Is it wrong if I think it's lame to dance?
Do you like my stupid hair?
Would you guess that I didn't know what to wear?
I'm too scared of what you think
You make me nervous so I really can't eat
Let's go, don't wait, this night's almost over
Honest, let's make this night last forever
Forever and ever, let's make this last forever
Blink 182
Ron Weasley once again found him self in front of the mirror. But this time he wasn't preparing to spill his guts to a girl. He did that three days ago in the pouring rain. No, this time he is trying to prepare for the big date. Yep. Tonight will be his very first date (he doesn't count the Yule ball disaster). And he thought telling her how he felt was nerve wracking. He once again straightened his dress shirt before returning to his hair. At least they won't be alone. As soon as Harry arrived Ron made him ask Cho on a double date with him and Hermione. He could tell Hermione was not happy about that. She obviously wanted their first date to be just the two of them but Ron figured the more people the better.
"I think your hair is a lost cause"
Ron turned around to find his best friend right behind him. He also had on a dress shirt and pants along with a black tie.
"Back at'ca" Ron shot back
"I never said mine wasn't one" Harry laughed
"I think I'm going to be sick" Ron moaned
"Least you weren't forced into asking her out by your 'best friend'.."
"You've been crushing on her since third year, I was just helping you out"
"Yeah sure. You just don't want to make an ass of your self in front of Hermione"
"That too"
"Though she's already seen you do that a million times at school"
"Yeah but as a friend! this time I'd be making an ass of my self as her boyfriend"
"And there is a difference?"
"Well yeah" Ron replied as if it was obvious
Harry rolled his eyes and took a seat on the couch. Ron again gave up on his hair and took a seat beside Harry. All that is left to do really is to wait for Hermione to finish getting ready and that could take a while. He remembered how long it took her to get ready for the Yule Ball and he wasn't even her date then. 'Stupid Krum' he once again silently cursed the Quidditch player.
Both Harry and Ron sat in silence for the next ten minutes waiting for her to finish getting ready. He wasn't sure why Harry stayed quiet but he was afraid he would throw up if he spoke. He couldn't remember the last time he felt so nervous and scared plus happy at the same time. Maybe during their first kiss......
"Okay..I'm ready" Hermione whispered as she nervously walked into the room. She wore a white blouse with a flowered skirt.
Ron jumped up from the couch and made his way to Hermione "You look..hot...I mean very nice" he stuttered
"Thank you" she smiled
Both stood quietly not knowing what to say next when, thankfully, Harry spoke up.
"Maybe we should go so I can have a date to be awkward with"
'Thank you!' Ron thought gratefully 'He has already saved us and the date hasn't even started yet'
"Yes lets get going" Hermione stepped into the fire place first and grabbed a handful of Floo Powder "Diagon Alley!" and with a burst of green flame she disappeared. Ron then grabbed some powder for him self and did the exact same thing. It was then Harrys turn. He grabbed the powder and got into the fire place "Ugh, here we go....Diagon Alley!" the green flames once again wrapped them selves around Harry and he vanished from the Weasleys fire place.
With a thud Ron landed in The Leaky Cauldron. Covered in soot he quickly got out of the fire place and joined Hermione who stood a few feet away trying to brush away ashes from her skirt.
"Harry coming?" she asked with out looking up
"Yeah he should be right behind me" Ron coughed
They didn't have to wait long for Harry to fall out of the large fire place also covered in ashes and soot. He has never gotten the handle on Floo powder and he has told Ron on several occasions how much he hates it.
"I can NOT wait till I can Apparate" Harry mumbled as he pulled him self off of the ground
"Wheres Cho meeting us?" Hermione asked
"Um at the restaurant" Ron answered for Harry "Which we should get too cause they'll give our table away if we're late"
With out another word the trio left The Leaky Cauldron and entered Diagon Alley where they walked up the narrow street until they reached "Neptune" a small new restaurant that Ron swore Trelawney must have named. Cho already stood out side. She wore a simple red dress with thin straps.
"Hi Harry" she beamed
"Hi Cho. You look very nice" he smiled and couldn't help but glance at Ron, remembering his greeting for Hermione.
"Thank you! shall we go in?"
