He did not know, how long he was already in the shower, but he could no longer hear laughter and murmurs of his teammates from adjoining changing room. Relieved, he braced himself with both arms on the shower wall and closed his eyes, while the water continue to pattered on his back. As he began – despite the warm water – to shiver, he turned the water off and wrapped a towel around his waist.

Barefooted (the unheeded flip-flops, a gift from his wife, were in his locker), he tapped into the changing room and dressed without ruffles or excitement.

Sighing, he closed the door to his locker and left the room with heavy steps.

No one paid attention at the young man with red hair, who stood with his head bowed in the back corner of the elevator, and if they were, he did not notice it.

Before he opened the door to the reception, he ran a hand through his still slightly damp hair and stretched himself out to his full height.

The sight, that awaited him there, made his already shitty day not even better, on the contrary. On the corner of the desk sat in a casual pose the darling of the female ministry employees and – according to the rumor mill (and not to forget of his brother Percy's) – the future head of the department, the slick Dave Collins. He nodded briefly to Dave and turned to Hilda Graham, the secretary of his wife, who looked at him inquiringly over the rim of her glasses. He refused the wasted effort to smile and greeted her curtly: "Mrs. Graham!"

"Auror Weasley?"

There it was again, the question mark behind his name, which testified, what she really thought, namely: WHAT DO YOU WANT HERE!

The young Auror saw from the corner of his eye, how an arrogant smirking Dave flipped a lint from his jacket. Ron gritted his teeth and counted inwardly to 10. Meanwhile, Mrs. Graham glanced with pursed lips at her – or more precisely – Hermiones busy schedule.

"Mrs. Graham, I know and you know, that there…", he pointed to the busy schedule, "my name is not listed. However, I hope, my wife greets me even without prior appointment." He added jokingly, although he felt like crying.

Silently, Mrs. Graham stood up from her chair and disappeared after a short call waiting in Hermione's office.

"Women!" laughed Dave and shook his head. He slid off the corner of the desk and gave Ron a clap on the shoulder. Then he strolled to his own office, that was directly across from Hermione's.

Lost in thought Ron looked at Dave's closed office door, until a clearing of a throat tore him from his gloomy thoughts. He turned around to Mrs. Graham, who held in the door to the Hermione's office open. He resisted the impulse, to make a bow, and contented himself with a nod and a short "Thank you!"

He had hardly entered the office, as his wife asked him already with a sigh: "What's going on?" Ron bitterly remarked, that she did not even bother, to look up from her papers. He swallowed his frustration and asked, seemingly cheerful: "I thought, I will take you to dinner.."

Her brow furrowed and she pointed with her quill on the papers in front of her: "As you can see, I still have a lot of work to do before the presentation."

After a few seconds of silence, she mumbled absent-minded: "Do you have anything else on your mind?" Ron bit back a snide reply and shook his head, although he knew, she could not see the gesture. Just, as he was about to grasp the door handle, the door opened and Mrs. Graham poked her head into the room: "Mrs. Undersecretary, I should remind you of your date with the minister." She cast a pointed glance at Ron, who raised both hands in surrender and muttered: "Don't worry, I'm already gone."

"Ron!", called his wife suddenly.

Ron stopped in the doorway: "Yes?"

"Since you apparently have plenty of time, be a sweetheart and pick up from Madam Malkin's the ordered gift for Harry."

Ron closed his hand into a fist: "Of course.." and added quietly to himself, "at your command Mrs. Undersecretary!"

An hour later he headed with a package under the arm towards his brother's shop. As always, the Diagon Alley was bustling with activity and so it was no wonder, that Ron almost did not hear the calling of his name: "Ronald!". He glanced searching around, until he saw outside the pub "The Leaky Cauldron" his former classmate and one of his closest friends, Luna Lovegood, who now waved wildly with her hand. Grinning, he waved back, before he without a second thought pushed through the crowds to the pub.

Beaming, he stopped in front of her: "Hi Loo…, uh, Luna, how are you?"

She smiled softly: "I felt never better and you?"

He winked: "Likewise, now, where I'm face to face with.." He cleared his throat, "and I quote here 'The Daily Prophet', the most naturalist our time!"

