a/n: Stress-writing again and posting another unedited chapter. Leaving my existing job and starting my new role this week. So here is something that I finished to keep myself from freaking out! Thank you all for all the love you send my way.
And a quick note for :
Meir: I'm not going to mark this as Dramione, feel free to call me a liar all you want. I've seen and read enough fics that are tagged as Romione/Dr mione but are just Ron-bashing fics where he is just an abusing partner or worse. I'd rather be glad if the authors don't tag them as Romione and draw me into a false sense of hope. I'm not doing the same in return. I don't want anyone reading this to expect Hermione to be insanely in love with Draco or choose him over Ron. That's not what this story is about.

A. and the two guest readers who supported me in the reviews, *hugs*


Ch: 23 An Announcement and the Unlikely Ally

The dinner was just the same as every single one at the Burrow- loud, lively and perfectly homely. The huge table had been elongated further by magic and was laden with a scrumptious spread; Molly had gone all out. It was a celebration dinner and for good reason too.

Hermione sat between Audrey and Ginny, her plate full and heart heavy. She tried her best to act natural but guilt and fear choked her from within. She knew she had to do this today; she had already waited enough, held onto false hopes far too long for it to be healthy.

Food and gossip passed between the family members as they celebrated Ron's release. She smiled at something Ginny said, just mirroring the action although she had no clue what was being discussed. Some part of her wanted to push the declaration away to another day; she had no right to spoil everyone's mood, she justified to herself weakly. But then her eyes found Ron sitting at the farthest corner from her, flanked on either side by Harry and her dad. Back in the day, he always knew when she was watching, back in the day, his eyes would automatically find her. Not anymore.

She looked away, anger and hurt pleading for her to run away, but she held on, breathing deeply to restrain herself. If Ron had decided to let her go, she would leave. He hadn't stopped her from leaving his home the other day, she knew he wouldn't stop her today. The thought was agonising- why couldn't he be the same Ron she knew from school? Why couldn't he fight and bicker and be furious that she was dating Draco? Why couldn't he tell her that she was wrong and that she'd never truly be happy with anyone other than him? Why didn't he ask her to go back to him? It was as if he didn't want her back anymore...

Her resolve strengthening, she looked up again to notice how exhausted her father appeared. Her mother's illness was taking a toll on him too. She gulped down the fear, preparing herself but right then, Molly passed her the mashed potatoes, beaming at her and Hermione knew instinctively that Molly was still hoping for everything to set itself right. After all, Ron had pretty much proved that he still retained the selflessness they all associated with him. She'd break Molly's heart and Arthur's too. Would Molly realise how much Hermione wished for everything to go back the way it was? But it was a futile dream; Ron no longer loved her, no longer wanted her back.

The invisible ring on her finger felt heavy but not as heavy as her heart. Ron had made it abundantly clear that she was no longer a part of his life- not even as a friend. She gulped down thickly, concentrating hard on her plate before looking up again. She had to do it today, she told herself. If he wanted them to be nothing but strangers, she'd assure he got his wish.

She looked around the faces she loved best. No one at this table would take her decision well. Once again, she debated letting it go. After all, she could just let life be as it was. She and Draco could continue to have whatever they had between them, couldn't they? She knew it was a very selfish thought. She still hadn't managed to confess to him about her visit to Ron. There was no sugarcoating the fact that she was emotionally betraying him. And worse, Hermione was sure Draco knew that their relationship wasn't the same anymore. But no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't stop thinking about Ron, wondering why he had left, wondering when he had fallen out of love with her- and hoping if there was some way they could still mend-

"No!" she muttered under her breath. He had made it clear that she wasn't needed in his life, she reminded herself again. She had waited for him to say something that day, stop her before she left but he had locked himself in his room. She had even waited for an hour outside his bedroom door, clinging onto hope, before she left. There was nothing more she could do...

She sniffed softly, and exhaled, making up her mind; Draco was waiting for her back at her flat. She took one last look at Ron. This is it, as soon as the dinner is over, she promised herself.

….

Time flew by and before she knew, everyone had moved into the living room. As she took her place on the old couch, she noticed Ron standing at the window talking softly to George. To their left, her father was chatting with Arthur. Hermione's eyes fell on Ginny, who paused midway of whatever she was discussing with Angelina and gave her a questioning look, automatically turning to find her youngest brother standing as far away as possible in that small room. Ginny gave Hermione a sad smile before she was pulled back into the conversation by Angie. The whole family looked happy and Hermione cursed herself knowing what was to come. Gathering every bit of courage she possessed, she cleared her throat loudly to grab everyone's attention but it drowned in the happy cacophony of the room.

"I-" she began and raised her voice to be heard around the room. "I have something to tell you all," she announced but found herself unable to continue as all eyes turned toward her- all but one. She licked her lower lip, pulled out her wand and undid the spell, the ring on her finger became visible, the stone glinting in the candlelight, as gasps were heard from all around. She couldn't look up to meet their eyes. "I-I got engaged," she managed, sounding guilty even to herself, aware of the second round of gasps, and spoke before they deduced something else… "- to Draco."

"Draco?!" Ginny breathed out in the stunned silence of the room, and Hermione managed to meet her eyes. Ginny looked bewildered between her and others, "Draco, who?" she asked as if unable to process words.

