I waited impatiently for the man in the shop to finish with another customer. The woman kept changing her mind about one thing or another and I was beginning to think that Harry was right; it was too soon to be here. Finally she seemed satisfied but the time it took her threw me into indecision.
"I'm so sorry for the wait; may I help you sir?" The gentleman asked.
"Yes, I wanted to look at rings."
"Wonderful, congratulation."
"It's not as if she's said yes yet. I'm actually not sure when if I should give it to her." I began telling the man the story of Hermione and me; leaving out some of the details.
"Of course, these things must be planned very delicately." The man said. "From the way you describe her, I think that she would want something simple yet elegant. Perhaps one of these would meet her approval." He levitated a few rings out of the case and hovered them just above the counter for me to examine.
They were all lovely but one was a standout. It was a beautiful square diamond with two smaller diamonds on the side then it had tiny diamonds going around the band. It was simple but spectacular. I knew it was the one and I told the man. I learned more about it and how to magically size it before I eagerly purchased it.
I left the shop and placed the ring inside my robe pocket and magically sealed it. I decided to stop by the sweet shop for some staples when I ran into someone I wasn't too thrilled to see.
"Won-Won!" She squealed giving me a big hug. "Why haven't you gotten in touch with me?" She grabbed onto my arm.
"What brings you to Hogsmeade Lavender?"
"You of course. I was headed up to the castle to see you."
"I actually live in town."
"Really, I would love to see your place." Why did I say that? Me and my big mouth.
"Umm, well it's sort of a mess."
"That's okay."
She wouldn't give up so I came up with an alternative. "Why don't we just go have a butterbeer at the Three Broomsticks?"
"Alright, but afterwards I want to see your house."
I hoped by the time we finished our drink she would forget about coming by the house but no such luck. The moment we were done she latched onto my arm and announced we were going to my house. Feeling as though I didn't have much of a choice in the matter, we walked down the cobbled streets to my house.
"Oh, it's so quaint; it's perfect for a young couple just starting out." She said loudly and drew the attention of my nosey neighbor.
Once inside she poked her way around and desperately hinted for an invitation to dinner. I, on the other hand, had no desire for her company. I wanted to plan out my proposal strategy. "Well, you've pretty much seen it. Not too big."
"I haven't seen the bedrooms." I rolled my eyes and led her on an abbreviated tour.
"And now we are back to the living room. Well, it was nice seeing you Lavender but I really need to start planning my lessons for tomorrow."
Disappointed but optimistic she answered, "Oh, I understand. Why don't I drop by tomorrow night and bring you dinner. I won't take no for an answer so how about seven?"
"Actually I planned on having dinner at the castle tomorrow with Hermione."
"Oh she won't mind if you miss dinner with a friend for dinner with me."
"Well actually…" I started to tell her that Hermione and I weren't just friends but she just continued to talk.
"I could always come up to the school for dinner." She seemed excited by this idea.
Figuring I wouldn't shake her and considering Hermione's feelings toward Lavender in the past, I decided dinner at home would be the better choice. "That's okay, seven o'clock here would work."
She squealed and gave me a hug, "wonderful, I just can't wait."
"I really need to get to those lesson plans." I hinted.
"Right! I'll see you tomorrow." I walked her out the door and when we were just outside she turns and gives me a small kiss on the lips which I didn't return. "Bye." She added in a sultry voice.
No that she was finally gone I could spend my quiet evening planning the perfect proposal; however, this was not to be as there was a knock at my door.
"Harry, what are you doing here?" I asked but Harry was distracted looking down the street.
"Hey mate," he turned, "was that Lavender I saw leaving?"
"Yes, she cornered me into showing her the house." I explained as we went inside.
"She wants to have dinner here tomorrow? How do you think Hermione's going to take to that?"
"I was considering not telling her." I told him truthfully.
"Well I'd reconsider because if she found out and you didn't tell her she'll be furious. Anyway I was just wondering if…"
"Yes, I bought her a ring. You want to take a look?" I pulled it out and saw that it met with Harry's approval.
"It's great but are you sure you aren't rushing things? I just want you to be prepared for her to say no. I don't think that she doesn't want to marry you; it may just be too soon. You know what I mean."
"Speaking from a man who doesn't rush into anything. By the way, how's Paige?"
"Great except for vomiting about every ten minutes. This morning she tried to make me breakfast but she got so sick from the smell of eggs that she threw up all over my work robes. She's had to take the last two days off of work."
"Well, at least we men don't have to go through that."
"Don't be so sure. I'm suffering along side her. Not being sick but being asked to go out and get really crazy things for her to eat. Like yesterday she kept eating tomatoes and dipping them in whipped cream and mayonnaise. Actually, the sight of that did make me sick so I guess I'm sick as well."
I laughed at my friend but I could tell he was having the time of his life preparing to be a dad. He actually dragged me into a baby store the other day to show me some of the things he wanted to give him or her. It was pathetic but Hermione would say it was adorable.
"Okay well I'm going home."
