The Burrow was a crowded place. Magically enlarged to fit the people living under its roof, the building looked like it might fall down at any second. Yet the inhabitants knew it was probably more stable than any other house in the village.

Mr and Mrs Weasley lived at the Burrow. In the past, they had hoped that by the time all their children had graduated from Hogwarts, they would be living a quiet life, just the two of them. But that was not the case, and their life was anything but quiet.

Although only two Weasley children currently lived at home, the house was busier than it might have been. For with Ron and Ginny, the youngest, came their friends, Harry and Hermione. In normal circumstances, Mrs Weasley would never have allowed them to live in the house, but Harry and Hermione had been part of the family for ten years, and Mrs Weasley looked at them as her own children.

Moreover, Mr Weasley had decided that as Harry and Hermione were living at the Burrow permanently, they should be given their own rooms. Despite their protests, the Burrow was magically enlarged once more to accommodate them. The Burrow had rarely been emptier, but rooms were kept ready for all of the children who no longer lived in the house.

George usually lived above his joke shop in Diagon Alley. However, Mrs Weasley ensured his room was kept ready for whenever he decided to take a break from the cramped flat.

Percy Weasley had a house a fair way from the family home with his wife, Penelope, (previously Penelope Clearwater), who was seven and a half months pregnant.

Charlie, the furthest of the Weasley children from settling down despite being the second eldest, was still living in Romania and working with Dragons. On his occasional trips to the Burrow, he made sure to visit all his siblings and catch up with them. He realised that George, for one, was in a very different environment in his tiny flat over the shop than at the Burrow. For George lived alone in his flat; it was very unlike the Burrow, which was always full of life as people came and went.

Bill, the eldest, still lived in Shell Cottage with his wife, Fleur (who had just announced she was pregnant),and their one year old daughter, Victoire. They had named their first daughter Victoire because she was born on the second of May, exactly a year after the battle of Hogwarts. Currently, they were toying with names for their next child.


Ginny, the youngest and only girl out of the Weasley children, was working alongside her friend, Luna, in printing The Quibbler. Luna had taken over the post of editor from her father and had appointed Ginny to help her. This worked well for Ginny because she didn’t really have a boss, and the flexible hours meant she had plenty of time for Quidditch training, as well as seeing her friends and boyfriend. She had become Chaser for the Hollyhead Harpies, her all-time favourite Quidditch team, a few months ago, and still she felt like she was in a dream. There was, of course, a negative side to every dream, and the amount of hours they spent training was, in Ginny’s eyes, ridiculous. However, she did have to admit that, at the end of the game, it was all worthwhile.
One afternoon after a long training session, Ginny traipsed back into the Burrow, feeling well practised but tired. She wanted to change, have a shower and sink into Harry’s arms, but he was still working at the Ministry. Being the Head of Aurors took a lot of time, and Ginny almost didn’t see the point in having such short hours if Harry was going to work into the night.

She showered and changed, put on her most comfortable, fluffy slippers and snuggled down in her favourite armchair. Hermione, her best friend, joined her, collapsing onto the sofa.

“Hard day?� Ginny said sympathetically.

Hermione gave a noncommittal grunt.

Ready to go to bed and collapse straight into a deep sleep, Ginny sat up, knowing she had to be a good friend and talk to Hermione.

“How are things with Ron?� she asked.

Hermione groaned. “Terrible! I mean, there’s something there, but neither of us quite knows how to initiate it.�

Ginny nodded. “I’m sure it will happen, eventually. Has anything happened?� she added, in spite of herself.

“No.� Hermione sighed. “We seem to have these constant awkward moments where one of us says something, and we suddenly realise it’s not the sort of humour we can use around each other anymore, if you know what I mean.�

Ginny didn’t really, never having had this sort of problem. Harry was the only boyfriend she’d had whom she had been friends with first; they had started dating impulsively and hadn’t had any problems since. Ron and Hermione’s situation was very different, and Ginny wasn’t exactly surprised they weren’t finding it as easy as she had.

“It’s as if we’re both really conscious because it’s us, if you see what I mean. I love Ron to bits, but it almost feels wrong.� She sighed, and Ginny patted her on the shoulder, making a mental note to ask Harry what Ron had to say on the subject.

