AN: Thank you for all your lovely responses about this story, I'm really having a load of fun writing it. My aim is to make this really realistic, as I love Dad!Ron and he deserves a really good story. As always, all my love goes to everyone who has responded to this story, and most of all to my lovely betas Adenei, be11a, cheesy, sm_jl and QuickSlilverFox who are amazing! 3 xxx

Ron wakes from some interesting dreams. Later on, he takes Hugo to his football game and starts texting with Hermione.

A glass of wine always ensures a good night's sleep for Ron, although he tries not to partake in it too often. He's aware it can be a slippery slope to not being able to sleep without a whole bottle. The older he gets, the worse the hangovers are, and he learnt early on that there's no way he can look after Hugo properly while Ron is feeling under the weather.

Plus, it's an expensive habit, and he isn't exactly flush with cash right now.

By the time Ron opens his eyes on Saturday morning, the sun is already shining through his blue curtains, casting a warm glow over the bed. It's going to be a scorcher of a day, and he knows he won't be able to drop back off in this heat. Rolling onto his back with a loud yawn, he rubs the sleep out of his eyes before checking for signs of life from Hugo's room.

But the house is quiet.

Ron had some weird dreams last night. They weren't nightmares, and the visions didn't have him waking up in a sweat in the middle of the night, but they were still strange and have left him in a weird mood this morning. Of course, it probably didn't help that he was watching Criminal Minds until bedtime.

Although most of the dreams are already slipping from his mind, Ron can vaguely remember working with Hermione to steal a bag of money from McGonagall's desk, which was in the middle of a vast green hedge maze manned by Filch the caretaker. The Headmistress kept on disturbing their attempts, moaning about marking and nobody turning up for the fete, which seemed to be all Ron's fault.

That part made sense since winning the prize is an important goal for him at the moment.

But what confuses him the most is how close he was to Miss Granger. Dream Ron and Hermione were definitely in a relationship. She stayed close to his body for the duration of their escapades, and he can remember the touch of her hand vividly as if she was still with him now. Given the state he's woken up in, he's pretty sure they celebrated their winnings in style. Cream bed sheets and a huge hotel room flash through his memory, accompanied with loud moans of pleasure, but they disappear the more awake Ron gets.

It feels a bit wrong—getting morning wood over Hugo's teacher—but he can't help but admit to himself that the thought of doing adult stuff with Hermione is pretty appealing. He's about to do something about it, even though he knows it may make looking her in the eye a bit tricky the next time Ron sees her, but he's interrupted by the thunderous footsteps of Hugo across the hallway.

Fortunately, small children are immediate boner killers.

Ron rolls over and shuts his eyes tight, pretending to snore as his bedroom door slams open, and a weight climbs into the bed next to him.

"Go away," he mumbles. Hugo giggles in response and nestles closer to Ron's back, causing the older Weasley to let out an over the top sigh. The child's hot breath is against his skin, forcing Ron to smile at Hugo's lack of awareness of personal space. "Don't you know the words 'go away'? What are they teaching you in that school?"

"I know 'go away'. But I don't want to. I'm awake."

"So? You know where the toaster is and how to turn on the TV, don't you?"

"Yeah, but it's boring being alone. Your bed is sooooo comfy and a lot bigger than mine. When do I get a big bed?"

"When you stop falling out of the one you've got," teases Ron.

He forces his eyes back open and turns to face Hugo, raising one eyebrow at him. Just like everyone else in the family, the kid's short red hair sticks up at all angles, and he has freckles covering his cheeks and nose. Hugo's face is still full of sleep, and his body is warm.

"But I don't fall out of bed anymore," Hugo says with a sincere look on his face.

Ron almost falls for it, but he's used to the tricks the kid can pull by now. "I don't believe you. Why don't you prove it."

"How?" Hugo giggles.

