A/N: This is about the years AFTER Ron got with Hermione and Harry got with well.....you'll see. Sorry to those of you who are against the whole R/H thing, and to those of you who don't want to see Harry as the bad guy!! Very romantic and angsty, so enjoy!! Please don't flame me too bad, and no, I don't own Harry, Ron, Hermione, or any of the other charactors from Harry Potter, so please don't sue me!!!
Out Of the Frying Pan, Into The Oven
Sunlight danced through the large French windows across from the bed onto Ron's face, making him squeeze his eyes shut, then open them. He rolled his head over to look next to him. Hermione lay asleep, breathing out of her mouth and making a slight whiffling sound. Ron smiled. He couldn't help but find that normally annoying habit cute. He threw back the sheets and stepped out, stretching. Hermione rolled over, revealing the baby-blue pajamas she was wearing. Ron stepped over to the mirror on the wall above the boxes to run a hand through his flaming red hair. It stuck out all over the place. He sighed. 'Never could tame it' he thought bitterly to himself.
Turning around to make sure she was still asleep, the nineteen-year-old Ron went over to the box that served as a temporary nightstand near his bed. 'We're really going to have to start unpacking if I work up the guts tonight'. With one last look, he kneeled down and opened the box. After a bit of searching, he found a small hand bag, and pulled it out. Reaching inside, he pulled out a small, velvet box. He opened it and it made a slight creaking sound. He winced and looked over. Yep, still asleep. With a sigh of relief he looked inside.
A ring with a golden band with a single, sparkling diamond lay in the silk-lined box. Ron smiled a sad smile. If he had been any richer, the ring would have been much more elaborate. But no, he was still the poor kid who had to wear the second hand robes. But she didn't care. He shut the box as quietly as he could, but it slipped from his fingers and closed with a loud SNAP! then clattering on the wooden floor. He cursed under his breath.
"Ron? What are you doing?" Hermione asked sleepily.
He could feel his face getting hot. "Nothing, I was just uh, get ready and um, trying to find my clothing box. Do you remember which one it was?"
She pointed to a corner near the bathroom. "That one."
He smiled but his ears burned against his head. "Thanks dearest."
"Mmmhmm." she replied, rolling over again and falling asleep.
He cursed under his breath again. 'So damn clumsy!'
Picking up the small box holding the engagement ring and tucked it carefully back into the bag, then back into the nightstand/box.
He sat down on the floor, his back against the wall and surveyed the tiny apartment. Two weeks ago she had suggested they move in here, and he had obliged. His mother had of course insisted on paying at least a little bit, so here it was. The only piece of furniture they had so far was the bed and the boxes holding their clothes and other possessions. It may have been small, but it was quaint. Herm loved it, so why should they fuss over something bigger that she might not like as much?
They'd been dating for at least five months now, and everyday was a surprise. Ron marveled at just how lucky he was to have gotten her. He remembered back at Hogwarts; always gawking and staring at her, never able to work up the courage to ask her out. And now here he was, in almost the same situation, only this was ten times more serious. He was proposing.
Hermione had been dropping those ten pound hints that are so easily recognized that she wants marriage that it wasn't even funny. The fact was, so did Ron. It was just a matter of courage. Courage that took forever for him to work up. He sighed. 'What am I going to do?'
When Hermione woke up, Ron was gone. A small piece of parchment rested next to her on the floor. Blinking owlishly, she read it over:
Gone to Harry's: Be back soon.
Love,
Ron
She sighed. It seemed like he was spending more and more time there than here. Whatever could they be talking about?
A smile suddenly crept up her face. 'Working up courage for a proposal perhaps?' but no. He was well, a bit of a coward when it came that sort of thing. The smile faded. Probably just guy stuff, or one of Harry's new girlfriends. Oh well, may as well try and unpack this place.
She got up out of bed and walked over to the nearest box, which happened to be the one that was Ron's things. An alarm clock, comb, a small lamp, and toothbrush rested on it. She chuckled. Figures he'd use the nearest thing to use as his nightstand.
She placed the stuff on the floor next to the box, and then opened it up. Inside were some of his articles of clothing, his wand, and a few pieces of parchment, along with a quill or two. She placed them all carefully on the floor around her. After unpacking, she would put it all away together. At the bottom of the box was a small black handbag. Frowning in thought, she tried to think of what it was. She picked it up, and something feel out onto the floor in front of her bend knees. It was a small, black, velvet box.
Furrowing her brow even further, she picked it up and looked it over. She opened it up and then gasped. Inside was a small golden band with one single diamond on it. Her hand flew to her mouth as she held it up with her other hand. It was plain, yes, but it was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen.
"So he is talking about engagement with Harry!" She exclaimed out loud. She carefully picked the ring out of the box and inspected it by holding it up in the air. The urge to put it on overcame her, and she slowly slipped it on over her right hand ring finger, where it glittered in the buttery sunlight that poured from the windows. Tears sprung into her eyes, but not tears of sadness. She was so happy! Remembering that Ron would be home soon, she hastily tried to pull the ring off her finger, but too quickly. It slipped from her grasp and rolled for the vent. "NO!" she yelled out, and quick grabbed Ron's wand.
"Freezeramajorie!" she screamed, and the ring froze in mid-roll, right about to fall over the edge. She breathed out a sigh of relief, and then went over and picked it up. Walking back, she put it in the small black box, and then back into the handbag.
"He can't know I know." she said to no one in particular. "If and when he proposes, you have to be totally surprised!"
She continued to unpack the rest of the boxes, but that small engagement ring and the sparkling diamond continued to flood her mind.