Gift fic for Sun and Smut participants and watchers!

[tarie]

TO: The sunandsmut participants and watchers!
FROM: ANONYMOUS
TITLE: On This Day
PAIRING: Harry/Ginny
RATING: R
SUMMARY: If things had been different, today would have been Ginny Wealsey's wedding day…
DISCLAIMER: Anything recognizable belongs to JK Rowling.

On This Day

Ginny Weasley stood just inside the door and watched him sleep. A peaceful look had settled over his face, which caused a slow smile to spread across her lips. That's how he deserved to look, peaceful.

With a flick of her wand, Ginny cast a Locking and Silencing Charm on the private hospital room where Harry lay. He hadn't wanted the private room, being content to recover in the expanded first floor where so many other witches and wizards were recovering. But the Ministry insisted. To them, being a war hero had its privileges, even when they weren't needed or wanted.

Wondering if this was how a thief felt, Ginny walked silently into the room, waiting patiently for Harry to wake up. She knew he would eventually - he hadn't slept through the night in years - and seeing that it was two o'clock in the morning, Ginny had nowhere else to be. So she waited.

If things had been different, if Voldemort hadn't chosen to attack the Ministry on the night after a full moon, she and Harry would be wed today. On New Year's Eve, Harry asked if she wanted to get married. Ginny said yes instantly, not caring that she was only nineteen and Harry only twenty, and quickly plans went forward for a small wedding. Very small, not anything like the overdone affair that had been Bill and Fleur's wedding.

They chose the spring equinox, both liking the idea of marrying on a date that represented rebirth and renewal. But the war had other plans for them.

Sooner than she thought, Harry let out a whimper, which turned into a groan. Her breath hitched as she realised by the fitful movements that Harry was having a nightmare. Every instinct was to wake him up, bring him to her breast and hold him until he fell asleep again.

Though Ginny knew better than that. She had learned enough from her experiences with nightmares that it was best to allow the dream to reach its natural conclusion. Then it was over and done with. Ginny never liked having a dream interrupted, because that meant it could always come back.

After more than five minutes of clenching her hands tightly into fists, waiting for the nightmare to end, Harry was still. Her eyes lingered over his body, looking at the changes since the Final Reckoning, or whatever the Daily Prophet called it now. Ginny secretly liked what The Quibbler called the fight, which was Destiny's Doomsday. Much catchier.

Harry had prevailed, but at a cost, having been hit with some sort of spell that had left him very weak. And even after seven days of treatment in St. Mungo's, he had regained no strength. The Healers were uncertain when he would. Ginny liked to think positively, reminding herself that it was a matter of when, not if, he regained his strength.

It wasn't just his body that had changed, losing a good deal of weight quickly, but also his face. Gone were any traces of boyhood in his face; now there were lines etched deep in his forehead and around his eyes. This morning when she had visited, there was stubble on his face, though it was gone now. Someone must have let him shave. Ginny smiled. Harry had been complaining about needing a shave for days.

"Ginny?"

She hadn't notice him waking. "The one and only."

Harry propped himself up with his elbows. "What are you doing here?"

"I went to Remus' memorial service. I told everyone that I was representing both of us," Ginny said, ignoring the question, sitting down on a nearby chair and bringing her knees up to her chest.

"How was it?" Harry asked, leaning back down on the pillows.

"I thought it would be more upsetting than it actually was," Ginny admitted. "Tonks seemed pretty determined to make it a celebration."

Nodding, Harry looked away from her and gazed out the window. "It's got to be the middle of the night," Harry said finally.

"It's two o'clock," Ginny replied.

His head turned towards her, silently asking why she was here.

Ginny looked down at the floor and shrugged. "I couldn't sleep."

"So you came here," Harry said.

Thinking that Harry was pointing out the obvious, Ginny decided not to answer. So she changed subjects. "Do you know what today is?"

She could see Harry trying to remember, followed by the realisation that he didn't know the answer. "I really don't even know what day of the week it is," Harry said apologetically. "Please don't make me guess."

Standing up, Ginny motioned for Harry to move over in his hospital bed. She watched as Harry carefully moved over a bit. Tired, he then plopped back on the pillows. Once he was settled, Ginny carefully climbed into the hospital bed next to him. Resting her head on his shoulders, she took her hand in his and kissed it softly, letting out a sigh.

"So what day is it?" Harry asked curiously.

"Today's our wedding day."

