Two weeks passed, two luxurious mostly stress free weeks. The Weasley family still grieved for their lost brother and son, but it had come to a point where they knew the sadness would never truly fade. Slowly everyone began to make everyday worth living. They knew Fred wouldn't've wanted them all to mope about sadly. They spent time together as a family, now combined with the Granger family. Percy, Bill and Charlie visited often enough, but George hadn't so much as written home.
Mr. Granger had found solid work in the village nearby, it was a spot of good luck, the towns dentist had just announced he was sick and needed to retire the day before. The villagers kept Mr. Granger busy and helped him set aside money for a house in town. Arthur and John had become quick friends. They were exact opposites and somehow that worked for them, they never ran out of things to talk about and spent a considerable amount of time together.
Mrs Weasley sent the two men into town to buy some supplies for Harry's birthday party the next day, she had everyone else cleaning with the exception of Mrs. Granger who was ordered to relax. With her due date drawing near she was tired quickly even a short walk made her breath hard.
Mrs. Weasley busied herself pre-preparing some side dishes while she fixed lunch. They would have a barbecue for Harry's birthday so she had meat to marinade. In no time it she was calling everyone for lunch. Mr. Weasley and Mr. Granger returned just as everyone was tucking into the meat salad Mrs. Weasley had made. They came bearing good news.
" There's a little house, right near the my office for rent. We talked to the owner and he told him we were expecting a child rather quickly and he approved us straight away, we can move in this weekend!" Mr. Granger announced.
"Go wash up for lunch, you can tell us all about it while you eat. Arthur, I know you don't like my salads so I fixed you a sandwich." Mrs. Weasley said,
The two men walked upstairs chatting animatedly.
"Peas in a pod those two!" Mrs. Granger exclaimed, " it will be nice to have our own place again. I feel like we've taken advantage of your hospitality far too long Molly."
" When I was a little girl my mum taught me that the best way to get through dark times is by helping another person. You and John being here has really helped us all. I do hope you'll continue to come around when the little one is born. I can't wait to see him, have you thought of a name yet?" Mrs. Weasley asked her new friend.
"No, it's odd, I can't come up with a boys name, how did you ever manage to name so many children Molly? I can't seem to find a first name and a middle name that go together, I am partial to Jude. But it sounds slightly feminine."
Ron, taking advantage of the fact everyone was listening to his mother and Mrs. Grangers conversation, whispered into Harry's ear,
" I'm going to ask her tonight. I have a plan but I need a little help."
Just then Mr. Weasley and Mr. Granger returned downstairs, all attentions turned to them. Apparently the man who owned this flat had had been Johns first extraction as the village dentist. Unknowingly he had made some powerful friends in the village just with his friendly demeanor. After several questions about the house everyone started discussing baby names again. Ron excused himself, motioning to Harry to follow him. Luckily Hermione was too busy talking about her brother to be to notice their sneaky exit.
"So what's the plan?" Harry asked Ron once they had some privacy.
" I want to take her for a nice moonlight walk, into the garden. Then I'm going to act like I want to seduce her, I'm not trying to succeed though, I want her to say something like is this really where I want our first time to be in the dark, then on my cue I want you to cast that nifty purple light spell. I'm going to say something along the lines of, this place seems special to me and when I say special I want you to light up the archway and flowers and while she looks around confused I'll get down on one knee and hold out the ring. Romantic huh? I've been formulating this plan since we got the ring. Hermione will never say no to that, she'll be so surprised!" Ron finished, anxious to see Harry's reaction.
"That's... That's actually romantic! Holy shite Ron! You came up with that? How? "
"I wanted to mislead her somehow... She's too clever I thought playing off the fact I'm a man would be funny and enough to convince her I'm just trying to get her to shag. Once she's annoyed a diamond ring will be the farthest thing from her mind. Tonight then, you will help me right?" Ron asked, looking quite pleased with himself.
"Yeah, but I think we should ask your dad for help as well, together we can have it all set up. He's the one who did the lights for Fleur's wedding remember? I'm not sure how he did it. I'll ask him about it, Hermione is probably already suspicious. You go be with her and I'll get your dad. Keep her away from the garden... You said the arch right? The one with all the yellow roses around it?" Harry asked,
"That's the one, you and I guess dad can hide behind the bushes on either side."
"Alright" Harry responded already up and opening the door.
It took some doing to get Mr. Weasley alone but he helped Harry set everything up before dinner. Ron was nervous, but he hid it well and only the people who knew what was happening noticed his discomfort. Talk of the Granger's new house kept the dinner conversation boring and safe. When everyone was nearly finished eating Ron gave Harry the signal he'd been waiting for.
"Thank you for dinner Mrs. Weasley," he said politely " sorry but I must excuse myself early, Mr. Weasley... Could you join me for a moment?"
Arthur nodded to his wife and excused himself following Harry upstairs loudly talking about the bank the. Tiptoeing downstairs and creeping out the front door unseen. They set off to the garden, going over last minute details.
" I'll take the left, I don't want to see my son "seduce" Hermione... It just seems weird. But oddly enough romantic. You said he came with it on his own? Maybe I should take a look in that book about witches he's got." Mr Weasley said.
"Remember when he says the word special we turn on the lights. We can't expose ourselves though, not until after the big moment. I hope Ron's alright, he seemed a bit nervous at dinner."
"Oh he's got the charms ladies can't resist, just like his dad. I'm not worried one bit, us Weasley men always get the women of our dreams, just look at Molly! "
They shared a smile before hiding themselves behind the bushes and waiting, making small talk until they heard Ron's voice from the yard. Harry could barely see them it was too dark but they were slowly making their way to the garden. Ron was composed, just talking to her normally. When they reached the arch he stopped, Harry could see them clearly now they were so close, he hoped Hermione couldn't see him. Harry looked away as Ron began to kiss his fiancé to be furiously. Within moments Hermione was panting and pulling herself away.
"I'm sorry Ron, I'm just not ready for that... Not now, not here." Hermione said quietly,
"What's wrong with spot my dear?" Ron asked pulling her close again, this time kissing her slowly and breaking down her resistance.
After several very awkward moments for Harry and Mr. Weasley they heard Hermione step back again.
"C'mon Ron! I said I'm not ready and I said I was sorry, let's just go back inside." Hermione said moodily.
" Well alright Hermione if you want to, but there is something about this spot. It has a special feel to it, like you'll remember it forever."
On cue Harry and Mr. Weasley quietly said the proper incantation. When the area lit up Hermione looked about just as Ron had predicted. When she looked back down Ron was on a knee in front of her. Harry smiled at his friends, feeling lucky to witness such a beautiful moment between them.
When Hermione realized what was happening she smiled brightly at Ron. He smiled back at her and for just a moment they were the only people in the whole universe for all they cared. Finally Ron stopped smiling and spoke,
"Hermione, I have always loved you and I will always. You are everything I'm not and I need you forever. Will you please be my wife?" Ron had a tear in his eye as he finished speaking.
Hermione put her hands on his face and kissed him kissed hard before exclaiming,
"Yes Ron, I will! I'll marry you. I love you too!"
Harry and Arthur stepped out of the shadows and began to clap within seconds the whole family, led by Ginny was walking towards the newly affianced couple clapping and cheering. Ginny stole a quick kiss from Harry,
" I had a feeling he was going to do it tonight, the way he was acting at dinner! I'm so happy!"
They had a make shift dance right outside in the garden starting with Ron twirling his new fiancée then all the couples joined in.