Birthdays/Proposal

Chapter 9 – Birthdays/Proposal

A few days later there was an owl post from the Burrow telling of Molly's having set up everything for Ginny's upcoming seventeenth birthday party. When Harry got it, he kept the subject of it secret but otherwise Ginny and his other friends knew about it. However, he decided that he was going to need Hermione's help in setting things up so he could properly propose to Ginny at some point during the party. Either that or after it, if it wasn't too late after it had finished.

The perfect birthday present for her from him would be an engagement ring...preferably his mother's...and marriage proposal. Which reminded him, he would have to owl Gringotts so they could get it out of his vault and send it to him at the proper time. He was just finishing up his seventh year and was therefore still at school, so he couldn't leave there yet. Of course, they would likely have to wait a year, until she was out of school and of age, but what mattered to Harry was that they would belong to each other, now and for as long as they both lived. A year was a comparatively short time, but at the same time, an eternity, until he could truly call Ginny his own.

However, Ginny knew Harry well enough to know when he was keeping something from her, and she sensed it was something having to do with her upcoming birthday. She didn't question him for that reason, even as she recalled that Harry usually gave nice gifts on birthdays and Christmas, but this time she was convinced that this particular birthday would be the nicest one she'd ever had in terms of what he was going to give her. But he only had a month to go, so she truly believed he was making plans on that score, even if he wasn't telling her about them.

* * * * *

Over the next few weeks, he met with Hermione to discuss his plans for proposing to Ginny and the present he intended to give her even as he exchanged owls with Molly on basically the same subject. Of course, it wasn't easy for them to hide it from the ever-perceptive Ginny, but at the same time, they were glad that she wasn't pressing them on the subject because both were terrible liars and if she confronted them, they wouldn't be able to resist her. Or at least Hermione wouldn't be able to. Harry had inherited his parents' stubbornness and was therefore more experienced at resisting Ginny, even though it wasn't any easier for him than it was for Hermione, mainly owing to his strong feelings for her.

* * * * *

Shortly after graduation, where all three of the trio graduated with honours, most of them the kind having to do with having vanquished Voldemort the previous year, the four went out to celebrate. Hermione had even been the valedictorian of the Hogwarts graduating class of 1998. Harry also got the Order of Merlin, First Class, and not only for his outstanding work in Defence Against the Dark Arts. The elder Weasleys had even been there to see them graduate, and Molly had hugged each in her customary bone-crushing manner while crying with happiness the whole time.

Once she managed to compose herself, and the girls had left the private room at the Leaky Cauldron pub for a time, Harry and Ron discussed the particulars of the upcoming parties...Harry's birthday first, of course, since it was just twelve days before Ginny's. He would be eighteen and therefore old enough to marry without anyone's consent; however, Ginny would technically need her parents' consent. [After said discussion, the girls returned and the celebration continued.]

And that was only if she and Harry decided they wanted to marry before her eighteenth birthday. Which was the main reason why he eventually decided to postpone their wedding not only until she graduated but until her own eighteenth birthday. He was sure that she wouldn't want to wait that long, but he would have to keep reminding her that that was the way it would have to be done if she wanted to be able to marry him without her parents' consent. She wouldn't like it but she could and would live with it, knowing that once Harry made up his mind, he was virtually immovable.

It was the following day, after graduation celebrations were over, that they headed to the Burrow, Apparating there after leaving the Hogwarts grounds for the last time, shrinking their trunks small and light enough to fit in their pockets, linking arms and all concentrating mightily on the same thing in order to get to the Burrow in jig time. After being welcomed in Molly's usual manner and settling in, Ginny was inexplicably tired enough to need a nap, at least for an hour or two. Of course, she sensed that Harry must have slipped her something which would put her to sleep...Sleeping Potion maybe. Not a lot, just enough to get her out of the way for a couple of hours so she wouldn't overhear the plans they were making for her party.

