A/N: Good news! Yeah, read on...
Chapter XLI: Being Human
"Harry! Harry!"
He rolled over in bed, and opened his eyes, squinting against the bright sunlight. "Hermione?"
"Harry!!" she squealed even louder, before jumping onto the bed, right on top of him.
"Oof!" he took the brunt of the landing. "What's going on, for crying out loud!?"
Finally, to Hermione's satisfaction, he was fully awake. She sat up beside him, grinning from ear to ear.
"I'm pregnant!"
**
At first he was dumbfounded, and couldn't say a word. Then the realization started to grow on him, and he started to grasp what Hermione was saying. All in the meanwhile, a smile was growing on his lips as well. After a full minute of processing the fact that he was going to be a father, did Harry shout jovially out of nowhere, embraced Hermione very tightly, and ran out of the bedroom to announce the fact.
"I'm going to be a daddy!" he declared over and over again, going from room to room. "I am going to be a dad!"
Initially, the other occupants of Grimmauld were none too happy to be arisen at such a ghastly morning hour, with the exception of Luna, Ginny and Draco, who were already downstairs and nearly ready to take on the day's responsibilities in the Ministry.
"What do you mean she's pregnant?" Ron was the first to ask when Harry finally reached the kitchen. "And for Merlin's sake, tie that robe better around you..."
"Sorry," Harry apologized rashly. "I'm going to be a father! She said only ten minutes ago!"
"Congratulations, mate," Ron smiled. "About time."
Even Draco's lips cracked into a genuine smile for what would perhaps be the only time for the next decade. "You deserve it, Potter. Good on you."
"I'm so happy for you!" Ginny squealed, and literally jumping from her chair, ran to Harry, and hugged him tightly. "Call him little Harry!"
Remus and Tonks stumbled into the kitchen before Harry could express his gratitude to Ginny. "What is this talk of babies and pregnancy?" Remus rubbed his eyes. "The commotion..."
"Hermione is pregnant!" Ginny burst out with the news right before Harry was about to reveal the fact.
Remus' reaction was much akin to Harry's when he first found out. "What?"
Tonks had already caught on. "Aaaaaaahhhh!"
"I know!" Ginny squealed again. "Let's go see her!"
Within seconds the two women, turned excited girls, bolted from the bedroom in the direction of Harry and Hermione's bedroom. That left the male company in the kitchen alone.
"Congratulations, Harry," Remus smiled and clapped him on the shoulder. "It was definitely about time."
The elder Weasleys were the next to come in. "Is it true?!" Molly's eyes were wide as she exclaimed by way of a greeting.
"It is," Harry nodded. "Actually - "
"Oh, Harry!"
A moment later, Harry found himself enveloped by one of Mrs. Weasley's infamous hugs.
"I am so proud of you!"
"Thanks you, Mrs. Weasley," Harry gasped his gratitude, and opening his eyes after the initial impact, he saw his parents grinning from the doorway.
"Oh, Harry!"
"Can I see my parents now?"
"Of course, of course!" Mrs. Weasley hastily withdrew, still smiling broadly. "Go!"
This was a moment Harry had dreamed about for a long time. "How does it sound to be grandparents?"
"Mighty fine, Harry," James said, embracing Harry tightly. "Mighty fine."
"Congratulations, Harry," Lily whispered, as she joined in the family embrace. "Nobody deserves this more than you do."
"Thank you, Mom and Dad." Harry's voice cracked a bit. Maybe he had underestimated the emotional cost of telling his parents they were on the way to becoming grandparents...
They remained in that embrace for at least a few minutes. Luna walked in, but nobody but Ron noticed her enter. She immediately made for him, a smile shining on her face. In her wake, James and Madelyn followed.
Madelyn pulled on her mother's sleeve to gain her attention.
"What is it dear?"
The little girl looked at Luna with wide eyes. "Did the stork bring a baby to Harry and Hermione?"
