Disclaimer: Everything belongs to J.K. Rowling.
Playing House
Chapter 10: Hitch
The next two days went without incident after the lovely dinner. Ron couldn't see Hermione properly though, she had been very busy, and he had to stay at work for long hours. Mercifully, they had nights to spend together, which Ron enjoyed a lot.
It was usually Ron who had come home earlier. He waited for Hermione for dinner. Hermione didn't let Ron to preapare the meals. But she generally made him to set the table that Ron didn't mind at all. They had their meals chatting and telling each other about their days at work. After dinners, while Hermione working on her articles, Ron studied his uncompleted reports, or he impatiently waited for her to finish her works. Then mostly they played chess in front of the fireplace, or just sat together in an awkward, but completely peaceful silence.
The peace and the welfare only lasted two days though. On Thursday, Hermione was unusually late. Ron started to worry about her when the clocks chimed nine o'clock since she had never been so late. He paced in the sitting room back and forth anxiously. For a moment he considered to go out and look for her but he didn't need to do it as he heard the casual thump in the fireplace. He gave a sigh of relief.
"Hermione," he called excitedly. "Where have you been? I worried about you!"
"Umm, Ron," Hermione started, looking nervous after she stepped outside the fireplace. "Well, I…" She trailed off. There was something strange with her behaviour. Ron panicked slightly.
"Did something happen?"
"No, no…" She shook her head at once.
"It's just…" she muttered, taking a step closer. "I will go out tonight Ron!" she blurted out unexpectedly. Ron widened his eyes at her and waited for her to continue.
"Tonight, the newspaper is having a party," she told quickly. Ron's heart gave an odd thump.
"Well," he murmured. Thinking that she was going to invite him, his heart started to speed up and he flushed slightly.
"I would like to invite you but-" Hermione said quickly, avoiding her eyes as if she read his mind, "But it's just for the members of the paper," she explained. Ron felt a sinking feeling got him on the stomach.
"Well I see," he murmured, lowering his gazes. He was completely disappointed. For a moment, he thought he could go with her.
They stood in a tense silent for a couple of minutes.
"Well, I guess I will go home," Hermione whispered, breaking the silence. "Because I have to dress up for the party. I don't have suitable clothes in here!"
"I see," Ron repeated, feeling defeated. "Do you have to go?" he couldn't help but asked.
"Yes, I do." She responded softly. "I am going to make a speech tonight. That's why I was late, I was preparing it in the office," she explained.
"All right," Ron nodded, trying not to sound so hurt.
Hermione didn't say anything else; she turned her back and stepped inside the fireplace.
"Wait," Ron stopped her, grabbing her arm gently. "Do you want me to take you there?" he asked eagerly. "Well, that would be less dangerous you know, and the inspection and all…"
"Actually Ron," Hermione managed, wrinkling. " I said yes to Hugh, when he offered to take me back to the house!"
"What?" Ron winced. "Why did you do that?"
"Well, I couldn't find an excuse. If I had rejected, he would be suspected."
"Suspected of what?" Ron pressed on.
"Well, I don't know."
"Don't worry, please," she continued as Ron went silent. "There won't be someone from DRM job. It is just our members. There won't be a problem, I can assure you. Now, please don't worry about that."
"Well, I won't worry about that," Ron said under his breath sardonically before he turned his back to her. When he heard the casual thump, he was sure now that she was gone.
"Damn it!" he bellowed in the silent house as he kicked the wall furiously. Then he grabbed a pillow and threw it onto the floor. The pillow hit the easel; a frame fell down and it broke into pieces with a loud sound. He was fuming. Where the hell this party had come from? He asked to himself. She was gone and he had let her go. There was nothing he could do about it. He wouldn't stay in that house anymore. After cursing some, he went over Harry and Ginny' place.
They were in their small sitting room, when he was apparated. Harry was lounging on the couch and Ginny was seated across him, having kittens. "Ron," She gave away a small sequal as she noticed him. Ron didn't answer.
