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As it turned out, a Verriberry Fizz- the drink Ron had selected for both Hermione and himself- was rather a nice drink. It tasted of blackcurrant and strawberries and raspberries all at the same time and created a fizzing sensation which made the drinker feel as though there were hundreds of tiny butterflies flitting around in their stomach. Given the nature of wizard alcohol, Hermione strongly suspected that there *were* enchanted butterflies... and she decided she quite liked the experience.

'Mmm, I like this one Ron! I should let you buy me drinks more often!'

Ron laughed. 'I don't know if you'd still be saying that if I'd chosen a stronger one, but,' he added with a mischievous gleam in his blue eyes, 'as I've got a pocket full of birthday money, I might just do that!'

Hermione raised her eyebrows at him, but Ron noticed it wasn't the usual "what-kind-of-a-stupid-idea-is-that?" look. He reasoned that alcohol had quite a good effect on Hermione. After two drinks she already seemed to have changed the view she was holding earlier in the Gryffindor common room that 'we have to be *sensible* Ron, alcohol can be very dangerous you know!'. Ron smiled at the memory; Hermione would always look out for her friends, no matter how mundane or dangerous the situation. He looked up to find Hermione surveying him.

'What are you smiling about?'

'Nothing, nothing. Just thinking how easily led astray you are, that's all!'

Hermione feigned offence. 'Led astray? Me?! Honestly, you've known me for five years now surely you know I have control over myself!' She teased.

Ron thought back to the S.P.E.W incident... she had a point.

'Ok, ok, but you do have to admit that me and Harry had an influence on you back in first year. I hardly think the Hermione Granger who first started at Hogwarts would have willingly made her way past a three-headed dog and gone down a trapdoor to stop one of you-know-who's servants!'

'Alright, I'll admit, you two *did* have an influence over me. But, as we're supposed to be forgetting about the current 'situation', no more talk about Philosopher's Stones, and that goes for Basilisks, Time Turners and Port Keys too!'

Ron couldn't help but notice the slight tremble to Hermione's voice. As terrifying as the situation was for him, she was Muggle-born and so had even more to fear. Being the best friends of Harry Potter didn't help their situation much... Ron forced the melancholy thoughts out of his head.

'Ok then... a new topic!' Ron studied his Verriberry Fizz as he thought. 'Got it! What are you going to do after Hogwarts?'

Hermione's face brightened at this question.

'Well, there are *so* many options, aren't there. I mean, there's the ministry, or mediwizadry, or I could be a professor here... I think-'

Ron cut her off 'No, not that sort of after Hogwarts. Although I'm sure you will be able to have your pick of jobs when you leave... every boss in the Wizard World will be queuing up outside the gates on the last day of term, begging to employ you!'

Hermione flushed at this compliment.

'What I mean is, what are you going to do with your *life*?'

Hermione looked slightly confused.

'Ok,' Ron began, 'I'll start. I fully intend on marrying and having kids, moving into a house in the country, quite close to The Burrow, but far enough away to stop mum and dad from just popping in all the time... of course my Quidditch prowess will have been discovered by then, so I'll have a bit of money put by for the kids to have their own Hogwarts things...' He was interrupted by Hermione's giggles.

'What?!'

'It's just I wouldn't have thought you'd have planned it all, I mean, you're a boy!'

'Yes, and you're a girl... I thought we'd established this last year?'

Hermione laughed, and so did Ron. 'No,' she continued, 'I *mean*, well, it's not exactly a boy thing to do is it? Plan your marriage and things. I thought only girls did that!'

'Ok then, what's *your* plan?'

'Well, I'd like to get married too, obviously. And I want to have three children, two girls and a boy. And we'd live in a lovely old house, with lots of Muggle things so my children could grow up understanding not to treat them differently from wizards.'

'Oh, so we've established you're marrying a wizard?'

'Well, it's not as though I have any Muggle friends my age. Aside from family... but I think *that's* frowned upon even in the Wizard World! Ok, my question: how many children do you want?'

'Five' answered Ron immediately.

'I see we've given this a lot of thought Mr. Weasley! So, why five?'

'Because it seems like a nice number. Despite my complaints, growing up in a large family was great. Although I think my parents were a bit more enthusiastic than I am, seven's a bit too much, even if I'd have my own ready made Quidditch team! So why three?'

'Well, in the Muggle world, a two child family is the average number, and I wanted to be different. And I know what it's like to be an only child, it can get lonely.'

Hermione thought back to her primary school days, when she never really made many *real* friends due to her intelligence. In those days, books were her true friends. But now, she had the best friends a girl could wish for.

'So I wouldn't want little Eliz-'

She was cut off by Ron, who, almost choking on his drink in the process, exclaimed 'You've already *named* your children!'

Hermione flushed 'Keep your voice down!'

Ron carried on through his laughter 'You mean to say that you, sensible, hard-working, no time for day-dreaming, Hermione Granger, have planned the names of your future children?'

'Well, if *you'd* spent the past five years in a dormitory with Parvati and Lavender, I'm sure you would have done the same!' Hermione hoped this was a good enough cover up. 'Besides, I chose Elizabeth because it's my middle name, and I couldn't leave the others out could I?'

'Hermione Elizabeth Granger.' Ron mulled this over in his mind 'That works, you know. So, what are your other kids going to be called?'

Hermione took a rather large sip of her drink. 'I had thought of Jonathan and Rebekah, but it would all depend on the baby itself and whether the name suited.'

'So no middle names then?'

'Oh no, my husband would choose those!'

Ron grinned; she really had planned it all.

'So, now you know *my* middle name, what's yours?'

'Ah, don't think you'll be getting that information easily. you have to guess!'

'Ron!'

'Don't pretend you don't like a challenge!' he teased.

'Ok... hmmmm... Arthur?' Hermione chewed on her lower lip as she thought.

'Come on Hermione. not *everyone's* named after their parents. And don't you think my parents have a little more originality? After all, I'm the youngest boy- if anyone's middle name was going to be Arthur it'd be Bill!'

'Oh, at least give me a clue! What does it begin with?' 'A clue hey? What's it worth' he joked, blue eyes sparkling in amusement.

'Erm... I'll buy you another drink!' Hermione replied. She knew this tactic would work, and was proved right, as usual, as Ron's face lit up.

'Ok, but *you* have to have another too. And it's S!' He shouted after Hermione, who had already jumped up and was making her way to the bar at a rather fast pace.

'Honestly, women!' Ron chuckled to himself.

*Author's note* This was quite a long chapter for me! Hope you like it. Review if you do!