Everybody present heard the question, and especially Harry, whose brain triggered a memory, as clear as mountain air, of the sane little girl asking a very similar question.
"When will the stork bring a baby to Harry and Hermione?"
It seemed almost a lifetime ago. They were having dinner at Ron's, and she had -
Harry separated himself from his parents, and turning around, kneeled down to look at Madelyn.
"He already has."
A small `oh' formed on her lips when she heard this. "I have to tell Hermione!"
With that, the child ran out of the kitchen, and in the direction of the stairs.
"Imagine Hermione's surprise," Ron grinned.
"Kids are amazing," Lupin offered his comment. "Not sure, now that I'm younger and much more attractive, I may be able to sway Tonks in that direction..."
"This was the Remus I knew in Hogwarts," James told Harry. "Always reserved, but confident to the bone when he set his mind on something."
"So he'll be having little ones sooner than later?"
"You can count on it," his father nodded.
The prospect of a family indeed turned Harry's spirits around. From making Lestrange his foremost priority, now it was how to raise a child and protect it and Hermione from harm. The maniacal woman seemed little more than a pushover in comparison...
Of course, he harboured no illusions about her ability to inflict damage of all kinds.
In nine months time, he would be a proud father. His mind still could not wrap itself around the fact...
Harry's expression changed immediately, and he looked at Ron very seriously.
"Mate, how do you find having kids?"
Ron, for a moment, seemed lost in those very memories. "Best feeling in the world. Soon you realize children are the meaning of your life. Anything you do is for them."
"You haven't been spending too much time with them," Harry observed.
"It kills me," Ron looked down at the table. "I want to be a part of their lives. You know how it is with the Order - full time concentration."
"Yeah, exactly," Harry agreed. "Leaves little time for family."
"Luna looked after them mainly, but now that she's involved with the Ministry, it's up to my parents," he shook his head regrettably. "Nothing against having their grandma and grandpa take care of them, but what will they think of Luna and I down the road? Who knows how long this will take, or live to see it through."
From the joyous mood Ron was experiencing minutes ago, he was now quite depressed.
"Cheer up, mate. I have no doubts we'll see this to the end. You saw Lestrange is growing more desperate. Her best men are either dead or defected. What could she possibly do?"
"I guess you're right. My kids won't forget me, and I'll live to see them grow up," Ron cracked a smile, but still sounded disbelieving. "I'm just sick of it, Harry. I want all of this to end so I can live my life in peace at last. One war was enough..."
"Hey," Harry grinned. "We've been marked to exist in screwed up times. Might as well make the best of it."
"Well, now that you two are done the heart to heart talk," Draco slipped in the conversation. "Can I introduce something of my own?"
The other two looked at each other, and then at him. "What'd you have in mind?" Harry asked.
"Weasley here might kill me for it, but I'm still going to say it," Draco smirked towards Ron, before reaching in his pocket, and producing a small black box that suspiciously resembled a -
"Is that a ring?" Ron was incredulous.
"No, turnips," Draco mocked him harmlessly. "Of course it's a ring. I think you can guess who'll be receiving it."
"You're proposing to Ginny?" Harry stated the obvious question.
Draco's stern expression softened. "I've been thinking about it for a while."
"Really?" Ron asked with a mixture of threat and admiration.
"Yeah," Draco replied defensively. "I love her. You should know that by now."
"I do, I do," Ron was quick to reassure his former nemesis. "Just surprised, is all."
"Well, you're the only family man of all of us here," Malfoy told him. "Figured it was about time I acted."
"When do you plan on proposing to her?" Harry steered the conversation in a safer direction.
"I want to do it soon. Today if I had to," Draco was honest in his response. "I want her really bad."
"This I can tell," Harry smiled. "Best of luck with that endeavour."
"What do you mean?"
Draco only manifested the amplified insecurities that came when one was in love.
"What if she says no?"
"Knowing her, it is a possibility," Ron said in a completely serious tone.
"You two are hilarious," Draco said without the slightest trace of humour.