Embarrassed, she brushed a strand of hair behind her ear.

He smiled warmly at her and nodded with his head to the pub: "Come on, let's go inside."

She nodded and went ahead.

After Ron had ordered two butter beer, he asked Luna curious: "I thought, Rolf and you are traveling the world in search of the Kacky Snorgle."

She rolled her eyes and he bit his lip, to hide his laughter: "Rolf convinced me, that some creatures simply do not exist – unfortunately, the Crumple-Horned Snorkacks is one of the nonexistent Fantasy Creatures."

"Oh, that must have been a bitter blow for you!?"

She shook her head: "Out there are still plenty of undiscovered things. Next week, for instance, I go in search of Blibbering Humdingers on an expedition through the Amazons."

"Together with Rolf?"

She sighed crestfallen: "Unfortunately not. He has Chicken Pox and must therefore stay behind."

"And, you cannot postpone the trip?"

"The air tickets are already booked and in a few months begins the rainy season."

"You travel via Muggle transport, uh, I mean with an airplane?"

"For the distance to South America, that is the best way to travel, and I need only two port keys from the airport to the destination, but a large part of the journey involves a long walk through the jungle."

„That sounds like fun." He chuckled.

Her eyes lit up: "I can hardly wait!" Of this, Ron was really convinced.

He leaned forward and squeezed her hand, which lay on the table: "Tell me more about this expedition."

As Luna told him with shining eyes about her planned adventures, Ron regarded her thoughtfully. Suddenly he saw her with different eyes, that was not longer the, admittedly, weird girl from his school days, this was a woman, who had already found her life purpose.

He felt a pang of envy and blurted out: "I almost wish, I could join you."

"Why not, you could help me with the cataloging and photography."

He snorted: "You are joking, as if I were a great help."

She looked at him in surprise: "Why should I joke?".

Ron sat down on the edge of the bed and untied his wristwatch. He glanced over his shoulder at his wife: "By the way, I met Luna today."

Hermione looked up from her book: "Oh, how is she doing?"

"Really good, she goes next week on a new expedition."

"Nice!" She turned back to her book.

"Yeah, nice.", Ron muttered and got into bed. He rolled on the side and shut his eyes, in the hope for a quick and deep dreamless sleep.

Harry held up the new traveling cloak: "Great, a new coat."

Hermione beamed: "I knew, you'd be pleased about it."

Harry packed the gift aside and hugged Hermione: "Thanks again, I swear, I will cherish and care the coat." He saw over Hemione's shoulder at Ron, who grinned and mouthed: "Not my idea."

Ginny bounced her son on her lap: "And I can finally dispose Daddy's old coat." Harry gulped and smiled weakly: "Yeah, finally." Ron smirked inwardly, Harry loved his 'old' coat over everything.

Molly clapped her hands: " Now that all the gifts are unwrapped, it's time for the cake." She vanished into the kitchen.

George stood next to Ron and slapped him on the shoulder: "And how are we, Mr. Under Secretary, something exciting happened?"

Ron knew, that his brother wanted only to tease and on any other day, he would have just laughed or given him a quick-witted response – optionally both, but not today: "To be honest yes. I'm considering to take a break from my work as an Auror and joining Luna Lovegood on her next expedition in the jungle."

Abruptly, it was quiet as a mouse in the living room.

Hermione narrowed her eyes: "Excuse me?"

George nudged his brother with his shoulder: "Good one, Ickle Ronniekins, go on a expewhatever and on top of that, with Loony."

"It's called expedition and her name is Luna.", his sister-in-law snapped, as she glared at her husband.

At that moment Molly, who was beaming from ear to ear, came with the birthday cake for Harry in the room: "Before I cut the cake, Harry has first to blow out the candles…". She froze and looked questioningly around, until her look got stuck at Ron: "What's going on."

Ron cleared his throat and pointed to the cake: "Is that a strawberry cream cake?"

Her brow furrowed and she placed the cake on the table: "Yes, Harry's favorite …" She paused and put per hands on her hips: "Ronald Weasley, don't change the subject!"

"Your son has the glorious idea, to go with Luna on the search for non-existent creatures, that's going on!" Hermione hissed.

