A/N: PLEASE READ THIS! If you haven't already go back and read chapter six because I replaced the authors note with the actual chapter! So this is Hermione's birthday chapter: Enjoy!
One and Only
Chapter Seven
The next few weeks went by nicely. Ron found nothing else that he had to prove to Hermione so they were ok in that department. Tonks was slowly getting over her morning sickness phase, which happened to happen in the afternoon and evening as well and she was gradually showing. Lupin visited when he could and when there was no full moon. Hermione, Harry, and Ron helped with class as much as possible. The paper was going well also. Ginny kept getting more letters but she answered all of them and by deadline too. Ron thought that the paper should be expanded so a few more staff was added and the room got bigger. It was now Saturday, the first Hogsmede trip and the day before Hermione's birthday. Ron planned to hang out with Hermione for majority of the day and then he and Ginny would get her presents while Harry would keep her busy. He had a lot of money in his pocket for it. In Hogsmede they separated from Harry and Ginny and started to walk around.
"So what shall we do?" Hermione asked as Ron interlaced their fingers.
"You tell me. It's your last day being seventeen." Ron said.
"Alright, let's go get a butterbeer and then we could walk around a bit." Hermione suggested.
"Whatever you want." Ron said as they walked into the Three Broomsticks. After, they walked around a bit. They were walking past the place that used to be the quill shop but now there were no quills in there.
"What's going on?" Hermione asked.
"I dunno." Ron said. "Looks like they're selling it." Ron said. A man in business robes walked out of the shop.
"Excuse me, what's going on?" Hermione asked. The man started taping up a "for sale" sign on the window with spell-o-tape.
"Went bankrupt. We're selling it." He answered.
"Aw, it was a really nice shop." Hermione said. "How long do you think it would be for sale?" She asked.
"A place like this will probably go quick." The man said. "Are you interested?" He asked. Hermione looked inside and smiled. She thought that it would be perfect for her bookshop. Ron saw her reaction.
"Yes but by the time I'm ready to buy it it'll probably be sold." Hermione said.
"Well if you interested here's my card and I'll be here until three if you would like to talk about it." He said, handing her a card and walking back into the shop. Hermione was looking in it longingly.
"Are you thinking of buying it?" Ron asked casually.
"It would be nice but a place like this would sell fast and I don't have that kind of money right now. I mean I have enough in my account at Gringotts. Probably enough to buy three of these stores from all of the money from getting the death eaters but I don't have it with me and it just wouldn't work." Hermione sighed sadly. Ron knew exactly what he wanted to get her for her birthday. He figured that maybe he could make a deal if he brought Ginny along, she was very good at bargaining. Ron smiled at Hermione excitedly.
"Come on let's go find Harry and Ginny." He said as he pulled her forward. They looked around and found Harry and Ginny in the Quidditch shop. "Ginny could you come with me I have to show you something?" Ron asked.
"Sure." Ginny said. She also had a pocket full of money and needed to get Hermione a present.
"And I'm not supposed to come right?" Hermione asked. "So you could get my birthday present?" Ron smiled.
"You know me too well." Ron said.
"Yes I do." Hermione said, giving him a kiss. Ron pulled Ginny away.
"Where are we going?" She asked as he dragged her through the busy street.
"To get Hermione a birthday present." Ron answered. He stopped in front of the quill store.
"There's nothing in here." She said and then noticed the "for sale" sign and the smile on Ron's face. "Oh my god your insane!" She exclaimed.
"Not quite!" Ron said as he pulled her into the shop. The man was standing at the check out counter filling out some papers.
"Can I help you?" He asked.
"I want to buy this place." Ron said. The man looked at him for a second.
"You were with that girl who was thinking of buying this. Where is she?" The man asked.
"It's a birthday present for her." Ron said. The man smiled.
"Alright well come have a seat and we can talk." The man said. Ron and Ginny walked in further and took a seat by the man. "Marty Hayes." The man said holding out his hand.
"I'm Ron Weasley and this is my sister Ginny." Ron said, reaching out his hand for the man to shake. Marty's eyes went wide.
"Your Ron and Ginny Weasley?" He asked. "You were the ones who got all of those death eaters the night Harry Potter killed he-who-must-not-be-named." Marty said as he shook Ginny's hand next.
"Yeah that's us." Ginny said.
"So that girl who wanted to buy this place was Hermione Granger?" Marty asked.
"Yup." Ron said.
