Back to You

. August 5^th

"Come on, mate, you can tell us," Fred goaded. "Has she really spent the night?"

"You haven't scared her off?" George asked with disbelief.

Ron let out an impatient breath. "How many times do I have to say that there is nothing going on with me and Hermione?"

Fred pretended to seriously consider Ron's question. "Until we believe you," he finally conceded.

Ron quickly paced ahead of his twin brothers and wheeled around, forcing them to come to a stop. He had to make this convincing if he was ever going to keep them off his back. "There is nothing between me and Hermione," he said slowly, emphatically, and firmly.

Fred and George stared at him for a long moment, their brown eyes identically inquisitive. The silence resonated throughout the gloomy hallway of 12 Grimmauld Place and Ron held his breath. Would they finally believe him and leave him the hell alone?

"So how does your girlfriend put up with your smell?" George finally broke the silence. "I've smelled your filthy socks from two floors up!"

Ron gritted his teeth with annoyance as he ignored his brothers' jibes. He didn't know why he expected any different. Those two would always harass him, especially about Hermione. She had become their favorite subject over the years ever since news of the row he and her had had after the Yule Ball last term. They were convinced that this was a sign that he was madly in love with her or something ridiculous like that. And Hermione spending the past three nights in his room was only adding fuel to the fire.

Not that he minded. He didn't mind at all. It was actually really nice having Hermione there. She had come the first night, obviously still very shaken from hearing about the dementors attacking Harry, and he had been happy to help. It had somehow oddly become tradition; he hadn't been surprised in the least that Hermione had showed up the following nights. He actually would have been surprised if she hadn't shown up at his door.

He had to admit that the attack on Harry had upset him too. Dumbledore and his dad had always reassured him that Harry was well-protected, and perfectly safe where he was, and blah blah blah. But they had been dead wrong; Harry would have been just as safe at the Burrow or here with him and Hermione. At least that was being rectified--Harry should be arriving any day now.

Ron, Fred, and George clamored into the kitchen, Ron trying to ignore his brother's continuous jibes. The twins did have the good sense to shut up and start berating Ron about something else when they saw Hermione sitting at the table. She looked rather sleepy and her hair was more than slightly disheveled, but she caught Ron's eye and her smile was anything but drowsy. Ron had typically only seen Hermione smile like that when she got a perfect score on an exam or she found the passage in the book she had been searching for or whenever she was really truly happy. Like when she had seen him after being un-Petrified and at the Yule Ball. Ron suppressed the urge to frown: bloody ball. Despite his thoughts, Ron returned the greeting and Hermione automatically lowered her eyes somewhat shyly. What was that about, Ron wondered--Hermione was never shy.

"Wotcher, boys," Tonks chirped. Ron blinked in surprise. He hadn't even noticed the purple-haired Auror was in the kitchen since he had been too busy thinking about Hermione.

"What are you doing here?" George asked happily, exchanging a gleeful glance with Fred. Tonks was always willing, ready, and able to participate in a prank.

"Just came off guard duty," Tonks stated conversationally. "Harry's fine, by the way."

"Good," Hermione took a sip of the scalding hot liquid, finally raising her eyes from her beverage. "Do you know when he'll be able to come yet?"

"The letter we sent arrived just before I went off duty. So we should be able to pick him up tonight," Tonks predicted.

"That's fantastic!" Hermione exclaimed happily. Ron grinned heartily at the news before plopping down across from Hermione at the table. Fred and George sat alongside of him, whispering suspiciously amongst each other. Ron had sinking feeling that their schemes had something to do with humiliating him or Hermione, but he chose to ignore it for the moment. He'd much prefer to bask in the knowledge that his best mate was finally getting away from those bloody Muggles and returning to where he belonged.

"Well, well," Bill Weasley grinned as he suddenly waltzed into the kitchen. "If it isn't my three littlest brothers."

"Bill!" the three Weasley boys said in surprise.

"What are you doing here?" George asked with a grin.

"Had to see Dad about some Order business," Bill explained. "And don't even try; Mum's forbidden me to tell you anything." He ruffled Ron's hair lovingly, and Ron swatted his arm away impatiently. Bill was probably his favorite older brother, but he hated that Bill treated him like, well, his younger brother, always messing up his hair or punching him in the arm or something like that.

