Chapter Thirty-Six Nine Months and A Blessing Received

Disclaimer: Any characters other than Athena and any situations related to the book or any other Harry Potter related items belong to J.K. Rowling and Warner Brothers. I do not gain any money from this. I only write to relieve stress and to get the ideas out of my head.

A/N. Feel free to leave a review or comments on anything I messed up on or if you have a suggestion for the story. Don't feel obligated to give me a review though. I appreciate everyone who reads my stories. Reviews are bonuses in my eyes so like I said don't feel obligated to leave one. Thank you also to those who have added this story to favorites or following I appreciate it. ".."=talking '..'=thinking *..*=text message/notes.

June 21, 2001

Harry stood pacing in front of the fireplace of the Blaze home as he waited for Axel and Audrey to come downstairs. He had arranged for a meeting with Athena's parents having already planning out a special evening for Athena. Athena was under the impression that he had gone to Boston to talk with Sam and some of the other members of the committee that had officially formed not knowing he was actually going to talk to her parents. He placed a hand in his pocket making sure that the velvet box was still in his pocket and hadn't disappeared while he was waiting. He looked up hearing the sound of footsteps drawing closer to the room trying to get his nerves to settle.

Axel took a seat on the couch next to his wife "so Harry you wanted to meet with myself and my wife today out of the blue. What can we do for you?"

Harry looked at him wiping a hand on the pocket of his slacks dressed up for the occasion "well it has been two months since we had our talk sir about my future with your daughter. I have had a lot of time to consider my feelings and make sure I was 100 % without a doubt sure about what I wanted. I wanted to do this with both of you present since I know how much you both mean to Athena and it didn't feel right to just ask you sir. I asked for this meeting this morning to ask for both of your blessings to marry your daughter. Over the past nine months that I have known your daughter we have encountered dark wizards who have tried to destroy our world, your daughter being kidnapped, your daughter starting her own practice and returning to school, and numerous other achievements and promotions. With your daughter by my side I feel like I can accomplish anything because I know I have her support and she will be with me every step of the way through the ups and the downs. I love your daughter and I honestly can not imagine my life without her. I want her to be the mother of my future children and I want to grow old with her by my side laughing about all the stupid decisions we made. She makes me want to be a better person and I do understand that being with her comes with certain expectations. I want to continue to be there for her encouraging her to accomplish all her dreams and goals and to comfort her when she had setbacks and failures. I want to be there when she is happy and full of life but also when she is sad and needs a shoulder to cry on. I feel as though your daughter is my other half and that she is the only one who can make me feel complete. So today I come to your home at 8 am to ask for your blessing to marry your daughter. I ask for permission to ask your beautiful daughter to marry me and make me the happiest man alive." He put his hand in his pocket grabbing the box in one hand prepared to pull it out of his pocket to show them if they asked.

Audrey stared at Harry examining him with her always sharp and critical eye pleased to find a mature man standing in front of her. She smiled knowing that he cared for her daughter and was absolutely sure of his feelings and didn't have any doubts about what he wanted. She looked at Axel before looking at Harry giving a slight nod "you have my blessing Harry Potter. The man I see before me today is a mature and wise man who I know will take care of my daughter and will protect her and comfort her when she needs it. Who will encourage her and support her through every step of her life and who from what I have seen when you and Teddy interact will be a loving and wonderful father. Yes I give you my blessing. Now I have two questions for you. One can I see the ring? Two when you do you plan to propose?"

Axel rubbed his chin thinking about what Harry and his wife had said "of course I give you my blessing Harry. I don't think I can word it any more perfectly than my wife did. I knew when I met you the first time that you were it for my daughter. I wouldn't have to worry about looking for someone or hoping my daughter found someone who could make her as happy as I work to make Audrey. I would like to hear the answers to my wife's questions though but you do have my blessing Harry."

