Chapter 16

A Time For Love

" . . . 'cause it's you and me, and all of the people — and I don't know why, I can't keep my eyes off of you . . . "

Ginny finished singing the song quietly, laying her daughter down in a solid oak crib that had been hers as a baby. Even at two weeks of age, Amaya's hair was already the trademark Weasley red. But her eyes were completely unique, a sort of brownish with flecks of green and yellow throughout.

Even Molly, who hadn't been too thrilled at the prospect of her seventeen year old daughter becoming a mother herself, had been drawn into Amaya's spell upon seeing her for the first time. Ginny herself had taken quite quickly to being a mother, especially for her young age. The two months' maternity leave from school were giving her the time needed to bond with her daughter. Some of her Professors had volunteered to make regular trips to the Burrow to give Ginny a few vital lessons, seeing as how it was her final year and all.

A gentle knock sounded at the door, startling Ginny from watching her sleeping daughter. She turned around, placing a finger against her lips to indicate the sleeping baby to Harry. Amy, as Ron had affectionately dubbed her, was usually well-tempered, but that afternoon it had been unusually hard to get her to sleep.

Taking his arm and steering him out of the bedroom, Ginny closed the door and breathed a sigh of relief. "Finally."

"Gin . . . can we talk?"

"Sure." Ginny hesitated, not sure what he was about to say. Ever since he'd delivered the baby, things had been more awkward than usual between them.

"Okay. How about we go out somewhere tonight? I'm sure you could get your mother or Hermione to babysit."

"Sounds like heaven to me. I could use a few hours' break time," Ginny murmured. "7:00 good for you?"

"Great," answered Harry.

"Well, I'll see you then," smiled Ginny before bouncing down the stairs. She was very much enjoying the fact that she was able to do that again. Since the added baby-weight had disappeared, Ginny had been taking long walks with the baby, and doing all kinds of exercise to try and get her pre-pregnancy figure back.

She found Hermione in the kitchen. "Hello, Hermione!" she chirped.

The other witch glared. "And what's got you into such a sunshine-filled mood?"

"Amaya's asleep. And I'm going out with Harry tonight!"

Hermione smiled, a knowing glint in her eyes. "Out, hmm? And let me guess — you're on the prowl for a babysitter?"

A guilty expression on her face, Ginny smiled as winningly as she could. "I would really love it if you could just take Amy for a few hours . . . pleeeeeeeeeease, Hermione? I would love you forever."

"Oh, go on," Hermione smiled, taking a sip of tea from her favorite yellow and orange mug. "It'll be good for you. But mind you, I won't forget this the next time Ron and I want to go out."

"Thank you so much!" Ginny practically squealed. She flung her arms around Hermione's neck, squeezing her friend once for good measure. "And I promise you that anytime you and Ron feel like taking the night off, I'll be here."

"Yes, yes, you say that now — we'll see about that when the time comes!" Hermione said jokingly.

Ginny just grinned and decided to take a walk. As she flounced out the door, however, she missed what happened just behind her back. Harry poked his head round the wall by the stairs — Hermione gave him the thumbs up.

Feeling at peace for once, Ginny skipped outside, breathing in the fresh, early-morning air. Living in a house with two newborns caused every person to be awake and ready to start the day before 6:30 every morning. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, thinking about her life. Cillian was serving time in Azkaban for holding her hostage, while Michael was also serving time on rape charges. She wouldn't have to worry about them for a very long time. Harry still wanted to be with her, even after all she had done to him. She had a beautiful daughter, a beautiful nephew — things were just going her way all around.

The sun was in the process of rising, and the red, orange, pink and purple colors all blended together to taint the sky a beautiful grapefruit color. Ginny walked along the path that led to the lake behind their house, wondering what it was Harry would want to talk to her about. Ever since she had found out that he'd moved back to his London flat at Christmas, she had been wondering whether or not he would ask her to move in with him. Maybe that was what he was going to ask her tonight!

