Pie

Hermione was happy enough to not worry about George coming down for dinner. She was glad he had thanked her for the article, and she was feeling very cheerful because of her day spent with Ron. They kept glancing at each other and Hermione had a huge smile on her face. Mrs. Weasley caught them grinning at each other and asked them if they had a nice date.

Hermione blushed and beamed and Ron grinned wider. "Yeah." They said at the same time.

Hermione saw Ginny raise her eyebrows then glance at Harry. Harry was smiling at Hermione and Ron and Hermione smiled back at him. "Where'd you go?" he asked.

"Hogsmeade." Hermione said.

"Oh, that sounds nice. How is everyone doing there?"

"They're good. Any damage caused has been repaired. It looks like it usually would and everyone seemed happy."

Harry nodded. "That's good. I'm glad you guys had fun." Ginny loudly stabbed one of her potatoes with her fork and Harry gave her a funny look.

Ron cleared his throat. "Thanks. Oh, by the way, Harry, we never did finish our chess game."

"Oh, right. Well how about we start a game later?" Harry suggested.

"Sure. I need some practise so I can beat George. He's gotten really good!" Ron enthused.

Hermione laughed. "George beat him twice as if there was nothing easier!"

Ron pouted. "Yeah and Hermione has been great support."

She swatted his arm playfully. "Now, now, no fighting." Mrs. Weasley said. "I made apple pie for dessert! Who'd like a slice?"

Everyone eagerly obliged and Mrs. Weasley happily cut the pie. One slice for Harry, Ginny, Ron, Hermione, Mr. Weasley, one for herself, and she left one for George. "He'll come down and get it. He's never been able to resist my pies, that one." She smiled slightly and put it in the fridge. They ate their pie in silence, and when everyone was finished they said how delicious it was. Mrs. Weasley said thank you several times and told them to go on so she could clean up.

She would not let Hermione help her so she went in the family room. Ron was seated on the floor across from Harry as they played Wizard Chess. Ginny was sitting on the couch behind Harry, arms crossed over her chest and a pout set on her face. Hermione wanted to sit next to Ron and rest her head on his shoulder but she fought the urge and went to sit beside Ginny on the couch, remembering her strange behaviour at the table.

"Are you alright?" Hermione whispered.

"Not really." Ginny said.

"What's the matter?" she said softly.

Ginny looked at the boys but they were both in deep concentration over the game. "I know it's bad but I'm totally jealous of you." She said sheepishly.

"Why would you be jealous of me?" Hermione inquired, surprised.

"Because Ron took you out on a date. Harry hasn't done anything like that for me." She said quietly.

"Well didn't he go somewhere with you after we had our argument?"

"You know where I went?" Ginny asked, and Hermione shook her head. "I went to Diagon Alley. I don't really think that's a date, and plus, all I did was sit on the steps of the joke shop and vent to him. And he comforted me and all, I was fine with that. He's just never taken me out before. When I heard Ron took you out on a date I was reminded that Harry hasn't taken me anywhere and it kind of put me out."

"Ginny, Ron only took me out because I was feeling a little sad. I'm sure Harry will take you out sometime, he's just got a lot on his mind." Ginny was silent. "The guy doesn't always have to suggest going on a date. You can bring it up, and I'm sure he'll catch on and ask you out."

Ginny pondered this. "You're right." She shook her head. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't be jealous of you and Ron."

"It's ok, I'm sure I'd feel the same way as you if the roles were reversed." Hermione said, patting her arm. "Harry does like you, Ginny. Don't think that he doesn't just because he hasn't taken you on a date."

"I know. He is my boyfriend after all. He must fancy me at least a little bit." They both laughed. "Thanks, Hermione. You're a great friend."

She smiled. "You're welcome." She then got off the couch and went to sit down beside Ron. She rested her head on his shoulder and placed a hand lightly on his arm.

"Come to support me, have you?"

"Of course. You're playing against Harry, so I get to be on Team Ron."

"Oh I see. Well it might interest you to know that I'm still much better than Harry."

"Ron, I didn't ask to be insulted about my chess skills when I suggested we play another game!" Harry said.

Hermione laughed. "Sorry, mate." Ron said.

Ginny moved to the edge of the couch and ruffled Harry's hair. "Don't worry, Harry. Ron's just building up his self-esteem because he lost the little bit he had after George creamed him."

