Rekindle the Passion

Rekindle the Passion

By: Sakura Lena Yuy

Chapter 2: Emergence of Jealousy

Ron slowly sipped his coffee hoping that it would wake him up. His ears still pounded and his head ached from staying out half the night. He smiled happily as he remembered the eventful evening he, Harry, and his brothers had spent. It had been a good distraction from all the problems he had been facing. But although he had a great time he hated the fact that they went out on Thursday. Now he had to drag himself to work. He suddenly chuckled realizing that his assistant would be in the same state.

"Wonder how things went last night," Ron mused, recalling how his daring assistant chatted with Harry the entire night.

He took a bite out his toast, while glancing at the headlines in the Daily Prophet. Suddenly the kitchen door swung open as Hermione walked in brushing off the soot off her cloak. She unclasped the silver buckles and draped it over a chair.

"How's mum and dad," Ron asked without looking up.

"Fine," Hermione muttered as she made a cup of tea.

"Are you okay?"

Hermione slammed her mug on the table, which caused Ron to drop his toast in his lap.

"What the hell is wrong with you," he demanded.

"Where were you last night," she crossed her arms sternly.

Ron rolled his eyes. "Where I always go on Thursdays. Why?"

Hermione sipped her tea and looked away from him. Ron saw the anger in her eyes and to his surprise a hint of jealousy. He watched as she walked toward the window avoiding any eye contact with him. He noticed that she was dressed up, which was a rarity since the baby was born. She wore a light gray skirt, a lavender sweater, and gray pumps instead of her usual flats.

"Where is it that you always go on Thursdays," she asked as she faced him.

Ron immediately noticed the hints on makeup she had on. "Spellbound. Mione you know this...why are you upset?"

"Was she there? Ron was she there?"

"Who are you talking about? Melody?"

Hermione threw her hands in the air. "Who else Ron. That tramp you call an assistant. Don't think for one minute that I haven't heard what everyone in the Ministry is saying about you two."

"Melody is no tramp Hermione. You sound as bad as my mother. You haven't even met her," Ron firmly stated.

"Why are you standing up for her," she stood tall and pointed her finger in his face. "Does she mean that much to you?"

Ron glared at his wife. "Either way I'm fucked right Hermione. I give you one answer you'll get upset and if I give you the other you won't believe me."

"Don't give me that nonsense Ronald. I know that she looks at you adorning, how she brings special treats just for you, and how you come home reeking of her cheap perfume. Just like you did last night, along with lipstick on your collar."

Ron sighed. "Is that it? We danced a few times. Dance, Hermione nothing more. Ask Fred or George they were there the whole time."

"Right ask your brothers. You expect me to believe the biggest pranksters and liars that Hogwarts has ever seen. You probably have them rehearsed if I ever come asking them."

His hands clutched into fists. "What if I told you that she wasn't interested in me, but our best friend and the godfather of our child. And that she gives me treats because I don't eat well at the office, or that she looks at me with admiration because I have a family something that she has lacked most of her life. Or that she gives me sisterly hugs to boast my moods because lately I have been feeling shit thanks to you. Would you believe me Hermione?"

Before Hermione could reply the doorbell rang. The couple continued to glare at each other neither one willing to answer the door. They remained in the kitchen as the bell chimed once more followed by a persistent knocking. Ron and Hermione looked at one another and their eyes challenging the other to answer the door. It was an unspoken dare; each knowing that whoever would answer the door first would be admitting their fault. Ron glanced at the clock over the window and smirked at the time.

"Fine time to pick a fight Hermione, now I'm late for work. At this point I could care less whether you believe me or not. I'm leaving," Ron firmly stated, as he raised his wand.

Hermione watched as he disappeared. "Well at least now I know where your priorities are. And clearly they're not with me."

The bell rang once again along with a muffled cry. Hermione tossed back her hair and walked quickly to the door. A young man had his hand raised to knock again but stop the moment he saw her.

"There you are. I was beginning to think that you weren't home," he said in a happy tone.

Hermione smiled. "I just got back from my in-laws house. Were you waiting long Mr. Walker?"

Mr. Walker shook his head. "Enough with the formalities Hermione, how many times must I ask you to call me Alexander."