Harry made no response and instead turned away from her. While Ginny was certainly no Legilimens, it didn't take an expert to know that he had become upset. Saying nothing, Ginny simply waited for Harry to speak.

"Do you still want to marry me?" asked Harry in a voice that was far too serious for Ginny's liking.

Titling her head to the side, Ginny tried to ignore the icy cold pit that had formed in her stomach. She knew Harry would just shrug off any positive answer Ginny gave him, so she asked, "Why do you think I wouldn't want to?"

"You deserve more than…" His voice trailed off as he waved his hand towards his legs, indicating his general weakness.

"I thought we were done with you deciding every aspect of our relationship," Ginny said in a light voice. Bringing up the Healer's encouraging words and hopes for the chance to walk again would not help. That's not what Harry wanted right now. Right now, he wanted to be reassured.

"I know."

"Do you still love me?" asked Ginny in a quiet voice.

"Of course I do," Harry replied at once.

"Say the words," Ginny told him.

"I love you," Harry said, the words no louder than a whisper.

"Then you are everything that I deserve, Harry." Ginny slipped her hand into his, thinking how unnatural yet natural holding his hand felt. Holding hands was not natural. It made muscles stretch and bones sit at odd angles.

But when Harry held her hand, it was as if a storm at sea finally ended, leaving only the darkened sky and peaceful waves.

This was simply part of the storm. She knew that Harry didn't mean what he just said about marriage. It was simply a defense mechanism, like when he broke up with her the first time. All she had to do was wait out the storm.

When Harry didn't say any more, Ginny leaned forward and captured his lips between hers. Sharing their first kiss since he had been in St. Mungo's made Ginny remember just how much Harry felt like home.

It was a soft kiss, anything more passionate wouldn't have felt right at that moment. One hand rested on Harry's cheek, letting her feel the smooth skin with just a hint of stubble underneath.

She breathed in quickly when she felt Harry's fingers on her waist, just below where her t-shirt had ridden up. Lips parted and Ginny knew that any objection to their marriage had already been forgotten as he slowly explored her mouth with his tongue.

His lips trailed down the curve of her jaw to her earlobe, where he sucked gently. "I'm glad you still want to marry me," he whispered.

Pulling away, Ginny looked at Harry with a small smile on her face. "I'll marry you right now," she told him.

His brow furrowed, indicating that he wasn't quite sure what she meant. Ginny in fact thought it was an inspired idea. Even if it wasn't an official marriage, they could still pledge themselves to each other. Being careful not to put any pressure on his legs, Ginny gently straddled him, only letting her weight fall on his hips.

There was a slightly bemused look on his face as he looked at the door of his room. "Do you have a Ministry official and some witnesses back there?"

Ginny threw back her head and laughed. "We already have the certificate," she reminded him.

"Do you really think I'm going to risk the wrath of your mother by denying her your wedding?" asked Harry.

Biting her lower lip thoughtfully, Ginny said, "We could consider this a pre-ceremony ceremony. Still go through the whole Mum run affair later, but this could be for us."

Harry's eyes softened as he tightened his grip on her waist. He nodded, and Ginny knew that he agreed with the idea.

She thought of reciting the vows she had prepared for their actual ceremony when her mouth went dry. The flowery words she had so carefully written and memorised seemed completely wrong for this moment. They would have been perfect if they were at the wedding they had planned, outside, with Ginny wearing her mother's wedding dress. But here, in the St. Mungo's, the words didn't fit.

So she would find new words. Though how in the world could she actually put in words how much he meant to her? She had loved him for so long that she couldn't remember not loving him.

Taking hold of his nightshirt, Ginny said as devoutly as she could, "I, Ginny Weasley, promise to love and cherish you for as long as we both shall live."

The words were simple and traditional, yet exactly what she wanted to say. A smile spread over Harry's face as he reached up and stroked her cheek, eliciting a small shiver down her spine.

She knew that at this very moment, she and Harry would be evoking a magic more powerful than a simple wedding ceremony could provide. They were truly committing to each other no matter the consequences.

"And I, Harry Potter, promise to love and cherish you for as long as we both shall live."

Silence. Ginny closed her eyes and leaned forward, resting her forehead against his. Through words, she truly believed that Harry had just become her husband. Now, feeling a stirring deep within her, she knew that she wanted to become his not just in words, but in body as well.

It was technically their wedding night. This night was something she had dreamt about over and over again. They were both virgins by choice. Well, it was really Ginny's choice while Harry waited patiently for the day they wed.

