"Ronnie?"

Ron looked around, then realized the voice was coming from the lab in the back of the shop. "Yeah, George?"

"You gonna take any of the NEWTs?" George put a stirring rod down in its holder, then took off the protective goggles Hermione had bought him at the DIY store.

"Why? Are you?" Ron was indignant.

"Yeah. Defense and Potions. I figure I should get those two. Mum always wanted us to be fully qualified and you need at least two," George said and shrugged, turning away from Ron.

Ron walked over and placed his hand on his brother's shoulder. "When you put it like that, I guess I better do two as well. Defense and Transfiguration, since those were my best scores other than Potions, and I don't really want to do that one," he said.

"Yeah, Freddie was the Charms expert. I end up having to borrow Hermione's brain nowadays," explained George ruefully.

"I'm sure she's happy to help," said Ron. "Maybe we can see if she can give us a study schedule for Charms, then we can take three NEWTs apiece. Mum would be proud of us."

"Send her an owl. I'm sure she'd help," said George, excited for the first time in weeks. "It won't bother you to see her with Harry?"

"A little, but its more dog in the manger than anything else, you know? They are happy together from the bits I hear from Hannah down at the Leaky," Ron turned to take a box of Wheezes out to the store front.

"Good to hear you growing up, Ronniekins." George ducked at the empty box that was aimed at his head. "Hey, I thought Hannah was seeing Neville?"

"She is. Luna ran off to Sweden after taking all her NEWTs last week, special exemption. Turns out the Scamanders were starting a two year animal scouting trip, and she wanted to go along," said Ron. "Neville was drowning his sorrows at the Leaky, then realized he and Hannah got on really well. They've been dating for about two weeks."

"What about Susan Bones?" George was fishing for information. He hated going out and getting asked about Fred.

"She's still mad at me. Don't know why. I get poked a lot. Her finger is sharp!"

Just then Arthur's note about Sunday dinner arrived. Ron turned red, then purple. Then he heaved a big breath and shook his head. "I better go over to Grimmauld Place and ask in person. I want to see just how bad dinner is going to be on Sunday. I don't know if I can stand being in the same place as the Ferret."

"Don't start any fights, Ron," George warned.

"I won't. I'll leave if I get angry, OK?" Ron watched George carefully to see if his plan was acceptable.

"Sounds good, Ronnie."

Ron walked through the Leaky Cauldron, then on to Grimmauld Place, using the time to clear his head. He walked up the stoop to the old townhouse and rang the bell.

Hermione, Harry and Draco were sitting down to lunch. Hermione had ordered curry takeaway.

"I wonder who that is," said Harry as he got up to check.

"Someone who knows where the house is and can get through the wards to the front step," replied Hermione.

"Probably Percy, then," he responded as he walked out the room.

Harry got a surprise when he opened the door. "Ron!"

Hermione and Draco looked at each other when they heard the exclamation.

"Oh, did he come to look at the monkey in the cage?"

"Give it up, Draco. You are being treated like family for the most part, not an animal in the zoo," sniped Hermione.

"It would be a ferret, not a monkey, in any case," said Ron as he walked into the kitchen.

"At least I'm not a freckly, balding orangutan," Draco replied.

"Dinner will be interesting, won't it?" Ron asked Hermione with a gleam in his eye.

"We'll just sit him next to Charlie. He's a dragon tamer, after all," she said.

The trio was quite amused when Draco blushed.

"Look guys, I'm still not sure I'm totally OK with seeing you together, but I will get over it. I came over to ask if you would be willing to give me and George some study schedules for DADA, Transfiguration, Charms and Potions. I know you've been studying like mad," Ron said in all one breath.

Hermione clapped her hands delightedly, "Oh, Mum would be so proud. Which tests are you taking and which for George?"

"I'm doing DADA, Transfiguration and Charms, and George wants DADA, Potions and Charms," Ron said.

"Those are perfect for the shop. I heard you decided to stay and help him out?" she asked.

"Yeah. I'm comfortable there, and I help bring him news. George doesn't like going out much." Ron caught Harry's eye and shrugged.

Harry shrugged back.

Ron's smile grew. He had his friends back, even if they were together. "What're you eating?"

"Curry," said Draco, "And its getting cold. Join us or leave."

"Such charm, Malfoy. But thanks, I think I want to try it." Ron sat down and served himself some of the food.

They were eating when they all heard, "Harry? Hermione? It's Susan, can I come through?"

Hermione went over and said the charm to release the Floo. The two girls walked into the kitchen. "We were just finishing lunch. Would you like something?"

"No, I'm good," Susan said. Then she noticed Ron. "What's he doing here?"

"He asked for some study schedules for himself and George," replied Hermione.

"You think you are going to be ready for NEWTs in two weeks?" Susan asked Ron in disbelief.

"As ready as I can be. I've been helping George out, and using lots of Charms and Transfiguration, and DADA, well, no test is going to be as bad as real life, right?" Ron took a deep breath and answered calmly.

He was very surprised when her face softened and she grinned at him. "Good. Really good."

Ron grinned back, not noticing the looks being exchanged around the table.