Life After the War

by wtchiktonks

This story is all about Ginny's struggle after having fought in the war, as well as the engagement and marriage of her and Harry, and Ron and Hermione. My first story. Rated M for later chapters.

2. Rules of Engagement

-1Chapter 2 - Rules of Engagement

Molly was washing the dishes the Muggle way to keep herself occupied when she heard the door creak open. "Oh Harry dear, do come in further, sit down."

"Hi Mrs…I mean, Molly. I was wondering if I could have a chat with you?"

"Of course my dear. What is it you wanted to talk about then?"

"Well you know that I love Ginny, whole heartedly. I'm sorry for all the tears I've made her shed."

"Don't go too far into it. I know what has happened, and it is a lucky thing that Hermione was here to help. But, aside from things that have happened, you've come back."

Harry was fidgeting, knowing well that Molly noticed. Not much longer, Arthur had returned from the Ministry.

"Harry my boy! Glad to see you're back. Molly dear, sorry I'm late Kingsley had me doing a bit of extra work."

"No worries dear. Harry and I were just sitting here chatting."

Arthur looked at Harry, then Molly and nodded in understanding. "I'll leave you two be then."

"Actually, this concerns you too Mr. Weasley. You see, I…well…I wanted to ask…" Harry stumbled over his words, fidgeting even more with the napkin then he had been before.

"I've been curious just how long it would take before you came to us Harry. You'd like to ask for Ginny's hand in marriage right?" Arthur had interjected. He had his hands on Molly's shoulders. Molly was silently sobbing into a handkerchief happily.

"Yes," said Harry simply.

"You are aware that she has yet to finish her last year at Hogwarts…as do you, Ronald and Hermione. You may have defeated You-Know- ok Voldemort, but that does not excuse you from finishing your education."

"I know Molly."

"You may as well call me Mum."
"You mean, I've your permission to ask Ginny to marry me?"

"On the condition that you go back and finish…and tell us exactly what you plan on doing when you two do marry, like how you will take care of her."

"I'm going to go to university, Muggle university that is, and do more research in regular studies so that I can teach Muggle studies to kids at Hogwarts. I've already spoken with Headmistress McGonagall. She'd rather I look into becoming an Auror and teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts, but I've done enough of that in my life. I've enough money on inheritance without ever working, but I'd like for Ginny and I to have a normal life. If Ginny wants to continue her education in anything, I won't stop her. I want her to live her life happily, and not just based on what I want. She'll be happy."

"I'm sure she will dear. Just be careful with her heart. You have broken it once."

"I know Mum. I wouldn't dream of doing so again."
"Right then. Have you already picked out a ring?"

Harry reached into his pocket and pulled out a box, opening it, and revealing a sweet, small ring. "It was my mothers. In those months I was gone, I saw my Aunt Petunia. She and Uncle Vernon went their separate ways. She went back to their house, which had remained mostly untouched. She had been given most of my mum's things that they found in the rubble of our house in Godric's Hollow. After I'd left, Aunt Petunia was worried about me, and vowed that if she ever saw me again, she'd give me anything that belonged to my mum. She was actually quite nice to me when I went back. Well, anyway, the moment I saw it, I thought of Ginny. It's small, beautiful, and perfect, like Ginny."

Molly had tears in her eyes and Arthur squeezed her shoulders gently. "That's beautiful dear. I think she'll like it. When do you plan to ask her?"

"Tonight. Well, that of course was only the case had you said yes. Had you said no, I would have waited until the end of the year and asked you again."

"You're wise Harry, and we trust you. But as I said, be careful with her heart."

"Thank you mum…and dad." He smiled and ran up towards Ron's room, where all his things were. Ron was sitting on his bed, with Hermione leaning into him, fast asleep. Harry grabbed a couple of things and left quietly, mouthing out an apology. As he stepped out, he was greeted by Ginny.

"I've got something to show you Harry. I just received it by own." Ginny was wearing a wide grin. Harry followed her to her room, taking hold of her hand on the way which only made her light up that much more. As they approached the door, Harry stopped. "What's wrong? You've been in my room before."

