So here is the second to the last chapter! I am writing as much as I can. I have just come up with two new ideas but I told myself that I have to finish this one and Nightmares before I can start them. Thanks for being patient. Hope you enjoy and please review! Thanks for being such great readers!- Ace

Chapter 11- Hermione and Ron

Hermione unlocked the door to the apartment she shared with Ron.

"Ron I'm home," she yelled as she closed the door and turned the lock. She stepped in, took off her cloak and hung it on one of the hooks behind the door. "Ron," She called again when he did not reply.

She walked deeper into the loft toward the kitchen assuming he would be in there fixing dinner.

"Ron?"

When she found the kitchen empty, she moved through it to the bathroom, still calling his name.

"Ron?"

She found the bathroom to be empty and walked through the conjoining door to their bedroom. The bed was empty, no red hair in sight. At this, Hermione was starting to wonder where he was.

She stepped out into the living room again. She looked over at Pig's cage. Pig hooted at her and she noticed a noted clipped to his cage. She walked over to the table, picked it up and read it.

Hermione,

Went out to grab some dinner.

Be back soon.

Ron

She smiled to herself. She put the note down on the cabinet and reached for the owl treats. She took one out and gave it to Pig. Pig hooted his thanks and began to eat. Hermione then went back into the bedroom to change out of her work clothes.

When Hermione had changed into a pair of pajama pants, a long sleeve white t-shirt and her slippers, she came out and headed for the kitchen to make herself a cup of tea and feed Crookshanks.

She put on the kettle then took a can of cat food from out of the cupboard. She opened the can with a can opener.

"Crookshanks," Hermione called as she spooned the food into the cat's dish. The ginger cat came waltzing in at her call. Crookshanks meowed and bounded for the dish. Hermione smiled and petted her cat lightly on the head.

Suddenly the tea pot began to whistle and Hermione jumped up to pull it off the burner. She began to hum to herself as she opened the cabinet above the stove and took out a mug. She then reached over, opened the jar where the tea bags were kept, and pulled one out. She dropped it into her mug then poured the hot water over it. She moved the tea bag up and down in her mug, watching as the water darkened.

At that moment, just outside the apartment door, Ron juggled his keys, a bag of Italian takeout, and a single red rose. Finally after many attempts at shoving his keys into the lock, he dropped them with a clang.

"Bloody hell," he swore under his breath. He put down the bag and picked up his keys. He put them in the lock and was about to pick up the bag when he stopped and reached into his pocket. He pulled out a small box and opened it. Inside was a delicate silver heart ring. He sighed, removed the tiny ring from the box and closed it. He took a deep breath and placed the ring carefully in the center of the rose. He then picked up the bag of takeout and unlocked the door, hiding the rose behind his back.

He pushed the door open, walked in, and kicked it closed with his foot. When he looked around, he found Hermione standing at the entrance to the living room.

"You're back finally." She said putting her hands on her hips.

"I brought food." He said holding up the bag as he walked closer to her. "And I love you."

Hermione smiled and walked up to him. "I'm glad you're home. And I love you too." She whispered leaning in and giving him a peck on the cheek.

Ron smiled. "I'm glad to be home with you." He said and gave her a kiss. When they parted, Ron pulled out the rose.

"Oh Ron," Hermione exclaimed looking down at the rose then back up at him. "It's beautiful."

As Hermione took the rose from him, Ron stepped around her. "You are more so." He said with a smile and headed for the kitchen.

Hermione smiled to herself as she brought the rose up to her nose. Just as she was about to smell it, she noticed a flash of silver. Puzzled, she gently reached in and pulled out the object. She gasped when she realized it was a ring.

Immediately she turned around and moved toward the kitchen. When she walked into the kitchen, she found Ron down on one knee.

Hermione gasped again. Ron smiled up at her.

"Hermione Jane Granger, I love you with all of my heart. Every morning I wake up and look over at you still sleeping and ask myself 'Why is she with me?' Because sometimes I seriously wonder why I was the one you chose to love." Ron admitted to Hermione. She caught his eyes as he continued. "But I love you and I love being with you. I love waking up next to you and falling asleep with you. I love sharing every minute of everyday of my life with you. I never want to be without you, Hermione. You are my heart and soul. The light in my dark. You are everything to me. I love you Hermione Jane Granger and I want to be your husband." He paused for a second. "Hermione, would you ever consider marrying me?" Ron finally finished and looked up at her, hope and vulnerability filling his face.

Hermione smiled at him. "Ronald Weasley there is no one in the world, wizard or muggle, who could ever, ever make me as happy as you do." She smiled wider at him and stepped toward him. She took one of his hands and helped him up from the floor. "And there is no one, no one I would ever consider to be my husband but you. In fact I consider it an honor above honors to be your wife." She paused, watching Ron's eyes reading her face and his expression change. "Yes Ron I will marry you."

Ron smiled right away and took her by the waist. "I will always love you," he whispered then kissed her on the lips, holding her close. Hermione kissed just as lovingly in return.

When they parted, Ron took the ring from Hermione and slipped it on to her left ring finger.

"My Hermione," he whispered looking into her soft brown eyes.

Hermione smiled. "My Ronniekins," she whispered back. Then she wrapped her arms around Ron's neck and kissed him again.