If Elaine was surprised, that Ron again take part in the meeting, she did not show it - much to Ron's relief: "Today we talk about a very important issue in a relationship, namely the role of parents respectively the in-laws."
Ron grimaced and murmured softly: "Hurray!"
"The influence our parents are really interesting and important, Ron." Elaine winked: "Take, for example, the choice of partner, which is, according to a Muggle-Study, influenced by our parents. Unconsciously, the witch prefers a wizard, who is like her father, while the wizard favors a witch, who is as his mother."
Lost in thought, Ron nodded.
Elaine smiled: "You can tell, Ron?"
He sighed overly dramatically: "This is why Luna's peacefulness stood no chance against Hermione's bossiness. "
His wife rolled her eyes: "Then I must probably be grateful for your mother bossy character!"
The couple exchanged glances and collapsed into laughter, while Elaine watched the playful banter between the two with delight.
After the laughter had subsided, asked their marriage counselor with interest: "Hermione, what can you say about your relationship with your parents or parents-in-law?"
Without hesitation, came the reply: "Actually, I cannot complain, I have an affectionate relationship with my parents and my in-laws are like second parents to me."
Elaine faced Ron, who answered her unspoken question with a hasty: "Likewise!"
Hermione jerked her head and stared at him.
Ron stared back and mouthed: "What?"
She gave him a stern look and blurted out: "You cannot be serious!'" Shit, he should have known, so easily, he doesn't get away.
Elaine's eyebrow rose and she inquired: "Apparently, Hermione do not share your view on this matter?".
He shot an annoyed glance towards his wife, which she studiously ignored, and turned to Elaine: "I get along very well with my parents-in-laws!"
"And what about your relationship with your parents?"
"I'm on very good terms with my father, unfortunately, we aren't not as close, as in my childhood. But, I guess, that's normal, when you are growing up. My mother and I…..". He paused briefly and admitted grudgingly: "We are a different story!".
"What do you mean?"
He hesitated, choosing his next words thoughtfully: "Our connection is, to say the least, difficult."
Elaine was silent for a moment, before she asked the next question: "Did the separation affected your relationship with your parents or parents-in-law?".
"My parents are very sad about the current situation, but otherwise, they don't interfere with my life.". Hermione tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and confessed: "And, to tell the truth, presently, I avoid encounters with my parents-in-laws.".
"Lucky me, I have to deal with Molly Weasley all by myself!". Ron remarked ironically. "Who, by the way, does not believe in marriage counseling."
"My mother-in-law is a little old-fashioned!". Hermione interjected explanatory.
Ron laughed without humor: "A little?".
"Your parents did not support you?"
"Let's put it this way, in my mother's eyes, Hermione cannot do anything wrong and I should thank the lucky stars, that a witch like her, puts up with me. She is also firmly convinced, that I'm the guilty one at our separation. And my father knows better, than to contradict my mother."
"I'm sorry!" Hermione muttered suddenly, sniveling.
Perplexed, Ron faced her: "For what? That's my mum take her annoyance out on me?". He snorted: "This is hardly something new.".
Misty-eyed, she swallowed: "I'm to blame for this whole dilemma and that the things gotten worse between you two!"
He moved closer and nudged her with his shoulder: "You know what they say. What does not kill me, makes me stronger."
Hermione hiccupped: "Your mother – hic – is wrong. I'm – hic – the lucky – hic – one!"
"Naah! I really hit the jackpot, take a look at your mother, fifty years and still sex…, I mean, beautiful. You, on the other hand, can expect in a few years a husband with very thin hair or none at all."
Surprised, that Ron – consciously or unconsciously – thought again of a shared future with Hermione, Elaine looked up from her notepad.
Whether Hermione had also noticed this, is anyone's guess. If so, she hid it definitely good.
Right now, she was obviously trying, to poke fun at him, by asking him, apparently outraged: "Did you just say – hic, that – you find – hic – my mother sexy – hic - hic?" Although, her teasing was a little marred by her still existing hiccups, Elaine could not suppress a chuckle.
Embarrassed, Ron rubbed his neck: "Huh, for a woman of her age, you know…".
Hermione raised her eyebrows and folded her arms over her chest.
Blushing, her husband stuttered: "Not, that I think, your mother is old…"
Elaine, full of compassion for the writhing Ron's, stepped into the breach and cleared her throat: "Speaking of mothers. Ron, I have a small task for you. Try to talk with your mother. Make it clear to her, that you will not tolerate any unauthorized interference in your relationship, of course, with adequate communication, friendly and respectful!".
Ron groaned: "Blo.., uh, is that really necessary?"
"It is no solution, to skirt an issue!" Elaine replied with a smile.
He faced his wife and wiggled his eyebrows: "Want to come too, Hermione?"
Wrinkling her nose, her answer came promptly: "Thanks for the offer, but no thanks."
Unusually taciturn, sat Ron during the traditional weekly family dinner between his brothers and sisters-in-laws. At the top of his to-do-list stood today the very important (and dreaded) conversation with his mother. No wonder then, that the satisfaction of his stomach was the least of his problems.
"Mollywobbles!", interrupted his father Ron's thoughts, "You've outdone yourself, as always!". No matter, how long Arthur was already married to Molly, he never forgot to praise her cooking skills.
His wife rolled her eyes, but giggled nonetheless: "Do not exaggerate, my dear!"
Ron shuddered, with the result, that Angelina leaned close to him and asked, worried: "Are you sick?".
All of a sudden, there the room became quiet, except for the cute gurgling from baby James.
"I? No! How do you get that idea?", croaked Ron.
"You are unusually quiet, green about the gills, your voice is croaky, and last but not least.." She looked pointedly at his dessert, which stood in front of him: "Your pudding is still untouched!"
While Angelina put her hand on his forehead, shifted George without a word his chair to a safe distance. Frowning, Angelina announced, staggered: "No fever!"
Clearing his throat, Ron exclaimed: "I told you, I'm fine!" Since his sister-in-law did not seem convinced, he added sheepishly: "There is so much going through my mind, you know."
George smirked: "How is that possible? After all, you do not have two brain cells to rub together!".
His sisters-law, but also Percy, called out at the same time: "George!". Whereas, Angelina leaned forward and asked kindly: "Ginny, would you do the honors?"
Observed by the snickering Harry, who covered his son's eyes with his hand, Ginny swatted George on the back of the head.
Smiling, Angelina waved at Ginny: "Many thanks!".
"My pleasure.".
George rubbed his head and muttered under his breath: "Why, for merlin's sake, are the women in my life so..?".
"Bossy? Mum's to blame!", slipped Ron out.
"What was that, young man?". His mum, clearly scandalized at his remark, narrowed her eyes.
Ron swallowed hard: "According to a Muggle-study, we men marry our mothers."
George made a gagging noise: "That's disgusting!".
Flushing, Ron quickly added: "Figuratively speaking!".
His mother leaned back in her chair and beamed, as if she had just received a big compliment.
"Therefore, Charlie is also still a bachelor!" George muttered behind his hand, fortunately for him, unnoticed by his mother.
Arthur's eyes gleamed: "I say it again and again, Muggle's are something very special."
Once, George devoured his brother's pudding, the dinner ended, much to Ron's relief, without further gaffe. To give himself a reprieve, he cleared, to the astonishment of the other, the table of the dishes voluntary and without grumbling – moreover, in the Muggle-Way.
After finishing work, he raged with James (meaning he made a fool of himself by pulling grimaces at his godson), and, finally, after de-gnoming of the yard, he opened his mouth, to ask his mother for a four-on-one-meeting.
However, just at that moment, as he plucked up his courage, Molly ordered her son George and her new daughter-in-law into the kitchen. Most likely, to have a serious word with the newlyweds for their elopement.
Sighing, Ron plopped down next to his sister on the sofa. His sister nudged him and pointed her chin toward Percy. His brother, all the faithful caring father-to-be, pushed a stool under the feet of his wife. Afterwards he covered her with a blanket, and handed her a glass of water.
"Looks familiar!", whispered Ron.
Ginny snorted: "I beg you, Harry was not half as over-cautious as Perce!".
Ron smirked: "Speaking of overprotective mother, where is your husband?".
She slapped his shoulder: "Jerk! Now, that James is teething, he only goes to sleep, when his dad sings him a lullaby."
"Aha!"
As a yelp came out of the kitchen, Ginny looked at her brother meaningful, who shook his head: "That means nothing!"
Both lapsed into silence and watched, as Percy rubbed the feet of his wife. Ginny put her head on her brother's shoulder and squeezed his arm. Ron cocked his head and looked questioningly down in her face.
She glanced up at him and smiled fondly: "You'll see, soon you'll be the one, who freak out, when Hermione wants to go to the restroom without you!"
