Seven Years Lost

Ron and Sergei appeared outside Malfoy manor and found Draco waiting for them. He approached and smiled at Sergei. “Well sir, how did you like the new family?”



“It’s a big one.” Sergei told him still not sure he remembered what brother was named what.



“Yes it is, isn’t it.” Draco said.



“And there’s more, you still have to meet all the wives, or the friends close enough to be called family.” Sergei’s eyes widened at Ron. “You will meet everyone eventually and we have a lot of time to remember them all.” When Sergei smiled he looked Draco. “Does she know?”



“She knows nothing. This way.” They followed Draco into the library. “Sergei, Ron has to have a chat with someone, why don’t you come along with me for a bit.” Sergei looked up to Ron who nodded and then took the blonde man’s hand. “I’ll send Hermione in right away.”



Remembering Harry’s words she spoke. “Will he be alright with this?”



“Oh yes,” Draco affirmed, “he’s been waiting for this as well, everything will be alright.” Ron felt better and better but still nervous about seeing Hermione again.



“Are you ready?” Ron nodded and watched Draco and his son leave. He leaned against the massive desk and thought about that day long ago.



***“How could you do this to me?!” He screamed.



“Ron I’m sorry I didn’t mean for this to happen.” Hermione was in tears, letting the waterfall cascade down her face without a thought as she followed Ron around the room.



“A mistake!? A mistake!? You fucked him Hermione, you don’t mistakenly fuck someone and then come home to me. You knew what you were doing, that makes you a whore!”



Hermione had no response, she just collapsed to the ground and cried, letting her body shake with force. Ron felt his own tears welling up but he didn’t want her to see how hurt he was. Seeing him angry was one thing, but he refused to let her see this. He grabbed his cloak and broom and took off into the night. He flew about for several hours not paying attention to where he was going, just flying at high speeds.



When he eventfully ended up in his small flat it was nearly two in the morning. He felt betrayed and hurt, rejected and used all at once. He looked around the room at the confining space and barren walls and suddenly didn’t want to be there anymore.



Harry would know soon he had no doubt about it. She would run to him and confess what she had done. She would ask Harry to speak to him, to get him to understand but he wanted none of it. He couldn’t handle anyone right now.



His eyes met the letter on his coffee table. He had wanted to mention it to Hermione and talk to her about it, getting her opinion on it’s contents, but that never happened tonight. Instead he had found the letter and her confession came shortly afterwards. She had an affair with Professor Snape.



Making the quickest decision of his life he pocketed the letter and began shrinking and packing his belongings. The only evidence that someone had lived there was the groceries in the kitchen and an enveloped charmed so that only the landlady would be able to read it.



Without a look behind him, he flew off into the night leaving England and a broken heart behind. ***





He looked up at the door waiting for her. It was time for both of them to gain closure from all this. Even Professor Snape would gain closure in a way. Ron had decided that he would speak to Snape as well.



A moment later the door eased open and a figure appeared. She looked around then saw him leaning casually against the desk. Her eyes widened and for a moment and she looked as if she didn’t believe her sense of sight.



He gave her a soft smile. “Hello Hermione.”



“Ronald?” She asked taking a step forward.



“Yes, it’s me.” His smile branded and he held out his arms. It was all she needed and she flew across the room hurling herself into his arms. He was sent back to Hogwarts and all the adventures they had in their youth. Her embrace was crushing him but he returned it feeling her body tremble.



When her grip relaxed he pulled away just enough to look at her while he held her hands. “You’ve changed.” He said with a smile. She was in slim fitting black trousers and the pointiest heels he had ever seen. With a cream colored blouse she was every inch the professional Ron knew she would be. Her hair was now sleek and straight with blonde high lights, falling down her back. Her make up was decisively grown up with not a shade of pink anywhere. She was a woman now, in every sense.



“So have you.” She told him taking in his form. Ron knew what she meant. In addition to his naturally tall stature, years of hard work had hardened his body and changed his stance. His tone build and firmness was evident and he stood with confidence, all traces of insecurity and slouching had vanished. Their eyes met. “We have a lot to say Hermione,” she nodded, “but for now since everyone is waiting, I think we should head in. I’m going to find a house soon, when I do we’ll meet and talk.”



“Of course.” He smiled down at her suddenly feeling wonderful about returning home. They left the library and met the others in the dining room. They all looked toward him and Hermione as they entered. Sergei was talking to Draco’s father, but Ron noticed Professor Snape paying more attention then the others.



When he walked over to them Ron immediately held out a hand. “Professor.” He greeted. His hand was gripped immediately.



