The Family Man
Summary: Ron has a great life.He's rich, famous, girls throwing themselves at his feet, what more could a guy ask for? He's about to find out when he is given a glimpse of what could have been if he had chosen love over money and family over fame. Ron wakes up one morning in a house that's not his, with a past love that is now his wife and kids he can't remember having. What if he starts to see what life is like for the people who may not be rich, but who are certainly prosperous in other ways.
Chapter 1
"Ah, a life of luxury…" Ron Weasley sighed, sitting back in his luxurious flat and sipping a beer. "Harry, what do you think of my new place?"
"It's nice." Harry sat on the couch, cradling his beer and looking around slowly.
The flat was very modern looking. All the furniture was a dark onyx black, while the walls and carpet was a light creamy color. The living room was nicely furnished, with a large fireplace, two leather couches and an armchair that Ron was currently sitting in. There was a small hallway that led back to the master bedroom, the guest room, an office and a spare bathroom. The kitchen was just off the living room through a swinging door.
The kitchen door swung open and Ginny, Ron's younger sister came out. "Mum's going to have kittens when she sees your kitchen, it's bloody huge!" She said as she sat down next to Harry on the couch.
"Well, I'll probably not use it that much. Being an international sports star means you don't eat in often." Ron said as he sat up a bit higher in his chair.
Ginny scowled. "You're still a prat. Even if you are an international sports star, you're still a Weasley, don't forget that, dear brother." Ginny said as she gathered her purse and started for the door. "Mum wants me to invite you to dinner tomorrow night, if you can fit us into your busy schedule. Harry, you're invited too, of course." Ginny smiled at Harry before glaring once more at Ron and striding out the door.
"What's wrong with her?" Ron asked, clueless.
"I don't know." Harry answered, following Ginny's progress out the door and watching the closed door for a moment after she had left. Finally turning back to Ron, he said," Well, I need to be going as well. I've got to be into the office early." Harry got up and put on his coat. Ron walked him to the door and they shook hands as Harry asked, "So, will I see you at the Burrow tomorrow?"
"I don't think so, mate. I've got a pretty little thing who has been waiting for ages to take me out to dinner." Ron said with a grin.
"Well, I'll owl you in a few days. We can have lunch soon, all right?"
"Sure. Good bye." Ron called at Harry's back as he walked down the hall of the apartment building.
Ron walked back to his chair and picked up his half drunken beer bottle. He walked into his kitchen and opened his fridge. Being Arthur Weasley's son had the advantages of knowing at least some Muggle technology. The fridge was empty except for a small block of moldy cheese, which Ron picked up and quickly threw in the trashcan.
"Guess I'm going out." Ron chuckled. He went into his hall and grabbed his jacket and a cap from the small closet. He tried to be inconspicuous as he left his building, pulling his cap down to shield his eyes. Now that he was an international sports star, he was quite recognizable and could hardly go anywhere without being mobbed for pictures and autographs, not that he really minded it.
When he had graduated Hogwarts, a year late, he was quickly picked to play on the Puddlemere United reserve team (Oliver Wood had already left to go play on the Montrose Magpies and they needed a new Keeper). He had quickly proven himself and had moved on to the Chudley Cannons, his favorite team in the world. After about a year, the coach had decided to make him the Captain of the team. He quickly turned the team's reputation around and the Cannons became the favorite to win the next Quidditch Cup. Ron, being the main reason for the popularity, was interviewed for every newspaper and magazine in circulation and his picture appeared on the cover of many magazines. He even won Witch Weekly's Most Charming Smile Award, twice. The only thing that was missing from Ron's life was a steady girl, but he had no intention of settling down any time soon, so that certainly didn't bother him.
Ron quickly made his way to The Leaky Cauldron and walked up to the bar. "Tom, I'd like a meal to go and fast." He looked around the room wearily and adjusted his cap again.
"Of course, that'll be five galleons, Mr. Weasley." Tom said as he handed him a small bag.
"Weasley! Ron Weasley?" An alluring feminine voice asked from behind him.
"Thanks a lot, Tom." Ron smiled as he paid the man and turned around.
A beautiful exotic woman stood behind him with a seductive smile and large eyes. "It's been a while, Ron. I almost didn't recognize you with that cap on."
"Padma Patil. What have you been up to since Hogwarts?" Ron grinned at her.
"Oh, I'm the new editor for Witch Weekly. It's a pretty nice job and I love being the boss." She smiled and fluttered her eyelashes at Ron. "And I know all about what you've gotten up to since Hogwarts. I've been to a few games and you're smashing." Padma threaded her arm through Ron's arm. "Shall we have dinner together?" Ron nodded, smiling at her. "I see you've already got your take-out, just hold on a moment and I'll be right with you." She turned back to Tom and ordered her food, paid and turned back to Ron. "So, your place or mine?" Ron had a good idea about where this night was headed and promptly told her he would like to see her place.
On the way back to Padma's flat, they kept a steady stream of conversation, reminiscing about old times and telling each other how others from their graduating class had been doing.
"Do you still keep in touch with Harry Potter?" Padma asked.
"Of course, I actually just saw him today. You already know he's an Auror, right? Mad-Eye Moody managed to convince him to be his apprentice of sorts after we graduated."
"So, you went back to Hogwarts after you all defeated You-Know-Who?" Padma asked.
"Yeah, we ended up graduating with Ginny, just a year after you guys." Ron took off his cap and ruffled his hair as they entered Padma's flat.
"Here, we can eat at the bar. Do you want something to drink?" Padma asked as she set her food on the counter. "Butterbeer? Wine?"
"Wine would be good." Ron answered as he sat down on one of the barstools and took his food out of his bag.
Padma came out of the kitchen with some plates, silverware, a bottle of wine, and some glasses. She uncorked the bottle of wine and poured both of them a glass as Ron put their food on the plates.
"So, what is Parvati up to?" Ron asked.
"Oh, she married Dean Thomas a few years back. They're expecting their second child in a few months. They already have a little girl, Ava. She's a right little monster." Padma said affectionately. "What has Hermione done recently? I heard about her going into St. Mungo's and revolutionizing the medical world, but she seemed to have disappeared a few years back."
"I actually don't know. I lost touch with her after I started to play on the Cannons. She was never that interested in coming to games and I didn't have a lot of free time, neither did she, and we just lost touch…" Ron trailed off.
"Oh, well, enough of old friends. How about a toast? To the future." Padma said as she raised her glass and looked at him with a seductive look.
"To the future." Ron clinked his glass with hers and took a long sip. When he put his glass down, Padma leaned in and kissed him. They kissed each other hungrily and soon they were tugging at their clothes. Padma led the way to the bedroom, and things continued on from there.
AN: Well, here is another story. This is supposed to take place when the trio are 25 years old. Although I've never seen "The Family Man," I do know the basic plot and this is based on that. I thought it would be a good set up for Ron and Hermione, an interesting set up at the least. Please Review, flame if you must, but I probably won't read. Constructive criticism is always welcome.
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry, Ron, Hermione, or any other characters you recognize. I also do not own the plot to "The Family Man."