Beware the Ides of March

When the four boys arrived downstairs, it was to find the rest of the family gathered around the grate in the kitchen. Mrs. Weasley was standing just beside the grate holding a clay pot of Floo powder. It just occurred to Harry that he had been here now for almost two hours but, so far no one had wished him a happy birthday. did they forget?
“Ready to go boys?” Mr. Weasley asked.
“Go where?” asked Harry.
“To Diagon alley, Yours’, Ron’s and Gunny’s’ book lists have just arrived, and Molly and I thought we’d get a jump on the crowds this year.”
Harry looked at Ron who just shrugged his shoulders and said “could be fun.”
“Sure lets go,” said Harry.
Mr. Weasley handed Harry and Ron their book lists. Ginny already had hers, and was waiting to get in the grate. Harry noticed how soft her skin looked. A voice sounded in his ear. It was George whispering,
“Just keep it zippered there lad.”
Harry shot him a defensive look but George was just smiling, and Harry smiled back.
When Harry slid out of the grate in Flourish and Blotts it was in his usual manner, on his rear. He stood up, brushing off the seat of his pants and trying to set himself right. He looked back at the grate and saw Mr. Weasley come through nice and neatly on his feet, followed closely by Ginny, Ron then Mrs. Weasley. Harry found the soot and dust on Ginny’s face did nothing to lessen her beauty and had to quickly turn around as his ‘little friend’ was adamantly concurring with his findings. It was Harry’s intention to ask Mr. Weasley for permission to date Ginny, as he felt that given the state of things it was only the right thing to do. And he didn’t think that having Mr. Weasley notice his arousal at the sight of his only daughter was going to help his cause.
“Harry?” Mr. Weasley was just behind him. “You ok son?”
“Uh, yeah I’m fine.” Harry answered not turning around, but instead moving over to where Ron was standing going through this years advanced potions book.
“Look Harry. Wicked, we get to learn how to make Veritaserum this year, oh and look, a potion that allows the drinker to see through solid objects. ‘Transparency potion’,” Ron read. “Wow, I can see the possibilities there can’t you?” He was nudging Harry with his elbow while trying to send him a knowing look, but Harry was looking at Ginny again.
“Hey, Potter, not my sister though,” Ron said warningly, while cuffing Harry upside the head.
“Huh?” grunted Harry, “Listen, Ron I want to ask your dad for permission to date Ginny.”
“So ask him.” Ron said dismissively, still thumbing through the book.
“How?” asked Harry
“Huh?”
“How do I ask him?”
“I don’t know, just ask him.” Ron said sounding a little annoyed.
Harry could see Ron was not going to be any help, so he started to make his way over to Mr. Weasley who was helping Ginny get her spell book. Abruptly Ron called him back, “Hey Harry.”
“Yeah?”
“Don’t worry; dad doesn’t own a beaters bat.”

*****

Harrys’ legs felt like two pieces of jelly as he made his way over to Mr. Weasley, who had just finished paying for Ron and Ginny’s books. Harry paid for his own books, and then turned to Mr. Weasley.
“Sir?”
“Yes Harry, what is it?”
“Could I talk to you?”
“Of course Harry.”
“In private.”
Mrs. Weasley and Ginny were standing nearby looking at recipe spell books.
“Ok,” said Mr. Weasley attentively. “Let’s go sit over by the window, there’s no one over there.”
Over in a corner of the book shop three were two chairs set around a small round table, for anyone who might want to just sit and read quietly. The window looked out onto Diagon Alley and the Daily Prophet across the way. Harry and Mr. Weasley both sat down.
“Now Harry, what can I do for you?”
Harry’s mouth had gone dry, and he took out his wand and conjured a glass of water, and drank it before proceeding with his question.
“Sir, I was just …wondering if maybe…umm… What I mean to say is…er…I would like…”
Mr. Weasley put his hand on Harry‘s shoulder and said quietly, “stop torturing your self Harry. The answer is yes.”
“Yes?”
“Yes.”
“What’s the question? I mean…! Oh Merlin.” He was quite flustered now. “Sir how did you…”
“Relax Harry; I saw the way you were looking at Ginny at breakfast, and again here in the bookshop.”
“You did?” Harry silently hoped that was all he saw.
“I did, and I knew that you being the respectable boy you are would want to get my blessing first.”
Harry looked over at Ron who turned his head suddenly to hide a smile and went back to ‘reading’ the book.

Harrys' imagination was now working rapidly, at conjuring up new and colorful torturing spell to inflict mercilessly upon the Weasley brother’s. Harry was brought back out of his fantasy, by Arthur Weasleys voice.
“… Trust you with her Harry?”
“Huh what?”
“I said do you want to know why I trust you with her, Harry?”
“Why?”
“Because, I know that you will protect her and keep her safe.” Mr. Weasley stood up and pulled Harry up with him, and placing his hands on Harry’s shoulders he said, “None of us have forgotten, that you were the one who saved Ginny from Tom Riddle in her first, your second, year.”
“Hey, Ron went down there too,” said Harry adamantly.
“And he would have followed you to any end. I have no doubt of that, however fate played its’ cards, and you had to go on alone; even though you could have stayed; not knowing what fates’ cards held for you, and brought Ginny back to us.” There were tears shimmering in Mr. Weasleys’ eyes, as he concluded by saying, “And that, Harry never be forgotten. You have my blessing”
It was Harrys’ turn to respond to what Mr. Weasley just said, and he did so splendidly. “Mr. Weasley, you have my word that I will never hurt Ginny or allow her to be hurt, and I will protect her with my life.”
“And that is good enough for me,”
Then Mr. Weasley turned and walked away.

Harry went back over to Ron and said “I had no idea your dad felt that way about me”
“Hmm, what way?”
Harry flicked Ron on the head.
“Knock it off, Ron. I know you heard every single word we said.”
“Fine,” Ron said, closing the book and putting it back on the shelf. “They think of you as a son, and they’ve practically got yours’ and hers’ wedding planned,” he finished good naturedly.
Harry looked over at Ginny, now standing with her father with his arm around her. They were both laughing. He was surprised to find that the thought of marrying Ginny didn’t frighten him in the least, but he decided not to tell Ron that.