Disclaimer: Harry Potter is owned exclusively by J.K. Rowling. I own nothing.


A/N: Thank you to all who read the first chapter, especially Imagi Chan, my first reviewer. I know it was a little slow, but I promise things get better. This is the first fan fic I've posted, so please be kind and review. I will try to get updates up as soon as possible. Warning: fluffy goodness ahead.


Chapter 2: Next time I'll take the chicken


Ron apparated just outside Hermione's door. From what he could tell by the light of the hallway, this was an older but well maintained town home. Ron estimated it to be at least 100 years old based on the detail in the woodwork. Ron stood looking at Hermione's door for a moment to collect himself. 'It's now or never' he thought to himself. Harry's advice from earlier to not embarrass himself played in his head. Sure, he was more mature now and less likely to speak without thinking, but he was after all, still Ron. If he could make it back home tonight without spilling anything on himself or getting in an argument with her, he would count this date as a success.


Ron gently tapped the brass knocker on the door and he could hear a click before the door opened to reveal a smiling Hermione.


"Oh Ron, I'm so glad you were able to make it", she said as she wrapped her arms around his neck.


Ron hugged her back and thought 'She's the most beautiful woman I've ever seen. I can't believe she actually want to have dinner with me.' Hermione truly did look beautiful. She had her formerly frizzy hair smoothed, straightened, and cut so that it fell just above her shoulders. She wore a v-neck black sweater and a pair of tan pants that accentuated her womanly curves. Ron's stomach did a flip and he reluctantly released her from his grip.


"Come in and have a seat. Dinner will be ready shortly. Do you like seafood, or would you prefer chicken?"


"Either is fine with me, thanks."


"I have a wonderful recipe for Calamari in lemon pepper sauce. Is that alright?"


"Sounds wonderful". Ron didn't know exactly what Calamari was, but he assumed it was some kind of fish. Honestly, he could have cared less. His normal Weasley appetite was absent for a change. He assumed it was a result of his nervousness about his long anticipated date with Hermione. He would have been happy eating a rubber shoe as long as he could spend time with her.


Hermione's apartment wasn't big, but it was comfortable. It reminded Ron a little of the Burrow, but Hermione's things seemed to match somehow. The furniture was painted white and the sofa and curtains were in light, pastel shades of blue, pink, green and yellow. This was definitely a girl's place. This made Ron a little more nervous. Surely she would notice if he spilled something on this furniture.


Hermione magically prepared dinner and it was ready five minutes later. Ron and Hermione talked throughout dinner about what each had been doing over the last few years. Ron's stories of Auror training fascinated her and she listened intently as he described several interesting missions. Hermione told him all about her schooling to become a lawyer and her ambition to work for the ministry some day to help bring former death eaters to justice. They remembered family members lost in the war; her parents and his brothers Bill and Percy. Of course they talked about Harry, and how he had been coping since the defeat of Voldemort.


"He really has come into his own now. He was depressed for a long time, and I think he joined me in Auror training just so he wouldn't have to give any real thought into his future and what he wanted to do. But he's a natural at it of course. He hasn't had a nightmare in 6 months now and he's started smiling again. He and Ginny have gone out a few of times and they've gotten pretty serious. They've been good for each other, you know?" Ron said with a smile.


"I've haven't kept in touch with Harry and Ginny nearly as much as I would have liked. I know it's been hard for them. For all of us really." Hermione stood up and cleared the dishes away. Ron offered to help, but she insisted that he was a guest and should make himself comfortable in the living room.


Hermione sat down next to Ron on the sofa. He decided to clear the air. "Listen, I wanted to apologize to you for the way I acted back then. I was a royal prat. It was really none of my business who you dated and if I had been a better friend, I would have supported you more. I've really missed you and I don't want to lose you again."


"There's nothing to apologize for. I'm as much to blame as you. I knew how you felt about Zach and you tried to warn me what an idiot he was. I should have listened to you. I guess it was easier at the time to stay with him than risk being alone. The one thing I regret more than anything is not maintaining our friendship. I don't think it would have happened if not for the war. War changes people. I'm sorry, I'm sure you didn't come over tonight to listen to me complain about my ex-boyfriend."


"It's quite alright. I'm a good listener if you want to talk about it. And you're right. We're all different because of the war. But it's over now." Ron placed his hand on top of Hermione's arm. She in turn placed her other hand of top of his. Ron noticed that his nervousness was gone, but his queasy stomach was still there. Hopefully, it would go away soon. The night was going so well. He didn't want to ruin it by getting sick.


Hermione talked about her rocky relationship with Zach. She thought that they had a good relationship at first, but he became more and more distant. She finally discovered that he had been cheating on her. She had tried to work it out but she finally had enough and dumped him almost a year ago. She hadn't dated anyone seriously since then. "And what about you, any special women in your life?"


"No. I've dated a bit, but no one person more than a couple of dates. They all seemed a bit, I don't know, shallow I guess."


"So what kind of woman are you looking for, Ron Weasley?" Hermione placed her hand on top of Ron's.


"Someone kind, intelligent, funny. Someone who can deal with my crazy schedule and my temper." Ron thought to himself 'Someone a lot like you'.


"Sound like a tall order. Do you think you'll find her?"


"I hope so." Ron couldn't believe he was sitting next to Hermione and talking about his ideal woman when she was sitting right there. The night would have been perfect except Ron's nausea was getting worse. Perhaps he should think about ending their date now before something embarrassing happened. But if he left now, she would think that he wasn't having a good time. He really didn't want the night to end.


"I'll be right back. I want to show you something." Hermione walked into her bedroom and Ron sank back into the sofa, trying hard to suppress the rising discomfort in his stomach. He thought that if he concentrated hard enough, he could will himself to feel better. Perhaps it was the Calamari that wasn't agreeing with him. He would have to remember to ask for the chicken next time.


A/N: Hope everyone had a Happy Christmas. If you like the story so far (or if you didn't) please review and tell me what you think. I'll have the next chapter up soon.