AN: Thank you so much for all the kind comments I've received so far for this story. I've really enjoyed reading what you all think. This chapter is pure fluff, so I think you'll like this one too. Huge thanks go to my betas, as always, for helping me organise my brain with this. I love you all x
The Catchers win their football game, and Ron invites Hermione over for a brainstorming session.
Neither the Catchers nor their parents were expecting the team to win. The shock result fuels a celebration that continues well after the referee blows the final whistle. Even Hugo, who wasn't keen on playing in the first place, joins his teammates in running victory laps around the pitch.
There's probably a lesson to be taught amongst all the whoops and cheering, something about winning gracefully, but Ron decides to let it be today. He doesn't want to piss on their parade.
Also, it's hard to show a group of hyperactive kids how to behave when Ginny is the one pushing them to run lap after lap, high-fiving her army of eight-year-olds every time they pass her. You'd think she'd know better.
By the time they are back in Ron's car, it is well past lunchtime, so he treats Hugo to McDonald's on the way home. It's something Ron usually tries to avoid, but since Hermione is due over at six and he has a list of chores he needs to complete before then, he agrees on a one-off.
Plus, the kid is kind of cute when he gives Ron the puppy dog eyes.
"Winning makes playing football a lot more fun," Hugo muses as he stuffs a handful of chips into his mouth.
"First, slow down on that food, buddy. I don't want you puking in the car."
Ron turns in his seat and gives him a stern look to show that he's not joking. Of course, he doesn't do it very often, but there's a fine line between when he's Hugo's friend and when Ron has to be the responsible one. With careful balance, the two of them are getting used to the boundaries.
"Second, losing sucks big time. But if you don't like playing football, you know that we can just stop and find something else for you to do. Maybe we can try an instrument? You'd look cool with a guitar. Bet that would get you loads of girlfriends."
It's a rash decision that Ron wasn't even expecting to make today, but there's something about the way Hugo's talking that helps Ron to draw a line. The kid sucked it up and played the game, even though he didn't fancy it, which speaks volumes to Ron.
No matter what advice his family thinks he needs (and there are many Weasleys desperate to give their two pennies worth), Hugo is ultimately Ron's responsibility, so it's up to him to work with the kid to make sure he's happy. And Ron refuses to continue to torture Hugo by forcing him to partake in something he doesn't enjoy.
Hugo's brow furrows in concentration. "I like playing with Lily. Sometimes, Aunt Ginny can be an okay coach when she's not too shouty. And I do have friends on the team."
"Yeah, and your friends will continue to be your pals after. Or you'll make new ones 'cos you're a cool kid. The end of the season is close. Why don't you think about it and let me know?"
"Okay, thanks!"
The pair eat the rest of their meal in silence, the radio providing enough noise to keep them entertained. It isn't until Ron's drink is empty that he speaks again.
"So, did you come up with any ideas?"
"For what?" Hugo frowns at him.
"The stall, duh!"
"Oh. But that's your job."
Ron throws his head back against the headrest in mock dismay. "Ugh, but I don't have any ideas."
"Uh-oh." Hugo grimaces. "Miss Granger is not going to be happy. She doesn't like it when you don't do your homework."
He knows Hugo is joking, but Ron's shoulders drop anyway. There's still plenty of time for him to come up with something, but he's worried that he's going to let Hermione down. Hugo's admission indicates that she can be prissy when it comes to stuff like this, especially if it looks like Ron hasn't made any effort to think about it.
Maybe when he gets in, he should Google some ideas and scribble them down on a piece of paper, just in case. He knows that the whole reason for Hermione coming over tonight is to brainstorm, but he doesn't want to look unprepared.
"Bugger. I'm just going to have to think extra hard then, aren't I? I wouldn't want Miss Granger to start being mean to you because I'm lame."
"She wouldn't." Hugo shakes his head, his eyes wide with innocence. "She's too nice for that."
Ron shrugs. "I guess I'm just going to have to take your word for it. Are you all done?"
He collects up their rubbish then ducks out of the car to bin it before driving them home.
⁂
As soon as they get back, the battle to get Hugo ready to go out again commences. Sometimes, Ron wonders if it's better just to leave a pile of clothes at everyone's house and hand the kid over at more convenient times. He can't ever remember being so adverse to taking a bath when he was Hugo's age, yet it's a constant struggle to get him under the water.
Eventually, he's washed and looking presentable enough for a night at Harry's. After they've argued for a bit about what needs to go in Hugo's overnight bag, they get back in the car. Arriving at the house only half an hour later than planned, Hugo rushes out and beats Ron to the front door. The kid hammers on it incessantly.
