This chapter is dedicated to my wonderful beta Mariah, who has helped make this story better.

Chapter 2: Dinner Embarrassment and Morning Surprises

The Weasley kitchen was filled with noise. Pots clanged against silverware, and glasses clinked together. Everyone was chatting while Mrs. Weasley walked around, refilling glasses and shoveling more food onto plates.

Ron sat near the end of the battered old table, picking at the roast and potatoes on his plate, but hardly eating at all.

Harry was sitting next to him, talking to Ginny, who was next to Harry, and Remus and Tonks where across from Ron, trying to persuade Mrs. Weasley to sit down to eat.

"So Ron, what'd you do on your lunch break?" Fred called from the opposite end of the table. "You left all pale and quiet, and you came back all flustered and jumpy. What happened? Did another spider want you to tap dance?"

Everyone laughed, everyone but Ron, who just kept staring at his plate, while mumbling, "I went and saw Hermione at her school." The room quieted down, and one of the twins murmured, "Well that explains it.'

Ginny turned to Ron. "So how is she? Did she get the owl that I sent her?"

Ron nodded. "She's good. Studying hard as usual. She starts work at Mungos next week. I didn't stay long, so we didn't talk to much."

"Yeah, you two where probably to busy snogging." George said loudly.

The table laughed again. Even Mrs. Weasley, who gave George a soft whack on the arm couldn't hold back her grin. Ron's face however, was bypassing red and turning maroon.

Ginny turned towards her beat colored brother with a raised eyebrow, and a smirk planted on her freckled face. "Why are you blushing Ron? Did you and Hermione really snog?"

Ron scowled. "Why would you even think that? Hermione and me are best mates? Why would I want to snog her?"

"Do I have to bring up the Yule Ball? Or what about the whole Won-Won and Lav-Lav situation in sixth year?" Harry questioned in a semi-mock matter of fact voice.

Ron stood up. "I'll be in my room." He mumbled, before turning and stomping up the stairs, ignoring his mother calling his name.

Ron climbed the last set of stairs, and finally reached his room. It was the one thing that had hardly changed over the years. The walls where still bright orange, and the room was filled with Chudley Cannon memorabilia. Ron crossed the small room and flopped down onto his bed. He had been looking for a flat of his own, but money was tight, and he just hadn't found the right place. Besides, his mum's cooking was much better than anything that Ron would be able to conjure up. Ron sighed as he leaned his head back, and closed his eyes. The twins had had him running around all day, and he could really use a nap…

"Ron! Ron!" Ginny hissed, poking her snoring brother rather hard with her wand. Ron mumbled something, and rolled over.

"Ronald Weasley! Get your fat arse out of bed, and get downstairs!" Ginny yelled, in a very Mrs. Weasley manner.

Ron gave a groan, and rubbed his eyes. "Bloody hell Ginny! What do you want?"

"I just figured you'd like to know that Hermiones here." The red headed witch said with a smirk. She turned and walked out of her brother's room, slamming the door behind her.

It took Ron a moment to realize what his sister had said, but after it had sunk in, he ran around, trying to brush his hair, and get dressed at the same time.

"Ronald would you like some eggs? Toast?" Oatmeal?" Mrs. Weasley asked from her position at the stove. She pointed her wand at a cabinet, and a plate and glass shot out, landing with two thunks in on the kitchen table, in front of Ron.

"Just some eggs and toast Mum." Ron answered as he looked around the kitchen, trying to not make eye contact with Hermione who happened to be sitting across from him, starring at him.

"So, Ginny," Hermione began to say, her eyes still on Ron, "Are you still working for the twins?"

"Yeah, I'm managing their Hogsmeade store. We get pretty good business there from the Hogwarts students, but I'm thinking of just working part time. Luna offered me a job working for the Quibbler, so I might work there as well." Ginny rambled.

Hermione nodded, and turned to Ron. "Are you excited about your new job?"

Ron shot Hermione a quizzical glance. Why was she acting so normally? Did she get hit with an obliviating charm and forget all about yesterday? He cleared his throat, and answered. "Yeah I guess. I mean it'll be nice going to work, and not having to worry about Fred and George testing products on you."

Ginny glanced at her watch and stood up. "Well I better head over to the shop now. I'm already late." She gave her mother a quick kiss goodbye, and Hermione a hug.

"Drop by more often Hermione. We miss you around here." She then Disapparated with a loud pop.

A few minutes after Ginny's departure, Mrs. Weasley left the kitchen also to do some cleaning and laundry, leaving Ron and Hermione alone.

Ron cleared his throat. "What about those Cannons?" He asked meekly.

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Ron I think we should talk about yesterday."

Ron felt his face grow warm. "Er, what about yesterday?"

Hermione sighed. "Ron, I'm not going to lie. I feel the same way about you. I just don't think that we can be in any type of relationship."

Ron opened his mouth to argue, but his mother bursting into the kitchen cut him off. She was waving a piece of parchment in her hand, and worry was spread across her face.

"Harry's hurt. He was just flooed into St. Mungos!

Authors note:

This is my first fan fiction, so I would really appreciate well-constructed criticism. Please review!