Disclaimer: Everything belongs to J.K. Rowling.

Playing House

Chapter 2: Last Resort

Sitting on his chair in the office, Ron stared at the long name list sceptically which he and Harry had prepared in the café. He wasn't sure whether Harry's idea would work upbut unfortunately he had no other option. He bloody wanted that job and there was no way he was letting that stupid Scott getting it in place of him.

He threw a fatal glance at the man who had been ambitiously writing his reports for hours. From time to time, he wandered around Ron's desk, intending to take a glance at the paper he had been staring since he had entered the room. However, Scott could never imagine that Ron, ridicoulusly enough, was looking for an arranged wife himself from a list. Ron ignored him.

The name that top of the list was Lavender Brown, who had a huge crush on him for years exactly. Since the sixth year, she had been looking for ways to get together. Ron had passed several nights with her but well, of course the reason was no more than his personal needings. When Hermione found out that she had called it disgusting and yelled at him for letting these things happen, Ron recalled.

At the remembering her name, he frowned. Yesterday night, when she found out the plan they were planning she had left the restaurant out of the blue. "Was the plan that bad?" Ron thought groomily. But when had Hermione approved his plans? "Never," he reminded himself. And in this one she was being pig-headed yet again, he thought groomily.

After scratching his head, he grabbed an ink and started to write a letter to Lavender. Harry had told him to write the situation clearly and explain how difficult his state was. Because if he didn't so, Lavender might think he was still love in with her. It was the last thing he wanted.

But as he read what he had written on the letter, he grimaced. He doubted Lavender would understand that. She wasn't the cleverest girl in the world. He wrinkled the paper and started to write another one trying to be clearer, trying not to sound stupid.

After fifteen minutes, he wrote a -not very short- letter, which explained the situation openly with fancy words for Lavender's like, after thathe headed to the owlery and posted it.

He waited for the answer for a long time. After a painful lunch break, he found a letter on his desk waiting for him. Grinnning to himself, he opened it expectantly but as soon as he read the things written on the letter – just two words indeed- his face went blank.

"No way!"

He blinked and twisted the letter if it wrote anything else on it but there was nothing. After cursing under his breath, he wrinkled the paper and tossed it harshly into the rubbish bin.

"Weasley?" he heard someone calling behind him. He whirled around and saw Robert looking at him strangely.

"Are you all right?" asked the confused man.

"Yes," Ron answered right away waving a hand dismissively.

"The chief wants the see you," he declared, looking at him strangely and then headed back to his desk. A sick feeling got Ron on the stomach. Could Kingsley know what he was planning? "Bloody hell," he whispered to himself as he made his way to his office.

"Come in," he heard Kingsley's deep voice.

"Hello chief," he greeted him, his eyes searching for signs of tragedy. However Kingsley's face was as blank as always. "You wanted to see me?"

"Oh, yes Weasley," Kingsley nodded in accord. "I've something to tell you," he explained getting up to his feet slowly.

"Is it about the DRM job?" Ron asked hesitantly, his heart starting to beat up.

"Yes," replied Kingsley. "Bloody hell," Ron murmured under his breath. His face went crimson.

"Chief I-" he started desparetedly trying to explain the situation.

"First you," Kingsley said out of the blue.

"I was- what?" Ron was startled.

"Initially, they will begin to search you, from what I've heard," said Kingsley frankly.

"Oh," Ron gave a sigh of relief. For a moment, he didn't know whether to be amused or sad. That meant Kingsley had no idea about his plan. He couldn't help but smiled. "Okay chief," he said grinning.

"Ron, first you, I said!" Kingsley suddenly roared, as if Ron didn't percieve what he just said. "Do you remember what I said at the meeting?" he asked looking rather furious.

"Yes chief," answered Ron his smile suddenly disappearing.

"Good then,"said Kingsley. "I hope you have an excellent plan because it's really good chance for your rivals. Do you understand what I mean?"

Ron simply nodded.

"You may go now," he dismissed. "And if you want," he added as Ron headed to the door, "you can leave early today," he stated with a sympathic look on his face.

"Thank you chief," said Ron and he got out of the room.

"Couldn't be better," he thought mentally as he led his way to his desk. Why that stupid bitch hadn't agreed his plan? What was the problem? Hadn't she always begged him to live together and hadn't she always hinted at him how she wanted to marry with him? Was it the time to be proud and chaste? He was fuming.

He grabbed the list and his jacket from the hanger; he got out of the dull building, ignoring the curious looks his colleagues giving him.

The time was just two o'clock, when he found himself in the crowded street. He had intended to take a walk for a while but it was drizzling so he quickly changed his mind. Remembering Harry had been resting at home, he decided to visit him. Hastily, he went back to the Ministry and after five minutes he apparated into Harry's garden.

He rang the doorbell. After a moment, Harry opened the door, looking sleepy.

"Ron," Harry looked surprised to seeRon in the middle of the day.

"Hello Harry,"greeted Ron.

"Why are you soaked?"

"Won't you let me in?" asked Ron impatiently.

"Oh sorry," said Harry as he chuckled slightly. "What's the matter? Why aren't you at work?" he asked inquisitively as they made their way to the living room.

Ron shrugged before he slumped himself on the sofa where apparently Harry had been laying before he arrived.

"You and your great idea," growled Ron as he ruffled his wet hair.

"What about it?" asked Harry in a nonchalant manner as he settled down on the armchair opposite of Ron. "Did you owl Lavender?"

"Oh yes," replied Ron. "Guess what? Our Lady of Honour just didn't find our propose interesting!"

Harry chuckled.

"What?" Ron roared suddenly getting up to his feet. "Did you find it amusing? I hope you have a 'b' plan Harry, because otherwise I'll have to kill you!"

