for you both," they both replied.
Smiling brightly, Ginny stood on the stairs as she prepared to toss the bouquet. All the ladies gathered around, but as the bouquet was tossed, the married ladies stepped aside, leaving Gabrielle, Hermione and Luna to vie for it. Thanks to Ginny's great Chaser aim, it flew straight into Hermione's arms. She flushed when everyone cheered, calling out for her and Rupert to set a date. She waved their calls away, saying they had no plans yet.
" It's a good thing you caught it. I suspect it's full of Horklump's, that's why Ginny threw it away. You'd best be destroying it," said Luna.
" What? Horklumps?" asked Hermione, staring at the strange girl.
" Oh, unless you want to keep them for your gnome," suggested Luna. "They eat them, you know."
" I don't have a gnome," said Hermione.
"Me neither, but the Weasleys do. We do have Plimpies in our pond at home, though. Only they don't nibble on your feet," said Luna.
"Is that good...or bad?" asked Hermione, unsure.
Luna blinked. " I guess it depends on your feet, doesn't it?"
This was the most surreal conversation she had ever had. "I guess so."
Luna nodded. " Do you know you have flibbertygibberts all around you?"
Hermione looked up and around. " You're Luna, aren't you?" She touched her hair self consciously.
Luna smiled. "I can get them out for you. You must be Harry's sister. He had them too. It obviously runs in the family."
"Thank you, Luna," said Hermione.
" Oh look, Harry and Ginny are leaving. We should go and wish them well. Have you ever been on a honeymoon before?" asked Luna.
" No, I've never been married," said Hermione.
" Me either. I think it sounds like fun. We should go, one day," suggested Luna.
" Together?" asked Hermione, taken aback." You and me?"
" Honeymoons seem to be for two people, so why not?" asked Luna.
Hermione smiled weakly. " Why not, indeed." She turned back to look at her brother, seeing him wink at her.
With last hugs for their parents, and a lot of waving, Harry and Ginny activated the Portkey that carried them away to begin their short honeymoon.
/*/*/*/*
Five Years Later
James, Lily, Molly and Arthur looked up as Sirius and Selena hurried towards them, looking flustered. "Merlin, there's a mob waiting out there," said Sirius, gesturing over his shoulder.
Ryan appeared behind him, his arms laden with food and drinks. "What do you expect? England's winning World Cup captain and Harpy champion retires at the peak of her career to have a baby! I bet there are scouts out there waiting to sign baby Potter up as soon as it makes an appearance, as well as the press wanting the first photos," he quipped.
"How's Ginny doing? Any news?" asked Selena, sitting beside Lily and taking her hand, feeling it tremble. She squeezed in comfort.
"I don't know about Ginny, but Harry's a wreck," said James, amused. "Every twinge, every movement, he's jumping up, grabbing the bag. They've had a couple of false alarms, but, thank Merlin, this is the real deal."
"So, grandparents, still no idea if it's a girl or a boy?" asked Sirius, looking at both couples.
"If she's anything like her mother, it will be a boy," smiled Arthur, with a fond look at his wife. Molly nodded in agreement.
"She's carrying high, I think it might be a girl," contradicted Lily.
"Geez, what does it matter, we'll find out soon enough," teased Ryan.
"You did message your sister, didn't you?" asked Lily.
"Damn, I knew I forgot something. I'll be right back. Don't have the baby till I get back," he ordered.
"Food he remembers, messages he forgets," sighed James, in amusement, "and now he wants us to hold up the birth. I think he's had a few too many knocks in his games." Ryan had signed on with the Appleby Arrows the year before as Chaser.
"Don't even joke about that," said Lily, lightly slapping James' arm.
They all looked up when the door to Ginny's room opened and a healer stepped out, smiling at the expectant faces looking at her.
"Is there any news?"
"How's Ginny, how's my daughter?"
"Is the baby here yet?"
The healer gestured. "You can go in," she urged, "just for a little while."
Lily and Molly gasped as they all stood. "The baby's here?" clarified James.
The healer laughed and nodded. "Ginny and Harry are eager to see you all."
Molly and Lily led the way, then James and Arthur. Selena and Sirius hesitated, but Arthur gestured for them to come in too. "They would want you to be there, too," he said.