"Who said we were joking?" Harry asked rhetorically.
During the entire exchange, James and Remus were listening with interest.
"You know," James said, "your mother rejected me on many occasions before she finally agreed to marry me."
"So if it hadn't been for your dad's persistence, you wouldn't be here, Harry," Remus contemplated. "Can you imagine that?"
Knowing the Marauders, Harry knew they were not being serious about anything they said. Everything was based on the unspoken agreement to unnerve Draco about the seemingly insurmountable task that lay before him.
"You're really enjoying this, aren't you?" Malfoy asked snappishly. "Not that original, trust me."
"Don't worry," Harry placated him. "We're all very proud of you."
He really spoke for everyone, and meant those last seven words.
That was the precise moment Sirius chose to stumble into the kitchen, sleep still clouding his expression, and attempt to reach Harry.
"Morning, all," he stretched out. "Bloody women, won't let you sleep. All that shrieking and hollering..."
"Morning, Padfoot," James said pointedly, "You didn't hear the news?"
"Well," Sirius said contemplatively. "The girls couldn't give me a straight answer, so I figured I'd ask Harry."
"Yeah?"
"Yes. So, Harry, are you having a kid or not?"
"I am," Harry shook his head in confirmation. "Meet one half of the grandparents."
"Nice to see you're an old fart at twenty-five," Sirius cracked a joke at James, before turning to Harry, and enveloping him in a tight embrace of his own. "I'm proud of you, kid."
"Thanks, Sirius, I appreciate it," Harry was just as genuine. Life could hardly be better than right now...
"We might have to use your doghouse for the crib, Padfoot," James retaliated.
"Oh, shut it, gramps..." Sirius dismissed him, and then released Harry. "Good on you!"
"Thanks, mate," his old friend. He wasn't entirely sure whether Sirius' words were meant at him or Harry, but either way...
"What do you want it to be, a boy or girl?" Sirius continued his questioning.
"I was hoping for two, actually," Harry said. "One more after this one, if Hermione is willing..."
"Honestly, I think she'll jump at the idea," Sirius reasoned. "After all, being married to the famous Harry Potter would drive a woman into a sexual frenzy."
"Yes, thank you for the insightful comment, Padfoot," James said. "Harry already knows that."
"Anytime," Sirius nodded with a smirk.
Harry was the one who was embarrassed by that exchange. After all, Sirius was right...
**
Hermione was swarmed by the rest of the females in Grimmauld Place, and amid the squeals of excitement that permeated every nook and cranny of the house, she found herself more excited than she had been ever before. She was going to be a mother! Harry loved her for it, and she loved him! Her thoughts made little sense, but what of it! She was happy!
And happiness was life's pursuit. It was all that mattered.
**
Throughout the day, however, Sirius had grown increasingly sad and withdrawn, even if the occasion created no conditions for that mood. Something was eating him inside, and while Harry noticed, he couldn't pursue him to talk about what was on his mind.
"Sirius?" he tried yet again.
"Yes?" the latter turned to him. "I told you, Harry, I'm happy for you. You don't have to doubt it."
"That's not what I want to talk to you about, and you know it," Harry objected. "There is something else."
"What?"
"You tell me."
"It's nothing," Sirius shook his head. "Insignificant little matter that shouldn't spoil the celebrations."
"Insignificant?" Harry cocked an eyebrow. "When is something not significant for you?"
"You don't know the half of it," Sirius gave a hollow smile. "Trust me, it's nothing you should worry about."
"Be that as it may be, but I can help."
"You won't leave me alone until I tell you, are you?" Sirius asked rhetorically.
"You're a sharp one," Harry smiled.
"Hilarious," Sirius rolled his eyes. "Alright."
"So, what's wrong?"
"Do you remember the story James told you about Andrea?"
"Yes."
"Well," Sirius continued. "He was right when he said I was in love with her, and being a cheery idiot about it before she died."
"Do you still love her?"
