Harry had known going home for Christmas would be hard but not how hard. He was happy they went as it was nice to spend Christmas with his dad and the others. And he would not have missed his dad's engagement for the world. His dad joked it was supposed to be the other way around. Harry hoped in a year or so it would but he was thrilled for his dad. Remus had never married and he deserved to have happiness of his own. He knew his dad would be happy with Severus even though they couldn't have children of their own. Remus was happy as well and not just by his own proposal. He knew his son was not ready to marry even with Charlie. He was relieved Harry had broken up with Ginny and not given in. A part of him seriously worried his son would for a time. Harry had loved the family so much he had hated to hurt them. It seemed Molly and her two youngest had managed to drive away both Harry and Hermione in the end.

New Year's Eve was one of the last events before they headed back to New Zealand. Harry was growing anxious to get going again. He knew he'd be back in the summer and he would be happier then. He just needed to get away from all of the drama.

Harry was in Diagon alley before the party at Malfoy manor, doing an errand for Draco of all people. "How did I get roped into this?"

Charlie was with him and laughed when he heard. "I think because just that, Pansy would never expect you to be doing an errand for Draco."

Harry laughed when he heard that. "I guess you're right. I hear she has been pretty snoopy of late trying to find out when it would be."

Charlie shrugged. "Well at least she is not delusional and knows its coming. They have known since they were eleven."

Harry elbowed him in the ribs. "They don't have an arranged marriage, hence the proposal. Their mothers just always meddled."

Charlie groaned. "Sounds like someone I know all too well."

Harry agreed with him. "Narcissa just seems to be reasonable about things. She'd not force Draco and Pansy together no matter what."

If Pansy didn't want to marry her son Narcissa would back off. She and Pansy's mother had been best friends since they were in school. They always talked about their children getting married one day. Draco was of course Narcissa's only child and Pansy was the only daughter. Pansy was her daddy's little princess with her three older brothers. Harry had laughed when Draco had told him he was scared of the man and the brothers as well. Harry realized that the Slytherin was quite serious though.

Harry went into the jewelry shop to pick up the item. Draco had chosen a ring from the family vaults, but he had an inscription added to it. Harry had sworn he would collect it and keep it safe until midnight.

Charlie watched him pocket the ring. "You never know maybe this is his way of asking you to be best man."

Harry shook his head. "Blaise is his best friend, but Pansy would be looking for him. Besides I don't have a great track record do I?"

Charlie squeezed his shoulder. "You know that wasn't your fault. And George is going to make us come back in spring, to be a groomsman."

Harry knew he was not just trying to comfort Harry. "Hopefully we will have a reason to come back anyways. I hope we have found them."

Charlie noticed Harry switched topics quickly but he understood. "Like Christmas we will make an exception if not."

Harry didn't know but the couple planned to make sure it was not a problem. George and Angie were practically eloping anyways. They had not planned to tell anyone until the day of the ceremony. With things the way they were at home, the wedding might be even smaller than planned. Angie was an only child and it was just meant to be their immediate family and a few friends. Bill would likely welcome his son well before they came back though from New Zealand but they'd see him then. Fred had proposed to Alicia but plans were for a fall wedding.

Harry was reminded he didn't have to worry about the twins' wedding. No matter Molly's opinion he would be invited to attend. If his mother and younger siblings would make a scene they were the ones uninvited. Harry was family to both George and his fiancé in their heart.

Harry looked at Charlie as they were heading to collect Fred from the shop. "Ever regret all your siblings but Ginny are married but you?"

Charlie shook his head. "Ron isn't either I remind you, but no. I was never in a hurry to marry, and the right person hadn't come along."

Harry had an odd smile on his face. "Hadn't?"

Charlie tried to look serious. "Ah slip of the tongue; I am sure one of these days a nice young nubile boy will come along."

Harry snarled under his breath. "Keep that up and one of the knots back in New Zealand may accidentally come untied."

Charlie whispered in his ear. "Well then I guess I will just have to settle for my amazingly beautiful boyfriend."

They both longed to go public but they couldn't. They were leaving in a week and they could have a date than again. They would at least be at the manor and Charlie had no idea how but he would have their kiss at midnight. He hoped Narcissa would be distracted by her son's proposal. Charlie could see being married in a year or so he could admit. The way Ron through away his marriage and Ginny's sick new relationship, he doubted he'd be the last to wed. He and Harry were new to the relationship though and were in no rush for even the next step.

Fred smiled when he saw the two of them come into the shop. "Good thing mum isn't around, I doubt even she'd be too blind to notice."

