No Time for Epilogues
Chapter 29
The next morning, Elizabeth was making tea when she was startled by loud knocking on the back door. That would be Ron.
"Who the devil is banging on the door like that this early?" Ian called from the dining room.
She opened the door and there stood Ron, sopping wet from the rain, disheveled with sad, blood-shot eyes. "Is she here?" he croaked and sneezed.
"My goodness, no she's not, but do come in before you catch your death," Elizabeth said and ushered him in.
"I deserve it, I'm such a git," he said mournfully and plopped down on a breakfast nook chair.
"I'll finish the tea, he looks as if he needs it," Ian said.
"After Ian brings the tea, we'll talk about what happened," Elizabeth said.
"You're not gonna to kick me out, are you?" he asked and sniffed. Elizabeth looked at him curiously. "Mum kicked me out of the house and told me not to come back without her."
That same morning in Scotland, at The Three Broomsticks, Ginny was waiting for Harry forto make his usual weekly visit. He was late, but he was with the Aurors, so it wasn't unexpected. The door opened with greetings of "Hey Potter" and "What's up Harry!" He gave her a quick kiss on the cheek and sat down across from her, exasperated.
"Have you seen or heard from Hermione?" he asked.
"No, why? Maybe she and Ron eloped."
"I highly doubt that." He took off his glasses and rubbed his face.
"Why do you say that?"
"I went to the Granger's this morning and found out they broke up."
"The Grangers broke up?" Ginny asked perplexed.
"No Gin, Ron and Hermione."
"I don't believe that. When? Why?"
"Apparently, they fought last night, and you know how they are when they fight. Ron was drunk, she left, and as of this morning, they are no more. Ron received her ring in his morning post."
"I'm gonna kill him. Drunk was he?"
"Killing him won't be necessary, from the looks of it, he might do himself in. I showed up at the Grangers' shortly after he did and let me tell you, I've never seen him so broken up. Also, never threaten to kill someone before an Auror, it's premeditation." Harry deadpanned. Ginny snorted and slapped his arm.
"So no one's seen or heard from her?"
"Oh, she took a few days vacation and went to her cousin's place in Plymouth, I just thought she might have stopped here for a while."
In Plymouth, Hermione was telling her cousin the story. It did make her feel a bit better to talk it out.
"Laura, I know everyone has a dark side, I just never thought I'd be on the receiving end of his," Hermione said, sipping her tea. "Just when you thought you knew someone, huh?"
"I don't get it. You've known him since eleven right? You always talk as if he hung the moon or something."
Hermione nodded.
"Has he ever acted out like this?"
"He's gotten angry before, but not to the point where I realized I was gripping my wand in case I had to defend myself."
Cousin Laura was also one of the three Muggles who knew Hermione was a witch. The other two were her parents.
"In any case, stay here a while and get your head sorted out, you need a break anyway. Did anyone ever tell you that you work too much?"
Yeah, Ron.
Ron was back at his flat, picking up the mess he had made in his drunken fit. He was of half a mind to go to Plymouth and beg Hermione's forgiveness, but heeded the Grangers' advice.
"Give her a chance to calm down. You hurt her Ron, and frightened her, she needs a while to reconcile that," Elizabeth said.
"You do know that there is no excuse for lashing out at her the way you did?" Ian asked.
"I know, there's no excuse for it. She's done nothing but love me," Ron said.
"You've got a long, hard row to hoe to get back in her good books. I know my daughter, she forgives, but she doesn't forget."
A knock on the door startled him from his reverie. Harry was there with a red envelope. "From Ginny," he said, gave him the envelope and walked in. Ron sighed and opened the Howler.
"RONALD WEASLEY, HOW DARE YOU TREAT HER THIS WAY! YOU DON'T TEAR OUT THE HEART OF SOMEONE YOU LOVE! WHAT WERE YOU THINKING, YOU GIGANTIC GIT!"
He was subjected to three more minutes of Ginny's ranting and raving in defense of Hermione and condemnation of his behavior.
"She's right," Ron said.
"Why'd you do it?" Harry asked, helping Ron pick up clutter. To be honest, he was a bit angry with Ron too for hurting Hermione, but he wouldn't turn his back on either one. Both were hurting.
He shrugged. "I don't know. Temporary insanity?"
"You know, when she decides to talk to you again, you need something better than I don't know, and pleading insanity doesn't help either ."
That night, Ginny received a letter from Hermione.
Gin-
No doubt you've heard of the falling out between Ron and me. I'm at my cousin's place in Plymouth, letting the shock subside. I'll be fine, really, I just needed to get away for a bit. You're so close to finishing your time at Hogwarts, you must be so excited! When you leave, you get to meet my cousin, Laura. She knows I'm a witch, so no worries there.
I wish you could be at the football match I'm playing on May the 10th. My parent's' clinic is one of the major sponsors of a charity for indigents and they cajoled me into playing in a fund raising football match. I played while growing up and Dad loves practicing with me again, just like the old days. I'm not close to being an athlete, but I do enjoy playing, as every proper Englishman (or woman) should! I know your whole family is so excited about Fleur and Bill. The baby is due sometime next week, isn't she? Study hard for your NEWTS! I know you'll do so well. Let me know if you need any help.
Love, Hermione
The night of May 2, she received a text message on her mobile from Harry from at St. Mungo's. Fleur just had the baby, a pretty little girl they named Victoire. Baby's perfect, Fleur's fine and Bill's over the moon!
