This one was getting long, so I'm splitting into two chapters. Hope you enjoy it! Please leave me a review!

xoxo

Aelia


Of all days to get sick. Of all bloody days.

It had been a full month since Ron sat for his final written exams for his Auror certification. He and Harry were neck and neck for the top scores in everything. I was so incredibly proud of him. I was proud of Harry as well of course, but it was wonderful to see Ron glow with pride over his achievements. Harry always got all the attention when we were kids, now they were sharing that spotlight together.

We had invited our parents, Harry, Ginny, George and Angelina to our flat for an informal celebration because the Ministry had tallied the exam scores and finalized the list of home office placements for the soon-to-be Aurors and would be sending us notification by owl. Today.

And I'm sick as a dog.

The very first time Molly Weasley was going to walk in our front door and I've been hacking up a lung all morning. One of my co-workers came over sick at his desk last week and due to some less-than-sanitary personal hygiene habits from other members of my department, despite my best efforts, I was now in full-blown cold mode. Ron slept on the sofa three nights running to avoid my germs and even Crookshanks was keeping his distance.

There was so much to do. I had to wash the floors, vacuum the rugs, dust, launder and rehang the curtains…it was 11.30 in the morning and I had yet to get out of our bed. I didn't even have the energy to use magic to accomplish any of those chores. A plastic shopping bag next to me was filling up with facial tissues. Ron was working the morning shift at the joke shop and he promised to pick up a few things and then head right home to help me make our flat presentable.

No, it couldn't just be presentable. This was his Mum we were talking about here. This flat had to be spotless.

And then there was the cooking to contend with. I'd planned a very simple menu; I wasn't planning on making a sit-down dinner but the way I felt, our guests might have to settle for a single bowl of crisps and a bowl of store-bought hummus.

I closed my eyes and when they opened again it was after 2 o'clock. A rush of panic at the late hour sent me into a coughing tizzy and I flopped back down on my pillow, my ribs aching from the strain. Ron came knocking on the door.

"Mione? Can I come in?"

"At your own risk." My voice came out harsh and raspy.

He opened the door and I tried to laugh when I saw the handkerchief wrapped around his face like a train-robber in those black and white American westerns my Dad used to watch when I was little. He was wearing my big yellow rubber gloves, too; the ones I wore when I washed dishes.

"How's the patient?" He asked, his voice muffled from the fabric in front of his mouth.

"Dreadful." I said, coughing.

"My poor baby. Can I bring you some tea for your throat? I got you something from the Muggle chemist near Diagon Alley. The Apothecary only had small bottles of Pepperup left in the cold remedy aisle, I guess lots of people are getting this cold." He held up a plastic bag marked with the chemist's logo and a plain paper sack from the Apothecary.

"You know me, always up on trends." I joked weakly. "I'll be up in a minute. I have to start cleaning…" I sneezed into the crook of my arm.

"Babe, I'm just going to let everyone know you're not well and we'll postpone it." He said sympathetically.

"No! No, this is your big night! We find out your scores and where your home office is! What if they're placing you in Birmingham? Or Leeds? We'll have to move! I'll be up in a minute." I came over woozy trying to sit up in bed.

Ron rushed to my side when he saw me falter and he kissed my forehead through the handkerchief still covering his mouth.

"Mione, not to brag, but your boyfriend is at the top of the list. There's no way I'm not getting London. It's not that big of a deal. I don't want you putting yourself out and getting sicker." Ron said, kissing my forehead again. "You're burning up." He said.

"Please don't cancel. I'll be fine." I whispered. He nodded and handed me the two bags with medicines before standing up.

"I'll get you some tea when you're ready. Don't get up if you're still dizzy." He said leaving the room.

I tore into the box containing a cough mixture. I checked the correct dosage and took a little more than was recommended. It tasted awful; my tongue was coated in the thick mutant-green substance but I knew I didn't have a choice. Without checking the bottle, I pulled the stopper out of the Pepperup and took a swig.

I instantly felt like the elephant who'd been sitting on my chest for days was gone and I had my strength restored. I took my first cough-free deep breath in ages and swung my legs to the floor.

