Hello everyone! Sorry it's been such a lull in stories, I'm actually in the midst of a pretty big project right now plus life in general gets pretty hectic at times (especially with everything 2020 has been throwing at us). Well anways I wanted to give you guys a special treat and release a fun little Christmas story today as a gift, and I thought it would be even more of a treat if it were a "Harry Potter" one so without furthurado enjoy, happy holidays everyone and stay safe out there!

Things were always silent in the wee hours of the morning; it was just before dawn so neither the sun nor birds were awake quite yet and the moon was still visible in the dark sky, the only sounds that could be heard inside the small attic bedroom were snorning in one bed and rustling of covers as the young man in the other bed tossed and turned unable to sleep. He had been trying for at least an hour now but it was no use, he had too many things on his mind. Sighing he sat up in bed and rested his head in his hands. No doubt he had had a difficult life; growing up with people who didn't care about him in the slightest and treated him as though he were nothing more than a stranger they were forced to live with, coming face to face with danger every school year, losing family and friends to death, but he was about to face what he deemed was one of his greatest challenges yet. Making sure the other man was fast asleep he carefully reached under his pillow and took out a small velvet it box, he opened it and the ring inside glistened in the moonlight. Marriage. He was going to ask the love of his life to marry him. He was only 21, the same age his parents were when they...

He shook his head to clear the thought, thinking about that wasn't going to calm his nerves. If they were here he knew they'd approve of her; his dad would excitedly talk about all things quidditch with her and ask how it is to play profesionally, and his mum would appreciate her fierce yet sweet personality and ability to not put up with his nonsense whenever he was brooding about something.

Sometimes he still couldn't believe it; this absolute beauty, the Earth walking angel, was his. He supposed she sort of always had been though, he had just been too thick to realize it during his younger days. She admitted that she had had strong feelings ever since she was 11, since the Chamber of Secrets incident. Of course, per his best friend's advice, she had decided to date other boys instead of waiting around for him to notice her.

When he was 16 he finally came to his senses and told her how he felt (in an odd sort of way) and they had a wondrous romance, but it was short lived as the danger going on around them became too much so he broke it off for her own protection. Thus he'd had to endure an entire year away from her as he set out to do what he needed to, but as soon as the danger had passed he wasted no time and the two rekindled with one another right where they left off.

Three years later he was still very much in love with her if not even more so, he knew without a doubt that this was the woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. He had already gotten her parents blessing, they told him he'd always been like another son to them and they'd be honored to have him officially part of the family, and he didn't have to worry about her five older brothers either, they all liked him just fine and treated him like one of their own.

Knowing he wouldn't be getting anymore sleep he carefully placed the box back under his pillow then quietly got out of bed and crept out of the room.

As he was making his way down the many stairs he paused when he ws going past her room, he stared at her closed door for only a moment before continuing on. Right now she was currently was in Nigeria with her quidditch team, between his work as one of the top aurors and her game schedule with the Holyhead Harpies they hadn't seen each other in about 3 months but she would be returning in time for Christmas dinner at 5:00 and would be staying until the 1st of January.

Finally he reached the the bottom of the stairs and went to the kitchen, he thought a hot cuppa would help. He went to the stove and set to work.

10 minutes later he sat at the table, steaming mug in hand, looking out the window that faced the backyard, thoughts racing.

He was so lost in thought he didn't hear as someone approached him from behind "Harry?"

He jumped slightly and turned around "Mr. Weasley, um sorry if I woke you or anything"

He waved him off "no worries, and what have I told you? Just call me Arthur lad, you're family, and I know Molly would tell you the same thing"

He gave a shy smile "right sorry, old habits die hard as they say"

Arthur nodded then noticed his mug "you know, I'd say that would hit the spot right about now, think I'll make one myself and join you" he left to go do that then returned a few minutes later and sat across from Harry.

He set his mug aside then folded his hands in front of him on the table and looked at Harry "now then, mind telling me what you're doing up at this hour?"

Harry played with his tea bag a bit "just some things on my mind I suppose"

"Would any of those things happen to involve my daughter?" he raised an eyebrow.

Harry looked up and turned slightly red, he rubbed the back of his neck "uh how did you know?"

Arthur chuckled "Harry, when you've been a father and had as many children as I have you tend to notice things" his face then held a more serious yet still gentle expression " so what's on your mind son?"

"Mr. Weasley...uh Arthur, were you nervous when you thought about proposing to Molly?"

He nodded his head "absolutely, more than can you imagine"

"What did you do?"

