Part 5: Two Plus Two Makes Four

Chapter 25: To Dinner

A pair of small arms flung themselves around Ron's leg the moment he stepped out of the fireplace. A chocolate-covered face grinned up at him.

"Daddy!" Rose beamed, clinging to his leg still. "Daddy's home!"

"Seems like you had fun." Ron smirked, bending down to pick up his now three-year-old daughter.

He'd spent the last two nights away with Harry, working on a case that had proven to be fruitless and boring. Just a couple of idiot kids attempting to scare the local Muggles with some 'hauntings'. After Harry had been finished with them, though, he was certain they wouldn't be wasting another Auror's time again.

It had been his first time away in a while, his second since Hugo had been born. It always felt good to come back, especially to a delighted Rose.

"Missed you, Daddy!" Rose hugged him around the neck and smothered him in chocolatey kisses.

"Where's your mother and brother?" Ron asked, resisting the urge to wipe his face.

"Right here." Hermione appeared from the kitchen, carrying a just as messy Hugo.

Ron studied both of his children, amused. He said nothing, though. He was used to them being messy.

"How was work?" Hermione asked, setting Hugo by some toys and coming over to Ron. He put Rose down, who joined her brother.

"Bloody kids thinking they're funny as usual." Ron sighed. "I don't want to say it, but I kind of miss the action of real threats." He winced.

"You wouldn't be saying that if it was real," Hermione assured him.

"Yeah, I know. But I'd much rather be here with you than in a small pub on a hard bed while I handle teenagers."

Hermione smirked, looking to their children. "It's good practice."

"If they even think about playing dark magic tricks on Muggles they're disowned," Ron said firmly. "No child of mine is going to behave like that and get away with it."

For a brief moment, Hermione watched him with surprise. Then her expression softened and she said, "Well, sounds like you had a stressful few days."

Ron shrugged.

"I've been speaking to Mum and Dad," Hermione ploughed on. "I've organised for us to get away for the weekend. They're going to take the kids."

"You've what?" Ron asked.

"It's nothing fancy," Hermione continued, "but I've noticed how irritated you're becoming by work at the moment and because you're quiet, we're quiet, so getting away for a few days won't be an issue."

Ron looked over to where Rose and Hugo played. Hugo was watching his sister with amusement as she poked his nose over and over. After a while, he giggled and then reached out for hers. "And your parents are going to take them?"

"Yes."

Ron nodded. "Great! A night away from any commitments. Just the two of us. We may be able to actually -" He looked again at his children and decided not to continue with the sentence. Maybe when they were older. Rose was picking up new words every other day. "Well, you know what I mean."

Hermione smiled at him. "Maybe," she agreed.

Ron studied her. "What made you think of this anyway?"

"Our anniversary's coming up and I just thought it'd be nice. Do I need a reason?"

"No. I'm just surprised." A thought then occurred to him. "You're not pregnant again, are you?"

"No, I'm not."

"Good. I mean, not good, but…" He indicated Hugo. "Not even one yet, you know?"

Hermione looked at him with amusement. Although neither of them had discussed it specifically, Ron got the feeling both of them were happy with their two children. By the time Rose had been eight months old, he'd already started thinking about a second child. He hadn't yet even contemplated that now that Hugo was that age.

But if it happened, then he'd still be happy.

"Anyway, when do we leave?"

"This weekend."

"Wow, you really are organised." He kissed her. "What a lovely welcome home present."

"Yuck!"

They pulled away from one another and turned to their daughter who was frowning at them.

"Don't you like it when we kiss, Rosie?" Ron asked.

She shook her head. "Yucky. You must be married."

"We are married," Hermione said.

"No," Rose said, shaking her head. She pointed at Hermione. "No dress."

"Sweetheart, the dress is -"

"Don't even bother," Ron interrupted. He looked back at Rose. "Well, you'll just have to get used to it, Rosie."

She frowned. "Yuck!" She said nothing more and Ron laughed.

"Three year olds, huh?" He pulled Hermione closer to him and added, "If she's grossed out by that, she'll be horrified to learn where she came from."

