A/N: Here is Chapter Eleven... I'm actually seeing the end now. I am estimating this story to be around 15 - 20 chapters in total.
I know that I have stories where Ron is bashed. But for this tale, Ron is a supportive and true friend...
I hope I can finish this tale soon without much delays since I have a new plot calling out to me.
With work and MBA though, it's a tough life to balance. My job in data science gives me lots of headaches and well, I just hope I can still sneak some time to write this. HAHA.
Besides, Seven Years of Loving and Loathing is a joy to write and All Because of You really requires attention. So I have to find time to carry on with those two stories before I attempt another one.
Chapter Twelve could be a snippet of the Granger family reunion or the 'Big Talk' between our favorite couple. Not decided yet, but we'll see. What do you prefer though?
Chapter Eleven is short, but I hope you do enjoy it.
Faves, follows, and reviews are highly appreciated.
THE POTTER BRIDE
By: tweety-src-clt9
Chapter Eleven
"Hello, Ron. Thank you so much for coming to see me in short notice", he smiled at his best mate. Ronald Weasley actually looked very flustered and out of breath. It was clear that he got to Potter Manor as soon as he could. Harry did say it was an emergency involving Hermione after all!
"Of course, I got here as soon as I can, Harry. You said it was an emergency! Is Hermione alright? Where is she?", his ginger friend spoke fast.
"Sit down mate and have a drink. You need to calm yourself for this talk", he handed Ron a shot of fire whiskey. When Draco Malfoy left after giving him 'dating advice' for strong women, he immediately thought about two things. First, asking Ron's help in finding out the dosage and the duration of the love potion Ginny Weasley gave him. Second, Astoria Malfoy's first theory on a possible cure to utero mortis. The willingly given blood from an unreciprocated love…
"Ron, Hermione is fine as we speak. She's holidaying at some paradise island in the Philippines. She will be back in Australia for a few days after her trip. I was able to overcome her spell on her parents so the Grangers are finally back. However, Hermione kept a secret from us about what happened at Malfoy Manor", he started to explain.
"What do you mean?"
"What don't you understand, Ron?", he controlled the urge to roll his eyes. Ron can be bloody thick at times!
"While I'm happy about her vacation and you fixing her parents, I don't understand. What secret at Malfoy Manor?", Ron was now frowning.
"Bellatrix cursed Hermione with the womb of death. Basically, she can't give birth to a healthy baby because every time she gets pregnant, her womb will kill the child. Each pregnancy shall make her weak, which could eventually be the cause of an early death for her", he tried his best to keep calm. Just thinking about Hermione's pain makes him want to turn back time and torture Bellatrix Lestrange before killing her in the most brutal way he can think of.
"But why would that bitch do that? I thought she only threw a series of crucio?", Ron's voice was quiet and sad. He looked at his best friend and saw tears starting to fall. He felt his cheeks get wet. He was crying too!
"That vile bitch hated Hermione because Voldemort wanted her as a trophy after killing me! Hermione Granger was handpicked by Voldemort to be the mother of his magical heir! That bitch was jealous of her because she was in love with her master. So, since her master would kill her if she killed Hermione, she just made sure that Hermione can't bear any heirs for anyone!", he explained with venom as angry tears keep on falling.
"What? But that means Hermione can't -"
"I know Ron! Hermione can't have any babies!", he interrupted.
"No, Harry. I was referring to the prophecies!"
"Do you really think I care about those blasted prophecies! Hermione has a dark curse on her Ron!", he snapped.
"Don't yell at me as if you're the only one who cares about her. I bloody love her too!", Ron said angrily.
"Do you love her as a friend or a sister, Ron? Or are you in love with her? And please don't lie to me. Your answer is very important", he said calmly.
"What does it matter, Harry? Hermione is meant to be with you. The bloody prophecies say so!", he sighed.
"Are you in love with her, Ron? Please. I need to know", he begged.
"Yes! I bloody am in love with her! Ever since I heard of the first prophecy, I had to let her go. I tried Harry, believe me! And being away from her, I guess it helped. But I will always love her. Besides, I know you love her too. And I know she may try to hide it, but she feels the same for you", Ron admitted.
"I am sorry Ron", he said sadly.
"It's okay mate. I don't deserve her anyway. You know, brightest witch of the age and all that", Ron tried to joke.
"Mate! Don't say that!"
"It's alright Harry. I have accepted it", Ron shrugged but Harry could see in his best mate's eyes that there was still underlying pain there.
"Ron? Will you do anything for Hermione?", he inquired.
"Of course, I would! She's our best friend!"
"I never doubted you for a second Ron. But you have to listen, okay? The next things I am going to tell you are very important", when he got a nod, he told Ron about the Wizengamot session, Draco's shocking revelation, and about his discussion with Malfoy inside his study.
