Chapter 14: Ron's Match

At the time when Hermione Granger was plotting the overthrow of the Wizarding Britain's legislative body, and of its Minister along with it, her best friends Harry Potter and Ron Weasley were doing a bit of plotting of their own. Though the location they chose was much less dignified than that of a formal ballroom.

The sounds of the flushing echoed through the Ministry restroom followed closely by running faucets and then clicks of opening and closing doors.

Red haired wizard nodded at the seemingly empty air and walked out of the stall. After he was sure that the loo was completely empty he returned to the same stall and nodded again to the empty space. The bespectacled head appeared in the air.

'We still have 20 minutes till half past the hour.'

'So we are going ahead with the plan?'

Harry nodded.

'Hermione is right, the longer we leave them here the more chances for discovery. With your match set, it is just a risk with no benefit…'

Ron removed the brick from the back wall, then cast a charm. The hidden indent in the building wall revealed a tail of an Extendable Ear.

'Yeah, between Robards' additional duties and mom's wedding planning… don't have time to even monitor them anymore. I just can't believe there was nothing useful! I was so sure, Harry!'

Ron leaned in and listened for a while, then moved to let Harry to the Ear.

'We have time. Sounds like the appointment just started.'

The young wizards leaned on the opposite sides of the stall, each having an ear out for anyone coming to the lavatory.

Harry pushed the glasses up.

'I was surprised you signed. You didn't even tell me you planned to!'

'Last minute, mate! I signed at quarter till midnight... '

'But why? I thought after our run-in with her and her friends the other day…'

'My second match options were not so great, Harry… You and Ginny found my notetaking hilarious but I reviewed who was still available. I can't know everyone for sure but between the wedding announcements and rumored refusals… Not many in our age group are in the second round.'

'How do you know your match was going to stay in our age group?'

Ron ran both hands through his already ruffled hair.

'I don't... I'd prefer someone my age. Most matches were 5 years apart or less in age group so far. Next round could be different of course.'

'So you settled for the evil you know?'

Ron scoffed at his grinning friend.

'Mom suggested that I write her a letter about all that's important for me or bothers me in general and about her. I liked what she said in response.'

'Oh? When did that happen? Does Ginny know?'

'In the evening. And no. I told you it was all very last minute. But she responded promptly, and I liked her message... Not because it could be worse, but in general liked it.' Ron pulled folded parchment from the inner pocket of his aurors robe. He shrugged again and grinned wryly. 'And it could be worse. I don't know just sounded thoughtful I guess... She's alright if I share this with people close to me.'

'Did you show it to your mom?'

Ron unexpectedly went bright red.

'Some parts.'

Harry unfolded the parchment extremely curious about its contents all of the sudden.

The penmanship was uneven, a mix of print and cursive, its letters slanted in all directions, some parts aligned to one edge, some parts to the other. Some words and sentences were underlined once or twice, and a number of words appeared either larger or darker as if retraced a time or two. It was a bit disorienting but fairly easy to read.

"Dear Mr. Weasley ,

I thought I scared you off for good!

Your expectations are reasonable enough.

~ We're in agreement on waiting for the latest allowed time to have the first kid.

~ I'll need to meet your mother before agreeing to live at the Borrow. Would you consider living in the city? I own a place in Muggle London, close to Diagon. Too small for a family, but ok for a couple.

~ I've lived among Muggles for two years . My views on them changed some. But you are right, some of my family are more set in their ways. I won't apologize or feel ashamed on other people behalf. And I won't abandon my relations because of this issue, unless they become a danger. I won't insist on any but the most formal of interactions

~ I understand your concern, given our school encounters. No, I don't find violence, magical or physical, acceptable in a family. Against any family member. As in I don't believe in corporal punishment.

~ Group wedding is ok. I'll get my own clothing. Traditional robe. Not white. Too Muggle, & I'm not a virgin. You don't have to share with your mother the last part, but I don't care if you do. Feel free to wear white.

~ I'm ok to negotiate on heels over 2 inches high.