"Oh, shut up," Hermione said, but she smiled nonetheless.

…

"Gramma!" Rose cried, flinging her arms around her grandmother's waist before she'd barely even stepped out of the fireplace.

"Hello, darling," Hermione's mother answered, kissing the top of Rose's head.

"I get to stay!" Rose told her excitedly. "A sleepover!"

"I know! How exciting!"

Rose grinned and hugged her again. Rose loved coming here. She was more excited about it than the Burrow, but Ron suspected it was due to how she was treated more than anything else. At the Burrow, she was one of many grandchildren; here she was one of two and the only one who could speak. Not to mention she was the only granddaughter of her Muggle grandparents and they doted on her. She got whatever she asked for here.

Hermione passed Hugo over to her father; albeit reluctantly. In the eight months of Hugo's life, she'd not spent a whole night away from him. Come to think about it, Ron remembered only one time they'd gone away together when they'd had Rose too. She'd been very worried then.

He frowned.

"Gramma can I have a biscuit?" Rose asked.

"Excuse you?" Ron said sternly.

Rose blushed. "Pweese?"

Her grandmother smiled. "Why don't you say goodbye to Mummy and Daddy first."

Rose turned to her parents and stared up at them as if she'd almost forgotten they were still there.

That'd be right, Ron said to himself. Miss Independent. She didn't even miss them anymore and cared very little when they dropped her off at someone else's place when going to work.

"Bye," she said.

"We're not coming back today, Rosie," Ron said.

"You always come back, Daddy," Rose told him matter-of-factly.

Where'd she get the attitude?

"Not today, though. We might just discover we like it better and not come back at all."

Rose glowered at him. "You're so silly."

"You're not going to miss us? Just a little bit?"

"We'll miss you," Hermione said.

"No. I'm big."

"Oh, I'm sure she will," Hermione's mother assured them. "Say goodbye, Rosie."

Rose hugged Ron and Hermione with mild enthusiasm, which disappointed Hermione more than it did Ron. But that was because over her three years, Ron had definitely developed a much stronger relationship with Rose than Hermione had managed. It seemed that during Hermione's pregnancy with Hugo, something had lingered in Rose's mind on the occasions Hermione had gotten tired of her. Since Hugo's birth, Rose had attached herself to Ron more than her mother. Despite Hermione's best attempts to repair the damage, it seemed that Rose was more inclined to go to Ron when she was upset or needed something. Any rejection upset Hermione; Ron saw it as her being the stubborn three-year-old that she was.

"Be good," Ron warned her and Rose had the decency to look guilty. She knew what she could get away with here. "Look after your brother."

Rose looked up at Hugo in her grandfather's arms as Hermione kissed her son goodbye. Hugo reached for her and when she didn't take him tears came.

"There there," Hermione's father soothed. "She'll be back soon."

Ron also said goodbye to Hugo, but he wasn't interested in Ron at all. Hugo's eyes stayed firmly on Hermione, the look of betrayal on his face.

"We'll see you tomorrow, sweetheart," Hermione soothed, kissing him again. She couldn't help herself; she took him, holding him close. "It's just for one night."

Hugo stopped crying the moment Hermione was holding him. Ron realised they probably weren't getting away anytime soon.

"I will take care," Rose said.

"I know you will," Hermione said with a smile. She passed Hugo back to her father and he started crying again.

Ron guided her to the fireplace before she could change her mind and they wound up in a small wizarding pub on the coast of England.

"So, this isn't -" Ron began, taking in the dingy smell and less than desirable occupants. This felt like a place he'd stay in when trying to blend in on an Auror mission, not somewhere one wished to spend a night with their wife.

"No, but it's nearby. Come on, let's go." Hermione also looked unsettled in this place and they left quickly, stepping out onto a paved footpath.

Ron recognised immediately that this area was equally occupied by Muggles and wizarding folk. He spotted the magical ones by their weird dress and lowered heads and was very thankful Hermione had taught him how to not stand out. He found himself now quite apt with dressing for the Muggle world.

