There was a ruckus outside the Weasley residence as people gathered in the garden talking in hisses as the storm ravaged on inside. Ron and Hermione have just finished yelling at each other for Merlin knows how long, with Harry arbitrating the fight.
When their rage has subsided, Ron paced the narrow kitchen of the Burrow for most of the hour. "Hermione, I'm sorry." He said, solemnly, every ounce of regret dripping from his last two words.
"You knew of this, Harry?" Hermione turned to face Harry, who was sitting a little ways behind Ron.
"As a matter of fact, I don't." Answered Harry, with a little edge to his voice. He has been sitting on the third step of the stairs altering his gaze to Hermione and Ron.
Ron ignored Harry's tone and proceeded to plead with Hermione.
"Hermione, please, I'll do anything. Anything."
Hermione's face was downcast; her hands were shaking, itching to pull out the wand tucked safely in her back pocket and curse the boy who stood before her; but she restrained herself. "No, Ron. It doesn't work that way. Best be mature about it and accept that child."
As if reading Hermione's mind, Harry walked towards the both of them, carefully placing himself in a position where he can block a hex if need be.
"I'm tired." Hermione said, slumping against the couch and pulling her wand from her pocket. With shaking hands and bated breath, she laid her wand on the coffee table and sat back, palms placed on her lap.
Ron looked to Harry for help, but seeing as he too is mad at him, he gleaned but a blank face for a response.
"The veela," Hermione thought she tasted bile in her mouth as she spat the word, "is under the impression that you will be married, Ron. Why would she think that, if you hadn't promised her?"
"I swear I didn't—"
"You didn't mean it, yes, Ron, I knew you were going to say that. With the years we've been together I thought you'd grown. But I see that you're still juvenile." Hermione's bloodshot eyes found Ron's. "What was that you said? I was too controlling? Isn't it better to just talk to me about it, then perhaps we could've straightened things out? Was I that hard on you? That you will do anything, anything just to escape me?"
"I don't—"
"Listen, Ron. Either you're too much of a dung of an Auror that you can't even tell if a veela is seducing you or you made a conscious decision to cheat on me."
Ron's freckled face reddened and he averted his gaze as Harry eyed him apprehensively.
Hermione's lips curved into a gentle smile. Harry dipped his head before he faced Ron again.
Once again, Hermione spoke, her voice hoarse, "I'm sending an owl to the Prophet announcing my withdrawal from the engagement."
What with her energy drained from her sudden rage and forced calm, she picked up her wand, returned it to her back pocket, picked up her coat and walked toward the door.
Harry ran towards Hermione as she swayed in her step, threatening to fall on the floor. He held her elbow to steady her and led her out to the yard.
Ron was glued to his spot, dumbstruck.
The next morning saw The Daily Prophet with the announcement, "WEASLEY-GRANGER WEDDING CANCELLED".
Hermione Granger and Ronald Weasley, the infamous couple who fought during the Battle of Hogwarts alongside the legendary Harry Potter, were said to hold a wedding on the first week of July this year. However, due to unforeseen circumstances, the July wedding will be no more. Ms. Granger will be spending some years abroad as part of her job in the Department of International Magical Cooperation. According to Ms. Granger, she and Mr. Weasley will be parting ways, although still maintaining an amicable relationship.
The rest of the article was left unread and the Prophet was soon tossed to the fire by Ron.
"You've done it." Harry said, placing his coffee next to his plate.
When Ron did not answer, Harry continued. "Look, we've been together since first year at Hogwarts. I know whether you did something on purpose. You shouldn't have asked her to marry you in the first place. Now look at the mess you've put yourself into. I'm sorry, Ron but I'm siding with Hermione on this one."
Harry patted Ron on the shoulder, as he stood up and said his goodbyes to the Weasleys, kissing Ginny on the cheek before he apparated to Grimmauld Place.
Almost a year has passed since the scandal at the Burrow. Hermione has gone in and out of the country countless times since then, but she never conceded to any of Mrs. Weasley's dinner invites, sending gifts from the foreign lands she'd been instead.