Epilogue : Just Desserts

July 31

Ginny hurried through the crowds in Diagon Alley, heading towards the apothecary. She was on her lunch hour, and time was limited before she had to get back to work. She wanted to seek Hermione's advice on the perfect birthday present for Harry. She'd been all over Diagon Alley already and still had no idea what to get him.

More than three weeks had past since she'd returned to her cottage. It seemed so empty now, but she'd managed to get used to it. She hadn't been able to see as much of Harry as she'd have liked. She'd told him about the consequences of the protection spell as soon as she'd had a chance. If he'd been surprised to learn of the scale on which the spell had worked, he hadn't shown it. He'd merely said it didn't change his feelings one way or another. At the time she hadn't pursued the issue, because she didn't know what to make of his reaction. Upon reflection, she realised now what he'd been doing. He was still giving her space; he was waiting for the next move to come from her. In the mean time, they'd been doing just what he'd said they'd do: dating each other properly. Very properly. Too properly in Ginny's opinion. The time they'd spent living together had been very intense, and she was ready to experience more of that intensity. She'd invited him for dinner on Saturday to celebrate his birthday. That gave her two days to prepare.

She reached the apothecary, entered and had to wait her turn while the sales witch helped a customer select after-shave. Ginny didn't pay much attention to them at first, but then she noticed the man was insisting on after-shave that smelled of halibut, and the apothecary didn't seem to carry any. Time was running short for Ginny, so she finally interrupted. "Excuse me, but have you tried Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes? I believe they carry quite a selection of, erm, interesting fragrances."

"Thank you, Miss," the man said to her, turning to leave. Ginny couldn't help but notice the man had a rather odd way of walking, but it seemed to do the job. He parted the crowd in the street quite easily with it.

Ginny turned back to the sales witch. "I'd like to see Hermione Granger Weasley, please."

"Just one moment." The sales witch returned shortly with Hermione.

"Ginny!" said Hermione. "I wasn't expecting you. What can I do for you?"

"I don't have a lot of time. I need to get back to the shop soon, but I need some advice."

"Come in the back where it's quieter, then." Hermione showed Ginny into the back of the shop where several cauldrons were bubbling away. There were various potions ingredients arranged in neat piles ready to be added at the appropriate moment.

Hermione reached out and touched Ginny's hair, which was now chin length. "I see that potion's working for you," she commented.

"Oh yes, except now my hair's getting to a difficult length: too short to tie back and long enough to start getting in the way. But that's not what I've come to see you about. I want to get Harry the right birthday present, and I'm at a loss. I've been all over Diagon Alley."

"What about something Muggle?" Hermione suggested.

"I've thought of that, but I've not been out in Muggle London enough to know my way around."

"You've left it a bit late, as well."

"Not really. I've asked him to come round Saturday for supper."

"Well, you'll know his Quidditch team begins training tomorrow. That'll keep him busy on Saturday until fairly late in the day. We could go shopping then, if you like. I could take you."

"That would be wonderful!" Then Ginny's face fell. "Oh no, I have to work on Saturday."

"Ask for the day off. What good is working for your brothers if you can't get a day off here and there?"

"Yeah, you're right. Besides, they still owe me for a spate of merciless teasing a while back."

"If you made then pay for every time they teased you, you could ask for a good two months' paid holiday." Hermione laughed.

"I'll let you know if I can't make it. Otherwise, I'll come round Saturday morning and we'll go. It'll give me the afternoon to get everything ready."

"Ooh, sounds serious."

Ginny grinned. "Oh, I certainly hope so."

Their conversation was interrupted by a commotion coming from the front of the shop. The sales witch could be heard accusing someone of shoplifting. "I'd better go see what that's about," said Hermione hurriedly.

Ginny followed her back into the front of the apothecary. "See you Saturday," she called, as Ginny went back out into Diagon Alley.

**

August 2

Harry stepped out of the shower and wrapped a towel around his waist. He'd just finished a grueling practise session, and he was tired. He was also sore from yesterday's workout. The team captain hadn't missed an opportunity to point out how soft he'd gone over the summer holiday. As he moved through the changing room, to where he'd left his clean clothes, he was greeted by various team mates.

"Fancy coming out for a drink, Potter?" asked one of the Beaters.

"You asking me out, Moore?" That got a general laugh. "Sorry, can't. I've got plans."

Ooh, Potter, hot date?" Moore returned loud enough to be heard in the adjacent women's changing room.

"Yeah, I suppose so. Just a bit of a belated birthday dinner, really."

His other male team mates were gathering around. "Who is she?" asked one of the Chasers.

"Don't think you'd know her, Gambolputty. She doesn't come to the matches."

"You hear that, boys? He ain't talking. Means it's serious," said Gambolputty. "Better watch out, Potter, or you'll find yourself attached, if you know what I mean."

