Hello again!

First of all, I'd like to thank Cheesyficwriter and RomioneB for being the bestest of the best in the beta-ing world.

I also want to thank all the lovely people who have left reviews. I really really appreciate it. I will always be uploading new chapters on Mondays.

The wizarding world, characters included, belongs to J.K. Rowling. The only thing I own is an insane obsession for Ron Weasley that's getting worse everyday.

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As soon as I arrived at the party, I was intercepted by a very dreamy Luna Lovegood rambling about the influence of the New Year energy on the behaviour of the Nargles. When I was able to disengage myself from her, almost half an hour had already passed and I decided that finding Hermione was priority number one. I wasn't able to take two full steps before running into Neville, setting the pace for what would be the parade of chatting friends. I kept glancing at my watch, ditching friend after friend, getting anxious by the minute.

Midnight was just around the corner when I finally spotted Hermione near the fireplace. I started to run through the mass of people to catch her before the countdown ended. I got to her with about five seconds to spare, and she beamed at me, melting my heart. I was practically bouncing on my feet in anticipation. This was it, this was the moment.

There was a big roar of "Happy New Year!" and before I could move, she threw herself at my chest so hard that she almost winded me. Holding on very tight, she started mumbling something about me being so important, supportive, and another thousand things that I couldn't catch with all the cheering and clapping. Time was ticking and I was getting anxious, trying to peel away from Hermione so I could fucking kiss her but she was latched on to me and still bloody rambling. I could see the couples around us were parting to go hug other friends. I had to think of a way to recover, but all I could come up with was pulling a "Potter" and kissing her there in the middle of the crowd. Well, sod it, I'll do what I have to do.

The moment I felt Hermione's grip loosen I took her by the shoulders and pulled apart to keep her at arm's length. She was a bit surprised by my sudden movement but I didn't have the time to be gentle. I aligned my face with hers and locked my eyes with her chocolaty ones, then slowly began to lean forward. I had barely moved an inch when I felt something bump into my leg, followed by insistent tugging on my trousers. I stopped mid-movement and looked down, still holding Hermione, and there he was. James Potter. Of course, it had to be a Potter! If it wasn't the father, it was the child! I turned back to Hermione trying to ignore my godson, but to my rotten luck, Harry was now tapping Hermione's shoulder. She turned around and the moment was gone.

Part one of the plan, "take Hermione to a secluded corner, confess my love and kiss her at midnight" — not checked.

As per usual for the New Year celebration, all of the kids were sleeping in at the Potter's, and, as there were so many, they were divided into two rooms. If you'd ask me any other day, I would've been the proudest uncle in the world for being the kids favourite. But that night, when Ginny came to tell me that I had been unanimously voted by the kids to say night night, I hated it. I couldn't afford to lose sight of Hermione again. But then, I also couldn't break the kid's hearts, so I begrudgingly went.

When I came back to the party after repeating the bedtime routine in both rooms, I noted that many people had already left, which meant the sodding party was dying and I needed to make my move before the night ended. I searched the room for Hermione and my heart almost stopped when I spotted her talking too friendly with a bloke I had never seen before. To the untrained eye, it could seem like she was flirting, but not to me. She couldn't be. I resolutely walked towards them with the sole purpose to finally fulfil my mission for the day and win back Hermione Granger. As I approached the pair, I started to utter a new plan. Step one: get rid of the prat.

When I was close enough, I put my hand on the small of her back and pulled her softly to me. She left out a light "oof", a little startled by my sudden apparition, but recovered quickly, planting a hand on my chest to regain her balance and keep her distance. I instantly frowned and she let out an awkward giggle, looking between Mr. Prat and myself. I had to regain ground and fast.

'Hermione, I-'

'Ron, this is Ryan, he is a healer for the Harpies. Ryan, this is Ron, he's Ginny's brother, well, one of them, the youngest.' She pointed out, waving one hand between us whilst using the other to shove away my hand from her back.

'Hey there,' I quipped. Noticing that I was taller than him, I straightened up whilst handing out my hand and added, 'So, a Healer, yeah?

