Lessons for Life (a Harry Potter fanfiction by Caitlyn)

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Chapter 19-Purple polka dots and stripes

 

~*~

(December 31^st)


Harry cleared his throat.

"I know this may seem sudden, but, I'm only following my heart. I love you more than life itself, and I want to ask for the honor of your hand in marriage."

Sirius wrinkled his nose. "I don't like it."

Harry threw up his arms in frustration. "What now?"

"Too rehearsed."

"I can't do this!" sighed Harry.

"Take out the bloody, 'I love you more than life itself' line; it's overused," suggested Sirius.

"I'm an Auror, not an author!"

"Obviously," muttered Sirius.

"Okay, I'll try it again," groaned Harry.

"All right."

"Ginny, you are all I could ever hope for, all I could ever want, and more. Will you marry me?"

"That was better. But I still don't like it," smiled Sirius.

Harry raised his bright green eyes to the ceiling and sighed. "Listen, YOU try it. It's not as easy as you would think."

"Don't get your karma all out of whack," responded Sirius. "Now, try this, pretend I'm Ginny. Do the whole thing, the kneeling and everything."

"That's ridiculous, you look nothing like Ginny."

"Shut up and try it," said Sirius, batting his eyelashes in a feminine fashion.

Harry resigned himself to getting on his knee and presenting the ring to Sirius. "Ginny, you are my world. Please, give me the honor of your hand in marriage."

"Oh yes, Harry!" squeaked Remus.

Sirius and Harry swung around to see Remus standing in the doorway, clutching his stomach while laughing.

"Oh, Sirius, you look so lovely," hooted Remus, still in fits of laughter.

Harry sighed. "Hello."

"Shut up, Moony," replied Sirius. "Harry here, is having a bit of trouble."

"No kidding," said Remus. "Especially when he's proposing to you, and not Ginny."

"Thank you so much, Remus," said Harry plopping into a chair, and resting his chin in his hands.

"I'm sorry," said Remus resting a hand on Harry’s shoulder, "it's just that I started thinking about what James' reaction would be. Come on, you have to admit it's funny."

"Ha," said Harry blandly.

Sirius chuckled. "Chin up, Harry. She loves you."

Remus nodded. "And I know she'll say yes."

Harry shrugged. "But these things are supposed to be...important."

"Stop worrying about it. It'll all snap together when the moment comes," said Lupin.

"Can I go wake up Chloe from her nap now?" asked Sirius.

"If you want to, although she will be up pretty late tonight because of New Years," said Harry.

"Nonsense, she doesn't need naps," said Sirius proudly.

 

Remus chuckled again as Sirius left the room. "Chloe has him wrapped around her little finger."

"It wasn't difficult," laughed Harry. "The moment she called him Grandfather, he turned into a big puddle of goo."

"What time does this 'party' start at Percy's?" asked Remus. “I think I used the back of my invitation for a shopping list.”

"Dinner is going to be 'promptly served at 8:30'," said Harry quoting the invitation while handing it to Remus.

"I’m still getting over the fact that Percy actually printed invitations for the family,” Remus grinned.

"Go figure," sighed Harry.

"So if dinner is served at 8:30, we should show up when?"

"8:45?" joked Harry.

"No, I think that's Fred and George's appearance time. How about 8:20?"

”Sounds good to me.”

~*~

(8:15pm)

Harry swallowed, and straightened his tie underneath his dress robes. Chloe cocked her head curiously, and she looked down at her own robes.

"Daddy?" she began.

"Does this look crooked, Chlo?" asked Harry.

"It's got stripes," observed Chloe.

"Do you think the stripes are ugly?" asked Harry, beginning to loosen his tie.

Chloe shrugged and Harry saw her identical bright green eyes looking at him quizzically in the reflection of the mirror.

"I like polka-dots," said Chloe.

"Polka-dots?" said Harry fishing through a rack covered in ties.

"Purple polka dots," nodded Chloe.

"Purple?" laughed Harry, "I'm wearing green robes!"

"You should be colorful, Daddy," suggested Chloe dancing around behind him.

"How about this one?" asked Harry holding up a black tie, with tiny dark green dots.

Chloe stopped dancing long enough to wrinkle her nose. "It hasn't got stripes, Daddy."

"You wanted polka-dots!"

"No I didn't," said Chloe, "I said I wanted stripes AND polka-dots."

"Chloe, I don't have a tie with both on them!" explained Harry.

Chloe giggled. "So wear two ties, Daddy!" she suggested.

"Now how exactly do I plan to do that?" he laughed.

"How come you're dressing up a whole lot today?" asked Chloe.

"Because..." said Harry stalling for time to think of an appropriate answer, "because, it's the New Year, and I want to start out right with new beginnings."

"Oh. Are those new robes, Daddy?"

"No, that's not what I mean, Chloe," laughed Harry as he kneeled down to talk to her. "I mean, with the new year, we can start everything fresh. It's a time for change, and new things."

"Can we get a puppy then?" asked Chloe.

”No puppies yet,” Harry grinned. 

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

("Promptly" 8:35)

Harry avoided Percy's stare as he and Chloe Apparated into his living room.

"Sorry we're late," he said to Penelope who greeted them warmly.

"Well, you're not the ONLY ones," sniffed Percy, tapping his watch. "The others have barely only begun to arrive."

Harry glanced around quickly for Ginny, but she wasn't in the room.

"Looking sharp, Harry!" said Charlie pumping his arm.

"Thanks," said Harry smiling. "Does the tie look okay?"

"Fantastic," nodded Charlie.

"Chloe had me on my toes. She wanted me to wear two," said Harry squeezing Chloe's hand.

She looked up at them and smiled. Harry knew she was itching to know where the rest of the children were; there was no sign on Percy's children anywhere.

"Hey, Chlo!" said Charlie, tickling Chloe's ribs, "two ties?"

"Yes," said Chloe nodding and giggling.

"Where's the other?" asked Charlie curiously.

Chloe grinned and held up her stuffed dragon.

"Norbert is wearing it. Just to hold it for Daddy," she said admiring her neck-tied companion.

"Snazzy," said Charlie approving of Norbert's added attire.

"Where's Meghan?" asked Chloe.

"Oh, they're all in the nursery," said Charlie.

Chloe looked up hopefully at her father.

"Yes, go play," grinned Harry.

Chloe, with Norbert in hand, skipped off.

"So, I heard about something you're going to try to do," grinned Charlie when he and Harry were standing by themselves.

"Yeah," said Harry, noting that his cheeks were growing warm.

"Today? Is that why you're all dressed up?" persisted Charlie.

"So you're going to ask her?" asked Sirius, brightening.

"Today!" confirmed Charlie.

"Shhhhh!!!" groaned Harry. "No! I haven't decided."

"Harry, dear!" cried Mrs. Weasley coming over, "you look so handsome!"

"Thank you," said Harry, wanting to take the tie off and forgo it all together.

"Are you going to do the you-know-what, here tonight?" bubbled Mrs. Weasley, as she adjusted his tie. She was practically glowing.

"Yes!" said Sirius and Charlie.

Harry took a deep breath. "Please. Don't say a word! I haven't decided!"

"Oh don't worry dear, your secret is safe with us, " said Mrs. Weasley patting his cheek. "Green is really your color!"

"Why, Harry, I didn't realize you were going to do that this evening," smiled Penelope as she clasped her hands to her chest. "The rear parlor has to be the prettiest room in the house. I could tell the house elves to light a fire in the fireplace for you…."

"No, thank you, Penny, now REALLY please don't make such a huge deal over this. I haven't decided if it's going to be this evening or not.…"

"Nonsense, Harry," said Percy, "the quicker you ask her, the sooner you can start planning the wedding. Believe me, this sort of thing takes organization!"

The entire Weasley clan that was present, crowded around Harry, prodding him with questions. Harry had never been so flustered in his entire life.

There was a soft pop, and Harry prayed it wasn't Ginny.

"What's going on?" came Hermione's voice.

"Harry is going to propose to Ginny tonight!" shouted Bill.

The rest of the Weasleys began to applaud at this comment. 

Ron's head appeared in the crowd. "Really, Harry?"

"No!" said Harry shortly.

The family fell silent, and they all looked at Harry, with shocked expressions on their faces.

"I mean, no, I haven't decided yet," added Harry hastily.

"What's going on?" said another voice.

"Ginny!" said Bill nervously.

Charlie roughly shoved Harry down into a chair. Harry had to adjust his glasses which had been knocked askew.

"OOF!" he grunted.

They all swung around and saw Ginny standing there, looking confused.

"What's wrong with Harry?" she said hurrying to his chair.

"Nothing," said Harry, quickly standing up.

"Then why is everyone standing around your chair?" asked Ginny slowly.

"Harry! Sit down!" ordered Sirius. "It's okay, Ginny, Harry was just feeling a little faint." He 'slyly' winked at Harry.

Harry's eyes widened. “What?"

"Oh no!" said Ginny gently pushing down on Harry's shoulders and making him sit down again. "What's happened to him?"

"We were all talking, and Harry was looking a bit pale," added Mrs. Weasley catching on to the ruse.

"Then he starts to wobble, and-and-and I had to catch him!" added Charlie with flourish.

Harry really was beginning to feel faint after hearing all of this. They were making him sound like some sort of nancy boy. 

"The room must have been too crowded," suggested Bill.

"Oh! Is he feeling better?" asked Ginny.

"Hello? I'm right here," said Harry waving his hand.

"Oh Harry! Don't exert yourself!" said Penny, sounding horrified.

"Can we get you some tea?" said Ginny touching Harry's cheek with her hand, and feeling his forehead.

"No tea! Please, don't make a big deal out of this!" said Harry shaking his head.

"Yes, both of you can have a cup of tea, and we'll all leave the room, so it's not so stuffy for Harry!" said Molly clasping her hands together.

"What a stupendous idea, Molly," said Remus. "We'll be in the back pa-"

"No tea," repeated Harry.

The family looked disappointed. Ginny looked extremely confused.

"Daddy?" said Chloe, with her lower lip quivering, "are you sick?"

She was standing in the doorway, looking extremely alarmed, holding Meghan's hand.

"It's okay," said Ginny calmly, "your Daddy just felt sick for a little bit, but he's better now."

"Did you throw up, Uncle Harry? Like Hunter did that one time?" asked Meghan cautiously, as she peered at Harry from behind Ginny.

Chloe looked on the verge of tears again, so Sirius scooped her up.

"No, I did not throw up," sighed Harry.

"He almost fainted," explained Bill.

Meghan looked impressed. "Wow, Uncle Harry!"

"What's fainted?" asked Chloe, still upset.

Meghan was excited. "Oh, Chloe! You know! Like princesses faint when they get REALLY scared, like this!"

Meghan threw her hand dramatically to her forehead, and stumbled backwards, and swayed dangerously close to the coffee table.

Ron caught her just in time.

"Uncle Ronnnn!" said Meghan opening her eyes, "I'm supposed to have fainted!"

"Oh, sorry," said Ron lowering her to the floor.

Meghan lay on the floor, with her eyes screwed up tightly, and her hands clasped under her chin.

"You look dead," observed Chloe sadly.

"Meghan!" wailed Hunter from the same doorway.

Meghan opened one of her blue eyes. "I'm not dead,” she said, lifting her head a little.

"Jesus, Mary, and Joseph! There you are!" gasped the nanny, skidding into the room, carrying Henri in one arm, pulling Alexandria along behind her with the other. Catherine and Mortimer trailed behind her, Catherine holding Madeline's hand, and Mortimer keeping a firm grip on Kyle.

"Meghan, Chloe, and Hunter left the nursery," announced Catherine.

"I'm so sorry," gasped the nanny. "They were there one moment, and then they just weren't there. You know I'm only used to taking care the eight of them, then with little Chloe added…."

