When Ron woke up the next morning with a naked Hermione in his arms he couldn't be more nervous. Today was the day he had been waiting for so long and although he was pretty sure that Hermione would accept his proposal, he couldn't stop thinking about scenarios of how he would screw up this moment.

He shook his head to free himself from these thoughts and went through his plan again in his mind. Hermione slumbered peacefully beside him, unaware of the thoughts that had woken Ron so early.

After they had both got up and had breakfast in a cafe, Ron turned his plan into action.

"Hermione? I'd like to invite you to dinner again tonight."

"Why don't we skip dinner tonight and go to our room early?", she winked.

Ron suddenly turned pale and started sweating. What could he do now? With her simple comment , Hermione had blown all his plans. He started babbling and Hermione spoke up again.

"Oh, Ron. You should see your face. Don't worry, you don't have to choose between me and food. I'd love to go out with you tonight.", she laughed.

"It's not... Well, of course I would…"

"It's okay, Ron. I'm totally fine with it! Consider it payback for your Percy joke."

Ron winked at Hermione and after their breakfast they went for a long walk along the Seine before exploring the magical part of Paris.

In the late afternoon Ron, now increasingly nervous, led Hermione back to the hotel.

"Where do you want to go for dinner tonight?" Hermione asker curiously.

"It's a surprise."

"Will you give me a hint?"

"No.", Ron answered shortly.

"Are you all right, Ron? Did I say something wrong? You've been acting so strangely since we went back to our room."

Ron could have cursed himself. This night was gonna be the best night of their lives together and Ron was about to screw it all up.

" I'm sorry. Everything is fine. And let's face it... Could you ever say the wrong thing? I just want to surprise you. Trust me."

"Of course I trust you. I was just asking so I'd know what to wear...

Ron clasped his forehead. "Merlin, I'm so stupid. Wait a minutes, I have something for you."

Ron turned quickly, ran into her bedroom and came back to her just as quickly. He held a package out to her.

"Ron... I don't understand." Hermione said slightly confused.

"I hope you like it and you'll wear it tonight.", Ron smiled.

Hermione looked at Ron sceptically and took the package. When she opened it, she saw a classic black gown.

"Oh, Ron. You didn't have to do that."

"You like it?"

"You know I do." Hermione walked towards Ron and their lips met again in a kiss. Just as Ron was about to deepen the kiss, Hermione took a step back. "Stop, stop. If we keep this up, we can forget our dinner!"

"You're right. Shall we take advantage of the two bathrooms and change?"

Hermione smiled and nodded.

After a while Ron came out of one of the bathrooms. He was wearing a black Muggle suit, a white shirt with black tie and matching dragon skin shoes, which had been a Christmas present from George.

While waiting for Hermione, his right hand wandered into his pocket and clasped the velvet-covered box in which the ring was hidden. It almost didn't notice that Hermione stepped carefully out of the second bathroom. Ron lifted his head and he literally held his breath.

"Merlin!"

"Is there something wrong, do I look…", Hermione started to babble.

"You are so beautiful." Ron interrupted her and as he walked towards her, Hermione took a deep breath. Ron placed his right hand on Hermione's hip while his left slid gently across the fabric and finally disappeared into her hair.

"Hermione, do you know how fucking sexy you are?"

Hermione shook her head slightly, but smiled. She ran her hands across Ron's chest.

"Language Ronald… But same goes for you. You look outrageously good in your suit."

Ron's previous nervousness melted at her words and a new kind of self-confidence filled his body. He was suddenly aware that in a few hours Hermione would no longer be his girlfriend but his fiancée.

He took Hermione by the hand and they both walked through the cold Parisian December night.

Arriving at the restaurant, Hermione could hardly contain her excitement.

"Oh, Ron. How... I mean... how did you know?"

"Oh, when you were talking to Fleur two months ago, I overheard you talking about how excited you were about this restaurant and that you will probably never have the pleasure of eating here. You gave up France for me and I wanted to show you that although you chose me, it doesn't mean you have to give up your dreams." Ron explained and smiled gently at her.

Hermione had tears in her eyes and tried hard to suppress them. "This was a wonderful and thoughtful idea. But Ron, choosing you does not mean that I've given up on my dreams. On the contrary, with you, I'm living my dream."

"Hermione…"

Before Ron could talk any further, the waiter led Ron and Hermione to their table and reminded him of his first date with Hermione in the pizzeria. They were also constantly interrupted by a waiter at that time.

This time, however, things went completely different to Ron's delight. They ate comfortably, drank wine and talked about their plans for the next days. When it was time for dessert, Ron called the waiter over.

