Steve Anderson stroked thoughtful his chin, as he glanced at the clock. Just as he wanted to turn back to his reports, there was a knock at his door. "Please come in!" said Steve. Hesitantly Auror Weasley stepped into the office. Steve showed invitingly on the chair in front of his desk. After the young man was seated, his boss leaned relaxed back in his chair and watched Ron Weasely a moment in silence, who slipped uneasily in his chair back and forth: "Sir, you wanted to see me?" – Steve nodded: "I've really only one question for you. Why the hell…" – Auror Weasley smiled slightly – "on my desk are only applications from the Aurors Potter and Davis, and none from you?" – Surprised Ron replied: "Sir, it is the position of the 'squad leader'!" - "Exactly, and therefore all team leaders can apply for this job, and if I'm not mistaken, you are a team leader for a year and may I add, a pretty damn good!" – Ron blushed embarrassed. – "So, I think you owe me an explanation!" – "Sir, Harry, uh, Auror Potter is much more qualified, than I am." – "Sorry, but I think this is Bullocks", interrupted him Steve, "Ron, you are unbeatable in strategy, your track record speaks for you and your team is 100% behind you!" – The young Auror protested vehemently: "I have never seen myself as a management person. I like to be a good team leader, but the squad leader is a different story!" Steve leaned forward and spoke forcefully to Ron: "We both know, why you don't endeavor to get this job, because Auror Potter, who's your best friend, seeking this position. I'm right?" Ron fell silent and looked at his hands. Steve sighed: "I admire your loyalty, but you will not get anywhere in life. Unfortunately I, of course, cannot force you, but I strongly urge you, to think about a applying!" Auror Weasley looked up and nodded.
A few days later at the Burrow
"Dad, can I just talk to you?" – Arthur Weasley turned around and beamed at his son: "You're just in time. Look here", he was holding a toaster in his hand, "this appliance gave me your sister-in-law, Audrey.", frowning he looked at the toaster, "She said it is a rooster or something like that!" – "You mean toaster!" – Arthur eyes light up: "Exactly, toaster. Do you know how this toaster works?" Sighing, his son explained him the appliance: ".. and after a certain time, the toast thrown down out of the toaster." Thrilled Arthur looked down at his toaster: "Also, a toaster is an electrical appliance for toasting bread?" – "Yes!", Ron answered impatiently, "Dad, I need your advice in a really urgent matter." – "Sure, what is it?", distracted Arthur pressed the switch on the toaster down. – "It is about the advertised position as squad leader – you've heard of it?" – Ron's father scratched his neck: "Is not that the position, to which Harry is applying?" – "That's right!", confirmed his son, but as he wanted to continue, the switch of the toaster snatched up with a 'Peng'. Fascinated turned Arthur back to his toaster: "Wow, without any electrics, do you think, I could roast a toast without power as well?", he glanced up questioningly, but his son had left the shed already.
Undecided Ron stood in the doorway to the kitchen, where his mother was sitting at the table, lost in thought. He pulled himself together and cleared his throat: "Mum, are you okay? You look so, uh, lost!" – "Rubbish, I'm all right!", she waved her quill, "I consider just, what we need for Harry's surprise party!" – "Harry's surprise party?" – His mother beamed from ear to ear: "His promotion deserves a party, you don't think too!" – "But I thought the decision, who will be the new squad is not until next week?" – "A great party calls for a long planning", she winked, "and who knows, maybe we have to celebrate more than a promotion." – "Mum, you don't want to wait? Who knows, maybe someone else gets the job." His mother snorted: "Who, but Harry, has earned the promotion – tell me only one!" When Ron said nothing, she looked triumphant: "My point exactly!" As her son was about to leave the kitchen, she called him back: "By the way, I will also invite Hermione!" – Ron shrugged his shoulders: "Fine by me.".
