N/A:

X Hi, and welcome to my newest story! Except for the fact that Harry adopts Teddy, it's mostly going to be epilogue compliant, and it will show the years between the last chapter of Deathly Hallows and its epilogue, focusing on the events around the arrival of each new member of the Weasley-Potter clan (13 chapters). I'll use some of the information JKRowling gave us post-saga, but I am *not* going to use all of it as I'm letting my imagination do the job (that includes the order of the next-gen kids). There will be mention and acknowledgment of PTSD, obviously, but this story is a lot about fluff and little about angst, I'm telling you. (Rated-M).

I hope you'll enjoy!

—Kat

Disclaimers: Harry Potter © JKRowling. No copyright infringement is intended.
This story is as-of-now, still unbeta'd. I apologize for the mistakes.


The Reasons We Fought


I. Teddy
(born April 1998)

Harry looked in disbelieve at the man from the Ministry as he got all his paperwork out of his briefcase, before his gaze went back to the witch that stood heartbroken but firm, at his side.

"Are—are you sure?"

"Oh, yes, Mr. Potter. I am quite sure," said Mrs. Tonks with a sad smile. "I'm an old woman. A grieving widow and mother. I'm not apt at taking care of him. I'll help, of course, but… he needs a household full of lively young people, laughter and joy. You can offer him all that and more."

Harry only swallowed and looked, unsure, at the little bundle Molly Weasley was currently holding and fawning over, a genuine smile lightening her face for the first time in too long. At his side, Mr. Weasley grabbed Harry by the shoulder.

"You won't be alone, son. We are all willing to help you," assured Arthur with a kindness in his eyes.

Harry's green eyes went back to Andromeda Tonks – who smiled gently at him – before he nodded towards the Ministry's employee.

"Alright. I'll do it."

There was never a doubt in Harry's mind that he would accept his role as Teddy Lupin's godfather wholly and readily. A tribute to his own godfather, Sirius, who would have done the same for him if he had been given the opportunity. Also, a duty and an honor towards a man Harry considered a friend and an uncle. But he'd never wanted to take a grandson away from his only living blood relative.

But Mrs. Tonks looked old, worn down, tired and… so very sad.

Months had passed since the battle of Hogwarts. Funerals after funerals had been held, people mourning all over wizarding Britain. In a few weeks, Hogwarts would reopen. The Ministry was slowly, but surely, coming down from a major restructuring. The department of Law Enforcement was actively recruiting.

In Harry Potter's immediate entourage, things were changing too. In a few days, both his best friends were to leave on a trip to Australia in order to get Hermione's parents back. Bill and Fleur had just recently announced an addition to their own family. George was barely starting to live again – after two whole months of enclosed depression – and had decided to move back into the loft at the top of the joke shop he used to have with his twin brother. He was reopening the shop, saying people needed a laugh, now more than ever, and that it'd be what Fred would've wanted. He wasn't fooling anyone, though; getting back into work – body and soul – was his way of busying his mind and numbing his heart. Charlie was back to Romania and to his dragons, but he was floo calling his parents and siblings twice a week now – a thing he hadn't bothered to do before the war. Percy had moved back home and still lived under Molly and Arthur's roof, spending all of his free time at the Ministry.

And then there was Ginny. Small, fierce, strong Ginny who had spent the whole summer at Harry's side each time Ron and Hermione had disappeared somewhere to allow their newfound relationship to grow. Harry didn't mind; it wasn't that new. Ron and Hermione had always spent lot of time together without him. Besides, each time Harry was with them, 'their' relationship – the one the three of them had – hadn't changed much. They were still Ron and Hermione, his best friends, his family; they'd never made him feel like the awkward third wheel.

Harry also spent a lot of time with each of them separately. Really, the only thing that had changed was the bickering, not that Harry minded that aspect, but sometimes it was weird to see them agree and accept each other's ideas and opinions so readily. It made Harry smirk knowingly and half the time, he would be hit by a cushion sent by Ron or a tickling jinx from Hermione.

His own relationship with Ginny had proved to be a lifeline. Merlin, how he had come to love that girl. That woman, really.

Harry suddenly went through a moment of panic as the Ministry's official slide up the adoption papers in front of him for his signature and Harry looked frantically over his shoulder to share a look with his girlfriend.

There she was, seated on the bottom of the staircase, Ron and Hermione on each side of her. She looked as overwhelmed as he felt, her big brown eyes filled with doubt and fear. But then she noticed Harry's gaze upon her, and a smile appeared, her features softening into some sort of acceptance; this was the right thing to do.

She nodded at Harry. Hermione sent him an encouraging smile while Ron gave him a thumbs up.

No matter what was to happen, Harry was never going to be alone. No matter the task ahead of him – that it was either ending the most dangerous dark wizard of all time or raising a baby – his friends were going to be there through it all.

And it was with this thought, this peace of mind, that Harry Potter signed all the paperwork that would give him the custody of one Edward Remus Lupin.

oOo

It wasn't long before the guy form the Ministry left. Andromeda followed soon after, not before hugging Harry, wishing him good luck and that she was going to be willing to work some kind of schedule with him, in order for Harry to be able to go to his classes in the Auror Program. After all, they had "join custody" of the young boy. She also offered her help in order to restore a bit of the majesty Grimmauld Place used to have, putting the seed in Harry's mind to see his family live and grow in the city house his Godfather had given him.

