A New Life

Author's Note: It's a bit short, but that's only because we needed this chapter with the Weasley reactions before we could get to the next part. I hope you enjoy it!

Chapter three

“They're back!”

Ron never attended family lunches. At least, not since Molly had taken up Luna's wedding. He always went to Sunday dinner, but never Wednesday lunch.

“Ron, what are you doing here? Don't you have work?” Ginny asked rudely. Ron and Ginny's relationship had been strained for a long time. Ever since Ginny's graduation and that incident with Luna…

“You'll never believe it. This morning…I just got back from Aruba and I heard Remus in the hallway. But he wasn't alone!” Ron was trying not to ramble and he seemed out of breathe.

“Who was he with?” Molly asked interestedly.

“Why do we care?” Fred joked.

“Harry and Hermione! He was with them and they're married!”

“WHAT?!” Ginny screamed, “They're here? In London? Oh Merlin!”

“They're married…to each other” Ron restated somberly.

“Way to go Harry!” George cheered

“They have kids” Ron said in a disbelieving whisper. It was mostly to himself. He could hardly believe it. His friends had moved on together. He'd never imagined that they would last.

“Kids?” Molly squeaked, “They have children?” Ron nodded reluctantly.

“Two. A boy and a girl. Really young” he muttered

“Damn Harry works fast!” Fred laughed

“His swimmers sure can swim!” George added.

“Boys! Enough!” Arthur ordered. The sitting room became substantially quiet, especially for the Weasley house. Mr. Weasley walked over to his wife and took her hand.

“I think that's fantastic” He said simply. Molly looked away and her face darkened.

“They hurt us, Arthur. They hurt our whole family. Harry was with Ginny…and Hermione broke Ron's heart and then immediately shacks up with him…”

“I think they were together while she was still dating me” Ron said airily, as if he had just realized it.

Arthur ignored his youngest son and continued, “Molly, dear, you can't blame them for being in love. Look at us, we shouldn't have married so young and started having kids. Our parents didn't want us too, but we did and we're happy. I think Harry and Hermione deserve a second chance.”

“Arthur, fist they hurt Ron and Ginny, then they left without an explanation…”

“Think about it, dear. I think we owe them the chance to give us one. I'm happy for them and I think you should invite them for dinner.” Arthur said. He let go of his wife's hand and left the room. The few occupants stood in place all lost in their own thoughts.

“What do you think the press will say?” Fred suddenly interrupted the silence. He was actually serious.

“Ron…what happened to your eye?” Ginny asked, finally noticing his face and the big black shiner that decorated it.

Ron muttered something unintelligible.

“Didn't catch that—”

“I ran into a wall!” he yelled defensively and used his hand to cover his eye. Fred and George chuckled.

“Was this wall made of Harry Potter Brick?”

“No, I think it was Hermione that hit him. She could take him any day!”

“SHUT UP BOTH OF YOU!” Ron shouted, “I'm so sick of this! You're supposed to be on my side…I'm your brother.”

“You may be our brother…” Fred started

“But you're such a wanker” George completed.

They laughed and then kissed their mother goodbye before disapparating.

Ron looked to his little sister.

“You know how I feel, don't you? Like they betrayed you and then threw it in your face?” Ron pleaded from Ginny.

“I don't know Ron” She sighed, “I'm trying to move on with my life. I found someone and I just…I want to forget what happened but I know I cant until I hear from them and get an explanation. But I know I don't want to hear it because it'll just hurt me. I'm confused. And I know you are too, but you have to at least hear them out.”

“I don't have to do anything. They did something wrong and it'll take more than apology to make things right again!” Ron's indignantly replied

“Why should they apologize?” Ginny calmly asked, “All they did was fall in love. You can't help who you fall in love with…right?”

“You don't understand, Gin. After Nagini, when they….did what they did to save me…we had a new bond. A No-secrets thing. That's when I told Hermione how I felt. If she didn't love me back then why did she agree? She strung me along!”

“They saved your life, Ron! You owe them a life debt!”

“Like bloody hell I do! I don't owe them a damn thing!”

“When are you going to get over this, Ronald?” Molly quietly interjected.

“Not you too mum!” Ron whined, feeling as if everyone was against him.

“It's been a long time…and we could all use a little more Harry and Hermione in our lives. They weren't trying to hurt you. They were just trying to be happy.”

“But what about me?” Ron was still fighting against it, “They weren't thinking of my happiness, or my feelings, or my future! They only thought about themselves!”

“Wow” Ginny responded “That had to be the most conceded thing I've ever heard from you! I'm leaving. See you on Sunday, mum.” She kissed her mother's check and didn't even glance at her brother while she exited the house she grew up in.

“Why is this happening?” Ron complained to no one in particular.

“You're fighting a loosing battle, dear. Just talk to them. What's the worst that could happen?” Molly got up and went into the kitchen to begin preparing dinner. Ron stayed behind in the sitting room and sat heavily in a big red comfy chair.

“The worst that could happen…” He spat bitterly, “…is that I could forgive them.” He angrily punched the arm of the couch and went back to sulking.

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