A/N: As I will be out most of next week, I am glad I got this chapter done now! I am mostly recovered from covid... got my sense of taste back, which is nice!

This chapter is kind of the calm before the storm... that's all I say ;)

Thank you for the hard work beta-reading, megonagall410.

The morning of the Ball swung around and there was much work to do in the castle. Some guests arrived early as they would be staying over. Food was being carried into the kitchens, tables were being moved and musicians began tuning their instruments. An engagement ball was a special ordeal after all and the whole castle seemed to be brimming with secret excitement.

"Bill said you will need to dance with each of your brothers," Harry commented as they walked down the corridor.

She let out a snort. "I am supposed to dance with my dad. I'll dance with them at the wedding," she responded.

Harry smiled.

"I guess I should dance with Bill to be proper, I can do that," she added.

"They can't possibly be such bad dancers?" he replied.

"I suppose not. It's just tedious," she said with a shrug.

He nodded and offered a soft look. "But they're your brothers."

"I know, I know, I should cherish them or something," she mumbled.

They turned the corner and she stopped dead in her tracks, eyes wide.

"Is that Regulus?" she said.

"Yes?" Harry replied warily.

"Harry!" she let out in a hush.

His brows furrowed. Regulus turned around and Ginny backed out of the corridor but not before he spotted her.

"What do you think you're doing?" Regulus yelled.

And Ginny ran, pulling poor Harry along and into his office. She closed the door.

"What's gotten into you?!" he asked in utter surprise, straightening the sleeve she had pulled him along with.

She turned to him. "I may not have told him about ... any of this." She breathed heavily.

"Ginny!" he let out. "Why not?"

She groaned, pacing in front of the door. "It's complicated ... but I didn't think he was going to be here today! I thought I had time to you know ... tell him carefully. Why is he here?"

"He trades with us, he was on the list by default! I assumed you told him, considering your history," Harry told her.

"He's ... he kind of cares for me like a father but he doesn't love me like a father." She shook her head. She couldn't explain their relationship. "I am in trouble."

Harry frowned. "Surely you don't think—?"

They were cut off as the door opened and Regulus stepped in. Ginny jumped back.

"What is the meaning of this?" Regulus asked, pointing at her outfit. "Have you completely lost your mind!?"

Ginny took a step towards him. "I can explain."

"No." Regulus shook his head and held his hand up and shot her a very firm look. He didn't even seem to care Harry was in the room.

Ginny's eyes dropped to the ground.

Regulus rubbed his face. "Since the day you were dropped off with me, you have been a nail on my coffin! It has been such a risk all these years, keeping you safe. And I tried my hardest ... I really did. Gave you a job you could do in safety. I put everything in your little Princess hands."

"I worked for that, and you know it," she snipped.

"And I worked hard for it too and you are ... what, jeopardising for some stupid ball or something?" Regulus shot her an utter look of disbelief. "What the hell is wrong with you?"

"If I may," Harry tried carefully.

Ginny looked up at him and shook her head softly.

"Forgive me, King Henry. I just want to address this with Ginny. Don't you have a fiancée to entertain?" he told him.

"She's right here," Harry said carefully.

Regulus looked from Harry to Ginny and back. It seemed like that information didn't register with him at all. "What?"

Ginny carefully stepped towards him and put her hands on his shoulders. She looked him in the eye. "I am getting married, to him. All my brothers are here so after the wedding, we are going to get Harpia back. Or at least we'll try."

"What?" Regulus said, a blank look on his face.

"I am the fiancée," she said. "And we're kicking Bellatrix off the throne."

Regulus looked at Harry in confusion. "What?"

"I know I am losing you a Knight, so we will make sure you are financially compensated," Harry said.

Regulus shook his head. "It isn't about the money."

Harry looked at Ginny, who smiled softly. He turned back to Regulus. "It is true. I am marrying Ginny, as Princess Ginevra of course. Then we will ride to Harpia and fight for the land, put Bill on the throne."

Regulus' eyes landed on Ginny again. He took her face between his hands. "You're getting married?"

She nodded.

"And you are getting back Harpia? No more hiding?"

She nodded again, smiling brightly. "All of it won't be necessary anymore. It's what we all dreamed of, we are going to do it."

Regulus shook his head, still in shock. "You're going to be Queen, here?"

She nodded again. "Yes."

