The Proposal
Hermione read the book as she say on her bed. Wearing her pink and grey long-sleeved, standard jeans and tennis shoes, it was a day off from school and her part-time job at the library.
At age 19, she looked back on her life.
She went through 7 years of being best friends with Harry Potter. From the attempted return of Voldemort, to the fact she had to drop out for her last year to help rid the world of him. She dealt with the bigotry of people like the Malfoys to the fact that her other best friend, Ron Weasley, was rather thick. The two were like cats and dogs, always bickering. Despite that, she always felt something for him.
And now, he was something more than her best friend.
"Hermione?" She heard him ask from behind her door.
He was her boyfriend now.
"It's open." She said.
He opened the door, bringing with him a bag.
"I brought you lunch. I don't want you to starve yourself again." He said.
"Thank you, Ronald." She said happily as she watched him put the bag down.
As he did, she didn't notice what Ron was doing next.
He took in a deep breath, smacking his lips as though they went dry. He looked ready to leave before he stopped him and once again stood as confidently as he could.
"So... umm... what are... you reading?" He asks.
"Since I spent the last 2 weeks studying, I decided to take a little time off to read the famous work of Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve. Known as Beauty and the Beast." She explained.
"That cartoon movie from the muggle world?" Ron asks, earning a chuckle from Hermione.
"No, not the movie, Ron. It's much older than that." She explained.
"Oh... but... the idea is the same, right?" Ron asks.
"Indeed. A beautiful young girl who falls in love with a monster upon seeing the gentleman he truly is, lifting his curse." Hermione said.
"I never pegged you for the romantic novels type. Learn something new every day." Ron mused.
"Indeed..." Hermione said as she patted the side of her bed, motioning him to join her.
With a smile, he sat next to her, wrapping an arm around her.
"So...?" Ron went.
"So...?" Hermione asks.
"Would you say I'm the Beast to your Beauty?" Ron asks.
"Possibly?" Hermione joked.
"Well... I don't have a castle or mansion for you..." Ron responded.
"Oh, I don't care that... I just want to be with the one I love." Hermione said.
Ron's smile grew.
"Yeah?" He asks, his confidence growing.
"Absolutely." Hermione responded to the one she loved.
"In that case..." Ron got off the bed, taking Hermione's hand as he took a knee. "Hermione Jean Granger... will you marry me?" He asks with much excitement.
Silence.
Hermione stared at him with the smile plastered on, looking less like a proper smile and more a look of uncertainty.
Ron remained where he was, unsure of what was going through her head
Confusion? Rejection? Disapproval? These filled his head until he decided to speak up.
"Hermione?" He asks, waving his free hand in her face. "Earth to Hermione?"
"D-Did I just hear you right?" She asks.
"Y-Yeah... okay... umm..." Ron let go of her hand and scratched the side of his head in regret. "Okay... I... I don't know why I thought that was a good idea. I mean, you value learning and got a lot to work with. I know we're studying and all that but... I just figured... what with everything we've been through that I love you so much... and you love me, right?" Ron asks.
"Yes." Hermione said.
"I thought so... so I just figured... maybe, you'd want to-"
"No. Ron-"
"No? Oh... okay... wrong time, in't it?" He asks
"No, I meant-"
"It's not? Right time? Right time to propose?" He asks.
"Ron, earlier, I sa-"
"Earlier? I should have proposed earlier?" Ron asks, growing increasingly clueless.
"Ron!" She went, a smile on her face.
"Y-Yes?" Ron asks, feeling he's done something stupid.
"What I'm saying is... yes." She went.
"Yes... to...?" Ron asks hesitantly.
"Yes... I will marry you." Hermione said with a laugh.
After a long time processing this, Ron realizes she had just accepted his proposal.
"Y-You will?" He asks.
"Yes." Hermione asks, getting up and taking his hands. "I will marry you."
With that, Ron smiled happily as he held her close and kissed her.
Hermione kissed him back.
This was something she was hoping to hear since they started their relationship prior to the end of Voldemort. Marrying Ron Weasley, the one she loved most.
Her mind was filled with thoughts of them at their wedding, in their proper attire, raising at least two children.
She felt joy unlike any she ever had before.
Once done, Hermione pulled back.
"Well?" She asks.
"Well what?" Ron asks happily.
"Where's the ring?" She asks.
Ron's smile dropped.
"Oh... umm..." He went as Hermione's smile faded slowly.
"You don't have a ring, do you?" She asks.
"N-No... not yet." Ron went dejectedly before his spirits went back up. "But... I promise to get one! Honest! Soon as I make enough!" He assured quickly.
Hermione huffed before laughing.
"Of course... you're so eager to marry me that you asked me so soon." She said.
"Y-Yeah... sorry." Ron went sheepishly.
"Did you at least ask for my parents' permission? They're serious about that sort of thing." Hermione said.
"Nnnnnooooo." Ron went, realizing another mistake he's made. "I probably should have said something...
