Chapter Five

Ron drove back quietly, with Hermione in the back seat, sleeping on the couch. Weird thoughts went through his head. What's this going to do to Hermione? She's tough, but this could be too much. Would the house be good enough? He'd fix it up, maybe even add a few rooms for her. He had a week off, so he could put in new flooring for her, put a fresh coat of paint on the walls and help shop for any needed furniture.

***

They arrived at the house around two that afternoon and Ron carried all her belongings into the proper rooms, but not organizing them. But he set up her bedroom, setting up the mattresses for her and left all Destin's belongs in the living room. He had enough time to do her room during the day. He measured the room that would be hers, then drove back to the Burrow.

He walked into the kitchen and automatically knew that Ginny had filled in Harry and Molly about Hermione. Before they could ask anything Ron answered, "She's sleeping. She'll be out for a while."

Ginny nodded, "No one should visit until at least tomorrow. I'll check up on her in the morning."

"Thanks Gin. Now where's Destin? I came to pick her up," Ron explained.

Molly, tear streaks on her face, replied, "She's in the middle of a game of wizards chess with Jordan." The mood change from the kitchen, where the three adults were sad and depressed, to the living room, where Lily was eagerly watching Destin and Jordan play chess. Ron stood and watched as Jordan beat Destin horribly. He groaned slightly, "Don't tell me that you play like your mother. That's so depressing!"

Destin laughed, then sang, "Dad you back!"

"Indeed I am. Now your mom isn't feeling good, so she's sleeping it off." He quickly returned all three kids their hugs. "But I was thinking, your new room doesn't have colour or proper flooring. So what's your favorite colour?"

Destin thought for a second, giving a great resemblance to Hermione. "Orange," she answered honestly. Then she got really excited. "You mean I can paint my room orange if I wanted?"

Ron laughed genuinely. "I grew up in an orange room, so why can't you? We'll have to buy you new bedding, yours doesn't match very good. But lets leave that to your mom to work out, she's better with that kind of stuff."

I'm not sure about that, but that's okay. When are we going?" she asked, blue eyes shining.

"When ever I can steal you away from your cousins," Ron answered.

"Well, I could try to teach Lily to play chess," Jordan offered.

"Oh would you?" Lily questioned excitedly.

"Thanks-you Jordan!" Destin exclaimed as Jordan nodded. "Lets go dad! Can we go to Diagon Alley?"

We'll have to go to a muggle store for this, but tomorrow I'll take you there. How 'bout that?" Ron offered.

"M'kay. I'll hurry and grab my coat." Destin ran up to small bedroom she had stayed in. In no time at all Destin was back in the kitchen, jacket in hand, and slipping on sandals. Ron opened the door for her and they both said their good-byes.

How is it possible that those two are so comfortable with each other when they met only yesterday?" Molly asked.

Harry quickly averted his eyes, staring first at Ginny, who shrugged unknowingly, then at anything but the two women. Both noticed Harry's odd behavior and stared quizzically towards him.

"Harry, dear, do you know something?" Molly queried sweetly.

Shrugging his shoulders and tilting his head and said, "Meh." Molly hated being lied to, her face reddened in anger.

Ginny, growing suspicious and having frequent mood wings, threatened angrily, "Harry Potter, you have survived much in the past years, but your chances are slim for escaping the wrath of two angered Weasleys. And if you thought the beating from Ron when he found out was bad, wait until you she the Weasley women go at you." Her statement was clear; either he give the information easily, or have it beaten out of him. Well, he had another option.

Harry smiled. "Meh," he replied and apparated to a place where they wouldn't find him; The Grangers old place.

***

Ron and Destin had a great time together, they picked out a brilliant orange (closely resembling the Chudley Canons colour), along with white carpet, and Ron picked up everything needed to build a couple rooms onto the house. They drove back and talked about Quidditch.

"You and Harry were won the Gryffindor Quidditch team? Wow, I hope I'll get on the team."

"I'll help you practice. How would you like to see the Quidditch World Cup this year?" Ron asked, knowing he had two extra tickets.

"Really? You mean it?"

"Yes, as long as your mother agrees." Ron made a silent promise to bring Destin to the Quidditch shop tomorrow and buy her a broom. "Your mom is real tired, so when we get there we can't wake her."