Regulus made a strange jubilant noise and then his arms wrapped around Ginny in a hug. "Oh, Ginny."

She hugged him back. "I know. I am sorry I didn't tell you before, but you told me off last time and ..."

"Right." He chuckled. "I should have known if I told you not to do something ..." He released her and met her eyes again.

She nodded. "That's on you." She looked over at Harry. "I wouldn't have dared to dream of marrying him but ... he found out I was a Princess and ... things just started falling into place."

The look Harry sent her way warmed her insides.

"She's very stubborn," he told Regulus. "Only had to propose twenty times. I think she was in utter disbelief at first, but I can see where she gets that from."

"Ginny, damnit. If a King proposes, you just say yes!" Regulus told her off now.

She crossed her arms. "You're the one who told me it couldn't happen," she defended.

"I suppose I have to eat my words." He shook his head again. "I will have to say I am sad to see such a good Knight retire."

"Reg ..." she said with a wide smile. "I am not retiring."

"You're not?" he asked in surprise. He looked over at Harry, who nodded in confirmation.

"I like being a Knight. I am proud of my skill. I will continue being a Knight, that's the one thing I negotiated on."

"Really? Because it seemed to me like you negotiated a whole Kingdom."

"That has nothing to do with the wedding. I wanted to honour our old allyship so when I found out they were all alive ... I offered."

"Of course getting married is good for the allyship, but that just conveniently worked out," Ginny explained.

The three of them sat down and explained their plans. Regulus listened carefully.

"Won't you join the battle, Reg? It'll be fun," Ginny tried.

He shook his head. "I can't. When I renounced my Royal Duties, I signed an agreement I would never fight against blood relatives. That was mostly about Sirius but—"

"That's ridiculous, I think every Royal is a blood relative of yours," Ginny replied.

Regulus nodded. "They pretty much are. I can never work for Royalty myself, not that I'd want to," he added with a smile.

"Speaking of Royalty, your brother will be here too," Harry informed him.

"I assumed so." He sighed. "I suppose we are overdue a chat anyway. It's been a few years since we talked." He looked over at Ginny. "I brought Neville by the way. He wouldn't let me come alone this time."

"Oh good! Wait, who is watching the Pages?"

"I asked Mary next door to keep an eye. Look they're all old enough and they simply won't be trained for a few days ... I just hope they keep the horses alive."

Ginny nodded. "I am sure they will. I want to catch up with you and Neville but ... not today. It's really busy and I think I may need an hour just to get into that dress."

"No, I understand that now. Don't worry, we were sticking around for a few days anyway. We'll talk." He stood up. "So, all your brothers are here?"

"Yes, all of them," she informed him happily.

"Good. I will go find Bill then and have a chat," Regulus said and stood up.

Harry and Ginny had barely made it out of the corridor together when a servant walked up to them. "King Sirius and King Remus have arrived," she said with a bow.

"Are you ready to meet them?" Harry asked carefully. "They're the closest thing I have to family."

"Let's go then," she replied.

The servant led them to the room and let them in. Harry smiled brightly at the group. Ginny took them in. She immediately recognised Sirius because he looked so much like his brother. He was a little taller, the handsome features of his face just a little bit more pronounced. The biggest difference, however, was the way Sirius carried himself. He stood tall, confident and his striking eyes were observant. His younger brother was much more rehearsed in disappearing into the crowd and tried to avoid attention when he could. Next to King Sirius stood King Remus and his wife. King Remus was equally tall but seemed to have a softer demeanour. He had light brown hair that was starting to grey. Next to him stood Queen Nymphadora. She had a kind face and there seemed to be something of a pink tint in her hair and was quite a few years younger than her husband. They all greeted Harry when they came in.

Harry kneeled down and opened his arms for the little toddler that sped to him. He engulfed the mousy-haired toddler in his arms and stood up.

"You could barely walk when I last saw you, now look at you go!" Harry commented. "You've grown so much!"

Ginny stepped forward and Harry's eyes landed on her again.

"Right." He put the toddler on his hip. "From left to right, Queen Dora, King Remus and King Sirius."

Ginny curtsied. "Nice to meet you all."

"This is my fiancée, Princess Ginny," he said with a proud smile.

"I must say I was in absolute disbelief when I got your letter," Sirius said.

"I know," Harry spoke. "No one knew they were still alive."

"Oh no, I was utterly baffled you decided to get married," Sirius let out with a laugh.

