I Promise

Chapter Four: "Over and Over"

A/N: Wow so many reviews (: Thank you guys so much. I'll reply to all your reviews once my vacation is over. For now, here's the next chapter. It's the last of the short chapters, but theres some important stuff in this chapter.

Lavender Brown twirled around in her dress, her long brown hair flying. "So, what do you think, Hermione? Ginny? Do you think this is the dress for the reunion?"

Ginny looked at Lavender admiringly. "You look beautiful, Lavender. You're going to blow Seamus away."

Seamus Finnigan was Lavender's current boyfriend. They were planning on attending the reunion together.

Ginny called to Hermione, who was still inside the fitting room, trying on her dress. "Hermione? Are you almost done changing? Lavender's already come out with her dress."

"Honestly, Ginny, I look ugly in this dress. I don't think I should come out," Hermione answered from inside the fitting room. She sounded nervous. Ginny laughed.

"Don't joke with me, Hermione. You could never look ugly in anything. I'm sure you look lovely. Now come on out. Lavender and I are the only ones that can judge whether you look ugly or not."

Hermione sighed heavily, acceding. "Fine, I'm coming out. But you have to promise not to laugh."

Lavender rolled her eyes. She too knew that the dress couldn't look that bad. "Come out already, Hermione."

Slowly and blushing, Hermione emerged from the dressing room. Lavender's jaw dropped, and Ginny was so shocked she couldn't even speak. Hermione was stunningly gorgeous in her dress.

Hermione looked at Ginny and Lavender nervously. "So, is it that bad that you can't even answer?"

Ginny shook her head slowly. "Hermione… you look amazing. Ron is going to drop dead when he sees you in that."

Lavender nodded. "My dress looks ugly on me compared to that one on you. There's no way you aren't getting it."

Hermione blushed. "Thanks you guys. I'll get it." She checked the price tag, and then her smile faded.

"What's wrong?" Ginny asked softly, although she already knew the answer. The dress was obviously too expensive.

Hermione sighed. She looked gravely disappointed. "It's too expensive. I can't afford such a fancy dress. It's not like my teaching job pays me that much."

Ginny handed her a few galleons with a small smile. "Does that make it less expensive?"

Lavender handed her a few galleons as well. "Come on, Hermione, you have to buy this."

Hermione tried to give her friends back the money. She didn't want to be pitied on just because she didn't have that much money. Plus, it wasn't as if Ginny's family was that rich either. "No, you guys. That's awfully sweet, but I'll find another dress that's cheaper. I promise."

Ginny shook her head firmly. She seemed very set on Hermione buying the dress. "If you don't buy it right now, I'm going to buy it for you."

Hermione smiled, hugging her two friends. They truly were something special. "Thanks. You both are the best."

"We just want everyone to know how beautiful you are," Lavender smiled slightly, "The reunion is going to be fantastic. Ron better keep you under a tight leash. All the guys will probably have their eye on you."

Hermione laughed. "One eye on me, one eye on you, Lav."

The three girls headed towards the counter to pay for the dresses they had picked out. Hermione smiled to herself, as she pictured herself in the dress. She couldn't wait to see Harry… ehh Ron's reaction.

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Hermione could tell that Ron was planning something that evening. He kept fidgeting and making sure something was still in his pocket. Hermione assumed it was a gift for her. Ron usually gave her a necklace or something whenever he wanted to make up for anything. It usually worked, because he had decent taste in jewelry. Hermione had a feeling Ginny picked out the jewelry for Ron.

Hermione was trying to ignore the fidgeting and nervous glances, but it was getting slightly irritating. Ron wasn't listening when Hermione was talking, and spaced out for long periods of time. Hermione decided to confront him.

"Ron, you usually ask me this question, but today it applies to you," Hermione said to him, "What's wrong?"

Ron swallowed and then took a deep breath. "Hermione, there's something I have to ask you."

Hermione felt her heart thump rapidly. Ron wouldn't… he couldn't. "What is it, Ron?" Hermione had a feeling she knew what was going to happen. No, Ron wouldn't do this… not now, not right before the reunion…

Sure enough, just as Hermione had suspected, Ron got down on one knee, looking up into her eyes. He had a twisted, sort of pained smile on his face. It was as if he was afraid, but excited at the same time. "Hermione Jane Granger, will you marry me?"

Hermione felt like crying, laughing, and smiling at the same time. Someone had asked to marry her. And that someone was Ronald Weasley, her best friend for seventeen years.

"Oh Ron…" she whispered, kissing him. She wrapped her arms around his neck, and kissed him keenly.

Ron broke the kiss after a few seconds. "Is that a yes, Hermione?" he breathed into her ear, "Because it's not like we have to get married right away. I just want you to know that I'm yours. And I want you to be mine."

Hermione closed her eyes, picturing Harry. The image slowly faded. She knew that this was her chance to be with someone who truly cared about her. It was her chance to have someone with her until she died. So what if Harry was the one? There was no more Harry. There never was a Harry. Her relationship with Harry was something Hermione had just fantasized about. It wasn't reality. However, her relationship with Ron was real. It was there.

But Hermione couldn't give up her slim chance with Harry. Whether it was a big chance or not, it was still a chance. Hermione couldn't get herself engaged not knowing if there was something between herself and Harry. But this was a one-time opportunity. Hermione knew that.

Hermione slowly opened her mouth to respond.

A/N: Yay cliffhanger (: Please review. Thank you =]

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