"Bill, arze you ready?" Fleur Delacour breezed into the room to find her "coworker".

Oh, bloody hell, there she is, Ron thought before going into the veela-induced daze. There she certainly was, standing before him like a radiant goddess, her long, blonde hair spilling in soft cascades well past her shoulders, her wide, round, baby blue eyes adoringly gazing about the room, her ivory pale skin glowing with natural beauty and inner goodness. She was a goddess; there was nothing more else to say about the wonder that was Fleur Delacour. Merlin, her name was even beautiful, it rolled off his tongue so exquisitely, he had to do something so this nymph knew how wonderful she was, poor creature was probably insanely modest and did not even realize her own beauty...

BANG

Ron started slightly at the loud noise, his gaze instinctively breaking away from the love of his life and toward the sound. Hermione was giving him one of his glares and gripping her coffee mug much tighter than necessary. She must have slammed her cup down on the table. Ron was about to ask what the hell that was about when Fleur shook her mane of golden hair and his eyes went back to her, absently wiping away the drool that had carelessly dribbled down his chin.

"Have you met Fleur," Bill offered, leading the stunningly gorgeous part-Veela forward. "She works at Gringotts with me."

Over here, over here, over here, Ron thought furiously at his brother. But no, his stupid brother had to first take Fleur over to Tonks, who probably didn't comprehend Fleur's joie de vivre, as the French would say. Since when the hell do you know French, the annoying voice at the back of his brain asked. The voice sort of sounded like Hermione, but Ron frankly didn't care that much. Fleur must bring out his inner intelligence that he never he had. She really was amazing.

"Nice to meet you," Tonks pumped Fleur's hand up and down vigorously. Tonks was being much too rough with the delicate creature, but Ron thought that Fleur handed herself beautifully; he only noticed her grimace because he was staring at her open-mouthed. Tonks then released her hand and gave Fleur a rough pat on the shoulder, knocking Fleur slightly off-balance. Ron gasped and wanted to get up to help, but Fleur regained her composure immediately, and Bill took her by the arm and finally, mercifully, ecstatically, led her over to Ron.

"Fleur, these are my brothers: Fred, George, and Ron."

"Actually, I'm George, and this is Fred,"

"But you can call us anything you like," Fred added in what he obviously thought was very masculine, mature voice. Bastards, Ron thought furiously, moving in on his woman. It wasn't as though they didn't have any--Angelina had been falling all over herself to get Fred's attention. But Fleur didn't appear to be all that impressed, and Bill just laughed and swatted his little brother on the back.

"It iz a pleasure," Fleur said politely as Fred and George each kissed her dainty hand. Ron repressed the urge to scrub Fleur's dainty hand with lavender-scented soap in order to remove the vile impressions of his twin brothers' lips. But all was redeemed with the azure eyes finally met Ron's. "And I of course knowz Ronald. 'e 'elped save Gabrielle." She gave Ron a peck on the cheek.

For one moment of ecstasy, all was right with the world. He could feel the imprint of the rose-pink lips on his skin, he felt her cool breath tickling his cheek, he could smell the summer-sweet scent of her flowing hair. He knew that he was turning bright red, but he didn't care. Fleur had kissed him again, and that was all that mattered. Who cared about You-Know-Who and all that? Harry could handle himself, and so could Hermione. They didn't need him to protect them so he could spend a lifetime devoted to his Fleur.

Fleur had moved away from him though and was not holding out her hand for another person. The bushy mane of brown hair crossed in Ron's vision and his eyes once again left Fleur to look at Hermione. She was scowling for some reason. Ron studied her, puzzled. Why would she be upset if someone as fantastic as Fleur was speaking to her?

"I'm Hermione Granger," Hermione said coolly. "I met you a few months ago. I'm Harry Potter's friend." Hermione was staring almost angrily up at Fleur so she couldn't tell that Ron was watching her, quite concerned. What was wrong with Hermione?

His eyes went back to Fleur so he was blessed enough to see her eyes shine with light and recognition. "Oh, that iz right," Fleur nodded. "Oh, I remember now. You are Viktor's girlfriend, yes?"

