DISCLAIMER: yes, this is a disclaimer.

REAL DISCLAIMER: I don't CLAIM to own any of the HARRY POTTER characters in DIS story. (Get it? DIS? CLAIMER? Disclaimer? HAHAHAHAHAHA! Okay, I'll shut up now) Oh! But I own JASMINE and OAK and LUELLA and GEOFFREY

Chapter 9 – Proposals and first kisses

If in case I failed to mention, The Grangers and the Woods are fairly wealthy, and they come from the same social class/status, if you will.

The Grangers and the Woods were together yet again, this time at the Granger house. Oak was swimming with Jasmine in a whale-shaped pool while Oliver and Hermione strolled around the neighborhood.

It had been three weeks ever since Hermione and Oliver had laid all their cards on the table, and they felt pretty good. Hermione was particularly glad that Oliver wasn't all mushy on her—that he took it slow with her. She liked that, and so did he.

Right now, they walked side-by-side, hands occasionally coming in contact accompanied with butterflies in their stomachs. Oliver would often sneak glances at Hermione and when she'd catch him, she'd smile and playfully try to pinch his nose.

He would respond by bending down and playfully attempt to bite her. Oliver and Hermione enjoyed each other's company and playful manner.

They ended up at the park (how cliché). Hermione took Oliver's hand in her own and led him to a bench near a fountain. They sat down.

"Nice Park." Oliver said. Hermione nodded. "I use to come here a lot with my grandmother. We'd often sit right here and just stare at the fountain."

Oliver looked over at the fountain. He smiled. It reminded him a lot of his house, Gryffindor. The fountain was a marble lion sprouting water from its mouth.

Hermione wondered what Oliver was smiling at. She followed his gaze, and her eyes landed on the fountain. "Reminds you of Hogwarts, doesn't it?" she asked.

"Yeah." Oliver lightly stroked the palm of her hand. "I miss the place. Lucky you, you've got a full three years left to go. Make the best of it, hear?"

Hermione laughed. "I can't say I won't. Hogwarts is like a second home to me." Oliver nodded. "I feel that way too."

A comfortable silence followed as nostalgia took over Oliver Wood. Hermione took this as a chance to study him.

Oliver had a nice build . . .lean, tall and with good posture. His facial features were pleasant and he looked innocent, just like Oak.

He's so sincere . . .so genuine. I still can't get over the fact that I'm here, with him, my hand in his. Merlin, am I lucky… Hermione's lips formed a smile as she thought this. Then, Oliver tore his gaze away from the fountain and focused it on Hermione. He smiled too.

So there they sat, Oliver and Hermione, engrossed in their own thoughts, yet absorbed in each other as well.

Meanwhile…

Luella and Geoffrey were sitting in the Living room, watching TV and drinking wine. Luella had her head on Geoffrey's shoulder, and he had his arm around her.

Luella was pretty comfortable, but Geoffrey wasn't. He'd been mentally rehearsing day and night how he would go about it.

With his free hand, he put it in his pocket and began to feel around for a small box. When he found it, he wrapped his fingers around the box and bit his lip. It was now or never.

Grabbing the remote control and shutting off the television, he grabbed Luella by the shoulders and pulled her into a passionate kiss. After the kiss, Luella breathlessly stared at him in shock. Clearly, she was not expecting this.

"Luella, I love you." Geoffrey announced, his voice husky. Luella blinked several times. "Geoffrey—" but he cut her off with another steamy kiss.

"I want to be with you. Every moment without you is a moment wasted. . .you bring so much mirth into my life, so much joy. You're everything I've looked for in a woman, and so much more. Darling," he took her hands in his.

"I care so much for you. You mean everything to me. I love you and your sons. Please," he said, as Luella tried to cut in. "Please know that I want to be with you every day of my life. I want to share every second with you. I want to rejoice when you are happy, I want to lend you my shoulder to cry on when you are miserable, I want to help you through all of your trials. I know it's so sudden but I—I want to—" Geoffrey whipped out the tiny box from his pocket and knelt down. Luella gasped.

"Will you do me the honor of being my wife, Luella Wood?"

"Is that your stomach growling?" Hermione joked. Oliver chuckled. "I have to admit, I didn't eat much."

