Harry, supported by Ginny, limped towards the stadium. The going proved slow. Their clothes had been cleaned a bit and Ginny's face was dirt free. It felt weird, but strangely enough they smiled. Blinding bulbs flashed brightly as magical cameras tried to capture the cover photo for the Witch Weekly or the Prophet's headline. He wanted to climb into a warm bath and then sleep the night away. It was not to be and he knew it.
"Potter!" Bobby called out. Harry motioned for Ginny to slow down. "Now that I have you cornered, I don't know what to say." Harry waited patiently as the man tried to determine the most importent question. "When did you start dating Miss Weasley?"
He almost laughed. Of all things that happened this was his question. Ginny answered while Harry tried to get over his amusement. "We met over the summer break and started dating shortly before the start of the season."
Bobby's eyebrows rose. "I am sure our listeners were eager to hear that. It does explain those heroics at the start of the season, Potter."
Harry laughed shyly, rubbing his neck, which had grown as red as Ginny's hair. "I guess it had something to do with my stunt."
Bobby grinned broadly. "But it does beg the question was there any connection between that game and what happened today?"
"Yes, Lucius Malfoy was attempting to disrupt Quidditch games. I believe his intentions were for the wards to be upgraded."
"Why would he want to do that?"
Harry shrugged, a jolt of pain coursed up from his leg. It took a moment for the sensation to go away. "Excuse me," Harry coughed. "The best guess is that he intended for me to be trapped inside like you witnessed today."
"Indeed, but that was some remarkable wand work, Potter. That leads me to the last question. Did you really…" he swallowed. "Kill You-Know-Who."
"Voldemort you mean." Bobby flinched, while Witches and Wizards gasped all around Harry. He grew slightly annoyed. "It's only a name and not even his real one. But yes, I did end his life, but it could only have been done with the support of dozens of witches and wizards who sacrificed much. Many of them gave their lives to give us the freedom we have today." Harry breathed in deeply. "What you saw today was the desperate attempts of a desperate man. With his downfall we have hopefully seen the last of Voldemort's Death Eaters."
"A relief, Potter. I would just like to say, from people all over the country, thank you."
Ginny interjected. "Thank you, Bobby. But Harry really needs some medical attention."
"Of course." The little commentator jumped out of their way. Ginny began to walk again. Thankfully the crowd parted before them. He could feel the strain he was putting on her body. "Almost there."
She set her jaw, but the Apparation point arrived allowing them to leave the noise and chaos for the tranquillity of his flat.
A week after the games Harry, dressed in a new pair of Muggle jeans and a black collared shirt, arrived at the Burrow. The odd house materialised as his vision steadied; for the first time in months he felt nervous seeing the house. His hand ran through the length of his unruly hair. He straightened his shirt slightly. Finally, feeling ready he walked as calmly and steadily as possible towards the house.
He knocked on the door then listened for the usual signs of Weasley life. Some of the tension ebbed away. Ginny could be heard shouting something about not being ready. Her mother's voice rose even louder, but he could barely make out the words. It sounded something like she was pretty enough. He smiled.
The door flew open so rapidly that the smile remained frozen in place. When he blinked and managed to focus on the sight before him the faint smile began to stretch.
"Hi…" he stammered, eyelids fluttering again. "You look… wow."
Ginny's cheeks grew a shade redder and her eyes darted off into the distance. Her long hair was straighter than ever and hung well past her shoulders. The lines framed a face with freckles subdued by a thin layer of makeup. His eyes lingered on her nose trying to absorb the image. "I can't remember ever seeing you with makeup."
"I've not really put any on before. Just a bit of lipstick and eyeliner for Ron's wedding." She glanced up at his face. "Do you like it?"
"Of course." He reached out and let his fingers run through silky strands of red hair. "But you are always beautiful."
She bit her bottom lip, refusing to look up at him. He chuckled then captured her lips with his. Her body sagged slightly and he wondered if she felt as good as he did.