Molly shook her head in disbelief: "Rubbish, why would he do that."

Her daughter-in-law replied with barely suppressed anger: "Apparently he finds his job as an Auror and his life in general as too boring."

All eyes were on Ron, who stuck his hands in his pockets.

Fleur smiled at him: "Why not? He takes only a little time out and don't quit his job, right?!"

Ron smiled warmly at her: "Exactly!"

Hermione folded her arms over her chest: "And how long take this 'time out'?"

"Two or three weeks, maybe a month." Hermione and Molly gasped.

"Do you have so many vacation days left?" Harry asked in amazement.

Ron rubbed his neck: "Unfortunately not, I will take one month unpaid leave."

Percy asked curiously: "And how do you want to pay the travel costs?"

"Since we stay in a tent, these…"

"I beg your pardon!", interrupted his mother with sparkling eyes, "you're staying together with another woman…."

"Mum, it's Luna, also hardly a bombshell!" George snickered. His girlfriend slapped him upset on the back of the head, whilst she glanced apologetically at Molly

Molly continued with raised voice: "…. in a tent?"

Ron rolled his eyes: "Calm down, Mum, it accompanies us three elves.." He glanced at his wife, "don't worry Hermione, paid elves, besides Luna is engaged with Rolf."

Hermione sneered: "Trust me, Molly, camping is do not his thing, no later than a week he's anyways back, right, Harry?"

Ron had the feeling, as if one had poured him a bucket of ice water over his head.

"Hermione!" Harry hissed aghast.

Arthur coughed awkwardly and shoved his son-in-law towards the cake: " Harry, I guess, it's time to blow out the candles."

Bill nodded: "Dad is right. I'll get the children." And Angeline shouted: "And I hand out the plates. Who would like a piece of strawberry cream cake?"

George grumbled: "You mean rather, who don't want a piece."

Ron grabbed his jacket and disappeared with the muttered words "I'll be right back." through the door to the outside.

Hermione stood petrified in the room and saw with tears in her eyes out the window. Ginny approached her friend and also glanced out the window: "You know him, he just needs to cool down."

Ron knelt before the grave stone and ran his finger over the letters of the word 'Fred'.

"Hey mate, if you don't hurry up, is nothing left of the cake."

His friend got up and brushed the dirt off his pants: "Frankly, my appetite is gone."

Harry's smile faded: "Ron, you can believe me, she is very sorry and I bet, she regretted her words as soon as she uttered these."

Ron sighed: "This does not change the fact that, that she will never forgive me for leaving."

His friend opened his mouth, to contradict him, but Ron waved off: "It's okay, I don't forgive myself for it."

Both dwelled on their thoughts, as they walked slowly back to the house. All at once Ron stopped and Harry looked at him questioningly. Ron grinned and reached into his jacket pocket: "Wait, I have here a another gift for you." He pressed Harry a small package into the hand. "I know, I cannot beat the coat.." – Harry chuckled. – "What? It's still better, than the homework planner, okay, joking aside, I hope, this..", he nodded to his gift, "gives you a little joy."

Excited he watched, as Harry opened the cover of the package. Harry looked speechless into the package, until he finally muttered: "Wow!". He took the Swiss Army knife out the package and examined it admiringly: "Oh Merlin, as a 13 year old boy I would have given anything for this pocket knife." Ron nodded: "And now you finally have one."

Harry beamed: "Yes, it has only taken 11 years." He threw his head back and screamed into the sky: "Fuck you, Uncle Vernon, I hope, you see that."

Ron laughed.

"This is the best gift in my life and a better friend than you, Ronald Weasley, don't exist."

His best friend blushed: "Nah, you exaggerate. And I also had a little help from my mother in law."

"But You don't forget, that I've wanted this pocket knife."

"No wonder, you carried around the flyer from the Muggle shop for months with you." He stroked seemingly thoughtful his chin: "I vaguely remember, that you have kissed the image of the knife before sleep."

Harry gave him a push: "Idiot!"

Ron laughed: "Tsk, tsk, a moment ago I was the best friend a wizard could wish for and now I'm an Idiot?"

"The one excludes not exclude the other, my friend."

"Truer words were never spoken. Come on, Harry, let's see what's so special about this knife."

