A Kiss by the Sea

Great sapphire waves rolled up gently along the shoreline, licking against the soft, white sand. Far across the ocean where sky met sea, the setting sun cast a myriad of colors over the coast, creating a portrait worthy of a king's throne room. Dolphins could be seen swimming freely through the crystal water in perfect synchronization. Various forms of bird life formed their own teams in the air, flocking away into the horizon like a sailor returning home. A gentle breeze whispered through the sky, urging them onward and caressing the surface of the water. Along the water's edge, the rising tide swept past the dryer sand and curled around the bare feet of the one person who was viewing this beautiful scene.

Harry Potter stood on the beach and gazed on the ocean for the first time in his life. It was amazing, he thought, that he was seventeen years old and had never seen this sight before. The scenery was simply enchanting. He felt the softness of the wind against his legs and arms, another rare event for him. He was dressed in a simple white shirt and black shorts, having not fully dressed himself that morning. Nevertheless, the breeze against his bare skin was liberating. It was hard to believe that now he would be able to enjoy the feeling any time he wished. Harry Potter was a free man once more. After nearly two years of battle the Second War was over.

He did not like to even think about that dreadful night. It had been the most horrific nightmare of his life. Everything had been suffering and death, and Harry had barely survived that final battle, but he did. He had survived and defeated Voldemort once and for all. The Dark Times had come to an end at last.

It felt so good to be free, free from war, and Voldemort, and the prophecy. Harry could now think about normal things and have a normal life (even though it would be a while before he actually did). He could live out his life the way he wanted to. There would be no more prophecies running his world. All the dreams he had ever had were now possible for him: getting married, having a real home and a real family. Not that he didn't have a real family; he had Ron, Hermione, and the Weasleys, but he wanted more. He wanted a wife and children; he wanted a woman he could love and have with him forever. Was that so much to ask? Harry didn't think so, and he already knew the woman who could help him live that dream. The one woman who could bring him true happiness...

Harry shook his head clear of his musings. The sun had now set halfway across the horizon, and he had nearly forgotten the reason he had come out there in the first place. It was Hermione's eighteenth birthday that day, and Fred and George had leant Ron their beach house to throw her a celebration (Harry and Ron had spent all of the first day checking for traps or pranks and surprisingly had only found a Blast-Ended Skrewt in the upstairs' toilet). Ron was planning a "big surprise" for his girlfriend of three years, and he refused to tell even Harry what he was up to. The guest list was small, limited to most of Ron's family, Harry, Neville, Seamus, Dean, Luna, Parvati, and Lavender. Most of the group was up at the house, preparing for the party, but Harry was busy with his own activities. For the last three days, Harry had been collecting seashells to make Hermione a necklace; he felt a handmade present was more personnel and loving (although he had paid for most of the party's food and decoration), and he had been carefully crafting the piece of jewelry since morning. Now, the only thing he needed was the center of the whole arrangement, and for this, he had to find the perfect shell. He had scanned the beach for nearly and hour, but even some of the most beautiful shells that most would have considered fabulous, Harry considered unworthy of his best friend. The tide began to reach in farther, and he began to panic, thinking he might not find that one special shell in time...

Then he saw it. The Shell.

It was a pure while scallop shell, perfect in every detail, with a red H right in the middle. Harry gasped at the sight of it. It seemed to have been made for Hermione. This would make the perfect completion for the necklace. He gingerly reached down to pick up the ornament, afraid if he moved to quickly it might shatter. Just as his hand passed over it, it met another hand. Harry jumped slightly and looked up.

There she was. The woman he had longed for since his fifth year of school. The one woman who could bring him true happiness...

"Hello, Ginny," he said softly, feeling himself blush.

"Hello, Harry," she said sweetly. "I'm sorry, did you want this?"

She removed her hand from his and picked up the scallop shell to hand it to him. Harry could barely speak.

"Uh, w-well I was going to take it, but," he swallowed hard. "If you need it you can have it."

She grinned and straightened up, waving her long, crimson hair. Harry's heart melted inside him. He loved her hair. He loved her smile. He loved her.

"Well," she said cheerfully and more composed than him. "I just thought it would make to perfect addition to my painting."

"You're doing a painting?" he asked.

"Oh yes," she said laughing. "If it's any good that is. I've been working on a portrait of the beach here and it needed something. Then it hit me, it needed a third dimension, so I came searching for a seashell. I didn't think anyone else would be out here right now. What are you doing?"

"Working on Hermione's gift," Harry replied. "I'm making a necklace."

"Lovely!" she said smiling. "I'm sure it will be beautiful. Is that what the shell is for?"