"Quite all right, Isabella," said Percy patting Kyle on the head. "It's nearly supper time anyway."

"Happy New Year, Isabella," smiled Penelope taking Henri from her.

"And to you, Madam."

"My Daddy fainted," announced Chloe loudly, from Sirius' arms.

Meghan, who had long since got up from the floor began another show of dramatic fainting.

"Watch me, Nanny Isabella!" she said excitedly.

"Oh, you poor little duck," gaped Isabella, staring at Harry.

There was a loud snicker from Charlie, who tried to hide it by coughing. Fortunately, Ginny didn't seem to notice this, or the rough elbow in the ribs that Charlie received from Bill. Ron caught Meghan again, who had added an earsplitting "Oh my!" to her fainting act.

"Really, that's quite enough, Meghan," said Percy picking his daughter up, and setting her back on her feet. He straightened her headband in her bright red curls.

"I hope you get to feeling better, Mr. Potter," said Isabella patting Harry's hand.

"Thank you," said Harry dully; he might as well play along now.

They all waved politely to the nanny, who bustled quickly out of the room.

"I hope Fred and George get here soon! I hope nothing has happened to them," worried Penelope.

"Darling, there is nothing wrong with Fred and George, besides their blatant rudeness- thirty minutes late! Why, I even put 'promptly' on the invitations, and most of these people were here at a reasonable ti-"

"Percy," interrupted Bill.

"What?" said Percy irritably.

"Shut up. It's a family function. The bloody queen isn't coming for dinner," said Bill.

"When is the bloody queen coming?" asked Hunter curiously.

"Hunter!" said Catherine covering her mouth in lady-like horror. “That's a horrid thing to say!"

Meghan rolled her eyes. "Uncle Bill said it," she pointed out.

Bill colored slightly as all his nieces and nephews stared at him, looking for an answer.

"Nice boys don't say words like that," said Hermione saving the day, "Uncle Bill accidentally said it."

"Oh," said Hunter.

"Dinner?" asked Harry hopefully, and also changing the subject.

"No Fred and George," reminded Lupin.

"I'm starving," sighed Bill, "Mum did you bring some of your pie too? I mean the house-elves have great pie, but your chocolate pie is my favorite."

"I made a chocolate pie for you, Bill darling, and a rhubarb for Ron, and a peach for Ginny," smiled Molly, happily.

"It's a small wonder we don't look like whales around here...the way Molly cooks," said Hermione looking down at her robes. "A pie for each of us to take home. Honestly, Molly!"

"Oh, I made you an apple-cinnamon, Hermione darling!" interrupted Molly. "You are, after all, eating for two!"

Hermione beamed. "That's true, I can eat whatever I like, can't I?"

Ron's eyes widened. The "Oh no" expression was plain.

"Yes, we want that little angel to be perfect! So you eat up!" said Molly patting Hermione's still flat belly.

"Did I get a pie?" asked Harry, already knowing the answer.

"Of course you did! I made you and Chloe a lovely winterberry pie."

POP.

TAWOOOOOOOOOOOT!

Fred had Apparated into the room.

"Happy New Year!" he shouted blowing the party horn in his mouth.

The children squealed with delight as he staggered about the room in his party hat.

" 'Ellooooooo PER-CY!" drawled Fred slapping Percy roughly on the shoulder.

Percy stumbled backward, and adjusted his glasses. "Fred! For pity’s sake!"

"Eh? What's the matter? Can't take a friendly 'ello?" asked Fred loudly. "Remus!"

TAWOOT!

Fred blew the party horn at Remus, who winced and coughed.

"Fred, have you been drinking?" asked Remus fanning the air with his hand.

"Fredrick Johann Weasley!" gasped Mrs. Weasley, turning bright red.

"Drinking? I'm just having a good time!" said Fred laughing, and adjusting his party hat over his nose.

"Not-in-front-of-the-children!" huffed Percy grasping the tipsy Fred by the arm, hauling him toward the door.

"Perce! I'm fiiine!" protested Fred. "Lemme walk!"

"Fine!" said Percy releasing his grip on Fred.

WHUMP.

Fred fell flat on his face. Out like a light.

"Fred's fainted," said Harry cheerfully from his chair, glad to not be the only one with the stigma now.

"Grandmum?" asked Catherine, as the family stared at Fred, still too shocked to do anything. "Should Uncle Fred be ashamed of himself?"

"Yes!" said Molly and Percy firmly, and at the exact same time.

"Oh, lighten up!" laughed Ron, "It's New Year's, Fred was probably partying. You can't slam him for having a bit of fun!"

"But drunk!" said Molly still horrified.

"He's a bachelor," added Harry.

"Wonder why?" said Hermione softly.

 

"Children," lectured Percy, as he and Bill lifted Fred to a couch, "Uncle Fred is sick. Don't be frightened."

"Daddy," spoke up Meghan, "but Uncle Fred is soused, not sick!"

"Meghan Abigail Weasley!" sputtered Percy, "where on earth did you learn a word like soused?!"

"Probably from Fred," snickered Charlie.

"Charlie! Enough! My innocent five-year-old daughter knows the word soused!" said Percy, as if the world were coming to an end.

"Meghan and I like learning new words," said Chloe happily.

"Okay," said Bill, now extremely amused, "girls, next week's word is boozer!"

"BILL!" chorused half the adults loudly.

"Please contain yourself," sighed Ginny, glaring at Bill. "They're five. They remember everything."

POP.

George Apparated into the room, looking panicked. He spotted Fred on the couch and looked relieved.

"Merlin's beard!" he gasped, "I thought I'd never find him alive!"

"George!" gasped Mr. Weasley, "don't say such things."

"We were at a party," began George, "Annnd, they started playing Muggle drinking games..."

"Fred lost," observed Charlie.

George nodded toward his drooling brother. "He always loses those. I was trying to keep up with him, but after he- well, I won't tell you what he did to the swimming pool—but I lost him!"

"He didn't destroy anything did he?" worried Mrs. Weasley.

"No Mum, but he's pretty sous-"

"DON'T say it, " said Percy glancing at his wide-eyed children.

"Dinner," sighed Hermione wistfully.

"Yes, but what are we going to do with party-animal here?" asked Ron, jerking his thumb toward Fred.

"Leave 'em there," yawned Bill. "I'm starved."

~*~

Fred, in his passed out state, was propped into a dining room chair in the corner. Mrs. Weasley insisted it was a family function, and Fred had to attend dinner.

Since dinner was nearly an hour late, they were digging into the food little conversation was taking place.

After awhile, Hermione spoke first.

"What do you all think of the name Estella?" she asked.

"A-what-a?" said Ron raising his head sharply.

"Estella," said Hermione smiling. "It's a very strong name. Many great witches have had that name! Why, in fact Estella Macgi-"

"I don't like it," said Ron.

"Why?" asked Hermione.

"Because it's coming out of book you've read, I just know it."

"It's historical!"

"Exactly. Who wants to be named after someone in some dried up history book?"

"Oh please, shut up, Ron," muttered Harry, so that only he and Ginny could hear him.

Ginny's warm brown eyes showed much amusement at Harry's comment.

"Fine. You don't like Estella! I'm flexible," sighed Hermione.

"No she's not, and neither is he," whispered Ginny in Harry's ear.

Harry promptly spat out his pumpkin juice and tried to hide his laughter.

"I don't rightly like Estella either," said Charlie diplomatically.

To Hermione's disappointment, the whole table nodded in agreement.

"How about Samuel?" suggested Ron.

"No," said Hermione, "it's much too common."

"Fine," pouted Ron, "I'm flexible."

"How about Harry?" suggested Mrs. Weasley.

"No," said Harry, Ron, and Hermione immediately.

"I always thought it was a nice name," said Mrs. Weasley a little startled.

"How did you manage to name this lot? asked Charlie waving towards Percy's children.

"Very thoughtfully," said Percy. "Penelope and I waited until we saw them after they were born to decide on a proper name. We would put together a small list, and then select from those names."

"How agreeable," approved Hermione.

"How stupid," said Ron.

"It does work though," said Penelope gently. "Why, we had no idea what to call Meghan when she was born."

Meghan looked indignant.

"But, when we saw her, we knew she was a Meghan. It means strong-willed," explained Penelope.

The table chuckled a bit, and they smiled at Meghan.

"Appropriately named," said Percy, cutting up his steak calmly.

Hunter drank his milk from his sippy cup, and his cornflower blue eyes widened suddenly.

"Aunt Hermione," he said timidly.

"Yes?" said Hermione.

"I know what we can name the baby."

"What, Hunter?" **You have Kyle just above. I'm confused… asked Ron.

"Baby Jesus!" said Hunter proudly. "Then Nanny Isabella will have someone come when she says 'Jesus, Mary, and Joseph!'"

"Congratulations, Hermione," sputtered Ginny. "You're giving birth to the Christ-child."

She and the rest of the family laughed appreciatively.

"Mum," said Catherine pulling on Penelope's sleeve, "can we have a baby named Mary?"

"We'll see, Catherine darling," said Penelope.

Meghan spoke up. "I want to name the baby."

"What would you name the baby, sweetheart?" asked Mr. Weasley.

"Boozer.”

Percy turned beet red. "MEGHAN!"

"What, Daddy?" said Meghan, not understanding.

Ginny was poking Harry. "See? I told you! They remember EVERY little thing!"

Harry smiled at her and shrugged.

"I'm sure Harry is beginning to realize this with little Chloe around," smiled Sirius.

"Actually, Harry is a fantastic dad, " Ginny admitted.

"He'd be a wonderful husband too, if he ever finds that special someone," said Mrs. Weasley raising her eyebrows at Ginny.

Ginny glared at her mother. "Mum, stop it," she said clearly.

Harry gulped. Was Ginny on to him?

"Look Molly, you've embarrassed him," chuckled Remus.

"I'm not embarrassed," said Harry defiantly. "Molly was just complimenting me."

I am such a liar, Harry thought to himself, I would really like to have the floor swallow me up.

"Aw, leave the chap alone. He hasn't found himself the right woman yet!" said George with his mouth full of parsnips.”

Ginny bristled.

Harry cleared his throat and nervously pushed his glasses up his nose.

"Drink your milk please, Chloe," he said looking over at her plate.

"Andrew," said Hermione suddenly.

Everyone looked around the table, and then stared back at Hermione.

"Andrew who?" said Bill.

"The baby!" said Hermione.

"Andrew," repeated Ron.

"It's a nice name," said Mrs. Weasley.

"It can be shortened to Andy," added Charlie.

"I sort of like it," said Ron.

"You mean, you've both agreed on something this early?" said Remus slowly.

"Well, it's not permanent," shrugged Hermione.

"Andrew Ronald Weasley is a great name," said Ron happily.

Hermione frowned. "Who said we were naming him after you? I thought that we would use my dad's middle name, to remind him of his Muggle roots."

"But it's my son! You're always supposed to name the first born child after the father!" said Ron setting his fork down and turning to Hermione.

"But it's my son too!" said Hermione.

"You were saying something about agreeing, Remus?" muttered Sirius.

"Your father's first name is Lou! Andrew Lou Weasley is a horrible name!" said Ron screwing up his face.

"Then we'll change his first name!" said Hermione shortly.

"I like Andrew!" pouted Ron.

"Excuse me," said Harry.

"I don't care if you like Andrew! I like Lou as a middle name! It's my father! He's a very noble man!" shouted Hermione.

"Then can we call the kid Mister? Because he never lets me call him anything but Mr. Granger! It's always, Mr. Granger this, Mr. Granger that..." yelled Ron.

"Because you very nearly blew up his office with that charm you were trying to show him! You KNOW you can never do the cleaning charms properly!"

"Excuse me," said Harry again.

