A/N Thanks to everyone who reviewed. I'm so glad you guys liked it. And just so everyone knows, most of the focus will be on Ron's kids. Hermione's kids come later on. We also see some Harry and Ginny action! Yay!!
Chapter 3: Shopping
Ron went home and found the place in utter chaos. The children were still home for Christmas holiday. Ron sent them to muggle school before they attended Hogwarts so they were able to learn the basics, like reading and math.
Before he even opened the door, he heard a loud explosion and someone screaming like a banshee. 'Those twins are never going to hang out with their uncles anymore,' thought Ron rubbing his temples. Natalie pulled on his hand, trying to keep from laughing, and urging him to open the door. He really didn't want to and when he went inside he wanted to run far, far away.
Thomas was trying to pull away a crying and kicking Victoria who held on to tiny fist fulls of Theresa's hair, which was currently neon green. The twins were playing a thumb war, but their thumbs were enlarged to the size of swords. The babies were in their room, bawling, and the whole house smelled like dirty diapers and burned toast. Ron quickly rummaged through is pocket and pulled out a silver whistle. He blew it and the room was instantly devoid of any motion. Within seconds they were all standing in a line in front of their father. He looked at them all with a strained look on his face.
"Where is Abigail?" he finally asked. The children looked bewildered. They had forgotten all about her.
"I think she's in the kitchen," piped up Theresa fingering her green hair. Ron went into the kitchen, with everyone following him wondering what was going to happen, though they already had an idea.
Abigail was sitting at the kitchen table. Her hair was in curlers and she had some kind of green goo on her face. She was wearing a bathrobe, with her hairy legs poking out from the bottom. She was wearing bunny slippers and sipping tea while reading a magazine. She seemed very content.
"That's my robe," shouted Natalie, disgusted. Ron shivered at the thought of what she could be wearing (or not wearing) under there.
"Sweety, I don't have any rope," said Abigail looking up at her.
"Those are my slippers," wailed Theresa.
"The cat has flippers? Have your brother been brewing up more potions?"
"We don't want to go to the ocean," mocked the twins. Ron was trying very hard to keep a straight face, which wasn't hard after she crossed her legs. He suddenly had to fight down his breakfast.
"Abby," he started slowly, not wanting to fire her, but what other choice did he have? "I don't think this is working out."
"I have been working out! Thank you! I lost 2 pounds!" she said, happy that someone had noticed.
"No no. I mean you are fired," he tried again.
"Yes you hired me a few days ago," she said carefully, thinking Ron was slow.
"Uh oh," whispered Thomas, seeing the vein in his father's forehead throbbing. All the children took 2 steps back.
"YOU ARE FIRED. FIRED FIRED FIRED FIRED. GET OUT OF MY HOUSE NOW. OUT! OUT!" Ron shrieked.
"Okay!" shouted Abigail. "You don't have to yell! I'm not deaf." She got up and went to her room. Two minutes later she apparated away with all her stuff. All the kids started laughing as Ron picked up the bathrobe and slippers she had left and threw them in the fire.
"I'll get ya new stuff, later," he said giving his girls a smile. He felt a tug at his shirt and looked down at Vicky. "I'll get you something, too," he sighed. She hugged his legs tightly and Ron laughed. He took out his wand and fixed the twins' thumbs and Theresa's hair.
"Okay everyone," he started looking around at the mess in the house, "Natalie and I are going to go shopping. So all of you are going to clean the house. No excuses. If there is any disagreement I could just call Ms. Fields from across the street." They all moaned. Ms. Fields smelled like cats and liked to pet everyone as if they were one.
"Come on, Natalie," he said, suddenly scared out of his wits. "Time to get that..er...stuff that you need." If she hadn't been so nervous about doing this with her father, she would have laughed at his expression.
*~~*~~*
"Dad! I can't use those," said Natalie, exhausted. They had been at the pharmacy for over an hour, neither having any idea what they were doing.
"Why not?" asked Ron just as tired.
