Disclaimer I don't own Harry Potter. All rights to the characters and universe the story belongs in belong to JK Rowling

Chapter 24 - A Promise

The Potter vault at Gringotts always overwhelmed Harry. There were mountains of gold stretching back as far as the eye could see. He usually just grabbed some money for whatever he needed and left without ever looking around.

This time however something caught his eye, there was a small box on the side of the vault. It was sitting on a pedestal Harry had never given a second glance to. Today however, the light must have caught the Emerald inset in the lid, drawing Harry's attention to it.

He gently picked it up to inspect further. There were Lilies carved into the box and an engraving under the Emerald which read 'Thank you for making me the happiest man alive.' Signed with two carved antlers. This must have been a wedding present of sorts.

Harry opened the box and inside there were various keepsakes including earrings, necklaces and even pieces of folded parchment. Without thinking Harry unfolded one of the parchments, his breath caught as he began to read.

Dear Lily

I've just been given the amazing news that I've been accepted into the Auror academy! Can you believe that I'm actually going to be an Auror?

I know what you're thinking, don't worry I'll be careful, your wonderfully handsome boyfriend will still be in one piece the next time you see him. (He'll still probably be a git as well).

I was hoping to take you out to dinner to celebrate, are you free tomorrow?

Love

James

Harry put the piece of parchment back in the box and picked up another one, this time it was his mother's writing.

Dear James

I know it's daft but I miss you. I know we see each other every weekend and sometimes in the week when you don't get back to late. I still miss you though, does that sound mad?

I want to be there when you come home battered and bruised so I can heal the injuries you're too stubborn to tell me about.

I want to cook dinner together as I tell you about my day while you adorably try to keep up before giving up and pretending to listen with that goofy smile on your face, then making me laugh long enough to forget that there is a war on.

I guess what I'm trying to say is I want to move in together. It's OK if you're not ready for that yet I just wanted, no needed, to tell you where I am.

I'm sorry I couldn't tell you this face to face but you know what I'm like with things like this, I'm better at writing than speaking.

I love you James.

Love Lily

Blinking back tears Harry Delved into the box again this time coming out with three rings. These must have been their wedding rings and my mom's engagement ring.

The engagement ring was silver with a blossom carved diamond in the shape of the kind of flower Lily used to play with when she found out about her magic. In the centre of the blossom was a small emerald.

The wedding bands were platinum, with the same engraving on the inside of each 'Love Will Conquer All' Looking over them Harry couldn't help compare the picture of his mom and dad dancing to the one of himself and Ginny on his desk in his cubicle.

Am I ready for this? Ginny means everything to me, but am I good enough for her? How can I be a good husband and father with my upbringing? I'm lucky she even looks at me never mind everything else.

He knew that Ginny loved him and knew that one day he wanted to propose. Right now though the self-doubt was warring with his bravery, should he, or shouldn't he?

If I'm doubting whether I'm good enough for her I can't. I have to be sure I can be who she deserves.

Mind made up, he left the vault, taking some other letters to read later. He exited the bank and instead of staying in Diagon Alley he headed for Muggle London. He walked briskly towards his destination, just along the Thames, coming to a stop outside of a small jeweller he had spotted a few days before.

Harry walked in and satisfied with his choice paid the Jeweller. Once home he hid his gift so Ginny wouldn't find it, no doubts she would definitely try. She had returned home for Christmas a couple of days ago and although she was officially staying at the Burrow she made no secret of spending most of the time at Harry's flat.

Harry had booked as much time off as possible over Christmas so he and Ginny could spend time together. He'd even rented a small cottage in Wales for them to disappear too and welcome in the New Year.

'It's a beautiful night.' Said Ginny as she and Harry walked through the Nottingham Christmas Market on Christmas Eve. Snow was falling softly around them and the streets were lighted up with red and green lights.