"Once Gin. So long as your parents don't see it as being against the rules…"
She quickly interrupted, "Do you see Hermione anywhere without Ron, or coming out of my room often? No. My parents are one hundred percent ok with all of us having members of the opposite sex within the same room as us. Well ok, Ron and I since the others have moved out." She opened the door, and much to Harry's surprise, it looked much different then the last time he'd been in there. Ginny's room was now a dark blue…almost black, but littered with stars that had been magicked onto the ceiling. She still had her Holyhead Harpies poster up though. There were also things Harry knew from the Muggle world, like dream catchers and a wind chime made of porcelain fairies.

"They all help me sleep. Especially this," she held out a large cuddly monkey, stuffed of course. Harry instantly recognized it. It was the first object he'd ever gotten for Ginny. It made him smile to know she'd kept it all these years. It was the summer after the incident in the chamber of secrets. He'd asked Arthur and Molly to take them all to Muggle London, to which they'd agreed. Ginny had seen the stuffed monkey in a store front and fell in love with it. Harry had seen that in her face and surprised her with it later on that day. The thoughts of what she'd said that day caused him to chuckle. "Are you laughing at me Potter?"

"No Gin. Just remembering how you reacted when I gave you that monkey."

"Oh. Ell he's still cute, and when you're gone, he takes your place in a small way."

"Good to know I'm not missed."

Ginny slapped him playfully on the chest. "I said small!"

"I know, I was only teasing." He smiled down at her then turned her around, wrapping his arms around her from behind, and placing a gentle kiss upon her cheek. "So what was it you wanted to show me?"

"Oh, right." She picked up a small parcel from the desk beside them. She then opened it to reveal a portrait of the two of them dancing at Bill and Fleur's wedding. "Bill sent it. He said it was Fleur's idea, but that I probably would have thrown it out after reading the note knowing it was form her. Anyway, the photographer they'd hired was excellent and captured a lot of beautiful moments throughout the night. Fleur noticed in this that my face just glowed and told Bill 'I know ze true love when I see eet!' I never thought that she could be so sweet, but she can. She hoped that by the time I got this, you'd be back, and you are."

"You looked radiant that night Gin. I couldn't refuse dancing with you. In fact, I didn't want anyone else dancing with you. I didn't want to let you go."

"And if I remember correctly, you didn't." She put the portrait down and turned around to wrap her arms around him. "That night, when I came up here, I cried. I knew that you'd be leaving and I might not ever see you again. That was why I went against your wishes. I mean, I went to Hogwarts for year 6, but, I don't think I concentrated that much. I always wondered where you were, and how you were…"
"And honestly, through it all, I'm glad you stuck by me. I'm wondering though…would you go back to Hogwart's with me, for year 7?"

"I don't know Harry. How can I go back when I don't even trust being there? How can I…"

Harry put a finger up to her lips, "Because things have changed. McGonagall is Headmistress, there isn't a bad professor in the school. Classes will be smaller because of losses endured in the war, except for first years. I have to talk to Ron and Hermione still, but I know Hermione will want to go back. I promise you, things will be fine."

Ginny stood on her toes and pulled Harry into a kiss. "I'll think about it. I haven't really thought of finishing my education since the war ended." Ginny went and sat on her bed, and Harry followed, sitting next to her. "I just need to think."

"Shh," Harry kissed the side of her head then pulled her down onto the bed with him. "Get some sleep in love. I'll stay here with you."

Ginny smiled and quickly fell asleep in Harry's arms.

Meanwhile up in Ron's room, Hermione had just woken up and looked at Ron. "You make a pretty good pillow."

"Well you have been out for a couple of hours now. I'd hoped that'd meant I was a pretty good pillow." Ron kissed the tip of Hermione's nose and gave her a gentle squeeze.

"I guess I needed it then. I was dreaming about Hogwarts. Strange really."
"No not really. Your mind has always been on learning, and neither of us have been there for a while now. It's time we go back…take our NEWTS."

Hermione held a look of shock upon her face. "You, you want to go back…to school?"