And if he did, of course her answer would be yes. When she was ten years old, he had stolen her heart and she'd never really gotten it back. Sure, she had been with other guys . . . Amaya was living proof of her burning need to forget about Harry. But she'd never let go of the feeling she got when he looked at her just the right way, if his hand accidentely brushed against hers. It was just right somehow, without question or doubt.

"You look fine! Will you stop obsessing over yourself?" Hermione sighed in exasperation. Ginny stood in front of the full-length mirror in her room, turning this way and that, criticizing her reflection. She wore a pair of dark blue jeans and a black tank top under a beige jacket. Her hair was pulled up into a ponytail, bangs pushed in a fringe to the right side of her forehead. A blue knit scarf and brown shoes topped off the outfit.

"Why would Harry go for this?" Ginny complained, running her hands over her stomach. She knew she wasn't fat, but she had got quite a bit curvier since the baby. Her hips had widened slightly, and her stomach wasn't technically flat anymore. "Why doesn't he go find himself some skinny woman, hmm?"

"Oh, get real. If he dated you while you were pregnant, why do you think he'd have no interest in you now?"

"Because back then, at least I had an excuse for being fat."

"Please, you are not fat. Don't make me tell you again or I will smack you!"

"I know," Ginny conceded. "But I'm not as skinny as I used to be."

"Yes, well, neither is Harry in case you haven't noticed," Hermione countered.

"That's because Harry's got muscles, Hermione! And a nice, big — "

"All right, all right! Enough!" Hermione squeaked, hands over her ears. "I do not want to hear about Harry's body right now, okay?"

"HERMIONE! You get out here right now!" Ron suddenly came bursting into the room, ignoring Ginny's presence. "Brandon needs a new nappy, and it's your turn."

"No problem, Ron, I'm on my way." Hermione smiled gratefully at Ron; she even kissed him before she left the room.

"What?" Ginny grumbled. "I was just going to say he had a nice, big flat in London where he can store all his work-out machines."

Ron seemed to suddenly become aware of his sister. "Oh, hi."

"Hi, Ron. What's the matter, don't fancy changing dirty nappies anymore?" Ginny teased.

He made a face and shook his head. "No way — and that woman is constantly telling me that it's my turn, when I know for a fact that she skived off of her turns by getting Mum to do it."

"Shame on her," Ginny said with a mock frown. "Say Ron, you haven't got any idea where Harry's planning on taking me tonight, have you?"

"Umm . . . sorry, no. Can't help you. Nope, no idea. Not a clue," Ron said very quickly. His face suddenly flushed and he looked around nervously. Out of nowhere, he exclaimed, "What's that Hermione! Oh, sure, I'll be right there! I'd be happy to change the baby! See ya, Gin!"

He dashed out of her room, closely followed by Ginny. She stopped in the doorway and yelled, "Ronald Oliver Weasley, you get back here right this instant! I know you know what's going on!"

"Ginny! Will you stop with all of that screaming? And get down here, Harry's just arrived." Ginny heard her mother bellowing up the stairs, and stopped short of chasing Ron. Harry was here already — she gulped and tried in vain to calm the butterflies churning up hell in her stomach.

"Thanks very much, Mum, but could you say it a little louder next time? I'm not sure the people in Australia could quite hear it," she muttered under her breath.

She grabbed her purse and ran in to say a quick goodbye to Amy before going downstairs to meet Harry. When she reached the bottom of the stairs, she caught sight of him in the living room, chatting with Ron and her mother. He was wearing khaki-colored pants with a dark blue, long-sleeved shirt. His black hair was spiked in the front, reminding Ginny of the sixteen year old boy she had fallen in love with.

The conversation he'd been having forgotten, Harry couldn't help but stare at Ginny. "Wow . . . uh, I mean — you look great."

Ginny's cheeks lit with a blush, and she ducked her head. "Thanks . . . you look nice, too. Ready?"

"Sure." He waved to Molly and Ron, who winked at him on the way out.

As the door closed behind the two, Ron looked over at his mother. She had tears in her eyes and was holding a hand to her chest. "My baby . . . "

Ron rolled his eyes. "Oh, Mum, don't start."