"Sorry Alexander," she forced a smile.

"Are you alright? You don't look well," Alexander questioned when he saw her dreary smile.

"I'm fine," she lied. "The baby was up all night. I think she had a small fever, but it passed."

Alexander took her hand. "We could postpone our meeting, I don't mind."

Hermione pulled her hand from his grasp and shook her head. "No I rather we get straight to work. I got several chapters together that I know you will love."

"Wonderful. I am dying to find out how those three get out of this particular mess," he replied as he clapped his hands together.

"Well then let's go to my office," Hermione said as she led him on.

Alexander entered into the moderate sized room. The walls were covered with shelves that contain volumes upon volumes of books. A small loveseat stood in front of the window, along with a coffee table that was cover with parchment. He sat down in a large chair that stood in front Hermione's desk. Hermione pulled out a leather bound book from inside her desk and handed it to Alexander.

"Would you like some tea? I was about to make some when I got home, but you were already here," Hermione offered.

Alexander smiled. "Of course, that would be delightful. Do you need any help?"

Hermione shook her head. "No, it's fine. Perhaps you should start reading, I got a bit carried away the other night."

"Very well then," he replied with a smile.

Hermione walked into the kitchen and dropped her shoulders. She didn't want to deal with her editor right now. He wasn't an unpleasant man, quite the contrary but he had a bad habit of flirting with her. She had concluded a while back that he fancied her, but she never paid him any attention. Alexander Walker was the most influential man in the publishing industry, and by befriending him Hermione's writing career skyrocketed. Granted she based many of her stories on the adventures that she and her best friends had during their years at Hogwarts, but she loved writing about it. Writing had become her career of choice especially after her and Ron contemplated having children. Hermione wanted to be the perfect housewife, but at the same it she wanted to do something with all her knowledge.

She whipped her wand around and a variety of activities began around the kitchen. Then she saw the plate of toast Ron was eating before they fought. She held back a sob, and remembered the harsh and yet sadly spoken words he spat before he left. She held back her tears, trying not to think about it. But Hermione couldn't forget the way he smelled when he climbed into their bed late last night. Or this morning when she pulled his shirt out of the hamper to wash how the pink lipstick contrasted against the plain white cotton. She tried to stop the images of her husband being lead by a blonde temptress into the security of his private office.

Ron had thought that Hermione had never seen his assistant, but he was mistaken. She had once about a month ago, a day that would remain in her mind clearly. Hermione remembered back to that day. She recalled everything from the weather to the exact time. She had gone shopping in muggle London with her mother and decided to pay a visit to her husband. Ron had been appointed the head of the Department of Magical Games and Sports for over six months and she had never gone to his office. It was pure luck that he had gotten the job. The Ministry loved his work in arranging Quidditch games, and his inspection of various games throughout England. To celebrate they spent their holiday in Turkey, and that is where they conceived Brianna.

Hermione remembered how she was greeted cautiously by the members of the ministry, not thinking much of it. She had thought that they were jealous of her husband's quick promotion. But when she neared his office she began to understand their weary looks. Ron was standing in the middle of his office with several rolls of parchment, going on about the shoddy inspections. Suddenly a small pair of hands unfastened the buckles of his cloak, and pulled it off. Hermione remembered the woman well; she had on navy blue robes along with a crisp white shirt, navy pinstriped skirt, and tall black boots. Her hair was twisted up a knot with several strands pulled out to frame her face.

She had stood off to the side and continued to watch the pair. Hermione saw how she ruffled her husband's hair affectionately and how the woman massaged his aching shoulders. Then Ron finally called her name as she walked off to the filing cabinets. Melody, a name that Hermione immediately began to despised. When Melody placed a firm kiss on Ron's cheek for no apparent reason, Hermione felt her blood boil. She remembered how Melody's plump shimmer pink lips pressed against her husband's unshaved cheek and left a perfect impression, and how her husband raised his eyebrow in a mischievous manner that he would only do for her. Hermione was blinded with white-hot tears as she ran out of the building. She had never told him about what she saw; instead she immersed herself with housework and writing. A tactic she had done since her youth whenever she was fighting with him or Harry.

