Disclaimer: Like I said before, I only own the plot.
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Special thanks to: shinningsun95 and connieewing. Thanks for your reviews.
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Chapter 9- The picnic
Ginny Weasley couldn't feel more proud of herself; lately, Hermione and Ron were inseparable. Either they would spend the day walking in the garden, or they would find something fun to do inside.
"Those two must be up to something, Ginny", Mrs. Weasley commented, watching as Ron and Hermione talked cheerfully at the kitchen's table. Their heads were rather close, and they were whispering at each other's ears. "They barely fight anymore, and they are always giggling…"
Ginny laughed pleasantly and looked over her shoulder, feeling happy for her brother and her friend. Even though she was going through a difficult time herself, all Ginny wanted was to see them finally together. "Let them be, Mum. They're finally solving their differences; didn't you notice that the house is so much quieter?"
"Oh yes, thankfully. I only hope things continue like this; it wouldn't be nice to have them screaming at each other again constantly", Mrs. Weasley replied, pointing her wand towards a saucepan, which flew towards the table and landed right in front of Ron and Hermione.
The two of them raised their eyes, and interrupted their conversation. "Can any of you go and tell Fleur that the lunch is read?" she asked. "Meanwhile, I'm going to send an owl to your father."
"I can go", Hermione volunteered, rising from the chair. She left to call Fleur, and Mrs. Weasley to send the owl. Only Ginny and Ron stayed behind.
"Sister, I really have to thank you for your tips", Ron said, after making sure no one else was around. "Hermione and I have never been so close! I mean, its incredible how we haven't fought lately…"
"I told you it was going to work!" Ginny replied, smiling broadly. "And don't thank me, 'because I only gave you the ideas, you're the one who's making the rest", she added, winking.
"0f course I have to thank you! If it wasn't for your help, we'd probably still be mad at each other. And now that you mention ideas, I kinda had this idea to spend some time with Hermione… I just don't know if it is a good idea…." Ron said, in a rather shy voice. His cheeks were a little bit red, and his blue eyes were staring at every direction, except at Ginny's face.
The red-haired girl smiled, and encouraged him to tell her his idea: "Come on, what did you thought of?"
"Well, I thought it would be nice if I took Hermione for a picnic, this afternoon. You know something simple; just some sandwiches and lemonade." He paused, looking at Ginny inquiringly. "What do you think?"
"That's such a great idea, Ron!" Ginny answered at once, clapping her hands. "She's gonna love that, I'm positive. I'm proud of you, brother, I really am", she said, walking over to Ron and hugging him.
"Hey, stop smothering me, will you?" Ron asked, trying to get free of Ginny's hug.
At this moment, Fleur and Hermione walked inside the kitchen, stopping at the sight of Ron and Ginny wrestling with each other. "What is going on?" Hermione inquired, looking confused.
Nevertheless, the only reply she got was an outburst of laughter, and shaking her head, the brunette took a seat at the table. Fleur eyed both Ron and Ginny with a superior look, and muttered: "Why did I choose a man with a crrazy family?"
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"Ok, sandwiches… check. Lemonade… checks. I know I'm forgetting something, but what?" Ron muttered to himself, staring at the picnic basket, almost as if waiting for it to tell him what he was forgetting. "Of course!" he exclaimed, clapping a hand on his forehead. "The napkins…"
The blue eyed boy wandered around the kitchen, making the last preparations for what he expected to be a well spent afternoon. Only when he was sure everything was ready, he walked out of the kitchen and quickly made his way towards Ginny room, where he was sure Hermione would be.
He had told her he had a surprise for her, but the brunette was far from guessing what the boy had prepared. "Ginny, do you have any idea of what Ron is up to?" she inquired curiously, trying to brush her bushy hair.
"Even if I did, and I'm not saying I do, obviously I wouldn't tell you; otherwise, it wouldn't be a surprise anymore", Ginny replied, raising her eyes from the book she was reading.
"Good point", Hermione said at last, giving up of trying controlling her rebel hair. "I have to confess something; Ron has been surprising me a lot lately. I never thought he could be such a gentleman, and he can actually have a serious conversation that doesn't involve Quidditch or girls", she continued, leaning to cuddle Crookshanks.
"Yeah, Ron can be a surprise sometimes", Ginny stated, closing the book. "Hum, Hermione… can I ask you something personal?"
Hermione nodded, sitting on the floor and placing Crookshanks on her lap; she started cuddling his ears distractedly.
"Well, I know you always said he's only a friend, but since you have been growing clos-"
"Can I come in?" someone asked from the corridor, making Ginny to interrupt what she was saying.
A few seconds later, Ron walked inside, blushing slightly at the sight of Hermione; she was wearing jeans, and a pink shirt with the words: You drive me crazy. He wondered for a moment if that message was for him; shrugging these thoughts, he said: "Ready to go?"
"Sure", the brunette replied, smiling. "Where are we going anyway?"
"Well, that is for me to know, and for you to find out", Ron replied, but decided to add, "Not just yet, of course."
Soon, they were both gone, and Ginny opened the book again. A small picture slipped to her lap; it was the picture of a young boy with black hair and a scar in the shape of a lightening. The red haired girl picked it up gently, and whispered: "I know you'd be proud of Ron and Hermione; I just wished you were here…"
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Two figures were walking leisurely through the middle of trees and flowers; one of them was carrying what seemed to be a picnic basket.
"I loved the picnic idea, Ron!" Hermione exclaimed enthusiastically, stopping to allow Ron to catch up with her. "Want some help with that basket?" she offered, watching as the boy struggled to reach her.
"No way", Ron replied under his breath. "What do you say for us to stay here?" he suggested, mainly because he was having trouble carrying the basket, but he didn't want to reveal his weakness to Hermione.
The brunette nodded and rushed to help Ron stretching the towel. However, when she was about to grab the tips of it, a strong breeze ripped it of the boy's hands. Gasping, Hermione watched helplessly as Ron ran around, chasing the towel.
"Ron… let it go… Ron, seriously, there's no need for that", she reasoned, but the red haired boy seemed to be oblivious to her words, for he kept running after the towel, even though she was quickly flying away.
After a few more minutes chasing it, Ron returned to where Hermione was, his eyes facing the floor. "I'm sorry…" he mumbled apologetically.
"It's ok… really, these things happen", she said, kneeling in front of Ron, who had sat in the roots of a large tree.
The boy locked his eyes with the girl's; she was so close he could feel her flowery scent. She caressed his cheek, and Ron felt it turning bright red; why the hell did he had to blush in times like this?
She leaned towards him, and before he knew it, he was feeling almost as if he was flying; that had to be the best sensation ever in the world…
To be continued…