"I did the cleaning charm properly, but your father JUST had to start complaining about magic and I got distracted. It's amazing he let you go to Hogwarts at all!"

"Don't start talking about MY family being odd!" screamed Hermione, "When your fam—"

Hermione turned bright red and looked down at her plate.

"Excuse me, you two," Harry was finally able to say in the quiet. "You aren't even sure the baby will be a boy. Right?"

"Er," said Ron turning red also, "yes. That's quite right."

"Got to love our family gatherings," muttered Bill.

"I'm buying a new house," announced Ginny suddenly.

No one replied.  Silverware clinked and there was a great deal of glancing over at Harry. Harry busied himself with his drink glass.   

 

“Did everyone just hear what I said?” Ginny frowned. “Do you have a problem with me moving on?”

 

Mr. Weasley was the first to speak.  “Ginny, a new house is a long time commitment."

"Dad!" Ginny exclaimed. "The whole lot of you have been preaching to me to move on with my life!"

"You don’t know where you’re going to be six months from now,” said Mr. Weasley calmly.

"I have no plans to close the nursery school!"

"Ginny, it's a huge commitment! I mean, look at Harry...he waited a long time until he started building a new house," Bill added, with yet another meaningful glance at Harry.  

"I have my life in the order I want it in.”  Ginny said confidently.

 

Harry surely hoped it wasn’t in the exact order she wanted it in…because that could pose a few problems.

”Can't we sit down and have a dinner without announcements? Birth announcements...house announcements...we really should talk about the weather. Like a proper family," Percy huffed.

"Shut up, Percy," said Charlie.

"Harry agrees with me!" said Ginny, turning to Harry.  "Don't you think I should buy a new house, Harry?"

More silence and Harry squirmed. 

 

“Do tell her what you think, Harry,” Molly added lightly. 

 "Well, it is a bit sudden isn't it?" Harry felt his cheeks grow warm. His voice had actually quavered!

"Harry!" said Ginny horrified, "you aren't agreeing with them! You of all people should understand what I'm going through!"

"Uh.”

"I thought this meant more to you! Here I was thinking that our relationship was moving to another level, and I was trying to compensate by changing my lifestyle!"

"Ginny, don't get the wrong idea!" begged Harry, taking her hand.

Ginny snatched her hand away. "What idea am I supposed to get?” 

 "Ginny, I needed you every moment! For Chloe...for—" Harry was trying to keep everything in his head together and it didn’t seem to be working.

"So you were using me?” Ginny said softly.” For a mother replacement. Until you could find someone better?"

Harry glanced around at the family. Their eyes seemed to be saying the same thing. “Do something, Harry.”

 

“Excuse us,” Harry said, standing up from the table.  “I have to clear some things up.”

 

Chapter 20—Testing Loyalties

 

“You’re right you have some things to clear up,” Ginny snapped when she and Harry had left the dining room. “I don’t understand what’s come over you but—“

 

“I could say the same for you,” Harry replied coolly. Ginny gave a small noise of disbelief. Harry knew she was surprised and furious that he had said that to her. “Listen,” he said, by way of apology, “just please come and hear me out….”

 

“Oh, believe me, I can’t wait to hear this,” Ginny snapped, quickening her strides, her dress robes swishing.

 

“Ginny, don’t….”

 

“You have a lot of gall to think you have any say in what I do or do not do,” Ginny interrupted and opened the library door.

 

Harry saw the tears brimming in her eyes. He felt a cold sweat break out on his own forehead and he took a deep breath. “Gin, sit down, please.”

 

Ginny’s brave face definitely was commendable. “No, thank you, I prefer to be insulted standing up. Some people are your equals, Harry.”

 

That stung. Harry took a calming breath. She was just being a Weasley, he reminded himself, and he knew how to deal with Weasleys. “Ginny, I would prefer to tell you this while you’re sitting down.”

 

“And I would prefer—“

 

“Sit down, for the love of God!” Harry bellowed, putting his hands on his forehead in frustration. “Please!” Harry supposed the only reason Ginny sat was because he shocked her into doing it. He felt a little shocked himself. “Before I tell you anything… I have to tell you that I love you. I love you, Ginny… I don’t want to hurt you.” Ginny definitely looked like she was about to start crying any moment now.

 

“You aren’t making any sense.” She shook her head at him when he took her hand. “I don’t understand what’s wrong, Harry. We just seemed so right.”

 

Still holding her hand, Harry got down on one knee. “Ginny, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife? Will you marry me?”

 

Ginny sat back slowly, her eyes very wide. “Harry…” she whispered.

 

Harry swallowed, clutching her hand. “Please.”

 

“I-I-I wasn’t expecting this,” Ginny stuttered, tears spilling over. “Harry, I’m so sorry.”

 

Harry’s stomach dropped somewhere to the vicinity of his toes. “You…you won’t?”

 

Ginny threw her arms around his neck, crying. “I’m so sorry I treated you so horribly! I love you and Chloe so much.”

 

“Then…you will?” Harry got out.

 

“Yes!” cried Ginny. “Of course I’ll marry you!”

 

“Then…” Harry was still trying to work everything out. “Then why are you still crying?”

 

“Because I love you more than anything,” Ginny said laughing through her tears and kissing his forehead, cheeks, and lips.

 

Harry suddenly sat back, gaping at her. “You said yes!”

 

“Yes,” nodded Ginny.

 

Harry grinned like an idiot and then kissed her. “You said yes!” he repeated exuberantly.

 

“I’m glad you made me sit down,” Ginny admitted.

 

“Bit of a shock for both of us,” Harry smiled.

 

“You know, I’ve dreamed of this since I was eleven," said Ginny as she tried to wipe her tears away and lighten the subject, "and I’ll tell you what, it never looked like this."

Harry was floored. "Since you were eleven!?"

"Yes," she said pulling him onto the couch with her. "Girls love to think about proposals and weddings."

"I dreamt about Quidditch," pondered Harry, "and you planned our wedding at eleven?”

"Well, yes! You were extremely handsome."

"Was?"

"She kissed his cheek affectionately. “Really, Harry…I don’t have to answer that, do I?”

"What exactly were these proposal dreams like?"

Ginny blushed. "Oh don't! Please! It's so stupid!"

"Tell me," he persisted.

Ginny shook her head. "No, no, and no."

"Why won't you tell me?"

"Because, you don't need to know. They’re so embarrassing.”

 

Harry snorted. “You do realize that I was only embarrassed about twenty times this evening, and I did not faint. That was 100% Weasley falsehood. I can’t believe you didn’t hear your mother dropping hints like mad, and then, well, you yelled at me.”

Ginny put her finger to his lips, with a small giggle. "Okay! You win."

Harry was satisfied.

"You always had flowers with you," she remembered. "A little brook, and big shady trees and flowers on the ground...."

Ginny jumped as an oak tree shot straight up next to the couch. "Harry! Percy is going to kill you!"

Harry shrugged and pointed towards the highly polished bookshelves.

More trees began to swell up around the bookshelves and acorns made soft plopping noises as they hit the carpet. A clear stream cut through the carpet, leaving a rivulet of flowing water. Percy's red and gold fleur-de-lis carpet started to germinate into a lush green grass.

Ginny seemed impressed. “Not bad.”

Harry admired his work. "You’re right though, I think Percy won't like this décor for his study."

"It's perfect," said Ginny, plucking a flower that had sprouted by the couch.

Harry squinted at the ceiling. "Daytime?" he asked as the ceiling turned a lovely shade of blue and fluffy clouds skidded onto it.

"Night," said Ginny leaning back into his arms.

The ceiling faded black and stars began winking into view.

~*~

"Do you hear anything?" asked Charlie, watching George press his ear against the door.

"Quiet!" whispered Mrs. Weasley, wringing her hands.

"Are we spying on Uncle Harry?" asked Meghan.

"Shhh!" said all the adults.

"We aren't spying, darling," said Penelope. "We're trying to find out the news a bit sooner."

"We're spying," confirmed Sirius.

"Shhhh!"

"I can't hear! Quiet!" hissed George.

Ron bumped heads with George. "Ouch! Would you move out of the way? I thought I heard something!"

"Really boys, if you don't quiet down, we're going to be found!" warned Mr. Weasley.

"If you're going to spy on someone," sighed Hermione. "Do it properly!"

Ron turned and rolled his eyes, "Fine! See if you can hear anything?"

"Specto subsentiam!" muttered Hermione, tapping once on the door with her wand.

A small portion of the door disappeared revealing Harry and Ginny in the study.

"Nice," said George, nodding his approval. "I should have thought of that one."

"Well, after traipsing around with Harry, I don't know why Ron doesn't know it either," said Hermione raising her eyebrows.

"My study!" exclaimed Percy loudly, as he shoved Bill out of the way. "What in the name of Merlin did Harry do to my study?"

"SHHHH!"

"I can't see! I can't see!" cried Kyle standing on his tiptoes.

"What are they saying?" said Mr. Weasley craning his neck.

"Ginny's crying!" gasped Penelope.

Alarmed grunts came from each of the Weasleys as they all tried to see through the door at once.

BAM.

Someone accidentally elbowed Ron, which resulted in smacking his forehead into the door.

"BLOODY HELL!" roared Ron, swinging around to see who the culprit was.

"Now you've done it!" said Charlie dejectedly. "We're going to be found for sure!"

"Sure, Charlie! I wanted to be more closely acquainted with the door!" shouted Ron, holding his forehead.
"Poor Ginny! I wonder what he is saying to her!"

"Bill! Kindly get off my foot!"

Catherine shrieked loudly. "Meghan pinched me!"

"I did not! It was Kyle!" came Meghan's retort.

"Percy," choked Remus as he was kicked, "why on earth do you have such small hallways?"

"Because I'm not used to spying on relatives outside my study," snapped Percy, patting the sobbing baby that someone had passed to him.

"Come off it, Perce! It was half your idea!"

"Chloe, sweetheart," gasped Sirius, "could you be a doll, and not put Norbert's snout into Grandfather Sirius' neck?"

"What is going on?" Harry said opening the door suddenly.

They all lurched back."Harry!" said Mrs. Weasley, smiling sweetly, always composed, "Ginny! How are you? We wanted to ask if you wanted pie!"

"I believe you, Molly," said Harry crossing his arms. "As for the rest of you…."

"My study!" Percy pushed past Harry. "There is a river in my study!"

"NEAT!" shouted Hunter running into the study, "Uncle Harry, can you do this to my room?"

"Children!' cried Percy desperately as they ran forward to play at the edge of the brook. "Cease immediately! This is not a forest! Stop splashing!"

He was turning bright red and Penelope cut in. "Darlings, please don't splash your father's study!"

"Wow! It looks great in here!" grinned George.

Percy eyes were bugging out as he looked at the moss hanging from his bookshelves.

"Finite Incantatem," said Harry clearly. The room shimmered a bit, and all the trees disappeared in golden bursts and the brook vanished in a crackling trail of blue. The grass began to shrink, and Percy's carpet grew in place.

Percy still looked a little huffy, and he pushed his glasses up his nose as he peered around to make sure everything was still in order.

"Good as new," said Harry kindly.

The children looked disappointed. In fact, Alexandria's lower lip was slightly out.

"I liked the river," said Hunter sitting on the floor.

Harry grinned, he covered his mouth so Percy couldn't see, and whispered loudly to the children, "Come to my house. We'll make a jungle in the living room."

The children giggled to each other.

"Well, dears," said Mrs. Weasley again, "we were just wondering how things were going along."

"Is that so?" said Ginny, crossing her arms.

"It is so," said Hunter nodding his head, answering honestly.

Ginny held out her left hand slightly, and Lily's ring glinted brilliantly on her hand.

"Harry and I are getting married," she said, her eyes shining.

"Does this mean I can be a flower girl?" screamed Meghan, hopping up and down.

