Chapter 1

Harry awoke with a sigh, today was happening whether he liked it or not.

He had a quick shower and went down to breakfast. Careful to take his time, he picked out his favourite foods and started to eat. Unfortunately, whatever he ate, tasted like cardboard. And so, it was half an hour later that he left to go back to his office with a half-empty stomach, McGonagalhad been watching him suspiciously so he forced down some food.

Harry soon started to correct essays from his 3rd years, concerning stunning spells and their uses.

The correcting itself shouldn't have taken long, but in an attempt to delay the inevitable, Harry was meticulous, re-reading each essay at least 3 times, determined to stay in his office for as long as possible.

At half twelve, Harry decided that he could no longer say that he was working when he had said that he would meet Ron for breakfast, and so knowing that his friend was probably going insane with worry, Harry stepped into the fireplace and clearly said "The Burrow".

Harry looked through the green dust to see his friend pacing the kitchen

"'Bout time too!" Ron said seriously

"Sorry, I slept in and then I had to correct some essays so that you could have me for the whole weekend." Harry replied guiltily. This seemed to calm Ron down somewhat as a slight grin appeared on his face.

"Right, we'd best get going." Ron said oblivious to the confused look on Harry's face. In fact, it was only when Harry asked what exactly he was there for did Ron stop getting ready and turned to face Harry,

"Oh Merlin! I haven't told you have I?" When Harry confirmed this Ron continued "Right, well, there's really only one way to say this I suppose. I was kind of planning on asking Hermione to marry me?" He ended looking at Harry as if seeking permission.

"Blimey... Well I was expecting that we'd be doing something else this weekend but... When exactly did you decide this?" He asked with a smile.

"Well it's been coming for a while now hasn't it?" He said relieved that Harry did not appear to have any objections." Right then, we'd best get going. We're going to apparate to the shop, have a quick word with George and then go shopping. Okay?" When Harry nodded, Ron simply moved out the door to the apparition spot and with a faint pop, was gone.

Harry shook his head in an amused fashion before following after Ron.

Harry walked into the shop with ease and started to look at some of the new products. After confirming to himself that the shop was doing very well with George and Ron in charge, Harry proceeded to the back of the shop, where he knew they would be.

He soon found the pair in a corner talking in hushed whispers. Unfortunately, in the couple of years since the war, Harry's stealth abilities has decreased somewhat and Ron soon noticed him.

"Harry, eh, I was just eh, getting some stuff to help" Ron stuttered while sporting a look that resembled a deer caught in headlights.

Harry could tell that while that may be the main reason that they were there, it was not what the duo were discussing. Harry, doing his best to put on a believing face, looked at George and said

"Right then, how have you been George?"

Harry however, did not get the short reply he had both expected and hoped for.

"I'm doing good Harry. How are he Friday nights, as lonely as ever?"

Harry knew that George was questioning his love life and his, rather lack of a social life.

"Ah George, it's just not the same without you. How's Luna doing?"

Harry had deliberately skimmed over his answer. Truth be told, he missed George. The two had taken to going to the Hog's Head every Friday night since the war, and had grown close, bonded over grief. Though while George had moved on, or at least gotten over his depression, and married Luna, Harry was as lonely as he had been during his fifth year. Harry would look at George, Luna and their son Fred, and wish that he had someone to share his life with.

"She's doing good, convinced of the existence of some new creature, but that's how she was with Fred as well."

Ron, realising that this conversation was now over, and it would no longer be considered rude, thanked George for his help and left with Harry.

As the two walked down Diagon Alley, Harry realised that he had only presumed that they were here to get a ring, this was however confirmed when a minute later they walked into a jewellery shop. While Ron told the cashier what he wanted and his budget, Harry started looking at rings.

It only took a few seconds before one stood out to him. It was a simle, white gold band, with a diamond in the center, which was encircled by tiny red rubies. Harry stared at it in wonder, thinking how good it would look on... He cut himself off, the las thing he wanted was to go down that road again.

The two searched high and low for two hours in both muggle and wizarding London. It was only when they had stopped for lunch in The Leaky Cauldron, did Harry decide to ask Ron exactly what he wanted in the ring. Ron proceeded to explain that the ring had to have class and that he should know as soon as he looked at it, that it was the one. After hearing this, Harry sighed. Ron noticing this, said

"Yeah well, you wouldn't really know what this is like would you?" and although it was meant as a joke, Harry didn't take it as one.

"No Ron, I don't know what 'this' is like. I haven't had a girlfriend in years, let alone a fiancee have I?" Harry, noticing that Ron looked slightly hurt said "Oh wait, I forgot to tell you, my girlfriend of two weeks and I eloped." At this Ron cracked a smile and said

"Sorry, it's just nerve wrecking is all."

After that, they ate in silence and soon continued shopping. After half an hour, Harry suggested going to a shop that he had seen in Yorkshire, during one of his few holidays with the Dursleys.

And so there they went, and Ron immediately saw the ring that he wanted. After purchasing it for what Ron claimed to be a steal, the headed back for the Burrow, Ron thanking Harry at every oppertunity he got.

As Harry walked through the door, he barely registered a gasp as his eyes fell on his last girlfriend sitting at the table, the one who got away.

"Ginny?"