Harry was understandably a nervous wreck. He was pacing back and forth in front of the fireplace at the Burrow, hands tousling his already messed up hair. He had come to pick up Ginny, so he could introduce her to his parents as his girlfriend.
“Oh calm down, you big baby,” Ginny chuckled, entering the living room and leaning against the door. She was wearing cream-colored trousers and a green shirt. “Shouldn't I be the nervous one here?”
“Yeah, but it's my parents!” Harry protested, “This is my first time bringing someone home!”
Ginny pushed herself off of the door, marching over to him and stopping him in his tracks. She gently smoothed wrinkles on his collar before giving him a long kiss. She felt his shoulders relax against her, before he wrapped his arms around her small frame.
Pulling back with sparkling eyes and an amused grin, she uttered, “It might have escaped your notice, love, but I’ve been to Potter Manor more times than we’ve snogged, and that’s saying something.”
Harry ignored the flush rising to his cheeks and brushed a strand of hair away from her face, smiling gently at her. He loved her twinkling eyes, “I suppose,” he replied.
“And besides,” Ginny exclaimed, head throwing back in laughter, bright, copper hair hanging over Harry’s arms, “I’m the favorite Weasley, so what’s the problem?”
He pinched her nose, but not entirely refuting her claims. She was indeed James Potter’s favorite Weasley, and no one, not even Ron comes close. Ginny at five knew that James was a chaser, and that was exactly who she wanted to be. They lived a few kilometers from the Burrow in Devon, and when the Weasleys came over to visit their new neighbors, Ginny had overheard Bill moaning about how Gryffindor hadn’t won in years after he left as captain and chaser. She walked that distance one time just to get to speak to James about chaser tactics and flying tips. James Potter, aghast at her determination, quickly picked her up and placed her on his hip, mildly scolding her for walking all that way on her own, before teaching her how to floo from the Burrow to their place.
James Potter was a goner.
Lily would giggle every time she saw flaring green flames and heard squeaky grunts from the living room, she’d call James over and tell him his girl was here, and they’d spend all afternoon out in the backyard. Ginny spent so much time at the manor that she sometimes accompanied Lily to the village to go shop for groceries, and to nonlocals, it would seem like it was just a mother and daughter shopping together, despite their hair being contrasting shades of red.
“Yeah,” Harry murmured into her hair, pulling her close. He liked having her near, she was safe, she was warm, and she was most definitely home. “You were my favorite too, y’know.”
James and Lily initially thought that their little Harry’s harrumps indicated jealousy. Well, he was jealous indeed, but only because his parents hogged all his time with his new friend, and he barely got to talk to her at all. Ron was closer to Neville when they were younger, and Harry naturally gravitated towards Ginny.
Despite their initial expectation that Harry would come to treat her as a sibling, they were pleasantly surprised to see their son perk up at the mention of her name, or blush when Ginny spoke sweetly to Harry.
“Potters and Gingers!” sang Sirius, happily prancing around the kitchen when he spotted Harry wrapping a birthday gift for Ginny on the table one summer night, a deep green diary with a matching pen with her initials engraved, he’d done that himself. Harry had blushed but not said anything, choosing to throw the roll of tape on his Godfather’s head when he was done wrapping.
“It’s her 11th birthday!” Harry had cried, “It’s got to be special!”
Sirius was rubbing the swelling bump on his forehead at this point, “I didn’t even say anything bad!” He turned toward his bestfriends, a massive grin plastered on his face. “I’m betting when Harry’s 15!”
“That’s completely preposterous,” Lily scolded, brandishing her batter-covered whisk at Sirius, “He’ll be 16,” she added.
James glanced at his wife appreciatively, watching her delicate fingers whisk away at her muffin batter, “I’m saying 13.”
“What are you guys even talking about!” Harry scowled from his seat, “A bunch of nutters you are.”
“What was that dear?” Lily asked, an eyebrow arched.
“Nothing!” replied Harry loudly, “I’m going to bed! Don’t let Sirius spread fleas all over the house again! Night mum, dad, Siri.”
Ginny sighed happily, leaning her head on his shoulder, “Well, unfortunately your dad was my favorite when I was 5,” she muttered, inhaling the perfume he sprayed over his neck, “But good thing I’m 15 now and terribly in love with your scrawny ass and everything it entails.”
