Disclaimer: Everything belongs to J.K. Rowling

Playing House

Chapter 4: The Particulars

The next morning, Ron arrived at Ministry on time, a silly grin on his face, whistling cheerfully and looking rather content.

"Why are you so happy Ron?" asked Julie from the opposite of the room, looking slightly surprised and bewildered to see him beaming. Ron smiled at her and "it's a nice day," he answered flirtatiously. Julie blushed at his reaction. Then Ron turned his gazes at Scott. He seemed wondered about his happiness and Ron could tell he was dying to know. His happiness doubled. Suddenly, he remembered that he hadn't informed Harry yet, he quickly wrote him a letter.

Harry,

Hermione agreed to help me!

Cheers,

Ron

After the lunch break, he found a letter waiting on his desk. Thinking it was from Harry, he quickly opened it. But to his surprise, it wasn't from Harry it was from Hermione.

Ron,

Since yesterday night, I've been thinking about the things we should arrange.

Ron smiled, rolling his eyes knowingly.

If the president is going to visit us at home, I think there must be something that makes him convinced that we're married. So, we will need some photos at home, they will help the situation somewhat.

Today I'll be free after five o'clock, meet me at the Leaky Cauldron, and find something to wear suitable for a wedding picture.

Love,

Hermione

"What?" he bellowed unbelievingly. All heads turned in his directions. "Oh it's nothing," he murmured, pasting a fake smile as he noticed the curious glares his colleagues giving him.

"Here we start. She is going to make a fuss about it," he muttered to himself.

Just then, the door flung opened and Kingsley sprinted into the room with a concerned expression. "Weasley, there is a murder on the sixth road!" he exclaimed, out of the breath.

"What's the event, chief?" asked Ron worriedly.

"A young boy used Avada Kedavra curse on his father and then disaappeared. Take Client and Peterson with you, I want you to go there and look for the proofs. We have to find the murderer. I'm suspicious that the man might be mentally ill."

"Yes chief," nodded Ron.

After getting brief information about the place, Ron, Robert, and Julie headed to the place with brooms.

"Here we came," declared Julie, as they landed on a big garden, which Kingsley addressed them beforehand. After making sure there was nobody around, they reached the house and broke in.

"Ughh... this place stink," complained Julie, grimacing as they stepped inside. Ron followed Robert and they headed to the living room. The dead man wasn't there. But obviously, there had been a big fight. The furnitures were broken into pieces, and the room was in a mess.

"He is not here," Julie assured. "You look for the proofs, Julie," demanded Ron. "We'll look at the other rooms," he stated, his wand in his hand just in case. Julie nodded in agreement. They headed to the upstairs.

As Robert opened the first door in the corridor, they found the old man had been caught by the curse in his chair, eyes open, wearing a shocked expression on his face.

"Poor man," commented Robert, shaking his head. Ron grimaced. Even though it was his second year in the job, he hadn't got used to see dead people yet.

"Terrible, it was his son," commented Ron and started exploring around. The room was small and almost empty. There was a bed aside the wall, a wood wardrobe, and an empty desk. They couldn't anything for proof.

At that time, Julie entered the room. "Did you find something?" Ron asked her excitedly.

"Yeah," answered Julie, indicating her full hands. "I've found a picture of the man with his son," she started, "and I've found this on the floor," she said, handing Ron a small yellow card. "He must have dropped it from his pocket," she remarked.

"Oh, that's really good Julie," Ron commented handing the card to Robert. Julie flashed him a warm smile. Ron smiled back.

"Appearently he works for an illegal assembly," Julie remarked.

"Okay then," started Ron excitedly. "Robert, could you please search this group?" he demanded. "All right," answered Robbert with a nod. "And Julie," Ron turned to her, "Could you please call someone from the St. Mungos?" he asked. "Someone should get him out of here."

