Title: Second Time Around
Author: Billybob
Chapter: Ten part two
Chapter title: Checkmate: – One game ends another begins
Part two of three
Category: AU alternate universe ¼ PGFH Post Graduation from Hogwarts
In other words; it takes place after J. K. Rowling's - seventh and last book
Word count: 36,739 (plus or minus a word or two)
Pairings: HP-HG, CC-OQ, HP-GW and HG-RW
Rated; PG-13, for adult language, UK slang and profanity, with "implied sexual innuendo" (nothing graphic at all - but implied up the Was-zoo). Please recall that the main characters in this tale of mine are all in their mid-twenties, meaning adults in both worlds - Muggle and Magical.
Author's disclaimer: This story is based in the wonderful magic world created by J. K. Rowling, she owns all legal rights to the characters, setting, etc. - I am merely borrowing the contents of the JKR world for my own amusement and that of my readers. In other words…her characters…my plot - savvy?
Author's qualified joy: I have never been happier to be wrong, in my life. Although some characters I liked are now taking a dirt-nap, the final butcher bill was a lot lighter than I had feared. I would also like to thank JKR for giving us fan-fiction writers 19 years to play with. My heart felt condolences go out to the Harry anyone-but-Ginny romantic shippers and the Draco-Hermione/Ginny crowd, although they too have a few years to play with as well, before the cannon pairings kick in.
Warning: this chapter was done with the help of one beta reader
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Just then – Harry flushed and out of breath suddenly ran back into room, "RON'S IN ENGLAND" he shouted.
"What?" both young woman said, turning about abruptly.
"Kingsley told me…just moments ago at the twin's joke shop. Apparently, Ron listed Orla Quirke as next of kin for emergencies with the tournament officials in Roma. The Italian Ministry for Magic bypassed their English counterpart and contacted Orla directly and then forgoing diplomatic courtesy completely, they arranged - on their own - an 'International Portkey' to transport Miss Quirke and her boyfriend Colin Creevey as well as an extremely upset female house-elf …directly into the main wizarding Hospital in Roma - last night. Then this morning before dawn, against the advice of all of his Italian healers, Orla had Jon transferred by Portkey directly into the intensive care wing of St.Mungo - here in London.
"How did Kingsley find this out," Ginny asked, for Hermione who was too stunned to speak.
"He is under the personal orders of our lady Minister, to do two things. First: right from the off; provide around the clock protection – meaning absolutely no visitors – this especially applies to members of the press - for Europe's Wizard Chess Champion. He wants his best men on the job and I get to be in-charge of the entire security detail, which will make access for you Gin as his personal healer a whole lot easier. Secondly, Kingsley has ordered me to 'try' to find the allusive Doctor Hermione Jean Granger and bring her back to the Department of International Cooperation, - Foreign Office - forthwith. Apparently her former department is in a state of complete disarray over this huge diplomatic incident and her replacement as Chief Negotiator apparently can't find his arse without an engraved map."
"Harry don't be daft, she can't go back there, they 'sacked'her…remember." An upset Ginny declared loudly."
"Ginevra! …I WAS ….CERTAINLY …NOT …SACKED!" Hermione shot back exasperated, "The Ministry accepted my registration with regret and…"
"…yeah-yeah …yeah, okay – so I stand corrected, you quit before they sacked you, big diff!" Ginny replied with obvious sarcasm "You still can't go back there; you're not an employee anymore – you're off - and I'll even quote the press release in the 'Prophet'; "exploring different career opportunities."
"Well, I am looking for a new posting - you know – that part was true. I have had several employment offers in the last few days; there was even a rumor of a teaching position in Arithmacy opening up at Hogwarts soon, and when I inquired about it the Headmistress asked me to consider the position."
"McGonagall asked you to be a teacher?" Ginny asked in stunned disbelief.
"Well…no, to tell the truth - I approached her about the position, but when she understood my interest she was more than happy to take me up on it." Hermione replied somewhat embarrassed. "The current professor of the subject has applied repeatedly for a better paying position in the private sector. Minerva, fearful that he'll bolt the moment he gets the new posting, requested of the Board of Governors an assistant professor in the subject …as a back-up, but was turned down. Hogwarts yearly budget can't afford such a luxury, nor could she have approach anyone even if the governors had given their blessing, for no one would take it …not with the half pay of an assistant professorship involved."
"My personal qualifications in the subject would normally put me beyond her budget as well. However, when I told her how willing I was to take a hefty cut in pay in order to take the position, she said the job was mine the moment it opened. I even have the current professor's lesson plan, so that I can step in with little or no prior notice. After all I've been through …the annulment fuss and bother, I am looking forward to a quieter, less stressful lifestyle."
"And the preference for privacy of a certain shopkeeper who is suspected of owning a lovely little cottage just on the outskirts of Hogsmeade didn't play into this at all –did it?" Ginny said, grinning big at Hermione.
"Harry, you said that Jonathan is in England, what exactly did you mean by that?" Hermione asked changing the subject abruptly, deliberately ignoring Ginny last comment while at the same time confirming Ginny's motivation theory.
Harry smiled and nodded at his wife, proud of her deductive reasoning before replying to Hermione's question. "In complete secrecy and totally without the knowledge of anyone within the English Ministry, Orla, Colin and a House-elf somehow managed to get a floating stretcher through British customs without any fuss. The Italian Ministry had prearranged a private room for Ron at St Mungo, and is paying all the costs of his treatments. Kingsley found out about the transfer when the head of hospital security complained about the squad of Italian Aurors doing guard duty outside Mr. Veselkin's room."
"No visitors," Hermione said in a deeply depressed tone as she dropped down into the seat next to her vanity.
"Buggar that!" Harry retorted, "Ron paid you an unannounced visit while you were in hospital, I think it only fair that you return the favor."
"Harry – I promised Mrs. Weasley…" Hermione began to weakly protest, biting her lower lip in a pout.
"You agreed to meet him in a public place, and a Hospital is open to the public twenty-four–seven."
"I don't know…I'm not ready to see him…I look a mess and I have nothing to wear…" Hermione rambled on suddenly uncomfortably at the thought of facing her Hogwarts flame working herself to a borderline state of near total panic.
"Relax Hermione; he'll be out cold, just like that time sixth year with the poisoned Meade." Harry said and immediately regretted his loose tongue, bringing up yet another time when Ron had come near to death wasn't a brightest thing to do in light of Hermione's emotional instability.
"How do we get in" Hermione replied standing up with a surprisingly determined look on her face.
"I just pop back home and get my invisibility cloak, come back here collect you and …"
"There isn't enough room for all three of us Harry, we're not kids anymore…oh - no way - Harry James Potter. I refuse to be left behind…again!" Ginny began when her husband turned toward her and gave Ginny the classic you're not coming look. But hearing her reaction, Harry wisely avoided the bludger of a row heading his way.
"Ginevra …darling …sweetheart, in case you haven't noticed, you're ruddy pregnant! And frankly …I'd rather not risk you or our first child health on some harebrained stunt like trying to sneak a pregnant woman into St. Mungo, but…but with that said, nor am I daft enough to try to keep you out of this." Harry declared holding up his hands in surrender using his best 'being reasonable' tone.