"Because those are diapers. Don't you see the baby on the package?" She was right. They were diapers, but Ron hadn't noticed that when he picked it out. In fact, he just closed his eyes and plucked one off the shelf, hoping this was what she wanted/needed. Obviously life wasn't that nice.
"You know what?" he said finally. "I'm calling your Aunt Ginny."
"About time," Natalie muttered.
"What was that?" asked Ron pulling out his cell phone.
"Nothing, nothing," she said quickly. "I'm gonna get some candy."
"Okay," he smiled. Every one of his kids had inherited his sweet tooth. "Get me a chocolate bar."
*~~*~~*
Ginny was in the kitchen finishing up drying the dishes when she felt a strong pair of arms wrap themselves around her waist. She leaned back as the familiar cologne wafted over her.
"You look so cute doing the Susie-Home-Maker thing,"said Harry kissing her ear. Ginny shivered as he kissed lower and gently sucked the sensitive skin below her ear. His hands started to slid underneath her shirt and she closed her eyes at the sensation. She turned around in his arms and looked into his emerald eyes.
"Do I now?" she asked, teasing him by pulling away. "Maybe you should have helped me a little bit. I'm so tired right now." She heard him groan as she walked away. She looked at him smiling at his obvious frustration. Lately, whenever the two tried to get intimate something would always interrupt them.
He walked up to her and trapped her in a corner. He started to kiss her neck again, but not as softly as before. He pressed his body up against hers and she quickly grabbed his face and kissed him passionately. Soon their shirts were off and the temperature in the room shot up, to them anyway. Harry pulled back and looked at Ginny's flushed face and chest. He kissed her gently then lifted her up. Ginny giggled as he dipped his tongue into her bellybutton. They were on their way to the bedroom when the phone rang.
"Ignore it," said Harry automatically. "It'll stop ringing soon." But it didn't. It just kept ringing and ringing until Ginny couldn't take it anymore. She wriggled a bit in Harry's arms and he reluctantly let her down, silently cursing whoever it was that was calling. Ginny took a few deep breaths to calm herself down and picked up the phone.
"Hello?"
"GINNY!" Ron shouted on the other end of the phone. "What the hell took you so long to answer?"
"I was busy," she said simply. Ron didn't need to know what she was busy with. He remembered the days when he was a newlywed.
"Ginny, I need your help," said Ron urgently.
"With what?" asked Ginny alarmed making Harry look up. She looked at him and mouthed, 'Ron.' He quickly got up and stood behind Ginny, trying to hear what was going on.
"It's Natalie," he said.
"What? What is it? What happened? What's wrong?" she asked hurriedly.
"Can you meet us at the pharmacy next to my house real quick. I'll...hold on sweety...I'll tell you everything when you come. Yes yes fine Nat! You can get that make-up kit."
'Make-up kit?' wondered Ginny. Ron really must be off his hinges if he let her get make-up. He never wanted any of his girls to wear make-up, afraid that they might grow up to fast on him. That and he didn't want boys chasing after them. At least not while he was alive.
"I'll be right there, Ron." She hung up the phone and quickly got dressed. She was about to fasten her cloak when she heard a frustrated sigh from behind her. She turned around and saw Harry sitting on the couch with his head in his hands. Ginny had to bite back the laugh that was threatening to escape. She went up to him and kissed the top of his head. He looked up and she said, "When I finish with Ron, I promise to finish what we started here." Harry smiled
"Be back soon?" pleaded Harry. Ginny smiled and nodded. She gave him another kiss and left the apartment.
*~~*~~*
Ginny had been laughing at Ron for the past five minutes and she didn't look like she was going to stop any time soon. When she finally did calmed down she saw that he looked like he was about to explode, that or throw-up.
"This is what you called me down here for?" she finally asked. She couldn't help it. She had to laugh again.
"Ginny, you know this isn't my department. Now stop laughing or you might embarrass Natalie," he hissed. This promptly shut her up. She looked around and saw Natalie looking at some brushes. She called her over and took a deep breath.
