Chapter 12 -- Packing

"Well I think its time you lot got to bed," said Mrs. Weasley.

Hermione glanced over at Ron expectantly, but he just nodded at his mother and began to ascend the stairs after Harry and Ginny. Hermione followed him in silence until they reached her bedroom landing.

"Why didn't you tell them?" she whispered fiercely, she didn't want Ginny who was on the other side of the door to hear.

"I don't know…it didn't feel like the right time," said Ron.

Hermione stared at him in shock. "Well if it doesn't feel right, I certainly wouldn't want to put you through all that stress!" she said raising her voice.

"Hermione…that's not what I meant," said Ron.

"If you didn't want to marry me, why'd you ask?" she said slamming the door in his face.

Ron ran his fingers through his already messy red hair and sighed deeply. Then he slowly walked up the stairs to his bedroom.

"I'll bet you didn't need an extendable ear to hear that," said Ron.

"Actually I thought it was just a romantic goodnight, until the door slam tipped me off," said Harry, "What's going on?"

"We kinda got engaged…"

Harry gaped at Ron. "Well that's great!"

"Yeah but it wasn't the traditional get down on one knee and ask the question. It was more both of us realizing we were meant for each other and that we wanted to get married after graduation. So she wanted me to announce it, I don't know how I was supposed to know, but apparently I was. Now she doesn't want to get married," explained Ron.

"Geez, I'm sorry mate," said Harry sympathetically, "But I wouldn't consider the wedding called off just yet."

"What? Really?" asked Ron.

"You know Hermione as well as I do. You know how she is; she'll cool off by tomorrow. Try talking to her at breakfast," suggested Harry.

"I hope you're right," said Ron crawling into his bed. They lay quietly for a few moments.

"So is it assumed that you'll be my best man or do I have to ask?" said Ron.

"It's assumed," said Harry smiling into the darkness (aww! Cute!).

"Good to know," said Ron falling asleep.

Everyone awoke with the feeling of desperation that comes with the last day of summer. Ron walked down to the girl's door and hesitated when he reached it. As he lifted his hand to knock, the door opened and Ginny slipped out, closing the door right behind her.

"Uh morning, Ginny," said Ron ruffling his hair, "Is Hermione in there?"

"Yes," said Ginny coolly as she walked down the stairs to the kitchen (I just realized how much stuff happens on the stairs in this house.).

"Why do they always team up?" Ron asked the universe.

"Its just one of the great mysterious of life, in league with when do fish sleep and why Hagrid has tried to kill us 1,000 times with his pets," said the universe, sounding a lot like Harry. "Come on, let's eat!" said Harry pushing him down the stairs.

"Ron, Harry, here are your plates. Now you lot eat well. I always worry about you at that school," said Mrs. Weasley.

"Thanks Mrs. Weasley," said Harry sitting down next to Ginny and kissing her good-morning before beginning his breakfast.

"Thanks mum," Ron mumbled, stuffing half the plate of food into his mouth before even reaching the table. Seconds later as Ron was reaching for the bowl of scrambled eggs to refill his already clear plate, Hermione came down and sat on Ginny's other side. Astonishingly Ron then stopped filling his bowl.

"My you all are quiet today. Going back to school isn't that upsetting, is it?" asked Mrs. Weasley.

"I'm excited," said Ginny.

"Yes OWLS are one of my fondest Hogwarts memories, right up there with dementors, Voldemoret, and Malfoy," said Harry.

"Bugger, I'd forgotten about those," said Ginny.

"Ahem, ahem (ahhhhhh! Umbridge!)," said Ron clearing his throat, "would you like to go for a walk with me Hermione?"

"Not right now, Ron," said Hermione cutting into her pancakes.

Ron shot Harry a confused look and all Harry could do was return it. "Breakfast was great mum," Ron said without the special enthusiasm that he saved for food and he began to climb the stairs. The rest of the breakfast club broke up then too. Harry and Ginny went outside, Mrs. Weasley went into the den to do some knitting, and Hermione stayed seated mesmerized by her pancakes. After a few minutes she left the table too and went up the stairs passing Ron's door without a second glance. She opened the door to her and Ginny's room and found Ron sitting at Ginny's desk.

