Disclaimer: Don't own those familiar to you in the Harry Potter Books.

Also, I wrote this as two chapters, but put it together so sorry if long! ( I had to cut out a part- just something w/ Gringotts)

CHAPTER 9: Lela

Christmas was festive at the Landeras household. They had a large Christmas tree and ate a large turkey dinner. They opened presents where Hermione got a decorated candle from Toni, a knitted sweater from Maria and A larger paycheck from Tina and her husband. Hermione gave out presents; a set of classic books and candy for Toni, A large box of Chocolates for Maria and Tina and the rest of the staff had a small box of candy also.

Hermione couldn't believe when she saw that Mr. Landeras could did not come home for Christmas. This worsened Toni's happy mood and Tina's as well. As Hermione was helping put the plates away she asked Maria why Toni's father was never there.

"The man is to busy to come home and see his family. Business is his life. It must be very important that it delayed his traditional Christmas note."

"Notes?! Is this all the man is providing for his family?!" Hermione said outraged.

"And the money- he is the one responsible for large pay."

"Money doesn't bring happiness!" Hermione whispered angrily.

"Speak for yourself," Maria joked. "Joke my dear. It is not like this happens every year. Sometimes he apparates in for a short while. It makes Toni a little happier, but the man does not do much."

"I thought his headquarters were here, in Spain." Hermione asked.

"They are. But he has things to do in France and Britain." Maria said. She excused herself and Hermione was left by the sink thinking about Mr. Landeras in Britain.

***

Ron entered is office and saw it filled by many people. Everyone started cheering at once at the sight of him. Ron frowned. He looked up and saw a large banner that read CONGRATS and others that said 'chess player all the way!'

"I thought these parties were one time only?" Ron said.

"Hell no! Boy, we got to celebrate your winning ALL THE TIME! You're going to be in the Championship- the first Championship! If you win, you'll be down in HIS-TOR-RY!" Huge Giles said, putting his arm around Ron's Shoulders. Giles was his coach that helped him get on the job. Giles was a very happy now that he was winning all the games. "Now, you'll get your galleons later, but now have a butterbeer! Taste the cake, it's phenomenal!"

More cheers. More laughter. Ron was about force fed five bottles of butterbeer. People, like Mike, asked why he wasn't feeling too happy. Come have some fun, Ron. Smiles, Ron, we all love you. Drink more butterbeer you'll feel butter!

"Cut down the banners and wrap our champ in them!" and so they did. Ron wondered why he wasn't enjoying this; this was his deepest desire to become famous and a champion. But maybe it was because he had no one to share it with- meaning his closest friends.

Accidentally, the knife that was used to cut down the banners- made a large slit on the back of Ron's white button down.

"I knew I should have left my cloak on!" Ron exclaimed before some girl grabbed his back and ripped the back of his shirt and pointed.

"Oh hay's enjoyin the popularitay- it says here Ron Weasley: Chess Champ on his under shirt!"

People laughed and started to dance when music came on and Ron had had enough that he disapparated out of there. Ron went into his room and brushed off the Chess Champ tank top. He looked in the mirror smiled and then went to get a glass of water. The doorbell rang and Ron answered it. Mike.

"Are you going to force me back?" Ron said.

"I'm not going to force you, it's obvious you don't want to go back." Mike said and entered himself. He lifted a large heavy maroon sack. "Your winnings. Didn't steal any."

"It's okay if you did." Ron said, taking the sack and threw it on the table. "You want some water or something?"

"No Thanks." Mike said firmly. Ron looked at his serious face and poured his water.

"You know, with that much money, you could afford a bigger house." Mike said looking around.

"I like this house." Ron said.

Mike walked around. "Are you some kind of girl?" Mike said when he eyed the large portrait of a rose.

"No- my roommate-" Ron looked at Mike and drank his water.

Mike smiled slightly. "You never told me about this roommate." He brushed his hand against his couch. "Tell me."

