Forbidden Love

"Then by the power vested in me by the Ministry of Magic, I now pronounce you wizard and wife."

Dumbledore spoke these final words cheerfully, his friendly, old-man smile on his face. His smile was famous, and had shone on many a happy couple over the years. Today was no exception. Clad in white robes, Dumbledore had just joined the happiest of those couples he had ever seen in marriage.

"You may now kiss the bride."

Ron Weasley turned and looked at his wife. Hermione Granger (now Hermione Weasley) looked absolutely stunning. Her bushy brown hair was curled and flowing down her back. Her warm, brown eyes shone with love, and her face was lit up in a smile that made Ron feel happiness like nothing else could. He took her hand in his and leaned in to kiss her.

A cheer went up in the crowd at the sight. The backyard of the Burrow was laced in white and filled with dozens of witches and wizards, all watching the beautiful scene before them. Molly Weasley wiped a tear from her eye. No matter that she had already gone through five other sons' weddings, she still couldn't help it. Beth Granger was behaving in a similar manner over her daughter. However, the fathers of the bride and groom were smiling calmly upon their children.

But if anyone in the area was feeling more emotion, it was Harry Potter. He stood next to Ron, as best man, watching him kiss his bride. Of course he was happy for them, but he couldn't believe that his two best friends, who used to bicker like brother and sister, were married to eachother. But they were deeply in love, and when they had told Harry about them, he had given them his blessing without hesitation. He wanted nothing more than their happiness.

At that moment, Harry looked opposite him to where the bride's maids stood. Lavender, Parvati, and Ginny were all dressed in royal blue, each of them as made up as Hermione. Harry noticed Ginny, in particular, looked positively fetching. As he looked at her, he felt the familiar churning in his stomach, as he always felt when he looked at her. He tried to convince himself that it was just hunger.

Ron and Hermione parted and turned to face the crowd, which was still cheering at the top of its lungs. Arm in arm, the newly wedded couple walked down the aisle, smiling all the way. Harry watched them go and sighed. He knew the relationship between the three of them would no longer be the same.

"Harry," someone said beside him. Harry, who had been deep in thought, had suddenly realized that the crowd was leaving their seats, and he was still staring blankly into space. He then turned to see who had spoken to him. Ginny stood their, smiling brightly at him.

"Yes?" he replied.

"Come along," she said. "The reception is starting."

"Of course," he said, offering her his arm in a gentlemanlike manner. She took it and the two friends grinned at one another. However, these feelings of friendship were short lived for Harry.

As he escorted Ginny toward the reception area where everyone was gathering, his heart began to thump painfully in his chest. The mere presence of Ginny made him feel weak at the knees. Her aroma was sweet, and her eyes glistened like the morning sun.

What's wrong with me? Harry thought to himself.

You know exactly what, his mind replied.

And what might that be?

You love her.

Harry stopped dead in his tracks. Luckily, they had reached the congregation and Ginny took this as a sign to let go. As the young Weasley girl went to stand with Lavender and Parvati, Harry cursed at himself.

What the bloody hell am I thinking? He asked himself. I can't love her.

And why not? His mind asked.

Because, I am and Auror and Aurors are forbidden to love.

Harry had convinced himself this was absolutely true. When he had joined the Aurors six years ago, he had taken an oath to remain loyal to them and obey their code. Part of that code stated, very clearly, that he could have no love or compassion of any kind. He was determined to hold to that.

"May I have your attention please?"

The predominating voice of Arthur Weasley brought Harry out of his reverie. The father of the groom stood up and looked over all the folks sitting around him.

"I would like to propose a toast to the newlyweds, Ronald and Hermione Weasley!"

The entire crowd raised their glasses in response.

"May you have a happy marriage!" said Mr. Weasley.

Harry looked at Ron and Hermione. Ron was smiling broadly, as was Hermione, although she was blushing slightly as well. Or maybe it was just make-up.

The joy and merriness of the party was overwhelming, and, for the moment, Harry forgot about everything that had been troubling him since the ceremony. He was chatting with Seamus Finnigan about the upcoming Quidditch World Cup when a young redheaded woman came over to join them. At the sight of Ginny, all of Harry's frustration came flooding back to him and he could no longer think about whether the United States would beat Denmark or not.

"Hello Harry, Seamus," she said.

"Hi, Ginny," said Seamus.

"How are you?" asked Harry awkwardly.

"Fine," she replied. "Just fine. But I wonder if I could have a word alone with you, Harry."

Harry gulped. He wondered what she wanted to talk to him about. Seamus got up to leave, but Harry wished he wouldn't. He was dreading what Ginny might want to say.

"Harry, I'm concerned," she began.

"About what?" he inquired, hoping that her problem wasn't in any way related to his.

She elaborated. "It's just that, I wonder whether Ron and Hermione made the right decision. You know, they were always just close friends, and then suddenly they fall in love and are going to get married. I'm just thinking about what's best. Afterall, he's my brother and she's my friend. I want them to be happy."

Harry breathed a sigh of relief. She wasn't going to talk about him.

"Well," he said, now able to answer her more comfortably, "I can see what you mean. But I also feel that Ron and Hermione know what they're doing. They've made it very clear that they love eachother deeply, and they are very confident in their choices. As a friend and sister, the most you can do is give them support. That's what I am doing."

