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The Engagement	By : saritat9 Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Ron/Hermione Views: 6588 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter. I'm not making any money with this. No copyright infrigment intended.

Chapter List
- 6
- 7
- 8
The Engagement

Chapter 7: The Date
Jacques' was grandiose indeed. Whoever was responsible of the d�cor had had taste instead of magpie-like affection for shiny trinkets and fancy furniture. There were a few enchanted chandeliers floating above the tables. The tablecloths were made of some heavy, natural white fabric and there was a candlestick per every chair. The amount of tables was relatively scarce; this was a serious, upscale restaurant. No one dining here had to worry about knocking over someone else while getting up, or about an intimate conversation carrying over to the nearest tables. In fact, anyone dining here was affluent enough to pay extra for such consideration and the chance for privacy.

The tables varied from two seating to ones that accommodated six. The delicate-looking chairs were made of dark cherry wood and the rest of the colours were a stylish mix of white and different shades of brown. Every setting was already laden with sparkling glasses and silver utensils.

Yes, the overall atmosphere of the restaurant was quite conceited and upper-class. Something similar could be said of their average patrons.

Everyone in the Weasley party was reacting differently to the place and it's ambience.

Christina was feeling both excited and bewildered. For years she had dreamed of being taken to a place like this and now that she was, she felt vulnerable yet strangely calm. She fluffed her hair and kept up a confident half-a-smile.

Percy didn't much like the place itself, but appreciated the importance of simply being seen there. He was glad that a witch as formidable and famous as Hermione accompanied him. He was especially pleased with how respectable his brother was looking in his grey dressrobes. Christina already looked like she belonged here.

Hermione couldn't wait for the evening to be over and done with. She didn't much like the look of the place nor the idea of making civil small talk with Christina the whole night. She was rather taken with the looks of Ron, though.

And lastly, Ron was scared stiff. How was he going to get through this ordeal of a double date with Hermione looking like that? He had responsibilities towards his own date as well. But that dress...on her. He had to mute his forbidden thoughts down.

Percy helped Hermione get seated while Ron did the same for Christina. Their table was situated in the middle of the room. Luckily the wizards and witches at Jacques' were too well mannered to stare at them, even though their small table held not one but two war heroes. This was something that Hermione could appreciate. She preferred more intimate venues, as a rule; places she could relax and be herself at.

They changed some casual pleasantries while looking at the menus. To no one's surprise the menus themselves held no prices. The indication was common for a place like this. Need to ask? You aren't welcome here. Ron was relieved that the menu wasn't written in French. He had been a bit nervous about that possibility and he had looked up a few French words just in case; poulet and p�tes and the like.

"I can place our orders if you'll permit me." Percy suggested to his date. Hermione had no other choice but to concede, smiling politely.

Ron wondered briefly if he should do the same. Was it courteous or rude to yank the decision out of your date's hands? One look at Hermione confirmed, and only because he had known her for so long, that she hadn't appreciated his brother's gesture. Ron refrained from making the same mistake.

Christina eyed her menu, having an inner battle of pleasure of the mouth against calories. The battle ended with a tie. She decided to have a light soup for an entree but something elaborate and rich for pudding.

Once the orders had been made they sat for a minute feeling the effects of uncomfortable silence. Ron used this as an opportunity to steal another glance at Hermione. Her usually frizzy hair that he loved so much was pulled into a bun at her neck. The dress she wore was near the colour of his tie, reminding him of rust. Even though Ron didn't know much about these things, even he could see that it accentuated the colour of her chestnut hair and the darker brown of her eyes. Oh, he loved her expressive eyes. Ron turned his gaze to Christina and gave a tiny sigh. He would have to make a decision about their relationship before she cottoned on to the truth. He didn't want her to get any more hurt than she had to be. He had originally stated that he wasn't looking for anything too serious or long term, he wasn't a total git! It wasn't like she had gone into this totally blind, but nevertheless...he did feel guilty about it and probably more so than he even should. They had had an understanding.

Around that time Hermione was coming to a decision of her own. If she was to endure this evening (and why not, it had been her big mouth that had started this) she would not do so silently. Small talk. Right.

"Percy and I have been considering going to see that new play, �Which Is The Which Witch?' It has gotten rave reviews."

To Percy's recollection, they had not been considering anything of the sort, but he decided to accompany her with "Yes, it seems to be the play to be seen at."

Hermione crunched her nose minutely. She was trying to make conversation about a play; a mix of art and entertainment, and he was talking about being seen.

"Isn't that the farce inspired by the books by that Muggle, whats-his-name...Woo...Wool...Woodhouse?"

" You've heard of P. G. Wodehouse?!" she exclaimed, surprised.

"Just a bit." Ron smiled modestly, "He is a British institution, you know."

This definition Ron had gotten from a very useful book he had practically memorized by heart: "A Cultural Guide - How to Stay In Tune With A Muggleborn". He had even tried to read one the chap's own books but the continuing use of strange words had frustrated him too much.

"Yes, he is. He was underappreciated as an author just because he preferred a lighter writing style, the kind people would like to read again and again. To be appreciated you need to be �realistic' and sombre. "

"I read some Wodehouse in school." Christina said suddenly, "He truly excelled at describing the prewar English upper-class society. That alone made his work interesting."

Hermione blinked. She was truly taken aback by Christina showing herself capable of such a comment. She had, obviously mistakenly, taken her for an air headed little tart. She felt bad for jumping to such conclusions just because she was seeing Ron and attractive.

The conversation was halted by the arrival of their starters (salad with pecorino cheese).

