What I Always Wanted
Chapter 7: Announcements
As Percy's alarmed cry rose throughout the room Harry and Hermione's news was momentarily forgotten as everyone's attention turned to Ginny's prostrate form lying on the living room floor. Molly and Arthur quickly made their way to the spot where their only daughter was lying. Molly grasped Ginny by the shoulders, it looked as though she was about to shake her when Paige laid a steadying hand on her shoulder and said.
"Hang on there Molly, let me have a look at her first."
A relieved expression crossed Molly's face as Paige crouched down and pulling out her wand began examining Ginny. Several tense seconds passed as everyone awaited a diagnosis from Paige, it seemed to be taking forever. Fred and George sidled up to Paige and simultaneously opened their mouths to ask what had happened to their sister just as Paige gave a satisfied nod and said.
"No need to worry everything looks fine. I reckon she's just a bit shocked is all."
Ron looked over at Harry and Hermione as he replied.
"Blimey I wonder what could've shocked her so!"
Hermione chewed her lip apologetically.
Paige smiled.
"I'll just wake her up then."
Relieved that Ginny was all right and not wanting to miss the chance to have a go at Harry and Hermione first Fred and then George chimed in.
"Best move her to the couch Paige."
"Wouldn't want the sight of that ring to knock her out again."
Paige shook her head as she chose to ignore the twins' antics. With a wave of her wand she muttered "Ennervate" and Ginny's eyes fluttered open. Once again the room erupted into cacophony of sound as Molly began questioning Ginny about her sudden collapse, while Arthur and Percy helped her to her feet.
"Ginny dear, are you alright…are you hurt…do you feel unwell…what happened?"
As Molly rattled off question after question Arthur gently chided her.
"Now Molly, give her a chance to collect herself before you go badgering her with questions."
Molly nodded her head in agreement then proceeded to fuss over Ginny by pelting her with questions about how she felt and attempting to usher her to the couch. Ginny shook off her mother's ministrations and stepping away from her parents she moved towards Harry and Hermione. As she drew nearer Harry took note of the expression marring Ginny's face. Having known Ginny for such a long time and having seen more than a few of her explosively haranguing diatribes Harry could tell that Ginny was winding up to get in a right good flow. Ginny was about to give an opinion on the news he and Hermione had just shared with the Weasleys and Harry was certain that it was not going to be anything along the lines of a simple heartfelt congratulations. Harry reckoned that Ginny was about to deliver another one of her cleverly disguised insults.
Harry sighed gruffly, he had long found fault in Ginny's treatment of Hermione. The entire time that they'd dated it seemed to Harry that Ginny had always felt the need to prove that she knew him better than anyone else and that she was not playing second to Hermione in his life. Thus, Ginny had always had the tendency to be a bit short with Hermione whenever Harry and Hermione had disagreed. Ginny was known to snap at Hermione viciously whenever Hermione said something to Harry Ginny felt was unwarranted. In the beginning Harry had thought that it was just her way of being a supportive girlfriend, until he noticed how her attacks were only directed at Hermione and never at Ron or any of their other friends. Harry soon came to realize that Ginny was marking her territory of sorts, making sure that everyone knew that she was with Harry and that Hermione was nothing more than a friend.
Looking back on things Harry realized that he could have put a stop to the whole affair by speaking to Ginny or showing her in some other way that Hermione was no threat to her. But instead of doing that Harry had made it clear that his and Hermione's long standing friendship gave her the privilege of speaking to him in ways that others could not, Ginny included. He'd asserted that Hermione had always been one of the few people willing to tell him when he was being a daft git, thus, on those occasions when Hermione had taken him to task resulting in words between the two women in his life Harry had more often than not sided with Hermione.
Once he and Ginny had ended things and he and Hermione had become a couple Ginny's snapping to his defense had converted itself into something altogether different and become a constant barrage of snide comments meant to hurt Hermione. And though he'd offered to put an end to Ginny's childish behavior many times Hermione had said that time would sort it all out. But as he stood watching Ginny building up to say something covertly nasty Harry reckoned that he and Hermione had run out of time on Ginny accepting the way things were and would be. And he was sure that once she heard of the baby things would get far worse instead of better. But, Harry was not about to stand for any ill treatment of his wife. Taking a deep steadying breath Harry made up his mind to put Ginny in her place then and there.
Ginny walked up to the couple and queried Harry.
"You're married? You actually asked Hermione to marry you?"
Harry slipped an arm around Hermione's waist and with a nod of his head answered with a simple "Yes".
Ginny gnawed the inside of her lower lip a bit before saying.
"A bit sudden isn't it…it's not like you to go rushing off into something…"
Luna interrupted Ginny.
