Author's Note: Hey guys! This is my first ever FanFiction, which I wrote for my favorite series ever (HP of course)! Please tell me what you think of it. I would love any reviews or constructive criticism. Hope you enjoy my story!
Disclaimer: My name is not J.K. Rowling. I don't own Harry Potter (duh!).
Marry Me?
Chapter 1
Ron felt decidedly out of place as he hurried down Albemarle Street, tugging at his tie and readjusting his ill-fitting suit jacket. He searched both sides of the road for his elusive destination, dodging brusque Muggles headed for home. At last, he arrived at the store – Garrard, a high-end jewelry shop. He began to reach for the door handle, but hesitated. For a moment, his nerves seemed to get the better of him, and he considered turning around and forgetting his mission and his plans. However, his inner voice nudged him onward – Stick it out, mate! Come on! She's the best thing that's ever happened to you, and you can't let her slip away again! A determined look set on his facial features, Ron opened the door, steeling himself against foolishness and nerves. As he looked into the shop, his first thoughts were, Ginny was right. This place really is posh! The floors were marble, and sparkling display cases lined the walls, diamonds and gemstones shimmering inside. To Ron, the whole place positively screamed fancy, stylish – and stuck up. He looked about for a moment, disoriented by the bright Muggle lights, until a snobbish salesman with a trim moustache hurried over. He looked Ron up and down with distaste, sneering at his mismatched clothing and rumpled hair.
"Hello, welcome to Garrard. My name is Richard, what are you looking for today?" the Muggle drawled, smothering a yawn behind his hand.
"I'm interested in choosing an engagement ring for my girlfriend," Ron answered curtly, annoyed at the man's blatant rudeness.
"We have a large selection of handmade, one-of-a-kind engagement rings here at Garrard. Any particular vision, or were you just planning on 'winging it'?" Richard asked, still with a bored look on his face. Ron was infuriated! What gave this Muggle the right to speak to a paying customer in that manner? He vowed to impress the salesman with the facts he had learned in Ginny's "Diamonds Crash Course".
"Yes, I'm looking for some very specific characteristics. For the main diamond itself, it must be a flawless, colorless diamond, preferably 3 carats. It should be set in 24 carat gold. I'm prepared to be flexible on the design, but nothing too ostentatious now! My beautiful Hermione is intelligent and modest. Still, it should be pretty – we favor a princess cut, and I'd also like diamonds inlaid in the rest of the band. Do you have anything like that available? I am also willing to have a ring custom made. After all, nothing is too good for her!" Ron smirked at the flabbergasted look on the salesman's face. He wasn't used to feeling such power and intelligence. However, money brought power, and as it turned out, three solid gold Galleons could bring in quite a bit of Muggle cash. He was feeling very powerful and very pleased with himself; it was almost as though he was under a spell. He felt so polished and in control, very unlike his usual goofy, clumsy self. I must remember to thank Ginny when I see her next, Ron thought to himself. Blimey, her lessons were helpful!
"W-well, s-s-sir," the other man stammered, trying to no avail to recover his suave demeanor, "I'm sure w-we can find something suitable to your needs. Let me escort you to our engagement ring section." Richard led Ron to a plush lift, which carried them up to the third floor of the store.
"Now, please, sir, take a look around and see if there is one that stands out to you. Let me know if you need any assistance on pricing or if you want a closer look," the salesman said, positively groveling after Ron's little speech.
"Oh, don't worry, sir," Ron said with a smile. "Money is no object." He began to stroll around the room, wishing Ginny was there to help him. Though he had put on a polished front for the salesman, he was so confused! His head began to spin as he looked through display case after display case. He couldn't decide what was right for Hermione, and he began to panic. Focus, mate! he said to himself. This is Hermione. Hermione. You've known her forever. You know everything about her. Just look around and find something she'd like. Nothing too big, but something pretty. Something unique, just like her, and beautiful like her too. You can pay for it. Just look around the room. The perfect ring is here somewhere. You just have to find it. Ron continued repeating his mantra as he sorted through sparkling diamonds. Each was beautiful, but they were all missing that special something which screamed "Hermione!" He was beginning to lose hope when he finally came to the last case in the room, and there it was. Sitting right there in the middle on a velvet stand, winking at him and catching the light. It was a three-diamond design, with a large princess cut stone in the center, and a smaller gem on either side. It was beautiful, but not large or gaudy. Ron could picture it on Hermione's slender finger. He could see himself down on one knee, sliding it on. He could see her gasping with pleasure and excitement, admiring it and showing it off. At that moment, he knew it was the ring for him, and the ring for her.
"Richard!" he called. The salesman had been standing nervously in a corner of the room. "I've found the ring I'd like!" Richard hurried over, pulling a key out of the pocket of his suit jacket. He unlocked the case and pulled out the ring Ron had chosen.
"That is a beautiful ring, sir! 3.5 carats total; the main stone is 2.5 carats and the two smaller ones are each half a carat. And you've chosen a flawless stone, just as you wanted. I'm sure your dear lady will simply adore it. Now, we must discuss pricing; this ring is worth 40,000 euros. How will you be paying today?"
"Oh, I think I'll be paying in paper money, if that's all right," Ron answered. He moved off to the side and began to count out the Muggle money. Let's see, so if that's a one hundred, then I'll need…400 of those. Bollocks! Now, how am I going to count this all out? It's so strange that Muggles use all this paper to pay for things! Wizarding money is so much simpler! He struggled through as Richard looked on incredulously. Finally, Ron handed Richard a large stack of paper money.
"40,000 euros, I do believe," Ron said, smiling widely. Richard took the money, still looking quite shell-shocked.
"Very…very good, sir," Richard said. "Now, I suppose…I suppose I'll just box this up, then." He seemed a bit confused, but recovered swiftly. He pulled a black velvet box from underneath the counter and set Hermione's ring carefully in it. Handing it to Ron, he made a funny little bow.
"Thank you for your business here today, sir. I hope the proposal goes well, and she loves the ring. I'm sure she will; satisfaction is guaranteed here at Garrard. Good day now!"
"Good day to you, Richard, and thank you for your assistance. I'm sure she will love the ring," Ron said. He left the shop, and returned to bustling Albemarle Street, immediately tripping over a vendor's cart. Now, there's only one thing left to do, thought Ron as he stepped into a deserted alley. And it's the most important part. Merlin's beard, I hope it goes well.
And with that encouraging thought, he promptly Disapparated.
A/N: So, what did you think? Like it, love it, hate it? Review please! It would make my day :) I hope to have another chapter up soon! -TigerLily