***
One of those awkward moments arose the next day. Harry, Ginny, and Mr Weasley had gone to work. Mrs Weasley had gone to Diagon Alley. Ron, who was also an Auror, was ill and had told Harry he would have to stay home – actually, Mrs Weasley had told Harry. Hermione, who worked part-time, was also at home.

Hermione knew it should be her duty as the almost-girlfriend to look after Ron, especially since Mrs Weasley had gone out. She made him some soup, and handed it to him rather nervously. She had always been anxious about presenting her cooking to anyone, especially Ron, since he had been so rude about it during their year on the run.

She watched as he appreciatively drank the soup, wiping his mouth as he finished, and smiled at her.

“Thanks,� he said, and she relaxed. “That was great.�

They stared at each other for a while, not really sure what to say or do. Ron lay back on his pillow, and Hermione made a point of gathering up his tissues (without using magic) and throwing them away.

“So.� Ron sighed, looking out the window. “Lovely weather today, huh?� He groaned to himself. The situation was so awkward he had found the need to comment on the weather.

“Gorgeous,� Hermione said, half-heartedly. “How’s work been?� she asked after a long pause.

“All right,� he said, not giving his answer much thought. “There isn’t really a lot to do nowadays, you know?�

“Mmm...� Hermione said, nodding. “Anyway, I’ll leave you in peace.� She got up and made to leave the room.

“Don’t go!� Ron said.

“What?� she asked, turning around.

“I mean, err...� Ron’s ears turned red. “Please don’t leave.�

“I’ve got to do some work for your mum, I promised her I’d do it.� Hermione started backing out of the room, when Ron, with a sudden energy, jumped out of bed, walked over to her, took her arms in his hands, and gently pulled her close to him. He leaned in and kissed her, and she relaxed, not only allowing Ron to kiss her but kissing him back.

***
A while later, once Mrs Weasley had returned from Diagon Alley and Ginny was back from Luna’s for lunch before Quidditch practice, Ron and Hermione emerged from the stairs, holding hands and looking happy, hardly taking their eyes off each other.

Fortunately, Mrs Weasley had left the room to start making lunch, and Ginny was sitting, sprawled on the sofa, alone. She looked up as they entered the room.

“Feeling better R - Oh!� She gasped, looking at their intertwined hands. “Are you guys - Are you?� she squealed.

They both nodded, smiling at each other and sharing a quick kiss.

“Oh, God,� Ginny said. “Are you going to be all over each other all the time? Because I think that’s slightly hypocritical of you, Ron.�

They quickly dropped each other’s hands as Mrs Weasley came back into the room.

“Oh there you are, dears,� she said. “Are you feeling better, Ron? I’ll make you some lunch if you want; I’m making mine and Ginny’s now anyway.�

“Yeah, thanks!� Ron said enthusiastically, helping himself to a chocolate frog that lay discarded on the kitchen table. He and Hermione had agreed earlier they were going to tell everyone about their relationship at dinner, which Harry and Ginny had promised to be around for.

“Ron!� Mrs Weasley scolded. “I’ve just said I’m going to make you lunch! Don’t snack on those little treats right before a meal!�

Ron groaned and rolled his eyes at Hermione and Ginny, who both raised their eyebrows.

“Why don’t you get lunch, Ron?� Ginny asked sweetly.

“Ha. Ha. Ha,� Ron said sarcastically.

“I think that would be a good idea, actually.� Mrs Weasley smiled, her eyes shining. “Ron, you need to learn this sort of thing; go and make us lunch. Hermione, Ginny, help him.� She walked past them and lay down on the sofa, opening her copy of Witch Weekly and beginning to read.

The three young adults exchanged looks and proceeded into the kitchen, shooting amused glances at Mrs Weasley as she lay on the sofa. Slowly, they began to fix lunch.
“Hurry up!� Mrs Weasley called from behind her magazine.

*
Ginny was happy that Ron and Hermione had finally got their act together, but she was also a tiny bit jealous. She was worried her relationship with Harry was breaking down because of his being overworked. The long hours he spent at the Ministry meant they saw very little of each other, except on Sunday afternoon, which Harry took off every week without fail.