"Don't be so shocked Mione. I've thought long and hard about this. I know that I was never the best student, but I think it's only right for us to finish our education. Dumbledore would want it this way. Aside from that, I want it. I want to go on, become an Auror."

"You, an…Auror? Ron we fought Voldemort. Are you sure you want to do Dark Arts work the rest of your life? I mean, it's like going against Voldemort for the rest of your life."
"Mione," Ron put his hands over Hermione's, "I'm sure. But I'm also sure of something else."

"And what's that?"

"That I love you. I have since I met you. Now whether or not you believe me is up to you."
Hermione planted a kiss on Ron's lips and looked into his eyes. "I do believe you. I feel the same, I just hid it when we were younger because, well, we all were just kids and girls weren't supposed to like boys. Do you have any idea how angry I was when you weren't the first to ask me to the Yule Ball in year four? Or how sad I was when I saw you snogging Lavender Brown? I nearly hexed her when she bragged about it."

"You, hexing someone? Come off it now."

"No really. I had my wand at the ready but your sister stopped me."

"Remind me to thank her some day."

"I will. About school though…have you talked to your mum?"

"Not yet, but I thought about doing that tonight."
"Yea? Well I'll be right there with you."

"Mione…"

"Yea Ron?"

"I was going to wait until after Christmas for this but, now's as good a time as any." Ron got up off the bed, took a small box out of his wardrobe and planted himself down on one knee. "Hermione Jean Granger, would you do me the pleasure of forever more being with me and only me?"

Hermione made no hasted in dropping to her knees in front of Ron with tear filled eyes, nodding yes to him, and gently placing a kiss on his lips. She'd never been happier in her entire life. "Yes," she finally whispered, just loud enough for Ron to hear. He took her left hand and placed the heart shaped ring upon her delicate finger.

"And I'll wait until you're ready to actually go through a ceremony. But I had one other question. If I'm accepted for Auror training, will you come to a school, or at least a town, nearby…so that we won't ever be far from each other?"

"A thousand times yes Ronald Weasley." The smile on her face was one Ron had never witnessed before. It held more radiance then even Hermione knew she could show. "Did you talk to your mum about this…or my parents for that matter?"

"Your parents, I talked to long before the war even happened. They said I could ask you if and when the war was over, and under the condition that I was absolutely sure of my love for you. As for my mum…it may come as a shock to her."

"You mean to tell me you didn't talk to her?"

"No, but I did talk to my dad."

"And…"

"And he said it sounded as if I feel about you, how he feels about my mum. Therefore, he said I should go with my instincts."

"Can we go tell your mum then, and Harry and Ginny?"

"My mum yes. We might want to wait until later on to tell Harry and Ginny."
"Why is that?"
"Just trust me Mione. Now come on, let's go tell my mum." Ron pulled Hermione up with him and led her downstairs to find Mrs. Weasley.

Mrs. Weasley had been preparing dinner a bit earlier then usual, and was mumbling to herself all the while.

"Mum…" Ron tried to not scare her too much.

"Oh Ron dear…and Hermione. Would you two mind helping me a bit? Bill owled earlier asking if it'd be alright for he and Fleur to come for dinner. Seems they have some big announcement for us all."
"Of course Molly," interjected Hermione quickly. She always did actually love helping in any way she could.

"Hermione and I have a bit of news ourselves though mum."

Molly spun on her heel and looked at the two. "Well…go on."

"Actually Molly…two things. Firstly, Ron and I are going to go back to Hogwarts to finish our seventh year. It was Ron's idea really."
"Oh how wonderful. Now if you can convince your younger sister Ron, that would top off the day."
"I'll do what I can mum. But as we said, we have a bit of news, not just something to tell."
Molly took a seat at the table, "go on then."

Hermione walked over and sat down next to Molly. "Well you see, Ron and I, we love each other very much so."
"And knowing that I will never love another, I asked Hermione to marry me. Well not in those words exactly. And I'm waiting until she's ready to have an official ceremony."

"My…Ron…and…this is almost too much for me."

