This is a missing moment from "Catch Me If You Can". A year of hunting Horcruxes, defeating Voldemort and losing loved ones has forever changed Ron. While in Australia with Hermione, he helps her to reconnect with her parents in his own way. An excellent story! I really enjoyed seeing two things I missed in canon. Hermione’s reunion with her parents, and Ron becoming a man. After several years of Cho, and Ginny and Victor Krum, it was unbelievable for Ron to start worrying about Harry/Hermione AGAIN. While the horcrux might encourage feelings of inadequacy, that they didn’t think he was an equal member of the trio etc, the rest took me right out of the story thinking ‘This is OLD’ That should have been finished in 4th year. Your story showed how Ron could have been throughout Book 7.
I only have one problem - I was on her parents side. If the Dursleys, with their mutual hatred of Harry, could be given the choice to go into hiding, why couldn’t the Grangers? They could even have shared the same hideaway, and therefore the same protection. She definitely had other choices and altering their mind should have been the last option, not the first. She just decided to force her solution on them, without giving them the option to decide their own fate. Harsh, and not a little Umbridge like!
If I was them, I’d never be able to trust or feel the same about her again. I’d probably be a little scared as well. Someone so powerful, who’s able, and happy, to force me into situations without my knowing , never mind against my will. Because SHE decided it was for the best. I’d keep well away from her and her wand. Plus what happened to their friends/family/patients/employees/acquaintances/neighbours etc? Didn’t they miss the Grangers? What were they told - did they file a missing persons report? How could the Dental Practice be sold/disposed of under the new names? And their house rented? Or were they all obliviated? I hate everything to do with this sub-plot!
Sorry, I was ranting! Nothing to do with your story which I enjoyed. It was great to see Ron mature - still losing his temper which is such a big part of him, but dealing with the consequences so well.
Author's Response:
Dear SarahWSarah,
Wow! When I read your review I was like "what a very intelligent person who has marvelous ideas!!!" I really didn't want to get in too deeply with the whole Granger's story in this piece. I think it would be interesting to see what was happening when they left as well. You should suggest it as a challenge to write! There are some great writers on here that would love to write about what was happening in the Granger's world at the time. If I was Hermione's mother, I would have probably been upset as well and that is where the idea came from for them to be angry. Please feel free to "rant" at any time. You seem to have a beautiful mind with wonderful, wonderful ideas! I hope to hear from you again!
*hugs*
missgranger2
That's so cute! I agree with Ron - it's bad enough that spiders exist, without them talking. Hope Hugo doesn't see the dvd of Chamber of Secrets! (I still have to hide my eyes for that scene)
[Reviews - 9] Purr!
Heh!
Author's Response: Thanks for reading it.
That was gorgeous -also realistic for a first time! I didn't know this story existed, so read it all in one go - no waiting for updates! This Hermione doesn't have much luck with dirty gits, does she? I know Ron will always try to be there for her (sigh!) but I hope she gets to sort out some bloke herself.
The thing is, if you're not truly confident, others can tell, and there are blokes in your companion story who'd take advantage, if they thought they could get away with it.
A knee to McClaggen's groin could be very theraputic and satisfying (for me as well!). I don't mind Ron riding to the rescue (sigh!), but it'd be nice if she had it under control - that she welcomed his help, but didn't need it. Empowering, and it might give her back her confidence.
Hello Beautiful SarahWSarah!
It is so nice to hear from you again! Since this was a short story, I asked my beta if she could submit it all at once. I would so love for Hermione to knee Cormac in the groin as well! I could never stand him in the book! Maybe I might incorporate something like that for all of us "Cormac haters" out there! *smirks* It is going to take Hermione a little while to get back to her old self again. As Hermione suffers from anxiety in "Catch", I wanted to show how it effects her and those around her. I just love hearing from you! Let me know what you think of the next chapter of "Catch" gorgeous!
*SMOOCH*
missgranger2
Very amusing! 14 is quite young for him to accept boyfriends. I don't think he'd faint - I think it'd be more in character to lose his temper. Hermione might have to hold him back!
Ron is the sort of bloke who would want his little girl to finish Hogwarts, than come back home and spend the rest of her life as a companion to her mother. Any date would be a bad date.
Malfoy Junior however is just rubbing salt into the wound!
This is a great story! Throughout the seven books in canon, we were in told that muggleborns should be welcome in the magical world, and marry purebloods freely (though I believe Angelina is a half blood) and rightly so. However this is the flip side to the story.
I can't imagine what it'd be like for a child to be the only squib in a large magical family. It would lead to feelings of inadequacy and not quite belonging, that your family's love could only partly eradicate. A child's worst fear is being different, especially if this difference was seen as being inferior. Also, it seems that squibs are more likely to lose touch with their families, not suprising as they'd feel more equal and part of the Muggle world.
My only criticisim would be that he went from still hurting to relatively accepting too quickly - you should have done a few chapters! That said, he'd always feel 'different' and it's not only children who have trouble with that. Thanks for a thought provoking story. Nice that he seemed at ease with himself at the end - unlike poor Filch.
Thank you for taking the time to respond. I'm glad that you liked the story. Your criticism is correct. I wish I could have explored his character more. This was originally written for a challenge on Live Journal, and they wanted it to be around 1000 words. When I hit 5000, I knew that I wouldn't be able to go every place that I wanted to. I tried to give a snapshot of his life and how his family reacted. I had planned to do the same story from George's point of view because as you said the children aren't the only ones to have trouble with that. And, despite the fact, that I think George would be an outstanding father, we all have our disappointments when expectations are not met, whether intentionally or through nature, and I would liked to have explored George's view of everything as well as his feelings. I still may do that.
Thank you again for reading.
Excellent story! Not just a pwp - though there's nothing wrong with that! You could easily imagine Hermione, who got away with some questionable things in the later books, becoming too demanding and a little intolerant. Ron, for all his temper will probably always be easy going. Your story demonstrated what could happen if these characteristics aren't kept in check - the relationship will become unbalanced. They should be grateful to the Prophet - they caught it before it caused serious resentment, and got to have a lot of fun getting back on track!
