A\N—Sorry Guys! I know this chapter is a bit late but I have been busy today. My mom just came in and tried to figure out what the heck I was doing. Anyway, please be critical. I know this needs work.
(No, Mr. Blancoeeb is not Hermione's ex. Guess again. I'm keeping that secret till the end.)
Chapter 5 (I think)
Disclaimer-Oh bother! If I owned anything, trust me you'd know it.
Dedication-
To Majestic again, because she forced me to do my homework (my teachers thank you) and get back on speaking terms with my muse. Also to JennyT because she's reviewer number 40, CarmenEmilia because I have to dedicate something to her sooner or later, and anyone out there who has ever heard of the play my friend never said goodbye.
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Weasley Dining Hall, 9:10 pm
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Hermione managed to slip into the dining room with out being noticed by anyone, save Alex, who smiled understandingly at her between bites of what looked like Meatloaf.
She sat down at the end of the long table, opposite Ron, who was nervously pushing his food around his plate, looking pale. Hermione seriously doubted he had eaten a bite. Blancoeeb on the other hand was tucking in avidly. She watched them for several moments, taking a few small bites of her own meal. At last Ron seemed to feel her gaze, because he glanced up and nearly jumped out of his chair in surprise, the backs of his ears turning bright red.
"Feeling jumpy tonight darling?" She asked him with a sweet smile. (Alex laughed into his meat)
Ron made a face back at her, while Blancoeeb looked on with an amused smile, his blue eyes twinkling knowingly.
"You two seem like such a happy couple." Blancoeeb observed. How long have you been married?"
" Eight years." Replied Hermione
"Nine years." Ron said at the same time. They stared at one another; afraid they had messed up everything by one year.
"It's nine Mummy." Alex's quiet, careful voice interrupted them. "I'll be seven this summer."
Hermione nodded. "You're right baby." She said softly, almost to herself. "You're growing up too fast."
"How did you two meet?" Blancoeeb persisted.
Ron and Hermione again looked at one another, not wanting to make another mistake.
'Grownups.' Sighed Alex inwardly. If they didn't talk faster they'd ruin everything.
"They met at school." He told the man, in dreamier tone than his quiet voice usually possessed.
Hermione and Ron looked at each other. "Duh." Was written on their faces.
"Oh really?" Blancoeeb turned to the young boy interestedly. "What else."
"They met on the train." Alex continued in the same dreamy happy voice. "And when they saw each other they thought they hated one another. But they became friends anyway, (here his eyes got really wide, his face pale and scared looking, but his tone remained the same) Cause Daddy and Harry Potter saved Mummy from a big scary troll. Then one day when they were older they got in a big fight. And they thought they would never speak again. (Here his voice picked up, excited) But an angel came, and he reminded Mummy and Daddy of how much they loved each other ." Alex broke off, his cheeks pink and his breathing quick. Hermione and Ron both stared at him. Ron was trying to follow the bit about the angel; everything had made sense up to that point for him. But there was something more than a sudden appearance of an angel at Hogwarts that was on Hermione's mind. But, just like the familiarity of Mr. Blancoeeb's twinkling eyes, Hermione could not place exactly what was eerie about this whimsical tale.
"You know what Alex?" Hermione told her son. "If you are done eating perhaps it's-"
"Time for bed." Finished Ron.
Alex nodded, and he and Hermione both stood. "If you'll excuse me once more." She said, nodding to the men. "Alex, tell Mr. Blancoeeb and R-your daddy goodnight."
Alex nodded seriously. "Good night Mr. Blancoeeb." He said, then, "Goodnight-Daddy." Giving Ron a hug that was a bit awkward on both their parts.
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Alex's Room, 9:55 pm
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"I didn't realize it was so late." Hermione whispered as she tucked her oldest child into bed. She could just make out Alex's sleepy smile in the dim light of the room.
"I love you Mummy."
Hermione sat down on the edge of his bed, pushing his hair gently out of his face. "I love you too Alex. Always. You did a great job down there just now by the way." She added.
Alex looked ever so slightly troubled, but just snuggled against his mother's knee and sighed tiredly. "Good night Mummy." He murmured.
Hermione kissed his forehead and stood, her gown falling softly. "Goodnight Alex."
On her way back down stairs she peaked into Rion's room. He lay in his crib, breathing peacefully,
his little fingers running over his stuffed dragon, Delightful, in his sleep. Just as she was beginning to leave she head a semi-familiar voice calling to her from her own room. Walking in there, she saw Harry's head sitting in the fireplace.
"How's it going?" he asked her concernedly
She smiled. "Better than I expected. Alex had to save Ron and I a few times."
Harry returned her smile. "Smart kid you have there Hermione, I told you."
Hermione nodded, but she wasn't listening. She had just realized what it was that was bothering her.
She had never told her boys about her time at Hogwarts. And she knew Ron wouldn't have either,
considering.
"Harry? Did you ever tell the boys about Hogwarts?" Her friend shook his head.
"No, why?"
"Nothing important. I've gotta get back to Ron now. They'll be looking for me.
And with a farewell nod, Harry's head vanished, and Hermione headed back down to the dining
room.
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Dining Room, 10:15pm
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When Hermione re-entered the room, Ron and his guest were just finishing their meals.
"Coffee Anyone?" questioned Ron as she sat back down. "I'm sure I could get the ghosts to make
us some."
"Well thank you Ron" began Mr. Blancoeeb, "but I find that I prefer hot chocolate myself."
Ron looked at Hermione, who nodded. "Hot Chocolate it is then." He clapped his hands three times.
As soon as the after dinner drinks were consumed, and conversation between the adults seemed to lag, Ron stood, and motioned for Hermione to do the same.