Ron shrugs. "I don't know. But until you do, the kid bed stays." He shifts onto his back, grinning as Hugo moves with him and cuddles up to his side. They've both always been snugglers, and he knows this won't last for much longer, so he's determined to make the most of it. "What time is it anyway?"

"Half-past seven."

"And what time is your football match this morning?"

"Nine."

"You're getting quite good at this, aren't you?" Ron grins down at Hugo.

The kid smiles back. "I have a good teacher."

Ron's thoughts drift back to Miss Granger again, and the tips of his ears burn as he realises what Hugo almost walked in on. Although Ron is trying his best to be open-minded about discussing sex when Hugo asks about it, there are some things that a child does not need to know. Boundaries are important, after all. They've already had chats about where babies come from, and Ron is painfully aware that puberty is hurtling towards them. He plans to talk about it when opportunities show themselves and not save it for one big long chat like his Dad did. That was unnecessarily awkward for both parties, and there's no way Ron is subjecting Hugo to that.

Hermione isn't the kind of woman he usually goes for, not that he has a type. Despite his age, Ron hasn't had very many girlfriends. His last had a mass of curly blonde hair and was really girly. She worked in one of the local fashion stores but was trying to "make it big" on social media.

Hermione isn't conventionally pretty. Her front teeth are large, but she has a friendly smile that always seems to reach her eyes. The teacher came across as intelligent but easy to talk to. Her tone was bossy, but she didn't speak to him like he was an idiot. Not only that, but every time he challenged her, she gave back as good as she got. Ron tried looking her up on Facebook and Instagram last night but couldn't find a trace of her.

Ron prides himself on nailing first impressions on the head, and he'd had more fun working with Hermione than he might have done with McGonagall. Even though he'd rubbished most of her ideas, at least she had some. But, unfortunately, Ron still hasn't got a clue of what they might do to win the prize.

Shaking his thoughts out of his head, Ron turns his attention back to Hugo, who looks like he might be drifting back off to sleep. "Oy! No sleeping, we have football soon, and I need to feed you before we go. How about I cook you a big breakfast?"

"With eggs and bacon?"

"I've even got sausages. So let's go wild; it's a Saturday after all. But we don't have loads of time. Can you go and get yourself dressed while I shower?"

Hugo sighs. He's already moving out of bed, making Ron reflect on how easy it is to bribe him with food. "I've been dressing myself for ages now."

"Alright, off you go then. Just don't forget it's the blue kit today, okay?"

"Yessir!" Hugo salutes Ron before wandering across the hallway and back to his bedroom. Ron laughs before pushing himself out of bed with a groan. After checking that Hugo is doing as he's told, Ron grabs a quick shower then gets dressed.

⁂

Despite Hugo's initial eagerness to get breakfast, he still takes his time to get ready. As a result, they are almost late for warm-ups. Ginny, who coaches the under-nine team, stops helping Lily stretch and turns to watch Ron and Hugo, her hands on her hips and a scowl on her face as they approach the pitch.

"You're late," she calls loud enough for all the other parents to hear.

"You're grumpy," Ron returns with a grin. He helps Hugo with his coat before pushing him towards the rest of the team. "Try not to piss your Aunt off too much, will you? She always takes it out on me. Good luck, kid."

Hugo trudges over to the rest of the team with a sigh, making Ron feel bad. He knows Hugo is reluctant to play—he never enjoys the games. He'd rather wait on the side with Ron and watch. However, the rest of the family assures Ron that being a part of a team sport is good for Hugo. Ron isn't too sure about that.

Once Hugo is with Ginny, Ron wanders over to the sidelines to find Harry and the rest of his family. The Potters are sitting in a row on the halfway line. Ron chuckles as he notices the kids have left a sizable distance between their camp chairs and their dad's. Albus is reading a book while James is absorbed in his mobile phone. Harry grins as Ron approaches, then fishes an empty cup out of the bag next to his feet. Ron sets his own chair up and plonks down into it.

"Morning, Potters. How are we all doing?"

