Latrunculus--Part 16

Ron stared at the ceiling of his room, watching the flickering shadows. Sleep eluded him as he went over the events of the evening. And while kissing Hermione had been great, he couldn't get that damn letter out of his mind.

There was a cure. Hermione could get her magic back and return to the Wizarding World. It was the chance that they had been looking for.

But why did have to come from Viktor bleeding Krum?

He believed Hermione when she said that she considered Viktor a friend. It was the intentions of the big-nosed Bulgarian that he wasn't sure of. With good reason.

After all, it was Krum who had taken Hermione to the Yule Ball. And he could hardly keep his eyes off her at Bill and Fleur's wedding. He had remained a very, very faithful penpal after the war.

And now he had found a possible cure for Hermione. It was fourth year all over. The great Quidditch star had managed to eclipse Ron Weasley again.

But their Hogwarts days were over, he reminded himself. He was more than Harry Potter's sidekick. He had held his own against the Death Eaters in the battle at Hogwarts. He had become a respected Auror and one of the youngest squad leaders in history.

But was it enough?

Growling in frustration, he rolled over and punched his pillow. He tried to bring up the memory of kissing Hermione again. He eventually fell asleep.

* * * * *

Hermione sighed as a shadow fell across her desk. “No, Mr. Windham, I haven't received the manuscript from Plovdiv University yet. I promise to call you as soon as it arrives.”

A deep chuckle made her look up. “But, Professor Granger, I just can't wait to read it.”

“Oh, I didn't know you were interested in medieval Bulgaria, Mr. Weasley,” she replied with a grin. She put down her pen, briefly missing her quills. She was surprised but happy about Ron's unexpected visit. “How did you find my office?”

“One of the students pointed it out for me.” He eyed the stack of papers on her desk. “You look busy. I should have asked before just showing up.”

“No, no,” she interjected. “You're a welcome distraction. ”

“Well, I wanted to see if you would have dinner with me.”

“Like a date?”

A much younger Ron would have blushed and stammered. But this older, more confident Ron smiled. “Yes, like a date.”

“I'd love to.”

“Pick you at seven at your flat?”

She nodded. “Where are we going?”

“It's a surprise.”

She wanted to question him further but a student knocked on the open office door. “Um, Miss Granger, I was checking about the manuscript.”

“I'll be with you in a moment, Alan.” The young man quickly murmured an apology and slipped back into the hallway. “It's the third time today.”

Ron chuckled. “Must be a very exciting manuscript.”

“It may be the foundation of his whole thesis, so it will be for him.”

“Then I'd better let you get back to work.” He leaned across her desk and kissed her. “I'll see you later tonight.”

She marveled at how casually he had kissed her. Like they had been together forever. He seemed to be handling the change in their relationship quite well. And as Alan came back in her office, she also realized that she still didn't know where they were going for dinner.

* * * * *

Ron promptly knocked on Hermione's door right at seven o'clock. He was momentarily stunned when she opened the door. He was used to seeing her in Ministry robes or jumpers. The dark blue sleeveless dress was quite a departure for her and he was far from complaining. “You look lovely.”

“Thank you. You look quite dapper yourself.”

He smiled as she eyed his button-down shirt and black pants. He could almost see the wheels turning in her head. “Still trying to figure out where we're going?”

“Maybe,” she replied with a smile of her own. “Are you going to tell me?”

He thought it over for a moment. “Not yet.”

Shaking her head, she closed the door to her flat and lock it. She placed her keys in her purse and turned back to Ron. She was amused when he gallantly offered his arm, which she readily accepted. “Are we going far?”

“Maybe.”

“Are we staying in London?”

“Possibly.”

She continued to pepper him with questions as he lead her to the unknown destination. She half-expected him to take her to Diagon Alley or apparate to Hogsmeade. So she was pleasantly surprised when they arrived at an Italian restaurant in a Muggle part of London. As they were lead to their table, Hermione wondered how he ever found this place.

“Dawlish,” Ron said, once the waiter had left.

“What?”

“John Dawlish likes this place,” he explained. “He's apparently a big fan of Italian food.”

“Dawlish likes this place,” she echoed, her expression dubious. He was the one of the Aurors that was present and hexed during the confrontation between Dumbledore and Umbridge over the DA. He was hexed again trying to arrest Dumbledore and later Neville's grandmother.

Ron grinned. “He's not such a bad guy. A bit too much by the book. But he's a real solid Auror.”

