Chapter 3
Ronald Weasley was not a violent person, a jealous one? Yes. Incredibly insecure when it came to his two closest friends and his short-term one-time fling(it was really a kiss shared when Hermione mistook his red hair for Fred’s and kissed Ron on the cheek after she had been crying in his and George’s room.)? Yes. With that being said his anger he felt toward Theodore Nott and Draco Malfoy sitting with Hermione, the girl he’s been in love with since the sixth year, as well as the git Malfoy holding her hand so nonchalantly was a surprise, as was the instant need he had to hit something.
He knew his coping mechanisms weren’t at all great; he hadn't become an auror as expected so he came back to Hogwarts in order to attempt the N.E.W.T. scores to either become a ministry employee or try his hand at quidditch, or helping George. He had expected Hermione to run to him immediately. She had kissed him this past summer, sure it was on the cheek but hey, a kiss is a kiss. Instead of her hugging him and beginning his study routine he was met with his mates saying hello and a gaggle of 6th and 7th year groupies. Since the war had ended he’s turned to working out, alcohol, tried his hand at muggle drugs, sex and more sex, but each time he’d taken a witch to bed, he couldn’t look at her, only the brown curls on the back of their heads. He knew it wasn’t healthy to keep a hold of this crush on his best friend but he couldn’t help it.
After he began training he’d been on a dry spell of everything which is when he realized during the physical aspect of training that he liked to throw punches. Which is why while he was surprised he wanted to hit the two slytherins he wasn’t all too shocked, in a rage he stalked up to them. “Malfoy. Nott.” He said
“Weasley.” They said in unison, “oh hi Ron! Are you visiting?” He shook his head. “Oh? Starting an eighth year?” He nodded, not taking his eyes off Malfoy and Nott. “Well we have class,” she said “I’ll see you at lunch.” She told Ron as the two snakes followed. He was moving before he could think, “so? Slumming it with snakes? Am I not good enough for you? Don’t wanna be a Weasley? What abt that kid this summer?”
“I mistook you for someone…”
“Who, Hermione?” When he said her name it was laced with venom. “Uh..” she paused, not knowing how to go forward. “Well.. uh, well Fred.”
“No. There’s no way Fred would have gone after you.”
She stiffened, she knew Fred loved her but hearing that people wouldn’t believe it made her want to cry or vomit. She stood her ground, “well he did. Ron, I don't want to be with you. I need to heal, please let me do that without you getting angry.”
“Not sure ‘healing’ means slagging yourself out to slytherins.”
“That’s it Ronald Weasley.” Theo said he pulled his wand as Ron went to throw a punch, panicking Hermione threw herself between Theo and Ron and Ron’s fist made contact with Hermione's cheek.