A/N: May be too soon, but I wanted to write a sequel to the story I just finished: The Redemption. Ron made it home to the Burrow for Percy's wedding. Now's the perfect time to get reacquainted with Hermione. Or is it too late? Based on characters created by J. K. Rowling. This is for Samara Longbottom, who suggested the whole thing. Thanks!—Rita

Chapter 1—Coming Home

His family embraced the prodigal son's return. His mother cried over the condition of his face. He had just been released from Mercy Hospital that day after having been in a coma for two days to reduce the swelling in his brain. Ron had gotten the shit beat out of him outside a bar in London. Charlie was going to keep him away from his mother until he healed more, but Ron thought it was important that he go home for Percy's wedding. He had missed so much during the time he went out into the muggle world to "find" himself.

He had wept along with his father and Bill. Bill told him how much he regretted the cruel words he'd spoken that drove him away.

Ron shook his head and said, "It wasn't your fault. I was a Prat, as usual. It was my fault. I'm the idiot. You were absolutely right."

He and Bill embraced.

"Come see my daughter," Bill said, taking his arm and leading him over to Fleur.

"She's beautiful," he said. "And a charmer like her mother."

He'd cooed baby Victoire who was quite waken with her uncle. Fleur greeted Ron warmly and kissed him on both cheeks. Ron walked away; stunned as he always had been when he was near Fleur.

George introduced Ron to Fred. He was the cutest little toddler. It was apparent that George was crazy about the little boy. Ron was amazed at how much baby Fred looked like his father. Ron watched George and Angelina together. There seemed to more there between George and Angelina under the surface than just a friendship. Ron reckoned that they had found each other and what the other needed to get through Fred's death. George was so good with baby Fred. He was thrilled that George finally looked happy.

Seeing Harry was one of the hardest things he faced. Would Harry forgive him for running out once again? One smile and embrace told him he hadn't held any grudges. He, like the rest of the family, was worried sick when he inexplicably disappeared almost three years ago.

Harry told him that he almost didn't recognize him; Ron sported a totally cool look now and he didn't look 15 years old anymore. He wore his hair straight back and he had a very sexy soul patch under his bottom lip. He also had a look in his eye that he had more life experiences than when he left. But Harry, being Harry, welcomed back his best friend with an embrace as if he'd never been away.

Ginny's reaction wasn't as warm as the rest of the family's. It took her a little longer for her to come around. The family tried to talk to Ginny, but Ron said it was all right and he understood. Actually Ron was amazed any of his family wanted to talk to him at all.

One of the nicest parts of the day was meeting Percy's fiancée, Audrey. Charlie wasn't exaggerating, Audrey was lovely. She was shy around the boisterous Weasley's but Fleur assured her that she would fit in soon enough. Audrey had the advantage because there were lower expectations for Percy than there was for Bill.

Percy proudly introduced Audrey to his brother. Ron nodded politely and kissed her on the cheek. She blushed prettily. The stood looking at each other for a moment in an awkward silence.

"So, Audrey," Ron said, clearing his throat. "You two met at the Ministry?"

She smiled again, looking at her husband-to-be.

"Where'd you go to school?" he asked, trying desperately to engage her in conversation.

"Hogwarts," she said.

"Really?"

"Yes, I was a year behind Perce. I was in Ravenclaw." She said. She clutched Percy tightly around his arm.

"Ravenclaw," he repeated.

Percy beamed. "Ravenclaws are very smart and intuitive." He paused. "And beautiful."

Audrey smiled again sweetly and touched his face.

"And easily confunded," he whispered to Charlie who spit out the pumpkin juice he was drinking, as he snorted with laughter.

Percy sighed dramatically. "Please pay my brothers no mind, Audrey. They have the maturity level of a two year old."

"Perfectly true," Ron agreed. "But I believe you've already met Charlie." Ron and Percy laughed. Charlie gave him an extremely rude hand gesture.

The whole family ate outside in the garden that evening. The weather was chilly but there was little wind. Molly charmed her garden to remain slightly warmer than the actual temperature.

The only thing that wasn't perfect tonight was the very obvious absence of Hermione. He didn't know if it was deliberate or he was reading more into it than he really should. Ron almost had a heart attack when Charlie told him that he was dating Hermione. Ron knew Charlie probably better than any of his other brothers besides Bill. Charlie wasn't the sort who would just "go out" with a girl. Going out, Ron knew, meant sleeping with. He couldn't imagine Hermione having sex with anyone but him. He resented his brother, but realized he had no one to blame but himself.

"Do you know if Hermione is coming for the wedding?" he tried to make it sound like an innocent question.

"I expect so," Molly said. "She was coming in tonight. Some last minute exams or something. Didn't she say she was coming in tonight, Ginny?"

Ginny gave both Charlie Ron a pointed look. "Yes," she said. "If she doesn't get stuck in town."

Charlie leaned over to Ron. "She's very protective of Hermione," he explained. "Apparently Hermione had a real rough time after you left. Good thing I was there, huh? Nothing better than rebound sex." He slapped his brother on the back.

Ron's ears turned a bright red and he clutched the fork he was holding so tightly that it bent.

"Could you get any grosser?" Ginny snapped, throwing a dinner roll at Charlie's head.

He caught the roll with the expertise of a seeker and threw it back, hitting Audrey on the side of the face, momentarily stunning her. "Oh, sorry, Audrey. All Ginny's fault." Charlie laughed.

Audrey had the good sense to laugh, endearing her to the rest of the family.

"Well," said Bill, laughing. "You'll fit right in. But I'd throw something back. Better make it something sturdy. Charlie's got the thickest head in the family." He told Audrey.

Percy, of course, had turned a godawful shade of red. He looked like he was ready to either crawl under the table or beat the shit out of Charlie. He relaxed. Maybe his brothers weren't going to frighten her off anyway.

Sitting around the huge dining table that the boys had brought outside, Ron ate more than he had eaten in almost three years. He sat back and looked at his family. He was happy to be back home.

He looked at Charlie who was still arguing with Ginny. He didn't blame Charlie for taking advantage of the situation or for Hermione to find comfort in his brother's arms. That was just Charlie; he was there when she needed him the most. He hated the idea of anyone touching her; but that was his fault. He was the one who walked out on Hermione and his family. Charlie was right, they moved on, what other choice did they have?

Did he stand a chance at winning Hermione back? He didn't have any idea, but he certainly was going to try.