Summary: Every one knows Hermione and Ron are the perfect couple. They just don't know it yet. With Christmas in sight and Harry and Ginny's wedding nearing, the "Get Ron and Hermione Together Club" (GRHT Club) is in full swing, but will it earn its two most important members? All will be revealed…

Chapter Four: Cooking Catastrophes.

A/N: Hello my glorious and loyal readers. Thank you so much for your generous and much appreciated reviews. I'm really sorry that this hasn't been updated in so long but I have been so busy and well I'm still so busy. Cursed be whoever invented state exams Grrrr! Fingers and every other thing possible crossed that I do well. You're reviews and the love of this pair are what keep me writing. Even though I am quite partial to writing in general anyhow. Thank you to my wonderful beta, Twilight's Dawn you're fantabulous! Please do read and review! Especially the latter! For Christ sakes I'm a struggling student here, I need a ray of light! LOL Here's the next chappie…ENJOY! (I hope)

Hermione stirred the "beef casserole" anxiously. This definitely wasn't beef casserole. She decided to add in another teaspoon of salt. It couldn't hurt, right? She took a sip. Here face contorted, yes, a tablespoon could definitely hurt. Angrily, she placed the spoon on the work surface and went to get the ingredients for the starter out of the fridge. As she was grabbing the avocados there was a crack. She peered over the fridge door on the tip of her toes to see an extremely tall red head return her gaze, beaming. He pushed a stray curl behind her ear.

"Hi," Ron spoke.

"You're late."

"I got sidetracked, but I brought cake."

"Cake, you say?"

"Cake, I say, oh frustrated one."

"I'm not frustrated, I'm just… busy at the moment."

"Well then, everything is going to plan, is it?"

"Not really but now that you're here I'm sure it will."

"Okay then, what have you done so far?"

"Well everything's in the pot, it's cooking and … it resembles some sort of inedible substance. So it's just the starter and the dessert left."

"I brought the dessert."

"Okay, so what are we having for the starter?"

"Prawn cocktail."

"Sounds… unusual. Are you sure you can handle it?"

"Oh it'll be fine. I just scoop out the avocados, place the prawns inside and then lightly drizzle the sauce over the prawns. It's simple, see," she said, pointing to her latest and only Delia Smith cookbook.

Ron just nodded and went to the fridge.

"Hermione, you don't have any prawns."

"What, no I definitely have prawns," she said as she pushed Ron out of the way to investigate the scene. "Oh Merlin, I have no prawns," she concluded.

What about offering people just a cocktail? You look like you need one," Ron smirked.

"Yes, ha-ha how funny. What on earth am I going to do?"

"By the looks of things it's going to be cocktails and chocolate cake for dinner," Ron laughed pointing towards the now over boiling pot on the stove.

"Damn that anyway!" Hermione shrieked hurdling to the stove.

"Bloody hell, Hermione I've never heard you swear before. Relax," he chuckled.

"Relax!" she breathed.

"Relax."

"This is a disaster."

"Yes, but what am I here for? Come on we'll make an omelette or something. It'll be fine. Relax," he stroked her hair gently.

"You're here because the whole world and its mother is trying to push the both of us together."

"I'm here because I want to be, Hermione," he assured, caressing her cheek.

They were close again. Just like in the dressing room a couple of days ago. Her back was pressed against the countertop. There was less than an inch between her and Ron: she could see the little freckles on the bridge of his nose. She watched his chest rise and fall. She could feel his breath on her face. His thumb was moving over and back, soothing her tender skin. It was magical she calmed down instantaneously.

He didn't know what to do. He hated seeing Hermione stressed or angry. It hurt him when she hurt. That's the way friends were, he supposed. He stroked her face lightly afraid he might harm her. She was so perfect. He sighed, why did he have to have such a perfect friend? His eyes rose to hers.

She wanted to run. This was a problem A big one. Bigger than ruining dinner. "I think I'm falling for Ron… no I'm not," she thought. "It's been drilled into my mind for so long by others and I'm tired. I'm probably just succumbing to this because I'm tired. Yes, that's it."

