The Ramblings of an author...Again

First let me take the time to thank all of you that have read this story so far. However I would appreciate some feedback, so please take the time to leave a review.

This story is rated M for a reason, and this chapter has one of those scenes so if you are offended by sexual content you may want think about skipping part of this chapter.

I also need to note that I do not own any of the charactors, they belong to J K Rowling.

Without further ado, here is the next chapter....

8

Engaged

In the seven years that Ron and Hermione had been acquainted they were known for three things. The first was that they were the best of friends and cared a great deal for each other. The second is you did not do anything to insult or that could be perceived as being mean to Hermione Granger in front of Ron Weasley. If you did you would have to deal with Ron. The third was their Rows. They were best known for their fights.

This fight compared to some of the others in there past was relatively minor. But it was their first fight as a couple. Over the next two weeks Hermione still did not speak to Ron and he was devastated over this. Even the best advice that Ginny and Harry had to offer did not seem to help. Ron finally just left Hermione alone. This was what Luna had suggested to him. She did not have an answer why Hermione was not speaking to him, however she said if he gave Hermione some time she would start talking to him when she was ready.

The day before her Birthday Ron was beside himself. He had always planned on proposing to Hermione on her birthday however if she was not speaking to him. Harry told him to go ahead and propose to her, after all Harry stated what better way to end a fight?

***

Hermione woke up on her nineteenth birthday, remembered she was still fighting with Ron and her heart sank. Actually when she thought about it, Ron had been trying to speak to her since right after the fight. She did not know why she had been so upset with Ron. Benedict was being very pushy and what bothered Hermione the most is that he was not taking no for an answer. She was hurt when he called her a stuck up bitch. She also knew that was why Ron had reacted the way he had. She knew she had not been fair to Ron on the train and the main reason she had not been talking to him she felt terrible about treating him so badly.

So now here it was her nineteenth birthday and it looked like she would be spending it alone. She did not even have a roommate. She Harry and Ron had been given private Rooms in the teachers Dorms. As usual the teacher's dorms were empty as the teachers were already at the great hall supervising breakfast. This was a Saturday so after breakfast the Professors went to Hogsmeade or apparated to London for the day. So Hermione would have the Dorm to herself. She also knew Mrs. Weasley had planned a birthday party for her at the burrow. One of the advantages of not being an official student at Hogwarts you could leave the school and come back. She would set things right with Ron at the party.

She heard a soft knock on her door. She was surprised to see Ron. "Hermione, don't slam the door in my face", he pleaded.

Hermione had no intentions of slamming the door. It took all of her self control to keep from throwing her arms around him.

"I need to speak with you", Ron continued sheepishly.

Hermione stood aside and let him in. She sat down on her bed and motioned for Ron to sit next to her. Ron did so and looked in her eyes for a minute.

"Hermione, I wish I knew why you were so angry at me. I did not mean anything on the train. You should know by now I cannot stand by while someone is mean to you."

He took her hand. "I have loved you for as long as I can remember." He gave a slight laugh, "I wish I could say I loved you from the first time I saw you but we both know we could not stand each other at first."

They both laughed, and Ron continued "When Draco called you a mudblood I wanted to kill him for saying such a horrible thing about you .When you were petrified by the basilisk I thought I was going to die. You put me in heaven the day you took my hand for the first time. Do you remember that?"

Hermione did remember that day. It was Hagrid's first care of Magical Creatures class.

"I wanted to be the one you attended the Yule ball with the fourth year. I made a real mess of things that year. I again died inside when you were hurt at the Department of Mysteries. You and I both know it was you I wanted to be kissing instead of Lavender Brown. Leaving you with Harry to go after the Horcruxes was the dumbest thing I ever did and I never thought you would forgive me but you did. Then we got together and I have been the happiest I have ever been in my life."

Hermione could see that Ron was leading to something. She did not know why but her heart was pounding. She felt her mouth go dry. She could not take her eyes off Ron as he started to speak again.

"Hermione the fact is every good moment in my life has been with you. I cannot imagine being with anyone else for the rest of my life."

Ron looked her in the eyes and took both her hands in hers "Hermione I would like you to be my Wife. Will you?"

Hermione could not hold back the tears that started to come from her eyes. She had been waiting for Ron for almost seven years. There was only one answer but instead of answering him she kissed him passionately. As she kissed Ron she pulled him down next to her on the bed. They continued kissing and Ron began to caress her eagerly. She let him undress her as she undressed him. Once they were undressed she felt Ron get on top of her. She let out a cry of joy as he began to make love to her.

One half hour later Ron was holding her tightly. He whispered to her "You did not answer my question Hermione." She smiled and said. "I let my actions answer for me Ron. But if you have to hear it, Yes Ronald Weasley, I will marry you."

Ron reached down to his pants and to Hermione's surprise he placed a ring on her finger. Hermione could not help it she again began to cry with joy. She was engaged to be married! She kissed her fiancé again. "We had better get down for breakfast.

***

Harry sat with Ginny in the great hall. Ginny commented to him several times he seemed distracted. Of course he was! He wanted to know how things were going with Hermione. He did not think it would take him this long. It had been almost an hour.

