Concessions

Hermione, Hugo, and Rose spent Saturday morning with the Potters, having breakfast and taking their time playing and talking. When Harry took the kids on a walk, Hermione talked with Ginny about what happened. Ginny listened quietly and Hermione found herself crying again.

"But that's just Ron," Ginny said. "He's always gotten that way when he feels uncomfortable."

"I just… I felt like such an idiot."

"Well, what were your expectations?" Ginny asked.

Hermione sipped at her tea and shrugged, not knowing how to answer. She had never been one for fairytales, but even before doing more of an exercise, she had hoped to get right back on track. When Ron accused her of using it as a homework assignment, she knew he was right and felt a longing for him she hadn't sensed in a long time. She regretted the half dozen times that came to mind in the past few months where Ron tried to get things started and she shut it down. She wondered if Ron would be with her now if she had only reciprocated. Even a few of those times.

"Well, just keep trying," Ginny said. "You'll get there."

When Hermione headed back to their own house and went to put away her things, she noticed a vase of flowers on the nightstand and her shoes set neatly at the foot of the bed. Hermione opened the note tucked under the vase.

I'm sorry. I didn't mean to ruin the night. Let's try again?

Love,
Ron

Hermione pressed her lips together, her heart bolstered.

"Rose, Hugo," she shouted out. "How about we go see Dad at Uncle George's shop?"

They both squealed happily and Hermione helped them get into fresh clothes, brushing their teeth and hair. Hermione changed as well, freshening up in the mirror as Rose kept asking if she was ready yet. The three of them went to the curb and Hermione held out her wand hand, holding onto Hugo tight as the Knight Bus showed up. She paid and told the driver they wanted to go to Diagon Alley.

Hugo tugged hard on Hermione's hand as they weaved in and out towards Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes. Hermione redirected them to the side of the building where the staircase to the flat went up, knocking on the door. Ron answered and looked surprised before he smiled.

"Hey there," he said, catching Rose as she flew into his arms.

Hugo tackled his leg as Ron looked at Hermione, tilting his head. Hermione smiled, wishing she had thought of what to say. They shouldn't talk about the night before around Hugo and Rose.

"I thought we should come down and see what you were up to today," Hermione said.

Ron gave her an easy, grateful smile.

"Daddy, I want to get a fake wand," Rose said.

"We have a whole box of them up here," George's voice shouted from inside.

Hermione looked into the room and he sat at the small table, papers scattered all over. She felt sudden apprehension, wondering what Ron had told George to this point and what he thought about the whole thing.

"Uncle George!" Rose shouted, scrambling down as Hugo went over, making shooting noises and play punching him.

"Manners, Hugo. Be nice," Hermione said, though George was already playing right into it.

"Come in," Ron said. He leaned in, holding Hermione by the neck and giving her a few swift kisses.

He took her hand and as bad as Hermione felt the night before, she felt that good as Ron pulled her inside.

"Where are the wands, Uncle George?" Rose asked.

"Well, let's go look in the boxes, shall we?" George suggested. Hugo and Rose shouted their approval, following them over to the boxes as Ron and Hermione stayed near the nook. She looked at the paper, pushing them around.

"What's this?" she asked.

"You know that case? George has been trying to replicate those barriers."

"Do you think that's a good idea?" Hermione asked, looking at him, concerned.

"Well, first he wants to do it on a small scale. You know, trap a single person," Ron said. "Also, there would have to be a way out. In the meantime, I'm getting some good ideas on how to combat anymore that come up. It will help us narrow down exactly what's being used."

"I see," Hermione said, shuffling the papers.

"You alright?" Ron asked and she snapped back towards him. "After you left… I shouldn't have laughed. I was just feeling strange and it came out and…"

"No, I shouldn't have gone over that," Hermione said.

"Why did you?"

Hermione swallowed, not wanting to explain the thought process. "It was stupid."