"Darn right, I refuse to be left behind"
"Besides Ginny, we aren't going to sneak you in; because we don't have to. You're listed on Ron's passport as his personal healer; so your access to him can't be denied." Harry explained. "I'm officially in charge of the outer security, at the hospital with the Italians handling the floor Ron's on, which should help easy the way even more." Harry saw that his idea had instant approval of both women by the smiles that appeared on their faces."
"No, Ginny, It's Hermione that we have to sneak in, for there is at the moment, no real or implied connection between the former Mrs. Potter and the shopkeeper - Jonathan Veselkin …except for the rumored book she is supposed to be writing. But that's all going to change real damn quick …right Hermione?" Harry said glaring at his ex-wife as if to say 'don't you dare blow this chance that I'm setting up for you' My personal word would be good enough to get her through the throng of world press that'll be camped outside the doors in the next hour or so, and the English Aurors guarding the lobby. However, my authority won't get her passed the Italians on the fourth floor. Their Government was greatly embarrassed by what happened to Ron inside of a hotel they were suppose to be guarding and now with the details of the attack becoming public knowledge, they probably sent their very best men to guard the fallen Champion. My invisibility cloak will be Hermione's golden ticket for access to the Wonka factory – right by his Roma guards and hopefully allow her the opportunity if Ron's awake for a private little chat with him in his hospital room."
"I can't stop you coming, Ginny …but understand this. You're walking in the front door with me doesn't lessen one iota my heartfelt belief that wandering about the hallways of a hospital isn't exactly the wisest thing to do for someone almost five months gone with my child. It's under protest that you and I will be walking into St Mungo's lobby tomorrow and we're only doing it to provide a big enough diversion for the press to concentrate on, so that Hermione can slip past the guards and into the lifts unseen."
"Harry's right Ginny, you shouldn't be putting your baby at risk However, I've known you far to long to think that a belly as big as a beach ball would ever slow you down." Hermione said in grudging respect. "Tell you what, when I'm as far gone in the pudding club as you are now. Feel free to go off on a crazy adventure under the invisibility cloak with Jonathan and it will be your husband and I that will stay behind."
"Funny …Granger, a real twisted sense of humor you've developed lately," Ginny said with a sneer.
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Time: Twenty five minutes after ten in the morning, the following day
Place: the central entrance lobby of the Saint Mungo Wizarding Hospital
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Harry and Ginny, arm in arm, marched proudly into the lobby of St. Mungo, to face the multitude of the press which had gathered for a hoped for interview with the recently attacked, Chess Champion. When they saw the national hero and his very pregnant newwife, they naturally followed the young couple to the reception desk, like new born pups follow their suckling mum.
With cameras flashing and reporters shouting out questions in a half dozen forms of broken English, Hermione, fully hidden under Harry's famous invisibility cloak, slipped around the outskirts of the lobby of England's magical hospital and into an empty lift. Harry had successfully drawn the attention of everyone in the lobby when he calmly announced to the receptionist the reason for Ginny's presence. The uproar created when the press learned that the new Mrs. Potter, escorted by her husband, was also the personal Healer to Europe's Wizard Chess Champion set off a feeding frenzy among the media which covered perfectly the sound of a lift doors opening.
Of course this claim had to be verified by Hospital security, and of course that would take time.
The noise and excitement of the moment proved too much for the English Aurors guards at the lifts doors. To see what was going on, they were drawn away a few paces from their posts just far enough for Hermione to sneak into the lift. However, she wasn't the only one waiting for a distraction to slip upstairs. A totally unauthorized delegation of the Diagon Alley Shopkeeper Guild took advantage of Harry's announcement to also sneak unnoticed behind the two British Aurors and into the lift with Hermione, their shocking Red Hair not giving them away to anyone but the invisible occupant of the lift.
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When the lift arrived at the fourth floor, the Italian ministry Auror guards posted at J Veselkin's room didn't give it more than a casual glance; lifts arrived at various hospital floors with such regularity, that the guards and hospital staff normally took little notice of it. The arrival of this particular lift however was a totally different matter. For this one unloaded two – tall, physically identical red headed men, their clothing alone made it clear to the guards that these two were not hospital personal? The Italian Aurors reaction was instant and instinctive; Fred and George were barely three paces off the lift before the two professionals at Jon's door had their wands out and were crouching down into combat stances.
Italy's pride had indeed been deeply bruised by the attack on J. Veselkin, - just as Harry had predicted. So its very best Aurors were guarding Jonathan until the injured Chess Master was back on his feet again. At the Matron station half way between the Italians and the lifts, their English counterparts from the M.o.M. were stationed. Put in place by Harry and Kingsley the previous evening as back-up for their Italian cohorts, England' finest reacted a moment slower than their Italian counterparts in moving into combat stances to confront this 'potential' threat. Fred and George with four wands pointed at them, froze in place like two deer in the headlights of an oncoming Muggle Land Rover,
The English Aurors moved forward carefully toward the motionless Weasley's who were wise enough not to make any sudden moves. Covering both the lift at that end of the hall while at the coming close enough to provide fire-support to their English comrades, the Italian Aurors had to move away…just slightly, from the door they were guarding. This created a gap, an empty space of hallway, the center of which was the door to Jonathan's hospital room. With the total focus of the four Aurors focus on the potential threat to their front, none of them noticed when the now unguarded door was soundlessly opened. Unknowing, the twins had provided Hermione with just the added distraction she needed. Taking advantage of her chance, she had opened the door just far enough to slip inside Jon's hospital room.
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Hermione was wise enough to leave the door slightly ajar, as if it had drifted open on its own. She recognized Colin and Orla at once; as they both stood next to the bed, looking down at a man softly whispering in pain. There were several candles burning brightly in the room, and light also coming from a nearby un-shuttered window, so Hermione's had an unobstructed view of the injured Chess-master. Jonathan was floating in midair some six or seven inches above the standard hospital bed.
Although she had spent several hours the previous evening, reexamined very carefully, the moving wizard photographs of Jonathan Veselkin's post battle injuries – medical photos taken progressively over the course of his multi-year recovery. And yet, in spite of all of these vigilant preparations, Hermione still found herself more than a little stunned by the sight of the once vigorously healthy Ron Weasley, the red-haired boy that she remembered so well. The man that hovered over the hospital bed bore no resemblance to the lad from that fated last summer holiday that she had shared with Ronald just before sixth year. This was not the boy who had swum with Harry, Ginny and herself in the small spring fed pond behind the Burrow.
The burn scar covered young man on the bed was naked; that is …except for a triangle of cloth which covered his groin area. Jonathan's fully exposed and totally hairless, head, arms, legs and chest, were covered with a coating, almost like an outer shell of a thick semi-clear greenish-gray healing potion which throbbed over every inch of his exposed flesh with a soft magical glow. Only his face was left uncovered and it was only this part of his body that was animated, the rest appeared to be as ridge as if incased within a clear green body cast, stiffly and completely motionless. Although Hermione had no difficulty seeing Fire Ball Hex burn tissue that fully covered his entire body. Even from where she stood near the door, some five paces from the bed, Hermione could also still make out the faded scars that Ron had received from the brain during the final stages of Battle of the Ministry. Brain tentacle scars that she had never mentioned in her book, so few people if anyone, knew about them.