It was actually quite a nice area to spend an anniversary. The fresh salty air was a nice change to their usual home in Huddersfield. Ron laughed at the idea of them still being there. It had been a good six years since he'd stumbled on that area by the lake and although the topic often came up, they never actually bothered to seriously consider the idea of moving there. Their current place was small, but it was still home, and Ron had accepted long ago that they were still there because they genuinely loved it.

Hermione led him along another street until they reached a large building that looked odd in such an ancient area. It was new and done-up and looked like it belonged more in London than a small seaside town such as this.

"This is the hotel, I assume?"

"Do you like it?" There was a hint of uncertainty in her voice.

"Well, yeah," Ron said. "I would have stayed back at that old pub if it meant a night alone with you."

She smiled.

They entered into the foyer area and were greeted by a neatly dressed doorman. They then made their way to the reception, Ron only realising now how out of place they really did look.

Everyone else carried bags and luggage. They usually just Summoned them once they reached their room. It was the usual thing in wizarding hotels, but of course the Muggles wouldn't be used to it.

Before he could ask Hermione, though, she was talking to the receptionist - a young man no older than about twenty.

"We'd like to check in. Under the name Weasley."

The young receptionist tapped some keys on that weird computer thing Muggles stored all their information. He'd seen one at Hermione's parents house before and considered it one of the weirdest contraptions Muggles used.

"One night. Our suite room?" the man asked.

"Suite?" Ron said, but Hermione ignored him.

"Yes."

The receptionist nodded and continued to tap the buttons on his computer before asking Hermione for identification.

Ron highly doubted her wand would suffice here and had almost resigned himself to having to leave, when she passed over the driver's license she'd obtained a few months before they'd learnt they were expecting Hugo.

This seemed to be satisfactory for the receptionist and soon he was handing over keys to the hotel. "Have a nice stay."

They were on level ten, and to get there they had to ride up an elevator. Another Muggle contraption Ron hated.

Thankfully it was only a short trip and they were soon entering their room.

"Woah!" Ron stared around the room. It was quite a decent size. In the middle was a king-sized bed; to the left an archway that led into a kitchenette with a dining table. Then to the right a door that probably led into the bathroom. "You've outdone yourself, Hermione."

Hermione smiled. "We really deserved a getaway. Even if it's a little before our anniversary."

"Who cares when it is!" Ron exclaimed, sitting on the huge bed. "Any moment alone with you is wonderful." He grabbed her hands and pulled her down beside him. She truly was quite a remarkable woman and he'd always felt lucky that she was with him.

He smiled at her and she returned it. Here was somebody who, over the last however many years, had brought him so much happiness. She was incredibly brave and deserved to be a Gryffindor more than almost anybody else. She was hard-working, loving, gentle… she was the mother of his two awesome kids, and somehow she had managed to stay his wife for almost six years now. He must have been doing something right.

"What are you smiling at?" she asked after a moment.

"You," Ron said brightly. "I love you so much. I was just thinking how lucky I was that you haven't decided to ditch me yet."

"As of I'd do that."

"I know. I love you."

Hermione didn't respond immediately. She watched him with an expression resembling amusement and exasperation. He wouldn't have thought it possible that almost ten years after embarking on their relationship together, he'd love her even more now than he did back then.

"So, what's today's plans -" He was silenced by her lips on his. And she was kissing him with a lot of force, a lot of passion. Breaking away for a brief moment, he added, "I suppose I have my answer."

One kid had been hard enough - especially when Rose had started learning how to open doors - but two had been near impossible to find more than a few moments alone together. Even if they thought about it, that seemed to be a trigger for one or both of their children to need them suddenly. Hugo was now eight months old, but Ron doubted they'd spent this kind of time together more than a dozen times since his birth. He definitely knew when the attention was off him.

Ron broke away again from his wife's rather enthusiastic approach to how they should spend their afternoon. He stared at her.

"What?" she asked.

Ron laughed. "Nothing. You're just… I've never seen you -"

"This is our one night away from the kids," she said. "Our one chance. Don't ruin it with small talk."

Ron raised an eyebrow. "... alright." Of course he'd thought… but it seemed she had been thinking about this for some time, planning this getaway for a while now. He pulled away again.

