Disclaimer: Everything belongs to J.K. Rowling.

Playing House

Chapter 6: Gratitude

That morning, Ron arrived at Ministry very early. The office was empty. He was astonished because he had never arrived at Ministry earliest. That made him smile. Settling on his chair, he decided to read the owls, until his friends arrive.

Five minutes later, he was distracted with an intense scent of a perfume and he looked up to see Julie entered the office, wearing a dark blue coat with a matching pair of high steel shoes, her hair abnormally straight, and a lot of make up on her face. Ron blinked at her in puzzlement.

"Oh, Ron," Julie looked surprised when she finally noticed him. "I am surprised to see you here, at this time of the day," she said, checking her waist watch, " or my eyes deceiving me?" she asked mock in surprise.

"Come on Julie," Ron complained, shaking his head. "You had better get used to it," he said, "because I've changed," he stated, giving her a lopsided smile.

"Oh, yes I understand," said Julie, nodding slightly as she hang her coat on the hanger. "It's for the DRM job isn't it?" she asked as she put her hands on her hips.

"Well," Ron smiled slightly, "ıt's not just me who have been changed," he said, his eyes twinkling. "Look at yourself," he gestured to her, "this make up and these clothes," he said, "not for Kingsley himself, or is it?"

Julie blushed slightly. "I have my own way," she said raising a mischievous eyebrow. "Now I feel myself in trouble," Ron joked chuckling. Julie laughed as well.

"What are you reading anyway?" she asked, moving close to his desk. As she approached, Ron noticed the big slit in her skirt he gulped for air. He had never seen her like that before, he was stunned.

"Just the formal letters, which arrived yesterday," he explained, indicating the stuff in front of him. "What about the mission?" he asked keenly as he remembered. "Did you find anything about the assembly?" he asked looking at her face expectantly.

"Robert has been concerning about it," explained Julie as she leaned the edge of his desk. "Yesterday he told me about a man who once involved that group," she said, "today he's going to look for him," she concluded.

"Yes," Ron exclaimed enthusiastically. "That's really good news," he said and folded his arms behind his head, looking relaxed. Smiling slightly, Julie added; "You should have seen George, he didn't take kindly to be disregarded by Kingsley."

"That jerk," Ron frowned. "He can't stand, when I did something good," he shook his head in irritation.

At this moment the door flung opened and Scott entered the room, looking glum and morose as ever.

"Speaking of the devil," Ron whispered to Julie's ear. Julie giggled uncontrollably.

"Good morning George," she greeted him with a bright tone as she winked at Ron.

"Good morning Miss Peterson," answered George with an acid tone. He didn't even look at Ron's face. Julie stuck her tongue out behind his back which made Ron chuckle. They shared a we-were-expecting-this look.

After Scott, the other members of the team started to arrive. After a long wait, Robert entered the room, a grin on his face. From what he saw; Ron guessed he had good news.

"Hello folks," he greeted the room cheerfully. They greeted back in murmur.

"I have good news," he directly headed to the Ron's desk.

"You found the man," exclaimed Ron excitedly, his eyes huge.

"How do you know that?" asked Robert looking surprised however nodded in agreement.

"Great," Ron smiled and hit him on the arm playfully.

"Let's don't tell Kingsley yet," warned Julie unexpectedly who had joined them. "You know until we find the murderer," she said and indicated secretly Scott who was looking at them curiously.

"Yes, you're right!" approved Ron as he sent Scott a cross look. "When are you going to find the place?" he asked to Robert, lowering his voice.

"I have the adress but the man told me that they always gathered in the evening and at the weekends so I think we had better wait for the weekend," he explained in a whisper tone. "By the way, I haven't finished my raport yet," he wrinkled.

"Okay," Ron nodded in agreement. "And until then," Julie added, "I will get the old man's dead rapport from the St. Mungo's" she explained.

As they headed back to their own desk, the door opened suddenly and Kingsley walked in with a strange man next to him. Ron straightened in his seat.

"Good morning, everybody," Kingsley greeted them in a formal tone. The other man who looked mid-aged was short and bald. He gave an enquiring look around the room. He wasn't smiling but he didn't look nervous either.

"This," Kingsley started, as the looks focused on the man, "is the new member of our team." He explained. Everybody in the room looked confused. "He came from Nottingham for an exchange mission and he will join us for a couple of weeks," Kingsley continued, sharing a weak smile with the man. Ron was surprised at the declaration. It had never happened before. It was rather odd. However he dismissed the thought.

