TRAVELING FORWARD
"Mione," I hear him whisper my nickname quietly. I jolt my head up to gaze at his face, but his eyes are closed.
"He made it," I muttered, a grin growing on my face. "He made it!" I shout louder. I hear people make noise behind me happily while I give him the longest and hardest hug I have ever given.
Ron's POV"You are amazing," I said. I was staring at Hermione as she ate her spaghetti, her hair shinning in the colorful lights. She glanced up and blushed, covering her mouth as she chewed.
"You've said that four times tonight already," she mumbled around her food.
"I know, but I'm planning on saying it for a while. After all, you did save my life," I added.
"But you saved mine first," she smiled as she picked up another forkful.
"But I'm your boyfriend. I should be able to say it anyway."
We were at a restaurant in Paris, sitting outside at a perfect view of the Eiffel Tower. It was a warm night, so we didn't need anything more then Hermione's red dress and my black suit. Right next to us was a dance floor with a few couples dancing.
"You know, you haven't touched your food much," spoke Hermione. I looked into her eyes with adornment.
"I'm not really hungry," I replied simply.
"That's unusual. Are you feeling sick?" she asked with sarcastic worry, placing the back of her hand on my forehead. I laughed and held her hand in mine, rubbing my thumb over her hand.
"Dance with me?" I asked.
"I've been waiting for that," she giggled and stood from her chair. Still holding her hand, I led her to the floor. Spinning around I grabbed her waist with my one hand and entwined my fingers into her other. We started out in a simple waltz that Hermione and I first danced to at Bill's wedding. It was actually funny because Hermione was wearing a red dress then too.
"What are you smiling about?" she asked curiously. I didn't realize I was smiling.
"Oh, just when we first danced," I said. "But I like how we dance now," I grinned, pulling her closer to me. I could see her blush shyly.
"Oh stop it Ron," she replied as she glanced down.
"By the way, you didn't tell me how you got that antidote," I said as I spun her out to arms length.
"Well, you didn't tell me why you took that curse," she answered boldly as she spun into me.
"Isn't it obvious? I love you," I whispered in her ear before we returned to our dancing position.
"Same here. But can't this wait until later?"
"Later? Why not now?" I asked as she pulled me to the edge of the floor.
"Because I'm thinking of spending the time a little more romantically," she whispered. I stared at her dumb founded until she cocked her eye.
"Oh!" I said loudly. "I get it." She shook her head with a smile before walking us to a nearby alleyway, her hand squeezing mine. In a short moment we were in Paris and in the next inside her warm apartment back in London.
Her hand slid out of mine and even in the dark I could see her outline. The silhouette of her hands reached up to her dress straps, slowly pulling them down to reveal her bare shoulders.
"I think I've made you go through enough to have some fun," she muttered. I felt myself grow ridged. There were very few—and I mean very very few—occasions when Hermione and I would have sex. I figured she was shy or nervous or something about having some pride, but tonight she seemed just as excited as the night we first made love.
For a moment I was going to tackle her in kisses, but then remembering about her being excited reminded me of the small velvet box that was burning through my pocket.
"Hermione, wait," I said quickly with hands raised. I could slightly see her face frown in rejection and shock.
"What? You don't want to…you know…"
"No, no, no! Trust me, I really want to. I'm even thinking of what-the-hell-with-what-I-was-going-to-say, but this is way more important." I walked over to the wall and flipped the lights on and was shivering uncontrollably. Hermione stood in the center of the living room with her dress down to the floor, her body the most wonderfully gorgeous thing the world has ever made. The way her body was curved, how her skin was warm and welcoming, how the sight of her naked was for my eyes only.
"Uh…" I stammered lost in concentration.
"What?" she asked still puzzled. It wasn't until she followed my eyes that she knew what it was I was staring at. "Oh, here…" she said as she bent to pull her dress back on.
"No you don't have to—" I started to say, but then shook my head. "Focus, focus!" I muttered to myself as I hit my head a few times. I could hear her giggle and glanced up to se her hands covering her mouth to hide her smile.
"You think it is funny I have to beat myself up?" I asked as I rubbed where I smacked.
