"No Weasley or Prewett has ever gotten a magical divorce and I will be damned if the first is one of MY children. It is out of the question. Arthur, tell him it is out of the question!"
"Mum," Ron tried as he had tried to interject his mother's tirade since it started but he had failed.
"A DIVORCE?! How could you even think of this Ronald! She loves you so much and is so devoted to you."
"Molly," Arthur finally stopped his wife, "why don't we let Ron explain. You know how deceitful the Prophet can be."
"The article said, Arthur, that he was overheard asking his brother Percy about divorce. Is that true?"
Ron looked at both of his parents and he knew he had to be honest. "Yes, I asked Percy about it."
"Oh, dear Merlin!" Molly shrieked.
"I'm just trying to know my options Mum."
"Your options!" She bellowed, "your options are simple. You get to know your wife again and continue your life with her."
"Molly, even I have to admit it's harder than that." Though Arthur didn't enjoy the glare his wife was throwing him, he knew he was right.
"But Ron," he continued, "You owe it to your wife to try to get to know her. To explore if there is a chance. It's the right thing to do. I'm sure you would agree."
Ron knew his parents were right. Ginny and Harry had said the same thing last night when they went at him too. But he could not deny the feeling inside that told him he'd end up hurting her more. His parents, however, were not the people to discuss those concerns with.
"I agree and I'll do my best. Now, I have to get St Mungo's for my appointment and then to the Ministry that will be crawling with reporters, no doubt. So, I best be on my way."
With that, Ron escaped the Burrow leaving his concerned parents at the kitchen table.
"Oh Arthur," Molly cried, "why can't things go right for our Ronnie? Why are these obstacles constantly thrown at him?"
"I wish I knew dear; I really do."
"Hermione?" called Felicia from Hermione's office door, "Mr. Weasley is here."
At the name Hermione's head sprang up from her work and Felicia quickly clarified, "Mr. Percy Weasley."
Hermione deflated a bit but nodded, "Of course, show him in."
Felicia opened the door wider and ushered Percy in. Hermione crossed the room to her brother - in - law and accepted the kiss on the cheek.
"I'm so sorry, Hermione," he started as he took a seat in front of her desk. "I promise I am doing a full investigation into who in my office spoke to the Prophet."
With that reminder, he turned around and silenced her door, better safe than sorry.
"It's not your fault, Percy."
"I can't help but disagree with you there."
"What's done is done, Percy." She responded with a sad smile.
Percy nodded and a silence filled the office. Hermione's curiosity finally got to her though and she had to ask, "What exactly did you tell him? About magical divorce?"
Percy grimaced but responded, "Just the bare minimum. Stressing that it's not easy."
"But Percy," Hermione interjected, "you know enough about the law to know that what's happened to Ron and the dwindling possibilities of it being fixed are one of the few situations where a divorce would be granted. Honestly, aside of physical abuse, a magical malady like his is one of the only acceptable grounds for magical divorce. Which is ridiculous and should be reviewed. It's the beginning of a new century, for Merlin's sake."
Percy smiled, a tirade like that is one of the reasons he really enjoyed his sister-in-law.
"I didn't tell him because he needs more time to figure things out. He shouldn't be making rash decisions at a time like this."
Hermione smiled, grateful for Percy's forethought. "I do appreciate that." With that Percy got up from his seat but Hermione's voice stopped him in his tracks. "Percy, do you think I'm being a fool?"
He turned around and asked, "What do you mean?"
"I gave him the flat because I was convinced if he spent time there memories would come back. I thought if we spent time together he'd remember me. Do you think that's illogical and foolish?"
Percy smiled, "I don't think it's necessarily foolish, even if it's a bit illogical. But love isn't logical Hermione. And neither is hope. Don't give up on him yet. Give him time."
Tears filled her eyes; she didn't expect such an answer from Percy of all people. "Thanks Percy."
"Anytime, Hermione." And with that he left her office. But Hermione actually felt a bit better. Patience, she just needed some patience.
"You are very quiet today, George," Ron said while having lunch at the joke shop with his brother. Normally on Fridays they had lunch at the Leaky but the press was all over Ron since this morning's front page, so they changed locations to a more private option. But George had barely spoken since they sat down with Molly Weasley leftovers.
