Heloooooo! I lie! It's even MORE days at home! But this time it wasn't because of my smegging tonsils (But even if school *was* on I'd stay home) but all the water at school has stopped! Ha ha! No bogs, no drinking water, no science! Hopefully it still won't be fixed by Monday. Never mind. After my brief spell at home and writing a lot, you shouldn't expect much cos now I've got antibiotics and should be back on course soon. Damn. NEway, here's the smegging fic. This one's a little longer. Ron gets a little wigged out. Should be fun. Erm... what to clear up... Serpentese- I'm using Spanish cos I just have a habit of talking in it at times (Anyone who Emails me knows I end with 'Adios') so I'm sorry if your annoyed about that (I don't know why... it's only a title). Is there NEthing else... no, don't think so. Except... Cheers for reviewing everyone. Much appreciated. Right. Here we go. "Use the force Kate." Sorry. Been watching the first Star Wars films in my boredom... not as good as Ep.1. Enough of my ramblings. Here's what you came to read. "Ginny! My dear sister! How nice it is to see you!" Ron walked into his office, smiling so much it looked like his mouth was gonna pass the width of his ears. He bounded up to Ginny who was sitting down, hugged her from behind, and then walked almost 'floating' over to Harry, while Ginny looked at him, eyes wide. "Harry! You're my BEST friend! It's nice to work with ya, man! So nice!" Ron stood behind Harry, and seemed to be deciding something... then hugged Harry from behind too, and shook Harry's hand a lot, but Harry played along, smiling and nodding, and then when Ron had finally finished he cringed, gave Ron a weird look and held his arm as though he was in pain. "What makes you so happy Ron?" Ginny asked, she'd never seen her brother like this. "Hermione!" "Hermione?" Harry said, he didn't know about her. "She's amazing!" Ron said, while Ginny mouthed 'girlfriend' to Harry, "I went over there, and she was cooking this amazing vanilla sauce, and there was all this *fog*, and it settled on us, and it tasted like vanilla! It's was warm, and delicious, and vanilla- it was like what we were *feeling*! It was amazing!" Ron finished, and Ginny and Harry looked at him pointedly. "Ron... are you sure you weren't *dreaming*?" Harry said uncertainly. "Yeah right! No..." Ron became uncharacteristically serious, "I know this sounds stupid, but I think she might be bringing back magic..." "Yes Ron, that's what it is..." Harry said mockingly. Ginny rolled her eyes and said, "Ron, magic went with You-know-who, and like him, it's not gonna come back!" "Yeah, Ginny's right. We haven't had magic for years, we won't have it again! You have to accept that fact!" "Yeah, whatever..." Ron said distractedly, and then in a professional tone of voice, "Harry- have you called the Chang's yet?" "Yes, they're coming today." "Good. Now, Ginny... arrange to send out leaflets about the opening of the restaurant to everyone within 20 miles of this place. But don't overdo it- not to the whole of London, OK?" "God Ron, I'm not 13 anymore!" Ginny said, stamping her foot on the ground. Harry, however, noticed this movement and said, "Well Ginny, you kind of act like it..." "Oh, is that how you feel? Well, just wait till I get some of those éclairs!" She said, walking briskly out of the room, a plan forming in her head. If what Ron said about the 'fog feeling' was true... if Hermione liked Ron as much as he liked her... those éclairs... that'd help Harry along in asking her out! "Oh, so she's just gonna walk out with no more than something about éclairs... two can play at that game..." Harry said, "Er... Ron? Where's d'ya get them?" "Grangers..." "OK." Said Harry, walking briskly out of the room, a plan forming in his head. If what Ron said about the 'fog feeling' was true... if Hermione liked Ron as much as he liked her... those éclairs... that'd help Ginny along in admitting she liked him! "God... those two... will they ever sort it out?" Ron said, shaking his head. "Hi Nev!" Hermione walked into the restaurant where Neville was sitting drinking a mug of tea with Sybil and Padma. "Hi Sybil! Hi Padma!" "Someone's happy!" Neville wisely commented "Someone's Ron!" Hermione said, sitting down on the cushioned 'bench' that ran around the room instead