A/N It's been a long time, but finally here is the next chapter. I won't make any promises on timing, but this story will be finished.
By the time Friday rolled around, Hermione was exhausted. They worked from sunup to dinner time and after eating she almost always went straight to bed.
While eating breakfast she realized she hadn't had any dreams lately, good or bad. Maybe keeping this busy was a good thing.
George had Ron and Ginny helping out this weekend so that Hermione and Charlie could have a couple days off. He was still working on securing more part time help for the store but it seemed the positions would be filled soon based on the huge stack of applications on his desk.
She was excited at the thought of sleeping in after being up before dawn all week, but wasn't sure what to do with those free days with Ginny and Ron both busy at the store.
As if on cue, George snapped her out of her thoughts to head over to the store. She grabbed her bag and set off after him through the floo.
Charlie was already there, making busy straightening shelves and generally looking chipper.
"I'll never understand how you're so awake before the sun is up" Hermione mumbled, pinning her hair back in preparation for the craziness of the day.
"This is sleeping in for a dragon tamer!" he chuckled. "You don't want to deal with a dragon who hasn't had their breakfast, so they get fed well before dawn. They eat at their leisure when they we wake and we have far less, uh, incidents."
He winked at her surprised expression and she paused pinning her hair. She didn't want to imagine what kind of incidents happened with hungry dragons.
"Oh it's normally not that serious," he continued, "usually just the occasional burn or singed off hair courtesy of a cranky dragon, especially the young ones."
Hermione snorted as she imagined his red Weasley hair singed and burned like she had seen Seamus do what seemed like a hundred times.
She continued to quietly chuckle at the
mental image until George opened up the doors. It wasn't long until she was neck deep in customers and the morning passed by quickly.
Molly stopped by the shop for the first time since they reopened around eleven. She brought lunch for the three of them and stayed to eat with them while the shop was quiet.
"You can really feel him here, can't you?" Molly asked to no one in particular, tearing up as she looked around.
Charlie reached over and rubbed her back lightly pulling her into a hug.
"Yeah mum, you can." he said.
"Oh look at me," she said, wiping her eyes and smiling, "Its just so lovely to be here again. I'm so glad you finally came back to us George."
George cracked a mischievous smile at her and then looked over at Hermione.
"You hear that? She loves the shop. So she won't mind us testing new products at home, right?" he said with mockingly serious tone.
"George Weasley you keep whatever nonsense you're making out of my house!" Molly said.
"Yeah George, we have to live there too you know." Hermione added.
"No fun Hermione, you're supposed to take my side, I'm your boss!" George replied.
"Yes, but she feeds me." she said while motioning to her half eating sandwich.
"Ahh, fair point Granger. Thanks mum." said George as he happily took another bite.
"I'll be off now, I've got shopping to do before I head home. You lot be safe and I'll see you at dinner." Molly waved her goodbyes with a smile and headed out into Diagon Alley.
The rest of the day went by quickly and before she knew it they were cleaning up shop to head home.
At dinner she was tired, but also excited to have the next day off. She must have looked happy because Molly kept smiling at her with that motherly look she does.
Harry, who was sitting next to her with Ginny on his other side, leaned towards Hermione to speak quietly.
"Hey, how are you doing?" he asked.
"I'm alright, I think. Too busy to think and I'd say it's helping," she replied.
"I can tell. I'm glad you've found something to keep you busy. I do have a favour to ask, if you're up to it."
"Sure Harry. What is it?" she asked, intrigued.
"I'll tell you in the morning, it's a surprise." he said, nodding his head towards Ginny.
She smiled while rolling her eyes then she nodded her head in agreement. He probably wanted her help picking out a gift. He and Ron had always relied on her opinion for those kinds of things. She didn't mind though, even if she complained a bit.
After dinner she headed up the stairs to bed and quickly fell asleep wondering what kind of gift to get for Ginny in the morning.
o - o - o - o - o - o
The next morning she woke up with sun pouring through the window of Ginny's room. She smiled thinking of how grumpy Ginny must be after waking up so early.
In another few short weeks Hermione would have the room to herself. Ginny would be back to Hogwarts, and while Hermione loved her privacy, she would miss her.
After taking a few minutes to relish the warmth of her bed, she decided it was time to get moving. She had promised to go with Harry but she wanted a nice long shower first. And breakfast, definitely breakfast.
Working had done wonders for her usually nonexistent appetite. She was ravenous at lunch and dinner lately, likely from burning extra calories running around the joke shop.
She stepped out of Ginny's room, planning to head for the shower but the door was locked and she could hear water trickling from inside.
Breakfast first it is then, she thought.
She dropped off her toiletries back in Ginny's room and started back down the stairs when the bathroom door suddenly opened and she bumped into a shirtless Charlie, hair still dripping and steam rolling out the door behind him.
