Heyyy!!! Trying to get back into writing habits

Quick lemon mid chapter... Enjoy!

"Three times a week, Hermione?!" Ron exclaimed, Butterbeer spraying out of his mouth.

"Honestly, Ronald!" Hermione grabbed a napkin to help him clean the mess he'd made. "Swallow!"

"I would if you weren't trying to put us all back in school!"

"Ron's right, Hermione," Harry said. "The whole point of us doing this program is so that we don't have to spend so much time at Hogwarts." Around the table, a few others murmured in agreement.

When the group of them walked into the Three Broomsticks, Madam Rosmerta immediately waved her wand to put together a table for twelve. Around the table sat Ron, Hermione, Harry, Ginny, Dean, Neville, and Luna, as well as Susan Bones, Lisa Turpin, Justin Finch-Fletchley, Blakely Newman, and Margaret Stanton. They'd spent the walk from the castle in small pockets of three or four chatting and catching up, but now as a large group, they were discussing plans to meet and study together throughout the term—at Hermione's insistence.

"Three times a week really is not so much compared to the amount of time we would be in class and studying had we returned to the castle," Hermione supplied. "And I'm not at all suggesting that we meet at the castle, once every other week is enough. We can meet here if Rosmerta can supply a room, or at The Leaky in one of their meeting rooms."

"I do like the thought of getting together regularly to study," Blakely spoke up. "That way we won't all feel so lonely this last year. And we can help each other out."

"Spoken like a true Hufflepuff." Dean, who had taken the seat beside Blakely, gave her a smile and she blushed. Ron raised a brow as he watched the interaction—Dean Thomas was on the move.

"However," Blakely continued, pulling her attention away from Dean, "I told my mom I would help her with my little sister as much as I could since I'll be home. So maybe twice a week or so, rather than three?"

"Yeah," Dean said. "I got a part-time job at the grocer's in my town, so I want to be sure I have enough days to offer them to work."

Justin nodded. "Same here."

"I promised Daddy that I would take on more responsibility with The Quibbler," Luna mused. "I'll need time to work on a few stories I have in mind."

Hermione looked around the table and sighed. "I suppose you're all right. Between working with McGonagall and some research of my own…" She trailed off in thought and Ron watched her wondering what research she was on about. "Perhaps…" she continued, "what if we do one evening a week, and one full day? We can do Fridays for the full day. Every other Friday we'll be at Hogwarts anyway, we can stay on to study together at the library-" Ron groaned, "-and then enjoy dinner at Hogwarts," she said pointedly at Ron. He and a few of the boys at the table perked up at the thought.

"Blimey, we could still get Hogwarts dinners a couple of times a month?" Ron grinned.

Harry, Dean, and Neville all nodded enthusiastically. The girls rolled their eyes but smiled their agreement.

"Good," Hermione continued. "Glad your stomachs can get a good deal out of this." She poked Ron in his stomach and laughed.

"I like that idea," Margaret said, her Irish accent reminding Ron of Seamus Finnigan's. She had straight black hair, so black that Ron wondered if she hadn't colored it.

"And then, perhaps Tuesday afternoons could be our second day?" Hermione offered.

Ron looked at Harry who nodded, then around the rest of the table. He heard 'works for me', and 'I could do Tuesdays', as well as other murmurs of agreement.

Hermione clapped her hands together once. "Wonderful! I'll talk to Rosmerta about using one of the meeting rooms!"

"And if that doesn't work," Neville said, "let me know and I can talk to Hannah Abbott about the Leaky." When everyone looked at him questioningly, he shrugged. "She's started working there." But Ron noticed the slight blush on his cheeks and made a mental note to ask Neville about that later on.

Once that was settled, the group went on to more personal banter. Those that hadn't seen the four of them since the battle ragged on Ron and Hermione for being an old married couple, on Harry and Ginny for getting back together, and on the "Golden Trio" for all their coverage in the press.

Ron fielded questions about the Hogsmeade branch of WWW, and Lisa expressed interest in a job there.

