Together Again

Together Again

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Chapter One

The sun had risen on a beautiful autumn morning in late October as Ron Weasley woke himself up in his Hogsmeade apartment. He lived above Weasley's Wizard Wheezes Joke Shop with his older twin brothers, Fred and George, who owned the Joke Shop. It had been a month since Ron attended the Engagement Party of his best friend of more than a decade, Hermione Granger, and his enemy for more than a decade, Draco Malfoy. Thirty days later, he hadn't forgotten the piercing feeling in his heart as he watched the (unbeknownst to her) love of his life celebrate her engagement to another man.

Of course no one, not even his best friend Harry Potter, knew he felt this way; Ronald Weasley was good at keeping his emotions hidden (when he knew about them, anyway). Sighing heavily to himself, he freshened himself up and descended into his elder brothers' shop. George was at the register, ringing up a customer who was buying a fake wand.

"Oi, Ron! Run the register for a bit, will you?" said George.

"Why should I?" Ron asked.

"Because I said so! Come on, you've been sleeping all morning!"

"So? Some people care about the necessity of sleep."

"Ron, come on, just do it!"

"Fine, damnit, fine!" Ron snapped and took George's place at the cash register.

It just so happened that Weasley's Wizard Wheezes was having a sale, and not soon after Ron took over the cash register a crowd had formed inside of the Weasley's Joke Shop. The line as he stared in front of him looked as if it never ended; numerous customers hungry for humor with infinite amounts of gifts in their hands protruded from the main desk. Ron groaned quietly...this wasn't going to be a good day. His mood improved slightly, however, when his friends Dean Thomas and Seamus Finnigan entered the shop.

"Hey Dean, Seamus! Oi, Seamus!"

"Hi, Ron!" Dean and Seamus yelled and hurried to the register.

"Come behind the counter, it's all right," said Ron, and they did just that.

"Where's Neville? You guys aren't keeping in touch with him?"

"First of all, you could be keeping in touch with him also. Second of all, Neville is in St. Mungo's with his parents...he was tortured into insanity just like his parents. They're in the same ward."

"Poor chap," Ron sympathized.

"Yeah, but he's alive. He'll still be around for us to visit and stuff."

"So...what have you two been up to?"

"Nothing much. Isn't it outrageous that Hermione's marrying Malfoy?"

"Yeah, it...it is."

Ron's heart felt another painful stab, but he overlooked it. Being the naïve (yes, even at 22) Ron Weasley he was, he assumed that his feelings for Hermione were simply an infatuation and would fade with time. Yet he didn't think about the fact that he'd been feeling the way he did since his third year at Hogwarts. Infatuations didn't last for decades at a time. He sighed once more and turned his attention back to his two old Gryffindor friends.

"Are you okay, Ron?"

"Yeah, I'm fine."

"I assume you've talked to Lavender since we graduated," Seamus chuckled.

"And I assume you've talked to Parvati. And Dean, heard from Padma lately?"

"Hey, no mocking us! What's wrong with hooking up with Parvati and Padma?"

"Nothing whatsoever," said Ron with a smirk.

"Right. Well, we're going to get out of here. Catch you later, mate!"

"All right, then."

Ron watched Seamus and Dean leave the shop and longed to feel like them. To be satisfied with where he was; the girlfriend he was seeing, the brothers he lived with, and the life he led period. Hermione remained his friend, but only a friend, and only friendship with Hermione wasn't enough for him. Often on cold, lonely nights Ron would dream about what it would've been like if he'd confessed everything earlier. He'd be the one who'd put the ring on her finger, and it would've been their Engagement Party. And the celebration would've been held at The Burrow, not Malfoy Manor. But no - being the idiotic weasel he was, he let love and happiness slip out of his hands like grains of sand.

The temperature dropped and the sky outside slowly became overcast as the day wore on. The rush in Weasley's Wizard Wheezes Joke Shop was still as strong and hectic as it had been, but Fred and George were taking control of the cash register longer now (since they'd had a break). Ron decided to take a walk through the village road and wallow in self-pity to pass the time.