Hermione held her hand up to allow Molly to see the ring. "Your son did a pretty good job in picking out a ring. I promise Molly, the marriage won't happen for at least another year and a half. And even at that, I'd like something small. Just my new brothers and sister, Harry, you and Arthur, and my parents. I don't need the world to witness my marriage to know I love Ron."
"Dear you know it will be almost impossible to keep it small. But we'll do what we can." Molly smiled looking at the ring. "It is beautiful."
Hermione held the ring up to look at it herself. "Molly would you with me to find a dress for when Ron and I do get married? I know tradition is dress robes, but I'd like to be dressed the Muggle way."

"Of course dear. Well, I really need to get dinner going more. Ron could you please get your father and have him help you set up tables in the garden?"
"Sure Mum."
"And Hermione if you could help me in here that would be wonderful."
"Of course." She walked back to Ron and kissed him. "I'll see you later then."

Ron went to find Arthur and then out back to set up the tables.

Upstairs, Ginny was waking and found herself smiling uncontrollably. When she looked to her left, she noticed that Harry was fast asleep. "Harry," she whispered. Seeing as that didn't work, she planted a kiss on him. "Harry wake up." When that didn't even work, or so she thought, Ginny straddled him and leaned down. "Harry if you don't wake up I'm going to sit on you until you do…and I'll start getting heavy, and you won't like it."

As quickly as she said that, she was flipped onto her back. "That's what you think," he leaned down and kissed her. "Sleep well?"

"Yea actually, it was nice sleeping with your arm over me. It made me feel like this is where I belong."

"Well I'm glad. Do you think we should head downstairs to be with the rest of your family that's here? I'm sure your mum could use some help."

Ginny was giggling by this point, "sure if you get off me."

"Oh right, that. Well I could…"

"Please Harry," she pouted, "please get off me."

"You know I can't turn you down when you give me that look." Harry kissed her then got off of her. "Coming?"

"Of course." Ginny got up, taking Harry's hand, and leading him downstairs. "Mum, need any more help?"

"Sure dear. Harry if you'd like, Ron and Arthur are out in the garden setting up for dinner. Bill and Fleur are headed over tonight."
"Right then. I'll help them." Harry wandered outside.

"Mum…do you think you could let Hermione take over for a bit? I'd really like to talk to you."
"Hermione dear, you wouldn't mind would you?"
Hermione looked up from peeling potatoes, "no of course not, go on."

Molly followed Ginny out to the living room. "Dear what's wrong?"

"Mum…I…well…I don't know how to talk to you about all of this."
"Ginny, you're my only daughter, you can tell me anything, no matter what."

"Mum…I don't want to go back to Hogwarts just yet. We'd start in a week, and I'm just not ready. I need a little more time. It's not that I don't love school, I do, I just…any time I start feeling like things will be fine, they somehow get worse. Things get led back to the war and, they just…mum I don't want to be led around school in things because everything just feels out of sorts." Ginny started crying and could no longer look at her mother.

Molly pulled Ginny into a hug, "oh dear. I'm sorry I haven't paid enough attention. I should have known that something was wrong. Well, I'll contact Headmistress McGonagall…see what I can…"
"No Mum. Just…I'm sorry."

"Dear by the sounds of it, you don't want to go back at all."

"And what of it if I don't?"

"Sweetheart you'll have Ron, Hermione and Harry there with you. If anything, Hermione is your friend. You know she'll be there to talk to."
"Mum I can't."

"Dear take a bit more time to think about it. If you still feel that you can't go back, we'll work something out. Maybe you could go work with George, or go to a Muggle school in London."
"Yea?" she wiped some tears away.

"Of course dear. I'd rather you not be miserable this year."

Ginny hugged Molly tightly then got up. "I'm going to go clean up a bit before dinner if that's alright."

"Sure. I'll be in the kitchen with Hermione."

Molly gave Ginny another hug then headed into the kitchen.

Outside, Bill and Fleur had just arrived and were being greeted by the men. Arthur had advised Fleur to go in and see Molly.

"Harry how've you been since the war?"
"Alright I suppose. Probably shouldn't have run away right quick after I woke up at St. Mungo's."

