"We've never been normal you and I have we?" Ron began, moving to face Hermione on their bed, lightly stroking her hair away from her face. "But you know, deep down, I think I always knew it was you, Hermione. You who would be there for me, who would love me and except me for who I am, you made it alright to be me. When we were younger I didn't understand my feelings but I think, eventually, I grew into them, enjoyed them. I know I acted like a prick sometimes but I never meant to hurt you, honestly I didn't. I'm so glad you became such a key part of my life, I couldn't imagine it without you, and coming so close to loosing you has made me realise just how much I need you. When I was locked in that basement and couldn't get to you when Bellatrix was, you know, I just, I just… I can't describe how I felt. It was like my whole life was falling apart. I was screaming out for you so so loud, desperate for you to hear me and know that we hadn't left you, that I was still there." Ron was crying as he spoke, and continued, "I was pounding at the walls, scratching at the door trying anything to get out of there and just get to you. I couldn't bear hearing you screaming like you were, it tore through me Hermione and I can honestly say I will never feel pain like that again and I will never, ever let you feel that pain again either, I promise you that."

Hermione had tears streaming down her face as Ron continued, "I love you. With all my heart, soul, body, whatever you want of me, I love you. Always have, always will," Ron said with a small smile. "I'll never feel anything for anyone like I have for you, Hermione. And I swear to you that I will do everything in my power to protect you, care for you. I'd die before I let anything happen to you. I just… thought you should know that before I asked you to marry me."

Ron looked into Hermione's eyes, really looked, and saw such a range of emotions he had no clue how she was feeling. She looked scared, upset, happy, confused, so many things that Ron had no idea what her reply would be.

Hermione couldn't breathe… She didn't know what to say, well she had so many things to say, but she didn't know where to start. She was so taken aback by Ron's truthfulness, boldness and the pure emotion he had in his voice. She didn't think she could ever love anyone more.

"Oh, Ron," Hermione began, wiping away his tears as she attempted to form a sentence. "I love you, so so much. And everything you said, I feel exactly the same way, I could never love anyone as much as I love you. When you left last year you broke me, truly broke me, I couldn't pick myself back up. Harry, poor Harry, he had no idea what to do with me, and I had no way of explaining how I felt, I couldn't put it into words. It was too hard, too painful. And then you came back, you came back to me Ron and for that I will never be able to thank you enough."

"Hermione, I truly am sorry fo.."

"No, don't apologise, I understand, the point is Ron, you came back. That's all that matters to me. And I am never letting you go again. Of course, I'll marry you, I couldn't think of a single person I'd rather spend the rest of my life with. You've been there for me every step of the way Ron, even when I was being an unreasonable, moody, erratic know-it-all; you stuck by me, stood up for me. I need you. You're my best friend."

Ron lips crashed down on Hermione's at her words as he tried to show her just how much she meant to him.

Authors note:

Just a little drabble that I had in my head and had to write. Was listening to 'Shattered' by Trading Yesterday when I wrote this and that definitely gave me some inspiration.

Hope you enjoy