It had been Ron's first day back at work after his mission, since they had finished a week early they Ministry gave them a week off as a reward. It had been a week since he talked to Hermione; he had been so stupid trying to get her back like that. Her words still hurt him as he thought back on them; never the less Ron tired his best to push it out of his mind. He was actually happy to be at work it was his only good distraction he had lately. Ron took his seat propping his head in hands, he knew by the amount he drank in the past week he should have a wicked hangover right now but he was slowly realizing that he got them less and less.

"Guess that's what I get for being an alcoholic" Ron muttered to himself, and then there was a knock on the door.

"Come in" Ron said sitting up straight again, and in walked Haile looking flawless as always.

"Hey there Ronnie" Haile said in her cheery voice, smiling as always Ron couldn't help smile back her smile was infectious.

"Aye Haile, holding down the fort while I was gone?" Ron joked, a giggle escaping from Haile.

"Of course sir as always I have a pile of papers for ya" Haile said walking over to the front of his desk placing them delicately on his desk.

"Thanks Haile" Ron said with a smile, Haile seemed to be looking at him as if she waiting for something.

"So about that dinner Weasley" Haile said, and suddenly it dawned on Ron that he had asked Haile out before he had went away. He felt that some much had happened since then he wasn't sure if he even wanted to go out with her. But she was always so nice to him, he could at least take him to dinner who knows she could turn out to be just what he's looking for.

"Oh yes! Thanks for reminding me, it was a long week ya know just slipped my mind" Ron said slightly embarrassed that she had to bring it up. But it really didn't seem to faze her Haile was a very confidante girl, the kind most guys are intimidated by because she would go after exactly what she wants.

"Just making sure you weren't chickening out on me is all" Haile joked.

"Course not, how bout tomorrow night after work" Ron offered, Hailed nodded in agreement.

"Sounds great!" Haile replied, going for the door before Ron stopped her.

"Oh and Haile bring like a nice dress in change into, were gonna go somewhere fancy" Ron explained Haile's eyes seemed to light up a bit as she nodded leaving the office. Ron's day seemed to be going rather fast before he knew it Harry was knocking at his door for lunch break. Ron had told Harry what had happened with Hermione and Harry couldn't help but feel sorry for him. He knew Ron was going through a hard time,

"Wanna go grab something to eat?" Harry asked after knocking at Ron's door.

"Yeah, I'm straved" Ron said getting up from his work stretching before walking over to the door. They went to same café almost every day it was right by the Ministry.

"So I asked out Haile" Ron said, Harry looked up from his food his face full of surprise.

"Really? I thought you had a rule that you "don't shag the same slut twice" and your words not mine mind you" Harry said trying not to sound offensive to the people around them.

"Well ya I do, but I mean I asked like out on a date" Ron explained Harry's face still filled with surprise.

"That's good, is it a one-time thing or…?" Harry was still unsure what Ron's intentions were with Haile he was hoping for the best but knowing Ron's track record it was unlikely.

"To be honest, I'm not really sure I don't really know Haile beyond office chit-chat and what she looks like naked" Ron said Harry couldn't help but laugh at Ron's honesty.

"Well that's true, so you're saying you want to actually get to know her?" Harry asked just trying to clarify what he was hearing was right.

"I mean yeah. I haven't really gotten to know a girl since well…"Ron trailed off not finishing his sentence but Harry didn't need him too he knew he had been referring to Hermione.

"I think this is great Ron!" Harry encouraged knowing Ron was starting to think about Hermione which was something that wasn't good for him. Ron didn't seem to hear Harry because he motioned over to the waiter asking for a drink.

"Uh Ron I usually don't get into about this but it is one in the afternoon and you need to go back to work, as your boss I'm gonna have to say you shouldn't do that" Harry said really not wanting to tell Ron what to do but as far as he knew Ron never showed up to work drunk and he wanted to keep it that way.

"Ah yeah right sorry" Ron said slightly embarrassed that Harry needed to correct him, he told the waiter to just bring him a water instead.

"So Haile" Harry said trying to get Ron talking again,

"Yeah Haile…l mean we'll see what happens" Ron said.

"Mum I know you can't paint over wallpaper, I was just checking on how to remove it" Hermione said talking to her mum on her mobile, which she had to strictly to talk to her parents when she needed. Hermione was beginning to rip apart her house and make her own; she already had regretted calling her mum for advice because she had been nagging already about how she was going to need help and couldn't do it alone.

