Disclaimer: When it comes to the Harry Potter universe, I own bupkus. Nada. Nothing. Argh! ::stalks off to pout in corner::

A/N: Here we are again, back to Ron and Hermione. Is it time for the big question? Just wait and see. Some of you have probably noticed that I'm not portraying Ron as the insensitive prat that some authors do. That's because, as I mentioned in an earlier note regarding Harry, I prefer to believe that, while Ron can be more amusing in a way as a twit, he will mature to the point where not everything he says will make Hermione and everyone else around him want to throttle him. Not that they won't still argue and bicker from time to time. Au contraire, mes amis. The bickering will still go on, simply because making up can be so much fun.

GiGiFanFic: Thank you again, dear lady, for the kind words. Yes, I believe he will.

Byron245: Glad you still like it. As long as my muse (flighty little thing that she is) doesn't decide to go on holiday, then yes, the story will continue.

Stahchild: Ain't it the truth? They're fun to write, though it can get a bit confusing at times, keeping track of who says what, when they trade sentences.

Again, thanks to all who have reviewed.

And now, if you would all please keep your hands, arms, and legs, along with any other body parts you may value inside the car at all times, and remember that the management is not responsible for any lost items, we may now restart the ride.

A Modest Proposal:

Ron had always known how Hermione loved to read. It seemed to be all she did at times. When they were still at school, you would more often than not find her nose almost stuck to the bindings of some huge volume, from the inside out. She had usually done her homework as far ahead as she could reasonably predict. Most of that time, to be honest, he had thought her mental. He could just never understand how, when there were so many other things she could be doing, she would rather be doing homework. It just mystified him.

When she had stayed at the Burrow the summer between sixth and seventh years, she had run out of homework to do, and had turned stir-crazy. She was the type of person who, if she didn't have something to occupy her mind constantly, would drive everybody else around her right up the walls, until they were barking mad themselves. She didn't mean to, but she did. After about two days of her analyzing simply everything, Ron was struck by inspiration. Well alright, he was struck by one of Ginny's romance novels. It had fallen off of one of the shelves in the living room, when Crookshanks had jumped on top of the shelf. The cat had been de-gnoming the garden all by himself, and came back in looking very smug. When the book dropped onto his head, Ron had thought at first to toss it at the cat, then realized that this was one Hermione hadn't yet read.

He had taken the book to her, as a peace offering for the row he had started earlier in the day when she was making him crazy. She had given an almost Snape-like sneer at it at first, but had relented, realizing he was trying to help. She had decided to take a look at it, just as something to keep her mind off everything. The next thing she had known, she was addicted. She'd finished it by the next morning, and went in search of the source. She had found Ginny's bookshelf, and devoured everything there over the next few weeks. She knew the plots were utter rot, the dialogue was even worse, and the whole idea of these storybook romances was just ridiculous. Still, she couldn't help herself. She could, and would, forget everything that was going on around her, for just a little while. The war, Ron's antagonism towards Ginny's boyfriends, Harry's problems, everything went away while she was reading these books.

Ron had wondered what the appeal of these novels was, and had picked one up that she seemed to particularly enjoy, judging by the blushes she got, and how much she had giggled while reading it. He could see how someone could find this kind of thing interesting. He knew that, contrary to the image his girlfriend portrayed, she was not solely an intellectual. She was, also, very much the frustrated romantic. He knew that some men were able to effortlessly tell women their feelings, and make up poetry on the spot to express them. Unfortunately, Ron had not been one of that type of men. That was the main reason he had gotten so jealous of Viktor Krum. No matter that he could barely speak english, and that he walked like a penguin with the piles when he was on the ground. When there was something he wanted to say to a woman (usually Hermione), he was able to just come out and say it, and in such a way that they usually melted into little puddles of goo. It was a bit unfair, really.

Over the past year or so, he rather thought that he had picked up a few things, when it came to romance. At this point, he knew what fights to pick with her, and which to avoid like bubotuber puss. He also knew now, that some women, like Hermione, enjoyed receiving unexpected gifts once in a while. Just little things, like flowers, a new book she'd mentioned, a bracelet that had caught her eye. She also appreciated a chivalrous gesture once in a while, like his opening a door for her, offering to carry a couple of packages when she was shopping.

It was these things he'd had in mind, when he had done the planning for tonight. He had made reservations at what was supposed to be a very good italian resturaunt. That was her favorite type of food. She could go on for hours about it. He had quite liked it, the time he had eaten dinner at her parents. Admittedly, when he had arrived, he hadn't been thinking much about food. Unusual, that. Not so unusual though, when he considered that this was the first time he was meeting them as her boyfriend. That had made him just a bit nervous. Actually, it had made him a lot nervous. That had disippated, though, when they had sat down in the dining room, and he had asked what smelled so good. Hermione had laughed at that, a bit nervous herself, and told him that was her mother's lasagna. The look in his eyes when he smelled it was probably what had won them over. Really, how could you not like somebody who liked your cooking as much as it seemed he would? Mrs Granger could only like him even more, when he asked for seconds, and then hinted that he might like a copy of the recipe for his mum. Mione had teased him a bit about that the next day, saying that he was the only person she had ever known who could win somebody over with his appetite.

Ron just hoped that everything was taken care of for tonight. It had all sure cost enough. Of course, money wasn't the problem it had once been, with the compensation his family had received for their role in the downfall of Voldemort. He just didn't want to see any of it wasted. He was fidgeting a bit, as he made his way to her parent's house, to pick her up for the date. He was picking at threads on his coat, rechecking the buttons on his shirt to make sure they were even, straightening his tie. He wanted everything perfect for tonight. He couldn't believe he was actually going to ask her. Before he knew it, he was standing at their door, knocking.

