Author's Note: Thanks for all the feedback on the last chapter. I hope everyone likes this one too!

All characters and settings belong to J.K. Rowling.

Chapter 10: A Sweet Interlude

Hermione watched Ron fiddling with the wireless as she polished the sword. He was determined to find the station that was airing Potterwatch, intent on Hermione and Harry hearing the show. He was sitting at the small kitchen table, hunched over the outdated piece of technology, a lock of his hair falling across his brow. Hermione felt her fingers itch with the desire to sweep it away from his eyes. His tongue was also peeking out from the corner of his mouth, a habit that he had when he was serious into something. He probably didn't even realize he did it. Hermione had spent hours in the Gryffindor common room watching Ron struggle over a parchment, occasionally tapping his quill against his temple, his tongue hanging out of his mouth. She loved the way he looked when he was so concentrated.

Ron looked up for a moment and did a double-take as he realized she had been staring at him. She quickly looked down at the sword, feeling the familiar flush spread across her cheeks. Things had slowly begun to return to the way they were prior to his leaving. They were even better without having to deal with the locket. Yes, they were still struggling to find meals but Ron didn't seem as cranky as he had been before about this subject. In fact, he had made some excellent suggestions as to villages that they should visit, wizarding villages that might have been of interest to You-Know-Who. Hermione blushed again thinking about what had happened just the day before when they ventured in to one of those villages.

The Day Before

It was a miserable day which had started with a cold drizzle and had developed into a piercing rain. On Ron's suggestion, they had Disapparated to the village of Upper Flagley. Hermione had wanted to take Polyjuice Potion if they were going to be so close to other people but Harry insisted they save it. So, the three of them were walking around under the Invisibility Cloak, not sure of what they were looking for. It was a small village, very few homes in the center of it. They had seen signs that either Death Eaters or Snatchers had come through recently, many homes had doors thrown open and one did not have to look too hard to see the belongings of the owners cast about. As an older couple passed close by to them, they were able to hear their conversation. Apparently the Death Eaters had visited the village just the previous night, taking many with them including a young newly married couple, accused of being Blood traitors. As Ron, Harry, and Hermione neared the outskirts of the village, they came across the couple's recently vacated house. Ice had started to mix with the rain and although they were quite dry under the cloak, the ground they were walking on was becoming increasingly treacherous. They had been standing looking at the cozy home of the young couple when Harry made the suggestion.

"Why don't we just pop in there for a little bit, at least until the rain slows a little?"

Hermione was reluctant. She wanted nothing more to feel the comfort of a warm house and a good meal in her belly but she was afraid.

"What if they come back," she asked, "I mean the Death Eaters. What if they need something from the house, something they forgot to take when they kidnapped the couple?"

"We can set up the same enchantments around the house that we set up around the tent. That way we will have advanced warning if anyone is trying to enter."

Hermione was shaking her head, "I don't know Harry, there are too many variables. What if-"

She was interrupted by Ron who said, "I'm with Harry. We are not looking to stay for a few days, just a few hours at the most. I say we go in."

Hermione sighed, knowing that she was outnumbered. She wasn't too angry about it, though; the house did certainly look comfortable.

"Okay, but let's go in through the back, just in case."

The three of them headed around the back. Hermione took out her wand, pointing to the door whispering, "Alohomora."

The door opened into a small but clean kitchen. It was painted a pale yellow that made it look cheerful and bright despite the dismal day. Ron immediately, pulled the cloak off of them.

"I'll use the cloak in the front of the house to cast some enchantments. You two cast some back here." He threw the cloak over himself and headed through a doorway that most likely led to the parlor in the front of the house.

Within minutes, the necessary spells were cast and the Sneakoscope sat on the kitchen table. Ron returned to the kitchen, making a beeline to the fridge. Opening the door, he exclaimed, "Oh boy, it looks like they just recently went food shopping." He reached in, grabbing a platter that contained a roasted chicken when Hermione slapped his hand.

"Don't eat that Ron! Who knows how it was prepared or if the Death Eaters left it there as a trap. This couple might only be the bait for them to catch someone else! Here, grab that carton of eggs and look, that package of bacon doesn't even look opened."

