Chapter eleven

Even though Harry had to study for his N.E.W.T.s, he still slipped away every Hogsmeade weekend to see Trisha. He could not believe how much he loved this woman and he knew she loved him just as much. But Harry also knew she loved him for real and not because he happens to be Harry Potter. She wasn't one of the fangirls who were constantly trying to get his attention. So even though Trisha knows about the magical world now and who he was, she already loved him before he dropped that information on her.

The day of the memorial ball, the students who were going to be honoured and had their apparition license were allowed to head home to get ready. Originally the ball was going to be held at the ministry in their ball room, but so many believed that since the war ended at Hogwarts then the ball should be held at the castle.

Harry had apparated straight into Trisha's flat, making her jump, 'Sorry love, I hope you get used to that.'

'I will Harry, I've only seen you do it a couple of times.'

'I know,' Harry took Trisha's hand, 'You know how I feel don't you love?'

'Of course, you're making me nervous, what's going on Harry?'

Harry stared into Trisha's blue eyes then dropped to one knee before holding out a small box on his palm.

'Patricia Collins, will you do the honour of marrying me?'

'Oh Harry,' Trisha stood staring down at Harry, the man she loved, then she noticed how nervous he looked, 'Yes, I want to marry you Harry.'

Harry grinned then stood, took the beautiful emerald and diamond ring out of the box. He held Trisha's hand then slipped the ring onto her finger.

'Oh Harry, it's beautiful, it must have cost a fortune.'

'Do you like it?'

'I love it and the emerald is the same colour as your eyes.'

'This was my mother's, my father had it made for her, but she only wore it for two years. I found a letter they left me saying if the girl I fall in love with wants to wear this ring they would love for her to have it.'

'It was your mother's, are you sure you want me to have it Harry and not put it away?'

'Yes, I'm positive, something so beautiful should be on the hand of a gorgeous woman, my woman,' Harry grinned.

'Then I'm honoured to wear it and accept it from you and from your parents. My parents are going to be shocked.'

'We can explain next time your home.'

'Then dad will give you the third degree, he has to make sure you can take care of your wife even though he knows I'll be working.'

'I will be explaining how I was left a lot of money from my parents. I can't explain about our world until we're legally married.'

'Yes, you explained, so saying you have money should satisfy him so he won't ask too many questions. Even though he knows money doesn't help a marriage, he just wants to make sure his little girl is looked after. So how will the wedding work, I have friends who can't know about magic?'

'It will be a non-magical wedding, with a few of my closest friends but they will be told to be careful and not to use magic. It's happened before, we just have to keep our wands hidden. But we really need to go, are you ready to be transported by magic?'

'I have to get used to it Harry and you explained how it will feel.'

'Yeah, it's not a nice feeling at first,' Harry slipped his arms around Trisha's waist, 'Take a deep breath, it'll make it easier,' Harry waited until Trisha pulled in a lot of air then he turned on the spot. The moment they arrived at the apparition point at Hogwarts he felt Trisha sag, 'You're fine.'

'Shit, it felt like I was being squeezed.'

'Yeah, but you do get used to it,' Harry turned his girlfriend, 'Welcome to Hogwarts love.'

'That is a big castle.'

'If I remember correctly, there's a one hundred and forty two stair cases, towers, dungeons oh and ghosts, but they're harmless, well most of them. Peeves is a poltergeist that loves to throw things at you but I'm sure Professor McGonagall will sort him out.'

'So unicorns, dragons and ghosts.'

'Yep,' Harry shrugged, 'Are you ready love?'

'Yes, show me where you spent so much of your time.'

Harry kept his arm around Trish, 'That small hut down there, that's where Hagrid lives, he teaches us about magical creatures.'

'Oh his the half giant you mentioned, right?'

'Yep and his little brother, Grawp lives up in the mountains but visits quite a lot. That forest there, it has unicorns, centaurs, hippogriff, acromantula and a heap of magical beings.'

'What is an acromantula?'

'Giant spiders and I mean giant, they are huge. They're about the size of your car. Okay, the dark man in the deep purple robes, that's Minister Shacklebolt, our minister. The woman beside him is Professor McGonagall, the headmistress.'

'Got it.'

Harry and Trisha walked up the steps, 'Minister, Professor, I would like to introduce my fiancé, Patricia Collins. Patricia this is the Minister for Magic, Minister Shacklebolt and the headmistress of Hogwarts, Professor McGonagall.'

