CHAPTER 14
COME WHAT MAY
His dark hair hung into his eyes as he stared down at the small box in his hands, the black lid was open and inside a small delicate ring, the diamond glinted in the light. He had stared at this same ring everyday for over a month and yet he still hadn't given it to her, hadn't given it to the one person who meant most to him. Destiny. It was his destiny to be with her, he was sure of it, he had never doubted it, the question had never sprung into his mind. He shut the lid determinedly, but tonight was different, tonight he was going to do it, he was going to ask her to marry him.
Sirius looked over at the clock on the wall and grinned; he had been waiting for her for what felt like hours, she was upstairs that very moment getting ready. He was going to take her to the most expensive restaurant he could find, then go on a long autumn walk through the small park and everything would be perfect.
He put the ring in his pocket and sat in silence for a few moments contemplating what he was about to do. He heard a noise at the top of the stairs and looked up, it was her. She was standing there, magnificent in a long, claret dress. Golden earrings hung from her ears and a matching necklace fell prettily around her neck. Her raven locks were curled, and tumbled around her face. Sirius stood as she started to descend the stairs she was gorgeous.
"You look amazing.'' Sirius said ruggedly as she approached him and gave him a small peck on the cheek. He helped her slip her cloak around her shoulders, it was laced with a fine golden thread that made it shimmer even in the dim light of their front room.
"So do you.'' She replied smiling warmly at him, looking appreciatively at his best suit, he swung his thick black cloak around his shoulders and offered her his arm; she took it happily, before they left for the restaurant.
Ginny rung the doorbell of Harry's apartment and waited nervously, she waited a while before ringing again, there was still no answer. She rung the bell for a third time, thinking it odd that Harry wouldn't answer she leant up against the door to try and hear what was going on inside.
"Oh shit!" A voice said on the other side, as something crashed to the floor. "Bugger in hell." The voice shouted again, she heard a large variety of curse words and crashes before she rung the doorbell again, this time loudly and more clearly. She smiled despite herself, it seemed as though Harry wasn't exactly the master chef he had made himself out to be. She listened and the noise had stopped, he had obviously heard it this time. "Be right there.'' He called from inside.
Ginny waited patiently and a few seconds later Harry answered the door looking very flustered but still extremely handsome. He grinned sheepishly at her and held out a dish of something that looked very black and very hard. "Um I guess I miscalculated the cooking times for these.'' He said grinning.
Ginny couldn't help herself she just started laughing, he stood out of the way and allowed her in, the both of them laughing still, he walked through to the kitchen and dumped the dish into the sink before coming back to her and helping her take her jacket off, taking the bottle of wine that she had brought with her away from her so she could take her jacket off properly. "Thanks.'' Ginny said her cheeks flushed from laughing. "She looked around at the apartment, and noticed that it was spotless, from what she had heard from Hermione it was very rarely spotless, he must've made an effort for her. She smiled inwardly.
"Well we have something to drink at least." Harry said, pouring them both a glass of wine each.
"That was meant to be to have with our dinner.'' Ginny said, accepting the glass form Harry and delicately taking a sip.
"Well we haven't got any now.'' Harry said shrugging. "I'll order food in. Pizza?''
"Sure why not.'' Ginny said nonchalantly.
"Sorry about this, it was meant to be perfect.''
"It's fine.'' Ginny said honestly. "I'm not fussy.''
"You can't be.'' Harry said smiling.
"And how did you work that out?'' Ginny asked, amazing how easy it had been for them both to get comfortable around each other again, even with minimal alcohol.
"Well hanging about with riff-raff like me, for a start.'' Harry surveying her through warm eyes.
"I like a bit of rough now and again.'' She replied flirtily, taking a seat on his sofa, pleased when Harry followed suit and sat next to her.''
"Oh really?'' Harry asked, a cheeky grin in place. He looked incredible, Ginny smiled as she looked at him, he was gorgeous, it didn't matter how many times she saw him, he still took her breath away every time.
"Yeah really.''
"Well you know, us aurors are a pretty rough bunch.'' Harry said cheekily.
"Are you really?'' Ginny asked, knowing what Harry was implying.
"Well its been said.''