"Okay. Lets just start painting right away."

Ron pulled into the driveway as he responded, "Sounds like a plan."

So the rest of the day was spent first cleaning her room, then putting two coats of paint on the walls. The went and had dinner at the Burrow, though it was not a calm atmosphere.

It was going okay; Molly and Ginny just did about their business quite, then Ron asked, "Where's Harry, Gin?"

Ginny replied angrily as she slammed food onto the table, "I don't know, but if he's not back soon I'm going to kick his bloody arse."

Ron, used to his sisters tempter, calmly asked, "What did he do?"

Ginny stopped and stared at him. Should she tell him the truth or just say forget about it and pretend everything's okay? Yeah, right. Tell Ron it's his fault, yah, that'd be smart. "Nothing," she muttered.

Now Ron was a little frustrated. "I know where he is then. I'll go and find out myself." Ginny turned to protest, but their was a faint 'pop'. Ginny grumbled and went back to setting the table.

***

Ron arrived in the kitchen of the old Granger mansion. He hadn't been here in a while; when bother her parents were killed, Hermione had sworn to never sell it, but live in it herself, or at least pass id down to her daughter. At the time she explained, when ever I have one.

"Harry," Ron called. "It's Ron, come tell me what my sister is in a twist about." Ron sat on a stool and waited. Harry came in from the living room and sat across from him.

"Ron, good thing you're here. I was hoping you'd come."

"What is it?" he asked curiously.

"Molly asked why you're so comfortable around Destin when you just met yesterday." Harry paused.

"You didn't ..."

"No! I apparated here before they could beat anything out of me."

"Ron put his face in his hand and both were silent for a few moments. "Well, I'll deal with it, but right now you have to get back to Ginny right away."

"Why?" Harry wasn't sure if she was hurt, what if that episode this morning was more serious than they thought?

"Because she was sick the morning, she's eating more than usual and has very frequent mood swings." Harry's eyes grew wide, Ron laughed. "Just act surprised when she tells you - happy surprised. Not what you just showed me."

Harry merely nodded." We ugh. Should get ... You know .... going."

Ron laughed again, then realized that he and Harry would have to dodge questions. "I'll go first, come shortly after. Dinner's almost ready and you know they don't like fighting in front of the children. At dessert I'll ask for your help over at the house. Okay?"

Harry, still with a glazed look in his eyes, mumbled, "Okay."

"Get that glazed look out of your eyes. Ginny'll notice." Harry nodded again and Ron dissapparated.

***

Dinner was quiet; Arthur was tired from work and ate silently, Molly and Ginny were still in a huff about Ron and Harry, Ron and Harry didn't want to push anything by talking like nothing was wrong, and all five children were eating as if they were never fed. Dessert was apple pie, and Ron took his cue to save Harry, as Ginny had angered eyes set on Harry.

"'Oi, Harry. I'm going to need some help with the house. I bought all the building supplies so I just need some help with measurements tonight. Think you could help?"

As if planned, Destin said, "Uncle Harry, you have to! Then after maybe you could help with my carpet!"

Harry smiled, first at Destin, then her father, wondering if indeed they planned this. "Well of course, how could I say no?" Harry paused, looking at Ginny. He continued, "Unless your Aunt Ginny doesn't think it wise." Harry played this card often when in trouble, knowing Ginny would rarely refuse.

"Auntie Ginny, would it be okay if Uncle Harry came over and helped tonight?" Destin asked as if Harry was her best friend and Ginny was the mother that could ruin everything.

Ginny smiled at the girl. "Yes, I don't see a problem." She had to admit, her husband had his ways.

"Thank-you so much! When do you think we'll go? I mean, it's gettin' pretty late." She was right; it had been a long day, but Ron still wanted the carpet in that night. By they time they had arrived back at the house it was nine o'clock. Destin changed into her pajama's, brushed her teeth and fell asleep almost instantly on the couch.

They carpet was easy install; with no flooring to rip up, all Harry and Ron had to do was lay the pre-cut carpet into place and staple it down around the edges.

"I forgot to buy molding, so we'll have to go back to the store after we finish at Diagon Alley," Ron said as he looked around the almost finished room.

"You're taking her to Diagon Alley? Shouldn't you move slower, so it isn't as obvious?" asked Harry, knowing what his wife and mother-in-law would think.

