The Number Chapter Four - The End

Not a very inventive title but it just about sums it up, doesn't it? The last chapter, people, so pleeeeaaaase R&R!

Disclaimer: In case you haven't figured it out by the other three, Harry Potter is not mine.

Six months later...

Ron was filling out a job application. He was sick and tired of sealing envolopes and his life was already miserable enough. After previous events, he and Hermione had agreed not to see each other until everything was sorted out between them and, in Hermione's case, Viktor...

There was a knock at the door, though Ron didn't actually hear it himself. He was too high up.

"Skills? Hmmmm ... i don't really have many of them, do I?" he muttered, chewing the end of his quill, "Let's see then ... I can ... I can speak a bit of French ... I can seal envo - NO! Don't you DARE put that, Ron!"

He scratched out the last few words he'd written just as his bedroom door opened and his Mum came in, a huge smile on her face.

"Someone's downstairs to see you," she grinned.

Ron smiled back at her and got up. He knew instantly Hermione was waiting for him in the hall, the girl of his dreams, who he hadn't seen since that fateful day six months ago...

He followed his Mum downstairs and sighed. A short while ago it would have been Ginny leading him down here. He hadn't seen her or Harry sinced they'd moved, but they'd promised to come and visit soon.

Hermione was standing in the hall, beaming up at him.

"Hi Ron," she said breathlessly.

"Hi," Ron replied. He was suddenly extremely shy. He didn't know what to say to her. Last time they'd met she was talking to him about divorcing her husband so they could be together. He'd thought she was insane then, but now ...

Hermione came over to him, seeing he was nervous. She wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him tightly. He reluctantly did the same to her, trying to figure out exactly what was wrong with him.

"I'll go and get on with the tea," Mrs Weasley said suddenly, making Ron and Hermione jump. They'd both completely forgotten she was there.

"OK Mum, see you in a moment."

"No, Ron, you two take as long as you like. I believe you said it yourself, these things take time!"

"How do you know I said that?" Ron asked her quickly.

"Let's just say I didn't want you to handle this situation alone. You have yet to prove you can be trusted, Ronald Bilius Weasley!"

Ron felt a mixture of fury and humiliation. He was an adult now, old enough to take care of himself, and yet his Mother still listened in on his very very private conversations!

But before he could think of anything intelligent to say, she backed out of the door.

And Ron instantly knew why he's been so shy. He leant down and kissed Hermione on the lips.

They might have stayed there for hours if Mr Weasley hadn't come rushing downstairs about a minute later.

"Ah! Hermione! I haven't seen you in a while, how are you keeping?" he asked cheerfully.

"Dad, ple -" Ron began, but Hermione interrupted him.

"I'm fine thanks, Mr Weasley," she replied, shaking his hand, "And you?"

"Oh, I can't complain, really. Anyway, I'd better leave you two to it!"

This time Hermione blushed.

They went up to Ron's room and sat down on his bed.

"So - what have you got to tell me then? What's happened?" Ron asked instantly, taking hold of Hermione's hand.

"Well, I've talked to Viktor and all that, and - " Hermione gulped, "He's - he was fine with everything."

Ron started to smile, but he saw Hermione had tears in her eyes.

"What's the matter?"

"Oh, nothing, I'm fine..."

"Come on, I can see you're not."

Hermione burst into tears and she fell against Ron.

"He'd been seeing somebody else." She wiped her eyes and sniffed hard. "No - no, I'm alright, it's all over now. I'm fine. OK. Really."

Ron handed her a tissue.

"Thanks," she sniffed, blowing her nose, "I suppose in a way I was sort of thankful, but still - I was so upset - how could he have done that to me?"

Ron didn't really know what to say. He settled for sitting in silence, although he felt stupid not trying to do anything.

"So you're divorced?" He attempted to make things seem better.

Hermione didn't talk for a moment, and Ron realised what an idiot he'd been.

"Yes," she said finally, "Just last week. We would have done anyway, I think. Things weren't so good between us."

