Disclaimer: I own nothing. It all belongs to the wonderful JK Rowling. :)
Ron traipsed along Diagon Alley, peering down at the long and detailed list his mum had given him. He could almost hear her voice in his head, urging him not to forget a single thing and not to dawdle (as if I were a little boy, he thought to himself with an eyeroll). He jammed the list absentmindedly into his pocket when something out of the corner of his eye caught his interest. There was a group of boys huddled around the display window of Quality Quidditch Supplies, talking excitedly amongst themselves. Curiosity piqued, Ron crossed the street and felt his jaw drop as he stared at what they were all gawking at.
"It's the Lightning Bolt X!"
"I've never seen anything more beautiful in my entire life!"
"It's the latest and greatest, from the makers of the Firebolt."
"Yeah, but the Lightning Bolt X obviously outstrips the Firebolt!"
"Did you know they named it in honor of Harry Potter's scar?"
"Yeah, isn't it wicked? Harry Potter's so cool!"
Ron frowned at the boys, resisting the urge to scold them.
If they'd just turn around they'd see Harry bleeding Potter's best friend standing behind them. Bloody kids...
Despite his less than pleasant thoughts, he continued listening to them still.
"Have you read about all the charms it has installed? No? Well, it has a built-in Impervius charm so that the weather won't affect you, no matter if it's thundering or hailing…"
His resentfulness long forgotten, Ron could almost feel himself drooling over the broomstick. It was a beautiful sight indeed. The handle was crafted from the finest polished marble (and it too, was charmed so its rider would never lose their grip) and the twigs were a handsome dark maple.
A broomstick like that would certainly be costly. I'd probably have to save for a few months if I wanted one… which I don't. Not really. But it would come in handy for work… maybe I could get Harry to buy one as well.
Ron was still staring dreamily at the object of everyone's yearning when someone bumped into him.
"Oops, sorry mate. Hey, Weasley! Fancy meeting you here!" cried the wizard.
Ron was startled out of his daydream and shook himself, turning to look at whoever addressed him.
"Hey, Collins! How are you? Heard about you lot's party last night. How'd it go?"
"'Party' would be an overstatement but it sure was fun. Granger makes us work hard, but she was more than happy to make it up to us by buying us round after round last night," he chuckled.
Ron chuckled and nodded, knowing exactly how overzealous Hermione could be.
"How come you didn't go, Weasley?"
Ron frowned slightly and gave Collins a bemused look.
"Well, firstly, I don't work in your department…"
"C'mon! You're the boss's other half! Surely she would have invited you?"
Ron started to feel cold dread travel throughout his body as he forced a smile at the wizard.
"She didn't, not really. She said she wanted to bond with the department to show that she knows how to have fun too," he said, reciting her words to him.
Collins raised his brows with surprise.
"Far as I know, she didn't really do any rounds. She remained seated at the bar until she left."
"Oh? Was she sitting alone?" he asked hoping he sounded casual as he gripped his hands behind him anxiously.
"No, she spent time talking to Malfoy," Collins said, dropping his voice to a whisper.
Ron froze, his heart beating frantically as he struggled to regain control of his emotions.
"Did they… look very friendly?" he asked, trying to keep his voice even.
Collins frowned pensively, tilting his head slightly.
"Not really but I got the impression that it was only them in their own little bubble," he shrugged. "They seemed oblivious to the world around them."
Ron gritted his teeth together, feeling white hot fury running through his veins.
I knew it! I knew it! Why would she lie to me?
Collins prattled on about something else but Ron couldn't bother listening. When the wizard bid him goodbye, Ron waved distractedly.
He felt numb, the list that his mum had given him now long forgotten.
Why? Could she… possibly… care for him? She always speaks so highly of him. 'Diligent this, efficient that.' Not to mention the compassionate look in her eyes when she does. Or the way she tries to push me away when he's around. No, it can't be. It's must be my mind playing dirty tricks on me… but the evidence can't be ignored. It's clear as day. I need to act and act fast before I lose her. I will not lose her. Especially not to the likes of him.
With that scathing thought in mind, Ron Disapparated from Diagon Alley and Apparated outside his childhood home.
Mum's going to kill me for coming home empty-handed, but this is so much more important than her silly errands.
"Mum? Mum? You here?" he called, walking restlessly from the kitchen to the living room.
"Oh, Ron, you're back so soon! But…" she trailed off, looking at him sternly as she took notice of his empty hands.
"Mum, I'm going to need Great Aunt Muriel's ring," he told her gravely, stepping closer to her before she could get shirty with him.
She watched him in confusion as his words sunk in. Her eyes widened and she gasped loudly, covering her mouth with her hand.
