Melissa left Dudley three weeks after returning from their honeymoon. Mrs Figg told Colin, who told Ginny, who told Harry, who told his parents. Too much interference from Dudley's parents , who figured if they were giving their son and his wife money for a deposit on a home, they had the right to dictate exactly where that future home should be. A street over from Privet Drive was too close to their in-laws for Melissa, who issued Dudley an ultimatum. Predictably he ran home to mummy and daddy.

Harry should have felt bad for his cousin, probably would have, if he just weren't so damn happy in his own life and he wasn't about to let any negativity rain on his parade. He and Ginny had connected seamlessly, like mising pieces of a jigsaw puzzle finally coming together.

And he had never been happier.

Those first few days after the wedding had mostly been catching up via phone calls and Facetime, as she was very busy at work, 'putting the magazine to bed', as she called it. They shared stories of their childhoods, of their likes and dislikes, of their friends and dating history. And when Ginny was done with work, they finally had their first date.

It was just dinner and a movie, then Harry suggested a coffee back at his place, to which she readily agreed.

He had stood aside to let her enter first, then shut the door behind him. He moved into the kitchen and was about to open the cupboard door for mugs when she jumped onto his back from behind. Surprised at the unexpected weight, he leaned forward, smacking his head on the open cupboard door.

"Ow, fuck!" he said, rubbing his head. "What the hell?"

She slid off and spun him around. "Shit, are you okay?" She battered his hand away to check out the lump already forming on his forehead. "I think it's going to bruise. No scar, though." She nabbed a glass out of the open cupboard and half filled it with water, handing it to him.

"What did you do that for?" he asked, rubbing his head before taking a gulp of water.

She shrugged, grinning. "Foreplay?"

He spat the water over her. "P-pardon?"

Ginny grimaced as water ran down her face. "I probably deserved that." She wiped her eyes then looked at his stunned expression. "Wait, you didn't really think I wanted coffee, did you?"

He declined to answer that. "Your idea of foreplay and mine are very different," he replied.

"Oh yeah? Well, I showed you mine, why don't you show me yours?" she challenged.

She let out a squeal as he bent over and picked her, slinging her over his shoulder. "Very romantic, Harry," she laughed.

He smacked her arse as he headed for his bedroom.

/*/*/*/*

Being on summer holidays meant he had more free time than Ginny, so he'd meet her for lunch or join her and her colleagues for dinner and drinks, they seemed a fun and interesting group of people.

He and Ginny had lunch with Neville and his new girlfriend Hannah. Harry found Hannah brought out the best in Neville and he was very happy for his friend, and he was also pleased that Ginny liked the other couple too.

It had only taken two dates for Ginny to comment how much her mother will love him when he realises this relationship has the potential to be life changing. His parents always asked after her, and unknown to him, she and Sirius had been talking and texting each other, a fact he found out on his birthday.

Initially he planned to meet her for a birthday lunch but she texted him, asking if they could change their plans to dinner as she was busy with work, as it was in the middle of the week. She was waiting for him when he arrived with a birthday hug and kiss before leading him inside where, to his great surprise, his family and Neville and Hannah were waiting for him.

Amid the hugs and congratulations, he caught sight of Ginny and Sirius high fiving that they'd managed to pull the deception off. Turned out Ginny, Sirius and James were already thick as thieves, cemented even further later that night when Ginny and Sirius belted out 'Dont Go Breaking My Heart' and won first prize in a karaoke contest. They dedicated their win to Harry.

Likewise, he was quickly swept up in the huge Weasley family, and he loved it. He'd met Ginny's parents first, at a dinner for the four of them, which was constantly interrupted by phone calls and Facetime calls by Ginny's siblings and their partners for one reason or another.

He met them all the following weekend when he and Ginny had driven to Devon to spend the weekend at Ginny's childhood home to celebrate her birthday. He was still trying to get his head around which brother was which, for their names just rolled together off Ginny's tongue – BillCharliePercyFredGeorgeandRon,let alone their partners and kids.

He was soon roped into a football match with Ginny, her brothers and Angie and Alicia, apparantly a tradition in the Weasley home for her birthday. He thought it would be quite a light hearted affair but it soon became quite competitive. He stepped up his game and kicked the goal to win his and Ginny's team the win.

