(A/N: This chapter is really, really long. So start when you have some time to settle in and enjoy...carrytheotter)

Ch 56: Deja Vu

They had known it was going to be one of those days that challenged even the most logistically organized family. With New Year's Day falling on a Monday, the Hogwarts students didn't have to take the train back until Tuesday, which was the same day Hugo went back to school. Ron had to leave before dawn Tuesday morning to meet his Auror Academy students for an overnight field excursion where he would accompany a class of recruits on a 36 hour practice mission. They would start out early Tuesday and be in the field through Wednesday afternoon, and Ron would be evaluating their applied strategy skills in a field setting. But, this meant Ron wouldn't be able to see Rose off at the platform on Tuesday morning. Wednesday evening was the start of term parents' night at Hugo's school, but Hermione wouldn't be able to attend as she had a court case that was scheduled for late Wednesday afternoon which she expected to go through at least Thursday, meaning she would have to work late Wednesday and probably Thursday as well. And Ron's first day at Hogwarts would be Friday when he would be meeting with interested students for an information session about a career as an auror. When they'd looked at their schedules, Ron wondered if he and Hermione would even see each other all week. But, at least they had figured out how to make sure Hermione could see Rose off before court, and Ron could attend Hugo's school event.

They'd enjoyed the their last dinner as a family of four on Monday evening, dining on Rose's choice of food…Chinese takeaway followed by her grandmother's homemade biscuits and card games played as a whole family. It had been a great evening. The emotional stress of the holiday was behind them, and they were able to have a fun night just enjoying each other's company. Ron had tucked Rose in that night since he would be gone before everyone else was awake in the morning. He had started to get emotional until Rose kissed his cheek and said, "see you Friday," which made him laugh and realize how lucky he was that he would get to see her so frequently with his role up at Hogwarts.

When he had gotten up Tuesday at 4 am, Hermione had actually woken up and kissed him goodbye before promptly falling back asleep. As much as he didn't miss working such insane hours, he was really looking forward to this field mission. There was something amazing about the focus, energy and camaraderie when an auror team was working together well. And while as an auror everyone looked to him to plan these type of raids and exercises, his role now allowed him to see the creativity in others and help coach them through developing their own skills. It was never something he would have had the patience or trust for when he was an auror, but now he knew his mission was setting these younger aurors up for success. Maybe someday some of these young kids would look at him the way Tonks looked at Mad Eye or he looked at Kingsley. He could only hope to have that kind of positive influence on their lives. He was also enjoying getting to know the other professors. Most of them he had known distantly over his years on the force, but now working together in a new capacity he was able to appreciate their skills in a whole new light.

While Ron was excited about his field work, Hermione was decidedly not looking forward to her week. After the freedom of the holidays, she was actually dreading returning to the muggle court room. She had always loved her work. Even when she was aggravated by some of the people she had to deal with or bureaucracy she had to work through, she had always loved the way her work impacted people. But now that her head and heart were off in the magical world, it was hard to force her body and brain back into muggle law each day. And all of that was made worse by the idea of Rose going back to school. She knew they would all be fine, and that she would get to see Rose frequently. But she was still going to miss her. She just really enjoyed her daughter. The family just felt different when she wasn't there.

She got up before her alarm at 630 because she wanted to make Rose's favorite breakfast before they headed off to Kings Cross station. She was also hoping to give Hugo a strong send off for his back to term breakfast. The time just before the holidays had been hard on him, and she was hoping today would feel like a fresh start. Padding down the stairs into the kitchen, she smiled when she saw Ron had left little cards for each of them at the breakfast table. He had clearly set out her favorite mug next to the kettle to make things as smooth as possible for her. She opened the note, "Sorry I can't be there today for the send-off. And while I may not actually get to see you awake this week, know you will never be far from my heart. I love you….Ron" She sighed. He really was ridiculously wonderful. Now with a smile on her face, she put the kettle on and started on breakfast.

By 8 she and Rose had dropped Hugo at his school and headed to the train station. She appreciated having an hour or so for her and Rose to spend together, but her daydream of splitting a coffee or something went up in smoke when they had trouble finding a spot in the car park. They were eventually able to find a place to park, and they managed to get to Platform 9 ¾ just a few minutes before the train was set to leave.

"I'm so sorry we ended up so rushed, Rose. But hopefully you can find Al and Scorp and enjoy your ride back up."

"No worries, Mum. It's fine. We still have a few minutes."

"I've packed some treats in your knapsack, and there is enough in there to share with the boys. I'm so glad we got to spend time with Scorp this weekend. I know the start of the holidays were a bit of a shock for everyone, but hopefully he believes us when Ron and I say that we are happy you two are friends. He is a wonderful friend, and I am glad he's in your life. Whatever happened between Ron and his dad is between them, not you two. Please help him understand that. And if I can help him believe that anymore myself when I'm up there, just let me know."

"Thank you, Mum. That really does mean a lot to me. I know it's been hardest on Ron, but I can't thank you enough. I don't know what I would do at school without Al and Scorp."

"I know, love. I know. Never take good friends for granted. They are a blessing not everyone has."

"Oh – that's the train whistle, I have to go." They hugged tightly, and Hermione found herself waving to Rose through the steam of the train watching her pull away. While a bit frazzled from the rushed morning, she didn't feel nearly as emotional as she had when she'd watched Rose go in September. Glancing at her watch, she realized she was about 30 minutes early for her meeting so she decided to head over to get a coffee on the muggle side of the station. She queued up and gave the barrista her order and sat at a small table waiting to hear her name. But, it was a different name that the barrista called that made her head snap up.

"Draco," yelled the apron clad coffee lady. Hermione watched as a very well dressed man walked over and took his drink. He was pristinely dressed in a muggle suit, and she could easily have mistaken him for another solicitor or muggle businessman. He looked a lot like his son with the blond hair and grey eyes, but there was a softness in his face that she could not have pictured from the stories she had heard. She felt momentarily paralyzed trying to decide if she should introduce herself or avoid him. But suddenly she heard "Hermione" yelled out from the coffee lady, and she went to get her drink.

Draco had heard her name called and looked up as well, seemingly recognizing her as the mother of his son's friend. And while she hadn't actively decided to seek him out or avoid him, the decision was made for her as she turned around to get a napkin and found herself looking straight into a pair of grey eyes.

"Sorry," she exclaimed as she tried not to spill her drink on him.

He smiled. "No trouble at all. I couldn't help but overhear the barrista call your name. Are you, Rose's mother by any chance?"

"Yes," she said trying to balance the smile she wanted to give the father of her daughter's best friend and the fact that she wanted to kill this man who stood by and watched Ron be tortured. "I'm Hermione Granger, you must be Scorp's father," she said, extending her hand to shake his.

"Draco, Draco Malfoy," he said shaking her hand. "You must have just brought Rose. I wanted to bring Scorp this morning since I wasn't able to pick him up before Christmas. Scorp had such a wonderful time with Rose and your whole family at New Years. Thank you so much for including him. Meant the world to him. And to Astoria and I too."

Hermione sighed and smiled at the man in front of her who seemed so earnest. Ron hadn't said a lot after his breakfast meeting, but he did say he was willing to give this new Draco at least a tiny bit of the benefit of the doubt – enough to allow Rose and Scorp to work things out on their own anyway. Thinking that if Ron could see something at least minimally believable in him, then she should try as well.

"I was so pleased to meet Astoria before the holidays. She was so helpful and kind when I couldn't get through to the platform by myself. And then to discover that our children were such good friends was just funny I suppose."

With that they were jostled by some of the many commuters coming through trying to get to the various sugar packets and coffee stirrers.

"We seem to be in a popular spot. Would you care to sit for a few minutes while we drink our coffee to avoid being trampled for a packet of sweetener?" asked Draco.

"Um, alright," said Hermione looking at her watch. "I have about 15 minutes before I have to leave to make it to work."

"Scorp said you work in muggle law?"

"Yes, I work with refugees. One of my client's cases goes to court tomorrow so we're meeting to go over the testimony this morning."

"Such important work right now. Much of the magical world doesn't understand what is happening across muggle Europe these days, and the refugee situation across the EU is so critical."

"Wow. Exactly. Sorry, I don't mean to act so surprised. I just haven't met anyone else in the magical world who keeps up with muggle politics in England, let alone the broader EU."

Draco smiled as he sipped his drink. "Oh, well, I guess Ron probably told you I lived as a muggle for a while in university. And with my businesses split between the two worlds, I find it to be important to stay up to date on what it going on."

"You went to muggle university?" she asked, trying not to gawk.

Draco nodded. "After the war, well, my decisions in that time were atrocious. I deserved no mercy, but Harry gave it to me anyway and the Wizengamot followed his lead. So instead of prison I got life as a muggle for five years. And it was a blessing in disguise. I learned to live in a world I had been taught to fear. And I learned pretty much everything I had been taught was wrong. In the end it was a tremendous experience."

"Where did you study? Or - what did you study?"

"Oxford. I am actually a licensed muggle pharmacist. Chemistry overlapped naturally with my interest in potions in school. And, well, I took more than a few business courses as well."

"I went to Oxford! I wonder if we were there at the same time?"

"Very possible. I didn't overlap with law students very much. There may have been a few in my college, but I think I spent the first year or so in a staggering state of culture shock as I tried to understand muggle life, and then the rest of the time I was more or less in a lab or a library."

