XXXXXXX
Chapter Seven: Acceptance and Unexpected Visits
XXXXXXX
Hermione felt numb. This was not the birthday present she'd been expecting.
'Ron,' she said sternly, 'I thought you were going to save up for a flat?'
'I don't mind living at The Burrow for a bit longer, really. Besides how could I live by myself? I can't even cook.'
Hermione couldn't repress the smile that was tugging on her lips. 'So that's why you want to get married – so someone can make you meals.'
Ron smiled as well. 'You know that's not it.'
'It's a beautiful ring. Does it do anything?'
'Do..?'
'Did you get it enchanted?'
Ron nodded. 'Oh, yes. It'll turn blue whenever I'm thinking about you, because I know blue is one of your favourite colours. And I got the actual ring to look like those Muggle engagement rings since you're Muggle-born.'
Hermione looked down at the ring and suddenly felt very sombre. 'You don't think we're too young?'
'No. When you know, you know.'
Hermione nodded, understanding. 'I just want you to be sure you know what you'll be getting yourself into. If we get married you can't leave your dirty laundry laying about, and my bedroom will not be full of orange Chudley Cannons paraphernalia.'
Ron nodded. 'Of course not. But I'm not sleeping in a room that's a bloody library, either.'
Hermione blushed. 'All right, then. Deal.'
'Good.' Ron kissed her neck again. 'It's not as though we have to get married right away, either, y'know.'
'I know.'
'Wait, you never actually said yes... or no.'
Hermione rolled her eyes. 'For heaven's sake, Ron, why would I say no?'
'I dunno.'
'Of course, yes!'
XXXXXXX
The Weasley clan, minus Ginny and Arthur, were getting together for Sunday supper. Ron left Hermione's flat early that morning, having stayed the whole night with her, loving her and celebrating not only her birthday, but the fact that they were now engaged as well.
Ron peeled potatoes the Muggle way, his mother insisting that this way was the best. Ron picked up the peeler, muttering, 'Right mental way, if you ask me.' Still, he peeled for what seemed like hours (although was more like twenty minutes), watching as his brothers Apparated in from all over Europe to stay for an Order meeting early the next morning. Charlie came alone, while Bill brought his wife. Ron knew everyone would have rather had it the other way around; no one was terribly fond of Fleur.
'Why are you doing zat?' asked Fleur as she smoothed her silvery hair. 'Wouldn't eet be easier to use your wand?'
'Mum says this way is better,' replied Ron with a shrug. He didn't even look up from his pile of potatoes; Fleur no longer had an effect on him, and he was sure she was using her powers because George, sitting in one of the kitchen chairs, was lightly drooling with his hands carefully folded in his lap. Charlie drummed his fingers on top of the table, watching George with amusement. Bill was leaning back in his respective chair, his feet crossed at the ankles on the table. Fred and Angelina were working on figures from the joke shop, trying to figure out last week's profits. Percy was out in the garden, looking for gnomes, still doing everything he could for his mother to make up for what a git he was a few years back. Mrs Weasley had gone upstairs, probably to have a private cry, which Ron had discovered she did several times a day.
'And do you always do what your muzzer says?'
Ron didn't replied. Bill needed to get control of his ruddy wife.
They all were a bit sombre, and had been since Arthur had gone missing, so Fleur's usual antics were unappreciated.
'Bill!' Mrs Weasley cried out, bustling into the kitchen. 'Get those dirty boots off the table!' She sent a spark out from the end of her wand, causing Bill to jump up and shoot his mother a nasty look. Mrs Weasley ignored him, stirring the contents of her pans boiling on the cooker.
'Beel,' said Fleur, 'I told you at home to clean your boots before we left. Zose shoos are vairy dirty. A seemple cleaning spell would—'
'Fleur,' snapped Bill, whipping out his wand and vanishing the mud on his boots, 'give it a rest, all right?'
Fleur folded her arms over her chest and sat down next to George who blushed a vivid red. Ron watched her, disgusted that she couldn't take a hint that this was the first time his family had gotten together since their father went missing and they weren't in the mood for her shite. He wished Hermione would get there; she never took any of Fleur's crap, and Bill was too scared of Hermione's temper to take up for his own wife.
'So, Bill, how's work?'
'Work's fine, Mum,' answered Bill.
'I suppose no one says anything about the ponytail since you're no longer working at a desk?'
'No one said anything about my ponytail in the first place.'
Mrs Weasley scoffed.
'Why are you always on about my hair? Ron's is one strand shy of being past his shoulders, y'know.'
