Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter.
A/N: Sorry this took so long, I wrote three different versions of this chapter before finally settling on this one. And writing has taken a bit of a back seat to school but hopefully I'll be able to get a few more chapters out before another break in writing. Happy reading!
"Come on, I just need to pick up a couple things before we head to the restaurant." Ron said, leading her through the Burrow and out to the backyard.
"And these things you need, you hid them outside?" She asked skeptically. He grinned distractedly.
They were both dressed up to the nines on account of the newest wizarding restaurant opening in Ottery St. Catchpole. She'd been amazed they'd gotten in. But they had, and now here they were. Him in some dashing dress robes, and her in a knee-length dark purple lace dress. It was elegant and sexy all at once, or so he'd said when he'd seen her in it. She grinned at the memory.
They came to the spot he was looking for, but instead of digging in the earth or searching for anything, he simply reached down, got dirt on his fingers and smudged it on his nose. Her eyebrows raised before she realized she was doing it. She rather thought he had gone insane.
"What on earth are you doing?"
"It's for luck," he mumbled. "Anyways, clearly I didn't need to pick anything up. But I am looking for something. I have a lot to say, and I'd appreciate if you would keep any comments you have until the end."
Her eyebrows raised further. Keep her comments until the end? He was acting very oddly. He wasn't breaking up with her, was he? Oh Merlin, what if he was? He'd been acting so strange this past week. Ever since she'd gone into the hospital. She nodded, worried now.
"I remember seeing you on that first day, on the train to Hogwarts. I thought that you were the most annoying person I'd ever met." Godric, he was breaking up with her. "And then we became friends and I slowly, ever so slowly, realized that I wasn't constantly annoyed by you, but in awe of you. I began to like you a lot. You were fierce and a little ruthless, brave, and beautiful and bold. I think I always loved you, even if I didn't know it. We nearly lost each other in the battle, and I couldn't stand not knowing if you were alright." He took a breath.
"And then Fred died, and I was lost but you were like a beacon of light. You didn't let me go to bed alone, you didn't leave me. And 24 hours after the worst day of my life, I was telling you I loved you and hearing it back. These past months since then have been the best of my life. Yes, we argue, but we wouldn't be us if we didn't."
She chuckled, teary-eyed. "You make me a better man, you are the brightest spot in my life. I love you so much I would move the earth to come home to you. Death would be the only thing capable of stopping me, but he won't take me willingly. I love you more than I ever thought it was possible to love a person. I would never be the same without you, and I never want to be without you ever again."
She was crying. Who knew Ron was so romantic? She was pretty sure she knew where this was going, and she could barely breathe as he dropped to a knee. His eyes met hers and they were full of love, light, and hope.
"Hermione Jean Granger, will you marry me?"
She took a deep shuddering breath and he looked like he was about to pass out. "Yes," she managed as tears slid down her face. She let him put the ring on her finger and then she dragged him up and kissed him furiously. "Yes, I will marry you, Ronald Weasley."
The only thing in the entire world that mattered right then was the two of them as his arms wound around her and she lost herself in his lips. They pulled apart and he rested his forehead on hers. "I love you." She told him. "I never want to be without you either. Ever."
"Well that's good. Because marriage lasts forever." He grinned. "I was thinking we would get married after Harry and Ginny, if that's alright with you. Unless you want a double wedding…?"
"Absolutely not." She laughed. "I love them, but we get our own special day. I want our wedding to be about just you and me," she said softly, meeting his eyes. He beamed. Their wedding, Merlin. "Besides, the press will be all over their wedding." He snorted in agreeance.
"By the way," he said softly, arms around her waist, "I asked your parents for their blessing. They said you've made up. They seemed annoyed they wouldn't be getting to know me before we get married though."
"They will if we have a bit of a longer engagement. Besides, Harry and Ginny's wedding is at the end of August, which is still four months away, and I don't think we should steal the satisfaction of having the first post-war wedding from them."
Ginny had applied a couple of months ago to have a shorter seventh year because of the mental stress of being back at Hogwarts. She had written her exams and come home a couple of days after Ron and Harry had returned from their mission. But her and Harry hadn't moved up the date, mostly because Mrs. Weasley was adamant her daughter be seventeen before she got married. So Ginny, in typical fashion, had made the wedding two weeks after her seventeenth. She'd tried for the day after, but her mother had won that argument.
"Mhmm. Speaking of family, they're all inside waiting to hear how it went. I planned a party, hoping you'd say yes."
"That would have been awkward for you if I'd refused," she teased.
"I was pretty sure you wouldn't," he said with fake swagger. She giggled.
"You nearly passed out you were so nervous."
"Of course, I was. If you said no, I might have lost you."
"You will never lose me. Never," she vowed. He kissed her softly. "Ron, why exactly did you rub dirt on your nose first?"
He just grinned at her. "Come on Hermione, are you the brightest witch of our age or not?"