Of course, this was above and beyond the discussions involving Harry's own birthday, which she had definitely been involved with and had already decided the non-material thing she was going to give him. She wouldn't tell anyone, not even Hermione, only willing to say that she was certain Harry would love it and consider it the most memorable birthday gift he'd ever gotten. That had earned her a disapproving look from Hermione, at least in the presence of the elder Weasleys. By themselves, she gave her friend a sly smile, certain that she knew what Ginny had in mind.

But this wasn't so much about Harry's birthday as it was hers and Ginny knew it. If she hadn't been so godawful tired, she would have defied him and listened in anyway, but she just couldn't keep her eyes open any longer than it took her to reach her room and lie down on her bed. Harry followed her in order to make sure she not only made it safely, but to give her a kiss before she fell asleep, then moved quietly to the door and slipped through, closing the door every bit as quietly. Upon doing that, he added a Silencing Charm for good measure, and not only to ensure that Ginny had an undisturbed nap.

He exchanged a knowing smile with the others sitting at the kitchen table, rejoining them and resuming their discussion as to just how he was going to pull off what he had planned in order to propose to Ginny. They had already figured how to get them out on the lake in the little boat docked at the side of the pond at the Burrow and intended to charm some fairies to fly around them to cast a romantic glow to the scene. He had also already gotten a bottle of expensive Muggle champagne called Dom Perignon which he intended to charm to keep it cold until the right time.

* * * * *

It was a week after they had arrived at the Burrow that Harry owled Gringotts to send his mother's engagement ring to him, keeping the wedding ring in reserve until the actual day. He even showed all concerned (except Ginny, of course) and both Hermione and Molly thought it was one of the most beautiful rings they'd ever seen ... a round two-carat diamond surrounded by a dozen quarter-carat diamonds set in 24k yellow gold.

Whatever James Potter's other faults, he had had excellent taste in jewelry, everyone had to admit that...especially his son, who had now decided on someone special himself and planned to propose to her in the near future with the very same ring his father had used to propose to his mother. Nor would they be surprised if it had been magically treated to fit Ginny's finger perfectly.

By the time two weeks had passed, Harry and company had gotten everything ready for not only Ginny's birthday but his proposal to her. He had even gotten her a nice dress to wear for her birthday with the help of Molly and Hermione. The latter had even decided to use a Hairdressing Charm to put Ginny's hair in an attractive style. Ron had even been impressed that Harry thought enough of him and his sensibilities regarding Ginny to ask him for her hand.

Of course, the ones who really counted were Molly and Arthur, but Ron had always been very protective of his sister, and Harry was ever mindful of that, eventually deciding to act accordingly. He even asked him to be best man at the wedding when the time came and was sure that Hermione would be maid (or matron) of honour, depending on when Ron finally got up the nerve to propose to her.

She was now happily showing off a promise ring he had given her the day of their graduation, but sensed he was holding off on his proposal until after Harry had married Ginny so as not to overshadow them. Perhaps he would even propose to her the day of their wedding. She could only speculate, of course, but it would be wonderful if he did. What mattered was that they were finally together. Meanwhile, they had best concentrate on the plans for the upcoming birthdays of the couple in question.

* * * * *

Ever since graduation, Ginny had been making her own special plans for Harry's birthday and fully intended that he would be knocked for the proverbial loop when she finally decided to give him her presents, which would be both of the material and non-material variety. Just exactly what they involved, nothing anyone did could get Ginny to divulge anything, not even Hermione. Ginny intended that literally everyone would be surprised, but only after the presents had been given.

Just the same, Harry couldn't help suspecting what the gifts might be, knowing Ginny as he did, or believed he did anyway, but was convinced that his own to her would at the very least equal it, if not surpass it. After all, how often did one get proposed to on one's birthday? Especially on the birthday which officially made them of age?

* * * * *

It definitely seemed to be true, the old saying that the older one got, the faster time seemed to pass. At least in this case, anyway ... because it hardly seemed like six weeks had gone by, and that it was already near the end of July, and Harry's birthday was looming closer by the day. Ginny was becoming more and more secretive, and to his dismay, Harry discovered that she had learned Occlumency and thus was able to block his Legilimency search of her mind ... especially if she had any idea that he was curious about anything she wasn't telling him and knew she would refuse if he asked her directly.

