Intro

I tried writing yesterday. I hated what I wrote so badly that after a few paragraphs I started again. Then I wrote a few more and still hated it. So, I had dinner and never came back to my computer. Sad really, because that was my crossover chapter. Maybe I can go back to it later. Meh, we shall see. It also means I'm super behind in my count... dang it.

- Day 3 -

"What is that?"

"You'll see," Hermione said in a sing-song voice that he didn't particularly care for. It wasn't an unpleasant sound. He rather liked her voice, it was just that when Hermione spoke that way it usually meant he was about to experience something new... something Muggle.

"Fine," Ron said and leaned against the counter watching his wife.

His wife. Now wasn't that a kick in the arse? They've been married now for a full month. Hermione was going on about it being a special anniversary tonight. Ron wasn't exactly sure why, but why argue when the woman was going all out for this special night with good food, a good mood, privacy from his family and a night of possible love making. No, Ron would never say no to that.

Ron watched her hands move swiftly as her fingers undid the crinkly bits, then she removed some colorful paper thing, but he still had no idea what she was on about. Then if that wasn't odd enough, Hermione put the odd contraption on the stove. Not in a pan or pot, but directly on the stove. That garnered his full attention and he stepped closer, "What-"

"Just watch," Hermione cut him off as she lit the burner. The fire was pretty high, but not on full yet the flames licked at the sides of that metallic... thing.

Then she did... something. Hermione began moving her hand back and forth at the wrist. Just simple flicks really, but they were steady and swift. Ron could hear something shaking within and he frowned with concern. Did it break? Was it supposed to do that? Ron wasn't on par with Hermione when it came to brains, everyone knew that and it was doubly so when it came to Muggle things. But surely something was not right when there was a sudden loud pop.

Ron was about to ask again if that was what it was supposed to do, but the beaming smile on his wife's face spoke louder than any of her words would. It said yes, this was exactly right. So, Ron quieted down and watched with growing interest when more pops came... and more... until it sounded like mini explosions within the metallic contraption.

Then it started to change shape. The top started to rise at an alarming rate. Ron pulled his wand, ready to shield his wife if need be, "Hermione!"

"It's okay," His wife assured him with a chuckle, "It's supposed to do that. Just watch."

And he did. But he refused to put away his wand. The contraption continued to pop viciously and occasionally he'd swear there were hisses coming from it and the top became a dome that continued to rise alarmingly high increasing its size at least five times over. And the entire time, Hermione kept up her ritual of shaking the metallic tool back and forth with that same maddening rhythm.

The popping sound eventually slowed, but the hissing continued and Hermione finally took it off the open flame still whipping the fool thing back and forth. Her movements hadn't slowed until she set it down on the counter.

"It's done," Hermione said with pride and excitement. By this point, Ron was no longer certain it was something Muggle. It must be some sort of magical experiment... but for what purpose.

Ron kept his eyes on the metallic menace and was taken by surprise when his wife took an ice pick and stabbed at the dome. Ron's instincts screamed at him to do something. Seven years going to school with Harry Potter, surviving two battles and a war had him throwing a shield up just as the top burst open with an explosive puff of steam.

Hermione just stared at him for a moment. Her new husband was cowering behind a magical shield staring at the Jiffy Pop Popcorn with distrust and... she laughed.

Day 03 - Prompt: Popcorn

Word Count: 3308