Hi guys!

Don't worry - I'm alive! I've been working a lot, and I've been visiting friends and family again (at a safe distance, don't worry!), so I have to write in between events and work, but don't worry - I still have plenty of ideas and inspiration for this story and I will keep updating it! Just maybe not as regularly as I would want to.

This chapter - no smut, but a lot of sweet fluff and snogging. It's a Valentine's Date, after all!

I also passed 150k views this month. That is insane and I couldn't have done it without you all! Now, to celebrate this milestone, I want to thank a few supporters personally. These people have left comments regularly and are just keeping me so incredibly driven and passionate about How to get engaged. I couldn't do this without them! So, without further ado, here goes, a very special thanks to:

Pclauink, PurpleLotus, Mayamelissa, Harmione4Life (who is a new reader but who is being so sweet!), Haybale, Pacman99, McSpacey, MarieJGranger, thelastlympian, Mignightjuliet, LittleSnake27, adkisson123, Stille und Regen, tlc125, Megantelope, emilysouza221b, griffin blackwoord, tacitblue1973, HhrPie (who keeps recommending my story to anyone who listens on the Discord), Bernicci, FlyingAstroCat ad Toketsupuurin.

Aside from these shout-outs, I appreciate each and every one of you out there and I hope that, wherever you are, you are safe and secure.

Lots of love!

Flora.

Chapter 31: How Hermione gave Harry the key to her apartment

The photographer was annoyed.

After Hermione and Harry stepped in that Muggle car yesterday, they hadn't returned. His colleague, Jacky Simone, had been going on and on about how they possibly booked a romantic hotel somewhere to spend Valentine's Day together, so she went on a mission to find out where they had been going to.

He offered to her that they could have Apparated back to Hermione's apartment, or used the floo - not because he really meant it, but because he wanted to annoy her. Funnily enough, she had to agree to some level, so she had ordered him to do the next stake-out, while she investigated some more. He wished he could have kept his annoying mouth shut.

He hated playing paparazzi. It felt intrusive and it wasn't what he had imagined when he started out at The Prophet. He loved animal photography - waiting in a field to see the Mooncalves dance at night, hiding in the forest to watch the Fairies dance, tracking through the mountains to catch a glimpse of a Porlock, a Griffin, or maybe, if he was really lucky, a swish of a dragon's tail.

His experience with spying did make paparazzi a lot easier. He had concealed himself and his surroundings with strong enchantments - Muffliato, Protego Totalum, Salvia Hexia, Repello Muggletum... Only someone that would go specifically looking for him, would find him. And he knew the "Beasts" he wanted to snap today, knew no such thing.

Nevertheless, standing stake-out was tedious and boring. He just hoped that Jacky was right - if she was, they'd have the scoop of the century, and a promotion to a different field would be within reach.

'So, your dad was interrogated by some nosy journalist?'

Harry made brunch that morning - home-made pancakes with jam and cream. They had a lazy start of the day - sleeping in, then mind-blowing oral sex, then they dozed off some more. When they woke up for a second time, it was almost half past 1. To be fair, they had returned late last night, they had no engagements planned, except for their dinner that night: they deserved to be a bit lazy every now and then.

'Yes. That's why I insisted on having you side-along to my apartment yesterday, instead of taking the ride back. I have no idea if they actually know that you're staying here, but we have to be a bit more careful from now on.'

'Got'cha,' Harry said, as he stuffed another pancake in his mouth. 'Do you think we need some kind of disguise for tonight?'

'I think we're good. It's a Muggle restaurant, right? And you used a different name to do the reservation?'

'Yes. Mister Clearwater, at your service.'

Hermione chuckled.

'Yeah, you figured picking "Vernon Dudley" wasn't the wisest move after all?'

'It's not an appealing name for a dinner reservation,' Harry admitted. 'And it's quite easy to trace back to me.'

