Chapter 8

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It was Monday morning, Ron and Hermione were packing their trunks to get ready to go Hermione's home in the Muggle world. She was having doubts even though she was excited that he was coming to her house, because David wasn't going to take this well, but then she knew Ron would always protect her.

Harry opened the door to the boys' dorm.

'Hey, you two, all ready?'

'Almost,' Ron said muttered, looking for something in his messy drawer. Hermione giggled at him as he struggled to find whatever he was looking for. She put the last bit into her trunk, and then made her way to the door; Ron raised his head out of his drawer and rapidly followed behind her.

'Mione, where're you going?'

'I just have to return these books to the library,' she said to him smiling. Ron smiled and nodded,

'Ok.' They kissed, and then Hermione walked out the dorm and went to return her books to the library before they left. Ron turned back to Harry who was lying on his bed. 'So what're you planning to do with my sister for the week, mate?'

'None of your business.'

'None of my-, you better keep your trousers on, Harry…literally.' Harry blushed, but then shook it off and instead just ignored Ron and stayed silent. Ron was ok with Harry going out with his sister, he couldn't trust anyone else with her, but it still bothered him sometimes to see them kiss once in a while right in front of him.

'Ron, can you promise me something?' Ron stopped what he was doing and turned to look at Harry, then nodded.

'It's really loyal of you going with Hermione this week…but you never know what might happen, so promise me you'll protect her and that you'll be careful yourself.'

'I promise Harry, I won't let anything happen to Hermione.' Ron put the last bit into his trunk; he quickly pulled out a chocolate frog and stuffed it in his mouth. Harry took his glasses of and wiped them with his shirt.

'So, um…...what about her mum, Ron,' asked Harry, 'did Hermione say anything about her?' Ron sighed then when to sit on his bed, Harry saw from the look on his face that maybe he shouldn't have asked that. 'Oh, no, Ron, Hermione's mum gets it too?'

'Y-Yeah, but I think these days Hermione gets it worse.'

'What makes you say that?'

'David Granger put her mum in a muggle wheel seat,' Ron said, cringing at the thought.

'Its wheelchair,' Harry corrected, 'I can't believe that! Hermione had to put up with that shit for all these years!'

Before any of them could say anything else, Hermione had come back into the dorm; Ron had given Harry a look to tell him to act as if they weren't talking about it. Hermione turned to face Ron,

'Ron, the carriages are here.'

'Ok,' he got the trunks and headed outside with them. Harry sighed and walked over to Hermione and hugged her, she smiled as he held her.

'Take care, Mione, everything will be fine.' When he let go of her, he could see it in her eyes that she was a bit frightened; Harry stroked her hair with his fingers. 'Don't worry; I know Ron will keep you safe.' Hermione smiled, she gave him a peck on his cheek before heading out the door.

Harry and Ginny were leaving for the Burrow a couple of hours later after Ron and Hermione. Ron and Hermione were able to find a carriage all to themselves, while on their way to King's Cross station. What a difference it's been since the two have been together, they no longer to have to spend there time apart or in awkward situations. Ron sat there in silence with both hands on his resting on both his legs, while Hermione rested her head on his shoulder. He narrowed his eyes down to her face,

'You ok?' he asked.

'Yeah, I'm fine.' Ron shifted over, so that Hermione was looking directly at him. He slipped one hand on her waist, then leaned in and kissed her deeply. Hermione relaxed and wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed back. Ron ran his hands up and down her back, while pulling her closer to him on the seat. Hermione ran her hand through his ginger hair, Ron started a trail of kisses along down her neck, which made her sigh and place one hand on his neck. Ron took hold of her arms, and that made her flinch back,

'Oh, sorry I forgot about your arm,' he looked at the arm that still had the brown cloth covering it.

'That's ok, Ron, it's getting better anyways,' she said, looking at her arm, 'it just stings a bit...I'll take it off now.'

