Disclaimer: I'm not JKR and therefore the characters and probably most of the places mentioned (aside from some I've made up or might make up) aren't mine!
Thank you to all the recent reviewers! You guys are the best and are such motivation for writing this story and you make my world go round!
BuckNC: Yes, yes I know it was completely bitchy on Hermione's part but she's not without her reasons! Thanks for reviewing!
Silver Ice: Yeah Ron really has to get some kind of plan into action, eh? And thank you for your review!
owlpostagain: I'm trying to keep up with quick updates! Thanks for the review!
lindsey-31: Thank you Thank you! You're reviews are always greatly appreciated!
bncsammy: You're right! Ron needs to listen to Luna's slightly weird, but important voice of reason! Thank you for reviewing!
MeryKey-7: you've joined the long list of people who've called me evil! I actually quite enjoy it! For a moment it does sound like Seamus is a cheating bastard, doesn't it? Thanks for reviewing and I'm glad my Harry/Luna pairing didn't keep you from reading!
ednyadove: Oh Hermione will have to explain sometime soon because everyone does deserve to know! And on the reviewing front thanks!
Ingenious: He he I like to keep people guessing! Thanks for your review by the way!
QueEnfullofDraMa: I love Spongebob! Thanks so much for saying my story rules!
Dianne: I'm sure it's been quite a lot of times. Thanks for the review!
Once again thank you all so much! All of you are completely the best! I hope you enjoy the following chapter as much as you did the last!
The following morning, just as Ron was sitting down to breakfas,t an unfamiliar owl began pecking at his window. Oddly enough, it wasn't even a Daily Prophet owl. This particular owl was auburn in color and looked almost twice the size of any normal owl Ron had seen. Curious, he got up to let his feathered friend inside. It swooped in and landed on his arm. He flinched as it dug its talons gripped him rather hard. He pursued to untie the letter and was surprised to meet an odd large cursive writing.
Ron,
Could you meet me in the Leaky Cauldron today around three? It won't take long, I swear, I just wanted to talk to you about last night.
Seamus
Ron folded up the letter. He was rather hesitant to meet Seamus alone, especially after the sudden outburst he'd had last night. The part that left Ron the most perturbed was Seamus begging for help on swooning Hermione into getting engaged.
Did he really want to help him? Ron knew that once Hermione was married that she'd be lost to him forever. Then agai,n did he even have a chance with her where he stood now? He sighed unnecessarily. He didn't need to hold a grudge against Seamus. He didn't need to keep another man's heart from Hermione's love.
He summoned up a parchment and some ink and grimly wrote back a reply.
Seamus,
I'll be there.
Ron
He decided not to elaborate just in case he changed his mind about helping him. Folding the letter as quickly as possible he tied it in a rush to the owl's leg. Just as the owl was flying off the perch of his windowsill, Ron whirled around and began stuffing porridge dangerously into his mouth before he could call the owl back.
At exactly three, Ron reached the door to the Leaky Cauldron and saw Seamus already sitting their taking big gulps of his drink. When he saw Ron, he immediately ushered him over. Ron made his way through the small pool of people and reached the table where Seamus was sitting.
"Hello Seamus," Ron said, unnerved. He eyed Seamus and noticed he looked a lot less nervous today.
"Hi Ron," Seamus said, taking another swoop at his drink, "Would you like anything ordered for you?"
"Nah," Ron said with a wave of his hand, "So, why did you call me here?"
He wanted to get to the matter at hand. After all, how long was he supposed to sit here with Hermione's boyfriend?
"Well, as I stated last night, rather stupidly I might add, I need your help, mate," Seamus explained, "You know Hermione. She spent the day with you just yesterday. I would've asked Harry, but I know he's been rather angry towards 'Mione lately."
"Not so mad anymore," Ron replied, "So where is Hermione today?"
"At home, got a day off from the Prophet" Seamus said casually.
"Where is home for you two?" Ron inquired further.
"This Muggle flat, but we still managed to get the place hooked up to the Floo by the name SPEW or whatever that is," Seamus explained carelessly. Ron grinned; typical Hermione.
"Anyway, I was thinking could you help me pick a ring?" Seamus suggested.
"Ah..."
"I know jewellery is probably not your forte, but she was telling me you guys went to a jewellery store to buy Ginny's present, did you not? How about going there?" Seamus suggested.
"Err-right, but listen, I can't guarantee she'll love whatever hell of a ring I help you choose for her...," Ron clarified, "I know we were best mates in Hogwarts but we've been complete strangers to each other for the last three years."
"Yeah, but I still need all the help I can get," Seamus said thoughtfully, "Shall we get going then? I've finished my drink."
Ron agreed, thinking it better to be out and about with people around them then to be stuck in a pub all crammed in a corner together. He didn't like the thought of being around Seamus since when he was in love with his girlfriend. The worst part was he didn't feel a bit guilty at having romantic thoughts about his old friend's girl. But he did feel guilty about not feeling guilty and every time he was around Seamus that shame within him grew. Was he that scummy that he couldn't even have the grace to feel ashamed of himself for his absurd feelings?
