Ron stood outside Harry's flat at 3am struggling with a big decision. On one hand, he needed to talk to his best friend; on the other hand his sister might be in there. Ron looked at the impatient faces of his father and brothers. He had dragged all of them out of bed and demanded they meet him here at Harry's flat and now he wasn't sure if they should go in. Ron had walked in on Harry and Ginny in what some might call a compromising situation before and somehow doubted that his sister or his best friend would appreciate it if he brought the whole contingent of Weasley men barging in if they were in bed together.
"What's the issue Ron, either open the door or we're going home," Bill growled from behind Ron. "I want to open the door I just… it's just that…Does anyone know where Ginny is tonight?" The Weasley men's faces turned red with identically looks of shock. Ron knew he was turning a shade of red only a Weasley could and soon the red faced men were all staring at the floor very unsure of what to do. Ron tried not to look anyone directly in the eye and spoke, "I don't know if anyone's in there and I don't want to walk in on something we're not supposed to."
Ron heard a chuckle from someone behind him and then Harry's voice, "mate if someone's in there doing something you're not supposed to see we've definitely got a problem." Ron looked up and found the smiling face of his best friend, "Aren't you supposed to be working the day shift this week?" Harry nodded, "This is the day shift, I had a lot to finish up before I could leave since I'm off all weekend. And for the record Ginny is in Germany. She had a game there tonight, well last night now and should be home later today." Harry moved past the Weasley men and opened the door to his flat, "Come on in, and Ron there are fresh cookies in the jar."
Harry led the Weasley men into his one room flat and dropped his work bag at the desk then turned to face his best friend. Ron had grabbed the cookie jar and was sitting on Harry's bed looking thoroughly downtrodden. Harry loosened his tie and went to join Ron on the bed while the other Weasleys looked on in confusion. "What's up mate did you and Hermione have a row again?" Ron shook his head no and continued to eat cookies in silence. Harry relaxed against his pillows and waited for Ron to speak to him. Hermione lived in a flat right above Harry's so whenever they rowed Ron would always come downstairs and climb into bed with Harry. Harry tried not to blush as he remembered several times Ron had accidentally climbed into his bed when Ginny was already in it. Harry chuckled, after Ginny's reaction the last time Ron was more cautious about checking for Ginny.
Arthur Wealsey didn't know what to do. His youngest son had pulled them all out of bed and now was silently sitting eating cookies with Harry. Arthur was wondering exactly how sleep deprived Harry was because he seemed content to sit next to Ron and had even started chucking to himself. "Okay Ron I understand that you are upset about something, but you need to tell me what that something is because we are all tired and would really like to resolve whatever issue is going on here." When Arthur got no response from Ron he turned to Harry, "What's wrong with him Harry?"
Harry focused back in on Mr. Weasley's face and tried not to blush, he had been thinking some very inappropriate thoughts about the man's daughter. Shifting on the bed Harry answered, "Ron won't answer until he's ready. This actually happens a lot when Ron's upset about something he climbs into bed with me and eats cookies. When he feels like it he'll tell us what's wrong." Harry kicked off his shoes and got up to put his tie and shoes into the tiny wardrobe. "You all should make yourselves comfortable we might be here a while. Does anyone want tea?" After receiving a few affirmative answers Harry walked into the kitchen as the Weasley men settled themselves on his bed.
Bill looked around Harry's flat with curiosity. He had never actually been here before, looking around he saw that the whole flat was one room. There was a waist high glass wall that separated the bedroom area from the rest of the flat. Bill noticed that there wasn't much here. The wardrobe stood against the wall next to a door Bill assumed was the bathroom. There was a desk covered in papers tucked into one corner. There was a bed and two bedside tables with lamps on them. Bill tried his hardest not to notice that one table seemed to be Harry's and the other looked to be Ginny's. Bill loved Harry, but he did not want to think about what Harry and Ginny might do in the very bed he was sitting in. Trying to draw his attention away from the bed Bill looked out at the rest of the flat.
