Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, or anything related to him.

Note: This was written for Fire The Canon's "50 Days of Inspiration" competition using the prompt "A dog is the greatest gift a parent can give a child. Okay, a good education, then a dog." - John Grogan

Warnings: n/a

Rating: K

Characters: Hermione/Ron

Word Count: 657

"Do you have any ideas on additional presents to get for Rose's birthday?" Hermione asked her husband as she straightened up the front room from the mess that her children had created. "She asked for so little, I thought maybe we could get her something she hadn't requested."

"Hmm?" Ron flipped the page of the Auror report he was focused on, barely even realizing that his wife was in the room with him.

Hermione stepped forward so she was next to him and put her hand on top of the parchment that she was competing with for her husband's concentration. "Honestly Ronald, sometimes I wonder how I managed to get you to pay enough attention to me to even have children," she commented harshly, frustrated at the lack of response.

Ron smiled sheepishly at her. "Sorry, it's just that this case has been causing trouble lately, and I've been trying to figure out what we might be overlooking. What were you saying, dear?"

Hermione softened toward her husband, recognizing that he was just trying to do his part to make the world a better place. "I wondered if you had any ideas for Rose's birthday? We hadn't gotten much for her thus far."

Ron considered the situation for a moment. "We should take her to Magical Menegerie," he remarked before shifting his attention downward to try to continue reading the report between his wife's fingers.

Hermione eyed him in surprise. "Really, a pet? She's only going to be a six. I'm not sure that's a good idea."

"Of course it is," Ron argued absently. "A pet is the greatest gift you can give a child."

Hermione shook her head. "Yes, because a pet will give you the skills to get a job. Hogwarts is just a place to escape your parents for seven years."

Ron rolled his eyes. "Fine, a good education, and then a pet. I'm surprised you even asked me rather than just buying her a whole library."

"That was my original plan," Hermione admitted, "but I asked because I thought you might have suggestions on books, rather than suggest something outlandish. She's not even capable to take care of a pet this young."

Ron sat back, eying her carefully. "I wasn't suggesting that we get her a Blast-Ended Skrewt. There are several pets that require a lot less care. We already know how responsible she is for her age, and this would give her a companion of her own for when we're busy with work."

"There's always Hugo," Hermione countered, "and we have two owls and Crookshanks."

"She cannot play with the owls, and Crookshanks is getting up there in years and does little other than lay in the sun all day, so there's not much entertainment value there. I know you were an only child, so you didn't have anyone else around, but while there were times I enjoyed having siblings, they could certainly drive me up the wall. A pet at least gives you something to talk to, and depending on what type, a playmate. For as much as I complained about him, and am grossed out by how things turned out, I really did enjoy having Scabbers." Ron set the report down and took his wife's hand. "I'll take the responsibility if I'm wrong and deal with any feeding and clean up. I think she's old enough for the chance though."

Hermione studied her husband carefully. There might be times he was as insensitive as he was in his youth, but he had occasions where he was oddly insightful. Finally, she nodded her agreement. "Alright, I guess we can see if she wants to get one. I'm still taking her by Flourish & Blotts while we're in Diagon Alley, though."

Ron chuckled. "I wouldn't expect anything else from you, dear."