Chapter 8

Welcome to the family

Harry sent Ginny home. They had talked in to the wee hours of the morning. He told her that he want to work at the Ministry as an Auror. He also said that if she was not comfortable with him working as an Auror because of the danger, then he would not do it. He was overjoyed when she said that she would never stand in his way.

"Harry" Ginny had said "real love is not about cutting people off to protect them; it is supporting the other person in who they wish to be. I won't stop you from being an Auror, because I know you will a wonderful Auror. You just have to promise that you cut me off in order to protect me."

"I promise, Gin. I know I am going to need your support, and your knowledge-- your one fine witch." Harry had told her.

"Ginny what do what for the future?" he asked.

"Just everything. To finish at Hogwarts, for us to see the world, to win a world cup in Quidditch, to settle down with you and make some black haired babies. To snog with you every time you will let me. To grow old together, cover up in babies and grandbabies. That's all" she said.

"Gin that is a perfect picture, just one problem" he told her.

"What problem" she demanded.

"The babies are going to be red haired" he said.

He had slept well. The next day the Ministry people were back, to finish getting rid of the magical problems of Grimwauld place.

Harry apperated to the Ministry, he had not talked to anyone about going, he just decided he need to talk to Mr. Weasley and Kingsley.

Harry arrived at the reception desk of the Ministry; an elderly wizard asked him if he could help him.

"Yes, Harry Potter to see Arthur Weasley" said Harry with more confidence than he actually felt.

The Ministry did not hold many good memories for him, but he knew now what he wanted to do as his vocation, so he needed to get use to being here.

The wizard stood up taller. "Of course Mr. Potter, right away"

Harry was quickly escorted to Mr. Weasley's office by two very serious look wizards. They came upon a small desk in a medium sized office; setting behind it was a thin, hard looking witch. The name plate on her desk said Fezzy. Beyond her was a door, with a name plate on it. Arthur Weasley it said.

The taller of Harry's two escorts said "Mrs. Fezzy, Minster Weasley has a guest. Harry Potter"

The witch behind the desk flushed slightly but did not register any other emotions. All she said is "Thank you, Mr. Abercrombie" nodding to the taller escort. "You too, Mr. Fitch" nodding to the shorter escort. Abercrombie and Fitch left. Mrs. Fezzy put her wand to her throat. Harry could her voice coming from beyond the door "Minster Weasley, Harry Potter to see you." Harry heard the response "Thank you Mrs. Fezzy, please see him in."

Mrs. Fezzy stood and said to Harry "Mr. Potter, this way please." She walked over to the door and opened it. Harry walked in, turned to her and said "Thank you, Mrs. Fezzy."

She looked slightly flustered, and then quickly shut the door behind him. Mr. Weasley was walking towards him "Harry, my boy, what are you doing here, I thought, you were in Australia on the hunt to find the Grangers. Nothing has happened has it?"

Oh No!! Harry had forgotten that the Weasley's thought he was with Ron and Hermoine.

"Well…ah…oh" was all Harry could get out. Mr. Weasley laughed. "Got ditched did you? I thought Ron and Hermoine gave in to easily to Molly. Well, did you stay at Grimwauld last night?"

"Yes" said Harry. "Also Ginny came visited me last night. We sat up talking about the future that is why I'm here to talk to you." Harry decided brutal honesty was the best tactic to take with Mr. Weasley.

Arthur's heart sank just a little, what was he going to say Molly? He knew that if Harry asked for Ginny's hand he'd give it with all of his blessings. He just didn't know how he'd explain it to Molly.

"Go on" he said to Harry.

"I want to be an Auror but, I didn't finish Hogwarts, do you think I can still be an Auror? Who do I speak to about trying to become one?" Harry just waded in not really knowing what the steps were to becoming an Auror.

Arthur let out a sigh of relief. "That's all?" he asked.

"What did you think I was going to say?" asked Harry slightly confused.

"I thought you were going to ask for Ginny's hand in marriage" Arthur said.

Harry laughed. "One day I am going to get on both knees and beg your daughter to marry me. But right now she and I have so much we want to do. She's going to finish at Hogwarts. Then maybe Quidditch. We both know we can take our time, we got all the time we need now."

Harry had a quick pang of fear. "Mr. Weasley, you don't want me to marry Ginny?" asked Harry giving voice to the nagging fear that the Weasley's some how blamed him for everything.

"Harry, my boy, I was going to give my permission. But you have to understand Molly and I would have some pangs of sadness…she our only girl. No father wants to give his daughter to another man. Harry, we think of you as family. We would be happy to have you become a son-in-law. But, someday, if you are very lucky, you will have a healer place in your arms a little girl then you'll understand, you won't want any other man to hold her." explained Arthur.

"You and Mrs. Weasley don't blame me?" Harry asked.

"Harry, son, you saved me, my children, and my world. I have nothing but love and respect for you as a wizard and a man. Molly feels the same. Fred died doing what he could to save the future. He would not want anyone feeling that they needed to take the blame. Boy, you have got to understand, all the blackness in the world is not your doing. You brought the light. No one blames you, so stop blaming your self."

Arthur stood up; he took Harry by the shoulders and pulled him up to him. They stood there face to face; they were almost the same height. Arthur held Harry by the shoulders, looked him deeply in the eyes and said:

"Harry James Potter you have my permission to marry Ginny any time she says she will have you. Harry from this day forward you should consider yourself to be mine and Molly's son and if I have to hex your hair red, I will so you won't forget it!"

Harry let go of all the fear, guilt and regret. He stood there embraced by Arthur and cried.

It took Harry a few minutes to regain his composure.

"Can I call you Dad?" he asked timidly. Arthur beamed. Harry had not seen him this happy since before the battle for Hogwarts.

"I'd be honored" said Arthur.

"Now, have you talked to your future brother in law about also being an Auror?" asked Arthur.

"Not recently, but I think he does want to be one too" said Harry.

"I guess we need to wait until he and Hermoine get back from Australia, to see what their plans are don't we?" said Arthur.

"Well, now you want to be an Auror? I guess we see Kingsley. I think you will make his day wanting to work with the Ministry' said Arthur as he and Harry started to walk out of his office.

"Harry, do have any idea why Ginny would have Charlie and Percy at wand point?" asked Arthur as they walked to Kingsley's office.

"Yes, Dad, I would, but if you want to know you will just have to ask Ginny. I will face all the Dark wizards and witches you can throw at me, but being on the wrong end of Ginny's wand. I am not that brave" laughed Harry.