Just a Wizard

Chapter Six

Ron grinned as he followed her, marvelling at how she'd changed in just a few days. He knew exactly where he was going to take her and, unless he missed his guess, there was no way on earth she would be able to afford the price tag on the designer dresses. Still, it would be enjoyable watching her face, especially when he paid for it without batting an eyelash. She was anything but a gold-digger, and he knew it, having been out with a few of them in his time. He found it enjoyable teasing her because she was so easy to get a rise out of.

A short while later he pulled up outside a row of exclusive muggle boutiques, nodding to the doorman nearest to them as he exited the car.

Hermione stared at the shop they were directly outside of and her mouth fell open, especially when she saw that he obviously knew the doorman. "You know him?"

"Sure," Ron said easily.

"But this place is...well it's so..."

"Exclusive? Elegant?"

"Actually I was going to say expensive," she admitted, grimacing.

"I guess it is, but I'm not poor anymore Ninny, in case you hadn't guessed. Why? Do you think I don't know how to dress properly?" He arched an eyebrow down at her, amusement dancing in his eyes.

"No! I mean, of course you can dress properly, you looked very nice last night. I just wouldn't have thought that a place like this would be your cup of tea."

"My cup of tea? As a matter of fact, the suit I wore last night came from here, so it should have looked good. But we're not here for me today," he said, placing one large hand in the small of her back to guide her inside the posh store. "Today we're going to find you something stunning to wear."

Hermione remembered what she had said about being able to pay for her own dress and swallowed the sudden dryness in her throat. How could she get out of this without letting him know she couldn't afford a dress from here, at least not without a lot of help. Nor would she feel comfortable accepting a dress from him, not with the sort of price tag the label must carry, she thought as she tried not to look awkward or gauche in front of the elegant staff.

Surprisingly the two female staff members who walked forward to greet them didn't make her feel uncomfortable at all. They asked what it was she was looking for and she was about to say that she wasn't sure when Ron told them she needed a classic little black dress for evening wear, together with everything that went with it. The women sat them both down and instantly went off to select some dresses for them to look at.

Hermione glanced around nervously and then realised Ron was staring at her, a small smile playing around his firm lips. "What?" she asked quietly.

He shook his head, the smile getting a little wider. "Nothing. Just looking."

"Oh," Hermione said, frowning. Looking at what? She wondered, although she didn't voice the question. Her eyes flitted about for another second, before they settled back on his face. Now would be the perfect time to tell him she couldn't afford these sort of clothes, and she took a deep breath to begin. "Ron, I er...well...couldn't we go and shop somewhere else?"

Ron studied her carefully, noting how nervous she seemed to be in these surroundings, and he felt his smile get even wider. "Now why would I want to do that? Don't you like the clothes in here?"

"They're lovely, but they're so expensive. I can't...I can't really afford anything from here. I'd feel more comfortable somewhere else, really."

"You haven't got any reason to feel uncomfortable here, and I'm well aware that you can't afford these clothes. That doesn't mean I can't afford them and I want to buy you something nice to wear. Is that a problem?"

"I guess not, I just...I'm not sure I'd feel right accepting..."

"Stop right there. I don't know what you think my motives are, but I'm not expecting anything in return, okay?"

"Oh, I didn't think...I just didn't want you to waste your money, I didn't think you'd want anything in return!"

"And if I had?" Ron said, wondering what she would have done if he had expected her to share his bed.

"Then I couldn't accept the dress...or anything else." She surprised herself at how strongly she managed to say those words, but she meant them. There was no way she would accept anything at all from him if he expected favours from her in bed. She frowned. "You don't, do you?"

"What? Want anything in return?" Ron pursed his lips as though thinking. "I might want something, is that a problem?"

Hermione wished she was better at gauging his expression, because she couldn't tell whether he was being serious or not, but her heart starting sinking just the same. "No. No it's not a problem," she said quietly, standing up suddenly and walking out of the shop before he could stop her.

"Oh, shite," Ron muttered as he watched her walk away. He hadn't been serious, but she didn't know him well enough anymore to know that and now he felt awful because she looked quite upset. He stood up and followed her outside, finding her marching briskly down the street away from the store, her head down. Her short legs were no match for his and he caught her up in seconds, gently taking her arm and stopping her progress.

"Hey," he said softly, bending slightly to get a look at her face. He cursed himself again when he saw tears in her eyes, although she looked angry not upset at the moment. "I didn't mean it, I was just kidding."

When she didn't say anything he got down on his knees in front of her and stared into her face. "I'm sorry. I forgot that you're not used to my sense of humour, I would never have hurt you, Ninny, or expected anything at all from you....except maybe a kiss. Am I forgiven?"

Hermione stared into the eyes of the big handsome man who was kneeling in front of her and tried not to smile at how ridiculous he looked, but it was a losing battle. She saw his eyes light up as her mouth curved and she nodded. "Yes, you're forgiven, but you haven't really done anything. I'm just being foolish."

