AN – I own nothing!

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Chapter 41

"Here Brandon, have another piece of fried chicken," Molly offered as she placed a wing on his plate, along with another helping of gravy and mashed potatoes.

Severus knew clearly that he couldn't refuse even though he wanted to. That was Molly, always feeding everyone. He was already stuffed for she also fed him a few sausages in buns at the cookout. "Thank you," he said.

"So Brandon, what do you do?" Percy asked.

"I'm a freelance researcher. I do most of my work in Italy, but I also do some in muggle London," Severus replied.

"Did you grow up here?" Arthur asked.

"I did."

"How come you've never attended Hogwarts then?" Percy asked.

"I was home schooled."

"You and my eldest, Bill would get along," Molly said. "He's in Romania now, with his wife Fleur. Both of them also are researchers, but they do it for a private company."

"How did you and Hermione meet?" Ginny grinned as she looked at the two.

"At a bar in Rome. We just clicked from there," Severus replied. He looked at Hermione and gave her a small peck on her cheek. They had their story all planned out.

Ron grumbled to himself and shook his head. He was sick of watching Brandon being all sweet with Hermione, when it was supposed to be him. Researcher or quidditch star? Boring or fun? Was it really that difficult to pick a choice?

"I wouldn't have had as much fun in Italy if it wasn't for Brandon," Hermione said.

"See the sights," Fred said.

"And eat the food," George continued.

"He cooks wonderful Italian food," Hermione said as she smiled at Severus.

Molly then said, "Great! Now I can have some help with the complex recipes in the cookbook that you gave me Hermione."

"One day Molly. I must go back to Italy tomorrow."

"So soon?" Harry gasped. "But you just got here."

"That's great to hear!" Ron said aloud. "What?" he said as all heads at the table snapped at his direction. "He's an arse and poured my cola all over me awhile ago."

"You deserved it for what you did to Hermione!" Severus answered back.

"Screw you!" Ron hollered back.

"Enough!" Arthur shouted. He looked at Ron and pointed a finger at him before he could speak. "I don't want to hear it Ron. It was just a little cola, nothing more." He understood it was payback. Any boyfriend would fight back for their girlfriend. Brandon could have done worse.

"You're picking him over me?!" Ron was appalled. His own parents! He glared angrily and Brandon and then at Hermione. "Why did you have to meet him? What the fuck were you doing having fun in Italy when you were supposed to be in mourning for your parents?"

Everyone gasped his name.

Hermione most of all was shocked. She grabbed her glass of pumpkin juice, and threw its contents across the table at Ron. "I hate you!" she screamed at him as she stood up. She then ran off, and headed upstairs.

"Hermione!" Severus called after her as he quickly followed.

"Arse!" Ron hissed as he wiped his face. Before he knew it, there was a very sharp pain coming from his ear. His mom pulled him roughly with it, which made him shout in pain. "That hurts!"

"You come here!" Molly said as she pulled Ron up from his chair, and led him to the kitchen. Arthur and Harry too followed behind.

"What the hell is your problem?" Ron asked his mother rudely as she shocked him back against the kitchen counter. He rubbed on his ear as she finally let it go.

Molly slapped Ron on his cheek hard. "That is no way to talk to me. I am your mother!" she angered at him. "And also, I am shocked at the way you had just spoken to Hermione."

"Hey, it's the sleaze bag's fault," Ron answered back as he was rubbing his cheek. The slap had hurt worse than the ear pulling. "And it's the truth! You might have to check on the Brandon guy upstairs, he might be hurting her or raping her."

"Like you hurt her!?" Arthur said as he stalked forward to his son. "How many times do I have to repeat myself to you? Never treat or talk to Hermione like dirt! And if she doesn't want to be with you, live with it."

Ron looked over his father's shoulders and saw Harry. "Harry, help me out here will you mate?"

Harry shook his head. He spat out, "Screw you!" Harry walked slowly back to the kitchen and felt very bad for Hermione, and very angry at Ron.

"I am very ashamed to call you my son!" Molly said angrily, with a hint of sadness. She and Arthur didn't raise Ron and disrespect people, and be rude to, most especially towards the people that were his friends. "Get out of my face before you get a beating from me."

Ron frowned at his father. He could always talk some sense in his mother. Instead, he saw the same angry glare that his mother just had, and shook his head. Beyond the kitchen, he saw all his siblings, Harry, Remus, Sirius and Tonks. All of them looked disgusted at him.

"I'm going to go upstairs and check on Hermione," Tonks announced as she walked towards the stairs.

"Fine," Ron scoffed as he walked towards the back door or the kitchen. As he exited the house, he looked back and expected for someone to go after him, and possibly stop him. There was no one however. He knew when he was not wanted, and apparated into the dark night.

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AN – Ron—the biggest problem in the world… You know what to do. A bash and a review.