Ron didn't even need to consider. As soon as he saw Hermione kneeling, pouring her heart out, he knew his answer. He knew what he needed to do.
'Hermione – I will give you my answer. But first – I need to say something.' Harry watched in confusion and anticipation as Ron knelt down facing Hermione, the insides of their legs touching each other. He placed his right hand behind her neck and looked into her misty eyes. There was the slightest hint of wondering in them. She, of course, had no idea he had planned to propose to her and that she had pretty effectively destroyed that plan. So, she was obviously awaiting the rejection which seemed inevitable.
'Hermione Jean Granger: since I first met you on the Hogwarts Express when I was eleven, I have loved you. I didn't realise it at the time. But I did. I've always been a jealous person and, seeing your great friendship with Harry, I assumed you two would eventually get together. But, every time that thought crossed my mind, I felt a twinge in my heart. Jealousy.' More tears further clouded Ron's vision. Harry realised, with some intrigue, they had never spoken about these things; not to each other or to anyone. Suddenly, he felt like he was intruding. But before he could leave, Ron began speaking again. 'I always looked up to you and your vast knowledge and capabilities. I pretended to be disinterested in them but, truthfully, I admired them. I admired you. In fourth year, I tried so many times to ask you to the Ball, but I always got tongue-tied and could never do it. When I finally did, you were already going with Viktor, and you broke my heart. And that's what led to my ignorance over the next few years. You had turned me down for Viktor, so I assumed you didn't feel that way about me. Those thoughts were still in my head in sixth year, when – as you so gracefully put it – the bitch, Lavender, wanted to be my girlfriend. Although I always imagined it was you I was kissing. Finally, I realised I loved you, and I didn't want to give up on you. And I didn't. And I never have. And I never will. And that's why I've spent the last week planning out a way to do something about my feelings for you. I have always love you, and always will. And nothing could make me love you more than seeing you proposing to me.' Both of the lovers' faces were swollen red, with puffy eyes and salty tear drops cascading down their features. Harry smiled, a tear or two rolling down his cheek at the sight of his friends; happily in love. Suddenly, he wished Ginny were here. Ron took a deep breath and reached inside his pocket. As he felt the small, cubed box, he sighed relief that he had it with him. Shuffling slightly closer to his girlfriend, Ron opened the box in front of her eyes deliberately – uncovering the magnificently beautiful, jewel-crowned queen of a ring Hermione had ever seen. And the tears falling rapidly down her face transformed from a river to a waterfall as she realised Ron had been planning on proposing. Ron wasn't sure he would be able to, but he somehow managed to speak the words both he and Hermione had been praying they would hear for years now.
'So yes, Hermione – I will marry you. On the condition that you marry me.'