She nearly lost her footing but Charlie had reached out and caught her elbow with one hand and steadied her at the waist with the other. Once she was stable he pulled his hands away and gave her a visual once over, while she apologized to him.
"I'm sorry, I didn't hear the door open, I was distracted by whatever that amazing smell is coming from the kitchen," she said, wiping a few water droplets from her arm.
"No, that wasn't your fault. I was distracted as well. Nearly knocked you down the stairs like the big oaf I am. You alright?" he replied, rubbing the back of his head with one hand.
"It would take more than a bump from those puny muscles to hurt me," she joked, sensing a bit of his genuine concern.
"Puny?!" he asked, eyebrow cocked and hands on his hips, taken aback as she giggled and ducked around him down the stairs.
She heard him laugh and looked up the stairs as she rounded the corner in time to see him shake his head and head towards his room.
She was enjoying her pancakes when he came back down the stairs, fully clothed this time though his hair was still damp. It was her turn to raise an eyebrow at him, daring him to return the jest but he raised his hands in defeat.
"I know when I'm out matched, these puny muscles have nothing to say," he said with a now characteristic grin with a wink.
She laughed and continued eating while he piled up his own plate.
"I see you two are getting along well," Harry said from the other side of the table.
"That's because he's learned in a week what you and Ron have failed to learn in nearly 8 years," Hermione stated.
"What's that then?" Harry asked, wondering what he's missed.
"To let me have my way," she said matter of factly. When she saw Harry's eyes widen she burst out laughing.
"Oh Harry, I'm only joking, sort of," she added, "We've been stuck together for an entire week for all of our waking hours. I'd hope we'd get along, at least a little, or we'd be miserable. And he always does what I ask right away, none of that whining that you and especially Ron are prone to."
Hermione looked to Charlie for backup and he just raised his hands in defeat again.
"Puny muscles lift heavy things for pretty lady," he grunted.
Harry laughed and Hermione rolled her eyes, but still smiled at his antics.
She finished her meal soon after and headed upstairs for her shower. Refreshed and dressed she met Harry downstairs in the kitchen who was still sitting at the table chatting with Charlie.
"If you're ready, we can head out now?" Harry asked Hermione as she entered the room.
"I'm ready," she replied making sure her wand and bag were secure.
"Where are you off to then?" Charlie asked them.
"Super secret mission. So secret I don't even know!" Hermione said with as much sarcasm as she could muster as she headed towards the floo.
Now it was Harry's turn to shake his head as he followed her to the fireplace.
"Shopping," was Harry's simple reply as he shrugged apologetically to Charlie.
"Diagon Alley," Harry called, throwing powder into the flames.
They stepped out at the Leaky Cauldron, quickly making their way to the back before they could be recognized. Usually they would have just come through Weasley Wizard Wheezes but it seemed Harry was serious about Ginny not finding out what they were up to.
He led her to a small shop tucked in between two other larger ones. It had a small, beautifully carved sign that read "Magically Yours" with gemstones artistically adorning it.
As she stepped inside the tiny shop and took in all the display cases lining the walls and every available space holding an assortment of jewelry and loose gemstones.
She grabbed Harry's arm and nearly shouted at him.
"Harry, you're..." she started.
"Yes, Hermione, that's why I need you to keep it secret and help me. Please," the look he gave her was borderline desperation and she couldn't help but agree.
Barely containing her excitement she grabbed his arm again and whispered, loudly.
"You're going to propose to her? Harry it's about time! I'm so happy for you!" she said, hugging him tightly.
"She hasn't said yes yet," he said, a bit nervously.
Hermione pulled back from her hug and gave him a quizzical look.
"Like there's any chance she doesn't!" she said, rolling her eyes and heading towards a display case.
They spent the next hour looking over different settings and gems with the help of the elderly woman running the shop. Finally Harry and Hermione found what seemed to be the perfect combination.
It was a beautiful, yet simple ring, with wing-like strands unfurling from the center setting. They had chosen a remarkably clear emerald to rest in the center. It reminded her, in a subtle way, of a golden snitch and she knew that it was perfect for Ginny, and for Harry too.
Satisfied with his purchase, Harry led her back out of the shop and back towards the Leaky Cauldron.
"So when are you planning to ask?" Hermione asked him, lightly nudging him with her elbow.
"I don't know exactly. I don't want to drop it on her now, before school starts. She has enough going on with that. I'm thinking maybe over winter holidays?" he said, almost as a question.
She nodded at his logic.
"That sounds wonderful, I'm so excited for you Harry," she said, sighing wistfully.
"Just keep the excitement to yourself okay?" he pleaded.
"Of course I will, I wouldn't ruin this for her!" she said.
"For her? What about me?" he said, opening the door.
She paused for a moment for dramatic effect.
"Nope, for her," she laughed as they entered inside.
