Chapter 5: Surprise!!!

“Ron?!”

“Hermione?!”

Both of them had exclaimed simultaneously. They were so shocked to see each other, that they could not decide how to greet one another. While Ron had stepped forward to give Hermione a quick hug, Hermione had held out her hand to shake. Somewhat reluctantly, Ron shook her hand and mumbled, “Nice to see you, Hermione.” She nodded in agreement.

“Well, now that we gotten you re-introduced, let’s get down to business,” Mr.Weasley said, breaking the awkward silence that had enveloped the room.

“Oh yes, Mr.Weasley. I forgot. You mentioned a special assignment for me, didn’t you? What is it all about?”

“Patience, Miss Granger, I am getting to it,” Mr Weasley said, nodding his head towards Ron, “Your assignment is sitting right next to you.”

“WHAT?!”

Again, both Ron and Hermione had screamed out, but this time in disbelief.

“Wait, let me explain. Hermione, you know that Ginny’s wedding is drawing near. Owing to that, Molly is getting hysterical. Besides, I know you have worked your head off over this project. So, I’ve decided that you must take a sabbatical. Oh, but don’t assume that you’re going to have a lot of free time. You have an additional duty; along with shopping for Ginny, you are going to act as a mediator while Ron is on his blind date.”

“But Dad, why would Hermione want to do that?”

“My point exactly. Why-”

“Wait, Ron, Hermione. I am not done yet. Hermione, you will be completely responsible for Ron whenever he is on a blind date. You will be his mediator and you will come and report to me directly about everything that happens. Ron, you know Hermione from school and I know her as my subordinate, won’t you agree with me when I say that Hermione is a very talented, clever and hardworking witch and deserves her due?”

“Yeah Dad, but that’s not the answer to my question?”

“Don’t you think she deserves a promotion, or wait, a double promotion?”

“Yeah sure…”

“Mr. Weasley, you don’t mean….,” Hermione trailed off.

“I think you understand exactly what I mean. Ron, could you step out for a moment? I want to have a word with Hermione in private.”

“Sure Dad, I’ll just be in the lobby,” Ron said and left the room.

As soon as the door was closed, Hermione asked Mr. Weasley, “Sir, if you don’t mind, Mr. Weasley, will you tell me what exactly is this whole blind date business all about?”

“Oh, yes, of course, I forgot that you didn’t know about it.”

Mr. Weasley explained the whole thing about his wife being concerned about Ron’s plans to settle down with a family. Then he looked at Hermione in a fatherly manner and said, “I know you were good for this job because you have been his friend in school and you know him as well as we do. Plus you can give him a woman’s point of view of what happens. I know, in front of Ron, it sounded like a bribe. But it is not. The idea of the double promotion for you has been floating in my mind for a long time, and I firmly believe that there is nobody more deserving of it than you are.”

Hermione was surprised with everything Mr. Weasley had just told her. She took a moment to take in all the information and then said, “Thank you, Mr. Weasley. But I don’t think I need a sabbatical. I am fine with the work.”

“Oh yes, you do. I have noticed that you deserve a break. Lighten up a little. Apart from being my employee, you are also a member of my family. So participate in the wedding preparation as you promised Molly. And while you are at it, please do this mediator thing for Ron, as a favor for Molly and me.”

“As a favor to you and Mrs. Weasley, I’ll do it.”

“Thank you, Hermione. And one more thing, you will report to me directly about everything. What Ron thinks about the girl, and vice versa. I don’t care whether the girl is Muggleborn or Muggle or Witch. The only condition is, she should like Ron and Ron should like her.”

“Okay, I understand.”

“So, from this moment onwards, you are on a sabbatical and your assignment begins.”

“Yes sir!” Hermione gave a mock salute and left the room to find Ron sitting in the lobby in deep thought.

Seeing Hermione after such a long time had brought many things back to Ron’s mind. He had just been wondering why his parents never told him that Hermione worked under his father when he heard his father’s office door. He stood up quickly, and turned to see Hermione looking at him.

“Hello, Ron.”

“Hi, Hermione...er…How about a coffee?”

“Yeah, sure. There is a new coffee shop in Diagon Alley. Shall we go there?”

~*~

As Ron and Hermione sat at their table in the coffee shop, they looked at each other to notice the changes that had taken place in them over the passage of time.

Hermione had noticed, all the while, that Ron was no longer awkward around Muggle technology as he was when they were at Hogwarts. She came out of her reverie when she heard Ron asking her something.

“Hermione, how are you doing? What have you been up to?”

“I am fine, Ron. After you and Harry left for Auror training, I was hired in your father’s department. It helped a lot being a Muggle-born and knowing both Wizard and Muggle lifestyle. You tell me, what have you been up to?”

“You know, training was tough but fun, at least for Harry and me. Maybe, getting into trouble right from the first year made us a little tough for all this tough training. And then our internship……Bottom-line, it was risky but fun.”

“How is Harry?”

“You’ll see. Harry has really changed, you know Hermione. Now that he can live his life as he likes, he has lightened up. Sometimes, he has those sad moments, what after losing his parents, and Sirius. I think losing Sirius had a greater effect on him, because he was just beginning to crave for some fatherly love, ever since he knew Sirius was his godfather, and after that incident in Department of Mysteries, his world just came crashing down…”

“Ron, please let us not talk about that.”

“Oh, I am sorry.”

“It’s just that I’ve taken a lot of effort to come in terms with my life and-“

“I understand, Hermione.” Ron glanced down the table, searching for something to lighten up the conversation. “So tell me”, he looked back up at Hermione. “When did you get reading glasses?”

“Oh that, I’ve had them for at least five years.”

“I thought that you were going to have them during the school days, considering the amount of homework, research and studies you used to do. Five years back is a bit too late, don’t you think?”

“I don’t think so.”

“Just kidding.” He blushed a little. “So what do you suggest we do about your new ‘special assignment’?”

“I’ll see about that. I have some plans in my mind.”

“Already? Nice to see you again, Hermione,” Ron teased. “Anyway, since Dad has given you the whole responsibility of person, date and place, why don’t you call me on my cell?”

“Cell! You have a cell? When did you learn to use Muggle technology?”

Ron smiled at the surprise on Hermione’s face and said, “Actually, Harry and I needed to use it for a mission when we were undercover. After the whole thing was over, we found it very useful, so we decided to own one each. Harry has one too. And the specialty of our cell is that it works in a magical environment too, thanks to Auror Workshop.”

“That’s neat. Give me your number and I’ll call you soon.”

“Fine with me. See you soon.”

Ron and Hermione parted ways after exchanging phone numbers, and a brief friendly hug.

~*~