All visions of Fleur standing on a beach with her long hair flowing about her like some goddess who had just washed ashore in a seashell flew out of Ron's mind. It amazed him that Fleur's presence could enrapture him so much yet not even her extreme beauty could surmount the bile that rose in his throat at the thought of Viktor sodding Krum touching Hermione.

He had thought about Krum and Hermione a lot as a matter of fact. When he had been trying to convince his mum to let Hermione stay, she had asked if Hermione had any other plans, and Ron had to admit that she had been invited to bloody Bulgaria. She obviously had not gone to visit the bastard, but that didn't mean that they couldn't still be communicating. Ron had seen a strange owl flying to Hermione and Ginny's window a couple times and unless Ginny now had a boyfriend that he didn't know about which was ridiculous because his little sister did not date, they had to be from Vicky.

Hermione calmly shook her head and continued to look solely at Fleur. "No, we're not dating."

Ron eyed her suspiciously. Hermione never lied, she had never lied about anything, but would she lie about this? She knew that he didn't like that bloke, and he could tell she always avoided the issue whenever he was around. They didn't want to get into a row like after the Yule Ball. Ron's scowl grew deeper; he really didn't like to talk about that bloody ball.

"But you waz Viktor's date for zat Ball, yes?" Fleur pressed. "Zat iz where I zee you beefor?"

Oh, but now they were talking about that bloody ball!

"Yes," Hermione conceded, "but he's not my boyfriend."

Was she lying?

"Oh," Fleur looked confused again. "You are Harry's girlfriend then?"

Harry? Harry and Hermione? No way, no bloody way, it would never happen...Ron fought the urge to bury his face into his hands. Aw, hell, it could.

"No," Hermione's voice was unusually terse. "No boyfriend. Completely single. Haven't a chap at all."

There was a long tense silence in which even Fred and George had the good sense not to make any sort of cheeky remark. Ron examined his trainers now, unable to look at Hermione anymore. Rage and disappointment was boiling up inside of him and if he said anything to her or looked at her or she looked at him, he would explode.

"Yeah," Bill seemed to sense danger, and tugged on his girlfriend's arm. "Anyway, we better get going."

Ron's instinctively looked up at his brother but his eyes inadvertently rested on Hermione, who was chugging the rest of her coffee at an alarming rate. And he knew he couldn't even say good-bye to his brother. He irately shoved back the bench he was seated on, the grating sound masked by his brothers' voices, and he was able to make an unnoticed retreat to the sanctity of his room.

**

Ron didn't think it was possible for someone to stay in one room for an entire day, but son of a bitch, it was. He left his room once to wolf down some lunch and had managed to avoid Hermione at the same time. Mum had gotten him first and had been on her way to get Ginny and Hermione, so he had raced ahead, shoved down some food, and hidden in the hallway while Hermione had walked past with Ginny so he could slip upstairs without attracting her attention. Hermione had looked rather worried and was talking quietly to Ginny, and Ron thought he knew what it was about. She was concerned that the jig was up, that she could no longer hide her relationship with Vicky, and now they were going to have to talk about it.

But Ron didn't want to talk about it. He just wanted things to remain the way they were. Yes, he liked the late night talks with Hermione, he loved them as a matter of fact, they got him through these past three days. But it was just odd, the interaction between the two of them in those moments alone was different then there usual dynamic. They didn't argue as much, which shocked the hell out of Ron. It was almost like Hermione put up a front whenever she was around other people, a tough-girl, I'm-so-independent-and-brilliant-and-self-reliant-and-I-don't-need-help-from-anyone. But when they were alone, Ron saw this completely other side of her, the side of her that conveyed that she needed him, she needed his friendship. And Ron wasn't used to that--he was used to being forgotten and known as the sidekick. But Hermione didn't make him feel like a sidekick; she made him feel like a hero, an important person all on his own.

Ron kicked the floor in irritation. She was a good friend, that's for sure. She was his best friend. And best friends looked out for each other; he was just trying to help her by letting her know that Viktor Krum was a no-good Death Eater. Why didn't' she understand that?