"Of course," Sirius lowered his eyes and shook his head. "You don't find such love more than once in your life. Why do you think I never went on a single date before Lestrange veiled the life out of me?"
"Maybe you had more luck up there?" Harry tried to lighten the mood slightly.
"None of that goes on there, Harry," Sirius said. "They're right bigots about true love and everything. What I did do that made me happy, however...Andrea was there. I saw her. Only, for reasons I don't know, I couldn't touch her, talk to her, or be with her. It was as if I was watching her through a window, but she didn't see me."
"What do you mean?" Harry was confused.
"I don't pretend to understand life, death and love fully, Harry," Sirius told him. "In fact, the knowledge of what they mean is far above what I can comprehend. What I do know, however, is that I loved her in Hogwarts, and I love her now."
"So you want her back," Harry simply stated.
"You have no idea. Imagine how you would feel if you lost Hermione."
Rethinking his experiences, Harry knew exactly what Sirius was talking about. Only, he experienced that feeling temporarily. Sirius had been putting up with it for years and never said anything...
"You know we can bring her back."
"I do," Sirius agreed, "but there are two issues. One, I have no idea whether she wants to come back, and two, the danger to any of the girls here doing the spell is too great. Who knows if Lestrange might have a whim to kill one of them again."
"She can't do it alone," Harry allayed his fears. "If she died at a time when she was madly in love with you too, chances are, she'll return your affection if we brought her back. And secondly, Lestrange needs a lot of help to perform a remote kill. Dolohov was one of those wizards, but he's out of the picture, she doesn't have the resurrection spell, and so, we're all safe."
"Are you sure about this?"
"Would I be saying it if I wasn't?"
"So it is possible to actually bring her back." There was a tangible note of excitement in Sirius' voice. "I'd be pushing my luck, Harry, but would be possible to do it today?"
"No reason not to," the other wizard admitted after a moment's contemplation. "I'll tell Ginny about it."
A smile lit Sirius' face. "I'll owe you one, Harry."
"Don't worry about it," Harry dismissed his vow. "You've paid long enough for it."
He arose, nodded at his dad's good friend, and left the room to find Ginny. She was nowhere on the first floor of the house, so he took the stairs to the second floor. From his and Hermione's bedroom he could hear the excited discussion surrounding the little bundle of joy due in nine months, and part of him really did not prefer breaking up the party...
He knocked on the door.
"Yes?" Hermione's voice came.
"Can I come in for a minute?" he asked through the door.
"Only for a minute!" Hermione was insistent. "Come in."
He turned the knob, and poked his head through the door. "Ginny, can I see you for a moment?"
"Promise you won't take long?" she requested of him.
"I promise, but it's kind of important," he said.
"More important than your child!" Ginny seemed unreasonably appalled.
"Of course not!" Harry backpedalled. "Almost as."
"That's better," Ginny smiled. "I'll be back, ladies."
"Don't let him keep you," Hermione said as she was leaving, while the others laughed.
"I won't!" Ginny rejoined as she closed the door behind her, and finally turned to Harry. "What's going on?"
"Sirius."
"What about him?"
"His girlfriend. I'm wondering if you can perform a resurrection," he explained the situation to her.
"She's dead?" Ginny's mouth dropped. "When did she pass away?"
"Years ago," Harry told her regrettably. "He's been in pain about it ever since, so I thought it would be a good idea to...you know, make him happy once more."
"I guess you will keep me for a while," she smiled. "I don't see why we can't do it now."
"Excellent!" Harry exclaimed.
**
At first, she appeared only as a ghost, a shadow at most. Sirius looked on tensely, as her outline grew more and more solid gradually. There was something peculiar about Ginny too - a certain glow about her, and she appeared to concentrate much more intently than any other resurrection she had carried out earlier.
Harry was just as uneasy, more concerned with Ginny's well-being in the moment. It was noble of her to undertake the job, but how would she fare afterward, he worried.
