Setting things to rights - 9

Harry smiled fondly. "She's special."

"She certainly is. I'm not blind, Harry. I can see how much you care for each other, but it's very hard to let go," Mr. Weasley said.

"I understand, sir–"

"Let me finish, Harry. It's very hard to let go, but if I had to chose the wizard who would win my only girl's heart, I know I couldn't have chosen any better than she did when she was ten years old. I can't think of anyone I'd rather her fall in love with than you," Mr. Weasley said, shifting in his seat and taking a long swallow of his brandy.

Harry couldn't control his fidgeting any longer, and he shifted in his seat trying to decide where to look. He ended up taking a long swallow of the brandy, feeling his face burn. Harry didn't understand why he felt like such a little kid sitting in front of Mr. Weasley.

"Thanks, Mr. Weasley," he said, scuffing his feet on the worn carpet. "I want you to know that I'll do everything within my power to keep her safe."

"I know you will, Harry," Mr. Weasley said, clearing his throat. "What say you? Shall we join the others in the drawing room? If my ears don't deceive me, I think I can hear music drifting down from that direction. Merlin's beard, I hope Molly hasn't broken out the Celestina Warbeck collection again."

Harry grinned, remembering the previous Christmas, and followed Mr. Weasley from the room. They joined the others in the drawing room where Celestina was crooning from the old victrola in the corner of the room. Mrs. Weasley was sitting in front of it with misty eyes as she swayed to the music. Bill and Fleur sat in a corner, whispering to each other while Fleur mimed crude imitations of Celestina behind Mrs. Weasley's back. Ginny was standing in a corner talking with Hermione and Fred, while Ron watched Charlie play against George in a game of chess.

Harry walked over to Ron and gently nudged him in the ribs.

"Hey. Where've you been?" Ron asked, turning away from the game.

Harry shrugged. "I just had a word with your dad. How's Hermione?"

"Brilliant," Ron said, a wide grin spreading across his face. "She's back to herself."

Harry failed to suppress the grin that spread on his face. "That's good. Obviously things are better between the two of you."

Ron looked at his trainers while he scuffed the floor. "I almost lost her, Harry. She could have died before I ever had the chance to tell her… Well, before I could set things to rights. I don't care about her hair; it'll grow back. Nearly losing her made me see what you meant about grabbing happiness while it's there, that there are no guarantees," Ron said gruffly, his ears turning a brilliant shade of red.

"So…you're dating?" Harry asked, feeling awkward. He and Ron rarely talked about stuff like this, but sometimes he found the only way to get an answer from Ron was to be blunt.

"Yeah, we are. Are you okay with that?" Ron asked, looking suddenly nervous.

Harry watched as Mr. and Mrs. Weasley began dancing in the center of the room. Bill and Fleur quickly joined them, and Harry saw Bill wag his finger warningly at his wife, who laughed musically.

He was okay with Ron and Hermione dating. He'd worried about it in the past, wondering what would happen if things didn't work or, or worse, if they left him behind. Now that he was with Ginny, however, having two couples completed them somehow. Besides, he could never deny their attempts to find some happiness in all this mess. They'd certainly helped him find his.