Ginny threw an amused look his way.

"No, indeed. Who could have guessed they were still alive?" Sirius stepped towards her. His hands lifted. "May I?"

Sirius brought his hands to her face and held it, not so different from how Regulus had done just moments before. He seemed to study her face. "Incredible," he muttered.

Ginny's eyes dropped, not enjoying being under this much scrutiny.

"You look a lot like your mum, you know," Sirius said.

This caused Ginny to look right back up. "What?" she mumbled.

"Well, we Royals tend to congregate with our allies. She had the same bright brown eyes too." He let go of her.

"Har. Har," the little Prince said.

"Right. I haven't introduced you to the most important Royal. This is Prince Teddy, my godchild," Harry said.

Ginny walked up to them and smiled at the Prince. "Nice to meet you, Teddy. I am your Aunty Ginny," she said.

"Say hi, Teds," Harry said.

The toddler promptly let himself drop from Harry's arms and into Ginny's. She was quick to catch him. She looked up happily. "I think he likes me."

There was a knock on the door and Peter popped his head in. Remus and Sirius greeted him with much enthusiasm. Ginny stepped out of the way with Teddy.

Peter made an attempt to greet Teddy but he ducked away against Ginny and then held is hands out to his mother, who took him out of Ginny's arms. Peter turned his attention back to the three Kings.

"Never liked the dude," Queen Dora mumbled with a glance at Peter.

"Me neither," Ginny agreed softly.

They smiled at each other in mutual understanding.

Queen Dora observed her for a moment. "So, future Queen, huh?"

"Yeah," Ginny said. "Got any tips?"

"Not really. Our marriage was arranged. I wasn't opposed to it, per se, but it's not very romantic, is it?" the Queen spoke, tucking her son better against her body. "I knew he was a kind man but ... we fell in love after we got married, and we got lucky we did." She looked at Ginny. "But I assume you're not just getting married to strengthen a potential allyship with Harpia, right?"

She shook her head. "No."

"Harry could have married for so long... he really could have picked anyone, but he refused. You must have made quite the impression," Queen Dora said, eyeing her.

Ginny let out a laugh. "Yeah, I guess I did."

Harry took that exact moment to look over at her with a fond smile and the Queen chuckled.

"Oh, he's got it bad for you," she spoke in an amused tone.

"I'd like to think so," Ginny replied.

Harry stood nervously in front of the crowd. It was the first time he was making a significant announcement about himself.

"Welcome to this Ball. As you may have already heard, this Ball is for a very special occasion."

The crowd mumbled excitedly.

"And I would like to thank you all for coming and invite you to celebrate my engagement. Please let me introduce you to my fiancée, Princess Ginevra of Harpia."

Ginny appeared next to him and curtsied, her face was glowing as she looked at him. The crowd clapped politely, and he could see several servants bump each other and whisper behind their hands.

"I believe you owe me the first dance tonight," he said.

"Good thing I already got some practice in last time," she replied.

The music started playing and he led Ginny to the dance floor.

"You know, it's a shame you never got to experience courting as a Princess," he commented as they started dancing.

"It was never in the cards for me anyway. Would have been married to Draco already," she said.

"I would have liked fighting for your hand," he told her.

She smiled brightly. "Please," she said, unimpressed.

Other people came onto the floor now and joined the dance.

His voice dropped lower. "What? You don't think I could charm you?"

She looked far too amused. "Oh no, you are very charming. I just don't think you could handle the competition. You get jealous easily."

"I do not."

"You couldn't handle a few dances with Dean last time." She glanced across the room. "In fact, I will dance with him later to prove it to you."

"That's fine, I just announced to the whole room we are engaged so I think it's pretty safe," he spoke.

"Good. Then I know it won't bother you."

Lord Dean bowed when he came up to her. It was odd to experience, people bowing to her instead of the other way around. She knew he had recognised her.

"Lord Dean," she greeted him.

"I do apologise for not addressing you properly last time," he said.

"Well, I was intentionally hiding the fact I am a Princess, so you are forgiven," she said with a smile.

"Would you care for a dance?" Dean asked.

"Absolutely. Should take my chance to dance with other men now I still have the chance."

Dean laughed. "Absolutely."

They walked back onto the dancefloor and started dancing.

"I did bring it up with the King, you know, about the council," she said.

He looked a bit surprised that she had made good on her promise. "What did he say?"

