*Disclaimer* I do not own Harry Potter.
Ron and I hung up our coats in the closet, and walked over to the table with refreshments. Ron grabbed a beer, and I stuck with soda for now. I knew that if the party was as dull as they could be, I would most definitely be in search of something stronger. Ron and I mingled through the party, looking for my mum and dad. We found them in the den, talking with Robbie and his parents. I grimaced slightly, and tried to turn around, but my mum had spotted me and called out.
"Hermione, Ron! You made it!" She walked over gracefully, and gave Ron a quick hug first, then a prolonged hug for me, as she whispered her apologies. "I'm sorry honey. They said Robbie would be out of town for Christmas." I squeezed my mum, knowing that she had tried to save me from the uncomfortable situation of Robbie, the boy next door, who also had dentist parents, and had decided when I was 6 and he was 8 that he would marry me, even though he though I had teeth that were too big.
"Don't worry about it mum. I've got Ron here to help fend him off." Even after all these years, Robbie and his parents Jan and Jon still believed we would get together. Ron, mum and I walked over to the group. I gave dad a hug and in my ear he whispered his apologies.
"Sorry sugar pea." Dad gave me a kiss on the cheek and released me. I took a deep breath, and faced Robbie. He hadn't changed much since we were little. He was still about my height, with the same mouse brown hair. He smiled at me, but it didn't reach his eyes. I had always hated that. When you smiled at someone you loved, it should reach your eyes at least, if not take over your entire face and make the other person catch their breath at the beauty of that smile.
"Hi Robbie. Hello Jan, Jon." I shook all of their hands, releasing Robbie's before he could cling. "How are you all doing?" I asked, not really caring.
"We've been good." Jon answered for the group. I'd hated that as well. Jan almost never spoke if her husband or son was around. Her family never gave her the chance. "Who's your... friend?" He shot Ron a look that clearly said he was not welcome in our group. Ron ignored the look and smiled at everyone. My breath caught. Now that, was a smile.
"I'm Ron Weasley." Ron stuck his hand out for Jon to shake, which he reluctantly did.
"Well, I suppose it was nice for you to bring an... associate." Robbie remarked, looking at Ron as if he were a dead thing. I was ready to rip into the whole family, but Ron was quicker, pulling me into his side, and giving me a squeeze. I was brought back to myself long enough to calm down. I smiled at the group, and gave them a truth.
"Oh, Ron's more than a friend." I smile up at my beautiful warrior and get lost in his blue eyes. "Ron's my boyfriend." Robbie looks shocked by this, as did his father, but his mum seems a little relieved. It seems that she never really wanted me with her son. That's okay. I didn't ever want to be. By this time, Robbie had regained control of his facilities, and he looked rather mad.
"Would you mind if we spoke for a minute Hermione?" Ron and I started to follow, but he stopped. "Alone, Hermione." Ron didn't look happy with being left behind, but relented quickly.
"I'm here if you need me, okay Mione?" I nodded. Ron looked down into my eyes for an endless moment, and I forgot the rest of the world, Robbie and his annoying parents included. Ron smiled at me, and I felt my heartbeat stutter. One quick kiss to my lips, and he let me go. I walked over to where Robbie waited for me. When I reached him, I stood a good meter away, so that I had some breathing room. Somehow, he always smelled like socks to me. Robbie frowned at me again and stepped closer, grabbing my hand.
"What are you doing Robbie?" I asked, pulling my hand away. "I'm dating Ron." Plus, I added in my head, you thoroughly repulse me.
"What does Ron do Hermione? Construction? Work at a restaurant?" He laughed as if this was funny. "Look at him. He's a joke. He's not suitable for you." He once again stepped closer to me and lowered his voice. "In all seriousness Hermione, you know it's me you'll end up with. Why delay it any more? You're not getting any younger." He looked at me as if all this made sense, and he was just explaining it to someone who was sadly too simple to understand this.
"How stupid do you think I am?" I asked him in outrage. I worked to keep my voice low, so we wouldn't cause a scene, but it was very hard. It was getting worse, because Robbie had the nerve to look affronted by my tone.
"Of course I think you're rather smart Hermione. I mean, for a girl." Forget not making a scene, I pulled my arm back to punch him like I did Malfoy in third year, but Ron caught my arm. I knew it was him, simply by the feel of his fingers against me.
"Robbie, I have gotta tell you, you are an idiot." Robbie stammered at Ron.
"How- d-da-re y-y-you?"
"No, how dare you. Mione is bloody brilliant. You're an ass to talk to her as if she's stupid." Ron was now cuddling me into his chest, and I let him. Him answering for me was different than it would be with Robbie. With Ron, it was always my choice. "You need to leave her alone. She's with me."
"She's mine! She's belonged to me for years!" Robbie said in outrage. I tensed against Ron's chest, and he allowed me to answer, knowing it was what I wanted.
"I am NOT a possession Robbie-" I started, but he interrupted me.
"Not now Hermione." His eyes were locked on Ron, completely ignoring me.
"No Robbie. You will not dismiss me! I was talking." Robbie looked at me, indulgence in his eyes. He was patronizing me. Dad closed the study door to the other party goers, and I was grateful. "Robbie you stuck up home schooled Wizard!" Everyone in the room gasped, since it was a secret about their families abilities. "Yes, I know. I figured it out years ago. How? Because I'm a witch, and Ron's a wizard. We went to Hogwarts together, which you were apparently too stupid to do! Then you might know that Voldemort took over the Ministry of Magic, that Ron and I spent all of last year on the run with Harry Potter," another set of gasps behind me as his parents recognized the famous name, "Yes, the boy who lived! We helped him defeat Voldemort. I, personally, have been named the brightest witch of the age, unofficially, and graduated from my 7th year of Hogwarts in this last summer, by an accelerated learning program set up specifically for me so I could graduate on time! I am brilliant, and you will treat me as such! Now, for your other comments." Robbie tried to interrupt me, but I whipped my wand out so fast that he couldn't even blink. "I am not done talking!" I waited for him to nod, then put my wand back at my side and continued. "I am dating Ron. I love him. I will never be with you. Ever. Ron isn't a joker. He is an Auror, and he is brilliant and brave and he loves me!" I feel my chest heaving, and stop to take a deep breath. Ron holds my hand to comfort me. "Last thing. Robbie? I'm 19. I'm hardly getting sent out to the pasture any time soon." I turned away from Robbie and buried my face into Ron's chest. He pulled me so that I was pressed against every line of his body and I felt something that shouldn't have surprised me, but did.
"I think it's time you leave." Ron said, using his no nonsense, cop voice. Robbie and his parents left quickly, and I was glad. I wanted to let off some of the steam I had built up arguing with Robbie, and Ron seemed to have the perfect solution.
"Hermione?" I looked at mum and dad. "Why don't we leave you and Ron in here for a little while?" I nodded thanks at my mum, and she leaned in to give me a hug. "Remember to use a silencing charm dear. We don't want to put your poor father through too much more tonight." Mum winked at me, apparently knowing what Ron and I would be doing once we had some alone time. She and dad walked out of the room, and I melted into Ron.