The Question

The Question

Chapter Five

There is always a place for you at my table,

You never need to be invited.

I'll share every crust as long as I am able,

And I know you will be delighted.

There is always a place for you by my fire,

And though it may burn to embers,

If warmth and good cheer are your desire

The friend of your heart remembers!

There is always a place for you by my side,

And should the years tear us apart,

I will face lonely moments more satisfied

With a place for you in my heart!

Anne Campbell

After they spent their day by themselves with their thoughts about marriage to one another Ron and Hermione made their way to each other. After a bit of time they saw one another. They borh stopped and looked at each other. A moment of time passed. They both had smiles. They began running toward each other. When they reached each other Ron grabbed Hermione and swung her round and round. They both laughed and laughed.

"I love you Hermione Granger or should I say Hermione Weasley."

"I love you Ronald Weasley!" They kissed and then hugged each other.

"Come on Ron let's go and owl our parents."

"I sure hope Ginny didn't say anything to my parents."

"She promised she wouldn't."

"O.K. let's bank on that." They made their way to the owlery and wrote their messages and sent them to their parents.

"Oh Ron now we can relax."

"Let's go and eat something, I'm starved."

"Oh Ron you are always hungry."

"Get used to it my luv. Oh I can see it now me in my comfy chair and you serving me dinner."

Hermione stared at him. "Oh you think so. Well bub with that kind of attitude you will be sweeping with a broom instead of flying one. In my house you will earn your dinner."

They made their way to the Great Hall just in time to eat. Ron was happy that he didn't have to sweep for this meal. Harry passed by and padded Ron on his shoulder and winked at Hermione. They both smiled. Hermione asked him to join them with Ron agreeing to her request. Harry declined their invitation telling them he was off for a flight on his firebolt. Ron lit up like a fire. The thought of flying his broom with Harry was a lot better then using it for the purpose Hermione had in mind. Harry asked Ron if he wanted to join him. Ron nodded and then turned to face Hermione who gave him the look. Ron quivered.

"I believe Ron would rather cuddle with me on the Gryffindor common room couch in front of a fireplace then watch you let fire out of your bolt." Ron agreed. Then they all burst out laughing.

Mr. Weasley entered his burrow carrying a letter. Mrs. Weasley was sitting at the table sipping a cup of tea.

"Whats new in the mail Arthur?"

"Well dear er...."

"Anything from Hogwarts?"

"Yes Molly dear we have a letter from Ron."

"Oh how is he?"

"Er fine."

"Oh how nice dear."

"A Molly it appears that Ron wants to get married to Hermione."

"Oh how nice dear."

" WHAT! MARRIED! ARTHUR GIVE ME THAT!"

Arthur Weasley gave the letter to his wife. She took it with trembling hands.

"Oh Arthur what are we going to do? You know I love Hermione to pieces and do hope she and Ron would be together someday, but Arthur they are too young!"

Then Mrs. Weasley brought her hand to her mouth. "Oh Arthur, you don't think they HAVE to get married?"

"Of course not! We must sit down."

"Arthur, I'm already sitting down."

"Quite right dear. Er we need to have a cup of tea."

Mrs. Weasley looked down at her already poured cup of tea. Arthur Weasley noticed it.

"Oh quite right again Molly dear. Er I will just pour one for myself and then we can CALMLY discuss this news."

"Yes dear. Hmmm Arthur, I wonder if Mr. and Mrs. Granger have gotten a message from Hermione?"

"Well if they have I'm bloody well sure their reaction will be calmer then ours."

Emma Granger entered their dental office. Her husband, Rupert Granger was preparing to drill on a paitent's tooth. He looked over at his wife.

"Hello dear."

"Er...hi sweetheart."

By looking at his wife he could see that she had a concerned look on her face.

"Emma is there something wrong?" As he asked this question he took up his dental drill.

"Er...Rupert we have a message from Hermione."

