A/N: Hey guys! What's up? So another new chapter! Yay! I
just realized that I was making this story so american that I didn't
realize that Thanksgiving isn't celebrated in England. Thank you Marie
Fay for pointing that out. But I am going to keep it the way I am
because they are important chapters and I hope you like them. I don't
have too much time but I will go through all of your reviews later and
if you had any questions I will answer them. Cross your fingers again
for a new chapter tomorrow! Oh and I have decided that the sex of Tonks
and Lupin's baby will be in one of these upcoming chapters!
Luv ya!
Kylie
One and Only
Chapter Nine
The week before Thanksgiving was a busy one because Ron had seven reporters now and he had to get each report looked over and by deadline as well. On Friday he was behind and needed to get through the meeting quickly.
"Ok, does everyone know what they're doing?" Ron looked around and everyone responded. "Great. I'm really busy so don't bother me unless you really need me." Ron said. He didn't wait for an answer before going back to his desk. Ron immediately went back to work and decided that he would have to work through lunch to get everything done. He didn't notice Hermione walk in the door until she sat down at the seat across from his desk and started talking to him.
"Hi." Hermione said. She didn't wait for Ron to respond. Ginny was watching and could tell that she was on about something. "I just talked to McGonagall and she said that all there is at Graduation is a ceremony and then there's a small thing in the Great Hall afterwards, that the parents can come to. That's it. After seven years of magical education we get a piece of paper and nothing more!" She complained. Ron was trying to listen and work. He caught enough of her complaint to be able to respond.
"Well why don't you do something about it?" He asked. "Your Head Girl. I'm sure you could start a tradition or something." He said. Ron never looked up from his paper as he spoke.
"McGonagall said that if I come up with an idea for it then I should show her and she would approve it before showing it to Dumbledore." Hermione said. "The problem is that I don't have an idea."
"Well what about an end of the year ball? It could be for sixth and seventh years." Ginny butted in.
"That's a good idea!" Hermione exclaimed. Ron felt that he could tune them out now. Hermione moved over to the chair across from Ginny's desk and they got into a conversation about an end of the year ball. They discussed everything from the clothes to the decoration. Hermione wrote everything down so that she could show McGonagall. "Ron?" Hermione asked. Ron took a second to look up.
"Yes?" He asked.
"Tomorrow in Hogsmede McGonagall is meeting me at the shop and is going to talk to me about it and I really want you there." Hermione said.
"I'll be there but in order to do that I will have to miss lunch." Ron said.
"I'll bring you something." Hermione said.
"Thanks!" Ron said. Hermione gave Ron a kiss and then hurried away to her first elective.
Right before lunch Hermione found McGonagall.
"Professor," Hermione started. "I was thinking that for a new tradition at the end of the year, an end of the year ball. I spent all of my free period this morning planning the whole thing out with Ginny." Hermione said. She handed the papers to McGonagall. McGonagall looked them over and then looked to Hermione.
"This sounds wonderful Miss Granger, I will show it to Dumbledore and let you know, after the holidays of course, whether we can do this or not." McGonagall said. Hermione beamed brightly.
"Alright." She said. Hermione went into the Great Hall and got something to bring up for Ron and herself. When she got up to the newspaper room she found a tornado of papers and Ron was stressing over them. "Oh my god! What died in here?" She asked.
"It's all a mess!" Ron exclaimed. "I tried to sort through them and then it exploded when I tried this spell, it was supposed to organize everything but then I think I messed it up or something because this happens and I don't know what papers are what and which are going in Sunday's issue! I have no idea what I'm going to do! McGonagall is coming soon to check on everything and nothing is in order! When I finally finished with everything it gets all messed up! I honestly don't know how Ginny does it! She was talking to you all morning and she's almost done with her advice page–" Ron was ranting and Hermione was having a hard time finding a place to cut in.
"Ron honey, calm down for a minute." Hermione said calmly. Ron stopped talking and fell down onto his chair, which was covered in papers. He immediately jumped up and then fell onto the floor. Hermione put the food down on an empty desk and rushed over to him. "We can fix this." Hermione told him. "You just need to tell me the spell you used."
"It was in that book that Harry got you for your birthday. You left the book open and I saw the spell." Ron told her, looking helplessly at the, paper strewn room.
"Oh I know what spell your talking about, I can fix that easily." Hermione said. She took out her wand and with a simple spell all of the papers were on Ron's desk in three piles. Ron jumped up and wrapped Hermione in a hug.
