Chapter 7
She Found Out
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Ron Weasley's New Love
The Daily Prophet can exclusively reveal that Ron Weasley, once one of the wizarding world's most eligible bachelors, is now off the market.
Yesterday, Ron was spotted in Diagon Alley with none other than the S.P.E.W. President herself, Hermione Granger. We were not able to obtain how long this relationship has been blossoming but due to the passionate moment they shared in the middle of the street, it appears as if this is serious.
One witch who observed this incident from a nearby shop window had this to say, "I was horrified at such a public display. There were children about, you know!"
A one Miss Stacy McCormack said, "I think it's terribly romantic."
It has also been reported that Mr. Weasley is now in the employ of Miss Granger and her S.P.E.W organization. Ron was made famous a few years back for helping a young Harry Potter defeat Voldemort…
Ron sat reading this article in the Prophet over and over again, still in his sleepwear, drinking coffee. It was still early in the morning and he knew that Harry was bound to still be asleep. He really wanted to wake him up just so he had someone he could talk to about this. Hermione was going to kill him, he was sure of it. With this article plastered on the front page of today's Prophet, everyone was going to know within a few hours time. He was horrified at the photograph of Hermione and himself, kissing in the rain. How could he be so dumb as to do that in public? He had been so caught up in the moment he didn't even think.
The worst part of this was that Lavender was going to know. How was she going to react to this; he was too afraid to fathom it. He knew that Lavender was capable of doing some damage. She had a terrible temper and her anger towards Hermione was frightening. Ron thought it would be best to just wait it out and see what she did; going to talk to her would not be smart, besides Hermione wouldn't like him talking to her.
Just then, a whoosh sound came from the fireplace. Ginny's head had just appeared there, and Ron jumped as she said his name.
"Ron! Hey, Ron, are you there?" she called.
"I'm here, Ginny." Ron said, getting to his knees in front of the fireplace to talk to her. "What's up? Did you see the Prophet?"
"Oh, I saw it alright, Ron. Hermione isn't up yet but I don't know if I want to be here when she sees it. Look, Ron I came to warn you." Ginny said. "Please don't go see Lavender Brown. I know you, and I don't want you to do anything rash."
Ron couldn't help but smile at her, "Don't worry, Ginny, for once I'm going to be good. I had already decided that I wouldn't go see her. Maybe, with some luck, she won't see today's paper."
"Keep dreaming, Ron, you know she will see it one way or another." Ginny said, smiling back at him. "You know, that was a pretty steamy kiss there, Ron."
"Oh, shut up, Ginny. Now go away, I have training this morning." He playfully pushed Ginny's forehead back into the fireplace. He heard Ginny give a muffled "Bye, Ron." As she vanished.
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Hermione was trying with all her mite to not giggle at the photograph now sitting in front of her. She knew she should be mad over the Daily Prophet's article on her and Ron but she just sat there giggling. It had been such a wonderful moment and she didn't mind that the whole world was now apart of that kiss. Even now over a day later, it was just starting to sink in that Ron was hers. Ron Weasley, the man that every girl dreamed about was hers; she knew he loved her. Everything seemed exceptionally funny to her today, and she couldn't stop smiling.
Hermione was feeling so giddy, she didn't even remember how she got ready for the day and made it into work; though several hours after reading the Daily Prophet there she was, sitting behind her desk, staring into space, thinking about Ron.
"Hermione, are you okay?" Ginny asked.
"What? Oh, yeah, Ginny, I'm fine; just fine." Hermione said with a huge grin.
"Did you read today's Prophet?" Ginny asked apprehensively.
"Yeah, I did. Isn't that a great photograph?" Hermione replied dreamily.
"It is a good photo but I thought you would be upset about the article." Ginny said.
"No, I'm not mad. I mean, now Lavender knows but with the way I'm feeling today, I can take her on. I'm ready to take on the world." Hermione said, still grinning. "You know Ginny, I don't feel much like working today. Why don't we take the day off and go see your brothers?"
"Hermione! That's not like you; you want to skip work?" Ginny said, grinning.
"Yeah, why not. Ron and Harry have training today, so they won't be around. Maybe we can work on more donation requests tonight at home." Hermione said, standing up from behind her desk. "Come on, Ginny."
Without further argument, Ginny followed Hermione out the door, down the stairs into Madam Malkin's, and out the shop door. It was a cool, crisp day but the sun was blazing. Hermione and Ginny had to squint from the sun as they fought their way through the crowds of Diagon Alley. After fixing themselves up from the jostling crowd they entered Weasley's Wizard Wheezes and were instantly shocked at who they saw standing at the counter.