He stood up and took her hands, rubbing his thumbs over her smooth knuckles. "No you're not, I am. You didn't feel comfortable in that store and it didn't all have to do with the fact that you couldn't afford one of the dresses there, did it?" When she shook her head he continued, "You'd feel more at home in a regular store wouldn't you? Even a bargain one? And you'd probably rather eat at a burger joint than some fancy restaurant, am I right?"

"Well, yes," she admitted, shrugging.

Ron grinned at her. "Then why didn't you say so? I love burgers and I would much rather wear nice ordinary clothes than dress robes, even if I do look absolutely fantastic in them!"

"Big head," she muttered, smirking at him and relaxing finally because she now knew he still had similar tastes to her own.

"Yeah, but I'm also telling the truth. I do look fantastic in a nice robes, don't I?"

"You looked okay I suppose," Hermione said, shrugging. "Nothing special."

"Nothing special? You must need your eyes tested! I am one great specimen of manhood, as you said before, and I'll have you know that you are extremely fortunate to have me for a date!" Ron said, folding his arms over his chest and glaring at her, his mouth twitching.

"If you say so," she said, starting to walk back to where the car was parked. When she realised Ron wasn't next to her she turned to see what he was doing. He was standing exactly where she had left him with his arms still folded, giving her his deadliest glare, a glare that was ruined slightly by the curve to his lips.

Hermione walked slowly back to him and stood in front of him, gazing up into his eyes. "What?" she asked in a long-suffering tone.

"What do you mean 'what'? You know what. We're not going anywhere until you tell me how good I look in a nice robes and how wonderful it is to date me!" he said, raising one eyebrow and looking impossibly arrogant.

"If I told you those things your head would get even bigger, so I won't," she replied, matching his pose and giving him a smug smile.

"Is that right? Are you sure you about that? I can be real persuasive, you know."

"I just bet you can. Still, I'm not saying it and you can't make me," she said recklessly, then instantly regretted it when an unholy light entered his eyes.

"Can't I?" he asked, moving a step closer and smiling wickedly at her.

"Well, okay...er...maybe you could," she said, about to take a backwards step. But his hands shot out and grabbed her, lifting her up until her eyes were level with his.

"Only maybe?" he enquired, holding her in front of him.

Hermione looked around and noticed that they were beginning to attract attention, what with them standing in the middle of the pavement so people had to walk around them to get past. "People are looking!" she whispered, her wide eyes shooting to his.

"They'll be looking even more in a second," he murmured, pulling her against him so she could balance herself with her hands on his shoulders while his arms went around her.

"What are you doing?" she gasped, a blush creeping into her face.

"Persuading you to my way of thinking," he said, leaning forward and fusing his mouth to hers before she could say anything else. He watched her eyes close almost instantly as his lips teased hers and allowed his own eyes to drift closed, savouring the feel of her soft mouth under his. He expertly opened her mouth so his tongue could have access and deepened the kiss until he had to stop so he could breathe. His head drew back and watched as her eyes very slowly opened, staring at him in bewilderment.

"Have you been properly persuaded yet?" he asked, his voice very deep and husky.

"Persuaded?" she croaked out, trying to remember what they had been talking about. Her mind was a blank when he kissed her.

"Hmm. You have something to tell me," he said, not putting her down, enjoying the feel of her small body against his.

"I do?" she asked, staring at his mouth and wondering if he'd kiss her again.

Ron saw the look and bit off a groan. "You keep looking at me like that and we'll be doing more than kissing in front of all these people, sweetheart. Tell me what I want to hear. Am I a great date or what?"

Hermione came back down to earth enough to realise what he was talking about and she debated whether to deny him or not. She liked the persuasion.

"Or what," she whispered, looking hopefully at his mouth again, totally unashamed.

"Hussy," Ron whispered, taking her mouth again only harder this time, wondering if he'd ever get enough of it. When he stopped he could feel her shaking and see the desire in her eyes. "Tell me."

"You looked incredibly handsome in your dress robes. You'd look handsome in anything, and you look really sexy in jeans," she said obligingly, hanging limply against him.

His eyes lit up at her words. "Sexy huh? And am I a great date?"

Hermione smiled and looked innocently at him. "Yes, you're a very great date, very old indeed."

He couldn't help but smile. "I didn't mean it like that. Want me to use a little more persuasion? I'd really love to but we're getting a bit of an audience now."

Hermione looked behind them to where he indicated and saw a couple of teenagers nudging each other and laughing. She went red to the roots of her hair and hid her face in his neck, feeling his chest rumble as he chuckled.

"Want to tell me what I want to hear now? Or shall we give them a show?" he asked, teasing her, delighted that she was clinging to him for protection.