"But—"

"Daddy, look!" Rose said. She waved one wand and it turned into a rat. She dropped it and it scampered around as the kids acted scared. The rat eventually stopped, turning back into a wand. "I want that one!"

"Good taste, Rosie," George approved.

They didn't get a chance to talk again as Ron took them out, walking around enjoying the warm November day. They eventually stopped at the cafe, getting hot chocolate for the kids as Hugo told Ron everything that had happened the night before playing with their cousins.

"James helped us build a blanket fort," Hugo said. "He took Uncle Harry's wand and got into big trouble when he tried to make it bigger."

"I bet," Ron said, smiling at the idea. "You should never grab an adult's wand, right?"

"Yeah," Hugo said.

"I beat Albus five times at chess," Rose said.

"That's my girl," Ron said proudly.

Hermione kept a hand on his knee as long as possible, thankful for every moment, but wishing they could be alone again. That they could talk about things they should have talked about the night before. Try to connect again.

Hugo dragged his feet by early afternoon and Ron stuck him on his shoulders, following them back to the bus, riding along this time. Even Rose was tired, leaning against Hermione and closing her eyes. Hugo was asleep by the time they got home, his limp body slumped against Ron.

"Why don't you go read for a while," Hermione suggested to Rose, who went upstairs, followed by Ron carrying Hugo to put down for the rest of his nap.

Hermione went into the kitchen, wiping down the already clean counters as she waited for Ron to come down. He entered the kitchen standing on the other side, leaning against the countertops.

"Thanks for bringing them today," Ron said.

"Thank you for… the flowers… and the note."

"Did you want to talk about it?" Ron asked.

"Honestly, no," Hermione said.

"We are going to have to get to the hard stuff some time, 'mione."

Hermione knew this. She wished they could just have endless days like today, but somewhere in the back of her mind she knew conversation would have to arise about what was happening. Every time the books she read brought up these aspects of conflict resolution Hermione could feel herself tense up. She took less notes in these areas, wanting other things to be tried first. Exercises like last night that might reignite something deeper than the arguments.

"I was thinking I need to tell the rest of my family," Ron said. "Or at least my parents. Everyone else can find out without a real conversation."

"Right," Hermione said. She took a breath.

"If it makes you feel better, I'm pretty sure they'll assume it's all my fault," Ron said.

"It doesn't," Hermione said. "But thanks for trying."

"Have you talked to your parents?"

"No," Hermione said. "I think I've been waiting this out to see if I could avoid that conversation."

"You should talk to your mum," Ron said. His brows were knit and he looked concerned. "I'm guessing you want to."

Hermione didn't know how to respond. She didn't want to tell her mother about this. She didn't want to admit for a moment to her parents that she was failing at something. Hermione had never felt like she disappointed them in getting top grades or doing what they hoped she would. The closest she came was right before the war and if things had really gone sideways, they wouldn't have remembered well enough to be disappointed.

"Yeah," Hermione lied. "We did have them on the schedule to come to dinner tomorrow night."

"Okay, well I'll go to my parents'," Ron said. "I'd ask if you wanted me to take the kids, but I think your parents are already going to hate me as it is."

The sad grin was forced and Hermione knew he didn't like admitting this to their families any more than she did. After the blow up, Hermione had called her mother once, asking if she knew anyone looking for a nanny. She was able to set Britney up with one of her parents' dental assistants, which at least made her feel better about pulling away a source of income for her. Hermione managed not to mention the reason then, but Ron was right. It was time to let them know.


Hermione had a plan for how she was going to share the news. She would wait until after dinner. She would get her dad reading to or playing with the kids, then pull her mum aside and talk to her. If the kids went to bed before they left, she would include her father in the conversation as well. Otherwise, she would ask her mother to fill him in.

She had set all the plates out and the casserole was in the oven finishing. The knock on the door came and she heard Rose and Hugo pounding down the stairs as she met them, standing right behind them as Rose pulled the door open.

