OK so this is about as fluffy as it comes. A little fun never hurts though.
Summer 24
After an awkward evening and night of trying to act as if Ron wasn't furious, Harry went down to help Chris with some updates in the patients' information on the computer. He was about halfway finished when Hermione and Ginny appeared. "We're going to Diagon Alley with my Mom and Mrs. Weasley," Hermione said breathlessly."Do you want to come along?"
Harry looked at Chris, and Chris immediately said,"Sure, go ahead. You can finish this afternoon. Unless you think Ron or one of the twins would want to stay and finish?"
"Don't even offer to let George or Fred come near your computer, Dr. Granger!" Ginny exclaimed. "You'd probably have to toss out your entire computer system."
"And Ron has said he wants to go along. I've never seen him so eager to get there." Hermine had a puzzled look on her face as she continued. " He didn't seem to even want to wait for us to come fetch you, Harry. I asked him what he was so anxious to see, but he wouldn't tell me. Something to do with Quidditch,I'm sure!"
Harry wasn't sure what to say to this, especially when he noticed Ginny struggling not to laugh. He felt his face going pink, and he muttered, "Meet you out front- gotta get money." and he took the back stairs two at a time, wondering what and why Ron had said anything to Ginny.
And here was Hermione, usually cleverer about things than anyone should be, acting as if she hadn't noticed he and Ron were barely speaking. Maybe Privet Drive wasn't such a bad place to be, he reasoned with himself. Then Harry remembered- Viktor Krum and his family would arrrive in London today, and he, Harry wasn't leaving, Ron or no Ron, he'd been at the Grangers first.
Grabbing his money bag, he hurried down to meet the others. " All ready, dear?" Mrs. Weasley said brightly. "You needn't have hurried, Ron can wait."
They went out the front door and began climbing into the Grangers' green Range Rover, which Harry noticed was now considereably larger than it had been when he last rode in it.. "Ginny, you and Hermione sit back here," Ron said.
"Huh, all these years of trying to get rid of me," Ginny giggled." Now you want to sit with me, and be so charming."
"Maybe it's not just you, Ginny, ever think of that?" Fred snorted " Anyway, I think we'd better sit back here............." " .... and keep an eye on the Muggles behind us. Any chance of Fred or I taking a turn behind the wheel later?" George asked hopefully.
" You'll ask your father before anyone allows either of you to drive in this London traffic. Mercy, Ivy, how can you do this?" Mrs Weasley gasped, as Ivy steered the car through some amazingly small passages.
Harry knew Hermione's Mom was an expert driver, but he couldn't help wishing the trip were a little less smooth, and a bit more like the trip through Gringott's. Hermione was sitting beside him, and not once had she even bumped into his arm.
At least Ron wouldn't have that to be angry about, he told himself. It wasn't helping yet though. Ron was still sitting in the back seat looking as if a thunder cloud had taken up residence on his head "All right everyone," Ivy called over her shoulder. Gather up your things, nearly there."
At this Ron brightened considerably, and Hermione and Ginny leaned acorss Harry and began discussing the new dress robes they hoped to buy. When they came to a stop, he had to admit, being alone with Hermione was very different than being with her and another girl.
After they parked the Range Rover, it was decided that they would all meet back at Florian Fortesque's in an hour and a half. Ginny and Hermione were eager to visit Madame Malkin's, and all ofthe guys were anxious to see whether there were any new prototypes in Quality Quidditch Supplies.
" Besides I need some polishing fluid for the Firebolt" said Harry." I've nearly used all of what you gave me for my birthday, Hermione" He knew this hadn't been a tactful remark, as soon as he said it, but Hermione just nodded, and she and Ginny turned and walked off toward the Robes shop.
" Just can't wait to get. in there and pretty up, can they?" Ron growled.in Harry's direction." What's on Hermione's mind , you or Krum. She used to be so sensible,and I complained about her nose being in a book. GIRLS!"
Fred and George looked at each other and grinned," So Ickle Ronnie Kins is getting irritated because his friend has gotten interested in something besides studying. Don't take it out on Harry, all he's doing is trying to steer clear of those muggles he lives with." Fred exclaimed.
