This is it. The last chapter of this three parter! Thank you to all who had come along with me on this little series. Please review because your comments are greatly appreciated. I am working on a few more stories before continuing on to, "Meeting the Potters".

Once again, all characters belong to J.K. Rowling.

Note: This is a bit of a risqué chapter so please be warned. I like to think that the Potter kids especially Albus have a very open mind when it comes to adult matters.

How I Met Your Mother (Albus's Story or The Model)

By JLaLa

Albus was the sensitive one.

In all sense of the word, Albus was prone to colds, and flus as well as bouts of melancholy due to his tender nature. However, he was the most in tune to people's feelings. Albus was the only one who could tame his brother's temper or calm his younger sister whenever she was crying. Ron had once remarked that they had given him a most difficult name to live up to.

However, Harry and Ginny believed differently.

He lived up to his name and more.

After their afternoon escapade, Harry walked downstairs to find his three children in blissful slumber. Lily had spread her small body in the middle pushing both her brothers to the edge of their mattress with her arms. James slept on his back, hands behind his head. Albus was curled into a fetal position with one of Lily's hands across his shoulder.

Harry smiled to himself and walked over to them. Their faces were peaceful and his heart was heavy with happiness to know that they would never have the weight of the world on their shoulders. Ginny would be starting supper so he went on to waking them up. "Wake up kiddos. Mummy's going to start making dinner."

James awoke with the word 'dinner', his stomach growled loudly and he proceeded to go to the bathroom to wash up. Lily sat up quickly, and scowled at him as she sucked her thumb. She hated to be woken up, and stomped into kitchen to tell her mum about the travesty of being woken up.

That only left Albus. He was the one who took the longest to wake. It had been a stressful time during his birth. Ginny had a difficult labor with Albus and the healers had not been sure that she would been able to conceive again. Obviously they had been wrong but that was the farthest thought from their mind when newborn Albus Severus Potter developed an infection.

Ginny had tried to take it calmly but once the healers departed from her room; she put her face in her hands to quietly weep. Harry stood frozen in place for a moment with a hand on her shoulder. They had told them that they had done what they could for the little baby.

It was now up to him to hold on despite the numerous potions they had given the boy.

The quietness was broken by the tiny whimpers of the baby in the nearby glass crib. Harry picked Albus up and held him gently against his strong body. He found himself singing a song to the small baby that he had heard awhile back while he rode in the back of the Dursley's car:

Close your eyes,

Have no fear,

The monsters gone,

He's on the run and your daddy's here...

How much that verse meant to him! He had fought Voldemort but could he fight death from taking his small son? "Fight it Albus! Fight it!" He had whispered urgently. Now it was up to his son to fight his own darkness.

And he did, for here was that small boy curled up as he slept heavily. Harry knelt down and sang in his ear. "Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful, beautiful boy..."

"Daddy, not that song again," Albus said sleepily as he sat up and looked at his father. "Why do you always sing that song to me?"

Harry stood up and smile fondly at him. "Because it was what brought you back to us."

Dinner was the usual affair with both parents talking about their days. Ginny told them about shopping with Hermione which bore James but both Lily and Albus kept attention. Harry told his wife about their afternoon stories. "So after we clean up, we can go the den and start Albus's story," he informed them.

The children ate with abandon upon that declaration. Ginny smiled at her husband. "Now I'm curious. If your stories are exciting enough to not even pay attention to what I'm feeding them than I think I'll join you."

"You sure?" Harry smiled and took her hand. "You're not too tired after..." He raised his eyebrows.

Ginny giggled. "I'm never tired."

"After what?" James put his fork down and look between each of his parents. Harry had the good grace to turn red and Ginny calmly took a sip of water.

"After wrestling of course," Albus informed his brother as he ate. "When I went to the loo, I saw Daddy tackle Mum before I went back to my nap." He drank some juice. "Who won Daddy?"

Harry coughed and Ginny covered her laughter behind her cloth napkin.

"I won." Ginny looked wickedly at her husband. He could already hear the laughter coming from Hermione and Ron.

"Why? Daddy is much bigger than you Mummy." Lily looked at her with her innocent eyes as she ate her spaghetti.

"Because Lils, I have a special move that Daddy can't defend himself against." She batted her long lashes and grinned at Harry.

"Oh...okay Mummy."

Harry slumped in his chair. Darn Albus and his cleverness!

With Albus on one side and Ginny on the other side, Harry settled to tell his story. James sat patiently right next to his brother while Lily was curled up next to her mum. Harry couldn't believe how much they resembled one another. Lily was a mini-Ginny and it almost made him sigh to think that there might be a time when he would have to be fending off suitors for her.

"So Al," asked Ginny. "You asked for it to be in an art studio?"

Her dark-haired son nodded seriously.

"Well go on then," Ginny urged.

And so he began.

Albus's Story

"So why did we let Hermione decide this activity?" Lavender asked as she straddled the artist bench. "And where do I put this?" She removed the artist board from it's bag clumsily. It had been a killer on her shoulder being as it was a large rectangular clipboard, clipped on to it was the large pad of recycled newspaper.

"I do recall you let her decide," Parvati said as she sat next to her friend on another bench. The benches were arranged in a large circle with a stage right in the middle of it.

"Now why in the world would I do that?"

"Because she threatened to hex you after you turned her hair that ghastly blue," Ginny informed her and sat on the other bench right next to Lavender. Tying her hair, she smiled as she remembered Hermione's scream.

Makeover night had been Lavender's idea.

"I thought it was rather lovely shade of blue," Luna added as she sat next to Ginny. "Hermione's coloring just wasn't suited for that shade."

This had all started with a break-up.

Ginny had just broken up with her Ravenclaw boyfriend Michael while Hermione was still licking her wounds from her break-up with Viktor Krum, a Bulgarian Quidditch player. Michael and Ginny were not well-suited; so they decided to just throw in the towel but had stayed friends. Viktor had broken up with Hermione though a letter letting her know that he had married a girl name Katrina, a new player from a rival team. It had been love at first sight.

They had both toasted the New Year completely sloshed and were discovered by Parvati, Lavender and Luna. Hermione had been half-laughing and half sobbing while Ginny sat giggling quietly. The morning after had been a pain in the head due to the hangover but the five girls had decided that they would do something for themselves for the new year.