Andrea's form became much clearer. Flowing blond hair, fair skin, and as both observers noted, she was not clothed, revealing the attractive form she had...
"Not bad," Harry commented to Sirius.
"I know," the other nodded.
As with previous resurrections, this one was accompanied by the person being brought back inhaling violently to signify that life was given back to them. Andrea uttered a cry as she sat up, looking around wildly, shocked and disoriented.
"You're up," Harry said. "I'll go take care of Ginny."
Sirius did not need to be told twice. Brandishing his wand, he conjured an ensemble of clothes he hoped would fit her, and dashed on over to the love of his life. In the meanwhile, Ginny had opened her eyes, and seemed to be trying to steady herself. Within moments, Harry was by her side.
"Are you alright?"
She turned to him. "Fine. Just a massive headache and my head is spinning..."
"I'll help you back inside."
"Thanks, Harry. Is that girl ok?"
"I think so. Sirius has her for now, and I'll check on her when you're all set."
"Can't you at least introduce me?" Ginny half-smiled.
"Not before you have a lie down," Harry was firm. "One of the couches...should help you recover for the celebrations!"
"There is no way I'm missing that," Ginny declared in her own firm voice.
"Good."
After the redhead was safely tucked away in the living room to regain her energies, Harry ventured back out to see Sirius.
Andrea had calmed, and disbelieving, stared at Sirius without saying anything. He waved a hand in front of her face to capture her attention.
"Andrea?"
"Sirius..." she breathed.
"Yes, it's me," he smiled.
She flung herself onto him to ensure that he was real and not a mirage, courtesy of her imagination. "I've missed you."
"You don't know the half of it," he reassured her. "My love for you never went away."
She pulled back, and landed her lips forcefully on his. He enthusiastically responded, and all through it, Harry felt very much out of place...
He coughed to indicate his presence, and that did the trick. They parted, and Sirius looked sideways.
"Hey, Harry," he rubbed the back of his head awkwardly, "didn't see you there."
"I can see that," Harry smiled. "Was going to ask Andrea here if she was alright."
"And who are you?" Andrea's first towards Harry were.
"Harry Potter," he introduced himself. "One of my friends brought you back to life."
"Really?" her eyes widened. "Tell her I'll be thankful to the grave!"
Harry couldn't help but smirk at the reference. "Don't worry, I will."
Sirius temporarily disengaged himself from Andrea and in the next moment, embraced Harry tightly. "Thank you, Harry."
"Don't mention it," Harry hugged him back. "I'll leave you two to reacquaint, and be ready to introduce her at the party tonight."
"Will do," Sirius affirmed.
"Nice meeting you, Andrea," Harry called out to her. "You'll meet Ginny later tonight, and before then, do consider putting some clothes on."
"Thank you, Harry," she gave him a radiant smile, before turning her attention back on Sirius. "I'll see you tonight!"
**
The aforementioned party centered around the theme of Harry and Hermione becoming parents was organized with surprising speed. With the heavy involvement of magical support, Molly had a feast ready in very little time, the entire Order was assembled in their very best to commemorate the occasion, Sirius had mysteriously disappeared and Harry declined all inquiries into the matter until further notice, and Ginny was beginning to stir at last.
Draco and Ron returned from their day at the Ministry, and as for the Minister herself, she had been excused due to unavoidable commitments for the day - namely, the fact that she was spending the entire day with Hermione.
"This will be great," James was telling Remus. "A perfect excuse to drink myself into oblivion without Lily reprimanding me for it."
"I'll join you," Lupin confirmed his participation into the drinking endeavour. "Ever since you two came back, you've only grown more whipped, mate."
"Look who's talking," James said. "Tonks has you by the balls too, my friend."
"Too true, too true," Remus shook his head. "Where do you reckon Sirius is?"
"I don't know. Only I hope he makes it in time. Harry won't tell me anything."
"Same, I asked him as well."
"Well, we can either wait for the guest of honour, or start early," James said jokingly.