"I'll hold you to that," he said to Mrs. Tonks. She only nodded and smiled. Then she surprisingly hugged Mrs. Weasley tightly before leaving. Harry had never stopped to think about 'their' relationship, but he imagined that being both mothers who'd lose a child in the war, they had become close, lately. Everyone dealt with the loss of loved ones in their own way.

Someone, Harry wasn't sure who, but he guessed it was Mr. Weasley, suddenly handed him the baby. His baby, now. Harry took him awkwardly, his heart beating fast, having no idea what to do with a human so small.

Having been born in April, Teddy was around four or five months old now; Harry had no idea how to count the age of an infant either. Now that he thought about it, Harry realized that he didn't know anything about babies. The only thing he did know, was the warmth and the love he felt for that little boy.

"Hi, Teddy," he said softly, unaware of the people who had entered the kitchen and were now watching him and the baby. "I'll take care of you from now on, okay? I swear to you I'll always try my best."

The baby blinked, his gorgeous golden eyes looking right back at Harry, and he sucked his fist into his little mouth. Harry chuckled.

He felt someone sat beside him on the bench and when a thigh brushed against his and a familiar scent filled his sense, Harry turned to smile at Ginny.

"Hey." She smiled at him.

"Hey," replied Harry, awkwardly. He chuckled at the absurdity of the situation. He, an eighteen-year-old teenager, showing his seventeen-year-old girlfriend the baby he wished for them to raise together. "I guess I come with baggage, now."

"Mh." Ginny simply smiled and bend over his arm to look at the little boy. "You're lucky he's cute." She used a finger to caress the baby's chubby cheek and Teddy instantly grabbed it with his own slobbery fingers and held on. His eyes focused on Ginny for a bit, before his mop of blue hair changed for the most vibrant shade of red hair.

"Aww," cooed the young woman before it ended on a sob; the baby reminded her of her friend Tonks so damn much.

"He looks like a Weasley," said someone – Percy – over Harry's shoulder and for the first time, Harry realized that everyone was around him, looking at him and the baby with a softness in their eyes.

And so, when Teddy started to cry, so suddenly no one could explain what had happened, Harry found himself the center of their mockery.

"Do not pinch him, Harry," laughed Ron.

"Uh, Mrs. Weasley," pleaded Harry with alarm, his voice cracking on her name the second time around. "Mrs. Weas-ley!"

"There, there," Molly arrived at his side and took the angry boy from his awkward embrace and snuggled him close to her chest, rocking him expertly. The baby calmed, but not completely. "He's probably just hungry," explained Molly and Arthur instantly gave her a warmed bottle of milk.

Just like she'd expected, Teddy started to suckle hungrily.

"Just like my Ronald," cooed Mrs. Weasley.

"Mum!" exclaimed Ron, indignant. He sat heavily on the other side of Harry, looking at his mate with exasperation on his face.

Harry didn't say anything, looking a bit white and in over his head. "Huh."

"You'll get the hang of it, Harry dear. Raising kids is not that hard. The secret recipe is love. Lots of love," said Molly with an encouraging smile towards Harry before her eyes went back down at the baby with a tenderness that wasn't feint.

Mr. Weasley went and embraced his wife from behind, kissing her cheek before he looked at the baby over her shoulder with the same look of awe in his eyes.

"Can I hold him while he eats?" suddenly asked George. Both his parents looked at him with surprise, and smiled.

"Sure," said Molly, signaling for him to sit down before passing him the little boy, his bottle still stuck to his mouth.

For the first time in months, the smile George gave the baby was a real one. "Hey you, little Marauder. I'm your new uncle, George, but you can call me Gred if you want to."

oOo

Ginny was seated on the edge of the bed, watching Hermione as she finished to pack.

"Why are you traveling by Muggle's means?" asked the red-haired witch. "I'm sure my dad wouldn't mind helping you to get a Portkey through the department of Magical Transportation."

Hermione rose her head from her bag and smiled at her friend. "Oh, he's offered already. But with my parents being Muggles, I feel they would be more comfortable taking the plane back, and I don't want it to be Ron's first time. I don't want him to freak out."

"Mmh," said Ginny, "because… did Ron freaked out during his other first time?" she asked so innocently that her tone couldn't be mistaken as to the meaning of her question.

Hermione frowned absentmindedly – "What?" – but when she got it, her whole face turned red. "Oh, Gin!" She laughed.

Ginny laughed too. She had no idea her friend was the type to turn red when embarrassed. "Well?" she insisted.

"No. No," Hermione chuckled, a bit flustered. "We didn't… Ron and I, we didn't… you know… not yet."

"Really?!" shouted Ginny, surprised, sitting more straight up. "Why not?"

Hermione just shrugged and looked away. "I don't know. We weren't ready, I guess. We've been fooling around but… yeah, we didn't do it." There was a silence, neither girls knowing what to add to that. And then suddenly, Hermione asked: "You and Harry?"

"Are you daft?" laughed Ginny. "With my parents down the hall?"

It was true, Ron's bedroom offered way more privacy than Ginny's ever could. And if both girls were expected to sleep together as Harry was camping in Ron's room, it wasn't rare for both couples to find themselves in their respective half's bedroom. And while Mr. and Mrs. Weasley rarely went upstairs to check on Ron and Hermione, their request that their younger daughter's bedroom's door stays open was well known by all.

"There are other places," suggested Hermione. "Behind the shed, or down the pond."

Ginny giggled. "You seem to know those places pretty well," she said wiggling her eyebrows, to which the brown-haired witch just shrugged.

A heavy feeling overcame Ginny then, and she asked, unsure: "Is—is everything okay? Between you and Ron, I mean."

