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After the Battle
Chapter 11: The Bad With the Good
"Umm, Molly dearest . . . perhaps this isn't the best time or place for this," Arthur said, trying to be the voice of reason.
Molly shot a glare at him, her eyes flashing dangerously.
Harry couldn't help but notice how similar Ginny looked when she was angry, something he usually tried to avoid at all costs, but as he looked at her he saw that her eyes looked virtually the same as her mother's and he hoped that the poor Castle would still be standing in a few minutes.
"Arthur, don't tell me how to handle my daughter," Molly snapped at her husband.
Bill winced, knowing things were going from bad to worse with every heart-beat.
Fleur already had her wand drawn, prepared to do anything necessary to keep things from getting out of hand.
"I'm not telling you anything, only suggesting that there is a time and place for things and maybe this isn't the time nor place for . . ." Arthur tried to continue.
"But she's with . . . Him! I trusted him and he . . . he . . . he broke that trust, he . . . he . . . he despoiled my baby girl," Molly wailed as she pointed an accusing finger at Harry.
Harry couldn't help himself and let out a snort. It wasn't because of what Molly had said, no it was because of the smirk that appeared on Ginny's face when her mother had said he had despoiled her.
Toward the one side of the mass of Weasley's Ron gave Hermione a puzzled look. "What's Mum mean, despoiled?"
Hermione gave him such a unbelieving look, finding it inconceivable that he didn't know what she had meant by that statement. She herself was wondering when this supposed despoilment had taken place but then remembered the night after Voldemort's defeat and what she and Ron had gotten up to. She figured that Harry and Ginny had snuck off and done the same.
"I'll explain it later," she said patronizingly as she patted him on the arm.
Ron frowned in confusion and he just wished for once that he didn't feel like he was the only one who didn't know what everyone was talking about.
Charlie glanced at Bill and met his eyes for a moment, both shared grins before Bill tried to step between his sister and his mother.
He froze when he saw Ginny and Fleur glare at him and he knew he didn't want to anger either or both of them further. Curse Breaker or not, there was no way that would turn out well for him.
Harry pretty much ignored what was happening around him and turned his head to Ginny who met his eyes.
He silently asked if she wanted to do this right now, knowing he'd back her whatever she chose to do.
Ginny thought long and hard about whether she wanted to have the confrontation with her mother now or put it off. On one hand, she really wanted to get it over with and just move on with her life with Harry.
On the other hand, she knew having it here and now, in a very public place, with a gaggle of reporters not twenty feet away, wasn't the best option either.
She felt her hatred for her mother grow even higher, not believing that she'd force the issue here of all places and right after the ceremony to honour those who had sacrificed their lives.
Coming to a decision, she looked Harry deep in his eyes and with a tug on his hand, said "Come on Harry, let's go."
Harry was only slightly surprised and nodded to her as they began to turn to leave.
"I'm sorry Professor, maybe we can visit some other time," he said calmly to Minerva when he spotted her standing nearby.
He saw her eyes shine with pride as she gave him a curt nod.
Fleur whispered to Ginny, "We'll see you back at the Inn."
Ginny nodded, letting her sister-in-law know that she had heard.
As she and Harry took another step she heard her mother behind her yelling "Where do you think you're going? Ginevra Molly Weasley, you come back here right this instant!"
Ginny didn't even blink, but just kept on walking,
"Ginny!" her mother screamed in out rage.
Ginny stopped and briefly closed her eyes, her nostrils flaring as she fought to control her anger. After she took several long, deep breaths, she slowly turned around.
She looked at the scene before her, its image burning into her mind.
Her mother was at the apex of a small triangle pointed in her direction. Bill was on one side and Charlie on the other, both had their hands on her shoulders and arms, preventing her from following her. She could clearly see the way her mother was leaning forward, struggling to get passed them, her face contorted in rage.
Slightly behind and over her one shoulder was her father, looking so sad and heart-broken, his hands also reaching to restrain her mother. Over the other shoulder she could see George, a small half smile on his face, like he'd just figured something important out and she thought that maybe he had.
