Playing House
Chapter 11: Crossing the Line
"I can't believe you're sleeping peacefully!"
Ron jerked with the voice and his eyes snapped open quickly.
"What a prat you are!" he saw Hermione standing over his bed, her hands on her hips. "Come on let's have breakfast, today we have a lot of things to do," she scolded. She had a point. He had completely forgetten about the president. It was her fault indeed; the last minute party and the big Hugh surprise made him forget about it. He checked the small clock on the drawer. "Damn!" he moaned. It was only eight a.m.
With a last threatening look, Hermione walked out of his bedroom swiftly. Seeing that he had no other chance, Ron got to his feet reluctantly, rubbing his eyes with a sigh.
Hermione was still complaining when he finally reached at the kitchen.
"I've sent an owl to Ginny and requested her to come here!" she informed. "I don't think I am able to clean the whole house on my own!" she said, rolling her eyes.
"And you should go shopping," she continued hysterically. "I've prepared a menu for dinner, check it out tell me your opinions," she handed a piece of paper as he seated on the table.
"I am sure it'll be all right," he stated indifferently as he helped himself to sausages.
Hermione huffed in annoyance.
"While we're doing the cleaning you can go and buy them!"
"All right," he said, checking it over. It was a very long list with a lot of unnecessary stuff, to his opinion. "But Hermione there is a lot of food in here, which can be sufficient for an army!" he indicated sarcastically.
"If you know that well," she frowned, grabbing the paper, "go and do it by yourself!"
"Just joking," he said planting a sheepish grin as he grabbed the paper back. And he went back digging in.
"Come on, hurry up!" She said moments later.
"But I am not full up yet!" He complained after taking a mouthful of his egg. Hermione threw him a look of disgust.
"You can bolt something outside," she said, pushing him from the table.
At that moment they heard a familiar knock on he door.
"Here is Ginny," Hermione leapt to her feet. Ron followed her.
"Hellooo my bro," Ginny greeted him cheerfully, ruffling his hair. She looked full of energy, a bit too much for such an early morning.
"Hi, sis!" he greeted her back.
"What's wrong with you?" she asked inquisitively.
"It's just eight in the morning, and I couldn't wake up yet!"
"What about the last night?" she asked secretly, while Hermione headed to the kitchen.
"Well, we didn't have an argument," he said mutely. "And that Hugh won't be a problem," he said, winking at her.
"How do you know that? Did you talk to her about this?" she asked curiously.
"No. But I just know," he grinned.
"What are you whispering to each other?" Hermione emerged from the kitchen suddenly.
"Nothing!" they answered in unison.
"Ron!" she called out.
"Yeah?" He looked up.
"The list," she handed it to him. "Choose the pumpkins medium size, and try to buy less fat chicken I wrote it down," she explained.
"All right!" he nodded obediently.
"Ron!"
"Yes?"
"Don't come too early, hang around!"
"Ron?"
"What?"
"Take a jacket, it's chilly outside,"
He heard Ginny chuckled slightly behind him.
The cool spring weather helped him to wake up quickly. He was practically sent off from his own house. He considered what he could do for a minute. He considered dropping in Burrow but he had visited them a while ago. They would get suspicious; he couldn't risk it. Harry was out of the city yet again for a quidditch league match. In the end, he decided to visit twins who now opened their second joke shop in London. He hadn't seen them in a while; they were busy like he had been.
He found only George in the shop. Fred was with her newest girlfriend that Ron hadn't met yet. He helped George with the work. Afterwards, they went out and had lunch together. When Ron finally remembered to check his watch, it was nearly four p.m. in the afternoon.
He quickly said good-bye to George, making up excuses about his job. George didn't believe his words however he didn't push the matter. He directly went to the Diagonal Alley to get the things on the list. "It's going to cost me a fortune," he was telling to himself on the way.
"Where have you been?" Hermione jumped on him when he finally returned back home.
"You said not to come too early," he reasoned.
"I didn't mean that late," she tutted. " Anyway, did you get everything?"
"Yeah," he handed her the packages. The house looked very different. He could smell a flowery scent, and there were some changes in the living room. It looked like a lovely house, even to his eyes.
"Woaw!"
"It won't be ready on time," Hermione didn't hear his comment, she was complaining as she started to fill out the packages. "Come and make yourself useful!" she demanded.
Rolling his eyes, he followed her to the kitchen.
"Well, first we will make the soup and then the chicken," she informed eagerly.
"What will I do?"
Hermione sighed loudly. "Start from chopping the tomatoes, you can at least make the salad, can't you?" she asked and then started to whirl around in the kitchen. She was doing everything at a top speed; swinging her wand skilfully. Ron was astonished at her ability.
"Where did you learn cooking?" he couldn't help but asked as he watched her, amazed.
"Books!" Hermione replied without stopping her work.
"No way!" Ron protested.
"In theory, yes. But practically I made a lot of observations!" she stated and added, "in the meantime we should make a repeat!"
"Repeat of what?" Ron asked as he charmed his knife.
