Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter. All rights go to respective owners.

Chapter Summary: Hermione is stressed about a big job career opportunity, and Ron supports her the best he can. Ron/Hermione

A Work in Progress

"I don't understand how you can just say that, Ronald! This is important! I have to be ready for this! I don't know how you are unable to understand that."

Ron ran his fingers through his hair in agitation. They were at it again; another argument. Sometimes, it felt like that's all they did: argue. He knew that he had a quick temper — not that he would easily admit that to anyone else, even to his wife — but she was exactly the same! Except Hermione's anger seemed to stem from the fact that she thought he was an idiot.

Which he wasn't! And he was ready to tell her just how smart he was, when his father's words came back to him.

"You catch more flies with sugar than vinegar, Ron."

Ron took a deep breath.

"Hermione … love," he said, trying to keep his voice calm and even, "I said that you're going to nail this! The job's already in the bag!"

Apparently, that was the wrong thing to say.

"No, it isn't, Ronald! But I guess you couldn't understand. This isn't some job in … in a shop somewhere!" Hermione shouted, tears in her eyes. "This is the biggest moment of my life!"

And his self-control vanished.

"Oh, so this goes back to me working in George's shop, does it?" he snapped, feeling his face heat in resentment. "Just because I don't have a fancy job in the Ministry like you, does not mean I have no ambition! Everyday, I'm helping create new products. I love what I do! Can you say the same?"

"This has nothing to do with that!" Hermione snapped back. "Not everything is about you, Ron!"

He laughed sardonically.

"Really?" he asked. "Then what is it about?"

"Tomorrow morning, I'm announcing — before the entire press of the Wizarding world, in case you forgot — that I am running to become the Minister of Magic! I'm the first Muggleborn to even consider campaigning in over one hundred years! Do you understand what that means, Ron? The system is corrupt and the odds are stacked against me! And you know what? If — and that's a enormous if — I somehow manage to get the job, it will be because I'm Harry's friend. It won't be out of my own merit."

At that final statement, Ron watched as she burst into loud, heartrending sobs. Suddenly, he felt incredibly angry. Not at Hermione, but at the world. In one moment, he saw the world through her eyes — all of the disadvantages and trials she had gone through and experienced. And even then, there will be many more she will have to face.

It wasn't fair.

"Hermione," he said gently, slowing pulling her into a hug. "I'm sorry."

"What?" she asked. He chuckled slightly at her shocked tone.

"I'm sorry," he repeated. "I don't understand because I'm not you. I've never had to deal with the bias you've faced, and I'm sorry. But I want you to remember something: You are special. Both to me and the rest of the wizarding world. You are the brightest witch of our age; you earned that! Harry and I sure didn't do anything to help you in school."

Hermione chuckled weakly and wrapped her arms around him, returning the hug.

"And you know what? Yeah, you may get some votes because you're Harry's friend," he continued softly. "There are many things Harry has accomplished; but he would be the first to tell you he didn't do it alone. You have so many accomplishments to your name. You are a brilliant, beautiful, and fierce witch. Out of everyone, you will enact the most positive change, which is something our world desperately needs."

"I already knew all of that," Hermione murmured. "But it's nice to hear it anyway."

Ron rolled his eyes. "So is that you saying sorry?" he asked.

"Why?" Hermione asked, pulling out of the hug. "You already apologized. I don't need to, as well." She grinned at him, and he couldn't help but laugh.

"Well, I am sorry," he said. "I didn't understand that you were this stressed about tomorrow."

Hermione shook her head and sighed.

"You know, Ron," she said, "you really don't listen. My first words to you today was: I am sorry if I'm rude; I'm just so stressed about tomorrow."

Ron felt himself flush in embarrassment.

"Oops?" he said weakly.

Prompt (Prompt of the Day — The Golden Snitch): (dialogue) "I didn't understand that you were this stressed about tomorrow." / "My first words to you today was: I am sorry if I'm rude, I'm just so stressed about tomorrow."

Word count (not including title and author's notes): 731