Not that there was anything she could do. She knew Harry had dreamed of being an Auror since he was thirteen and that he loved his work, but she couldn’t help wondering if it should it come before her. And it wasn’t like she didn’t have fun when she wasn’t working or training. She loved hanging around with Ron, or Hermione, or anyone who happened to be popping into the house, but it wasn’t the same as being with Harry.

***
That evening was one of the few evenings where everyone had dinner at the same time. George had come to stay for the weekend, so he was there, as were Ron (who had miraculously recovered), Ginny, Hermione and Harry, who had left work early to make the meal.

Mrs Weasley served them all an amazing dinner, with golden roasted chicken and pork and every sort of potato. Harry hadn’t had a meal like this since Hogwarts, and he wasn’t sure if they were going to manage the meal with just seven off them. Evidently he was wrong: Ron was already swallowing what looked like half a chicken.

Harry couldn’t help but notice that Hermione kept raising her eyebrows pointedly across the table at Ron, and he knew it wasn’t because of Ron’s eating habits, which they had long grown accustomed to. Halfway through the meal, Ron cleared his throat, and everyone stopped talking. Ginny even let go of Harry’s hand under the table.

“I want you guys to meet someone,� he said.

“Now, Ron?� Mrs Weasley said. “We’re in the middle of a meal!�

“Yes, now!� Ron said, his voice full of annoyance.

Harry groaned. Was Ron going to introduce a new girlfriend? That’s what it sounded like. How could he do that? According to Ginny, Ron and Hermione were still in some sort of relationship, just not one with a name. He couldn’t be introducing a new girlfriend. He just couldn’t. Hermione would be heartbroken, and how could he do that when they were so close? After that kiss at the battle of Hogwarts, Harry had thought everything would be fine between them, but it hadn’t been.

“I’d like you to meet my new girlfriend,� Ron said.

George and Harry both exchanged nervous, confused looks. Mr and Mrs Weasley didn’t know anything about Ron and Hermione being in any sort of relationship other than friendship, and Ginny already knew they were together, together.

“I know you will like her,� Ron continued. “She’s funny, and pretty and clever – really, really, really clever. Oh, and she’s sitting opposite me,� he finished with a grin, loving the looks of confusion on Harry’s and George’s faces.

Hermione blushed, but her face lit up as she smiled at Ron and the group. There were a series of cheers at the news, and then Mrs Weasley brought out pudding.

After dinner, Hermione and Ron were sitting curled up on the sofa, Harry in the nearest armchair, trying his best to get a decent word out of the pair.

“So when did this happen?� he asked yet again; this time he got a response.

“This morning,� Hermione said. “I brought him some soup.�

“And then I just kissed her!� Ron said. “And then...�

“Stop, right there,� Harry said. “Never go there with me, okay?�

“Wha-?� Ron looked indignant.

“Or I’ll talk to you about me and Ginny,� Harry finished, grinning.

Ron looked like he was about to hit him. Hermione laughed and kissed him, and that was obviously the signal for Harry to leave and that the conversation, if you could call it that, was over.

Harry headed towards the kitchen to help Mrs Weasley clean up, but Ginny got to him before he made it that far.

“Hello,� she said, taking his hand. “Come for a walk.� She guided him out of the house and into the yard. She took him to a secluded area, almost in woodland, that she had come to many times as a child.

Harry wasn’t really sure what Ginny was doing, so he chose not to say anything and let her start the conversation.

“I miss you,� she said softly. “I miss you when you’re at work.�

“I know,� Harry replied. “I miss you too.�

“And I feel like – like more recently, since you’ve been working longer hours and everything, I feel like your slipping away from me, and I feel like our relationship is slipping away with you.�

“Are you breaking up with me?� Harry asked calmly.

“No!� Ginny said, startled. “I love you, Harry. But we don’t have that closeness that we had anymore.�

“What do you mean?� Harry asked.

“I mean, we used to be with each other every minute of every day! And I’m not saying we can do that, it’s stupid to think we can do that – we’ve both got careers and they mean a lot to us - it’s just... I was wondering if you could maybe get some more time off from the ministry. Perhaps so we could go away together one weekend.�

“Just a weekend?� Harry asked, stepping closer to her. “Do you really think that’s long enough?�

“Well, I-�

But Ginny couldn’t finish because Harry took her in his arms and kissed her full on the mouth. She smiled - this was what she had been missing - and wrapped her arms around him. She finally withdrew her lips from his, and both of them stood still for a moment, catching their breath.