Ron wrapped his other arm around her waist and stepped a little closer. If you could have gotten closer that is. The miniscule gap was filled between them. Ron rested his body against Hermione's and lowered his head.

The stove next to them sizzled and the water poured out of the pot. They sprang apart.

Ron took several steps back and rustled his hair not meeting Hermione in the eyes. She fumbled, taking the previously intended dinner off the cooker. She was flushed and smiled. That was a close one. What had they been about to do? That was definitely a sign from the gods that it would have been a bad mistake.

"Omelettes then?" she questioned.

Ron seemed to have the same train of thought as he gave one last tousle to his tresses and grinned.

"Yeah, I think you can manage that along with a little help from a friend."

Hermione glanced at her watch. Half an hour left.

As Ron proceeded to the fridge Hermione produced a measuring jug from the cupboard.

"You beat the eggs and I'll chop the vegetables."

"Right then… what do you mean beat?"

"For someone who's so smart you'd really think-"

"Ron!" she screamed.

"You just stir them quickly with the whisk," he concluded weakly.

"Stir quickly. I can do that."

"Yes, I have faith in you."

"Thank you, Ronald."

"No problem, Hermione," he retorted.

"So have you been working on your best man speech?"

"I've tried but it's like trying to write a Potions essay for Snape. Impossible."

"I could give you a bit of help if you want?"

"Thanks, but I think I want to try and do this by myself."

"AAAAHHHH" Hermione whimpered.

"Well if you want to help that much…" he chuckled.

"Look, Ron."

The contents of the measuring jug were now an innovative pattern on her blouse, soaking her to the skin.

"Why does this happen to me?" she asked.

"You can never take your eye off anything when you're cooking, Hermione, even if it is just quick stirring."

"Spare me the lecture," she grumbled, unbuttoning her blouse.

Ron, being the gentleman that he was, turned his back on her.

"Here," she said. "Start stirring more eggs while I change." She passed the jug to him and made her way to the bedroom.

Crack. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley appeared in front of Hermione.

"Oh my. Hermione dear." Molly gasped. Arthur smiled knowingly, thinking he knew what was happening.

There was another crack. Fred and Angelina materialized. Fred observed the scene and began to laugh.

"You dog you! Why didn't you mention anything, Ronniekins?" his eyes darting from his brother to an almost half-naked Hermione.

"Well, I'm glad you too have finally seen sense," Molly exclaimed, "I just wish you would have waited till marriage…" she frowned. "But then again it's not like it was with your father and I. These days I suppose-"

"Mum!" Ron interrupted, his ears glowing crimson.

"It's not what you think." Hermione sputtered.

"Oh, I think you two should get a room." George giggled. Angelina smiled but then quickly gave her husband a clap on the arm and a disapproving glare.

"George" Ron snapped.

"What? I never knew you had in you, little bro." He beamed approvingly.

"Stop it!" Hermione raised her voice heatedly.

"Oh we're terribly sorry, dear. We invaded your special…night. We'll be off." Molly reassured her.

"No. No one is leaving. It's not what it looks like. Sorry to disappoint but I spilled the stupid eggs all over me and I was just going to change when… you all showed up," she clarified, forcing herself to stay calm.

"Oh well then. Of course that's what happened," Molly stated, a hint of disillusionment in her voice.

"Yes of course that's what happened." George grinned, giving an odd wink to Ron.

"Well then Hermione you go change and I'll help Ron in the kitchen." Molly ordered, brushing past Hermione and ushering the rest of the group to the sofas.

"Ron, you had better hurry. The guests of honour will be here in a few minutes."

"Yes, Mum." He sighed, knowing Hermione would be in a bad mood and the dinner party hadn't even begun yet.

Thank you sooo much for reading now help me through the evil exam time and click the review button! Even if you HATED the chapter. (I'm desperate LMAO)

Sinéad

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