He fist-pumped his triumph and heard the applause as the rest of the family had come to watch the match. Grinning, he saw Ginny running towards him.

"My hero," she announced, flinging her arms around him. And without thinking, without planning it, without worrying that her whole family was watching, he kissed her passionately.

After several long momnents of stunned silence, he heard what sounded like applause. He and Ginny broke apart and looked around in a daze, to see Lily, James and Sirius had arrived, the latter two applauding.

Her family joined in, for they had heard so much in the last few weeks of her new boyfriend and how happy Ginny was and really, that's all they wanted for their daughter and sister.

Laughing, Harry picked her up and twirled her around. "You invited my parents?"

"Of course," she said, as he put her down and they began to walk hand in hand towards the new arrivals. "What's a party without your dad and Sirius?"

They'd just greeted the Potters and Sirius when Colin arrived, tooting all the way as he drove up the long driveway. Harry took his parents and Sirius to meet Molly and Arthur Weasley, then returned to Ginny.

He was surprised to see Colin wasn't alone; he'd brought Mrs Figg with him.

"I hope you don't mind, dear," she said to Ginny, as Harry helped her out the car.

"The more the merrier around here," smiled Ginny, hugging her. She looked to see what was keeping Colin, who was burrowing around the back seat.

"Hello."

Harry looked to see a familiar blonde woman standing beside him; the woman that had been with Ginny on that fateful night he'd first met Ginny. "Hello, er, Luna, isn't it?"

She nodded. "I had a feeling I'd see you again. Ginny mentioned it was your birthday recently. Here."

She handed him a plastic tray. He turned it over, confused, then looked back at her.

She smiled serenely. "Happy Birthday."

"Er, thanks...I think." He looked at Ginny, who shrugged.

"I'll go get your present, Ginny," said Luna, turning to go to the house.

Harry walked to Ginny. "Any ideas?" he asked her, showing her the plastic tray.

"It's Luna," replied Ginny, "all will make sense someday, somehow."

"Ginny, darling!" Colin held his arms wide open for a hug. "Happy Birthday, sorry we're late."

Ginny stepped into his hug. "You're here now, that's all that matters."

"Your birthday present did not like travelling!" he declared, gesturing to Mrs Figg.

Ginny turned to see Mrs Figg holding a little ginger kitten. She gulped, looking at the older woman, then Colin. "For me?" She'd always wanted a cat but her mother kept chickens and worried a cat might attack and kill them.

"She's Figgy's little sister," Colin told her excitedly, taking the kitten from Mrs Figg to hand to Ginny. "Here's your new mummy."

"Oh." Ginny cradled her in her arms and Harry stroked the fur between her ears. The kitten mewed happily, butting her head against Harry's fingers.

"And that's your daddy," announced Colin to the kitten, winking at Harry. He heartily approved of him for Ginny and could see that they had both fallen hard for each other.

Harry flushed at the implication of him and Ginny being parents to the kitten but she was so cute. "You chose well," he told Colin, "with her colouring, she is a mini Ginny."

"That's her name,' cried Ginny, cuddling the kitten close to the crook of her neck. "Minnie."

Colin applauded. "Yes, it's perfect. Minnie and Figgy can have play dates together. Well done, Harry, not just a pretty face, are you?"

He walked around, pinching Harry's arse as he passed him. Harry jumped, glaring at him.

"Colin, I've told you, Harry's arse is off limits to you, it's all mine," scolded Ginny. He poked his tongue out at her.

"Just what every father likes to hear."

Harry looked up to see his dad and Sirius had come to see what was keeping them. He blushed hard as Sirius burst out laughing, until Colin came over to his godfather.

"Well hello there," he said, batting his eyes at him.

Sirius stopped laughing. "Are you flirting with me, kid."

Harry and James exchanged smirks.

"I'm Colin and I have daddy issues," he said, his hand trailing over Sirius' arm.

"Not with me, you don't," said Sirius, aghast, and hurried back to the house, escorting Mrs Figg.

"Nice arse," admired Colin, "not many older men can get away with wearing leather pants."

