Disclaimer: Everything belongs to J.K. Rowling.

Playing House

Chapter 5: Welcome to my Truth

The next day felt like eternity for Ron.

The hours didn't know to pass somehow. He had always hated to be stuck in the office but that day, it was just unbearable. He merely wanted to go home and wait for Hermione. However, seeing that he had hours for that, he kept himself occupied until the departure time. He organized the rapport for Kingsley; he was surprised at his determination. He even helped Julie and they talked about the last mission for a long time, he examined the clues, which they found the previous day.

At the end of the day, he arrived at home feeling happy for some reason. The house was in a mess, he hadn't tidied it for a long time. For fear that Hermione would find the place dirty, He decided to tidy it before she arrived.

His flat was very small, only adequate for him. It possessed three rooms with a few furnitures: a sitting room, a bedroom, and a guest room. He had lented it after his Auror training, despite Mrs. Weasley's big protests. Sometimes, it felt really odd to live all alone in a totally silent house, after a crowded and loud life. On the other hand, it was his sacred place when he needed privacy and peace. But from time to time, he wondered what it would be like with a company, and now he had the opportunity even though it was all a part of a plan.

After casting a couple of cleaning charms, the house was finally clean, at least tidy to his opinion. He had rarely cleaned the house, always Mrs. Weasley had stopovered to make the big cleaning. Since he had spent some efforts, he felt hungry however he decided to wait for Hermione. He had a quick shower and started to wait for her. When the clocks chimed seven o'clock, he began to get worry that she might have give up.

As he started to pace in the sitting room nervously, he heard a knock on the door. He sprinted out to answer it. Before answering, he couldn't help but grinned. His grin disappeared as soon as he opened the door though.

"Harry!" He exclaimed. "Ginny!"

"Ron," they greeted him awkwardly, looking taken aback.

"Oh, Hello," said Ron after a minute, "come on, come in," he said motioning them to enter.

"Hello Ron," greeted Ginny, giving her brother a peck on the cheek. "For a moment you looked like you hated us."

"Don't be silly, Ginny," Ron said smiling. "I am surprised to see you, that's all," he explained briefly, feeling his cheeks hot.

"What a big honour, Potter family," he said playfully as they headed to the living room.

"Well, as I told Ginny about the letter, she was overwhelmed," explained Harry, rolling his eyes dramatically. He plunged himself on the sofa.

"Well, Ron," Ginny started ignoring Harry, "once Harry told me about your great idea," she continued, "I found it a bit fishy," she said, grimacing. Ron and Harry rolled their eyes at the same time.

"Come on," Ginny scowled at their reaction. "You even considered Lavender as a choice," she wrinkled.

"What else could I do Ginny?" asked Ron, getting slightly furious. "You know how I want this job," he remarked.

"I know," said Ginny warmly with a smile.

"How did you make Hermione agree to this? Tell me about it," she asked excitedly after a moment, widening her eyes.

"Well," Ron murmured, a silly grin forming on his lips. "I didn't beg or something I just suggested," he told, trying to sound casual. "In the beginning she declined at once, but then," he shrugged, "then she came and said she had accepted."

"And that's saying something," commented Harry.

"What?" Ron snapped.

"Well, he is right," Ginny approved her husband quickly. "Hermione is very busy at the moment and accepted to join your stupid game," she stated, rasing an eyebrow. "She wouldn't risk her job and your job, so it's un-Hermione-ish but…"

"Ginny," interrupted Ron, defeatedly. "The reason is obvious, isn't it?" He let out an exasperated sigh. "She pitied on me."

As he saw Ginny opened her mouth to protest he interjected quickly. "Did you have dinner?" he asked to change the topic.

"No, I am starving!" Harry exclaimed quickly. Ron smiled knowingly.

"So am I," he said. "But there is nothing to eat," he added.

Harry moaned, Ginny merely tutted. "I will prepare something then," she said getting up to her feet.

"I love you, sis!"

"Shut up and help me," she said, ignoring him. Reluctanly, Ron got to his feet.

"I will be napping," said Harry.

"Oh yes, sure, that's what you have been doing for the last week," complained Ginny, sending him a critical glare.