of chairs by the walls, and grabbing a pillow and hugging it. "I take it he came last night..." "Yeah! He's so dreamy..." Hermione drifted off into a world of her own. And then she came back. "Nev... what was Ron like at school... you've told me about him, but not what he was like at school... did he have loads of girlfriends, was he the most popular guy in school, was he hard working, did he-" "I remember Ron Weasley... he never did like my subject... was always making fun... but I remember that one time when he and Harry did that wonderful month prediction project... excellent!" "What did you teach, Sybil?" Hermione asked innocently. Sybil, Neville and Padma all looked at each other. "Well, I'd better get going! Customers will be in for breakfast soon!" Neville quickly changed the subject and bustled into the kitchen. "I need a martini..." Sybil said, also changing the subject and going over to her dream of a martini maker. "I think I'll... set the tables! That's always fun..." Padma said, following Neville to get some cutlery. Hermione kept still. Why didn't they ever tell her about the subjects at that school? Was there really magic, and Voldemort? She sat thinking for a while, and then got up to start preparing the tables with Padma. During the day many customers came in, including a lady with bright red hair whom Neville, Sybil and Padma recognised, and also a man with jet black hair and glasses who they also recognised- these people both wanted the vanilla éclairs... Hermione thought it was very strange- maybe this was the Ginny and Harry that Ron had talked about. She should introduce herself sometime. "Hi, is Hermione there?" "Speaking." "Hi! Hermi, it's Ron. I was wondering, do you want to come round and see the new restaurant. Cos I was thinking, maybe you could come in and cook here on the night- Goyle's gone down with the flu- he can't cook, and his assistant Malfoy's a git." "Yeah... sure. That's cool. I'll be over in 15 minutes." "Cool. Bye Hermi." "Bye Ron." Harry walked out of his office, and walked in the direction of Ron's office, where Ginny most likely was. He had some éclairs, he'd make her admit it... Ginny walked out of Ron's office, and walked in the direction of Harry's office. She had some éclairs, she'd make him ask her... while deep in thought she bumped into someone. "Oh! Sorry..." "Yeah, me too." "Harry? I was just on my way to see you..." "Me too... I've got something for you..." "Me too..." Both Harry and Ginny paused, and then showed each other the box of éclairs. They started laughing, caught each other's eye, and immediately started kissing each other. "Hey! Hermi! Great to see you!" Ron greeted Hermione enthusiastically, resisting the urge to kiss her there and then. "Hi Ron!" Hermione said, just as enthusiastically, also resisting temptation. "Okay, the restaurant is just his way!" Ron took Hermione's arm and led her up stairs, down corridors, and up to a magnificent restaurant in the making. There was no one in there, and it looked amazingly big, and even if the tables *were* in there already, it would still be massive. Ron turned to face Hermione, his hands still on her forearms. They stood facing each other, not moving, staring into each other's mesmerising eyes. Hermione "Nice floor you've got here." Hermione commented. She couldn't resist- the floor was black and white- all the tiles were laid and they made a large black and white swirl that was hypnotising to look at. While Ron was contemplating what to reply, he looked up and saw that Hermione had moved to the centre of the floor. She was beckoning him with one finger. He looked surprised, checked if there was anyone behind them, and then walked over to her. It was almost as though someone had started to play 'Fables of Faubus' by Charlie Mingus- a particularly rhythmic piece of jazz, and the music was taunting Ron, teasing him to dance with Hermione. He tried to ignore the 'voices', but gave in and took Hermione by the hand, moving with her in a complex swing dance. It was impressive to the eye. If there was anyone watching. Ron suddenly looked up and saw Harry and the Chang's looking at him and Hermione strangely. Ron looked at Hermione, who was standing right in front of him. They hadn't moved at all- it was like magic had made them dream that dance. Ron