A/N—Ron's just made it through his first day as a fifteen year old trapped in his twenty-five year old life…The next morning:
Ron awoke the next morning to movement beside him in bed. He stiffened quickly.
Hermione had just wrapped her arms around him in a giant bear hug. She was still asleep. Ron didn't want to wake her, so he just lay still, alone with his thoughts.
Today was Saturday, so luckily, Ron didn't have to figure out where he worked until two days later. Hopefully Hermione will have calmed down from her euphoric high yesterday.
Hermione stirred. She unwrapped her arms from around him and opened her eyes sleepily. Ron thought she looked very pretty like that.
"Good morning, Herm," he whispered. Might as well go all out with this husband role. If I'm here, might as well do it right.
"Morning, Ron," she yawned, stretching her arms.
Ron got up out of bed and padded down the hall to start breakfast. With the wave of a wand, the eggs cracked themselves in a skillet on the stove and the porridge heated itself in a pot. Hermione appeared in the doorway, dressed in a flannel robe. Her hair was dishelved and her eyes tired.
"Didn't you sleep well?" asked Ron.
"Not really," said Hermione, grabbing a piece of toast which flew out of the toaster. "My brain just wouldn't shut off—I had all these thoughts bouncing around in my head all night. Mostly about the party."
The party. Ron had almost forgotten.
Several days later, Ron was sitting in the living room after a long day at work (He had finally figured out he worked in a small shop at Diagon Alley, managing Quidditch supplies.). Hermione was stressing in the kitchen over party invitations. She was also very angry at him. Apparently, Ron's lack of intimate affection had finally been noticed. Ron just couldn't bring himself to get too close to her; he was scared.
Hermione walked into the living room with tears in her eyes.
"What's wrong, Herm?" asked Ron, looking concerned.
"It's nothing Ron—nothing," she brushed him off as she sat down beside him on the couch.
"What, Herm? Tell me."
"Just these dumb party invitations—I can't get them just right. There's been tons of stress at work lately. I'm just always tired and always frustrated. And you're no help!" she retorted, shooting him a dirty look before crossing her arms over her chest.
Ron edged closer. "Hermione, look at me."
She turned her tearful eyes to face his. He was only inches from her face. Somehow he knew what to do.
He kissed her. A warm, tingly feeling spread throughout his body, down to his toes, as she relaxed to his touch.
He broke away, astonished at himself for what he just did, but not regretful. It had felt good to finally kiss her.
She gazed at him with admiration and thanks in her eyes before laying her head on his shoulder. For the first time in a week, Ron was glad to be married to Hermione.
One week later—Party day. Hermione was running franticly around the house trying to get everything "just perfect". Ron was sitting in the living room, trying to stay out the way of her rampage.
The doorbell rang. Ron jumped. He hoped it was Harry. He had to talk to Harry.
"Harry!" shouted Ron in greeting as Harry's smiling face appeared around the door. At his arm was—
"Angelina!"
Harry smiled. Angelina Johnson, the Chaser of the Gryffindor Quidditch team (well, was) was on his arm.
"Hullo, Ron. Hullo, Hermione," she greeted, pulling Harry in the door. "Where's Hermione?"
"In the kitchen," replied Ron, pointing her out. She followed his finger and walked into the kitchen to greet Hermione.
"Come on, Harry," said Ron, pulling him into the living room.
Harry sat down. He looked much better than he had that first day at the office when Ron had come to visit him.
"Still feeling peculiar, Ron?" asked Harry, smoothing his flyaway hair.
"Honestly, Harry, I do," Ron glanced around the room. He decided to spill everything. He trusted Harry.
Ron told him about that first few minutes when he first awoke. How he was really only fifteen, rocketed ahead ten years into his life at twenty-five. He told him at Hermione's pregnancy (Hermione would kill him if she knew).
After Ron finished his story, Harry just stared at him out of half-pity, half-mild curiosity. "Ron—are you—are you sure? This all sounds very peculiar."
