A GOOD CAUSE
Disclaimer: Harry Potter belongs to J.K. Rowling. Also, this plot was borrowed from the acclaimed family series, "Full House."
Special thanks to my beta-reader Mary, who proofread this first chapter. You're a wonder with grammar!
CHAPTER I
23-year-old Ronald Weasley, famous Auror, tried to blink back the tears that were forming in his eyes. He sniffled a bit as he wiped his eyes, preventing the tears from falling. He silently cursed himself for allowing this to happen to him, especially in his own family kitchen and in front of Hermione. Really, what was he thinking?
Hoping to cover up for his inappropriate behavior, he stated tearfully, "I'm so glad you could stay for dinner, Hermione."
Hermione draped her arm around his shoulder and dabbed at his eyes with the napkin. Resting her hand on his shoulder, she teased playfully, "I love to see a grown man cry."
Ron gave her a small smile, continuing to sniffle. Just then, Harry Potter, the legendary Quidditch player for the Chudley Cannons, walked into the kitchen, his arms full of groceries. He took in the scenario in front of him and commented, "Hermione, you really should go out with him. The poor guy's crying."
Ron pointed the kitchen knife at him. "Stop it, Harry. Can't you see I'm peeling the onions?"
Harry rolled his eyes at him, while Hermione hid her smile. "Sorry Ron. I honestly thought Hermione refused to go out with you again. Honestly, after six years you still haven't given up."
Hermione narrowed her eyes at him. "Watch it, Harry, or I'll go tell all your deep and dark secrets to the entire Weasley clan," she threatened, wagging her finger at him.
Harry's face fell. "You wouldn't dare,`Mione."
"Watch me," she replied smugly.
Ron laughed, while throwing the onions into the pot. "Let's see who cries now, Potter."
Harry glared at Ron. "Watch your own back, Weasley. I shared a dorm with you at Hogwarts; I know all of your little secrets."
"Oh really," Hermione squealed, turning towards Ron. "It's a shame I never became an Auror or a Quidditch player," she mused out loud. "Then again, I do enjoy my desk job," she added quickly, while walking towards the dining room.
Ron snorted into the towel he was using to wipe his tear-stained face, while Harry struggled not to smile.
Hermione quickly spun on her heel and turned to face her two rather successful and famous friends. "And what may I ask is so funny?" she demanded, placing her hands on her hips.
Ron grinned at her through the towel. He loved to make Hermione angry. She was just too easy. "You," he answered, while stirring the pot of soup.
"Me?" she squeaked. "And what do you find so highly amusing about me?" she asked, tapping her foot impatiently.
"The fact that you enjoy being a reporter for the Daily Prophet," Harry informed her gently, while secretly praying she wouldn't blow up at them. Unfortunately, however, his prayers weren't answered.
"Well, excuse me for choosing a safe job. Really, just because I'm not some fearless Auror battling the Dark Arts or some famous Chudley Cannons Seeker who managed to make them win the Cup for the third time in the row does not mean I'm not as amazing as you are," she retorted in a shrill voice. "I did defeat You-Know-Who with you and don't you ever forget it," she added sharply, and turned her back on them, her bushy ponytail flying.
Ron clicked his tongue in disapproval. "Hermione, Hermione." He shook his head as he gently lifted the pot off the stove and placed it off to the side. "When will you grow up and learn that it's safe to say Voldemort's name?"
This was the last straw for Hermione. Unable to take any more from the two of them, she cried out in frustration. "Okay, if it'll make you satisfied. Voldemort! Voldemort! Voldemort! Voldemort! Volde-"
"Good Heavens," Mrs. Weasley exclaimed, entering the tiny kitchen and placing her hand over her heart. Hermione, immediately stopped saying the Dark Lord's name, her face flushed with anger, while Harry and Ron put on their most innocent faces, hoping it would convince her they had nothing to do with it. Molly eyed the trio suspiciously. "What in Merlin's name was going on here?" she said sharply.