There was a soft knock on the door. "Ron?" Hermione called. "Let me in, I know you're there."

There was a long pause in which Ron considered his options. He could ignore her and put off the impending row or he could face up to it like a man. He really didn't want to pursue the latter, but he knew it was the right thing to do. Besides, Harry would be arriving at any moment and Ron didn't think it was a good idea for him and Hermione not to be speaking to each other when Harry arrived. They had already talked about how they needed to be super supportive of Harry now. Ron gritted his teeth as he yanked open the door. "What?"

Hermione brushed past him without even so much as a look in his direction and sat down on what he had to come to think as her bed. Well, it was soon going to be Harry's bed since they would be sharing a room, but as for now, it was Hermione's bed. Pig chattered a greeting as he fluttered down on her shoulder while Hedwig hooted regally from the top of the wardrobe. Hermione ignored the pets and stared pointedly at Ron. "I think we need to talk."

"Well, come on in," Ron said sarcastically as he slammed the door shut. "Make yourself at home."

Hermione glared at him. "Don't act like this. You're better than this."

Oh really, I am, Ron thought bitterly, you certainly don't act like I am when you look at me like that. He folded his arms across his chest. "Go on then."

"You've been avoiding me all day," Hermione told him. "The only reason I can think to explain your behavior is Fleur mistaking me for Viktor's girlfriend, but I know that that can't be the problem, because that would be ridiculous." Ron didn't say anything, but only began to pace. How could she not know that was the problem? She was Hermione bloody Granger, the most brilliant girl Hogwarts had ever seen, and she didn't get that Viktor Krum was an idiot that should not be messed around with? "You can't still be jealous of Viktor!" she accused.

"Jealous?" Ron let out a squawk of sarcastic laughter. "I am not jealous!" And he wasn't. He was just looking out for Hermione, but just like a girl, she had to twist his words around and accuse him of feeling things that he didn't.

"Then why are you acting like this?" Hermione demanded.

"Because he's from Durmstrang, Hermione!" Ron yelled. "He's from Durmstrang, and You-Know-Who is back, and Karakoff is a former Death Eater, and you shouldn't be fooling around with him!"

"First," Hermione began, getting to her feet and sending Pig fluttering away to join Hedwig in the sanctuary of the wardrobe. "I am not fooling around with Viktor, and even if I was, it would be none of your business. And second, Viktor is my friend and I would hope that you as my best friend would know that I would not become friends with a Death Eater, so it shouldn't bother you that Viktor and I are pen pals..."

Pen pals????

"So you are still writing him!" Ron shouted triumphantly.

"So what if I am!" Hermione finally sputtered in reply, appearing unusually flustered. "It shouldn't matter to you!" Ron opened his mouth to retort, but she quickly raised her voice to stop him. "Friends don't react this ridiculously to their friends having a friend of the opposite sex unless they're jealous! So why don't you just admit it, and we can move on! Harry should be here any minute, I don't want to be fighting when he gets here!"

"I am not jealous," Ron roared back. "Friends can react this way to other friends! You get huffy every time Fleur shows up!" He didn't even realize that was true until the words had hurtled out of his mouth; come to think of it, why did she get huffy every time Fleur came?

"That's just because you fall over yourself like an idiot whenever she's around, and she's a dumb megalomaniac!" Hermione retorted. "So don't tell me how I'm feeling!"

"You're telling me how I feel!" Ron pointed out, wondering at the same time what the hell megalomaniac meant.

"Well, that's different!" Hermione protested. "I don't know how you feel and since you won't tell me, I'm forced to make an assumption. I just told you how I feel, so why don't you enlighten me!" Hermione's hands went to her hips. "Why are you acting like this? Tell me, once and for all, why don't you like Viktor?!" Ron stared at her sullenly, at a loss for words. She just didn't get it, so why should he be forced to tell her again. "Come on, Ron, tell me! Why don't you like Viktor!?"

"He's from Durmstrang..." he tried again.

"Bollocks!" Hermione exploded. Ron's jaw dropped at her use of language. Hermione said bollocks? Hey, I do have some influence over her, Ron thought with relish. "Why do you really not like Viktor!"

"I told you..."

