Ch 61: Birthday Surprises

The next few weeks went by in a blur. Hermione was rushing about organizing Ron's surprise party for the Thursday night of his birthday. She had been thrilled to discover that regular classes had been cancelled for that Friday so that teachers could be available to help fifth and seventh year students prepare for their OWLS and NEWTs. Neville and Sally could bring Rose with them to the party. And while they would both head back that evening after the festivities, Rose could stay through the weekend and be back in time for classes Monday morning.

The party was going to be at her old house so she could set up ahead of time and Ron would be none the wiser. She had talked with Ginny about quidditch themed presents for Ron, and was pleased with the few things she had picked up for him. But she knew what he would really enjoy would be the party. Hermione thought Hugo had been a huge help throughout all of the party prep and had been a real champ about keeping the secret from Ron. He had made banners and decorations, and had wrapped and decorated all of Ron's birthday presents.

The night before Ron's birthday, Hugo was bursting with excitement, and both Hermione and Ron were willing him to not spill their respective beans. After their casual family dinner, Ron was trying desperately to get Hugo through his homework papers in the living room. Hermione had whispered in Hugo's ear to keep Ron busy for at least an hour out of the kitchen so she could finish up a few things, so the conspiring boy dragged out his assignments. After slowly finishing his multiplication problems, he began to "struggle" with his spelling words for the next day's exam. Ron kept cycling through the last six words that Hugo was trying to master.

"Come on, buddy, we've done this one a bunch of times. Remember, it's 'i before e except after c,' right? Try it again – how do you spell friend?"

" D, did I get it this time?" Hugo asked eagerly.

Ron gave him a strange look. "I think you are messing up on purpose, little man. What's up? Let's knock this out and be done with it."

"Maybe I'm just excited about-"

"Shhh!" Ron interrupted.

Hugo rolled his eyes. "I was going to say – before I was so rudely interrupted – that maybe I am excited about your birthday."

"Yeah, yeah. Alright – we are doing these words one more time and then calling it a night whether or not you've got them right. So try hard, alright?"

Soon they'd finished the whole string of "ie" words, and Hugo glanced at the clock and realized he still needed to keep Ron busy for another twenty minutes.

"So," Hugo said in a hushed voice, "have you got everything ready for tomorrow?"

"I think so," Ron said as he ran his hands through his hair and exhaled slowly.

"Do you know where you are going for dinner?"

"Uh, well, sort of."

Hugo just looked at him, unimpressed.

"Well, I have a reservation at the place I am hoping to take her. But, if she has something specific in mind I will just have to roll with it I suppose."

"So how are you going to just happen to have a reservation for somewhere for two when you didn't know about it ahead of time?"

"Um – auror's instinct?"

"Nice try. So, Mr. Big Fancy Auror Planner Guy, what time do you two need to leave here then to make all that work?"

"Maybe 5?"

"Maybe? Don't you teach planning stuff?"

"Yeah, well, I am working on trying to release more things to the universe and all that rubbish," said Ron defensively.

Hugo just laughed at him and then proceeded to smack him with a couch pillow.

At the sound of the squealing laughter, Hermione came into the living room and saw the chaos tumbling about.

"Now you're just going to get him all riled up and he'll never be able to settle down in time to go to sleep," she protested.

"Oh, Hermione, it's alright. We're just letting off steam after his homework."

"I was talking to Hugo," she quipped, catching the ginger off guard, which allowed her to smack him with another pillow.

Soon the living room was covered in flying pillows and shrieks of laughter as the three of them tickled and threw pillows. When they finally settled, the three collapsed on the couch, each smiling thinking of the surprises that awaited the family tomorrow.

When Ron awoke on his birthday, Hermione was already up. He ran his hand over the still-warm pillow where she had been and smiled thinking that by the time they went to bed that night, they would be engaged. With that thought motivating him, he headed to the shower. He only had to teach at the academy that morning, and then he planned to meet with two of the auror students over lunch, but hoped he would be able to double check everything in the afternoon before coming home to change. He popped his head into Hugo's room to be sure he was up and found the room empty. Heading downstairs, he was pleasantly surprised by the site of Hermione, Hugo and a giant stack of pancakes topped with a candle and real maple syrup on the kitchen table. The two sang to him, and then all three tucked in for a delicious breakfast.

