Hermione Granger and the Two Lovers

Chapter Twenty-Six

Hermione ran into the castle and up the stairs to the dormitory, not stopping until she was lying on her bed, crying.

Why did Ron have to ruin such a good thing? They were getting along great, and then he has to go and propose!

"Hermione?" somebody whispered.

Hermione glanced up to see Ginny, who sat down next to her on Hermione's bed.

"What do you want?" Hermione bellowed.

"What happened?" Ginny asked.

"He asked me to marry him," Hermione answered quietly.

"That's wonderful!" Ginny shrieked.

"No, it's not. My father would kill me if I got married. He wants me to go to a muggle college when I get out of Hogwarts. He wants me to get a muggle job. He doesn't believe that magic will get me far in life!"

"But what about Ron? What about your friends? What about me?" Ginny pleaded.

"I don't know!" Hermione yelled. She buried her face in her pillow.

"Hermione, I'll be here when you want to talk," Ginny said and then left the room.

Hermione slowly cried into her pillow and fell asleep.

*~*~*~*~*

Hermione woke up at 6:45 and got dressed. This was only a little earlier than when she usually got up. She put on he robe and went downstairs, into the common room. It was empty, as usual. So, she headed down to the Great Hall.

Harry was sitting at the Gryffindor table. Other than that the Hall was empty.

Hermione silently sat down next to him. One, single tear slid down her cheek. Harry reached up and brushed the tear away.

"Wow," Hermione whispered. "Déjà vu."

Harry chuckled. "Ron told me he proposed."

Hermione nodded as she stared blankly at the wall.

"So, what's the problem?" he asked.

"Didn't Ron tell you about my father?"

"Yes, but you shouldn't have to live his dream, you should live your own life."

He was right. She was wrong, again.

Hermione hugged Harry. "Thank you."

Harry smiled to himself as Hermione ran out of the Great Hall and back up to the Gryffindor tower to find Ron.

Hermione burst through the boys' dormitory door. She immediately turned around and exited, after seeing many boys getting changed. She did not need to see that this early in the morning.

Ron opened the door and came out to see Hermione. He didn't look very happy, but he was shirtless, so he couldn't be too mad at her.

"Ron, I'm sorry about last night. I didn't mean to hurt your feelings. I hope you will forgive me because I love you," she said in one breath.

"Hermione, I really don't know what to say," Ron told her. "Considering I didn't understand a word you just said."

Hermione smirked and kissed Ron. When they finally drew apart, Ron said, "I do, however, understand that."

"Good," she said, not sure what to tell him.

There was a long silence as Hermione tried to figure out what to say.

"Ron, is your offer still open?"

"What offer?"

"Go get the damn ring!" Hermione yelled at him.

"Oh, that offer. Well, that depends, do I get to propose again?" Ron asked curiously.

"If it'll make you happy," Hermione said, smiling.

"Okay, hold on," he said, running back in the dormitory.

There was suddenly a large amount of cheering coming from inside the dormitory.

Hermione blushed as Ron came out, bent down on one knee, and said, "Hermione, I love you. I've loved you ever since we first met, and I don't just mean-"

"Ron, will you just get to the actual question?" Hermione asked impatiently.

"I thought I got to repropose!" Ron argued.

"Yes, you get to redo the actual proposal. I already know you love me and you don't just fancy me!"

"Will you marry me then?"

"Yes!" Hermione yelled throwing her arms around his neck and kissing him.

"Yes!" Ginny yelled behind them. She quickly ran back down the stairs.

Ron dressed and then escorted Hermione to the Great Hall. When they opened the doors to the Hall, everyone burst into applause.

Hermione blushed and Ron's ears turned bright red. Hermione then got a very evil idea. She turned to Ron and snogged him in front of the entire Great Hall. For once, she didn't care about what anyone thought. Not even her parents. It was her life, which she would share with Ron, forever.

"With all thy faults, I love thee still."

-Cowper