Harry smiled pulling the box out of his pocket glad that he had received both of Athena's parents' blessing. He opened the box showing Audrey and Axel the Neil Lane 2 and ¾ carat diamond 14k white gold ring that he had picked up from the jewelry store that morning. "I plan to propose to your daughter tonight. We had already planned a special evening out at the London ballet followed by dinner since today is our nine month anniversary. I have arranged a private room at the Italian restaurant that Athena loves that was near her old flat. It will be decorated with rose petals and have a single red rose on the table. I was going to bring her to the room have her take a seat and before dinner arrives ask her on one knee if she would make me the happiest man alive and then ask her to marry me. I had originally planned to ask for your blessings last week when I was in town for business but both of you were busy until today. If I hadn't gotten your blessing I would have made a call and postponed proposing until I had proven to you both that I was worthy of marrying your daughter."

Audrey stared at the ring "it is absolutely beautiful Harry. You have chosen well and I am sure my daughter will love it. I am also glad that you are planning to propose tonight and I doubt you would have not gotten our blessing today with how you presented your case. Keep my daughter happy Mr. Potter and you will never have to worry about me or Axel coming after you. Now hurry off I'm sure my daughter is waiting to spend the day with you."

Axel lightly patted Harry on the shoulder "good choice in rings Harry and I like that you are proposing tonight. Now like my wife said hurry off as I am sure Athena is waiting."

Harry closed the box placing the box back in his pocket. He walked out of the Blaze home getting into his rental car and driving back to the Boston Ministry. He returned his car walking into the ministry heading for Sam's desk having some business to talk with Sam and another before he headed back to London. He headed to the lift taking it up to the second level before getting out and heading through the Department of Magical Law Enforcement stopping once he reached the conference room where Sam, the other candidates, and the ministers sat. He walked into the conference room taking a seat in one of the open chairs "sorry I am late gentlemen I had an errand to run beforehand."

Kingsley looked at Harry knowing what the errand was "did you get the response you wanted on your errand? Or are we going to have to postpone the party until a later date?"

Harry "I indeed got the response I wanted. As for the party we may have to postpone it depending on the answer that I get tonight at dinner. I got the first positive answer I needed but I still need to get a positive answer from the most important person in my life. The plans are still in place for tonight I can only hope she will answer me the way I hope she does."

Sam looked at Harry clearing his throat "gentlemen if we could please get on task. While I'm sure whatever this errand was Harry had to run was important it is not why we are gathered here today. Today we are here to discuss where and when we will meet and some of the responsibilities of the committee."

Harry nodded his head "sorry about holding us up. I would suggest the place that we meet be somewhere that is a central location to all of us. It wouldn't be fair for certain delegates to have to travel further than others especially if it means it could make them late to the meeting. I was thinking somewhere like South Africa. There isn't really one central location for all the countries but it does make it where almost all of us have to travel a decent distance to get to where we need to be. As for when I would suggest maybe every third Thursday of the month to check on the status of each nation and bring up any concerns or conflicts that are occurring that need to be addressed."

Sam looked at Harry once he had finished "I'm not sure that every Thursday would work for everyone and we may need to meet more often than once a month. Addressing conflicts and concerns are a good starting point but the committee should have other responsibilities as well. They should be in charge of raising funding and contributing to a united military for use in conflicts and to support each other. Every country should do their part with funding for the committee and disaster relief. Military like groups should be available for civil wars and dangerous events. The committee should also be responsible for passing and amending international laws. We should be an equal voice for each country and not be biased towards bigger powers. I understand that neutrality may not be possible but we should try to be just and fair in our actions."

Kingsley looked between the two stepping in before either could say another word "every third Thursday will not work but we probably do not need to meet more than every third Friday or Wednesday depending on which one works better for everyone. If we need to meet more we can adjust or call special meetings. I agree that we should aim for neutrality and avoid bias as much as we can. There are going to be times of conflict and disagreements but we will work it out to over best ability. As for funding and military that can be discussed during the official meeting where we can have an open discussion. I think we have covered everything important so far." He was quick to close the conversation sensing an argument waiting to happen between Sam and Harry. He nodded at the two committee members and the ministers as they stood up and left the room.