"I promised her Harry. And I want to spend time with her, they'd understand that, I'm sure. They're not going to question it again, as long as you learn to keep a secret when the subject is brought up. Don't advert your eyes, that's always the first sign you know something you're not 'posed to."

Harry rolled his eyes, "I can't lie to them like you can!"

"Then just tell them that it has something to do with my work and you weren't 'posed to find out. That's truth enough."

"Okay, I hope it works."

"It will, they're not any wiser. You should be going soon though. Trust me, the wrath of that particular Weasley is not something you want to provoke."

"I know, trust me." Harry apparated off.

Ron stayed in there, and ten minutes later a small voice came into the room. "Dad?"

Ron turned and saw Destin standing in the doorway. "Yes?"

"I had a bad dream," was the response.

"Ron smiled knowingly, "That's okay, lets go back to bed." Ron picked her up and carried her to the couch. He laid down with her on the couch and they fell asleep in each others arms.

***

Hermione woke up wondering where she was. She was in her own bed, but her room wasn't organized and she was in an unknown house. She figured she must be in her new home. Hermione was weak, but she felt better, more recovered then she thought she would be. She crawled out of bed and found that only her bed was partially set up, but her boxes of belongings were all there,

She was still in her dress, so she quickly changed into grey sweat pants and an old black muscle shirt, complete with small holes and rips and a size too big. She took a self guided tour of the house. She found Destins room and smiled. Ron had done a good job; the orange was perfect and the white carpet was a wise choice, for Destin was sure to change her mind in wall colour and white matched everything.

Next she found the bathroom, though it was old, she was happy it wasn't an outhouse. There was a fresh roll of toilet paper and she noticed Destins toothbrush by the sink. At least Ron did as mush as to make her brush her teeth.

She then found the kitchen and living room, which didn't have a wall for separation, and found almost everything else they had packed; boxes full of electrical appliances and odds and end, the exercise equipment, the recliner, some - plywood? She didn't know where that came from. Then a movement on the couch caught her attention. There was Ron, still clothed with some orange paint splattered on him, laying on his back holding Destin, who was in her pajama's and resting her head on Ron's chest, hair in tangles.

There was a 'pop' and Ginny was wither her. "Hermione! What are you doing out of bed?"

"Shh! Ron and Destin are sleeping," Hermione answered. "I'm fine Ginny," she reassured. "Just a little weak."

Ginny nodded, "Well sit down so I can check to make sure you're healing properly." Ginny pointed to the chair. Hermione followed without argument and sat down on the black leather recliner. She laid back and let Ginny do what ever she had to. Give minutes later Ginny announced, "You're doing good, but I'd like to give you a potion to speed up your recovery."

"So you're not just wishing for a speedy recovery, but you're taking action!" Hermione joked. When Ginny just looked at her she explained, "An old muggle saying."

Her and Ginny talked for awhile until Destin woke up, thus, after being jumped on, Ron also woke up.

"Mom! Auntie Ginny!" Destin exclaimed.

"Mornin' sunshine," Ginny replied sweetly. Hermione just smiled.

Destin ran up to Hermione and jumped on Hermione's lap. "Oh, careful hunny," said Hermione.

Destin looked down at her mothers not-as-swollen stomach. "Where's the baby?"

"The baby got sick hunny," she tried to explain.

"Oh." She paused. "I'm not going to be a big sister?"

"Not right now, maybe someday."

"That's okay. I was a little scared I wasn't ready anyhow. Did you see my room? Me and dad painted it and Uncle Harry helped put in the carpet." Destin bounced excitedly on Hermione's knee.

Ron sat up and yawned. "Yeah, we had a busy day yesterday. Destin, you should go change because we have another big day." Destin smiled and ran to find clothes for the day. "How you feelin' 'Mione?"

"Good, I guess. What's happening today?"

"I'm taking her to Diagon Alley and if it's okay with you I'd like to spoil her a bit.

"Why don't I come with you?"

"Hermione, I -" Ginny started.

"I'll take it easy Ginny, don't worry."

"I think you should come, it'll be good for you," Ron added.

"Great, I'll go get ready. Do we have plumbing?"

"Not a shower, we'll go over to the Burrow and while Destin eats we'll get washed up."

"Sounds like a plan."