"Listen mum I really need to go, tell dad I love him, bye!" Hermione said hanging up before her mum could get another word in. The wallpaper had been so old it was practically peeling at the sides anyway, so Hermione grabbed one of the corners pulling and ripping piece by piece.

"This is rather therapeutic" Hermione said to herself feeling some stress melt away with each rip of the paper. After Hermione got two of the walls down she deiced to stop, not only did she do the wallpaper but she also scrubbed the whole house from top to bottom, the muggle way. She had been exhausted, she sat on her arm chair one of the few pieces of furniture she had in the place. Lately it didn't matter what Hermione did to distract herself, Ron had always seemed to creep back into her head.

Hermione wondered if Ron had been serious about things being different, if they could actually be something again with all the baggage they had from before. She sighed knowing she would never really know the answer she looked down at the papers sitting on the side table next to her for once they actually weren't work paper but instead papers for Ginny's bridal shower. The shower was going to be in a couple weeks, Hermione was thrilled for Ginny and Harry but part of her didn't even want to go to the wedding.

"Should probably find a date" Hermione said, just the thought made her sick she knew it wouldn't be easy. And there was no doubt in her mind that Ron would have big boobed bimbo on his arm for the occasion. She rolled her eyes at the thought; it was no secret to anyone the way Ron was with women lately Hermione just found it down right pathetic. Maybe Ron really did truly change; Hermione thought that maybe the Ron she knew and loved just wasn't there anymore. Hermione let out a big sigh, whether that be true or not she would never really know.

Ron sat across from Haile, he felt rather odd he hadn't been on a date since Hermione and this definitely wasn't something he was used to a luckily she was carrying on most of the conversation.

"Listen Ron" Haile said, Ron hadn't realized he had been blatantly staring off into space and he felt bad after realizing Haile had caught him doing so.

"Oh sorry Haile it's not like I wasn't listening I-

"I know, it's just I understand this isn't something you're used to. Or maybe you don't even want to be here. I'm not saying it's me at all, it's definitely you but I understand if you just want to call it night" Haile explained sweetly it completely baffled Ron that she would say exactly what she was thinking just like that.

"Wow, well…no you know what no were going to finish this date" Ron said not giving into his first instincts. Haile smiled wide over at him,

"Good. So I've been blabbing for most of the time why don't you tell me a little something" Haile offered taking a sip of her wine. Ron nodded knocking back his third fire whiskey, before continuing,

"Well I'll tell ya one thing I never in a million years thought I would be an Auror" Ron admitted, and it was true

"Truth be told I always wanted to be quidditch player, like professionally" Ron added.

"Well that's funny I never wanted to be a secretary " Haile joked

"Then what?" Ron asked never really wondering what Haile's story was until till now.

"Well it's funny actually after what you just said" Haile admitted and Ron looked at her in question.

"What do you mean?"

"Well right after I finished at Beauxbatons Academy of Magic, I got drafted by the Holyhead Harpies" Haile explained rather modestly, Ron's eyes grew with shock he couldn't believe she had been drafted for the pros.

"Really? Well what the bloody hell are you doing working for me?" Ron joked, in half seriousness.

"Hold on Weasley I wasn't finished, but anyway that's what brought me out here in Brittan. I was training, loved it so much but there was an usual amount of girls that they had for my position, so as it turned out I got cut and now I work for you" Haile explained, she didn't seem to affected by something that Ron knew would crush him.

"Oh I'm sorry" Ron said,

"Don't worry about it, I sometimes think about going back they contact to me about every year and ask me to try out" Haile explained.

"Well I think you should! Hell if I got a chance to play quidditch I would" Ron said dreaming of what it would be like. Now that he looked at Haile he could very well see her being a quidditch player, her confidant straight forward attitude.

"Yeah, that's what they all say I'm just not too sure it's for me" Haile explained,

"Do you still play?" Ron asked, curious to if she still kept up the sport. Haile nodded,

"Sure do every weekend" she said rather proudly, Ron couldn't help but be more attracted to her now.

"Well that explains why you're in such great shape" Ron said

"Yeah I guess you could say that" Haile smiled, Ron was looked over her taking her in the first time all evening before he had been so nervous and uncomfortable but Haile had a way to put things at ease. She had been wearing a tight coral dress, with a low cut her cleavage popping out ever so slightly though she was smaller chested the rest of her body made up for it. She was probably about 5'8, her legs long and toned along with her arms; she was never like the other girls who were just stick thin and boring but instead athletically built which now all made sense to Ron. Not to mention she had an ass that any guy would go crazy, suddenly Haile's voice pulled him from his thoughts.

