Chapter Fourteen: Christmas Shopping and Over Chess
When the train arrived at King's Cross Station, and the trio disembarked, they were met by Hermione's parents, Sirius, and Ron's dad. The trio and Ginny said a hasty 'See you later,' before Harry left with Sirius, Ginny left with her father and Ron and Hermione left with her parents. The drive to her parents' house took a while, so Ron and Hermione fell asleep in the back of the car. They were awoken by Richard when they arrived at her home. Ron helped Richard carry in the trunks as Hermione and her mother went into the kitchen.
'How about we order some takeaway?' suggested Helen.
'Yes, all right then,' Richard replied.
They decided on Chinese and the four of them chose their orders and waited. Ron played chess with Richard, as Hermione talked about school with her mother. Ron had won all the games so far, as the food arrived. After dinner, Ron and Hermione sat and watched television with her parents before going to bed.
The next morning, Ron was woken up by Hermione jumping on him as he was having a most pleasant dream. He held her as she lay on top of him.
'Do you want to go Christmas shopping with me, today?' he asked.
'Of course, I do. Perhaps we should give out gifts as a couple. Buy them together and say they're from both of us,' she suggested.
'Is that normal for couples, then?' he asked.
'Yes, of course it is. Do you not think it's a good idea?'
'I think it's a brilliant idea, my love. Now, you need to move, so I can get dressed.'
'Pity about having to dress sometimes, isn't it?' she said coyly.
'You mean you'd rather stay naked all the time?'
'Yes, as long as it's with you. I love you, Ron. Now, come on, it's breakfast time!'
Hermione got up and walked away from him and as she did so, he noticed her walk with little extra hip movement, and as she looked over her shoulder at him, she gave him a flirty smile. Ron washed and dressed before following Hermione downstairs.
'So, any plans?' asked Richard, once breakfast had been eaten.
'Ron and I would like to go Christmas shopping, today.'
'That's fine. I'm sure Arthur will appreciate something muggle, am I right?'
'Yeah, dad's mental like that,' Ron chuckled.
Once they were ready to go, Ron and Hermione left to get the bus into town. When the bus arrived, Hermione paid their fares and they sat down on a seat next to each other. They were sitting close enough for Ron to push her hair away from her neck for him to kiss her there. Hermione giggled as he kissed her.
'Hermione … Did you know, that as much I love Christmas, I hate winter?' he whispered.
'No, why?' she whispered.
'Because, in the winter, you wear jeans that cover up your sexy legs,' he whispered huskily.
'But, if I didn't wear jeans, I would get a cold or worse. You wouldn't want that would you?'
'No, but I would put my hand up your skirt to stroke your lovely soft inner thighs, and maybe put my hand in your knickers and rub your cold but wet pussy until you're nice and warm, if you know what I mean?' said Ron as he moved his right hand under her jumper and shirt to give one of her breasts a gentle squeeze.
She moaned before saying, 'Yes, I know what you mean – easy access, you big git.'
She giggled as he kept kissing her neck and earlobe. Ron laughed gently into her neck as he continued right up to when the bus had arrived at their destination. They got off the bus and began to walk around the town centre and all the shops. Ron, who had gotten the twins to change some Galleons for him into muggle money, began to reel off all the people for whom he had to buy.
'Mum – Dad – Bill – Fleur – Charlie – Percy – Fred – George – Harry – Sirius – Remus – Ginny – Tonks – your parents, and you. Blimey, that's a lot of expense, now I think about it.'
'You don't have to get me anything. I have everything I want,' said Hermione.
'What kind of shite boyfriend would I be if I didn't get you anything, eh? You're my whole world, and I believe if we hadn't gotten together when we did, I don't think we would be where we are,' he said as he put his arm around her shoulders as she put an arm around his waist and tucked her hand into the back pocket of his jeans.
Eventually they had gifts for almost everybody except each other. They agreed to get something muggle for everyone, but neither of them could think of anything and neither wanted to split up to find a gift that would be a surprise, so, in the end, they compromised by Ron buying Hermione a nice book, and Hermione bought him a brand new chess set, before heading to the bus station. This trip into town had been far better than last time as nobody horrible from Hermione's old school had turned up to upset her. They walked back to her house where her parents were watching television as they came in the front door. Not wanting to spoil the surprises for they had bought, they took them upstairs before eating a wonderful dinner.
After dinner, Richard challenged Ron to game of chess as Hermione and her mother watched on while Ron won again.
'I can't believe someone so young is so good at this old game,' Richard said as Ron began to set up the board once more. Hermione yawned and decided that she was ready to go to bed, so she gave Ron a kiss goodnight before pecking both her parents on the cheek and going upstairs.
'Up for one more game?' Ron asked.
'All right,' said Richard.
'Want to make it interesting?'
'How?' asked Richard.
'If I win, I would like your permission to ask Hermione to marry me,' said Ron boldly.
'Deal, I'll be white,' replied Richard.
'Richard, Hermione's future and her heart is not something you gamble with over chess!' Helen said appalled.
'I'm not gambling with Hermione, Helen. I want your best game, Ron.'
'Believe me, you'll get it.'
So they played and after half an hour, Ron declared Checkmate.
'Well played, Ron. You know you could have just asked outright for my blessing, and you did not have to beat me at chess to get it, either. Helen and I think the world of you, and Hermione is always happy when you're around or when she's talking or thinking about you. You were her first friend and for that, I can't find the words to show you – not just my appreciation, but Helen's too. Even a blind man can see how much you love Hermione, and I couldn't have asked for a finer young man to lose my daughter to,' Richard told him.
'You aren't losing her. She will always be your little girl, and I would hope you would be thinking about gaining a son, rather than losing a daughter,' said Ron.
'We do, Ron. We really do think we are gaining a son. When do you think you will ask her?' said Helen.
'Soon, I think. You have no idea how much self-restraint it has been taking for me not to ask her before I could ask for your blessing. I don't think we'll marry until we're done with school, though. I have a ring already and I'll show you when hopefully she says yes and it's on her finger,' Ron said.
Helen yawned and apologised, but Ron waved away her apology, and decided it was bedtime anyway.
'Oh, and in case you're wondering how often I almost ask her, it's when she smiles at me, goodnight,' said Ron before going into his room.
Richard and Helen Granger shared a look before going to bed themselves.