Chapter 2
Ron had changed into dry clothing. He fumed. Even though his trousers were dry the cold was still there. He pulled his casual blue robes on and looked at himself in the mirror. His hair was still as unruly as it had been when he woke up, nothing could be done about that. It seemed being Harry's best friend stopped him from getting haircuts as often as he should.
He wandered out of the bathroom and into his room, noticing for the first time a piece of parchment on his nightstand. He lifted it into his hand and smiled when he saw it was from Hermione:
Dear Ron,
As much as I am looking forward to visiting you next week, I'm afraid I can't. My mother just had a baby last December, (that's why I haven't been writing to you) and I'm taking care of her while my parents are at work. They're depending on me. I wish I could see you but it's not a good time. I'll see you on the Hogwarts Express September First.
Love From,
Hermione
Ron sighed as he read the note. Harry had owled him only days earlier saying he couldn't make it to the Burrow and now Hermione couldn't either. "Today is not my day," he grumbled.
He walked over to his Pigs cage and groaned when the tiny bird began to go wild. He opened the cage door and Pig shot into the room, flying in mad circles around the ceiling. Ron ignored the owl and began to write a letter to Hermione:
Hermione,
I'm being tortured here! Angelina is visiting and today she and Fred proved how evil they both are. How about I go to your house? I would learn a lot about muggles and I could help you take care of your sister. I'm sure I'd be very helpful. Please! I'm dying here! If not, then you have to write to me, telling me about your sister. How do you like having a sibling? Not as great as you thought, eh?
Best wishes (my regards)
Ron
Ron handed the letter to Pig, "Get to Hermione's as fast as you can."
Angelina and Fred waited till after lunch to harass Ron any further. "Are you going to confess your undying love for her?" Angelina asked excitedly.
"He's growing up so fast." Fred said, pretending to wipe away a tear.
Ron frowned at their antics. "She likes Krum."
"Krum?" Fred wondered. "Krum is older than me. Besides Daily Prophet says that he's engaged to some girl from Romania. Somehow I doubt that's Hermione."
Ron wasn't convinced. "Sure."
Fred was about to say something when Pig flew into the house. The tiny owl went directly toward Ron and dropped the letter. Fred grabbed it out of Ron's hands. "Oh! It's from Hermione! How about that?"
"Wait, didn't you just get one-" Angelina began. "Oops."
Ron turned and glared at her. "How'd you know about that?"
"Oops."
"You read my letter?"
"Oops."
"Fred, give that back!" Ron yelled, leaping at his brother
Fred ducked away, "Afraid not."
Angelina scratched her head. "When did you send a letter back?"
"Before breakfast, give it here, Fred!"
"No way. You couldn't have. She wouldn't have replied so quickly-what did you do to make her mad, Ron?" Angelina demanded.
"Nothing! Honest!"
Fred unfolded the letter and began to read. "Dear Ron-oh, she calls him dear."
"Give it back!"
Fred pushed his brother away and continued:
Dear Ron,
That's a nice idea; Mum said you can come over on Friday. But it will be very boring because we can't go out much. I hope you're good with children, if you're not then you won't want to be here. Faith is a terror. I hope to see you,
Love from,
Hermione
"What did you say to her?" Angelina asked sounding impressed.
"I-I asked her if I could go to her house because you two were torturing me." Ron stuttered, still not quite believing that his brother would stoop as low as reading his mail out loud. And when there was a guest listening in no less.
"I'm impressed, Ron." Fred said, nodding.
"Why?"
"Spending a little time with the lady. Are you going to snog in her bedroom while the parents are away?"
Ron's ears turned pink. "Course not, you lunatic."
"He was thinking that." Angelina said.
Ron was about to yell when Fred cut in. "So are you going to write back to her or not?"
"I have to ask mum first-"
"MUM!" Fred yelled, "Will you come in here a minute? Ron has something to ask you."
"Be right there," Came Mrs. Weasley's reply.
Ron gaped at Fred, "What the-"
Mrs. Weasley bustled into the room frying pan in hand, "Yes, dear?"
Ron gulped, "Well… I was wondering if this year I can go over to Hermione's house because she can't come here."
His mother smiled, "I don't see why not. It would be a wonderful learning experience for you. I think it's a lovely idea."
"Thanks, Mum," Ron said with a smile. She nodded and left.
"There you go, Ikle Ronnikins," Fred said with a devious grin, "Now write back."
"I can't with you standing here."
"Don't make us get the ice." Angelina said.
Ron looked at Fred. "Why the hell is she here so early anyway?"
Fred shook his head. "Beats me."
Angelina put her hand on her hips. "Someone's not going to have any relationship perks anytime soon."
"Well, I know she's not talking about me." Ron said with a grin, as he began to write his letter.
Fred gulped. "I never finished my sentence. I was going to say, 'but I'm sure glad she is'."
Ron shook his head. "Nice save, Casanova."
Hermione,
I'll see you Friday then. These people are ridiculous. I'll come to your house by Floo Powder around three o'clock on Friday. I'm looking forward to it.
Ron
"Nope." A voice behind Ron said.
He cringed, so they had been watching him after all. "What now?" He hissed.
"Sign it love." Angelina said.
"Are you insane? I'm not signing anything love."
"So you like that cold, shrinking feeling then, eh?" Fred asked.
Ron frowned and quickly scribbled in love, "Happy?"
"Much better, love," Angelina beamed.
"Don't call me that." Ron said angrily, giving the letter to Pig and sending the owl away.
"You'd better go pack." Fred said, and then he sighed. "It'll be like you two are married. Both of you trying to keep up a house and take care of a baby. Will you be sharing a room, too?"
Ron stalked out of the room. "Shut up."
A/N: All my chapters are pretty short. I find that my attention span is the same way. Connection? I think so.
Lenny
