John and Mary Granger sat happily in their living room on September 19, 1998, their daughter's nineteenth birthday. They had just spent the morning with Hermione, catching up on what was going on in her life. As it turns out, she just received a job offer at the prestigious and highly important St. Mungo's Hospital as a healer, which she excitedly accepted. The Grangers were very proud that their daughter had finally gotten the offer to the job that she had wanted since she was fifteen. She had spent copious hours this summer studying to take the Healer's test, in order to place out of extra schooling, which she passed with flying colors. John and Mary, though knowing very little about the Wizarding World, were very pleased to finally see their daughter back to perfect health and her old enthusiasm in her work.
Ever since she came home from school after her fifth year, she had been changed forever. All of her time and energy was put towards the war going on in the Wizarding World. They had never known much about what was going on in the war until after it was over, when Hermione told them all the details. They now know that the reason she didn't tell them before was because she was worried that they wouldn't allow her to return to the Wizarding World if they knew how dangerous it was for her. Of course, she was probably right. They couldn't imagine what they would have done, but they certainly would have done something extra for her safety. However, while they were originally upset that she hadn't told them, they were simply glad that she was alive and that her friend Harry had succeeded in his destiny. Now, it seemed, she was happier than she had ever been in her entire life. They supposed living through a time so tough at such a young age really taught her to enjoy the time that she was given. The day after the war was over, Harry had confessed his love for Hermione and she quickly followed suit. They had been the talk of the Wizarding World for the past few months, but it didn't seem to affect them in the slightest. They were just glad to have each other and when the two of them were in the room together, the Grangers could tell that they really did love each other more than anything.
John and Mary were just about to have tea, when the doorbell rang. Mary went to answer the door and was slightly surprised when she came face to face with the young Harry Potter, her daughter's boyfriend. "Oh, hello Harry. Would you like to come in?"
"Yes please, Mrs. Granger. I was wondering if I might have a word with you and your husband."
"Sure Harry. Is anything wrong?"
"Oh, no, I just wanted to ask you about Hermione's birthday present."
"Certainly, Harry, we were just about to sit down for tea. Won't you join us?"
"Yes please."
They went to join Mr. Granger in the living room. Harry took a seat in the chair across from Mr. Granger and Mrs. Granger poured him a cup of tea.
"Good afternoon, Harry," greeted Mr. Granger, "What brings you by, this afternoon?"
"Oh, Harry says he wanted ask us something about Hermione's birthday present," said Mrs. Granger.
"Oh, she is rather difficult to shop for. We usually just get her some books or quills or something of the sort," said Mr. Granger.
"Well, actually, I've already bought her something, but I'm a bit nervous about giving it to her. I really hope she likes it."
"I'm sure she'll love it Harry. You know, she doesn't talk about much else besides you, these days. You should have seen her this morning. It was, `Harry this and Harry that.' I think you've won our daughter's heart, Mr. Potter," Mrs. Granger replied with a smile, causing Harry to blush.
"So, what did you get her that you're so worried about?" asked Mr. Granger.
"Well, the truth is…you see…well, really it's just…" Harry paused and took a big breath and then blurted, "I've come to ask for your daughter's hand!"
Mr. Granger who had just been taking a sip of tea, coughed on himself, causing tea to squirt out of his mouth and settle on Harry's blushing rouge face. Harry pulled out is wand and muttered a quick charm to get rid of the mess.
After a moment's silence, Mrs. Granger's timid voice asked quietly, "Are you really sure you're ready for marriage? I mean, you're only eighteen and Hermione's just turned nineteen today."
"Honestly, I've never been surer of anything my whole life… except when I confessed my undying love for her in the hospital, after the war. I want you both to know that I love your daughter more than life itself and if I had to go to hell to save her, I would without a further thought. She means the world to me. I mean, I know what you're probably thinking right now, `this man across from us is still a child and Hermione's still a child and they don't know the first thing about love and marriage and he probably just wants to get in her pants and'…"Harry cut himself off, realizing what he just said, before continuing, this time a bit slower, "What I mean is, I don't think love is a powerful enough word to describe how I feel for your daughter."
There was a long moment in which nobody said anything. To Harry, this short pause seemed to last for a millennium, until, finally, Mr. Granger open his mouth to reply.
"I can tell that you love her and, frankly, I think it's quite obvious that she loves you, as well. So, if you really feel that the both of you are ready for marriage, then I give you my blessing."
Harry had been bracing himself for the worst, but was slightly shocked to hear what Mr. Granger had just told him. He had half expected the Grangers to laugh in his face, before telling him that he wasn't good enough for their daughter and that he should be ashamed of himself for ever touching her. But the response he got, well, he was nothing short of ecstatic. He jumped out of his seat and hugged both the Granger's, assuring both of them that he would take nothing but the best care of her and how he would always be there for her and plenty of other things along those lines. The Grangers smiled at him, remembering their own engagement, twenty-five years before.
"Thank you for the tea, Mrs. Granger. I best be off to get ready for our date. Everything has to be perfect, tonight." He got up and excitedly ran toward the door, like a small child, ready for his first day of school. When he got to the door, however, he realized he'd forgotten to show them the ring, which he wanted to get their approval of. He ran back to his chair, pulled out the ring from his coat pocket and then carefully opened the box to present it to the Grangers.
Mrs. Granger almost fainted, after seeing the size of the ring Harry had picked out. "Oh my god, Harry, it's beautiful! Look how big that thing is, John!"
"I…wow Harry. If Hermione says no to that thing, I…well, look at it! She's very lucky to have you, Harry," responded Mr. Granger.
"But, more important than the ring, is the man asking her. She loves you Harry. She probably won't even see the ring through the tears of you asking her to be your wife. It could have been a piece of string, tied in circle and she would have flipped out," said Mrs. Granger.
"Well, I just wanted the perfect ring for Hermione because she's perfect," Harry stated with complete honesty.
The Grangers shared a look at what Harry said, knowing that he meant it. "Well, what are you waiting for? Go get ready! Oh, and good luck, Harry!"
"Thank you!" Harry ran to the door and then apparated back to his flat to get ready. He had meant everything that he said to the Grangers and he was damn well going to make this night perfect for his Hermione. If he did everything right, he was sure that this night would be the best and only marriage proposal that Hermione would ever receive.
Author's Note: Well, there it is, the first fanfiction I've written since…wow, I don't even remember. I hope you liked it and I'm sorry that the beginning may have been a bit boring but I just had to fill in everyone with what was going on in their lives, at the moment. I promise it'll get better, though! Please review…it's good for the soul!
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