Thus began the official 'Ladies Night'.

Parvati had started the first one by deciding on movie night. However Luna had asked questions throughout the movie ('So HOW are they living two years apart from each other? Why don't they use a timeturner?). Hermione and Lavender had argued over the amount of butter in the popcorn and the fact that Lavender believed firmly that her diet coke was actually regular coke.

Lavender had done the infamous makeover night and had turned Hermione's hair blue. Ginny had been lucky enough to just end up with a pretty lash perm by Parvati. While she had straightened Luna's usually wavy locks, Hermione had rushed out of the loo in tears. Her eyes were murderous as Lavender rushed out, and Hermione walked out of the room. "You RUINED me!"

"I'm so sorry Mione!" Lavender said as she had went after her.

"Are you okay?" Hermione had walked into Ron, Ginny's older brother and was now weeping into his chest. They had been friends in Hogwarts but were not as close as her and Ginny were.

"Sorry Ron." Hermione wiped her eyes and looked up at him. "Look at me."

"Here," he said softly and waved his wand at her hair. Golden sparks showered hair blue hair and after a moment Ron tucked his wand back into its holster. He had just come back from the stadium that his team was practicing at and had been greeted by the blue-haired Hermione. "It should go back to normal soon."

They gazed at one another for a moment. Hermione smiled softly. "Thank you Ronald."

"That's Ron," he said and tugged at a blue curl. Ron gave her a big grin. "You're welcome Hermione." Ron saluted the girls and headed to his room. "Ladies."

The girls sighed at the sweet act and Ginny gagged. That is until Hermione coughed loudly and glared in Lavender's direction.

So here they were waiting for Hermione who was five minutes late. "This is usually not like Hermione to be la--"

"--Sorry!" Hermione walked in with her board in tow. "I got caught up--" Ginny looked at her friend and was surprised to see how luminescent she look. Her eyes were lit making the coffee brown of her eyes even more noticeable, and her smile was spread across her face. She was not the only one to notice.

"There's something different about you," Luna remarked and smiled. "You're glowing."

Hermione blushed prettily and sat down. "Nonsense, I was just in a rush to come." She began to set up. Sitting down, she grimaced and stretched out her arms. "This is so bad for my back."

"What have you been doing on your back?" Parvati asked slyly. Hermione swatted her arm playfully.

"Quiet you! The class is about to start."

A woman with long dark hair gathered in a large bun walked into the room. Her eyes were dark, and serious. She looked to be about in her late fifties in muggle years. She wore a long purple skirt and brown vest. Ginny was reminded of the gypsies that she had read in a book she borrowed from Hermione.

"My name is Madame DuBois. I have been an art curator for about ten years and teaching illustration for fifteen. Can anyone tell me what art is really about?"

"It's about interpretation," Hermione answered. "Artist do this through different ways such as symbols, or idols."

Madame nodded. "Correct but how else can we define art?"

"It's about how you see the world," Ginny said. "Art is how the person can show their point of view and also a way for people to find their own interpretations of social issues such as religion or politics or even love."

"Very astute," the woman replied. "It is all about how you see things. So how do you all interpret the human body? It is a symbol of so many things. Life, death, lust, envy…I want to see that for these first few sketches. This will also be a way for me to gauge how I can help you. We will be using a live model for the duration of the class."

Lavender raised her hand. "So we're going to be drawing someone in the nude?"

"Correct."

Ginny turned to Hermione and hissed quietly. "I taught you said we would be drawing FRUIT!"

"I don't know where my mind is," Hermione said and flipped through the class catalog that she had in her bag. "I taught I signed us up for the still life class."

"I don't know about fruit but I think we're about to see two apples and a banana," Parvati remarked. Her eyes were glued to the platform in the middle of the room where a young man with dark hair stood in a white robe.

Ginny pulled out her piece of charcoal. She could feel her face grow warm.

"Ten minutes for this first pose. Harry, if you please."

The man dropped his robe.

A simultaneous gasp was heard throughout the room.

"You may begin."

Harry Potter looked around the room. He was in 'contrapposto' position to show the way the body was usually balanced when standing with one shoulder lowered and the opposite hip raised. Often when he did this, he would focus on one thing in order to keep his concentration. Sometimes it was something outside or maybe in the room or even sometimes a person.

Today it was the group of girls that were desperately trying not to freak out at his nude being. There was the blond with long wavy hair, and big, round, dreamy eyes. She seem to be doodling as she look at him. There was the other blond with straight hair who seemed okay with gawking at him as she worked with a smug smile on her face. Then there was the olive skinned girl with long, black hair whose mouth was hanging open like she couldn't believe what was happening. She was followed by the bushy-hair girl with the frantic eyes, and he swore he heard her say 'Gin, your mum is going to kill me when she finds out where I've taken you.'

Then there was her.

She was the most interesting. The long, red locks and the almond shaped eyes along with the creamy skin made him notice her. But there was something else about her.

She was not afraid to look at him. Her eyes roam his body but then quickly focused on his eyes. Her brown eyes penetrated him and for the first time, Harry felt very self-aware. She continued to sketch and the Madame passed her. "Very astute. You have a good eye." Ginny smiled shyly.

The Madame glanced at Harry and nodded once. She was impressed with the girl.

He was quite taken with her himself. The way her hair fell and draped over her shoulder. Her eyes were a dark brown and were surrounded by dark lashes. When she turned to talk to her friend, he saw how long they were and how graceful her profile was. Her nose was pert and fit well with her face shape. As he watch her berry lips curve into a smile; he sighed inwardly.

This was true beauty. The kind that all artists tried to capture but never could. Harry found himself faltering and Madame could sense it. "Let us take a break."

He put on his robe and saw that the small group were going outside. The girl glanced at him and smiled softly. Harry smiled back and nodded. "Ginny! Come outside and grab some coffee with me!" The olive skinned girl called out.

When the room was empty, Harry walked over to her easel.

It was a portrait of just his face. It was the look in his eyes that made stop. Was that the way he was really looking at her? With such intensity? The eyes seemed to be the focal point but everything else seem to help accentuate it. The way he had one brow quirked and the way he clenched his jaw so no one could see his nervousness.