Sam looked at Harry "I would appreciate it if next time you are not late to these meetings. If you weren't Harry Potter you would not be given a free pass to show up whenever you like. Don't overestimate your power on this committee either for once it is not all about you and your achievements. If I feel that you have become a hindrance to this committee I will have you removed."

Harry ran ahead over his face before frowning at Sam "I never once thought that this committee was about me. I will not be late again. This was a special occasion that ran over more than I expected. It isn't just a short conversation when you ask your girlfriend's parents for their blessing to ask their daughter for her hand in marriage."

Sam looked at him surprised "so you went to the Blazes' house to ask Axel and Audrey Blaze for their blessing? That is a big step in your relationship. Are you sure you want to ask her to marry you? I'm not sure if what I heard is truth or rumors but I've heard she's hard to handle and can be cold. I guess it is understandable that it ran over time since that is full of questions to answer and to prove that you are worthy of the blessing." He walked out of the room heading back to his office not giving Harry a chance to answer.

Harry shook his head not surprised that someone had called Athena cold and hard to handle. He ignored the urge to go after Sam and give him a tongue lashing over his comments about Athena and him being late. He walked out of the office heading to the lift. He walked out after a few moments of being on the lift heading to the front desk to get his port key. He looked at the book smiling noticing it was a book on the Greek goddess Athena. He felt even more confident in his decision to ask for her parents blessing and to ask her to marry him later that evening. He activated his port key feeling the familiar tug as he was transported to the lobby of the London Ministry of Magic. He looked around the lobby before walking out pulling his keys from his pocket as he headed to his vehicle planning on stopping by the restaurant to make sure the preparations were still in place for tonight. He got in his vehicle driving the short distance to the restaurant. He parked his vehicle heading inside quickly getting the attention of the manager long enough to confirm the plans for the night before he let the man get back to his busy job. He got into his vehicle heading back to the house after checking the time to make sure he had just enough time to get ready before he took Athena out to dinner. He headed to the house slightly nervous about how the night was going to go.

Meanwhile at the house Athena was starting to get ready for dinner. Harry had told her to be ready by 6 pm and it was just now 5:30pm. She stepped out of the shower wrapped in her favorite green plush robe and a green towel wrapped around her head to help dry her hair until she used her blow dryer. She walked over to her closet looking for an outfit to wear having a feeling that there was something special about tonight. She looked at the various outfits settling on a knee length strapless sweetheart neckline silver dress with some sparkly silver flats with small bows on the front. She looked through the small dresser in front of her eyeing some of the fancy lingerie her mom had helped her pick out selecting the matching gold set and slipping them on under her robe. She removed her robe before slipping into the dress making sure the zipper hidden under the arm was zipped up properly. Once everything was zipped up she walked into the bathroom removing the towel from her head as she hung it and her robe up in their proper places. She took a seat at her vanity trying to decide on make up. She applied a light layer of black eyeliner enough to make her silver eyes pop before adding silver eye shadow and some red lipstick. She grabbed her blow dryer plugging it in before giving her hair a thorough dry. She brushed the long ebony strands braiding them into a neat French braid before looking at herself in the mirror. She walked out of the bathroom dressed for the evening out with Harry. She could hardly believe it had been nine months almost enough time for them to have a child if the circumstances had led to a child.

Harry looked at Athena as he walked into their bedroom "you look amazing as always. Let me freshen up and then we can be off to dinner for this evening." He headed into the bathroom freshening up and running a comb over his unruly hair making it tamer before heading back out to the bedroom offering Athena his arm. He walked down the stairs to the garage opening the door and heading over to the car opening the passenger door for Athena. He walked over to his side once she was safely inside the car before getting in and starting up the vehicle. He drove to the restaurant smiling to himself and doing his best to keep his nerves at bay.

Athena looked up when they arrived at the restaurant waiting until Harry was parked to unbuckled her seat belt and get out of the car. She took Harry's arm when offered heading into the restaurant thinking about all the memories they had made there. She blinked surprised when the server handed her a rose before leading the two to a private room. She looked at Harry "thank you for the beautiful rose." She looked at the door to the private room stepping inside once it was opened looking at the rose petals scattered around the floor before looking at Harry "what's going on Harry?"

