Hermione got up from the table, sending Ron a teasing glare. He had just walked in through the doorway of their shared apartment three hours later than usual. In fact, he was usually already home by the time she arrived, waiting with take-out without fail.
"Where have you been? You're never not home by six!" Hermione completed her Molly Weasley imitation by placing one hand on her hip and waving the other (which held a spatula) around in the air. Ron sniggered, but ran his fingers though his hair in a manner reminiscent of Harry. What was wrong with him?
He looked her in the eye as she stepped closer to him, wiping his hands on his shirt. Why did he look so nervous?
"Ron..."
He gulped down some air and seemed to recover. Ron put his hands up in front of him and Hermione stopped.
"Hermione, what does 'novation' mean?" he asked, and Hermione felt baffled.
"Why is that relevant?" she asked in return. But Ron only shook his head, waiting for the answer to his question. "Well," continued Hermione, looking up at the ceiling as if the definition was written there "it means 'to introduce something new'. It's also used in muggle law when they-"
"The introduction of something new, right?" He restated, and Hermione furrowed her brows before nodding briefly. "Hermione, I have a propostition for you. I would like to, ahem, novate something."
"Ron, that's not how you use the word..." he wasn't listening. Ron was fumbling around his pocket, looking increasingly red. Finally, he procured something that looked a tiny box. Was that-?
"Hermione Granger, will you marry me?" He kneeled down on one knee and Hermione blushed.
She nodded mutely, unable to comprehend what was happening for a moment. And then again, more frantically. Her eyes were opened wide and her heart was beating madly. He was serious! she pulled him up and brought him into a searing kiss. When they finally broke apart, Ron took the beautiful ring from the box and placed it on her finger. Hermione smiled hugely - it was a perfect fit!
This is the first of 365 drabble-type chapters that I have to write for a challenge I signed up for. Each chapter will be inspired by dictionary . com's word of the day. It's for the 366 Days of Words Word a day challenge at HPFC.
This chapter's word was "Novation", as you probably guessed, and this was my not-so creative use of it in a chapter. :D I will probably get another chapter up today, and for the next few days, because I have to catch up (I didn't - obviously - start on the first).
Review?