“Mr. Weasley. It has been some time.” There was nothing malicious in his expression, and it made Ron feel good to know everything eventually would be alright. Sergei came running over with an excited smile on his face.



“This house is huge.” He whispered when Ron leaned down to him.



“Yes,” he chuckled, “but for now I want you to meet someone.” He took his sons shoulders and faced him toward Hermione.



“Is this her?” Sergei asked looking up at Ron.



“Don’t be rude,” he admonished, “but yes, this is Hermione Granger. Hermione this is my son Sergei.”



“Hello Sergei, it’s a pleasure to meet you.” She offered a hand which Sergei took, but said nothing.



“And this is Professor Snape.” He told him.



“We’ve met but I didn’t know he was your son.” Snape said shaking the young boy’s hand again.



Sergei’s eyes went to their hands where Severus and Hermione had their fingers woven together. “He’s the one?” He asked Ron.



“Sergei, what did I say about being rude?” Ron kept his voice as low as possible. “I’m sorry.” Ron said looking up to the couple.



“It’s alright.” Severus told him. Lucius and Draco had approached and drawn the attention away.



“Shall we all be seated?” Narcissa said with a bright smile. Taking Sergei’s hand he leaned down and spoke as they went into the dining room.



“Sergei, don’t be rude to them.” Ron said.



“Why did she want him and not you?” Sergei asked.



“She has her reasons, and their her business, now don’t be rude anymore.” He said firmly. Sergei nodded.



Lucius was seated at the head of the table, with Narcissa at his side. Next to her she seated Sergei, and then Hermione. To Lucius’s other side, Draco took his place, then Ron, and then Severus.



Narcissa was every inch the elite host, and kept the conversation flowing with everyone involved.



“Hermione will be glad for the chance to talk.” Severus told him when the conversation had turned to politics.



“She agreed to meet me as soon and Sergei and I found a house. I didn’t want to stall dinner, just let her know that I had returned and wanted to talk.” Ron told him.



“She’ll be anxious for that no doubt. For my own part however, I did ask her to call it off.” Severus told him.



“I realize that now. I do appreciate it. I was more angry over the fact that she had not ended it and lied to me.”



“Would it have made it easier if she had carried on with a former housemate?” Severus asked. This question had been plaguing him for years.



Ron looked thoughtful for a moment. “No, I don’t think so. I started yelling before I knew it was you. Although for a few months I had wondered if you were being lied to as well.”



“No, I knew all along. It makes me seem all the worse to say this but I’m not sorry for what I have done with Hermione, only that it happened while she was involved with someone. I usually have more integrity when it comes to a woman who is taken, but in this case, I just couldn’t say no.”



“I understand all too well that feeling. She is wonderful and hard to resist.”



“Are we missing something?” Ron and Severus each looked up to the head of the table where Narcissa was smiling at them.



“No, nothing at all.” Ron said.



“We were asking about Sergei’s birth parents. Did you know them?” Narcissa asked. The table fell into a silence as Sergei avoided eye contact and dropped his eyes to his plate, toying with his fork. Narcissa began to look worried, thinking she may have ventured into forbidden territory when Sergei didn’t answer her questions.



“I used to work with Sergei’s father. I filed for the adoption after he died.” Ron remained silent knowing Sergei was embarrassed at being talking about.



Lucius saw the reluctance to speak and knew Ron was sparing the boy from the attention that would be drawn to him. Sergei had fallen into a stupor at the mention again of his adoption. Desert did little to lift his mood, and Ron was concerned.



He knew Sergei’s main concern was the he wasn’t really Ron’s son and people would reject him. He felt his heart hurting at the boy again begin the topic of conversation.



When dinner ended he refused coffee and brandy in the parlor. ‘I’m afraid I must get Sergei home, it’s been an exciting day.”



“Are you sure?” Narcissa asked.



“Yes, we should really go.” Ron said taking Sergei’s hand and fastening his cloak. “Thank you so much for dinner.” He shook the Malfoy’s hand and Draco’s, then moved to shake Snape’s, then turned to Hermione, who hugged him. “I’ll send you an owl when we can talk.” He told her.



“Alright. Goodnight Sergei. It was very nice to meet you.” She said. Sergei only nodded at her then yawned widely.



“Use our floo.” Draco told him. Ron picked up Sergei and as he stepped into the floo, the boy fell asleep on his shoulder.



A few moments later Ron was making his way up the stairs to the twins room. He eased Sergei onto his bed and pulled the boy’s shoes off. He had been through so much today, and the exhaustion was too much to fight in the end.



Ron went to his own room. Tomorrow he would start looking for a house. He wanted his own home, he had become far too used to his privacy when he worked in Russia.



He closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep, smiling at how life was turning out.