Engagement
For Harry, the atmosphere around Hogwarts seemed charged with uncertainty. The winter holidays were soon to come but Harry's resolve to ask Hermione to marry him was waning. She had changed in the past few weeks, and he was not sure that he was quite ready to make her his.
There was so much that he questioned, her moods were entirely too erratic. Hermione's usual logic was often overtaken by emotions. The she was suddenly so focused on finding that staff earlier in the month, that flying was only an issue the first night they got on the brooms. Harry thought that maybe she got used to it, but as soon as they touched the ground after their mission ended, Hermione shook like a leaf from fear and could not preside over her classes that day. That would quite be in her character, but they had been flying the night skies of Scotland for days and there was never that sort of reaction from her.
It was Halloween, and the students were looking forward to their trips to Hogsmeade before the Halloween ball. Harry had planned an indoor picnic for he and Hermione that afternoon. He had been planning to ask her to marry him on this day, but he was at the moment debating on whether to do so or not.
He walked to his desk and opened the drawer. He looked at the ring-box he had sitting in it and closed it again. He started to walk towards the door, but then he turned back to his drawer and picked it up. "Just in case," Harry mumbled tucking it in his pocket as he headed for the door.
He stopped by Hermione's room on his way to the kitchens. He had asked Dobby to make them a basket of fresh fruit and chocolate for their lunch. As the young woman in the painting allowed him to come inside, he could hear Hermione talking to herself in the bathroom. "It can't be! Madame Pomfrey's test must be wrong. It's got to be something that is making me psychotic."
Hermione stepped out of her bathroom and saw Harry. Her first reaction was anger; then total happiness and love replaced that look in her eyes. This is going to be a good day Harry thought and smiled. "Hi 'Mione."
She smiled in return and came to him giving him a sound kiss, "Hello Harry," she said coquettishly.
"Ready for our picnic?" He asked offering her his elbow.
She linked her arm with his and nodded. "Don't you think it's rather cool out for a picnic?"
"We will be having an indoor picnic." Harry said just as there was a loud CRACK in the air. "Here is Dobby now."
"Mr. Potter here is your picnic basket full of goodies," Dobby said, "Dobby is happy to be making Mr. Potter and Miss Granger a lovely lunch."
"Thank you Dobby." They both said as Harry took the basket from Dobby. The young couple then headed out towards Hogsmeade
"May I look now?" Hermione asked, as she stood blindfolded by the door of a suite at 'The Three Broomsticks'
"One moment," Harry said using his want to create the final touches within the room, "Okay, now."
"Oh Harry!" Hermione said as she felt rose petals softly shower her as she walked around the room. Red velvet curtains obscured the windows as the candles floating around the room created some romantic lighting. The air was misted with the soft cent of the euphoria potion heating at the fireplace. Harry had set the picnic out on the ground near the bed, with strawberries and melted chocolates and cherries and cheese. In a bucket filled with ice, he had set butter beer their favourite drink. "It's beautiful Harry."
"I'm glad you like it." He said just as the shower of rose petals stopped. Hermione kissed him, then sat down near the food. Harry knew that this was the perfect time to ask her. He hesitated a moment, then said, "Uh… Hermione?"
"Yes?" She asked unable to resist reaching for a strawberry from one of the dishes and dipping it in chocolate. She fed him one as well, following it up with a kiss.
Harry savoured the taste of the strawberry and chocolate as he reached into his pocket. "I've got something for you." He said producing the small velvet box.
"Harry?" Hermione said tears coming to her eyes, "What is this?"
"Marry me Hermione," Harry said Knowing that her answer could very well affect his sanity. "I would go mad if I don't have you by my side for the rest of my life."
Hermione didn't know what to say she was ecstatic, angry and scared at the same time. "Oh..."
"Hermione?" Harry pleaded with his eyes as he watched the whole range of emotions that flashed in her eyes. "Please say something."
Hermione began to cry in earnest now. She couldn't speak so she nodded. She nodded and moved to kiss him. He placed the beautiful princess cut pink diamond on her finger and held her close.
They didn't get to eat from their picnic, because they lost themselves in each other and loved the afternoon away.
Just before returning to Hogwarts for the Halloween ball, they lay together, Her fingers intertwined with his as she looked at the rock on her finger. "It's beautiful Harry," Hermione said and kissed his hand, "Thank you."
Harry only hugged her sleepily. They held each other silently until Harry fell asleep. The words, you must kill him now, Came from the back of her mind. Hermione started in fear and quickly moved away from Harry as if he were a rabid dog. She shook her head wildly and hugged her pillow.
She cowered in a corner of the bed as she heard, kill now! Hermione's body lunged forward with the pillow as if to smother him.
"NO!" Hermione screamed and jumped out of bed pulling a red satin sheet with her to wrap herself up in it.
Waking with a start Harry followed Hermione towards the bathroom and stood outside of the door. "Hermione? Is everything all right?"
Inside, Hermione thrashed around on the floor her body covered in painful hives. She didn't dare scream, for she didn't want Harry to see her like this. This is what one gets when one disobeys Lord Voldemort. Tell no one, or it will be worse. At this point she screamed then everything stopped.
"Hermione? Are you all right?" Harry asked testing the door handle.
Hermione sat in a corner and took a breath, "Yes... I-I'm fine." Hermione answered standing then wrapping the sheet around her.
"Why did you scream?" Harry asked.
"I thought I saw a vole." Hermione said as she opened the door. She looked at her Fiancée and was no longer sure if she should marry him. She loved him so much, and couldn't stand to see him hurt, Especially not by her own hand. "I guess it was just my shadow."
"We should probably be getting back to School. It's nearly time for the ball." Harry said, his eyes full of concern.
"Yes," Hermione said running her fingers though her wild brown tresses, "Lets get dressed."
Back at school, the Halloween ball is not as joyous an occasion as it once was. The loss of the beloved Headmaster had been hard on those left behind.
Hermione and Harry mingled among those gathered, a few noticing the brilliant pink diamond ring on Hermione's left ring finger and offered their congratulations. "It's so terrible that Dumbledore is not here to see this." Professor Sprout said after offering hers, "He always said that someday you two would be together."
Both Harry and Hermione raised a brow. "Always?" Harry asked.
"Seems to me he didn't try very hard to see this through?" Hermione mumbled barely audible. Harry caught it though, but decided not to bother with this comment just yet. What could she have meant by that? He thought as they moved towards the headmistress.
"I hear congratulations are in order." She stated a soft smile playing on her features.
"Thank you," Harry said.
"Albus would have loved to witness your wedding." McGonagall said with almost a wistful smile.
"I wonder what he did with the philosopher's stone." Hermione mumbled low again, as she looked about the room visibly bored with having to accompany Harry around the room.
Harry looked at her, and again decided to find out what she meant later. This was a night for celebration. "We would have loved to have him bare witness as well," Harry answered, "Right Hermione?"
"Oh Yes," Hermione stated, "We all miss him so terribly. Harry, I think I will retire to my chambers now, I will see you tomorrow." She said dismissively. Hermione was truly tired of having to smile at everyone who felt the need to paw at her hand. She turned to Harry and gave him a kiss, the first kiss they had shared publicly at the school.
"Wait I'll walk with you," He said starting to follow. She was being awfully strange, and thought that maybe he should talk to her after all.
"No it's all right, you stay. Enjoy yourself." She asserted knowing that he might want to talk about her sudden disinterest in everything. She gave him a reassuring smile and walked out of The Great Hall alone.