AN/ so sorry for the delay! I've been super busy! Thanks for the continued story follows and kind reviews...keep those coming. Here is the latest chapter where Ron and Hermione take things to a new level. If you like it, leave a review. I'm going to try to update at least two more chapters to make up for the wait this weekend.

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The moment I close the door behind me, a flood of emotions comes over me. I focus on putting Rose down for bed.

Once I get her settled, I change into my pajamas, which consist of cloth pants and my favorite orange t-shirt.

I reluctantly take out my phone and call Ginny.

I can't help but watch as across in Hermione's place a silhouette of her gets closer to the window.

"Ron? Hello? What are you calling so late for? We just got Lily to bed." Ginny says quietly.

Ginny and Harry just added the newest member of the family with Lily.

"I'm going to ask you something and I don't need any interruptions." I tell her knowing they are going to make a huge deal of this.

"I need you to watch Rose for me tomorrow. Like most of the day."

"Doesn't George give you Saturdays off?" I hear russling in the background.

"Did you just put me on speaker?" I ask with a hint of annoyance.

"Yeah. Please continue. Why are you ditching a hang out day with your daughter?"

"She'll just fuss if she comes with us."

"Us?! Who is us Ron?" Harry asks.

"Does this have something to do with that woman I saw pick Rose up yesterday?" Ginny asks.

"What! How do you know about Hermione?" So much for keeping things low key. Not that anything is remotely happening right now.

"So it is a woman!" Ginny exclaims. "Who is she and what are you doing with her tomorrow?"

"Can you watch Rose or not?" I should have never offered to help Hermione.

"Yeah we can watch her." Harry answers.

"Ok great. Good night."

"Night. We're talking about this in the morning." Ginny says before the call ends and silence takes over.

The transition from my apartment to Ginny and Harry's house goes smoothly. Rosie is super excited to play with her aunt and uncle for the day.

Once Rosie runs off, Harry and Ginny corner me.

Ginny states me down. "So, who is this mystery woman?"

"I told you last night. She's my neighbor."

"Is that all? Ron, you've never done anything like this." Harry says.

"Like what? Offer to help someone?"

Ginny smirks at me. "No, flirt you dimwit."

"Dimwit!" Rosie screams and runs around and circles.

"Unteach her that before I get back tonight," I back out the door before they can say anything else.

I rush to the coffee shop to pick up me and Hermione's coffee orders. I called them in so I didn't have to wait in the Saturday morning rush line.

Beside the coffees is a small bag with some chocolate croissants inside. "Hey Rosemary. I didn't order these."

Rosemary thanks a customer then glides her way over to me. "Oh I know dear. But when you told me why exactly you ordered two coffees instead of your usual, I thought I'd throw in a treat for your date."

"It's not a date," I mumble.

"Uh huh. Keep telling yourself that sweetheart." Rosemary winks and is then called to the other side of the shop.

I walk back to the apartments and knock gently when I get to Hermione's apartment. All of a sudden my hands get clammy.

Hermione opens the door to let me in. "Good Morning Ron."

"Good Morning. I brought coffee." Our fingers touch when I hand hers over.

She takes a quick sip. "Mmm it's still hot and perfect." She nods her head towards the bag, "What's in the bag?"

"Chocolate croissants, the owner threw them into our order, I didn't have much of a say." I set them down and wipe a sweaty palm on the side of my shirt.

"So, the coffee shop owner seems to know you and Rosie. Do you go there often?" Hermione asks. She sits on one of the two bar stools that are set up in the kitchen.

"Yeah you could say that," I bite into my croissant. It's perfect.

"How's Rosie?" Hermione asks. She wipes at a flake from her croissant.

"Oh yeah. I guess I should explain that." I sit my coffee down and push my croissant aside. " You see my ex, Lavender left after giving birth to Rose. She wasn't ready for a kid and signed over her rights when Rose was just one month old."

"Oh Ron. I'm so sorry." Hermione says. "You're doing great with her."

"Yeah. Thanks. It took a lot of trips to the coffee shop the first year."

Hermione chuckles. "No wonder you're a regular there."

I look around the apartment. There are less boxes around, which is good. "So, we've had coffee. Where do you want to start?"

Hermione throws her trash out and turns to me. "Can we at least sort all these boxes out into rooms? Then I think I need to buy a bed, because cleaning on the floor was killer last night."

"Sure. Wait, you slept on the floor?"

Hermione sighs, "Yeah. Maybe I should have gotten an air mattress or something."

"Why don't you stay at my place until you find a bed?" I kick myself for the thought that spills out before I can really process it.

Hermione stares at me, as if I've lost my mind. "You're joking, right?"

"No, I have an extra room. I know that couch you have can't be too comfortable either." Hermione's couch is a standard loveseat with the confit but not sleep comfy cushions.

Hermione throws her arms around me. "You're a lifesaver, Ron!"

I stumble back and wrap an arm around her waist to steady myself so that I don't end up falling over. I get a whiff of her shampoo and it's the perfect soft vanilla. "Yeah." I can't hold back the blush climbing my cheeks.

Hermione releases me. "Let's get these boxes moved and maybe the couch put together. Then maybe we can go into town."

"I'll get the boxes, and you can tell me which rooms they go in." I pick up the first box next to me.

"I guess we'll be starting in the office," Hermione says. She walks down the hall into a smaller room with one window.