"What say we head back? It's getting a little chilly—"

"Is that a hint?" Oliver asked, a sly grin spreading all over his face. "Want me to warm you up?" Hermione blushed furiously. "N-no! I was merely stating a fact! It is cold!" But Oliver's grin just kept getting bigger and bigger.

"Oliver Wood, don't you dare get cocky with me—" Hermione warned, wagging a finger at him. "C'mere, honey." Oliver said, licking his lips. Hermione's eyes widened.

"O-Oliver Wood! If you take any step closer, I'll—I'll put a spell on you!" Hermione said, trying in vain to sound threatening. Oliver grabbed her arm and pulled her close. "You already have," he whispered.

Hermione eyes grew bigger and bigger as Oliver's face drew nearer and nearer. Just when his lips were inches away from hers, she shut her eyes tight and braced herself.

Hermione opened one eye. Oliver hadn't kissed her! So what—? Then she heard laughing. Hermione gasped, as Oliver doubled over, slapping his knee.

"You should've seen yourself, Hermione! You were 'No, Oliver, No!' and I was—HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA—I was. . .I was. . ." Oliver trembled with laughter. "HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"

Hermione's blood started to boil. How dare he trick her! How dare he make her look like a fool! Oliver was so busy laughing that he failed to notice Hermione's fists balling up.

"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! You were—I was—MERLIN! That was—HAHAHAHAHAHA! I can't believe you—"

WAM!

"AUGHHHHHHHH!" Oliver stumbled backwards, clutching his stomach. "Merlin!" he moaned. Hermione smirked, and rubbed her hand. "That hurt, but it was SO worth it."

"What was that for!" Oliver cried, still clutching his stomach. Hermione set her hands on her hips and glared at Oliver. "That was for making me anticipate a kiss." Oliver stared incredulously at Hermione. Realizing what she had just said, she clapped her hands over her mouth and turned pink.

Oliver's eyebrows disappeared under his hairline. "You want a kiss, then?"

"N-no! I most certainly do not—I have no idea where that came from! Don't you get any ideas, Wood! I didn't—" But Hermione never got to finish, because Oliver's lips brushed against hers for a brief but intoxicating moment.

When Oliver pulled away, he looked kind of sheepish. "S-sorry, I—"

Hermione gulped. She felt so lightheaded. . .so giddy. How could a boy make her feel this way? Passing her exams made her feel this way, but never a boy. But then again, Oliver wasn't just any boy. He was her boy, and that made her feel a hundred times better than passing her exams.

In the meantime…

Luella gaped at Geoffrey. She couldn't believe it . . .was he truly on his knees, holding out a dazzling engagement ring? Was he really asking her to marry him? What would she say? She liked Geoffrey a lot . . .possibly even loved him but—two months of dating? Just two months. It was so sudden
so . . .

But she did love him. Yes, she was sure of it now. He was so wonderful, such a kind and loving man who was so earnest in everything that he said and did. But Luella never acted impulsively, though. So what would she do?

"But Geoffrey, it's so abrupt I—"

"We could move in together . . .to get a feel of it . . .move in the whole family." He looked at her with big, hopeful eyes. She couldn't turn him down, no, she couldn't. But—But—what was holding her back? He was so wonderful.

"We could have a long engagement—and if you have second thoughts then we could break it off, I guess—" he rambled on. She gazed at him adoringly. Take a risk.

"Geoffrey," he said, putting as finger against his lips. "Yes."

OH. MY. GOSH. He's proposed! She said yes! OH MY OH MY OH MY! And Ollie gave Herm her FIRST EVER kiss (Even if it was a quick one). I hope no one finds this rushed. :( If you do, please tell me! How will the kids take it! MY, MY, MY, OH MY! I'm so excited! I can't wait to see what happens! Wait—I'm the author! I should know what happens! Haha! I'm so happy! WHEEE! runs around in squares Thought I'd do circles, eh? WHEEEEEEE! I'M SO EXCITED! I THINK I'LL GO WRITE THE NEXT CHAPTER!

THANK YOU LOVELY REVIEWERS! I've got no time to thank you personally! I'VE JUST GOT TO DO THE NEXT CHAPTER! You all understand, I hope? WHEEEE!