When I arrived at my mother-in-laws, I immediately put the kids to bed who were exhausted from all the traveling. Marilyn wanted to hear everything and I proceeded to give her all the gory details.
"In my opinion, he is going to wake up in a day or so with a massive headache and heart of regret. I'm sure she's done something."
"I don't know. I was foolish for rushing into anything."
"I thought it was only a date and a kiss." Marilyn gave me a knowing and inquisitive look.
I blushed, "it was; what I mean is that in my head I was starting to think down the road. He was so great with the kids and he even told me we were destined. I guess I just started to believe it. I think the universe is telling me that I should not be with Ronald Weasley. Plus, after the things he said about raising another man's children, I don't think I want him."
"I'm sure he didn't mean it. I told you, he is obviously under the influence of something. How about the imperius curse?"
"No, he didn't look dazed; he looked totally and completely in love. Anyway, a drunk man's words are a sober man's thoughts."
"Where did you hear that ridiculous notion?"
"Your son! We had gone to a party and it was the first time he ever told me that he loved me. The next morning I was sure he would never remember but I just couldn't help but mention it to him. That's when he said it; he needed some liquid courage to tell me."
"Well, I don't believe that for one minute. Oh!" She exclaimed changing her voice completely causing me to jump slightly. Marilyn was excited about something. "I heard from Carol today."
Carol was Daniel's older sister. She was sweet and shy and I absolutely adored her. Both she and Daniel went to Beauxbatons and she surprised everyone when right after her graduation she announced that she and the dashing Canadian teaching assistant had fallen in love and had been secretly dating for a year. If you knew her, you would have been shocked. She was like me, the quite little bookworm. They moved to Canada right after their wedding and had been living there ever since.
"Great! How is she?"
"Pregnant!" We both began screaming and jumping up and down. They had been trying for over ten years with no success and had been on the listing for adoption.
Unfortunately, our jumping and screaming resulted in a crying Sarah. I wished Marilyn good night and went up to calm my little angel. Well, at least the day ended on a high note. Maybe I'll take the kids to visit Carol and Pierre soon, I thought as I got ready for bed.
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Ron woke the next morning slightly confused. He looked over to the desk and saw Reyna applying her lip gloss. He was about to say something when she ran over and gave him an intense morning kiss. Yesterday flooded back to him and he deepened the kiss. How could he have been so stupid to almost through everything with Reyna away?
"Good Morning sunshine." He said. "Sorry I fell asleep on you last night. We could have started trying for our family." He wiggled his eyebrows up and down suggestively.
Reyna gave him an uncomfortable smile. "That's ok. About the family thing, I think we need to have some together time first, you know just the two of us. I saw we start a family in a year or so."
Ron didn't really like the sound of this but she gave him a sweet kiss and he decided that whatever it took to keep her was what was important. "Maybe you're right. Hey, let's go down and get some breakfast." Ron had smelled the bacon cooking downstairs and jumped up to get his morning fuel.
Once downstairs, he and Reyna were greeted by irritated and annoyed faces. They stared at them without so much as a word. Mrs. Weasley slung two plates in front of them and pointed to the food on the table, indicating they could certainly fill their own plates.
"Well, Reyna and I are thinking of going to look at that house in your neighborhood. I want her to see how amazing it is."
"I want Hermione to live there. Not you and your tramp." Said Ginny in an acid tone and no one bothered to scold her for her use of words.
"Ginny, I'm sorry you feel that way." Said Reyna before she put her arm through Ron's and began caressing it. She looked Ginny straight in the eyes, "I plan to stay around a long, long time." She then turned to Ron, "together forever, right sweetie?"
"Right!" He said leaning down and giving her a kiss.
"Oh, come on!" Said Harry as he and Ginny got up from the table. "I've lost my appetite."
"Me too" declared Ginny who grabbed James' hand and pulled him from the table.
"So have we, come on Arthur." Mr. and Mrs. Weasley both got up from the table and followed Harry, Ginny and James outside, leaving a confused Ron and a victorious Reyna alone at the table.
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Outside, Mr. Weasley, who had had enough of Reyna since the first time he met her, decided something had to be done. "Ok, I know that Ron has a reputation for not being too quick about things, but this goes beyond anything. I know that little bint is up to something." They all looked at him, a little shocked at his candor. "I say we call in reinforcements."
"What do you mean dear?"
"Why Fred and George of course. If anyone can get to the bottom of this, it's them."