"One more thing to regret about your stupid book Granger" Hermione said to herself. "Just think - if you'd spent a few more pages in your book on Ron's bravery at the Ministry battle, if you'd described in fuller detail the scars that ruddy brain gave him, then perhaps his real identity would have been established a whole lot sooner. Then maybe it wouldn't have taken seven ruddy years to find him again." This thought gave Hermione pause, and she stopped approaching the bed, "I don't deserve this man," she thought, - but just as she began to spiral down into self loathing, her ears picked up the conversation going on at the bedside.
"This is ridiculous Orla, he's clearly in no condition to go running off to Kenningston Gardens today, did I mention it's raining – and I mean hard?" Colin whispered to his girlfriend.
"Colin, have you no romance in your soul? Of course Jon has to keep his appointment with Granger at Eleven." Orla said.
"That's less than twenty five minutes from now! Sweetheart – I beg you …try to be a bit more realistic …please? I'll concede that 'in spirit' Jon may well be more than willing – that he has the courage to make the attempt is beyond doubt, but physically, his body is just not up to the task. You do see that…don't you sir?"
"Yes my boy, I do. Colin is right, Orla," A feeble voice, barely louder that a whisper declared. "Luna was apparently …a bit off in her prediction. It happens to Seers more often than many people realize. For reasons unknown to us mere mortals, fate has decided, that the good Dr. Granger and I will not meet …not today at any rate.
"You're not giving up on the whole idea of meeting with her, are you Jon?" Orla asked in a worried tone, "She is actually quite desperately to meet with you in person. Over the last week while you were in Roma, she put Colin and I through endless hours of questioning about you, trying I believe to get a better feel for who you are as man. Of course being the sneaky Ravenclaw prankster that I am, I couldn't resist the opportunity to turn the tables on her unstable mental state and take advantage of the situation by learning as much as I could about Granger's personality traits. The exchange of information was more balanced then I think she knows."
"Yes and want to I thank you both for your keen insights into the mind-set of the good Doctor Granger," Jon replied weakly. "You have provided me with more in depth background information than my own research through more traditional media resources had access to. And to answer your question Orla …No, I know better than to try to avoid Dr. Granger when she has her mind made up on doing something. That much about the lady I do remember, from my own memory of the girl," Jon said his voice going warm and soft as he fondly remembered the past."
"Truthfully, I think it only fair that Dr. Granger have her chance to gain the same kind of closure that her former husband seemed to crave so much. In fact I have envisioned two very different scenarios for our first reunion meeting. In one version: her apology is in the form of an emotionally distraught, heart felt, down on her knees, eyes filled with tears slobbering plead for forgiveness …or …and I think this second scenario is the more likely way that it will go, for I foresee and more purely logical and coolly calculated presentation, like a barrister before the full Wizengamot arguing some obscure point of law. I can easily imagine her carefully thought out, point by point common sense explanation for her highly effective protection plan, and her terribly misunderstood novel."
Colin snorted a half chuckle, "You're probably spot-on there, Sir. Granger's not the type to admit she's wrong. Never having been caught out in any provable errors during her seven year stay at Hogwarts, for Granger to acknowledge a mistake now, especially one this big …would be, all but ruddy inconceivable."
"She did say her book was generally misconstrued by the readers, in fact she appeared quite upset that her portrayal of Ronald Weasley hadn't come across as she intended." Orla said agreeing with her boyfriend.
"And yet it's somewhat ironic that it was to that very novel that I was forced to refer to in regards learning anything personal about Dr. Granger herself," Jon said in a disappointed tone.
"I share your concerns, Sir. After all, if the facts about Ronald in her book were utter rubbish. How could you trust what she wrote about herself?"
"Spot on, Colin …well done. The painful paradox in a nutshell," Jon said with a weak chuckle.
"But if it was all her readers fault for mucking her noble intentions, then who is she blaming for her brilliant protection plan?" Orla asked obviously venting a long suppressed sore point. "A plan which I might add, if you really take a moment sit down and think over carefully, only reduced the Weasley's high placement on Tom Riddle's people to be killed list to a more - lower priority. It never took them off the list completely and how could it? With the Weasley family's opposition to the whole pure blood idiocy as well known as it was.
"You got that right, Luv." Colin said beaming at his girlfriend.
"In my opinion," Oral declared in full rant mode. "All that Granger's plan really accomplished was the utter destruction her budding relationship with a teenage Ronald, while at the same time driving a deep wedge between Harry's and Ginny that took five years to mend …and for what? The pure satisfaction of knowing, that if Voldemort won the Weasley's would be killed later, rather than sooner? Would somebody explain to me, please? Exactly how can Granger logically explain all that away?" Orla demanded of her boyfriend.
"You weren't in Ravenclaw for nothing my sweet, but don't get your knickers in a twist on that score. I'm quite sure that the self proclaimed 'smartest witch of our age'?" Colin retorted very sarcastically, "Has by now already found a logical way around the little flaw that you've so cleverly discovered in her brilliant plan. In fact you can bet on it!"
"There is no need for you two to get upset over any of this. It really doesn't matter in the long haul." Jon said in a soft, barely understandable whisper. "That so-call plan of hers as well as her …novel - happened almost a decade ago it's in the unchangeable past - dead and buried. Both items ended up primarily hurting the Weasley family in one way or the other, and I can't see either side exchanging Christmas gifts anytime soon. If Dr. Grange feels compelled to apologize and make amends, it's the Weasley's she should be apologizing to …not me."
"But Jon, You're a Weasley!"
"Orla, you're right of course …physically speaking, I was one, but that was a while ago and I don't think of myself as a Weasley now," Jon said with a tone of regret. "I view the primary goal of any meeting with Dr. Granger, especially now that Luna's vision has turned into a well-meant …fairy tail is to ensure that our little chat finally allows the good doctor to put her ghosts to rest concerning the dead and buried youngest Weasley male."
"So is meeting only to be about closure? …And you no longer believe in the future that Luna told you about." Orla asked genuinely surprised. "Why Jon, I thought you wanted that destiny?"
"Part of me still does, Orla," Jon said with a depressed sigh, "more desperately than I can possibility explain."
"Then why Jon, I don't understand."
"I hope you won't think less of me for admitting this," Jon said with obvious hesitation, "but to be totally honest, I've become increasingly scared to death of being rejected for yet a second time. I have been through so much pain and heartache to become who I am, that every instinct I have within me is very …apprehensive, of all this fuss being made by both Potter and Granger. I see no evidence to indicate that this Guilt motivated Questof theirs is anything more than some twistedattemptto return Ronald from the dead. My ever growing feelings of unease with this ultimate goal is real and tangible, for Dr. Granger has a better working knowledge of the insecure red haired teenager that she made a fool of at Hogwarts …than Jonathan the shopkeeper. They're alike in that, Potter and Granger are, I feel they're both looking to reform the old Golden trio, turn back the clock and that's …ruddy impossible."
"But, Sir, you didn't say 'no' to meeting with them both again at Ginny's wedding." Colin asked
"A moment of weakness, Colin, that happens often in times of high stress. I first began to vent, Ronald's long suppressed hurt feelings during my visit to Dr. Granger's hospital room more than a week ago. I again gave voice to his feelings of betrayal at Ginny's wedding, which pretty much finished up for me the job of venting Ron's anger at his ex-friends. It felt really good to finally purge all that angst and wounded pride. With that done and behind me, I felt confidant that I could sort out Ron's place inside my mind and move on with our combined life. We are going to have to co-inhabit this one body for the rest of our lives. Venting Ron's feelings of betrayal was a big step in making peace with my former self."
