Chapter 8: Reunion of the Exes
Comin' down the world turned over
And angels fall without you there
And I go on as you get colder
All because I'm
"I'm not going, Harry. And that's final." Hermione said, crossing her arms and staring at the raven-haired man sitting in her living room.
"Hermione, that woman used to be like a second mother to you—you can't just NOT go. She'll be devastated." Harry pleaded with his stubborn best friend.
"Molly will just have to understand—I can't go to the Weasley's house—You-Know-Who will be there, and I definitely don't want to see him!" Hermione yelled.
"Actually—I thought we destroyed Voldemort about four years ago… If he's there then we have bigger problems than you not wanting to see Ron." Harry smirked at her. "You know you have to do this to get your magic back in sync. We've been practicing for over two weeks—and your progress is marginal at best."
"You don't have to get smart with me Harry Potter. And I know just how I've been doing! Don't you think I'm frustrated enough without you constantly reminding me?!"
"All I'm saying is that these people love you and were so happy when they found out were still live it would crush them to know you don't want to see them." Harry sighed.
Hermione whined, frustrated at Harry's persuasiveness, frustrated that he was right, and he knew even before the argument began that he'd get her to come along if he pressed the issue long enough. "Fine. But at the first sign of trouble, that's it. I'm gone. Do you understand me?"
"Yes ma'am." Harry saluted her, and apparated back to his own Manor where Ginny had an afternoon snack awaiting him.
--
Draco was listening to the argument from his seat on the Grand Staircase. When he was sure that Harry had gone, he made his way down to join Hermione. "So he talked you into it I hear." Draco said, walking to her and putting his hands in his pockets.
Hermione was pacing by the window. Her arms were folded across her chest and she was breathing in short, forced huffs.
"'Mione, you need to calm down. Its just lunch. Two hours at the most. Go and say hi, eat, tell Molly that you spent some time in the Muggle World, and that we met up randomly in a coffee shop and things went from there. There's not need to go into great detail all over again." Draco caught her on her fourth pass and pulled her to him. "I'll be there with you if anyone starts trouble. Harry and Ginny will be there too. You know you have people who love and support you Hermione—this doesn't have to be as hard as you're making it."
Hermione huffed again in his arms and buried her face in his chest. "I know. But I'd rather face Voldemort all over again that walk into that house and see Ronald Weasley."
"It won't be so bad, love. You'll see." Draco soothed her. He only hoped that his words were true.
--
Sunday afternoon, and everyone was gathering at the Burrow for lunch and family time. Harry and Ginny arrived early, due to Ginny's second trimester pregnancy and her lack of patience, and Harry paced in the front yard waiting for the inevitable.
Ron appeared with Lavender by his side moments later, and he walked to where Harry was walking a trench in front of the garden, and stuck out his hand. "Nervous about the baby already, Mate?" He asked, smiling at his friend.
"Harry's head shot up and he fished for a believable answer. "Uh. Yeah. Gin's kinda…scary… with her mood swings right about now…" Harry didn't think it was entirely believable, but Ron didn't know much about pregnant women, and didn't like to think of his sister as one of them—so he knew he'd avoid the subject.
Lavender squealed at the mention of Ginny's pregnancy and rushed into the kitchen to speak with her. Harry rolled his eyes.
"It's been a while, hasn't it, mate?" Harry said, discreetly peering over Ron's shoulder in case Draco and Hermione should appear. "Over six months now—since your last tour was over."
Ron puffed out his chest and nodded. Yep. The Cannons are well on their way to the Cup this year if I have anything to do with it! I might be the newest teammate—but I'm probably the most dedicated Keeper they've had in a century!"
Harry grinned and punched Ron's arm playfully. "Getting cocky again." He muttered, just as he saw Draco fade into view. Hermione followed him, and she had a sick look on her face—and she hadn't even seen Ron yet.
"I don't want to go in there." Hermione said, standing a few paces behind Draco. "It just feels all wrong."