May 9, 1999
Hermione, Harry and Ian were in the Granger's' backyard, practicing with Hermione. She had thrown herself into work and football to keep her mind off her problems. She felt like a coward going to the flat and retrieving her things while he wasn't there, but it seemed like the best thing to do at the time. I'm not the wrong one here! She glanced down at her hand from time to time and her heart ached not seeing the ring there.
"Heads up!" Harry called out as he tossed the ball. She bounced it off her head cleanly.
"Good one," Ian said and rolled it back. She let it roll on top of her foot then flipped it up, bouncing it knee to knee. A sudden pop of apparition preceded the arrival of Ron, who looked surprised at the scene of Harry, Ian and Hermione playing around with a football. Hermione kept bouncing the ball knee to knee without missing a beat. Ron looked at her as if he were a starving man and Hermione was food.
"Um...I'm meeting Ginny today, gotta go," Harry said.
"Tell her I said hi," Hermione said and let the ball drop to the ground, juggling it with her feet.
"I'll just...go inside," Ian said.
When the two left, Hermione sharply kicked the ball, sending it toward his head. Caught off guard, he awkwardly caught it. She was no longer angry at him, but resigned and sad and it showed on her face. He felt foolish holding the ball, so he put it down.
"What do you want?" she asked.
"To talk."
"The last time I tried to talk to you, you called me, what was it, yes- a know-it-all little swot and screamed at me to get out. So I did."
"Hermione, I know I have no excuse or reason-"
"Got that right."
"-for acting that way, for saying what I said. You know that I'd never in a million years hurt you or scare you-"
"But you did."
"-and I'll regret it as long as I live. I'm so sorry, can you ever forgive me?"
"Yes. Now go." She tossed her hair behind her shoulders and went into the house.
That night, Hermione lay in bed unable to sleep. It had been this way since she left him. All she could think about was how he looked that day in the backyard. Handsome as ever, hands stuffed deep in his pockets, she knew he was humble and sincere in making his apology. But was that enough? Part of her wanted to run to him, take him in her arms and never let him go, forgiving him in her loving embrace. A small smile crept to her face at the thought of his strong arms around her, her face against his chest, breathing him in. She missed him so much it was beyond description, which was really something given her extensive vocabulary. Sentimental codswallop, snap out of it Granger! the other part of her called out. Her cold and logical side didn't much care for her sentimental, emotional side.
"Great, now myself is talking to...myself," she said as she looked at herself in the mirror.
His flat was too lonely and quiet now for his liking. Usually on Saturday, the flat was alive with the sounds of Hermione. He was used to her singing in the shower, playing with her kitten, humming while she cooked or singing along with the wireless as she got ready for a night of dinner and dancing. Now all he heard was the occasional drip of water from a leaky tap or the fork scraping the plate from which he was eating take-away. There would be no sounds of joyful passion coming from her beautiful lips tonight either. That made him want to tear his hair out. In the week since she left, he couldn't bear to sleep in the bed. Hermione's scent permeated the pillows and sheets, which inevitably led to the searing memories of all the love they had made in the bed. From what Hermione had dubbed "lunchtime quickies" to the longer, passionate sessions at night, visions of her rapturous face and recollections of loving words uttered and moaned caused him to snatch up his broom and fly. Anywhere would be good, as long as he left his torturous flat. When Hermione hit the books for whatever bothered her, he took to his broom. He didn't even remember flying to Bill's house. He took a moment to admire the peaceful seaside view and quiet forest behind the house.
"Who's there?" Bill's voice called out.
"It's me," Ron said and walked into view. "Can I come in, or are you gonna kick me out like mum?"
"It's kind of late to be out, isn't it?" Bill asked.
"Couldn't stand my flat tonight, had to get out." Bill and Fleur shared a discreet smirk at Ron's dramatic tone. Ah yes, the woes of young love.
"Well, come in then."
Inside, Fleur offered tea. "Thanks, my throat's dried out from all the flying."
"Nice weather tonight, isn't it?" Bill asked.
"Huh? Oh yeah, nice," Ron said.
"Is that a new broom?" Bill asked.
Ron nodded. "Harry's letting me try it out. The Aurors are testing some new brooms."
"May I look at it?" Ron shrugged and gave him the broom. Bill nodded in approval. "I suppose you're not here to talk about brooms and the weather, are you?"
"No, but I figured since you've been with a woman longer than I have, you might have a better idea about what goes on with them."
"An wiz zat, I'll take my leeve, don't stay up too long," Fleur said, kissing Bill's cheek and leaving the room.
"How's the baby?"
"She's good, but a bit fussy like her mum," Bill said proudly. "Now, as to womenfolk. The key to them is pretty simple."
Ron listened in anticipation.
"No one on this Earth will be able to give you an idea about what goes on in a woman's head or heart. They are a mystery and will forever be so. The sooner you accept that, the better."
"How's that better?" Ron asked. Bill grinned at his dubious tone.
"That's what makes relationships exciting and challenging, never a dull moment. You know that you messed up, right?"
Ron nodded.
"That's a point in your favor, however, the quaffle is now in her hands. She decides if the match continues or not."
Ron could just picture Hermione's face if she knew how Bill was using Quidditch as an allegory for affairs of the heart.
