"How was the pub?" asked Hermione, when Ron returned home. She barely let him get through the door before she flung her arms around him and pecked him on the lips.

"Excellent," said Ron. He said, removing coat and placing it on the coat rack. "Hannah says 'Hello.'"

"Oh, how is she?" Hermione squealed.

"Seems happy to me." Ron shrugged. Then he realized his mistake. He'd taken his jacket off, with the ring still inside. He couldn't be sure it would be safe there.

"You know, I think she and Neville are getting quite serious," said Hermione

"Hmm," said Ron, gazing at his jacket.

"Ron? You with me?" She followed his gaze.

"Oh, yeah. Just thinking. Long day." He forced himself to look away from the jacket. He didn't want to raise Hermione's suspicions.

"I'll make us some tea. Your mum brought over some biscuits. I hope you aren't too full, but knowing you, I'm sure that's impossible." Hermione bustled into the kitchen, leaving Ron in the entryway. I he took out his wand and attempted to use magic to retrieve the ring, surely Hermione would wonder what he was doing. Their flat was hardly Buckingham Palace. The kitchen was only a few feet away. Realizing it was just as odd of him not to move, he decided to just put the jacket back on.

"You're cold?" Hermione asked, bringing the tray of biscuits out into the living room.

"A bit," said Ron. His hand automatically reached into the jacket pocket to feel for the little black box. Hermione eyed him with curiosity. She took her own wand out and made one of her bluebell flames.

"I know you like these," she said. "It'll keep you warm and add to the atmosphere." She came closer to him and kissed him again, with more fervor than she had at her greeting. Ron enjoyed this, to be sure, but he felt uncomfortable with her standing in such proximity to the ring. What if she felt the box in the jacket? Surely she'd know what it was. Still, he couldn't very well push his girlfriend off him without offending her. Carefully, he returned the kiss, making sure her hands got nowhere near his pocket.

"Well, that certainly has a warming effect as well," he said, breaking way. The tea kettle whistled and Hermione left to pour. "I'll be right back," he called.

He practically ran upstairs to put the jacket in the closet. He put the ring in the pocket of his jeans and did an undetectable extension charm so the box wouldn't stick out. He put a jumper on to perpetuate the lie that he was cold and headed back downstairs. Then he decided to do another charm to keep the ring from falling out of his pocket. This paranoia would surely drive him mad before September 19th. He had nearly a month to go! Maybe he should just propose tonight, unexpected. No, he thought. That was not how he wanted it. Unexpected, yes, but in their living room, with no real planning, no. He returned to Hermione who sat on the sofa, waiting patiently. She had on the telly, watching the Muggle news, something they did most nights together. Drinking the hot tea while wearing a jumper he didn't need amid the bluebell flames made Ron start to sweat.

"All warm," he said, unable to take it any longer. He took the jumper off and cast it aside and Hermione extinguished the flame.

"You're acting rather strangely, Ron," said Hermione.

"Me?"

"Yes, you. You're jumpy! And you keep putting your hand in your pocket." Ron glanced down to find his hand was indeed in his pants pocket. "And your face is red!" she exclaimed. "What's up with you?"

"Nothing's up with me," Ron said, not meeting Hermione's gaze.

"There, see. You're not looking at me! You've been avoiding my eyes for days, Ron."

"Have I?" He asked. His voice sounded weak in his head. He grabbed a biscuit and shoved it in his mouth. Hermione's face was scrunched up, but more in amusement than anger.

"Don't make me hex you! Your sister taught me to perfect her Bat-Bogey Hex ages ago! I will do it, Ronald Weasley, don't tempt me!" She leaned into him and he gulped.

"Merlin, Hermione, can't a man have his secrets?" He stood up, dusting crumbs off his shirt.

"We tell each other everything," she said, sounding mildly hurt, but still maintaining a playful tone.

"Yes, we do, but...this has to be a secret." Hermione stared at him, looking grim.

"It's about your birthday!" Ron said. A smile spread across Hermione's face. This wasn't exactly a lie and it seemed to satisfy her. Ron was pleased with himself for thinking of it. "Suppose I wanted to throw you a surprise party, only you made me ruin it just now."

"Well, I wouldn't want to be responsible for ruining my own birthday," she said, smirking.

"So, you'll just have to trust me," said Ron.

"I will. I do." She kissed him on the cheek. "I won't pester you anymore." She returned to the sofa and poured them each more tea.

"You know, I think Neville is thinking of asking Hannah to marry him," she said. It took all Ron's strength not to spit out his tea.

"Really? Well, that's...good."

"They both seem quite smitten. I know they haven't been together that long, but when you know...you know."

"Yeah," said Ron. He could feel his ears going red, his blood pulsed so hard in his veins he could feel it. Nausea began to form in his stomach.

"Has Harry said anything to you about proposing to Ginny?"

She knows, thought Ron. Why else would she have brought this up. He gazed at her, but she wore nothing but an expression of innocence. Get it together, Weasley, he scolded. Then a horrible realization came over him as Hermione's words settled. Harry had never mentioned wanting to propose to Ginny, no, but they had been together for a long time, just as long as he and Hermione. Maybe Harry was planning to propose. If that was the case, Ron was doomed. No way would Harry have this kind of trouble. He probably wouldn't even have to plan anything. He'd just pull out a ring (surely one much more expensive and meaningful than the one Ron had purchased) and it would go perfectly.

"Ron?"

"No, he hasn't," he said.

"Well, I think she's getting impatient. They have been together for years..." Hermione stopped, noticing a crestfallen look on Ron's face, which she misinterpreted. "I didn't mean...I'm not saying that I'm getting impatient, Ron. Truly, Ginny's just been talking about weddings lately...I was just wondering...please don't take it the wrong way. I'm happy with how we are now..."

Ron looked straight down to the floor. He needed time to think.

"Truthfully, I'm not sure if I'm ready to get married yet," said Hermione.

"You're not?!" barked Ron.

"Well, we're still pretty young."

"We've been together for five years! And I've loved you since before I even knew what love was!"

"Are you ready to get married?"

"Absolutely," he said.

"Is that a proposal?" she asked.

"No," muttered Ron. "Certainly not if you don't want to marry me!"

"Ron, I never said I don't want to marry you. For goodness sakes, you haven't even asked!"

"No, I haven't."

"Well, it is good to discuss it. It is something I'd want eventually..."

"Eventually. Yeah. You're right we are pretty young. And you've got loads of cases nowadays."

"And you have the shop and Auror training. Planning a wedding is a lot of work, Ron."

"Yeah. Well, I wasn't even thinking about it, anyway. I only said...because of Neville..." Hermione nodded.

Oh bloody hell, this would be harder than he thought.