"Grandma! Grandpa!" the kids shouted in a chaotic chorus, the Grangers walking in, giving hugs and kisses all around. Grandpa Granger had picked up Hugo, holding him on his hip.

"Is Ron on his way?" Grandma Granger asked.

"Daddy doesn't live here," Rose said, her hand in Grandma Granger's.

Hermione's parents froze. "No?" Grandma Granger asked.

"No, Daddy went away," Hugo chimed in.

They looked to her and Hermione felt her cheeks warm as she licked her lips. She had found out it was Rose that had told Albus and, being nearby, Ginny. But she had told them that day that they weren't talking about Mum and Dad. Hermione supposed she should have reminded them about that today.

"He's at his parents for the day," Hermione said. They were still looking blankly at her.

"Rosie," Grandma Granger started, "why don't you have Grandpa go read the new books we brought."

Rose perked up and Hugo dropped to the ground, the three of them heading off towards the stairs. Hermione watched them leave, rubbing her hands together as her mother came over, draping an arm around her shoulders.

"Something you needed to tell us?"

"Yes," Hermione said. "Let's… let's go finish dinner."

Grandma Granger helped her as she bustled around, explaining that arguing had happened more and more. She brought up the problems with hiring Britney as a nanny and her mother nodded like she had suspected there was something more involved in that than Hermione had admitted before.

"Why is he so against hiring help?" she asked.

"He just… he thinks we should be the ones to have the kids when they aren't at school."

"Okay," her mother said, being measured in every question and reaction. "And that's what caused him to leave?"

"Not… not just that," Hermione said. She pulled the casserole out and turned towards her mother, not raising her eyes. "I… I said something awful. Mum, it just came out. I was so angry and I just couldn't…"

"Oh, love," her mother said.

"He just… walked away."

"Has he been back?"

"Yes," Hermione said. "He comes and takes the kids every morning. Picks them up, too. And we're seeing someone."

"A therapist?"

"Yes," Hermione replied.

Her mother took the oven mitts, carrying the food to the table. "Well, that could be very good. Why didn't you come talk to us when it happened?"

"I thought I could change his mind," Hermione admitted.

"Well, we are here to help," her mother said. She stood next to her and cupped Hermione's chin in her hand. "If you need someone to watch the kids or advice or anything."

"Thanks, Mum."

"Your dad's going to be a bit anxious to hear all this," her mother added. "I think we should make him stew until after dessert, don't you think?"

Hermione shared a conspiratorial grin with her and they called everyone else down.


Ron and Hermione walked to the therapist's office that Wednesday. Hermione was anxious again as Ron held her hand. "How did it go with your parents?"

"Fine," Hermione said. "Rose kind of dropped the bomb for me. Mum had Dad go play with them and made him wait until they were in bed before he got an explanation. He had thought of half a dozen names for you before he got the full story."

Ron nodded. "Well, my mum had a half a dozen names for me within the first few minutes. I think she's had a running list going since we all became teenagers, though."

"Oh Ron," Hermione said, pulling him up short.

"It's alright," Ron said. "She calmed down. George talked her down."

Hermione wanted to ask exactly what they had said. She wanted to offer to go and let Molly know that it wasn't Ron's fault. She pressed her lips together, hoping this wouldn't get any worse for either of them. Her own dad had listened with a furrowed brow, most of the information repeated by her mum.

They were lead again into the office and sat where they had before, Yarborough with his kind smile and calm demeanor. He followed up on the books. Hermione offered up her thoughts on all three. Ron had finished two of them and was part way through the third. They stumbled over each other explaining their date night.

"I, er, had a lapse," Ron said, looking at her. Hermione was grateful he was taking responsibility in the moment.

"A lapse?" Yarborough asked.

"I wanted to try one of the intimacy exercises from the books," Hermione explained. "Ron started laughing and I… I left."

"Those aren't always easy to get through," Yarborough said. "And honestly, you'll both have to find the ones that work best for you."

