Chapter 4: Gala Gone Wrong

A/N: Back to the drama! This is the part where if you haven't read Marriage Issues you will be very confused. Just a warning. Fluff is fun but drama is much more exciting to write. This is super short (cuz writing about a party that doesn't even contribute really to the plot of the story gets a little dull to write about after a page) but there is gonna be a surprise! Hope you like! Again, I love reviewers 3

Ron shifted uncomfortably in his tie. "Hermione, how long is this again?"

She elbowed him in the ribs and ignored the question, scanning the room for her parents and quickly spotting them over by the refreshments. She took Ron's arm and half dragged him towards them.

"Hey, hey! This is a party, and I am the gentleman." He removed his arm from her vice like grip and placed her hand on his elbow. She rolled her eyes and giggled.

"Ah! Hermione!" Hermione's mother called, walking as fast as she could in her high heels. Hermione actually thought her mother was a little too old to wear shoes like that. "Good! You're here. Oh, darling, you look wonderful! Doesn't she look wonderful, Ron?"

"Wha-? Oh, yeah, she looks amazing, Mrs. Granger." Ron said, tearing his eyes away from the mini cheesecakes on the silver platter at the table a few feet away.

"Well, come now. I must introduce you to…" She rambled off a list of names and pulled Hermione away, leaving Ron standing awkwardly by himself. He turned toward the foot, his stomach rumbling.

"I'd recommend the berry pie." A voice behind him said. Ron turned around. A man, just slightly shorter than Ron with short brown hair and a big smile.

"Hi," he said, sticking out his hand, "I'm Benjamin Ellis."

Ron shook his hand. "Ron Weasley. So um, the pie is good?"

Benjamin laughed. "It was last year at least. So, who you with?"

Ron looked around the room for Hermione and located her near the dancefloor. He pointed. "Right over there."

Benjamin nodded. "Wow, you're a lucky guy."

Ron swelled with pride. "Yeah, I s'pose so. She's great. Been with her since I was seventeen."

"Wow! Nice going. You two married?"

Ron nodded.

Benjamin nodded as well. "That over there is Sally. She's my girl." He pointed at a petite blond.

Ron nodded again. He didn't really know how to respond. "Well—um…See ya." He left and walked quickly over to where Hermione was. He came up behind her and whispered in her ear. "Can we leave now?"

She jumped in surprise, whipping around. "Oh, Ron, you startled me!"

"So can we leave?"

"No! Ron, there are some very nice people here, and we haven't even danced yet."

"Yeah, yeah. Let's dance now then." He grabbed her hand and pulled her toward the dancefloor. It was a slow song. Perfect. Ron thought.

Ron placed his hands on Hermione's waist and Hermione's hands rested on his shoulders. They swayed back and forth, Hermione occasionally resting her head on Ron's chest and Ron pulling her closer. Hermione realized how funny they must look sometimes. He was huge, and she stood at a meek 5 foot 4. Her head only actually came up to his chest.

After a few more dances they took a break, drinking some punch and just talking. The next two hours passed this way. Ron actually found he was enjoying himself.

When it came time to go home, Ron said goodbye to Benjamin and Hermione hugged her parents with a promise to come visit them soon. Ron and Hermione made their way across the parking lot to their car, hand in hand.

"You know, Hermione, that wasn't too bad."

She smiled. "I'm glad you think so. I liked it a lot too."

When they arrived at their house, Hermione went to the kitchen to get a drink and Ron turned on the TV. TV was definitely Ron's favorite part of the Muggle world.

Hermione poked her head out of the kitchen. "Ron? Could you do me a favor?"

He looked up. "What?"

Her face was pleading. "Could you run to the store and get some more milk? We're out."

Ron sighed. "Yeah, sure." He kissed her head, grabbed his coat and left.

Hermione went to go get ready for bed.

Ron was back about twenty minutes later with the milk. He put in the fridge. "Hermione!" he called.

There was no answer.

Ron shrugged. Maybe she had fallen asleep. He went upstairs to the bedroom. The light was on. He went in. It was empty. Ron's brow furrowed. Then he saw a piece of paper lying on the bed. He went over and picked it up. It had only a few words on it.

Weasley,

You should have known we'd be back.