Chapter 35

"I'm going to miss this little place," Ron said.

"It was a good place," Harry agreed, using his wand to lift the final suitcase into the pile of things that needed to be sent to Nottingham. "Small, but nice. Nice and cosy, I'd imagine."

Ron nodded, looking around at the still-furnished flat he would be leaving behind in a few short minutes. He really had liked living here — not so much for the place itself, but because of what it meant. It was the first place he and Hermione had shared together. The first place they could call their own, even if it never truly belonged to them. They didn't even own the furniture, yet… it had felt like theirs.

He remembered the nights falling asleep with Hermione in his arms or waking up with her beside him. Or waking up to find her already up — on weekends still in her pyjamas and a pot of coffee already made; on work days, dressed and showered and nudging him to also get up lest he be late.

There had been times where they had curled up together under a blanket on the sofa, talking and laughing, sometimes getting into petty arguments about one thing or another. Sometimes their talking would become intimate, and it'd lead to kissing, sex, or just straight up romance where they would fall asleep holding hands.

The kitchen was where they cooked food — Ron learning how to cook out of necessity with Hermione's crazy work hours.

Even the bathroom held some memories — especially the times (as rare as they were) where Hermione wasn't in a rush and she'd let him jump in the shower with her.

Of course, he knew these things wouldn't change in their new place, but there was something special about it being their first.

But he also knew that their new house would create so many more memories over so many more years, and he was looking forward to the rest of his life living there — with the absolute love of his life.

"I'm also keen to see what you've done with the new place since I saw it last, though," Harry added.

"Not much," Ron confessed. "It didn't need much work. Just the protective enchantments, really. So no peeping neighbours wonder why we never have to garden, or why there is smoke in the chimney all year round."

The biggest change they'd made in the last month of owning the house and not living in it had been purchasing all of their own furniture. They now had their own bed, their own sofas, their own table, their own kitchen appliances (which Ron was still getting the hang of). They'd gotten the keys in December, slightly before Christmas, and had spent the last six weeks preparing to move into it, all at the same time trying to enjoy their short break away from work, and spending time with family.

But everyone had volunteered to pitch in to help — Harry and Ginny helping with the packing, Hermione's parents even making the two and a half hour drive to help them with the furniture deliveries. Molly had cooked them a week's worth of meals so they wouldn't have to worry about it.

And today was the day. January, and finally they were moving into their new house.

"The two of you are taking a lot of huge steps together," Harry said after a moment, and there was an element of pride in his voice. "You're in this for the long haul, huh?"

Ron turned to Harry, about to ask where he'd been for the past almost three years, but stopped himself when he saw Harry's mischievous grin.

"Ha, ha, very funny."

Harry shrugged, and then put his arm across Ron's shoulders. "It really is great. I love you guys, you're my family, and as much as you drive each other crazy, it's a good kind of crazy. I swear you argue less now that you're together than you did when you weren't. You really love each other."

"More than anything," Ron said. Over the years, talking about his feelings to Harry had become slightly easier. In fact, talking about his feelings in general had become easier the moment he could admit them to Hermione. He hadn't even realised how much he'd been forcing himself to keep quiet, terrified of the consequences were he to admit that his feelings for one of his best friends really crossed those boundaries of friendship.

But then she had kissed him, and his barrier had been dropped, completely punctured through. She loved him, too, and all of a sudden, he could tell her, and he could tell the world — including Harry, who really didn't want to hear about it to begin with.

Now, Harry felt like their biggest supporter. As if he really did want them to last.

Ron laughed lightly. "You should have heard us the other day. Arguing about what sheets to get for our new bed. We couldn't agree and it took us an hour to decide. They thought we were mad, the people in the shops."

Harry also laughed and shook his head. "I'm not really surprised. You ready?"

Ron nodded. Everything was packed now. Hermione and Ginny had taken Crookshanks and their owl, Arwen, over to the new place already, along with some other things. All that was left were the suitcases filled with clothes and other little things that wouldn't fit anywhere else.

"It'll be sad to have you guys a little further away," Harry said as they both lifted their wands at the remaining stuff.

"You're only a Floo call away," Ron said. "And we've set up Apparition boundaries too, not too far from the house — we thought it would be weird if any neighbours saw you exit the house but not come in, so that way you can at least look as if you walked."