'Are you sure?' Hermione nodded a "yes". Ron then took another glance at her arm; his face fell in a bit of confusion, she looked at him,

'What is it?'

'How come—…never mind.' Hermione shifted closer and put her hand on Ron's shoulder.

'It's ok, Ron…tell me.'

'Why is it that the burn on your arm still bothers you after all these years?' Hermione sighed putting her hand on her arm,

'Let's just say I'm scarred for life…you see, that burn I got was a second-degree, when I came to Hogwarts in my first year, Madame Pompfrey was able to put a healing charm on it, but she said it would never heal 100.' Ron looked purely sorry for her, he leaned in and kissed her arm and gathered her up into a hug, like a three year old did his mother. Hermione giggled and hugged him back, 'it's ok, it's just a little red patch, it's not like it's my whole arm.'

'I-I know, but it's just…-

'I know.'

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The carriages had platform 9 ¾, Ron and Hermione had to take bus to Hermione's house, seeing as her mum could no longer drive because of her injury. Ron found the London muggle bus pretty cool because it was way different from the Knight Bus, definitely more calm and relaxing.

They had finally reached her house; it was about three hours away from London and near Sheffield, up in the country and near the outskirts. Hermione's house was surprisingly an old English house that had a lake close to it. Ron couldn't help but feel a bit jealous at all the area that surrounded it and the condition of the house,

'I wish I could have a house like this,' he said, as the two walked towards the house, carrying their trunks behind them.

'It's really nothing special, I mean, I would stay in your house anytime.' Ron blushed and said,

'Thanks, Mione.' Before stepping up on the stair way up to the door, Hermione stopped and looked around at the side of the house, Ron looked to see what she was staring at,

'My dad's not home yet…he usually comes home late.' Ron sighed and nodded his head,

'That's fine, at least now I can bond with your mum and get to know her better.' Hermione just smiled and pecked him on the cheek; Ron followed beside her as she made her way up to the door and rang the door bell. The door opened, there was a woman who one splitting image of Hermione, in a wheelchair.

'Mum!' Hermione squealed, a big smile spread across her face as she bent down and hugged her mum, Ron also smiled from behind to see the happiness and resemblance between the too. 'I missed you so much!'

'I missed you too, Hermione Jane!' her mother Jacqueline said. After putting the trunks down into the house, Hermione smiled, stood beside Ron and clutched his hand in hers.

'Mum, this is Ron Weasley, my boyfriend.' Jacqueline, looked up at Ron and smiled, which made Ron blush and smile back at her. He held out his hand in front of her, she gladly took and shook it.

'It's finally great to meet you, Ronald; Hermione Jane's told me lots about you.' Ron blushed, and so did Hermione,

'It's nice to meet you too, Ms Granger, now I see where Hermione gets her beautiful looks from,' Jacqueline laughed, and so did Hermione who swatted Ron slightly on the shoulder.

'So I'll take your trunk upstairs, Ron,' Hermione said, but he held her arm.

'That's ok, I can get it—

'No, no, you stay here and talk with mum for a while,' Ron chuckled, as Hermione left for upstairs, and then turned back to Jacqueline. She readjusted her glasses before saying,

'I'm so happy you were able to come, Ron.'

'That's alright, Ms Granger, I'm really happy to be here with you and Hermione, and I…I'm really sorry for what you have to go through with David, when Hermione told me I was furious, I couldn't believe it, and I swear I'll help you out with whatever you need while I'm here.'

'I guess you found it as a bit of a shock when Hermione Jane told you I was in a wheelchair.' Ron didn't want Jacqueline to think that he was uncomfortable around her, he didn't at all care she was injured and in a wheelchair.

'I have to admit, I was a bit shocked, and furious I could kill your hus-..I mean David for what he's done to you,' Ron said, furiously. Jacqueline softly smiled and took Ron's hand in hers.