"Remember what we planned. Like where we met-"
"I remember!" he interjected quickly. "But go ahead, try me!"
"Okay, where did we marry?" she asked him.
"In the backyard of the Burrow in September."
"Right!"
"Where did we go for Honeymoon?" she continued while mixing the soup on the oven.
"I insisted on France but you made us go Italy!"
"Ron!"
"What?" he grinned at her. He noticed her lips curled into a grin.
"How do you want me to call you?" he asked all of a sudden, in a casual manner. Hermione seemed surprised by this. "What does it mean?" She asked tentatively.
"You know," Ron mumbled, "married couples call each other with fancy words." He shot her a sideaway glance.
"Don't know. Whatever you want," she mumbled, looking interested with the meal she had been cooking.
"All right!"
"Why did we marry? He asked after a moment.
The question seemed to catch her out of the guard; she stared at him for a moment then avoided her gazes. Muttering something incomprehensibly, she started to peel the potatoes.
"Oi, I asked a question, what if he ask us?" Ron insisted. Out of corner of his eyes, he studied her face. She looked embarrassed for some reason.
"And then we can both make up things," she said, shrugging.
"Like what?" He turned to stare at her. Hermione didn't look up at his face, but he was sure that she was completely pink.
"Like I had been your first love… Like you decided that you couldn't live without me, etc etc." Ron found very amusing and couldn't help but erupted in laughter. In a minute, Hermione joined him.
"Now you should set the table," she handed the plates and placed in his lap, without making an eye contact at all.
Moments later, Hermione came to check the table.
"Nice," she remarked with a content smile as she dried her hands on her sleeves. "Well, the soup and the puree are ready. I placed the chicken into the oven. I will have shower and then get ready. Don't forget to check out."
"Okay," Ron nodded.
"And don't touch the foods," she warned before she headed to the bathroom.
By the time she returned, he suddenly felt flattered. She was wearing the cardigan he bought for her. Her hair looked soft and neat and she was wearing slightly make up. Ron didn't say anything and they started to wait for the president.
At precisely eight o'clock, they heard a knock on the door. Ron jerked in excitement. He began to feel a slight panic rise up in him. Hermione saw his panic and she stepped close to him. "Be calm," she said squeezing his hand in comfort.
Ron breathed a few time to relax before he opened the door.
Behind the door there was an old man standing, a man who was short and white-haired, with a stern express on his face. He was wearing a round hat matching his brown suit. He was looking older than Ron considered.
"Hello, Mr. Weasley right?"
"Oh, hello," Ron greeted back, quickly recovering from his shock. "Please come inside," he indicated gently.
"Welcome," Hermione greeted the man a huge smile on her face. The man turned to face her and he smiled. "I'm Mrs. Weasley," she said as they seized hands. Ron stared at her awestruck. It was odd to hear she was saying that. He studied the man's face for a moment if he looked believed. He was indifferent, anyway.
"Can I have your jacket?" she asked gently.
The man nodded.
"Please this way," Hermione led him to the living room. Then she nudged Ron badly. There was an awkward silence, which Ron couldn't know what to say or act. He was nervous. Hermione, on the other hand, was rather comfortable.
"Well," Mr. Hewlitt started as he seated in an armchair, eyeing around interestedly. "It's a pretty nice house," he stated, breaking the silence. Ron and Hermione grinned at each other.
"Thank you!" they answered in unison.
"Do you want to drink something before the dinner?" asked Hermione, trying to be a gentle housewife.
"Yeah why not, a glass of firewhisky please?" Mr. Hewlitt agreed.
"Sure," Hermione got to her feet quickly to bring the drinks.
"I've heard about the last mission, Mr. Weasley. Why don't you tell me about it?" he started, trying to open a conversation.
"Well, it was easy actually. I've seen the worst." Ron answered nonchalantly.
"Yeah, from the Hogwarts years, I suppose."
"Yes,"
"How lovely," Mr. Hewlitt beamed. "Were you in the war too?
"Oh, yes!"
For half an hour they talked about the last mission and about the works in the Ministry. Ron could finally recover from the awkward mood.
"The dinner is served!" Hermione informed.
"My favourite soup," stated Hewlitt abruptly.
"Really?" Hermione beamed.
"May I learn your job?" he asked to her a few minutes later after they seated at the table.
"Well I am the editor of Daily Prophet!" answered Hermione.
"Really?" Hewlitt's eyes widened. "You look very young," He looked impressed. Ron smiled at her. Hermione looked a bit ashamed.
"Where did you meet?" he asked out of the blue.
Hermione threw a look at Ron, raising an eyebrow, which said –I told you so-.
"We were schoolmates in Hogwarst." Hermione stated. "She was my best friend along with Harry," Ron added quickly.
"Harry? Harry Potter?" Hewlitt repeated, his eyes huge. "I was pretty sure that he would join an auror team. But he surprised us all."
"Well, he didn't wan't to deal with it anymore. He had had enough," explained Hermione quickly.
"Sure, but you are still keep in touch, right?"