"I'm just so happy for them . . . "

Once outside, Harry gallantly held out his arm for Ginny to slip her own through. She did, allowing him to lead her on. The air was unusually warm for early March. But then again, Ginny always felt warm when she was near Harry.

"So, where are we going? I've had the sneaking suspicion ever since you asked me that I'm the only one who doesn't know."

"You'll see," he said, being as cryptic as possible.

"Quite the tease you are tonight," said Ginny.

"Oh, you have no idea . . . "

"Sweetie, please calm down! Your Mummy's going to be home soon, I promise," pleaded Hermione back at the Burrow. She held Amy in her arms, holding her close to her chest and rocking back and forth.

"Let me have a crack at her," offered Ron. He held Brandon out with one arm so they could switch. Very carefully, Hermione balanced Amy in one arm and accepted Brandon in her other. "You know, maybe we should have another one. You look bloody cute with one in each arm."

"Don't get any ideas, Ronald," Hermione warned with a severe glare. "You'll be sleeping on the couch if you think you'd like to have another one at the moment."

"Goodness, it was just a suggestion," he took his niece in his arms and made a sound of annoyance in the back of his throat.

Amy stopped her wailing almost at once when Ron started humming the theme song to a Muggle movie he'd once seen, Titanic. It was probably because Hermione had made him watch it over and over again, but the music was the first that came into his mind when he was trying to think of something to calm the girl.

She snuggled her tiny face into Ron's shirt, letting her eyes droop slowly until she was fast asleep in his arms. Brandon was in much the same position in his mother's arms, but he wasn't sleeping. He lay there looking up at her curiously through clear blue eyes, the mirror image of Ron's.

Ron placed Amy in her crib with ease, then motioned for Hermione to walk with him out of the room. When everyone was out, he closed the door and smiled when he realized no sound of a crying baby was heard throughout the Burrow. Miracle, that was.

"You know, you're really very good with her," Hermione praised him.

"Okay, Miss "Don't get any ideas!" Thinking about more, are we?" Ron teased.

"You know I want to have more kids, just not right away. Maybe when Brandon is two," she said, walking down the stairs. Satisfied to find themselves quite alone, she settled down on the soft, worn couch in the living room. Brandon was still laying content on her chest.

"Sometimes when I look at you, 'Mione . . . it makes me want to have a whole litter of kids," said Ron with an unexpected, but heartwarming tinge of emotion in his voice. He sat down next to her and stroked Brandon's soft brown hair.

"That's sweet — I think," she said, blushing.

"Do you reckon we could have that many?"

"Why are you thinking about things like this now?" countered Hermione. "We're not even married, you know."

"I dunno, maybe because I was offered a job. Maybe because it means that we'll have all the money we've ever wanted, all the things we've ever wanted. And maybe because I couldn't picture spending my life with anyone else but you and our children."

Hermione sat there, mouth agape. "Well?" she asked after a few seconds of shocked silence. "What job have you been offered, then?"

"Britain's Magical Ambassador."

"Oh, my — " was all Hermione could manage.

"It'll mean a lot of traveling, you know. And a lot of changes. I'll obviously be based in Britain, but I'll have to go to a whole load of conventions and meetings and such, possibly for weeks at a time," Ron warned her.

"Do you think it will interfere with you being a father — or a husband?" Hermione added, uncertain how she felt about him accepting the job. Even though they weren't making any plans to be married right away, they both knew without a doubt it would happen eventually.

"I'm not going to lie, it won't be the best thing I could do to improve our relationship . . . not that I think it needs improving. But you'll be with me all the time, and I couldn't think of another thing that would allow me to give you everything you deserve, everything our kids will need," said Ron, taking Brandon from Hermione and playing with his little fingers.

"Will it make you happy?"

Ron's ocean blue eyes lit up immediately. "It would make me ecstatic — but only if you agree with me on accepting it. If you don't, I won't even think twice about it."

"Then go for it. I think you should take it."

"Really?"