He placed the drill in his patient's mouth. "How is my baby?"

"Er...Rupert dear our baby is going to marry Ronald Weasley."

With this news Rupert Granger lost control of his drill and hit the wrong tooth. His patient screamed.

"MARRIED! SHE'S TOO YOUNG!"

"I know dear."

His patient was moaning.

"Good Lord Emma, you don't think they HAVE to get married?"

He picked up his drill. He looked at it with such ferocity that his patient had a look of sheer terror.

"I'LL DRILL THAT RONALD WEASLEY!"

"Oh Rupert stop! You know our daughter wouldn't be in that position and you know that Ron Weasley is a wonderful young man, kind of dorky, but still a wonderful young man."

Mr. Granger looked at his drill and then at his patient who was about to pass out from fear.

"Oh I suppose you are right Emma. What are we going to do?"

She walked over to him. "Rupert we are going to sit down together and calmly discuss this news. Now dear finish with your patient."

His patient sat up. He pushed Rupert Granger out of the way and then he ran past Emma Granger and then out of the door, yelling something about dental butchers. Rupert and Emma just looked at each other and then shrugged their shoulders.

The Grangers sat on a couch in their office. After some discussion they decided they needed to contact Mr.and Mrs. Weasley. They got up from their couch and closed their office for the rest of the day. They returned to their home. In their home they had an owl that Hermione had bought for them and showed them how to mail by it. Though having an owl about made them slightly uncomfortable they accepted it as a way to contact their daughter. They named their owl Mr. Pit. They wrote a message and sent it to the Weasleys. Although they were not heavy drinkers they decided that they both needed a stiffener. Emma Granger poured a small amount of Gin into two goblets and added some tonic. She brought the drinks to Rupert, handed him one and then sat down next to him. She sipped her drink and then with her fingers stroked his hair.

"Now what Emma?"

"Now my dear Rupert we wait."

After a span of time, the Granger's owl, Mr. Pit arrived at the Weasley's burrow. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley were sitting at their table eating some bangers and mash when Mr. Pit arrived. They took the note from the owl, gave him payment and let him rest on a stand by their owl Errol.

They read the note from Rupert and Emma Granger and were relieved to know that the Grangers felt the same as them. Ron and Hermione were too young to marry. Nevertheless, they felt that they, the Weasleys and Ron and Hermione should come together and discuss the situation. Mr. Granger would be giving a short speech at a dental conference in three days time and invited the Weasleys to join them and if they were willing Mr.and Mrs. Weasley could stop off at Hogwarts to pick up Ron and Hermione on the way. The Grangers wrote that Hermione knew the location of the dental conference because of previous conferences and could guide them there on the appointed day. The Weasleys liked the plan. Mr. Weasley in particular was very excited to view muggles in action. He couldn't wait to learn new things about muggles.

They wrote to the Grangers telling them that the plan was a good one and were excited to see them, especially something as exciting as a dental conference. They also told them that they would contact Ron and Hermione. They wrote that if there were no problems they would see them in three days. They attached the reply to Mr. Pit and off he went to the Grangers. They attached another note to Errol and sent him to Hogwarts. The Weasleys would leave from Kings Cross and arrive at Hogwarts on the Hogwarts Express. They would also contact Professor Dumbledore about the plan so he would know why Ron and Hermione were leaving the school.

After all of this planning and talk of marriage Arthur Weasley instead of feeling drained, felt frisky. He asked Molly in a shy way if she would like to join him for some liplock and rumble. Molly Weasley blushed at his request, but answered yes. She then got up and gave him a Weasley wiggle. She took his tie in her hand and led him upstairs for a round of marital fun and frolic.

Early in the morning at the appointed day Arthur and Molly Weasley went to Kings Cross-to catch the Hogwarts Express. They would take the train to Hogwarts to fetch Ron and Hermione and the four or as Molly Weasley thought that Hermione may have a bun in the oven five of them would then proceed to the dental conference that Rupert Granger would be speaking at. Hermione would take the lead and guide them to the address to where the conference would take place.