"I'm there Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings," Ron told her. "Come in any of those days and we'll get you applied and interviewed." He would be there on Saturdays and some Sundays too, but knew the weekends tended to get busier.

When Justin asked Hermione about working with McGonagall and the Muggle-borns, Hermione absolutely beamed. She told them about the four first-year Muggle-born students she'd shared a compartment with on the train ride in.

"They were the absolute sweetest," Hermione gushed. "One of them, Calliope, reminded me so much of myself when I started at Hogwarts."

"She was a bossy know-it-all then?" Ron and Harry said together. Everyone laughed as Hermione threw a napkin across the table at Harry and pushed Ron's arm off her shoulders with a huff.

"Did you see which houses they were sorted into?" Ginny asked.

"Yes!" Hermione exclaimed as she settled back into Ron's side. He threw his arm back around her and squeezed her shoulder. "One in each house!"

Now it was Dean and Justin who choked on their Butterbeers.

"A Muggle-born in Slytherin?!" Dean said.

"It's happened before," Hermione said matter-of-factly. "While it's not a common occurrence by any means, it's not unheard of either."

"I think that's good," Harry said. "Only way to diminish that whole Slytherin is for Purebloods mindset. Hopefully he or she will storm in there and take Slytherin house by the neck…shake some sense into the rest of 'em."

Hermione laughed. "Oh, I rather think he will. I honestly was not surprised. He's a very determined little one. I can tell he's clever too. Already dreams of working in the Ministry one day." She smiled. "I think he's just what Slytherin house needs to turn their minds and hearts around."

They chatted for a while longer, until one by one they started to say their goodbyes. Neville offered to see Luna and Lisa home, and Justin mentioned he would head back with Susan and Margaret, who all lived close. Blakely mentioned taking the Floo to Diagon Alley so she could catch the Muggle underground home, and Ron noticed Dean jump at the chance to 'make sure she made it safely'.

"Catching the Floo home too, Gin?" Ron asked once it was just the four of them left. "Tell Mum I said hello, won't you?"

"Um…" Ginny glanced at Harry, whose face turned red as he avoided Ron's eyes. "Actually…if Mum asks, I stayed with you at your flat." She stood to her full height, barely reaching Ron's shoulder, and gave him a hard look. "If Mum ever asks, I'm staying with you and Hermione at your flat."

Hermione giggled. "We'll cover for you."

Ron looked in turn at all three of them. "I thought Grimmauld was a demolition zone…"

"I've actually got a room here," Harry mumbled. Ron raised an eyebrow. "I uh…set up an account with Rosmerta so that I can stay here sometimes when I meet up with you guys, or go to Hogwarts, or…"

"Want to meet up with my sister," Ron deadpanned. "Just don't be seen by the press. They'll have a field day and Mum will have kittens."

"Don't worry," Ginny said. "We've got it all worked out. A public good night here," she turned to Harry and kissed him demurely on the cheek, "and then I'll walk with you to your flat. From there, I'll jump under the cloak and come back. Of course this will be much easier once I can Apparate."

Ron sighed. "I hate lying to Mum."

"You'll only need to if she asks."

"Fine," Ron took Hermione's hand and turned toward the door calling "See you Harry" over his shoulder, Ginny trailing behind them.

Hermione waved her wand in intricate movements over the stove and counters, smiling and thinking that Molly would be proud. Since she'd received her new wand, she had used her time wisely while living at the Burrow, learning all the domestic and cooking spells that she could from the matriarch. She couldn't help but think that it was a shame that these kinds of spells weren't covered at Hogwarts. She made a mental note to bring that up with McGonagall during their next meeting. Muggle-borns especially would need to be taught the kind of things that children of wizarding families would easily pick up at home.

There had been something fantastically normal about studying everyday charms like scrambling and cooking eggs, setting dishes to wash, and slicing fruits. There was also something heartwarming about doing these things for her and her husband in their own flat.

