CHAPTER FIVE – A Rather Awkward Dinner

Cool to be a Fool

Hannah Holt

"Hey, guys," Hermione said as she approached her two best friends sitting on a couch in the lobby. Ron gaped at her. She looked even prettier than before, if that was possible. Her hair wasn't curly anymore, but straight as anything. It was pulled half way up and the rest fell quite a few inches past her shoulders. But her hair wasn't what caught Ron's eye, of course. It was the dress she was wearing. It was a medium lavender color which matched her darkened skin incredibly well. It was pretty low cut, but in a classy way. It stopped right above her knees and flowed out a little more than it did as it tightened around her waist. It also had some fluorescent material that covered the lilac and shined when she stood in a certain light. Ron was amazed.

"Hey, Hermione," Harry said easily, standing from his chair. Ron stood, too, still not saying a word. Hermione just kind of looked at him.

"What's wrong with him?" Hermione asked, looking at Harry then back to Ron.

"Speechless, I think." Harry commented.

"Oh, that's a first." Hermione smiled, continuing to stand there.

"Uh... Hi," Ron managed before snapping out of whatever it was and laughing at himself like it was nothing. "Sorry, I'm just... Wow." He stopped before he could make even more of a fool of himself.

Harry shook his head and rolled his eyes. "Ready to eat?" He asked. He'd been starving since they'd arrived, but he didn't want to rush the love birds.

"Yeah," Hermione replied and followed Harry towards the large dining area located off of the lobby. Ron still didn't say anything as the three were seated and handed menus. "Gosh, I am starving." Hermione proclaimed as she looked through her menu. She was sitting next to Ron and across from Harry in a booth with a rather romantic setting: low lights, dark cushions... Surprisingly enough, she didn't feel uncomfortable in the least.

Harry began to skim the menu. "Wow, all of this looks good, doesn't it, Ron?" Harry looked up to meet Ron's eyes.

"Sure does," Ron replied, also looking through his menu.

"Hey, guys, my name's Rusty and I'll be your waiter today." The tall waiter stood at the end of the table with his pen and notepad waiting to take their order. "What can I get to drink for the lovely lady today?" He asked, looking at Hermione who blushed and ordered water like she always did. "Water? Alright. And for you?" He asked, looking at Ron.

"Coke," Ron replied. It was his favorite muggle drink in the world.

"And you?" He looked at Harry.

"Tea, please," Harry responded, still not looking up from his menu.

"Alright, be right out." Rusty scribbled a few more words on his note pad and headed off in the other direction.

"Hermione, you look nice this evening," Harry complimented, still browsing his menu. He had always been the picky eater of the three.

"Thanks, Harry. That means a lot," She smiled back at him before closing her menu and laying it down in front of her.

"You already know what you want?" Ron asked, obviously shocked.

"Yeah..." Hermione gave him a sideways glance. "I always order the same thing."

"Wait, let me guess, Shrimp Alfredo." Ron smiled and rolled his eyes as she nodded enthusiastically.

"It's my favorite, I can't help it!" She giggled and smiled her perfect smile at him. 'Wow, he looks amazing in that blue shirt,' was all Hermione could think as they sat there in the restaurant and Harry acted like he couldn't hear a word they were saying.

"Whatever," Ron replied, still pretending to look through his menu, but Hermione knew what he'd order, too. He was as predictable as anything.

"Well, I know what I want." Harry said confidently, also shutting his menu and placing it carelessly on top of Hermione's.

"Me, too." Ron replied. "Shrimp Scampi." Hermione and Ron recited at the same time. "How'd you know that, Miss Granger, or shall I call you Dr.?" He gave her a teasing smile and she bit her lip playfully.

"I just know you that well, Mr. Weasley," Hermione said with a devilish grin almost like an invitation for him to retort so they could get into one of their spats they were so famous for and had been famous for since their school years.

"Oh, really?" Ron stared at her waiting for her response until she looked over at Harry who was rolling his eyes. Harry gave a huge sigh.

"What's wrong with you?" Hermione asked looking at him suspiciously.

"Oh, nothing at all." Harry responded coolly looking up at the ceiling.

"Really, Harry, why are you being such a prat?" Ron squinted his eyes at his best friend who was obviously not speaking what he was thinking.

"It's just that I didn't know there could be so much sexual tension between two people after, what... three years?" Harry smiled as sweetly as he could looking at his two best friends, watching them tense. Silence filled the air. "I'm sorry, I just had to get it out." Harry looked around rather uncomfortably and watched as the two tried to avoid eye contact with each other. "Don't get freaked out, but it's true."

"He's right, Ron," Hermione muttered quietly, trying her hardest not to turn red even though it wasn't working.

"Yeah, I guess so," was all Ron could say. He kept forcing himself not to look over at that cute little lavender dress and do inappropriate things to her then and there.

"Didn't meant to put a damper on things. Sorry, guys," Harry apologized looking at Ron carefully, studying him.

"It's true, Harry. A lot has changed with the three of us, but some things never change and we'll just have to deal with it." Hermione looked at Ron.

"And how do you suppose we do that?" Ron asked, still not looking at Hermione, but staring at Harry. Hermione was so intent in looking at Ron that she didn't notice Harry mouthing 'YOU HAVE TO TELL HER TONIGHT OR I WILL' and Ron's efficient, but quick nod.

Before anyone who could answer Ron's question, Rusty came up to the table, pen and paper in hand, ready to take their orders.

