Harry thinks it time to propose. Hermione thinks he wants to break up with her, what happens? If you read, please review. I enjoy hearing from my readers. Even if it is bad, they keep me going.

It was one week before Hogsmeade weekend; Harry and Hermione had been dating seriously for a little over 6 months. Harry decided that he wanted to ask her to marry him. To say the least he was truly and deeply love with her. He had already bought a ring, and wanted to give it to her on the next Hogsmeade weekend. Since this was such a enormous step, but it was one he was certain he wanted to take. He had spent several hours a day thinking about, how and where he wanted to ask her. That he was starting to become a little distant from her, which was starting to become a problem. The more he thought to himself, the more doubts he was starting to have about what he wanted to do. He needed to talk to someone else besides Hermione just so he could get the reassurance that he desperately needed.

One particular night, while he was sitting next to Hermione in the common room studying for an exam that was going to take place in potions the next day, a thought came to him almost out of no where. Wait a minute, He thought as he placed a palm to his forehead, feeling completely stupid that he hadn't thought of this before: I do know someone who is almost like a parent to me Mrs. Weasley. I would particularly like to know how she feels about all this. After all, he had always come to think of her as a second mother. The more he thought about it, it became more obvious. However on the other hand, it was going to be difficult for him to talk to her, mainly because he always felt a strong ping of guilt, about Ron and Ginny.

" Is every thing alright Harry?" Hermione asked concerned, seeing the look on his face.

"Yeah everything's fine I'm just stressed about something is all." He replied still in deep thought.

Hermione looked at him with concern. This was so much unlike him, they always talked about there problems with each other. She had seen another problem, he had been acting rather strangely around her for the past couple weeks, almost distant. "Would you like to talk about it?" she asked

"No not right now. I will talk to you about it later, I promise." He answered still in deep thought.

"Harry come on, talk to me about it please. You've been acting quite strangely for the past couple weeks now." She said with an urgent plead in her voice.

"I can't Hermione, I'm sorry. It's something that I need to figure out for myself, and if it's something I really want." He felt the ring box next to his leg, and he didn't want to lie to her. However he definitely did not want to talk to her about marriage right at this time either. What he wanted more than anything was for this week to hurry up so he could surprise her.

"Is it something about me?" Hermione asked coming close to tears. She was started to become convinced, through his silence that he was going to break up with her, or he fancied someone else.

"No it isn't." He lied, and hastily held her hand. "Don't worry about it Hermione, I'll be ok I promise."

This confirmed what her worst fear, she knew he was lying If he was lying to her about this, then what else was he lying to her about? He's going to break up with me, she thought as she quickly removed her hand from Harry's, and snapped "I'm going to bed, I have an exam tomorrow in athermancy, and in potions." She got up and started walking quickly towards the girl's dormitories. Harry got up and started after her, he quickly put his hand on her shoulder. She turned around he saw tears in glistening in her eyes. "I love you, I hope you know."

"Then why won't you talk to me?" she snapped.

"I will I promise." replied Harry. He gently hugged her and attempted a kiss. She moved quickly out of the embrace, and neglected the kiss. She went up the stairs without saying a word. He watched her walk up the girls dormitories, shrugged his shoulders, It must be that time of the month. He thought unconcerned. Then walked back to his chair, and pulled out a piece of parchment, and wrote:

April 13, 1998

Dear Mrs. Weasley,

How are you doing? I hope all is well at the burrow. Hermione and I are doing very well. We are now dating, and have been very serious for almost 6 months now. I've been thinking a lot here lately, about our future together, and I would like your advice. I'm thinking about asking her to marry me. I know that her and I are still very young. However, when her and I are together, I find myself being grateful at the fact that I was able to muster up the courage to tell her how I felt about her. I had come so close to losing her completely, just because I was stupid enough to ignore her. Ever since her and I have started dating, I've come to the conclusion that she is not just someone I can live with, but she is the one person that I can't live without.
I hope to hear from you soon.

With Love from,

Harry

P.s I'm going to ask her this upcoming Hogsmeade weekend.

Harry rolled up the parchment and placed it into his bag. He had decided that he was going to send this first thing in the morning, and he went to bed, with a clear head and happy thoughts.

That night, however he had another strange dream, he was once again in a strange land, with bright green grass, and mountains that seemed to touch the sky and he was wearing a brown and gold robe, soaring through the air on his firebolt chasing a golden snitch. Hermione was cheering him on smiling brightly, and holding twins. When suddenly, the dream shifted, and he was flying in a muggle Air Plane. He could see something grow closer, and closer, when the plane smashed into it and was engulfed in a ball of flame.

