Work Text:
December 17, 2000
12 Grimmauld Place
Harry Potter
____
“Oh, will you please stop it already? I swear to Merlin I’m going to throw this pillow at you,” Harry huffed in annoyance, throwing his head back against his bed.
The last thing he’d expected on his day off was to be woken up by Ron busting into his bedroom at six in the morning, pacing a hole in the hardwood floors. He had been in the middle of a rather nice dream of him and Ginny taking a fly above the clouds when his sleep had been interrupted.
He’d stayed quiet for the first few minutes as Ron flew into a downward spiral over something or the other that Hermione had said. But as time went on, so did Ron’s worrying, and he grew tired of it before long. He hadn’t meant to yell out those words, but his outburst came tumbling out of his lips before he could even try to put a stop to them.
By some miracle, Ron listened and was no longer talking. Instead, he stood rigid, looking like someone had kicked a puppy in front of him.
Harry shook his head. “I–I’m sorry, mate. I didn’t mean it like that… I’m just tired. I got in late last night after that mission with Stevens.”
“You were on that stakeout with Stevens? Good Godric, Harry. Why didn’t you say something before? That wanker is probably one of the most irritating people I’ve ever met and we went to school with the likes of Malfoy and Parkinson.”
“I would have but you came in here, opened all the windows, and started ranting about things that made no sense. The only thing I caught from this entire time you’ve been speaking was Hermione’s name.”
Ron’s face reddened. “Sorry about that, I just–well, you know how I get when I get nervous.”
“Yeah, you forget how to communicate properly and lose all regard for things like boundaries.” Harry chuckled as he sat up straight, ready to listen to what his friend had to say. “Okay, now will you please get on with it and say whatever it is that’s got you like this?”
Ron took a deep breath, most likely as an attempt to steel himself. “I’m in love with Hermione.”
Of all the things he’d expected Ron to say, this was not one of them. Not because it was new information or because it wasn’t true. No, he was surprised by Ron’s confession because this statement may as well have been a fact of life. Like the laws of gravity or something comparable.
All he could do was stare at Ron and blink. “Yes.”
“Yes? I tell you this huge thing and all you say is yes?” Ron said, glaring at Harry.
“I said yes because I already knew that. Everyone knows that. You know that, even Hermione knows that! You’ve been together for two years now. You’ve said the words ‘I love you’ countless times. I just don’t understand why you—someone who hates waking up early—would come to my house and wake me up to tell me something I already know.”
“No, you’re not understanding me,” Ron sighed in exasperation. “Yes, I’ve loved her my whole life, it feels like. I have known that for a while and I’ve never been happier. But it just hit me that I’m in love with her. To the point that I’m done, Harry. I don’t need or want anyone else because she is everything. She is more essential to me than the bloody air I breathe. I’d give up my career, my magic, my life to be by her side forever. And it’s fucking exhilarating and terrifying all at the same time. But do you know what the most mental part of all of this is? I think she feels the same way, too.”
Harry’s jaw dropped at his best friend’s transparency. Sure they talked about things from time to time, but this level of vulnerability was certainly not commonplace. But once again, he couldn’t say he was surprised.
Instead, he hummed in response. “Would it make you feel better if I pretended that I didn’t already know all of this information?”
“Git,” Ron replied, shoving Harry as he took a seat on the bed. “No seriously, how did you know all this already? I didn’t notice it until I woke up from the dream I had this morning.”
“Come on, Ron. You can’t tell me there wasn’t some part inside of you that already knew this. I’ve known since about fourth year that you and Hermione were going to get married one day.”
“You didn’t want to let me in on that?”
“No, because I wanted a chance to win the bet that your brothers started years ago.”
“There’s a bet?” Ron’s face scrunched in confusion.
“Oh yeah, I can’t remember which of the twins started it, but it was before Bill and Fleur’s wedding.”
“I’m just now finding out about this?”
Harry rolled his eyes. “It serves you right. It’s taken you this long to figure out something that the rest of us have known for ages. So, what are you going to do about it?”
“I don’t know.”
It was moments like these that reminded Harry just why his two best friends spent years dancing around things instead of just being together. For a split second he considered using the Imperius curse on Ron, but he decided against it, coming to the conclusion that Hermione would hex him to Sunday if he did. That woman scared him more than the Auror Disciplinary Committee.
He removed his glasses and pinched the bridge of his nose before addressing Ron. “You’re an Auror. You’re one of the best Aurors in the entire department. You’re on the fast track to becoming Head Strategist in a few years. You are a war hero. You’re a Gryffindor for Merlin’s sake. And you’re telling me that you’re driving yourself barmy over this?”
“When you put it like that, you make me sound ridiculous.”
“Because you are, Ron. You said so yourself, you love her and need her more than the air in your lungs. So, do something about it. It’s almost Christmas. Make a big gesture or something, I don’t know. But if you’re over here telling me about how terrifying this all is for you, imagine how she feels. She has all the same feelings and has no idea that you return them.”
“I guess I didn’t think of it like that.”
“Yeah, I bet you didn’t,” Harry said, chuckling at Ron’s wide eyes. “So, how are you going to fix it?”
