For Longer Than Forever: Ch. 7: Quotes and Questions
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter. 'Nuff said.
As Ron and Hermione ate, Hermione told Ron some more about her parents. They would just love him, and they've heard all about him. Ron just listened and watched her fluid movements. She entranced him.
About the time Hermione was done eating, the music started playing the first song they ever danced to.
"Listen," Ron said. "It's our song."
They started to dance. As the song reached the point where they had shared their first kiss, Ron looked at Hermione and said, "You told me earlier that you hoped we could have a lasting relationship. I want that to happen." He got down on one knee, and pulled a blue ring box out of his pocket.
"Will you marry me, Hermione Jane Granger?"
Hermione looked deep into his and one tear escaped her. She paused, causing Ron to think he might have made a mistake.
"I wouldn't have it any other way."
Ron slipped the ring onto her finger and stood up, took her into his arms and kissed her softly.
"You said that I've given your life so much. I want you to know that your strength and protection mean the world to me. I hope I can give you all the love you've given me and more, if that's possible.
"Sometimes I wonder what I did right to have met you. I certainly didn't deserve it, but it happened. It seems that I did everything to push you away when what I wanted to do was pull you closer. You were what held me together through the good times and the bad. When I thought I had lost you to Lavender… I don't know how I stayed sane. It was pulling me apart that I pushed you away. Maybe I should start from the beginning," she said.
"Might clear a few things up," Ron teased.
"When I first came to Hogwarts, it was a new start for me. I had few friends at school and I decided to this would be a do-over. No more pushing or being over-bearing.
"The first thing, I did, of course was show off to the first boy I saw. You had a certain—endearing quality that interested me."
Flashback
I was in a wedding dress, marrying some man. He was handsome, very much so, but neither of us could have been more than 20! I wouldn't marry that young! And who is this guy?! I've never seen him before!
I woke up, and sat up quickly. Even in my dreams I was logical. This was the day I got my letter from Hogwarts. When I saw Ron, I knew immediately that he was the man from my dream. Now I knew that dream was a glimpse of the future.
Flashback End
"I thought I'd already pushed you away. When we got paired up in class, I still couldn't help but show off. Then I heard you talking about me and that sent me over the edge. I just broke down and started crying right there.
"When you and Harry and saved me from the troll, I knew I loved you. I thought I didn't have a chance with you, but when you blew up about Viktor, I realized I wasn't too far-gone.
"Then, I thought I had lost you to Lavender, and my life seemed worthless, a lie. If I couldn't have you, my life was useless. I threw myself into my studies, tried to forget about you. I was naïve to think I could forget about you," She looked at him, her eyes filling with tears. She hugged him tightly. "I still can't believe you're sitting here, loving me, being with me, asking me to marry you."
Ron pulled back and looked in her eyes; "Did you think about... suicide?"
"Only if you died."
"Even if I do die, I don't want you to ever think about killing yourself. You are too important to ever kill yourself," Ron told her.
"Are you telling me you wouldn't kill yourself if I died?"
He was silent.
"Hmm... That's what I thought."
"Well, how about we compromise? I won't kill myself if you don't kill yourself."
"Deal," Hermione resolved.
"Good...Do you want me to tell you my story?"
"If you want."
"Well, I figured out I was in love with you when I saved you from that troll. Then, I almost asked you out in third year and in fifth year, but was afraid you didn't feel the same way about me that I felt about about you. Then, in sixth year, well you know... I've already told you about that. I guess I've loved you since I met you, but I just was afraid."
"Well, I'm glad we took a chance before it was too late," Hermione replied.
"We? You were the one who took the chance. You kissed me," Ron said, incredulously.
"You asked me to dance. You initiated the chance I took. We took the chance." Hermione told him.
"I guess we did," Ron said. "I love you, Hermione. Never forget that, because nothing can change it. You will always be the woman I love most. Have you seen the inside of your ring?"
She pulled the ring off and looked on the inside. It said: "I will love you eternally. Ron"
She looked at him lovingly, and held him tight. After a few moments, Hermione's eyes widened, "Oh. Bloody. Hell."
"Hermione!" Ron exclaimed, almost laughing.
"I just realized I haven't even told my parents we're going out. How am I supposed to tell them I'm engaged?!" Hermione said, panicking.
"Bloody hell. What am I going to tell Mum?" Ron asked.
At this, Hermione started to hyperventilate. I can't breathe. I can't breathe. She thought.
Ron looked at her. Her eyes were filled with panic before she passed out. He didn't think twice, and picked her up, and carried her towards the hospital wing. "It's okay, Hermione. We can do anything together. We can tell them."He whispered frantically. As Ron reached the hospital wing, he called for Madam Pomfrey. "Madam Pomfrey! We need you in here!"
She rushed in and asked, "What's wrong with Miss Granger?"
"She's having trouble breathing! She started hyperventilating and passed out. Even now, it's like breathing is laborious for her," Ron reported.
"Well, she's never been one for panic attacks. She must have heard something pretty serious," She told Ron, eyeing him severely.
"She is just wondering how to tell her parents we're...dating," He didn't need to tell her the whole story.
"Well it's about time! You know when you were poisoned; she stayed by your bedside as soon as class was over, and until it was time that they had to be in their common room? Anyway, this can be fixed easily with a Calming Spell. Sedato!"
Immediately, Hermione's breathing eased and her eyes fluttered open. "Ron," she said, relieved.
A/N: I want to thank one of best friends, Sara. She is so enthusiastic about my story and I need enthusiasm so I know my stories aren't crap.
Also thanks to Artemis' Hunt and -47SydneyVaughn74- for reviewing!
