Author Notes: For the ever lovely Annie and much love to my beta this chapter, Laura. You are the best and to give it back to me sooo quickly to post! I love you! Also to two of the new ones, I am forever in awe of you Luciology and Raven

Quickly, before we delve into the inner workings of Ron, please note this one may not be in the best form. From the overall attitude that I have witnessed, we (my beta's and I) are kinda out of it and I decided to go on and get this one out instead of waiting for more. I don't know if HBP has anything to do with it, but I can speak only for myself when I say BLAH. And that is a general over-all blah, not a Blah about anything specific. Obviously though, with the release of HBP I am most definately into AU, as if I weren't before, but hey...now I have made it official, right? I hope you enjoy this chapter. It is the beginning of the end or something like that. Now, I must run and find my muse, because I feel like I need to do some writing.

Chapter 6

Ron left the Malfoy Manor in a rush. He was trying to hide his excitement from the house elf, but of course, was doing a deplorable job. He couldn't believe it. Lucius Malfoy had just offered him the job of his dreams. He was going to be Keeper for the Chudley Canons. Well, if he decided to take it. How could he not? This was just too good of an opportunity to miss! He needed to talk to somebody and very quickly.

He apparated home to the flat he shared with Harry. There was no sign of Harry anywhere. This wasn't too unusual now. Harry had been disappearing for days, sometimes weeks without warning. After the first few times, they stopped sending out search parties for him.

Ron sat down on the couch and began to fidget. He just had to talk to someone. He jumped up and ran to the telephone that Harry and Hermione insisted they have. He dialled Hermione's cell phone number. She kept that thing with her wherever she was. Mostly because she worked for a pharmaceutical company in the Muggle world, but it was a way for everyone to reach her when she was needed.

Ron was still trying to get use to the Muggle world. Harry convinced him that that they should have a flat just outside of the Wizarding World. It was close enough to where any magic they did wouldn't be detected by the Muggles, but away from the bright eyes of all the reporters and people wanting to see the famous Harry Potter. Hell, he was about to be famous. He was going to be keeper for the Chudley Canons.

The phone rang a few times before Hermione picked up. "Hello."

"Hermione!" Ron said excitedly. "Where are you? What are you doing?" Ron asked quickly.

"I was just on my way home, Ron. Why?" She asked a little concerned. Her first concern was always if something happened to Harry.

"I need to talk to you. It is really important. I have had some news today. I'll pop on over to your flat," Ron said excitedly. He was thrilled. He had to talk to her now.

"Um…Ron, I don't think that…."

"Okay, I will see you there, Hermione." Ron hung up the telephone, not listening to what she was saying.

He walked to the bathroom and checked his appearance, not that he was trying to impress anyone. He performed a quick combing spell and looked at his clothes. They were slightly wrinkled from apparating, but they would do. He looked damn good, in his opinion.

Ron walked out of the bathroom after a quick bath in cologne. It was the brand that Hermione had given him for Christmas a few years ago. He walked into the apparation room and with a "pop" he was gone. He appeared in front of Hermione's flat only to be met by her at the door.

Hermione gave Ron a quick hug, trying to not breathe in the stench of cologne permeating every pore of his body. "Ron, I think we should reschedule. I kind of have.…"

"Oh, nonsense Hermione. We have to celebrate. I have just had an amazing offer." Ron walked on into Hermione's flat ignoring what she was saying.

"Ron you don't understand…" Hermione said trying to stop him. It was of no use.

Ron walked into the living room, which was dimly lit. There were a few candles lit and soft music playing. Hermione always did have class, he thought. He sat down on her sofa to wait for her to come in.

"Okay, Ron, what is it that cannot wait?" Hermione asked while at wits end.

Ron patted the couch beside him. "Guess what? I have just been given the most amazing offer and I had to tell someone. Harry wasn't at home."

Hermione rolled her eyes. "It would figure that he wouldn't be home tonight. I guess he forgot what tonight was," she muttered too low for Ron to understand. She sighed and waited for Ron to continue.