Ron shook his head. “I’m not sure yet, but I’ll let you know when I do. Thanks again, mate. I’m sorry for waking you up so early on your day off. I’ll let you get back to sleep.”
Harry barely had time to say goodbye when Ron disapparated from the room. He glanced over at his dog Moony who was sitting in the corner of the room, ears perked up at the sound of Ron’s exit. Moony barked a few times, as if trying to communicate with him.
“Yes, I know bud. He’s mental isn’t he, boy?”
Moony wagged his tail and climbed up onto the bed, resting his head on Harry’s lap.
“But we love him anyway.”
Moony barked again, agreeing with Harry’s statement.
“Okay, let's get a bit more shut-eye before Ginny decides to wake up and come over too. Sound good, Moony?”
___
December 20, 2000
Auror Office - Ministry of Magic
Harry Potter
___
A few days later, Harry was pouring himself a cup of coffee in the office break room when Ron came up behind him.
“I’m going to ask her to marry me.”
Harry very nearly dropped the mug in his hands, catching it just before it could spill all over the floor. “I’m sorry, what did you say?”
“I’m going to ask Hermione to marry me, Harry.”
“You’re going to propose?”
“I’m going to propose.”
Placing the mug down on a nearby table, he stretched out his arms and grinned, pulling Ron into an embrace. “That’s incredible, mate. Are you sure you’re ready for this?”
“I’m positive, Harry,” Ron replied, his own smile growing on his lips. “I’ve spent the last few days thinking about it and I know that it’s right. I know it’s old fashioned and she’d probably be mortified if she found out, but I even went and asked her parents for their blessing. They said yes, if you were wondering. So now, all I really need is a ring… And I was hoping that you’d be willing to go with me after work to find one?”
“Of course I will! When do you plan on asking her?”
“Christmas Eve.” Ron’s ears grew pink as he began sharing his plan. “We had already decided to spend the evening together, just the two of us at her flat. I’m going to make dinner and wait until we’re sitting by the fireplace to ask. Nothing big or fancy. Just the two of us, exactly how I hope to be for the rest of our lives.”
“That’s wonderful, Ron. I’m sure she’s going to love it.”
“You think she’ll say yes?”
Harry snorted at Ron’s nervous fidgeting. “ Of course she’s going to say yes. I thought we already went over this when you barged into my home a few days ago.”
“I know, I know. It’s just… sometimes I can’t believe I deserve her. I’m not sure I can ever be good enough, no matter what I do in this life.”
“Ron, you are more than enough for her. Trust me, I look at Ginny and forget how to speak sometimes because I’m so overwhelmed by the love I feel for her. I wonder how I managed to be so lucky, but then I remember it has nothing to do with luck. She chose me and she chooses me everyday. Hermione does the same for you.”
Ron’s lips twitched into a shy smile. “Thanks, Harry. I know this is strange for us because we don’t usually talk about this stuff, but I’m glad I can talk to you. I know my brothers would take the mickey out of me if they found out just how much of a sap I am.”
“Oh, I’m definitely going to be taking the mickey out of you as well, but I figured I’d give this to you for now.”
“Wanker.”
“Git.”
___
Christmas Eve 2000
Hermione’s Flat - London, England
Ron Weasley
___
Ron’s hands were shaking as he handed Hermione a cup of warm butterbeer. They’d had a lovely dinner and spent the time talking and laughing together as they enjoyed their evening. But now the part of the night that Ron had been waiting for had finally arrived. He shook with nervous energy and hoped that Hermione wouldn’t notice. But like most things, she caught onto him sooner than he would’ve liked.
“Ron, are you feeling alright? You seem pale—well, paler than normal.”
He let out a laugh in response. “Wow, thanks for that, Mione.”
“Hey, it’s not a bad thing and I’m not making fun of you. I rather like your pale skin,” she said, eyes glistening with something akin to fondness. “Almost as much as the freckles that cover practically every inch of it.”
He hummed in response, taking a seat beside Hermione on the sofa. Wrapping his arm around her shoulders, he waited until she was snuggled up against him before speaking. “Can I ask you a question?”
“Of course.”
Come on, Weasley, you’ve got this.
Playing with her curls in an attempt to soothe himself, he asked his question. “Do you know your wizarding name?”
“My–my wizarding name?” Hermione straightened, looking at him with a perplexed expression on her face. “What’s that? I’ve never heard of it. I’m sure I would’ve read about it in a book at some point. Is it a pureblood thing? My job is to know about this stuff. I'm going to be making laws. I can’t afford to be uneducated about the wizarding community.”
“Slow down, love. Your beautiful brain is going to explode if you don’t take a minute.” He waited until she had calmed down a bit before continuing. “The last thing you’ll ever be is uneducated. But to answer your question, yes it’s a pureblood thing. It’s your first name—”
She rolled her eyes, interrupting. “Very funny, Ronald.”
“Hey, let me finish… It’s your first name and…” He moved so that he could kneel down in front of her. “And my last name.”
Her eyes widened and her breathing quickened as she began to understand what Ron was saying. “Wait, what?”
Now or never, Ron. You can do it.
