Ch 3 Couch Potato

Ron sat in his room dying of boredom. Now that all his older brothers and his dad worked, he was stuck with Ginny and his mom. He only saw Fred and George at night and they were usually tired. They were going around preparing for their new joke shop, Weasleys' Wizarding Wheezes by day. Ginny often went to a friend's house. So Ron just sat in his room staring at the ceiling. Just when he was about to doze off 2 letters dropped on his head. He knew at once whom they were from and sat up in excitement.

"Ah! Civilization." he joked." It's about time too. It's been 2 days since I sent them. What took them so long?"

He looked at the two and decided to open Harry's first.

Dear Ron,

Hey! What's up with you. Hope you're not dying of boredom. (Ron looked up from the letter. "How does he know?" he laughed softly and went back to reading.)

Well, you bet I'm happy to get away from those crazy Drusleys. I'm just fortunate I had your house to go to during the summer and Hogworts for the school year, or I wouldn't know what to do. Anyway you should've been there to see their faces when Sirius came to pick me up. Dudley was holding his big fat bottom like in 4th year. Remember?

(Ron laughed) And Uncle Vernon had a bat and aunt Petunia was behind him and Dudley behind her. Out of nerves he accidentally hit her in the leg and she knocked Dudley over and he rolled on the floor it hilarious. Thank goodness I won't be going back to that nut house or see the nutters in it ever again. Living with Sirius is great. He's like the father I never had. He bought me new clothes that fit, he listens to what I think, we stay up talking, laughing, everything. I'm truly happy now. But since I know what you're going through, I'll come. Sirius will be at the burrow the day we leave for King's Cross Station. OK, see you at 4:00 on Saturday.

–Harry

Ron smiled. He was happy for his best friend. "Now for the moment of truth." he took Hermione's letter and looked at it for a while." Here it goes." he said opening the letter.

My Dear Ron,

How are you? Dying of boredom? I hope not. How is your family? Well my travels have been wonderful. I've been to France, Italy, China, Rome and New York. Everything was lovely. I wish all of you could've been with me. I really miss you guys a lot. Sorry this took so long to get back. Pig had a hard time locating me on a plane that moves faster then he does, but he's gotten so big. Of course I'll come. I'll be there at noon on Saturday. Ok Ron, can't wait to see you.

Love,

Hermione

"How did she know is it plastered somewhere that I'm bored out of my mind. Well she's coming and what does that love mean." he said confused. "She missed me! That's proof she feels the same way about me as I do about her. I'm going to tell her when she gets here." He said hopefully. Just when he had a gleam of happiness those negative thoughts snuck in. Then he thought out loud. "Wait, what about our just friends agreement. She's not the type to go off her word. Oh!!! I don't know. I'm going to get something to eat." he said hopelessly and went downstairs confused about the whole thing. He saw Ginny on the couch watching the muggle TV. She was laughing like crazy.

"What's sooo funny?"

"Oh! Oh... this show." she said panting because of how hard she was laughing. "Its hilarious, they call it Monty python. Come! Sit and watch with me."

"Umm let me think. No I'd rather not and where's mum?"

"She went shopping. Aww come on Ron, it won't kill you to laugh will it? Besides what else are you gonna do? Go in your room and talk about you 'I- ma-gin-ary Friend' about Hermione." she said teasingly and laughing more.

"Shut up you big prat, and when she gets here you don't say a word." he said warningly.

"Calm down brother. But in my opinion, I think she likes you and you two will make a great match."

"Really?"

"Yeah, and that you will mess it up some how." she laughed again.

"That's not funny!"

"Ok sorry but I really do think you two belong together. When is she coming anyway? "Sunday at noon."

"Ok and ... is Harry... coming too?" said Ginny trying not to sound too interested.

"Yes, what's-"

"When!" she cut him off.

"Later today, wait... why?" he said looking at her suspiciously.

"No reason at all." she got up. "umm... I'm gonna go take a shower, its really hot out."

"Relax Ginny he's not coming till 4:00 and it's only 1:00. You've got plenty of time to try and look nice like you don't care he's here. Don't worry he won't notice you anyway he's going with Cho remember?" said Ron laughing.

