Chapter 10: A Ring for Red

Harry and Ginny walked up the stairs hand in hand to a private parlor in the Three Broomsticks an hour earlier than they had told everyone else to arrive. Harry had never been this nervous for a Hogsmeade visit or a meeting with Ginny's family. He knew her brothers really didn't have a say in their relationship, but that didn't mean he didn't want their approval. His nerves had been on edge since the visit was announced two weeks ago. It had only gotten worse when they had made the plans to tell her brothers and Hermione about their betrothal and the bond that was growing stronger by the day.

Since they had left Dumbledore's office the morning they had returned from their little excursion to the past, Harry and Ginny had been able to feel the other's emotions. It had taken them by surprise as they walked back to Gryffindor tower. Harry had been thinking of what to tell Ron, and had gotten quite anxious about it. Ginny had stopped them pulling him into a hug, telling him he needed to calm down. They had talked several times about it since then, but couldn't quite figure out how they knew what the other was feeling. A few days after the plans were made, Hermione had discovered Cho and Romilda's plan. It was Romilda's comment about a bond that had struck them. They hoped the rest of the family would have some answers for them.

The meeting and dinner were the main parts of the plan, but Harry had secretly gotten in touch with Sirius to make sure he could give a ring to Ginny at this meeting. Sirius and Marlene were supposed to be bringing Ginny's ring to this gathering, and that was what scared Harry the most. Whether they had been able to find the ring he really wanted to give Ginny or not he wasn't sure. He'd been unable to check back with them between homework and spending time with Ginny. Ginny sensed Harry's unease, and squeezed his hand as they neared the door. Ginny smiled at him, trying to calm Harry down. They entered the parlor to see Sirius and Marlene stand with open arms to them.

"Hey, Red," Sirius grinned at Ginny as he hugged her.

"Hi, Pads," Ginny smiled smugly at him. Sirius shook his head; she was still giving him that smug look. Sirius gently pushed her in Marlene's direction.

"Hey, Prongslet!"

"Did you get it?" Harry whispered to Sirius as he hugged him.

"Of course, I did," Sirius answered, slipping a small velvet box into Harry's pocket. Harry was watching Ginny closely as she hugged Marlene. Harry turned slightly to look at the ring. It had a white gold band topped with a figure eight of alternating rubies and emeralds. In each loop sat a sparkling diamond that was so clear it almost dazzled Harry's eyes to look at them. He grinned as he slipped the box back into his pocket.

"It's perfect!"

"It was your mum's," Sirius gave Harry a significant look. "James only wanted the best for her, just like you do with Ginny."

"Thanks, Pads," Harry swallowed.

"What are you two talking about?" Ginny asked rather suspiciously.

"Nothing," they said in unison in matching high-pitched voices, turning to face her. Marlene was chuckling quietly behind Ginny.

"Uh-huh," Ginny frowned not believing them. "Don't buy it for a second." She crossed her arms glaring at both of them.

"We…uh…we were just…" Harry stammered.

"I was trying to calm Harry down about telling your brothers," Sirius lied smoothly.

"Mm-hum," Ginny nodded. "Care to try again? Or did you forget I can feel your emotions, Harry?"

"You can?" asked Sirius, confused.

"Have since we got back from that little 'vacation' we took to the time of the Founders," Ginny answered. "I can tell you're hiding something, Harry."

"I…well…uh…" Harry gulped.

"It's a surprise for you, Ginny," Marlene told her.

"Oh," Ginny looked at Marlene with a look of astonishment, then back at Harry and Sirius. "Alright," she huffed. She paused. "This time," she pointed at Harry, who nodded with a terrified look on his face. Sirius laughed.

They chatted while they waited for the rest of their invited guests to arrive. They knew Hermione should be arriving with Ron and the twins shortly. They had invited Remus and Tonks, because they were as close to family, other than Sirius and Marlene, as Harry could get. All of Ginny's other brothers were coming, except Percy, who was still being a git. Charlie had made arrangements to take some time off to be there. Bill had been transferred to London by Gringotts and was bringing his new serious girlfriend. He wouldn't even tell Ginny her name, much to Ginny's annoyance. Molly and Arthur arrived ahead of everyone else.