"Well you did break my kid sisters heart, twice…so that kind of put you under. But to be honest, I probably would've run too. There's a lot to think about when you've faced one of the darkest wizards of all time."
"Thanks Bill."
"Hey Bill, why exactly is it that you're back here? I mean, you and Fleur hardly ever come round."
"It's something you'll hear later Ron."
"Well then I suppose since you won't hear my news later, I may as well tell you now. Hermione and I are engaged, and going back to Hogwarts."

Harry looked back up at this from de-gnoming the garden, "you asked Hermione to marry you, and she said yes?"
"Don't sound so shocked mate. At least I had the courage to do it. Not much like yourself with Ginny."

"Ron I'm going to ask her and you know that. I wanted to make sure it was alright with your parents."
"Excuses excuses."
Bill stepped in when it came to this. He knew how it felt to wait. "Harry take your time. You need to know that she's not going to run off and just leave you wondering. It took me half a year after I'd decided to ask Fleur before I finally did it."
"Thanks. See Ron it's not that bad. Plus I'd think you'd be one to want me to wait until Ginny was older to ask."
Right then, Ginny walked up with Hermione. "Ask me what Harry?"

"Nothing love. Let's go sit down shall we?" He led Ginny over to a place at the table, just as Ron led Hermione to sit by them.

"You told Harry didn't you?"

"Well we were going to sit, come for a quick with me? Please Mione."

"Well don't beg." She looked up at Ginny and Harry then got back up with Ron. "What's all this about Ron? Why did you tell Harry but I can't tell Ginny? She's one of my best friends!"

"Mione! It's because first off, I don't want Ginny getting jealous. Secondly, Harry's going to ask Ginny tonight. He's apparently got something all planned out."
Hermione gasped and put her hand over her mouth and looked at Ron. It took her a minute to calm herself enough. "You should have told me earlier. Gods I almost slipped. I owled my parents telling them you asked and my hand has been in plain sight all day." She gave Ron a quick kiss. "I'm sorry I snapped though. Honestly had you said something before, I would have done more to hide it."

Ron cupped Hermione's cheek in his hand and left a lingering kiss upon her lips. "I should have told you. I'm sorry." He kissed her again and left her lips tingling. "Let's get back to the table then." Ron led Hermione back over to sit next to Harry and Ginny."

Bill and Fleur were sitting at the far end of the table looking at each other. "Bill I would raz'zer we tell zem before deener so zat zey will be in a happy mood in case some'sing does not go right. After all, George and hees girlfriend are here and zey like to play ze leetle jokes on everyone."
"Fleur sweetie, that's fine but if we want to do that we should probably get their attention soon. Mum will be bringing food out here soon and you know that once the Weasley's start eating, there's no stopping them until they're full…at least Ron."

"Zat ees true. I can not be as loud as you, so could you get everyone to quiet down at ze table?"

"Of course." Bill kissed Fleur's cheek and looked down the table. "Everyone if we could have your complete attention," he yelled practically. Everyone turned towards Bill and Fleur, even George, who had been snogging his long time girlfriend Alicia Spinnet. "We have something very important to tell you."
Ron whispered under his breath "What that they're splitting up?" Hermione nudged him in the side.

"Bill and I 'ave only been married for one year, but we would like you all to be happy for us as we are 'aving a baby." Fleur had a glint of a tear in her eye as she said this.

Mrs. Weasley rushed down to that end of the table to congratulate the couple and hug them both.

"Gee they couldn't just owl mum about that?"
"George that's highly impolite. Fleur is your sister-in-law and she's actually been quite a delight to hear from lately. You should be happy for her…and Bill! If I were allowed, I'd hex you right here and now!"

"Whoa Hermione, who put your knickers in a twist?" George hid behind a laugh.

"My knickers are none of your concern, and for that matter, no one invited you over to dinner."

"Mum did!"

"Would you two lay off? Can't we all just eat peacefully or is that too much to ask? Wait, I'm talking about our family, of course it can't be!" Ginny got up and walked away from the table.

"If I didn't know any better I'd say her knickers are in quite a twist as well."
Harry looked up at George "Lay off." He then got up and went after Ginny. "Gin, love, wait up. Please."