Draco looked at the Burrow and tilted his head wondering at the magic it took to hold the house together. Turning back to Hermione, he gave her a little nudge. "Come on, it can't be that bad." Draco whispered. He began to follow her, and as soon as he'd turned, he saw Ron's eyes on him.
Harry tried to keep Ron from turning around, but once he'd caught a glimpse of the white-blond hair, it was over. He saw Draco first, and then he saw Hermione right beside him. "What are THEY doing here?" He asked, his teeth gritted, looking down at Harry.
"Molly invited Hermione, Ron." Harry said leveling a gaze on his friend that warned him not to start trouble.
"And the Ferret?" Ron didn't wait for an answer. Instead, he marched over to where Draco and Hermione stood and drew his wand on Draco. "What are you doing here, Ferret!?" he bellowed.
Draco stood his ground, glaring at the red headed menace, but he did not draw his wand in return. "I was invited, Weasel." Draco sneered at Ron and then looked over his shoulder and nodded to Harry.
Ron tried a different approach, he turned his anger on Hermione, "He came with YOU?!"
Hermione jumped back a bit away from the towering inferno of rage that was her Ex-Husband, but, her stubbornness would not let her back down, "Draco is my guest, yes." She replied.
"DRACO?" Ron's eyebrows rose. "Since when do you call him Draco?"
"That's my name, isn't it, Weasel?" Draco intercepted the question, placing himself in between Hermione and Ron.
"You stay out of this Ferret…" but before Ron could say or do anything else, Molly Weasley burst through the front door and cried for Hermione.
Hermione, hearing her name, stepped around the men, who were glaring at one another, and right into a bone-crushing hug. "Hi, Mrs. Weasley." She managed, once she'd regained her breath.
"Nonsense Hermione! Call me Molly! You know I still consider you a daughter! I was so upset when I heard you'd gone missing—and when the police said that you were probably dead—well!" Molly pulled Hermione back into the Kitchen, leaving Harry, Ron and Draco in the front yard glaring at one another.
--
Lunch was awkward. Every member of the very large Weasley clan was present—even Percy and his wife Penelope, who had just come back from their honeymoon. Everyone was anxious to learn what had happened to Hermione when she fled to the Muggle world, and she delivered the most convoluted story she'd ever cooked up in her life. She reminded herself to thank the Slytherin sitting at the table next to her, his hand on her knee in a comforting gesture, for most of the made-up details.
Harry and Ginny found themselves holding their breath during some parts, but were understanding and obliged Hermione in her secrecy. Neither of them asked any prying questions, and they helped to divert those who did.
It was obvious, however, that there was one person at the table who was just as uncomfortable as Hermione herself was. Ron stared at his plate the entire time Hermione was speaking without even lifting his fork. Several times his ears went red, or his face went white, but he said nothing, and he looked at no one.
Hermione found that reconnecting with the majority of the Weasleys was good for her soul. The only black part of her day was sitting at the other end of the table, his head boring a hole straight through to the ground. Draco took her hand on more than one occasion for reassurance and she could not have thanked him enough for being there with her—even though he was in the presence of a family that he and his ancestors had faced rivalry with for centuries.
When the meal was over and the dishes were cleaned, Hermione found herself sitting under a tree with Ginny and Harry and Fred and George and their wives while Draco watched from a branch or two above them. She told them all more details about her recent past living with Draco—how he'd helped her discover her powers, and how he'd taught her to play the piano and how he'd pretty much given her free reign over the entire Malfoy Estate. Fred and George nodded and winked at one another as only twins to, but Angelina and Alicia voiced the question, "Are you two in a relationship of some kind?"
Draco looked down at Hermione and smiled a secret smile at her. As she looked up at him, she felt warm inside. Turning back to the two girls she nodded. "Yes. I suppose you'd consider him my boyfriend." Hermione grinned, and they giggled and gossiped as they would have done when they were back in Hogwarts.
