While Hermione was out shopping for Christmas presents, her beloved boyfriend decided to stop by her parents' cozy little home on the suburbs of England. It was small yet loveable. A cottage, you could call it. Everyone who passed was overwhelmed by the homey feeling and comfortable vibe that came off from the house. But as Cedric neared Oakley Manor in Surrey, he couldn't help but feel anything but comfortable at the sight.

He stopped, taking deep breaths at the doorstep. A year ago, he had met the Grangers. They had, of course, been friendly enough. Jean had been the ultimate hostess and offered cookies and milk to snack on. It was nice, he had to admit. Never in his life has someone other than Molly Weasley or Jean Granger been so inviting. He had to give extra props to Jean though. After all, he was dating his daughter. It must have taken a lot to be that generous, some day he'd be stealing their only daughter.

It was plain to see. Anyone who passed by the couple could see that they loved each other immensely. Everyone knew that they'd some day tie the knot and live happily ever after. This happened to be why Cedric Diggory was at the doorstep of Hermione Granger's parents. He was going to ask her father for permission. If only he could muster enough courage. It's not like he was sorted into Gryffindor, he reasoned.

Before he changed his mind and rounded the street corner, he rang the doorbell. The door opened to reveal a dimly lit hallway. To the side, he saw Jean Granger, smiling pleasantly. She looked almost exactly like the love of his life. Both had the same perfect smile, deep honey colored eyes, and chocolate colored hair. Hermione had inherited her mane of curls from her father though. His eyes adjusted quickly to the lighting as he was escorted into the house.

"Well this is a pleasant surprise," Jean spoke.

"Yes, well, I was just stopping by while Hermione went shopping to ask a certain question," he hinted subtly.

"Oh," she replied, "I'll just get Robert then."

He waited in their sitting room, observing the various pictures spread all over the walls and mantle above the fire. Cedric was especially interested in one particular picture. It was Hermione at the age of seven or eight. She looked absolutely angelic in her white sundress. She was barefoot, wearing a crown of flowers around her head. She was dancing around, in circles it seemed. It looked like a professional photo. Although it wasn't moving like the ones in the wizarding world, he found it more interesting.

"She's beautiful, don't you think?"

Cedric turned around to see a tall, fairly round man leaning against the doorway to the room filled with pictures. Robert Granger was a studious man, wearing reading glasses and carrying a book. He was who Hermione inherited her love for books from. He was almost always in his study, learning new things. The man knew everything and anything, just like his daughter. That was the half that Hermione had inherited from her father. While she looked like Jean's twin, she had the intellect and personality of her father. He admired the man in front of him not only because he was the father of the woman he loved, but because he was so much like her.

"Yes, sir, I do believe so."

"Well then son, you have passed the first test. Please, have a seat."

He stared quizzically for a second before following Mr. Granger's order. He took a seat plush loveseat that, if he weren't about to ask permission to marry this man's only daughter, would probably make him really comfortable. Robert Granger did the same, except sitting in the large cushioned armchair that Cedric had learned was 'his' armchair.

"When you first met my daughter, did you believe you were going to marry her?"

Hermione Granger was pacing back and fourth, worrying her bottom lip with her teeth. Her best friend, Harry Potter, was lounging lazily on the seat beside her. They were sitting in the library trying to figure out the egg. Out of pure frustration, she slammed her hands on the table, narrowly avoiding Madam Pince's disapproving glare.

"Harry, concentrate!" she whispered furiously.

"Hermione, I still have a week. You have to relax," he rolled his eyes.

Shaking her head, she stomped out of the library. She left just in time to skip angry mutterings and scowls sent to her by Madam Pince. Hermione didn't quite feel like going back to the Gryffindor common room. She knew that Harry would be there; waiting to apologize, and quite frankly she had enough of the certain green eyed bloke. She stalked around the castle for a while until it was finally curfew.

Tired, she walking slowly back to Gryffindor Tower. She only hoped that a prefect wouldn't catch her as it was already three minutes past curfew. Unfortunately, luck seemed not to be on her side that day. A sixth year with sandy blonde hair stopped her as she was about to round the corner that led to the Fat Lady's portrait. So close, she thought bitterly, as she stood a foot or so below the tall prefect.

"On a late night stroll I see, Miss…?"

"Granger," she replied bitingly.

The boy raised an eyebrow, although clearly not affected. "Potter's friend? Well then, it's lovely to meet you. Off you are, wouldn't want to be caught walking around after hours now would you, Miss Granger," he winked. With that, he left her, utterly confused.

"Honestly, the first time I met your daughter was when I had caught her walking back to the Gryffindor tower after curfew. I don't believe I felt particularly wooed at the time."

Mr. Granger grinned. "Second test: passed. You see, honesty is something we Grangers hold near and dear, no matter how brutal. If you were to tell a big lie, just to spare my daughter's feelings, I don't think you'd be able to come within a mile of any alter while Hermione's wearing a veil. Though, I'm not saying that you should hurt my daughter. You hurt her, I hurt you."

Cedric cringed at the thought.

"But anyway, I must ask, what is it about my daughter that has you so taken?"

Cedric grinned, "It's everything about her, sir. Her love for books not only shows that she's intelligent, but passionate about something other than looks like some other girls. She cares about her friends and family. Going through the war by the side of Harry and never leaving showed that. She'd never abandon those that she loves, no matter how hard things seem to be. She's also the most beautiful witch I have ever seen. I remind her of it everyday, although she denies it with a laugh. That's also something that I love about her. She can laugh about anything and everything. She seems to take every little bad thing and turn it into something good. Her optimism is absolutely wonderful. She's just so perfect. I wouldn't trade her in for anyone," he finished with a glazed look.

"You've passed test number three. I needed to be certain that you are indeed completely in love with my daughter and will treat her well. Now," he sighed, leaning forward, "may I see the ring?"

Nodding, Cedric searched the pockets of his coat and pulled out a single velvet box. He handed it over to Robert Granger gently, as if he would break it. The older man took the box and opened it. Inside lay a white gold ring with a sapphire delicately placed between two diamonds. Mr. Granger smiled slightly, realizing that the gem was not only his daughter's favorite color, but her birthstone. A tear formed in the corner of his eyes as he handed the ring back to the bloke in front of him.

"Son, you've passed the fourth test," he told Cedric quietly, wiping a stray tear from his eye. "I'm really not an emotional bloke, really, but seeing as you've found the absolute best ring for Hermione. Now I'm certain that she'd say yes. It's just that she's my first and only child, my little girl. It breaks my heart to know that she won't only be mine anymore. I trust you, you better not let me down," with one last pat on the back, Robert Granger left Cedric, once again, alone in the room.

Now that Cedric had permission to ask for Hermione's hand in marriage, he didn't want to wait. He quickly left the Grangers' household, saying a quick goodbye and thank you to Jean. Off he rushed to the apartment that he shared with Hermione. On the way, he though about how to ask her. Various speeches popped into his head. In every one of those speeches, he told her exactly how much he loved her and that he'd never hurt her. Every word was complete truth and he meant them with the entirety of his heart. He loved her and never wanted to let her go. So that's exactly what he said.