"That he didn't remember why it changed then, but that he was going to look into it," Ginny said.

"Thank you," he told her. "You know I spent half a day trying to find Henrosia on a map? It all makes sense now."

She smiled apologetically at him. "I am so sorry."

"No, I understand why you lied." Dean looked over her shoulder. "Your King seems a bit peeved you are dancing with me again. Maybe I can forget a council spot after all."

Ginny had to resist rolling her eyes. "No, he assured me it was fine. Besides, I know you never set your sights on me. You're guarding another secret."

Dean looked at her in surprise. "How do you know?"

"You were looking at him, he was looking at you..." she said with a shrug. "Don't worry, I am an excellent secret keeper."

"I appreciate it."

As she got some refreshments, she came across Neville.

He shook his head in amusement. "You know you almost gave Regulus a heart attack today."

She sighed. "I know. I didn't intend for him to find out this way. I didn't expect you two here."

"Ginny, they're posting it outside the castle gates tomorrow! How long do you think it would take to get back to him?" He offered her a pointed look. He loaded some snacks on a plate.

She didn't reply and offered him a small pout.

He chuckled. "You're unbelievable."

Ginny picked up a drink and they moved out of the way.

"How is knighting going?" Ginny asked him.

"Alright," he said. "I don't have a passion for it like you do, but I get by."

"I mean you are not a bad Knight, it's just not your calling and that's okay," Ginny said.

"I heard you insisted on keeping up your activities," Neville said.

She nodded. "Not all the time of course but I don't want to give it up entirely. He didn't object," she said.

"You do have to tell me the whole story, I am sure you omitted some things from Reg," Neville said with a knowing glance.

She blushed. "Yes, well ... you could say that. I promise I will tell you all, if I find the time."

"Yes, busy schedule ahead I've heard," he said.

"Yes. Let me introduce you to the King," Ginny said, pulling Neville along.

"I wouldn't want to bother him," Neville said, a bit unsure.

"Nonsense!" she replied. "He wants to meet you."

Neville looked back at her in surprise. "You've talked about me to him?"

"Of course, you are one of my dearest friends."

She looked over at Harry and he caught her eye. She walked to him, Neville following quietly.

"Got your dance with Romilda over with?" she asked with a smile.

He nodded. "She's actually rather nice when she's not trying to marry me," he said.

Neville bowed to him. "King Henry, so nice to meet you."

"This is Sir Neville," Ginny said.

"Oh! I have heard so much about you, so nice to finally meet you!" he said. "I take it she didn't tell you about the wedding either?"

Neville shook his head. "Only found out a few hours ago..."

"Regulus scared the hell out of me when he found out," Harry admitted.

Neville laughed awkwardly. "No one can really get under his skin like Ginny does."

"Someone needs to keep that man on his toes," Ginny muttered under her breath.

He smiled at her comment. "So you must know Red too?" Harry asked Neville.

"Yes, of course. Her trusty steed," Neville said.

Ginny gasped. "You don't know yet." She smiled happily. "She's found herself a Royal horse to marry. She was very taken by him."

"Who did you manage to convince to marry horses?" Neville asked.

Harry paused sipping his drink and sighed. "That would be me. Her horse is married to mine, you see."

Neville chuckled.

"If you come by tomorrow or the day after, we can catch up and you can go see Red. You can bring August." She turned to Harry to clarify. "August is his horse."

"Named him after my grandmother, may she rest in peace," Neville said. "I will definitely come by."

"Ah, there are the two scoundrels," Regulus said, walking up to them. He bowed his head. "King Henry."

"How is your evening going, Reg?" Ginny asked.

Regulus' face dropped. "Terrible. I have been mistaken for my brother seven separate times. One time when I was standing next to him. He found it hilarious of course ..." Regulus shook his head.

"At least you talked to your brother then," Ginny noted.

"Hey, you deal with your brothers and I'll deal with mine," he said.

"Sister, a dance?" he asked, holding out his hand.

"Fine, but don't think I am dancing with all of you. There's far too many," she responded, taking his hand.

Bill shrugged. "You'll have to decline them yourself. I am not in charge of them."

She raised her eyebrows. "You can say that but Fred and George are turning every colour trying to behave, so they are in fact listening to you."

Bill chuckled. "Yes, but for how long?"

"Did you put Percy in charge of keeping them in check?" she replied with raised eyebrows.