Within minutes, Hermione was able to serve up omelets with cheese, bacon, and toast. Ron had found an unopened jug of pumpkin juice in the cupboard and Hermione used her own supply of tea to make them each a cup. Hermione watched as Harry and Ron ate. She had made more than enough and got up to replenish their plates. She suddenly felt so tired and cold. She also had to use the bathroom.

"I'll be right back," she said, heading towards the doorway. The boys were so engrossed with their food that they barely acknowledged her.

As she passed through a dining room that led into a parlor, Hermione noticed a small bathroom off the front door, which she used quickly. When she stepped out, she observed the state of the house. The Death Eaters had torn everything apart. It was a shame, Hermione thought; it was a beautiful little house, perfect for a couple just starting their life together. It was exactly the type of house she would want if she was newly married. An image flashed in her mind of Ron in dashing dress robes, her in his arms in a beautiful white gown as he carried her over the threshold. She quickly dismissed the idea, blushing at her foolishness.

She bent down to pick up a picture frame that contained a picture of the couple or so she assumed. The picture had been taken on some tropical island. Maybe it had been their honeymoon, she thought. The woman had long blonde hair and sparkling blue eyes, the man with hair almost the same color but with brown eyes. They were both wearing evening clothes and were sitting at a small table, their backs to the sun setting on the beach behind them. They kept glancing at each other, as if they couldn't take their eyes off one another even for a moment. Hermione felt tears prick her eyes and she said a quick prayer for the couple, hoping that if anything were to happen to them that at least they were together.

Hermione made her way up the small staircase by the front door and up to the second level of the house. There were only two bedrooms. One had been converted into an office. The other was the couple's bedroom. In between was a large bathroom. Hermione entered the bathroom and almost gasped in surprise at its spaciousness. There was a beautiful white granite top vanity with his and hers sinks. Directly across from it was a smaller door, almost like a closet which Hermione opened to reveal the toilet. Right next to the vanity was a glass shower stall with a half a dozen shower heads all angled in different directions. But the showcase of the room was the beautiful white porcelain tub against the wall. It was a standalone tub, old-fashioned with lion's feet. A metal rack mounted to the wall above it held white towels and a shelf below it held a variety of bath salts and gels. Before she could stop herself, Hermione had filled the tub with steaming water, adding a bath gel that was freesia scented.

Leaving her clothes in a pile on the floor, Hermione eased her body into the tub, now filled with bubbles. She quickly pinned her hair up and sank back against the tub, feeling the warmth of the hot water soak her to the bone. It was so nice to relax like this; it was almost like she was back in her own house. She stretched her legs out, pushing her feet against the other side of the tub, feeling her muscles loosen in response to the hot water.

Downstairs, Ron and Harry had finished their omelets, Harry offering to clean-up the dishes. Ron wondered what was keeping Hermione and told Harry he would just check on her. Harry nodded absently, probably lost in thought about the Elder Wand, Ron guessed.

He took the same path upstairs that Hermione did, pausing to look at the destruction the Death Eaters had left in their wake. He looked in the extra bedroom, seeing that it was an office. Ron was actually surprised Hermione was not in this room, given the amount of books that were lining the walls. He moved back out to the hallway to check the other bedroom when he noticed the bathroom door open and what he thought to be a faint smoke emerging from it. He gripped his wand, cursing himself for letting her come up here by herself while he stuffed his face. Ron walked to the door quietly, giving it the barest of touches to open it just slightly wider than what it was.

Hermione was in the bathtub, head thrown back and eyes closed. The "smoke" was a heavenly scented steam emerging from the tub. As he stood there watching her, Hermione, her eyes still closed, took the clip out of her hair, letting the curls cascade over the back of the tub. Then she quickly ducked under the water, emerging only a second later. Ron's breath caught in his throat at the sight of her all wet, bubbles, those damn bubbles, hiding the most intimate parts of her. Hermione had a washcloth and she was using it on her arms, rubbing in slow circular movements. Ron watched as she repeated with each leg, raising them out of the tub. When she started to move it from her throat down the front of her body, it took all of Ron's strength not to groan in desire. She had reached back to wring out her hair and Ron saw that her wand was lying on the floor next to the tub. Grabbing it, she pointed at the towels above the tub and one of them flew down to her, unfolding as it did, like a curtain in front of a stage. Hermione stood up but the view of her naked body was blocked by the towel. She was just wrapping it around her body when the silence was broken by Harry's voice calling out, "Ron, Hermione, where did you disappear to up there?"