"Well Mr. Blancoeeb sir, it is indeed a pleasure to have you here with us. Annie will show you to your room. Now we must bid you goodnight."
"Actually Ronnie boy, if you don't mind I'd like to read a bit before I turn in for the day."
Ron nodded. "Help yourself sir."
So Blancoeeb proceeded to browse among Ron's in house library, which Hermione had already noted was surprisingly large. He looked up as Hermione walked toward her own room, causing Ron to rush forward and grab her shoulders in a surprisingly gentle gesture and push her towards his own maters quarters.
Blancoeeb smiled, blue eyes twinkling, and sat in a large leather chair, with his book of choice, Hogwarts, A History.
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Master Bedroom, Weasley Manor 10:30 pm
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"What the heck are you doing Ronald Weasley!?" demanded an infuriated Hermione, stepping several steps away from Ron, to what she found to be a comfortable distance.
"Blancoeeb was watching Hermione! We can't have him thinking that we sleep in separate rooms!-"
"We do." Hermione reminded him quiet dryly.
"That's so not the point."
"Can I go to my room now?" Hermione asked him
"Of course." Said Ron, looking at her in surprise.
"You have to move first Weasley."
Ron stepped away from the door without a word. Hermione promptly opened it a crack, and closed it quickly.
"What Now?!" demanded Ron.
"He's still out there." Groaned Hermione, a strange note in her voice.
"So We'll wait till his gone." Ron replied.
"Ron, he's reading Hogwarts, A History we have no way of knowing how long that is going to take.
"So, you can apperate to your room."
Hermione looked at him a second, and then began to concentrate. "I can't do it." She said suddenly.
"What do you mean 'you can't do it'?" Ron demanded.
"I mean I can't apperate out of here stupid." Hermione replied, her voice shaking slightly. "There's an antiapparation spell on this room."
"What are you talking about?" Ron demanded. He too began to concentrate, but sighed in shock only a moment later. "You're right. That should be impossible." He sighed in defeat. "You'll sleep here tonight then. You can even have my bed. I'll take the couch."
Hermione looked at him in disbelief. "I have two small children in this house. At least one of which will panic if he wakes up and I am not there. I want have them wandering in here and seeing us in the same room."
"So where do you suggest I sleep?"
Hermione shrugged. "In there I suppose." She said, pointing to the dressing room.
"Fine." Replied Ron. "Give my pillow then."
Hermione tossed a pillow at him, which smack him straight in the face.
"That is not my pillow." Ron replied hotly. "Accio Pillow." A raggedy old pillow, looking more flat than fluffy soared across the room, and to Hermione's deep amusement also smacked him in the face.
Then he stomped into the dressing room and slammed the door. "You can use a shirt out of that drawer there for a nightdress." His muffled voice came back finally.
And this was how Ron and Hermione passed the night, occasionally yelling at one another through the closed door.
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Albus Dumbledore memorial park, skating rink, following evening, 5:45
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A few hours ago, Blancoeeb had made a suggestion at the lunch table that was met with cheers from the boys and Hermione, and a small smile from Ron. He had suggested that the group go ice-skating, a favorite pastime of his when he was young. So now, Hermione, already dressed in a cute white skating outfit was tying Rion's toddler skates (bewitched so if he fell he would not hit the ground.) Alex stood on shaky legs next to her, Blancoeeb was already out on the ice, and Ron was sitting on a nearby bench, having no apparent desire to skate, and trying desperately not to check out the blond witch at the Chestnuts stand.
"There you go baby." Hermione told her youngest, placing her youngest carefully on the ice. She then took both boys' hands and began to skate with them around the lake, helping them into spins and other simple tricks that looked quite nice. It was hard to tell whose giggle was happier, Hermione's, whose seemed as joyous and innocent as a school girl, Rion's, who was giggling and kicking six inches above the ice from the levation and tickling spells Hermione had used on him. Even Alex, who normally seemed so serious was laughing with out control.
Blancoeeb skated around and sat on the bench next to Ron. He sighed happily. "I love watching your wife and children having so much fun. Want you go join them?"
Ron shook his head ruefully. "I don't skate." He said gruffly.
Blancoeeb revealed his wand and mummered a few well chosen words, and a pair of skates appeared on Ron's feet. "You do now." He told he young man, getting up and pulling him out to the ice before skating off to join Hermione, leaving Ron to fight desperately for his balance.
"Good evening." Blancoeeb called as he skated up to Hermione, Alex and Rion. He turned to the boys. "I think your daddy could use some help."
Alex promptly took his little brothers hand and skated across the rink to Ron, who needed both boys to hold him up.
Hermione and Blancoeeb laughed. "Did you want to talk to me about something Mr. Blancoeeb?" Hermione asked him as they skated in sync around the lake."
"Please, do call me Alan." Replied Blancoeeb.
"Alright Alan. And do call me Hermione."
"I wouldn't dream of calling you anything else." Replied Blancoeeb politely.
By this time Rion and Alex had helped Ron catch up with the pair. They let go of him simultaneously, and, after hovering a bit by himself he toppled into Hermione, who in turn toppled into a nearby snow bank. Rion and Alex soon leapt on top of those two, and all four ended up rolling around in the snow, laughing hysterically. Half an hour later, even Ron was able to stand up by himself.
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End of chapter what ever this is. Hope you enjoyed. I know, Maroon was not mentioned here, but it will be next chapter. Read! Review! Tell me what you think. Send me ideas! Flames will be used to dry off my now soaking wet characters.
Next Chapter-Alex and Ron talk about Maroon, Ri get's sick, Ron and the boys share a bonding moment, Ron and Hermione fight, and something funny happens.
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