Everything Remains

Chapter 12- Keeping Secrets

Draco walked up to the Three Broomsticks, opening the huge, heavy doors. The rest of the group was already inside, sitting at a back table. Their butterbeers were being passed out as he approached the table. 
"Find what you needed?" Hermione smiled, hoping that he would indulge. 
"Yes, surprisingly. Pansy was there too, did you see her while we were in there?"
"Hmm.. I don't think so? She must have came in right as we left or something?" Hermione cocked an eyebrow, thinking. 
"Ah well. She actually helped me find what I was looking for. So I guess she isn't all bad." Draco took a sip of his butterbeer, some foam lingering on his top lip. 
"You've got a bit.. ah...let me get it.." Harry, sitting right next to him, brushed off the foam with his finger, immediately turning red. 
Hermione noticed, smiling knowingly to herself. 
"Well, you know what I think is a great idea?" Ron boomed, taking attention from the situation. 
"What's that, ginger?" Draco teased. 
"I think we should load up on butterbeers and fire whiskey and have a little pre-masquerade party ourselves in the common room." Ron smiled wickedly, rubbing his hands together in excitement. 

"Well, well. Sounds like Ronald is in the mood for mischief." Draco laughed, surprised at his plans. 
"Think about it. We could never just get crazy before right? We were always on the edge, looking for the next death eater or random beast who wanted to chop our heads off. The last ball at Hogwarts, the last and only safe time to get a little wild. Who's in?" Ron looked around, expectantly. 
Everyone at the table agreed, even Hermione, which surprised everyone. 
"Hey, I like to get loose and have fun!" 
"Sure... well this will be great. Let me go get the whiskey." Ron stood up from the table, grabbing Neville to come help him. 
"Ron is full of surprises, isn't he?" Draco surmised, watching the two order. 
"It's that red hair, keeps him fiery." Harry laughed in response. 

"Alright, is everyone ready to go?" Ron and Neville returned, carrying impressively big bags full of beers and whiskey. 
"Right, because that's not suspicious or anything." Hermione scoffed, opening up her small purse and having them put the bags in. Her undetectable extension charm truly was amazing. 
The group opted to use Floo again, saddled down by the weight of their bags. 

Upon arriving back at the castle, the groups separated and returned to their common rooms, excited to see how the rest of the week plays out. 

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Ron, Neville, and Harry settled into their dorm room and began to unload their purchases. Ron told Neville his plan to ask out Hermione, and dipped his hands into his pockets to show him the bracelet. Ron, with a confused look on his face, pulled out the box for the bracelet and the necklace that Harry had bought and snuck into his pocket also. 
"How... how did this happen?" Ron looked suspiciously at Harry, suspecting he had something to do with it.
"I have no idea, Ron. Maybe you just got lucky?" Harry said, biting back a smile. 
"You're a horrible liar, you know that?" Ron shook his head. "You didn't have to do that, you know." 
"I know. But I wanted to. It made you happy, and it's going to make her happy. Which is worth everything I have." Harry smiled, genuinely. 
"So how are you actually going to ask her though, and give her this?" Neville asked, examining the bracelet. 
"I have no idea. I was hoping one of you would have one?" Ron looked around at the pair, nervous. 
"It should be something big, something that makes a statement. Since it took you eight years to do it." Harry laughed, catching the pillow that Ron threw at his head. 

"Yeah! Something really romantic." Neville agreed, a blissful look on his face. 
"I have an idea. It's really sappy, but I think it will be great. You should take her up to the Astronomy Tower at night. You can just tell her you have homework to take care of and you need her help. But, when you get up there, it will be filled with her favorite flowers. And... and... OH! You could enchant some of the stars to say "Will you go to the ball with me?". And then, boom, you can give her the jewelry. She'll have to say yes, I mean, who would say no to that?" Harry pondered, thinking about how Hermione would react. 
"Blimey. That's a lot. But it's a good idea. Will you blokes help me pull it off? You know I'm not the best at things like this..." Ron trailed off, a worried look on his face. 
"Sure, we'll help. But you might want to get going with it. I'm sure there's a few blokes that would love to take her." 
"UGH. Fine, we will do it tomorrow night, how about that? After dinner, we can go up and conjure and configure everything and then I'll go get her." Ron was cracking his knuckles, clearly nervous. 
"It'll be great, Ron. You'll see. But for now, let's go to bed and worry later." 