On the same evening in the Quidditchstadium
Harry nudged his friend with his elbow: "Why the long face? The Cannons are today in top shape, maybe they win once for a change." Ron smiled crookedly: "Hey, otherwise I'm the optimist." – Harry grinned: "I have currently a real lucky streak," – His friend looked at him with raised eyebrows – "both at work and in love!", he leaned over to his friend and whispered to him, "I'm going to propose to Ginny!" Ron slapped him amicable on the back: "Is about time, that you make an honest woman of my sister. Mum will freak out, when she hears of it!" – "First things first! It has to work with my promotion, then.." – Ron interrupted: "Why is that - after all you're not dependent on the content of a squad leader?" - Harry nodded in agreement: "No, money is not the reason. My job as a team leader is too dangerous for a family man and.." – "Wait", Ron shouted excitedly, but immediately lowered his voice, as he noticed how curious eyes turned to them, "family man – does this mean? – Harry nodded, sheepishly but overjoyed. – "Wow! I'm speechless!" Suddenly Rons eyes widened in terror: "Bloody hell, that means, you ha with my sister? Merlin, now I feel sick!" Laughing, Harry nudged him with his elbow.
The following morning
Steve saw disappointed at the young Auror: "Are you really sure? Such an opportunity offers not often!" Ron nodded miserably: "I know!" – "Well, I have to accept your decision, I hope only, that you will never regret this!
A few days later
Ron knocked with a knife against his bottle butterbeer and shouted: "I would like to propose a toast." He looked at his sister and his best friend: "We are happy to celebrate the engagement of the perfect couple", he grinned, "and we, your future brother-in-laws, are so happy that you, Harry, has made this decision to marry our sister before the birth of Potter Junior." – Harry blushed and Ginny rolled her eyes – "and without us having to threaten you with a gun." – The guests laughed amused – " We wish you happiness and love down through the years. Please raise your glasses with me in a toast", he waited until all the guests had raised their glasses, "to Ginny and Harry!" After everyone had been drinking, he continued, "We celebrate today not only the engagement, but also the promotion of Harry. Mate, I am excited for you and wish you all the very best for your new role at work. Now take a few days off, so you can unwind and spend some time with your best friend!" – Harry laughed and shook his head – "No?", Ron sighed exaggerated, but then he raised his glass again, "Congratulations on a well deserved promotion as the new squad leader - to Harry Potter!"
Harry's first day at work as new squad leader
Harry finished his first mission briefing as squad leader with the words: "So, ladies and gentlemen, good luck and be careful!". Ron, as the other, pushed his operational papers together and stood up. Smiling, he stepped beside Harry and clapped him comradely on the shoulder: "Good work, Harry." Embarrassed Harry had to observe, how thereupon the Aurors Davis and Thomsen looked at each other. Just when his friend wanted to leave the office, Harry called: "Auror Weasley!" Surprised Ron remained standing at the conference table and looked at Harry expectantly, who waited until the other team leaders had to leave the room: "Could you call me from now on in the presence of the other team leaders 'Auror Potter', please.", when he saw the stunned look of Ron, he cleared his throat and added hastily, "I don't want, that the others think, I prefer you, you know, since you're my best friend!" Ron had the feeling that someone, no, not someone, but Harry, punched him in the stomach. He nodded and left the room without saying a word.
A few weeks later
Horrified watched Ron, as Davis the on the ground lying man several times kicked in the stomach. Angrily he pulled Davis off of the defenseless man. Davis tore himself away and yelled at Ron: "That's my capture, so stay away from me and", he came very close to Ron and hissed: "never ever touch me again, have you understood!" – "Are you insane? Until now, Mr. Peters is only a suspect!", Ron yelled back and shoved Davis aside, to kneel beside the man, "Shit, he is unconscious. He must quickly into the hospital." He conjured his Patronus and sent a message to St. Mungo, Then he took off his jacket, with which he covered Peters. Davis laughed scornfully: "Only a dead Death Eater is a good Death Eater!" Ron turned his head and looked up at Davis, who narrowed his eyes: "What? Ah, I see", he nodded with his chin to the injured: "this a nice story for the chosen one from his sidekick, right!" – "If you think, that I will report thereof Auror Potter, then yes!" Ron pointed Peters "But for now, this man is my first priorit.