"What now?" she asked, sounding rather frustrated.

Ron smirked. "What now?"

She had the decency to turn slightly red. "Sorry. But I thought you'd want this."

"Oh, I do. But I'm slightly concerned about you. Why are you suddenly all over me?"

"Because you're my husband and I love you and sometimes - no matter how rare it is - I like some alone time with you. We hardly get it these days and the moment we try Rose decides to join us, or Hugo will wake up, or -"

Ron was laughing; he couldn't help it.

Hermione sat back, sighing.

"I'm sorry," Ron said. "You just amuse me. You haven't been like this since… well since we were first together. It's nice. I like it."

"You're laughing at me."

"Sorry." He kissed her. "I guess I'm just not used to the lack of interruptions. I'm half expecting Rose to walk in…" He kissed her again.

"Are you going to stop talking now?"

"Are you?"

Hermione smiled against his mouth, throwing her arms around his neck and drawing him closer to her. She did have a point. This would probably be their last night alone together in a while; they may as well make the most of it while they could.

…

Six o'clock hit and finally they decided to move from the room. Hermione was teaching Ron how to properly use a television, but he simply couldn't adjust to the idea that a box with moving pictures and voices was something to be treated with envy. No matter how many times he tried - particularly at his in-laws - he wasn't a fan. Though, he had caught Rose a handful of times staring at it with curiosity.

Pressing the red button on the remote to turn it off (he knew that much at least) he turned to his wife who was just finishing getting ready for some dinner she'd organised. He grinned. "Wow."

"You're just saying that," Hermione replied.

"No way. You always look great. You know that."

Hermione walked back into the bathroom, but he caught a smirk on her face as she did so. He had no idea where she was taking him and decided he definitely liked being the one to do nice things. As much as he loved this getaway, the secrecy killed him. It was much better for him to surprise her.

Hermione returned and looked at him. "Are you ready?"

Ron got up from the bed. "Yep. Are you going to tell me what's happening?"

"No. It's not too far away. You'll find out soon enough."

"I hate surprises.

"You'll like this place."

They left the hotel room hand-in-hand. The corridor was rather quiet as they made their way toward the lift. Ron shifted uncomfortably as they waited for it to reach their floor. "Are there stairs?"

"Ron, we have them at the Ministry."

"Not like this."

"Yeah, these ones are a lot slower and a lot safer."

Another couple arrived to wait with them, meaning that Ron was forced to compose himself as they stepped in or risk making himself stand out. He patted his side where his wand sat, more as a comfort thing than anything else. Hermione sent him an accusing look, as if she couldn't believe he'd brought it with him.

He sent her one back, unsure if that meant she hadn't.

Dinner was in the area, for Hermione said they'd be walking. They took liberty in strolling along the quiet streets of the town, still holding hands and revelling in the fact that they didn't have to worry about Rose wandering off or Hugo wanting something. It was just them, together, like it used to be.

"Do you think your parents would notice if we just didn't come back?" he asked Hermione.

She smiled. "As much as they love the kids, I'm not sure they love them that much."

"I like it being just the two of us. It hasn't been for three years. More than three years. I miss it."

"It's nice," Hermione agreed. She stopped in the middle of the walkway and kissed him.

"Don't let Rosie see you doing that," Ron warned.

"See, you could never have them stay with someone else for too long," Hermione said. "You'd miss them too much."

"Says you who couldn't let our son go today."

"I never said I wouldn't miss them."

"Where is this restaurant anyway?"

Hermione smiled. "Not far. Shall we keep going?"

"Are you going to stop and kiss me in the middle of the path again?"

"Perhaps."

Hermione was right; the restaurant wasn't too far. Well, restaurant wasn't the correct term. It was a pub. A fancy wizarding pub with a staircase leading up to where Ron could only assume there were rooms.

"And we didn't stay here because…"

"Harry and Ginny recommended against it. When they were here they said the staff fussed over them and made them priority over other guests just because of who they were. They said the food was great, though."

The restaurant was situated between a grocery store and an Indian restaurant. Like most things magical, it was disguised from Muggles, whose eyes seemed to simply glance over where it was. They entered unseen.