She saw him, inside and out.

She saw him…

Ginny returned cradling a cup of coffee. Parvati and Lavender trailed behind her talking about the model. "He's adorable," Lavender gushed clinging to her friend's arm. "I wouldn't mind having him model for me privately."

"Ladies," Hermione chastised. "You're just as bad as the blokes we left at home." She sat back down and looked over at Ginny's portrait. Her eyes widened. "Although I don't think he would object to modeling for Ginny."

Ginny glanced at her drawing, Written at the corner of her portrait was the messy scrawl of a boy's writing, it said 'Nice picture. I'm Harry Potter.' The group of girls surrounded her.

"Oh Merlin!" Parvati put a hand to her mouth to cover her smile. "You have to say something to him."

Ginny's face was burning. "Like what?"

"Class," Madame called. "We will begin again. Harry, if you please."

Harry emerged from behind the dressing curtain and once again removed his robe. This time, he was in a seated pose. He sat directly in front of her mimicking 'The Thinker' pose. Before he sat however, Harry glanced at her, his eyes twinkling impishly.

The class began to work. The nudity no longer felt uncomfortable and before long they found themselves packing up. Harry put on his robe on and prepared to change into his normal clothing, jeans and a hooded sweater.

"Hey Harry Potter."

He turned to see the redhead girl, her art board carrier over her shoulder. "I'm Ginny Weasley."

Harry shook her hand. "It was nice meeting you."

She smiled and quirked her eyebrow. "It was nice seeing you--" Ginny suddenly realized what slipped from her mouth. "I can't believe I said that."

Harry had the good grace to blush.

"Miss Weasley!" Ginny turn to see Madame DuBois coming towards her. "I have a favor to ask of you." The group stopped to wait for their friend. "A colleague of mine is in dire need of your help."

"How Madame?" Ginny couldn't help but wonder why the woman seem so entranced by her.

"He is going to be doing an exposition here in a few weeks," Madame replied. "He is a wonderful artist but we seem to be missing the key piece of his exhibit. When I saw you, it just came to me that you must be the model!"

"Excuse me?"

"You shall be a modern day Venus! Galatea! The muse!" The woman clapped her hands together. "I am willing to give you private lessons for free if you would be so agreeable. He, too, would be incline to help you in learning your inner artist."

"I don't know."

The woman grabbed her arm. OUCH. Her eyes bulged and Ginny's mind flash to Professor Trelawney. They could be sisters. They were a whole bag of crazy.

"But you MUST!"

"OKAY! Just let go of my arm!" The woman's hand fell to her side and a smile spread across her face.

"Tomorrow then at six o'clock. Good evening."

And with that Madame turned and walked away.

The group was silent for a moment trying to digress what had just happened when suddenly--

"What the HELL was that?" Lavender asked.

Ginny walked into the empty studio. Setting her board down, she walk around quietly. A easel with a sketch board was set to one side of the room. "Hello? Anyone here?"

"Just setting up." Ginny whirled around as Harry walked in. "Ginny?"

"Harry." She smiled and suddenly he felt breathless. " So you're the artist?"

"Artist, model, wizard…" Ginny's eyes widened. " Your brother is Ron Weasley, right? The Quidditch player?"

"You're a wizard?" Harry nodded as her set up. She sat on the bench next to his. "How did you know I was a witch?"

"It was your friend with long, dark hair," he said. "She said and I quote 'Oh Merlin!' when she saw my message. I'm training to be an Auror and they always teach you how to listen to what people think are discreet whispers. Only witches and wizards say that phrase. Also, when you introduce yourself, the name 'Weasley' sounded familiar. My Godfather, Sirius, knows your parents and everyone knows Ron from the Cannons, of course."

"That's very stalker-ish of you," Ginny said with a laugh. "So why are you here, Auror Potter?"

"I like art," he replied. "It's the one thing that I'm good at." His face was suddenly lit with happiness. "It's another way to see the world. Life and death. Hate and love. Beauty…." Ginny realized he had turned to look at her. "Anyway, it's a passion of mine. Among other things."

"It's quite beautiful to see the world that way," she replied softly. "So how do we do this?"

"Why don't you have a seat on the stool at the platform?" He instructed and she followed his request. Removing her jacket, she adjusted her gauzy top and looked in his direction. He was sharpening some charcoal with his blade.

"Is this alright?" She asked and he looked up. Walking over to her, Harry looked at her for a moment before he took her hair-tie and let her long hair graze her shoulders. He moved a few tendrils and then lightly grazed her face with his palm. She inhaled sharply and released quietly to calm her nerves. Ginny had never felt so quite undone.

"Now tilt your head down," Harry said as he sat back down. "Eyes on me." She followed his instructions. "Now hold still."

It was quiet for the next few minutes; the only sound being their breathing and the scratching of charcoal against paper. Ginny kept her gaze on him as instructed and was able to examine him. His hair stood up in certain places. His eyes were an emerald green and a nice shape. She could see his infamous scar on his pale skin. Harry had an air of confidence about him and she wondered if he could see how intimidated she was by him.

He was handsome, and funny. Harry made her stomach turn in a GOOD way. She wondered if he had a girlfriend.

Wait! She wasn't going to do this! Not again. Not after being dumped. She promised she wouldn't get herself hurt over a guy. Even one as delicious as Harry.

"You alright?" Harry had stopped and was now staring at her.

"Yes," she replied. "I don't know how you can do this." Ginny hopped off her seat.

"I love it," he replied. Ginny walked over and gasped.

"I'm gorgeous!"

He laughed. "So modest."

"It's not that. I was always a bit of an ugly bird. It's what happens when you live in a house full of boys and a busy mother. I didn't know how to wear makeup or fix my hair."

She smiled to herself as she looked at the portrait. "I don't look like myself. You've used some sort of artist trick."

"This is exactly how I see you."

Ginny looked down from where she stood and saw his heated gaze. He looked down quickly. "Try telling that to Michael."

"Michael?"

"My former boyfriend. Dump me for a much prettier bird."

"He's an arse."

"My sentiments exactly."