"Does this mean my Daddy and Ms. Ginny are getting married like Cinderella?" shrieked Chloe from Sirius' arms. She was so excited she was beating poor Sirius on the back with Norbert.

"Yes, yes!" laughed Sirius.

Charlie grabbed Harry and hugged him roughly. "I knew it would be today!"

Bill grabbed him and shook him so joyously, that Harry’s glasses nearly fell off. "WELCOME to the family Harry! It's about time!"

"You have a new cousin!" said Mr. Weasley telling Madeline excitedly.

"We have so much to plan!"

"I knew it! I knew since Hogwarts that you two were destined for each other!" said Hermione hugging Ginny and Harry.

"Used your inner eye, did you?" said Ron innocently grinning at Hermione.

"Oh shut up, Ron," laughed Ginny.

"Who wants to wake up Fred and tell him everything that's happened?" asked Bill, grinning.

"After pie," added Charlie, "which I propose we break into right now!"

"Sounds fantastic," said Hermione. "Let's go back to the dining room.

As they all left the room, Ginny gently nudged Harry and her eyes lifted briefly to the ceiling, still shining with lovely stars.

Harry looked up and tried not to smile, "Oops," he whispered to her.

"Leave it," she whispered back. "Give him something to be shocked about later."

~*~

(April 15th)

The cathedral was coated with bright yellow and white daisies. Harry's nose twitched and his eyes watered. Between the smell of the daises and the cheerful spring sunlight streaming into the church, he could hardly see.

A honking sound behind him reminded Harry that the organist was still trudging through the entrance music as people were escorted into the church.

The organist hit another bad note and there was soft snicker from Ron. Harry glanced at him and tried to glare as best as he could without the congregation noticing.

"I know she's bad," hissed Harry, "but you don't have to laugh!"

The amusement in Ron's eyes was very apparent, and he glanced at the old blue-haired witch seated at the pipe organ and then back at Harry.

"Perhaps she can make the reception too?" he said innocently, and slapped his hand over his mouth to muffle the loud guffaw when he saw the look Harry gave him.

"What is so funny?" whispered Percy, furrowing his brow as he leaned forward out of the line of Weasley groomsmen to speak to them.

"Nothing," said Ron flatly.

"Mum is going to have a fit if she sees you laughing through the entire ceremony!" scolded Percy.

The organ music swelled in volume in what Harry guessed was the organist's failed attempt of a grand finish to the entrance music. He was thankful for the reverent silence that followed the end of music.

The blessed silence didn't last for long, and the back doors to the cathedral swung open with a bang. The organ began blasting a very painful version of Pachebel's Canon in D. Harry gritted his teeth and couldn't refrain from a shudder when the organist hit a particularly sour set of chords.

The sun had slipped behind a small cloud and Harry was able to see down the aisle. He sucked in his breath sharply when he saw the flower girl processional. What on earth had Ginny put them in?

Chloe, Meghan, Madeline, and Alexandria were wearing dresses of a horrid mustard yellow color—Harry guessed it had intended to be daisy yellow. The dresses had white pinafores bursting with ruffles and Harry was amazed the little girls could walk after he saw the skirts of the dresses exploding in froths of lace.

The flower girl dresses were nothing in comparison to the concoction Hermione had been stuffed into. Harry guiltily noted that she probably literally had been stuffed into the dress because she looked all of her five months pregnant, and the dress didn't seem prepared for that.

Hermione's dress was the same awful color and instead of the pinafore, it had an unflattering sweetheart bodice and enormous puffed sleeves. There was also a very strained looking sash, tied with a tiny bow, due to lack of fabric.

Harry's heart also went out to Penelope who appeared at the entrance on Remus’ arm. Her dress seemed entirely too short and wide or her tall, slim figure. Ruffles and puffed sleeves looked horribly out of place on practical Penelope.

As soon as Penelope had made it back to her spot, the music came to an abrupt and screeching halt.

The blue-haired witch turned around on her bench and beamed at everyone before she reached far above her head and slammed her hands down on the organ to play the opening chord of the Bridal march.

Of course, the sun took that opportunity to come out from the cloud and blinded Harry once again. Harry squinted desperately to see Ginny walking down the aisle toward him, but he couldn't see a thing. He could only hear the skirts of her dress whispering as she walked toward them.

Harry was still blinking sunspots out of his eyes when she stood next to him. He could only make out that she was wearing a veil.

"Who gives this bride away?"

"Her mother and I do," said Mr. Weasley's proud voice.

Harry rubbed his eyes and replaced his glasses. Now that he had turned around, the sun wasn't blinding him.

"Dearly beloved!" began the priest. "And by the power vested in me...."

Harry snapped to. What? This was the end of the ceremony! Had he been participating?!

"I now pronounce you husband and wife! You may kiss the bride!"

Harry blinked furiously, and he was thankful that he had most of his vision back now. He reached over and pulled up a corner of Ginny's veil.

He closed his eyes and leaned in to kiss her.

"Boo," said Neville.

Harry's eyes flew open and in one horrifying second he realized that Neville was wearing Ginny's wedding gown.

Harry yelled and then abruptly crashed to the floor.

Harry's chest heaved as he tried to catch his breath. He swiped his hand across his forehead to keep the sweat from dripping into his eyes.

Dazed, he got to his feet and stumbled over to the fireplace.

Bright purple flames rose up from the ashes after he mumbled a spell.

"Ginny Weasley."

Ginny's face appeared in the fireplace, looking panicked.

"Harry! Are you all right?" she said quickly, "Chloe! Where's Chloe?"

"Chloe's fine," he interrupted, "I have to talk to you about the wedding!"

Sharp relief showed on Ginny's face immediately, Then Harry's comment about the wedding sunk in. "At three in the morning?!"

"Ginny, I had a horrible dream about it," said Harry, looking very ragged.

"Do you want me to come over?" she said.

"No," said Harry, "I-I- just wanted to make sure of a few things."

Ginny yawned. "Harry, I'm coming over."

~
Ginny rested her head on his shoulder. "Okay, now that were clear on this, we aren't going to have an organist, a single daisy in the cathedral, the flower girls and bridesmaids aren't in yellow—anything else?"

Harry shook his head. "I don't think so."

"As for you dreaming that I was Neville, I don't know what to say about that."

"I never had apprehensions about it until I dreamed about it. I'm sure it's nothing really."

"Harry," said Ginny quietly, "I think you feel sort of guilty. Maybe that's why you had the nightmare."

"It scared me pretty well," said Harry shuddering.

"Listen to me," said Ginny, "I loved Neville. But he was taken away from me. Someone, somewhere decided to give me a second chance at love. That doesn't happen to everyone. Harry, I love you, and you aren't a replacement for Neville."

Harry was quiet for a long time. "Thank you."

"Feel better?" said Ginny kissing his cheek.

"Planning weddings," sighed Harry, "is a test of one's true loyalty."

Ginny laughed quietly and drew her feet up onto the couch, snuggling closer to Harry.

"You need to get some sleep. We have to be up early to go run errands."

~*~
"I'm merely saying, Ginny, that if Catherine is going to be in a hat, then all of the children must be in hats. It is only fair after all," said Percy, scrutinizing a white hat in his hands.

"No," said Ginny, snatching the hat out of his hands. “It's my wedding, and if Catherine wants to wear a hat, Catherine may wear a hat! It does not mean that all the other children have to wear hats."

Madam Malkin looked at Percy and smiled slightly as she continued pinning up Hunter's little robes.

"Well, they are wearing the same color.” Harry was hoping to make amends.

Percy sniffed and raised his eyebrows. "When you have eight children of your own...."

"Stop right there," interrupted Ginny. "There is no way I am having eight children!"

"No offense, Penny," Harry added.

"Oh, none taken," said Penelope smiling serenely. "You'd only need seven more, you've got Chloe."

"Eeee! Eeee! Eeeee!" crowed Henri.

"As I was saying," Percy drawled on, lifting up his arm so that one of the tailors could measure him. "It is simply less time-consuming, and more practical to have the children matching. Most importantly, if they are wearing the same attire, people are more likely to recognize that they are of the same family."

"Percy, Mum didn't match us all up, and people still recognized us as from the same family!" argued Ginny impatiently.

"Well, I know we all do have fine bone structures in our faces, but that's nothing to owl home about!"

"The hair, you dummy," she said, picking up one of Alexandria's short red pigtails.

"I want red hair," announced Chloe's voice from inside mounds and mounds of fabric being pulled over her head.

"Catherine darling, wear the hat, you'll look lovely in it. Just like a proper lady," said Ginny, beaming at Catherine.

Catherine looked pleased. "Thank you, Aunt Ginny."

"I'm not coming out," came Hermione's voice from one of the curtained dressing rooms.

"Yes, you are," said Harry and Ginny at the same time.

Ron stuck his head out. "No she's not. It doesn't fit."

"Oh no!" Ginny rushed to the dressing room. "It can't be that bad," said Harry, raising his voice enough to be heard over the usual clatter of the entire family.

"Yes it can," replied Ron's voice with a tinge of amusement.

"I look like Professor Sprout in a bad outfit," wailed Hermione's voice again.

"She's invited to the wedding you know," said Harry.

Ginny's head peeked out from Hermione's curtains and she gave Harry a keep quiet look.

"It's not all that bad," she said in a soothing voice. "It's nothing that isn't fixable. We just didn't allot enough room in this dress for the baby."

"Or Mummy's rear," came Ron's voice.

SLAP!

"OW!"

"Shut up, Ron," said Harry habitually.

Ron staggered out of the dressing room, clutching his cheek.

"It was only a joke," he said to the room that was staring at him.

The curtain next to Hermione's dressing room flew open.

Sirius looked at them jauntily and began strutting in front of the curtain.

"I am way too sexy for my own good," he informed them."Sirius! Not in front of the children!" said Percy, nearly knocking over the tailor trying to fix the hem on his robes.

"Sirius Black, you are one sexy beast," said Sirius admiring his reflection.

Madam Malkin looked up with pins in her mouth, an expression on her face that clearly said she hardly disagreed with what Sirius was saying.

Harry chuckled. "Yes, Sirius you do look sharp in your robes. Shall we work in a small number for you at the reception?

"Maybe for the ladies," said Sirius, raising his eyebrows suggestively and winking at Madam Malkin.

Madam Malkin giggled softly and set to pinning up Hunter's robes as if her dignity depended on it.

"I'm not wearing a hat," Meghan informed Sirius, as he stood on the platform next to hers to have the last fittings on his robes adjusted.

"Well, neither am I," Sirius grinned. "Ginny wouldn't let me be a flower girl."

"Flower children are strictly not allowed to be flower girls, you old coot," said Remus coming out of one of the dressing rooms, looking very regal.

"Let's go pick up some women, Moony," said Sirius. “I feel feisty.”

Remus rolled his eyes and adjusted his bowtie. "If I had a Sickle every time I heard that line…."

One of Madam Malkin's assistants sighed as she pulled up a stool to begin adjusting the hem on George's robes. "How many did you say were in this wedding?" she asked, massaging her sore fingers.

"Well, let's see," George said thoughtfully. "That really depends on if Hermione decides to pop before D-day. I'm sure we could work that little tyke into the wedding too, then there's always the immediate family..."

"I AM NOT POPPING UNTIL AUGUST!" came Hermione's near hysterical voice from the dressing room.

"Mum, Dad, Bill, Charlie," listed George.

"Shhh, Hermione let's try this design. I'm sure Madam Malkin can make these up in a jiffy," Ginny consoled, still in the dressing room.

"Percy, me, my twin brother Fred, I'm older you know, then Ron," continued George.

"It makes me so nervous having the children in white," fretted Mrs. Weasley.

"Ginny's the blushing bride of course. And then there's Penelope who is Percy's wife," George chatted away.

"It's proper to have them in white, according to tradition," said Percy.

