Ron's POV

The school year passed quickly; before they knew it Christmas was coming. The trio and Ginny were really looking forward to spending it at the burrow. Ron felt a little wired because his family had never seen Hermione and him as a couple. Ron knew that his family was aware of their relationship because Ginny wrote it in a letter right after Hermione and him became a couple. He was worried about the twins teasing and his mother being embarrassing but he hoped everyone would behave.

Christmas was big for Ron this year. For weeks he had been considering asking Hermione to marry him. He knew it seemed crazy. They had only been dating for a few months but he knew he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her.

He bought a ring last Hogsmead weekend, a gorgeous princess cut solitaire and he planned to ask her on Christmas morning. Ron had kept this secret from everyone including Harry but he knew once he got home he needed to tell his family

They arrived at the burrow early the day after holidays began. His mother was waiting for them and pounced on him and Hermione the moment they arrived. Ron was carrying his and Hermione's luggage.

"Ron" Mrs. Weasley cried giving him a large hug and almost knocking him over. He caught himself and tried to hug back.

"Mom" Ron said shaking his head." My hands are kind of full give me a minute. But she wasn't listening she had already moved on to Hermione.

"Look how beautiful you are" she told Hermione hugging her tightly. Hermione hugged back and smiled.

"Thank you Mrs. Weasley" Hermione told her trying to wriggle free of the restricting hug.

When Mrs.Weasley had released Hermione Ron walked over to her and put his arm around her slim waist. She leaned her head on his shoulder.

"Want me to take this upstairs for you baby?" Ron whispered.

"I can do it, love" she told him. Before she grabbed her luggage and headed upstairs she gave him a peck on the cheek. Ron noticed his mothers eyes were growing misty and he shuddered, if she acted like this at the thought of them dating, what would she do when he proposed. Ron tried not to think about that yet.

He decided to tell his family that evening, Mrs.Weasley had planned a dinner for the whole family and Ron realized that would be the best time.

For the rest of the afternoon Harry, Ron and Ginny practiced Quidditch in the orchard. Hermione sat outside alternating between watching them and reading her ancient runes book.

About an hour before Dinner they went inside to change. Ron showered and put on a good shirt, blue to match his eyes, and slacks.

"Why are you getting a prettied up?" Harry asked when he caught Ron gelling his hair.

"Is it a crime to want to look nice for my family?" Ron barked.

"For anyone else no" Harry told him. "For you, kind of"

Ron grunted at Harry and walked out of the bathroom. Hermione and Ginny were already downstairs when Ron joined his family. They were helping Mrs. Weasley set the living room up for them to eat. Hermione and Ginny both were a little dressed up. Ginny was wearing a pale gold shirt and a black skirt with some kind of boots. Hermione looked radiant in a light pink dress with a black sweater. She smiled when she saw Ron and nodded approvingly.

"You look great dear," she told him. His family, which was all present at this point, along with Lupin and Tonks, turned to stare at him.

"What you get a girlfriend and you turn into a pretty boy" Fred commented.

"Funny" Ron told the twin. "You stupid prat"

"Language Ron" Hermione and Mrs. Weasley admonished at the same time.

"Sorry" Ron said lifting his hands up. "Don't hurt me"

They all took seats at the long table. Ron pulled out Hermione's chair, which earned snickers from his brothers. He stuck his tongue out at the twins when he knew Hermione was deep in conversation with Tonks.

The dinner went smoothly, Ron was preparing himself to talk to his family hen Fleur stood up.

"I 'ave and announcement" she said. Fleur took Bill's hand and they looked at one another lovingly. "Bill and I are going to 'ave a baby"

Everyone looked shocked and even the twins were silent. Mrs.Weasley was the first to break this silence but letting a sob. It took Ron a moment to realize it was a happy sob. She grabbed both Bill and Fleur hugging them repeatedly. She didn't calm down until they were all clearing dishes away.

"Isn't that great" Hermione squealed to Ron.

"Yeah, Great" Ron echoed. He was happy for his brother but he couldn't help but feel resentful. Fleur was 3 months pregnant, couldn't she have told them sooner? She was ruining Ron's moment. Leave it to one of his selfish brothers to always outdo him. Ron knew he was being juvenile but just once he wanted to be the center of attention.

Once the dishes were cleared Ron told his father he needed to talk to the family. They all excused themselves without Hermione noticing and went into the kitchen.

"Yes, Ronald" Mr.Weasley said looking concerned.

"I wanted to tell you all something" Ron started, "I, uh, I"

"Ron" Lupin called from the living room," there is someone here to see you"

"Tell them to wait" Ron replied impatiently.

"I think you should come on out here" Lupin called again in a tense tone.