"I love you so much!" Ron exclaimed. "I don't know what I would do with out you!"
"You would probably not be able to function." Hermione laughed. "But you've got to stop getting yourself worked up like this. Here sit and I will get you something to eat." Ron sat down in his chair and put his head in his hands.
"You are honestly the most wonderful person I know Hermione. I owe you big time." Ron said.
"No you don't." Hermione said. She put food in front of Ron. "We're supposed to do things like this for each other. I just want you there tomorrow."
"And I will be there, for you." Ron said. Hermione smiled at him.
"Thanks." She said. They ate lunch and talked for a bit until Hermione had to get to class. Ron finished up with everything and McGonagall looked over the next paper and approved. Ginny marveled that Ron managed to get the papers organized.
The next morning when they woke up, they went straight to their dormitories to change so that they would be ready to go to Hogsmede. Hermione put on jeans and a black sweater. She slipped her key into her pocket before grabbing her jean jacket and purse, then rushing down the stairs to meet Ron. Ron was lounging on a couch and waiting for her downstairs.
"Hey love." Hermione said happily when she got downstairs.
"Hey yourself." Ron said. Hermione smiled and went for the door. "Wait. Harry will be down in a minute. He said to wait for him and Ginny because he wants to see the place too." Ron told her.
"Ok." Hermione said. She fell down on the couch, on Ron. Ron made an "oomph" sound but laughed.
"Comfortable?" Ron asked.
"Yes." Hermione answered with a smile. "Very comfortable." Ron laughed and hugged her. When Harry and Ginny came down they all went to breakfast. They were eating breakfast when the post came. Hermione was half surprised when a letter fell in front of her. But she remembered that she had written her parents a few days ago to tell them that she and Ron owned the old Quill shop. Ron hadn't told his mother yet because he wasn't sure of what her reaction would be.
"Who's it from?" Ron asked.
"My parents." Hermione answered as she opened the letter. Her parents congratulated her and wanted to know what she was doing for Christmas. They told her that if she was coming home then she could invite Ron. They informed her that they would change the date of the Christmas party to the day after if she were going to Ron's for Christmas day. "What are we doing for Christmas?" Hermione asked Ron.
"Mum wrote a few days ago and invited you up for Christmas like always. I said yes because that's what we always do." Ron said. Last year Harry defeated Voldemort right before Christmas so Dumbledore sent them home early for rest. Hermione had gone to the Burrow.
"Well my parents are having a party on the day after Christmas and they invited you." Hermione said.
"What do you mean, party?" Ron asked.
"It's a family party. They used to do it every year before I went to Hogwarts but then we started going on vacation whenever I went home but for the past three years I haven't so they had the parties again. My whole family gets together there." Hermione informed him.
"We could spend Christmas at my house and then we could go to your parents house on the day after for the party." Ron suggested.
"Sounds good." Hermione said. She put the letters into her purse and planned to write her parents back later.
In Hogsmede Hermione was even more cheerful than she had been, right before they were going back to school.
"What's up?" Ron asked. "Any particular reason you're so cheerful?"
"Well we're going to go see our store and it's fall!" Hermione exclaimed. She grinned happily. "Fall is my favorite season. I love it when the leaves change colors and fall. It's beautiful." Hermione informed them. Ron smiled at her.
"Mine too." He said. Hermione smiled back at him and held his hand. Just as they were passing Zonkos joke shop Fred and George walked out.
"Hello all." Fred said.
"How are you doing?" George asked.
"What are you doing here?" Harry asked.
"And in Zonkos? Isn't that like your rival joke shop?" Ginny said.
"Not anymore." George said.
"We just bought the place." Fred said.
"You bought Zonkos?" Ron asked disbelievingly.
"We were going to buy the old quill shop to expand our business." Fred started.
"But someone already had." George said. "Man that place went faster than we thought."
"Oops." Hermione said. Fred and George looked at her awkwardly.
"What do you mean oops?" Fred wondered.
"Well you see R –" Hermione started but Ron cut her off.
"Hermione bought the quill shop for her book store." Ron said. Hermione looked to him oddly but he just gave her a pleading look. She shrugged.
"Oh well. We eliminated the competition anyways." Fred said.
"Yeah." George agreed. "Are you guys heading over there now?"