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Later the next day::

The typical group of Neville, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Luna, and Draco sat at the dinner table, finishing up their meals. Ron was white as a ghost and looked like he could puke at any moment. He also had barely eaten; something he will probably regret later. 
Harry kept trying to calm him down with reassured looks. 
Draco whispered into Harry's ear, "What the bloody hell is wrong with him?"
"He's going to ask out Hermione later. Do you want to help?" 
Draco's eye grew wide. "Seriously? Wow. Good for him. Sure, what do we need to do?"
"Just act natural. I'll show you when we leave." 
Draco nodded, returning to his food. 

"Ron, are you feeling okay? You've barely eaten?" Hermione grabbed Ron's hand, showing her concern. 
Ron's eyes grew as big as the dinner plate he was avoiding. 
"Yes, um. Perfectly, urm, fine, yes, um. Canyoumeetmeintheastronomytowerlater?" Ron practically spit out his question. 
"What? Say that slower."
"Can you meet me in the Astronomy Tower later? I um, have, uh homework I need help with. I need the stars." Ron looked around, almost asking for help. 
"Sure, that's fine. But if you're sick, I don't want to catch anything..." 
"No, no, perfectly fine. Okay, see you later!"
Ron got up so fast he almost knocked Neville off the bench. He practically sprinted down the hall to the doors, the boys following suit. 
"What in the hell was that about?" Hermione watched him scurry away. 
"Just... ignore him. See you later!" Harry dashed out to meet the rest of them. 


"What was that? Are you that nervous?" Harry couldn't contain his laughter any longer. He laughed hard, with Neville and Draco joining. 
"HEY! It's not funny! If I had the choice of doing this or talking to Aragog, I would probably choose the damn spider!" Ron frowned, crossing his arms in front of him. 
"It's okay, it's okay. We're just joking. It's nice how nervous you are. Let's go get ready before she follows us and ruins the whole surprise." Harry led the group up the many staircases to get to the Astronomy tower. 

Harry gave a rundown of the plan to Draco before they both began to conjure Irises, Hermione's favorite flower. They conjured enough to almost completely fill the platform, leaving space for Ron and Hermione to stand. Ron was shaking, taking his time to configure the stars to write out "Will You Go to the Ball with Me, Hermione?"
Neville was conjuring candles, lighting them and creating a pretty glow, really turning up the ambiance. 
Harry walked up to Ron, reading the stars. "Who's Hermy, Ron?" 
"I'M TRYING OKAY. THIS IS HARD!" Ron was still shaking, visibly nervous. 
"Ron, you've got to calm down. Take a few deep breaths. I'm serious." 
Harry led Ron through several bouts of breaths; in through the nose and out through the mouth. Draco finished off the star lettering, spelling Hermione correctly. 
"You can do this. We will be right underneath you, okay? Do you have the bracelet and the necklace in your pocket?"
"Yes, I triple checked."
"Good. I think it's time to go get her, mate." Harry smiled and squeezed Ron's shoulders, excited for him. 

Ron staggered toward the door, attempting to get himself together as he went downstairs to get her. 
Harry, Draco, and Neville hid underneath the astronomy platform. They could see a little bit of the scene through the slats in the wood. 
After a few minutes, Harry shushed them, hearing Ron's clompy feet walking towards the door. 

Ron swung the door open and stood back, letting Hermione see the platform. 
"Merlin! This is beautiful Ron!! What's all this for?" Hermione's words came in gasps, truly knocked off her feet in surprise. 
"Look up." Ron smiled earnestly, pointing towards the stars. 
Hermione read it, jumping up and wrapping her arms around Ron's neck. "Yes, I'll go with you!" 
They hugged, silent for a few minutes. 
"I have one more surprise." Ron said, reaching into his pockets. He pulled out the bracelet and necklace set, perfectly presented in their velvet boxes. 
"Ronald, they're absolutely beautiful!" Hermione stared in shock, gently running a finger down the necklace. "Put them on me?" 
Ron obliged, turning her gently to clasp the necklace around her neck and reaching down to do the clasp on her bracelet. 

Suddenly, Hermione leapt up again, kissing Ron fervently. Her hands laced up into his hair, pulling his head down to her for better access. 
Ron was still at first, shocked, before grabbing onto her waist and returning the kiss. 
Harry, Draco, and Neville all looked at each other, unsure of what to do. They definitely did not expect this.  
Hermione began to take Ron's sweater off, yanking it down his arms and tossing it to the side. Ron slid his hands down her backside, cupping her arse. 
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, hold on! Let us leave first!! Blimey." Harry ran up the steps onto the platform, shielding his eyes. 
Hermione shot right up, away from Ron. "Bloody hell, why are you three here??"
"Sorry, sorry. We helped him set up. We'll be going now. Just act like we were never here." Harry led the way for the three of them to leave the platform, through the doors again. Harry cast a locking charm and a silencing charm outside of the door. 'Yes, I am the best wingman ever, I know.'

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