Harry Potter and the Life After the Old
Chapter 4 – Time to Face the Music
Harry found Ginny outside, reading a book under one of the apple trees in the garden of the Burrow.
"Hello" said Harry, sitting down next to her
"Oh hi!" said Ginny, putting her book down "What brings you here?"
"Well, I thought it might be nice if we went for a walk" said Harry
"Yes, that would be a change" said Ginny, getting up "You got something for lunch in that bag then?"
"Yes, sandwiches made by your Mum" he said.
"Well then, lead on" she said, taking his hand.
It was a warm July Sunday. A lot had happened in the last two days. Ginny had returned from her last day at Hogwarts, the Chudley Cannons had won their first match in over one hundred years, and Harry had just decided to ask Ginny to spend the rest of her life with him. They did not yet know about Hermione's newest revelation.
The good thing about living in the countryside was that there were plenty of places to walk in. Harry and Ginny had gone on walks before from the Burrow, and today, they had chosen a walk that they had done once before, because they found a nice view of the valley which hid Ottery St. Catchpole and the small winding river that curled lazily through the valley on this hot summer's day.
"Oh look!" said Ginny, pointing down into the valley, from where they sat eating their sandwiches
"Ah yes" said Harry, following her pointing finger, to see Hedwig flying in large circles around the Burrow "Majestic"
"Beautiful birds, owls." Said Ginny, leaning into Harry. Harry wrapped an arm around her shoulders. They had finished their lunch, and now all Harry needed to do was ask a simple question. They watched Hedwig flying until she eventually flew into the house.
"Gin?" said Harry
"Yes?" Ginny said, adjusting herself so she could see his face
"Will you marry me?" asked Harry, shocking himself with the ease with which he said it. Ginny looked equally surprised, knowing how difficult it was for Harry to say anything out right like that
"Yes" she said again, beginning to smile. The relief on Harry visibly showed as he relaxed his muscles and became a lot less tense "Its unlike you to ask a question like that so easily"
"It is a bit" said Harry, searching around in his pocket "I've got this for you"
Ginny looked at the little black box Harry now held in his hand. He opened it to reveal the ring that he had bought earlier that day. Ginny gasped when she saw it.
"Its beautiful" she said, taking the ring and slipping it on her finger. She stared at it for a few minutes, then looked up at Harry "Thank you!"
They kissed, and then settled back down into the friendly silence, holding each other. The afternoon brought a cool shade over the patch where they were sitting, so remained there until it was time to head back to the house for dinner. They walked happily together, smiles planted on their faces.
Molly Weasley was in the kitchen, preparing some dinner. She saw the two of them coming back to the house. She smiled to herself, and went to find Arthur. They both went out to greet them back to the house
"Well?" said Arthur, with a smile. Ginny put out her hand and showed the ring on her finger "Congratulations to the both of you"
"Congratulations indeed" said Molly, hugging both her daughter and Harry.
"You know what, I just got the strangest feeling I've missed something important" said Ron, bustling around in the kitchen
"The timer wasn't on, on the VCR" said Hermione, coming out of the living room
"Oh…can' remember if I set it for anything anyway" said Ron, putting the tea towel down and walking over to his wife and hugging her
"Work tomorrow" said Hermione, sighing
"You were working just now!" said Ron
"Yes, but its busy work…unlike what you do" said Hermione, with a smirk
"Oi! I take offence at that!" said Ron, looking highly affronted "Who would write the Quidditch Tactics if it weren't for me!"
"Someone who wasn't best friends with the head Sports Correspondent?" said Hermione innocently
"True…but at least I'm doing something" said Ron, using his latest tactic, which was backing down from an argument that was pointless
Hermione smiled, and they both walked into the living room together, and sat down on the sofa.
"Ron, I need to tell you something" said Hermione
"What?" said Ron, looking worried
"You know a few months ago you said it would be really cool to have a kid?" said Hermione, looking uneasy
"Vaguely, why?" said Ron
"We're going to have one" said Hermione
"Wow…" said Ron, looking at Hermione "You mean you're…you know…pregnant?"
"Yes, Ron, that's how it happens" said Hermione, smiling at her husband
"When did you find out about it?" said Ron
"Last week…" said Hermione, looking uneasy again
"Last week! Why didn't you tell me earlier!" said Ron, looking surprised
"I didn't want to take you mind off the match" said Hermione, thinking of excuses. In truth, she could not think of a good way of telling Ron that she was pregnant, so she decided in the end to be blunt.
"Oh ok" said Ron, taking her hand in his "So…how far along?"
"Two weeks" said Hermione "They found it when I went for my medical at the ministry"
"Oh right" said Ron "Well, may this be the first of many"
"As much as I admire your mother, I don't think I could ever do what she has done" said Hermione laughing. Ron smiled, and they kissed.
"I love you, Hermione" said Ron
"Love you too, Ron" she replied.
The sky turned a golden yellow colour behind them as the late afternoon sun drifted into evening. They stayed looking out of the bay window into the garden, watching the birds fly across the garden, and Crookshanks head back towards the house from his daily rounds. Their day ended with Hedwig arriving, carrying news from Harry and Ginny.
Authors Note: Many thanks to the many reviewers, your comments are much appreciated. Sorry for the delay in posting this chapter...I have had large amounts of work to do for College, so had very little spare time. Once again many thanks, and I hope to update once more in the coming week.