Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters except Clara Wolf. The song
belongs to the Indigo Girls.
"Guess I wasn't the best one to ask
Me myself with my face pressed
Up against love's glass
To see the shiny toy I've been hoping for
The one I never could afford
The wide world spins and spits turmoil
And the nations toil for peace
But the paws of fear upon your chest
Only love can soothe that beast
And my words are paper tigers
No match for the predators of pain inside her"
Ron looked sullenly out of the window. The rain was pouring down the window pane in tiny little rivers. His look was unkempt, his hair disheveled and his cloths were wrinkled and baggy. He had grown still thinner then he had been in school. His eyes looked hollow, like he had lost any semblance of life.
"Mr. Weasley, the Minister is on the fire," a small, blond woman voiced from the doorway.
"Send him through Ms. Wolf, thank you." The face of his father appeared in the red, licking flames in the grate.
"Hello Ron."
"Hello Dad, what can I do for you?" he asked, his voice completely apathetic.
"You don't look too chipper Ron, is anything wrong?"
"Huh?" Ron grunted, looking up. "Oh, no, nothings out of the ordinary."
"Right, well, your mother wants you over for dinner tonight. I was just calling to see if you had any other plans."
"No, I haven't any other plans," Ron replied bitterly.
"Good, you should arrive around 7:00. Well Cheers!"
"Yeah, "Cheers" Dad," Ron muttered, moving back to the papers on his desk. He worked for the Ministry. He was actually rather high up in his office. He had gone through auror training with Hermione and Harry and now worked in the Unmentionable office. That brought him to Harry and Hermione. Harry was off globe hopping with his new wife, Ginny. Hermione, well, Hermione had married Victor Krum and gone to live with him in Bulgaria. He had seen not hide nor hair of her since.
She had asked his opinion and he, trying to be the supportive friend, supported her. At first it was worth the look of happiness on her face when he said "Congratulations," but then it turned to regret. He regretted not telling her his feelings and now he never saw her. He missed her with all of his hear. He just wished he could go back in time and tell her how he felt. He wanted to sweep her into his arms and kiss her a hundred times.
"I say love will come to you
Hoping just because I spoke the words that they're true
As if I offered up a crystal ball to look through
Where there's now one there will be two."
Ron ran his hands through his hair as he was dwelling on the paper in front of him. They were trying to find a Voldemort-copy-cat who had killed a handful of muggles in London, Inverness, and Dublin. He ran his tongue over his parched lips and took notes on a plain, muggle notebook. He liked this method because it gave him something to do with his hands and he liked pencils much more then quills anyway.
He lost himself in the case report and before he knew it, 6:45 had rolled around. His secretary, Clara Wolf popped her head in the door. "The minister told me to tell you to head over to his house right now."
"Thank you Ms. Wolf." He pulled his cape on and collected his scarf and gloves. He walked out of the ministry building, hoping to catch a few wafts of cool air before going over to the "new" Burrow. In actuality, it was the Minister's Manor into which the Weasley family had moved when Mr. Weasley was named Minister of Magic in Ginny's 7th year. He noticed that the rain on his window didn't mirror what was happening outside. He wondered why someone would purposefully make his office gloomy.
He strolled in the general direction of the Leaky Cauldron thinking he might floo just for a change of pace. He fished around in his pocket till he found what he was looking for, a small, leather bag containing floo powder. He threw a small handful into the fire and stepped amidst the licking tongues of fire. "Ministry Manor," he stated clearly.
A moment later he tumbled out of the large foyer grate. "Ron? Is that you?" his mothers voice rang through from the living room.
"Yes mum, it's me," he called back as a house elf came and took his cape and gloves.
"Well come here and let me have a look at you. Your father said you were looking ill." Ron scowled but proceeded to the living room anyway. He stepped in through the doorway. It was a bright, cheery room with yellow walls and cream furniture. Mrs. Weasley was sitting in a fluffy chair beside the fireplace. "He was right, you're far too thin. Have you been eating," she made a slight tutting noise with her tounge as she rose from her seat. She embraced him though the top of her head scarcely graced his chin.
"Yes, I've been eating. It's been bloody busy at the office."
"Watch your language Ronald Weasley," she scolded.