'Thanks a lot!' snapped Ron. 'I thought we were supposed to be on the same side. Some brother you are.'
Bill laughed. 'Well, it is getting long.'
'No longer than yours, y'know,' barked Ron. 'And it's not "long," it's shaggy.'
Bill shrugged. 'I don't care. I'm all for long hair.'
'It doesn't matter what you think, Bill,' said Charlie with a twinkle in his eye. 'All that matters is that Hermione likes his hair.'
'I bet she does,' said Fred, tearing his eyes away from the figures he was still working on. 'She probably runs her fingers through it after he gives her a good rogerin—'
'FRED!' Ron yelled.
'Hey, don't blame me. Ginny's got a big mouth.'
'I thought only Harry knew about Ginny's big mouth,' commented George.
Mrs Weasley turned around. 'Not another word about any of this! One more inappropriate comment and you can go without dinner and breakfast.'
Fred gasped. 'You wouldn't.'
'Try me,' snarled Mrs Weasley.
'We didn't get a chance to eat lunch today – the shop was too busy.'
Mrs Weasley shrugged. 'So then you'll be good.' Clearing her throat, she turned back around to the stove. 'So, Ronnie, what did you get Hermione for her birthday yesterday?'
'I bet I know what he got Hermione,' said Fred with a laugh.
'I'm warning you,' said Mrs Weasley, turning around and shaking her spoon at Fred. 'Ronnie?' she repeated when Ron chose to ignore her.
'Oh, um... er... just a piece of jewellery is all.'
'What kind of jewellery?' asked Fleur, her eyes brightening.
'Um... Enchanted, I suppose.'
'Oh? You weent to a metal charmer? Or a gem charmer?'
Ron nodded. 'Um, yes.'
'What does eet look like?'
Ron felt the tips of his ears heat up. 'You know, I don't really want to talk about this.'
'Aw, is ickle Ronnikins embarrassed?' asked Fred teasingly. His smile faded as Ron turned a darker shade of red, ignoring him. 'Ron..?'
'I just don't want to talk about it.'
Mrs Weasley frowned. 'Well, I can just ask her when she gets here.'
Ron was still silent. He wanted to tell his family about Hermione, but, at the same time, he didn't feel like dealing with their reactions, either. His father was missing while Ron had a brilliant night. It didn't seem fair that he should be happy when his father was probably suffering at the hands of former Death Eaters.
'Are you afraid zat ze jewellery eez no good?'
'No,' said Ron immediately.
'Beel gave me a rooby ring for my birthday, didn't you, Beel?'
Ron narrowed his eyes at his brother who just smiled broadly and shrugged. Bill had the money to buy Fleur pretty things, and in return she gave him excellent shags. Ron had overheard a conversation along those lines Bill had with Charlie one Christmas. Fleur was beautiful, anyone could see that, but she only wanted the best. She clearly thought Bill was the best-looking, and since she had the best-looking man she required the best-looking things. Ron slowly grew to dislike her almost as much as Hermione did – although, he guessed no one could hate her as much as Hermione.
'Speaking of rings,' said Fred with a mischievous grin spreading across his face, 'when are you going to give Hermione an engagement one?'
'I hate you,' Ron said, staring daggers at his brother.
'Ron!' cried Mrs Weasley.
'Sorry, Mum,' mumbled Ron.
'Still,' continued Mrs Weasley, 'when are you going to give her an engagement ring? It would be nice to make an honest woman out of her; she honestly can't like being a scarlet woman.'
Ron covered his face with his hands. 'Oh, I don't believe this. You lot are entirely mental, I swear.'
'Ron? Did you..?'
Ron didn't answer. He hated his family. They were all rubbish, trying to embarrass him like that. Oh, the twins were definitely going to take the mickey out of him.
'Ohh, Ronnie!' squealed Mrs Weasley, giving her youngest son a bone-crushing hug. 'I always did like Hermione.'
'Yeah, except in fourth year when you thought she broke Harry's heart.'
Mrs Weasley waved a dismissive hand. 'That's neither here nor there. Besides, how was I supposed to know that Witch Weekly printed falsehoods?' Mrs Weasley sighed. 'It's nice to have happy things happen when...'
There was no need for her to finish the sentence.
'I remember 'Ermione from ze Yule Ball at 'Ogwarts. She and Viktor made a vairy 'andsome couple. All ze Beauxbatons girls were vairy jealous of 'er.'
Ron scowled.
'Oh, no,' scolded Fred, 'we don't mention Viktor Krum in the presence of Ron. What do you call him, Ronnie-boy? Vicky? Hermione's gonna deck you one day when you fly off your broomstick all in a tizzy again because she's gotten a letter from him.'