"Yup." Hermione said. "We have a meeting with McGonagall and I want to start making plans."
"We'll come with you." Fred said.
"So tell us Mione." George said. He put his arm around her and started walking forward. "Since when did you want to open a bookshop?" They walked to the shop and met McGonagall at the door.
"Ah, hello. Miss Granger, Mr. Weasley and I see you have guests." McGonagall said.
"They came to see the place too." Hermione said.
"Well let's get in out of the cold." McGonagall said. Hermione smiled and took the key out of her pocket. She was ecstatic as she turned the key and the door opened. Ron followed her inside and watched her happily examine everything.
"Well of course these shelves have to go. I want to have rows of bookcases and a few against the wall. I also want furniture in here so people can sit and read. I want every kind of book there is!" Hermione exclaimed. She walked around the shop and pointed places out and said what would be good there. "The check-out counter could be here. This is going to be perfect!"
"Miss Granger, do you have all of the papers with you." McGonagall interrupted.
"Yes, I have all of them. I have the certificate of ownership along with all of the other papers that Marty gave Ron." Hermione answered. Harry, Ginny, Fred, and George were looking around the place. Ron was standing next to Hermione and she was handing the papers to McGonagall.
"Now, who owns the store? If I'm correct Ron bought it but he bought it for you." McGonagall said.
"We both do. It's both of ours. I want Ron to have an equal part in it as well." Hermione told her. Ron took a cautious look at his brothers and noticed that they were looking at him like they couldn't believe what they just heard.
"And have you two decided on a name for the bookshop?" McGonagall wondered.
"Yes, R and H books." Hermione said.
"That sounds lovely. And when do you want this to open?" McGonagall asked.
"I plan on working as hard as I can this year to get everything in order for this business and I want it ready to open right after I graduate." Hermione said. She and McGonagall discussed every detail and went over the papers. Ron put his input in as well. He stayed by Hermione's side the whole time because she wanted him too and because he was avoiding Fred and George.
"Well Miss Granger, we seem to have everything planned out. Please let me know when you get a response back from the Ministry of Magic. We will meet again on the next Hogsmede trip." McGonagall said. "I will see you four later. And good day Mr. Weasley and Mr. Weasley." They all said goodbye and McGonagall left. Ron turned to Hermione before Fred or George could speak.
"This is great!" He said.
"I know!" Hermione agreed. "Thank you so much!" She threw her arms around his neck.
"This is going to turn out great." Ron said quietly to her. He hugged her tightly back.
"It is." Hermione said. "Because you'll be with me the whole way right?"
"Of course." Ron said. "We're in this together."
"Hermione, I have some furniture catalogs if you want to look at them." Ginny said. "I got them to look at furniture for when we get a place but I could help you pick something out if you want."
"That would be great Ginny." Hermione said. She let go of Ron. Ron looked at Fred and George, wondering what they were going to say.
"This is a nice place." Fred said.
"Yeah." George agreed. "I take it that mum doesn't know, otherwise we would have already knew."
"Nope, I'm not quite sure what to tell her." Ron said.
"Well, I think that she would be happy." George said. "You will never, ever hear this coming out of my mouth again but it was a nice thing to do."
"Yeah, but don't expect to hear that again." Fred agreed. "How much did you get this place for?" He wondered.
"Real cheap." Ron said. He explained about Marty and how he knew who they were and then told them the deal that Marty cut them.
"Damn!" George exclaimed. Fred whistled loudly.
"You weren't kidding when you said cheap." Fred exclaimed.
"Nope." Ron said. He looked over at Hermione, who was making a list. "What are you writing now?" Ron asked her.
"A list of stuff I need to do when I get back." Hermione answered.
"But it's Saturday." Ron complained. "I worked my ass of yesterday to get the paper ready so Saturday would be free for you and now you tell me that you're busy?" Ron asked. Hermione looked at him and put an innocent look on.
"You can help me and Ginny pick out furniture and I need help writing letters." She said. Ron looked to her incredulously.
"No thanks. Me and Harry will do something." Ron sighed. Hermione felt bad so she comprimised.
"You and Harry could do something tomorrow while Ginny and I pick out furniture." Hermione said. "Let's go get a butterbeer and then we could hang out today. I'll do everything else tomorrow. I don't want you to have worked your ass off for nothing."
"Alright. You've got to lock up the store though." Ron said.
