CHAPTER 9 Hello Ron

Hermione chuckled to herself as Harry closed the door behind him.

"Dumbass", she said to herself as she chuckled once more and continued her work on the parchments.

There was a knock on the door, and Hermione called out, "Come in". The door opened and a woman poked her head in her sleek blond hair falling into her face.

"Are you Hermione Granger?" she asked cheerfully, her broad smile showing her confidence. Her green eyes sparkled with enthusiasm, and their colour most unusual as she could see hints of purple in her eye colour.

"Yes, come in", Hermione replied smiling at the woman. When she had walked into the office and closed the door, Hermione added, "How can I help you?"

"Hi, I'm Kaylee Gryfinstock. I'm the new girl and they put me on this case. I was talking to your boss Mr Hodgkins and he told me to come here so you can brief me on the case. I'm an Auror", Kaylee said.

"Well ok Kaylee", Hermione said taking off her spectacles, "Sit down first of all".

Kaylee sat down and Hermione continued, "Ok so you're going to be assigned with Harry Potter, he will be managing your team. I really don't know that much on the case, he would know more".

"You mean the Harry Potter?" Kaylee asked surprised.

"Yeah it is, but one small tip. Don't make a big fuss about him being famous, he doesn't like that", Hermione added grinning.

"Ok", Kaylee said grinning back.

"Nice eyes", Hermione added looking up to study them again.

"Thanks, family trait you know. Its weird what traits some families have to distinguish from others", Kaylee replied.

"Yes it is quite odd, the nefarious cult used to give each other black eyes and pale white skin, to distinguish them from others and they aren't even family", Hermione said giggling to herself.

"Odd", Kaylee replied wrinkling her brow.

"Sorry, I've been working far too long with these old books and black cults. Sorry", Hermione said sheepishly. "Ok back to the business", Hermione said putting on her specs again.

"Now Harry and the Aurors have been tracking a dark arts group who have been causing a bit of havoc and when they went on a raid they recovered a book of great importance. A second group came into the equation when the book was stolen and we presume that the first group was the one who broke into the Atrium of the Ministry trying to get the book back. I presume Harry will send most of the Aurors after the first group to find out what they have been up to and find out about the lesser known second one. I suppose they will put you on research as you don't know much about the case yet", Hermione said.

There was a knock on the door, and Hermione called out, "Come in".

Harry came into the room and stood in the doorway and said, "Oh didn't know you were busy Hermione". Both girls turned around to face him.

"Oh sorry Harry, excuse my manners, this is Kaylee Gryfinstock, she's going to be on your team, just got transferred. Kaylee this is Harry Potter".

"Pleasure to meet you Kaylee", Harry said walking towards her and shaking her hand.

"Its nice to meet you too", Kaylee replied smiling at him. Harry smiled back.

"What can I do for you Harry?" Hermione asked smirking.

"Ah yes", Harry replied turning his attention back to Hermione, "I was wondering if you wanted to go out to lunch again today. And don't worry I've found a nice restaurant that shouldn't attract attention".

"Ok shall we say one o clock at the atrium again?" Hermione replied.

"Yes", Harry said, turning back to the door.

"Oh and Harry, you can take Kaylee with you, could you fill her in on what she needs to do", Hermione added.

"Sure", Harry replied grinning at Kaylee. Kaylee got up and walked to the door as Harry held the door open for her, as they left Hermione's den, talking animatedly. Hermione chuckled to herself as she shook her head and continued with her work.

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At one thirty Hermione found herself nibbling on some bread as her and Harry waited for their meal.

"How long did you say it would take for a meal?" Hermione moaned as she finished off the bread and started on another. "I'm hungry".

"And very impatient", Harry chuckled, "Whatever happened to the Hermione I used to know the patient one. I betcha it was Ron's influence".

"What?" Hermione asked dropping her bread.

"Sorry", Harry replied quickly, "I wasn't thinking".

"I'm not like Ron!"

"Look lets just drop it Hermione", Harry said wearily, sensing an argument coming up.

"I'm not like Ron!"

"Hey Hermione, can we just drop it. Now what happened when Ginny came to see you", Harry said.

