They reappeared in Hermione's hallway, having held hands for the journey from the Burrow. Hermione settled heavily into the couch, worry etched across her beautiful features.

Fleur knew it'd be a difficult time for the brunette. Ron had been a friend for an incredibly long time, ever since the troll incident. They'd been together as a group for the entire second war, the battle of Hogwarts, the desperate search for the Horcruxes. Now Ron and his petty issues, like that day in the forest, were getting in the way of what could have continued to be a very important friendship.

It was natural perhaps that things could go they way they did. The third of the golden trio feeling insecure, out of the limelight compared to the boy who lived and the brightest witch of the age. It was no excuse though, thought the blonde witch angrily, to treat those so dear so terribly.

Fleur went to the kitchen and shortly returned to the living room with two cups of tea, something clearly welcomed by Hermione.

'How could he Fleur' Hermione began, after taking a large gulp of the warm beverage.

'I do not know 'ermione' replied Fleur sadly, beginning to idly stroke the younger witch's hair. The motion calmed the brunette, and they relaxed into a comfortable silence, gradually nestling further into each other on the couch.

…...

After what seemed like hours, but was in fact just under half an hour, an urgent knocking came at the door.

They broke apart suddenly, before Hermione drew her wand and let it fall with her arm to her right hand side, ready to attack in seconds. That she would react like this was an inborn trait of the war they'd fought for the latter part of their childhood.

'Constant vigilance' she whispered, her voice an echo of a mentor long since passed.

Reaching the door, she spoke clearly through it,

'Who's there?'

'It's me Hermione, Ginny. I wanted to fill you in on what happened at home once you left. You won't believe it!'

Quickly, she moved to unlock the door, wary about what may have happened but glad to see her excitable ginger haired friend again.

'Who...' began Fleur, craning from the living room to see the source of their disruption.

'Only me Fleur, I have some news from the Burrow. You might want to both sit down for this.'

Wordlessly the two older witches did so, Fleur immediately wrapping her arms around Hermione for emotional support.

Seeing the gesture, Ginny assured them that while the news was dramatic, it wasn't anything to be too worried by. Hermione didn't seem reassured however.

'So Mum and Dad sat Ron down, I don't think Dad has ever been quite that angry by the way. Properly laid into him. Called him irresponsible and delusional, told him he was trying to push the family away from two of the strongest witches of the last wizarding war. The strangest thing was that Mum stayed silent, just let him get it all out. Just nodded along every so often.'

'No way' breathed Hermione.

'Yes way. So at the end of it all, and this is the strangest part, Ron just starts to cry. Ron never cries, not unless it's giant spiders. And he sort of nods his head too. They says that he'll try and get help for his drinking, how he never wanted to be like this.

'What?'

'Yeah. So Mum puts her arm around him and so does Dad, and it's like this properly sentimental moment.'

'Will Ron go through with it?' Hermione burst in

'He has no choice. Dad has already gotten onto a wizarding substance abuse clinic, full of the best healers. George is paying for it all, he's minted now, and he was happy to help his little brother.

'I hope it helps him.'

'We all do Hermione. We all do.

…...

An hour later and Ginny left for her and Harry's place, waving her goodbyes, thrilled to be privy to their latest gossip and coffee flavoured biscuits.

They sat down then, both mentally exhausted after the day's events. So much had happened in such a small space of time that Hermione could barely even comprehend it. She was glad that Ron was getting help, if he just stuck to it, he could become the man that he was always destined to be.

Fleur was happy too, she wanted Hermione to feel better, and she'd become close to the odd, ramshackle family who'd embraced her into their fold, though begrudgingly at first. She hoped that Ron would get his act together for the sake of the girl sitting next to her.

Leaning over, she gently whispered into Hermione's ear;

'So, feeling too exhausted to come and play with me?' the blonde muttered, biting the top of her ear gently as she did so.

Hermione sat up with a start, smiled sultrily and replied;

'Never.'