"Well let's talk about this. I'm sure that I can cut you some sort of deal." Marty said. Ron and Marty discussed everything and Ginny added her input in too. Considering the fact that he thought of them as celebrities he was willing to sell the place to them and with Ginny's good bargaining skills the price was cheaper than they could have hoped for. "Alright. Once you sign these papers this place will be yours." Marty said after taking the gold from Ron.
"That's it?" Ron asked. Marty nodded.
"Quite a simple process but people make it out to be much harder." Marty said. "Actually opening the business that this will be might take a bit longer thought, of course. I suspect that she wants to wait until she's out of Hogwarts to open it. Am I right?"
"I'm not sure. This is a change in plans but I know she really wants this place." Ron said. He took the quill from Marty and began to initial and sign in the places that required it.
"Well I have, right here, all of the information for opening a business here. It includes all of the people that would need to be contacted. This place belongs to you and it can stay like this for however long you wish but opening your business will require you to do some work." Marty said. Ron finished signing and looked up.
"Understood." Ron said. Marty smiled. He took a piece of paper that was a certificate of ownership and then he took the key out of his pocket.
"This is officially your place now." Marty said. Ron took the key and papers. "Have a nice day and tell Hermione happy birthday." Marty said.
"Will do!" Ron exclaimed enthusiastically as shook Marty's hand.
"And you also have a nice day." Marty said, tipping his hat to Ginny.
"You too." Ginny said. Marty bid them one last farewell before leaving them. Ginny turned to Ron. "Oh my god your insane!" She exclaimed. "Do you realize what you just did?"
"Yeah." Ron said. "I just bought this place for at least a third of what I thought I was going to pay!" Ron exclaimed happily. "Thanks to my favorite sister!" He gave her a hug and lifted her up and spun her around.
"Crazy!" She muttered when he put her down.
"Let's look around." He said. After looking around the whole shop Ron was beaming.
"Well it is a nice place." Ginny admitted.
"Yeah." Ron agreed with a smile. He folded up the paper and put it in his back pocket. "Well come on I want to get her one more thing." Ron said. He locked up the store and he and Ginny went to get Hermione a present. Ginny got Hermione a nice set of earrings and Ron got her a necklace with an H on it and rhinestones in the H. They both got her a card and Ginny got her some sugar quills as well. They met Harry and Hermione in the Three Broomsticks. Ron was bursting with joy and wanted to tell Hermione but it took all of his energy not to. Ginny was happy for him too. She knew that it was more romantic than crazy.
"Find what you were looking for?" Hermione asked. Ron smiled.
"Yeah I did." He said. Ginny whispered something in Harry's ear and Harry turned to Ron with a flabbergasted look.
"We should probably get back now." Hermione said. "You two took forever." Ron smiled.
"Yeah let's go." He said. Ginny walked ahead with Hermione while Harry stayed back to walk with Ron.
"You bought her a store?" Harry whispered. Ron pulled the key out of his pocket.
"Yup." He said.
"But how. Where did you get all of the money? It must have cost you a fortune." Harry said.
"Well I thought it would but the guy knew who me and Ginny were so he cut us a deal and then Ginny did some talking and it was even cheaper." Ron said. Harry was looking at the key to make sure it was really real.
"It's the old quill shop right?" Harry asked.
"Yup." Ron responded. "How did you know?"
"Hermione was talking about it. She said that if it was still up for sale during the next Hogsmede trip then she would check out the price." Harry said with a smile. Ron smiled too. "But how did he know you and Ginny?" Harry wondered.
"When I told him who we were he said he knew us because we got all of those death eaters. I guess he read it in the Prophet." Ron said, he was smiling proudly. Harry slapped him on the back.
"Nice to be in the limelight for once eh?" Harry asked.
"I wouldn't want it all the time but it was nice to get that deal on the place." Ron said.
"Hey maybe if we get recognized when we're buying a flat we can get a deal for that too." Harry said, nudging Ron with a laugh. Ron started laughing too at the prospect of getting a flat for practically as cheap as they he got the place for Hermione's bookstore. Hermione and Ginny heard them and turned around.
"What's so funny?" Hermione asked sweetly. Ron was having a hard time lying to her.
"We were just laughing at Ginny." Ron lied. Ginny looked offended for a half a second until she saw Harry wink.
"Oh ha, ha. You're so funny!" Ginny exclaimed. She linked arms with Hermione and they continued to walk ahead. Ron and Harry laughed some more as they were walking up the streets in Hogsmede.