"You really need someone to live with. I don't like thinking of you, lonely in that tiny flat in London. Why don't you come live here, we've got enough space!" the idea had been picked over many times. Mrs. Weasley needed a rooster back in the roost and Ron was the only one not accounted for.
"Mum, I've told you five billion times, I'm not going to live with my parents at 25!"
"At least have someone live with you!"
"I'm fine, it's nice to have peace and quiet."
"When are you going to find a wife?" Ron groaned and sunk onto the couch.
"Why do you ask me that every time you catch sight of me? Why are you so intent on finding me a wife when I'm not interested in it?"
"Because I'm your mother and you're the only one of my children who has found their companion for life, that's why. You should be interested in it. I'm worried about you. You're just so thin and pale!" she put her hand to his forehead. "You seem a bit feverish as well." He swatted her hand away.
"Mum," he warned testily. "I'm just fine, I've got Namir and Sanura to keep me company."
"Your cats do not count!" Mrs. Weasley exclaimed. "Maybe I should send some lunch with your father. I don't think you're eating enough."
"Mum, honestly, I'm fine. I just don't have time to eat anymore." After Hermione had left he found he had quite an affinity for cats. For the life of him he didn't know why but he went to an Animal Shelter the next week and bought himself two cats. Two girls, a Persian and a Calico. He loved them.
"Ron, you really should take better care of yourself."
"Fine mum, is any one else coming?"
"I was born under the sign of cancer
(love will come to you)
Like brushing cloth I smooth the wrinkles for an answer
(love will come)
I'm always closing my eyes and wishing I'm fine
(I close my eyes and wish you fine)
Even though I know I'm not this time
(even though I know your not this time)"
"Yes, actually, you'll enjoy seeing them quite a bit I'll wager. For one thing, Harry and Ginny are coming. Then, Hermione as well." Ron felt his mouth fall open. His eyes grew wide and he felt his legs collapse under him. The next thing he knew he was sprawled out on the floor and Mrs. Weasley was crouched down next to him. "Ron, Ron dear, are you okay. Come on darling, wake up and mummy will go and get you something to eat."
"Mum, did you say H-Hermione?" he stammered.
"Yes, isn't it wonderful?" Ron only nodded wordlessly. Yes, it would be wonderful if Victor wasn't coming. He felt a bit guilty, he wanted her to be happy more then anything else in the world. Yet, his thoughts said otherwise. "When are they coming?"
"Who?"
"Hermione and Victor?"
"Oh, that brings me to the other thing, she and Victor have broken up. He didn't want children, she did. She wanted him to get another job in which she could spend more time with him, he didn't. Anyway, she's moving back to England, I think she might even be working in your office. Now, will you please go change into something more suitable."
"Like what? Dress Robes?"
"Heavens no, there are some clean cloths resting on the bed in the first guest room on the second floor." Ron nodded and turned toward the stairs before realizing he could just aparate. With a pop he was in a cavernous guest room. He was filled with a sense of elation the likes of which he'd never felt. Hermione and Victor were broken up! They were no longer together and he looked like the wonderful, supportive best friend and she could move in with him and. He stopped himself, he hadn't even seen her.
He looked in the full-length mirror on the other side of the room. He winced, he had grown way too skinny. He didn't really eat, he had no interest in food. He did a quick hair-do spell he'd learned from Luna and then looked at the cloths on the bed. His mother had laid out a navy-blue sweater and kakis. He pulled them on. "Well that's a bit better," he said to himself.
It was a bit better, his hair was nicely disheveled and his thin body looked a little less thin. His face had a little more color but that was do to Hermione. Hermione, just at the thought of her he blushed. Then he remembered something he had done right after Hermione's wedding. His ear, he looked closely at it to see if the hole was still there. He had only taken it out a few months before at a particularly low point. He jogged down the stairs to his mother who was straightening the already straight throw pillows.
"Well, Ron, you've certainly cleaned yourself up!" she exclaimed happily.
"Yeah, mum, do you have an ear ring I could put in?" he blushed.
"You pierced your ear?"
"Yes I'll explain later, do you have one?"
"Yes, Bill sent me a pair but they looked a bit harsh so I never wore them." She apparated to her room and was back a second later with a small box. Ron pulled the small hoop through his ear expertly. It had a small dragon fang hanging from it. "Well, it's crude but you're a grown man. I'm just glad you have some color in your cheeks."
