"Arry, Ginny, you must stop right now!" Fleur's voice was panicked and her accent was stronger than usual. Harry grabbed his wand from the nightstand and stared at the Patronus, uncomprehending. Next to him, Ginny had picked up her wand too and was clutching it in one hand while holding the sheets around her body with the other.

Fleur's voice continued. "Or . . . if you can't stop, immediatemont, pleeze, you must . . . finish quickly. Pleeze!" Inexplicably, Harry could hear Bill's faint voice too, as if he had been speaking close to Fleur as she cast her spell. "Get to the point!" he said. Seconds later, Harry and Ginny understood the reason for Fleur's panic.

"'Ze Weasleys, 'zey are coming! To 'Arry's flat! Ron, 'e 'as news and 'zey are all so excited, 'zey want to celebrate! 'Zey will be knocking on your door any minute!" As Harry and Ginny looked at each other in shock, the Patronus faded away.

"I don't think . . ." Harry began. His brain was still fuzzy despite the surge of energy seeing the Patronus had caused.

"Less talking, more dressing!" cried Ginny. She had already jumped out of bed, and now was circling Harry's room naked, her eyes wide. "Where are my knickers?" She stopped suddenly, a look of horror on her face.

"Harry, didn't you tell me earlier that you had fixed the wards to add me to the list of people who could Apparate directly into your flat? Exactly who else has the ability to do that?"

Before Harry could answer, a loud crack resonated from the sitting room. "Oi! Harry!" Ron's voice was unmistakable. "Where are you? Mum said you were here having bloke night. I've got news!"

"Well, umm, there's Ron," said Harry unnecessarily. His body and brain had both finally unfrozen and he was circling the room with Ginny, looking for the clothes he had flung off earlier. Another crack pierced the air.

"Ronald, did you tell him yet? I hope you waited for me . . . Harry? Where is he? I thought your mum said he would be here."

"And Hermione," continued Harry. In desperation, he pointed his wand at the floor and muttered "Accio clothing!" as quietly as he could. His boxers and jeans flew to him, bringing Ginny's knickers along with them. He threw them at her. "Keep quiet!" he hissed at her.

Ginny was struggling into her shirt. "Maybe it will just be the two of them, and we can . . . " A third crack.

"Harry, dear, I told them that maybe they should wait to share their happy news until your friends had left. I hope at least Ron was sensitive to all of your single mates and their feelings . . . Harry? Ron, did you scare them off? I told you that Valentine's Day can be difficult for young men too, when they don't have a partner. Oh, I don't even think they've had a chance to eat the food I made!"

"And, your mum," Harry finished glumly. He was finally dressed. Ginny pulled up her track pants and sat next to him on the bed.

"My mum, Harry? Seriously?"

"She likes to leave me food sometimes," he explained. "Without bothering me." He looked at his bedroom door, immensely thankful that he had shut it earlier. "Should I seal the door and put up a silencing charm? Maybe they will think I'm in here and . . ." Harry's voice trailed off. The Weasleys all thought he was spending the evening with his single, male friends. If they realized he was locked in his room, any of the many conclusions they might jump to would be just as complicated as the truth. He grabbed Ginny's hand.

"Please tell me the twins can't get in too," she said. In answer, there was a loud banging on the front door.

"Only onto my landing," Harry replied. They heard the squeak of Harry's rarely used flat door and then the unmistakable voices of Fred and George. "Not that it matters at this point."

By the sounds coming from the sitting room, it appeared that Arthur and Percy had arrived with the twins and various girlfriends. While everyone seemed to be discussing where Harry might be and why he was not, as expected, sitting with a bunch of single friends eating Molly's stew, none of the Weasleys seemed the slightest bit concerned to be wandering around the flat without a host. And none of them showed any indication of leaving.

Harry looked desperately at Ginny. "If we Apparate out of here, they will hear us, won't they?"

Ginny nodded. "And you might be able to come up with an excuse about what you were doing, but I have no way to get back to Hogwarts without Fleur."

