a/n this is quite an exciting chapter, if I do say so myself! And also, I much prefer it when both Weasley twins are alive, so let's just pretend, ok?
That very morning, after getting dressed at her own flat, Hermione marched down to Ron's and pounded on the door. A bleary-eyed Ron cracked it open after a few minutes. "Whazzat?" he asked. "Oh, Hermione." He yawned largely and continued. "Good morning, honeycakes. What brings you to my doorstep so bright and early?"
"Why do you think, you foul little louse!"
Ron looked confused.
"I came over last night, with the intention of spending the night. What do you think I heard when I got to your bedroom door?" Hermione challenged. Ron blanched and made non-committal gestures. "Answer me, damn you! You owe me at least that much, that you admit it. I already know, so you can't hide from me any longer!"
"Well, uh, I, uh...well..." Ron was interrupted from his lame attempts at explanation by another female voice.
"Ronniekins? Who's at the door?" a hand slithered around Ron's face and drew it to her own. Hermione watched with a very non-plussed expression. Lavender Brown peeked out from behind Ron's scrawny shoulder. "Oh, it's you." Turning back to Ron, she said, "Come on, Wonnie. Close the door and come back to bed." She giggled sickeningly.
"Lavender, you are wearing my shirt." Hermione said smugly, pointing at her own flowered blouse, which was covering Lavender.
"Why would Ron have your shirt?" asked Lavender scornfully.
"Well, he won't because I'm taking it back, but he was my boyfriend up until I came in and heard you two last night. You see, Ron and I have been dating for the past two years, since the end of our seventh year." explained Hermione in a falsely sweet voice. Now Hermione turned to Ron with her eyes blazing. "But now that I've seen what an arrogant, stuck-up, low-down, slimy, rotten, back-stabbing, foul, creep he is, he's all yours." She reached through the door and ripped her shirt off of Lavender without dropping her gaze from Ron's astonished eyes. Then, she pushed the door shut and stormed back to her own flat. Upon entering, she locked the door, curled up on her living room couch, and burst into hot, angry tears.
The next few weeks had many highs and lows. Hermione and Ron had not spoken since the morning after Hermione had found him with Lavender. However, the story had circulated through the family, and Mrs. Weasley heartily disapproved of her youngest son's actions. In fact, everyone was angry with Ron for being such a prat. The twins sent him constant supplies of You-No-Poo disguised as chocolates from Lavender. Bill refused to talk to his youngest brother. Percy sent Ron a Howler, telling him 'to remember his duty to keep peace with the muggle-borns' (Percy was getting better at being normal, but it was still difficult for him). Harry and Ginny were still off on their honeymoon, and were blissfully unaware for now. Nonetheless, things were very awkward at the Weasley house. On the plus side, Charlie told his family about his new job, and they were ecstatic for him. His mother was pleased to have him back in the country, and his father was proud that his son had such an important position. Charlie invited his family, Harry (who would be back with Ginny in a week), and Hermione to come see the reserve once everything had transitioned smoothly. Everyone was quite excited, even Ron, who sulkily agreed to go along even though Hermione would be there. The pair weren't on speaking terms yet.
Finally, the big day arrived. Charlie had been working hard all week to make sure everything was ship shape for his family to come see. Things had been running very smoothly as Charlie learned the ropes. Amos, the old head dragon tamer had stayed on until he was sure Charlie could manage on his own, and today was his first real day of retirement. Charlie was on his own! Just as his family walked into the gates, Jordan, one of the junior dragon keepers rushed in. "Mr. Weasley," he said, panting. "You've got to….come out…right now." The poor man was gasping, and had a stitch in his side from running. "Someone's sent us….a dragon. We reckon….someone sold it as an egg…and then sent it here when they realized what it had hatched into." By now, Charlie was striding away quickly, following Jordan. "We've got a bunch of keepers trying to stun it, but it's not working!" Charlie saw his family out of the corner of his eye as Jordan led him to one of the fields near the entrance. Then-
"Holy shit! A Scandanavian Sweethorn!" A tiny blue bundle of scales was whipping this way and that, dodging every Stunning spell that was sent its way. A banged up packing crate lay abandoned on the lawn nearby. Charlie grabbed his wand and started blasting away at the elusive dragon as well. The little bundle of energy kept weaving in and out of the damn spells! It was about a foot long, was a shining powder blue colour, and had silver teeth and claws. There were about eight or nine full-grown wizards who could not hit this little devil of a hatchling. The battle went on for a few harried minutes until Charlie finally hit an unprotected spot under its left elbow. Unfortunately, by this time, the Sweethorn had launched itself towards Charlie with its claws outstretched and its mouth open, displaying wicked silver daggers. It went sailing into Charlie's shoulder, leaving teeth and claw marks before it fell to the ground, stiff as a board. Charlie started to waver and the last thing he heard before he toppled over, unconscious, was Hermione's voice shouting his name.