They shared a laugh. Harry took her hand. "Do you want to go get some coffee Galatea?"

She nodded and went to put on her jacket. Harry donned his sweatshirt and took the keys from his jacket. He explained that Madame had given him a copy because he was there all the time. The two walked a few blocks down to a small coffee shop. Harry paid for her small latte and his own coffee (black). They took a seat next to the window sipping quietly.

"Who's Galatea?"

"Pygmalion, a sculptor in Greek mythology, sculpted a statue who he named 'Galatea'. He fell in love with her and Aphrodite granted him a most dearest wish bringing her to life. They married after."

"That's lovely." Ginny said and took a seat. "You fancy yourself Pygmalion?"

"Falling in love with something made of my own hands? Something whose beauty is seen only in my eyes?" He took a drink and put his cup down. Ginny took his hand and he smiled squeezing her own hand.

"Than yes. I do fancy myself Pygmalion."

They never returned to the studio. Instead Harry and Ginny spent their day walking about the city. Sometimes talking, sometime walking in silence contemplating why they weren't in a mad rush to leave one another.

She told him about her life. Ginny told him about her family; how much her father loved all things Muggle and her mum's overbearing but loving ways, and about her brothers ("All crazy but they're just overprotective of little sister. If only they'd realize I'm not so little!) and of course, Michael ("We agreed to be friends but what else could I do when he was foaming at the mouth at some other chick?").

He told her about his life. Of course, it had began with the story of the Potter Family in hiding; how his parents had died and how his godfather had taken him into his care. Sirius chose to tutor him privately to protect from prying eyes instead of letting him attend Hogwarts. It explained why they never met. He told her about Sirius ("Crazy but lovable") and Remus, another friend of his parents ("The sensible one") and about Tonks, his wife who was pregnant ("She's about to burst, and we all have to keep our wits about or she'd rip us a new one.")

Than it came down to the important subjects.

"I don't know what I want to be," Ginny said as they walked down the street. Somewhere in between their walk, Harry had slipped his hand into hers. "A healer maybe. Or a maybe a Quidditch player. I don't know. What about you? Have you always wanted to be an Auror?"

"I wouldn't say that I have always wanted to be an Auror," he explained. "You see my dad was an Auror and so was Sirius. They were the best of friends and when he died, I think Sirius thought that I would take his place. He was always bringing me to the Ministry and letting me hang out in the Auror's quarters. He's always telling me how much I loved sitting at my dad's desk stamping reports when I was a kid--"

"So?"

"It's symbolism, you know," Harry replied and ran his free hand through his hair. "That I HAD to take my father's place."

Ginny stopped and turned to him. "If you spend your whole life trying to be someone else, how do you know where you stop and begin? Who are you?" She looked up at him and was surprise by the heavy look in his eyes. She reached her hand to cup his cheek. "What do you want Harry?"

He placed his hand over her cupped one. Harry's lips were inches from hers. "I want to kiss you."

She stepped forward so that their chests were pressed together. Ginny smiled up at him softly. "Then what's stopping you?"

Harry grinned and leaned forward.

"Nothing."

"He kissed you? Just like that?" Lavender was practically brimming with excitement. She grabbed a biscuit from the plate that Luna set down in front of her. Like a child, she held with both hands while she smiled at Ginny with wide eyes. Luna joined them at the table, sitting next to Parvati who was stirring her tea.

"Sorry I'm late ladies!" Hermione rushed in. Her frizzy hair flew in all directions and she was smiling from ear to ear. She sat down next to Ginny and removed her jacket. "What did I miss?"

"What did WE missed?" Parvati asked her.

"What?" Hermione looked around the table. They were all staring at her.

"Well obviously beside the fact that you're missing a comb through your hair," Lavender said. "You look awesome."

"I think I know what's going on," Luna said calmly.

Hermione's head quickly snapped to her direction. "What?"

"You got promoted at the Ministry, right?" Luna took a sip of her tea. "After all, nothing gets you excited besides work or books or--"

"Afternoon everyone!" Ron walked in with a broom in his hand. He kissed the top of his sister's head and opened the cooling cupboard to grab a drink.

"Been out flying?" Ginny asked.

"Nothing gets me going like doing a lap around the Quidditch field," he said as joined them at the table. "What are you ladies talking about?"

"We're talking about how gorgeous Hermione has been looking lately," Parvati informed him. "Can't you tell?"

Ron leaned back and crossed his arms as he stared at Hermione. Then he shrugged. "I see no difference."

Hermione's expression was emotionless. Ginny sighed; it was typical of Ron to say something idiotic.

Her friend remained silent, and then suddenly slammed her fist against the table with a loud SLAM.

Everyone jumped in their seats. "Now see here! I will not have this conversation anymore. I mean like everyone thinks I couldn't possibly be excited about anything besides BOOKS! Well you know what? There is something--no SOMEONE that gets me more excited than books!"

With that, Hermione glared at all of them including Ron and walked out in a huff with her frizzed hair flying behind her.

"What do you suppose that was about?" Luna asked as she sipped her cup of tea serenely. "I mean besides the absence of sensitivity in Ronald."

He glared at her. "I didn't mean like that. I meant that she was always gorgeous so I saw no difference."

"I'll go check on her," Ginny said and got up.

A hand suddenly grabbed her arm and she looked down to see Ron looking at her. He opened his mouth as if to say something but then suddenly stopped removing his hand.

Ginny walked out of the kitchen and found her outside on the porch. Hermione was sitting on the steps looking out at the sunset. She looked at the descending sun as if she was trying to find the answer to something in it. Ginny sat next to her and waited until the older girl was ready to speak.

They were like sisters, and for a moment Ginny felt hurt by the fact that Hermione had kept a secret from her. However, she knew it was probably for a good reason.

After a moment, Hermione turned to her. "He asked me to marry him."

"What? Who?!" Ginny knew that she wouldn't say however.

Hermione wordlessly pulled a platinum diamond ring from her shirt pocket and handed it to her.

Ginny held the ring with both hands. "What was your answer?"

"I said I didn't know," Hermione replied. "It's been a secret for awhile now. Us dating and all…I mean neither of our families know."

"Are you in love with him?"

It was a simple question.