"Uh- huh," Ginny looked surprised.
"Hello, Ron," said Harry as he straightened on the couch.
"What's wrong?" asked Ginny worriedly as Ron rested silent in the middle of the room, his hands on his hips, and his eyes narrowed.
"What happened?" asked Harry rolling his eyes. "Did you argue with Hermione?"
Ron didn't answer.
"Ron you git!" Ginny scolded. "Sit down and tell us what you've done this time."
"I didn't do something," Ron replied finally, his voice loud. "I just didn't." he couldn't believe that they were accusing him.
Harry and Ginny raised their eyebrows expectantly.
"Hermione," he blurted out. "He went to a party with a guy," he said, his eyes huge, looking positively alarmed. Ginny's mouth opened in astonishment, while Harry rolled his eyes knowingly as he seated back on the couch.
"How did this happen?" asked Ginny indicating him to sit next to her on the couch. Ron sat down obediently before he started to tell.
"Well, tonight she was late and I was worried about her. Then she popped in and told me that the newspaper organised a party and she had to go."
"Didn't she invite you?" asked Harry curiously. Ron sent him a murderous glare.
"No," he hissed. "She said that it was special to the members."
Harry and Ginny shared a furtive look.
"Well, that's not a terrible thing," Ginny commented soothingly. "Don't exaggerate Ron."
"I was okay with this," Ron snapped. "But when I offered to drive her to the party, she refused me telling that she had already promised someone."
"Really who?" asked Ginny, looking at him inquisitively.
"I don't know," Ron bellowed furiously and abruptly leapt to his feet. Ginny jerked slightly.
"A git with a name Hugh," he said disgustedly. Harry chuckled at this.
"Well, I didn't hear that name before," said Ginny casually, before she went back to her kittens. Ron rolled his eyes at her. He was annoyed with their indifference.
"What if he asks her?" he asked after a moment as he started to pace in the room nervously.
"Ask what?" asked Harry, looking clueless. Ron grunted in response and narrowed his eyes at him.
"That wouldn't be a surprise, you know," stated Ginny knowingly, without raising her head. "She doesn't have a ring or something. Naturally, he can ask her."
"But that's inappropriate!" Ron remarked, running a hand through his hair, his temper raising. Ginny and Harry looked at him, surprised.
"Well, we are playing a game here," he indicated, desperately.
"Don't be silly Ron," Ginny chuckled, shaking her head slighltly. "She wouldn't spoil it."
"What about my career?" he pointed out, persistently. "She shouldn't leave me at the halfway. Why did she agree if she was considering to quit?" he asked, exasperating with frustration.
"Ron," Harry sighed. "Hermione wouldn't do such a thing," he remarked.
"Well, still," Ron protested. "No need to risk that," he challenged started to feel uncomfortable. Harry and Ginny shared a grin. "I don't want to her," he said almost in a whisper, lowering his gazes to the floor, sittng back to the couch.
"You should have told her if you didn't want her to go," said Harry after a while.
"I said," Ron shrugged.
"Really?" asked Ginny excitedly, looking impressed.
"Well, not exactly but," Ron murmured. "I asked if she had to go," he raised his eyebrows.
"What did she say?"
"She said that she had to."
They didn't comment on it.
"I am going to that party," said Ron moments later, abruptly getting up to his feet. They stared at him in shock.
"Don't be silly Ron, sit down," Ginny scolded pulling him by the sleeves back to the couch. "She wouldn't like it and you would ruin everything," she stated threateningly, looking serious.
"But Ginny," murmured Ron sheepishly. "What if that jerk raises her hopes or something?" he asked nervously, concern evident on his features.
"There is nothing to worry about it right now," Ginny concluded firmly as she slowly got to her feet. "Well, I wil make some tea," she announced.
"Thank you darling," Harry said. Ron merely nodded in helplessness.
"We were having a good time," said Ron turning to Harry after Ginny departed for kitchen. Harry raised a playfull eyebrow.
"Spill it out, Ron!"
