Chapter 2
The next morning when she awoke Hermione wasn't quite as enthralled as she might have been normally. Going to Hogsmeade was usually a fun experience, but she was going into a meeting with a man she had at one point absolutely loved about and she had no clue what the topic was. She decided that utilitarian dress would be best. Dressing up was uncalled for, but looking frumpy would only put out the I'm not interested vibe. While Ron was rather dense at reading people, others might see it and wonder what was going on. She opted for a pair of jeans that accentuated her very pleasant curves, but still were loose enough to allow things to be stowed in her pockets. She donned a camisole and a Weird Sister's t-shirt then slipped into her favorite pink hoodie. At 12:55 she took two steps outside of the house and looked around. Seeing no one anywhere close, she turned on the spot and with a faint pop disappeared.
Almost immediately she landed right outside The Three Broomsticks. On the crisp air she could smell Rosemerta's famous mead being served in probably very copious amounts. While she was focused on the scent and the feeling of fall in the air, Ron sidled up along side her and put his hand on her shoulder. The speed with which she drew her wand almost broke the laws of physics. The spell she chose to blast Ron with DID break his hold on her shoulder… and maybe a rib or two. Rictusempra was nice for tummy tickles when you were a second year and didn't know how to power a spell, but when you knew what you were doing, it could pack quite a wallop.
Ron had to fight to disentangle himself from his cloak, muttering curses the entire time. "Why, in the name of Merlin's most baggy y-fronts, did you do that?" he half asked, half yelled. Wincing, he touched his sore ribs. He sighed and lifted his shirt revealing a set of abs that Hermione was pretty sure he hadn't had the last time she'd seen him. She looked away feigning modesty and blushed just a little. Ron apparently had drawn his wand because she heard him say, "Episkey" after which he groaned in pain and she heard three loud clicks as a trio of ribs set themselves.
Hermione turned back to face Ron again. "Well, if YOU hadn't startled me I wouldn't have had to do that!" Two minutes into this little adventure and already she was starting to regret saying she'd meet him. "Sorry," Ron muttered. Should we go inside and talk? With a sigh, Hermione followed him into the pub. "At least", she thought, "he has learned some minor healing spells."
As both of them sat down to have their drinks Ron fessed up. "I need help. Probably not a surprise to you."
Hermione nodded and asked, "Why do you need my help? Obviously it's not school related."
Ron replied, "It kind of is. My proficiency exam is next week. Harry likes me, don't get me wrong, but he also needs to be fair and honest in his assessment of me, and, well, I don't think I'm gonna make it."
Rosemerta came to take their orders. Ron opted for a firewhiskey, his favorite drink, and some of the famous mead. Hermione settled on butterbeer. Sure, it wasn't intoxicating, unless you were a house elf, but it could certainly chase away lingering chills and that was intoxication enough today. Besides, if Ron was planning on drinking more than that she'd need to keep her head clear to make sure studying could be done. "Oh this isn't like school at all," she thought to herself as she internally rolled her eyes.
"What areas do you need help in… obviously not stealth." The acknowledgement seemed to take Ron by surprise and even caused a small smile to appear on his face. It soon faded. "Fair fighting is okay, but those are rare. I'm completely dreadful at potions. I can't blame Snape for all those times he got on me about them. I also am having some trouble with disguises and transfiguration in general. Last week Madame McGonogall showed up at work to visit with Kingsley and had reason to give me her look of disapproval at one of my spells."
Hermione knew that look from having seen it leveled at other students before. It was powerful in and of itself. She knew that helping Ron was necessary now more than it ever had been in school. "I'll help you. However, I'm not half the teacher that any of our teachers were so we will have to see how this goes. I'll set it up with Headmistress Sinistra so that we have access to a classroom tonight. Meet me in the entrance hall tonight at 7:00."
Ron simply smiled knowing that with Hermione's help on his side he would make it. He still admired the way her cheeks flushed and the overall quality of her voice when she was being stern with him. "Are you listening Ron!?" she yelled. Ron just kept smiling.
Hermione took her butterbeer and headed towards the school leaving Ron sitting in the pub seemingly staring blankly into space. She had lots to do before seven rolled around, including calming her nerves. She made a note to stop by and see Madame Pomfrey in the school's infirmary to get a calming tonic.
