Recently, life had been pure hell. The case Harry and I were working on became more complicated and it wasn't helped when Harry was suspended from duty for three weeks without pay for the whole Ginny thing. He got off very lightly and we both knew he was lucky.

The Aurors were wrestling with their consciences over whether or not to pursue charges against Ginny. There were several actionable ones but no one wanted to go through with it and extradite her from Australia. I had a feeling that this came about after mum invited Shacklebolt over for dinner. She can be very persuasive.

It was killing me that I hadn't been able to see Hermione much lately and I panicked when I received a letter from Professor McGonagall. Her letter explained that Hermione felt as though I and the rest of the Weasleys were distancing ourselves from her. She went on to say that Hermione was considering leaving the wizarding world again.

I had to get back to see her and that is why I'm waiting like a schoolchild outside Shacklebolt's office.

"You may go in now Auror Weasley." Announced the young secretary who had the reputation for being a most severe flirt.

"Weasley, I'm sure you're relieved that Potter is coming back on duty Monday."

"Yes I am. That's why I'm here. I need some time off to spend with Hermione sir."

"What? I'll send Auror Moxley to watch her if she's scared or something."

"That's not it; I'm the one that needs her."

"Look Weasley, I've been cutting you a lot of slack. Since you've been on this case your work has been nothing but sloppy. I understand that you left a stake out and let the suspect get away. This case would be closed if it wasn't for you."

"I apologize for not being at my best. You have to understand my situation. Sir, Hermione is saying she is going to leave. You wouldn't want a person with an Order of Merlin, First Class to leave the wizarding world would you." I tried to sell the sympathy/hero line but apparently he wasn't buying.

"No, but in this case I think it would be the best for everyone. We'd all be able to go on with our lives once and for all."

I couldn't believe that he said that, I was furious. I tried to calm my anger, knowing that I was ready to blow.

"Don't look so angry Weasley. I like Ms. Granger, but she is causing problems in this office. First I have a leak through Harry, no offense but he's the best Auror I have. You both are distracted because of her. And now other Aurors are getting upset at my special treatment toward you both."

"Well, if I'm such a problem why don't you just fire me?"

"I would if you weren't a war hero and Arthur Weasley's son."

My stomach dropped to my feet. Was I hired only because of who I was, not of what I could do?

"I'll just make it easy for you then. I quit!" I yelled and stormed out of the office. I grabbed an empty box from the rubbish bin and packed my things with a swish of my wand. I expected Shacklebolt to come after me to smooth things over, to get me back, but he didn't. I apparated home in a fury.

I must say that I had been feeling infinitely better since using my pensieve. I had decided to take a long walk on the grounds and was surprised to see Ron walking quickly toward the castle as I was making my way down to the lake.

"You can't leave," he yelled.

"I'm not; I'm just going for a walk," I said with a smile and continued motioning for him to join me.

"No, I mean you can't leave the wizarding world. I thought you had decided to stay."

"I can see that my conversations with Minerva are public knowledge," I replied quite irritated.

"She was concerned. No one wants to lose you, especially me." He grabbed my arms and spun me around; then pulled me into a comforting hug. "Please don't leave me; I need you so much right now."

I could hear something different in his voice. "Ron, is something wrong? Is it your mum? I haven't heard from her in a while and I thought, well I thought she was upset, but has something happened to her?"

"No, mum and the rest of us are fine. We all love you. I think mum is just grieving a bit. Come to brunch on Sunday and see everyone."

"I don't know. I'll think about it though. Hey, what is wrong?"

"I quit my job," he stated very matter-a-fact.

"Why?"

"I was just ready for a change." I could tell he was lying big time.

"Don't lie to me Ron! Why?"

"I couldn't get enough time to be with you."

"Please tell me you're joking; that I'm not the reason."

"Well, partly it is true. But when Shacklebolt essentially let me know I was hired because my father was Minister, I got a little bit upset."