"Ron, I know you're lying, I can always tell when you lie to me, and if you're not going to tell me, fine, then you can explain to Harry why we aren't speaking to each other, but I would appreciate it if you sent him down to my room when arrives so I can say hello!" Hermione started towards the door.

"He's not good enough for you!" Hermione froze, keeping her back to him. Ron froze too. Did I really just say that?

"What did you say?" Hermione asked, still not turning to face him. Ron stared at her back. He hated that he was so damn emotional, but he never understood what he was feeling until it came exploding out of him like this. He had always known he didn't like Viktor and the obvious reason for it was the bastard's ties to Karakoff and Durmstrang. But there was an underlying reason for his dislike for Viktor too--and now that Ron thought about it, he knew the words were true.

Ron cleared his throat awkwardly. "I said he's not good enough for you."

Hermione slowly turned round to face him. "An international Quidditch player and Triwizard champion isn't good enough for me?" she asked quietly. Ron nodded defiantly. Viktor may be a damned good Quidditch player and all, but he just couldn't compare to Hermione. "You have rather high expectations for me, don't you?"

"Well, yeah," Ron shoved his hands in his pockets and looked down at his feet. Oh, damn, I should really tell her why she's so great, maybe she wouldn't be mad at me anymore. Besides, Hermione deserved to know she was blood fantastic. "I mean, Hermione, you're..." His ears were rapidly turning beet red. Come on, you can do this, he internally chided himself, why are you making this much more difficult than it is?

"Yes?" Hermione asked eagerly, her hazel eyes shining in that way that he loved.

Their eyes met and that odd surge that he felt rushed over him. This was what he had pondering over before, the weird connection that suddenly seemed to have, or maybe it was they had always had it but he hadn't noticed it before until this summer. Hermione blushed and he wanted smile at the sight, but he refrained himself. He had to focus on telling her how he felt. Too bad even he didn't know. He opened his mouth to try to express coherently how he felt, but Hermione spoke first.

"You too," Hermione said quietly. Ron blinked in confusion; what was she going on about? "I mean," she stammered, ducking her head away much to Ron's relief; this was getting a little too intense. "That's why I don't like Fleur. Because you deserve so much better than her."

"You think?" Ron's eyebrows shot up in disbelief. Fleur, the most beautiful girl he had ever seen in his life, wasn't good enough for an oafish bloke like him? "Better than Fleur?"

"I don't think," Hermione said quietly. "I know." Ron smiled; Hermione never lied. She really thought that. He was too good for a veela. He had to admit, it was a nice self-esteem boost to hear that. This was what he had been contemplating about earlier, how Hermione always seemed to say the right thing at the right time to make him feel better about himself. She was truly amazing and she deserved to be with someone who appreciated that. Viktor Krum was probably only interested in getting into her knickers. Ron's fists inadvertently clenched at the thought but he didn't let his anger show. The row seemed to be almost over, and he wanted to keep it that way.

"Yeah," Ron finally spoke up, clearing his throat again. "I reckon that's why I don't like Vicky very much."

"Viktor," Hermione interjected automatically.

"Whatever," Ron said offhandedly. "Anyway, I just don't like the idea of you and Viktor together."

"Well, we're not," Hermione reassured him.

Ron wondered if he should press his luck, and decided to risk it. "And I reckon I don't like the idea of you and Harry together much either," Ron continued.

Hermione stared at him with surprise. "Really, why?"

Ron shrugged. "Dunno. It just doesn't seem right. Reckon it's not right for best friends to date."

"Is it?" Hermione asked softly.

What does that mean? She didn't want to date Harry, and he obviously couldn't date Harry, so that would mean...

Bloody hell!

His head jerked towards her, and she immediately looked away. His whole face was red now, but he didn't really care that much. Had she just said that she thought it would be okay if she and him...you know...did stuff? Did he even want to do that kind of stuff with her? With Hermione? He had had the occasional dream about her, but he figured that was normal, all teenage boys had dreams like that. But it was interesting to note that the usual star of those dreams was not Fleur, but Hermione. Could that mean something? Could he really...he and Hermione? Ron didn't know what to think at the moment, but as usual, Hermione continued to take control. "Ron," she began tentatively, "Do you like the idea me going out with any boy?"