After they exited from the house, Ron checked his watch. It was half past four. He had only half an hour therefore he quickly made his way to the Ministry and explained the situation to Kingsley. After that, he asked permission for the rest of the day. To his like, Kingsley agreed. Hurriedly, he apparated athome and changed his costume. He had no time for shower. Thankfully, the Leaky Cauldron wasn't far away from his home. The moment he walked out of the house, he remembered that Hermione had told him to bring suit for photographs. He hastily went back to the house and grabbed the suit.

When he reached the Leaky Cauldron he found Hermione waiting for him.

"You're late," she remarked knowingly.

"Come on Hermione, just five minutes." He said impatiently. "There was a mission," he added as Hermione send him a reproachful look.

"Anyway, let's get going, then!"

Hermione made her way to the Diagonal Alley. Ron followed her. After five minutes, they reached at the shop, its window was full of pictures, and it was emblazoned with letters:

"The best Photographer of the Wizarding World"

They led the way into the shop. It was empty and quiet. Behind the door, there was an old man with glasses, his hair white, his head on the counter, it seemed like he was sleeping.

"Hello," Hermine called out tentatively.

The old man jerked with Hermione's voice. Ron chuckled slightly, Hermione nudged.

"Err, Hello," the man greeted, getting up to his feet quickly. "How can I help you?" he asked in a sleepy voice.

"We want some photographs," explained Hermione carefully.

"Oh, sure," the man nodded. "Just for you beautiful lady?" he asked beaming. Ron frowned.

"No," Hermione looked embarrassed by the question. "Both of us," she gestured between them. "We want wedding pictures," she explanied, turning a lovely shade of pink.

"Oh, good," beamed the man as if he just realised Ron. "Let's go to the studio," he said and walked towards the back of the shop. Ron and Hermione followed him, exchanging a doubtful look.

They passed from a door that opened a bigger room. The studio was colourful and illuminated. In the middle, a camera was centered, and each of the walls was covered with a season background.

"We have to dress up," Hermione stated to the man who started to regulate the camera.

"Oh sure, on your right there is a cabin," he stated not removing his eyes from the camera.

Initally, Hermione entered. After five minutes, she got out of the cabin. Ron couldn't help but blinked. She was wearing a long white wedding dress, which looked ancient and precious, its sleeves lace and slightly puffy, and she had wore a veil matching with the embroidery on the sleeve. Wait! Had she done make up?

"Well," Ron murmured incoherently, feeling his face reddening. He was completely speechless.

"It's my mother's," Hermione explained awkwarly, smoothing down her dress. Ron walked in the cabin. In a minute he was ready. Hermione gave him an arch look but said nothing.

"Are you ready?" asked the photographer.

"Yes," they anwered in unison.

"Which background would you prefer?" he asked. Ron looked at Hermione and gestured her to choose.

"The fall one, please," Hermione muttered, avoiding Ron's eyes in the meantime.

The photographer smiled faintly and gestured them to move in front of the camera. Ron and Hermione exchanged a nervous look but they obeyed.

"Get ready, give me some poses," the photographer demanded, giving them a puzzled look.

Ron saw Hermione hesitated for a split second. However, then she got her composure and leaned in closer slightly, her cheeks pink, pasting a cherry smile on her face, and looking visibly nervous.

Ron felt something flipped in his stomach however he imitated Hermione and he closed the distance between them.

"Excellent," exclaimed the photographer and clicked the button. "Come on, another one," he demanded yet again.

This time, Ron instinctively placed his hands around Hermione's waist and seized her slightly on the back. Hermione put her hands over him and they stunned for a moment.

"Don't forget to smile," the old man reminded. The moment Ron grinned wildy, he clicked the button.

"And now a kiss-"

"That's enough," interjected quickly Hermione, looking scandalized. For some silly reason, Ron felt disappointed.

The phographer looked bewildered but he didn't push the matter. "Okay, as you wish," he commented and Hermione sprinted into the cabin to change her costume.

"How can we get the pictures?" asked Hermione to the man as they exited from the studio.