"Huh. Maybe you had the year I am just finishing but in reverse."

"Ron mentioned you didn't receive your Hogwarts letter as a child. I am so sorry – though, maybe it was for the better."

"You can't regret your life. I missed out on a lot – good and bad I know. But, I would never have found my way to Rose, and nothing would ever be worth trading for my daughter."

"Well said," nodded Draco.

They chatted a bit longer about their time at Oxford, trying to see if they did indeed have any overlapping acquaintances. Eventually the conversation wound back to Scorp, Rose and Al.

"I know you need to get to work, but I just wanted to say thank you again. Your daughter has been a great friend to Scorp. The last name I have burdened him with has not made life easy for him. But Rose has somehow seen past all of that to be his good friend, and as a father – well as you said, clearly our children are the center of our worlds. So, thanks."

"I sense that Scorp and Rose – and Al – have been great for each other. I know she mentioned that there were some difficult times after those ridiculous Daily Prophet pictures came out where she was the source of much gossip, and Al and Scorp were the ones who stood by her side and made sure she wasn't walking alone in the halls and such. And as you said – center of my world, so it means everything to me that he was there for her when I couldn't be."

"I didn't know he'd done that," he said in a mixture of pride and surprise.

"I know I wasn't around when you and Ron and Harry were in school. And while I probably don't know everything, I know enough to understand that you and Ron have a very difficult past. It is not easy on him to revisit that. But he loves Rose. And from what I could tell, he seems to like your son as well. But I don't know that we would be able to go much farther than that for quite some time, if at all."

Draco nodded sadly, looking down. "I understand that. And you have both already been more gracious than is fair to ask. If things change in the future, I understand that as well. But I am so pleased to have run into you so I can at least put a face to the name. And if you ever need anything, please don't hesitate to let me know. Here's my card – muggle contact information on one side and magical on the other. It's charmed so muggles can't see the back. I work in muggle London as my name is not always welcome in the magical world as you have deduced. Astoria does a lot of work with magical charity organizations, but I focus my philanthropic efforts on the muggle side. Just easier I suppose – less people doubting my intentions and what not. So, it is possible our paths will cross in the muggle world even if our lives do not overlap in the magical one."

"Perhaps," she nodded. "I am glad I ran into you this morning. And I really do hope I am able to cross paths with Astoria again, as she was quite lovely."

"Well, yes, I have to agree with you there. My wife is one of a kind," he blushed. "I don't deserve her either."

"Please give her my best," said Hermione as she gathered her things. "I do need to get going now. So pleased to have met you."

Draco nodded politely, and then they shook hands again before going their separate ways.

What a strange morning, thought Hermione as she drove to her office. Of all the people in London to run into, I ran into that one? But as she continued to snake through the traffic, she realized that if she hadn't known the horrible stories Ron had told her, she would have rather liked Draco Malfoy. He seemed smart, well read, aware of both the muggle and magical worlds, and he even went to Oxford. But while she liked the man she had met today, she couldn't pretend that his actions hadn't hurt, and almost killed, her friends. Actually - Ron had said his actions were part of why Collin died. And at that thought, she felt her eyes burn with tears. No, she thought. She couldn't overlook that. Even after all this time that pain was still raw. Taking a few deep breaths, she wiped her eyes carefully, trying not to smudge her eye make-up. Then she intentionally shifted her brain away from magic and forced herself to think about the court case she had wanting to be sure that her client had the best possible chance at a future in England.

By midday Wednesday, Ron was exhausted. The field exercise with the students had gone very well, but he hadn't slept more than a few hours since Tuesday morning. When they had returned to the Auror Academy, the students had all been able to hit the showers and grab some rest, but he and the other professors had met to go over the strengths and weaknesses of each student they had observed on the excursion. Then they worked to develop intervention plans to help the students struggling with certain skill sets. So, now Ron had a list of students to tutor and coach on some key concepts. It was good, but he was not quite sure when he would be able to fit that in. He had been too tired to notice the weird looks he got from some of the staff at the school when they had returned. There was an owl waiting for him telling him to come to the Auror office when he returned because Harry needed to see him as soon as possible. Ron threw it away, knowing that if anyone had been hurt or was in real trouble Harry would have sent a patronus or come gotten him personally, so he wasn't too worried. Instead he sent off a quick owl back, "Just got back and trying to keep my eyes open. Have to pick up Hugo and attend the parents' back to school night at his muggle school tonight and really need a shower first as I can't be the only one there smelling like a hippogriff – especially since none of them know what one is at that school anyway. Hermione is in court so won't see her much for a few days. If it's urgent send a patronus or come by tonight. Otherwise I'll find you tomorrow – Ron"

He managed to swing by the house and grab a shower before heading to Hugo's school. There he tried to squeeze his long frame into the tiny chairs they apparently gave 9 year olds and tried very hard to listen to the teacher talk about the exciting adventure they would all be taking through British history this term. In the end he decided the ridiculously small chair was a blessing as it was so uncomfortable that it helped keep him awake.

Once Hugo's main teacher was finished talking, the art teacher spoke some, and he knew he had to pay attention or Hugo would get on him later. When she got up to speak, Ron was internally yawning, but as she started her presentation, he could see why Hugo adored her. The most remarkable thing about her appearance was how unremarkable it was. She could have been anywhere from late 40s to early 60s, a solid British woman in a mid-calf skirt, shabby cardigan and comfortable shoes. But when she started talking, this light came into her eyes, and Ron noticed every single adult in the room was sitting up straighter, leaning forward and paying attention to every single word. And she had each of those parents believing they could each be Michelangelo if they only gave it a shot. No wonder Hugo wants to be an artist, thought Ron. Blimey, at this point I think I do too, he chuckled to himself.

After all of the teachers had talked and all of the various mums who wanted them all to bring snacks and be nice to the teachers and sell all of this rubbish for the school fundraisers had done their bit, they were finally dismissed for the evening. Hugo dragged Ron up to meet his art teacher in person.

"Ron, this is Mrs. Rupesmith, my art teacher I told you about. Mrs. Rupesmith, this is my Ron."

"Well, hello there, Hugo's Ron. I have heard so much about you this past year, and I am so glad to finally meet you."

"You as well," said Ron as he shook her hand. "Hugo raves about your class. And he loves to come home and come up with even more projects all over the house."

"That is what I love to hear," she beamed. "Of course, I tell all of my students that they are artists, but some, like Mr. Hugo here, have a lot more natural talent to start out with. He has quite an eye for what will work. And you combine that with talent for drawing, his take on color and his most vivid imagination and it is really quite remarkable."

Hugo blushed as Ron put his arm around him and pulled him tightly to his side, beaming in pride. "Well, I have been a fan of Hugo's art for quite a while," admitted Ron. "But it is lovely to hear it coming from a much more objective source."

"Well, Hugo has real talent. But much more importantly, Hugo is a lovely young man, and I adore having him in my class. If you are ever interested in learning about extra classes and such, just give me a call."

"There are extra classes I could take in art?" asked Hugo.

"Well, yes. Not here at this school, but I teach in a special art school on weekends for a few classes. But there are many other artists who offer special courses over a few weeks at a time in ceramics, watercolor and all kinds of different art. Here you go," she said handing Hugo a pamphlet and a business card from her pocket. Hugo immediately flipped through the pages, eyes wide at the different projects the children in the pictures were working on.

"Oh, and, Hugo's Ron?" she said quietly.

"Yes?"

"You're doing a bang up job," she said with a brief wink and a smile. "I can only imagine it has been a difficult year. But whatever you are doing – keep doing it. He's doing so, so well. And art, any kind of creative expression really, it has been shown to be incredibly helpful in dealing with trauma for all ages, but especially for children."

"Thanks," he said, honestly touched. "And art really can help, huh?"

"The pamphlet is about the art programs, but there is a lot of art therapy through that same school. Give them a call and let them know I sent you. Usually there is a charge, but I am sure we can work something out if Hugo is interested. And there are family classes where you can come and work on things together."

"Oh, the cost shouldn't be a problem," said Ron. "It sounds brilliant. All of it – and I will definitely be calling this week."

"I'm so pleased," she said. Then in a quiet tone only he could hear she muttered, "Well, I have to go make nice with the PTA mums now. They do love to chat on sometimes, but bloody hell, they keep me stocked with new paints and crayons all year."

Ron smiled and said, "I can tell you and I are going to get on swimmingly, Mrs. Rupsemith."

"Tatty bye," she said as she raised one eyebrow. Then she turned and shifted to a higher, sweeter voice as she headed across the room and said, "Mrs. Williamson! So nice of you to organize the tea party fundraiser this year…."

Ron turned back to Hugo and saw he was still enraptured by the art pamphlet. "I sure like your art teacher," he said.

"Me too. Can I really take an extra art class?"

"Oh, I am sure we can make that work," Ron said taking Hugo's hand as they walked out of the classroom. "Hermione's working late, so how about you and I go find some greasy fish and chips somewhere and look through that art booklet?"

"That sounds perfect," Hugo beamed.

