One Year

"Does everyone have all their things? Ginny, is your dress packed?" Mrs. Weasley was tittering around the lounge of The Burrow, checking and re-checking everyone's trunks and the four garment bags strewn across them.

"Yes, Mum. You already checked, four times. Now come on, Dad's getting impatient!" Ginny grabbed her mother by the shoulders to stop her pacing. "Everything is ready, and Dad wants to go. Bill's waiting for the trunks; now let's get a move on!"

"Yes, all right then." Mrs. Weasley said a quick incantation and the trunks disappeared with a pop. A few moments later, a piece of parchment flew in through the fireplace and Ginny snatched it from the air.

"He's got them. It also says that Amanda's ready to go into labour." Ginny's mother's eyes widened at the words.

"What? But...but..."

"Mum, it's a joke. He's telling you we're being slow. Get a grip!" Ginny rolled her eyes at her mother, who took the note from her daughter's hand. As Ginny watched her mother read, her father and Harry joined them.

"You lot all set to go?" Mr. Weasley glanced at his watch, and picked up a gold dinner plate. "Grab a hold now." Their hands clasped the plate, and all too soon Ginny felt the strange tugging behind her navel as the Portkey transported them across the sea to a valley in rural Sweden.

"Damn, it's cold!" Ginny shouted absently. "Why'd Charlie have to get married in the middle of the bleeding winter?"

"Ginevra, don't swear!" her mother reprimanded her. The four of them walked toward the large house in front of them, and the door opened without any of them knocking.

"Hej, valkommen till vart hem," said a small woman with greying hair and crystal-like blue eyes. "Arthur! Molly!" The woman gave each of Ginny's parents a warm hug.

Ginny felt awkward just standing there, and looked over at Harry to find him looking just as uncomfortable as she felt.

"Du maste vara Ginny!" She then found herself wrapped up in the woman's arms and merely nodded, not knowing what in the world the strange woman was saying. "Och vem ar det har? The woman looked at Harry, scanning him up and down.

Here we go again. She's noticed the scar.

"Harry Potter! I mitt hem! Jag ar sa arad!" She was nearly jumping up and down, barely able to contain herself. "Nils, Harry Potter ar i vart hus!" Her voice jumped a few octaves as she shouted behind her. She took hold of Harry's hands and voraciously shook them.

"Uh, hello there. Nice to meet you," Harry said with a nervous smile.

A very pregnant brunette came up behind the woman, sounding frantic. "Mamma, mamma, lugna ner dig! Du glomde oversattningsformlen igen!" The young woman waved her wand and said a few more words Ginny couldn't understand. "Really, Mother. Let the poor boy go!"

Ginny felt her mouth drop as she suddenly understood the words. What the hell just happened?

The young woman looked at Ginny and smiled. "Hello, there, Ginny. I'm Amanda. Is this the first time you've ever witnessed a translation charm?"

"Uh, yes. Nice to meet you." Amanda put her arm around Ginny, leading her and her parents into the front room. Amanda's mother kept a hold of Harry's hands and pushed him onto a settee, sitting right next to him. "Harry, you'll have to pardon my mother. She doesn't get out much anymore," she teased.

"Oh, Amanda! You're so rude!" She got off the settee and took Ginny's cloak from her, motioning for her to sit on the settee next to Harry. "My name is Eva, and my husband..." She glanced over her shoulder. "Nils!" She shouted in a voice that reminded Ginny of her mother. "The Weasleys are here, and they brought Harry Potter!" Harry's face began to turn pink and his head sunk to his chest while his body shook in laughter.

~*~

The day of the wedding proved to be much more interesting than Bill and Fleur's wedding. Granted, it was about fifty degrees colder than Bill's, but things were much more relaxed; Harry wasn't leaving to hunt for Horcruxes, and war wasn't an imminent threat anymore. Life was just, well, normal now. Ginny looked around at the reception hall and noticed the smiles on everyone's faces. It made her heart quicken to know that she had a part in it.

Amanda and Charlie looked wonderful together. His red hair and her brown locks complemented each other quite well. They reminded her of Ron and Hermione who were, at the moment, totally enraptured with one another and sat disgustingly close together. Amanda's belly was rather humorous, and Ginny had to drag her mother away from Amanda several times when she attacked her daughter-in-law's belly with her hands.

"But, Ginny," her mother had protested only moments before, "this is my first grand baby, and I've missed out on everything!" After that, Amanda took pity on her new mother-in-law, allowing her to feel the kicks and take guesses on the gender.

