Chapter Text
Summer 2000
“Harry and I have something to tell you,” Ginny announced one evening at the Weasley dinner table.
Harry swallowed hard. Ginny took his hand under the table and squeezed.
“What is it, Gin?” George asked, eyebrows raised.
She looked at Harry, then back at her family with a soft smile on her face. “I’m pregnant. We’re going to have a baby.”
Her father dropped his fork. It clattered against his plate before falling to the floor. Ron choked on a bit of potato, and George thumped him on the back. Other than that, Ginny’s words were met with stunned silence.
“That’s...that’s…well, isn’t that exciting?” Molly managed finally. She looked a little pale. Ron was gaping at them in horror, wide eyes darting between his sister and his best friend. George looked like he wished he could disappear.
Harry’s lips twitched nervously, and Ginny avoided his eyes. But under the table, he slipped the diamond ring he’d been holding back onto Ginny’s fourth finger, where it belonged. She had only had it for nine hours, and already her hand felt strange without it. As soon as it was in place, a giggle burst from her lips.
“...Ginny?” Mrs. Weasley asked, frowning.
“I’m just kidding!” She laughed openly now. “I’m not pregnant.”
“What?” George said, his eyes narrowed and his tone flat. Ron looked equally suspicious.
Arthur looked nothing but relieved. “Thank Merlin,” he muttered, exhaling heavily.
“Right.” Harry gave them all a shaky smile. “It was just a joke. The real news is…”
Ginny lifted her left hand and wiggled her fingers. The diamond sparkled in the light. “We’re engaged!”
It took a moment for everyone to catch up to the pendulum swing of the conversation, but they got there quickly. “Oh!” Molly cried. Her face flushed red and, immediately, tears sparkled in her eyes. “Oh, isn’t that just wonderful! Ginny! My little girl is getting married!”
“Congratulations!” George and Arthur said in unison.
“That’s fantastic, absolutely fantastic news,” Arthur added, nodding so vigorously that Ginny worried he’d strain his neck. She smiled at her dad, and he gave her a warm smile in return.
“Yeah! I can’t believe you didn’t tell me!” Ron exclaimed, poking Harry in the shoulder. “This is brilliant!”
“Thanks.” Harry looked relieved. “I’m glad you think so.”
Ron was grinning from ear to ear. “Of course! You’ll be officially part of the family now.”
“And I couldn’t ask for a better son-in-law,” Arthur said, smiling fondly.
Ginny planted a kiss on Harry’s cheek, then got up to show her mother her ring up-close. Ron and George peppered Harry with questions about the proposal, and Arthur went over to shake his hand. Someone summoned some sparkling wine, and everyone toasted to Harry and Ginny’s eternal happiness.
***
After the meal -- and several glasses of bubbly -- Harry and Ginny sat outside in the garden, watching the fireflies flit about in the twilight. Harry laced their fingers together, and Ginny looked up at him with a smug smile.
“I told you it would work.”
“You were right.” Harry shook his head, amused. “Granted, I think you nearly got me killed, but in the end they were so thrilled you’re not pregnant, not a single person told us we’re too young to get married. Not even Ron!” He chuckled.
“Yup! And it’s a good thing, too.” Ginny snuggled against him. “If we know we want to spend the rest of our lives together, why should we wait?”
“Exactly,” Harry murmured. He kissed the top of her hair. “Ron and Hermione -- or any other couple in the world, honestly -- they can do whatever they want, but what I want is forever with you. And I want ‘forever’ to begin as soon as possible.”