Here ya go, people! I am updating a lot faster than I originally planned, so be happy people!

Disclaimer: Does my name start with a J? No! Did I write the Harry Potter series? No! Do I live in England? No! Moral of the story: I am not, and never will be J.K. Rowling! Therefore, the characters in this story do not belong to me!

Thanks to everyone who gave me their opinion on Ginny/Draco. I decided that they will be together. They don't play a major role, and they aren't in this chapter, but thanks for your input people!

I got a TON of reviews! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

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Thanks to everyone who reviewed (there are too many to type out replies to, so sorry, but…): 3rubberband3, 917brat, Aggiekid12345, bob, bridget22, butteredflies, cajx, Claudia, COOL, CrazyChick15, dbzgtfan2004, Destany Mitchell (you were my first-ever reviewer, and this time you had the longest one, so thanks! And thanks for the advice!), E. G. Potter, Eddie Hon, faeriePrincess, FlairVerona, harryhermione4ever, herblondeness, IIBleachedII, Joey, Krystallia, Lady Ski, levotatingT, mel1223, MissPriss224, paranoidANDcrazy, Sami, samtiger, SoccerGirl269, sunshine, telmie, The Gryffindor Drummer, the-power-of-love, tiggergirl12, xHeRmIoNexMaLfOyxZaBiNix

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Chapter Five:

The Rose Petal

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Five years later…

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"Harry, Molly just called and asked if we're still planning to come to dinner there tomorrow night." Hermione's face clearly showed she was confused.

"Okay…"

"Harry James Potter, you never told me about this!"

"Sorry, Mione, but do I have to tell you everything?" For some reason Harry was starting to turn red.

"No, of course not, but why are we going to dinner there, tomorrow night? It's a week night and we don't usually go out to eat except on the weekends."

"Well, you know what, sweetheart; we're going out to eat tonight, too. I'm taking you to that new restaurant, you know, ummm, The Rose Petal, I think it's called?"

Hermione gave a scream of joy. "The Rose Petal! But why are we going there?"

"Well, Hermione Jane Granger, in case you've forgotten, it's our five year anniversary today; we shared that first kiss at the Spring Ball on April 24."

"Of course I didn't forget." Hermione drew Harry into a passionate kiss not unlike their first one. But when they pulled away, Hermione's face fell. "But I have nothing to wear!"

"Why don't you go shopping today; take the day off?"

"Harry, I can't! I have three classes today!" Hermione was the new Arithmancy teacher at Hogwarts. For the last four years, she had been the librarian, because Madame Pince left right after Hermione and Harry graduated. But then the Arithmancy teacher retired at the end of last year, and Hermione gladly accepted when Dumbledore offered her the position.

"Okay, I have a better idea! Just wear that pink dress you wore to the Spring Ball! You looked absolutely gorgeous that night." Harry broke off, reminiscing about that wonderful night; thinking about them dancing all night long in each other's arms. Hopefully after tonight, we'll be in each other's arms for the rest of our lives.

"I guess I will, if you like it so much. I wonder if I still have those sandals…" She ran off to the bedroom to look in the back of the closet.

"Mione, we're gonna be late for school! Hurry up!"

"You never seemed so anxious to get to school on time when we were actually in school," Hermione teased.

"Well now I'm trying to set a good example and be the orderly Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher!"

Hermione snorted with laughter. "When has the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher ever been orderly? Or normal for that matter? First we had Quirrell with Voldemort growing out of his head; then we had Lockhart, he was normal at least…What?" Harry had cleared his throat loudly.

"If you'll remember, Lockhart tried to erase our memory and accidentally erased his own. He now resides in St. Mungo's, remember? I didn't know you still had that stupid crush on him, anyway." Harry frowned.

"No need to be jealous, you know I love you and only you, Harry. Okay, then there was Lupin, the werewolf…I know Harry, I know, he's a perfectly nice person, nothing against him personally, I'm just saying he's not normal." Harry rolled his eyes. "Anyway," Hermione continued, "Then there was Moody's imposter, who tried to kill you; then there was that horrible Umbridge woman…Ha! I found them! Okay, let's go." Hermione took Harry's hand as they Apparated to Hogsmeade, since they couldn't Apparate directly to the school.