Of course, Ginny wasn't the only one being secretive, but she seemed to be the only one who had strong enough Occlumency shields to block him, so Harry had managed to learn what the others were giving him for his birthday, although he kept his knowledge to himself, fully intending to act surprised when the time came in order to please them. All the same, nothing could have prepared him for the way Ginny had awakened him. First she kissed him awake, then once he had gotten his glasses on, had sealed the door of his room, putting a Silencing Charm on it for good measure, then dropped her brief, lacy nightdress.

Harry's eyes widened and his libido shot into the stratosphere. Was this part of what Ginny had been hiding from him the last six weeks? If so, he intended to live out every fantasy he had ever had about her, enjoy every minute of what she had planned. After that, he literally forgot everything but her ... and even if he died before all this was over, what a way to go!

* * * * *

Once it was near time for the party, Ginny could sense that they were among the first ones awake along with Harry, but didn't go down until Hermione came to fetch them. Harry couldn't help snickering when she mentioned that Ron had originally been recruited to do so. However, knowing his sensitivity to possibly seeing anything intimate, especially anything involving his sister and best friend, he had implored Hermione to take his place. She had agreed, but made sure to remind him that she wouldn't always be able to do so. Ron said what mattered was that she did so when she could.

It wasn't long before Molly levitated the large oblong cake with a colour picture of Harry in full Quidditch Seeker regalia and on his broomstick, reaching for the Snitch, into the dining room from the kitchen and lowered it onto the already-set table which she had recruited Hermione to do, since she seemed to be the best at it other than herself.

There was also the traditional table on which a large pile of presents sat and at least three long tables upon which virtually every favourite food Harry had ever had was present, buffet-style. Upon their singing "Happy Birthday," and Harry holding hands with Ginny, who was on his right, Molly gave the signal which indicated that they could now tuck in. Opening presents could wait until after the birthday dinner.

* * * * *

And they did, at least the vast majority of them. Ginny had had to have a few sessions with Hermione to perfect the spell which would enable her to make the material part of her gift to Harry, but it was worth it. She had gotten a gold chain with a pendant in the shape of an animated Golden Snitch, wings and all, then pointed her wand at the dangling pendant and murmured the incantation Hermione had taught her which would literally enclose a piece of her heart in the miniature Snitch. (The incantation meant "enclose a piece of my heart in this pendant for all eternity.")

She knew she had succeeded when it began glowing, then stopped after a minute or so. However, Hermione had also told her that the Snitch pendant would glow in the dark so the pendant would be unlikely to ever become lost. She had given it to him when they were alone, shortly before the birthday dinner. His eyes had lit up upon seeing the golden Snitch on the chain, but almost literally glowed when Ginny explained what was in it, which was why it was charmed not to open.

"With this pendant, I give you a literal piece of my heart to carry close to your own always," she crooned after he had put it around his neck, the Snitch seeming to take on a visible glow as it lay against the warmth of his neck and throat. "You can hide it whenever you wish," she assured him, but Harry raised her hand to his lips and kissed it.

"Why should I want to hide it? I'm proud and honoured to show it off to all and sundry, now and always," he declared.

"Even to Fred and George?"

"Even to Fred and George," he assured her. "Thank you, love. It's the best birthday gift I've ever gotten. Other than you and your love, of course. I may even ask for the means to do the same for you in the not-too-distant future," he speculated.

"I'd love to have a literal part of you close to my heart, beloved, at least until I can carry one inside me ..." Her voice trailed off and Harry knew what she meant. It was then that he decided to find out just how to do the same thing as Ginny did, then give it to her on either her next birthday or Christmas, if not their wedding day.

Just then, they heard Molly call them and only reluctantly pulled out of their lingering kiss and went downstairs to join the others. Once they arrived, the wireless was set up so that all those with significant others could dance to their favourite music ... that is, charmed so that the individuals involved would hear only their favourite songs and dance accordingly. Harry and Ginny were naturally among them, hearing their own favourite song, "Wind Beneath My Wings," soon after Molly had pointed her wand at the radio and spoke the necessary incantation to activate the charm.