"We got to have a family day Saturday," Ron said with a nod. "That was nice."

"And have you approached any of the more difficult topics?" Yarborough asked.

"Not yet," Hermione said, feeling nervous. It was like a monster she had been avoiding was about to rear its head.

"Today I want to see if we can't just look at how you two communicate through these issues and start to rebuild from there. I want to begin with what you think really caused things to break down."

Hermione cleared her throat. Ron shifted in his chair.

"Well, we've disagreed for a while on how to handle the fact that we both work for the Ministry and our schedules don't always allow for us to be home when Rose and Hugo get out," Hermione explained. "I have suggested for at least the last year that we get a part time nanny. They could pick up the children and watch them until one of us can get home. Help with homework and maybe even start dinner here and there."

"Ron, you're shaking your head," Yarborough noticed.

Hermione felt herself bristle. This was always how the argument started. Ron wagging his head before he even listened to a word of what she had to say. No argument besides the fact that they were the parents, as though she were unaware of the fact.

"There's no reason for it," Ron said. "We both have flexible enough jobs to work around it, if we would just work together."

"Had, Ron," Hermione snapped. "We had more flexible jobs. My jobs now don't always allow for it."

"When did your schedule change, Hermione?" Yarborough interjected.

"Two months ago, officially," Hermione said. "We were informed about the shifts and the induction to the Wizengamot back in February, so there was a lot of planning that went into it. I had legislation to hand off and finish. Plus, I have been sitting in on certain meetings since the spring."

"How has that change been for you?" Yarborough asked. "Overall."

"Er, well," Hermione looked at him, realizing no one had asked her that. Her parents had talked about how proud they were. Her and Ron had argued about what it meant to their family and home. Others had asked about details of the job. But no one asked her how it had made her feel. "Hard. I had work that I haven't been able to let go of. Not yet."

"You could," Ron said.

"No, I can't," Hermione said, looking over at him. He rolled his eyes sitting back. "Do you think I like not being there when Rose gets home? That I can't take off when there are meetings? Do you think that makes me feel like a good mum when there's things that have changed and I haven't noticed?"

"What exactly has changed?" Yarborough asked.

"Hugo doesn't like his food to touch," Hermione said. She hated being the one in these sessions that got emotional. She was choking up trying not to let it surface again. "The past two weeks I've had to watch that his grapes don't touch the sandwich or that the salad has room on all sides. He gets upset if it's not just right, but he didn't used to be that way."

"You just eat what touched," Ron said. "Then he'll ignore it."

"But you get to see that as it's happening!" Hermione said.

"You could, too, Hermione," Ron replied. "If you just let some things go—"

"I can't," Hermione said. "I have worked so hard and women always have more difficulty getting higher positions if they take extended time for family."

"How long are you gone most days?" Yarborough asked.

"We all leave around eight in the morning," Hermione said. "Sometimes I'll leave a little earlier. And I generally come home around five."

Yarborough looked to Ron and he nodded a confirmation. "Once in awhile it's later," Ron said. "More often now than before this job."

"And what about you, Ron?" Yarborough asked. "How has this shift affected you?"

Ron sat, saying nothing for several minutes. Hermione felt herself getting worked up over his silence, angry that he could leave her waiting when she had opened herself up.

"I feel like I lost a partner," Ron said.

"Can you elaborate?"

Ron cleared his throat and licked his lips. "A few years ago, my best friend was promoted. Before that, we worked all our cases together. Even if we were shifted onto separate tasks, we would talk about them outside of work or just… help each other where we could. It's not like Hermione and I didn't argue before all this, but it feels like that. It's… it's been like all the work we had put into making decisions and watching Rose and Hugo and everything… it was just gone."

Hermione hadn't thought of it like that. She looked at Ron, who was looking down at the floor.

"Where would you both say the space for compromise is?" Yarborough asked.

