Father of the Witch

Chapter 2: Jonas Krum

"Remember our Hogwarts graduation?" Hermione asked Harry, dabbing at her tearing eyes.

"Yeah. I still bet that was when Faith was concieved," he chuckled, grinning evilly. Hermione flushed.

"Mum!" Faith called, throwing her arms around Hermione's neck.

"Hullo, sweetheart. You looked so beautiful up there!"

Ron looked on as his wife and daughter embraced. Faith's once-orange hair had turned auburn over the years. Her freckles were barely noticable. She also had an uncanny love for Muggle things- obviously a trait she'd picked up from her Grandpa Arthur during her early childhood. Too bad Arthur had died when Faith was only four.

"Daddy, where's Grandpa Arthur?" Faith asked. "He was 'aposed to show me his Muggle things today."

Ron and Hermione exchnged a glance. Ron pursed his lips together to fight the tears.

"Faith, honey. You know that bad man who hurt Uncle Harry when he was a baby?" Hermione asked. Faith nodded slowly, her sticky fingers entwined around her toy broomstick handle. "Well, that bad man hurt your Grandpa Arthur and your Grandma Molly. Grandma Molly is only a little hurt. But she'll never get better. And Grandpa Arthur died. Do you know what 'died' is, honey?" There was a slow shake of the head. "Well, 'death' is......" Hermione trailed off and looked at Ron helplessly.

Ron pulled Faith into his lap. "Death is where you go away and you don't come back. In some ways, it's good........ Like, Grandpa Arthur will never be sick again."
"An' Grandma Molly won't yell at him no more cus of his Muggle things?"

"That's right." Ron smiled faintly. "You know, you were Grandpa Arthur's first granchild, and you were the apple of his eye. He loved you very much." Faith slowly slid out of his lap and walked out of the room. Ron turned to Hermione. "She didn't understand that, did she?"
"No, she's too young, I think."

"And she'll never remember Dad, will she?"

"No. It's a shame, too." Hermione wrapped her arms around him and kissed his cheek.

"Dad? DAD?"

"Huh?"

Faith had her hands on her hips. She rolled her eyes. "As I was trying to say, Dad, this is Jonas Krum."

"Krum, dear," said Hermione, raising her eyebrows at Ron. She reached out her hand as if to shake it, but instead Jonas kissed her hand.

" 'Ello, Madame Weasley. It eez a pleasure to meet you."

"You, too, my dear," Hermione said in suprise. "Are you any relation to Viktor Krum?"

"I am ve son of Viktor and Fleur Krum. Are you a fan?"

Hermione began to blush. "No. But I knew your father. Very well, in fact. Ron had been a fan, however. Isn't that right, dear?"

Ron glared at her. He ignored the comment. Fourth year had been an Umnetionable Topic in their household over the years. It was almost an unspoken agreement. He gripped Jonas's hand. He tried desperately to resist every will to crush the life out of the poor boy when he thought of the hell he'd been put through. "Are you, uh.... you two boyfriend and girlfriend?"

Faith and Jonas exchanged glances. "Um, Dad? Mum? Let's talk about that at home. Uncle Harry, you had better come, too."

Hermione grabbed the phoenix quill from her purse and they all gathered around to touch it. Hermione whispered an incantation and they were suddenly inside her and Ron's living room. They all sat around the couch- Ron, Hermione, Deanna, Harry. Jonas, and Faith. "Everyone," Faith said slowly, "Jonas and I are engaged."

"Engaged?" Ron repeated under his breath. He stood up and pointed an accusing finger at Jonas. "How old are you?"

"Eighteen. Same as Faith, no?"

"There! They're too young!"

"Ron, sit down!" Hermione groaned.

"No!" Ron cried. "Don't you care?"

Hermione grabbed her wand out of her pocket. "Ron, I said SIT."

"Yes, ma'am," he mumbled under his breath. He crossed his arms in a pout.

"My baby.... going to get married!" Hermione sniffed. Tears began to flow as she embraced her.

"Aww... mum," Faith cried, also teary eyed. Oh, bloody hell, thought Ron.

Harry grabbed Ron by the arm and pulled him out of the room. "Ron, you need to be quiet. Do you want her to run off and elope?"
"Viktor Krum's son!!"

"And didn't you hear him? His mother's name is Fluer. Think about it, Ron. This'll be no easier on Hermione than you and do you see her throwing a hissy fit?" Harry gave him a pointed look. They walked back in.

"Faith, my darling! Congragulations!" Harry cried, kissing her cheek.

"Thanks, Uncle Harry!" Harry shook Jonas's hand. "Well, kids, I have gotta get going. Don't forget to invite me!"

"You know I won't!" Faith called back.

"I must be going as well. My mum and dad are taking me out for graduation celebration," Jonas said.

"What a pity," Ron said sarcasticlly. Hermione and Faith glared at him.

"Good-bye, Faith."

"Bye, Jonas. You'll be by tomorrow, right?" Jonas nodded, and then kissed her. Ron made gagging sounds which caused Hermione to hit him. Jonas left.

Faith began to walk upstairs and Hermione followed her.

"Wait a damn minute!" Ron yelled after them.

Faith ignored him and continued to her bedroom. Hermione turned to him. "If you choose to act like a seven year old, Ron Weasley, you can sleep on the couch. Or in that damned Chudley Cave, for all I care."

Ron watched her continue up the stairs. He thought to himself, I will never understand women.