Ron was much more relaxed on Wednesday morning. That nagging buzz that had been building over the summer was gone. The enigma of this new witch finally settled and he was right. He had met her before. He'd expected the fascination to be done with, however, last night he found he couldn't sleep. Instead, he lay in bed trying to remember those first few months at Hogwarts.

He had a vague recollection of a curly haired, know it all, whose nose was often stuck in a book. Ravenclaw's always had all the bloody answers but there had definitely been this one girl whose hand shot in the air in response to every question, ever asked. He was sure his 11-year-old self had rolled his eyes at her on more than one occasion. In fact, he might have even elbowed Harry in the ribs and called her a nightmare after a particularly frustrating charms class.

Wingardium Lev-i-o-saaaaaaa

Bits and pieces of September and October from 1991 occupied his thoughts. Memories of getting constantly lost and running through the halls with Harry. The bewilderment at the never ending delicious food and puddings. The excitement of his first proper flying lesson that landed Harry as Gryffindor seeker. Git, he thought fondly.

It had been a while since he'd thought back over his early years at Hogwart's, the later years overshadowed them horribly as he gave everything to help his best mate fulfil his destiny. But thinking about 1st year left him with a feeling warm and fuzzy. What he wouldn't give to spend an evening in the common room, walloping Harry's ass at wizard chess. Back when they didn't have a care in the world.

He hadn't known Hermione well back then, if at all, but that wild haired book worm was most definitely the witch walking past the joke shop daily. She had grown into a woman, well, she'd developed into a woman. She hadn't done much growing as far as he could see, she was barely as tall as his shoulder. But, as he took time to consider it, she had turned into a beautifully attractive woman.

He thought over their brief encounter yesterday. He thought about those deep chocolate brown eyes and the way her face lit up when she'd smiled up at him. He realised that he really wanted to see that again, in fact he wanted to be the reason for making her smile. He wanted to take another look at those laughter lines on her perfect skin. It felt easy to talk to her for those few moments. She was welcoming and hadn't made a fuss about who he was. It had just been nice. There's every chance it was the first normal conversation he'd had with a stranger since the war.

Generally, he didn't put much effort into getting to know people outside of his circle of trust. Especially women, he found it difficult to connect with them on anything other than a physical level. He could chat them up sure but he knew it didn't require much skill. The only thing any of them ever seemed interested in was meeting Harry. And he never let that happen. He never brought a girl home to Grimmauld Place, always went to their place. That way he could keep the crazies away from his best mate and bail first thing in the morning. He was lonely sometimes, ever since Harry properly got with Ginny he felt like a bit of a third wheel. Sure there was always the lads, Dean, Seamus, Neville or his brothers but it wasn't the same.

He woke up on Wednesday morning deciding to make every attempt to get to know this girl better. Call it nosiness or whatever, surely there was no harm in having a few more posh coffees? Hanging out at Bewitched Brews during her morning break wasn't weird at all right?! If all else fails, he'll at least get to enjoy that caramel whatever it's called.

That is bloody amazing.

He saw her walk past the window at her usual time and grabbed his jacket. Maybe he could catch her up. "Off out." He announced.

But before he could reach the door George skidded to a stop in front of him. "Ohhhh where to Ronniekins?" He practically sang.

"Can I come? Could do with some air myself." Fred slid in beside George linking arms and completely blocking his way out.

"No you can't bloody well come." Ron groaned. Why do they always have to be such a blooming torture he thought, trying to step around the pair.

"Where are you off to Ronnie? Your break isn't for another 20 minutes!" George said sternly, tapping his wrist as the pair shimmied sideways to keep the exit blocked.

"For Merlin's sake, I own the effing place, I'll take a break when I damn well please! Now MOVE!" Ron tried to push through between their interlocked arms.

"Part own! Harsh word's baby brother. You may have had the dosh but where would you be without our genius?" Fred huffed as they sprung him backwards into the store. Maintaining the blockade.

"Yeah, yeah, you're the brains, I know! Gits!" Ron ducked to go under the joined elbows.

"Now, now! Less of that! Tell us where you're off to and we'll get out of the way." George offered innocently.

"Promise." Fred agreed, crossing his heart with his free hand.

"Right, I'm going for coffee." Ron was now shouldering George with all his might.

"And…who are you going for coffee with?" George panted trying to resist the force of his considerably strong yet younger brother.

"No one!" Ron shouted.

"Roooooooooooon." Fred warned.