'Good thinking. And, aside from the dinner reservation, it's our date night. I don't want to spent our first Valentine's Day disguised as someone else!'

'I agree,' Harry said. 'The Prophet be damned. We'll tell them we had a very poorly-timed business supper if they do catch us out together.'

Hermione nodded, as she smeared some more cream on her pancakes. Harry didn't want to come clean to the press yet, apparently. Well, she couldn't blame him. It would be so much easier to wait a while until the "Potter gets jobs from his friends!"-arc was a little less in the front of everyone's minds. "Potter gets jobs from his girlfriend" was the only headline that was worse, she contemplated.

She regretted that thought a few days later.

Because Harry loved it so much, Hermione wore her black jumpsuit again when they went out that night. Her spare key, packed neatly in a bowed box, was stacked in her clutch. She didn't mind dolling up every now and then - it made her feel wanted, sexy, when she wore her red lips and heels with visible toes. Harry gave her a look that told her he really liked what he saw. He wore a black jacket and his darkgreen blouse, the one he had worn during their previous dinner with Aunty Penelope, and she absolutely adored that color on him. She knew they both secretly wanted to cancel their dinner to get back into the bedroom to rip the clothes of each other's backs, but they needed to be patient.

Harry checked through the window for annoying journalists. He didn't see any stragglers, no "tourists", the pavement was completely empty. So, because it was just a few blocks away, they decided to walk.

They departed from the soon-to-be-their apartment, careful as to not draw too much attention to themselves, and Hermione felt excited. Their first, grown-up, proper date. Those things would usually take place before a first kiss, before an introduction to the family - then again, Harry and her weren't a usual couple. That's why she loved him so much.

It shouldn't have surprised her that Harry brought her to a sushi bar. Not the one they usually visited - even though she knew this bar had amazing reviews, the prices had always held her back a bit. She wasn't doing too bad financially, but she still wanted to be economical. Harry didn't - from the first day he'd splurged on the Witches's Trolley in the Hogwarts Express, he would never cut down on spending on his friends. Or, apparently, his girlfriend.

After getting seated, and placing a Muffliato, they knew they were free to speak about all things magic. First they re-hashed the Valentine's Ball, talking about Hermione's family members, the impending divorce of her cousin, the discussion with Uncle Eric. They laughed about how grandma Eugenia thought their dance moves were embarrassing her. They talked about their upcoming dance classes, and they agreed they were looking forward to them.

The waiters, dressed in a traditional oriental black attire, kept the courses coming. Hermione had never received sushi in a boat before: she was ecstatic. They also agreed that they needed a work-out tomorrow, to compensate for the enormous amount of calories they were devouring over the course of two days.

'I really liked going crazy with you yesterday,' Harry admitted, as Hermione was thinking how she would never get tired of studying his emerald eyes. They looked almost radiant, complemented by the color of his shirt.

'I love it when we have fun like that. I also loved the slowdancing part. It's just... comforting or something. To be with you, I mean.'

Harry was rambling. He was a bit nervous, she knew. Oh, that was just too cute.

'Why didn't we do it all earlier, Hermione?'

His follow-up question was asked so quietly, she almost didn't hear him, but she knew exactly what he meant.

'I guess we weren't ready.'

'No, that's bogus. We were - we had moments before. We even danced before, don't you remember?'

She smiled, thinking about their little escape during the Horcrux hunt.

'It felt just as good,' Harry continued. 'I remember that your smile made me so happy and... The feeling of you against me... It wasn't sexual at the time - oh well, maybe a tiny bit. I did feel something. A flutter, I suppose, but I repressed it because of Ginny. It was just that the closeness made me feel sane and at ease. It's just so damn easy being with you. And every time I hold you close like that, I can't help thinking... Why now? Did we really need-... What happened between us to be together? I just don't understand why I didn't take the step earlier. You remember, when we ended the dance, that there was a pull between us?'

Hermione nodded.

'Yes. You even moved in a little, like you wanted to kiss me.'

