Deception Hurts More Than Death

Ron slept well into the next morning. He awoke at four in the morning, refreshed and feeling overly guilty for snapping at Neville like that. Ron realized he had no right to do that and Neville was right, he owed Ron nothing. He showered, had a small breakfast and found himself standing in the doorway of the office once again. He found it remarkable in the two years he had lived here with Hermione he had spent little, to no time, in this room, and now he practically lived in it.

He had become a man obsessed, he couldn’t stand not knowing everything. He had to find the end, the last piece of the story, before he could walk away. Any normal man would have been horrified by watching the things he did, they would have thrown the pensieve to the floor that night, washing away the hurt. But Ron could not stop, he could not turn his eyes away as Hermione moaned in ecstacy as Harry gave her more then Ron ever could. He once again walked to the desk chair, took a seat and settled himself in for what was to come.

Ron landed in Hermione’s office at the Ministry. He found her sitting at her desk, busily looking through files full of papers. Looking at the office and Hermione, Ron had realized it had been quite sometime since the last memory. They were now married, and he could see proof of that in the simple gold band on her finger. And she had just gotten her promotion, being in her new office. He noticed the calendar on the wall, and lowered his head sadly. It would only be another two months and a handful of days, and she would be dead, along with Harry.

He realized how little time was left and wondered how many memories remained in the pensieve. There couldn’t be that many more, he thought. His thoughts were interrupted by a memo flying in under her door and landing on the desk in front of her. She picked it up and unfolded the small piece of parchment. A smile broke across her otherwise solemn face and Ron assumed she had gotten good news.

Ron sat for the next hour while Hermione did her usual work. He enjoyed the time he had alone with her. Being able to watch her in her everyday life without her knowledge was a little blessing. Even before she was gone, they had little time together, especially since her promotion. His job kept him quite busy as well, although she was usually the last home at night. He liked sitting back and observing her, like he did back in school. Hermione glanced at her watch, finally, and rose from her desk.

Ron watched her as she walked to the coat closet in her office and opened the left door. She looked herself up and down, began straightening her skirt and ironed shirt and tucking a few strands of loose hair away behind her ear. Ron ran to her desk and looked for the memo. Seeing the familiar handwriting and the simple, ‘12:30' scrolled across it, explained her peculiar grooming. He knew exactly where she was headed.

Ron’s heart fell as he realized their marriage, nothing it seemed, could keep her from Harry. Ron followed her as she left the her office and ventured through the Ministry. Ron forgot how crowded the lobby could be, as it had been weeks since he had been to work. He followed her exactly where he expected, his office. Hermione did one more quick straightening of her blouse and flung through the heavy door.

Ron watched as both occupants, himself and Harry, jumped at the sudden intrusion. Hermione turned to Harry and gave him a quick smile and then turned to her husband.

“Geez, sweetie. How many times must I ask you not to do that. You scared the shit out of me!” Ron watched himself say to her, his hand over his heart.

“Sorry, Ronald, but you know how much I love to scare Harry.” Hermione turned back to Harry and winked at him. He smiled to her and kept her gaze. “Thought I would come by for a quick visit.”

“Ah, you lousy timing. I have a meeting. I thought I told you last night?” Ron said to her, bringing her attention back to him.

“Oh, really, I don’t remember it. This was the only time I could tear myself away.” Hermione answered innocently, and Ron snorted in the background and no one noticed his invisible form.

“Well I got to jet, how about you stay and catch up with Harry, it’s been ages since you guys have hung out.” Ron kissed Hermione on the cheek and grabbed his file case.

“Where’s my kiss?” Harry asked, and burst into laughter. Ron smiled and punched the air as if he were punching Harry.

Ron left the room for his meeting, leaving Harry and Hermione alone. This time around Ron got to see what happened after the time he left. Hermione turned from Ron’s desk and walked past the door, whispering something incoherent and the door quietly locked. She turned to Harry and seductively walked to his desk. She placed her hands on the edge opposite of where Harry sat and leaned down, giving Harry a good peak at her cleavage.

“So it’s been ages since we hung out, what’s new?” Hermione asked with a giggle.

“Well let’s see, since last night, not much is new.” Harry smiled and stood from the desk. He walked around and stood in front of Hermione as she turned to face him. “Did he ask why you were late?”

