Disclaimer: Everything belongs to my idol, J.K. Rowling

MEASLES

Chapter 6: Lovesick

"Oh, yes that's just wonderful!"

Hermione opened her eyes slowly to see the owner of the voice, shouting in her head. As she opened her eyes she saw Harry standing over her, with a stupid smile on his face. For a moment, her mind couldn't comprehend why Harry was waking her up and what was so wonderful about it. Until she felt a something rough pushing her by the ribs. Turning her head a little on her right, she saw Ron sleeping loudly in the same bed with her. Harry was staring at them as though he could not believe his eyes.

"Oh My God!" Hermione gasped with horror. She nudged Ron firmly trying to wake him up. And with that Harry burst into laughter.

"Ron wake up! WAKE UP Ron!" she yelled desparetely between the chuckles of harry.

"No offense Hermione, but I wouldn't believe you would agree that," Harry said, shaking his head.

"Shut up Harry!" she scowled at him. Ron opened his eyes. "What's happening?" he asked, looking clueless.

"Good morning Ron, did you sleep well?" Harry asked sarcastically, bending over him. Ron looked at him, blinking.

Hermione got out of the bed, muttering to herself, trying to remember how she ended up with sleeping in Ron's bed.

"How did you manage it?" Harry asked. "I mean didn't you worry about Mrs. Weasley? She could come in at any moment. Besides, I was lying in that bed!" he said mockingly gesturing his bed. Ron groaned loudly.

"Oh, come off it, Harry," Hermione started. "I had come to give his potion and-and then he wanted me to stay with him for a while, and I- I was sitting on the edge of the bed, then I don't remember, I think I just fell asleep!" she tried to explain awkwardly.

"Oh, if you say so!" Harry said teasing her.

"Didn't it happen so, Ron?" Hermione bellowed at Ron who seemed not to feel any nervous.

"I don't remember!" he said simply. This made Harry burst into laughter. Hermione stamped her feet in frustration.

"What?" Ron bellowed. "The potion you gave me made me numb. I slept like a dead. "And what's she saying is right Harry. She must have fallen asleep!" he added pointedly.

"Okay, anyway… I am going to change my clothes." Hermione said, changing the subject. "Drink your potion Ron, I will bring you breakfast!"

"Don't be late!" Ron said quickly. Hermione rolled her eyes.

"And see you at breakfast Harry!" she added icily and with that she stormed away. Harry

chuckled behind her.

Hermione changed her nightgown and went to the kitchen. She found Ginny and Harry already eating. Apparently, Mrs. Weasley wasn't at home. She gave a sigh of relief.

"Good morning!" she greeted Ginny.

"Good Morning, Hermione!" she greeted her back brightly. "Did you sleep well?" she asked abruptly a significant smirk on her face. Harry choked on his tea. Hermione send him a murderous look as she sat down on the table. "Thank you!" she mouthed sarcastically. Harry shrugged.

"What are we doing today?" Hermione asked after a moment.

"Well," Ginny started helping herself more pancakes. "Mum went to Diagonal Alley to get the deficient stuff. -She was really moody; I can say- Anyway, and she orderer us to finish the garden decoration. It's our all mission for today."

"That's good!" Harry commented.

"She will be here at the lunchtime. But I have bad news for you. Phlegm and her family will be here in the afternoon." Ginny continued. Harry beamed as Hermione rolled her eyes.

"Therefore we can hide Ron until dinner. But he has to show up for dinner. Because if he doesn't, mum would definitely realize his absence." Ginny stated casually.

"What about tomorrow morning?" Hermione asked after she took a bite of her bread.

"We would find something, we have time," she answered soothingly.

"I am taking this for Ron!" Hermione said, after they finished breakfast, gesturing the tray she was holding. "I will join you, after that!"

"Okay, don't be late!" Ginny said playfully. And Harry erupted in laughter yet again.

"Oh, I am starving!" Ron stated blissfully the moment Hermione opened the door.

Hermione remained silent, frowning slightly.

"What?" Ron asked, sitting up in the bed.