Mrs Granger opened the door and gave him a big smile when she saw who it was. "Ron! How are you tonight?" She gave him a hug worthy of his mother, leaving him wanting to check his ribs when she released him.

He saw Hermione's father then, who gave him a wink. Ron was glad he had asked them both permission to propose to her. This way, they knew his intentions were honorable, and they wouldn't worry about what they might get up to, while they were out.

Hermione came down the stairs then, and took his breath away. She was wearing a full-length dress that almost swept the floor. It was a brilliant turquoise, with shimmering accents all over it. She wore a silver choker with an oval star sapphire set in the middle. Her hair was tamed a bit, though still curly. Just the way he liked it best.

Ron met her at the bottom of the steps and offered her his hand. All he could manage to say was, "You're beautiful."

Hermione blushed and lowered her eyes. She looked back up after a moment, and said, "Thank you. You look very nice, too."

They said goodnight to her parents, and walked off down the street. Ron couldn't believe how proud he felt to have her on his arm. He had always been proud to have her as his friend, but this was different. If he was lucky, she would be his wife, soon.

As they walked towards the nearest apparation point, they talked about some of the things that had been going on lately. Both of them were happy for Harry and Ginny, that they had finally gotten together. Ron asked how things had gone the day before at the ministry, when she checked on the courses. She asked a rather pointed question about why his fitting had taken two hours. He quickly made something up about a long waiting time, due to the HollyHead Harpies coming in to get fitted at the same time. She shot him a doubtful look, but let it drop.

They reached the apparation point for the area. "Mione, would you mind if I handle the apparation for the both of us? I have a surprise for you."

"Of course, Ron. I trust you."

A moment later, they had appeared in a dark area of Old Brompton Road, and Ron led the way to Il Falconiere. She gasped when she realized they were going in here. "Ron! This is your surprise?" she asked with a big smile.

"Part of it. Shall we?"

They walked in and the maitre d'hotel came to them. "Mr Weasley?"

When Ron nodded, they were led to a private room, off the main dining room, and seated.

A moment later, a waiter came in and told them the specials. Ron ordered for the both of them. He ordered stuffed mushrooms as an appetizer, and fettucione alfredo with chicken and broccoli as the main dish. Next the wine steward came by, and he chose a nice white wine to accompany dinner. Hermione looked shocked that he had manuevered through all this so easily.

He blushed a bit, and admitted, "Well, I asked your mum for a few suggestions on what to order. You know I don't know italian food nearly as well as you do. I just wanted to make tonight right."

"My mum? She never said a thing." She shook her head in wonder.

They chatted a while, waiting for dinner to arrive. The mushrooms were really quite good. They were something neither had tried before. When the food was brought out, he motioned the waiter close, and they whispered for a moment, the waiter nodding before leaving.

"What was that all about, Ron?"

"Just another part of the surprise, Mione. Let's just enjoy our dinner for now."

After the dishes had been cleared away, they enjoyed a coffee, with a creme brulee. As they finished, Ron signaled for the waiter. When he came over again, Ron murmured, "Now, please."

A moment later, he re-entered, bearing a crystal vase, filled with red roses, with a scattering of pink ones. There was also a box of her favorites from Honeyduke's, dark truffles. Both of these were set down in front of her, to her shock and amazement. "Ron? What's this for?"

He got up and moved to her side of the table, dropping to one knee and taking her hand. "Hermione, you have been there for me through everything. We have been, quite literally, through hell together. You stood by my side during battle, I watched you help to soothe Harry during his worst times. You are the kindest, most caring person I've ever known. Mione, I've loved you since the first moment on the train. I just didn't really know it until you were petrified by the basilisk. When I saw you lying in that bed in the hospital wing, I knew that I couldn't imagine my life without you in it. I didn't want to. When we fought in third year, and didn't talk for so long, I got a taste of what life without you would be. I hated it, and decided that would never happen again." He reached into his pocket and withdrew a small black velvet box, opening it as he held it out to her. "I would like to make sure that neither of us ever has to go through that again. Hermione, will you marry me?"

Tears were running freely down her face. All she could do was nod. She finally said, "Yes, Ron. I will."

He slipped the ring on her finger, stood, and swept her up into a huge hug. They stood together like that for a long time, just holding each other.

All Ron could think, over and over, was, "She said Yes! She said Yes!"

Ron left enough money on the table for the bill and a healthy tip, had her pick up the flowers and chocolates, put his arm around her, and they apparated directly to the sitting room of her parent's house. At seeing the look on both faces, her parents knew immediately what the answer had been. There were hugs and handshakes of congratulations. Mr Granger opened a bottle of champagne to celebrate, while Mrs Granger admired the ring, a delicate gold band with a half carat diamond, marquise cut. On each side of the diamond were small sapphires. After a couple of toasts, the happy couple decided they'd better go let Molly know. They apparated to the kitchen at the Burrow.

Molly heard two soft pops from the kitchen, and went to investigate. As she walked out there, she saw Hermione and Ron standing there, with wide smiles on both faces. She grinned at Ron and simply asked, "She said yes, then?" Finding her hunch confirmed, she called for her husband. "Arthur! Come here!" When he got there, seeing the grins all round, he looked at Hermione and asked, "Well?" She nodded happily. Arthur and Molly came over and there were hugs all around.

Molly said, "You know, I've always considered you to be a daughter, Hermione. I'm just glad it will be official, now." She cuffed Ron on the side of the head. "Whatever possessed you to wait so long?" At the look on his face, she pulled both of them into her embrace.

Her next thought was, "I wonder how long it'll take Harry, now..."