"That's crazy! But you know, who cares if it's true, you've proven yourself."

"Not lately. I don't want a job that takes me away from you anyway."

"I hope you didn't make a huge mistake. That was very rash." I couldn't believe it, yet another thing to feel bad about.

"Well, let's move on to a new subject," he suggested as we continued to walk around the lake. "How are you feeling?" He asked cautiously.

"Better actually." He seemed slightly taken aback by my answer and my chipper tone. "I finally got my pensieve and it has truly relieved a lot of the burden."

His eyes lit up and a huge smile spread across his face. "I'm so excited and happy for you." He paused for a second then continued. "How about instead of me coming to Hogwarts, you come to my place for dinner."

"That would be nice. What time?"

"Seven?"

"Sounds great." I meant it, it really did sound like a great idea.

"Okay, I better do a few errands. Very casual though, nothing fancy. I'm no cook like my mum."

"I have confidence in you." I said as he sprinted toward Hogsmeade.

An owl was tapping on Harry's window and he could see it was from the Ministry. He let it and gave it a quick treat before it flew away. He opened the letter from Shacklebolt.

Auror Potter,

Please report at 7:30 Monday morning for reinstatement paperwork to be completed. You have also been assigned a new partner, Auror Moxley for the Herringbone case. Mr. Weasley is no longer a member of this department.

Shacklebolt

Harry read it once more to be sure he had it right. Had Ron been fired or did he quit? Either way he had to find out what Ron had done this time. He took a swig of his water and apparated to Ron's home in Hogsmeade.

I heard a pop behind me followed by, "What in Merlin's name is going on?"

"What?" I asked an obviously perturbed Harry.

"I got a letter from Shacklebolt saying you were no longer in the department and I've been assigned Moxley of all people."

I explained what had happened earlier in Shacklebolt's office.

"That's ridiculous Ron. It's not a reason to quit. Hermione knows what an Auror's life is like, she can handle it. As for Shacklebolt, he's just an old prick; don't listen to him."

"Maybe I don't want an Auror's life anymore. My priorities have changed."

Harry looked gob smacked. "Mate, you have priorities?"

"Ha ha very funny."

"No really, I've never heard you talk like that. Maybe you do know what you're doing." He looked around the kitchen at the mess that had accumulated on the counter. "What's all this?"

"I'm making dinner for Hermione tonight."

"That's good. How is she doing anyway?"

"Great actually; she has her pensieve. You should see her mate; she's been worried that we've been slipping away over Ginny." I was nervous to bring it up but there it was.

"I will. She and I both need to get over Ginny. She sent me a letter telling me about all the wonderful things she is doing in Sydney."

"She wrote you? She's probably just trying to make you jealous or something."

"Maybe, but she sent one to your mum too. Apparently, she is already dating someone named Mark. That wasn't in my letter though."

Boy did Ginny move on fast. "Just a rebound guy; you should find a rebound girl."

"I…I just thought she'd be back by now; that we'd get back together."

"It hasn't been that long since the divorce was final; only a few months really. But," I paused.

"But, what?"

"You and I both know she could be indicted if she comes back here. I think mum convinced Shacklebolt not to go after her, but if she came back that might be a different story."

"I know." Then after a long pause Harry asked, "She's not coming back is she?" I could tell he was pleading for the answer he wanted, but it wasn't the answer I had.

"Probably not." I said truthfully, "You could always go there."

"No, there's just too much between us now and I don't mean the distance."

I poured him a small shot of firewhiskey and put it in his hand. He looked at me gratefully and took it in one swig.

"Mate, why don't you stay tonight and eat with us. I told her very casual so it could be like old times."

"I think I'd like that." He said walking out of the kitchen and sitting on the squashy living room couch.

I quickly took my minute owl Pig II and sent a quick note to Hermione about the added guest. In no time I had a note saying that she was happy to get to spend some time with Harry, but that she was slightly nervous. Her nerves aside, I knew it would be a great evening.