"Now, Nat," she started, suddenly wishing she never had any daughters. Poor Ron has to go through this three more times. "You can use these muggle...er...accessories. But they are pretty shabby. The wizard..er..witches kind is much more efficient and doesn't cause any leaks."
"Leaks?" repeated Ron. He held on to the shelf so as not to faint.
"Yes, Ron, it happens," said Ginny calmly.
"How about you take Natalie to Diagon Alley and get her her...er...things. I'll go get the other stuff for Natalie and the girls," said Ron with a hint of pleading in his voice.
"No, Ron I can't," said Ginny. "I promised Harry I would help him with something."
"With what? It can't be more important than this," he said, trying to keep his voice down.
"Just something," she said looking away. "You take Natalie. Its not that hard."
"Wait, Aunt Ginny," piped up Natalie so as to avoid a fight between Ginny and Ron. "Do you have Dr. Granger's phone number?"
"YES!" yelled Ron causing many people to look at him. "Yes, Hermione, perfect. She'll know what to do."
"How do you know Hermione's a doctor?" asked Ginny.
"Never mind that," he said pulling out his cell phone. "What's her number?" Ginny checked her watch and decided to give him the hospital's number since that was where Hermione was now.
"Dr. Granger, speaking," said Hermione on the other end of the phone. Ron lost his voice and instead gave the phone to Natalie.
"Stop being so immature, Dad. Hello Hermione, it's Natalie...yes yes...everything's alright...we just wanted to know if you can help us pick out some stuff, for..ya know...Really! That's great. Okay we'll meet you at Diagon Alley. Thanks bye." She closed the phone and handed it to Ron. "No big deal Dad."
"Hehe, yeah..no big deal," and then he fainted.
"I wondered how long it would take him to do that," said Ginny, pulling out her wand, discretely so as none of the Muggles would notice.
*~~*~~*
Ron and Natalie made their way to Diagon Alley after Ginny left. They went to the Leaky Cauldron and waited for Hermione to arrive. Tom the innkeeper came in and took their order.
"How about a butterbeer for Natalie and the strongest stuff you got for me," sighed Ron. Tom looked at them and smiled.
"Trust me Mr. Weasley, it gets easier with time. Just wait til you have to talk to her about sex," he laughed. Natalie blushed scarlet and Ron's faced paled. This day just wouldn't end. As their drinks arrived, Hermione walked through the door. Natalie quickly ran up to her and gave her a hug.
"Thanks for coming, Hermione," she said. Hermione smiled and sat down at their table. Ron stood up and shook her hand and offered her a seat. She thanked him and sat down.
"Can I get you something to drink?" he asked.
"No, no, that's okay," she said, eyeing Ron's drink.
"Come on, how about a warm butterbeer on this cold day," he coaxed. She smiled and finally gave in.
"Okay, but you're paying," she smiled. Something about her smile caused a sudden jolt in his stomach. He ignored it and ordered her a butterbeer. "It won't help you much if you get drunk," she said suddenly.
"The only way Dad can function is when he has some alcohol in his system," said Natalie. Ron gave her a glare which she retorted by sticking out her tongue. Hermione smiled at their interaction. After they finished their drinks they went to Diagon Alley. Hermione led them to a store that was towards the end of the small town. Suddenly a new broom in Quality Quidditch Supplies caught his eyes.
"Umm, you ladies wouldn't mind if I left you and went into the Quidditch Store?" he asked, hoping they would let him go. Not only did he want to touch the broom, but he really didn't want to go with them when they shopped for their feminine needs.
"You going to buy a broom, Dad?" teased Natalie. She knew that it annoyed Ron to no end that none of his kids were interested in Quidditch. When they were younger he tried to force them to like it, but they weren't interested. He still had high hopes, though. There was still the baby twins to think of.