Sighing, Ron gazed with a grim expression at the expecting parents: "Or, I share the fate of Charlie and Hagrid. Single and surrogate father of a brood of gnomes, instead of dragons and giants!" – Ginny chuckled. – Ron pouted: "Hey! You think, this funny? I'll show you, what happened, if you laugh at your big brother.". Just as he wanted to tickle his sister, she was rescued by George.
"Sorry, that I have to finish your cozy get-together, you sissies, but it's time for Quidditch." He clapped his hands together: "Come on, gets your heads out of your...".
"George!", called his mother warningly out of the kitchen.
Wincing, George mouthed "How she does it?", but shouted apologetically toward the kitchen: "Sorry, mum!"
Ginny got up from the couch and stretched: "Tell us rather, how did it go?"
George sat down on the corner of the couch and shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly: "Pretty good, I would say!"
"She was pissed, I'm right!"
"Pissed did not even hit home!" He grumbled: "Hypocrite!"
"She did not hexed you? Wow, Mum becomes soft in her old days!". Ron glanced around searching: "Wait, where is Angelina?"
George grinned: "Do not worry, when I left the theater of war, she was still breathing. I think, right now, she endures a mother-daughter-in-law-speech.". He winked: "You know, you'll be sorry, if you break my son's heart, blah-blah!".
Ginny outstretched her hand and helped Ron, to stand up and asked George seemingly casual: "You know, we heard Mum's cried…"
He grinned: "Ginevra, I can tell you, there were many shrieks….."
"Come on, George, put the two of them out of their misery!", called Percy from his spot.
George examined his fingernails: "Oh, you mean Mum's cry of joy, when she learned, that her favorite son has impregnated his wife and I am not talking about Percy!"
He had barely finished the sentence, Ginny faced her brother Ron triumphantly: "I believe, you owe me 10 Galleons, Ickle Ronniekins!"
Miffed, Ron fumbled the coins from his pocket and dropped them into Ginny's outstretched palm.
Ginny clicked her tongue: "If you cannot lose, you should not bet!"
"What did I miss?" Harry inquired curiously, who, according to his bleary-eyed appearance, dozed also off by putting James to bed.
"Your wife robbed me of my last Galleons!" complained Ron and turned his empty pocket to the outside: "See!" And Ginny exclaimed happily: "You owe me a massage, my darling!"
Not disturbed, that both siblings talked at the same time, Harry slapped his brother-in-law on his shoulder: "Congratulations, George!"
"Thank you, Harry!". George looked pointedly at Ron and Ginny. "You are the only one, who gives me a proper attention, wait…" All of a sudden, he pulled a face: "Seriously guys – a massage?".
Ginny smiled dreamily: "I swear, his hands are divine.". Harry blushed and coughed: "How about a game of Quidditch?".
"Great minds think alike!" George jumped up. "Ginny and I, against Ronnie and Harry!"
"And what about me?". asked his incoming wife.
George grinned and turned to Percy: "Well, it seems you are now our 6th player.". His brother disagreed with high-pitched voice: "No way, I don't' leave my wife alone!."
Arthur sat down on the sofa and hummed: "There! There! She is not alone, because I will keep her company." He winked: "And I can say, of course, in all modesty, that I have some experience with childbirths."
Obviously irritated by Percy's overprotective demeanor, Audrey rolled her eyes: "You do not have hold my hand, you know!". Judging his skeptical face, her husband was not convinced. She patted his hand and added gently: "Our baby is not due until next month! Besides, you heard your father, I'm in good hands, Pookie-Bear."
George snickered, thereupon his wife nudged him with her elbow in the ribs: "Ouch, that hurt!". Meanwhile, Harry and Ron tried, to stifle their laugh - unfortunately in vain.
Ginny raised her eyebrows and put her hands on her hips: "Do you have a good laugh, won-won!".
Ron's smile vanished, instead, his ears glowed from embarrassment red: "Hardy har har.".
"In celebration of the day, old boy, you even are allowed, to play in the winning team, with Ginny and me!" Although, George knew, that it was no use to persuade Percy with such pledge to play along, he tried anyway.
But miracle of miracles, Percy, after a silent conversation with his wife, got up and grabbed his jacket. He gave his wife a sad look, who blew him a kiss, and followed his brother in the garden.
Ron zipped up his jacket, as a thought struck him. After this good news, his mother had to have in a good mood, so why not take advantage of the situation.
Harry glanced over his shoulder at his mate and asked in surprise: "Aren't you coming, Ron?" Absent-mindedly, Ron replied: "Sure, I'll be right there!".
"C'mon, James's nap will not last forever." Ginny pulled her husband by the coat sleeve to the outside. With a deep sigh, Ron walked towards the kitchen. At the door he stopped and listened.
"I would rather not do it, son!" – Flinching, Ron turned to his father. – Arthur glanced up from his newspaper and winked: "Your mother counted the cookies." - "I did not want to…..", Ron protested, but his father just smirked and went back to his newspaper: "All the better, heaven help us, even if only one cookie is missing."
The noises of the clattering pots from the kitchen reached his ears and Ron could literally feel, how his spirit broke. 'Postponed is not abandoned!', he decided and made a quick getaway.
Molly listened at the door to the nursery, where, unfortunately, her grandson did not stir. She looked out the hallway window into the garden, to make sure that the Qudditsch game was still in full swing, before she opened the door to the room. She tiptoed to James cot and observed the sleeping boy tenderly. Just as she reaches out her hand, to stroke his unruly hair, her husband shouted from below: "Molly, please come down!"
With bated breath, Molly waited for a response. But, besides a slightly shifting,
nothing happened. Apparently, James developed into a heavy sleeper, like his godfather. She crept out of the room and closed the door behind her. She used the Muffliato Charm, so that, James was not disturbed by noises from outside, but they could hear, when he woke up.
She stomped down the stairs and grumbled to herself: "Honestly, Arthur, do you.…"
"Molly, look who's there!", called her husband, who stood at the door to the living room, and waved her into the room.
When she saw, who was waiting there, she put her hands on her cheek and beamed: "Kingsley, now, this is an unexpected pleasure."
The tall black wizard, who had taken a seat opposite to her daughter-in-law, got up and smiled warmly: "I hope I'm not disturbing your family gathering, Molly!".
Molly tutted: "As you should know, you are always welcome, Kingsley.".
Arthur pointed to the sofa: "Why don't we sit down? It is much easier to talk.".
His wife studied her friend's face worried: "What happened?"
"Calm down, dear, I bet, everything is fine!" Arthur reassured his wife and put his arm around her shoulders.
Kingsley exchanged a glance with the wife of his assistants: "I assume, Percy told nothing?".
Audrey nodded, grinning: "He was as silent as a grave!".
He turned back to his longtime friends and said in his typical slow, deep voice: "I just came to bring your son the good news in person!"
"Arthur, what are you waiting for, call the boys into the house.", Molly cried excitedly.
Kingsley held up his hand: "Please do not! Your children deserve to play carefree, besides, I have time.". He looked through the window to the outside: "You can really be proud of your family!".
"Of every family member! Huh, Mollywobble?", replied Arthur proudly.
Molly gave him a wry smile and whispered to herself: "More or less!" She clapped her hands and got up: "Let's bridge the waiting time with cookies and a cup of tea. No ifs and buts, Kingsley.".
Arthur's eyes follow his wife, a crease formed on his forehead.
Although, Percy's Quidditch skills, to say the least, were dreadful, he managed, to his own astonishment, to gain some points for his team.
Admittedly, he owes it to his brother, whose performance as the keeper was today extremely bad.
Right now, Angie tossed the quaffle in the air and just as Harry was about to grab it, Ginny spun her broom, grabbing the quaffle out of the air, and head off towards Ron's goal posts. She faked left, and, Ron, who usually smelled such feint at 100 m distance, once again, failed his job. He do not manage, to defend his goal and stop the other team from scoring.
Percy cheered and George gave his sister a high-five, observed by the disappointed Harry. Angie flew to Ron and asked, concerned: "Are you really okay?".
"As I said, I'm alright!" Ron snapped angrily back.
"No reason, to bite my head off!", Angi responded snappy and flew, after a last hurt look at him, away.
Ron threw his head back and looked up at the sky. Angie was right, he was out of order.
He waved at Angie apologetically, who nodded, then he yelled across the pitch: "Let's called off the game." .
"You're giving up?", exclaimed George surprised.
"Yeah, I've got so much on my mind, I find it difficult to concentrate.", Ron confessed, as he flew down and hopped, as soon as he came close enough to the ground, off his broom.
"Excuses, nothing but excuses!", murmured his brother, who landed next to him. "But no matter, the better team, wait…". He sniffed: "Do you smell that too?"