The six went into the room silently. Harry looked up from Ginny's side, smiling to see them all.
"Oh," cried Lily softly, as they all stared at the wee one in his arms.
"Ahem."
They all looked at Ginny in the bed. "But...what?" asked Sirius, bewildered.
Ryan walked in, and took it all in. "Cool," he said, looking at both babies. "Which one is yours?"
Ginny and Harry shared an amused smile. "They're both ours," said Ginny.
"Surprise!" chuckled Harry.
"Twins!" gasped Molly.
"A boy and a girl," revealed Ginny.
"Are they identical?" asked Ryan, peering at the one closest to him, Lily, and poking her with his finger.
"Merlin, I hope not," quipped James, nudging his youngest son and rolling his eyes. "A boy and a girl? What do you think?"
"Oh yeah. Awesome! What's their names?" asked Ryan.
"William Sirius," announced Ginny, kissing the top of her son's head.
"Lily Luna," announced Harry, doing the same with his daughter.
"Cool. Lily and Billy," nodded Ryan, making the others laugh.
"Bill will be so thrilled," said Molly, leaning down to kiss her daughter and take a look at her new grandson.
"Darling, I'm honoured, really," said Lily softly, taking her namesake in her arms.
"It was Ginny's idea," admitted Harry.
"Did you know that you were expecting twins?" asked Arthur, settling his grandson in his arms after taking him from Molly.
"Yes, about half way through. It was the hardest secret we ever kept," grinned Ginny, as Harry sat next to her, his arm around her shoulders.
"Even harder than keeping your Vegas wedding a secret?" asked Ryan, taking his niece from his mum. He bounced her up and down, until his mother told him to stop. He started swaying instead.
"Definitely harder," nodded Harry, relieved to see his dad take his daughter from his brother. "Is Hermione on the way?"
Lily and James looked pointedly at Ryan. "She will be, as soon as she gets the owl," he said, apologetically.
"I've let your brothers know too," said Molly.
"Good. Don't forget to tell Luna. I think she and Rolf are in Iceland right now," said Ginny, contented.
"Well, I think I speak for all of the rest of us when I say, no more surprises please, Harry and Ginny," laughed James, looking around. "Wait – Sirius, are you crying?"
Selena giggled as her husband wiped his eyes with one hand while holding William Sirius. "No," he denied. "I have allergies."
"Boy, I can't wait to tell Remus when he and Tonks get here," muttered James.
A strange look came over Ryan's face. "Erm, I'll be right back," he said, hurrying out.
"Ryan!" sighed James and Lily.
Ginny yawned, and one of the babies mewled. Sirius looked startled and hurriedly handed William back to Lily. "I'm sure your three were never that small," he complained.
"They were a bit early, being twins," agreed Lily, "but they're perfect." She handed William back to Harry.
"We should go, leave you to some peace before everyone descends on you," smiled Molly. She kissed Lily on her forehead before giving her back to Ginny. "Congratulations darling, Harry."
"Thanks, Mum, we'd love some time together, just us four," smiled Ginny.
James and Lily returned later that night for another visit, and while they were there, enjoying cuddles with their first grandchildren, Hermione and Rupert arrived. They looked a bit flustered, but Lily put that down to trying to get to St Mungo's as soon as possible.
Hermione gasped to see both babies. "Twins? Oh, you never said."
"You know us, we love surprises," grinned Harry, watching her hold Lily. Rupert was holding Will, sitting stiffly in the chair, almost afraid to move.
"Well, I think we've had enough surprises for one day," said James.
Rupert and Hermione exchanged a furtive look, that Ginny caught. "Ooh, what's going on, you two?" she asked, her eyes twinkling as she looked at her sister-in-law and her partner.
"Nothing, really...sort of," shrugged Hermione, eyeing Rupert, who had flushed.
"Hermione," drawled Harry, "I know that look. You've got a secret."
Hermione blew out a breath of air. "No! Well, yes, but I don't think now is the time. This is about you and your beautiful babies, not about me and Rupert eloping."
"WHAT?" gasped James, Lily, Harry and Ginny.
Hermione smiled weakly at them. "Surprise!"
~end~