"No, I just want to look around. So can I?" he asked, hopping up and down like a little child. Hermione couldn't help but smile at his antics. He was so adorable, like an overgrown schoolboy.
"Okay, Ron, you can go," said Hermione, "but you better not get in any trouble while we're away." Ron let out a whoop and gave both girls a hug and a kiss on the cheek and ran off.
"Well, let's go," said Natalie, noticing the blush on Hermione's face.
*~~*~~*
After the girls finished their shopping they had to practically drag Ron out of Quality Quidditch Supplies.
"Just a few more minutes, please?" he begged.
"Dad we have to go home before Thomas decides to get a tatoo again," urged Natalie. That had the desired effect. Last time Ron left them home alone, Thomas had went to a Muggle city and got a tatoo, saying that all great rock stars had one. Luckily Ron knew a charm to get rid of it.
He thanked Hermione and gave her a huge bear hug after she said she told Natalie how to use her new product, so he didn't have to worry.
"You are a Godsend," he said, sincerely. She blushed scarlet and mumbled a 'thanks.' He was about to ask her for her number when his phone rang. He excused himself and answered the phone.
"Dad!" shouted Mark. The background had sounds similar to that of a war zone. "Dad! You better get home!"
"Get off of me!" shouted someone in the back.
"I want ICE CREAM!"
"Stop playing with that!"
"Don't add that yet!"
"KAAAA-BLAAAM!"
Ron gave a heavy sigh and said, "I'll be there in a second." He turned to Natalie and Hermione. "Code red, Nat," he told her. "We have to get there now."
"You could use the fireplace in The Leaky Cauldron," offered Hermione.
"No, that's okay. We'll apparate," said Ron.
"Natalie can't apparate," said Hermione sagely. "she's too young." However, neither Ron nor Natalie paid her much attention. Natalie went up to her father and hugged his middle tightly.
"I'll call you if I need anything else," she said as Ron wrapped his arms tightly around her as well. Hermione was about to say something when they disappeared with a 'pop.' Hermione was left there speechless. She gave a 'hmph' at their obvious disregard for the rules and apparated home herself, forgetting that you weren't aloud to apparate in Diagon Alley.
Chapter 3: Shopping
Ron went home and found the place in utter chaos. The children were still home for Christmas holiday. Ron sent them to muggle school before they attended Hogwarts so they were able to learn the basics, like reading and math.
Before he even opened the door, he heard a loud explosion and someone screaming like a banshee. 'Those twins are never going to hang out with their uncles anymore,' thought Ron rubbing his temples. Natalie pulled on his hand, trying to keep from laughing, and urging him to open the door. He really didn't want to and when he went inside he wanted to run far, far away.
Thomas was trying to pull away a crying and kicking Victoria who held on to tiny fist fulls of Theresa's hair, which was currently neon green. The twins were playing a thumb war, but their thumbs were enlarged to the size of swords. The babies were in their room, bawling, and the whole house smelled like dirty diapers and burned toast. Ron quickly rummaged through is pocket and pulled out a silver whistle. He blew it and the room was instantly devoid of any motion. Within seconds they were all standing in a line in front of their father. He looked at them all with a strained look on his face.
"Where is Abigail?" he finally asked. The children looked bewildered. They had forgotten all about her.
"I think she's in the kitchen," piped up Theresa fingering her green hair. Ron went into the kitchen, with everyone following him wondering what was going to happen, though they already had an idea.
Abigail was sitting at the kitchen table. Her hair was in curlers and she had some kind of green goo on her face. She was wearing a bathrobe, with her hairy legs poking out from the bottom. She was wearing bunny slippers and sipping tea while reading a magazine. She seemed very content.
"That's my robe," shouted Natalie, disgusted. Ron shivered at the thought of what she could be wearing (or not wearing) under there.
"Sweety, I don't have any rope," said Abigail looking up at her.
"Those are my slippers," wailed Theresa.
"The cat has flippers? Have your brother been brewing up more potions?"