Charlie was so different now. Gone was the rakish devil who never talked about anything but Quidditch, dragons, and girls with differing shades of hair. In his place was a strangely wonderful Charlie; one who talked about love, babies and family. Ginny watched him while he talked to Bill, wondering what was on their minds. If Bill ever became a father, that would surely be a sign of the Apocalypse. It's not that Bill wouldn't make a wonderful father, but the thought of Bill and Fleur as parents is what really bothered her. Ginny didn't know what would be worse, the little Veela prima donna complaining about stretch marks or saggy breasts . Shaking her head at that thought, she headed back over to the buffet table to grab a bite to eat.

Before she could turn around, Ginny felt someone beside her and smiled as she felt a warm breath on her neck. "I hope you know that I have a boyfriend."

"Really? What's he like?" He began nibbling on her ear.

"Skinny, has messy hair, and can't see worth a damn without his glasses." She giggled softly.

"Well then, he sounds pretty lame to me." Warm arms went around her waist.

"No, he's not," said Ginny as she turned around to face Harry. "He's really rather sweet." She kissed him softly on the lips. "I need some privacy." His face lit up and he followed her as they began to weave their way through the crowd, finally taking a seat on the stairs leading to the basement of the hall. She sat down next to him on the narrow tread.

"You looked so serious there. What's going on?" he asked. His hands absently went to her hair and took out the clips that held her hair in place during the wedding.

"Just thinking. Charlie's married and about to become a father. That's a right scary thought." She cocked her head to the side, taking note of the way his hair fell across his brow. "I feel old."

Harry's rich laughter echoed down the stairs. "You're seventeen! If anyone should feel old, it's Hermione. Nineteen is ancient."

"You git." She rolled her eyes. "I meant that so much has happened in the last few months that it's just difficult to believe that things as normal as having babies and weddings are taking place again."

"Well, I did it for you," he whispered. He leaned in and kissed her softly on the lips, teasing her lips apart with his tongue. The last time Harry kissed her like this, they were in her father's shed at Christmas and Ginny had been trying to explain to him why she'd kissed Jonathan Martin. His talented lips, tongue, and hands soon made her forget about everything and she felt herself floating along on a cloud of pure bliss.

"Eh, hem." The two of them broke apart and turned around to find Bill looking down at them, his scars standing out in either anger or amusement. "They're getting ready to leave. After the bouquet, of course."

Harry quickly stood up and helped Ginny to her feet as she smoothed her dress and hair.

"Uh, Harry? You've got some lipstick right there," Bill pointed out, briefly touching Harry's cheek. Harry turned red and quickly rubbed it off as he muttered his thanks. They followed Bill back into the reception hall and Ginny was immediately swept up by Hermione and taken to the front of a large gathering of single witches.

"All set, ladies?" Amanda teased them. "One, two, three!" The little bouquet floated in the air and, without any effort or pushing, it landed right in Ginny's arms. Applause filled her ears and she felt a blush rise onto her cheeks.

"Oh dear, Mum, looks like there'll be another wedding to plan," Fred announced earning him a huff from his mother. Ginny also heard the distinct sound of people choking on a beverage. Looking to her right, both Harry and Ron were gasping for breath.

~*~

"So your dad said that I could take you back to school," Harry softly told her as they cuddled together in Harry and Ron's room at the inn they'd been staying at. "The Portkey will take us just outside the wards, and then I'll have to leave you at the gates."

Ginny nodded slowly. They were lying on one of the beds in the room and listening to the wireless. Ginny lay curled up alongside Harry, and he absently stroked her hair occasionally twisting a strand on his fingers. One of her legs was thrown over his knee and her head rested peacefully on his chest. She loved the sound of his heartbeat and began tracing circles around his chest, stopping at the points his nipples formed.

The thought of going back to school was not a very pleasant one. She'd enjoyed the last week in Sweden and her time with Harry. But their time alone was never enough, and Harry was supposed to take her back to Hogwarts in a few days. Her eyes began to sting as she tried to hold back the tears.

"Hey, it's alright. I'll miss you, too, you know. I'll come for the Hogsmeade weekend in February, and we'll get all mushy at Madame Puddifoot's, okay?" He hated that place and all its horrible memories, but if that's what she wanted, he'd suffer in silence for her. "Gin, don't cry. I lose all masculinity when you do that."

She snorted in response as she wiped her eyes. "So, um, how long do they usually take?" Ron and Hermione had taken over Ginny and Hermione's room a few hours ago, leaving the two of them alone.

