Disclaimer: I own nothing *sigh* I wish cause then I'd be rich and I might be able to afford college…

AN: Sorry I haven't updated in a while. I have no excuses… Anyway I hope you're still reading.

Rating: PG to PG-13

The Winter After

"There's a new wind blowin' like I've never known.

I'm breathin' deeper than I've ever done.

And it sure feels good, to finally feel the way I do.

I wanna love somebody,

Love somebody like you.

An' I'm lettin' go of all my lonely yesterdays.

I've forgiven myself for the mistakes I've made.

Now there's just one thing, the only thing I wanna do.

I wanna love somebody,

Love somebody like you.

-Keith Urban "Love Somebody Like You"

Chapter Four

As much as Ron tried to talk with her, Hermione would not speak with him. He tired catching her off guard by sticking notes under her door. Tried giving her a flower from the vase downstairs but she just put it back where it belonged. He even tried to hold Crookshanks for ransom… and got a nasty scratch across the back of his hand because of it.

He walked down the stairs and into the living room where Mr. Granger was pulling on his winter coat. "What am I doing wrong?"

Mr. Granger looked up. "Well, for one thing, you're being very vague."

"Hermione's angry with me."

"Ah… and is there a reason behind it?"

Ron shrugged. "I did something stupid… you'd think she'd be used to it by now."

Mr. Granger laughed. "Well, Ron, I don't like being the barer of bad news but women never get used to it. Especially the Granger women."

"What do I do to get on her good side again?"

"Have you tried apologizing?"

"Tried, yes. She won't let me near her."

Mr. Granger nodded as Mrs. Granger walked into the room carrying Faith. "Are we leaving soon?"

"Hopefully. Your daughter isn't down here yet," Mr. Granger said.

"She happens to be your daughter, too."

"I know, love."

"Hermione!" Mrs. Granger called. "It's time to leave!"

There was no answer. Mrs. Granger frowned. "What is she up to?"

Ron bit his lip. "I think she might be a bit angry with me."

"Well then you should go up there and get her," Mrs. Granger said, sounding very much like the mother she was.

Ron gulped. "Do you remember how to use Floo Powder?" He asked, holding out the small pouch of powder, hoping to change the subject.

"Yes," Mrs. Granger said. "Though I am a bit nervous."

"Would you like me to take Faith just in case?"

Faith reached her arms out to Ron making grabbing motions with her tiny hands as if understanding what he had said. Mrs. Granger gazed at her daughter looking quite torn. Mr. Granger cleared his throat. "That might be best."

Ron took Faith in his arms. "I'll get Hermione. We'll be there in about ten minutes. Remember to speak clearly."

Mrs. Granger smiled slightly as her husband ushered her towards the fireplace. Ron bounced Faith in his arms and headed up the stairs to Hermione's room.

Her bedroom door was slightly open. He knocked quietly.

"Don't come in!" Came Hermione's muffled voice.

Ron cleared his throat. "It's just me. Your mum wanted me to get you."

"Tell her I'm not going."

Ron opened the door and poked his head in. Hermione was laying on her bed, buried under her bed clothes, tufts of bushy brown hair stuck out where her quilt met the headboard. "Hermione? Are you even dressed yet?"

Hermione peeked out from under her covers. "Ron! Get out!"

Ron cringed. "'Hermione… I'm only-"

"If you won't leave at least get Faith out of here!"

Ron furrowed his brow and quickly left the room. Faiths smile faded slightly. He lifted her up and twirled her around. "Ickle Faithy needs to smile again! Smile, Faith!" Faith blew bubbles and grinned. "That's my girl!" Ron walked over to Faiths room and placed her in her playpen. "I'll be right back, kid."

When he reached Hermione's room again, he found she had retreated back under her covers.

"What's going on with you?" He asked.

"I wasn't feeling well last night and I slept late," She moaned miserably. "I look dreadful."

Ron sighed. "Is that all?"

She peered out at him again. Her usually lovely chocolate eyes now fiery. "Don't you dare take that tone with me, Ronald Weasley. I'm still mad at you."

Ron grinned. "And for what exactly?"

Hermione frowned as if deep in thought. "For using those words in front of my sister."

