ii: An argument

"She got ENGAGED?" Ron thundered, his face turning a deep shade of scarlet. "Without telling us first?"

He paced up and down the kitchen, unable to restrain his rage for any longer. He had managed to keep it in when Rose had arrived home sporting the sparkly ring on her finger and the huge grin on her face. He wasn't completely heartless; he hadn't wanted to ruin her ecstasy. But he was angry with her new fiancé. Admittedly, that wasn't exactly unusual. But this time, he was VERY angry.

"Of course she did, Ron," Hermione said scathingly, sitting at the table as she calmly sipped her mug of hot chocolate. "That's the point in being proposed to: it's meant to be a surprise."

Ron didn't seem to have thought of this. "Well - yes - I -" he spluttered, flustered. "What I meant was," he continued, "why did we not even see this coming?"

"You didn't see this coming," Hermione corrected coolly. "It was perfectly obvious to anyone who was looking. You were just in denial."

"What do you mean by that?" he demanded, although deep down, he knew that there was some truth in Hermione's words.

"You know perfectly well what I mean," Hermione snapped. "You've always had it in for Scorpius, just because he's a Malfoy. It's as if you've never even met Scorpius! He isn't Draco, you know, Ron," she told him angrily, and it was clear that these were words that she had been wanting to say for a long time.

"I know that! I may not be as clever as you, Hermione," he sneered nastily, "but I'm not thick. You should remember that sometimes." Even after all their years of marriage, that was still a sensitive spot for Ron.

"That's not fair," Hermione protested, hurt. "I'm not implying anything about your intelligence. I'm merely saying that I know you, Ron Weasley, and you hold grudges. But if you just gave him a chance, you'd know that Scorpius is nothing like Draco from when we were at school. He's the sweetest guy, and he's perfect for Rose."

Ron made a sceptical noise. "Aren't people supposed to ask permission from someone's parents before they propose to them?" he asked bitterly.

"That's an old-fashioned idea, Ron," Hermione said dismissively. "Did you ask my parents before proposing to me?"

"Well, no, but... that's different," Ron insisted, although he wasn't quite sure how. "People were expecting us to get married! But with Rose... I had no idea they'd ever get this serious."

There was a deathly silence, and Ron knew he shouldn't have let that particular feeling slip from his mouth.

Then Hermione exploded. "I knew it!" she exclaimed. "Ever since they got together, you've been hoping that they'll split up! That's how it is, isn't it?"

"No!" he exclaimed defensively. "Do you think I don't care at all about my daughter's happiness? Of course I care! It's BECAUSE I care that I'm reacting like this," he added, more quietly this time.

Hermione didn't say anything, but looked at him intently, prompting him to carry on speaking.

Ron sighed. "It's like you said. I hold grudges. When I'm thinking rationally, I know that Scorpius is nothing like Draco was, and even that now, Draco is nothing like he was when we were at school. But sometimes I just find it hard to switch off my overprotective father mentality, you know? It's just my natural instinct to think that he'll hurt Rose, even though I'm pretty sure he won't. It's just... difficult to remember sometimes, that's all," he finished lamely.

Hermione couldn't stay angry with him for long after that. Her expression softened. "I'm sorry," she said. "I overreacted."

"I was a prat, though," Ron admitted, looking guilty, and Hermione laughed.

"You were a bit," she told him unashamedly. "But it's okay." She stood up and kissed him softly, and he couldn't help smiling despite his guilt. "You should probably go upstairs and tell Rose you're happy for her," she said gently. "She probably heard most of this."

Ron nodded. "I will in a minute." He sighed. "I can't believe she's getting married," he said in wonder.

"I know," Hermione agreed. "It feels like it was only yesterday when we got married... but it was over twenty years ago."

Ron shook his head disbelievingly. "They grow up so fast."

"Which is why we have to enjoy every moment we can with them," Hermione said gently, and in that moment, Ron resolved always to stand by his daughter's decisions, whatever his feelings about them.

A/N: Sloooowly catching up on these scenarios... damn all these angsty prompts! Ah well, there's a nice one up next. :)