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For the past few days, Ron seemed to be a few minutes late for just about everything. He was always hurrying to show up for class, only to be the last one to arrive. Quidditch games were just starting before he graced the stands with his presence. Even mealtimes were unusual, with Ron showing up after everything appeared.
Being late for anything, but especially food? Ronald Weasley? Late for food? This was unheard of! Clearly, something was going on.
Hermione tried asking Harry about it, but he claimed to have no clue what Ron had been getting up to lately.
Being a resourceful witch, Hermione was determined to get to the bottom of this! She began following Ron around, often borrowing Harry’s cloak so as not to be seen.
One evening, Hermione tripped on the edge of the cloak. The crash she made as she fell caused Ron to look around.
As Hermione picked herself up, Ron just stared at her, holding something in his hands. Hermione tried to avoid looking anywhere but in his eyes as she irritably snapped, “What are you doing down here?”
“I was about to ask you the same thing!” Ron exclaimed.
“I’m trying to find out why you’ve been late all the time,” Hermione muttered, her eyes landing on what was in his hands. “What are—is that cake?”
“Well,” Ron said, holding up the piece of cake. “You see, this is why.”
“Why, what?” Hermione demanded.
“Why I’ve been a little late for the past few days,” Ron said.
“Cake is not a valid excuse,” Hermione declared. “Ronald! What are you doing?”
Ron pulled the slice apart. He handed a piece to her while eating his own piece before answering. “Well, you see, I’m trying to learn how to bake a cake.”
Hermione held her piece in her hands as she watched him finish his own half. “Like I said,” she began with an annoyed sigh. “Cake is not a valid excuse. Why do you want to know how to bake a cake anyway?”
“Because,” Ron said, rolling his eyes. “It was supposed to be a surprise, but I wanted to make a cake for you for Valentine’s Day.”
“For ... Valentine’s Day,” Hermione echoed.
“Yes.”
“But that’s like five months away, you blithering idiot!”
“I know,” Ron said. “I need practice. I’m terrible at baking. The elves in the kitchens here are trying to show me, but it’s hard.”
“It’s not,” Hermione tried to say. “It’s not really all that hard. I can help you.”
“But it’s not going to be a surprise any more,” Ron said.
“Just don’t tell me what kind of cake you want to make for Valentine’s Day,” Hermione said. “I can help you with the basics of baking, but that’s all I will do. You can make the final cake on your own.”
“That could work!” Ron agreed. “But you’re right. Cake is not a valid excuse for being late.”
“Which is why we’ll do this on weekends only,” Hermione said, her cheeks slightly red. Ron really wanted to make a cake for her?
Perhaps it was a valid excuse after all, but she would never say that out loud.