"Nothing, Mum," Ron replied, as he opened the drawers to take out the plates and cutlery which he immediately handed to Harry. "Hermione was just showing us how to say Voldemort's name." he finished. Hermione ground her shoe into his foot.
Molly Weasley eyed the three of them, her eyebrows raised. Raising seven children had taught her to spot signs of lying or deception. But with these three, well, they were an entirely different case. Ron, somehow, always managed to be the leader, but she couldn't find the right way to scold him. Not that she didn't want to; sometimes she wanted to give him such a spanking that he would regret all the naughty things he'd ever done. But, since he had graduated from school and had decided to become an Auror, Molly Weasley had learned to respect her youngest son and be proud of the fact that he was the top Auror for the Ministry. She sighed heavily. "All right, kids. Harry, you go set the table. Hermione and Ron will bring in the food. The rest of the family will be arriving any minute."
Harry smiled to himself as he started arranging the dinner plates on the large table outside on their front lawn. The entire Weasley family, along with their wives and children, were coming to the Burrow to celebrate Percy's promotion at the Ministry. After being a normal secretary for all the top officials, he was now to become the personal assistant for the Minister himself. Naturally, when his father told him the news, Percy forgot his proper behavior and leaped for joy. So the family decided it would be a good idea to get together for a big family dinner. Ron was just back from France, where he'd defeated a werewolf who'd haunted the streets of Muggle Paris for quite some time. And since Quidditch season was over, Harry found himself spending more and more time with the Weasleys, especially Ginny.
Harry was just placing the last napkin on the table, when he heard Ron and Hermione arguing. Chuckling to himself, he surveyed the table, proud of his work, and then went inside the kitchen to see what the problem was. He found Hermione and Ron standing face-to-face, both extremely red. Neither of them had noticed Harry when he walked in. So, taking advantage of this opportunity to witness yet another brawl between them, he leaned against the doorway and waited to see what would happen.
"I can't believe you did this to me, Ron!" Hermione yelled at him.
"What do you mean you can't believe what I did?" Ron bellowed back.
"How could you go tell one of your fellow associates that I would be more than willing to go out with him?" Hermione shot back.
"Well, what was I supposed to say, 'No I'm sorry, she can't go out with you because she thinks you're fat and bald and too ridiculous to go out with'? Bloody hell, Hermione. I made a mistake. Don't get so angry about it."
Hermione exhaled deeply, making a wisp of her hair fly away from her face, which in turn made Ron smirk slightly. But he wouldn't be smiling for long. Hermione was in a rage. "You can't go and set me up with a total stranger, Mr. Weasley. For one thing, you didn't ask me, and second, how could you know I wasn't seeing anyone?" Hermione's eyes flashed dangerously as she fingered her wand in her pocket.
"Well, you weren't, were you? I mean, you're so busy with your articles I thought you wouldn't have time to go out with anyone." Ron dug his hands into his pockets.
She narrowed her eyes at him. "And how would you know that, Ron? You didn't write to me for four months; I could've assumed you were dead. And you wouldn't know if I was seeing anyone or not."
Ron's eyes twinkled with delight. "Ah, but Ms. Granger, if you had found the perfect guy, you would have owled Harry and I immediately to tell us. C'mon, Hermione, admit it. Wouldn't you have done just that?"
Hermione gaped at him, and for the first time in her life, Harry realized she was at a loss for words. She turned away from Ron and placed both hands on the counter. Harry saw her take a few deep breaths. He could sense Ron was worried about her, because he said, "Hermione, I'm sorry."
Hermione didn't say anything. Nor did she show any sign that she'd heard him. Instead, she spun around and threw the rest of the cookie batter at him.
"Hermione," Ron yelled, jumping back as the batter splattered all over his robes. Hermione grinned wickedly.
"Told you to watch your back," she said as she dipped her hand back into the batter. "Want some more?" she asked, holding up a handful of batter.
Ron grinned at her. "You asked for this, Hermione." He pulled out his wand and shot a quick spell at her. Hermione dodged and Ron hit the ketchup bottle, making a huge mess.