They arrived at Hogwarts and there were Ron and Hermione waiting with all smiles. Molly Weasley quickly examined Hermione with her eyes. Hermione still had her wonderful figure with no bulge in her waist at all. There were hugs and kisses and then they boarded the train to finish the journey. All the arrangements had been made with Dumbledore so Ron and Hermione could leave the school without problems knowing that the always-smiling professor Snape would love to make trouble. Poor Harry would have to face him alone that day thought Ron. Hermione reminded him that Harry faced Voldermort and came out o.k. So facing Snape would be a snap. Ron wondered how Hermione knew what he was thinking, but soon gave up. He thought she probably had it written in her daily planner. She never went anywhere without her daily planner. He thought many times about hiding it, but he was sure she would have several others about. He would even bet that she made copies of her notes written to people just for reference. Man I love her he thought. She turned to him and said that she loved him too. He was stunned.

As the train pulled out they were all sitting together in a compartment by themselves. There were some dangling conversations, but little was said about Ron and Hermione and their desire to jump the broom. Ron and Hermione were nervous about; this but tried not to show it. As the train proceeded they all became comfortable. Hermione and Mrs. Weasley talked about classes. When there was some focus on their desire to marry Molly Weasley would just nod, smile and say that's nice dear. Mr. Weasley and Ron were totally submerged on the subject of Quidditch. Mrs. Weasley and Hermione both looked at them turned and looked at each other and in unison said men. Then they both sniggered.

After some time the train stopped and the four of them stepped out. Hermione took the lead. After a brisk stretch of the legs they arrived at the building where the dental conference was being held. Emma Granger was at the door waiting for them. She gave Hermione a hug and a kiss. She greeted Ron in the same fashion. She gave Arthur and Molly Weasley strong friendly handshakes and then guided them to a reserved table. As they were sitting a waiter came with some light refreshments. All were pleased with this.

Rupert Granger was by the podium getting ready to speak. After being introduced he walked toward the podium. As he approached he reached down and clicked on a little black box on his belt. Arthur Weasley was totally captivated by this muggle device and wondered what was going to happen. He waited and waited for something spectacular to happen. Nothing happened except Rupert Granger's voice was loud. Mrs. Granger, Ron and Hermione and Molly Weasley were making light conversation while enjoying their refreshments. His talk blew past the Weasleys. Ron tried to understand, but it just wasn't Quidditch. Hermione used selective hearing and Mrs. Granger just looked in his direction occaisionally and smiled. She would nod her head in approval of her husband's speech.

When he was finished Mr. Granger the audience clapped. Mr. Weasley not having a clue about what was going on stood up and yelled bravo very loudly thinking that was what muggles did in this situation. When muggles began staring at him, Arthur Weasley sat down. Mr. Granger arrived at their table and was congratulated by all on a job well done. As he sat he kept noticing that Arthur Weasley was staring at his belt. After a few moments of continued stares Rupert Granger asked Arthur Weasley what he was looking at? Mr. Weasley pointed the little black box and then asked what was its purpose. Rupert Granger removed it and handed it to Mr. Weasley and told him it was a lapel microphone and tried to explain how it worked. Arthur Weasley didn't pay much attention to what Rupert Granger was saying and unknowingly clicked it on. He yelled into it like he did with a telephone and his voiced boomed all over the building startling everyone in the place. The waiter who had brought them their refreshments was so startled that he spilled a gin and tonic down the front of a woman's dress making her hooters shake violently. Aman stood up so quickly that he hit his knees under the table almost lifting it off the floor. Rupert Granger quickly grabbed the mic and turned it off. He then stood up and apologized to all telling him that Mr. Weasley was from another country and didn't understand mugg...caught himself and said our ways. He then sat down and again tried to explain to Mr. Weasley how the mic worked. He hesitated and then handed it back to him believing all was safe now. The others were staring at them both. They then burst out laughing at Mr. Weasley's first attempt a muggle/public speaking.

