8 YEARS LATER

I stepped out of the fireplace and into the kitchen of 12 Grimmauld Place. Dusting some of the soot off from my clothes I looked around the kitchen and frowned slightly. It was odd; there was no sign of life in the kitchen.

Harry normally finished work before me on a Friday and the first thing he did when he got back was raid the kitchen cupboards and he'd forget to turn the lights off behind him every time. Turning the lights on with a wave of my wand, I glanced curiously at the clock on the wall.

Harry was supposed to be home by now, especially considering that I had stayed an hour later today.

I made my way around the house that had become my home just over a year ago, looking for any sign of Harry. When I found no sign of him having passed through any of the rooms, I came to the conclusion that he'd probably decided to stay late and work today and had just forgotten to tell me. Making my way upstairs and into my bedroom, I pulled my hair out of the regulation bun that was demanded by St Mungo's and ran a hand through my hair. I eyed my bed, really wanting to throw myself into bed and sleep all weekend long.

But I couldn't do that. I really needed to shower first. Then I could sleep for as long as I wanted.

Taking a quick shower, I changed into my underwear and threw on my night gown over the top before emerging from the ensuite. Passing the bed I wanted to dive face first into, I walked to the cupboard and pulled out some pyjamas. Returning to the bed I noticed something lying on my pillow. Walking over to the bed, I picked the folded piece of parchment. I looked down at the now all too familiar handwriting and felt my mouth part slightly in shock when read what was written on the parchment.

Reasons that Harry James Potter Wants to Change the Surname of a Certain Miss Jones

AKA, the Woman He's Madly in Love With

AKA, Hopefully the Future Mrs Potter

AKA, Hopefully the Mother of His Future Children

Folding the parchment up again, I put it on the bedside table and scanned the room for Harry. I knew from his note that he was bound to be in here somewhere.

"Harry?" I called out quietly, looking around the room. "Where are you?"

From the corner of my eye I saw something move and turned my head towards the movement. Harry appeared from beneath his invisibility cloak in the corner of the room. Folding the cloak up, he set it aside and met my eyes, swallowing nervously. He avoided my eyes for a moment before collecting himself and meeting my eyes.

"Well?" He asked cautiously as he approached me. Sitting beside me on the bed, he let out a deep breath before reaching out to take a hold of one of my hands. Raising his eyes to mine once again, he smiled gently. "Will you marry me?"

I stayed silent for a while, enjoying the way my silence made him wary. Was there a point in asking me? My answer should have been obvious to him. It wasn't like I'd move in with him if I wasn't serious about our relationship.

"Of course I'll marry you, you stupid man." I muttered, leaning towards him to wrap my arms around him and closing the distance between us.

He returned the hug, laughing in utter relief. His arms tightened around me and I grinned, burrowing my face in his neck.

"Well that's a relief because I don't think I could return the ring if you said no."

I pulled away from him. "You bought a ring?"

"I wasn't going to propose without a ring. What do you take me as?" He frowned slightly, but it was clearly fake. He couldn't hold his frown for long, the smile he tried to hide appearing on his face. "What kind of person proposes without a ring?"

"Harry –"

"But I didn't buy it." He reached into his pocket and pulled out a black velvet box. Handing the box to me, he watched me open it. It was beautiful. "It's my Mum's – Dad gave it to her when he proposed."

"Oh Harry, it's perfect." I leaned over and pressed a short kiss to his lips. Pulling away from him I went to take the ring out of the box but he snatched the box out of my hand. Looking up at him in surprise I watched him stand up.

"Let's do this properly." He said, dropping down to one knee in front of me.

"I'm wearing my bathrobe and you want to do this properly?" I asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Humour me." He looked up at me with a smile, reaching out to take a hold of my hand. Taking a deep breath, he turned serious. "Will you do me the honour of becoming my wife?"

"Yes."

He grinned widely, slipping the ring on my finger and catching my lips in a kiss when he went to stand up. I wrapped my arms around his shoulder, pulling away with a grin.

"Harry," I said quietly as he leaned down to press a kiss to my nose. "How long were you hiding under the cloak for? I came home late today."