“Perhaps a week then?� Ginny gasped.

“A week in Paris.� Harry smiled. “My treat!�

Ginny beamed at him and threw her arms around his neck once more, pressing her lips to his.

***
The next day, Harry took off work again, putting Ron in charge of the Aurors, and went with Ginny to the nearest Muggle city to find a Travel Agent and get some holiday brochures. They had agreed to stay a little outside of Paris and the noise of the city, but close enough so they could go to the Eiffel Tower and out for dinner whenever they wanted.


They spent the next few days pouring over holiday brochures in the living room, deciding where to go. Booking a villa on the outskirts of Paris in such short notice wasn’t easy. It was three weeks before they found one that was available and that they absolutely loved. To top it all off, the villa was only 700€ for the full seven days.

The house owner had suggested several means of transport, but, planning to Apparate there, they hastily said they had transport already planned.

Ginny had obviously grown up in a wizarding family with no idea of how Muggles booked holidays, and Harry wasn’t allowed on the holidays with the Dursley’s, let alone to help book them, so Hermione, who had planned holidays with her parents many times, was guiding them through the process.

In a few weeks, Ginny and Harry had organized everything for the trip.

“So we’re done!� Ginny said brightly. “Everything’s ready!�

“Uh-oh,� Harry said. “Almost everything.�

“What do you mean? What have we forgotten?�

“I didn’t think, because we’re not travelling via Muggle methods, but some places, particularly in France, ask for proof of identity - passports and that sort of thing.�

“Passports?� asked Ginny.

“Passports!?� Mr Weasley had come into the room. “Amazing invention by Muggles, the passport. It allows you to travel from one country to the other, am I right Harry? And if you don’t have a passport, you can’t leave your country! Imagine loosing it on holiday and not being able to get home... What might you do then, Harry?�

“I really don’t know,� Harry said, trying to avoid Hermione’s eye, knowing they would both burst out laughing. “But they also ask to see your passports if you want to do something like, I dunno, go up the Eiffel Tower. We don’t have passports!�

“Oh!� Ginny gasped. “What are we going to do?�

“Can’t you make them one?� Ron asked Hermione.

“Well I could, but it would be illegal!� Hermione said.

“Oh, well, nobody’s going to know,� Ron said. “Come on Hermione, scared of breaking school rules?�

“Ron!� Hermione said, aghast. “This is much more serious than school rules!�

Harry snorted, and quickly turned it into a coughing fit.

“But you’ll be able to do it really well, Hermione,� Ron pleaded.

Hermione sighed. “Oh, fine. I’ll just get mine so I know exactly what it needs to look like.

“Thanks!� Harry called after her.

Five minutes later, Hermione returned, handing them two passports. Mr Weasley was beside himself with excitement as he looked through the crisp pages, fascinated by the typing and reading every single word, though he seemed confused. “Is it meant to be full of blank pages?� he asked, addressing no one in particular and getting no reply.

Harry opened his to the page with his photo, knowing that was the only bit anyone really cared about. Ginny, on the other hand, ploughed through hers page by page. When she hit the photo page she exclaimed:

“I’m not moving!�

“That’s what Muggle pictures are like!� Hermione said indignantly. “And I didn’t think it would be a good idea for some French man to open up your passport and see you guys moving around, did you?�

“No,� Ginny said quietly.

“This is brilliant!� Mr Weasley was practically jumping up and down.

“Where am I in this picture?� Ginny asked. “I’ve never been anywhere so white!�

“You’re in a sort of studio place when you get the photo taken,� Harry explained, biting back a laugh. “That’s why you’re not smiling or anything and your hair has to be out of your face, see?� He showed her his equally blank-faced picture.

Ginny smirked and added the passports to the pile on the table. “I can’t believe we’re going to Paris tomorrow!� she exclaimed.

She and Harry exchanged smiles as they left the passports and went into the kitchen with the others to prepare dinner.