He nodded.

"Well then," she said, placing the shell in his hand. "You take it. Your needs are greater than mine."

He gave her a gratified smile and she smiled in return. She then turned to look out on the horizon. Harry took the moment to admire her perfect body. The gentle curving of her slender figure was flawless and stunning. The thin dress she wore flowed around her body like a cloud, clinging to her stomach, her chest, her legs. The wind swept through her wonderful red hair and exposed the freckles on her gorgeous face. She was as perfect as the seashell he now held in his hand. Silhouetted against the backdrop the horizon, she appeared an angel.

"It's beautiful isn't it?" she said calmly, her voice a melody in itself.

Harry joined her in her gaze out upon the sea.

"Sure is," he said. "Reminds me of someone."

Harry suddenly turned beet-red. Had he just said that out loud?

Ginny glanced at him curiously, but he remained silent and staring.

"Who?" she asked.

"Never mind," he replied.

She didn't press it further, but instead changed the subject.

"I sure am going to miss you next year, Harry," she said. "I mean, you and the others."

Harry noticed that she now seemed to be blushing as well.

"I'll miss you too Gin," he said, unconsciously putting an arm around her shoulders. She didn't seem to notice either.

"I'll miss Hogwarts too," he continued. "It was my home for so many years. Now I have to leave it. Things just won't be the same."

She grabbed his left hand, his right still being draped around her, and patted it soothingly.

"Hey," she whispered. "Don't worry! I'm sure you can come back and visit anytime."

"Visit you, you mean," he chuckled, but he suddenly felt his face grow hot again.

He then became aware of his arm around her and quickly made to move it. However, she moved closer to him to prevent it, a strange expression on her face.

"Perhaps," she whispered.

He watched her soft, plush lips, ever so close to him now, every nerve in his body will to kiss those lips, to feel her touch. But he needed to know something. Curiosity had overwhelmed him.

"Ginny?" he said. "Why have you stopped dating lately? I know you've turned down several offers."

She sighed and averted her eyes from his.

"I'm just waiting for that special someone," she replied.

"How will you know unless you go out with someone?" he demanded.

"When I've met the right guy, I will know," was her answer.

"Have you met the right guy?" he asked.

She eyed him in that same strange expression.

"Perhaps."

Perhaps...

Harry hated that word.

Ginny was now pressed completely up against him, staring right into his eyes. Her hand traveled up to the back of his neck and she began to pull him towards her.

"G-ginny?" Harry croaked.

"Ssshh."

Their lips met.

Fireworks erupted in Harry's stomach and his entire body was filled with chills. The kiss was like nothing he had ever felt before. Every bit of misery or hate that he had left from the war was thrown out of his body and all joy and happiness floated to the top, This was what he had been waiting for, the beginning of a new life, the fulfillment of a dream...

At that moment all the motion of the water ceased. No waves, not even a ripple disturbed the surface. Everything was calm and peaceful. The serenity was comforting. A moment later, their lips parted.

"Wow," Harry panted. "That was amazing."

Ginny smiled and laid her head on his shoulder. They held their embrace for several minutes, the sun sinking ever lower in the west.

"Harry?" Ginny finally spoke.

"Yes?"

"I think I've found that special someone."

He grinned and buried his face in her hair.

"Me too."

***

"Excuse me, can I have your attention?" Ron Weasley called out in the den of the beach house.

The party guests all turned to look at him standing in the front of the room. Harry and Ginny stood in the corner, secretly holding hands behind their backs. Dinner had been served, cake had been eaten, and presents had been opened (Hermione had absolutely adored her necklace and given Harry a rib-braking hug), and now everyone was enjoying champagne in the den.

"It seems we have one more present left for Hermione this evening," Ron explained.

Hermione eyed him curiously as he motioned for her to come forward, Ron got down on one knee before her and pulled out a small velvet box. Hermione gasped and was on the verge of tears when Ron said, "Hermione Jane Granger, will you marry me?"

He slipped the great diamond ring on her shaking finger while everyone waited in anticipation.

"Oh, Ron!" she stammered. "Y-yes, YES!"

A cheer erupted as Ron hopped up and kissed her deeply on the mouth.

"Save that for the honeymoon, lad!" Seamus joked, raising his glass.

Harry and Ginny joined in on the cheering, and when it was finished, Harry turned to face his love.

"You know, Gin, I'd better thank Ron. If it weren't for this party we might never have gotten together."

"Too right," she giggled, planting a soft kiss on his lips.

He snuggled closer to her.

"So," he said. "What do I get on my birthday?"