Hermione's gaze found Ginny's and for a moment, she looked confused by the question until she realized what was being asked.

She smiled. "Yeah," said Hermione with a genuine expression. "Yeah, things are great. Ron is great. We haven't had sex yet, so what?" She started to fidget at this point, going about the room to finish packing. "People are mourning, you know. And trying to get on with their lives, and I'm so lucky; both my best friend and my boyfriend are alive and well, when really, what were the odds, right?" She nervously chuckled while rubbing at her arm, at that place where Ginny knew she had some sort of a scar, but one she had never seen yet. "That doesn't mean we are not all heartbroken. I think we need time to heal before anything else and—"

"Hermione."

"Yeah?"

"What is this truly about?" asked Ginny.

Her friend stopped her movements and looked over at Ginny for the first time since the start of her monologue. Her shoulders sagged a bit.

"It's easy for you, Gin. You're beautiful. And experienced."

Ginny made a face at that. She wasn't as experienced as people seemed to believe.

"I'm not," continued Hermione. "I'm plain, and scarred and now I'm even getting fat for eating my emotions after a whole year of starving and—"

"Hermione."

"What if I disappoint him?" asked Hermione with sudden tears in her eyes and fear in her voice.

"No!" Ginny stood up and went to her friend, hugging her tight in her arms, a hand taming her wild curls. "No. Never. Ron loves you. That idiot has been in love with you since he was twelve! There is no way you're going to disappoint him, no."

Ginny's heart broke at Hermione's sudden distress as the older girl sobbed in her embrace. "No, no way," she repeated, so sure of herself.

She led Hermione to her bed and they both sat down, face to face. Ginny wiped a tear from Hermione's cheek with her fingers. Hermione sniffed.

"Ron's scarred too, you know," said Ginny after a moment.

Hermione, unexpectedly, chuckled. "I know. But his are like some sort of beautiful artwork up his arms," she said, holding her sleeve-covered arms in front of her and miming to draw some artistic design on it. "How unfair is that?"

Ginny smiled, remembering the horrifying scene of the tentacle brains from the Department of Mysteries being stuck to Ron. He was lucky 'beautiful scars' were his only souvenirs of that horror. She also knew that he'd plintched himself during one of their escapes and that his shoulder would always bear the mark of it, but this had healed nicely, too.

"Mine are ugly," whispered Hermione in a heavy tone.

Ginny shook her head and touched her friend's knee in a gesture of comfort. "I'm sure that's not true."

Hermione send her an upset look through her eyelashes, her head bend in shame. "They are."

The red-haired girl stayed silent at that. There was nothing to say, really. After a while, Hermione took a deep breath.

"You remember that curse that Death Eater – Dolohov – sent me at the Department of Mysteries." Ginny nodded as Hermione grabbed her own shirt and showed the scar that was visible on the front of her shoulder until it disappeared in her clothes at the top of her breast. "It pretty much cuts one of my boob in half," Hermione revealed with a small voice, in tears.

Surely not! Ginny prayed to Merlin and all the deities that she'd succeeded to hide her expression of startled disgust. "Show me," she said instead.

Hermione looked put back and doubtful, but without another word shared between the two girls, she started to unbutton her shirt and push aside her camisole and her bra in order to show her friend her breast.

Ginny had a sigh of relief. Her boob wasn't grossly 'cut in half' like she had imagined, but it was simply crossed by an ugly pink scar that passed close to the nipple and changed a bit the natural form her breast should've had. It went down to end at her opposed ribs. It wasn't esthetically gorgeous, but it wasn't awful. It was a war scar, and better that than being dead. Ron wouldn't mind. He wouldn't judge.

Hermione replaced her clothes, her cheeks a bit red. "You're the first one to see it except for Mrs. Pomfresh."

"It's really not that bad, Hermione. You're still pretty, with soft curves and porcelain skin."

Her own skin was full of freckles that she hated. Her breasts were smaller than Hermione's while her ribcage and waist were a bit wider, so how was that fair? But Ginny knew that every girl in the world had their doubts about their body and besides, the Quidditch player she had become because of her athletic body was something Ginny was proud of, anyway.

The youngest Weasley took her friend's hands in hers and conveyed with such honesty: "You. Are. Beautiful."

Hermione gave her a grateful smile, but it quickly disappeared.

"This 's not." She rolled her sleeve up then, showing her marked arm to a gobsmacked Ginny.

MuDBLo0D

How could they? Those bastards! The indignation and disgust in the younger girl was visible all over her face while she was at loss for words.

"Who—who did that to you?" she asked, barely louder than a murmur.

"Bellatrix Lestrange," replied Hermione in the same way, like it was some shameful secret. Ginny looked back at Hermione with disbelieve and fury, and the witch just sadly shrugged about it and brought her sleeve back down.

The young Weasley remembered clearly the deranged woman. How she'd been laughing with glee while attempting to kill her. And how it had been her mum who'd intervened with glorious fury on her behalf, saving Ginny's life and probably several others'. At the end of the day, it was a relief to know this specific Death Eater was dead, for Azkaban wouldn't have been enough – wouldn't have felt safe enough; not for Ginny. Nor for Hermione. And certainly not for Neville.

"Ron knows about this one," suddenly confessed Hermione, bringing Ginny back to the present. "I mean, obviously; he was there. But it still enrages him to see it, and it puts a shadow on our… let's say… intimate moments together."

They shared a sad smile. Really, Ginny understood Hermione and her reservations about it all, yet she couldn't blame her brother to still be outraged on his girlfriend's behalf.

