The council came in, talking animatedly about all this new land and the potential for it.
"People could lay claim to the land," Kingsley uttered. "It would need to be protected."
Dean shook his head. "Between Harpia and Ignotia, who would bother?"
Kingsley shrugged. "It has been a while since land was gifted in our region. A lot of it is ancient history."
"There could be disputes," Elphias agreed as he settled into his seat with a grunt.
Harry smiled at Ginny and took his seat at the table. This made all the council members pause their conversation and sit down too.
Neville had a lot of papers in front of him. "Queen Ginny, if you would like to open the discussion…?"
"Thank you, Neville. I would." She looked at the council members in turn. "I really appreciate your enthusiasm with this new land and what the potential risks and benefits are, but we must remember this is not Ignotian land."
Half the members looked at her a bit dumbfounded.
"My marriage contract states that everything I have acquired before and will acquire during my marriage is mine to keep personally," she continued. "Currently this is my personal land and no one else's."
Filius frowned. "That was about gold and trinkets… not about land."
"It was, indeed," Ginny agreed calmly. She knew she had to play her cards right. "But the contract is legally binding and I cannot in good conscience hand over this land when a Goddess gave it to me." She leaned back and caressed her bump, reminding everyone that there was a lot at play here. "But of course I am up to negotiate and strike a deal."
Harry looked at her with intrigue and seemed even a little turned on. "You may have land, no people live on it."
"It has many animals and fruits and you have just lost a considerable amount of coast. People will come." She locked eyes with him.
Kingsley cleared his throat. "What do you suggest?"
She turned back to Harry. "I understand as you are already ruling a Kingdom, that complicates things. We could each rule our own, be allies but it would hardly be ideal." She sat up straight. "I have a proposal."
Ginny could feel he was almost giddy with what she was about to say. He mentally encouraged her.
"Let's hear it," he told her.
Neville muttered something under his breath.
"My land is about as big as yours. My country has riches, as does yours. You can get ruling power over my piece of land, if I receive equal ruling power over yours." She looked at him firmly, her eyes bold.
A few surprised noises erupted from the table. It was a daring thing to ask, and she knew it.
"You said you didn't want to be Queen," Harry answered, holding her gaze.
"I didn't want it as a function necessarily, we never spoke about it as a reigning Queen role, this is different. I was worried about the ceremonial function of it all, and I have already proven that I need more of a job than that."
The council was silent.
"You want to co-rule," he stated.
"We would be more stable as a united region," she told him with a nod.
He offered her a small smile and turned to the people at the table. "Council?"
None of them spoke and seemed conflicted. Expressing a preference for or against could have its repercussions based on the outcome.
Harry looked at Neville.
"Co-ruling is uncommon, but it can be done," he stated. "It has varying degrees of success. We do need to consider that you are soulbonded for life, and the regular pitfalls of co-ruling may be less of an issue for you."
"What about the baby?" Minerva asked.
Dean frowned at her. "What about it?"
"If they do not co-rule, would he inherit both countries anyway and unite them later? Because you can save the poor lad some hassle by figuring it out now." Minerva looked at Neville. "We can't possibly expect them to give one country to the firstborn and the other to a second."
Neville tapped his fingers on the table as he thought. "As it stands, he'll be ruler of Ignotia regardless. What we write into the law for the other land is entirely up to us." He cleared his throat. "Even if we make this one whole country, we'd need major changes to the law as it is so everything is taken care of."
"Is it giving you a headache yet?" Ginny asked.
Neville looked up at her. "You said this would be easier than cutting people down and I'd report to your husband." He offered her a small smile. "I will manage, but there is a lot to do."
"There is a lot of natural treasure to be found in this new piece of land, we'd be able to feed more people. We could send more aid to Harpia. It would greatly help our economy." She turned to Harry. "You'd just need to put up with me."
"She's right," Dedalus said. "But as King, what is your opinion?"
Harry nodded, he hadn't given his opinion yet. "If I can't put up with my own soulmate, we have gone terribly wrong, don't you think?" he asked the council.