"Well," he began, shifting on the bed, "it depends. Now understand, I usually make myself pretty scarce and all, but one night I was in the kitchen for three hours. When I finally went up to my room I could still hear the floorboards whinging above me." Ginny began to laugh, but he put his hand over her mouth. "It's not funny, Gin! Do you have ANY idea what it's like to hear your two best friends fucking all night while your girlfriend is in bloody SCOTLAND?" He shook his head as she burst out laughing.

"Sorry. But it is funny, you know." She turned towards Harry and softly touched his cheek, enjoying the warmth of his flesh on her hand. "Fred and George aren't going to be back for awhile. They're still out with, um, Kristin and what's her name."

"Ingrid. They're out with Kristin and Ingrid. And what, pray tell, are you trying to tell me?"

"Well, Mr. Auror-in-Training why don't you put a spell on the damned door so we can have some time alone?"

"Ginny..."

"Harry, I'm going back to school in two days! The last time we had a snog--a really good snog--was back in November. Remember?" Ginny remembered and she was sure Harry did as well. Harry's mouth turned up in a wide smile. "The spell, Harry."

"Pseudo Portus!" The door leading to the hall became eerily semi-opaque. Harry added a second spell "Alarum!"

"What did you do? I can see into the hallway."

"Auror secrets. I'll have to Obliviate you later on, just so you know," he teased. "So, Miss Weasley, what kind of a snog did you have in mind? Last time, I was the one who was starkers, right?"

His lips met hers and soon Ginny forgot all about going back to school and being away from Harry. He kissed her softly, almost timidly, making sure it was okay. She deepened the kiss out of frustration over his shyness. Their kisses became more passionate, and their hands grew bolder in their exploration.

"Gin? Can I?" Ginny opened her eyes and suddenly realised that she was without her shirt, having not remembered Harry taking it off. Trying to focus on what he wanted, she looked down, seeing his hand resting at the waistband of her sweatpants.

Harry's eyes never strayed from hers as she nodded. Slowly she felt his hand sneak under the grey cotton and satin that covered her and settled on her skin. Ginny caught a shy smile play across Harry's face. Placing her hand on his cheek, she drew him in for another kiss, parting his lips with her tongue at the same moment that his fingers began exploring her down below.

"Wow," he muttered against her lips.

"Mmmm," Ginny groaned against his mouth while she lifted her pelvis off the mattress, pulling him farther into her. His fingers quickened, bringing a little shriek from her.

Their lips separated with a small pop and Harry looked down at her. "I'm sorry. Did I hurt you?" He began to withdraw his fingers, but she held him fast.

"No, Harry. I loved it." He smiled again, moving his fingers again. "Yeah, right there." She rocked her hips against his hand and again felt the ripples of pleasure begin to build inside her. Harry watched her in fascination while she arched her neck against the pillow and bit her lower lip. Little sounds escaped her as his fingers moved faster, and faster.

"Ginny? Love, are you alright?" He was gasping for air as Ginny tightened around his fingers and let out a moan that reverberated throughout the room. She wrapped her arms around him, letting the aftershocks subside.

"Wow." Ginny breathed as she brushed her hair off her face, feeling the sweat along her hairline. She had never felt so good, so relaxed, and satisfied. But she knew, someday, there would be more. The prospect of that situation brought a toothy grin to her face. "Thanks."

"My pleasure," Harry murmured. "But, um, I need a little help here." Harry rolled to her side and she felt him poking her. A little laugh escaped her lips when her eyes landed on Harry's lap.

"Did I do that?" He nodded. "Well, I guess I should fix it then, yeah?" His arms went around her and gathered her close for another kiss. As her hand drifted down Harry's torso, a disturbing squelch filled the room.

"Oh fuck! It's Ron!" Harry bolted from the bed and threw Ginny's clothes at her while quickly hopping into his jeans.

"What? How do you know?" Her pullover went over her head and she barked at Harry again once her head came through, "Harry? Answer me!"

"The spell I put on the door, it's an alarm spell." Harry threw his t-shirt over his head and sat on the sofa trying to calm down his breathing. "Hurry up."

"Well, where the hell is my bra, Harry?" It flew across the room and landed on her head. She sprang from the bed and ran into the bathroom to finish getting dressed. As Ginny went in, she slammed the door behind her.

It wasn't three seconds after she shut the door that she heard Ron's booming voice asking Harry to turn on the wireless so he could listen to the Cannons--Portree game. Sounds of Quidditch fans yelling filled the air, and Ginny sat on the toilet trying to calm down. Fully dressed, she opened the door and walked over to Harry, giving him a quick peck on the cheek.

"Good night, Harry. Ron, you have a love bite on your neck. Have Harry teach you a glamour charm or Mum'll freak." Ron blushed, bringing a smile to Ginny's face as she left the room.

