Hermione is single and has just moved into an apartment building near the college downtown hub. Ron runs the joke shop in town and has a 3 year old daughter, Rose. Ron and Hermione's lives are about to change forever.

Ron's POV

"George, I've really got to get home. I need to pick up Rose." I practically beg.

"Fine, but you're coming out for dinner tomorrow. It's the weekend." George claps me on the shoulder.

"I'll think about it," I say, locking up the shop behind me.

I start my walk to the kids school to pick up Rosie. I run my hand through my hair because I know without a doubt she'll be the last one there.

I love my brother but these late hours are killing me.

I'm met by Rose and her teacher out front.

"Hey sweetheart," I pick her up in my arms and hold her tight. " Sorry I'm late," I tell her teacher, Professor McGonagall.

"I expect this is the last time or I'm afraid you'll have to find a new school for her to attend," McGonagall explains.

"Yes. I understand. Come on Rose, let's get some dinner." I nod at McGonagall and head up the road to our apartment.

A little fiat full of boxes sits outside in the parking area. Huh new people don't move here often.

"Daddy, I'm hungry." Rose yawns and lays her head on my shoulder.

"Did you have fun today?" I asked while I put her down and unlocked our door.

"Yeah! But you was late. I don't like that," Rose says with her slight lisps.

"I know. Why don't you say hello to your stuffies and pick one out for bed and I'll order us a pizza." I suggest nudging her toward her room.

I order a pizza and then collapse onto the couch.

"Daddy! I can't find leo! He's gone. Daddy! Wake up," Rose says. She crawls into my lap and bursts into tears.

I rub my face. "I wasn't sleeping. Just resting my eyes." I open the door after listening to it ring two or three more times.

"Sorry about that. It's her bedtime and she is huh inconsolable at the moment." I dig into my pocket for my wallet.

"Oh no need to pay me. I found this stuffie by my car and you're the only one that's been outside in the past hour," a woman says. She has the most melodic voice.

I look up and swallow.

"I'm Hermione Granger. I just moved in. Well still moving.

I feel Rosie cling to my leg behind me. "I'm Ron Weasley and this is Rose."

Hermione bends down and holds out the teddy bear she brought over. "I believe this belongs to you sweetheart."

Rose takes her teddy. "Tank you." She runs off.

"Well I've got dinner on the way, I should go." Hermione backs away slowly.

"Thank you again." Ron watches Hermione until she walks into the apartment adjacent to his. The one he can perfectly into the living room.

Not long after Hermione leaves the pizza arrives.

"Daddy?" Rose asks. She has pizza sauce all over her face.

"Yes sweetheart?"

"I'm sleepy." Rose gets out of her chair and comes over to be picked up.

"Come on, I'll read you a story before bed."

We settled on the living room couch. It doesn't even take ten minutes for Rose to fall asleep. After tucking her in, I give my bud Harry a call.

"Hey, Ron! You're calling later than normal," Harry answered.

"Yeah. George kept me late and Rose is one more late pick up from getting kicked out."

"Did McGonagall actually tell you that in person?" Harry asks.

"Yeah," I cleared my throat. " What am I going to do? This is our busiest weekend coming up."

"Well Ginny and I can't help much. Sorry man. Doesn't your apartment complex have kid care?"

"Yeah. I'll go check it out tomorrow."

Now that it has gotten dark out, the light in Hermione's living room is bright. She lets her hair down from the ponytail she had it in.

"Uh Harry, do you think it would be weird to invite the new neighbor over? Just for coffee?"

"Why would you do that? I mean you can, but why?"

"Well, she still has a lot to unpack and maybe I could help. Plus she saved my night." I say all in one breath.

"Woah Ginny, your brother's gone crazy. He's inviting a woman into his apartment." I hear Harry call out.

"Harry. It's not that big of a deal," I groan out and pick my feet up on the coffee table in front of me.

"No it's not a big deal Ron, it's huge!" Ginny pipes in.

"Oh come off it. I'm just trying to return a thank you," I tell them. I regret saying anything in the first place.

"I'm going to ask her." I push myself off the couch.

"Right now?" Ginny and Harry exclaim at the same time.

"No, I'm hanging up and going to bed. See you at The Burrow Sunday."

After tossing and turning for an hour, thinking about how I'm going to ask this stranger to if I can help her finish moving, I finally fall into a deep sleep.