--
It was late in the afternoon when Ron approached the small group sitting beneath the tree. He looked as if he'd been in deep thought. He came to stand directly across from Hermione, his hands in his pockets and his head drooping on his shoulders. "Hermione. Can I talk to you alone?" he asked. It was an awkward question and it caught Draco's attention immediately. Harry's eyes darted to the limb Draco was perched on and shook his head in an indiscreet fashion.
Hermione's smile faded, and she cleared her throat. "What is there to talk about, Ronald?" she asked, coldly. "I don't have anything to say to you. But, if you want to talk, ok. We'll talk."
Ron nodded, his face reddening a bit—whether in embarrassment or rage no one knew. Harry stood and cleared his throat. "Well, Ginny and I really should be getting home—it's getting late after all." It was an obvious cue for dismissal. Harry helped his wife up and they walked over to say good bye to the rest of the family.
Fred and George and their wives followed suit, each of the ladies pulling Hermione into a fierce hug and Fred and George both kissing her cheek in a friendly manner.
Once everyone had left (all but Draco who remained motionless in the tree) Hermione leveled her gaze on Ron.
Ron stared at her for a moment, for the first time, really looking at her. "You look good, 'Mione." He said, though it was a struggle to say the words.
"I still haven't gained all my weight back. But thank you." Hermione said, unimpressed by his lack of sentiment.
"Where's Malfoy?" Ron's lip twitched in the beginning of a snarl, but he refrained from lashing out at her.
"What does that matter to you, Ron? We're not in Hogwarts anymore. And he's actually a much different person now." Hermione defended.
"Malfoy's never change, 'Mione! He's a Death Eater just like his father was. He should be in Azkaban with the rest of them!" Ron's anger was rising.
"I'll have you know I've seen his arm—both of them in fact—there's no Dark Mark on him. And did you know he was the principle witness in the case that sent his Mother and Father to the Dementors? You realized he gave his own parents up for the sake of justice?" Hermione's arms crossed angrily. It was clear that Ron had not received this information.
"It doesn't matter. He's not good enough for you!" Ron growled.
"You should be one to talk about whose good for me Ronald! At least Draco hasn't cheated on me yet! In fact, if it weren't for Draco—I wouldn't be where I am today!" Hermione cried.
In the tree Draco gritted his teeth and fingered his wand. He knew this was Hermione's battle to fight, and it was necessary for her to overcome this—but it was all he could do not to tear the Weasel to shreds.
"That's right, Hermione. If it weren't for the Ferret, you'd still be a childless prostitute—selling herself on the streets for her next meal!" Ron roared his ears reddening.
Hermione gasped, taking aback at Ron's words. She was rendered speechless.
In the tree, Draco nearly broke his wand in two so strong was his anger.
"How do you know what I went through? How can you presume to know what it was like?!" Hermione cried, tears already welling up in her eyes.
"It couldn't have been that bad Hermione—because if it was, you wouldn't have done it for so long!" Ron yelled back. "And having the Muggle Police file a claim that you were missing and probably dead—did you really think it would hurt me?" Ron's face was as red as his hair, he was angry and embarrassed, and hurt and Hermione knew that he didn't know what he said when he got emotional—but every word that came from his mouth was a dagger in her.
"I did none of that for you!" she said, the tears began to fall.
"NO?!" Ron bellowed, "You did everything you could to make me look like the bastard Hermione! I screwed up! I admit it! But now I'm glad I ended up with Lavender! She may not be as smart as you are—but she's certainly not a whore!"
Hermione's hand reached out and she slapped Ron across the face with all her might.
Draco could take no more and he leapt from his position and embraced Hermione protectively, glaring over her head at Ron.
"You will not talk to a lady that way. I don't know who you think you are, Weasel—but if you want to call someone names and fight—let us fight like men and be done with it." Draco hissed, his arms tightening around Hermione as she sobbed against him.