"Hey, no fair." Hermione threw the bowl aside and pulled out her wand. "Two can play at this game," she reminded him. They threw spell after spell at each other. Ron managed to avoid all the spells she threw at him, since he was so well trained in that field. But, unfortunately, it looked like a tornado had been through the kitchen.
Soon,both of them were on the floor, so covered in various ingredients that they were barely recognizable. Harry had somehow managed to sneak out into the hall, so they wouldn't know that anyone had seen them on the floor. A chuckling Harry was just about to leave and go wash his hands when he heard Mrs. Weasley's footsteps approaching the kitchen. That was definitely a bad sign. Thinking quickly, he burst through the door and hissed, "Mrs. Weasley's coming!"
Ron and Hermione scrambled to their feet. Hermione asked, "What are we going to do?"
"First of all, go get dressed properly," Harry, whispered while he rapidly scanned the disordered room.
"What about this?" Ron queried, opening his arms wide and gesturing towards the kitchen.
"Don't worry about it. I'll handle it. Just go change before your Mum comes in and finds out you two have been fighting," Harry remarked, pushing up his glasses and pulling out his wand.
Hermione looked at him, her eyebrows raised. "Harry Potter, how did you know we were fighting?"
Harry didn't want to admit that he had witnessed their brawl, so he gave them a little shove as he answered, "Hurry up and apparate before Mrs. Weasley shows up. I can hear her heading for the kitchen." Not thinking twice, his two best friends vanished with a pop.
Sighing contently, Harry rolled up his sleeves. Mrs. Weasley would be arriving any minute. Not wasting a single second, he flicked his wand and the kitchen was in perfect order.
Harry was just lighting the candles on the food trolley when Mrs. Weasley entered. "All set Harry?" she inquired politely.
He nodded his head. "Well then, bring out the food. And where has Ron gone? I told him to-" and she left still grumbling to herself.
Once she was outside in the garden, Harry breathed a sigh of relief. "Ron and `Mione owe me big time," Harry mumbled to himself, wheeling the trolley out. If this was what happened before dinner, who knew what would happen before it was over? He would just have to wait and see.
***
Disclaimer: Harry Potter belongs to J.K. Rowling. Also, this plot was borrowed from the acclaimed family series, "Full House."
Special thanks to my beta-reader Mary, who proofread this first chapter. You're a wonder with grammar!
CHAPTER I
23-year-old Ronald Weasley, famous Auror, tried to blink back the tears that were forming in his eyes. He sniffled a bit as he wiped his eyes, preventing the tears from falling. He silently cursed himself for allowing this to happen to him, especially in his own family kitchen and in front of Hermione. Really, what was he thinking?
Hoping to cover up for his inappropriate behavior, he stated tearfully, "I'm so glad you could stay for dinner, Hermione."
Hermione draped her arm around his shoulder and dabbed at his eyes with the napkin. Resting her hand on his shoulder, she teased playfully, "I love to see a grown man cry."
Ron gave her a small smile, continuing to sniffle. Just then, Harry Potter, the legendary Quidditch player for the Chudley Cannons, walked into the kitchen, his arms full of groceries. He took in the scenario in front of him and commented, "Hermione, you really should go out with him. The poor guy's crying."
Ron pointed the kitchen knife at him. "Stop it, Harry. Can't you see I'm peeling the onions?"
Harry rolled his eyes at him, while Hermione hid her smile. "Sorry Ron. I honestly thought Hermione refused to go out with you again. Honestly, after six years you still haven't given up."
Hermione narrowed her eyes at him. "Watch it, Harry, or I'll go tell all your deep and dark secrets to the entire Weasley clan," she threatened, wagging her finger at him.
Harry's face fell. "You wouldn't dare,`Mione."
"Watch me," she replied smugly.
Ron laughed, while throwing the onions into the pot. "Let's see who cries now, Potter."
Harry glared at Ron. "Watch your own back, Weasley. I shared a dorm with you at Hogwarts; I know all of your little secrets."
"Oh really," Hermione squealed, turning towards Ron. "It's a shame I never became an Auror or a Quidditch player," she mused out loud. "Then again, I do enjoy my desk job," she added quickly, while walking towards the dining room.
