Ron gathers his courage to ask Hermione a very important question. Will his nerves do him in?
Song: I Do by Suzi Suh
Ron: What time do you want me to get you?
Hermione: Around 5:30. We can go straight to BB
Ron: Okay? Do you need a change of clothes?
Hermione: Brought some with me this morning
Ron: Busy day?
Hermione: Not too much. The Ladies are meeting at 4
Ron: What are they up to now?
Hermione: Finding patterns for baby booties and hats that they can knit and crochet
Ron: Do I want to know why?
Hermione: It is their public service for this year. Creating items for babies in hospital
Ron: Will that keep them out of trouble?
Hermione: They are The Ladies… be careful how you ask that question
Ron chuckled as he slipped his mobile back in his pocket. The Ladies were a group of retired teachers who used the library as a base of operations for all of their adventures. At least Hermione was not having to talk them out of climbing mountains in the winter right now.
If he wasn't so nervous about his plan for tonight, he might have recruited The Ladies to help him. Ron reached into his other pocket and pulled out a small jeweler's box. He had asked his mum to help him pick out the ring right after Hermione had moved in with him. That was months ago.
He was still looking for the right time and place to ask her. He wanted to ask when they were surrounded by their friends. He was going to have to get Harry to record it. Mum would never forgive him if he didn't. Everyone was supposed to be at The Bishop's Brew tonight. Time to get in touch with Harry and Neville to help him out.
Hermione: Your brother is up to something
Ginny: What makes you think that?
Hermione: He asked me if I need him to bring me a change of clothes for tonight
Ginny: Don't you always bring a change to work on Fridays?
Hermione: I do. Why would he ask?
Ginny: Because he is my brother and he forgets when he is nervous
Hermione: What would he have to be nervous about?
Ginny: I have no idea. Maybe something with the shop
Hermione: I guess so. It is time to start thinking about new toys for the holidays
Ginny: Ask him when he picks you up
Hermione: If I remember
Ginny: Relax, it's Friday and we have a date with coffee and our computers tonight.
Hermione looked around the back section of the library. She had pulled some books on crochet and knitting patterns for the Ladies. She was hoping this new project would keep them out of trouble for a few months. But, the Ladies knew how to find trouble no matter how simple the project.
It felt like she had a list of things a mile long to do before she could leave. She needed to check the children's corner to make sure the morning reading group had cleaned up and had their books ready to go back on the shelves. She needed to do some research herself, too.
Ginny had challenged her to enter a writing contest and her story was due in two weeks. A story she had not started yet and she did not even have a clue how she was going to interpret the prompt she had selected. Maybe some research on time travel tropes and ancient Egypt would give her some ideas. She would have to add that to her list of things to get done at Chess Club tonight. Right now she had books to return to the proper places and retired ladies to keep out of trouble.
Ron: Can you help me out with something?
Neville: Sure
Ron: I need flowers for tonight
Neville: Nothing like waiting until the last minute
Ron: I know, but I am trying to put together a surprise for Mione
Neville: Orange daisies then?
Ron: How did you know?
Neville: I listen…and she orders them at least once a month for your flat.
Ron: Oh yeah
Neville: How do you want them?
Ron: I need them bundled so that I can give them to her with something hidden in them
Neville: A bouquet then
Ron: I guess
Neville: Do you want me to hide the ring in them or do you want to do it?
Ron: Who says it's a ring?
Neville: You have been carrying it around in your pocket every Friday night for a month
Ron: Oh
Neville: A bouquet of orange daisies tied with a matching ribbon. I'll put a small puzzle box charm on the ribbon so you can add the ring
Ron: Sounds good. Damn…
Neville: What?
Ron: I am supposed to pick her up from work
Neville: I'll leave it in the back seat of my car. You can get it out when you get there
Ron: What about Luna?
Neville: Who do you think suggested the puzzle box
Ron: Thanks, Nev
Neville: Breathe, mate. It will be fine.
Waiting for Hermione to leave work was the worst part of Friday nights. Ron knew she had to make sure the Ladies left before she could lock up and leave, but he was impatient. He needed to get her to Chess Club and distracted so he could put his plan into action without giving it away.
Harry was supposed to be setting up the tables so that he could film and Neville had promised to have the bouquet ready for the ring. He should not be this nervous. He loved her with all his heart and he had since he was old enough to realize what true love was.
They had fought and made up, taking time apart and time together. Through all of that, he had learned that he was a better person when they were in the same space. Ron was startled out of his thoughts by the sound of a door slamming. Hermione was making her way across the parking lot to his car. He leaned over the console to kiss her when she got in the car. "So, did the Ladies behave today?" he asked as she settled into her seat.