'She went to dinner with him not too long ago, y'know. I was just fine with it.'
'Liar,' said Charlie, studying Ron's expressionless face.
Ron blushed. Oh, how he would be glad when this dinner was over.
XXXXXXX
For the first time, Ron met Hermione's boss. Mulciber sat in the corner of The Burrow's kitchen, where the meeting of the Order of the Phoenix was being held. All of the old Order members sat around the table, looking very grave. Hermione, in particular, appeared extremely apprehensive. She clutched Ron's hand, and he ran his finger back and forth over the ring she proudly wore on her left hand.
McGonagall, having taken over the Order after Dumbledore's death, Apparated into the kitchen, and the meeting officially began.
'Alberic?' said McGonagall.
'Yes, Minerva?'
'Are you ready to discuss your findings?'
Alberic Mulciber stood up and cleared his throat. 'I'm not a new member of the Order, although I rarely attended meetings over the past few years. I'm afraid my work has gotten in the way. Now, though, the two overlap. My work cannot keep me from the Order any longer, which is good for all of you because you're going to learn exactly what we're up against.'
'I thought this was another meeting to catch us all up about the Death Eaters that still need to be caught?' said Fred. He looked at his twin who shrugged; they both looked confused.
'Yesterday one of the personnel from Magical Games and Sports went missing. That puts the total up to forty-four. There's a connection between them. I'm sure you could have figured that out. Yes, now, they are missing because of the essence of Voldemort.'
All of the members had blank looks on their faces. Ron noted that Charlie looked especially confused, and whenever Charlie was confused he got in a bad mood. He was a renowned Seeker during his Hogwarts years and a right good dragon tamer, but he wasn't of the same Head Boy calibre that Bill or Percy were... or, well, Ron as well.
'Are you going to explain to us what that is?' Charlie asked with a rather tensed tone.
'I'll let Miss Granger explain that. She's been researching all about it, actually.' Mulciber looked at Hermione.
Ron gave her hand a reassuring squeeze before she slowly stood up, smoothing out her jumper and skirt. She explained it all very carefully – how an already 'bad' wizard would go even further towards the side of evil if suddenly inflicted with the essence of Voldemort.
'So, zere eez an exact repleeca of Voldemort out zere now?' Fleur asked, looking particularly concerned.
'Er – no,' answered Hermione. 'The amount of evil Voldemort had in him wasn't directly transferred to McDougal, the Minister of Magic, who we believe got the essence.'
'Zis essence was just given to a Death Eater? 'Ow could no one 'ave seen zis coming?'
Hermione visibly stiffened. 'The potion that killed Voldemort's soul... It rids just enough of the soul so that Voldemort could not stay on earth as a spirit. When he tried to use the Killing Curse on Harry Potter, he destroyed his own body, and he was just a soul, just a spirit. He was able to invade other bodies to stay alive. He possessed the body of our Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher when we were first-years. The potion killed enough of Voldemort's soul so that he would not be able to survive and possess anyone else. The potion killed his soul, but did not get rid of the evil essence surrounding Voldemort's soul.'
''Ow could you not know zis would 'appen?' Fleur demanded.
Hermione bit her lower lip.
'There wasn't enough time to continue research on the potion,' said Ron, when he realised Hermione was speechless. 'It took over a month's worth of research to find this out. Last term we were all more concerned with just killing You Know Who.'
Fleur opened her mouth to reply, but Bill placed a hand on her arm and shook his head.
'But I want to know if zis McDougal eez as powerful as Voldemort was. I don't want to lose you; last time was a close enough call, Beel.'
Ron had to admit his dislike of Fleur was just lowered a notch. At least she was concerned for his brother's life instead of only her own. Perhaps she wasn't quite as self-centred as he thought. Well, maybe, anyway.
Hermione sat back down next to Ron, but avoided his eyes. Mulciber continued the talk on essences before McGonagall took control of the meeting.
'We don't have any solid proof that McDougal is indeed trying to gain power, and since he is the Minister of Magic we all must exercise extreme caution when discussing this... matter. For now, all we can do is keep our eyes and ears alert. Any information about the missing Ministry personnel, who any new targets might be, or where they are being held, contact me immediately.'
Everyone in the room nodded. Mrs Weasley looked out of the window with wet eyes; she always looked as though she was going to cry if someone mentioned the missing people. She was afraid for Arthur's life; they all were.
The meeting was concluded, but before Ron could take Hermione aside, she Disapparated, muttering something about more research she had to do at work.
