"Just give me one tiny hint," Ginny pleaded as her mouth trailed slowly along his collar bone.
Harry thrilled at the desire her touch was igniting in him then mentally shook himself, "Gin, it's not fair for you to tease me like that when you ask."
"Whatever do you mean?" Ginny asked innocently.
"You know perfectly well that you are trying to trick the answer out of me with your feminine wiles," Harry accused.
"Feminine wiles?" Ginny smirked at him before saying, "How do you know that I'm not just trying to get into your knickers?"
Harry gaped at her, blushing scarlet and asked, "Are you?"
"Always," was her sly reply, "But a hint about my birthday gift would be much appreciated as well."
"You have to wait until your birthday," Harry insisted.
"Technically it already is my birthday," Ginny reminded him.
"I know, happy birthday!" Harry said, "But you still have to wait until your party to find out what your gift is."
It was just after midnight on August 11th, Ginny's 17th birthday. Harry had returned just a few hours earlier from a weeklong auror training camp that Kingsley and Reed had insisted he make time to attend before heading back to Hogwarts. His auror training would continue as a class once he returned to school but the initial week of training that he'd just endured was not possible to duplicate for him inside the Hogwarts grounds. Currently he and Ginny were catching up in a large squashy armchair he'd conjured for them out in a field. It had become one of their favorite places to get away by themselves.
"How is August?" Harry asked.
"Gus is fine," Ginny replied, "But don't change the subject, I want you to give me a hint about my birthday present."
Ignoring her plea Harry said, "Does he seem to get on well with the others?"
"Of course," Ginny replied, "Even though he is the newcomer the other owls seem to defer to him. You definitely picked the right name for him."
"How so?" Harry asked.
"August means great or magnificent, I looked it up," Ginny said. "He is a beautiful owl and with his natural leadership qualities…he defines magnificent."
"You didn't spoil him with too many owl treats while I was gone did you?" Harry asked.
Ginny rolled her eyes and said, "No, your instructions were perfectly clear."
Startling Ginny, Harry asked, "Why do you want a hint about your birthday gift so badly? I've never known you to be so impatient."
"Ron and George were going on about it and now I'm just plain curious," Ginny explained.
"Wouldn't you rather be surprised?" Harry asked.
"I supposed," Ginny admitted.
"One hint," Harry decided. He thought for a moment before saying, "Your brothers can't stop going on about it because they are jealous."
A delighted grin spread across Ginny's face and she said, "I will enjoy imagining what it could be until I get to open it. Thank you."
The couple resumed the activity that had prompted them to move their reunion out to the field. When they finally returned to The Burrow for bed the sky was already several shades lighter.
The next morning found Harry, Ginny, Ron and Hermione in Diagon Alley. As the party for Ginny's birthday was to be a small family affair Molly had shooed all of them out of the house to enjoy the day while she prepared. Since Ginny was the birthday girl she got to choose what to do and she'd decided on a trip to Diagon Alley. So far they had been into Eyelops Owl Emporium to get more owl treats for August and Ollivanders to say hello to Mr. Ollivander. Hermione had dragged Ron into Flourish and Blotts to browse for books and they hadn't been seen since.
Harry was trying to avoid visiting Quality Quidditch Supplies, if Ginny hadn't already figured out what her birthday gift was he didn't want to point her in the right direction.
"Where next?" Harry asked as they came out of Madame Malkin's robe shop, which Ginny had insisted they visit to buy Harry's new school robes so they could avoid the crowds when they did their back to school shopping in a few weeks time.
"Let's go see how business is at Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes," Ginny suggested. George and Percy had reopened the shop the week before and were getting a steady stream of customers that was bound to turn into a flood once the back to school shopping really got under way.
When the couple entered the store George immediately burst into a loud rendition of 'Happy Birthday' in Ginny's honor. When he'd finished several customers near the front counter applauded and then wished Ginny a happy birthday as well. Blushing furiously Ginny moved further into the store to peruse the Wonder Witch products.
