Miss you like Crazy

A/N: first published for the R/Hr smutfest on two other sites - and per the rules, I couldn't publish them here until after the end of the fest. I hope this is enjoyable. - D.G.

Ch. 1 - Comparing Loaves

Harry and Ron sat in the kitchen, tucking into a huge pot of Irish stew that Ginny left under a warming charm. It was after midnight, and their shift ran over. Chasing dark wizards, even as trainees, was arduous work. Moments of excitement, madness and terror, tempered with stacks of paperwork.

Harry's home – Grimmauld Place – had been renovated in that first summer after they'd changed the world. Gone were the dark brocades, the green and silver colors. They were replaced with a plethora of gold, maroon, Yellows and Browns, Imperial Purple and Royal Blue. As much as Molly Weasley complained, living here was a benefit. The home was centrally located to the Ministry of Magic, where Ron and Harry worked, along with Hermione too. Ginny was the only one who had a commute, from London to Holyhead, but she didn't mind in the least. The hours the guys kept also didn't make it easier for Arthur and Molly either. They could come home at six after a regular day, or four am after doing after action reports.

It was a blessing that Grimmauld Place was situated conspicuously in Muggle London. Their notoriety was painful at times, especially when Ron went to work at WWW helping George when he had free time. The throngs still gathered when they made an appearance at the Leaky Cauldron, or shopped in Diagon Alley.

Memories of the war were still fresh on wizarding minds, not having the Final Battle less than two years past. When they walked into an establishment, voices lowered, eyes lit up, and hands were held out, in thanks and stories to tell. Some wanted more, but they were politely brushed aside. Only a few didn't like how they handled the situation.

"Ron, are you sure you know what you're doing?"

"Of course I'm sure." Ron finished his first chunk of bread. "Only thing I've been sure of for years."

Ron helped himself to a second bowl of stew.

"Slow down mate, there's more in there. It won't vanish if you don't shovel it in."

"Can't help it; I'm starving."

"You're always starving."

Ron tore a chunk of homemade bread on the table. He sopped up the gravy in the bowl onto it, tearing a huge chunk with his teeth. "Ginny makes some great bread."

"How'd you know it was Ginny's bread?"

"Mum puts a dash of nutmeg and cinnamon in her bread. Ginny uses rosemary. Smell the difference?"

Harry looked down and saw the little flecks of green in the bread. "No wonder why they don't taste the same. I never knew that."

"You didn't pay attention, did you?"

"I never noticed that before. I was too busy eating my first tasty meal of the summer."

"Don't let Ginny hear you say that."

Harry rolled his eyes before looking down at his empty bowl. "I think I'll get more before you finish the pot."

"Very funny, Harry."

Harry ladled out more stew into his own bowl, then tearing his own chunk of bread for his gravy. "It's not like this isn't unexpected," he said before taking a bite.

"I know, but I've been planning it out for months."

Harry sat there gobsmacked. "Months? You're serious."

"I've been thinking about it since the day she woke at Shell Cottage."

"Merlin, you've got it bad. No wonder why the house sounds haunted most days."

Ron held his spoon before his mouth. He'd ignored Harry's obvious cheek. "I'm tired of waiting. She feels the same way." He put the lamb and carrot laden spoon in his mouth.

Harry grinned mischievously. "Really? She's never said."

Ron looked down at the loaf of bread. He tore another piece off. "She doesn't speak about it. But I know her."

Harry grinned. "Well, yea. You get in her knickers daily."

Ron grinned back. "Well, she's amazing, and not just in the sack."

"Please, no more details than I unfortunately know. Bad enough I hear you on occasion, much less see you too."

"Merlin, Harry, we can't help it you have piss poor timing. Damn wand blocker."

Harry chuckled. "Well, it's not like the two of you stay in your bedroom all the time either."

"You're a riot Harry. Bad enough you're shagging my sister. I don't need to see it either, you tosser."

Harry tossed a sugar cube at Ron. He caught it and put it in his steaming cup of freshly poured tea. "Rot your teeth you will."

"Nah. Dr. Granger checks them often."

"You go see him, do you?"

"I figure it's a small price to pay for shagging his daughter. It's not like he doesn't realize."

"When'd he figure that out, mate?"

"We were staying with them about two weeks before returning home from that first trip. Hermione forgot to do a silencing charm, and they heard us in the shower."

"Wow!" Harry put his hand to his forehead, imitating a headache.

"They did. Facing Mrs. Granger was bad enough. I was red like a tomato, and she only laughed before walking away. I think I heard her mutter something along the lines of Takes after her mother.

Harry laughed.

"Dr. Granger was another story. We talked for two hours in his library, without the women present. I thought he'd tear my bits from my bum. But once he opened his office, and Hermione had that row with him, we were fine."

"She rowed with her Dad?"

"Sure did. I did a very hasty silencing charm around the room so the neighbors didn't hear them. No wonder where Hermione gets it from."

Harry looked down at his empty bowl. "You got the ring?"

Ron pulled the small gold velvet bag from his pocket, laying it down in front of Harry. "Go on, open it."

Harry untied the bag, and opened the black velvet box inside. Nestled inside was a half carat deep blue sapphire ring, flanked with two small diamonds on a silver band. Harry looked up in shock. "Blimey Ron! Where'd you get this? It must have cost you a fortune."

Ron blushed, illuminating his ears. "I saved every knut I've made while working for George. She's worth every one I'll ever make."

"G_d, Ron, she's got you pussywhipped."

"Not like my sister doesn't?"

Harry laughed.

"Look inside the band."

Harry did as asked, and on the inside of the band were the tops of runes. "The matching band has the bottom ones. When you put them together properly, and say the specific charm, the ring will seal into one."

"How much did that bit of magic set you back?"

"Told you, mate. She's worth it. She's my everything."

Harry placed the engagement ring back inside the box, on top of the diamond encrusted band, and closed the box. He pushed it aside, and looked at his best mate. "I've had Ginny's ring for a while now."

"You have? Why haven't you proposed yet?"

"It's Mum's ring." Harry was quiet for a minute. "Ron, you're my best mate, and I want to stand in your shadow. I want you to have something of your own, something independent of me, something to shine for."

Ron looked down at the table in front of him. His thoughts churned, threatening the double shot that his emotions graduated to.

"Look, Ron, go first, please."

"Why me?" he intoned.

Harry looked away at the door to the parlor. He knew Ron was upset, but didn't want to call him on it. "Why not you? I seem to recall you saving my life. That amounts to something in my book."

He stole a glance out of the corner of his glasses, watching a gorm-like smile cross his face.

"It does, doesn't it?"

"Sure does. My hero goes first."

Ron flashed his patent lopsided grin.

"You mentioned your mum's ring. Dad know that?"

"Yea. We talked a year ago."

"But Ginny – "

"She knows." Harry cut across him. "We talk too. She's busy and wants this career. I don't mind waiting for her this go round. We'll wait until after you're married before I propose."

Harry grabbed the last morsel of bread, spooning it around the gravy in his bowl. "Now go on, you wanker. Go get a leg over."

"It's almost one. You know Hermione'll be a wench if I wake her now."

"Yea, right. Ginny tells me she's up 'til midnight every night studying. She won't be that far asleep for a How's your father?

Ron laughed, backing the bench away from the long table. "Probably right. Just don't let me hear you tonight. I don't need the nightmares."

"But it's Valentine's Day. Has been for almost an hour."

"Still don't want to hear you, cheeky bugger."

"Same to you!" Harry yelled as Ron was going through the door to the parlor.