"You're the best date in the world," she mumbled into his shoulder.

"Now, Ninny, you aren't just saying that because you're embarrassed are you? That'd hurt my feelings, you know," he said, nudging her face away from his shoulder with his chin.

She looked up and saw, behind the teasing, that he really wanted to know. She couldn't believe that he was insecure in any way, and her eyes softened as she looked at him. "I really mean it. You're the most handsome man I've ever met, and yet you look dangerous and that worried me at first. But you're so nice to me, so gentle really. I couldn't imagine anyone else being such a wonderful date."

Ron felt his face heat at her words, unused to being complimented. "I'm not that nice Hermione."

"Maybe not to other people, but you are to me. You make me feel...I don't know...I guess you make me feel safe," she said, looking serious now. "I haven't known what that feels like for quite some time."

Ron stared at her for a few seconds, stunned that he could have made her feel all this in the short time they'd been back together. He felt himself heat up and he pulled her into a tight embrace, nuzzling her neck. "I'm glad. You'll never feel anything else with me, I promise. I'll always be the perfect gentleman."

"Thank you," she whispered, smiling against his shoulder. "You are going to kiss me again though aren't you?"

"Believe me sweetheart, I won'tbe that much of a gentleman! I like kissing you too much, and I guess you feel the same huh?" he asked, raising one eyebrow at her instant nod. "Well, we certainly can't stay here and do it, not unless you want to be stared at again?"

He chuckled at her blush and put her down on her feet, taking her hand and strolling casually back to his car.

Hermione found herself almost running to keep up with him and he glanced at her with amusement before slowing down. "You're a midget, y'know," he remarked, grinning as they reached the car and she swatted his arm. He rubbed his bicep and frowned. "But you sure as hell pack a punch."

"As if it hurt!" Hermione scoffed as he handed her into the car, still trying to regain her composure after his kisses. She watched him as he folded his larger body into the drivers' seat and turned to look at her, his eyes sparkling when he saw how she was studying him.

"You'll have to wait," he said, smiling slyly as he started the car.

"Wait? For what?" she asked, confused because she couldn't remember asking for anything.

"To ravish me. I know you want to, but I can't let you do things like that to me in a public place, it's illegal. Maybe after we've been together for a couple of months, who knows?" He grinned at her, moving the car out into the traffic and heading towards Remus' rented house.

"Ravish you?" Hermione asked, her eyes wide.

"Mmm-hmm. Although it's very tempting, of course, I have to think of my reputation. What would the other agents think of me if I let you have your way with me? My name would be mud."

Hermione tried not to laugh and failed, earning a stern look from Ron before he turned his attention back to the road. "It's not funny! I'd never be able to hold my head up in public again, plus you'd lose all respect for me once you'd had your wicked way with me!"

"And you wouldn't let me?" she asked, tongue in cheek.

"Well...maybe..." he said hesitantly, then made a show of gritting his teeth and shaking his head. "No! No, I wouldn't. Stop trying to tempt me, you saucy wench!"

Hermione grinned at him. "Aw, and I was going to have so much fun, too!" she said, shrugging and turning away, watching as they drove past the gates to the house.

Ron stopped the car and turned to her, leaning casually back against the door until she looked at him.

"What?" she asked, looking at him suspiciously.

"You were going to have fun huh? What sort of fun? What did you have planned then?"

"Nothing you need to know about. At least, not anymore, you said you wouldn't let me!" she said, trying for a nonchalant look. "I couldn't possibly tell you all my secret plans now."

Ron grabbed her chin and pulled her towards him. "Try," he said softly, giving her a look that could have melted steel. He watched as she swallowed and her eyes grew wider. "Tell me how you'd seduce me Hermione Jane Granger," he said, using her full name for the first time.

"I...I wouldn't...know where to begin," she said haltingly, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Sure you would," he said, taking her hands and drawing them onto his chest. "You could start here, then you could just let your hands do their own thing. Maybe this'll help," he said, flicking open a couple of buttons on his shirt so she could have free access to his skin. He pulled one of her hands just inside the opening and then let go of her wrist, letting her do what she wanted. She hesitated at first, but she couldn't drag her eyes or her hand away from his chest and she ran her fingers over the large pad of muscle, glancing up curiously when he tensed at her exploration.

"It's okay," he said softly, settling back against the door more comfortably.

She swallowed and looked back at his chest, moving her other hand up so she could run them across the breadth of his torso, feeling each muscle as she did so. She had never really taken the time to touch a man like this before and she was curious about how it felt, curious to find all the differences, and she took full advantage of Ron's supine state.