"So," she said when the broke apart. "Where are we going?"
"I thought a nice dinner in Diagon Alley could be nice. You know, seeing that this is our first date as…" He looked over Ginny's shoulder. "What did the prophet call us?"
"Golden Couple." Ginny furrowed her forehead.
"Don't you like it?" he joked.
"Like! I hate it. Everyone will be looking at me! At us!"
He grimaced at the thought. "At least they will be looking at us because of something that makes us immeasurably happy instead of for something we did."
A small glimmer of light flashed in the depths of her brown eyes. Her posture improved; she seemed confident for the first time this evening. "Lead the way."
"My pleasure, Miss Weasley."
They arrived in the middle of a somewhat busy Diagon Alley. Harry held her arm comfortingly. Like a pebble dropping into a pond a ripple of excitement spread. People stopped walking, some pointed, others whispered excitedly. It helped to have a loving presence nearby.
Harry's grip grew a bit firmer as he too began to rely on her presence for support. "If you ever doubted our fame."
Ginny chuckled nervously. "All illusions have been thoroughly dispelled, thank you."
She laughed a bit more freely while squeezing his arm. The crowd parted slowly as they walked. From behind excited squeals could be heard coming from children too young to have gone to Hogwarts.
It took less than a minute for a small girl to come running towards them; a rolled up magical poster held firmly in her excited hands. "Please, sir." Her greyish eyes and sandy brown hair would have melted the coldest of hearts.
A young mother, red from shame, came hurrying behind. "I'm terribly sorry, Mr Potter. She just ran. I couldn't keep up in this crowd."
He bent down, eyes almost level with the young girl's. "What have you got there?" he asked.
"A poster of you," she said proudly while unrolling it. "See! It's you!"
"Indeed, would you like me to sign it?"
"Please!" The girl jumped up and down excitedly. The poor mother did not know where to look. People were staring, other kids were running about. Ginny swallowed, they were all heading towards the Quidditch store. Harry would be very busy.
Harry looked completely at ease as he removed his wand from the holster on his forearm. "What is your name?"
"Sandra," the little girl replied quickly.
Harry nodded. "A beautiful name." He waved his wand and her name together with a small signature appeared on the bottom right hand corner.
The girl grabbed the poster, and began jumping up and down. "Look, mummy! Look! He… he…"
The woman seemed very grateful. "Now please thank the man."
The girl stopped for a fraction of a second. "Thank you, Mr Potter." Then she continued her dance.
Harry stood and wrapped an arm around Ginny. "They'll be flocking in now."
"We'll be late for dinner," Ginny groaned.
"I'm sure they'll keep our table."
The next child to arrive was another girl. Ginny let go of Harry to allow him some freedom to talk to her. However, the girl hurried straight to Ginny. In her hand she clutched a poster with a photo that could only have come from the semi-final. For a brief moment Ginny stared at the moving picture. Her mind clicked back into place when she heard Harry talking to a small boy by his side.
She dropped to look the small girl in the eye; just like Harry did. "Hi," Ginny began; feeling bewildered. She had been well known before, but reaching the final and dating Harry had suddenly placed her in a different league. Children had never come to her for autographs before.
"You're amazing!" The girl shrieked then gulped in lungful's of air. She'd sprinted all the way. "I want to be just like you."
It took a moment for the words to catch up with Ginny. "Well it takes hard work and determination to succeed." The girl drank in the words. Words her mother had probably whispered to her before.
Ginny removed her wand and stopped just before signing. "What is your name?"
"Melissa," the girl stammered.
Ginny waved her wand and watched as the words appeared on the small poster. She handed it back feeling a bit overwhelmed. She stood and faced a man holding the girls shoulders. He smiled gratefully. "Thank you," he said and gently began to lead the girl away.