"And then their children, Mortimer, Catherine, Meghan, Kyle, Hunter, Alexandria and Madeline, those are our other twins, and the baby Henri, can't forget him, he's cute as the dickens," said Fred, ticking names off on his fingers.

"What tradition?" asked Bill straightening his collar.

"Who cares?" answered Harry. “I don’t want to have to change anything at this point.”“Children are pure and innocent and to be put in white like the bride,” Percy informed them.

"Then there's Harry, he's near been family himself for years, and his little girl Chloe. She's not his little girl biologically; he adopted her from his Muggle cousin who he used to live with before he came back into the wizarding world. But Chloe's a doll, we love her to pieces."

"Innocent? Are you talking about Weasleys?” Ron laughed as he tied his shoe.

"Then there's Remus Lupin, an old friend and used to be our Professor a long time ago, and Sirius Black, Harry's godfather."

"They are perfectly innocent," defended Ginny. "They just have a tendency to be a little over curious."

"Then there's Hermione," continued George. "That's my brother Ron's wife. They were practically married when they were at Hogwarts. They’re just now having a baby, and they're going to name him Fredrick George after Fred and I.…"

"I am most certainly not naming him Fredrick George!" Ron protested loudly.

"I think that's it.” George looked thoughtful as he tried to remember another relative.

"Sorry I asked," muttered the assistant.

"What do your wedding robes look like, Harry?" asked Bill. "Why can't we see them?"

Harry sighed. "I can't wear wedding robes like all of you."

"What?! How are you getting out of this? It's your wedding!" Bill, Charlie, the twins, and Ron appeared to be annoyed at this new information.

"Trust me, I'm not getting out of anything." Harry smiled at them good-naturedly.

"He's not, and he's going to look very handsome in what he's going to wear," said Ginny coming out of Hermione's dressing room, and placing her hands on his shoulders affectionately. "Since I'm Commander in Chief of the Confederation and it is a military organization, I’m going to be wearing a dress uniform."“With great power comes stupid outfits,” teased Bill. Ginny glared at him. “It isn’t! Harry looks extremely nice in his dress uniform.”

"A dress, Uncle Harry?!" said Kyle, looking utterly horrified. "Like the giiiiiirls?"

"Dress uniform," corrected Ginny. "They are very fancy robes."

"It wasn't my first choice," shrugged Harry. “My advisor insisted upon it, due to this probably being slightly…publicized.”Madam Malkin spoke up at the words publicized. "We've been working on these clothes day and night. I must say that it has been wonderful for business."

Harry smiled. "Well, we wanted to keep all wedding preparations in most of the local businesses, rather than offend our friends. Besides, I don't know anyone else who can sew clothing better than you, Madam."

"How come the girls wear dresses instead of wearing robes?" piped up Chloe.
"It used to not be this way," Madam Malkin said, "in fact, weddings used to not be such a grand affair in the wizarding world. But then witches began to see some of the Muggle traditions gradually cross over due to the Muggle-borns, and not surprisingly, we now nearly have the same wedding ceremonies as Muggles. It seems to happen that way with quite a few things, actually."

Baby Henri, who had recently conquered the world of crawling, finally got his mother to let him out of her lap after much squirming. He took off quickly the moment Penny set him on the floor.

"Oh, can't we see your dress, Aunt Ginny," begged Catherine, "just for a moment?"

Ginny shook her head. "No, it's a surprise. Madam Malkin made it so beautifully."

"I like my dress!" said Chloe spinning around, to make her skirt flare out.

The tailor gave Ginny a pained look.

"I like it too, Chloe, but hold still so they can finish making sure everything is perfect," said Ginny.

"Are Chloe and I the only ones from our nursery school that get to be in the wedding?" asked Meghan.

”Yes,” said Harry looking up from a long parchment. “We've already got lots and lots of people in the wedding."

"But they get to come don't they?" asked Chloe.

"Yes, I believe they are all coming."

"Is it a field trip?"

Harry laughed at Meghan. "Excellent question. I think there should be a test on it.”
"I don't want Mrs. Jetsam to teach for us all the time," said Meghan sadly. "She never gives us enough time with the clay. She's very unsharing with it."

"Meghan, Mrs. Jetsam is very nice! She's been helping out in our classroom since January." Ginny’s tone of voice suggested that this discussion had been resurrected many times.

"But you've been there forever," Chloe said darkly.

"Hardly forever," smiled Ginny, "and you like Mrs. Jetsam! Remember when I had to take a few days off from school? Mrs. Jetsam was your teacher then."

"And she didn't have a good story at story time. She read Herbert the Hufflelump to us even after we told her you had already read it!" said Meghan.

"You did Herbert's voice much better," added Chloe. "It really sounded like a Hufflelump."

"Girls, I'm not giving up on teaching forever. I'm only finishing this year early. Besides, after Uncle Harry and I get back from our honeymoon, I'll be visiting the classroom every so often."

"Only to visit?" asked Chloe unhappily.

"You forget, Angel," interrupted Harry, "Ms. Ginny is going to be at home when you get home from school, being your mummy."

Chloe thought about this. "Well, okay. But you will be doing that for the whole year?"

Ginny laughed gleefully. "Much longer than a year, I expect."

"I should hope so!" said Harry looking alarmed.

"Accio!" said Percy suddenly.

Henri zoomed out from under a tablecloth and into Percy's arms. His blue eyes widened and he began to wail loudly.

"Darling, I wish you wouldn't use summoning spells on the baby," said Penelope.

"Ordinarily I wouldn't, but this one is an exceptionally fast crawler," said Percy setting Henri back down.

"I think I fixed your bridesmaid's gown," said one to the assistants displaying the dress to Ginny.

"Oh that's wonderful!" said Ginny taking the dress, and hurrying over to Hermione's dressing room.

"Everything is finally pulling together," Harry smiled wearily, "the florist, the cathedral, the band, the caterer, the whatever! And I have to say...I'm exhausted."

"You should have hired a wedding coordinator," said Mrs. Weasley.

"We'll be sure and do that next time," said Ginny poking her head out of the dressing room and smiling at Harry.

"This wedding is going to go down as the wedding of the century," grinned Charlie.

"Well, I would think so, since we're inviting half the wizarding world," said Harry.

~*~
"Daddy?"
"Hmm?" said Harry, taking a bite of potatoes.

"I don't understand."

"Neither do I, unless you tell me what it is you don't understand.”

"I'm going to call Ms. Ginny, Mum? Chloe asked slowly.

"Well, yes, don't you want to?" said Harry, studying her carefully.

"Yes, Daddy. I do want to."

"Then what's bothering you?"

"Well, you're my Daddy, cause you 'dopted me. Right?"

"Exactly right. And because I love you very much."

"So, I have to 'dopt Ms. Ginny to be my mum?"

"Uh. No. It doesn't exactly work like that," Harry grinned.

"But she's going to be your wife. So I have to 'dopt her to be my mum."

"No. She's my wife, and that makes her your mother also."

"But they aren't the same things, Daddy. How is she my mum without 'dopting me?"

Harry paused. And to think these were supposed to be the easy questions. What on earth was he going to do when Chloe got older?

"Because, I married her to become your mummy and because I loved her very, very, much too," said Harry feeling quite proud of his answer.

"So you're really 'dopting Ms. Ginny to be your wife, but you call it marrying?" said Chloe thoughtfully.

"Chloe?" sighed Harry.

"Yes, Daddy?" she asked, pushing a lima bean into her potatoes.

"Are you quite sure you're five-years old?"

"Yes, Daddy," she nodded, "I’m quite sure. My birthday isn't until May 26th. So you are 'dopting Ms. Ginny?"

Harry grinned. He'd let Ginny sort this one out later.

"Yes Chloe, we are a-dopting Ms. Ginny," he said, making sure to enunciate the 'a'.

"Then can we 'dopt Meghan too? I want her to be my sister!"

"She's your cousin, Chlo," corrected Harry.

"But, how can she be my cousin already? We never 'dopted h--"

"Chloe," sighed Harry.

"Yes?" she answered cheerfully.

"Eat your dinner."

"Yes, Daddy."


~*~

(April 20^th)

Tick-tick-tick-tick-tick

CLICK.

"Debates were hashing out at the Ministry of Magic this week, owing to the fact that Minister Percival Weasley is advocating for the regulation of cauldron bottoms. This is causing quite a stir among the foreign marketers, who call it unjust and a move by Weasley to nudge the foreign exports out of business."

Ginny opened her eyes, blinked slowly, and began to realize what day it was. She gazed at her ceiling for a while, and let the news reporter drone on while she let her thoughts collect.

Ginny glanced at the clock. 6:05. She had a million things to do and here she was lying in bed.

Ginny opened the door to Webster's cage and tapped the water dish with her wand.

"Mrs. Virginia Potter," she said to Webster.

Webster opened one yellow eye and looked at her.

"Mrs. Virginia Potter, cordially invites you to her afternoon luncheon in the rose garden at her estate, Havenwood," said Ginny in an exaggerated posh voice.

She giggled softly as Webster opened his other eye and looked at her curiously. She felt 15-years old again.

Ginny sighed dreamily. "Webster, I'm marrying him!"

Webster blinked and hooted softly.

"Just think, picnics with pink lemonade, birthday parties for Chloe in the garden with ice cream and children playing!"

DING! DING! DING! DING!

"Doorbell," sang Ginny, making a kissy face at her owl. "Webster, you darling owl, I'll get the door!"

Webster opened one eye again and stared.

Ginny walked down the stairs humming to herself.

DING! DING!

"Wedding bells!" said Ginny happily as she flung open the front door.

Hermione stood on her doorstep, still looking a little bleary from sleep.

"My," she yawned, "aren't we in a cheery mood?"

"I'm getting married," said Ginny, more to herself than Hermione. She opened the door a little wider and let Hermione in.

"Goodness," said Hermione rubbing her eyes, "is that today?"

"Don't make fun," laughed Ginny, "I'm so happy I could burst."

Hermione hugged her. "It's lovely that you're so excited."

"YOO-HOO!" called Mrs. Weasley, coming up the walk, "I'm here! Shall I make you breakfast?"

~*~
(10:00 AM)

Harry stared at the mirror.

"In other news today, the popular candy Fizzing Whizbees has been banned from all store shelves and discontinued. Consumers should note, while not dangerous, these candies have been pulled due to more questionable ingredients and should be advis--"

"Married," Harry muttered to himself, "I'm going to be a married man."

His hand shook a bit as he lifted the razor towards his face.

Harry dropped it in the basin full of hot, steaming water. Shaving at the moment was probably not a good idea.

"Get a hold of yourself, Potter," he said to his reflection.

"You won't be getting married with that stubbly face," the mirror chided.

"Shut up," said Harry, wiping the shaving cream off his face with a towel.

"Haaarry, are you drowning yourself in your sink?" sang Ron through the door.

"Ron, I'm about to climb the walls. I'm nervous as it is and you aren't helping!"

Ron threw open the door. "Drink this!"

Harry took a sip of the prune colored whatever and gagged at the glass. "What is it?" Harry broke into a fit of coughing and beat his fist against his chest, eyes watering.

"Hangover concoction. My very own specialty, you'll feel much better," said Sirius cheerfully. “You better drink all of it.”

"I'm going to be married," said Harry, holding his nose before taking another drink.

"And you bloody look like hell," said Ron helpfully.

Harry set the glass down, his face screwed up. "And who’s fault is that?"

Ron shrugged innocently. Sirius began laughing and walked out of the room.

"I don't know what you're talking about," said Ron.

"It's-the-last-day-you're-single-so-drink-up-while-the-night-is-young," quoted Harry, finishing the glass and getting it out of his sight.

"It was a Stag Party," Ron protested, "and you loved it. Especially when—"

"Don't tell Ginny about that," groaned Harry.