"Uggh"Ron growled and opened the kitchen door. He almost passed out when he saw Lavender Brown waiting for him. She smiled coyly.

"Hi, Ronald" she simpered.

Ron saw Hermione in the corner. She had her wand raised, Ginny was holding her right arm and Tonks was holding her left arm. The look on his girlfriends face was complete rage.

"Come on" Ron said darkly motioning Lavender outside to the backyard. Once the door was closed behind them he turned and looked at her harshly.

"What do you want?" he yelled at her.

Lavender flinched slightly.

"I just wanted to say Happy Christmas and give you this," she told him. She shoved a present wrapped in purple paper into his hand. He shoved it right back into hers.

"I can't accept it" Ron told her.

"You haven't even opened it" Lavender whined trying to give the present back to him.

"I don't want to open" Ron told her holding up his hands. "Happy Christmas to you too now get the hell out of my house"

Lavenders lower lip quivered and she looked like she was going to cry. Ron got really agitated he had no idea how to handle crying Lavender.

"Ok, don't cry" He said in a calmer tone. "I am sorry, it's just, it made no sense for you to come here."

"I guess it was kind of dumb" Lavender relented. "But I see with Hermione and you look really happy and I don't have anyone"

She made pouty face at him and rubbed her hand on his. Ron wasn't the brightest crayon in the box and he knew it but this was obviously some sort of seduction.

"Ok, you know what" Ron spat, "I see what your doing and I am not going to let you. I am with Hermione. I am in love with Hermione. I worked really hard to be with her and I will be damned if you are going to ruin this"

He could feel color rising to his face. His heart was beating wildly, he hadn't been this angry in a really long time. Lavender was such a wench.

"I will not rest until you dumped that frizzy haired bookworm," Lavender told him, crossing her arms and looking at him sternly.

"Get the hell out" Ron commanded.

Lavender stomped her foot and disapparated. Ron took a moment to calm his nerves. He knew he had another battle o face the moment he went inside and he knew he couldn't afford to fly off the handle. His stomach felt heavy as he walked inside he also knew they hadn't heard the last of Lavender.

Ron crept back into the living room. Hermione was sitting in a chair by the window. Her arms were crossed and she was scowling at Ron. He plastered a smile on his face and shoved his hands in his pockets.

"What babe?" He asked trying to keep his voice even but he heard the squeak.

"What did she want?" Hermione asked not bothering to hide her anger or jealousy.

Ron ran his fingers through his hair and sighed deeply.

"Can we do this outside Hun?" He asked.

"No need" Hermione told him. "What did she want?"

"Hermione" Ron started, "I will be glad to discuss this but I think it would be better for everyone if we do this outside"

Ron looked around the room at his family and friends. Harry and Ginny were staring between Ron and Hermione with blank expressions. Everyone else was looking at the floor, the wall anywhere except for Ron and Hermione. Ron was nor5mally the irrational one but this time he had enough sense and respect to fight with her privately.

"What did she want?" Hermione repeated slowly obliviously growing frustrated.

Ron didn't say anything he walked over to the chair and pulled her up. He held on to her arm lightly and guided he to the door. She protested all the way.

He let her arm go when they were outside and she turned on him angrily.

"What was the meaning of that?" Hermione asked. "Grabbing me by the arm and leading me outside like a child"

"What was I thinking?" Ron countered sarcastically. "Keeping you from embarrassing both of us, what was I thinking?"

"Everyone in that room has seen us fight many times," Hermione told him, standing her ground.

"Maybe" Ron agreed. "But they have never seen us fight as a couple and I think we need to be a little more respectful now"

Hermione grew silent but continued to glare at him.

"Lavender came to tell me Happy Christmas" Ron told her.

"She apparated to your home to give you a seasons greeting, something she could have done in a letter" Hermione asked giving him skeptical look.

"Well she tried to give me a present and I wouldn't accept it" Ron admitted looking her straight in the eyes, imploring her not to push any further. He couldn't lie to her but the truth could ruin his moment.

"What was the present?" Hermione asked him.

"I don't know" Ron answered truthfully. "I didn't open it"

"That's all?" Hermione pushed further continuing to glare still.

Ron sighed again knowing she wouldn't be satisfied until she heard the truth.

"She implied that she wanted to get back together," Ron mumbled.

Hermione's lip quivered but she was obviously chocking back tears.

"Well" Hermione told him finally. "Your free to go back to her if you want. I wont stand in the way of true love"

"Wait, whoa, hold on" Ron said, holding his hands up. "Who said I wanted to get back with lavender"

"I guess you didn't but I assumed" Hermione relented.