XXXXXXX
But Hermione couldn't concentrate at work. Mulciber ended up telling her to just go home for the rest of the day. Fleur's questions had really agitated her; ''Ow could you not know zis would 'appen?' Hermione walked through the corridors of the Ministry with visions of strangling Fleur dancing in her head.
Hermione didn't want to be alone, but Ron had Quidditch practise until six o'clock. Well, it was Monday and Viktor would probably be in the Department of Magical Games and Sports; today was his first day.
'Can I help you?'
Hermione recognised the old witch from when she came to this Department over the summer.
'Yes, is Viktor Krum—'
'First door to your left.'
'Thanks.'
Hermione walked down the hallway and peered in the open door. Viktor was flipping through a stack of parchment nearly two feet high on his desk. He seemed to have sensed someone was in his doorway because he looked up. A smile broke out over his face when he saw Hermione.
'Hello!' he said enthusiastically.
'Hello. Are you enjoying your first day?'
Viktor nodded. 'I haff never seen so many forms about Quidditch. Your England is haff'ing far too many teams.' Viktor studied Hermione's face. 'Vot's wrong? You look... not happy.'
'I didn't have a good morning, is all.'
'Vos it Ron?'
Hermione shook her head. 'No, Ron is great. Really great. He asked me to marry him.'
'And you are saying yes?'
Hermione nodded.
'Good. He makes you happy.'
'Yes.'
Viktor nodded. 'That's vot is important. Nothing else matters. My mauther told me to only be happy. I shouldn't play Quidditch if I don't like it, even if my fauther vants me to do this. I listen to her, that is vhy I am here with Irina Aleksandra. You are vorrying always about little things. Your focus should not be on vot is wrong, but vot is right, yes?'
Hermione nodded. What Viktor said was very true... She did worry about what she did wrong... always. And she shouldn't. Her focus should be on what was right and what made her happy.
Ron.
Ron was everything that was right and good and happy in her life. Feeling a bit better, Hermione said good-bye and let Viktor get back to his work.
XXXXXXX
'I have a really big favour to ask of you,' Ginny said to Stebbins after breakfast. It was the morning of the first Hogsmeade visit. 'I was wondering if you minded whether Rebecca joined us...'
'Rebecca?' Stebbins looked a bit confused.
'Rebecca Harris. She's a fifth-year Slytherin. She told me last night when we were in the library that she was going to skip the Hogsmeade visit because her friends – the few of us who haven't completely abandoned her – all have dates.'
'Why would her friends abandon her?' asked Stebbins.
Ginny looked at him blankly. 'Seriously? You didn't know that she is the only Slytherin who isn't pure-blood?'
'Oh, I heard that rumour, but that's what I thought it was – a rumour.'
Ginny shook her head. 'No, it's true. So, would you mind? If you do, we can just go alone.'
'No, it's fine,' said Stebbins.
Ginny smiled. 'Good, because I sort of already invited her. Let me go get my cloak from my room and I'll meet you by the double doors.'
Ginny took off up the stairs. Stebbins looked very, very cute that morning in his Muggle-pre-faded jeans and blue jumper. He was attractive... cute... not handsome or anything, but Ginny could easily picture herself hanging off his arm. He was a nice guy, smart, and good at Quidditch, but the more Ginny got to know him, the more she realised that he wasn't perfect. At first, he did seem too good to be true, but he had a sarcastic side and he had zero tolerance for anyone who couldn't seem to understand his reference to Muggle things. Ginny had no idea what he was talking about when he said his father used a computer, and became exasperated when Ginny still didn't understand after he explained it to her. They ended up just changing the subject.
It was good, though, to have faults. If Ginny had known about Harry's emotional state, then she might have shied away from a relationship with him. Or that's what she liked to tell herself anyway. Going slow and getting to know Stebbins before jumping into a relationship with him was good. She would be able to accept his faults before becoming too committed or involved.
She grabbed her cloak from her room and dashed back down the stairs to the entrance hall. Rebecca was already there, waiting.
'Hi,' said Ginny.
'Hi.'
'I guess we'll just wait for Stebbins, then.'
Rebecca nodded.
'You seem... quiet.'
Rebecca shrugged. 'I haven't heard from Draco in nearly three weeks. He usually responds to my letters within a couple of days.'
'I'm sure there's nothing wrong.'
'Oh, I don't think anything's happened to him,' said Rebecca. 'I just... He probably went on holiday and conveniently "forgot" to tell me so I wouldn't worry.'
Ginny smiled. 'Ah, so you're worried?'
'Yes.'
'That's sweet.'