Hermione leaned against the door frame and clutched her tea mug with both: "I still cannot believe it, you of all other, goes with Luna on an Expedition through the jungle." – Unaffected, Ron closed the zipper of his bag and stuffed it in his backpack. – "The Ronald Weasley, who runs away from a little house spider."

Her husband's body stiffened: "What do you mean by that?"

"Did not you know, that are located huge spiders in the jungle of the Amazon"

Ron gulped: "Surely you mean large."

"Nope, huge."

He held his thumb and forefinger 4 inches apart: "Larger than.."

"Much larger." She pushed away from the door frame: "I think, I have a book with photos."

He croaked horrified: "You have a book with pictures of spiders in our flat?"

"Actually, an illustrated book from Amazonas" She disappeared into the living room, probably to fetch that mentioned book from the bookshelf.

Ron called after her: "Do not bother, besides I need to go in…." he glanced down at his wristwatch, "15 minutes".

His wife appeared with a thick book in the doorway: "Are you sure?" She opened the book and pointed to a picture: "Look here, the Siracus, which it is also called six-eyed sand spider, is about the size of a palm!"

He gave her a wry smile: "If it is the palm of James, it is not bad.."

"It is rather the size of the palm of your hand and…" – Ron looked his hand. – She paused: "Oops!"

"What?" Ron shouted.

She slammed the book shut: "Nothing."

"Usually a 'oops' from you don't mean 'nothing', so out with it!"

"It is also toxic."

Relieved, Ron breathed a blast of air out: "That's all, I thought they ate people!"

"Fortunately, not, but maybe you have the pleasure, to eat a grilled giant tarantula. I have read, that these tarantulas are the favorite food of the tribe of the Piaroa."

Ron's face color became slightly greenish color: "Please tell me, that you're kidding." - Hermione shook her head. – "Bloody hell." – "Language!" – "They eat sp..spiders." Ron flinched at the launch.

Tensioned, his wife watched him, that was for no one an amusing idea, but for a man, who was afraid of spiders….

Ron glanced down at his backpack, thought for a moment and then swung one strap of his backpack over his shoulder. On the way in the living room, he called over his shoulder: "Well, then I can only hope, that the elves don't belong to this tribe."

Hermione looked behind her husband in disbelief: "You still want to go?"

"Sure, I stand by my word!"

Hermione followed her husband: "But you hate spiders and camping…"

He shrugged his shoulders: "What does not destroy me, makes me stronger." He took an apple from the fruit bowl, which stood on the coffee table, and grinned at her: "Food for the journey."

She shoved the book back full of repressed fury into the bookshelf. Before she turned to face her husband, she forced herself to take a deep breath: "Listen, Ron. I'm 100% sure, that Luna will understand, if you step back. Instead, you can visit Charlie for a few days in Romania..."

"Where I'll be grilled by a dragon, instead of eating grilled spider, thanks!"

She lifted her voice: "Don't exaggerate, you're always coming back without a single scratch from Romania."

"There is always a first time" He replied calmly and grabbed some floo powder from the pot next to the fireplace.

"You are childish..", she stomped her foot, "The whole thing is childish."

He raised his eyebrows and cast a pointed look at her foot.

"Fine, then go in the jungle, where you can live out your self-discovery trip with Blibbering Humdingers, Crumple-Horned Snorkacks and, and….." She waved her hands in the air.

He rolled his eyes, "Are you finished?"

When he was about to throw a handful of Floo Powder into the fireplace, Hermione cried suddenly: "Wait a moment..", she stood in front of him and zipped up his jacket: "Much better." For a moment both looked into the eyes of the other.

Just as Ron lifted his hand, to brush a strand of hair behind her ear, he heard an impatient knocking on the window pane. Immediately, Hermione took a step back and pulled her wand from her back pocket: "Alohomora window!"

After that, the window opened and the owl Atalanta flew in, Dave Colin's Owl!

Ron stared at the owl sitting on the back of HIS armchair, while his wife hurriedly removed the message from the owl's leg and offered it some treat.

Hermione, engrossed in the message, did not even notice, that her husband in the meantime tossed the powder into the fireplace. After a last look he stepped into the emerald-green fire and left.