"Come on Mione" Ron said gently rubbing her arms and putting his forehead against hers." I would like to think you know me better than that. I love you. You know what she was to me"

"No, I don't" Hermione replied tearfully. "You never, we never really talked about it, you know"

Ron nodded and tried to find a way to explain it. The truth was he never wanted to talk about Lavender because the reason he started dating her was really stupid.

"Ok" Ron started, "But please be patient and don't start yelling at me or lecturing me or even worse laugh at me."

Hermione nodded and Ron cleared his throat.

"Last year Harry and I caught Ginny kissing Dean. I got all big brothers on her and it made her mad. She started yelling at me, I yelled back and she told me that I was just jealous. She had snagged Dean, Harry had snogged Cho and you had snogged Krum"

He paused and looked at her. She seemed to soften his last words. She moved closer and laid her head on his chest. She didn't speak so he took that as cue to continue.

"I asked Harry if he thought you had actually snogged Krum" Ron said. "He didn't answer, so I took that as a yes and once again stupid me got jealous. I honestly thought that if you kissed Krum that you no feelings for me and I felt really hurt"

"Oh, Ron"Hermioen whispered. "I am sorry. I wish we had talked about Viktor along time ago that could have alleviated some of this mess. I did date Viktor. We dated from the December of fourth year until the July before fifth year. We kissed once, maybe twice while we dated. That was when I visited him in Bulgaria for a week. But then I went to the burrow and we moved to Grimmauld Place. I kept forgetting to write to him and he got angry. He broke up with me, I still have the letter."

Ron nodded but remained silent. That didn't really make him feel better.

"Would you like to know why he broke up with me?" Hermione asked gently.

"Sure" Ron answered. "Since we being honest and open"

"He told me that it was obvious that there was something between us and he said he wouldn't date a girl who was obviously in love with someone else."

"Really?" Ron asked incredulously.

"I can show you the letter," Hermione told him.

Ron leaned over and kissed Hermione gently on the mouth. She pulled herself into him and wrapped her arms around his neck. Finally after the kiss became more and more passionate Ron pulled away.

"I might be a damn fool," Ron whispered hoarsely, "but maybe we should do this another time, when my whole family isn't waiting inside."

Hermione giggled and hugged him.

"Your right sweetie" she told him. "Let's go back in. I am cold"

Ron moved behind her and wrapped his arms around tightly.

"Better baby?" he asked. They walked inside, Ron's arms still around her. No one said anything about the fight but he could tell everyone was glad she was calmer. Hermione walked back over to Tonks to finish the conversation lavender had interrupted.

"Did you still need to talk" Ron's dad asked.

"Yeah, actually, I do" Ron told his dad and they went back into the kitchen.

"Ok" Ron started over. He had almost lost his nerve but he pressed on anyway knowing he made the right decision. "I have made a big decision that I want you guys to be a part of, I have decided to propose to Hermione."

"What" the twins screeched simutanealsy.

His parents looked at him gravely.

"Ronald" His dad said, "I know you love her but this a little soon."

"Bill knew Fleur for a year before he proposed" Ron argued. "We may have only been dating for 3 months but I have known her and loved her for seven years. I am asking you to let me make this decision. Please?"

For a moment his parents looked at one another and seemed to be holding a conversation with their eyes. Ron held his breath while they deliberated. He avoided the eyes of His brothers and Ginny not wanting anything o brings him down. He looked at Harry who nodded at him. Ron returned the nod, thankful for the support.

"Ok, Ronald" Mr.Weasley said a moment later." If you feel ready you have our support. I think you may be ready, I have seen some change in you. You might just be ready"

"Thank you" Ron cried throwing his arms around his parents.

"But we demand you finish school" Mrs.Weasley said sternly.

"This is Hermione were talking about" Ron reminded them.

"True" Mr.Weasley relinquished smiling ruefully. "Very true"

"Do you have a ring?" Ginny asked excitedly.

Ron reached into his pocket and pulled out the ring box. He handed it Ginny.

"Oh goodness" Ginny whispered. "This must have cost a fortune" Ginny passed the ring to her mother.

"She's worth every penny" Ron assured them.

"This is beautiful Ronald," His mother agreed. She teared up and smiled at him.

"Thanks mum" Ron told her.

"Well if that's all, I think we should rejoin our guests" Mr. Weasley suggested. The rest of the family nodded in agreement Ron took his ring back and placed it in his pocket.

The Weasley's walked out of the kitchen. Hermione was curled up on the couch with a cup of hot chocolate. She smiled at him warmly and he curled up beside her. The rest of the evening was spent with Hermione in his arms. Ron realized something had happened to him since she became more than just a friend, he was learning to appreciate the precious moments.