A/N: A huge shoutout to my grandmother who doesn't live in the middle of nowhere, therefore I can get on the internet at her house. Therefore, I can post Chapter 6!!! Yey! I hope you like it; it's one of my favorites. Thanks a bunch for all the reviews, they were so appreciated. Keep up the good work!

"Why didn't you tell me you knew Anthony too?" I demanded of one of my oldest and ironically newfound friends.

Harry looked perplexed. "What does it matter?"

"It matters because," I looked around and whispered so he had to lean forward to hear me. "It matters because I would've run away if I had known he kept up with Ron, of all people. I would've run away versus showing him a picture of the only living proof that I ever had-" my voice dropped as low as I could speak and still be heard. "I ever had sex with Ron Weasley."

Harry laughed. "What're you going to do? Lock Baker in a closet?"

"I don't think you understand, Harry. I really, really, really, REALLY like Anthony."

"So...oooooooooooooooooooh," he said, comprehension dawning. "You really like him?"

"Yeah, and he just broke up with his girlfriend. Get this- she actually went by the name Gris. Ha! You should've heard me laugh."

"So...? That's the name Ron's girlfriend goes by, but they are one and the same, anyway."

"Ron has a girlfriend? Oh, he's...and she's. Whoa," I said, my eyes widening. "Was she cheating on Anthony?"

"It's one of the more common mysteries gossiped about at work," Harry answered, shrugging. "You know, you didn't used to care about petty stuff like this."

"But, well- this- this girl. Is she- uh, nice?"

"Oh, yeah, she's nice. Ginny doesn't like her because she's too nice. You know, I don't think Ginny has liked any of Ron's girlfriends in the past six years or so."

"Why? What does she say about them?"

"Depends on which one it is. When's the last time you talked to Ron?"

"July 2, 1998," I told him promptly.

"Hermione, I know it's hard but you have really got to meet him again. For Baker's sake at least. Let her have a dad."

"You can be her dad. Do we have to do this again, Harry?" I asked. "Haven't you preached to me enough?"

"I'm just trying to help you out for your own sake. It would be healthier physically and emotionally. Trust me; this is coming from a guy who lived a whole life without any real parents. It screws with your brain. Plus, you need help financially."

"Who told you that?" I asked angrily.

"Hermione, come on. You work at a book shop and you won't accept any help with money! You could not possibly be making enough to live on!"

"So what if I'm not. Who's saying Ron is?"

"He's an auror."

"Who still lives with his parents."

"Don't be such a snob, Hermione. You've got no room to be one."

"And what's that supposed to mean?!!?"

"Nothing," he answered quietly. He didn't quite meet my eye either.

"Oh, I get it. You think I'm just a little slut, don't you? Well, news flash! I don't need help nor want it."

"Oh, come on, Hermione. You know that's the furthest thing from my mind. You're just too annoying and too proud. What's the matter with a little help, huh? You try to brush away all the offers with the excuses of people insulting who you are and what you did when you were young- hell, just a kid! They offer because they care about you, Hermione. Now, take a deep breath and try to listen to someone else for once. I might have one good idea up in my puny little brain, you know?"

I sat down in a chair and crossed my legs. "Talk, then." I jiggled my foot absentmindedly.

He looked at me for a moment. "You really can be so annoying," he said, smiling. "Anyway, Mrs. Weasley invited me to their house for a... you know, early birthday party. Well, it's a combination of mine and Charlie's birthday parties. She said I could bring anybody I wanted and..."

"I will not go to the Weasleys house! You must be out of your mind!" I shouted, jumping up from my chair.

"What should I tell them then? You refused to come because you're scared of seeing Ron?"

"Don't tell them anything! I'm sure they've forgotten I exist," I replied stubbornly.

"I already told Ginny you were coming. She told Mrs. Weasley and she's just... thrilled." There was a triumphant gleam in his eye. I was not going to let him win that easily though.

"I might get sick then."

He smirked. "So, you're going to catch a magical ailment that Mrs. Weasley won't think is curable with chicken noodle soup? As if."

"Dammit, Harry, I'm just not going, ok?"

"You're going."

"No, I'm not!"

"You're going."

I flopped down. "I know."

"What about Baker? You going to take her?"

"That would be total murder-suicide, Harry. Get some common sense."

"Put away your pride and just admit you have a daughter! Nobody cares!"