Off to the left, a bit further behind, she saw Ron glaring at her and Harry, with Hermione hanging onto his arm, looking worried and sad. It was obvious from the set of her body that she had figured out what her mother had meant when she had said Harry had despoiled her. Not that she cared one iota.
The only one missing was Percy and she'd seen him off with some of the other Ministry lackeys.
She met her mother's gaze quite stoically, only the burning in her eyes giving away just how angry she really was and if it wasn't for the fact that she could feel Harry's hand in hers she might have exploded.
"Why didn't you turn when I called your name?" he mother asked hotly.
"I just did," Ginny replied tersely.
"I mean the first time," Molly stated, her eyes narrowing as she glared at her daughter.
"Oh, well that's not my name any more," Ginny replied,sounding a bit stilted.
"What?" Molly screeched.
"My name is Potter now," she replied calmly, belying the inner joy she felt at being able to say it out loud.
Molly yelled something but Ginny and Harry didn't hear, Ginny because she had tuned the woman out and Harry because he was focused solely on Ginny.
Ginny glanced at Harry, a single tear trailing down out of one eye and Harry could see how angry she was, along with her sense of disappointment.
"Get me out of here," she whispered emotionally.
Harry clutched Ginny into his body and without regard to the consequences, Apparated them away, bursting through the recently reinstated wards around Hogwarts, setting off all sorts of alarms and causing general mayhem.
Bill and Fleur exchanged worried glances before he turned to his now stunned mother.
"Mother, when are you ever going to learn?" he chastised her hotly.
Molly recoiled for a moment and then glared at him. "You knew! Didn't you?" she snapped accusingly.
"Damn right I knew," Bill fired back. "If you'd only open your eyes and see how much they love one another, how much they need one another, you'd have known too and could have shared in their special day. But you are so locked up in what you think is grief, having to try and control everyone and everything, you couldn't see the Dragon sitting right in front you. You have no one but yourself to blame for all this."
Molly's eyes flashed angrily, refusing to hear what her son had to say. "You're no son of mine," she spat.
"No, I guess I'm not," Bill replied in disgust, his eyes burning fiercely.
"Bill, Molly," he heard his father plead.
He turned his attention to his Dad. "I'm sorry father," he said sadly.
Fleur gave Arthur a sad, sympathetic smile before she took Bill's arm and they turned and hurried away as quickly as they could.
Molly stood there, swaying slightly, a somewhat confused look on her face.
Minerva had heard enough. "Molly Weasley, I am thoroughly disgusted and appalled by your behaviour. I never thought I'd live to see the day when someone would act so pig-headedly stupid. Right before my eyes you tore your family apart, something that you've always said was the most important thing in the world to you. Well obviously it's not. I don't even know you any more," the venerable woman snapped angrily.
Molly recoiled in horror, and with tears streaming down her face she turned to Arthur and buried her face into his chest, sobbing "What have I done?"
Arthur sagged as he wrapped his arms around his broken wife, not knowing how to fix what she had so carelessly broken.
Minerva shook her head and with one last look at Molly, she turned and entered the Castle, still having a hard time believing what she'd just seen the Weasley matriarch do. She felt so angry that she could've spit nails.
Charlie looked at his father forlornly. "Let's get Mum home," he whispered sadly.
Arthur nodded slowly, knowing that it was the best place for her.
Ron was looking around bewilderedly, his face showing just how confused he really was.
Hermione took hold of his arm. "Come on, we'd best go with them," she said sadly, wondering how things had gone so terribly wrong.
Harry and Ginny
Harry and Ginny appeared in their room at the bed and breakfast with a pop.
Ginny felt her anger and was afraid she was going to explode but it vanished in a second when she felt Harry sag into her, almost tumbling to the floor.
She suddenly realized what he'd done and she shook her head. Partially angry at him for risking himself but partially feeling so guilty for why he had done it.
"Are you all right?" she asked with great concern.
"I think I'd better lay down," Harry whispered in reply, barely able to stand even with Ginny's help.