"How many Dracos do we know, Gin?" Hermione looked up to find Harry's eyes boring into hers, his voice grim.

"Hermione!" Angelina seemed to be struggling for words as she continued to look at her, "Are you out of your mind?" she said at last, worry lines marking her pretty face as she turned towards her husband as if for support. Hermione looked around the room, and with the sinking heart noticed her fears had come true, they all were shocked and upset- and also worried. She exhaled before finding the three senior-most people in the room. Both her Dad and Arthur were watching her, their brows furrowed while Molly looked at the verge of tears.

"Hermione… if this is a joke, it's in very poor taste," Ginny announced.

She looked away to meet Ginny's eyes. "He's changed, Ginny," she provided, haltingly. "And, it's- it's not a joke," she pulled all the courage she possessed, hoping she could resist looking at Ron, "We plan to get married soon," she added, hating how her words sounded guilty.

"How can you get engaged to him, Hermione?" fumed Harry at her declaration and Hermione was sure she heard Molly let out a tiny cry. He managed to face Harry, her eyes automatically searching for Ron and noticed that he was still looking out of the window, he hadn't even bothered to turn around. "After all that he has done to you for years, how can you even think about it?!" Harry spat, gritting his teeth.

"That was way back in school," she replied firmly, glaring at Ron's back, drawing strength from his aloofness. "I have known him for years now." She met Harry's eyes, more determined than before. Ron doesn't care, she reminded herself.

"Hermione, dear, marriage is not something you decide on a whim," said Molly, teary, and Hermione faltered again. She wasn't just hurting Ron, she was hurting others too…

Molly looked pleadingly at Arthur for support and she forced herself to stay strong "It's not on a whim, Molly," she replied as her voice cracked, "He has changed," she added quietly.

"Says who?" asked Ginny again, voicing what Hermione was sure, the others were thinking.

"Ginny, people change!" she snapped back, her anger mounting at Ron, and wiped off an angry tear, cursing Ron for the mess their life was.

"Nah, I am sure they do," responded Harry. He glared at Ron before turning around at her again. "He might have mended his ways, but have you forgotten everything?! Everything that happened at the Manor?"

Hermione couldn't stop the gasp that escaped and choked on a sob. She looked at Ron's stoic form before she could stop herself, hoping he would look around once but he continued to look away.

"I know what this is," said her father suddenly, and Hermione was sure it had been years since she had heard that silent warning tone. "This is all about your mother's wish to see you wed, isn't it?" he asked, grim.

"No, dad," she replied in a small voice, unable to meet his eyes.

"Don't you lie to me," he replied, raising his voice at her for the first time in many years. She sniffed and wiped her eyes as he continued. "Stop being so stubborn, Hermione. You think, just because your mum wants to see you wed, she'll be happy with this decision of yours?" he asked, huffed and looked at the Weasley Seniors before looking back at her. "You really want to know what your mum wants?" he asked quietly, and she met his eyes fearing what was to come, praying her father wouldn't actually say it. "She wants to see you married to Ron. And that's what we were discussing during Harry and Ginny's wedding before she- " he stopped, and Hermione noticed Arthur pat her father's shoulder before her eyes pooled over and she looked away to hide her tears. It was like a punch in the gut. She had no strength left to go on anymore.

An embarrassed silence greeted the declaration.

"Sir, I should be the one apologising."

Hermione looked up, finding it hard to see clearly through her brimming eyes. Ron had finally turned around and was facing her father now, something unfathomable in his eyes, or she could be mistaken.

"We moved apart years ago," Ron added. "I am sorry you had to know it this way."

Her father took a long look at Ron before he turned back at her. "We have always been proud of you-" he told her. "-not this time. I want you to think it all over again," he declared firmly.

She wiped the tears off on her sleeve, and sniffed, "I have made up my mind, Dad," she replied without meeting his eyes.

"Stubbornness borders on stupidity, you know that, right?" provided Ginny. "He is a Malfoy! What are you thinking, Hermione? Even if he has changed, what about his parents? You want to be a part of that family?" she asked incredulously, "You must be barmy!"

"GINNY, STOP!" thundered a voice Hermione least expected and all eyes turned towards Ron.

"THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT, RON!" Ginny retorted, "IF YOU HADN'T-"

"YES, IT IS!" he thundered and paused, breathing deeply, looking murderous as he ran his fingers through his hair. "But now, she has the right to decide for herself," he declared as if Hermione wasn't even present in the room, "It's her decision who she wants to spend her life with- who makes her happy." He looked around the room at large. "I'm sure it's not been easy for her to tell you all about Malfoy, and yet, here we are," he paused abruptly.

"Ron, you are supporting her in this?!" snapped Harry. "Changed or not, she's making a bloody mistake," he added through gritted teeth.

"She is the brightest witch of our age, remember?" Ron replied with a hollow laugh. "She knows what's best for her. Don't you all know how important your support is for her?" he asked the room at large, and Hermione didn't even have the strength to hide her tears as Ron continued. "Malfoy might be a git but he isn't an idiot," he exhaled and looked away. "I'm sure he knows what he'll have to deal with if he as much as thinks of hurting her," he added in a bone-chilling whisper. He stood looking at the window for a few minutes before he turned around and walked right out of the door.

Hermione sat looking at the spot where Ron had been standing before she turned and rushed out of the room as well, wiping her free-falling tears, hating everything her life had become.

…...