"Actually Ginny it's just like Harry to run off and do something like this without thinking it through…don't you remember the Department of Mysteries…"
Luna paused and smiled before adding.
"No this is exactly like Harry…act first, think later."
Harry swung around and looking at Luna muttered a somewhat indistinct "Huh" as a ripple of laughter rang through the room from the rest of the family at Luna's characterization of Harry. Luna tapped her lips with a forefinger before prattling on.
"Now if you'd have said this is so unlike Hermione it would have been closer to true…but not really true. As Harry's always been the reckless sort it's always been up to Hermione to do the thinking and the sussing things out but she usually finds that Harry's way of thinking is as close to the mark as one can get, either that or he's so far gone that her only course is to just go along and make sure he comes out of things alright. They're quite the pair those two, but then they always have been haven't they."
At his wife's last statement Ron cleared his throat. Looking over at him and smiling fondly Luna patted Ron on the arm and said.
"Well actually they've always been quite the trio…Harry running off into Merlin knows what without thinking, Ronald blindly following dead on his heels and Hermione ready with a clever plan to save their arses when need be…"
Fred and George exploded in guffaws as Harry and Ron looked at Luna as though they both dearly wished they could shove a sock down her throat. Luna continued on oblivious to their stares.
"And I reckon Ronald is a bit hurt by the fact that the two of you went off on this little adventure without him…he expected to stand up for you lot like you did for us…but with our being off on an expedition with dad and what with your situation and all I suppose it was all unavoidable. But I expect that your naming him godfather will ease any hurt feelings you have won't it Ronald."
Ron, Fred, George and the rest of the Weasley men looked at Luna as if she'd taken a step or two more round the twist than usual when Hermione's voice rang through the air.
"You know…how did you figure it out?"
Luna smiled knowingly but didn't answer as the chorus of voices that sounded through the air would've drowned her voice out. Ron looked at Hermione in confusion and asked.
"What did Luna figure out?"
Fleur clapped her hands over her mouth and exclaimed loudly.
"Zat is why you are glowing!"
Charlie grinned as he caught on and slapping Harry on the back boomed.
"Congratulations Harry, Congratulations!"
Again Ron quizzed.
"Who's glowing?"
Alicia and Angelina yelled out.
"When are you due?"
"Any idea what you're having?"
Irritated that his queries had seemingly gone unheard Ron walked over to Harry and Hermione and bellowed loudly.
"FOR THE LOVE OF MERLIN WOULD ONE OF YOU PLEASE TELL ME WHAT THE BLOODY HELL EVERYONE IS GOING ON ABOUT!!!"
Ron's shouting effectively brought all the chatter to a halt. George shook his head as he said.
"Poor little one."
Fred nodded in agreement.
"Can you imagine having a dunderhead like this one for a role model?!"
Fred reached over and ruffled Ron's hair. As Ron swatted at his hand Molly stepped forward and peering at the young couple before her asked.
"Is it true…are you really…"
Molly gestured towards Hermione's belly. Harry's arm tightened about Hermione's waist as he splayed his open hand across Hermione's still flat stomach, Hermione's hand drifted up to Harry's and their fingers interlocked and Harry replied.
"Its true Molly, Hermione and I are expecting!"
Molly burst into tears as she threw her arms around both Harry and Hermione as she cried.
"Oh my word, this is wonderful news! This calls for a true celebration…Arthur come along!"
Molly rushed off towards the kitchen with Arthur rushing excitedly behind her. Ron ceased swatting Fred's hand as Harry's words reached his ears. His eyes lowered to Harry and Hermione's splayed interlocked fingers. He voice was barely audible when he spoke.
"Bloody hell, you two are married and Hermione's pregnant and…and…and I'm gonna be a bloody godfather."
Ron paused then nodding at Harry and Hermione added.
"Provided that you and the missus haven't already got someone else to do it."
Hermione eased out of Harry's grasp, walked over to Ron and hugging him tightly said.
"Of course we want you and Luna to be godparents, we'd never consider anyone else."
Harry nodded.
"Actually you don't have a choice in the matter; we're putting you down for the job no matter what you say."
Ron raised a grinning face to Harry as he replied.
"It's you who hasn't got a choice mate, after what you pulled running off and getting married without me…So don't go getting any ideas that someone else will be playing godfather to our ickle Ronald Harry Potter."
Hermione pulled a face.
"Ronald Harry Potter…Ron you can't seriously think I'd name a child of mine, Ronald Harry Potter…"
Harry cut in.
"I should bloody well hope not!"
Ron raised his hands in a gesture of appeasement.
