A/N: Sorry the delay in a new chapter! I have been very busy as my life has been a bit manic. That included getting to see Harry Potter and the Cursed Child a couple of weeks ago, which is one of the best theatrical productions I have ever seen. Anyway, you can probably all guess from the title what is going to happen in this chapter. Hope you like it as it is very loosely based on my own proposal from my husband! Oh and btw, as much as I wish I did, I do not own Harry Potter.
And life did move on and it did move forward.
Ron and Hermione managed to talk through their issues after some intervention from Harry and Ginny. The younger couple managed to make them understand that both couples were in different places in their relationships and that they should not rush their own just because of them having moved in together already. After a lengthy conversation, Ron and Hermione found themselves in a much stronger relationship, not that it stopped them from their constant bickering.
Hermione had gone back to living with her parents, wanting to spend some quality time with them. She had done so having made a promise to Ron to reconsider the possibility of moving in with him in a year's time. She had also begun her job working in the Department for Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures. While she still needed to work her way up the department, she had been given permission to focus her work on developing better rights and working conditions for the House Elves with full support from the head of the department and the minister.
As for the rest of the family, Arthur and Molly had settled into a comfortable routine now all of their children, bar Ron, had flown the nest. Arthur spent an inordinate amount of time tinkering around in his shed on his days off, while Molly had implemented mandatory Sunday family dinners and had used these as an excuse to start questioning, or pressuring as her children saw it, as to when they were all planning to get married and start having babies.
Little did she know she was about to get her wish.
Bill and Fleur had decided to begin trying for a baby. They had made the decision to do so shortly after the first anniversary of the final battle, deciding that they had mourned for long enough and that life needed to continue.
Around the same time, Percy had made the decision to buy an engagement ring and propose to Audrey. She had immediately accepted when he had asked a few days after Ginny's return from school. Audrey was proud to be joining the Weasley family, who were all excited and happy for the couple when they had announced their engagement.
Molly seemed resigned to the fact that it was highly unlikely that Charlie would ever settle down. However, she had managed to extract a promise from him to come home more often than he had done previously in the past, nor did it stop her from encouraging him to find himself a nice witch to settle down with.
George, on the other hand, seemed to be settling down with Angelina, who was now pretty much living with him in the flat while also working in the shop full time. The couple still struggled with the loss of Fred, but together they seemed to cope much better than they would have had they not found each other.
It looked like Molly was going to get to plan some weddings and get some grandbabies to spoil much sooner than she had hoped for.
As for Harry and Ginny, they had settled into their new home and a routine quickly and easily. While they enjoyed the peacefulness of the house, they did sometimes miss the chaos of The Burrow. Kreacher had accepted living in the new house and was happy with his new living quarters. He had also been a big help when the young couple began having Teddy overnight on a regular basis.
By the start of November, everything was going well for them. Ginny had begun training with the Harpies and while she had yet to play a match, Harry had attended each one nonetheless. Harry, on the other hand, was fast moving up the ranks of the Aurors, along with Ron also. Kingsley had also asked them to begin assessing the department so it could be given a much needed overhaul. Both wizards had taken the request seriously, knowing from experience that changes were desperately needed.
Overall, Harry felt his life was coming together in the way he wanted it to. He felt like he finally he had a relatively normal life. Therefore, he knew it was time to take another step forward in his relationship with Ginny.
Harry threw a jumper over his head before putting on his shoes. He was trying to keep calm, but his stomach was in knots over what he was planning to do today. Having tied his shoes and knowing he could not put off one of the things he needed to do for much longer, he stood and called out to Ginny,
"Gin, I'm just going to run an errand."
"Ok," she called out from the bathroom. "Don't be too long. We have to leave soon if we are going to make the match."
Checking his watch, Harry saw he probably had about half an hour, an hour at most before they actually had to leave.
"I should only be half an hour," he responded. "I love you."
"Love you too, Harry," he heard as he left the bedroom.
Harry apparated to The Burrow and began the short walk up to the house. He was amazed at how calm he currently felt about what he was going to do right now, but he knew that it was down to the conversation from the previous summer he'd had with Arthur. However, just as he got to the back door, the nerves finally kicked in.
"Harry?" he heard from behind him.
Harry turned to see Arthur coming up the path from his shed.
"Hi, Arthur," Harry said, hoping his nerves were not showing. "You were the person I was actually looking for. Do you mind if I had a quick word with you and Molly?"
Arthur beamed. He knew what this was going to be about and had been expecting it for some time.
"Of course you can, Harry," Arthur replied. "Do you have time for a cup of tea?"