"He's not judging you, though. He wouldn't."

"I know," quickly reassured Hermione. "I know that. Ron's been… he's been great, really." There was that smile again, a softness in Hermione's eyes. Ginny felt better; her brother and her friend would work things out. They had to. They loved each other.

All of a sudden, there was a knock on the door, and when it opened, Ron's head appeared.

"Hi. Can we come in?" He didn't wait for an answer before he and Harry entered the room. Ginny saw Hermione replace her already nicely put clothes, but she didn't say anything. Ron went to her, kissing her sweetly on the lips before he stood up to watch around. "Are you not finished packing?"

"Oh, um…" said Hermione.

"We were talking," explained Ginny while moving on the bed to allow Harry to sit beside her. "Hey."

Harry smiled back.

"So that's it, then? You guys are leaving tomorrow?" Ginny asked, hoping her tone was light enough the boys wouldn't guess at what they have been talking about. "You ready?"

Ron just shrugged nonchalantly while Hermione smiled. "Yeah."

"So, what is the plan?" Harry asked Hermione, and the Muggleborn witch explained it all in great details to Harry and Ginny; the airport, the hotels, her parents. Harry just listened and smiled.

"It's going to be a bit weird, being here without you guys," he said at last.

Ron, who had taken a seat on the edge of Ginny's desk, uncrossed his arms and put his palms on the desk behind him.

"You can still come with us, if you want to," Ron said, inviting Harry without even asking Hermione first. And yet, the girl only smiled and agreed with her boyfriend as she looked at Harry openly.

Ginny frowned and turned to her boyfriend. Was this something he wanted? To go back on an adventure with his two best friends? To leave her behind only a few weeks before she had to go back to a school that held so many memories of traumatic events? It looked like he was thinking about it for a moment, none of them three thinking it was odd that he would join the couple on their traveling. But then Harry's eyes shifted from his best friends to her and he shook his head.

"Nah. You guys go."

Harry and Ginny shared a smile. One genuine on Harry's part, at ease with his choice, and one relieved from Ginny.

"You're sure?" asked Ron.

"Yeah," said Harry.

Hermione nodded and looked at Ron. They, too, shared a smile, happy to be together, with or without Harry.

Ginny shook her head. She would probably never comprehend the depth of their friendship.

"Besides," Harry added, "I have Teddy to take care of now." He suddenly gave Ginny a panicked look. "Oh, God! I have Teddy to take care of, now!"

Ron and both girls laughed as the life-changing realisation descended on the Boy-Who-Lived.

oOo

Later that night, when both girls were alone in the dark, Hermione turned towards Ginny in the bed.

"Will you be okay, though? Without me being here?"

Ginny only turned her head towards her friend. "What do you mean?"

Hermione smiled gently and passed her fingers through Ginny's red hair.

"I mean, I know it's not every scar that are physical. Will you be alright when the nightmare comes and you see Harry being dead... again?"

Ginny sighed. "I'll have to be, won't I?"

The Muggleborn witch just silently hugged her friend. It was their lives now. Filled with love and hope during the day, and back to the horrors and heartbreaks of the war at night. They all needed to learn to live with it.

"I'll be fine," stated Ginny, unconvinced.

"Yes," assured Hermione. "You will be fine."

oOo

Harry was sat on the steps of the porch, Teddy on his lap, as they looked at Mr. Weasley's car which was driving up the hill and disappearing on the other side. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley had decided to escort Ron and Hermione to the airport. Percy was at the Ministry and George was at work, leaving Harry and Ginny all alone at the Burrow with the baby. "A good practice", Mrs. Weasley had called it.

It was weird for Harry to have to say goodbye to his friends. He knew it was only for a few days, weeks at most, and that they would be back. But still, it felt different. Hermione wanted to go back to Hogwarts to complete her education, which both Harry and Ginny were grateful for as it meant that Ginny wouldn't have to be alone. Ron had finally decided to join the Auror Program too, but Harry had a feeling the boy was doing it for him and not for himself. Harry didn't argue; Ron was old enough to make his own decision, but he hated that his friend still thought he had to make it up to him for his desertion during the war. It had only been a moment of weakness that Harry was the first to understand and to forgive.

There had been discussion that both boys would live together at Grimmauld Place while the girls were at Hogwarts, but that had been discussed before Harry got custody of Teddy Lupin and he wondered if it was an idea that Ron was still contemplating. He'd wanted to get out of the Burrow and from the constant mollycoddling of his mum, but now, faced with the very real commitment to take care of an infant, perhaps he would change his mind. Harry had to admit the thought terrified him; doing this without Ron? No way he would succeed.

Ginny approached and sat next to him. She kissed his shoulder.

"Are you alright?"

"Yeah." He looked at her as she was looking at the baby. "You?"

She smiled up at him. "Yeah." She passed a hand on his cheek. "You didn't shave."

Harry shrugged. "I didn't take the time."

"I like it."

"Yeah?"

"Mm-hmm." She softly kissed his cheek, his chin, his lips. Harry smiled. "You should grow it." He laughed at that, dubious. "Not too long, you know. Maybe just a scruff like Sirius had."

Harry smiled at the memory, no longer sad at the mention of his late godfather.

"Should I grow out my hair, too?"

Ginny got a devilish smile. "Why not? Like Bill?! My mum would have an attack!"

They both laughed.

And Teddy laughed, too.

