A/N: No, I'm afraid their not the "wait 'til marrige" type. (sweatdrop) I just thought it might be more romantic if they weren't. But just because I write about it, doesn't mean I support it! Just wanted to make that clear.

Anydangway, here's the next chapter. It's a bit shorter than the previous ones, but I promise the next one will be nice and juicy.

Disclaimer: Kiah no own Harry Potter! Kiah sad!

So Sick of It
KiahWMConnie
Chapter 8

"This is getting old, Ron."

"Don't be a sore loser."

"Why did you have to insist on playing this anyways?"

"Because it's probably the only intellectual thing that I could beat you at," Ron argued with his girlfriend as he moved his piece onto its final spot, "Checkmate."

Hermione sighed audibly, "Alright. You win."

"Yes!" he put his arms in the air.

"Again," she added, "How you managed to get so good at chess is beyond me."

"Too bad all you have is this Muggle set. Wizard's chess is more fun."

"And why's that?"

"Because the pieces actually destroy eachother."

"Men and violence...honestly!" she shook her head and laughed.

Ron and Hermione had spent the past few evenings like this. It had been exactly a week since Hermione's meeting with Ginny. Since then, they had taken it easy; Ron had even grown a goatee. He wanted to play chess this particular night, so they sat on the living room floor and played a few games. Ron won every time.

"Hey, tonight's Friday night," Ron said in a low voice.

"And?" Hermione giggled as she put the chess set up.

"That means that neither of us have to get up in the morning," he replied, grinning.

"Honestly, Ron," she laughed.

"Come on," he crawled over to her and continued suggestively, "I'll let you have revenge for losing three games in a row."

"Tempting, but-"

"But what?" he wrapped his arms around her as she continued to laugh.

Hermione looked into his eyes. They were blue as ever with a spark of mischief in them. Suddenly, they changed to a softer, romantic look.

"Stay here," he said softly as he got up, "I'm going to change," he went to his room and changed from his work clothes to a loose-fitting shirt and a pair of blue jeans. He reached under his pillow and pulled out a little black box that he had purchased just yesterday.

"Please," he whispered to himself, "Let me do this right," he put the box into his pocket.

When he walked out, Hermione was sitting on the couch, petting a purring Crookshanks. Unlike Ron, she had changed the moment she got home and was in a simple shirt and pants. He sat beside her and Crookshanks lept off, wandering off to who-knows-where. Hermione was too occupied with Ron's odd look to care.

"Ron?"

He leaned forward and kissed her very softly. She giggled very lightly as his goatee brushed her own chin. She was so lost in the soft kiss, it took her a moment to figure out when he had pulled away. With his eyes still closed, he leaned his forehead against hers.

"Hermione?" he whispered, "You love me, right?"

"Yes, Ron," she sighed impatiently, "I've told you that countless times."

"And even though we argue a lot," he added with a chuckle, "I'll always be there for you."

"The same goes for me," Hermione whispered.

Ron pulled away, looked in her deep, brown eyes, and squeezed her hand, "Hermione...will you stay with me forever?"

"...What?" she whispered.

Ron slid off the couch and onto the floor. He pulled the little black box out of his pocket and bent down on one knee. Hermione gasped in anticipation.

"Hermione," he choked out and opened the box, "Will you marry me?" the box contained a small, but very beautiful diamond ring.

Hermione gasped again. Her eyes watered as she bit her lip. After several long seconds and one very happy tear, she violently nodded her head, "Yes...YES!" she lept off the couch and wrapped her arms around her new fiance. Ron held her tightly and gave thanks for her answer.

"Oh, Ron!" she sobbed into his shoulder out of happiness. He gave one last tight hug and pulled away.

"Try it on," he took the ring out. With a slightly shaky hand, he slid the ring onto her finger, "It isn't much, but it was the best I could afford."

"It's beautiful, Ron," she admired the diamond. Leaning forward, she kissed him passionately. Ron returned the kiss and wrapped his arms around her.

"I love you," she whispered inbetween kisses.

"I love you, too."

The next morning was nice and quiet. Ron and Hermione sat on the couch, not saying anything, but merely enjoying eachother's presence.

"Ron," Hermione whispered quitely, but concernedly.

"Yes?"

Hermione sat up and looked into his eyes, "Have you thought any about your family?"

Ron wasn't expecting that. He was quiet for several long minutes.

"I'm sorry, but it's something that will come up sooner or later," she said in a very matter-of-fact, Hermione-like way.

"I know," Ron groaned and leaned back into the couch. He ran his fingers through his hair frustratedly.

"Ron, listen," she commanded, "You've got to have some sort of idea about what you're going to do. You'll have to talk to them eventually before the wedding!"

"We could just elope or something..." Ron gave a very feeble smile.

"Ron," she warned.

"I know, I know..." he moaned, "It's just...it's not something I'm looking forward to, okay?"

Hermione crossed her arms.

"Listen," he began, "What if I go sometime soon? Tomorrow evening, perhaps? It'll give me some time to get ready for it..."

"Tonight."

"Tonight?" Ron yelped and stiffened, "Hermione-!"

"Ron, you know I want you to be happy," she interrupted, "And I believe that the sooner you make up with your family, the sooner we can move on and be happy!"

Ron was at a loss for words. Hermione's words were strong, just like her. He took a deep, long sigh and rested his head in his hands, his elbows propped on his shoulders.

"Tonight..." Ron finally gave in.

Hermione rested her head on Ron's broad shoulder, "I'll be with you the whole time."

Ron arose and wrapped his muscular arms around her frame, "Thank you..." he whispered, "For everything. But I'm afraid I'll be by myself tonight."

"Ron-?"

"It's something I have to do alone, Hermione. I need to be a man...and finish what I started."

She gave a defeated sigh, but responded very lovingly, "Well, you know I'm with you in spirit. And you know that I'll love you no matter what."

"Thank you," he whispered again, "For everything."

Hermione pulled away slightly and gave a soft, sweet kiss to her fiance.

Ron was sweating slightly as he looked at himself in the full length mirror. Evening was here, and he was minutes away from apparating to the Burrow. Standing in the hallway, he studied himself for the last time.

He was wearing a pair of clean blue jeans and regular tennis shoes. Ron always did prefer comfortable Muggle clothes. He was also wearing the long-sleeved blue shirt Hermione picked out for him, the one she said matched his eyes.

In just two weeks away from the Burrow, Ron had changed even more. His deep blue eyes still had their gorgeous shine, but now they held something special that only love from his Hermione could bring. He didn't look near as awkward as he had in his past now that his clothes were actually new and fit him well. On top of everything, he had grown a small goatee that made him look like a full-grown man. In a brief moment, Ron felt good about himself.

Taking a large sigh, he stepped away from the mirror and made his way into the living room. Hermione was standing there, figeting with her fingers. She looked more nervous than he did. Deep down, however, Ron knew she could never catch up to him...

"Well," he announced his presence and she turned to face him, "I should get going."

"Okay," she sighed and stepped towards him. She stood on her tiptoes and kissed him deeply. She broke away and whispered, "For good luck."

"Thanks," he took another large sigh.

"I love you!" she added slightly desperate-sounding.

"I love you, too," he smiled at her and stepped out of the apartment. Not knowing what to expect, he apparated back to the place that, just two weeks ago, he ran away from.

A/N: Yay! I finally got this chapter finished! Sorry it took me forever. Life's been anything but easy lately. But no worries! I will have this story finished in the not-too-distant future.

And yes, it took me a while imagine Ron with a goatee, too.

Everytime you don't review, JKR kills off another character. Can you live, knowing what the consequences will be?