Erased But Not Forgotten

Chapter 12

String and Questions

One month later…

It's was Tuesday, movie night, and Liz, James, Hermione, Ron, Rose and Jul were all gathered around the television, trying to pick a movie. A debate that never ended…

"Love story!" Liz exclaimed, Hermione grinning and nodding in agreement.

"NO!" the guys retorted, as usual, "Action movie! Like Troy," Ron piped up. Hermione sent him a determined glare but he remained oblivious.

"Let's watch John Tucker Must Die!" Hermione said, practically jumping onto Ron's lap before kissing him…heatedly.

Ears red, Ron pulled back moments later with a goofy grin on his face. "Okay, I'm won over." When James shot him a disgusted look, Liz kissed him too, with the same outcome.

Jul looked on the verge of protesting, and Rose raised an eyebrow and winked at him, grinning like an evil jenyus.

"No, not a chick-flick! C'mon guys! At least try to retain some dignity," he pleaded, smiling nonetheless. He'd couldn't deny that he loved a challenge and Rose very well knew it; memory loss or not.

"Compromise?" she suggested. He eyed her warily. "How about The Count of Monte Cristo?"

"Hmm, I've never seen it. Okay, you win," he admitted finally. Rose smiled and gave him a quick peck on the cheek before jumping up to pop in the movie.

Jul was only half-interested in the movie though, he could never fully concentrate on anything since he'd been dating Rose. She occupied his thoughts constantly. He couldn't help wondering, a week or so back, if she was the one and now that inquiry was evolving right before his eyes. One of the few things he was certain about was that if he was going to propose, it'd have to be big, unforgettable.

"I love this part," Rose whispered into his ear, sending shivers down his spine "It's so romantic," she sighed, snuggling up closer to him. Jul just smiled, grabbing her hand and resting his head against hers as he watched the Count reveal himself as Edmund. Mercedes had just confessed that she had never stopped loving him, murder and treason charges considered, when a light when on and inspiration struck. Jul had an idea.

"Are you staying tonight?" Rose asked Jul later that night. He just grinned.

"Of course," he replied. "Same time?" Rose winked at him and giggled.

"I'll see you in half an hour," she whispered seductively before letting out another one of those giggles that made him want to get down on one knee and propose right now. He leaned forward and kissed her before disapparating.

An hour later, Rose heard something hit her window. Setting her book down, she walked over and opened it up. Leaning out, she could see Jul's face illuminated by the waning moon.

"You're late," Rose stated in a slightly irked tone.

"I'm sorry, my parents wouldn't leave me alone," he replied sincerely.

Since he'd finally won her over, he'd been afraid of slipping up and losing her again. But this time his lack of punctuality was all for the greater good. So in other words, it was all for her.

"So…can I come up?" he inquired after a moment, flashing her one of his dazzling smiles.

"Hmm…sure," she retorted with a smile. His grin widened as he took a running start, jumping from the ground to the deck, climbing up the rail and leaping up to her window. As he pulled himself up onto the windowsill, Rose laughed.

"Show-off," she laughed. He just grinned before pulling her into his arms. Rose wound her arms around his neck as he pulled her even closer, her lips meeting his, creating that familiar sensation she always triggered when she kissed him. After a moment they broke apart and Rose rested her forehead against his, eyes closed.

"Tired, baby?" Jul asked quietly. She nodded ever so slightly. Without a word, he scooped her up and carried her to her bed before she could protest. He wordlessly pulled off his t-shirt and climbed in after her, putting an arm around her waist.

"G'night, Jul," she muttered as she nestled up against him, rapidly losing consciousness.

"Goodnight, Rose," he whispered back. "…I love you."

At first he didn't think she'd heard him, but after a second she moved her head, snuggling into his neck. He faintly heard her mutter back something that sounded a great deal like, "Love you too." Jul grinned, lifting her left hand up and tied the reason he was late to her finger. Satisfied, Jul kissed her forehead before falling asleep with the smile still on his face.

Early morning light splayed across their forms as dawn progressed, seeking their sleeping faces. The clouds of a foreboding storm were illuminated with a rosy glow. As the faint light reached them, Rose's eyes fluttered open.

She smiled, feeling the warmth of the bronze chest beneath her cheek. For a moment, she was struck with a memory of a different body lying beside her: Harry's body though the man of her memory's name was unknown to her. She was now used to the sudden attack of déjà vu, as it happened every time Jul stayed with her.

She looked up, her grin broadening when she saw the lingering smile on his face, arms wrapped around her. She raised her hand, attempting as she had many times before, to flatten his little "Alfalfa" piece of hair, when she noticed something was tied to her hand. No, not her hand…her finger.

It was a simple little paper packet with something tucked inside and a small note attached. Rose puzzled over it for a moment before opening the packet. She emptied it into her hand, only to gasp at the silver banded diamond ring. After a moment, she looked at the note, which read:

Rose, will you marry me?

All my love, Jul

Rose just lied there, unable to look away from the tiny note that asked so much. Still staring at the string tied to her finger, she felt Jul shift under her, slowly waking up.

"G'morning, love," he murmured, kissing her forehead, his blue eyes gazing down at her sleepily.

"Yes," she whispered, smiling but still awestruck, finally looking up into his glorious sapphire eyes.

His brow furrowed with confusion. "What?"

"Umm, yes," she repeated, suddenly breathless, "I'll marry you, Jul."

His face cracked into a heart-throbbing smile as he leaned down and kissed her. Rose smiled against his lips, kissing him back before they broke apart. Jul grabbed the ring out of her hand, slipping it onto her finger and kissing her again.

"I love you, Jul," she said, smiling radiantly up at him.

"I love you more," he replied, eyes twinkling in the sunlight that leaked into the room. And in a deep, dark corner of her heart that she refused to listen to, she knew that, though she did love him, he was right. He loved her more than she could ever love him, memory loss or not.

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Srry I haven't updated in so long! writer's block really kinda sucks for those of you who don't know...and to those rare few, lucky you. hope you enjoy! please tell me what you think! i just finished it like 2.2 seconds ago, so I hope you like it! REVIEW!!!!!...please and thank you!