"Yeah, I think it would be good for you. I told you all of my nagging was going to get you somewhere in life," Hermione said happily, smiling up at Ron.

"You can't possibly know how much I love you," Ron said suddenly, leaning down to kiss her.

"Yeah, yeah . . . tell me again?"

"I love you."

A light breeze was wafting over Ginny's forehead as it creased in confusion. "Where are you taking me?"

"A bit impatient tonight, hmm?" Harry teased. "Don't worry, we're almost there."

"Good, my feet are starting to hurt. These aren't the most comfortable shoes in the world, you know."

"You're in luck. We're here," Harry told her. Reaching in his back pocket, he produced a plain black blindfold. "Put this on."

Ginny hesitated a moment, hating herself for feeling even the tiniest bit of distrust. Fortunately, Harry seemed to sense what she was feeling. "You don't have to worry, love. I'd never hurt you." He said it with so much conviction that any doubt Ginny had went flying out the window.

She grinned, and turned her back to him. He slipped the blindfold over her eyes with tender care, unintentionally pulling her closer to him so he could feel her body against his own. "What are you planning, Mr. Potter?"

"I've already told you — you'll see."

"Fair enough." The awkwardness that Ginny had seemed to feel previously had been reduced a great amount on their walk here. It sounded impossible, but the forty or so minutes it had taken them to get from the Burrow to wherever they were seemed to have mended a rift between the two that neither had known how to fix.

"Do you trust me?" he leaned down to whisper in her ear. It sent a burst of chills down her spine as his breath came into contact with the skin on her neck.

"You know I do."

"Good. Then follow me," his strong hand was on the small of her back, and Ginny felt perfectly safe now. The sound of water trickling nearby roused her interest, so she tried in vain to wriggle out of the blindfold. "Hey! No peeking."

"Fine, fine," she agreed. Harry continued leading her forward.

"Ready?"

"I've been ready since you put me this blindfold on my eyes," Ginny complained.

"Three . . . two . . . "

Without waiting for Harry to do the honors, Ginny twisted out of his hold and yanked the blindfold from her eyes. Her breath caught in her throat at the sight before her. A magnificent house stood in front of them, something that looked like it came straight from the pages of an old Southern novel. Being such close friends with Hermione undeniably meant being exposed to all sorts of Muggle novels. It was huge, reminding her of the estate in Gone With The Wind. It was a creamy white color, and even in the dark she could make out the yard around it. It stretched almost as far as she could see on either side; the previous sound of water she'd heard was a creek running along a forest of trees behind the house. There seemed to be four floors, and an old-fashioned turret rose from the top.

"Merlin, who lives here?" asked Ginny in awe.

"Um . . . you could, if you wanted to," Harry told her, blushing.

"What do you mean? You can't just go round taking people's houses like that, Harry — "

Losing the shyness that had plagued him for the first part of the evening, Harry turned to face Ginny and said in a loud voice, "Bloody hell, Gin! I want you to marry me, this house is mine — it's ours!"

Ginny's mouth hung open, and her coffee-colored eyes were wide with shock. She managed to mumble a few incoherent sounds.

"Marry me, Ginevra Weasley. Make me yours, and I'll love you until the day I die." Ginny could tell Harry was struggling to hold back tears.

She choked back a sob, trying not to burst into hysterics. She didn't know what she wanted to do, she felt ecstatic, but she wanted to cry. It was worse than the mood swings she's experienced while pregnant! But whatever she was feeling, her answer would be the same. "Yes."

By now, Harry was down on one knee and holding up a little black velvet box. He popped it open to reveal a beautiful ring. It was a band made of platinum with a princess cut diamond in the middle, outlined with a subtle, yet pretty pattern of emeralds alternating with sapphires. Harry's trembling hands caused it to sparkle as the moonlight shone on it. He grinned and took it out, slipping it onto the shaking third finger of her left hand. "Now get up and kiss me."

Harry did as he was told. "I love you so much, Ginny. I hope you know that," he murmured against her hair, squeezing her against him.