~*~

Ginny's mother was giving a wonderful impression of a mother hen as the young Weasley made her preparations to head back to school. She'd been in and out of Ginny's room for the past hour and a half and Ginny was down to her last nerve.

"Mum! It's fine! I think I can pack for school without your constant vigilance!" Ginny yelled, her voice clearly making it though her mother's muttering.

Unexpectedly, Mrs. Weasley wiped her eyes as she looked at her daughter. "Oh, sorry. I promised I wouldn't do this." She sank onto Ginny's bed and dabbed at her eyes with her handkerchief. "It's just that you're the last one, and it's not long until you leave me, too. Then you'll be headed off to Healer school and then you'll get married to Harry..."

"Mum! I never said anything about getting married!" I thought about it, but not now.

"Ginny," she began, shaking her head, "I have eyes, dear. Harry is completely taken with you and he has been for ages. You'll be married before you're twenty."

"Mother! I can't believe you!" This wasn't quite the conversation she pictured having with her mother. "You've always told me to put school first. Now you've already got me married off. So when am I going to be a mother?" Mrs. Weasley took her daughter's hand and motioned for Ginny to sit on the bed.

"Dear, I know you're only seventeen, but I've known you and Harry would be married ever since he defeated...Vol...Voldemort." Wow, she actually said his name. Good for you, Mum! "He looks at you the same way your father looked at me. And still does."

"I really don't need to hear that mother," Ginny giggled.

"Bill and Charlie have that same look. Yes, even for Fleur. She is growing on me, dear." Ginny shut her mouth upon hearing her mother's words. "Harry saved the world for you Ginny and, whether he admitted it or not, you were his motivation. I don't think he'd be the same person if you weren't in his life."

"Mum, I do love him. Very much." Her voice was soft and low, a mere fraction of her normal tone, which surprised her. Ginny felt her neck warm with her admission, never dreaming that she would ever have this conversation. "He's my world, or at least a very big part of it." Ginny noticed Mrs. Weasley's expression change in a millisecond, telling Ginny the conversation would be getting even more serious.

"Now, have you and he...?"

"No! No, no, no!" She sprung from the bed, feeling hot and uncomfortable in her own room.

"Good. You're a grown woman, but I didn't bring you up to do things in the improper order," she reminded her daughter.

"But you did Charlie?" Ginny saw her mother's expression change in the blink of an eye.

"I am not going to say anything about that. I know you and I know Harry. He's not that type of young man."

"Mum, can I ask you a question?" She took her mother's hands and looked straight into her eyes.

"Absolutely, dear," she replied. "You can ask me anything."

"Did you and Daddy wait?" Ginny could feel her heartbeat thump harder within her chest. She suddenly wished she could take back those words.

"Ginny," she began, taking a deep breath to calm her nerves, "I can't lie to you. No, we did not. Times were different. Stop." She placed a finger on Ginny's lips before she could get the protest out of her mouth. "I was about to say that love never changes. I hope you would wait until you're married, but I know I can't stop you. Your brothers...yes, I know about them all. They at least had the courtesy to keep their trousers zipped while they still lived in my home."

Ginny couldn't help but laugh. "Well, Ron kind of messed that up."

"I really don't need to be reminded about that, young lady. The blinding white of your brother's bum is forever etched into my memory." They both laughed heartily before wrapping their arms around each other in a hug. "Come now. Harry will be here soon to take you back to school."

~*~

She stood at the gates to Hogwarts, dreading to enter. It had started to sprinkle, and Ginny was glad of it since it hid her tears from Harry. His eyes were dark and he managed to hide his emotions behind his glasses as they stood there in the rain. He softly touched her cheek and stroked the tender flesh underneath her eye, wiping the rain, or a stray tear, from her face.

"Here comes Remus." Harry's voice was soft, drifting away on the wind that began to drive the rain harder across the landscape.

"Hello, Ginny. Harry." Professor Lupin opened the gate from his side and with a wave of his wand Ginny's trunk disappeared; she knew her things would be waiting for her at the castle. Looking up, she noticed her professor wore a huge smile on his face, despite the foul weather.

"Evening, Remus," Harry replied, appearing a bit amused by the older man's appearance. "What's with you? Did they discover a cure for Lycanthropy or something?"

"No. Even better," Lupin replied.

"Oh right, what could be better than that?" Ginny asked, cocking an eyebrow while she observed his face. Ah, there it is. That little gleam in his eye.

"Well, Tonks won't be able to substitute for me much next school year," he told them. His grin grew even wider, if that was even humanly possible.

"What's wrong? Is she okay?" wondered Harry, sounding very concerned.

