Chapter 4: Dinner

When Hermione came home that Friday, Crookshanks seemed to have given up even asking for attention. Hermione decided to pick him up and give him the attention he had been craving, but all that happened was Crookshanks hissing at her, and running away with his tail held high.

"Ron?" Hermione called, walking through the apartment. "Are you here?" Her calling was met with silence. When she walked into the bedroom, however, she saw a beautiful red dress lying on the bed with a note attached to it.

My dearest Hermione,

Would you do me the honour of wearing this dress tonight and meeting me at La Marguerite at 9pm?

Ron.

Hermione had her hand to her mouth and looked at the dress again. It was exactly her kind of dress: it was elegant, did not have too much cleavage, and stopped at the knee. Hermione was sure that Ginny had picked it out. Hermione gazed at the dress, and read the note five more times. Smiling, Hermione put the note back on the dress, put her bags away, and started to get ready.

At 9 o'clock, Hermione flooed to the restaurant Ron had invited her to. He was already sat at a table in the corner, surrounded by plants to give them some privacy, obviously waiting for her. Hermione thought that he looked quite nervous as she walked towards him. The moment he spotted her, he got up so fast the he knocked the table slightly. Hermione giggled.

"You look amazing," Ron told her, giving her a kiss. "Let's sit down." He went and pulled out Hermione's chair and let her in.

"Thank you. You did a great job in picking out a dress." He smiled, sitting down opposite.

"It was Ginny who picked it out for me."

"I thought so," she told him, making him smile. "So you must have bought it ages ago, unless she came back from her honeymoon just to help you pick out a dress."

"You caught me," Ron held his hands in the air. "I've been hiding the dress at the Burrow for about three weeks. Maybe more."

"I'm guessing you were at the Burrow this afternoon, seeing as you weren't at home." Ron shook his head.

"I was spending some time with Fred and George at their shop."

"Ah. How was that?"

"It was fun. You know how I love their shop." Hermione nodded.

"Did you buy anything?" She eyed him carefully. Last time he had bought something it had been a swamp bomb, and it had gone off in their room in the middle of the night because Crookshanks had decided to play with it.

"No, I did not buy anything." Ron smiled at her. "I promise. I have learnt my lesson not to buy anything from that shop because your cat is stupid."

"Crookshanks is not stupid!" Ron laughed, and Hermione smiled.

"So how was your day?" He asked her as he ordered a bottle of wine.

"Well, I found out that Draco has been assigned to me." Ron stared at her.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, apparently he applied to join the department, they accepted and decided that I should keep an eye on him." Ron just continued to stare at her suspiciously as the waitress brought their wine.

"Are you two ready to order?" She asked them.

"Yes, I'll have the mushroom soup to start, and then the grilled salmon for my main, thank you." Hermione told her. The waitress had a quick quotes quill, not unlike the one Reeter Skita had, and Hermione eyed it suspiciously.

"Don't worry, the quill doesn't make mistakes." The girl told her, pulling Hermione out of her daydream.

"I'll have the salad to start and then the carbonara, thanks." Ron smiled at the waitress, who smiled back. She waved her wand at the parchment the quill had been writing on, which subsequently folded up into an aeroplane and zoomed off in the direction of the kitchens.

"Your starters will arrive shortly." The witch smiled at the couple, before walking away to the next table.

"So, why did you invite me here?" Hermione asked him.

"Can a man not treat his woman without having his motives questioned?" Ron grinned.

"You have had this dress for about three weeks, and it is impossible to get reservations here at short notice."

"Well, I can pull a few strings." Ron winked.

"You know that doesn't work on me." Hermione was starting to get suspicious.

"Hermione, can we not have a lovely evening without you asking questions?"

"Fine! Fine. I'll stop asking questions. It doesn't mean I'm not going to try to work it out, though." Ron rolled his eyes and smiled.

"You're lucky I love you." And Hermione grinned.

"Yes I am."

Two hours later, Hermione was sure she wouldn't be able to eat another bite.

"Would you two like to order some desert?" The waitress asked them, and before Hermione could politely decline, Ron told the waitress that they would like one piece of the chocolate sponge cake to share. The waitress nodded and walked away.

"I don't think I could eat another bite. I hope that cake is just for you." Hermione told him.

"No, I thought we could share it," he told her, grinning. He was looking increasingly nervous.

"Ron, you look as though you're about to go on trial. Why do you look so nervous?" Ron extended his hand across the table.

"I need to tell you something." Hermione was feeling very confused. "Hermione." He cleared his throat. "We have been going out for over four years. I love you, and I have done for as long as I can remember. You have changed my life for the better. And if you would have me, I would like to spend the rest of my life with you." He got up, and knelt down on one knee in front of her. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small box. "Hermione Jean Granger." Hermione was speechless. Inside the box was a beautiful engagement ring. It as a simple ring, with a few small stones etched into it. She stared at the ring, and then at Ron. He was staring at her with so much fear in his eyes that Hermione was reminded of a lost puppy. "Will you marry me?"

"Ron. Of course I will."