Author's Note: Hey guys sorry this took so long. I've been really busy and this was the first oppertunity I had to finish the chapter. Thanks for sticking with me. Special thanks to Kelli Lynn! Your the best!
LAST TIME
She didn't know what to say. Was she supposed to act like she had not seen Ron yet this morning or was she supposed to act like the two of them had bumped into each other on the way to the bathroom? She had decided the safe way to go about it was to act like they had not spoken since they had said good night at Ron's bedroom door.
Mrs. Weasely interrupted Hermione's thoughts when she placed a large metal pot in the center of the table in front of her.
NOW
They rest of the family trickled into the room and took their seats around the breakfast table and began their breakfast. As the meal wore on, the people at the table became more animated and began to discuss what needed to be done that day.
It looked as though Ginny, Fred, George, Ron and Hermione would be doing a lot of cleaning. This would start by dusting the parlor and getting rid of all the little inhabitants that had collected over the years. Apparently Kreacher wasn't much of a help.
When breakfast had ended Ginny had pulled Hermione out of the kitchen and up to the room they shared. She pulled Hermione to the bed and sat down.
"What happened last night?" Ginny asked extremely curious, "You were here when I got into bed but you disappeared while I was in the bathroom."
"Nothing, Gin."
"Do you really expect me to believe that when I grew up with Fred and George?"
"I suppose not, but nothing happened."
"Then why did you go to Ron's room?"
"What are you talking about? How would you know where I was?" Hermione asked apprehensively.
"Extendable Ears," Ginny answered curtly.
"Extendable what's?" Hermione asked confused.
"Extendable Ears. Fred and George came up with them so we could listen in on meeting without getting caught outside the door. They look like a sort of skin tone string. You put one end in your ear and the other where you want to hear. I planted one in Ron's room months ago just for laughs."
"Oh. Then why did you want to know about last night? You know what we talked about."
"Well things got quiet… and you never came back."
"Whoa, wait, you don't think that your brother and I…"
"Well it could have been read that way."
"Oh, Ginny, I'm sorry. No that is most definitely not what happened. I don't even think I could like your brother as more than a friend. I mean we're close but not that close."
"I don't know, Hermione, I think you would be a good match for my brother."
This hit Hermione like a ton of bricks.
Ron and me? That's funny. That could never happen we are too different. Or could it? They do say opposites attract. Oh be sensible, Hermione, you and Ron will never be more than friends. Or could we. No, no, we definitely couldn't.
Hermione changed the subject as her thoughts were making her uncomfortable. She told Ginny that they should probably get to the parlor to get started on the cleaning for the day. Ginny had complained by saying that that was all she had been doing since she had arrived at 12 Grimald Place. Hermione dragged her down the stairs and they headed to the parlor together.
When the two arrived they found the boys standing near the curtains. They were each holding a bottle and a bucket in their hands.
Hermione giggled to herself as none of the boys had done any house work at school. In fact the clothing had been cleaned and the beds made when she and her classmates were not around.
Fred waved and came over with more supplies for the girls.
"Mum wanted you two to start dusting off the furniture and cleaning out the fireplace."
"Why are we doing this again?" Ginny whined.
"Because we're being watched," George said from the other side of the room.
Ginny gave him a look.
"Ok, so we're not being watched, but what else are we supposed to do with our time? We can't leave or anything."
"Besides," Ron chimed in, "We wouldn't have anything to do if we did leave."
Hermione accepted this answer. Taking the dust rag and the dust cleaner, she set to work at the mantel piece. The room must have been neglected for over twenty years and the dust that had accumulated was atrocious.
Around noon, Mrs. Weasely came in with a tray of sandwiches and a jug of pumpkin juice. Hermione left her spot at the mantel piece and joined the others by the tray. Thanking Mrs. Weasely, she took one and sat down on the dusty parlor chairs.
Mrs. Weasely left while the teens ate. When the sandwiches were going she came back and took the trays and directed the group back to work.
As Hermione returned to the mantel, Ginny followed her.
"Did you see the way he looked at you?" Ginny asked referring to Ron.
"Ginny, he didn't look at me any differently than he normally does," Hermione replied in a hushed tone. She began to scrub the mantel again.
"Don't pretend you don't see it Hermione," Ginny said, picking up another dust rag to start again on the other side of the mantel.
"I can't pretend when it's not there."
"I can't believe you can't see it. He's so obvious about it."
"Gin, are you hinting that you want me to go out with your brother?"
"Only because dating you would make him happy."
Hermione blushed. As much as she did not want to date Ron, she was flattered that Ginny felt so strongly about it.
Well, Ron is a really sweet guy. He would probably make a really good boyfriend for somebody. But that somebody is not me. Definitely not. I wonder if Ginny is the only one that thinks Ron likes me. I can't ask Harry. Even if he did know he'd lie about it. Ron is he best mate after all. Maybe Fred and George would know. But then they may think I fancy Ron. Do I fancy Ron? No, no, no. Ronald Weasely and Hermione Granger will never, ever, ever be a couple.
