The Cost of Friendship

Chapter Four

Office and Glass

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"So, what do you think Harry? Can you work here?" Ginny asked. "I know it's not much but just try to see its possibilities."

Harry and Ginny were currently sanding in an empty room that overlooked Diagon Alley. It was a rather large room with dark wooden floors and bright green walls. Two large windows were in the back and were blocked by a rather large tree. The door was in front and was made of glass. The door leads to a small landing and stairs that goes downstairs to the Quality Quidditch Supplies store. However the back door to the shop downstairs is locked so the only way out was through another door that leads to the back alleyway.

"Won't it be hard for people to find us here?" Harry asked as he surveyed the room.

"It won't matter all the business will still take place in Hogsmead at our main office, this is just so we can keep an eye on what's going on in this part of the country." Ginny replied, eyeing Harry nervously.

"I still don't know about working full time for S.P.E.W., I know I have helped out in the past but that was just out of kindness really, what if I mess something up?" Harry asked nervously as he continued to walk around the empty room.

Ginny walked over to him and placed her hand on his waist, "Your not going to mess up, there is nothing to mess up. I'll show you what to do but most of it is paperwork and writing letters. It's not hard you will do great." Ginny then pushed herself up on her toes and kissed him.

"You know, that's not really proper office conduct." Hermione said from the doorway. She walked in and surveyed the room as Harry and Ginny straitened themselves.

"Hello Hermione and you are one to lecture us about making out in the office." Ginny said as she put her hands on her hips. "You and Ron do more things in that office than I care to think about!"

Harry gave an involuntary shudder then said, "What do think Hermione will this office do or should we keep looking?"

Hermione tried not to look at Ginny who seemed to fuming with anger. "Yeah this will work; it's just about the same as our first office, small but usable."

Ginny calmed herself down, "Good then I'm going to go put a deposit on the place, I'll be back in a bit." Ginny walked out the door and noisily descended the stairs.

Hermione continued to pace the room occasionally stopping to vanish a cobweb with her wand. "This room will need some work, a good paint job and some new flooring would be nice."

For some reason Harry could tell that something was upsetting Hermione, the way her shoulders were hung low and her eyes showed that she had been crying. He watched her pace around the room then finally stop, lean up against a wall and drop down to the floor with her knees in her chest.

"Hermione, what's wrong you look like Christmas was just cancelled." Harry said as he sat down in front of her.

"I was hoping that I could talk to Ginny but seeing get so upset just a moment ago I don't think she would understand." Hermione said. "You see its Ron."

"What did he do?" Harry asked.

"Well, I guess nothing but he is making the wedding difficult for me."

"Why, I thought he was fine with everything he has been so excited." Harry replied.

"He was excited until I told him…that my parents…" Hermione tried to say it but tears just started to fill up in her eyes.

Harry put a hand on hers, "What is it?"

"Well, my parents are old fashioned that's why we are getting married in a muggle church, but they also think that I'm…that I haven't…oh Harry they think I'm still a virgin." Hermione spat out causing Harry to shift uncomfortably.

"Okay, but why is that causing trouble with Ron?" Harry asked confused.

"Because I asked him if we could wait before we…you know what again, until after we get married." Hermione said. "And he got angry with me and said that I needed to be honest with my parents. But I don't see what the big deal is, If that's what my parents think then why can't we just humor them?"

Harry sat for a moment, thinking about this new bit of news. "Let me talk to Ron."

Hermione surveyed him for a moment, "Then you don't think I'm being stupid?"

"No I don't, I think you need to do what you can to keep your parents happy and I think Ron has forgotten that. And besides its only a few months, surely he can wait that long." Harry said.

"Oh thank you Harry." Hermione said as she flung herself forward and threw her arms around Harry.

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Harry arrived home a few hours later after Ginny came back with the paperwork for the new office. Hermione had singed the deed and the landlord handed over the keys to Ginny. Hermione and Ginny went to their apartment and Harry went to his. He had only been in the door a few moments when Ron came storming out of his bedroom, a large glass vase was held tightly in his right hand.

Harry took off his cloak and scarf, set them on the back of the couch and walked over to Ron who was now in the kitchen. "Hey Ron, what's with the vase?"

"What do you mean; it's for flowers haven't you seen a vase before?" Ron asked angrily.

"Yes I have but why do you have one?" Harry asked, trying to keep his voice calm.

"To put flowers in!" Ron said loudly.

Harry jumped at the sudden outburst. "Look I know your upset but you don't have to take it out on me. I just wanted to know if the flowers were for you or Hermione."

Ron took a deep breath and steadied himself, "There for Hermione, to say…to say I'm sorry." Ron said but looked as though it was painful to say.

Ron walked over to the table, picked up a large bouquet of flowers and unwrapped the paper that covered them. He filled the vase with water from his wand then placed the flowers in it. He stood back to admire his work then looked completely disgusted at them. "I can't give these to her."

Harry looked shocked, "Why not, if you're sorry that you…"

"That's just it, I'm not sorry." Ron interrupted.

It was Harry's turn to get upset, "Well, you should be you selfish prat!"

Ron looked horrified at the insult but another thought struck him, "Wait, do you know why we were fighting?"

"Yes I do and I think you are wrong and are just making things too hard on Hermione." Harry said defiantly.

"It's really none of your business." Ron said looking more embarrassed than upset now.

"Well, Hermione made it my business and I agree with her. She needs to keep her parents happy as well as you. I don't think it's too much to ask for to just go along with it." Harry said.

"Yes but…it's over two months away until our wedding." Ron said not looking at Harry.

"I think you can control yourself." Harry said, trying not to smile or laugh.

"But…but I can't keep my hands off of her for two minutes let along two months!" Ron said as he flung his hands in the air out of frustration. He forgot that his wand was still in his hand and as he waved it a bright red jet shot out of it and hit the vase, sending glass water and flowers shooting everywhere. Harry and Ron quickly ducted behind the counter as glass flew over their heads. They looked at each other and started to laugh.

Ron looked over to Harry and said, "I haven't lost control of my magic in years, you see what that girl does to me!"

Harry smiled and put a hand on Ron's shoulder, "If she can make you do that, then she is worth waiting for."

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A/N: Ahh…isn't Harry sweet. Ok…I know it's a short chapter but I have little writers block on this story. Also, all of my Author's Notes can now be found on my FanFiction Forums!

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