Ginny stopped until Harry caught up to her and put his arm around her. "I just don't understand why George can't be happy with Bill and Fleur wanting to share this news with us."

"Gin I know that's not all that's going on. What's wrong?"

"Harry" she stopped and turned to him "I don't know what I want or where I belong right now. It's just, you know I had my breakdown and it was nice to cry it all out…but the thing is, it didn't all come out. I talked to mum earlier and she was ok with me feeling this way but, I don't even know what I'd do if I weren't to go to Hogwarts this year. I don't want to just be out and about but I don't want to be stuck here either. I'm utterly lost and confused and it's a dark and scary world that I…"

"Come here," Harry pulled her into a tight embrace. "Love I'll be here every step of the way with you. Maybe one thing you need is some time away from here. What if I talked with your mum, see if maybe you could stay at Grimmauld Place for a bit…with or without me is up to you of…"
"WITH!"

"Ok with me. But, how about for tonight, we cut out, go get dinner of our own, and go on a nice walk?"
"Let's go tell Bill and Fleur congrats, then go?"

"That sounds like a plan."

Ginny and Harry headed back over to the table to congratulate Bill and Fleur, then Harry talked with Mrs. Weasley quickly.

"Alright then Gin?"

She gave Harry a weak smile and took his hand. "Where are we going anyway?"

"You'll see. I mentioned Grimmauld Place to your mum and she said we could discuss it later. I'm pretty sure she'll be ok with the plan though."

"Harry," Ginny stopped and turned to him, "do you think that maybe some day things will get better for me?"

"Of course they will. Gin, like I said, you just need time. Time will help you sort things out more then you'd imagine they could."
Ginny hugged Harry, not wanting to let go.

"Come on Gin, let's go get something to eat…something I know you haven't been doing a lot of lately."

"You're the first one to even notice."

"I notice everything about you…and you not eating just isn't healthy."

"If you even knew how I feel most of the time, you wouldn't be all of too hungry either."
"Love, I know some of the feelings. There will always be the ups and downs in life. It's just an ongoing process of when and how you can handle it."
"Why are you so good at this?"
"Because I love you. And I don't want to see you hurt anymore." Harry pulled Ginny back into a deep and comforting hug. "Just be honest and open with me."

"You know I will be Gin. There's no turning back, you're stuck with me."

Ginny started walking again, holding Harry's hand. "So since we're being completely open…Harry…" she stopped and kissed him long and hard, "I love you, and I do not ever want to lose you to anyone or anything ever again. And so help me if you ever, EVER run away again, I will hex you into the next century."

"Gin…I'm not going anywhere." He started walking again with her. "Are you up for going into Muggle London?"

"For dinner?"

"Yes, and more."

"More?"

Harry kept quiet but led her to this nice, cozy restaurant he'd found in the time he'd been gone. It was a quiet, comforting atmosphere. A waitress immediately showed Harry and Ginny to a table.

"Harry, you planned this didn't you?"

"Kind of last minute, but yes."

She kissed him lightly on the lips and sat down. "This whole last month has been a blur to me. I'll be fine one day, and the next I'll be completely bewildered and crying. I really have been fortunate to have Hermione at the Burrow with me. Harry," she looked up at him, "there has been a lot of bad with me. I go outside every night and fly around in the dark. I divulge in it. And all of this," she lifted one of her sleeves to reveal a rather tattered looking arm. At that, she broke down.

"Gin," Harry didn't show any disappointment, just pure concern as he moved himself closer to Ginny and wrapped his arms around her.

"I don't know why, it just took away from everything. It took the hurt of Fred dying away. It took the hurt of you being gone away. Mione kept a tight watch on me so that I couldn't go off on my own. But then she started falling asleep in Ron's room, and I couldn't sleep. I refused to let myself sleep. Today when you let me lay there with you, I finally slept. It wasn't just laying there, oblivious to the world around me. It was actually sleeping. It felt right…whole. Please just promise me one thing."

"What's that?"

"Let me lie next to you every night, so I can sleep and feel safe."

"I will let you lie next to me until you feel overwhelmed by it."