They began to discuss various items on the menu. The waiter returned to take their orders. Hermione held her breath as Ron ordered. She had forgotten to remind him that they were in Muggle London, not the Leaky Cauldron. She prayed that he wouldn't slip and order a Firewhiskey.

He ordered without mistake. He caught her expression and frowned. “What?”

“I was afraid that you were going to order a fire whiskey or something.”

“Aurors are now trained to be able to pass as Muggles. It comes in handy from time to time. But I'm always glad to get back.”

“Yes, I'm sure.”

He cursed under his breath. “Hermione, I'm sorry.”

“Don't be. I would be glad to be able to use magic again, too.”

'Then why aren't you pursuing the cure that Krum found?' he wondered.

Thankfully the waiter arrived with their food. They veered to less dangerous topics. They talked about her students and his ever-growing number of nieces and nephews. They managed to keep it up until the check arrived.

He began to chuckle as he led Hermione out of the restaurant. At her look, he smiled. “Harry owes me five galleons.”

“Why?”

“He didn't think we could get through a date without a row.”

“Our date's not over yet, Ron.”

He stopped, ignoring the passers-by on the street around them. He tucked a stray curl back behind her ear. “No, it's not.”

The world faded around them as they kissed.

* * * * *

Hermione couldn't stop smiling. Several of her co-workers commented on her change in her mood. She would make some vague comment about the change in weather.

She wanted to savor this. This change in their relationship. She wasn't ready to share it with anyone else yet.

She went to the university library to continue her research. It was interesting to look at magic from a Muggle perspective again. So much of it was speculation or completely inaccurate. The infamous witch hunts were a prime example.

But she couldn't focus on her work. She couldn't stop smiling. She couldn't get enough of this feeling.

“Hermione! There you are!”

Her stomach dropped as Harry rushed across the library to her. His expression was serious. Was it Ron? Ginny? Little Emma?

“Hermione, have you seen Ron?” he demanded, his voice breathless.

“Not since last night. Why? Isn't he at work?”

Harry shook his head. “No, he didn't go on any Auror business. Did he say anything to you about going anywhere?”

“No, he said that he would be tied up at work for the next few days.” Suddenly her fear was replaced by anger. “That idiot!”

“Hermione?”

“I think I know where he went.” She grabbed her belongings and shoved them back into her bag. “Harry, how quickly can we get to Bulgaria?”


