Hermione

I went in search of Ron and when I saw he had already left for work, I took a shower and changed into clean pajamas. I poured myself another drink and resumed my spot on the couch. My day continued on this way until Ron came home. The fire in the floo lit green and Ron stepped up. When I turned to great him he looked less than happy. Just before I went to speak, he cut me off.

"Where have you been?"

Now I did feel bad. He had been worried. "I went out," I said sheepishly, not wanting to make him mad. "It's okay, Ron."

"I was worried sick about you! Hermione, you didn't come home last night. I thought you had died!"

"Don't be silly, Ron, I'm fine." I shrugged and sat up, looking at him.

"Why didn't you tell me you were going out?" He moved to stand in front of me, probably trying to seem more intimidating.

"I just wanted to have a night out by myself, and if I told you, you probably would've come along," I admitted shyly. "I stayed at a near by motel because I couldn't apparate back home. I was too drunk." I wasn't lying; I was only omitting the fact that I hadn't stayed in the hotel room alone.

He gave me stern look and stayed silent for while. I was about to say something, but he cut in. "You should've told me, Hermione. I was worried sick about you." He let out a long sigh and sat down beside me. "I didn't know what happened to you. I was worried that you could've been dead."

Something even stranger happened in that moment; Ron wrapped his arms around me in a hug. And I just melted into him, wrapping my arms around him. This felt different. The man from last night had nothing on my husband. My husband actually loved me and his arms held me with no other motive than to hug his wife. I silently wept into his shoulder. All of my guilt and sadness, and even love pouring out of me. Ron didn't even notice my crying, or he did and didn't say anything about it. This was nice. No fighting. Just hugging and loving. Something we hadn't done in a long time. Something we should've done every day. I missed this. Oh I missed this so much.

"I'm sorry," I whispered to him. "I didn't want to worry you."

"That's too late, Hermione. You already have."

"At least I'm safe."

"Yeah…at least you're safe." He kissed the side of my head before letting go and standing. "I'll make dinner." He gave my shoulder a gentle squeeze before heading to the kitchen.

I thought about going to help, but I was drunk and Ron didn't want me to cook while drunk. Hence the reason I never cooked anymore. I wanted to cook, though. It had been so long since I'd cooked anything proper. So I decided I'd help with dinner that night. I wasn't drunk, just a little buzzed. When I stepped into the kitchen, Ron was already working on dinner.

"Can I help?" I gave him a smile full of hope and a little bit of begging.

Ron looked up at me, seeming like he was going to say something, but closed his mouth, frowning. "I don't know, Hermione. You've been drinking today. You might hurt yourself."

I gave him a small pout and took a few steps into the kitchen. "But I promise I won't hurt myself. I'll be very, very careful." I gave him a sweet smile in hopes that the smile would win him over. There was no luck.

The look on Ron's face said it all. He didn't want me anywhere near the kitchen appliances. As if I would murder us both if I even held a pot. "I'm sorry, Hermione," he said softly. "Just not tonight."

"Come on. I can do it," I protested. It was unfair. I was in no way impaired. Yes, I did have alcohol in my system, but I wasn't going to drop a knife and kill us both. That's probably what his fear was.

It was a stupid fear, but one that would result in a fight if I tried to cook.
"Hermione, I said no. Now sit down or go do something." He gave me a stern look before I turned to walk out.

I didn't want a fight. After the heart to heart thing, it wasn't best to start a fight. So I went to the living room and continued my drinking while listening to Ron cook. Tomorrow I would cook dinner before Ron got home and prove to him that I could cook without his help. And that I can cook. Then he could never use that excuse on me ever again. And I'd be allowed to join my husband in the kitchen.

After about half an hour and three more drinks, Ron was finished with dinner. I filled my glass once more before going to the kitchen and sitting down at the table. I hoped he wouldn't ask about the night before, in fear that I may tell him all of what happened. That would have been a disaster. If I had told him all of the night's events he wouldn't step another foot inside our home. I couldn't have that. We were finally on good terms again. At least a little bit. And I would not do anything to screw up our relationship. I couldn't do that.

"How was your day?" I asked in a quiet voice, in my best attempts to keep the conversation off of me.

He started to tell me about some kind of assignment that I didn't exactly care about. Some where in Scotland. He'd probably end up going there for a few days, thinking I'd have to stay with someone while he was gone, but I was a grown adult. I could take care of myself for a few days. That wasn't a big task. Tomorrow I'd prove to him that I could by making us a lovely dinner. I'd go to the store in the morning to get everything I'd need to make the dinner and dress nicely.

Maybe he was worried I'd forget to eat, but I wouldn't. I never forgot when he was at work. I always ate lunch. Even if it was a small lunch, I still ate. He had nothing to worry about.

"-Hermione?" Ron asked, breaking me from my thoughts.

I looked up. "Hmm?"

"Are you okay? You seem a bit distant."

Shit. He knew I wasn't listening. That's when I got really worried. "I'm fine. Don't worry about me."

He just gave a slow nod before looking down to his plate. That was the end to our conversation. It wasn't even a conversation before, but at least it wasn't silent. The silence is what hurt us because it gave us time to sit and think about what is wrong between us. Then the tension rises and we're in deep shit.

"Maybe we should go visit your family sometime soon," I suggested, breaking our silence. "It's been a while."

"I saw them yesterday. When I came home and you were missing." Ron shrugged.

"Well I haven't seen them in a while."

"Then you can go tomorrow, while I'm at work."

"I want to go with you."

"Fine. We'll go."

Dinner was silent for the rest of the time. It was best, I thought. If I wasn't talking, I couldn't tell him what had happened. I helped Ron clean up afterwards and he went upstairs. I had my evening drinks and went to bed.

The next day was uneventful. I sat at home. When Ron returned home, we went to the Burrow. Mrs. Weasley made sure we were giving a big meal. That was one thing I loved about that woman. She was very motherly, even if you weren't her child. Luckily the conversation steered away from the day I went missing. That was still something I couldn't face yet. When we returned home, Ron told me that he would be leaving for a couple days for work. That was then proceeded with a lecture about taking care of myself and not doing anything stupid. I promised him I wouldn't, but I wasn't too sure about that promise.

I had no control over what did and didn't happen. Of course, I could avoid things that would cause trouble, but that would mean no cooking, and I couldn't prove to Ron that I am a grown woman who can do things on her own.

Two days later, Ron left the country for work. I think he said he was going to Germany, so he wouldn't be too far. Before he left, he told me again not to do anything stupid and if I needed anything to contact his mother. I said I would, bur I promised to myself that I wouldn't need any help over the next couple of days. If I got help then Ron could still say I'm a helpless drunk, and that was no longer going to happen.

I was going to prove to them all that I can do things on my own.

…after a few drinks…and maybe I'd go out.


A/N: I hope you guys all enjoyed this chapter. I wonder what trouble Hermione is going to end up in…or maybe she'll just stay home.

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