The mysterious man nodded his head in greeting when Ron met his eyes and returned the gesture and then he headed to the desk, which was empty for the last six month as if he knew what he was supposed to do very well.

"So, I hope you will do fine," Kingsley added with a half sincere, half warning tone and with that, he headed to the door.

"Chief," Ron called out him quickly and got to his feet, remembering Hermione's demand. Kingsley stopped and turned on his heel to face him.

"Yes Weasley," he looked at him in inquisitiveness. "Can I talk to you a second?" Ron asked, looking around to make sure nobody was listening. He gently pushed him to the corner.

"Come on Ron, I need to hurry," Kingsley prompted.

"Yes," muttered Ron once they were out of earshot. "Well, I was wondering," he struggled for a minute, "I was wondering if you knew anything about the visit date of the president," he asked looking slightly blushed.

Kingsley sighed audibly. "No," he said curtly. Ron nodded, feeling crestfallen and he turned back to his desk. "But," Kingsley grabbed him on the arm gently, "I will try to learn," he whispered with a slight smile. Ron's face lit up considerably.

Now, Ron felt overjoyed. Everything had started to turn into good; he had never felt this way. Hermione was with him, his chief was supporting him, and he was succesful in the last job. Everything seemed so positive.

Actually, he knew the reason very well. It was Hermione who had provided this new circumstance. He had never thanked her before; he realised bitterly. Yes indeed he had in words, but he wasn't sure if she knew how big his appreciation was.

She didn't expect something for sure; she didn't want something in return. She had helped him, because it was Hermione. She had always helped him. She was a helpful and thoughtful person. It was her nature without a doubt. She would do the same things for Harry? Would she?

After the work, before he went home, Ron decided to buy a gift for her. Therefore he went straight to the Diagonal Alley. It was the only place he could find whatever he wanted. He didn't have something on his mind though; it was the most irritating thing to do.

But this time he wasn't so troubled about it, on the contrary he felt like doing it. He didn't have financial problems anymore. "thanks Merlin" he was grateful. But the biggest problem was still there, what would he buy?

"A book?" he asked to himself as he wandered among the narrow streets. "Not exactly," he mumbled to himself. He had given up to buy her something educational since the fifth grade. It was out of the question. "Parfume?" he considered for a moment. "No," he rejected mentally.

"What else," he struggled for a moment. Watching the windows of the several shops, he tried to choose something special. However, everything seemed so casual, so simple for his like.

He almost decided to postpone the idea, until he came across an elite dressing shop. On its window, there was a cashmere white cardigan. As soon as he saw it, he loved it. And without thinking twice, he entered the shop and bought it for Hermione.

When he finally arrived home it was almost seven o'clock. He thought that Hermione was still at work. But to his surprise, a light was coming from the sitting room and he percieved a delicious smell had covered the house. Hermione was home. Hiding the package quickly, he called out, "Hello!"

"In here," yelled Hermione from the sitting room. Ron smiled and headed to her voice.

She had curled up in a chair before the fire, a book in her lap, wearing a pair of jeans and a cotton blue blouse, her hair knotted on the top, and wearing a tired expression. She looked up from her book, when he came in.

"Hi," she greeted him sweetly.

"Hello," said Ron as he crossed to the chair opposite hers and dropped into it. "You're late," she stated, looking at him curiously.

"Well," Ron murmured. "Last time rapport," he lied. "I smell something in the cooker," he narrowed his eyes, smacking his lips playfully. Hermione chuckled at his reaction.

"Yeah chicken," she nodded. "I could suffer from the lack of nourishment if I didn't prepare something," she said, rolling her eyes. "Big surprise you are still alive," she joked. This time Ron laughed.

"I am in the safe hands now then," he said teasingly. "Don't flatter yourself," Hermione said trying to sound harsh. "I won't be your cooker," she said however a shadow of a smile haunted her lips.

"Then," Ron leapt to his feet abruptly, "I will set the table, all right?" he asked.

"Fair enough," she said.

After a while, Hermione couldn't help and joined him.

At dinner, they talked about their jobs. Ron told her about the last mission, and proudly told her that they were coming to a conclusion. She congratulated him whole-heartedly. He didn't forget to mention about Kingsley's favour. She praised Kingsley. Then, Hermione mentioned about her job, she added that she had been following the news about the DRM job.

After dinner, Ron insisted to collect the table; he wouldn't want to tire her out. Hermione accepted right away, saying that she had an article to finish and she headed to her room.

After he finished his work, feeling a bit tired, Ron sat on his favourite armchair and thought.