"This is fantastic," he said with his mouth full.

"Lovely, Ron," laughed Hermione. "It's just since we missed your birthday last year I thought we could celebrate at breakfast and dinner to try and make up for it."

He smiled and leaned over, giving Hermione a sticky kiss of gratitude. "That sounds perfectly wonderful. What would you like to do for dinner?"

"Well, Mum and Dad have offered to take Hugo for dinner so we could go somewhere a little nicer than he likes, but then we can all meet up for cake together afterwards."

"Do you mind?" Ron asked Hugo with a wink.

"I think I can handle taking this one for the team," Hugo conceded. "You guys go to a place with nice cloth napkins and three forks and fancy wine glasses. I'll sit on the couch with the Grangers and eat pizza while watching football on the tele."

"Alright then," laughed Ron. "Do we have a reservation somewhere or is it birthday boy's choice," he teased.

"Oh, I suppose your choice if you put it that way."

Hugo smirked, watching the two tap dance around the challenge of tricking the other into the plan.

"Well, there is a place I have been wanting to try. Let me see if I can get a reservation today and let you know the time, alright? Would you be able to get off a little earlier if they have an opening on the early side?"

"Ok. What place? I can call and get the reservation. It's your birthday after all."

"Thanks, but I'd rather call because if it doesn't work for tonight I'll save it for a surprise another night," he lied smoothly.

"Ok," said Hermione a little intrigued.

Hugo stuffed more pancakes in his mouth to hide his knowing grin. Before Ron left for the day, Hugo pulled him aside for a wingman moment.

"Good luck, Ron," Hugo smiled.

"Thanks, Buddy. I really appreciate all of your help."

"You know what Mummy would say to you, right?"

Ron smiled and gave a half laugh before looking right at Hugo.

Together they both spoke the words Ron knew Fi would chide him with, "Don't bugger it up!"

Ron hugged Hugo tightly. "Thanks. I needed that, buddy."

"I know. That's what a wingman is for," he said proudly.

"I love you, Hugo."

"I love you, too. Now go propose to Hermione!"

Ron laughed and hugged him again, dropping a kiss on the top of his head before heading off.

Ron waited until 11 that morning to text Hermione that the reservation worked out, but they would need to leave by 5. She had asked where they were going, but he wouldn't tell her, saying only that it was on the fancy side. Since Ron had said they would leave by five, she had asked her mum to just pick up Hugo straight from school. What Hermione hadn't let Ron know was that she had already planned to only work a half day so that she could finalize everything over at her house for the party. With the decorations up, the instructions left for Ginny and her mum, she left there at 330 to go home and get ready for dinner.

Once she got out of the shower she stood in front of her closet in her dressing gown trying to figure out what the appropriate outfit was for a mysteriously fancy dinner to be followed by a surprise birthday party. But then she laughed remembering Hugo that morning when she had dropped him at school. I think you should wear green tonight, Hermione. It's a great color on you and it will match the color of the candles I picked out for Ron. But if you don't wear green, don't wear maroon. Ron doesn't like it even though Molly keeps knitting him a maroon sweater every single year, he'd said. So, thinking of Hugo, she pulled out a green dress that she hadn't worn in years. The dress was a deep emerald, and made of a gorgeous raw silk that reminded her of Pakistan. It had delicate capped sleeves that showed off her arms, a tightly fitted bodice that showed a good amount of décolletage and a full skirt that hit just below her knees. She smiled, thinking of how proper the dress would look and how surprised Ron would be when she took it off later to show him his other present, the ridiculously small Chudley Canons bra and knicker set she had found in a store Ginny told her about. She slipped on the orange silk and lace and laughed. It was not her best color, but she knew he would appreciate it. Then she stepped into the dress, grateful that she could zip the back up with magic. She topped it with delicate black strappy heels, her favorite bracelet that Ron had given her and her diamond earrings. She thought about trying to wrangle her hair into a twist, but she knew Ron preferred it down anyway, so she let her curls have their way. Since it was still pretty cold out, she grabbed a warm cashmere wrap

Ron had been spending the afternoon getting ready as well. He'd had the reservation at the exclusive restaurant for months but had gone by that afternoon to make sure everything was exactly as he had planned. When he got home, he was relieved to hear Hermione still in the shower so he could quickly change clothes and then pop out to the garage to get the ring that was still hidden in Dennis' old tool box. He had just taken a moment to have glass of water and collect his thought when he heard Hermione come down the stairs.