The two of them sat down on the coach. Mrs. Weasley made some small talk. Ron told her the little that he could about the office. Mr. Weasley arrived soon after they ran out of things to talk about. He caught sight of the back of Ron's head.
"Hello Ron, you looked a bit peckish at work, are they working you too hard?"
"No, I'm just fine," Ron said turning around. "It is a bit stupid that they have the windows rain though."
"All right. When are Ginny and Harry getting here Molly?"
"They should be here now but you know them." Just as she was finishing her sentence the two love birds appeared in the foyer. Ginny and Harry came into the living room, both were much tanner then before they left. Ginny's hair lay in soft curls down to her hips and she was wearing a long sarong and matching tank top. Harry was wearing kaki shorts and a Hawaiian shirt. They both had leis, sunglasses and their suitcases hovered behind them.
"'Lo everyone!" Harry said happily. They both caught sight of Ron who stood up to greet them. Ginny pulled her arms around his neck and gave him a big peck on the cheek.
"Ron, you feel thin, you should eat more," she chided.
"I'm fine Ginny, you look very tan."
"Yes well it's a bit sunnier in Hawaii then in England isn't it," Ginny grinned. Ron turned to Harry.
"Hi man." Harry said, giving Ron a "manly" hug. "How are you holding up in the old Ministry of Magic?"
"Fine, how was it in Hawaii?"
"Oh it was so romantic. I think we did it at least once a day!" Ginny exclaimed before blushing deeply.
"Right, dear, please don't ever say that in my presence," Mr. Weasley said uncomfortably.
"Sorry Dad," she looked down but couldn't hide the very smallest grin. She and Harry joined hands and the 5 of them waited in silence for a few moments. Just before everything was about to get really unpleasant there came a small "pop" from the middle of the room. A short, pretty brunette materialized in front of the window. Ron almost gasped when he saw her. She was dressed flawlessly in a pair of weathered jeans and a navy sweater paired with a striped pink and baby blue coller peaking out. Her feet were held in bowling-type shoes of a blue hue and her now tamed curls lay in soft tuffets around her ears. She grinned sheepishly at them and Ron noticed a pair of thin, silver spectacles resting on the bridge of her nose.
"Hello Everyone!"
"Guess I wasn't the best one to ask
Me myself with my face pressed
Up against love's glass
To see the shiny toy I've been hoping for
The one I never could afford
The wide world spins and spits turmoil
And the nations toil for peace
But the paws of fear upon your chest
Only love can soothe that beast
And my words are paper tigers
No match for the predators of pain inside her"
Ron looked sullenly out of the window. The rain was pouring down the window pane in tiny little rivers. His look was unkempt, his hair disheveled and his cloths were wrinkled and baggy. He had grown still thinner then he had been in school. His eyes looked hollow, like he had lost any semblance of life.
"Mr. Weasley, the Minister is on the fire," a small, blond woman voiced from the doorway.
"Send him through Ms. Wolf, thank you." The face of his father appeared in the red, licking flames in the grate.
"Hello Ron."
"Hello Dad, what can I do for you?" he asked, his voice completely apathetic.
"You don't look too chipper Ron, is anything wrong?"
"Huh?" Ron grunted, looking up. "Oh, no, nothings out of the ordinary."
"Right, well, your mother wants you over for dinner tonight. I was just calling to see if you had any other plans."
"No, I haven't any other plans," Ron replied bitterly.
"Good, you should arrive around 7:00. Well Cheers!"
"Yeah, "Cheers" Dad," Ron muttered, moving back to the papers on his desk. He worked for the Ministry. He was actually rather high up in his office. He had gone through auror training with Hermione and Harry and now worked in the Unmentionable office. That brought him to Harry and Hermione. Harry was off globe hopping with his new wife, Ginny. Hermione, well, Hermione had married Victor Krum and gone to live with him in Bulgaria. He had seen not hide nor hair of her since.
She had asked his opinion and he, trying to be the supportive friend, supported her. At first it was worth the look of happiness on her face when he said "Congratulations," but then it turned to regret. He regretted not telling her his feelings and now he never saw her. He missed her with all of his hear. He just wished he could go back in time and tell her how he felt. He wanted to sweep her into his arms and kiss her a hundred times.
"I say love will come to you
Hoping just because I spoke the words that they're true
As if I offered up a crystal ball to look through
Where there's now one there will be two."