By the time they got back from dinner, Hugo was on Cloud 9 trying to imagine all of the fun he would have taking extra art classes. And Ron was willing himself to manage to stay awake at least 30 seconds after Hugo did. He ignored the stack of letters owls had clearly brought that day and headed straight upstairs with Hugo. He managed to get Hugo into bed, but he declared that he was just too excited to sleep. Finally Ron laid down on the bed next to him to try and get him to settle down. When Hermione got home two hours later, she found Ron fast asleep in Hugo's bed while Hugo was sitting up next to the snoring ginger still looking at the art book.

"What happened?" she whispered as she came in to kiss Hugo goodnight.

"Ron got to meet Mrs. Rupesmith at the parents' night."

"Oh, she's fabulous."

"Yeah, right? So, Mrs. Rupesmith said I was really good at art, and I may be able to take some extra art classes on the weekends and gave me this pamphlet of different options."

"Wow, Hugo. That's amazing! But, none of that explains why Ron is asleep in your bed while you are wide awake."

"Oh. Well, I was too excited about the art classes to sleep. Ron was trying to get me to bed, and I think he was more tired than he let on as he was out cold in about a minute."

"Ahh. I bet he didn't get much sleep on his auror training thingy. So, why don't you snuggle down next to him and get to sleep, ok? I'll tuck you both in. I have to get up early tomorrow, so maybe this way I won't wake up Ron in the morning since I have to be out of here before 6."

"Did your court case go ok today?"

"Well, it was so-so. But that is why I have to get up early. I have some more work to do before we re-convene the case at 9. But I think we can make it work. I hope so anyway. This family needs a break."

"It's a family?"

"Yeah. It's a mum and her three children. The dad died trying to get to Europe."

"I bet those kids are sad and miss their dad like I miss Daddy."

"They do miss their dad a lot. And I am trying really hard to help them out. But they are all much younger than you are."

"That's sad."

"Why is it sad they are young?"

"Cuz they won't remember him as much."

"Oh. Yeah – I think you're right. That is sad. I sure am glad I remember your dad."

"Me too. He was great."

"Sure was. And you know what? He would be so excited to hear about these extra art classes!"

"Yeah – he'd say I'm like Uncle Collin."

"Yes he would. And he would be right."

"Wish I'd known him too."

"I wish that too. But hopefully Ron and I can help you know him anyway. But you know what?"

"What?"

"I would think your Daddy and your Mummy and your Uncle Collin would all agree with me when I say it's really late and you need to go to sleep now!"

"Yeah, yeah, ok."

"I love you, Hugo."

"I love you too, Hermione."

When Ron woke up the next morning, he realized his neck was super-stiff, and then he realized that Hugo's foot was in his armpit. Stretching carefully so he wouldn't wake the sleeping boy, he rolled out of bed and looked in his room. It was empty, so he headed down to the kitchen, hoping he could see Hermione before she headed back to work. But, when he got there, she had already gone. There was a note leaning against his favorite mug. "My turn to make your morning easier. When I got home you were fast asleep and Hugo was sitting up in bed planning his future art career. Sorry I missed you, but I am glad you got to catch up on your sleep as I know you needed it. I may have kissed you anyway. I'm hoping this case finishes today, but if it doesn't then it will be a late night again. But we'll definitely have a lazy weekend together. I hope you have a great day. I miss you…love, h"

He smiled. For a moment he thought he should feel embarrassed that she'd found him asleep like that in Hugo's bed, but then he realized it just made him feel really loved and cared for. He sure adored that witch. He sat down with some tea intending to sort through the stack of things owls had brought, but instead Hugo bounded down the stairs, art pamphlet still in hand. So, instead the two of them looked through the class options for the thirtieth time before getting ready for the day.

Once he had dropped Hugo at school, he headed to the Auror office to see whatever it was that Harry needed the day before. He hadn't been to the Ministry in a while, and he realized he really didn't miss going in there every day. The building was so big and formal, and it was just so full of people. Now that he was getting used to spending his days at the academy or at WWW, just the idea of being cooped up in the massive building with fake daylight all day made him tired.

After several decades of fame, he was used to odd looks from people. He wondered if it was simply that he hadn't been around it as much spending his time elsewhere, but the looks he was getting that morning seemed to be worse than usual. He made his way back to the Auror office and headed to the hallway where Harry's office was, but he was getting looks from the people in that office too, which creeped him out. He saw Harry's secretary, Elisa Spinks. Mrs. Spinks was very protective of Harry and did not like it when Ron tried to pop in and cause trouble for his brother in law. So when Mrs. Spinks saw him coming and offered to fetch him tea and crumpets, he knew something was up.

"No, thank-you, Mrs. Spinks," he said. "I just had breakfast before dropping Hugo at school."

"Oh, and how is Hugo doing with, well, with everything?" she said quietly.

"Well, Christmas was hard for him, but I think he's doing pretty well, all things considered."

"Right, right. Well, let me know if you need anything, ok?"

"Uh, yeah. Ok. Is Harry in his office?"

"Oh yes, go on in. He's expecting you."

"Alright. Thanks." He said as he walked into Harry's office and closed the door behind him. "Harry, mate, what the fuck is going on? Mrs. Spinks is acting like she adores me all of a sudden, and everyone is looking at me weird. Care to shed some light on things?"

"Hey Ron," Harry said tentatively. "How was the training?"

"Good. Tiring. I fell asleep before Hugo last night. I didn't see Hermione, but she left a note saying he was up reading when she got home, and I was passed out in his bed."

Harry laughed. "Classic. You haven't seen her since you got back?"

"Nah. We knew it would be a crazy week. She has a big case in muggle court that started yesterday. She had to work late on it last night and had to be in the office before dawn this morning apparently to get ready for court today. Not sure I'll see her tonight either. But, then she doesn't have any court cases for the rest of the month."

"Right. Um. Well. Not sure exactly how to tell you this."

"Oh no," Ron cringed. "Let me guess. Skeeter has some new crap about me in the paper and I need to break it to Hermione?"

"Well, that guess deserves partial credit."

Ron just gave him a confused look. "Look, I don't want to play guessing games where Skeeter's involved. I already waste too much oxygen on that woman. And Hermione knows I've not gone off and had some secret affair or anything. Already proposed to someone else anyway apparently."

"Ok. Well, can you promise me you will not freak out about this?"

"Harry – just give it to me."

Harry handed Ron the Daily Prophet from Wednesday.

The Newest Twist In Ron Weasley's Love Triangle, by Rita Skeeter

The former Most Eligible Wizard, Auror and War Hero has once again found his tumultuous love life spiraling out of control. Daily Prophet readers may remember that Weasley and his then-girlfriend, Ms. Hermione Granger, were seen having a public fight and breakup during their trip to America last fall. Weasley quickly proposed to an American woman, but that engagement was short lived. Following the American debacle, Weasley and Granger reunited before he the holidays. Despite that short reunion, however, Ms. Granger now seems to be exploring romantic relationships with other key figures from the war years. Weasley will not be pleased to discover that his supposed girlfriend was spotted on a romantic date with the former Death Eater (not to mention married!) Draco Malfoy this week. The couple was observed in a muggle café, clearly in an attempt to avoid the dedicated magical press (who, never fear, will continue to bring you such important stories). The Daily Prophet was unable to ascertain whether Hermione Granger was aware of Draco Malfoy's role during the war. The paper was not able to obtain comments by neither Ron Weasley nor Mrs. Astoria Malfoy prior to going to print.

The pictures accompanying the story were of Hermione and Draco at a coffee shop. Ron was dumfounded looking at the images moving across the page in front of him. There was a picture of Hermione staring at Draco while his back was turned towards the coffee person. Then there was one where he clearly said something which caused her to laugh and cover her mouth with one hand while she placed the other gently on his right arm in surprise. The third was of Hermione watching him walk away and then placing her hand over her eyes as she tilted her head down as she released a deep breath.

"Where? What?" Ron stammered. "Of all the fucking people on the entire fucking planet…."

"Now you know this isn't what Skeeter is trying to make it out to be, right?"

"I don't understand how they – they've never met!"

"Well, while I don't think Hermione has suddenly started dating Malfoy behind your back, I feel confident in saying that they have in fact met. They probably ran into each other after seeing the kids off back to Hogwarts."

"Fucking hell, Harry. I don't think I am a jealous prat, but I really can't handle her being anywhere near him. And that fucking ferret…I had just told him last week that I could handle Scorp and Rose being friends, and I could handle Hermione and Astoria being friends, but that was it. That's where the line was drawn. And he fucking agreed! Muttered all this shite about how grateful he was. How he was this changed soul after his father died and he learned to be a better bloke by communing with muggles and all that shite – and I fucking bought it!" Ron bellowed.

"Ron, take a deep breath. All you know for sure is that Rita Skeeter took a picture of them in the same place at the same time. You don't know that they even knew who the other was, or if it was on purpose or anything. You need to talk to Hermione and see what happened."

Ron was pacing the room at this point, wearing a path in the carpet as he fumed back and forth across Harry's office. Running his hands through his hair and trying to take deep breaths was not doing much to lessen the anger he felt boiling up beneath his skin.

"As much as I would love to go find Hermione right now, she is off in muggle court trying to save some poor refugee family so I can't exactly barge in and ask the judge to give me a few moments to figure out just how my witch ended up photographed with the fucking ferret. The FUCKING FERRET, Harry."

"Ron, you have got to calm down. Hermione did not flip out the last two times you two ended up in the paper – and let's face it, that picture had you on your knee giving an engagement ring to some other witch."