New Year's Eve at the mansion was an amazing event. Every time he thought Narcissa couldn't out do herself she did. He kept thinking about what Draco said about birthdays being even more amazing. He thought though tonight was more elaborate than usual due to the proposal coming. Pansy didn't suspect anything and that was quite clear to say the least. She had threatened to not come to the party last Harry had heard. She had been convinced Draco would have proposed by now as he had sworn he would. Draco felt bad but he had wanted it romantic and not up staged by his godfather at all. It took a bit of help from Pansy's dad and her oldest brother, but she was convinced to come.

Harry and Charlie had come though they had considered not coming. They had to deliver the ring any ways but they wanted their midnight kiss. Harry had no idea but Charlie had every intention of sneaking him away before midnight. He didn't care if it would make Narcissa clue in.

Remus looked at Charlie after dinner and whispered. "Still plan to spirit my son away?"

Charlie nodded. "I might need your help as Narcissa doesn't seem to have any intention of anyone leaving the room before midnight."

Severus chuckled. "I am sure we can distract her. You boys should enjoy New Year's with your friends, dinner was enough."

Lucius had come over. "Planning an escape from my wife's party? I may have to turn you in."

He looked serious but there was humor in his voice and Remus smirked. "He'd join you if he didn't think he'd be on the couch for a year."

Lucius corrected him. "Ten years if I miss the proposal of our son. As much as I would prefer to miss the party, I wouldn't miss it."

For Lucius these parties were tedious like they were for his son. In his spy days he had to host them all of the time but he never enjoyed. His father had thrown a lot for business contacts but not pleasure. But Pansy was like Narcissa in she enjoyed these sorts of things. Draco may be luckier than his dad in that his girlfriend was a career woman. She would be a mother and a hostess, but she had a career she loved. She would not have the time to spend on parties and obsessions as much as Narcissa. Lucius tended to think he needed to find his wife a hobby or a job.

The twins had opted not to come to the party, well they had been here for lunch. Charlie had seen Harry's disappointment when they had left after. Harry knew the Malfoys were soon to be family; well Narcissa was, but still. He had spent plenty of time with them since the summer now.

Charlie whispered to Harry about an hour later when Remus gave him the signal. "In about five minutes the two of us are going to run."

Harry turned to look at him. "You sound like we are escaping prison or something. What are you up to?"

Tonks had come over with Moody to wish her cousin a Happy New Year. She had missed dinner. "You better tell or I will get my Aunt."

Charlie shook his head. "The twins and the others are down at the party on Diagon, and waiting for us to join them."

Moody tried to look serious. "Perhaps I should accompany you. I don't think we have enough men down there to keep them in line."

Tonks elbowed him. "We got out of dinner, if you want to live to see the New Year, we better not be leaving now."

Charlie thought he and Moody were in the same boat. Technically Harry was not a member of the Malfoy family other than by adoption. He was Narcissa's second cousin through Sirius, but the woman and Andromeda called him nephew. If Moody married Tonks he was far more ingrained, he was marrying the only daughter in the bunch. Harry was reminded of Christmas when Tonks confirmed her parents accepted Moody. She had whispered to Harry she wanted to be married in four years and with a kid on the way. He had a feeling she would have her way.

Charlie and Harry made a break for it about an hour before midnight. For a moment they were worried they'd get caught, but they made it out. Harry was breathless and laughing when they got to London, and did feel like a prison break out or something.

Harry was surprised when he didn't see the twins yet, though he found their fiancés with the other two. "Where are the twins?"

Alicia shook her head. "Molly convinced them to go home for dinner, we were invited but decided not to join."

George had appeared behind them. "Sorry we're late getting here but mum almost barricaded us in the house."

Fred agreed. "Percy and Penny were smart, they had an excuse. I kind of felt bad leaving Bill and Fleur at the lovely event."

Harry wondered how bad dinner could have been. "Both Ginny and Ron were home I assume."

George shook his head. "Ginny was sent packing back to school after the whole wedding debacle. But Ron was in the same mood."

Harry wished he could feel some sympathy for his friend but he didn't. He had been a royal ass and not just to Harry. The others had been surprised Harry had helped Hermione and been so supportive. He had not forgiven her yet though, not entirely. He was still extremely hurt how she had treated him but she was still like a sister to him. He had comforted her and helped her with a place to live but they still had things to work out. But he hoped they would, and that she would be happy for him and Charlie. Maybe when they got back in the summer she would be ready to move on, and they could find her someone who deserved her, Ron never did.

They soon put their mind and hearts back into the party which had taken over the Leaky Cauldron. All the rooms on the main floor were open to it and there were a lot of people. A muggle television was even included, to see the muggle ball drop at midnight.