Ron ran his hands through his hair as he was dwelling on the paper in front of him. They were trying to find a Voldemort-copy-cat who had killed a handful of muggles in London, Inverness, and Dublin. He ran his tongue over his parched lips and took notes on a plain, muggle notebook. He liked this method because it gave him something to do with his hands and he liked pencils much more then quills anyway.
He lost himself in the case report and before he knew it, 6:45 had rolled around. His secretary, Clara Wolf popped her head in the door. "The minister told me to tell you to head over to his house right now."
"Thank you Ms. Wolf." He pulled his cape on and collected his scarf and gloves. He walked out of the ministry building, hoping to catch a few wafts of cool air before going over to the "new" Burrow. In actuality, it was the Minister's Manor into which the Weasley family had moved when Mr. Weasley was named Minister of Magic in Ginny's 7th year. He noticed that the rain on his window didn't mirror what was happening outside. He wondered why someone would purposefully make his office gloomy.
He strolled in the general direction of the Leaky Cauldron thinking he might floo just for a change of pace. He fished around in his pocket till he found what he was looking for, a small, leather bag containing floo powder. He threw a small handful into the fire and stepped amidst the licking tongues of fire. "Ministry Manor," he stated clearly.
A moment later he tumbled out of the large foyer grate. "Ron? Is that you?" his mothers voice rang through from the living room.
"Yes mum, it's me," he called back as a house elf came and took his cape and gloves.
"Well come here and let me have a look at you. Your father said you were looking ill." Ron scowled but proceeded to the living room anyway. He stepped in through the doorway. It was a bright, cheery room with yellow walls and cream furniture. Mrs. Weasley was sitting in a fluffy chair beside the fireplace. "He was right, you're far too thin. Have you been eating," she made a slight tutting noise with her tounge as she rose from her seat. She embraced him though the top of her head scarcely graced his chin.
"Yes, I've been eating. It's been bloody busy at the office."
"Watch your language Ronald Weasley," she scolded.
"You really need someone to live with. I don't like thinking of you, lonely in that tiny flat in London. Why don't you come live here, we've got enough space!" the idea had been picked over many times. Mrs. Weasley needed a rooster back in the roost and Ron was the only one not accounted for.
"Mum, I've told you five billion times, I'm not going to live with my parents at 25!"
"At least have someone live with you!"
"I'm fine, it's nice to have peace and quiet."
"When are you going to find a wife?" Ron groaned and sunk onto the couch.
"Why do you ask me that every time you catch sight of me? Why are you so intent on finding me a wife when I'm not interested in it?"
"Because I'm your mother and you're the only one of my children who has found their companion for life, that's why. You should be interested in it. I'm worried about you. You're just so thin and pale!" she put her hand to his forehead. "You seem a bit feverish as well." He swatted her hand away.
"Mum," he warned testily. "I'm just fine, I've got Namir and Sanura to keep me company."
"Your cats do not count!" Mrs. Weasley exclaimed. "Maybe I should send some lunch with your father. I don't think you're eating enough."
"Mum, honestly, I'm fine. I just don't have time to eat anymore." After Hermione had left he found he had quite an affinity for cats. For the life of him he didn't know why but he went to an Animal Shelter the next week and bought himself two cats. Two girls, a Persian and a Calico. He loved them.
"Ron, you really should take better care of yourself."
"Fine mum, is any one else coming?"
"I was born under the sign of cancer
(love will come to you)
Like brushing cloth I smooth the wrinkles for an answer
(love will come)
I'm always closing my eyes and wishing I'm fine
(I close my eyes and wish you fine)
Even though I know I'm not this time
(even though I know your not this time)"
"Yes, actually, you'll enjoy seeing them quite a bit I'll wager. For one thing, Harry and Ginny are coming. Then, Hermione as well." Ron felt his mouth fall open. His eyes grew wide and he felt his legs collapse under him. The next thing he knew he was sprawled out on the floor and Mrs. Weasley was crouched down next to him. "Ron, Ron dear, are you okay. Come on darling, wake up and mummy will go and get you something to eat."
"Mum, did you say H-Hermione?" he stammered.
"Yes, isn't it wonderful?" Ron only nodded wordlessly. Yes, it would be wonderful if Victor wasn't coming. He felt a bit guilty, he wanted her to be happy more then anything else in the world. Yet, his thoughts said otherwise. "When are they coming?"