"We don't want to go to the ocean," mocked the twins. Ron was trying very hard to keep a straight face, which wasn't hard after she crossed her legs. He suddenly had to fight down his breakfast.
"Abby," he started slowly, not wanting to fire her, but what other choice did he have? "I don't think this is working out."
"I have been working out! Thank you! I lost 2 pounds!" she said, happy that someone had noticed.
"No no. I mean you are fired," he tried again.
"Yes you hired me a few days ago," she said carefully, thinking Ron was slow.
"Uh oh," whispered Thomas, seeing the vein in his father's forehead throbbing. All the children took 2 steps back.
"YOU ARE FIRED. FIRED FIRED FIRED FIRED. GET OUT OF MY HOUSE NOW. OUT! OUT!" Ron shrieked.
"Okay!" shouted Abigail. "You don't have to yell! I'm not deaf." She got up and went to her room. Two minutes later she apparated away with all her stuff. All the kids started laughing as Ron picked up the bathrobe and slippers she had left and threw them in the fire.
"I'll get ya new stuff, later," he said giving his girls a smile. He felt a tug at his shirt and looked down at Vicky. "I'll get you something, too," he sighed. She hugged his legs tightly and Ron laughed. He took out his wand and fixed the twins' thumbs and Theresa's hair.
"Okay everyone," he started looking around at the mess in the house, "Natalie and I are going to go shopping. So all of you are going to clean the house. No excuses. If there is any disagreement I could just call Ms. Fields from across the street." They all moaned. Ms. Fields smelled like cats and liked to pet everyone as if they were one.
"Come on, Natalie," he said, suddenly scared out of his wits. "Time to get that..er...stuff that you need." If she hadn't been so nervous about doing this with her father, she would have laughed at his expression.
*~~*~~*
"Dad! I can't use those," said Natalie, exhausted. They had been at the pharmacy for over an hour, neither having any idea what they were doing.
"Why not?" asked Ron just as tired.
"Because those are diapers. Don't you see the baby on the package?" She was right. They were diapers, but Ron hadn't noticed that when he picked it out. In fact, he just closed his eyes and plucked one off the shelf, hoping this was what she wanted/needed. Obviously life wasn't that nice.
"You know what?" he said finally. "I'm calling your Aunt Ginny."
"About time," Natalie muttered.
"What was that?" asked Ron pulling out his cell phone.
"Nothing, nothing," she said quickly. "I'm gonna get some candy."
"Okay," he smiled. Every one of his kids had inherited his sweet tooth. "Get me a chocolate bar."
*~~*~~*
Ginny was in the kitchen finishing up drying the dishes when she felt a strong pair of arms wrap themselves around her waist. She leaned back as the familiar cologne wafted over her.
"You look so cute doing the Susie-Home-Maker thing,"said Harry kissing her ear. Ginny shivered as he kissed lower and gently sucked the sensitive skin below her ear. His hands started to slid underneath her shirt and she closed her eyes at the sensation. She turned around in his arms and looked into his emerald eyes.
"Do I now?" she asked, teasing him by pulling away. "Maybe you should have helped me a little bit. I'm so tired right now." She heard him groan as she walked away. She looked at him smiling at his obvious frustration. Lately, whenever the two tried to get intimate something would always interrupt them.
He walked up to her and trapped her in a corner. He started to kiss her neck again, but not as softly as before. He pressed his body up against hers and she quickly grabbed his face and kissed him passionately. Soon their shirts were off and the temperature in the room shot up, to them anyway. Harry pulled back and looked at Ginny's flushed face and chest. He kissed her gently then lifted her up. Ginny giggled as he dipped his tongue into her bellybutton. They were on their way to the bedroom when the phone rang.
"Ignore it," said Harry automatically. "It'll stop ringing soon." But it didn't. It just kept ringing and ringing until Ginny couldn't take it anymore. She wriggled a bit in Harry's arms and he reluctantly let her down, silently cursing whoever it was that was calling. Ginny took a few deep breaths to calm herself down and picked up the phone.