"Believe me, I know. I know," she repeated, threading her fingers through his mess of ebony hair. She pulled him down toward her to connect her lips with his once more. He tasted so good — a mixture of something minty and yet sweet at the same time.

"Feel like exploring a bit?" Harry asked when they pulled apart.

"I'd love to."

He took her hand and led her into the huge house, watching with pleasure as her brown eyes widened in amazement once she was actually inside. It was, if possible, more beautiful inside than out. The foyer was marble and had a chandelier hanging from the ceiling, casting glimmers across the smooth walls, which were lit only with a dim light from some unknown source. She choked back a gasp, somewhat embarrassed at her reaction to such wealth. True, she had not lived her childhood in riches and treasure, but this was so much more than she could have ever imagined. A set of spiral staircases led to what she knew to be the second floor; they were white marble and had a rich solid wood railing traveling their length.

She looked at Harry and could think of nothing else to say to him except, "Thank you."

"You don't have to thank me, Ginny. You know that anything I can I'll do for you," he responded, a blush creeping up his cheeks.

She hugged him and then he gave her a soft push to the stairs. "Let's see what it's like upstairs," he told her with a mischievous grin on his face.

"If you say so, Potter," Ginny answered, responding to his flirting.

He grabbed her hand and bounded up the stairs two at a time. It seemed as if he was very eager to show her something. "Okay, there's one more thing I need to show you . . . " Harry trailed off as they reached the top.

Ginny looked at him from under her thick lashes and wondered what other trick he had up his sleeve. She didn't have much time to speculate, because the origins of the strange light from downstairs were soon clear to her. A hallway stretched out before the two of them, several doors lining either side. The door nearest the top of the stairs was cracked open a bit, but dark inside, and the one closest to that was fully open while a light shone from inside.

Ginny shot Harry a quizzical look, but he just smiled and led her the remaining few steps to the mystery door. Without saying a word, he let her walk in first. The sound of a pin being dropped could've been heard, it was that deadly quiet. Then, quite out of the blue, Ginny burst into hysterical tears.

"Gin, what — ?" Harry walked into the room and saw her holding her face in her hands, shoulders shaking.

"Harry — you — shouldn't — do all — this — for — me," she sobbed between hiccoughs.

"Why the sudden change?" Harry asked her. He walked over to her and placed a comforting hand on her back.

She shrugged away from Harry's touch and turned to face him. She seemed to have calmed a bit as she spoke. "This is — amazing, more than I ever could have hoped for from anyone. You're eighteen years old, what makes you think you're ready to commit to something like this? You've got your whole life ahead of you." Ginny was now waving her arms like mad, trying to refer to the room around her. To the whole house, in fact.

The second she'd entered the room they were now in, some unknown emotion had hit her square in the chest. It was making it hard to accept the life Harry was offering her. It was a pink and white themed room, clearly a nursery. The large bay window faced west and was, at the moment, letting in the moonlight from outside. White curtains were on either side of it, held back by pale pink satin ribbons. A crib was on the southward wall, complete with tiny stuffed animals, full sheet set, and a mobile hanging from the top with tiny broomsticks bewitched to chase each other in circles while a soothing lullaby played.

Harry was speechless, not exactly sure what to say. After a moment's pause he said, "I know I have my whole life ahead of me. But — well, my whole life is you. And Amy, of course."

Silently, Ginny straightened herself up and stared Harry hard in the eyes. When she saw the emotion showing clear, her expression softened. "Are you sure, Harry? You want to change your entire life for me?"

"I wouldn't think twice about it. And I'd hardly call it changing my entire life . . . I guess on some level I've always thought of my future with you in it. Only 'til now it hasn't come true," answered Harry. He drew her even closer to him and smiled when she relaxed in his arms with her head against his chest. He inhaled the comforting scent of her shampoo and felt his grin grow broader.

"I love you, Harry," whispered Ginny, wiping the last remaining tears from her eyes.

"And I always will," Harry added to her statement.

She snuggled closer to his warmth and smiled when his arms snaked around her lower back. "Fancy having a look at your — our — room?" asked Harry after a few seconds.

