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The Engagement	By : saritat9 Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Ron/Hermione Views: 6588 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter. I'm not making any money with this. No copyright infrigment intended.

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The Engagement

Chapter 9: The Advice
Just as Ron had feared, NOT thinking hadn't turned out to be a viable option.

She isn't with Percy. She is free. The sweet thought pounded inside his head along with a gnawing headache, the latter which might have more to do with the near empty bottle of butter rum he was still clinging to. At least it had dulled the emotional storm inside him into that single electrifying thought.

Ron started to feel that he really needed another opinion; from someone he trusted and who knew him and Hermione and their entire history. And, most importantly, someone who would give it to him straight. There was only one person fitting that description, so as soon as he had straightened himself out a bit (which meant changing into fresh clothes and spelling his teeth and breath clean) he left to find Harry, not really noticing nor caring that it was barely morning.

= = =

"Ron, is that you? It's 5AM! What's happened?!" there was a hint of panic in Harry's voice as Ron was finally able to find his way into a chair.

"Don't sweat, mate. No one's dead and everyone else is fast asleep." In fact, Harry would have been asleep too, if he hadn't heard someone stumbling around in his living room. Only very few people had unlimited access to his home. Looking at Ron it wasn't any wonder that he had been stumbling and making all kinds of noise. He was just short of being completely pissed.

"What in the name of Merlin's very own privates is going on here?" Harry demanded exhaustedly.

"I've made a mess of everything, Harry. And I mean that this is the biggest cock up I've ever managed and she'll never forgive me. But she is free now and they aren't even dating anymore so I should have a chance, right? That'd only be...proper."

"I'm afraid you should start from the beginning...or even earlier. This isn't about Christina, is it?"

"No. And as much of a prick as it makes me, I don't really even care." Ron had shut his eyes and Harry had a sneaking suspicion that he was hugging a bottle inside his robes.

"Who and what are you talking about then? And don't even think about taking another swig or I'll call Ginny. And your mum."

Ron removed his hand from his robes and shoved the bottle to Harry, sighing miserably.

"You know I love her. I know you do, how could you not. I know she deserves someone better, but the thought of anyone else near her makes me want to throw up and then do violent things. Especially to that Bulgarian wanker that hurt her."

A Muggle light bulb sprang into light in Harry's head.

"Hermione." he stated. Ron nodded reverently, eyes burning feverishly.

"What's all this about not deserving her and being free?"

"She dumped Percy. And deserving her...don't insult me by being nice just because you're my friend. You were the hero. I was the one who failed her. I listened to those horrible sounds and couldn't do anything."

"My God! Are you still hung up on what happened at Malfoy Manor? That was years ago! And she was saved, loads of times before and after! And by you, too! You're the one who was protecting her from the start! From Malfoy's racial slurs, from-"

"I just listened to her, the girl I saw myself eventually married to, not knowing how it would turn out. I thought I would die if anything happened to her. But you saved her and all of us, that's why you're the hero and I'm just a sidekick. And she's the fucking princess. It doesn't work like this. Princess gets the hero. She deserves a hero."

Harry was having a difficult time balancing his sympathy and extreme annoyance at his friend's thoughts and attitude.

"I'm sort of taken, on the account of being with your sister. As for her deserving a genuine hero, don't you think you qualify as such yourself, Order of Merlin, second class and all? Besides, you aren't remembering this right. I wouldn't have been able to save anyone, even myself, without Dobby. When Hermione was screaming I was barely able to think. I'd gotten her and you into that whole mess, but worse than that, I knew what it would do to you if anything really bad happened to her. If I had failed, I would have lost you both."

Ron digested Harry's words with a thoughtful, if a bit drunken expression on his unshaven face.

"And furthermore, what I've learned with Ginny is that it's bloody selfish to go and make noble decisions alone that also effect the women we love. Hermione should have a say in this, too. You've been skirting around the issue long enough. I just assumed you needed to experience...other people, before committing to her. With her it would last forever."

"I wouldn't want anything less with her. I'm mad about her, Harry! But what if she doesn't care for me like I care for her? And even if she did and even if I could get over failing her before, she could do so much better." Ron mumbled.

"Better like Viktor perhaps?" Harry mocked, "Now look, Ron, you've loved the woman since the day you met her. Perhaps it's the time to find out if she feels the same way and then rejoice when, I mean if, she does. Only a bleeding idiot would keep on sabotaging his own happiness like this."

Ron shrugged, not able to deny the truth of his friend's words. From a certain point of view he had been sabotaging his happiness for a long time. And Hermione's, if she reciprocated his feelings. He didn't dare to even hope for that eventuality.

"Fine. I'll talk to her as soon as possible." he turned towards the floo when Harry interrupted him.

"Ron? I'd suggest you sleep yourself sober first and tart yourself up a bit. And perhaps some flowers or sweets wouldn't be a bad idea."

"Tart myself up?" he spluttered, " I'm not a witch, Harry!"

"No, but you're trying to win one over, a special one. And at the moment you look and smell quite...worse for wear."

"I changed clothes before I came here and spelled my breath clean, you know! And I wasn't going to visit her now." Ron was getting annoyed at this strange turn of the conversation. He wasn't used to Harry of all people making comments on his hygiene.

