Hello! If you've followed any of my stories before, you might know how I, for some unknown reason even I don't understand, tend to take FOREVER to get to writing the last chapter of a fic. Anyway, I finally forced myself to type out these words, and with this, another fic is now completed.

Thank you to all who have tagged along, you are all wonderful :)

oOo

"Have I mentioned how lovely you look tonight?"

The woman sat across from Ron grinned, her posture instinctively straightening at the compliment as she tucked a strand of silky hair behind her ear.

"Only about a dozen times," she replied with a small laugh. Taking a sip of wine, her eyes were flirtatious as she stared back at him.

"Well, you do." He eyed her red dress. "That dress? It's like it was made just for you."

"Oh, this old thing?" The woman glanced down at her dress and ran a dainty hand along her side, as though she were wearing a plain garment rather than one crafted from exquisite fabric. "It's really nothing special. It's been hiding in the back of my closet for years."

Ron hummed. "It would be a very lucky man indeed to take it off of you," he said in a low, suggestive tone.

"Are you proposing that you are to be that lucky man?" she asked, her expression playful. Ron didn't answer, his gaze not leaving hers as he took a long sip out of his own wine glass. "You know," she continued, seemingly uncomfortable at his sudden silence, "I was surprised when you called me out of the blue. I hadn't heard from you in-"

"Seven months and eighteen days," Ron interrupted. "And I'm sorry for that, but I had my reasons."

"My first instinct was to shoot you down," she admitted, "but then I remembered the instant spark the two of us shared and… well." She shrugged, "I figured I'd give you one more chance, and I'm glad I did. You are terribly handsome, and you seem like a great person. I'm not exaggerating when I say it's just so hard to find a decent man in this day and age."

Ron gave her a slow nod. "I figured, after what you did for me, asking you out for a drink was the least I could do."

Her face scrunched in confusion. "What I did for you?" she repeated, "What do you-"

"You see," he cut in, "If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't be where I am today."

"I'm sorry, I don't understa-"

"I'm in love." Not breaking eye contact, Ron leaned over the small round table to somewhat bridge the distance between them. "I'm talking head over bloody fucking heels in love. I feel like fucking Romeo personified, like I've been dosed some magic love potion. If I weren't so utterly and ridiculously happy, I'd probably be disgusted at how hopelessly smitten I've become." He paused for a moment, then added, "And it's all because of you."

The woman's eyes narrowed as she seemed to realize she'd been duped. "How so?" she asked, her tone now clipped.

Ron sat back, a smile lighting up his face. "When you hired me to steal- wrongfully I might add- Hermione Granger's cat, you unintentionally led me to finding the love of my life. I have to admit, it was a rather tactless move, but considering the incredible outcome, I can no longer hold it against you."

Picking up her clutch from the table, Pansy Parkingson stood up stiffly. "I should have known this was some sort of trick," she huffed.

"Karma's a bitch, Pansy," Ron said cheerily. "Also, I heard you've been assigned to a new team recently, and I'd like to take this moment to wish you all the best."

"Fuck off." Pansy, who was visibly mortified at this turn of events, sneered before stomping away, leaving Ron chuckling in his seat.

Taking his time to finish his wine, he left a wad of cash on the table before heading to the back of the restaurant, where there was a small counter.

"How may I help you?" the man stood behind the counter asked.

"Pickup for Ron Weasley," Ron said, not missing a beat. Thirty seconds later, bag of food in hand, he made his way out the restaurant, whistling happily as he did so. When he made it back to his and Hermione's flat, he set about making everything perfect, transforming their small dining area into a romantic haven complete with a deep red tablecloth, a flourish of flowers, and the gentle glow of several candles.

Their dinner both looked and smelled delicious, and Ron hoped it wouldn't be too long before Hermione arrived because he was famished. His task was completed merely seconds before he heard the sound of keys unlocking the front door, and he turned, folding his hands behind his back as he awaited Hermione's reaction.

"Hi," Hermione said with a tired smile as she stepped inside the flat. "Sorry I'm late, Fridays are always so busy." She walked over to Ron and planted a quick kiss on his lips. "Just let me get dressed and we can go pick up something for dinner."

"But I-" Ron didn't get to finish his sentence as Hermione disappeared into their bedroom. "One," he counted under his breath, "Two,"

Hermione reappeared in the doorway, her now wide eyes quickly scanning his fancy attire. "Why are you dressed like that?" she demanded. Her gaze went to the table behind him and her confused expression turned into one of delight. "What is this?"

"I wanted to be romantic," Ron explained with a grin.

"This is lovely." She stepped forward and he pulled her into a hug. "But I feel very underdressed for the occasion."

"Nonsense," he chuckled, squeezing her tight, "You're beautiful."

"Ron, I-" Hermione ran a hand through her frizzier-than-usual hair, "I'm a mess."

"You look damn perfect to me."

