The Promise

Rating: PG-13 for Violence and possible language (yes, there will be death scenes!)

Couples:

Ron/Hermione

Harry/Ginny

Summary:

At Bill and Fleur's wedding, Ron finally gets the courage to confess his feelings to Hermione.

NOTE:

This story is Post-HBP.

"I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride." As the two kissed lovingly, the others jovially threw rice at the happy couple.

Harry, Ginny, Ron, and Hermione were happily clapping as Bill and Fleur walked down the isle, but Ron kept glancing at Hermione. When Bill and Fleur left to shake hands with their friends, Ron pulled Harry aside.

"What is it, mate?" Harry had never seen Ron like this. He pictured him going straight for the buffet table, not talking.

Ron sighed. "You know that the final battle with You-Know-Who is coming up…"

"Yeah…"

"Well, I kinda wanted Hermione to know that…I…um…"

"Ron!"

Ron's head shot up. Harry was grinning. "You're finally going to tell her? Good for you!"

Ron's ears went pink and he reached into his jacket pocket. "I got her something to show her that I… you know." He pulled out a velvet box with a beautiful golden ring with a big diamond and lined with sapphires. Harry gaped at it, knowing that it had to have cost a fortune. "Wow. Where'd you get it?"

"My great Aunt Tissy left it to me in her will. She said for me to give it to someone I really care about." Ron smiled. "I hate to say it, but if we don't come back, I want her to know I care. And if we come back alive…" Ron went even pinker. "I'm going to ask her to marry me."

Harry took Ron's hand in a shake. "Go get her, Ron."

Ron smiled at his friend and put the ring back in his pocket, turning to Hermione who was talking to his parents.

---

"Hey, Hermione, can I talk to you for a second?" Ron asked with the best courage he could muster. Hermione nodded and he led her to the rose garden outside the chapel.

"Um… Hermione… I have something I need to um… tell you."

"What is it, Ron?"

"I don't know how to say it, so I'm just gonna say it."

"Just say it, Ron."

"I…I…"

He almost couldn't meet her face, but as he gazed into her eyes, he blurted it out. "I love you!"

Then he blushed furiously. Hermione's eyebrows were trying to climb off her face.

Ron continued. "I…I love you. I've got to admit that I've always loved you, and that if I don't come back from the final battle, I wanted you to know how I feel. And if I do come back…"

Hermione's hands flew to her mouth as Ron got on one knee and showed her the ring.

"Hermione Granger, you are my world. I know that it's taken me a long time to get to this point, but I want you to know that I love you. And should I…no, when I come back… I want us to be together forever. Will you marry me?"

Tears were streaming down Hermione's face as Ron gazed at her with hope and longing. She smiled at him. "Yes. Yes, I'll marry you, Ron!"

Ron slipped the ring onto her finger and got up to kiss her, brushing her tears away.

When they came back in, Ron tapped his glass three times to get everyone's attention. "Attention, everyone! I have an announcement to make."

Harry smiled at him as Ron took Hermione's hand. "I know that you guys may not be expecting this, but I wanted you all to know that I love Hermione. And we're going to get married."

Mrs. Weasley burst into tears, rushing to take Ron into her arms. Hermione's parents went to hug her.

"Oh, Ronnie! My little boy's growing up!"

"Is that Aunt Tissy's ring?" Ginny asked.

Everyone gasped as they looked at Hermione's hand. "Oh, it's beautiful!" Fleur exclaimed.

Ron and Hermione smiled at each other. Whatever happened in the future, they knew that they would face it together.

-END OF CHAPTER ONE-

PLEASE REVIEW!