Harry checked his watch once more and saw he had just about enough time to do so, plus he figured it probably would be rude to decline. "Yes, that would be nice."
Harry followed Arthur into the house and watched as his future father in law had a quick whispered conversation with his wife.
"Hello Harry dear," Molly said once she had finished talking with Arthur. "Now Arthur said you wanted a quick word with us?"
"Yes, I would," Harry said as he took a seat at the table, hoping he would not start fidgeting due to his nerves.
"Well, let me make some tea then," Molly responded before turning to put the kettle on.
A few minutes later, the trio was sat at the table drinking tea.
"So what can we do for you today, Harry?" Arthur asked, now they were all settled.
Harry looked at his future in laws and saw the beaming smiles on their faces. They had been expecting this conversation that much was clear to Harry and in that instance; his nerves disappeared, knowing that this was all just a formality more than anything.
"I know we spoke about this last summer, but I wanted to do this right," Harry explained quickly. "I love your daughter more than anyone else in this world and quite honestly, she makes life worth living."
Harry paused and took a sip of tea. As a result, he missed the look of happiness exchanged between Molly and Arthur.
"I would like your permission to ask for Ginny's hand in marriage please," Harry finally said.
The smiles he received were answer enough for Harry, but he was still surprised to quickly receive an actual spoken answer.
"Was there ever any doubt that we would say anything but yes?" Arthur joked. "Of course, you have our permission, son."
Harry let out the breath he hadn't realised he had been holding.
"Welcome officially to the family, Harry," Molly exclaimed as she came round the table to hug him. "I am just surprised you have waited as long as you have."
"I was planning on waiting on a little longer actually," Harry sheepishly admitted as he and Molly retook their seats. "I wanted her to get settled into training first, but honestly, after living with her for a few short months, I just couldn't wait any longer."
Arthur chuckled in understanding. "So when can we expect an announcement?"
"Tomorrow at the family dinner," Harry said with a straight face.
"That soon?" Molly gasped in shock. "I best make sure everyone is coming then."
"I take it you are asking her today then?" Arthur said as he and Harry watched in amusement as Molly began making plans for tomorrow.
"Yes, I plan to," Harry replied. "Which reminds me, I need to get going or Ginny will have my head if we are late to the match."
"Of course, you don't need my daughter in a bad mood if you want things to go well," Arthur said with a slight chuckle.
Having been let into the school grounds by Hagrid, Harry and Ginny made their way towards the quidditch pitch. Both were dressed warmly and despite neither being a student of the school anymore, they could not resist showing their allegiance to their former house by wearing their Gryffindor scarves. As the couple joined the tide of students also heading for the pitch, Harry began to wonder where he should propose to Ginny.
He purposefully brought Ginny to watch the Gryffindor/Slytherin match with the intent of proposing to her afterwards. He had chosen Hogwarts because even though the place held many bad memories for them both, it was also the place where they had fallen in love with one another, the place where Ginny had provided the strength and hope he had so desperately needed to make it through the war. It was now just the case of deciding where within the castle he would propose.
Right now, it was a toss-up between the Gryffindor Common Room and their tree down by the lake. It was between where they had shared their first kiss and the place where he had realised she was his reason for surviving the war. He decided to play it by ear and make the decision after the match.
The decision ended up being taken out of his hands.
The young couple had taken seats at the back of the teachers' stand, where they had been invited to sit by Professor McGonagall. Their seats allowed them a certain amount of anonymity as the staff left them alone so they could watch the match. They cheered loudly as the Gryffindor team flew onto the pitch and politely applauded the Slytherin team.
"It's a good thing Ron is not with us," Ginny quietly said. "He'd probably moan at us for clapping the Slytherins."
Harry chuckled in response as they watched Madam Hooch release the snitch and then the bludgers. And just as the quaffle was released, Harry gently took Ginny's hand in his as he discreetly checked the ring was still in his pocket, which it was.
For the next hour, the couple intently watched the match and cheered loudly for the Gryffindor team that Ginny had had a hand in helping to build during her year as captain. Slytherin had also built up a decent team, one that was built on skill rather than build as it had been in the past. The result of which meant a brilliant and on the edge of your seat match between the two rival houses.
An hour into the match, the golden snitch was still nowhere to be seen and Gryffindor had possession of the quaffle yet again. It was at this moment that Harry turned his face to look at his girlfriend and the sight of her made him catch his breath. Ginny was sat on the edge of her seat, her eyes intently following the quaffle as it was passed from player to player. Harry was instantly reminded of the blazing look she'd had on her face two and a half years earlier when he had first kissed her. There in that moment was the look that had started their relationship.
