Prompt: 500 words or less with the theme: Locked in a bathroom on Valentine's Day
Locked in a Bathroom
Ron pounded on the bathroom door. "Help!" he screamed, desperate for someone to hear him. how could this have happened? The Ministry's annual Valentine's Day party was underway and Ron had stopped into the bathroom for a spell, missing the sign that said "DO NOT LOCK: JINX HAS YET TO BE SORTED OUT". Ron didn't have his wand with him – and as much as he screamed and pounded the sounds of music and laughter seemed to drown out his distress.
He slumped to the bathroom floor, the fight leaving him, and pulled out the small black box from his pocket; staring at its contents desperately. The glittery diamonds twinkled back mockingly.
Ron had been working to save up for this ring for years. He was going to propose to Hermione on what could arguably be the most romantic day of the year. He had even found them a flat of their own. But then he had to go and get himself locked in the bathroom. Surely someone would notice him missing? The raucous sounds from the party filled him with doubt. Eventually someone would realize he was missing and come looking for him.
Ron put away the engagement ring and stared at the pattern on the bathroom floor. The geometric pattern created optical illusions and he stared at it for ages. Sometime later after he'd counted all the diamonds – 438 – and all of the interwoven 'M's on the ceiling tiles – 974 – he heard a noise that had him leaping to his feet; the doorknob was rattling.
"Hello!" he called.
"Oh don't use that one Harry." He heard faintly from the other side. "Someone's jinxed it so it won't unlock."
"Harry! Harry help! I'm in here!" Ron screamed, pounding on the door for effect.
"Ron?" Harry's voice sounded close, as though he might be leaning against the door.
"Oh thank God. I'm trapped Harry."
Suddenly his best friend was next to him. Ron threw his arms around Harry.
"Am I glad to see you! I don't have my wand; it's in Hermione's bag and no one could hear me!"
"Good thing we can apparate out of here. Come on."
Harry side-long apparated Ron out of the bathroom.
"You're a lifesaver Harry."
A bell chimed in the distance, Ron looked at his watch.
"Blimey it's midnight! ?" Ron raced through the crowd of people, searching for the bushy brunette hair of his girlfriend.
He found her talking to Kingsley and he ran to her. How many chimes had he heard? Five? The sixth rang out. He wouldn't make it. Seven.
"Hermione!" Eight.
"Ron, where have you been?" Nine.
"Marry me?" he dropped to his knee. Ten.
"What?" Hermione gasped at the diamond he presented. Eleven.
"Marry me, please?" Twelve.
"Oh Ron, yes!" happy tears came to her eyes.
Ron sighed, relieved as he slipped the ring onto her finger. "I love you."