"I can't cut back on work," Hermione said.

"You could let Jodi take over—"

"I'm not letting that one slip through the cracks," Hermione argued back.

"No, you just can't let go, period," Ron said.

They were arguing their points again, back and forth loudly in Yarborough's office. It was several minutes before Hermione became aware that he was watching them, focused. She pulled back, holding onto her knee as Ron finished up.

"—you don't have to always be the superhero in the situation. Everyone already knows how smart you are, you don't have to prove anything."

"Do you feel that's the motivation?" Yarborough asked Ron.

"Yes," Ron said. "I mean, no, not really. She's a perfectionist. But there are plenty of people she works with that can do it. She just doesn't want to trust them."

Yarborough nodded, looking over the notepad where the quill was taking down notes. They all sat and Hermione gave Ron a side glance, swallowing. So many of his compliments were mixed in with acidic accusations and it was a terrible feeling that he was angry at the work she was doing.

"These sort of shifts can be problematic. Certainly good communication can help, but they are added stress to that which may already exist. Perhaps before our next meeting, both of you can examine where there is room for some give and take on your end, then we can continue."

"Alright," Hermione said, though she suspected that Ron thought she should simply quit on some of her responsibilities.


Ron was flipping through a file, jumping between notes on the file and an ongoing list of ways to ease the situation with Hermione.

Alternate drop offs
Ask more about projects
Find ways to involve her in the kids' lives

There were some that brought bitter thoughts. Like how often he tried to tell her about what he had done with Rose and Hugo only to be snapped at like it was a ploy to make her feel guilty. He sighed, rubbing his forehead and digging back into the file.

Something in his pocket buzzed. Ron jumped, unsure of what it could be. His wand was on his desk in front of him. He calmed, realizing it was the phone—he did this every time—and opened it up, taking four buzzes before he remembered how to answer.

"Er, yes?" he answered, talking loudly before remembering that he didn't need to.

"Is this Mr. Weasley I am speaking to?" a woman's voice asked on the other end.

"Yes, this is him," he said.

"We have your daughter here in the Headmaster's office," the woman said.

Ron stood, knocking over a mug of coffee, the dregs spilling over a stack of papers. He waved his wand and it cleared up.

"Is she alright?"

"She is fine, Mr. Weasley. She has been in an altercation with another student," she said. "We need you or your wife to come as soon as you're able."

"Yes, of course," Ron said. "I'm on my way."

Ron's finger hovered over the phone, trying to find the end button and then he rushed to grab what he needed for the night. He hurried out the office, weaving on the floor until he arrived at Hermione's office.

"She's busy right now," her assistant said.

"This is important," Ron replied.

"I can't disturb—"

Ron walked right passed her as she flustered, opening Hermione's door. She was sitting across from someone who looked fairly important. Her eyes snapped to his, eyes wide, her stance puffing up.

"Ron, I—"

"Rose's school called," he said.

Hermione gave a single nod, then turned to the man. "I'm sorry, but this can't wait," she replied.

"Yes, yes, I understand," he said, moving slowly as he pushed himself from the chair with some effort. "I will send you that data as soon as I'm able. And we will—"

"Yes, thank you," Hermione cut him off as he spoke slowly. She came out of the office, waving her door closed. "Cancel the next two hours for me, Savannah."

"But Mrs. Granger, you have—"

"Do it, Savannah," she said, grabbing Ron's hand with ease as the two walked down the corridor. "What did they say?" she followed up once they were in the lift."

"Some sort of fight," Ron said. "Or argument with a student."

"What student?" Hermione asked.

"I didn't ask, I just wanted to get there quickly."

Hermione nodded with a somber look. They stayed silent, being strategic in getting to the school in a muggle length of time. Ron opened the door for Hermione and they went through, going to the front office. Rose was sitting in one chair, her legs hanging a foot above the ground as she swung them back and forth. She worried her lips the way Hermione did.