Harry rolled his eyes and leaned his broom against the wall: "Let me guess, you smell the scent of the loser.".
George snickered: "This, also, but moreover, I smell freshly baked cookies!".
The boys looked at each other, before they wanted, of course, at the same, to rush into the house. George pushed Ron out of the way: "I smelled the cookies at first.". Harry seized the opportunity and forced his way through the door: "When two people quarrel, a third rejoices.".
Shaking their heads, the women followed them into the house.
As the famished men stumbled into the living room, scolded Molly: "At last. It was about time! The Prime Minister is waiting for ages.".
"Sorry!" came their apology in unison.
Kingsley rose from his seat and winked: "No worries, your mother exaggerates a little!". He turned to the hosts and asked politely: "May I speak with the man of the hour on my own? Somewhere undisturbed?". Molly clasped her hand over her mouth, to attenuate her cry of joy.
Arthur, who bounced James on his knees, suggested: "Of course, is best, you go into my shed."
"Thank you, Arthur.". Kingsley faced Ron: "Well, Ron, shall we go?" Ron's eyes widened and he swallowed hard, but nevertheless nodded.
George stopped his brother, just to give him a comradely slap on the shoulder. Stunned, Ron endured the gesture, and followed then Percy and the Minister outwards.
George whistled: "Now there's a thing!". He slumped in the now vacant seat and pulled his wife on his lap.
Thunderstruck, Molly looked into the space and whispered to no one specific: "I thought, it's about Percy promotion!"
Harry leaned against the wall and said nothing, while his wife sat down on the floor beside the chair of her father and asked her sister-in-law with curiosity: "So, spit it out, Audrey, why all this secrecy?" Sheepish, Audrey brushed a strand of hair behind her ear: "Sorry, Ginny, but it is not my story to tell!"
George smirked: "Perhaps I can help to satisfy your curiosity, Ginny!".
Surprised, she stared at him: "Do not tell me, you know, what it is about?".
"Not yet! But thanks to another brilliant invention on my part, we will be able, to hear, what is going on in the shed!". George nuzzled Angie's neck: "Baby, please reach into my pocket and get the ear out.". When Angie held the magical item in her hand, he proudly declared his latest invention: "This ear is, unlike our Extendable Ears, portable. And, as chance would have it, the counterpart is located on Ron's body….".
Harry's hand, which led a cookie to his mouth, stopped in the air: "Aha, therefore the pat on the shoulder!"-
George winked: "Quite right, Harry. I just have to pronounce the appropriate spell and voilá, we can hear, what is being said in the shed."-
"What are you waiting for?", grinned Ginny, her eyes shone with excitement.
George eyed his mother, but after she remained silent, he looked questioningly at his father. Shaking his head, Arthur sighed: "That would be wrong for so many reasons.".
His daughter looked at him with puppy eyes: "Please, Dad!".
Her father glanced down at his grandson, who – sucking on his thumb – could hardly keep his eyes open, and made no reply.
But Ginny did not give up: "Sooner or later, Dad, we will hear about it anyway!"
Finally, her father nodded, even though resigned.
Ginny turned at her brother, who hesitated: "Do it, George!" Shrugging, he circled his wand over the ear..….
– crunch –
and began to mutter the necessary spell….
– crunch –
Irritated, he stopped and stared at Harry.
"Mwhaph?"Harry muffled, his mouth full of cookie crumbs.
"Shush! We cannot hear anything, when you munch so loud!", hissed his wife, upset.
Her husband swallowed the remaining cookie and pouted: "Show me a single person, who can eat a cookie noiseless!". He pointed at the ear: "Furthermore, we do not miss anything, am I right?!".
George gave an embarrassed laugh: "We are still in the development phase, maybe.….." He was interrupted by Kingsley's calm voice: "So, Ron, what do you think?" George threw a triumphant glance at his brother- in-law and placed his finger against his lips.
"Honestly, Sir, I don't know what to say, I mean, wow!", Ron stuttered.
"I also prefer, to deliver for once good news."
"These are not just good, but fucking-fantastic news!"
Outraged, Molly hissed: "For Merlin's sake, after all these years, he does not know how to speak properly in the presence of…..."
"Ron, please do not forget, you're talking to the Prime Minister!", admonished Percy.
"At least one of our boys knows, how to behave!". Satisfied with the manner of her son Percy, Molly put her folded hands in her lap.
Kingsley laughed: "Percy, it's all right. Besides, it is indeed fucking-fantastic!".
At the scandalous behavior of her friend, Molly stared tight-lipped at the ear and aspirated a "Harrumph".
"Even if I repeat myself, wow!" Ron's voice at the same time excited and awestruck.
Kingsley laughed: "You've earned it!".
"You mean, WE earned it. That was never a one-man job, without the help of Professor McGonagall and the other, this success would not have been possible. By the way, I need to spread the good news, and forthwith!"
"Wait, Ronald, before you go, I need to tell you something!", stopped him the Minister, now in a more serious tone.
"Aha! I know it, this sounds too good to be true. There's a catch, Sir, isn't there?".
"It's about the designation of the Trust!".
"What about it?". Ron sounded confused.
"They insist, that it is named…". Percy paused.
"Yeah?"
"Harry-James-Potter-Trust!"
"What!", Ron yelled, clearly appalled. Harry winced at the dismay in his voice.
"They think, that willingness to donate, is higher, uh, if the trust carries Harry's name, Ron!". Percy tried to calm his brother.
Unfortunately, without success. "Are they daft?", shouted his brother, "if I have a say in the matter, I will know how to prevent that.".
Ginny gasped.
Shifting of feet could be heard and Percy's next words sounded now, as if he was standing right next to Ron: "Ron, please, take your time and think about it.".
"I do not think about it – no, Perce, don't give me your shit calm-down-look!", growled Ron.
A loud rustling was heard, a loud whistle, a crack and then dead silence.
"Well, I hope, that was not the second half of my prototype.", murmured George and looked, as if he had bitten on a sour lemon.
"Right now, I couldn't care less about your stupid prototype, but the feelings of my husband!", railed his sister fiercely.
All eyes turned to Harry, who glanced thoughtfully into the distance.
Molly pursed her lips: "That is the last straw, I will no longer tolerate Ronnie's jealous affectations. It's one thing, when his mind is poisoned by that thing…"
At one fell swoop, Harry awoke from his stupor and snapped his head in Ginny's direction: "Ginny, don't tell me, that you told your mother about it!".
Ginny avoided his gaze and fell silent.
Her husband buried his face in his hands and moaned: "This was between you and me!"
George snickered: "Between you and her and the bedpost, you mean!".
"George!" – "Sorry, mum. But seriously, what are we talking about?"
After a quick glance at her husband, Ginny faced George: "One of the Horcrux viciously taunted Ron with visions of his deepest fears.".
"Ginny!", exclaimed her husband, aghast.
His wife shrugged her shoulders: "Now it's too late anyway.". She continued: "Second best, always, eternally overshadowed, short, the full range of malevolence!".
"That sounds really bad!", Angelina murmured sympathetically.
Before Ginny could answer, Harry interjected and waved it off: "It was, but it has been a long time since then!".
"When Ron should destroy the object with the sword, Harry even thought for a split second, that Ron wanted to kill him.". Ginny could not resist to add.
Incredulous, her husband shook his head.
Ginny told him outright: "Do not deny, my darling, when you heard his reaction - I mean, he freaked downright out – you thought back to those days, I'm right?".
His guilty expression spoke volumes.
"He's always been so, already as a toddler!". Molly replied resignedly, whereupon Angelina and Audrey looked in silence at each other.
Arthur chimed in: "Why do not we wait for Ron and see, what he has to say before we jump to conclusions.".
At that moment, a beaming Ron entered the room, closely followed by his brother.
He stopped and asked Percy, amused: "Is it just my imagination or it's been here actually a icy mood?".
An awkward silence ensued.
Ron's grin faded: "What's the matter with you?"
His mother got up, her hands on her hips: "You mean, what's the matter with you?!".
"Molly!", scolded her husband.
Molly cut her husband off: "No, Arthur, I will not be silent. For weeks everyone in this family wrapped Ron in cotton wool, but here and now ends this.".
"What do you mean?", Ron asked, puzzled.
Grinning miserable, George lifted the portable ear in the height: "Let's say, we were close to the action! Um, you did not find, by chance, anything like that in Dad's shed?".
Confused, about the irritable mood on the part of his family, Ron asked: "If I understand correctly, you overheard our conversation, incidentally, very private conversation with this thing?".
"And that was a good, because now we know, that you are still envious of Harry's fame!", Ginny hissed angrily.
Aha, so the wind blows!
"How could you, Ronald Billius? You've really hurt Harry's feelings!", accused his mother him.
W… what?
