Author's Note: I'm very sorry this has taken so long to post. It's actually been done for nearly a month now. For the past two weeks, I've been unable to get on the internet. To make you all feel better, I am getting rid of MSN for a new connection thingy sometime soon. Again, I'm sorry. I was trying to get a chapter out every week, and I'm going to continue to do that unless technical difficulties arise yet again. *rolls eyes* It's inevitable for me. *rolls eyes again, even harder, and lets out a deep, unsatisfied sigh*

Anyway, merry day after Christmas! I hope you all had a jolly time, and I hope this chapter is no disappointment. Thank you to Amy for beta-ing.

* * * * *

Ron looked up at the shop with dread. He felt his hand being squeezed, but he didn't register it completely. This was a bad idea. He knew exactly how bad of an idea this was. This would be willingly receiving torture for who knew how long.

He looked down at the small woman who was holding his hand. She offered a smile to him. He smiled back, albeit nervously. He was going to succmb to the torture though. All for Hermione. Even though she was possibly the most annoying person he'd ever met.

He still loved her. He squeezed her hand back. "It probably would be best if you didn't come in with me," he said truthfully.

Hermione nodded. "Yes, I believe it would. I need to make a trip on my own anyhow. We'll meet up in Hogsmeade with Harry and Ginny."

"If I make it out alive." Ron gulped.

Hermione laughed lightly. "I would say you're being a bit melodramatic but-- " she looked in through one of the windows "--I don't like to lie."

Ron scoffed. "You're supposed to be encouraging."

Hermione smiled at him. "Consider it payback for last night."

"Hermione!" Ron cried in desperation. "I was too tired! Why couldn't you go get the bloody ice cream on your own?"

Hermione's jaw dropped. Her eyes flashed. "You watch your mouth, Ronald," she scolded, "or you won't like the punishments I'll give you."

Ron shut his mouth, thinking that he agreed with Hermione whole-heartedly. She was holding him by little strings. All because he'd fallen in love like the git that he was.

He loved it though. He smiled at her. "I'm sorry, dearest. I'll see you at The Three Broomsticks."

Hermione smiled back. "Have a good time."

"I'm sure I will," Ron grumbled as she walked away. He turned back around to look at the shop: Weasley's Wizard Wheezes. He gulped. This was it. He was going to do this. Maybe he needed a drink first.

The door to the shop opened, and one of the twins was standing there, grinning. "What are you standing out here for? It's chilly out there," he mock-scolded.

Ron ignored him as he walked into the shop. The warm air refreshed him to the point where he realized just how chilly it *had* been. The other twin was standing at the counter. He was wearing a pin that had 'Forge' flashing on it. "Hello, George," Ron greeted.

" 'Ello, Ronnie," George replied, a twinkle in his eyes. "We can't begin to tell you how much we've looked forward to this."

"And we would tell you now, in great detail," Fred said.

"But," George continued, "Saturdays are our busiest. You're here for training. Watch and learn."

"We can chat when the day is over," Fred reassured Ron.

"The joy." Ron rolled his eyes. "This can't be that hard," he said, more to himself than anyone else.

Fred and George both looked deeply offended. "Not hard?" Fred stuttered.

"Don't worry," George said to his twin. He looked at Ron wickedly. "We'll show him just how *fun* our shop can be."

Ron silently cursed himself.

* * * * *

At that moment, Hermione was knocking on the door to the Burrow. She'd taken the long train. From Diagon Alley to the Burrow. It was out of her way, but she had wanted to be with Ron.

Mrs. Weasley . . . Molly . . . had replied quickly to Hermione's letter. Instead of offering advice, she'd simply invited Hermione over for Saturday. Hermione didn't know whether to be relieved or nervous, so she decided to be a little bit of both.

The door opened to reveal Molly, a pleasant smile on her face. "Hello, Hermione dear," she said, voice warm. "I've just finished baking some cookies, and tea should be ready soon."

"Oh, thank you," Hermione said graciously as she walked in the door. "You didn't have to go to so much trouble though . . ."

Molly waved her hand needlessly. "You should know me well enough. I enjoy doing these things, and soon I'll have no one to do them for."

Molly ushered Hermione to the living room, and Hermione sank into the comfortable couch in front of the fireplace. Molly went into the kitchen to fix up a tray of sweets and tea. A few minutes later, she came out into the living room to set the tray down and sit in the arm chair resting to the side of the couch. She sighed. "Well, then. How have you and my son been?"

"Ron's doing fine," Hermione replied. "I'm . . . well, you read my letter."

"Yes, I did."

"I think I'm feeling much more relaxed now," Hermione said quickly. "Ron and I talked, and, well . . ." She blushed slightly.

"What happened?" Molly asked.

Hermione smiled winningly. "The baby kicked for the first time the other day," she admitted, unable to hide her joy and pride.

Molly's face lit up. "That's simply wonderful news, Hermione!" she gushed. "Is it kicking now?"

"No," Hermione said regretfully. She put a hand on her stomach. "She must be asleep right now."

"Is it a girl, then?"

"It has to be. I agreed with Ron to name it Ronald Jr. if it's a boy," Hermione said, rolling her eyes.

Molly smiled. "Yes, let's hope for a girl. I only had one daughter. Maybe I'll fare better with my grandchildren." Molly offered a cookie to Hermione, and she accepted. "How is Ginny, by the way? And Harry?"

Hermione sighed. "They're being themselves, as usual. It's as if they both need to add as much drama to their life as possible." She gestured to her stomach. "It's not as if we don't have enough already!"

"True," Molly admitted. "I suppose it must be awkward though. Harry never is one to truly understand anything to do with friends and family."