I do have expectations of my own:

~ No old-fashioned marital bonds

~After we marry, our private stuff must stay private, and our decisions must be made together. NOT with your golden friends, your numerous relatives, etc.

~ Marital Relations (aka Shagging), frequent and satisfying for both, as in I expect two orgasms per encounter, at the very least

~ Finances: I'm accustomed to a comfortable living and expect my husband to provide such for us and our children, like nanny, tutors, and Hogwarts tuition, as well as high-end tailored clothing, regular family vacations, date nights (your clothing preferences are up to you). I'll contribute in-like (work or business, haven't decided).

~ Children: Number higher than mandated is negotiable, as long as finances allow. Any squib born to us will be raised by us. No corporal punishment no matter the transgression.

~ Americas: I'll be spending two weeks per year there, I'd prefer my husband to join for all or some of that time.

~ Social Circles: I'll expect my husband to be civil to my friends, and be by my side for important occasions. I'll do the same. Look up Slytherins from our year, if you can't recall my friends.

Best,

Millicent Bulstrode

PS: I'm ok with you showing this letter to people close to you

PPS: If you do sign, I'd want for us to meet properly over say brunch prior to wedding"

'Merlin Beard! It's the shagging that got you, isn't it?'

'Oh shut up, Harry! How do you even do that twice for a girl?! Wait, no! I cannot talk about that in a loo! Oh no, blimey! No-no-no! I cannot talk about that with you at all!' he groaned remembering who his friend's wife was.

Harry chuckled but fell silent quickly when someone came into the lavatory. Both wizards stilled and waited until the person left.

Ron left the stall to check the space, and Harry leaned in to listened to the Ear for a moment making sure it was not time for them to continue with the plan. . After both were satisfied with their findings, Ron spoke again.

'I liked that she thought about what she wants out of marriage. Mione just thought of how to get out of it, you know. I didn't realize the difference until I put my letter together, and then read her response. I don't want to treat the next seven years as wasted or have kids just to fulfill the requirements. Her family and friends are a problem but it was going to be like that with most matches.'

'But yesterday she looked so… big…'

Ron shrugged.

'Mom said maybe it is how they dress wherever she lived before. I think her robe was I don't know odd. Her legs are very long. Plus a solid foot of her was heels and hair, didn't you notice?'

'Ahh no, when did you have time to notice all that? I just noticed the... full package.'

'Mom said women adjust to the local fashion and to their husbands and if she'll use tailor… I think mom is not wrong…'

Harry bit his tongue. He was not sure the seven foot tall witch could possibly be improved by tailored clothing! Ron had already signed, making him doubt his reasons would do no good to anyone. So he changed the topic.

'I'm impressed you actually did something with those rolls of parchment.'

'I'm not completely brainless, Harry!'

'I didn't say that you are, come on mate, did you find anything else interesting?'

'Hermione's case is unusual. Not one of its kind, but unusual. Most matches are 5 years apart or less in age as I said, and for our age it even less, like 2 or 3 years only.'

'How many did you find with Mione's age difference?'

'How do you know I checked?'

'Come now Ron…'

'Fine, you are right, I checked. In my notes, eleven. Nine of them are a witch/wizard pairing, one is of the two wizards, and then there is Hermione's.'

'Eleven!'

'Harry, I think it is time to move, they are saying their goodbyes.'

Harry became invisible once again.

'We'll continue this conversation later, maybe on a floo with Hermione…' He whispered. 'She'd be very impressed with your studious note taking and thoughtful conclusions.'

'Oh shut up, Harry,' Ron chuckled. 'You'd become studious too in my place.'

Ron replaced the brick, and led the way out the stall.

'Remember, when the tail starts to retract, you can close up and head to the other location.' whispered the empty space near Ron, as Ron checked the outside corridor.

'Alright alright. I know. Good luck, mate!'

The corridor was empty, and Harry took the opportunity to slip out.

As soon as he felt Harry brush past him, Ron retreated back into the loo.

He locked the stall, removed the brick and leaned in to listen once again.

End of Chapter 14