"Hermione? You there?" Ginny questioned, her disembodied head sticking out of the fireplace.
"Yeah, Gin, what's up?"
"Can you come over for a bit? Harry's at work, and I have nothing to do."
"Sure."
Hermione grabbed a pinch of glittery green Floo powder, sprinkled it into the fire, and vanished into the now emerald green flames.
…………………………………………………………………………………………….
"Anything wrong, or just lonely?"
"Nothing, just bored. But still ecstatic!"
"Of course. I still can't believe he proposed, and so beautifully!"
"I know, I was crying. From shock, and sentiment."
"God, I wish Ron had it in him to propose like that. He'd probably just get me drunk and then ask me."
"Well, there's Ron for you. Can't find a more…straightforward guy."
"Well, I wish my 'straightforward guy' had emotions."
"Don't worry, he loves you insanely."
"But sometimes, you know, I want him to want to bring me flowers, or chocolate, or just Apparate in randomly for lunch. I want him to be like Harry! I know perfectly well he loves me, but I want him to show me! Harry is positively latched on to you! Ron…isn't. And I want that."
"Oh, sweetie, I'm sorry. But it's just not his utter lack of affection, is it…? Are you a bit…dare I say it?"
"Don't! My conscience was poking me about it all last night! I already feel terrible enough, don't make it worse."
"Well, I was going to say lonely, but jealous works as well. 'Mione, don't worry…we can manipulate Ron into doing whatever the hell we want. All we need is a plan!"
At this, Ginny smiled wickedly. Hernione wore a rather concerned expression. She knew perfectly well what her best friend could do…and she was worried. For Ron.
"Ginny, do whatever you want. Just don't maim him-I prefer a whole body to a few missing limbs."
"Oh, I won't. I was just had a brilliant idea…involving Fred and George's fireworks, a bit of Amortentia, a few drops of Veritaserum, and my engagement party. And Snape."
"What could you possibly do with Snape? That he would go along with. You'll be like, "Excuse me Professor Snape, but Hermione desperately wants Ron to propose to her. Could you, you know, just intimidate him a bit? Thanks." Do you even realize how ridiculous that sounds?"
"Well…perhaps we could arrange something a bit more low key…"
"Thank you."
"Doesn't mean Ron won't get the shock of his life…"
"Ginny…"
"But I do promise he won't get hurt!"
"Thank you…"
"Physically…."
"Ginny…"
"Fine…or emotionally."
"Thank you."
"Ah, the things I do for you, girl. I pass up a perfectly good chance to humiliate my favorite older brother!"
"Focus! Ron! Me! Pretty shiny ring! NOW!!!!!!!"
"Dear God, 'Mione…"
……………………………………………………………………………………………
Several hours later, they had eaten their way through several pints of ice cream. Giinny had proposed several other plans, all of them somehow involving Severus Snape. Hermione had shot each and every last one, because they were too complicated, or too ludicrous, or too obvious…
"Hermione! Just give up! You don't like any of my plans, yet you have none of your own. Just propose to him!!!"
"He'll faint."
"Oh, yeah, he tends to do that."
"See…I give up. I'm resigned to my fate. I'm going to be the fifty year old lady with seventy chins and just as many cats. I'm going to rent a little cottage in Hogsmeade and live in solitude. Or, I'll become a nun."
"Ooh! Can the cottage have a little flower garden? And a hammock? I've always wanted one."
Hermione smacked herself on the forehead.
"No! The objective of this "planning session" is to ensure that I WILL NOT BE MOVING INTO THE LITTLE COTTAGE IN HOGSMEADE WITH A FLOWER GARDEN AND A HAMMOCK!"
"But I saw this absolutely adorable one…it even has a tiny little birdhouse that looks exactly like the cottage!"
"Ginny…"
"Fine. No to cottage. Yes to pretty shiny ring."
"There we go."
………………………………………………………………………………………………
"Ok, how about this. You buy a pretty engagement ring for yourself, pretend Ron gave it to you, tell Mum, and have her do everything else. You'll be married in a month. Ron won't know what the hell hit him."
Hermione glared at Ginny.
"So that's a…no."
………………………………………………………………………………………………
Ginny was absolutely exhausted. Fantastic way to spend my first day being engaged…lying around moping with Hermione. Not that I don't love her, but…this isn't working.
Hermione spoke suddenly, slamming Ginny out of her thoughts. "Your engagement party. Invite a bunch of engaged and married couples, and then you and Harry act all sweet and mushy so that Ron wants it."
"Ron doesn't like sweet and mushy."
"Then act macho and manly. I don't give a shit, as long as it works."
Ginny sighed. Hermione would get her way, of course. Pissed-off Hermione wasn't fun for anyone. And she also tended to be a bit dangerous.
A/N: Yeah, I know it was a long wait, and I apologize, but I was on vacation in China and I couldn't find much time to write and upload. But, I will be updating far more regularly on both this and Rekindling the Flame before school starts. I also know that this chapter is way shorter, but it's more of a transition to the action…the fun starts soon. Your loyal (and a bit crazy) authoress, ShutMeintheLoonyBin/Merry.