'Well, yeah, it's a-'

'I'm an Auror. Senior Auror, actually.' I chipped at him, making my voice sound as deep and menacing as I could. Ryan, the prat, was shaking my hand now, so I tightened the grip to show him I was fucking serious here. But the git squeezed back, and hard. We were staring at each other. My hand was killing me but I wasn't gonna be the one to break the hold. So, I kept increasing the pressure, slightly narrowing my eyes with my fiercest gaze.

'Ehm, hmm.'

We were both startled out of the handshake by Hermione, who was clearing her throat loudly.

'So, Ron,' she said, crossing her arms and frowning. 'What is it that you want?'

'Wait, what?'

'Why are you here? You interrupted me, so I can only assume you needed something?' She was tilting her head to the side with an annoyed look on her face. Bloody Ryan, the prat, was smiling smugly. I had to think fast. I had to take her out of there without looking like an idiot. Well, not more than I already was, mind. I searched the room for a way out and thanked Merlin for sisters.

'Ginny asked me to fetch you. Some New Year's resolution shit.' She immediately dropped her arms and changed her stance for a happier and friendlier one.

'Oh, is that it? Where is she?' Shit! Empty room, empty room...

'I think she said she'd be in the study.'

'Great!' she jolted and then turned to Ryan. 'I have to go, you know Ginny. But, I'll be back shortly.' I almost got sick right there when she put her hand on the git's arm before she moved away and started to go towards the study.

'Sorry mate, family business.' I taunted before I trailed after Hermione. I saw her go into the study and followed suit.

At the sound of the door shutting behind her, Hermione instantly turned around looking stunned to find me instead of Ginny. I needed to keep her away from Ryan to complete my plan. So, I came up with a surprisingly clever lie about some case of crazy wands and asked to check hers to make sure she was safe. She hesitated a little but ended up giving me her wand. I knew there was a new edition of "Hogwarts, A History" that had been recently released, so I pointed at the darkest corner of the bookshelf, asking her if it wasn't that the new edition of the book. She immediately went to find out and I used my very well designed distraction to escape the room and lock the door. Hermione was shouting and hitting the door like mad, asking me to let her out. So I did the only thing I could do — put on a silencing charm. Now, I had to get rid of the competition.

Ryan, the prat, was standing in the same spot we left him with the same smugly grin on his face. Pompous bastard. He saw me coming and started walking towards me and we met halfway. He looked at me quizzically and asked for Hermione. Apparently, they were about to leave the party together. Ha, as if! I checked that Ginny was still absent from the room and went to tell Healer Git that there'd been some issues with the little ones and Hermione was helping Ginny to tend the kids. I continued to lie that she'd said he should leave and she'll owl him in the morning. He hesitated a bit but decided to believe me and left. Step one: check. Step two: confess my love.

I stopped at the door and took a deep breath to brace myself for what was coming. This was it. I summoned all my Gryffindor courage and entered the room. Hermione was leaning against the desk, arms crossed, a ferocious look on her face. She waited until I locked the door, crossed the room almost at a run and stopped right in front of me. She took my shirt in one fist and angrily pulled me down so we were at the same eye level.

'Where. Is. Ryan?' She asked, through gritted teeth. I gulped.

'He… he left to-'

'WHY?! OH, WHY DO YOU ALWAYS DO THIS, RON?!' She yelled, letting go of my shirt and throwing her arms angrily in the air. Then, she started to pace from one wall to the other, frantically stroking her hair over her shoulder and shooting me fiery glances every few steps. I was frozen in my spot while she kept pacing and muttering under her breath. She was fuming.

'Wha- what do I...what do I always do, Hermione?' My voice came out so strained and low that I wasn't sure she could hear me. But, she did, because as soon as I spoke she stopped abruptly and glanced at me.

'You don't own me.' She barked, putting her hand flat on her chest.

'I… I know I -'

'You don't decide who I talk to.' She was now pointing at me with one hand, the other clenched at her side.

'Wha- I...I know I don't -'

'You are supposed to be supportive and introduce me to nice men so I can find a father for my child, not send them away.' At the last word, her hand joined the other one, fist closed.