"I don't believe that for a second.'' Ginny said sarcastically. "So what rough things have you been getting up to lately then?''
"Well all sorts really.'' Harry said struggling to think of the last actual dangerous mission he had been on; everything had been quiet since they had caught Narcissa. Come to think of it too quiet. "It's all classified though, so sorry I can't divulge any of my sordid secrets to you.''
"I don't think I want to know any of your sordid secrets Harry Potter.'' Ginny said laughing, hoping that he was joking, she had never considered the fact that Harry might have actually had other girlfriends.
"Actually I have none, I'm a good boy.'' He said grinning, knowing that if he told her the truth about not having a girlfriend since they spilt up, about not even having a date since then, that she would think he was pathetic.
"Really?'' Ginny said raising her eyebrows questioningly.
"Really.'' Harry insisted. "What about you then Miss Weasley, I bet your not quite the angel you seem to be.'' Harry said, his eyes widening in horror when he'd realised what he'd said to her. Why did he have to say angel that just brought up everything form Hogwarts, he could've said anything, princess, flower, cherub, but no he had to say that.
Ginny froze, he had just said that, perhaps not intentionally but he had said it, the person who had written her the poem had also said it. She shook her head; she must've just been reading too much into things. It was a coincidence and nothing more. She brushed passed it confidently sensing Harry's unease. "Maybe I am, maybe I'm not. You'll have to work that out for yourself.'' She said flashing him a wicked smile.
He grinned back thankful that she hadn't realised his slip up, or that even if she had, she had the grace to let it pass. "Maybe I will.'' He replied.
Ginny smiled back at him, she hoped that he would. "So shall we actually get something sorted for Hermione, at the rate we're going everyone will have forgotten why she's having a party in the first place." Ginny said.
Harry took a large sip of his wine, it wasn't half as strong as the one they had drunk the previous night, and perhaps she had planned that on purpose. "Or we could forget the party and flirt outrageously all night long again.'' Harry thought, wishing he could say it to her face, instead he said. "Sure lets get on with it.''
"Right then, what did we come up with last night?''
"Um I think there was just the fancy dress idea.'' Harry said, thinking back.
"Ok then, any other ideas?'' Ginny asked, casting her mind for any possible ideas.
"Not really.'' Harry said. "To tell you the truth I've never really been to that many parties, so I haven't got a clue.''
"I've been to quite a few parties but I can't think of anything. The fancy dress idea is looking good. Shall we have a theme to it?''
"Yeah that's a great idea. But what theme?'' Harry asked.
"Oh my God!" Ginny exclaimed after a few seconds pause. "I've just had the most amazing idea.''
"What?'' Harry asked eagerly.
"House elves.''
"No way!"
"Come on Harry its for Hermione.'' Ginny pleaded.
"No.''
"Please.'' She said sadly, smiling persuasively at him, he looked at her and she looked so sweet it was hard to resist her.
"Oh all right.'' Harry said resignedly, "But you can't do that to me again for a long time.''
"Do what?'' Ginny asked innocently.
"The big puppy dog eyes, the sad smile." Harry said smiling, he didn't mind at all really. "It won't work again.'' He said knowing that it would, and that he wished that he'd be around her long enough for her to do it again.
"I don't know what you're talking about Harry. Honestly I think you're imagining things. Now lets sort out a time, date, venue, invitations and everything else.''
"Right then, we'll actually get it sorted this time.''
"Yeah and the sooner we do this the sooner we can get that pizza in.'' Ginny said smiling. Harry moved closer to her on the sofa in order to pour over the large notebook she had just summoned to write all the details in. That also had the added advantage of their knees brushing together more times than were necessary. Ginny looked up at him and was pleased to note that a pink tinge had appeared on his cheeks. He was so cute. She smiled to herself before absorbing herself in the party once again.
"That was the nicest meal I've had in a long time.'' Destiny said smiling as she stepped out of the Restaurant, Sirius's arm linked with hers. "Thank you very much.''
"Thank you.'' Sirius replied, steering them towards the park. "For an amazing evening.''
"Your welcome.'' Destiny said leaning over and kissing his cheek lightly. He smiled. "Where are we going?'' Destiny asked, noticing that they weren't going the right way to be heading back.