Ginny was able to get him over to the bed and laying down with only a little difficulty. After she had done so, she chided herself for not just levitating him.
Then again, she was just glad she'd been able to get him there at all as she wasn't thinking very coherently.
The confrontation with her mother, as constrained as it was, flashed into her mind. On one hand she wished she had said and done more, let her temper loose and show her mother just how much it had hurt her, but then she looked at Harry and realized she'd made the right decision, the mature one.
She gave a rueful laugh, almost wishing that she hadn't been so mature and let her temper out, but then she quickly discounted it. She found it astounding that she'd been the mature one.
She knew she'd done the right thing in getting them out of there, though she wished Harry had at least waited until they cleared Hogwarts' wards before Apparating them away.
She sat down on the edge of the bed by Harry and tenderly ran her fingers through his sweaty fringe. "How are you feeling?" she asked softly, her eyes filled with concern, taking in how pale and wan he appeared.
"Not so good," Harry replied weakly.
Ginny's eyes darted around franticly as she tried to think of some way to get a hold of Poppy. She was just giving way to despair when there was a knock at the door.
"Come in," she cried desperately.
Bill and Fleur came into the room, looking relieved to see them there. Then they spotted Harry laying on the bed.
"Beel, go get Poppy," Fleur instructed her husband.
Bill nodded and disappeared with a crack.
Fleur was immediately by Harry's and Ginny's side, shaking her head sadly.
"'Arry, if I didn't love you so much I'd be hexing your arse off," she sobbed.
"I love you too," Harry replied weakly, his eyes shining as he gave her a thin smile.
Further conversation was interrupted by the arrival of Bill and Poppy.
The matron took one look at Harry and she shook her head sadly as she drew her wand and began casting diagnostic spells.
Ginny, Bill and Fleur watched anxiously, waiting to hear what she found out.
They sighed in relief when they saw Poppy relax as she took out her medical bag and resized it, taking out a number of potions.
"You Mr Potter, can certainly try a woman's patience," she sighed with a small smile.
"It's a gift," Harry smirked tiredly.
Everyone chuckled softly and smiled at him, letting out their nervous energy.
Poppy turned to the others as soon as she helped Harry take his potions, giving him a wry look when he grimaced as he swallowed the bitter concoctions.
"He'll be fine. He's just magical and physically exhausted," she explained with a sad smile.
Ginny was immediately by his side, "Harry James Potter," she growled lowly.
"I know, I know," Harry replied with a sad smile. "I reacted without thinking, . . . again," he added ruefully.
"What am I going to do with you?" Ginny sighed with a sad smile.
"At this point anything you want because I'm too tired to resist," Harry joked.
Ginny rolled her eyes while looking at him lovingly.
She glanced at Poppy and began to rise.
"Please stay," Harry implored, his eyes looking at her beseechingly.
Ginny glanced at him before looking back at Poppy.
Poppy smiled and motioned with her head for her to stay with Harry, indicating she'd speak with Bill and Fleur.
Ginny nodded and looked back at Harry and smiled.
She stood, earning her a surprised, pleading look from Harry.
She rolled her eyes, "I'm just taking off my robes," she replied, shaking her head and smiling indulgently.
As soon as they were off she laid down beside him, pulling him into her body, snuggling him in close.
Harry sighed deeply and his eyes began to flutter shut. He tried to fight it, earning him a small exasperated sigh from his wife.
"Sleep Harry, it's what you need right now," she crooned softly.
Harry smiled dreamily "Some way to start our honeymoon," he murmured as he drifted off to sleep.
Only then did Ginny give in to her tears.
Bill, Fleur and Poppy quietly withdrew, leaving Harry with the one who he needed most.
As soon as the door was shut, Poppy looked at Bill and Fleur. "That young man," she sighed in exasperation.
"Yes, 'e can try one's patience, can't 'e," Fleur chuckled.
"Please just try and see if you can't get him to rest more," Poppy pleaded hopefully.
"We'll try," Bill sighed with a small smile, though his eyes clearly said he wasn't sure that was possible.
