Much to my amazement, Hermione hadn't said anything about the article when she arrived at my house. I was relieved thinking that she hadn't read it and then nervous thinking she had and was up to something.
We all wished her happy birthday and headed for a great little bistro in Diagon Alley that Hermione had wanted to try. After lunch we planned to spend the day together. She wanted to do Muggle things like go to a movie, maybe the zoo and the park. Hermione hadn't made up her mind yet. We were seated at the bistro and began to eat when to my ultimate horror Lavender walked in. Several patrons, who had given me looks when we had arrived, began to point and watch us.
"Won-Won, you forgot to tell me where we were having lunch."
"Maybe because I didn't invite you." I immediately shot back before thinking how harsh it sounded. Harry, Paige and Hermione about chocked from laughter.
"Ron that old adage about mixing your relationships with your friendships is silly. You know that we are already all friends." What was she talking about? She then looked to Paige, "actually I don't know you."
"I'm Paige Potter; we actually met in passing once. You must but Lilac."
"It's Lavender actually." She said with a fake smile.
"Whatever." Paige replied and continued to snack on the bread. Harry seemed to approve of his wife's disrespect for the woman. He was pursing his lips to hide a smile.
A little put off by Paige's rudeness, Lavender continued, "So have we ordered yet?"
I couldn't believe Lavender had crashed my birthday lunch. This was utterly ridiculous. I was still reconciling that article in my mind and decided not to mention it. It was plain that Lavender thought it was true. I, however, couldn't believe that Ron was involved with both of us. I also couldn't believe that he would ever want to spend a lifetime with her.
I decided it might be fun to play along with her little games for bit. It would also make Ron sweat. I had to say I was miffed to think that Lavender had been to his house on more than one occasion and was still curious about the passionate goodbyes comment.
"No we haven't ordered yet." I answered her question and watched Ron and Harry's confusion at my civility. Paige actually kicked me under the table. "I've actually wanted to try this place so it's my first time here."
"Really, it's been open for a while but I guess you were indisposed at the time." Ron looked incensed at her remark; knowing she was referring to my time in Azkaban. I took a deep breath, per healer's order when a remark is made, and calmed myself down. "The beef tenderloin salad is to die for." She added.
"Oh, I didn't see that. I just can't decide." I said. Now Ron, Harry and Paige just looked at me like I had grown an extra head. We had asked the waiter to give us a few minutes so I decided to talk to Ron about our plans for the day. "Ron," he looked up at me wearily, "I thought we could go to the zoo after lunch. They have a new baby panda that the public is now allowed to see. Then I thought we could do dinner and a movie."
"That sounds fun." Said Lavender. "I can't wait. But I thought you might have wanted to have a romantic dinner with me Ron." Obviously assuming he wanted to propose.
"Nope, you still aren't invited and I don't want to do anything romantic with you." It took all my might not to laugh.
She didn't seem hurt by his comments but mad. "Ron, you don't have to pretend." She then turned to me and grabbed one of my hands with both of hers in a compassionate way. "Hermione, everyone knows about your crush on Ron. You've practically been smothering him since you got out. He even had to switch jobs because of you." She paused and shooed off Ron's attempt to interrupt, "look, I don't want to be harsh because I know that this is not the first time you've vied for Ron's affection and failed. He doesn't want to be involved with you." She said patronizingly.
Okay, I was now mad. Lavender Brown was treating me like a child. I've had enough playing along and now decided to play dirty. "Sounds to me like you're the one that Ron doesn't want to be involved with." I snatched my hand from hers.
"Hermione, sweetie, he's just trying to not hurt your feelings."
"Lavender shut up…" Ron desperately tried to stop her.
"It's okay Ron. Someone has to tell her and it might as well be your future wife because frankly I don't want her around after the wedding." Ron looked like he wanted to burst but Lavender just kept on, "You have to become less dependent on Ron and live your own life so we can live ours. Didn't you see in the paper that he was buying me an engagement ring? We haven't been able to spend proper time together because you always need him."
"Funny, when Ron and I were making love he was telling me how much he needed me."
At first Lavender, like the rest of the table, was shocked at my comment.
"Are you ready to order?" The voice of our waiter made everyone jump to attention.
"We are going to need just a few more minutes." Paige told him with a big smile and he quickly left.
Lavender had composed herself. "Merlin, you're hallucinating aren't you," she said almost sympathetically. "I knew that Azkaban would have lasting effects on you but I didn't think it would make you live completely in a dream world. You need help Hermione; Ron and I will be sure you get it." She turned to Ron, "Won't we dear?" She tried to hold his hand but he jerked it away.
"No! The only one who needs help here is you!" He screamed quite loudly and now the entire restaurant was involved in the conversation. "That article wasn't true Lavender. I don't love and I certainly don't want to spend my life with you. We aren't even dating. You forced your way over to my house. I'm in love with Hermione. We are the ones in a relationship, it's not some delusion." He was out of breath and panting hard.
Lavender sat there stunned. What it all boiled down to was that he was buying a ring for me; well he didn't say that but that's what the article said. But then again maybe he hadn't actually bought a ring at all; the rest of the article was bogus. I knew that I was going to be on pins and needles for the rest of the day wondering if he was planning to propose.
Lavender just stared at me in disbelief after I announced to everyone in the restaurant that I didn't love her but that I loved Hermione. I could see that Hermione was smiling and looked a bit teary eyed. But now I needed to deal with Lavender.
"Ron, may I please see you outside." Lavender said through gritted teeth. Harry looked at me and shrugged his shoulders. Since all the patrons were staring at us I decided it would be a good idea and followed Lavender out and around the corner to the alley.
"Ron, what's wrong with you? I thought we were together. That article said you had bought me a ring."