"Shut up, Ginny." Ron said, even though he didn't seem bothered by her comment.

Harry laughed and leaned back against her legs. Ginny smiled and laid her hand on his shoulder. Hermione smiled and entwined her fingers with Ron's.

Ron ended up beating Harry and was quite proud that he had. He celebrated by pecking Hermione on the lips. Harry just smirked and shook his head. He got up and announced that he was going to bed.

"Your defeat has tired you out?" Ron teased.

"Shut up." Harry said, but his tone was playful. He leaned down and kissed Ginny on the cheek. "Night, Gin."

"Good night." She said wistfully.

He looked at her with concern in his eyes. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah," she nodded, "I'm just tired. I think I'm going to head to bed too." She stood and took Harry's hand. She glanced at Ron and Hermione. "Night, you two."

"Don't stay up too late." Harry said.

"We won't. Night." Hermione said.

Harry and Ginny left, leaving Hermione alone with Ron. She removed her head from his shoulder and smiled at him. He smiled back. "Hi." She said.

He chuckled. "Hi."

"I'm guessing you're wondering what I did with that bowl of candy earlier."

"I'm a little curious. I'm guessing you didn't bring it up for Crookshanks."

Hermione laughed. "No. I, well, I gave it to George. I felt bad for eating all of them the other day and I'm pretty sure he hadn't left his room all day. I thought he might be a little hungry or whatever."

"That's nice Hermione. I'm glad you haven't given up on trying to help him. I'm going to try a little harder now, too, if I can."

"Thanks. I still would like to keep up the plan that I had before."

"Brilliant. I'll be ready to help you, just let me know." He planted a kiss on her forehead.

"Thanks, Ron." She beamed at him then moved her face closer to his. Before she could kiss him she heard the floor boards creak.

"Merlin's beard. How come every time I leave my room I happen to come across you two getting all snuggly?" George had come downstairts. Hermione blushed and Ron muttered sorry. "I'm glad I only have one ear; soon enough you'll be calling each other 'honey bunny' and 'cutie pie'." He pretended to vomit. "Oh, speaking of pie, I heard Mum made some. Where is it?"

"In the fridge. She saved the last piece for you." Ron said.

"Thanks," George said disappearing into the kitchen.

"Oh, George," Ron called.

"What?" George said, sounding as if his mouth was full.

"I beat Harry at chess."

George appeared with a plate with a half-eaten slice of pie on it. "How wonderful." He stuffed another forkful of pie into his mouth.

"Yeah. We should have another match." Ron proposed.

George speared another piece of pie with his fork and waved it around in the air. "If we do, then you'll be stripped of your pride. I don't want to take away your pride, Ronald. That would be terrible." He ate his pie.

Hermione suppressed a giggle with her hand. Ron huffed. "It's not that big a deal. I just want to see if I've gotten any better."

"Maybe. I'm still trying to perfect my Stick 'Em Anywhere Tattoos. It's not going too well."

"Would you like any help?" Ron asked.

"No that's alright." George finished off his pie.

"Ok. Just let me know if you do."

"Sure." George went back into the kitchen.

Hermione smiled at Ron. "That was nice."

"Well, I said I was going to try harder, didn't I?"

"Yes you did." She patted his cheek. Then she yawned, feeling suddenly tired.

"Feeling sleepy?" She nodded and rested her head back on his shoulder, willing to fall asleep against him. "Well c'mon. Let's go upstairs." He pulled her up with him and slung an arm around her shoulders. "Good night, George." He said as they passed the kitchen.

"Night." He said, his back to them as he washed his plate.

They walked up the stairs together and once they were at the top they faced each other. "Good night, Hermione."

"Good night." She smiled and pressed her lips against his for a quick good night kiss.

They parted and Hermione brushed her teeth and went to Ginny's room. Ginny was already fast asleep with Crookshanks curled up by her feet. The cat got up when he saw Hermione come in and jumped off the bed to brush up against her legs. "Hey, Crooky." She whispered, scratching behind his ears.

He meowed softly and walked over to the food and water bowl Hermione kept by her bed. She picked up the bag of kibble and poured some into his bowl. "There you go." She patted his head once more before changing into her pyjamas and crawling into bed. She fell into a peaceful sleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.