Ginny nodded, and followed Harry back out into the hallway. He turned into the door that they'd passed earlier, the dark one that was closest to the stairs. "Illumis," Harry mumbled, wand pointed at the ceiling. Lights flooded the room, and Ginny was amazed for the umpteenth time that night. The room spread before her was rather large, and colored with hues of blues and greens. A bed sat in the direct center with fluffy, navy-blue bed-settings and pillows. Two tables were on either side, identical lamps on each. The moon was shining palely through a window that looked exactly like the one in the nursery.

"I love it," Ginny breathed, enveloping Harry in yet another embrace.

"I hoped you would," said Harry.

Without warning, Ginny broke away from him and jumped on the bed. She fell backward with a soft plop. Harry followed suit. The two of them were lying on their backs, looking up at the smoothly painted blue ceiling. Finally, Harry broke the silence. "Don't you think we'd better get back to the Burrow? Amy's probably driven Ron and Hermione barmy by now."

Ginny rolled over and placed a hand on his chest. "You're probably right. Besides, I can't waitto tell everyone we're getting married!" Harry smiled at her exuberance. It meant the world to him to know that he was the one who had made her this happy.

Thirty minutes later, they arrived back at the Burrow. It was well past midnight, so Ginny opened the door very quietly and let Harry in behind her. The house was quiet, except for a set of soft voices coming from the living room. Harry and Ginny grinned at each other, then walked inside to find Ron and Hermione sitting on a couch, arguing quietly about something.

"I know her, and I'm telling you that she's going to say yes . . . " was Hermione's side of the argument.

"She bloody well better say yes! The poor bloke's been after her forever. But I'm her brother, and I don't think she'll agree to accept that house . . . "

"Ahem," Ginny cleared her throat. Ron and Hermione jumped.

"Oh, uh — hello guys! We were just . . . oh, never mind, you know what we were talking about," Ron trailed off. "So which of us is right?"

Ginny didn't say anything. Slowly, she brought her left hand into the dim light and let the ring sparkle there. "You said yes!" Hermione's shriek rang through the silent house.

Immediately, a baby's cry sounded from upstairs, followed by another one not two seconds later. "Good going, Hermione. I think you can be the one to get that," said Ron, self-satisfied. "And you're always blaming me for being too loud when the babies are sleeping . . . "

Hermione's answering glare could have killed. "Uh . . . I'll go," Ron finished quickly.

"Yes, you will," said Hermione.

As Ron made his grumbling way up the stairs, Hermione hugged Ginny, then Harry. "Oh, I'm so happy for you two!"

Ron returned a few minutes later with Amy in his arms. "Brandon went back to sleep."

"Good, he hasn't been sleeping well," said Hermione.

"Here, go see Mummy," Ron grumbled, handing Amy off to Ginny. Harry watched silently as Ginny took her daughter into her arms and smiled. He'd never seen her behave so naturally.

"Um . . . Ron, let's go upstairs for a little while," Hermione said, glancing pointedly at Harry and Ginny.

"Why? Haven't I just told you that Brandon's asleep — ?"

"Oh bloody hell, just go!" Hermione snarled, pushing him toward the stairs.

"Watch the mouth!" Harry heard Ron scold on their way out.

"Hello, sweetie! Did you miss Mummy?" Ginny was cooing to Amy. The baby looked up at her innocently, blinking her huge eyes once or twice.

Harry watched, smiling. Suddenly, Ginny looked up at him and asked, "Hold her for me?"

Hesitating for only a second, Harry nodded and accepted the child carefully. Her tiny head nestled immediately into the crook of his arm. She looked up at him now, seeming to know much more than a two-week old child should know. Harry didn't even realize that Ginny had left the room until he heard squealing from upstairs and knew she had met up with Hermione again. "Well, hello there Amy. It looks to me like we'll be a family pretty soon."

He wasn't certain that she could yet, but Harry could have sworn that she smiled at him.