"I suppose. He's had seven years to learn though, so he should be getting better at it." Hermione paused. "The truth is, they both like each other, and they both know they like each other. They just won't do anything about it because they're both complete, well . . . prats."

Molly chuckled. When she sobered, she poured Hermione a second helping of tea. "I know you're nervous about being unprepared, but I've been true to my word. I've picked up a few things here and there. Most of the hand-me- downs that our children used were thrown away, so everything is new."

"I don't care," Hermione said immediately. "It's not about materials for me. Thank you, though, Mrs. Weasley."

"Dear, you've got to start calling me Molly," Molly reprimanded. "You're almost a second daughter to me!"

"I'm sorry," Hermione apologized. "I'm not used to calling adults by their first names."

"I know, dear."

"Do you have any ketchup?"

"Whatever for?"

Hermione blushed. "I enjoy it in my tea."

Molly gave her a long look. Then she laughed outright. "I'm sure I have some. Wait till I tell you some of the wild concoctions I ate! Imagine going through it seven times!"

Hermione's eyes widened. "I think one's just fine for now," she said quickly.

* * * * *

"I think that was the last of them."

"Pity."

"You mean you guys *enjoyed* that?" Ron asked in disbelief as his twin brothers began closing up the shop.

"Of course." Fred shot Ron a look. "Why else would we want to do this professionally?"

"I've never understood any of your motives, and I'm not about to start now," Ron replied. He let out a tired sigh and leaned against the counter.

"We'll need you back tomorrow," George said conversationally as he began to gather the money from the register. "And, of course, you'll come on Fridays too. If that's not enough, then we could always use you for a little bit every night after Hogwarts lets out."

"Or you could come during lunch," Fred added, smiling jovially.

"That's not even funny," Ron mumbled. "Am I free to go now? Or do you want me to do anything else for your high and mighty arses?"

"You can go," George dismissed him.

"Bright and early tomorrow though," Fred said as Ron got out his wand. "And there's a fireplace in the back room. You don't have to come by train again tomorrow if you go to one of the fireplaces at Hogsmeade."

Ron blushed slightly as he left to go into the backroom. It was filled with boxes and boxes of the Weasley twins' ingenious creations. Ron didn't feel very safe. He pulled some of the Floo powder out of a bucket that sat on one of the boxes and threw it into the fire.

He stood for a moment, realizing stupidly that he didn't know where he would go.

Fortunately, Fred popped his head in the doorway. "Rosmerta doesn't mind visitors from our shop," he said, smirking and giving Ron an obvious wink.

Ron rolled his eyes openly and stepped into the fireplace. Green smoke dissipated around him. "The Three Broomsticks!" he shouted, making sure his voice was as clear and concise as possible.

The trip through the fireplace was bumpy and rough. Ron wished that he hadn't listened to his brothers. The train would have taken longer, but it would have been less aggravating.

Ron arrived with a screech. His feet hit the ground hard, and his lungs filled with smoke. He ducked under the fireplace with a coughing fit. He looked around and realized that he must be in the kitchens of the Three Broomsticks.

Madam Rosmerta appeared in front of him, hands on her hips, a smile on her face. "And just where did you pop in from?" she asked.

"Weasley's Wheezes," Ron coughed. "They said you wouldn't mind if I came back to Hogsmeade this way."

Rosmerta's smile turned welcoming. "Of course I don't mind. Fred and George were always loyal customers to me."

"I might be using this way a lot," Ron added unhappily. "I'm working for them on weekends and such."

"You're free to use the Fireplace," Rosmerta promised.

"Thanks," Ron said sincerely. He looked around, confused, and Rosmerta pointed to a door that had missed Ron's sight. He blushed, mumbled something he himself wasn't sure of, and left the kitchens. In the dining area of the restaurant, a quick scan of the place let him know that Harry and Ginny were already sitting in a booth.

Ron quickly walked over to their table and sat next to Harry, annoyed expression on his face.

"What happened to you?" Ginny asked bluntly.

"I had to travel Floo," Ron snapped. "And I have to travel Floo six times a week from now on."

"Working you like a dog, then?" Ginny asked sweetly.

"Would you expect anything less?" Ron replied absently. He looked around pointedly. "Has Mione come in yet?"

Ginny checked her wristwatch. "Says she should be here any moment."

"How is she traveling?"

"I have no idea," Ginny answered just as the door to the shop opened. Hermione appeared, a pleasant expression on her face.

"How did you get here?" Ron asked as she scooted in next to Ginny and across from him.

"Train," Hermione answered quickly. She beamed brightly. "I had the most *charming* time with your mother today, Ron."

Ron looked surprised. "Really, now?"

Hermione nodded. "Yes. We had a pleasant talk over tea."

"I had a wonderful time too," Ron said sarcastically.

Hermione reached across the table and took Ron's hand in hers. "I'm terribly sorry! How was your day? Were the twins something awful?"

Ron looked pleased as she focused completely on him. He shrugged in martyrdom. "It wasn't too bad, I s'pose."

Ginny caught Harry's eye and made a gagging motion. Harry smirked and turned his attention back to the couple.

Hermione was done fussing over Ron and back to fussing over herself. She was currently telling Ron as animatedly as possible about the many things Molly had gathered so far for the baby. Harry turned back to Ginny and shared a meaningful look with her.

Ginny nodded shortly. "Well," she interrupted abruptly, turning Ron and Hermione's attention to her. "I'm getting a bit tired. I think I'll go back to Hogwarts now."

As she stood up, Harry followed. "Yes, that sounds like a good idea. I've got Potions homework and, well--" he sent a blushing look at Ron and Hermione "--you two might want to be alone."

Hermione didn't looked phased at all. She turned back around to Ron to get his attention. When Harry and Ginny left, she was still talking a mile a minute.