Lavender Brown and Dean Thomas were standing at the register talking to Fred. Fred, who looked up when the bell on the door jingled, caught Hermione's eyes and suddenly looked fearful. Ginny and Hermione slowly made their way towards the back of the shop and tried to act as if Lavender and Dean weren't there.
"Hello Fred. How are you?" Hermione asked, looking around Lavender. "Ginny and I are just taking a break from work and thought we would come and see you."
Lavender, who had turned around when Hermione started talking, looked as if she could explode. Her face was suddenly red, and Ginny noticed that her hands were clinched in fists.
"Well, if it isn't the new Mrs. Ron Weasley." Spat Lavender angrily. "Nice article in the paper today, Hermione. How much did you have to pay Ron to set up that photo shoot?"
George had suddenly appeared from the back holding a large box that was labeled sweets.
"Oh, hello Hermione, Ginny…you guys are just in time to see our newest candies."
It took him a moment before he finally felt the tension that was now floating around the store and thought that maybe he could lighten the mood. "Go on, Hermione, try a Flying Finger, they make your nails grow real long and curly, but don't worry they go back to normal after a few moments."
"No, thank you, George." Hermione said, finally turning her gaze away from Lavender. "I think it's best that I just go. I'll see you guys later, we should all have dinner together."
"Oh, wouldn't that be cute, Miss Granger, Ron and the Weasley's all having dinner together. I'm sure Ron would be in misery the whole time. Especially, if he had to sit next to you." Lavender said angrily.
"No, I'm afraid you're wrong. The only time that Ron is miserable is when you are within a one hundred meter radius." Hermione said through gritted teeth.
"Just you wait, Hermione. I've had enough of you; I'll get you back for everything. I'll make sure that you and your stupid S.P.E.W. go down in flames." At this, Lavender grabbed Dean by the arm and left the shop in a torrent of anger.
"So, I take it that she read the Daily Prophet." Fred said with a smile. "She is such a sweet girl. She should really stop by more often."
Everyone laughed at Fred's comment and the mood in the shop was back to normal again. Hermione was glad they were all joking about it; she couldn't handle too much seriousness today. She was still in a good mood despite the fact that Lavender just threatened her.
"So, what was she doing in here, anyway?" Ginny asked, still smiling.
"I don't really know." Fred said. "You two walked in right after her, we didn't get much of a chance to talk."
"I was assuming that she was looking for Ron." George said. "But I don't know why she would look here. Doesn't she know he has training to deal with?"
"My guess is that she was in here to ask you about me." Hermione said. "And I don't care what she knows. Ron isn't going to run back to her, I know that's what she wants."
"I don't think Ron can stand her anymore." George said. "He told me so, himself."
"So, what do you think, everyone want to have dinner tonight? Maybe we could talk your Mom into cooking for us?" Hermione said and gave a small wink to them all.
"I'm sorry I can't, Hermione, I have plans with Harry. Remember?" Ginny said.
"We can't, either." George said, pointing to his brother. "We have a business thing. We're trying to expand our products and we're having dinner with a product distributor." He said, looking as if he would rather be eating dinner with Hermione.
"Oh, okay then. I'll find something else to do for dinner then." Hermione said.
"But Hermione I think that…" started Fred.
Ginny jumped in quickly, "Fred thinks that you'll be fine on your own for dinner." Ginny gave Fred a threatening look.
Hermione hadn't noticed this and said, "Yeah, your right, I'll be fine. Well, I'll see you all later, I think I'll go back to work for a bit."
Fred and George said goodbye as Ginny and Hermione walked out the front door.
They fought their way back up the street to their office and decided that they better try to get some work done before calling it a day. The two of them worked for several hours in silence before Ginny spoke.
"Well, Hermione, I hope you don't mind but I think I'm going to check out early to get ready for tonight. Don't wait up for me, and have a good night."
Hermione didn't look up from her notes she was reading, "Alright, good night, Ginny." But when she looked up she realized that Ginny wasn't there, someone else was.
Ron was standing in the doorway, wearing his best dress robes and a bouquet of flowers in his arms. Ron had a huge grin on his face as he said, "You know, Hermione, we haven't had our first official date yet. You want to go out with me tonight?"
Hermione jumped up as if someone just lit her chair on fire. She ran over to the doorway and embraced Ron with a long, passionate kiss. After a few moments, she pulled back and said, "I'd love to Mr. Weasley."