Ginny kissed him then intertwined her fingers with Harry's. A waitress brought out two plates and looked at the two of them. "Enjoy. And Harry it's taken care of." Ginny just looked at Harry, questioning what had just happened.

"Don't worry about it. Eat."

Ginny kind of played with the food on her plate, taking bites here and there. She kept staring off into the distance which truly started to worry Harry.

"Gin…" he got no reaction, and noticed the faraway look in Ginny's eyes. He took one of her hands again and looked directly at her. "Gin, sweetie."

"Huh? Oh. Gods Harry I'm sorry. I'm ruining this night." She began to cry again.

"No no no. Shh." Harry put his other hand up to Ginny's face and wiped the tears away. "You aren't ruining this night love. I'm just worried about you. Where's that mind wandering off to?"

Ginny raised a hand to Harry's and kissed his palm. "If I could get through a day where I didn't think about the war, or something that happened right after, I wouldn't be this way."

"You're fine Ginny. You just need the time…and I will be here to talk to any time you need."

"Can we go somewhere else? I can't handle the people here."

"Yea of course." Harry got up and held a hand out for Ginny to take. "Wherever you want to go, we'll go."

"Remember how you said there was a little park you went to all the time? Can we go there?"

"As long as I've known you, you've always been scared to go anywhere near where I grew up. Why the change?"
"You said it's a peaceful place, and I believe that…and I think I need that. It's late enough, I can't imagine anyone being there."

"Why Miss Ginerva Weasley, I do believe you just made a decision that I can't refuse you."

Ginny giggled and kissed Harry.

"You don't mind side along apparition do you?"
"No, I trust you won't splinch either of us."

"Alright." Harry took Ginny out to the back alley and put his arms around her, apparating directly to the park. "This is it."

Ginny let go of Harry and wandered over to the swings, taking a seat on one. She started swinging herself a bit until Harry came up behind her and started pushing her. At all of this she started laughing.

"What's so funny?"

"It's just, this seems so different from what we normally do, and it's away from all the cares in the world. It's not really that it's funny, it's just nice."

Harry stopped pushing her and she soon came to a halt. Harry went around to stand in front of Ginny then leaned down to kiss her. "Ginny I love you."

"I love you too Harry."

Harry got down on one knee after Ginny had turned away from hearing something in the distance. "Ginerva Molly Weasley, I love you more then I thought humanly possible, and I should never have caused you any tears. You mean the world to me, and I wanted to ask, will you marry me?"

"Harry…" she looked at him then down at the ring he was holding. "Yes." She kissed him and looked happily at him, her eyes finally showing a glow that had seemed long gone. "Will you put the ring on me?" She asked this almost shyly and Harry happily obliged.

"It was my mothers, and I can't imagine it belonging to anyone else but you in her memory."

"You know, she would have been really proud of you Harry. For all you've done."

"She is. You know, I know it's not the same, but Fred would have been extremely proud of you had he been able to see you go at Bellatrix. He was a bit jealous of you too because of how good you were at spells. Hopefully, he'd have been ok with me asking you to be my wife."

"He always liked you. He'd be grateful I think." Ginny smiled even more then sat herself on Harry's knee, giving him a very deep, passionate kiss. "Thank you." Harry gave her a questioning look. "For being there for me, and reminding me of the good things…but more importantly, for wanting to share the rest of your life with me."

"I really couldn't imagine spending it with anyone else." He gave her a fierce kiss then pulled back. "Ready to head back? You look a little cold."
"I'm tired, which makes me cold."

Harry apparated them back to the Burrow and noticed everyone was still awake in the family room. George and Ron were enjoying a game of Exploding Snap, Bill was talking with Arthur, and Molly, Fleur, Alicia and Hermione were deep in conversation about setting up a baby shower for Fleur. When Hermione noticed Harry and Ginny she smiled. She saw how tired Ginny looked so she just mouthed 'goodnight' to the pair and watched them go upstairs. As soon as Ginny and Harry changed, they both slipped into Ginny's bed. Ginny fell asleep immediately and curled her body up close to Harry.