7
Disputes
It had been two weeks since Hermione's visit to Russia and her encounter with Freddie. With his reply non-existent she had to assume that his help would not be forthcoming. Not that this changed anything in her eyes, it merely meant she'd have to tackle this task completely alone and explore other avenues of enquiry.
When she had told Kingsley of her lack of success though, he had remained stubbornly optimistic – insisting the offer put towards Freddie would be too good for him to refuse. He was also sure that Hermione had been very persuasive, but said this in a way which made her start to think that her brains were not the only reason she had been chosen to Floo to Russia.
Annoyingly, Kingsley had been evasive when asked what Freddie had actually done to be chased out of the country, or why he held such a dislike for the Minister for Magic. Hermione's own research into the Vampire had been unsuccessful, leading her to believe that whatever acts he had committed in the past must have been under a different name. Not that she had much time fixate and become obsessed with this particular puzzle as much as she normally would have, all her time and energy instead being poured into digging up information on the possible Vampire uprising.
This was bad news for Ron, as Hermione was now spending even more time at Ministry and it was not uncommon for her to come home long after he had given up and gone to bed, leaving again long before he woke up in the morning. She had explained away her long absences by telling Ron that Talia had gone on an extended holiday, leaving the department in her hands. While this had worked for a while Hermione knew Ron was beginning to cotton on that something wasn't right.
She arose as silently as possible from the bed on a wet Wednesday morning, trying her best not to disturb her sleeping boyfriend besides her as she tip toed into the bathroom.
'You look a state' Hermione sighed to herself as she looked into the mirror, heavy bags under her eyes. She couldn't remember the last time she had gotten a decent night's sleep. She once again wished she was still in possession of the time-turner Professor McGonagall had given her during her third year, a thought she had been having a lot recently.
She turned on the tap and collected some cold water in her cupped hands, bending down to splash her face in an attempt to wash away the early morning grogginess. When she wiped away the water with a towel she saw the reflection of Ron in the mirror, leaning against the bathroom door behind her.
'What are you doing? It's four o'clock in the morning!' he asked in disbelief.
'Oh, you know how it is. The Ministry never sleeps!' she laughed, trying her best to sound cheery in front of the stern look Ron was giving her. 'Why don't you go back to bed and get some more sleep?'
'What's going on Hermione?' Ron finally asked, a question she had known he had wanted to ask for days now. 'I can't even remember the last time we went to bed at the same time. I've been basically living in this house alone lately.'
Pig tweeted loudly from his cage in the bedroom, reminding Ron of his presence in the house.
'It's just a really busy time rig-' she began.
'Don't say that Hermione. I know you're lying, your eyes do this sort of quick little mini squint when you lie – gives you away every time.'
Ron came in close, taking her hands in his own.
'I can read you like a book and, unluckily for you, you're the only one I enjoy reading.'
They both chuckled as Hermione lent her forehead against his.
'Come on, you know you can tell me anything' Ron whispered.
She knew she could, and she had wanted to tell him all about Talia and the Vampires since the day it had happened. It was tearing Hermione up inside to keep this from Ron. All her life she had been able to depend on him and Harry to be there for her. But the words of Kingsley rang in her mind, she knew that for the time being this was something she had to do alone.
'Really Ron, its just work' she began to lie. 'The Centaurs are making some pretty outrageous demands and it's taking a lot of effort to try and get them to back down on some things.'
She felt Ron stiffen against her, he hadn't believed a word. He pulled his hands from hers as he stepped back.
'Are you regretting moving in with me?' he asked flatly.
'What? No! Of course not!' Hermione replied in disbelief.
'Well you could have fooled me' Ron responded bitterly. 'I don't know what you're up to but you seem to be doing everything in your power to spend as least time as possible here. I see Pig more than I see you.'
'Ron, don't say that' Hermione said, her voice full of hurt. 'I'm trying my best.'
She went to take his hands back in her own but he pushed them away.
'Whatever' Ron muttered angrily as he made his way to leave the bathroom. 'Enjoy work. Harry and Ginny have invited us around for dinner on Sunday. It'll be nice to see you so you should try and make it.'
'Ron, please' Hermione pleaded.
He closed the bathroom door behind himself, going back to bed. Hermione looked at her reflection in the mirror, once again not liking who she saw looking back.