She stared at him, mind racing. Dirt on his nose. When had he had dirt on his nose? They had been young, she remembered something about Neville, and maybe Trevor? On the Hogwarts Express in first year… "when we first met," she murmured, understanding dawning. "You had dirt on your nose when we met. It was the first thing I said to you."
"Bingo," he whispered, kissing her again.
They drew away but his arms stayed around her. She remembered how dumb she had thought him when they had first met. If she had only known…good Godric if she had only known he was about to be her future husband.
"Alright, let's go to this party then," she said breathlessly. "By the way I love the ring."
"It's my grandmother's. Bill and Percy wanted new rings for Fleur and Audrey, and George and Ginny told me I could have it. Her name was Cedrella, and I only knew her until I was ten, but I loved her. I think she would've loved you." Hermione just beamed at him.
"Oh!" she exclaimed, her mind grasping on that thought. He raised an eyebrow. "I guess I'll be a member of the Sacred 28 now. It's thrilling."
"Not for the other purebloods, I'm sure." He smirked.
"Not at all." She beamed at him and took his offered arm as he led her in to tell their family. Her parents were there as well as Minerva and every other Order member. Hermione beamed at a waving Hagrid.
"Well?" Harry asked from his spot on the wall. She met his gaze and began to cry as she nodded, thrusting up her left hand. The cheers were deafening as everyone converged on them. But Harry was the first one to reach her, hugging her tightly.
"Congratulations Mione."
"Thanks Harry," she murmured. He smiled and pulled away, allowing everyone else to fuss over her.
The party swung in full force, and she was bombarded with well-wishers for hours on end, barely getting to see Ron at all. Oh well, they had forever, she supposed. Finally, the room was empty of only people at our near their own age, the older adults having already retired. This group included Bill and Fleur, the latter whom had fallen asleep at nine thirty, even amid the revelry, and had to be carried out by her husband.
Hermione turned to Ginny. "Will you be my maid of honour? There's no one else I'd rather have." Ginny beamed, eyes damp, and embraced her.
"It's the least I can do," she joked. "You're doing it for me, after all. But there's no one else I'd rather be maid of honour for."
"And you'll be my best man, of course," Ron said, close to tears himself. Harry smiled so wide it lit up his entire face.
"Nothing would make me happier," Harry said sincerely. Ginny elbowed him good-naturedly. "Except you love." Hermione snickered and Harry glared at her.
"Well, I'm heading to bed. Don't stay up too late." Ginny said, ever the tactful one.
"You know you're my best man too, right?" Hermione asked Harry.
He grinned. "Of course I do. Man this is weird. All three of us engaged. I didn't know if any of us were going to make it when we went on the run. I'm happy we're all still here."
"Me too," she echoed. "Me too."
"It's a big step up from me trying to hold hands with Hermione and you staring creepily at my sister's name on the map, that's for sure," Ron chuckled. Harry looked at him, flabbergasted.
"You knew I did that?"
"Uh huh," Ron smirked as Harry turned bright red. Hermione giggled.
"I love you guys," Ron's ears turned red to match Harry's face at that pronouncement.
"So do you have a date?" Harry asked to cover his embarrassment.
"After yours, for sure," Hermione said. "But we're in no rush, we have the rest of our lives." She smiled sappily at Ron who returned it and Harry raised an eyebrow at them but didn't comment. Merlin, they could probably get away with snogging in public tonight and no one would really care.
She eyed Ron. That sounded like a damn good idea. Just the thought had her body flaring. He turned his head to her and leisurely ran his eyes down her body, as if knowing the direction of her thoughts. His eyes were shuttered as they met hers.
"Later," she whispered in his ear. He nearly spilled his drink in shock as she turned around and walked over to Minerva. Harry chuckled heartily as she walked away, no doubt at Ron's expression.
"Hermione!" She exclaimed in delight.
"Hello Minerva."
"Congratulations. I have to say I rather hoped this was coming. The two of you always seemed meant for one another," she smiled.
"Thank you. He certainly makes me happy."
Minerva smiled. "You're good for each other."
"That's what everyone says," she agreed easily. "So how are things at Hogwarts?"
"Oh, the usual. As much as anything is usual at Hogwarts." The Professor laughed. "Though I must say it's much quieter than when the three of you attended." Hermione laughed sheepishly. "Professor Slughorn retired this year, so I had to hire a new potions master."
"Oh?" Hermione asked curiously.
"I reached out to Mr. Malfoy, and he has gratefully accepted."
A smile spread slowly but genuinely across Hermione's face. "I'm glad."
"Me as well." Just then, Professor Flitwick waved Minerva over and she gave Hermione a smile as she went to join her colleagues.
"Congratulations, Hermione," a voice said softly from behind her, and she turned to face Draco Malfoy himself.
"Draco! Thank you. Did Harry invite you?"
"No, I did," Ron said from behind her, putting an arm around her waist. She swivelled to her boyfriend…no fiancé, in shock. "You guys are friends and I've found him to be less of an asshole as of late—"
"Ron!" Hermione cut in but Draco chuckled.