Harry woke, in a cold sweat, and his scar seared hot with pain. What did that dream mean? he asked himself in deep thought, he couldn't go back to sleep, and he was deeply disturbed about what he had dreamt. He wasn't certain if it had something to do with Voldemort, reassuring himself as he thought, But how could it? Nobody has seen hide nor hair of him since last year.

Bewildered by his dream, he got up and walked towards the Owlery. He got his Snow Owl Hedwig and said to her. "Could you take this to Mrs. Weasley at the Burrow?" Hedwig let out a soft hoot, and nipped affectionately at his finger letting him know that she would take the job. He tied the parchment to her leg, and she took off.

Afterwards, Harry walked to the astronomy tower, to spend some time to himself and think about everything going on in his life. The dream, Hermione, and life after Hogwarts, and Hermione; he had no idea what he wanted to do. His thoughts of being an Auror had since disappeared after Ron and Ginny died. He had no idea what life's roles he was going to play… at least until later that day at breakfast.

After clearing his mind the best he could, he walked down from the tower to breakfast, and saw Hermione sitting alone at the Gryffindor table. To him, she always looked as beautiful and innocent as the day she was born. He sat beside her, " Hi ." he said as he put his left hand on her lap.

It was an automatic impulse; Hermione with her free hand interlocked her fingers with his. "So did you figure out what you needed too?" she asked in a mild tone, not even looking at him.

"Yes I did. I'll talk to you about it later." He replied smiling the best he could. In an odd sense, he actually enjoyed giving her all this suspense. He knew it was driving her crazy. .

"I'm not going to wait forever." Hermione interjected coldly. She was honestly thinking about breaking up with him before he had the chance to break her heart.

The morning post had finally come. Two owls landed in front of Hermione, one was carrying the Daily Prophet, and the other one had an official look about it. Hermione grabbed both of them. She tore open the latter one first, and promply read it. She blushed brightly, as she re-read the letter. She squeaked, and in an excited tone said " Oh Harry guess what? I got in to a great secondary school, in America!"

Harry's heart sank to the pit of his stomach, " That's great Hermione, I'm proud of you." he said, trying to hide the unnerving feeling in his stomach.

She looked at him for the first time that day and said, " So what are you going to once you leave here?"

" I don't know to be honest. I haven't really thought about it."

As faith would have it, like it does sometimes and your looking for an answer to a rather complicated question, the answer come. A screech owl was standing in front of him holding a letter. Harry pulled the twine, which held the letter in place and read the envelope.

Harry Potter
The Great Hall
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

He opened it immediately and started to read:

Dear Harry Potter,

It is my great pleasure, to be the one to notify you, that you have been selected for admission into the Wyoming Academy of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Term will start August 21. At the W.A.A.W.W, you will have a chance to work with the most up to date sources of witchcraft, and you will be able to enhance your abilities to the most advanced magic known possible. One certain advantaged for attending our school, is you will be able to receive as much individual help as you need, as our classroom sizes are relatively small. I will await your response, no later than June 15. Please note, that if you are interested, in try out for our Quidditch team the walk on trial week will occur on August 12. Please send this letter back with your final decision as soon as possible.

Yours Sincerely,
Amanda Marie Shortman

Vice President of Admissions.
Wyoming Academy of Advanced Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Harry paused for a moment and re-read the letter, Where in blazes is Wyoming? He wondered, and with disbelief, he handed it over to Hermione. She read the letter, glanced at Harry, then back to the letter again. Her eyes bugged out as comprehension hindered as to what the letter actually meant. Her jaw gaped wide open, and she started to bounce in the bench where she was sitting and she let out an excited squeak, " I don't believe it Harry! Oh Harry, do you know what this is Means?"

Harry interrupted with his heart sinking lower into his chest. "Yeah, it means that I've been accepted into a school, in a place that I've never heard of. While your going to another school."

Hermione giggled as she saw his face growing redder by the moment. " No Harry, I just got the same letter, where going to the same school!" She reached out and give him a neck cracking hug.

He looked sharply at her, "What? You mean. Oh my lord!" he asked not believing his ears.

"Yes! We're going to the same school." She exclaimed, with her face bright red with excitement. After she had calmed down slightly, she handed the letter back to Him. He promptly pulled out a piece of parchment and without hesitation wrote:

Ms. Shortman,

I gladly accept admission into your school.