He found himself smiling indulgently as he watched her explore everything above the waist, but her hands never went below his belt and he found it amusing. Most women he had been with had been the ones to initiate any moves, usually going straight for the gold instead of anything else. Hermione was entirely different, mainly because she only had an inkling of what to do really, but he liked the fact that she was nearly innocent, that he'd be the first one to show her about true intimacy. Her shy fingers were incredibly arousing, especially when she discovered a flat nipple and toyed with it for a while, watching with curiosity when it hardened. His muscles tensed every time she stroked down over his stomach and he wondered how long he could hold out before he grabbed her hands and put them where he wanted them. He knew he couldn't, that it would probably freak her out, but it wasn't like he could hide what she did to him, it was too obvious.

Eventually she noticed his reaction and stared at the large bulge in his pants with her mouth hanging open.

"Oh," she said, her eyes shooting up to his.

"Well don't look so shocked, you made it like that," Ron said, his lips curling at her red face.

"I didn't realize..." she said, her eyes briefly dropping again.

"That's a load of bollocks! Of course you knew what you were doing you saucy wench. Still, it isn't like we can do anything about it here, so we'll just ignore it okay?" he said with deathbed humour.

Hermione bit her lip and tried to look away from his body, managing it with some difficulty. She opened her mouth to ask him a question and then thought better of it, clearing her throat and looking at anything but him.

"What's up? You want to ask me something?" Ron asked, drawing her against him and groaning when her body pressed over his aroused flesh.

"Oh, sorry..." she mumbled, trying to draw away from him.

"Don't you move," he said, smiling at her. "You don't want to make it worse do you?" His smile grew wider when she frantically shook her head. "What did you want to ask?"

"I...er...nothing, it doesn't matter," she said, still red-faced.

"You can ask me anything, you know. No matter how rude," he grinned at her.

"Does it...er...does it hurt? Men have always told me it does..." she mumbled, glancing down just once to let him know what she meant.

"Sort of. It aches. Haven't you ever felt that way?" he asked, staring into her clear brown eyes.

"I don't think so," she said honestly, "except when you kiss me, sometimes it feels...odd."

Ron brightened and a grin spread slowly across his face. "Odd huh? In what way?"

Hermione frowned. "I'm not sure. Just...odd. I feel sort of hot and swollen..."

"Mmm-hmm. I feel sort of hot and swollen too," he murmured wickedly, laughing when she looked at him in shock. "What?" he asked innocently.

"You're rude," she said, her face relaxing in a smile even though she still felt her cheeks burning.

"Yeah, that I am, and you'd better get used to it, because I get a whole lot worse than this," he said, a big grin still on his face. He quickly fastened his shirt and then smoothed her dishevelled hair with one big hand. "Come on, we'd better get you inside before I do something very unwise in this car. Hell, it isn't even big enough for what I have in mind anyway!"

"It isn't?" she asked, looking at the size of the car and then at the size of him. "Oh, I guess it isn't," she mumbled, her mind bringing up all sorts of informative images for her.

"You guess right," he said, smiling at her, his eyes flicking to beyond her shoulder briefly and then looking at her again. "Plus the fact that Remus just apparated and is standing beside your window looking like he wants to kill me. I suppose we'd better try and look like we haven't been doing anything steamy, huh?"

Hermione instantly shot upright in her seat and risked a look out of the window, seeing Remus standing next to the car, looking grim and narrow-eyed. He raised an eyebrow when she went bright red and pointed one finger to the ground in front of him, indicating that he wanted her standing there right now.

Hermione gulped and reached for the door handle, looking at Ron in confusion when he grabbed her hand and stopped her. "What did I tell you before? You just wait there," he said, his eyes twinkling as he got out of the car and strode around to her side, not looking intimidated at all by Remus glaring at him.

He opened her door and took her hand to pull her out, sliding his arm around her shoulders when she stood in front of Remus.

"What do you think you're doing?" Remus asked them both, his voice surprisingly calm.

"Nothing," Hermione said, her voice really quiet.

"Nothing? It didn't look like nothing. Care to explain yourselves?" he said, glaring at Ron.

Ron grinned at him. "Nope." He watched as Remus' face got even angrier.

"What the hell makes you think you can bring her back here and make out in the car, where anyone can see you?" he said, his voice loud now.

Hermione was so embarrassed she wanted to sink through the floor and she couldn't speak. Ron had no such problem. "What the hell gives you the right to question what we do?"

"She's practically my daughter! I have every right to want to protect her!"

"Protect her from what? Me?" Ron yelled back, angry at the way Remus seemed to want to interfere between the two of them.

"Yes, from you! She doesn't know what you're really like, I do, and I will not allow you to treat her in that way!"

Hermione was staring open-mouthed as the two men shouted at each other, her face paling at their obvious anger.

"How the hell do you think you're going to stop me?" Ron asked him, laughing incredulously as he sized the other man up.

"I don't have to stop you, I'll stop her. She can't see you anymore. How's that?"

