Hi Guys

Sorry I've taken so long to update - hopefully the next chapter will be up next week. Hope you enjoy it - R & R please.

Standard disclaimers apply.

Chapter Two

The following day Harry hadn't heard a thing from either Hermione or Ron and was beginning to worry. He had thought that one or both of them would have come to him if they'd ended the relationship, but there hadn't even been an owl in sight.

He had left Hermione's flat once she'd stopped crying and had calmed down long enough for him not to feel guilty about going. He would have stayed, and wanted to, but it was getting late and, even though Ron was his best friend, he still wouldn't have approved of Harry staying the night in his fiancé's flat.

Harry had come to the conclusion that Ron was a total arse for cheating on Hermione. Of course he had always been an arse in general, but that was one of the reasons Harry liked him so much…and it also made Harry look better. Ron was going to ruin, beyond repair, the only good thing in his life unless he changed his playboy ways. And unfortunately Harry very much doubted that that was going to happen any time soon.

Harry was disturbed from his thoughts by the shrill ringing of his mobile phone. After getting his own flat and living alone he decided that he would treat himself to a few muggle items. So he went shopping with Hermione, who had decided the same as well, and they bought televisions, microwaves, DVD players and mobile phones. Harry enjoyed having them in his home and was highly entertained whenever Ron or Mr Weasley came over to visit as they would ask him a whole barrage of questions about what the uses were and how they worked. Having both grown up in muggle households both Harry and Hermione took these things for granted and to see the wizards totally gobsmacked was quite priceless.

Harry pressed the green button to answer the call, "Hello?"

"Hi it's me."

He would recognise that voice anywhere. "Hermione, how are you?"

"Much better, thanks for last night. It did me the world of good just being able to talk about it with someone who was on my side for a change." She replied, sounding brighter.

Harry thought he already knew the answer to the next question but had to ask it anyway, "So what conclusion have you come to then? Should I still be buying you a wedding present?"

Her tinkle of laughter rang out gently. It was soft and sweet but it broke his heart into a million pieces. "You'd better get us the biggest gift."

"It's still on then?"

Hermione hesitated, only for a second or two, but Harry knew she was unsure of what his reaction was going to be. "We've talked it through and Ron's promised me that there will be no more 'other women'. I trust him, Harry, and so should you."

After a deep sigh he answered, "I can try…but I'm not promising anything."

"Thank you. Listen I'm on my lunch so I'd better get going and actually eat something. I'll see you on Thursday at Padma and Parvarti's party…Merlin that was a mouthful. Bye Harry."

"See you, Mione." He whispered, but she had already hung up.

Ron was snoring in an old battered leather chair in his office when Harry apparated into his flat later the same night.

Harry went over what he had been planning to say in his head briefly before waking the red-headed male up. It was simple; he'd tell Ron that Hermione had told him about him sleeping around and that if he didn't treat Hermione better that their friendship would be over. Drastic, he knew, but sometimes taking drastic measures worked better than beating around the bush with Ron Weasley.

Steeling himself with a large breath he shook Ron's arm to rouse him. "Ron, wake up, its Harry."

It took some persuading but finally Ron partially opened his eyes and looked up at his friend.

"Harry…what're you doing here?" He yawned, whilst stretching the sleep out of his body.

"Wondered if you'd fancy a night in and a chat? I've brought a case of butterbeers to see us through!" He explained, keeping his composure.

All in good time.

"So," Ron said once they were settled with an open bottle in front of them, "thanks for sorting out the robes thing yesterday. Herms didn't even mention them this morning. What did you say to her?"

"Actually she was upset when I arrived at the flat." Harry told him, almost smiling as he caught the shocked expression that flickered momentarily across Ron's face. "She was worried where you had been since you hadn't gone home the night before."

"Oh…" Ron muttered, his ears turning beetroot red, "What did she say exactly?"

Harry forced a laugh. "She seems to think that you might have been with someone else…another woman!"

Ron laughed with him, but that was forced also. "She's crazy!"

Harry's laughed ceased abruptly, "Is she?" He asked, his voice deep and questioning.

Ron's heart thundered in his chest as he replied, "Don't tell me you believe her? Ginny doesn't…she thinks Hermione's wrong in the head…"

Harry thumped his hands down on the table and held back the growl that threatened to escape him. "How dare you talk about Hermione like that? She's a better person than most, including us, and you take her for granted."

Ron nearly choked on his Butterbeer, having to cover his mouth to prevent the liquid from coming back out again. "Whoa…mate, what the bloody hell are you going on about? I haven't actually admitted anything and you're already jumping to conclusions."

Harry was finding it more and more difficult to control his raging anger, and the more Ron smirked into his bottle the more it grew.

"Look me in the eye and tell me you haven't shagged anyone else since you've been together." He demanded as he jumped to his feet and put his hands on his hips, a sign of his impatience.

Ron's smirk vanished as he stood up to his full height of six foot two, slightly taller than Harry, leaned forwards across his desk so his face was mere inches from his friend's and spoke slowly and clearly, "This has got fuck all to do with you."

