A/N: Happy new year!
Another beautiful year for more fanfics!

I feel like I've slowed down a little on this fanfic, but I do try to keep on track. There are a few chapters ready so I will be able to upload those as I write more. I do think the overall pacing will shift now that we've gone past the battle but there is still a ton ahead as well.

Thank you as always, Meg, for the beta-reading!

And thank you for reading! I started posting this fic just a little over a year ago already. Wow, time does fly when you're stabbing assassins.

Ginny stepped back into the room, already wearing her dress for the coronation.

"How is your brother doing?" Harry asked.

She smiled. "Fine, I think. He has set very high expectations for himself." She walked to the mirror and took up her mother's tiara. She placed it on her head, making sure it wasn't going to shift.

Harry took her hand when she was done and turned her around. He took up her crown and placed it on top of the tiara, fitting together nicely. He smiled at it.

"You're eager to go home, aren't you?" Ginny asked him.

Harry met her eyes. "How did you know?"

She raised an eyebrow. "I know that twingy feeling in your gut. I used to have it too."

"You don't now?" Harry asked her, his hand coming around her waist.

"It's hard to feel homesick when you don't have a place where you feel at home," she told him. "Regulus' place never felt like home to me."

"It's not like I don't like Harpia or your brothers haven't all been great," he told her. "I've never been away from home so long."

Ginny smiled and kissed his cheek. "I understand, darling. I want to go home too."

"Do you?" he asked.

She nodded, fixing his fringe a little. "Ignotia has been great up until now but it doesn't feel truly like home yet—no place does—and I want that. I want to feel at home so I can make our little prince feel at home."

He took the hand that was fixing his hair and kissed her fingertips. "I can't wait to settle down with you." He released her hand and caressed her cheek instead. "If there is anything I can do to make you feel more at home; you have to tell me."

"I think it's just a matter of time, to get used to a new routine and get used to our room… but you being there is going to help tremendously." Her eyes twinkled as she beamed at him.

"Can you stop being so absolutely delightful?" His hands rested on her hips and pulled her to him.

She shook her head and kissed him again. "Not really." Her eyes danced over his face. "Coronation today, Yule feast tomorrow and then we'll be packing up and going home before you know it. A few more days."

"I know," he said. "I'm fine, I promise."

Decked out in their finest outfits, many royals gathered to attend the coronation. Ginny walked into the ballroom to find all the royals she met for her wedding.

She was aware of all the extra pairs of eyes on them, the rumour of their soulbond seemed to have crossed borders quite easily, but none of them had plucked up the courage to ask.

They went about the room and greeted everyone. Her brothers had never been better behaved and just like at her wedding, they were wearing complementary suits. They looked very handsome and royal.

When Bill came out, everyone applauded and cheered him on. He humbly bowed his head. Percy asked for everyone to go to their horse or any of the available carriages and make their way to the temple.

Ginny put on her cloak and waited for Harry to be ready. Then they exited the room with the rest of the crowd. Red stood waiting patiently and she easily mounted her horse. She was getting better at managing it with a dress every time.

As they started towards the parade, she kept her hand on her sword. She had given both her guards and the Harpian ones strict instructions, but she couldn't let her guard down. There were too many royals around her, it would be easy to target them and it would quickly sprout in chaos. She wouldn't have anything go wrong on her brother's coronation.

" No one is going to attack us ," Harry interjected silently.

She hadn't been aware of how many of her thoughts she was sharing. " You don't know that ." She looked at him. " You're not getting attacked every other week and now you think you're safe."

"It's like you forgot we both almost died quite recently ," he thought.

She shook her head slowly. " You're distracting me ."

When they arrived at the temple, Harry made his way inside but she went to Bill.

"Are you ready?" she asked.

He nodded. "As ready as I'll ever be. Did I say thank you yet?"

"Yes." She smiled at him. "About seven hundred times." She hugged him tightly. "You belong on the throne. I'm sure mum and dad are watching over us proudly today."

"Thank you."

She was supposed to lead the procession, since she outranked her brothers. During preparations they had some objections, but they were persuaded. Charlie was right behind her together with Percy, Fred and George walked together and then Ron. Bill entered last.

She walked down the aisle of the temple with her brothers in tow. She smiled and then bowed to Tassia and they parted to let Bill through. He bowed to Tassia and then they bowed to him.

Ginny took her seat beside Harry.

"Let's hope this is our last coronation for a while," Sirius muttered, who was sitting on Harry's side.

"Agreed," Harry whispered.

Ginny didn't get it. " Why? Isn't it a good thing?"

"It usually means someone died first ," Harry responded. " And we like those currently on the throne—for the most part ."

"Oh."

He reached out and squeezed her hand.

Ginny listened intently as they went through the ceremony. While many Gods were honoured, the actual coronation was dedicated to Gydus. Tassia picked up the crown, now restored to its original look, and held it above Bill's head as he kneeled.

