MetaFic

Ginny sat next to her fiancé on the old oversized couch. Surrounding them was the entire Weasley clan as well as what Ginny had come to consider her extended family. The carnage of wrapping paper and empty boxes scattered about spoke of the aftermath of Harry's sixteenth birthday party.

All in all it had been a rather smashing party, and the participants were currently engaged in stuffing themselves with cake and ice cream. The twins had slipped something into Sirius and Remus' food that had turned to two old Marauders into orange chickens for about three seconds, which caused them to retaliate by putting a jinx on the twins that made them speak in Shakespearean sonnets. Everyone found this vastly amusing, especially Angelina and Katie, who had been invited to the Burrow for the occasion.

Ginny was initially uncomfortable around Katie, as Katie had been let in on her and Harry's secret, and the older woman kept giving Ginny pointed looks. Katie had finally cornered Ginny in the hallway and set in to asking her a myriad of questions concerning her pregnancy. After the grilling Katie had hugged her. The subject of the book never came up.

Ginny surveyed the gifts Harry had received. Ron had given him a new chess set. Hermione's gift was, of course, a book. 96 Ways to Confound Dark Magic to be exact. Professor Lupin and Sirius had given him a notebook containing the collected wisdom of the Marauders. Fred and George had given him a sampler box of Weasley Wizard Wheezes. Percy and Penelope presented him with a new rain repellent cloak. Angelina gave him an assortment of quills and inks. Katie's gift was a book entitled Practical Parenting for the Busy Wizard. From Bill and Charlie, a set of boots that would increase his running speed by half. Jeren gifted him a set of leather bound classical literature books that nearly made Hermione drool.

The crowning moment so far had been when Mr. and Mrs. Weasley had surprised him with his own hand for the family clock. Harry had been unable to stop thanking them for nearly twenty minutes.

The sound of someone saying her name brought her back to the here and now.

"Hey Ginny, didn't you get your man anything?" Angelina teased.

Ginny turned to Angelina and arched one elegant eyebrow. "I'll be giving Harry his gift in private."

This caused the twins to break out in wolf whistles, while the older family members looked around the room and pretended not to hear.

Sirius Black cleared his throat rather meaningfully. "Um, Harry, there's one more thing." Sirius looked over to Remus.

Professor Lupin pulled a small, plain package from out of his robes. "These belonged to you parents, Harry. Dumbledore's been keeping them safe for you. We thought it was time you had them."

Harry opened the package to reveal a small, velvet covered ring box. Ginny, as well as all the other women in the room, leaned forward in anticipation, knowing full well what was going to be in the little container.

Harry opened it to reveal a somewhat plain white gold men's wedding band and a rather lovely women's wedding and engagement set.

George couldn't resist a little tease. "Wow, Harry, that diamond's going to look smashing on you."

Harry smiled up at him. "I think it would look better on someone else."

Ginny watched in stunned fascination as Harry approached her. The room had gone silent except for a tiny gasp from Mrs. Weasley. Harry looked right into Ginny's eyes.

"Ginny, I know we've already agreed to get married and everything, but I also know you want to do this right. And, well, so do I. So," Harry dropped to one knee in front of her. Offering her the engagement ring he said in his most earnest voice, "Miss Weasley, would you please do me the everlasting honor of becoming my wife?"

Ginny cupped Harry's face in her hands, leaned down, and kissed him softly. "Of course I will, Mr. Potter."

*****
After the party calmed down, Harry and Ginny returned to the Den. They walked in the front door hand in hand and suddenly realized that this was the first time they had ever managed to have the place to themselves.

Sirius, Lupin, and Jeren had waved them away, telling them they would be home later, after they had some words with Mr. and Mrs. Weasley. Ron had decided to stay and play a round of chess with Bill, while Hermione wanted to have a talk with Angelina and Katie.

After several minutes of rather intense kissing and petting on the couch, Ginny stood and pulled Harry upstairs. She opened the door to the room they shared, not bothering with the lights. She paused long enough to cast a locking charm on the door and a silencing charm around the room.

She turned to Harry and gave him a playful smile. "Happy Birthday, Harry," she said in a low voice.

"Um Gin, are you sure–."

"Relax, Harry, we'll have the place all to ourselves for hours." She gave him an exaggerated pout. "Don't you want me anymore?"

"Of course I do, Gin, it's just, well–."

"Well what?" She had closed in on him and started backing him toward the bed.

"Well, it just feels weird with the others in the house."

"Performance anxiety, Mr. Potter? Besides, no one's here but us."

She pushed him down on the bed and stood over him.

"What about–," Harry started to say, but stopped.

"What?" She was practically purring now. She slipped the straps of her summer dress over her shoulders and let the garment fall. It pooled at her feet.

"What about the baby?" Harry reached up and touched the small, round swell of her belly.

She finished removing her own clothing and began working diligently on Harry's.

"The baby is perfectly safe. It's in the safest place it can be. I promise, there is no way you can hurt the baby." Ginny was now climbing over Harry with the obvious intent to straddle him. "The mommy, on the other hand, has needs, Mr. Potter. Needs which must be met."

"I see," was all he managed to gasp out before Ginny's ministrations pushed away all coherent thought.