Ron felt his temper flare, but he forced himself to calm down: "First of all, I don't begrudge Harry his fame and popularity, not anymore!". Muttering under his breath, he added: "Back then, I was virtually still a child!".
"A child? Do not make me laugh, to my knowledge, with seventeen you count as an adult!", mocked his sister.
Ron felt, as if he had received a violent blow in his stomach. His eyes rested on his friend, who avoided his gaze, by looking at the floor. Ron tried to swallow the lump, that had risen in his throat and croaked: "I'm used, that my mother thinks the worst of me….". He shook his head: "But that you, my so-called best friend hawked my mistakes around, I would have expected it least of all!".
"You cannot blame him..".
Percy, who stood shoulder to shoulder next to Ron, interrupted his sister in a low, dangerous voice: "If you've been following the conversation so animated, then you know why Ron reacted so negatively?".
George gave Percy a wry smile: "The connection to the other portable ear was interrupted, before the end of your meeting.".
Percy turned to Ron and demanded: "Tell them!".
Ron shrugged: "Why should I bother? Seriously, Perce, they think anyway, that I'm still the jealous and envious wizard from my childhood!".
"Then I will tell them – and you, Ron…" He held Ron by the sleeve, so that he could not escape: "stays also here!".
His brother, folding his arms over his chest, set his jaw and glanced out the window.
"I guess, you know already from the newly formed Trust of the Ministry." Percy did not wait for an answer and went straight away: "This trust will have the purpose, to support a variety of projects. Take, for example, the planned resocialisation project. This aims to help wizards and witches, who have strayed from the right path, to get back a foothold in society. Or the prevention project, which will try to reach young people, before they turn to the dark magic."
He took a breath and continued: "But all projects have one thing in common. Those seeking help must have confidence, that nothing happens to them! Now, Ron's concern comes into play. He is sure, a former Death Eater, would not seek help in an aid project, which bears the name of.." He stopped to make an air quote: "one of the most known and best Aurors of the wizarding world.." He looked straight into Harry's eyes and added: "Ron's words, not mine!"
He glanced back at Ron's rigid body: "Unlike, what you all think, Ron was only concerned about the matter and never about fame."
The following silence was broken by George: "You sure pulled a boner, Ginny!".
"I? You've started this stupid eavesdropping operation!", Ginny retorted snippy.
Ron's nostrils flared in anger and he growled through gritted teeth: "I do not give a damn, who and why jump to conclusions!". He faced his mother: "Now to you, mum. From now on, you stay out of my marriage, do you understand!"
Molly stiffened and hissed back: "Don't take that tone with me young man!".
"I speak, as I want!".
"Y..you cannot stop me from…" stuttered his mother.
Although, Elaine's words of warning still fresh in the memory, her son interrupted her with cold voice: "I can and will! And do you know, why? Namely, it is our business, how we handle our troubles. If it is necessary, to consult a marriage counselor or even an oracle, to get our problems under control, then so be it.".
Breathing heavily, he turned back to George, who backed away: "Did not you say lately, I resemble this Muggle-Guy – you know, large, red hair and feet, as long as a boat, same idiotic first name – Ronald…, George, please jog my memory, what's his name?".
"McDonald.", George muttered sheepishly.
Ron sniped with his finger: "Exactly, Ronald McDonald. Well, you're probably right, because, according to the crunching, I have destroyed your precious gadget with my oversized feet.". George opened his mouth, likely to made a stupid comment, but Ron stopped him in a sharp voice: "It would be wise, if you keep your mouth shut.". He closed his eyes for a moment, to regain composure, and said: "And now, please excuse me, so I can go get drunk!".
He turned on his heel and headed for the front door. As the door closed with a slam, James awoke from his nap and started to cry.
His still shocked mother gathered him in her arms and shushed him: "Ssh, ssh, Jamie!".
Arthur, who had been silent all the time, got up, took his jacket and went to the fireplace, where he grabbed a handful of Floo powder.
"Where are you going, Arthur?", asked his wife worried.
Stepping into the fireplace, he called over his shoulder: "I'm going to apologize to my son.".
Harry, already with jacket in hand, hurried after him: "Can I come with you, Dad?".
Arthur nodded and waited, until Harry was standing beside him, before he shouted his destination. Through the green flames Harry took one last look at his wife, who lowered her eyes guiltily.
Ron looked gloomily above the water surface, when he heard the plop of an Apparition behind him. Without turning around, he grabbed a stone of the ground: "Leave me.." He threw the stone with all its fury into the sea and shouted: "damn it all, alone!".
"I promise you, son, I'll let you alone, but only after you've listened to me!", urged his father.
Ron stiffened and he gazed straight ahead: "I will not apologize, even if it means, I'm not allowed, to set foot in Burrow ever again.".
Arthur laid his hand on Ron's shoulder: "Do not worry, Ron, that will never happen!".
Ron snorted in disbelief: "I'm sorry, Dad, but we both know, Molly Weasley's word is law!"
Arthur Weasley squeezed his son's shoulder, before he dropped his hand, and replied thoughtfully: "Normally, I would agree with you, but after today, I think, I will, for once, bang my fist on the table and have a serious talk with your mother.". He nodded, as if he wanted to convince himself and said wisely: "Marriage is an adventure, like going to war!"
His son snickered: "True words were never spoken.". He held his index finger up: "But let me tell you, Dad, War with women is the only one, you win, by withdrawal.".
His father winked: "Maybe, I should consider a stratagem.".
Ron patted his father's shoulder: "Good luck with that, Dad." Arthur joined Ron's laughter.
When their laughter finally died down, Arthur became serious: "I'm sorry, that I do not stand up for you, that I've never told you, how proud I am of you, that you could not come to me with your troubles.". He faltered, clearing his throat: "If you had the impression, that I prefer the company of Harry and Hermione over yours."
Ron played down the issue and shrugged: "That's fine, Dad, I'm not exactly a role model of a son.…".
"NO, it's not fine!" Arthur scowled and repeated softly: "It is not fine! All children should be treated equally." He gave his son an insistently look: "You have to believe me, Ronnie, I love my children in the same manner!".
"I know, Dad." Ron rubbed his neck: "and I..uh, love you too!".
"Besides, I like you just the way you are!"
Ron began to enumerate: "Clumsy, stubborn, hot-headed…."
"Loyal, caring, a great friend and brother and not to forget…", he winked, "handsome like his father. All that makes you, Ron. You are unique and this is great. Understood!".
Blushing, Ron nodded.
Tensely, Arthur asked: "So, son, are we fine?"
His son beamed: "We are, Dad!"
Both men fell into silence, until Arthur pulled a handkerchief out of his pocket, to blow his nose.
"So, my son, do you mean, we could put now another poor guy out of his misery." He jerked his thumb to the rear.
Ron threw a quick look over his shoulder. On a large stone sat Harry, who draw with a stick a symbol in the sand.
Arthur leaned toward him and whispered: "Do not be so strict with him. He knows all your favorite places, only for this reason, we have you tracked down as quickly. I think, that says a lot!".
As Ron remained silent, Arthur nudged him. Muttering to himself, Ron turned around and shouted: "What do you want, blabbermouth?" .From the corner of his eye Ron saw, how his father shook his head.
Looking up, Harry called back: "Are you talking to me?".
"I would hardly call my father blabbermouth, or?!".
Harry dropped the stick and got up: "I can live with it, I mean, with the blabbermouth, but I cannot….." His voice trailed off into whispers.
"What? Speak louder, I do not understand you from over there!"
Hesitantly, his friend approached him: "I said, I cannot live without your friendship!" He swallowed hard: "I'm sorry, that I told Ginny the story of the Horcruxe and its influence on your emotions."
Ron sighed: "Sooner or later, they would find out about it anyway. Much worse is, that you apparently believe, I still feel so!"
Harry lifted his arm: "Look, Ron, I know, there is no excuse, but put yourself in my place! Barely, that Kingsley mentioned, the trust should bear my name, you went off… like one of George's rockets.".
Ron grinned sheepishly: "Yeah, my darn temper!" He pointed to his red hair: "It comes with the color of my hair!"
His father, whose back facing them, huffed.
"So?"Harry reached out his hand and asked timidly: "Friends again?".
Ron ignored the hand and hugged his brother- in law-instead: "Come here, you sticky git!".
"I thought, I'm blabbermouth.".
Ron broke away from the hug and shoved him: "That too!".
Arthur rubbed his hands: "Okay, boys, before we freeze our butt's off, I suggest, we warm us up with firewhiskey! I know a nice little tavern, which should already be open.".
Harry nudged Ron and whispered: "Do not you think, Arthur is today a little.."
"Rebellious, do you mean?".
Grinning, his friend nodded.
