For Hermione, it was just another day at the Burrow. There were chores to do, spells to practice, and twins to keep out of trouble. Right now, Hermione was helping Mrs. Weasley cook dinner. They were cutting up ingredients for the future meal.

Mrs. Weasley smiled at Hermione. "Just cut up a few more of those fruits, dear, and I think you've got it."

"Thank you for letting me stay here, Mrs. Weasley. I really do appreciate it."

Mrs. Weasley stopped chopping the radishes she was chopping, and she embraced Hermione suddenly. "I think of you like you are my own child, and my children may come to my house whenever they want to."

"Why thank you, Mrs. Weasley!"

"You're welcome."

Hermione loved it when they got along, and they usually did….until she brought up Ron.

"Hermione dear, when are you going to marry Ron? I know it must be soon."

You see, Hermione just didn't feel like she loved Ron enough to marry him yet. She didn't even know if she truly loved like that at all. Sure, they were friends, but that's all she wanted. The strange thing was that she couldn't find any guys that were fitting to her taste.

She wasn't really that picky…was she? Of course not…

"I honestly don't know when, sorry."

"You need to do it soon, because he really does love you." As if on cue, Ron burst into the kitchen. He wrapped his arms around Hermione's waist and kissed her on the neck.

"Hello, Hermione. Are you having a nice stay?" Ron asked innocently. Hermione tried to wiggle out of Ron's grasp, but couldn't.

She said finally, "Yes, I suppose I have had some fun. Can you…um, get off of me for a moment?"

Realizing that she really wasn't comfortable with his arms around her like that, Ron removed his arms and stared down at the ground. "Sorry about that…"

"It's okay."

"Well, I'll go then. Just wanted to see how you were holding up around here…"

Hermione gave him a small wave as he turned around and left. "Bye, Ronald."

Later that night at dinner, Hermione sat down at the large table like usual ready to eat some of the delicious food she had created earlier that evening, but this time she noticed something was up. Everybody smiling more than usual and Ron was not at the table when she got there. Usually he was the first one to sit down and shove food into his face…

Then she saw it. He was standing against the side of the door with a small velvet box in one hand, and his other hand and his side. Everything grew quiet when they saw him, and everybody around her was radiating with bliss. She knew now what was happening.

"Hermione, I loved you….and I have loved you for a very long time, actually…"

Hermione whispered, "No, Ron, no. " He continued anyways, not hearing her pleas to stop.

"I realized, long ago, that you were the one I was going to marry, and so here I am. May I ask of your hand in marriage? I promise you I will be the best husband possible!"

Hermione stared at Ron, not knowing how to turn him down without hurting his feelings. Anticipation was growing heavy in the air around them.

She didn't want to upset him too badly. "Oh…um…"

Harry cheered, "Look, she's totally flabbergasted! Score!"

"I am so happy for you, Ronald, finally getting a girl." George applauded. He was clapping his hands above his head and Fred was whistling. Hermione began freak out at the situation.

No! No! No! I didn't want to lead him on! Ach! No, stop it everybody!

Hermione told him forcefully, "No, I can't marry you! I'm sorry, Ronald…"

Mrs. Weasley sent Hermione a small look of disgust, and Harry looked embarrassed for cheering so loud earlier. The table was silent as Ron turned around walked away.

He didn't return for dinner the rest of the evening.