He glanced up at her and felt his breath catch in his throat. She was wearing a beautiful deep green dress that made her skin look like milky porcelain. He'd never seen her in that dress before, and it was an incredible combination of modest and appropriate while still sexy and flirtatious – much like his witch. He also smiled knowing that the ring burning a hole in his pocket would look absolutely perfect with that dress.

Hermione laughed at Ron's earnestly stunned face. "You'd think you'd never seen me cleaned up before," she joked.

"Hermione," he said snapping back from his momentary stunned silence, "you look absolutely stunning tonight, love."

"Well, it is your birthday and we are apparently going to some secret fancy destination for dinner, so I thought I might as well glam up."

He smiled, greeting her with a kiss as she reached the bottom of the stairs, snaking his arm around her tiny waist. She smiled back, "Happy Birthday, Ron."

He grinned. "I have a sense that this could be my best birthday ever. You ready?"

"I think so," she said. With that, he took her arm, and they apparated to a spot close to the restaurant.

"Where are we?" she asked as they landed. "Is that the Thames?"

"Well," he said offering her his arm, "we are just around the corner from dinner."

"You're really not going to tell me, are you?" she laughed.

"You'll see in a minute," he grinned. They walked about a block and arrived at OXO Tower alongside the water and headed up to the restaurant that overlooked the River Thames and the entire City of London.

He saw a look of realization cross her face, "I'd heard it took months to get a reservation here. How on earth did you get one for the same day?"

"Well, I didn't use magic if that is what you are insinuating," he smiled. "But I do have a few tricks up my sleeve." With that he held the door open to the restaurant and then followed Hermione inside.

"Welcome, Mr. Weasley," the host said. "We have your table ready. Perfect timing for a gorgeous sunset this evening, please follow me."

Hermione just gawked at Ron, but followed the host none the less. The host led them to a private table next to the window that offered the most perfect view of the river and cityscape in front of them. Ron pulled out Hermione's chair for her before sitting next to her. Once he was seated, she took his hand and squeezed it gently.

"Are we celebrating anything special this evening?" asked the waiter when he brought them their menus.

"Yes," beamed Hermione. "We are celebrating Ron's birthday."

"Oh how wonderful. Well, Happy Birthday, Mr. Weasely. Sunset should be in about 10 minutes, and you have the best seat in the house. I do hope tonight will be a memorable celebration."

"I'm sure it will be," Ron grinned. "Thanks."

Ron was looking at the menu when Hermione said, "You know, just when I think I have you figured out you go and pull something like this."

"Huh?" Ron said, earnestly confused.

"Well, I guess I would have pegged you as more of a jeans and trainers at the pub for what you might want for your birthday dinner. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE this. It's just surprising is all."

"Well," smirked Ron. "I guess I am full of surprises. Not saying I am always up for places that require a fancy muggle dinner jacket or anything, but it just seemed to fit tonight."

"I'm glad. Because this is stunning," Hermione grinned. "And I promise, we'll head to a pub for meat pies and chips some other night, alright?"

"Deal," he grinned.

They ordered dinner, and simply enjoyed the amazing sky as the late winter day turned from blues and greys to the pinks and oranges of the last light of the day. As the light finally faded, a bottle of champagne arrived at the table.

"Compliments of the house," assured the waiter.

The lights of the city reflected in the water combined with the lights from the boats on the river and began to twinkle in the scene in front of them. They sipped on the champagne and talked about how far they had come in the past year.

"I can't believe this time last year you had forgotten your own birthday," laughed Hermione. "And I hadn't met your family yet. I mean – it really is incredible isn't it?"

"Well, yeah. And this time last year I am not sure – did you even have a wand yet? You barely knew magic existed."

They chatted about Rose and Hugo, about how far they had come as a family, and about their hopes of places they may still travel. Dinner was amazing, and they each enjoyed tasting each other's dishes as each course came out. Hermione was talking, and Ron found himself just staring at her, almost unable to hear the words coming from her mouth. He was struck by her beauty, the way the candle light reflected to make her skin look as if it were glowing. He was mesmerized by how the gold flecks in her eyes and the lighter shades of her curls reflected the light as if she were covered in golden dust somehow. He saw the curve of her jaw come down and was distracted by the perfect rose tinted curve of her lips. She was animatedly telling a story, and he loved how her smile caused these tiny creases to appear next to her eyes when she did. He was in awe of her beauty, of her wisdom, of her wit, her humor, her love, her passion and her trust. And he was suddenly as nervous as all hell that he was about to bugger it all up.