He walked toward the Shrieking Shack where there was more landscape. He picked a nice spot atop a miniature hill where he could view the lower part of Hogsmeade and stopped to observe his surroundings and give himself time to be by himself and think. Countless times when the three of them attended Hogwarts and took trips to Hogsmeade village on weekends, they would visit this very spot and converse about the different aspects of their school lives. Of course Ron would make himself sound like a babbling idiot whenever he was in Hermione's presence; either that or argue with her loud enough for the entire school and village to hear. His chuckled to himself as certain childish memories ran through his head.

Just then it began to rain, and Ron for one hated the rain. Pulling his new navy blue cloak over his head to shield his fiery red head from the downpour, he decided to make his way back to Weasley's Wizard Wheezes Joke Shop, trying to figure out what he'd do when he got back. Being inside his brothers' store all day was like being locked in a comedic prison of whizzing contraptions and exploding gadgets. Then it hit him like a broomstick to the head - visit his other best friend, Harry. Racing back to Weasley's Wizard Wheezes Joke Shop, he grabbed some parchment and a quill and began to write a quick letter to Harry.

Dear Harry,

Hope you've been all right since the last time we talked. I've had a lot on my mind recently (I know you wouldn't expect it of me) and I was wondering if I could visit you sometime soon. It'd help a lot to talk to someone I know who'll listen. It involves you-know-what and you-know-who. I can Floo to your apartment, or we could meet in Diagon Alley somewhere. I hope I'll see you soon!

Your Best Mate,

Ron Weasley

He placed his parchment in an envelope, sealed it, and tied the letter to Pigwidgeon's leg (with difficulty, as Pigwidgeon was extremely excited as usual). Ron threw Pigwidgeon out of his bedroom window, more violently than he would have normally, and made sure he saw him fly toward Diagon Alley. Harry's response came the next day and Ron untied the letter from Pigwidgeon's leg (again, with difficulty).

Dear Ron,

All right there, mate? I guess not. Of course we can meet up, that's a great idea! I don't think my apartment is a good place. It's a little messy, and I haven't been out in a month (hehe). Why don't we meet in my apartment? It's a quaint little place, and I'm getting tired of going into Diagon Alley everyday of my life. You can Floo here today; I'll wait down in The Leaky Cauldron for you. I have a fireplace in my apartment you can Floo back to Hogsmeade from, but you don't need to go searching around for my apartment; I'll just come and collect you. See you soon!

Your Friend,

Harry Potter

So he badgered Fred and George for their supply Floo Powder ("Come on, Ron, why?? We need this Floo Powder!"), threw the powder into the one fireplace in the shop, shouted 'The Leaky Cauldron!' and disappeared in a small blaze of emerald light, much like that of the Killing Curse. Arriving in the small inn, which served as the magical doorway to Diagon Alley, he brushed off his orange Chudley Cannon robes and surveyed the small bar in search of Harry. He spotted him in conversation with Tom the innkeeper near the bar section closest to the counter.

"Hey Harry!" Ron shouted.

"All right?" Harry beamed.

"Yeah, all right."

"So...what's got you so upset, Ron?"

"Oh yeah, that. Well, umm...d'you promise not to laugh at me?"

"Of course Ron, I'm your best friend. You can trust me."

"Right. Well, it's...it's actually Hermione and Draco." Harry raised an eyebrow.

"Ron, I thought we talked about this."

"I know, I know, but it's still kind of got me distraught. I decided to stop kidding myself, assuming that I don't feel the way I do about Hermione and just talk about it with someone...get it out of myself."

"Yeah, let's eat lunch first."

So they Harry made them both meals to their liking, and they dipped into a conversation while they ate. Ron poured his entire heart out, which was rare seeing as he usually tried as hard as he could to hide his emotions from the world. He told Harry how he dreams of Hermione at night when he's not thinking of her during the day, and he even proposed to her in one dream and she accepted and they shared a passionate kiss. He told Harry of the countless days he spent at Weasley's Wizard Wheezes Joke Shop, thinking his life was a meaningless lie because he'd let Hermione slip so easily out of his grasp. The cold nights he spent hating himself and the way he was, not having enough courage to make himself heard and not worry about the reaction he'd receive. He told Harry what an idiot he knew he'd been for not acting on his feelings for her sooner. He even told Harry about the piercing feeling he felt in his heart (which was rare for a guy) every time he thought of Hermione with the 'bouncing ferret' Draco Malfoy.