"What?" Harry exclaimed. "I am a sportsman."

Ron and Ginny rolled their eyes as they headed to the kitchen.

"Well," started Ginny as soon as they reached the kitchen. Ron knew she was going to start her interrogation, reminiscent of Mrs. Weasley. He waited patiently.

"Harry told me about the idea but what do you have in mind? I mean, did you make a plan or something?" she asked, raising an eyebrow and putting her hands on her hips. "The Hermione I knew wouldn't jump on something she didn't know," she said as she got some vegetables from the fridge.

"Yeah," nodded Ron, smiling. "Actually, we made- I mean Hermione made a plan," he said as he picked up some plates from the cupboard.

"I should have known." Ginny smiled.

"So," she mumbled hiding a smile, "is she going to move in?" she asked trying to hide the amusement in her voice. Ron didn't know why he felt nervous all of a sudden, he dropped a plate.

"Yes," he answered, feeling his face heat up, after he murmured 'reparo'. "But just for a week or two," he added as he saw Ginny raised a knowing eyebrow.

"Great," commented Ginny. "When is she-"

Her question was interrupted by the knock on the door.

"Here is your answer," Ron exclaimed, his face lit up considerably. "It must be Hermione!" he said and sprinted to the door.

"Hermione," he beamed as he opened the door.

"Ron," she smiled.

"Welcome," he greeted. "Don't stand there, come in!"

"Aren't you alone," she asked curiously as she stepped inside.

"Just Harry and Ginny," explained Ron.

"Oh good," she said, putting her suitcase down. She looked nervous.

"Hermione," exclaimed Ginny who just emerged from the kitchen and pulled her into a fierce hug. They passed the hallway to reach the living room.

"Hi, Harry," Hermione greeted him.

"Hi, Hermione," Harry greeted back from the couch where he was laying.

"What are these?" asked Ginny curiously; pointing the wrapped bag Hermione had been holding.

"Umm, well," muttered Hermione,looking slightly flustered. Ron understood what was in right away, their pictures. Before Hermione could tell, Ginny grabbed the bag and opened it.

"Oh my god," Ginny gasped. "These are- when did you?"

"Well," Hermione started, looking blushed. "This was a part of a plan!"

"With these, you could even make me believe," said Ginny handing the pictures Harry to see them. Harry chuckled.

Ron peered in the picture over Ginny's shoulder. They looked really nice and Hermione looked really beautiful in the picture. He wanted to examine them very much, but he didn't dare to show his enthusiasm in front of Ginny and Harry. He exchanged a glance with Hermione. She looked content.

"Where are you going to put these?" asked Ginny excitedly as she whirled around to spot a nice place to hang them.

"How is here?" she asked as she put a picture on the drawer next to the other frames.

"Actually I charmed them," explained Hermione as she pulled her wand out of her pocket. Pointing her wand on a picture, she murmured a charm that quickly changed the picture into a panorama picture.

"Wicked," commented Ron.

"Just protection," explained Hermione haugtily. "You didn't think we'd let everybody see them, did you?" She explained. "It's for the president you know,"

"Great job," said Harry.

There was an awkward silence.

"Anyway, let's eat something," said Ginny. "Hermione I hope you didn't have dinner, did you?" she asked, motioning Hermione to follow her into the kitchen.

"No," Hermione shook his head. Ron was thankful that Ginny changed the subject because the situation was getting awkward.

The dinner was merry and hectic with accompany of Ginny and Harry. They advised about what they should do in the presence of the president and how to act while he visited. Ron found it amusing, Hermione listened them by heart. From time to time, Ginny made comments about their game that made Hermione and Ron went crimson. They talked about the details, and the others, they talked about the jobs.

When the clocks chimed midnight, Ginny looked at her watch and gasped. Complaining that she had an important meeting next morning, dragging Harry by the elbow, she headed to the door. Ron's heart gave an odd thump. For a moment he considered to insist them to stay more.

But he didn't of course.

"Well," he murmured turning Hermione, as he closed the door behind them.