"You moving has made me think about it a bit," Harry said.

"What, move out of Grimmauld Place?" Ron asked, not entirely surprised by that news. Harry had always said it was temporary because he'd always hated it there.

Harry shrugged. "It was never a long term arrangement. And it's already been longer than I planned. And it's huge for just me and Ginny." He hesitated a moment after that, looking uncertainly at Ron. "You'd, um, be okay if I proposed to her soon, wouldn't you?"

"What?" Ron asked.

Harry suddenly looked very uncomfortable. It had been a long, unspoken agreement that small details of Ron and Hermione's relationship were allowed to be shared, but Harry and Ginny's was taboo. Ginny may have been okay gossiping with Hermione about her brother's sex life (even though Hermione was adamant that never happened), but it was not something Ron even wanted to think about, let alone hear about.

But that wasn't even what shocked him… or annoyed him. It was the fact that for once, Ron had hoped to be the first.

"I mean… soon?" Harry said. "You'd be okay with it, right? If I asked her?"

Ron didn't say anything for a long while, his wand hanging limply in his hand.

No, let me ask Hermione first, he wanted to say. For the love of Merlin just let me have this one.

But who knew when that was going to be. With the house, and then the furniture, and then the probability of that damn car neither knew how to drive (granted, Hermione had decided to learn) he'd had to reduce his payments to fortnightly and with fewer Galleons.

"Well," he said, keeping the bitterness from his voice as best he could, "I don't really have a say, do I?"

"But you're my best mate," Harry said, "and her brother. Your opinion matters."

"I'm okay with it," Ron said. "I mean, it's not like I'm surprised anyway. You just caught me off guard."

Ron thought he'd handled that very well. He smiled, genuine. Harry mistook it as an approval smile.

"I know it weirds you out," he said.

"Not nearly as much as it used to," Ron said. "As long as we continue with the whole need-to-know basis, then it's all good. When do you plan to ask?"

Harry shrugged. "I don't actually know. It is only a recent thought I've had. Not for a while, I guess."

Ron nodded again, smiling. "Well, congrats, mate. I'm happy for you. Hermione will be too. We'll have a celebration once it's over with."

"Over with?" Harry chuckled. "You make it sound like it's some lengthy procedure you want to get out of the way."

"Well… the thought of it is kind of terrifying, isn't it? I mean… there's always a chance they'll say no. They'll change their mind even if they've assured you they'll say yes. That they'll say they don't actually want to get married."

Harry didn't say anything for a long while. Suddenly, he looked mildly terrified, causing Ron to feel guilty. "Obviously, that's not going to be your case!" he added hastily. "It's just… a thought."

"I guess I never thought about that," Harry said. "I mean, she is playing Quidditch, she's rarely home… do you think she'll have time to even get married?"

"I'm sure it would be a top priority, mate."

But Harry didn't look overly convinced, and the guilt hit Ron like a slap to the face. He hadn't meant to worry Harry. He'd just been expressing his own internal fears he'd been too uncomfortable to admit to himself until now.

"Just ask her," he said after a moment. "It's not going to go badly. Trust me."

"I've never done this before," Harry said. He turned to Ron. "How do I do it? How do I ask?"

Although he'd never admit it, Ron felt rather put out that their conversation had turned to Harry talking about how he was going to ask Ginny to marry him.

"I don't know," he said after a moment. "I would have told you if I'd done it, don't you think? I can't even afford a stupid ring, so you're asking the wrong person."

"Ring?" Harry asked, looking at Ron with a stunned expression. "I'm sorry, what?"

Ron went red. He hadn't meant to say that. "Nothing," he said quickly. "I mean… forget I said that."

Harry raised an eyebrow and folded his arms over his chest. "You have a ring?"

"Well… no," Ron said, realising he'd already said too much. He may as well tell Harry the whole story. "That's the thing. I went to… get one last year. In April. I was going to ask Hermione, but the ring I wanted to get was ridiculously expensive, so I've been paying it off each week. Well, fortnight since we got the house."

"You were going to ask Hermione to marry you?" Harry asked softly, apparently now more interested in Ron's story than his own romantic plight.