"You guys ready to order?" He asked, smiling politely at Hermione. Ron felt a surge of jealousy, watching this strange man looking at Hermione lustfully.

"Yes," Hermione replied shortly. "I'd like... Shrimp Alfredo, no tomatoes, please." She looked up at the tall waiter with a smile and he winked at her. Ron wanted to fight him then and there. 'Nobody looks at my girl that way,' Ron thought. 'She's not your girl, Ron.' was all he could think. 'Well, she's not your girl yet.'

"Ron, go ahead and order," Hermione nudged him, glancing at him.

"Oh, sorry... uh, Shrimp Scampi, please. Hold the mushrooms," He smiled as best he could and watched as Hermione handed the menus back to Rusty with an even bigger smile, causing Ron to roll his eyes and Harry to laugh at his best friend's reaction.

"So, how's life treating you, Harry?" Hermione asked curiously, smiling. Ron felt her next to him, uncrossing her legs and crossing them again as she did when she wanted to just sit and talk as the best friends they'd been many years ago. He'd noticed the different moods she was in by the way she twirled her hair or the faces she made after he or Harry said something long before he'd ever fallen in love with her. Or maybe he'd been in love with her all along. He couldn't tell. It was all a blur since the very first day that he'd said 'I Love You' and meant it.

"Could you excuse us for a minute, please, Harry?" Ron asked impatiently, shifting his weight from one leg to the other. The three of them were standing outside of the locker rooms after an incredibly Quidditch game in which they'd kicked the Slytherins' butts and Draco had ended up with his face in mud.

"Why, Ron? There's nothing you can say to me that you can't say to Harry?" Hermione questioned, watching Ron suspiciously.

"Actually, there is," Ron looked at Harry and Harry could tell whatever Ron had to say was pretty important and he probably didn't want to be there to hear because he knew exactly what it was. The whole school knew.

"I need to go shower anyway. Ginny's waiting on me," Harry smiled at the two of them and walked into the locker rooms, leaving Ron and Hermione alone. It was seventh year and Harry couldn't believe it had actually taken them this long to figure out that they were meant to be together, or whatever. The whole situation was stupid.

"What is it, Ron? Did something happen?" Hermione questioned with a hint of concern in her voice. "Is everything okay?"

"Yes, everything's okay... great, actually." Ron paused and looked up at Hermione. "Hermione, I love you."

Hermione stopped.

"What did you just say?" Hermione's eyes widened as she watched Ron.

"I love you." Ron pulled her in closer and their lips met for the first time.

"Life's not so bad, I guess." Harry replied, snapping Ron out of his dream. He'd been zoning out a lot more frequently since he'd come into contact with Hermione. He couldn't figure out exactly what his problem was.

"I saw where you got voted #1 Bachelor in Witch Weekly. That should make you happy," Hermione laughed and Ron smiled as he noticed the cute little way her nose twitched when she was giddy and giggly.

"As happy as a bachelor can be," Harry sighed longingly.

"What does that mean, Mr. Single?" Hermione looked at him and placed her chin in her hand with her elbow on the table. Ron couldn't help but notice how incredibly sexy she looked when she did that.

"I don't know. I think it's just time for me... to find Mrs. Right, you know? Stop fooling around with the Quidditch cheerleaders or whatever the hell they call them and find someone I can settle down with." Harry remarked, sounding more mature than Hermione had ever heard.

Hermione almost fell out of the booth.

"You're kidding... I'd NEVER guessed you of all people would say that, Harry!" Hermione exclaimed, smiling. Ron was still watching her, not paying attention the conversation that she and Harry were holding.

"Well, it's true. I really do want someone that I can wake up to every morning and come home to every night." Harry said, looking at Hermione with a serious expression.

"Yeah, and something else every night..." Ron replied, chuckling.

"You said your sister was still single, right, Ron?" Harry smiled maliciously at Ron who shut up.

"Anyway, boys," Hermione tried to end the argument that was going to start any minute. "How's life been treating you, Ron? We haven't really had much time to talk lately..."

"Unless you call making out in elevators quality time these days, then you guys have a lot of catching up to do." Harry was such a smart ass sometimes. She was right. Some things never changed.

"Thank you, Harry." Ron replied curtly, giving his friend a look that could kill. Ron turned back to Hermione. "Life's been pretty good the past few years... Nothing too exciting, I don't guess."

Harry shot Ron a look and Hermione smiled at the red head. Harry mouthed 'TELL HER NOW.' Ron shook his head. 'I WILL!' was Harry's response.

"Don't!" Ron refused out loud.

"Don't what?" Hermione asked, obviously very confused.

"Don't... spill the tea? Yeah, that's it. He almost spilt his tea. If he'd reached over to grab the napkin like he was about to.." Ron tried to cover, but Hermione looked at the two of them suspiciously.

"Right," Hermione shrugged it off as Rusty approached the table with the food.

"Let's eat," Ron said, trying to change the subject. He was dreading telling her about Maley. Maybe he wouldn't have to after all. He didn't want to hurt her again, but she'd find out eventually, if not from him, but from Harry and then she'd be even more pissed off. What's the worst that could happen? Ron didn't want to think about it as he began to eat his food and dreaded the latter of the evening. He had a feeling this wasn't going to be good.

[Author's Note~~ Hello, my faithful readers/reviewers! Thanks for reading Ch 5… I really actually liked the way this chapter wrote itself… Who's Maley? Hmm… we'll find out as soon as you guys review! THANKS SO MUCH! 3hannah holt]