"Fleur!" Harry said in a loud whisper. "That's it, we can Apparate to Shell Cottage and you can stay there while I come back here and make up some story about . . . why I was hiding in my bedroom with my mates and Apparated away instead of coming out and saying hello . . ." Even in his frantic state, Harry knew the idea sounded ridiculous. And Ginny was shaking her head.

"It sounds like Ron and everyone went to Shell Cottage before coming here. They would have seen that I wasn't with Bill and Fleur," said Ginny practically. She frowned, thinking.

Harry still thought that their salvation was somehow connected to Ginny's oldest brother and his wife. "How about if we . . ." he began. A second later, his hopes were dashed as Fleur's voice again filled Harry's bedroom, this time sounding a bit muffled and coming from the other side of the door.

"Oh, oh, is everyone from 'ze entire family 'ere? Where are 'Arry and . . . where is 'Arry?"

In the bedroom, Harry and Ginny looked wildly at each other. "She almost slipped!" whispered Ginny. "Maybe she will convince everyone to leave," said Harry at the same time.

"We don't know where Harry is, but he told he me he would be here all night, that he and his friends didn't want to be anywhere in public during Valentine's evening. Do you think something happened?" Molly voice sounded a bit concerned, and Ginny elbowed Harry. "Did you have to lay it on so heavy with my mum? Now she will never believe you weren't home."

Harry elbowed her back. "I wanted her to feel extra sorry for me. Figured it would get me a treacle tart or something."

Ginny snorted softly. "You will be very lucky to get anything to eat after this," she said.

The voices in the sitting room all seemed to be talking at once now. Harry heard snatches of "maybe a pub" and "work emergency?" but it wasn't until Fred, or maybe it was George, called out, "has anyone checked the loo?" that Harry jumped to his feet. He may be going down, but maybe he could save Ginny having to face her family.

"Stay here," he hissed. Not giving her time to answer, Harry opened his bedroom door a crack and sidled out into the short hallway that led to the sitting room. Faking a yawn, he tried to stumble a bit as he entered the space, putting on what he hoped was a surprised face.

"Wha . . . what is gong on? Why are you all here? Is it Ginny?" Damn. Didn't mean to mention her name.

"Why would think something's gong on with Ginny?" Bill's voice was casual, but Harry saw the barest hint of a gleam in the older man's eye as he stood holding Victoire, one hand on Fleur's back. Obviously, his willingness to look the other way while Harry and Ginny spent time together had reached its limit. Truth be told, Harry was surprised it had lasted this long.

"Uhh, well, she's the only one not here, isn't she?" Harry pretended to count everyone in the room.

"That's right!" said Ron suddenly. "Ginny can't miss this – she'd kill us!" He moved towards Harry's fireplace. "I'll just Floo the Gryffindor common room. Someone will know where she is and she can pop right through, right Harry? Isn't your Floo hooked up to the common room?"

Harry groaned to himself. All he needed was for Ginny's family to find out that no one had seen her for hours; he didn't think Fleur had told many people their plans.

Fred spoke up. "It is Valentine's Day," he pointed out. "Maybe she's off snogging someone." He turned to his twin. "George, don't you think this would be a good time to test out our newest Wheezes product?"

"Splendid idea, old chap!" replied George. He pulled what looked like a small, glowing Snitch out of his pocket. It hovered just above George's open palm, as if waiting for something.

"This is as Snogging Snitch!" he announced proudly. It's charmed to track down a person of your choosing to find out if he or she has, ahem, gotten busy in the last two hours. We are marketing it as a simple way to find out if your partner is cheating on you, but it works in all situations."

Harry gulped. This did not sound good at all. He looked wildly around the room, trying to find a way to interrupt the twins.

"And, you can even see exactly how steamy things got," added Fred. "If it discovers just a snog, it turns green, anything above the waist, purple. Below the waist activities make it orange, and a good shag makes it turn bright red! I think we can send it through the Floo to find Ginny and see what she's been up to. Works on name recognition, you see." He raised his wand and pointed it at the Snitch. "Go find Ginevra Weasley . . . " he began.

A door slammed from the direction of the hallway. Everyone looked up as Ginny marched resolutely into the room and grabbed the Snitch out of the air and slipped it into her jumper pocket. "I'll just keep this," she said calmly.

