{5} Arguments and Lies

Hermione and Ron argue

The bell in the square outside Ron Weasely's flat chimed 11:00 PM. He was more anxious then nervous now. His gut was telling him that he needed to come clean about everything for the past five years but he didn't want to ruin his marriage. He still needed to ask Hermione loads of questions. Yet, she still hadn't come home yet.

Just then, the fire came alive as Hermione, looking quite flushed and dazed, stepped through. She gazed quickly at Ron, smiled at him, and walked toward their bedroom. Ron was a bit taken aback at Hermione's silence and followed them into the bedroom. She laid there with a dreamy expression on her face, barely registering Ron.

He stared curiously at her and then, for the first time in five years, joined her on the bed. He said quietly to her, "I know that I haven't been the best of a husband to you for a while but there are some things that I need to tell and ask of you."

Hermione slowly turned to face him. The sincerity in his voice she was not used to, but in turn did listen to her "husband."

She replied to him, "I am listening, Ron."

Ron cleared his throat and began to tell her, "First off, my questions. Why is Draco Malfoy coming to my work and asking to speak with me? Then I go to lunch with Harry and there are people following me. Following me, Hermione! Can you explain any of this to me?" Ron was yelling at the end of his statement, frustrated at Hermione's silence and lack of helping him.

Hermione stared at him startled. She was starting to get angry at him for thinking that she had something to do with Draco Malfoy and his so called stalkers.

With her voice raise just a bit, she said, "Oh? So now everything that has to do with Draco Malfoy is my fault? So typical of you, Ronald!" Hermione was on her feet now. Her eyes narrowed at Ron. She wasn't surprise at his sudden jump to conclusions, but inside her heart was thumping hard because she knew Draco sent those people to follow Ron.

Ron stared long and hard at her. He then said, quite abruptly, "Where were you tonight?"

Hermione gulped. She knew the question was going to pop up sooner or later, but she retained her posture and said coldly, "None of your business, Ronald Weasely!"

Ron stared wide-eyed at her. He couldn't believe that she had said that. Harshly he told her, "Of course it is my business. I am your husband. I am supposed to know where you are." The anger and irritation could be heard creeping into his voice.

"You haven't been a husband to me in five years! What makes you think you can start now?" Hermione was yelling now. This is why she couldn't be Ron anymore but could not leave him because of their kids.

"I've always been a husband to you. You're just being your normal stubborn self and can't see it!" Ron was fully enraged at Hermione for saying that to him. It pained him to say that because she knew that she was right, as always.

Hermione growled at him. She knew he was going to put the blame on her. He did it for seven years while they were at Hogwarts. Her face turned red in anger and said, "If that's how you feel about me after 15 years of marriage, then why don't you just leave!"

Ron, who was already packing his bags as she was speaking, said coldly to her, "I think I might just bloody well do that...Granger."

With that said, Ron grabbed his suitcase and apparated to the step of an apartment 50 miles way. He knocked quickly at the door, and a small petite figure ushered Ron in quickly. Close by, Ron was not aware of someone watching him, who shrunk back into the shadows, with a satisfied smirk on his face.

Hermione tried to calm herself down a bit, after she watched Ron disapparate in front of her eyes. She was close to tears after their argument, but she needed to know the truth sooner or later.

She grabbed a piece of parchment and quill and wrote,

Dear Draco,

My patience is wearing thin with my husband and I need to know some news soon. I shall meet you tomorrow at our previously scheduled meeting time.

Always,

Hermione Granger.

She tied it to her owl, and sent it off. She bit her lip in nervousness and frustration. She was starting to feel something for Draco and it was making her anxious inside. She shrugged it off and went to bed, her mind restless and wandering back to where Ron had gone.

Author's Note

the usual :)