'Yeah it is.' He replied handing her a mulled wine from one of the stands. They walked along the market sometimes stopping to pick up a present or ornament for the flat and then moving on. They reached the centre of Nottingham where there was an outdoor ice-skating ring.

'Can we have a go?' Asked Ginny once they had finished the drinks.

'Have you ever ice skated before?'

'No, it looks like fun.' She said with an excited gleam in her eye.

Harry smiled at her eagerness 'This is going to land us both on our arses but sure why not.'

They queued up and hired skates before making their way onto the ice. The first fifteen minutes they spent clutched to the sides laughing at each other as they in turn became brave enough to try skating without the wall and falling over for their efforts.

'Come on we'll try it together.' Shouted Ginny grabbing Harry's hand. Leaning against each other they somehow managed to do a lap before ending in a heap in the floor.

Laughing they managed to untangle themselves and pull themselves up with a little help from another couple and then carried on. By the end they managed to get the hang of it and although they were by no means natural, they managed to stay on their feet.

'That was fun.' Said Ginny as she threw her arms around Harry's neck.

'Yeah it was, I'm glad you're home.' Harry wrapped his arms around her waist and looked at his girlfriend. He found her breath-taking, her face was still slightly flushed from the exercise and she looked so incredibly happy. 'I love you Ginny.'

'I love you too Harry.' She said beaming at him. The band behind them struck up and he kissed her not caring who saw. At some point, without realising when or who started moving first, they started dancing to the rhythm neither of them breaking step nor the kiss.

Christmas morning found Harry hard at work in the kitchen cooking up a full English for two. The flat had been spectacularly decorated by Ginny in an explosion of colour. There was tinsel of all different colours hanging from the walls, off the fireplace, even round the wall lights.

She'd charmed baubles to hang in the air of their own accord and there was even mistletoe over the sofa. Suffice to say the two of them had spent a lot of the nights curled up together underneath it.

Harry felt two arms wrap around his waist from behind and a forehead rest on his shoulder. 'Mmm I could get used to this, it smells great.' Said Ginny.

Harry continued cooking whilst resting his head on top of hers, 'Well when you move in, I'll get to cook you breakfast everyday.'

'Can't wait.' She whispered in his ear before kissing his cheek.

After the hearty breakfast they sat on the couch to open their presents from each other. Ginny opened hers first and unwrapped her present eagerly. The packaging held a black box which she gingerly opened.

She pulled out an elegant gold necklace, the jewel was a diamond in the shape of a star. As she inspected it, there was a flicker of red in the star, at first she thought it was the light reflecting off it. When she looked closer, she saw flames flickering through the diamond.

'Harry, it's beautiful.' She gushed. 'How did you get the flame in there?'

'It's an eternal flame, so it should never die out. I must admit it was a complex piece of magic. I asked Hermione to help me with it. She did the research to make sure the Diamond was safe from the flames. You see it's not hollow, we sort of managed to fuse the flame and diamond together. Does that make sense?'

'Not in the slightest.' She said grinning. 'Thank you, can you help me put it on?' She turned her back to him and he threaded the necklace around her neck and fastened the clasp at the back.

Smiling she handed him her own neatly wrapped gift. He opened it and pulled out a large painting, it was of the sunrise from atop the Astronomy tower at Hogwarts, there were two people on the balcony watching. Suddenly the scene changed to the same two adults having a picnic in a park with a baby in between them.

Harry felt a lump forming in his throat Merlin, I love her 'G-Ginny I' he couldn't seem to put into words how much the painting meant to him. Instead of words he pulled her closer and kissed hoping that she would understand. When he pulled away she stroked his cheek caringly.

'You Ok?' She asked.

'Yeah I just don't know how to thank you for this. It's amazing.'

'I'm sure I can think of a way.' She said saucily pushing him onto his back.

Chuckling, he held her up so they were inches apart 'I've still got one more present.'

'It can wait' she growled before closing the distance between them.

