Chapter Text
“So, you’ve got it then?” Ron asked Harry as they met in front of the Three Broomsticks.
In reply, Harry patted his pocket. “Finally. It’s ready.” He was smiling and giddy. Not the stoic, battle-hardened Harry most people knew, but the excited, hopeful Harry that only his closest friends ever got to see.
“Oi, you two!” Rosmerta called across the crowded room. “I kept your usual spot open.”
They cut through the bustling pub and sat at their regular table. A four-top just off to the side of the bar.
“What ever would we do without you, Rosmerta?” Harry asked with a charming smile.
The witch grinned back. “You’ve got that the wrong way around, mister Potter. You and your friends practically pay my rent here.”
Harry and Ron both nodded in acknowledgment of that fact.
“Will miss Granger and miss Brown be joining you two this evening?”
“Not tonight, no,” Harry told her. “Just us boys tonight. Nev might drop by later.”
She nodded and came around the bar with a large flagon of butterbeer and a shot of firewhiskey for each of them.
“Shall I put in the usual for you lot then?” She asked.
“Please and thank you.” Ron replied.
Rosmerta walked back toward the kitchen, and Ron finally leaned over toward Harry.
“Go on then, let’s see it.” Ron was almost as excited as Harry.
Harry produced a small box from his pocket and handed it to Ron.
Ron opened the box and was stunned into silence. It was an absolutely gorgeous gold ring, adorned with a large diamond surrounded by smaller diamonds and rubies. Each facet was polished to a point where it seemed to glow on its own rather than reflect light. The band itself was etched with a vine motif, not unlike Hermione’s wand.
“Bloody hell, Harry.”
“Careful with that—it’s a priceless family heirloom.”
Ron rolled his eyes. “I’m not an idiot teenager anymore, Harry.”
“I’ll grant you the latter part of that.” Harry shot back with a smirk.
Ron swatted him on the side of the head.
“You waited almost seven bloody years to ask her and I’m the idiot?” Ron chided.
It was Harry’s turn to roll his eyes.
“Shut up.” Harry said with exaggerated frustration. “Look, you know the deal. The war was over. Her parents were Merlin only knew where… There were other priorities.”
“Fair, I suppose.” Ron answered. “Even so, it took you under a year to find them, less to mend them… I’m not a numbers guy but it seems you could have done this, oh, I don’t know… Four years ago?”
“Mate, I couldn’t just do it immediately.” Harry said seriously. “You weren’t there to see her and her parents reunited. I thought her father might murder me on the spot.”
“And it took you that long to win them over?” Ron asked, knowing the answer.
“No, it didn— Oh, shut up and give me that back.” Harry was still smiling but turning pink. “Sorry if I wanted to wait until her family didn’t hate me and I was entirely certain about this huge decision and commitment before I just charged in with it.”
“Well, you should be.”
This was a well-rehearsed conversation between the two of them by that point.
Harry huffed and took a long drink of his beer.
“So, moving on…” Ron decided he was done harassing Harry. “What’s the plan? How and when are you gonna ask her?”
“Wait ’til you hear it, mate.” Harry smiled broadly and sat up straight. “This plan is foolproof.”
“Right…” Ron said disbelievingly. “Where have I heard that before…”