"Sir, can I have a word?" – Harry saw up from his report: "Auror Davis, what can I do for you?" – "It's about Auror Weasley." Harry looked at him astonished: "You have a problem with Auror Weasley?" – "Regrettably!" – "Go ahead" – "Working with him are currently just not possible.", Harry waved Davis to continue, "Auror Weasley permanently undermines my authority. Today, for example, after we had Frank Peters under observation for two days, stood clearly establishes, that he sympathizes with the Death Eaters. But after I had captured Peters, Auror Weasley freaked out. He screamed at me, that Peters is an innocent man and removed his shackles. Of course Peters took advantage of this, and I was forced to use violence against him." – Harry shook his head: "Sorry, but I can not believe this!" – Davis sighed sadly: "I know, that you are friends with Auror Weasley, but for some time something is not right with him. Maybe it has to do with the fact, that you and not he was promoted!" – "Auror Weasley never wanted to be squad leader!" – "Mmh, you're sure? I have indeed heard something else" – Harry frowned – Davis waved off: "Maybe it's just rumors." – Lost in thought, Harry looked down at his desk, so he could not see, how Davis cold eyes gleamed satisfied. When he looked up again, Davis had regained his composure. Harry straightened up: "Can anyone attest this incident?" – "Sadly not!" Harry saw Davis in his eyes: "I'll talk to Auror Weasley and work it out, despite the fact that Auror Weasley is my friend." – "I expected nothing else, Sir!"
One hour later Harry asked Ron without explanation about the incident with Peters. When Ron finished with his version of the incident, Harry said only: "Thereby Auror Davis's word stands against yours." Ron nodded: "Unluckily Peters fell into a coma, so there are no witnesses" – Harry stroked thoughtfully his chin: "I have still one last questionl.." – Ron looked quizzically at his friend – "Is it true, that you've tried to get the job as the new squad leader?" – "No!" – Harry narrowed his eyes: "But since I have heard anything else!" – Ron scratched his neck sheepishly: "Okay, I had played briefly with the idea, but then I decided against it!" – Speechless Harry looked at his friend, who leaned forward and chuckled: "I as squad leader? No way, I was already rubbish as perfect at Hogwarts." – Harry hissed through his clenched teeth: "For you is the whole life only a joke, right? You should have stayed in the joke shop." – Ron's smile faded: "Harry, what is wrong?" – "What's wrong? Are you asking this seriously? Must I remind you, that you have for days not spoken with me, because you thought, that I had smuggled behind your back the paper with my name in the Goblet of Fire. At that time and until now I have never circumvented you. With Davis, I know, where I stand. You see, he plays – unlike you – with open cards!" Harry sneered. Ron closed his eyes briefly and drew a deep breath: "I was at that time only 14 years old" – Harry laughed humorlessly: "And you are apparently still jealous of me." Ron swallowed: "Do you think really that?" – His friend nodded – "then I have nothing more to say!" – "All the better! I want a full report of the today's incident and indeed..", Harry looked at his watch, "until 18.00 o'clock!", undeterred he turned back to his report. Ron stood up and saluted unduly: "Yes, Sir!"
The next morning in the locker room of the Aurors
Jules cheerfully whistling to herself, when she heard behind her the laughing voice of her colleague Ron: "Birds, who are chirping in the morning, gets in the evening the cat." Jules closed the door of her locker and grinned at Ron: "You're just envious, because I can go home and your work shift has just begun, old man!" While Ron opened his locker, he chuckled and muttered: "Old man? I'm only 23 years old". Jules laughed and took her bag: "You going strong to…. Ron?" Jules watched worried, as if frozen Ron stared into his locker. Carefully, she approached Ron: "What's going on", and glanced over his shoulder in the locker."Oh, my God!", horrified she kept a hand over her mouth. In the locker hung a dead rat and on a sign, which was wrapped around her neck, stood 'Ronald B. Weasley'. A pale Ron slammed the locker door and turned to face Jules: "Please Jules, this must stay between us!" – "Under no circumstances, this has to be reported" - Ron looked at her pleadingly. – She sighed: "But you have to promise me, that those, who are responsible for this wickedness, cannot get away with it!" – "I promise!" – She squeezed his shoulder comfortingly .