Ron leaned over to him: "I cannot help myself, mate, but I like this trait, I like it even very much!".
"Side-along?", exclaimed Arthur questioningly and stepped between the two.
"Side-along!", shouted the boys simultaneously and placed their hands on his shoulder.
Arthur stumbled out of the fireplace and burped loudly. Chuckling, he plopped into his chair and stretched out his feet.
"Arthur Weasley, where you come from at such a late…". He interrupted his wife, who stood in her pink bathrobe, a gift from her daughters-in-law, in the door to the hallway, with hiccoughs.
She narrowed her eyes: "Are you drunk?".
He chuckled and held up his finger: "Drunk – no, but maybe a little bit tipsy.".
Shaking her head, she turned toward the kitchen.
"Where are you going?".
She stopped and snorted: "What do you think? I'll make you a Sobering-Poison, you unreasonable old man!".
"Please, Molly, come and sit with me.". When she hesitated, he added with puppy dog eyes: "Mollywobble, really, there is no hurry!".
Finally, she sat down on her regular seat, on the opposite of his chair, and looked at him questioningly.
"I may be an old man, but in contrast to our boys, I can hold one's Liquor!".
"The boys also.."
"Wretched, yeah.".
She rolled her eyes: "Then I'd rather make a lot of Sobering-Poison!".
"Do that! But first, Mollywobble, I need to get something off my chest."
His wife looked at him with a mixture of curiosity and uncertainty.
He leaned forward: "The advantage of alcohol is, it loosens the tongue. Today, I learned more from my boys, especially from Ron, than in recent years.". He sighed and gave her a sad look: "Unfortunately, some not so nice incidents.".
"Incidents?"
"Yeah, for instance, do you say really to the old crow Muriel, that Harry holds a special place in your heart?"
Brows drawn together in thoughtful consideration, Molly looked at him.
Arthur gave her memory a jog: "On the Bill and Fleur's wedding day!"
"Oh, now I remember!". She nodded and waved her hand: "Muriel railed about Harry, again, and to stymie her, I told her this!".
"Well, Molly, you see, Ron was in the next room and had to overhear this!".
She clamped a hand over her mouth and gasped in horror.
"As you can imagine, this not exactly boosted his self-esteem, more so, if you believe, that your mother wishes Harry were her son, instead him. Is it any wonder, that he was jealous and…"
Sighing, he dropped the bomb: "thinks, he is not loved as his siblings.".
Molly let out a whimper, her eyes burning with tears: "This means, I'm to blame, that Voldemar's devilish locket had such an easy game with my Ronnie."
Arthur patted her knee: "No, Molly, I'm just as guilty. Since Harry set his foot in our home, I gave him more attention than my own son and did not realize, how miserable he became. Do not understand me wrong, I love Harry as my own son, but no more and no less.".
Sniffing, she whispered: "And you think, I feel differently?"
"I do not, but our son does. Do you realize actually, that, every time, he enters the Burrow, reproaches hailed down on him, while you mollycoddled Harry?" – She fidgets with the belt of her bathrobe. – "When you told him, the last time, that you love him, hmm?"
She opened her mouth, but no words came out. She lowered her head and began to weep quietly.
He pulled her into his arms and rubbed her back: "Ssh, Mollywobble, ssh, don't worry, it's not too late, to straighten things out with him!"
Grinning, Seamus knocked on the door frame of Harry's office cubicle: "He has just arrived!"
Without looking up from his newspaper, Harry asked "How did he appear to you?"
"You mean other than arrogant, cocky, big-headed and la-di-da?".
"Hmm!".
"He's really, really pissed!"
"Good! Is the best, we let him stew for a bit. Is Ron already there?".
"He is on the way!".
"I'll be there in, let's say, 20 minutes."
"Alright, see you there!".
Harry nodded and flipped to the next page.
Harry and Ron used the advantage of the one-way-mirror, to observe an impatient David Whitaker. After David had looked at his wristwatch for the umpteenth time, Harry straightened his tie and muttered: "Okay, let's start the game!" Ron gave him a pat on the back: "Let's hope, he plays along.".
As soon, Harry opened the door to the interrogation room, David got up from the desk edge and growled angrily: "About time, Potter. I've been waiting for…" He stopped and watched, as Harry sealed the door with a locked-charm: "What are you doing? And where the fuck is my mandate?".
The small, soundproof "Interrogation and Confessions-Room" owned only three chairs (two for the Aurors, one for the suspect) and a desk, with nothing, except for the one-way mirror on the walls.
Harry threw a file on the desk and pointed to the uncomfortable chair, where usually the suspects are seated: "I suggest, Mr. Whitaker, you sit down, before we start the questioning!".
David turned instantly into the disgruntled lawyer and shouted: "You open instantly this stupid door or this will have consequences!".
Harry leaned back: "Fine, I have time!". Then he called over his shoulder: "Please note, 20:01 o'clock, Respondent refused any cooperation!".
Narrowing his eyes, David looked into the mirror: "Who is on the other side, I bet it is your sidekick Weasley!".
The young Auror remained silent.
Begrudgingly, David sat down and hissed: "Please note, that I comply this request only under protest!" – "Of course!" – "So, why am I here?".
"We'll get to that later, first, we follow the protocol." Harry opened the lid of the file: "Your name is David Elliot Whitaker?".
David hissed: "I warn you, Potter, do not treat me like a suspect!".
"I ask you again, your name…".
"Yes, my name is David Elliot Whitaker!", David said through gritted teeth.
"Born on May 13, 1976 in London?".
"That is correct!".
"You work since you're graduating as a lawyer in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement?".
"For 4 years, to be exact.".
"According to the documents of the Portkey Office, which are available to me, you requested on August 07 a Portkey to Stockholm." Harry glanced up.
"Right enough!".
"The Portkey was used by yourself?".
"No, from my grandmother."
Harry gave him a stern look.
"Of course, from me!", hissed Whitaker, but added smugly: "As you know, Potter, I had to do an important matter in Stockholm!".
"Private or professional nature?".
David studied his fingernails: "Why you don't ask Mrs. Under Secretary, what she has to say?".
Harry tapped his fingers on the desk.
David winked and ran a finger over his lips: "Purely private.".
Harry stared down in the file: "Hmm, that's strange, as I see, that the costs for transport to Stockholm were paid by your department!".
On David's forehead formed a thin sheen sweat and he loosened his collar: "Merlin, Potter, lower the temperature a little, it isn't half hot in here!".
The Auror lifted his eyebrow: "If you have a problem with the room temperature, I suggest, that you answer my questions henceforth succinctly. The faster we bring the questioning behind us, the faster you can go back to your air-conditioned office.".
"Fine, let's get this over with, Potter!".
Satisfied, Harry nodded and resumed Whitaker's interrogation: "Interestingly, another employee, who, according to rumors, is a friend of yours, used on the same day a Portkey to Stockholm and the costs have also been taken over by the Department of Magical Law Enforcement.". He glanced again down in the file: "Although he does not work for this department.".
David shifted in his chair nervously and remained silent.
"As a lawyer, you probably know, that expense-account abuses shall be liable to prosecution!".
David's eyelid twitched nervously: "Because of a few Galleons you want to use this against me?".
Harry raised his voice: "A few Galleons? Fraud is not a bagatelle, Mr. Whitaker! Let's pick up your buddy in crime and hear, what he has to say, whose idea…".
David quickly held up his hand, to stop him: "All right, Potter, that's enough. What do you want from me?".
"First of all, you pay back the travel expenses, from London to Stockholm and back and, of course, for both users!".
David, leaning back, stretched out his legs and waved casual: "Consider it done, Potter!".
"This is not all, you have to sign this.…" Harry took a document from the file and pushed it over the desk to David.
David's eyes scanned the document: "If you think, I sign this piece of bumph, you're terribly mistaken." He shoved the paper with his fingertips back to Harry's deskside.
Shrugging, Harry closed the case: "It's your decision. But I should warn you, from now on, I'll be watching all your steps closely. Another misstep and you can consider your career as terminated.".
"I could go public and talk about my rendezvous with our Mrs. Under Sectary, you know."
"And mess up your own careers? I thought, you were smarter, than this, Whitaker! You should keep in mind, that you can still pursue a career in the private sector, or, who knows, marry a girl from a good family. But if it comes out, that you are an cheater…". Harry shook his head doubtful.
David leaned forward and put his fists on the table: "That's blackmail.".
"Well recognized!". Harry stood up and grabbed his documents: "And now, you have to excuse me. I have to arrange a meeting with the your boss.".
Clenching his jaw, David picked up his letter of resignation and held out his hand: "Quill?"
Harry snapped his finger and a quill landed on the table: "Good decision!".
"I did not know that you're such a good actor, mate!".