The wedding was planned for the fourteenth of August. For the time being, Ginny and Amy moved in with Harry at his flat until after the wedding, when they planned on all three moving into the house. Ginny had found out that it was located on the outskirts of Ottery St. Catchpole, far enough from her family so as not to have to deal with unwanted intrusions, but close enough for grandma baby-sitting duties at a moment's notice.

The months from early March, when Harry had proposed, to August flew by. Amy had grown into a healthy little six-month old, just learning to crawl. And now, she was doing just that in Ginny's old room in the Burrow. It had been converted into a sort of "guest" nursery for Amy after Ginny moved out. The old full-length mirror had been brought in for the occasion and stood propped against the wall. It was in front of the mirror that Ginny now stood, looking herself over. Hermione and Molly stood behind her. Ginny's long white dress was simple, but beautiful. It was more of an off-white, cream color and was off the shoulders, reaching to her calves. Her auburn hair was let loose and flowing to just past her shoulder blades, curled into soft waves. In her hands she held a bouquet of white callalilys mixed with baby blue carnations and yellow roses.

"Oh, my baby," Ginny heard her Mum sniffle from behind her.

"Mum . . . " Ginny whined. "I'm hardly a baby. Don't do this again."

"I'm so sorry, dear. It's just I can remember the day you were born — " Molly was off again into a torrent of tears. Ginny and Hermione shared a smile at the older woman's expense. Hermione was the maid of honor, and her own dress was a periwinkle blue, spaghetti strap one that the other bridesmaids wore as well. She had chosen Lauren, Riley, Angelina and Katie as well as Hermione, to be part of the bridal party.

"Almost ready?" Hermione whispered.

Ginny nodded excitedly, then said, "Mum, will you take Amy and go sit down outside? We're nearly ready."

Molly nodded, and wiped vainly at her eyes. "Come on, Amykins, let's go get ready to watch Mummy and Daddy get married!"

Hermione and Ginny watched as Molly left with the baby. Amy's own outfit was adorable, a light pink frilly dress accompanied by a white bow in her vibrant red hair. Ginny continued to watch through the window as Molly carried Amy across the lawn and down to the lake, where the ceremony would be held shortly before sunset.

"Well, I suppose we should get going," Ginny said. Hermione nodded, and looped her arm through Ginny's.

The two of them went down to the area off to the side of the actual ceremony site where the wedding party would be entering from. There, they separated, Hermione going to stand beside Ron. Harry had chosen Bill, Charlie, Fred, George, and Ron to be his groomsmen. Seamus, Neville and Dean had been a distinct possibility until the bridesmaids had insisted on being able to walk down the aisle with their own boyfriend, fiancé, or husband. So the three boys had contented themselves with being guests. Ron, of course, was the best man.

Ginny's heart fluttered as music began playing from somewhere to her left. She watched as Bill and Lauren's youngest daughter Victoria, the flower girl, started walking down the aisle. She scattered blue flower petals along the white carpet that led to the front of the site.

Following her were Ron and Hermione, arm in arm. Once at the front, they separated: Ron to the right, Hermione to the left. Next went Bill and Lauren, Charlie and Riley, Fred and Angelina, George and Katie. Finally, it seemed that Ginny was the only one left. "Ready, pumpkin?" Ginny looked behind her and smiled at her Dad. He came to stand next to her and looped his arm through hers.

"Yes. I'm ready."

All of a sudden, the soft, flowery music that had accompanied the others down the aisle stopped and was replaced by a different, but still more beautiful tune. Ginny had passed up the traditional 'Here Comes the Bride' in favor of a melody her father had sung her to sleep with when she was little. At the end of the aisle, Ginny caught sight of Harry at the front, smiling brightly at her. His calm manner was contagious, and Ginny found herself more relaxed than she'd been the whole day.

After what seemed ages to Ginny, they reached where Harry and the others stood. Minerva McGonogall stood in front, ready to officiate the ceremony. In the wake of Dumbledore's death, she had taken over nearly all his responsibilities, which included marrying select witches and wizards. She was wearing the traditional crimson colored robes officiates in the Wizarding world always wore, and a warm smile on her age-worn face.