"I won't tell your wife, if you won't tell mine," grinned Ron.

"Oy," said Harry, leaning against the doorjamb, "you said wife. I'm going to have one of those."

Ron smiled as he grabbed Harry's face with his hands. "And if you stand my sister up at the altar, I will kill you. Are we clear on this?"

Harry tried to smile with his face scrunched up between Ron's hands. "Perfectly clear," he managed to get out.

Ron nodded. "Good," he said, roughly patting Harry's cheek.

"Besides," Harry continued, "I'm scared to death of what stupid thing I might do during the ceremony."

Sirius appeared in the room again, carrying a tray teetering with breakfast foods.

"Thanks, Sirius," said Ron, swiping a muffin. "You know, Harry, it's really not the wedding you have to be worried about. It's the wedding night!"

Sirius lifted his shaggy head from his coffee and grinned. "Talk about having to set a standard, Harry."

Harry glowered and turned back to the sink. "There's nothing wrong with us waiting!"

Ron began laughing loudly. "But-but...wait a minute...you've...you've..."

Ron glanced at Sirius and the both of them erupted into raucous laughter.

"Ginny's the experienced one," hooted Ron.

Harry refused to look at either of them. "I was busy! Defeating the Dark lord and all!"

"Don't worry, Harry," gasped Sirius, wiping tears from his eyes. "She'll be gentle."

"Really," spluttered Ron, "It's quite noble of you to hold out this long. Quidditch REALLY must be an outlet."

"She can't help that she was married before," defended Harry.

"Really, Harry, you might be the boy who lived, but are you the boy who lasted?"

Harry slammed the door shut on their faces. "YOU AREN'T HELPING!"

"Now you've set him off," said Sirius.

Ron broke into more laughter.

"Bad choice of words," said Sirius hastily.

"Aw, Harry come on out, we were only joking!" said Ron, tapping on the door.

"It is very noble of you to have waited," added Sirius.

"SOME OF US HAVE MORALS!" shouted Harry.

"It was JUST a joke," said Ron biting his tongue to avoid another hoot of laughter. "We're not questioning your morals!"

The bathroom door opened again and Harry glared at them as he wiped his face with a towel.

"That's better," said Sirius nodding at him. "Clean shaven."

"No more jokes," said Harry gloomily.

"No more jokes, you big baby," confirmed Ron.

"In celebrity news...It's wedding bells for the Boy-who-lived! Twenty-five year old Harry James Potter is finally getting married. Potter will be marrying, interestingly enough, the sister of the Minister of Magic. Twenty-four year old Virginia Weasley is the lucky witch who bagged Potter and his millions of Galleons! This won't be Virginia's first husband; she is the widow of the late Neville Longbottom. The Potters will have their hands full with Harry's newly adopted daughter, Chloe Grace Potter. We'd like to offer our congratulations to the Potters, and wish good luck in the years to come."

Harry and Ron made a face at the Wireless and Harry switched it off.

"Well bully for Harry Potter," said Ron jokingly.

Harry grinned.

~*~

“Have you hugged your stuffed dragon today?” Join Chloe’s Bookshelf!

 

Author note: I’m so in debt to Anne, who totally rox…she betaed this WHILE her computer was ill. I’m so impressed! You are wonderful, Anne!

 

 

 

Chapter 21—Chloe’s Fairytale

"NO!" said Percy sharply, "Meghan, you will not skip down the aisle!"

"All gone?" said Alexandria, lifting her basket for her mother to see.

"No, Alexia, darling, we have to pretend there are flowers in it now. Pretend to throw them!" said Penelope making motions with her hands to show how to throw pretend flowers.

Harry rubbed his temples. "Let's run through it one more time, and then we all need to go get dressed."

"What I wouldn't give to be Ginny at this point," said Hermione, getting up from a pew.

Penelope nodded and scooped Henri up to walk to the back of the church. Henri screeched and wriggled around. "Sitting in the gorgeous dressing room, having her hair done. That part was so enjoyable," sighed Penelope wistfully. "I'd love to be a bride again."

"Mmmmhmmm," said Hermione, looking down at her belly, "but look where it gets you."

Hermione and Penelope burst out laughing.

"I'm afraid I know all too well!"

Percy was in his element. Ordering people around, that was….

And Harry was about to kill him.

"All right, now everyone take his place" Percy clapped for attention. “Now who is going to go through the doors first?"

They stared at him.

"Well, raise your hands!" sighed Percy, putting his hand on his hips.

Bill rolled his eyes and lifted his hand slightly. "Me, dragging along some important wedding guest that isn't here for me to practice with."

"RIGHT, Bill," said Percy enthusiastically, as if his brother had just answered a question on a quiz show.

"Then me," said Charlie, yawning, "with some important...yeah...what Bill said."

"We get the idea, Percy," sighed George.

"Skip it," said Harry.

"What?" said Percy.

"Skip it. We've got it down. The children are going to get cranky."

"I'm hungry," said Kyle.

"See?" said Harry. "We'll just send them all off with Isabella to have a little dinner, and then by the time they get back, we'll be dressed and we can get them ready."

"I'm with Harry," said Hermione. "If I have to walk down that carpet one more time besides the wedding, I'll go barking mad."

Percy crumpled his parchment with a sour face. "I don't recommend this at all. This part is the most crucial of the wedding!"

"Wrong, nitwit," grinned Fred. "The getting married part is."

~*~
Harry nervously picked at some invisible lint on his jacket.

Detailed arrangements of red and cream flowers were hung off every deep oak pew. Although the setting sun was shining through the stained glass, the room was still dim enough for hundreds of slim cream candles to be lit. They were perched impressively on gleaming silver candelabras.

A full orchestra was seated at the back of the cathedral in matching black dress robes wearing single rose corsages or boutonnières in cream or red, playing soft background music as guest filed into the church.

"You're fidgeting," said Ron.

"I'm going to die before she even comes out," Harry informed him.  

Ron grimaced. "That'd make a great front page story. Stop being so melodramatic!"

"You look really sharp, Harry," said Bill. "You Auror people really know how to dress up."

Harry was in full Confederation dress uniform. His robes were deep navy blue and along the sleeves and hemlines there was thin gold piping. Several stripes of gold on his collar indicated his rank and two columns of gleaming brass buttons were lined up on his chest. The insides of his robe sleeves were a vivid scarlet red and he wore white gloves. Harry's trousers were seen quite plainly as the uniform was tailored to fit much shorter than normal robes. They were the same navy blue and a narrow scarlet stripe ran up the side of each leg. Finally, completing the ensemble, polished black boots.

"Not for everyday wear," smiled Harry.

The long line of Weasley groomsmen were not in uniforms of any sort, but they were wearing formal black dress robes with bowties and red boutonnières.

"Anyone would be nuts to try anything at this wedding," observed George. "The place is crawling with Aurors!"

Harry nodded somewhat proudly. " But only twelve are on duty."

Along the six pews nearest to the altar, twelve Aurors in dress uniform were flanked six to each side of the aisle. They were staring straight ahead, perfectly still at attention.

"Can't they have a pleasant expression on their faces?" Charlie hissed to Harry.

"That is pleasant, Charlie. They're at attention," replied Harry, with a grin.

"I bet you don't have to stand at attention," said Fred with interest. "You could probably make those blokes do whatever you want."

"I could," said Harry thoughtfully. "But one doesn't tend to do that to officers attending one's wedding."

"I would," said George wistfully, "it'd be a riot."

"Having them dance the hurdy-gurdy for me," nodded Fred.

"I don't even think there's an order for that," laughed Harry.

"The one on the left is sort of cute," observed Charlie.

"I certainly hope you're talking about Jennings rather than Schmich," said Harry glancing at the officers.

"Jennings is the girl right?" said Charlie.

"Jennings is the decorated lieutenant," said Harry, fully enjoying teasing Charlie.

"The girl, right?" repeated Charlie.

Harry rolled his eyes, "Yes, Jennings is the girl."

"She's quite a hottie, Harry."

"Somehow I think it's a bit unwise for me to go around calling ranking officers hotties," said Harry, raising his eyebrows.

Charlie nodded and waved his comment aside. "So are you going to introduce me after the wedding?"

"You do realize that she would and could clobber the living daylights out of you," Harry told him truthfully. 

Charlie grinned the trademark Weasley sly smile. "If she looks like that, I don't think I'd rightly mind. What's her name?"

"Lieutenant Jennings."

"Does she have a first name?" sighed Charlie.

"If I could remember calling her by it, I would tell you."

"Aw, come on, Harry. Quit holding out! I know you better than that," begged Charlie.

"Anastasia. Now can you hold off on picking up women until AFTER the ceremony?"

"Yes, sir!" said Charlie happily. "Much obliged."

Bill grinned. "Seems to me to be the best place to do it. You know, girls wanting to have a pretty wedding dress too. All those cat fights over the bouquet mean open season for us!"
 

~*~

The sun had set, and the soft glow of the candles gave the cathedral a very warm and dreamy look to it.

Very slowly, the two rear doors of the cathedral creaked open and the congregation fell silent. There was soft oohing and ahhing as four very small figures appeared in the doorway.

Chloe, Meghan, Alexandria, and Madeline, were all wearing white satin dresses. Chloe, leading the procession began to throw white and red rose petals. Meghan and the little twins followed her in procession. Alexandria with her hair in little white barrettes could be heard saying, "Whee!" as she threw her rose petals enthusiastically.

After the flower girls got to their appropriate spots, and Chloe looked happily at Harry. "Hi, Daddy," she whispered, trying to be sneaky about it.

Harry smiled and tried to keep from laughing. He lifted one of his gloved hands from his side and gave her a small wave.

Hermione looked very nice in a crimson dress, which had finally been made to fit, as Sirius escorted her down the aisle.

Remus and Penelope followed soon after them. Penelope wearing the same crimson colored dress, tailored to fit her very well and looking elegant with her blonde hair in a smooth French twist.

Parading behind the bridesmaids Hunter and Kyle smiled brightly at everyone as they proudly presented pillows with the rings. Harry grinned. Both looked like miniature footmen, clothed in white dress robes, with a red rose boutonnière and their red hair combed smoothly over.

Everything was running perfectly. The priest and his deacons came out soon afterwards, and then the conductor brought the song to a clean ending.

Harry took a deep breath as the Bridal March struck up and lifted his eyes to the doorway once more.

Ginny looked radiant.

Harry gulped as she walked toward him.

Ginny wore a stunning composition of flowing white silk; the fabric shone in the rich candlelight, descending gracefully to the floor. Two dainty straps embellished with a row of diamonds, glittered magnificently off of her fair shoulders. Her veil was light and airy, like spun gossamer; it floated softly around her face and along the back of the dress. Her hair was pulled into an elegant chignon, with wisps curling along the nape of her neck. A delicate tiara that was attached to her veil, perched magnificently on her hair, and sparkled with dazzling diamonds. Attached to the back of her dress, an extremely lengthy train, adorned with intricate beadwork, spread behind her.

Catherine and Mortimer trailed her, each holding up an end of the train.

Ginny looked shyly at everyone staring at her, but she kept her eyes right on Harry.

As she approached the altar, the Aurors standing guard suddenly snapped and they all did a sharp right or left face, so they were looking toward the inside of the aisle, then militaristically thrust their wands into the air, making an archway.

Mr. Weasley looked ecstatic, as he displayed Ginny on his arm. He smiled at Harry when they had arrived at the altar, a smile that brought Harry back down to earth. 

"Who gives this bride away?" The priest's voice echoed clearly in the cathedral.

"Her mother and I do," replied Mr. Weasley. Harry saw him squeeze Ginny's hand and then stepped back.

It was Ginny's smile, not Mr. Weasley's, that warmed Harry's heart to the core. She turned and smiled sweetly at Harry and took his hand. Harry took a deep shuddering breath. This was really happening.

