"At this point I have confused myself so much that I can neither substantiate nor invalidate my argument." – Philip Juarez

A/N: I could say that this chapter took me so long because I wanted it to be so good. I could also say that this chapter took me so long because I was to put upon at work and at school. I could say those things. But the long and short of it is that got a bit into it and then stopped and then finally finished it last night. Enjoy.

Disclaimer: Most of this story isn't mine. But some of it is and I will guard that some of it with my life. So hands off, you bastards!

Chapter Nine

How to Marry Ronald B. Weasley

Harry had been nervous before. He had certainly faced things far more frightening than his girlfriend's glorious bum. But as he stood behind her in the garden staring at the aforementioned bum, he could not think of anything more daunting. She was talking, Harry was almost sure of it. With anxious excitement he watched Ginny's backside move as she spoke, as she walked. Ever since she suggested, only a few hours earlier, that he touch said bum, he could not manage to take his eyes off of her pretty, little, round bottom.

Harry could not imagine why he was so nervous to just touch her. Hell, he usually looked forward to touching her. It could not possibly be hard to touch someone's bum. Harry did not think that he would screw it up, or even that she would not like it. In fact, the more he thought about it, the more he was sure that was the problem. The problem being that Ginny would no doubt like him touching her so intimately. She might encourage him to do more. Like touch her some where else. Some where higher.

Harry's eyes got wide. He looked around quickly, making sure none of her brothers were around. Not that they could know what he was thinking, but if they could guess…

Harry shuddered at the thought.

"Harry?" Ginny's voice brought his attention back to her. He blinked a few times, then gave her his undivided attention. "Where you serious before? When you suggested I move in with you?"

Her voice was tentative, obviously uncertain. And Harry knew without a shadow of a doubt if he said, 'no,' she would be crushed.

"Ginny," he said, "I'd love it if you'd move in with me. Not only because that flat is so bloody huge, but also because I love you. And Merlin knows if I invited Ron or Hermione to live with me they'd just spend the whole time trying to eat each other's faces."

Ginny smiled and shook with silent laughter.

"It's nice to know you think of me as the lesser of the two evils," she said. "Come here, my love." Ginny pulled Harry towards her and laid her lips on his. "So, Mr. Potter, can I move in with you tomorrow?"

"Ms. Weasley, I would love it if you would move in with me tomorrow. But you have to tell your family," he said.

"Oh," Ginny grinned, walking back towards her house. "Where's that Gryffindor bravery?"

"Didn't you know, Ginny?" Harry asked. "Bravery only last for as long as you need it." Gathering up all of his remaining bravery, Harry reached out patted his girlfriend's bum.

"Harry!"

"What?! You said I could. You suggested it! Not me!"

"Yes, I did. But I thought you'd wait until we were alone to do it!" Ginny said indignantly.

"Ginny," Harry said. "We are alone. Or haven't you noticed the lack of people around us?"

"That's not what I meant. Harry, my brothers are on the other side of that kitchen door. If they saw what you just did, they'd murder you! I doubt they'll even be good sports when were married. And Merlin only knows what they'll do when you get me pregnant. Probably suffocate you in your sleep. It'll be sad being a single mother. But with you dead I would get all of your money. Which wouldn't be that bad I suppose. A sort of compensation I guess. But then again-"

"Ginny!" Harry yelled.

"What?"

"Could stop, you're giving me a headache. You should know that around this time last year, I thought I'd be dead and you'd be marrying some unworthy, faceless jerk. You're just getting a head of me a bit. I just asked you to move in with me. We'll get to marriage and babies later."

"Not much later, I hope," Ginny said, turning back towards the Burrow. "I want to have all of my children before I turn thirty."

Harry shook his head and muttered, "You're killing me, Gin."

----

Harry was pleasantly surprised how easy it was for him to live with Ginny. Perhaps it was because his flat was so big she managed to get not only her own room but her own loo as well. That was a treat that Ginny thanked Harry vigorously for. (He got to touch her bum many times the day she moved in.)

More often than not Harry woke up to the lovely smell of breakfast. She would make him lunch and send him off to work. When he got home she would make dinner and they would spend the evening either watching the telly or snogging. And more than once they would fall asleep cuddled up together on the coach.

The only problem with their happy little home was that Ginny did not seem that happy. Harry was sure that she did not mind cooking for him and they both did the cleaning around the flat, but something still seemed off with Ginny. This was especially noticeable right around the time Harry got home from work. Ginny would be no where to be found and by the time Harry did find her, she often did not seem that happy to see him.

And that is why Harry was not particularly surprised that Ginny was not anywhere in sight when he got home about three months after she moved in. He was surprised to find that she was not at the flat at all. He searched the massive apartment thoroughly for a note or something, but came up empty handed. Finally, after having a small heart attack he appearated to the Burrow in search of his girlfriend.

All he found was Ron staring aimlessly at the ceiling of his attic room.

"Have you seen Ginny?" Harry asked. Ron shook his head. As Harry puttered around the doorway trying to think of where he should look next or even if it was appropriate to look (she was a grown witch after all), a thought struck him. "What are you doing here, Ron? And where is the rest of your family?"

Ron and Hermione had moved in together shortly after Ginny moved in with Harry. They rented a small house outside of London, so they were close enough to the city get to work, but far enough away to feel like they were living in the country. (This of course happened after Ron got his first pay check and nearly wet himself at the amount he was getting paid.)

"Hermione, she said something to me," Ron said. Harry wrinkled his forehead and went to his friend's side. Ron looked pale, well, paler than usual.

"That's certainly out of the ordinary, especially for Hermione Granger," he said, sarcastically.

