Ron Weasley and the Case of Double Indemnity

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of the brilliant characters created by J.K. Rowling. I must admit that I do steal quite a few lines from the Billy Wilder's 1944 flick Double Indemnity from which this story was inspired. These characters just work so well with the story!

Characters:

Draco Malfoy: Rich husband to Hermione. Owns Racing Broomstick Co. called Draco's Darts.
Hermione Malfoy (Granger): Malfoy's wife. Former Charms Professor at Hogwarts.
Mopsy: The Malfoy's female house-elf—daughter to Dobby.
Miranda Malfoy: Draco's 15 year old daughter by his first wife, Pansy Parkinson (died 4 years ago).
Jack Chang: Cho Chang's nephew and Miranda Malfoy's moody, temperamental boyfriend.
Ron Weasley: Depressed wizard insurance salesman for Wizard Insurance Company Commonly Accepted. (WICCA)
Parvati Patil: Ron's boss at WICCA who has a knack for divination.
Neville Longbottom: Insurance claims adjuster who wants to save a buck.
Harry Potter: Head Auror at the Ministry of Magic

Time and Setting: London, year 2015—18 years after the gang graduates from Hogwarts.

And now for chapter one: Ron Weasley, WICCA Insurance

"Morning Parvati," Ron walked into the WICCA office sleepy-eyed and...late.

"Ron! This is the third time you've been late in the past two weeks! You really need to be more dependable otherwise I'll have to find someone to replace you." Parvati Patil was the head of WICCA and she was very strict about her employees being punctual. Parvati was the perfect witch to lead WICCA because of her keen sense in divination. Although she was unable to predict future occurrences, she was able to discern insurance claims that may be fraudulent and she was always sure to investigate them to the fullest. This was not the first time Parvati threatened to fire Ron for his tardiness, but she really didn't intend to ever fire him since they were such good friends, however, she did need to remind him to keep on track.

"I'm sorry Parvati! I haven't been sleeping well and on top of that I've had to take the underground lately since they suspended my apparation license. It's really hard to get somewhere when you have to travel like a muggle!"

"Well perhaps you'll think twice before apparating after six or seven butterbeers. I mean honestly, you don't know where you'll end up or what parts of your body will be left behind! You really need to pull yourself together! You've got a great job, and we're all friends here! You should cheer up. I've got some extra work for you today...out of the office for that matter so you can get a bit of extra fresh air. Colin Creevy is out again today. Something about a hair re-growth potion sprouting little clovers on his head instead of hair. You know he was never all that great in potions."

"Wait a minute, so I have to do his work today too?" Ron scrunched his nose up and pursed his lips together.

"Well actually, it's just one house call—for one of our more valued customers. He really does give us quite a bit of business and his broom insurance policy expired a fortnight ago. We've sent him owls and everything asking him to renew but we haven't heard anything. Colin was going to go down and see him today to see if we can't get his insurance renewed. We can only cover them 30 days at maximum once the policy expires. But just promise me Ron, that you will be cordial when you go to see our client. It is imperative that we do not lose his business." Parvati seemed to sidestep exactly whom she was talking about.

"What do you mean, 'be cordial'? Who do you think I am? Some ugly git who insults everyone like Draco Malfoy?" Ron was always polite to his customers and couldn't believe Parvati would admonish him to 'be cordial.'

"No, you're not Ron, but you are right about Malfoy, and that's why I ask that you maintain the utmost professional behavior when you visit him today," she handed him a folder filled with forms for Malfoy to sign.

"But Parvati—you know I couldn't go over there. What if—well, you know, what if I see Hermione?"

Ron struggled with the thought of going to the Malfoy residence. Hermione was Ron's girlfriend at Hogwarts during their sixth and seventh years, but suddenly, at the end of their seventh year Hermione broke it off with Ron because she wanted to take over for Professor Flitwick, the charms professor, since he was retiring. Hermione felt that having a boyfriend was not compatible with being a Hogwarts Professor. Ron was so heartbroken that he failed 4 out of 5 NEWTs and so he couldn't continue on with Harry as an Auror. Instead, Parvati Patil, who took over for her father's insurance company business, gave a job to Ron and he had been working for her ever since. Hermione, on the other hand, had not lasted that long as Charms Professor at Hogwarts. Just four years ago, when Draco and Pansy Malfoy's daughter Miranda started at Hogwarts, Pansy died mysteriously while visiting her daughter for a quidditch tournament. The Malfoy family was devastated at the loss and Draco had somehow managed to turn to Hermione for support. The next year, Hermione quit her position as charms teacher and married Malfoy. Since hearing the news of Hermione's marriage, Ron became more depressed each day. At least when she was charms teacher, Ron knew she was doing something she loved and he also found comfort in knowing she was still single.

"Look Ron, I'm doing this as a favor to you. You'll get the 20 percent commission on the deal and I know you need it. Your sales just haven't been as strong lately."

"I know, but it's just too hard for me to see her."

"Thirty percent commission, then. Mr. Malfoy has many accounts with us and he is a very valuable client. I really need you to come through on this."

"All right then," Ron grumbled, "but you'll be buying me a butterbeer come lunch time if I see her." Ron left the office with his head hung low. He headed towards the underground where only five stops later, he'd be walking up the steps to the Malfoy estate.