"—so I invited him," he continued.
She had told him about meeting Draco on the street in the middle of the night and how he'd helped her. Not to mention everything he'd been doing for her department at the Ministry. And she supposed with him being as close to Harry, Ginny, and Teddy as he was Ron virtually had no choice but to interact with him.
"I'm glad you did. A long way indeed," she muttered to Ron in continuation of their earlier conversation. He nodded. Draco raised an eyebrow elegantly. "We were talking about how far we've all come earlier," she explained.
Ah. Indeed," he said softly, eyes getting a faraway look.
"I do hope you'll come to our wedding, once we set a date," Hermione said. Ron nodded in agreement.
Draco looked stunned. "I would love to," he said softly. "I mean, I predicted this, after all."
"I'm sorry?" Ron asked, utterly taken aback.
"Remember in third year? My methods were less than favourable, but still. I asked if you were looking for a place to live together."
"Bloody hell." Ron goggled at him, and Hermione giggled. Malfoy was really growing on her. Draco, she reminded herself.
"Oh!" Hermione said. "Congratulations on your new job! Minerva was just telling me. I'm very happy for you."
Ron looked between them in confusion. "I'm the new Potions professor. And Head of Slytherin," he added wryly to Ron. "Thank you. I'm happy too. I only hope that I don't get run out like Lupin did once the parents find out."
Hermione frowned. "I'm sure that won't happen. Besides, you can't possibly be worse than Snape."
The three of them chuckled. "Draco!" Harry roared from somewhere behind them, already sloshed. "Come join us!"
Draco heaved a sigh. "Ah, dealing with a rather drunk former Chosen One. Just how I wanted my night to go." But he was smiling as he walked towards Harry who was drinking with George.
Hermione leaned farther into Ron. "Thank you for inviting him." He nodded.
"It was the right thing to do. Plus, once I admitted why I hated him, it was easier to get over somehow. I can never forgive him for how he treated you, but he's not the same person he was. None of us are. And you were annoying," he teased.
Her mouth dropped open. "Ronald Weasley! Are you insulting me when I just agreed to marry you?"
"Who else is going to do it?"
Her mouth dropped open further, but she was also grinning, incredulously amused. He kissed her quickly and she couldn't even try to be angry.
They pulled apart, and there was a squeal as Lavender launched herself at them. For the briefest of moments Hermione had some PTSD at the sight of Lavender's arms around Ron's neck, but she shook it off as Lavender embraced her as well.
"Congratulations!" she exclaimed. "Merlin I was the first of us to start dating and I'm practically the only one not engaged," she complained, but she was smiling.
"That's not true," Hermione said, nodding to Blaise Zabini who had come with Draco and was eyeing Lavender appreciatively. Lavender blushed at the attention and cleared her throat.
"Yes, well. Today is about you guys." But as she walked away Hermione noticed she kept lingering near the Slytherin.
"That's new," Ron muttered. Hermione hummed in agreement. They sat back, alone for the moment, and watched their family and friends be merry. It felt good, when not so long ago they had all been gathered in the kitchen of Grimmauld place, trying to end a war.
Unbidden, Hermione's thoughts moved to a conversation she'd had long ago. "Minerva told me we're good together," she said to Ron. "Did you know, Fred was the first one to say that to me." She found herself thinking of his brother and thought now would be a good time to tell him.
His head swivelled towards her. He had only been half paying attention before, but now she had his full attention. "He was?" he asked softly.
She nodded. "Well, besides Malfoy, apparently." She grinned. "He cornered me at Bill and Fleur's wedding and told me he knew I fancied you. He told me that I need someone to challenge me and look after me and that you're the only one who can do both. He also said you need someone to be strong for you when you can't be, and to make you understand you have worth."
A tear slid down Ron's nose. She interlaced their fingers as she continued. "He asked me to promise to look after you once the war was over. I said no."
She smiled knowingly at his look of disbelief. "I told him that I wouldn't help you or be with you just because he made me promise. I would do it because I care about you."
"And what did he say to that?" Ron asked hoarsely.
"He told me he intended to see a niece or nephew with a tangle of Weasley red curls someday." Tears fell faster down Ron's face, but he smiled. Hermione squeezed his hand. "He was a lot more perceptive than any of us realized, I think. What with that conversation and teaching Ginny how to fly."
"Yeah," Ron agreed. "I wish he could see me know."
"He can," she said softly. He nodded and pulled her onto his lap. "Whaddya say we get out of here?" he asked her gently.
She turned around to face him and grinned. "Someone's eager."
"For you, always," he said earnestly, blue eyes intent.
She beamed and snogged him thoroughly, uncaring about the audience. He sucked in a breath as she pulled away.
"Well now we really have to leave," he said breathlessly, and she laughed.
"Come on fiancé, let's go celebrate our engagement."