"Yes," Hermione said quickly. "Very much so."

"Love shouldn't be trifled with," the younger girl said. "It's precious and rare. So hold on to it. Hold on, Hermione." She took her friend's hand and opening Hermione's palm placed the ring on it. "The choice is yours. Your family and his family will deal with it in the end because they love you."

Hermione hugged her. "When did you get so smart?"

Ginny laughed as they pulled away. "You're my best friend. I learnt from the best."

"Can I see?" Ginny asked from where she stood. Harry smiled up at her and continued on for a moment.

"So impatient."

"You would be too if you had to hold your arms out for this long!"

"Well I have done that before, and I managed to survive."

"Show off." Harry laughed. With a final line drawn, he nodded for her to stop. Ginny rushed over and looked over his shoulder. "Not bad." She straddled the bench that he sat on. He turned to her and looked into her eyes. Harry seemed to be probing her. "Is something wrong?"

"Can I ask you something?" Ginny nodded. "How did you know that you weren't in love with Michael anymore?"

Ginny thought for a moment. "We had been together for awhile. He forgot our two-year anniversary, and neither of us really cared that he did. Slowly we began to fall apart until the shoe dropped and he found someone else." Harry nodded. "Can I ask you a question?"

Harry smiled and nodded.

"How do you know if you're in love?"

He thought for a moment and then snapped his fingers. "You let her meet your family. I mean they are the most important people in your life, right?"

"Of course." She kissed the tip of his nose. "You're adorable."

Harry kissed her lips soundly. "So are you…do you want to meet my family?" He looked down shyly. "I mean…is this too soon?"

"No." Ginny whispered. "It's not."

The couple sat for a moment in comfortable silence. Both Ginny and Harry knew that there were no words needed for what they felt. It was all in the glances, the small touches, and smiles that they gave one another.

Ginny stood up for a moment. "I believe that my break is over." Harry nodded and set his board back up. "Sitting or standing?"

"Anything would be fine," he replied as he continued to sharpen his charcoal pen. "I just want you to be comfortable."

"Very well."

When he was done pulling out his watercolor set, Harry looked up to help Ginny with her pose.

"Okay Gin--"

He stopped mid-sentence at the sight before him.

Ginny sat Indian style with her head resting against her hand as she leaned to one side. Her long hair spilled over her shoulder and she was smiling softly at him.

And she didn't have a stitch on.

"Is this okay?" Ginny asked slyly.

Harry swallowed the lump in his throat. He felt unbelievably warm. "A-Are you comfortable in that position?"

"Will you help me change positions?" She grinned wickedly.

Oh Merlin! She was killing him.

Damn her, and her gorgeous face, and her pretty hair, and…everything else. Harry walked up to the platform. He kept his eyes on her face. "Will you grab the sheet at your feet?"

Ginny rolled her eyes and bent down to pick it up. She noticed his breathing hitch.

"Harry?"

"Y-Yes?"

"Why aren't you looking at me?" Harry stood stiffly, and wouldn't let himself look beyond her mouth. He took the sheet and wrapped it around her shoulders. "Are you nervous?"

"Very."

"Look at me," Ginny said and took his hands with one of hers as she held the sheet with the other. Harry looked quickly and reverted back to staring at her chin. "This is just me and you. I'm not nervous so you shouldn't be either."

"It's not that," he replied. "Ginny, you're gorgeous. I'm just afraid of what happens next. What's happening between me and you is different from anything I've ever felt or known. And I think…I know I'm in love with you."

Her eyes filled and she took his hand putting it to where her heart was. "Do you feel that?" Beneath their hands, he could the rapid thumping and Harry knew what she felt. "This only happens with you." He pulled her close. "So are you going to kiss me?"

He did.

And Ginny let the sheet fall.

In between the tangle of kisses, clothes, and white sheets were the young couple who had taken their activity to the floor of the platform. They were so caught up in one another that neither noticed that the door to the gallery was opened, and someone was currently walking to the studio.

"Harry! Are you getting home anytime soo--MERLIN!" Sirius walked in to see his young godson tangled and half-naked with someone.

Ginny screamed, and yanked the sheet to cover herself leaving Harry standing in front of his Godfather almost naked with his hands covering parts of himself that no one else (besides maybe Ginny) should be seeing. "What are you doing here Sirius?!"

"I was on my way home, and thought I'd help you clean up," he replied easily. "Oh, and of course, meet your new student." He turned to Ginny and held out his hand. "Sirius Black, Harry's godfather." His eyes were bright with mirth.

"Ginny Weasley," she said and held out one hand while holding her sheet with the other hand. Sirius shook his hand, and gave her a quick wink. Her face was burning with humiliation.

"Weasley?" Sirius replied and then he snapped his fingers. "Is Arthur Weasley related to you? Or are you related to Ron Weasley of the Chudley Cannons?"

"Both actually," she said. "My father and brother."

"Well Harry, I'd say that you have found a keeper," Sirius replied. "Why don't you have dinner with us this evening? Meet the rest of the crew and everything." His godson was still covering his bottom half with his hands. "I mean if you've finished and everything."

"I'll just go change." Ginny gathered her thrown clothing and quickly ran out to the ladies room to change.

Sirius turned to Harry with a quirked eyebrow. Harry scowled. "Don't ask."

The older man took the dark shirt thrown on the floor, and threw it at Harry. "Wasn't going to." Harry ran to the changing panel to put on his pants. He finally emerged a moment later fully dressed and red faced.

"Hey Harry."

"Huh?"

"Nice bum."

"Oh shut it, Sirius!"

Grimmauld Place was only a few blocks away from the studio so the trio decided to walk. Sirius and Ginny seemed to get along well debating about politics, Quidditch teams, and the new policies at St. Mungo's regarding lycanthropy which Remus suffered from.

As they watched the house come to view, Sirius pulled Harry aside. "I like her a lot Harry."

"I'm in love with her."

Sirius turned to him with a surprised look on his face. "This is a first."

They looked over at Ginny who they realized was staring at them curiously. Sirius put an arm around Harry and clapped his shoulder. He went over to the Ginny and put his other arm around her. She smiled shyly at them. "You know. Harry's mum was redhead too. Potter men seem to be wild for them."