"Harry," George said, "Would you mind manning the counter for a moment? I have to grab something from the back room."
"But I…" Harry spluttered to George's retreating back. Harry eyed the cash register warily hoping that no one would need to be rung up until George had returned. Harry watched Ginny across the store as she wandered, picking up this and that to study. He had missed her fiercely last week while he was away at training. They had been able to deliver letters back and forth to one another using August as it wasn't a mission but it wasn't as good as being with her everyday. Harry was beginning to think more and more that he wouldn't be able to wait until next summer to marry her.
As he watched her Dean and Seamus descended from the upper level and stopped to talk with Ginny. Seamus simply said hello then moved toward a bright display of muggle magic tricks. Dean said hello and pulled Ginny into a hug as he wished her a happy birthday. He engaged her in conversation and Harry didn't like how he looked at her or the way he kept finding reasons to touch her. He knew the jealousy that flooded through him was irrational, Ginny had broken it off with Dean to be with him, but nevertheless, there it was. Watching them made Harry wish that the ring on Ginny's hand was more than a promise ring, after all, promises were meant to be broken. When George returned Harry practically vaulted the counter to return to Ginny's side.
"Hey Dean," Harry said as he smoothly slid an arm around Ginny's shoulders.
"Harry," Dean said as his eyes came to rest on Harry's hand settled on Ginny's shoulder, "How's your summer been."
"Great," Harry said, "How about yours?"
"Good," Dean said, "I have to catch up with Seamus. Talk to you two later."
When Dean had retreated Ginny snickered and said, "That was subtle."
"What?" Harry asked.
"Jealous much?" Ginny teased.
"Now I understand how you felt on my birthday with Cho there, staring," Harry said.
Ginny's eyes softened and she said, "Makes you doubt yourself doesn't it?"
"Oh yeah," Harry said, "I didn't like the way he was looking at you. You are mine."
"Say that last part again," Ginny said softly.
"You are mine," Harry whispered into her ear before dropping a kiss on her neck.
"And you are mine," Ginny whispered back, "Forever."
"Oy," Ron bellowed as he and Hermione came through the shop door, "Get a room."
The connection was broken and as Harry and Ginny looked up Harry couldn't help but notice that Dean was now wearing the jealous expression he himself had been wearing minutes before. He afforded a moment of pity for the guy who had dated Ginny before he had and lost her. He didn't even want to imagine the agony of losing her. Their necessary separation last year had been one thing, losing her for good to another guy would be pure torture. Again he wondered how he would be able to wait until next summer to call her his wife. One of the things he wanted most now that the war was over to have a home of his own with Ginny.
When they'd had their fill of wandering around in Diagon Alley the foursome returned to The Burrow and Harry let Ginny tempt him into going for a broomstick ride. He let her fly while he enjoyed the ride and the feeling of her waist beneath his hands.
When she finally landed Harry was only dimly aware of where they were. So great was the need to capture her mouth with his own. After twenty long minutes in which all communication was limited to a series of touches and the motion of their lips against each other did Harry notice that they were in a wooded clearing he'd never seen before.
"Where are we?" He asked curiously.
"Somewhere I like to come when I need to be alone," Ginny said, "I don't think my brothers have discovered this place yet."
"But you're sharing it with me?" Harry asked.
"Yes," Ginny replied, "It is good that someone else knows where it is. Besides you seem to understand the need for alone time every once in a while, I trust that you'll not follow me here immediately next time I need some time."
"Not unless you are in danger," Harry said.
"Thank you," Ginny said.
Together they sat at the base of a towering oak tree and Harry told her more about the training he'd done the week before. Eventually August found them there and held out his leg so Harry could untie a scroll of parchment. It was in Hermione's handwriting and said, "Please return to the house so you can prepare for the party, you should have been back half an hour ago." Somewhat regretfully they climbed back aboard the broomstick and flew toward The Burrow.
"We'll have to come back soon, it was very relaxing there," Harry said.