"When you've drank as much of butter rum as you have, a simple spell won't do it. Seriously, sleep it off and then get yourself squeaky clean. You'll thank me later."

"If you say so," Ron muttered darkly.

= = =

Ron took up Harry's advice, as much as it pained him. He downed the only vial of sobering potion he could find inside his loo cupboard and went straight to bed. It took awhile for him to get sleep, and while he waited he was plagued by visions of Hermione mounting him, her bushy hair flowing wild and free behind her back while she started a slow trail of kisses on his neck and his chest. Unfortunately for Ron and his dreams, her kisses had time to reach a lot lower before he finally fell asleep.

It was already 3PM when he awoke, and feeling much better physically he drew himself a hot bath and decided to rub himself squeaky clean as per Harry's suggestion. The memories of his dreams followed him into the tub, but he refused to sully Hermione by pleasuring himself to her image until he made his feelings known to her and found out about hers. No matter that he had "sullied" her constantly during his teenage years and still did, sometimes, when he was so hard up for her that he couldn't stop himself. Today was different though; today was the day he would speak up. Today his dreams would either soar or be crushed like a disgusting little spider.

After his bath he shaved himself and trimmed his overlong hair with a simple charm his mother had taught him. The result wasn't very notable, but his hair looked tidier all the same.

As for clothes, he decided to dress casually. This was an important occasion, but not one that he wanted her to note as soon as he arrived in her flat. He needed some time in her presence before he could spring the news.

Ron considered flowers and sweets, but decided against them. Flowers would definitely tip her off and this wasn't the time for food or candy. The only thing he wanted to devour was her and the only thing he wanted her to devour in turn was him. He felt his heartbeat quicken at the very thought.

How was he ever to survive this? What should he say? And what if he couldn't get the words out of his mouth and would be left with just his mouth gaping open like a fish on dry land?

= = =

Hermione was making dinner the Muggle way when there was a knock on the door. She wiped her wet hands on a dish towel and hurried to see who was there. She was surprised to see Harry.

"Harry! Why didn't you just Floo right in?" she scolded him gently and pulled him inside. "It's been ages since you've graced my flat without Ron or Ginny in tow. Everything is alright, isn' it?"

"Yea, everything's fine. I just had this sudden urge to come and see you."

"Oh. That's nice." she smiled, "Want to come and sit in the kitchen while I finish cooking? There will be enough for two if you're hungry."

"Nah, I don't have the time to stay that long but I'll gladly sit awhile while you prepare. So. How've you been lately?"

Hermione had a feeling that his question held more than just idle chit chat.

"I'm fine. If you think that I'm still upset over Viktor's engagement-"

"No I'm not worried about Viktor, I know that's over and done with. I did hear that you broke up with Percy, though."

"It's not like we were dating very long or seriously, so I don't think you can call it breaking up per se." Hermione grumbled while stirring her sauce.

"Tomatoes, tomatos...Ron seemed worried about you."

"Oh God, what did he say? He isn't mad at me for last night is he?"

"Why would he be mad?" Harry asked innocently.

"We sort of had a fight. I was really insensitive about Christina and everything...but I apologized and we made up but then he left really abruptly -"

"He didn't seem mad to me," Harry shrugged, "just worried. I think he might be coming over tonight to see for sure."

"He will?" Hermione exclaimed, blushing profusely.

"I got the impression that he would. It's a good thing you're making enough food for two, I'm sure he could use some."

Harry and Hermione rolled their eyes simultaneously. Ron wasn't the eating machine he used to be; he had a healthy appetite but also took his time while eating.

"Hmm. Maybe I should whip up some homemade bread, too." Hermione muttered, already reaching for a bowl and some flour.

"I'll get off your hair then, I just wanted to see you're okay." Harry got up and walked to the Floo. "And Hermione? For what it's worth, I don't think Percy was the right Weasley to try out with. I'm sort of glad that you figured it out as soon as you did."

Hermione was left speechless while Harry stepped into the fFoo and disappeared.

After a few seconds she came to and started to make the bread. It would go well with her green salad, pesto sauce and pasta. And it would be enough to satisfy even Ron's appetite, she smiled.

= = =

Hermione was taking her freshly baked bread out of the oven when she heard the floo activate with a hiss. She turned to look and saw Ron's head above the flames.
"Er...hi. Can I come through?" he asked, seeming...shy?

"Of course. Dinner's ready, except for the pasta but that only takes a few minutes."

Ron stepped into the room, as surprised at her words as the ease of them.

"Were you expecting me?"

"Harry came by and said you'd probably come over."

"Harry!" Ron was alarmed, "What did he say?"

"Nothing really, just that you might come. And I'm really glad you did because I'm so sorry about what I said last night and I was hoping we could talk about it, just to make sure everything is truly fine between us."

"Of course everything is fine." Ron replied automatically, "But...it is a good idea to sit down and have dinner and talk, just the two of us. We haven't done that since..."

"Ever?" Hermione suggested.

Ron thought for awhile, and had to admit that she was right. They had never really had dinner just the two of them. That made this occasion even more significant...and terrifying. And as if to highlight that, Hermione lit two candles on the dining table.
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The Engagement