Author's note: I don't know what was different, but I got a lot of "favorite story" messages, and even a few reviews, and it made me extremely happy to receive all of them. And, I got a record amount of hits last night for this story (161). Please keep it up!

Chapter 8: The Happiest Man Alive

I gazed down at the black velvet box cradled in one hand, hoping my anxiety would simply disappear. I had no idea why I was so worried. I knew perfectly well that Ginny loved me, and I was sure she would agree to marry me. After all, we had been dating for five years, one month and five days straight, – yes, I actually kept track of the days – not counting my sixth year. I think what I was worried, was whether or not I was going to receive her family's permission. Having to ask you girlfriend's father and five older brothers' permission to ask her to marry you is more nerve-wracking than asking the girl herself, even if it's the Weasleys you're talking about. Scratch that… especially if it's the Weasleys. Sure, the Weasleys loved me, but that fact still did nothing to calm me down. In all honesty, the Weasley men could sometimes be slightly over protective of Ginny, as she was the baby of the family, and their only sister – or, in Arthur Weasley's case, his only daughter. It would take all of the Gryffindor courage I had in me to confront this horde of Weasleys, all of which would most likely not even hesitate to use the killing curse on me if I so much as hurt a hair on Ginny's head. Like that was ever going to happen.

June 7th, 2003, was one of those rare days at the time when all of the Weasleys could visit The Burrow on the same day. Charlie was already visiting from Romania, and George and Angelina, who had just been married about six months earlier, managed to leave Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes alone for a few days. Bill and Fleur came from Shell Cottage with three-year-old Victoire and her little sister, Dominique, who wasn't even six months old yet. Percy and Audrey even brought newborn Molly, who has just about to turn two weeks old, and was making her first visit to The Burrow. Andromeda had dropped you off at Number Twelve that morning for a visit, and so you were there as well. Every Weasley was in attendance, which would work out well for my plan.

When Percy and Audrey walked in the door, you and Victoire were anxious to see the new baby. "Can we see her, Auntie Audrey?" you asked.

Audrey smiled. "Of course, Teddy." She said.

"She's even littler than Dom!" exclaimed Victoire, as she couldn't pronounce "Dominique". Little Molly was very adorable, with her light red fuzz, and deep brown eyes.

All the adults got a chance at holding little Molly. Soon, the Weasley women went to help Molly-the-first cook dinner, and I managed to round up the Weasley men – and little Molly and Dominique, as their fathers were holding them - and corral them into a spare room, shutting the door behind me.

"Is something wrong, Harry?" Arthur asked in a concerned tone.

"Nothing's wrong. Everything's great actually. There's just one favor I want to ask all of you…" I replied.

"Well, spit it out, Harry, we don't have all day." George teased.

"You all know how much I love, Ginny. One of the biggest regrets I have is breaking up with her in my sixth year. But I only did I because I feared for her life. I didn't want to hurt her, but I knew we couldn't be together because Voldemort would use her against me, possibly even kill her. But luckily for me, she understood." I paused to take the velvet box out of my pocket before continuing. "I want to spend the rest of life with Ginny, but I wanted to come ask the men who care about her as much as I do permission first. So, my question is, may I ask Ginny to be my wife. I promise to love her and protect her with for the rest of my life. You'll make me the happiest man alive if you agree."

"Harry," Arthur began, giving me a one-armed hug. "You don't need to ask for my permission. I was waiting for this day for a long time. I wouldn't want anyone else as my son-in-law."

"Thank you, Mr. Weasley." I replied.

"Hang on a second Harry." Arthur said with a smile. "If you're going to be my son-in-law, you're going to have to call me "Arthur", or even "Dad" if you prefer."

I laughed. "Sure thing."

Bill spoke next, "In my personal opinion Harry, I don't think my brothers and I have the right to tell you whether or not you can marry Ginny. That includes you, Ron."

"What?" Ron exclaimed. "Don't you trust me, Bill? Harry, I'm bloody happy for you. Besides, I'd actually be disappointed now if you didn't become my brother-in-law."

I smiled. "Thanks, Ron. Your opinion matters more than anyone else's."

Ron smiled back. "No, problem, mate."

This had gone better than I ever expected it to. Now that her family was taken care of, all I had to do was ask Ginny.

I decided to keep it simple. The following day, I took Ginny out to a small restaurant in Hogsmeade. Afterwards, we took our brooms out to the countryside where we could fly around without being seen by muggles. "I'll race you." Ginny exclaimed and took off on her broom. I followed shortly behind.

We soared through the air, laughing and teasing each other all the while. After a good half hour or so, we finally landed on a grassy hillside and collapsed in the grass. We laid on our backs and gazed at the sky. The sun was almost set, yet there was still enough light to see. The sky was brilliant shades of purple, pink, and orange, and was extremely beautiful, perfect for tonight.

"Harry?" Ginny asked suddenly. "When did you first decide that you loved me?"

I hesitated. "Sixth year, I think. I was actually jealous of Dean Thomas, and was kind of at war with myself because you were my best mate's sister. Part of me said I didn't care, but the other half argued that if I were in a relationship with you, it would destroy Ron's and my friendship. But I couldn't help but love you anyway. What about you? How long have you loved me?"

"Oh, Harry, you know how long." Ginny blushed.

"No, I don't actually."

Ginny sighed. "Guess." She said simply.

"Since my first year?" I suggested.

"No, it was much longer than that, actually." Ginny replied. "When I was about seven, Mum told Ron and I your story, and I fell in love with the idea of you. But when I met you at King's Cross, I caught myself falling for the real you, not just the idea of a black-haired, green-eyed hero that I didn't even know. Hermione tried to tell me to move on – you would notice me more if I were myself – but I found it impossible. I was unhappy with Michael and Dean. I could never love them as much as I loved – and still love – you."

"Ginny, I'm so sorry I didn't realize my love for you sooner." I whispered.

Ginny smiled. "It's fine, Harry. We're together now, aren't we?"

I sat up and reached into my pocket. "No, it's not fine. I love you Ginny, and I never want to be apart from you again." I took the black velvet box from my pocket and opened it up, revealing the ring. I heard Ginny gasp, but continued anyway. "I want to make it up to you in the best way I know how. Ginny Weasley, will you make me the happiest man alive and marry me."

Ginny leapt into my arms and gave me a passionate kiss. "How's that for an answer?"

"Perfect." I replied, and gave my new fiancée another kiss.

Molly was delighted that I was going to be her son-in-law, but was a little hurt that she was the last of Ginny's immediate family to know. It didn't help when Ginny and I told her we wanted to have the wedding two months after our engagement. Molly was not pleased at all, but we couldn't help it. We were just two crazy people in love.

Author's note: Sorry for any typos. I was in a hurry. :)