I heard Ron hoovering the living room as I started up the shower and scrubbed the germs off. My skin turned red from the hot water and the rough way I was digging in with the flannel. I tangoed with my limp, greasy hair for about 20 minutes; washing, rinsing and washing it again. After I felt clean, I wrapped myself in a towel and got dressed. I rifled through the drawer with my underclothes and I pulled out sheer black boycut knickers with a small white bow at the waistband. It was Ron's favorite. I felt tingly all over. Pepperup had never done that to me before but I assumed it was the combination of the potion and the Muggle medicine.


I heard Hermione in the shower. She was fast asleep when I got home from working the morning shift at the shop and I started cleaning up as soon as I got in. Our place was already pretty neat but I knew how nervous she was about Mum's first visit. She wanted it to be perfect. I've certainly done my fair share of cleaning but I was going to be absolutely rubbish in the kitchen. I rang her mum up for some help.

"I'll take care of food, Ron. We'll just get some simple things everyone can pick on. Don't you worry; just look after Hermione." Mrs. Granger said. "Mr. Granger and I are happy to help! We're both very proud of you. We know you've done exceedingly well."

"Thanks so much, Mrs. Granger." I said.

"Don't mention it, Ron dear. Leave it to us."

I'd gotten just about everything in order when the buzzer rang. I looked through the peephole and saw George beaming at me. I unhooked the latch and opened the door. George stepped in followed by Angelina. Technically, I think my soon-to-be niece or nephew entered first because Angelina's belly was very swollen. Hermione and I weren't the only ones in the family who noticed how soon after the wedding George and Angie announced they were expecting. It was another thing Mum was all too pleased not to acknowledge.

"Ready for the big news, Ronniekins?" George said, elbowing me in the ribs. I nodded and smiled at Angelina.

"How do you feel? Do you need a glass of water, Angie?" I asked her.

My poor sister-in-law waddled over to a chair and sat. "No, thanks Ron. I'm alright. Little Fred has taken up space on my bladder – if I drink anything right now I'll be running for the loo in a minute." She said. George shot her a look. I puzzled a minute but then it occurred to me.

"Little Fred?" I asked, smirking at her.

"Shit!" She said clapping her hand to her mouth. "Yes, Fred Arthur. It's a boy!" She said rubbing her hand over her belly. I smiled wide and saw George puff out his chest.

"Brilliant! Congratulations!" I said giving her a kiss on the cheek. I turned and held my hand out for George to take. "Another Fred Weasley. Is the world ever ready for another Freddy?" I teased him.

George shook my hand and nodded. "More than ready. Couldn't come at a better time. We already have three girls, it's time to catch up!" He replied.

As was bound to happen when my older siblings started to marry, they all started reproducing rapidly. Bill and his wife had been married for three years and they already had two little girls, Victoire and Dominique. Percy's wife Audrey had delivered a little girl they named Margaret and called her "Molly", after Mum.

Mum was completely thrilled to finally have a reason to buy all the frilly, sickeningly pink stuff she couldn't buy before. She'd stopped trying to dress Ginny in girly clothing when she was about 7 and she started stealing clothes from my room. She'd become more comfortable in dresses and things as an adult, but as a little girl Ginny was a real tomboy.

"I didn't mean to steal your spotlight, Ron. I'm sorry. We won't tell the rest of the family until next week. Tonight is about you and Harry." Angelina said.

"I don't mind, Angie. It's brilliant news. I can't wait to tell Mione." I said.

"When are you going make me an Uncle, Ron?" George asked, leadingly with a wiggle of his eyebrows.

I blushed a bit. "Not for a while yet, Georgie."

"But you're going to put a ring on her finger soon, right? You've been waiting until graduation, right?"

"I have the ring." I said but I turned and went towards the bedroom before George could question me further.

Hermione was applying lotion to her legs when I knocked.

"It's me, can I come in?"

She opened the door and I squeezed in quickly. "George and Angie are here." I said. She nodded and started combing her hair in the mirror. She was wearing those little black knickers I loved.