"You had no intention of seeing any of them when you got back from Roma …did you, Jon."
"No ...not really, Potter and Granger are part of Ronald Weasley's past. Veselkin doesn't know squat about either of them and Jonathan is my future. Different times, different lives," Jon said firmly.
"And then Luna came along with her big talk of children and family totally upending your carefully arranged apple cart." Colin said chuckling. "She pushed all the right buttons on you, - didn't she Sir?"
"I know how much family means to you Jon, Merlin knows I have benefited from it, "Orla said squeezing Jon's unmovable arm affectionately.
"Spot on, Colin, - Luna gob smacked me good and proper, there's just no use denying that." Jon said cheerfully with the good grace of someone who'd been royally pranked. "I always wanted children, you see, a home - loving wife with little nippers running amok …the whole nine yards. In this, the old Ronald and the new Jonathan are in perfect accord. …" and then Jon's voice faded away …all at once, Jon began to chuckle. "It's a funny thing …fate. I mean how things worked out. Ron's brother William proved right after all."
"What are you going on about, Jon," Orla asked puzzled.
"Just before his wedding to Fleur Delacour on August first of 96, a mere fortnight before Ron met his fate defending Hogwarts. William expressed his deep disappoint that I was, or rather Ron was – mostly likely to be the only Weasley in ten generations, to graduate from Hogwarts after playing 'the Great Weasley Game' for seven years and then return home empty handed.
"Sorry - Sir, but you lost me?" Colin said sharing his girlfriend's confusion.
"The Great Weasley Game was Williams's term for a longstanding Weasley family tradition. Charles had a more vulgar name for it; he called it 'the Knickers Count.' Jon said in perfectly calm - a matter of fact tone
Being a Ravenclaw, Orla was only a heartbeat behind the invisible Hermione in figuring out what was meantby the Knickers Count Game."
"William and Charles tied at ten pair each," Jon said remembering. "Percival had one, probably belonging to either Penelope Clearwater or Audrey his wife. The twins although they had left school early, came home with a respectful three pair each… and that just left Ronald and his sister."
"Your sister - But, Ginny's a girl? How could she play, 'knickers count'?" Colin protested.
Charles Weasley's name for the game was a bit misleading. The tradition was for any Weasley attending Hogwarts to provide physical proof of their entry into adulthood, this verification usually taking the form of a bed-partner's 'carnally soiled', undergarments. Charles had called it the knickers count because all of his Hogwarts lovers were female."
"Then that would translate in Ginny's case to …men's briefs" Orla said completing the thought.
"Precisely, Jon said with a weak chuckle. "I even got the chance to ask Ginny during the few days she stayed at my cottage before her wedding to Potter, what her Weasley Game count had been at graduation from Hogwarts. Without batting an eye and with zero embarrassment Ginny instantly retorted …three pair of 'Y fronts' and one pair of boxers. By the way - Colin, I've been meaning to ask! What kind of underwear do you wear and more importantly, did any of your Y fronts or boxers …go missing, while you were dating my little sister?"
Shock and embarrassment suddenly appeared on Colin's face as he looked …apprehensively back and forth between Jonathan and his fiancée, both of whom were staring at him with usual intensity.
"Well Colin?" Orla replied with a raised eyebrow, both her hands firmly planted on her hips and tapping one foot.
"But your brother Bill was wrong …you didn't go home empty handed. You had one pair of knickers at least …right? They belonged to…" Colin said, desperate to change the subject
"No, Lavender and I didn't …indulge," Jon interrupted, quickly and forcefully. "The physical aspects of that relationship were played out for the most part, in plain sight down in the Gryffindor common-room."
"Colin I already told you, Jon didn't…" Orla began
"But - Sir, there were rumors circulating in the boys dorm during my sixth and seventh years at Hogwarts." Colin said interrupting his girlfriend. "Rumors that Lavender brown never denied alleging that you and Miss Brown …that you and …she."
"It never happened. My memory of my relationship with her is almost completely intact. Miss Brown didn't lose her virginity to Ronald Weasley … for one thing; he never allowed the physical side of that romance to go that far because of the way he felt about Granger, and secondly. Ron caught Lavender in the act of being deflowered while doing his solo Prefect rounds …in a fifth floor classroom not two days after he broke up with Miss Brown."
"Why would she lie about something like that?"
"Well, I'm assuming that at some point her future husband Seamus Finnegan must have had good reason to question which bloke 'broke' his girlfriend to the saddle …so to speak. Having a somewhat promiscuous reputation, Lavender might have had her own reasons for protecting her first lovers' identity and with Ronald dead, there was no-one alive that could dispute the story she told in the common room during her seventh year."
"Except the bloke who actually …"Did the Deed," Orla said thinking the matter through, "and we can assume that the fellow who first shagged Lavender doesn't want Seamus to know …even now."
"If you didn't, then who then who was first to bunk-up the busty Miss Brown?" Colin inquired with a leer, acting the typical male.
"Unlike his brothers, the old Ronald and by default the new Jonathan doesn't make it a habit of 'kissing and telling'. His relationship with Miss Brown was based on revenge and not affection. Unless Dr. Granger has told anyone, there is no-one who knows what happened between her and the old Ronald during their fling in various broom cupboards at Hogwarts. As a general rule, I hold in contempt those blokes who boast about their own conquests or what they knew of other bloke's sexual …successes."
"Right from the off, Colin …we will be talking about your personal 'Knickers Count' score …later," Orla said in a semi growl to her boyfriend. "As for you Jon, why am I not surprised to learn, that no matter what the name, you always behave as the perfect gentleman, you make your shop-sister feel very proud.
"Being a gentleman, Orla, doesn't appear to pay any dividends as nice guys finish last, while cads and lechers like Potter and openly bad boys like Malfoy get regularly …laid," Jon said in disgust.
"I never thought for one moment that you were the type of bloke whose only interest in a bird …was quick shag," Orla said with a sweet smile at Jon and then a glare at Colin. "I've always believed, almost right from the off, that you were the - settle down with the girl you loved - and make babies type."
"Thank you, I plead guilty to all charges," Jon replied amused. Its just a pity that you ladies seem to prefer womanizers who hump and dump, like Draco Malfoy and Harry Potter, over us boring but dependable settle down types."
"It's not something we do consciously Jon; it's a genetic weakness in the entire female gender. All women since Eve - have had the unshakable belief that it only takes the right woman, - meaning them - to completely reform a bad boy," Orla admitted without batting an eye. "The tragedy is how many women end up deeply hurt by this myth, trying to change the unchangeable."
"Thank you Orla, you're the first woman I have ever met, that actually acknowledges the disparity."
"Your welcome - big brother, but now I'm curious. Why didn't you make love to Lavender," Orla asked. "She offered to do things, I'm told …several times in fact. I even overheard Potter confess that you once told him, that you turned down a three way with Lavender and a dorm mate …perhaps the exotic Miss Parvati Patil."