Harry was getting ready to go up to Hermione's room when he saw the two of them walk into the great hall. It must have gone well because the only other time he had seen Hermione glow that way was at the Yule ball. They were holding hands and walking very close to each other.

The two of them sat across from Ginny and Harry. The two of them were smiling like the cat that had just ate the canary. Ginny looked at the two of them and asked.

"I am glad to see you two are talking again." She noticed the two of them grinning, "What has gotten into you two?"

Harry could see that Hermione was bursting. She held out her left hand and said gleefully, "I'm engaged!"

Ginny shrieks got the attention of everyone in the great hall. She hugged Hermione "I am so happy for you" Ginny was still practically shrieking when professor McGonagall's voice startled all of them "What is all this noise about. You are disturbing every one"

Ginny said "I am sorry Headmistress but Hermione and Ron just got engaged."

Hermione held out her left hand as proof. The Headmistress looked at Hermione's ring and smiled.

She then looked at Ron "It's about time you came to your senses young man." Professor McGonagall congrulated the couple and then went back to her table.

Hermione watched professor McGonagall as she headed back to her table. So far this had been the best birthday ever. First she was asked to marry the most wonderful man in the world. Then to her surprise she and Ron made love. She did not plan it, it just happened and she was glad it did. She looked to Ron and could see he was still not able to contain his smile. He would pass the smile off as being happy Hermione agreed to marry him. She knew the real reason for his smile.

She heard Ginny gasp. "Oh no"

Hermione felt someone step up behind her and saw Ron's smile disappear as he glared in her direction. Hermione turned to see Benedict standing behind her. He had tried several times after the train to get her to go out with him, each time she politely refused. He did not say anything but he was under the impression that she was not dating Ron since there fight on the train.

"Hermione I am heading to Hogsmeade, This is your last chance to ditch these losers and be with someone really cool."

This time it was not Ron that had to be restrained. Ginny's face turned bright red "Who are you calling a loser…" Harry put his hand over Ginny's mouth.

Hermione expected Ron to also say something but was surprised to see he was just watching everything. It was clear to Hermione Ron was going to let her handle this herself.

"I don't know Benedict. Let me check with my fiancé" She turned to Ron.

"Ron, would you mind if I went to Hogsmeade with the biggest git at Hogwarts?"

Ron just stared at her clearly amused.

Benedict spoke angrily "You think I am a git! Have you looked at who you are with?"

Hermione stood and whirled on Benedict. She also saw Ron also stand up. She jabbed Benedict in the chest as she spat angrily

"You are a bastard Benedict. The whole Wizarding world knows Ron Weasley and I are dating yet you had to corner me on the train in front of him. You then pester me every chance you can here at school. I have been nice but I thought I made my answer clear. However, being nice has not worked so I will make myself clear. Leave me alone! I have desire to go anywhere with a bastard like you!"

She felt Ron grab her arm. She heard him say "Hermione do not let this Git ruin your day. He is not worth it."

She had not realized it, she had drawn her hand back and was about to hit Benedict. She had only been angry enough to hit someone one other time in her life and that had been Draco Malfoy after buck beak had been executed.

She let Ron pull her away and felt him slide his arms around her waist. Ron spoke to Benedict calmly.

"I cannot blame you for wanting to go out with Hermione Benedict. She is the brightest and best looking witch at Hogwarts. However my fiancé has now asked you not to bother her anymore. I would appreciate it if you would leave her alone."

Benedict glared at Ron. "Or you will do what Weasley?"

Hermione struggled to break from Ron. She wanted to kill Benedict. Ron would not let her go.

"Benedict, I do not have to do anything; my fiancé is quite able to take care of foul bastards like you. You are actually very lucky I was here to keep her from hurting you she has been known to smack or curse those that have gotten out of line with her. I do suggest you move on as I am having a hard time holding her back right now."

It seemed this was the first time Benedict had heard Ron refer to Hermione as his Fiancé and looked at the both of them.

"You have made your choice." He said to Hermione, "You will regret your choice in time" he said coldly before turning and walking away. Hermione turned to Ron and buried her head in his shoulder as Benedict stormed off.

Ginny hugged the two of them. "Congratulations you two, I have to get to Quiddich practice. Hermione we'll talk afterwards."

Too Ginny's surprise she had been made the Gryffindor Quiddich team at the beginning of the term. "Hermione I want to talk with you alone after practice." She looked and Ron and Harry, "If you can spare your fiancé for an hour."

***

Hermione sat with Ginny in the Quidditch stands after Quidditch practice had ended. Harry was flying around the Quidditch pitch. Ron told them he needed to talk to Mrs. Weasley as Kreacher had insisted on preparing for Hermione's party.

That meant smoothing things over with Mrs. Weasley. Kreacher was still unhappy that he was not allowed to prepare the three of them their meals. Hermione remembered the fight he had with Professor McGonagall over this. The three of them had laughed as Kreacher finally agreed to let the three of them eat in the common room. Well he really had not agreed as much had Harry ordered him to let them eat in the common room. Kreacher had sulked off muttering

"What is the point of being masters House Elf if Master never lets poor Kreacher cook for him?" Kreacher did insist on taking care of the three of their dorms. Nothing Harry said could prevent this.