'So it was there. It was there, all that time, subconsciously I just knew what could be and I just... Didn't have the balls.'

'Neither did I,' Hermione admitted. 'Some lousy Gryffindors we are.'

Harry chuckled.

'Only because we didn't want to lose our friendship. Which I'm glad we still have, by the way.'

Hermione smiled and squeezed his hand.

'I agree. I've been wondering the same thing. I think, ultimately, we would have gotten together. Ron and Nicky were trying to set us up. But it would have taken a lot longer, I think. Your proposal sky-rocketed our relationship.'

'The kiss,' Harry nodded with a grin. 'It was that bloody kiss. It woke me up. It stirred all the feelings inside of me that had been repressed for so long.'

She smiled at him, and Harry looked at her lips before he leaned forward and kissed her softly. The small kiss caught her off guard - they hadn't shared a kiss at a public place before - but she didn't mind. It was small, it was sweet, it was bloody Valentine's Day. Next to them, a couple was trying very hard to wrap their tongues around each other's tonsils. They could have acted way worse.

'I bought a gift for you,' Harry then said.

'What! Harry, I thought we said that we wouldn't buy-...'

'I lied,' Harry laughed, when he saw her semi-upset face. 'Oh, please Hermione! I just wanted the opportunity to buy you something that isn't a book. You don't mind that, right?'

'But I haven't gotten you anything expensive!'

'Oh, so you do have a gift as well! Pott calling the cattle, then.'

'More of a surprise,' Hermione said, with a blush on her face. 'But I want to give it to you later in the evening.'

'Now I'm very interested,' Harry grinned. 'Does it involve any clothing?'

She slapped his arm and Harry laughed.

'Ouch - okay! Let's keep that kind of talk for later tonight.'

He reached inside his jacket and pulled a little square box out, about the size of a folded napkin. His hands trembled a bit as he offered it to her. It was a smooth, white box, with a brand name pushed into the delicate leather.

'Can I...?' she asked, and Harry nodded.

'Yes! Please! I hope you like it. I've never done anything like this before.'

That explained Harry's rambling. Merlin, he was so adorable, with his expectant, big, green eyes and goofy smile. She lifted the lid slowly, and saw a beautiful golden bracelet, with a few delicate silver ornaments.

'You can collect more charms,' Harry said quickly. 'So, if you don't like them, you can switch them out. I picked things that I thought you would like, and then from now on, you can choose which you want next so I can give you one for every special occasion, and in the end you will have a fully beaded bracelet.'

She was silent. She stared at the small ornaments: two had a letter on them - H and G - one was a stack of books, another one was a clear, red stone, the next had a little cat bead dangling from a silver charm. The last one was a rose. It's petals were delicately crafted. The gold of the bracelet contrasted nicely with the silver, red and gold of the beads. She was stunned. She never thought anyone would ever put that much effort into her and she could only blink and stare and try to breathe.

'I wanted to get you started...' Harry tried to explain. 'Is it too much? I know it's kind of a scam to have you collect the beads for the bracelet and stuff, but I thought it was really... Personal, and-...'

'Harry,' she said, clearing her throat, managing to look up. 'This is... Just so sweet. I absolutely love it.'

'You- you do? Oh thank Merlin,' Harry sighed relieved. 'You didn't react, so, I thought-...'

She interrupted him by leaning over the table, grabbing him by the collar of his jacket and crashing her lips against his. When they broke the kiss off, Harry had a clear lipstick impression on his mouth. He grinned, oblivious to it, and Hermione decided that she never wanted to lose him again.

Ron had given her gifts too. Stinking perfume, tacky books, testament to how much he cared, but how badly he knew her. Harry had always been thoughtful, giving her just what she needed, proving that he knew her mind through and through, but this was the first time he hadn't given her something practical. This time, he had played to her heart. He had picked things that meant a lot to her, and looked pretty, and combined them in a way to carry around with her. If I could only transfer him into a bead, she thought. I would carry him around wherever I could.

