A/N: I don't own Harry Potter

Word count: 595

Severus looked over the table. It had to be perfect. The white table cloth was starched nicely. The candles were brand new and therefore would not create any extra soot. In the middle of the table was a crystal vase with three red roses and a handful of baby's breath. He nodded. Yes, the table looked exactly like one would find in a fancy restaurant.

Therefore, it was all wrong. He grabbed the candles,put them aside and turned his attention to the roses. They were too perfect, a beautiful deep ruby red. Did she even like roses? He tried to remember. He should know this! They'd been dating almost a year. He should know what her favorite flower was. Did she even have a favorite flower? He grabbed the roses, tossed them onto the counter and summoned a bouquet of daisies. Everyone liked daisies, right?

There. No candles, daisies and the perfectly starched tablecloth. No, it still wasn't right. He changed the table cloth to black. It looked better that way, at least in his opinion. He smiled looking it over. No, it needed something else. He put the candles back, looked at them, and reached over to take them off again.

"Severus, I don't care about the candles," Hermione commented from the doorway. He looked up at her.

"How long-?"

"Long enough to see you rearrange the table again. Why does it matter what the table looks like? I mean, it's just dinner," Hermione commented, walking into the room. She flicked her wand lighting the candles. "And yes, I like daises," she laughed, giving Severus a quick kiss, one he happily returned.

"Dinner should be ready momentarily. I've a duck cooking," he stated.

"Hmm, a table that's more decked out than me, and a duck, and the fact you're wearing your good black robes... this isn't just a dinner, is it?" she asked.

"What makes you think that?" Severus asked, pretending the small box in his pocket wasn't the only thing on his mind.

"I know you, Severus. You're not one that usually cares about all this nonsense," Hermione answered, waving her hand at the table.

"True, but tonight is special. It's been one year since you entered my life, really entered my life, and changed everything. That's why, Hermione, I want to, I hope to-" Severus paused, pulling the small box from his pocket. He popped it open, getting down on one knee in front of Hermione. She stared at him and then at the box. The ring inside was yellow gold set with a large cushion cut emerald.

"Are you asking me to marry you?" Hermione whispered.

"Yes, I am," he answered. Hermione smiled, her eyes wide. She pulled Severus to his feet and kissed him passionately on the lips.

"Is that a yes?"

"That's a yes," she answered, kissing him again. He slid the ring on her finger. She looked up into his eyes and then slightly past him. "And you should probably go put out the fire the duck has caused," she said, nodding to the thick dark smoke coming from the kitchen. Severus turned, pulled out his wand and put out the fire.

"Sorry, I've never cooked one before."

"Who needs duck when I've got you," she purred in his ear. "How about we skip the fancy dinner part of this, we can grab ice cream later," she suggested, kissing him again. He blinked, a smile crossing his face.

"We could do that, yes," he agreed, as he led Hermione to his room, the door closing behind the couple.