Neither of the men had even looked at her since they started shouting, so they didn't see her reaction to their words. She was shaking by this point, hating herself for her own cowardice, but scared to death of angry men and with good reason. She didn't notice Emmeline coming out of the house, hadn't even realised that the older woman was inside, she just stood there shaking as Emmeline approached her and put her arm around her shoulders, her face a picture of concern.

"Stop it, both of you. Can't you see what you're doing?" Emmeline said to them sharply and they both stopped and turned to the two women, instantly calming down when they saw the fear on Hermione's face.

"Oh God, I'm sorry Ninny," Ron said, taking a step towards her that she backed away from, an action that shocked him.

"I didn't mean to start a shouting match, I just worry about you..." Remus said, trying to explain himself.

Hermione swallowed and took a deep breath, realising how stupid she must seem to all of them. "It's okay," she whispered, talking to Remus but looking at Ron, because he looked sick at having scared her in any way.

"Hermione," Ron said, looking uncertain of his next move. Hermione put her hand on his arm. "It's okay," she repeated, trying and failing to give him a smile and then turning and walking into the house, needing a few minutes alone to calm down.

Emmeline followed behind her quickly, glaring at her husband and Ron as she left them. When she got in the house she found Hermione standing in the kitchen, leaning on the counter. "You okay poppet?"

Hermione grimaced. "I'm okay, it just freaked me out a bit. I'm such a coward, Merlin they must think I'm dumb. For the love of Dumbledore Emma, what on earth have I become? I'm a Gryffindor for Merlin's sake!" She shook her head and took a deep breath, calming down even as she thought about what had happened.

"They won't think that," Emmeline assured her, filling the coffee pot as she spoke. "Gryffindor or not you've been through one hell of an ordeal and maybe it'll teach Remus not to stick his nose in where you're concerned."

"I don't think he likes Ron anymore," Hermione mused, chewing her lip.

"He likes him well enough, but he doesn't think anyone's good enough for you, that's all. He was that way with Daphne too before she put her foot down," Emmeline replied, thinking about how much her daughters temper matched her husbands, despite them not being blood relatives." All you have to do is show Remus that you won't have him interfering in your life. He'll soon back off."

"Oh, I couldn't! He's not really interfering...it's...sort of nice having someone worry about me," she said, shrugging.

"Sort of nice huh? So are you going to give Ron his marching orders to please Remus?"

Hermione frowned at that thought, then smiled wryly. "I wouldn't want to, I...I really like him. I don't think I'll have to anyway. Ron probably thinks I'm a nutter by now," she said quietly, wondering if he had gone home.

"I don't think you're a nutter," a deep voice said from behind her and Hermione swung around to look at him.

"But I do think I'm a right insensitive git." Hermione blushed at his words and he gave her a smirk.

"I thought you'd be gone by now," she admitted, vaguely aware of Remus creeping into the room.

"Why would I do that?"

"Because of what Remus said..." she tailed off and looked at her former guardian. He rolled his eyes and tried not to look as uncomfortable as he felt.

"I didn't mean what I said, I just didn't expect to come home and get a show in the front drive," he said wryly, giving her a knowing look.

Ron laughed as she blushed. "All we did was kiss," he pointed out to Remus.

"Yeah, right," Remus shot right back, smiling at Ron as he calmed down. "And your hands were on her shoulders right?"

"Thereabouts," Ron said and sent Hermione a wicked grin that made her blush deepen even more. "Merlin you're beautiful," he murmured as he moved closer to her. Her eyes shot up to his and just stared at him, amazed that he would ever say that, let alone in front of the others.

He lifted his hand and held her chin in a firm grasp, his other arm going around her shoulders to draw her slowly against him.

Remus looked from one of them to the other and chewed his lip thoughtfully, thinking that he hadn't seen Ron so serious about someone since he had been married. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad having him and Hermione together after all. She sure changed when she was around him. He looked down as Emmeline grabbed his arm, smiling as she ushered him out of the room so they could leave the younger couple alone.

"Are you going to let her live her own life?" Emmeline whispered as they closed the door.

"I am letting her live her own life," Remus said, frowning.

"No you're not. One minute you say you like Ron being in her life, the next you're threatening him and her. I told you before to make your mind up, but you seem incapable of doing that." Emmeline stared at him and patted his arm. "Don't worry about her so much. Leave her alone and let her do what she needs to do and stop interfering."

"Easy to say," Remus murmured, looking thoughtful.

"Easy to do as well," Emmeline replied, leading him along the hallway to the main sitting room.

"What if he hurts her, you know what he's been like over the last few months."

"Then we'll be here for her," she replied. "But honestly, I don't think he's going to hurt her, he looks completely smitten to me. We'll take her home with us and then see how they get on being apart. I have a feeling Ron will miss her more than he knows!"