As soon as Harry answers, Hugo pushes past his Uncle. "Hi Uncle Harry, bye Uncle Harry."
Hugo drops his bag on the hallway floor before zooming up the stairs to find his cousins. The smell of home-cooked curry travels through from the kitchen, and even though he's excited to see Hermione again tonight, a small spur of FOMO tugs at his heart. Ron adores Harry's cooking.
"So, what are you doing tonight?" Harry asks as soon as Hugo is out of earshot.
Ron debates not telling him, but he's learnt over the years that lying to his friends and family only comes back to bite him on the behind. Plus, if his sister and her husband are babysitting, it's only right he tells them why. "I'm going to do some work on the stall for the fete."
"With Miss Granger? Oh, is it a date? Is that why you were so eager to say yes to my offer to look after Hugo?"
Their conversation happens just in time for a passing Ginny to hear. She picks up the rucksack before someone trips over it, then wriggles under Harry's arm. Her brown eyes settle on her brother, and he can see the delight in them straight away. "Why are you two talking about Hermione Granger?"
Ron's cheeks heat up. "You two are so bloody nosy. It's nothing. I wasn't planning on inviting her over when I took Harry up on his babysitting offer. Honestly, I was just going to get an early night. But then I thought it would be better to take advantage of having the evening to myself to see if we can come up with an idea for this stupid fete, as so far, we're pretty stuck."
Ginny raises her eyebrows. "Yeah, but at your house on a Saturday night? That just screams date to me."
"It's tonight or nothing. You know I work late, and Hermione is in school all week. Would it make it better if it were tomorrow night, instead?"
"No." She smirks and moves from Harry's side to hug Ron. "But it is about time you start dating again, so if you're interested in her, then go for it. Although, she's probably well out of your league." Laughing to herself, she heads back into the house.
"But it's not a date! I don't even fancy her!" He almost stomps his foot in frustration, but he's well aware he's acting like a petulant child. The tips of his ears are burning, probably giving his true feelings away.
"Sure, sure! Well, I can't wait to hear all about it tomorrow at lunch."
Harry shuts the front door before Ron can think of a witty retort, leaving him standing alone on the doorstep. The redhead sighs before making his way back to the car, checking his watch as he walks. Fortunately, he still has enough time to do a quick shop and tidy the house before Hermione turns up.
The last thing he wants is for her to think that two slobs live at the house. And despite his protests earlier, making a good impression on Hermione is important to him. Although he's sure she has a boyfriend and that he doesn't stand a chance, maybe there is something deep down inside him interested in finding out more about her.
⁂
The doorbell rings at precisely six o'clock. Ron has only just stepped out of the shower and is surveying his wardrobe, trying to determine whether he should throw on a button-down shirt or stick with a t-shirt. Fortunately, he's already pulled on clean boxers and one of his smarter pairs of jeans. Although he is well aware that this isn't a date, for some reason, his urge to make a good impression on Hermione is still prevalent at the front of his mind.
He scolds himself, making a mental note to stop allowing Harry and Ginny to get under his skin. Ron already suffers from multiple insecurities due to being the youngest boy out of six and having to pack in his career early. Next time, he'll try harder to stand up to his sister and best friend.
He reaches out, grabs an old orange Chudley Athletic football top, and pulls it over his head as he leaves his room. Unfortunately, he doesn't get time to recheck his appearance. The doorbell repeats its merry chime just as he gets to the top of the stairs.
"Alright, alright. I'm coming now. Give me a chance." Ron yanks the door open, his breath catching in his throat as he lays eyes on Hermione.
She is wearing a summery vest as well as jeans, but tonight she's chosen to keep her hair down. He is pleased to see he was right; Hermione has a lot of hair. It's a mess of big, bushy brown curls, and for a fleeting moment, he has an urge to push his hand through it. It would be glorious to allow his fingers to get lost in that mane.
Instead, he settles on pasting a massive smile on his face. "Hey, sorry. I was running a bit late. I've only just stepped out of the shower."
"I can tell," she retorts, her eyes taking in his wet hair before moving down over his face. The corners of her mouth twitch as they move lower, and if Ron isn't mistaken, her cheeks turn the slightest shade of pink. She must realise she's staring because her gaze flits back up to meet his. "Oh, uhm, you've got a bit..."
Hermione takes Ron by surprise when she reaches up and wipes a smudge of leftover shaving cream off his cheek. Although he's had a beard for years, he still works hard to keep it maintained and tidy. It's so easy for it to start looking like a hobo's. Her fingers leave a hot trail against his skin, and for a moment, he almost forgets where he is.
