Strictly Professional

By Cabbage Rose

Summary: On the day of graduation, Hermione has to move suddenly, leaving Ron heartbroken. 10 years later, Hermione is presumed dead and Ron moves on, taking a job at Hogwarts. But what happens when he finds a certain someone at Hogwarts as well? Will old flames rekindle or will their relationship be strictly professional? RonHer.

Author's Notes: Hi. Well if there is any Inuyasha Mir/San fans out there, I am thinking of making a songfic. I saw the new episode last night (8/6) and that one part made the episode worth staying up till 12 for (when Miroku falls in the water and Sango saves him and then Miroku is like "You saved me Sango." and she is like smiling to no end; that was so awesome, yes I know I am weird). Sorry about me rambling about something that isn't even Harry Potter related, but Inuyasha is a great story/show as well. I recommend it. Well anyway, onto the story.

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, Inuyasha, 'Don't Tell Me' by Avril Lavigne, MTV, nothing! If I could own something though I'd own Miroku and Ron. huggles

Chapter 3

Despite all of the noise and people around him, he could only see and hear one thing. Hermione Granger, his best mate for what seemed like forever, was sitting in the Ancient Ruins chair of the teacher's table. Ron felt like he was seeing a ghost or hallucinating, for Hermione was supposed to be dead. But here she was, in the flesh, looking back at him with as much suprisement. He didn't know what he was feeling. He hadn't seen her in 10 years; she hadn't bothered trying to communicate with him. He should have been angry and upset. He was, in a way, but feelings of happiness and relief were stronger than the others. He never felt so confused in his life, and that is saying something.

Ron felt like he was shot with a freezing charm. He wanted to run to her, to hug her, to see if she was really there. But his legs weren't cooperating with his mind. He just stood there, staring into her chocolate brown eyes. He must have been standing there for a long time, for the students around him were starting to ask one another if they thought he died standing up. He noticed that Hermione now looked hurt, sipping her Pumpkin Juice, and then Ron could finally move. He wanted to run, to skip, to fly to the table, but he had to look professional. He had already looked like an idiot by staring at her for who knows how long.

He walked to the table, and took the seat between Hagrid, and to Ron's dismay, Lavender. It was the only chair left. The other teachers stopped staring at him curiously, and returned to their meals. Hermione, however, was still looking at him. "Hey Ron! 'ermione's 'ere. Ain' it grea'?" Hagrid said, somewhat nervous that the two were staring at each other.

"Yeah. Uh, Hermione, give me your hand." Ron said, wanting to see if it was really her.

"That is the first thing you say to me in 10 years? What about 'How are you?' or 'I missed you' or something?" Hermione complained, but she gave Ron her hand. He held it for a second, Hermione looking utterly confused, to make sure it was warm and skin like. He thought for a second that she might have been a zombie or living dead, but the hand certainly felt alive.

Ron dropped it, realizing what a stupid thing he just did, and said, "Sorry. I just wanted to make sure it was really you. Everyone thought you were dead."

Hermione rolled her eyes. God, Ron had missed that. "Well I am certainly alive. But I am overwhelmed by everyone's faith in me." She said sarcastically.

"Well we couldn't really help it because you didn't at least give us a sign that you were ok!" Ron argued, growing hot.

"You know I couldn't have! The children would have gotten suspicious!" Hermione countered, her brows furrowing.

"Surely there was at least one magical child there?" Ron asked. He found that all of them being muggles was hard to believe.

"Not that I knew of. If there were, there would probably be food there. Magical children who don't even know how to use magic can use it in times of need, like if they are starving to death." Hermione said matter-of-factly.

"Well I am pretty sure that if you had put your mind to it you would have found a way to communicate without being caught. You are smart, y'know!"

"...You are right. I could have, and I apologize. I was just so busy; I couldn't find the time. You have the right to be angry with me." Hermione said softly, her head facing the ground.

Ron hadn't meant to make her guilty; he had just wanted to let her know that everyone was worried. "I am not angry. I was just worried, all of us were." He assured her.

She looked up and smiled lightly. "I am glad to see that you have matured, Ron." Ron noticed that Hermione had matured, but in a different way. Her curves were amazing compared to the ones in school. But he wasn't going to say that. He had also noticed that her hair was a bit longer and less wild, and she had a slight tan from working in the African sun. She looked pretty good, but she was Ron's friend. He shouldn't have been thinking things like that.

Hagrid said nervously, "So are yeh 'one figh'ing? Its 'ot a goo' feeling 'eing in teh middle of 'hat!" He forced a strong laugh that shook Ron's chair.

"It was just a misunderstanding, Hagrid. So how have you been?" Hermione asked, looking much more relieved than when he first saw her.