The pair in question seemed to literally be in a world of their own as they swayed, wrapped in each other's arms, to the music; Harry even sang it softly under his breath, resting his forehead on Ginny's. When it finished, she smiled tenderly at him and whispered, "Happy birthday, my love," and finished off the song with a kiss even as she caught the glow of the miniature Snitch. Ginny sensed her beloved's anticipation and couldn't help smiling wickedly even as he warmly nuzzled her neck. He hadn't seen nothing yet!

Ginny had planned their first time together to happen on Harry's eighteenth birthday ... and to be as special as she could possibly make it. Now she would likely be driven up the wall by his secretiveness regarding what he intended to do for her birthday for the next eleven days, and it was just as likely that she wouldn't be able to get anything out of him any more than Harry had out of her.

* * * * *

It was incredible that the time could pass so fast, and yet so slowly. Ginny had been awakened on the morning of her birthday in a most provocative way, and they had shared a sweet, languourous snogging session before going down to Molly's traditional birthday breakfast. Harry was as attentive to her as ever, but Ginny's own Legilimency could sense that something very significant was in the offing, especially after she had opened her other presents, yet had not received one from him.

However, Harry seemed to be a good enough actor so that it was well into the afternoon before he inexplicably disappeared with Ron and Hermione to set things up for the big proposal scene, which he had planned to have happen just after dusk. He had invited her for a boat ride on the large pond not far from the Burrow, fairies lighting up the air around them with a romantic glow.

Hermione had prepared her, dress, hair and all, so that Harry had literally been struck speechless at his lady's beauty upon seeing Ginny make her entrance. Nor did he speak when he approached her, simply offered her his arm and they left the house together, heading down the road to the pond and the small dock where the boat was tethered. He had dressed in his best casual outfit of fitted black jeans, his favourite green lightweight cotton long-sleeved shirt and jumper vest a shade darker with an "H" on it.

They got into the small boat and he had the charmed bottle of Dom Perignon on ice in a small tin set just out of Ginny's sight. Hermione's fairy charm was due to begin any moment now, since it wasn't quite dusk yet. He wanted to make sure it was timed just right so there would be the perfect romantic atmosphere when he made the actual proposal.

They were roughly in the center of the lake when Harry brought the bottle of Dom Perignon and two glasses into view. "I believe a toast is in order, my lady."

"A toast?" Ginny's heart began to pound in anticipation in spite of her efforts to remain calm.

"It's a very special day. You're of age now, an adult, and can do whatever you like ... well, more accurately, almost whatever you like. There are still some things you must wait another year to do, but for the most part..."

Ginny reached to put a finger on Harry's lips. "Talk later, love. Let's get to the toast."

"Oh, yeah. Right." He broke the seal, popped the cork and poured roughly an inch of champagne into the glasses, then they touched the glasses. "To you. To us. To our love."

Ginny smiled and echoed him, for the most part, but added her own ending. "To you. To us. To our love. To the happiest day of my life."

Harry's eyes widened in spite of himself but that was the only indication of surprise he showed; when the glow of the fairies began, he reached into his pocket for the small deep blue velvet box which held his mother's engagement ring. "Ginny, you've asked what I intend to give you for your birthday ... and now I intend to tell you...or more accurately, show you." With that, he moved to open the box and show her what was inside. The beauty of it rendered her momentarily speechless.

"Oh, Harry ..." Her eyes were misty with tears of happiness.

"I've never been good with words, Gin, you know that. All I can do is speak my heart. I love you. I want to spend my life with you. Please make me the happiest, luckiest wizard on earth. Marry me." While their eyes held, Harry withdrew the ring from the box, tucked it back into his pocket, then slipped the ring onto the proper finger. He then looked up and into Ginny's soft brown eyes, waiting for her answer ... which wasn't long in coming.

She lifted his chin, leaned over to kiss him deeply, sweetly, then smiled as she drew back. "I would be honoured, Harry ... and the ring is beautiful."

