The celebrations going on in Grimmauld was legendary. Even though they were sure that other wizards and witches were partying just as much, the Order liked to think that theirs was the most special. Everyone kept drinking firewhiskey and butterbeer, cheering. Ron was enjoying himself immensely until he realized that his girlfriend was no where to be found. He looked for Hermione everywhere then finally went outside for fresh air. There was Hermione. She sat on the brick wall, looking up at the stars. Her hair was short and messy but Ron still thought her to be the most beautiful girl he had ever seen. He quietly went back inside and grabbed two butterbeers before returning outside. He walked over and jumped up beside of her on the brick wall. He handed one of the drinks to Hermione, which she accepted.
They clinked their glasses together silently and drank as they looked up at the stars. They sat this way for sometime until Ron broke the silence. "Are you okay, Hermione?" Ron asked hesitantly. Hermione looked at him confused. "You've been awfully quiet since we've come back," he said softly "are you okay?" Hermione sighed and looked up at the spectacular sky.
"I don't know, Ron" Hermione admitted, taking another sip from her bottle. "I guess I just don't know what's going to happen next." She looked at him with a look of vulnerability that she rarely had shown over the last two years. Ron put his hand in hers, squeezing it reassuringly. "I mean the war is finally over but what are we going to do for the rest of our lives?" Ron sat quietly as she struggled with her emotions. They had both changed immensely over the last two years. They both had learned a lot about love as well as about how to dream for the future to escape the hell that they often found themselves in.
Even though Ron added humor to the situation as much as possible, he still grew decently serious and even somewhat sensitive to when Hermione spoke like this. "Well, I think that we finally have the opportunity to do whatever we want. And, Hermione?" She looked up at him. "I would like to dance with you if that's okay"
"That would be splendid, Ron" Hermione said. Ron got off of the wall then helped Hermione off the wall. They held each other closely as they danced to music that wasn't there. "You know, we probably look ridiculous out here, dancing without music." Hermione mused into Ron's ear.
"We're war heroes. We have the right to look ridiculous" Ron grumbled, making Hermione laugh.
"So, Ron, what's your future hold?" Hermione asked casually.
"I don't know" Ron said as he brushed the hair out of her face. "I'm thinking of taking on a job I love and settling down for awhile. I'm eighteen yet for some reason I feel much older."
"I know what you mean" Hermione said putting her head on his shoulder. "I think I want to do something a lot less stressful. Maybe I'll be head researcher of the Ministry of Magic, now that we have your father as the Minister himself." Arthur Weasley had gotten the job hands down. He was a good and caring man who would lead the wizarding world in truth. Ron grinned.
"I think that you'd be good at that. I wanted to go off and do something dangerous as a kid but now…I think that I want to just take whatever low profile job that gets offered to me."
"None in particular?" Hermione asked, thoughtfully.
"Not really" Ron admitted. "But I do have some other plans."
"Oh really?" Hermione asked, teasingly. "And what, Ronald, are those?" Ron broke their embrace and knelt in front of her. He pulled out a beautiful wooden box. He opened it, exposing a beautiful diamond ring. Hermione gasped.
"I plan to marry the most wonderful woman in the world. That is, if she'll have me." Ron said sincerely and humbly. Her eyes got very wide. "You are the best thing that has ever happened to me, Hermione. If you weren't in my life, I'd die. Please accept, Hermione and we can spend the rest of our lives together. Arguing of course," he said, his eyes twinkling "but also with love and trust. So what do you say?"
Hermione knelt down beside of him. Ron looked at her unsure. She smiled and kissed him passionately. "Is that a yes?" Ron asked as they broke their kiss. Hermione silenced him again with a kiss. Ron pushed her away gently. "Hermione, answer me! Stop tormenting me, woman! Are you going to marry me or not?"
"Yes, you idiot" Hermione said as she kissed him swiftly again. "Because I love you and I want to be with you too."