"Ginny, Harry," Molly smiled as she hugged them both.

"Hi, Mum," Ginny forced a smile.

Harry could see and feel the tension between them. He looked at Ginny questioningly. Ginny sighed before leading him away from the others.

"Mum wants to throw us a big wedding that I know they can't afford, even with Dad's promotion," Ginny explained in a low voice. "I don't care if we show up in shorts and T-shirts. All I want is you."

"Didn't you used to plan our wedding…"

"Don't you dare bring that up right now!" Ginny narrowed her eyes. "It's bad enough Mum wants me to wear this huge Victorian gown!"

Harry took her hand, grinning slightly. "Didn't our relationship begin because your Mum wanted you to wear a dress?"

Ginny stared at him for minute, trying to form words. She closed her eyes with a sigh. "You are lucky I love you, Potter!"

"Gin, listen to me," Harry raised her chin with his finger. "I love you, I want to marry you, and give you the world. Now, who do you want planning our wedding? You or your mum?"

"Me! But…"

"Then just tell her that. Use one of those old plans of yours and get the dress you want. This is our wedding day we are planning, and you have the biggest say because you are the bride. And never forget, I will always be on your side," Harry hugged her. Ginny smiled.

"Thanks, love," Ginny leaned in kissing Harry tenderly.

"Oi! Don't need to see that!" Ron bellowed as he, Hermione, and the twins walked in.

Harry and Ginny grinned as they nonchalantly sent a tripping jinx each at Ron wandlessly. Ron grunted as he fell face first at Sirius' feet.

"I know I'm good looking, Ron, but you don't have to worship me," Sirius grinned. The room erupted in laughter, except for a disgruntled looking Ron. He stood up, finding a chair at the large table, and promptly sat down to pout about being the joke.

Charlie came in next, followed closely by Remus and Tonks. The three of them were chatting very friendly with each other. Ginny whispered to him that Tonks and Charlie had been in the same year at Hogwarts and had always been close friends. Understanding dawned on his face. Harry was surprised to see Marlene and Tonks hug like they were sisters, once Tonks spotted her by the table. Finally, Bill arrived. On his arm was none other than Fleur Delacour. Harry snorted to see Ron falling all over himself in Fleur's presence again. It really was comical to see Ron talking to Hermione one second, then ignoring her to drool after Fleur.

"Look at that slobbering git!" Ginny huffed. Fleur chose that second to turn and look at Harry.

"'Arry!" Fleur half shouted as she jogged over to him. She pulled him into a hug, kissing both of his cheeks lightly. Ginny's eyes narrowed, until she looked at Harry. He was smiling at Fleur, but not drooling on himself.

"Hey, Fleur," Harry grinned. "It's great to see you again. You and Bill, huh?"

"Yez," Fleur answered. Ginny couldn't believe her eyes. Not only was Harry not affected by the part-Veela, but his question had actually made the French woman blush!

"Harry," Ginny whispered to him. "You're not affected…?"

"Never have been, for some reason," Harry answered. "Wasn't even affected at the World Cup, remember?"

"You're right!" Ginny breathed. "Do you think it has something to do with…you know?"

"Maybe," Harry answered. "We'll ask, and maybe set our research hound on it." Ginny giggled as she took his hand, placing a kiss on his cheek.

"Merlin's beard!" Charlie shouted. The room went quiet. The look of pure shock on Charlie and Bill's faces was priceless. Fleur just smiled widely at them.

"Ah ahm so 'appy for vous!" Fleur hugged Harry again, then moved on to a slightly shocked Ginny. "Vous know 'Arry ees like a brozzer to me? An' wift me an' Beel togezer, we are family ezzer way!"

"When did this happen?" Bill asked looking flustered as he walked over to them.

"Around Christmas," Ginny answered with a shrug. "Oh, I forgot to tell you two that, didn't I?" she asked feigning an innocent lack of memory. "Just like you forgot to tell me about Fleur."

"I…uh…" Bill blushed.

"Yeah, that's what I thought," smiled a smug looking Ginny.