"Well," muttered Hermione, breaking the silence. "It's late," she said, turning her gazes to the floor. "I need to sleep," she said choosing her words.

"Yeah," Ron nodded. "So do I," he said and watched Hermione for a moment.

"So?" asked Hermione. "I will be sleeping where?" she asked.

"What? Oh," said Ron. "There is a bed in the guest room," he started as he led his way to a small room next to his bedroom. "But it's-" he muttered, feeling suddenly ashamed, "umm… prety small," he remarked. Hermione gave an inquisitive look around.

"If you want you can sleep in my bed," Ron said thoughtlessly not noticing his words, thinking that she didn't like the room.

As he saw Hermione widened her eyes, his face went crimson. "And I will be sleeping in this one, of course!" he stated quickly.

"Oh no," rejected Hermione at once. "No need," she muttered, "here is fine, I don't mind the bed," she said and she started to unpack her small valise.

"Okay then," Ron nodded. After biding 'good night' to her, he departed for his own room.

>>>>>>>

Next morning, Ron woke up with a small smash. He wide opened his eyes, thinking there was a stranger in his house. He jumped to his feet quickly and grabbed his wand. Holding his breath, he mutely opened the door and headed to the kitchen where the noise coming from.

As he pointed his wand on the figure, he gave a sigh of relief. It was just Hermione. He had forgetten she was in his house. She was in front of the counter, desperately looking for something. At the moment, she noticed him.

"Good mor-" she paused and widened her eyes. "What are you doing?" she looked surprised.

"Oh," Ron murmured. "I forgot you were here," he said. Hermione smiled, shaking her head slightly. "Did I wake you up?" she asked looking worried. "I intented to have breakfast but-" she grimaced, "obviously there is nothing to eat," she continued. "Tell me when it's expire date?" she asked indicating what looked like a cheese plate.

"Dunno," Ron chuckled. "I don't remember," he said leaning againts the door.

"Don't you ever have breakfast at home?" she asked with her hands on her hips.

"Rarely," said Ron.

"Okay," said Hermione. "I guess I will make an omelette for us," she stated grabbing two eggs from the fridge. "Let's hope they're not rotten," she said playfully.

"Okay, but I will have a shower first," stated Ron and headed to the bathroom.

He had a quick shower and shaved quickly. Then he wore his formal clothes for job and joined Hermione who was sitting at the table and reading a paper in the meantime.

"Looks delicious," commented Ron as he sat on the table. Hermione smiled brightly.

"What are you reading?" he asked, munching on his omelette.

"It's just a copy of today's article," answered Hermione, waving a hand dismissively.

"Did you sleep well?" he asked, it was a long time, since he had breakfast at home.

"Yeah," she smiled, pouring Ron a cup of tea. Ron smiled back. He had missed to have breakfast with her.

"Ron," said Hermione after a moment. Ron looked up.

"You should talk to Kingsley today," she said, a serious look on her face. Nice. We're talking about job, again said Ron mentally.

"What about?" he asked, frowning slightly.

"About the president Ron," said Hermione. "Ask Kingsley about him, try to get informed," she advised. "It's important you know," she added as she saw Ron went silent, "and maybe he knows when he is going to visit us."

Ron sighed audibly.

"All right, Hermione," he agreed calmly. He didn't want to ruin the breakfast. Hermione smiled in response.

"Come on, you will be late," she said abruptly after she threw a quick glance at her watch.

"Okay, I am going," said Ron after sipping his tea, getting up to his feet.

"Good bye then," he said as Hermione started gathering the table. He couldn't help watched her for a moment. He had to leave. But somehow he couldn't help but gawked at her. It seemed like she was at the right place, at the right moment.

Hermione caught him staring; she scolded playfully, "are you still here?"

"Go away," she said smiling. This reaction reminded Ron her mother who always warned his father to be punctual. He couldn't help but grinned.

"But," he said playfully "I didn't get my-" he paused for a moment, his eyes twinkling joyfully, "my good-bye kiss from my wife!"

Hermione stared at him, open-mouthed.

"That was just a joke," said Ron at once before Hermione could answer, thinking that he was pushing his luck and disappeared without further ado.

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