"Well anytime I found myself worked up about it I took a deep breath and reminded myself of all the reasons I was doing this; how happy she makes me, all the things I love about her, and most importantly how much she means to me" pause "why don't you give it a try? It may help"

Harry took a moment to think about everything Arthur had just said, taking a deep breath he thought over everything he loved about her; that beautiful smile and laugh of hers that could brighten any room, the way her eyes would light up mischievously when she was scheming with George about something for the shop, the fact that she was always there for him without question even at times when he was pushing everyone away, how she never allowed him to brood over his problems alone and reminding him when things aren't his fault, and most of all how he couldn't possibly imagine his life without her.

He smiled "that does help" then it faded "but are we really ready for something as big as this? What if she says no?"

Arthur scratched his chin for a minute "let me ask you something, do you love her?"

"Of course, more than anything"

"Does she make you happy?"

"Happier than I ever thought possible"

"Are you fully prepared to be a good husband; take care of her as long as you both live, be there whenever she needs you, provide for her?"

Harry leaned forward and looked Arthur right in the eye as he answered "sir, I'm prepared to give her all of that and more, I want to give her absolutely everything she deserves"

Arthur sat back and nodded "and that's exactly what she has" pause "Harry in the 10 years I've known you you've gone from a lost and lonely boy to a very well adjusted young man, you're the type of man every father hopes his daughter will find and I will never doubt your ability or willingness to take care of my little girl" another pause "and there's no doubt in my mind how strongly you care for each other, the looks you two share remind me very much of Molly and myself"

Harry took a moment to think over and process everything then nodded his head "alright I think I'm ready for this now" he smiled at him "thank you, I suppose I really needed this pep talk"

Arthur returned his smile "anytime lad, just remember that Molly and I are both here whenever you need us"he got up from the table then gave Harry's shoulder a quick squeeze as he passed, putting his mug in the sink then returning upstairs.

Harry checked his watch and noted the time, quarter to 4. He placed his own mug in the sink then returned upstairs himself to attempt sleep once again.

Time seemed to creep by throughout the day, Harry spent the majority of it outside with the other Weasley boys playing several pickup quidditch games (Hermione joined them outside but she only sat and watched while reading a book). Finally the sky was darkening and Mrs. Weasley's voice bellowed from the back door of the kitchen telling them to come inside and wash up for dinner.

The aroma of food hit him immediately upon entrance; ham, dinner rolls, mashed potatoes, steamed vegetables, hot butterbeer, and if he wasn't mistaken he could smell apple pie and treacle tart for dessert.

Once they were all in the kitchen Molly addressed them "alright you lot, no one sits down until your sister gets here and I mean that!"

This earned a groan from Ron "but mum, I'm hungry and it's Christmas dinner!"

Hermione, as always, reprimanded him "Ronald! I think your mother is being very reasonable, don't you think it would be better to wait until everyone is here?" Ron grumbled but didn't say anything more.

Harry nervously glanced between his watch and the back door, where was she? About 5 minutes later there was a popping sound and a figure coming up the walkway.

Molly was the first to respond "Ginny!" she flew out the back door and wrapped her daughter in a tight motherly embrace.

Ginny chuckled and hugged her back "it's nice to see you too mum, but I can't breathe!"

Molly let go "oh it's just so good to see you dear, now hurry inside dinner's ready" Molly returned inside then everyone one else took their turn saying hello to her before doing the same, then finally it was down to the one person she wanted to see most. They locked eyes and neither said anything, they simply ran at each other.

Their arms were immediately around each other in the tightest embrace they could muster, as if making up for lost time. They stayed that way for a few minutes before Ginny broke the silence "I've missed you so much"

He dropped a kiss on her forehead the rested his chin on top of her head "I've missed you too"

They stayed that way for a few more moments until they pulled apart, they were both leaning in until Ron's voice sounded from the still open door "oi are you two coming or not? Mum said we could eat now!"

Harry groaned internally "yeah we'll be right there" Ron returned inside then Harry shook his head "sometimes I swear it's like we're still teenagers, he can't let us have one moment alone"

"Don't you worry about my prat of a brother, I'm here until after the new year so I know we'll find at least some time together"

He smiled at her "good point, well we should get inside before your mum sends out a serach party of something" she nodded and they both went inside for dinner.

