2010
She was stressed. She promised him to be home on time. He hated when she was late, especially today. Hermione was practically running through the corridors of the ministry. She was supposed to be home hours ago, but things kept happening and happening and she still wasn’t close to being finished with all her work.
She sent Ron a Patronus explaining all the chaos and that she needed to wrap up everything at the office so she could take off until the next year. Not getting a response had made her worried, she knew he was going to be angry, but worrying about that now wouldn’t help her get home faster.
Sitting back down on her office chair she glanced over the remaining paperwork she had to do. There were three laws she had to look over, if she started now she could finish them in about one hour.
As she finished the last law, she looked over to the clock on her office wall and almost cried out loud in shock. It was 9.30 pm. Ron was going to kill her. She packed everything up and made her way out of the building. The ministry was dead empty at this point and her guilt grew even more. Everyone managed to go home to their families in time. Everyone, except her. She could only hope Ron would understand and that she could make it up to him.
She apparated to an empty corner just a block from where she lived and walked to her home. Turning the keys and stepping inside, she smelled cinnamon and gingerbread cookies. The muffled sound of the television filled the small house.
Hermione took off her boots and coat and walked into the living room. She nearly melted at the sight. Ron was fast asleep laying on the sofa, taking up the entire space, holding a sleeping Hugo close to him. Rose was sitting on his legs, munching on a gingerbread man, her eyes focused on the moving pictures in front of her.
“Hey, sweetheart,” Hermione whispered.
“Ssssh, mummy! Thieves,” she pointed to the television. It was only then that Hermione realised they were watching ‘Home Alone’. She walked over to her daughter and noticed the mess that was her husband. He was wearing an apron and had flour all over him. His hair was tangled up and there was a bit of cinnamon on his nose. Ron hadn’t noticed her walk in, which said a lot for a former Auror who would wake at every unusual movement around him.
Hermione gently removed Hugo from his arms and brought him to his room, making sure to not wake him. Thankfully he was already in his pyjamas and Hermione only had to tuck him into bed. When she finished she went back downstairs, coming back to a now fast-asleep Rose. Her little body lay across her father's leg and Hermione smiled to herself. She picked her up as well and brought her to bed.
Returning to the living room, she sat down on the sofa, careful enough to not disturb Ron and turned off the film. She gently stroked his face before running her hands through his messy hair. He mumbled something unclear and she saw his eyes open slowly.
“Hello, love,” she greeted him, still running her hands through his hair, “I’m sorry for being late.”
Ron took her hand and placed a kiss on her palm, “is okay.”
“No, it’s not. You look tired.”
He grinned, “Yeah your children had the glorious idea to bake some biscuits this afternoon.”
“And of course, my kids’ father couldn’t resist them?”
“Precisely,” he grinned, “c’me here, please,” he gestured for her to lay down with him.
Hermione shifted and moved to lie facing him, she leaned in to kiss him gently.
"I'm really sorry, Ron."
"It's really okay, I'm just glad you are off until next year."
"Me too. But I still feel guilty leaving you alone with the kids," she traced her fingers up and down his arm, "You look like a mess."
"Wow, you come home late and then insult me like that?" He replied laughing.
"You know what I mean!"
"I do, love. But you don't have to be sorry, I actually quite enjoyed baking with them. They are better at it than you."
Hermione pinched him in the side, "take that back!"
"Never," he whispered and captured her lips once more. She deepened the kiss pulling at the hem of his shirt gently and running her hands over his skin.
He moaned but pulled away slightly, "I would love to continue this, but I'm so tired and smell like a baker at the end of his work day."
"Don't worry about it," she replied giggling, pecking his lips once more, "do you want me to run you a bath?"
"Ugh, that would be wonderful," he groaned.
"It's the least I could do," she got up from her position on the sofa, but Ron pulled her back down, “No, don’t leave me,” he whined.
Hermione laughed, “I can’t run you a bath if I stay, love.”
“What about the whole ‘brightest witch of her age' thing?”
“Our house isn’t completely magical,” she retorted.
“Ugh, fine. Leave me then,” he said, letting go of her dramatically.
Hermione laughed and made her way towards the bathroom.
"Oh and Ron," she started.
"Yes?"
"You got cinnamon on your nose, did you know?"