Harry sniggered: "Nor am I!".
Seamus furrowed his brow: "How did you get the information with the Portkey? Normally you need a ten-page request with carbon is necessary, before the guys from the Portkey Office handing us something."
Ron put his arm around his shoulder: "Seamus, my old friend, to be honest, we did not contact the Department of Magical Transportation. Fortunately, we had help from his own department. Someone, who makes his expense report, gave us, let's say, a tip.".
"And how you knew from the other employees?".
"We already suspected, that he had an accomplice, someone who had to take the pictures. We had to poke around a little in his private life." Smiling, he winked: "This is what happens, if you feel too secure!".
Seamus lifted his beer mug and called: "To a successful plan, wild strategies and good actors!" Ron and Harry clinked their beer mugs with his.
"I messed up this time, right!"
"Well.."
Ron groaned and buried his face in his hands.
"Yes, it would have been better to have a quiet conversation with her, but ..
Through his hands permeated a few muffled words that sounded like: "Emotional range teaspoon."
Puzzled, Elaine stared at him: "Sorry, what did you say?".
Hermione suppressed a smirk.
Her husband gazed through his spread fingers at Elaine and murmured: "It's nothing! You were saying…".
"At least, you stood your ground!"
Ron rubbed his neck and asked uncertainly: "You think so?".
Elaine, as well as Hermione, nodded in confirmation.
"It's not easy, when others butt in, I'm right?"
He sighed: "Tell me about it.".
"How would it be, if you could take a break from your family?".
"Heaven!" – "Bloody fantastic!" came prompt reply.
Elaine lifted her eyebrow: "So what are you waiting for?!".
Hermione and Ron exchanged glances, before Ron turned back to Elaine. Clearing his throat, he asked hesitantly: "You mean, together?".
Elaine grinned: "I do not, think my husband will go for that. ".
Ron blushed.
Hermione twisted her wedding: "I could really use a little break!".
Ron furrowed his brow: "Would that not too soon?".
"I don't think, that a little vacation, does harm your relationship. On the contrary, outside the usual environment, it's easier to talk to each other!".
Hermione glanced at her husband shyly: "Friends of my parents own cottage near St. Andrews in Scotland."
Ron's eyebrows almost disappeared in the hairline: "Scotland?"
Her face closed and she gazed down at her hands: "It was only an idea!".
Elaine gave a pointed look at Ron, who faced his wife: "You know what? Scotland sounds great!".
Full of verve, Peter opened the front door for his son-in-law: "I will fetch my golf clubs out of the cellar and put them in the car, then we are ready to go!".
"You do not have to drive me, Peter, I can take a cap!".
Peter snickered: "You mean, a cab! But do not worry, today, our practice is anyway closed.".
"Ron, is it you?", shouted his mother-in-law questioningly from the kitchen.
Peter rolled his eyes and responded: "Who else?". He shoved Ron toward the kitchen: "You welcomed the women and I take care of the golf stuff.".
Frowning, Ron repeated: "Women? I thought Hermione waiting at the train station…" As he opened the door to the kitchen, he stopped in his tracks: "Mum?".
His mother got up from her seat and smiled brightly: "Jean told me of your short break to Scotland.". She pointed to a package, which lay on the table: "And since I know how quickly you get hungry, I prepared a few sandwiches for the journey.".
"That was not necessary!", muttered Ron, but when Jean stood beside him and stepped on his foot, he hastened to add: "Thanks anyway!". He took the package and put it in his backpack, watched by the two women.
Ron did not feel comfortable in his skin and he coughed: "Well then, I…".
Fortunately, his father-in-law called out at that moment: "Ron, we can go!". But before Ron could turn around, he felt a hand on his arm, preventing him from leaving, and his mother asked sheepishly: "Do you think, if you get back, we can talk to each other, just the two of us?" Surprised, he looked down at her.
His father-in-law poked his head in the room: "Ron, I do not want to push, but the train is not waiting!".
"Coming!". He ran a hand through his hair and sighed: "Although I did not know why, but for my sake. As soon as I am back, I will come to the Burrow!". His mother nodded gratefully.
Jean insisted, to follow him out to the car, where she hugged him: "Have fun, both of you.." She winked: "Or even better, together!".
"I hope, you do not expect much from this trip, it is no second honeymoon, Jean!", recommended Ron and climbed into the car.
Juding by Jean's smirking, his objection fell on deaf ears.
The King's Cross railway station brimmed over with people, Harry James Potter, who was today one of them, pushed his shirt sleeves up, to have – as unobtrusive as possible – a look at his wristwatch. You had better hurry, mate!
He glanced up and smiled at Hermione: "You know Ron, he always comes at the last minute.".
Although Hermione smiled back at him, Harry could clearly see, it was forced: "Don't hold your breath, Harry, but I don't think, that he's coming!".
"He will!", retorted Harry stubborn.
Hermione pointed at the station clock: "Well, then he would arrive right…. ".
She broke off, when she saw, her husband on the last stage to the platform. In his mouth the ticket, a backpack strapped to his back and in his arm's he carried …. a golf bag? Arrived at the platform edge, he stopped and dropped the bag to the ground. Frightened, an elderly lady jumped scolding aside. Ignoring her, he took the ticket out of his mouth and studied it, brow furrowed.
Harry formed with his hands a hopper and shouted above the crowd: "Ron!". Confused, Ron turned searchingly around. When he recognized his friend, he puffed out his cheeks and let out a relieved breath, even visible from the distance.
After a triumphant glance at his female friend, Harry walked towards Ron.
"I nearly got into the wrong train.". Ron confessed with an embarrassed smile.
Hermione, who dragged her suitcase behind her, smiled: "Hi, Ronald!".
Ron's eyes darted from Harry to his wife, his eyes widened, when he saw her new short hair. "Hi, Herm…ione!", he stuttered.
Harry hastily covered up a giggle with a cough and pointed to the golf bag: "I did not know, that you're playing golf."
Ron, who looked still at Hermione, replied absent-mindedly: "Peter said, as Muggle-Man you can do only two things in Scotland, golfing or fishing. ". Finally, he got a grip and turned his gaze to the bag: "If I only had known, how unwieldy this stuff is, I had decided on the fishing rod.".
Harry chuckled: "Are you a wizard or what?".
His friend scolded: "It's a Muggle trip, therefore, no magic allowed!".
Harry dared to ask: " No wand and no flying with the broom?".
Ron nodded miserably.
Harry gave him a pat on the shoulder: "Shit, I wouldn't like to be in your shoes!".
Hermione rolled her eyes: "Honestly, Harry! Do not you think, He will survive a few days without his beloved broom!".
"Do you really expect an answer?", Harry asked with a grin.
The train guard stepped off the train and glanced along the platform.
"Come on, Ron, we have to go!" Hermione hugged her friend briefly and climbed up in the train.
Cursing, Ron picked up his golf bag.
"Do you need help?", Harry asked, quite innocently.
After a moment of consideration, Ron pressed the bag of golf clubs into Harry's arms: "You can take the stuff with you. I pick it up, when I get back.". He followed his wife in the train and waved at him from the stairs.
The train guard lifted his hand and raised his pipe to his mouth.
A whistle later, Harry stumbled towards the nearest toilet, glad that the no-magic-ban did not apply to him.
Ron grabbed Hermione's bag and stowed it, together with his backpack, in the luggage compartment. With the aid of his reflection in the window, Hermione observed him unabashedly.
He turned around and their eyes met in the window: "So, new haircut." He sat down on the empty seat opposite her and asked curiously: "How come?".
She saw him straight in the eyes, looking forward to his response: "It was time for a change. Do you like it?".
Ron looked out the window and grumbled: "Hmm, it suits you."
"Aha!" Disappointed by his answer, she opened her purse and took out a book.
"I cannot hope, that the Trolley Lady comes along, huh?"
Hermione responded, without looking up from her book: "The trolley lady is a witch and crew member from the Hogwarts Express. So to answer to your question, yes, you cannot hope.".
"A simple no would have sufficed!", grumbled Ron. He stood up and rummaged in his backpack.
"What are you doing?"
"My mother prepared a food parcel for us.". He glanced down at her: "Do you want…".
She waved: "No thanks, I had a full breakfast!"
He sat back down and removed the paper: "Me too, still, I'm already ….". He stopped and moaned.
She glanced up and asked with concern: "What's wrong?".
He showed her the spread: "Corned Beef!" Judging by his expression, he vacillated between disappointment and disgust.
Shaking her head, Hermione turned back to her book. According to the rustling of paper, Ron renounced his second breakfast.
"I could offer you an apple or a banana."
"Are you serious?"
She turned the page of her book and replied: "Of course! Then it won't be my fault, if you suffer a death by starvation!".
