Disclaimer: Wish as I may, Harry Potter isn't mine. Oh and the lyrics at the end aren't mine either! Damn JKR and Gwen Stefani!
Yes I am a horrible person who has updated in a long, long, long time and I doubt any of you are exactly chirpy and happy with me right now. So no point in explaining about all the things (e.g. finals, weddings, vacations) that's been going on. I'm sorry. Cheers to Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince! It's almost in our mere mortal hands!
Pinky The Snowman: Yes, Ron still loves them. Don't worry too much about Draco.
SiriuslyJedi-LostObsessor: Don't worry. It's not much longer now.
dater: It does take him a long time but his story is long and difficult.
singdownthemoonHorselvr, mystikalolo: I'm glad you liked the scenes with Ron in the last chapter. I did too.
fvweasley: For Ron, there's still a lot of explaining to do. It's not quite what it seems.
MIDNIGHT-PIXIE: Haha...I think I didn't understand some parts of that review.
lindsey-31: I can relate.
HeatherGranger13, dancerrdw: Thank you.
'Though lovers be lost, love shall not'-Dylan Thomas
"Cheers!" a young, round-faced wizard cried, banging his slightly dusty glass of beer against his friend's.
They laughed, horribly loud and almost emptied their glasses in one large gulp. Ron looked over his shoulder and watched them for a second before turning back to his own drink. His finger was tracing the rim of the glass. Usually Ron hated dirty glasses. It made him feel like he was drinking all that...disgusting substance. So it was unlikely for him to come to the Hog's Head as he had done today. His current glass was smudged with fingerprints and had a small clump of god-knows-what stuck on the lower left side.
Ron tried not to pay much attention to it and sipped at his drink sullenly. How could things have gone so wrong? How could his inner Death Eater quiver so? He had been so sure of things. Of his purpose in life. And now, suddenly, after seeing her all that didn't seem to matter. It was rather muddled.
He'd panicked when he saw her but he'd already planned to kill her right then and there. Get it over with. Stop the internal battle. However, thinking it was one thing...executing it was a complete another situation. In that mere second in which he'd hesitated she'd escaped and took Potter with her. Frighteningly enough he'd felt relieved. Ron, one of Lord Voldemort's right hand men had felt relieved at the escape of two of his enemies. Worst yet it wasn't just Hermione he'd felt happy about living. Frighteningly enough he was glad that Potter had gotten away too.
Then he'd run. He couldn't have taken the shame. All his Death Eaters...watching. They wouldn't respect him anymore and Theodore was sure to tell Voldemort about Ron's little act of kindness. What would happen to him then?
He felt a warm hand on his shoulder, "Ron..."
Malfoy came around and took a seat beside him. He unhooked his cloak and hung it against the chair.
"Since when are we on first name basis, Malfoy?" Ron spat, venomously.
It was Malfoy that had taken him to that house in the first place. Malfoy who had tried to fight him. Malfoy who had betrayed Lord Voldemort.
Yet he didn't respond with his usual smartass remarks. Instead he just let out a slow sigh.
"Listen...about today; I didn't know they would be there-" Malfoy began.
"Bull shit," Ron cut through, "The only thing I don't understand is why you would lead me to them. Afterall it's obvious who's side you're on now."
"It was supposed to be funny. They weren't supposed to be there that day," Draco tried to explain, "It was supposed to be Godric's Hollow..."
"I don't give a damn about where it was supposed to be!" Ron exclaimed, "You humiliated-"
"Would Mr. Malfoy care for a drink?" the bartender asked, interrupting the flow of conversation.
Before Draco could even open his mouth Ron replied with a swift, "No" causing the bartender to give him a rather unpleasant look before continuing on in serving other customers.
"Where was I? Oh yes. You humiliated me in front of my Death Eaters! Shamed my name! And for that...you'll pay you traitor," Ron finished.
"Planning to tell on me then?" Draco smirked, not the least bit phased.
"However did you guess?" Ron said, quickly getting used to the stride of their usual sarcasm.
"Tell me what purpose would that serve?" Draco demanded, checking his hair in Ron's glass.