"FINE! I'm hoping to talk to Hermione." He finally admitted, rolling his eyes. Why they needed to hear it out loud was a mystery to him.

"Her-mi-one?" The twins sang in unison as the wrestling match paused momentarily. Fred's head now locked under Ron's arm and George twisted around him turning him into a Ron sandwich.

"What sort of name's Hermione." Fred asked from somewhere below.

"I dunno, that's just her name. Now can I please go before her break finishes and I miss her." Ron pleaded.

"Of course you can! Why didn't you just say you had a date, baby bro." George announced and patted him on the back.

"I don't have a date!" Ron shot back.

"Ok well enjoy your stalking then." Fred bowed low as he opened the shop door and the familiar tingle rang out.

"Fuck off" He shouted over his shoulder as he finally escaped the shop. "Prats." He whispered under his breath. Well his plan to fall into step with her on the way to the coffee shop was ruined. But maybe he could still find an opportunity to strike up a conversation once he was there.

Those thoughts were fleeting as he entered the shop a minute later. It was busier than it had been yesterday. An elderly witch and wizard were sitting at the table in the window watching the world go by. Another middle aged gentleman was also sitting at a table wearing a muggle suit and was reading the Daily Prophet. There were a few people queued at the counter, Hermione first in line. Ron groaned as he recognised a voice before he saw the owner. Second in line and of course chatting up Hermione was the most pompous twat he'd ever been unfortunate enough to meet, also known as Cormac McFuckingLaggan.

Cormac had been a pain in Ron's ass all through 6th year at Hogwart's. Repeatedly trying to steal his place on the Gryffindor Quidditch team and constantly flirting with his first girlfriend. Not that he'd particularly cared about the flirting. Lavender hadn't been the love of his life but it was the principal of the thing! And now here was the man himself chatting up Hermione…errrr…whatever her surname was. Cormac had the knack for inserting himself into Ron's life where he was least wanted. It really shouldn't be a surprise to see him here, in this particular coffee shop, at this particular time, chatting up the one witch in the whole world Ron might want to get to know.

He nearly turned on his heel right there but the smell of the freshly brewed coffee and morbid curiosity pulled him into the shop where he hovered a few steps behind them in the queue and took to eavesdropping. Of course it would be impossible not to overhear given how loudly Cormac liked to boast.

"Just popped into Diagon Alley for a business meeting. I'm very high up in banking you see. Had an important meeting at Gringotts first thing this morning…" Ron rolled his eyes. "And I'm quite the coffee connoisseur. These beans aren't entirely…the blend isn't properly…" Ron zoned in and out of Cormac's monologue, losing concentration because a) it was as dull as dishwater and b) he was rather distracted watching Hermione. She was chewing her lower lip and tucked a stray curl behind her ear. She looked slightly uncomfortable in Cormac's overpowering presence but she was being polite, nodding along.

Ron could also see the coffee shop owner, Clara, shooting daggers. She obviously took her coffee making very seriously and this arse was blatantly slagging her skills in the middle of her own shop.

Honestly…the greatest wanker to ever emerge from Gryffindor.

"Well I think the coffee is wonderful here." Hermione finally interjected and gave the shop keep an encouraging smile. Ron's heart swelled a little with the realisation she was genuinely a nice person.

Blah blah blah…Ron thought, his frustration building as Cormac continued his ramble. He was holding up the whole show with his shameless self-promotion.

"You're available to sit in with me?" Cormac kind of asked, kind of told Hermione. "Let me buy your coffee? And how about a little sweet treat? I don't often indulge, got to keep lean for the Quidditch season." Cormac patted his stomach while Ron suppressed laughter. "Did you know I play? Could have turned professional. I'll tell you all about it. One cake between us won't do any harm, we can share." Ron thought he might be sick as Cormac waggled his sleazy eyebrows at Hermione. He couldn't believe this guy, he hadn't even let the poor girl speak, he was just talking at her. "Let me see, let me see…" Cormac leaned over the glass fronted display cabinet. "What have you got, oh a slice of sticky chocolate cauldron cake, one plate, two forks…How YUM!"

Ugh, leave it to effing McLaggen to ruin chocolate cake. Wanker!

"Actually I'm sorry but I won't be able to join you. I really must get back to work. My morning break is almost over." Hermione rushed to say when he took a breath causing Ron to smirk.

"That's a pity. Cancel the cake! How about another time?" Cormac asked, turning to her and reaching to touch her elbow. A sudden rush of anger fizzled up Ron's spine and his fist flexed involuntarily ready to grab his wand.