Now several people chuckled.
Neville took up his quill. "If there are no grave objections, let's agree that you will co-rule."
"Good." Harry shifted in his seat. "I trust you'll set the necessary things into motion. And don't hesitate to ask Hermione for help, she loves nit-picking legal texts."
"I'll do that," Neville agreed as he wrote down the decision of the council.
"Does it remain Ignotia? Or will it be renamed?" Dedalus asked.
Dean chuckled and people looked up at him in surprise.
"Oh," he let out when all eyes turned to him. "I was just remembering the country the Queen told me she was from. It can finally be true if you rename it. You can keep it as the Ignotian region and then a Gorphia region."
Ginny bit her smile back. "Henrosia?"
Dean nodded. "Yes. I think it has a nice ring to it."
"Right," Harry said with a chuckle. "How did you even come up with that?"
"I was looking at you… and then I added a flower. That was that." Ginny squeezed his hand.
"It has my name in it, I can hardly object." He looked at the council. "Any other suggestions?"
"Some countries may retract their treaties with the name change because they are no longer applicable," Kingsley thought. "But we are in a better position than ever, so I expect the issue to be minor."
"We can discuss the name later," Neville said. "We agree on co-ruling. We'll keep it at that for today. Thank you for arriving on short notice and don't hesitate to stay for dinner."
As the council streamed out, Neville turned to them. "You two are unbelievable."
"How?" Ginny asked innocently.
"You are deciding over whole countries and still make it look like foreplay."
Harry snorted and looked at her. "Did we?"
She gazed into his eyes. "Not on purpose."
"Are you done?"
They both looked back at Neville.
"I enjoyed negotiating actually," Ginny told them. "I am glad there were no major objections."
"I have a question," Neville started. "If you co-rule, who do I report to?"
"Does it matter?" Ginny asked.
Neville nodded and looked between the two of them. "If you do not agree on something, who am I supposed to follow?"
"That's not going to happen," Ginny told him. "We hardly disagree on anything."
"No, he's right," Harry told her. "We should have a general rule of who gets the final say, so decisions aren't delayed just because we are disagreeing." He picked a book off the table. "That is what got previous co-rulers before." He handed her the book.
She took it from him. "Fine, we can talk about that."
Ginny walked to the couch and sat down. She pulled up her shirt just enough to rub her bump. "I hope you aren't too bothered by all the hopping we did, baby. Gorphine is a little crazy."
"Couldn't she have found a better time to do this?" Harry asked her as he pulled his shirt over his head.
"She didn't seem to think so." Ginny eyed Harry.
He walked to her and settled between her legs. "We have a lot to discuss," he told her.
Her hand danced down his back. "Should we do this half-naked? We are going to get distracted."
He kissed her neck. "I'll behave if you'll behave."
"You're not even behaving right now!" she told him. "Sit up, King."
He huffed, kissed her and then sat back up. Ginny's gaze slipped down his chest.
"My eyes are up here!" Harry told her.
She chuckled, pulled her shirt down and sat back up. She looked at him for a long moment. "So. Co-ruling."
"You might have to give up a bit more of your Knight activities than you had planned," Harry started off.
"I could remain Head Guard, right?" Ginny wondered. She didn't want to hire someone new and she didn't feel like Seamus, or Ernest, would be ready.
"Sure," he said. "And I would prefer it if you remain in charge of the army."
"Of course," she told him. "Not that… I think I can move out of the Head Guard role if I want to eventually, but right now I want to keep it."
"You're right," Harry agreed. He got more comfortable on the couch. "And I'd prefer if the role went to one of the guys… that was always the plan with Alastor anyway… but I also don't think Seamus or Ernest are ready."
She nodded.
"We also need to decide if both of us always need to be present to sign off on things or if we can sign for each other during negotiations," Harry brought up.
"I don't think that's necessary," Ginny told him. "We would usually know beforehand what's discussed. I am fine with that if you are."