Ron slid away from the bathroom door before she turned around, hoping that she hadn't seen him. He went quickly into the bedroom/office, sitting down in the swivel chair in front of the desk. He felt hot, like he had just taken a bath as well. He immediately flushed at the thought of himself and Hermione in that large tub together. He stopped himself before he could let his thoughts go any further.

Hermione jumped at the sound of Harry's voice, turning around to see that she had left the bathroom door open slightly. It could have been her imagination but she could have swore she saw a flash of red hair by the door but that couldn't be, could it? Surely she would have noticed if he was standing at the door. The thought that he could have just seen her in the tub didn't anger her, in fact, it made her feel quite the opposite—she felt empowered.

Hermione quickly dried her hair and got dressed, tidying up the bathroom so it was how she had found it. She stepped out into the hall to see Ron, standing in the door way of the second bedroom. He was slightly flushed and Hermione now knew there was no doubt about what he had seen. Hoping she wasn't blushing madly and trying to sound cool and sophisticated, she turned to him saying, "Ready to go?" She headed down the stairs, Ron staring after her, the smell of freesia's lingering in the air.

The three made a decision to straighten up the house as much as they could before they left. With that task done, they Disapparated to the woods located outside of the villages. The rain had stopped but it had left a lingering mist, giving the woods a medieval feel. Harry commented that it was almost like being back at Hogwarts in the Forbidden Forest. They quickly setup the tent, casting the usual protective enchantments. Hermione volunteered to take the first watch, leaving Harry and Ron alone to their thoughts.

Ron sat, still in a daze over what he had seen at the house. He wasn't sure if he wanted her to join him on his bunk tonight, he didn't think he would be strong enough not to act on the desire she had caused to surge throughout his body. He had certainly done his fair share of picturing Hermione in various states of undress but this by far had exceeded anything his 18 year-old imagination could conjure. Again, Hermione had taken him by surprise. She always seemed so practical to him. The luxury of a bath was something that he had always thought she would dismiss as wasteful of water and time. Apparently not so.

Seeing Hermione enjoy something so feminine had also raised another issue for Ron. These past few months could not have been easy for her, being on the move, living out of a beaded bag, and having to share living space with two teenage boys. Harry and Ron had a convenient way of forgetting that she was a girl unless it was at an opportune time like when a meal had to be prepared or dirty clothes had to be laundered. Hermione had never been the type of girl to favor fashion over homework but over the years he couldn't help but notice the little things about her that made her "girly." She wore perfume, subtle perfume but perfume nonetheless. When she didn't think anyone was looking, she would take out a mirror to smooth out any unruly curls. And her clothes were never tight or revealing but flattered her figure.

Ron was so lost in thought that he didn't hear Harry talking to him. "Oi, Ron, hello! What are you thinking about?"

A brilliant plan had started to take form in Ron's head. "Listen, I have an idea…"

Hermione had been on watch since they returned from the village. She hadn't been able to calm herself after realizing that Ron had seen her in the tub. She knew that she should probably be mad at him for being a perv but she couldn't. The idea that he had seen her in such an intimate way secretly excited her. Knowing she had a physical affect on him thrilled her even more. As she looked out into the depth of the forest, she allowed herself a moment of fantasy, imagining what it would have been like if their places had been reversed and she had seen Ron in the shower (she just couldn't picture Ron sitting in a tub full of bubbles.)

After a while, Hermione had realized that she hadn't heard any noises coming from the tent. Looking at her watch, she noticed that is was almost supper time. Pulling herself off the ground, she sighed to herself, trying to figure out what she was supposed to make tonight. She walked into the tent, almost dropping her wand at the sight that greeted her.

"Table for one, mademoiselle?" Ron asked. Hermione looked around the tent in amazement. Candles were suspended in the air and the kitchen table had been set with crisp linens. A vase with a single rose bud sat in the middle. The most amazing transformation had been made to Ron and Harry. They had both donned their dress robes in an attempt to look like waiters in a Muggle restaurant. Ron walked over to her, tucking her arm into his, bringing her to the table while Harry pulled out the chair.