Down, boy. I thought to myself.

"How is she?" Hermione asked me as she started separating her hair into sections for a plait.

"Very pregnant…with a boy." I said casually. I watched the smile grow big on her face.

"I knew it! I knew she'd have the first boy!" She said, jumping up and down. I made no effort to disguise that I was watching her breasts jiggle. I tried not to get aroused but, after several days of not even sleeping next to her, I needed little encouragement in that department.

"You look a lot better." I managed to say, casually trying to adjust myself.

"I feel so much better. I just want everything to be completely perfect tonight." She walked over to me and wrapped her arms around my waist.

It was no use, as soon as I felt her tits rub up on my chest, my little soldier sprang to life and Hermione shivered.

"Whoa…" she said, sighing.

"What?" I asked.

"Is that a gigantic wand in your pocket?" She teased.

"Pretty sure it's just my cock." I said flatly. With George and Angie in the next room and the rest of our guests due to arrive at any moment, there was no way we'd get away with it.


I can't explain what came over me. I'd felt Ron through his trousers as I had a thousand times before, honestly, it's not easy to miss. This time though, was different. I just needed it. My heart started racing. I locked my hands behind his neck and pulled his mouth to mine. He responded enthusiastically, taking me by the waist and ran his hands down to my arse.

With a little lift from him, I had both legs wrapped around him and he stumbled blindly to our bed, dropping me down on it. He leapt on top of me and started sucking on my breasts as they spilled out of the top of my bra.

"We can't be long." He said breathlessly. I saw the small wet marks he was leaving on my skin. There was a fire between my legs. He pressed his groin into mine and feeling him there made me moan loudly enough that he clapped a hand over my mouth.

"Shhh!" he said "You don't them to hear this, do you?"

I shook my head and hooked a leg over him, holding him in place. I can't say it was something we'd ever done before but Ron was fully clothed and I was in a bra and knickers; we rubbed our bodies together as we kissed hungrily.

"Fuck." He moaned quietly in my ear.

I felt an unexpected jolt start to bubble up inside me. He was pressing himself into me and grinding his hips into mine so furiously, I climaxed while I bit into my fist. Right after my initial bliss, I felt a wet spot on my leg from Ron.

He was still shaking and our bedroom had a distinct scent of sweat and sex wafting through it when we heard the knocking.

"Hermione, darling? Are you still not feeling well?"

Shit. Mum.

"I'm fine, Mum! Just a minute!" I called out. Ron stood up and we both chuckled at the stain on his trousers.

"The fuck just happened?" He laughed as he headed over to the closet to get a fresh pair.

"No idea. Pepperup's never done that to me before." I said smoothing my hair back. I pulled a cotton ankle length teal green dress off its hanger and slipped it down over my head. Ron's eyes popped seeing it on me.

"Bloody fucking hell, Mione. You can't wear that." He said, wiping the corner of his mouth. He pulled on a clean pair of pants and didn't removed his eyes from me.

"Why not?" I asked, turning towards the mirror. "Oh…"

The dress was sort-of low cut, but my breasts looked huge. Really huge.

"I guess your Mum would find this a little risqué, huh?" I asked, crossing my arms over my chest.

"Nevermind my mother – I won't be able to control myself if that's what you're going to wear…" Ron said pulling on a clean pair of jeans.

The idea of torturing Ron all night was too good. I was feeling worlds better and it was going to be such an exciting night for him; a little sexual tension would be fun. Without another word, I pulled on a pair of sandals and walked past him out of the bedroom, sure to brush my breasts against his arm as I passed.


Mrs. Granger came through in fine style, bringing huge tray of finger sandwiches and pizza and a platter of crudité with a dill dip. I shook Mr. Granger's hand as soon as I saw him.

"We wish you a lot of luck, Ron. I'm sure you did very well indeed." He smiled at me.