"Bloody Hell - you're kidding - …right?" Colin declared utterly gob smacked! "When did this happen, where was I?
"You were a work Luv," Orla replied
"He wasn't supposed to tell anyone about that! He promised me he'd take the secret to his grave, damn you - Potter!" Jon growled. "Sorry Orla, I didn't mean to snap at you, I was the one stupid enough to trust Potter the Prat with a confidence."
"Jon - Lavender - why not?" Orla repeated her unanswered question.
"Why not? Well that's an easy thing to explain. Ronald didn't loveMiss Brown …it's just that simple. She wanted to - do it …but the old Ronald declined the offers - again and again – it was one of the less important reasons why …he broke up with her. By willing consent rather than default the new Jonathan - morally speaking - fully supports Ron's policy on casual sex. It may well be an out of date bit of medieval morality, but Ron and I feel, that we couldn't have sex with a woman without three preconditions, one, a life long emotional commitment by both parties involved, two; an engagement ring worn on the correct finger, with all the symbolic fidelities that such a gesture implies and third and lastly. A mutually agreed upon - publicly announced, wedding date that is no further than six months ahead of the deed being done."
"Jon, that's sick, that means you condemn all blokes to no fun at all - no H and D's …no one night stands!" Colin said aghast.
"Colin …honey? I think that you had better 'retract' that last statement P.D.Q.! That is …if you know what's good for you!" Orla threatened. But before a cowering Colin answered Jon came to his rescue.
"There was a girl at school …but she chose another man over me," Jon declared sadly with a heartbroken sigh. "Then fate conspired with three Fireball Hexes to rob me …I mean us – Ron and I, of the dream of becoming a father. During the course of my recovery I gradually came to accept my destiny and began to half hope to somewhat play the role by proxy as an 'uncle by extension' to you and Colin's children. And then Luna Hemmingway popped up in Roma and told me I was all wrong, that Fate itself had undergone a drastic change of mind concerning me and suddenly I was to have it all …with no less than the classic girl of my dreams."
"Jon, then you 'do' love Hermione,"
"Orla, even with being handicapped with fragmented memories; it's been clear since fourth year when he painfully discovered that she "was agirl", that poor Ronald has had one and only one girl in his heart. It's really pathetic how much he loved a girl who didn't love him back. And as Ronald holds a substantial part of my heart and mind, then yes, I admit that the Jonathan part of me also has 'by default,' very strong feelings for that bushy haired, seventeen year old bookworm."
"She heard your confessions of love in her hospital room, Jon, every word." Orla said in an excited tone.
"Yes, as first Harry and then you two have told me. However the fact that she heard every word I said to her in hospital, it doesn't change one iota, my unshakable intention of putting the whole torment of once having been a Weasley, firmly behind me. I don't retain enough of the memories of Ronald the teenager, for his personality to claim more than less than a third of my consciousness."
"But Jon, - Colin and I both heard Granger say she was in love with you as well," Orla protested.
"And she had left her hospital bed, against her doctor's advice, no doubt …just to declare her love for Ronald Weasley at his sisters wedding." Jon countered. "Any emotionally distraught woman, having just suffered a suicidal …full nervous breakdown, should not be held accountable for irrational babblings made during times of mental instability. Some things are simply not meant to stand. Better yet, since the wedding during your days of interrogation, has she declared her love me, even once?"
"Well now that you mention it …no, not in so many words," Orla replied in a tone that indicated the air of her enthusiasm was slowly leaking out, like a tiny punctured hole in the side of a balloon
"If you do love her, Sir …why are you giving her an out?" Colin asked.
"To any true gentleman, Love, - the happily ever after - variety anyway, can never be taken by force."
"Jon, I am sorry"
"Don't become pessimistic about the outcome, Orla. It may still work out. For my part let me assure you; I fully intend to keep an open mind during my upcoming meeting with Dr. Granger. There is after all, a sizeable part of me that desperately wants Luna's vision of the future to happen. Believe what you will, but I really don't have any preordained outcome in mind for this ...little chat."
"Well that's a good thing, isn't it?" Colin said.
"Sure it is. However, with that said, I give fair warning to both of you; the first time I detect the slightest bit pity in her tone, my interview with Dr. Granger will come to an abrupt end, along with any chance of any kind of relationship beyond the same politeness that I display to any customer who wanders into the shop."
"Sir, and with all respect due to you, I'm not overly concerned if this - 'sometime in the future'- meeting with Granger works out or not. My primary concern at this moment is to make sure you don't try to sneak out of this hospital to meet her today at eleven …some ten minutes from now. Because, I'm more or less certain, that the effort will most likely kill you," Colin said in a worried tone. "Just bringing you home to England early has seriously set-back your recovery. Do you realize that this conversation has been the longest you have maintained consciousness, since the attack in Roma."
"Colin, I'm most gratified by your concern, but let me reassure you that this immobility spell they have me under …intended to accelerate my healing …or so they say. Makes it virtually impossible for me to move anything but my head – and even that I can't move more than a few inches in any direction," Jon said in a weakly. "So sneaking anywhere…is clearly out of the question. You're clearly misinterpreting my restlessness in this bed, as struggling to get free, in an attempt to see Dr. Granger; nothing could be further for the truth."
"Thank Merlin for that, Sir."
"The fact of the matter is …I hate hospitals - that's it, the whole reason for my fidgetiness in a nutshell. No matter how good they are, and St. Mungo is regarded one of the very best Wizarding hospitals in the world. Its Hospitals in the general sense, that is causing my irritability and discomfort, for they represent for me, years of almost unending pain," Jon declared with a weary sigh. "What I would really – really like to do, is to go home to Chess Master Cottage and recover there. Then, in a few weeks time, Orla can invite Dr. Granger to my cottage for a visit, where Kiki can serve the four of us a hot cupa of Earl Grey and then have a nice little chat in front of the fireplace of my own comfortable Lounge."
"What of Mrs. Weasley's preconditions on your meeting with Granger?" Orla asked "Your Mum was …emphatic about it taking place in public."
"My biological mother, Molly - seems to have forgotten that I am notfive years old anymore." Jon said with tiny bit of heat before quickly regaining control of him-self. "I can understand to a point, her need to reestablish some sort of parental relationship in my life. However, after seven years living on my own and having reached twenty four years of age, I say: her restrictions -can go – to the Devil. I simply refuse to be dictated too as to the manner in which I meet people, especially those individuals with which I have unfinished business, such as Dr Granger." Jon said somewhat forcefully.
"Jon, why don't you use Hermione's first name more often when speaking of her?" Orla asked softly.
"As I have said before," The whispered voice replied with obvious uncertainty. "The Hermione that I knew…that I somewhat recall, from bits and pieces of a burned memory…is - or rather was, a seventeen year-old bookworm student of Hogwarts. She may have in the last few days learned all there is to know about who I am, by interrogating the two of you. I however, don't have the resources at my disposal that she does and would therefore find myself at a distinct disadvantage during any one-on-one conversation with the lady. Outside of what little you and Colin have told me, all I really know about Dr. Granger is from what little I could ascertain from her novel …which frankly wasn't all that much. The only other source I had was what I've read over the years in various newspapers and magazines, which naturally make such information suspect."