"What are you two doing? What is this all for?" she asked.

Harry smiled replying, "Well, Ron decided that we needed to pamper you a bit. It is also our way of saying thank you for taking such good care of us over the past few months. We wouldn't have even gotten as far as Grimmauld Place without you."

Hermione looked down at her plate, overcome with emotion, "Well that's just rubbish. We are a team, we three!"

Ron laughed saying, "We are a team we three but we, Harry and I, have forgotten how much you do for us. This is our way of saying thank you." He was looking at her intently and Hermione could see some of the unspoken words in his eyes. He had done this for her. Almost as if he had read her mind Harry said, "This was all of Ron's idea and it was brilliant! Didn't you wonder why you didn't hear us at all in the tent?"

Hermione blushed a bit, not wanting to tell them her mind was elsewhere. "Er, yeah, I was wondering but I figured you were just resting." That sounded lame even to her own ears.

"Ron used the Invisibility Cloak to go back to the village. He used some of the Muggle money we had to buy some things from the supermarket there."

Hermione looked at Ron and noticed he was blushing. "You went into a Muggle supermarket? You made the food?" she asked.

"Well, don't act so surprised. I've picked up a trick or two from living with my mum," he said. He went back to the kitchen bring out a tray with three covered dishes. He put them all down in front of Hermione.

"For your first course, the chef has prepared a lovely beef consommé with crouton. For your second course, a crisp salad of spring greens, cucumber, and bleu cheese crumbles. And for your main course, a lovely pork chop, seared to perfection with a grainy mustard sauce." He said each dish with flourish, lifting a silver cover off of them. Hermione was dumbfounded. She couldn't believe the extent that they had gone to. She looked up at them again, tears glimmering in her eyes.

"I don't know what to say. You need to sit down too; I can't sit and eat all by myself."

"Well," said Ron, grinning broadly, "we thought you would never ask!"

Harry produced two more place settings and he and Ron sat down, enjoying the feast that Ron had prepared. Hermione couldn't believe how delicious everything was. She was actually getting quite put out at the fact that Ron was so talented and yet had never offered to prepare a meal for all of them!

The meal passed with much laughter and cheer. It was almost as if the past few months were a figment of their imaginations and that the task before them had disappeared for the night. The boys cleared the table and Harry went outside to take the first watch for the night. Hermione made tea for the three of them, giving Harry a mug as he had headed outside. Ron had produced a tin of chocolate biscuits and they were enjoying them with their tea still sitting at the kitchen table.

Ron was watching Hermione, trying to guess when she was going to say something about the meal. He could practically see the thoughts whirring through her mind. He didn't have to wait too long.

"Ron, "she started, "I—"

Ron reached over and covered her hand with his, "You don't have to say anything Hermione. I wanted to do something special for you. I know it's not easy having to put up with us, put up with me especially. You deserved something nice." Ron stood, walking over to the small bedside table where the wireless was. He turned it on, turning the dials. Hermione stood as well, going over to her bunk to grab her pajamas.

As she headed into the bathroom, she turned to Ron saying, "I never 'put up with you' Ron. I hope you know that. I love being with you, even when things are bad. You remind me not to be too serious and to enjoy the little things, like chocolate biscuits and a hot cup of tea." Hermione walked into the bathroom shutting the door quickly behind her. Her heart felt like it was going to pound out of her chest.

Ron stared at the bathroom door, his heart probably pounding as much as Hermione's was. She had just used the word "love" in a connection with him. Hermione loved being with him. Ron felt giddy at the idea. He tried to regain his composure as she came back out of the bathroom, settling on one of the armchairs, book in hand. She instantly buried her head in the book. It was clear she wasn't going to say anything else to him. He turned his attention back to the wireless, trying to hide the smile from his face.

Hermione was so lost in memories from the previous day that she almost didn't realize that Ron had found Potterwatch on one of the channels. Harry came running in from outside of the tent and they tuned in to the show, enjoying hearing the voices they knew but saddened over some of the news that they were delivering. Hermione turned to look at Harry and Ron and felt a surge of emotion for them. She loved one and was in love with the other. They were both her best friends. Hermione knew that there was no place she would rather be then sitting in a smelly tent with the both of them by her side.