Not wanting to think any more, Ginny kissed him hard. Her breath momentarily escaped her and when she pulled away, there was a look of surprise on Harry's face. "We're in St. Mungo's," Harry said softly.

Ginny moistened her lower lip. Suddenly more than anything in the world, she wanted to join with Harry in that way. She wanted to know what it would be like to have him fill her completely and to truly be half of a whole.

"We're in a private room," she told him. "A room which I've already put a locking and silencing charm on." Harry leaned back on the pillows and let out a breath. Ginny's eyes went wide. "Do you think you're too hurt?"

Letting out a small laugh, Harry asked, "I've been trying to get you in bed for years, and now you want to make love in the middle of the hospital?"

She gave Harry a stern look. "We weren't married then. We are now."

His face softened. "We really are, aren't we?" His voice portrayed a sort of awe that made Ginny glad that she was kneeling, as those same knees might have buckled if she was standing.

Ginny wasn't sure who made the first move, but at that point, logistics truly didn't matter. All that mattered was that his hands were tangling themselves in her hair, that she was unbuttoning his nightshirt, reveling in the bare skin she now felt under her hands.

She had expected Harry to touch her weakly, he was after all in the hospital, but his hands roamed her back and settled on her bum with an authority that Ginny found quite arousing.

Pushing herself up in a sitting position, Ginny pulled off her t-shirt. She was just about to lie back down on top of Harry when she felt a stiffness between her legs.

Harry looked slightly embarrassed. "At least that works."

"Were you worried?" Ginny asked curiously, running her hands over his chest.

"It's been a while since we've had a chance to cuddle," Harry mumbled.

She nodded. That was certainly the truth. Before Destiny's Doomsday, it had been at least a couple of weeks since they had been able to enjoy anything more than a quick kiss.

Lowering herself carefully, Ginny couldn't believe the different emotions that were running through her body at the moment. Anticipation was quickly overtaken by fear which then lost to excitement as their lips met again.

His hands left her bum and trailed up her back. With a motion they had practiced quite a bit in the beginning, Harry unhooked her bra and let it fall to the floor. Ginny placed her hands on his shoulders, raising herself slightly. His hands went right to her breasts, causing a small moan to escape from her lips.

This, they had done before, many times before. But somehow, things never felt as intense as they did right now. Every move that Harry's fingers made seemed to set Ginny's skin on fire.

When he squeezed her nipple, Ginny wondered how in the world she would be able to not to ravish him right at this second. But as Harry was so weak, she knew would have to do most of the work, which at the moment she didn't mind at all.

"Maybe it's good that I haven't been able to move for the past week," Harry laughed. "I've some energy saved."

Smiling, Ginny leaned forward. Placing her hand over his, she moved her breast so that he could take one of her nipples into her mouth. He sucked gently, his tongue swirling around her. Ginny arched her back slightly, pressing into his hardness. She moved again. Harry moaned, releasing her breast from his mouth.

Ginny smiled, delirious knowing that she had the power to make him groan like that. She wanted to hear that sound again and again.

But by then, Harry's mouth had found her other breast. While his tongue surveyed the new skin, Ginny ran her fingers through his hair, which was the perfect length now. Though she knew her mum thought he needed a haircut.

Her fingers itched to touch his skin, like he was touching her. She pulled at his hospital top. "What do you think?" she whispered. "Do we need a Severing Charm to get you naked or can I just rip this off of you?"

Harry threw back his head and laughed, causing Ginny to almost wish she said nothing at all, now that he wasn't doing that amazing thing with his tongue anymore.

"I think ripping is out of the question," Harry told her.

"Shame, I thought I could release some of my unbridled passion out on your hospital gown," Ginny snickered.

"I'll be the only one you take your unbridled passion out on, thank you very much." He looked at her. "Get up for a moment."

Ginny carefully moved to the side of the bed and watched Harry sit up weakly and take off his hospital gown, leaving him completely starkers. She had never seen him completely naked before, not like this, not at attention like he was.

Countless times, Ginny had felt him from underneath their clothes, but she never imagined that seeing him without clothes would be quite as glorious as it really was. And for a moment, Ginny wasn't sure which way was up and which way down.

"You know, if you're going to stare and make me feel objectified, I really only think it's fair that you take off your clothes as well," Harry grinned.

"Are you going to treat me like a piece of meat, Mister Potter?" asked Ginny, arching an eyebrow, reluctantly removing her eyes from his hardness.

"I'm certainly going to treat you like something, Mrs. Potter," Harry replied with a snigger.