"You will not be starting anything until your son and his wife arrive!" Lily indeed reprimanded James when she heard him say this.
"Yes, love," he kissed her. Remus sniggered under his breath, but Tonks chose that convenient moment to appear.
"What are you doing?" she asked.
"Nothing, dear," Lupin was quick to smile. "Absolutely nothing."
She looked at him suspiciously. "I'm onto you."
"Yes, dear," the grin did not disappear from Lupin's face.
Tonks only rolled her eyes in annoyance. "When's the happy couple supposed to be here?"
"Soon, I hope," Lupin told her.
The words were barely out of his mouth when the doors opened, and in walked Harry and Hermione. She was glowing, and a huge smile had stretched on Harry's face.
"Cheers!" James was the first to pump his drink in the air. "Congratulations, Harry and Hermione!"
The consecutive barrage of well wishes surrounded both of them, toasts were raised, and the party immediately picked up. Only, Sirius was still conspicuously absent from the proceedings.
Within the hour, the present Marauders were nicely tipsy, the Weasley family was joined by Fred, George, Bill and Fleur, and even Percy, of whom nobody had heard anything for a long time, made an appearance. How he was informed about the occasion remained a mystery, and he was too drunk within the half hour of his arrival to string a coherent sentence.
Draco had agreed to enter a bit later, once he heard Ginny was sleeping on a couch in the living room. At last, they both came in, Ginny having recovered nicely, as was evident from her vivaciousness, and Draco was quite happy she was fine, when she had told him minutes before the reason for her disposition...
He also knew this night would be for one more occasion. He was going to propose to her tonight, but what she told him about this Andrea character delayed his plans just a bit...
What she and Sirius were doing, Harry did not want to know, but he was happy for the third Marauder. His only worry, and he was beginning to consider it seriously, was that they wouldn't show up.
However, he needn't have worried. Without expectation, the doors opened, and in walked the person in question, firmly grasping the hand of his chosen woman. One would have assumed the celebration for him with the radiant look on his face, and they would be right, except that three occasions would seemingly be noted...
Sirius made a beeline for his closest friends. James and Remus were talking with Harry, Ron and the twins, and did not notice the last of their troupe coming up behind them, and it took Sirius several taps on their shoulders to make them turn around.
And when they did, the smiles dropped immediately.
Remus blinked a few times to make sure it wasn't the firewhiskey influencing him stronger than he thought.
"Andrea! Is - is that you?"
She only smiled, which could only mean she was enjoying the werewolf's confusion. James was in no better shape.
"Mate," he turned to Sirius, "I'll be damned, but this is Andrea."
"Surprise!" she exclaimed.
"Padfoot, catch me," James said, "I think I'm going to faint!"
"Ah, stop it, Prongs," Sirius admonished him. "You know it's really her!"
"Really nice to see you again," Remus held out his hand, and Andrea took it. He purposefully kept the handshake longer than it was natural, if only to reassure himself she wasn't a mirage. "You look amazing."
"Thank you," she smiled at him. "I'm really happy to be back, you know."
"So this is why you wouldn't tell me," James turned to Harry, and then went straight ahead to hug Andrea. "I've missed you too."
Andrea returned his sentiment. They had become good friend over Sirius' burgeoning relationship with her at Hogwarts, and he was very upset at her death too when he looked back through his memories.
"I'm Ron!" Harry's best friend moved up front to introduce himself. He seemed very impressed with this girl...
"Nice to meet you, Ron," Andrea smiled at him too. "Andrea."
Inexplicably quickly, Luna ended up right next to Ron. Maybe she had apparated, he could not be sure, but what it did cause was to check himself immediately.
"And this is my life, Luna," he spoke her name with fondness. "I'm sure you two will make great friends!"
"Hi," Luna was charming with the new girl. "Very nice to meet you!"
"You too!"
"I think you should also meet Ginny," Sirius said, and then turned to the guys in the group. "Be back, mates. Going to introduce her to the reason for my happiness."
