Chapter 434: with translation of chapter title

Time flew by, and several months passed.

There was less than a week left until Christmas.

John and Hermione also finally began discussing where to go for their Christmas trip.

They had already told their families earlier that they would not be going home for Christmas this year.

"How about we go to Norway?"

Hermione flipped through a travel magazine, her eyes sparkling as she said.

"I've heard the snow scenery there is especially beautiful, and during Christmas, Norway's Christmas markets are also famous—you can drink hot mulled wine and eat roasted chestnuts."

She unfolded the magazine and placed it in front of John, pointing to a photo of a snow-covered cottage with a backdrop of a glittering starry sky.

"Look, doesn't it resemble a scene from a fairy tale?"

"We can go skiing, we can also go soak in hot springs, and at night we can huddle in the cottage by the fire, watching the snow and counting stars."

The more she spoke, the more excited she became, as if she could already see that scene.

John took the magazine from Hermione's hand and also nodded as he said.

"I've heard you can also see the northern lights there; I don't know if our luck will be good enough to catch them."

Hermione's eyes beside him also lit up, showing even greater anticipation.

But even if we don't see them, it's fine.

Being able to travel together with John is itself something worth looking forward to.

"Then it's settled."

"Okay, but we also need to make some preparations."

"I'll go ask Uncle Klaus to help us book a travel tent."

"If we can't book the cottage, we'll still have a backup plan."

Hermione nodded, without objection.

After all, Christmas is peak travel season, and they hadn't called ahead to reserve, so it's uncertain whether they'll get suitable lodging.

But their main goal is still to experience Norway's snow scenery and Christmas atmosphere; staying in a tent would actually be more adventurous.

Hermione also happily began preparing for that day.

And John, meanwhile, took some time to visit Hermione's parents' home.

"John, why do you have time to come sit here today?"

Mrs. Granje smiled as she poured John a cup of hot tea, and asked kindly.

Beside her, Mr. Granje also looked strangely at this prospective son-in-law who had "arched" their cabbage.

"Um, Dad, Mom, I actually have something I want to discuss with you..."

John addressed the two elders very familiarly, then put on a serious expression.

"I want to propose to Hermione at Christmas."

Upon hearing John's words, the Gelanjie couple both froze for a moment.

"Really?" Mrs. Granje set down her teacup, her voice tinged with a hint of excitement.

John nodded solemnly.

However, Mr. Granje was much more composed, and asked strangely.

"You're already engaged, aren't you? Why are you rushing to propose?"

Originally, according to both sets of parents, the kids got along well but were still young, so they first got engaged.

Wait until they are a bit older and their careers are stable, then formally marrying would not be too late.

But John hasn't even graduated yet and is already rushing to propose, so Mr. Granje inevitably found it surprising.

"Because, I want to give her a formal ceremony."

John, rarely feeling a bit embarrassed, scratched his cheek, but immediately put on a serious expression and said.

"The engagement was a decision made after discussion between our two families."

"It's the families' acknowledgment of us, and we're all happy about it."

"But the proposal is something I want to give her myself—a lifelong commitment to be together."

John's voice low and firm: "I want her to know that even without an engagement, I would definitely propose to her and pledge to spend a lifetime together."

In front of Hermione's parents, John voiced his thoughts for the first time.

From the moment he started being with Hermione, he had been aiming for a lifetime together.

He had originally planned to wait until everything was over and then propose to Hermione.

As for the engagement, it was something the two sets of parents suddenly brought up, and it was not at all John's original plan.

Although they were both happy and the engagement went smoothly.

As long as they wait until after graduation, when the future is stable.

Then they could marry as a matter of course.

But John still wanted to propose to Hermione himself.

Since their French restaurant date last time, this idea of his has grown stronger.

Afterwards, the matter of Erik was completely resolved, which further solidified this notion in him.

This time, Hermione specially snatched him away from his close friends just so they could spend their first trip together.

So John didn't want to wait any longer.

Back then he was rather dense, never having given Hermione a proper confession; they just ended up together in a muddled way when their feelings ran deep.

But this time, he wants to formally propose to Hermione.

He doesn't need anything especially elaborate—just a place where only the two of them are.

As long as she knows how much I want to spend the rest of my life with her......

After hearing John's words.

Gelanjie Fu Ren's eye sockets slightly reddened, and she reached out to grasp her husband's hand.

Gelanjie Xian Sheng fell silent for a moment, then a relieved smile appeared on his face.

"Good kid, then go do it." He patted John's shoulder, which counted as formal approval of John's intentions.

Put bluntly, an engagement is still just a trial period.

Either party can cancel at any time.

But at this moment, Gelanjie Xian Sheng had finally decided to entrust his daughter's entire life entirely to this young man before him, who, though still immature, had undergone countless trials.

Seeing the two elders nod, John finally felt the stone in his heart drop.

Over the next few days, John acted as if nothing had happened, planning the Christmas trip together with Hermione.

Until the day of official departure.

King's Cross Station.

Hermione wore an off-white woolen coat, standing on the station platform, her exhaled breath condensing into mist in the cold air.

John also wore a dark gray thick coat, walked to her side, and reached out to smooth her wind-tousled scarf.

"So many people."

Looking at the other travelers on the platform, everyone more or less carried luggage, their faces bearing the anticipation of going home or traveling.

"Yeah, it's Christmas."

This trip, they plan to travel in Muggle form.

Although directly Apparating or using the Door Key to go to Norway would be more convenient.

But the meaning of the trip lies in the process, and experiencing the scenery along the way with the one you love is far more romantic than simply reaching the destination.

Moreover, they have plenty of time, not needing to rush.

Also, there's no worry about being burdened by luggage, as everything fits into their traceless expandable carry-on.

Each only carried a small pack to avoid attention, traveling light, like the most ordinary young couple, blending into the holiday bustle.

The train whistle blew long, a red steam locomotive slowly entered the platform, exhaling white steam, appearing especially warm in the winter sunlight.