'The Wedding'

A/N: Okay people here is the fifth chapter. The beginnings of a return to quidditch begin here and Harry's doubts about how he parents Teddy surfaces as well. And a connection between two old Dumbledore's Army members come to pass. I hope you like it and of course please leave a review or email me via the details in the A/N in chapter one. Thanks and I love you all!

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On Tuesday afternoon Harry left work early and flooed back to the manor at four thirty. The minute he walked through the front door the smell of fried mushrooms hit his nose.

Wondering who it was cooking Harry brushed the ash off his cloak and made his way into the kitchen. He found Mrs Weasley at the stove busily stirring a saucepan of something her face red from the effort of stirring and shiny from sweat.

‘Molly!’ He exclaimed ‘What are you doing here?’

‘Oh hello Harry dear, Ronald said to me on Sunday night you were having guests over tonight and I thought I’d come over and start your meal for you. I thought you would be too busy at work to come home and cook a meal yourself’

Harry gave Mrs Weasley a quick hug.
‘You didn’t have to do that for us’ He said going to the fridge he had charmed to work without electricity ‘That’s why I came home early, to get dinner started’

‘Oh it’s no worry dear, I miss cooking for the hoards’

‘You’re too good to us Molly’ He said retrieving a bottle of lemonade from within the fridge ‘Drink?’

‘Oh no thanks dear, I’m fine, how was work today?’

‘Pretty quiet, no major bad arse guys to arrest which was good because Ron and Mack were in court all day with the McIntosh case. I have to be in court tomorrow and things seems fairly normal up until the Hogwarts orientation week’

‘Looking forward to that?’ Mrs Weasley asked stirring the contents of the pot again ‘Only two weeks to go’

‘Yeah I am’ Harry said ‘It almost feels like I’m going home, Hogwarts to me is just as welcoming to me as the Burrow ever was. Even after all that went on there, the good and the bad a little piece of me stays there’

‘Got any ideas about getting together a lesson plan for each year level?’

‘A few but Hermione’s helping me with that’ Harry said sipping his lemonade ‘I know I’ll be able to do the actual teaching on my ear but the planning of all the homework and lesson plans is something I’ll have to work on. Minerva owled me this huge package of notes from the last D.A.D.A teacher to help me so I can use then as a template. I don’t want to copy the last one; I want to put my own stamp on the subject. I think that’s what Minerva wants me to do’

‘Speaking of owls have you named the owl Hagrid gave you the other night?’ Mrs Weasley asked in interest.

‘Yeah I decided to call her Ebony’ Harry said ‘Seems appropriate given her colour’

‘Yes it does’

‘And it’s weird how much like Hedwig she is’ Harry said leaning on the breakfast bar ‘Same mannerisms same temperament and she has a thing for bacon rinds and orange juice. I know I’ve only had her two days but the likeness is uncanny’

‘Is she related to Hedwig in any way?’

‘I’m not sure’ Harry said ‘I’d have to ask Hagrid but I’m not sure how he’d find out. It was eleven years ago I got Hedwig, I’m not sure if records are kept if they are kept that long’

‘Well you said he’s friends with the man who breeds owls for Eeylops maybe he would have the records’ Mrs Weasley suggested

‘Possibly I might owl Hagrid and see if he can do some ferreting around for me’ Harry said draining the last of his lemonade and placing the glass in the sink ‘Well I’m off to have a shower, thanks again for your help Molly’

‘That’s okay dear’

Harry picked up his bad and with a crack disaapparated upstairs to his and Ginny’s quarters.

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At quarter to six Hermione, Ron and Ginny were home and Mrs Weasley was putting the finishing touches on their dinner, Prawn Cocktail entrée, Beef Stroganoff mains and vanilla bean ice cream for afters.

‘Mum we may as well have remained at the Burrow’ Ginny said as Mrs Weasley removed her apron ‘Everything smells great, none of us can cook like that’

‘Especially Ron’ Harry said in an amused undertone.

‘Oh sod off’ Ron said rolling his eyes as everyone else laughed.

‘Seriously though Mum you ought to write a cookbook’ Ginny said

‘Well…I-I am sort of’ Mrs Weasley said reddening slightly.

