A/N Sorry for the wait. School has been keeping me busy lately. Also wanted to apologize for the short chapter. But this was more of a set up chapter for the wedding in the next chapter. Yay the wedding is finally happening.
Chapter 33
The next day was a flourish of activity with school and the wedding rehearsal. By the time Ginny was sitting with her family at her kitchen table, she was exhausted. She listened as her family sat drinking their tea and talking cheerfully. The only other one that was quiet was George. She was the only one that noticed as he quietly slipped out of the room. She calmly excused herself with the premise she was going to use the loo. She walked quietly to the office and knocked on the door.
"Come in" George said in a hushed voice.
"Hi" Ginny replied. "You're quiet tonight."
"So are you. I've just been doing a lot of thinking." He said sadly.
"Care to share what it is about?"
"You and Harry are going to be married tomorrow. You guys won't want me sitting here being a third wheel. Maybe I should go on home with Mum and Dad. But then again I'm not quite ready for that."
"George" she said softly putting her hand on his shoulder, "you know that you are welcome to stay here. It's not going to change anything. Yes, Harry and I will be married but nothing has to be different. I know I can speak for Harry when I say we want you to stay here for as long as you need too. Harry loves you like a brother and he wouldn't want you to leave our home until you can cope with the memories."
"You'll tell me if you need me to leave?"
"George, If it will make you feel better I will say yes we will. But you know we will never turn you out. Now why don't you go back down with me? I'm sure Mum is getting worried."
Together, they joined the family in the kitchen. Their mum looked up and smiled slightly before turning back to her cup of tea. She knew that she had to talk to Ginny before they all went to bed but what would she say to a girl who magically was already married. She thought about everything she had always told herself she would say but somehow it all seemed inadequate for the moment. As she looked around at the laughing faces around her it hit her. She knew just what she wanted to tell her youngest child.
Harry was baffled by all the activity at the Cullen's house. He never knew so much went into a wedding. Half of the things Alice was doing he would have never thought of. He was sitting there lost in thought when Edward came to sit next to him. He only jumped slightly when the man began to speak.
"Sorry that we couldn't have a bachelor's party for you but it's been a bit hectic."
"Edward, you all are doing so much for us already. There really is no need for one. I just hope everything goes without a hitch. I just want to spend the rest of my life with Ginny making her as happy as she makes me." Harry said staring at the ceiling.
"You two will be fine and everything will go well tomorrow. We have planned it out even with extra security measures. Besides who is going to mess with you here?" Edward asked.
"I guess you're right." Harry replied still in a world of his own.
"You miss her don't you?"
"Silly isn't it? I mean I'll see her tomorrow. It's just that I've gotten so used to her being there just down the hall. But don't worry about me I'll be fine. It is just one night after all." Harry said with a smile. "Well anyway why don't we run thru the schedule one more time? It'll take my mind of things."
"Well let's see we need to be up and in the kitchen at 9 am. Alice has planned breakfast for you and the rest of us are going to go do some hunting quickly. We should be back by 11 am just in time for the portraits to arrive. Alice plans to have them set up by 12 pm. At that time you will have your small lunch if you can eat anything at all. By 1 pm you will be sequestered after your shower in my room in which you will be preparing for your ceremony. Meanwhile the girls and the rest of the groomsmen will arrive and go to the opposite side of the house to prepare." Edward told him patiently.
"Thanks I'm so afraid I'll forget something and get my head knocked off by your sister Alice."
Edward laughed and patted Harry's shoulder. "I doubt Ginny would let that happen."
Ginny had just gotten changed for bed when she heard the knock on her door. She knew it would be her mum. She told her mum to come on in as she sat down on the edge of her bed. Her mum smiled at her daughter who had taken to playing with the brush in her hand.
"Well this is it Ginny dear, tomorrow you will be officially married. It's so hard to believe that my baby girl is old enough to get married. But here you are grown and so deeply in love with a wonderful man." Mrs. Weasely said with a tear in her eye. "I just want you to know that we love you very much and we know that you will be happy with Harry. We couldn't be happier for the two of you. You know when you have a daughter of your own as she grows up you'll think about this very moment and you will plan what you are going to say. But I have found out that this never goes the way the conversation goes in your head. I was going to ask you if you were sure about this but with Harry I don't have to ask that. I was going to give you sage advice but honestly with everything the two of you have faced you have learned most of my advice already. So what I will say is just be happy. Harry hasn't known true happiness in quite some time. I think you may have to teach him. But if anyone can dear it will be you."
Ginny smiled with watery eyes "I love you too Mum. I can't explain it but it just feels so right with Harry. And despite what some may think it's not the bond it has felt like that ever since my fifth year. It broke my heart when he broke it off but somehow I always knew that we would be together in the end. Even when my mind told me it just wasn't meant to be my heart always knew otherwise."
"That is what it is like when it goes deeper than just physical attraction. Always follow that heart of yours dear. You have a good one and I don't think it will lead you wrong. Well honey I think I will let you get some rest you will need it for tomorrow." Molly said as she leaned down and gave her daughter a huge hug. "Good night sweet heart"
"Good night Mum" Ginny said with a smile.