"Hmm...let me see...well we'd stop the flow of secrets between you and the rebels, find Potter and kill him thus destroying the hope of the rebels and oh yes, get the location of the rebels from you and kill them," Ron suggested.
"Do you think you could kill them, then?" Draco questioned, eyebrows raised, "Even Hermione?"
Ron looked away from him. Bloody Malfoy. His nostrils flared. Could he kill Hermione?
"I'll let you ponder that," Draco said, "But may I add that you won't be branded a coward among your Death Eaters because I have already obliviated their memories. Even Nott."
Ron looked up in surprise, "Why? So that they won't tell the Dark Lord you're a traitor? Is that why you've come here then? To obliviate my memory?"
"No, I'm letting you keep yours," Draco grinned, happy that he was utterly confusing Weasley.
"You are a mystery, Malfoy and I thought I had your rich-Daddy's boy-spoilt brat-ass all figured out," Ron smirked.
"Watch what you say, Weasley, or else I might just oblviate your memory," Draco threatened, teasingly.
They both fell into a silence. The Hog's Head was almost always a perfect place to talk because everyone was too busy being loud to listen in on anybody else. Especially in the day time as was the case with Ron and Draco.
"Listen, Malfoy, how about we strike up a bargain?" Ron spoke after a while, "I won't tell about you're being a traitor if..."
He fell silent.
"If...?" Draco trailed off, trying to urge him to finish the sentence.
"If you can set up a meeting for me. With Hermione," Ron finished and held his breath.
"Like a date?" Draco said, incredulously, "Why, Weasley, you old dog..."
"Shut up, Malfoy. You're enjoying this far too much," Ron snapped, "Now do we have an accord?"
"Have you gone bonkers, Draco?" Hermione exclaimed, her frizzy with electricity, "In no way am I going to go on a-she shuddered-date with Ron Weasley!"
About three members of the DA, including Harry, Padma, and Edward were all gathered around in the main meeting room, rather amused.
"But Granger, he's absolutely smitten with you," Draco tried flattery.
Hermione only blushed for a second then quickly returned to her furious state, "No."
"It could be dangerous," Padma added.
"Exactly!" Hermione agreed, "He might want to kill me!"
"If he wanted to kill you he would've done it at Privet Drive," Draco fought back, "And anyways, my life depends on this."
Hermione crossed her arms, clearly not convinced, but her expression softened.
"You shouldn't have promised without asking me," Hermione said, in a quieter tone.
"I know. I know...," Draco sighed, trying to seem rather innocent and oblivious to it all.
"But I guess if it matters that much...I don't know. Will you hate me, Harry, if I do?" Hermione inquired, a worried expression on her face.
Harry glanced up at hearing his name, "Erm. I suppose not. It's for the DA, not for personal satisfaction is it?"
"Of course not!" Hermione replied, quickly.
Far too quickly, Harry thought.
"Alright then, might as well go," Harry said, staring up at Malfoy.
He supposed he was beginning to get used to him now...as being good. However, he could never quite get the picture of that Slytherin who made his life bittersweet at Hogwarts out of his head.
"Well then, alright I will. Where and when, though?" Hermione asked.
"Tomorrow night, seven, at the...-Draco reached into his pocket and reached out a napkin with some messy scribbling on it-...24 Magi Crescent Diagon Alley," Draco read aloud, "Have you got any clue where that is?"
Hermione frowned slightly, "I believe that's a place near where I used to buy old Egyptian texts on magic during my Hogwarts days."
"Good enough," Draco said as his parting words before he apparated with a small pop.
"Bastard," Hermione muttered under her breath.
"So," Padma started, a slightly mischiveous look in her eyes, "What are you going to wear?"
Hermione's face soured, "What I wear any other day, Miss Patil."
"Oh come on. Even though it's with a egotistic killer maniac, it's still a date," Padma said, getting giggly which was unlike her, "It wouldn't hurt you to show some, dare I say it, skin."
Hermione's face was red as a beet, "I don't think..."
"I believe it's time for us to make our exit, Harry," Edward suggested.
The two got up and quickly rushed out of the room before any more female giddyness got to them.