Harry nodded in agreement and looked at her.
"Is it weird for you?" she asked. "You have been King for a while. I just swoop in here and demand half of all your power."
Harry chuckled and shook his head. "It is as much a blessing as it is a burden."
"I know that," she mumbled.
"Being King is a lonely job, and you hardly have any equals in it in day-to-day life. I think I won't mind having a partner to work with." He reached out and squeezed her knee. "I trust you. You're smart, you care about the people. I know you'll make the right calls." His hand shifted up her thigh. "And you can learn with me, and then we continue to learn together."
Ginny kissed him, her hands coming to hold his head. "Aren't you worried I am coming for your power?"
"You gained your land as my ancestor did." He shifted closer to her. "You have every right to rule. And the situation being what it is, it makes sense we work together." He leaned into her ear. "You know I like it when you take charge…"
"I think Neville was right," Ginny commented as her fingers teased the nape of his neck.
"About what?" He placed a kiss against her cheek.
"Foreplay."
He met her eyes and smiled. "It's not my fault you're so sexy when you're in charge."
She pushed him down onto the couch and then sat on top of him. "Like this?"
"Yes." He smiled and his hands rested on her waist. His expression shifted and he placed his hand on her belly. "It means if I were to die untimely, he would not be next in line." He looked up at her. "You'd remain in charge. He would only inherit the throne when both of us are dead."
"That's definitely good news," she agreed. "Do I get a different office?"
"It would have to be closer together, we'd need to discuss a lot more," he thought out loud. "We'll have to think about that one."
"Seems like we still have a lot to discuss," she told him. She got off him and stood up. "But it will have to wait."
He cocked his head. "Does it?"
"Come over here," she told him. She halted in front of the bed and turned to him. "Come on, my King."
He scrambled up off the couch and walked to her. He halted right in front of her. "Are you taking charge?"
"Yes." She tilted her chin up and looked him in the eye. "So you better behave." She lifted her arms above her head. "Undress me."
He took his time taking her shirt off and lifted it over her head. His hands slipped over her body. His lips touched her shoulder.
"Undress only," she insisted.
He cursed and his hands slowly slipped to her underwear. He pulled it down and she stepped out of it. He waited for her to speak again.
Her hands came to his trousers. She took her sweet time undoing the knot. His hand raised but she shook her head at him.
"No touching," she said lightly.
He breathed in. "That is evil."
She smiled at him. She knew he was enjoying this. She pulled his trousers and underpants down and let him step out of it. She took his hand and guided him to the bed.
She sat down on the edge of the bed and smirked at him. "You know what to do."
Ginny remained in Harry's arms when she woke up. Yesterday felt like a dream, but she knew that it was real. She had been gifted a country yesterday. They'd be ruling together soon.
And then she felt the baby move. She didn't change position and looked down at her belly. It was a small fluttery feeling but it was definitely the baby.
Harry woke with a shock, sitting up. "What was that?"
"You can feel that?" she asked softly.
The baby kicked again.
"Oh," Harry said. "I can pick up on that, yes. That is the weirdest feeling…"
They both fell silent as they focused on the baby, and Ginny tried hard to keep her mind open to him so he could feel it too.
"Our boy is kicking!" she let out.
Harry wrapped his arm tighter around her. "Oh my." He kissed her neck. "This is amazing."
Ginny felt an overwhelming wave of emotion and her throat closed up.
"Hey, you're okay," Harry told her.
She nodded and turned in his arms. He hugged her close and brushed his fingers through her hair.
"There he is again," Harry said softly. "Ginny?"
"I'm fine." She pushed up on her hands, sat up and wiped at her eye before the tear could fall. "I'm overwhelmed."
He sat up and his hand cupped her cheek. "Because it's good?"
"Yes." She nodded softly and met his eyes. She chuckled at herself. "Is that bad?"
"No." He shook his head and pulled her in a hug, tucking her head on his shoulder. "It's okay. There is constant change, and major change at that. This is good. The little prince is growing. Although I am a little sad."
