3 o'clock. It felt like it had been 3 o'clock for the last hour.

Time was going by so slowly. Normally Hermione didn't have enough hours in the day to finish her work, often staying hours after her 9-5 shift had ended. But today was not one of those days. Today felt eternal.

"concentrate Hermione concentrate" she spoke to herself as she scribbled her signature over and over again, document after document.

Finally she reached her limit throwing her quill across the room and falling back into her chair letting her tired eyes press tightly shut.

Jealousy is a strange emotion. She was coming to find herself attacked by possible scenarios that involved Ronald and that Emilia girl alone. Why was she so worried? Just this morning he had declared his love for her as he has done many times before, she shouldn't have a doubt of his fidelity. But as she had told him before it's not him she didn't trust, it's the women. Surely she hadn't been seeing things, Emilia obviously stared at him with a more than friendly intention...or was she just overwhelmed by the annoying fact that she was a very pretty girl? Hermione felt herself further drowned in confusion. She had never been the jealous type...well, before Ron that is. It was still a strange feeling for her to feel so protective of him, if possible she'd stamp her name on his forehead for all to know he was strictly hers.

Hermione let out a deep sigh at another thought; It was almost the end of the day but Ron hadn't stopped by to see her yet.

"stooooop" she said to herself as she buried her face in her hands trying to escape her own thoughts. It wasn't out of the ordinary, sometimes he just didn't have the time to come or there were too many people around, since it was a known fact Ronald Weasley was dating Hermione Granger, some could be offended by the obviously mischievous way he'd enter her office (occasionally leaving with his hair a mess, his robes undone and wearing a satisfied smirk on his face)

Just as she was about to continue her perplexing thoughts she decided to get up and take a small walk to ease her mind and stretch her legs. She opened the door taking a deep calming breath abandoning all signs of aggravation from her face instead replacing them with the calm sweet cheerful face that was Hermione Granger.

As she strolled down the hall she found peace once again. Shooting smiles at all of her fellow ministry workers she was beginning to feel like a fool for letting a simple glance at her boyfriend get to her. She should be flattered that women found him desirable, after all he was completely in love with her and only her. At this new found happiness she decided to take the initiative and go find him at his office.

A few feet before she reached his room, she straightened up her posture, fixed her hair and gave her lips a lick then changed her face from sweet and cheerful to sultry and sexy. She turned to the hall where his office was located, Ron was sure to be hard at work since Fridays were the days he dedicated to paper work. As she turned into his room hoping to be greeted with a smile from a blue eyed red head, she was instead greeted by the smile of a green eyed brunette.

"oh hello there Her-mine-nee"

Emilia spoke in an annoying tone of cheery innocence.

"it's Herm-I-one...what are yo- I mean, where's Ron?"

"Hermione? Just when I thought my day couldn't get any better, come sit down love" came Ron's voice from behind Emilia, he was sitting in a chair at his desk excitingly scanning through a book which was already odd, since Ron never picked up a book by choice. What was even more odd was the fact Emilia was sitting comfortably on the desk in front of him, legs crossed and bare skin flashing in front of Ron's face. Sure, he was obviously occupied by the book and not her legs and sure, they weren't alone a few other workers were standing around the book Ron was scanning and laughing at but why out of all the places she could have picked to sit was she directly in front of Ron?

Ron hardly looked up as he spoke again

"come here love, look at this bloody piece of work"

Ron spoke signaling with one hand for her to come closer

Hermione rolled her eyes at the floor but quickly put a smile on her face as she walked towards the crowd. Ron finally looked up telling a few men to move aside and reaching out his hand for Hermione to take. When she took his hand he swiftly pulled her to sit on his lap which would normally make her feel uncomfortable but this time she wanted the little audience (particularly a certain female) to get the clear picture of Ron and her being very much in love.

"what is this?"

Hermione asked now truly curious on why this book was gaining so much attention.

"some lunatic wrote a book about the war against Voldemort, says it was all a fraud by the ministry to gain publicity and donation"

Ron laughed as he spoke, clearly amused by what was written

"what? That's ridiculous"

"not to mention offensive for the poor families who lost loved ones"

Emilia chimed in as she placed a hand on Ron's shoulder

"with the ministries permission I'd like to personally send this lunatic to trial"

She continued.

Ron sensed Hermione's body tense up at the gesture so he discreetly moved away from the touch, pretending he had to bend over to pick Hermione up further into his lap.

