The day before Hermione's birthday began somewhat chaotically. A batch of Choking Chocolates had to be recalled as several users had actually begun to choke for real. a barrage of nasty letters had been pouring into the shop about the use of "irresponsible magic," and "unethical practices." Angelina was there to calm the storm, as she had a good head for customer service. She squelched some of the fires while assuring people it would never happen again and that it had been the first time ever in the history of Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes that anything like this had gone wrong. She pointed out very practically that even Zonkos had come under similar scrutiny when it had been opened. George locked himself in the lab testing and retesting the chemistry, eating the candies himself as they came back in droves. He had a bin next him to catch any sick and his wand at the ready to provide a counterjinx to the choking. Ron inspected each individual chocolate for contamination, using some of the methods he'd learned in Auror training to detect dark magic. It could have been that George's latin had been off and he'd ended up creating a spell he hadn't intended. But on further inspection, it was clear that wasn't it.

"The problem isn't the magic," said Ron. "That's sound. Must be something with the ingredients. They reacted to each other or to the magic poorly."

"I've narrowed it down to only four or five potential problems," said George.

"Oh, is that all?" Said Ron. Angelina poked her head in looking disheveled, but satisfied.

"I think I've answered all of the complaints. Most people seem alright, there was no permanent damage done to anyone. I just had to make sure no permanent damage was done to the shop's image."

"Thank you," said George, holding up two vials and examining them. "Could be the potion," he said, pouring a little of a green substance onto his index finger to taste. "Grab that book for me, would you?"

Angelina pulled a large, leather-bound book from above his head. It had started blank, given to the twins by Charlie ages ago. In it, they'd placed all their notes and imaginings. Next to it, in a neat row were Standard Book of Potions grade 1-7. Even Snape would have been proud. Ron had looked inside those books and they were full of cross-references. Though they'd never appeared that interested during lessons, they knew full well that to create something like an Exploding Eczema Easter Eggs, they'd have to be more than proficient with the delicate art of potion making. Hermione had been very impressed to learn all that went into creating Weasley products and even Mrs. Weasley had to admit their business was a worth-while endeavor after all.

Pulling down the 5th year potion book, he flipped through his own notes and compared.

"Agh!" he exclaimed nearly jumping and knocking over several beakers and almost crashing into a terrarium full of slugs. Angelina gave a small squeal and Ron caught the vial of blue liquid that George had come close to dropping. Lighting a flame under a cauldron, he poured said blue liquid in quickly and fumbled around several cabinets while Ron and Angelina got out of his way.

"If I were a slinglossom, where would I be?" He asked himself.

"Probably with the other 's' things," offered Angelina.

"Yes, very helpful, thanks for your input...wolfsbane, wolfsbane, wolfsbane..."

Ron watched his brother move about and grinned to himself. He would decidedly miss this when he took off to become a full-fledged Auror. If I pass my exams, he thought. Hermione's voice echoed in his head, of course you'll pass, don't be daft! Ron chuckled. This mess at the shop was making his alibi for tomorrow much more plausible and it was actually much more interesting and exciting than the filing of reports he'd experienced at the Ministry earlier. He decided not to tell Hermione how hectic things were or else she might believe he had good reason to forget her birthday.

George threw together a swift concoction and stirred it vigorously with his wand. Smoke erupted as he turned the fire up underneath and he grabbed another container to siphon the evaporating liquid into it.

"A bit like distilling. We've got to collect the vapors here. That was the problem. We're meant to use the smoke, to re-liquify it. Then it's pure. We didn't do that," he said pointing to a place in the potions book where he'd written in the margins. "We overlooked that detail and just chucked in the wrong stuff. Of course! Makes perfect sense to me, now."

Ron had to admit that this was over his head. He'd learned a lot more since working alongside George, but he was never really trusted with the big stuff. George was the only one who actually made the products. Ron didn't blame him.

"This will have to sit for about half an hour," said George, extinguishing the flames beneath the cauldron and putting the container of trapped smoke on the shelf. The glass was fogged up and it looked like heavy rain clouds inside. They three of them went back upstairs.

"I think we should go have a drink," said George. "We've had a trying day today and Ronniekins has an even bigger day ahead of him tomorrow!" The nerves began to bunch inside him again as he contemplated it all. So much depended on everyone's cooperation, which he knew he had. He'd even arranged to hide from Hermione at Shell Cottage, for surely she wouldn't think to look for him there. He had to set the trap and then make sure he avoided her at all costs. The thought of not seeing her all day made him feel doubly nervous, because if anyone could soothe him in a time of stress, it was her. But he'd have to handle this on his own. He retrieved the ring from the safe and as he sat in the pub with George and Angelina, he fingered the box the same way he had when first telling his plan. Now the plan was completely set in motion and it would end tomorrow! The plan for the perfect proposal.