'Is this what all the fuss is about? You wanted Mr. Healer there to be the father of your kid?' I grumbled, making a half turn and pointing at the door, glancing back and forth.

'Maybe I did, maybe I didn't,' she answered defiantly. I was stunned, gaping at her, incapable of making any sound. After a strained silence, she challenged, 'What do you care?' whilst pitching up her chin.

Nonononono, this can't be happening! I should be telling her that I love her. Do something, say something!

'Of course I care, Hermione!' I yelled, clenching my fists, staring at the door. The whole shit was quickly getting out of control.

'Oh, you do, do you?' She snapped bitterly. Her words felt like a stab in the heart. I shut my eyes hard, inhaled deeply, and slowly turned back. I steadily opened my eyes and felt a knot in my stomach at the sight of her. Hermione was breathing heavily, hands on her hips, shoulders tense, and her wonderful eyes were now piercing mine with fury. How did I put myself in this predicament?, I thought, I have to recover, I have to tell her.

'Hermione I-'

'No, Ron. You don't "Hermione" me, because so far you haven't been any help!' She started to pace again. I knew I had to do something but I didn't dare to speak, afraid of making shit worse. After a few strides back and forth she was slightly more composed and she resumed her previous position in front of me. 'I thought that after the talk we had earlier, you'd be helping me,' she sighed,' And what did you do? You shoved away the first man I found!' She finished, shaking her head disappointedly.

'What happens If you have your child now, with a stranger.' I leaned in a bit, trying to get closer. I was afraid to touch her because she was still pretty pissed, but my hands moved on their own accord and cupped her face, so she was looking at me before I resumed. 'And… and you found your true love in…say a week or a month?' I rested my forehead on hers and she closed her eyes. 'What if you have a child with a man you're not supposed to?'

'If he is my true love, as you say, he'll love him because he's mine.' She murmured. But after a second, she snapped her eyes open and stared at me gravely, asking, 'Is that what all this was about?'

'No it- it's not...it's not that.' I pulled back, raising a hand to scratch my neck.

'Then what?' She crossed her arms tight and I felt like I was losing her… again.

Why did I pull back? Because I'm a tosser. I need to hold her again! But she clearly doesn't want me to... I was having a hell of a talk with myself while Hermione kept looking at me, firmly rooted in her spot. She raised her eyebrows, jerking her head up. Shit! Fuck, sod it. Showtime.

'Hermione, I...I need to tell-'

'Do you think I like this?' She blurted out sharply. 'Do you really believe that young Hermione Granger wrote that she'll be pregnant and have a family thinking that she'll do it like this?' She left her head fall, defeated, and covered her face with her hands. 'I don't like this! I didn't choose to be alone!' I heard her muffled, distressed scream.

'You are not alone. You have me.' Hermione raised her head at my words.

As she spoke, she slightly tilted her head to the side and lowered her hands. 'Do I? Because you, as my friend, should be supporting me, helping me. But instead, you are making everything harder than it already is.'

'I don't want to make things harder, Hermione, but I can't...' I trailed off, looking at my shoes.

'You can't what? You can't help me?' She snarled.

'No. I can't help you find another man becau-'

'Give me back my wand.' She turned her head away as if she couldn't look at me anymore, holding out her hand.

'Hermione, listen, I-'

'GIVE ME BACK MY WAND!' She shouted, frantically wiggling her hand.

I took a step towards her whilst taking her wand out of my back pocket and putting it in her hand. 'Here, take it.' She closed her fist, turned around and passed me en route to the door. She didn't even look at me.

'Hermione, listen,' I cried, 'Please, I really need to tell you…' She had barely opened the door when she stopped and took a deep breath.

'I can't fight with you,' she sighed. 'I have too much happening in my life as it is. I think…I think I need a time out.' Hermione took a step out but stopped under the doorframe and mumbled in a sad voice, 'Don't...I...I'll reach out to you when I'm ready.' And with that, she went. I was left there alone, trying to figure out how everything had gone to shit in a blink.