"Come on Ron. Loosen up," said Harry soothingly.

"I can't loosen up Harry," he bellowed. "Today Kingsley told me thatI wouldbe thefirst. Do you hear me? I'm going to be first!"

"Well," mumbled Harry, looking taken aback. "Don't demorilise yet! Hand me the list, there were a lot of name on it, if I am not mistake," he said eagerly trying to cheer him up.

Ron got the list out of his pocket and handed it to Harry.

"Well," Harry started as he started to pace in the room. "What about Jane?"

"No," Ron said quickly. "Seamus told me that shegot married two months ago!"

"Okay,"said Harry . "Let's try others, why don't we all owl them?"

Ron nodded half-heartedly.

Two hours later

"And she says NO!" bellowed Ron after the eleventh letter. "Admit it Harry, that was a bad idea," he said defeatedly as he sank back on the sofa again.

"But I don't understand," said Harry in a confused voice, "Didn't these girls adore you?"

Ron sent him a murderous glare. "It's over now," he groaned, running his hands over his face. After a few minutes, Harry broke the silence.

"I will suggest someone but you won't bark at me," he stated warily.

"What?" asked Ron, "Is there someone else who can possibly agree this?" he asked, looking at him expectantly. Harry nodded his head in confirmation, a sly grin forming on his lips.

"Who?"

"Hermione."

"You're kidding right?" Ron smirked, shaking his head.

"Ron!" Harry bellowed. "Give it a try, please, we don't have time to find another woman."

"But Hary, didn't you hear her? How did she comment on the idea?" asked Ron and he winced, remembering her outburst in the café.

"Well, yes but," Harry mumbled, wrinkling.

"But what?" Ron prompted.

"We were mentioning about the others girls," murmured Harry, turning his gazes to the ceiling. Ron didn't miss the hint.

"What does it mean?"

"Ron will you try?" asked Harry, avoiding the question. Pulling him by the elbow, he draggedRon into the fireplace. "Go and visit her," he advised. "And don't forget to say please," he added, grinning.

"Piss off, Harry!"

Though he already knew the answer by heart, seeing that he had no other option, reluctantly, Ron made his way to the Daily Prophet. He had never visited her at work, therefore after he apparated in the port of the building, he asked to the first person he ran into where her office was. The building was huge and packed out. People were bustling, and papers were flying in the air.

When he finally reached her room; he knocked the door gently that signed with the words; 'Editor- Hermione Granger'. After a second, he heard her voice coming behind the door.

"Come in,"

Ron stepped inside the room cautiously. His eyes quickly darted the small room and spotted Hermione. There she was, sitting behind a desk, peering into a paper amid several files and documents. She seemed anxious and industrious. Ron cleared his throat; eventually Hermione raised her head and noticed him.

"Oh, Ron," she looked surprised.

"Hello, Hermione," he said and pulled her into a tight hug.

"What a surprise," exclaimed Hermione with a smile. "What brought you here?"

"I was just passing the neighbourhood and-" Ron murmured quickly, then changed the topic, "you look busy," he said indicating the files on the table.

"Yes, exactly," replied Hermione and gestured him to sit down on the chair in front of the desk.

"Tell me what happened Ron!" she demanded all of a sudden with a knowing smile on her face. Ron sighed audibly. He should have guessed that she would realise he was in trouble, because he couldn't hide something from her so far.

"Well, today Kingsley informed me that they would start searching me first," he explained, sighing loudly.

"Really?" Hermine widened her eyes then her expression quickly turned one of curiosity. "So what about your great plan?" she asked sarcastically.

"Our plan," started Ron, grimacing. "I mean Harry's plan is still there but we have a little problem," he explained miserably, toying with the sleeves of his jacket. Out of corner his eyes he saw her features stiffened.

"Oh, really, why? Didn't sweet Lavender agree that?" Hermione asked in a mock surprise, however a shadow of a smile haunted her lips.

"Nope!" Ron shook his head.

"But I am sure you would find another one from your long, long list," she stated, getting up to her feet and stood in front of the window, crossing her arms across the chest.

"Well, Hermione," Ron stood up as well and moved close to her. "That was the thing I want to talk about," he exclaimed, running his fingers through the hair.

"Do you want me to find someone for you?"asked Hermioneabruptly,lookingthroughly taken aback.

"No no," Ron said quickly as she saw her eyes widened. It wasn't going to be easy. He swallowed hard.

"Hermione, I-" he stuttered, a lump forming in his throat. Hermione kept staring at him expectantly.

"What, Ron?"

"I was wondering if maybe you," he lowered his gazes, feeling his cheeks went crimson.Hermione's mouth opened and closed slowly.

"You want what?"

"Please don't shout Hermione!"

"I wasn't going to," Hermione retorted.

"You want me to agree your plan?" she asked after a moment, staring at him incredulously.

"Yes," admitted Ron, without making eye contact at all.

"How could you think that I would agree this?"Hermione yelled in an exasperated manner, throwing her hand in the air.

"I didn't, but Harry said-" Ron tried to explain desperately.

"And you came to me as a last resort again?" she interjected angrily.

"I, no!" Ron was shockedat her outburst.

At that moment, he realised that the situation was completely againts him. He was beginning to feeel irritated. He struggled to find a suitable word then changed his mind. Obviously, she didn't give a damn to his plan. He mentally slapped himself for asking her. Looking up to her face, he grabbed her by the shoulders.

"You know how I want this job Hermione," he started, trying to keep his voice steady and casual. " I want it more than anything," he continued looking into her eyes, "And you can help me. But if you choose to ignore, I am not going to beg."

And without waiting her reply he dashed out of the room and slapped the door harshly.

AN: Please review :)