Hermione was just setting warming charms over the breakfast plates when she heard familiar footsteps behind her. Before she could turn around, long arms snaked themselves around her waist, pulling her back flush against his front, and full lips pressed against the skin of her neck. She smiled and leaned into him, her eyes fluttering closed.

"Morning, Ron."

"Mornin', love," he whispered. He buried his nose into her hair, just behind her ear, and breathed in deeply. Hermione's giggle soon gave way to a moan as his hands tightened at her waist and he sucked at her earlobe.

"Ron…" Her bum pressed into him of its own accord and he answered with a gentle thrust. She could feel his growing arousal through his thin pajama trousers.

In two quick movements, Hermione suddenly found herself spun around and perched on the counter, her legs wrapped around Ron as his lips crashed into hers hungrily. He tasted of mint with a hint of chocolate—always chocolate.

Her arms and legs worked in tandem to pull him as close as she could, while his hands moved up her bare thighs under the short dressing gown that she wore. His fingers gripped her ass tightly, rocking her into him.

"Ron," she breathed out again, the plea spoken against his lips. He grinned at her and released her ass with one hand to push his pajama trousers down his legs. Hermione opened her legs wider as he moved her already-soaked knickers to the side and pushed himself inside.

They sighed together at the familiar feeling of their connection. Hermione threw her head back and smiled as Ron rocked into her, his rhythm already driving her wild. She marveled at the simple, ordinary act of making love in their kitchen. He was hers and she was his, and this home was theirs. The day was theirs. This life was theirs.

"Just there, Ron," she moaned. "Don't stop!"

"Mm-mm," he grunted, letting her know he had no intention of stopping. His face burrowed into her neck, his lips attached themselves to her collarbone, and his hands had completely opened her dressing gown. One hand snuck its way under her—no, his—shirt and grabbed onto her breast, while the other remained flat against the small of her back, keeping her in place as he drove into her. "Fuck," he groaned. "Come for me, Mione. You gotta…" His voice was strained and Hermione knew he was close but was attempting to hold back for her. She was right there.

"So close, love," she panted. "So—AAHH!" Ron had pushed his shirt up exposing her breasts, and latched his lips around a taut peak. At the same time, he'd adjusted the angle in just the right way. He knew just how to send her over the edge. "Ron!" Her climax hit her harder than a branch of the Whomping Willow, waves of pleasure flowing rampant throughout her body.

Ron answered with his own release barely a second later, growling in her ear as he spasmed deep inside her. "Fuck, love," he moaned. They held each other as they both recovered from their orgasms, their breaths coming in huffs and aftershocks flowing over them.

Ron pulled out of her gingerly and leaned on the counter, one arm on either side of her. Hermione grabbed her wand and mumbled a cleansing charm then leaned her head back onto the cupboard, eyeing her red-faced lover.

"Someone woke up quite randy this morning," she teased.

Ron shook his head. "I really didn't." He chuckled. "I had honest intentions when I came in here, I promise—I was actually hungry for food and really only meant to hug and kiss you good morning." He leaned down and pulled his pajama trousers up his legs until they settled low on his hips, where his hands then rested. "But then I smelled you instead and felt you and…" he shrugged, "I had to have you."

Hermione smiled and placed her hands on either side of his cheeks. She pulled him in for a light kiss. "Well, feel free to act on these impulses, Mr. Weasley. That was a very enjoyable start to my morning."

"Will do, Mrs. Weasley," he grinned.

"Still hungry?"

"Starved now."

Hermione laughed. "I'll bet you are. Worked up a bit of an appetite, didn't we?" She hopped down from the counter and righted her dressing gown. "Good thing I had just put a warming charm over these," she picked up the plates and walked them over to the table. "I was going to go and wake you. Can you grab two cups of tea, please?"

As they both settled at the table and began to eat, Hermione took a moment to marvel that this was her life—this was their life. Together. She could definitely get used to mornings like this.

If only the slight pang in her heart could cease. But she supposed that was something else she would have to get used to.