Yours Sincerely,

Harry Potter

Harry was now feeling even more confident about the forthcoming Hogsmeade weekend. He was going to America, to be with Hermione. Things simply could not get any better! Well maybe they could but that all depended on what Hermione said on Saturday, which seemed ages away. He was trying the best he could not to worry about it until the time came. He rested his hand back on Hermione's lap, and playfully tickled her inter thigh. She slapped his hand gently, and for the first time in what seemed like ages quickly kissed him.

The final days leading up to Hogsmeade weekend were starting to pass a little quickly. Hermione was growing more distant from Harry once again; she was still convinced that he was going to break up with her. Often times she was found in her room at night crying herself to sleep. She had decided that if Harry hadn't talked to her about what he was so silent about by the end of Hogsmeade like he had promised, she was going to break up with him. She didn't want that, but to protect herself from getting hurt even more, she had decided it was for the best.

The night before Hogsmeade and after Hermione had gone to bed early once again. Harry found himself sitting alone in the common room, watching the fire with Crookshanks on his lap purring loudly. He was concerned because he hadn't received a word from Mrs. Weasley. He was beginning to think that she just didn't want to talk to him. .

Finally shortly after midnight, he closed his eyes, and was close to drifting off to sleep, when he felt someone shaking his shoulders saying "Harry, wake up." He gently opened his eyes to see a face he hadn't seen in ages. It was the loving face of Molly Weasley. Harry rubbed his eyes to make sure he wasn't dreaming, and sure enough she was standing before him with a wide grin on her face. He stood up and gave her a tight hug.

"Hi Ms. Weasley how have you been?" He asked, and quickly added, "It's so good to see you."

"I'm doing great Harry, I'm so excited for you. Congratulations on getting admitted into, that school in the states. I've heard it's a very good school."

Harry looked at her incredulously and asked, " How did you find out?"

"Dumbledore told me the other day." Mrs. Weasley replied.

Harry beamed, " Guess who else is going there? Hermione! Isn't that great?"

"How are you two doing?" Mrs. Weasley asked, with an excited voice.

Harry smiled even more brightly and said, "We're doing great, I have no doubts about us. I love her so much, and I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with her."

Mrs. Weasley replied in a serious voice, "Harry, that's great, I just hope you know that Marriage isn't all that it's cracked up to be. It's a huge step to take, and you have to be absolutely certain that she is the one that you want to be with."

Harry knew that she had his best interests at heart. "I know it's a huge step, but it's one that I'm ready to take, especially with her. I can't stand another day without knowing what she's going to say. She's noticed that something has been on my mind, and I haven't told her anything. I just want to surprise her. You know... I can't wait until tomorrow."

Mrs. Weasley smiled as tears developed in her eyes, "That's great Harry. I'm so proud of you guys."

Harry smiled; "Thank you." and an awkward silence fell between them.

Suddenly a door opened, and out came Hermione. Where she stood in disbelief at the sight of Mrs. Weasley. She finally broke the heavy silence in the room as she spoke, "Mrs. Weasley, what are you doing here?" She ran towards her and gave her a tight hug.

" I was just talking to Harry about something. But I suspect I best go, after all you have a big day ahead of you tomorrow." Hermione, who was both confused, and angry, shot him a furious look, however managed to remain quiet.

"You two take care of each other" she winked at Harry and she stepped back into the fire, drew out a small amount of floo power and in a poof of smoke, disappeared.

Harry took a deep breath, as his mouth was beginning to go dry. Hermione shot him the most severe look he had ever seen her give anybody. "What was that all about." She hissed angrily

With a deer caught in the headlights look, Harry said nothing. He reached into his pocket found the ring box. A panicking thought crossed his mind, Should I do this now? It is technically Hogsmeade weekend, and she does not look very happy with me.

Hermione was still intensely glaring at him. " Harry, I can't stand this silence any longer, what is going on?"

Harry walked up to her and gave her a tight hug, and kissed her cheek. "Hermione, I can't talk about it right now. I'm sorry, and I know this has been rough on you, but you will find out in the morning what is going on. I just want you to know, that I've just made a huge decision. It's something I really want for us."

Hermione glared even more intensely at him. Her anger was starting to rise to exploding point, and after a few long moments passed, she asked a little more rudely then she had intended, "I want to talk about it now."

He noticed how angry she was getting, and wanted to defuse the situation the best he could " I just want to hold you until the morning. I love you."