"Yeah," Ron said. "I really wanted to do it right, too. But the shopkeeper won't give it to me until it's all paid off. It was supposed to be a year, so I'd have it this April, but with the house and everything, I've had to delay it a little longer. I probably won't get it until the following April at the rate it's going." He sighed again. "I was so ready to do it and everything; I'd even organised a whole romantic evening that I had to cancel because it was pointless otherwise. She was so confused. I think she realised what I was planning, and then I cancelled and… I don't know. She hasn't said anything about it. She hasn't said anything to you, has she?"

Harry shook his head, shrugging. "Not a word. You mean to say, you've put it off for almost a year now?"

Ron nodded.

Harry watched him for a moment. Then,"You're the biggest idiot I've ever met."

"Thanks," Ron muttered.

"You're telling me you've been planning to marry her for almost a year, and the only thing holding you back is the fact that you decided to get her an engagement ring that is far too expensive?"

Ron shrugged.

"She doesn't care about a stupid ring, mate. I can tell you that much."

Ron shrugged again. "It was the only one that felt right. I didn't want to just get her any old one because it was cheaper. I chose that one before I knew the price and I knew it was right for her."

Harry laughed. "You're an idiot," he said again. "But while you're being an idiot, will you at least help me come up with a plan for Ginny? Seems you have some idea on what to do, which is more than me."

"Yeah," Ron sighed. "I'll help. Just don't tell me the intimate details, will you? One of us may as well be getting married while the other is being an idiot."

Harry shook his head, still laughing. "I wonder if Hermione realises she's moving in with the biggest prat in the world."

Ron stuck out a leg to kick Harry.

"Is that any way to treat your future brother-in-law?" Harry asked.

"Careful," Ron warned. "I might just tell you I'm not okay with it."

"And I'd have to tell you that you were right — it's not really your decision, is it?"

They grinned at each other, and Ron felt glad that his friendship with Harry had stood the test of time and many, many obstacles. And that his best friend would one day be family for real.

"We should actually get this stuff to the house," Ron said, nodding at the pile of things they'd been tasked to transport.

Harry nodded, and together, they Vanished the stuff to what would hopefully be the new place. Hermione had shown them the spell, becoming frustrated when they hadn't managed it first go, muttering something about them going to make useless Aurors if they couldn't manage a simple Vanishing charm.

It felt like old times, like when they were back at Hogwarts and studying for exams. The only difference this time was rather than telling her to lay off them, Ron had pulled her towards him and kissed her. It had been the most effective measure in silencing her for the past few years.

"Ready?" Ron asked, gripping Harry's arm. Harry nodded, and Ron spun from the living room of the flat, landing a moment later in the living room of the new place…

...to a pile of suitcases and bags which had crash landed on the brand new coffee table he and Hermione had bought, causing one of the legs to snap.

Ron grimaced at the mess, and then looked up to where Hermione and Ginny were muttering about their uselessness in moving things.

"Well, how were we supposed to know where exactly it was going to land?" Ron argued as Hermione repaired the coffee table. "We couldn't see."

"I managed to get the other stuff in the correct places," Hermione retorted.

"Yes, well, we already know we aren't as accurate with magic as you are. Rub it in, why don't you?" Ron grumbled, shifting the bags and suitcases into the corner of the living room. "Where do these go, anyway?"

"Upstairs," Hermione said. For a moment, Ron thought she was going to Vanish them up there herself, but when she didn't move, Ron realised she wanted him to drag them up himself, probably as punishment for destroying their brand new table before they'd even officially moved in.

"I'll levitate them, at least," Ron told her, to which she only raised an eyebrow.

"A little help?" Ron said to Harry, who had been standing back slightly.

Harry nodded, and they began levitating the objects, guiding them through the doors and upstairs. "She has a point, really," Harry said on their way up. "We should be able to do that spell."

"She's just stressing as Hermione stresses in situations like this," Ron said. "Everything has to go perfectly to plan."

They let the bags fall onto the floor of the bedroom, where all that was there was a bed — made up and looking fresh and clean, and ready to be slept in.

"Hermione?" Harry asked, nodding toward the duvet. It was a pale blue and white cover, which was one of the many small arguments they'd had about the decor of the house. Ron had not liked it, but then she had won the argument by stating she didn't like the idea of Quidditch hoops in the garden, but she wasn't telling him no to that.