"I swear it, Harry. Why would I make up something like this. Remember when you heard the basilisk in the walls at Hogwarts? We believed that you heard voices—even though we never heard them ourselves. You've got to trust me, Harry," Ron pleaded.
Harry eyed him carefully. He thought for a moment. "I suppose," he said with a large sigh. "it's possible. I've seen some of the odd charms and spells that can happen to people in my department."
Ron exhaled deeply. He had urgently hoped Harry would believe him. He was hoping that somehow Harry could help him get back to his life at Hogwarts.
They small-talked and chatted for the next few minutes. Harry caught him up on all the major news points from ten years ago. Dumbledore was dead; Professor McGonagall has succeeded him at Headmaster. Since first rumours of Voldemort's rebirth, he had remained suspiciously in hiding for the past ten years.
Other guests began to arrive. Fred, George, and Ginny Weasley arrived together. Fred and George owned a joke shop in Diagon Alley, right next to Ron's. Ginny worked for the Ministry, travelling to other countries as an ambassador. Lavender and Seamus were married, too. Lavender had one child (which she didn't bring with her), and Seamus worked for the ministry. A few chaps from Ron's store came, as well Hermione's friends from work.
Eventually they all congregated in the living room of the small flat. It was quite crowded when Hermione rapped on the glass she was holding to get everyone's attention.
"Er—thanks, everyone. I hope you are all enjoying yourselves."
"Hear, hear!" called Fred Weasley, raising his butterbeer high into the air.
Hermione rolled her eyes. "I have a small announcement to make."
George whistled. Ron elbowed him.
"Ron and I—we're pregnant."
"Woo-wee, Ron! I didn't guys could do that sort of thing!" called Fred good-naturedly. Ron blushed dark crimson.
So did Hermione. "I guess I mean—I'm pregnant."
Ginny ran up to hug her. So did all the women in the crowd. The men slapped Ron on the back and shook his hand, congratulatory. Harry caught his eye and smiled wryly. He guessed what Ron was feeling inside.
Ron was glad to have someone on his side, to know what he was feeling right now.
In the midst of all the confusion, Harry told Ron he had to leave. Pulling him aside from the celebratory crowd, he whispered to him, "Meet me tomorrow for lunch at the Leaky Cauldron." Harry gabbed Angelina around the arm and left.
After the part slowly died down and people began to leave, Hermione started cleaning up.
"That was a—great party, Hermione," Ron said, helping her pick up a set of Self-Shuffling Cards George Weasley had left behind.
"Thanks, Ron," Hermione smoothed down her hair. "What were you and Harry talking about?"
"Er—just this and that. Just catching up. He told me that he's quitting the Ministry. The Oxford Hornets have just signed him on as a Seeker."
"That's great, Ron! Harry's needed to get away from the Ministry. All that work had turned him sour. He was always great at Quidditch."
"It is great," Ron agreed.
Hermione walked up to him. She was so close, Ron couldn't resist kissing her again. He never realised how much fun it was.
A/N—Ron's found l-o-v-e with Hermione. Suspicions confirmed—he's liked her all along! Thanks to the 30+ people who reviewed Part 2. This is my favourite fanfiction I've ever written thus far—and it's not even done! The next part will be Ron and Harry's meeting at the Leaky Cauldron. Kind ofdry--but essential to the plot. I know I said before that Ron worked in an "office", but tough—I changed it. Hope you like it so far. Reviews are loved and suggestions are appreciated. I'm trying to keep some humour in it, but it's turning more romantic! Argh! I'll have to be careful next time…bis später!
Disclaimer—You have thirty seconds to unscramble the initials of this lady who owns Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Dumbledore, McGonagall, Fred, George, Angelina, Lavender, Seamus, Diagon Alley, the Leaky Cauldron, and the Ministry of Magic. Here they are: KJR