"T-thanks," he stutters in response. "That will teach me not to check my face." With one large calming breath, he finally regains his senses. "Although, you being so punctual doesn't help."
Any other girl would look affronted at the statement, but Hermione only throws her head back in laughter. "Oh, I know. It's one of my many flaws. My friends back in London always tease me for it. They encouraged me to try and be late by booking a taxi for the wrong time or something, but I always chicken out at the last moment. I'm sorry!"
"Don't be silly." Ron pulls the door open wider for her, making a mental note to ask more about her time in London later. He gestures for Hermione to enter. "Come in and make yourself at home."
She accepts the invite with a smile, sitting on the bottom step to untie her trainers before setting them down next to the messy pile of Ron and Hugo's shoes near the front door. Ron cringes. He needs to get a shoe rack or something. Hermione hangs her bag on the newel post at the bottom of the staircase after pulling out the same notepad and pen from yesterday.
"Have you had a nice day?" she questions as Ron leads her through to the downstairs living area.
The terraced house isn't large, but he prides himself on the fact that it's homely looking. When he bought it, it was a mouldy shell of a building that was due to be demolished, but Ron worked hard to make it his own. And since Hugo came into his life, he's taken extra care to make sure the kid was comfortable living here.
"Yeah, it wasn't too bad. The Catchers won their game, Hugo and I had McDonald's for lunch, then I managed to get some errands done after dropping him off."
"Where is he staying tonight?" Hermione perches on the edge of the sofa, taking in the room.
"At my sister's. He's close with Lily, so he's super chuffed that he's there and not with me."
"Lily Potter? Jeez, your family is massive, isn't it?"
"You have no idea." Ron laughs. "How was your day?"
"Well, not as fun as yours. I had a pile of marking to do, and now I'm here."
So Ron's suspicions weren't correct. She didn't spend her day with her smarmy husband, laughing at how keen he was acting. Hermione's admission didn't rule out a partner completely, but maybe if he asked more of the right questions, he'd eventually find out.
"Hey! Don't act like this evening isn't the highlight of your weekend!"
"Oh, the whole week." She laughs again. "Unfortunately, there was too much marking, so I missed out on most of the sun."
"And it's been a gorgeous day, too. I can't believe you didn't get outside to enjoy it."
"My flat has the tiniest of balconies, and when I first moved to Ottery, I made the mistake of trying to work from it and lost half of the work. Luckily, the kids don't care about their marks, and most of their homework is to draw a picture of what we learned in class today, but I was so distraught. It's a shame, though. I love working out in the sun."
"Well, Miss Granger, I'm about to make your day." Ron gestures through the open-plan living space to a set of french doors that lead to a long garden. There are a few hours until the sun sets, and it's still warm out. "Why don't we sit outside and work for a couple of hours? Then at least you can say you managed to get a bit of sun today?"
"Well, Mr Weasley," Hermione quips in return, a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. "How can I say no to that offer?"
⁂
She leaves him to go and put her trainers back on, although Ron decides not to bother with shoes. He uses their brief moment apart to consider how easy it is to just talk to Hermione, and they've already picked up the good rapport they'd started to build yesterday. Even though he's been fixating on whatever feelings he might have, primarily due to the fuel Harry and Ginny have poured onto the fire, Ron already knows that he and Hermione are going to be great friends.
If the faculty are even allowed to be pals with members of the PTA. Is that even written in the teacher's handbook? He's sure Hermione will tell him if it's not. She looks like the kind of girl who knows the rules inside and out.
"Okay, I'm ready."
Ron jumps up to his feet at Hermione's sudden reappearance. As they move back through the house, he locates the Chinese menu as well as the bottle of red wine he picked up earlier and two glasses. He lets them out into the garden, smiling at Hermione's sigh of relief.
"It's so beautiful out here."
Instead of settling at the table straight away, Hermione ventures down the path, admiring all the flower beds. Ron pours out two glasses without asking if she wants one, then leans against the surface to watch her with a small smile. She bends over the bushes and plants with a curious look on her face, like the children she teaches, taking in each flower before moving on to the next.
"I can't take any credit for this. My mum comes over once a week to help with cleaning, and she usually does a spot of gardening while she's here. Although, I added all the fairy lights and built the Pergola myself. Hugo loves being out here. He's always digging in the bed for different bugs. He likes to work out what they are before putting them back."
"Of course he does." The fond smile on Hermione's face sends a surge of pride straight to Ron's heart. He holds out a glass of wine for her, and she comes straight back up the garden to take it from him, their fingers grazing against each other with a buzz of electricity.