"Uh, Ron, do you know where you're going?" Seamus asked unsteadily as he watched Ron nearly plough into a bunch of graphorn on display outside the apothecary.
"Oh, oops," Ron said, feeling a twinge of pink reach his cheeks, "Just this way."
This time he led Seamus down a bit further to Rina and Row, where crowds of witches were waiting outside all looking excitedly at a large banner in front of the store pronouncing some sale. As soon as they noticed Ron, all of their attention turned towards him. He frowned when he saw them all whisper darkly to each other. He was bothered by this; it reminded too much about how people used to whisper bad things about Harry during their Hogwarts years. Ron gave them a weary stare before going into the store. The crowd parted for him and Seamus.
"Can I look at some engagement rings?" Seamus questioned a blonde witch who gave Ron an interested stare before going over to another co-worker of hers and whispering something in her ear. Seamus seemed oblivious to it all. Ron ignored them. Perhaps Witch Weekly had spread another rumor about him. Or it could be the Quibbler. Either way Ron found he could not care less.
The blonde witch returned, carrying cases and cases of rings. Ron instantly set to work and sorted through all the various rings. None of them seemed exceptional or spectacular enough to be worn on Hermione's finger for a day, let alone the rest of her life. Even though Seamus seemed to take a liking to few, Ron quickly made him realize the faults in them.
"Nah, you don't want that. That diamond is cut a bit too sharply. Imagine having to wear that all the time and having it cut your finger?" Ron said, criticizing what he thought was the ugliest ring they had seen today. He was shocked at Seamus's displeasure at having to let it go.
After about half an hour, they gave up suit and decided to head back home. As they trudged back to the Leaky Cauldron for a final drink, Ron noticed almost every single person in the crowd seemed to either be holding the Daily Prophet or ogling at him like he was some kind of escaped criminal from Azkaban. Ron brushed off all their accusatory glares and lowered his eyes to the ground.
Once he got inside the Leaky Cauldron, the usual greetings he received were not uttered. Everyone just stared at him like he was filth. Becoming rather self-conscious now, he settled himself at the counter. Seamus took the chair to his left, still unaware of all the eyes on the back of Ron's head. Ron dared to look behind him and saw almost every head in the house flick back to their proper tables. Frowning, he turned back.
"You know, Ron, without you today I would've bought that spiky ring," Seamus said, "I want to thank you for helping me out. I hope we can do this another time also?"
"Yeah, sure, whenever your free," Ron said, looking into the depths of his drink at his own reflection. He cocked his head to the side to muse himself.
"Ron, what are the chances she'll say yes you think?" Seamus questioned. Ron looked up and saw Seamus studying him very closely. It made him feel uncomfortable.
"I'm sure she'll say yes no matter what the circumstances are; although creating a perfect moment can be a real bonus," Ron said truthfully. He noticed Seamus still staring at him.
"Erm, what are you looking at?" Ron asked nervously after Seamus had intently been watching him for about five minutes.
"Nothing, it's just...Hermione could've just as easily been in love with you couldn't she?" Seamus said thoughtfully. Ron didn't like where this conversation was going.
"Uh, what do you mean? Hermione doesn't love me," Ron said, trying to look calm.
"Yeah, but at Hogwarts...if you could only have heard what people said about you two. Said you guys were going to be together forever," Seamus said seriously.
"Yeah, well, they didn't know what they were talking about," Ron said quickly, "Times change, people change."
"I guess they do," Seamus continued, "You've definitely changed."
"I have?" Ron said, surprised.
"Uh huh, you're not the cocky idiot you were in seventh year," Seamus said. Ron smiled.
"I was a tad big-headed, wasn't I?" Ron grinned. Seamus nodded.
"Remember the time Neville couldn't find a date for the ball that year and had to take Moaning Myrtle?" Seamus said, his voice cracking under laughter. Ron immediately fell into peels of it himself.
"That was priceless!" Ron said, wiping tears of glee from his eyes. Those were good times. Suddenly he realized he was having a good time with Hermione's fiancé-to-be and silenced himself.
"Well...I better go now. Hermione'll be waiting. I've been telling her I've been having some big business meeting while I've been trying to get stuff ready for the night I ask her," Seamus said, "Bye."
Ron nodded and watched him floo out of the place. Ron followed suit without even finishing his drink. By the looks of the way people were reacting to him today, something was definitely wrong.
He had just reached his flat when there was a mad knocking at his door. Hoping it was an answer to the reason why everyone was acting to oddly, Ron promptly opened it. In the doorway Harry at his most angriest. He was practically fuming. Ron looked from him to Luna, who was looked just as mad. Ron was a bit taken aback, but before he could even speak Harry was placing a hand on his chest and shunting Ron to one side. Luna followed him without so much as glancing in Ron's direction. Harry faced a wall and suddenly beat his fist into it. That was sure to leave a dent...
Ron closed the door and started over to where Harry was.
