Harry adjusted the collar of his shirt as he prepared for what he was about to do. It was the second anniversary of the Battle of Hogwarts and the first birthday of Bill and Fleur Weasley's first child. Their extended family was gathered for a memorial party as well as a small birthday party for the tiny blonde girl giggling in Molly's arms. He had checked with the Weasley parents as well as the younger couple and made sure he had their blessings to proceed. He caught Ron's eye as the party came to a lull. His best mate jerked his head as if to tell him to get on with it. He smiled nervously and rose. It was funny how he could put run away Death Easters behind bars, but speaking in front of his adopted family gave him butterflies.

He rose and clinked his spoon onto his glass. "Hello everyone." He said once the conversations had died down. His eyes settled on his girlfriend of three years, they had agreed their time apart did not count against that number. Ginny could still take his breath away even now after all this time of being together.

"I wanted to start by thanking everyone here for letting me be a part of this family. I remember from the moment I could truly want anything, it was this. People that cared if I was well and alive. I never imagined that when I learned I was a wizard, it would bring me here. Happy birthday, Victorie."

There was roaring applause from the gathered Weasley clan and their partners. He noticed Molly had tears in her eyes. Once the applause had stopped, he then resumed.

"Thank you for taking in a wayward orphan that had never experienced love in my life. When I first joined the Wizarding World, I didn't know what love was. I made friends quickly, but it was kind in a daze. I didn't truly understand what friendship was. I have to thank Ron and Hermonie for their patience with me."

"It's been tough, mate," Ron called from his spot on the sofa. His girlfriend, Hermonie, slapped him across the back of the head.

"Behave, Ronald."

Harry chuckled and picked up his thought. "Then at the end of my first year, Tom Riddle of all people told me something that would change my life forever. He told me, my mother died trying to protect me. Well, surely this would be the ultimate form of love? Laying down your life for the ones you care about. I understand now that is only part of love, but at the time I took it as fact. While I lay in the hospital wing, I thought about my relationships. Would I die for Ron and Hermonie? In a heartbeat, was the answer I got to. So That was how I realized I loved my best friends. Then Fred and George came with Ron to rescue me from my hated Muggle relatives. Bill has asked that I not speak their names in the presence of his child."

Arthur nodded his approval at the request. "I love Muggles but those three are the exception."

"Well, my cousin is trying. He's in therapy, trying to be a better person. My little bubble of people I would lay down my life for extended to the twins. Soon after, I met Molly and Arthur and I was first hand how guardians should treat their charges, and I knew I would die for them too. I also started to understand real love, but it would take time to process that. Then I met the youngest Weasley. She was cute and shy around me. She was my best friend's sister, surely I would be willing to die for her."

He looks Ginny right in the eyes as he said this. Her eyes were misty now and he could see her mother crying behind her. "But I could not bring myself to put Ginny and my death into the same thought. I couldn't understand it. It wasn't as if I wouldn't put my life on the line for her, the Chamber of Secrets provided that. Had it not been for Fawkes, I would have died to save her life. No, it was not from a lack of loving her. It was that I did not want to die for her. It took me four stupid years to understand why that was. And Ginny, I cannot apologize more for being so thick."

She wiped her eyes and smirked at him. "It's ok, you got the message in the end."

He grinned and continued. "I finally came to the realization that Ginny made me want to be selfish. For the first time, every breath I took wasn't for the battle against Tom Riddle. It was for me, so I could live my life for the beautiful redhead that stole my heart. Every beat of my heart was forcing me to live for her, and I loved every second of it. Ginny, you taught me the most important lesson of all. My mother taught me how to die for love. You taught me how to live for it, and I can never repay you for that. But I would like to spend my life trying."

Harry walked towards her and got down on one knee. He pulled the ring box containing his mother's ring from his pocket.

"Ginerva Molly Weasley, will you marry me?"

Ginny was fully crying now as she got on her knees next to him, only able to nod her head. Harry grinned as he took the ring from the box and slid it onto her finger. Everyone roared their approval as his love gave him that same blazing look that had started their romance so long ago.

"Thank you, Gin, for giving me a reason to live. My life is yours, always has been."

The couple shared their first kiss while engaged to be married. Harry had been late to understanding love, but as he held Ginny in his arms, he thanked Merlin that he had such amazing teachers.

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