Disclaimer: I don't own the Harry Potter universe. Sad, isn't it?
Chapter 2"Ginny, may I come in?" asked Ron through the knocking softly.
"Come in" I replied.
"Ginny I need your help. This is very important to me and I can't expect it from anyone except you."
"What can be this important? Ahh something related to Hermione, right?"
"Ginny" Ron said and blushed furiously.
"OK, I'll help. Now tell me what I have to do" I placated him.
Ron and Hermione had been going out since the war ended. They had helped each other to cope with the post war trauma and Harry's disappearance and it just lead to other things. Now they were very much in love and had been for a long time.
"Ginny I need you to help me pick out a ring for Hermione" said Ron shyly.
"What?" I squealed.
"I know. I just want to make her mine. But we won't get married immediately. I want Harry to be my Best Man" Ron said quietly.
I nodded. "We all miss him sorely."
"So would you do this for me" Ron said steering away for the depressing subject.
"Sure. When do you want to go?"
"I'll come by the shop tomorrow. Then we'll go together."
"OK. Good night."
"Good night Ginny" said Ron going towards the door.
"And Ginny, please keep this a secret" Ron went saying.
I smiled understandingly.
Just as I was closing the WWW for the day, Ron arrived.
"Lets go, I want to find the perfect ring for her."
"Just a sec. Now lets go."
"So tell me Ron, what do you have in mind?"
"That you'll know when I see it. First we will see every shop in Diagon Alley. If we don't find it here then we go into Muggle world."
I groaned.
"Come on." Urged Ron.
After visiting fifty or so shops, still Ron hasn't found the 'Perfect Ring'.
"Now what are we going to do?" I asked.
"Muggle shops. We'll go there tomorrow. I'll pick you up at lunch time."
We decided on this plan before flooing home. We went straight to bed, as we were dead on feet.
Next day Ron and I continued our search for the 'Perfect Ring' in the Muggle world. We both were dressed in the muggle clothes. On streets, quite a few people were staring at us and a few even made passes on us.
"We are beautiful people, aren't we?" I comment.
"It seems. Come on lets go in this shop." Said Ron.
This shop was maybe the last on the street and I was getting very tired and irritated with Ron. When he again couldn't select any, I sighed.
"Ron, you know what you want for Hermione, right?"
Ron nodded.
"Then why don't we give them the design and size of her finger and they'll get it ready for us.Right Sir?" I asked turning to the shop-owner .
"Of course. You'll just have to pay us half of the cost nowand half after you come for delivery." He replied.
"Mmhh. And how long will it take to get it made?" asked Ron.
"About a week max."
"OK. Then I will give you the design and size now and I want it by next Thursday." Said Ron.
"Sure." Confirmed the shop-owner.
On paper Ron made the design. It had a band of platinium which broke up into two branches which would contain two diamonds Hermione would definitely love it.
"Either one of us would be here to pick it up." Said Ron .
"No problem. Here. Bring this reciept with you when you come."instructed the jewellery shop-owner.
On exiting the shop, I teased Ron.
"I didn't know Ron you had such a taste in jewellery. Where did you pick it up?"
"Shut up Ginny."
I tittered. The cost of the ring was quite high. But then money was no longer an issue in our family.
Next Thursday, Ron got caught in some assignment leaving me to pick up the ring. As if I was sitting idle in the shop, eh?
I went to the shop. After all a sister's got to do what a sister's got to do. The ring was very beautiful. I kept it safely in my jeans pocket.
I still had an hour free. Hey, I am not that busy. I still had some Muggle currency left. So I went to the nearby magazine stall to see if any caught my fancy.
From the corner of my eye I could see a man buying grocery from the neighboring store. Something about him was alluring me. I turned to face him and I couldn't help but stare. He had black messy hair and was wearing wire-rimmed glasses.
"Harry." I said weakly.