Chapter 2:
And I Don't Want To Go Home Right Now
Hermione's doorbell rang about an hour later and she rushed to open the door. Ron didn't utter a greeting but pulled her into his arms and kissed her long and hard. She blushed deeply when they pulled apart and then set off to grab her purse and jacket so that they could leave.
"You look lovely" he breathed in her ear as they set off down the street.
He had his arm around her waist as he led her to the brightly lit building that had opened its doors the previous week. Hermione had moved to Diagon Alley shortly after she left Hogwarts and now lived within walking distance of most of the places that she greatly adored. Charmed was down the street from her flat, now standing where the Leaky Cauldron had previously occupied. It was made of rose marble and had bright shining lights that attracted all who passed. Ron led her through the front door and right to a table for two in a back corner on which a sign had been placed stating "Reserved". Conversation flowed lightly and easily throughout the entire meal, pausing only as they ate their favorite dishes prepared in new and different ways. Hermione asked Ron what was new in the Department of Magical Games and Sports, where he had worked for two years now. He, in turn, asked her how things were going at St. Mungo's. Hermione had chosen to become a healer and research magically induced injuries when she had left Hogwarts. She was very pleased with the decision that she had made. Hermione felt that she was doing something important with her skills and was steadily working her way up through development and discoveries. Conversation changed to Harry and his new quest to ask Ginny out, which was proving to be more difficult than defeating the Dark Lord. After dessert, Ron asked Hermione to join him for a stroll. She accepted and they headed towards a part of Diagon Alley that she had never been before. Here, there were fields filled with wild flowers and an occasional country house. Further down the road, Hermione saw a magnificent oak tree strung with lanterns. Underneath its branches was a checkered blanket and candle light. She uttered a small "Oh" of surprise and felt Ron's eyes on her as they continued down the lane.
When they reached the mighty tree, Hermione saw that Ron had bought a bottle of her favorite champagne. Right next to the oak as a CD player which was emitting muggle love songs. Hermione had known that Ron was going to propose tonight, but she did not expect him to go to such great lengths to make it special. He sat down and she followed suit. For awhile (Hermione had lost all sense of time), Ron turned so that they were facing each other and began to speak.
"Hermione, I know that we're young and that I'm irresponsible. I have never understood why you would ever waste your time with a bloke like me. I didn't always see you for what you were-- a beautiful, intelligent, kind, thoughtful woman that I couldn't possibly live without. It took me forever to realize what was in front of me the entire time, but the truth is that I love you. I've always loved you and I always will. There are no words to describe what I feel because if there were, I would use them. I almost lost you once because I was too stupid or shy or whatever, but I'm not letting you get away. Hermione Jane Granger, you're the most amazing person that I have or will ever meet. Please do me the honor of being my wife."
He bent on one knee in front of her and held out a sparkling diamond engagement ring. Hermione burst into tears as she stared into the eyes of the person she loved most in the world. She nodded and mouthed "yes" for it was impossible for her to speak due to the flood of emotion that had washed over her. They embraced and Ron slid the gorgeous ring onto her finger. After awhile, they started laughing and neither one could quite contain their giddiness. Ron moved over to the CD player and tried to change the song. After about ten minutes, he apparently succeeded because he made his way over to Hermione and asked her to dance. She stood up and put her hands on his shoulders as he pulled her towards him. He flicked his wand lazily and music began to play. He whispered in her ear
"They were playing this when I bought your ring. It reminded me of you."
The words drifted through the air like a soft wind tickling their faces as they danced in the moonlight.
"And I'd give up forever to touch you
'Cause I know that you feel me somehow
You're the closest to Heaven that I'll ever be
And I don't want to go home right now…"
Hermione looked up at Ron and took in everything about him. She wanted to remember everything about this moment for the rest of her life. They swayed gently to the music as the stars twinkled above their heads. They danced for a long time, even after the music ended, because neither one of them really wanted to go home.
A/N: The lyrics above are from Iris by the GooGoo Dolls...Thanks for Reading!
