Chapter 9 A Novel Idea

A/N: A neutral title this time. Read on and find out if it's a happy or sad chapter.

"Hey, Ginny," Ron said as his only sister emerged out of the backdoor of the Burrow. "Are you all set?"

Ginny replied, "Yes. Let's go." She tied the belt of her age-old cream knit cardigan, shutting the door as she went out.

The evening sky was clear and the full moon was out, surrounded by a hundred sparkly stars. It was a great night for strolling and she wished she could just stay there and camp out like she and her brothers used to do when they were younger.

"Why are you wearing that moldy sweater?" Ron asked, eyeing the clothing like it was something contagious.

"It's not moldy, Ron," Ginny replied indifferently. She was anxious the whole day that she didn't have any more energy to argue. "And for your information, I couldn't find my aquamarine jacket so I couldn't wear that and all the others I have don't fit that well anymore."

"Someone's growing fat, then," Ron teased, making Ginny smile.

"I'm not fat! It's called muscle, git."

"Sure. If that's what you call it," he replied as they walked near the treehouse to Apparate.

Inviting Ginny over for dinner was actually Mrs. Weasley's idea. She owled him late that afternoon just as he was leaving the office in a letter that read:

Dear Ron,

Would it be alright if you and Hermione invite Ginny for dinner this evening? She had been restless all day because of Harry's ongoing case. I asked her this morning to clean her room to distract her but it seemed to backfire. She's turned the chore into a cleaning marathon - dusting the attic, rearranging the living room furniture, scrubbing the toilet and weeding the garden. She even baked a cake, if you can imagine that (which turned out really well, I'll ask her to bring you some later)! You'd think that Harry sending her a Patronus an hour ago to inform her everything went well would calm her down. It was all I could do to convince her that the kitchen didn't need decontaminating.

Ask her to dinner as soon as possible, will you? I should go. She's headed towards the cupboard under the stairs and I hid all the Witch Weekly issues featuring her and Harry in there.

Love,

Mum.

In response, Ron quickly called through the Floo and set up the dinner for seven o'clock, promising to drop by to Side-Along Ginny to his and Hermione's home in Rivers Street.

"Have you heard anything?" Ginny asked, knowing full well that Ron knew exactly what she was talking about.

"Well, I'm not on the case but I heard they apprehended the kidnappers. I actually saw Harry enter the office earlier for the debriefing," he related, not adding the fact that he had a few gashes in his arms and a spot of dried blood on his face.

"That's good news, then." Now, she can breathe easily and look forward to a quiet meal.

As they reached the treehouse, Ron prompted her to hold on to his arm and they Apparated.

After saying hurried "thank you's" and "goodbye's," Hermione Disapparated, leaving Ginny to walk back on her own towards the house. The light on the kitchen was still on and she surmised her Mum was tidying for the night. It was just ten o'clock, still pretty early. She wondered if Harry had come home while she was out.

She strode hastily and just caught Mrs. Weasley before she retired. "Is Harry back yet?"

"Not yet, dear. How were Ron and Hermione," she asked, stopping on the stairs.

"Oh, they're fine. They couldn't believe I baked that cake," Ginny smiled reminiscently.

"Well, I am your mother, after all," she said. "Don't stay up too late, Ginny dear. Good night."

"Night, Mum."

She collapsed on the chair and rested her head on the kitchen table as soon as Mrs. Weasley had gone. She was resolved on waiting for Harry but she could feel the fatigue setting in. Maybe she could take a nap on the sofa, that way she would be able to hear him come in.

Thirty minutes later, she had taken a shower, slipped into pajamas, and brushed her teeth. She went down directly to the living room and curled up in the sofa, opening the classic Muggle novel to the chapter where the hero proposes. The heroine was shocked to hear such an offer, especially when she wasn't aware that she was loved. Of course, it could happen that way, Ginny thought to herself.

She read a few more pages, determined to stay awake, but an hour or so later hesitantly succumbed to sleep.

The atmosphere was serene as Harry appeared with a faint pop beside the Weasleys' tool shed. He trod in silently towards the house, his figure hunched from the long day he spent at work.

