Chapter 1
Hermione:
This was absolutely not how this was supposed to happen.
No, this moment was meant to be magical. A culmination of years of love and devotion specifically for HER.
So why was she standing on top of a red heart-shaped platform like a doll on display at one of the toy shops that lined the very alley that this display was happening at?
Hermione blinked rapidly, partially because the pink and red heart-shaped fireworks behind her, combined with the relentless flashing of photographers were blinding, and partially out of sheer shock. It had been mere moments since Ron had led her out of Flourish and Blotts and into this absolute mess of a spectacle.
Ron cleared his throat. A sheen of sweat covered his freckled forehead and a goofish smile, now forced, plastered on his face.
“So..” he said from his kneeling position, “what do you say ‘Mione?”
She stared at him, and at the ring sitting prettily in the bright red, also heart-shaped box.
It was silver.
She exclusively wore gold.
Did he really pay so little attention to her?
As she took a shaky breath, the mob of people that had gathered around the photographers grew larger and larger. People slowly left the shops and restaurants lining Diagon Alley to gawk at the spectacle of Ronald Weasley proposing to Hermione Granger. Her mind flashed to what tomorrow's Prophet would no doubt publish. “Star Auror Ronald Weasley and Wizarding London’s Golden Girl Engaged!”
She looked down at Ron one more time, who was now sweating profusely. His eyes practically pleading with her to break the silence.
No, this was all too overwhelming, and definitely NOT anything close to what she had shown in intense detail during the vision board night she had with Ginny, which she had happened to leave with the overly excited witch so that Molly and therefore Ronald, would see her vision.
The crowd was murmuring and she could hear them now. Her heart rate was quick and her hands were shaking as she pulled out her wand. It felt heavy in her hand.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered to Ron, and she apparated away, leaving a stunned Weasley to deal with the onslaught of now-frantic photographers.