-Out of the Storm …-

The car ride was long but fun. Ron and Hermione had been talking nonstop for the past three hours, each sharing their own summer vacation stories. Hermione was impressed when Ron told her about Fred and George's success, but was completely blown away when Ron told her about the money he was making, his drivers license and how he was saving up for a new broom, and a future house.

The rain was still pouring when they reached the drive way to the Burrow. The dark storm clouds overhead made it seem like it was closer to ten o'clock rather then five in the afternoon.

As Ron parked the car in front of his house, he turned off the engine and leaned forward to look out of the window and up at the sky. He hadn't noticed it before, but there was quite the storm outside.

Streaks of lightening were bolting across the sky everyfifteen seconds, making the back to back crash of thunder sound like millions of bombs falling from the sky. He looked over at Hermione who was peering out of her passenger window, watching the huge rain drops pound the earth.

Hermione pulled her wide eyes away from the window and looked over at Ron, who was apparently thinking the same thing she was.

"Well, I guess we better run for it. We should probably leave the bags here in the car, trying to unload now will only get us wetter."

Hermione nodded, "But we have to take Crookshanks. We can even just let him run for it; we don't have to take his cage right now." Hermione crawled into the back seat and unlocked Crookshanks' cage. The ginger cat didn't move, but looked frightened at the sight outside.

Hermione shrugged. "Well, I guess he'll come later. We may as well run for it now." Hermione grabbed Ron's hand as he helped her back into the front seat. They both looked at each other, and then Ron nodded and opened up his car door.

The wind was something they didn't expect. It was blowing the already hard rain into their faces and Hermione's unbuttoned rain coat was being ripped off. Ron ran around the car and grabbed Hermione and her coat, and then led her to the front door. It was locked.

"You didn't bring a key?" yelled Hermione over the rain, wind and thunder.

"My Mum was supposed to be home." Explained Ron, feeling mighty embarrassed as they both stood in the rain, soaked to the bone. He grabbed Hermione by the hand and took her around the house to the back door.

It too was locked.

He pulled out his wand and pointed it into his hand. He mumbled and few words, and to Hermione's amazement, Ron's index finger on his left hand took the shape of a key.

He thrust his finger in the keyhole, and to his relief, the door slowly opened. He held the door open for Hermione who started to say, "Whoa! Ron I didn't know you could do the ..." but Ron gently pushed her into his house.

As they stood there in the kitchen, Ron had an odd feeling. He had closed the door and both him and Hermione were standing in a very dark, very quiet house.

Besides all of the noise of the storm from outside, nothing was moving or making a sound. No dishes were being washed magically in the sink, no brothers running around the house, no Ginny talking to Mum, not even a fire in the fireplace.

Ron stood there silent for a good minute. So this is what it feels like to be home alone thought Ron, for he had never, not once in his life been at home with no one else around. He didn't know what to do; the place looked so different to him.

Hermione was getting colder by the second, she was completely soaked and she was feeling her nipples tighten because of the wet, cold blouse. "Ron do you think you could let me use the shower? I'm so cold I think I'm going to be sick."

"Oh – yeah, defiantly." Said Ron only now realizing that he was not completely alone. He walked Hermione up the stairs and showed her into the bathroom. She smiled and then closed the door, leaving him in the hallway with his heart slowly quickening.

I'm home, alone, with the girl of my dreams. What should I do? Should I make a move? He thought as he felt himself warming below the belt. He was excited, in more ways then one. He could make a move right now. Why not? He was home alone. But for how long? And more importantly, Does she even like me?

Ron was awaken out of his thoughts when he heard the sound of running water from the other side of the door. He began to imagine Hermione's body underneath the warm water. Water running down her face…neck…breasts… stomach, and Ron felt his own stomach do a weird sort of flip.

He took a deep breath and headed for his bedroom, only to open the door and find the room completely empty, but for a note lying on the ground. He picked up the note and read,

Ron,

Sorry your father and I won't be home when you get this surprise. I wanted so much to be there, but we had to go pick up Ginny at the Lovegood's and you know that any visit with them will never be a short one. I hope you and Hermione made it home alright. I heard there was to be a nasty storm headed your way.

Anyways, your father and I have decided to give you Fred and George's old room. We re-painted it, bought you a bigger bed (since you've well out grown your old one) and we moved all of your belongings as well. Oh and do make sure you get Hermione set up in Ginny's room dear, don't spend too much time in your room and forget about her.

See you soon,Mum

Ron had completely forgotten about his and George's conversation a few weeks earlier, but now as Ron stood there in the bare orange room, he worried to think what his mother had done to his new one.

He ran out of his old room, down the stairs and turned down the right hall. He passed the bathroom where Hermione was still showering and headed straight for the door in front of him.