"Today, they did," Hermione sighed as she let her head fall back onto the headrest. "But they are talking about finding books on spinning yarn instead of buying at the store. I think I am going to have to hide a few books before next Friday."
"I think that might be a good idea.'" Ron started the car and pulled out of the lot. "I think buying the yarn is definitely a better idea."
"Have dinner plans been discussed yet?" she asked as she closed her eyes. "I'm not really in to mood for pizza tonight."
"Why don't you ask the girls?" Ron kept his eyes on the road as they talked. "It's your turn to choose anyway."
"Okay, I'll ask in a few minutes," Hermione yawned. "I'm just going to close my eyes for a few minutes. Today was a long day."
"Send the messages first, love." Ron tapped her on the hand. "Then you can nap the rest of the way. I promise."
Hermione: What are we eating for dinner tonight?
Ginny: I'm not picky
Daphne: Not pizza
Luna: I'm fine with that
Hermione: Is there any place open late that isn't pizza or Mexican?
Ginny: There is the new pancake place
Daphne: Pancakes?
Luna: At night?
Ginny: Why not? I like breakfast for dinner
Hermione: Since when?
Ginny: Since forever … have you ever had Mum's pancakes?
Hermione: It sounds interesting
Luna: Now all we have to do is talk the guys into it
Daphne: As long as it is food...
Hermione: They will eat it
Ron gently shook Hermione after he parked the car. "We're here, love," he said as he kissed her forehead. "Let's go in and get settled. I need to talk to Harry about Ginny."
"Ginny's fine." Hermione rolled her shoulders as she unbuckled her seat belt. "You worry too much about your little sister. If there was something to be worried about, Harry would be worried."
""I'm still asking." Ron lifted her bag from the back seat of his car. "Something is going on. Even Mum thinks so."
"Let's try to enjoy some coffee and conversations without the worry tonight," Hermione laughed as they walked into The Bishop's Brew. "See your sister is just fine. She is even working on a story."
Ron followed Hermione to the girls usual table where Ginny was working. "Hey Gin! Anything interesting happening?" Hermione kissed Ron and turned him towards Harry and the chess boards. "Your brother seems to think something is going on."
"No unless you count Harry mumbling about his new case." Ginny looked up from her computer screen. "And me struggling with this comp piece you talked me into."
"It's not due for a couple of weeks. You'll get it done." Hermione set up her computer at the table and turned it on. "Don't blame this one one me. I remember you talking me into this comp, not the other way around. When is everyone else supposed to get here?"
"Soon, I hope." Ginny put her earbuds in. "Harry needs to play some games and get over whatever this is that is bothering him at the board. He is a bear to live with when his game is off."
Luna: Running late. Be there in a few
Daphne: I'm waiting on Theo. Be there soon, I hope
Hermione: Just getting here. We are at the table
Ginny: Neville's not here yet
Luna: Okay. He was working on a special project this afternoon. He must not be finished
Ginny: I'm not sure about this piece
Hermione: It will be fine
Daphne: Which piece
Ginny: The fest piece
Luna: Ohhhh…are you going to let Harry read it after you are done
Hermione: I'll bet he's the inspiration
Ginny: and Ron isn't yours?
Daphne: OMW
Luna: Just parked
Ginny: Hurry up…I need more people to talk to who are nice to me
Hermione waved as she looked up. "Luna's here. She looks like today was a good day."
Ginny looked up from her screen. "She sure does. We need to ask if Nev did any heavy lifting around her today."
"We would have gotten pictures," Hermione laughed as she made space for Luna at the table. "She seems to be getting good at taking those pictures."
"What pictures?" Luna asked as she set her bag on their table. "Do I really want to know what you two are talking about?"
"Not really," Hermione grinned. "We were just wondering if you had a good day at work today."
"That is not what you were talking about," Luna sighed as she continued to set up her computer. "You want to know about my view at work today. He did not work on the Bower today, so I had no reason to take pictures."
"Is Luna enjoying watching Neville work again?" Daphne set her bag down in her seat. "Sorry I'm late. We had to run a couple of errands before we got here."
"Really? " Luna snickered. "So that is what we are calling it now. Sounds like when Ginny takes a nap before Chess Club."
"You might want to tell Theo to wipe the lipstick off his neck next time." Ginny started to laugh as Daphne turned to look at the chess tables. "The guys are going to give him a hard time about that."
"I hate you all," Daphne muttered and started to get her computer out of her bag. "Why do I hang out with you on Friday nights again?"
"Because you actually love us," Ginny said as she tried to hide her smile. Hermione and Luna looked at each other and burst out laughing.
Theo: What is going on with the girls?
Harry: I have no idea
Ron: I'm almost afraid
Neville: What am I missing?
Ron: Nothing yet. Where are you?