"Been meaning to ask you," Ron said in between bites of eggs and bacon, "yesterday you mentioned some research you have to do. What are you researching?"

Hermione chewed her toast and took a sip of her tea. "A few different things, actually," she said. "Not all at once, mind. I'll be taking my time, but I plan to learn all I can about some of these laws that pertain to Muggle-borns and may still be in effect. I had a chat with Kingsley about it all and he said to let him know what ideas I had regarding them. I also plan to look more into the law surrounding elf rights-"

Ron let out a small groan. "Will S.P.E.W. be a new department at the Ministry soon?"

Hermione rolled her eyes and continued, ignoring his remark. "I just want to do what I can to be sure that house elves are treated fairly and no longer abused. While I'm at it, the rights and treatment of goblins and other magical creatures as well."

"That's a lot of research, Mione."

"As I said, it will be a slow collection of information since my focus will be on NEWT studies. Just a bit here and there." Ron nodded and continued to eat while Hermione chewed on her lip in thought. "There's…something else too," she finally admitted.

"Forgot to mention merpeople rights?" Ron chuckled and glanced up at her, but his smile slipped when he noticed her worried expression. "What?

Hermione cleared her throat. "I want to do my own research on um…on the Cruciatus Curse and the Sterilis Effect that was used on me. As well as magical and Muggle…infertility."

"Hermione…"

"I know, Ron." Hermione put her fork down and twisted her hands on the table. "I don't expect to find anything that will help me, but perhaps if I have a better understanding…I'll…I don't know…" She sighed and her shoulders slumped, her eyes trained on the table. "Maybe it will be easier to accept it all."

Ron reached across the table and took Hermione's hands in his. "I understand," he said quietly. "I think that's actually a good idea." She looked up at his eyes and could actually feel his understanding at that moment. "And who knows…maybe you will find something. Even if whatever you find helps someone else…"

Hermione smiled. "I just hope to help someone," she said quietly. "It would be great if it were me, but just as amazing if it's another."

Hermione bustled into Weasley's Wizard Wheezes later that day, sidestepped a quivering Dungbomb, ducked to avoid a Fanged Frisbee, and stood on her tiptoes until she caught sight of Ron's brilliant red hair. She hurried towards him and smiled when he turned and spotted her.

"Hiya, love," he bent to kiss her before returning to fixing the display of Broom Broom Kits. "One of the Fanged Frisbees gone rogue," he explained. "Savy's trying to wrangle it and put it out of commission until we can figure out how to correct the magic. I'm almost done here then we can go. Sully will take over for the evening."

Savannah "Savy" Hart and Sullivan Fawley, or Sully, were two of the employees the twins had hired to help Ron open the Hogsmeade branch. They were both Hufflepuffs from the twins year who jumped at the chance to work for the store. Sully, who had retail experience, was the assistant store manager.

When Ron glanced back at Hermione, who was bouncing on her toes, he chuckled. "What's got you happier than a niffler at Gringott's?"

"I got a job," Hermione beamed.

"Yeah," Ron said slowly, surveying his work then stepping back to face Hermione. "You were with McGonagall today right? Checking in on the ickle firsties? How'd it go?"

"Oh, yes, I was, and it all went great," Hermione waved him off, "but that's not what I meant. I got a job at Tomes Scrolls!"

"Hermione," Ron groaned. "You already-"

"It's only a couple weekends a month—inventory time and Hogwarts' Hogsmeade weekends. And I'll help out around the holidays…very part-time."

"You've got a lot on your plate already, love."

"Well, now that term has started, there won't be as much for me to do as Muggle-born Liaison except checking in with the new students and speaking to McGonagall about future endeavors, which I'll do on our Fridays at Hogwarts. Aside from that, I'll have schoolwork and my research…plenty of time for both!"

"And for your husband?" Ron pouted and slid his arms around her waist drawing her close.

"Ron," she giggled, "I will always have time for you."

"Good answer." He pulled her into his chest for a hug but loosened his grip when she squealed.

"Just think of the discount!"