Author's Note: This story coincides with 4 other stories written in a competition I was in. All can be read as stand-alone 1-shots, but compiled together, tells an entire 5-chaptered story. You can see the other chapters linked on my profile page.

A Tempting series deals with emotional and verbal abuse and (mostly) the proper/not proper way on how to handle it as appropriately as one could should both parties be willing to correct their mistakes and behaviors and learn from them. It mostly deals with a common marital problem—lack of communication and balance of responsibilities.

Warning: Implied/Referenced Spousal Verbal/Emotional Abuse.

If read in order, all the 1-shots tells a bigger story. Links can be found on my profile.

Chapter 1: A Tempting Lie By Magi Silverwolf

Chapter 2: A Tempting Offer By Dark Angel Of Sorrow Returns

Chapter 3: A Tempting Stay By VanillaAsh

Chapter 4: A Tempting Pain By spittingllama7856

Summary: After a temporary—but needed—separation, Hermione decides to reconcile with Ron; but under some vital conditions. Post-Epilogue.

Rated T: Language

Genre: Family, Drama

A Tempting End

Dusk blanketed the small wizard community in the fading sunset glow. Hidden under Harry Potter's invisibility cloak, Hermione Granger peered through the window of her own home. Her husband paced across the living room, arms flailing on occasion when his voice raised as he spoke.

No one else seemed to be present, yet he continued to march around the room talking. The ginger paused in front of the fireplace, picking up one of the framed photos from it that had a small note wedged in the corner from what she could see. The flutter of leaves in the wind caught on invisible stray threads of the cloak, and the witch discreetly shrugged them off.

Carrying the family photo over to the couch, not taking his eyes off it, Ron Weasley collapsed onto the sofa. He appeared to be crying now and wiped his face with the back of his hand when Harry emerged from the kitchen. He held two beverages served in mugs; the steamy wisps emitting from them had Hermione assume it was tea. The bespectacled wizard placed both on the coffee table to sit beside his best friend, placing a comforting arm around Ron's shoulders.

Just over a week had passed since she disappeared with the kids, leaving only that note Ron now held in his hand behind. The evidence of the time lapsed sat on the windowsill where a few plants begun to droop and wilt from neglect. Somehow the witch didn't believe Harry's letters about Ron being this tore up about it, but witnessing the distress in person sent a sharp pang through her chest. Hermione needed to see, to know, that he really did care about his family, about her, and doing what she did had made that happen.

It was time to mend the damage that had been done.

Pulling an envelope from her pocket, Hermione brushed her fingers over her cursive that simply said Ron on the outside. An address, a date with a time, and four simple words were inscribed within:

We need to talk.

Quietly moving up the steps, her feet crushed the fallen leaves that rested there. Opening the letter drop, Hermione carefully pushed the parchment through it. The soft sound of it hitting the floor satisfied her enough to close the flap. Pulling her tan overcoat tighter around herself and fiddling with the cloak, she stepped back down the stairs. Giving her home another backward glance, Hermione proceeded to walk down the pavement. Looking back, she made sure she was far enough away from the house so the sound of her Disapparating wasn't heard.

.oOo.

Ron sat anxiously in the Muggle diner booth that Hermione said to meet her at. He looked to the door every time he heard the chime that signaled someone entered, hoping that each customer was his wife coming in. She was already five minutes late. It was unlike her to be late for anything. This worried him, and in the very back of his mind, he even thought it was just a cruel joke she was playing.

The chime was heard again, and it was still not her. The waitress came up to his table for a third time.

"You ordering anything?"

"More water, please?"

He could tell that she was getting irritated with him, watching her as she walked off with a huff. Ron was almost ready to get up and leave when that daunting chime was heard again. This time he didn't look up. Only when someone approached the table and sat down across from him did he have the courage to meet those familiar honey brown eyes.

"You came," he said with a sigh of relief.

Hermione observed Ron's glassy eyes and the strength it took for him to not break down at the sight of her. Keeping her own composure, she exhaled a steady breath of her own. The waitress arrived with a second glass of water and menu.

"I'll have an oolong tea and an order of honey teacakes, please." She handed the menu back before straightening her posture.

The witch settled her gaze back on her husband.

"Hermione, I—" Ron paused, swallowing hard, "I'm so bloody sorry. I shouldn't have lashed out the way I did, said the things I said. I am a right git for… for everything."

He trailed off, pinching the bridge of his nose and closing his eyes. He really was trying to keep it together, but was slowly bursting at the seams. Before he could continue, Hermione held up her hand to stop him.

"I accept your apology," she replied; her throat dry.

His look of relief had her feeling more at ease with her choice of words, but Ron was not out of the woods yet. Forgiveness had to be earned, and that was going to be a long road ahead of them. Her tea and cakes came in that moment, but they were quickly alone again. Taking a sip, it relieved her parched throat.

"Thank Merlin," he uttered, wiping at his forehead, "Hermione… I never wanted to hurt you like that. I truly thought that you can—"

She stopped him again with the raise of her hand, and Ron halted the next wave of apologies he had lined up.

"However," she said, "in order for us to really fix this, fix our family, we will be attending counseling. This is not negotiable. Do you agree?"

This was what would make or break them. Hermione needed to know if he was willing to be in it for the long haul, for their sake, for their children's sake. This important meeting between them was the last essential key that would seal their fates, no matter which way the pendulum swung.

The witch continued before Ron had a chance to fully respond. "I want you to really think about it before just saying 'Yes.' Understand? So take your time."

Hoping that the stern tone she used told him without words it was his last chance. The life that sparked in Ron's eyes gave her hope that he was going to make the right decision and mean it. She was apprehensive on if he was going to be willing to accept the positive change that was needed, to acknowledge his flaws, and to take those crucial steps to keep them from ruling his emotions. It was essential in order for them to properly heal.

"Thank you, Hermione." Ron reached for her hand across the table and gently grasped it. Hermione gave his hand a light squeeze to reassure him.

"Could I… Could I see our children… please?"

A smile twitched at her lips, "Of course."

Originally Written For:

The Houses Competition

Word Count: 1,110

Originally Written: November 2017