So they had bought that one.

"Yeah," Ron said. "I get the Quidditch stuff, she gets everything else in the house, and I'm okay with that. I really want the hoops."

Harry chuckled. "Married life, I guess."

"Not yet," Ron reminded him.

"As good as."

"Yeah," Ron said with a small smile. It was.

A moment later, Hermione and Ginny came into the room as well, laughing at the sight of Ron and Harry staring at the bed.

"You moved a few bags and you're contemplating taking a nap, are you?" Ginny said.

"No," Ron and Harry said together.

"We were just commenting on the duvet," Harry added. "It's… nice."

"A good thing you don't have to sleep there then, isn't it, Harry?" Hermione said. "Ron doesn't like it either." She looked at Ron, amused. "Mum and Dad just got here with a few extra little things we realised were missing this morning. Is everything gone from the other place?"

"Yep, it's just the keys to pass on now. Where's the cat and where's the owl?"

"Crookshanks is exploring the garden, and I told Arwen she could stretch her wings."

They made their way back downstairs and into the kitchen where Hermione's parents were both standing by the bench. A pile of small bits and pieces sat atop it, and a bag full of groceries.

"We thought you might need a head start," Jane said, smiling. "So you don't go hungry. Though, I hear Molly has you covered for that as well?"

"Mum would never let us starve," Ron said to Hermione's mother. He took the bag from the bench and looked at Hermione. "I may need some help with what goes in the refrigerator," he added.

"If it's cold, it goes in, if it's not cold, the pantry," Jane said.

"Thanks," Ron said, and he began unloading the butter, some milk and eggs into the refrigerator. Arthur had spent a good thirty minutes admiring it when they'd put it in a week ago.

"Fascinating," he had kept saying. "And, Ron, you'll be living with elektisity. Amazing!" Much to the amusement of Hermione's parents, who had also been there.

Ron had to remind him that Percy was also living in a house with electricity with a gentle nudge to go and bother him.

Now, Ron continued unloading the groceries. Hermione's parents had bought some vegetables as well, which stumped Ron. Harry had to help him sort them out.

"Merlin, that's going to take some getting used to," Ron said. "The flat was all magic. We didn't need one."

"You'll figure it out, I'm sure," Jane said kindly.

"You'll be fine," Hermione added, smiling at him.

He returned her smile. Anywhere with her was home.

"Well, perhaps we should go to our hotel for the night," Jane said after a moment. "Check in. We've decided to stay in Nottingham, just to see the two of you settled in. In case there's anything else you need."

"Thanks," Ron said, and he didn't just mean for the food. Ever since getting the house, they had been so busy that he'd not had a chance to really thank her parents for the help they had given for the house. "I mean… for everything, not just today. For… the house."

Both of her parents smiled. "It is the least we can do, Ron," her dad said. "To get the two of you set up."

Sixteen thousand Galleons equivalent wasn't a small thing, but Ron didn't push the matter. He was grateful for the help, because without it, they wouldn't be standing there right now.

"We'll go back, too," Ginny said. "I've got tomorrow off, but training starts again on Monday. We're going out for dinner tonight, me and Harry." She beamed. "It's been forever."

"Enjoy," Hermione said. "Maybe try the Floo back to your place. Make sure it works. It was a hell of a lot of paperwork to get it connected, so you may as well use it."

"Will do," Ginny said, grinning at them. "Enjoy your first night in your new place. Try not to break any more furniture." She turned to Hermione's parents then, and added quickly, "I do mean literally. Ron broke the coffee table earlier." She looked back at Ron and Hermione. "We'll drop by again tomorrow. See you."

The four of them left after that, Harry and Ginny Flooing back to Grimmauld Place, while Hermione's parents drove back down the driveway toward the city of Nottingham where they were staying.

Ron threw his arm around Hermione's shoulder as the car disappeared down the road and they closed the door behind them.

"Tomorrow we give the key back, and then this place is truly ours," he said. "Just you and me."

"How do we spend our first night in our new place?" Hermione asked.