He saw the waiter approach from the side, and he took a deep breath. "We have a special dessert for your birthday celebration this evening," announced the man as he set down a dessert plate with a candle on it. Hermione was beaming, and he exhaled slowly and blew out the candle. "Happy birthday, sir. May I ask, did you get everything you wanted this year?"

Hermione looked at the waiter oddly but turned back to Ron to hear his reply. Ron looked at the waiter, took a shaky breath and said, "No. Not yet, mate. But I am hopeful that will change shortly."

"Very good, sir," said the man with a knowing smile as he stepped away.

Hermione felt her heart sink slightly. "Are you ok, Ron? I, I thought this was lovely. Is this not what you wanted to do after all?"

Ron smiled, feeling a sudden calmness come over him. "Actually, this is exactly what I wanted to do tonight. But I am hoping you can give me one more gift, which is the only thing I really want when it comes right down to it."

"What is it, Ron?" she asked in a concerned voice.

"Hermione," he said as he shifted from his chair to kneel before the love of his life. "Before you were in my life, my days were about good and evil, and it was as if I could only see in black and white. But once I met you, it was as if everything was suddenly in color. There was this whole world of love, acceptance, understanding, challenge, passion, trust, forgiveness and faith that I never knew could exist. But you showed it to me. And while I may have known magic my whole life, I never understood the true magical power of love to change a heart or a soul. You have blessed me with the unexpected magic of unconditional love and family. You have trusted me with your daughter, and you have taught me how to be a father to her and Hugo, and no words can ever express what that has meant to me. My life has been full of blessings, and today has been no exception. But there is only one gift that I want more than anything, and I am hoping you will give it me. I love you so, so much. Hermione Jean Granger, would you make me the happiest bloody bloke on earth and agree to give me the gift of your hand in marriage?"

With that he reached into his pocket and pulled out the small black box, opened it and unconsciously held his breath awaiting her reply.

Hermione had not realized what Ron was doing until he was on his knee in front of her. She felt him reach for her hand, while her other hand unconsciously covered her gaping mouth as she watched the man who had always had her heart profess his love for her. She let his words wash over her, and with tears in her eyes felt herself nod in reply.

"Yes! Yes, of course yes, Ron. I love you so much," she said through tears as he she reached for his face to kiss him.

Ron exhaled relief into the kiss, and then leaned back and asked "Really? Really, you'll marry me?"

She laughed at him and kissed him again. "Damn right I said yes," she said, causing him to laugh and hug her tightly. Then he realized he hadn't actually put the ring on her finger, so pulled back again to slide it onto her finger with his shaking hands.

They were briefly aware of people in the restaurant clapping for them, but were mostly only able to have eyes for each other. Looking down at the ring now on her finger, Hermione gasped as if seeing it for the first time.

"Ron! It's gorgeous!"

"Do you like it? Because if not we can get whatever you want."

"Ron, darling, it's perfect. But how ever did you find something so perfect for me?"

"Well, Mr. Walsingham, who made your bracelet, he created it for me. It's amazing, really – and if I forget something about it then Hugo will remember and tell us later-"

"Hugo was in on this?"

"Oh yeah," Ron laughed. "He was my excellent wingman, and quite proud of it. And he asked Mr. Walsingham all about the ring, which is how I actually know what everything represents." He went on to explain about the emerald and peridot birthstones and what the runes said.

Hermione started crying again. "It's perfect," she said, trying to wipe away her tears. "But you are even more perfect. I can't believe this is all real. A part of me never believed I'd get to be here – to have this."

"I know. I know," Ron replied as he reached over to brush aside her tears. "I feel the exact same way. I never thought it would happen for me. But then when I finally found you, it was so much better than I could ever have even imagined."

He touched her cheek gently again, and she held her hand over his as he leaned in for another kiss. They sat together for a few minutes, each trying to convince themselves it was all real. Finally, the waiter approached again, this time with flowers, and the camera that Ron had brought by earlier in the day.