"That's spot on Jon," Orla said before blushing red in embarrassment as she turned to face boyfriend. "Sorry Colin, but the Daily Prophet has been right in there with the other media sharks, bad mouthing Granger with a mixture of half truths and down right lies."
"No need to apologize, Luv. I've not been proud of what they've printed lately." Colin replied with a regretful half smile.
"From what I've read, the only facts that the media has right about Dr, Granger is that she's a full Doctor of Arithmacy and Grand Mage of Ancient Runes," Jon interjected. "It's common knowledge that she was also awarded the Order of Merlin First Class for bravery in the war. Became the famous author of a …how shall I put it? Accuracy questionable…novel!"
"Rubbish would be a better description in my option," Colin interjected with clear scorn.
"The press has highlighted the rumor that she was recently sacked as chief negotiator of the Foreign Office while deliberately downplaying the formally announced voluntary resignation," Jon continued. "Last and by no means least, the press has seemingly overnight; completely forgotten that Dr. Granger was for the last six years the common law spouse - of the one and only living love-god of Great Britain. The officially recognized consort to the Casanova - de magiof our age, the grand stud, which no woman in England can sexually resist …not even my own sister …who should have ruddy know better …Jon said with noticeable heat, "well …at least, in my humble opinion," he continued in a somewhat calmer tone
"Potter is no love god Jon," Orla protested.
"Really, well…that's odd, wasn't it just a mere fortnight ago that you and Colin told me that there wasn't a witch in England who could keep her knickers on after undergoing a ten minute dose of the legendary Potter seductive charm?" Jon declared with thick bitterness.
"What does this have to do with your meeting with a woman, which part of you …at least to some extent seems to be in love with?" Orla replied, ignoring that her own words had been thrown back in her face
"Oh, I don't know, let's think on it …a bit." Jon said in weak by clear sarcasm. "What was it that you insisted on telling me the first moment I regained consciousness this morning. That the good Dr. Granger had recently admitted to a far more in depth relationship, with a certain …Bulgarian national team, Quidditch Seeker …her first real boyfriend …apparently, than anything she has admitted too prior to this point. This confession, fly's directly in the face of her often repeated denials of any romance with Krum to the poor lovesick Ronald. This more than mere 'friendship' clearly predates, her all too short-lived - 'what should I call them now?' – Dalliances, or perhaps casual romantic flingswould be a better description - these flings,which she shared with two of her - inconsequential - Gryffindor House contemporaries; - Cormac Mclaggen and then later …Ronald Weasley. Two minor speed bumps on her voyage to the ultimate relationship prize, Quidditch Seeker 'par excellence' …Harry Potter, himself."
"Potter isn't all that hot," Orla protested. "Believe it or not Jon, there are some women who really don't fancy being no more than a notch in a bloke's bedpost."
"I glad to hear that little sister; however the topic under discussion was Dr. Granger's attraction to Quidditch Seekers. This Christmas assignation with Krum was one of several secret rendezvous' that apparently she had with Viktor over a period of years which makes her relationship with the man of more respectful length than anyone realized; even her well read novel downplayed the affair, referring to it erroneously as no more than a silly schoolgirl crush."
"Snog and grope and she was rather reluctant to fess up to it." Colin interjected.
"Thank you for the reminder Colin," Jon retorted sarcastically." There is also no mystery as to why she kept this love affair a secret. For one thing, there is the potential fall-out from the 'taboo' nature of an underage, fourteen year old girl's …passionate liaison - with an fully grown …adult, - nearly five years her senior! Then there was the risk of a negative reaction from her future husband Harry Potter. This is conceivably justifiable …if you take into account Potter's mood swings and frequent fits of depression, - then pile on to that - Viktor Krum's imposing physical presence, his emotional maturity and Quidditch notoriety at a time when as you may recall, Viktor's fame rivaled if not surpassed that of Potter the Prat."
"Yes, I can see the potential negatives from Grangers point of view," Orla whispered quite reasonably.
"Yes, bad form all around!" Colin declared, agreeing whole heartedly with Jonathan's conclusions. "If you think on it a bit, you'll realize that if it hadn't have been for Ginny catching them snogging in the library, poor lovesick Ron would have never known about it. Granger must have recognized that Potter would greatly resent not being the bloke who ….harvested Granger's …maidenhead! It was a bloody wise thing to do in my opinion …keeping something like this from a bloke with Harry's temperament. Her preference for keeping secrets' was why even the great Auror Potter was utterly gob smacked when he finally heard of Granger's Christmas tryst …some seven years later. It appeared to me at the time, that she had 'ample cause' to think her future spouse wouldn't be able to handle being sloppy seconds after …Viktor Krum!"
"Jon - I think you should know - that as a result of a conversation that took place in the shop awhile back, there appears to be some confusion about whether or not Granger is either a promiscuous slag or an untouched flower with her 'maidenhead' still very much intact."
"In hindsight, it's easy for anyone to understand why she would keep such an affair from the emotionally insecure Weasley, the now infamous court jester to the GoldenDuo." Jon continued unabated with unavoidable bitterness, deliberately changing - Trio into Duo. Not hearing or intentionally ignoring Orla's comment on Hermione's allegedvirginity. "I retain enough of old Ronald's memories to acknowledge his greatest shortcoming, - meaning his all-consuming jealousy of any male rival for the attention of the beautiful Miss Granger."
"So you're saying, that Granger fancied only rich and famous Quidditch seekers, with everyone else mere filler until something better came along," Orla said as if asking for clarification
"I think you're both oversimplifying the matter of Dr. Granger's romantic preferences," Jon said reasonably from his bed. "I don't believe that she consciously had a particular type of bloke that she fancied more than any other. But even if she did – what right does anyone have to criticize the romantic choices she has made in her life."
"Jon, you had every right to disapprove of her behavior toward you" Colin said exasperated
"The way she ended her fling with the old Ron …perhaps, but her choice of who she preferred to be with …I most definitely do – NOT! For the moment, put aside the shock - on my behalf - that you're feeling, over this newly revealed romantic Christmas tryst that Miss Granger shared with Viktor Krum. It would be extremely hypocritical of me to condemn her behavior back then, when I spent so much time Snogging and Groping Miss Brown. Nor have I ever made any judgments over the love affairs that both of you must have had at Hogwarts during a similar time frame." In response to this comment both Colin and Orla became suddenly very silent, while blushing profusely.
"I think you should keep this in mind when giving Colin the third degree over his Hogwarts 'Knickers Count'. Otherwise he might demand to know in return what your own Y front score was. And do you really want to have to answer that one?" When it comes to past relationships I feel everyone lives in a glass house. …Some questions, little sister - are best left – unasked!" This observation made Orla blush even harder in mortification.
"The way I see it, Miss Granger had the same right to invite Viktor into her home for that holiday in 96, as my shop-sister's had to invite your Mr. Creevey to spend the last ten days in the flat above my little shop, while I was in Roma." Once again, Jon's shop assistant and her boyfriend as well …felt their cheeks redden in deep embarrassment.
"Looking back on it now, I can see that Viktor was just one of several really lucky blokes, who took their turn in the arms of the lovely Miss Granger and felt her sweet lips pressed against their own. I recall vividly, every moment that old Ronald spent in those arms, the sweet taste of her lips, and the feel of her slender form pressed against his own. In spite of the brutality of their breakup, I wouldn't give up old Ron's memory of being in Mione's arms for all the Gold in Gringotts.