"Alright…alright…just thought I'd give it a shot…Harry Ronald Potter is just as fine a name as Ronald Harry…"
Ron's voice trailed off into howling laughter as he got a look at Hermione's horrified expression. Harry took one look at his wife's face and added his own hearty voice to Ron's. Luna walked over to Hermione and placing a hand on her shoulder as Hermione muttered.
"Ronald Harry…Harry Ronald…who'd name a child something so ghastly."
Luna offered comfortingly.
"It's better than their coming up with girls' names like Rhonda Harriett or Henrietta Ronnell."
Luna's words sent Ron and Harry, the twins, Paige, Fleur, Bill, Angelina, Alicia and Charlie, into a fit of riotous laughter. Ginny raised her voice above the din and said pointedly to Hermione.
"A bit clichéd getting yourself knocked up but I suppose that's one way to land a bloke."
The laughter on everyone's lips faded as soon as those words left Ginny's mouth. Harry took a step forward intent on letting Ginny know he wouldn't tolerate her speaking to Hermione in such a manner any more. He'd only just opened his mouth when Hermione began to speak.
"Clichéd? I suppose it does seem a bit clichéd…a world wind courtship between longtime friends, she ends up pregnant, a hasty wedding…"
Hermione paused for a moment before going on.
"Yes it is the stuff that clichés are made of, but when a man you've adored for longer than can remember tells you that no one ever could come close to being the woman of his dreams because she wasn't a dream; because she was real and had been right there beside him the whole time and that that woman is you…when a man tells you something like that, there's absolutely nothing cliché about it."
As Hermione ended her words the room erupted in a refrain of breathless sighs from the women present. A litany of responses followed.
"That is the sweetest proposal I've ever heard."
"Oooooh how beautiful."
"I'm ready to fun off and marry him and I'm already married!"
While everyone gushed Harry spared a glance in Ginny's direction, her expression was similar to that of someone who'd just been hit with an unexpected stunning spell. Harry then directed his attention to Hermione and noted that she looked rather pleased with herself. Hooking an arm about her waist her drew Hermione away from their assembly of well wishers and asked.
"Care to explain what that was all about?"
Hermione shrugged.
"Just establishing the order of things."
When he realized that no further explaination was forthcoming he asked a second question.
"And exactly what order of things are you talking about?
Hermione nonchalantly replied.
"I was merely letting Ginny know that I'm done putting up with her swotty attitude and that if she insists on trying to degrade me any more I'll give as good as I get."
Harry nodded and wrapped his arms about Hermione's waist as he said.
"I see but why hadn't you said anything before?"
Hermione slipped her arms around Harry's neck and answered with.
"I didn't say anything before because I felt bad about how everything happened between us and I honestly thought that given time Ginny would get over having lost you. But her actions today showed me that Ginny's bitterness towards our relationship isn't about some wrong we've done her, its about her own foolish pride over having been dim witted enough to let you get away. And while I understand why she'd be angry over that I've no intention of being her permanent whipping post."
Harry smiled. Hermione returned his smile then added.
"Besides I was starting to get a touch annoyed with Ginny's attempts at being clever."
Harry raised an eyebrow and said.
"Do my ears deceive me or have I just heard Hermione Jane Potter utter a catty remark?"
Hermione's reply was a sly smile. Harry responded to Hermione's smile by leaning in and dropping a soft kiss on her curved lips. Before things could get more involved Molly came back into the room and cornered the newlyweds.
"Ahh here you are…Harry I need you to fetch Hermione's parents before the other guests arrive."
Turning to look at Molly Harry quizzed.
"Guests…what guests?"
Molly chuckled as she replied.
"Why all your friends and family of course…you can't very well have a wedding reception without guests now can you!"
Harry's mouth dropped open as he exclaimed.
"Wedding reception…what wedding reception!"
"Why yours and Hermione's of course."
Molly turned and looking across the room called out.
"Penelope would you be a dear and help Fred and George with the decorations…make sure they don't get to exuberant won't you."
As Penelope nodded and headed off to corral the twins Molly Turned back to Harry and Hermione and said.
"Now Hermione you run along and freshen up while I put the finishing touches on the cake…"
Seeing that Harry was still standing in the same place Molly gave him a tiny shove.
"Harry dear you mustn't dawdle off you go."
Harry turned to Hermione with a look of utter bewilderment on his face. Hermione merely smiled as she raised herself up on her tiptoes and places a kiss on Harry's cheek said.
"Don't dawdle love."
That said she turned and proceeded up the stairs to freshen up. Molly smiled at Harry and patted his other cheek dotingly before she turned and hurried back into the kitchen barking out orders as she went. Shaking his head Harry muttered "Bloody Merlin a wedding reception" just before he disapparated to retrieve his in-laws.
A/N: Thanks for your patience I hope it was worth the wait!
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