"So I've gotta know is this just a nicer way of you trying to sleep with me again, opposed to just throwing my onto your desk after hours…which I can lie was pretty hot" Haile said shocking Ron yet again with her bluntness, he simply stared at her Haile must've know that he didn't have answer for her so she kept talking.

"Or do you just need someone to be there for ya?" Haile asked looking Ron right in the eyes, and it seemed that maybe that was it. That maybe he did in fact need some, who wouldn't judge at all to get him back on his feet.

"I think, I just need someone" Ron admitted quietly, Haile nodded with a smile reaching her hand out putting it over his.

"Well I'm here for ya" She said, after they finished dinner they went back to Ron's flat. But it was different than most times he brought a girl back; there was no touching no lusting just talking.

"So tell me, who was it that messed you up so bad?" Haile said slightly drunk off the wine from the dinner.

"What do you mean?" Ron said playing dumb, but he wasn't fooling Haile.

"I mean, when I started working for you about what…two years ago almost…you were the happy, loud, sarcastic mother fucker around. But now you're different" Haile explained, Ron hadn't realize his behavior had been that evident to the people around him but she had been right. When Haile first started he and Hermione were still together, happily together.

"That obvious huh?" Ron said Hailed nodded.

"And truthfully you're only getting worse" Haile said honestly, which Ron thought he liked but now was starting to get annoying.

"Ay! What do you know?" Ron said a little hurt, Haile gave a little shrug.

"Well yea see I didn't go to school to be a quidditch player, I wanted to study how mental illness worked, ya know what made crazy people snap. I was all lined up to do a training program at the prison of Azkaban, but then I got drafted turning their offer down" Haile explained.

"Wow you're just the whole package huh?" Ron said, Haile surprising him once again.

"Well if you ask some people I guess, Ask my mother though and I'm just a big waste of talent that followed the wrong dreams" Haile said, her tone less chipper than usual Ron figured that was a tough spot for her.

"I'm guessing you don't see her much?" Ron asked

"Not since I came out here I haven't been back to France since" Haile explained flatly.

"Ya know I would never have known you were from France you don't have an accent or nothing" Ron said realizing now that she had spoken just like him. Haile seemed to think this was funny as she let out a laugh.

"Yeah, well I faked it a lot when I first got here especially during training and drafting I was pretty much the only French girl their" Haile explained

"Gottcha, so you still fakin it?" Ron joked,

"Not exactly it comes pretty natural now some of my words though can be a little off" Haile said, Ron nodded. Haile had really been the perfect girl, any guy would be lucky to have her. Sitting here at the table with her sure he was attracted to her what guy wouldn't be but he couldn't see himself wanting anything more with her than a friendship.

"So, about this girl" Hail said getting back to the original point of conversation.

"Ah yeah, well you know Hermione Granger?" Ron asked, even though he knew she did Haile nodded in response.

"Yeah well she was the love of my life, literally even before I knew it she was" Ron explained.

"So what happened?" Haile pressed.

"Well we were great, marvelous actually but towards the end she kept working real late and me being the ass I am kept amusing she was cheating or didn't love me because she was never home. And these thoughts absolutely killed me so I drank to cope with it. Making things worse, us fighting all the time with my drunk rage and one night it just was over" Ron explained.

"Do you still love her?" Haile asked asking all the questions Ron didn't want to answer.

"I…don't know" Ron admitted honestly after the talk they had last week it was pretty obvious that nothing was going to happened between them ever again.

"I don't too" Ron added, knowing that it was just hurting him more.

"Listen I'm here for you I don't Hermione, I wasn't there like you're other friends I'll help you through this. I mean if you want…" Haile said not wanting to get ahead of herself. Ron thought for a minute, but maybe he did need Haile to finally pull him out of his funk and get on with his life.

"I would like that…A lot" Ron said and with that think clinked their glasses as if it were to seal the deal, Ron could only hope this would work.

Hermione sat at the Burrow's kitchen table with Mrs. Weasley and two of Ginny's good friends from work. They were putting together last minute things for her shower which they had decided was going to be a surprise which Hermione was regretting more and more by the minute.

"Okay so Amy, you have all the favors ready right?" Hermione asked,

"Yup, all set" Amy replied, Hermione nodded looking over her check list the shower was tomorrow and Hermione felt as if nothing was done.

