Hermione hurried down the Ministry hallway, her eyes quickly taking in her surroundings. It had been ten days since her "break-up" with Ron and she missed him dreadfully. She's been so despondent she had even spilled her story to Ethan a few night ago, desperate for someone to talk to. Ethan's reaction, however, had irked Hermione. He had seemed almost eager to hear the news, and she sensed he hoped the "break" worked out to be permanent. His reaction couldn't help but to make her wonder if Ethan's intentions were beyond the bonds of friendship. She'd made it clear to him a few months ago that her relationship with Ron was her first priority, and he, despite their mutual attraction, had promised to respect that. Maybe he had had different motives the whole time as her Mum had warned her days ago. Or maybe she had just been naïve, thinking the banter between them had really just been harmless flirting.
She headed for the lift lost in thought, needing to get back up to her office quickly. She had successfully avoided Harry so far today, and had yet to run into Ron. She turned a corner and realized quickly her luck had run out. Ron was standing near the lift and he was not alone. He was standing next to the curviest blond Hermione had ever seen, with boobs the size of balloons.
"So, are we on then?" the slag was saying, her hand running up and down the length of Ron's forearm. My arm….Hermione thought as she dunked behind the nearest plant and busied herself 'finding' something in her bag.
" Oh, well, I'm sorry. Jill, but I'm not interested. You're a great girl, but I am very much taken so--"
"Oh, rubbish! I know that isn't true. Ethan up in Magical Creatures told me all about Hermione dumping you. What a heartless wench…lucky for me she doesn't know how lucky she was…." The woman's hand moved to the red hair at the nape of Ron's neck.
Hermione swallowed the lump in her throat, taking in the words. Why would Ethan say anything to her…I told him what happened in confidence…and that isn't what I said happened at all. Suddenly feeling as if she needed a good cry, she turned away and headed for the stairs.
"Hermione! Wait up, please!" Damn Auror senses.
She turned to see Ron push the blond bimbo's hand back toward her. "I don't know what Garret was talking about, Jill, but he has his information wrong." Ron jogged over to her, leaving a furious and embarrassed witch behind. Hermione smiled at her and waved. Jill tossed her impossibly golden and hair and stalked away.
Hermione and Ron stood in the hallway together, an awkward silence surrounding them. Finally, Ron cleared his throat. "Hi," he said nervously. "It's good to see you."
"Hi, Ron. It's good to see you too."
He nodded, and gestured to the pile of books in her arms. "How's work?"
"Oh, it's, um, fine…thanks for asking."
"Any new proposals?"
"A few, but it's okay…pretty boring stuff, you know."
"No, I'm sure it isn't at all!"
Hermione smiled weakly. She knew what he was trying to do. Somehow, it only made her want to cry more. "If you'll excuse me, Ron--"
"Hermione, I don't know what you heard over there--"
"I heard her ask you out, and I heard you turn her down."
"Of course I turned her down!"
"She's very attractive," Hermione muttered.
"No, she's not. She's all fake, and she can't hold a conversation to save her life. I think her brain is in her chest."
Hermione chuckled despite herself. "Ronald, that's horrible. Just because she is big busted doesn't mean she isn't intelligent. Your mother is quite well endowed and she is--"
"Eugh, Hermione, please, don't talk about my mum's, y'know."
"They are called breasts, Ronald."
"Hey, stop! My ears are burning!"
Hermione tutted and looked down at her hands. "Maybe you'd have a good time."
"What? Do you want me to go out with her? Jesus, Hermione! She's been with half the Auror Department!"
"Ron, you don't owe me any explanations."
She turned to leave, but Ron's strong hand on her upper arm stopped her. He turned her around to face him almost roughly. "Yes, I do because you're the one I--"
"Hermione!" They both looked dup to find Ethan Garret rushing toward them, his eyes alight with concern. "Everything okay here? What's going on?"
Ron turned to look at the dark haired stranger more closely. Perfect hair, nice expensive dress robes, and way too much cologne….so this git was Ethan Garret.
"Nothing that concerns the likes of you. Why don't you move along, Garret?" Ron answered through clenched teeth. Only months of Auror training were keeping his temper in check.
"Why don't you unhand Hermione, Mr. Weasley?" Ethan responded just as coldly. Ron looked down to see his hand was still gripping Hermione's arm rather tightly. He grimaced and looked at her apologetically. "Sorry," he murmured.
Hermione smiled at him reassuringly. What is Ethan playing at? Ron would simply never hurt me. How dare he…
Hermione turned to see Ethan smirking triumphantly at his feet. He looked up at Hermione and smiled sympathetically. "Would you like me to walk you back to the office, Hermione?"
She cleared her throat. "If you'll excuse us Ethan, Ron and I are having a private discussion."
Ethan looked taken back for a moment, but quickly recovered. "Of course, Hermione, as you wish. We do still need to go over the proposal--"
"I've put my suggestions on your desk. I have also given a copy to Mr. Fawcett. Feel free to go over them at your leisure and we can discuss it tomorrow."
