Disclaimer: The characters in this story are the creations of the great writer, J.K. Rowling. Some of the info that is used is found in the Harry Potter novels by Rowling, for instance, Ron becoming a Prefect. The only thing that belongs to me as the writer is the actual scenes the characters go through. The story starts in the characters 7th year, which makes them 17 years old, 1997. Just imply during the prologue, Ron and Hermione have been going out. Many thanks for my partners in crime for helping me get on a running start – the great fanfiction writers hfan2002 and Kara Black.

This Time Around

Prologue:

"Man, I can't believe this is our last year at Hogwarts, Harry. I still remember our first day on the train together."

"I can't imagine how fast seven years has gone by and now we're done."

Ron and Harry carefully packed their trunks with all their clothes and belongings they accumulated over the years. Harry on his side of the room, with his black hair still tousled, shirtsleeves rolled up, and tie loosened, was packing his fire bolt into his trunk when he noticed Ron was looking at something in his hands that looked rather small. Harry didn't think much of it and continued to fit his Firebolt into his trunk.

A few minutes passed and a knock came upon their door. Hermione's face poked through the opened door, her brown hair in waves and a black hat sat upon her head. She had her black robe on and a pin jangled near her breast with gold letters that said 'Prefect'.

"You boys better get ready; we're almost ready to head down to the Great Hall."

"Ok Hermione, we'll be there." Harry said.

Hermione smiled, closed the door and continued her rounds.

"You almost ready there Ron?"

"Er yeah. Hey Harry, do you think I should do it?" Ron turned around to face Harry.

Harry contorted his face and said, "Do what?"

"Ask her?"

"Ask who?" Ron looked up from the object in his hand and smiled at Harry's question. "Who? Hermione?" Harry questioned, glancing at the door, though it was shut. "Ask her what?"

"If I should marry her." Ron looked back at his hands.

"Don't you need a ring for that?"

Ron held up his thumb and index finger and in between sat a golden, antique ring with a red gem on top. "It's a family heirloom; the prefect in the family gets it and passes it on to the next prefect whoever it may be. Percy finally gave it to me this year. You know how he was our 5th year. He didn't think I was 'worthy' until this late summer, said I'd finally matured." Ron gave a funny face as if it was some sort of a joke and continued, "Anyway, I'm going to use it till I save enough money." He looked down, sheepishly, "My mum doesn't know yet."

Not listening to his final statement, Harry bopped his mate on the shoulder, "Ron, that's brilliant! When are you going to do it mate?"

"That's what I was going to ask you. Should I do it before the feast or after?"

"Er – "

Another knock came to the door.

"Come on Harry and Ron, we're meeting in the common room," an impatient voice rang through the door.

"Ok, Hermione!" Harry shouted back. "Er, Ron," he whispered. "We better get ready."

Harry moved towards his bed, unrolled his sleeves, tightened his tie and slipped on his robe. Ron in the meantime slipped the Prefect ring into his pant pocket, slid on his rugged robe and tie. The duo then closed their trunks and left the room, down the stairs into the common room to find no one there.

Ron and Harry walked out of the portrait and into the corridors toward the great hall. Harry met up with Ginny and went into the Hall. Just before Ron himself entered, he saw Hermione go down the corridor to the girls' bathroom and decided to stand back and wait for her. No sooner had he sat on the stair case, the Great Hall doors closed and he heard the muffled sound of Dumbledore's voice filter through the huge oak doors.

A few minutes passed when Ron noticed Hermione heading towards the doors. He quickly stood up and started heading towards her.

"Hermione," He called. "Wait up!"

Hermione turned around, her hair spun back behind her, free of her hat. "You're mighty late Ron." She smiled.

Ron awkwardly brushed through his hair with his hand. "Listen Hermione, I've got something to say before we head in." Ron grabbed Hermione's hat out of her hands and set it on the floor. As he did so, he also got the ring out of his pant pocket and went down on one knee. "Er . . . Hermione Granger? Er . . ." He brushed through his red hair yet again. "Will you marry me?"

Full of shock and trying to process what had just happened, Hermione just stood there, lost for words, staring at Ron.

Ron looked awkwardly down at the wooden floor, turning the color of his hair.

"Er . . . uh . . . you don't . . . er . . . uh er . . ."

"Oh, Ronald Weasley, yes! Of course I will!"

Ron slipped on the antique ring on Hermione's finger as she bent down to hug him and gently, but passionately, lift him off the floor.

Hermione pulled Ron closer and kissed him. Ron found his left hand going around her neck and the other finding its' way into her robes and finally resting on her thigh under her skirt as Hermione slightly lifted her leg.

Meanwhile, in the Great Hall, Gryffindor had won the house cup for the seventh year in a row and everyone was celebrating; well, everyone, except for Draco and his loyalties, i.e. the rest of Slytherin house.

"Come on, let's get out of here. This disgusts me. Seven years in a bloody row, only to have Potter, Weasel, and the Mudblood take it away from us every time." He growled out. "How the Mudblood and Weasley ever became Prefects is beyond me. In addition, the filthy Mudblood, head girl! It was a rotten year being head boy with that." Draco added completely disgusted. As he finished with his orders to his henchmen, he started standing up. "Crabbe, Goyle, let's go."

The trio stood up and headed towards the great doors. Crabbe and Goyle were in front and Draco in back. The two henchmen grabbed for the handles and opened the doors to reveal to the whole hall, Ron and Hermione passionately kissing with the ring glinting in the starlight from the enchanted ceiling.

The hall fell into dead silence and Draco's gang immediately froze. Hermione slowly lowered her leg, as her and Ron's head turned toward everyone. Hermione quietly laughed as Ron's ears turned bright red. As they held hands, they walked quickly to their regular spots to join their classmates.

"Well, I see a few events have happened outside these festivities." Dumbledore announced, getting everyone's attention. "However, the feast still continues." With the wave of his arms, the gold dessert plates filled with delicious cake, and the hall filled with noise once more as if nothing had ever even disturbed the feast in the first place.