"I wasn't proposing!"

"I know. I know that, and she knows that, and you know that. Just like I know and she knows and you know that she is not sneaking around behind your back to slink off with Draco Malfoy."

"But I don't want her anywhere near him – ever!"

"Is that about her or him?"

"You know bloody well it is about him."

"Then you need to calm the fuck down before you talk to Hermione and say something you will regret almost instantly."

"So what am I supposed to do, Harry? Act like nothing happened until this weekend when she and I finally have a chance to catch up on things? I am supposed to go to Hogwarts Friday and start the new work there. I am going to see Rose – not to mention maybe Scorp. I am sure Skeeter's shite has made its way to them already. Probably one of the owl letters stacked on the kitchen table that I ignored this morning to come see you. Poor kids. They did not need this on top of everything else." As his thoughts had shifted to Rose, he could feel his anger shift to sadness, and the rage began to dissipate. "What should I do?" he finally asked in a small, defeated voice.

"You remember that nothing between you and Hermione and Rose and Hugo has changed at all. You go home and see if there is an owl from Rose. If so – answer it. If not – get to her anyway. Maybe pop up there today or floo call or something. And if Hermione is in court all day and working in her office all evening then go to her office and meet her there."

"Can't – I have to get Hugo from school."

Harry picked up his phone and quickly dialed Hermione's mum. "Jean, hi, it's Harry Potter, Ron's friend. Yes, yes – they're fine. I was actually calling for a favor. Ron's here with me at work and I need his help on something this evening, and Hermione has to work late. Could you pick up Hugo from his school? If it doesn't work for you I can see if Ginny can get him. Oh, wonderful. Yes – one of them will call you after dinner time to work things out. Great. Thanks so much. Bye." Harry hung up his phone and looked up at Ron. "Done. What else do you need?"

Ron just gaped at Harry for a moment. "Where was this Harry when we sat for months in that damn tent? We could have finished stuff off so much quicker!"

Harry laughed, feeling slightly more relaxed now that Ron was cracking a joke. "What can I say? Didn't have a mobile then. How about I come with you back to your place and help you go through the owls. I am sure there are a few humdingers by now."

Ron started to protest, but then acquiesced, and the two friends headed out. Soon they sat at Ron's kitchen table sorting through the impressive stack of letters that had arrived. There were at least two dozen from witches proposing various forms of dates, relationships or one night stands now that he was back on the market according to the press.

"Pathetic," muttered Ron as he threw another letter onto that stack. "I mean, do these crazy women honestly think I will write them back and say 'yes, great, you are clearly who I have been waiting for?'"

"Can't even begin to imagine," said Harry, shaking his head as he added another.

"Oh, fuck – this one's from Malfoy," said Ron, holding it like it was about to explode.

"Here, give it to me," said Harry. He glanced through it and then read aloud.

"Weasley – I am horrified by the article this morning. I am so, so sorry to cause any additional stress in your life – or the lives of people who care about you. And, judging by the howler I received from your mother this morning, she is definitely one of those who cares for you very deeply. As I am sure Hermione has shared with you, I stopped to get a coffee at the Kings Cross Starbucks after dropping Scorp at the Hogwarts Express Tuesday morning. She was there as well, and we spoke for a few minutes as we waited for our drinks, discovering we were at the same muggle university at the same time despite never having met. Obviously Skeeter is ridiculous as there was never a hint of anything inappropriate from either side. In fact, Hermione was politely precise in sharing that she felt there was no potential for any friendship beyond cordial smiles between the two couples for the sake of our children. I respect that from you and from her. I am so sorry that I am the cause of yet more turmoil. My lawyer has already contacted the Daily Prophet and there should be a retraction printed within 48 hours, though in my experience – they tend to be in much smaller print. Please apologize to Hermione for me as well. I thought it best not to write her directly and cause any more speculation were the owl to be intercepted. Sincerely, Draco Malfoy"

"Your mum sent Draco Malfoy a howler!" gasped Harry, trying to choke back the laugh. "I think that may be the most brilliant thing I have ever heard of in my entire life."

As Harry gave into the laughter, Ron gave a small smile. While the idea of Malfoy being reduced by his mum's howler was hysterical, Ron was sick at how angry he'd been at Hermione for what seemed to be a meaningless coincidental crossing of paths.

"What's wrong, Ron? You can't possibly think he and Hermione met up on purpose."

"No, no. I don't. And while I don't know that I will ever just take his version of events as truth, this one makes sense. And so I am feeling like an arse for getting so mad at Hermione."

"But you didn't get mad at her – you calmed down and worked through it before she even knew about it."

"That's only because she's in court and can't have her cell on. If she'd been in her office you and I both know I would have royally fucked up today."

"Give yourself some credit. You haven't screwed up. And it is insane to feel guilty about something that didn't happen!"

"Maybe. But I came close. This is what I was talking about – I am worried about fucking it all up over something stupid."

"I am going to ignore how ridiculous you are being right now. Let's keep going through these letters to make sure there isn't one from Rose."

They weeded through the remaining stack, until finally coming to the last one.

"Fuck," said Ron.

"Is it from Rose?"

"No. It's from Scorp," replied Ron, scanning the letter.

"Dear Mr. Weasley and Ms. Granger, I am so sorry about everything. I saw the Daily Prophet this morning. I know my father has committed many wrongs, but never once would I ever suspect him of being anything loving and faithful to my mother. Knowing that, it has been easy for me to ignore the nonsense that accompanies such gossip at Hogwarts. But I am afraid that Rose has not found it as easy to ignore. She doesn't remotely believe the article, but I think the gossip and innuendos are wearing her thin. She is going to class, but I think she is hiding in the girls' lavatory and crying other than that. Al and I have tried hard to encourage her, but she has forbidden us from asking Professors Longbottom and Sparrow for help, and we can't very well follow her into the girls' loo. I tried to get her to write to you herself, but she said she is sure you two have enough on your plates dealing with all of this at home. But she is upset, and I know she would really appreciate hearing from you. Please don't tell her I wrote to you, as she would be quite cross with me. But, I didn't know what else to do to help her. Sincerely, Scorpius Malfoy"

"Fuck," they said together.

"Ok. Well, clearly I am off to Hogwarts," said Ron, getting up from the table.

"Are you going to go by Hermione's office later?"

"Not sure, mate. She doesn't even know about all of this, and is probably stressed enough with her work right now. I'm going to go handle Rose. I'll see what time it is when I get back. If I can maybe I'll take her dinner at her office or something, but I'll worry about it later."

"Where do you think Rose is hiding?"

"Well, first I have to get to Hogwarts, and then I guess I just have to figure it out."

"Wait - we'll swing by my house and grab the Marauder's Map, and you can take that with you."

"You have it? I figures James or Al had nicked it by now."

Harry gave an evil smirk. "Nah. Can't give away all my secrets, can I? How else would I know what they're up to there?"

"You spy on your own kids?!"

"Nah. But I do glance every now and then."

"You are ridiculous. But I'll gladly take the map."

Within an hour, Ron had the map and had apparated to the gates in Hogsmeade. Hagrid let him in, and he headed to the castle. He quickly located Rose, who was in Moaning Myrtle's lavatory. Ron walked up in the old stone steps and entered the familiar room. He heard crying from one of the stalls and was about to say something when a familiar ghost appeared in front of him.

"Boys are not allowed in the girls' lavatory!" shouted Moaning Myrtle.

With that the crying from the stall stopped, and Ron could tell Rose was trying to make herself unseen and unheard.

But before Ron could answer, Moaning Myrtle said, "Wait, Ron Weasley, is that you? You haven't been to see me for simply ages. I assumed you forgot about me. You used to come see me all of the time when you were a student."

"Yes, Myrtle. Good to see you as well. I actually came to see Rose, though. May I speak to her?"

"How do you know her?" asked Myrtle.

"We're family," he said simply, walking over to the door of the stall where Rose was hiding.

"No one ever just comes to visit me. Humph," complained Myrtle as she disappeared down the drain of a sink.

"Rose," Ron said softly. "Rose, love, please come out. I'd really like to talk to you."

She sniffled, and he could hear her wiping her eyes and blowing her nose, and then finally she opened the stall door.

"What are you doing here?" she cried quietly as Ron wrapped his arms around her and let her cry onto his chest. "How on earth did you know to find me here?" she asked between sobs.

"Oh, well, Myrtle and I go way back. Harry and I used to spend a lot of time in this lavatory. No one ever came in here, so it was a perfect place to hide out when we were doing things we would get in trouble for."

"Like what?" she asked.

"Well, that is all for another day, Rose. What I am most worried about right now is you. Is this all about that absurd newspaper story?"

Rose started to tear up again. "Well, maybe."

"Rose, honey, you know your mum and Scorp's dad aren't secretly dating, right?"

"I know," she sniffed.

"And you know I don't think they are secretly dating, right?"

"I was pretty sure."

"So, why the tears?"

"It's just…." She started crying again. "Well, wait, where is Mum? What did she say about it?"

"She's in court, remember? I don't think she's seen the story or knows anything about it yet. I didn't even see it until today myself, otherwise I would have been here yesterday. I was off on my training mission for work, and your mum's been working later hours this week so we haven't even seen each other since the night before you left for school."

