Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans

Hermione woke up, but didn't open her eyes. She stretched out like a cat and nuzzled Ron's leg. She felt Ron put a hand on her shoulder.

"Did you have a nice nap?"

She exhaled loudly and opened her eyes. "Yeah. What time is it?

"Almost three o'clock."

"Oh, I'm sorry! Your leg must be asleep!"

"It's alright. I didn't mind too much."

Hermione blushed and sat up, trying to tame her hair. Ginny and Harry were no longer sitting in the family room. "You were reading the Prophet before. Any important news?"

Ron shook his head. "Not really. Oh, there was a column about people wanting the joke shop open again."

Hermione frowned. "Can I see it?" Ron reached over and handed her the paper after he found the right page. It wasn't a long column, but it was enough to make it clear that people were upset over the closing of the shop and they wanted it to be reopened soon. It also mentioned the death of Fred and it said George was up for making any public appearances. She let the paper drop out of her hands.

"Come here." Ron put his arms around her and pulled her against chest. She turned her face into the crook of his neck. "It's ok, Hermione. George will be fine; he'll reopen the shop eventually. Don't be sad, please."

"I'm not sad. I'm just… I feel so bad for George. He's got so much to deal with and he's dealing with it all alone."

"Remember what I said before? We just have to give him enough space and he'll be fine. I know him pretty well, been stuck with him my whole life. He'll get through it eventually, ok? You don't have to worry about him so much. How about you let me take your mind off of all this, yeah? What do you say we Apparate to Hogsmeade and grab a Butterbeer from the Three Broomsticks?"

Hermione pulled away from him and smiled. "Sure. I'd love that."

"Alright. I'll just change into some better clothes and then we can go."

"Ok me too." Hermione let Ron walk ahead of her and she scooped up the fallen Daily Prophet. She tore the column about the joke shop out and stuffed it in her pocket. Then she caught up with Ron and they walked up the stairs together and parted to go into their rooms. Before she went to Ginny's room, she tiptoed over to George's room. She wasn't sure if what she was doing was going to help George or not, but she did it anyway. She took the clipping out of her pocket and slid it under the door, then hurried away.

She picked out a soft blue shirt and some black pants. She put her hair in a bun after vigorously brushing it and sprayed on some of the perfume Ron gave her for Christmas in fifth year. Then she left her room and found Ron waiting for her in the hall.

He face lit up when he saw her. "You look… great." He smiled shyly.

Hermione blushed. "You look nice, too." He was wearing a green shirt and a nicer pair of jeans.

"Thanks. Well Mum hates it when we use magic inside the house so we'll have to go outside to Disapparate."

"That's fine." Hermione smiled.

"Ok." They went downstairs and passed Mrs. Weasley.

"Hello, Mum. Hermione and I are just going to go to the Three Broomsticks."

"Oh, alright. We're out of Every Flavour Beans and Droobles, would you mind picking some up, dear?"

"No problem, Mum." Ron said.

"Thank you. Be safe and be back for dinner! Have fun!"

"Thank you," Hermione said. "See you later!"

Once they were out of the house Ron took Hermione's hand. Hermione closed her eyes and felt the odd sensation of Apparation and then she opened her eyes and was standing in front of the Three Broomsticks. Ron kept her hand in his and they walked inside together.

They ordered a Butterbeer each and then sat down across from each other in a booth. They talked and laughed. An hour and two Butterbeers later they paid and went around Hogsmeade, hand in hand. They stopped at Honeydukes to buy a large bag of Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans and a few packages of Droobles. They passed by Zonko's but didn't go inside. It inspired the twins to open Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes and they both didn't want to think about that.

They went over to the Shrieking Shack and reminisced about their experience there in third year. Hermione asked if Ron wanted to get any closer and he bumped her playfully with his elbow, causing her to laugh and shove him back. He scooped her off her feet and she squealed, trying to wiggle out of his grip.

"Ron let me go!" she tried to sound serious but she was too busy laughing.

"Never!" They both were laughing and Hermione hooked her arms around his neck. Then Ron slipped and fell backwards, Hermione coming with him and landing on top of him.

"Awgh." Ron groaned.

"Oh my goodness I'm so sorry!" Hermione said, getting off of him. Ron groaned incoherently. She knelt by his head and pulled it onto her lap and brushed leaves and dirt out of his hair. "I didn't mean to make you fall."

Ron blinked and looked at her with dazed eyes. "You're beautiful, you know that?"

Hermione blushed. "You must have hit your head pretty hard."

"No I'm fine. I meant what I said, Mione." He smiled happily up at her. He sat up and put his hand on the back of Hermione's neck, bringing her face closer to his. She closed her eyes and let him kiss her. It was long and sweet and made Hermione's head swim. She cupped his face as his lips moved against hers. They pulled back at the same instant and rested their foreheads against each other. "I love you." Ron murmured.

"I love you, too." Hermione whispered. Ron brushed leaves off of her shirt sleeve. "I guess we should be getting back."

"Yeah." Ron got up and picked up the bag of candy that they had dropped. He held out his hand and Hermione took it, smiling. They Disapparated and walked inside the Burrow together. Ron put the Droobles in the cupboard but instead of helping Hermione took the Every Flavour Beans and went over to grab a small bowl. She poured some candy into it and shoved the bag at Ron. "I'll be right back." She said, and left before waiting for a response.

She jogged up the stairs, careful not to let any candy spill. She walked to George's room and knocked on the door. Nothing. She knocked again. "George-" The door opened. A tired looking George opened the door. He was wearing dark grey sweatpants and a white t shirt. He had dark rings under his eyes and his hair looked as though he had been constantly running his hands through it.

"Hermione why do you keep bothering me?" he asked wearily.

Her smile faltered but she held up the bowl. "I'm sorry. I was just bringing you some Every Flavour Beans. I basically ate them all yesterday even though you got them for yourself."

He glanced from the bowl to her face. Then his lips formed a small smile. He accepted the bowl. "You did eat them all. Thanks."

Hermione nodded. "Anytime." They stood in awkward silence for a while. Hermione cleared her throat. "So how are those sticker things coming along?"

"They're tattoos, and they're still not sticking to everything. It's difficult to get them to stay on slimy surfaces."

"Oh, well I'm sure you'll figure it out." Hermione said optimistically.

"Maybe." George murmured, his eyes far away.

"Well, I'll maybe see you at dinner?" Hermione asked.

"I dunno."

"Oh. Alright. Well, see you." Hermione turned to leave.

"Oh, Hermione, wait."

She turned back around but George wasn't at the door. Then he reappeared with something in his hand.

"Did you put this under my door?" He held up the Prophet clipping.

"No…"

"You're a terrible liar. Why'd you do it?"

Hermione shrugged. "Just thought you'd be interested in reading it."

George looked down at the paper but didn't say anything. Hermione turned again and started to walk away. "Hermione?" She looked over her shoulder. "Thanks."

"You're welcome." She smiled, and then George disappeared into his room again. She went downstairs and found Ron sitting on the loveseat in the family room. She beamed when he looked up at her and then sat down next to him, tucking her legs underneath her and resting her head on his shoulder.

"What's up?" He asked, putting his arm around her shoulder.

"Nothing. Thanks for taking me out today. I had a lot of fun." She gave him a peck on the cheek.

"No problem. I had a lot of fun too." He rubbed her shoulder and Hermione smiled.

"What should we do now?"

"How about we just sit here for a while?" Hermione suggested.

"Sounds good to me." Ron chuckled and Hermione snuggled in closer.