Both teenagers looked at the baby in Harry's lap, his head on his godfather's knee and his little sock-covered feet kicking him in the stomach.

Harry sighed.

"So this is my life, now," he said.

Ginny smiled and passed her fingers through his hair at the nape of his neck.

"You sound overwhelmed."

Harry nodded, having no secret for his girlfriend. "It's more overwhelming than when I was told I was a wizard."

Ginny chuckled, still playing with his hair.

Harry looked at her, his green eyes shining with love and a bit of disbelieve.

"Does this not scare you?"

Ginny smiled. "No. I love you, Harry. What scared me was losing you." She swallowed. "But this? This does not scare me."

Harry smiled back. She kissed him again.

"I love you too, you know," said Harry when he pulled back and Ginny simply nodded.

Teddy let out an indignant cry then, and both his godfather and his godfather's girlfriend looked at him knowingly.

"Someone is getting hungry again," declared Ginny. She stood and picked the baby up, going into the house. Harry watched after her, the corner of his lips turned upward in an impressed smile. If he had to raise a kid on his own at eighteen, he was glad he had an amazing witch like Ginevra Weasley at his side, so full of life, love and fierceness. Despite all the pain and the lost loved ones, both Harry and Teddy had found a pretty amazing happy ending.

oOo

"You're a natural," said Harry as Ginny put Teddy into his crib that has been installed in George and Fred's old bedroom.

"He's an easy baby," said Ginny with a fond smile.

They walked out of the room and closed the door. They looked at each other, not sure what to do. Their day until now had turned around the little boy and his needs and now that he was down for his nap, they seemed lost.

"Soooo… what now?" asked Harry somewhat awkwardly, for which Ginny throw him a disbelieved look.

"Come here," she said, her arms going around his neck and capturing his lips in a sensual kiss.

"Oh, okay," laughed Harry, following her down the stairs towards her own room. "I didn't want to presume anything and look like an ass."

She giggled and took his hand – the one with the reminding that he should not tell lies –, urging him to hurry. When they entered her room, she closed the door and kept on kissing him.

"Wait, wait," said Harry, still laughing under the assault. "Will we hear him if he wakes up?"

Ginny looked at him, awed by his thoughtfulness towards this child that was, for all intend and purpose, theirs. Well, his for sure, anyway.

Ginny's thoughts went back to yesterday evening and how her mum had come to see her and Hermione to explain – once more – the way of life and, now that they were growing up, and having 'urges', how important it was that they act like adults and learn to protect themselves… sexually. After the talk Hermione and Ginny had just had about her scars, poor Hermione had seemed ready to crawl under the bed, for Ginny knew she didn't feel quite ready yet – not comfortable in her own body – and this conversation with her boyfriend's mother must have felt mortifying. So Ginny had attempted to lighten the mood, telling her mum that 'she' was basically a mum already, but Molly didn't find it amusing and had Ginny promise to never, ever, never miss a dose of the potion. Which, true be told, was fine by Ginny; she had no desire to get pregnant anytime soon, anyway. But unlike Hermione, the red-haired witch felt ready to take the next natural step, the physical one, with her boyfriend.

"Harry," she told him, "this is the Burrow; we hear everything."

"True."

They both laughed and kissed again. When Ginny grabbed the edge of his green t-shirt and pulled, Harry got his hands out from her long straight hair and helped her to get rid of it. As soon, her palms went to his chest, caressing his skin all the way to the back before they hugged and started kissing again. Harry's fingers worked the buttons of her shirt and made it slide down her shoulders all the way to the floor. When he was done, he took a step back to look at her, as she stood in front of him only in her jeans and bra.

"You're beautiful," he told her, the green in his eyes giving place to a bright, dark dilated pupil.

Ginny was never one to get shy and her red cheeks were rather a result of her pleasure. She took Harry's hand and guided him to her bed, where they both sat down and went back to kissing.

Merlin, that boy could kiss!

Making out with Harry had been the best part of her summer. Between unwanted Ministry's thanks and reward ceremonies, the trials for which Harry had been called to testify – especially the Malfoys' one –, the numerous heart wrenching funerals, and the community chores meant to rebuild Hogwarts, the rare but passionate stolen moments between them had surely helped them both to heal. They'd had to reconnect from their year apart. They spent a lot of time talking about their time spent apart and telling each other stories of what had happened to them. They also explored each other's body little by little, with clothes on, sometimes some were removed, but they never went all the way. It was discussed. It was something they both wanted, and they wanted it to happen before Ginny had to go back at Hogwarts, but it never seemed to be the perfect place nor time.

Now, though, they were alone for a few hours still; baby Teddy was asleep; they were in her room – a room where both felt comfortable within; it was perfect, it was their moment.

"Harry."

"Mhm?"

"Let's have sex."

Harry stepped back from her embrace and looked at her, confused. "I thought that was what we were doing…"

"No. I mean, yes!" said Ginny a bit flustered, at which Harry smirked with tenderness. "I just wanted it to be clear between us, so neither of us hesitate later on."

Harry nodded. He suddenly got his wand out and made a small spell that made Ginny's middle warm up.

"What was that?"

Harry looked up at her. "Did it work? Did you feel something?"

Ginny nodded and Harry smiled. "Contraception charm. Your dad taught us yesterday."

Ginny giggled. "That must have been one hell of a sight to see."