At The Burrow Harry and Ginny headed to their separate rooms to change for the party. Harry immediately changed clothes then pulled Ginny's wrapped birthday present out of Ron's closet where it had been moved to from the shop. He attached a birthday card to it and propped it next to the door. He tried with little success to tidy his hair before heading down to the kitchen. Ginny was already there wearing a lavender sun dress and beaming at him. As he smiled back at her he decided something he'd been considering all day and excused himself to go back up to the attic for a moment. When he returned the family was seated around a long table out in the garden. Harry took his seat in the empty chair next to Ginny.
"Where did you go?" Ginny asked.
"I forgot something," Harry said simply.
Bill, Fleur and Charlie had all come home for the party and Molly had prepared a fantastic meal full of Ginny's favorites. The family bantered easily during the meal. Only Ginny seemed to notice that Harry was especially quiet. He was trying to figure out in his head the best way to do this.
When the dinner dishes had been cleared away it was time for presents. Arthur and Molly had gotten the traditional 17th birthday present of a watch for Ginny. It was delicate, gold and had a lovely opal face. Bill and Fleur gave her a set of new dress robes in a reddish-pink hue. Charlie gave her a large box of chocolates. Percy and George gave her a range of the Wonder Witch products she'd been eyeing in the store earlier that day. Ron and Hermione gave her a new journal along with some violet ink and a new quill. Finally Ginny came to Harry's gift. He watched her trying to tell if she'd figured out from his hint what he was giving her. He'd honestly be surprised if she hadn't. Her face was neutral as she carefully read the card and started to peel away the wrapping paper.
"Hurry up," Ron urged.
"What do you care?" Ginny said, "It's not your gift."
"Just hurry up!" George echoed.
Ginny tore the rest of the paper off quickly and stood in awe as she studied the broomstick in her hands.
"Wow," Ginny whispered, "Thank you Harry."
"You're welcome," Harry said, "I figured co-captains should at least ride the same model of broom."
"It's brilliant," Ginny said as she bent to kiss him.
While the family ooohed and ahhhed over the broom Mrs. Weasley rose to fetch the birthday cake from the kitchen saying, "If that is the last gift, then I'll just get the cake. Everyone stay put."
Harry's stomach lurched before he found his voice and said, "Actually, that isn't the last gift. I have something else for Ginny."
"How could you possibly have more for Ginny when you bought her this very expensive broom?" Ron asked.
Harry rose unsteadily from his chair and dropped to one knee before Ginny. Out of the corner of his eye he saw eyes widen around the table, they hadn't been expecting this yet, soon, but not yet. He took her hands in his own and said, "Ginny, I know we have only been back together for a few short months and we didn't talk about being engaged this quickly but I can't wait. This is one of those things that I was fighting most for during the last year, just the freedom to be with you. I want to be with you forever. So why wait, I want to know that you are mine, forever. Ginevra Molly Weasley, will you marry me?"
"Yes!" Ginny cried enthusiastically after the initial shock faded. She pulled him up from where he knelt. She crushed her lips to his before pulling back and repeating, "Yes!"
Harry pulled the ring he had purchased at a muggle jewelry shop last week while he was away on training out of his pocket. He gently removed the lily ring from her finger and replaced it with the diamond and emerald ring he'd decided upon. It was a solitaire diamond flanked by two emerald side stones on a yellow gold band. Ginny's eyes filled with tears as she studied it. "I didn't expect this today," she said, "Why now?"
"We'll talk about it later, alone," Harry whispered.
Ginny took the lily ring out of his hand and slipped it onto a finger of her right hand. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. Harry deepened the kiss, forgetting for the moment that they weren't alone.
"Might we offer our congratulations?" Arthur asked with a chuckle.
Blushing the couple separated and let the family hug and congratulate them.
"When were you thinking about getting married?" Molly asked.
Ginny looked at Harry and said, "When we were discussing earlier this summer we were planning for June, when school got out, but I'm guessing that Harry has a different idea since he is proposing earlier than I expected."
