Silverlining

Chapter 5-
The week seemed to move slowly, harry was still swamped with work and much to his surprise he came home Friday to see run immersed in a book.
“Have I fallen into an alternate universe or are you actually reading?” Harry asked as he entered the sitting room.
Ron looked up “Ha ha you’re a regular riot you are. I have this idea for a new joke line at the store, I was talking about it with Hermione and she suggested I read this.”
“I’m surprised you didn’t ask her to read it and tell you what you need to know.”
“I tried and she told me she was too busy with school.”
Harry laughed, and they spent a quiet evening studying their respective books.
Harry woke at dawn on Saturday; they were set to meet the girls and nine at the Three Broomsticks. Since he was awake he decided to try to study but it was no use he couldn’t concentrate. At six he finally gave up and went to the kitchen to make breakfast. Ron came down the stairs not long after looking heavy lidded.
“Mornin” He said tiredly
“Mornin, I was making some bangers and eggs, you want some?”
“O’ course” Ron answered sitting at the table “What time is it anyways?”
“Nearly seven” Harry answered
Ron continued to ask the time every fifteen minutes until they apparated to Hogsmeade, driving Harry nearly mad. They waited another twenty minutes for the girls to show up. Harry had decided to leave early hoping Ron would calm down. But it was no good Ron kept looking at the door and fidgeting.
Harry finally had enough and said “You would think this is your first date. What is wrong with you?”
“Umm…well...I’m not sure I should tell you…I may just end up making a total arse out of myself…” Ron Trailed off.
Harry waited several minutes for him to continue, when he didn’t he asked “Are you going to tell me how you’re going to make and arse of yourself or leave me to wonder about your mental health.”
Ron swallowed and glanced at the door again before showing Harry the small velvet box clutched in his sweaty hand. Harry was astounded,
“I didn’t know it was that serious.”
‘Well I figure I better ask her before you smartens up.” Ron said joking and tried to laugh but it came out sounding more like a high pitched whistle.
The door to the Three Broomsticks opened and Ron quickly shoved the box back into his pocket. Hermione and Ginny entered with Luna, Neville and Hannah all chatting happily, Harry stood and waived them over to the table they had chosen in the corner. Ginny reached them first and kissed Harry before taking the seat next to his. Ron gave Hermione an awkward one armed hug before he brought his hand back to his lap and continued fidgeting. Luna sat beside Ginny and then Neville and Hannah sat beside her. Harry saw to his pleasure that Neville must have worked up the courage to ask her out as they were holding hands and smiling at each other. They all spent the next hour visiting, until Luna announced that she had to go meet Dean at Zonko’s, Harry noticed she did not sound like her normal when she was saying goodbye to everyone. Shortly after Neville and Hannah mentioned something about Honeydukes and left as well. Ron who had been steadily improving, most likely because all the talking had distracted him, quickly turned green.
“Are you all right?” Hermione asked
“No I am half left.” Ron answered and laughed his high pitch whistle laugh again, swallowed and then shook his head yes.
“Why don’t we go for a walk Ginny?” Harry asked hoping his friend would improve if he didn’t have an audience.
As they got up to leave Ron quickly stood to say goodbye and tripped over the table leg, his hand came flying out of his pocket in attempt to catch himself, but when that did so did the box, He landed on the floor with a thud still clutching it. Hermione ran to check on him not even noticing the box. Ginny did however and looked at Harry, who shook his head to confirm her suspensions. Ron sat up looking horrified; Hermione continued to worry over him.
“Did you break anything?” she said as she checked over his arms looking down at his hands she finally noticed the box and froze, she looked up at Ron’s face.
“This isn’t quiet what how I had imagined it, but since I am down here.” he adjusted so that he was knelling on one knee “Hermione willyoumarryme.” He said it very fast. Harry wasn’t sure what exactly what he had said but Hermione must have understood him because she shook her head yes. Ginny screamed with delight and Ron hugged Hermione to him. They all took turns hugging each other and Harry whispered to Ron
“Well you did manage to make an arse of yourself”
“Do I get the see what’s in the box or is it just for show?” Hermione asked
Ron got nervous again and handed her the box sayings “It’s not much, but well I have been saving, someday I will get you a better one. Hermione wasn’t listening she had opened the box to reveal a small gold band with a heart shaped diamond.
“It’s perfect” she whispered and extended her hand for Ron to place the ring on her finger. Hermione spent the rest of the day staring at her hand periodically. If the week had gone slow the day seemed to speed up to compensate for it. Before any of them were ready it was time for the girls to return to school.
As Hermione and Ginny walked but to the school Ginny said.
“So you’re going to be my sister in law and a Weasley, How does it feel?”
“I don’t think it has sunk in yet. I was worried Ron was acting so strange because of the letter I had sent him two days ago.”
“Oh?”
“Well I figured he was lonely so I sent him a letter and a picture both of which were pretty provocative”
Ginny interrupted ‘Hermione I really do like talking to you about most things but ppplllleeease don’t tell me about my brother’s love life.”
Hermione blushed and they continued their walk in silence.