So the weeks went by and before they knew it, it was mid-September, Ginny was gone, and it was time to choose, once and for all, their career paths.
It was causing Ron great distress. Harry knew already, that he was to become an Auror. He wasn't sure about Hermione, but you could bet she knew herself. But what about Ron? What was in store for him? Everyone else had everything sorted out.
And it bought him back to the old problem. Hermione. Marriage. Harry and Ginny were set out, it would seem, but what about the two of them? What if Hermione was expecting something, soon?
He tried asking Harry one night. Harry shrugged. "Whatever mate. I've said it before, she'll wait for you, it's your move."
But Ron was not so sure anymore. Would she wait? Was she getting impatient?
But then, they were only nineteen!
She's twenty now.
That doesn't change anything.
Hadn't she been the one to bring it up?
But, then there was the endless bickering to be thought of.
She had agreed it should come to an end.
But what if it didn't?
The two of them did always make up.
For now.
Shut up!
And so the mental battle continued.
And then Ron decided there was only one way to settle this. To start where the whole marriage shebang had begun.
Over the chessboard.
He challenged her to a game. She smiled and accepted, as he agreed to play with a Muggle set. They sat down at either side and Ron nudged his pawn forward as his first move. Hermione mirrored him.
"So." he said.
She looked up. "You're talking during a chess game?"
He gave a sheepish grin. "Only a game, after all."
"Yeah." she breathed softly. "Only a game."
They both moved a few more times, and claimed a pawn each. Ron cornered her bishop with a rook. She looked at it.
"I told you, you always beat me."
"Yeah, but then you won."
"True." she conceded.
"But you cheated." he blurted out, unable to be gracious about it.
Hermione looked up. "Cheated? How?"
He winced as he realised what he said. Nothing for it now. He opened his mouth to speak but then she said "Flip! I forgot! I've got that interview, if I want to get my place. How could I forget? Dammit!" She stood up and looked around
Her place? Where was she planning on going then? What was she doing?
"Five minutes?" he asked.
He must have looked distressed because her features softened. "Yeah, I guess I could spare that. I'm as ready as I'll ever be. And I need to calm down."
"Yeah, you really do."
She smiled and sat back down, pushing a knight in an L shape.
"So what were you saying?"
"Nothing." His opportune moment, gone! He breathed out through his nose.
"Are you sure?" she asked, scrutinizing him. "Your ears have gone red."
"And?" he asked, frowning.
"Well, that always happens when you're angry or embarrassed."
Ron felt a swooping sensation. She had noticed something about him! She knew him possibly better than he knew himself.
He had to do it.
"Well, actually, I was going to ask you something…" he trailed off.
"Yes?"
Was that her answer? Did she know already?
No. Don't be ridiculous.
He took a deep breath and started again.
"It's just, soon, we'll all be starting new jobs, or training for them or whatever, and I was thinking about the future…and about us."
Hermione went red. "Oh, Ron…" she breathed softly.
No. No, he was going to finish this himself, without her help.
"And…"
Hermione's practical side kicked in. "I should really go now, I don't want to be late." She stood up and began to make for the door.
That was IT! He HAD to say it, or he never would.
"Will you marry me?" he shouted without realising what he was doing, immediately thinking it was the wrong thing to say. They were too young, she didn't love him, they hadn't been together long enough.
"Ron!" she cried and threw herself at him, locking her arms around his neck and giving him a lop-sided kiss. And then, she laughed.
She laughed at him, he thought dejectedly. It was over. He had lost the love of his life.
But hadn't she just kissed him?
"But I've got Healer school, haven't I? And you'll have to get through Auror training, right?" She let him go and said "We'll talk about it later, okay? I've really go to go."
She turned for the kitchen again.
Huh? What just happened?
He stammered a bit. "W-what? You've confused me. Do you want to marry me or don't you?"
She walked over to him and kissed the tip of his long nose, her hand under his chin.
"Of course I do Ron. Just…not yet, alright?"
And with that, she walked through the kitchen out the back door and away.
So there you go. That's how it may have happened.
Um, as I've said, I'm doing a sort of sequel, only it will be from Lavender's point of view, because I like the idea. If you like my writing and not just the storyline of this, would you please check it out? I don't mind for my other stories, but I would like this one to get on its feet and I'd really appreciate some reviews from you fabulous people. It will be slightly more serious and the chapters longer than this, but I myself think its better written. Click on my name and it should come up at the bottom of my profile with the others, called "Lavender Scent," or something of the sort.
Once again, thank you SOSOSOSOSOSOSOSOSOSOSOSOSOSOSOSO much for reading and reviewing, I love you all,
Go n-eiri an bothar leat
Go raibh an ghaoth go brach ag do chul
Go lonrai an ghrian go te ar d'aghaidh
Go dtite an bhaisteach go min ar do ghoirt
Agus go mbuailimid le cheile aris,
Go coinni Dia I mbos A laimhe thu.
(May the road rise up to meet you, May the wind be always at your back, May the sun shine warmy on your face, May the rain fall softly on your land, And until we meet again, May God keep you in the palm of His hand.) Or as we're on the Internet, xxxxxoooooxxxxx