Reality

It was the beginning of the summer. Harry, Ron and Hermione were all at the Burrow, helping with the preparations for Bill and Fleur's wedding. Hermione had abandoned her work drawing up seating arrangements with Fleur who was indecisive, condescending and irritable, in favour of reading her book. She had seated herself outside, in the shade under a large tree in the Weasleys' garden. Hermione was looking forward to the fast-approaching end of her enthralling book.

Just as she had settled herself in a comfortable position and became engaged in her book, she heard footsteps behind her. Without looking up she could tell it was Ron. Hermione smiled to herself- this scene was vaguely familiar and she wondered if she dared hope what was coming next.

Hermione returned to her book as Ron sat down beside her. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw him lift his arm hesitantly. Hermione bit her lip to conceal her grin. However she was brought abruptly back to reality as Ron poked her sharply in the arm. "Ow!" she exclaimed, "What was that for?"

"Erm, Hermione," he muttered, blushing profusely, "I have to tell you something, but, er, not here." He looked around. "Let's walk." He said, gesturing vaguely around the garden.

Hermione set down her book reluctantly, and followed him- jogging to catch up to his long strides. She had an inkling what it was he wanted to ask her.

Ron, obviously flustered, was not looking where he was going and stumbled over a rock and into Mrs. Weasley's flower bed. Hermione bit back a laugh as he resurfaced with a fistful of grass, dirt, and a few very sad looking, crushed tulips.

Hermione plucked the tulips from Ron's grip, "Thanks Ron, they're beautiful." She mused sarcastically.

He gave her a wan smile as her stood up and rubbed his hands on the front of his jeans to remove the dirt. "Anyways," Ron continued, "Right. I wanted to ask you something." Hermione nodded her head slowly and expectantly.

Ron's ears had gone very red as he began to speak, "Well, see, the thing is- Bill and Fleur are getting married, and erm, well, I'm Bill's brother, so naturally he wants me in the wedding party."

"Yes, I know," said Hermione, "You're one of the ushers."

"Yeah, and usher, yeah," he said, "But, er, so're all my brothers, and Bill has some friends too, so other than Ginny and Gabrielle, and a few of Fleur's friends, there's rather a shortage of girls, see."

Hermione nodded patiently; she now had more than an inkling where all of Ron's rambling was going, and she smiled at him encouragingly.

"So, I guess I was wondering, well actually it was actually Mum's idea-" Hermione had to refrain from rolling her eyes with extreme difficulty. "Not to say I think it's a bad idea. It's the practical thing to do really, because, see I'm the last one without a date, well not a date, but, er, more of an escort, so, er, if you want to accompany me,"

The words were on the tip of Hermione's tongue, but Ron blundered on, "More as friends than anything else really." He finished.

The smile vanished from Hermione's face, "As friends?" she said coolly.

Ron detected her change in tone and hurried to amend his botched proposal. "Well, no, not as friends, we could go as, er…" He looked to her for help completing the sentence, but she left him quite on his own. "More than friends, I suppose. That is, if you want to." He said quickly, with a touch of desperation in his voice. Hermione closed her eyes and nodded.

Ron looked decidedly more heartened, and took a deep breath, as though steeling himself for what he was about to say, "So, would you like to accompany, or, er, be my date, I suppose, for the wedding then?" he asked looking hopefully up at her.

"Yes, Ron." replied Hermione, "I'd love to."

"Right. Well, that's settled then." Said Ron brightly. He looked immensely pleased with himself. "Well, I, er, I'll see you then." He said, looking tentative and uncertain for a moment and then placing a quick kiss on Hermione's cheek, then hurrying away as though afraid of her reaction.

Hermione touched the spot where he has kissed her, and said; "See you." to Ron's retreating back. After he had disappeared into the Burrow, Hermione shook her head and laughed out loud at how terrible Ron's attempt at asking her out had been, especially compared to that of the Ron in her daydream. But she realized, that though DreamRon had been much more romantic, she much preferred the real Ron, the rambling, awkward, blushing, confused, yet sweet Ron she had fancied all these years, and could quite possibly, in the years to come, fall in love with.