"I said not now, Ron."

"No," said Ron his gaze firm, "I need to resolve this now. You can't play Quidditch with my heart. Why are you being like this?"

"I thought you were excited."

"Hermione, I AM!"

"Then why didn't you tell anyone?"

"I don't know…I really don't. But aren't we both to blame? You could have said something too. You're the most independent woman I know,"

"I guess I'm just old-fashioned about stuff like this. I'm sorry."

"No don't be," said Ron stepping forward, "So are we okay?"

"Yeah," said Hermione kissing him.

"Are we ready to break the news?" asked Ron.

"Yes. Together," Said Hermione holding his hand and walking to the den.

"Harry, Ginny, have you two packed yet?" shouted Mrs. Weasley out into the yard. "I'm not your house elf, don't expect me to do it."

"Okay mum," said Ginny coming in from the garden with Harry and heading to her room to pack her trunk.

"Mum wants us to pack our trunks, I wouldn't go down until its done," Ginny advised Ron and Hermione as they passed on the steps.

"No," said Ron continuing down the stairs, "I need to talk to her, our trunks can wait."

"Fine, but don't come crying to me when she puts the ear-locker curse on you," said Ginny. "You know Harry, I could really use some help packing," she said pulling him past Ron's room.

"Okay," said Harry. They went up to Ginny's room and began loading her trunk. Harry randomly began loading the contents of her dresser drawers in the trunk.

"Jackpot," said Harry as he opened her underwear draw.

"Harry!" giggled Ginny.

"Oh these are nice," he said holding up a pair of black lace underwear.

"Aren't they? They are a gift from Dean," said Ginny stuffing the underwear in her trunk.

"Ohhhh," said Harry laughing, "Well that just ruined my fun."

"That doesn't look like it's going to close," said Harry looking at the overflowing trunk when they had finished packing.

"Yes. It. Will," said Ginny with determination, but even when she climbed atop of it, the trunk didn't close at all. Harry hopped on and began to jump up and down on the case.

"I appreciate your help Harry, but it would be nice if you didn't treat my belongings like a trampoline."

"I'm sorry, my dear," said Harry, locking the trunk and extending a hand to help her down.

"Thank you," said Ginny accepting his hand. "Now I get to help you pack. Where do you keep your underwear?"

"Now way," said Harry chasing after Ginny who had begun running down the steps.

"How do you explain these?" asked Ginny holding up a pair of bright orange Chudley Cannon boxers.

"They were a Christmas present from Ron."

"You know, they say giving underwear is a sign of a serious relationship."

"Very funny," said Harry.

Further downstairs, Ron and Hermione were about to break the good news…

"Mum we have something to tell you," said Ron.

"Unless you're here to tell me that you've packed your trunks, I don't want to hear it," said Mrs. Weasley.

"Mum, this is more important than eating," said Ron (author faints).

"Okay Ron, I'm listening," said Mrs. Weasley, her attention caught by Ron's uncharacteristic remark.

"Hermione and I…well we've…" began Ron.

"We've decided to get married," finished Hermione smiling.

"Oh I'm so happy for you two! See Ron, I always told you that you wouldn't be the last one to get married," said Mrs. Weasley.

"Mum…" whined Ron.

"Oh stop Ron, it's not that embarrassing. Whenever one of Ron's older brothers's brought home a girlfriend, Ron would mope around the house saying that he would never get a girlfriend. He always ended up in tears," said Mrs. Weasley.

"Oh Ron," said Hermione giving him a hug.

"I didn't cry that often…" mumbled Ron.

"It's too bad you have to leave tomorrow, Hermione I could tell you embarrassing stories about Ron all night," said Mrs. Weasley.

"And I could add to that," said Ginny coming downstairs with Harry.

"We're all packed, Mrs. Weasley," said Harry.

"Well I guess the embarassig stories will have to wait. Go pack you two," said Mrs. Weasley to Ron and Hermione.

A/N- Hey all my groovy readers! I hope you liked this sweet new chappie because it's the last one you'll be getting for a few weeks. I am going on vacation tomorrow! But don't worry when I come back you will be swimming in updates. I mean honestly what else am I supposed to do on a 12 hour plane flight! Keep the reviews comin'! Love Ya!