The music stopped when Arthur let go of his only daughter's arm and placed it in Harry's. He kissed Ginny on the cheek, and with a tear in his eye went to sit next to Molly. The conventional Wizard wedding followed, until it was time to say vows. Ginny and Harry had decided it would be best to write their own.

Harry went first. "Ginny, on this day I think I am quite possibly the luckiest man in the world. We've been through so much together. I love you more than I ever thought I could love anybody, and I am more than ready to be a husband to you and father to Amaya. I have loved you my whole life, though I would never admit that while we were in school." A chorus of chuckles sounded here. "You are my past, my present, and my future, and I promise that I will always be with you. Always."

Ginny smiled through the tears in her eyes, and then it was her turn. "Harry Potter. The boy I gave my heart to when I was just ten years old, and the one I knew I was meant to be with. You are the reason I'm alive today, Harry, you know that. Your love is the only thing I will ever need in this life to get me through the hard times. And Merlin knows, we've been through those already. It means more to me than you could possibly know that you accept me as I am, that your love shines through to me like a beacon in the dark. I am ready to become everything you've ever wanted, everything you've dreamed of. I'm ready to love you without bounds."

There wasn't a dry eye in the yard after Ginny had finished her vows. "Well, now," McGonogall sniffed. "By the power vested in me by the Ministry of Magic, I now pronounce you Wizard and Wife. Harry, for Merlin's sake, kiss your bride!" Everyone laughed, and then clapped heartily as Harry did just that.

The wedding was a casual affair, just a simple barbeque outside in the Burrow's backyard. So it was easy for Harry and Ginny to escape for a few minutes while people were eating. The sun was nearly finished setting, and it cast a dusky, smoky glow over everything. Ginny held a sleeping Amy in her arms, a thin white blanket snuggled around her.

They walked up a hill, and stopped by a large birch tree near the lake. Ginny handed the baby to Harry, who held her close with one arm and draped the other around Ginny's waist. The position triggered something familiar in Ginny's mind.

"Harry . . . I know this moment. I've seen this before." Ginny looked around at the setting sun, the tree behind them, and then vaguely at the place about twenty yards away where she knew they, the "they" of the past, were crouching.

Harry was confused. "What do you mean?"

"Remember when I did the spell to find out if I was pregnant? Remember where it brought us?"

It finally clicked in Harry's mind. This was where it had brought them. The charm had brought them to the day of their wedding, over a year into the future. Knowing he should, Harry leaned down and kissed her. Ginny sighed against his lips, and Harry deepened the kiss.

They broke away, Ginny's head rested against Harry's chest. Her train of thought took a turn toward the past year, back to when she had been a hermit in her room. At least she had been, until Harry came and broke her out. She realized that she'd been more than a hermit in the Burrow . . . she'd been a hermit inside herself. After Michael had betrayed her, she couldn't find it in her heart to let anybody else in. But Harry had steadily chipped away at the hard shell she'd erected against the world, and eventually broken in. And she was glad he did, because if he hadn't, Merlin only knew where she'd be right now. Certainly not happy about the fact that she had conceived a child from her terrible experience, and certainly not married and about to start a beautiful new family.

Harry tightened his grip around Ginny's waist, pulling her closer to him. They remained silent for a while, and as Ginny contemplated the past year's events, Harry did the same. Over the course of his eighteen years, he had faced an unending amount of obstacles. But also an almost equal amount of joy that went along with those obstacles. After defeating Voldemort for the final time, Harry had thought that nothing could compare to the happiness, the euphoria that went along with it. But he was wrong, because this . . . this moment in time, the prospect of starting a new life with Ginny was everything he'd ever wanted and more. She was his other half, the one who completed him. And he realized, for the first time in a long time, that his life was more than complete.

"I love you, Harry," Ginny's soft voice broke his reverie.

"I love you, too."

Ginny tilted her head up to gaze into Harry's emerald green depths with her own chocolate brown ones. Harry kissed her again, and it was in that moment that the colors of the forest were finally, inseparably united.