"Ron. Hi." They both stood awkwardly in front of each other, smiling politely. Ron gestured to the door and they both entered the Three Broomsticks, grateful to find it busy. Hermione was already beginning to regret letting Harry convince her to meet Ron and him for a drink. It had been a long week, organising the ball had been on her mind, but all she had managed to do was to arrange a meeting with Fleur for the following week, she hadn't seen or heard her all week. Ron cleared his throat and Hermione looked up at him. He'd lost the gawkiness of adolescence that she remembered, he was still slim, but obviously well muscled beneath his shirt. But it was the change in his face that struck her the most, the last traces of any baby face had gone, only a small smattering of light freckles remained, leaving in place a serious man.

"So, how you've been? Harry said you were teachin' at Hogwarts now?" Hermione nodded, wondering how much Harry had told him.

"I've been well thanks. Yeah, I teach defence of dark arts there now." She felt the awkwardness overwhelming and was wishing Harry would hurry up with the drinks. She had to physically stop herself from moving back when Ron leaned forward,

"Look Hermione, before Harry comes back, do you think…" He was cut off as Harry clattered the tankards of butterbeers onto the table, grinning widely. Hermione was unsure why, but she was relieved that Ron hadn't been able to finish what he had wanted to say, although part of her was curious.

"This is good isn't it, the three of us together again in the Three Broomsticks, drinking butterbeer? Like old times really!" smiled Harry. Hermione found herself responding to his enthusiastic smile, regretting the fact that she doubted things could ever be quite the same between them all despite her wish that it would. Harry raised his tankard,

"To us." Hermione and Ron both raised their tankards silently, Ron's gaze intent on Hermione whilst she focused on Harry.

"Hard to believe, huh, that it's been…what…nine or ten years since we first came here? I had to sneak out under my invisibility cloak when the Dursleys wouldn't sign my permission slip!"

"Harry mate, I don't wanna worry you but there's a pretty shifty looking bloke staring at you, sat at the bar. Not the usual 'you're the chosen one' stare neither."

Harry tensed up, keeping his gaze on Ron.

"What's he look like?"

"Tall, skinny bloke, pale with a black goatee, wearing a spotted red and navy trilby-"

"Oh Merlin, please don't tell me he's also carrying a navy cane with a red handle."

"Errr...'fraid so. You know him?"

Harry had to fight off the urge to bang his head against the table top.

"Don't look at him, perhaps he won't come over. He's someone who works at the Ministry, do you recognise him Hermione?" She glanced over, shaking her head.

"He's a really nice chap, but has all sorts of conspiracy theories that he loves to share with me, and only me. Seems to believe that muggle technology is being used to conceal dark arts and that-"

"Harry, he's coming over." Harry resisted the urge to groan and turned around, a strained smile planted on his face.

"Harry, old boy, it is you! I was just sat over there thinking about things when I thought I saw you, but I wasn't sure. But then I saw Miss. Granger sat there, looking very lovely I might add, and with that red hair, I presume that is Mr. Weasley and I surmised that it must be you sat with them!"

"Mr. Lipsett, it's such a surprise to see you here." Hermione coughed to hide a smile that was forming on her face.

"Yes, yes, I don't come here often to this fine establishment for some reason, despite the lovely atmosphere! And Madame Rosmerta's enchanting personality too, hmm...I really should come here more often, they do have a rather wonderful well aged firewhiskey here. Actually, do you mind if I pull you away from your friends for just a while, I just want your opinion on something." He winked conspiratorially at Hermione, lowering his voice in a dramatic fashion, "Secretive ministry stuff I'm afraid." Hermione nodded, trying to look serious as she bit her lower lip to stop herself laughing.

"Come along Harry, I'll buy you a drink and you can tell me what you think about these MP players that the muggles use," they heard him say as he herded Harry to the corner of the room. Harry turned his head around, shrugging apologetically. Ron stared after them, shaking his head incredulously,

"Crazy old sod isn't he? Still, seemed 'armless enough!"

"And rather charismatic, I found," Hermione grinned.

"Well, he did say you looked rather lovely today! I thought you said you didn't know him?"

"I don't, maybe he recognised my face from when I worked in the ministry, I had a lot of contact with all different departments."

"And you do look lovely today actually."

So this is what sudden awkward situations feel like. Hermione smiled lightly,

"Thanks. Um...so how are things with you now? Where are you working? Harry mentioned that you're engaged to Lavender Brown, congratulations on that."

"That's what I wanted to talk to you about-"

"About your job?" Please take the bait, I don't think I want to know what you're going to say otherwise.

"No. About my engagement." It can't be good if he's using that tone of voice. Ron took a visible deep breath,

"Hermione, I need to know if we can start again?" Hermione felt a flood of relief pass over her.

"Of course! We were friends before, we can be friends again," she enthused.

"I think you're misunderstanding me. Can we start again as a couple?"

"I'm sorry, what did you just say?"

"We were really good together before, I just want things to be like they used to be-"

"You're engaged Ron!"

"Lavender's a great girl, and I don't want to hurt her, but it's not the same as being with you. If you say yes, I'll finish with her-"

"Ron, stop this, please-" She was cut off as Ron steamed ahead with an obviously well rehearsed speech.

"'mione, please. I understand that we weren't ready for something so serious then, what with the war and my brother and everything, I guess it just got too much then. But I've changed, we've both had time to grow up, experience the world a little more."

"Ron-"

"I know I used to depend on you too much, always relying on you for schoolwork, for emotional support, for everything, but I can stand on my own two feet now. I don't need you to look after me anymore, but I'd like to look after you. You look tired and worn out. Give me a chance to look after you. Please." He lifted his hand and cupped her face gently.