Harry led her over to her seat smiling "I have prepared a special evening for us since it is our nine month anniversary." He pushed in her chair before heading to his own taking a seat feeling the weight of the ring box in his pocket. He looked at the menu trying to decide what he wanted as his thoughts kept drifting to the proposal ideas he had read about.

Athena looked at the menu feeling slightly nervous in the specially decorated room. She selected her meal choice letting the server know when he came back into the room what she wanted before looking at Harry "this is very nice Harry but it almost seems to be too much for our nine month anniversary."

Harry looked at her taking her hand "I know it seems too nice but I wanted to do something special for you tonight. Just relax and enjoy the night." He gave his order to the server looking at Athena.

An hour or so later the two had just finished their meals. Harry stood up once the plates had been taken away from the table walking over to Athena's side of the table. He took her hands dropping to one knee "Athena my love these past nine months have been the best nine months of my life. Yes we have had some fights and arguments but we have gotten past those. You are my rock, my biggest supporter, and the person who encourages me the most. I never thought I would find someone after Ginny left me but then you came into my life and I can't imagine life without you. Every day I find myself falling more and more in love with you. Will you marry me and make me the happiest man alive?" He pulled one of his hands away pulling the ring box out of his pocket and opening it up for her.

Athena stared at Harry then at the ring before turning her attention back to Harry "Yes! Of course I will marry you." She leaned down taking his face in her hands planting a kiss on his lips shocked but happy that he had asked her to marry him.

Harry slid the ring on her finger smiling up at his bride-to-be "I'm so glad you said yes. I hoped you would but I was scared that after all you had been through with Alexander and Madison you might be hesitant to say yes or consider a long term relationship. I love you so much Athena." He glanced behind him not surprised to see Kingsley standing there shutting the view panel on the camcorder he held.

Athena blinked at Kingsley then looked at Harry "I'm guessing you had him film the proposal? If so that was a smart idea so that we can show our families how romantic it was."

Kingsley nodded "Harry requested we capture this special moment so we have record of it for future generations. Congratulations you two on your engagement. I hope you have a long and loving marriage when you get to marriage and that you two treasure each other the same if not more as you treasure each other now." He turned towards the hallway "well my job here is finished so I will leave you two lovebirds alone. Congratulations once again you two." He left the restaurant having left the camcorder with the happy couple.

Harry got up off of his knees helping Athena to stand gently stroking her cheek "do you want to have dessert here or should we go for a stroll around London?"

Athena looked at him "let's have a small dessert and then go for a stroll around London. That way we are getting the best of both worlds as we can enjoy a tasty treat for a special occasion and then walk around and talk like we used to when I lived around this area."

Harry nodded for an okay getting the server's attention "can we please have a dessert menu? Thank you."

Athena browsed the menu looking at the various desserts available being mindful of the prices. She selected the molten lava cake which was chocolate cake with ice cream and hot chocolate sauce. Harry smiled at her choice having thought it looked very appealing. He handed the menu to the server as they placed their order for dessert. Harry looked at Athena "is there anything in particular you want to walk to or just around until we get tired?"

Athena blinked running a hand over her braided hair thinking "I think just walking around until we get tired would be fine. I don't have anywhere in particular I want to go." She looked out the window at the quiet streets absently playing with the ring resting on her finger "we are going to have to plan a get together to tell everyone about our engagement."

Harry smiled "I'm already ahead of you on that item. I have Kingsley planning an engagement party and will make sure your parents, grandparents, and friends are all invited. He may approach you regarding a guest list to make sure the people you want are there but I think I gave him all the names I knew of."

Athena looked at him "you are full of surprises today. Fires you have Kingsley make sure the proposal is recorded for our future children to see then you have him plan an engagement party for us. Did you do anything else today that would surprise me?"

Harry nodded "I asked both of your parents for their blessing to ask you to marry me this morning. I think that is the last of the surprises I have for you today."

