Chapter 9: The Promise

Harry had waited anxiously for two whole days now. Drew had been in and out, but had spent the last twenty-four hours at the hospital to deal with some patient who was having a heart transplant. This suited Harry very well, as he needed the quiet to think.

He hadn't exactly done anything about Ginny's running off. He had come up with one solution, and the perfect way to win Ginny's heart again. He just hoped that when she got home, she would be willing to listen to him.

It had taken all of Harry's self-control to not track her down. He had told the Weasleys, of course and Molly had told him to let Ginny be her stubborn self.

Therefore Harry only spent the mornings at Ginny's house. Mostly he was in London, clearing up some things he had on his mind, other than Ginny and Hope.

One night, he returned around eleven o'clock, completely exhausted. He had dropped off his Auror resignation. The house was quiet, Drew's car wasn't outside and he didn't bother checking the garage for her car, let alone Ginny's.

Harry locked the door behind him and headed wearily upstairs to the only spare room in the house. He sat down on the bed with a sigh, feeling extremely alone.

'When is she coming back?' Harry thought desperately.

Harry reached out and gently lifted a small black velvet box from the night table. He flicked it open and stared at the ring placed inside. He had bought it yesterday at a wizarding shop in Hogsmeade.

It was a solid silver band, with a 24k diamond perched on top. He had the inside of the ring engraved with the word 'FOREVER.'

Harry stared at for a couple minutes, before closing the case and setting it back down on his night table. He then got up, undressed, turned out the lights and got into bed.

Around two that morning, Harry didn't wake to hear his bedroom door creak open, nor did he see Ginny appear in the doorway after placing Hope into her crib.

She stared at him, wishing she could wake him up right now to apologize to him. But if she did, she would never sleep and she was very tired at the moment.

She was about to leave, when she spotted the little velvet box on the night table, curious, Ginny tiptoed in and snatched it. Ginny glanced back at Harry's sleeping form and then quietly slipped out of the bedroom.

Ginny made sure the door didn't make a sound when she shut it. She turned off the overhead light before turning on the lamp beside her bed. She set the little box on the bed, changed into plaid pajama pants and a T-shirt.

She picked up the little box, and slithered under the bed sheets. Ginny opened the box and clapped a hand to her mouth in surprise. This was most definitely an engagement ring!

'It's gorgeous!' Ginny thought excitedly.

Without thinking, she pulled it from its box and placed it experimentally on her ring finger. She gazed at it in wonder. Was he planning to propose to her even after what had happened?

She admired it until the point her eyes ached terribly in protest for sleep, before lying back against her pillows, turning out the light. She closed her eyes and ran her fingers over the smooth band and then over the rough diamond.

Ginny smiled through the darkness, playing with the ring on her finger. Sleep drifted over her abnormally quickly and Ginny forgot to put the ring back.

Harry rolled over, opening his eyes groggily. He ran a hand through his mussed hair and put on his glasses. It was almost 9:30. Harry groaned as he slowly sat up.

Sighing, his eyes scanned the sun-filled room, passing over the closed door, the empty night table-

'The night table!' he thought suddenly.

"Where's the ring!" He asked desperately.

Harry threw himself out of bed and immediately began a hurried search, but he couldn't find it. Harry felt his heart pound in his chest. Had he been robbed?

He left his room, desperate to realize that he hadn't brought the ring upstairs last night, that he left it on the table or something. He hurried down the stairs, the chilly morning air chilling his skin. Harry was vaguely aware that he only wore blue plaid pajama bottoms.

What he saw in the kitchen made his heart stop all together. Ginny was staring straight at him, looking both shocked and nervous.

"Hey Harry," she said softly.

"Gin" His voice was hoarse.

"I'm-"

"Sorry" They said in unison.

Ginny went a light shade of pink and then walked towards him. He embraced her tightly in a hug, her arms were wrapped around his neck, her head resting on his chest.

"I should have never done that" Ginny told him quietly.

"No, I shouldn't have brought it up in the first place." He couldn't care less about the argument anymore.

Ginny pulled away gently, her eyes brimming with tears. "Harry, I don't care… I had no right to run away from you with Hope"

Harry shrugged. "I knew you'd be back sooner or later."

"I'm sorry!"

Harry took her hands and pulled her closer towards him. She stared up at him, as he tucked a lock of flaming red hair behind her ear and kissed her gently.

His thumbs began stroking her hands methodically. They ran down her fingers, but stopped, when his left thumb hit something hard.

He looked down, and smiled slightly.

"So that's where it went," he mused.

Ginny went scarlet. "I was in your room last night."

Harry looked up at her, his smile tugging at his lips to widen.

"So can I do this properly?"

Ginny bit her lip, her eyes sparkling. She nodded numbly, her knees beginning to shake.

Harry continued to smile as he took the ring off her finger and bent down on one knee.

"I love you, Gin. With all my heart, I love you. Being away from you was the hardest thing in my life. I want to be with you- forever. I want to give Hope her family, and you a husband. I made the mistake of not doing this before I left… but I'm not letting you get away from me now. Ginny, will you marry me?"

As if a waterfall had exploded from her eyes, Ginny smiled. "Yes!" She exclaimed happily, watching him place the ring back on her finger.

He got to his feet and kissed her again, yet deeply and with passion. When they finally pulled apart, Harry wiped her tears away and kissed her forehead.

"I don't know how many times I tell you this in a day, but I love you."

Ginny laughed. "I love you too, Harry" She said, truly meaning it.

"Did you happen to see the inscription?" Harry asked curiously.

Ginny shook her head, and removed the ring to read the inside. Her eyes fell on the word 'Forever', and she put back on. She wrapped her arms tightly around him.

"Forever" She said firmly, taking his hand.

"My promise to you… but what about Vince?"

"I called it off with him over the phone on my way to the hotel," Ginny explained, shaking her head.

Harry's heart was lifted. He had done it! He had finally proposed to her! They were going to be a real family!

"By the way, you know this means that I get to take you back, right? Back to Britain?" Harry asked quietly.

Ginny nodded, still smiling. "If I would walk through fire for you, I can certainly go back with you to see my family"

Harry nodded, and kissed her cheek.

"Hope's still in bed?"

"Yes" Ginny said, amused. "Poor thing will be out for a couple hours yet… we didn't get home till two last night."

"Well… I suppose that means we've got a couple hours to plan out our special day." Harry replied brightly.

"I suppose it does, Harry" Ginny said happily, taking a seat at the kitchen table.

I'm not exactly happy with this chapter. I'll have it updated when my beta finishes all her exams and has some free time. In the mean time, here's a pathetic version of chapter nine.