"Oh Colin, you and I are going to great mates," chuckled James, "come on, you have to meet my wife."

Colin tucked his arm through James'. "Lead the way, good sir. Gin, look, this is what Harry will look like in thirty years time."

"Twenty," corrected James.

"Sure, twenty." Colin turned around to wink at Ginny before they followed Sirius to the house.

Ginny and Harry followed, their attention on the kitten. Luna came down to meet them, a bag in her hand.

"Happy Birthday Ginny," she announced, holding up the bag.

Harry took the bag. "Kitty litter."

Luna nodded at him. "To go into the tray I gave you."

Ginny nodded, nudging Harry. "See, it all makes sense now."

They walked together to the house; the kitten becoming scared as the general noise became louder the closer they got. It burrowed closer to Ginny, even disappearing into her top.

Everyone cheered as Ginny and Harry entered the house; everyone was finally there.

Minnie didn't appreciate the louder noise and dug her tiny claws into Ginny, who squirmed.

"What are you doing?" laughed one of the twins. Harry thought it was George.

Ginny winked mischievously at Harry. "We have a baby in here," she announced, gently patting the kitten, hidden under her top.

Molly and Lily's head snapped towards them so fast, watching as Ginny wriggled to get the little kitten out from underneath.

"Her name is Minnie," announced Ginny, and her nieces ran over to see the kitty.

Harry grinned as both Molly and his mother let out mutual sighs of relief.

/*/*/*/*

Christmas Eve

Harry stared down at the ring in his hand for the hundredth time that day. Ginny was due to arrive soon, to join him and his family for the Christmas Eve service at their local church, St Jerome's.

There was no doubt that he was ready to ask Ginny to marry him. She and Minnie had moved in with him mid September and he loved coming home to her, discussing his students with her as he planned lessons, cooked for her as she wrote out her articles and together they entertained their friends and family.

It had been on a boy's night out with his dad, Sirius and their friend Remus, for Sirius' birthday, that Harry had gotten a bit pissed and gone off in a drunken rant about Ginny's crimson hair, her chocolate coloured eyes and the cute freckles that adorned her body, much to the older men's amusement.

" 'm gonna marry her one day," he slurred.

Sirius clapped him on the back. "Don't let her get away, Harry."

Harry nodded. " 'm gonna go right now." He stood, swayed and immediately sat back down again. " Did I do it?"

"Not even close, Harry," chuckled Remus.

"You've got to plan these things, son," advised James. "Ask her parents, set the mood. Chicks dig those things. For what it's worth, your mum and I love her and couldn't ask for a better girl for our son."

"Ditto," agreed Sirius, and Remus nodded, for he, his wife Dora and their son Teddy had grown to love Ginny too. She'd won Teddy's heart when she'd interviewed his favourite football player and gotten an autographed jersey and tickets to their next match for the boy.

Harry had taken their advice seriously and began to suss out the perfect proposal for Ginny. He'd asked her parents for their blessing to propose and Molly had gushed about celebrating their engagement at Christmas time, Ginny's favourite holiday.

So here he was, waiting for her to arrive. He was feeling nervous, but it was an excited nervous; he was beyond ready to take this next step with Ginny by his side.

Something slammed into his hips, and to his horror, he dropped the ring in the snow.

"Hey Harry, wotcha doing?" It was Teddy, his godson, hugging his hips.

"No! I dropped the ring," he gasped. He began to move the snow around, desperate to find it.

"I can help," offered Teddy, kneeling and shovelling snow quickly.

"No, Teddy, we need to be careful," cried Harry, "it's a very special ring."

"Is it a present for Ginny?" the boy asked, enthusiastically moving snow all around.

"A present...for me?"

Harry looked up to see Ginny nearby. His heart sank as she walked closer. He saw his perfect proposal go down the drain.

"What are you doing down there?" she asked, coming to stand next to him.

He looked up; she had never looked more beautiful. He began to stand. "Ginny, I – "

"Harry, I found it, see!" Teddy cried in triumph, his arm raised with the ring in his hand.

"What did you find?" asked Ginny.

