Hermione Granger stepped into the warm, musty air of the Leaky Cauldron. As she looked around for one Harry Potter, she felt strangely out of place. She was still wearing her work clothes- a skirt and blazer ensemble, complete with hot pink pinstripes patterned upon it, with hot pink heels and clutch to match. She looked around a bit more, squinting into the dark corners.

Her eyes lit up as she spotted a head of messy, jet-black hair turned away from the door. Hermione strode over, tapping the man on the shoulder. "Harry!" she squealed, dropping her purse on a nearby chair and leaning in for a hug. Harry jumped up, exclaiming, "Mione, you look great!" as he did so.

Squeezing Harry one last time, she sneezed and said, "Hey, do you want to get out of here? There's a great Italian bistro down the street, in Muggle London." Harry just grabbed shoved in his chair in response.

The pair were soon sitting down in the restaurant, avidly talking about... well, everything. "So how's business?" Harry asked conversationally while buttering a roll.

"Pretty great, actually. There's a man from the Ministry who is paying for his daughter's wedding party to be fitted out in the finest things available. Let's just say that I won't have a problem making next months tuition!" she chuckled, amusement shining in her face.

"I was wondering about that actually," replied Harry. "Why are you going to Muggle school when you were already offered a spot as the top ministry advisor? You've always said you wanted to be in the Ministry."

Hermione was silent for a moment before asking him, "Well, do you want the 'official' answer, or the honest one?" In return, Harry just gave her a look.

"Right then," she sighed. "Well, I was really just scared of getting trapped. I mean, look at Percy, the jackass. He has been assistant to the minister for almost nine years now. Mr. Weasley hasn't gotten a promotion since that time in fourth year, and I absolutely couldn't stand working under Fudge!" she said the last bit in a rushed voice.

Harry nodded in agreement. "That sounds completely sensible, actually. That's what is a little frustrating about being a teacher. You're teaching the same lessons year after year, just to a different group of students, you know?"

Laughing, Hermione said, "Well, it can't possibly be that boring with the Weasely twins around!" Harry joined in, thinking about Fred and Angelina's kids, David and Michael, who were in their first year and already wreaking all sorts of havoc.

The two eventually stopped. Harry looked Hermione straight in the eye, but the latter averted her gaze. An akward silence ensured, until Harry said, "Well, we can't avoid why we're here, Mione. If you've changed your mind, it's fine. But if you haven't, we really ought to talk."

Forcing a smile upon her face, she replied, "Of course I haven't, Harry! A pact is a pact, and it takes two to create one. Besides, you're my best friend, I wouldn't let you down." Just then, the waiter arrived at the table.

"I will have the penne vodka tortellini, with a side of grilled chicken on top, please, along with a green salad in balsamic dressing." Hermione ordered quickly.

"Ah, the favorite," Harry chuckled, remembering how at Hogwarts Mione would always shovel down this particular dish as quickly as she could. Shaking himself from his reverie, he ordered, "I'll have the fettuccine Alfredo, as well as a green salad and a bowl of soup."

It was almost sunset by the time Hermione and Harry were finished eating their supper. They had sat in the restaurant, just talking, until the waiter had politely informed them that there was another couple waiting for their table. After almost ten years of not regularly seeing each other, Hermione and Harry both felt like they had connected and really gotten to know each other all over again.

They were walking along a virtually deserted road, eating cones of ice cream from a nearby vendor. Holding their cones in one hand and clasping hands with the other, they walked silently, comfortably, unlike the awkward silence in the restaurant.

Harry had just finished his cone, as did Hermione just a moment later. Harry cleared his throat, stopped walking, and spoke in a slightly strangled voice. "Mione," he said, then stopped. "I know we already agreed that we would marry each other, but I think that we can really make it work. What I mean is, everyone expects us to get together anyway." Hermione chuckled, but she knew that she was never more sure that she was okay with this.

Harry reached deep inside the pocked of his slacks and withdrew a small, crushed velvet box. Hermione's breath caught in her throat."Oh, Harry, you didn't have to-" but he silenced her with a gentle "Shh."

He flipped open the box to reveal a platinum silver engagement ring, set with flawlessly cut diamonds. The ring was actually two bands, melded together at the back. On the top band was a large circle diamond, and on each side of that diamond were several smaller rectangular diamonds set close to each other. On the bottom, circling to the near the back, was a continuous line of small rectangular diamonds. The ring sparkled in the fading sun, glowing beautiful hues of yellow, orange and gold from the sky.

