And I shall Love Again
Ron's POV
I woke up the day after I met Laurel. I was truly happy for the first time sense Hermione had died. I felt it; I loved Laurel just as I had loved Hermione. I remembered our promise to Laurel and leaped out of bed. I ran around the room trying to find my best clothes, not my dress robes but some nice pants, a clean, good shirt, and I did my hair as well as I possibly could.
Harry dawdled all morning. I asked him what was wrong. "I don't feel right about Laurel," he exclaimed, "she seems so perfect for you."
"Oh, bloody… come off it Harry, your just jealous."
"No, Ron, I swear, I don't want her."
"It's not good to swear and I don't trust those who do."
"Ron, I'm serious, I'm still in love with Hermione."
"So am I, Harry, I've just found someone else to help me cope."
Harry didn't answer. He walked into the bathroom. I heard the shower go, then, as I ate some candy from Hogsmeade, I heard him get out. The toilet flushed and I heard water run. Harry came out of the bathroom dressed very nicely.
"I see that even though you 'don't like Laurel' you are eager to make a good impression on her." I mocked.
"Actually, Ron, I have a job interview at our favorite joke shop, though you were too consumed by Laurel to notice me apply."
"Err, um, well"
"It's ok. I can understand your infatuation with her. Even if I don't share it."
We left the school and headed out to the village. Harry and I hardly talked the whole time. I kept thinking about Laurel. I thought about a song I once heard in muggle store in England, "And I Shall Love Again," I couldn't get it out of my head.
Once there was a girl, a beautiful girl,
The love of my life, my woman
She had everything, just one thing missing,
The love she had always longed for.
She met me one day, and I was her hero,
The only man to ever make her laugh,
But as you may learn, this don't sooth me,
'cause later in her life I was past.
And I was her hero,
Her wonderful hero,
I help live her life
And oh she did love me
And I was her hero
Her wonderful hero
She loved me, just me
I was her hero
She left me one day, and I was alone,
She left for my friend, and I couldn't stand it,
But that don't matter now, 'cause I've found another,
And now I shall love again.
And I am here hero
Her wonderful hero
I help live her life
And oh she loves me
And I am her hero
Her wonderful hero
She loves me, just me
I'm her hero.
Harry's POV
Ron walked with a dazed look on his face; he did that a lot in the past day. I was sick of listening to his jealous little tantrums. Why didn't he see that I was still in love with Hermione? I wouldn't leave her for the world.
Something about Laurel was all too familiar. I couldn't think of it though. She had Ron infatuated with her though. It seemed genuine, the way she acted, but something about how Ron was acting had me baffled. He just didn't act that way with girls. Even Hermione hadn't had that effect on him. Something was wrong with Laurel, but was it just me, or was it real?
We walked into the joke shop and saw Laurel. I went into the backroom to talk to the owner of the shop. The first thing he did was look at my scar. Then he glanced at my application. He asked me a few questions but I knew he was only doing it for the ritual. He was going to hire me on the spot. Sure enough, as soon as the interview was over he offered me a job. I accepted and he asked me to start two days later.
I left his office area and went back to the front. In the corner of the store I saw Laurel and Ron snogging each other. I nearly jumped out of my skin. Ron wasn't this rash! I called to an man in the corner "Teens these days, huh!" surprisingly he answered,
"These too have been at it since you left."
I was shocked beyond words. Ron pulled back, embarrassed. Laurel slapped him. "Don't you touch me you pig!"
"Wha', huh?"
"Ron the innocent pretender. Classic." I scoffed, "now all we need is Laurel to exclaim that you came on to her without her consent. Oh, wait she already has claimed that. 'Don't you touch me pig!' oh sure Laurel, you had nothing to do with this."
That left them gapping and gawking as I laughed at their expense. I hardly cared right now. This wasn't Ron, not my friend Ron at least. He had changed. He would never do this; it wasn't him.
I figured to ignore it for now. I sat at their table. Both their faces were bright red. No surprise there. "Nothing like embarrassing your friends in front of a whole shop. Huh Ron, Laurel." They sputtered with indignation. I laughed. "Your problem chum." I told Ron. "You shouldn't snogg in stores with your best friend on the lose." He remained silent. This was definitely different.