"I mean, while I am still firmly against this, if you're going to have to do it might as well do it with some flare," Padma said, thinking herself very reasonable, "You have to admitt it is pretty romantic. After all, Ron was always the one who got away for you, isn't he? And now, after seeing you, he's in love all over again..."
It must've been something in the air because after listening to Padma talk it was all starting to sound rather romantic.
"It is sort of Romeo and Juliet, isn't it? On two opposite sides...," Hermione said, getting dreamy-eyed.
"Who and who?" Padma asked, rather confused.
"Nevermind. So what do you think I should wear?" Hermione questioned.
"That cute little black number you got at Madame Malkin's," Padma posed.
"I don't know about that one. Don't you think it's a bit too much?" Hermione said, timidly.
"Hermione, please. You splurged on it in seventh year for the Farewell Ball and never got a chance to wear because of some idiot who wanted to rule the world," Padma responded.
Hermione smiled, "You know you're reminding me of her a lot right now."
"Who?" Padma inquired, a smooth eyebrow lifted in question.
"Parvati," Hermione said, gently.
"Well we need more marvelous Parvati's in this world," Padma declared, smiling smally herself now.
Harry, sitting alone in his room, couldn't help but smile not knowing that others were doing so at the same time. It may be crazy to think but somehow he believed that if Ron and Hermione went on this date and got back together it might mean Ron would get better. Come over to the so-called 'good' side. And if Ron returned what was to stop others from doing so too? If Ron returned, what was to stop things from going back to the way they were when Harry was in his First Year of Hogwarts?
He knew was he was thinking was ludicrous but it still gave him hope. Something he hadn't had in quite a while now. And, to tell the truth, he missed Ron's company very much. He missed having a best mate. While Hermione was a fantastic best friend all on her own it wasn't quite the same as the man companionship he'd shared with Ron in their Hogwarts days.
This date might dawn a new beginning.
There it was. 24 Magi Crescent Diagon Alley. A broken down magic carpet store. Not exactly the romantic setting Hermione'd been hoping for. Suddenly she felt rather stupid in her beautiful black dress robes. She tried to cover up some of the cleavage with her cloak. She reached into her purse and pulled out a small, silver, trinket of a clock. It was seven exactly. She'd give him five minutes to show up or else she was out of here.
7:01
Where the hell is he? How can he keep me waiting like this? I am the love of his life. Ok. Deep breaths. Come down, Granger. He'll come. It's only been a minute.
7:02
Two minutes. How late can a person get? What could he be doing? Killing Muggles? God no. I shouldn't be thinking that. Think happy thoughts. Think happy thoughts. Sweet fluffy clouds sailing over a field full of white daisies. No red roses. Red like a Quaffle used in Quidditch Games. Puddlemere United. Wimbourne Wasps. Chudley Canons. Ron likes the Chudley Canons. Ron also likes to be late!
7:03
Hmph. I don't like standing in this dark alley in front of this god ugly magic carpet store. I am worth far more than this. If he doesn't show up in a minute...
7:04
Ok, I'll give him one more minute.
7:05
Ok, I'm leaving now. Or should I? What if he shows up a minute later, thinks I never showed up, and then goes and rats on Draco? I could be the cause of his death! I'm staying.
7:06
Now I'm just staying so I can protect Draco and for nothing else.
7:07
Wait till Ron gets here! I'll give him a talking to that will spark fear in him even greater than that of the Dark Lord, himself!
7:08
I'm still here for yelling and saving Draco's hind purposes. Nothing else of course.
7:09
I'm getting restless. I suppose I should be going...
7:10
He isn't going to show up. I feel like I'm going to cry...
Hermione kicked a can nearby with her polished shoes and pulled her cloak closer to her. She felt rather sickly and her eyes were watering. She turned to go when-
"You showed up."
Dabbing her eyes, furiously, she turned around. Ron was standing there, rather paler than usual. He was dressed in just a posh a way as she was. Apparently being evil had finally given him a fashion sense. They stared at each other for a moment. Hermione was suddenly very aware of the way she looked as she eyed him staring at her.
