The little ring glistened in Harry's hand.

"You're barking mad, mate." His best friend stared at him, obviously gobsmacked.

"And why is that?"

"Because that's my sister you're talking about! I'll bet you a hundred galleons that she won't agree to marry you."

"Okay, it's a bet. Hundred galleons, you say?"

"That was a joke. I don't have a hundred galleons, I thought it was obvious."

Harry grinned victoriously. Ginny will agree to marry him, and Ron knew it.

"It is obvious. George should be paying you more for all those overtime hours at the shop."

"Now that you mention it, Christmas is coming near, and Mum was talking about this necklace she saw...wait! That is not the subject! You are trying to get my little sister to marry you."

"We just got over that subject."

"No we haven't! Besides, who gave you the permission to do that? I remember saying something like 'Date, but without snogging in front of me.'

I don't remember saying 'Get married as soon as she turns seventeen', though. I don't know, maybe I've bumped my head recently or something, but I just can't remember."

"First of all Ron, this time next year we'll be preparing to enter a new millennium. This also means that we will enter the 21st century. And you know what, Ron? In this new age, over protective gits that are also sometimes referred to as 'Older brothers', will cease to exist."

Ron played a dramatic move, pretending to clutch his heart with both of his hands.

"Oh, what will the world turn to once we're done with this dark times?"

Suddenly, a snitch-shaped pillow found its way to Ron's head.

"Secondly," Harry said calmly, "I've already talked to both of your parents. Your Dad squealed and gave me his oldest plug as a gift."

Ron frowned and snorted.

"My own father betrayed me for this famous bloke. Where's the world heading to?"
"To mine and your sister's engagement, Ronald, and you know it!"
"Yeah, yeah. No, wait. What did Mum say?"
Harry rolled his eyes at his friend's stubbornness.
"Really? I mean, I get that you'd had hope in your Dad trying to kill me and all, but your Mum? The woman loves me, Ron."

"Being in love doesn't suit you, you know?
"I've been told."
"So, how are you planning to do it?"
Harry widened his eyes, pretending to be surprised.
"Why is that a permission, your Royal Pigheadedness?"

"Watch it, I might just take it back."
"Okay, okay. I think the question was how I was planning to do it?
Ron slid of his bed and nodded his head.
"So, since this Christmas Ginny will share her room with me..."

"I have yet to figure out what she's done to make Mum let you do that. A Confundo charm?
"No, the Ginny charm. And you should be grateful, since Hermione has to sleep in your room now."
"Okay, I'm bloody grateful. The plan?"
Harry laughed and continued to explain.
"So, since your sister and I will be sharing the room, I'll be present when she opens her gifts."

"And you're planning to put the ring on top? Pathetic, mate."
"Sorry to break your believes, but I'm a bit more creative than that. Now tell me, what is the one gift she'll definitely expect?"
"Lace knickers?"
"Is that all you think about? Hermione should find a new boyfriend if you ask me."

"Oh, shut up, you're not that great either, Mr...Knobbly knees!"
"I'm going to pretend that I didn't hear that. So. On Christmas morning, the one gift your sister will definitely expect is a Weasley jumper. I've already made plans with your Mum to have 'Will you marry me?' written on it. And then, when she says yes, I'll give her the ring."
Ron looked completely gobsmacked.

"You did not come up with that by yourself. You're not that romantic and witty. Fleur?"
"No, actually Hermione helped me before she and Ginny went back to school this summer."
"Hermione knew about it all along? And she hasn't told me? For four bloody months?
"Have you ever met Hermione? She's not that dumb. If she told you, you would have slipped it out."
"No I wouldn't! I'm known for keeping secrets."

"Yeah. And you surely kept it a secret that Ginny and I were dating during that interview to Rita Skeeter. And when Fleur found out she was pregnant and wanted to tell it to Bill during a romantic dinner. And remember in our sixth year when I accidentally ruined Hermione's copy of 'Hogwarts, a history' while practicing Aguamenti for Flitwick?"

"Minor accidents. And even so, that doesn't justify that she hasn't told me."
"Yeah, Ron. She's evil. Can we get past that and concentrate on the important thing here?"
"Oh, right. So, what colour is the jumper going to be?"

"What are you, a fashion stylist?"
"A what?"
"Never mind. I don't know. Her favourite one?"

"And what is her favourite colour?"
Harry shrugged his shoulders.
"Maroon?"
"Be serious, Harry. Maroon is a hideous colour. How could it be anyone's favourite?"

Harry laughed sarcastically.
"Really, how could have I been so dumb? I give up. What is it?"
Ron suddenly looked awkward.

"Umm, don't tell her I told you this, okay?"
Harry gave him a solemn nod.
"It's green. It's been green since you two met on Kings Cross."
"Oh."
"Yeah."
The air in Ron's room suddenly became a lot heavier. This really wasn't a very manly conversational topic.

Harry waved his hand in front of Ron's face.
"So, back on the plan!"
"Yeah, sure. What are you planning the jumper to do once she says yes?"
"Well, I can't decide between it hopping around the room while singing the national anthem or imitating a squirrel, Ron. Would you be kind enough to help me make the right decision?"

"Oh, how funny of you! I didn't mean that. The sign should change to something like 'I said yes', so she doesn't have to be asked that by every person she sees on the way downstairs."
"That's actually quite a clever idea, Ron!"
"I've been known to have a few good ones, thank you very much."

"So...I guess this is it, then?"
"Guess so. Now you've got a week to sort it all out. And I reckon you should make Mum wake you up before Ginny. You don't want her to see the jumper while you're asleep."
"No, I don't really. Thanks, Ron."
"You're welcome, mate. And you know...take care of her, will you?"
"If she lets me. I think I'll head down for breakfast."

Harry went towards the Burrow's kitchen. In a week, he'll be engaged. He was sure of that. Oh, it sure was a beautiful day.