"'een better. 'eing ol' is not a goo' thing. I 'eep on geting sick. M'Gonaggal may fire me soon. Geting 'oo ol'." Hagrid said sadly.

"That's horrible. What will you do if you retire or get fired?" Hermione asked. Ron wished that she were still talking to him. He hadn't seen her in ten years, after all.

"I'll go live with Grawps in teh moun'ains. He nee's some 'ompany...Ge'ing lonely." Hagrid replied. Ron noticed that the subject of him getting fired was depressing Hagrid, so he decided to change the subject.

"So has anything new happened since we have been gone?" Ron asked. Hermione gave him a pleased look. Apparently she was just about to ask that herself, in order to change the subject.

"Eh, yeah. A few years af'er you guys, some new 'eachers were hired. 'wo of them liked each other and were passin' no'es when 'hey were supposed to be 'eaching. So now 'eachers aren' allowe' to have a roman'ic relationship with each other." Hagrid said, giving Ron a knowing look. Ron, who was clueless, had no idea why. Hermione, on the other hand, looked slightly disappointed. Luckily for her, Ron didn't notice.

"But what about the Yule Ball? It is tradition that the teachers dance together." Hermione pointed out.

"M'Gonaggal now assigns 'ance par'ners. Pro'ably pairs 'hem up with who 'hey hate the most." Hagrid said, shaking his head.

"That stinks..." Ron said, glancing towards Lavender. He hoped that when the Yule Ball came around that they wouldn't be partners.

The food in front of everyone had disappeared. The dinner was over, and Ron had almost nothing to eat. He cursed himself for not eating anything; he would just have to eat the breakfast bar that was still in his front pocket. Headmistress McGonaggal said good night to all of the students, dismissing them. The teachers were about to lead the way to the common rooms for the students, when Headmistress McGonaggal stopped Ron and Hermione. "Hermione! It is so good to see you. Weasley...So I hope you two do a good job teaching this year. I trust that you will."

"Of course, Professor." Hermione said, smiling proudly. Ron felt somewhat out of place with these two talented girls. He felt rather stupid, to be blunt.

"Hermione, you may call me Minerva. You are a teacher now, not a student. I suppose that goes for you too, Weasley." McGonaggal said. Ron wondered if she would ever call him Ron that year.

"Um, ok, Minerva." Hermione said awkwardly, probably surprised that she could call her by her first name.

"So do you have any questions?" The Headmistress asked her two new colleagues.

"Uh, yes. I was wondering...Where am I supposed to stay? I know I am Hagrid's assistant, but his hut is a bit to small for two people." Ron said, just knowing that he had said something stupid.

"You will be staying with the other teachers in their wing, of course." McGonaggal said, as if he should have known that all along. "Anything else?"

The two shook their heads and bid her fair well. Before they left Minerva said, "Oh yes, and if you two don't know, there is a new rule. Romantic relationships between teachers are prohibited. A few years ago we had a horrible experience with that. The kids in their subjects hadn't learned a thing. So I am sorry if that ruins your relationship, but it is important that the students learn."

"Oh, no, Minerva. Our relationship is strictly professional." Hermione assured her, but Ron couldn't help but hear (or at least he thought he did) a bit of disappointment in her voice. He found himself disappointed, but that was ridiculous. Hermione was just his friend, his best friend he should say, but nothing more. He knew that he wasn't disappointed about Lavender, so that is who he must have been for. He didn't know why, for he was always one to be clueless.

"If you say so..." The knowing Headmistress said, giving them both the look Hagrid had given him earlier. 'What is with people and that look today? They can't possibly believe that we have feelings for each other? We are best mates!' Ron thought, annoyed.

The two friends walked down the corridor, making their way to the Teacher's Wing. Ron had never been there before, and he wondered if it was much better than the student's common rooms, like on the train. Hermione started laughing. "Can you believe what they all thought? They think that we have feelings for each other! I mean, back then I did have feelings for you, but it has been 10 years!"

"You did?" Ron asked, surprised.

"Yeah. Wasn't it obvious?" Hermione asked, still laughing.

"No, not really. But yeah, I had feelings for you too." Ron said. 'And still do.' A little voice inside his head told him. What the hell?...

"Really? You should have told me!" Hermione said, her laughter finally fading.

"Well I was afraid that you would reject me..." Ron said.

"I wouldn't have..." Hermione interrupted softly.

"Well what if we did hook up and then broke up? Our friendship would have been ruined forever." Ron pointed out. Their friendship back then was already on thin ice. They always found new ways to anger the other.

"You have a point. We were one to argue. But that was the past, so there is no use dwelling on it. So how have you been? How is Harry and Ginny?" Hermione asked.