"Can't wait to get to the part for your sweet tooth, huh?", Hermione asked amused.

Ron just smiled and when the waiter came to her table, he stunned Hermione as he asked the waiter in perfect French for the bill and if they could have the dessert for takeaway.

Hermione just looked at Ron speechlessly. She couldn't believe what Ron had planned and how well he had prepared himself for this trip.

A short time later, the waiter brought them the bill and their desserts.

"I thought it would be nicer to end the year in private rather than with strangers in a crowded restaurant. Besides, I hear Muggles have this crazy custom of kissing someone at 12:00. Someone who is in the same room. And to be honest, the old woman across the table has been staring at me the whole time…", Ron explained.

"Don't worry Ron, I'm the only one who kisses you and that's not just for today. But I gotta have to admit that this woman got damn good taste. You look tasty in that suit." Hermione said mischievously. She bit her lower lip and suppressed a groan. She suddenly got up, took Ron's hand and pulled him out of the restaurant.

"Hermione, are you all right? Why were you in such a hurry-"

Hermione didn't give him a chance. She apparated immediately. When Ron and Hermione landed in, their room, Hermione could hardly believe her eyes.

The whole room was flooded with candles and roses, the bed covered with rose petals and the door to the balcony was open.

"Oh, my God! Ron, that's beautiful."

"You're beautiful."

He walked towards her, put his hand on her hip, pulled her close and kissed her passionately before he took her hand and led her to the balcony. A chilled bottle of champagne and two glasses were on the table. The tears that Hermione still tried to suppress in the restaurant now rolled down her reddened cheeks.

"I love you so much, Ronald Weasley."

Ron beamed at her, kissed her gently, poured them each a glass of champagne and sat down in the rocking chair next to the table. He made Hermione understand that she should follow him and so she sat on his lap and snuggled up against him. With a wave of his wand Ron accioed a few blankets and wrapped himself and Hermione in them. Afterwards both ate their dessert.

"This creme brulee tastes divine. It was a great idea of you to start the new year this way." Hermione said.

Ron looked at his watch. One minute till midnight. With a quick movement of his wand the champagne cork came off and their glasses filled. Ron handed a glass to Hermione, who straightened up a bit to look Ron in the eyes.

"Hermione, now that the year is coming to an end, I would like to thank you for the wonderful months we have been able to spend together. Not everything we have experienced together has been easy, but it has only brought us closer together and shown me that there is only you for me."

At that moment it was banging all over Paris and the sky was lit up with endless colours.

Hermione's eyes were moist for the second time that evening. She leaned over and kissed him.

" Happy New Year, Hermione."

" Happy New Year, you incredible man. I hope that many more years will follow. Just one day without you would not be worth living.", she answered.

That was Ron's cue. He somehow managed to move Hermione gently from the rocking chair so that she stood before him. Ron took a deep breath and looked at a very confused looking Hermione. "Well, she doesn't know what's coming.", he thought.

Ron now knelt before Hermione and took her right hand while she put her left on over her mouth.

"Hermione, the moment you came into my life has made me into a different and better person. Before I knew you, I felt this inexplicable emptiness, this deep sadness and the feeling of not being complete. All that changed when I looked into your eyes for the first time, touched your face for the first time, kissed you for the first time and we made love for the first time. The trust you give me, your faith in me, the love we feel for each other has shown me that my existence in this world is not in vain. I am good for one thing, to love you and make you happy. And if you let me, that's exactly what I would do for the rest of our lives. Hermione Jean Granger, will you marry me?"

Hermione fell to the floor sobbing, put her hands around Ron's neck while repeating a single word over and over again: "Yes!"

Hermione began to kiss Ron uncontrollably. Her tears mingled with Ron's. He took the ring from the box and put it on her finger. Hermione gasped with joy and excitement.

"I love you so much. I can't imagine anything more wonderful than spending my life with you.", Hermione sobbed.

Ron helped Hermione up, who was immediately busy putting wet kisses all over Ron's face again.

For a moment, both looked up at the sky to watch the lights as Hermione took a deep breath.

A huge firework heart suddenly appeared in the sky, bearing her initials before it exploded and turned into two doves carrying a banner with the words "I love you."

"My God, Ron. This is so, so wonderful."

She looked at him and she pressed her body against his. "You make me so incredibly happy. I can't wait to be your wife."

Ron kissed Hermione gently, sliding his hands across her back until they stopped under her bottom. He lifted her up gently while Hermione immediately swung her legs around his hips. Their kisses became more and more intense and Ron finally made his way to the bedroom to celebrate their engagement properly.