Chapter 10--Brunch

"Is your girl going to be all right?" A soft voice from behind asked as Ron watched the place where Lavender disappeared.

"Yeah," he said, not turning around. "She'll be fine." He lit a cigarette and made no effort to leave or turn around.

"Ron," the voice was pleading.

Ron shook his head. "You don't have to say anything."

"Ron," there was a heavy sigh, almost sounded like a sob. "I don't know what came over me."

This time he did turn around. Hermione was standing there with her hair in getting frizzy in the rain. She was clutching her cloak tightly at her neck. He raised his hand and smoothed the hair out of her eyes. He smiled at her. "Jack's looking for you," he said, turning around and walking away from her; following the path the Lavender took not three minutes earlier. As he crossed the street, he threw his cigarette into a rain puddle.

Ron walked the distance to his apartment. He went out to the balcony and saw the light on in Lavender's flat. He'd totally fucked that up tonight. He doubted that if he lived to be a hundred, he'd be able get her expression out of his head. He was ashamed of himself the way he acted. In his defense, no, he didn't have any defense. He stood outside on his balcony and watched her window until the light went out.

The next morning Ron was awakened by a tapping on his bedroom window. An owl with a rolled up parchment in its beak was impatiently peaking on the window. Ron got up and opened the window and the brown owl hopped in. It opened its mouth and dropped the scroll. It waited, indicating it was expecting an answer.

The letter was from Ginny who wrote to make sure he was okay. She apologized for Hermione's rude behavior, and hoped that Lavender didn't take offense. Hermione had talked to her after the dinner, and she was very upset, she told him. She was embarrassed at the way she acted and was hoping that she could make it up somehow.

Ginny ended the letter with an invitation to come to her flat on Saturday for brunch. No Jack, she promised; and no Harry either. Ron thought that meant that he shouldn't invite Lavender, but the chances of her ever speaking to him again were slight. And he wasn't sure if 'no Jack' meant Hermione would be there. It didn't sound like she would be there, but in his return owl, he asked about Hermione coming. Either way, he said, he'd be over around 10 on Saturday morning.

George was waiting on him in his office when he got into work. He was curious about how the dinner went. Ron rolled his eyes and mimed a large explosion. George laughed. "Wish I could have been there."

"Why didn't you come?" Ron asked.

George blushed a shade of red and pink. "I had a date with Angelina and Fred," was all he said. He grinned a perfectly George smile.

"Before I forget," George said, clearing his throat. "I just wanted to let you know how happy I am that you agreed to take the job." He blushed and shrugged. "I just wanted to tell you that."

Ron laughed and slapped his brother on the shoulder. "I see Ginny talked to you already."

"Yeah, well." George said.

"It's cool. I'm glad I finally grew a brain I can be so freaking stubborn."

"Ya think?" George laughed. "Any way; no shit, I'm glad you're here."

George winked at him and went back into his office. Ron wondered what was going on with George and Angelina. He suspected it was more than just being a good uncle.

Before Ron left for lunch, he stopped by a flower shop and bought a bouquet of fresh cut flowers for Lavender. He couldn't remember her favorite flower, but he thought she liked irises, so he bought her a dozen lavender ones. When he walked into Hiram's shop, Lavender looked up. Ron couldn't gauge her reaction because he had the flowers in front of his face. When he moved them away, he saw that she was standing; her lips pursed.

"Hi," he said quietly, holding the flowers out in front of him. "I brought you these," he said. "And I hope you don't throw them back in my face. I'm sorry, Lavender."

Lavender took the flowers. "These are my favorites," she said.

"I know."

She took another step toward him and she was in his arms. She kissed him politely but not passionately. Ron wasn't sure if it had anything to do with Hiram being in the room with them or that she was being cautious. "They're beautiful. Thank you."

Relieved, Ron took a step back. "May I buy you lunch?" he asked.

Lavender looked at the huge clock on the wall and shook her head. "I'm sorry I've got some properties to show this afternoon. Would you like to come over for dinner tonight? Nothing special," she shrugged casually.

"I'd love to, thanks. What time?" Ron sighed gratefully. He'd gone through scenarios in his head during the last couple of minutes or so and each one had Lavender hitting him over the head with the flowers and punching him in the face.

"Eight-ish?" She said, making it sound more like a question.

"Great. I'll see you tonight." He wanted to kiss her, but she stood hugging the flowers and it would have been more awkward than he was willing to go through. Instead, he just smiled and turned around and headed back out the door.

There were meetings with various departments the rest of the afternoon, so Ron stayed extremely busy. He wanted to remember to send his assistant a box of chocolates or something because she had to be the most efficient and talented person he had ever seen. She kept him on time and on target and could handle the most complicated client. The woman was a genius.

George popped his head in right before Ron was ready to leave for the day to tell him that he would be gone the next week, but he was sure Ron could handle things. He was taking Fred and Angelina on a holiday. Now that Ron was on board, he told him, he would be able to take more vacations and would begin his travels abroad to expand the company. He also wished him a nice weekend. He had a mysterious smile on his face as he said it.

Dinner with Lavender was slightly strained, but it was pleasant enough. He didn't mention having brunch with Ginny and they avoided all talk about the previous evening. He asked her if she had plans for the weekends and she told him that he was going to take her uncle to Wales to try to find some relatives there. There might be some distant cousins of Hiram's there and the old man was determined to find more of his family. Ron left around 10 with the thought that he should have mentioned seeing Ginny the next day. He didn't know why he didn't tell her and why he felt slightly guilty about it.

The invitation to Ginny's led Ron to believe that their relationship may be very close to a hundred percent mended. The fact that she had defended him to Jack and Hermione was reason enough to give him hope.

He had a couple of mundane tasks to do the next morning; his laundry for one. Since he'd been gone into the muggle world he had become self reliant. When he lived at home, his mum did his laundry. He liked the idea that he was able to fend and take care of himself. Or maybe he was looking for some excuse not to be totally down on himself about running away.

He stopped at a sweet shop the next morning on his way to Ginny's and picked up some of her favorite candies. She was still a little kid when it came to candy. He also brought some of the sweet rolls he liked and was popping the last bite of one when he knocked on the Ginny's door. His mouth was full when the door swung open and he was very surprised to see Hermione standing at the door. He almost choked.

"Ron, hello," she said nervously. "Are you all right?"

Ron coughed and swallowed. "Hermione, what are you doing here?"

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to trick you. I just needed to talk to you and I didn't think you'd come to my place." She said earnestly.

"Well, you were right. Is Ginny here?" he asked slightly peeved.

She nodded and stood aside while he came inside. Ginny was standing at her table, setting out plates and silver. She gave her brother a little wave. "Sorry for the duplicity," she said, "but Hermione told me how she tried to talk to you and you wouldn't listen to her. I really think you should hear what she has to say."

Hermione looked at him hopefully. "Please, Ron."

Ron kept his eyes on Hermione as he gave Ginny the package of candy although he was tempted not give it to her. He threw the box of pastries on the table and turned around.

"All right, Hermione. What did you want to talk to me about?"