"Oh right, yeah she came to see me before that dark wizards group. Well she was talking to Ron and she thought I was going out with you, showed me an article out of the Prophet and it was photos of us outside the café after our lunch a few days ago".

"What Ginny thought we were going out. Are you sure you told her we weren't going out", Harry asked.

"Yes of course I did", Hermione chuckled.

"Good I don't want her thinking something that isn't true", Harry replied sipping at his water.

"Don't worry I set her straight. Why do you care so much anyway, I thought you were over her years ago", Hermione asked.

"I am, I mean I just don't want her to live under false pretences!", Harry replied.

"Harry I know you always had a soft spot for Ginny, but why don't you just ask her out. I know you've been wanting to for years", Hermione said.

"Because I don't like Ginny anymore, anyway its not that easy", Harry replied wearily. "What do you mean?" Hermione asked.

"Going out with Ginny is like having a date with death. Always turns out bad", Harry replied satirically.

"That's not true. Come on what's so hard about going out with Ginny?"

"Have you ever had the whole Weasley brothers turn on you threatening you with pain and severe injuries if you hurt Ginny, you start to realise that maybe this just isn't going to work", Harry sighed.

"So you do like Ginny? I knew it!" Hermione cried. People around her started to stare as the waitress brought the food along.

"No I don't Hermione. I'm over her, she was a special girl but that's in the past. Ginny and I could never work out because her whole family would be against me and I couldn't stand that!" Harry sighed.

"Harry I know exactly what you mean", Hermione sympathised.

"Now tell me what did Ginny have to say?" Harry asked.

"Oh right", Hermione said tucking into her soup. "She had said she was talking to Ron about that article and she told me Ron still had a soft spot for me, that he did love Krista but I was the only one who really still touches his heart. She said Ron still loves me", Hermione sighed.

"What?" Harry cried dropping his voul eu vent back on the plate.

"That's what she said. To tell you the truth I still haven't gotten my head around it, I had no time", Hermione replied.

"You have got to be kidding me I know Ron still had a soft spot for you, even still harboured some sort of love for you, but I never thought I'd see the day when he actually confessed his love about you", Harry said disbelievingly.

"Well technically he never admitted it to you, but to Ginny, but yeah I agree with you. Well it seemed Ron has changed a lot since I last seen him".

"I suppose we all have changed", Harry sighed and Hermione nodded.

"I have to go Harry, have to talk to Bill and Charlie about this undercover operation", Hermione said dropping her spoon on the empty plate. "They said they could get me in touch with the double agent".

"Don't tell me you still want to do this. Hermione its dangerous", Harry said.

"I know, but this will help I know that", Hermione said getting up and giving Harry some money. I have to hurry, they expected me five minutes ago. See you later on Harry!" she cried and walked out the door.

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Hermione Apparated to the outside of the Burrow and took a deep breath. Sure Ron was probably at his flat, but she was still apprehensive at going to Ron's home, yet she needed to do this. Sure the chances of Ron being there are quite slim. He used to never like going home when he was going out with her.

"Ok Hermione, come on", she said to herself and took another deep breath. She rang the bell and heard the gong vibrating in the house. Footsteps could be heard inside and Arthur Weasley opened the door.

He looked surprised at her, but got out of the way so Hermione could step into the hall. "Hello Hermione, I didn't expect you. How are you dear, I haven't seen you in years".

"Hello Mr Weasley good to see you too", Hermione replied nervously. "I hate to trouble you but is Charlie and Bill there. I need to talk to them about work".

"Sure come in Hermione. They're talking to Fred and George but just go in the kitchen and make yourself comfortable. They will be finished in a second".

"Thank you", Hermione replied nervously and smiled. Arthur smiled back and started making his way up the stairs. Hermione took a deep breath and walked into the kitchen. She paled when she saw who was in the kitchen, sniffing at a pot, his flaming red hair sticking up in all places. All hopes of creeping away were quickly banished when he turned around and paled when he saw Hermione.

"Hello Ron", she said nervously fidgeting with her cardigan.

Ron paled even more and slowly replied, "Hello Hermione".