"Wait a minute," said Moore. "Didn't I see something in the Daily Prophet about you and some girl uncovering some sort of new bunch of Death Eaters?" It was obvious Moore didn't pay more than cursory attention to the news. There had been quite a lot about Lucius Malfoy's plots in the Daily Prophet. "Think I saw a picture. She's cute, Potter."

Oliver Wood came over and joined the group, still dripping from the shower. Harry was glad for the distraction he provided, as Moore now addressed him. "Hey, what about you, Wood? You coming out for a drink? As newest member of the team, you owe us a round." Oliver Wood had just been traded from Puddlemere.

"'Fraid I'll have to pass this time, although I'll pay for a round," he added hastily. Harry remembered when he'd first joined the team. The newest member was already a target for practical jokes, and refusing to buy a round would only make matters worse. But Wood had been in the league long enough to be aware of these things.

"Hey, maybe he's Potter's hot date," said Gambolputty, getting a laugh from the rest of the team.

Harry and Oliver looked at each other. "What do you think, Oliver, should we confess our sordid affair?"

"Nah, let's keep 'em guessing," replied Oliver.

Half an hour later, when everyone was dressed and leaving the changing room, Harry noticed Oliver Wood leaving with a vivacious blonde witch whose face he thought he recognised. For some reason she made him think of Ginny, and he wondered if she wasn't one of Ginny's old school friends. Then he put the matter out of his mind, as he Apparated to Hogsmeade, where he bought a bottle of wine before continuing on to Ginny's cottage.

He hesitated for a moment at the door, putting his hand in the pocket of his trousers to make sure he hadn't dropped anything on the way over. Then he knocked. Ginny answered the door presently with a smile on her face that could only be described as promising. Harry felt his throat go dry, as he took in her appearance. She was wearing the same dark green velvet dress she'd worn the night they'd gone to the theatre. Harry's hands itched to feel the texture of the fabric. He swallowed hard, knowing his resolve was going to be tested this evening.

"Evening," he said, handing her the bottle of wine he'd brought. "Hope this goes with dinner."

Ginny took the bottle from him and stepped closer to kiss his cheek, lingering over it. "Happy birthday, Harry," she whispered in his ear. He shivered.

She took his hand and led him through to the kitchen. "I thought it would be nice to have dinner outside," Ginny informed him. "It's a lovely evening."

And so it was. The shadows were deepening over the garden, which looked different now from the first time Harry had seen it. The early summer flowers had given way to later-blooming varieties. The colours and scents were different, but it was no less beautiful. Ginny had brought her table out into the middle of it all, covering it with a pristine table cloth and setting it with expensive-looking crystal and china. Harry was sure she'd transfigured her ordinary dishes, since he was fairly sure she didn't own anything like this.

"Gin, you didn't have to go to all this trouble," Harry said, turning to her. She was opening the wine.

"Nonsense, Harry. I wanted to." She set the open bottle on the table to let it breathe, and then went to sit on the bench. Harry remembered it was the same spot she'd been sitting the first time he'd kissed her. "Aren't you going to sit down? You must be tired from training all day. Or don't they make you earn your salary?"

Harry laughed as he sat beside her. "I've only heard all day long how soft I've gone over the holiday."

He went on to tell her about his training and the Magpies' prospects. At one point, she poured them both a glass of wine, and eventually they moved to the table so she could serve dinner. Harry had become aware that she was consciously letting him go on about Quidditch, and he felt he ought to change the subject. "Dinner's delicious, Gin, but when did you have time to arrange for all this?"

"I didn't go in to work today," she said with a smile. "It helps to be related to your boss."

Suddenly it seemed to Harry that she was brimming with a secret. "What have you got up your sleeve?"

"Nothing, just a bit of news. I won't be working at the joke shop much longer. Dad's got me a new position at the Ministry."

"Which department?"

"Magical Law Enforcement." He raised his eyebrows at her, and she hastened to add, "not as an Auror or anything. It's an office job, but it should have room for advancement. It's what I want."

"That's wonderful! When do you start?"

"A week from Monday. I only heard about this yesterday. I gave the twins my notice then."

"So we've got two things to celebrate then," Harry said, raising his glass to meet hers.

"Yeah," said Ginny impishly. "I've got a new job, and I won't have to work weekends anymore. I'll have my Saturdays free to set this place in order." She looked around the garden as she said this. Harry couldn't see anything particularly wrong with it.

"Perhaps you can use this, then." He reached into the pocket of his trousers and pulled out a piece of parchment.

"What's this?" Ginny asked curiously, as she unfolded the parchment.

