The rain beat a steady pattern against the dirty windows of 12 Grimmauld Place, the grey cloudy skies matching the inhabitants' mood. Well, apart from Ronald Weasley, who was lounging in an expensive green velvet armchair with a massive grin on his face.

Hermione sighed as she eyed him. The look on his face told her that he was up to something, and she was immediately suspicious. "Why are you so happy? It's our first day off in weeks, and it's raining."

"We should go for a walk." Ron pushed himself out of his chair and held his hand out to her. "You want to?"

"It's pouring outside."

"Exactly." He raised his eyebrows at her. "Let's go."

Fortunately, Hermione missed the disgusted look Ginny and Harry shared as she got up from the sofa and took Ron's waiting hand. She couldn't help the rush of excitement she felt as her fingers slid against his. Neither of them would confess it to their friends, but the rain had become their thing, ever since a fateful Hogsmeade visit a few years ago. It had poured all day, but the sight of Ron waiting in front of the Three Broomsticks, his t-shirt plastered to the new muscles he'd developed during Auror training, had driven her wild.

It wasn't how they had planned to spend the day, but fortunately, Madam Rosmerta had a spare room at the inn, and they had quickly discovered a delightful way to warm themselves up.

They didn't bother with coats as they stepped out of the house and onto the pavement. By the time they reached the small, private gardens that sat in the middle of the residential area, they were both drenched.

The gate squeaked as Ron pushed it open, and Hermione followed him keenly.

"Do you think Harry and Ginny have figured out why we love the rain so much?" Hermione pushed a heavy curl out of her face with her spare hand.

"Ugh, I hope not. I don't want my sister getting any ideas."

They wove their way through the gardens until they finally got to their spot— a quiet corner of the garden sheltered by a great oak. As soon as they stopped walking, Ron pulled Hermione close to him. She squealed and slipped her arms around his waist, pressing her body tight to his.

"This was a bad idea, Ron. It's completely different doing this in the summer when the temperature is better, but it's freezing today!" Hermione shivered, although it was mostly for show. He was already warming her up nicely.

"Yeah, I guess it wasn't great. But when have I been the good idea guy?!"

"Hundreds of tim—"

Ron stopped her argument with his lips. The kiss was tender and slow, but it still caused her heart to pound in her chest. She would never be able to get used to the sensations snogging Ron Weasley would cause, even after three years of doing it. Eventually, they had to pull away for breath, and he rubbed his nose against hers.

"So I read that you should share body heat to keep warm." He drew her closer to him as if to prove the point.

"Oh yeah?" She didn't fight the hug. Instead, she snuggled even closer against his chest.

"Yeah, but you need to get naked for it to really work."

She pulled back, raising her eyebrows at him. "I'm not getting naked with you in a public park."

"Oh…" Ron let go of her, and she frowned at the pout that appeared on his face. "Well, then I guess I should find something else to do."

Before she had time to question him, he dropped to the floor, his knee squelching as it hit the mud. He fumbled in his pocket, and her frown grew, spreading across her face.

And then Ron was holding out a small ring box.

Time seemed to stop. Hermione's heart was pounding so hard, she could hear it in her ears. Her hands started to shake, although she was sure it wasn't the cold that was causing it now. She couldn't believe that this was happening. Of course, they'd discussed getting married, but it was in their plan for the future, and it was supposed to be a few more years down the line.

"Look, I know we agreed that we would wait, and this is probably annoying the fuck out of you right now. I know how much you love a plan," Ron chuckled nervously. "But the war taught us that time is short, and maybe I just don't want to wait anymore. Hermione Granger, you drive me bloody mental every single day, but I still want to be your—"

"Yes!" The words escaped her mouth before Ron even had time to finish his speech. She felt terrible about it until she saw the look of relief on his face. She dropped to the mud with him, and their lips collided again, this time with more passion and enthusiasm than ever before.

Hermione moaned against his lips, pushing herself even closer to him. She just couldn't get enough of her fantastic, handsome man. She felt Ron shift, one hand sliding to her backside to squeeze it firmly.

Ron tore his lips from hers again. "You need some self-control, woman!" He laughed and removed the ring from the box, carefully sliding it onto her ring finger. Hermione felt even more love for him as she witnessed the slight tremble in his hand. "Wouldn't even let me finish my speech, and I've been practising that for ages."

"Really?" She admired how the rose-gold band looked against her olive skin and the way the small diamond shined in the rain. Reluctantly, she tore her eyes from it to gaze back at her fiancé.

"I wanted it to be important, and I have a huge day planned for us in a few weeks. But when I woke up this morning and saw that it was raining, I knew it had to be now."

She bit her lip, tears falling from her eyes and mingling with the rainwater already on her face. "It is not possible to be this in love," she gasped before dropping into another hungry kiss with Ron.

He stole her breath away every single day, and she couldn't wait to spend the rest of her life with him.