Fic: Where the Heart Is, Ch. 1
Ron woke up a few minutes before the alarm clock rang, nestling Hermione in his arms. He breathed in the faint scent of her vanilla shampoo. “What a wondrous thing to be able to hold the one you love through the night, knowing that nothing can keep you apart,” he thought. Ron rubbed Hermione’s back and nuzzled her ear.
“Good morning, darling,” she sleepily remarked.
“Have a good sleep, ‘Mione?”
“It’s always good while I’m in your arms,” she replied, moving to sit up.
“Mmm, love,” Ron muttered as Hermione gave him a brief shoulder massage.
“What would you like for breakfast?” she asked.
“Hmm…I think I’d go for a spot of tea, a few sausages, and some toast. What do you think?”
“That sounds quite lovely, Ron. I’ll just shower and then start cooking,” Hermione replied, starting to rise out of bed.
“I think I’ll join you in the bath as well,” Ron suggested, grabbing her arm, making her fall back unto the bed.
“Ronald!” Hermione giggled. She grabbed the nearest pillow, and swatted it at his face.
“Play nice, love,” Ron purred, swatting her bum. The two engaged in a deep kiss before Hermione broke away.
“I’ve really got to shower for work, Ron,” she teased.
“Well, come on then, love,” he replied, getting up to join her.
*
“Delicious nosh, ‘Mione,” Ron remarked with his mouth full of toast.
“I’m glad you like it, love,” Hermione replied, sipping her tea. “Do you have any interesting cases at work today?”
“Nah, but I’m supposed to be assigned a new trainee this morning. Glad to have a bit of break from field cases, honestly.” Hermione smiled.
Ron finished his last few bites of sausage before grabbing his wand, and the two joined in front of the fireplace.
“The Ministry!” they both called as they stepped into the fire.
*
Both stepped out of the Ministry fireplace. Hermione and Ron departed; she heading to the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures, he to his office in the Auror’s office.
“Good morning, Mr. Weasley,” greeted Madam Bobsey, an aged secretary at the front desk.
“Morning, Julia,” Ron replied on the way to his office.
Ron was surprised to find a pretty blond sitting on his desk. She wore a bright purple witch’s hat and seemed to adorn jeweled rings on nearly each of her fingers. The witch smiled at him. “This must be the new trainee,” Ron thought. “She’s a bit…flashy. Hermione will his thoughts were interrupted by the woman.
“Hello, Ronald,” she giggled. The witch started to stand as Kingsley Shacklebolt entered the room.
“Ronald Weasley, meet Miss Olivia Tottinhem, our new Auror trainee,” Kingsley introduced the two.
“We’ve already met,” Olivia said coyly. Ron shifted, a bit uneasy at this woman’s outright flirtiness.
“You will be in charge of overseeing Miss Tottinhem’s training for the next 3 months, Mr. Weasley. She will be reporting to you Monday through Thursday, and one Friday a month for testing. I expect you are more than capable enough to teach Olivia everything there is to know about being an Auror,” Kingsley proudly remarked. Turning to Olivia, he questioned, “I suppose you will have many questions for Mr. Weasley. He is not assigned to a field case as of now, so you will be studying general paperwork, case files, and the like.”
“Thank you, Mr. Shacklebolt. I am very ecstatic to see what Mr. Weasley has to teach me. I’m sure we will have a very successful partnership.” Olivia seemed to be doing a bit of brown-nosing.
Kingsley left the two to their devices. Olivia extended her hand to Ron, who begrudgingly took it.
“I’m looking forward to learning more about the Auror field, Ronald. I’m sure we will get along just fine,” Olivia winked at him.
“I-er-I think we will get along fine as well,” Ron hoped he would not eat his words later on.