Poppy gave him an understanding look. "I've left some strengthening potions, please see that he takes them," she sighed.
"I'll make sure Ginny knows what they are. If anyone can get 'im to take them, it's 'er," Fleur stated with a smirk.
Poppy gave her a smile, knowing what the quarter Veela said was true. She sighed once again. "I think I'd better come back and check on him tomorrow morning," she remarked thoughtfully. "If worse comes to worse I may just have to use a sticking charm on him to keep him in bed," she added ruefully.
Bill grinned, earning him a sharp elbow in the ribs from his wife who rolled her eyes at him.
Really, William," Poppy huffed, though she gave Fleur a knowing look.
Fleur blushed, something that a Veela, even a quarter one, rarely did.
"I don't want to know," Poppy chuckled.
Bill glanced at his wife but he couldn't wipe the grin off his face, earning him a glare from her.
"It was your idea," he said defensively.
"William!" Fleur exclaimed, her eye wide in shock.
Poppy chuckled and shook her head. "On that note, I think I'd better leave," she smirked.
"I'll see you out," Bill replied sheepishly.
"That's okay, I think you'd better try and calm Fleur down before she hexes your bits off," Poppy laughed.
"Nah, she's too fond of them to do that," Bill countered. "Though I may not get to use them for a while," he said as he glanced at an irate Fleur.
"Serves you right," Fleur snapped, though she was blushing again.
Poppy rolled her eyes, shaking her head. "Please try not to do anything that I'll have to put to rights in the morning," she giggled before she left them standing in the hallway.
Fleur grabbed Bill by the arm and hauled him into their room, slamming the door shut behind them, deciding to get a little use from his bits before she cut him off for a while.
Harry and Ginny
Ginny awoke with a start and she sat up in an instant, looking around wildly, her eyes searching frantically because the bed next to her was empty.
She had just started to get up and put on her dressing gown when the door to the loo opened and Harry came out. He smiled at her, "Oh, I hope I didn't wake you," he said softly, a smile on his face.
He immediately knew he was in trouble by the look on Ginny's face and the smile slid from his lips. "I did it again, didn't I?" he asked sadly with a frown.
"Yes you did,"Ginny snapped but already half her anger had disappeared. She shook her head, giving him an irritated and frustrated look.
She sat down heavily on the bed, bouncing several times. She felt sick to her stomach, her head was spinning and she felt a chill run through her.
Harry saw Ginny flop down on the bed and turn quite pale. He was instantly by her side. "Are you all right?" he asked looking worriedly at her.
Ginny didn't answer immediately, she closed her eyes and waited for the room to stop spinning. She took several deep breaths to calm her racing heart as she waited for the excess adrenalin to work its way out of her system.
Once she was feeling better, she opened her eyes and stared at Harry, she took a couple more deep breaths to curb her anger that was rising once again. "Yes, he's sorry and looking contrite but he just keeps doing the same thing over and over," she growled to herself.
"But he's learning. He realized what he did wrong," the little voice in the back of her head argued.
"So you think there's hope?" she thought, looking for reassurance.
"Yes, he may be a trial at times and he is a pig-headed bloke but it appears he capable of learning from his mistakes," the voice whispered softly.
Ginny sighed in annoyance and pondered how to best address the situation. She realized that unleashing her anger on him wouldn't accomplish what she desired. He'd just get defensive and his temper would flare and then he wouldn't really hear a thing she was trying to say, getting them nowhere.
She studied him again for a moment, taking in how worried he looked and how concerned he was about her physical condition and she knew that was what she needed to impress upon him.
"Harry, do you have any idea how much you scared me?" she asked, letting her displeasure colour her voice.
She saw him wince and manage to look even more guilty.
"Godric, Harry, didn't we just go through this?" she pressed, her tone of annoyance growing.
Harry dropped his head and nodded slowly. "Yes, and I'm sorry," he said quietly.
Ginny sighed deeply, trying to make some sense of the conflicting, swirling, incomprehensible mish-mash of emotions that were filling her.
