A/N: Just wanted to say a quick thankyouu to everyone who has followed my story so far! I really appreciate it :3 I thought i'd mention as well that I'm trying not to focus on jobs too much in this story, mainly because I'm not very good at writing job story lines :L Also I wrote this chapter especially because its the amazing Rupert Grint's birthday today! So a big happy birthday to the Grint! :D And now on with the story ;)...
Ron's birthday was fast approaching and Hermione had spent most of her time off work planning a surprise party at the Burrow with Molly and Ginny. The entire Weasley clan had been invited. Newly weds, George and Angelina would be arriving in the next few days along with Bill, Fleur, Percy and his wife Audrey. However, Hermione had arranged for Ron's older brother, Charlie to arrive on the day as part of the surprise. She could hardly contain her excitement and had trouble hiding it in front of Ron.
"You've been spending a lot of time with mum lately. Something I should know?", He asked one night as they sat at the table eating dinner.
"No.", Hermione's eyes widened, "She's just- just been giving me some- umm- cooking lessons", she lied.
"But your cooking's brilliant enough as it is, love", he smiled.
"There's always room for improvement, Ronald", she blushed at the compliment. The pair went to bed later that night and made love for what felt like the hundredth time since they first 'christened' their new bed, although, neither of them minded. Hermione laid in Ron's arms, laying her head against his naked chest as he played with her hair.
"I was thinking we could go out for a meal or something tomorrow, you know, for my birthday?", he told her. Her eyes widened as her gaze met his.
"Um- I don't know, love, I- um- I need to do some shopping and your parents will most likely want to see you", she struggled to lie. Ron raised his eyebrow at her.
"Are you sure there isn't something I should know?", he asked. Hermione shook her head. Ron sighed. "Well, alright then. But as long as I get with some alone time with you at some point, I don't mind", he smiled, kissing her on the top of her head as he wrapped his arm around her bare shoulders. Hermione smiled to herself as she began to drift off to sleep. The next day, Hermione had woken up long before Ron to begin to get everything ready for the day ahead. She flooed Molly as soon as she had gotten out of bed to make sure everything was in order for Ron's surprise, before beginning to make Ron his birthday breakfast in bed, as he had done for her the year before. She had made him some French toast and had poured some freshly squeezed apple juice into a glass and took in to their room on a tray as she eagerly waited for him to wake up. Ron's eyes suddenly began to flutter. He squinted his eyes at Hermione before taking a whiff of the food beside him and giving her a cheesy grin. "Mmm, good morning". Hermione smiled before leaning down to kiss him softly.
"Happy birthday, gorgeous", she smiled, pulling away as she brought the tray forward to him.
"Thanks, love. Well, this is definitely better than the eggs and toast I made you last year", he chuckled, tucking into his breakfast. Hermione began to get dressed and put on her coat. "Going somewhere?", he asked.
"I told you. I have to do some quick shopping. I won't be long", she walked towards him and kissed him on the cheek. "I love you", she smiled before leaving.
"I love you too!", he yelled back, as she made her way out of the flat. Hermione found a quiet place where she then apparated to the Burrow. Molly was already outside waiting for her along with Ginny and Harry.
"Does he know anything?", Ginny asked. Hermione shook her head.
"Well, at least I don't think he does. I have such an issue with lying to him, even if it is about his own surprise party", she chuckled.
"Arthur's gone to pick up some party decorations from Diagon Alley. Charlie should be here for 3:00 and I've been baking Ron's cake all morning. I'd say everything should be ready for 2:30, how does that sound?", Molly said, trying to catch her breath.
"That's absolutely fine", Hermione smiled. "Harry, did you send out the invitations to Seamus, Dean, Neville and Lee?", she asked.
"All taken care of", Harry smiled. Hermione gave him a quick nod before turning to Ginny.
"I spoke to Luna this morning, she'll be here for 2:00", Ginny smiled.
"Excellent", Hermione sighed in relief.
"Are you sure you can keep Ron busy until 2:30, Hermione?", Ginny asked.
"I can definitely try", she chuckled lightly. Hermione looked down at the small watch on her wrist. "I better get going. I told Ron I'd gone shopping for a few things, he'll get suspicious if I go back empty handed", she gave the three of them one last smile before quickly apparating to Diagon Alley where she bumped straight into Arthur Weasley.
"Oh, hello, Hermione, dear", he smiled, "All ready for this afternoon?". Hermione nodded quickly.
"Sorry, Arthur, can't stop to chat. Have to pick up a few things and get back to Ron", she hurried past him. Arthur gave a warm smile and a friendly wave as Hermione sprinted down the street. She had no idea what to get. In the end, she had decided to go into Eeylops Owl Emporium to pick up some food for Pig and Crookshanks before apparating home. When she walked in the living room, she found Ron sitting in front of the television in nothing but his boxer shorts.