"So you came just you? Why?"

"Because I was worried about you, you sill goose. And we take care of the people we love! You are family, Rose. And I love you, and anything that hurts you, hurts me. Now, what is wrong?"

She started crying again, but at Ron's example kept taking deep breaths and letting them out slowly and began to calm down.

"The story came out on Wednesday morning. I was in the Great Hall having breakfast when the owls came in. I didn't see it right away, but soon everyone was looking at me and looking at Scorp. Finally James slid me a paper and said I should see it. I was shocked. Of course, I knew the story couldn't be true. But, the way the pictures looked and the way they write the captions, I can see how people believed it. There was even a moment I wondered if it could be true, and then I felt so guilty about that. But, well, then it was just everything. Gryffindors may be courageous but they aren't exactly trusting and loyal. Everyone- even Fred and James and those guys, they were all looking at me like they thought Mum betrayed you or something. And they all hate the Malfoy name apparently – of course they all knew more than I did about all that nonsense with his father. And I thought, well, I thought I could handle it. So I went to wash my face and act strong and go to class. But then there were all these whispers in the halls. I could hear them. People saying I shouldn't be here, and Mum was maybe not a witch after all and just some muggle who wanted to date famous wizards. I tried to speak up and tell them they didn't know what they were talking about and that you and Mum loved each other. And then they said what did I know, you were just my Mum's boyfriend or lover or something and it wasn't like we were a real family and that none of us were actually related by blood or marriage or anything. And it wasn't just one person, Ron. It was group after group after group. And I couldn't take it anymore. I know you and Mum love each other. And I know we are a real family. And I know Mum is a real witch. But it's just too hard to try and stand up to everyone about everything every minute of the day. And there isn't anywhere in this whole bloody castle you can go off by yourself and have a good cry. But then I found Myrtle's place so I have been hiding out."

Ron had been fuming listening to the little girl's story. He had already decided to hunt down his nephews and nieces and give them a piece of his mind. But more than fury at his relatives, he was heart-broken for his little girl. He forgot sometimes how little she was. She was so much taller, wiser and more mature than Hugo that he sometimes had her as a grown up in his mind. But right now as she sat on the stone floor of the old lavatory in her crumpled Hogwarts uniform, her Gryffindor tie spotted with tear stains and her hair pulled out of its clip from crying, she looked like a very little girl.

"Oh Rose," Ron said as he held her in his lap. He stroked her back and her hair and kissed the top of her head trying to get her to calm down. "Rose, love, please stop crying. Please. Look at me, honey. We will fix this, ok? I promise."

She nodded into his jumper, but didn't look up. Ron raced through the thoughts in his mind on how to approach this. He was an expert in dark magic, not upset little girls. But, he loved Rose and knew he would do just about anything to make this right.

"First, I want to say I am sorry," said Ron carefully.

She pulled her head back and looked at him in confusion.

"I am sorry that you are roped into a world where the ridiculous paparazzi impacts your life. That is because of me. I wouldn't trade having you in my life for anything, but I hate that it causes you pain like this. And unfortunately, it will probably never go away completely. In fact, it will get worse before it gets better. Between the 20th anniversary of the war this coming spring and the fact that your mum and I are seen out together a lot. Well, until those stories stop selling papers, it will just be there like stinging nettle at a picnic."

She chuckled at that, but didn't say anything.

"Second, I am confused why you are hiding here and not with Al and Scorp or with Neville or one of the other professors who could have helped you."

She teared over again. "Al and Scorp tried to help. They really did. But, it's weird because it's Scorp's dad in the pictures. And you told me all of these horrible things about his dad. So I wondered if maybe Mr. Malfoy was just really mean and trying to break you and Mum up to hurt you somehow, and I couldn't say that to him. And, while they are great friends, they're just boys you know?"

Ron chuckled at that. "Fair point. I was an eleven year old boy once, and if I'd had a friend that was a girl and she was sobbing hysterically I wouldn't have known what to do either. But that still doesn't explain why you didn't get help from one of the professors you trust."

"Maybe I should have. But, the magical world is a pretty small one, Ron. Professor Longbottom is your old friend, and I am sure he hated Mr. Malfoy, and I couldn't take it if he treated me like James and Fred and them did. Professor Sparrow is Mum's friend. Headmistress McGonagall wouldn't have liked Mr. Malfoy either. And none of them really know or understand our family. So, I don't know. It just felt like it was all closing in on me so I just came here and hid."

"Rose, honey, you should always feel like you can talk to one of your professors – especially those three. They are lovely people who care about you and the ones you love. But I hear you when you say our world is small. Everyone is so interconnected between work and school and families and whatnot that gossip spreads like wildfire for us much faster than it ever could in the muggle world."

"I know! And they even have the internet and social media, and it's still worse with us!"

"Sad but true."

"And I don't think Mum understands that at all."

"You don't?"

"Not really. I don't mean that to be mean. It's just she didn't grow up in this world, and she doesn't work in this world. So the only time she is ever in it is at The Burrow or in Diagon Alley or if she happens to read the paper you've brought home from somewhere. But it's not like every time she goes down a hallway at work it hits her in the face. If she was having to go to court this week and face a judge who thought she was sneaking around with Mr. Malfoy behind your back and the jury wondered if she was even a real witch or whatever it would just impact her differently. I'm not saying she would believe it or fix it or anything, just that she might have a better understanding of how wearing and draining it all is."

"Oh. Well, yeah, I guess you are right there as well. For now she doesn't have to face it every day. And that may or may not change in the future, but for now she has a foot in both worlds. And I don't suppose that is easy either."

"Probably not."

"But can I ask you something?"

"Of course,"

"You said a few things about us not being a real family, or at least people thinking that. Does it bother you that your mum and I aren't married yet?"

Rose thought carefully about Ron's question before answering. "To answer honestly I would have to say yes and no. It doesn't bother me because I know you two love each other and are planning on eventually getting married. But, well, you have to admit, Ron. We are a strange family. It's Mum and I, which we're fine but from the outside you can't look in and see we're related as I look so different from her. But, I'm fine with that. This isn't some adoption psychology thing. But, you could definitely look at us on paper and say it's me and my adopted mum and her boyfriend and her boyfriend's godson of whom he is the guardian. It just feels – well – I don't know the magical equivalent. But in the muggle world you could say it feels penciled in or something – not permanent and it could easily be changed. Doesn't feel like Al's family where you have his mum and dad who are married and his brother and sister. That feels permanent. You kind of want your family to feel permanent."

Ron's heart was pounding as Rose spoke. He was overwhelmed by the onslaught of mixed emotions he had about everything. He was so honored that this little girl wanted him to be her family and to make it permanent. But then he was also heartbroken that she didn't feel that way already, and felt guilty that he had allowed it to go on this long without realizing how it impacted her.

Finally he said, "Well, can you keep a secret?"

"Yeah…" said Rose with interest.

"I am planning to propose to your mom pretty soon. Let's see – it would be…" Ron counted in his head. "Actually, 8 weeks from today, if you can believe it."

"REALLY?!" Rose squealed excitedly. "Ron! That's amazing! I am so excited! How are you going to do it?"

"Well," Ron chuckled at the quick change in the girl's demeanor from sobbing child to squealing girl, "I am still working out the details and was hoping you might be able to help me on a few of them.

"I'd LOVE that. What do you need me to do?"

"I am trying to figure out how to involve you, Hugo and her parents in the whole thing. I have already picked out the ring – I ordered it when I got her bracelet last fall. But, I have left it with the jeweler for now because I don't want to risk losing it or having your mum find it by accident."

"Ron! That is so exciting. She will flip out. I mean, I know she knows it's coming, but still, she will freak."

"Freak in a good way?"

"YES! Of course, Ron."

"Well, I want you to be thinking of how I can include you four in everything but still have us be by ourselves when I ask her, because, well-"

"I get it, Ron. No need to explain. But, I will definitely be thinking of things."

"Can I ask you something else, Rose?"

"Yeah, what?"

"Do you think Hugo struggles with the whole 'real family' thing too?"

"I don't know," she answered honestly. "Obviously his year has been horrible and everything. My guess is his struggles are about things different than mine. And they could be different again when he gets here and isn't some random muggle kid at a muggle school who happened to lose his parents and grandparents in a terrible accident. Then he'll be Hugo Creevey, son of the famous late auror Fiona Creevey and nephew of war martyr Collin Creevey, godson of the one and only Ron Weasley and what not. It could be a lot to inherit."

"Huh. Hadn't thought of that."

"Ron?"

"Yeah?"

"When your marry Mum, will you, um, I mean, would that make you, would you be…"

"What is it, Rose?" Ron asked tenderly.

"Would that make you my dad?" she asked nervously.

Ron smiled as his heart melted. "Rose, love, I already think of you as my daughter. I mean, I don't just go barreling up to Scotland to curl up on the floor of a girl's loo with just anyone, you know," he teased. "As for me being your dad, I want to be whatever you want me to be in your life. Hugo introduced me the other day as 'his Ron,' which made me laugh but I thought was rather accurate. So whether I am your Ron or your dad, either way you have my heart and you will always be my girl. And you can call me whatever you want to, and I will love it. And even if, Merlin forbid, your mum says no when I ask her to marry me, I already told you over the summer, you are in my life for good now, so I guess you'll have to get used to me."

