Disclaimer: I own nothing of the Harry Potter/Wizarding World. They were all created by the genius that is J.K. Rowling.

Author's Note: Sorry this took me longer to get up than it usually does. The first week of classes always kick my ass so I spent the weekend sleeping. Thanks for all the comments I was really second guessing chapter 19 but it seems to be a hit, which apparently tends to happen when I second guess myself. So it might be a good idea if I do that more often.

Chapter 21: Coming of Age

The days at the Burrow leading up to Harry's Birthday and Bill and Fleur's wedding were perfect. In fact if it wasn't for the fact that the hands on Mrs. Weasley's clock was pointing to Mortal Peril and Order members dropping in to deliver information, it was easy to forget that their world was in the middle of a great civil war. It might have been the simple fact that helping prepare the house of the wedding and packing for their trip tied up so much of their time. They hadn't really even had time to think about things. Where Voldemort was who was he killing what his plans were. Even at night Harry's thoughts were on other things. Before he knew it his birthday had arrived. Mrs. Weasley had asked how he wanted to celebrate after all it was a special time. Originally he'd said that he didn't want a fuss but after thinking things over he'd changed his mind. They'd had so much tragedy that a small intimate party might help with morale. He made Mrs. Weasley, Hermione, and Ginny promise not to do anything too over the top. Added to their normal dinner party society Harry invited; Neville, Luna, Dean, and Lavender.

The morning of his birthday was like any other day…well any other day that involved him waking to his scar hurting and the remnants of Voldemort's thoughts plaguing his mind. Of course that was your average Tuesday, today however he was able to use magic upon awaking and constantly throughout the day. The freedom of it was amazing and he understood Fred and George and their need to use magic for everything after they'd came of age. After stabbing himself in the eye with glasses Harry managed to dress himself while Ron set in the corner laughing his ass off at him. "Here's your present." Ron said shoving a box in Harry's hands.

Harry ripped opened the packaging and stared at the contents blankly. "It's…a book. You haven't done some ass backwards charms and switched brains with Hermione have you?" He pulled it out tossing the wrappings aside and read the title. "Never mind…you thought I needed this because?" he asked flipping it around so that the busty witch on the front was winking and blowing kisses at Ron.

"It's not just any book." Ron said taking the copy of Twelve Fail-Safe Ways to Charm Witches from Harry. "It explains everything you need to know about girls. I was just thinking you know….maybe if you would have had this last year you would have been able to deal with Romilda…you know without me getting poisoned…twice."

"Nobody told you to eat those cauldrons." Harry said taking the book back and flipping through the book with an amused expression on his face.

"Fred and George bought me a copy for my birthday." Ron shrugged. "It just seemed appropriate."

Harry looked up and smirked, "So you got it for your birthday and then…..is this how you tricked Lavender into going to the Room of Requirement?"

Ron's face turned magenta and he grabbed the book, "I thought we weren't talking about stuff like that?"

That was all the answer Harry needed. "Makes sense now."

They spent the rest of the morning bantering. Harry was glad that their spat in the garden a few days before wasn't coming between them now. After all to do what they were preparing to do they all needed to be in a good place with each other. After breakfast Mrs. Weasley presented Harry with the gift from her and Authur, a gold Wizard's watch. "I'm sorry it's not new like the one we gave Ron." Mrs. Weasley said helping Harry fasten the clasp.

"No I love it." He assured her running his fingertips over the slightly scuffed watch.

"It was my brother Fabian's he wasn't exactly careful with his things." She said beaming at Harry. "You see its tradition to give a wizard his first watch when he comes of age." She explained.

"Thank you Mrs. Weasley." Harry said kissing her on her cheek causing Molly to tear up.

"Just Harry….." she paused then looked up at him. "Be careful."

Harry nodded, "Always."

Hermione was sitting in the floor in Ron's room going through all of their things. She'd been spending as much time as she could getting things ready for their trip. For the life of him, Harry he wasn't exactly sure how she planned on them carrying everything without drawing too much attention to themselves. Of course if there was a way Hermione would figure it out that was one thing in life he could count on. He walked over to where she was at and set down behind her pulling her to where she set between his legs and leaned back against his chest. "You've been at it all day." He kissed the side of her neck his arms wrapping around her.

"We have so much to do and so little time." Hermione said turning to look up at him.

"Not even enough time for you to spend my birthday with me?" he teased.

"It's…oh god Harry I completely forgot!" she exclaimed tears forming in her eyes. "I was planning to go with Fred and George to Diagon Alley to pick up your birthday gift. I can't believe I forgot."

He kissed her forehead. "Don't worry about it." He said grinning, "I already know what I want you give me for my birthday."

"You can't pick out your own birthday gift." Hermione said. "That takes the fun from it."

"I can assure you that this time it will be completely fun and worth it." He said.

Hermione blushed a pretty red, "Oh well…I thought *that* was a given."

Harry bit back a laugh, "Well we can tell where your mind is at." He teased.

"Harry!" she gasped in shock and hit him on the shoulder playfully.

He laughed harder, "You were the one who said it."

She turned and looked up at him. "And exactly what is it you're purposing?"

"Marriage." Harry said pulling the small box from his pocket and opened it. Inside was a very old ring it had been part of his father's family for generations. The band was goblin made brilliant of platinum there were diamonds that reminded Harry of wings that came up to surround the perfect black pearl in the middle. "All I want for my birthday is for you to agree to be my wife."

Hermione set there not exactly sure if she was able to make herself form words. After opening her mouth several times only to close it again, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "Yes Harry." She finally said looking up at him. "Yes."

Harry was sure that he'd never had a happier moment. He stood up and pulled her to her feet and wrapped his arms around her and spun her around. "I love you." He said.

She laughed, "I love you too….this is crazy you know."

"Not even." He said pulling the ring from the case and slid it onto her finger where it fit perfectly.

"Where did you…."

"My vault at Gringotts, it's been passed down to the brides of Potter men. Remus told me the story about it my dad had told him before he asked my mom." He explained.

"It's amazing." She said. "I've never seen anything like it."

"Potter women aren't traditional. They deserve something unique." Harry explained taking her hand in his hand running his thumb over the ring.

"When…how are we doing this?" she asked.

"After the war." He said. "When this is all over we're having the grandest wedding you can come up with in that pretty head of yours."

"I like that." She said getting a far away look.

Harry knew what she was thinking that this moment would be happier if she could share it with her parents. He wished he could tell her that when he'd asked Mr. Grangers' permission to marry his daughter that he'd been ecstatic. He knew that she was going to be beyond pissed when he learned what he'd done. He just hoped she'd be able to forgive him.