"Very funny!", Ron grumbled and said nothing, until the last stop.
During the journey to the cottage, their taxi driver, did not miss the opportunity, to rave about of his hometown St. Andrew: "I swear, St. Andrew is one of Europe's finest towns." He glanced in the rearview mirror and winked: "And the ideal place for love and dreamy dates!".
Hermione smiled back and glanced briefly at her husband, who sat, straight-faced, next to her. She leaned forward a little and whispered conspiratorially to the driver: "I think, my husband is more interested at the Kingsbarns Distillery and their Visitor Centre.".
"I cannot blame him, their single malt whiskey is simply divine.". He laughed. "But honestly, St. Andrews has so much to offer. Take, for example, our historic sites. Blackfriars Chapel, Chapel of St Mary on the Rock, Martyrs' Monument and so much more.".
Hermione's eyes lit up: "St Andrews Castle, West Port, Whyte-Melville Memorial Fountain…". She sighed happily.
"Like I said, you will never want to go home.". He left the road and drove towards a stone built cottage: "And there it is, your lovely home for the next few days.".
Hermione grabbed her husband's hand, so enthusiastic about the environment, that she did not even notice, his surprised look.
"The key is hidden in a stone? Don't they know, how reckless that is?", scolded Ron.
His wife, who thought it was better to say nothing, lifted the deceptively real-looking stone up and took the key out.
Shaking his head, he growled a word, which, in his eyes, apparently explained everything: "Muggles!".
Hermione smirked, she was so cheerful,, nothing couldn't spoil her mood, not even a crabby Ron, and pointed to a sign over the front door: "Welcome, step inside and bring good luck with you.".
Ron snorted: "They can be happy, if the furniture has not been stolen."
Hermione opened with the key the door lock and looked over her shoulder at him: "I think, it is very unlikely, that thieves put back the key – after the pilferage!". And added mockingly: "Worrywart!".
Silently, Ron followed his wife into the cottage, inwardly cursing, that both were completely defenseless without their wands.
She went ahead in the kitchen and gushed: "Look, open shelving and the painted cabinets, is not this lovely?!".
Ron grimaced: "Charming? You say always, open shelves collects the dust.".
In the living room, she was enthusiastic about the setting up: "You can tell, it's been equipped with attention.".
Ron glanced at the cold fireplace: "Is it cold in here!".
As she stepped into the last room, the bedroom, she remained rooted to the spot.
Ron looked over her shoulder into the room: "What's wrong?".
"Only one bedroom, moreover, with a double bed!". She groaned out.
Muttering under his breath, Ron turned back in the living room: "I'll take the couch.". Full of self-pity, he regarded his sleeping place and plopped down his backpack next to the couch. With a sigh, he sat down and pressed with his hand tentatively on the pad surface. Wonderful, too short, too soft.
"I'll let you take the bed!", Hermione cried out of the bedroom.
"No way. I know, what is proper!", he shouted back and added quietly: "Although, I may not be a gentleman like dumbass Whitaker!".
He winced, when he heard his wife's voice near him: "I just think, that the couch is too short for you.".
He avoided her eyes and said: "That'll go off all right for the few nights.".
When he could no longer bear the silence, he jumped up and announced: "I think, I'll go for a walk!".
Hermione, head leaning on the door frame, gazed sorrowfully into the distance.
He coughed: "Uh, it's okay, if I clear out my backpack afterwards?".
She awoke from her reverie and frowned: "Sorry, I was lost in thought. You were saying?".
"I will go and stretch my legs!".
Worried, she looked out the window: "Judging by the look of the sky, I don't think, that's a good idea.".
"Hermione, I was born and grew up in Britain, a little rain does not bother me!".
She pushed away from the door frame and shrugged her shoulders, resignedly: "Knock yourself out!".
He nodded and rushed out of the house.
When Hermione some time (and a downpour) later the door heard, she brushed hastily her tears away and called questioningly: "And how was your walk?".
Ron, soaked to the bone, remained standing in the doorway and grunted: "Wet!". When Hermione was about to open her mouth, he raised his hand and stopped her: "You can save your I-told-you-so!".
Teeth chattering, he looked around: "Have you seen my backpack?".
"Your clothes are in the closet and fresh towels in the bathroom!". He did not need to know, that she seized the opportunity, to bury her nose in his sweater for several minutes – and that only to inhale a whiff of his scent.
He nodded gratefully and disappeared into the next room. leaving puddles behind him.
Out of habit, Hermione reached into her pocket for her wand. "Shit!" Startled, she clasped her hand over her mouth and looked sheepishly at the bathroom door.
As she wiped the floor with a mop, she heard a girlish scream from the bathroom. That could only mean one thing: Spider! For a moment, she wondered, if she should offer him her help, but decided against it.
A while later he came back, a little pale around the gills, but in dry clothes.
"How was the hot shower?", she teased him.
"As long as there is a spider, I'll go without it". He growled: "I swear, these monsters here are ten times larger than at home!".
She had to bite her lip, to keep from laughing: "Poor Ron. Hey, what do you think about a walk in the village. Our taxi driver said, there is a very cozy restaurant with delicious food.".
"A walk? Again?". He made a face.
She waved with the guidebook: "According to the guide it's only a short walk from here.".
"I'm still completely frozen!".
"Blame yourself, if you forego a hot shower, only because of a small spider!".
"I already said, it was not a small spider, the monster was as large as my palm.".
"And pigs might fly!", she murmured annoyed.
He narrowed his eyes: "What?".
"Nothing!". She threw the guide on the table and stood up: "I want to see the large spider with my own eyes!"
"Are you saying, I lie?"
"If the shoe fits, wear it.".
Ron's nostrils quivered: "That's rich, coming from you!".
In the incoming silence only the heavy breathing of the two opponents could be heard.
"You know what, I've enough!" She stormed past him into the bedroom and pulled her suitcase from the closet. She stopped and pointed to the bed: "You can look forward, from now, the bed is all yours."
"What do you mean?".
She gave him a dirty look: "I cannot take it anymore, your whining, your bad mood, and not to forget, that you keep reminding me about my mistake!".
He folded his arms over his chest: "You cannot go!".
"Why not?" Very Hermione-unlike, she tore her clothes out of the closet and threw them literally in her suitcase.
"Because…, because tonight goes no train!".
"So what? There are car rental companies, even here in St. Andrews!".
She zipped up her bag up and wanted to walk through the door, but Ron blocked her passage with his arms.
Angry, she brushed with her sweater sleeves her tears away: "Let me through the door instantly!".
"No!".
"Why not? Let's face it, you were anyway do not enthusiastic about this idea. It should also not matter to you, if I break off this trip."
He did not move aside.
"You unforgiving, overbearing ass, move!".
Ron folded his arms over his chest: "I will give you the overbearing, but I deny, that I'm unforgiving!"
"Are you not?", she scoffed. "You'd touch me with a barge pole, let alone, …".
He lifted her chin and wiped with his thumb the remaining tears from her cheeks.
"…. kiss me for no money in the world, because another..".
Ron leaned over and covered his lips with his, stopping her rant.
Hermione pushed him away and stuttered: "What..why..I..you..Are you crazy?".
He put his hands on either side of her face: "If, then about you!", and slammed his lips against hers.
This time, she did not hesitate and stood on her tiptoes, putting her arms around his neck, and pressed herself against him, trying to kiss him more deeply.
He lifted her up and she wrapped her legs around his hips. Both groaned at this contact. Hermione coaxed his mouth open, slipping her tongue into his mouth and deepening the kiss. Suddenly, Ron mumbled something under his breath, that his wife couldn't make out. She broke their kiss with a gasp, breathing heavily: "Huh?". Panting, he rested his forehead against her and chuckled softly: " .breath!".
Burying her face in the crook of his neck, she teased: "No condition?".
He rubbed his cheek against hers, his beard scratching her face slightly, and asked: "Shall I show you how fit I am?".
"Yes, please!". she murmured breathlessly and pulled his head down, her lips sought his hungrily. Walking backwards, he returned her kiss passionately, until he bumped with knees into the bed. She laughed into his mouth and he muttered in a husky whisper something like 'out of practice'.
Slowly, he settled down and Hermione shifted, straddled him with her knees. When they did break apart with a gasp, he rested his forehead against hers, as she swallowed his little gasps of breath and he hers. She met his eyes and he whispered, slightly panting: "Maybe we should talk.." – She wrinkled her nose "Talking is overrated, do not you think?".
"Absolutely!". He kissed her, again, but more deeply and his hand slipped under her shirt, sliding over the skin of her back up to her shoulder and back. At the hem of her shirt he stopped, searching her eyes with an unspoken question. Her raised arms, was enough of an answer. He twisted the hem in his fists and slipped her sweatshirt along with her undershirt over her head.