"You okay, sweetheart?" Hermione asked, squatting in front of her.

Rose nodded, but wouldn't look at Hermione. She looked well enough. Ron couldn't see any marks or problems. She wasn't even crying though she concentrated. A door to the left opened and the Headmaster poked his head out.

"Mr. Weasley, Mrs. Granger," he said. Hermione stood. "Can we see you a moment?"

Hermione leaned down and kissed the top of Rose's head. Ron give her a nudge along the jaw on his way passed her. They were ushered in and there was already a woman in another chair. Her legs were crossed and she was bouncing her foot in an irritable manner. Ron and Hermione took a chair each, waiting.

"What is this about?" Ron asked.

"It seems Rose has had some issues with Mrs. Wagner's daughter, Katie," the headmaster said.

"What kind of problems?" Hermione asked.

"She shaved my daughter's head," the woman snapped.

"I'm sorry?" Hermione asked.

"My daughter went to bed with a full head of hair and she woke up with nothing," Mrs. Wagner said. Her face was going red and she was pushing herself nearly off the seat.

"Mrs. Wagner has told us that Katie said Rose have been arguing with one another during breaks, often ending in shouting matches, according to Miss Ford," the headmaster said. "She has been able to handle it while here at school, but this type of assault is something we cannot tolerate."

"When could Rose have possible shaved Katie's head?" Hermione asked incredulously.

"In the middle of last night," Mrs. Wagner said as she held her phone, moving her finger along the screen at a furious pace. The headmaster looked genuinely uncomfortable at the conversation. "There! Right there!"

Hermione took the phone and shared it with Ron. Sure enough there was a little girl without a stitch of hair. This was more than shaving and they both knew it. Ron and Hermione exchanged a glance before Hermione pulled herself up and turned back.

"Rose has been at home every night," Hermione said. "I don't understand how anyone could think a six year old could even sneak out in the middle of the night to do something."

"Your daughter—"

"Besides, we don't even know where the Wagners live," Hermione continued as Mrs. Wagner fumed in her chair. "Really, I don't understand why we've been pulled out of work for this."

Ron looked at the headmaster. He hemmed and hawed.

"Well, there have been other issues with Rose and Katie. Katie was found in a hole on the playground last week. A hole there didn't appear to be there before, either."

"How long is their break?" Ron asked.

"Fifteen minutes," the headmaster replied.

"You're telling me someone saw our daughter dig a hole in fifteen minutes and push Katie in?" Ron asked.

"Well, no—"

"I'm not following this line of logic in which a child is removed from her classroom based on such flimsy accusations," Hermione said.

"Flimsy!" Mrs. Wagner said shrilly. "Every time my daughter even talks to your daughter, these things happen!"

"Then perhaps your daughter should stop talking to Rose," Ron snapped at her.

"Headmaster, unless you have any evidence of our daughter actually causing any of these things to happen, I think you have us here on a rather ridiculous premise."

The headmaster sighed. "Yes, you'll be free to go. But we would like to see Rose and Katie find some kind of understanding in all this. If you will talk to her, then you are free to go."

"What about Katie's hair?!" Mrs. Wagner screamed, getting to her feet.

Ron and Hermione stood, walking out of the office as Mrs. Wagner continued to rail against headmaster. When they got to where Rose still sat, Hermione took her hand.

"We're going home," she said tightly and they walked out and called for the Knight bus on the curb.

When they arrived Hermione guided Rose into a chair and sat down on the couch opposite. Ron took the armchair across from Rose, leaning with his elbows on his knees.

"This is very bad," Hermione said to Rose. Rose looked down, her cheeks pink as she avoided their eyes. "You are sticking classmates in holes and making them lose their hair? What has gotten into you?"

"I didn't mean to," Rose said. "Katie was making fun of my clothes and then the hole was there. And… the hair—"

"You cannot just do these things because people upset you," Hermione snapped. She pushed herself to her feet, pacing back and forth. "Do you know what happens to people who do magic in front of muggles normally, Rose?"

