" Wow Ginny you look...different," Ron Weasley mumbled, as he shoved a handful of popcorn in his mouth and chewed. His eyes were glued to the telly where he was watching the BBC Doctor Who marathon. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see his sister Ginny standing behind the worn couch. She was wearing a short, sparkly black dress and her ginger hair, the same color as Ron's, cascaded past her shoulders in bouncy waves. Harry sauntered up to her wearing dark jeans and a navy button down, and he casually put an arm around Ginny. Ron blinked. He was still getting used to the idea of his sister and best friend as a couple.

Ginny glared daggers at Ron over his assessment on how she looked. Ron gulped. He could tell when Ginny was mad because she made the same face Mum made when she was about to have a row with Dad.

" Different good Gin! You look different in a good way. Uh, you too mate," he said, inclining his head to Harry. " You look like a proper muggle couple ready for a night on the town." 

Harry chuckled and nudged his glasses up on his nose. " I think we deserve a night out after defeating the darkest wizard in history." He gently pressed a kiss to Ginny's head and she sighed softly and leaned against his side.

It had been several months since Voldemort had been defeated.  Since then, Ron had been working with George in the joke shop and had moved into 12 Grimmauld Place with Harry and Hermione. Ginny, who was on her summer holiday, was staying with them too, and she and Harry were now officially dating. 

Harry and Hermione had been studying for the Ministry of Magic's civil service exams. Currently, Hermione was sitting next to Ron, heavily engrossed in a thick tome, her wand poised over the book as she was using a spell to highlight important information in the text. Molly Weasley had hoped that since Ron was living with his more studious friends, they would influence him to also start studying for the exams and consider a career in the ministry, rather than work at Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes. Ron liked working at the joke shop. It was nice to see witches and wizards laughing and smiling after they had all suffered such dark times.

Ron dug his hand into the popcorn bowl to grab another fistful of the salty, buttery goodness, but there were only a few kernels left. " Have either of you seen Kreacher lately? I need a refill. A cold Guinness would be bloody fantastic right now too." Lately Ron had been experimenting with muggle beer, and he quite liked Guinness.

Ginny rolled her eyes. " Ron if you keep stuffing your face and drinking muggle brews.."

" And sneaking candy at the joke shop," Harry added, smirking.

" You are going to acquire a muggle beer belly!" Ginny finished, and she and Harry burst into laughter.

" Seriously Ron, I haven't seen Kreacher all day," Harry admitted.

" Use your wand and make yourself popcorn," Ginny said, gesturing at his empty bowl.

" Well, I would if I could find my wand! I think I left it at the shop," Ron cried.

" You're being lazy and irresponsible," Ginny lectured with her best Molly Weasley impression.     " You've been in your pajamas all day!"

Ron looked down at his plaid pajama pants and the Hogwarts Alumni shirt he was wearing.

" What's wrong with what I've got on?" 

" Would you two stop bickering!" Hermione finally snapped, glaring over the top of the book she was studying.

" Uh Ginny? I think that's our cue to go," Harry muttered, handing Ginny a little muggle handbag he had gifted her recently.

Hermione sighed, blowing an unruly curl out of her face. " Look I'm sorry for being snippy, I'm just trying to study for this exam." 

" You've been studying all bloody day," Ron mumbled under his breath. It was true. Hermione had been studying every day, all day, all summer long. Harry had been studying too and Ron was working most days, but the three of them had visited the Weasleys, met up with Hagrid for tea, gone out with Neville and Luna for drinks, and practiced Quidditch as much as possible, as Ginny was hoping to make Captain of the Gryffindor team this coming year. Yet, Hermione had mostly spent the summer sequestered in the dank, dusty Grimmauld Place library studying by herself. At this rate, Ron didn't think he would ever stand a chance at asking her out on a date before the season was over. He felt bad admitting it, but he envied all the romantic date nights Harry and his sister had been on and lately he was beginning to feel like a third wheel when he spent time with them. Whenever he got the courage to attempt to ask Hermione out properly, she disappeared to the library.

Ginny exchanged a concerned look with Harry. " I hate to admit this Hermione, but Ron is right; you should take a break from studying for a bit." 

With a deep, rumbling purr Crookshanks leapt onto the couch between Hermione and Ron and landed right on top of Hermione's study guide. " See, even this old bugger agrees with me," Ron said.

" Alright, I guess a short break won't hurt," Hermione said, stroking her hand across Crookshanks' fluffy back.

" Well you two have fun, we've got 8:30 reservations!" Harry said, quickly ushering Ginny out of the room and winking at Ron while Hermione was focused on Crookshanks. Although it was not going to be a 'date', Ron was ecstatic that he was finally going to spend an evening with Hermione and he couldn't help but hope there might be a bit of snogging and cuddling involved.