"Not like that," Ron threw a pillow across to him, however a grin formed on his lips.
"It's just," he struggled for a moment, scratching his head idly. "I've started to get used to her. I mean, it's nice to have someone at home," he said, his ears flushing sligthly.
"Not someone ordinary, it's Hermione," Harry pointed out.
"Yeah," he nodded. "It's nice to have Hermione at home," he remarked, grinning.
"Yeah, it's nice to have a woman at home," said Harry raising his voice, as he saw Ginny coming out of the kitchen. Ron chuckled.
"You're talking about me, I guess," said Ginny smiling, after she put the tray on the easel and planted a tender kiss on Harry's lips.
"Just for one, act like mature okay?" said Ginny genuinely, looking in Ron's eyes. Harry approved her wife with his head. Ron nodded obediently as he started to sip his tea.
Ginny and Harry didn't allow him to return right away, insisting that he should stay longer. They both knew very well that it wouldn't do any good to him. However at the end of the night, he could finally say goodnight and step into the fireplace, after listening a quite number of advices and recommendations.
It was very late when he returned home. Hermione wasn't arrived yet, much to his dismay. Since he knew that he wouldn't be able to sleep, he seated in his favorite armchair and started to wait for her in the silence, lost in thoughts. He didn't turn on the lights, only the moonlight was illuminating the room.
It was more than one hour, when he finally heard the usual click on the door. For a moment he felt excited however didn't move a muscle.
"Oh," Hermione was surprised to see him in the sitting room, in the middle of the night.
"Hello," said Ron softly, glancing over his shoulder.
Once he caught her eyes, his heart gave a little flutter. She was wearing a gorgeous black dress, her hair knotted perfectly in an elegant shape, a lot of make up on her face, and her cheeks pink due to the butterbeer, Ron supposed. Despite his admiration on her apparance he felt annoyed suddenly. But he kept his composure.
"Well, you didn't have to wait for me," said Hermione, approaching to his armchair, looking somewhat disturbed.
"I just couldn't sleep," Ron remarked in a nonchalant manner. But he was sure that she wasn't convinced. He ignored it.
"Did you have a good time? How was the party?" he urged to ask, finally fixing his gazes on her. He didn't like the accusation tone of his voice however the jealousy and the suspicion were gnawing inside him.
"It was okay," replied Hermione casually, not sensing the hint in his state. "But I am very tired, I am going to turn in now," she stated, leaning againts the wall as she started to take out her shoes lazily. Ron watched her.
"Why? Did you dance a lot?" he couldn't help but ask. Hermione stared at him in confusion. Ron mentally slapped himself for asking this. "I promised Ginny," he reminded himself under his breath.
"No," said Hermione after a moment, looking taken aback.
"Okay," said Ron sheepishly. For a moment, he realised that he was pushing the edges to have an argument. Thankfully, she was civil.
Then her eyes got the sight of the broken pieces on the floor, she cast a questioning look at him. Ron avoided his eyes quickly and swollowed hard. But strangely, Hermione didn't ask something about it instead, "Good night," she said and whirled around to head her room. Ron quickly got to his feet.
"Well Hermione," he called.
"Yes?" Hermione turned and looked at him.
Ron didn't answer because he didn't have something to say. He just wanted to look at her. Hermione stared at him with interest.
"Well good night," he murmured finally. And then he went to his bedroom and collapsed into the bed.
The next day, he went to the work without having a proper breakfast. He didn't want to think about Hermione therefore he tried to occupy himself with work however, he couldn't get the infuriating idea out of his mind that was disturbing him very much, the idea of Hugh flirting with Hermione.
Coincidentally enough, after the lunch break, he found a letter arrived for him. When he saw the sign on the envelope, his heart did a somersault. It was from 'Gregory Hewitt'
Before he opened it, taking a deep breath he seated himself in his chair. It read,
Mr. Ronald Weasley,
I would like to infrom you that I am going to visit you in your house on Saturday. Please inform your state whether you will be available or not.
