Chapter Sixteen – I LOVE PARIS

364 days later

Ron and Hermione walked hand in hand down the Champs De Lyses the night before the Quidditch World Cup final. Ron had left university at the end of his first academic years to play Quidditch for the Chudley Cannons, making him the youngest ever keeper in Quidditch premier league history. Harry had made similar history, becoming the youngest Seeker in the league, also playing for the Cannons. Hermione had gone part-time at university, taking on a job as an intern at the Ministry. The three still lived together in an apartment not far from Hogford, but now had a fourth roommate in Ginny Weasley, who had been accepted into Hogford after leaving Hogwarts.

"You know, it's our anniversary tomorrow" Ron said and pressed a kiss to Hermione's hand.

"I know. Perfect that we're spending it in the city of lovers then, isn't it?" Hermione teased.

"I'm going to pretend you didn't just make fun of me" Ron replied.

"Oh, come on, I was joking." Hermione protested.

"I know." Ron said.

"You know I love you more than anything, don't you?" Hermione asked.

"I know. And you know that you're the world to me" Ron replied. "I love you, Mione." Ron pulled Hermione to him, wrapped his arms around her, and kissed her with all his might. "My life is just so much better with you in it."

"I couldn't imagine my life without you" Hermione replied, and kissed him again.

They rode up to the top of the Eiffel tower, and looked out over the most romantic city in the world. Hermione shivered a little, and Ron stood behind her and wrapped his arms around her. "That better?" he whispered in her ear.

"Perfect. It's beautiful isn't it?" Hermione said admiring the view.

"It's more amazing than I imagined" Ron said.

And they walked around the entire observation deck, looking at the sights of Paris they hadn't visited yet, making a list of all the things they wanted to do and see before they left. Hermione had dragged him through the Louvre, and he had insisted on taking her to the French National Quidditch Museum. They looked out over Mont Matre and both agreed that a trip to the Moulin Rouge was definitely on the cards.

Ron took a deep breath and turned Hermione to look at him. "You know, this past year has been the most amazing year of my life. And I have you to thank for it. And I guess that's part of the reason why I was wondering," Ron said before getting down on one knee and pulling a black velvet box out of his pocked, "if you would continue to make my life perfect, and marry me?" Tears welled up in Hermione's eyes and, for a moment, she was unable to speak. "That's your cue to say something, Mione" Ron joked.

"I'm aware of that, Ron. I just don't know how to say it" She replied.

"Might I be hopeful enough to suggest that a simple 'yes' would do?" Ron joked again.

"Yes. Yes. A million times yes" Hermione said, pulling him up and pressing her lips firmly to his, wrapping her arms around his neck.

Ron snaked his arms around her waist and picked her up off the ground and spun her around. As Hermione giggled like a child at Christmas, Ron yelled out on the top of his lungs "I LOVE PARIS."

Hermione joined him "I LOVE PARIS".

Ron returned Hermione to the ground and took the antique diamond ring out of the velvet box and placed it on her finger. "I was going to buy you one, but when I spoke to Mum and Dad about proposing, Mum gave me this. It was my great grandmother's. I hope its ok. If you don't like it, we could go out tomorrow and get a new one." He said nervously.

"Ron, it's perfect. There isn't any other ring that could compare." She said, admiring the ring on her finger. "Thank you. Thank you for choosing me. Thank you for being you. Thank you for loving me" she said quietly, tears brimming in the corners of her eyes.

"Mione, it's me who should be thanking you. Thank you for having me. Thank you for being the best part of my life."

Hermione and Ron married in a ceremony at the Burrow six months later. At the reception, Ron toasted Hermione's 'unconventional bridesmaid' Declan, and entertained the gathered friends and relatives with the story of misunderstanding that was worthy of any Shakespearean tale. On that night, Ron and Hermione danced their first dance as Mr and Mrs Weasley to I Can Only Give You Love which was followed by a rendition of I Love Paris which bought Ron and Hermione to hysterics.

As Ron and Hermione danced, Ginny leaned into Harry and said "It's perfect, isn't it? I mean those two. Remember when we didn't think they'd manage to get themselves together, and now look at them." Tears welled up in her eyes as she watched her beloved brother and his wife spinning around the dance floor.

"Certainly looks like an appealing thing" Harry said.

"What do you mean?" Ginny said.

"You know, getting married. It looks appealing." Harry replied, smiling.

"Are you asking me to marry you?" Ginny asked.

"Suppose I am? What would you say?" Harry joked.

"I would say there's nothing I'd rather do." Ginny replied. "However, if you're not, then consider this me asking you."

"You're asking me?" Harry questioned.

"If you're not going to ask me, I might as well ask you." Ginny said, audaciously.

"Lucky then that I AM asking you" Harry said as he slid a diamond ring down the table towards her.

"You're a prat, Potter. Lucky I'm in love with you." Ginny said.

"So, I'm taking it it's a yes?" Harry laughed.

"Of course it's a yes" Ginny replied throwing her arms about his neck and kissing him. Harry then slipped the ring on her finger.

On the other side of the room, Ron and Hermione Weasley watched with interest. "It's about bloody time" Ron said.

"Tell me about it. So now, you're my husband, Ginny is my sister, and Harry is about to be my brother." Hermione said comicly.

"Sounds like some tragic soap opera" Ron laughed.

"No. Sounds just like it's meant to be" Hermione replied, and kissed her husband.