They walked up the steps and Sirius opened the door. It had been charmed to only let certain people in. He made a note to include Ginny's handprint also. Sirius called out for the rest of the family to come out. "Tonks! Remus! We're home!"

There was absolute silence.

"Harry's brought a girl home!"

A scurry of footsteps brought Remus and Tonks. Tonks was sporting her usual pink hair along with a full belly. Remus looked tired from his latest transformation but was grinning at them.

Harry put an around Ginny. "Remus, Tonks, this is Ginny Weasley."

"Weasley. I went to school with a Charlie Weasley," Tonks said with a big smile.

"My brother." Ginny replied and shook her hand.

"A redhead." Remus remarked as he shook her hand. "A lovely one. I'm Remus Lupin, and of course, my wife Nymphadora."

"Just Tonks." Tonks took her hand and led her to the kitchen. "We're both Aurors. It gets damn complicated when they're calling out assignments. Come. Remus is cooking because I couldn't conjure food if my life depended on it. I'll make us some decaf tea."

Ginny turned to quickly wink and smile at Harry before they went into the kitchen.

Harry was grinning from ear to ear.

Sirius and Remus looked at one another in disbelief. They couldn't believe the boy they had raised was now a man in love. Harry had a few girlfriends but none of them were ever very serious. Not serious enough that he had brought them home. Remus waved a hand in front of his face.

Nothing.

The boy was done for.

A week later, Harry's show premiered. The studio was packed and Harry stood proudly in the middle of it all. The Madame stood next to him while a group of critics spoke to the budding new artist.

Harry searched the room and found Ginny across the room. She wore a knee length, black dress with cap sleeves. Her hair was curled at the ends and she was staring up at larger painting of his. She met his eyes and raised her champagne glass with a grin.

Ginny turned to look up at the portrait. She could tell how much he loved painting and how talented he was at it. Sirius walked to her quietly and gave her a smile. "He's talented, isn't he?"

He nodded. "Yes, it is a great hobby for him," Sirius replied. She turned to him wondering why he seemed so adverse to Harry's raw talent. "He will have less time for this though once he is a full-time Auror."

Oh yes.

"Don't you think that maybe this profession might be more to his liking?"

"Harry doesn't know what he wants," Sirius said defensively. "He's meant to be an Auror. It is what his father wanted. It is what HE wants."

"He wants or what you want," Ginny replied in a loud hiss. The gallery was suddenly silent.

Harry looked at them curiously. They both gave him an uneasy smile and turned to one another. "Ginny, I raised Harry so I know him enough to know what he wants. You, on the other hand, have known him for what? Two months?!"

Ginny glared at him. "I know him more than you know. I know you more than you know! You're just trying to replace your best friend. He will never be his father. Harry loves being an artist and I think that the thought scares you! If he does than you will have to realize that he's not James!"

"Watch your words Ginny."

"I can't be here," she said suddenly. "I won't watch his dreams die to suffice your own. It will hurt…"

"Why is that?" Sirius asked seriously.

Harry walked towards them and caught her soft, shaky voice:

"Because I love him."

She took a swig from her glass. Her eyes were wet. "I have to go."

Ginny turned and walked out of the gallery door. She couldn't do this. Not again. Ginny had suddenly come to the realization that her breakup with Michael has hurt her more than she thought.

When she had left Michael, Ginny had told people that they had given up on each other. It was more that he had given on them. She was never a fool so she had let him go. He was still with girl that he had cheated on her with. The concept of love gave her anxiety.

And she had just said she loved Harry. Ginny couldn't take it.

Not another heartbreak, and especially with Harry.

She apparated away.

"What the hell happened?" Harry asked his Godfather. Sirius look thoroughly ashamed of himself. He had never meant to snap at Ginny but she had hit a little too close to home.

"Nothing," he muttered and turned away from his Godson.

Harry got hold of Sirius's shoulder and turned him around. "That is complete and utter crap!"

"She was talking all kinds of nonsense, Harry," Sirius said defensively. "She was saying that you didn't want to be an Auror. That I was just trying to replace your father! But she's wrong, isn't she Harry?"

The younger man looked down silently.

Sirius faltered. "Isn't she?"

"I don't want to be an Auror, Sirius," Harry said softly. "I'm sorry. I can't be my father anymore."

"No one ever asked you to."

"YOU DID!" Harry was livid. "You didn't have to say it but it was in your words or in your actions! You kept on saying 'It would have made your father happy'. Or when I was younger, you would make me sit at my father's desk like I was bloody him!" Harry threw his hand in the air. "Ginny and painting were the only things that made me different from him. Now you want me to give them up? I won't."

"Harry---" Sirius reached out to him.

"I have to go," Harry said suddenly. "I can't be near you. I'm leaving Grimmauld. I'll send for my things."

"Harry, wait a minute--"

"No." He put his hand out. "I am no longer under your rule anymore."

Harry apparated away.

Ginny flooed into her apartment. Without thinking, she flicked her wand to prevent anyone from flooing in as well as putting up an anti-apparation charm. Tonight, she didn't want anyone to come in and see her like this.

She let the tears fall. The fear that gripped her was sharp. Ginny had been through this before. Her last relationship had crumbled quickly. This relationship was progressing quickly. So quickly that she felt herself unable to have any control and it was a scary thought.

She went to her washroom and quickly splashed water over her face. Ginny then changed into some comfy sweats and decided that she would settle in by drinking a glass of wine by the fire.

As she placed her glass on her coffee table, a knock was heard on the door. Her heart began to pound and she wondered if it was Harry.

She couldn't handle this right now--"Ginny! Open up! It's Hermione!"

Ginny sighed in relief and went to the door. When she opened the door, her friend stood in front of her smiling widely. Her hair was pinned so her curls were placed in messy bun. She wore a long dress and a green parka jacket. As soon as Hermione saw her face, the smile fell off. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing that I wish to talk about at the moment," she replied and open the door wider. "Come in."

"Wait," Hermione said suddenly and seriously. "I want to introduce someone to you." Ginny crossed her arms and looked at her best friend inquiringly. "Allow me to present my husband."