She lifted her head up. "Because he won't be Ignotian?"
"Yes." He offered her a crooked grin. "He'll be Henrosian. He'll be the first royal to be born Henrosian too. He's going to be special in so many ways."
"I don't want to put so much pressure on him," she muttered. She looked down again as her hand caressed her bump.
"He'll be fine. We'll raise him well," Harry assured her.
She bit her lip. "I know."
Harry pulled her back into him and she gladly tucked against him. He pressed his lips against her temple and held her for as long as she needed.
"Can we talk?" Ron asked Ginny as he waited by her office.
She nodded. "Do come in." She stood by the door and waited for him to walk in before she closed it.
Ron turned around to her and looked at her somewhat nervously. He folded his hands together and fidgeted. "You'll be happy to hear that I am officially engaged to Lady Hermione."
She beamed at him. "I am so happy for you!" She hugged him. "Congratulations." She took a step back as she released him. "This is good."
He nodded in agreement. "You already knew, didn't you?"
"I…" She let out a sigh. "Harry really tried to keep it to himself but he was excited too so it was impossible to keep a secret from me." She patted his arm. "I am still glad you told me directly."
He smiled excitedly. "Me too."
"This does not warrant more fooling around," she warned him.
"Spoilsport," he muttered. "You are a hypocrite." He smiled at her.
She bit back her own smile. "Here I am responsible for how you behave, and you represent Harpia. You need to take care in how you conduct yourself."
He stared at her for a long moment. "Just because you make it sound fancy doesn't mean it makes you more right."
"Be careful," Ginny told him. "Don't get caught."
Ron chuckled. "That sounds more like it… I'll owl Bill to let the rest of our family know."
"Are you marrying soon?" she asked him.
"I believe there is a coronation upcoming," he told her. "So that takes precedence, apparently." He smiled at her. "I'll get married in due time, and I'll discuss it with Bill as well."
"I'm sorry you're not the priority," she told her, though it was out of her hands.
He shook his head. "I don't think you're sorry. You love being the boss over me."
"Only a little," she said with a chuckle. "But know you are very important to me. I don't want you to feel like less, or left out."
"You were gifted land, you're Queen." He walked to the door. "I have given up in that regard. It's alright, I am fine having a quiet life, and you're not."
She cocked her head. "That may be true."
"I'll speak to you later." He waved goodbye and walked out of her office.
Neville greeted Ron in the corridor and a moment later he popped his head in the door.
"Yes?" Ginny asked, having barely made it behind her desk.
"The applicant for the Guard position is here." He paused and looked at her. "Why are you smiling like that?"
She fixed her expression. "Can I not simply smile?"
Neville raised an unimpressed eyebrow and did not reply.
"The baby is kicking, I felt it for the first time this morning," she admitted. "Alright?"
"That's great! And it explains the King's mood entirely too." Neville smiled at her. "I'll bring the guy in."
"Good."
Neville returned a moment later with the guy. He was much taller than Neville and had a broad build but his youthful looks gave away his young age.
"Casper for you, your Highness," Neville announced and then closed the door as he left.
Casper bowed and then stood there, nearly shaking on his legs.
"Nice to meet you, Casper. Please sit down." She gestured towards the chair across from her. "Do you have any experience fighting or as a guard?" she asked. "What is your background?"
"I come from a family of butchers and I did learn some of the trade but I always wanted to become a Knight or a guard. I'd watch the parades growing up and wanted to be like the guards." He adjusted his posture. "I started practising myself at a young age and when I was fifteen, Sir Kester noticed me, working with the knives in the shop. He trained me for a while, and he spoke very highly of you—of Sir Gwyn."
"Sir Kester," she repeated. "Can he vouch for you? He is an excellent Knight."
Casper nodded and went into his pocket. He pulled out a scroll and handed it to her. She opened and read the letter from Sir Kester, addressed to her.
"He gives a good report," she told him. "So you live in the city?"