I always liked Mr. Granger. He was a bit shorter than me, slightly stocky and his hair was thinning. I remembered all too well how sickly he looked when we found them in Australia; once they were back at home his health and good humor returned rapidly. He clapped me on the back and put his arm around my shoulder, indicating he had something private to talk to me about. I looked over my shoulder and saw that no one was watching us.

"I'm not trying to meddle," he began. "However, my curiosity is getting the better of me…" his eyes were alight. I knew what this was about.

"Soon. Promise." I said, letting him know I understood. "I wanted to finish the academy and I want to have some gold in the vault. After that, wild hippogriffs couldn't stop me."

Mr. Granger nodded his head approvingly and clapped me on the back again. We heard the loud voices in the hallway, and we both turned toward them.

"Molly Prewett, will you stop being so pig-headed?"

"Oh, I'm a Prewett again, am I? Good to know, Arthur. Good to know."

George and I locked eyes. He shook his head at me and I shrugged.

"Our son is getting very big news tonight and you will regret it the rest of your life if you don't walk into that flat this second." I heard Dad saying. "I know you never meant to stay away this long – so go."

The door opened and I saw my mother for the first time in weeks. I tried talking to her when I went by the Burrow to see Dad but she pretended I wasn't there, she was very focused on her knitting and not at all on me.

She gave a cursory look around the flat and stepped in. Everyone voiced their greetings to her but she didn't do more than smile and nod their way until she saw me. I watched the tears fill her eyes and she called my name.

"Oh, my Ronnie!" She rushed over to me and squeezed me tight.

"Oh, so you do remember my name?" I said, a little hurt.

"Forgive me, son. I am sorry." She said still squeezing me. I smiled and returned the hug as best I could.

"Course I do, Mum. I'm glad you finally came."

She wiped the tears from her eyes and let go. "Where's Hermione? Oh Hermione, I've missed you, too. You darling girl!" She grabbed Hermione and gave her a squeeze.

Hermione kissed Mum's cheek. "I'm so glad you came, Mrs. Weasley."


What a relief it was when Ron's mother decided she wasn't angry anymore. She hadn't said more than a few words to either of us at George and Angelina's wedding last summer, right after we moved in together. Since then it was as if Ron didn't even exist. I know his feelings were very hurt but now that she actually apologized, he'd get over it. We spent Christmas with my parents since he didn't want to be ignored at his mother's table. Christmas with my family was so different from Ron's, he seemed to really miss the rowing that went on when his siblings and their significant others were all under the same roof.

Everyone collectively seemed to breathe a sigh of relief and after that everything went swimmingly. Harry and Ginny arrived looking slightly disheveled and Ron pretended as best he could to not wonder why.

I made distinct effort to avoid being within arm's reach of Ron all night. I was always across the room from him and every time he turned around, he found me staring, eyeing him hungrily. More than once, I'm sure Harry saw us staring each other down. After one particularly steamy eye-fucking session, Ginny elbowed me, breaking my concentration.

"For crying out loud, Hermione – can't you two control yourselves for one evening?" She had Mrs. Weasley's angry face on, but I knew she was teasing me.


Harry and I both started to get antsy when the owls hadn't arrived at 7.00. It was hard enough to wait a month running for our scores, these last few hours were killing me. I told everyone I was feeling really confident but as the time ticked by irrevocably, my confidence was waning. By the time the two Ministry owls flew in through the kitchen window, I was sure I had completely cocked it up and my letter would tell me I was being elected to the post of second assistant janitor at the Ministry office in Carlisle.

A brown owl unceremoniously dropped an envelope in my lap and a white owl who looked remarkably like Hedwig gave Harry his own. Ginny waved the two birds into the kitchen and showed them where we had some food and water ready for them and they loudly hooted their thanks.

Mr. and Mrs. Granger were still in awe of the two giant birds in the kitchen when Harry put his arm around my shoulder.

"Good luck, Ron." He said with a wink. I smirked and nodded.

"You too, Harry."

We tore the envelopes open at the same time and read silently.

"We're bloody waiting!" George shouted with a mouthful of a finger sandwich.

I couldn't believe my eyes. I looked up at Harry who was smiling wide.

"I came in first." I said, not believing it.