"It wasn't just that she said something, Harry," Ron said, "it's what she said, mate. Or more to the point what she asked me to do."

"This is like pulling teeth, Ron," Harry muttered.

"What?"

"Will you ever get to the point? What did she ask you?"

"She asked me…" Ron nodded his head and then shook it. "You'll never believe what she asked me. I mean, Merlin! What am I going to do? I can't face her without making up my mind first!" Ron sat up and looked at his messy haired best mate. "Harry, mate, you have to help me. I mean, Merlin, you're my best mate. And after all the crap I've been through on your account I reckon you owe me!"

"Ron, you bloody imbecile," Harry said. "I can't help you unless you tell me what Hermione asked you."

"Oh."

They fell into silence.

"Well, are you going to tell me, or am I going to die waiting?"

"Aren't you short tempered today?"

"Ginny's off somewhere and I don't know where. I'm sorry if I'm a bit worried about the safety of my girlfriend," Harry snapped. Ron crossed his arms and clammed up. Harry sighed and sat down on Ron's bed. "Look, I'm sorry. So, what's up? What did Hermione ask you?"

Ron rubbed his face and mumbled something into his hands.

"Sorry, mate, I didn't quite catch that," Harry said.

"Bloody hell, Harry! She asked me if I'd like to marry her!" Ron exploded out of his bed and started pacing. "And then after I didn't say anything for a while she got all teary and I said I was going to my parents for dinner. But of course they're all still at work or shopping or whatever."

Harry sat quietly for a moment. He knew how Ron must have been feeling. He reckoned that his red headed friend must have been feeling a lot like Harry himself had been feeling when Ginny suggested that Mrs. Weasley wanted the two of them to get married. Mild horror mixed with a slightly pleasant feeling that is in itself down right horrifying. So, instead of adding his two cents, Harry let Ron vent.

"It's really not the thought of marrying her that's put me off so much. Not really. But isn't the bloke supposed to propose marriage?! It's like she just reached into my trousers, grabbed hold of my-"

"Ron!" Harry yelled before things got to graphic. Ron stopped and looked at Harry. "We need to consider the idea that maybe Hermione just want to talk about getting married. In general terms. Like, what do you think about getting married? Not necessarily, do you want to get married right now?" Harry suggested.

Ron thought that over for a moment.

"You really think she might have meant that?" Ron asked.

"Yeah, Ron. I mean, Hermione doesn't do anything without researching it a good bit before hand. And there really isn't a book called, How to Marry Ron Weasley, is there? The only kind of research she can do on the subject is to ask you. And her friends I suppose."

"Has she talked to you?" Ron asked.

"No, but I bet she's talked to Ginny," Harry guessed.

"Well, I've buggered up this situation quite a bit, haven't I?" Harry nodded. "Ginny might be back at the house with Hermione, want to come check while I beg for forgiveness?" Ron asked tersely.

"It's a good a place as any for her to be," Harry muttered. "Why not?"

The pair of them held up there wands and with two sound pops! they vanished and reappeared simultaneously outside of Ron and Hermione's small cottage home. As soon as they started their trek up to the door, Hermione plowed through it and right up to Ron.

"Where have you been!?" she demanded. "Ginny came over and told me no one was at the Burrow! I've been worried sick, and I knew you wouldn't stay unless there was food!"

"How did you know that?!" Ron yelled back.

"I've met you before, Ronald!" Before Hermione could continue in her yelling, Ron grabbed her cheeks and kissed her. She pulled away and said, "What was that about?" she looked like she wanted to stay mad, but her expression and her tone softened considerably.

"I love you, Hermione Granger. And if you want to get married, I'm up for it." Harry smiled and shook his head, noticing Ginny at the door and moved towards her.

"Do you really mean that, Ron?" Hermione asked.

"Well, I figure I've survived quite a bit up 'til now, spending the rest of my life as your husband is a risk I'm willing to take." Harry turned his back on his two best friends, but he was sure that he heard Hermione hit Ron.

"I'm sorry I didn't leave a note, Harry," Ginny said, once Harry was standing in front of her.

"To be quite honest, love," he said, "I'm just glad you're all right." Harry kissed her and put his arm around her shoulders. "And I've been thinking."

"That's new," Ginny quipped.

"Will you stop being so adorable while you're giving me cheek?" Harry asked. Ginny nibbled on his chin in response. "Anyway, I was thinking that you ought to get a job."

"Harry-"

"This is not about money. Merlin, knows I've got quite enough of that for several people, let alone the two of us. But I think you'd be happier if you had a job. And if it made you happy, you could tell that recruiter that you want to be a bloody professional Quidditch player. But only if you think it'll make you happy," Harry said.

"It really would," she said.

"Then go for it."

"You're really okay with this?" she asked. Harry sighed.

"Ginny, I love you. I want to see you happy more than I want to breath and don't think that you're really happy not having a job. So, if being a bloody professional Quidditch player means that I get to see you smile more often, then I'll deal with it," he said.

"Well good. Because I love you too and I want to see you happy too. It's a bit disconcerting when you say, 'bloody professional Quidditch player,' like you don't like the thought of me doing it," Ginny said.

"I don't like the idea of you being so far away from me so often but I'll deal. Besides, if any of those bloody male Quidditch players get too handsie I'll personally demonstrate how I managed to become the Head of the Auror Department without ever being an Auror." Ginny grinned at Harry and kissed his cheek.

"Ronald Weasley! You can not ask me to marry and then take it back because I yelled at you!"

"Those two are going to be together forever," Ginny whispered into Harry's mouth.