Hermione Granger hated being late for anything as it completely threw her off.
She smoothed her hair, grateful that it wasn't as bushy and wild as normal, as she hurried up the path that led towards the Shrieking Shack and her date with Ron.
The day had seemed impossibly long and she was anxious enough to be through with her classes for the day so that she had forgotten about her prefect meeting.
Honestly, if a prefect didn't know their responsibilities and duties, by now, then they shouldn't be allowed to be one. It just made perfect sense to her.
Mercifully the meeting hadn't run over to which she had been thankful since it would allow her the time to make a quick trip back to her room to deposit her books.
So , Ginny had stopped her, wanting to talk to her then and there.
Harry was here but did Gin need to talk with him?
Of course not, her friend insisted they needed to talk ,girl to girl.
Shaking off her selfishness and worried that perhaps her friends had a spat, Hermione calmed down and prepared to listen to Ginny as a good friend would.
Only Ginny dismissed any notion of her and Harry fighting with a laugh and turned to address her clothing.
You cant possibly be going to meet Ron dressed like that ? Are you?
Hermione had tried to remind Ginny that Ron had seen her in her school uniform countless times throughout the years and could care less about it anyway.
"Merlin, Hermione," scolded Ginny, good naturally,' he's only here for a couple more days. Don't you at least want to knock my idiot brother on his arse? I plan on making Harry drool when he sees me in that red skirt of mine that Mum hates and oh, my white jumper . You should do the same to Ron"
Hermione had to admit that her friend did have a valid point ,which is how it was that she came to be dressed in a short, simple light blue dress with tiny flats and a bit of a ruffle on the hem.
" Should have worn flats " muttered Hermione , navigating the uneven stone steps.
" Ron," Hermione opened the door and caught her breath," sorry I'm so..late"
Their hideaway had been transformed into pure romance. Candles filled every available space , their red flames making intricate patterns on the walls. There were wild roses from the palest pinks, the lovely yellows, and the creamy white filling vases and glass bowls.
A white linen tablecloth covered the scarred table that was set for two.
Covered dishes lined the old sideboard .
"Ron," murmured Hermione," what is all of this?"
"It's for you," Ron stepped forward to take her hand. He had taken time and the consideration in his own dressing as he wore his best trousers and the maroon sweater that she had made for him. " You look beautiful, Hermione"
" You..did all of this," delight filled her at his thoughtfulness," for me. I think this is one of the sweetest things that you have ever done for me, Ronald"
Ron felt a clutch in his stomach, inwardly cursing his nerves and shoved it aside.
He had owled his Dad and the reply had been positive.
Be brave. Say what's in your heart and get on your knee. She is a Muggleborn, after all and it is a custom. Good luck from your dad
And so he would.
"Of course I did," Ron led her to a chair," Mione, have a seat will you, love"
Eying him a bit suspiciously yet her curiosity piqued , Hermione did as he asked.
" What's wrong, Ronald,' demanded Hermione,' please tell me you don't have to leave "
" I'm not leaving," assured Ron, his voice low," there's something that I have to say to you" His palms began to sweat and he wiped them on his trousers.
Here goes.
He withdrew a sugar quill from his pocket and handed it to her.
" I don't think I ever mentioned this before," stated Ron," but our third year , you and I went into Hogs Meade by ourselves. Do you remember that, sweetheart?"
" Harry couldn't go with us," picked up Hermione," because that horrid uncle of his never signed his permission slip. Professor McGonagall wouldn't allow him to go"
" Right," recalled Ron," so, it was just you and me. We had ice cream at Madame Puddifoot's and then we went to the candy shop. You bought two sugar quills . You told me that they were your favorite of all of the wizard candy "
She nodded and he went on," I paid attention to that .At the time it really didn't mean anything to me then except that anytime I saw one, I thought of you"
The corners of her mouth lifted into a tiny smile,' We were only thirteen, Ron"
" We also came here for the first time," continued Ron," you wanted to go inside. I didn't want to see if it was haunted or not…."
Hermione giggled," I must have somehow known.."
" I'm being serious here," Ron started again," Hermione, you are my best friend. You have been I think since I first met you-even though I was a little slow to pick up on it. You believe in me when I don't always believe in myself. I never would have made prefect or be training to become an Auror , if you hadn't helped me'
" Ron, that's lovely," muttered Hermione," but you did all of that "
" you worked so hard and I am so proud of you…"
" You know everything about me," Ron's voice deepened," you know me better than anyone"
Hermione worried her lower lip and reached out to touch the side of his face.
" just as you know me, Ron" admitted Hermione, touched by the intensity in his voice.
Slowly ,he took the ring from his pocket and bent on one knee. She let out a little cry of surprise and felt the tears begin to fill her eyes," Oh my gosh, RON!"
" I have given this a whole lot of thought because its not something a man should rush into unless he's right and sure,' Ron brushed his lips over her ring finger," and I understand how you would need to take that into consideration. That's your way and one of the many things that I love about you. You are everything to me, love, and I don't want to imagine a day of my life without you with me. I love you, Hermione"
Emotion and tears blurred Hermione's chocolate brown eyes but her heart never wavered.
" I couldn't ever imagine that either," says Hermione, tearfully," I love you too, Ron"
" You once told me that I knew what I have to do," Ron slipped the dainty silver rose ring on her finger," and so I am. Believe me when I tell you there is nothing 'last resort' in this, only that you'll trust in us and me. I love you and I will love you forever. So I am asking..will you marry me, Hermione Granger ?"
" Yes," Hermione threw her arms around his neck, tears of joy coursing down her cheeks as she held tight to this man who had stolen her heart on the Hogwarts Express that very first trip up to Hogwarts," yes, a thousand times, yes, Ron! Of course ,I'll marry you!"
As their lips met in the tenderest and loving kisses, magic whirled around them because they believed in their love for each other and a love that strong could never die.