"I do. I have a reputation, you know!"

"Of what, a liar?"

"Look, if the right time comes up... I'll- I'll tell them about Baker."

"And Ron?"

"Ron can shove it up his-"

"You can come over to my house at 6 tomorrow. Try to become well behaved again in that time." He got up to leave, and I stuck my tongue out at him as he closed the door. On top of all that, I had to go get Baker from Mum and Dad's- unless...

"So, you're sure it won't be a problem?" I asked into the telephone. I had to keep one to keep in touch with Mum and Dad.

"Of course not, we're just having a wonderful time. Except- she did catch the neighbor's yard on fire," Mum said affectionately. "It's just like you when you were little. Having those little 'magical accidents.'"

"Yeah, adorable. So, there's no problem?"

"Send her clothes."

"Yeah, they're coming now," I replied giving my wand a wave. "I'll be at the Weasleys if you need me. You remember where that is right?"

"Oh, yes, the lovely house just out of St. Ottery Catchpole."

"You can come by floo powder," I reminded her.

"Oh, I know, I know. You just have yourself a good time, sweetie."

"All right, Mum. Tell Baker I love her. And Dad too. 'Night. Goodbye." I hung up with an increasingly ominous feeling. What was I getting myself into?

"Harry, I just don't know..." I said, surveying my turquoise robes in his mirror. "This just doesn't seem right." I had apparated to his house so we could apparate to the Weasleys' together. I felt my stomach tighten and squirm.

"You look fine."

"I'm not talking about how I look. Do I?"

"Yes, and they know you. They like you. What matters?"

"Let's just go before I lose all the feeling in my legs."

"Suit yourself," he replied, shrugging. With a pop, we both appeared in front of the Weasleys' house."

"They're probably out back," he said, looking around the side of the house. Sure enough, there was music coming from the garden. My heart was beating so fast, I knew I was going to have a heart attack.

"Hermione, just chill," Harry said, taking my hand and leading me onward. He had to feel me shaking. We rounded a corner and were greeted by a huge picnic table and giant banner that bore the legend 'Happy Birthday, Charlie- n-Harry!' It looked like a piece of work by the hand of Ginny.

Then, there were Weasleys everywhere. Some red heads, the rest by marriage I suppose. I looked uneasily at Harry. He squeezed my hand. "I won't let you out of my sight. Promise."

I didn't believe him because at that very moment his eyes fell on Ginny. She was with...

"Anthony?" I asked. "He didn't tell me they were... going out. But," I looked at Harry, "I thought Ginny was interested in you."

"We've been off and on for about two years now. I sort of expected this. It's better than the time she brought Malfoy home. Ron just about died."

My mouth dropped. "No way."

Harry nodded tragically. "Anything to make me jealous."

"Hold up!" I swung around to look at him. "Is that why I'm here? To make Ginny jealous."

"No, you're here to talk to Ron," Harry replied. "Now, I'm going to go talk to Ginny. Feel free to mingle."

I knew it! He had planned this! He was going to leave me all alone until somebody took pity on me and came over to speak to me.

"Hermione? Hermione Granger?!" somebody exclaimed. It was Mrs. Weasley. I smiled good naturedly at her.

"Hi, Mrs. Weasley. Been a long time, hasn't it?"

"I know. Everything was so unusual when Ron stopped inviting the two of you... well, no matter. It's wonderful to see you!"

"Thanks." I studied the ground.

"Have you spoken to Ginny?"

"I was just going to," I returned. I began to make my way through the yard but stopped after a moment of reflection. Ginny didn't want to be bother right now. She had two guys fighting over her. She was busy.

I sat down in a lawn chair and tried to be small. Still no sign of Ron. There's good thing number one of the evening.

A girl with bleach blonde hair noticed me and took pity on me. She walked over, grinning.

"Hey, you look sort of lonely. Mind if I join you?"

"No, go right ahead," I told her, indicating a chair on my right. She sat down, still gazing at me intently.

"You look sort of lost."

"I feel sort of lost," I replied.

"Who are you here with?" she asked.

"Harry."

"Oh, you're like the guest of honor's date, which I think probably makes you really special,-um?"

"Hermione," I said. "Yeah, I guess so."

"You must've gone to Hogwarts."

"Yeah, I did."

"I went to Durmstrang, which was a really interesting experience. I didn't get accepted into Hogwarts. Wish I had've though."