"Rose, it's not your fault," Ron cut in, his voice forceful. Rose looked up at him, her eyes wide and coated with tears. "We know you can't control your magic—"

"But she can control her temper," Hermione snapped back at him.

"Mum, I'm sorry," Rose said. "I didn't mean—"

"It doesn't matter what you mean, Rose Nymphadora. You cannot keep breaking the rules and just say you didn't mean it."

Rose began crying outright. Ron stood, stepping over to her and picking her up. She wrapped her arms around Ron's neck as he hugged her, rubbing her back and hushing her. As he turned around seeing Hermione, he knew she was angry at this approach. Her teeth were clenched and her lips tight.

"I'm sorry, Daddy," Rose said. She hiccuped into his shoulder. "I'm sorry."

"You have to find a way to deal with people like Katie," Ron said quietly. "Ignore them, if you have to, but you have to try and avoid the things that make you use your magic, right?"

Rose nodded into his shoulder, gripping tighter. He set her down, reaching down to wipe her tears. "You go up and work on your homework for a bit, alright?"

Rose nodded silently. She looked at Hermione, then grabbed her backpack and hurried towards the stairs. Ron knew what was coming, but Hermione waited. She waited until Rose was out of sight.

"I can't believe you, Ron," she hissed.

"She can't decide on these things," Ron said. "It's just how magic works."

"That is just an excuse, Ron," she leaned against the back of the chair. "Rose has to take accountability—"

"Rose needs to feel supported first!"

"Yes, let's support her all the way to Azkaban!"

"Hermione, you don't get it," Ron said. "You were this perfect little child with no problems and no conflict. You don't get what it's like to be thinking angry thoughts and just—"

"You don't think I get it," Hermione huffed. "I spent my entire childhood teased and ridiculed, Ron. And then, then, I went to Hogwarts where I was called mudblood and treated like a know-it-all by my classmates—you included—and I never did anything like that."

"Well we'll crown you Saint Hermione, then," Ron said. "We don't all have it so easy."

Hermione's eyes narrowed at him and she swallowed, shaking her head.

"Look, we're getting off track," Ron said. "Rose needs to be taught how to control her temper."

"No, we both know what the best solution is," Hermione said, looking down at the couch. "You were right. She should have been in a wizarding primary school."

Ron looked at her, mouth gaping. Hermione wouldn't look at him directly, but she was saying he had been right. She was conceding a point he had made for the last two years at least. He swallowed back the anger he had held just a few minutes before, surprised as he sat in the armchair again.

"Talking to her about ignoring what they say isn't working," Hermione said. "We should look at other schooling options."

"No!" Rose cried from the stairs. She came running down, never having gone down the hallway apparently. "No, you can't!"

She grabbed onto Hermione's arms. Hermione raised one hand, tucking loose hairs behind Rose's ear. "Rose, we can't keep worrying about what's going to happen to your classmates. If it gets bad enough, the ministry could get involved and we can't risk something like that."

"I'll be better!" Rose said. "I don't want to leave Miss Ford's class! Please, Mum."

Hermione looked over to Ron, her eyebrows furrowed. She turned back to Rose and opened her mouth.

"We won't pull you from that class then," Ron said quickly, before Hermione continued to tell her the reasons for such a decision. "It's a good school, Rosie, but you will need to work on keeping your temper, right?"

Rose nodded. She wrapped herself around Hermione's middle as Hermione gave a grateful look towards Ron.

"When Katie says mean things, you have to ignore it," Hermione said. "You come tell us instead."

"I will," Rose said. "I'm sorry I did magic, Mum."

"That's alright," she said. She kissed the top of Rose's head.

Ron sighed and leaned back. He needed to go fix that girl's hair. He would have to do it late at night. And perhaps delete the photographs. All the better if he could make that shrill woman think she was insane.