Before Ginny could reply a boy standing on tiptoes caught her attention, she let out a soft gasp. What surprised her was the picture on the poster. It was of her and Harry moments after leaving the pitch together. The image had been slightly altered to remove signs of blood. They held onto each other looking exhausted, but they were happy, smiling even. It was the first public picture of Harry and Ginny, the Golden Couple.
Bright orange beside dark green; somehow Ginny got the feeling this was the first of many posters like this. Quidditch had just witnessed the birth of what the Prophet had called an intense rivalry unseen since the game began.
"Harry," she called. He came closer. "Want to sign this one together?"
He glanced down at the poster, for moment she sensed his own surprise. "Sure." Their wands moved beside each other and two names appeared. The boy glowed with excitement. The crowd had moved in a bit closer, and for the first time Ginny did not feel afraid or anxious. In fact she was having the time of her life.
After about an hour, an exhausted Harry managed to drag their bodies away from the thinning crowds and towards the restaurant. A waiter appeared immediately and led them to a prominent table in the middle of the floor.
A bottle of red wine was quickly offered. "With our compliments." Harry turned to Ginny who gestured that the choice was fine.
"Thank you," Harry finally said. The waiter uncorked the bottle the Muggle way and poured a small bit into Harry's glass who took a sip and nodded. "It's wonderful."
The waiter practically tripped over his own feet as he poured Ginny some wine and then filled Harry's. The man placed the bottle back on the table, then with a flick of his wand two menus appeared.
"So much for privacy and a quiet dinner," Harry mumbled as the waiter left. "Sorry."
She reached across the table, looking relaxed and happy, to hold his hand. "We've been on dozens of quiet unseen dates. I guess we can let this one slide."
"I could put up a notice-me-not charm," he ventured.
She giggled. "I don't think a charm could stop anyone from noticing us tonight, Harry."
He groaned jokingly. "Fame is probably the greatest curse known to man."
Ginny nearly choked on the red wine she'd just taken a sip of. "Do you think it's going to go to my head?"
He raised his glass. "No, Ginny. It will change you as it already has, but I think you will remain true to yourself." She brought her glass up and clinked it against his.
"How much did it change you?"
"No idea," Harry replied. "It's difficult to judge from within your own skin."
"I guess." Her eyes wondered down towards the menus. "What will you be having, Harry?"
He eyed the choices, not that there were many. Each seemed more expensive than the last. "Um… let me see… the fillet looks good."
"Is it?" Her head came up quickly.
He shrugged. "Don't know, but it is expensive enough."
She shook her head. The movement caused her hair, which had already begun to return to its normal wavy appearance, to bounce about. His menu lay forgotten, he would order the fillet, Ginny was much more fascinating to study. Her eyes moved rapidly over the menu. She turned it around, a look of frustration on her face.
"What?" Harry asked.
Ginny dropped the menu. "I really have this urge to get a pizza." Harry stared at her, feeling all the love in the world. She leaned forwards. "I know this great little place; it's Italian. Some guy took me there."
"Did he have good taste?" His throat grew dry when Ginny talked in this manner. A large sip of wine helped a bit.
"I can't really remember, but he was really cute; acting all shy and nervous. The poor lad almost looked lost."
"I was… I did not…" Ginny began to laugh. "I seem to recall you being no better, Miss Weasley."
People were looking at them, and he did not care. It felt good. Their laughter only died down when the waiter appeared. Harry ordered the fillet and Ginny a plate of ribs.
"Ribs?" Harry asked. "Not very lady like."
"Who ever said I was a lady, Harry. I'm a girl that can kick your backside in Quidditch."
"Are you trying to intimidate me, Weasley?" Harry breathed heavily, the room growing hot. She was really working her magic on him tonight.
"Do I need to?" A jolt of electricity shot up his leg when her foot touched him. "I've already got you where I want."
A flash startled them both. Harry faced the door to see a photographer standing just inside the restaurant. The manager appeared and shoved the man out of the door before coming over to their table.
"I am terribly sorry, Mr Potter, Miss Weasley. It will not happen again."
