Hello! I will use the space above a new chapter to reply to any reviews that I cannot directly message.
Guest #1: you are completely right. That isn't something I had thought of, but it would change that scene too much for me to go back and revise it otherwise. I may consider doing so at a later time though.
Chapter 2: Christmas Day
"Merry Christmas!" Mrs. Weasley said opening the curtains in Ginny's room to wake Ginny and Harry. Ginny was used to this and simply turned over, putting her face in her pillow. Harry pulled the blanket over their heads.
"Come on you two, up, up," Mrs. Weasley insisted, pulling the blanket from Harry and shaking her daughters arm.
"Mum," Ginny whined.
"No whining, it's Christmas day, the boys are all waking up and coming down. Breakfast is in twenty," she left closing the door behind her. Ginny rolled over bumping into Harry.
"You stayed!" she exclaimed snuggling against him. He chuckled smelling the sweet fragrance of her hair.
"I said I would."
"I thought it was all just a dream," she said moving so that she could see the ring glittering on her finger.
"Come on Ginny, get up!" Ron said bursting into her room. "Oi! Mum wouldn't let Hermione stay!" he said when he saw his best mate in is sister's bed.
"She couldn't say much if we were already asleep when she found out," Ginny said sitting up, fixing her hair so that it wasn't in her face. Harry rolled over and suddenly found himself on the floor. Ginny began laughing, the same happy twinkling laugh that she had last night. This time all the Weasley's heard her. They had all come running when they heard something hit the floor.
"I'm s-s-sorry," she said through her laughter. She climbed out of her bed to attempt to help him up.
"Its okay," he said wiping the tears of happiness from her eyes. He too was laughing. She kissed him deeply not really caring that the rest of her family was watching. Hearing her laugh lifted everyone's spirits. The Weasleys were all in a cheerful mood. No one had seen Ginny this happy since long before Albus Dumbledore's funeral.
When everyone had come downstairs and had breakfast, Hermione appeared with both her parents.
"Merry Christmas!" The Grangers chimed. They spent most of their stay with Mr. and Mrs. Weasley. They were absolutely fascinated by them. After dinner, Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny went up to the toasty warm attic to watch the snow fall through the little window, the girls cuddled against both boys.
"Have you decided on Hogwarts yet?" Hermione asked Harry.
"No, Ginny here has been trying to persuade me to come back, but I haven't really thought about it much." In truth, he wanted to talk to someone about it. All the people he knew and trusted were dead now, other than of course the Weasleys.
"Harry!" Ron said breaking into Harry's thoughts, "you two are engaged!?" he shouted, pointing at Ginny's ring.
"Not so loud Ron! No one else knows yet," Ginny scolded.
"I proposed yesterday, why is everyone surprised?" he asked.
"No one expects it," Hermione said quietly, "I mean, it's so early, things have just began to right themselves; she's not even eighteen yet."
"I'll be eighteen in two months, but I'm still of age" Ginny retaliated.
"Well, it's too late, and I didn't want to wait forever," Harry said, "I'll never look at anyone else anyways."
"People wouldn't question if I proposed to Hermione, but everyone's going to be surprised at how fast you two decided to get married. Does mum know?" Ron asked. Hermione blushed at this. She was beginning to wonder if he had even considered the two of them as something more.
"Why though? It's a dumb thing to question," Ginny said. "Mum does know, but we didn't tell her. She saw the ring last night when she and dad came to check up on me. Dad made her promise not to say anything about it."
"There isn't a real reason other than its really happening so fast. You two haven't been together for that long. Most people don't know that you were together before Dumbledore died, let alone that you broke up at his funeral," Hermione put in before she could be interrupted. "Don't get me wrong. I'm happy for you. You've both liked each other for as long as I can remember," she smiled.
"Yeah, I'm happy for you too," Ron said, "You're a better man than anyone else she's dated. And, you're pretty much already a part of the family. It'll be nice when it's official," he too smiled.
"Knock knock," Mrs. Weasley said opening the attic door, "Hermione, your parents are getting ready to leave. They'd like to have a quick word with you before they go," she said walking away and shutting the door behind her.
"How much do you think she heard?" Ron asked.
"Does it really matter?" Ginny grumbled. Ron was starting to get on her nerves.
"I'll be back I hope," Hermione said standing up to see what her parents wanted.
"I'll come with you," Ron said following her. When Ron and Hermione had left the room Harry spoke to Ginny.
"Are you alright?" he asked pulling her closer and hugging her to him. She snuggled into his chest.
"Ron's just irritating me; I don't know why or where it came from. It's unusual, even for me."
"It's all irritating for me too, but that doesn't change anything. I love you."
"I love you too."
"Ginny for goodness sake, wake up. It's just after three thirty, if you don't get up now you'll never be able to sleep tonight," Mrs. Weasley said shaking her daughter awake. Ginny sat up. She was in her room.
"How'd I get in here? Where's Harry?" she asked, remembering that she was last with him and they were in the attic.
"You fell asleep. He brought you in here and put you in bed. He went back to Grimmauld place, said something about cleaning himself up. Told me to tell you he'll be back before or by dinner." Mrs. Weasley replied. Ginny nodded her head.
"Is it alright if we talk for a bit? He never leaves you alone," Mrs. Weasley asked sitting down on Ginny's bed.
"About?"
"Well, you and Harry. I couldn't help but notice you've got a new ring," Ginny sighed.
"I'm sorry mum, we just didn't know how to tell you, and after Bill and Fleur's announcement we weren't sure we wanted to tell you right away."
"Of course you said yes," Mrs. Weasley's eyes had a tear glistening in them.
"I love him. I always have, I always will. He finally came around and realized he has always loved me too."
"He'll be part of the family now," Mrs. Weasley gushed, "Oh Ginny, I'm so happy. I thought this day would never come. He needs someone like you in his life. I don't doubt for one bit that he wouldn't take care of you in return. He's better than some of your ex's." Mrs. Weasley wiped her tears away
"Ron said the same thing. I'm glad everyone approves." Ginny said almost bitter. She couldn't figure out why everyone was getting under her skin. Mr. Weasley knocked on the open door.
"Ginny, Gwengog Jones is here to see you," he said. Ginny was bewildered. Gwengog had come to see her? She had only sent in an application to join the team last week.
"O-o-okay," she stuttered, climbing out of bed. She ran her hands quickly through her hair and dashed down the stairs.
