Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of its characters. If I did, Harry and Hermione would have been together. ; P (Runs away from Ron/Hermione, Harry/Ginny fans).

I made a little something for this fanfic that can be found here: adventaim~deviantart~com/art/Weasley-is-My-King-122564765 (just replace the ~ with .) :D (lol, advertising)

Chapter 6:

"I have no idea why I agreed to this," said Ella as a plate of roast beef was laid in front of her.

"But you need to cheer up," Ron pointed out, piercing the beef with a fork. "I heard from Kingsley you've been busy writing several articles."

"That's because I have a deadline to meet." Ella said, serving herself some beef. Ron laughed. "There was no pun intended, so quit laughing."

"You're so cranky today!"

"I just finished ten articles that needed to be sent last night. It was a nightmare."

"Then relax and eat. After lunch we can go to the park and play in the snow," Ron joked.

Ella glared at him. "What?"

"Staying in the Leaky Cauldron all afternoon is boring and stupid. We should do something fun." Ron took a mouthful of the beef. "Mmmrrmff---"

"Ron! Yuck!"

Ron grinned, and bits and pieces of the beef were stuck in between his teeth. Ella giggled. "Oh well, I guess it would be fun to play in the snow than stay here all day."


Casually, Ron opened the door. He was on time, not a minute after seven. He was sitting on the couch when the door slammed closed. He turned to the corridor, and Hermione was entering the living room, her nose slightly flaring, which was seemed a bit comical to Ron. He would have laughed, had it not been for the glint in Hermione's eyes.

"I'm home early," Ron piped.

"You told me you'd be out to watch Quidditch with Nelson and the others."

"Why?"

"I went to look for you, and I bumped into Nelson. He said that there was no Quidditch match tonight."

Ron opened his mouth, then closed it. Hermione narrowed her eyes to a glare. "You lied to me, Ron."

"I---well---- the match was cancelled."

"Cancelled? And then you didn't come home early?" Hermione shouted that it echoed throughout the house.

"I bumped into the reporter," Ron said, keeping his gaze fixed on Hermione. "There was another interview, about the events before and after the war, when we were still in Hogwarts…"

"You're lying. Are you seeing Lavender Brown again?"

"What?" Ron said indignantly. "No!"

"Get out Ron," Hermione said so softly that Ron had to strain his ears. "Get out! It's over!"

"Wait! Hermione, let's talk about this!" Ron said, getting up and approaching Hermione.

"Just go!" tears streaming down her cheeks, Hermione pointed to the door.

Ron lowered his head, and walked out slowly. He took one last glance at Hermione before he closed the door behind him. He took out his wand and Disapparated.


The door of the Leaky Cauldron opened. A rush of wind came in followed by a man in a black robe. He sat himself on the bar and ordered a Firewhiskey. Ella rubbed her eyes as to make sure that who she saw was really him. She jumped up and marched up to the man who just entered. She tapped him on the shoulder. The man looked around.

Ella beamed. "I was right. It was you, Ron."

Nodding, Ron sipped his Firewhiskey and said nothing. Ella sat next Ron, perplexed. "What's wrong?"

Still, Ron didn't respond. "Aw, Ron, did something happen? Oh, is it about Hermione again?"

"Mhmm…" Ron mumbled and held out his empty glass. "Bartender, another one."

"What happened this time? You left early. You know, you're relationship is like oil and water. You can put them together, but they won't mix. Maybe you need some soap! Get it?"

Ron looked at Ella blankly, but Ella just laughed. "It's a scientific thing. It involves a complicated process and it would take too long to explain (in the first place, I don't know how it works). Maybe Hermione was using you to get a higher position in the Ministry…"

Slamming the glass of Firewhiskey on the table, Ron glared at Ella.

"Come on, Ron, it was only a joke---"

"Just because you were used and played with by your boyfriend doesn't mean she's the same! You were just too moronic to notice that he was lying to you from the start!" Ron yelled.

Bewildered, Ella bit her lip. She stood up and ran to the door. Regretting what he said, Ron followed her outside and saw her standing in the park, her face buried in her hands.

"Ella…I'm really, really sorry…I…" Ron stammered. Not knowing how to explain, Ron took Ella into his arms. He whispered into her ear, "I shouldn't have said that, and I know it's too late to take it back. Please, forgive me…I…love you…"

Ella raised her head, and her eyes met Ron's. For a fleeting moment they stared into each others' eyes, feeling the warmth of the embrace. Ron caressed Ella's cheek and wiped away her tears with his thumb. The moonlight was shining bright that night, but the trees cast a shadow on the two figures in the park as they shared a small kiss.


Notes: I know Ron sounds so, um, mean here for lying to Hermione, so forgive me. : D