All three nodded and followed Cho into the restaurant. Tables of all different shapes and sizes filled the dining area. It being a wizarding restaurant there was no need for waiters; a single witch stood behind a podium looking extremely bored. At the site of the two couples she jumped up and immediately greeted them.
"Hello! how can I help you??"
"I have a reservation for Weasley" Ron told her
"Of course" the witch smiled "Follow me"
She led them to the back of the restaurant to a table shaped like a basic circle. Ron was very thankful that they didn't end up with a table shaped like a star or the moon. He took the seat beside Hermione while Harry sat on the other side of him; and Cho sat beside Harry.
"This is interesting. I've never been to a wizarding restaurant like this before" Hermione picked up her menu and looked it over
"I imagine it would be a lot like a Muggle restaurant. Isn't it?" Cho picked up her menu
"No. They have people bring you your food"
"Wouldn't that take a while?" she asked
"It usually does"
"Interesting" Cho started reading her menu
"I didn't realize how expensive this place would be" Ron muttered nervously. He had a small stash of money saved up (which he was originally going to use for new dress robes but Fred and George suprised him with a new set) but he hadn't anticipated this. Each meal seemed to cost around two - three galleons. He once again find him self wishing he wasn't so poor. Then he would be able to buy Hermione the best of everything instead of rubbish.
"Ron are you okay? You look upset" Hermione asked him
"What? er, I'm fine 'Mione"
Hermione nodded but he could tell she didn't believe him. Harry also had a knowing look on his face.
"Well I think I will have the roast chicken" Cho announced. In an instant a plate of food appeared in front of her along with a glass of water. Harry quickly followed by ordering the salmon. Ron went for the roast beef while Hermione picked the chicken as well.
Most of the meal was spent talking about Quidditch being that Cho and Harry both play the same position and Ron is an avid fan of the sport. Hermione sat to her self. She has never been into Quidditch, at least not nearly as much as Harry or Ron.
"I'll be right back" Hermione pushed back her chair and quickly left
After ten minutes she still hadn't come back.
"I ruined our date didn't I?" it was more of a statement then a question. Ron knew he messed up because Hermione hadn't come back yet and he probably should have talked to her more then to Harry and Cho about Quidditch. Maybe this whole double date was a bad idea...after all he ended up screwing up anyway.
"Nights not over yet. Go find her" Harry suggested
"She probably hates me"
"Ron. The biggest mistake you can make is not finding her"
"But.."
"Do you really want to ruin the best thing thats happened to you?"
"No!"
"Then go find her already"
"Thanks mate"
"You can thank me later. Now go"
Ron jumped up from his chair and bolted out of the restaurant. The sun had already started sinking below the buildings as he started his search for Hermione. He couldn't believe he wrecked their relationship before it even began.
How could he have been so stupid?
He started his search with the one place she was most likely to be. And he was right. Sitting on the steps of "Florish and Botts" (as it was already closed) was none other then Hermione. She had her face in her hands and appeared to be crying. 'Great' Ron thought angrily 'I managed to make her cry on our first, and probably last, date'. He hesitated at first but eventually took a seat beside her.
"Mione?" he whispered
"What?" she looked up at him. Her eyes red from her tears.
"I wanted to apologize for...well for everything"
Hermione didn't reply so he continued
"I'm sorry for inviting Harry and making him ask Cho. I'm sorry for ignoring you to talk about Quidditch. I'm sorry for making you cry. I'm sorry for ruining our date...."
"Why did you?" she sniffled
"Why did I what?"
"Invite Harry and Cho"
"I guess I thought if I could get Harry to bring a date too then there would be less chance for me to mess up but obviously I ended up messing up anyway"
"Why are you so afraid of messing up?"
"Cause I love you 'Mione. I don't want to lose you by doing something stupid"
"So you invited your best friend and ignored me the whole time"
"I know I screwed up royally but I swear I'll make it up to you. I'll be the best boyfriend ever"
"How do you propose to make it up to me?" she asked slyly
Ron leaned in and kissed her softly on the lips.
"That wasn't it was it? cause..."
"No that wasn't it" Ron kissed her again "I was thinking more along the lines of a picnic"
"That does sound nice" she smiled
"So we're okay?"