"Season tickets to my Quidditch matches. I get free tickets for family, but seeing as I don't have any… Well, I've never really used them much. Only passed them to Ron a time or two when we were playing the Cannons. But if you'd like to use them…"

Harry thought he heard a noise behind him but it was difficult to tell, because Ginny's reply covered it. "I'd love to, Harry."

"They're excellent seats, too…" He broke off as a definite rustling sound came from the bushes. He jumped up. "What was that? Lumos!" It was almost fully dark now, and Ginny had lit candles on the table.

Ginny was giggling at him. "Calm down, Harry. I expect it was just Norman."

Harry was pointing his lit wand into the bushes. He couldn't see anything. "Who's Norman?"

"He's a hedgehog. I found he'd taken up residence after I came back from staying at the Burrow. He quite likes it here I think. I decided to call him Norman."

Harry peered deeper into the bushes. He thought he saw two pinpoints of light shining back at him. "I suppose Norman is a better name than Pigwidgeon," he teased her, as he straightened up and took his seat once more.

"Watch what you say to me, or you won't get your presents." Ginny was failing to suppress a smile as she said this.

"All this and presents, too?" he asked, as he drained his glass.

"Only if you're good." Harry couldn't miss the seductive note that had now slipped into her tone, and he stifled the urge to choke on his wine. Instead he schooled his features into an expression of innocence.

He looked at her expectantly, but she merely smiled and said, "dessert first." With a wave of her wand the remains of supper disappeared into the kitchen, and there appeared on the table a fancy cake decorated with whipped cream. Beside the cake was pitcher of some dark, thick sauce.

"Peach and almond gateau," Ginny announced, as she cut him a slice. Harry remembered she'd compared herself to that very confection at Ron and Hermione's wedding. She was reaching for the pitcher of sauce, and Harry was suddenly suspicious. She wouldn't, would she?

"Is that blueberry coulis?" he asked keeping his tone neutral.

A smile played at the corners of her mouth, and Harry was sure she was up to something. But she replied simply, "yes, it is."

"That doesn't come from your brothers' shop does it?" Now he couldn't the suspicion out of his voice.

"Why don't you try some and find out?"

He knew a challenge when he heard one. "All right then," he replied, not taking his eyes from hers. He wasn't about to back down now.

She doused his slice of cake liberally and then served herself. He watched her literally drown her cake with the sauce. Then she looked him straight in the eye and forked up a large bite of cake. Harry had no choice but to follow suit, his confidence growing as he continued to eat and nothing untoward happened.

Their dessert finished, Ginny waved her wand once more and banished the dirty dishes from sight. Then she pointed it towards the house and said, "accio." Two gift-wrapped boxes came through the window and landed in her lap. She was grinning at him now, and Harry was rather curious to find out what was in them, but he couldn't help feeling a certain amount of trepidation when he considered where she worked. He supposed any joke shop items could be put to good use on his team mates.

Ginny was considering the two boxes. "Hmmm, this one first, I think," she said, as she passed him the larger of the two.

Harry couldn't hold back his laughter when he saw what it contained. "Where did you find these?" he asked. "Certainly not Diagon Alley."

"No, I had to go to a Muggle for those. They don't have anything like that in Diagon Alley."

Harry wasn't sure he liked the idea of Ginny wandering around London on her own. He didn't want to say anything, but the concern must have shown on his face, for Ginny said, "don't worry, Hermione took me shopping this morning. She helped me find them."

"What?! You brought Hermione with you to buy me underwear?" He gestured at the pairs of tartan boxers in the box in an outraged manner.

"Oh course," Ginny replied in a perfectly innocent tone. "She needed to help me pick out the right size."

Harry opened and closed his mouth a few times in shock as Ginny dissolved into giggles. Once she'd brought her laughter under control, she said, "Don't look so shocked. You know I'm having you on. Are those all right? I didn't think you had that plaid."

Harry put on a mock-injured tone. "What did you do? Go through my things?"

"Of course not. I saw them in the laundry basket while you were staying here."

Harry was smiling. "Thanks, love. No, I don't have any like these, either."

He was more curious than ever now as to the contents of the second box. He was sure it was something from her brothers' shop. But Ginny was getting up from the table and coming over to him, one hand extended. He took it and let her lead the way back to the bench they'd been sitting on earlier. "This one," she said, once they were both seated, "is a bit less silly." She handed him a box whose cream coloured wrapping he recognised immediately.

"Belgian chocolates. Ginny…"

She cut him off. "You gave me these once as a peace offering. I'm only returning the favour."

"Ginny, you have nothing to apologise for."

She was holding his gaze so that he could not look away. "I feel I do. I'm sorry for not trusting you."

"Gin, it's all right. I understand, really."

"It's not all right yet, but it will be."