A couple hours later both dinner and dessert were finished and Harry asked Ginny to go on a walk with him around the small pond in their backyard, it was a more secluded spot where they could get privacy but sill part of the Burrow's property. It was actually a fairly decent evening; snow on the ground but not so cold that being outside was uncomfortable. She had her arm tightly around his waist and he had his wrapped protectively around her shoulders. Neither said anything for the first few minutes they walked, just simply enjoying being together after being apart for so long. After a while they reached a large oak tree on the other side that often provided shade during the summer months. Using a quick drying spell he cleared away a spot for them to sit underneath, he kept his arm around her as they sat and she leaned back against him.

She sighed "I seriously missed this, I mean that muggle telly-phone thing you got me is nice but it's not the same as actually having you with me" she snuggled into him further.

He chuckled "I told you it's called a cell phone, and at least you did better than Ron; the first time he called me on a telephone at the Dursley's he actually screamed into the phone because he didn't understand how it worked. Pissed Vernon right off"

She chuckled as well "I love my brother but he's not the brightest"

After a few minutes of silence Harry decided it was finally time to do what he had set out to do that night, he looked over and saw that her eyes were closed, he gently shook her with his other hand "Gin?"

"Hmm?"

He smiled "come on wake up sleepy head"

She sat up and stretched "I'm awake, you just happen to be very comfortable"

He cleared his throat "well there's something I wanted to talk to you about, uh so to speak"

She looked at him in concern "is everything alright?"

His eyes widened slightly "no no! I mean yes, well sort of, uh..."

"Harry what's going on?"

He groaned "ugh I'm absolute rubbish at this! Alright let me try this again" he took his arm from around her then changed his position so that he was sitting on his knees in front of her "when I first arrived at that train station 10 years ago I had no clue what I was doing nor did I know if I would even be accepted because all my life I had been taught that I was nothing but a freak who would never belong anywhere" she went to interrupt but he held up a finger so she stayed quiet, he continued "but then I met the most kind-hearted people I had ever known and they welcomed me in with open arms, they were the family I never knew I had, but needed" pause "they had a son my age but they also had a daughter only a year younger, I didn't know it yet but in the years to come she would become the most important person in my life" he paused again then looked her directly in the eyes "Ginny I feel like an idiot for all the years I wasted that could have been spent with you, had I noticed you sooner we could've gone to Hogsmede more or hell even gone to the Yule Ball together in my 4th year. But now that I've got you I can't imagine my life without you; you are beautiful, smart, funny, brave, talented, an absolute goddess at quidditch, one of the most kind-hearted people I have ever met, and I know that no matter what happens in this life there isn't anyone I'd rather have by my side more than you. I guess what I'm trying to say is" he stood up then reached inside his pocket and took out the ring box, he opened it as he kneeled down on one knee and looked her right in the eyes again "Ginevra Molly Weasley, will you make me the happiest wizard that ever lived?" he waited with baited breath for a few moments.

"Oh my God of course I will you idiot!" then suddenly she launched herself at him and was kissing him more fierce then she ever had before, tears of joy streaming down her face as she did so.

They finally broke apart and he placed the ring on her finger, she admired it in the moonlight "it's beautiful"

He took her ring hand and kissed it gently "a beautiful ring for a beautiful girl" he held her hand and gently massaged it with his thumb "you know I was pretty nervous this morning, but then I had a chat with your dad and he put everything into perspective. He said that he was nervous with your mum too but then took a deep breath to remember everything he loved about her and it helped him to calm down. Well I did the same thing and thought about everything I love about you, I love you so much Ginny"

She smiled "I love you too Harry" they shared a sweet tender kiss, it didn't last long but it said everything they needed to.

They broke apart after a moment and she sighed "as much as I'd love to stay out here forever we should probably go back insde" she got up and dusted herself off.

He simply just stared up at her smiling, she cocked her head at him "what are you doing?"

"Just taking a moment to remember and appreciate this"

She smiled then reached out a hand to him "come on my fiance, let's go tell everyone the good news" he took her offered hand and with fingers laced together they set off for the Burrow once more.

"By the way, I hope you know that ring isn't the only present you've got"

"Oh yeah? What else is there?"

He smirked at her "I can't very tell you that now can I?"

She stuck her tongue out at him "you're terrible"

"Ahh but you said yes anyways"

She squeezed his hand and kissed him gently on the cheek "yes I did and you're more than enough, I don't need any fancy presents, not when I have you" she looked up as snow softly began to fall, then looked back at him "merry Christmas love"

He smiled "merry Christmas beautiful" he brought her in for one more gentle kiss and then they continued home, they knew life would be full of challenges but as long as they were together they could conquer anything.