Athena's eyes widened at the news she was presented "You asked both my parents for their blessing? That is so thoughtful of you. Most people would only ask my father but it makes it even more special that you included my mother as well." She took his hand holding it while they waited for dessert.

Harry looked at her smiling as he held her hand running his thumb over the top of her hand carefully avoiding her ring. He looked up as the dessert arrived at their table letting go his fiancee's hand making room for the food to be set down before taking Athena's hand again. He looked up at the server "this will be the last item for the night. I believe we are ready for the check."

Athena picked up her fork waiting until the server had left before taking a small piece of the cake taking a bite savoring it. She looked at Harry after she had finished the bite "this is absolutely amazing. You should have a taste of this." She made another small bite putting it on her fork before holding the fork up and out to Harry for him to taste.

Harry took the piece of cake from the fork taking a moment to enjoy the dessert "you are right. This is very delicious and I am glad you picked it." He took another forkful of cake when it was offered to him. He paid the check when it was brought to him before looking at Athena "are you ready for our walk?"

Athena nodded finished with her dessert "let's go look around London like we used to when we first started dating." She stood up smiling as she glanced at the ring resting on her finger before taking Harry's hand heading out of the restaurant.

Harry walked with Athena down the quiet streets looking around at various buildings reminiscing on some of the memories they had made "these streets have good and bad memories but memories none the less. The date we had at the park nearby during the colder months is just off this street and the night you were kidnapped we were on this street as well. The hotel you were staying at when I first met you is on this street too."

Athena nodded "it seems like so long ago that I moved to London and you, Ron, and Hermione were helping me pick out a place even though it has been less than a year. It seems strange to think that a little over a year ago Alex and I had broken up and I was trying to pick up the pieces of my life and figure out how to live life without him in it. It is also unbelievable how my relationship with Madison has changed from where we were a year ago. Yes bad things did happen but we also made a lot of happy memories on these streets." She looked up as they reached the hotel she had stayed in when she first arrived in London "I remember when you walked me back to my hotel room. I was still paranoid that I was going to be attacked before I got to my room but you were there to make sure I safely made it back to my room. I think that was the moment I started developing feelings for you. I mean I know I thought you were attractive when we met at the airport but I didn't want to let myself get feelings for anyone after the pain of what Alexander had done fresh on my mind. I'm glad I got to know you better before we started dating otherwise I have no idea where we would be right now. It doesn't hurt that Kingsley offered me a job here in London shortly after the conference concluded or we would have had more obstacles to face to get to this point."

Harry lifted her hand up kissing the top of it holding it a little bit tighter "I didn't know what to expect of you. This girl I met at the airport was happy and bubbly and full of life but the minute we got in the car you were cold and distant. I wasn't sure if I would be interacting with you any more once we reached the ministry so I didn't know if it was worth it to get to know you. Once I found out what you were in London for and realized I would be working with you quite a bit I figured I should give you a second chance to see what you were like when you weren't stressed out with work. I'm glad I did otherwise we wouldn't be here right now. I would still probably be broken from Ginny leaving me and putting as much time as possible into work. Ron and Hermione had been encouraging me to get out and meet other people but I hadn't really wanted to until you arrived in my life. That night at the hotel something shifted in our relationship but I wasn't sure what it was or if I wanted to act on it at the time." He continued walking with her stopping when they reached the park they had their date during the colder month thinking back to that day. "It was so cold when we were here so it was quiet except for the mother and her child. I was still surprised she was here with her child on such a cold day but it did look like they were having a lot of fun and we had a good date."

Athena smiled "it was super cold but we made the most of the date and had fun. I think it was cute to see the mother and her child playing at the park though it was cold." She looked at him as they continued walking "this has been a wonderful night." She hugged his arm as they walked releasing his hand.

Harry nodded he looked around pulling her into an alleyway planning on apparating to one of two destinations based on her answer "should we go to see the London Eye or do you want to go home?"

Athena looked up at him "let's go home. You've had a long day and I am sure you are exhausted." She leaned up and kissed him softly before taking his hand and apparating to the alleyway by the restaurant making sure the coast was clear before walking out and over to the car.