"Yes...?" Bill said.

"That's your mistake. You have to put someone in charge that they respect," she replied as if it was evident.

"Excuse me, you weren't available," he replied. He paused. "Should have gone for Charlie, right?"

She nodded. "Yes. Or give them harmless mischief to do. But do not tell them to do it because then it's not mischief. You have to make them think it was their idea."

Bill looked at her in shock. "A lot of things are starting to make sense right now."

"Don't worry, I will leave you with tips before we go our separate ways," she said with a chuckle.

"Much appreciated."

"Ron," Ginny said, keeping an eye on Harry. They had just finished another dance together.

"Yeah?" Ron said.

"Could you do me a favour and kindly, slowly lead Harry up to his room? He is like ten minutes away from inappropriately drunk," Ginny asked.

Ron looked at her in confusion.

"Come on, you are the only one I trust," she tried. "I can't ask Bill, he'll have comments. Charlie is ..." Both their eyes slid to Charlie. "Too drunk to ask. Fred and George ... will probably have too much fun. And Percy doesn't have the upper body strength to catch him if he falls over." Her eyes were begging. "I can't possibly lead him to his room and if I change into my armour, he may reveal my secret to the whole room."

Ron sighed. "Alright then. But you owe me one!"

Ginny watched carefully as Ron walked up to Harry and talked to him very amicably. She let out a breath of relief when Ron was able to gently lead him away a few minutes later. She said her own goodbye to the guests who were still there, being polite and proper. Then she ran up to her room and changed into her armour and made her way to her Knight room. There she changed into her nightshirt. It was a tedious change of clothes, but she needed to check on Harry.

Harry gasped when she walked in. "You're not supposed to be here tonight!" he said in a very loud whisper.

She closed the door. "I know that. But you're insanely drunk, I came to check on you."

Harry wiggled his cup. "Ronald gave me water."

Ginny made a mental note to thank her youngest brother again. "How nice of him."

Harry leaned against the back of the couch. "The servants seem to like Princess you. They feel like you know them personally and you're so considerate." He smiled, she had an unfair disadvantage.

"Ah. Yes, it's harder to get around as a Princess though. As a Knight, I can go anywhere, and people leave me alone. As a Princess … Everyone's so nice to me but I am followed everywhere."

"I know the pain, this one Knight follows me everywhere," he said, offering her a lop-sided grin.

"Have you tried telling him to stop?" she retorted. She was glad she was not as drunk as Harry was right now.

He sighed dramatically. "Yes, I tried but I accidentally proposed."

Oh, drunk Harry was funny too. "How inconvenient."

"I know it. I guess I'll have to learn to live with it." He didn't seem terribly upset about it.

"World's loneliest King, either followed around by a Knight or a Princess, lonely no more," she responded with a smile.

Harry's gaze softened. "I suppose that's true. I haven't felt lonely in a good while." He lifted his cup and looked in it. He turned it over, confirming it was empty.

Ginny saw him eyeing the wine and she stepped to him quickly. "No, water only. Trust me."

Then his eyes travelled down to her sleep shirt, billowing around her body. His hands reached for her hips and his fingers wrinkled the fabric as his grip tightened. Her breath hitched in her throat. He placed her right in front of him. His forehead came to rest against her collarbone, his nose pressing against the bare skin right by her collar.

A jolt ran through her body. Her hands came and carded through his hair and rested there, preventing him from moving up or down, or away.

"You're drunk," she said after a moment.

"I was nervous for tonight. I thought it would help," he admitted without moving.

"And?" she asked him.

"What do you think?"

"You should go to bed," she said softly, as much as she wanted to keep him there for a moment longer.

"Make me."

Now that was the wrong thing to say, Ginny always liked a challenge. She promptly removed his hand from her hip and used that arm to pull him over her shoulder. Harry let out a surprised yelp.

She walked him to the bed and plopped him down. She stood up and he looked at her in surprise. She threw the sheet on top of him.

"You see, I think I am supposed to carry you," Harry said, entirely amused by the fact she had carried him to the bed.

She shook her head. "No, this is your personal guard making sure you get to bed on time and don't drink so much you'll puke."

He looked a little ashamed now and his eyes dropped down.

"Good night, Harry." She walked to the door.

"Good night, Gwyn," he replied, tugging the sheet up to his chin.

She smiled and walked back into her chamber, leaving the door ajar.