Harry fastened the bracelet around her wrist, and she studied the details of the charms. He looked incredibly relieved and then a bit proud.

'It's subtle enough, right?' he asked. 'You could have bought this yourself or gotten it from someone else. And the rose is kind of turning into our flower or something, so it's a slight nudge to our relationship, and-...'

'It's perfect,' Hermione smiled. 'Absolutely perfect.'

She couldn't help but glow as a waiter came to offer their next course.

'Some more wine?' the tidy waiter asked.

'A bottle, if you please,' Harry smiled at him. 'Do you have any recommendations for the red?'

The waiter looked at Harry's face, noticed the crimson markings on his mouth and tried very hard not to stutter the list of available wines to them. Hermione pursed her lips and stifled back laughter as Harry try to carry on a normal conversation. The waiter was very quick to leave them alone after Harry had ordered a nice Merlot.

'That was weird. Anyway - what's my present? Can I get it now?'

'All good comes to those who wait,' Hermione chimed. 'Oh, and Harry - you have something on your face. You might want to go to the restroom to clean it off.'

Harry's face when realization hit him was priceless.

They drank a lot. Maybe that's why they decided to walk home and not care too much about being too close, even though her father's threat should have alarmed her. Maybe that's why they didn't cast an Homenum revelio when they arrived at her doorstep, thinking that not seeing someone present was enough to let their guard down. All in all, it didn't matter. They were stupid. Unforgivably stupid.

'That one's tough,' Harry grimaced, as they walked down the street to Hermione's apartment. 'Marry, sleep with or avoid Ginny, Luna and Nicky? Damn.'

Hermione chuckled.

'Marry Nicky,' she said. 'Obviously.'

'Obviously,' Harry agreed. 'You'd eat cake for the rest of your life, not to mention she's the only one that won't drive me completely bonkers in a marriage.'

'I would probably sleep with Ginny,' Hermione said. 'I really like Luna, but I don't want to risk her pointing out that my vagina looks like some mythical beast she has made up.'

'Oh Hermione, what luck you have! I have never seen anyone with that many wrackspurts in their-...' Harry mimicked Luna's voice and Hermione guffawed.

'Exactly! And you know, with Ginny being a ladylover, I expect her to be rather good between the sheets.'

'I wouldn't know,' Harry deadpanned. 'Didn't notice much of it in our relationship. No offense to Gin - but I'd sleep with Luna. Rather have someone who's fascinated with Harry Junior than someone that's appalled by it.'

He grinned and kissed her cheek.

'Okay, let's do a real tough one - Malfoy, Zabini or Goyle.'

'Oh my God,' Hermione moaned as Harry cackled.

'Oh c'mon, that one's not hard, Hermione! Marry Zabini, screw Malfoy one time with a bag over his head and avoid Goyle with a ten feet pole.'

'No way - Zabini is just as prejudiced as Malfoy. He doesn't have the Dark Mark, that's true, but he also didn't redeem himself like Malfoy did in the end. And you know the story surrounding Zabini's mother. She killed all those husbands to cash in: when you marry him just like that, he might just take on a family tradition. Malfoy will probably feel guilty enough about the War to not kill you in your sleep.'

'But... It's Malfoy!' Harry exclaimed. 'He called you a Mudblood more times than I can count!'

'I know! But I'm sure Blaise did as well - he just didn't have the guts to say it to my face.'

'Malfoy probably told him of the legend that is Hermione Granger's flat palm... I love the fact that we both agree to avoid Goyle though. That's not even up for discussion.'

'Obviously. Yuk. I can't think of anyone I'd avoid as much as him.'

'Good,' Harry said cheekily, 'that brings me to my next pitch: Gregory Goyle, Dolores Jane Umbridge and-...'

'Ew, Harry! Just-... Ew!'