She reached up to him and brought his mouth down to hers. He could feel all her pent-up passion coming out in her kiss, as if a dam had burst, and for many uncounted minutes, he let his thoughts scatter, as he allowed himself to become lost in her. He felt her move closer, and he gave in to his earlier desire to touch the velvet of her dress, as he grasped her by the waist and pulled her fully into his lap. He groaned when her lips found his neck, but when her hands moved to his shirt buttons, he took her hands in his to stop her.

"Wait, love," he said, trying to catch his breath.

"What?" Her breathing was also ragged by now, and her eyes looked glazed.

He dropped one of her hands long enough to reach up and brush back the hair that was falling into her face. "What was in that sauce?"

"Nothing, Harry. We don't need it." She was leaning in to kiss him again. He let her have her way for a while, but he kept a firm grip on her hands. The way she was shifting in his lap alone was driving him mad.

"Ginny," he said, breaking them apart once again. "I need you to listen to me for a moment."

He waited until she was looking back at him with focused eyes. "You're serious," she whispered.

"I'm quite serious. I need for you to understand something. The next time we make love will be it for me. It may not be tonight, it may not be for months, it doesn't matter. But when it happens, it will be, for me, the seal on a lifetime commitment between the two of us. No more, no less. I need for you to understand and accept that before this goes any further."

She was staring at him, open-mouthed, slowly shaking her head incredulously. He knew a moment of panic, as he had in the hospital when he was sure she'd been about to send him packing. The only hope he'd had then as now had been Molly's words to him in Diagon Alley that Ginny had loved him forever. He wanted to believe that in this one instance, at least, her mother saw things more clearly than Ginny herself did.

Ginny was still staring at him, clearly at a loss for words. He tightened his grip on her, and he watched her look down at the cross formed by their joined hands, his right to her right and his left to her left. "Ginny, the way I see it, we already belong to each other. I can't promise I'll never hurt you or never make you angry or never burden you, but if I ever do, it will be unintentional. Do you believe me?"

He felt her squeeze back as she nodded. He thought her eyes might be over-bright with tears now, but he couldn't stop. He'd been waiting for over three weeks to say these things to her, and he needed to have it out in the open. "I want to be strong for you when you need me, I want to share my inspirations with you, I want to always hold the passion I feel for you in my heart, and I want to share all life's joys and fears with you. You and no one else."

She was crying in earnest now but silently. Harry leaned forward and kissed her brow. "Ginny we can make this official whenever you say."

"I love you, Harry. So much." She could manage no more than a whisper. "I've missed you. I want you to come back."

"Don't cry, love."

"I'm happy, really I am. I never thought this could ever happen. I feel like I'm dreaming, and I'm going to wake up and find it's not true."

Harry let go of her hands then. He reached into the pocket of his trousers and withdrew the small box he'd been carrying around with him. "Perhaps we need some tangible evidence then."

Ginny gasped when she saw what he was holding. He opened the box. Inside was a gold wedding band, finely etched with a Celtic design.

"If I wasn't in you hospital room when you woke up, it was because I'd gone to my Gringott's vault to get this. It was my mother's ring, and I'd like you to have it."

"How did you save that?"

"Dumbledore retrieved it and kept it safe for me. When he died, it was among his things with a message to restore it to me. I've kept it in my vault ever since. Will you wear it?" He picked up her left hand again and waited. He watched her swallow, as she stared down at the ring in his hand.

Finally she replied, "Yes, Harry, I'll wear it."

The upwelling of joy he felt at her assent almost overwhelmed him. He slid the ring onto her left hand, and then paused to stare into her eyes. "If you want a proper wedding, we'll have one whenever you say, but as far as I'm concerned, we're married as of tonight. He leaned in and tasted salt as his kissed the tears from her cheeks. Then his lips found hers, and the passion began to build between them again. When Ginny climbed out of his lap, and led him by the hand to her bedroom, he didn't do a thing to stop her.

A/N: Here ends this story. I hope it's a satisfactory ending.

Monty Python has made a reappearance here in the epilogue. There were five references:

From the "After-shave Sketch": the customer looking for halibut after-shave and the shoplifter. Then there was a reference to silly walks again. The names Moore and Gambolputty come from "Dennis Moore" and the sketch about that German composer with the interminable name ("Johan Gambolputty… auf Ulm"). And finally there's Spiny Norman who has taken a liking to Ginny's garden.

The obligatory thank you section:

First to J. K. Rowling for inventing such wonderful characters to play with, thank you. You've provided me with many hours of entertainment, both reading your books and playing in your world.

Special heartfelt thanks to all those who helped me write this fic, because I didn't do it alone:

A, Alphie, Carrie, chryslin, Firebolt909, Harpinred, Imogen, and Marian.

Thank you to everyone who reviewed (up throught the last chapter) on Gryffindor Tower, Sugar Quill, the Queens of H/G list and fanfiction.net :

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