A/N:

Thanks so much to Sarcastic-Seagoat for being the beta for Chapters 1-5.

Characters internal monologue are in italics as well as word emphasis in charcter's dialogue and of course, for publications, magical and muggle.

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of JK Rowling's characters.

You can find me on Facebook at Chalayne Singleton. Also check out The Auror Mentalist Pinterest Board to see moments from the story.

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Name Business Name: Fanfiction Author Chalayne

Summary:

Ron's anger is affecting everyone at The Burrow, especially Hermione. His parents give him an ultimatum and he moves out. Hermione is having troubles of her own, especially since finding out about her parents disappearance shortly after they arrived in Australia. She is astounded but pleased that Draco is the one helping her put herself back together. As aurors they are partnered together find a criminal with a bizarre MO that is targeting muggles and wizards.

Set after HPDH ignoring the epilogue. Dramione. OC Draco, Hermione Ron.

Rated MA.

Chapter 1

Hermione sits in the garden at the Burrow staring blindly at the sky and contemplates the conversation, well, it was more of a one-sided screaming fest with Ron. I only asked if he was sleeping well and he blew up at me. It seems like all they do is argue and she's his scapegoat. Ron's short fuse has become even shorter since they started dating after the war. She's tried to be patient with him, knowing he is dealing with survivor's guilt and displaced anger. But Merlin, I'm tired of being screamed at like an abused house elf. Even Draco bloody Malfoy treats me with more respect.

In the house, Ginny is watching her from her bedroom window, her heart breaking for her best friend who is really more of a sister. She hates how Ron is treating Hermione. Merlin, she won't even argue back anymore, just lets him rant and then goes off by herself. He's gotten a bit more clever about not raging in front of anyone since they've all taken him to task over it. But Ginny can always tell when they've had another row. It's written all over her face and in her body language. I can see her fading spirit through the fake smiles.

"Hello dear," her Mum says as she opens the door to her room. Molly joins her by the window. "He's done it again." She places her arm around her daughter and she puts her head on her mother's shoulder. She looks down at Hermione, whom she considers one of her own, feeling pain that her son is capable of hurting her so badly.

Ginny pulls away from her mom and unconsciouly wrings her hands as she turns to look at her, saying "Mum, I wish she would just break it off with him." and shakes her head. "When I told her that she said 'He's going through a hard time and I can't leave him now.'" Ginny sighs, "Mum, he's breaking her and I dont know what to do to help either of them."

"I know dear. I actually came up to ask you to take Hermione out tonight. Harry has agreed to help. Between you both, she won't refuse. Your Dad and I are planning on confronting Ronald after dinner. We are no longer going to tolerate his attitude. Not just toward her, but all of us." Ginny gives her a concerned look and responds "I'll help Harry get her out, but do you think it'll actually work?" Until now, Molly hadn't realized how much Ron's attitude has affected his sister and it reinforces her resolve. "Godrick knows dear, but I hope so. Your Dad's been wanting to do this for a while and after hearing his tirade this morning, I agreed." She looks out the window and watches Hermione walking toward the house, shoulders slumped and head down and she wishes she had done something sooner and her temper flares. "I could hear him from my room and was going to give him a howler in person, but by the time I got downstairs, Ronald was nowhere to be found."

Ginny sighs, wishing training with the Harpies would start sooner rather than later. Then she balks at the idea, angry at Ron for tearing apart her already greiving family. She can't handle Ron's attitude and neither can anyone else. It is just too much. Part of her wants to tell him off and part of her hurts for him. She lets go of the anger, knowing that she must to heal. Softly she says, "I hate this." With Ginny's words, Molly pulls her in for a big hug and says. "So do I."

Ginny and Harry didn't have much of a problem getting Hermione to go out. Harry remembered a movie she had mentioned wanting to see, and Ginny told her she had been dying to try her favorite muggle restaurant. Both of which Ron hates. She jumped at the opportunity to go because she didn't think she could face Ron and keep pretending everything is fine and that she is happy. About halfway through their dinner she finally starts to relax and have a good time. It is freeing to be away from Ron and not have to watch everything she says.

They bump into Draco Malfoy a block from the theatre and he joins them for the movie then coffee and dessert afterward. They reminisce about what a hard arse Shacklebolt had been during their Auror training and their shock of finding out he is the life of the party at their graduation celebration. They go into hysterics when Draco does a spot on impersonation of Shacklebolt's robot dance.

Hermione can't remember the last time she laughed like that and is thankful they had put aside their animosity. Well except for Ron, but he learned fast that his attitude wouldn't fly in training. She really had thought he was changing then; that Shacklebolt had gotten through when no one else had, but it was too good to last.

A week before the end of their training, Shacklebolt gave them a quick break and stepped out. Ron stalked over and got in Draco's face and railed at him, even going so far as to blame him for Fred's death. Harry and Hermione were immediately at Ron's side. Draco stood there with his arms crossed over his chest and the only outward sign of his anger was his cheeks turning slightly red. Harry tried to pull Ron away, but Ron pulled out his wand and aimed it at Draco's face. Luckily Hermione was quick with a stupefy spell aimed at Ron before he hexed Draco.

When Shacklebolt returned, Ron was just coming round. He demanded to know what occurred. Harry explained. When Draco said it wasn't a big deal, everyone was shocked. Shacklebolt wanted everyone's memory of the incident to review in the Pensieve. Ron had to meet with him and never came back. That night he told them he'd quit. He wouldn't work at the Ministry when they allowed a Death Eater to be an Auror and he's now working at the joke shop with George.

Arthur Weasley talked to Shacklebolt the next day. The Minister told him that he had made Ron wait while he reviewed the memories. Normally a trainee would have been sacked straight away. Because of Hermione's quick thinking (so Ron was not allowed to perform a hex), his efforts during the war, the knowledge of Ron's deep-seated animosity toward Malfoy and Draco's refusal to make a charge against Ron, he had given him the option to apologize, knowing if he stepped out of line again he was out, and to begin counseling. Ron refused and resigned. Arthur decided then to do what the muggles in America call an intervention, but it took a while to convince Molly.

A/N: Please review!

Edited 9/28/17