"I had a meeting today, and I was offered a fantastic job," Ron began to explain, when he was interrupted. Someone else was apparating into the flat. "Oh, are you expecting company?"

"Yes, Ron, as a matter of fact, I am. I have been trying to tell you that?" Hermione said a bit frustrated. She hoped that this wouldn't happen, but of course, he would be punctual.

"Oh, well who is it? Pavarti? Lavender?" Ron questioned. His eyes went wide as saucers as Severus Snape walked into the room holding a bouquet of red roses. "Oh, hello, Professor Snape. I didn't know you two were still working together."

"Mr. Weasley." He said cordially, raising an eyebrow at Hermione.

"Oh yes, we are still working together, Ron. We had an important discussion planned for tonight to discuss the uses of…"

"Oh, you should just postpone it. We need to go celebrate," Ron said, thick-headedly.

"No, Ron, I cannot postpone this meeting. It is a very important meeting," she said quickly, biting her lips. She looked over at Professor Snape, questioningly. He just gave her a look, asking what she planned on doing.

"Ron, please…"

"What is it, Hermione?" Ron questioned. He went over and wrapped her in a hug. "You know you can tell me anything. You aren't hurt, are you?"

"No, I'm not hurt. I just can't talk tonight, Ron. Tonight is a very special night for me. I need to have this discussion."

"Oh, well…fine then," Ron said quietly. He backed away from Hermione and really looked at her for the first time. She was in a short black dress, with her hair pulled back and curled. He looked over to Professor Snape and noticed that he wasn't that greasy looking.

The minute Ron grasped the meaning of the meeting his eyes went wide. His mouth dropped open, and he felt his heart break in half.

"You don't have a meeting at all. What are you doing with this greasy git?"

"Ron, please," Hermione said quickly.

"No, don't Ron me. What are you doing with him? Why is he bringing you flowers? What is going on here?"

"Mr. Weasley, a gentleman typically brings flowers when he goes to a ladies house for dinner. Now, if you do not mind, please show yourself to the door. You are, as usual being an insufferable prat and ignoring your friend. She has tried to tell you politely more than numerous times that this is not a good time," Severus said rather quickly, reverting back to their potions master image.

Ron pulled his wand out and aimed it at him. "What have you done to her? She always has time for me. What did you do to her? Imperious?"

"Ron, honestly. Severus has not done anything to me. You should go before something happens that you regret," Hermione said quickly.

"What I will regret is if you don't tell him to go away right now. What kind of spell does he have you under?" Ron looked over at her, running one hand down her cheek.

That was all it took, suddenly he was back against her wall and his wand was in Professor Snape's hand. "Mr. Weasley, I would suggest that you remember that you never turn your back on your adversary. It may get you killed one day."

"Ron, please, just go. We can talk in the morning. Tonight I have plans. I have told you this. You just aren't listening to me, as usual." Hermione walked over to him and helped him to stand up.

There were unshed tears in his eyes as he looked at Hermione. "Why?" It was all he could think of, all he needed to know.

"Because he asked me," she said softly.

Ron stood up, walked over to Snape. He took his wand and walked to the door. He stopped just after he opened it and looked back. Snape was over where Hermione was still crouched on the floor, crying. He wrapped his arms around her. Ron heard Snape profess his love for Hermione. Then she looked up at him and he claimed her lips.

Ron staggered out the door to the apparation room. He was then sitting on the floor in his flat crying.

After a time he got up and walked to bar where they kept the liquor. He fixed a vodka on the rocks and downed it. He couldn't believe it. What did that greasy old git have that he didn't? His resolve was then set. He was going to be Keeper for the Chudley Canons, even if it meant working for Lucius Malfoy. He was going to get the girl. This was the last time someone else would get what he deserved.

He took the bottle of vodka and left the glass sitting at the bar. He sat on his sofa and drained the contents of the bottle and proceeded to pass out.