Later that night, Ron and Hermione were laying down in the Head common room. They had spread a blanket in front of the fire and were laying on the blanket. Ron had his head resting on Hermione's stomach and she was lazily running her hands through his hair.
"So I was thinking about looking into that place in Hogsmede next time we have a Hogsmede weekend." Hermione said. "If it's still for sale I can find some way to buy it. That man seemed pretty nice. I really want that place. It's perfect." Ron was beaming as he listened to her.
"That's a good idea. What would you have in there?" Ron asked slyly.
"I would put in a few couches for reading and there would be dozens and dozens of book. I'd have my office in the backroom and I would have a ton of pictures all over the walls of everything. It would be cozy spot for people to read and buy books." Hermione said dreamily.
"That sounds good. I can't wait to see it." Ron said.
"Well that's only if I get the place." Hermione said. "That guy said that it would go fast."
"Faster than you think." Ron muttered.
"What was that?" Hermione asked.
"I love you." Ron said.
"I love you too." She replied. Ron smiled and settled more comfortably onto Hermione's stomach. Soon the stroking became slower and it eventually stopped. Ron's head was moving slowly with Hermione's slow breathing. Ron smiled and fell asleep, himself.
Hermione awoke to something cold on her neck. She opened her eyes and saw Ron dangling a silver chain above her face and a silver H was on her neck, what had been cold.
"Happy Birthday!" He exclaimed. Ron bent down and gave her a kiss. She kissed back and after a few minutes she pulled away. She smiled and sat up.
"Thank you." She said. Ron held the necklace out to her. "Oh my god Ron! It's beautiful! Thank you so much!" She exclaimed.
"I thought you might like it." Ron said. "And Ginny did too." He added. Hermione laughed as she took the necklace from him.
"Could you help me put it on?" She asked.
"Of course." Ron said. He took the necklace back from her and she turned and lifted her hair up. Ron hooked the necklace on and she turned around smiling.
"Thank you." She said. "I really love it!" Ron smiled.
"Oh and I brought you something else." He said. Hermione smiled.
"What would that be?" She asked. Ron stood up and pulled her with him. He brought her over to the couch where a cake was sitting on the table in front of it.
"I thought that since you were going to allow me to have cake on my birthday for breakfast, that I would be kind and let you have cake too. I even helped the house elves make it so you don't have to worry." Ron said with a smile. Hermione laughed.
"Wow I am impressed, you helped them make it? But no candles though right?" She asked.
"Not even exploding ones." Ron said. Hermione smiled.
"And how do you suppose we eat it?" She asked, noticing that there were no forks.
"Simple." Ron said. He stuck his hand in the cake and smashed the chunk that he pulled out in Hermione's face. Both of them laughed. Hermione wiped cake from her eyes and shook her hands out at him. Ron jumped up and ran by the portrait hole.
"Oh your so clever." She said sarcastically. "You knew that I'd fall for it didn't you?" She asked. Ron nodded with a laugh. "Well then." She took a handful of the cake that was left.
"No!" Ron exclaimed. Hermione chucked the cake but at the same time the portrait hole opened and Harry and Ginny walked in. Ron ducked and Harry was the lucky one who got it in his face. Ginny, Ron, and Hermione busted out in a fit of laughter. Harry angrily wiped it from his face.
"Every damn time!" He said. They laughed harder. Hermione was wiping the cake off of her face. Harry walked over to the cake and took a handful, himself. He threw it at Hermione but she ducked just in time and it hit Ron. The other three laughed even harder. Ginny was still cake free so Hermione took some cake she had from her face and threw it at Ginny. They were engaged in a cake throwing war now. The last hit was when Harry picked up a piece of cake and chucked it to where Hermione was standing but she ducked and it hit the person behind her. They all turned to find Lupin and Tonks standing there with a present in their hands. Lupin's face was covered in cake. Tonks looked at the five of them covered in cake and laughed. The others looked at each other and laughed as well.
"What's going on?" Lupin asked as he laughed and wiped cake from his face.
"Just having some birthday cake." Hermione said with a smile. She walked over to Ron. "I never got to thank you properly for the cake." She said before grabbing his face. They kissed and it seemed more like they were enjoying the cake off of each other's face more. "Thanks for the cake." She said when she pulled away. Ron laughed.
"And thank you too." He said. The others, who were watching, laughed.
"I can get this clean." Tonks said. She said the same cleaning spell that Ron had used at Harry's birthday party and they all became cake free.