~*~
Harry cupped Ginny's face in his hands, and they kissed softly.

The cathedral roared with applause and the orchestra struck up a joyous march.

Harry grabbed Ginny's hand.

"We're married," he said breathlessly, as they began walking together.

"PRESENT ARMS!" bellowed the one of the Auror officers.

The Aurors' wands were thrust into the air again, making an archway for Ginny and Harry, but this time, brilliant sparks exploded into the air, drizzling around them like shooting stars. They began laughing when they heard the children's delighted shrieks behind them.

As they ran to the carriage parked outside of the cathedral, Harry looked up and faced all the cameras, smiling brightly. For the first time in his life, he didn't care about the hundreds of pictures being taken, because he wouldn't give anything in the world to be anyone else.

~*~

Chloe took a huge bite of cake and swung her legs in her chair.

"Yummy!" said Madeline.

"I like weddings," said Kyle, taking another bite.

"Good cake?" asked Sirius walking by their table.

The children nodded.

There were tables heaped with food along one wall of Potter hall. They had just cut the wedding cake, and everyone was drifting into the ballroom for a bit of dancing. The children had been given huge slices of cake for their good behavior at the wedding, and they were content at this moment to have their dessert, rather than see what was going on in the ballroom.

"Wonderful wedding, isn't it?" said Charlie, approaching the Auror he had noticed during the ceremony.

"Quite nice," she said shortly, keeping her eye on Harry and Ginny who were laughing with a group of people from the Ministry.

"Charlie Weasley," he said offering a hand.

"I'm Lieutenant Jennings," she shook his hand quickly but never took her eyes of Harry and Ginny.

"Do you have a first name?" persisted Charlie.

"Mr. Weasley, to be perfectly frank, I'm on duty. It is my responsibility to make sure no one ruins anything. If you don't mind, you're in the way," she said stepping away from him.

"But you see, I'm a close personal friend of Harry's, and I know he wouldn't mind if you happened to have one little bitty dance with one of his groomsmen..."

"Perhaps. But I would certainly mind."

"I'm really not all that bad, Lieutenant. I call after first dates, honest."

She gave him a dry look.

Harry glanced up and leaned over and whispered something in Ginny's ear. Ginny nodded and smiled.

"Jennings!" exclaimed Harry coming over. "Fantastic display at the ceremony didn't you think?"

"Yes, sir," she said smiling. "Congratulations."

"Thank you," said Harry, "might I introduce you to Mr. Charles Weasley? He's an old and good friend of mine. I’m sure you can just call him Charlie."

"We've been introduced," said Jennings tactfully.

"Have you?" said Harry grinning, pretending as if he didn't notice the expression on her face. "Did you know that Mr. Weasley is head of the Dragon Regulation Department? I thought you two would get along, since you've been responsible for many illegal dragon operations going down."

"Is that so?" said Charlie brightening.

Harry nodded. "Anastasia here, is quite the advocate for the proper care of magical creatures."

Jennings colored. "Thank you, sir."

Harry shrugged. "Why don't you take a bit of a break from duty and grab a bite to eat?"

Anastasia’s face flattened, and Harry saw her eyes narrow at him briefly. "That's quite all right, sir, I'll complete my task first."

Harry winked and turned back to go to Ginny. "That was an order."

Charlie bit his lower lip to keep from laughing.

"May I get you a plate, Anastasia?" he said gesturing towards the table with a sweeping motion.

She sighed, and then smiled. "That would be nice of you…Charlie, is it?”

~*~

Ginny laughed as Harry spun her around on the ballroom floor. She had removed the train, and her veil, and her wedding gown was now a lovely dancing dress.

"And to think," Ginny said putting her hands behind his neck. "This is where you and I kissed for the first time."

"Much to my surprise and yours," smiled Harry. "I didn't plan on doing that."

"I'm rather glad you did," said Ginny.

"So are a lot of people," he said dipping her.

"Looks like your little set-up worked," said Ginny looking over at Charlie and Anastasia dancing.

Harry grinned the trademark sly Weasley smile. "I know, I think they hit it off pretty well, after that first horrible introduction Charlie made."

Remus waltzed over with Chloe in his arms.

"Look what I found, Chlo," he said to her, "a daddy and a mummy!"

"My daddy and MY mummy," said Chloe hugging Remus happily. "We 'dopted her."

Ginny gave Harry a quizzical look. "Adopted?" she mouthed to him.

"I'll explain later," whispered Harry, quite amused.

"I think Chloe wanted to dance with a certain person before a certain person leaves for his honeymoon," said Remus winking at Harry.

"I'm a very good dancer, Daddy," said Chloe, as Remus spun around with her in his arms.

 "Remus, will you have this dance?" asked Ginny playfully.

"Most certainly, but I am quite sad to leave this adorable partner I've had," nodded Remus, setting Chloe down.

"It was smashing," said Chloe politely to Remus.

Remus chuckled as he and Ginny danced off.

"May I have this dance, Miss Chloe Grace Potter?"

"Yes, you may, Daddy," she said smiling brightly.

Harry bowed to Chloe, and she held the skirt of her dress as she curtsied.

Most of the people in the ballroom, laughed and turned to watch when Chloe stepped on the toes of Harry's boots and they began to waltz. Chloe squealed when he swung her up in the air.

"How long will you be gone on holiday, Daddy?" she asked, pushing his hair off his forehead and staring into his eyes inquisitively. “Will it be a really long time?” 

"Just seven days," he said. "Then we're going to come back come back for you and take another holiday together.”

The song ended, and they bowed and curtsied to each other again amidst the applause of the guest.

"See?" said Chloe, green eyes alight with delight as she waved a little, "I'm a very good dancer!"

~*~

Their honeymoon had been very lovely indeed, but Harry finally decided their holiday with Chloe after the honeymoon was just as enjoyable, if not more.

He watched as she turned over another pail full of sand, making another addition to her sandcastle. Her long pigtails, tied with purple ribbon, whipped in the wind. To his right, Ginny yawned happily and sat up on the heels of her hands with him to watch Chloe.

"How's the bribery coming along?" she grinned, pushing a lock of hair out of her eyes.

Harry nodded, "He seems to be very docile."

"Docile. Good. He snaps at her once, and I'll curse him to..." began Ginny peering closer at Chloe.

"Down, Mummy," said Harry soothingly, "I've got it under control."

Ginny leaned over and kissed his cheek. "I believe you. Now what's this variety again? I don't ever remember coming across it."

"Sand gnomes," recited Harry, "close cousins of the garden variety."

"Of all things for Chloe to unearth," laughed Ginny, "not to mention, insisting on befriending it."

"Much to that little thief's dismay," chuckled Harry.

"So they mostly hide in sand dunes, coming out to only sneak the occasional Muggle picnic basket away?"

"That and car keys hidden in a pair of shoes. They like shiny things I think. Really, the Muggles really don't need their help losing things…."

"The look on its face when you picked it up out of our basket," laughed Ginny. "Then Chloe's cry of delight. She was really disappointed about having to leave Norbert in the condo. I heard her telling him he wasn't a 'sand-proof' dragon."

"The promise of an entire picnic basket in exchange of playing nicely with her apparently is working rather well. They both seem to be enjoying themselves.”

Chloe peered into her castle. "Are you sleeping, Smitty?"

"Me name ain't SMITTY!" bellowed the gnome loudly from inside the sand castle, "me name is..."

Chloe giggled delightedly. "Yes it is! Don’t be a silly gnome! Want to go swimming?" she said reaching into the castle, feeling around for him.

"No swimming!" shrieked the gnome, flailing his arms. "Me cousin was ate up by a crab!"

Chloe grabbed him and pulled him out of the sand castle. "It's all right. I'm a witch. I can scare away the crabs."

"No, no, no!" howled the gnome clawing at the sand. 

"Chloe!" called Ginny as she waved. "It's time for another sun blocking charm!"

"All right, Mummy," said Chloe putting the distressed gnome in the crook of her arm, and skipping up to her parents.

"Smitty and I are going swimming," she said holding the gnome up by his ankles, and he flopped about like a caught fish.

"Hold still a moment," said Harry handing Ginny her wand from the beach bag.

"Legs," sang Ginny as she tapped her Chloe's legs once, "arms, shoulders, back, neck annnnd…."

"Face," giggled Chloe as the wand tapped her lightly on the nose.

"All finished," said Ginny, "make sure you and Smitty don't go in the water past your ankles."

Smitty began to howl again and wriggled in Chloe's grasp. She smiled fondly at him. "He's excited," she said to her parents in a whisper. 

Harry peered at Smitty sternly over his glasses. "Play nicely," he repeated.

Smitty fell lax in Chloe's hands and whimpered pathetically.

Ginny laughed as Chloe scampered off. "He must REALLY want that basket you've promised him."

"Ah, he'll have a story to tell his grandchildren," said Harry. "About the vicious sorceress that took him captive."

Chloe sat down on the sand, letting the waves splash onto her legs. Smitty was trying to climb his way up her arm, away from the water.

"No-no!" she chided, "swim!"

Plunk.

Chloe steered Smitty through the water, complete with motorboat noises. Then she began lifting him high up above her head and then back into the water.

"Aaaaaaaaaaa," he shrieked, "Eeeeeeeeggggggguggggggg."

"I TOLD you it's fun," said Chloe happily making him airplane out of the water again.

"AAAIIIIEIIIIIGH."

"Oh my, you've dropped your hat," said Chloe setting him down by her ankle, reaching for it.

Smitty gasped for air, accidentally making bubbles in water that was almost up to his neck.

Chloe was thrilled beyond anything.

"Daddy!" she cried, "Smitty's blowing bubbles!"

Harry gave a nod and waved at her. "Good, Angel! Make sure Smitty can breathe, please."

"It's lovely having the beach to ourselves this week," Ginny commented happily.

Harry looked pleased about this also. "Mind you, there are going to be some very perplexed Muggles that visit this beach annually, and unable to find it."

Ginny shrugged, very unconcerned. "They have millions of beaches around here, they'll find another and not give this one another thought."

Chloe's laughter rang out from the edge of the water, causing both of them to smile in her direction fondly.

"I suppose she got her fairy tale," said Harry after a moment.

Ginny looked at him blankly.

"Us. Her," elaborated Harry, "She had us figured out before we even knew what to think about it."

Ginny, now enlightened, grinned. "She deserves to have her fairy tale ending."

Harry looked thoughtful. ”I DID dance with you...and we DID get married, just as she said we would.”

“Chloe Potter, future Diviner?” suggested Ginny innocently.

“Ginny!” said Harry, appalled. “Take that back!”

”Sorry. Really, I just think it’s her reasoning behind everything.”

“And what is that?”

“Well, that fairy tales are real of course.”

Harry put his arm around Ginny’s shoulders. “That definitely is a good way at looking at things.”

“CRAB!” screamed Chloe, splashing the water with her hands.

Harry leapt to his feet and was about to break into a run to the seaside until he saw Chloe in a fit of laughter.

“Only joking, Smitty,” she giggled.

The gnome was far from amused as he scrambled around Chloe’s legs and shrieked, clutching his behind.

“Isn’t this a FUN game?” she said picking him up and trotting back to her castle.

“GERROFF ME!” screamed Smitty, “GERROFF ME!”

“Don’t you bite her, you wicked gnome!” shouted Ginny also jumping to her feet, her wand drawn.

“I don’t want no basket!” howled Smitty, when he saw Harry’s shadow across the castle. “I-don’t-want-no-basket!”

Harry shrugged and sighed. “I suppose you can go.”

“GERROFF!” screamed the gnome one last time, about to sink his teeth into Chloe’s arm.

“DON’T even think about it,” shouted Ginny, bopping him sharply across the top of his head with her wand. “You stay away from her! You wicked little thief! STAY back!”

