Minerva and Hermione emerged a couple of hours later, only to find Harry had made lunch for everyone. Hermione had smiled at her dearest friend, kissed his cheek and dragged her mother to sit at the table ignoring the older witch's protest. "Please eat before you return to Hogwarts," Hermione pleaded. "I have missed you these past few weeks."

Minerva rolled her eyes at her daughter's antics but settled at the table nevertheless. Harry gave her a wide grin when he levitated the filled plate in front of them. "I have learned its easier to not argue with 'Mione," he said smiling. "Its easier in the long run."

Minerva snorted in amusement as she watched her daughter's face become indignant. "Harry bloody Potter," she screeched at him. "You make it sound like a harpy or something."

Harry chuckled in amusement as he watched her. He discreetly winked at Minerva before speaking, "I'm just teasing. I'm not as delusional as Ron."

"The bloody sod," Hermione said with anger resurfacing on her face. "I can't believe I could of been so wrong about him."

"What happened between you both and Mr. Weasley," Minerva asked curiously. She had spent a couple of hours merely holding her child and still remained in the dark on what had transpired between them. Her curiosity needed to be sated.

Harry and Hermione shared a look before Hermione sighed in frustration. "Ron proposed," she said simply.

Confusion showed on Minerva's face, as she tried to figure out why a marriage proposal would cause her daughter so much distress. She looked at Harry and raised her eyebrow, silently asking for more information.

He cleared his throat and answered. "Ron wanted 'Mione to quit her studies and immediately start having children. He felt as a pureblooded male and war hero he was entitled to have what he wanted. Why should 'Mione have a career when her place was taking care of his house and kids?"

Minerva snorted, in amusement or disbelief she didn't know. "He didn't?"

"Afraid so," Harry admitted, ashamed of his once friend's stupidity. "The bloody moron continued to rant after Hermione told him no. He felt he was the best offer Hermione was going to get."

"What," Minerva asked in disbelief. Hermione was an exceptional witch who had a bright future in front of her. Her role on the recent war would only add to the list of businesses trying to gain her employment with them.

"Because I'm a mudblood," Hermione said sarcastically. "He actually said that word. He then continued to tell me I would never get a head position in the Ministry because I will always be a Mudblood."

"Why that little miscreant," Minerva growled. "Did he not realize what we were actually fighting for?"

"I think he's too sheltered and coddled to realize," Harry answered sadly. "Hermione quickly informed him all about that and how his measly OWL results and no NEWTs wouldn't help him find a decent job."

Hermione looked quite proud of that. "He's so jealous and emotional."

"He started to berate her at that point so I tossed him out on his ear and made sure Hermione couldn't get to him," Harry said. "I would have allowed her to verbally lash into him but once she drew her wand I knew I had to seperate them."

"She wouldn't have lost to him," Minerva replied, completely aware of just how skilled her daughter was.

"Of course she wouldn't have," Harry agreed wholeheartedly. "I fear what she would have done to him and how it would have negatively impacted her future. I would never stand back and allow harm to Hermione even if it is from herself."

"Good man," Minerva said with a look of gratitude. She could see his point. Her daughter had her temper afterall and she knew just what she was capable if she reach her breaking point. She studied the wizard in front of her and finally realized what had been troubling her. "You're in love with Hermione," she said before she realized she said it out loud instead of in her mind.

Harry looked at her, slightly panicky and startled and then turned to his bestfriend. Hermione merely smiled and said "he is" and continued to eat.

"You knew," Harry asked suprised and a bit embarrassed.

Hermione gave him a smirk and nodded her head. "Since the dance in the tent," she admitted. "I figured you would get around to telling me sometime. Afterall, we don't keep secrets between us."

Harry shook his head at his dearest friend. "You're correct," he admitted. "We don't keep secrets." He reach inside his pant pocket and pulled out a bass skeleton key and laid it on the table in front of her.

"What's they key for," Hermione asked in confusion.

Harry winked at Minerva before smiling towards Hermione. "I wanted to list you as my next of kin at Gringotts; however, I was informed the only way to do so would be if we were betrothed or entered into a formal courtship. I may or may not have informed my account manager that we were entering into a courtship so I could have you listed as my next of kin."

Hermione's jaw dropped open in suprise. "You did what? When did you even find time to go to Gringotts? I thought they are still upset about the dragon?"

Minerva watched the couple with wide eyes and a bit of amusement as Harry ran his hand across his head. "I will have you know I patched things over with Gringotts. It costed a fair bit of gold and two illegally bought dragon eggs but we are permitted to resume doing business with them. The Goblin king was impressed that I walked into Gringotts unarmed with only two dragon eggs. Once I explained things and offered to repay the cost of damages with interest, they offered me friend of the Goblin nation status and willingly allowed me to file unofficial courtship papers."

"Are you insane," Hermione screeched at him. "Why would you go into Gringotts knowing the risk? They could of justifiably slaughtered you as you entered from our break-in last year."

"True," he conceded. "I did my homework and learned how to say an apology in their language. Professor Flitwick helped me with the apology and pointed me in the right direction to get the dragon eggs. It all worked out and now you have access to my private vaults."

Hermione crossed her arms and huffed at him, "I don't want your money."

Harry grinned before replying, "I know that; however, you have access regardless. The key isn't to the main vault. I had that one arranged just for you. It contains every book and scroll scattered throughout my vaults. Several of them are quite rare I am told. It also has a table of every engagement ring or wedding set in my vaults and their history. I figured you could decide on which one you want or if you would rather have a new one once you decided when you are ready to marry me."

"When," Hermione asked with a raised eyebrow much like her mother.

Harry smiled and tucked an errant curl behind her ear. "I have no doubt you will marry me someday," he said confidently. "You might have known I loved you in the tent but I have known I loved you in third year. I just refused to accept it because if I did then you would have had an even bigger target placed on you. That was one thing I wouldn't have done in a million years."

"You bloody fool," Hermione whispered emotionally as she leaned in and kissed him gently. "What am I going to do with you?"

"Marry me," he said sincerely.

"Fine," she answered then added a demand. "I am keeping my name."

"Deal," he said as he leaned in to kiss her tenderly.

Minerva discreetly wiped a tear from her eye as she watched them. She had a large smile on her face as she watched the couple in front of her. Their love and happiness radiated from them. She cleared her throat to remind them she was still there and laughed when they smiled sheepishly at her.

"Sorry," Hermione said with a grin. Minerva just waved her off and continued with their meal.