It might not have been a question to put forth at this hour, Hermione realized, when Ron scoffed and dismissed her concerns, but she couldnât pretend it was something she hadnât seen coming. Dark brown eyes rolled when the package of biscuits was brandished before her, but a small smirk flickered across her lips all the same.Â
âI know,â she breathed, âI was just wondering. Iâm sure heâs more than happy to share if thatâs the case.â
Living with Ron, disappearing food was part of the agreement, and if Harry didnât know that by now Hermione would be very surprised.Â
A short silence fell between them, Hermione watching intently as Ron readied the kettle. She drew in a breath through her nose and released it, rubbing at her eyes with the heels of her hands.Â
âRon?â she murmured, resting her feet on one of the table chairs. âThanks.â
No doubt that Harry would share, but Ron wasnât about to let her have the satisfaction of being right.
The sharp turn of a stovetop knob produced blue, hungry flames, tamed only by dialing back the intensity of the initial ignition. Hermione had demystified much of her and Harryâs Muggle experiences for him in the time they spent living in and traveling about Muggle London together, especially when they spent time at her parentsâ home. Ron was hardly fazed by talking phone machines or the loud-but-fast-cooking-food-box anymore. Magic was the ultimate convenience, but there was a certain charm in taking the Muggle path every now and again.
Ron positioned the full kettle over the flames, his focus steady and lingering until the softness of his name suddenly spoken reached his red-tipped ears.
âOh, donât mention it,â he replied, his eyes glued to the stove. Making a cuppa of the finest English brew was instinctual and the least he could do for someone he cared deeply for, but sometimes, it felt like stemming high tide with a single grain of sand. It didnât stop the nightmares. It didnât ease the anguish. But many grains of sand were more effective than just one. âItâs not much, but Mum swears by it.â