The Weasley Christmas dinner was a raucous affair, even more so that the usual traditional Sunday dinners. There were crackers being pulled that went off like fireworks. The sneakoscopes that were won from them were whirring, although, with George at the table no one knew if they were faulty or if there was a prank in the offering.

That was nothing to the chatter and laughter from the people that were there. All of the Weasley's had turned up with their respective partners and Andy and Teddy were also in attendance. George was describing how his newest prototypes had gone disastrously wrong, Charlie regaled news of the dragon from Gringotts that had arrived at the reserve and Bill shared the drama of breaking curses in the homes of known death eaters.

The meal was delicious, Mrs Weasley had really outdone herself. She had prepared a mouth watering array of meets including Turkey, Beef, Gammon and pigs in blankets as well as everyone's favourite forms of potato to go with an astounding array of vegetables. It was heavenly.

After a desert of Christmas pudding with a choice of custard or Ice-Cream, George tapped his glass and stood up sending glasses of firewhisky around the table. 'While we're all together I would like to raise a toast. First of all I'm proud that we can all have a laugh and a joke despite those who are missing. I know we'll never forget but a toast to absent friends.'

'To absent friends!' They all chorused and downed their drinks.

Then Ginny stood up. 'Thank you dear brother for a wonderful toast.'

'Here here.' Shouted Ron, there was some table banging and applauding to go with the statement.

Ginny waited for them to settle, 'I have an announcement to make of my own.' The whole table held their breathe. Looking around Harry caught some of her brothers shooting him accusatory glances. 'I won't be coming home for Easter.' She said Grinning devilishly Trust Ginny to drag this out.

She basked in the tension of the room until it almost became unbearable. Then shouted excitedly 'I'M GOING TO TRIAL FOR THE HOLYHEAD HARPIES!'

The whole table erupted in celebration. Harry beamed proudly as she was engulfed in hugs by everyone at the table as they passed on their congratulations.

Molly was the last to reach her. 'I'm so happy for you dear.' She said giving Ginny a customary bone crushing hug.

'I'm sorry mum, I know you wanted me to be a healer, but this is my dream.' Ginny whispered almost desperate for her mother's approval.

'I know dear and I'm proud. Just promise you will keep up with your studies.'

'I will mum, I know I'm not guaranteed a place.'

Molly squeezed her tighter 'I'm sure you'll be fine. Just be careful.'

Once they had all settled down Charlie called over 'So squirt, when did this happen?'

Ginny flushed at her childhood nickname 'Don't call me squirt.' She chastised, although she wasn't too annoyed. 'Gwenog Jones owled me about it after my first game this year. She must have been scouting me.'

'That's amazing, finally a Weasley going pro.' Said George.

'I've not made it yet' She said yet her smile grew wider.

'You'll make it.' Said Harry with a conviction leaving her with little doubt.

'You had me worried then Ginny,' Said Ron 'I thought you were going to tell us you were engaged.'

'Or worse, pregnant' added Bill, with a mock scowl.

Harry's smile flickered slightly and when it returned it didn't quite meet his eyes. Luckily Ginny was too busy bantering with her brothers to notice. He hadn't fooled Molly though, she told everyone to go into he living room so she could start clearing up and asked for his help.

When they were done Molly handed him a cup of tea and sat down at the table. 'Is everything OK dear?' she asked looking up at Harry.

Harry and Arthur joined her at the table where Harry buried his head in his hands. 'I don't know, I thought it was, now I'm not sure.'

'What's wrong son?' asked Arthur.

After a few minutes of silence, 'Are you and Ginny having problems?' probed Molly gently.

'What? No, no we're not.' Then he started to panic his head shot out his hands and he looked up at them 'She's not said anything has she?'

'No and she looks happier than ever. We told you in the summer you both seem happier when you're together.' Soothed Arthur.

Harry visibly relaxed 'No we're not having problems. I love her, she means everything to me. It's just recently I've been having doubts, not about me and her together but about me.'