Harry gestured for Teddy to hurry and give the ring to him. He grinned at Ginny. "Seeing as I'm down here..." He knelt on one knee.

"Oh!" Ginny covered her mouth with her free hand, for Harry had taken her left hand.

"Are you gonna ask Ginny to marry you?" interrupted Teddy.

"I was planning to, yes," confirmed Harry.

"Ginny, will you say yes wheh he asks?" asked Teddy.

Ginny nodded, her eyes locked on Harry. "Yes."

"Mum told Aunt Lily you probably would say yes," nodded Teddy. He looked at Harry. "Well?"

Ginny chuckled.

"Teddy, what are you doing? Get over here!" They all looked over to see Dora gesturing frantically to her son, with an apologetic look at Harry.

"Not yet, Mum," called Teddy. "Harry's gonna ask Ginny to marry him." He looked to Harry. "Can you hurry up, I gotta go?"

"Yeah Harry, do get on with it." Ginny smirked down at him.

"Right." Harry took a deep breath and began. "Ginny, I love you and –"

"I love you too, Ginny," interrupted Teddy.

She tapped him on the nose. "I love you too, Teddy, especially when you're quiet," she admonished gently, "now sssh. Harry, please continue."

"Ginny, being with you -"

"Aunt Lily, Uncle James," called Teddy waving excitedly.

"Teddy," groaned his mother.

"Will you marry me?" blurted Harry.

"Will you?" asked Teddy, curiously.

"Yes. Yes, Teddy, I think I will," decided Ginny.

"She said yes," called Teddy.

"Get over here now," ordered Dora. The boy finally obeyed his mother.

Ginny looked down at Harry, who was still looking up at her with hope in his eyes.

"You will?" he clarified.

She nodded, eyes blazing. With relief, he slid the ring on her finger, brushing away some of the snow.

"Did you drop my ring in the snow?" she asked.

He looked sheepish. "Teddy surprised me," he admitted.

She knocked him so he fell back in the snow, the slush immediately seeping into his jacket. It wasn't helped when she jumped on top of him.

"I can't believe you nearly lost my ring," she accused.

"Er, Ginny, bits are getting frozen here," he told her, "bits that you are extremely fond of."

"It's a good thing I love you," she told him, leaning down to kiss him.

He flipped her over, making her squeal at the cold. "I love you too," he told her gently.

"Teddy, no!"

They looked up in time to see Teddy take a running jump to land on Harry. "Ooof," groaned Harry.

Ginny burst out laughing and Harry joined her. By now, several of the villagers had come to see what was going on, to see what the Potter boy was doing on the ground. James, Lily, Sirius, Remus and Dora came closer too.

"I don't think I'll forget this proposal in a hurry," giggled Ginny.

"SHE SAID YES!" called Harry to his family.

Ginny then turned the tables on him, flipping him over and straddling him, her left hand raised in the air. He groaned as he felt the cold on his back.

"You two need to get up and get out of those clothes before you catch your death," cried Lily, pulling Ginny off her son.

Ginny hugged Lily. "We're engaged!" she said happily.

Lily hugged her back. "And I'm very happy for you both but I don't want you to get pneumonia."

They looked over to see James and Harry hugging. "Harry, your mum wants us to go home and get naked," called Ginny.

Sirius laughed as Lily scolded Ginny, albeit in amusement. "I said no such thing."

Harry bounded over to hug his mum while James hugged Ginny. "We're very happy for you both," he told them.

"All of us are," commented Sirius.

"Even me," chimed in Teddy, in his dad's arms. Remus and Dora beamed and nodded.

"Go," shooed Lily, "go get changed...and don't forget to ring your parents and let them know, Ginny."

"We're staying at yours tonight, remember," chuckled Harry. "It's Christmas Eve!"

"We'll be at the church for another hour or so," James reminded them, "in fact, I think the service will be starting soon. We should go."

"Congratulations," said Remus and Dora.

"Come on, Harry, let's go," said Ginny, after waving goodbye to Teddy. She was already shivering. "I think your mum was right, we do need to get out of these clothes."