"I didn't think you would," Ron spoke again.
"Well, you're late," Hermione said, crisply, "And I haven't got all night."
He smiled, subtly, "Well then I won't keep the lady waiting."
He reached for the front door of the magic carpet store and opened it, "Ladies first."
Hermione scuttled closer to the door and peered inside. It was too dark inside to determine whether it was safe or not.
As if reading her mind, Ron said, "You'll be safe. I give you my word."
She opened her mouth to say that his word didn't mean shit to her today. He went back on his word long ago. But she closed it again and instead merely headed inside. She heard the door close behind her and felt him come in. In the dark she was able to reach up and pat her hair, making sure it was intact.
"I've heard of dating in the dark but this is really something else, Weasley," Hermione said, sarcastically.
She felt a hand on her elbow and another laying flat against her back, "Call me Ron. And we won't be dating in the dark tonight. Actually I had something else planned."
He started to direct her in the right direction by slowly moving her body with her elbow. Hermione felt his face close to her neck, looking again. Once or twice his cheek brushed up against hers and, even though they were in the dark, she blushed a deep crimson. He was surprisingly warm and his touch was soft for a Death Eater.
After a minute or two in this fashion, Hermione noticied a glow of light coming up ahead. It was a table, set for two. A vase in the middle of the table was set with white roses with a sole candle lighting the whole area. As they got closer to the table, Hermione started to hear soft music coming out of nowhere. Ron loosened his grip on her and finally let go even though Hermione wished he wouldn't have.
He walked into the pool of light first and pulled out a chair for Hermione, gesturing for her to come, "Can I take your cloak?"
Hermione unhooked it and handed it to him, feeling very self-consicous now that she had nothing to hide the curves the dress robe brought out. As soon as the cloak came off Ron breathed in deeply, trying to control his apparent pleasure of how beautiful she looked tonight.
Hermione took a seat and Ron helped push in the chair. Afterwards he clapped his hands together. Apparently this was a signal to turn on all the lights. They came on, practically blinding Hermione as they did so. However, when her eyesight was restored to her she saw how truely maginificent their setting was. Hundreds of magic carpets were hung around the dining area in such a fashion as to give them a very own dome of their own inside the store. And each carpet was made of a glimmery fabric that resembled stars twinkling in the night sky. A quartet of magic carpets, made of a rich Persian design, were playing the music.
"Richard!" Ron called.
Out from behind two carpets, a red carpet, walking on it's two tassles came out, carrying a towel in true waiter fashion.
"Put the lady's cloak away and please get us the menus," Ron ordered.
The carpet nodded and scurried off with Hermione's cloak. Ron and Hermione watched him disappear. The latter was utterly amazed at her surroundings.
"So, do you like it?" Ron questioned, seeming rather shyly.
"I have to hand it to you, this probably one of the most beautiful, romantic places I've been to," Hermione said, truthfully.
Ron grinned, "Great. Look, Richard's back with the menus. Shall we order?"
He took a seat across from her and Richard handed them the menus. It was all very upscale and Hermione was surprised at the exquisite behaviour of the carpets. Though they were faceless, they were full of expression.
After ordering it took barely seconds for their orders to arrive. To her great relief they didn't speak much during the meal. And if they had, she wouldn't know what to say. You broke my heart? You left me for the Dark Lord? I love you still?
Post eating, however, was a different story. Richard had brought out the wine and was pouring a glass for each of them. The silence was unnerving. One of them knew they had to start conversation.
"So...tell me, what are you doing these days?" Ron questioned, glancing from Hermione to his glass of wine.
"Well other than fighting to restore freedom and peace through the Wizarding World and send that murderer you call master back where he belongs, I'm a waitress at the Hog's Head," Hermione said without a speck of shame.
Ron's eyes were diverted from the wine glass to Hermione for a moment, "A waitress? I've never heard of anyone sighting you there. After all, everyone there are loyal to Lord Voldemort. And you have always been and always will be on the Ministry's Most Wanted list."
"Would you recogonize me with my hair in a greasy, netted, bun, dirt on my face, in an apron?" Hermione demanded, sipping her wine.