"Who?"
"Hermione and Victor?"
"Oh, that brings me to the other thing, she and Victor have broken up. He didn't want children, she did. She wanted him to get another job in which she could spend more time with him, he didn't. Anyway, she's moving back to England, I think she might even be working in your office. Now, will you please go change into something more suitable."
"Like what? Dress Robes?"
"Heavens no, there are some clean cloths resting on the bed in the first guest room on the second floor." Ron nodded and turned toward the stairs before realizing he could just aparate. With a pop he was in a cavernous guest room. He was filled with a sense of elation the likes of which he'd never felt. Hermione and Victor were broken up! They were no longer together and he looked like the wonderful, supportive best friend and she could move in with him and. He stopped himself, he hadn't even seen her.
He looked in the full-length mirror on the other side of the room. He winced, he had grown way too skinny. He didn't really eat, he had no interest in food. He did a quick hair-do spell he'd learned from Luna and then looked at the cloths on the bed. His mother had laid out a navy-blue sweater and kakis. He pulled them on. "Well that's a bit better," he said to himself.
It was a bit better, his hair was nicely disheveled and his thin body looked a little less thin. His face had a little more color but that was do to Hermione. Hermione, just at the thought of her he blushed. Then he remembered something he had done right after Hermione's wedding. His ear, he looked closely at it to see if the hole was still there. He had only taken it out a few months before at a particularly low point. He jogged down the stairs to his mother who was straightening the already straight throw pillows.
"Well, Ron, you've certainly cleaned yourself up!" she exclaimed happily.
"Yeah, mum, do you have an ear ring I could put in?" he blushed.
"You pierced your ear?"
"Yes I'll explain later, do you have one?"
"Yes, Bill sent me a pair but they looked a bit harsh so I never wore them." She apparated to her room and was back a second later with a small box. Ron pulled the small hoop through his ear expertly. It had a small dragon fang hanging from it. "Well, it's crude but you're a grown man. I'm just glad you have some color in your cheeks."
The two of them sat down on the coach. Mrs. Weasley made some small talk. Ron told her the little that he could about the office. Mr. Weasley arrived soon after they ran out of things to talk about. He caught sight of the back of Ron's head.
"Hello Ron, you looked a bit peckish at work, are they working you too hard?"
"No, I'm just fine," Ron said turning around. "It is a bit stupid that they have the windows rain though."
"All right. When are Ginny and Harry getting here Molly?"
"They should be here now but you know them." Just as she was finishing her sentence the two love birds appeared in the foyer. Ginny and Harry came into the living room, both were much tanner then before they left. Ginny's hair lay in soft curls down to her hips and she was wearing a long sarong and matching tank top. Harry was wearing kaki shorts and a Hawaiian shirt. They both had leis, sunglasses and their suitcases hovered behind them.
"'Lo everyone!" Harry said happily. They both caught sight of Ron who stood up to greet them. Ginny pulled her arms around his neck and gave him a big peck on the cheek.
"Ron, you feel thin, you should eat more," she chided.
"I'm fine Ginny, you look very tan."
"Yes well it's a bit sunnier in Hawaii then in England isn't it," Ginny grinned. Ron turned to Harry.
"Hi man." Harry said, giving Ron a "manly" hug. "How are you holding up in the old Ministry of Magic?"
"Fine, how was it in Hawaii?"
"Oh it was so romantic. I think we did it at least once a day!" Ginny exclaimed before blushing deeply.
"Right, dear, please don't ever say that in my presence," Mr. Weasley said uncomfortably.
"Sorry Dad," she looked down but couldn't hide the very smallest grin. She and Harry joined hands and the 5 of them waited in silence for a few moments. Just before everything was about to get really unpleasant there came a small "pop" from the middle of the room. A short, pretty brunette materialized in front of the window. Ron almost gasped when he saw her. She was dressed flawlessly in a pair of weathered jeans and a navy sweater paired with a striped pink and baby blue coller peaking out. Her feet were held in bowling-type shoes of a blue hue and her now tamed curls lay in soft tuffets around her ears. She grinned sheepishly at them and Ron noticed a pair of thin, silver spectacles resting on the bridge of her nose.
"Hello Everyone!"