As the conversation went back to normal Mr. Weasley decided he needed to inspect this fascinating device in a quieter setting. He excused himself and reported that he needed to go to the thunderbox. Often at home he would do some of his deepest thinking in the thunderbox. Rupert Granger was too immersed in the conversations at the table to notice that Arthur Weasley took the lapel mic with him and in a few moments Arthur Weasley gave a whole new meaning to the thunderbox.

When he entered into a man's study he was happy to see that there was no one else about. As he began to fiddle with the little black box he discovered that he really did have to go to the bathroom so he shoved the device into his pocket not knowing that he had turned it on again. The people in the building started to quiet down when they heard this odd noise over the public address system. It sounded like splashing water. Still not exactley sure what the sound was, the people began to get quieter and quieter. All of a sudden a voice rang out singing some strange ditty.

You might belong to Gryffindor,

Where dwells the brave at heart?

Their daring, nerve, and chivalry

Set Gryffindors apart.

With this booming ditty Arthur Weasley let out another boom. It came from his watusi. It made Arthur Weasley krinkle his nose. He then yelled at himself Weasley whats wrong with you? Where are your manners?

By now all in the building knew what the sounds were and where they came from. Mrs. Weasley almost fainted. Ron was thinking how much Fred and George would love this. Hermione was fanning Mrs. Weasley with a small towel and was hoping that Ron wouldn't do this sort of thing in their bathroom someday. Mrs. Granger pushed her husband to get in there and stop this show before other sounds might be blasted out of the bathroom. Just as Mr. Granger arrived at the door, Arthur Weasley stepped out and was greeted by a round of applause. Mr. Granger grabbed the mic and turned it off. They both returned to their table. Mr. Granger was white with embarrassment while Arthur Weasley bowed now and then not realizing what he had done. When he sat down all was explained to him. He was petrified. Moments later they were all laughing.

The day progressed without anymore entertainment from Arthur Weasley. People began leaving. As they passed the Weasley/Granger table many patted Mr. Weasley on the back thanking him for the entertainment. When all became quiet in the building the converstaion began about Ron and Hermione's desire to marry. There was a lot of heart to heart talking. The parents allowed Ron and Hermione to speak as freely as they wanted and they in turn allowed the parents to respond. To Ron and Hermione's disappointment both sets of parents agreed that they were too young to get married. However, they agreed that they could be engaged. With the talking over all got up and left the building. They walked together where Mr. and Mrs. Weasley and Ron and Hermione would board the train to Hogwarts. Hugs and kissed were given to the Grangers and then they parted.

In the train Mr. and Mrs. Weasley and Ron and Hermione again found a compartment to themselves. Ron was mildy angry and Hermione just looked out the window with misty eyes. All though disappointed Hermione knew in her heart that her parents and Ron's parents made the right decision. She kept focusing on the fact that she and Ron were still engaged.

At early evening the train pulled into Hogwarts. Again there were hugs and kisses. The Weasleys would continue on to Kings Cross then home. Ron and Hermione waved as the train left. They took a coach to the castle. When they got out Ron took Hermione by the hand and they went to the beech tree. They stood and faced each other. Days ago there were very happy and now they were only mildly happy. In his frustration Ron suggested they marry anyway. Hermione said no and told him she wanted her parents blessing. Ron understood.

"Ron for people in love time is an eternity."

"In that case may I have this dance the future Mrs. Weasley?"

"Er...Ron there is no music."

After Hermione said that a slight breeze ruffled the leaves of the tree causing some birds to sing.

"We will let the birds and the breeze be our musicians."

"In that case my future husband I would love to have this dance with you."

They held each other close and twirled and danced until the sun turned out its light.