"Merlin! So, Astoria Malfoy has been researching about this curse since her husband asked her to. And now she has two initial ideas on how to try and break it", Ron said with disbelief after staying quiet for a few minutes after Harry finished his explanation.
"The Wizengamot is now creating a special research force tasked to help find a cure for this curse, Ron. But in case, I wanted to ask you, can you be the donor for the blood of the unrequited love?", he asked.
"Of course, I would Harry. And given Malfoy's willingness to help, I'm sure he can fill in for the blood of the family of the enemy. Lastly, you are the blood of true love", Ron quickly summarized.
"I don't know what are the specific details for this ritual, Ron. But I am hoping it can work. So far, Draco just gave me the details of those three types of blood to be willingly given. We need more details of course and then we still have to get Hermione's approval. She doesn't even know yet that I am aware of this curse on her. I reckon this is what she would be talking about when she visits here at the manor in ten days", he told his still astounded friend.
"Harry, how are you and Hermione getting along? Are you together now?", his best mate finally spoke again.
"We're not together, Ron. We even had a fight recently. We're civil for now. But due to the curse, I think she would actually tell me that I must give up on her. Which of course, I bloody won't! I am not giving up on her! Not because of the stupid prophecies, but due to the fact that I love her - very much", he confessed.
"I know Harry. And you should never give up on her and never let her go! That stubborn woman!", Ron chuckled and they shared a sad laugh. Both of them were feeling sad and pained for the same woman they were both in love with!
"Mate? Can I ask you one more favor?"
"Sure, Harry", Ron grinned.
"I need you to dose Ginny with veritaserum again. Find out how long she's been dosing Hermione and me with love potions. Also, find out what are the specific types of potion she used."
"Gotcha, mate!", Ron winked and they clicked their shots of fire whiskey.
Two days later, Harry received a letter from Ron which he excitedly opened. He knew that Ron would be able to give him the answers that he wanted to know. The details on the dosage and the duration of the love potions used by Ginny do not matter to him. He was confident of his feelings for Hermione, dammit! But he knew that Hermione Jean Granger could be so damn stubborn if she wanted to be. Given that she would rather not be with him out of her dumb logical idea to set him free, be happy, and have babies with another woman, Hermione will use any excuse possible to convince him to let her go. So, he knew that his declarations of love should be iron-clad and foul proof! Hence, he needed evidence. Hopefully, the letter in his hands now contain the evidence that he can use to bring that stubborn woman to her senses.
Dear Harry,
This is a complete transcript of the truthful discussion regarding your recent favor.
"I dosed Harry attraction potions since the summer before his fifth year. It was not keyed to me but just enough for him to get attracted to specific traits - long straight hair, love of Quidditch, and popularity. Hence, he got together with Cho briefly. After all, Cho and I had distinct similarities. I wanted him to think that was his type and not intelligent and bookish girls like Hermione. The summer before his sixth year, mum and I gave him Amortentia and this time it was keyed to me. I saw how Harry reacted when Hermione fell at the Department of Mysteries. He was bound to notice his real feelings for her soon, so I knew I had to act before it's too late. Since we knew that Harry is a very powerful wizard, we have to dose with him with the strongest love potion of all. Furthermore, I wore a necklace that was charmed with a jealousy inducer. Every time I was around Harry, he would be compelled to act possessive and jealous around me. The combination of the potion and the jealousy charm eventually took effect. It gradually wore him down and I finally had him. Of course, Hermione was the biggest competitor so we dosed her with an attraction and jealousy potion keyed to Ron. It was easier to dose Hermione with a lighter variant since she was already both attracted to Ron and Harry. We just helped her make a choice between her best friends so that Harry can be mine. The last time I dosed Harry with Amortentia was at Bill and Phlegm's wedding. The last time I dosed Hermione, I can't specifically remember but it was still before Dumbledore's death. "
I hope that settles your curiosity, mate. I do hope that this statement from my dear sister is enough proof to Hermione that you weren't right on the head when you rejected her.
Good luck on convincing that stubborn woman, Harry.
Your best mate,
Ron
"Thank you, Ron!", he yelled as he pumped his fist in victory. He now had solid evidence to refute Hermione's claims on his feelings for her being not strong enough. Now, he just has to patiently wait for his future Lady Potter to come visit. We're destined to be together, Hermione. I don't care if we have children or not. I just want you. I want you by my side - forever...
Meanwhile, on a busy airport in Sydney, a young beautiful woman had tears in her eyes as she dropped her luggage and ran to the two people she's constantly seen for the last six years, but who never actually recognized her before. As she saw the look of love and recognition in her parents' eyes, Hermione Granger hugged her mother and father for all she was worth while she kept on repeating, "I'm sorry". The teary-eyed and happily reunited family, quickly grabbed all the forgotten luggage, then drove back to home. Hermione would be sleeping in her parents' house tonight. They were in for a long long talk…