Neville: Stuck three lights from BB
Harry: Busy day?
Neville: Just finished a special project
Harry: For Ron?
Neville: Yup
Theo: What am I missing?
Harry: Nothing…except the lipstick mark on your neck
Ron: Isn't Daphne wearing that same shade?
Theo: What are you talking about?
Neville: I need pictures. Be there in 5 minutes
Harry: Are you wearing lipstick. Theo?
Theo: What are you talking about
Ron: Hold still…I'll show you
Theo: WTF?
Neville: You might want to go wash that off
Ron looked out the window, watching for Neville's car to pull in. "Are you going to pay attention to this game, mate?" Harry asked as he waved his hand in front of Ron's face. "You just moved your king into check. Care to fix that?"
"Sorry," Ron replied, distractedly. "Just wish Nev would hurry up and get here. Do you have everything else set up?"
"Looks like he just pulled in." Harry glanced out the window as he reset the chessboard. "I'll make sure everything is ready in here. Go out and meet him."
Ron looked across the room to check on Hermione. She seemed to be settled into her chair and distracted by the girls. "Guess I'd better slip out while she's not paying attention," he mumbled and headed for the door.
Ron met Neville at his car. "Just lift the little latch right there and slip the ring in it," Neville pointed to the book charm hanging from the ribbon around the bouquet. "Do you want me to hold the bouquet while you fix the charm?'
"Sure," Ron voice cracked as he reached into his pocket. "Undo the latch, slide the ring in, lay my heart at her feet, watch her stomp all over it …"
"Breathe, mate," Neville touched Ron's shoulder. "If you don't stop shaking you are going to drop everything and this bouquet will be nothing but stems by the time you get to her."
"No air to breathe," Ron shuttered as he slid the ring into the book charm. "Why is there no air to breathe?"
"Ron, look at me," Neville put his hand on the center of Ron's chest. "Feel my hand on your chest? I want you to suck in air so it moves. Then you are going to blow out that air and suck in some more."
Ron stood with Neville in the parking lot until he felt his chest loosen. "Thanks, mate. I think I can breathe on my own now." Ron took the bouquet from Neville. "I'll be inside in a few minutes."
Neville left Ron standing in the parking lot. Ron watched him walk to the chess tables through the windows of The Bishop's Brew. He could do this. He could ask her to be his wife. All he had to do was walk up to her and ask. If only, he could get his legs to work.
Hermione settled into working on her competition piece. Theo mumbled an apology when he bumped into her elbow as he headed to the bathroom, but she got right back to work. She caught a glimpse of Ron heading for the door. That was not unusual. He made at least one trip back to the car to get something her forgot during the course of an evening. She reached into her bag to pull out her earbuds. They usually cut out the chaos of the room around her and let her get work done. She needed to finish this piece so she could get back to her plunny file. Time always seemed to fly on Friday nights.
Ginny: You've been quiet tonight
Hermione: Lots to get done
Luna: I talk all day now. I like the quiet
Daphne: I'm trying to figure out what is going on with Theo
Ginny: Theo?
Daphne: He still had his jacket on when he went by a while ago
Luna: He still has it zipped up
Daphne: I know. He is up to something
Ginny: He will take it off soon enough
Hermione: He always does when he plays chess
Luna: Ginny, what is that?
Ginny: What is what?
Luna: Your computer background
Daphne: I can't see it
Luna: I just caught a glance
Hermione: Ginny?
Ginny: Give me a minute
Hermione: Is that what I think it is?
Luna: Really? :)
Daphne: What am I looking at? It is fuzzy and black and white
Ginny: I'll answer all your questions after Hermione turns around
Hermione looked up from her computer screen and took out her earbuds. "What are you talking about, Gin?"
Ginny, Luna and Daphne smiled as they each motioned for her to turn around. "You have all lost your minds," Hermione mumbled as she obliged her insane friends.
Ron was beside her chair, on one knee and holding out a bouquet of orange daisies. "Mione, I have loved you for as long as I can remember. Would you marry me?" Ron's voice was barely a whisper as he asked.
Hermione watched him lay the bouquet in her lap and open a charm tied to it. Her hands began to shake as he reached for her left hand. "Do me the greatest honor and be my wife?" He rested the diamond solitaire on the tip of her ring finger.
She couldn't breathe. She knew she needed to say something, but her voice was not working. She could feel the tears falling down her face as she tried to breathe. "Yes, yes,yes," Hermione's answer quietly slipped from her lips as she nodded her head.
Ron finished sliding the ring onto her finger and gathered her into his arms. "I love you Mione. I'm never letting you go."
Hermione nuzzled her head into the crook of his shoulder and kissed his neck. "I'm never letting go either. I love you."