Oh my gosh I'm so sorry that I haven't been updating the past few weeks. I know that a lot of people have been following me and the story, so thanks! Also, thank you so much for the story, but sweet reviews. Anything helps!

Now, on to the story.

Chapter 2: Problems

Hermione couldn't sleep. After the feast, they Gryffindor girls had gone up to their dormitories and spent a few hours talking about the questions they answered.

"Well, of course, Harry and I are going to the ministry tomorrow so they can make sure our relationship is real. I mean, this is just stupid. Marriage laws for 17 and 18 year olds, I mean, seriously. Who's the brains behind the ministry these days?" muttered Ginny, receiving murmurs of appreciation from the rest of the girls.

Meanwhile…

Harry Had gotten special permission from the Headmistress to go to Hogsmeade that evening after supper. He was looking for something special.

In the Slytherin Common Room…

Draco Malfoy sat in a black leather armchair next to the fire, Pansy laid across his lap. He really didn't want her there, but she had a kind of obsession with him. Their parents had made a marriage contract for them before they were born. Being a pureblood was difficult at times, although you had anything you could ever want. Draco absently smacked Pansy's hand away from his hair for the umpteenth time that evening.

Blaise Zabini and Millicent Bulstrode sat across from him, playing a game of wizard's chess. Millicent looked up at Pansy. "Hey, Pans, you wanna come talk to me for a minute?" Her tone made it clear that she wanted to talk to her alone.

They two Slytherin girls walked down the dimly lit stairs into the girls dormitory. The giant squid that resided in that lake had one of its large eyes next to the window of the dark bedroom. Millicent turned to Pansy with a strange look on her face.

"Pansy, I really don't want to be the one who has to tell you this, but you need to let Draco go. I know you were all set to marry him, I know you were happy. But this whole marriage law's messed everything up. And, to tell you the truth, he didn't want to marry you. I'm sorry."

Pansy sighed and fell backwards onto the bed, her black hair spilling out around her head. "I know he never wanted to marry me. He always resented his father for signing that contract, and he always seemed to like me better as a friend, anyways."

"Well, it's good that you understand." Millicent whispered to her friend.

"Mills, just promise me one thing. Don't ever go all sentimental Hufflepuff on me again."

"Um, Harry?" Hermione snatched the pumpkin juice from Harry's hand before his goblet overflowed and spilled on the table. "Are you okay?"

"Mmm mmm mph mmmff."

"Ron, swallow." Hermione ordered. "That's disgusting."

"Sorry Hermione. I was asking where Ginny was. I thought she came down with you."

"No, Ronald. Did you forget already? Ginny's Head Girl. She'll be down in a minute."

Harry, whose eyes were locked on the great oak doors leading into the Great Hall, tensed in his seat. Hermione followed his gaze, seeing Ginny walking in with Parvati Patil. She waved as the girl went to sit with her twin, sitting down across from Harry, between Ron and Hermione.

"Guess what?" Ginny put her bag beneath her feet and reached around Ron's heaping plate to grab a platter of muffins. "The ministry approved our relationship! Harry and I are allowed to stay together. Of course, they'd be hard-pressed to reject the relationship of the Chosen One, but…"

"Ginny."

Harry leaned across the table, directly in front of Ginny.

I don't want our wedding to feel like a rushed affair because of this stupid marriage law. I want to do this right. Ginevra Molly Weasley, will you marry me?"

He opened a small, black box. Everyone around him gasped as he revealed a white gold band inlaid with a deep blue topaz.

Ginny put her hand to her mouth, tears glistening in her chocolate eyes. "Yes, Harry. Yes, yes of course!"

Harry carefully slid the ring onto her finger. They whole hall was cheering, but the couple was blissfully unaware as they kissed.

Ron was sitting dumbstruck, a forkful of eggs suspended in the air halfway to his mouth.

Harry looked up, seeing his best friend's stricken face. "Ummm Ron?"

Ron, who had since dropped his eggs, stood up and hugged his friend. He then faced him, saying "Harry, you hurt her and you die."

Hermione smiled at her three best friends. She was completely happy for Harry and Ginny, but she wished she had someone perfect for her, someone who would so anything for her."

Just then, a collective silence fell over the hall. Hermione looked up, watching as hundreds of owls swooped in and began dropping official looking letters throughout the students. Hermione caught hers. A letter from the Ministry.

Ron, not being one to wait, had already torn his open. Scanning it quickly, he looked up at his friends.

"I'm paired with Pansy Parkinson." He whispered.

A shriek was heard from the Slytherin table. "NO! Why do I have to be paired with WEASLEY?" Pansy screeched, before being shushed and glared at for drawing so much attention to the Slytherin table.

Luna opened hers next. "Blaise Zabini" she said in her usual dreamy voice. "He's pretty nice."

Hermione sighed. Well, it would be better to open the bloody letter and get it over with. She didn't fancy getting paired with any of the Gryffindor guys, that was for sure. It was like pulling off a band aid. The slower you did it, the more it hurt. She flipped it over, ripped the top and pulled out the single piece of parchment inside.

Draco Malfoy.

Well….. what do you think? I seriously cried while I was writing Harry's proposal to Ginny. And if you want to see the ring, go to this link. It's the Brilliant Alhambra Solitaire white gold with blue topaz. I thought it would be simple yet elegant. Something I though Harry would choose for Ginny.

b/gemstone-engagement-rings/

Review! Constructive criticism and encouragement do wonders for an author.