She sighed, tilting her neck back in order to meet his eyes, her face softening. "Thanks, but you don't have to lie to me."

Ron scowled. "I'm not lying, Hermione. The messier you look, the hotter you look! In fact, right now I'm tempted to skip dinner altogether and head to the bedroom where I can show you just how attractive I find you."

Hermione pushed him back with a small laugh. "If we did that, Ronald, the food would get cold and I'm sure neither one of us wants to eat a lukewarm meal." She made her way to the table and sat down. "Did you cook this?" she asked, eying the plate of steak, green beans, and mashed potatoes.

"I wish I could take credit for this," Ron confessed, "but I actually ordered takeout from that new restaurant down the street, the one we've been talking about trying for a while now." He conveniently left out the part about meeting Pansy for a glass of wine beforehand. He would, of course, tell Hermione all about it, but it would have to be later. Tonight had to be perfect, and he didn't want anything to jeopardize their evening together.

"That place is pretty fancy, isn't it?" Hermione asked before taking a spoonful of mashed potatoes into her mouth. "Delicious," she remarked, her eyes closing in bliss, "they taste just as good as they smell."

Ron sat down in front of his own plate, eager to taste them for himself. As they ate, conversation was light and carefree, and he and Hermione played footsies under the table like the lovesick couple they were. He was unable to recall a point in his life where he'd been as happy, and Hermione was a big part of that. Though Ron couldn't claim to have been unhappy before her, he hadn't realized what he'd been missing until she came along and filled a hole in his life he hadn't even known was there. Every day he thanked his lucky stars, and everyday he vowed not to do anything to fuck up the perfection that was their relationship.

"I'm so full," Ron moaned as he pushed his now empty plate away from him.

"Me too," Hermione said, doing the same. "Thank you again, Ron."

"Don't thank me, love," he replied with a roll of his eyes, "You deserve all this and more. In fact-" He paused, taking a deep breath to steady himself. "If you'll let me, I'll spend the rest of my life doing everything I can to make you happy."

Smiling, Hermione affectionately lifted a hand to his cheek. "I would like that," she said, her voice almost a whisper. "And it goes both ways. I want to make you happy as well."

"You do. You really, really do." Ron cleared his throat. "Pig," he called out, his voice much louder than it had been before. "It's time, bud." Several tense seconds passed, during which Hermione eyed him with suspicion, but then the rat appeared, a tiny silk pouch in his mouth as he ran towards them. "Thank you," Ron said as he took the pouch, offering Pig a green bean he'd set aside earlier as payment. "Now go away and give us our privacy." Pig eagerly complied, his small body practically bouncing as he scampered away with the green bean.

As Ron diverted his attention back to Hermione, he could see she was already aware of what was about to happen. Her eyes were glistening, and though she appeared a bit anxious, he was happy to see the unmistakable spark of excitement as well. Taking the ring out of the pouch, Ron reverently held it out to her, his hand shaking.

"I know we've been together for a relatively short time, and we've only been living together for three months," he began, "but as my mum always says, when you know…you know." Hermione let out a small laugh, nodding at him to go on. "I want to marry you, Hermione. I want… gods, wait— I said that wrong. Please give me a re-do, I'll-"

But before Ron could say another word, Hermione's lips pressed against his, silencing him with a passionate kiss. Amidst their kisses, Ron thought he caught the faint murmur of her agreeing to marry him, yet in that moment he realized the words didn't even matter—the intensity of the kiss conveyed everything he needed to know about her answer.

oOo

"You did what?" Hermione howled, her head thrown back on the pillow as she laughed.

"Honestly, I thought you'd be a little upset," Ron admitted, running his hand over his fiance's naked belly. "I'm glad you find it as funny as I do."

Still laughing, Hermione shook her head. "I wish I could have seen her face! I bet she was boiling. You've got a lot of nerve, Ron Weasley."

"I couldn't help myself," he said, "I had to let her know that even though she tried to hurt you, you came out on top…again." With a wicked smile, he added, "And to tell you the truth, I really like you on top. It feels amazing, and I get a spectacular view. Best of both worlds."

"Why didn't you tell me what you were planning on doing?" she asked, ignoring his last remark.

Ron shrugged. "I was scared you'd try to talk me out of it. Besides, I wasn't rude to her.. just a bit of harmless flirting before I outed myself as the devoted lover of Hermione Granger."

Hermione rolled over and glared at him. "I'll let that one time slip, but there will be no more of that flirting business going on, Ronald. You are going to be my husband, and I'd appreciate it if you kept the flirting within the marriage."

"You got it, wifey," Ron said with a loud laugh before he was hit in the face with a pillow. In a flash, he pinned Hermione to the bed, his hands holding her wrists next to her head. "Fancy another round?" he asked in a husky voice, rolling his hips to let her feel just how much he wanted her.

She smiled. "Alrighty then."