Harry shook his head, still amused at the conversation he and Ron had with Mr. Weasley the previous night and how the poor man had thought he was too late and how relieved he seemed to be when both Harry and Ron told him it wasn't the case. Harry had been stunned to know Ron and Hermione had not had sex yet, but then again, Ron had seemed just as surprised at him declaring that he and Ginny still hadn't done anything, so they came to some silent understanding not to ask. He loved Ron, he was his very best friend in everything, but the fact that he was dating Hermione, a girl Harry considered as his own sister, and that Harry himself was dating Ron's actual sister, these kind of conversations could easily turn awkward so they just… agreed not to have them. For now anyway. It was just too weird.

Both boys, nonetheless – given the known fact that the Weasley were renowned to be a rather fertile family – were glad for the new spell and agreed that it was a bit unfair to let the girls think about the contraception all on their own. The potion was safer and procured a longer protection, but just in case, the spell was easy to do and could be repeated at need.

"That's thoughtful," said Ginny before she kissed him again.

Their kisses became urgent, and then lascivious, and then playful, but always full of love. The first time Harry actually saw Ginny naked, he sighed a breath of awe. How lucky could he be? When Ginny first saw Harry naked, she felt a bit hesitant; of course, she had seen penises in her life – how could she not, being the little sister of six boys? – and she had felt erections brush against her through pants and wizard robes when some of her making out sessions had become too heated, either with Harry or Dean before him, but she had never really seen one up close, nor touched one. Yes, she felt a bit coy, but curious and excited as well. She used the opportunity to experience with it a bit, for which Harry's response had been moans and groans and "Oh, God, Gin." And when Harry's hand had descended between her thighs, she'd been weirded out but not that surprised to find that she was sufficiently wet. The attention he gave her, his touches and caresses had turned her on just as much as seeing him responding to her touch. It was very respectful and consensual and when Harry, on top of her, positioned himself to her entrance, she was ready.

"I love you," said Harry.

"I love you," she responded, the end a bit of a moan as he entered her in only a few thrusts. She closed her eyes a bit, expecting it to hurt, but it never came. Instead, she felt filled; it felt awkward and perhaps a bit uncomfortable, but nothing worse. Surprised, for she had been told the first time was always unpleasant, Ginny opened her eyes and found Harry's.

"You okay?"

She grinned. "I'm fantastic."

"Good! That's good, right?"

Ginny laughed at that and Harry groaned at the sudden move.

"You can move," she told him, but her boyfriend just shook his head no. "Why not?"

"Not going to hold," admitted the Boy-who-lived between his teeth.

Ginny smiled and put her palms on his cheeks so he would look at her again.

"I'm fine. This is fine. Just do what feels right for you, okay?"

Harry nodded and he kissed her, ardently. His pelvis started to move against hers and Ginny sighed into the kiss. It was all so overwhelming, thinking that right now, she and Harry were one.

She dared to slide her tongue in his mouth and Harry moaned, caressing her tongue with his and moving his hips more vigorously. Ginny started to feel good 'down there'. Her body was getting used to what Harry was doing and it no longer felt uncomfortable. In fact, it felt good. She instinctively started to rock her hips.

"Ah, fuck!" Harry stopped kissing her and buried his face in her neck and hair. His whole body was shaking, and he was breathing hard.

Ginny giggled at his words. Harry was never one to swear a lot, so for their lovemaking to provoke such a reaction, he must have enjoyed himself immensely. Ginny actually felt proud at that fact.

She caressed the back of his head and kissed his ear as she was aware of his body relaxing on top on her. In her.

"That was… that was…" He mumbled incoherently.

"That was amazing," specified Ginny.

Harry's head came up at that and he looked at her curiously.

"Did you…? Did I make you…?"

Ginny shook her head. "I wasn't expecting you to." Harry frowned at her lack of trust. "Hey, practice makes perfect."

"Mmphf." He slowly raised his body from hers, and looked between themselves with worry. "Did it hurt?"

"No." He looked at her in disbelieve. "I swear to you, nothing hurt."

Harry got comfortable at her side and she went into his arms. They stayed there a long time, naked, hugging, just saying nothing.

"We should get up," said Ginny after a moment. "My parents are coming back soon and Teddy should be waking up any moment now." Harry nodded, but just hugged her closer, which made her laugh. "Okay, then. We'll hurry when we have to."

oOo

Harry looked at Bill as he thoughtfully and perhaps a bit disgruntledly looked at his baby sister.

Harry looked at Ginny then. She was in the middle of the kitchen, talking with Fleur and helping Molly with the dinner, wearing a gorgeous yellow summer dress that touched her ankles, her hair up in a bun, and on her hip, babbling happily, was Teddy in a white and blue summer pyjama, his hair a dark indigo.

Harry couldn't see anything wrong with this view.

But Bill seemed upset.

"Is everything alright?" asked Harry.

"Mh? Nope." Was Bill's only answer.

Harry shared a questioning glance with George and Percy, who just laughed at his expense, drinking their cider.

"I don't think William here appreciates to see our baby sister being a mum," Charlie explained to him with good humour.

He spoke loud enough for Fleur and Ginny to hear and they both turned towards Bill with a frown. The eldest of the Weasley brothers gave a murderous look at his sibling.

"He is just jealous," explained Fleur, caressing with affection her still very flat belly. "He wanted to be the one to bring the first grand-child to the family."

The rest of the Weasley chuckled at that. Ginny did not. She eyed her favorite brother as he crossed his muscled arms on his chest. "This is not what this is about. You're just too young to be a mum, Gin. You're not even done with school."

Ginny turned towards Bill, sending a swift look at Harry and replacing Teddy on her hip before to speak.