A moment of silence, and then the room exploded with noise, everyone talking at once, over each other, not listening at all. How had Ginny gotten there, why wasn't she at school, did anyone know she was gone – was she in trouble? The questions came fast and loud and for a minute, Harry was relieved that no one seemed to be waiting for any answers. But then a loud whistle pierced the air. Everyone got quiet and Percy, PERCY! spoke up.

"Ginny, isn't that Harry's bedroom you just came out of?"

Harry saw Ginny's calm demeanor waver just a fraction. Without even thinking about it, he walked over and quietly took her hand. She squeezed it, briefly, and then nodded to her family.

"Yes," she said. "I was just in Harry's bedroom." She raised her eyes and her wand as if daring them to say anything about it.

Of course, her threat failed.

"Ginny!" Molly was the first one to speak. "And, and, Harry!?" She looked at their clasped hands. "I thought I was cooking for you and your friends . . . I made treacle tart!"

"I like treacle tart, Mum," said Ginny. "And I like Harry."

"Yes, but, when did you . . . how is this . . . ?" Harry had rarely seen Molly at such a loss for words.

"It's been coming for a long time," said Ginny softly. "And it's wonderful." She smiled up at Harry and he couldn't resist planting a soft kiss on her lips.

"Is that the only thing that has been coming for a while?" said Fred with a wicked grin. He looked at George. You have another Snitch, don't you? Because I think we'd all like to find out right now just how far our baby sister has gone." George nodded and dug into his pocket, an identical grin on his face.

"Bill and Fleur helped sneak Ginny out of Hogwarts!" Harry cried. He knew he was probably jumping out of the cauldron and into the fire, throwing Bill and Fleur under the Knight Bus like that, but at the moment, anything was better than everyone finding out that he and Ginny had just had sex.

"I was on your side, Potter," Bill growled. He looked at his mother. "Mum, you have to believe me, I had no idea what was going on until Fleur . . . ow!" He stopped short and rubbed his arm where his wife's Stinging Hex had hit.

"Really, Bill Weasley, 'R you going to put all 'ze blame on me? Can't you see, "Arry and Ginny are in love!" She looked fiercely around the room. "Yes, I 'elped them sneak away. And I would do it again. It's Valentine's Day!"

Molly's eyes were shining. "In love?" she asked quietly.

Before Harry could do more than nod in affirmance, Ron spoke up.

"Mum, why weren't you this understanding when you found me and Hermione up in my old bedroom last summer? I seem to remember a lot of Howler-worthy lectures and forced separation then."

"Keep me out of this, Ron," muttered Hermione. But she was grinning.

Molly smiled fondly at the couple. "I always give my boys a hard time when they first get serious with a witch," she said. "I need to know that they are ready for the relationship." She turned to Harry and her expression grew a little stern. "So don't think you are out of the woods yet. And Arthur," she continued, turning to her husband. "I think you may need to have your talk with Harry, to make sure he knows how to . . ."

"I do," said Harry quickly as the room exploded again. "Not that I thought . . . I mean, it's a good thing to know no matter what . . . I wasn't. . . ." he trailed off, bright red. Beside him, Ginny was shaking with laughter.

"I know how to, too," said Ginny. Harry let go of her hand and wrapped his arms around her. He decided all the attention had been enough for the time. "Ron, isn't there a reason you burst into my flat in the first place? Something you wanted to tell me?"

"Yes!"said Ron. "I almost forgot!" Next to him, Hermione huffed. "Forgot? Really?"

"Oh, you know what I mean," Ron answered her. He grinned at Harry. "Hermione and I are getting married!"

Given the nonchalance with which the rest of the family greeted the news, the announcement was not a surprise to any of them. Harry feigned hurt feelings.

"I'm your best mate, and I'm the last to know?" he asked with an aggrieved air.

"Mum was worried it would be insensitive of me to tell you on Valentine's Day. You know, because you were alone," said Ron. "I guess she worried for nothing."

"And anyway, something tells me it is good thing you didn't decide to come here first, before Shell Cottage," said George with a smirk. "Things could have been . . . awkward."

"And this isn't?" asked Harry with a grin. He walked over and gave Hermione a hug and slapped Ron on the back. "I never thought I'd see it, but I'm thrilled for you both."