Back in the kitchen Ron bent and planted a quick kiss on Hermione's lips, intending to just draw back and then send her off to change so she was ready to go out. But as soon as his mouth made contact with hers he couldn't pull away and deepened the kiss, picking her up and wrapping her in a bear hug. When he finally stopped kissing her she was hanging limply against him, her mouth swollen and her eyes drowsy. "Wow," she croaked.

"Yeah, wow," he echoed, smiling at her. "You do that really well you know."

"I do?" she asked, staring at his mouth again.

"Oh, yeah, you sure do. And you can get that look off your face, witch, you aren't having it again, not yet," he said, grinning wickedly at her. "Go on and get ready to go out, if you want to change. If you don't, well hell Ninny, you look gorgeous as you are and we aren't doing anything but Wizard bowling."

Hermione looked down at her jeans and T-shirt, chewing her lip. It didn't matter what Ron might say, she wanted to look a little nicer for him and she wasn't comfortable in the shirt so she rushed away to change.

She chose a pair of black jeans and a dark green top with a v-neck, staring at her reflection critically. Not too bad, she thought, she at least looked decent in them. She brushed out her hair and then started braiding it so it wouldn't get in her way, making it into a French braid that took her longer than she had anticipated. A small touch of make up that Emmeline had bought her emphasised her large eyes and full lips and she sighed at herself. Okay, she thought, you don't really ever look any better than that.

Emmeline knocked and walked into the room just as Hermione stood up from the dressing table, ready to join Ron and start their evening.

"Oh, you look lovely, Hermione. But you know, there's something missing. Well, two things actually, but I think Ron's going to take care of one of them," Emmeline said, smiling innocently. She held up a bottle of perfume and beckoned Hermione to come closer, giving her a quick spray on the neck and wrists. "There, all set. He'll love that scent."

"It does smell nice," Hermione said, taking in the delicate floral fragrance.

"It should, it cost a fortune. Now, go on downstairs. Ron's in the study with Remus."

"They're not arguing again are they?"

"No, they're sharing a couple shots of Odgens. Typical men, blow up then have a drink together like nothing ever happened. No wonder they can't understand it when we get in a mood for hours!" Emmeline shook her head and pushed Hermione out of the room.

When she got down to the study and walked into the room, the expression on Ron's face when he saw her made her glad she had neatened herself up. His eyebrows rose up and he got up out of the chair to stand towering over her, absently putting his drink on the desk. "You look real beautiful," he drawled, holding his arm out in a gentlemanly fashion and pulling her hand into the crook of it. "You about ready to go?"

She nodded and smiled at Remus as she was pulled out of the room. "Don't bring her back too late," Remus warned Ron as they left, his tone telling him that he may have realised their argument was stupid, but he would still be watching him.

"Yeah, yeah," Ron muttered as he left the house, winking at Emmeline as they did so.

Ron drove them to the local wizards bowl, pulling into a parking spot and turning the engine off before turning to her, his eyes glittering. "You know, that was a waste of time," he said slowly, his eyes fixed on her mouth.

"What was?"

"Putting that lipstick on. It won't be on there very long."

"It won't? Are we eating first then?" she asked, wondering why he was staring at her so intently.

"In a way," he murmured as he pulled her across the seat and onto his lap, his mouth coming down over hers so fast she didn't even have time to take a breath.

When he had kissed her senseless, he pulled back and surveyed his handiwork. "See? All gone," he said, his voice deep and husky.

Hermione giggled, sounding breathless. "You're terrible."

"Ninny, you don't have any idea of how terrible just yet!" he said, leering at her. He got out of the car and then came around to get her out too, holding her in front of him. He reached a hand inside his jacket and pulled out a long velvet box, holding it under her nose expectantly.

"What's that?" she asked.

"It's for you. Go on, take it," he urged her, looking a little unsure of himself.

"For me? But..."

"Come on, take it. It's been burning a hole in my pocket all day," he said, smiling crookedly.

"All day?"

"Yeah, well, you know, I wanted to wait for the right time..." he nodded to the gift again and Hermione took it from him, opening the lid slowly to gaze with astonishment at what lay within. Nestled amid the white satin interior was a gold necklace, a beautiful Amber teardrop pendant attached to it. "Oh my..." she said breathlessly, touching the jewellery with reverence.

"Do you like it?" he asked her hesitantly, frowning.

"It's beautiful. It's really for me?" she asked breathlessly, her wide eyes shooting up to his.

He reached out one big hand and cupped her face in it, his thumb stroking her chin. "It's really for you. When I saw it in the store it made me think of your sparkling eyes and how good it would look on you. I couldn't resist."

"But it's not my birthday or anything and it looks expensive..."

"It doesn't have to be for any special occasion. I bought it because I wanted to see you wearing it, that's all, and I can afford it. It's worth it just to see you smile, too. Come on, let's put it on you," he said, taking the delicate chain out of it's box and turning her around so he could fasten it around her neck. He dropped a kiss on her shoulder and then turned her around, positioning the pendant so it hung in the v of her t shirt. "I knew it would look beautiful on you, and I wasn't wrong."

