A/N:
Trigger warning: using coercion (guilt trip) for sex
Erica (Guest): My plan is to update every Friday.
Orangemavis: Thanks for the review! I appreciate any and all encouragement!
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Shoutout to my amazing beta Sarcastic-Seagoat!
Chapter 3
When Harry, Ginny and Hermione return home they find Arthur sitting at the table staring into his tea. Ginny hugs him and kisses his cheek. He says, "Would you all sit?"
Ginny looks at her father and it seems he's aged 10 years in the last few hours. She now knows things did not go well.
"Would anyone else like tea?" She asks as she sets about making it. She knows she's only postponing the inevitable. She uses a warming spell on her father's cup and pours some for herself and the others. She sits across from her father with Hermione between her and Harry.
Arthur begins, "Molly and I told Ron he had to move out tonight."
Hermione gasps and says, "No Arthur. No. I'll move out. I know things haven't been great between us lately and I should have moved out months ago. I'll go get a place of my own tomorrow. There's no need for Ron to move. I'm the one causing all the problems."
Harry and Ginny both say "NO!" and reach for Hermione as she stands.
Arthur asks in a tired voice, "Hermione, would you please sit back down?" She nods and sits. Not realizing she has tears running down her face.
Arthur smiles at her warmly and says, "Please hear me out before you make a decision. None of us want you to leave. You may not be related to us, but you are family, just like Harry. Molly and I have been discussing this for several months." He takes a deep breath and then continues. "We've watched our son spiral out of control and should have done something before now. There are Healers that have been trained to deal with anger control issues like Ron. I believe muggles call it psychotherapy." Harry and Hermione nod. "It's a newer field for wizards, but was needed after the first war. Kingsley suggested it to me after the incident during your training at the ministry. I had tried to talk Ron into it then but he refused. Molly and I gave him the option tonight of getting help or moving out. He chose to leave."
In a small voice Hermione says, "But where would he go? Honestly it will be better if I'm the one to move."
Arthur sighs, "He's gone to live over the joke shop. Hermione, Ron's actions are not because of you or anything you have said or done. Unfortunately, he takes most of his anger out on you. He has also been disrespectful to everyone else. Please do not blame yourself. If anyone is at fault, it's Molly and mine for allowing him to continue this way for months. Please don't make a rash decision about moving. Our decision will not change regardless of yours. He can only move home if he gets the help he needs."
After a moment of contemplation, Hermione nods. "I think I'll turn in now." she says, getting up to go to her room. They all say good night. She climbs into bed without even removing her clothes and cries herself to sleep.
-x-x-x-x-x-x-
Hermione is woken up by a tapping at the window. She has a horrible headache. Last night was awful. Ginny must already be up. She looks at the clock and realizes she slept past noon. She opens the window and sees an owl she doesn't know. It swoops in and she takes the letter and apologizes for not having a treat. The beautiful creature nuzzles her hand to let her know that it is alright and takes flight out the window. She marvels again at their intelligence.
It's not addressed so she isn't sure if it is for her or Ginny. She opens it and her heart drops when she realizes it is from Ron. All it says is: I'm done with you and my family that picked you over me. She drops the letter like it burnt her, crawls back in bed and sobs.
Ginny decides to bring up a sandwich and pumpkin juice to Hermione after she didn't come down for lunch. When she enters their shared room, it doesn't look like Hermione's been up.
She walks in and notices an open window and parchment on the floor. She sets Hermione's lunch on the desk and picks it up. She's furious at her brother. How dare he?! She takes a couple deep breaths and walks over to Hermione. She is awake but just staring at the wall. She's been crying again.
Ginny sits down next to her and says, "I'm so sorry he's acting this way. I brought you a sandwich and juice. Will you eat?"
Hermione's voice cracks when she says, "I'm not really hungry, but I'll drink the juice."
Ginny gives it to her. "When you're up to it Mum wants to speak with you." She nods. Ginny hugs her and says, "I'll always be here if you want to talk." Hermione nods again. She pats her leg before getting up. As she leaves, she takes the letter Ron sent off the desk to show Harry and her parents, knowing they will be just as angry as she is. Stupid bloody git.
Hermione really wishes she could talk to her mother. She's so confused. Part of her wants to move out immediately, but the other part doesn't want to leave. Why should she leave her surrogate family when she's not to blame for this? Her head believes this but in her heart she still blames herself for Ron's behavior. If only she'd been a better girlfriend or nagged less, maybe he wouldn't be so angry all the time.
But honestly, their relationship was over a long time ago. He hasn't held her hand or kissed her in months unless they were shagging. She hadn't really wanted to do it the last several times he initiated it, but gave in because he'd always make her for guilty when she had refused before.
He'd never been the most tender lover, but last time was horrible. He'd flipped her over and pounded into her without any foreplay or even a kiss, and after she told him he'd hurt her. He'd shrugged, said sorry and walked out. She felt so used.
She's relieved that he is gone. That he said it is over. She misses the Ron he was, not the Ron he is now.
Merlin why was she crying over him after everything he's done and said to her? No more. She's getting up and getting a shower.
Molly's making dinner when Hermione comes down stairs. "Do you need any help Molly?" She's surprised that she looks better than she's seen her in days. "Course dear. Did Ginny tell you I wanted to have a chat?"
"Yes, she did."
"Well I know Arthur told you last night that we want you to stay. I just wanted to be sure you are."
Hermione chuckles. "Yes. I am for now."
Molly turns to her and is frowning, "What do you mean for now?"
"Well, I've been saving to buy my own flat. I should have enough in the next few months for a good down payment."
Molly hugs Hermione and says, "Well I don't want you to move at all. You know you are always welcome under this roof. You are family and we love you. We aren't taking your side over his or any other rubbish he might say. This is about him getting the help he needs."
"Thank you so much. I love you too. I don't know what I'd have done without you all."
They both wipe their eyes as they pull apart
."You are welcome sweetheart. Anything for one of my girls."
Hermione's heart warms at this. Hopefully her parents will be found, but in the meantime it is wonderful to know she is still loved by most of the Weasleys.
Dinner wasn't quite as dreary as they all feared it was going to be that evening. Harry, Ginny and Hermione even played a game of exploding snap before they turned in for the night.
Hermione feels at home for the first time since she obliviated her parents and sent them to Australia.