"No," she was able to answer. Once she was able to stop her giggle-fest she put her hands to her hips. "I think it's cute."
"Anyway," I started. I walked closer to her keeping eye contact. Her face softened with love and I knew that if I walked slower it would make the moment more romantic. But, stupid me, I accidentally hit my knee into her table, making me double over and grab my throbbing leg.
"Bloody hell!" I whispered.
"Are you ok, Ron?" Hermione asked with concern. I could hear her feet hurry to me.
"No no, I'm fine. I have to get down here anyway." I looked up to see her standing almost over me. I shifted onto my knee, reaching up to hold both Hermione's hands in mine. I saw how her puzzlement suddenly changed to shock.
"Hermione, we've know each other since we were eleven. And even though we didn't always get along we were best friends. And then something happened where I couldn't look at you and not carry this feeling inside me. When I had that feeling I was wondering, what is this? Turns out I was falling in love with you. And yeah I've done stupid things and hurt you…but it is me we are talking about. Anyway, I want you to know that I love you more than anything and it is you I want to wake up in the morning lying beside me." I reached into my pocket with my one hand still holding both of hers. I saw her eyes grow large as I showed the purple box that I flipped open with my thumb.
"Hermione Jean Granger, will you marry me?" I asked as strong as I could. Her face grew into a large smile and her hands went to her mouth.
"Ron!" she yelled happily. She wrapped her arms around my neck and in response I stood and lifted her from the ground. Her lips met mine and we kissed long and passionately. Even years of dating didn't stop our kisses from sparking.
"So I guess your answer is yes?" I asked once we broke apart.
"Why would I say no?" she questioned with a fake serious face. I laughed and kissed her again before putting down. I pulled the ring from the box, placing it on her finger with a smile.
"I'm glad I finally had the courage to do this," I said as I watched her examine her hand proudly.
"I'm glad too. Although…it was stupid of you to bring it on the mission," She slyly.
My eyes open wide in shock. "You knew? Wait till I get a hold of Harry, I'll kill him…" I muttered and started to the fireplace. But Hermione's hand grabbed my arm, pulling me back.
"No, Ron! Harry didn't say anything! In fact you did," she said quietly, waiting for my reaction. I was wondering if she found it, but it seemed she read my mind and answered, "and no I didn't find it. I over heard you talking to Harry on the ride to the station. You thought I was sleeping, remember?"
I sighed and scratched my hair. "Blimey, I did ruin it, didn't I?" I asked.
"No," Hermione said comfortly. She wrapped her arms around my waist, hugging my chest. "I was still surprise. I mean, I forgot about when you…well, when things were bad."
"Nice choice of words," I smiled and rested my head on her chest.
"You do know what we have to do now, don't you?" Hermione asked innocently after a moment of silence.
"Uh…oh yeah, tell everyone," I said and let her go to head to the fireplace once again. Strangely, Hermione didn't follow, making me look round confused. She started to walk backwards, a sexy smile playing on her lips.
"No, I mean…we should…celebrate," she whispered in a way that made my whole body shake in lust.
"Then—" I started to say, but instead of finishing I bolted to her, resulting in her screaming sarcastically and running away to her room. I caught up with her in a matter of minutes and in perfect timing. I grabbed her around the middle as we ran into her room, pulling her though the air until we both flopped onto the bed. I rubbed my face into her neck, her laughing and squirming to get away.
Once I was though tickling her, I slide my hand up her leg, pulling it over my waist. I could hear her sigh as I kissed her collarbone. I rolled until I was completely on top of her, pulling away to get a clear view of her face.
"I love you," I whispered as I stared into her warm brown eyes, her full lips smiling back, her hair covering the sheets in golden brown waves.
"I love you," she whispered back. Without hesitation, I kissed her on the mouth, reliving the special connection Hermione and I have when we make love.
Incase you are mad about ending it off like this, no need! The next chapter is not only the most romantic but also the longest! Also, the next chapter will be the last of this story and I won't be able to write another sequel to my Romine series until the beginning of March because of midterms and community service and the musical…anyway, keep an eye out for the last chapter next week!