"Of course. He is wedded to my sister." Ron explained, grinning.
"Dear heavens," Mr. Hewlitt beamed. " What a famous family. And your father is retired from Ministry, if I'm not mistaken."
"Yes, he is. After the war, he quitted his job."
"I can understand." Hewlitt nodded in comprehension.
"What about you, why didn't you consider being an auror?" he turned to Hermione. You could be really successful and all."
Ron stared at Hermione as well, who had been looking at ease from the beginning. A natural actress, he thought to himself.
"The same excuses with Harry, actually. I didn't want to deal anymore," Hermione reasoned with a weak smile.
"And I didn't want her." Ron blurted out unexpectedly. Hewlitt stared at him, looking slightly confused. Hermione scowled and kicked him under the table. Ron winced in agony. "You know, it's pretty dangerous." He stated quickly, sparing a reproachful look at Hermione.
Hewliitt let out a chuckle. "I understand your point. We always want to protect the people we love."
Hermione flashed Hewlitt a smile. Ron was glad that she wasn't scowling anymore.
Things were much better than Ron could have ever hoped for. Hewlitt was so ease to talk, he thought secretly. He wasn't arrogant or smug for someone who had been a president as if truth be told; he was more cordial than he anticipated. He suddenly felt relaxed and started to enjoy the delicious purée Hermione had prepared.
"Well I wish I could meet Harry Potter, your famous friend," Hewlitt said dreamily, moments later.
"Well actually you could meet him." Ron exclaimed all of a sudden. "He would be in city for tomorrow evening," he informed eagerly. "If you could visit us again, he would be happy to meet you."
Hewlitt looked at his face surprised. Ron could feel Hermione gaping at him openmouthed.
Really?" asked Hewlitt.
"Ronald darling, could you help me some in the kitchen?" Hermione leapt to her feet abruptly and gestured him the kitchen.
Ron looked at her face, taken aback. "What? Oh, Sure!"
"Ron what did you tell him?" Hermione asked furiously, once they reached at the kitchen.
"What?"
"You shouldn't propose him. How do you know Harry would agree? You know he doesn't enjoy that kind of things," she said in a whisper tone.
"But Hermione," Ron whispered back. "Can't you see how enthusiastic he is? Just for once Harry could be useful for me. He couldn't oppose." He indicated resentfully.
"But he is supposed to come here again!"
"So what?"
"So we have to play this game over again," she pointed out, folding her arms under her chest.
"What happens? We're doing good right? He didn't get suspicious."
Hermione gave a sigh. "All right," she managed. He saw her expression soften. "Just one more day," she muttered, still looking unconvinced.
He grinned at her and she smiled back, shaking her head slightly.
"I am sure you had a lot of adventure…"
The rest of the meal went without incident. They talked and chatted about jobs for nearly an hour at the table. They told him about Hogwarts and the war and all. And Mr. Hewlitt told about his team and their mission, without giving away too much. Ron got excited and he knew he would be crestfallen if he didn't get into that team.
"Well it was a really nice evening but I have to go now," said Hewlitt at the end of the night, when the clocks chimed eleven o'clock. "I enjoyed the dinner very much," he told with a pleasant expression, on the way of the door.
"I am pleased to meet you young lady," he planted a kiss on Hermione's hand. Hermione blushed slightly.
"Well, you have a beautiful wife," he turned to Ron with a significant look.
"I know,"said Ron with a grin, wrapping an arm around Hermione's shoulders. He gazed at her out of corner of his eyes, she didn't seem to mind.
"I hope you appreciate her," Hewlitt exclaimed unexpectedly.
"Sure," Ron answered but Hewlitt was staring at them insistently.
There was a silent for a moment, Hewlitt wasn't moving, and he remained rooted to the spot, as if he was waiting for something. Ron smiled awkwardly not knowing what to do; Hermione was silent in his arms. He panicked for a moment that Hewlitt could blurt out that he knew it was only a game. This idea made him feel nausea. For the sake of his work, in a blink of an eye, he turned his head and kissed Hermione on the lips out of the blue.
It was just a peck but he felt dizzy. He avoided his eyes from Hermione, who had been literally shocked under his arms. However Hewlitt beamed at them as though he was waiting for that and he was finally convinced. Shaking his head slightly, he muttered to himself as he walked out of the house, Ron thought he caught the words "lovely…" "Decision…" "Team…"
"Oh yes," Ron couldn't help but jumped in joy once he closed the door behind him. "He liked me. I wouldn't believe that it would be so easy. I can't believe." He was ecstatic.
"Hermione can you believe?" He whirled around to stare at her. But she wasn't in sight. "Hermione?" he called out tentatively.
"Hermione where are you?"
AN: I am so sorry for the delay. After you pointed out my mistakes, I found a beta. But there was a misunderstanding. We couldn't make a contact. Since I didn't want to make you wait anymore I submitted the chapter. Please bear with me! I promise I'll find a beta.
I hope you like this chapter. I can't wait to hear your opinions!