looked at Harry and the Chang's. Harry was trying to explain something to them, but although Cho spoke good English, her family obviously didn't. They'd moved back to wherever they came from and Cho stayed. Ron looked back at Hermione- had she dreamt that too? He never found out, because Harry walked over and signalled for Ron to show the Chang's what would happen in the restaurant. Hermione stood in the background until Ron looked over on of the Chang's shoulders. "Excuse me, I have a little thing to take care of... Harry! Could you kindly show the Chang's where everything will be going?" "Sure." Harry took Ron's place, and Ron went to Hermione, took her hand and they walked out of the restaurant. "So, Hermi. Do you think you'd like to cook here?" "Yeah, but what are the kitchens like?" "Oh yeah! I haven't shown you the kitchens! Duh!" Ron led Hermione down a few flights of stairs, and to the kitchens. They heard voices inside- the 'new' chef was obviously on one of his 'mad' sprees, as Ron had put it another day. They peeked inside and saw Draco Malfoy talking to the assistant chef's who were staring up at him (he was standing on a table- very unhygienic) adoringly. He seemed to be crazy. "Man can make many things," he said, holding up something they couldn't see, "But *God* made the truffle." Yes, he was crazy. Hermione almost burst out laughing. "Oh wow!" Sybill said as she heard the news of Hermione opening the restaurant. "Yeah, this is amazing!" Neville said. "Can we go? I really want to see Ron..." Padma said dreamily. She'd always liked him. "Hands off!" Hermione snapped. The other three looked at her wondering what was wrong with her. "Sorry. It's just really smegged out, all these things at once." "Yeah, I know what you mean. First it's the crab," Neville said, "Then it's the Ron thing..." Sybill added, "Then it's the white fog!" Padma joined, "And now I'm going to cook in Oscuro's. Wow." Hermione sat back, and no one said anything. "Hello?" "Hi, it's me." "Ron! Hi!" "Listen, I know we've already seen each other today, but I was wondering whether you'd like to go for a drink or something?" "Sure. Hey, why don't you come over here again?" "Are you sure Hermi? I mean, that's the second time you'll have done something for me." "Yeah, but Ron, don't forget you're getting me that job at the restaurant if things don't pick up here- even though we're getting a lot of business it's still not enough to pay off the debts." "True." Ron paused for a moment, thinking. "OK. I'll meet you around...?" "10. That's when we close." "OK, see you then Hermi. Bye." "Bye Ron." "I'm sorry sir, we're clos- RON?" "Hey..." Ron squinted, he really needed glasses. "Neville?!?" "Yeah man!" "Woah... You've changed." "So have you. But I see you've still got the freckles, the hair, the eyes." "What about my eyes?" "They just stand out... a *lot*." "OK..." Ron had never been complimented on his eyes before... it was usually Harry. "Er... Hermione's in there." "Cheers." Ron walked in to the restaurant and called out to Hermione, "Hermi? It's Ron!" "I know, Ron." Hermione said, walking out from the kitchen. "How did ya know?" "Who else calls me Hermi?" "No-one calls you that?" "No." "Oh. OK." By this time Ron and Hermione had walked through the restaurant and into the kitchens. "Look, Hermi, there's something I want to say before we do anything." "Yeah?" Hermione began, confused, "What's tha-" But she didn't have a chance to finish, because Ron had swept her into a passionate kiss, but something strange happened. Ron started floating up into the air, only this time he didn't stop. He rose up and was pressing against the ceiling (A/N: think Mary Poppins) and getting very freaked. "Hermione! What the hell are you doing?!?!" "What? I'm not doing anything!" "Oh come on! Get me down!" "Er... OK..." she thought for a minute. "Bibbity-bobbity-boo..." it was the only thing that came to her mind. "Bibbity-bobbity-boo?" Ron said scornfully, "That won't work! It's gotta be- WOAH!" Ron fell from the ceiling with a thud. "OK... maybe magic's changed." "Ron, I'm so, so sorry! I didn't mean to! I don't know what happened!" Hermione tried to recklessly apologise, but Ron was so freaked out right now he just ran out of the room, and didn't look back. Hermione lent gently against a wall, tears