Fleur was sat across the room watching the exchange. She could see their profiles, but wasn't able to hear what they were saying. He was leaning across the table, she was sat upright and straight. It was obviously something important. The blonde had actually come to the village to escape her rooms to which she had confined herself to for fear of bumping into Hermione. Apparently she just wasn't able to get away from Hermione. They hadn't noticed her when they entered the pub, and whilst she tried to concentrate on her book, she found her eyes constantly drawn the brunette. She felt her stomach drop when Ron lifted his hand against Hermione's cheek. It wasn't the touch that bothered her, it was the intimacy and gentleness of it that bothered her, it was a gesture that wanted more, a gesture she was more than familiar with.

A sudden clatter from a fallen stool made her jump, causing her to turn to see a hag picking up the chair. When she turned back she saw that Hermione's attention had been drawn by the noise. And her gaze was now focused on Fleur. A feeling of embarrassment and guilt swept over her, she felt as though she had been caught eavesdropping. Hermione had a strange look on her face, almost contemplative and yet again, Fleur wished the war hadn't taught her to hide her thoughts.

Suddenly her view was obscured by someone stepping in front of her. She looked up at her obstruction annoyed, then paled seeing Ronald Weasley. The expression on his face was hard, his fists clenched tightly at this sides.

"What the hell do you think you're doin' here?" he hissed through clenched teeth, his voice low. She couldn't stop herself from reverting to her defensive cold façade.

"'avin' a drink like everyone else 'ere."

"You don't have any bloody right to be here, you really hurt him you know? You just left him, you never gave a toss about him did you, not really?"

"Ron," came a voice behind him, a small hand coming to rest on his arm. Hermione was obviously trying to avert a scene, but this inflamed both Ron and Fleur. Ron shrugged her off angrily.

"Why don't you just go back to France, back to whoever you left my brother for? What happened huh? Did you meet some flashy bloke when you went back to France and left my brother for him? Or was it just because you couldn't take the fact that Bill's a werewolf now, despite all of your pretty words? You owe him a bleedin' explanation, you had no right to walk out on 'im the way you did!"

Fleur could see Hermione standing behind him, and she caught and held the brunette's gaze.

"I didn't love 'im anymore. I was in love with someone else." Fleur looked back at Ron, whose face was beginning to resemble the colour of his hair.

"Ron, let's go. Just leave it." She could see the anger on Hermione's face and the fear in her eyes.

"I wish he'd never met you. I wish you'd never come here, you don't know how much grief you caused my family!" Hermione felt ashamed at the knowledge that he didn't realise that Fleur hadn't just been detrimental to his family, she'd also played a part in the demise of their relationship.

"I never want to set eyes on you again!" Ron stormed out, crashing the door open, causing other patrons to stare. Hermione shot Fleur an angry look before hurrying out to follow him. The blonde ignored the curious glances and leaned her head against the wall, sighing. She couldn't stop herself regretting her reaction, but then again, she was tired of all the half lies, tired of entire situation with Hermione.

Hermione had to chase after Ron who was already more than fifty metres ahead as he strode angrily along the quiet road, kicking at the snow.

"Of all the bloody places, she has to be here in Hogsmeade. What the hell is she after?"

"What do you mean? Hogsmeade is the primary magical establishment in the country," she puffed, try hard to keep up with Ron's long strides.

"Why Britain? Why is she back?" Hermione realised with a jolt that Harry hadn't told him about Fleur.

"She works here," she offered, voice carefully neutral.

"What?"

"She works at Hogwarts. She's the potions teacher."

"You work together?" She nodded in answer, watching him struggling to calm his anger.

"You can't trust her, 'mione, you can't. You've seen what she did to my family, fracturing my family, demandin' to be accepted by mum and Ginny and then when she was accepted, she offs and leaves Bill with no explanation. D'you know how many arguments Bill and me mum had about her? She's a heartless bitch Hermione, you have to watch your back." She had to bite her tongue in retort, an overwhelming need to defend Fleur enveloped her, but she remained silent knowing there was nothing she could say to improve the situation.

"Hermione?" He put his hand on her shoulder. She placed her hand over his, feeling his tendons twitching beneath her palm as she removed his hand.

"I'm sorry-"

"Don't make a decision right now. Consider it please."

"Ron, I really don't have-"

"Lavender is travelling back and forth for business and won't be back permanently until Christmas eve. Please just consider it until then. If I don't hear from you by then, I'll drop it. But I hope that isn't the case." He walked off, leaving an aghast Hermione.

"Ron there isn't-"

"I really hope to hear from you soon." He nodded to her before disapparating. Hermione just stared at the spot he had disapparated from, unable to comprehend what had just happened. A quiet life for four years, and now all this. I suppose when it rains, it really does pour. The snow was now beginning to fall and a shiver reminder her that she had left her scarf in the Three Broomsticks. The Three Broomsticks that Fleur was sat in. She contemplated whether it'd be worth turning up at the castle half frozen just so she wouldn't have to face the blonde. Then she remembered Harry, she'd totally forgotten about him in the ruckus. She was hurrying back to the village when she saw Harry bounding up to her. She slowed down, catching her breath.

"Hermione! Where's Ron? What happened back there?" Harry's cheeks were red from the exertion, his breath forming large patches of mist in the air. "I heard the door slam open and when I turned around I saw you rushing out and Ron was gone. It took me another ten minutes to escape from , I was just hoping that you and Ron would come back. Did you both have another fight?" Hermione rounded on him angrily,

"You told me he only wanted to be friends!"

"He does! He kept saying that he wished things were like they used to be."

"Yes, like they used to be. During our final year."

"You mean...? No, you can't be, he's with Lavender, engaged! Are you sure you didn't just hear him incorrectly 'mione?" The perplexed look on his face told her that he obviously didn't have any idea of Ron's intentions beforehand.

"I'm really sorry Harry, I shouldn't have shouted at you, I know you'd never do something like that."

"You thought I was trying I was trying to set you up?"

"No, yes, well...no, of course not. I was just angry. He really put me on the spot. Ron wants us to give it another go-"

"Maybe he meant as friends?"

"That's what I thought. But no, he was rather explicit about wanting to be with me, said he would break up with Lavender if I agreed."

"He actually said that? What did you..."

" He wouldn't let me answer."

"Are you considering..."

"No! Definately not! But he said he'll wait until Christmas eve for my answer."

"Hermione, I am so sorry. I had no idea that he felt that way, I would never have coerced you into meeting us for a drink if I'd known. I honestly had no idea that he still felt that way about you, I thought he'd got over you. Merlin, it's been four years." He looked at her, eyes full of sympathy.

"Believe me, time doesn't always change things."

"Hermione?"

"Hmm?"

"Is there something going on between you and Fleur?"

"What?"

"I saw her watching you as you left. And she picked up your scarf, she was just staring at it. Listen, if there isn't anything, just say. If there is, but you're not ready to talk about it, just say. But with the thing with Ron, I've just realised that we all haven't been as honest about our feelings as we used to be."

"Let's get a stiff drink Harry. In the Hog's Head."