At midnight Charlie drew Harry into private and pulled him in for a long warm kiss. "Happy new year's Harry."

Harry and Charlie were off to New Zealand again. The twins had seen them off with Remus as they had before. They knew Harry and Charlie had yet to say I love you or do more than kiss, but they knew that was coming closer and closer. George was assured by Charlie he would know as soon as the serpents had been found. It would give him and Angie a few weeks to do last minute plans so the wedding would be when they got back. George and Angie had both suggested it, and they had no desire to marry without Harry there.

Molly was not enjoying the start of her New Year as much as she hoped to be. Fred was engaged now, but neither twin would set a date. Charlie had taken off to some other country again. Hermione had not only called off the wedding but moved out on Ron. And then there was Ginny.

Ron came home from work and sunk down at the table in a huff. "I honestly think Tonks has convinced the instructors to single me out."

Molly looked at her son from where she was making dinner. "And why would she do that dear? She always seemed fair to me."

Ron sneered at his mother. "Oh I don't know, because scar head is her cousin, or because my whore of a former fiancé is living with her."

Arthur's voice came from behind his son. "You will watch your language in this house or you can find a new place to live."

Ron turned to look at his dad who was on the stairs. "Ginny saw them making out in the front hall. Why else would Hermione dump me?"

Hermione answered for herself having arrived at the back door. "Because I'm tired of being treated like trash by my so called fiancé."

Hermione had come with some paper work for him to sign. Her parents had put the money for their house into the account with their reward money from the war. She had the papers from her parents to prove the money was hers, all that she had personally entered into the vault. She planned to close the vault and put her reward money and house money into a private one. Though it was all legal, it was needing a signature from Ron to speed up the process. She could get a court order if he refused.

Arthur shared a look with his wife who seemed to have mixed emotions. Molly didn't like the way her son was speaking but Ron was her son. He was not the baby of the family but her youngest son and that was special. She made it clear she didn't approve of how Hermione handled it.

Arthur turned to look at her. "Perhaps you'd like to join us for dinner. Ron will sign the forms and I am sure you could use a hot meal."

Ron grabbed the forms and signed them but he threw them at her. "No need for you to stay where you're not wanted."

Hermione collected up the forms and turned to Arthur. "Thank you anyways, but an old friend of mine has invited me, he is meeting me…."

Molly cut in before her son could. "I was under the impression Harry had left the country again. Or has my son lied again."

Hermione turned to look at the woman. "Harry and Charlie left as planned. I have other male friends. Viktor has moved back to town."

Ron was fuming. "Three weeks after our wedding debacle and you're sleeping with Krum? You probably took him on that honeymoon."

For the second time Hermione slapped him across the face. "Viktor is a friend; I haven't seen him in years. He invited me out for dinner."

With that Hermione left the house in a huff just happy he signed the papers. Like Harry she was grateful Arthur and Bill were still welcoming. She was surprised when she got back from Ireland to find flowers. Her trip she found out was commandeered, and she had spent it at a castle in southern Ireland being pampered and distracted, not in Dublin as planned. Viktor had invited her out for dinner, he knew what happened. She was not going out on a date. Ron might think her a slut but she wasn't. She definitely was nowhere near ready to start dating. But she had not had a lot of friends. With Ginny over, and Harry and her still strained as well as he away, it was nice to have company.

Molly turned an angry look at her son. She had told him if he'd calm down Hermione would come to her senses. She had enough to worry about with Ginny and her drinking issues. Ginny had landed a good job for when she was done school, and couldn't ruin it with her drinking.

Molly put the food down on the table. "Perhaps you save up and when your sister is done school you two can find a place together."

Ron sneered. "I heard she has some kind of place to go with the job."

Arthur still had no idea where this job had come from. "Has she spoken to either of you about what she is actually doing? I am a bit worried."

Molly turned to her husband. "You are allowing Harry's lies to get to you. Our daughter is intelligent; of course she would get a good job."

Arthur sighed and shook his head. "I just think we need to find out what she is doing. I don't understand why she is being so secretive about it."

He had no idea how far his daughter had sunk. Charlie and the twins had not mentioned to him or the others about what had happened. Charlie loved his parents and could not bring himself to tell them what Ginny was doing. He prayed she would come to her senses before it was too late. From what Charlie had overheard Lord Bullstrode's wife knew of the affair and didn't care. It was common enough in those types of marriages but it sickened him. Arthur had his own suspicions considering the shape his daughter was in, not just drunk, when she came to the wedding.

Molly was not hearing any of it. "She is getting a job and a place, to prove Harry she has grown up. He will see she is ready to marry now."