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The day dragged on as usual. Harry and Hermione ate lunch together, like they always did, in the Great Hall. Dumbledore, knowing what Harry was planning to do tonight, smiled mischievously at the pair of them. Harry smiled back.

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Harry checked his pocket for at least the fifteenth time to make sure the small velvet box was still there. "Mione, hurry up! Our reservation is in like three minutes!"

"Okay, I'm ready, let's go. How do I look?" She had on the same shimmery pink dress that she had worn to the Spring Ball five years ago. It was slightly tighter on her, but that just added to the gorgeousness. This time, the front part of her hair was clipped in a matching pink barrette. Her curls were pretty as always. She had on the same strappy pink sandals, and her make-up, this time done without the help of Ginny, was almost the same as that night.

"Gorgeous! Absolutely gorgeous! More gorgeous since the last time I saw you in that dress, if that's even possible!"

"Thanks. You look pretty hot yourself, Harry." He had on a suit, not unlike the one he had worn five years ago, and the same shimmery pink tie that went with her dress. His hair was messy as always, but Hermione just thought that added to his sexiness.

"Let's go." He took her hand and they Apparated to the stairs just outside of The Rose Petal.

He led her up the stairs, and she gasped as they went through the door. The floor was covered in rose petals, and the tables all had romantic place settings, including candles and one gorgeous red rose.

"Table for two; Potter. I had reservations for eight o'clock."

"Ah, yes, Potter." The waiter's eyes traveled up to Harry's forehead. "Follow me."

The waiter seated them at a table for two, and Harry presented Hermione with the rose. "This place is so pretty! It must be so expensive. You've never done anything this special for our anniversary!" she exclaimed.

"Well, special people call for special dinners. I love you, Mione."

"I love you too, Harry."

"Are you ready to order?" the waiter asked.

"I'll have the clam chowder with fresh salad and breadsticks."

"And I'll have the same," said Hermione.

"Oh, and bring us your best wine." Harry smiled at Hermione.

"Harry, that's got to be expensive," Hermione exclaimed when the waiter left.

"Nothing's too expensive for you, Mione."

They talked about school and compared their favorite students until the food came.

After they ate, Hermione excused herself and went to the restroom. While she was gone, Harry decided that he had to do it now or he would burst. He checked one more time to make sure the precious velvet box was still in his pocket.

When Hermione came back from the restroom, she was confused to see that Harry looked really nervous, and he was starting to turn red. He kind of looks the same way as he did when he asked me to the Spring Ball, only happier this time. What's going on?

"Mione, when I asked you to the Ball five years ago, I had a lot of doubts in my mind. I wondered if you really liked me, or if you just said yes out of politeness, or just because we were Head Boy and Head Girl. Then, when we shared those kisses out by the Lake that night, I thought maybe you did like me, but I had no idea we would be together for the next five years."

Hermione nodded her head, and tears sprang to her eyes as she remembered all the good times they had shared these past few years. I love him so much! she thought to herself. So much.

"Mione, I love you more than anything, anything in the entire world. Now that we've spent those last five years together, and even the seven before that, I can't imagine those years without you. And I can't imagine the rest of my life without you."

He got down on one knee, and took out the velvet box. Hermione let the tears fall.

"Hermione Jane Granger, will you marry me?"

"Yes!"

He slipped the ring on her finger and they embraced as the entire restaurant applauded for the Boy-Who-Lived and his fiancée.

"I love you, Mione," he whispered in her ear.

"I love you, too, and I always will," she whispered back.

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Ahhh, Harry/Mione fluff, don't ya love it?

I noticed something…from reading all y'all's reviews and fanfics and stuff, I am starting to say British phrases! Like snogging for instance! It's weird! 'Course, I do say 'y'all' a lot, and I'm not from the south. So ya, just a thought…

The next chapter will be dinner at the Weasley's.