A/N: I've been doing some thinking, and this came to me…

"Many attempts to occupy the mind in order to silence the heart are,

In principle, only delays, and in turn, accidentally set aside the truth,

Which may be difficult to accept, no matter how beautiful it may be…

Conversely, attempts to occupy the mind in order to cultivate the heart,

Are, in principle, completely edifying, and in turn, intentionally search

For the truth, which is always comforting and right, no matter how hard…"

-Jeff Baker

The Weasley Brothers

They kissed. They made love right under the tree. Harry, after the first few moments, cast more secrecy and warming charms just in case. It felt like they were together for hours. However, even after they had gotten dressed, conjured a blanket, and lay there for awhile after, upon reentering the house, they saw that a few people were still inside around the kitchen table.

"Wondered where you two had gone." Bill spoke first. Harry got incredibly scared.

"Gin, c'mere. I was trying to tell Charlie about that time when you were six…"

"Percy! I said I believed you! She is of age now, I really don't need a Bat-Bogey Hex waiting for me when I wake up in the morning!"

The three oldest brothers.

All of them, in Harry's mind, were there to kill him for what had just taken place, and sure enough, after a few moments of awkward silence, Bill noticed her left hand.

"GINNY!"

"Shhh! Wake up the whole house, will ya?" Percy was on his feet to match Bill. "What are you on about?"

"Look." Charlie had cottoned on, too. He pointed to her hand, which she quickly put into her pocket.

"What?"

"Percy." Ginny spoke, for the first time, softly. She took her hand back out and rested it on her chest.

"Ginny!"

"Who's waking the house now?"

Harry wasn't really sure who was talking, but the fact of the matter was that the three oldest protectors of Ginny Weasley were now standing in front of him, a mere hour removed from their engagement and, oh no, he thought, other things. He wanted to speak, to make them understand, but his tongue was curiously frozen at the moment. He and Ginny were still standing on one side of the room, but the brothers were now all up from the table and moving slowly towards them. This was not the happy euphoria he had dreamed about during lazy days in the library. He instinctively grasped her hand, not realizing that was the worst thing he could have done.

"What do you think you're doing Potter?" Charlie.

His reflexes took over and he responded. "I love her."

"We know that! What do you think you're doing?" Percy.

He spoke again. "We know what we're doing."

"Ok." Bill.

Both Harry and Ginny stared at him. He was calm, understanding. Perhaps this was because he too had proposed at one point in his life, perhaps it was because he was the oldest, but nevertheless, Harry appreciated a word that wasn't negative, no matter how innocuous it was.

"Listen." Ginny let go of his hand stepped forward a bit. "Either the three of you sit down and listen to us, or we are not having this conversation until tomorrow morning when the rest of the family can find out."

"You WANT mum to know?" Percy was vexed.

"Fine. Either you sit down and listen, or you are forbidden to say anything until Harry and I feel like letting anyone else know!"

The three of them, and Harry too, were struck dumb. Strong, confident women always had a certain ability to make strong men feel subdued.

Harry smiled.

He turned to his left just to look at her, admire her, and be thankful she was there. The truth of the matter was they had not discussed this as much as was likely necessary. Harry always thought that two people had to date forever, get to know everything about each other and their families, and all of that before even discussing the matter with other people. Neither of them had sought counsel from parents or elders. In fact, the only people he really had to talk to were Ginny's parents, and he instantly regretted not asking her father first. He had heard that was tradition and courteous, not having his own parents, and now this romantic idea that he had just surprised everyone was waning quickly.

"Gin?"

"Wait, Harry!" Charlie looked murderous.

"O…k." That's all he could think of to say. Wasn't he supposed to be strong enough to handle this?

"Ok. All three of you!" Ginny had spoken again and taken hold of Harry's hand with her right one, while raising her left hand into the air. "See this?" They all generally murmured. "This means that Harry and I love each other, respect each other, and want to spend the rest of our lives with each other!" Harry hadn't said any of those things to her earlier, but he found that he not only agreed, but was incredibly excited at the prospect. He squeezed her hand for encouragement.

"Ok, Gin." Bill, again, was the calmest one. He sat down back in his seat at the table. Charlie and Percy took their cues and followed suit. "I have to apologize." She didn't say anything, and so neither, did Harry. "The first word out of our mouths should have been 'Congratulations!'"

"Thanks, Bill." Ginny instantly smiled and ran over to her oldest brother. After a quick hug, they reverted to their slightly agitated states.

"And Harry," Bill's attention turned towards him, "congratulations to you as well. We already know you'll take good care of her."

"Yeah, Gin, Harry, that's great." Charlie spoke next, then Percy.

"Yeah, you two, wow."

"Thanks." Harry was relieved. Still, he had a sneaking suspicion that he really shouldn't be speaking at all.

"Thank you." Ginny was back in control, and back to holding hands. "Now, when we tell other people, you three will act surprised." They all nodded. "You will not tell anyone until then." Her voice raised a little, but again, they nodded. "And finally, you will not tell Mum!" Harry was worried she might wake someone up, but literally nothing was stirring, not even a house elf. Again, the brothers nodded, shook Harry's hand, hugged their sister, and made their way to bed.

As Bill and Charlie were settling on the couches, Bill spoke. "Oh, and make sure you sleep in separate beds tonight." He smiled while the new fiancées chuckled quietly.

And then it set in.

He, Harry Potter, was engaged. To Ginny Weasley.

It actually felt like a dream.

He had no idea where he was walking, where he was, whose hand he was holding, or anything. He was just focusing on not falling down. They parted at the doorway to her room, and he found himself standing alone in Percy's old room. He knew he was breathing. He knew he was smiling. He did not know much more.

Suddenly, he woke up from his dream and realized that he was not with his love. Instantly disappointed, he made his way to his door and prepared to open it, in the hopes that Ginny was standing in her room in a similar state. However, he quickly thought that perhaps he should respect the boundaries that Bill had alluded to earlier.

He felt like he was trapped in an invisible net that was keeping him from moving towards Ginny or towards his bed. It was agony and joy, hope and consolation, but altogether calm and wonderful. He could not make an incorrect decision at this moment, and ultimately, he thought about what was best for Ginny.

He didn't want Molly to kill her. Or him.

Therefore, he resigned himself to sleeping for the night. After hours of lying in the dark, trying to turn his brain off, he finally drifted off to sleep. Obviously, and after eventually slipping into real dreams full of beaches and lazy days with Ginny, he was rudely awakened by Cedrella.

"Mmm, what is it?" He said sleepily.

"I believe that this may be important. The Minister was most intent on sending me on this day of relaxation."

"It's from Kingsley?" Harry couldn't believe, but if he had to be honest, of course this would happen. What am I gonna tell Ginny? He thought. "Ok. Let's have a look at the letter."

A/N: I'm starting to get annoying with the chapters, I know. Just had to get that first quote on something.