"Mione – Jon?" Orla asked catching Jon's slip.
"It was the way that 'old Ron' thought of her in his mind …and its how I think of her in my heart."
"You still love - your …Mione? - Don't deny it!"
"It doesn't matter whether I do or not," Jon replied with a sad sigh. "For it is a tragic certainty of life is that although we poor blokes pursue you birds, it's up to you ladies to decide who actually catches you in the end and more importantly …how long we get to keep you. Krum was her choice, he became her first boyfriend because she picked him especially for that honor and I have no right …then or now, as a rejected suitor, to feel jealous of the sensual privileges that Viktor, Cormac or even Harry received from her."
"Jon, don't do this to your-self!"
"Why – not, Orla? …I speaking pure truth here! It is to my eternal shame that even now …years later, the Ronald part of me …still feels twangs of intense jealousy over her preferences in men. It's embarrassing really …Ronald should have been grateful; for the two weeks he was her boyfriend, even if no-one in the wide world knows it happened, he does! It is not her fault that Ronald assumed that his relationship with the beautiful Miss Granger to be more serious and potentially longer lasting than she did. Besides, whom on Gods green earthreally cares …besides Ronald, if Miss Granger regarded the brief liaison with him as an easily forgettable - short term fling? She didn't make any promises she didn't keep, never lied to Ronald by telling him that she loved him, any more than Ronald can be censored for misbehavior towards Miss Brown for he never told Lavender that he loved her …because he didn't."
"She has said she loved you often enough during the wedding," Colin said.
"We've been over that already, the really important thing to be mindful of is that you haven't heard her say it since. You know what's really sad about all of this," Jon asked rhetorically. "Do you remember the Dragon Ring that Ginny insisted that I return to Mione? Did my dear sister ever tell you the story behind that little bit of silver? Ronald bought it; cost him every bronze Knut that he owned, he even had to sell-off part of his Chudley Cannons memorabilia collection to obtain it. That wasn't a friendship ring the place card in the war veteran's display case said it was; it was a bloody engagement ring.
"Pathetic isn't it? What seventeen year old teenager in his right mind …buys an engagement ring for a girl he wasn't even dating at the time? While poor delusional Ronald was thinking up names for his future children up in his dorm room, his so-called girlfriend Miss Granger had weighed - measured and obviously found him wanting."
"Jon, even if what you say was true back in late May of 1997. I believe that your Mione has undergone a change of option concerning you since then." Orla said sincerely – while deliberately deciding to use Jon's secret name for Hermione to press the point of a potential romance with Granger home to Jon.
"Yes Sir, I agree with Orla, in spite of her dumping you in the past. I think she fancies you now."
"It was admittedly a hard rejection for Ronald to accept at the time, I don't deny that." Jon said sadly talking to himself more or less, not having heard anything of what Orla and Colin had just said. "But if you think about it rationally, I should be able to put this …almost decade old rebuff …behind me; after all, like I said, it was her choice to make. In hindsight when I think back to that time, the thing that makes the whole affair really pitiable, is that part of my mind that still belongs to Ronald Weasley ….still desperately craves Mione's love …and that's just …sad! Even if the Potter's martial relationship soured in recent years, that's still, leaves an extended period of time during which she and Potter shared …unbridled carnal bliss. The Ronald part of me irrational and seemingly never ending covetousness for another mans ex-wife is becoming more than a little disturbing for me."
"She isn't his wife anymore, Jon. She is legally free of Potter and appears to be very eager for another shot at romance with you." Orla said in a deadly serious tone.
"She is free alright, but it isn't me she wants my dear shop sister. It's the ghost of Weasley the sidekick that she covets." Jon replied sadly.
"You don't know that for certain, Jon. I have come to believe that it's you that Mione wants now, not once did she call you Ronald in my presence."
"Mine either," Colin said in support.
"I'd be more flattered, if her sudden interest in me was motivated by a casual conversation with Jonathan Veselkin in the Leaky Cauldron over a pint or two and not because of my indirect connection to the Golden Trio's infamous clown," Jon said. "Even if my fear of a second rejection due to my physical appearance is without proper foundation, it pales in comparison with the possible heartache I'll feel 'if' her so-called newly found affections for me turns out to be just another case of 'filler' while she gets over being like you yourself said Colin, royally dumped by Potter. Nothing more than a way to kill time until another rich 'Quidditch Seeker' comes along for her to run off with. Another rejection, in the same pattern as the first one would utterly destroy me, Orla."
"You won't be rejected this time Jon"
"And you know this precisely …how?" Jon replied sarcastically.
"Luna's prediction for one thing or perhaps it's just …wishful thinking on my part, Jon. Motivated by my sincere desire, for you to find the same kind of love with your Mione - that I've found, with my Colin," Orla said as she wrapped an affectionate arm around the waist of her boyfriend.
"Thank you." Jon replied. "But I think the more realistic view is to accept that cupid, has passed me by permanently. However, my rational mind apparently has no influence over my heart which seems incapable of letting my feelings for Dr, Granger fade away."
"That's easily understandable, because you're still in love with her you stubborn Prat," Orla said, deeply exasperated. "I can see that Colin and I aren't going to convince you in a few hours that Mione fancies you again. Right then …we'll let her convince you, it's her ruddy job anyway. But what I can't comprehend is why you're all of a suddenly envious of Potter the Prat - bedroom skills?" Orla asked, now somewhat confused.
"He doesn't think he can compete, love" Colin said softly into his girlfriend ear. "No bloke really wants to know how he'd compare to another bloke sexually, unless he's ruddy sure he'd come out on top. Granger has enjoyed years of bedroom experience with the alleged, Casanova of England …while Jon here has…experience wise…well, none. Right, Sir?"
From across the room and invisible Hermione watched as her old boyfriend reluctantly nodded his head …yes.
"Oh Jon, you really are as thick as old Ronald was about women." Orla said in a frustrated tone.
"Guilty as charged," Jon replied
"Sexual performance isn't top priority to the majority of us women," Orla insisted. "There are other things that men do of fargreater importancethan sex. There are loads of things that happen in a romance before the bloke gets invited into the bedroom …little things that a bloke must achieve first if they really want to wins our hearts."
"And size doesn't matter either …yeah right." Jon said contemptuously before calming down again. "Look, you two, I'll lay my cards face up on the table, and just pray that you won't laugh at me. I'll openly confess here and now, my biggest fear concerning a potential romance with Dr. Granger. You see, most blokes my age, are reasonably certain that their…plumbing, will work when the time comes. Luna seemed to believe that mine will as well …but I'm not so sure. She talked on and on about our children, apparently absolutely convinced that within moments of Dr. Granger and I meeting in a London play park, we'd be ripping each others clothing off and shagging like rabbits."
"You both know how inhibited I am about people seeing me without my full concealment robes. You'll also have to admit that the very idea of Dr. Granger, a woman reputed to be somewhat prudish when it comes to showing off her feminine wiles, suddenly becoming so overcome with overwhelming feelings of raw lust, that she wouldn't be able to resist the urge to have sex in public. Well …Is a bit far fetched - to say the least!"