'Thank you, Ron, and Hermione Jane is really lucky to have a nice boy like you looking after her.' Ron smiled and shook his head,

'No, I'm the lucky one, you don't know how many blokes out there would die to have your daughter,' Jacqueline laughed again and nodded knowingly.

'Anyways, why don't you go let Hermione Jane give you a little tour around the house, while I go prepare dinner.' With that Jacqueline wheeled on off to the kitchen, leaving Ron staring after her.

'Uh, I could give you a hand if you want, Ms Granger,' he replied, 'it's really no trouble!'

'Don't worry, Ron, I've got it, I want you to enjoy yourself while you're here.' Ron looked a bit guilty leaving Jacqueline to do everything herself, but he made his way upstairs to see Hermione. She was just coming out of the guest room, she smiled when she saw him, and he smiled back.

'Hey,' she said, 'how do you like mum?'

'She's fantastic, Mione, just like you,' he said. 'I wanted to help her with dinner, but she refused.' Hermione giggled and nodded her head,

'Yeah, that's how she is, she thinks I work to hard to be helping her here,' she said, 'but I help her anyway. I don't want mum to do everything by herself, it's not fair.' Ron took both her hands in his and kissed her.

'I know, but don't worry, we'll help her,' Hermione smiled and embraced him in a hug, Ron quickly kissed her on the forehead before saying, 'so…you going to give your boyfriend a grand tour, or am I going to have to do some exploring.' Hermione giggled, she took his hand and led him around the house. There were two floors, upper and lower, Hermione showed him everything from the loo to all the bedrooms including the library, which didn't surprise Ron, because the shelves were filled with hundreds of books. Nest she took him to the guestroom where he was going to be staying.

'Besides my room, I think this one would have to be my favorite even though I never stay in here.' Ron came up from behind Hermione and wrapped both his arms around her waist, she laughed as she almost lost her balance. 'And the bed is a comfortable Queen Size bed.'

'Hey! I thought the song went, Weasley is our King, shouldn't I have a King Size bed?' Ron asked her jokingly. Hermione rolled her eyes but couldn't help but giggle, she turned around with Ron still holding her.

'I just wanted to thank you again for coming with me, Ron. I mean not only because of my dad, but also to enjoy some time with me, even though this is the Muggle world.' Ron pressed his forehead against hers.

'Well it's time for a change around here, Mione, and speaking of which, when does the old git come home anyways?'

'Maybe not till after dinner…sometimes even later than that,' said Hermione. '….so anyways, why don't you relax for a bit and freshen up and I'll go see if mum's ok.' Ron smiled and nodded, he gave Hermione a quick kiss, before she went out the door.

Ron felt really relaxed already being in this house, he changed into a pair of green shorts with along with a white vest. Then he had an idea, he grabbed his truck and his one duffle bag and carried it down with him, and then placed it near the door, so when "you-know-who", (in the Muggle world), came home he would notice that Hermione and her mum weren't the only ones in the house. When he went into the kitchen he saw Hermione helping her mum, set the table and place all the kitchen utensils on the table.

'That smells fantastic, Ms Granger,' he said, sniffing the air.

'Thank you, Ron; we're having spaghetti with fresh buns.' Hermione then looked at Ron and giggled,

'I see you've made yourself right at home,' she said, referring to what he was wearing, the green shorts and white vest which showed off his muscles and a bit of his hot six pack. Ron just took a look at him, then looked back at her and winked.

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'So you must love having all those brothers at home, Ron?' Jacqueline asked, as she passed him the rolls on the plate.

'Eh, 'ell,' he stuttered, before swallowing his food, 'sorry, well, sometimes it can be annoying, but then other times I don't mind, like Bill and Charlie, they would have to be my favorites.'

Hermione smiled as she watched Ron not only enjoy his food but, get along so great with her mum. Ron ate the last bit in his bowl,

'Do you mind if I have another bowl of this spaghetti?' he asked, Jacqueline for the third time. Hermione just laughed knowingly. Typical Ron, she thought.