"Do you think I don't know that? Do you think I choose this? That Harry choose this? Or Remus, or Tonks? Everybody here knows this is not the best situation for anyone, least of all for Teddy who should've been with his parents! But you know what, Bill? Life's a bitch! And this is our new reality now, that you like it or not. Andromeda asked for help, and Harry agreed to join custody of Teddy, and I love Harry. I don't know what else you need, but this is pretty self-explanatory. I'm not going to give up on Harry, and he's not going to give up on Teddy, either – huh, hello, have you met Harry? – And I wouldn't want him to, anyway. I love him for who he is. There is no other solution; this is the solution. So I don't know what you would like me to do differently about all that, but that's not going to happen, so you better just get used to the idea."

There was a silence, and then someone cleared their throat at the back of the overpopulated kitchen and said:

"Uh—hello. What did we miss?"

"Ron! Hermione!"

Molly went to kiss her son and his girlfriend first, but Harry himself was a close second. They'd just arrived from London through the floo, but pretty much everyone had missed their grand entrance, except perhaps for Charlie who was quietly laughing.

"Is everything alright?" Ron asked as he hugged Harry back.

"Yeah!" Harry beamed. "Your sister's amazing, it's all."

"Oh, okay," said Ron confused, but amused for he and Hermione had heard the last bit of her heartfelt declaration.

"Are your parents okay, Hermione?" Harry asked her while Ron hugged his dad and other siblings.

"They're fine." The young woman smiled and hugged Harry right back. "They're not exactly happy with me for what needed to be done, but they understand. They're home, now."

"I'm glad," said Harry, kissing her cheek.

"Hermione!" Ginny came next, hugging Hermione fiercely with her free arm. "How was it?"

"It was great. Australia is beautiful," said Hermione, very conscious of everyone gaze on her.

"Mhm-hm," said Ginny knowingly at having noticing Hermione's blush. "You and I are going to have a talk, missy," she promised before she let Fleur get Hermione in an embrace. Their time at the cottage had really brought the two witches closer.

Ginny still remembered how she used to call Fleur 'Phlegm' a while ago, and realised she had been kind of a brat, back then. The memory still made her giggle, though. Not that much more mature, now, was she?

She looked at the baby on her hips and said in confidence: "No, I'm not."

She twirled them a bit, mischievously, and Teddy laughed very loud. It was the cutest sound Ginny had ever heard. "Aw, baby!" She kissed his blue head and glanced up to see both Harry and Bill looking at her with quite the range of emotions. Preferring Harry's, she went to him, hugging his waist while he just kept talking to Ron about surfing and the magical community of Sidney.

oOo

It wasn't long before Ginny could kidnap Hermione and she brought her to the living room. There, the calm of the room allowed her to ask more detailed questions about Ron and Hermione's trip to Australia, which Hermione was quite content to provide. She talked about the landscaping and the food and the cities. She also told Ginny all about finding her parents, how she made them recover their memories and all that. It had been quite the emotional challenge for the Granger family. But things were better now, and both Hermione's parents had accepted to move back to their lives in London, which had been a worry of Hermione. She went there willing to offer them the choice, but had they decided to stay in Australia, she would have been heartbroken.

"So… you and Ron?" finally asked Ginny, not waiting for Hermione to change the subject and bring the conversation elsewhere like she had been doing for the last twenty minutes or so. "How did it go?"

Hermione smiled, looking around to be sure they were alone. "Great. Ron's been great."

"Hm. You know you use that word a lot," said Ginny.

Hermione blushed, but nodded. "But that's just it, Ginny! Ron is just so great, all of the time, it's… it's—"

"Great?" proposed Ginny with a raised eyebrow.

"Annoying!" Hermione cried out, before she put both hands on her face and laughed despite herself. "I kind of miss the friend I was always bickering with, before. Ah—but I love him."

Ginny smiled.

"I tried to get on his nerves, always contradicting him, trying to make him lose his patience just so he would explode and, you know… be Ron! But he kept trying to understand me, and to accommodate me. He's just SO damn supportive, ugh!"

Hermione put her hand in her hair and let herself fall back on the couch. Ginny laughed at her friend's antic.

Hermione got lost in thought for a while. It wasn't all true what she'd just said to her friend... There had been this one time when she had succeeded to bring Ron's temper to a point where he'd snapped back at her. They were both exhausted as they'd just landed in Sidney and – finally – got their hotel room for the night. Gosh, Hermione couldn't even remember what it was that he did, or what it was that she said, but he had argued back, so tired and fed up by her constant bickering. He had been quite mean and vicious at it, too. Being her best friend for seven years meant that he knew her better than anyone... which also meant that he knew exactly how to riled her up.

Hermione had turned red with anger, her eyes flashing in warning. She'd wanted to fight back, but she'd barely opened her mouth to retort that he had exhaled a defeated groan, muttered the words, "Fuck, you're gorgeous," and grabbed her face between his two giant hands, snogging her with a rawness and an emergency that she'd never knew he possessed.

At that moment, Hermione couldn't have cared less about her scars, nor her inexperience.

"And, uh… how was the sex?" Ginny questionned in a quiet, excited whisper.

Hermione's gaze found Ginny's and a small smile played on her lips. "Gr—"

"And DO NOT say 'great'!" warned Ginny, stopping Hermione who giggled. Hermione never giggled. Not like that in any case. She seemed happier than she'd been all summer. And so much in love. Ginny smiled to herself.

"No," agreed Hermione with a reminiscent smile. "The sex was… it was perfect, Ginny."