'What kind of doubts?' Asked Molly.

'I was at Gringotts the other day and in my vault I found this box. When I opened it, I found my parents' wedding rings and my mom's engagement ring. They were beautiful and seeing them I couldn't help comparing in my head a picture of my mom and dad dancing with the picture of me and Ginny from her birthday.'

'Are you thinking of proposing?' Asked Molly quietly, excitement dancing in her eyes.

'I-I was but then I was thinking. How can I be a good husband to her? H-how am I going to b-be a good f-father with my upbringing?' He buried his face in his hands again.

Neither Arthur nor Molly had heard Harry talk of his time with the Dursleys voluntarily before, they shared an uneasy glance before broaching the subject further. 'What do you mean sweetheart?' Asked Molly.

Harry took a shaky breathe before answering. 'I never knew what a family was until I spent the summer after my first year here. It was great getting to know you all and realising how much you love and care about each other.

'Up until I was eleven I was forced to sleep in a cupboard' Molly gasped 'I would have to do all the chores around the house and if I didn't finish punishments ranged from a beating to being locked in the cupboard and having meals withheld. Sometimes for days.'

Years of pent up hurt from his time with the Dursleys was finally spilling out and Harry couldn't stop himself now 'If I ever asked about my parents or talked about anything out of the ordinary I would be punished. I was once locked in my cupboard for a week because I had managed to land myself on the school roof after running away from Dudley and his gang who were constantly beating me up.

'I was never allowed to do better than Dudley at school. If I did it would cost me meals for at least a day.' Arthur and Molly continued to gape in horror as he spoke. 'Even if I was ill I wouldn't be spared from my chores, I would have to complete them all before I could rest.

'My point is I never knew love until I saw it here. I'd never been loved or given it, apart from with my parents but I can't remember that. How can I love Ginny like a husband should when I don't know how? How can I be a father to a child when all I knew as a kid was pain?' He could feel the corners of his eyes stinging and he tried to rub the wetness away.

Molly stood up and walked round to him wrapping him up in her arms. 'Harry, I need you to listen to me.' She told him shakily. 'You are not your Aunt and Uncle. It's astounding you grew up to be who you are with a family like that.

'You are kind and loving and everything a parent could want in the man their daughter loves. If you want to see how good a father you'll make, look at how good you are with Teddy. He adores you and it's obvious how much you love him. Do you hear me?'

Harry nodded gingerly. 'Harry,' started Arthur 'When you're ready you have our blessing to ask Ginny for her hand in marriage.'

'Really?' Choked Harry.

'Really, just promise us one thing. Don't rush. It's obvious that you both love each other, you have all the time in the world now. Ask when you're ready, Ginny won't want you to do anything you're not ready for. She's in no hurry trust me.' Arthur assured him.

'The two of you are already making a big step in the summer.' Said Molly.

Harry began chuckling weakly 'Nothing gets past you does it?'

'No, considering she's spent every night at your flat over Christmas it seems pretty obvious where she will be living after Hogwarts.' She said knowingly.

'I need you to know, I'm not messing around with her. I really do love her, with everything.'

'We know dear.' Said Molly keeping him in her embrace even though he had started to settle down again. 'Tell me, have you spoke to Ginny about any of this?'

'No, how the hell do you tell the girl you love you want to marry her but you're not ready to ask yet because of your own insecurities.' He asked with a weak smile.

Molly released him and after a silent conversation with Arthur she waved her wand. A box came floating from the stairs and into her grasp. She pressed it into his palm 'You could give her a promise ring.'

Harry shot her a questioning glance before opening the box. The ring was elegant in design and crafted from silver. The band was thin and elegant with a small ruby at its head. Harry marvelled at it, it really was beautiful.

'Would you really let me give this to her?' He asked them. 'It must mean a lot to you?'