"Yeah, sure," said Ron, but he looked at Harry muttered "Guess they're right though. With Viktor Krum on the way, we need to stick together." Harry felt a bit guilty as he remembered the kiss in the kitchen, and the one in the garden on Privet Drive. Still, neither he or Ron wanted Krum around any longer than necesssary.So he decided to jump right in.
"As a matter of fact, I was going to ask you guys whether you had brought along any of those TonTongue toffees- or maybe you've come up with something new? " he added hopefully.
"Sure,we haven't been just sitting home , listening to Percy wailing about Mr. Crouch being gone." George said with a derisive laugh. "What did you have in mind?"
"Um, maybe something to make sure Hermione doesn't want to go to Bulgaria for a visit." replied Harry, his face feeling hot and red. What had he started here?
"We needn't tamper with his looks, the poor guy already has enough problems there.So what does Hermione most love. .. aside from you brave laddies that is?"George asked, his eyes twinkling.
Harry and Ron looked at each other and said together, "Crookshanks! " " If she can't take Crookshanks, she won't go anyplace, " Ron went on.
"And she probably wouldn't be interested if she thought the Krum's didn't like her parents. " added Harry. "if Hermione's anything,she's loyal."
So with the their heads together planning, the four boys headed toward the Apothecary for the ingredients Fred & George needed.. As they came out of the Apothecary, Harry said," Let's see what the girls are doing, maybe we can snaeak up on them. "
The others nodded, and they stealthily madde their way to Madame Malkin's and looked in the window. No sign of either Ginny or Hermione.
Then Fred said " I can't imagine they would go there, but let's check Glad Rags."
"Why would they go there? It's the most expensive place on Diagon Alley!" exclaimed Ron. " Have they lost their minds?"
Harry vaguely remembered seeeing the sign for GladRags Wizards' Wear at the World Cup. He also remembed the 1000 galleons he'd given Fred and George at the end of the year. He looked questioningly at them and Fred winked back.
" Anyway, we can check it out" he answered casually. So they walked into the shop, and all of them at once wondered what they had walked into. This was no ordinary shop. Trays of sandwiches , jugs of pumpkin juice,and stacks of Cauldron cakes floated through the air, stopping at strategic spots in front of customers. They saw Ginny and Hermione at the back of the store,heads together,giggling over a couple of velvet robes.
"Oh look, there are the boys!" called Hermione. "Come over here, Ron we have something great picked out for you."
"Sure!"scoffed Ron. " As if I could afford a piece of material.
" Ginny looked at Fred and George and said quickly"Oh,but Ron it's on sale! Just try it OK?'"
Ron looked doubtful, but went in and slipped on the brown velvet robe. When he came back out, they were all amazed at the change. Maybe Ron had never had anything picked out especially for him, thought Harry. Even his hair looked less flaming.
"Wow!" said Hermione. "That is definitely your color Ron! You're going to get it, aren't you?"
Harry was really pleased to see Ron looking so comfortable and happy again. Now he focused on Hermione for the first time. What a change there too. Her robe was a peach coloe, that looked as if it had slipped off her shoulders. He fought the temptationto pull it back up and looked at Ginny, who was looking great too in a sea green robe of some floaty stuff..
"We have to get back and meet our Moms. " said Hermione. "I'll be right back" She Ginny and Ron all disappeared into separate rooms and came back out, looking quite smug..
After all of the purchases had been paid for they made their way back to Florean Fortesque's where Mrs. Weasley and Ivy were sitting, Mrs.. Weasly with her feet propped on a chair. When she saw the bags in their hands she looked as if she would faint..
"No, no, Mom! Don't worry, we found some great bargains!" Ginny siad reassuringly.. "And you know Ron couldn't wear those moldy old things again ."
They all sat down and ordered ice cream sundaes, and some of the new whipped cream Florean had been advertising." guaranteed to change flavors three times while they were eating it. Harry's changed from blueberry to strawberry to banana..He was feeling quite breathless by the time he finished
.The great feeling of seeing Ron looking so good and happy was still with him though, and he had a feeling it would be there for awhile..
"All right, kids," said Ivy."Time to head back. The Krums should be there in a few hours." All four boys exchanged looks and grinned, knowing that Viktor Krum's visit would probably not turn out exactly as HE had hoped.
To Be continued.......( the most romance yet, in the next part)