forming in her eyes. "GOD DAMMIT GINNY WILL YOU JUST SHUT UP AND LISTEN! Hermione bloody Granger is bringing back bloody magic! She made me float into the air and get stuck on the ceiling! It's freaking me out!" "Me too, Ron, me too. But you've gotta admit that it's pretty cool." "Yeah, Ginny's right, Ron. You've just gotta accept this." Harry said, slinging an arm over Ginny's shoulders. Ron couldn't believe what they were saying, "I don't believe this! Only this morning you were scoffing at how absurd it is!" "Yeah well, things change. Roll with it. Maybe she could be bringing back magic, maybe not." "But you were just saying that it definitely went with Voldemort and wouldn't come back!" "Whatever. Ron, we've got other things to do." Harry got up and walked to the door, where Hermione was paused to knock. "Hey." "Hi," Hermione walked in and addressed Ron, "I was just coming to say that even though we're not... well, I'll be cooking tomorrow, despite what happened." "You're a witch Hermione! You made me fly!" "So this is Hermione!" Harry said, walking up to her about to congratulate her on great vanilla éclairs, but she said, "I am not a witch!" "Oh come on! If the broom fits, ride it!" Ron shot back. "Witches and wizards do black magic!" Hermione yelled. Ron, Harry and Ginny all drew back from her, shocked and silent. "What?" Hermione looked round innocently. Harry and Ginny muttered to each other, "Smeg, she really doesn't know anything, does she?" Harry said, "Nope." Hermione looked round at them all, and said to Ron, "I'll be here at 5 tomorrow. Just tell me what I'll be making." "Malfoy's in the kitchens that early as well. He'll tell you then. I honestly don't know what it is. Invite friends. It's evening wear." Ron said, being as quick without rushing (somehow) as he could, clipping his sentences short. "All right. See you then." Hermione nodded, as if to say goodbye to Harry and Ginny as well, and walked briskly out. "Geez, Ron... if she really is magic, she hasn't got a clue..." Hermione walked out of Ron's office, down the stair, down through the shop, and out into the street. She slid down the wall, actually crying. Ron didn't like her. She'd never learn to wake up next to him, that fiery hair, that cute butt (she shook herself for thinking such thoughts at this), those cool, mysterious, bright blue eyes... She sat there for a while, nothing breaking her concentration, until she looked next to the store entrance and saw a security guard watching a beautiful woman walked past. She also saw him hitch up his belt and put one hand in his pocket... she almost laughed. It was a different guy to the one she had seen do exactly the same thing in exactly the same place a while ago. How was Nev always right about these things? She stood up, walked home. When she got there she lay in bed, which was below her skylight, watching the stars. She was feeling a little happier, but there was still an aching in her heart... Ron didn't like her. He never had. Or so she thought. I'm such an idiot... Ron thought, cursing silently under his breath, She probably thinks I hate her now... but I don't! She's so nice... I can't stay mad forever... her eyes... they're so beautiful... she is beauty in itself... What's with the poetry you stupid man! Ron sat up from his couch, which he was lying on. He'd never had everything he wanted- and now he wanted Hermione. He'd blown that too. Life was never fair... Ron lay down again, looking out through his skylight. He watched the stars, thinking about Hermione... she didn't like him. She never had. Or so he thought. Serverus Snape looked down from Heaven. "God. Will they ever get together?" He said, to no-one in particular. "Yes, they will Serverus." God spoke. Snape hadn't realised he was right next to God. "Those two love each other, they're just scared to admit it. And it's your job to make them realise! "Yes sir." Snape glided away, to another part of Heaven, where you could watch people you weren't taking care of. He chose his destination of view- London. Person- Sybill Trelawney... Ooooh.... A little thing between Snape and Trelawney, huh? I'm crazy. I think I've had a bit much Tiramisu- all that coffee and alcohol is not mixing well with my antibiotics... All right. Peace, Savage Garden and Space to all. Long live Tiramisu!