Chapter 9

Hermione's Worst Fear

0000000000000000000000000000000000000000

"Ron, if you don't stop staring at me and do some work I'm going to fire you!" Ginny exclaimed from her desk.

Ron jumped at being addressed so harshly and returned to writing letters and stuffing them into envelopes. Ever sense he entered the S.P.E.W. office over three hours ago he has been tossing Ginny evil glances and randomly staring at her. Ron was clearly upset at the startling revelation that Ginny and Harry were doing much more than dating. But as Ginny reminded him several times, he couldn't say anything about it or he would he a hypocrite. Ron even threatened to tell their Mom what she was doing but Ginny made it clear that she would return the favor, this caused Ron to turn several shades of red.

Hermione was sitting quietly at her desk, thoroughly amused at Ron and his sister.

"Would you two just leave each other alone, honestly, you would think you were still teenagers!" Hermione said, trying not to smile. "We really do have work to do you know, we have damage control thanks to Lavender."

"I'm working as fast as I can, my hands are tired!" Ron said rubbing his wrists.

"Alright, why don't we take a lunch break, I think you two could use the time apart." Hermione replied.

Ron practically jumped from his chair. "Yeah, let's go to the Leaky Caldron, my treat!"

Hermione didn't argue as she got up from her chair. "Ginny, you should take a break too."

"I will, I'm just going to send out these last few owls and I'm meeting Harry for Ice Cream." Ginny said tossing Ron a nasty look at the mention of Harry. "That is if my brother isn't going to have a hissy fit?"

Ron looked like he wanted nothing more than to run over to Ginny and turn her into a goat, but thankfully Hermione managed to push him out the door before he had a chance too. They had reached the streets of Diagon Ally before Hermione spoke again.

"Ron, why do you care so much about Ginny and Harry, I mean their adults and they have dated before."

"I know, it's just that she's my sister and he's my best mate…I'm just protective I guess." Ron said hanging his head and not looking at Hermione.

"Well, I understand that but I think it's time you left them alone and try to realize that you have no say in what either of them do." Hermione put her hand in Ron's and led him down the street.

00000000000000000000000000000000000000000

Hermione found a small but dusty table in the corner of the Leaky Cauldron and sat down. Ron went to the counter for dinks and something to snack on. The Leaky Cauldron was very crowded due to the fact that school started in a few days so last minuet shoppers were coming in and out of the building. Hermione looked over the crowd to see Ron when she spotted the last person she wanted to see.

Lavender Brown was sitting with Dean Thomas at a small table near the bar. Both of them seemed to be talking excitedly about something and to Hermione's relief didn't seem to realize that she was there. Hermione moved her chair around her table to make sure that Lavender couldn't see her.

Ron returned carrying bottles of butterbeer and a basket of crisps to share. Ron sat down and immediately jumped up again. "Hermione don't turn around!" Ron whispered frantically.

"Why because of Lavender, I already know she's here." Hermione said with a frown. "Now would you please sit down, maybe they won't see us."

It was too late however; Lavender noticed Ron and made a bee-line for him. When she reached the table she completely ignored that fact that Hermione was there too.

"Won won, can I join you for lunch?" Lavender asked with an overly sweet voice.

"Well…umm…you're with Dean." Ron stuttered.

"Oh no, he is heading back to E.N.U., you know, my Elf rights organization. He has lots of work to do, we are just so busy, but I have a little time before my lunch is over." Lavender smiled and pulled up a chair as close to Ron as she could.

Hermione just couldn't sit and listen to Lavender anymore; she pushed her chair back, stood up and placed her hands on the table. "Lavender, you are not welcome at this table and it is rude to sit down without being invited, and trust me…you are not invited."

"Oh yeah, what are you going to do about it? I can sit here if I want to, besides I don't see Ron complaining."

"I…umm…" Ron said.

"Oh yeah, great Ron, way to stand up for me!" Hermione said, her anger getting the better of her.

"Why don't you go off and brush that bush on your head that you call hair and leave us alone." Lavender spat.

"That's it!" Hermione pulled out her wand and pointed it at Lavender's head. "You better leave now before I do something I regret."

"You don't scare me!" Lavender said standing up and pulling out her own wand. "You want to play, let's play."

Hermione reacted before Lavender even pulled her wand up to full height. "Blaflagra!" Hermione said and large blue flames erupted from Lavender's hair and just as quickly as it started, it stopped. When the flames went out Lavender's hair had completely burnt off leaving a shining bald head. Lavender dropped her wand and placed her hands on her head, she shrieked in terror as she realized what Hermione did.

"You horrible evil mudblood! How dare you! You know…I think it's time you know the truth, maybe you won't want your precious Ron so much once you know." Lavender said.

"What are you on about?" Hermione said, her wand still pointed at Lavender.

"Lavender NO!" Cried Ron.

"Oh shut up Ron, Hermione you have been fooling around with a married man, that's right married!. Ron and I are legally married and I have no intention of giving him a divorce!" Lavender pulled a ring from her pocket and placed it on her finger. Then she picked up her wand, pointed it at the table and out flew a piece of parchment. "Here is some proof, my ring and our license."

Hermione wasn't entirely taking in what was happening. She looked at the ring then picked up the paper and examined it. Large tears formed in her eyes as she looked up at Ron. "Is this true?" She asked.

Ron said nothing; he only nodded his head in reply and looked down at his feet.

Hermione was doing everything she could to hold herself back from crying. She placed the parchment on the table and took a step towards Ron. "Bastard." She said and she slapped Ron hard across the face and stormed out of the Leaky Caldron.

Lavender was looking rather proud of herself as she stood smiling. "Well dear, I told you I wouldn't let you go that easily."

Ron just stood in complete shock, "Lavender, you look like a man without hair." Ron said then he picked up the marriage license and ran out the door after Hermione.

00000000000000

A/N: I know it's short but the next chapter should be up soon...and I'll expalin what is going on in more detail! Beware this story is getting close to the end!