Chapter Three
After hanging up their coats, the Trio sat down on the couches, Ron next to Hermione and Harry across the table. He took a swig from his hip flask that held the antidote for the polyjuice potion and his face slowly bubbled back to his own. With a grin he asked, "So, how have you two been?"
"Fine."
"Fine?" Ron gave Hermione a pointed look and draped his arm around her shoulders. "We're MORE than fine." He gave her a squeeze. "We're Fantastic!"
"Fantastic," she quickly agreed.
For the next few minutes there was small talk, but it quickly drew to a close. It was strange how the three had been so close at Hogwarts, and now five years later they ran out of things to say in so short a time. Hermione was the first to break the silence. "Can I get you a drink Harry?"
"Oh, uh, yeah. That'd be great 'Mione. Thanks."
"Oh, me too sweetheart. A bourbon would be perfect."
"Sure dear. Right away."
Hermione hurried to the bar in the kitchen. Mentally she kicked herself. It wasn't as if she and Harry hadn't talked recently. They exchanged letters quite frequently. She even consulted on a few of his cases when he needed it. Picking up the drinks she resolved to make more of an effort to be conversational.
"What did you think of that drill we did today?"
"Kicked my arse. I'm so out of shape. How long did it take you to-"
Hermione's resolve quickly evaporated. All conversation ceased as soon as she entered the room. She sat next to Ron and literally heard the clock ticking as they all sipped at their drinks. Two minutes later, she couldn't stand it. "Why don't I pop out and get us some take out? I'm not in the mood to cook."
Ron snorted, but covered it up with a cough. "Great idea! See, isn't she great? Couldn't ask for a better wife," and he surprised her by pulling her in to plant a kiss on her cheek.
Harry smiled kindly, "Do you need any help?"
"She'll be fine," Ron waved her off. "Come on, let me give you the grand tour..."
Hermione took her time getting the food. She knew Ron could talk for literally hours about the huge condo the Cannons had given him as a bonus when he signed this summer. Ron loved it for the lavish design and the three bedrooms. Hermione loved it for the location. It was a two minute walk to Hyde Park and more often than not she spent her days writing there. Since leaving Hogwarts she had published three books and was working on a fourth. She also worked freelance for the Prophet writing editorials and gave frequent lectures at Hogwarts and the other schools. In the beginning, Ron had traveled with her as she compassed the globe on her book signing tours and the lecture circuit. It had been an adventure. Now though, she traveled alone while he had practice. Still, when she was in town, she would come out to every practice, every game to share his passion.
Passion. With a shiver, she pulled her coat closer as she walked briskly up the street. That was something their relationship hadn't had in a long time. They lived more like roommates than husband and wife. He was trying too hard, with Harry here, to make it seem like things were alright. He had been more affectionate over the past half hour than he had been over the past month. Then again, she had only been home three days out of the past month with her travel schedule.
There it was! She did it again! She could never really bring herself to blame Ron because she knew she deserved at least half of the blame. Still... Where was she? Walking in the cold to get food. Where was he? Warm, at home with her best friend. As she rounded a corner, a sign caught her eye and a wicked thought jumped into her mind.
"You're back! About time, I'm starved! And you brought... Indian food?" Ron shot her a look Harry didn't see, but she pretended she didn't notice.
"I found this little place a few months ago and fell in love. You don't mind, do you Harry?"
"Not at all. My work at the Ministry takes me to India all the time. I love the food, great idea 'Mione."
Ron wasn't happy. She could tell. When he traveled with her before, while Hermione loved to try the local cuisine, he sought out the tastes of home. She would never forget the time they were in South Africa and he special ordered a cheeseburger. But tonight, out of respect for Harry, he set his mouth in a fine line. "Lets eat then."
The course of conversation was very different at the dinner table than it had been in the living room. Because Ron was unfamiliar with the food, most of his attention was taken up by the spicy masala and curry Hermione had brought home. Harry and Hermione talked freely as they used their hands to enjoy the meal.
They discussed her book, the latest politics at the ministry, and the newly appointed Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Neville Longbottom. As dinner came to a close, Hermione felt almost like a whole person again. Of course, until she looked at Ron.
His face was bright red, almost the same color as his hair, and he was sweating profusely. "Ronald, are you alright?"
"I-" he wiped his face with his napkin, looking truly distressed, "I-I think so. It's just so spicy!"
"I'm sorry!" she said. "Why didn't you say something? This kasmiri pulao is lovely, and not spicy at all, I would have let you have some."
He simply shook his head, looking unable to say anything more.
Hermione felt horrible again. Her wicked thought had backfired on her, as they always do. It was childish and wrong to give him food he couldn't handle. "Why don't you and Harry go into the den while I take care of the dishes?" It was a poor excuse for a peace offering, but he accepted it all the same.
"It was so nice to see you again!"
"Likewise," Harry said as he pulled on his coat. It looked funny on him because it was made for a much bigger man, but as soon as he took a swig of polyjuice potion it fit him perfectly. "I'll be seeing you soon."
Ron and Hermione stood holding hands for a second after Harry was gone, then quickly went to opposite sides of the room, pretending to have something to do. After wringing her hands for a few seconds, Hermione said, "I'm sorry about the food."
Ron simply grunted, "I'm going to bed."