"It was nothing. Thank you for handling the matter efficiently."
The manager nodded in a business-like manner then left.
When Harry faced Ginny again the energy and tension of moments before was broken. He sighed. "So how is it going with Ron and Hermione?"
Ginny began to answer.
Ginny leapt out of the fireplace, startling her mother. "How dare they say that?" she shouted.
"Ignore it, Ginny," her mother replied quickly. Ginny noticed a copy of the Witch Weekly beside her mother.
Ginny grabbed the magazine and threw it to the floor; it burst into flames. The image of Harry and her having dinner curled up and then turned to ash.
"How can they even suggest that I am using him to advance my career?" She floated then threw the still burning magazine into the fireplace before it could destroy the Burrow. "Saying I paid children to make myself appear more friendly! To suck up to Harry!"
"What did Harry have to say about the article?" her mother asked from where she sat calmly.
Ginny let some of her anger go. "He laughed. It was so infuriating! So I just left."
Her mother sighed, she probably predicted Ginny's fit. "There is nothing to worry about, dear. Journalists will write something shocking. They need to wow their readers. It's how they make their money."
Ginny dropped onto the couch. "They called me a scarlet woman, mum! A devious manipulator who uses men to advance her own social standing."
"Is that the truth?" her mother asked.
Ginny jumped to her feet, face outraged. "What! Of course not! How could you even think that of me?"
Her mother gave a motherly smile. "Then prove them wrong. It will take time, but in a few months or years when you and Harry are still happily married they will see you only as the faithful woman who can beat anyone on the Quidditch pitch."
"How can you be so sure?"
Her mother pulled Ginny into a hug. "Because I've seen more famous people come and go than you know. The trend is always the same. Given enough time they will seek out someone else to harass."
The floo burst into life and a very distressed Harry came stumbling out. He tripped over untied shoelaces and came crashing down before Ginny. All the tension, anger and frustrations came out in one big laugh that did not want to end. Harry had long since stood, but she could not stop. Her stomach and sides began to hurt, but the image of a half-dressed Harry running after her only to fall on his face wouldn't leave her.
"Tomorrow!" Ginny cried out in frustration. "The wedding is tomorrow and the dress is still not done."
Hermione shook her head, brown hair bouncing about as she hurried around the room. "It's almost done, Ginny. If you would only stand still for your mother."
"Ouch!" Mrs Weasley cried out. "Listen to Hermione. I just pricked my finger. If you don't keep still I'll permanently stitch this dress to your leg."
"Sorry, mum," Ginny sighed; hands dropping to her side. "It's just the dress needs to be finished. The decorations need to be placed and ribbons need to be tied on the menus. I need to check the flowers and the cake. I've got to pack some things."
"Relax," Hermione laughed. "We are way ahead of where I was the day before my wedding. And you've got about a quarter of the amount of people coming! Besides you've already moved your things to Harry's flat." The girl frowned. "Though the place still seemed rather empty."
Ginny snorted, knowing full well that all their things were in their new home. "That quarter is still quite big enough, thank you."
Hermione shook her head, then looked across at the menus. "Will it help if I folded those?"
"Please!" Ginny pleaded. Her sister-in-law smiled then made her way towards the table to begin working.
A small portion of tension left Ginny, but there remained a heap left to get out of her system. She had this nagging feeling that she would not be at ease until she saw Harry at the altar. And then Hermione still had something organised for this evening at the Burrow.
Harry, having finished moving everything to their new home by himself, much to Kreature's displeasure arrived back at his flat for his last night there. A note lay on the table, his name written in Ginny's neat hand.
The piece of parchment reminded Harry to send his reply to Hermione. He scribbled a few things down next to Hermione's writing then called Hedwig and sent her off to the Burrow. He hoped things were still going well at the Burrow, but there was nothing he could do at the moment. Ginny was still working on the dress, so being anywhere near the house was a big no. There after she would be kept busy by Hermione and her plans.