Hermione looked down at the glistening gem and couldn't get rid of the smile on her face or the slight mist of tears in her eyes. "It's so lovely, it's the nicest thing I've ever been given. Thank you so much," she said softly and then bit her lip, wondering how he would react if she just threw her arms around him.

"Go ahead," he said, smiling broadly at her.

"What?"

"You know you want to hug me, so...go ahead," he invited bending down slightly, grinning when she giggled and then launched herself at him, throwing her arms around his neck and hugging him as hard as she could, her feet leaving the floor as he straightened up with her still clinging to him. He groaned in mock pain and made strangled sounds, which just made her laugh more, before he pulled her back enough so he could see her face.

"Where's my kiss then?" he said, raising one eyebrow expectantly.

"Oh, okay, if I absolutely have to," she mumbled, pressing her lips to his and kissing him as expertly as she was able. He put her down after a while and then took a deep breath, letting the air whistle out between his teeth.

"Well, I suppose we'd better go inside and start enjoying our evening. Personally I'd enjoy it even more out here, but I guess people would stare." He gave another deep chuckle at how flustered she became whenever he said something even slightly outlandish, then he took her into the building.

The place was only half full of wizards and they attracted a few stares from those who recognised Ron, but otherwise they were largely ignored, which he was thankful for. He didn't mind Quidditch fans coming up and asking for autographs, or the pats on the back for things he'd done for the agency that appeared in the prophet, but sometimes it was nice to just relax and be himself, something he could be with Hermione.

He booked a lane for two hours time and walked her into one of the pub/restaurants that thrived in this particular bowling alley and ordered them some burgers and a couple of drinks. Hermione still had her hand in the crook of his arm after they had left the car because every now and then he put his hand over it, making sure she would stay there. She found it sweet that he obviously wanted to touch her and she had to admit that she loved being close to him.

She found herself sitting next to him at a small corner booth and she smiled thankfully when their drinks arrived, hers being a pumpkin juice.

"I thought you'd prefer a pumpkin juice to anything else," Ron said, seeing her smile. He had ordered himself a dark ale and he sat sipping it slowly, watching her as he did so. "It's a nice place isn't it?"

Hermione hadn't really taken much notice of their surroundings, and she quickly scanned the room before returning her gaze to him, her fingers fiddling with the pendant. She hadn't stopped touching it since he gave it to her, almost as if she couldn't believe it was real. "It's very nice," she replied, trying not to sound disinterested, because she was enjoying looking at him, not the restaurant.

He seemed to know that, though, because he slowly started grinning. "Yeah, it is. You like the decor?"

She nodded absently, thinking how handsome he looked when he smiled.

"Really? That being the case, you'd be able to tell me what colour the carpet is without looking," he said, raising one eyebrow and grabbing her chin so she couldn't look down at the floor.

"Er...it's blue?"

"Now, you know, that's the colour of my eyes, and you've been staring at them for some time. But it isn't the colour of the carpet. Want to guess again?"

Her eyes traced his face and he found his breathing starting to deepen at what her eyes were telling him. "Red," she said softly, looking at his hair.

Ron stretched his arm across her shoulders and drew her right up against him, his head bending towards hers. "Wrong answer, now you have to pay the forfeit."

"Forfeit?" she asked, her eyes dropping to his mouth.

"Mmm-hmm, and it could take some time," he replied, kissing her softly, his eyes closing and his brows drawing together as he tasted her again. The sudden arrival of their meal made her jerk back from him in embarrassment, but he just smiled at her antics and thanked the house-elf. "Well, I guess we'll have to continue that later on, won't we?"

Hermione blushed and tried to ignore him as she started eating, but she was aware of him watching her the whole way through the meal.

He behaved himself for the rest of the time they were in the restaurant and eventually it was time to take their bowling alley. "I've never done this before," Hermione admitted. "Is it hard?"

"You're kidding me right? You've never been bowling? Not even in the muggle word?" he asked, looking and sounding amazed that she had never done this before.

"Well, no. Is that a bad thing?"

"No, that isn't a bad thing, but your education is sadly lacking if this is the first time you've been in a bowling alley. Come on, we'll get you started!"

He picked a bowling ball for her which she thought was incredibly heavy, until he told her to try lifting his. "It's a joke one, isn't it? It's glued down!" she gasped, trying to lift it and then staring open-mouthed as he lifted it up as though it were made of cardboard.

"Right, now watch what I do and then try and copy it okay?" he told her, and she watched carefully as he threw the ball down towards the pins, making them all scurry away as the ball neared. "The object of the game is to make them do that all the time. If you don't throw the ball hard enough some will stand their ground, even shoot the ball back towards you on occasion."