Ron is grateful the weather is nice today as he starts to apply suncream to his arms. Sitting and watching junior football is grim in the rain and cold, especially when the kids aren't playing so well. Fortunately, Ginny's hard work has been paying off, and the team has had four wins in a row so far this season.

Albus lifts his head and gives his uncle a cheery wave before going back to his book. A grunt is all Ron gets from his eldest nephew.

"Nice to see you too, James." Ron laughs then takes the offered coffee from Harry.

"How did the rest of the PTA meeting go?" Harry wastes no time in getting right down to the nitty-gritty. No 'how are you's', or 'nice to see you this morning's' from Ron's best friend. "You and Miss Granger disappeared as soon as McGonagall dismissed you, and we didn't see you for the rest of the evening."

Ron ignores the wriggle of Harry's eyebrows and lowers his voice. Albus still attends Ottery Junior School with Lily and Hugo, and Ron doesn't want any of the kids to start spreading rumours. Especially about absolutely nothing.

"Hermione is Hugo and Lily's teacher, mate, so wipe that look off your face. I'm just there to make as much money as possible for the kids."

"I thought you said it was all about beating me to the prize? Wasn't that the only reason you signed up?"

"That's just a Brucey Bonus." Ron winks at Harry. "So, what are you and Slughorn doing for the fete?"

"I don't know. I think the old guy is losing it. He muttered something about school-themed cocktails and then wandered off to ask McGonagall if we had a licence." Harry shakes his head with an incredulous look.

"Wow! I wish I could have seen her face when he asked her. I would pay to be a fly on the wall. It's a school. What is he thinking?"

"I know, I know. I'm just going to let him get on with it and just start collecting stuff for a bottle stall. Less effort for me then. I'm busy enough as it is without having to argue with Slughorn over a summer fete."

"You're busy?" Ron scoffs.

"Don't pull the 'woe is Ron' card. You know that shit doesn't work with me." Harry takes a sip of his coffee before continuing, "Is everything alright with you guys, though?"

Ron smiles. "Yeah, we're doing well."

A comfortable silence falls between them as the teams run onto the pitch, the kind that only happens between two best friends. Ron has known Harry since they were eleven, and they no longer feel the pressure to fill the quiet with inane chat. Ron hates small talk anyway, so that's fine by him.

For today's game, Ottery St Catchpole under-nines, or the 'Catchers' as the team like to be called, are playing the Aller Grovers, the best junior team in East Devon. Ron hasn't got much hope that the Catchers will win, but they're looking strong until Hugo trips over an untied shoelace.

Ron grimaces but claps along with the rest of the parents anyway. "Come on, Catchers! Come on, Hugo and Lily!"

Hugo takes a knee, his tongue poking out of his mouth in concentration as he ties his lace, then checks the other football boot just in case. He hurries to catch up with the rest of the team, and Ron breathes a sigh of relief as none of the other kids take the piss out of him. Hugo has had enough to deal with recently.

Ginny brings the team in for a huddle just before the referee blows the starting whistle. They start strong, and once he's sure that Hugo is happy out on the pitch, Ron sinks back into his chair, unaware that Harry's eyes are still on him.

"So, Hermione, is it? That's a bit familiar for someone you've only just met. Or did you two get up close and personal in her quiet classroom?"

"Fuck off, mate." Ron's ears turn pink as he scowls. "You're like a dog with a bone or something."

"Oh, come on, I've seen that look on your face a hundred times before. You fancy her, don't you?"

"I barely know her! I don't even know anything about her, except that she worked in the British Library. That's it! I've never even seen her around the village. When did she even start working at the school?"

Harry scratches his head. "Sprout had to retire early because she wasn't very well. I think Miss Granger took over the class after Christmas? I don't know. Ginny deals with most of that stuff."

"So she's only been in Ottery for five months?"

"Or thereabouts, yeah. Mum says she lives in the village, though, so she must keep to herself. Did you not go to Hugo's parent-teacher conference last month?"