By the time Ginny finished with him, Smitty was staggering away in a very uneven line. Harry smiled and thought the only thing missing from the picture were stars and birds hovering around his head.

Chloe’s eyes were round with surprise.

“I haven’t got anyone to play sandcastle with anymore,” she said watching Smitty limp away.

“It was just a dirty old gnome,” said Ginny kissing her little hand and checking for gnome bites. “Daddy and Mummy will play sandcastle with you.”

“You will?” 

“I get to build the moat, right?” asked Harry kneeling down in the sand.

“Can you enchant the water pink?” Chloe was eager to begin.

“One pink moat, coming up,” said Harry picking up a toy shovel.

“Who lives in this castle?” asked Ginny filing a bucket with sand.

“We do,” said Chloe sticking shells along the outside of the castle, “with Norbert.”

“He stands guard at the drawbridge?” guessed Ginny.

“Right, Mummy!” said Chloe, very pleased. “And we never have to worry about bad people.”

“So that means we live happily ever after?” asked Harry.

Chloe shook her pigtails. “No, Daddy! The story isn’t over yet!”

“Goodness, didn’t you know that?” said Ginny, her eyes sparkling at Harry.

Harry smiled at them and continued to work on the moat.

~*~

 

Author’s note: Lots of thank yous to Anne who is an awesome beta!  No, the story isn’t over yet…we’ve got an epilogue left. Look for it soon.

 

“Have you hugged your stuffed dragon today?”

 

 

The Epilogue


"They're opening the curtains!" said Mrs. Weasley, standing up quickly from her chair.

The Weasleys hurried toward the window to take a peek at the newest member of the family.

"There he is," said Sirius grinning broadly, "his hair is still damp! What a handsome devil!"

"He's so beautiful," sighed Penelope, smiling at the baby being wheeled closer to the window. “What a perfect angel.”

"Look at that red hair!" crowed Bill. "He's definitely a Weasley!"

"Beautiful, healthy baby," said Mr. Weasley proudly.

Chloe pressed her nose against the glass. "How come we can't see his name? The other babies have names on their beds."

Fred grinned and put his hands on her shoulders. "They aren't going to name him Chloe. They're just going to call him Boy for his whole life."

Chloe looked horrified.

"Fred!" scolded Mr. Weasley. "Don't believe a word he says, Chloe. The hospital just hasn't had time to make one yet."

"I like the new baby," said Meghan scrutinizing the infant with great care. "He seems quite all right. Not the crying type. Like Henri," she added under her breath.

"All babies cry," informed Mortimer, "and you cried more than Henri."

"Did not," said Meghan sticking her tongue out.

"Oh, Mum," said Catherine pulling on Penelope's robes. "Can't we go hold him?"

"Not yet," said Penelope. "We'll get a chance, I'm sure."

"Look at how adorable he is!" cooed Mrs. Weasley. “Just like Laura was!"

Hermione laughed and gazed fondly at her own baby. "Laura is still adorable.

Ron kissed the top of the infant's head he was cuddling and beamed proudly when she threw her chubby arms up in delight and screeched at him.  “Daddy,” he prompted. “Say Daddy.”

Laura, Ron and Hermione's now five-month-old daughter was a lovely infant. She had soft wispy strawberry blonde hair, and her eyes had recently changed into a shade of brown unmistakable for Hermione’s eye color.

"Say handsome, not adorable," corrected Sirius.

"He is a handsome fellow isn't he?" Harry commented, walking up behind the family.

The Weasleys were so preoccupied with 'ahhing' and 'oohing' over the new addition that they didn't bother to turn around to answer Harry.

"Doesn't he look JUST like Ginny?" 

"Mmm," said Harry, looking down at the baby. "I see a few of her qualities in him….”

"He's so tiny!"

The rest of the family nodded and continued point and grin at the newborn.

"He's got Ginny's hair," said Ron happily. "Oh well, Harry, maybe next time."

"Now I most certainly wouldn't say that!" remarked Harry, laughing heartily. “He hasn’t got her hair at all.”

"Harry!" said Sirius, "It's exactly her color! Maybe a bit like your mum's but that's a perfect copy of Ginny's hair!"

"I really can't see the comparison," said Harry shaking his head.

"Fine, be stubborn," said Ron, taking a photo of the baby behind the glass.

Hermione turned around to give Harry a quizzical look. An astounded squeak came from her.

"Harry!" she gasped, "what ARE you doing with that baby?!"

Everyone turned around instantaneously and jaws dropped.

Harry grinned. "This happens to be my son."

"B-But," stuttered Charlie, "that baby!" He pointed at the baby behind the glass.

"Is not our baby," finished Harry.

"Oh dear God," said Remus covering his mouth.

"Shame on all of you for assuming he had red hair!" said Harry laughing.

"Is that my brother!?" Chloe was jumping up and down to see.

"Shhh," said Harry sitting down. "I'll let you see him."

Slowly, Harry pulled aside the blanket.

"AWWWWW!" chorused the family.

Nestled, sound asleep in the blanket was a very tiny newborn. He had long dark eyelashes, and his miniature fists were curled up tightly into little balls. He had soft tufts of jet black hair, already on his forehead, but there wasn't quite enough to be as messy as Harry's.

"Oh, Daddy," said Chloe, completely lovestruck, "I LIKE this baby."

"Would you rather have him than the baby in the window?" asked Harry with a grin.

"Oh yes, please!" said Chloe touching her baby brother's cheek with a fingertip.

"Has he opened his eyes yet?" asked Sirius.

"A little bit for Ginny," said Harry, "and they are blue."

"Yours weren't ever blue. They were green from the start," said Sirius.

"Get off it Sirius, the kid can't be an exact replica of Harry," smiled Remus.

"What's his name?" asked Ron.

"Gunther," said Harry smiling down at the baby. “Gunther Rex.”

The family looked unsure of themselves for a moment.

"Er," said Ron staring at the infant.

"How...nice," said Mrs. Weasley a little higher than usual.

"Is that a...an old family name?" asked Mr. Weasley slowly.

"I'm joking," sighed Harry, rolling his eyes at them.

The family gave a collective sigh of relief.

"That was a payback," said Harry, "for thinking he was that other baby!"

"Well, that baby had red hair! We're used to coming to see red haired babies!" defended Charlie.

"That baby's name actually is Gunther," smiled Harry, "I met the father. He was nearly beside himself. First having a new baby, then meeting Harry Potter all in the same day. I thought he was going to wet himself."

"What's his real name?" begged Chloe.

"James Albus Potter," said Harry smiling broadly.

"Fine name!" bellowed Sirius, looking delighted.

James Albus Potter gave a soft baby grunt in his sleep.

"Shhh!" said Mrs. Weasley ribbing Sirius, "you'll wake him."

"Where's Mummy?" asked Chloe.

"Mummy is resting, and doing quite well," said Harry, "I'm sure she's dying to see you."

"Mummy will make sure we get home with James instead of that other baby," said Chloe confidently.

Harry stood up.  "We'll be back, I'm going to take Chloe to see Ginny, and then I'm sure the hospital will be thrilled to let everyone of you into her room all at once..."

"Hmmm. I think Uncle Harry was being sarcastic," said George to Henri, as they watched Harry walk down the corridor with James, Chloe trailing them, skipping.

~*~

Ginny accepted the glass of water from the nurse, but quickly handed it back when she saw Chloe open her door.

Ginny brightened. "There you are!"

"Mummy!" said Chloe running to her bedside. "Mummy! I LIKE him."

Harry laid James in the bassinet and lifted Chloe up so Ginny could kiss her cheek.

"You do?" said Ginny, "I think we'll keep him."

As Chloe was peering into the bassinet again, Harry leaned over and whispered to Ginny.

"Your mother asked me when we're going on another honeymoon... she said she needs another grandchild."

Ginny's eyes widened. "She didn't!"

"She did," laughed Harry.

"I am not keeping up with Penny," said Ginny, lying back on her pillows and shaking her head.

Harry smiled at her fondly and leaned over to kiss her cheek.

"You are magnificent. I don't need six more children. I've got two perfect ones."

"Seven," said Ginny.

"You want seven?" said Harry quickly, "Are you feeling all right?"

"No," laughed Ginny, "we'd need seven more to catch up with Penny and Percy."

Realization struck Harry and he gaped at her. "You must be joking... Penelope is pregnant again?"

Ginny nodded. "Shhhh. I'm not supposed to tell."

"Rabbits!" exclaimed Harry. "We're related to rabbits!"

They stopped their conversation as they heard Chloe talking softly to James.

"I'm Chloe, I'm your big sister! We made a room for you. It says Baby on the door. That's because you're the baby. We have lots of cousins, and we're the only ones without red hair!"

"They are, aren't they?" whispered Ginny, very pleased.

"I wanted you for Christmas, but you didn't want to come yet! Daddy put a huge bow on Mummy's tummy! Mummy was laughing really hard. We have the photograph, I'll show you when we go home. You're really lucky to be born today! 'Cause you'll get ALL those Christmas presents and then the NEXT day is your birthday. I knew that's why you waited. Besides, Daddy said it was a good thing you weren't born yesterday, or we'd never find you under all the wrapping paper!"

”I have a feeling this is the beginning of a beautiful double conspiracy, against us," Harry whispered to Ginny.

"I can see it now," agreed Ginny. "Chloe's already too clever for her own good. She'll probably teach James every trick of the trade."

Harry snorted. "Like the big innocent eyes?"

Ginny raised her eyebrows. "I told you not to believe her when she answers, 'Noooothing, Daddy.' But you learned your lesson, didn't you?"

Harry gave her a hopeless look.

"You realize, that they're growing up way too fast already."

"He's not even a day old," said Ginny, laughing.

"And Chloe's six. Six, Gin! We've got five years until she leaves us to go to Hogwarts."

"That's what children do," she said with a sigh.

"What?"

"Grow up."

Harry sighed. "Can't they stay little a bit longer?"

"Cheer up, Harry," said Ginny planting a kiss on his cheek. "It'll be fun."

"Yes, it will be."

Harry took her hand and they smiled at each other.

The future looked bright.

~*~

Author’s note: Yup, that’s the end of Lessons for Life! Thank you so much for reading, I hope it brought you happiness.  There are so many people I have to thank…and I don’t want to leave anyone out.  

 

Fanfiction.net—Thank you for existing and giving me my first real link to the Harry Potter fandom.  If it weren’t for those first 6 or so reviews I got for my first chapter…Lessons would have never been written.  I never expected LFL to turn out like it did…I feel very lucky. 

 

Jilly— My partner in crime.  My best friend.  And my editory…you already know how awesome you are, why should I repeat what you know?  

 

SugarQuill— Thank you to, Zsenya for sending me that one little polite email pointing me in the direction of the Quill after the first few chapters of Lessons.  SQ chat people (the originals) you helped me out more than you’ll ever know. You’re wonderful people. What would the world be like without your humor? Pretty darn boring, that’s for sure. 

 

Dr. Cornelius— The person that finally taught me how to REALLY use commas.  He also is a great helper of MATH homework and general advice about life.  Truly one of the world’s greatest teachers that NEEDS to actually teach people in a classroom. 

 

The Queens of H/G— What would I be without you? A rabid H/Ger without a tiara? Thank you for creating GT…a REAL paradise for souls like mine.  I treasure your friendship and you all mean a lot to me.  I mean it. You’re making me teary.

 

Reviewers—Thank you so much. You keep me on my toes. You make me want to be a better writer and to work hard to make something good.  Thank you for the inspiration, laughs, and FRIENDSHIP.  It’s a great fandom. 

 

Ciao for now. I’ll hopefully see you all when I post Letters from Home.  Thank you for everything! 

 

Love,

 

Caitlyn

 

 

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