He was peaceful. Was he waiting for that, for a danger in his life to pull together himself? It wasn't that hard to have an ordinary life, he thought mentally. He hadn't needed an ordinary life before. But now, he had one, since he felt responsible for Hermione. Because she had believed him, she had helped him.

He suddenly realised that they were so gentle to each other for the last two days. Was it because they lived under the same roof? They had lived before in fact; it wasn't the first time that they lived in the same house. There was Burrow, and then Godric Hollow in the seventh year. But it was different now. It was different because they were alone. They didn't dare to fight or to say something bad to each other. Normally, he should have teased her so far.

His eyes caught the side of their wedding pictures. They were fakes in fact, Ron knew that, but he thought they looked lovely.

Suddenly he remembered that he hadn't given her present yet, he got to his feet and led his way to her room.

Hesitating slightly, he knocked on the door. He was nervous because a studying Hermione could be rather dangerous. He knew that by experience. However a relaxed voice responded.

"Come in, Ron!"

Smiling, Ron entered the room. "Yes, Ron?" asked Hermione without raising her head from the paper she had been studying.

"Well," Ron murmured, approaching the desk. "Aren't you bored?" he asked as he bended over the paper and looked at it curiously. "The room is very small," he added.

"I have to finish this Ron," Hermione explained indicating the paper, "it should be ready for tomorrow," she said, finally looking at him in the eye.

"Yeah," Ron nodded, looking disappointed. "But I am bored," he said after a moment, pursing his lips like a child.

Hermione smirked. "Do what you always do to entertain yourself then," she said, turning her attention on her article again.

"Normally," Ron sighed, "I go out," he said, running a hand wearily through his hair. "But now I can't go, can I?" he asked, "I am under inspection, you know that," he remarked arching a serious eyebrow.

"Yeah," Hermione seemed worried. "You shouldn't go out," she said. "But what do you want me to do?" she asked.

"Just come to the sitting room," Ron suggested. "Let's do something!"

"Do what?" asked Hermione raising an eyebrow.

"Don't know," Ron shrugged. "Chess maybe?" he asked with a smile. Thankfully, Hermione didn't hate the idea. "Okay," she said, "give me five minutes, it is about to finish," she explained.

"All right," Ron grinned triumphantly. "I will bring the set then," he said and walked out of the room.

Once Hermione entered the sitting room, Ron hastily handed her the package.

"What is this?" Hermione asked, looking surprised.

"A present," Ron explained awkwardly. "But for what?" asked Hermione, staring at the package Ron had been holding. The confusion on her face was evident.

"Well," Ron started, "I didn't really thank you," he explained, feeling his cheeks hot.

"Oh Ron," Hermione said. "Why, I mean, I didn't-" she stuttered looking blushed, as she grabbed the package.

"Just open it Hermione," Ron requested hurriedly. He was wondering if Hermione would love it.

Hermione started to unwrap it nervously. When she finally opened it, she gasped in amazement.

"Oh," her eyes widened, "Ron this is-" she started as she took the cardigan in her hands, "this is-" she finally looked at his eyes, "this is lovely," she concluded. Ron saw her eyes getting a little wet around the eyes.

Unexpectedly she threw herself in his arms. Ron was stunned. He wasn't expecting this reaction. It was really rare Hermione giving him like that a hug. It was like a millennium. He felt his cheeks went crimson.

"Well," he murmured hoarsely as she finally broke the hug. " Why don't you try on it?" he suggested, trying to sound casual.

"Yes sure," said Hermione giving him a bright smile.

It suited her. Ron was so proud of himself. Hermione wandered her hands on its smooth fabric, her eyes twinkling joyfully. Ron noticed it fit her perfectly.

"You look nice," he said at last, his voice cracked slightly. Hermione blushed a pale of pink. A long moment of silence passed before Ron spoke again; "shall we play?"

"Yes," Hermione agreed. Carefully she put the cardigan back to the box, and sat across him, a lovely grin on her face. As they set up the pieces they heard a knock on the door out of the blue. Their eyes widened at the same time.

"Were you expecting someone?" Hermione asked him, looking worried.

"No," Ron said, getting up to his feet. "And you?" he asked.

"Of course not," Hermione scowled. "Go and answer," she said, standing up. "I will alter the pictures in the meantime," she stated her eyes looking for her wand.

Ron went to the door, confused. Who could it be? He wasn't waiting for someone. Could it be the president?

As he opened the door his eyes widened instantly.

"Julie?"

AN: Now,it's getting warm up, isn't it? ;) I hope you like it!

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