***
Wordlessly burst Harry into the room with the team leaders, who stared at him surprised. Their superior threw Ron's report on the conference table and hissed: "I said a full report!", he raised an eyebrow and added: "And Auror Weasley, please this time without spelling errors!" Ron blushed and picked up the report. Davis gave Thomsen a triumphant glance across the table.
In the evening
Tired Ron rolled his shoulders as he stood before his closed locker. Sighing, he opened the door. Just as he flung the dead rat in the trash, came the Aurors Davis and Thomsen in the locker room. Silently Ron wanted to walk past them, but Thomsen placed himself in the way and Davis rudely bumped Ron, so that he slammed into the locker. "Watch it!", called gaily Davis. Ron rubbed his aching shoulder. Thomson leaned against the locker next to Ron's and smirked: "Well, how does it feel, when you are no longer the favorite pet from our fucking-harry-potter?" Ron ignored Thomsen and seated himself on the bench, to take off his work-shoes. Thomson continued: "Oh I forgot, he's somebody else, who he keeps warm his bed. How is the bitch called again? Gin.." Before Thomson could pronounce the name of his sister, Ron had already jumped and hit him with a fist in the face. A loud crack was heard and a gush of blood ran out of Thomson's nose. Davis yelled with anger contorted face: "You broke his nose!", while Thomson held a hand to his bleeding nose. Suddenly the voice of Harry came from the door: "What's going on?" – Davis pointed to Ron: "Weasley has broken Thompson the nose!" Harry turned to Ron: "Is that true?" – Ron nodded affirmatively. – "Auror Davis, you accompany Auror Thomson to the infirmary." – Davis gave Ron one last angry look and led than the whining Thomson out of the room – Harry crossed his arms over his chest: "And now to you! Since you don't behave like a team leader, you don't deserve to be one. For a month, you will work as a simple Auror. You can sign up tomorrow morning in the archive, which is - according to my knowledge – undermanned!" Before he left the room, he added mockingly: "You wanted a desk job, now you have it." Ron slammed shut his locker-door.
Hours later
Ron sat at the counter and called out to Hannah: "Firewhiskey, please!" Hannah placed a glass in front of him and filled it with her best firewhiskey. Sympathetically she looked at him and asked softly: "Bad Day?" – Ron laughed bitterly: "Bad life is rather correct!" – She smiled at him encouragingly: "Do you want to talk about it?" – Ron shook his head: "Today I just want to forget". As Hannah wanted to put away the bottle of fire whiskey, he saw straight into her eyes and held the bottle firmly with one hand.
The next day
Harry angrily tore open the door to Ron's office, where Ron calmly grabbed his stuff in the box. Harry held up a crumpled letter: "What is that?" – Without having to take a look at the letter, Ron answered quietly " I think, this is a transfer request, Sir!" – Harry hissed: "I know that this is a transfer request", he ran a hand through his hair and continued, but now in a gentler tone, "Ron, why did you come with it to Anderson and not to me?" His friend picked up the box in his arms, glanced one last time around the office and went to the door. He opened the door, but paused and said firmly, without turning around: "Auror Weasley for you, Sir!"
Molly Weasley put her hands on her hips: "You let yourself move to France?" Ron glanced out the window and whispered: "It is time – I have to go my own way" – "And what about Harry and Hermione?" scolded his mother – Ron frowned and turned to Molly: "What about them?" – "Harry needs a friend, who stands by his side. And if you go to France, the chances, that you come back with Hermione, are worst." – "And what about me?" – "I always thought, that none of my children are selfish, but apparently I've been mistaken." Ron saw out the window again: "I'm for you just Hermione's boyfriend and Harry Potter's mate, right?!" – His mother snorted: "With you these days is not to talk" – "Then it's a good thing, that I'm going" Ron took a handful of Floo powder and turned into the fireplace. Shaking her head, Molly looked at her son: "Why you must always equal to overreact?", she sighed, "Perhaps it is good for your childlike behavior, that you stand for a while on your own feet. Ultimately, Harry can you not always keep away from trouble." Her son murmured: "Yeah, that's me, jealous, selfish, troublemaker and childish Ron Weasley!", and then called loudly: "Ministry Paris!".