violets for roses.

vi. | chapter six

new years eve, the winter of 2001
*

hermione fit comfortably in fred's lap, there was nothing sexual about it. in fact that have never even been sexual, even after the three years they've been together. she wanted to wait and he understood that.

laughter joined hermione's thoughts, as she lightly pulled fred's chin to her face, giving him a quick peck before getting off his lap, to get fresh air out the door.

*

this was it, fred thought. he was proposing. he was going to do. the ring in his sweater swished as he lightly tapped the box against his chest. his heart was racing, he registered but he wasn't scared, she'd reject him. call him narcissistic but it didn't once cross his mind that she would decline his offer. no their love was like the sky, beautifully colored in orange and pink and fresh, making one forget their problems.

no, fred's heart was beating because he was excited. in hopefully by next year, like he plans, hermione will be his wife. he had been holding on to the engagement ring for over a year, holding it on to himself, waiting for the moment where it was just perfect, and he could get on a knee and vow to love her till death but the time was never more perfect that it was on this december night.

standing on his two feet, he walks in the direction hermione went, but first he glances at his only sister, ginny weasley and shyly smiles at her. she would know what that means. she squeals as a response. the others look at her and fred just smiles before heading out the door.

facing the cold, fred puts his hands in his cloak, warming them instantly. he shivers, he was slightly nervous, yes fred would admit but he was strong and he could handle the answer whether it was negative or positive because as it turns out maybe there was a possibility that she could deny his offer.

but nevertheless, through his nerves, he walked up to his girlfriend standing beside her, "i was wondering when you'd come after me," she whispers, her tone soft as she continued to watch the dark sky. looking at the muggle watch hermione bought him, this christmas, he sees the time, the first time since they arrived at the party: 11:52.

fred jingles the ring on more time through his pants pocket and turns to hermione. placing his hand onto her shoulder, he catches her attention, and she smiles at him.

clearing his throat, in a deep and obvious way, he opens his mouth: "do you know how much i love you? do you know how many thoughts run a mile a minute in my head, that are just about you? well i can answer that, most of my thoughts, hermione. and that's great really because i think your the one i want to spend the rest of my life with, your the one i want to marry, if you would let me. so what i'm asking you is this: you could make anyone the happiest man, but you have chosen me, a mere weasley, to love, so with the all the energy in my heart i, fred weasley, am asking you, hermione granger, if you would like to marry me?" fred held his breath, because staring at her tear-strained eyes, there was indeed a possibility that she could say no, and never speak to him again.

"YES!" fred stands, placing the ring on her finger and her arms wrap around his shoulders as he picks her up, twirling her body in the air, "she said yes!" fred shouts, as her laughs join his, and in that moment, they don't think about anything but one another.

and as they held each other, the countdown started, "ten! nine! eight! seven!"