Harry walked over to the car with her opening the door for her waiting until she was in the car and buckled up before he shut the door heading back to his side. He started up the car once his seat belt was on backing out of the parking spot and heading out onto the road starting the journey back to their house glad that he had gotten the blessing of both of Athena's parents and that Athena had said yes to marrying him. He drove using the corner of his eye to keep an eye on Athena to make sure that she was feeling alright. He chuckled quietly when he noticed she had started to fall asleep in the passenger seat.

A half an hour later they had arrived back at home. Harry parked the car in the garage turning off the car as the garage door closed. He got out shutting his door quietly then headed over to Athena's side opening the door carefully unbuckling her seat belt. He gently picked up her cradling her in one arm as he shut the door before adjusting her in his arms as he headed inside the house. He shut the garage door behind him locking it before heading for the stairs holding Athena close making sure her head rested on his shoulder as he headed up the stairs doing his best to not move her as he climbed the stairs. He opened the door to their room with his other shoulder carrying her over to the bed. He set her down on the bed then heading into the bathroom. He looked at her vanity trying to figure which of the various products lined up on the counter was the make up remover. He picked up a few bottles reading the labels before setting them down flinching when they clinked loudly together.

Athena opened her eyes hearing a loud noise. She blinked looking around not sure where she was momentarily disoriented. She rubbed her eyes sitting up realizing she was at home in her and Harry's bedroom. She groaned quietly as she determined she had fallen asleep on the ride home. She got up heading into the bathroom taking a seat at her vanity glancing at Harry "why don't you go get ready for bed and I'll meet you in there in a few once I've finished removing this make up."

Harry nodded for an okay kissing the top of her head "I love you Athena. You are beautiful to me even without the makeup but I love you no matter how you look. I love all of your flaws and insecurities and I want to spend the rest of my life showing you how much I love you and making sure that you don't have any reason to feel insecure around me. If you ever feel like I am making you insecure please let me know. I never want you to feel that way. I want us to be able to talk about anything and everything without fearing how the other will react."

Athena smiled softly "you make me feel beautiful and cherished even when I feel under the weather or I feel I am not good enough. You never make me feel insecure but if you do I will call you out on it. I like the fact that we are very open and honest with each other even if it may be something that the other person doesn't want to hear." She pulled a few of the products from the counter closer to her planning on removing her make up and getting ready for bed.

Harry walked out of the bathroom unbuttoning his dress shirt making sure that it made it into the laundry basket in the closet. He pulled off the white t-shirt he had on under his dress shirt also placing it in the basket before unbuckling his belt and removing his slacks tossing them into the basket. He slipped off his shoes and socks putting them in the proper places before walking over to his bed puling the covers back and sitting down on the bed. He arranged the pillows the way he wanted them sitting up in the bed grabbing a book from his bedside table to read until Athena was ready for bed.

Athena walked into the closet after all of her make up was removed knowing the damage the various chemicals in the make up could do to her skin. She slipped out of the dress placing it in the dry cleaning hamper before changing into her more comfortable bed clothes. She put her flats back in their slot on her shoe rack before walking over to her side of the bed. She got into bed lightly kissing Harry's cheek before slipping her engagement ring off her finger and setting it in the box on her nightstand not wanting to risk scratching herself or Harry during the night.

Harry looked at her watching her carefully place the ring in the box not surprised she had taken it off her finger as they were going to bed. He had heard stories from Ron about Hermione's ring scratching him during the night. He set his book down on the nightstand after marking the page he was at. He turned off the light laying down in bed and pulling Athena into his arms holding his fiancee close feeling happier then he had ever been.

Athena closed her eyes curled up in Harry's arm happy that Harry had asked her to marry him and that he loved her after the pain she had experienced with Alexander the year before. A tear drifted down her face as her memories turned to the cold rainy day when her world had seemed to fall apart before heading back to a few hours earlier that day and the happiness that had filled her. She fell asleep drifting off to the dream of her walking down to the aisle with Harry waiting at the end.

Song Choice: Skrillex & Diplo featuring Kai-Mind