Pausing for a moment to think how odd that was, I went on. "Did you know Viktor Krum?"

"Oh, the Quidditch player? Yeah, I remember him. But he was a couple years ahead of me, and we never spoke or anything. Why, do you know him or are you just a crazed fan?"

"No, I know him. We sort of used to... well, never mind. You probably want to get back to the party."

She groaned. "Not want to, need to. I can sit for a bit more with out going unnoticed probably."

"Gris!"

She looked up. "Or not."

There he was. His hair was red as ever, and he had grown so tall that surely he couldn't fit in his room anymore. Maybe I was exaggerating- I hadn't seen him in four years. He was smiling at that girl- Gris or whatever- as she bounced over to him. Then, I saw his eyes travel slowly over to mine and stop. He did a double take. Now, he was staring like a fool.

I waved sarcastically. "Bye," I said to Gris. She gave me a fleeting smile and ran up to grab Ron around the waist. He was still staring over her shoulder at me like I had just crawled out from my watery grave in his pond. I smirked at him. When the blonde girl had finally pulled him away, I flopped back down in my chair. This was great- just terrific. Why didn't they sign me up for the most pathetic ex-girlfriend in the world now while they still had a chance? Stupid Harry for dragging me here. Stupid me for coming. Stupid blonde girl for going out with Ron.

I had just decided to go when Harry walked back toward me looking pretty angry. Ginny and Anthony must've been having a good time.

He sat down in Gris' now unoccupied chair. "Ron, saw you."

"Did he tell you that?"

"No, but he's just about to die to get away from Griselda long enough to make sure he isn't having hallucinations."

"She can have him," I answered grumpily. "Please take me home, Harry. Nothing good has happened yet, and I'm not expecting it to anytime soon. And I want to pick my baby up."

"Just talk to him before you go. Speak. With your mouth. Tell him hi after four years. It isn't going to kill you."

"It might," I replied, looking dead serious.

"Haha. Here, have a biscuit," Harry said, holding out his hand. I took one and munched thoughtfully. "Do you mind if I-? I'll be right back." I nodded and watched him walk away.

I got up too. I could at least take a walk to ease my nerves. I did not belong around these people. They made me crazy!

Nobody noticed me walking out of the garden, thank goodness. I strolled a little further.

"Hey! HEY!"

My heart caught in my throat and I walked on like I hadn't heard anything. There was a pitter patter of feet as someone ran up behind me. He grabbed my hand and turned me around.

"Ron."

"Hermione," he said, catching his breath. He looked at me for a second. "Come on, we need to talk." I didn't move as he made his way back toward the house. He turned around. "Please?"

I followed him.

A/N: Well, I guess we'll call that more of a 'Ron taster.' Don't worry, you'll be subjected to him for the whole rest of the story. I'll update next time I get a chance, promise!

Emilyshka: I had to answer yours first because I have mentioned how much I love you, right? I guess I did get a little overexcited on reviews (they are just so great), but it's not like I threatened to never post again if I didn't get that many. Never hurts to ask, I guess.

LINY: It is funny how you hate the girlfriend already when she could be the nicest girl in the world. lol. I hope you enjoy this post.

Tiggieotoo: Oh, yes, a fellow Ron lover. He's back; yey! And, if I say right, will you not kill me? Uhm...right.

Shaunna: I'm so glad! Sorry, honey, the split up is revealed in chapter 10. Again, sorry. At least it's written!

MPPSexxySiriusJamesRemus: Thanks for reviewing both the chapters, hun! I'm glad you took the time.

Whirledpeas08: Hi, I'm glad you discovered my story. I love it when people discover my story, especially when the like it.

Diddley-dum: I'm glad you like it. He will!

CraPpLeb33: No worries, you reviewed all the same! I'm glad you like the other characters, they are cool too (not as cool of course, but cool too). I lurve you back!

FigureEight: You did review twice right? Just so I'm not confused. Ron is going to know about Baker soon, but it's a while before he'll 'KNOW' about her. Uhm, yeah, you'll understand later.

Tiffany-45: Omigod, that summary made my day. Oh yes, a mentally handicapped dementor. Rotflmao!!! Yeah, I'm sorry to keep not doing what you think I'm about to; it's good to know I'm not totally predictable though. Yeah, that explanation I think you were talking about is in Chapter 10. It'll be up sooner than you think though. I hope...