"If not," Harry decided, "we kidnap Ron and hold him until whatever spell she's got him under wears off."
"I like that idea." Said Ginny looking proudly at her husband.
"Yes, but I'd like to find out what we are up against. If we do so quickly, then maybe Ron can still use his upcoming court date. Plus, Fred and George can be so entertainingly cruel." Mr. Weasley began to laugh as did the rest of the group.
Ron suddenly walked outside laughing too. "What's so funny?"
"Nothing," they all said at the same time and scurried off in opposite directions.
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I had to admit I was having a very relaxing morning. We had omelets for breakfast and were now enjoying the pool in the backyard. The doorbell rang and Marilyn came back outside with Ginny in toe.
"Wow this house is so great!"
"Gin, what are you doing here?"
"I wanted to let you know that we have concocted a plan. Dad's asked Fred and George to get to the bottom of what ever is going on and of course torture Reyna endlessly. Ooh, she just hates them!"
I couldn't help but chuckle. "Listen Gin, don't bother." I jumped up and asked Marilyn to watch the kids in the pool. Ginny and I went for some privacy in the sunroom. "I heard everything he said to Harry. I was standing at the window. To be honest, what he said was so hurtful; I don't think that I want him."
Ginny appeared confused, "Harry didn't tell me what Ron said to him. All I know is what he said to you, accusing you of the love potion and all."
I was surprised and pleased with Harry discretion, but felt since I had said something; she deserved to know what her git of a brother had said. "He said he wanted children of his own and didn't want to raise another man's kids." Gin looked appalled but I continued. "Also, well I just have to say it. Gin, after everyone went to bed the other night, I went up to Ron's room. One thing led to another and well, you know."
Ginny now looked shocked. "You two slept together? I'm so excited!"
"Don't be. He told Harry that it was something he wanted to do back in school and essentially he got it out of his system. Apparently, it wasn't that satisfying. He said something to the effect of 'no wonder her husband had affairs.'" For the first time I began to cry.
"Oh, Hermione don't cry. You know he didn't mean that. It just proves that something is definitely amiss."
"No Gin, it means I'm still blinded by a stupid teenage crush. He's obviously a different person and honestly, I don't want him anymore."
"I swear that I will get to the bottom of this and bring that skanky bitch down!" She got up and was about to apparate when I stopped her.
"One last thing, you tell Ron that I don't care how much it costs me, I'll pay twice the asking price if I have to but I am getting the house!"
Ginny nodded grinning wildly before apparating away.
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Ron spotted Harry and James up on the hill getting ready to practice some flying. Wanting to hone his fathering skills, he ran up to join them. "Hey mate, thought I'd come play too."
Harry just looked at him. "Okay, whatever." James then sped off, riding close to the ground.
"Future seeker you think?" Offered Ron, not sure why Harry was being so closed to him.
"Sure, why not." Harry gave as a hollow response.
"Harry, what is wrong with you? And what's wrong with everyone else?"
"Well to put it to you straight, we hate Reyna and can't figure out what is going on. She's like poison and for some reason you are taking her back."
Ron himself was taken aback. "What do you mean? Reyna and I are just meant to be. I love her so much. Look, Reyna and I talked about this. I don't know how to tell you but I really think that Hermione put something in my drink since she arrived. Why else would I have been acting that way? Reyna really thinks that I should press charges against her and I'm considering it."
Harry was stunned. "You've got to be joking! The reason you acted that way was because ever since you were 14 you have been in love with Hermione. You said yourself that Reyna trapped you into marriage." Ron tried to interrupt but Harry went on. "And may I please remind you that you had filed for divorce BEFORE Hermione arrived. Do you not remember that you caught Reyna in bed with your boss?"
At this Ron looked very peculiar to Harry. It was as though he was trying to work it all out in his head. "But…but…" he began to mutter.
Just then James ran up to Harry. "Daddy, daddy Fred and George are here." James ran down the hill at full speed, stumbling and rolling the rest of the way down. Ginny, who had returned from her errand, proceeded to scoop him up and waved for Harry and Ron to join them.
Ron instantly ran to Reyna and began to question her. Harry couldn't make out what they were saying, but after a few minutes Ron must have gotten his answers since they were now snogging. Fred made a gagging noise which made them stop. Ron, once confused, now looked relieved. However, that relief seemed to fade away as Ron noticed the mischievous grins on the twins' faces.