Hermione was touched when Kreacher appeared in her dorm following breakfast. He bowed to Hermione gently "Kreacher would like to wish you a Happy Birthday Mistress. Is there anything Kreacher can do to make her day more pleasant?"

Hermione told Kreacher there was nothing more he could do. He then asked her "Is it true mistress that you are now engaged to Master Weasley"

When she told him Kreacher was beside himself with happiness for her.

"Mistress" Kreacher said "On the day one is engaged one must have an engagement party. Will Kreacher be taking care of this for Mistress?"

Hermione was touched by Kreacher's offer. She did not plan on having an engagement party. She and Ron agreed they would announce there engagement at her birthday party tonight. When she told Kreacher about her birthday party he was distraught he had not been told of the party.

"How can master not tell me about this party? Kreacher must go to start making this evening's dinner. Kreacher knows just what Mistress will like."

He then disappeared. She told Ron he had better warn Mrs. Weasley Kreacher was taking over the burrow again. Ron laughed and headed off to contact Mrs. Weasley through the floo network. They both knew after Harry's birthday they would not be able to keep Kreacher away.

"Hermione spill it!" Ginny's voice bought her back to the present.

"Spill what" Hermione asked Ginny innocently. She knew what Ginny meant but could not help teasing Ginny just a little.

"Hermione, I have seen the way you and Ron have been smirking at each other all morning. Don't try to tell me it is because Ron asked you to marry him. We all knew that was coming!"

Hermione could not keep that morning to herself anymore. She had been dying to tell Ginny all morning but this was the first time they were alone.

"Ron made love to me this morning. Actually I kind of attacked him" she giggled as she said this. Ginny's eyes got wide. "You didn't!"

Hermione nodded her head. "We did"

Ginny took her hands "How was it"

Hermione tried to keep from smiling but she just couldn't. She would never forget her nineteenth birthday.

"Ginny imagine the greatest pleasure you have ever had in your life." She bet Ginny was thinking back to the kiss she and Harry had shared on his previous birthday,

"This would be ten times better" she leaned closer to Ginny and whispered in her ear "You have got to try it. You will never be the same."

Ginny laughed playfully "Hermione Granger, are you suggesting I do something tawdry with Harry?"

They had just stopped laughing when Ron came to the stands. They both looked at Ron and they could not help it. They both started to giggle. Ron looked around to see what they were on about. Ron looked at the two of them and gave them a lopsided grin

"What?"

`***

Kreacher out did himself and Hermione's birthday dinner was one of the best she had ever had. She suspected that was because she was anticipating her and Ron announcing they were engaged after dinner. Her birthday dinner was being held at the Burrow.

Hermione smiled to herself. Over the years the Burrow had become her second home. The usual suspects were there. The entire Weasley clan at Ron's insistence, her mother and father whom Hermione was happy to see were becoming good friends with Mr. and Mrs. Weasley.

Her father always got a kick over Mr. Weasley's fascination with muggle objects. Kingsley was also in attendance and once again everyone was surprised that Professor McGonagall had also come.

They sat around the table enjoying each others company. Hagrid was telling anyone who would listen about his newest creature a Griffon. He planned on giving his class there first lesson on Griffons the following week. Hermione hoped the lesson went better than the Blast ended screwts. She had her doubts any creature that was a cross between a lion and an eagle sounded dangerous to her.

Ron interrupted Hagrid's description of the noble Griffon by tapping the side of his wine glass. He took Hermione's hand as he began to speak.

"Thank you everyone for being here for Hermione's nineteenth birthday."

He looked around the table and began to speak again "I still remember the first day I met Hermione the bossy bushy haired witch that had read all of her lessons."

Everyone laughed.

"I could not stand her!"

He smiled down at Hermione as he continued. "Then the most amazing thing happened we became friends. I have been told by Harry it was obvious from our second year that I had a thing for Hermione."

He looked at Harry as he said this "The truth is I have loved Hermione since we became friends our first year. I never thought in a million years that Hermione could feel the same way about me."

Hermione felt herself blushing as Ron looked at her affectionately. "I have to be the luckiest bloke in the world because Hermione does feel the same as I do and she has agreed to be my wife."

They smiled at each other then Ron looked at everyone "I am pleased to announce that as of this morning Hermione and I are engaged"

The joyous reaction at the table was amazing. Mrs. Weasley ran to Hermione and gave her a tearful hug. Mr. and Mrs. Granger both hugged Ron.

George said "It's about time"

Hagrid was also in tears. Telling anyone that listened he had known the two of them were meant to be together.

Hermione looked at Harry and mouthed to him silently "You're next" and then gave him a hug.

As they were celebrating a silver Patronus appeared next to Kingsley and whispered in his ear. Hermione saw Kingsley's face go white as he stood up stunned. He looked at Mr. Weasley. "Arthur we have to go!"