Ginny's eyes widened when she saw who was suddenly in front of her. "RON!" He smiled and held Hermione's hand where beside the engagement ring was now a beautiful platinum band.

She threw her arms around both of them. "I CAN'T BELIEVE IT!"

Ron pulled her into a tight hug and lifted her off the ground. "Thank you for helping me--helping us. I don't think Hermione would have been convinced until you told her otherwise."

"Do Mum and Dad know?"

"Not yet," Ron told her and she pulled them into her apartment. "We wanted to keep it quiet. There was only the officiate and one of his clerks as the witness."

"I hope you don't mind," Hermione said and took her hand. "I know you were going to Harry's art show." Ginny burst into tears and her now sister-in-law pulled her in. "What's wrong?"

The story spilled out.

When she was finished and weeping into Hermione's shoulder, her brother then asked her if she thought that he should kick Harry's arse.

She laughed and wiped her eyes. "No, I'm not very sure why I even ran away. He never did anything wrong. He was perfect."

"Maybe that was the reason," Hermione reasoned. "He was too perfect so you didn't know if what you were feeling was real. With Michael, you felt like that at the beginning from what I remember and then later…you didn't. Have you ever thought that as fast as you fell for Harry; you could possibly fall out of it just as quickly?"

"I don't think I can stand if it happen like that."

"You know what, Gin?" Her brother put a hand on his shoulder. "As much as I love Hermione, I know that she's not perfect." Hermione scowled and her brother laughed affectionately at his wife. "But I love her with those imperfections. Do you think you could love Harry with his imperfections? Do you even know what they are? Are you willing at this point to find them out?"

Ginny looked at her brother with bright, shining eyes. "I don't know," she replied truthfully.

"Than I suggest you give yourself time," her brother replied and pulled her into his arms.

Harry packed his things after his last sketching class. Madame had ended the class early sensing that her young protégé was unwell. He sighed tiredly and was glad that at least he would have peace and quiet at his own place. Sirius, however, was adamant in trying to speak to him. Remus and Tonks had tried to reason with him but he would not talk to his Godfather.

Ginny had disappeared off the face of the earth. He did not understand what had happened between her and Sirius. He refused to speak to Sirius about it thinking that his Godfather might tell the story in his favor.

Harry flung his bag over his shoulder and turned to see Hermione, Ginny's friend, in the doorway. "Hi Harry."

"Hermione!" He walked quickly to her. "What happened to Ginny? Is she okay?" She could see the concern in his eyes.

She held out a piece of folded stationary. "It's from Ginny. She wanted you to know that she's okay. I think she explains everything in the letter."

"Can I see her?"

"No," Hermione replied. "I don't think she is ready." She turned to walk out--

"Can you tell her that I hope she's okay? And that I'm thinking of her?"

The woman nodded. "Goodbye Harry."

Harry nodded back. "Goodbye Hermione."

When she left, Harry placed his bag down and sat in a nearby chair. Unfolding the letter, he began to read Ginny flowing script:

"Dear Harry,

You're probably wondering why I have left and why I'm writing this letter. The truth is that I don't think I'm quite ready to love you like I think I do. When I confronted Sirius about him pressuring you into Auror training; it really opened my eyes. Was I ready to put myself that heavily into your life? If you were to quit being an Auror than it might cause many problems. Problems, financially and most importantly, problems with your family especially your Godfather.

Thinking about it, I don't think I should have confronted him so harshly. I know nothing about your life or about your family. That scares me. I defending someone who I hardly know. I'm loving someone I hardly know. I only just got out of a long-term relationship and to get into another one with someone who might be the 'one' is not something I can handle.

It would only be catastrophic for us.

I want to love you knowing your imperfections and you knowing mine. Until we're ready for that, I think we have to step back. I don't want us to end up like Michael and I. I need to find out what I want alone to find out what I want with you. I know this might be the foolish way out but it is what I feel is right.

Please don't think it has anything to do with you or the choices you make. It doesn't. Follow what makes you happy. If in the end it's being an Auror than I am happy for you. If not than I think right now is the best time to find that out what will make you happy. Make me proud, Harry. Make yourself proud.

As for me, I will leave it up to fate or a higher being to decide what is to become to me. I leave it to both of us to find out later where we stand.

Always,

Ginny"

Harry folded the letter and held it to his chest. Somehow he felt as if a weight had been lifted. Getting his bag, he left the building and locked up behind him.

"Harry." It was Sirius and he looked like he hadn't slept in days.

"Hey," Harry greeted him. They walked towards one another warily.

"I need to know why you left," he asked. "Is being Auror really something that you don't want?"

Harry thought for a moment and then put a hand on Sirius's shoulder. " Sirius, I think I've made my decision."

One Year Later--

"Congratulations Ginny!" Parvati said as she held up her glass. Lavender, Luna, Hermione followed suit.

Ginny clinked glasses with her friends and took a sip of champagne. Looking around, she reflected on how much things had changed. Hermione caressed her stomach as she sipped the apple cider from her glass. Her brother and Hermione would be welcoming their baby girl in a month.

Luna was getting ready to go on an expedition with Rolf Scamander, the son of one of her father's colleagues. She would be abroad for a few months. Lavender and Parvati would be opening their own boutique in Diagon Alley.

As for her? Her thoughts were interrupted by her brother, Fred lifting her off the ground. "What are you doing?!!" Her brother put her down and gave her an impish grin.

"This is really wonderful, Ginny," he told her before he walked over to George across the room. Looking around, she saw that everyone seemed to be having a wonderful time.

Her art debut seemed to be going well. Though she had not returned to Madame DuBois art studio, her love for painting seemed to grow. It had been her therapy those first few months and many lonely nights, Hermione had found her working on a painting in her living room. She would spend nights on end working on one.

One day, her mother had suggested that perhaps she should consider renting a space and selling them. Her father then slipped her a paper with a contract for a small gallery rental. Parvati had enlisted the help of her sister Padma who worked for a PR firm to promote Ginny's paintings.

It was Michael, Ginny's ex, who had gotten the magazine spread in 'Art Today'. It turned out that woman who Michael had left her for was a writer. Melanie had felt horrible when she discovered that the man she had fallen for had left his long time girlfriend. It was guilt that had led her to Ginny but she had left the artist's apartment thoroughly impressed. The young woman had great talent and depth in her work.