"Aren't you embarrassed Ron?" asked Hermione as she placed the tray on his lap.

"Oh, yes. I was really embarassed yesterday. But now, I am not. Dunno. Maybe, I am too ill to embarrass."

"Very funny, Ron!" Hermione rolled her eyes dramatically.

"I did not joke!" he stated quickly. "Are you angry with me just because I wasn't embarassed?" he asked incredulously before he took a bite of his pancake.

"No, but… Anyway!" Hermione said dismissively. "Fleur and her family are coming in the afternoon!" she said conversationally.

"Really?" Ron looked excited. "Do you have more potion?"

"RON!"

"I joked!" he stated quickly.

"And Ginny says you should show up for dinner. She says your mum doesn't miss your absence…"

"Yes, but how come? I don't feel-"

"After I am finished with the decoration, I will try to find some potion recipes to make you feel vigorious!" Hermione interjected quickly. Ron moaned.

"Okay, I am going now." She headed to the door, turning on heels. "Try to get some sleep. In the meantime, I will make myself embarrass!" she added with a hint, before she walked out of the room.

After done with the decoration stuff under the burning sun whole morning, Harry, Ginny, and Hermione went inside for lunch eventually. The girls started to prepare something to eat as Harry lounged on the sofa for a nap. Hermione heard a pop sound and after a moment Mrs. Weasley came in the kitchen.

"Hello, girls!" she greeted them as she put down her bags, sounding very exhausted.

"I am dead tired!" she complained right away. "I looked in every shop in the Diagonal Alley to find those," she gestured the bags "Fleur wanted for the catering." Hermione and Ginny rolled their eyes at the same time.

"What did you do?"

"Oh, well. We are done with decoration!" Ginny stated briefly.

"Well done, my kids. I saw Harry sleeping on the couch. He must be really tired."

"Yeah, mum we're extremely tired," said Ginny.

"Where is Ron?" Mrs. Weasley asked casually as she started to unfill the bags.

Ginny and Hermione changed an anxious look.

"He iss umm... He got tired, too. Since Harry took the couch, he is napping in his room!" Hermione tried to explain awkwardly, waving her wand over the tomatoes she has been slicing. Ginny smiled approvingly.

"Oh, poor boys! They must be really tired! I had told the twins to come for help but they claimed that they had been very busy."

"We are tired too, mum. And plus we're preparing lunch!" Ginny protested at once.

"I appreciate! After lunch go and get some rest!" Mrs. Weasley suggested.

"You should rest, too Mrs. Weasley!" Hermione said suddenly. "At least before Fleur and her family arrived." She remarked quickly.

"You are right, dear! I think I will bolt something and get some sleep. An hours nap will make me good!"

"Yes, yes you should mum!" Ginny added, hiding her grin.

After Hermione finished her lunch she prepared something and took it to Ron. When she opened the door of the room she saw he had been sleeping peacefully. She smiled. "It's all my fault!" she murmured to herself. As she placed the tray on the desk, she heard Ron mumbling.

"Ermynee"

"It's me Ron. I brought your lunch!" she said touching his arm tenderly. He eventually opened his eyes and smiled widely at her. She couldn't help but smiled back.

"How are you feeling?"

"Better, I guess…"

"What's been going on downstairs?" he asked as he started to munch on his meal, hungrily.

"Your mum has returned from Diagonal Alley. Harry is tired, sleeping. Ginny is in her room. And I am here!" told Hermione.

"Did mum get suspicious?"

"No, no. I said you were tired and wanted to sleep!"

"Did she believe?"

"Absolutely!"

"Fine!" he gave a sigh of relief and went on eating.

"Where are you going?" Ron asked after a moment as he saw Hermione headed towards the door.

"I wil go and make some research! And you should sleep!" Hermione explained briefly.

"Sleep!" Ron bellowed. "For Merlin's sake Hermione, I have been sleeping for the last fifteeen hours! Pity me! I am bored. And, aren't you tired? Come on get some rest here!" he said playfully gesturing the place in his bed.

"Thank you, Ron. I think I will skip that," She said sarcastically.

