Busted
"Err Hermione what are you on about?"
"Oh don't you try to act like you don't know why I'm mad you great big prat."
Ron looked around the room and noticed both Mr. and Mrs. Granger looking at them from a doorway.
This is not how I had hoped this would start.
"Look luv I really don't know what you are talking about."
Hermione looked at him for a moment and seemed to calm down. "Ok I'm sorry I just got upset."
"Not to worry Mione it happens." Ron was so happy she wasn't angry that he didn't want to push things, so happy in fact that he missed the fire still shinning in Hermione's eyes.
"So how has your holiday been Ron?"
"Well it has been ok but it's much better now that I'm here with you."
"Did you enjoy your trip to Knockturn Ally?
"Well we really didn't mean to go there and then…" Ron stopped talking and looked back at Hermione not able to miss her blazing eyes again.
Oh no
"Now do you know why I'm angry you idiot?"
"Look we just went shopping ok."
"You do not just go shopping in Knockturn Ally. Lot's of dodgy stuff goes on there and I can't believe you took Harry with you of all people."
"It was his idea in the first place Hermione."
Hermione had gotten used to Ron being a lot calmer the last few months and as a result had started to miss the classic signs of the onset of Ron rage.
"I don't acre whose idea it was you shouldn't have been there and then you took on a bunch of Death Eaters? Are the two of you mental? Am I going to have to baby sit the two of you idiots for the rest of my life?"
"Bloody hell Hermione, do you think I like having to deal with all of this rubbish? Do you think I like finding Death Eaters all over the place?" he yelled back at her.
"Yes I do think you like it. I hear how good you are in your training sessions and how fierce a fighter you are. I heard Neville telling the other boys how you were laughing at Moody a few days ago because he couldn't take you down. You were laughing at a fully trained Auror. Do you know why you were laughing Ron? Because you were having fun, just like you do when you play Quidditch."
"So we should have just left those Death Eaters alone? We should just have let them go off and do Merlin knows what to Merlin knows who? Well we couldn't ok, when the gather like that they are up to something and you know it. What if they were going after Neville or Luna or yo..somebody else I care for?"
A voice came in from the doorway "Hermione sweetheart, don't you think you might be over reacting just a bit?"
Hermione turned to the Grangers "Over reacting? Do you know how reckless this great big git is? He has no concept of self preservation. He'll just go running off at the drop of a hat to get into any sort of danger."
At that her father spoke up "Hermione are saying Ron is getting you into dangerous places."
Hermione flushed at that "No Daddy he is always trying to keep me away from any sort of danger. He never looks out for himself though and it scares me."
Hermione walked out of the room for a moment and came back carrying a paper. "Take a look at this."
Dashing Duo Disrupts Death Eater Deal
Yesterday afternoon the boy who lived and faithful friend Ron Weasley disrupted a gathering of Death Eaters and captured all six of the villains. The Death Eaters were captured and turned over to Ministry custody with no injuries or property damage. According to spectator's who were interviewed, the two young wizards were doing some last minute shopping in Knockturn Ally when they came across the Death Eaters. Quick thinking and judicious spell work made short work of the Dark wizards and they were soon securely immobilized and the two lads waited for Ministry Auror's to arrive before leaving the scene. One shop keeper reported that the boys had been looking for a special present to give to a very special young witch.
Who ever the witch is, she is a very lucky young lady to have garnered the attention of either one of the daring young hero's. Hearts all over the wizarding world must be breaking now that at least one of these two fine young men has been taken off the market.
It is this reporter's opinion that both the boy who lived and young Mr. Weasley should be accepted into the Auror ranks as soon as possible. They have proven time and again to be our most valuable personnel in the fight against the Dark Lord.
Owl in petition to have both young men become Auror's Page 3
Owl in poll on who the special young lady could be Page 7
Owl in poll on which of the lads has been smitten Page 14
Fold out chart on known Death Eater activities. Page 21
Right above the article was a picture of Ron and Harry when they were waiting for the Auror's to show up. They had their backs to each other guarding the bound and stunned Death Eaters.
"Bloody hell" Ron swore softly.
Hermione reached out her hand and put it on his arm.
"Language?" he asked.
She just smiled and nodded.
"Sorry" Ron looked around at the Granger "I'm sorry Mr. and Mrs. Granger, this is not how I wanted this to start off."
For just a moment Ron thought Mr. Granger was going to laugh but then he frowned "Maybe it's time for the two of you to tell us everything that's going on in your world."
The Grangers seemed to take everything to take most of what they were told in stride. It was surprising how much they already knew though Ron guessed they talked to the Auror's who watched their house more than either he or Hermione ever suspected.
"The one thing I'm still having a hard time with is this shape shifter thing. Mrs. Granger spoke up. Are you telling us you can turn into a lion?"
Ron just nodded.
"You can do this whenever you want to?" she continued.
"Yes Mrs. Granger, though there is a bit of discomfort to it. The more I do it the less uncomfortable the change gets though."
'So you could turn into a lion right now, here in our living room?"
Ron was getting more than a little uncomfortable at the way things had started to focus on him.
"Mother, I think that's enough about Ron being a shapeshifter, he's not an animal or anything. He just has a very special gift."
Before her mother could respond Ron interrupted "It's ok 'Mione I don't really mind. Would you like to see it Mrs. Granger?"
Mrs. Granger looked frightened for a moment but then she smiled "I believe I would, it might help all of this become a bit more real if I could see it."
Ron stood up and walked a few feet over to where there was a bit more room. Taking a deep breath he focus inwards and soon felt the transformation take place.
Both of the Granger looked startled for a moment before they both broke out in laughter.
"That's they most amazing thing I've ever seen" Mrs. Granger laughed.
"I must agree my love, I never thought I would have a African Lion standing in my living room."
Hermione had gotten up and walked over to Ron where she started running her hands through his mane.
"Hermione dear can Ron understand us while in his lion form?"
"Somewhat Mum though mostly emotions and general ideas. He will know if we want or need him to change back though."
"You love him don't you Hermione?" her face said softly.
Hermione's face fell and she looked for a moment if she were going to cry "Yes daddy I do, very much so. How did you know?"
Her father looked up sadly "He called you 'Mione, if anybody else had done that you would have had a right good fit but you just smiled at him."
"Daddy I want to tell you something before Ron changes back and I embarrass him to no end. He is good and kind, brave and noble, just like the men in those fairy tales that you used to read me As I got older I thought those were just all made up and people like that didn't really exist. Well I was wrong, I know you're worried about everything that is happening but you should know this. If there is a way for me to be safe, Ron will find it. Even if I don't want him too, he'll still try to protect me."
There was a slight pause "So this is THE boy is it?"
Hermione took a deep breath "Yes daddy it is, I know we are young and honestly we are taking things very slow because we are both aware of it. Despite that we are very serious about how we feel and won't allow anyone or anything to separate us."
"Well then princess, can I have one more hug from my princess before your knight in shinning armor changes back and takes you from me forever?"
Hermione flung herself into her fathers arms and as they hugged Ron got the impression he should just stay transformed for a while.