Word Count: 458

Challenges: L2: Animagus Registry Junior: Write five stories that have animals (not animagi) play a large part / Easter Egg, Abstract Day 6: Hugo Granger Weasley

That Certain Smile

"Are you being serious right now?" Hermione asked, staring at the box in Ron's arms in disbelief.

He smiled at her sheepishly. "He really wanted one?"

"He's five!" Hermione exclaimed, shaking her head. "He can't look after a puppy! And we don't have time for a dog, Ron! They need walking, and feeding, and grooming, and attention… we both work full time!"

"But… he really wanted one," Ron repeated. He shifted the box in his arms to move the blanket from the puppy slightly. "And look at him. He's so cute!"

Hermione rolled her eyes, but then relented slightly. "It is cute," she conceded. "But it's going to be your responsibility. And you get to explain to your mother why she also has a dog to watch along with the kids while we're at work."

"Done deal," Ron promised, leaning over to kiss his wife's cheek. "Can we go and show him to the kids?"

Hermione waved her hand to the door. "After you, I guess."

…

Hugo had been asking for a dog since he was able to talk. His first word beyond 'mama', 'dada', and 'no', had been 'doggo'. And Hermione really didn't like to begrudge her kids anything, and she knew Ron felt even more strongly about that, but she'd been firm on not getting a pet.

After Crookshanks had died, she and Ron had decided that owls were enough for the time being. They could get a cat, or a dog, when the kids were older, when they could be responsible for the care of it.

That had gone out of the window.

She watched from the doorway as Ron gently lifted the puppy from the box to show the kids. The look on Hugo's face was, undeniably, incredible to see. Rosie was excited too, but in the same way that other kids would be. Hugo looked… he'd never looked so happy.

With gentle arms, he took the puppy from Ron, and sat down on the floor, placing the puppy in front of him. He was whispering something that Hermione couldn't hear, and he made gentle patting motions on the puppy's head.

Rosie sat down beside him, and Hermione couldn't help but smile to see the two of them bonding together over the puppy. Rose had been pulling away a little from Hugo lately—growing up, Hermione knew, a natural thing—and it was wonderful to see them like this again.

Ron looked over at her and smiled, a wide grin that she only ever saw when he'd pleased either her or the kids. It was a smile just for them.

She returned the smile, and then looked back at the kids.

"So," Ron asked them after a moment. "What are we going to call him?"