"She won't say no. And I love you."

"I love you, too."

They sat together for a moment and then Ron said, "Well, now we need to get you cleaned up and back to school. You can't hide out in here forever, no matter how much Myrtle wants the company."

"What's her story? Why is she here?"

"Another day, Rose – how about we go find Neville?"

She nodded and the two headed off to find her Head of House. Within a few hours, Ron had Rose and Neville connected, with Neville knowing to look out for her and knock some sense into her cousins. Ron handed her off to his old friend and then looked to the map to find James. Seeing his name headed out of the castle towards Hagrid's, Ron quickly found him and cut him off.

"Uncle Ron!" said James.

"Hi James, come with me for a moment, alright?"

"I have to go to Magical Creatures now."

"Hagrid will be fine with it. I'll let him know you were with me. Come on."

The two walked down towards the lake. It was cold, but there wasn't any snow on the ground. Ron looked at him and said, "James, when Al got sorted into Slytherin last fall I could not have been prouder of the way you behaved. Everyone was looking to you as an example of how to handle it, did you know that?"

"Well, I suspected," he admitted.

"Well they did. And when you showed them that James Potter was ok with someone from our family being in Slytherin, then everyone else was ok with it too."

James nodded. "Why are you telling me this?"

"Because I think you underestimate your influence on your classmates and cousins. Your dad and me, and your mum, well, pictures of us and stories about our lives, they sell newspapers. And selling newspapers fuels gossip. When your dad was your age, the newspaper ran lots and lots of stories about him."

"But they can't talk about kids."

"They can't now. But back then they could, and they were merciless to your dad. One day he was crazy and a liar. One day he was a hero. You could get whiplash trying to keep up with how quickly they changed. But whatever it was always flew like wildfire around the school. When he was brilliant, he had birds lined up wanting to date him. And when the press declared him insane, no one would even look him in the eye."

"This is about those pictures of Hermione and Mr. Malfoy, huh?"

"Yup."

"I just – I am used to pictures of you being made up, and I never believe them. But Dad said Mr. Malfoy had done a lot of bad things back in the day. And I wondered if he was still a bad person. I wasn't sure what was going on."

"Then what should you have done about that?"

"Asked you I suppose."

"Right. And of course it is rubbish. By next week they'll have me dating some American again and maybe Hermione will be engaged to Prince Harry or something. But none of that will be real either. I thought you knew better."

"Sorry. Guess I do. I just, well, I didn't like the idea of Hermione breaking up your family."

"Hermione is my family, James. So, the person trying to break up my family isn't Hermione or even Draco sodding Malfoy. It's Rita Skeeter and the thousands of people who apparently buy papers when she writes such ridiculous drabble. But let's just suspend reality for a moment and pretend that it was all true. I would still expect you to be there for Rose and Hugo, and to get the rest of your cousins – and hopefully all of bloody Gryffindor, to support her instead of ostracize her!"

"I didn't tell everyone to avoid her, Ron, I swear."

"I know, but that's the point. They see you as a role model. So when they saw you avoiding her, they avoided her. And don't tell her, but Scorp had to send an owl to let me know she had been hiding out in the girls' loo sobbing for two days because all of her family and all of her house made her feel unwelcome."

"Oh no, that's not what, ugh. Ron, I am so sorry."

"Don't apologize to me. Apologize to her. And please don't mention the letter. Al and Scorp are good for her. But she needs the support of her whole family and her house, and they will all follow your lead on this. You need to fix this. Can I count on you to do that?"

"Yes, Ron. I will. I promise. I will see her before supper tonight. Or should I find her now?"

"Good man. I appreciate it, James. I really do. Before supper is fine. I took her to see Neville, and he has got her straightened out for now. But I don't want her to think she will have to eat by herself tonight."

"I really am sorry, Ron. I just was worried about you, and I didn't know how to handle it."

"You can always just send me an owl and let me know what's going on or ask me directly. And Neville will always be around too. And starting tomorrow I'll be up here a few times a week anyway. Always go to the source directly, James. Makes life ever so much simpler."

"I will. I promise."

"OK. Then I'll walk with you back towards Hagrid's and then head out."

By the time Ron was back at the house, it was close to 5. Considering his options, he called Nicola on his cell to see if she knew how Hermione's case had gone. Nicola had said today had gone better, but that it wasn't done yet and would carry over to the next day. She thought Hermione would probably have to work at least 3or 4 hours in the office that night preparing her closing arguments.

"Ok, I need your help telling me the truth here, Nicola. Some stuff came up at school with Rose today – and she's fine, and I have it all straightened out. But, if I bring dinner to the office and catch Hermione up for an hour or so will it mess her up for the night? I really don't know enough about Hermione's job and how she works to know the right thing on this one."

"Blimey, you are adorable. It's ridiculous really."

"Uh, thanks. But I still need the advice. I don't know what to do here."

"Could you bring her dinner around 730 or 8? She'd have the really hard stuff done and would just be tying up the final pieces by then. I can watch Hugo if you need."

"Thanks, Nicola. I'll have my sister come by and watch him. I'll bring dinner over around 8. Will you still be there – should I bring food for you too?"

"Nah. I'm off this case. But I'll totally take a rain check on that offer."

"Don't mention it to Hermione, ok? I want to surprise her with the dinner and not have her worry about Rose."

"Will do. So – are you ever going to get off your arse and propose to her?"

"Subtlety is not your strength, Nicola," he laughed. "And I promise you will be one of the first to know when I propose. I just hope she says yes."

"She will, you ninny. Never seen her so barmy about anyone."

"Hope you're right."

"I am. Now, you enjoy your takeaway supper, alright?"

"Thanks so much, Nicola. I really appreciate it."

Ron had gone to Hermione's parents' house to pick up Hugo. But when Jean heard Ron was planning to get Harry or Ginny to come over when he went later to take dinner to Hermione, she insisted on being the one to come over later instead. So, by 8 that evening, Ron had hung with Hugo for a little while, traded back off with Jean, picked up Thai food and had arrived Hermione's office building. He had been so focused on the logistics of everything, he hadn't spent much time thinking through what he was actually going to say to Hermione when he got up to her office. Dialing her cell phone, he felt a pang of nervousness.

"Hi stranger!" she declared as she answered her phone.

"Guess what? I have a surprise for you," he said.

"Oh, I will have to see it late tonight unfortunately. The case is going well, but it is going to carry over to tomorrow. I still have a bit to do before I will be able to come home."

"That's the surprise. I called Nicola earlier, and she said she thought if I brought you supper around 8 that it would be a welcome break and not a time-eating distraction."

"You don't have to be bring me dinner, Ron."

"Well, I know I don't have to. But, I did. I am downstairs in the lobby of your building with your favorite Thai take away. Can you tell this security man that I can come up?"

"You're here? Wow! Yes – absolutely – put Mr. Bradlen on the phone."

"Who's that?"

"Mr. Bradlen is the nice security man at the desk. When you end up working as many late hours as I do, you get to know the second shift security guard."

"Right, ok," he said. "Excuse me, Mr. Bradlen, Hermione wants to talk to you," Ron smiled as he handed over the phone.

"You're here for Hermione Granger? Well you should have said something."

Soon Ron was being escorted up to Hermione's office by the elderly gentleman who was telling Ron how he thought of Hermione as his work-daughter. He rambled on through the entire elevator ride about how smart she was and how lucky we were to have people like Hermione working for the "good guys." Ron thanked him for keeping an eye out for her, and Hermione enjoyed introducing them once they arrived at her office before Mr. Bradlen headed back to the lobby.

"That gentleman adores you," said Ron with a smile.

"Don't worry, Ron. He's not exactly competition for you," she teased as she kissed him. "This is such a fabulous surprise! I feel like I haven't seen you at all this week."

He savored her kiss, the taste of her somehow calming all of the chaos that the day had churned up in him. As he ran his hand through her crazy curls, he nuzzled his nose against her cheek for a moment. "I've really missed you this week."

"Me too. Where is Hugo?"

"Hanging out with your mum, actually."

"Well, this is a wonderful treat, then. Though, I'm afraid I still do have some actual work to do before I can come home."

"It's so different seeing you in your office. I'm used to you at home, I suppose. You look so formal in here."

"Well, I'm not that formal with my heels kicked off and my solicitor robes strewn across the chair."

"Well, I like your robes strewn about, I suppose," Ron winked.

"My desk is rather buried in paper for the moment, but we can eat in the conference room."

They sat at the long meeting table, and Hermione propped her shoeless feet up on another chair. They chatted a bit about her case and about Hugo's desire to sign up for extra art classes.

Finally, realizing he really did have to tell her the actual reason for his visit, Ron sighed. "I have to admit something," he said.

Hermione cocked her head and narrowed her eyes at him. "Are you going to tell me the real reason you are here?"

"That obvious, huh?"

She just arched an eyebrow and waited for him to continue.

"Ok. Guess so. Alright," he said, leaning forward. "There was one particular reason I wanted to come tonight. But, I did call Nicola this afternoon to see if it would be too much of a distraction, and she said to come but to come at 8."

"Well, ok, so you're here. What is going on? Should I be worried?"

"No. No, definitely don't worry. Just something that happened that you need to be aware of. So, basically – Rita Skeeter struck again. The Daily Prophet on Wednesday ran pictures and an article that once again had us on the rocks."