"We're okay" Hermione hugged Ron tightly and then kissed him on the cheek "We should probably get back to Harry"
"Yeah I guess so" Ron sat up and lightly brushed away any dirt he may have sat on. He then offered Hermione his hand which she gladly took. He felt like jumping in the air for joy all the way back to the restaurant. Hermione forgave him! He didn't screw up royally after all!. He also realized that he really has no reason to be scared. Deep down they both love each other and that is all that matters. Besides they're both young, he doesn't need to worry about the future just yet.
When they arrived back at the restaurant Harry and Cho seemed to be in deep conversation.
"Hey! your back!" Harry smirked as Ron and Hermione sat down "I assume you guys worked things out"
"Yes we did" Hermione beamed "He has promised to make up for his behavior"
"Which I need to talk to you about later, Harry" Ron added
"Why do you need to talk to me?"
"You'll see"
"Oh kay" Harry replied. Unsure what to expect.
Ron tiredly collapsed onto his orange Chudley Cannon sheets and closed his eyes. He ran over the nights events over and over inside his head. The first part of the date didn't go to well but once they made up...it was incredible. Kissing her felt like kissing an angel. He wanted nothing more then to kiss her again, and again, and then some more. But with his parents hanging around (not to mention Fred and George) he'll be lucky to get near her with out a lecture or joke.
At the moment all he wanted to do was fall asleep with thoughts of snogging Hermione at their picnic tomorrow.
"Hey" Harry entered the room and plunked on to his bed
"Hey" Ron greeted back with out opening his eyes
"Boy, Fred and George are having a field day. I don't think I've seen them like this since Percy started dating Pen..."
"Why do you think I left?" Ron finally opened his eyes and sat up
"Good point" Harry took off his glasses and wiped his eye "You wanted to talk to me?"
"Yeah about two things actually....maybe three....one...er....I just wanted to make sure that..um..your okay with me dating Hermione. You know cause we're all best friends and I want you to know that we could never leave you out or anything...."
"I'm perfectly fine with it. I know you guys would never leave me in the dust" Harry smiled as he put his glasses back on
"Good. Cause you'll always be my best..well you know...."
"Ditto"
"Er, Is it okay if Hermione and I have a lil private picnic thing tomorrow? I wanted to make up for ignoring her today but we don't have too...."
"Don't worry about me Ron. I'll be fine on my own for a few hours"
"You sure?"
"All I need is my Firebolt and I will be fine"
After talking for some time, (Ron wanted to know what happened between Harry and Cho when he left to find Hermione) Ron layed his head on to his pillow and closed his eyes once more.
"Night Harry"
"Good night Ron"
And with one last thought of Hermione he fell fast asleep.
"You better be keeping your eyes closed!" Ron ordered as he led Hermione into a field surrounding The Burrow. You could see nothing but grass for miles. In the distance you can see the trees that surround the back part of the property (where they practice Quidditch).
"I am!"
"Good"
"How long are we going to walk for anyway?"
"We're almost there"
"I don't understand why I have to have my eyes closed I mean...."
"Open them"
".....oh my god Ron"
A large blanket lay spread on the ground along with a basket of food that Ron asked his mom to prepare for him (he is definitely not a cook).
"This is so nice" Hermione continued
"Well sit down and we'll get started"
"Okay" she grinned and sat down cross legged on the blanket.
Ron sat down across from her, also cross legged, and opened the basket. He got out plates, forks and knives along with a jug of pumpkin juice, chicken sandwiches, chopped up carrots, potato salad and chocolate cauldron cakes (his moms version).
"Your mom really went all out"
"Yeah she did" Ron agreed while grabbing him self a sandwich.
As lunch went on they talked about everything from Quidditch (only a little bit) to Hermione being a prefect again (she became one in fifth year) to the prime make out spots around Hogwarts (the astronomy tower is the number one pick).
After they finished all the excellent food, Hermione moved around and sat in between Rons spread out legs and leaned against his chest.
"This picnic was a wonderful idea" Hermione sighed happily
"One of the best I've had"
"I'd say so"
"Nah. You know what the best idea I've ever had is?"
"What?"
"Telling you 'I love you'.."
THE END
Dec.21.04 - Thank you everyone for reviewing and asking me to continue! Sadly, there's not much to do with this fanfic, plus it's been two years since being posted. Anyway, thank you again. Everyone's been great. (after re-reading this story I'm suprised at how fluffy it became! It's about equal to cotten candy I think....)
Andrea