AN: Thank you for all the support! It is very deeply appreciated!

Sometimes, Hermione wished she lived alone in an apartment just above the apothecary. That way, she could have peace while sleeping in before her shift began. Work was more fulfilling than her home life. The longer she worked, the more she learned about herself. She was a more tactile person than she'd been at Hogwarts. Perhaps she didn't agree with Severus that most charms were foolish wand waving, but she did admit there was nothing quite as fulfilling as the sensation of fine gold powder shifting through one's fingers, or the touch of rattlesnake scales against one's thumb.

Then there was the fact that she and Severus rarely fought. It was a relief to have somewhere to go free of drama, if only for a few hours. Someday, she should thank him for creating such as peaceful atmosphere, one where she could forget the screaming matches she'd endured at home.

Speaking of home, she apparated in front of her apartment. She stepped through the from door, bracing herself for the inevitable argument overtime was sure to bring. For a brief moment, she considered flooing Draco and Ginny, asking if she could dine with them, if only to have this conversation over the floo. She had no interest in another fight, not after such a peaceful day at work.

"'Mione."

Hermione swallowed as her body tensed. Ron approached her, his smile as wide as his face. There was a spark in his eyes she hadn't seen since the day he proposed.

"How is my beautiful fiancee today?" He embraced her.

"Fine." She returned the embrace with some trepidation. This was a far cry from the tense silence of the morning.

"That's great." He kissed her on the right cheek. "I missed you so much today. I thought about you every moment at work."

"I missed you too," she drawled, hoping he didn't realize how untrue the statement was..

He backed away, his smile still in place. "You look so beautiful today."

"Thank you?" She raised an eyebrow.

"You are so sexy, do you know that?"

She kept the same expression.

"Why are you looking at me like I've lost my mind?"

"No reason."

"Come on, 'Mione. You know you can tell me anything," he said. "Why do you look shocked that I think you're sexy?"

"To be quite blunt, after our fight at the engagement party and given that you barely spoke to me yesterday and this morning, I thought you were upset with me."

"I'll admit, I was a little upset after you started arguing with me over your new work schedule…"

"I had every right to be upset. You were trying to control me."

"Let me finish," Ron put a finger over Hermione's mouth.

She scowled, but said nothing.

"I had a long talk with Harry today, and he gave me some good advice."

"He did?" She stepped back.

"Yes," Ron said. "He said you need to be allowed to work overtime because it will make you happy."

"It will make me happier knowing our finances are in a healthier state anyway."

"He also said that while it was wrong of you to pick a fight with me in front of everyone, I should forgive you since I love you."

"I wouldn't have had a quarrel with you had you not attempted to talk Professor Snape out of giving me overtime."

"Well, you need to think about my needs more and," he held up his hands and shook his head. "No, tonight is about us."

"It is?"

"Yes, we're going to focus on the present. I need to stop allowing you to bait me into fights and show you how much I care for you."

"How do you plan to do that?"

"By making you dinner."

"I didn't think you cooked."

"I may have made sandwiches." He blushed. "It isn't much, but I thought you'd like it."

"I see." She couldn't help but grin. There was something about the sincerity of his expression that warmed her heart.

"They're turkey, cheese and mustard, just the way you like them."

"I could go for one of those." She relaxed.

"Good, and I even got out that bottle of red wine we've been saving for a special occasion." He took her hand.

"Right," she mused aloud. "I thought we would open it the day we got engaged."

"We were too tired after the dinner, and then you picked that fight the next day because you were so unappreciative," he said. "But we can have it now since tonight, since I won't allow you to start any fights."

"I would like some red wine."

He kissed her cheek before leading her away to the kitchen table. In the center of the table were two burning white candles. On either side was a plate with a sandwich and a glass full of red wine.

"I have chips in the drawer if you are interested," he said as he led her to the table.

"Do you have Cool Original Doritos?"

"I bought them just for you." He released her hand.