Harry was incensed. He could not believe that Ron hadn't denied the allegations. Merlin, he had practically admitted it! The intense need to punch him in the nose was almost too much for Harry so he picked up his half-drunk butterbeer bottle and hurled it vehemently across the room, where it smashed against the wall, the liquid running down the wall and pooling on the floor.

"Get the hell out of my office! And don't turn up to the wedding either – me and Hermione don't want you there." Ron spat to the back of Harry's head.

"Speak for yourself Ron, but don't speak for Hermione – and I know she wouldn't agree with you." Harry turned back round to face him. "But don't worry; I won't be at your wedding – if there is one!"

Ron puffed out his chest in defiance, "Meaning?"

"Meaning Hermione isn't sure about you anymore." He folded his arms across his chest. "She doesn't know if she can trust you. She almost called the wedding off last night you know…but somehow you've twisted her back around your little finger and she's back right where you want her." He explained, beginning to tire of the confrontation. He just wanted to apparate the hell out of there. But there was one more thing he needed to get clear.

"Oh and another thing – if she does marry you make sure you treat her like the princess she is, 'cause if you don't…I sure as hell will!"

With that implied Harry apparated back to his own flat without a sound, leaving Ron open-mouthed at the realisation of his parting words.

As Thursday evening drew nearer Harry's nerves were beginning to show. It was the day of the party and he still hadn't made up his mind whether he was going to go or not.

He hadn't heard from Hermione and figured that she was either mad at him for confronting Ron or, most likely; Ron hadn't told her what had been said. If she found out that Harry had threatened Ron the way he had, or that he'd practically confessed his feelings she would have probably sent him a howler!

He knew though that Ron wouldn't tell his future wife about Harry confession in case she returned them, leaving him alone and depressed.

So, he wondered, should he go just to make things awkward for Ron, or should he miss the party altogether and risk being told off by Hermione for promising to go and then letting her down?

Sod it, Harry concluded, they're my friends as much as Ron's so I'm going to that party whether he likes it or not!

Eight o'clock came and went and Harry still hadn't had the courage to go into Padma and Parvarti's flat in south London. He had dressed in muggle clothing, black jeans and a black shirt and carried a case of Firewhiskey under his arm. He could sense the party atmosphere from outside the building and wished he was already in there.

"Pull your finger out, Harry." He told himself and pressed the buzzer with the Patil name next to it.

It took a while for someone to respond but eventually he heard a male voice telling him to "go on up, it's open".

Without waiting for himself to change his mind again he pulled out his wand and apparated straight up and opened the door to what looked like the Gryffindor common room after winning the Quidditch Cup! All the old Hogwarts gang were there making Harry feel instantly relaxed and at home.

From where he stood he could easily see Seamus, Dean and Neville stood near the drinks in the kitchen. Scanning his eyes around he spotted the Patil twins laughing with Lavender Brown and Ron's sister Ginny, who scowled as she spotted him in the doorway.

He took no heed of the silly girl and wandered over to his male friends, dropping the Firewhiskey onto the kitchen table once he got there.

They all exchanged greetings and Harry helped himself to a bottle of Butterbeer. Parvarti and Padma came over and welcomed him to their party, telling him to make himself at home.

Hermione and Ron arrived a little while later, and although Harry knew they were there, he carried on his conversation with Seamus, Dean about Quidditch.

"So who do you reckon is gonna win the title this year then?" Dean asked him, wiggling his eyebrows.

"Don't know mate, the Cannons could be playing better, and the Harpies…well, don't get me started on them!" Harry waffled all the while keeping a watchful eye on the couple who were making their way around the room talking to everyone they knew.

"Well I reckon the – "

Seamus was interrupted by Ron slapping him roughly on the back, "Cannons are gonna win this year, me too!"

Harry avoided the glare he could sense coming from him as he smiled and hugged Hermione.

"How are you?" He enquired, pulling back, remembering where they were and that she was engaged to someone else.

"I'm good thanks. You and Ron aren't talking?" She observed.

How did she do that?

"I hope it's nothing to do with what I told you the other night!"

Harry sighed, knowing he would have to blatantly lie to the one person he loved more than life itself. He hated that on had this one thing over him…well two things if you count the fact that he had Hermione too.

"Of course it isn't." He forced a grin, "You know what were like – always arguing – like an old married couple some might say!"

Hermione eyed him warily and he knew she didn't believe him.

"Seriously 'Mione, it's fine." He reassured her.

"I hope so, I don't want anything to ruin my wedding day."

The party finished at around two in the morning, but Harry had long since left the festivities. In fact he had only been able to stick seeing Ron and Hermione acting totally loved up for about an hour and then he cried off saying he had an early start and was absolutely knackered.

Ron had glared furiously at him as he had said his goodbyes to Hermione, hugging her close and kissing her briefly on the cheek. He said he would pop round sometime before the wedding and told her to take care.

Only Ron knew that Harry wouldn't be at the wedding as yet, Harry was pretty glad about that because it would be down to Ron to explain exactly why he hadn't been there and he hoped Hermione gave him what for, for not telling her beforehand.

No, she would not be a happy bunny at all.