Harry opened the back door that led into the Burrow's kitchen, where he found Molly and Kreacher loading up baskets with food.
"Oh Harry! We're just about to head over. Is everyone there already?"
"No, when I left just Hermione and Ron were there. Is Gin in her room?"
"Yes, she hasn't left all day. See if she'll eat something, please?"
"Of course. Leave without me, I'll be there soon."
"Okay dear, Arthur is going straight from work, and George just left to check on the shop, then he is going."
"Okay cool. I'll go on up now then." Harry ran up the stairs, jumping two at a time. He came to a stop in front of Ginny's room, questioning himself as to what he was going to say. He knew apologising would have to happen straight away, but what after that. Something in his subconscious though steered him in what he hoped was the right idea.
He entered her room and found her curled up on her window seat staring out at the horizon. Without looking, she spoke to him.
"I told you Mum, I'm not hungry and I'm not going to Harry's. I don't care what you say I cannot face him or anyone right now. Please go."
He waited a beat, then answered her. "I have no food though your mum told me to try and get you to eat something. I won't make you come to my party if you don't want to, but can you please face me right now so that I can talk to you?"
She turned to look at him, a look of amazement on her face. "I didn't think you'd come back, after the way I treated you this morning."
"I almost didn't but someone reminded me that being stupidly stubborn isn't a good thing when it comes to the person you're in love with. Which is why I am here. I am sorry Gin, I don't want you to think that I don't see a future with you. Because I do. I see us getting married and having kids and grandkids and hopefully even great-grandkids if we're lucky. But I don't see that happening right now. I don't want you to have to go to Hogwarts with the title of Harry Potter's fiancée, it is going to be hard enough just being my girlfriend. I promise you that one day I will marry you, but that day is not yet."
"Harry, I know all of this. I was just angry this morning and every little thing was setting me off. I didn't mean to yell at you the way I did but I wasn't very much in control of my emotions. As soon as you left I felt terrible, but I didn't think you would want to see me so I stayed here."
"No matter what happens, I will always want to see you."
After a long day of emotional torment, Ginny threw herself at her boyfriend, collapsing in his arms, also taking him by surprise. He reacted swiftly though, engulfing her in what she believed was the tightest hug she had ever felt – including those from her mother. They stood like that for a while, not moving or talking, just being with each other, until Harry realised he had been there for quite a while.
"Gin, we have a party to get to. I really think Kreacher would be upset if I didn't show up for his cooking."
"Are you sure you want me there Harry?"
"Why wouldn't I? I always want you by my side."
"Okay, but you're going to have to wait for me to get ready. I haven't even showered today!"
Before he could even respond Ginny had grabbed her towel and ran from the room, with the shower being turned on not even a moment later. He laid down on her bed to wait, when a book caught his eye. He picked it up and lightly chuckled upon seeing the title. 12 Failsafe Ways to Charm Wizards. The book underneath really captured his attention though. 10 Best Ways to Seduce Your Wizard. There were bits of paper sticking out from the book, at all angles. Thumbing through a few, Harry picked one at random and opened to that page. His eyes widened as he read the 'Where to Wax and How to Wax It' title and its description. Brazilian? What in Merlin's name is a Brazilian wax? Then he found out what it was by reading on. He heard the shower turn off and so closed the book, replacing it on Ginny's night stand and putting the other book on top. He stood up and placed himself in front of the window, to make it look like he'd been there the whole time and snooping in Ginny's things.
The bedroom door closed, which made Harry turn with his wand out, as he hadn't heard it even open. Upon seeing a shocked Ginny, he stowed it away muttering a quick apology.
"Sorry love, habit still."
"I don't mind. Good to know you're still ready to protect us at a moment's notice."
That was when Harry realised she was standing there in just a towel. "Uh, how about I meet you downstairs? That way you can get dressed and sort an overnight bag."
"Don't be silly Harry. I'm not going to make you leave while I get dressed. Besides, my overnight bag is already packed." She looked back at her boyfriend to find him tinged…well, entirely coloured red. Good, he had reacted how she wanted him to.
It was about twenty minutes later and Ginny was finally ready. Harry had done the gentlemanly thing and waited in the kitchen, having a drink of water while he waited. When she finally descended the stairs where a tight purple top with a flowy black skirt that stopped mid-thigh, he was speechless. He was also curious as to why she seemed to have grown three or four inches, though he never had to ask as she stepped closer to him and he saw the black heels she had on.
"Ready to go, love?"
"Yes, Harry. We shouldn't keep your guests waiting any longer."
Unbeknownst to Harry, Ginny had taken so long not to get dressed, for that took her five minutes and only a couple of charms to do her hair and makeup, but to send a Patronus to Hermione, letting her know that they would be there shortly. Harry thought he was attending his own housewarming party but wasn't aware it was also a surprise birthday party for him. Though yes, he did his birthday was coming up, he didn't want to celebrate as he believed that he should not be celebrating his life when so many people had just lost theirs. Even when Hermione had tried telling him that people die every day and people kept living, he still didn't want to celebrate. So, they'd gone by behind his back and organised a party. They'd kept it pretty quiet, as they didn't want the media and the public to know about it.