"What? You only wanted to see if I got her a ring?"
"Well truthfully Paige made me come over to see and since she wouldn't let go of the subject I said I would. Anyway I'm beat so now that I have the answer, I'm going home."
"Okay but don't forget about Hermione's birthday lunch Saturday."
"Don't worry; we'll be here at 11:00 sharp." He said just before apparating away.
I was surprised to see something so outlandish is the Daily Prophet. Apparently according to sources, Ron Weasley was seen buying an engagement ring for a certain someone.
Could the Former Bachelor of the Year be Taken?
This news reporter has it from a reliable source that Ron Weasley was seen shopping for an engagement ring in Hogsmeade. Who could the lucky girl be? It has come to our attention that Mr. Weasley was seen recently with old flame Lavender Brown. Is she the one that tamed this former Auror's wild heart? Sources close to Ms. Brown are thrilled at their good friend's fortune. "Lavender has always had deep feelings for Ron and when I heard they had started seeing each other again I will delighted. They deserve a lifetime of happiness together." The couple has been spotted all over Hogsmeade and Ms. Brown is a frequent visitor at the young man's cottage. According to neighbors she has been seen more than once coming and going from the home; some have even witnessed their passionate goodbyes.
Passionate goodbyes? Ron did tell me that Lavender tricked him into having dinner with her the other night; but she was at his house for passionate goodbyes? I read on.
Neighbor Magdalene Kruger states that she heard the young lady say that the house was perfect for the young couple as they were just starting out. "I was surprised when I saw the young man move in, but now it makes sense that he was preparing for his future family." Mrs. Kruger also states that Mr. Weasley has regular visits from childhood friends Harry Potter and Hermione Granger who often stay till the early hours of the morning. Could they be helping their friend prepare for his proposal? There have been some rumors of a romantic relationship between Mr. Weasley and Ms. Granger but those close to the situation are quick to dismiss such ridiculous claims. While no dates have been set for the Brown-Weasley nuptials, an announcement is expected soon.
I tossed the paper aside and continued to eat my toast. Ridiculous claims? This information sure was a welcome birthday present. I tried to sort through the facts in my head. Ron said he had dinner with her. He was honest about that but why has she been seen at his house? Okay, maybe once to show her his place or something but even one time was too many. How could he have been seen all over Hogsmeade with Lavender when he spends most of this time with me?
My thoughts were exhausting me but I came back to the initial reason for the article; Ron had been seen shopping for a ring. Well that is just ridiculous. It was way too early for him to do anything like that wasn't it? If he asked would I say yes? My mind continued to race and I looked at the clock. I was planning to meet Ron, Harry and Paige for an early birthday lunch and then Ron and I were going to spend the day together. I decided to hop in the shower and hoped that it would help clear my head.
I was surprised at how early Harry and Paige had come to my house. We were supposed to meet here at eleven but it was only ten.
"Is my watch wrong?" I asked half serious as I checked the time.
"No, we thought we should come early and find out if you had heard from Hermione?"
"Not yet but she's supposed to be here at eleven remember?"
"Well we thought she might say something when she read that colorful article in the paper." Retorted Paige in a most irritated and almost frightening voice. Harry, who was behind her, mouthed hormones and I quickly got the hint to tread lightly.
"What article?"
Harry thrust a copy of the Daily Prophet in my face, "just the one describing how you were spotted buying an engagement ring for Lavender."
My laughs quickly faded as I read the article. "Hermione wouldn't believe any of this. She knows I can't stand Lavender. Why would I want to marry her?"
"That's what I'd like to know!" Replied a very testy Paige. Harry and I both looked at her fearfully; I took a step back.
"I told you it's okay, Ron's not in a relationship with Lavender. He's already learned his lesson about her. But Ron, if Hermione did read this article she at least knows that you were buying a ring."
"You're right. I can't very well give it to her now."
"But if you don't she might think that you bought it for the purple girl." Harry patted his wife's back. "I'm queasy; I'll be in the bathroom." Paige quickly left the room.
"Maybe Paige is right but I take this as a sign that it's too soon."
"Harry you've been against me asking her the whole time. But maybe you're right. I'll give her the other present that I got her in Muggle London instead and wait for the perfect time to propose." I was upset by the set back but convinced myself it was the right thing to do. I probably would have lost the nerve anyway.
"By the way how are you going to explain Lavender?"
"The truth I guess. That she brought me dinner here. We certainly weren't having any late night rendezvous. I could kill that nosey Kruger lady. She hasn't liked me since I moved in."
Harry laughed at my predicament. "Well you have Hermione covered but what about Lavender? She has probably convinced herself that you two are an item. She'll be expecting a ring any day."
"Ha ha, very funny. Maybe I should let Hermione deal with Lavender." I wiggled my eyebrows and we both had a laugh.
Harry glanced at his watch. "Mate, you better get ready. She'll be here soon."
I panicked when I looked at the clock on the mantel and sprinted to the bedroom to get ready. This was going to be an interesting day to say the least.