…

It was nearing ten o'clock at night, and just as Ron had imagined all those weeks ago, they sat on the sofa, curled up together with a blanket thrown over them. It wasn't even that cold, but it was comforting and the romantic in Ron had insisted.

"This is nice," Hermione said, and her voice sounded faraway, as if she was almost asleep.

Ron drew her closer towards him, his thoughts wandering into something resembling pure bliss, only interrupted a few moments later by an intrusive memory that he'd brushed aside until now.

"Apparently I am helping Harry figure out a way to ask Ginny to marry him."

"What?" Hermione lifted her head off Ron's shoulder and sat up. "Since when?"

"Since this morning, apparently," Ron said with a shrug. "He asked me if I'd be okay with it, which… well, yeah, I am. Then he asked me if I could help him do it. I mean, I assume he meant helping him find a way to ask her that doesn't seem ridiculous and cheesy."

"That's great news!" Hermione said, and she sounded genuinely thrilled. If there was any thought in her mind about when she'd be getting engaged, she hid it very well. "Oh, I'm so happy for them. Do you know when he's planning it?"

"No," Ron said. "You know Harry — if it's something that involves even a small plan, then he prefers to dive right in, head first."

"Ginny did say they were going to dinner tonight…" Hermione began.

"Yeah, but he asked me for help," Ron said. "And I haven't given him the slightest bit of help." He thought back to earlier that day, and Harry's amusement over the whole ring situation. "Except, I guess, what not to do."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Hermione asked.

"Nothing." Ron shook his head. "Just something that happened while we were packing up the stuff at the flat. You think Ginny will say yes?"

"Certain of it," Hermione said. "Though, with the Quidditch season starting up again soon, I can't imagine when they'll find the time to get married. They'll have to squeeze it in between a game, I guess. And that all depends on whether the game has actually finished before the next one is due to start."

Ron laughed.

"What's so funny?" Hermione asked.

"Well, I'd hope — and correct me if I'm wrong if I'm assuming too much — that Ginny would actually consider missing a game or two for her own wedding."

Hermione flushed, and it was obvious that the thought hadn't actually occurred to her. "I… I suppose you're right."

Ron watched her for a moment. Now he knew she definitely was thinking about their own potential wedding. She had an air of guilt about her.

"If you and Harry find you're struggling, I can offer some suggestions, too," Hermione said after a moment. "I do think, considering it's Harry and Ginny, something simple. Or something Quidditch related."

"Maybe at a Quidditch game?" Ron suggested.

"Harry wouldn't want to draw attention to himself like that," Hermione argued.

"Good point."

"A dinner is a little cliche, but nice and simple, and if it's in the house, then there's no one else around."

"Wouldn't that be boring, though?" Ron asked.

"I think it's romantic," Hermione said. "I think it would be nice for them to become engaged just at home, no one else around…"

Ron smiled at her.

Hermione flushed a little, and added quickly, "But I mean, if, um, Harry doesn't want to do it that way then there's other options. Start by asking him, I guess. You're good at that kind of thing, Ron. Better than he is. I'm sure you'll think of something. It's so exciting for them!"

Ron's smile widened. "I love you," he said.

She responded by kissing him.

…

There was a cool breeze floating through the window the following morning. Ron shivered. What was it doing open in January? It was far too cold for such a thing.

And then he remembered.

Their first night together in their new place had become heated, especially when they'd decided to come to bed. They'd needed to open the window after a bit, just to cool themselves down.

And now it didn't help in the morning that he'd fallen asleep without any clothes and the blankets were tossed down around his waist.

He groaned and rolled over, drawing them back up to under his chin. "Morning," he said groggily, reaching out an arm to place around Hermione. She didn't respond, but he could feel that beneath the blankets she also had forgotten to get dressed. He snuggled into her, partly for warmth and partly because he was still very much remembering how he had fallen asleep and wanted to be as close to her as possible.

Her even, gentle breathing lulled him back into a sleep. He didn't know for how long, but he was woken again by Hermione shifting against him. She rolled over and before he could even open his eyes, her lips were on his again.

"Good morning," she whispered, snuggling into him. Her skin was so warm and soft against his.

He grinned, still through closed eyes. "Very good morning," he said, moving his arm under the blankets and drawing her closer towards him. "You're so warm," he added, suppressing a shiver. "Dumb idea, leaving that open all night."