"Alright Hermione, you could open my birthday present first because it won't mean much after Ron gives you his." Harry said.
"He already did." Hermione said, showing them her necklace.
"Oh please anybody could top that." Ginny said. Ron glared at her but turned to Hermione.
"I have another surprise for you but you can open everyone else's first." Ron said.
"Your too good to me." Hermione said with a smile.
"He really is." Ginny said. "Ron's the only person I know that would actually buy a – "
"Save the surprise!" Harry said loudly. Tonks and Lupin walked in all of the way and the portrait hole closed. They all took seats on the couches. Harry handed Hermione her present first.
"Thanks Harry!" Hermione exclaimed as she opened 1001 Useful Spells To Know. "I've been wanting this book for practically ever." She said.
"No problem." Harry said as he gave her a hug. Ginny handed Hermione her present next. Hermione opened the earrings.
"Wow! Ginny these are great! Thank you so much!" Hermione said.
"Anytime." Ginny said. She gave Hermione a hug and Hermione opened Lupin and Tonks's present next. It was a set of DADA books.
"I thought that you could help with class a bit more and all when I start to get further along." Tonks said.
"That would be great!" Hermione exclaimed as she gave both of them a hug.
"Here Hermione, mum sent this." Ginny said tossing Hermione a package with a sweater knitted by Mrs. Weasley. She opened her parent's present, muggle books and a nice bag to put them in. The bag was black with silver writing on the front. It said, Hermione. It was big enough to hold a few books. She then opened gifts from others. Finally Ron smiled because his turn was next. He held out a nice box that the key was in. "More jewelry?" She asked.
"Open and you'll see." Ron said. Hermione opened the box and saw the key. Her expression became a confused one.
"A key?" She asked.
"You'll need this too." He handed her the paper stating that they owned the shop. She opened it and read it. When she was finished she looked to Ron, shocked.
"You bought it?" She asked.
"For you." Ron nodded. Hermione looked to the paper and the key again.
"Ron – I –" Hermione started although she didn't know where to begin. "This must have cost you a fortune." She finally said.
"That guy – Marty – he knew who Ginny and I were so he gave us a deal and Ginny talked him into giving us a bigger deal so I got it for about the third of the cost. But it doesn't matter because I would have paid all of the money I have to get it for you. I know how much you wanted it." Ron told her. Hermione was speechless and she had tears in her eyes as she placed the key and paper down and wrapped Ron in a hug. He held her tight and felt her tears on his shoulder.
"Thank you so much." She said. Ron kissed her forehead.
"Anything for you." He said. Hermione hugged him tighter.
"What did I miss?" Tonks asked.
"Ron bought Hermione the store that used to be the quill shop in Hogsmede." Ginny said.
"She's going to open a bookshop there next year." Harry informed them. Lupin and Tonks looked shocked and amused. Hermione looked up and Ron noticed the tears in her eyes.
"Don't cry Mione." Ron said.
"Sorry." She said. "I just – that was really sweet Ron. Did you know that in this past summer you have grown up so much? You are the most sweetest and caring person. I love you so much." Hermione told him. Ron smiled and brushed a tear away from her face with his thumb.
"I love you too." He said. "And you've grown up too." Hermione looked confused. "You know how to have fun and be responsible." He said. Hermione smiled and leaned into his chest. He kissed the top of her head. Tonks, Lupin, Harry, and Ginny watched and smiled. Tonks tried to stand up and Lupin automatically stood up to help her.
"We'll see you down at breakfast." Tonks said. They both wished Hermione another happy birthday and left.
"Happy birthday Hermione!" Harry said as he wrapped her in a hug. Ginny went next.
"Happy birthday!" She said, giving Hermione a hug.
"Thank you!" She exclaimed. "We'll meet you guys downstairs in a bit ok?" She asked.
"Yeah. We'll see you there." Harry said. He patted her on the shoulder before taking Ginny's hand and leaving. Hermione turned to Ron with a smile.
"We should get changed and then we could go to breakfast." Hermione said. Ron smiled back.
"Yeah. Come on." He took her hand and twirled her around. She laughed vibrantly. When she got back to her dormitory, she changed into a pair of jeans and a red shirt that buttoned up at the top and was over a white tank top. She left the top unbuttoned and sprayed her hair with the hairspray she normally used and fixed her face. She was extremely happy as she put the earrings that Ginny gave her in her ears. After she did that she slipped the key in her pocket because she wanted to keep it with her and then she took the book Harry gave her and slipped it into the bag that her parents gave her along with a DADA book. She slipped her feet into sneakers and put her bag over her shoulder as she met Ron in the common room.