" In front of all the gods, I crown you King William Arthur Septimus Harpus of Harpia." She placed the crown on his head. "You may rise."

Bill stood up, the whole temple silent. Tassia bowed to him.

When Bill turned around the whole temple rose off their seats. Under a chant of 'Long Live the King!', he exited the temple.

The Harpian castle came back into view when Ginny suddenly moved away from her position beside him. She pushed forward, a gesture of hands following and two of their guards immediately followed her.

He didn't understand how she had seen the man before he jumped out of the crowd, but she had. Red leapt forward as the man went straight for Bill. Without hesitation, Red bit the would-be assassin in his shoulder.

Though it did halt him, the assassin still threw his knife towards Bill. The guard to the right leapt forward to cover Bill and the knife became wedged in his armour. Seamus had dismounted his horse in the meanwhile and grabbed the man, holding a knife to his throat.

The whole procession came to a halt. The crowd that had been cheering and waving just moments before fell silent too.

Ginny looked at the guard. "Finlay, are you hurt?"

"I'm fine." Finlay pulled the knife out. "Only pierced my armour."

"Good," she said, looking at her brother.

Bill nodded, confirming he was okay. Two Harpian guards walked up and took the assassin off Seamus' hands and walked him off and out of the parade, to be dealt with later.

Wordlessly, Ginny took her spot in the procession again. Seamus and Finlay followed. Off they went again, Bill still leading it. The crowd started cheering again, but quieter than before and only when they reached a part of people who had not seen what just happened for the crowd to grow as loud as before the attack.

" How did you see that man before he jumped out ?" Harry asked her in his mind.

" It's easy ," she told him. " Man by himself, looking agitated. Either he had a row just before or he's about to kill. As soon as he came forward, I knew it was the second. "

He looked towards her, looking as calm as before the attack. " You were looking for assassins."

"That's what you hired me for, " Ginny said. " I have been doing this for months; I am not about to stop now. "

" It still amazes me ," he noted.

The shock of the attack disappeared quickly as they arrived back in the castle. A grand feast had been prepared, there was champagne and music.

When Ginny plucked a glass of champagne off a tray, Harry looked at her in surprise.

" Pretty sure you are not supposed to be drinking that, " he told her. He took a glass of his own.

She raised her eyebrow at him. " If I don't at least seem to be drinking, I may as well announce to the whole room I'm pregnant. We can't do that, not today. " She put her arm around his waist. " You're drinking this ."

Harry shifted his weight. "Great."

"Do you think I need to tell Bill to ask Fleur to dance?" Ginny wondered out loud.

He smiled fondly at her. "You don't need to meddle with everyone's life."

"But it's fun," she said with a pout.

Harry looked over at Bill. "He has to do the first dance, I am sure he has already decided."

"I hope so." She lowered the glass of champagne so she wouldn't be tempted to drink. "Who did you dance with at your coronation?"

Harry's gaze shifted to her. "I was a child so…" He trailed off.

She nodded. "It was Romilda, wasn't it?"

"Yes."

Luna walked up to them, eyeing her glass with a raised eyebrow.

"I'm not drinking," she clarified quietly. "Maybe you can take a glass or two off my hands so Harry isn't completely drunk by the end of the night."

"That would be preferable," Harry told her.

Luna plucked the glass out of her fingers and downed it easily, before putting it back in her grip. "I got you." And then she walked away again.

"You know, she's growing on me," Harry said as he watched her go.

Ginny beamed at him. "Good, because she is considering coming to Ignotia with us."

"Oh." Harry turned to her. "I thought her dad wasn't in great shape?"

Ginny nodded. "He is a little insane, but otherwise harmless. Their servants have been caring for him for ages, they'll do alright. My brothers could check in occasionally." She pressed her lips together. "This country has a lot of bad memories for her. I think she wants to escape that, and I am so glad to have her back."

"I can see that."

"Can she come with us?" she asked.

He pulled her closer. "Bringing back three more, why not?"

She frowned in confusion. "Three more?" She counted on her hands. "Ron, Luna and…?"

"You're missing a prince," he told her, squeezing her waist.

She laughed. "That doesn't count." She eyed the buffet. "I need some food, are you coming with me?"

Bill opened the dance with Fleur. It was like she was floating across the floor. She bowed deeply when the song finished and then made her way back to her parents, and her little sister Gabrielle.

Viktor seemed to have asked her to dance at some point, and was promptly scolded by his father, King Eldor.

"I pity him," Ginny commented. "Maybe I should ask Viktor to dance."

Harry nodded. "Just don't agree to any ridiculous treaties. His father uses him like a puppet."

Ginny waited a bit more and then walked up to Viktor. "Prince Viktor, I would like to invite you to a dance." She knew for him declining a Queen would be considered rude, but she still wanted for him to have a choice.

Viktor bowed. "It would be my honour."

Ginny smiled at him and held out her hand, together they walked to the middle of the floor.