"Ok fine!" she sighed dramatically. "But you better talk to me about this tomorrow, or else. I hope you know, I've often cried myself to sleep not knowing what's wrong with you."

They sat down on the couch next to each other, he put an arm around her shoulder and she snuggled up next to him. He gently kissed her forehead, and peacefully thought, this is how I want us to be forever.

As Hermione watched the fire burn out, she thought our love is just like that flame, it's just burned out. As a single tear fell down her face. She convinced herself this was the last night she would be with the man she loved, because tomorrow, she was going to leave him.

The next morning at breakfast, Harry was starting his plan on where he wanted to ask her, the question he was so longing to find the answer too. It had to be a place that was going to be away from all the students. He was certain that he would have a new fiancée by the end of the day.

Hermione sat next to him, with a heavy heart. She decided that she was going to spend the day with him at Hogsmeade, then after dinner, she was going to break up with him. Both of them seemed to have troubles eating their breakfast. "Are you doing ok Harry?" she asked, derailing his train of thought.

"Yeah, I'm fine." He said trying to sound as calm as possible. He quickly added unconvincingly "I'm just not all that hungry right now."

Finally the moment had come and they had entered, Hogsmeade. Like usual they were holding hands. However they barely said anything to each other. Until Harry broke the silence and said, "Lets go somewhere more private, we need to talk."

Hermione nodded in agreement and quietly said, "yes we do." Harry led her to the Shrieking Shake. Hermione was confused and a little angry, after arriving at the place where Ron had died " Why did you bring me here? After what happened?"

Harry replied honestly, " Because this is where it all begins…" He felt a strong sense of relief starting to come over him. He was actually going to do this, the knot in his stomach subsided slightly as he began to speak again, but she interrupted him.

" What do you mean Harry?" She snapped, " I suppose what your going to say next is 'and this is where it all ends' right?" Tears started to fill her eyes, and she turned her back, thinking about running away, and leaving him here.

A quick and dawning comprehension slapped him hard across the face as he realized why she had been acting so strange lately. She thinks I'm breaking up with her. This is not going well at all. Ok forget the romantic speech. With a sense of urgency he said, "Hermione Jane Granger, don't you run, you need to hear me out. Because if you don't you'll regret it." and he reached into the pocket of his robes. Hermione was taken aback at him using her full name, and she turned around and looked at him.

"I love you more than I have ever loved anyone throughout my entire life…" he pulled out the ring box, and opened it, and fell to one knee.

Hermione suddenly realized what he was doing; he wasn't going to break up with her after all. It was quite to the contrary, she let out a small gasp of relief, as she put both of her hands to over her open mouth. She saw the ring he was holding, she never seen a ring so beautiful in her entire life.

Harry, reached out and took her left hand, and continued with his speech, "Will you make me the happiest man on this earth today, and say that you will marry me."

Hermione froze in her tracks, and it was like a rain cloud had exploded in her eyes, as tears started streaming down her face, she quickly pulled Harry off the ground into a tight embrace, "YES!" She exclaimed, "I will marry you." as she gave him a long kiss. She couldn't help but feel stupid about thinking he was going to break up with her.

Afterwards, Harry slowly slid the ring onto her finger. Afterwards he gave her a tight hug. He wasn't for definite, but he thought he saw something out of the corner of his eye. But how could it be? He asked himself. It had only appeared for the briefest of moment, but he thought he saw Ron and Ginny watching them. They were waving, and smiling ever so brightly. He promised himself, he would never forget this moment as long as he lived.

Finally Hermione laughed, and said, " You know Harry, I thought this whole time, that you were going to break up me. I feel so stupid right now."

Harry looked deep into her eyes and said, "I am so sorry Hermione, I didn't realize that I was putting you though so much stress, worst of all I didn't realize how hard this week must've been on you. I was just trying to surprise you, I was going to ask you last night when I saw how furious you were with me."

Hermione sighed with an obvious sense of relief that their relationship wasn't over, "Next time you have something this deep on your mind, talk to me about it ok."

Harry nodded, and said, " You should know by now that I would never leave you. Only because I love you."

Tears were welling up in Hermione's eyes as she said, "I love you too." and with a sheepish grin on her face, said, " Harry, lets go someplace other than here, We have more deeper things to discuss." She kissed him romantically and they left holding hands, to the Three Broomsticks. Where they decided on the date of the wedding to be July 16th, because they wanted to complete their first year of higher education together.

To Be continued…