Ginny smiled. "Thanks, Harry. I feel better now." She stood up and kissed him on the cheek before walking back to the others.

Harry watched her go, then reached up and touched the place on his face where she had kissed him. Her lips had been so soft and warm, and Harry longed to feel them again. Once more he found himself slapping himself on the arm.

Remember your place, Harry.

***

Half an hour later, Harry was circling the backyard of the Burrow with Albus Dumbledore. The wise old man had noticed his peculiar behavior, and had asked him to go for a walk.

"You seem troubled, Harry," said Dumbledore.

Harry looked straight ahead. "You are not mistaken, Albus."

They walked slowly, giving plenty of time to talk.

"I sense," said Dumbledore, "that your emotions have once again gotten the better of you."

Harry stopped and looked at the old man next to him. He knew. Somehow, he always knew.

"I find it hard to tell you things, Albus," said Harry. "You always seem to know before I tell you."

"I don't know everything, Harry, if that's what you're thinking," Dumbledore replied. "But I do know that you are trying to ignore your love, as you so often try to do."

Harry sighed. "Then you know it's not possible."

"Why so?"

"Oh, come now, Albus!" snapped Harry. "You and I both know that Aurors are not allowed to love. It's against their code!"

Dumbledore smiled, his blue eyes twinkling. "Why, Harry," he said calmly. "You've never regarded rules in the past. Why the change of heart?"

Harry gave his former headmaster an annoyed look. "That's completely different."

"Ah, Harry, that's where you're wrong." He looked at the younger man. "You fought the Dark Arts all during your school years, and you still are today."

"Yes, but-"

"Harry," Dumbledore interrupted. "All rules have exceptions. The Aurors cannot forbid you to love. No one has control over that. Not even you. You can fight a thousand Death Eaters, but you can't fight your own emotions.

Harry frowned. "But the code-"

"The code matters not."

They had completely circled the backyard of the Burrow, and had almost returned to the jubilee going on near the house. Dumbledore turned to face Harry and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Harry, I'll leave this decision up to you. But just remember this: Love can overcome many obstacles, and in the end, you must listen to your heart. It will not steer you wrong."

Dumbledore gave Harry a wink, then turned and strode across to where the celebration was taking place.

Harry sighed.

He doesn't understand, he thought. It's just not that simple.

Even as he said this, Harry could not deny that Dumbledore had been right. He knew that he should go and tell Ginny how he felt, but he simply couldn't.

After another minute or so, Harry returned to the party to find everyone dancing. Well, almost everyone. Ginny stood by one of the dinner tables, watching everyone spinning around the dance floor. Ron was dancing with Parvati, Dumbledore was doing a waltz with Molly Weasley, and Hermione shared the father-bride dance with John Granger. Harry smiled at the sight, but frowned again as his eyes came to rest on Ginny again, standing all by herself in the back.

Just go offer to dance, he told himself. It couldn't hurt.

So, he strolled over to where Ginny stood and noticed that her eyes were puffy, and she looked as though she'd been crying.

Maybe it's not the best time, Harry thought, but upon seeing him she perked up and smiled.

"Would you like to dance?" he asked her.

"That would be lovely," she replied.

Harry grinned and took her hand, leading her out onto the dance floor. He held her left hand in his right, wrapped the other one around her waist, and began to twirl her around.

It felt like he was floating on air. Ginny was as graceful as an angel, every step she took was soft and quick. They were by far the best dancers out there. A few of the couples stopped to watch them, and before long, almost everyone was watching them.

Harry stared into Ginny's deep blue eyes and he found that he had completely lost control. It was now or never.

"Ginny," he said, slowing to a rest.

"Yes?"

"I love you."

He expected her to back away in shock when he said this, but she didn't. She simply smiled her enchanting smile and rested her head against his chest.

"I was hoping you would say that," she said.

She looked at him again.

"Harry, I love you, too."

Slowly, their heads moved closer together, and he pressed his lips to hers, feeling their warmth and gentleness flow over him. All his frustration and doubt was forgotten right then and there, and Harry finally felt at peace. He kissed her passionately, and at that point, he didn't care if every Auror in the Ministry were watching him. They held their kiss for nearly a minute, before parting for breath.

"Trying to snog my sister, Potter?" came Ron's voice from beside them. Harry turned to see him standing there with Hermione. Everyone now had their eyes on Harry and Ginny.

"Maybe," Harry replied.

Ginny giggled.

"Did we miss something?" Hermione asked.

"Of course not!" exclaimed Ron. "It's obvious that Harry and Ginny are all over eachother!"

"Ron!" Ginny snapped, although she couldn't help giggling.

"Alright, alright," he said. "We'll leave you two kids alone."

Ginny smiled after him. "Honestly, Ron can be such a git at times."

"Yeah, but you've got to love him," said Harry.

Ginny smiled at him. "And I've got to love you," she said.

Harry kissed her again.

"Are you sure this is okay?" she asked. "I mean, with your career and all?"

"Believe me, Ginny," Harry said. "No matter what they say, nothing can keep me from loving you."

Ginny hugged him at this comment, and the two of them retreated into the privacy of the house.

***

Exactly one year later, Dumbledore returned to the Burrow, once again wearing white robes.