She bent forward, running her tongue along the rim of his ear and sucked his earlobe in her mouth, breathing hotly into it: "My turn!". She could hear his responding breath deepening in her own ear, slight moans escaping him. She removed his sweater, dropped it to the ground. Shaking her head, she regarded his shirt, a little frustrated.
"I felt cold!", Ron defended himself and lifted his hands, to unbutton his annoying shirt. Scolding, she pushed his hands away: "That's my job!".
He placed his hands on her waist, as she released the first button with slightly trembling hands. Finally, the last button was freed and her fingers gliding between fabric and skin, to push his shirt open. Satisfied, she ran her hand over his muscled chest and felt the fine hairs there tickling her palm. Ron swallowed and clenched his jaw, as she scratched his right nipple with her nails. She laughed softly, and repeated the process with the other nipple.
As his thumb brushed over her ribs, he frowned. To have a close look at her, he pulled back: "What?! Shit, why are you so thin?".
"It's okay!". Hermione wanted to soothe (and perhaps to distract) him with a kiss, but Ron, filled with consternation, was persistent and turned his head to the side: "No, it's not ok, you've always been too thin and now… I can feel your ribs, muffin!".
"I did not feel hungry lately.", she confessed sheepishly in a small voice. He regarded her, his expression full of conflict: "From now on I'm going to feed you up with pancakes, and other tasty treats, understood!".
Nodding, she ran a finger over his cheek, the rough stubble on his cheeks thrilled her: "It's a bargain! But I have also a good idea, how I can work up my appetite and at the same time show you, that I still have any curves in the right place…". She reached her hands back, to unclasp her bra, her gaze never leaving his. "Voila!" She removed the straps from her shoulders and threw the bra carelessly behind her. Ron licked his lips and his eyes dark with passion. Smiling deviously at him, she took his hands and placed his palms on her breasts: "See, my boobs still there!".
Instantly, he gently caressed her breast and she closed her eyes. Finally, he moved his hands aside and flicked his tongue over her nipples, make her gasp with pleasure. Her hands caught his head, to hold him there.
She rocked her hips in the way, that always made his breath catch. Her mind began to spin and her need, to feel him without any clothes against her, became too much for her. She pushed him back and touched him through his jeans. Rewarded with a deep moan, she rolled aside and braced herself up with one hand, to open his jeans button. After a look through her eyelashes at his flushed face, she carefully lowered his zipper. Hastily, Ron began, to toeing off his boots.
As Hermione took hold of his jeans at the waist, he lifted his hips and Hermione pushed his jeans downwards to his knees. For the rest of the way down his legs, Ron took over. He worked them down and kicked them away, the jeans and his shirt ended up next to the bed.
She brought her lips back to his and covering his body with hers, resting her warm weight on his, as they kissed urgently. His hands moved over her hip and down one of her legs.
Ron heard the quick rasp of her breath against his ear, as he flipped his wife over. He hovered above her and the muscles in his arms flexed, as he held his weight. Hermione raised her hips slightly letting him peel the dark jeans and her knickers from her legs. They soon joined the pile of clothes on the floor.
Their trembling breathing seemed to get louder in the quiet room and Ron pressed his weight onto her. He brought his lips to hers, his tongue dancing with her own, teasing just inside her mouth. His hands were all over her body, caressing her neck, shoulders, breasts, waist, and hips. Hermione tugged at his boxer and Ron was more than happy, to oblige and pushed, with one hand and the help of his impatient wife, his boxer down.
He stroked her gently and his lips found her nipples. Hermione gasped and arched with the rhythm of his touch: "Please!", she begged and guided him to her entrance.
However, he stopped and breathed into her ear, through clenched teeth: "Are you really sure, it's a good idea?"
"Yes!" She murmured back.
That was all it took. He slowly pushed inside of her, moaning at her tightness. She wrapped her legs around his waist and raised herself up to meet his hips with her own, sighing at the sensation of him filling her completely.
He lay still on her and waited for a sign from her. Finally, she ordered, gasping: "Move!".
He thrust into her, lifting himself up on his arms to change the angle slightly. She clutched at his bared ass and pulled him to her, arching against the bed at the delicious slide of him inside of her again and again.
Both whispering sweet nothings to each other, as he picked up his speed, driving his hips into hers. Hermione's moans became louder and she felt her approaching climax.
Now that Ron was close to his own climax, his thrusting grew more frantic and his breath came heavier, he gripped her waist and moved his hips with hers, thrusting deep once, twice more, before both screamed in blissful release.
They collapsed together and Ron rolled over, to allow Hermione to catch her breath. Their panting breaths were only audible to the other, Hermione's face was completely flustered and she looked at him with half-lidded eyes.
Ron shifted his position and pulled her toward him, so that they were in a spooning position. "Bloody hell, that was phenomenal.". He pressed a feather light kiss to her neck and whispered: "I love you!".
Hermione turned in his arms and asked in a shaky voice: "Say that again!".
Frowning, Ron acted, as if he would have to consider: "You mean, bloody…"
She put her hands around his face and demanded: "The other one! Say it again!".
He became serious and stroked her cheek: "I love you, Hermione Jean Granger-Weas….".
She captured his lips, kissed him long and hard, while she was crying and laughing at the same time. Hiccoughing through her tears, she scolded, but not too seriously: "About time!".
Hermione let the tips of her fingers slip beneath the blanket, grazing the supple flesh of her husband butt. Ron could feel the pressure of a hand on his lower back, as warm lips caressed his neck. His eyes fluttered open, as her lips started her way downwards.
Just above his buttocks, she devoted herself intensively with a particular point of his body.
"Freckle?". He asked in a drowsy voice, finally, he knew how much his wife worshiped his freckles.
"Nope, dimple!", she replied, giggling.
Leaning on his elbow, he craned his neck and tried to catch a glimpse of the point. Pouting, he claimed: "I do not have dimples, let alone there!".
She gave him a playful smack on the bottom: "As your wife and by the way, the only woman, how saw you naked,", she stopped and grinned mischievously, "other than your mum of course!".
He moaned: "Please, do not use naked and mum in a sentence.".
"Do not interrupt me, you rude man, I know your body as my own, maybe even better. So when I say, you have a dimple…". She kissed the said point: "there, then there is a dimple!".
Closing his eyes, he muttered: "If you say so!". He buried his face into the pillow.
Hermione leaned toward him and whispered in his ear: "Did not you promise me a lot, lot, lot…".
He perked up and was suddenly wide awake: "Hmm!".
She jumped off the bed and pulled the bedspread off him: "Pancakes!"
Relaxed, the couple enjoyed the afterglow after their passionate love-making round. Hermione's head rested on his chest and her fingers tracing patterns on his belly, while Ron stroked her back.
Hermione sighed deeply.
"I hear you thinking up to here, muffin, what's going on in your smart head?".
She turned her head, to face him and a small, somewhat embarrassed smile graced her lips: "I just thought, that I want this!".
Frowning, he asked, confused: "You mean, a Cottage in St. Andrew?".
She circled with her finger one of his nipples: "A cottage like this, but with a study room…"
"Not to forget a library.". He tweaked her nose.
She took his hand and kissed his palm: "Two bathrooms, four or five bedrooms, a Quidditch field behind the house!".
He smiled dreamily: "My own Quidditch field – that would be… wait, why do we need four or five bedrooms?"
"For our children, of course!", she said as a matter of course.
"Of course!", he repeated, a little overwhelmed, at the thought.
Naturally, his wife noticed his discomfort instantly and asked, worried: "You want children, Ron, do not you!?".
He gulped and stuttered: "Children, as more than one child?" She nodded. Horror-struck, he already saw himself surrounded by a bunch of red-haired children.
"I'm an only child and have always envied you for your siblings.". She gazed off into the distance, a tender smile on her lips, and turned back to him: "So, yes, I want more than one child, at least one girl and one boy!". She bit her lip continued haltingly: "Not immediately, finally, we just got back together again, but in one year, we could start with the trying! Do not you think?". She stared at him expectantly.
"My parents need 6 attempts, until they had their girl!", he reminded her, voice cracking.
She wrinkled her nose and thought for a moment: "Alright, let's say, our limit is 3 children!".
Ron breathed a sigh of relief, but inquired: "If after three boys we do not have girls, that's it, right?".
She grinned: "Maybe we are blessed with girls!".
"Then we have to reconsider our family planning!", he replied deadpanned.
She pinched his nipple.
"Ouch! Way to treat to the father of his future children?". He laughed heartily.
She beamed: "So you're okay with that?".
"Uh-huh!". He winked: "I also look forward to the whole baby-making procedure.".
Ron's breath hitches, as Hermione's fingers wander southward: "Hmm, what do you think about a little practice?".