Ginny and Remus began laughing at Harry, whose confused look only drove them into further hysterics.

"Oh, Harry! I love it when you're thick!" She put her arms around him and whispered in his ear. "She's pregnant, silly!" Harry's face snapped toward his friend, eyes wide in shock.

"Are you alright, Harry?" Remus asked. In answer, Harry launched himself at the Marauder and hugged him. Laughter came from the two of them as they pulled apart.

"Well, that's fantastic! Bloody fantastic!" Harry reached over and grabbed Ginny's hand, giving it a tight squeeze.

The three of them stood there, in the rain, talking inanely about the upcoming arrival of the littlest Marauder. Ginny learned that Tonks was ill all the time and that she had sudden cravings for odd combinations of ice cream. No, they hadn't picked out any names yet, and yes, the baby would be fine and unaffected by Remus' condition. A heavy clap of thunder reminded them of the reason they stood there.

"Well, Ginny, we need to get you inside, I suspect." Remus hadn't stopped smiling. "I'll turn my back so you can give him a proper goodbye." He slowly turned around and faced the castle. It wasn't much privacy, but enough.

"I'll see you next month for Valentine's, okay? I promise," Harry reassured her. They leaned toward each other and kissed softly, not allowing themselves to get too carried away. He pulled her in for a hug and she closed her eyes, savouring the feel of his arms around her and his rain-soaked scent.

"I love you, Harry," she murmured against his neck.

"I know. I love you, too," he whispered back as he pulled away from her, holding onto her hand until it fell away as she entered the gates of the school.

~*~

Ginny decided that January was a boring month. Nothing happened at Hogwarts in January. No Quidditch. No Hogsmeade trips. Nothing. After the grand adventure of her trip to Sweden and her weeks with Harry, nothing at Hogwarts could really compare to what she'd enjoyed. Her school work was nothing to get excited over especially since she had to catch up on the assignments she missed while she was in Sweden. The month seemed to drag on forever.

One day, Ginny sat in the Great Hall for lunch one dreary Thursday idly chatting with Colin and Demelza when Hedwig dropped by to see her.

"Hi, girl." She stroked the owl's feathers lightly, tossing her a piece of roast beef. "How's Harry?" Hedwig hooted her response. "Off you go now. Get some rest or Hagrid will kill me." The snowy owl took off quietly and left the castle.

"So what's new with Harry?" asked Demelza.

"Can I read it first without you breathing down my neck?" Ginny thought she sounded nonchalant, but Demelza's look told her she sounded more irritated than amused. Her eyes scanned the page and she unconsciously furrowed her brow. "Great. Just great." Putting the letter into her bag, she got up from the table. "I need some time alone. Sorry I can't talk about it right now."

"That's okay, Gin. I'll see you in Defence, okay?" Colin smiled at her as she nodded and walked out the large doors to find her hiding spot behind a tapestry on the fifth floor.

Settling herself in a somewhat comfortable position, Ginny dug the letter out of her bag and unfolded the parchment to reread Harry's letter.

Gin--

This will have to be short.

I'm leaving to go to something they call 'boot camp,' a two week physical training course in Lake District. Shacklebolt just got the all clear from the MLE so I'll be leaving in the morning.

Don't worry; I will be back in time for Valentine's Day. I promise.

Love, Harry

"You sure as hell better show up for Valentine's Day, Potter, or there'll be hell to pay." Ginny crushed the letter in a ball and set it on fire with her wand. As she watched the parchment turn into ash, her thoughts sped towards Valentine's Day and her reunion with Harry.

=======

Author Note: I want to thank the lovely MillieWeasley for helping me with the Swedish. Since most of you are not familiar with the Swedish language, I give you the dialogue in English:

"Hello! Welcome to our home," said a small woman with greying hair and crystal-like blue eyes. "Arthur! Molly!" The woman gave Ginny's parents warm hugs.

Ginny felt awkward standing there and looked over at Harry to find him looking as uncomfortable as she felt.

"You must be Ginny." Ginny found herself wrapped up in the woman's arms and merely nodded, not knowing what in the world the strange woman was saying.....

"And who do we have here?"

"Harry Potter! In my house! I am so honoured to meet you." She was nearly jumping up and down, barely able to contain herself. "Nils! Harry Potter is here!"

Her voice jumped a few octaves as she shouted behind her. She took hold of Harry's hands and voraciously shook them.

A very pregnant brunette came up behind the woman, sounding frantic. "Mama, Mama, calm down!" The young woman removed her wand and said more words Ginny couldn't understand. "You forgot the Translation Charm again!"