"I bought Hermione a ring Lavender. I love her, I always have and you know that."
"I thought you wouldn't want her anymore after all that happened and everything. Plus doesn't Ginny think she's still guilty."
"Ginny is wrong and yes I still want her; now more than ever." She looked crushed and I had a twinge of sympathy toward her. "I'm sorry Lavender that you missed understood everything."
"I just don't understand how you can like her over me. You'll regret it and be divorced in a year like Harry; mark my words. But don't expect me to be there when you've come to your senses."
"I wouldn't dream of it. Bye Lavender, I'm going back inside." I left her standing there looking dumbfounded (well that's her normal look).
When I sat down the waiter tentatively crept up to the table. "Now can I take your order?" He did and we settled into lunch.
Ron had been quiet since we left the bistro. He was, however, fascinated at the animals in the zoo. I rushed us to the panda exhibit so that we wouldn't miss it.
"We should have a zoo with all sorts of creatures in it like dragons and unicorns."
"That would be fun but I wouldn't want to try to cage a dragon."
"I don't see any cages."
"Well no, it's meant to look more like a natural habitat but they aren't going anywhere. A dragon could fly or breathe fire on a tourist."
"I think I'll mention it to Charlie none the less."
"You go right ahead." I rolled my eyes and just then Ron went down to the ground. My heart stopped, he was getting on one knee to propose. I felt all the blood rush from my face and I felt faint.
Suddenly, he was up again. "I don't know why the shoelaces won't stay tied. Something must be wrong with the charm." He continued to walk on toward the monkey area.
I stopped and took a deep breath; trying to regain my composure. I then sped after him. I decided to finally get the full details on the article. "Ron, I read that article this morning. Why was Lavender at your house?"
"That's where we had dinner. She brought over something. It was that or her come to Hogwarts and I didn't think you'd want to see her."
"Okay, well what about the passionate goodbyes?"
"The what?" He asked confused but laughing.
"The article stated that neighbors had witnessed passionate goodbyes between you two. Funny how they don't remember seeing me leave in the early hours of the morning. Also the people interviewed for the article thought it was ridiculous to think that we might actually be together."
"Whoa, slow down love. The time I saw her in town she forced me to show her the house. When she left she gave me a peck on the lips which I did not return. That's the only thing I can think of that might remotely be close to passionate goodbye. Mrs. Kruger just sees what she wants the old bat. And who cares what the article says, I love you."
I gave him a smile letting him know I believed him and reached up to give him a gentle kiss.
"Don't worry; there wasn't a shred of truth in that article."
Ding, ding, ding…I had my answer. If everything was false then he didn't buy a ring. I am such an idiot.
The movie was one of the coolest things I had ever seen. When we were in school, Hermione used to always want to take me but I always thought it would be boring. Those Muggles really know how to entertain a bloke.
I was still wrestling with giving her the ring or not. Some points of the evening I wanted to drop to one knee; other parts I felt like we needed to wait another century.
It was a crystal clear night and we were on our way to the park to do a little star gazing. I was lost in thought having an internal argument when…
"Ron, watch out!" Hermione said but it was too late. I walk straight into a street post. "Are you okay?"
Truthfully I wasn't. My nose was bleeding, my eyes were watering and my head felt like…well like I had just walking into a street post. Passersby were either laughing or trying to help. Hermione insisted that we were okay and we sprinted into the park.
"Here let me fix it real quick." She glanced around and took out her wand. In an instant the pain was gone.
"What would I do without you?" I asked staring into her big brown eyes. She grinned and grabbed my hand and led me toward a park bench.
We sat down on a park bench and just looked up at the stars. They were gorgeous and it was as though there were thousands more tonight. Then suddenly I felt something plop in my lap. I looked down to see a small box. Suddenly I couldn't breath. He had bought a ring! Merlin, Merlin, Merlin!! Once able to breath, I began to take deep breaths to try to keep from passing out.
"Happy birthday 'Mione." He said and leaned over to kiss my cheek. I just stared at the box. "Well aren't you going to open it?" He added excitedly.
Moments of Ron and I were spinning through my head, both the good and the bad. I was petrified but also excited. I couldn't believe that Ron was about to propose to me. I tentatively opened the box and my heart stopped.
"Do you like it?"
I was at a loss for words; it was beautiful but not what I expected. It was a gorgeous heart shaped sapphire pendent. "Yes." I said and I began to tear up. I tried to stop myself. I mean I even thought it was way too early to get engaged; so why am I so upset.
"What's wrong? You don't like it; I can take it back." He added disappointed.
"No, no I love it. I'm just overwhelmed. This has just been an incredible birthday. Lunch with friends, telling off Lavender and doing Muggle things with you; it was great! The last two birthdays weren't very good. Today was perfect Ron; everything is perfect."
He helped me put the necklace on and kissed my neck. I turned and gave him a proper kiss. It had been a perfect day. If it hadn't been for that stupid article I would have enjoyed it more. We sat under the stars for a while longer and then went back to his place.
What Hermione didn't know was that in Ron's other pocket was the engagement ring. He lost his nerve just as he had predicted.
This was sort of based on my own engagement experience. We went away together and I was so sure he was going to propose. I kept preparing myself everywhere we went and if he leaned over I practically stuck my hand out. By the end of the weekend I was a complete nervous wreck because I felt like an idiot thinking he was going to propose. I even had a good cry in the bathroom. However, Sunday afternoon when I had given up expecting it, I turned around to find him on one knee. Of course being a man he had no idea why I was so upset earlier. He had just been looking for the perfect spot and everything kept messing up (the road was closed to the place he planned on doing it). A fun little story that has me looking silly but I'm still proud to call it my own.
I don't own Harry Potter…