"There's nothing to tell." Ron said and started to organize his table.

Mike stopped him. "Tell- Me."

This was a different Mike that Ron had never met, one that was serious. Ron sighed and sat down. "She was a girl, and her name was Hermione Granger." Ron said. "She lived here before and I asked to come live with her. Old school friend, she was. She got into a mess of trouble that wasn't her fault and she had to leave."

Mike sat down. "Did you guys ever have a relationship other then friends?"

Ron looked at him. "No."

"But you have not been happier since?" Mike asked.

Ron looked down. He didn't know what to answer to that.

Mike smiled. "True. Well, all I got to tell you is that you can remember her always, but you also got to be happy and embracing life. Few more days and it's a new year. Look, I'll help you out man. If there's an opportunity, I'll push you to take it. Though I promise to be on your back the whole time, I'll give you time alone to relax and-" Mike looked at Ron's stronger looking arms. "Exercise."

Ron smiled. "Thanks."

Mike smiled and stood. "See you later Ron. Spend those galleons!" Mike left.

Ron sat there and finished his water.

***

New Years Day was exciting for both Hermione and Ron. Hermione partied at their mansion (fancy party) and Ron partied at Mikes (infancy party). Ron's cold January and February passed and soon it was a snowless March.

"Ron, could you get me a large cup of coffee." Mike said, feet on his desk, looking through the files.

"Why?" Ron asked.

"Last night I got a call from Bill, he needed me to come on a mission to back Aaron Johnston." Mike said. "Still worn out. The other people found our spot and we had to run out of there like zebra's running from tigers."

Ron smiled and walked to get some coffee. Then he saw someone he hadn't seen for months.

"Malfoy." Ron whispered antipathingly.

Malfoy gave a bright green flyer to the secretaries. Then he saw Ron and smiled wickedly. Malfoy slaunted over. "Well...I have not seen you in a long while."

"Yes, and I wanted to keep it that way." Ron said, grabbing a mug.

"So, what have you been up to? Oh never mind I don't care. But here,"

Ron took the flyer Malfoy handed him. "Have a flyer."

Ron looked at the flyer and read aloud, "P.A.D.L People Against the Dark Lord..." Ron burst into laughter.

Malfoy narrowed his eyes. "I don't see why you are laughing... we both lost someone because of him."

Ron narrowed his eyes. "Thanks, but no thanks." Ron crumpled the flyer and shot toward the trash with his left hand. It bounced and fell on the floor. Malfoy and Ron both looked at it. "Janitors will get it."

Malfoy looked at him slightly perplexed. "I don't understand... you don't want to go to a meeting to finally get over your losses?"

"No, I don't want to got to a *pointless* meeting. My friends are well and alive and need time away from-"

"You?" Malfoy finished.

No was there to stop Ron from pushing Malfoy against the wall. People took noticed. Ron held his hand on Malfoy's chest.

"Look I don't feel like talking about the past I just lost a couple of friends you lost a wife who actually died so why don't you just got weep your heart out and leave me the heck alone." Ron released and started to pour the coffee.

Malfoy brushed himself once more and said he was alright. "I- I didn't just lose a wife to the Dark Lord and- Granger."

"What your dignity? Some blood?" Ron asked.

"A baby."

Ron froze and looked at him. The coffee spilled and Ron stopped but kept his eyes. "What?"

Malfoy looked down and played with the flyers. "My wife was- four months pregnant."

Ron rubbed the coffee bottle. She was a little fat, Ron remembered.

"She, she lost it the day Granger- Granger pushed Lisa out the window." Malfoy swallowed hard and looked away.

Ron sighed. He didn't want to go all emotional on him; he could see that Malfoy was not up for that. "I am- well- sorry, alright." Ron said uncomfortably. Malfoy ran his fingers through his hair. "Right." Malfoy walked out depressingly. Ron stood for awhile the added the sugar to Mike's coffee.