Ethan's smile tightened. "Of course. Are we still on for breakfast?"
"Yes, I'll see you then." Ethan nodded curtly, recognizing the dismissal. He turned to leave, and Hermione smacked a smirking Ron on the arm.
"Ouch! What was that for?"
"You know what it was for!"
"Yeah, well…I can't believe you are interested in him--"
"I am not interested in him!"
"Well, he's interested in you!" Ron insisted, grabbing her hand and pulling her toward his father's office around the corner where they could talk privately.
Hermione slumped into Mr. Weasley's vacant chair. "I can't help who is interested in me, Ronald. Where's your dad?"
"At lunch with Percy. Don't change the subject. You don't have to encourage him!"
"I do not encourage anything!" Hermione's face reddened. That wasn't exactly true.
"Yes you do, and it's my fault!" He came to kneel beside the chair she was sitting in. "I haven't been a very good boyfriend, Hermione. I know that…"
"Ron, it's okay…you can't fee something that isn't there--" Her voice broke, and she looked away quickly.
Ron's eyes snapped up to her face, his face tight with fear. "I know what I feel, Hermione. You are the only thing I have ever and will ever want. I've been rubbish at showing you that, but…please, just give me--give us--a chance. Just one more chance." He fingered a curl and stared into her deep chocolate eyes, willing her to see all the things he didn't know quite how to say to her.
Hermione felt a tear course down her cheek, and gasped as the pad of Ron's rough thumb quickly wiped it away. She nodded, smiling through her tears. "All right, what did you have in mind?"
Ron smiled widely, that sparkling boyish grin she had fallen in love with years ago. "Go out with me Friday night."
"Friday, but that's your day at the shop…"
"Nah, Lee's taking it for me. So, how about it? Can I pick you up at seven?"
Hermione bit her lowered lip. She so wanted to say yes, but she didn't want to get hurt, again. But then Ron gently took her hand, and put a gentle kiss on her fingertips. "Please?"
Her resolve crumbled. She nodded yes, and he pulled her to her feet, and into a crushing embrace. "God, Mione, I've really missed you."
A voice cleared behind them, and they turned to see Mr. Weasley standing in the doorway , smirking at the pair of them.
"Mr. Weasley!" Hermione stammered as red as a tomato. "I'm sorry, we've taken over your office! We were just--"
"No need to explain, dear. I see you two had important things to discuss. Glad my son's finally making things right."
"Dad," Ron muttered, though he was still smiling.
"I'd better get back upstairs." Hermione turned to Ron. "I guess I'll see you Friday?"
Ron nodded. "Bet on it. Oh, I'll be pretty busy until then, but can I floo you at 8 tonight and 9 tomorrow. Just for a few minutes?"
Hermione was taken back.. Ron's floo calls were almost nonexistent before…he always forgot. Ron must have read the doubt in her expression, because he stepped forward. "I promise, Mione. Eight tonight and nine tomorrow?"
His blue eyes were beyond sincere. "Yes, I'll look forward to it. Bye."
Ron watched her go, his face hopeful. He turned back to his dad, who'd taken his seat behind the desk. Mr. Weasley was still smirking.
"What?"
"Oh, nothing, it's just….well, maybe now your mum will stop talking my ears off about you two…the sooner you work things out with Hermione, the more rest I'll get!"
"Dad!"
"Just joking, son. Seriously, she a lovely girl. We've always loved Hermione, and your mum had the two of you figured out a long time ago!"
"I'm going to marry her, Dad."
Mr. Weasley joked on the drink of tea he'd just taken. "Are you asking--"
"Not yet, I need to prove to her we can make it work while everything is so crazy. I've not been great at sorting out my priorities. I took her for granted for sure. Somewhere along the way, she lost faith my intentions. But I'm going to win her back. I'm going to make her see she is all I want, or need, and then I'm going to ask her to be my wife. Three's no choice about it really. She's had my hear since I was eleven."
"Ron, I just want you to know…" Arthur stood up and walked over to Ron, laying a hand on his shoulder. His youngest boy was nearly a head taller than him now. The feeling of standing thee, looking up at his youngest boy, it made his head spin.
"What is it Dad?"
Mr. Weasley sighed. "I am proud of all of my children, Ronnie. The lot of you have made your Mum and me proud beyond words. But you…Ron, we don't say it enough, but you make your Mum and I especially proud. We know growing up the youngest of five boys has been incredibly difficult, and I know you have had, probably still have, your insecurities. I also know Mum and I haven't really been able to give you everything you wanted--"
"No, Dad…you and Mum have always loved us been there for us. I know how lucky I am , truly I do."
"Well, thank you for saying that, son. But what I want to say is…you are a fine young man. All the things that are really important in life--love, loyalty--you have those Ron. You are a good man, and I am sure you are going to be a wonderful husband, and one day, father. Don't let yourself forget all the things you do have to offer Hermione. She is lucky to have you."
Ron reached out and embraced his father. "Thanks Dad. I just hope I am half as good as you."