"Well... I guess this proposal isn't official yet, isn't it?" Hermione asks.
"Not really..." Ron went in defeat as he head started to hang.
Seeing him think this means he can't be with her, Hermione lightly lifted him up by the chin and smiled in his face.
"That just means... you have to make it an official proposal. Promise me... once you get the ring, you'll show me as soon as possible?" Hermione asks happily.
"Of course. I love you." Ron said.
Hermione smiled once again with joy and optimism for her future.
"Well... if it helps, I'll tell my parents about this. Make sure that when it happens, you will get their blessing." Hermione said.
"It's a deal!" Ron went.
"Good... I can't wait to be Mrs. Weasely." Hermione said as they laughed and kissed once more.
One Hour Later
After Ron had left, Hermione saw the time. She saw it was getting dark and decided she'd pay her parents a visit.
Thanks to becoming an adult after finishing her education in Hogwarts, and her part-time job as she studied to join the Ministry of Magic, she now had a steady income for both her apartment and usage of the Knight Bus.
She decided she would take it to the nearest stop for her parents.
The bus arrived, looking as large and as unsafe as possible.
"I'm beginning to think the Wizarding World is one of the reasons EU-OSHA became a thing." She mused to herself as she entered.
Once inside, she paid and took a seat. Once she did, the bus sped up, causing her to almost fall to the floor.
Moments like these, I wish the Wizarding World was much more open with the Muggle one... She thought.
As she pushed herself up, she noticed one man reading a Wizarding newspaper. She knew of it because the people on the picture in front were moving.
She smiled upon reading the headline.
NEW LAW PASSES: PUREBLOOD WIZARDS PAST 30 WITH DEATH EATER HISTORY MUST WED MUGGLEBORNS IN ORDER TO BE FULLY ACCEPTED BACK TO SOCIETY.
"Glad I passed that thought around." She said under her breath.
She knew Death Eaters who still lived were now bound to this law, one they'd hate.
She had heard that Dolores Umbridge, who wholeheartedly accepted Voldemort's reign, was appalled by the idea. She was given an offer to be free of Azkaban if she would agree to such terms, but refused. However, it was said that they weren't serious about offering this as, even to this day, Umbridge says she changed her mind but was refused.
She recalled seeing that newspaper last week, meaning the information was still important to this wizard.
I wonder if it's still being talked about now? And who has agreed to it? She thought, wondering what today's newspaper foretold.
However, her stop was coming up and she new it was time to go.
As the bus came to a stop, one that caused people to fall again, Hermione pushed herself up and headed to the door, graciously thanking the driver.
Normally, she'd be crossed with reckless driving and demand to speak to his supervisor, but she didn't care right now. Love filled her heart. Love and optimism.
She had to tell her parents the good news.
As she left, she passed a wizard who had just boarded. He had a more recent newspaper with him. As he took his seat, he read it.
The tagline read: PUREBLOOD FAMILY INVOLVED IN TERRIBLE TRAGEDY.
10 Minutes Later
Hermione practically strolled down the street, feeling lighter than air.
"I can't wait to tell them the news. What should I say exactly? Ron and I will be getting married as soon as he has a ring? Hmm... no. Perhaps lead into it? Oh... I'm so excited that I can barely think straight or plan!" She said.
Right now, she imagined it. Ron, in a tuxedo, waiting for her at the end of the aisle. She herself in a lovely white dress as she saw Harry, Ginny, and all of their friends waving to her.
She was going to be Mrs. Hermione Granger-Weasley, the first muggleborn to marry into that pureblood family.
Her smile wouldn't leave her, she couldn't wait to tell them the good news.
She saw her house, taking a deep breath as she saw her wonderful pet having left the house from the window. Once Hermione was spotted, he knew he had to be with his master.
"Crookshanks, come here." She went, waiting for her darling pet. Once he was in her arms, she held him close. "I'm sorry I couldn't let you stay with me this weekend since I had to study and that neighbor brought his dog, but I have much great news to share." She said.
She looked to the door and smiled before she opened the door.
Once she did, she already saw her mother at the doorway.
"Mum! There you are! Guess what?! Ron pr-" Her smile dropped upon noticing something.
Her mother was in tears. They were not tears of joy, but tears of pain and sorrow.
She was crying so powerfully that she didn't even hear her daughter at first. Hermione let Crookshanks down before approaching her.
"Mum?" Hermione asks, putting a hand on her shoulder.
Once she became aware, Mrs. Granger gasped in a shock before hugging her.
"Hermione..." She went before holding her uncomfortably tight.
"Mum? What's wrong? Where's Dad?" She asks.
Her mother resumed crying, almost as if she couldn't tell her as she held her daughter as if she was afraid of losing her.
Hermione was at a loss before she saw her father walk in.
"Hermione?" He asks.
"Dad? What's go-"
Hermione was then hugged by her father as well. However, this was not a happy hug. No, it felt like a protective hug, like something was going to take his daughter away.
"You... have a visitor." Her said.
