SAVIOUR RUNS FROM MARRIAGE PROPOSAL!
Of course, George's proposal would hit the headlines of the Daily Prophet.
"Don't they have anything better to print?" George grumbled.
"Any luck?"
It was like the beginning of the war had started again. After disappearing from view Harriet was nowhere to be found. Hermione shook her head. George cursed. He should have known he'd unsettle her - he had no idea she'd run from him though.
"She's not at Grimmauld, I tried her parents' grave - the tent -"
Geoge ruffled his hair. They had thought of everywhere and checked certain spots regularly between them. Harriet was nowhere to be found. Fred went to the tent in which they had been hiding, the day after Voldemort's defeat reclaiming their things, including the very backpack that held the ring George had gotten for Harriet.
The shops were reopening, Diagon Alley had regained its popularity now imminent danger had passed. Fed and George planned to reopen Weasley's Wizard Wheezes. George knew deep down that Harriet would have wanted them to get back to their lives - he just hadn't envisioned it being like this.
"She just needs time." his mother told him when he grew frustrated.
"Got to admit Dudley was the last person I'd thought I'd find you with."
Harriet should have known that it would be Ron who would catch up to her in the end. She had been hiding out with Dudley, she returned to private drive to check on their safety and reconnected with Dudley. It seems that in their year of hiding, Dudley had gotten fed up with being completely in his parents' company.
Ron didn't look annoyed with her, more worried. "You've had everyone really concerned -"
Harriet cringed, she had known that her disappearing act would make the Weasley's worried.
Ron sighed, "I'll make this easy, and I'll make it quick, I knew about your relationship with George -"
"You knew?" Harriet said startled.
"Everyone knows, Harriet," Ron explained softly. "before George asked, we've known for ages - I even helped him -"
"You helped?" Harried exclaimed, "what about rule nine?"
"Rule nine? Is that why you ran because you thought you'd broken a rule -"
"It was your rule -"
"Harriet, I only remember half the rules we set out - when you called off rule eight-"
"I did that for you! - for Hermione!"
Ron shrugged, "Well I didn't know that, did I. But I was sitting there thinking it over, what you said about not really needing the rules, and well - it made sense. I thought we'd just naturally outgrown them."
Harriet groaned. She felt so stupid, so very stupid. "So how mad is George?"
"He's not mad with you," Ron said, "he thinks that he scared you."
"That doesn't make me feel much better, guess I got some groveling to do." Harriet said, "I was going to come back, I needed to clear my head and figure out the best course of action, let you know I was - well that I want George."
"Guess you do have some groveling to do. You coming home then?"
"Not just yet, George first."
A week later Harriet decided to give George a heart attack.
"Umm hi," she said, "I was hoping you'd return first. The flat just sort of let me in -"
George had just walked into the flat space above their shop in Diagon Alley. And Harriet had been waiting. George closed the gap between them. He raised his eyebrows at her when Harriet shied away from him.
"You're keyed into the wards Harriet, have been since we brought the place."
Harriet sighed and said, "I guess we should talk about what happened after the battle."
"Right," George nodded, "I'm sorry I spooked you - "
"umm - err - I'm sorry that I ran," Harriet said a hand scratching at one of her ears, a habitat of hers she had when she grew nervous. "I just - needed -"
"Look I get that I asked you too soon, that it was all public, I understand if marrying me is something you're not quite ready for -"
"It wasn't that- I'd love to -"
"Then what was it then?"
"I thought I broke rule nine," Harriet whispered.
"What's rule nine?" George asked confused.
"One of the friendship rules I had with Ron," Harriet explained, "It doesn't matter - I love Ron like a brother, but I realised whilst spending time with Dudley - that I can't keep putting his feelings over mine. However much I didn't want to break the stupid rules we made. I've figured it should be my choice." Harriet said, she indicated to her heart, " and it hurt in here, I just couldn't anymore. I didn't sacrifice myself to give up on us - to give up on love."
"Harriet," George burst out laughing. "You daft woman. Ron's been OK with us since he found out I fancied you."
"Well, I know that now obviously," Harriet retorted. "Ron was the one who found me -"
"Could have informed me you were OK at least-" George grumbled.
"Wanted to surprise you," Harriet shrugged.
"Consider my poor heart surprised."
"Congratulations!"
Confetti rained down upon them. Harriet smiled shyly, which George found endearing. She often got a little shy in front of his family now, when they were together like this.
"New invention of yours?" Harriet whispered.
"Maybe!" Though George knew that Harriet was not fooled.
"I wonder what stunts you and Fred are thinking of pulling during the wedding - scratch that I dread to think!" Harriet muttered.
"Nothing you won't enjoy and we know our mother won't kill us over."
"Let's see the ring!" Ginny said excitedly. Harriet extended her hand, her shy smile returning to her face.
