33. Fall
"So, when are you going to ask Hermione to marry you?" his mother asks nonchalantly and everyone fall silent.
Hermione chokes on her food and he's pretty sure he could disappear if he had his wand on him.
Stupid Harry for going through his 'to heck with waiting' and asking Ginny to marry him. And worse, his sister said yes. And even though they are going for a long engagement kind of thing, he thought it'll give his mum something to be obsessed about and leave Hermione and him out of her mind.
Apparently he thought wrong.
They are comfortable together, the sex is mind-blowing and they bicker a lot, but it's easier now. They are able to talk through an argument most of the time, instead of leaving the room fuming, but they are not even living together, and are nowhere near ready to get married. They are way too young, and despite the certainty that Hermione is the one, he doesn't want to rush into marriage. He loves her and he's pretty happy with where their relationship is currently. He believes she is too.
Ron catches her eyes across the dinner table, silently pleading her to get him out of his mother's inquiry, but Hermione just raises her eyebrows comically, letting him know that he has to do it by himself.
So he clears his throat and casually mention that he saw Angelina sneak in the shop earlier that week. George throws him a death stare that assures him he'll pay for this, but for now, his mother squeals with delight and fires hundredth of questions at his brother, forgetting completely about Hermione and him.
Ron smiles as he helps himself a second serving of chocolate pudding. He's about to scoop a too big piece in his mouth when he feels Hermione's foot lightly tap his shin. He raises his eyes, pudding momentarily forgotten and finds her smiling brightly back at him.
She winks.
Nicely done.