"Oh yeah... her." She said dully." Ah shut up Ron!" she said realizing he'd just insulted her. "I'm just going to shower. What are you going to do when Hermione gets here spill your guts out? Wait! Maybe I should... hmm." said Ginny with a menacing smile. Ron attempted to get up like he was going to chase her. She quickly ran to her room and locked the door. Ron sat down to eat his lunch with a smile.

"That oughta hold her off for a while."

After finishing his lunch, he was intrigued by the Monty python program and went over to the couch to watch it. He sat there glued to the screen not even noticing that his mom had returned home. Hours passed and he just sat there laughing to the point where he turned brighter than his hair, and fell off the couch. Then someone appeared by the doorway.

It was Harry.

"RON! You alright must be some show if you're laughing that hard!"

"What, huh.... Oh! Umm... err... Harry! Nice to see you." said Ron quickly.

They both were laughing.

"Oh the muggle program some guy named mighty python or something. It was just really funny." Said Ron

"Hey, I know this program and it's Monty python"

"Oh Really?"

"Yeah you've forgotten I lived in the muggle world for 11 yr. and some summers." said harry laughing.

"Well what are you doing here I thought you were coming at 4:00."

"Well if you'd look at the time it's 4:10."

"Really! How long have I been on the couch?"

"Were you that bored Ron. You'd better watch it Ron before you turn into what muggles like to call a couch potato." said Harry laughing.

"What's that?" said Ron confused.

"A lump... someone who just sits there and watches TV and let life and time pass by; only getting up for food or to go to the bathroom."

"Well that's not gonna be me." said Ron shocked and a little insulted.

"Don't worry Ron. So where is everyone?"

"At work and Ginny's upstairs so is mum.... I think. You'll see Fred and George tonight, and Hermione's arriving tomorrow."

"Oh... Ok I see why you're so bored. I can't wait for Hermione to get here."

"Why?" said Ron curiously eyeing him.

"Because I wanna know how her trip was but more about what she bought us." he said laughing a little.

"Oh...yeah... me too." said Ron calming down.

Just then Ginny came down. She had on a jeans mini skirt, a white shirt, her hair in a ponytail, and smelling like mom's perfume. Ron saw her and laughed. Ginny shot him a shut up look and he stopped.

"Oh hi Harry when did you get here?" she said with a smile coming over to the couch and in between him and Ron.

"Like you didn't know," said Ron in a muffled voice. She jabbed him in the ribs.

"Ouch! What'd you do that for?"

"Because you're a stupid git." she laughed. Harry spoke.

"Not to long ago. How are you?"

"I'm fine." she said blushing at the fact he cared to ask. "And you, I heard you were moving in with Sirius how's that?"

"How's Cho?" said Ron with a smile. Ginny frowned at him.

"Well actually we broke up over the summer." Ginny turned and smiled quickly then put on an I'm sorry face.

"Aww! I'm sorry to hear that."

"She's just not what I expected, but I'm good and it's going fine. I love living with him; he's my real guardian anyway."

"Oh ok good." Said Ginny gazing at him. Ron saw this.

"Well enough small talk. Don't you have... things to do Ginny?" said Ron quickly.

"No, not really."

"Well find some! Come on harry lets get your stuff to my room and play some wizard chess."

"Oh so you can win over all the rounds." said Harry.

"Naturally" he said with a smile and bent down to get Harry's bag. Ginny grabbed his collar.

"Git!" whispered Ginny.

"Are you trying to embarrass me."

"Prat! Let go of me."

"Well I can play too. Oh Harry!" She called to him.

"Hmm!" said Harry.

"Guess who has a crush on Herm-" Ron's eyes grew wide and he cut her off with a kick on her leg.

"Ouch!" yelled Ginny with anger on her face. She glared at Ron, and he glared back.

"What'd you say Ginny." she opened her mouth to say something. Ron quickly cut her off.

"Uh... let's go! The girl's barking mad."

"No I'm not. But he is for-" she yelled smiling.

"Don't worry about what she's talking about. Let's go!" said Ron pushing him away from her.

"OK-----" said Harry reluctantly and confused. "Bye Ginny! See yea later." He said following Ron up the stairs.

"Bye!" she called after him smiling.

"Ohhh!" she sighed. "He's soooo...hot."