"Listen, Ron. It's a bit late now to keep feeling sorry for yourself. Hermione's engaged."

"I know Harry, but I at least wish she knew. She - to this day - doesn't know how I really feel!"

"Why don't you meet her and tell her? It's not too late for that, although she'd probably be really pissed."

"Then why the heck would I meet her to tell her!? I don't want to piss her off!" Ron said, desperately confused yet begging for answers.

"I know, Ron. But which would be worse: her knowing and getting pissed off, or her not knowing at all and living the rest of her life in blissful ignorance?"

"I guess you're right. All right, I'll send Pigwidgeon to her. I wonder if she's still living with her parents...I wouldn't want the letter to fall into the hands of Malfoy."

"I'm sure," Harry sniggered.

After the superb meal and a long and refreshing talk with his best friend (who understood his situation completely), Ron bade goodbye to Harry and Flooed back to Weasley's Wizard Wheezes Joke Shop from Harry's apartment. Not stopping to chat with his brothers, Ron headed straight to his bedroom and retrieved a quill and a roll of parchment. He got as far as 'Dear Hermione,' before he paused and put the tip of the quill to his lip. What would he say to Hermione?

Dear Hermione,

How've you been? I had a good time at your Engagement Party. I was wondering if you had any free time anytime soon, because I...have something to discuss with you. I'm not sure if you'll like it, but I definitely need to get it off my chest. Could we meet sometime in The Three Broomsticks? It's all right if you can't, but just as me being at your Engagement Party meant a lot to you, meeting me at The Three Broomsticks would mean a lot to me. I hope I'll see you soon.

Your Best Friend,

Ron Weasley

Ron surveyed his letter, looking back over it several times to check for sensible sentences and grammatical errors. Deciding that he was satisfied with it, he folded it and tied it to Pigwidgeon's frail leg. For the second time, he threw Pigwidgeon out of the window, promising punishment if he didn't get the letter to Hermione in a timely fashion. Lucky for Pigwidgeon, he returned the very next afternoon (he noticed the owl post was working exceptionally fast).

Dear Ron,

Yes, Draco and I are fine. How are things with you and the rest of the Weasleys (I'm sorry about Bill, by the way)? Fortunately, I am free for the week. I'll come to Hogsmeade tomorrow; I'll look out for you, all right? If I don't find you right away (which I should, seeing as your right about Weasley's Wizard Wheezes Joke Shop...how's that going by the way?), I'll just run by The Three Broomsticks every so often. See you tomorrow!

Your very best friend,

Hermione Granger

Ron couldn't help but focus on the beginning of her letter, "Draco and I are fine." His heart gave another painful stab and a wave of anger crashed down on him like thirty-feet waves crash on an ocean shore. How dare she talk about her new fiancé like it was no big deal and he should be happy for her. Of course, he tried to be happy for her, but his masculine jealousy and hatred for Draco Malfoy got in the way. Ignoring his enmity momentarily, he folded her letter and went to his closet to settle on what to wear on his date with Hermione - what he'd been wanting for years. Ron figured a crimson robe with black trousers underneath would suffice, and that night he dreamt himself into oblivion about the infinite possibilities of an outing with Hermione.

The next day, Ron awoke as early as he could and freshened up. He didn't eat a thing but toast, wanting to save room for something to eat at The Three Broomsticks - he hoped to make his rendezvous with Hermione a long one. His brothers weren't happy with him, however - he was making quite a commotion n his preparation.

"Ron, what the bloody hell are you doing up so early?" George asked, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes and letting out a huge yawn.

"I'm meeting Hermione today; leave me alone."

"At 8:00 in the morning?"

"No, I - I'm just getting ready early, I'm really looking forward it...didn't I tell you to leave me the fuck alone??"

"Watch your mouth, Ickle Ronnikins; we're only letting you stay here out of the goodness of our hearts...which isn't all that good when thick little brothers like you start giving commands."

"Whatever, just, go back to bed or something."