"At least, make your research here, promise I won't interfere!" Ron suggested, with his best pupy dogeyes.

Hermione faltered for a moment then she nodded in agreement.

"All right, wait me!" she said and walked out of the room.

After nearly fifteen minutes she returned the room with several books in her lap. She placed them on the desk and sat down on a chair.

"What are you looking for exactly?" Ron asked after a moment.

"As I said earlier, something to make yourself strong," explained Hermione briefly her eyes fixed on the book.

"Right…" Ron murmured.

"And where did you find those all books?" he asked.

"Some of them from your library, some them are already mine!" answered Hermione, trying to concentrate on the book.

"Okay…"

"Did you bring-"

"Ron!" Hermione bellowed suddenly.

"You said you wouldn't interfere!"

"But Hermione… I am ill and I need care!" Ron said sheepishly.

"Ron, this is important! Promise, after I found it, I will-"

"What?" His eyes widened.

"Argh…"

"Okay okay, waiting… cough cough!"

After seemed like an eternity, Hermione cried out of the blue.

"I've found it!" Ron jerked with the sudden noise.

"Really, have you? This is great! Now, you can focus on me!" his face lit up.

"But Ron," Hermione cut in. "Before your mother woke up, I have to finish it!" she said, gesturing the book she held.

"But promise, I will come right away as soon as I finished the potion." She added quickly as she saw the disappointed look on his face.

"All right!" Ron said sheepishly.

Since he recognised Hermione very well, Ron knew she wouldn't return the room until she prepared the perfect potion. Sighing loudly, he got out of the bed to find something to occupy him until she arrives. He found his broom next to the desk. He started to polish it distractedly.

After around five o'clock in the afternoon, he heard Hermione's feets thudded on the stairs; he jumped to the bed quickly.

"All right, how can I entertain you, Mr. Ill?" Hermione asked trying to sound impassive, crossing her arms around the chest and standing over his bed. Ron grinned mischievously. She realised the hidden meaning the beneath the words. Her face went crimson.

Ron raised his eyebrows and said nothing except "Come here!"

Hermione sat beside him on the bed obediently. She didn't know what to do or say, she didn't know where to put her hands. She couldn't look in his eyes despite the little space between them. Ron however was intently looking into her eyes. Hermione knew she wouldn't avoid her eyes forever. She slowly raised her head, her ears burning noticeably. The moment she raised her head, Ron grabbed her face gentily and held her lips to the level of his. And after a warm smile to each other, Hermione closed her eyes and Ron knew that it was an agreement.

Only several seconds had passed when they jerked with a loud sound.

"What was that?" asked Ron, his eyes huge.

Hermione quickly peeked a glance through the window, and she saw a classic model black Renault had landed on the ground of Burrow.

"It's Delacours!" she remarked getting up to her feet abruptly. Ron pursed his lips childishly.

"Are you going?"

Hermione sent an apologetic look at him and reluctantly headed to the garden to greet them with the others.

First, Fleur got out of the car, wearing a pink dress, looking gorgeous.

"Elloo Arry, Ginny, ermionee!" she greeted them cheerfully and planted wet kisses on their cheeks. Hermione and Ginny exchanged a here- we- start- look as Harry grinned fascinatedly.

After Fleur, Gabrielle, his sister followed her. Hermione quickly noticed that she had really grown up in two years. She was as beautiful as her sister. Hermione couldn't help but gawked at her. Then she looked at Ginny. She didn't seem content either. She leaned in her ear and said "Now, we have two velaa in the house!" Hermione shook her head.

"Ello," Gabrielle greeted them just like her sister.

"Oh, How are yo arry?" she asked seductively, blinking her eyes. Harry seemed perplexed. Ginny cleared her throat on purpose. After that, a slim, with a light brown dress beautiful woman got out of the car, Hermione assumed to be Mrs. Delacour.

"Welcome, welcome," Mrs. Weasley greeted her who looked gorgeous naturally. Mrs. Delacour scanned the round quickly. Her mouth twisted as though she had taken an unpleasent dose of medicine. She greeted Mrs. Weasley back bowing slightly.