The moment they were inside, though, a huge fuss was made. For a moment, Ron thought they'd been recognised, but he realised this was just how the staff acted and wondered if Harry and Ginny had gotten confused between their usual service and being treated differently. Ron hadn't stayed in much wizarding accommodation to know one way or another.

"We have a table at seven," Hermione said to a stout wizard who all but bowed as they approached.

"Name?" he asked.

"Um… Granger."

The wizard flicked through quite a large pile of parchment before he settled on their name. "Yes. Follow me, please."

Ron was surprised by how large this place was. Where were they, anyway? Hadn't they come to some small seaside village as a means of escaping their busy lives? This place, though, seemed to be wizarding central.

They were taken to a separate room where more people dined and seated by a window that overlooked the ocean. Ron stared at the water under the setting sun before sitting. "You've truly gone a step above this time, Hermione," he said.

"Oh, stop, would you?" Hermione said. "It's just dinner."

"Just dinner," Ron muttered.

When the menus were handed to them, Ron was amazed at the size of it. There was a large mix of traditional wizarding meals and Muggle food, and even the more obscure Muggle stuff. It seemed they'd added every food they knew and learnt how to cook it. Well, he hoped they'd learned how to cook it.

After Hermione had ordered some weird type of pasta and Ron a roast dinner, the menus Vanished and Ron reached across the table to take his wife's hands.

"This is nice," he said. "I like this."

She smiled. "So you keep saying."

"Well, I'm allowed to compliment you. It's something I've learnt to do well over the years. The one thing, probably."

"It's a shame it's only for a night though. Perhaps I should have made it two."

"Nah. One's good." He grinned. "If we did this again, we'd not eat for a month."

Hermione stared at him, as if contemplating her next words. Then, her face split into another grin and she said, "I love you."

"I love you, too," he said. "So much."

…

The rest of the night was peaceful and relaxing. Ron had almost forgotten what it was like to be childless and able to do whatever he wanted. It had been three years since that freedom, and for a night, he was rather enjoying it.

By eleven o'clock the following morning, they were ready to leave. Hermione sent their bags back to the house and they left the room reluctantly.

"We should make this an annual thing," Ron said. "Every anniversary."

"I'd like that," Hermione said.

"Next one's on me, though."

They checked out - well, Hermione did - and soon they were making their way back to the pub they'd arrived in. It seemed that yesterday's customers hadn't even left - or slept or showered.

"Remind me to never become that," Ron said, eyeing a drunk witch by the counter.

"Oh, Ron, you never will," Hermione said. "You've got too much to lose."

After arriving in the Leaky Cauldron, they Floo'd again to Hermione's parents house.

"MUMMY! DADDY! I MISSED YOU!"

Rose flung dirty arms around them. It seemed she'd been playing in the dirt - typical, Ron thought - and beamed up at them.

"You went away."

"I know. It was great," Ron said.

Her smile faltered. "You missed me?"

"Nah!"

"Ron! Of course he did, sweetheart. We both did. We just had a small holiday."

Rose looked sceptically at Ron again, but she seemed satisfied that he really had been joking and smiled again.

"Did you miss us?" Ron said.

"Very much." Hermione's mother came through from the kitchen carrying Hugo. The moment he saw Hermione he reached out his arms. "We had some tears, but it was okay."

"I was a big girl!" Rose declared.

"I'm sure you were," Ron said. "Are you ready to go home?"

"No!"

"Alright. You can stay here. The rest of us will go home. See you, Rosie."

"Nooo! Daddy!" Rose ran over to him and grabbed onto his trousers. "I want to go home."

Ron grinned. "Say goodbye and we'll go in a minute."

After Rose had said goodbye to her grandparents and Hermione had thanked them over and over, Ron stepped into the fireplace with Rose holding tightly onto his hand. He had enjoyed the small break with Hermione but he did admit that being back with his children was probably even better.

I'm not feeling fantastic right now, so apologies for any errors I missed. But thanks to my wonderful beta, Emily, who I think caught everything :D