"In the presence of Mr. Right," Orla replied looking at Colin with hunger in her eyes, "you'd be surprised how quickly a woman's prudish inhabitations fade away. Besides for the tenth thousandth time - your burn scaring isn't half as bad as you think, I mean this is getting old…really old," Orla pleaded insistently.
"It's not putting my-self down as a man," Jon said half apologetically in response to Orla's remark, "Now that you've seen for yourselves up close and personal the full extent of my injuries. Colin as a fellow Gryffindor I ask you to be honest with me … please? With my robes off, is there any resemblance at all …to the red haired prefect from seven years ago, the clown that Potter and Granger are so desperate to find.
"No - Sir, with the make-up and the red wig the resemblance is scary, without it …as you are now, you're barely human." Colin answered instantly, in total honestly
"Colin, that wasn't nice, how can you say that?" Orla replied, reluctantly.
"Honey, Jon wanted the raw truth, and that's exactly what I gave him"
"Thank you Colin, it's alright Orla, I need people to tell me the brutal truth, besides it your turn now."
"Jon, I don't understand,"
"Forget that you're my sister in spirit, draw on your Ravenclaw intellect and detached objectivity and tell me …in total honestly as a woman, do you think any other woman, specifically Dr. Granger, would find the burn damaged body you're seeing right now …sexually appealing?" Jon asked in a monotone. "Orla, this is important, I trust you to tell me only the brutal truth …please?"
"Jon you're being a stubborn Git again," Orla hissed -obviously stalling. "By the way - Is this functioning plumbing anxiety that you mentioned earlier the real reason why I could never get you to go on a second date with any of our female customers?"
"Yes…that and how my last three attempts at blind dating worked out. Orla, no offense, by why do you pick the same kind of women for me. The ladies you set me up with were all big busted, voluminously figured, hour-glass shaped women. None of them were exactly rocket scientists but nor were they stereotypical dumb-blondes either. I don't have a clue as to what type of woman Jonathan fancies, but they're definitely not it. A couple of them were obviously mercenary 'gold diggers' just going out with me to gain access to my bank account. The few that weren't …well, beside the fact that there weren't any sparks between me and any of the women you've introduced me to, the moment they let slip that they regarded me as a genuinely amusing, kindhearted, big brother type of bloke …well, that put a quick end to any thought of romance." Jon said sadly
OoOoOoOo - POV -
Hermione had been tempted to reveal her presence the moment she had entered the room, but now she was glad she hadn't. She'd been worried to no end, on how she was going to get around the tragic mistakes she had made as a teenager, her stupid protection plan and her horrible book. Now here she was, not twenty minutes in Jonathan's hospital room and from what Hermione had overheard… by mere chance, the real obstacle to her reuniting with her old boyfriend was now painfully obvious."
Seven long and painfully lonely years had passed since she'd last seen him and the man she was still very much in love with …had not changed at all. Jonathan like Ronald before him was still worried that he wasn't good enough. "Bloody performance anxiety…sweet Merlin…the same silly boy who'd worried for ages about being a lousy snog as a teenager, was now, as a fully grown man, and worried about being a ruddy lousy …shag! 'gerrr' What is it with… men?" Hermione found herself, wondering, "Is how good they are in bed and at Quidditch, all they ever think about?"
OoOoOoOo
"Jonathan you can't be serious," Olga said in a furious tone. "Those women were just stupid slag's that put more value in the curve of a bloke's bun and how big your Gringotts vault is, instead of concerning themselves with depth of a good mans soul. Believe me; you're well rid of them!"
"Honey, I think you're missing Jon's point,"
"I am not; he said they were Gold Diggers,"
"No dear, I mean - what I think Jon is implying is that none of the women you set him up with …did it for him."
"What are you going on about?" Orla replied confused
"Orla, What Colin is trying to say with subtlety …is this?" Jon declared reluctantly. "None of the women I have met in all years the shop has been open, none of these women - even the 'Slag Gold Diggers', have been able to stir my blood or to be even blunter, aroused me. That's what I meant by plumbing issues' Jon said all this with painful hesitation, the depth of his embarrassment obvious in the tone of his voice. "Luna vision on my future children depends on my ability to sire them. And frankly, I'm not at all sure that - reproductive wise - my burned privates, can still …come to attention."
OoOoOoOo
Hermione had heard enough, she knew it was time to reclaim her man and to put Jonathan's fears to rest. However, before she could remove Harry's invisibility cloak there was a light tapping at the door behind her which then swung open as a matron and one of the Italian Aurors on duty entered the room. Hermione instinctively backed against the wall when the two newcomers came too close to where she was standing.
"Excuse me," the man said in heavily accented English, "we have just taken into custody, two men, a pair of twins with Red hair, who claim to be the brother of Mr. Veselkin. As far as we know the Chess Master has no family, is that not true?"
"I'll handle this Jon" Colin said turning toward the Auror.
"Red hair, and twins did you say?" Orla asked, her eyes going wide.
"Yes Miss, do you know them? We caught them coming off the lift at the end of the hall."
"There must be some kind of mix up. These particular twins aren't actually related to Mr. Veselkin in any legal sense, but they are however, the brothers of his personal healer Mrs. Ginerva Weasley-Potter."
"Healer Potter is in the building with her husband right now. There is some mix up surrounding the confirmation of her credentials due to a recent name change. They'll have to straighten it out, before allowing her up here." The Italian admitted.
"You get some rest - Jon, Collin and I will sort out this mess, and then if you don't mind, we'll go home for a bit, freshen up, change our clothing and grab a bite to eat. We should be back in a couple of hours. So …be a Luv - and try to avoid running off while we're gone?" Orla said taking her boyfriends hand and heading toward the door
"When did my ever so polite and respectful shop assistant develop such utter cheek?" the voice from the bed whispered in clear amusement.
"I learned it all from my older brother …at work." She answered cheerfully, as with a wave she and Colin left the room with the Auror.
OoOoOoOo
"They're a nice couple Jon," the matron said as she carefully fed her patient a series of thick potions. "Normally I'd ask you how bad the pain is, but knowing you from the time we spent together in the burn unit, I won't bother."
"It's manageable Susan," Jon replied softly.
"Manageable for you Jon usually mean unbearable for anyone else," The matron said. "Are you warm enough? I can adjust the temperature of the healing spell …no? Alright then, you'll let me know if you want anything, won't you?"
"Yes" the whisper sounded tired now.
"I think you've had enough visitors for right now Jon." The matron said in a firm, no nonsense tone. "I'm going to post you as not to be disturbed for a couple of hours so you can get some sleep."
"But my Healerjust got here Susan and she'll want to see her patient. The Weasley's, especially Ginevra, have a reputation of being a bit headstrong."
"I've worked with Ginny in the 'ER' before, Jon. And headstrong is an overly kind …understatement. But as you should recall, I don't back down to any healer in this hospital…even the new Mrs. Potter."
"I don't want you two fighting over me - Susan."
"We won't fight Jon, although we might exchange …heated points of view," the Matron said with a predatory grin as she gathered up the empty potion bottles and did a final check of the magical glow that surrounded her patient. "Good to see you awake, Jon," the woman said heading for the door.
"Thank you, Susan," Jon said in a tried whisper as the door closed. There were a few moments of quite before the silence was broken.
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Sorry I have to break this up
It might be too big to post otherwise
Billybob