Ron frowned. He never really thought about that before. It was like with Ginny: Hermione dating just was not an option. He didn't like to think about it. It was slightly different than what he felt about Ginny and the boyfriend situation. It was a different sort of urge to protect Ginny; it was the I'm-the-older-brother-don't-mess-with-me protection. But the need he had to look after Hermione was different...he couldn't really put his finger on it. But that wasn't the question Hermione had asked him, so he quickly answered it. "Not really," he finally admitted.

"Why--why do you think that is?" Ron remained silent for a long time, eyes riveted to a crack in the floor. He could feel Hermione's eyes on him but he didn't dare look at her. What the hell was going on? He had the sudden, inexplicable, undeniable urge to grab Hermione and actually kiss her. Kiss Hermione? Okay, sure he had that urge before every so often during fourth-year, but this time it was so great that he knew he couldn't look at her right now because he would do it. And she had said that it was okay for best friends to date, but maybe she had meant her and Harry, she had never actually denied that she fancied him. Oh, Merlin, what if she did? He wouldn't stand in their way of course, but he did think he might be miserable for the rest of his pathetic existence on the planet. "You can't think of any boy who I should go out with?" Hermione egged in such a reassuring, soft manner that Ron almost answered the question without thinking.

He started to say "me".

Oh Merlin, what the hell is going on with us, Ron moaned to himself as he stopped himself from speaking. He couldn't just come out and admit these odd thoughts he was suddenly having for his best friend. What if they were just a passing fancy...do not think fancy and Hermione in the same sentence...what if it was just because they had been spending so much time together and he was a boy, and she was girl, and...oh, Merlin, how did I ever forget that she was a girl?

Hermione's eyes continued to bore into him so he finally looked up from the floor, and their eyes locked for a few, electrifying seconds. Her eyes were radiating so brilliantly that Ron couldn't even imagine how he had thought Fleur was the most beautiful girl on the planet. Oh, did you really just think that, he thought. He continued to stare into her eyes; they were so trusting, open, screaming with emotion, just like his always were. That was one of the great things about Hermione, she never hid how she felt whenever it was really important like this. If she didn't want to hear what he was about to say and he was pretty sure she had a good idea about what he might say, she would have changed the subject. But she was just standing there waiting for a response. And he wasn't going to deny her of learning all the answers.

Ron took a deep breath and took a few steps towards her. Oh God, this is it, he thought with extreme anxiety, this could ruin our friendship...

They both jumped a foot when the doorknob rattled while turning. Hermione whirled around and Ron held his breath. If his brothers came in right now, he was going to murder them.

He couldn't see who had entered the room since Hermione's voluminous head of hair was in his way. All he saw and heard was Pig twitter happily and Hermione shrieked with joy as she lunged to embrace the person who had opened the door. Harry Potter, his best mate in the world, met his eyes with an expression that he had seen many times before: on himself, whenever Hermione grabbed him like that. He suppressed the urge to laugh and shrugged as Hermione began to chatter away.

"HARRY! Ron, he's here, Harry's here! We didn't hear you arrive! Oh, how are you? Are you all right? Have you been furious with us? I bet you have, I know our letters were useless--but we couldn't tell you anything, Dumbledore made us swear we wouldn't, oh, we've got so much to tell you, and you've got to tell us--the dementors! When we heard--and that Ministry hearing--it's just outrageous, I've looked it all up, they can't expel you, they just can't, there's provision in the Decree for the Restriction of Underage Sorcery for the use of magic in life-threatening situations..."

"Let him breathe, Hermione," said Ron, grinning, closing the door behind Harry. Harry looked as though he needed a moment to collect himself and luckily Hermione obeyed. Ron quickly looked his best mate up and down. He wasn't one to judge appearances or notice when someone lost weight or something like that, but Harry obviously had. He looked downright peaky. His mum was going to have a fit when she saw him, Ron thought. And there was more. Harry's eyes looked almost deadened and he looked rather hardened, as if he was ready for battle.

Oh, Merlin, Ron thought, glancing over at Hermione. It looked as though he was going to get to avoid the Hermione issue for a while.

They were going to have enough problems to contend with.