Ron snorted into the towel he was using to wipe his tear-stained face, while Harry struggled not to smile.
Hermione quickly spun on her heel and turned to face her two rather successful and famous friends. "And what may I ask is so funny?" she demanded, placing her hands on her hips.
Ron grinned at her through the towel. He loved to make Hermione angry. She was just too easy. "You," he answered, while stirring the pot of soup.
"Me?" she squeaked. "And what do you find so highly amusing about me?" she asked, tapping her foot impatiently.
"The fact that you enjoy being a reporter for the Daily Prophet," Harry informed her gently, while secretly praying she wouldn't blow up at them. Unfortunately, however, his prayers weren't answered.
"Well, excuse me for choosing a safe job. Really, just because I'm not some fearless Auror battling the Dark Arts or some famous Chudley Cannons Seeker who managed to make them win the Cup for the third time in the row does not mean I'm not as amazing as you are," she retorted in a shrill voice. "I did defeat You-Know-Who with you and don't you ever forget it," she added sharply, and turned her back on them, her bushy ponytail flying.
Ron clicked his tongue in disapproval. "Hermione, Hermione." He shook his head as he gently lifted the pot off the stove and placed it off to the side. "When will you grow up and learn that it's safe to say Voldemort's name?"
This was the last straw for Hermione. Unable to take any more from the two of them, she cried out in frustration. "Okay, if it'll make you satisfied. Voldemort! Voldemort! Voldemort! Voldemort! Volde-"
"Good Heavens," Mrs. Weasley exclaimed, entering the tiny kitchen and placing her hand over her heart. Hermione, immediately stopped saying the Dark Lord's name, her face flushed with anger, while Harry and Ron put on their most innocent faces, hoping it would convince her they had nothing to do with it. Molly eyed the trio suspiciously. "What in Merlin's name was going on here?" she said sharply.
"Nothing, Mum," Ron replied, as he opened the drawers to take out the plates and cutlery which he immediately handed to Harry. "Hermione was just showing us how to say Voldemort's name." he finished. Hermione ground her shoe into his foot.
Molly Weasley eyed the three of them, her eyebrows raised. Raising seven children had taught her to spot signs of lying or deception. But with these three, well, they were an entirely different case. Ron, somehow, always managed to be the leader, but she couldn't find the right way to scold him. Not that she didn't want to; sometimes she wanted to give him such a spanking that he would regret all the naughty things he'd ever done. But, since he had graduated from school and had decided to become an Auror, Molly Weasley had learned to respect her youngest son and be proud of the fact that he was the top Auror for the Ministry. She sighed heavily. "All right, kids. Harry, you go set the table. Hermione and Ron will bring in the food. The rest of the family will be arriving any minute."
Harry smiled to himself as he started arranging the dinner plates on the large table outside on their front lawn. The entire Weasley family, along with their wives and children, were coming to the Burrow to celebrate Percy's promotion at the Ministry. After being a normal secretary for all the top officials, he was now to become the personal assistant for the Minister himself. Naturally, when his father told him the news, Percy forgot his proper behavior and leaped for joy. So the family decided it would be a good idea to get together for a big family dinner. Ron was just back from France, where he'd defeated a werewolf who'd haunted the streets of Muggle Paris for quite some time. And since Quidditch season was over, Harry found himself spending more and more time with the Weasleys, especially Ginny.
Harry was just placing the last napkin on the table, when he heard Ron and Hermione arguing. Chuckling to himself, he surveyed the table, proud of his work, and then went inside the kitchen to see what the problem was. He found Hermione and Ron standing face-to-face, both extremely red. Neither of them had noticed Harry when he walked in. So, taking advantage of this opportunity to witness yet another brawl between them, he leaned against the doorway and waited to see what would happen.
"I can't believe you did this to me, Ron!" Hermione yelled at him.
"What do you mean you can't believe what I did?" Ron bellowed back.
"How could you go tell one of your fellow associates that I would be more than willing to go out with him?" Hermione shot back.
