Hey! Here it is… Chapter 13! Enjoy… Thanks to my beta reader EvilMicella… and… well… (HP and the OotP is only 2 days away!).

Chapter 13: The kitchen table and the importance of the name Audrey.

The wooden, 3 meter long kitchen table was the chosen witness of their talk. The tea was lying on that same stiff board, too; the little leaves that added flavour to the infusion resting on the bottom of the plastic, inexpensive mug.

It was exactly five P.M. when the grandfather clock on the Burrow's wall indicated to them both that Mrs. Molly Weasley and her daughter, along with her broom, Harry Potter, were initiating what it seemed to the couple like a long road trip, in the most muggle way of the word.

-Poor thing; that mother of yours!- Hermione said. -Planning that huge wedding mostly all by herself!-

-Yes, I must agree with you, Hermione. But what can I do about that, anyway? She won't let me help her, and cutting the grass isn't exactly my idea of fun- said Ron acidly, with a slight smile.

-They would greatly appreciate all the help you can give them, you know that, right?- she said with a reproving look on her face.

-Yes, but where's the amusement in that?- he replied, joking like the kid he felt he was deep inside his heart.

Ronald Weasley was, however, a completely developed man, despite what he thinks, with a wide back and a slim waist that could match any Quidditch player. His flat stomach and his strong arms were Hermione's favourite part of his body, that is we omitted completely his deep blue eyes and his beautiful, but revel, red hair. She loved that red hair of his; It reminded her of better times, of much simpler times where a potions test seemed like the greatest challenge on earth.

"Florence is right," she though bitterly, while pilling a small mountain of sugar on the table cloth. "Growing up is a painful task, that is."

-What are you thinking about?- he said casually. He, too, was apparently playing with a spoon as if it was a drum stick.

-Nothing; just… stuff. Have you ever regretted leaving me behind?- She asked. She did not know where that statement had come from… but now that she had said it, she felt lighter.

-Of course, Hermione- He said shortly. His voice sounded reflective, profound.

-That's a nice thing for a girl to hear- She whispered

-Oh, is it?- He said, abruptly standing up from his chair and taking Hermione's hand. He leaned forward and Hermione felt his breath so near her face that she thought he was actually going to kiss her on the mouth. But above all things; she was going to let him. He didn't, however. He placed his lips on her palm and sat beside her. She allowed herself to caress his smooth, pale cheek. He was now resting the whole weight of his head on her hand, closing his eyes completely to enjoy every second of it. How much of an effect she had on him! The contact was barely noticeable, yet Ronald Weasley knew for a fact that his knees had turn into jelly.

-Oh, 'Mione- He moaned faintly. Hermione let out an intense breath, and then gasping for air, she said his name on an inconspicuous tone of voice.

Slowly, but trying to keep up with the others rhythm, they leaned closer as if searching for some kind of closeness beyond the caress. They wanted to share a kiss with the person that they most cared about, and that person happened to be sitting just in front of them.

Ron slowly took her jaw on his hands, and looking straight into her eyes, as if seeking some kind of approval, he took her lips on his, devouring her mouth as if that kiss was the last human feeling he'd ever be able to feel.

Hermione, on her behalf, was feeling a little weak once Ron had decided to place his hand under Hermione's blouse on her back.

Their tongues were wrestling furiously when the grandfather clock told them it was 6 O'clock. None of them had the time, or the initiative, of thinking that an hour had passed since they heard the little hands move for the first time since their arrival.

If they had done so, they would have realized that three people were soon to arrive at the Burrow; onlookers of an awkward reality.

-Ron!- Ginny shouted, trying not to fall with all the weight resting on her hands as she was carrying many items for her wedding.

-Can you two please stop French kissing and give us a hand here?- Harry demanded almost sounding angry.

-Oh, no, dears- it was Molly Weasley's turn to speak. -Don't you worry about that. No, not at all. We don't need your help, sweethearts. Keep up with whatever you were doing before we interrupted you- She said sweetly.

Both Hermione and Ron were scarlet in the face and that moment felt so strange for them both that they didn't hesitated when their closest friends begged for their help.

After all, they would have time to talk about what had happened, right? Right?

Yes. One could think about that, but then the fireplace lit itself up with a greenish fire and from it a person none of them had ever seen before came out. They all stood stiff and still, not daring to move an inch, assuming the girl was lost, but when she spoke, they all knew who she was and why she was there.

-Ronnie, darling… give me the hug, I've been waiting for so long!- The girl said.

They all looked shocked, but Ron went to where the female was standing anyway. It wasn't her fault, after all. It was just bad timing for her to appear.

-A-A-Audrey?- He said slowly, but clearly. She nodded.

-Ron, can you please introduce us to this beautiful young lady?- Molly Weasley asked with her best smile.

-Oh, yes, of course. Family… this is… Audrey Smith. My old pen friend- He confessed trying to avoid Hermione's killing gaze.

At that point of the conversation, Hermione's world began to blur and her eyes started filling with tears of frustration. Before anyone could notice, she excused herself from the living room and went running upstairs. Ginny followed her at record speed.

-So, this is the Burrow- She said at last. -It fells just like home. I think I'm going to like it here.-

Ron was more worried about the girl crying her eyes out upstairs than the little statement the gorgeous witch standing beside him had made. If he had heard her, however, I am most sure that he would have though that her last remark had been something scary alright.