Ron sat at the table, fumbling his hands around the bright red mug that Mrs. Weasley had placed for him.
Hermione took a sip of her coffee, taking in the aroma that reminded her of the old days, before Katrina.
Before the betrayal.
She glanced over at Noel, who was eagerly talking to Mrs. Weasley about magic. He was a muggle, not knowing about the world of witches and wizards. Hermione had let him in a few months before their engagement. It gave her peace knowing that she didn't have to lie to him anymore.
"Dear, we should get going." Noel said, taking her out of her daze. "Mrs. Weasley, thank you again for the coffee. I wish to continue our talk later."
Hermione nodded, her eyes fixed on Ron. He was frowning, mumbling under his breath. She knew this gesture all too well. She let out a soft laugh, which made Ron look up, startled.
"Sorry, yes, we should get going." she said, waving her hand in front of her, dismissing the funny memory that had replayed itself in her head.
"You guys stay safe," Mrs. Weasley said, getting up from the table. "Katrina is in good hands."
"Thank you, I wouldn't feel comfortable leaving her with anyone else." Hermione said. "And thank you Ron, for being there for her."
Ron shifted uncomfortably in his seat. He didn't know how to respond. Of course he was going to be there for his daughter. Why wouldn't he?
"Have a nice flight dear, let us know when you get there safe." Mrs. Weasley said, hugging Hermione and planting a kiss on her cheek. "It was nice meeting you Noel. I wish my husband was here, you both would get along so well, seeing he is in love with muggle artifacts and such."
Noel laughed and gave Mrs. Weasley a hug. He then went over to the sofa when Katrina still lay, sleeping. He brushed her hair away from her forehead and gently kissed her. Ron quickly stood up, his pulse racing.
"I think you two should leave, now." He emphasized, frowning. Hermione felt her chest tightened. She could see how painful it was for Ron that Noel was so affectionate with Katrina.
"I'll be in the car," Noel said, giving Katrina one last pat on her head. "I'll wait for you there." He walked past Ron, nodded and walked out into the rain, firmly closing the door.
"Why did you go and do that for?!" Mrs. Weasley exclaimed. "That was rude Ronald!"
Ron looked away from her, pissed. "He has no right to come to my house and act like that with my daughter."
"He is a gentleman! He knows how to treat a woman Ronald- sheesh show some respect. You are not a lad anymore-"
"Mrs. Weasley, please, if you may, I'd like to speak to Ron, alone." Hermione cut in, seeing the hurt on Ron's face. Mrs. Weasley took a deep breath; her cheeks puffed up and walked into the kitchen, fanning herself.
Ron sat back at the table, his jaw locked. Hermione grabbed the back of one of the kitchen chairs, trying to find the right words.
"I know this is difficult for you." She started, her heart racing. Why did she feel this way? "But Noel has been there for Katrina since she was born-"
"He KNEW her since she was a baby?" he asked, feeling the tears build up in his eyes. "You kept her from me 'til now and HE KNEW HER SINCE SHE WAS A BABY?!"
"Silencio!" Hermione recited, taking her wand out of her pocket. A soft gust of air hit his chest and fell back against his chair, unable to continue talking. "That is a regret I will have for the rest of my life, Ron. And sorry to mute you, but I don't want Katrina waking up. You can't control your temper.
I want to make this work with you. You are her father. Noel cannot replace that, but it won't mean that he won't be another father figure in her life. I will marry Noel, and I want you to get used to that idea. We can't always have an argument like this come up every time we get together. We are adults. Let's act like it."
He felt a soft gust of air push him forward this time. Hermione stood in front of him, waiting for his response. Well, he wasn't going to give her one. He walked past her.
"You have a safe flight." He said. She didn't turn around to look at him. She looked up at the ceiling, trying to keep the tears in her eyes. Why did it hurt so much to have him hurt like that? Why did she care what he thought? She was engaged now.
She grabbed her umbrella and walked out of the door.
"Why did you act like that?" Mrs. Weasley asked, coming out of the kitchen a while later. Her face was red from crying.
Ron sat on the sofa, Katrina on his lap. Her curly red hair was all over the place, and her long black lashes reminded him of Hermione. There was no denying their daughter.
"Mum, I have my reasons." He said, trying to keep his voice steady.
"Hermione has been nothing but kind to you-"
"If you call keeping my daughter away for so long nice, then yeah she was very generous. " He said annoyed. Why was everyone taking her side?
"I'm not saying what she did was unfair, because it was. But Ron, you turned her away. You have no one to blame but yourself. Let her be happy with that man. She deserves that much at least." Mrs. Weasley said, taking a seat on the old wooden chair.
"I- I still love her Mum, I still want her back." He said softly. "I feel like there's no one I can truly talk to."
Mrs. Weasley began to cry again, hiding her face in her apron. Ron looked down at his daughter, a little spur of hope rising in his chest. Hermione wasn't totally married yet. He knew where she was spending her vacation. He'd hate himself if he didn't try one last time to win her back.
"Daddy is going to fix everything, Katrina. I'll get rid of that sparkly Spanish muggle and we'll be a real family." He whispered, kissing her head. "Wish me luck."