This was the moment. It had to be right here, right now. It was now or never.
Harry discreetly removed the ring from his pocket as he leant over to whisper in Ginny's ear.
"Marry me, Ginny."
Ginny softly gasped at his words and turned to look at her boyfriend. Looking into his beautiful green eyes, she could tell he was serious. And even though they had spoken of marriage many times before, he had still managed to catch her off-guard. It was not until she felt him place a ring in the palm of her hand that she finally found the words to answer him.
Without even looking at the ring, she answered him with a loving smile, a simple nod of the head before verbalising her acceptance.
"Yes, I'll marry you," she whispered in his ear.
Harry broke out into a huge smile and softly kissed her. Ginny allowed him to take the ring which she finally looked at to see a simple gold band with an emerald and two diamonds either side of it. She watched as he slipped it on to her ring finger and carefully resized and disillusioned it.
"So we can tell your family first," he said in answer to her questioning look.
"I love you, Harry Potter," she whispered as she rested her forehead against his.
"I love you too, Ginny Weasley or should I say the future Mrs Potter?" he whispered against her lips, kissing her before she could respond.
Barely hours after the match had finished, the newly engaged couple found themselves curled up in bed together, having celebrated their engagement privately. Ginny now laid with her head on Harry's chest, constantly checking her ring to make sure it was not all just a dream as Harry played with a strand of her hair.
"Has it sunk in yet?" Harry said with a chuckle as Ginny lifted her left hand to check once again.
"No," she sheepishly admitted. "You blindsided me. I mean, I know we've discussed getting married, but I thought it wouldn't happen till at least next year."
"Well I could always take back the ring," Harry cheekily responded as he jokingly held out a hand. "And I can wait until next year if that's what you want."
"Don't you dare," Ginny growled as she sat up so she could look at him. However, the sheet slipped revealing her naked body which caused Harry to stare and zone out. Ginny snapped her fingers in front of his eyes to grab his attention.
"Can you blame me?" he said with a goofy smile as he pulled her back down next to him. "You look so damn beautiful."
Ginny blushed slightly, but still gave him a brilliant smile.
"I want us to make some decisions about the wedding before we tell my family tomorrow," she declared. "Anything that would stop my mum from taking over or pushing us into something we don't want."
"Like what?" he asked, even though he could think of few himself he wanted to sort out.
"Well when and where the wedding will be," Ginny explained. "Then your best man, bridesmaids, if we want anyone else in the wedding party."
"Let's start with when then," Harry decided. "I vote for sooner rather than later."
Ginny gave him a dazzling smile. "So do I."
"You would need to check with the Harpies though," Harry suggested knowing it would need to fit with the match schedule. "It wouldn't look good for you to request time off so soon into your career. Unless you have a date in mind."
"I did actually," she confessed. "I thought perhaps we could get married on our anniversary. I know it is barely days after the anniversary of the battle, but I thought it would be good to have something happier surrounding that date."
"I like that idea," Harry replied. And he did, especially if it helped him out of the dark mood he was sure to be in thanks to the memories that the final battle held for him. "And we'll get married at The Burrow."
Ginny's eyes lit up at the declaration. "Really?"
"Where else would we get married?" he asked before softly kissing her. "Though I do have one request."
"It's your wedding too," Ginny exclaimed. She was determined not to be one of those brides who had to have everything the way she wanted without any regards for what the groom may want. "Your ideas are just as important as mine."
Harry looked away for a moment to gather his thoughts. The idea he had he knew was not exactly traditional and it did have the potential to take away an important part of the wedding for Ginny. He could only hope she would understand his reasoning behind it.
"I don't want there to be an aisle separating the seating," he finally said as he looked back at his fiancée.
Ginny furrowed her brow as she thought about what Harry had requested. It would mean changing the way she would enter with her father, but if this was for the reasons she believed it was, she would make it work for Harry's sake.
"It's because we share so many friends and family members," she stated plainly but with compassion in her voice. "Because you have so many family members who are no longer with us."
Harry nodded grimly, grateful for her bluntness and understanding.
"We'll make your idea work," she continued. "And we'll leave some seats empty to represent those who we love who cannot be with us to celebrate our wedding."
Harry pulled Ginny into a passionate kiss in thanks for her understanding of his request, which led to yet another celebration of their love and engagement.
The newly engaged couple were the last to arrive at The Burrow for Sunday lunch the next day. They were smiling as they entered the house, not in the least bit worried about being late.