Ginny grinned and put a hand on her chest, sighing exuberantly. "Aww, so proud of my brother."

"Shut it," laughed Hermione, raising up from her lay position on the couch.

"Did it hurt?" asked the younger witch.

Hermione looked pensive, like she was trying to remember the details. "Not too bad. Not after the first time in any case."

"After the first time!" exclaimed Ginny too loudly, and Hermione shushed her. Both girls laughed. "How many times have you guys done it?"

"I don't know," said Hermione, but she looked like someone who clearly knew, but didn't want to tell. She played with the edge of her white skirt on her knee and made sure the long sleeves of her light vest covered her wrists, before admitting, "perhaps about six or seven times."

Ginny faked screaming in her palms and Hermione chuckled.

"Wow, it paid being away from home! There is no place to hide here, even just to snog! Mum's eyes are everywhere."

Hermione looked surprised at that.

"Really? So you and Harry, you didn't…" She seemed sad for her friend as she and Ginny were about to go back to Hogwarts now.

"No."

"Oh."

"I mean, no; we did."

"Oh!"

"Once."

"When?"

"The day you guys left with my parents."

"I figured. How was it?" asked Hermione unable to stop herself. God, she hoped the boys wouldn't gossip about them as shamelessly as she and Ginny were!

Ginny smiled dreamingly. "It was near perfection, too," she sighed. "I wish we could do it again, but it seems pretty impossible now. And we leave tomorrow."

Hermione nodded her understanding.

"Did you like it?"

"Yeah," admitted Ginny, reddening. "A lot." She giggled at her admission – was it wrong for a girl to admit she liked sex? Hermione sure didn't look like she was judging her. "And I'm sure Harry is just going to get better, so…"

"Oh, they get better," confirmed Hermione and they both laughed at that.

"That's good to know," said Ginny.

Hermione smiled warmly at her younger friend. "I'm glad you're happy. And I'm glad that stupid first time is behind us. What a useless, stressful step in a girl's life."

"I know, right!" exclaimed Ginny with mirth.

It wasn't long after that that Ron walked out of the kitchen with food in his mouth to tell them dinner was served.

"You're disgusting," Ginny told him as he chewed next to her ear while she passed by him.

"Oi! I'm awesome and you love me," he shouted back at her, still chewing.

"Ew!"

But it was Hermione who really replied to him, her arms going around his waist and her chin up on his chest, looking up at him. "Yes, you are, and yes, I do."

Ron gazed down at her and when he smiled, his blue eyes shone brightly. "You do?"

"Mh-mh," confirmed Hermione with contentment and absolute certainty.

"Good."

He took her hand and together, they walked inside the kitchen where people were attempting to fill their plate. Ginny had rejoined Harry who sat beside Bill who was now affectionately holding Teddy – "I used to know your mama, boy. What a badass she was!" Fleur was discussing with Charlie – "Dragons cannot possibly fly that high!" –, while George was showing something to his dad – "See here? I think that's the reason the box won't open…" –, and Percy was helping Molly with the last of the dishes – "I'll get it, Mum, you go sit down!"

Ron cleared his throat. Every pair of eyes went their way, focusing on Ron and Hermione and their joined hands.

"Guys. We have an announcement to make." He looked at Hermione, making sure she was ready, and she grinned back at him, beaming. "I know we are young; I also know that Hermione is 'it' for me. There is no need to wait when we both know what we want our future to be like. So when we were down in Australia, I asked her to marry me. And she said yes."

He showed Hermione's hand – and ring – to his godsmacked family.

There wasn't a sound to be heard, except for some garden gnome that was probably making winter provisions outside. And then Harry exclaimed, "Of course, she did!" and laughed.

People's delight and reactions were heard all at the same time after that, and Ginny had barely the time to focus on Hermione's ring finger where a beautiful, but subtle, pink gold ring set with a diamond was before it disappeared from her view. How had she not noticed that?

"Oh, my Ronnikins is getting married," cried Molly while hugging her son. Arthur kissed Hermione's cheeks, welcoming her – officially – into the family.

"When will this wedding be?" asked Fleur, probably worried to have to assist while she could not see her feet.

"Next summer, after I graduated from Hogwarts," answered Hermione with a smile.

"That's wonderful news," said George, hugging both Ron and Hermione. He used the embrace to tell them in confidence: "Fred would have won his bet; he always knew you guys would marry young," which made Ron both laugh and muffled a sob at the same time.

Ginny hugged Hermione next, and Harry went immediately for Ron.

"You sneaky little sneak!" Ginny snarled and Hermione laughed, unapologetically.

When both girls took a step back, they turned to see the boys still in an embrace, talking to each other. Ron was obviously asking Harry something and the Boy-Who-Lived was nodding and probably trying his best not to cry.

"'Course," Harry cleared his throat and tried again. "Of course, I'll be your best man, Ron."

The evening was absolutely perfect. All the Weasley, reunited, before the first of September where Ginny and Hermione would have to go back to school for their last year. The addition of a pregnant-Fleur, of a soon-to-be-a Weasley Hermione, of a living and breathing Harry, and now, of precious little Teddy to their family was a balm to Fred's absence. This was their new reality, and this was what they would have to build a future on. Somehow, this realization wasn't as scary as what it had been last May, when Hogwarts was still burning in the background and that Fred's and Tonks' and Remus' bodies weren't quite cold yet. But this family was going to rebuild. Because they had what it takes; love and laughter and hope. They could do this. They had to do this.

For Teddy.


The Reasons We Fought
To be continued...