Yours sincerely,
Gregory Hewitt
There was the letter, he had anticipated. Ron felt suddenly excited. He quickly grabbed his ink and responded the letter carefully, writing that he would like to have him as a guest with pleasure.
After he sent the letter, suddenly something in his mind clicked. With this news, he could visit Hermione in the office. And by the way, he could check around and see if that stupid jerk Hugh had been a real problem for him.
He easily got the permission from Kingsley and then directly apparated to the Daily Prophet's building. He checked around quickly. It was crowded and noisy as always, everybody looking busy and stressed. He was forced to guess who was Hugh and what was he doing. Then he decided to find Hermione who was probably working in her room.
He knocked the door gently and popped his head in. There she was again in the same position just like when he came a while ago. She seemed busy with papers and looking focused.
"Hello," he had to call out.
"Oh," she finally raised her head. "Ron," she looked surprised. "What are you doing here?"
"Well, I've news for you!" he exclaimed. Hermione stared at him expectantly.
"Today I recieved the letter of the president." Ron saw Hermione's eyes widened.
"Really?"
"Yes. He asked if I was available for the Saturday night."
"What did you say?"
"Yes, of course," he snapped. Hermione looked relieved.
"Well, finally."
Just then, they heard a knock and then the door opened suddenly, a tall blonde man entered the room, staring at a paper, looking distracted.
"Hermione look what I've found," said the man before raising his head from the paper. Ron turned his eyes to Hermione who turned slighlty pink for some reason.
"Oh, well, Ron this is Hugh," she blurted out a bit too cheerfully. Ron frowned.
"Oh, hello," greeted Hugh who finally noticed Ron. "I didn't know you had a guest," he stated.
"Hugh this is Ron," Hermione introduced awkwardly, avoiding her eyes from Ron. Ron seized his hand, his eyes narrowed, with a serious expression on his face. They exchanged a stern look.
"I need to show you soemthing but-" Hugh stopped midsentence. "I will drop by later," he exclaimed quickly before he flashed a grin at Hermione. And then he headed out of the room, sparing a quick glance at Ron.
"I've to go now," said Ron quickly after Hugh exited. "I just wanted to tell you about the letter," he said. Hermione nodded. And without another word, Ron dashed out of the room. After he closed the door behind him, he glanced around his eyes looking for Hugh.
There he was. Ron finally spotted. He darted forward and headed to his desk, without knowledge what he should to do. Once he arrived at his desk, Hugh raised his head gave Ron an irriated look.
"Well thank you for accompany Hermione last night!" Ron said, looking noncholant. Hugh seemed surprised at these words.
"Well, thank you," he gave away a grin that annoyed Ron.
"Because," Ron approached with a sudden movement. Hugh shifted in his seat uncomfortably. "I couldn't accompany her," he said as he sent a glimpse at Hermione's door. "And Hermione was sad about that!"
"Oh really?" asked Hugh in mock surprise. "I didn't know about it!"
"Well, you couldn't of course," snapped Ron. "Anyway that was a really nice gesture but," he contiuned. "It would be better if you stay away from her!"
Hugh frowned. "Why is that?"
"Keep my advice," Ron exclaimed threateningly and turned around to exit the room.
"But why would I listen to you?" he heard him asking behind his back. Ron slowly turned his heels and approached his desk that made Hugh jerk in his seat.
"I am just saying. It's your business from now on!" Ron narrowed his eyes.
"Do you consider yourself her husband or something? Hugh asked sarcastically.
"Well yes indeed!"
And with that, he headed to the exit, grinning to himself. But before he exited the building he felt a pair of eyes on him. His eyes darted around and he noticed a woman whose desk next to the Hugh, was watching him interestedly. Ron's eyes caught the side of the small sign on her desk, which was written "Laura Scott" on it.
AN: Hello to all. It's getting complicated, huh? Lol. In the next one, the president is going to show up. And it will be a special chapter, I promise. But now, why don't you review and encourage me:)