Neville's Sacrifice

Chapter Nine

Golden fireworks flew overhead as Neville and Ginny, surrounded by their family and friends, climbed into the elegant glass coach that would carry them away to their honeymoon destination.

As the door to the coach, closed the large white horses spread out their wings and took to the air, their wings beating heavily against the warm summer breeze.

Neville leaned back into the downy softness of the carriage seat and relaxed for the first time that day. He'd been so sure that something was going to go wrong, something that would keep him once again from Ginny, but it hadn't. The wedding had been beautiful, the sky a flawless blue and when he had seen Ginny walking down the isle it was like a dream that had came true.

At first he hadn't been able to take in what he was seeing--that it was really Ginny, standing not sitting by her father's side. He'd stared at her, frozen in disbelief. Then there was a loud crash and the sound of sobbing as Molly ran up the isle to her daughter. The sudden sharp noise had seemed to rouse him from his stupor, and he'd quickly followed her towards where Ginny stood.

Pushing Molly roughly aside, he had gathered Ginny in his arms, his tears darkening the gauzy snowiness of her veil. He'd held her tightly, feeling her heart pounding against his. They'd stayed that way, intertwined, until Ginny had pulled herself slightly away from him and then looking up at him had said, " The potion...it only lasts an hour. We'd better get the wedding started."

And now, here they were together, married.

He slid across the small gap that separated himself from Ginny and gathered her into his arms.

They were together now, and nothing would ever separate them again.

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

"So," said Ginny looking up from where she lay with her head on Neville's chest, "where are we going?"

Neville looked down at her, his eyes twinkling mischievously and said, "I'm not telling you. It's a surprise."

"I'll make you talk." She said as she sat up grinning cheekily then reached out her hands, to tickle him.

"Ginny, stop, stop..." Neville said breathlessly as he tried to push her hands away from his ticklish spots.

"I won't stop till you tell me." Ginny replied, and ruthlessly began tickling him again.

"Ginny, wait, stop...Ginny...look...we're here."

Ginny stopped tickling Neville and sat up. As she looked over the door of the open carriage she saw one of the most beautiful places that she had ever seen.

Below them she could see rolling hills of emerald green, dotted here and there with crystal fountains that shot not water but flower petals into the air.

In the centre of the rolling hills rose a magnificent building of pink and white marble, four stories high, bas reliefs with vines and birds decorating the majestic pillars that framed the opulent glass doorway.

Ginny gasped in shock, then turned to Neville and said, "You, you don't mean HERE? We're staying HERE?"

A trickle of apprehension shot through Neville's body. What was wrong? Didn't she like it? Maybe I should have picked somewhere else, let her pick it.

He turned towards her and then said nervously, "What's wrong? Don't you like it? I mean, we don't have to stay here if you don't like it. I just thought you would...I mean...I thought you'd like it."

Ginny looked at him eyes beaming and then taking his hand she said, "Like it? I don't like it. I love it!"

The glass coach began to gently sway as it made its final descent. Neville held on to Ginny tightly, protecting her from any sudden movements the carriage might make as it landed.

The horse's wings beat heavily against the air as they came lower and lower until their hooves landed upon the green sea of the lawn.

The carriage soon followed, its golden wheels skimming across the blades of grass until it alighted gently upon the ground.

The carriage had barely stopped when the driver, a short wizard with lime green trousers, red shirt and black tails and top hat climbed carefully down from where he had been perched and walked regally towards the back.

As he approached the rear of the carriage the glass door swung open and a small silver set of steps unfolded itself until it spanned the gap from the bottom of the carriage to the ground.

The couch driver stopped outside the open carriage door then bowed so low his black felt top hat wobbled dangerously.

He straightened back up, adjusted his top hat back more firmly upon his head, then reached out a veined, freckled hand to help Ginny out of the coach.

Ginny stared at the coachman's hand, her face flushing in embarrassment at the misunderstanding.

Neville, seeing Ginny's discomfort, said to the driver, "I think it might be better if you were to get her chair first."

"Oh yes, of course. The young lady is...I mean... she can't...I mean....so sorry Sir, Miss...I mean Missus." Sputtered out the coachman as he trotted hurriedly towards the back of the couch where the wheelchair had been placed.

Neville stood up and then bending low over Ginny whispered to her, "Let's not wait for the chair. I'll carry you to our room."

Placing one hand round her thin back, the other arm beneath her legs he gently picked her up until she was cradled against him.

The white silk of her dress flowed down the side of Neville's arm like the frozen ice of a glacier as he carried her, the fabric feeling cool against his skin.

As Neville carried Ginny across the well manicured lawn, she teased, "You sure are walking fast. I guess you just can't wait to get me alone...wonder why that is?"

Neville blushed furiously, and began to walk even faster towards the glass doors that lead into the hotel, Ginny laughing merrily at his embarrassment.

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

Neville carried Ginny up the winding, intricately etched golden stairway until they came to a long corridor.

He walked down the corridor searching for their room number, his footsteps muffled against the heavy carpet interwoven with scenes of flowers, birds and bare bottomed cupids.

"Here it is...room 1202." Neville said, as he fumbled around in his dress cloak for his wand to open the door.

Having found his wand, he said the words that the hotel clerk had given him. The door swung wide to reveal a large pink and white room.

Neville walked over to the enormous Venetian laced canopied four poster bed that dominated the room, and gently laid Ginny upon it.

He went to straighten back up, but Ginny clasped her hands against the back of his neck and pulled him towards her until he fell awkwardly on top of her.

She began kissing him, as Neville struggled to sit back up.

"Ginny...let me up...Ginny stop; let me up...I must be hurting you."

Ginny looked up at Neville, her face flushed and said, "Your not hurting me."

"But I'm too heavy to be lying on top of you. I'm worried I might hurt you."

"You're not hurting me. Now will you come here?" she said, pulling him back down and kissing him fiercely.

And Neville, good husband that he was, willingly complied.