Ron applied for jobs in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, the Department of Magical Transportation, and the Department of Magical Games and Sports. He was told that he should hear something by owl post in a week or two as to whether or not he'd been placed. If the Ministry didn't want to hire him, he'd start looking around the various shops of Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade to see if they needed anyone. Asking Fred and George for a job at Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes would be a last resort.
A week later the arrival of Hermione at the Burrow brightened Harry's spirits a great deal. She was also very glad to see all of them and didn't refrain from hugging Harry very tightly the moment she walked in the door. Later on that evening at dinner an owl arrived for Ron; he did get a job at the Ministry in the Department of Magical Games and Sports. This suited him well, with his love of Quidditch. Although the job wasn't all fun and games, as a bonus he'd get free tickets from time to time, and this suited him just fine. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley were very proud, and Ron was almost beside himself with excitement. He'd gotten his first choice.
"That's really great, Ron," Hermione complimented him. "When do you start?"
"It says on Monday," he said, still looking at his letter with immense pleasure.
"I was thinking about applying at the Ministry myself," she said. "I think the Accidental Magic Reversal Squad would be interesting."
With Hermione's knowledge and skills in nearly all areas of magic, there was no doubt that she could likely get a job doing whatever she wanted.
"Why don't you go with Ron and me on Monday, Hermione?" offered Mr. Weasley.
"Oh that would be perfect. Thank you," she replied.
Of course the Ministry accepted Hermione and she started working in the department she'd wanted a few days after Ron did. She was with them for a week after beginning her new job before deciding to go home. About a month after she left, one Sunday afternoon Ron and Harry were in the Three Broomsticks having a butterbeer when their conversation turned to her.
"Harry, there's something you should know. I wasn't sure if I should tell you or not, but maybe it's best if you hear it from me instead of someone else," Ron began.
"What is it?" Harry asked shakily, having no idea what it could be about.
"Well, it's Hermione. You know she's working at the Ministry now, and we see each other sometimes."
"Yeah…is she alright?" Harry sounded concerned now.
"Oh she's alright, yeah. It's just that she sort of…" Ron hesitated.
"Go on," Harry prodded.
"She met somebody, Harry - some bloke who works as a hit wizard for the Ministry."
Ron truly looked as though it was hurting him to tell Harry this; his expression was very solemn and he had suddenly become very interested in swirling around the last swig of butterbeer in his bottle. Harry leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes, breathing deeply. The news had obviously come as a most unpleasant surprise.
"How long have you known?" Harry asked in a forcibly calm voice.
"She met him pretty soon after she started work, but I didn't think much of it at the time. Then I noticed them being around each other more often."
Ron looked at Harry apologetically.
"What does Hermione say about him? Do you know the guy yourself?" Harry asked, still more upset than he was willing to show.
Now that Ron had told him about it, he wanted to know the whole truth.
"Well, I've met him. We all had lunch together a couple of times, and Hermione really likes him. She told me so herself just the other day," Ron said.
"What's he like?"
Ron didn't want to further hurt his friend and was silent for a second.
"Ron, I want to know what kind of person he is," Harry said firmly. "Please, just tell me. It's not like it's your fault that they got together. I don't blame you or anything."
Ron wished he could think of something horrible to say about the man who'd stolen Hermione's affections from his best friend, but if he was honest, he couldn't find anything to criticize.
Ron nodded and continued, "His name's Bret. Like I said I don't really know him, but he seems to be pretty nice. I don't know what she thinks is so great about him though."
"I just hope he realizes the value of what he's got and treats her right," Harry said.
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