Part XVI Ron stared at the ceiling of his room, watching the flickering shadows. Sleep eluded him as he went over the events of the evening. And while kissing Hermione had been great, he couldn't get that damn letter out of his mind. There was a cure. Hermione could get her magic back and return to the Wizarding World. It was the chance that they had been looking for. But why did have to come from Viktor bleeding Krum? He believed Hermione when she said that she considered Viktor a friend. It was the intentions of the big-nosed Bulgarian that he wasn't sure of. With good reason. After all, it was Krum who had taken Hermione to the Yule Ball. And he could hardly keep his eyes off her at Bill and Fleur's wedding. He had remained a very, very faithful penpal after the war. And now he had found a possible cure for Hermione. It was fourth year all over. The great Quidditch star had managed to eclipse Ron Weasley again. But their Hogwarts days were over, he reminded himself. He was more than Harry Potter's sidekick. He had held his own against the Death Eaters in the battle at Hogwarts. He had become a respected Auror and one of the youngest squad leaders in history. But was it enough? Growling in frustration, he rolled over and punched his pillow. He tried to bring up the memory of kissing Hermione again. He eventually fell asleep. * * * * * Hermione sighed as a shadow fell across her desk. “No, Mr. Windham, I haven't received the manuscript from Plovdiv University yet. I promise to call you as soon as it arrives.” A deep chuckle made her look up. “But, Professor Granger, I just can't wait to read it.” “Oh, I didn't know you were interested in medieval Bulgaria, Mr. Weasley,” she replied with a grin. She put down her pen, briefly missing her quills. She was surprised but happy about Ron's unexpected visit. “How did you find my office?” “One of the students pointed it out for me.” He eyed the stack of papers on her desk. “You look busy. I should have asked before just showing up.” “No, no,” she interjected. “You're a welcome distraction. ” “Well, I wanted to see if you would have dinner with me.” “Like a date?” A much younger Ron would have blushed and stammered. But this older, more confident Ron smiled. “Yes, like a date.” “I'd love to.” “Pick you at seven at your flat?” She nodded. “Where are we going?” “It's a surprise.” She wanted to question him further but a student knocked on the open office door. “Um, Miss Granger, I was checking about the manuscript.” “I'll be with you in a moment, Alan.” The young man quickly murmured an apology and slipped back into the hallway. “It's the third time today.” Ron chuckled. “Must be a very exciting manuscript.” “It may be the foundation of his whole thesis, so it will be for him.” “Then I'd better let you get back to work.” He leaned across her desk and kissed her. “I'll see you later tonight.” She marveled at how casually he had kissed her. Like they had been together forever. He seemed to be handling the change in their relationship quite well. And as Alan came back in her office, she also realized that she still didn't know where they were going for dinner. * * * * * Ron promptly knocked on Hermione's door right at seven o'clock. He was momentarily stunned when she opened the door. He was used to seeing her in Ministry robes or jumpers. The dark blue sleeveless dress was quite a departure for her and he was far from complaining. “You look lovely.” “Thank you. You look quite dapper yourself.” He smiled as she eyed his button-down shirt and black pants. He could almost see the wheels turning in her head. “Still trying to figure out where we're going?” “Maybe,” she replied with a smile of her own. “Are you going to tell me?” He thought it over for a moment. “Not yet.” Shaking her head, she closed the door to her flat and lock it. She placed her keys in her purse and turned back to Ron. She was amused when he gallantly offered his arm, which she readily accepted. “Are we going far?” “Maybe.” “Are we staying in London?” “Possibly.” She continued to pepper him with questions as he lead her to the unknown destination. She half-expected him to take her to Diagon Alley or apparate to Hogsmeade. So she was pleasantly surprised when they arrived at an Italian restaurant in a Muggle part of London. As they were lead to their table, Hermione wondered how he ever found this place. “Dawlish,” Ron said, once the waiter had left. “What?” “John Dawlish likes this place,” he explained. “He's apparently a big fan of Italian food.” “Dawlish likes this place,” she echoed, her expression dubious. He was the one of the Aurors that was present and hexed during the confrontation between Dumbledore and Umbridge over the DA. He was hexed again trying to arrest Dumbledore and later Neville's grandmother. Ron grinned. “He's not such a bad guy. A bit too much by the book. But he's a real solid Auror.” They began to discuss various items on the menu. The waiter returned to take their orders. Hermione held her breath as Ron ordered. She had forgotten to remind him that they were in Muggle London, not the Leaky Cauldron. She prayed that he wouldn't slip and order a Firewhiskey. He ordered without mistake. He caught her expression and frowned. “What?” “I was afraid that you were going to order a fire whiskey or something.” “Aurors are now trained to be able to pass as Muggles. It comes in handy from time to time. But I'm always glad to get back.” “Yes, I'm sure.” He cursed under his breath. “Hermione, I'm sorry.” “Don't be. I would be glad to be able to use magic again, too.” 'Then why aren't you pursuing the cure that Krum found?' he wondered. Thankfully the waiter arrived with their food. They veered to less dangerous topics. They talked about her students and his ever-growing number of nieces and nephews. They managed to keep it up until the check arrived. He began to chuckle as he led Hermione out of the restaurant. At her look, he smiled. “Harry owes me five galleons.” “Why?” “He didn't think we could get through a date without a row.” “Our date's not over yet, Ron.” He stopped, ignoring the passers-by on the street around them. He tucked a stray curl back behind her ear. “No, it's not.” The world faded around them as they kissed. * * * * * Hermione couldn't stop smiling. Several of her co-workers commented on her change in her mood. She would make some vague comment about the change in weather. She wanted to savor this. This change in their relationship. She wasn't ready to share it with anyone else yet. She went to the university library to continue her research. It was interesting to look at magic from a Muggle perspective again. So much of it was speculation or completely inaccurate. The infamous witch hunts were a prime example. But she couldn't focus on her work. She couldn't stop smiling. She couldn't get enough of this feeling. “Hermione! There you are!” Her stomach dropped as Harry rushed across the library to her. His expression was serious. Was it Ron? Ginny? Little Emma? “Hermione, have you seen Ron?” he demanded, his voice breathless. “Not since last night. Why? Isn't he at work?” Harry shook his head. “No, he didn't go on any Auror business. Did he say anything to you about going anywhere?” “No, he said that he would be tied up at work for the next few days.” Suddenly her fear was replaced by anger. “That idiot!” “Hermione?” “I think I know where he went.” She grabbed her belongings and shoved them back into her bag. “Harry, how quickly can we get to Bulgaria?”


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