"Hello?"
"GINNY!" Ron shouted on the other end of the phone. "What the hell took you so long to answer?"
"I was busy," she said simply. Ron didn't need to know what she was busy with. He remembered the days when he was a newlywed.
"Ginny, I need your help," said Ron urgently.
"With what?" asked Ginny alarmed making Harry look up. She looked at him and mouthed, 'Ron.' He quickly got up and stood behind Ginny, trying to hear what was going on.
"It's Natalie," he said.
"What? What is it? What happened? What's wrong?" she asked hurriedly.
"Can you meet us at the pharmacy next to my house real quick. I'll...hold on sweety...I'll tell you everything when you come. Yes yes fine Nat! You can get that make-up kit."
'Make-up kit?' wondered Ginny. Ron really must be off his hinges if he let her get make-up. He never wanted any of his girls to wear make-up, afraid that they might grow up to fast on him. That and he didn't want boys chasing after them. At least not while he was alive.
"I'll be right there, Ron." She hung up the phone and quickly got dressed. She was about to fasten her cloak when she heard a frustrated sigh from behind her. She turned around and saw Harry sitting on the couch with his head in his hands. Ginny had to bite back the laugh that was threatening to escape. She went up to him and kissed the top of his head. He looked up and she said, "When I finish with Ron, I promise to finish what we started here." Harry smiled
"Be back soon?" pleaded Harry. Ginny smiled and nodded. She gave him another kiss and left the apartment.
*~~*~~*
Ginny had been laughing at Ron for the past five minutes and she didn't look like she was going to stop any time soon. When she finally did calmed down she saw that he looked like he was about to explode, that or throw-up.
"This is what you called me down here for?" she finally asked. She couldn't help it. She had to laugh again.
"Ginny, you know this isn't my department. Now stop laughing or you might embarrass Natalie," he hissed. This promptly shut her up. She looked around and saw Natalie looking at some brushes. She called her over and took a deep breath.
"Now, Nat," she started, suddenly wishing she never had any daughters. Poor Ron has to go through this three more times. "You can use these muggle...er...accessories. But they are pretty shabby. The wizard..er..witches kind is much more efficient and doesn't cause any leaks."
"Leaks?" repeated Ron. He held on to the shelf so as not to faint.
"Yes, Ron, it happens," said Ginny calmly.
"How about you take Natalie to Diagon Alley and get her her...er...things. I'll go get the other stuff for Natalie and the girls," said Ron with a hint of pleading in his voice.
"No, Ron I can't," said Ginny. "I promised Harry I would help him with something."
"With what? It can't be more important than this," he said, trying to keep his voice down.
"Just something," she said looking away. "You take Natalie. Its not that hard."
"Wait, Aunt Ginny," piped up Natalie so as to avoid a fight between Ginny and Ron. "Do you have Dr. Granger's phone number?"
"YES!" yelled Ron causing many people to look at him. "Yes, Hermione, perfect. She'll know what to do."
"How do you know Hermione's a doctor?" asked Ginny.
"Never mind that," he said pulling out his cell phone. "What's her number?" Ginny checked her watch and decided to give him the hospital's number since that was where Hermione was now.
"Dr. Granger, speaking," said Hermione on the other end of the phone. Ron lost his voice and instead gave the phone to Natalie.
"Stop being so immature, Dad. Hello Hermione, it's Natalie...yes yes...everything's alright...we just wanted to know if you can help us pick out some stuff, for..ya know...Really! That's great. Okay we'll meet you at Diagon Alley. Thanks bye." She closed the phone and handed it to Ron. "No big deal Dad."
"Hehe, yeah..no big deal," and then he fainted.
"I wondered how long it would take him to do that," said Ginny, pulling out her wand, discretely so as none of the Muggles would notice.
*~~*~~*
Ron and Natalie made their way to Diagon Alley after Ginny left. They went to the Leaky Cauldron and waited for Hermione to arrive. Tom the innkeeper came in and took their order.