"Oh right." Hermione said with a smile. She noticed that Fred, George, Ginny, and Harry were watching them.
"Aw, it's so sweet to see you two acting all lovey dovey!" Fred said sarcastically.
"It is." George agreed, wiping a fake tear from his face.
"Oh shut up!" Ron exclaimed. Hermione pulled the key back out of her pocket and gathered all of the papers up. Everyone started for the door. Hermione locked it up and smiled as she took one last look at it. Ron smiled at her; he took her hand and started walking toward The Three Broomsticks. They sat down at a booth with their butterbeers. Hermione opened her purse to take out papers but Ron took the purse from her. "I don't think so. You can worry about the bookshop tomorrow. Right now let's just relax and then we could walk around for a bit." Ron said to her.
"Alright, but can I have my purse back. It's really not your color." Hermione laughed. Ron smiled at her.
"Are you sure? I thought it went well with what I'm wearing." Ron joked.
"Positive!" She said. Hermione grabbed the purse from him and they both laughed. Fred, George, Harry, and Ginny joined them. After finishing their butterbeers Ron and Hermione went to walked around Hogsmede for a bit. They walked by the bookstore again and Hermione was beaming at it.
"So Granger, you bought the old quill shop." Pansy asked as she and Malfoy came around the corner.
"What's it to you." Hermione responded. Ron put an arm around Hermione to restrain her, just incase.
"That's right Weasley, keep your mudblood under control." Malfoy said.
"Watch it Malfoy." Ron warned. His arm was still around Hermione and she held that hand tightly.
"Or what Weasel King? What are you going to do to me?" Malfoy asked. Pansy laughed, shrilly. Hermione held Ron's hand tighter.
"Let's go Ron." Hermione said. She started to guide him away. Ron was hesitant but walked away.
"Thought so Weasley. Not even man enough to carry out a threat." Malfoy said. Ron tensed up but was not prepared for Hermione to turn angrily on Malfoy.
"Listen you little ferret, he's more of a man for walking away and get the hell away from my store." Hermione said.
"Make me." Malfoy said. Ron took out his wand and walked forward.
"You've got to the count of three." Ron said.
"Don't need it." Malfoy responded. "I wouldn't stay in this mudblood infested place if you paid me." He took Pansy's hand and walked away.
"He doesn't even make sense. First he wanted us to make him go away and then he said he wouldn't stay there even if we paid him." Ron complained angrily.
"Aw, he's just scared of you." Hermione said.
"Damn right he's scared of me." Ron said and straightened up. "I haven't seen him run so fast since after you hit him in third year."
"You know I really like that quality you have." Hermione said. "First Seamus was scared of you and now Malfoy, very, very sexy quality. Your like my big strong protector." She said in a seductive voice.
"Well why don't we head back to the castle and you can show me how much you like it." Ron said in a sly voice.
"I think that is one of your more brilliant ideas." Hermione said. Ron beamed proudly as they made their way back to Hogwarts. They were on their way to the Head common room when they were stopped.
"Granger, Weasley. Professor Dumbledore would like to see you." Snape said. "He said that he will meet you in the Head common room."
"Yes sir." Hermione said. Ron and Hermione headed up to the common room quickly. They weren't too worried about Dumbledore figuring out that they lived there because Hermione made sure that it looked neat in the morning, just incase Dumbledore or McGonagall decided to stop by sometime in the day. Mostly they were worried about him figuring it out through Legimacy or them accidentally letting something slip. When they got to the portrait Ron said the password and they found Dumbledore sitting in an armchair and he was reading the book that Harry had gotten Hermione for her birthday. When he saw that Ron and Hermione were there he put down the book and smiled at them.
"Hello Miss Granger, Mr. Weasley. Have a seat." He gestured to two armchairs in front of him. Ron and Hermione took the seats and looked to Dumbledore. "Interesting book there." He said.
"Yes actually." Hermione replied. "I found that it was very interesting."
"Yes." Dumbledore said. "Now I have come here to meet with you to discuss several matters." Dumbledore said. Hermione wondered if Dumbledore knew about them sleeping there. She was about to exchange a worried look with Ron but decided against it because Dumbledore would find this suspicious. She stared fixedly at Dumbledore.
"Which matters?" Hermione asked. She was determined to keep her voice steady and calm. She did a surprisingly good job and Ron smiled at her with a proud look on his face.
"Well, first there is the matter of the Hogwarts Herald." Dumbledore said. Ron sat up straighter, knowing that this concerned him.