Trembling with excitement and fear, he reached into his pocket for the ring he’d hidden there. It was a delicate thing, with a gold band and oval diamond, centered between two smaller diamonds. He knew the moment he saw it in that shop with Harry that it would be perfect, and spent the past few days itching to give it to her.
She brought her hands to her mouth as her breath hitched in her throat. “Oh my God.”
“Hermione Granger,” he breathed, her name tumbling off his lips with ease. “I’m not really good at this whole words thing, but I’m going to try because although there are not enough words in the world to describe what you mean to me, I’ll be damned if I didn’t at least attempt it. You are the love of my life. You are the first person I think of when I wake up in the morning and the last person on my mind when I go to bed at night. Your love fuels my magic and keeps me grounded in ways I didn’t think were possible. Loving you snuck up on me, but I wouldn’t have it any other way, because when I look into your eyes, I see forever. I see everything I could’ve ever hoped for and everything I can’t stand to lose. So, I guess what I’m saying is… marry me. Please.”
His stomach burned with anticipation as she stared at him dumbstruck and speechless. “Come on, Mione. Say something, please. I’m begging you.”
“Yes.” She leaned forward and brought him into a bruising kiss. “Yes! A thousand times yes.”
“Really?”
“Yes, of course I’ll marry you, Ron. There is nothing in this world that I want more than to be with you forever.”
His heart stuttered in response to her sentence. “I love you. So much. You have no idea how much, Mione.”
“I think I do.”
___
Christmas Day 2000
The Burrow
Harry Potter
___
Harry was startled when Ron’s patronus showed up in Ginny’s room, interrupting their rather heated snog. He grumbled an apology, but decided to listen to the patronus currently telling him to head towards the old tree house in the back.
“What do you think is going on?” Ginny asked, straightening her jumper.
“I think I have an idea, but stay here until I come back.”
He made his way down the steps and continued his trek outside towards the old tree house that Ron had showed him one summer a few years ago. As he reached the base of the tree, he wondered if he would be walking in to hear good news or to comfort Ron because things didn’t go as planned. Shaking his head, he climbed up and knocked on the door, making Ron aware of his presence.
Ron swung the door open, a giant grin on his face. “Hey, mate. Thanks for coming. I’m sorry if I interrupted something, but we wanted you to be the first to know.”
Harry’s eyes fell on Hermione, standing in the corner with an equally large smile on her face. “She said yes?”
“Yeah, she did.”
Harry felt like someone had slapped him in the face with a happiness potion—not that those existed, as far as he knew. “You’re getting married?”
Hermione nodded and wiped a few tears from her eyes. “We’re getting married.”
“This is amazing!” Harry pulled the two of them into an embrace, ecstatic at the announcement. “I’m so happy for you both.”
Hermione squeezed him once more. “Thanks, Harry.”
“No, thank you two. Because of you I won the bet!”
“Excuse me, what?” Hermione asked, brow furrowing. “Ron, what is he talking about?”
“Apparently Harry and my brothers had some bet on how long it would take for this to happen.” Ron turned to Harry. “What do you mean you won the bet?”
Harry rubbed the back of his neck in embarrassment at having slipped up. He hadn’t meant to let that bit of information out, but in his excitement, he forgot that his meddling was supposed to be kept secret. Figuring he at least owed them an explanation, he sighed, “Well, I honestly wasn’t sure if I would win the bet until a few days ago. When we placed bets, I said that you would be engaged by Christmas this year, but as time went on, I kind of resigned myself to losing the bet.
“Then Ron came over to Grimmauld Place about a week ago, ranting about how he was in love with you and something about some dream and needing you more than air. Anyway, I may have pushed him in the right direction, but I swear the proposal idea was all him! I just helped him with the ring and encouraged him to go for it. It’s a plus if I benefit from it.”
Hermione laughed as she shook her head at both Harry and Ron. “I cannot believe you both.”
“I feel like I should be mad at you for this, but honestly, I needed the push,” Ron replied, shrugging. “So I guess what I’m trying to say is, thanks mate. Merlin knows how long it would’ve taken me to figure things out if you hadn’t let me talk to you about all this.”
“Yeah, you’d both be a wreck without me.” Harry smirked, feeling rather proud of himself for the turn of events. “Does this mean I get naming rights to your first child?”
“Yeah right,” Ron scoffed. “I don’t trust you to not name your own hypothetical children something ridiculous, so it’s going to be a no, mate.”
“Yeah, it’s okay. I figured as much.”
“I will need a best man, though.” Ron tilted his head to the side and raised his eyebrows in question.
Harry’s jaw dropped. “Are you serious?”
“Yeah, of course I’m serious. No one else I’d rather want. Well, that and I figured I’d save you from being Hermione’s Man of Honor.”
“Yeah, I don’t think I’d look good in a dress”
The three of them laughed at Harry’s statement. Not for the first time, Harry felt immense gratitude for his friends. The years had been long and the times had been tough, but he’d live them all over again for a chance to have these two in his life and see them fall in love with each other.
Especially if it meant he’d win the bet all over again. After all, the bragging rights were well worth it.