"You keep saying that and I hope to God you mean it because I can't being to tell you how much it hurts me when you continue to do the same thing over and over. We're supposed to be a team now and being on a team means taking me into consideration," she scolded, trying once more to impress on him the magnitude of his transgression.
She watched as his shoulders sagged even further and he looked so forlorn it tugged at her heart.
She wrapped her arms around him, pulling him close into her body. "I'm not saying these things to make you feel bad but to make you realize just how important it is, especially to me," she murmured sadly.
Harry slowly nodded his head, keeping his eyes downcast, refusing to look at Ginny. "I'm . . ."
"Sorry," Ginny finished for him with a small snort.
Harry chanced a glance at Ginny and he saw her lips quivering and twitching as she fought a smile.
His own lips formed a small, hopeful smile. "I am sorry, really, but I'm a bloke and we're a thick-headed bunch, me more than most," he whispered, his eyes pleading with her for understanding.
"I already took that into consideration," she giggled softly.
"That's because you're the smart one," he grinned.
"I'm glad you've realized that," she giggled lightly.
Further conversation was halted by the sound of a soft knock on the door.
"That would be breakfast," Harry explained at Ginny's surprised look. "I figured we'd have breakfast in bed."
Ginny sighed, a small smile on her face as she admitted defeat. He could be so caring and loving.
While Ginny sat pondering the situation, Harry rose and answered the door. The lady who helped run the bed and breakfast pushed a small cart into the room, smiling at the newly-weds.
"Thank you," Harry said.
"It was my pleasure, dear," the woman replied before she withdrew.
Harry pushed the cart that was loaded to overflowing over to the side of the bed. He went to serve but Ginny shook her head, motioning him to get back into bed.
Realizing it was in his best interest, he did what she indicated.
Ginny loaded up two plates and poured the tea. Once she made sure Harry had situated himself in bed, she handed him his breakfast and then joined him in bed. Before Harry could tuck in, she handed him several potions, raising an eyebrow when Harry frowned.
Seeing the look she was giving him, Harry downed the potions without complaint.
They had been enjoying their repast for several minutes when they heard a soft knock.
"Come in Fleur," Ginny called out.
Harry gave her a surprised look as Fleur entered the room.
"How'd you know it was Fleur and not Bill?" he asked softly.
"I know Bill's knock," Ginny replied with a shrug.
"'Ow are things going this morning?" Fleur inquired.
Ginny huffed in annoyance.
"Ah," Fleur said knowingly.
"We'll talk later," Ginny sighed.
"I was something of a prat this morning," Harry admitted sadly.
"You're a man and can't 'elp yourself," the quarter Veela snickered.
"So I was informed," Harry replied contritely while Ginny giggled.
"Learn from your mistakes," Fleur smirked.
Harry nodded; Ginny had told him the exact same thing.
"I just stopped by to tell you Poppy will be stopping by soon," Fleur informed them.
Harry sighed, giving a small thin smile while Ginny looked relieved.
Fleur smiled warmly. "Beel and I will stop by later after we've 'ad our own breakfast," she informed them.
"We'll see you later," Ginny replied with Harry nodding his head in agreement, having just taken a mouth full of eggs.
They finished their meals in relative silence as they relaxed, each just enjoying being with the other.
Ginny cleared away their plates and they were sitting up in bed, sipping their second cups of tea, holding hands and sharing glances when they were interrupted by a knock on the door.
Ginny called out "Come in," and Poppy, Bill and Fleur entered.
Poppy smiled in satisfaction when she saw how much had been eaten and the empty potion vials. "Well, at least you're eating well," she commented.
Harry blushed and smiled embarrassingly.
"How are you feeling," she asked pointedly, staring at him sternly.
"Pretty good, actually," Harry replied. When he heard Ginny growl lowly, he quickly added, "I'll admit I feel a bit tired, but not unduly so and I also ached a bit when I first got up but I can hardly feel it now that I took my potions."
Ginny was pleasantly surprised at how open and truthful he was being. She smiled at him and leaned over, giving him a quick kiss. "I'm so proud of you," she whispered into his ear.
