Disclaimer: I am not JK Rowling, she owns all these wonderful characters, I am just 'playing' with them

A/N: Please Read and Review, Criticisms are welcome, first fic ever. Still tweaking the wedding, it's next, check back in a few days.

CHP 8: Wake-up Call

Buried under the covers of her soft bed Hermione let out a small groan. The sunlight was pouring in through her window, disturbing her sleep. After a loud yawn she shoved a pillow over her head she snuggled deeper under the covers. She sat up in bed a few minutes later; the aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled her senses. 'How in the world?' she thought to herself.

Rubbing her eyes she glanced to the foot of her bed where Ginny had sat a few hours before. Ron had replaced Ginny. Letting out a yelp when she saw Ron starring at her, Hermione dove back under the covers. Peeking her eyes out a few minutes later she saw that Ron hadn't moved.

"Ron? Why are you in my bedroom?" she finally managed to ask.

"I was watching you sleep."

"Oh." She had been prepared to yell at him for nearly scaring her to death but snuggled under the covers instead.

"Is that coffee for me?"

Ron handed her the cup of coffee he held in his hands. She gratefully took a sip willing the caffeine to sharpen her fuzzy mind.

"Uh Ron, shouldn't you be at work or something?" she asked. Ron just smiled at her.

"Well, Harry is my partner and he is off because of the wedding so I don't have much to do. Just stay caught up on my paperwork. I've been going into the office every few days. If anything serious happened they would owl Harry or me. I actually stopped on my way back from the Ministry."

"Oh." Again Hermione didn't have much to say, she wasn't used to waking up with company, much less with Ron.

"Come on, get up" prompted Ron scooting closer to Hermione. He took her coffee cup and sat it down on the bedside table. When Hermione made no attempt to get up he dove on her and began tickling her stomach.

"Rooooooon!" she squealed struggling against his assault. "STOP IT!"

"Okay, I'll get up...just STOP!"

Ron stopped his tickling and grinned at Hermione. Taking advantage of the halt, Hermione reached out to tickle Ron. Turn about was only fair play. It didn't take long for Ron to over power her weak attempts. He sat next to her on the bed holding her wrists firmly to keep her from tickling him. Ron just smiled as Hermione pouted. Ron leaned in and gave Hermione a small kiss before jumping off of the bed. "Get dressed and meet me downstairs." Ron hurriedly exited the room, trying to get the images of Hermiones tousled bed head out of his mind. He had watched her sleep for almost an hour, just watching, taking in the nuances of her face.

After about 20 minutes, Hermione emerged from her room face freshly scrubbed. She was much more awake after magicing up another cup of coffee. Ron was sitting on the sofa reading one of Hermione's spell damage books. He looked up when he heard her enter the room and flashed his devastatingly handsome smile.

"Ready to go?"

"Uh, where exactly are we going Ron?" she asked puzzled.

"It's a surprise"

"Nu-uh, tell me now or I'm not going" she said defiantly.

"Alright" said Ron awkwardly "I wanted you to help me find a wedding gift for Ginny and Harry, ya know something from the muggle world, that way it will be unique."

"Oh, of course I'll help you pick out a gift, do you have any ideas?"

Ron shook his head no. Hermione let out a small sigh; she knew how much Ron hated to shop. "Okay, um let's go to the mall then?" Hermione grabbed a jacket as she headed out the door.

When Ron and Hermione arrived at the mall Ron stood in awe of the building. He had been in a mall before but she could tell he was exactly like his father, completely amazed by the muggles.

"Where do we start?" asked Ron taking up Hermione's hand as they walked.

"I don't know, it would help if I had an idea of what you wanted Ron" said Hermione as she was drug into a toy store. "You want to buy them a toy?" she asked puzzled. "I'm just looking 'Mione" said Ron as he picked up a muggle chess piece, perplexed because it wasn't moving.

Two teenagers playing a video game quickly drew his attention. Ron stood nearby completely amazed at the pictures whizzing by on the screen; the boys were playing a racing game. "'Mione?"

"No, Ron, Ginny would kill me if I let you give that to Harry."

"But?"

Hermione shook her head no before leaving the shop. "Hey Ron, I think I have a better idea." She and Ron made there way out of the mall. Hermione led Ron to an outdoor market; there were numerous items and stalls to visit.

After wandering around for a while, Hermione made her way to a stall and picked up a bracelet. It was several layers of hammered silver intertwined. "How much?" Ron asked the teenage girl working the register.

"--$15"

Ron paid the sum much to Hermiones protest, "It's a gift Hermione, and you have to take it, so stop arguing." Ron took the bracelet from her hand and placed it on her wrist. "Call it a thank you present for taking me shopping. Come on lets fine something for Harry and Ginny."

"How about this Hermione?" said Ron as he picked up a very old looking snow globe. Hermione took the globe from Ron and gently shook it, marveling at the snow and sparkle. "I think its perfect Ron; remember Harry and Ginny's first date was in Hogsmeade right after Christmas? This snow globe looks exactly like it."

While Ron paid for the snow globe, Hermione glanced at the other items on display. Her eye was drawn to a set of mother of pearl hair combs. Picking them up, she went to the cashier and paid for them. After securing them in her purse, she led Ron away from the Market, back towards her house.