"How is your marriage treating you?" Viktor asked her.

She smiled. "Pretty well, I'd say."

Viktor nodded, glanced at Harry who was chatting with Charlie, and looked back at her. "I must commend you on pretending to be a Knight to get close to the King."

Ginny could feel anger rising inside of Harry, indicating he had been listening in.

"I am a Knight," she told him firmly. "Do you think I'd try to kill a Queen if I didn't know how to fight?"

Viktor's expression shifted, but he was so difficult to read. "Yes, you are right. I apologise."

"You have to stop believing everything your father tells you. He has isolated you because you don't need our ally-ship."

" Careful, Ginny, " Harry warned in her mind. " You don't want to piss off Eldor, trust me. "

Ginny gritted her teeth. " Have a little faith in me?" And then she made sure her mind was closed to him.

"He does what is best for the country," Viktor offered.

Ginny nodded. "I am sure he does, but does he trust you to make good decisions when you'll be King, or is he planting little seeds so you'll never trust any of us to ensure you won't start an ally-ship that's not beneficial to you?"

"I see your point," Viktor told her with a nod.

"And what is the deal with your uncle?" she asked.

The man in dark robes had skulked around the side of the ballroom like a vigilant bat for the better part of the party. The streaks of grey accentuated his long greasy hair.

Viktor showed a tiny smile. "King Henry looks a lot like his father. Prince Severus was in love with Queen Lily, who had red hair. Seeing you two together was likely a stark reminder."

"Really?" She eyed the man again. "She married 25 years ago, I think it's time for him to get over it." She was glad Harry wasn't hearing this part of the conversation.

"He won't," Viktor told her. "He thinks he has been wronged."

"He didn't take interest in her until she was a Lady; I can imagine she felt quite insulted," Ginny responded, raising her eyebrows.

"I agree with you," Viktor said. The music stopped and he released her, bowing. "None of us can marry at will."

She disagreed but their time was up. "I wish you good luck, Viktor."

When she turned around, Harry walked up to her for another dance. She smiled at him and allowed him to put his arms around her.

"You shut me out," Harry told her as they began to dance.

She nodded. "You're not entitled to my every thought."

"That's not what I meant," he told her. Her thumb caressed the back of her hand. "People like Viktor tend to run back to their fathers and tell them everything."

"I know that." She shot him a look. "I could see his isolation gnaw at him; I doubt he'll go run and tell daddy."

Harry looked at her for a long moment. "Perhaps you're right."

She smiled. "The rest of our conversation was about that sulky 40-year-old toddler over there," she said with a tiny nod towards the brother of King Eldor.

Harry shook his head. "He needs to get over it."

"That's what I said!"

Ginny ended up dancing with Bill too, who hugged her tightly at the end of it. She danced with Sirius, who talked to her about Regulus. Most of her time was spent with Harry, who kept getting handed several drinks from her. She was determined not to be suspicious.

However, now she had a tipsy Harry on her hands, and she wasn't sure how well he could keep secrets in this state. Inhibitions lowered, there was one thing on his mind. Luckily for her he was so focused on her, she saw the back of her own head in his mind before he managed to sneak up on her.

She diverted him to the side as she smiled at Sirius. "He's a bit drunk."

"Harry, you have to keep it decent," Sirius muttered with a grin.

Ginny held his arm tightly. "We are going to head upstairs."

"You're glowing," Harry said

Sirius chuckled. "He's adorable. Good luck with him."

"Thanks," she said. She walked a few paces, pulling Harry along. " You need to seem very sober for the next two minutes; can you do that?"

Harry cleared his throat and nodded, standing up straight, his arm casually resting on the small of her back. He wasn't convincing her, but it would do for the guests. As she waved and said goodbye, he did polite little bows and waved once.

As soon as he exited the room, he lost his composure. She managed to pull him down one hallway but that was it. He pulled her to him and pushed her up against the castle wall, kissing her desperately. She humoured him for a moment, letting his hands roam for a bit but she knew someone could come down the corridor at any given moment, and she was determined to keep her decency.

"Harry," she whispered. "We have to go upstairs."

Harry grumbled and dipped his head to her neck.

"I promise I'll make it worth your while."

He paused and looked up. Then he grinned and pulled her down the corridor and upstairs to their room.

"What do you want?" Ginny teased him as she closed the door.

Then she was pulled off her feet and he had pulled her over his shoulder.

"Don't drop me!" She wasn't sure how his balance was at the moment.

He lowered her onto the bed and she scooted up to make space for him. Deciding not to let him fumble with the strings, she reached behind her own back to undo the dress. She wasn't sure how Harry managed to undress that quickly and pull the curtains around the bed.

He pulled her into his lap and she settled down, legs crossed and kissed him slowly. She teased his skin. He didn't have much patience and kissed her hungrily. He quickly discarded the rest of her garments.

She let herself drop to the bed and he followed her quickly, keeping his body close to hers.