Chapter 20

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. I don't want to. I don't own Ron Weasley. Damn. I want to own him!

A/N: Okay, sorry about last chapter. The fight was supposed to be longer, but instead Ron had to hit on Hermione. Don't know why.

Oh, all of you owe me. I'm rereading Order of the Phoenix in order to find hints of Remus/Tonks. I've got colored flags in it and everything. Go ahead, laugh. I'm actually liking OotP if I hunt for Remus/Tonks. Next time I reread it (either before the seventh book or fifth movie, whichever comes first) I'll look for Ron/Hermione harder than I have before. It's too much fun.

Lupin knew the minute he saw Ron that something had gone wrong. Seriously wrong. He had the I'm-pissed-off-at-the-world-so-you'd-better-leave-me-alone-if-you-know-what's-good-for-you face. Lupin had seen that face many times before. When Ron had busted Ginny out of St. Mungo's. When Ron had demanded George's wand back. When Ron had been reprimanded for jumping Harry in the hallway.

"What happened?"

Ron jumped. "What are you doing here?"

"I work here, remember?" Remus laughed.

"No, I know that. I mean why are you in this part of the Ministry? You don't usually come to auror stomping grounds."

"I came to check on you. Harry sent me an owl. Said Hermione came to the bar last night?"

Ron frowned. "Harry needs to mind his own damn business."

"What happened?" Remus repeated.

Ron sighed. "We finally fought about custody. She wants to give me holidays only. And she won't move here."

Lupin smiled. "I've actually pulled a few strings. My department has a job opening."

"Department for Regulation and Control for Magical Creatures? Can't see Hermione working there. Of course, can't see you working there either. Beast division, much less." Ron snorted.

"Hey. You have to start causing change in the small places. They control the werewolf registry. I can um…keep it up to date. Besides, it pays well. We miss Tonks's auror pay. So I just suck it up and deal with it."

"When is she going to work again?"

Remus smiled. "If I have my way, never. It's too dangerous with children. Too dangerous period, if you ask me. If she has her way, after a couple more children get big enough to string sentences together."

"I can imagine."

"Yes, I bet you can." He grinned. "We both like stubborn women."

Ron looked at Lupin innocently. "I'm sure I have no idea what you're talking about."

Remus rolled his eyes. "You still love her. That's why you're so pissed at her."

"Pissed? Do I look pissed?"

"Um, have you looked in a mirror?"

"No. Is it that obvious?"

"Why do you think there's a five foot area of space around you at all times? No one wants to get jumped or hexed by the infamous 'Weirdo Weasley.'"

"Is that what they really call me?"

"Yeah. I think they have even more names for you, but I only hear them when they don't know I'm around. Or in hearing distance," he added mischievously.

"Stupid wankers. Think werewolves can't hear. You should spread rumors about their personal lives."

"Nah. I'll leave that to them. Except when they talk about my 'bitch.' I hit one of them with a particularly effective stunning curse last week. Mixed in with a bit of a memory charm. Couldn't remember who did it or what his job was." Remus smiled. "But I did let him remember that he was late for something."

"That's evil. Evil, but absolutely brilliant."

Remus smiled. "I know." He eyed Ron suspiciously. "You never answered the question."

"You asked no question," Ron replied evasively.

"Okay, fine. Do you still love Hermione?"

Ron sighed. "To be honest with you, I'm not sure. I'm still attracted to her, if that's what you're asking."

"It's a start. I think she just wants more than child custody to keep her in England."

"Like what? A relationship?"

Remus sighed. "Tonks seems to have that impression. I reckon that's why she got upset on you."

"Oh, I doubt that's it. Not all of it, anyway. Hermione never was one to get all emotional," Ron said. "Well, not any emotion but anger."

"Ummhmm," Remus laughed. "Sure."

"Well, glad I bumped into you. It feels good to get things off your chest, you know?"

"Yeah. Guess you and Harry are still too fresh for it?"

"Yup. And he is jumping to her side a lot."

Remus shook his head. "Well, maybe he knows more than you do."

"That's exactly what I'm afraid of."

A/N: Sorry. This was supposed to be a "Lupin talks to Hermione" chapter. It turns out Ron needed and wanted to talk to him instead.

Like the cliff hanger? waits for flames

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