"Ready for breakfast?" He asked.
"Yup. Isn't there a new edition of the paper coming out today too?" She asked.
"Yes as a matter a fact there is." He said. Colin and Denis wished Hermione a happy birthday when she walked in and handed her and Ron a paper. They sat down at the table next to Harry and Ginny.
"What are those papers?" Harry asked Ron. Ron looked down and realized that he never gave Hermione the papers.
"Oh Mione, Marty gave me these. For when your ready to get everything in order for your business." He said as he handed her the papers. She smiled at him.
"Thanks." She said and gave him a quick kiss. After breakfast, Harry and Ginny said that they would give them some alone time so Hermione and Ron were going to go sit outside when McGonagall stopped them.
"Happy birthday Miss Granger." McGonagall said.
"Thank you Professor." Hermione said.
"Now, did I hear right that you bought the quill shop?" McGonagall asked.
"Yeah, Ron surprised me with it for my birthday." Hermione said. McGonagall smiled.
"Well have a good birthday and we can talk more about your plans for it at another time." McGonagall said. Hermione smiled.
"Thank you." Hermione said. McGonagall left them and Ron and Hermione walked all of the way outside. Ron and Hermione landed underneath a tree. Ron sat with his back against the tree and his legs out; Hermione sat in front of him with a book in her hands. Ron kissed the top of her head and watched her read. He wasn't bored like this; on the contrary he was quite comfortable and enjoying himself. "So I was thinking about the name for the bookshop." Hermione told Ron.
"Oh yeah? What's that?" He asked.
"I was thinking about R & H Books." Hermione said. "It's short and sweet." Ron laughed.
"Just like you." He said. Hermione laughed. "But yeah I like that." He told her.
"I'm glad. It's got both of our initials in it." Hermione said.
"I like it." Ron said. He laughed and tickled her sides. She squealed and jumped up. Ron followed and chased her. Harry and Ginny had been on their way over. They sat down and Harry rested his back against the tree and his arm around Ginny. She rested on his shoulder.
"Aw, they look so happy." Ginny said as she watched Ron chase Hermione. She would laugh and he would laugh at her and they rolled to the ground, howling with laughter.
"Yeah they are." Harry said. "Life is good this way." He sighed happily.
"Tis." She sighed. Harry kissed the top of her head. Both of them laughed as Ron tripped and fell to the ground. Hermione was laughing as she fell down next to him. Harry and Ginny were watching them, amused.
"I can't believe that Ron actually bought her the old quill shop." Harry said.
"Me neither." Ginny agreed. "But he did. It's actually a really nice place. We got to look around. Hermione is going to love it."
"Yeah." Harry said. "She really wanted it. So how did you make him give you a deal on the place?"
"Oh you know I did some talking and convinced him that Ron was still in school and that he didn't have too much money. In the end he gave us an even bigger deal." Ginny said. Harry laughed.
"You could talk your way out of anything." Harry said.
"That I could." Ginny laughed. They watched as Ron chased Hermione back to the tree. They landed in front of Harry and Ginny with a laugh. "Having fun?" Ginny asked.
"Yes, actually." Hermione said.
"Good." Harry said. A little while after, they went to see Hagrid so that Hermione could thank him for the gift. Hermione was happy to say that her eighteenth birthday was one of the best.
Later that night her and Ron were sitting in front of the fire in the head common room. Ron had his arms around Hermione and they were both staring into the fire. Ron could tell that Hermione was getting sleepy and was about to fall asleep.
"Thank you." She yawned. " For a great birthday."
"Your welcome." Ron said with a smile.
"I love you." She yawned.
"I love you too." Ron said. "Happy Birthday." Hermione murmured a thank you and Ron could tell that she had fallen asleep. He lifted her up and brought her to a couch. She turned over and Ron laid next to her and covered them both up. He kissed her head and fell asleep himself.
A/N:
What did you think of the bookshop thing? I want to own a bookshop
when I get out of college and all. I want it how Hermione wants it. I
want couches in there and a coffee thing. I also got the idea for Ron's
job because I want to write for a magazine or newspaper someday. Also
look for my book. I plan on writing one someday! What about you
guys? What do you want to do? Review and tell me! oh and also on
what you thought of the chapter! I'll try for an update on Sunday!