"not necessary. Poor man is probably alone and miserable. Not having anything better to do than sit at home trying to figure out how the war could have possibly been a fraud. Now if you'll excuse me gentlemen and miss, I have a girlfriend in need of my attention"

Ron signaled for everyone to leave letting Emilia take the book with her. Just as Hermione though she'd finally seen the last of her, she poked her head back in the office wearing an annoying grin

"let me know if you need anything Ron, I mean Mr. Weasly"

Ron nodded and Emilia finally shut the door.

"mental isn't it. We almost die and some fucker has the nerve to say it was all a fraud."

Hermione was off in her own world, still thinking of that annoying girl when she finally realized Ron was talking to her

"wha-? oh yeah. Mental."

"nice of you to surprise me for a change"

Ron began as he buried his face in the back of her neck

"is this a new dress? Where's the zipper? or do I have to pull it off?"

He asked as he ran a hand up her thigh

"stop"

Hermione suddenly snapped as she stood up from his lap at the feel of his hand on her thigh.

"what's wrong?"

"who is she? She's been buzzing around you all day and you have yet to explain who she is?"

"who? Emilia? She's been hired to assist me, don't know who would think I need an assistant but apparently my constant complaining of paper work and taking morning floo calls was taken seriously. I thought by now they'd know complaining about work is second language to me"

"What? Why? Who hired her?"

"how am I supposed to know. This morning at the meeting they simply introduced her as my new assistant, I didn't have any say in it. What does it matter anyway? Just another girl doing her job"

"her job? Is eating you with her eyes and touching you at any moment she can her job?"

"Hermione what are you saying? Listen to yourself. It's her first day, I'm sure she's just trying to get on my good side to guarantee her a stable job. And she most certainly does not eat me with her eyes...what does that even mean? Sounds bloody scary"

Ron tried to add some kind of humor to Hermione's rising temper

"and now I have to accept the fact that she'll be around you everyday for 8 hours?"

She continued her angry rant as if she didn't even hear Ron's last argument.

"I really don't understand why you're getting like this. She's just a worker. You can't possibly think she's out to steal me away or something I KNOW that ridiculous though hasn't even run through your head"

Hermione turned away, looking out his window at all the people below running around, papers flying back and forth and bright flashes of green fire constantly shining from the fireplaces.

"I need to get back to work"

Hermione said, not angry anymore not sad not anything. It was a simple monotone statement as she turned towards the door

"what? You go on some crazy ramble and now you just leave?"

"forget it. I'll see you later"

Ron wasn't about to let her leave like this. He decided he could spoil half the surprise he had in store for her now. Quickly getting up from his chair and taking her small hand before it could reach the door he pulled her to him and gave her a kiss on the forehead

"you're working too hard. It's affecting you. Remember that family reunion I told you to ask Monday off for? Well I half lied. Their is a family reunion but it's not this weekend. This weekend I want to spend with you alone. Not at the burrow. Not at your house, away from everything, we're going to a home my great aunt left us in her will. It's out in the country side so we'll be completely alone and at peace for three beautiful days"

Hermione let herself drown in his embrace it felt so good when he held her like this. Not sexually but comforting. It felt like his body was making a promise to hers that it would always be there to hold her in a time of need. Ron's grasp was like a drug that knew when her mind needed to be calmed, always managing to absorb her negative emotions and replace them with pure joy.

"oh Ron that's been the best thing I've herd in so long, we do need to get away. I'm sorry if I overreacted I'm just so protective of you but I understand I shouldn't take it so far"

"no harm done darling. Now give me an I'm-so-sorry-you're-the-best-boyfriend-ever kiss"

Hermione laughed as she tilted her head up to meet his lips passionately and ferociously kissing Ron, now completely forgetting she was ever angry at anything. Ron slid his hands down her arms suddenly grabbing her wrists and pushing her back against the door pinning her arms above her head. He began to almost angrily attempt to deepen their kiss which was surely impossible unless he completely swallowed her tongue. Ron then laced their fingers together softly enjoying the feel of her smooth hands against his rougher ones then unlaced them again with the same tender fashion and began a slow delicate journey down the velvety skin of her arms, causing goosebumps to sprout all over her skin and eliciting a soft moan from Hermione.

"I really-"

Hermione gasped while Ron moved his kisses down to her neck

"Ron, I really do ha-"

She couldn't finish her sentences while he was causing her so much pleasure

"love please, I really do have to get back to work"

She firmly stated finally being able to finish a complete sentence

Ron slowly stood up and stared into her eyes

"countless times I've touched you and every time still feels more amazing than the last"

Hermione smiled at him wishing they could continue but responsibility was yelling loud in her ear

"I know Ron. It's what love does, I promise you we'll indulge this weekend"

"count on it"

Ron answered as he opened the door for her

"I'll see you after work, I'll come by the burrow tonight around 8, I love you"

Hermione said as she gave Ron a passionate stare with her beautiful eyes

"I love you too Hermione"

Ron answered leaning against the frame of his door watching his beautiful girlfriend walk away. Unlike Hermione, he loved the little chuckles and whispers they'd cause when she left his office looking slightly flushed.

