https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-1745-A-War-Without-Victors-Part-195-/12938283/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-1747-A-War-with-No-Victor-Part-197-/12938285/
Chapter 1746: A War with No Victor (Part 196)
Chapter 1746: A War with No Victor (Part 196)
Ron had never felt more anxious. He paced around his bedroom several circles before opening the drawer by his desk again, taking out a slightly crumpled letter. After reading its contents once more, he straightened his appearance in front of the mirror and headed downstairs, the wooden stairs creaking under his feet.
Ron didn't stay for breakfast. After a quick greeting to his mother, he hurriedly left.
"Is Ron busy today?" Mrs. Weasley asked, poking her head out of the kitchen.
"Probably something important!" Harry glanced at Ron's departing figure and continued eating his breakfast.
He knew the reason! Ron was going to meet Hermione, but Harry didn't plan to expose this. It might be a good thing for Hermione and Ron to meet.
Some things were best discussed face-to-face.
"He's so busy, and you two rarely get a day off." Mrs. Weasley continued with her tasks.
"Ginny and I will be heading to Avalon later. Could you look after little James for us?" Harry asked.
Speaking of this, Harry felt a bit embarrassed. Initially, he had wanted Ginny to stay and watch over James, but she seemed to think that after her recovery, she should help out. Lately, she had been leaving James in Mrs. Weasley's care.
The baby mostly slept during the day, not causing much trouble for Mrs. Weasley. Ginny only needed to return for feeding times.
"Is it busy over there?" Mrs. Weasley raised an eyebrow.
"Yes, everyone wants to get the village built quickly to avoid a situation like Hogsmeade..." Harry finished his food and prepared to head to Avalon directly.
...
At this moment, in the Cauldron Pub in London, Ron was absentmindedly eating from his plate, occasionally glancing at the hands of his pocket watch.
The two had agreed to meet at a nearby coffee shop.
However, when Ron hurried over, he realized that there was still more than an hour until their agreed-upon time. Ron decided to have a bite at the Cauldron Pub, using the time to carefully consider what he would say to Hermione.
For this day, Ron had imagined countless scenarios of their encounter.
At that moment, Tom, the bartender, interrupted Ron's thoughts.
"Oh, what did you just say?" Ron furrowed his brows and asked.
"Is the Ministry of Magic about to fight the Sprites?" Tom asked in a hushed tone, even though the pub was empty.
"Who said that?" Ron retorted.
"Just say yes or no!" Tom insisted.
Tom poured Ron a butterbeer.
"It's not that easy to start a fight. The Ministry is sending people to negotiate with the Sprites. No one wants a bloody conflict," Ron replied with the standard Ministry line.
"What if the negotiations fail?"
"That's a problem for later."
Ron, of course, knew what would happen if the talks broke down. Several Ministry departments were preparing for this possibility, and they weren't afraid of failed negotiations. But these words couldn't be spoken casually; those in the know had to keep this secret to avoid overly agitating the Sprites and affecting the negotiation outcome.
After chatting with Tom about the latest developments in the wizarding world, Ron checked the time and bid farewell. He headed to the agreed-upon meeting spot early to wait for Hermione. However, when Ron met Hermione, it was already an hour later.
"I hope I didn't keep you waiting too long?"
Hermione sighed inwardly upon seeing Ron's meticulously groomed appearance and sat down opposite him.
"How have you been lately?"
Ron began reciting the lines he had rehearsed countless times in his mind.
"Since you and Harry graduated early, there aren't many familiar faces left at school. Fortunately, there's still plenty to keep me busy, so I feel like my school life has been quite fulfilling."
Hermione thanked the waiter who brought over coffee and, looking at Ron across from her, asked, "What about you? Have you been busy as well?"
"Yes, as you know, things haven't been peaceful lately. We've had a lot of work to keep us occupied!" Ron stirred the coffee in front of him slowly with a spoon, using the action to conceal his nervousness.
"So, what did you want to see me for...?" Hermione asked straightforwardly.
"I've already written a letter to Lavender to apologize," Ron admitted.
Ron never expected Hermione to be so direct. He paused in his stirring, unconcerned about the coffee splashing, and stared intently at Hermione with his eyes wide open. His lips trembled as he asked, "You really don't plan on...dating, do you?"
"No plans for now!" Hermione nodded, "Ever since Albert got married, I haven't met anyone suitable. Plus, I'll be graduating soon, so I plan to focus on my career first."
Seeing Ron's relatively calm expression, Hermione finally spoke up, "I know how you feel, but I've always considered you and Harry my best friends."
Ron's eyes dimmed instantly.
"Sorry, I seem to have caused you trouble!"
Ron finally picked up the cup of coffee he had stirred countless times and took a sip.
It was bitter and hard to drink.
"I really don't know why Muggles like to drink this stuff," he muttered.
"Actually, you could consider Lavender," Hermione said, gazing at the distracted Ron. Her words were like a hypnotic suggestion. "Lavender has become quite charming, hasn't she? And she's a lot like Ginny, who liked Harry back then."
The absent-minded Ron didn't know why, but suddenly, many memories of Lavender flooded his mind, as if an unseen force was guiding his thoughts towards her.
There was no love magic in this world, so Hermione didn't expect Ron to instantly fall for Lavender. But if Ron truly had any interest in her...
No, Hermione believed that any man would find it hard to resist a beautiful girl, even Albert.
So, if she could guide those beautiful memories to the surface, it would be half the battle won.
"Lavender and I still correspond by letter. She still likes you, even though you did upset her last time..." Hermione sipped her coffee, speaking of Lavender's situation in a nonchalant manner.
"Yeah, I did..."
"Even if you don't plan to continue dating Lavender, you should at least meet up with her and apologize properly!" Hermione continued to guide him.
"Oh, you're right!" Ron agreed without much thought.
"Well, I'm off to Avalon. Do you want to come with me?" Hermione asked suddenly after finishing her coffee.
"Never mind, I'll go back and write a letter to Lavender," Ron said, getting up with a dejected expression.
As Ron walked away, Hermione murmured, "Do you think this will really work?"
"I don't know. If he truly likes Lavender in his heart, there's a good chance it'll have some effect!" Hermione heard a familiar voice in her ear.
(End of Chapter)
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