Announcements
Hermione smiled triumphantly at Ron as she gave George a high five. He had, as she had expected, creamed Ron at chess.
Ron pouted. "Are you happy now, Hermione?"
"Yes." She learned over and kissed his cheek. "You're forgiven. You better not do it again, though Ron. You're temper's starting to get on my nerves." With that she stood and left, and could hear George's surprised laughter behind her. She smirked and headed upstairs to grab a book. She took out Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them and went back downstairs to read it on the couch.
When she entered the family room Ron was still sitting on the floor. "Where'd George go?" Hermione asked, sitting down and opening her book.
"Upstairs. Said he had something to finish."
"Oh. Alright then." She started to read her book.
"Hermione…" Ron said.
She flicked her eyes up from her book, keeping her finger in the place where she was reading. "Yes, Ronald?"
"I'm sorry for snapping at you. I don't know what got into me. I'll try controlling my temper better. You know I've always had a problem with it."
Hermione shut her book and patted the seat beside her. Ron stood up and crossed over to her in three strides. He sat down and Hermione wrapped her arms around him. "It's ok." She said. She rubbed his back. "I'm glad you're going to try to keep it under control, even if it's not that bad."
"Well I'll consider it terrible as long as it's hurting you. I never want to hurt you, Hermione."
"Good." Hermione said. She let him go and smiled at him. "I'll be easier on you, though. I'm sorry; today I wasn't in a great mood and wasn't being fair."
"Don't worry about it." He kissed her cheek and Hermione smiled wider. She leaned forwards and pressed her lips to his for a long, sweet kiss.
"Ugh, ewwwww." Someone groaned behind them.
They pulled away at the same time and looked to see George covering his eyes. "George it's your own fault." Hermione laughed.
"Yeah, how come you always manage to walk at the exact wrong moment?" Ron asked.
"I don't know. I've been cursed somehow, and whenever I leave my room this is what I come to." He rubbed his temples. "Sorry, you two."
"It's ok." They said at the same time.
George walked into the kitchen and came back out with a cookie. "Well I'll leave you to it then." He said with an over dramatic wink.
"Prat." Ron muttered under his breath.
Hermione laughed and threw her arm over his shoulder and pulled him to her once again. She pressed her lips to his and kissed him strongly. He held her to him with his hands on her back and enthusiastically kissed her back. She pulled away finally and nuzzled her face into his neck.
"You keep that up and I'll have nothing to be mad at you about." Hermione joked.
Ron chuckled and planted a kiss on her hair. They heard the door open and pulled away to see who it was. In came Ginny and Harry holding hands. Ginny had a rather large smile on her face and Harry was trying to conceal a grin.
"What's up?" Hermione asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Harry's going to take me out tonight, to a Muggle restaurant!"
"Oh, wow!" Hermione said, giving Harry an impressed look. "Sounds like fun!"
"Yeah! Well I'm going to change, Harry you should too."
"I know I'm going to." Harry said. They walked up the stairs and Ron and Hermione looked at each other.
"I'd have never thought to do that." Ron said incredulously.
"Yeah! Who knew Harry was such a romantic?" Hermione said.
"Yeah…" Ron said, making Hermione slap his shoulder. "Ouch! I mean I'm glad he's taking her somewhere nice. I hope they have fun." He said that last part with some difficulty and Hermione patted his hand.
"Yes, I do too. It will be good for them."
"Yeah. Hopefully Ginny won't be so moody anymore." Hermione gave him a look and he shrugged. "You know it's true."
"I'm not saying anything." Hermione said, raising her hands. "I don't want to get into another argument with Ginny."
"Yeah that was really awful."
"Hush Ron they're coming down." Hermione said quietly.
Ginny was wearing a simple dark blue dress with a silver owl necklace, and Harry was wearing black jeans and a grey dress shirt, and it looked like he had tried to comb his hair.
"You two look nice," Hermione said politely.
"Thanks." Ginny beamed, taking Harry's hand. "Well I don't know where anyone else is, can you guys let Mum know that we went out?"
"Of course." Hermione said.
"Great, thanks! Well, see you later!" Ginny started to walk outside and Harry let go of her hand. "Harry?" she inquired, looking at him.
"Oh you go ahead; I just need to grab something." Ginny shrugged and exited the Burrow. Harry turned to them with a frantic look on his face. "Ok am I supposed to pull her chair out for her and then push her in? And do I let her order first? Or does it not matter? And I'm supposed to pay right?" He said rapidly.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa. Slow down mate!" Ron said. "Calm down Harry. Ok listen: pull her chair out for her if you want to, and do it for sure if she waits before moving to her chair because then she wants you to or she's nervous and doing that will make her feel comfortable. And the waiter will ask one of you for your order first, so don't worry about that. Paying for her is a good idea to impress her, and considering her sour mood this morning I think you ought to."