'It is not. It's seriously cutting into my study-time, y'know. Potions was Draco's favourite and it took me nearly three hours to write that ruddy essay on the Shrinking Potion because I kept thinking, why hasn't he written me back? Boys are silly creatures and I wish someone would write a book on the mad things they do... or don't do.'
'You sound like my brother. He was always on about the mad things girls do, Hermione especially. Ah, there's Stebbins.'
'Sorry to keep you waiting,' Stebbins said, jogging up to the girls. 'I forgot my money back in my room so I had to run back to get it. Hi, I'm Stebbins.'
Rebecca smiled. 'Rebecca. I'm assuming Stebbins is your last name?'
'That's what everyone usually asks me, and yes, it is. Shall we go, then?'
The three of them made their way to Hogsmeade, chatting idly about classes and professors. Stebbins quickly veered the conversation in another direction when Rebecca said she was thoroughly enjoying Defence this year; Ginny was glad for the subject change. Eventually, as they roamed the streets and the shops, the conversation turned towards Hagrid.
'He came to my brother's wedding over the summer,' said Ginny. 'Apparently whatever spells he was hit with sort of... vanished once Voldemort died.'
'I thought he was hit with the Unforgivable Curses?' said Rebecca.
Ginny shrugged. 'Some curses and hexes are linked directly to the caster. Once he's dead, then the spells are lifted. Actually, Harry said we're going to study those curses this month in class. They're supposed to be much, much stronger than normal curses.'
'Are curses like that necessary to learn?' Stebbins asked, picking up a slab of peanut-butter fudge to buy when they stepped into Honeydukes.
'Yes, of course,' said Rebecca. 'There's a new Dark wizard, haven't you heard?'
'You've heard about that?' asked Ginny.
'My father's an Unspeakable, remember? A lot of strange stuff's been going on at the Ministry. We send each other loads of owls. He likes to know what's going on at Hogwarts and I like to know what's going on outside of the castle.'
'I heard about it, too,' said Stebbins. 'Nothing specific, though. My parents are Muggles so everything I hear is from my friends. Do they know who the wizard is?'
Ginny shrugged. 'If they do, they haven't told me about it.'
Stebbins paid for his fudge and they made their way out of Honeydukes. He offered a piece to Rebecca and Ginny.
'Thanks,' Rebecca said. 'I hope Potter teaches my year those curses. I really don't want to feel useless like I did last year.'
Ginny stopped walking. 'You weren't useless. If it wasn't for you, we wouldn't have been able to defeat Voldemort.'
'I didn't really do anything.'
'You helped protect Hermione while she did the potion.'
'I suppose.'
Ginny touched the other girl's shoulder. 'Really, Rebecca, we couldn't have done it without you. Even if you still think you did it for yourself, you helped everyone else out in the process – helped the entire wizarding world, actually.'
Rebecca remained expressionless. Whether she believed Ginny, Ginny couldn't tell, but that didn't matter because Rebecca had helped.
They started walking again in no particular direction. None of them had an agenda for the day; they were simply enjoying being out of the castle for the first time in a month.
'Want to get a Butterbeer?' asked Ginny.
Stebbins nodded. 'Yeah, I could use some food, too; I'm rather peckish.' He made to follow Ginny, but stopped when he noticed Rebecca wasn't following them. 'Are you coming?'
Ginny stopped walking as well. ''Becca?'
The black haired girl was as still as a statue, staring past Ginny and Stebbins. A familiar-looking blonde was peering through the window of Scrivenshaft's Quill Shop.
'Is that..?' Ginny began.
'Yeah,' whispered Rebecca.
'...Draco,' finished Ginny. 'Were you expecting..?'
'No.'
'So this is...'
'...a complete surprise? Yes.'
Ginny and Stebbins both turned their heads back around and stared at Rebecca.
'Um, 'Becca?' said Ginny.
'Hmm?' said Rebecca. Ginny wasn't sure if the girl was paying attention or not.
'Why are you still standing here?'
'Huh?' Rebecca seemed to snap out of it, and turned her eyes to Ginny.
'Why are you still standing here? Go over there!' Ginny gave Rebecca a gentle push.
Rebecca took in a deep breath and headed over to Scrivenshaft's with a determined look on her face.
XXXXXXX
To Be Continued...
XXXXXXX
A/N: For all you Ron/Hermione lovers – I have a bit of fluff for next chapter planned... Writing the accents of Viktor and Fleur is hard, so I hope I did a good job and they sound close to what they're supposed to sound like in the books. Thanks much to Doraemon! Cheers!