With little else to do he picked up Ginny's letter. It opened at his touch. He read the lines, feeling even more love growing inside of him. The letter closed once he'd finished. It made him wonder by how much more his capacity to love could grow. Did he have room in him for children? He laughed at his own doubts.
Kreacher appeared and joined Harry who went to sit on the couch. "Last night in this small place."
"Kreacher is pleased. Kreacher will be having more to do."
Harry laughed as he summoned a bottle of the house elf's favourite drink. It smelt horrid, but Kreacher enjoyed it. He handed a cup to the elf and poured him a drink. The elf began to object, but Harry continued. "I'm allowed to do something for you once in a while."
"It's not natural." The elf grumbled a few more choice words learnt from Sirius.
Harry took it all in his stride. He'd spent the previous evening with his future brother-in-laws, a bachelors of sorts. Tonight, however, he wanted to be alone with his family.
The fireplace came to life and Gwenog stepped through. "Evening, Harry."
"Hi." He stood and enveloped her in a hug. He stepped away to pour her a drink.
"Thanks." She took the cup and studied the flat. "It feels so empty. I thought Ginny brought her stuff."
"She did," Harry replied.
The woman spun on her heels, eyes boring into his. "You bought a house!"
"I… maybe," Harry tried to evade. It was no use. "I might have."
"Good, I can't have my Seeker living in dingy place like this." She sniffed.
"It's not dingy."
"If you say so, Harry." She tapped his cheek playfully and then went to sit. "So what are we doing tonight?"
He sighed. "I guess I wanted the night to remember them." His gaze lifted towards the pictures hanging over the fireplace.
Gwenog raised a glass to the wall. "They would have loved to be here."
Harry did the same. In a way he felt sad while looking into the faces of his mother and father. He could, however, sense their pride in him and for once he accepted it. A tear, not from sorrow, slipped down his face. Tomorrow he would be forming his own family.
Ginny came down from her room, dressed for a nice peaceful evening before her wedding. Not that she was planning to do nothing. The list of items that needed to be checked still remained unfinished.
The room exploded into life. "Surprise!"
Ginny leapt backwards, shouting. "Merlin!" Her hand went to her chest. "Hermione!"
The bushy haired girl Ginny had once deemed a friend came into view. In her hand she held a strange looking robe. "Just put this on."
"I am not wearing that!" Ginny shrieked.
Hermione did not look flustered in the least. "I did."
"But… but!" Ginny stared in shock at the funny costume. The fact that Fleur held a bag full of makeup in her hand did not help. There was only one thing left to do for the greatest female Seeker of the season; she sagged in defeat. "I guess you really did plan something big. I was hoping for a quiet drink."
"Did you doubt me?" Hermione asked.
Ginny scowled. "Actually, for once I'd hoped you had forgotten something." Hermione smiled as she handed Ginny the robe, she pulled it over her head.
It felt ridiculous standing before her brother's wives and girlfriends, teammates, not to mention her mother and Hermione's mother. The crazy frilly outfit did not help; though the pile of gifts did lesson some worries. Perhaps she would get some nice books and cooking utensils like Hermione did a few months ago.
Hermione got everyone's attention once Ginny was presentable. "I'm sorry that this is being held so late, but the Quidditch season has kept someone rather busy." Hermione glanced at Ginny looking slightly bemused.
"I had nothing to do with that," Victoria said loudly. "The blame lies solely on Gwenog's shoulders."
Ginny bit back a retort, thinking about all those extra hours of drills the Captain made them attend.
Ginny's mother approached to lead Ginny into a chair standing away from the others. The gifts happened to packed neatly around it and bunch of balloons hung from the roof above. "Now sit right there and look pretty." Mrs Weasley hastily tied a scarf or something that resembled one around Ginny's head. She took it in stride this time; she looked the fool, but that was the point wasn't it?
"So what are we going to do?" Ginny asked. "Play games?"