“Geez, thanks,” said Harry dryly. He pulled back, and he felt Ginny straighten his glasses, kissing him. Grinning, he stroked her cheek and kissed her back too.
Molly Weasley had watched all of this from the gap of the door from the kitchen, “If you two are done being sickeningly sweet, I believe James and Lily are waiting, best not to keep them up,” she reminded them.
“Yes mum,” Ginny chuckled, “C’mon love, we’ll go together.”
“Bye Mrs. Weasley!” yelled Harry.
“Have fun you two,” she replied, watching them get whisked away in green flames with fond eyes.
————————————————————————————
“Who do you think he’s bringing home?” James whispered worriedly to his wife. He was dismayed to see that he was sweating a little.
Lily was bustling about the kitchen, putting items back in their place with subtle flicks of her wand, “Relax James, I’m sure she’s going to be lovely.”
They’d picked up Harry from the station at the end of fifth year, watching him approach them with something in between a nervous expression and a beaming smile.
“I have a girlfriend and I’m bringing her for lunch tomorrow,” he blurted.
“I..” James stammed, appalled, you can really see where Harry gets his eloquence, “I, okay, sure. Will that be okay Lily-love?”
Lily was smirking at her son, “Of course.”
So here they were, in the kitchen, waiting for their son to come back with his girlfriend in tow. His lovely wife was simply wearing a pale yellow sundress that rested just below her knees, while he wore a button down polo. He had to look his best of course, he didn’t want his son’s girlfriend to think they were bonkers. Of course, that was unless his girlfriend was his makeshift daughter that he hopes will become an in-law, but he put thoughts of that out of his mind. His son was surprisingly tight-lipped about the whole ordeal, and he didn’t want to disrespect his girlfriend.
The floo flared and James sprinted to the living room, only to find a cursing Sirius, dressed in his usual white shirt-leather combo.
“Really Prongs?” Sirius cried, clutching his shirt with one hand and placing the back of the other on his forehead, “I’m not going to miss my only Godson’s first ever girlfriend’s meet-the-parents lunch!”
James just pinched the bridge of nose, vaguely he could hear his wife’s rich laugh in the background of his ringing ears, “Just behave alright,” he scolded Sirius, “If you scare her away so help me.”
“Well,” Lily mused, “If she can’t handle Sirius at his best behavior do you really think Harry would even consider dating her? Have some faith in your son.”
Behind Sirius the floo flared a bright green once more, and James fisted his palms in his pockets, trying to expel his giddiness. He first spotted his own son, his very own twin in everything but the eyes, the familiar messy mop of black hair was welcome.
It was then he spotted a pale hand intertwined with his son’s fingers. And before they knew it they were blinded by copper red. James was sure his grin was large enough to terrify little children. Harry stepped forward looking shy, while his girlfriend, Ginny stepped forward with a spring in her step.
“Surprise!” she chirped, wrapping an arm around Harry’s waist.
“Yes,” Lily cried, running forward and hugging Ginny tightly, effectively pulling her away from Harry, “I just knew it. Your father and Sirius owe me 10 galleons each.”
Sirius cheered, jumping like a kid during Christmas morning, “It’s about time! Do you have any idea how long we were waiting for this moment,” he slapped his Godson’s back a few times, enticing grunts from Harry, “We’re not getting any younger kids, ooh-ho! But I feel like I de-aged a few years after this news.” He was hugging Ginny now, passing Harry to his mother, “It’s like you two were 5 and 6 again.”
Taking on a more tone, “No really, I’m very happy for you two Ginbug,” he whispered tenderly to Ginny. She pulled back, kissing his cheek lightly. Sirius had been like an extra brother to her growing up, and he was just as important to her as Bill, Charlie, or any of the older Weasleys.
“Thanks,” she replied brightly, eyes alight with joy.
Harry had a full blown toothy smile on his face now, his heart bursting with so much warmth, he knew he was worried for nothing, but to see all the people he loved most in one room was another kind of happiness. He knew Ginny would complete his family the moment he saw her burst into their living room when they were younger, a rickety old broom in her hands.
James was the last one to speak, and didn’t for a long time. Merely pulling his son and soon to be daughter (officially!) in a weirdly angled trio hug.
“Bloody hell you two,” James sighed, he was mortified to feel his already blurry eyes blurring further due to the build up of tears, “You have no idea how happy this makes me.”
“I think I have an idea, dad.”