"I get to be the first to offer my congratulations," he said. "May I?" he said, gesturing to the camera.

They posed for the camera, taking several pictures together, and then even got some pictures with the waiter who had helped them so much that night. Eventually it was time to leave, and the newly engaged couple headed out. The walked back to the apparition point, but before Ron could take Hermione's hand, she said, "Can you take us to my old house's porch instead of current house?"

"OK," said Ron, slightly confused as he thought the Grangers, Hugo and Rose were all at home.

"You're not the only one who can pull of a surprise," she said as she kissed him seductively.

"Merlin, I love you," he said kissing her back passionately before finally turning and apparating them to her old front door.

They walked in hand in hand, but they were both in for a surprise. It wasn't the small family engagement party Ron expected, and it wasn't the dozen people birthday party Hermione expected. Instead, there were many dozens of people in the home, which was decked out in "Congratulations on the Engagement" banners, "Happy Birthday" signs and other similar decorations. There were also a fair number of decorations alluding to "About Bloody Time" or similar jabs. Both of their faces were plastered with grins and simultaneous expressions of shock.

"Surprise" everyone shouted, to which Ron quickly replied, "She said yes," while holding up her left hand for all to see. This caused the entire crowd to erupt in applause. Before they could take a step, they were crushed in hugs from Rose and Hugo, who were quickly followed by Ron and Hermione's parents.

After a bit, Ron leaned into her ear. "You are amazing. I thought this was our parents, the Potters and the kids. How on earth did you pull this off?"

"Well, I didn't. I thought I was having a surprise birthday party for about a dozen or so people. My money is on our children conspiring with our mothers. And probably Ginny." Ron laughed and shook his head before kissing her again, causing more cheers.

Eventually Ron found Hugo, scooping him up in the air. "So, wingman, you knew about this giant party all along?"

"Maybe," Hugo smiled.

"You are the best wingman I could have ever hoped for," Ron said as he kissed Hugo's forehead before setting him back into the array of cousins.

The house was full of Weasleys, all of the siblings, their spouses and children were all there, including what Ron concluded had to be a good portion of Gryffindor house. Even McGonagall, Hagrid, Sally, Neville and Hannah, Luna and Newt and a number of his former auror colleagues were all there. Rose had even brought Scorp along, which made Ron smile. The Grangers looked delighted, if slightly overwhelmed, but they seemed to be holding their own.

When Hermione finally found a quiet moment with her parents, she began to tear up again. "We're so very happy for you sweetheart," cried Jean as she dabbed her eyes.

"Thanks, Mum," Hermione sniffed.

"When Ron came to us and asked us for our blessing we were as pleased as punch. We have never seen you as happy as you have been since he came into your life."

"He asked you?"

"Yes," her Dad said gently. "Apparently he spoke to each of the kids first, and then asked us for our blessing, making quite sure we understood he wasn't asking for permission because he was worried that would upset you."

"It was the sweetest thing I have ever seen," said Jean. "And it just about killed me to not spill the beans. Hugo and I have had a devil of a time not messing things up!"

Hermione laughed, touched at how Ron had been even more amazing than she had realized in his attention to every detail. But now she wanted to know what he had said to the kids. Finally she was able to snag Rose and sneak her up to Rose's old childhood bedroom for a quiet mum and daughter moment.

"I am so happy for you, Mum. I don't think I have ever seen you this happy."

"Thank you, Rose. I honestly feel like I am walking on a cloud or something. It's all quite surreal. But a little bird just told me you knew all along?"

"True," confessed Rose. "Ron spoke with me about it a few months ago."

"Months!?"

"Yeah. Just after I went back to school. And we'd talked about a number of ideas and such, but he never would tell any of us what he was actually going to do. So what happened?"

Hermione smiled, and told her daughter the story of the romantic dinner and proposal and how much effort Ron had put into it. "And look at this ring!" Hermione demanded.

"Oh, Hugo had told me all about it in letters, but it is so much better in person," Rose said admiring it. "You know him, he drew a very detailed picture of it with lines and arrows explaining everything the jeweler had told him about it."

Hermione looked at her daughter seriously for a moment. "You are really ok with this? Because I am your mum before anything else, and if you have any reservations about it you need to tell me, alright?"