“No, he knows it’s always some last minute report or something.” Hermione answered. Ron’s blood boiled. The nights Hermione was late coming home, she was with him.

Harry leaned in and kissed Hermione, softly at first and then very hungrily. They devoured each other, as if it had been more than a mere twelve hours since the last time they tasted each other. Ron watched as clothes were torn off and hands caressed skin. As Harry ran his hands up Hermione’s thigh, under her skirt and to her knickers he tore away from her and looked to her in surprise.

“He did mention his meeting, and I was praying to get a memo from you. So I prepared. Even though it is strange to be at work with no knickers.”
“I love that mind of yours.” Harry said and lowered his head into her neck, kissing, licking and biting every inch he could. Hermione fumbled with his belt and zipper, but finally had him free. Little foreplay was needed and Harry quickly plunged into her. Ron watched as Harry fucked Hermione on his desk, ten minutes after he was in the room.

Harry pulled away from Hermione, turned her around and bent her over the desk. He pulled her skirt up over her ass and gave it a smack. Hermione growled hungrily and Harry plunged back into her.

“You like it when I fuck you like this don’t you?” Harry asked, as he smacked her ass again.

“Oh yes, and only you get to.” Hermione said between gasps.

Ron turned away, watching them like that was too much. Hermione’s last statement has stung. He had always wanted to make love to her like that, and she always refused, saying something about, not wanting to be treated as if she were a dog. And all along, it was something she saved for Harry. Ron felt as if he were going mad. He leapt out of the memory as they were still at it on the desk.

He returned to the real world, and plopped into the desk chair. He took a couple calming breaths and tried to relax. He needed to get out. He needed some fresh air. And he had something he needed to take care of.

Ron soon found himself at Hogwarts, the journey much easier now that he was not a student and had security clearance at the Ministry to use the floo. He walked the halls in silence, the students still away on Christmas holiday. As he walked the halls memories of his years at Hogwarts flooded him, they helped soothe his nerves. He walked to the greenhouse and through to the back. He stopped outside of Neville’s office and raised his hand to knock on the door, but stopped as he heard muffled voices.

“I don’t know how he knows.” It sounded like Neville had said, but it was hard to make out. “He blew up and mentioned it. He was ready to kick my ass. But how could he know, and why mention it now?”

“Find out, Neville, we can’t have loose ends.”

Ron burst through the door. He ran into the office and around the wall. He found Neville calmly sitting at his desk, grading papers. He looked up, startled by the noise Ron had caused, and stood from his chair. Ron scanned the room, he was alone. No one else was in the room.

“Look, Ron, I don’t want any trouble.” Neville said, raising his hands in front of him.

“Sorry to scare you, Neville. I actually came to apologize for yesterday. I was out of line.” Neville walked around his desk as Ron spoke and motioned for the arm chairs by the fireplace. Ron and he sat down and Ron lowered his head. “I shouldn’t take it out on you. I just don’t know where I am anymore. It was a long time ago, and you were right. And, I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay, Ron. I understand. It’s hard to lose someone. I didn’t really take it to heart.” Neville smiled to Ron, hoping to ease his nerves.

“I think I’m going mad, Neville. I can’t leave the house, it’s like I can’t breathe anymore.” Ron let out a short breath. “I swear when I walked up to your door I heard voices. Yours, and then it sounded like Hermione’s. I’m going mad Neville, I know it.”

“I’m sorry, Ron. I can never imagine what your going through. I know it must be hard. Maybe you need to get away for awhile. Have a little holiday somewhere. Locking yourself in that house isn’t any good. You need to get away, and get your mind off of the last few weeks.” Neville placed his hand on Ron’s arm, and this time Ron didn’t tear it away.

“It wasn’t Hermione, was it, you were talking to?” Ron asked, his head still down.

“Of course not, Ron, I am alone in here, as you can see. And we know there is no way I could be talking to Hermione. Like I said, you need to get away for awhile.” Neville sat a little straighter, and pulled his hand away.

“Yeah, I think you’re right.” Ron glanced to the fire by their side and jumped out of his seat and fell onto the floor. Neville jumped out of his chair and ran to him.

“What is it?” Neville helped Ron from the floor.

“I am going mad, Neville. I just saw Hermione’s face in your fire, as clear as I see you now. I need to get out of here. This place, it brings back too much.” Ron ran from the office and toward the floo to go home. Neville looked to the fire, a look of fear on his face.