She laughed. "Should I ask who you proposed to this time? Do I know her? Am I invited to the wedding?"

"Hah bloody hah," Ron said as he rolled his eyes. "No, love. This time there were no pictures of me at all."

"I don't understand. How did Skeeter run these theoretically scandalous pictures of you if you weren't in the pictures?"

"Because this time the theoretically scandalous pictures were of you."

"What?" gasped a stunned Hermione. "But I couldn't have done anything to even photograph. I haven't done anything but work in my muggle court room since I dropped Rose at the station Tuesday morning. They didn't run muggle pictures did they?"

"No. No muggles. They were pictures of you and Draco Malfoy having coffee."

"What? But I just ran into…we didn't …oh good heavens, just give me the damn paper."

He pulled the folded paper out and put it on the table for her to see. Her eyes got wide, and her mouth gaped open as she snatched it up. Soon her hand was covering her mouth as she read the article and the captions accompanying the pictures.

"Oh, Ron. I'm sorry. I know you know there was nothing to this, right? Tell me you know that."

"I know that, Hermione. I don't think you are sneaking off with Malfoy behind my back."

She visibly let out a breath she hadn't realized she had been holding and then said, "That woman! How in the hell does she get away with this nonsense. Aren't there libel laws in the magic world?"

"Um, well, unfortunately I'm a public figure. But, I got an owl from Draco that said his lawyers had already contacted the paper demanding a retraction."

"Oh Ron, I am so sorry this was with Draco of all people. I am sure that made this even worse. I'm just so mad at that Skeeter woman! I never understood how this stuff must make you feel, but my goodness I am so angry I don't know what to do!"

"Oh, well, Skeeter. She is what she is, I suppose. But I am not really here to talk about the paper."

"You're not?"

"No – not really. I am here to talk about how upset the paper made Rose."

"Rose?! Is she ok? How did she see it? She couldn't have believed it, could she? Say something Ron!"

"Take a deep breath. She is ok now. I went up and saw her today."

"You went to Scotland?"

"Well, let me back up. I didn't know about the article until today because it came out when I was off on the field exercise at the academy. But, Harry filled me in this morning and then helped me sort through the stack of letters the owls had brought after it was printed."

"I saw all of those letters on the table this morning and couldn't figure out where the pile had come from!"

"Well, yeah – anyway – there was one from Draco apologizing about the whole thing, and then at the very bottom was a letter from Scorp addressed to both of us. Here, I brought it to show you." He handed her the letter, and her eyes went wide and got damp reading it.

"But she's ok?"

"Well, she was hiding in an unused girl's loo and crying when I found her. But we sat there for- well – I guess it was well over an hour while she cried and talked through everything." Hermione's hand was covering her mouth and wiping away a few stray tears, but she waited for him to continue. "She didn't really think you were sneaking off with Draco. But she did say she wondered after everything I had said about him over the holidays if he had set up the whole thing to mess with me. I assured her that I didn't think that was the case at all. But I think the real problem was more that everyone was gossiping which made her feel really isolated. And, since she was wondering if Scorp's dad was involved she didn't feel like she could go to her usual friends for support."

"She was hiding in there because of gossip?" Hermione asked. "That just seems, well, I guess I thought Rose was tougher than that."

"Actually, she more or less said she thought you would say that."

"What?"

"Well, I asked the same thing, but Rose pointed out that you don't have to live in the magical world 24 hours a day yet. She reminded me that it's a very small world, so everyone had some sort of allegiance or perceived understanding of the whole situation. And she felt, mistakenly, like she couldn't go to Al and Scorp or Neville or Sally or McGonagall. And unfortunately, apparently her cousins made it worse."

"What? How?"

"Well, trust me, I hunted down James this afternoon and set him straight. So, it's handled now. But he said he didn't know what to do. He stupidly was trying to show me some sort of allegiance or something and in his concern basically avoided Rose, which of course everyone else saw as a role model behavior, so her cousins and the rest of Gryffindor all followed his lead."

"Oh no."

"He assured me he was finding her before dinner tonight and would be eating with her and made sure she wouldn't eat alone."

"She had to eat alone?" Hermione asked in a small, pained voice.

"Well they eat with their houses, and I think she more or less sat at one end of the table by herself, hence the hiding in the loo."

"I just don't want to picture her so hurt that's she is crumpled up on a bathroom floor. It breaks my heart!"

"Trust me, my heart was smashed in a zillion pieces seeing it. But, I think I got her straight on us, and on who she can go to for help if she ever needs it. But, the other thing that really riled her up was that people were not just making comments about thinking you and Draco were dating. The comments were more about how maybe you weren't a real witch and you were really a muggle who wanted to date famous wizards or how maybe Rose shouldn't really be there or how she didn't have a real family since none of us are related and other shite like that. Of course I got her set straight on that too. But, she was hurt. And it kills me that she didn't think she could ask us, or anyone else, for help."

Hermione was crying at this point. She leaned into Ron, who pulled her to his chest and comforted her. "I am so sorry you two get subjected to this crap because people think my life is interesting enough that it sells papers. I am so sorry, Hermione."

"I'm not crying about that."

"I know, but I don't know what else to do or say."

"Well, all evidence is to the contrary, I'd say. You've handled it brilliantly. I hate that this happened. But I also hate that I don't even understand enough about everything to comprehend how hurtful this is for Rose. And I probably never will. And I hate that I feel this twinge of jealousy that you were able to fix this with Rose when I couldn't have even made a dent in it. Because I am not really jealous – I am grateful. But it just sucks. All of it. And I am so pissed at people for making it worse for her! And I have to write to Astoria now and try to convince her I am not trying to steal her husband. I mean really! Of all the damn people."

"I know. It's shite," Ron sighed. "I really debated waiting until after your case finished tomorrow because I didn't want to upset you. But, it's your daughter. Hell, it's your picture and your name that is in the paper."

"I'm glad you came tonight. I would have been really upset if I had learned later you had kept it from me. Please always tell me things, ok. I would much rather know and be upset but be able to think it through than to be managed or sheltered from something."

"I know. It's why I did. But I still feel awful dumping all of this stress on you tonight when I know you have to work late. Your work is important, and I didn't want to distract you or add worry. But you needed to know."

"Yeah, but I got Thai food out of it," laughed Hermione. "But I do need to get back to it if I want to get home before too late."

"I hate that you are in this office all by yourself. It doesn't creep you out?"

"Well, hence me being so friendly with Mr. Bradlen the security man. Well, that, and now I have a wand," she laughed.

"Do you want me to stay here until you're ready to head home? I could stay in this conference room and stay out of your way."

"Nah. But I appreciate the offer. If you clean all this up, I'll get back to work and hopefully be home before you go to bed. Are you working tomorrow?"

"Yeah – my first official day at Hogwarts. I haven't really had a chance to pull together what I want to do though, so I need to put in some work myself."

"Right! I forgot that was tomorrow. I guess the good thing is you can get a sense of how Rose is doing while you're up there."

"Exactly. Well – if you're really ok here, I will go and get out of your hair so you can actually finish up."

"I'm ok, Ron," she said, and then she touched his face so he was looking in her eyes. "Really, I am. And I'm glad you came. I'll be home in a few hours."

He kissed her sweetly. "Ok. I love you."

"I love you, too," she said as he walked him to the elevators. "See you soon."

When Ron arrived at Hogwarts the next morning, he was nervous but excited. He was so glad he and Hermione had been able to talk through things the night before. And then when she finally had made it home she had helped him revise a few of his notes for his session at Hogwarts. She'd been out the door early again, but they'd agreed they were definitely having pizza and a movie on the couch that night as the three of them had not been together all week.

After flooing to McGonagall's office, he headed towards the Great Hall where he planned to meet Neville, McGonagall and Peter Tinling, the DADA professor. Tinling was about the same age as McGonagall. Ron had worked with him over the years, but never found himself thinking much of the man. While his technical skills as an auror were strong, Tinling had been in New Zealand during the war and somehow just couldn't be bothered to figure out how to come back until after Voldemort had been defeated. Then when it was safe again, Tinling swooped back in and managed to be placed in leadership roles for a few years before he retired from the force. He traveled for a few years after that and had been the DADA professor at Hogwarts for about five years. Ron knew he needed to get Tinling's buy in if his mentoring program were to have a chance at lasting.

He reached the old, familiar wooded doors to the Great Hall. But before he walked through them, he paused at the wall of stars next to it, touching the star with name Fred Weasley engraved on it. He walked down the row, running his fingers over the other familiar names, lingering over the stars with the names Albus Dumbledore and Remus Lupin. "I know you two are getting a kick out of the idea of me teaching here. I'm due for a dose of my own medicine I suppose," he muttered under his breath.

Walking in through the old familiar doors to the Great Hall, Ron saw Neville wave him up to the front.

"Morning, Ron!"

"How are you today, Nev?"

"Good thanks. I'm excited about this project of yours, honestly. I think this is a brilliant idea."

"Thanks. You and I could have used something like this – especially if we had gone to school under normal circumstances."

"Absolutely."

"So, before the others get here – any advice on how to keep Tinling supportive but distant on this?"