"How about a Christmas wedding?" Harry asked.
Ginny's face glowed and she threw herself into Harry's arms again, she was clearly pleased with this plan, "Mum, can you help me plan a Christmas wedding? Is that enough time?" Ginny asked over Harry's shoulder.
Molly nodded and Fleur said, "I will help of course, a Christmas wedding will be so beautiful! But we should probably shop for your dress and bridesmaid dresses before you go back to school."
Ginny got pulled into a conversation about wedding plans with Molly, Fleur and Hermione while Harry was clapped on the back and officially welcomed to the family by the men of the family. From opposite ends of the table Harry and Ginny's eyes would meet and they would share a happy smile.
Eventually the birthday cake was remembered and Molly went to fetch it. Molly brought out a cake blazing with seventeen candles. They sang and urged her to make a wish. Ginny paused and said, "I don't know what to wish for, it already came true." She thought for a moment before blowing out the candles to applause.
The cake was enjoyed and the family pretended not to notice when Harry and Ginny climbed aboard their brooms and took off to spend a little time alone. Ginny flew them toward the same wooded clearing she had shared with him earlier that day. When they landed Harry conjured an armchair and they collapsed into it, already joined at the lips.
When the need to come up for air was finally too great Ginny asked, "Not that I'm not thrilled, but explain to me why now, I wasn't expecting you to propose until at least Christmas time."
"There are so many reasons," Harry said, "So many that it seemed silly to wait for something I wanted to much."
"Well I want to hear some of the reasons," Ginny insisted.
"Most of them you have heard before," Harry admitted, "I love you, I want to be with you forever and move into a home with you when school is out and make love to you…"
"So, let's hear the new ones and what prompted you to propose today," Ginny said.
Harry blushed and said, "Well there were two things. One was how much I missed you while I was away training last week. I know that getting married won't change my having to go away for my job, but it just confirmed for me how much I wanted forever to start now. At least if we were married the good-byes and reunions would be truly spectacular."
Ginny giggled and said, "You want to get married sooner because you can't wait to get me in bed."
Harry blushed even brighter and grinned sheepishly at her before saying, "I won't deny it but that is just one small reason."
"So what is the second reason?" Ginny asked.
"Remember today when I got jealous over Dean and you?" Harry asked, "I want to be engaged to you when we go back to school so that there is no doubt in anyone's mind that you are mine. I don't want any of your ex-boyfriends to entertain the idea that they are going to break us up…or anyone else for that matter."
"Well that works for me," Ginny said, "You realize that after you defeated Voldemort you are the most eligible bachelor in the wizarding world. If there is a ring on my finger when we go back it will hopefully help to quell the flood of girls who now want you to be theirs."
"So you're okay with moving up the wedding?" Harry asked.
"I would marry you right now if you asked," Ginny asked, "Except for the fact that my Mum made both of us promise that the family could be there when we get married."
"I just realized that when we return to school after Christmas we will be married," Harry said.
"Didn't think past the wedding night did you?" Ginny teased.
"No, not really," Harry said.
"I wonder if they will let us stay together," Ginny mused.
"Exactly what I was wondering," Harry said, "Do you know if any Hogwarts students were ever married while still in school?"
"I have no idea," Ginny said, "But they are bound to make an exception for you, you're Harry Potter after all. Hey, I'm going to be Ginny Potter!"
"I can't wait," Harry said happily.
"Me neither," Ginny said as her eyes filled again with happy tears.
"Happy Birthday Ginny. I love you," Harry said.
"This has been my best birthday ever," Ginny said, "Thank you."
Author's Note: Ta-da! Let me know what you think. A big thank-you to DukeBrymin who encouraged me to move up the wedding…which I had been considering anyway. I hope it feels true to the story. Let me know what you think or if you have any suggestions for me! Thanks for reading! I am hoping to get another chapter done sometime this week – or next week for sure.
Oh and for a picture of Ginny's engagement ring see my profile I will post a link.