"I saw those gears in your head turning. You couldn't remember for a second. You just want to be mad."

Hermione pulled the covers over her head again. Ron sighed and moved to sit down on her bed next to her. "I know you want to have it out. Why else would you make me bring your sister away?"

"I don't want to have it out, Ron."

"Then what is it?" He demanded.

There was a long moment of silence before Hermione pulled her pillow over her head and screamed. Ron jumped off the bed. "Hermione, bloody hell!"

"You were right! I'm embarrassed."

It took Ron another moment to track where she was coming from. Damn her mind for racing around like that. "Embarrassed about…"

"I said our not your! You were right…"

Ron rubbed his temples. "Please, Hermione… I'm a guy… I don't understand this shit. What are you talking about?"

"Kids!" She cried throwing her pillow off her head and pushing the covers away. "I basically said that I wanted to have your children! How can you forget something like that?"

"Oh… that… no, I didn't forget that."

"Yes, you did. You had no idea what I was saying."

Ron laughed. "Usually I don't. Your mouth and your brain aren't really moving at the same speed, Hermione." She threw the pillow at him, a smile threatening to crack her stony features. Ron caught the pillow and threw it back. "Not many men forget when their girlfriend admits they think about them sexually."

"I never said I did that."

"Maybe you don't know this, but babies come from-"

"I know where babies come from."

"Well then you know that it means you thought of-"

"Not directly."

"Don't care. Direct… indirect… sex is sex."

"Ron!"

"Don't sound so horrified. You know it's true."

Hermione covered her face with her hands, trying to hide the blush. "You're awful."

"Yes, I am. Now get dressed. We're going."

Hermione rubbed her eyes. "Well… what should I wear under my robes?"

Nothing. Ron thought. "I don't know. A skirt and a jumper?"

She stood up and walked to her closet, pulling out a blue plaid skirt and a white turtleneck. "This will do, won't it?"

Ron shrugged, what did he know about fashion? "I think it will look very nice."

"Why a skirt?"

Ron tried to stop himself from blushing. He wasn't about to admit he liked seeing her legs. "I think they look good on you."

"All right then. Well… get out so I can change. I'll be ready soon."

~*~

Faith grabbed out at Crookshanks' tail for the billionth time since she and Ron had been in the Grangers living room. Crookshanks lazily twitched his tail to the side, evading the small child yet again.

Ron glared at the cat. "How come when I do that you attack me?"

Crookshanks turned his head the other way, twitching his tail yet again.

"Figures. Damn animal."

"Damn!" Faith beamed.

Ron snatched the little girl from the floor and sat her on his lap. "We don't say that word anymore Faithy. Say Ron! Can you say Ron?"

"Moo!"

"Yes, well… I suppose that'll do."

Hermione walked down the stairs holding two robes in her arms. "Ron? Can you help me?"

Ron nodded. "I can try."

"All right, well… I'm just wondering if I should wear another cloak over my nicer one. I don't really want to get all dirty."

Ron frowned. "Well I guess you can… but my Mom won't mind doing a cleaning charm on our clothes either. I guess it's up to you."

"Oh okay, never mind then."

Hermione pulled on her blue robe and held out her arms for Faith. Ron stood up and let Hermione hold her sister and coo. "Moo!" Faith said again.

Hermione laughed. "Where on Earth did she hear that?"

Ron shrugged. "I don't know," he stepped closer to the fireplace. "Did you want to go with her first? Or would you like me to go?"

Hermione looked leery. "Can't we all go?"

"Yes… but it'd be really crowded."

"I'd feel better though. Then I'd know I would loose my grip on Faith. She might fuss."

"Okay well let's go then."

Ron ushered Hermione forward and wrapped his arm around her, pinning Faith between them. "Ready?"

She nodded.

Ron threw a pinch of flew powder down. "The Burrow!"

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Amazing isn't it? An update… I know I'm shocked, too… This is basically just filler (that's why it's so short)… I had no clue how to get them to the Burrow. Can't you tell? I honestly know where the story is going. I have an outline and everything… but I was stumped with this. So bear with me. The next chapter will be up soon. Anyway… Please review!

Best wishes,

~Lenny