After sinking into one of the rattan chairs, she takes a long sip. "This is good wine. I can't remember the last time I just sat outside and enjoyed a drink with another adult." Hermione throws her head back and closes her eyes, basking in the last of the afternoon sun as it sinks towards the horizon at the bottom of the garden.
"Do you often drink with the kids, then?" Ron quips, ignoring the quickening of his pulse as he admires her. She's like a cat, stretching out to make sure she gets all of the sunlight before it disappears. He's trying his hardest not to be creepy, but snippets of his dream keep flooding back to him. The memories combined with the warmth of the sun, the smell of the flowers, and just being in Hermione's presence is enough to drive him mental.
It really has been too long.
Hermione scoffs, opening her eyes to flash a saucy look his way. "Only the fun ones."
Ron almost chokes on his wine. "So you're a comedian, huh?"
"No, not at all." Hermione laughs. "Sometimes, I can make the kids laugh, but it's usually with a ridiculous joke like, what's brown and sticky?"
"Oh, I know this one! A stick, right? Yeah, that's awful!" Ron plays with the stem of his glass. "You mentioned your friends in London. Is that where you're from?"
She wriggles up into a sitting position, setting her wine on the table. "I lived there for a few years, but I'm from Hertfordshire originally. I studied English Literature in university, then did my PGCE. I was all set to go straight into teaching, but then a job came up at the British Library, and I couldn't resist taking that. Living in London was fun, but there were cutbacks, so they had to let me go." Hermione sighs. "I didn't want to move home, but I couldn't live in London on a starting teacher's salary, so when I saw an advert for a post at a lovely village school, I couldn't resist."
"Do you miss your friends?"
"A little, but they sometimes come to visit. Anyway, I love Ottery. It's so quaint."
"Quaint is a word." Ron laughs. "Everyone knows everyone's business, but it's steeped in history. Did you know the village was listed in the Doomsday Books?"
Hermione gasps. "No way? That's a lesson I should teach the kids."
"Oh, for sure. Hugo is obsessed with history, especially if he can link it back to something about him. He wants to write about his family tree."
"That kid is kind of special."
"What do you mean?" Ron narrows his eyes. "Special in a bad way?" He can feel himself growing defensive, his shoulders squaring off and his spine straightening. He can't help it—the kid is important to him, and he's had a tough enough life already.
Hermione's eyes widen as she realises what she's insinuating. She looks aghast, and she raises her hands to cover her mouth. "Oh no, not in a terrible way at all. He's heads above the rest of his class, even Lily. But that's not what impresses me. He comes up with the best ideas for stories, and he's very creative. For example, he wrote about an animal attracted to gold and went around digging in everyone's gardens and stealing from people's handbags. It was brilliant and so imaginative.
"But most of all, you don't see many children his age who are so unabashedly different. He just does not care."
An overwhelming sense of pride washes over Ron, filling his heart with joy. He puffs his chest out, her words making him relax instantly.
"I'm not sure how much of our family you've met yet, but we're all pretty unique in one way or another. I have five siblings, all of whom have some sort of talent or are successful at what they do. They all have massive families as well. So the kids have got the shitty end of the stick, really. They have a battle on their hands to carve out their own niche and get noticed."
"And what about you?" Hermione is sitting forward in her seat now, fidgeting with her glass as she watches Ron with a burning intensity. "What makes you special compared to your siblings?"
Ron's never thought about it, and the fact that he can't come up with an answer straight away makes him feel uncomfortable. He clears his throat and locates the menu he brought outside with them, sliding it across the table towards her in a desperate bid to change the subject. "I'm starving, that's what I am. Why don't we order some food then get to work?"
She regards him with warm, chocolate brown eyes for a moment longer before drawing her lips into a thin line, mimicking the way his mother often looks at him. Eventually, her gaze drops to the menu, and Ron doesn't miss the look of disappointment on her face. He knows it's cowardly to shy away from the truth, but he's worried that if she learns the truth about how boring he is, she'll be scared off before they even have a chance to be friends.
⁂
"So, you're telling me that you had all afternoon to come up with some sort of idea, even if it's rubbish and there is still nothing on your piece of paper?"
Hermione is cradling her second glass of wine in her hands as she reclines in her seat again. After ordering dinner, she kicked off her shoes and curled her legs underneath her. Fortunately, the act of choosing what to eat thawed the slight awkwardness that settled between them, and as the sun dropped lower, their conversation got louder and more animated.
"Look, I'm not a teacher who only works, what, nine 'till three every day?"
"I'll have you know that a teacher's work extends well past classroom hours. Did I not just tell you I spent all day marking homework? And we were at the school until late last night."