"It was my mother's. Or more specifically, the one my dad gave her when he proposed to her. They left the rings to me for just such a moment as this. Of course, I don't expect you to marry me right away. I was thinking, after you graduate Hogwarts and go into Healer training. I have also arranged it so my Auror training won't start until after our honeymoon is behind us."

"You've thought of everything, haven't you?" she returned with a knowing smile.

"I tried," he confessed. "Now, let's have another toast." This time Ginny knew why he wanted it and what was more, knew exactly what she intended to say.

"To the happiest day of my life, which will be when I marry you, the love of my life."

"To a life full of love, life and children with the love of my life." Ginny smiled; they touched glasses and drank. The warmth engendered by both the warm night, the romantic setting and the champagne prompted the lovers to move into each other's arms for a long, lovely snog ... at least until their movements made the boat tip sufficiently to dump them into the water. It was fortunate that Harry had placed a Sticking Charm so as not to lose the champagne bottle.

As it was, they came up together, both soaking wet but laughing, although both had cried out in surprise as they had been unceremoniously dumped in the water. Neither were aware of it yet, but they had been heard even at the Burrow. Harry helped Ginny Apparate to the shore, but even as they materialised, he saw Molly, Ron and Hermione approach them.

"Are you all right, mate?" his concerned friend asked as he came up beside him. "We heard you call out and got here as quickly as we could."

"I'm fine," Harry assured him. "That is, we're fine. Just soaking wet."

Hermione came up next to Ginny. "You're a mess, Gin. All my fine work undone."

"It was worth it," Ginny sighed happily.

"What do you mean?" the other young witch asked.

"Look." Ginny held up her left hand to show the ring glittering on it.

This time Hermione seemed stunned momentarily speechless herself. "Does that mean what I think it means?"

"Harry asked me to marry him."

At this point, both Ron and Molly stepped up to join them. He had caught the tail end of the conversation. "Run that by me again."

"Did you say what I thought you said?" came from Molly, also having caught said conversation.

"Harry proposed to me," Ginny repeated. "He gave me his mother's engagement ring."

"Do I want to know why you're both soaking wet?" the older woman asked.

"I don't think so," said Ginny. "But I'll tell you anyway. We were ... snogging, got carried away and the boat tipped over, dumping us both in the water."

Molly sighed. "Well, I can at least give you credit for honesty, if nothing else. Now you'd better get out of those wet clothes before you both catch your death."

Nothing either of the couple said changed her mind; she conjured a couple of blankets, and the friends in question wrapped them around Harry and Ginny, then led them back to the house and got them out of the wet clothes as quickly as possible, making sure they were kept separated--at least until they were dried off and gotten into dry clothes. Drying charms were done to get their hair dry again.

Once they were dried off, everyone wanted the entire story of the big proposal scene, from start to finish. Everyone ended up laughing even in the midst of congratulating the couple on their engagement ... and Molly was already making mental plans for the wedding. Ginny could tell that simply by the look on her mother's face; it was the same look as she had gotten once she'd learned that Bill intended to marry Fleur. She had best warn Harry as to what to expect as soon as she possibly could. Meanwhile, they might as well enjoy the attention and congratulations.

Once they were alone that evening, Ginny's head resting on Harry's chest, her small hand with the ring on it right over his heart, she felt the soft rumble of his voice. "What was that, love?"

"My parents. Sirius. Remus. Tonks. Dumbledore. They won't be here to see us get married."

"I'm sure we'll think of something, include them somehow, love. Don't worry."

"Maybe pictures in the chairs reserved for them, if not portraits of them," Harry tentatively suggested. "Something so I can feel that they're with us, at least in spirit."

"That might work," Ginny agreed. "Meanwhile, we've got plenty of other things to think about and take care of between now and then." She lifted her head and stroked her partner's lips with a finger, which prompted a tender smile and his lips to kiss her finger. "This, for instance." With that, she moved to pull his face close and kiss him deeply, which in turn prompted him to once again rekindle their own personal magic...magic which needed nothing but themselves, magic which had begun the day they'd met ... but most importantly, magic which would last as long as they both lived.