The Sign Chapter 4
What to Do
"OI!" Ron's aggravated voice dragged them from bliss.
Harry pulled his head up from paradise, only to see the face of his best mate. "What do you want?"
"What do you think you're doing, ravaging my baby sister in full view of the house?" Ron was red in the face with anger, while Hermione was trying to tug on his arm, pointing to Ginny's arm.
"Shut it Ron, He was just accepting my marriage proposal." Ginny laughed and sat up, brushing leaves from her hair. Ron saw the tale-tell mark on her arm.
"Oh." His face fell. "But you're…He…"
"What?" Ginny pushed.
"Bloody hell, congratulations, I guess?" He offered, trying to adjust his thinking. He knew how little choice they had. Who better? He held his hand out to Harry and helped him up to his feet. Ron was pointedly looking for the matching sign in his friend's own arm. "Remember what we said out in the woods?"
Harry nodded.
"She cries, even once? I'll kill ya, got it?"
"Got it." Harry answered. The next second, he was swept in a bone crushing embrace.
Just as abruptly, he was released, "Just what I need, another brother." Ron tried to sound put-upon but failed. "Um, so, now what?"
Hermione gave Ginny a hug, "What this lug is trying to say, is, what are your plans? Who else knows?"
"George, and then Mum, just now. We're thinking Betrothal as soon as possible. Mum said this only lasts for about two months, and it's been one already." Ginny said plainly.
"That's what we're doing. It's been a shock. I mean, we've been waiting to hear from my parents, but… my folks were thirty before they married. They refused to understand why we considered betrothal this young. They don't approve…they don't understand. Then this last letter…" Her shaky control was breaking, and only Ron knew how to build it up again.
Ron held her close, "Shh…I'm here." He kissed her then said over her head, "We found out about this just before we went to Australia. They didn't like what was happening. There were words. Said if we go through with this, we'll be on our own. They didn't go through the whole hiding plan just to have their daughter throw away her life so young. Her folks are trying to get Mum and Dad to break us up." His face had turned deep red in his anger.
Hermione shook herself back to the present with a sigh and a false smile, "We're not going to put this off any longer. Who knows the process for a betrothal? Is there a ceremony or something?" She looked between Ron and Ginny. Both shrugged their shoulders. "Right then, I guess we either find a library, or talk to your mother."
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"A ceremony? No, not necessarily. More a formal question and answer. The bride and groom say they want to marry to both sets of parents or sponsors. The parents ask if they both understand and agree and that's that. There're some spells and it's done." Molly finished kneading the bread and set the dough in the waiting pans. "If your parents won't be here, you'll have to find a man and woman, Adults, to sponsor you."
"Like who?" Hermione asked.
"Well, it can't be anyone related to your intended, within three generations. I think those are the only rules made by the ministry."
"So, I couldn't ask Ginny, since she is related to Ron, but I could ask Harry because he is not related to anyone, right?" Hermione was trying to figure it all out.
Molly stopped and thought, "No. He'd be counted as kin because he will be betrothed to Ginny. And you cannot share the same sponsors unless you are blood relatives with them. Sponsors become kin with you and that can become complicated. To be safe, you and Harry need to come up with a set of sponsors each."
"I think I know what kin is, but what's your definition?" Hermione tried to understand.
"Kin? Well, when people are related, by blood or marriage, that's family, right?" At Hermine's nod, Molly continued. "Kinship includes all that but add another layer of relationship. In-laws from a different side of the couple become kin, you know, cousins from different sides of the family. Really, anyone who has a blood or marriage link with you, would be kin. Kinship can also be through association, like a Godparent, or a sponsor."
"Mum, why not kin as sponsors?" Ginny asked confused.
"I think it's to prevent coercion. Forcing a couple into marriage has been a problem throughout history."
"Oh. That gives us a lot to think on, doesn't it? Hermione started, "Mrs... er, Molly, when should we do this. Where should we do this? I'm in the dark here."
"Typically, it's in the bride's home. So, it could be here, unless you have a preference too. A week from Sunday evening would be convenient, as all the family would be off work and it's the day before Charlie goes back to Romania. We can have a nice family dinner after." Molly sat down and started peeling turnips.
"Do we have to tell anyone? Aside from the sponsors, and of course, the family." Ginny piped up. "I'd hate to invite Rita Skeeter."
"Absolutely not." Molly laughed. She could imagine the press trying to fit into her kitchen. "No, this is a private family affair. Who you tell or how you tell is up to you."
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Hermione and Ginny looked at each other thoughtfully as they wandered outside, wondering where to start looking for the guys, only to find them just outside the door.
"Yeah, we heard." Ron said, having the decency to be embarrassed.
"Good. At least we don't have to repeat. You two don't need a sponsor. Harry and I do. And we need to think of them fast."
Ginny walked to the fence at the end of the garden path motioned the others to follow. She brought out her wand and waved it about while making a mumbling sound. A faint shimmer covered them. Harry raised his eyebrow. "Muffliato. I don't want ears listening in."
At Harry's amazed look, she continued, "Fred and George taught me how to do more complex silent spells at Christmas. Charlie even taught me some wandless magic, with some simple spells. It helped at school this past year. Anyways, I have another question to be answered before this betrothal. Now, I know that you two have taken over Ron's room, and seem more than happy up there. But look where my room is. I refuse to have my wedding night over Mum and Dad's head. Harry, what are we going to do about that?"
Ron's ears turned dark red and Hermione had to hold his arm to calm him. Harry's eyes grew large and he felt as though he couldn't swallow. "Er…Um…I…"
"Ok. I have an idea, since no one else seems to be thinking clear right now." Ginny smiled largely. "You have a great big house. Huge. A wreck, but huge. Seamus works with his uncle, a builder. Give him a job. Have him do over the house."
"I was thinking of working on the place, but he can't get it done by next Sunday. No one can." Harry objected.
"He's a wizard. We can only ask." She replied. "If not, then maybe just a few rooms."
"I like the way she thinks." Ron said with a laugh. "Maybe there'd be room for us? In your house, that is."
"We'll check it out. In fact, let's ask right now." Harry was impatient. He had not thought of that part of the betrothal, and now that is all he would be able to think on.
Before he could bring out his wand, He heard Ginny say, "Expecto Patronum!" And her horse was prancing in front of them.
"Find Seamus Finnigan. We have a commission. Can you join us now at the Burrow, or owl us a note for an appointment?" With a flick, the ghostly horse raced over the western hills.
"Aren't you afraid of the under-age trace?" Harry asked impressed.
"What trace? That was discontinued after Easter. No one left to enforce it." They wandered toward the gate and opened it just as a loud pop announced the arrival of Seamus Finnegan.
"Hey, there!" He called.
"Hey!" Ron reached him first and shook his hand. "That was bloody fast!"
"Yeah, I was only about ten miles away. The horse said you had a job for me?"
"Yeah! I have a run-down house in London. I want to see if it can be saved and how long it might take." Harry shook his hand.
"Harry Potter has a house?" Seamus asked.
"Yeah, inherited. It's a wreck, I'm hoping I can fix it somewhat. Willing to take a look?"
"Sure, but I'm due to a meeting soon. I can meet you first thing in the morning? London you say?"
"Great! How about Nine? Just Floo to 12 Grimmauld Place." Harry agreed.
They watched him disapparate again then Ginny turned to Harry. "So, now what?"
"I'm not sure, I'm still wrapping my head around it all." He gave her a kiss on her nose. "I'd like to see the place through your eyes."
A/N: Please, please leave a review! I need to know what you think, even if it's just a few words. Please? I'v got lots more chapters for this story.