George simply shrugged.
"Business been ok?"
"Can't complain."
"And Ang is good? I know she's had a rough season?"
"She's ok, a bit disappointed. But she's fine."
Ron could not think of anything else to ask. Usually, their conversation was very easy but this was more difficult that he was used to.
"Come on, George, help me out mate." Ron groaned. But George didn't offer anything other than a slightly annoyed face. "You're clearly cross with me but I'm thick and missing it."
George scoffed, "You certainly are thick." Ron looked so confused that even George had to take pity on him. "The article Ron. I'm pissed about the Prophet article."
"Then send a letter to the editor," Ron's attempt at humor fell beyond flat. And George's annoyed face morphed to angry.
"I can't believe you'd be this big of an arsehole. A prat, sure. Dense, without a doubt. A jealous grump, got it. But a full-blown arsehole? I thought you were better than that."
Ron gaped at his brother, shocked and confused. "Mate, I don't,"
"You and Hermione brought me back from the brink many times after Fred. And I'll always be grateful. But when you went to Auror training and she went to Hogwarts I, um, struggled. You couldn't come home but she used every favor she could at school to come help me when I needed it. Sometimes she'd just sit with me while I cried. Sometimes she helped me at the shop on weekends. And more than once she dragged my pissed arse out of a pub. Bloody hell, the Hogsmeade shop was her idea!"
Ron said nothing, just continued to listen to his brother and listen to this alternate history. "And look, I know you don't remember any of this. But I do and I love that girl for what she did. What she continues to do. I don't want to see her hurt. And if you divorce her, you'll break all of our hearts."
The brothers sat silently for a few minutes. "Look, George, the more I find out about Hermione, the more I see what a great girl she is. And honestly, I don't want to hurt her. Nor do I want to hurt this family. But,"
George's face looked like thunder, like he already knew he was going to be mad. "What if I can't live up to what we were before? What if I'm not the same man? What if we give it a go and her or I just don't have the same feelings because only one of us remembers our history? Won't I just be hurting her more? And disappointing the family?"
George's face soothed a bit, maybe understanding something new from his baby brother. "Healer Cruz told me to expect the people closest to me to start noticing differences in me. Because Hermione was an influence on my life from such a young age, I may be different. And I'm afraid people might not like it. Or Hermione won't either. And then where am I? And maybe it's the easy way out but I've been thinking if I just end it, she'll get hurt once and then she can move on."
Again, the brothers fell into silence. George really had not thought about this side. And he doubted anyone in the family had.
"Look, Ron. I feel bloody gutted for you, really. It's just unfair that you don't remember your life with her. And I guess, when you explain it like you just did, I can see your point. But the healer said those closest to you might notice differences in you. And except for your ability to flirt, you seem exactly like you did before you went on that bloody mission. So, maybe, just maybe you're overthinking this?"
Ron laughed, thinking George was taking the piss but his brother appeared serious and raised his eyebrows.
"Really? I'm not known for overthinking things."
"Well, maybe that is something different about you." George winked.
Ron wasn't convinced but it was giving him something to think about.
George's mood improved and asked, "Any plans this weekend?"
Ron was nervous to ruin his brother's mood but George could already tell, by his delayed response that he had plans with Christine.
"The plan was to go to Christine's brother's rugby match at a park in Muggle London. Not that I know anything about rugby."
"Are you sure it's a good idea, Ron? Given all the press?"
Ron shrugged and rolled his eyes, "I won't let the bloody press dictate my life. Plus, there are rules now about photographing Muggles, right? Unless they are public figures like the Prime Minister or the royal family, magical press can't photograph them."
George didn't respond, he thought this was a bad idea but after this conversation he started to realize that maybe he needs to be a bit more supportive. "Well, all I know about rugby is it's one of the more brutal Muggle sports. But I think there is a tradition of visiting the pubs after matches. So, that's familiar."
Ron smiled, glad that George warmed up. "The pub, I can handle." Ron looked at his watch, "I better get back to work."
George walked Ron to the floo, "Mate, I'm glad we talked. I just want you to know, you won't disappoint this family, we all, you know, love you. And are bloody proud of you." He slapped Ron on the back and Ron smiled.
"Thanks bro." And before he could get choked up flooed back to the Auror department.