"A walk in the park?''
"Sounds good to me.'' Destiny said, snuggling closer to him, against the cool wind.
They walked through the park quietly, content in each other's company. Sirius kept a firm hold on her all the way around the park, as though he was afraid someone would snatch her away from him.
They walked on, the comfortable silence; penetrated only by the sound of the autumn leaves crunching underfoot. Destiny snuggled into Sirius' collar. "This is nice.'' She whispered softly, her breath hot against his neck.
"I know.'' Sirius said, slowing down his pace and eventually stopping and turning to face her s they both stop on a small bridge running over a slowly trickling stream, the first of the stars reflected in its glassy surface.
"What's the matter?'' Destiny said, her gloved hands cupping his face gently.
"There's something I've been meaning to ask you. Something that I've wanted to ask you for a long time.'' Sirius began, his voice sounding hoarse in his ears. Destiny's heart skipped a beat, surely he wasn't going to… no he couldn't possibly. "I remember the first day I ever saw you Destiny, it was breath taking. I knew even then that there was something about you. Something that set you apart from all the other girl's, something that made you different. That was before I'd even spoken to you Dest. I remember our first date, our first kiss, and the first time we made love. Everything Destiny. Without you I wouldn't have been able to survive Azkaban, you kept me sane Dest, the thought of returning to you one day, seeing your face, hearing your voice, feeling your skin against mine. I never want us to be apart again." Sirius stopped and cupped her face in his hands. He looked deep into her purple eyes. "I love you Destiny.''
"I love you too.'' She said, her voice catching in her throat.
"Marry me?'' He whispered roughly, his gaze never leaving her eyes. He had never felt more strongly about anything in his life, nothing had ever felt this right, this natural to him.
"I will.'' Destiny whispered back, tears spilling freely from her eyes. "I will.'' She said happily, laughing as Sirius swept her up in his arms and kissed her fiercely.
"So what shall we do tonight then?'' Hermione said to Ron as they both lay on the sofa flicking through the different channels on the television.
"I don't know.'' Ron answered back, as he tickled the soles of her felt that rested on his lap; he was content just lying together.
"Do you want to go out?''
"Not really.''
"Do you want to watch a film?''
"It's up to you.'' Ron answered back.
"Ok then, well we'll have a quiet night in reading up on the rights of house elves and other magical creatures.'' Hermione said smugly.
"No, not that.''
"But Ron dear, I thought you said it was up to me.'' Hermione said innocently, batting her eyelashes.
"It is up to you, it just can't be anything to do with house elves.'' Ron replied.
"Oh I see.'' Hermione said pretending to sulk.
"How about I go to the kitchen and make us both a cup of tea and we have a quiet night in together?'' Ron suggested.
"Ok then sounds nice.'' Hermione said smiling at him happily.
"Do you know you have the most amazing smile?'' Ron asked, once again in awe of the woman he was with.
"No.''
"Well you do, you are the most beautiful woman that I've ever met.'' Ron said, the blushes that used to grace his cheeks as a boy still appeared today. He was adorable.
"Thank you.'' Hermione said smiling, leaning over and kissing him softly on the lips. "You're not too bad yourself.''
He leaned in once again and kissed her softly, passionately, his hands snaked up her back and into her hair that hung loosely over her shoulders. She lost herself in his arms; the smell of him overpowered her, strong, masculine, distinctly Ron. She deepened the kiss wanting more and more of him.
"How about we skip the tea and just catch an early night?'' He suggested pulling away from her kiss.
"You just want to get out of making the tea?'' Hermione said laughing, already very flustered by his passionate kiss.
"Maybe I do.'' Ron said winking, getting up from the sofa and pulling her up after him. He pulled her in closely, so that every part of their bodies was touching. He felt her fingertips tracing lines up and down his back and felt the shivers that accompanied them. She leaned up and kissed him delicately on the lips.
"I didn't really fancy a cup of tea anyway.'' She said smiling mischievously, as she led him towards the staircase.
"Ginny do me a favour and run over the Magical Maladies section with this file please, I've tried banishing it there but for some reason its not working." Andrew said as he rushed over to Ginny. "Please I'd do it myself but I'm rushed off my feet.'' His sandy blonde fringe flopped into his eyes; he certainly looked as though he didn't have a minute to spare.