"I was going to close it, but then I fell asleep," Hermione said, keeping her voice low.

Ron drew her even closer to him, sinking lower under the blankets. A moment later Hermione pulled away. His eyes sprung open as she reached for her wand, pointed it at the open window and then snuggled back in under the covers.

"We don't have to get up today, do we?" Ron asked.

"I'm okay to stay here," Hermione agreed, and she kissed him again.

And they would have gladly stayed in bed all day, enjoying their new house (and each other's company), but at some point (Ron didn't know and didn't care what the time was) there was an annoying disruption.

A rush of flames, and then a shout that sounded a lot like Ginny's from the bottom of the stairs. "You two up there?"

"Great idea linking the fireplaces," Ron groaned, pulling away from Hermione unwillingly. "Your best idea yet."

Hermione, also looking rather annoyed at the interruption, sat up in the bed in a very flustered state. "I don't think we're in any state to go down just yet," she said.

Ron definitely wasn't, so they laid back down, Hermione flicking her wand to open the window again.

"I doubt they're sleeping," Ron heard Ginny say, probably to Harry. "It's midday. Honestly."

And then there was silence, with any luck the two deciding to go back home. Though, Ron knew that was wishful thinking.

"I suppose we should get up," Hermione said after a while, once the cold air began to become a nuisance again, and not a relief.

"Annoying little sisters," Ron grumbled as they both sat up and attempted to find something to dress into. Nothing had been unpacked yet, and by the time Ron had found a shirt and a pair of jeans to throw on, Hermione was opening the door in her pyjamas that she definitely had not worn last night.

Harry and Ginny were waiting in the kitchen, both with a mug of hot tea in front of them.

"Sorry, should have sent word when we were coming over," Ginny said, and to Ron's surprise, she actually looked a little embarrassed.

"Yeah," Ron replied, unable to contain his annoyance at their unwelcome intrusion. "Also should have used your brain."

Hermione gave him a whack across the chest.

"Ow."

"It's alright," Hermione said, accepting an offer of tea that Harry had just poured. "We were just about to get up."

That was so far from the truth that no one believed her, but no one said anything.

"So, how's the place?" Harry asked. "You've settled in alright?"

"Yep," Ron said. "There's a lot more space than we're used to, but that's alright. We'll get used to it, I'm sure. It already kind of feels like home."

"I'm glad," Ginny said with a smile.

They moved into idle chat after that, Harry and Ginny talking about their date night, and then moving onto work, and the new Quidditch season. It wasn't until Hermione jumped up from her seat and said, "Harry, can I see you in the next room?" that the conversation died.

"Is that some secret work business going on in there?" Ginny asked.

"I dunno, maybe," Ron said, though he had a feeling that Hermione was sharing all her sudden ideas about how to propose to Ginny in the next room. He repressed a sigh.

"Harry told me what you said to him yesterday," Ginny said after a moment. "About the ring. You're an idiot."

Ron glared at her.

"I'm serious," Ginny continued. "You. Are. So. Stupid."

"I'm not getting into this discussion with you," Ron said. "It's too late now, anyway. I can't back out, and I don't want to."

Ginny stared at him for a moment, then shook her head again, stating, "You're an idiot."

"That's what George told me when I told him what I did."

"Yeah, well, he's right, too."

Ron couldn't say anything, for Harry and Hermione returned, Harry looking rather overwhelmed.

"We should head back," Ginny said. "I have to be back in Holyhead at seven in the morning tomorrow."

"Good luck for this year," Hermione said. "We'll try to get to some games to see you play."

Ginny smiled, giving Hermione and Ron a hug each. "Thanks. We have a pretty strong team. I'm just glad to be playing this year at all."

"You deserve it," Hermione said.

"Thanks. See you guys, and enjoy the rest of your afternoon. We'll remember to Apparate next time, or send word first. Sorry."

Once they had gone, Hermione turned straight to Ron and said, "You need to help Harry. He's clueless." And she took another sip of the freshly brewed tea.

Thank you to everyone who has reviewed this story so far! I reached 250 reviews between last week and now and that is... AMAZING. I'm glad you're all enjoying it.

I also hope you liked this chapter. This is one of my favourites :)