"Fred," Florence half gasped, her eyes still fixated on the ring, "Fred I—"

"I know what you're going to say. We're too young, we're still building lives for ourselves but honestly I don't care about any of that. Yes, this might also be because you almost died, but Flo... I'm certain. I'm certain that I don't want anyone else." he said, still clutching the open velvet box, now in a sitting position.

"You don't even have to think about this as an engagement ring. I mean it is, but, you can think of it as a promise. A promise that I will marry you, and that I will be yours for as long as I'm alive. That I'll love you for as long as I'm alive. If you'll allow me to, that is..." he said solemnly, tears brimming in Florence's eyes, both of her hands clamped against her mouth, to express how absolutely speechless she was.

"Flo?" he asked again, after a few beats of silence, "No pressure, but, now would be a good time to say something..."

This made her laugh, swiping at the tears building in her eyes before cupping his face in her hands, leaning in to kiss him. "Yes, Fred. I'll wear it. A thousand times, yes."

Fred let out a nervous laugh, now crying himself. He shakily took the ring out of the foam, taking Florence's hand and slipping it onto her finger, before encircling her in a hug, "I might be the happiest person alive right now."

"We're tied for that spot, my love."

The last few hours of the day were spent in bliss, the two going out of the apartment to buy food at Diagon alley, as well as a gallon of ice cream from Florean Fortescue's. They had awoken George for supper, the three of them laughing and joking around in conversation, George catching the shimmer on Florence's finger, shooting his brother a look as if to tell him how happy he was for him. He saw it coming from a mile away. If George were going to be completely honest, he had seen this happening from the first time he saw his brother stare at Florence with so much love, that love now more intense than ever.

They all went to bed around a quarter to eleven, Florence and Fred quite excited to be spending their first night together in their room.

Fred had his lamp on still, facing Florence as he lay, a big smile etched on his face. He reached forward, tucking a stray piece of hair behind her ear, "Have I ever told you how absolutely beautiful you are?"

"Yes, but it wouldn't hurt to hear it a few more times," she joked, Fred scooting closer towards her, Florence burrowing herself into his chest, his chin resting on the top of her head.

"Florence Weasley..." he breathed out, the sound of it making him giddy and anxious at the same time, "Has a nice ring to it..."

"Mhm," she murmured in agreement.

"You can keep your last name too, if you'd like," he suggested, "Or you can hyphenate, Price-Weasley."

"I have plenty of time to decide, my love." She pointed out, "Though I want to ask. What's our plan here? Are we going to tell people?"

Fred bit his lip, "I don't know, I didn't think about that... Do you think we should? I don't really know how our families are going to react."

"Oh god, I wonder how Sirius is gonna react," Florence groaned, already anticipating something severely and over the top dramatic. "I'm sure my mum would be fine with it," Fred added, "I mean she likes you."

"You think she'll approve of how young we're doing it?"

"She and my father got engaged around this age too, so probably." Fred revealed, "Plus its not like we're going to get married in a week or two. We'll wait until we find the right time."

"You're right," Florence agreed, "But I think we should put off telling them for a bit."

"If that's what you want, then I'm perfectly fine with it," he said, "Whatever you're comfortable with."

"Thank you," she smiled.

Comfortable silence washed through them, Fred holding her in his arms like he was never going to get another chance to. "I can't believe you're going to marry me."

"Better believe it." she said, now feeling the weight of sleep on her eyelids.

"I feel like you're going to disappear when I wake up tomorrow. Like everything is a dream."

"I'll still be here, my love. I'm not going anywhere. Not anymore."

——————

Florence had gotten up extra early the next morning, knowing she was going to be sharing the bathroom with two equally busy businessmen, who probably needed to use the bathroom at an early time as well. Her eyes fluttered open, the sight of unruly red hair making her heart melt. It was truly a pleasure to wake up to the sight of the person you love sleeping soundly next to you, Florence planting a short but sweet kiss, before departing for the bathroom.

She had cooked them eggs and pancakes after her bath, eating the first batch of pancakes and scrambled eggs as she finished plates for both Fred and George. The smell of breakfast food wafting in the air had roused the twins from their sleep. By the time they had waddled out of their respective rooms in their similar pajama sets, Florence was already changed in to her Auror uniform, and was pouring freshly brewed tea in to cups. "Good morning, boys."

"Freddie," George said, whilst making a beeline towards a plate full of breakfast food, "This is the first time since we've moved here that we're not eating oatmeal for breakfast."

"Don't get too used to it," said Florence, "I don't know if I'll have time to cook every morning."

"That's fine, love. Thank you." Fred gave her a small peck on the cheek, "It smells lovely." George sighed, pushing back a chair so he could dig in.

"I believe it does, George."

"Of course it does," she smiled, before picking up her bag, "You two enjoy, I have to go now or I'll be late. And please wash up. I didn't get the chance to."

"Aye aye," the two said in unison, Florence smiling before slipping out of the door, apparating as soon as she step foot outside the building.

Her smile had diminished as soon as she flooed herself to the Ministry's entrance.

The sight of the building towering over her made her huff in nervousness. She wasn't exactly properly situated mentally yet. Florence didn't know if she could bear walking in to the training room, knowing they had lost a good amount of their colleagues.

She stepped in to the employee's portal, the sight of Ministry workers eyeing her in her uniform briefly before scampering away making her more self conscious and anxious than she already was.

Until she heard a voice call out, a head of bright blonde hair coming to her, a friendly smile on her face.

"Hadley," Florence said, like it was a sigh of relief, bringing her in for a hug, "It's so nice to see you."

"I feel the same way," she said, "I'm so glad you're okay. I was worried sick. I came by to see you a few times but you were knocked out the entire week and I had to head home after a few days. I'm sorry I didn't see you soon enough."

"I understand completely," said Florence, pulling away from the hug to look at her friend, "You needed you break to. What happened was..."

"Harrowing," Hadley finished, "It took everything to convince my family to let me come back. They refused to."

"Mine reacted the same way."

"I just... I need to be here even more now, though. Our friends...they shouldn't die in vain. I feel like I owe it to them to stay and keep fighting."

"We do owe it to them," Florence agreed, offering Hadley her arm to hold. "Now lets get up there and finish what we started."

Hadley smiled softly, linking arms with Florence. Before they started walking, the small glimmer on Florence's finger caught her eyes, her eyebrows raising in question, "New ring?"

Florence flushed a deep shade of red, looking around before whispering, "Yeah, kinda got engaged yesterday...."

"Your ex boyfriend? That ginger who was always passed out in your room when I came to visit you in St. Mungo's?" Hadley chuckled, "Had a feeling something was going to come out of that."

"Yes. Him. My fiancé." Florence said, testing out the word, feeling a million butterflies flutter in her stomach all at once.

She was certain. She loved him so.