"Pierre, on va attender Monsier Weasley and Bill. Il est difficile a monter!" she called out her husband who stood next to the car, unloading the luggages from trunk that seemed more than the possensions in the Burrow. Mrs. Weasley's eyes widened worriedly. Hermione suppressed a gigle.

"We will stay in our tent," Mrs. Delacour explained at once. "But he can't establish it himself. Where is Bill and Mr. Weasley?" she asked Mrs. Weasley.

"Arthur and Bill are just about to come, please get inside!" Mrs. Weasley answered her smiling kindly.

"Please, make yourself home. We will prepare dinner." She said once the Delacours settled down.

"Girls, will you help me?" she said more than asked. Girls nodded in agreement. But before they went to the kitchen Mrs. Weasley abruptly turned to Harry.

"Harry could you please take the table outside?" she demanded. "The weather is very beautiful today," she added turning to the Mrs. Delacour. Mrs. Delacour nodded with a very forced smile on her face.

"Where is Ron by the way?" Mrs. Weasley asked looking at Harry. Harry was surprised by the question he looked at Hermione helplessly.

"He is having shower," stated Hermionequickly.

"Okay. After he is downstairs, take the table together."

Harry send Hermione a – how I am supposed to do that? – look but Hermione merely shrugged before she followed Mrs. Weasley. After several minutes, Fleur dropped in.

"I want to elp you too," she said cheerfully in her throaty voice, taking a plate from the shelter.

"Oh, no. I can't tire my daughter-in-law out!" Mrs. Weasley said quickly with a hint of sarcasm, getting back the plate. At these words Ginny and Hermione giggled uncontrollably. Fleur walked out of the kitchen, huffing.

"I am going!" After Hermione prepared the salad she mouthed to Ginny behind Mrs. Weasley, gesturing the ceiling. Ginny nodded in agreement.

As she headed towards Ron's room, through the window, she saw Harry was fighting with the table to carry it. She chuckled slightly.

She was still grinning as she entered Ron's room.

"What are you laughing at?" Ron asked at once, looking rather glum.

"Harry." Hermione said, shaking her head. "Why aren't you changed?" she asked quickly as she saw he was sitting in the bed still with his pyjamas.

" I waited for you!"

"You waited for me?" Hermione repeated unbelievingly. "Ron you don't need me to change your clothes!" she said angrily as she opened his closet to find something clean to wear.

"Come on wear these!" she said and tossed a blue thirt and jeans towards the bed.

"What are you waiting for?" she asked incredously as she saw he didn't move a muscle.

"You can be really bossy sometimes!" Ron complained narrowing his eyes as he got to his feet slowly. Hermione wheezed.

"When you're ready, take these potions both," she said motioning the bottles on the desk.

"I am going to change too!" she said before she opened the door and briskly walked out of the room.

As Mrs. Weasley predicted, that night there was a lovely weather for dinner. The wooden table was crowded. The loud voices and chuckles echoed in the air. Harry, Fred, and George were laughing hysterically, looking at Ron. Ginny, who seated Hermione's right, was trying to get rid out Gabrielle who was asking endless questions about her dress for the wedding. Meanwhile, Mr. Weasley was bragging to Mr. Delacour about his new job in the Ministry. Mrs. Weasley was trying to please Mrs. Delacour with her kindness, who was still wearing a grudging expression. Bill and Fleur, on the other hand, they were in their own world, flirting and kissing constantly.

During the dinner Hermione gazed Ron who was seated opposite of her. He seemed sheepish and silent. She knew he was frightened of his mother. However Mrs. Weasley wasn't aware of Ron at the moment. When Ron noticed she was staring at him, he smiled at her sweetly, and Hermione smiled back.

"I love you!" he mouthed abruptly. Hermione felt her heart flutter. "I love you, too," she mouthed back. They were grinning uncontrollably until Ginny nudged her firmly. Once she gathered her senses back, she saw all heads had turned in their direction and Mr. Weasley had raised his goblet, standing to make a speech and waiting for them to notice.

"Ohem ohem!"