Hermione rubbed her eyes hoping that Alexander wouldn't noticed the redness. She walked slowly to her office with a tray full of treats and tea. She secretly hoped that her moderate pace would clear her eyes. Once inside her office she saw Alexander was pacing back and forth, his nose inside the leather book. He hadn't noticed her come in, which Hermione was glad about. She sat down on the loveseat and realized that he only had a couple of pages left.

After a few minutes Alexander looked up wide-eye. "Brilliant, simply brilliant."

"Really?"

He sat down next to her with the book tightly in his hands. "What is going to happen next? Hermione you really have a talent to leave an audience hanging. What is the murderer going to do with Matthew, will Paige and Daniel get pass that blasted professor and where does a golden retriever fit in the whole story?"

Hermione giggled. "You will have to wait like everyone else."

"No fair. What does an editor have to do to get the inside info from his author?"

"Nothing," Hermione replied.

Alexander nodded. "Not only do you have a marvelous talent, an unparalleled wit, and firm resolve but you my lady have a timeless beauty."

Hermione's cheeks turned pink and she smiled nervously.

"Something I'm sure your husband is very proud of. It's not everyday that a man meets a woman like you, Hermione."

"I'm not so sure of that," she whispered.

Alexander placed a firm hand on her shoulder. "Is everything alright?"

"Fine," she lied.

He shook his head in disapproval. "No, you're not alright. You were so happy until I mentioned your husband. Has something happened between the two of you?"

"No, everything is fine."

"There is no need to lie Hermione," Alexander softly stated. "I take it you have heard the rumors."

Hermione nodded once again fighting back her tears.

"I'm here for you Hermione. I hear that I'm a good listener, so if you want to tell me anything...anything at all I'm here for you."

"I don't know," she sobbed. "I don't know anymore. It's just that Ron has been acting so strange lately, and when I asked him about it he blamed it all on me."

Suddenly Hermione stopped speaking and just broke down crying. She felt as Alexander wrapped his arms around her slender frame. She buried her face into his chest and continued to sob.

"It's alright Hermione," he whispered softly. "Let it out."

She gripped onto his robes and pressed her body even closer searching for his warmth. Alexander continued to whisper soothing words, and began to rub the small of her back. After a few moments Hermione's sobs subsided and Alexander casually release hold of her. She rubbed her eyes and sniffled like a little child.

He smiled warmly. "Better out than in, huh?"

"Yes it does feel a bit better."

"How about that tea," Alexander asked as he raised his wand.

Hermione nodded. "That would be nice."

He handed her the cup. "Life will become better after a warm cup of tea that is what my Grandmother use to say."

Hermione gave him a small smile.

"No need to humor me," he said as he sat down beside her. "I just believe it to be true. Now do you want to talk and if not I will understand."

She sighed and stared aimlessly in the cup. "I don't know where to begin."

"Whenever it began."

"I don't know when it did."

Alexander gave the room a critical look. "Then you have a bit of a problem."

"I just need to get away. I need time to relax, time for myself," Hermione sighed.

Hermione sipped her tea trying to enjoy the taste, but her thoughts bitterer the attempt. She silently remembered the argument, and realization struck her like a bolt of lighting.

"I want what Ron has," she muttered.

"What? An affair," Alexander stuttered in shock.

She shook her head vigorously. "No! Besides we don't even know if that's true," she pointed out. "I want a job!"

"But you have one."

"I want to go to work. I want a workplace. I want co-workers, even the annoying ones," she stated. "I've always wanted that ever since I was a little girl at Hogwarts."

"Well if that what you want," Alexander began. "I mean if it's something you really want..."

"Of course I want it," Hermione interrupted.

Alexander motioned her stop. "Calm down now. I might be able to get you this job, or rather workplace you so desire."

Hermione's red eyes lit up. "Are you serious?"

"Do I ever joke about business?"

She yelped in glee, and threw her arms around Alexander. He gladly accepted the warm embrace. Hermione pulled out of his arms blushing at her reaction, but Alexander just smiled.

"How are you going to get me a job," Hermione quickly questioned.

Alexander picked up his teacup, and shrugged indifferently. "I'll figure something out. I am the one who discovered the famous Hermione Granger-Weasley after all."

TBC