Harry nodded as he took in all the information. "Alright. Ok. Thanks. See you later." He blew out a breath and followed Ginny out the door.
Hermione turned to Ron and gave him an impressed look. "Maybe you're the romantic." She said.
Ron playfully bumped his shoulder against hers. "Maybe I am."
"Well you better be putting those romantic skills of yours to use." Hermione winked.
"Oh don't you worry." Ron said. He cupped her cheek and brought her face closer to his. "I've got a few ideas in mind." He gave her a soft peck, but Hermione wanted more. She twined her arms around his neck and leaned into him, parting her lips and deepening the kiss. He stroked her hair and when Hermione pulled away he kissed her on the forehead.
"I love you, Hermione." He murmured.
Hermione smiled widely. "I love you too."
Hermione heard footsteps coming down the stairs and she pulled away from Ron, reaching for her forgotten book.
"Did you guys see Harry and Ginny all dressed up?" George asked, coming to sit down in the arm chair beside the couch.
"Yeah. They're going out on a date." Hermione said, opening her book and trying to find her spot.
"Harry's taking her to some Muggle restaurant." Ron said.
"Oh, sounds fun." George said. "Well I came down here to ask you guys something."
"What's that?" Hermione said without looking up from her book.
"Well, I've been thinking about what you've said." George paused and took a shaky breath. "About re opening the joke shop."
Hermione looked up from her book quickly. "Really?"
George lowered his eyes and played with something in his hands. "Yeah… I've missed the place. I… I want to go back, but I also don't know if that's a good idea."
"Why wouldn't it be a good idea?" Ron asked.
George laughed a little. "It's kind of silly, really." But he frowned.
"I'm sure it's not." Hermione said gently.
"It's alright, George." Ron said.
George blew out a breath. "I feel like if I open the shop again it will just make me miss him more." He whispered. "I'm scared that it won't be the same without Fred, I'll feel like I'm insulting his memory."
Hermione closed her book and clasped her hands. "George…"
Ron spoke up. "That's not true George. Closing the shop for good will insult his memory. He'd want you to keep it up and running, selling your crazy things to kids everywhere and putting smiles on their faces."
George shut his eyes tight, then re-opened them. "You're right. I know you're right but… I don't think I can do it without him." He spread his hands apart and Hermione saw that he was holding Fred's clock hand from the Weasley family's magic clock. "He's half the store, half of me. He's my other half and now he's gone." He whispered, his voice full of emotion.
Hermione frowned, wanting to comfort him but not knowing how. Ron got off the couch and passed Hermione, kneeling on the floor next to George. He closed his hands over George's. "I know how much you miss him. We all miss him too. But I swear he'd want you to keep the joke shop open. Plus, it's good for you. You were always really happy when you were there or working on products. I'm not trying to pressure you into doing anything, I'm just saying what I think is in your best interest."
George hugged Ron roughly, squeezing his eyes shut. He looked like he was holding back tears and Ron hugged him back. "Thanks Ron." He said. Hermione felt a little awkward, as if she were an intruder on this brotherly moment.
George let go of Ron and stood up, slipping to clock hand into his pocket. He looked at Hermione and spread his arms out. "Come here, Hermione. If it weren't for you I'd have never had this heart breaking conversation."
Hermione stood up and stepped into his arms. She squeezed his middle when he hugged her and then pulled back. "I hope you're ok." She said.
"I am, thanks." He patted the top of her head and Hermione laughed.
"What's going on in here?" Mrs. Weasley stood at the door.
"I'm re-opening the joke shop, Mum." George announced.
Mrs. Weasley clapped her hands. "Oh that's wonderful!" George walked over to her and she gave him a big kiss on the cheek. "I'm so happy for you, George!"
"Thanks, Mum." He glanced back and Ron and Hermione. "I am too."
"Oh just wait till your father gets home. He'll be so happy!" She smiled widely. "Well I'm going to start cooking dinner."
"Oh, Mum, Harry and Ginny went out for dinner so you can cook for two less." Ron said.
"Oh how lovely! Thanks for telling me, dear." Ron nodded and she vanished off to the kitchen. There was a sound of pots and pans as she started to get ready.
George looked at them meaningfully. "You guys really don't know how much I appreciate your help. Thanks a bunch."
"You're welcome," Hermione said at the same time Ron said, "No problem."
George nodded and then disappeared. Hermione threw her arms around Ron and kissed him again. "I'm so happy for him!" She exclaimed.
Ron grinned. "I am too. Well done, Hermione. It seems as though your plan worked."
"Yeah, I guess it did."
"Of course it did. You're a genius you know that? Bloody brilliant."
"Thanks Ron." She blushed.
He kissed her once more and they sat back down on the couch, snuggling against each other.