'Yes, we would.' Said Molly

'It would mean a lot to us if you gave her this if you decide to give her a promise ring.' Said Arthur.

'Thank you.' Said Harry quietly. He stood and hugged the pair of them before pocketing the ring and going to join the others in the lounge. Making sure his eyes were dry as he went.

The cottage that Harry took Ginny to was small and secluded. There wasn't another building in sight and they were surrounded by trees. Outside there was a Hot tub sitting underneath an Oak Gazebo.

The ground floor was mainly taken up by a cosy lounge with two armchairs and a love seat. There was a large fireplace as well as a muggle television. The kitchen was small and bathroom complete with a good shower. The upstairs was a large bedroom with a king size bed and a smaller ensuite toilet.

New Years Eve brought a clear night and the two of them were bringing in the New Year drinking champagne in the Jacuzzi. They were sitting cuddled up together on one of the ledges, talking softly, watching the stars. Occasionally they would see some early fireworks go off in the distance.

They had been quiet for a little over fifteen minutes when Harry finally brought up the courage to say what he needed to say. He shifted slightly and Ginny lifted her eyes to meet his, 'Gin, you're' he gulped and took another swig of champagne before continuing (He was glad she didn't try to interrupt, this would be tough enough as it was). 'You're the best thing that's ever happened to me.'

She smiled warmly at him and cupped his cheek as he continued 'I love you so much, I never thought I'd get a chance of a future and I want nothing more than to spend that future with you.' A stray tear fell from his eye which Ginny brushed away with her other hand.

'To be honest it scares me.' He took both her hands in his and held on tightly 'I know I don't speak about it but I didn't have a great childhood with the Dursleys.' There was a flash of anger in Ginny's eyes. Although she had not heard everything, she had definitely heard enough to know they deserved a lifetime of hexing for how Harry had been mistreated. She had often wondered how close they came to doing what even Voldemort could not.

'Because of that I never knew what love was until I met your family. I'm scared because I'm worried you will find someone better, someone who knows how to love you as you deserve to be loved. Someone who knows how to be good dad to your children.'

'You're a daft prat, you know that?' her words would have been cutting if not for her soft tone. 'You're the best thing that's ever happened to me too Harry. When we're apart I don't feel whole, I feel like I've been torn in two. I love you so much.

'When we're ready we'll raise a family in a loving environment and you and me will be in the centre of it. You're going to make a great dad one day Harry and there is no one else. I repeat no one else I want to raise a family with.'

She kissed him softly before pulling away, 'I wish I could go around to the Dursleys and hex them to give you your childhood back. No one should have to go through what you did.' She took a deep breath to steady herself. 'After the Chamber I never saw a future for myself neither. I was distraught with what I had done and was being crushed by the guilt.

'Then I steadily started making friends, Hermione suggested I started dating to stop me from fixating on you so much.' Harry blushed slightly at the reference to what an idiot he had been not noticing her earlier. 'It worked like a charm, over the years we became friends and then, even more than that.

'What we have now is so much better than anything I ever dreamt of when I had that crush on you. Now that I have a future there's no one I want to spend it with other than you.'

Smiling at her words Harry reached into the wine bucket and pulled out the black box Arthur and Molly gave to him. 'I'm not ready to propose yet Gin. I still need to work past the self-doubt I have.' He opened the box and presented the ring to her. 'I'm ready for this though.'

'Harry it's beautiful.' Ginny said quietly as he took her hand and paused before sliding it onto her finger.

'It's a promise ring. A declaration of my love for you and a promise to propose in the future. I promise to be here for you in any way you need me, support you in any walk of life you lead and help you to pick yourself back up if you fall.' He looked into her eyes 'I hope you can accept it.'

Ginny nodded, not quite trusting herself to speak. He slid the ring onto her finger which then resized itself to fit. They kissed softly, when they pulled apart Ginny finally found her voice 'This is my promise to you too Harry.'