"I don't know," the old man shrugged, looking indifferent. "In a week probably," he stated.

"Oh no," Hermione protested. "It's urgent," she exclaimed. The old man gave them another shocked look. Apparently, he was confused.

"Okay then, if you say so," he murmured but it was obvious that he wasn't buying it. "Tomorrow afternoon then," he stated.

"Thank you," Hermione said smiling.

"Thank you," repeated Ron as well and they walked out of the shop.

Feeling still ashamed due to the situation, Ron needed to break the tension.

"I am starving," he said abruptly.

Hermione rolled her eyes before she said "Let's go to the Leaky Cauldron, we need to discuss the particulars!"

They headed back to the Leaky Cauldron. While they waited for their food, Hermione pulled a sheet out of her sack.

"Okay," she started, "Let's talk about it!" she said enthusiastically as she ran his finger down the page.

Ron frowned slightly, looking confused. "What are you doing?"

"Arg Ron," Hermione scolded. "We have to make a plan right? If president asks questions about our marriage, we have to give the same answers!"

"All right," Ron nodded. He had never thought about it. One more time, he admired her cleverness. He watched her for a minute.

"Okay," Hermione began eagerly as the waiter served the meal, "when did we decide marrying?" she asked reading the question from the page.

"When?" Ron asked, shrugging. Hermione rolled her eyes.

"We started dating in our seventh year, we engaged after graduating and we decided to get married after your Auror traning, okay?"

"It sounds reasonable," Ron chuckled.

Hermione rolled her eyes yet again but a grin formed on her lips.

"Okay, and-" she continued reading the questions. "When and where did we marry?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Well," Ron muttered, "in the backyard of the Burrow, I think. Just like Bill and Fleur," he suggested with a shrug. Hermione flashed him a smile and wrote it down.

"That's good," she pronounced. "And the date?"

"You say," Ron shrugged and he munched on his meal.

"Well, I thought it could be autumn, September maybe," muttered Hermione after taking a sip from her vine. "I always wanted so…"

"No obstacle," Ron smiled at her reaction, watching her flush. Hermione turned her gazes on the page, avoiding his eyes.

Suddenly, Ron burst into laughter. "What are you laughing at?" Hermione asked confused.

"That-" Ron started, "That's so funny," he said between his chuckles. Hermione couldn't help but joined him.

"Well any other detail?" he was enjoying the game.

"Anything in your mind?"

"Honeymoon?" he pointed out, grinning. Hermione reddened.

"Yeah, honeymoon. Good point, I had forgetten about that," she said, adding the information on the paper. After an awkward pause, "Where do you prefer?" she asked before taking a mouthful of her meal.

"France?" Ron proposed, smacking his lips.

"France?" Hermione put down her knife and fork and stared at him. "No, it can't be France."

"Why not?" Ron frowned.

"Because I don't like France," she stated as she began picking at her salad.

"Where do you want then?" Ron blurted out, abruptly. "Bulgaria?"

Hermione widened her eyes. Ron blushed slightly when he realised his mistake. He knew immediately that it was a stupid thing to say. Mentally, he slapped himself.

"Oh, well," he murmured his cheeks burning. "Italy?" he asked sweetly after a moment.

"Okay Italy," Hermione approved a shadow of a smile haunting her lips. "Rome?" she suggested.

"Rome," agreed Ron smiling.

After they finished their meals, Hermione glanced at her watch. "It's already seven o'clock," she remarked nervously, "I have got a lot of things to do, let's go," she said, gathering her things and standing. Ron nodded reluctantly and went to pay the check.

As they walked outside the restaurant, "wait," Ron stopped Hermione, grabbing gently her by the arm. "When are you going to move in?"

Hermione looked blushed. "Well, tomorrow," she murmured in a low voice.

"I will be waiting then!" Ron beamed and watched Hermione disappear around the corner.

"Tomorrow," Ron repeated and began whistling cheerfully on the way of his home.

AN: Please please please review! But no flame :)