Disclaimer: I don't own anything except the story. If I did, it wouldn't be called fan fiction.

Chapter 2: Partners

As the alarm clocks shrill bell blasted through the room Ron Weasley wondered just why he had agreed to buying that hellish contraption. He tried covering his ears with his pillow but when it failed to stifle the sound he threw it as hard as he could against a creation he was sure had dark magic involved. Unfortunately he had forgotten that the wizarding variety merely bounced anything thrown at them back at the person sleeping. The pillow hit him hard on the face and finally managed to get him up. Ron slapped the button to shut of the sound and groaned lying back on his bed. He was not sure when the last time he had a good night's sleep was but he was willing to bet gold it was some time before he went to Hogwarts. Ron had never told anyone that some nights he just laid in bed trying to get some kind of rest. Something always kept him up. Back then it had been school work, their latest brush with something dangerous hidden in the castle, his family, girls. Things hadn't changed much; now it was work, their latest brush with something dangerous hidden in a Death Eaters home, his family, and most recently, her. As he washed his face while looking in the mirror above the washbasin he tried hard to push those thoughts out of his mind. It was going to be a long day at work. Ron stretched wincing as one of the latest bruises he had picked up trying to follow some of the people who insisted on saying Voldemort was not gone. The bruise ran down the side of his body, his pale skin making every bump and cut even more noticeable. Well, it could have been worse.


As he arrived in the Ministry walking to his office he ran his fingers through his hair hoping today was one of those days where there was no rest running the streets or raiding houses. Anything that kept him busy and out of that confined space where he could not escape-

"Interviews." said Harry as he handed him a large folder.

"You're joking. Today? Really Harry?" he opened the file and groaned "And then him!" he sat at the chair next to his friends desk putting his hand on his face. He felt Harry's hand on his shoulder.

"I tried, Kingsley wants to be thorough before we go breaking into people's houses...but that's not really what's bothering you isn't it." he said as he sat on his desk looking at the red head. "What exactly happened Ron?"

Ron just sighed and looked up at him. He let himself slump back. It was a scene that kept replaying over and over for the last few days. He felt the intoxicating smell that always surrounded her, a smell almost sacred. He heard her laugh, a laugh he had not known how wonderful it was when he first heard it. He saw her run her fingers through her hair, the long dark masses that slid like liquid. And he felt her lips on his and how it felt like none he had shared before.

"I need to get working...you know he doesn't like to be kept waiting." he said as he grabbed the files and walked to his office. Harry sighed, whatever was bothering Ron was deep.

As Ron entered the office he was greeted by one of his least favorite people. Draco Malfoy sat; legs crossed looking out of the window. As he closed the door Draco looked at him. His face was serious, but he didn't have the same hate he had back in their school years, but there was no warm feelings in those grey eyes either, just a mutual acceptance. Ron just took his chair and opened the file looking at the newer notes on Malfoy.

"You look horrible Weasley."

"You are no prize winner either Malfoy" he looked up at him "There is still some unanswered questions about your uncle...some rumors about his-"

"Where is that lovely partner of yours Weasley? Scared her of have you? I would much rather be interviewed by her...quite the looker isn't she?"

Ron's head looked up from the papers to Draco's face which formed a smile when he saw his old schoolmate's reaction. He then silently cursed himself for being so obvious.

"Well, I didn't pin you as being the type to use a woman like that, I underestimated you." he said crossing his arms and putting down the leg he had crossed. "Tell me, is she as luscious as she seems?"

Ron felt the impulse to stand and grabbed the cock blond by his neck but held back biting his lips. He was not going to let Malfoy get to him.

"We seem to share some things in common Weasley." said Malfoy now moving to rest his arms on Ron's desk "Of course at least I would had broken of any previous relationships, a lover would be too much work. And with your public profile, well let's just say it might be frowned upon."

"Lestrange" said Ron trying to keep his focus on the notes he was writing on "has been sighted near-"

"But I must say, Patil would certainly be worth the scandal. Tell me Weasley, how does that lovely flower feel?"

Before he could stop himself Ron was standing ready to put Malfoy against the wall but that scent filled the small office. He looked up and was met by his fellow Auror Padma Patil. She stood in the door, her arms laden with her own files. Her dark brown eyes were set on him. Her hair was braided, reaching her lower back, her lips just ever so slightly parted. For a moment Ron saw himself once more feeling her kissing him back before she had pulled away. He closed his eyes trying to keep his composure. This was not how he wanted to see her again, with Draco Malfoy sitting at his desk.

"I'm just leaving this here..sorry for interrupting." she said finally taking her eyes away from him and rapidly dumping the files on her desk that was set against his. As she moved to the door for a moment she looked back at him before leaving the confined space. Draco looked at Ron and smiled once more.

"Well, that was certainly informative...you wanted to ask me about my uncle?"


The day was almost over and Padma had been keeping herself busy outside the office, avoiding him. He had kept mostly to doing desk work, skipping lunch to avoid the conversation he knew was coming soon. As his mind wondered if he would see her the door once more was opened, Patil coming in. For a moment she looked like she wanted to turn around but she took a deep breath and closed the door behind herself. She walked up to Ron and sat down in the chair next to his desk. He wanted to hold the hands she was wringing nervously. As wrong as it was he wanted to comfort her.

"Ron...what happened...I don't want to do this."

Ron looked down, taking a deep breath. This was not how things were supposed to go. He wasn't supposed to be completely distracted by how the stray strands of hair rested against her cheek. And worse he could tell he was hurting her. The dark brown eyes kept avoiding looking at his blue ones, tears filling them. She took a deep breath not letting those tears fall and sat up straight and looked to him. Ron felt a weight had been dropped on his chest.

"We are just partners at work...nothing more..."

"Partners...right..." He nodded softly his throat feeling dry all of a sudden.

"What happened at the dinner...it was nothing..." he couldn't think of a moment he had heard her voice so empty.

"Nothing..."

They both stayed looking at each other in silence. He wanted to hold her. Her hands curled up, nails digging into her palms and he saw her bite her lip while she looked at him. Suddenly he felt her brush his hair softly behind his ear. A chill ran down his whole body when he felt the soft hand stroke his freckled cheek. He knew he must have blushed. Padma looked down. Their awkward silence was interrupted by bells announcing it was now six o' clock. She quickly stood going to her desk cleaning up her things. Ron did the same grabbing those papers he had to take home. She stopped at the door opening it and for a moment stood there.

"Good night Mr. Weasley..." she said without really turning to look at him.

"Good night...Miss Patil." He answered with his own eyes on the floor. Without another word she left. Ron closed the brief case he was using to carry the files and sighed. Tonight would be another sleepless night.


Dropping the case as he entered he let his body fall on the couch. This was not supposed to have escalated to this. He couldn't fall for his partner. He couldn't fall for the girl he had passed on all those years ago. He did not get a second chance, especially not when his future was pretty set. And just then he heard the woosh of the floo network. Looking up he suddenly felt even worse.

"Hello Ron" said his girlfriend Hermione Granger as she put down her luggage.


Well to all who asked yes there is more coming soon and don't worry, there will be more information of what happened in both situations. Hopefully the next update will come faster, I really am surprised at how well it has been received and hopefully you will still like it as it moves ahead.