Better than Binns

Chapter 12: Finished At Last

Ron went downstairs, cradling the book under his arm. The house seemed empty.

Perhaps everyone had gone out. He hoped Hermione had stayed back if they did. Ron walked into the den and found Hermione curled up with a book. "That figures," he thought.

He cleared his throat very audibly. Hermione looked up and smiled. "Hey, Ron." Upon seeing the book in his arms, she asked anxiously, "How's the book?"

"I've finished it. It was very good actually." Ron grinned slightly as he caught the look on Hermione's face.

Hermione's jaw had dropped. "You've finished it already?" She choked on her words.

"Don't act that surprised," Ron said indignantly. "I do like to read when there's an interesting book around."

The look on Ron's face, the fake seriousness, made Hermione laugh. She couldn't help it. Once she had stopped laughing, Hermione turned serious again. "Ron... be honest. Did you really read that book or are you just lying to me?"

"Hermione Granger... would I ever lie to you?"

She raised her eyebrows in such a way that Ron knew the answer.

"Ok, fine. But I really did read the book. Honest! And it was very good. I'm never going to think about the Founders the same way again." He paused. This was hard to explain. He had actually liked it and yet he couldn't explain why, even to Hermione. Plus she was giving him this skeptical look. "And stop looking at me like that! I read it, every word of it and, enjoyed it too."

Hermione smiled to herself, "I believe you, Ron. I have never seen you so serious about a book... in all the time I've known you." She grinned.

"Well, there's a first for everything, isn't there?"

"I'm not doubting it."

"What about my reward?"

"I won't bug you about time management for the rest of the year." She sighed.

"I win!"

"Win what?"

"The challenge. Remember?"

Hermione groaned. "All right, all right. You win-for a change."

"I heard that!"

She grinned. "Now that you're done with that book, may I have it back?"

Ron thought about it. "Actually, I'd like to keep it."

"That's new."

Ron glared at her.

"All right, you can have it. I don't mind," Hermione softened up.

~Day of Percy's Wedding~

"Ronald Weasley Get down here!"

"Coming, Mum!" Ron looked at himself in the mirror, rubbing dirt off of his nose. He sprinted down the staircase, taking two steps at a time. He saw Fred, George, Charlie and Bill waiting at the bottom of the stairs. Harry, who had just come from the Dursleys the night before, was being fussed over by Mrs. Weasley.

"Ronniekins , you look just wonderful!" Fred said.

"Oh shut it, Fred." Ron stuck his tongue out at him.

"Fred... don't tease little Ronnie," George chimed in.

Ron glared at them both. Then he grinned, "Where's Perce?"

"The groom? As nervous as I've ever seen him. He's up at the mirror, fixing his tie, flattening his hair," Bill laughed. "I'll be surprised if he doesn't faint while waiting for Penny."

At that moment, Ginny and Hermione came down the stairs. Ron and Harry (who was trying to flatten his hair) gaped openly.

"I think what Ron and Harry here are trying to say is that you both look very nice," Charlie said to Hermione and Ginny, winking at them. Everyone laughed.

"Percy Weasley, you get down here right now or you're going to miss your own wedding!" Molly Weasley's voice stopped the laughter. Percy came running down the stairs, a few bands of sweat running across his forehead. "Are we all here?" Molly asked. "Oh dear, where's Arthur?"

"I'm right here, Molly dear." Arthur ran in, fixing his tie.

"Good. Off we go then. Percy's about to get married." And all of the Weasleys plus Hermione and Harry headed to the Ministry car, which the Ministry had loaned them. They all got in, Ron sitting between Harry and Hermione.

Harry turned to Ron, "So, what's this I heard from Hermione about you reading a book?"

Ron grinned. "Oh, that? It's true. But can the story wait until the train ride to Hogwarts?"

Harry laughed. "Sure. I think I can wait a bit."

"Good. Now, Hermione, are you trying to do another Yule Ball trick on me again?" Ron raised his eyebrows.

"RON!"

"Ron, you have yourself in a bad position," Harry smiled at their potential bickering.

"Oh really? Well then this should be an interesting ride, won't it?"