Rose smiled at her, saying, "Oh, Mum. I could not be happier about all of this. And that is exactly what I told Ron as well. In fact, I let him know I wanted this too. For you, for Hugo, for Ron AND for me. We are a family of four, and this just makes it all more permanent."

Hermione quickly engulfed her daughter in a fierce embrace with tears falling from her eyes. "I love you so much, Rose."

"Me too, Mum. Me too."

As they were hugging and crying, Ron and Hugo quietly came into the room.

"I told you we'd find them up here," Hugo said. The two witches looked up at their boys.

"You two alright?" Ron asked hesitantly.

"Oh come here," said Hermione between cries. "These are good tears, Ron."

Hugo giggled. "I've always heard women were barmy sometimes. Guess it's true."

Rose smacked him upside the back of his head and then pulled him into the giant family hug. The four of them hugged in quiet for a moment.

Finally, Ron broke the silence. "I love each of you so much, I hope you know that. And while we are already a family of four, hopefully Hermione and I getting married will only make it feel more so for each one of us. Yeah?"

"Yeah," sniffed Rose as she hugged her family even tighter.

The four wandered back down into the fray downstairs. Ron found himself snagged aside by Harry.

"Congratulations, Ron. I am so happy for you both."

"Thanks, mate. Long time coming."

"Just so you know – I already took care of the folks at the academy. They don't expect you tomorrow. And Jean called Hugo's school to let them know he won't be back 'til Monday. And Jean texted Hermione's boss too. We didn't invite her since, well muggle and all that. But, no need to deal with getting up early tomorrow. You can all enjoy a few days of family time."

Ron just gave Harry a manly hug with firm pat on the back. "Thanks."

Before the moment had passed, George came up to the Golden Duo. "Oh ickle Ronniekins, I am so pleased you finally made your way through reading the whole 12 Failsafe Ways to Charm Witches book. Took you long enough," he teased.

"Piss off, George," laughed Ron, pulling his brother in for a hug.

"So, when's the big day? Has Hermione gone into crazy bride mode yet?"

"Huh? Um, no, I have no idea when we'll get married. We haven't actually had a chance to talk about it yet. And, well, it's Hermione. How crazy bride can she get?"

Harry and George exchanged knowing looks. Then George smirked, "oh ickleRonniekins, your education continues, little brother. All witches go insane when they plan their weddings. They all say they want simple and small, but then they look at these magazines, and these store clerks get a hold of them, and suddenly you are engaged to this fashion focused creature who is worried about the differences between seven different types of red roses or if the dress should be one of the apparently 500 shades of white that exist."

"Well, you two both got married when you were a lot younger. And, well, sorry Harry, we all knew Gin would be like that anyway. I really don't think Hermione will be all that bad with everything."

"Just keep telling yourself that, mate," laughed Harry. "And know that come the wedding day you get your witch back at the end anyway."

"Huh," said Ron, nervously glancing across the room to look for Hermione. But when he caught her eye, she smiled, and he felt his nerves relax. "Well, doesn't matter, I suppose. I'm in it for the long haul. And as long as I am in it with her, that is all that matters."

"Oh the romantic," chided George. "Well, keep that attitude. Hopefully you won't end up at the bottom of as many bottles as I did during my engagement."

Late that night when they had finally left the dwindling party, assured by Jean and Ginny that they had the clean up under control, the family of four headed home. Ron tucked exhausted and happy Hugo into his parents' old bedroom while Hermione settled Rose into Hugo's bedroom. Once the kids were finally asleep, they finally found themselves alone again in their bedroom.

"Hey," smiled Ron when he came in and saw Hermione sitting on their bed taking off her high heels.

"Hey yourself," she smiled.

"What an insane evening. Brilliant, mind you, but insane," he said as he sat next to her and grasped her hand.

She turned to look at him. "I am so, so happy," she said as she kissed him.

He went to kiss her more passionately, and she leaned back a moment. "You know, I got you one more birthday present."

He looked at her oddly. "Ok."

"Well," she said blushing. "It's one you have to unwrap a bit." With that, she lifted her hair off of her neck, and turned around showing him the zipper to her dress.

He gave a happy whimper, and slowly tugged down the zipper while casting a silencing charm around the room. She stood up, letting the dress fall from her shoulders and pool on the floor before turning around. It took him a second to realize what she was wearing, and a giant lopsided grin erupted across his face.