Harry had been lying in bed for what seemed like hours carefully shielding from Ginny. He longed to talk to her and know what she was feeling but he knew that this was her last official night with only her family. Yes they were already married by magic but for Harry they would not be married until they had the ceremony. He finally sat up on the edge of his bed thinking quietly. He thought about everyone who was supposed to be there and the fact that if things had been how they were supposed to be his father would have talked to him before his wedding. He usually tried not to allow himself to think about how much he missed out on from not having a father or a mother but on this night he couldn't help himself. As he thought about what was lost a tear traveled down his cheek.
Molly walked into the kitchen where all but Ginny was still sitting talking and laughing together. She sighed as she poured another cup of tea. She smiled slightly when her husband looked up at her. She sat down and thumbed along the edge of her cup thoughtfully.
"Molly what's wrong?" Arthur asked concerned.
"Oh just thinking." She answered stopping long enough to take a sip of tea. "I can't help but think about Harry tonight. He doesn't have a parent to talk to him and reassure him like most people do. I know he doesn't make a big deal about this most of the time but I know it has to hurt him right now. I mean this is a major milestone in his life."
Everyone stopped talking and listened to what their mother said. No one said a word to be honest they hadn't thought about it. Ron felt guilty because he knew out of any of them he should have. But still he said nothing after all what could he say to Harry in a moment like this.
"Molly, why don't I take Sirius and Remus' portrait over to the Cullen's and between the three of us we can talk to Harry. I am sure that his parents would not mind if we did that for them." Arthur said thoughtfully.
"I think that would be a great idea. Do you need help with the portraits dear?" Molly asked.
"Oh I think I can manage." Arthur said as he stood up. He hurried up the stairs and went into the make shift nursery. He quickly explained what he was doing with Sirius and Remus' portraits. Seconds later he carried the portraits down the stairs after charming them to make them lighter and apparated to the Cullen's home.
Arthur quickly knocked on the door and waited. Carlisle carefully answered and smiled at him.
"I am so sorry for coming over so late but I thought that maybe I could talk to Harry tonight." Arthur told the fatherly vampire. Carlisle smiled sadly and nodded as he ushered Arthur in.
"He is still awake. He doesn't think anyone knows but he has been crying. I think you talking to him will cheer him up again. Let me go get him. Why don't you go into the living room and make yourself comfortable?"
Arthur didn't have to sit and wait for long. Harry hurried into the room asking questions faster than Arthur could answer.
"Is everyone ok? Is something wrong? What can I do?"
"Harry, slow down everyone is fine, nothing is wrong and as for what you can do is sit down and talk with us." Arthur said leading him to the couch across from the portraits.
"Harry, we realize that we are not your father but James was our best friend. I am sure He would not mind if we had this conversation with you." Sirius said smiling sadly. "They would be so proud of you, you know. You have handled this bonding so well. Better than most."
Arthur placed his hand gently on the younger man's shoulder. "As Ginny's father, I can say that there is no one her mother and I would want more for her than you. You have given so much to the world but mainly to our little girl. I want you to know that your parents will be here tomorrow. They can't be here physically but they will be watching over you. Never doubt that Harry. They loved you so much."
Harry gulped back his tears as Remus began to talk.
"Harry, you are an amazing man and I know you will be an amazing husband. But every good husband needs good advice before he starts out. First piece of advice, this will sound very corny but never go to bed angry. Settle your difference before you go to bed. Never let it sit it only gets worse." Remus told him.
"With Ginny and my tempers we could go days without sleeping. But I will try to do that." Harry said causing Arthur to chuckle.
"Talk to her. Open yourself to her. You don't have to worry about her hurting you. I know it is hard for you to trust people in the best of times but you need to trust her with every part of you even the broken pieces. You can talk to any of us at any time but make sure you always talk to her first. Make her know that you confide to her first and foremost. Keep her secrets and let her keep yours." Sirius told him.
"I am working on that honestly I am."
"We know you are Harry. Do you have any questions?" Arthur asked.
"Is it normal to miss her so much when we are apart? I have never missed anyone like I am missing her tonight. I have been careful to keep our connection closed because this was her night with her family and I didn't want to interrupt her time with you."
"Yes missing her is normal. And Harry, you didn't need to do that. Don't you know by now your family too? Tomorrow just makes it official." Arthur said.
While Harry waited for someone to say something he allowed his shield to drop and sent a message to Ginny "Ginny are you awake?"
"Yes Harry I have missed you."
"Me too. I just wanted to tell you that I love you.
"I love you too Harry."
"Good night Love. See you at the Altar tomorrow."
"Good night see you there."
"Did you and Ginny have a nice conversation?" Remus asked chuckling.
"Yeah had to tell her I loved her before going to bed. I think that could have been why I couldn't fall asleep." Harry answered blushing.
"Aah that brings us to our last point. Always let her know you love her even when she isn't at her best. It means a lot to a woman to know that they are loved no matter what." Remus said while Arthur nodded.
"Any more questions?" Sirius asked.
"I don't think so." Harry said with a yawn.
"Why don't you go on up and try to get some sleep?" Arthur suggested. Harry simply thanked them all and quietly left the room.
Carlisle reentered the room and Arthur thanked him for allowing him to talk to Harry so late. Carlisle told him it was no problem and suggested that he left the portraits there for the night. Arthur after making sure it was ok with the portraits gladly agreed. After a quick good by Arthur apparated back to the farm house. After a quick conversation reassuring his wife that Harry was doing fine, he sent every one off to bed. Tomorrow would be a very busy day.