While Hermione was eating her tiny salad she mulled over the business with Christina and how she really should have been nicer to her. Maybe all the slight Christina had showed her was only in her head. What if Ron really liked her, and fancied himself being with her for years, or indefinitely. A relationship was a two-way street and she couldn't expect her to be nice to her if she wasn't nice to her first and treat her as more than a coat rack. Even though intellectual snobbism was something she had mostly grown out of after her teens, she knew that she nursed a sore spot for Ron's girlfriends. And being smart was what she was best at. She knew she couldn't compete with them with her looks...the more she thought about it, the more disgusted she was with herself. Had she not come here tonight, already annoyed at having to converse with Christina? To really talk to her, listen to her? She really was a snob!

Thankfully there was something she could do about it.

"Did you read much of Wodehouse? What were your favourites?"

Christina swallowed the bit of salad she had just put in her mouth before answering.

"As dull as it is, I liked Jeeves and Wooster best. I did read one of his other novels but it didn't hold the same charm for me."

"I can understand that...I might have to agree, even. There's a reason they're classics. I always figured I was sort of simple for not being able to appreciate his other work as much."

"Well you read what you like or what interests you, that's what I've always thought. No use in forcing it, just because you're supposed to'"

"Here here!" Ron agreed.

"Ron of course is saying this because he doesn't like to read. I remember I had to practically shove the books down his throat for him to do any studying at all."

"We can't all be as perfect as you, Hermione. Some of us had other things to worry about."

"I notice you said �other', not �better'. Even you can't claim quidditch is more important in the long run...although I suppose you are a professional quidditch player now." she blushed. She hadn't been trying to imply that he hadn't applied himself, she had just been teasing him as usual. And out of their trio, Harry really had had better stuff to worry about, like saving the whole wizarding world. And Ron and her had helped.

"Yes, but for how long. Have you notified the team that you're leaving yet?" asked Percy.

"What?!"

Both women had turned to Ron and were staring at him as if he had turned into the Dark Lord mid-bite.

"That wasn't exactly common knowledge yet, Percy." Ron was able to choke out.

"You're quitting your team?"

"What are you going to do, then?"

Percy had enough sense to look and feel embarrassed. Suffice to say he hadn't thought his question through. Their mother had told him no one else knew and Ron himself had made the decision just a few days ago. He really should've realized he hadn't necessarily acted on it, or told anyone else.

Ron cleared his throat, "I am going to go back to the aurors, if they'll have me. And I suppose they will."

"Back to the aurors." Hermione repeated, gobsmacked.

Ron gauged at Hermione's reaction. She didn't seem too upset. Very surprised, but not upset.

"Why haven't you told me any of this?"

"Don't be daft Hermione, I haven't told anyone except my mum and she told Percy here."

Hermione digested the information and Christina looked thoughtful while their waiter came to clear the table and then brought them their meals. If anyone noticed that Ron started eating very slowly and carefully (something he had been working on lately, trying to better himself) which made him appear silent, they didn't remark on it. Percy thought it best to change the subject.

"So Christina. Ronald never told me what you do?"

= = =

Rest of the evening went the same way. Everyone in the Weasley party was lost in their own inner musings while trying to maintain civil and lively enough conversation. When they had finished their pudding (except for Percy who had a cup of strong coffee) they thanked each other for the nice evening. No one suggested they do it again.

= = =

Ron took Christina home, wanting to make sure she got there safe. When he leaned in to kiss her cheek she backed down.

"Chrissy! What's-"

"Stop, Ron. Just stop. You don't really want to, anyway."

"Wha-?"

"I suppose I should have seen it sooner, accepted it. I just wanted to be with you, so much. I really liked you, you know. You were so kind and sweet to me."

"What in the name of Merlin's knickers are you going on about?"

"You don't want me. You want her. You look at her, all the time. You probably don't even notice that you do it."

"How can you say that? I'm with you, Christina! I've never made a single move-"

"It's not like I don't have eyes, Ron. I should've listened. There's been a lot of talk about you two since the war, you know. I just figured that if I was what you wanted, acted how you expected me to..."

"Chrissy...don't do this." he pleaded quietly.

"I don't matter. I just don't matter to you! You never told me anything about quitting the team. I'm not saying it's all your fault because it's not. I knew the deal when we started, and I tried to work it to my advantage as best as I could. I manipulated you, telling myself that it was okay if it was for the greater good, for our future together. But you don't really want me, or any other random girl. Why can't you admit that!?"

Ron sunk to the chair, working on just breathing slowly, in and out. In and out.

"I never meant to hurt you Chrissy. I really didn't. Anyway...it wouldn't work with Hermione. She doesn't want me."

"That's neither here nor there. Look Ron, I thought I could make you love me. And I thought that if you did, then I would just naturally grow to love you back."

"You don't love me?" Ron raised his head, looking half-surprised and half-hopeful.

"We've been going out only a few weeks, Ron. No, I don't love you. I might've. But I don't. I guess I just wanted someone who treats me well; someone who was handsome and had some kind of prospects or aspirations. And you were so nice and you had this big loving family that's always accepting new members, like Harry..." she sneered a bit in self contempt, "It seems that I overlooked something in the process. I wanted the whole package more than I wanted you."

"What are you saying?"

"I'm saying goodbye."

She leaned in and kissed him softly on the lips before drawing him up and pushing him towards the door.

"It's high time that the both of us grow up. I suggest you start this by telling her. Maybe someday we can be friends. Real friends."

And that's how Christina Halliwell got rid of Ron Weasley, instead of Ron Weasley getting rid of Christina Halliwell...and with little to no effort on his part.
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The Engagement