"Bloody hell," he said as he ran his hands across the orange lace adorning her hips. "You've been wearing a naughty Chudley Canons bra and knickers set under that fabulous dress this whole night?"

She just laughed and nodded.

"Well who knew this day could get even better?" he sighed as he moved her hair from her neck so he could kiss the spot under her ear, knowing it would elicit the reaction he wanted. One of his hands was across the small of her back, holding her tight to him while the other ran over the orange knickers. "I'm the luckiest fucking bloke in the whole world," he muttered, moving his lips across her collarbone as she moaned at his touch.

"And I'm the luckiest woman in the world as I get to marry you," she whispered into his ear, catching it gently in her teeth.

"You're going to be my wife," he moaned as he felt her fingers undoing the last buttons of his dress shirt.

"And you'll be my husband," she sighed between whimpers as he ran his fingers across her erect nipples.

Before she could finish shedding him of his trousers, he had swooped her up bridal style and carried her back to the bed. Ron allowed himself the luxury of drinking in the sight of his sexy fiancé - her curls spread out around her, the passionate flush creeping across her pale skin and her eyes were dark with lust. Hermione was doing the same, allowing her eyes to dance over his toned chest, the scars dotting his freckled, pale skin, the ginger hairs disappearing down beneath his waistband. His copper locks fell across his face but framed his perfectly blue eyes that were saturated with desire. She delicately ran her hands up his thighs, rubbing her hand over his hardening erection, causing a deep moan from the wizard. She continued her contact until he could stand it no more and shimmied out of his trousers and pants.

Smiling, she stroked him with increasing pressure, fondling his bollocks as she moved her mouth down as well. After torturing him with her tongue, she found herself straddling him and grinding against him. He reached beneath her knickers to feel between her folds.

"Fuck, Hermione. You are so wet," he cursed.

"What can I say," she said. "I've been fantasizing about being filled up by my fiancé for the past few hours, and just the thought of that has me practically dripping in anticipation."

"Fuck," he gasped again as she began to grind against his now slick hand.

He shifted so that she was on her back, and he slid the lacy orange knickers from under her bum. Then he gently stroked her thighs and peppered her with kisses as his mouth moved towards its destination. She whimpered in expectation, until finally she felt his tongue upon her. He wrapped one arm around her hip where he could stroke her stomach and breast with ease, while the other was free to enter her and help bring her to a state of ecstasy. Soon she was breathing rapidly, eyes closed, biting her bottom lip as she arched her back into the pleasure. Sighs of bliss came from her mouth as he continued to massage her core.

"Oh, God, Ron," she whimpered. "Oh Gaawwwwwdddd," she cried as her body tightened, twitching in spasms as the pleasure coursed through her entire body. She continued to cry out, but Ron never released his pressure on her, and her orgasm kept building and pulsating through her body. Finally she collapsed back against the bed, covered in a light sweat from her body's reaction to his as she panted her recovery. "Oh God," she whimpered again.

He smiled at her, moving his kisses up her torso until he had his mouth on her breast still clad in orange. Grinning, he reached around to unfasten the adorable lingerie, peeling it from Hermione before taking her breast in his mouth, torturing her nipple with his tongue. Her hands were roving over his back, pulling him tighter to her. Finally he felt her reach down and grasp him firmly, lining his erection up to enter her soaked center. He glided smoothly into her, relishing the feel of her hot, tight, wet core surrounding him. He felt her legs wrap around him, ankles locking to push him deeper into her as she rocked to meet each thrust. They were lost in pleasure and each other, but he would not release her gaze, holding her deep brown orbs in the hope she could see into the depths of his love for her. He felt her clamp down on him and then contort again into orgasmic spasms before he felt himself fall over that cliff and spill into her before collapsing into her arms in exhausted, blissful relief. They woke up hours later and realized they were still intimately connected, Hermione feeling the absence when he finally pulled out and rolled to his side so he could still see her. And then they fell asleep in each other's arms once again.

(A/N: I hope you are all happy with the proposal. I tried a number of different approaches, but finally settled on this. Let me know what you think. But I promise - there are still plenty of surprises and adventures ahead for these two, so I hope you will stick with the story...thanks as always...carrytheotter)