With an indignant look on her face, Ron can tell this is an argument Hermione has regularly. But he continues with his spiel, delighting in an opportunity to wind her up.
"Well, I'm sorry there are no ideas, but I've had a busy day too. Fortunately, Harry and Ginny agreed to have Hugo early enough for me to have time to do a food shop whilst the kid wasn't with me. If I take him, he tries to pile the trolley full of shit, and I end up spending a fortune. Then I came home to make the house presentable for you. Do you know how hard it is to keep a place tidy with that kid around?"
Dropping the argument, Hermione throws Ron a knowing smile before draining her glass. "I've seen the kind of mess that Hugo makes around the classroom. Especially on arts and crafts day. There's always glitter everywhere."
"Oh, so that was your fault, was it? I keep finding the stuff all over the place and in every crevice of the child!"
"Mmmm, it's the gift that keeps on giving. One day, I'll pull out a book, and there'll be a pile of glitter just waiting behind it. And don't get me started on what happened to poor Sammy the hamster."
Ron lifts his head from the Chinese container he's finishing. He doesn't even know how he can fit any more food into his belly; they went a little overboard with the amount of food they ordered. He threatens Hermione with his chopsticks.
"I have a bone to pick with you, actually—that bloody hamster. Hugo adored having him stay with us when it was our turn to look after him. He's now desperate for a pet. Although fuck knows how he got from hamster to dog, but as you said, he has a great imagination!"
"Don't you fancy getting one?" Hermione contemplates one of the containers of food before pushing it away with a groan. Instead, she opens the second bottle of wine Ron found after paying for the food and tops up their glasses.
"I'd love one: a big massive labrador or something. But with work, I can't. It wouldn't be fair to leave the poor thing alone all the time."
She sets the bottle back on the table and wriggles back into her comfortable position. "What do you do? If you don't mind me asking?"
"I used to be a policeman." Ron laughs as Hermione's eyes widen in surprise. "I know, I know. I don't look like a copper, do I? Ottery St. Catchpole isn't exactly a hard place to look after, and Harry and I used to operate the village station.
"Then Hugo came along, and some things had to change. Luckily, my brother George owns the Weasley Watering Hole on the village green, and he was struggling a little to keep up the books after…" Ron takes a breath, he's getting carried away with spilling his life story, and he's not sure he wants Hermione to know everything, at least, not yet.
"Anyway, I took on half of his responsibilities. I run the books, market the place, and help him come up with new recipes. It means he can actually get home at a decent time and see his kids."
Hermione throws him a smile, although he can tell she's desperate to ask more questions. Fortunately, she's happy to follow in the direction he's steering the conversation. "The Weasley Watering Hole is amazing. Hands down, the best food in East Devon. The menu has such strange combinations, but somehow, they just work. Like the cheese and peanut butter toastie."
"That was one of my best ideas!" He grins. "George and I can sometimes spend days working out new flavour combinations and…"
Ron trails off as an idea runs smack into his brain. He's often heard of people having lightbulb moments, although it's never happened to him. His eyes widen, and his heart starts to pump furiously in his heart as he grips the table.
"Oh my god, I've got it, Hermione! Why the fuck did I not think about this before?"
"What?" She stares at him in excitement.
"Do they serve food at these fete things?"
"I don't think so, I mean, I've never been to one, but I can't remember McGonagall mentioning anything. Why?"
Abandoning the now empty Chinese carton, he reaches across the table for her notepad and starts to scribble ideas down. "I practically own a restaurant with my brother. What if I use my charm and persuade him to provide food for the day? We could even just bring ingredients and get the kids to try out some strange combinations? I bet George would be up for donating half the profits, especially if I promise to do all of the hard work."
Hermione's eyes light up. "I'd call you a genius, but it's your job, Ron. The food should have been your first idea. I can't believe it took you this long to think about it!"
"Oh shut up, it came out eventually, didn't it?" He grins back at her. "And it's perfect! The kids from the school are always at the restaurant."
"Fine, I'll take it back because it's such a good idea. Do you reckon George will be up for it?"
"I fucking hope so, because otherwise we're screwed. And this will be fucking brilliant if we can pull it off."
"Then we better get planning!"
Her massive smile and the satisfaction of being the one who came up with the winning idea pushes Ron's good mood into overdrive. Taking a gamble, he slides her notepad and his glass of wine over to her side of the table. Picking up his chair, he scoots around, settling as close to Hermione as he can without looking like a weirdo. She lifts her head as soon as he sits back down and gives him a knowing look that tells him that he made the right decision.
With his heart thumping in his ears, Ron ducks his head close to hers and starts to plot.