"You took your time", he smirked at her. Hermione rolled her eyes and emptied her bag on the table. "Owl and cat food? We just got some the other day? Surely they don't need anymore. But then again, that bloody cat of yours has been piling on the pounds", he laughed. Hermione playfully swatted his arm.
"Is there a reason you're sitting half naked in the living room?", she raised her eyebrow at him. Ron smirked once more before taking her by the waist and pulling her towards him so she would end up straddling him. He began to kiss her passionately, pulling fiercely at her coat until it dropped from Hermione's shoulders and fell to the floor. "Oh", Hermione pulled away to speak. "I bumped into your dad whilst I was out. I told him we'd go to the Burrow at about 2:30". Ron sighed.
"Why can't they come here? Quite fancied a lazy day", he smiled softly, looking up at her. Hermione raised her eyebrow at him once again before bending down to kiss him. After an hour and a half of making love, Hermione found herself searching for her underwear down the back of the sofa. She looked at her watch to discover it was already 1:00pm. She quickly ran into their bedroom in just her underwear to get ready, Ron on the other hand, was quite happy to sprawl his legs out across the sofa with a thin piece of material covering his manhood. Hermione picked out her favourite red dress that she had wore to Bill and Fleur's wedding, remembering the look on Ron's face when he saw her in it for the first time. She stormed into the living room, throwing a smart shirt and some dark blue jeans at Ron.
"Get ready.", she told him.
"We've got ages yet, love", he replied, dismissing the clothes she had just thrown at him. Hermione rolled her eyes as she shook her head before deciding to let him get ready in his own time. She knew if she pushed him into getting ready that he would suspect something. Hermione went back into the bedroom and continued to get ready. Half an hour later, Hermione appeared back in the living room in her red dress and black heels. She wore red lipstick and just a little bit of mascara with some lilac eye shadow. Ron gasped at the sight of her. "Wow. You look beautiful, Hermione", he stood up to walk towards her, with only his jeans on and his belt unbuckled. "All this trouble just to see mum and dad?", he asked.
"I want to look nice for you on your birthday", she smiled before kissing him softly, making sure she didn't leave a red mark on his lips from her lipstick.
"I'll finish getting ready now then", he smiled, picking up his shirt and disappearing into the bedroom. As Hermione waited for him to get ready, she continued to stare at her watch. When Ron finally appeared, Hermione shot up off of the sofa. He had washed his flaming red hair so it had a bit of a shine to it, and he looked incredibly smart in his shirt and jeans. Hermione smiled at him softly. "Well I thought since you made the effort, I should too", he smiled. The pair held hands as they apparated to the Burrow. The Burrow seemed awfully quiet when they arrived. A confused Ron walked towards the house as Hermione followed, struggling to hide a huge grin. Ron opened the door and walked into the living room to find that it was full of people.
"Surprise!", they all shouted in unison. Ron's mouth dropped open and he began to chuckle.
"Happy birthday, sweetheart!", Molly cried, throwing her arms around him in a tight embrace. Ron hugged back as he smirked at Hermione over her shoulder.
"Happy birthday, son", Arthur gave him a manly hug. Ron continued to make his way around the guests before returning to Hermione.
"I knew you were up to something", Ron smiled.
"Happy birthday, Ron", she smiled back before kissing him softly.
"Thank you", he said. The next half an hour seemed to drag as Ron found himself and Hermione in a deep conversation with Neville about his new job as a Herbology professor at Hogwarts when the couple heard a familiar pop. Hermione knew instantly who it was. All of a sudden, Charlie Weasley walked into the living with a large ruck sack and a huge grin plastered across his face.
"Happy birthday, little brother", he smiled at Ron. Ron ran over to him, giving him a large manly hug in amazement at his presence.
"What are you doing here, Charlie?", he asked as he pulled away. Charlie nodded his head in Hermione's direction. Ron, once again, retuned to Hermione and took her hand in his. "You really are perfect, you know that?", he asked, gently massaging the back of her hand with his thumb. Hermione could feel herself blushing. "I love you so much", he told her, his eyes becoming glossy.
"I love you too", she chuckled.
"No, you don't understand", he said. Hermione became confused. Ron looked around at the people that were gathered in his family home before taking a deep breath. "I wanted to do this at a restaurant or something with just the two of us, but being here, with all our friends and family, I- I think I'm going to- to do it now", he began to stutter. Hermione was still confused before Ron did something all too familiar. Something Hermione had seen many of times before on muggle televisions. Something she had read a thousand times before in so many different books. Ron had gotten down on one knee in front of her.
A/N: Hehe, thought I'd leave it on a bit of a cliff hanger because I'm sneaky like that ;)
Also, i'm laying off the smut details for a little bit... Before this story turns into the wizarding version of 50 Shades of Grey xD
