Thirteen years ago, they saw it coming: the increase in high-tech jobs, the necessity for more rigorous educational training to fill the jobs, and the standing of minorities in such an economy
N/A: So I decided that I was going to go up a notch in my writing. This may be just a couple chapters, unlike my other stories.
Disclaimer: I only own the plot to this story. I do not own the settings or characters.
Hermione looked out the window. She smiled at the thought of Ron kissing her one day. She gave out a sigh, nothing but dreams… She thought somewhat depressed.
She heard someone trying to open the door to the flat. She knew that if was Ginny, who else? She thought. She went to open the door because Ginny was clearly having trouble with it. When she did, she saw Ginny looking through her bag cursing under her breath.
"Ginny what are you doing here so late at night? Where were you?" She said, putting her hands on her hips like Mrs. Weasley.
"Clubbing with my boyfriend, Mum." She said a little tipsy and emphasizing the last word. She forgot about rummaging through her bag.
"Harry took you out clubbing?" Hermione said unbelievingly.
"Yup," she said, letting herself in. "He would've walked me to the door, but he has to be at work early tomorrow. You know that if he had done so we would've been up all night, right?" She said, flopping onto the sofa.
"Ginny, don't say that!" Hermione said, closing the door behind her.
"Why not? It's the truth." She said, not ashamed of what she was implying.
"Ginny only Harry, you and I know that you've gone farther than just snogging with Harry. If you keep this up, your brothers are going to find out that you're not necessarily a little girl anymore." She said, sitting next to her in the sofa.
"So? Harry and I are going to get married in seven months. Who cares?!" She said, getting up somewhat mad.
"Ginny, a lot can happen in seven months. What if you get pregnant?"
"Can't. I never forget the contraceptive spell, so I can't possibly get pregnant." She said as-a-matter-of factly.
"What if you-?" She didn't finish her sentence because just then the doorbell rang again. She went to the door to find Ron standing there with his lopsided grin plastered all over his face.
"Ron," Hermione said, surprised, she turned to Ginny who had gone up to her room while she was opening the door. Hermione gave out a sigh of relief. "What are you doing here?"
"I was bored, since Harry and Ginny are out I decided to come and make you company."
"You must've missed Harry-" She tried to say, but Ron beat her to it. Is today 'Interrupt Hermione Day' or something?' She asked herself, somewhat peeved.
"Come on, let's go out. It's not that late so let's go out to dinner and then a coffee. Sounds good to you?" He said happily.
"Err… ok. I guess." She said looking at in Ginny's direction. "Just let me leave a note for Ginny telling her where I am, ok?"
"Yeah, of course. I'll get your coat and bag while you're doing so." Ron said, going to the coat closet.
Hermione wrote: Ginny- I went out to dinner with Ron. Be back later. I know you'll be hungry so I left you some roasted chicken with veggies in the fridge. Just pop it in the oven for ten minutes at 350 degrees. If you want some wine with it try a red wine, it goes better with the chicken rather than the white. Gotta go. Lots of love, Hermione.
"I thought you were writing an essay or something." Ron said, putting the coat on for Hermione.
Hermione chuckled slightly. "Let's go then."
"Where do you want to go? What are you in the mood for?" Ron said, handing over her bag and opening the door for her.
Hermione thought for a second. "Well there's this new pub/restaurant in South London. I think it's called Bennett's or something along the lines. Some workmates told me that they serve the best shepherd's pie in the region." She said, while locking the door.
"Shepherd's pie? I was thinking we should go somewhere like, I dunno… Italian or something like that." Ron said, sheepishly.
"If you want to go then let's go." Hermione said, also embarrassed.
"No, no. I asked you, so let's go to this Bennett's then." Ron said, opening the door of the building.
"No, let's go somewhere Italian. You're the one that-"
"No. Bennett's and that's my last word on the matter." Ron put up his right palm as if to stop Hermione from contradicting him.
Hermione smiled and agreed. They Apperated to the place and walked into a crowded foyer. A waitress spotted them and walked over, menus at hand.
"Welcome to Bennett's. Do you want a table or will you be sitting at the bar?" She said cheerfully.
"Table please, Miss. But do you think that there could be a table a little away from the raucous?" Ron said.
"Yes. I think there is a table that is available right now over in the corner. Follow me please."
The waitress moved around the people that were already there. They followed her, Ron stood behind Hermione that way she wouldn't get lost in the sea of people.
"Here you are." The waitress said, waiting for them to sit across a cherry wood table with matching chairs. "Here are the menus. Today's special is filet mignon pared with a light watercress salad, elderberry wine and chocolate soufflé."
"Sound delicious. I would like that. Hermione?" Ron said, turning to Hermione to give her order.