The words Mrs. Potter caused her head to jerk up and her eyes go wide. "I am, aren't I?" Ginny asked, trying to keep the astonishment out of her voice. Mrs. Potter. Ginny remembered dreaming of that when she was little, before she even met him, when her parents told bedtime stories of the great Harry Potter. And here she was. Mrs. Potter.

"Unless you want to be Ms. Weasley-Potter, of course," Harry said thoughtfully.

"Mrs. Potter will do quite nicely, thank you," Ginny replied magnanimously.

"Excellent. Now please fix the problem of you not being naked."

Turning on her back, Ginny slid out of the long skirt she had been wearing, leaving only her bright pink knickers. Harry reached out and touched them. "These really clash horribly with your hair."

"Don't interrupt me if you want me naked," Ginny said, playfully slapping his hand away.

A maneuver or two later, she was naked. They were naked. Together, for the first time.

Harry had turned, and they lie there, side by side and simply looked at each other. His breath was slightly labored, like hers. They seemed to breathe in rhythm, and Ginny could only imagine that their hearts were beating at the same rate, while their blood coursed through their veins at the same pace.

"I love you," Ginny said, the playfulness disappearing from her voice.

"I love you, too, Ginny." His face turned serious. "We don't have to do this, Ginny. If you want to wait until we're legally married…"

She took his hand. "We're married. Saying the same words in front of a crowd and then feeding them wouldn't make me feel any more married than I do right now."

Harry gulped. "Right, then."

His eyes left hers and roamed her body. Instead of feeling nervous, she was exhilarated. Ginny knew she didn't have the best body in the world, she was a bit stocky and her shoulders were far too square for her liking, but Harry didn't seem to realise any of that as he stared at her.

Not wanting to deny herself any longer, Ginny moved so that there was no space between them. She started kissing his neck, licking and sucking, while being amazed by the heat she felt between them.

Her hands felt completely restless, so she let them explore, through his hair, over his chest, over every inch of bare skin, except for the one place they wanted to go, demanded to go, really. Ginny felt like saving that, letting things build up between them until it was unbearable, which it was quickly becoming.

She could feel muscles underneath his skin, muscles that weren't nearly as defined as they had been only a week ago. But even if Harry wasn't as strong physically, mentally, she couldn't remember a time when he dealt with everything around him so calmly. That he could work with the newspapers and Ministry's questions from his hospital bed without resorting to yelling. That he could deal with endless visitors and well wishers. He was so strong and he didn't even realise it.

They started kissing again, and Ginny thought it was quite possible that she would never be able to get enough of him. Though she would certainly try her best. The kisses were deep and longing, quite different from the light, flirtatious kisses they had shared earlier.

She put her arms around his waist, bringing herself closer to him. His thickness was right there, waiting, teasing, wanting. Merlin, it was unfair how much she needed him. Though Ginny was comforted by the fact that he wanted her just as much.

Rubbing against him slowly, she closed her eyes in not quite satisfaction when Harry moaned her name. She could feel the tension in his body, coiled tight in a spring, and felt slightly guilty when she realised that Harry wouldn't be able to do that much to help relieve any of that feeling without her help.

She was ready. As gently as she could, Ginny pushed Harry onto his back. Then she finally gave into the urge to touch him there. Her small hands wrapped around his shaft and secretly she delighted in the fact that she couldn't wrap her fingers all the way around.

"Ginny, please," Harry moaned.

While Ginny may not actually have ever given a hand job before, she had certainly read enough witches' magazines to know how to work the equipment. She stroked, pretending that she was polishing her broom, like those magazines instructed. Slowly at first, then picking up speed.

When he moaned again, Ginny realised just how much power she currently held in her hands. At this moment, Harry would probably do or say anything for her. She certainly wasn't one to abuse that type of power, but knowing she had it, made her more aroused than she thought possible.

So aroused, that she thought she might burst if he wasn't inside her soon, if they weren't whole together. As she removed her hand, Harry's eyes opened quickly in protest. Though his inhaled deeply as she straddled herself over him.

This was the part where Ginny wasn't quite sure what to do. In all of her fantasies of making love to Harry for the first time, she certainly wasn't on top. The dreams always centered with him thrusting on top of her with her legs wrapped firmly around his waist.

But that was not a possibility, not with Harry barely able to move. It was up to her to make this work. She now had one singular focus, joining them together.

Taking him again in her hand, Ginny knelt up high on her knees and positioned herself over his hardness. Lowering herself slowly, Ginny realised quickly that she had positioned wrong, causing a sharp pain to course through her.