It looked easy, she thought. But she found that all she could do was make it go in the gutter. After her fourth try she was getting frustrated and Ron laughed, earning a glare from her. "Whoa, okay, don't kill me with a deadly look! Here, let me help," he said, still laughing as he stood behind her and wrapped his arms around her, making her stop breathing briefly at his proximity. "Hold the ball like this," he told her, his breath moving over her ear, his voice deepening as he pulled her back so she was flush against him. "Then swing back like this, then forward, move like this," he instructed, all the time moving her body in front of him and not letting an inch of space get between them. "Now just let go of the ball, like this," he continued, his hand linking with her fingers when the ball shot down the alley.

"Hey, leave her alone you big pervert!" A deep voice came booming from behind them.

Ron didn't even turn around, instead groaning in her ear.

"Oh God, just when we were having fun," he murmured, chuckling when he looked at her flushed face.

"Hey, Carter," he said, turning around and taking her with him.

Hermione saw Carter making his way towards them, his large hand wrapped possessively around Tabitha's waist. The blonde girl was blushing but had a big smile on her face as she looked at Hermione, moving away from Carter so she could talk to her.

"Hi! I'm so glad you're here," Tabitha said in a quiet voice. "I thought you'd be at the hotel, that's where we had dinner."

"I know, I thought we were going to eat there too, but Ron brought me here." Hermione looked over at Carter who was smiling and chatting to Ron. "You two seem to be getting along well."

"Oh we are, he's so...nice, but..." she broke off and frowned.

"What?" Hermione asked, looking over at Carter again and noticing that both men were looking in their direction.

"Overwhelming! That's why I'm so glad you're here, we'll be able to break the tension a little bit. I get the feeling he wants to lock me in his hotel room and...you know..." she giggled.

"Judging by the way he's looking at you, you could be right. But you know, if you don't want to do anything, you only have to say no."

"That's just the problem. He keeps kissing me and when he does I can't even think straight, let alone speak. He could pretty much do anything he wants and I'd let him. I guess that makes me sound weak, huh?" Tabitha grimaced.

"Not really, I know exactly how you feel," Hermione said, her eyes meeting Ron's and seeing his sparkle as they fixed on her, and her hand lifted to her gift again. "I'm not sure I could say no either."

Tabitha looked at Ron, looking at the way he was watching Hermione. "I'm not sure he'd let you. What's that?" she asked, reaching out and lifting the pendant and chain to admire it. "It's lovely! Where did you get it?"

"Ron gave it to me," Hermione admitted, blushing with pleasure.

"Really? I think someone's in love with you," Tabitha said in a goofy sickly voice, laughing when Hermione frowned at her. "Come on, let's have a drink and do some bowling. You don't mind if we join you, do you? I don't want to get in the way of anything."

Hermione smiled. "It's okay, I'd like you to join us. It'll be fun. You can watch how well I can throw the ball in the gutter. Ron was just trying to teach me how to do it properly when you came in."

"Yeah, I noticed how well he was teaching you," Tabitha said, laughing when Hermione blushed. "Merlin, we're each as bad as the other. I know for a fact I won't have to wear any blusher for the next week or so, my cheeks are never going to be the right colour again!"

"What are you two lovely ladies talking about?" Carter said as he walked up behind them, one hand snaking around the back of Tabitha's neck and tugging her closer to him.

"Just...er...bowling," she said, staring the long way up at him as he put his other arm around her waist.

"Oh yeah? Has Scarlet told you how good she is?" Ron said, pulling Hermione back against his warm body.

"At what?" Carter asked, raising one eyebrow and giving Ron a mocking smile.

"Lay off, mate, or would you prefer to eat a bowling ball?" Ron returned, glaring at the younger man but smiling all the same.

"Okay, fair enough," Carter said, reaching for the ball Ron had been using. "I sort of like bowling with them, rather than eating them. So come on, who's going first? Me? OK then," he said, ignoring everyone and beginning the game, Tabitha laughing as he completely messed up his shot, then squealing when he chased her to the seats to get retribution.

They spent the next couple of hours joking about and laughing and Hermione found herself coming more and more out of her shell. Ron was attentive and charming, ragging her a bit whenever she threw the ball in the gutter, but then going back to teaching her how to do it properly. She loved the feel of him behind her, how it made her feel safe and protected, and she missed a couple of shots on purpose so he would stay with her. Eventually he looked at his watch and sighed. "I guess we'd better call it a night," he said reluctantly, pleased to see that Hermione looked disappointed. "Remus will probably have me beheaded if I get you back too late."

"Hey, it's only ten, that isn't exactly late, you know," Carter moaned, then looked at Ron and grinned. "Oh I see." he said, understanding the strange look on Ron's face.

"What?" Hermione asked, looking from one of them to another.

"Nothing Ninny, come on, let's go," Ron murmured, making his goodbyes to Carter and Tabitha and then leading her out of the building and over to the car.