Tale as Old as Time

Chapter 23

Grania road and road until she reached home. She wanted to see how her father was, she feared the most for him. She couldn't believe the beast let her go. What would make him do that? Truth be told she didn't want to leave, nor was that she was looking for but, she did want to get married. When she arrived home she saw there were no sounds or anything coming from within. Nervously, she checked around to see after dismounting and saw there was no one around. Worried she road to the nearest tavern and looked for him there. When she entered the tavern she saw Ron and Harry sitting by the fire place. She walked up to both of them. She could tell Ron was drunk by the way of how he smelled. They both noticed her when they were standing by them. Harry got up and bowed to her. She genially smiled at him. Ron looked at her and became cocky.

"Well look who came crawling back Harry." Ron slurred.

"I have come here to accept the offer of marriage." It repulsed her to say that but this was her only chance to be a wife and mother like she always wanted. And he was the only one offering.

Ron got up and hugged her and almost fell getting to her. "Good I knew you would come around one day!" He turned to the waiter, "hey waiter another round over here! Grania has finally agree to marry me!" He slurred shouted. The girls that swooned over him here disappointed, the rest cheered. Grania rolled her eyes.

"Now where is my father? Have you seen him? He is not at the house."

"My darling don't you worry I'm sure he is probably out in the market picking up some food." Ron wanted her to get off the subject so he then said, out loud to everyone, "I think tonight my future wife should go home and rest for tomorrow will be her wedding day!"

Everyone cheered.

"No I want my father there. Where is he?" She asked more angry, she knew he knew but she wanted to know where.

"Sorry my dear he will not be attending the wedding." Ron said annoyingly.

"Why not?"

"Why he is in an insane asylum. I put him in there myself." Ron gloated. Harry just shook he head in disproval.

"Why?" She asked with angry tears threatening to spill out.

"You should have seen him he came in here a while ago and reacted like a lunatic and said about how there was a beast holding you captive in a castle. I took him there didn't find him and left him there. He then came back and claimed I tried to kill him. It amazes me with what he can come up with." Ron laughed out. The fact he was drunk helped him with his honesty otherwise he would have lied.

"You're a monster!" Ron just laughed. "My father is not crazy he was telling the truth."

"You just as crazy as your old man."

"No I'm not. I am telling the truth. But he is not a beast he is sweet, kind, gentle, funny."

"So now my fiancé has a thing for this monster."

"I am not your fiancé, I am taking it back. I'd rather become a dirty old maid than marry you!"

"Well I say I don't accept your rejection. The marriage will take place tomorrow and I promise you, it will happen. But first I'm going to go and take care of this beast problem so you don't go running back to him come out wedding night." Ron grabbed a gun and told Harry to come with him.

Harry told him no. Ron looked at him and told him again to "let's go."

"No Ron."

"Why not?" Ron asked confused.

"I have followed you blindly for all these years and really have disapproved of everything you did. Being you're my friend I suggest you just go home and sleep this all off. You know this isn't you. You have been this way since Hermione died."

"Don't you dare say her name!" Ron snapped.

"It's true mate. You miss her we all do but soon enough Ron you have to move on." Harry continued.

"Never. And I guess to when I come back I'll just take care of you as well. How about that old friend?"

"You're not making sense."

"Trust me I am making perfect sense. I'll take care of you when I get back I don't need a nay sayer being my friend." After a minute or so he saw harry wasn't going to come with him so he said, "Keep her here."

Grania was so enraged but couldn't help but think about Ron's actions and emotions. Clearly he was still mourning and sadly he isn't doing the best thing for it. She guessed Hermione must have been something extraordinary in order to make Ron apparently turn from good to awful do quick. She wondered how long she had been dead, but didn't feel it was her place to ask, but assumed it was not too long ago. That doesn't count for his actions though, and she can't believe she left the man she loved to be with some one who doesn't love her and is a hopeless mess. Wait, yes she did she loved the beast. She couldn't believe it. The strange feeling she felt with him to missing him and everything was all because she loved him. But it was too late. He wouldn't take her back at all. Ron was going to kill him, and she needed to do something. She didn't know what but that didn't stop her, nor did harry for that matter, from climbing up on her horse and riding back to the castle.