When you are in love you can't fall asleep because reality is better than your dreams.

Dr. Seuss


Collapsing Hearts

Chapter 8

"Seven?" I shouted in disbelief.

"Yep seven, and all of us have red hair." Ron confirmed as he smiled lazily and took a sip of his frothy beer.

The awkwardness that had been between us earlier had melted away when alcohol started flowing through our veins. I was finally hearing about the Weasley family, and it was well, interesting.

"There is Bill, who is the eldest, then Charlie, Percy, Fred, George, Me, and Ginny. All in that order too. Mum definitely had her hands full."

"Wow, she must have had a hard time keeping track of you all, and poor Ginny, the only girl." I said as I stared at him in amazement.

"Mum had eyes like a hawk, and she had and still has this eerie intuition that when one of us does something wrong; she just knows and then pesters you about it till you spill your secrets in some hope of relief from the constant nagging. Coming to think of it they should make my dad a saint, I don't know how he put up with her for so long, and Ginny can hold her own, trust me, she is the most self assured out of all of us I think."

"So if Ginny is the self assured one, what category would you put your self in Mr Weasley, the sexy one?" I asked brazenly as I reach over and wiped some excess froth from his upper lip. Yep I definitely am starting to get tipsy; I am flirting openly with him and my internal filter seemed to be dwindling fast. The tips of his ears turned red, but I could tell he was enjoying the banter.

He thought for a moment then answered playfully, "I don't know, you would have to ask one of my many family members."

" I just might have to do that." I said as I gave him a cheeky grin.

He looked at his watch casually and his eyes widen in shock.

"Fuck, I mean, crap." He exclaimed and dug in his pocket and checked his phone.

"What's wrong? Do you have somewhere you have to be?" I asked worriedly.

He didn't answered me because he had dialed a number and was waiting for someone to pick up. When the person answered they started yelling so loud that Ron had to pull the phone away from his ear till they stopped.

"I'm sorry...my phone was on silent. I know, I know, I KNOW I SAID. Look we lost track of time, we will be there soon. OK Gin, alright love you too. Bye." Ron said and then ended the call.

"What happened is Layla ok? I knew I should have brought my phone." I said anxiously.

"No, she is ok, everything is fine. It's nearly midnight Hermione. I lost track of time. Ginny is going to have my bollocks on a plate if we don't get there soon though." Ron said as he left a wad of bills on the bar and grabbed his jacket. He helped me put my sweater on and called a taxi.

"What about your car?" I asked still in shock that it was so late.

" I'll get it tomorrow, I will call one of my brothers to pick me up in the morning." He said just as the taxi pulled up.

As we settled in the back of the taxi, I realized just how tired I was. The alcohol had created a fuzzy cushion for my brain and I felt my self nodding off. Before I knew it Ron was shaking me awake telling me we were on Ginny's road.

"Sorry, I didn't realize how tired I am." I sighed as I smothered a yawn with my hand. As I stretched I noticed that Ron was gazing at me with longing in his eyes.

"Hermione, I'm sorry if tonight didn't turn out like you hoped. I had everything planned and I know my mood killed most of the date." Ron said sadly as he turned towards me in his seat.

I grabbed his hand and smiled at him softly, "Ron, I cried like a blubbering whale on our first date so lets just called it even ok?"

"You are bloody amazing, you know that?" he said in awe as he squeezed my hand tenderly.

The taxi pulled to a stop just outside the house breaking our little bubble. I didn't want this night to end, and I had wanted him to kiss me. As we got of the taxi I knew that the chances were slim since Layla would now be with us, and I was definitely not kissing him in front of her; I would never hear the end of it. He was still gripping my hand as we walked to the house, and I guess that's as much physical contact I was getting tonight; not that I minded.

As we were walking up the path to the house the door swung open and what I saw frightened me a bit. There was Ginny with her hands on her hips fuming mad.

As we made it to the door Ginny slapped Ron on his head and shouted, "Do you know how worried I have been. You have a watch and a phone how could you lose track of time?"

"Like I said on the phone Gin, we got to talking and time slipped away from us, and stop yelling, I know you hate when you hear this but you are turning into mom." Ron said as he ducked from another one of her swings.

Ginny turned to me and her expression immediately softened.

"I am not mad at you Hermione, just my idiot brother here. Although I should be glad, it looks like you two are getting along just swimmingly." Ginny smiled with a twinkle in her eye. She was looking at our joining hands, and clapping her own hands in glee.

"Seriously Gin, your turning in to mom. Can you let us in now?" Ron stated as he shook his head.

I noticed Ginny was about to clobber Ron because of the comment he made so I tried to diffuse the moment by asking about my sister.

"Was Layla good for you tonight? I am sorry if she was in any way outspoken or annoying." I said apologetically as we stepped into the kitchen.

"She was fine, she had a blast with Victoire and Dominique. They are all sleeping on the living floor now. They were playing camping earlier, and I think they are all tired out. Harry is out for the count too, they had him running all over the place." She said with a soft smile on her face.

"Well, we better get going, I have to be on set early tomorrow and I have to get these two home. Can I borrow your car to take them Gin? I left my car at the pub because we both were drinking" Ron asked.

"I have a better idea. Why don't you all stay here for the night? You and Harry both have scenes tomorrow so you can go into work with him, then I can take Hermione and Layla home when they get up." Ginny said as she looked at both of us.

"Ginny that's very kind of you, but I don't have anything to sleep in and I don't want to impose." I said kindly.

Ginny snorted and said, "Impose? Oh Hermione, I am sure Ron has told you about our big family. Imposing is second nature for us Weasley's plus I insist. So lets go."

She was already turning off all the lights, so we had no choice but to follow her.

Ron whispered to me as we climbed the stairs, "I told you she is the most self assured out of all of us, she gets whatever she wants; she is bossy."

"I heard that you git" Ginny harshly whispered as she turned around and gave him a playful glare.

I just giggled and kept following Ginny. She opened a door, told us to wait, then she came back out with a stack of clothes. We walked further down the hall and she opened another door.

She set everything down on the bed and said, "There is your own private loo through that door, and there should be some towels in there and a pack of new toothbrushes under the sink."

The bed looked so comfortable and big; I could not wait to jump into it and fall into a deep sleep. Maybe I would take a quick warm shower too. When we were at the outside cinema the grass was poking through the blanket and my legs were feeling quite itchy.

Ginny was about to leave the room when she said, "Before I forget, you two have to share this room because I am decorating the other spare rooms at the moment, goodnight."

She winked and quickly dashed out the door closing it behind her. Ron looked at me in shock and I couldn't help but giggle. This would definitely be interesting.


Well, there you go another chapter out just for you. THANK YOU for the feedback its been great. I love hearing your theories about Ron and why he is so secretive. Next chapter we will be learning more why he is that way. Also I have missed Layla, so she will be back full force next chapter as well. Before I forget I have twitter so please add me for updates and my random blurbs.

TWITTER: say_it_so

As always, let me know what you think. Till next time...