Don't Cry For Us

Chapter 1:

The Beginning

"It's hard to know just what to do in times like these

It's hard to know just what to say..."

It was especially hard for a Miss Hermione Granger. She was getting stuck in the middle of each fight Harry and Ron had. They were the most stupidest fights, but then again, they were just boys. Her grandparents had died, and, even though Hermione was top in her class, her work was getting poor for what she had accomplished in the first four years. Now that she was a 5^th year, such talks of things as O.W.L's were popping up every time she walked into Transfiguration. And "times like these" mean now that Voldemort has his body back (which now means that he can touch Harry without hurting himself), more deaths like Cedric's would come about.

Hermione remembered the first time she "cared" about Ron. It was the first year at Hogwarts, when they were going to find the Sorcerer's Stone. Ron had sacrificed himself, in the gigantic Wizard Chess game, to move Hermione and Harry onto the next challenge. Hermione remembered that Harry yelled at her, because she almost ran over to Ron's aid. She remembered it all too well.

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Harry walked by with Ron, them bickering over the Divination homework, which was due tomorrow. "No, I was going to be trampled on Wednesday. Why don't you be hexed on Thursday?" "No, because I was going to have the flu Thursday-Saturday!" Hermione shook her head, and returned to her contemplating.

The next day, when Harry and Ron were walking up to Divination, Ron dropped his books, which ripped through his second-hand bag. "Reparo", he muttered, and the bag sealed up, like brand-new. When Harry helped Ron pick up his books, he saw that a ring dropped out of the bag, along with some Pumpkin Pasties. "Ron, why is this ring here?" The freckled-face boy turned pink around the ears, and he snatched it from Harry. "Isferhermione". "What? I didn't hear, Ron. You mumbled..." Harry said. Ron turned a shade of mulberry, and said loudly, "OKAY! IT'S FOR HERMIONE! JEEZ!" Harry looked astonished, and then smiled. "I knew you fancied her...you sly dog...when you going to give her the ring?" Ron looked around and, since it was a couple of months into the school year, "Today is Valentine's Day, right?" Harry remembered the date, and snickered. "What are you going to give her the ring by the fireside?" Ron looked astonished. "Ha! No, I'm asking her in front of everyone, yes by fireside! It's bloody cold out!" Harry laughed, and went off to Divination.

Ron stayed back in the hallway, and set his bag down. He plopped down on the marble tile, and he looked at the ring. He watched how the pictures conversed with each other, wishing each other a happy Valentine's Day. Even Sir Cadogan came over to Ron. "Alas, my good friend, what seems to be troubling such a young master's mind? And what is that ring for? A lady, mayhap? If that is thou's reason for such dolefulness, then rise! And I shall make thee battle, or else quest onward towards Divination!" Ron looked up, his hazel eyes looking at the picture. "Er, you're right, Sir Cadogan. I'll be off to Divination!" Ron smiled, and thought of the perfect plan to give Hermione the ring.

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"And I'm just sitting her asking' myself why

It's good to know you feel the same."

Hermione was sitting by the fireside, in a loveseat, and just stretched out. She sipped her hot chocolate that Winky snuck up for her. "Hermione, can I talk to you?" She turned around, and stood up, placing her hot chocolate down on the table. "Yes?" She was wearing a nightgown that was based upon the peasant-shirt style of the Muggles. Bell sleeves were lined with mother-of-pearl lace. The lace-lined collar crept slowly downward towards her breasts, but his enough to keep Ron, or any boy for that matter, guessing. Her toffee colored locks were curled around her heart-shaped face, gleaming from the water still left in her hair from her shower. She had taken off her reading glasses, and her azure eyes gleamed such a blue, it seemed if the lake next to Hogwarts were transported into those two orbs. Ron felt even more pressure; since she was dressed more, well, sexy, than normal. Ron swallowed his pride (and his nerves), and spoke up.

"Er...could you sit down, because you may need to relax if I scare you or make you mad. " Hermione looked strangely at Ron, her blue eyes looking with confusion and curiosity. "Okay."

She sat back down, and her bell sleeves fell silently against her forearms, the dark velvet caressing her pale skin. Ron gulped nervously, and he held out the ring. "What do you think about it?" Hermione looked astonished, and took it, and said, "It's beautiful. It looks if it is been in your family for ages. The designs on here are brilliantly carved, and there is an inscription... "Amabo tu semper...That's Latin for I will love you always... That's really romantic. Why do you ask?"

Ron blushed, and then got on the floor. He looked ridiculous. Hermione giggled at his awkwardness. It looked like he was going to propose..."Hermione...will...you...be my girlfriend?"

Hermione gasped, cried and said...