Harry couldn't stop laughing as Hermione saw they were approaching their front door. They were here. Now was the moment.

The booze may have clouded her mind, but she did think to check the broad street for any onlookers. Nobody. Confidently she sighed, as Harry waited patiently on top of the stairs that led to the big shared front door of her London apartment.

'So,' she started. 'Now I want to give you my surprise.'

'You might want to open the door first,' Harry joked. 'You know I love it when you strip for me, but I do kind of pride myself with the fact that I'm the only one allowed to see that.'

'I-... Ugh, Harry!' she laughed, and she punched his arm. 'I'm not-... Did all this talking about snogging and sleeping get you riled up?'

'Mmmmaybe,' Harry played. 'But I have to admit that I was horny as soon as I saw you in that jumpsuit. You know I love it when you wear that.'

Hermione chuckled and fetched the little box out of her coat.

'For me?' Harry said. 'I thought this was an indoor surprise!'

'Wanting to shag you after a wonderful Valentine's Day is hardly a surprise,' she countered. 'I just... I think it's time.'

Harry looked at her quizzically, a smug grin still splayed across his face, as he slowly lifted the lid. She registered his emerald eyes skimming over the context of the box, she could see his confusion, and then realization hit him.

'I know that we've been living together for a few months now, but the wards will only let you Apparate from my place when you become the shared owner. I just figured… With all the engagement-talk, I thought it… Well… Only if you need to – I mean, if you want to – not that I think you wouldn't want, I mean, I know what you want, I guess, but-…'

She felt herself stutter. Oh Gosh, not now, Hermione! Of course the boy was going to like her gift – they were dating for months and he hadn't shown one sign of wanting to quit being around her. Then why was this doubt still plaguing her?

'Hermione…' Harry interrupted her thoughts and incoherent rambling. He looked at her, eyes shining behind round glasses, and she saw his face turn from shock and gratitude to insane joy.

'Yes?' she asked, her voice thin.

And without any warning he fetched her in his arms and lifted her up, crushing her body against his. She yelped and then laughed after the initial shock, until Harry placed her down and she saw nothing but his gleaming, puppy-like eyes until he enveloped his arms around her neck and his lips crashed into hers. The key, dangling from his index finger, touched her shoulder slightly, as she felt one of her hands roam through his raven locks. Harry turned his head and kissed her at a deeper angle, tasting her gently, and Hermione felt woozy. She knew she was drunk – but she had no idea whether it was from wine or love.

She bent her knee to slightly lift her foot up, as her hand kept combing through his silky, black hair, their mouths colliding over and over and over again, until they were both out of breath and high from each other's touches. Harry beamed at her, that was the only way she could describe it – his eyes were open, clear and brimming, his smile was so big and so heartfelt she couldn't help but feel the tingling in her body increase even further. He unhooked his arm from her neck and swung the key in front of them.

'This is very official, Hermione.'

'I know. Is it too official?'

'Do I need to snog you again or will you get the message already?' Harry quipped, but it didn't keep him from kissing her once again. She felt her heartbeat quicken as Harry pressed her firmly against his body, his tongue conquering her mouth. She sighed against him. She was not the kind of girl that would turn to mush in a guy's hands, she had always promised herself. Harry was making her break that promise way too often. And she didn't mind it one bit.

'I love you,' he said, when he let go of her lips – something that should be considered a crime, if Hermione had any say in it. 'Thank you. I'll cherish it.'

He got his own keys out of his pocket and attached hers to one of his chains.

'May I…?' Harry asked, putting on a old-fashioned, overly-polite voice.

'By all means,' Hermione said, mimicking his tone. He grinned at her as he put the key into the lock, turned it, and the door opened.

'I say, the darn thing actually works,' Harry continued in his weird voice, and Hermione felt very, very happy when she followed him into her own building. They would have a very fun, very satisfying evening. She was absolutely sure of it.

Not 15 feet away, one photographer couldn't believe how incredibly lucky he was.