‘You are?’ Ron exclaimed in surprise ‘Bout time’

‘I’ve been going through my notes and recipes gathered over the years and I’ve made a appointment to see Boris Thompson at Salem Publishing at the end of next week. No one knows yet not even your father so don’t say anything’

‘Whay hay go Mum!’ Ginny said on admiration ‘You’ll be a millionaire when it comes out’

‘It may not come out you know’ Mrs Weasley said fastening the clasp on her cloak ‘It’s just an ideas appointment next week’

‘They’d be mad not to take you on Mum’ Ron said holding out the pot of Floo powder ‘I’m surprised you haven’t thought about writing a book earlier than now. People deserve to eat food as good as yours. Mind you it’s all so rich the entire wizarding comminuty will be big as the manor in no time’

‘Oh ha ha very funny Ronald’ Mrs Weasley said grabbing a handful of floo powder and stepping into the grate ‘I’ll see you all later’

‘Bye’ Came the chorused reply.

Mrs Weasley threw down the floo powder and said ‘The Burrow’ and disappeared in a rush of emerald green flames.

‘We are never going to cook for ourselves if Mum keeps on popping over like that’ Ron said as they all returned to the kitchen.

‘Ron be fair she’s probably a bit lonely at the Burrow with only herself and your father to cook for’ Hermione said ‘I mean for thirty years that house has been full or at least with one of your family in it now it’s just her and Arthur that must be a little disconcerting, it would take a while to get used to I’d imagine’

‘Yeah probably’

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Right on 6PM the doorbell that Ron had charmed to play ‘Do the Hippogriff’ rang. Harry left Hermione, Ron and Ginny setting up the table and walked through the foyer to answer the door. Cho and Dennis were standing there both dressed in traveling cloaks, Dennis carrying his camera bag.

‘Evening guys come in come in’ Harry said standing aside to let Cho and Dennis come in. Rita still ferreting about?’

‘Like you wouldn’t believe’ Cho said ‘I told her I had a scoop but I wouldn’t reveal what it was and that really pissed her off. I didn’t think it was possible for anyone to grind their teeth that hard. I finally told her it was the ban on flying carpets was being lifted and she disbelieved me she actually called me a silly little girl. But I was happy to cop that she’ll be sick as a pig when she discovers what the story is…ha ha!’

‘You’re creative Chang I have to give you that’ Harry said closing the door behind them ‘You hungry? Dinner’s all set’

‘Of course lead the way’

‘Do you mind if I take pictures of you ad Ginny during dinner?’ Dennis asked unzipping his camera bag ‘I want to get several different pictures’

‘S’okay with me’ Harry said.

Harry led Cho and Dennis through the foyer and down the hall to the kitchen/dining area which was now set up beautifully. Hermione had levitated several lit candles and they were moving slowly around the table casting a flickering light over the table.

‘Hi’ Ginny, Ron and Hermione chorused

‘Hi Cho said taking a seat ‘Something smells good’

‘Yeah Mum came over and cooked up a feast’ Ron said ‘How’s things at The Prophet?’

‘Same as usual’ Cho said putting her bag on the floor ‘Rita knows I have a sccop but I wouldn’t tell her what it was and she’s really pissed off’

Ron grinned.
‘Good stuff’

‘Gin do you mind if I take some pictures of you and Harry during Dinner?’ Dennis asked.

‘Nah that’s fine’ Ginny said.

‘Cool well can you and Harry take seats at the head of the table put an arm around each other and pose with your heads together? That’d make a nice pic for the front page’

‘You’re going for a front page story?’ Harry asked in surprise.

‘Oh come on Harry you getting married is worth a month’s worth of front pages’ Cho said placing a notebook and self inking quill next to her plate ‘Actually it’s probably worth an entire special edition of the Prophet’

‘Oh fuck off Cho it IS not’ Harry said as everyone else fell about laughing. ‘You know for a Ravenclaw you are so full of shit’

‘Ha ha’

Dennis took several pictures of Ginny and Harry at the head of the table then the dinner got underway.

‘Did you hear the D.A.D.A job is opened at Hogwarts again?’ Cho said conversationally spearing a prawn with her cocktail fork.

Harry’s stomach dropped, he quickly rearranged his expression into what he hoped was a quizzical look and spoke.
‘Really?’ He said ‘How come is one left?’