Hermione tried to speak, but all that came out was a tiny gasp. In anyone's opinion, the ring was simply too beautiful for words, but to Hermione it was more beautiful that anything she had ever seen. "Oh, Harry! I can't take this, it must have cost a fortune!" Harry's grin grew wider. "You can, and you will," he insisted firmly.

Hermione was still flabbergasted. "What-who-how- I mean, how did you know? This is the exact ring I have been dreaming of since I was ten!"

Harry smiled mischievously. "Did you think you fooled us? Ron and I saw the sketches of the ring that you were always drawing in the margins of your paper, and in your sketchbook, and on the backs of your hands… you really ought to be more careful," he teased.

Hermione just smiled through her tears. "Mione, what's wrong? Don't you like it?" Harry asked worriedly.

"Harry! Of course I do, why do you think I am crying? It's just… I never pictured it being you to give my ring to me, but I am so, so glad it is."

Harry smiled also, and then lifting the ring from the box, paused and grasped Hermione's hand. As he did, he couldn't help but feeling that it felt so right. "Mione, will you marry me?" He whispered.

"Of course." she replied, and as soon as the gorgeous ring was on her finger, she lunged forward and caught him in a hug. Wrapping his arms around her tiny waist, he squeezed her lightly. A few seconds later, she lifted her head from his shoulder to thank him again. She never did, though, because it was at that time that both Harry and Hermione realized how close their faces were… and failed to hear the click of a camera coming from behind the postbox.

::Waves excitedly!:: Wow! I can't believe what an amazing turnout I had! Thanks so much, all of you! Okay. I really tried to make it seem like they were friends getting to know each other again, but it was hard, because when you think, "Day someone is proposing," you don't think friendship, you think romance! Ach.

If you want to see a picture of the ring (it is real, it took me forever to find the right one) here is the web

It should copy right over into your web bar, but if it doesn't work, drop a line and your email, and I will send you a link.

SHOUTOUTS

horse-crazy-girl: Thanks so much, I'm glad you like it!

BeaumontRulz: Aw! Your favorites? Yay! Thanks so much! What's the story behind your pen name, if you don't mind me asking?

YLJedi: HUGE shout out to you! Thanks so much for reviewing, it helped a ton. Yes, I can see why you were confused about the dog thing, sorry! Well, the thing is this. Hermione still works in the magical world, but she specializes in Muggle weddings for witches and wizards. Does that make sense? It does to me, but that is because I am writing it! Aha! You won't find out her preferred style of wedding dress quite yet, as I am still trying to ease them back into the friendship they had in school, while still trying to include some romantic parts. So, you won't find out quite yet, but I will be looking for advice when the time comes! Again, thanks a ton.

Cara: Don't worry, I am going to try and finish it, with the help of all of you, of course.

Book Lover 990: I love your pen name! Thanks.

Hermione-Potter-52036: Thanks for reviewing! I love your pen name, by the way.

retarted monkey: Thanks a lot, and I updated, see?

kindperson: Thanks for reviewing, and I might take you up on the offer for help later. Goodness knows I could use it! I was just wondering… you signed as

kindperson/witchperson. What does that mean, that you have dual personalities or something? Very cool!

NeVeRmInD2: Thanks! I'm glad you like it. Hmm. A beta! Interesting notion. Sure, I could use a lot of help! Feel free to email when you have a minute. Thanks a lot, I feel so… professional, with my very own beta!

xxxpinkkitty5467: Thanks for the compliment, I hope you keep reading!

Danaweasely: Thanks, I agree. Marrying your best friend is just so adorable. I know, it made me sad to write that they had lost touch, but never fear!

England: Thanks! Do you speak Spanish? I made a second chapter, aren't I kind?

ChronicFuture13: Here's the thing. When you have been friends since you were eleven, and together almost every day of the year for seven years, and suddenly, you're leaving your home, I imagine it was very tough for the Trio. They would probably be worried about whether they would lose touch, or someone would abandon the other. Even though they were just seventeen, I think that part of it was that they were just caught up in the excitement. The other part is that after the war, the Trio had seen just how delicate life could truly be, and didn't want to miss out on the joys of marriage, or be lonely. I hope this explained it, and if this didn't make any sense, which is a high probability, feel free to rant and rave, or leave an email. Thanks so much for reviewing! I like your pen name.

The macarana? Um, I'm not sure. Probably... who knows? I'll ask around!

Again, thanks so much, everyone, for all of the reviews. They made my day every time I read one!

Lady B. Padfoot