At the joke shop, the day ticks away.

"Hey George, can I ask you something?" I shout to the empty shop.

"No need to shout little bro." George sits on some of the boxes that still need to be unloaded.

"Would you ask someone you just met to watch your kid?" I lean against a stack of boxes.

"Well I don't have kids, but it depends. Have you done something mental?"

"I just may have. I spontaneously knocked on a new neighbor's door this morning and invited her out for coffee."

George has a huge smirk on his face. "Wow Ron. Way to put yourself out there."

"It's not like that. At least not yet." Oh what the hell am I saying.

"And that's the mental thing you did?" George takes his apron off to hang it up.

"No I…Before I can finish, my phone rings in my pocket. I don't recognize the number.

"Hello, Ronald Weasley."

"Ronald huh. Hi, it's Hermione."

"Oh. Hermione. Hi, how is everything with Rosie?

"That's why I called. There seems to be a problem."

"Her stuffie is in her backpack and I packed some juice and a snack. If you're worried about that."

Hermione chuckles, "That's sweet, but she's been crying for a while now. They are having a mother's tea party at the school." I hear Rose starting to hyperventilate.

"Shit. Sorry. I knew this would happen one day."

"I just thought you should know. I'm going to put on a show or something. Is that okay with you?" Hermione asks. "Shh Rosie, it's okay."

I run a hand down my face. "Yeah. Thank you so much."

"Of course. I'll see you tonight?"

"Yeah. I should be home by 9. Are you comfortable giving her a bath? If not, she can skip tonight."

"Of course." Rose wails even louder. "I have to go. Bye Ron."

George is staring at me like I've lost my head.

"We are talking about this tomorrow." He Jets out the door as a wave of customers file in.

After this wave of customers, I text Hermione.

Did Rosie calm down? I'm so sorry.

When she doesn't text back, I focus back on a couple of kids in the shop. By the time I check the customer out and check my phone, it's nearly 8:45.

I knock on the door a little past 9.

"Come in," Hermione opens the door quietly and steps aside. "She just fell asleep."

I smile at the image of Rose curled up on a couch cushion that sits on the floor. "I hope she wasn't too bad for you."

Hermione stands with her hands on her hips. "No, not after I got her to calm down."

I glance around at the apartment that still has boxes everywhere. Most notably the huge box with the couch inside. "Do you need some help putting that together?"

"Oh, I can hire someone tomorrow or try myself. I just didn't get a chance." Hermione says. She takes her hair out of its bun.

"No, don't do that. I'll stop by tomorrow. My brother gave me the day off."

"Why are you doing all of this? The coffee and putting my furniture together?" Hermione asks.

I gather Rose's backpack and quietly pick her up.

"I…uh. You look like you could use the help and the coffee was a thank you like I said."

She runs a hand through her disheveled hair. "Oh geez thanks."

I shift side to side. "That's not what I meant."

She smiles. "I just moved out of my parents place and my Mom insists that I come back already. I just needed to get out of there." We walk to the front door.

"Ron," she says as I step out into the chilly night air, "she's a sweetheart. And um she did ask about her Mom a lot. I was able to distract with a chocolate chip cookie from the coffee shop, but thought you should know."

I sigh deeply. "Thanks. I'll drop her off at my sister's place tomorrow and I'll explain when I get here. Maybe I can help you shop around town, get to know the place."

She smiles curtly. "You don't have to do that really."

I reach and hand out and rest it on her hand that sits on the door knob. "I want to. See you around 10? I'll bring the coffee. Light roast with cream and sugar, right?"

I catch her blushing as I back up in an attempt to hide the redness creeping up my neck.

She nods. "Good night Ronald."

Did I just offer to puts Hermione's apartment together and go shopping with her? Like a low key date? Why is she so easy to talk to? I hardly know her, yet I'd drop my free day to help her. Yeah, I've gone mental for sure.