When Rose was born, they agreed to buy a car, a TV and all the muggle devices necessary to ensure that she would have the best of both worlds. She would be attending a muggle school and Hermione was adamant that she would have to fit in, so they bought a car that sat in their garage most of the time. Hermione had the house phone connected and even went as far as to buy them mobile phones, which Ron never touched.
Most weekends, they would spend in much the same way, sitting around the house, the radio playing the latest music from the wizarding world, as well as some classics. Ron would often experiment in the shed out the back with new spells or new objects for the shop, in much the same way Fred and George once did in their bedroom.
This was how their weekends usually went and this is what Hermione expected from this weekend as she opened her eyes on Saturday morning.
This day, however, Ron sat at the table when Hermione woke, carrying Rose with her to make her breakfast.
"What's all this?" she asked, looking at the spread of bacon, eggs, oats and toast laid out on the table.
"I was up early and thought I'd make breakfast" he said in an offhand manner.
Hermione was shocked. It wasn't unseen, but it was certainly not something that happened often. Nevertheless, she placed Rose in her highchair and spoon fed her oats while she picked at some bacon with her fingers.
"We should go for a drive today. To the country" Ron said, not looking up from the Daily Prophet.
"That… that would be lovely" she said with a genuine smile.
Ron set about packing the picnic basket as Hermione cleaned up after breakfast and got Rose ready for the day. The excitement in the air was palpable. She loved just doing regular things, going out, getting into the country air and seeing what life had to offer.
Before she knew it, they were in the car and heading down the highway towards the country. Ron was wearing his sunglasses and tapping his hand to some tune that was playing on the radio and Rose was happily pointing to different things she saw out the window from her seat in the back of their sedan.
Hermione's smile was something she hadn't felt in months. She was beyond happy. She looked to Ron who simply smiled back, reminding her of why she fell for him in the first place. The carefree Ron, the adventurous Ron, the Ron who smiled at her like she meant the world to him was back.
The day was filled with sun, laughter, food and happiness. Hermione couldn't remember a time when she felt so happy and normal. They arrived home as the sun set and Hermione bathed Rose while Ron unpacked the car. It was a perfect day. It started perfect and Hermione wanted it to end perfectly. She put Rose to bed after a simple dinner and was flabberghasted when Ron helped with the dishes.
"What?" he asked with a grin.
"You're just so different today. It's nice" she said with a shy smile.
"Well, it's a nice day" he said leaning against the cabinet behind her.
"I've had a great day" she said, turning to face him.
"Me too" he said, leaning closer to her.
She felt something spark inside of her that she hadn't felt in forever. The nervous spark of lust that drove her into Ron's embrace and pulled her lips to his. She hadn't kissed him like this in so long, but today, after the incredible day they had, it was well earnt.
Ron's arm wrapped around her slim waist and pulled her to him, his arousal evident against her stomach.
When they released each other, Hermione was breathless.
"Rose will wake up soon, we should get this finished" she said, turning around to tend to the sink.
Ron left her be and headed to the living room where he fiddled with the TV remote until the TV turned on.
"I'll put a movie on, shall i?" he called to her.
"That would be nice" she called back.
As she finished the dishes, the telltale sound of Rose waking for brief comfort echoed through the house and Hermione tended to her before returning to sit on the couch with Ron to watch a movie.
If Hermione could have envisioned a perfect day, a day to make up for all the rest, for all the horrific days that made her question everything, this was it. If she could have this day, if she could relive this memory, it would make it all worth it.
She cuddled up to Ron under the blanket and rested her head on his shoulder as they watched the movie he chose. She didn't care that it was boring. She didn't mind that it wasn't something she would have chosen to watch.
She closed her eyes and allowed herself to be happy, just this once. If she could savour this feeling, everything else didn't matter.
*****************
Life went by about as normally as it ever had, the following week, but for Hermione the extra pep in her step was driving her forwards and the smile on her face would not leave.
The following weekend was the Weasley fortnightly family dinner, where attendance was non negotiable.
Hermione dressed Rose in her prettiest outfit, a green dress, the colour of the grass in spring time, which made her fiery red hair and sky blue eyes stand out. Despite Hermione's reluctance and Rose's tears, they floo'd to the Burrow at 3pm that afternoon. Ron tended to the garage with the Weasley men, while Hermione stayed inside and consoled Rose.
"You know, she'll just have to get used to it. When Bill was a baby, he hated the floo. We avoided it at all costs, and it made things difficult. Just do it a few times and she'll get used to it" Molly said, standing at the entrance to the living room with her apron on and a tea towel over her shoulder.
"Thanks Molly, I'll take that into consideration" she said with a kind smile. She knew better than to argue about parenting techniques with Molly Weasley. When Fleur stopped breast feeding Victoire at just 6 weeks old, Molly had a lot to say and Fleur was highly defensive. Between the women, Fleur, Hermione, Ginny and Percy's wife Penelope, they had devised a plan to consider every piece of motherly advice that Molly gave them. Just to consider it. That was all.
"Hermione, Hermione, look, look what I can do" came the rambunctious voice of Teddy Lupin, Remus and Tonk's 7-year-old son who spent weekends with Harry and Ginny. His hair was a shade of brown and his eyes were changing from brilliant green to Hermione's brown.
Teddy was hovering a paper plane above his hand and flying it around the house, leaving a trail of grey smoke as it went. As far as underage magic went, this was great. She knew he would turn out to be a highly skilled wizard someday.
"That's incredible magic Teddy, but just be careful. You're not really allowed to do magic yet" she said, ruffling up his hair.
"I know, I know. It was an accident at first, I swear" he said as he ran off and out the door.
"I don't think it was accidental" said a small voice beside her. Six-year-old Victoire Weasley, long blonde hair, a light smattering of freckles and bright blue eyes started up at her from the floor where she had been colouring.
"Perhaps not" Hermione said with a kind smile.
"That sort of behaviour needs to be punished" said Fleur, who was sitting across the room with her hand on her very pregnant stomach.
"Oh, let him go. I'm sure he's just caught up in all the magic of this place. Every time we're here with James, he levitates his toys blankets above his head and then wonders why they fall on his face" Ginny said, nursing 6-month-old James on her breast.
The women spent the afternoon talking about the newest in baby accessories and things that they had discovered to aid in their parenting efforts. Ginny had discovered a new charm to monitor James's sleep and Fleur was looking forward to using it with the newborn.
Dinner was an extravaganza, with children and babies taking up most of the attention in the room. Molly didn't keep highchairs at The Burrow, so Rose sat on Hermione's lap while she ate. It wasn't out of the ordinary. In fact, the evening had gone exactly how it always did. At 8pm, everyone bid farewell and Hermione held Rose's ears while they Floo'd home.
Hermione eagerly had sex with Ron that night, and almost enjoyed it.
AN - A nice weekend for Hermione.