A Proposal.

Personal Thoughts.

Wine fell in a gentle stream from the crisp wine bottle. The liquid chilled the two wine glasses and roses were in a delicate vase beside the set up. Twenty four of them all pristine and beautiful. The best money could buy. At least the best Harry Potter's money could buy. Ron Weasley sat in a chair tapping his fingers on the small end table in frustration. Harry had arranged all this. The only thing that came out of Ron's pocket was the one thousand five hundred dollars for the ring. Set in silver it had one large stone in the middle and a couple of little ones around it. The rest Harry and Ginny so kindly provided. He was grateful of course, but he just couldn't help feeling bad about them providing. Harry and Ginny had a beautiful house, while Ron had a rundown little place, but he was hoping that Hermione's touch would help some on that front.

Hermione was twenty minutes late and she still had the smell of another man's cologne on her dress. Hissing she tried to douse the smell with her flower perfume. That helped none. Glancing in the gilded mirror she saw her lover's face. He used to hate her, but they realized exactly how much they liked and even loved each other once the war was over and they were out of the solitude of Hogwarts. Slender arms wrapped around her waist and she shrugged him off with a chuckle. Tucking the chain that was hanging around her neck into her red gown she smiled at him and gave him a peck on the cheek before stepping around him to put her shoes on. "I have a feeling he's going to propose tonight." She muttered as she clasped the heel around her ankle.

"Well I bet it's not as pretty as the one I got you." He muttered haughtily. Jealousy clouded his grey eyes and Hermione frowned turning back toward him. Stepping up to him she leaned toward his ear.

"After tonight I'm all yours." She whispered. "I love you…" Turning away from him she smiled as he helped her into her coat. Buttoning it up he kissed her on the forehead before ushering her to the door. Giving her one last lingering look he smiled and watched as her jeweled heels faded into the distance.

The familiar pop of Hermione's arrival had Ron looking up at her with a smile as he picked up the glasses and offered one to her. Pressing one into her hand she gave him a weak smile and he could feel something off in the air. Helping her shrug out of her coat the flush in her cheeks was inviting as he pressed his lips to her chilled cheek. The linger of the kiss was something that Hermione was trying not to cringe away from. Switching the wine glass into a different hand she allowed him to remove the coat from her other arm. Draping it over a chair Ron noticed the glint of silver around her neck beneath the cloth that was attempting to hide it.

Hermione moved over to a chair and sat down letting a trail of masked cologne weave behind her. Ron grimaced and anger filled his eyes as he watched her. He had to admit she put a good effort into trying to hide it. "What have you been up to today?" He asked her planting himself in the seat opposite her while taking a drink from his glass. Hermione did the same as she thought her bright red lipstick leaving a stain on the rim of the crystal. Ron turned away from her with a frown.

"You know, went to work, went home and got ready, and then I came to see you." She said with a smile. "Though I was a little shocked that you wanted me to dress up, considering all we are doing is sitting in Harry and Ginny's study. The room had book shelves surrounding them and a large light hanging down from above. Ron took the chance to knock something over on her side of the table.

"Could you get that?" He begged. Hermione obliged bending down to retrieve the napkin that was at her feet. The chain slipped free of her dress and a platinum ring with an emerald jewel caught Ron's eye. He turned away as if he didn't see her tuck the thing down into the depth of the red silk. Anger boiled in Ron's blood and he couldn't help the words that came from his mouth.

"Did he buy you that dress too?" he hissed with no regret as she snapped her head around to look at him.

"What are you talking about Ronald?" Turning toward her he got up from the table and took the ring that he bought from his pocket. Nothing that would live up to the one that was around her neck. Throwing it at her he watched as it bounced across the floor.

"I'm not stupid Hermione! Don't you dare treat me like I am!" Hermione began backing up but he overtook her and ripped the ring from her neck. The clasp broke on her necklace and the frayed ends bounced in the air. "How much did it cost? Whose is it? When were you going to tell me!" Each question came out in a shout and shook the room as Hermione cringed.

"I don't know…" The slap was probably heard through the whole house as Hermione hit the bookshelf. Her hand went straight to her cheek and tears began to form in her eyes. "Draco Malfloy!" The rage in Ron's eyes as he held the ring in his palm and all but sliced her face open with it. A gash began to form and Hermione was shocked as the ring fell at her feet. Ron stomped from the room as Harry and Ginny came scrambling in. Ron ignored them and apparated out of there giving her the worst look she had ever seen in her life. Picking herself up off the floor she held her shoulders high as Ginny escorted Hermione into the bathroom to clean her up. Looking over her left shoulder she saw the hurt in Harry's eyes. "Get Draco." That was all that needed to be said as Ginny shut the door to the bathroom and began to mop up Hermione's face.