"Ronald Bilius Weasley! Are you serious?" she asked, a glimmer of hope shining in her brown eyes.
Ron tried his best to work his mouth into a genuine smile and shrugged a shoulder.
"Dead serious, mum. I think it's past time I make an honest woman out of Hermione," he chuckled humorlessly.
Mrs. Weasley giggled like a schoolgirl and wrapped her arms around her lanky son, tears of happiness leaking from her eyes.
"Oh, Ronnie! I'm so happy for you! How and when are you going to do it?" she cried, releasing him immediately.
Ron thought quickly as she motioned for him to follow her.
"I was thinking that we could all get together for supper. I could ask her then, in front of my family. Tomorrow. The faster I propose, the faster she's my wife," he said, smiling shrewdly.
"Oh, Ronnie! That would be perfect! I bet you she's going to love it! I'll definitely have to start on the menu right away. Everything has to be perfect for my Ronnie!" she trilled as she searched for the ring.
Ron felt his anger abate when his mum handed him the velvet box. He opened the lid slowly, pulse quickening as he stared at the ring that would mark Hermione unequivocally as his. Nestled in the black silk was a gorgeous and antique platinum ring. In the center lay a hefty diamond, the shine undisturbed by the years. There seemed to be something engraved at the sides but he didn't pay further attention. Snapping the box shut, Ron looked at his mum, who was beaming at him with happiness.
"Mum, not a word to anybody, alright? I want this to be the best kept secret in the Weasley family, even if it's for a day, okay? I want this to come off as a complete surprise for Hermione," he breathed, holding onto the box tightly.
"Oh, anything you say, Ron! My lips are sealed, as the Muggles say!" she giggled once more as they made their way back downstairs.
"Thanks, mum…" he nodded appreciatively.
"Are you going to ask her before or after dinner?" Molly queried, peering up at her youngest son curiously.
"Er, I'm not really sure yet…"
"Well, you best think about it now!" she told him firmly, frowning at him.
"Don't worry, mum. I'll plan every single in detail," he smiled grimly at her.
"Oh, Ron. I don't know why it took you so long! It's been five years already. You're so lucky that she loves you and that she's a loyal woman. What if she had broken up with you or something? The horror!" she gasped, clutching at her chest.
Ron rolled his eyes at his overly dramatic mother.
"Mum, please. But yes… aren't I lucky that she's so loyal and loving?" he asked, letting his cynicism sweep over him. "Well, I better send her an owl now so she won't make any other plans…"
Mrs. Weasley kissed her son on each cheek and patted his head lovingly before disengaging himself from her. He sighed with relief, unsure of just how much longer he could keep this charade of happiness going. He all but ran to his room, shutting his door tightly behind him and searching for a quill and parchment.
Might as well send one out to everybody. Let's see… Bill and Fleur, Percy and Audrey, Angelina and George and Harry and Ginny. Charlie, of course. If I had any excuse to invite Malfoy, I would. I'd love nothing more than to see his pointy face as I ask Hermione to marry me. Hang on…
Ron was about to dip his quill into his inkwell when a thought struck him.
"Why would Malfoy even be interested in Hermione? He's always belittled her and called her names. Even he himself admitted to not wanting anything to do with her. Maybe I'm making a huge mistake…" he frowned, biting his lip.
The marriage idea wasn't looking so clever to Ron anymore.
Still, I can't forget the way Hermione's eyes flash with compassion for Malfoy when she mentions him. And the way that he always makes an excuse to interrupt us while we're together. I wouldn't put it past him as simply being a pain in the arse... nope, I'm not willing to risk it. As the Muggles say, where there's smoke, there's fire. And I love Hermione, I really do. I was going to propose to her eventually anyway… I'm just saving us years of trouble and frustration. This is for the best. It has to be. I'm not going to let Malfoy beat me this time. Hermione is mine and mine alone. Weasleys don't share, especially not with Malfoys.
Ron frowned, running his fingers in frustration through his flaming red curls and tugged on them.
But she as good betrayed me! Bloody hell, she lied to me about Malfoy not attending! Granted, I haven't seen her yet... would she even tell me that the prat went after all and that she spent the whole time by his side? Of course, now that she's got a Weasley she's got to mess around with a Malfoy? I can't believe that Hermione, my Hermione would do this to me… nope, I'm doing the right thing. Once she's got this ring on her finger, she'll be all mine.
Ron sent off the letters with Pig, who had been flying around excitedly at being needed to do a job. He smiled grimly and shook himself, knowing he had to plan thoroughly so that everything went off without a hitch.
"Hermione Weasley… I quite like the sound of that," he murmured to himself, gripping the velvet box tightly in his hand.
Thanks for taking the time to read, everybody! I hope everybody has a happy hump day. ^_^