‘Maternity leave’ Cho said seemingly not noticing the change in Harry’s face ‘She’s not due to have the baby til December but apparently she’s taking time off now because she didn’t want the student body having to get used to a new teacher halfway through the term. Apparently she felt it batter to leave at the end of last term so the new teacher could start afresh from this term’

‘Interesting, I know since the battle the D.A.D.A job jinx has been lifted but I still expect that whoever is appointed in the position this time will only last a year’ Harry said.

‘The last one lasted five years’

‘I know old habits die hard I suppose’

After dinner Harry and Ginny sat down with Cho and Dennis in the loungeroom.

‘Okay I’m going to try and make this more a friendly chat then an interveiw’ Cho said opening her notebook ‘Talk freely, I won’t put anything in you don’t want okay?’

‘Okay shoot’ Harry said.

‘Okay when did love first sprout for you two?’ Cho asked ‘Was it love at first sight?’

Ginny giggled.
‘Well sort of’ She said In my case I fancied Harry before I even met him then he came to stay at The Burrow in the Summer before my first year. We didn’t actually become a couple til my fifth year’

‘And why was that?’ Cho asked Harry scribbling furiously with her quill.

‘Pretty much because I was too wrapped up in Quidditch and school’ Harry said blushing slightly ‘I was in a detention at the time during my sixth year when Gryffindor was playing off for the Quidditch Cup. Ginny was playing in my place as seeker. I didn’t know who won so I got back to the Gryffindor common room where a victory party was in full swing. Ginny ran toward me and hugged me and I just sort of kissed her’

‘Romantic stuff’ Cho said with a laugh ‘And it’s been plain sailing since?’

‘Well not a hundred percent’ Ginny said ‘We didn’t spend a lot of time together during my sixth year til after the final battle. But yeah since then it’s been really good. Harry’s been living at The Burrow with my family and now here at the Manor’

‘And Harry how did you propose?’ Cho asked.

‘On bended knee in front of all the guests I had attend my twenty fourth birthday party’ Harry said blushing furiously.

‘And it was really romantic’ Ginny said with a grin ‘It’s how I imagined I’d be proposed to'

‘Have you set a date yet?’

‘Yeah we have but we don’t want to release that information just yet’ Harry said ‘I’m sure you understand’

‘Totally’ Cho said.

‘Just put by years end’ Harry said ‘That’s enough information without being too vague. Invitations will go out to guests at the appropriate time’

‘Fair enough, so any ideas for Honeymoon destinations?’

‘Somewhere with loads of sun’ Ginny said ‘My brother George is currently honeymooning in Australia that sounds like a nice place to go. We’ll ask him when he returns’

‘And I have to ask this’ Cho said ‘What about kids? Are children in the future?

‘Definitely’ Ginny said ‘We haven’t planned when we’ll have them but children will be part of this household. I grew up in a large family and it was some of the best times of my life. I‘d like my own children to experience the upbringing I did. Growing up in a big family is great there’s always someone to look after you and you’re never lonely’

‘How about you Harry?’ Cho asked scribbling on her parchment furiously ‘Do you see married life with loads of kids?’

Harry chuckled
‘Yeah I do’ He said giving Ginny a squeeze ‘While I grew up with my cousin my childhood wasn’t always warm and fuzzy. I never had a brother brother relationship with him so would want any kids Gin and I bring into the world to have an upbringing as far away from that as possible. And I like kids so a house full of them would suit me fine’

‘And how did Teddy react to you popping the question Harry?’ Cho asked.

‘He’s really excited’ Harry said as Ginny laughed ‘He reckons the whole wedding party should wear Chudley Cannons robes and get married on the Exmoor pitch. He’s a mad Cannons supporter even though Gin plays for the Holyhead Harpies and I tend to follow Puddlemere United’

‘That’s Ron’s fault’ Ginny said with another laugh ‘Ron’s been a Canons supporter since her was Teddy’s age and every morning at Breakfast he asks Teddy who’s going to win the league’

‘Chudley Cannons!’ Ron exclaimed coming in with a tray of glasses and a bottle of Firewhiskey. ‘Drinks everyone?’

‘Thanks Ron’ Dennis said putting down his camera ‘What makes you think the Cannons will win the league they haven’t won the major league in thirty five years’

‘And?’

‘Your grandkids will be old wrinklies by the time they win it again’

‘And?’