When Poppy eyed him critically, he gave her a pleading look. "Poppy, please, we're on our honeymoon and since I'm not supposed to . . .ah . . . over stress myself, being cooped up here in the room is something I'd rather avoid. If I promise to behave myself and let Ginny and the others know if I'm tired or not feeling well, isn't there some way for me to enjoy myself," he pleaded softly.
Poppy gave a deep drawn out huff as she shook her head. "I swear by all that's Holy that if I have to come here one more time this week, I'm going to haul your arse back to Hogwarts and use a sticking charm on you to keep you in bed, . . . Alone!" she railed, her eyes flashing.
She stared at him her eyes narrowing as she frowned. "It's a good thing for you that I'm so adamantly opposed to drugging patients, though I just might make an exceptionin your case," she fumed irritably.
"I promise to behave myself and if you do have to come back here it won't be because of something I've done on purpose," Harry stated earnestly.
When Poppy raised an eyebrow, Harry sighed, "You know how things just seem to happen when I'm around."
"That they do," Poppy admitted in defeat, while the others chuckled lowly.
She turned her attention to Ginny. "Are you agreeable to my terms?" she asked with a wry grin.
"Certainly, Poppy. If you have to haul his arse back to Hogwarts, rest assured that I'll help," Ginny replied, trying hard not to grin.
Giving the redhead a nod, she turned to Bill and Fleur. "While I know you can't keep your eye on him all the time, if you see him doing something he shouldn't, you have my permission to use a use a mild Stunner. It shouldn't do any permanent damage," she informed them, giving them a wink that she knew Harry couldn't see.
"You can count on us," Fleur replied while Bill covered his laugh by turning it into a cough.
Poppy glanced from Bill to Fleur, a small smile creeping onto her face. "Do I need to take care of any injuries, reverse any hexes, set anything to rights?" she smirked.
Fleur blushed deeply, something she found herself doing quite a bit as of late. "Non, Beel and I . . . ah . . . worked out our differences," she replied embarrassingly, while Bill sighed, looking smug, something his wife noticed and she glared at him.
"That's a relief," Poppy replied.
She turned as if she was leaving but then glanced back at the couple. "Were any Sticking Charms used?" she asked mischievously.
Both Bill and Fleur blushed heavily and gave the matron shocked looks. Fleur opened her mouth as if she was going to say something but Poppy waved her off.
"Never mind, it's really none of my business," she declared airily.
Harry and Ginny exchanged shocked glances. "I really don't want to know," Harry whispered, with Ginny nodding in agreement.
"Tah!" Poppy cried, her eyes dancing as she left.
Bill and Fleur quickly pulled themselves back together, pretending nothing had happened.
Bill turned to Harry and Ginny. "While I know Harry has to take things easy, I suggest we head out and sight-see some more," he suggested with a smile.
When he saw Ginny glaring at him, he quickly added, "I found out that there are carriages to let and I figured if we got one of those, Harry wouldn't have to walk everywhere and we could range farther afield and see some of the countryside too."
Harry looked pleadingly at Ginny, who finally sighed and nodded her head. They were on their honeymoon after all and like Harry, she didn't want to be stuck in the room if they weren't going to be able to mess around.
"Great," Bill cried happily and he hurried off to rent the carriage.
Harry and Ginny quickly changed and were ready by the time Bill returned. All four of them studied the carriage, a splendid barouche drawn by a beautiful pair of grey Shire horses.
Ginny instantly fell in love with them and had to go up and pet each of them even thought they were both much taller than her, being a little over 17 hands (70 inches or 177 centimetres) tall.
Both horses where a dappled gray, turning white on their nicely feather legs with their hooves being the size of dinner plates.
They're so beautiful and gentle," Ginny cooed, a huge smile on her face.
"Aye, Lass. Shire's are known to be extremely gentle and these two are geldings to boot," the driver informed her.
"What are their names," Ginny asked, rubbing her hands along their necks.
"The lad on the left is Percy and the other is Ronald," he introduced them.
Ginny glanced at Harry, Bill and Fleur and they all broke out laughing.