"Well, what was I supposed to say, 'No I'm sorry, she can't go out with you because she thinks you're fat and bald and too ridiculous to go out with'? Bloody hell, Hermione. I made a mistake. Don't get so angry about it."
Hermione exhaled deeply, making a wisp of her hair fly away from her face, which in turn made Ron smirk slightly. But he wouldn't be smiling for long. Hermione was in a rage. "You can't go and set me up with a total stranger, Mr. Weasley. For one thing, you didn't ask me, and second, how could you know I wasn't seeing anyone?" Hermione's eyes flashed dangerously as she fingered her wand in her pocket.
"Well, you weren't, were you? I mean, you're so busy with your articles I thought you wouldn't have time to go out with anyone." Ron dug his hands into his pockets.
She narrowed her eyes at him. "And how would you know that, Ron? You didn't write to me for four months; I could've assumed you were dead. And you wouldn't know if I was seeing anyone or not."
Ron's eyes twinkled with delight. "Ah, but Ms. Granger, if you had found the perfect guy, you would have owled Harry and I immediately to tell us. C'mon, Hermione, admit it. Wouldn't you have done just that?"
Hermione gaped at him, and for the first time in her life, Harry realized she was at a loss for words. She turned away from Ron and placed both hands on the counter. Harry saw her take a few deep breaths. He could sense Ron was worried about her, because he said, "Hermione, I'm sorry."
Hermione didn't say anything. Nor did she show any sign that she'd heard him. Instead, she spun around and threw the rest of the cookie batter at him.
"Hermione," Ron yelled, jumping back as the batter splattered all over his robes. Hermione grinned wickedly.
"Told you to watch your back," she said as she dipped her hand back into the batter. "Want some more?" she asked, holding up a handful of batter.
Ron grinned at her. "You asked for this, Hermione." He pulled out his wand and shot a quick spell at her. Hermione dodged and Ron hit the ketchup bottle, making a huge mess.
"Hey, no fair." Hermione threw the bowl aside and pulled out her wand. "Two can play at this game," she reminded him. They threw spell after spell at each other. Ron managed to avoid all the spells she threw at him, since he was so well trained in that field. But, unfortunately, it looked like a tornado had been through the kitchen.
Soon,both of them were on the floor, so covered in various ingredients that they were barely recognizable. Harry had somehow managed to sneak out into the hall, so they wouldn't know that anyone had seen them on the floor. A chuckling Harry was just about to leave and go wash his hands when he heard Mrs. Weasley's footsteps approaching the kitchen. That was definitely a bad sign. Thinking quickly, he burst through the door and hissed, "Mrs. Weasley's coming!"
Ron and Hermione scrambled to their feet. Hermione asked, "What are we going to do?"
"First of all, go get dressed properly," Harry, whispered while he rapidly scanned the disordered room.
"What about this?" Ron queried, opening his arms wide and gesturing towards the kitchen.
"Don't worry about it. I'll handle it. Just go change before your Mum comes in and finds out you two have been fighting," Harry remarked, pushing up his glasses and pulling out his wand.
Hermione looked at him, her eyebrows raised. "Harry Potter, how did you know we were fighting?"
Harry didn't want to admit that he had witnessed their brawl, so he gave them a little shove as he answered, "Hurry up and apparate before Mrs. Weasley shows up. I can hear her heading for the kitchen." Not thinking twice, his two best friends vanished with a pop.
Sighing contently, Harry rolled up his sleeves. Mrs. Weasley would be arriving any minute. Not wasting a single second, he flicked his wand and the kitchen was in perfect order.
Harry was just lighting the candles on the food trolley when Mrs. Weasley entered. "All set Harry?" she inquired politely.
He nodded his head. "Well then, bring out the food. And where has Ron gone? I told him to-" and she left still grumbling to herself.
Once she was outside in the garden, Harry breathed a sigh of relief. "Ron and `Mione owe me big time," Harry mumbled to himself, wheeling the trolley out. If this was what happened before dinner, who knew what would happen before it was over? He would just have to wait and see.
***