‘They’re crap!’ Harry, Ginny, Cho, Dennis and Hermione who had just come into the room with a box of after dinner mints chorused.

‘If they’re crap how come they beat the Winbourne Wasps by four hundred to thirty points last weekend?’

‘Ummmm because one of the Wasps beaters and two of their chasers flew into the Cornwall Moors Members stands?’ Harry suggested with a grin ‘Hermione can fly better than that. I mean I don’t want to sound up myself but I could beat the entire Cannons team on my own on a one legged hippogriff’

‘Oh fuck off Harry you big git’ Ron said as everyone laughed loudly ‘The Cannons are getting loads better lately. They made the grand final last year’

‘True they’re not that bad we just like hanging shit on you’ Harry said taking the tumbler of Firewhiskey ‘Ta’

‘Don’t worry Ronald we still love you’ Ginny said with a grin ‘Mwah’

‘Oh stick it up your bum Ginevra’

‘Can I get a photo of the ring Ginny?’ Dennis asked in interest ‘That’s one picture the reading public would like’

‘Sure’

With her hand in Harry’s Ginny held her hand bearing the engagement ring up. Dennis snapped several pictures from several angles then put the camera down.
‘Great’ He said ‘You know Cho this could be more than a one page article. We could get a centrespread feature. And wouldn’t Rita be sick then?’

‘Oh fuck off we’re not looking for a centrespread feature!’ Harry exclaimed ‘Just a small bit’

‘Harry you’re a real thickhead sometimes you really are’ Hermione said rolling her eyes ‘I know you don’t want a huge deal to be made of this but it is a big deal. You are ‘The Boy who lived’ ‘The Man Who Won’ you defeated Voldemort it’s big news you’re about to get married. This is not going to be a small bit’

‘I take Wizards Oath I won’t sensationalise this Harry’ Cho said solemnly placing a hand over her heart ‘I’m not Rita Skeeter. I’ll write this article as you and Ginny want it written. I’m writing it as a human interest story not as a ‘What hay suffer in your boots ladies Harry’s off the market!’ piece. That’s Rita’s style not mine. I’ll even owl you and Ginny a final draught of the story to get your approval before I send it to be printed’

You don’t have to do that’ Harry said ‘I trust you, you AND Dennis. That’s why Gin and I asked you to do the story that releases the news’

‘And look at it this way if it is a centrespread feature it’ll push Rita’s article about the World Ministry Convention Ball in Cardiff last week to the back of the Prophet’ Dennis said with a grin ‘And I know you’d like that’

Harry grinned.
‘Yeah that would be good’ He said.

An hour later Cho and Dennis were finished. Cho rolled up her many pages of parchment notes and slipped them inside her satchel.

‘Thanks for that guys’ She said hugging Harry and Ginny ‘You gave me loads to work with. I promise you’ll be happy with the end results’

‘And I’ll send you copies of the pictures I’ve taken tonight’ Dennis said putting his camera in it’s bad and zipping it shut ‘Something to start a joint photo album with’

‘You don’t have to do that’ Ginny said ‘It was a pleasure having you over, It’s enough that you and Cho are doing this for us’

‘Thanks but what am I going to do with them? Start a Harry and the future Ginny Potter shrine? Nah you’re better off with them’

‘Thanks’ Ginny said with a giggle.

Do you want to floo or apparate home?’ Harry asked as they walked out into the foyer ‘You can apparate here if you like’

‘I’ll apparate’ Dennis said ‘Cho?’

‘Same’ Cho said ‘Well see you later everyone keep an eye out for the Thursday Prophet’

‘Will do’

And with two simultaneous cracks Dennis and Cho disapparated.

‘Oh he is SOOOOO shagging her’ Ginny said with a grin.

‘How do you know?’ Ron asked in surprise ‘I couldn’t tell, not that I was trying to’

‘Ron if a Hippogriff fell on you, you wouldn’t notice’ Ginny said dryly as they all headed back into the kitchen ‘No seriously he was giving her these looks all night. The type you and Hermione give each other’

‘And what looks do we give each other?’ Hermione asked shrilly as a barn owl came soaring through the kitchen window with an envelope clamped in it’s beak.

‘The lovey dovey when I get home I’m going to shag you stupid looks’ Ginny said with a grin.

‘Oh get bent’

The barn owl dropped it’s letter in front of Harry then in a smooth arc flew out again.