"How about a butterbeer for Natalie and the strongest stuff you got for me," sighed Ron. Tom looked at them and smiled.
"Trust me Mr. Weasley, it gets easier with time. Just wait til you have to talk to her about sex," he laughed. Natalie blushed scarlet and Ron's faced paled. This day just wouldn't end. As their drinks arrived, Hermione walked through the door. Natalie quickly ran up to her and gave her a hug.
"Thanks for coming, Hermione," she said. Hermione smiled and sat down at their table. Ron stood up and shook her hand and offered her a seat. She thanked him and sat down.
"Can I get you something to drink?" he asked.
"No, no, that's okay," she said, eyeing Ron's drink.
"Come on, how about a warm butterbeer on this cold day," he coaxed. She smiled and finally gave in.
"Okay, but you're paying," she smiled. Something about her smile caused a sudden jolt in his stomach. He ignored it and ordered her a butterbeer. "It won't help you much if you get drunk," she said suddenly.
"The only way Dad can function is when he has some alcohol in his system," said Natalie. Ron gave her a glare which she retorted by sticking out her tongue. Hermione smiled at their interaction. After they finished their drinks they went to Diagon Alley. Hermione led them to a store that was towards the end of the small town. Suddenly a new broom in Quality Quidditch Supplies caught his eyes.
"Umm, you ladies wouldn't mind if I left you and went into the Quidditch Store?" he asked, hoping they would let him go. Not only did he want to touch the broom, but he really didn't want to go with them when they shopped for their feminine needs.
"You going to buy a broom, Dad?" teased Natalie. She knew that it annoyed Ron to no end that none of his kids were interested in Quidditch. When they were younger he tried to force them to like it, but they weren't interested. He still had high hopes, though. There was still the baby twins to think of.
"No, I just want to look around. So can I?" he asked, hopping up and down like a little child. Hermione couldn't help but smile at his antics. He was so adorable, like an overgrown schoolboy.
"Okay, Ron, you can go," said Hermione, "but you better not get in any trouble while we're away." Ron let out a whoop and gave both girls a hug and a kiss on the cheek and ran off.
"Well, let's go," said Natalie, noticing the blush on Hermione's face.
*~~*~~*
After the girls finished their shopping they had to practically drag Ron out of Quality Quidditch Supplies.
"Just a few more minutes, please?" he begged.
"Dad we have to go home before Thomas decides to get a tatoo again," urged Natalie. That had the desired effect. Last time Ron left them home alone, Thomas had went to a Muggle city and got a tatoo, saying that all great rock stars had one. Luckily Ron knew a charm to get rid of it.
He thanked Hermione and gave her a huge bear hug after she said she told Natalie how to use her new product, so he didn't have to worry.
"You are a Godsend," he said, sincerely. She blushed scarlet and mumbled a 'thanks.' He was about to ask her for her number when his phone rang. He excused himself and answered the phone.
"Dad!" shouted Mark. The background had sounds similar to that of a war zone. "Dad! You better get home!"
"Get off of me!" shouted someone in the back.
"I want ICE CREAM!"
"Stop playing with that!"
"Don't add that yet!"
"KAAAA-BLAAAM!"
Ron gave a heavy sigh and said, "I'll be there in a second." He turned to Natalie and Hermione. "Code red, Nat," he told her. "We have to get there now."
"You could use the fireplace in The Leaky Cauldron," offered Hermione.
"No, that's okay. We'll apparate," said Ron.
"Natalie can't apparate," said Hermione sagely. "she's too young." However, neither Ron nor Natalie paid her much attention. Natalie went up to her father and hugged his middle tightly.
"I'll call you if I need anything else," she said as Ron wrapped his arms tightly around her as well. Hermione was about to say something when they disappeared with a 'pop.' Hermione was left there speechless. She gave a 'hmph' at their obvious disregard for the rules and apparated home herself, forgetting that you weren't aloud to apparate in Diagon Alley.