They walked the short distance to the Potter's residence arm in arm. Ginny made sure her car was locked before they went inside. She quickly rang her parents to tell them the good news while Harry prepared a hot bath for the two of them. He stripped his clothes off and went to find her.

He came out to hear Ginny trying to hang up from her mother. "Yes Mum, we'll be at yours for lunch. Yes, we can make some plans for an engagement party." She rolled her eyes at Harry, mouthing 'help!'at him. She then noted with interest he was naked.

He took the phone off her, holding it to his ear to hear Molly saying something about great aunt Muriel's tiara. "Molly, yes, thank you, it is wonderful news. Yes, Ginny makes me very happy. Yes, we'll be at yours by lunch time tomorrow."

Ginny began running her hands over his chest and abdomen, then with a cheeky grin, her hands went lower. "Er Molly, yes, we'd love to...oh...what's that...no, I...aaahhh."

Ginny grabbed the phone back. "Mum, tell Dad I love him, we'll see you tomorrow but now we have to go, something important has come up. Bye!"

And she hung up.

"That's going to come back and bite you in the arse tomorrow," he chuckled. He sucked in a breath at her touch. "You're wicked. I was talking to your mum, Gin. Your mother!"

"Speaking of arses..." She put her arms around him, her hands fondling his arse. He took her hand and lead her to the bathroom where he began undressing her.

She smiled sexily, noting the champagne bottle waiting, with two glasses. "To think this all started with a hook up at your cousin's wedding."

"Ah, but we didn't hook up that night." He stepped into the bath and held his hand out for her. She stepped in and sank down, leaving room for him to sit behind her.

As he got comfortable, she poured them each a glass of champagne; she leaned back against him.

"I knew you were more than a hook up," she told him.

"I would have hooked up with you if you'd asked," he told her. "The freckles on your shoulders were teasing me all night."

She scoffed. "You just wanted to get up close and personal with my tits."

"Still do." He fondled her gently and she moaned her appreciation.

She held her left hand up, letting the light hit her engagement ring. "It's truly beautiful, Harry."

"It was my grandmother's," he confided. "I don't know what I would have done if Teddy hadn't found it."

"You would have had to wait till Spring, for the snow to melt."

He brushed the hair away from her ear and nibbled on it. "I couldn't wait that long."

She tilted her head, her hands stroked his thighs. His hands grew more urgent as his lips trailed down her neck.

She jumped suddenly; she had spilled her cold champagne over her stomach.

"Good thing we're in a bath," chuckled Harry. He sloshed warm water over her stomach, his hands caressing.

They heard the bells of St Jerome's chime. "The service is over, my parents will be home soon."

"We should get out soon, I'm starting to prune." She held up her left hand again, showing her fingers.

"Can't have that now, can we. Guess I'll have to warm you up," he grinned.

They never heard James and Lily return shortly after, too caught up in each other to be aware of anyone or anything else.

They shared a Christmas breakfast with the Potters, Sirius and the Lupins, watching Teddy excitedly rip into his presents. Then later, they all went to the Weasleys for lunch.

Later they were joined by Luna and her father; they Face-timed with Colin who was with Mrs Figgs at his parents home, with Minnie and Figgy in matching Santa cat costumes.

Everyone was overjoyed with the news of Harry and Ginny's engagement; both their mum's began making plans for their wedding, with other family members throwing out ideas.

Harry and Ginny escaped outside, seeking some time alone. They sat on the porch, cuddling together for warmth. Ginny looked at her engagement ring again.

"You won't keep me waiting too long, will you? I don't want a long engagement," he told her.

"Me either. Minnie needs her mummy and daddy married asap," chuckled Ginny. She then groaned. "Colin will dress her and Figgy up, won't he?"

Harry grinned back, he had long gotten used to Colin's flamboyant ways. "I can't wait to see what he wears to the wedding."

"He better not look better than me," growled Ginny.

/*/*/*/*

Dudley finally stood up to his parents and begged Melissa for another chance. But she had moved on with Richard Mason and filed for divorce immediately.

Everyone agreed Ginny made a truly beautiful bride and it was a joyous celebration of hers and Harry's love.

Mrs Figg caught the bouquet at the wedding.

Colin hooked up with a waiter at the reception.

~ end~