She wasn't interested in the filet mingon. She had already eaten some chicken earlier in the day so she decided she still had a slight craving for it. "I would like the chicken with mashed potatoes with gravy on the side, a glass of apple wine and for dessert some raspberry-chocolate swirl cake please." Hermione said, giving her menu to the waitress.
"Coming right up, Miss." She said, taking it and walking around the people once again.
"Wow. I didn't know you could pack all of that food!" Ron said, jokingly.
"Ron, you don't know what I can do when I have the mind to." She said, giving him a mischievous smile.
"Really?" he said, returning the same tone of voice while coming closer to her.
"Just 'cuz I don't show it, doesn't mean it isn't there." She said, also coming closer. They looked at each other for a second, then Hermione realized what was happening and she snapped out of it. "So," she said nervously. "How's work?"
"Fine, I guess. Hey, you didn't order any shepherd's pie. How come?" He said, trying to make light of the situation.
"Oh, I totally forgot." She said, remembering why they were here.
"Personally, what we ordered sounds more tempting, don't you think?" Ron said, smiling.
"I guess that's why we ordered it, right?" Hermione said, laughing.
"Guess so!" Ron said, laughing along.
Their food came soon afterwards. Hermione dug in, it was delicious. Ron did too and he thought the same about his dish.
"That must be good." Ron said as he watched Hermione take a bite with vigor.
"It is. Wanna try it?" She asked, her heart fluttering. This is my chance! She thought.
"Sure." Ron was going to take some with his fork, but Hermione didn't let him.
"Let me." She said, taking a piece with her fork and feeding it to Ron. He looked at her startled. "What do you think?" She said, as if what she did was the most natural think in the world.
"Delicious." Ron said, grinning. "Try mine." He said, taking a piece from his plate and doing the same to Hermione. She took a little longer to take the bite from his fork. When she did Ron asked, "What do you think?"
"Delicious." She said, flirtaciously. "I think I'm done with the main course. How about you?"
"Yes, same here. Let's go onto dessert. My favorite part of the meal, wouldn't you say?"
"Oh, yes. The best part." She said, taking a drink from her glass.
They continued feeding each other from each other's plates for the rest of the night. When they were done, they paid and left the restaurant.
Ron was defenitly not ready to call it a night so he asked Hermione, "Coffee?"
"Please." She said, taking his arm.
"Good." He said, while putting his arm around her waist. She didn't object.
After a cup of coffee at local café, he took her home.
"Well, Ron. Thank you for the meal. It was exquicite." She said, not taking her keys out yet.
"No, thank you for accepting my invitation and suggesting we go to Bennett's. You're workmates were right. Well, I don't know about the shepherd's pie but that it is a very good venue."
"I will tell them. Want to come in?" She said, hoping he would stay a little longer.
"Sorry, I have to be at work early. Harry and I are being assigned to a case first thing tomorrow." He said, regretively. "But, if we both have time, why don't we repeat the night?" He said, coming closer a bit.
"Sure, I'd love to." Hermione said, coming closer too. They were about to kiss when the neighbor interrupted them.
"Oh Luke, Hermione has a boyfriend outside! Isn't it wonderful?!" She was an old Muggle lady, who was peeking out her door.
"That's great Eunice, now come in and let them be!" Her husband yelled from inside the apartment.
"Oh, how I wish to be their age again!" She said, ignoring the last comment made by her husband.
Ron and Hermione stepped away from each other and said an ackward goodbye.
"Oh no! I think I startled them! He went away and barely hugged her goodbye!" Eunice called out to her husband.
"See what you and your snooping have done?! Now come in and mind your own buissness!" Luke said, somewhat annoyed at his wife's behaviour.
"Hold on a sec! Sweety?" She said to Hermione.
"Yes, Mrs. Weatherbee?" Hermione said, smiling at the old lady.
"He is a real hunk, he is! My Luke used to be like him. What's his name?" She asked excidedly.
"Ron Weasley, Ma'am." Hermione said, smiling at this old woman's attitude.
"Ron Weasley. Nice name, very nice. Don't forget to invite Luke and I to your wedding ok?" She said, not realizing what she was saying.
Hermione blushed, "Yes, Mrs. Weatherbee. I won't forget. Goodnight." She said, unlocking the door to her flat.
"Goodbye Sweety. Say 'hi' to Ginny for me, Dear, please?"
"I will, Mrs. Weatherbee." She closed the door quietly. When she was taking her coat off she heard giggling coming from Ginny's room.
"You're kidding!" Hermione said, running to Ginny's room.
A/N: Soo?? What do you think? Tell me please?? Oh yeah, ignore the text above the n/a on the top of the page. For some reason I can't get rid of it.