"A visitor?" She asks.
"Yes. One who... needs to speak with you. Just you. He wants us to wait outside. He said that... he doesn't want..." He looked pained in what he was to say next. "... filthy muggles in the house as he spoke to you. He's in the living room, waiting for you."
Hermione was appalled in what she heard.
This must be a pureblood supremacist. She thought.
"It's your house." She reasoned.
"And he doesn't care. Hermione?" Mr. Granger looked pained, doing his best not to cry like his wife. "Just know that... we love you..." He then looked away, almost as if making eye contact with her was making it harder to hide his tears. "We are proud of the woman you've become and... will always love you no matter what."
"I know... b-but what do-"
"My darling, your mother and I are so proud of you. We'll be outside..." He said before he let go, pulling his wife as best as he could. "Come, my love..."
"No! No please! Don't let him take her!" She begged.
"Take me? What are you-"
"NO!" She cried, screaming into the living room. "DON'T YOU DARE LAY A HAND ON MY LITTLE GIRL!"
Her words were not responded to as her husband held her tightly.
"Let's go..." He said, pulling her along before looking to the cat. "Come along, Crookshanks..."
Crookshanks followed as he opened the door.
Hermione was left in confusion as she saw her parents look at her one more time, as if this was the last they might see of her, before closing the door.
Once that was done, Hermione slowly turned her head towards the living room.
Who could be here for me? And why would my mother act like that? She thought, growing in fear of just who was here for her.
Slowly and cautiously, Hermione walked towards the living room, having a wand in her pocket, ready for anything.
As she entered, she saw a figure with a familiar head of hair sitting on the couch, the same one she obliviated her parents' memories when she had to go on the run.
A familiar long platinum blonde hair.
"It's about time..." He said, getting up.
As her turned around, Hermione saw for herself just who was it.
"Malfoy?!" She asks, readying her wand.
Lucius made a face at her before slowly walking around the couch.
"Well... you've grown quite considerably since being that little pest from the bookstore at age 12..." He mused.
"What in the hell are you doing in the house I grew up in?!" She shouted as she aimed her wand at him.
Lucius stopped and waved a hand dismissively at this.
"Calm yourself, girl. I did not come to put up a fight... Granted... I wish I didn't have to wait for you in this..." He looked around the house in disdain. "...muggle home. And that couch was hardly comforting."
"Then leave." She demanded with a low tone to suggest she'd assault him, pointing to the door.
"I'm afraid I cannot..." He said before he started to come closer to her.
"Don't come any closer to me!" Hermione shouted in fear and hate.
Lucius paused, holding his hand up.
"I shalln't touch you anymore than is needed." He said as he slowly walked around her.
Hermione lowered her wand slightly as Lucius circled her.
"Why in the world are you here?! What could you possibly want with me?!" She questions as he had a hand on his chin. "Is it revenge? Because if anything happens to me or my family and you're caught, you'll be in Azkaban for life!" Lucius gave her multiple once overs as he circled her while Hermione kept her eyes on him. "If it's a fight, I'm not afraid of you!" She went, hiding that she in fact was with a brave face. "Now, I don't care why you're here... but I want you..." She started to notice the look on his face. "... out of my parents' home and..." She noticed he wasn't paying attention to her. "Hey! Are you even listening or-" She noticed the odd expression on his face, one she's never seen before. "...why are you looking at me like that?" She asks, feeling uneasy.
He didn't look at her with contempt, disdain or hatred. Rather, he looked intrigued as he kept circling her.
"She's grown considerably. Still shorter than me..." Lucius said as he used his hand to gauge her height. "That's not a deal breaker. She's a bit thin but not too much, which is a great relief. Developed legs indicate constant walking but no other developed muscles. Her rear seems to decent enough..." Lucius said in examination as Hermione put her hands on her hips in shock. "Eye and hair color are common, thought the hair is well kept. Skin looks smooth, so it's at least healthy. She doesn't appear to wear much make up, but she's pretty enough. Her looks will suffice. Her breasts aren't too big but big enough..." Hermione then covered her chest with her arms as Lucius then stood before her and smiled in approval. "Yes, I think you'll do just nicely."
Hermione took a step back.
"Do for what? And why were you openly ogling me?!" She asks, feeling disgusted by what he said.
Lucius took in a deep breath, exhaling as long as possible.
"Well... if I have to do this with dirty blood, then I want the best." He said.
"Excuse me?" Hermione asks, wanting him out as soon as possible.
"Hermione Jean Granger... today is your lucky day. You're the first mudblood to be given such an amazing opportunity..." He said to her as if she won something of great value.
"Excuse me?!" She asks, both in indignation and in insult from his usage of the slur.
Lucius took a knee and took her right hand.
"Hermione Granger..." He said to the confused Hermione as he held out a box with his other hand.
Once it opened, Hermione's eyes widened.
Is... is that...? She thought.
A diamond ring.
"Marry me." He said, not as a request but as a demand.