Ron laughed, "I would recogonize you even if you were an dressed like a hypogriff."
"Right," Hermione snorted, "Because you must be thinking of me all the time."
"However did you know?" Ron said, face blank.
"Haha. You're not funny at all," Hermione shot back.
"Who said I was trying to be? I do think of you all the time," Ron said, frankly.
Hermione tried to stare him down. She wanted to make him flinch. To stop lying. But all he did was stare back.
"And what have you been up to, lately? Trying to control Muggles?" Hermione asked, frowning.
"Muggles? No...," Ron said, "What gave you that thought?"
"Please Mister Muggle Prime Minister," Hermione snarled, "Just tell me something. Why are you doing it?"
Ron opened his mouth to respond but then he realized he had no answer. It was in his head just a second ago. Something in his head had always told him what to say. It kept a tight grip on his mind but now...somehow that grip had loosened.
"Let's not get into politics," Ron said, finally, "How about we just pretend that we're not on different sides of a war? How about we just met each other for the first time?"
Hermione quirked up an eyebrow, "Alright then. You go first."
Ron smiled, "You look beautiful tonight."
"Flattery doesn't impress me," Hermione replied.
"How about a gift then?" Ron offered, pulling out a thin gift-wrapped box from the pocket of his robe.
Hermione blinked, "For me...?"
"Who else? Take it," he urged, placing it in front of her.
She looked at it suspiciously at first but then curiosity got the best of her and she began to unwrap it. Inside was a blue velvet box. She snapped it open and stared straight into a diamond encrusted necklace. It had a slightly slanted diamond heart on a thin golden chain. Hermione gasped and placed a quivering hand over it to check if it was real.
"Do you like it?" Ron inquired, coming over behind Hermione to admire it too.
Hermione couldn't speak so she merely nodded, frantically.
"Want to put it on?" Ron suggested.
"Sure," Hermione responded, trying not to sound overly excited.
Ron, delicately, took the necklace and slinked his hands around her neck. He quickly maneouvered it on and called for Richard to bring a mirror. Hermione looked at herself happily in the mirror. Perhaps it was just spurr of the moment but she truely felt beautiful when she was wearing the necklace. She felt even better when she noticed Ron's reflection in the mirror looking at her in adoration.
Spinning around, however, she quickly snapped back into reality.
"A diamond still doesn't make it all better," she implied, simply.
"Then would you like an emerald to go along with it?" Ron teased.
"Don't be silly," Hermione blushed, "You shouldn't have got me this."
They both slumped into their respective chairs.
"It's the least I can do for the woman I love," Ron said, shocked at his own openness.
Hermione looked at him, solidly, "If you love me why did you leave me for Lord Voldemort?"
"I thought we were pretending to be other people?" Ron said, getting nervous.
"To hell with that. You broke my heart and you knew it. And now I'm asking, why? What was it all for? Are you happier without me? Is it something I did? Is it something Harry did? Or did you just stop loving m-
Hermione stopped talking because she'd just been kissed. In fact she was still being kissed. She closed her eyes, temporarily letting the world fade away. She was falling into the stride of this emotion she had long forgotten. Love.
They parted, taking deep breaths.
"Dance with me," Ron breathed.
"What?" Hermione asked, equally breathless.
"Dance with me," Ron repeated.
Without saying another word, he stood, reaching out his hand. She took it and he led them to the dance floor. The Carpet Quartet were still playing in the background. Somewhere in the store someone had dimmed the lights. Hermione had an itching feeling it was Richard.
She leaned her head on his shoulder and slowly, they started to sway back and forth. The music was slow, serene and Hermione felt there was no where in the world she'd rather be.
It's hard to remember how it felt before
Now I found the love of my life
Passes things, get more comfortable
Everything is going right
And after all the obstacles
It's good to see you now with someone else
And it's such a miracle that you and me are still good friends
After all that we've been through
I know we're cool
I know we're cool
Author's Note: That was a very romantically influenced chapter but I liked it. Normally I don't enjoy writing the romance scenes but I really liked this one. Oh yeah and the song featured at the end is 'Cool' by Gwen Stefani.