"Well this is really my first job. You might have not heard but we defeated Voldemort a little while ago. So I lived off the prize money I got for a few months. I didn't get much because most people thought Harry did most of the work, which wasn't true, but what can you do? But anyway, I think that being Hagrid's assistant will be interesting." As Ron was talking, they passed a few portraits that were pointing at Ron excitedly.

"You could sort of say that this is my first job as well. Unless you count feeding starving children a job." Hermione said.

"I do. So as for Harry and Ginny, Harry is now an auror and Ginny is working for the Daily Prophet. Harry has been hanging around her a lot and when I ask if they are together, he just says even if he wanted to he couldn't because 'Her life would be in danger.' I still think they are doing something kinky though..." Ron continued.

"So you are still guarding Ginny like a precious jewel. She is 26, Ron. Give her a break!" Hermione said while rolling her eyes. "Speaking of them, I have to talk to them. I hope they will react as graciously as you did."

"They probably will. If you want, I can mail them for you and see what they think." Ron offered, not wanting his best friends to be in a spat.

"It is nice of you for offering but this is my problem. They do realize that I had no choice, right? It was my parent's idea to go in the first place." Hermione played with her now longer hair as she walked. Ron knew she did that when she was nervous.

"How about we right a letter together? Making it humorous may make them less heavy on the idea." Ron said.

"Even though I don't know what you just said, I think that will be a good idea. I am in the mood for a laugh anyway." Hermione sighed.

They walked to the portrait of a young girl brushing her hair. "Password?"

"Protruding slugs." They said simultaneously. The portrait swung open as Ron shivered and Hermione laughed. Slugs were still one of Ron's least favorite things.

They went into the common room, and Ron saw it was no different than the students' common rooms except there were more chairs and bookshelves. Ron and Hermione sat in a comfy chair and started writing:

'Hey guys. It's Ron. Guess who's here with me.

I bet they can tell by my handwriting.

Oh my god! It is the living dead!

Ron, shut up!

I'll give you some clues: She's smart and positively sexy.

Oh, god, you are still a randy bastard. What is Minerva saw this?

And she is still worried about breaking the rules.

I am just saying you don't want to get fired on your first day for nothing, do you?

I guess. But they shouldn't be reading mail. I bet there is a law against it somewhere. Cool, I'll get to sue to school!

Ugh...you are just looking to get fired.

If you are wondering what she is talking about, there is a new rule that teachers aren't allowed to do each other.

Ron! That is a horrible way of saying it. They aren't allowed to have romantic relations.

Well its stupid. Just because they couldn't control their hormonic selves doesn't mean that everyone else can't!

Wow. That was the first thing you said in this that made sense. Even if the word itself wasn't real.

Thank you...I think. Well anyway, we are just mailing to say that Herm's ok and is teaching here too. I already mentioned Neville...and oh, Lavender is too. Best two out of three.

I hate that name...Wait, Lavender's here?

Yep. The end of the world is near.

Does she still hate you?

That's what her daughter says. Oh yeah, she has a daughter.

...Is she yours?

Of course not! God, Hermione...

Well, the way you two were going at it like rabbits could make people wonder.

Do you think I would go so low? You hurt me. (dies on floor)

Sorry. We are getting off track. So I hope you could forgive me for not contacting you. I just couldn't. They were all muggles.

(rises from the dead like Hermione)

Ron...

So we hope to see you guys soon! See ya.

Um, yeah. Good bye (hopefully Ron doesn't get fired for being a pervert).

I read that.

Ha, ha, ha...'

"That was pretty fun. We should do that more often." Hermione laughed. The fire flickered on her happy face.

"Who knew that you were capable of comedy?" Ron joked. Hermione glared at him briefly, but then returned to her amused state.

Hermione yawned and stood up. "What time is it?"

Ron glanced at his watch. "1 a.m."

"How long were we writing that? I could have sworn we got here by 11." Hermione said lazily.

"Time flies when you are enjoying yourself, I guess." Ron said, standing up as well. "So I suppose you are going to bed then."

"Of course. I want to be alert for my first day of work. You should too." Hermione advised.

"Alright then..." He said, realizing that he was tired himself. It had been a long day, after all.

Hermione went and hugged him, saying, "You know I missed you, right? Life isn't boring when my best mate is around."

"Yeah, same here." He said, somewhat taken aback by her actions.

Hermione then released him and said, "Well, good night."

"Night..." He called as she went to her dormitory. As he went to his dormitory and slid into his bed he couldn't help thinking that when she hugged him, his heart had skipped a beat.

Author's Notes: Yeah. I am so corny, I know. But it was still sweet, right? Yeah, well anyway, I hoped you enjoyed this one. Next chapter coming soon. Please review.