Normally Hermione would take a minute to fix her hair and dress but this time, knowing a certain person was sure to be observing she decided to let it be. Hermione walked down the hall with a strap of her dress hanging off her shoulder

"have a great weekend Emilia"

She called cheerfully at the brunette sitting at her desk

"you too"

She herd her answer quietly.

And with a confident click-clack of her heels she walked back to her office.

After work Hermione gathered her things and apparated home. It had been a while since she las spent an afternoon enjoying dinner with her parents.

"is that you darling?" called Mrs. Granger form the kitchen

"yes mum, I'm staying for dinner today"

"thats a surprise" Mr. Granger spoke up as he put away his book and went to greet his daughter with a hug

Hermione couldn't help but feel like a young girl again at the hug from her father. Together they walked to the dinner table as poured a glass of lemonade for her daughter.

"how has work been sweetheart?" her mother asked as they ate

"well, difficult honestly. I have so much work at times I feel like ripping my hair out but I'm grateful I have a job and it's paying rather decently."

"does that boy let you work? Or is he constantly following you around like a lost puppy as he regularly does"

"dad"

Hermione laughed knowing her dad enjoyed making Ron's life difficult

"he's a very hard worker. Sometimes we don't see each other all day because he's so busy training others and learning more himself, you must give him his well deserved credit"

"hmph. I'll give him his credit when he learns to make a living out of pure talent. No wand nor Abra-cadabra-hocus-pocus chants. Just pure skill of the mind and talent of the hand."

Hermione smiled knowing her dad was only joking. When it came magic, he couldn't hide his fascination. More than once Hermione had found books on certain spells her father was clearly curious about.

"pay no attention to your father. He still hasn't accepted the fact his little girl isn't so little anymore and is well on her way to becoming a bride"

Mrs. Granger gave a huge grin at the thought of helping plan her only daughters wedding

"oh mum not again"

Hermione sighed knowing all too well the intention to begin discussing her marriage

"I don't see the issue? You already spend all your time together, work together. Occasionally spending nights at his home"

Hermione blushed surely to a shade of purple as her father choked on his drink

"don't think we were born yesterday" her mother continued

"no need to talk about that at the family table" her father grumbled

As he took a huge spoon full of food like he wanted to swallow down his uncomfortableness with it.

"in due time mother. We're so busy with work and...and"

Hermione stumbled on her words as she too began to see her mothers point.

"when we're ready" was her simple answer as she continued to eat her food hoping her mother would stop

"hopefully it's before I'm too old to get out of bed"

was the last remark her mother made on the subject letting the discussion end, followed by an awkward silence.

As they all helped clean up Hermione decided now she could tell them of their weekend plans...maybe altering the facts just a bit so her dad could sleep well at night

"I'm going on a trip this weekend, with Ron and his family up to a cottage in the country. I'll be back Monday night"

"oh that sounds lovely dear, just make sure you pack enough clothes"

Her mother said cheerfully giving Hermione a little wink surely not buying the "family" part of her sentence, mothers always just seem to know.

Her father joined in

"how can you stand sleeping in a home full of Weasley?"

"honestly you, stop that"

Her mother scolded him giving him a light smack on the arm

Hermione went and gave each of them a hug, squeezing them extra tight so the hug would last all weekend

"I'm going upstairs to pack, I'm thinking it will be easier if I just stay the night tonight so we can all leave as soon as we wake tomorrow morning"

Her parents smiled and nodded as Hermione ran up the stairs now feeling overwhelmingly eager for the weekend ahead.

"she certainly isn't a little girl anymore is she darling"

Her father spoke softly, briefly having a flashback of the small bushy haired quirky girl Hermione used to be.

"no she isn't, but she'll always be our daughter. No boy nor anything in the muggle world nor any magic can change that"

They both smiled at each other then continued the chore of cleaning up the kitchen.


***so to make up for the fact I took forever to update, i decided to reward my readers with 2 chapters published in one day :)) I promise I won't take that long to update again. remember to review darlings it makes me happy xox and for my sexual monsters, I know these 2 chapters have been pretty PG-13 but be patient, i'll deliver very soon :}