"Well, all that New Zealand bollocks aside, he is a good teacher. The students respond to his teaching methods and learn a lot. They can't do the things we learned in the DA or anything, but they are all very well prepared in Defense. You just need to be sure he understands you aren't trying for his job. As long as he feels safe from that perceived threat, you should be fine. He's not looking to add a lot of extra work for himself either, so I don't expect him to be lingering about too much."

"Good. That helps. And I definitely don't want to take his job. I have too many irons in the fire as it is."

"Perfect – here he comes now."

The four of them spent about an hour together talking about the students they thought would attend the introductory session that afternoon and how they would run the group. Tingling and McGonagall both had to leave just after the meeting, giving Neville the chance to catch Ron up on how much better Rose had been doing since the previous day.

"Do you want to walk back to the greenhouses with me and grab a bite, or do you want to just meet back here later?" Neville asked.

"I'll catch up with you this afternoon. Since Rose is doing well, I think I'll swing by and say hello to Hagrid."

"That's great, he should just be finishing up with the first year Slytherins around now."

"Perfect. I'll see you this afternoon."

Ron headed out the front door towards Hagrid's hut and saw the large group of small children coming back from their Magical Creature's class. As they approached Ron, Al saw him and started waving. Next to him was a very uncomfortable looking Scorp who appeared to be trying to figure out if he could manage to keep walking without acknowledging Ron, but eventually he realized he had to stop and talk to him.

"Hi boys," Ron said as he waved them over.

"Hi, Ron" said Al.

"Good morning Mr. Weasley," said Scorp awkwardly.

"How was Hagrid's class today?"

"Well, unfortunately Hagrid has a new batch of blast ended skrewts," grimaced Al.

"Yikes. I don't envy you," Ron laughed.

"What are you doing here, Ron?" Al asked.

"I am going be working with some of the older students who are interested in trying to become aurors after they graduate, and today is our first session."

"That's great. Hope we get to see you frequently. I have to run back to the dorms before my next class to get a clean shirt, this one got destroyed in that class with Hagrid," said Al as he turned and hustled off to the castle.

Scorp went to wave and join him, but Ron reached out and grabbed his wrist. "Scorp, if you have a minute, I'd appreciate a word."

The boy looked tense, but nodded and followed Ron wordlessly towards a stone bench near where they were standing.

"Don't look so scared, Scorp. I just wanted to say thank you," Ron said gently as he sat down.

Scorp looked up at him with a look of surprise on his face.

"I know you were in a very difficult situation with all this newspaper nonsense with Rose. And it is the mark of a true friend who places the needs of their friend over their own needs. I really can't thank you enough for letting me know Rose needed help when you and Al weren't in a position to give it to her. She doesn't know about the note. But I won't forget it, and I just wanted you to know how much I appreciated it."

"Thank you, sir," said Scorp.

"And I wanted to be sure you knew it was all nonsense and there is nothing going on between Hermione and your dad. Unfortunately the Daily Prophet has figured out that they sell more papers if they include stories about my so called love life, and they don't care at all if they are true. And when my real life is too boring and won't sell papers, they just make things up. In the past few months alone I have apparently broken up with Hermione, proposed to a total stranger in America, broken up with her, gotten back with Hermione and now apparently been dumped by Hermione for your dad. By next week it will be something else. But I am really sorry that this media circus has hurt you."

"I'm fine, Mr. Weasley. Thank you for your concern. I may not have known everything about my father from the war years, but I do know how much my father adores my mother and had no doubt whatsoever that the story was made up. But I felt bad about the timing coming just after, well – just after everything, I suppose."

"And have you heard from your mum? Is she alright as well?"

"Oh yes. She's fine. But thank you."

"I was away on a training mission with the Auror Academy the day in came out, so I didn't know about it until yesterday. And Hermione didn't either as she has been busy in muggle court all week. But she will be writing your mum to wish her the best as well. She really liked your mum – actually I think she really liked your dad too. I know your father and I have our own past, but that is between he and I. I don't want you to let it impact you or your friendship with Rose, alright?"

"Yes sir."

"And if you ever need anything, whether it's for Rose or Al or for yourself, will you let me know?"

"Yes sir."

"Good man, Scorp. Alright, why don't you run on and see if you can chase down Al. Hopefully he's been able to get all evidence of magical creatures off of his uniform," Ron joked.

Scorp nodded and stood up to head back to the castle. Then he smiled and said, "Thank you, Mr. Weasley, for everything. I really appreciate it," and then he turned and ran up to the great door of the castle.

Ron smiled as he watched him run back, robes flowing behind him. He looked a hell of a lot like his father did at that age, but the smug hatred Draco had oozing from his pores was simply not a part of Scorp. Glancing at his watch, he realized he had to choose between lunch and seeing Hagrid. Hoping he had a granola bar in his knapsack, he headed off to the small hut at the bottom of the hill to see his old friend.

By the time he got home that evening, his stomach was audibly complaining about the lack of lunch. Stepping through the floo, he was greeted by the smell of hot pizza wafting from the kitchen. Following his nose, he found Hugo setting out napkins while Hermione sliced the just-delivered pizza.

"Ron! You're home!" declared Hugo as he went to hug him.

"Hey buddy," said Ron as he embraced him.

"Ron is that your stomach?!" Hugo laughed.

"Yeah," Ron admitted. "I'm famished. Skipped lunch and had one of those granola bars your mum was always trying to get me to carry in my bag. Let's just say your mum and I apparently have a different idea of what counts for food."

Hugo laughed. Hermione smiled, thrilled that they were now in a place where they could talk about Dennis and Fiona without feeling like they were walking on eggshells.

"Wash your hands and let's eat," declared Hermione.

They were soon sitting at the kitchen table catching up from their week.

"I feel like we have bene ships passing in the night this week," said Hermione. "This is the first time I think all three of us have been together and awake since before Rose went back to school."

"So, first things first," said Ron. "How'd your case end up?"

"She won," beamed Hugo as Hermione smiled next to him.

"Really? That's fantastic!" said Ron as he got up to kiss Hermione. "The family can stay in England now?"

"Yes. It really was wonderful. They can all stay, and a local church has connected them with an apartment where they'll be able to live for at least a year. The kids can stay in the school they've been attending since the fall. I am really happy for them."

"To Hermione!" declared Hugo, raising his slice of pizza in the air.

"I'll eat to that," laughed Ron as they clinked pizza slices.

"Alright, so Hermione's marathon work week paid off. How about you, Hugo? How was school today?"

"Good. I saw Mrs. Rupesmith today. I told her I really wanted to do the extra art classes, and she said she was going to be at that art school tomorrow and we could come by. Can we? I really, really want to go."

"Yeah. I'm sure we can make that work. Do you know what time she was going to be there or what class she was teaching?" asked Hermione.

"She said she'd be there all day starting at 10 because she was doing a bunch of stuff. But I really want to do the class where we get to make pottery stuff. I looked it up on the website and that one starts at 11. But since I hadn't signed up or anything we should probably go earlier than that."

"Sounds great. Is that a class for just kids or is that one of the family classes she'd mentioned?" asked Ron.

"This one was just kids I think. But we can find out more tomorrow."

"What about your day? How was your first official day at Hogwarts?" asked Hermione.

"Really good," admitted Ron.

"You sound surprised," observed Hermione.

"Well, it's just a bit bizarre to think that I am sort of a teacher there now. I wasn't really a good student, and I was always getting up to things. Sort of weird how roles are reversed now I suppose."

"How many kids came to your class?" asked Hugo with a mouthful of pizza.

"There were maybe twenty sixth and seventh years who came. But, there were probably at least five or six of that group who were there just to see the former most eligible bachelor. My guess is once we start the group on the physical training stuff those kids will drop off."

Hermione tried to cover her giggles.

"What else are you gonna do with them besides exercises?" asked Hugo.

"Hopefully once we get a sense of who is really interested, I can get to know the individual students better and learn what areas they need help in and what areas are their strengths. Then we can designs some specific things to help them. But it will be fun, too. We'll do some dueling next week, and while you get knocked down a lot, it's pretty fun."

The three had soon eaten the pizza and curled up for the movie. Both Ron and Hermione dozed off during the movie about Lego people, but were up in time to put Hugo to bed. Ron tucked Hugo in as Hermione turned out the lights downstairs. When they met in their room, they were both tired from the physically and emotionally draining week.

Hermione got into bed first, closing her eyes in an exhale of exhaustion as her head hit the pillow. Ron was right behind her, equally enjoying the feel of his own bed and his witch beside him.

"I hope we don't have too have many weeks like this one," Hermione said as she snuggled into Ron's arms.

"You mean where we don't see each other or where there is paparazzi nonsense that causes drama with Rose?"

"Both. Actually – I don't want much more of either one, but definitely not at the same time. I miss this," she sighed.

"I miss this too," Ron said sleepily.

"Is it awful that I am thrilled we are both too tired to have sex tonight?"

"No," laughed Ron. "Though I am very rarely THAT tired. But I love just holding you, too. It's not all about sex."

Hermione chuckled. "I know – I'm teasing. I was just trying to say I appreciate that we have both. But I am too damn tired to think straight."

"I love you," Ron said, kissing her neck as he spooned up behind her.

"I love you, too," she mumbled as she fell asleep.

(A/N: I hope you enjoyed this llllooooonnnnngggg chapter. Thanks for sticking with the story, and I love hearing from you! -carrytheotter)