As Ginny turned back to the carriage, she was happy to see Harry was already sitting down. Bill helped her into the carriage and she sat down next to her husband. They were sitting in the back, facing forward.
Bill helped Fleur in and climbed in behind her, they took the seats in the front, facing backwards at Harry and Ginny.
As the driver climbed aboard he glanced back. "May I be askin why you all laughed at me horse's names?"
Ginny glanced at Bill, grinning madly. "Well, the thing is we have two brothers with those names," she replied, smiling widely.
The driver gave her a smile before roaring in laughter. Shaking his head, he flicked his whip and set the horses in motion, chuckling the whole time.
After a short time driving around the village, they headed out into the countryside.
The whole time they were riding in the carriage, their driver gave a running monologue of the sites and local history. He introduced himself as Angus Macintyre, born and raised on a little farm outside of Gretna Green.
He kept the four of them entertained with stories and when he found out Harry and Ginny were newly-weds, he embarrassed them many times but it was good naturedly.
By the time lunch time rolled around, he had brought them to a small bluff overlooking the River Esk and produced a fine luncheon out of the huge wicker hamper that was mounted on the back of the carriage.
Fleur and Ginny kept a close eye on Harry and they were pleased with how he was doing. He looked a lot better and healthier, the good food and good company doing him a world of good.
Angus ended up eating with them, something he wasn't supposed to do, but after he'd taken care of the horses he succumbed to the entreaties of Ginny and Fleur to come and enjoy some of luncheon as there was more than enough for five.
They were surprised when he had removed his top hat and long tailed coat before he joined them.
Even during lunch he kept them in stitches, telling more stories about growing up in the area.
Ginny had tears in her eyes, watching Harry hang on his every word and she could tell Harry would have loved to grow up out there in the country and away from the cookie cutter suburban area that he had,
After lunch, Angus had re-donned his top hat and coat, explaining he was now back on the clock.
The continued their ride, taking a huge loop up and around, ending back in Gretna Green late in the afternoon.
The timing was perfect because by that time Harry was beginning to tire and Ginny was pleased because he didn't resist when she made him go up and lay down for a while before they'd join Bill and Fleur for dinner.
Secretly Ginny was just as glad to take a kip before dinner as it had been a long ride and she benefited from the rest just as much as Harry did.
She didn't even complain, too much, when they ended up snogging after they woke up and she was happy when he didn't try to take things too far, though she wondered if she'd be able to keep him calm that night.
Not that she was adverse to the idea, she was a newly-wed after all and as long as they didn't over do it, she was more than willing to indulge in a little marital bliss.
She and Harry were surprised when the carriage ride was over, finding out Bill hand already paid for everything with him telling them it was his and Fleur's wedding present.
What surprised Ginny the most was when they were laying down to rest, Harry had said that he wondered what it would take to learn to drive a team of horses and that wouldn't it be nice to live somewhere in the country where they could own a team and their own carriage.
They were still discussing it when Harry had fallen asleep, and Ginny had lain there a little just watching him sleep, looking so peaceful, many of the worry lines he had worn during his last year at school and she had seen when she had met him right after Tom's demise.
She gently ran her fingers through his hair, loving the smile that formed on his lips while he was asleep and she snuggled into his side and joined him in slumber, knowing that Bill and Fleur would wake them for dinner.
Harry and Ginny
A/N: Well, Ginny surprised herself by taking the high road, in their confrontation with her mother. Though in all likelihood, things aren't settled by a long shot. I doubt Molly will take kindly to it when Ginny doesn't forgive her after she apologizes now that she's starting to realize just what's she's done.
And of course Harry just has to almost kill himself, taking care of Ginny, not thinking about the consequences when he Apparated through Hogwarts' wards. He'd better be careful of Ginny will kill him if he doesn't manage to do it himself. Good thing Poppy was available.
At least he had a wonderful next day, spending it with Ginny, Bill and Fleur, though I wonder how long till he does something foolish again, he just can't seem to help himself. lol
As always, I appreciate your reviews.