"What about it?" Ron asked.
"First, I think that the paper is going extraordinarily well." Dumbledore responded.
"Thank you sir." Ron said.
"And second, I would like to discuss the Christmas issue. Will you be stopping it over the Christmas holiday?" Dumbledore wondered.
"Yes. I've already discussed it with everyone. Nobody will be here for Christmas vacation so the last issue of the paper before the New Year will be on the Sunday before we leave." Ron responded.
"I must say that I don't think that we could have found a better editor." Dumbledore said. "I am truly impressed with the paper thus far and I can only expect it to get better." Ron smiled greatly. Dumbledore had just complemented him.
"I agree with you on that." Hermione said. She looked at Ron and smiled at him. He took her hand and gave it a slight squeeze. A complement from Dumbledore was one thing but he felt that if they came from Hermione then they really meant something.
"And Miss Granger, as I understand it you have been assisting Professor Tonks with her lessons while she is pregnant." Dumbledore said.
"Yes, she asked me to help." Hermione responded.
"From what I understand you are doing a great job and I think it would be alright if you continued to do this, as long as it does not bother your learning." Dumbledore said.
"No sir it won't bother my learning." Hermione said.
"Hermione knows all of the stuff that she's teaching already." Ron added. "It's just practice for her." He smiled at Hermione. She smiled back and mouthed, "thank you."
"Ok, now from what Professor McGonagall has told me, I understand that you now own the old quill shop." Dumbledore said.
"Yes, Ron and I both own it." Hermione said.
"I never got to talk to Professor McGonagall about how the meeting went today. Have you decided what you are going to do with the store?" Dumbledore wondered.
"Yes, I've decided that I want it to open right after I graduate. That means that I'm going to have to work hard this year to get there. Professor McGonagall and I have already discussed everything and she thinks that if I really work hard than it could happen." Hermione said.
"I have no doubt that you can have that place open right after you graduate." Dumbledore said. Hermione blushed.
"Yeah, Hermione is good with that stuff. She's responsible and she'll keep on top of that stuff." Ron agreed with a serious nod. Hermione started laughing at Ron's seriousness. She thought that it was funny but for some reason she couldn't stop laughing.
"Are you alright Miss Granger?" Dumbledore asked.
"Mmhmm." Hermione answered. She tried to stop laughing and averted her eyes from Ron so she would not laugh anymore but found herself in another fit of giggles. Ron was trying not to laugh at her but found himself chuckling slightly.
"Is she ok?" Dumbledore asked.
"Yeah. She's fine." Ron answered. "She just has this problem with spontaneous laughter." Dumbledore nodded. Hermione was trying to contain her laughter but was doing a really bad job. Ron was chuckling at her and Dumbledore was smiling at them.
"Well, I've made my points. Miss Granger after the holidays I will discuss this ball idea." Dumbledore said. Hermione tried to speak but she was laughing too hard. She managed to nod her head. Dumbledore laughed slightly. "Good day Miss Granger and Mr. Weasley." Dumbledore said with a nod.
"Bye." Ron said. Hermione was able to wave at Dumbledore before he smiled and left. Hermione found herself on the ground rolling around because she was laughing so hard. Ron smiled at her. "What is so funny?" Ron asked. He lowered himself to the ground, next to Hermione.
"I – don't – know." Hermione managed to get out. Ron looked at her and started laughing himself. He couldn't stop either. They sat there for a good ten minutes laughing. Harry and Ginny came into the common room then.
"What's going on?" Ginny asked. Hermione looked up at them and slowly stopped laughing. Ron still kept the goofy smile on his face as he looked up at his best friend and his sister.
"We're not too sure." Ron answered.
"Did you drink anything from Fred and George?" Harry asked.
"Yeah. Why?" Hermione wondered.
"Because they gave you Laughing Liquor." Ginny said.
"Liquor?" Hermione asked.
"Oh it's just a name it's not really liquor." Harry said. "It's just spontaneous laughter."
"But it was just a prototype so I think that that's why it took so long." Ginny said.
"Anyways, are you guys ready for dinner?" Harry asked.
"Yeah, we are." Hermione said. Ron stood up and then pulled Hermione up. Harry and Ginny started for the portrait hole. Ron continued to hold Hermione's hand as they followed Harry and Ginny. She giggled slightly and moved closer to him.