The old Janitor crossed by. "Who dropped this? Did you Ron?"

"Oh...no." Ron said.

" I'm no VM you better pick that up rich boy!" The janitor strolled away mumbling things.

Ron picked up the ball of paper and pocketed it. Then he gave Mike his coffee to find that Mike didn't like sugar in his coffee.

***

The Championships neared and Ron got ready by practicing chess with Mike. Meanwhile, Hermione was trying to get Maria to say yes that she could disapparate for Britain for a day.

"No!"

"Maria, I have to, it's important!"

"You can't, you were just now getting Antonio jr. to make a potion that cured boils!"

"I know, I know but this is important, did I mention that it is important?"

"How *important*?"

"As important as- as a friend going to a friends- Quidditch or- or *Chess*, *Champion* Chess, match." Hermione said. "It'd be the important and first game I missed."

"So you are blowing off Antonio to go see- Quidditch and Chess matches!" Maria said outraged.

"Not that I want to see it, it's that my friend Champion Game and he hated it if I weren't there." Hermione said. "He doesn't know that I'm there, but still."

Maria sighed heavily. "Alright. But you must tell Antonio Jr." Maria walked away. Hermione smiled.

She told Toni that she'd be gone for awhile at the end of June and even though he seemed to disliked it but accepted. So on the last day of June, Hermione dressed and apparated to the Stadium where the chess game would be held.

She gave the man her ticket and sat on the fifth row, 1st seat. She was glad that a kid was sitting next to her and other the other row across from her a sleepy old man. The lights darkened and a booming voice was heard.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to the first annual Chess Championship!" Claps echoed through the stadium. "Tonight the Contestants are Charles DeFolle of France-" there was loud clapping "-and Ronald Weasley of Britain!" again the loud clapping echoed. "But first, tap along to Tapping Oaks of Europe!" people cheered.

When they came out Hermione took out her Omninoculars and read the badge on their chests as the boy next to her said, "Toe?"

They started tap dancing and in the background a soft orchestra played. Hermione searched for them to see them besides the Top Box. It consisted of five violins, and a few large string instruments that Hermione couldn't name at the moment.

For awhile they played and Hermione heard the child next to her grunt "This blows." And finally they were finished.

"Now, please give a warm welcome to our Chess Champions- DeFolle and Weasley!" There were loud cheers. Hermione couldn't help but smile when she saw Ron come out. Next to him was a short and gawky man with the thickest curly brown hair. Both smiled with glory and seated and a small chess board while on their side was the larger chess board. While they did this, the announcer spoke of some details of their life. "If the contestants will shake hands." They did. "Lets Play Wizards Chess!" People cheered and the game began. Hermione sat with her Omninoculars and watched the exciting game through them while the Child snored loudly.

Soon, after flying stone pieces and remarks like "that's got to hurt" and "Bad move, son", Ron won the game.

Hermione stood and cheered as well as many others. Ron went to the center of the board, surrounded by stones. A man joined him and made him raise his hand up and the crowd cheered louder and the child next to Hermione awoke.

After a short while it became a party down there. The T.O.E came back for a final dance singing 'Weasley!' once in awhile. The Orchestra played loud, and Charles folded his arms and seemed to admire it. Ron beckoned him on stage and he did without hesitation.

It was time for her to go.

***

"That was an excellent game Weasley, honestly, I don't care that I didn't win." Charles DeFolle said, pouring some butterbeer for the both of them.

"I don't know, it's just you're the nicest opponent I've played against." Ron said. "Even if you were a sore winner, you'd still be the nicest guy."

Charles smiled and pushed his glasses up his nose. "Thankyou. I've actually been taking classes that really calm you down and everything in the world just seems right again." Charles handed the glass and brushed the pillow mint off his bed.

"You need to take classes?" Ron said, sitting in a chair.

"Yes, ever since this girl totally broke my heart after one great night." Charles remembered sadly.