Her eyes closed quickly and she could feel Harry's hands on her waist. "Was that it? Are you hurt?" he asked in a voice that already was slightly husky.

Ginny forced herself to smile. "I don't think it was. Let me try again."

She tried again, biting her lip, knowing that this was how it was supposed to be as she felt him stretching her, making her whole. Once he was inside her completely, Ginny balanced herself by putting her hands on his shoulders. Breathing deeply, she tried to ignore the dull pain that had started. Somehow she thought it would be different. Maybe she had read too many of her mother's romance novels, all which told her she should have felt a sharp pain, but then be easily whisked away to a climax. Instead, she felt full, only a dull ache, really.

"Are you…"

"I'm not ready to move yet," Ginny said quickly.

"Alright," replied Harry at once. He let out a deep breath. "You feel bloody amazing."

Ginny grinned, wanting to be back in control like she had holding his shaft in her hand. She moved forward a bit, not being sure how far to go, as she didn't want him slipping out of her.

So she rocked her hips back, groaning herself when he was in her the furthest. Determined to set a rhythm, Ginny grabbed Harry's shoulders more tightly and started rocking. Harry responded immediately, tightening the grip on her waist.

For a moment, Ginny started worrying about how she looked, probably awkward, on top of him. But then she forced those thoughts quickly out of her head. Because at once, she felt an overpowering sense of love.

She had always thought the term 'making love' was silly. But now, now that they were actually sharing that experience, Ginny realised that love was exactly what was being created between them. She felt no shame at any ineptitude she might display, because she was loved. And Harry was loved. They were love.

Emboldened by that knowledge, Ginny leaned down, awkwardly changing the rhythm that she had set. Harry raised his head and kissed her, and Ginny was convinced that it was the most perfect kiss they had ever shared.

The continued kissing, all while Ginny felt the heat between her legs, heat that was beginning to surge through her body. And soon, Harry couldn't kiss her at all. Though Ginny knew that she was also in no position to kiss, seeing by the way her breath was becoming laboured.

Ginny picked up the pace, digging her fingernails into his shoulders. She was certain that Harry was close, and wanted to watch when he finished.

His eyes fluttered open. "Are you…are…"

Letting out a bit of a breathless laugh, Ginny said, "No, go." She knew he was asking if she was going to finish, and her heart warmed at the consideration. Ginny knew she wouldn't be climaxing, not the very first time they had sex, but there were plenty of other ways Harry could make it up to her.

At once, Harry shuddered, and let out a groan that was most satisfying to Ginny's ears. She looked at his face and was slightly amazed at how peaceful he looked at the moment of his release. Peaceful was the only way to describe his face. It was heartbreakingly beautiful.

Slowing her pace to a crawl, Ginny took a moment and tried to memorise exactly how he felt inside her. The dull ache between her legs had begun to fade and was replaced by an almost a pleasant one. It seemed like such a contradiction, to have pain feel good, but that's what she felt.

There was almost a sense of mourning once Ginny lifted herself up off of him, breaking their connection. Taking a moment to catch her breath, she lay down next to him, on her side.

He took her hand and looked at her. "That was…bloody hell, I don't think I have the words," he said, his speech slightly halting and his voice hoarse.

Ginny let out a small laugh, and rested next to him. "Accio blanket," she said, pulling the blanket over them.

"I think you're supposed to say something once I've commented," Harry said, stroking her back.

"Almost brilliant," Ginny said with a sigh.

"Almost?" Harry asked, yawning loudly.

"It will be brilliant once we practice more," Ginny offered. "So for the moment, almost brilliant will have to do."

"I can live with almost brilliant if you promise me that we'll work very, very hard to make it actually brilliant."

"Deal," Ginny said, burying her face into his shoulder. She knew that soon she would have to get up, and worse, get dressed. Then the arduous task of sneaking back into the Burrow before her parents woke up. But that was for later. Right now, she just wanted to bask in what they just shared.

"I love you," Harry said suddenly.

Raising her head, she saw the love and trust in his eyes and knew that her husband, her husband, meant those three beautiful words. And when she returned them, she knew that he could tell that she meant them as well.

After all, they had just showed each other in actions. She was reminded of the old adage, 'Actions speak louder than words.' Though those three words spoke volumes to her. They always had. They always would.

They had been given a different means of expressing the same love they had always shared. And Ginny couldn't think of anything more beautiful than that.