The day had passed, and it was 7:00 and time for dinner. Harry and Ron were upstairs in Ron's room playing wizard chess and talking about Quidditch. Of coarse ron was winning all the chess games.

"That's 12 to 0. I win ...again."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah stop gloating," said Harry glumly. Ron was laughing.

"I don't get what's so difficult about the game that you can't win against me." He said sarcastically. "You should umm... try some techniques or something... although, I don't think it'll help." he said laughing again.

"Time for dinner boys!" yelled Mrs. Weasley from downstairs.

"Coming mum! Let's go Harry. Race ya!"

They ran downstairs. Ron got there first. Mrs. Weasley turned around to greet them.

"Well guess your father is working late again." She said worried. "Harry! Nice to see you dear." harry smiled and gestured a Hi with his hand, but Mrs. Weasley came towards him and gave him a hug.

"Thanks Mrs. Weasley for letting me come this summer."

"No problem dear you've been coming here so long it's like a ritual" she giggled. Harry noticed Fred, George, and Ginny already sitting down.

"Hey Harry!" said Fred and George together.

"Hi guys! how are you? How's the business?"

"Booming we're almost there. In fact, we're going building shopping tomorrow." Said Fred.

"That's great guys." George leaned over to Harry's side.

"Yeah thanks. For... you know. It helped us get started." George whispered.

"Don't mention it." Harry whispered back. Ron looked up at them curiously from his food, then went back to scarfing it down.

"So how's moving in with ...uh... Sirius dear? Asked Mrs. Weasley." Are you getting enough to eat? Because I can-"

"No, no I'm fine I get enough to eat but thanks."

"Are you sure because-"

"Mom he said he was ok." said Ron irritatedly.

"I was just making sure. That's all!"

Harry smiled. He felt that as much as Sirius was like a father to him, Mrs. Weasley was like a mother. There was silence for a while. Then Ginny smiled at Harry. He looked up slowly and smiled back.

"So Harry tell us more about the moving." she asked. Harry looked at Ron, and they both laughed together. Everyone looked at them confused.

"Come on let us in on the joke. We all could use a laugh," said Fred.

"Should I tell them about the Dursleys Ron." said harry with a smile.

"Yeah, they'll get a real kick out of it." They laughed again.

"Come on." urged Ginny.

"Ok, ok." Harry told them all about the incident with the Dursleys and more. They were all laughing and conversing into the night. After dinner the guys went outside to play some Qudditch. Ginny helped her mom clean up then went to watch TV.

Nine o'clock came soon. And Fred and George had to leave them.

"We're sorry guys, but if we're to wake up early tomorrow to go building shopping we need to get some sleep." said George.

"Aw! You're starting to sound like Percy," said Ron.

"Oh yeah well at least he's got his priorities in order. He's always has. He might be a backstabbing prat, but he makes a good living. That's what we need to do now and so do you two. No more goofing off. Life's not one big joke Ron! You won't have forever. Think about it. What do you want to do after Hogworts?" said Fred. Ron was dumbfounded and wondering when his brothers got so smart.

"Just as we thought. But not to sound like mom Ron, but think about the future. It is your last year by the way."

"Who are you to talk? Look at what you did in your last year?" Said Ron accusingly.

"Do not dwell in the past little brother." Said George. "Besides we were young."

"It's only been 3 years."

"Really it's seems longer."

"Well anyway we're sorry but we have to go. Remember what I said. See you tomorrow night," said Fred as him and George went inside and said good night to Ginny and their mum. Harry and Ron looked at each other.

"He's right you know," said Harry.

"I'm going to bed," Ron said bluntly.

And with that said they all went to bed.

Mrs. Weasley stayed up for Mr. Weasley. Harry and Ron went up to Ron's room and changed for bed.

"Well goodnight Ron."

"What... oh yeah. Good night Harry"

Ron lay there with a preoccupied mind. As much as he didn't want to admit it. Fred and George were right. He thought for a while and didn't really know what he wanted to be. He realized he really let time go, and that he was describing a couch potato. The thought of it made him frown. Then he thought of Hermione's beautiful face. She had everything collected and probably knew what she wanted to do. Then he went back to her face.

"Whatever the future holds for me I'll be happy if she's part of it." Thinking of her put his mind at ease and he eventually drifted off to sleep.