Everything That You Are...

September 4th 2005

(play the music from the start! Enjoy)

Hermione stroked her cheek with the bristles of her makeup brush. A flush of pink emerged from her cheeks, and Hermione was not sure whether it was because of the blusher, or her excitement. She and Ron hadn't been out together for such a long time, and now he had gone to the effort of planning a nice evening out for the both of them. She brushed her hair once last time before standing up and brushing her dress down.

"Come on 'mione! The table's booked for 7!" Ron shouted up the stairs.

"I'm coming!" she replied, before letting out a sigh of happiness, grabbing her bag and hurrying downstairs.

Ron was stood by the door waiting for her. He already had his jacket on, and had Hermione's coat in his arms ready for her. She went over to him and pecked him on the cheek, before taking her jacket from him and sliding her arms into the sleeves. Ron offered his hand to Hermione, which she took willingly, and they headed out the door.

It was a warm evening. The sky was a watercolour of orange and pink splashes, with some sly clouds lingering in the horizon. The leaves on the trees were beginning to turn amber. Hermione and Ron had agreed to walk to the restaurant that evening. The bell dinged as Ron pushed open the door. It was a little muggle restaurant that Hermione had talked about countless times before. Ron knew she liked it so had booked it especially. They were greeted by a stout, rounded man, with a bushy brown moustache and smiling eyes. He did his routinely greeting before stopping mid way through his hello. He pulled a confused face, then a face of realisation and finally, he wore a beam of joyfulness.

"Oh my! Why it is Miss Hermi'ne! Why I haven't seen yous since you were a little girl!" the man beamed in a strong Italian accent. He kissed Hermione's hand.

"Urm, I made a booking for 7" Ron chirped.

"Ah yes. What name is it under?" chimed the man.

"Weasley." Ron replied.

"Watson, Wathios...ah here it is! Weasley table for two." Ron nodded in confirmation.

The man waddled in and out the tables and pulled out a chair for Hermione at a table at the back of the restaurant.

"Thankyou Mr Abero." Hermione smiled. Ron sat himself down opposite Hermione, placing his jacket on the back of his chair. Mr Abero returned seconds later with menus. Even before Ron could pick up the menu, Hermione took both his hands and looked at him.

"Thankyou for this Ron. I can't believe you remembered me mentioning this place."

"Always the tone of surprise." Ron smirked. Hermione slapped his hand.

"Ronald, I'm serious. I'm very grateful for everything you do for me and I feel very lucky to have somebody like you love me." she smiled shyly. Ron's palms became sweaty. He pulled away from Hermione, rubbing his hands together.

"Blimey 'mione. It's like you're about to propose or something." Ron said. He stopped, panic briefly glazing over his eyes. Hermione had her face stuck in an expression of confusion. Ron forced a fake laugh before picking up the menu to distract himself.

Hermione's heart began to pound. Propose? What was he on about? He wasn't going to...? No. Surely not. Maybe. What if...? Hermione snapped herself out of her whirlwind of thoughts and tried to concentrate on the menu. This was pointless. She already knew what she was going to eat. What if he does ask? What do I say? Yes, of course. Obviously. But what if I'm not ready? It's only been...it's been over 8 years. That's a long time.

Luckily Hermione was able to snap herself back to reality when Mr Abero appeared at their table, notepad in hand.

"What can I get ze lovely couple?" Mr Abero smirked.

They ordered their meals.

"Same as ze old days Miss Hermi'ne?"

"Of course." Hermione agreed politely.

Ron hadn't made much eye contact with Hermione. He was tapping his feet under the table.

"I love you Hermione." He said suddenly. Hermione, for no particular reason then burst into laughter. Ron joined her. They both laughed until tears ran down their cheeks and their sides ached. Mr Abero arrived with some garlic bread just as the laughter ended.

"Thankyou Sir" Ron said, wiping tears from his eyes. After Mr Abero had left, Ron took Hermione's hands and stared at her. He had meant what he said. He really did love her. A lot. He stared into her eyes longingly. He couldn't reach her face, so instead raised her hands to his lips and kissed them softly.

One garlic bread, a pizza, some pasta and three cheesecakes later (Ron had found the dessert to be so delicious that he had to have two), Ron paid the bill and the couple said their goodbyes to Mr Abero. As they left, the Italian tapped Ron on the shoulder and mouthed the words 'good luck' to him.

By the time they left the restaurant, it was around 9pm, and the park was romantic and quiet. Lights had been strung through most of the bushes and the moon shone down on the pond, making it glimmer in the beams. Ron and Hermione traipsed around, arm in arm, chatting. They came to a halt halfway along a path. Ron turned to Hermione, letting go of her arm.

"It's beautiful, isn't it. The moon."

"It's lovely Ronald." Hermione turned to face the shining orb in the sky. As she turned back around, she looked up, expecting to meet Ron's gaze. Instead, she had to trace her eyes downwards.

Ron was down on one knee on the ground. In his hand, a small maroon box.

Hermione clasped her hands to her mouth and tears started to form in her eyes.

Ron gulped. "Hermione Jean Granger. You are, and always will be, my soulmate. I love you and everything about you. Urm...you're so smart and clever and kind and beautiful and...I had a big list of things I wanted to say but I'm just gonna spit out the important stuff cus I don't think my mouth can talk properly I'm so nervous. So here it goes. Hermione Jean Granger..."  He fumbled around the clasp on the box, his fingers trembling. Finally it clicked open to a reveal a white gold ring, encrusted with a small, silver jewel. "...will you marry me and make me the happiest man alive?"

Hermione nodded frantically before throwing herself onto to Ron. She looked as of somebody had permanently painted a smile onto her face. Ron slipped the ring onto her finger. Hermione smashed her lips into Ron's, snaking her arms around his neck. Ron pulled Hermione closer to him, wrapping his strong arms around her delicate waist.

When their lips finally unlocked, Ron stared into Hermione's eyes and whispered "I'll take that as a yes?" She laughed before hugging him again, even tighter than before. They were getting married.