It was the Monday after Harry and Ginny's wedding, and Hermione had to work. She rose early, groaning and wanting more sleep, practically tripped on Crookshanks, and stumbled into the bathroom. She showered and put on her work robes, reluctantly stepping into the high-heeled shoes she was all but forced to wear. She loved her job, but being a witch in the workforce wasn't easy. She was expected to look nice every day.

She tapped the tea kettle with her wand, and sat down at her small kitchen table, picking up the Daily Prophet.She was interrupted a few seconds later by a brilliant white light. A terrier patronus was running about her kitchen.

"Dinner tonight?" Ron's voice came out of the terrier's mouth.

Hermione replied with a "Yes, please, as long as I don't have to cook."

A few minutes later, the terrier came back. "No worries. Come by my place when you're done working."

She smiled. Even if the day was long and tedious, at least she had something to look forward to.

She hadn't underestimated her work day. House-elf rights were virtually nonexistent, she had learned in the past few months, and getting people to actually care about them was extremely difficult. Still, it was a job she liked and a job she felt she was good at. But all day flashes of Harry's and Ginny's faces at their wedding were floating through her mind. Finally she gave up and took a lunch break.

Walking through the streets of London, she thought deeply about the last few days. She couldn't forget how happy Harry and Ginny were about getting married. From the very beginning of their engagement, both of them were adamant about how this decision was right for them. Hermione knew that. But she looked at herself, and she thought about Ron, and she thought about how much she loved him, and she was disappointed.

Their relationship had never moved as fast as Ginny and Harry's. That was why Hermione had been so surprised when she learned that they hadn't slept together yet; Ron and Hermione always seemed to be lagging behind the other couple. Not that Hermione minded, exactly. But Ron was always a bit confused about his feelings, and for awhile she was, too, and she was always much too shy to admit them.

But she and Ron belonged together, just like Harry and Ginny. She was positive. And she wanted to marry him.

It didn't take the wedding to make her see that. She knew it all along. But they'd been a couple for two years, and had known each other for seven years before that. It was time that she just bit the bullet and asked him herself. After all, how else did things get done? Even in their first year, she and Harry had been the ones to execute things. I should have known, getting involved with Ron, that I'd have to call all the shots. She knew Ron wasn't as mature as her. Maybe he wouldn't be ready to get married yet. That would be fine. But anything more permanent would be better... like moving in together. Honestly, there was no need for them to be living in two apartments, one of them was always over at the others.

She smiled to herself as she walked back into the ministry a few minutes later. Moving in together would be the perfect step to take right now, she knew. It was the next step in their relationship, and she had read that men liked to take things a bit slower. Hopefully Ron wouldn't have a problem with that... What'll I do if he says no? she asked herself, not wanting to think about how she would feel afterwards.

It was ten o'clock, and Hermione was following Ron into his kitchen, padding in thick wool socks that his mother had made her. She looked at the clock.

"It's eleven o'clock in Paris, right now." She smiled playfully. "I wonder what Harry and Ginny are doing?" her tone was mock-innocent.

"Sleeping," Ron grunted. She poked him and chuckled.

"You are so grumpy sometimes, you know that?" she said endearingly.

He poured them both steaming cups of tea, and led her back out into the living room.

"I like it when a man makes me tea," she whispered.

"Good, because that's about all I can make." Ron laid down on the couch, and she laid next to him, nestling up to him. She noted how their bodies fit together perfectly, and how good it felt to be near him. Ron was just like a big teddy-bear. She always felt safe and content in his arms. She felt his lips on her hair.

Do it now, she told herself. There's no better time. In her head, she had just stated what she wanted, came right out with her feelings, and she and Ron had discussed options and eventually come to a reasonable agreement. But now she knew that she could not do that. I'm too shy, she thought. She had never felt more vulnerable, and she hadn't even said anything yet.

"Are you ok?" Ron asked, tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear.

"Ron, do you ever think about us?"

"Sure I do. I think about you all the time," he answered simply.

"No... not me. I mean us, as in... you and me. Together." Each word felt heavy on her tongue. You're doing well, Hermione. Don't worry. And it's Ron you're talking to... no need to go crazy.

Ron swallowed. "Yes, I do. A lot, actually."

"What do you think about us? I mean, as a couple?" He looked at her curiously, as though wondering why she suddenly was asking all these questions about their relationship.

"I think we're alright. I mean, I love you Hermione. And I think we should be together... you don't want to break up, do you?" His eyes widened.

"No, no, that's not what I mean at all." She looked up at him. "I was thinking something more permanent. Like maybe-"

"Getting married?" Ron asked, sitting up a bit.

"What- I mean-" she was distracted. This wasn't how she had imagined it. Ron smiled down at her, his eyes twinkling.

"Is that what you mean?"

"Well, I don't know." She looked into Ron's eyes for a few moments, and she saw pure happiness there... Maybe, just maybe... "I just want something more permanent. I love you, you know, and I don't want to be away from you. After all that's happened, I don't think we should take anything for granted, and I've known you for ages and I can't imagine being without you, Ron. And there's no use in us having two apartments anyway, it's a bit of a waste of money-"

"Hermione." Ron took her hands in his own, and took a deep breath. "Will you- will you marry me?"

Her breath caught in her throat and her heart skipped a beat. She was frozen for a long moment, taken off guard by his question. She saw a flicker of fear go through Ron's eyes after her lengthy hesitation, before she threw herself onto him and kissed him.

"Yes, yes, yes!" She laughed and kissed him over and over. "Oh, Ron, I love you so much."

"I love you, too, Mione." For hours they just lay together, quietly talking and kissing softly.

A smile played across Ron's lips.

"What?" Hermione whispered.

"I was just thinking... Mum's going to die.She'll be so happy. It's never been a secret that she wanted you and Harry to be Weasleys... I guess she's gotten her wish."

"Ron... I was just thinking. Maybe we shouldn't tell anyone for awhile."

He looked at her, slightly annoyed. "But I want to- I want to tell everyone. Why not?" he demanded.

"It's not that I'm ashamed," she explained, wanting to be as clear as possible. "Really, I want to tell everyone too. And I can't wait to see the look on your mum's face. Or mine. And Harry's, when he finds out... but... Harry and Ginny just got married. And I don't want..." she struggled to explain this to Ron. "See, if it were me, and I had just gotten married, and I got home from my honeymoon to find out that my brother and best friend were getting married, I would feel... not jealous, but a little annoyed. Not that Harry and Ginny would be mad we stole their spotlight... but we should give them time. I'm just asking for about two weeks or so, just until everything calms down. And besides, we should tell Harry first. He's been with us this whole time. And we'll have to wait until he gets back home."

Ron nodded, understanding. Hermione knew these things, he didn't. Sometimes it would just be easier to have Hermione around him all the time, helping him decide what to do. "I guess you're right... still. It'll be hard."

"Yes. But I think I can make it a bit easier..." she looked into his blue eyes with her brown ones.

"How?"

"I don't have to be at work until noon tomorrow. There's a morning meeting for most of the people in my department, because they haven't been up to scratch. But I don't have to go."

"Of course you don't," Ron said, rolling his eyes.

"So I was thinking... I'll be so bored.... Maybe you could think of something to do?" she asked innocently. "Maybe-"

But she didn't finish, because Ron already met his lips with hers.

This might be my favorite chapter to far... Please review!!! I love to hear your feedback, and that means anyone! Thanks so much for reading!