Ron frowned and drank his butterbeer. "She must have been some girl."

Charles nodded. "Daughter of the Minister of Magic of France. The way she she slipped out of her-"

"Yes, that's quite enough I need to know." Ron said, drinking up the rest of his butterbeer. Charles nodded and brought out a wine bottle and drank it. "So how long are you staying in this hotel?"

"I leave tomorrow morning." Charles said.

Ron nodded and there was a large knock on the door. Ron answered it to find Hugh Giles.

"Ron! Son! C'mon we got other things to do. How you doing, Charles? Sorry you didn't win, but maybe you should actually learn chess." Hugh Giles laughed heavily at his own joke. Charles drank the rest of the wine.

"I'll write you," Ron said and left with Giles. They walked through the halls with Hugh Giles pointing out excellent parts of the game when they passed the lobby and lead him to a dinner table where two people sat. An old man and a young women around Ron's age with silky brown hair and large blue eyes.

"Ron meet the Minister of France and his lovely daughter, Lela Poulin."

Ron smiled and shook the Minister's hand and then turned to Lela. He then remembered what Charles said and shook her hand. She smiled back with perfect white teeth.

"Sit, Ron, sit and have a bite." Giles said seating himself next to the Minister, who smiled merrily.

"Actually I'm not-"

"Sit!" Giles said firmly and kept his smile. Ron sat and felt Lela's eyes on him.

Giles talked to the Minister and Ron said a few things to the conversation but he was really left to talk to Lela, whose high heels kept bumping his leg.

After awhile Lela said, "Father, Father," He turned to her. "I'm really tired, may I go up to bed?"

"Of course dear. Now, what were you saying about the foolish man on the last match, Mr. Giles?"

"Ron, please come and escort me." Lela said and Ron had no choice. As they went into the lobby, Ron smiled when he saw Mike run up.

"Thanks for those Private Box seats. I've never been close to so many rich people." Mike noticed Lela and smiled and Ron excused them away from her.

"Mike, say something, that you need me somewhere right away, I don't want to 'escort' this girl to her room."

Mike shook his head. "No can do. I'm trying to find your soulmate here, and I say take a chance. Have a drink. That's all you need to do." Mike smiled. "Also I have to get us home. Little Tess is getting hungry and Tami's embarrassed to breast feed in a public bathroom." Mike apparated out. Ron turned to the smiling Lela.

They walked up the stairs, Lela talking about something. When they came up to her room, she invited him for one drink and Ron accepted doubtfully.

The second they were in the hotel room, Ron said. "Actually no, I have to go."

Lela bit her lip. "Really? Now? You can't stay?" She closed the door behind him and locked it.

"No, thankyou." Ron said nervously.

Lela then went up to him and ran her fingers up, until they were together around his neck. Ron looked at her and was about to say something when she kissed him passionately, and Ron could not release. He just closed his eyes and tried to push his mouth away, but the woman surprisingly had a strong grip.

Finally she pushed him and he fell on to the bed and looked down at his shirt. "Hey, how'd you unbutton it?"

Lela sighed heavily. "Your just layered up, aren't you?" Seeing he was wearing a white tank under. She then walked over and Ron quickly backed away and off the bed. He grabbed a pillow to block himself.

"Look, Lela. Not that your not pretty or- whatever, but we- we just met." Ron said. Lela looked at him and frowned.

"So?"

"So? So, calm down a bit." Ron said. "You know, how about we get to know eachother first."

"Get to- know eachother first?" she said, as if she'd never heard of it.

"Yes." Ron said, placing the pillow down, almost sure she wasn't going to attack. Lela looked him up and down. "You- you workout?"

Ron closed his eyes. What was wrong with this women? "Yes."

Lela looked at his white tank and answered slowly, "Alright."

Ron sighed and started buttoning up his shirt, Hermione's tank once more covered.

********************************

okay well Ron has met Lela, soon, it'll be Hermione's time to meet someone similar.