The living room area was separated by the kitchen area by a counter that seemed to double as a table. There were four chairs set up around the counter and the kitchen seemed to be small but tidy. The living room held the fireplace and surrounding the fire were two overstuffed arm chairs and a couch that looked worn, but very comfortable. Bill focused in on the mantle were he saw the few personal touches Harry had added to the flat. There was a wall of pictures; picture of Harry's parents, the marauders, the whole Weasley family, pictures of Ron and Hermione, lots of snap shots of Teddy, quite a few pictures of Ginny. Neville, Luna, and Hagrid were all prominently featured as well. Bill even saw a picture of Harry's Aunt and Cousin. Bill realized this must be Harry's wall of family pictures and was touched to see that he had been included on the wall. There was a picture of him and Fleur with both sets of parents taken at their wedding. Bill turned his attention back to his family when Harry returned with the tea.
Harry handed out tea to the Weasley men, hoping none of them noticed the watch Ginny had left on her bedside table the last time she had spent the night. Finally Harry was shaken from his reverie by Ron's voice, "I don't know if I can do this mate, What if she says no?" Harry tried to give Ron a reassuring look, "I really don't think she's going to say no Ron." Ron shook his head, "you don't know that, just wait until it's your turn you'll see what I mean. This is terrifying."
Looks of realization passed across the Weasley men's faces followed closely by the looks of suspicion they threw at Harry. Arthur gathered himself to speak first, "You're proposing to Hermione today Ron? And Harry should I take this to mean you wanted to talk to me about proposing to Ginny when we have lunch next week?" Harry nodded at Mr. Wealsey red in the face. Ron looked between Harry and his brothers, "calm down guys try not to think about Harry proposing you've got some time to wrap your minds around it." Harry caught on and looked at the brothers, "I'll come talk to each of you after I talk with your dad, but right now we have a bigger problem."
All attention was once again returned to Ron and the brothers tried to focus on how best to help their struggling brother. Percy was the first to speak, "What can we help you with Ron. Only Bill and Dad have proposed to anyone I don't see the rest of us being any help." George spoke next, "Ickle Ronnikins proposing. I never thought I'd see the day, I guess I'll have to get Verity to change that sign." Ron made a very rude hand gesture at George which Arthur chose to ignore. "George what sign are you talking about?" George looked at his dad and smiled, "We have a sign we put in the window every time Ron and Hermione are having a row, it says 'Warning store clerk is being grouchy git because his girlfriend yelled at him. Approach with Caution.' After tonight we'll have to change it to fiancé."
Once the Weasley men had once again calmed down Percy felt the need to speak again, "Well Ronald what have you planned?" Ron took a deep breath, "well we're going to this fancy French restaurant and then to the ballet Hermione really likes the ballet. I thought I would propose after the ballet, but I don't know what to say."
Charlie took in the pitiful sight of his youngest brother and felt the need to chime in, "I'm no expert Ron, but I think the words will you marry me are pretty important." Bill snorted and then rolled his eyes at Charlie, "I think Ron means beyond the will you marry me part right Ron?" Ron nodded, "I just don't know how to explain to her how much see means to me. Every time I think about it the words get all jumbled up and I just can't think. Then I get dizzy and feel like I'm going to feint."
George pulled something out of his pocket and handed it to Ron, "Well here you go mate this ought to help with the feinting." Ron took the proffered object and tossed it back at George, "You prat you gave me the end of the feinting fancy that makes you pass out not the one that wakes you up." George smirked, "I was wondering if you'd notice." George took out the other end of the feinting fancy and tossed it at Ron.
Ron checked the sweet and then placed it in his pocket, just in case. Ron looked at his father with pleading eyes. Arthur sighed, "Ron the only advice I can give you is relax. You love her; she loves you, when the time comes just say what feels right."
Harry did his best to follow along with the conversation, he even managed to contribute a few times when Ron's brothers were unsure how to handle his panic, but as the morning wore on Harry felt himself dozing off intermittently. Finally the sounds of rumbling stomachs got too loud and Harry threw together a quick breakfast for them all. Harry stood over the frying pan thinking about his day. It was almost 9am; Harry had gotten to work yesterday at 7am and hadn't made it home until 3am. Now after only a few brief naps Harry felt strangely energized. If he was being honest with himself he knew the reason for his sudden burst of energy. Today would be the first Valentine's he and Ginny got to spend together as a couple and they had big plans.
It was almost an hour later when the breakfast was long gone that somebody came knocking on Harry's door. Harry hurried to open it hoping it wasn't Hermione and received the biggest shock yet that day.