‘Who’s sending you post at this time of night?’ Ron asked in surprise putting the kettle on ‘It’s nearly midnight’

‘Oliver’ Harry said absentmindedly opening the letter and scanning it’s contents ‘I’ve been expecting an owl from him….oh cool!’

‘What’s up?’

‘Puddlemere United is having a training session tomorrow night at six PM at the Cornwall pitch’ Harry said ‘I might have to leave work early tomorrow. And eat dinner on the go’

‘You can eat something when you get home’ Ginny said ‘I can keep something warm for you’

‘I mightn’t be home early’ Harry said ‘If Oliver is anything like he was when he captained Gryffindor he’ll train us til midnight’

‘You could threaten to arrest him if he does’ Ron said lining up four mugs on the bench.

‘I doubt that would deter him’ Harry said pocketing the letter ‘I can’t wait til get on my broom in a Quidditch capacity again I haven’t played a game since my sixth year’

‘Are you going to have to get a new broom?’ Ron asked spooning sugar into each mug ‘I know there’s nothing wrong with your Firebolt but you have had it since third year and the Firebolt Five Hundred is the preferred broom of most of the leagues teams’

‘First of all this is only a bit of a fly about not an official try out I may only need to get a new broom if I get on the team and as this is only a casual fly that is not going to be a possibility. I have my job at Hogwarts starting at the beginning of September. What about that huh? Bit hard to play professional quidditch with that!’

‘Not entirely out of the question though’ Hermione said thoughtfully ‘The games are played on a weekend’

‘What about Teddy?’

‘What about him?’ Ginny said ‘He would absoloutely love it if you made it onto a team. And you have Mum and Adromeda and us come to think of it to help look after him if things get tight in your schedule’

‘I don’t want to be neglecting him though’

‘Harry you wouldn’t’ Hermione said ‘You wouldn’t be going to this training session tomorrow night if you thought there was a chance of that. Teddy is a very well rounded kid. I think Tonks and Remus would want you to have a go at Quidditch again. If you’re so worried go and speak to their portrait tomorrow when you drop Teddy off at Andromeda’s’

‘I’m being a prat aren’t I?’ Harry said making a face.

‘Yeah pretty much’

‘Luv ya ‘Mione trust you to make me feel like a nit’

‘Well what are friends for?’ Ron said adding boiling water to each mug ‘And if you’re so worried get Andromeda and Teddy to go with you. Ted would love the fact you know a league team captain personally, even if it’s not the Chudley Cannons’

‘Might do that, Andromeda took Ted to two matches while he stayed with her a few weeks ago…’ Harry said ‘Oliver gave me the apparition co-ordinates in the letter and didn’t specify it was a private training session. If it was he would’ve capitalized the sentenced in red ink’

‘What are you going to wear? Ginny asked ‘I doubt your old quidditch robes would fit you any more’

‘I expect there’ll be a set there for me to wear’ Harry said ‘I’ll just wear some boots and my cargo pants for the time being’

‘I can see a sparkle in you eyes Harry you’re really excited about this aren’t you? Hermione asked stirring milk into her coffee.

‘Oh ‘Mione like you wouldn’t believe’ Harry said with a grin ‘If it wasn’t so dark out I’d grab my room and go for a fly now’

‘Didn’t stop you at our visit to Hogwarts’

‘That was different, I’m not going nude now’

‘You played nude quidditch?’ Ron exclaimed.

‘Yeah I think I was still drunk’ Harry said with a grin as Ginny blushed furiously ‘You ought to try it sometime, it’s quite exhilerating’

‘Nah thanks I don’t want splinters in my cock’

‘I’m sure ‘Mione would get them out for you’ Ginny said with a grin.

Hermione and Ron turned a boiling scarlet.
‘I can’t believe I live with two idiots!’ Ron declared ‘The Auror Department Head and a starting chaser at the Holyhead Harpies. What have I done to deserve that?’

‘Nothing Ronald, we love you’ Ginny said patting Ron’s cheek which was still red as his hair.

‘Hmmph’

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A/N: I know that was a pretty crappy ending to the chapter but I couldn't quite think of a way to round it off nicely. But I hope you liked it anyway. And of course please review or contact me via the details at the end of chpater one if you wish to know any more info about the story.