"Like I said: watch your mouth," and with that, George was gone.

Ron rolled his eyes and shrugged off his encounter with George. Ignoring George was sometimes to the only way to deal with him - and his roguish brother Fred too. Slapping himself mentally, Ron returned to his task. He made his hair look neat and put on his chosen ensemble. He examined himself once more in his small mirror, and then headed to The Three Broomsticks to wait for Hermione. He knew he was extremely early, but that was irrelevant; at least he wasn't late.

He picked a double table and ordered himself a hot chocolate. Knowing he probably wouldn't run into Hermione for some time, he figured he'd visit Honeydukes or take a walk back to his thinking spot on the minute hill just beyond the Shrieking Shack. Yes, that was a good idea, and he could figure out exactly what he would say to Hermione, knowing what he had brought her to Hogsmeade to tell her.

The sky was cloudy and humidity was one hundred and five percent - yes, the rain was pouring once again on the Hogsmeade village landscape. This suited Ron just fine, however; the Hogsmeade scenery was beautiful and enchanting when it was raining. The dismal atmosphere the rain created went perfectly with Ron's drab mood. It soaked his hair so that it lay almost flat on his head, and he felt the entire mass of people in the village could sense his distress.

As morning turned to noon, he decided to head back to The Three Broomsticks. Upon his return to the pub, he chose another table for two and waited, saving his order for a butterbeer for when Hermione arrived. Another quarter of an hour went by, and Ron actually began to feel faintly queasy. Then a half an hour went by and his heart started to pound harder and harder. At one o'clock sharp, it finally happened; Hermione Granger entered The Three Broomsticks. The soft and humble sky blue rob she wore over her long royal blue skirt made her frame even more beautiful than he remembered. His heart skipped several beats and his stomach flipped over again as he watched her gracefully approach the counter and order a butterbeer to rid herself of the chill the rain brought.

"Hermione!" Ron shouted and motioned to the stunning specimen that was his school crush and love of his life.

"Hello Ron! It's nice to see you again." Even her voice was radiant, suppliant to be heard.

"It's - nice to see you again too, Hermione." He coughed a little...he still wasn't prepared for this.

"So, a little birdie told me that you wanted to talk to me about something."

"What little birdie? Was it Harry? Or your lover boy Draco?"

"What's that supposed to mean?" Hermione's tone changed slightly.

"I'm sure either of the two would've spilled the beans. Especially your slimy little hubby."

"Ronald Weasley, you upset me so much sometimes. First of all, the 'little birdie' I was referring to was you. Second of all, must you insult my future husband all the time?"

"You didn't seem to care when we went to school with him." Ron mentally scolded himself once again.

"Was he my fiancé then?"

"All right, I'm sorry. This isn't how I wanted this to turn out." Madam Rosmerta clicked her way over to their table in her glittering turquoise heels and placed Hermione's butterbeer on the table.

"I'm sure it isn't."

"Okay, I just need to get it over with. I...sort of have a confession to make."

"Hmmm..."

"I'm in love with you Hermione; I've been in love with you since our third year at Hogwarts. I was a bloody idiot for not telling you this sooner. Before you say anything, I realize that you now have a fiancé and my timing is horrible so nothing can happen between us, and I also realize that you probably don't feel the same way about me anyway, I just wanted you to have the knowledge, to know that I was in love with you." He said it all in one breath (or so it seemed to him).

"Why am I not surprised? You know what Ron, you are an idiot. For you information, I did feel the same way about you...the problem? You waited entirely too long to tell me the truth. I could sense it in your arguments. I could've come clean as well, but I'm not the one confessing half a decade later - you are."

"I know, and I'm sorry."

'Don't be. Affection and emotion isn't a crime. I'm only sorry we can't go any further, since we've both pleaded guilty."

"So...would you like to see the Shrieking Shack? There's a nice little spot we can look at it from."

"I don't think so, Ron. Draco wouldn't appreciate it if I were on a date with you. I will, however, give you this." And she leaned across the table and kissed him an innocent but satisfying short peck on the lips.

"Thank you, Hermione."

"You're welcome, Ron. I'll see you later, okay? We should meet up again sometime."

"Definitely."

~FIN~