"You do that," James said. "Then bring her back around, because she has the rest of the Order to acquaint herself with!"
Sirius and Andrea retreated, and he said something under his breath to her about James desiring her company a bit too much.
"Relax," she said. "One, he's married, and two, you and I are going to be together forever!"
"Please, lay off the clichés," he begged her. "I heard enough of them. Can't I just say I love you without the cheesy poem to go along with it?"
She pecked him on the cheek. "I'd prefer that, actually."
"Excellent!"
Ginny was coming towards them with Draco in hand; in fact, she was almost dragging him in her earnest to reach Sirius. On a few comical occasions he almost went down, taking her with him.
"Sirius!"
"Hey, Ginny," he greeted her. "All better?"
"You know it!" she spoke very quickly. "I wanted to see her!"
"Hello," Andrea extended her hand for the consecutive time. "I'm Andrea."
"Hey!" Ginny, enthusiastic as she was, went ahead and hugged the girl she had brought back. "I'm sorry I couldn't meet you earlier."
"Oh, don't worry," Andrea glanced over at Sirius with a sly smile. "It's perfectly fine."
"So you're Sirius' long-lost girlfriend," she calmed down a bit.
"That's me!" she nodded.
"What do you think now that you're back?"
"Well, definitely will have to become used to it again," Andrea was frank. "But I have to admit, I'm reacquainting myself with life very quickly."
"Good to hear," Ginny echoed the sentiment.
"And, also, thank you for," Andrea said what must have been on her mind for a while now. "Without you, I wouldn't ever have seen Sirius again, dead or alive."
Ginny appreciated the fact that she had managed to affect two so deeply. "You're welcome."
"Yeah, thanks, Ginny," Sirius expressed his gratitude for the umpteenth time. "In fact, I can't thank you enough as it is!"
She only smiled. "This is my boyfriend, Draco Malfoy."
"Malfoy?" Andrea repeated his name curiously. "Rings a bell."
"Trust me, I'm not my father. I detest him," Draco said smoothly, before bowing and taking Andrea's hand and planting a kiss on it. "Please to meet you."
"Likewise," she said, charmed. "You are a gentleman."
"One of the reasons I'm taken for good," he smirked.
Ginny was about to ask Andrea something else, and Draco took the opportunity to make eye contact with Sirius. "Nice," he mouthed and gave him a thumb up. Sirius only winked and grinned...the whole exchange was lost on the two women...
"Well, I think I ought to introduce you to everyone else," Sirius said after Ginny and Andrea had finished talking.
"Good idea," Ginny agreed. "I'll see you around!"
With that, the new couple departed, and Draco saw a chance to do what he had been planning to do ever since he had met Ginny and made up his mind about her. He excused himself from her, saying he needed to talk to Harry about something in the Ministry. She insisted on coming with him, but he reassured her it would only be a quick minute before he returned...
Sneaking past the other members, he took out his wand, and charmed a small mound in front of the backyard doors so he could stand and be heard above the crowd.
He amplified his voice magically. "Can I have your attention, please?"
Everyone stopped talking at once, and turned to see him standing up there. "Thank you!"
Gone was the smooth personality that was a trademark of the Malfoy family. Now, his nervous side showed....
"Ginny Weasley," he said clearly, but his voice still shook. "Will you marry me?" Holding out his arm, he opened his fist, and a black box with a beautiful diamond ring in it caused the crowd to gasp in amazement.
"YES!"
Smiling ear to ear, Ginny ran up to Draco, threw herself onto him, and almost knocked him over. She kissed him soundly, between repeating yes breathlessly. Around them, cheers, shouts, and congratulations were offered up from numerous voices...
The night was simply amazing. Sleep was forgotten, as large amounts of food, alcohol and humour were consumed amid the constant well wishes for those honoured by the circumstances. Even the author was there, and even if he thought Sirius was a lucky bastard, could not help but wish the happy couple all the best...
A/N: And this, for now, is the longest chapter in the story!
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