Ron could hardly contain his glee. He cleared his throat, trying desperately hard not to laugh.

"He's gone off with his girlfriend," Hermione added.

"Oh. I mean, err - has he?" Ron cast around for something more constructive to say, "Do you mind?"

"Oh, Ron, you know I don't care at all!" Hermione giggled, "Things were completely falling apart. As soon as I told him, he was honest with me. He said about this other girl, and we agreed that we'd be happier seeing other people."

"Like me."

"Yeah. Like you."

They sat smiling for a while.

"It's official then? We're an item?" Ron piped up after a few minutes.

"If you want us to be."

"Yes. I do. I want to spend the rest of my life with you."

Hermione looked up at him, smiling.

"Then do it now."

"Do what?"

"Why don't you propose to me?"

Ron almost choked.

"Why don't I-? Hermione, you've only just divorced Krum! You're really rushing into these things, aren't you? Next you'll be wanting children off me, then you'll divorce me and find someone else..."

Hermione burst out laughing.

"Oh, come on, Ron! Of course I'm not going to divorce you. I want to stay with you forever."

"Then why don't we spend a bit of time together as just - boyfriend and girlfriend? That can't hurt, just for a while, if you really want."

"What I really want is for you to get down on one knee right now and ask me to marry you!"

"What I really want is to meet the Chudley Cannons, but that's never going to happen, is it?"

"It might do!"

"No, it won't! Besides Hermione, I don't even have a ring."

"I don't care about that. You can get one later if you want. But just ask me now. All I want is for it to be official."

Ron, once again, gazed into Hermione's eyes. She was looking at him in that pleading way. And for once, he understood her. She wanted him to ask her just so they could show everyone how much they loved each other. But it was all so soon - so fast ...

"I can't do it." He sighed and looked away. "I just can't ask you. Not until I know we're both ready for this."

"I am. Ron, please!"

Ron shook his head.

"Hermione, honestly, I've forgotten how commanding you used to b- AAAARRRRRGH!"

The next thing he knew he'd bruised his kneecap hard against the floor and there was something pushing down on his shoulders. He rubbed his knee and tried to get up, but he was held down fast.

"RONALD WEASLEY, YOU ARE GOING TO PROPOSE TO ME NOW AND YOU ARE GOING TO DO IT WITH A SMILE ON YOUR FACE!" Hermione positively bellowed at him. She forced him back onto the floor and held him there.

"Hermione! LEAVE ME ALONE!" Ron struggled against her, but she had such a manic glare in her eyes that he knew he'd never get anywhere.

But she let go of him and collapsed back onto the bed, suddenly sobbing her heart out. Ron sprang up, stumbled again, and sat down next to her.

"I'm so sorry!" she wailed, "Ron, I'm just going through so much right now -"

Ron smiled sadly at her.

"I told you, didn't I? I said we weren't ready."

"You're right. I'm really sorry, Ron. I can't believe I treated you like that at all."

Ron hugged her. He loved this girl so much he'd forgive her for anything.

"But you have to know that I do want you as my wife." Ron had never meant what he said as much as he did now. And he suddenly found himself sinking back onto his sore knee. He had exactly what he was going to say right in his mind - he didn't quite know why or how, but he did. It was short and simple, but he knew it would work. Hermione watched him in amazement as he swallowed.

"Hermione, this isn't an actual proposal but- one day, will you be my wife?"

Hermione gave a little squeal.

"Yes! Of course I will, you idiot!" Hermione threw her arms around Ron and they hugged and hugged and hugged. Ron kissed her on top of her head and they hugged some more.

"Oh, my lickle Ronniekins!" Mrs Weasley bustled in, tears in her eyes, "And before you yell at me, yes, I heard everything! I'm so proud of you!"

She put her arms around both of them and sobbed into their hair.

"Muuuum!" Ron moaned, trying to wriggle free.

A/N Well? What do you think? Weird, I know, but maybe, if I get enough reviews, I'll do a sequel. Please review, I need to know whether I should write any more of this stuff. Thanks!