"Sure I'll take it over now, I was on my way there anyway.'' Ginny said smiling.
"Thanks you're an angel.'' Andrew said before rushing off in the other direction. Realisation hit Ginny as Andrew rushed off he had just called her an angel, just like the poem, but then again, Harry had also called her angel. She turned and looked after Andrew and saw that he too had turned to look at her as he rounded the corner, their eyes met and he smiled dashingly at Ginny. She turned away and headed towards the Magical Maladies section, her head whirring.
He was good looking, there was no denying the fact, and Ginny knew of plenty of witches that would give their wand arm to be noticed by him, but even though you couldn't meet a nicer, more friendly person, Ginny felt nothing for him more than friendship. Over the past few weeks the signs had been getting more and more obvious, even some of the other Healers had commented to her about how friendly he was with her. Ginny had always brushed these off by telling them that she was sure that Andrew was like it with everyone and that he was just being friendly to her because she was new. But lately she couldn't even convince herself that it was true.
Maybe they could've worked out. Maybe they could've made a great couple. Ginny was sure that she would get on really well with him, but there wasn't that spark, that chemistry, not like she had with Harry anyway. All Harry had to do was whisper her name and it would send shivers up her spine. After spending so much time with him lately it was getting harder and harder for Ginny to think about anything else, although recently she hadn't seen him that often, all he'd told her was that he had some top-secret auror mission to attend to and that he'd call her when it was over. That was over a week ago now, and she'd heard nothing from him. She found herself getting more and more worried as each day went by. She hoped desperately that he make it to Hermione's surprise party which was going to be happening at the Burrow the following Saturday. Everything was in place, the invites had been sent out, the costumes had all been prepared, and Ginny had even made costumes for Hermione and Ron to change into when they arrived. They had both been told that there was just a family meal at the Burrow to celebrate Hermione's first day at her new job. Ginny and Harry had decided not to let Ron in on the secret he never was any good at lying to Hermione.
"Miss Weasley.'' A croaky old voice brought Ginny out of her reverie.
"Oh Hi Mr Flanagan.'' Ginny said smiling at the old wizard. "Andrew just asked me to pop this over to you, he said it was important.'' Ginny said handing the file over.
"Ah yes thank you Miss Weasley.'' He said taking the file gratefully. "Was there anything else?''
"Yes, Andrew said he tried to send the file over magically but it wouldn't work"
"Oh yes, we just had some mad old witch in here, she's still a bit shell shocked from the war, she was convinced Voldemort was back, set off all sorts of curses, only just got 'em all cleared.'' Mr Flanagan explained.
"Oh right.'' Ginny said, not sure whether to laugh. "Well I'd best be off now anyway, got a patient in the next cubicle that needs her bandages changing before she can leave.'' (((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((()))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
" I never knew I could feel like this
Like I've never seen the sky before
I want to vanish inside your kiss
Everyday I love you more and more
Listen to my heart can you hear it sing
Telling me to give you everything
Seasons may change
Winter to Spring
But I love you
Until the end of time
Come what may
I will love you until my dying day.
Suddenly the world seems such a perfect place
Suddenly my life doesn't seem such as waste
It all revolves around you
And there's no mountain too high, no river too wide
I love you until the end of time."
It had been waiting when Ginny had got in from work that night, just as all the others had been. It was written on a deep pink parchment that had been tied with a pink ribbon. Inside the parchment was a single white rose it looked freshly cut.
Ginny sighed as she read it over again, she wished deeply that she knew who sent it, wished that whoever was writing her these beautiful pieces of poetry would come forward and admit that it was them. She wished that it would be Harry. She hadn't seen or heard form him in over a week, she was ashamed of herself for hoping that, somewhere, wherever he was Harry was writing this for her, that he was still thinking about her, that he did have these feelings for her. She clutched the poem to her chest hoping that one day that she could once again be with him.
(A.N Hey guys I'm sorry this one took so long to get out to you all. I hope that I'll be able to get the next one up a lot quicker. I should be able to anyway, it's going to be at Hermiones party!!! Please review. Thanks.)