Hermione smiled back. "I'm thrilled for you both, too," she said.

Ginny had been hugging her brother and Hermione too, and then she turned and looked at the assembled crowd.

"This has been really, very lovely," she said. But, it's still Valentine's Day and I very much doubt that I'm the only one who would like to spend it – alone – with the person I love." She smiled slyly at Harry, and, despite the presence of many, many Weasleys, he felt a small jolt of heat to his groin.

"But Mum's cooking smells so good," said George innocently. "And if she thought she was cooking for all of Harry's mates, I bet there's enough for all of us."

"George Weasley!" said Angelina. "Don't you dare! You had a full meal of your Mum's before we got here!"

Everyone laughed. Harry stepped into his kitchen and waved his wand, muttering quietly. Soon, three bottles of champagne and a bunch of paper cups flew into the room and arranged themselves on a side table.

"Good thing Devon likes to give out champagne whenever we solve a big case," he said. "Not that I had any reason to drink mine before now."

"Good thing you have actually solved some cases, mate," quipped Fred.

Harry poured the champagne and carefully handed it out.

When everyone had a cup, Harry lifted his. "To Ron and Hermione – my two best friends, to whom I literally owe my life. I have been rooting for you both from the start and I couldn't be happier for you today. May you enjoy a lifetime of happiness, and may your arguments – and your reconciliations – take place far, far away from the rest of us!"

"Here, here!" everyone cried, drinking as one. The atmosphere was warm and friendly, and Harry felt the tiny knot of nerves that had been sitting in the pit of his stomach melt away. While it wasn't the way he would have chosen to tell everyone about him and Ginny, now that it was done, he was glad the family all knew.

"Oh my, is that the time?" Molly was looking down at her watch, a concerned look on her face. "My pies are going to burn if I don't get home this instant." She looked at her husband. "Shall we Apparate together, Arthur? It is Valentine's Day. Harry, Ginny, have a lovely evening. I'm sure we will!"

Arthur looked slightly dazed as he solemnly joined hands with his wife and turned on the spot.

"And it is past Victoire's bedtime!" said Fleur. "'Arry, Ginny, I will see you tomorrow at 1 – Au Revoir!" She grabbed onto Bill and the small family disappeared.

"Uhh, yeah, we need to . . . get out of here, now." Fred and his new girlfriend, and George and Angelina began walking, single file towards the door, almost like a line of gnomes sneaking back into the garden. "Yo, come on, Perce!" said Fred, and Percy followed them out, a loud crack announcing their departure.

Only Ron and Hermione were left, and Ron was already tugging on his fiancée, a hungry look on his face that Harry was fairly sure had nothing to do with food. At least, he was kind of sure.

"I'm really, really happy for you both," Harry said again. "And we'll all have to go out for a proper celebration soon."

"Yes, soon," said Hermione distractedly. "Ron, are you ready?" Without waiting for an answer, Hermione put her hand on Ron's and turned, both disappearing with a soft crack.

Ginny was looking shrewdly at Harry. "I've never known my family to leave so quickly from anything. Especially after a bombshell like they had tonight. They kind of acted as if they had been . . . Confunded or something."

Harry shrugged. "Or maybe it was something in their champagne," he remarked idly. "You and I had a different bottle."

Ginny laughed. "Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant."

Harry took Ginny in his arms, pressing himself against her in a way that was definitely not family-appropriate. "Need to change the wards," he mumbled against her neck.

"It can wait," said Ginny. Her hands were already untucking his shirt again. "But I can't."

Harry pulled back and looked at her. "For our fourth go? Or for your Mum's dinner?" he asked with a grin. Ginny was quiet for a moment and Harry grinned. "You are actually thinking about it!"

"Never get between a Weasley and a meal, Potter, you know that," said Ginny. "However, in this case, I think my mum's stew can wait just a little bit longer. " She looked around the room. "That's a comfy looking sofa. Have you ever had sex on a sofa?"

Harry was busy at her neck again. "You know the answer to that," said. "Shall we cross another 'first' off our list?"

Ginny smiled. "Absolutely."