"Umm, maybe." Hermione said but backed away from his touch.

"Great, where do you work? I'll pop in sometime?" Cormac asked.

"Oh…ahh…the joke shop, turn left as you go back onto Diagon Alley." She said causing Ron to smirk again. He was relieved to realise she was trying to get rid of Cormac and pleased to be connected to her deception.

"The joke shop?" Cormac sounded disgusted. "I took you for a more…er…serious witch than one who might work in a joke shop."

Ron cleared his throat loudly, the pair turned to face him. Hermione wide eyed and flushed, clearly surprised to see him and knowing she'd been caught in her lie. Recovering she flashed him a smile, her face a mixture of mischief and begging.

"Morning McLaggan. You should definitely stop by sometime. No finer establishment to buy your puking pastilles." Ron said, trying his best to mock Cormac's pompous attitude.

"Weasley! Long-time no see." Cormac clapped him unnecessarily hard on the shoulder.

Could've gone longer.

"Uh huh." Ron grunted.

"Yes well, some of us have to do the serious things in life. We can't all flitter our time away selling tat." Cormac gave a fake laugh and continued leering at Hermione.

"True, true. We can't all have sticks stuck right up our arse." Ron muttered. Great thing about twits like Cormac, they never actually listen to what people say to them. Too preoccupied by their own self-importance. Hermione however burst into a fit of giggles which she tried to cover with a fit of coughing.

"What was that Weasley?" Cormac narrowed his eyes suspiciously.

"Oh nothing. Just saying…different strokes for different folks."

"Yes. Quiet."

There was a second of awkward silence before Hermione took her chance to escape.

"Yes, well that's me. Always joking around! Nice to have met you, Cormac. Goodbye." Hermione grabbed her coffee and hurried to leave as Clara asked McLaggan to repeat his order.

She paused as she made eye contact with Ron and let another giggle. "Hello again."

"Hello." He quirked an eyebrow and grinned at her, letting her know he'd overheard it all. "I'll…uh…see you back at the store then." He leaned down and practically whispered in her ear.

"Yes. Quiet." She laughed and headed off before Cormac could get his coffee. Ron strongly suspected Clara was taking much pleasure in keeping him waiting.

Ron got his own hot sweet drink and sipped it happily walking back to work. Ok, so he hadn't had a chance to chat with her again but he did get to witness her swerve a date from Cormac McLaggan and it had been bloody hilarious! He replayed the conversation, picking it apart for nuggets of information. She had a wicked sense of humour which he liked and the thought occurred to him that she'd not had the inclination to lie to him about where she worked. Had to be a good sign, right? He stepped back into Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes.

"Well, any luck with the mission today?" George shouted before the door had even closed.

"Umm kinda." He shrugged.

"So you asked her for a date?" Fred bounded out of the store room for the debrief.

"What? No! Not like that, it was just…umm…interesting." Ron shrugged.

"Ron for Merlin's sake, what are you waiting for?" Fred pushed.

"I just…I didn't get the…who said I wanted to ask her for a date anyways?" He huffed wishing they would just bugger off.

"Right that's it, you need a wingman. I'm coming with you tomorrow!" George stated.

"What!? No, for fucks sake no way. Just leave me be." Ron practically whined.

"Nope I agree! Georgie's going with you tomorrow Ronnie. You need professional help! You clearly have no clue how to talk to witches sober!"

"Yes I do!"

"No you don't! We've never seen you with a lady unless you're tipsy as a garden gnome on fermented apples."

Ron sighed. Maybe they had a point, but there was no way in hell he was letting either one of them embarrass him in front of Hermione. "I'll ask Harry!" He promised, hopeful they would lay off.

"Really?" George raised an eyebrow.

"Really, I'll owl him right now. He'll wingman me!"

"Ok, but if you come back again without having asked her for a date so help us Ron…GEORGE IS GOING IN!" Fred called after him as Ron retreated into the office and slammed the door.

"Yeah, yeah I heard you!" He muttered to himself. He ran his fingers through his hair as he wondered how'd he'd gotten himself into this ridiculous situation. He grabbed some parchment and urgently scribbled a message to his best mate.

Harry,

Forge being wankers.

Come with me for coffee

break tomorrow morning?

10.25am?

Don't be a prat.

Ron

Pig arrived back a few hours later, Harry's response as always making Ron laugh.

Ron,

No doubt you'll explain what

in Merlin's going on later?

How could I say no when you've

asked so beautifully?

Don't you be a prat!

H