Ron growled and seethed at Draco. "Fitting she should end up with YOU." Ron snarled.
"I'd say it's a vast improvement from her last relationship." Draco sneered.
Ron snorted and stalked off to find Lavender and leave.
Hermione hiccupped and sniffled a few times before she was able to calm herself down.
"Are you okay, love?" Draco asked, tenderly, he looked up to see Harry walking slowly toward them.
"I'm okay." Hermione mumbled. "I actually didn't expect any less from him."
About that time, Harry wandered up, "Listen, Ginny and I are going to leave for real this time—I wanted to hang around in case, you know, things got out of hand… but if you need me, you know where to find me, alright?" Harry extended a hand to Draco.
Draco shook Harry's hand and nodded. "I think its time we left too, 'Mione." Draco murmured to her, and she nodded.
They made their rounds quickly, telling Molly and Arthur good by, and thank you for having them over. Hermione promised Molly that despite her son's foul attitude, she would visit again soon and with that, she and Draco apparated back to Malfoy Manor.
--
Hermione immediately went to her room and crawled into her bed and curled into a ball. She wasn't crying, but she was thinking.
Draco watched for a while, before he decided to join her—not feeling comfortable anywhere else in the Manor without her near him. He molded himself to her, and wrapped his arms tightly around her. "Is everything ok, love?" he whispered into her hair.
"Actually, Draco, I feel ok." Hermione said, and sounded confused.
"What do you mean?"
"Ron made me feel terrible today. But under all of that, I felt what he was feeling. I felt the hurt and loneliness he felt—he misses the way we were in school." Hermione said, and rolled in Draco's grasp to face him.
Draco kissed her forehead. "You felt his feelings like you felt Harry's." Draco surmised. "But you didn't solve anything with him."
"That will come with time. I know it will. He will learn to accept you the same way Harry and the others have—he will break down and apologize to me and we'll make up and be friends again." Hermione said, caressing Draco's cheek with her hand.
Draco closed his eyes in thought—could Hermione's meeting with Ron today have been all that was necessary to give her back her magic? Draco's thoughts turned into ideas and plans as he held Hermione and she slept the night through in his arms.
--
Draco owled Harry at the Ministry Monday morning asking for a favor so big only Harry Potter could pull it off; when he found Hermione, she was sitting in the library, reading a book about spells far to advanced for her current capabilities. "Love, I have made a rather large request of Potter to test your magic tonight."
Hermione looked up at Draco her brows knit in wonder, "what are you talking about?"
Draco knelt down beside her and kissed her hand. "I'm afraid if I told you it might ruin everything. But, tonight at midnight, we are to floo to the Ministry. Potter's sneaking us into one of the Auror training rooms—a special training room."
"Draco—I don't know if that's such a good idea—Aurors are tested to the very extreme of their abilities—and I barely have the abilities of a second year." Hermione looked uncertain, and a tad afraid of what Draco was planning.
"Not to worry, Hermione, Harry and I will work on your level—the Ministry just has better equipment than a quaffle." Draco said, smiling. "Besides, if your magic has improved the way I believe it has—we may need more than a ball to test your skills."
Hermione swallowed hard, but nodded her assent. "I will give it a shot, Draco—but I can't make any promises."
"That's all I can ask for, love." Draco said, and wandered into the kitchen for a bite to eat. Silently, he thought about what he was putting Hermione up to that evening, and he knew, in his heart, that Hermione could do anything she set her mind to. He just prayed that she was prepared for what he and Harry were going to throw at her.
Author's Notes:
Seven!
Did the meeting with Ron go the way you expected? I bet you thought they'd come to a happy understanding, didn't you? HAH! Not in THIS story! (well, maybe in another chapter, lol) She felt what he was feeling though—and that's what's important—you know Ron is pants at saying what he feels!
Anyway—Up next—Hermione's final test—will she pass? Also—isn't it about time Draco and Hermione actually DID IT?!
XD
Stay tuned for the next installment!