"Ah tol' 'im to wrote vous," Fleur sent a slight glare at Bill. "But 'e did not, ah see."

"My brothers have a forgetful streak when they get focused on something, Fleur," Ginny told her with a pointed look at all of her brothers.

"Ah vill keep zhat in mind," Fleur said looking straight at Bill.

"Since you all have questions, maybe we ought to let Harry and Ginny tell us all what they called us here for as we eat?" Sirius gestured to the table.

As they all took seats around the table, Charlie kept giving Ginny a wide-eyed look of shock. Harry had pulled her chair out for her, but she didn't see him drop to one knee until she sat down.

"Harry?" she asked with a hitch in her voice.

"I told you, I wanted to make this completely official," he told her reaching into his pocket.

The table went silent. Hermione covered her mouth with her hands to quiet the gasp trying to escape her. Tonks and Fleur squeaked as they leaned forward to watch better. Ginny's brothers were in various states of shock, except one.

"Potter, what are you doing?" growled Ron.

"Hush, Ronald!" Molly scolded him with a scowl.

"Ginevra Molly Weasley, you are my world, my love, my everything. Would you do me the honor of being my wife?" Harry held her left hand, holding the ring in the other.

"Yes, Harry James Potter!" Ginny squealed. Harry slid the ring on her finger as best he could with Ginny bouncing in her seat. She looked at the ring for a few seconds before pulling Harry up into a hug and a searing kiss. A pulse of Magic erupted from them, actually pushing the table and its occupants back several inches.

Bill and Charlie kept looking between themselves and their sister in shock. Fred and George were just smiling smugly. Ron looked at all the adults confused. Hermione, Fleur, and Tonks were giggling. Remus sat there looking pleased. They broke the kiss only when they heard Sirius clear his throat.

"Oh…um…sorry," Harry grinned, looking anything but sorry.

"Now, then," Arthur cleared his throat again giving them a significant look.

"Oh, right," Ginny shook herself out of her stupor. "I guess we should tell them before too many questions start flying, love."

"Huh…oh, right!" Harry stammered. "I want all of you to know, I love your sister, and have for quite a while now."

"And Harry already has Mum and Dad's permission," Ginny gave each of her brothers a look, glaring at Ron the longest. "But it is much deeper and much more complicated than that."

"You see," Harry started as they took their seats. "When I saved Ginny back in her first year, a bond was created between us."

"It wasn't until this Christmas that either of us realized we did heave feelings for the other," Ginny continued. "Before that Harry was kind of blinded by a few things. First, was Sirius' escape and learning the truth about all that."

"Then, I had an admirer that went a little too far and placed a love tag on me," Harry stopped, looking at Hermione with a shake of his head. It was not up to her or Ginny's brothers to deal with Cho. "That person got interested in someone else for a time, but never took the tag back. On the train, I ran into her again, and she must have replaced it."

"But it was a defective tag, plus the feelings and our bond were overriding the tag," Ginny added. "When I talked to Harry the day after Christmas, I saw a glint on his eye. It turned out to be the tag. I got Sirius and we removed it. That's where and when we truly got together."

"And you think you're ready for marriage?" asked an incredulous Bill.

"Part of the bond is a Magical Betrothal," Harry answered.

"You're saying, you and our little sister," Charlie breathed out heavily, "have been engaged since her first year?"

"Yes, Charlie," Ginny answered. "And I am your sister, not little sister! Younger, yes, but I am not a little girl anymore! I haven't been since Riddle possessed me."

Bill and Charlie paled. Fleur cursed in French. Fred and George hung their heads, ashamed of how they had treated her that year. Tonks and Remus nodded, smiling. Remus took on a thoughtful look.

"Sirius tells me, you can feel each other's emotions?" asked Remus.

"Yes," Harry confirmed.

"Hmm…" he frowned. "I'll do some digging for you, but this sounds like more than a Magical Betrothal Bond. Its more like a…" Remus trailed off. "Can't be. Those are mythical."

"Moony?" Harry asked.

"Oh, sorry, lost in thought," Remus looked up. "It sounds more like a soul bond. But as I said, I need to do some digging. I'll get back to you on that." Harry and Ginny nodded.