Thus the next week, the article written by the Art Critic, Melanie Stromwell, declared Ginny as the newest art talent.

So the gallery show was filled and she had already sold three, rather expensive paintings. Walking around, she found herself at her favorite piece of work. It was an abstract painting featuring a different array of greens. This was the only piece that was not for sale.

Ginny took a sip from her glass and looked up at it. This one had been a particularly difficult one and had never felt satisfied with it. She could never get his particular shade of green. However many declared it her best work.

"What was your inspiration?"

"I was trying to get a particular green," she explained without thinking. "It never seemed to be right one--"

She turned to see Harry beside her. Ginny's mouth curved to a smile. "Harry."

"Hey Gin," he replied easily. "I hope you don't mind. Hermione and the girls invited me." She looked over to where her friends were. They all suddenly turned around to avoid her gaze except for Lavender who was jumping up and down excitedly. Hermione yanked her around.

"How are you?" she asked him.

"I'm good." Harry's eyes never left her. She looked incredible in her green wrap dress. "I'm going to Paris next week."

"Paris!" Her heart clenched. "Why?"

"Teaching art as well as helping to set up a new exhibit in the Louvre," he explained.

"What exhibit?"

"Mine," he replied. "Particularly a rather well-reviewed sculpture of Galatea."

"Congratulations," Ginny said easily.

"Ginny…" Harry turned to her. "I want you to come with me."

"Are you delusional?"

"No, I'm in love," he said. "I know that you said that we hardly know one another. Here's a little bit about me. I eat leaning on my counter reading magazines, I like to watch crappy reality shows on the telly, and I sing Aerosmith songs in the shower. Your turn."

She sighed as she looked up at him. What was he up to? "I'm not a morning person, I eat crackers with jam when I'm drunk, and--" She thought for a moment. There wasn't a day when she hadn't thought about him. "I missed you."

Harry's lips were suddenly on hers. He pulled away and looked into her eyes "I love you, Ginny. I love your non-morning person, crackers with jam eating-self. I want to get to know you because I know that I'll love everything else. Ginny, I just want you to know me and hopefully when you're ready you will love me, all of me."

"Shut up," Ginny said suddenly.

"What?"

"I said shut up," she said and wrapped her arms around his neck. "I'll go with you on one condition."

"Tell me and it's done," Harry said.

"Marry me."

And so two days later, Harry did.

Harry finished and found Albus sprawled on his lap asleep. Lily was sleeping next to Ginny while James slept next to his brother, his mouth slightly open as he snored. Ginny met his eyes and laughed. "I guess that the story got a little too long for them."

"Too bad," he replied. "I thought it was pretty good!"

"It was," Ginny said and kissed his shoulder. "I love you."

"I love you too," Harry said and kissed her forehead. "We should probably get them into their beds." He moved Albus so that he was lying on the sofa. Walking over to James, he lifted his oldest boy. Ginny followed suit by laying Lily near Albus.

They always tucked their children together. When Harry was in his last year of Auror training, he never had a chance to put James to bed. Now that he had time, he made sure that he was there when the children went to bed. Time was precious with them and before they knew the children would be grown.

He held his oldest tighter at the thought. Ginny looked at him and seem to sense what he was feeling. She followed her husband up the stairs as she sang quietly:

"Before you go to sleep,

Say a little prayer,

Every day in every way,

It's getting better and better…"

They put James in bed and Ginny kissed the young boy's hair. Harry looked down at his son and pull his blanket around his small body. "Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful, beautiful boy…"

They brought Lily up next. Her red hair flowed down as Harry carried her up the stairs. "Out on the ocean sailing away, I can hardly wait, to see you to come of age, but I guess we'll both, Just have to be patient…" His Lily was always the one who wanted to hurry and grow up. Mostly because of her desire to go to Hogwarts. He, on the other hand, was not ready to let his girl go just yet. She was so much like Ginny.

Ginny kissed her daughter's cheek and inhaled her sweet, flowery scent. She used the same shampoo that her Mum had her use.

Albus had stretched himself over the whole couch when they returned to the living room. Ginny pushed his hair off his forehead. Albus was the only one of her children who resembled Harry. It had made him all the more special. Harry brought him to the room which he shared with James. The parents sat on either side of him watching as he sighed in his sleep. "Before you cross the street, take my hand…"

His wife met his eyes, and grinned. "Life is just what happens to you, while your busy making other plans," she sang finishing the lyric.

"Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful, beautiful boy…" Harry kissed the boy's forehead. "Sleep well Al," he said as he finished.

The young boy smiled in his sleep.

Many years later…

Harry put an arm around his wife as she wiped her eyes. Today they had sent Albus for his first year at Hogwarts. Harry had assuaged his son's fear of being placed in the rumored dark wizard house of Slytherin. It no longer mattered where he ended up as long as it was what he wanted.

However, he felt that Albus favored Ravenclaw for he was rather sharp.

Lily who had ran until the end of the platform joined them, her cheeks red and her hair windblown. Ginny took her hand while Harry took her other hand.

Together they walked to the car that they had driven to Kings Cross. They would be spending a day in the city for lunch. It was also to cheer Lily up since she was so upset about losing her brothers for the school year.

They later found themselves in a small café. Lily insisted on a banana split while her parents had their fill of fish and chips.

"So my little one, are you still upset about being left alone this year?" Harry asked as she dug into her ice cream dish.

She smiled. "Oh no Daddy. I'm not sad anymore." Her face was smeared with chocolate syrup and her mother wiped her face with an amused smile.

"Why is that?"

"Because Mummy said I'm going to have a new brother or sister soon," Lily explained in all seriousness. "Now I won't be all alone." The little girl continued to eat her ice cream.

Harry looked at his wife with shocked eyes.

Ginny took his hand and smiled contentedly. "You better get to work on another story, Harry."

The End.

'Beautiful Boy' was written and performed by John Lennon.

So ends this rather long chapter. Thank you for all your patience. In-between work and life, my mother had a sudden triple bypass surgery. She is recovering well.

I appreciate all reviews as long as they are constructive.

Happy Holidays!

JLaLa