"Hello everyone," Ginny greeted her family when they entered the sitting room.
"Someone is in a good mood," Arthur said with a knowing look towards Harry, who gave him a subtle nod in confirmation of Arthur's suspicions.
"Well you would be too if you had gotten engaged just the day before," Ginny casually mentioned in response.
The room went quiet at her words before an explosion of cheers and words of congratulations filled the air. Ginny was quickly surrounded by the woman who wanted to see and admire her ring.
"Eet is trés beau!" Fleur exclaimed on seeing it.
The Weasley men offered handshakes of congratulations to Harry and despite their joking words of warnings, he had the biggest smile on his face.
"So you figured out how you wanted to propose to her in the end?" Arthur asked in amusement.
Harry blushed slightly but still smiled as he spoke, "The opportunity just sort of presented itself to me rather than me needing to figure it out."
Suddenly a squeal of delight came from the kitchen informing the family that Ginny had just told Molly about the engagement.
"I'm guessing mum knows now," George laughed as he stated the obvious causing chuckles from the family.
"Where is that future son in law of mine?" Molly said as she came rushing into the sitting room. Spotting him, she came over and pulled him into a bone crushing hug, which Harry returned just as fiercely. Harry could see the tears beginning to build in Molly's eyes as she released him, but he knew they were tears of joy. Gathering herself together, she announced, "Right, dinner is ready."
Over dinner, Ginny told the family of Harry's whispered proposal at the quidditch match before talk turned to their wedding plans.
"So have you made any decisions about your wedding yet?" Hermione asked in anticipation.
Harry and Ginny looked at each other and grinned.
"Yes," they said together to the amusement of the family.
"Oh wonderful!" Molly replied, delighted that the planning could begin straight away. "What decisions have you made so far?"
Harry and Ginny exchanged what appeared to be a silent conversation, before they turned back to the table.
"We've made a decision about the wedding party," Ginny began. "We want Teddy involved. We're not sure how though at the moment as he is only two, well he will be by the time we get married."
"Which will be when?" Molly eagerly asked.
"I'm getting to that, mum," Ginny replied in tone that said to wait. "Anyway, Harry and I discussed who else we wanted involved and well…"
Ginny left the sentence hanging as hint to Harry for him to continue.
"I would like it if Ron and Hermione would stand up for me," Harry told the table, looking specifically at his two best friends. "I would like it if they could also share the job of being my best man."
Ron, seeing Hermione about to protest about what the traditional roles were, cut in before she could do so, "We'd be honoured Harry."
Harry smiled brightly at his best mate's response, though he could see Hermione was ready to say something about his decision and he suspected he would need to explain why to her.
"And I shall be asking Luna and Neville to stand up for me," Ginny explained, causing Hermione to relax as she came to an understanding for the decision in their choices.
The engaged couple then proceeded to explain to the family the rest of their decisions, including wanting to have the wedding at The Burrow, with a few suggestions being made to them on how they could accomplish some of their ideas.
"Ok, so we just need a date now," Molly said as she finished writing down the last idea they had discussed. She was a little disappointed that it would not be the big fairy tale wedding she had envisioned for her little girl, but she could understand the couple's need to keep it small, simple and private.
"We were actually thinking about having it on our anniversary in May," Ginny told her mum.
"I don't think May 2nd would be an appropriate date, Ginny," Hermione admonished. "That would be completely disrespectful."
Ginny and Harry started laughing which just made Hermione even more irate.
"That's not our anniversary," Harry said as he continued to laugh. "I know that is yours and Ron's anniversary, but it is certainly not ours."
"Yes it is," Hermione argued as even Ron clocked on to the date they were suggesting. "It's when you got back together."
"Ah, ah, ah," Ginny said, waggling a finger at the older witch. "I never considered us truly broken up. It was more like we were just on hold for the time being."
Harry took her hand in his and smiled as he looked at his fiancée. "We have been together since May 1997, so that is about two and a half year."
"Well before this descends into an argument," Bill said as he stood up to gain the table's attention. "Or before you make a final decision on the date, Fleur and I have an announcement to make."
The entire family looked to the eldest of the Weasley children in interest and anticipation.
"We're having a baby!" Bill cried in excitement.
The table erupted in cheers and Molly cried as she hugged her eldest son and daughter in law.
"Why do you want us to wait in deciding a date then?" Ginny asked once everyone had settled down.
"Well the baby is due in May," Fleur explained.
"Well, let's have the wedding in June then," Harry quickly decided for the couple, much to Molly's delight who was ecstatic that she had not only a wedding to plan for but her first grandchild on the way.