"I do know I still have some things to learn, but I am a quick learner!" he told her. "Yes, ma'am. For several generations."
She smiled. "And you're eighteen?"
"Yes." He looked somewhat nervously at her. "I know where to cut, I am very intentional about that." He folded his hands. "I know you can be precise about it too."
Ginny thought back on her last encounter with an assassin. "I can be," she muttered. "You sound like a good candidate," she told him so he could stop looking so stressed. "We don't mind some inexperience if you have the passion. You are young, you will learn."
All of the guards were young, something Peter seemed to have done intentionally. Slowly let go of the old experienced ones, and hire new young ones. Except with Alastor training them, they ended up being quite capable, and far better than Peter could have anticipated. Picking them from unlikely places and being given a chance, they were loyal and dedicated to their job.
"You can start tomorrow," she told him.
His whole face brightened. "Really? Thank you!" He bowed from his seated position.
She smiled at him. "I suppose it won't take you too long to pack your bags and come back?"
Someone knocked on the door.
"Enter," Ginny said.
Ernest opened the door and stepped inside. Ginny rose from her seat and Casper stood up too.
"Impeccable timing," she commented. "Sir Ernest, this is Casper. He is our newest recruit."
Ernest shook his hand, having to look up to meet his eye. "Welcome."
"Thank you," Casper said, shaking Ernest's hand eagerly.
"Tall and strong one," Ernest noted as he took his hand back.
"Butcher's son," Casper told him.
"Yes," Ginny confirmed. "He will start tomorrow. Could you show him around and show him the sleeping quarters?"
Ernest nodded. "Of course."
"Feel free to already introduce him to the rest of the guards as well," she added. "And if you could take him to Neville in the morning to sign his contract."
Ernest eyed Casper. "You'll fit right in, come on."
Ginny smiled to herself as Ernest walked with Casper down the hallway, excitedly talking about life at the castle.
Harry and Ginny walked into Neville's office together. Hermione was at a table in the corner scribbling away as she had three books open at once.
"Aren't you supposed to be celebrating your engagement?" Ginny asked.
Harry chuckled. "Trust me, I already tried that."
Hermione looked up, excitement evident in her eyes. "I can celebrate my engagement whenever. What I cannot do is write laws and decrees into existence another time. This has to happen now, and you have to let me."
"Okay," Ginny gave in and she turned around to Neville. "What do you have?"
Neville invited them to sit down across from him. "We are sure about naming it Henrosia?"
Ginny nodded. "I think it pays homage to its prior history while indicating this is something new."
Harry nodded in agreement.
"Then for your office," Neville said. "I took some of your suggestions." He nodded towards Harry.
Ginny frowned. "Something I don't know about?"
"It happens," Harry replied lightly with a chuckle.
Neville shifted the papers towards them, showing a rough sketch. "We wouldn't do massive changes to his current office but we would build wooden dividers with sliding doors. You can open it towards each other and then each can choose to open it towards the door." He pointed towards the other side. "And here the table for the council remains so it is really a matter of dividing this corner."
"This is great," Ginny said as she bent over the drawing. "If someone wants to talk to us in private you can close the doors and create your own space and open it as you want."
"I thought you'd like to share an office rather than separate rooms but close-by," Harry told her.
She nodded in agreement. "This is great. This is nice. If people need to talk to both of us we are there but we can focus on our own work."
"If there are any changes needed, let me know and then we can start preparing his office… we'll temporarily put your desk elsewhere," he told Harry. He took the papers back and put them aside. "Are you ready to talk about the coronation?"
"It will be nice to have a coronation where my feet can actually touch the floor when I sit on the throne," Harry let out.
Ginny looked at him in shock. "That is terrible." She reached out and squeezed his hand. "You poor thing. This coronation will be better."
"Infinitely," he agreed as he brought his face closer to hers.
Neville cleared his throat and looked between them. "May I?"
"Sorry." Ginny faced Neville again. "Do continue."