Hermione/Ron
Rating: T
Warnings: None
Disclaimer: Don't own 'em - not making any money off 'em. Dern it.
Word Count: 348
Summary: Ron is attempted to get rid of a pesky gnome.

Notes:

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry: Writing Club - Monopoly - Hagrid's Hut - (creature) Garden Gnome

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry: Writing Club - Garden month - Write a story set in a garden

Marathon Competition: Mile 7 - Ron Weasley

Hermione giggled as she watched the garden gnome get the best of Ron. He glared at the thing, determined to get rid of it. He had already thrown the other three over the hedge; this was the last one, and it seemed to be the smartest of the bunch. His mother told him he wouldn't get lunch until he de-gnomed the whole garden for her.

"Come here you stupid thing," he grumbled.

Hermione bit her bottom lip, almost howling in her laughter as he chased the thing around. It was too fast for Ron, and it always seemed to know just how to evade capture by the redhead.

Ron turned away from the gnome that he was sure was laughing at him. "Hermione, you could help me," he not-so-subtly hinted.

"I could," she agreed, but she didn't make any move to aid him.

"But you won't?" he question incredulously.

"It's kind of funny watching you be bested by a gnome."

"I don't find it very funny," he snarled, his cheeks flushing a bright red in his embarrassment of not being able to outsmart the creature in front of the girl he was a little in love with.

Hermione stopped laughing when she realized that she might be coming off a bit mean-spirited. She did find the spectacle funny, but she hadn't meant to make Ron feel bad. It had been a tense school year, especially with Harry's headaches and Sirius' death, and it was nice to just be able to let loose for a little while and pretend they were children with no worries. "Ron, I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings. I just feel so normal today, and I guess it's a bit of a heady sensation, especially with the war brewing."

Ron's anger dissipated as quickly as it came. He nodded. "I get that, but I'm starving," he finished in a whine.

Hermione shook her head and stepped forward. "Then let's catch the gnome so you can fill your stomach. If we work together, it won't stand a chance."

Ron grinned. Soon, he'd get his lunch.