"Why are you so calm, Mum? Harry just proposed to Ginny," yelled an irate Ron.

"Weren't you listening, Ronald?" Molly yelled right back. Ron cringed. "They have our permission! And there is nothing we can do about it! They are betrothed by their very Magic!"

"But what does that even mean?" Ron asked still angry and stubborn.

"It means, Ronald, they have been engaged to be married for years now! You cannot stop it! We cannot stop it! They cannot stop it! And your father and I have already approved of it! Your approval is not needed! Harry and Ginny wanted to tell everyone in their own way! And this just happens to be that way!" Molly scowled at Ron.

They heard someone running up the stairs. By the time the door burst open all of their wands were pointed at the individual that stood panting in the doorway. Percy let out a loud squawk as he covered his face with his raised hands.

"It's me, Percy!" he hollered.

"That's supposed to make us drop our wands?" asked Fred.

"You got a lot of nerve showing up here," George growled.

"After the letter you wrote me, you're lucky I don't hex you!" Ron snarled.

"Please, hear me out." Percy pleaded. Arthur stood putting himself between Percy and everyone else.

"Close the door, son," he ordered. Percy nodded, closing the door. "Now, what was the last thing kind you said to me?"

"I love working at the Ministry with you, Father," Percy answered. Arthur looked at him, lowered his wand.

"You have something else to say?" Arthur asked, his tone was not very friendly. "Besides what you burst in here for?"

"I apologize, Father. I was wrong," Percy had tears in his eyes. Arthur hugged him tightly. Molly joined them. "I am so sorry, Mother. I put my wants and ambitions ahead of family. I should never have done that."

"Oh, my boy," Molly cried as she hugged him. Percy held his mother tightly as he cried on her shoulder. Everyone was silent as Percy blubbered out asking for her forgiveness. After a few minutes Molly led Percy over to the table.

"I apologize to each of you. But especially you, Ron, I had no right to send you that letter." Percy paused, turning to Harry. "And I apologize most of all to you, Harry. I should have known better. I should have known you would never lie about You-Know-Who being back."

"We'll work on it, Percy," Harry nodded.

"Now, why did you come barreling in here like that, Percy?" Sirius asked.

"I was transferred to Magical Records and Contracts when Fudge was ousted," Percy began. "I was checking for someone's records and came across this," he handed a page that had been torn out of a book to Ginny. "Apparently, you and Harry have been engaged since your first year, Ginevra."

"Didn't we just have this discussion?" asked Fred with a chuckle.

"You're a bit late, Perc!" grinned George. Percy looked up at them astonished.

"Percy," Ginny held up her left hand. Percy turned, eyes widening behind his glasses at the sight of her ring. "We've known for about two weeks."

"Dumbledore knew since we came out of the Chamber," Harry added with a growl to his voice.

"Easy, love," Ginny took his hand. Percy's eyes grew wider as Harry visibly calmed at her touch.

"Well…" breathed Percy. "I guess I have one question, Ginevra: Are you happy?"

"Very much so," Ginny smiled.

"Then, you have my congratulations," Percy grinned opening his arms to her. Ginny stood slowly, then hugged her brother. Harry stood and shook Percy's hand.

"Percy, a word?" Arthur called him over to where he and Sirius stood as the rest of the gathering offered Harry and Ginny their best wishes.

"We need a favor," Sirius began. Percy nodded. We need to get into the Department of Mysteries as soon as possible. There's something in there the Order is guarding, but we need in to get it out without being noticed."

"Just you?" Percy asked.

"No, one of us and Harry or Ginny," answered Arthur.

"Thursday is a good day," Percy said after a minute's thought. "Is that soon enough?"

"Yes," Sirius agreed. "And don't tell anyone, not even Dumbledore."

"This is a family thing, son," Arthur looked pointedly at him.

"I understand, Father," nodded Percy. "Stop by my office at ten on Monday. I'll have a time for you then."

"Good man," Arthur nodded, patting his son on the back.


A/N: So I decided to post the poll on my profile after all. It will be open until Flames is completed. That said, your opinions matter to me as to which to write next. As always, Thanks for the R/Rs.