Ron throws Harry a guilty look. "Yeah, I didn't make that. Mum had to go in the end."

Harry sighs, but Ron ignores the small knot of annoyance that forms.

"You need to make an effort to go. They're important meetings."

"I know. But I didn't know when they were, and I was picking up an extra shift. You know how it is."

"Do you read the newsletters? 'Cos all the dates are on there."

Those bloody newsletters. When Ron gets home, he'll have to remember to check Hugo's bag. He's probably got a small stash of them hidden away. There's a lot to keep track of when you're responsible for a small child, and Ron hasn't quite got the hang of it yet.

"Her—Miss Granger gave me a lecture about that last night, so don't you start, too."

"Fine, I'll drop it."

"You could try and help," Ron quips. After all, he's only trying his best, and the rest of the family don't always see that. They only notice the things he does wrong or misses, not that Hugo is a healthy, happy child.

Harry thinks about it. "Why don't I try and remember to send you a text to keep you updated. That okay?"

"Cheers, mate, you know it will." Ron shoots Harry an appreciative look.

"Ginny and I will have Hugo tonight as well if you want?"

"Actually, that would be useful. I need to crack on with thinking about an idea, and I could do with some peace and quiet."

"Sorted then! You can have him back when we see you for Sunday lu—Ginny!" Harry jumps to his feet. "It's not even half-time yet. How have you made one of the kids cry already?"

Harry marches onto the pitch to sort his wife and the child out, and Ron uses the opportunity to check his phone. He's pleased to see there's a message already waiting from Miss Granger. Although he tries to make a point of staying off the device while he's with Hugo, he can't resist the temptation to read it anyway.

Any ideas yet?

So Hermione is impatient, it seems. It's not even ten o'clock, and she's already checking in with him. His grin widens as he imagines her sitting at home in a modern-looking flat, tapping her foot the same way she rapped against her notepad with her pen yesterday as she waits for his reply. Ron debates leaving it a little longer, maybe until the game has finished, but the urge to text her back is too strong.

Nothing yet.

He almost presses send but realises just in time that his message probably comes across as really short. Context can be missed over text, and for some reason, it's vital to Ron that he shows Hermione that he's a decent bloke. As he debates what to add to the message, an idea pops into Ron's head. A giddy sensation rushes over him as he types out the extra part of the message then sends it on its way.

You're probably really busy so feel free to say no but I've ended up with an unexpected child-free night. Fancy coming over for a takeaway and we can brainstorm? My treat?

A cheer from Albus, James and Harry brings his attention back to the game. Lily has just scored the first goal of the match. Ron leaps to his feet, too, only feeling slightly guilty that he missed it. He fidgets with his phone as his eyes scour the pitch, finally locating Hugo having a good old natter with one of his teammates on the penalty line. Ron debates shouting at him to pay attention but then decides not to. If Hugo is enjoying himself, then what's the harm?

The game carries on, but he doesn't hear from Hermione again, so Ron's mood starts to sour. By the end of the match, he still hasn't heard from her.

What was he thinking? It was such a bad idea to invite Hugo's teacher over on a Saturday night. She's probably got a boyfriend or a busy social life—or both. She's probably sitting in a fancy cafe right now, eating brunch in a pretty sundress with a smarmy husband in a business suit. Ron isn't sure why he's wearing a business suit on the weekend, but it must mean her husband is pretty important. They're probably laughing over his message as they sip their lattes.

The final whistle blows, and he is surprised to see that the Catchers have won and that he's been in his own little world for most of the game. Ron is about to head over to celebrate with everyone else when his phone buzzes again. His stomach lurches, and he prepares himself for the letdown as he opens the message.

Dinner sounds good. How about Chinese? Tell me where and when, and I'll be there.

Ron is delighted. He fires a text back with his address and a suggested time, stressing that he can be flexible with it before shoving his phone into his pocket and hurrying onto the pitch.

At least he can blame his massive smile on the win.