'It's a pleasure to meet you Miss Collins,' Kingsley shook her hand then winked at Harry making him laugh, 'You've got good taste Harry.'

'Thanks Kingsley.'

'It's a pleasure to meet you Minister.'

'I am surprised to hear the word fiancé Mr. Potter, but you always did surprise me,' Minerva smiled then turned to Patricia, 'It's nice to meet you Miss Collins.'

'It's a pleasure to meet you Professor McGonagall, Harry speaks of you often.'

'Is that a good thing or a bad thing mate?' Kingsley laughed.

Harry chuckled, 'A good thing, I only have good things to say about the headmistress.'

'Yeah, sure you do, but why don't you take your lovely fiancée inside, introduce her to some of your friends.'

'Some are going to be shocked,' Harry kept his arm around Trisha as they headed inside, 'This is the great hall, it's where we usually eat our meals.'

'It's big, but so are the fireplaces.'

'It gets cold here in winter. Oh but I see my friends, come on,' Harry and Trisha made their way towards Hermione and Ron, 'Hermione, Ron, this is Trisha, my fiancée. Trisha, my two best friends, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley.'

'Fiancée,' Hermione squeaked then slapped Harry's arm, 'You could have warned me.'

'Where's the fun in that Hermione, it's not very often I can shock you.'

'Prat Potter,' Hermione scowled, 'It's nice to meet you Trisha. But how do you put up with him?'

'Oh, I have my ways of controlling Harry, a few words or a look is all it takes.'

'Don't give too much away Trish.'

'Hey, Harry kept you secret for a while.' Ron said.

'Yes, he explained, I was surprised about all this, it nice to meet both of you. But Harry said your parents are non-magical Hermione.'

'Yes, they are, they are over there talking to Ron's parent's.'

'My dad is fascinated with muggle stuff, so he loves it when he meets muggles.'

'He's bound to ask you questions later love.'

'Can I see the ring?' Hermione asked.

Trisha held out her hand, 'It was my mother's.' Harry smiled at the woman he was going to marry.

'Oh Harry, it's beautiful, you're very lucky Trisha.'

'Yes, I feel honoured to wear his mother's engagement ring, but it is beautiful, isn't it?'

Ron and Harry moved aside while the two girls talked, 'You're going to have Hermione hinting at me now mate.'

'Then you better be ready mate. You love her Ron, it's the next step.'

'I know, but I still find it hard to believe she loves me.'

'She does, it's easy to see.'

'Hello Harry Potter.'

Harry grinned as he turned to hug Luna, then other friends turned up. So Harry got them all together to introduce his fiancée who all looked surprised that Harry was getting married. The girls all gushed over Trisha's ring while all the blokes looked on wondering when their girlfriends will be asking for an engagement ring.

When it was time to sit, Harry and Trisha were at a table with Hermione, Ron, the Grangers, Arthur, Molly, Ginny and Charlie, the rest of the Weasley's were next to them at another table with other friends.

'Harry,' Trisha whispered as she lent closer.

'What's up love?'

'That girl, she keeps glaring at me.'

'That's Ginny, remember I told you we dated. Well, she hoped we would again, but I realised she wasn't my type, you are. Try to ignore her but I would advise not to talk to her unless she speaks with you.'

Trisha jumped when the house elves arrived, 'Something you forgot to mention love.'

'Sorry, house elves, the one near us is Kreacher and well, I own him, that's how they are, they are owned. Hogwarts has about a hundred house elves, they take care of the cleaning and cooking, oh and the washing as well. Kreacher, this is Trisha, my fiancée.'

'Welcome Mistress Trisha, if Mistress needs anything just call old Kreacher.'

'Thank you Kreacher, but I'm fine.'

The elves loaded the tables with food, then they disappeared again, 'They'll be back later.'

'Is this how you eat all the time?'

'This is a feast, but we have a wide range of food for our meals and usually all our favourites are served.'

'And here I am eating in a cafeteria.'

'Only for a few more years.'

'Then the hospital cafeteria until I get home to you where I hope you have a wonderful meal all ready for me.'

Harry laughed loudly then kissed his fiancée before they started eating again. But anyone watching Harry and Trisha could see how much they loved each other. Ginny on the other hand just kept glaring at the blond that had taken her Harry.