It was in moments like this that he missed his Ginny the most. She was his best friend, his anchor, his home. No matter how difficult the day was, she would always be there to listen. She can make him laugh without uttering a single word (usually with her farm animal impressions) and give him her honest opinions on important issues. She was his source of comfort and a good or bad day would always end with a hug and kiss good night.

Contrary to what the papers say, it hasn't always been a fairy tale life for them. Twice, during the early years of their relationship, they almost called it quits but they held on and he could honestly tell anyone now that he was in love with her more than ever.

Upon entering through the back door, he went towards the stairs to go directly to bed but moved in the opposite direction when he saw the living room lamp was alight. He grabbed his wand, just in case, but put it back on his pocket instantly when he saw who was reclining on the sofa.

She was lying down flat on her back, her knees bent and her vivid red hair hanging down the arm of the couch. Her right arm was tucked on her side while the other was clutching a battered paperback on her chest, rising and falling in an even pattern.

She waited up for him, he told himself, standing in the doorway a while longer gazing at the calmness of her face. He was home.

As if sensing that someone was present, Ginny's eyes fluttered open, taking a few tries to adjust to the semi-darkness. "Hey," she said as she saw Harry standing a few feet away from her.

"Hey, yourself. You've been reading that again?" he said, pointing to her novel.

"Oh, this. I was actually waiting up for you and I thought I'd read to pass the time. Turns out I still fell asleep. Did you just get here?" she asked, sitting up as Harry occupied the freed space.

"Yeah." He leaned on the couch and closed his eyes, massaging the bridge of his nose, a soft pink spot in his cheek indicating a recently healed wound.

"Stay there," she said. "I'll make some tea."

Ginny arrived minutes later bearing a tray with two cups, a pot of tea, and a slice of chocolate cake. Harry immediately brightened up at the sight, having eaten his last meal ten hours ago.

"I baked a cake earlier and saved a piece for you," she said as she set down the tray on the table and handed the plate to Harry.

The cake was demolished in no time, with Ginny accepting a couple of mouthfuls on Harry's insistence. They were now comfortably sitting side by side, their feet propped up on the table across. As they sipped their tea, they fell to talking about what went on in the Sidle case, how he found the little girl huddled in the basement of the wizards' hideout, how his team rounded up the gang members, and the look on the parents' faces when they were reunited with their daughter. From that, they shifted to Ginny's busy day, detailing the chores she accomplished and her dinner at Rivers Street.

"Hermione invited us for dinner again next week. She said to owl her when we are available. Would Tuesday night be alright?" she asked. Harry didn't answer. "I said would Tuesday night be okay?" she repeated, bumping his arm tenderly with her elbow. This time, she received a muffled "mmmhmm." She turned to look at his face from where her head was perched on his shoulder and found that Harry had fallen asleep.

I bet I could ask you anything now and you'd say yes, she thought wickedly. "Will you give me a million galleons for Christmas?" she asked, a grin spreading on her face. Harry gave another non-committal 'mmmhmm', his head falling down and making a comfortable pillow of her lap while his body shifted to lie on his back on the couch. She tried again. "Will you try out Fred and George's new Winding Wands?" He fidgeted and answered 'mmmkay'. It was difficult trying not to move too much from laughing noiselessly but Ginny somehow managed it.

Harry was unconscious now, a low hum accompanying his breaths and a look of calm visible on his features. He was still a little disheveled from his day at work, hair sticking out in odd angles, scruff marks on his chin and his clothing torn and creased in places but all Ginny could think about was how strong her feeling for him had gotten in such a short time. Of course, it could happen that way, she thought and on a whim she blurted out "Will you marry me?"

Harry didn't move and for a second there she was disappointed that he didn't respond even though she asked only in a teasing manner. Then a small smile appeared on his face and in his dozing state he whispered "Yes."

A/N: Hmmm, what will happen next? Will Harry really give Ginny a million galleons for Christmas? Will he really try the new Winding Wands? Is he really, truly asleep in the last scene? Hahaha! Stay tuned. And review, if you want to spread the love, or hate, whichever the case may be. Thanks!