They made it to the Manor about half an hour after the party had begun. They could hear music playing from the top floor, currently Harry's favourite song by the Weird Sisters. Harry led Ginny through the front door and up both flights of stairs. However, upon his arrival at the door to his personal ballroom, his vision was obscured.
"Ginny? What's going on?"
"Just trust me baby. Everything is okay."
He heard the opening of the door and Ginny pushed him through the threshold, with the blindfold suddenly disappearing.
"SURPRISE!" The shout definitely surprised Harry and as he looked around the room he saw a lot more people than he had invited for his housewarming. Not only were his close friends there, but also members of the Order, members of the Army, some of his professors from Hogwarts and to his great surprise, the Dursleys, even if they were standing to the edge of the crowd. Ron and Hermione were standing front and centre, both beaming at him. He turned and looked at his girlfriend who eyes were actually brimming with tears.
"You didn't think we'd not celebrate your birthday, did you Harry? Considering there's been multiple times over the last year that I thought you mightn't be alive, I definitely want to celebrate you being alive." She grabbed his hand once more and dragged him to his two best friends.
The party had been going for an hour and so, and everyone was having a good time. Kreacher, along with some Hogwarts elves, had created an exquisite meal that had everyone from Minister Shacklebolt to the Dursleys praising it. After the main meal had been served, Harry had actually taken the time to stop and talk to the Dursleys. They had a quick chat, with Petunia handing him a gift, saying it was tradition in the Evans family to give each other this particular thing on their eighteenth birthday. Harry had hugged her, for it was the first time she had even remotely reminded him that he was part Evans. He and Dudley had actually quite a chat, with Dudley even wanting to be introduced to the 'cute girl with long brown hair' who turned out to Alicia Spinnet. After organising a day for Harry to come and have a proper conversation with them about the last year, and introducing Dudley to Alicia, he took off to find his girlfriend, who was currently having an animated conversation with her sister-in-law, Fleur, about when she was going to become an aunty.
"Fleur, do you mind if I steal Ginny away for a little while?"
"Of course not, 'Arry. I must find Bill anyway." She floated off in search of her husband, most likely to tell him that his family need to back off with the questions about children and when they would be arriving.
Harry whisked Ginny to the dance floor, even though he could barely dance. They sort of just held each other and swayed in time to the Christina Warbeck song currently playing. Molly Weasley was soon shouting for people to clear the way though, as she was leading Kreacher who was holding a mammoth sized cake. She got it to a round table that Harry realised had only recently been placed in front of the main table where he had been sitting to eat all night. She turned and beckoned for Harry to come forward.
"Now Harry, ordinarily I wouldn't make such a fuss about a cake, but I thought I would for this one. Now, I made it to represent the things that I know, and other people know, are important to you. There are also something others things to do with something that has happened to you over the years. So, before everyone sings happy birthday, why don't you go and have a look, dear?"
"Sure, Mrs Weasley." He span and looked at the cake. It was square and only one tier, but with a gold base. As he looked at it properly, he realised that were tiny models of things he owned, such as his Firebolt and Gryffindor scarf, as well as the red photo album he had that contained the photos of his parents. He saw a tiny replica of the Triwizard Cup and a piece of parchment that looked to have dozens of mini signatures on it. There was also a tent, that was the exact same as the tent he'd spent the last year in. There were mini snitches, one for everyone he had ever caught. He turned and looked at Molly, who was smiling at him. He grabbed her in a massive bear hug and held her tight.
"Thank you. For everything."
"You're always welcome. Harry."
Harry stepped back and looked at her, seeing tears in her eyes which he was mirrored in his own. He felt an arm around his waist and turned to see Ginny standing beside him with Ron and Hermione behind her.
Hermione pointed her wand at her throat, uttering 'Sonorous' and then assembling the guests in front of Harry and the cake, who then sang a roaring rendition of Happy Birthday, embellished by the drunken 'hip hips' by George, Bill and Ron. Shortly after the cake was cut and eaten, the party wrapped up, but not after Harry gave a quick speech thanking everyone for coming, and thanking those who had helped renovate the Manor.
Ginny had had a plan for when she finally got Harry into his room. She was going to sneak into the en suite bedroom and change into the lacy black lingerie set she'd found the other day while shopping with Hermione. She'd chuck on some red lipstick that went brilliantly with her hair, which she would tousle. Leaving the heels on, she'd walk into the bedroom and surprise Harry, and then seduce him. She'd been waiting for this night since Harry first announced he was having a house warming party. Unfortunately for her, once she exited the en suite, she found Harry in bed. Snoring loudly, still fully clothed except for his shoes. She sighed, and grabbed her pyjamas, slipping into them without making a sound. She then floated Harry for a second so she could put him under the blanket, which she then also hopped under, extinguishing the lights and then cuddling up to him, falling asleep after a few moments.