'Honestly, Ron, that's your third bowl now.'

'Oh leave the poor boy alone, Hermione Jane,' Jacqueline said, smiling, 'we all need to eat.' Ron chuckled while taking out some more food; he faced Hermione and stuck his tongue out at her. Just then they heard a car pull up outside, Hermione shifted uncomfortably in her seat, so did Jacqueline, Ron noticed. There was a rap at the door, more like a loud bang. Hermione sighed and placed her napkin down, she got up to answer the door, her mum wheeled behind her and followed. Ron also got up, but stood at the side where he could not be seen.

BANG, BANG, BANG!

Hermione unlocked the lock on the door, after doing that the door immediately swung open almost hitting her in the face. David Granger, stood there looking frustrated as usual, he looked angry and pale as he did ever night.

'GOD DAMMIT, GIRL! WHAT TOOK YOU SO LONG?' His yelling made her flinch back a bit. Jacqueline like many times before stood up for her daughter,

'Don't you yell at her, David!' While the two continued to quarrel, Hermione quickly looked back and frowned wondering where Ron had crept off to. David stopped in mid sentence, noticing the bag and truck on the ground. He furiously looked at the Hermione and her mum, and gave them a death glare.

'You were thinking of escaping again, weren't you!' David made a move towards Hermione, but before he could do anything, he immediately let go when he saw Ron walking towards them. He cleared his throat.

'Actually, Mr. Granger those are my things. I'm going to be staying here for the week.' David was speechless, he definitely wasn't expecting this, the only words he could think of to say was,

'….Who are you?'

'Oh, sorry, I'm Ron Weasley, Hermione's boyfriend,' Ron said, trying to sound as polite as he could, 'we go to Hogwarts together.' David was still speechless and didn't know what to say. Hermione then plucked up her courage and said,

'Y-Yes, Ron is going to be staying here…in the letter you only said that I couldn't go to anyone's house, but you never said that they couldn't come here.'

'And Hermione Jane posted me and I agreed with it,' Jacqueline then replied. Ron smiled at her and then took a step towards David.

'There isn't any problem with that is there, Mr. Granger?' David took another glare with Ron, before clearing his throat and shaking his head,

'N-No, of course not,' he said, 'whatever.' Without another word he trudged into the house not taking one look back. The three stood there staring after him up the stairs. Jacqueline sighed and looked at the two,

'Looks like it's going to be an interesting week, kids,' she yawned, 'anyways, I'm going to bed, and I'm really knackered.' She turned the wheels on her wheelchair and headed off to the settee.

'Mum, why don't you take my bed, and I'll sleep on the settee?' asked Hermione, she was almost bought to tears as she watched her mother struggle to get onto the settee. Ron also looked emotional; he took Hermione's hand,

'Yes, Hermione's right, Ms Granger, you should be comfortable.' Jacqueline looked over at them.

'But I couldn't make Hermione Jane sleep on the settee.'

'That's ok, she can stay with me in the guestroom tonight,' Hermione blushed, realizing what her boyfriend had just said, and couldn't help but smile.

'Yes, I'll stay with Ron tonight, you can take my bed, mum.' Jacqueline smiled, Hermione and Ron made there way over to her, and she kissed both of them before going to the room. After she was gone, Hermione turned to Ron,

'You really don't mind me staying with you tonight?' Ron smiled taking her by the waist,

'Of course not, I mean now that we're going out, I thought it would be nice,' Hermione softly giggled, as he nibbled her neck.

'Ok, ok, Ronnie, lets not get to cozy…or else my dad might think that this was a set up.' Ron nodded letting go, but Hermione grinned and kissed him before taking his hand and going upstairs.

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8TH chappie finally up. Sorry about the delay, ran into a huge writer's block, and then I'm having my final assignments before school closes, and they're really big! Lol

Danielle