"Okay…Food?" Hermione asked looking up at the ladies.

"Got it covered dear!" Mrs. Weasley said, Hermione checking off another thing on the list perfect.

"Now I still need to talk to Harry tonight…of and Dee do you have the names of everyone coming?" Hermione asked, Dee nodded handing her over a list.

"Great perfect I think we got everything we need together then" Hermione said gathering the papers of planning when suddenly,

"Mum! I need your help" Ginny yelled from the next room, as the girls broke out in panic.

"Ginny? What? girls go! Go!" Hermione whispered in hasted, casting a spell on her papers making them disappear, Ginny waltzed into the room just in time.

"Hermione?" Ginny asked confused.

"Hello!" Hermione said,

"Were going over menu for the wedding darling, now what seems to be the problem?" Mrs. Weasley said saving Hermione from herself.

"Oh well it's the bridesmaids dresses I was just talking to this women who said I need to order by this week or they won't be ready for the wedding" Ginny said, Hermione knew full well Ginny was on the brink of a panic attack but she was trying her best to keep it together.

"Listen Gin it's gonna be fine, you already know what you want you basically just need me Amy and Dee to go to the store and try them on" Hermione explain calmly as she could see relief wash over Ginny.

"Yeah you're right, I just feel like there's no time left for anything" Ginny said collapsing in the chair infront in her. Hermione knew she had been running around all day doing wedding stuff.

"Oh Hermione, I need to talk to you about something" Ginny said, Hermione looked at her slightly confused.

"Oh? About what?" Hermione asked,

"Okay well don't get mad, or shut it down right away just like give it chance" Ginny explained, Hermione quickly became suspicious.

"What are you talking about Ginny?" Hermione said almost scared of what was about to come out of Ginny's mouth.

"Well, I know what would probably want a date for the wedding. And who knows maybe you already have someone in mind, but there's this guy at work and he's really nice handsome too I think you'd like him" Ginny explained tentatively hoping Hermione wouldn't get mad. Hermione had mixed emotions, she knew Ginny was only thinking of the best but was it so obvious she sucked at her own love life she needed her friends to help. But Hermione knew that she wouldn't find anyone so she swallowed her pride and agreed.

"Okay" Hermione said Ginny perking up in surprise.

"Wait really!?" Ginny said excitedly, Hermione nodded.

"Yeah I mean I need a date, and being so busy I won't have time to find some" Hermione explained.

"Oh that's great! I think you two should do dinner some time before the wedding ya know so you get to know each other" Ginny said.

"Yeah that sounds fine, set something up and let me know" Hermione replied, trying not to worry too much about this. She trusted Ginny's judgment though so she wasn't too worried. After talking with Ginny for a little bit longer, she had deiced to go back to her flat.

Hermione made herself some tea looking around her flat, she had deiced to paint the kitchen walls a pale yellow so when they light hit it would brighten up. The whole place was surround with large ceiling to floor windows, which Hermione loved the kitchen had a large bay window looking over the grassy knolls in her back yard. She thought eventually she would start a garden out there; the crisp April air blew through her window making the smell of grass fill her nostrils. Hermione really did love the warmer month's spring and summer being her favorite she was glad the cold months were coming to close.

As she had been pretty much done unpacking her things there had been one box filled with pictures of her and Ben, also other miscellaneous things that he had given to her or reminded her of him. She needed to rid her place of him. This was hers and only hers, Hermione never really lived by herself for very long. After the war her and Ron moved in together almost right away, and once her and Ben had gotten serious he had moved in with her. Hermione never really had the time to really discover herself make something that was her home, and only hers. She was happy that she was finally getting to do this; it had been helping her cope with things a lot recently.

As she sorted through her pictures, throwing the ones of her and Ben away she had come across some of her Ron. No matter how much she wanted to strip him from her life she knew he couldn't, he had been a big part of her life in a romantic and non-romantic way. The one picture she was looking at was when they were in their second year they were so young, Harry standing in-between them. They were all smiling trying to take a nice picture then it moved into Ron tugged at a piece of Hermione hair getting Hermione flustered yelling at him leaving Harry to settle the quarrel between them. Hermione smiled, everything had been so innocent then sometimes she wished she go back to then where he biggest problem was Ron Weasley tugging on a piece of her hair. Hermione placed the picture on her window sill wiping off some of the dust making the picture visible again.

A/N Okay, so not much of a cliff hanger here, but I'm already half way done with the next chapter so more is too come soon!