Her heart skipped a beat. It was a rare occurrence for Ron to be this courteous. She would need to thank Harry for this little heart to heart.

"So." He grabbed the bag of chips. "How was your day?"

"It went well." She sat down.

"What did you work on?" He set the chips between them.

"A few potions, just like always."

"Which ones?"

"Are you truly interested?"

"Yes," he answered. "Tonight is all about me showing I care for you, so tell me about the potions."

"Fine," she said. "Professor Snape and I brewed some Polyjuice potion, ten vials of vindecarea gripei, and are working on a new version of Wolfsbance."

"That sounds fascinating."

"Truly?"

"Yes."

She blinked as her mouth opened slightly.

"Why do you look so surprised I'm asking these questions?" Ron asked.

"You've never taken this much of an interest in what I've done at work before."

"I care about you, 'Mione," he said. "I need to show you that more often."

"Thank you," her heart fluttered. "It means quite a bit when you show me how much you care."

He raised his glass. "To us."

"To us, and the love we share." She tapped her glass against his. Then, she took a sip of wine, soaking in the warmth of the moment.

"Did you discuss overtime?" Ron asked.

"I did," the tension returned to her body.

"What did you decide?" Ron's expression was indecipherable, which only increased Hermione's worries. She'd wanted to read him when she delivered this news. If she couldn't, she was at an increased risk of starting another fight, which was the last thing she wanted to do when things were going so well.

"'Mione," he whispered. "You can tell me anything. What did you and Snape decide about overtime?"

"We decided that I would begin working some overtime on Wednesdays and Thursdays, and some on the weekends." Her heart squeezed as her body prepared for another fight.

"Is that what you want?" She still couldn't read him, nor could she decipher the tone of his voice. It was all much too neutral for her liking.

"It is." She took a shaky breath.

"Then I won't stand in your way."

"You won't?" She sat up straighter.

"Of course not."

She stared at him as if he'd announced he no longer took an interest in Quidditch.

"What? Did you think I would fight you on this?" He asked.

"As a matter of fact, yes," she answered. "We got into a huge fight on Saturday about overtime, so I'm surprised you're taking all this so well."

"I won't fight with you," he said. "Tonight is about making you happy. If overtime will make you happy, then go ahead and work it."

"Ron." Her face lit up. "That is the most romantic thing you've ever said to me!"

"That you can work overtime?"

"Yes, it's romantic when you respect my wishes and allow me some independence."

"I try to be as romantic as I can."

"Yes, but I thought we'd be yelling at each other now, not having a reasonable conversation."

"I'm tired of yelling at you. I would rather make love to you." He looked at his food. "After our meal of course."

"Yes," she laughed. "After our meal."

He took his hands in hers. "I want us to be happy."

"I do too," she said.

"From here on out, we're going to work as a team."

"Yes," she nodded. "We will."

"I don't want you to be afraid to tell me things. Whatever happens, we'll work it out."

"I want that more than anything."

"I need our relationship to work, because I need you."

"I need you too."

"Good, now," He released her hand as an impish expression overtook his face. "I'm starving. You didn't give me much for lunch, so I made two sandwiches for myself."

"I apologize," she picked up her sandwich. "I was in a bit of a rush this morning and didn't have time to pack any fruit for you."

"I understand." He took a bite of his food. "Mfou needed fou go to fwork."

Her lower lip twitched.

"Sorry." He swallowed his food. "I know you hate it when I talk with my mouth full."

"I wish you'd break that habit, but," the tension left her body. "If that's the biggest complaint I have about you at the moment, we're dong very well."

"Yes," he answered, "we're doing very well."

Hermione took a bite of her sandwich. This was the Ron she fell in love with, the one who could be mature and care for her. He could make her feel better after a long day of work, and was considerate enough to make a meal for her, even if it was just sandwiches. This Ron is someone she could see herself married to for the rest of her life.

She was finally confident in her decision to accept his proposal.