The Normal Way
Author's Note: Originally published on July 10, 2009
Ron sat in the back corner of The Leaky Cauldron with a look of frustration on his face. He was in a state of contemplation as he absentmindedly played with the small box in his hands. His thoughts were interrupted by the clink of a butterbeer bottle.
"I've been gone a month and you still haven't asked her?"
"Nice to see you too, Harry," Ron remarked sarcastically before taking a swig of his drink. "I tried, mate. Twice. It was a disaster each time."
"What happened?"
"After I spoke to Hermione's parents and got their blessing, Dr. Granger pulled me aside and told me all about how he had gotten dressed up and proposed to Hermione's mum at some posh eatery. He went on and on about how Muggle girls grew up dreaming of the day they became engaged. So, I bought a suit and took Hermione to an expensive French restaurant. It was horrible, Harry! I couldn't understand the menu, the waiter was a git, and I was so bloody nervous that I accidentally tripped a busboy and ended up with a bowl of soup in my lap. Hermione was embarrassed and the mood was ruined, so I couldn't very well propose after that."
Harry chuckled at Ron's misfortune but prompted him to continue. "You said you tried twice?"
"Yeah, after that mess, I spoke to my dad. He told me about the traditional betrothal spell and how young witches fantasized about the day they would hear it. Hermione came home early one afternoon last week, just as I was practicing the spell. She managed to sneak up on me, and I was so startled that I completely buggered up the charm. After she righted her face, she told me not to go anywhere near her with my wand, and then proceeded to ignore me for the next three days."
Ron slumped lower in his chair as Harry's chortles drew the attention of the other patrons. After his laughter subsided, Harry felt a wave of sympathy for his downtrodden friend and felt compelled to offer some advice. "Look, mate, you've already gotten it wrong twice. You followed Dr. Granger's advice and tried the normal Muggle way, which didn't work. Instead of trying something more creative and personal, you followed your dad's advice about the traditional wizarding way, which also didn't work. Neither one was the right way for you and Hermione. Have you considered trying it your own way?"
"My own way? But I thought women wanted a traditional proposal, like they've always dreamed of."
"Since when have either of you done things the normal way? Besides, Hermione will care more about the answering than the asking."
Ron nodded and pondered this idea. He could picture it: an evening stroll by the pond at The Burrow, dessert under the stars while watching the moonlight reflected in the water, and finally, offering her everything he had to give.
There were no wrongs with that image in his head, only rights.