Hermione wriggled in between Percy's wife and Fleur. "We are going to start with some questions."
"What sort of questions?" Ginny replied softly. The looks of anticipation on everyone's faces did not bode well for her.
Hermione looked unusually predatory. "Why don't you pop one of those balloons and find out."
There was no avoiding it so Ginny raised her wand; a balloon popped and a small piece of parchment drifted downwards to land on Ginny's lap. With trepidation she unfurled the parchment and read it.
"Read it aloud, Ginny!" Katie called out from behind.
Ginny relaxed, this wasn't going to be too bad. "What is Harry's favourite dessert?"
Everyone looked at her, waiting. "Um… treacle tart?" She ventured.
Hermione glanced at a piece of paper. "It's seems Ginny knows at least one thing about Harry." She looked up. "Ok, that means you can open a present."
"Yeah!" Ginny actually felt excited as she reached out and picked up a small box. Start with something small and then build up from there. With box in hand, Ginny quickly studied the women in the room. Victoria had an unusual gleam in her eyes. "Kind of small." She felt the weight. "Not very heavy."
"Just open the thing!" Mrs Weasley called out.
"Alright, mum." Ginny quickly loosened the small bow and tore open the packaging. It really was a small black box. Nervously she lifted the lid and found a small black something lying inside. "Huh?" Her finger removed the item and held it up. Her eyes widened, then her entire body flushed as she tried to stuff it back. "Next question," Ginny squeaked.
The entire room was laughing, even her mother. Ginny found herself nervously chuckling along. "Harry's going to love that!" Victoria shouted. "I bought it especially for the final."
"Safe money is on the Harpies!" Katie called out. "Poor Harry won't know where to look."
"What's the point in looking," Ginny managed to say. "There's nothing to see with that thing."
"Oh, I think there'll be plenty."
"Mum!" Ginny shouted; her faced had never felt so warm before. She popped a balloon, hoping it would shift the conversation. Another question drifted down to her.
Ginny glanced at the words. Then up at Hermione. "You've got to be joking."
"Aloud if you please."
Ginny groaned, then answered.
Ginny managed to crawl into bed four hours later, the soft pillow welcoming. It was still an hour before midnight, but everything was done. The sudden calm surreal. For a long time she lay staring up at the ceiling and her walls. This was the last time she would be in here as Ginevra Weasley. By tomorrow this time she would be lying beside Harry in their new home. Her mind raced at the future awaiting her, it proved almost overwhelming.
"You still awake?"
Ginny sat up. "Yes, dad."
He moved into the room and sat down beside her. "Have a good party?"
She blushed at all the memories. "It was fun."
"That's good. Your mother is still radiant. She can't stop babbling." Ginny hid her face behind a pillow. "You ready?" he asked.
The pillow dropped away and onto her lap. She suddenly felt like a very small girl again. It reminded her of the night before her first year at Hogwarts. "I guess."
His large hand took hold of hers. "It's alright to be nervous. You're taking a big step tomorrow."
She snorted. "I'm sure, dad."
His grip tightened. "I can't believe you're all grown up." She could hear his voice growing emotional. "My Little Harpy..." He wiped at his face. "It's going to be quiet without you around."
Ginny shifted forwards and wrapped her arms around her father. "We won't be far away."
He nodded. "Harry's flat is just a floo away."
"We've got a house, dad." He straightened. "A real home where we can raise a family."
"That's wonderful, dear." She could hear the joy in his voice. "Just invite us when you're ready."
"You and mum will be the first ones over."
He smiled and pushed her back down. "Now go to sleep. You have a big day tomorrow."
"I love you, dad." She whispered up to him.
He leaned down and kissed her forehead. "I love you too, Ginny."
Her room felt empty with her father's departure. And to her it signified the change in her life. That emptiness would soon be filled by Harry.
A/N
I hope you enjoyed the chapter. But I guess some of you are looking forward to next chapter.
And thank you for all the reviews from the previous chapter.