"She sold us out," Harry breathed and his every word echoed through the room even though he said it in a barely audible tone. Luna slowly slid into a chair where the mess of Ron's breakfast still remained. She seemed to be staring into the dregs of his porridge at a loss for what to say.
"Who sold us out?" Ron asked quietly.
"Hermione," Harry said as though her name felt like acid in his mouth.
"Wha-?"
"Did you get the Prophet this morning Ron?" Harry questioned, suddenly spinning around. Ron was surprised steam wasn't billowing from his nostrils.
"No," Ron said, getting increasingly nervous, "No, I didn't."
"Well, then," Harry said, "you didn't read this did you?"
Harry thrust the most recent issue of the Daily Prophet into Ron's arms. He opened up the paper and blanched. The front page was lined with scandalous headlines. The first read HARRY POTTER AND LUNA LOVEGOOD'S SECRET ENGAGEMENT-WHY THEY ARE HIDING THE TRUTH FROM SOCIETY and an entire article about their engagement followed it. The second was just as horrible: WEASLEY SENIORS LIVING IN A PIGSTY-WHY THEIR CHILDREN AREN'T SUPPORTING THEM.
Ron did not even dare to read the articles. He looked up at Harry and Luna who were both staring at him.
"Hermione would never-"
"Yet she did," Luna finished, surprising Ron even more.
"Who else would know about the fact that Luna and I are engaged, who else would've known about the inside of the Burrow?" Harry said madly. Ron knew he had a point there. But Hermione wouldn't...it was impossible. Why would she ever do this to him? He was going to pay hell from everyone for this. Anger arose. How dare she try to undermine them all? Was she just getting closer to Ron to get a good story?
"I-I'm sorry," Ron said lamely. There was a long silence that followed. Ron tried to calm his anger at Hermione, but just couldn't. He started to bang his head up against the wall farther deepening Harry's dent.
"Ron, stop it," Luna said, "No use hurting yourself. I think your family's going to do enough of that."
"Luna," Ron said weakly, turning to her, "You don't possibly believe Hermione did this, do you?"
Luna was wise; she couldn't have believed this could she? She had to know it was some kind of lie. He needed her on his side this time. He needed someone to be on his side.
"Don't you go trying to get Luna to feel sorry for you!" Harry snapped before she could speak.
"I didn't want to believe it, Ron, but how who else could have done it?" Luna said. She sounded afraid herself.
"But, come on, even for Hermione this is a bit much. Maybe she'd do almost anything to get a good story, but she wouldn't become a conniving, vindictive horror!" Ron mustered hopelessly.
"That's the problem with you, Ron. You think Hermione's still the same old girl we knew at Hogwarts. Still as loyal as ever, but we have no clue what she's been up to for the past three years. Who she hangs around. The news business, her business, could've changed her," Harry said softly. Ron could tell that Harry hated having to put down one of his former best mates and the person he knew Ron loved so much.
Ron saw Luna looking at the window. There was an owl there, carrying what could unmistakably be a howler. Ron snatched it up and opened it, unleashing his mother's thunderous voice.
RON WEASLEY, HOW DARE YOU BRING THAT GIRL INTO MY HOUSE AND REVEAL ALL OF OUR MOST PRIVATE SECRETS? HOW WERE YOU FOOLISH ENOUGH TO LET HER PRINT UP ARTICLES ON OUR PRIVATE AFFAIRS? YOU WAIT TILL I GET MY HANDS ON YOU! I WILL THROTTLE YOU! YOU BEST MAKE YOUR WAY TO THE BURROW AS SOON AS POSSIBLE! I WILL NOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY HARM YOUR BROTHERS MAY INFLICT UPON YOU AT YOUR ARRIVAL BECAUSE YOU DESERVE IT AND, FRANKLY, I DO NOT CARE AT ALL ABOUT YOUR WELL-BEING RIGHT NOW. TO THINK OF ALL THE SHAME YOU'VE BROUGHT DOWN UPON US. I NEVER WANT TO SEE HERMIONE GRANGER IN MY HOUSE AGAIN!
Ron stood their feeling winded.
It was all sick. A twisted game of Hermione's to get a juicy article. He loathed her right now. He had been so unbelievingly love with her, but now she went and did this and left him feeling mixed up inside. He was faintly aware of Harry and Luna leaving, merely saying, "We'll see you later, we suppose."
Ron's own words echoed through his head over and over.
Times change, people change.
Apparently Hermione had changed quite a bit.
He was a disgrace. After all those years of being an Unspeakable and learning not to reveal secrets, he had still not been able to detect that he was haphazardly revealing all his secrets to Hermione. He still could not take in the fact that she had betrayed his trust. It seemed so below her and yet no one else could've known the information...
In his fury, he grabbed some floo powder in his fist not noticing that most of it was leaking out of his fingers and onto the floor like sand. He knew where he had to go. So instead of flooing over to the Burrow where he was sure everyone was expecting him, he headed off to Hermione's flat.
Author's Note: I know this chapter might've been boring for some because it's not much Ron and Hermione love face to face but it's interesting nonetheless. Love it? Hate it? Review it!