Borrowed Heaven
Chapter 2
Disclaimer: JKR's characters and settings. My ideas (sort of) your time Thanks for reading
Ron Weasley was a broken man, he wept with abandon while the pain of genuine remorse racked his body. The pain blinded Ron with white hot intensity. Observing the spectacle before them, the hearts of the souls gathered in courtroom 10 softened. It was Harry Potter that spoke up first. "Ron! We have been considering your situation and have been moved deeply by your remorse. If you choose, we may be willing to give you a second chance to get things right.
Ron looked up at Harry, his brother in all but blood, tears still rained freely down his face."Please forgive me Harry; I had no idea that I was such a stupid – self-absorbed - selfish prat! I'm willing to do whatever I can to set things right." Sirius Black spoke up next. "Ron we believe you. We will give you the chance to prove yourself. What needs to be decided now is where in the old time line to send you in order to save as many people as possible." "What about the start of 6th year? I could start pushing Harry to Hermione, while I pursue Lavender." Ron voiced his suggestion to the courtroom at large. After a brief discussion James addressed Ron. "While that is a possibility, we think that is too late. Many deaths and disappearances had already taken place at the hands of Tom Riddle and his death eaters."
Cedric Diggory spoke up next. "Why not send Ron back to his 4th year? The disappearances had only begun to start. It's also another time when the soul mates were close to bonding. I would really have liked to live past 17 years old." After more discussion it was decided to send Ron back to his fourth year just after the first task in the Tri-wizard tournament. Fred Weasley smiled at his younger brother. "Good Luck Ron! You will retain partial recall of the events of your previous timeline. When we feel that you are beginning to get off the track one of us will appear to you in a vision to hopefully set you on the right path again." Ron closed his eyes and courtroom 10 faded from into a mist of dense fog.
Ron Weasley woke up in his bed in the boys' 4th year dorm of the Gryffindor Tower. His head was spinning and it took a while for him to get his bearings. He had had the strangest dream, or was it a dream? After getting ready for the day and getting dressed in his school robes Ron made his way to the common room and then down to the Great Hall for breakfast. He eagerly loaded his plate with everything that he could reach. Harry and Hermione arrived for breakfast together. They quickly said good morning to Ron and their other friends. After breakfast, the golden trio went to their morning classes.
Just before lunch Professor McGonagall made the announcement about the Yule ball and informed Harry of his obligations as Hogwarts champion. Ron, who was waiting outside of the transfiguration classroom, immediately asked Harry what Professor McGonagall had wanted. "Can you believe it? I have to find a date for the ball and open the dancing with the other champions. Just kill me now! Please!" complained Harry.
"Bummer! Any thoughts about who you are going to take?" Harry smiled to himself as he thought of Cho Chang. "I was thinking about asking Cho, you know the seeker from Ravenclaw" "I admire your taste mate, but you're wasting your time" Ron was quickly formulating a plan to get Harry to ask Hermione to the ball. Harry gave Ron a questioning look and Ron continued to speak. "I saw Diggory haul her into a broom cupboard yesterday after the first task. Besides, I think you need to ask someone who isn't just another pretty face. You should ask somebody you actually like - somebody you're comfortable with. Does that Help?"
Harry shook his head and grinned. "Sorry Ron! No matter what you say I'm not taking you to the Yule ball!" Ron laughed at his best friend. "And people think I'm the thick headed one! Do I need to spell it out for you?" A blank look crossed Harry's face. "Who do you think I should ask then? Ginny?" Ron just shook his head in bewilderment. "Not Ginny. If you asked her during lunch she would probably choke to death before you got an answer." He took a deep breath before he continued. "Harry, I think that you should ask Hermione."
Harry's mouth dropped open as he stared at Ron. "Hermione? She's my best friend. I not sure I could see her that way." With an amused look on his face, Ron answered his questions. "Of course I mean Hermione! Harry, she cares for you! Who else has been your best friend from first year? She has always believed in you, never left your side - even after I did. Last year, when we weren't talking to her, Hermione never stopped looking out for you. Besides, you never know, it might be the beginning of an even better relationship. My parents always said that lasting relationships are built on friendship first."
His eyes moved up and to the left as he thought about all the things he had been through with Hermione. Slowly, a smile came to Harry's face as he considered the truth in Ron's words." Ron you may just have something there. She is a girl after all! Are you sure that you're alright with this?" Ron breathed a sigh of relief. Yes Harry, I'm fine with this. I think you should ask her quickly though, guys in other house might have noticed she's a girl too." The two friends made their way into the great hall for lunch. Ron was smiling at his good fortune. "Harry I'll stay behind and you can ask her right after lunch." After seeing Harry begin to tense up he added, "Relax harry! It's Hermione. You can do this."
Unknown to Harry or Ron, a Gryffindor girl had witnessed their conversation and was very impressed with Ron Weasley's selfless act. Katie Bell let out a sigh and thought to herself that she just may have to invite Ron to the ball. After all Angelina and Alicia had their Weasley's, why shouldn't she have a Weasley too?
After a lunch where Harry had spent most of his time stealing glances at Hermione and stealing up his courage – rather than eating his lunch. True to his word, Ron stayed behind for one extra helping of desert. Hermione and Made their way to Care of Magical Creatures. Harry steered Hermione to a tree by the black lake in order to watch the antics of the giant squid and waiting for Ron to show up. Facing Hermione Harry Potter took a deep breath and nervously asked, "A –a –a Hermione w-w-would y-you go to t-t-t-the –b-ball with m-me?" He then blushed deeply. "I mean if you've already got a date or don't want to go with me –I understand." Hermione's face went from a look of shock, to a magnificent smile. She wrapped Harry into a rib cracking hug that stole his breath away. "Of course I'll go to the ball with you." she whispered in his ear. They continued to talk quietly as they made their way to Hagrid's hut – smiles never leaving their faces. Ron could tell from the faces of his two best friends that his plan was working.
By supper time that evening word had spread throughout the school that Harry Potter was taking Hermione Granger to the Yule ball.
Malfoy, Crabbe & Goyle made their way the Gryffindor table. "Hey Potty! I can't believe that you asked that mudblood to the ball. What's the matter did little Weaslette turn you down? Harry looked at Hermione, "Relax, we'll handle this." Harry, Ron and Neville stood up as one. Ron grabbed Goyle's arm and wrenched it behind his back before Goyle could even threaten to do any damage. Neville rammed his shoulder into Crabbe's stomach as he tackled Vincent Crabbe to the floor. Harry reared back and punched Draco Malfoy in the mouth with all the force he could muster.
As Ron, Neville, Harry& Hermione made their way up to the common room they thought it was well worth the detentions with Filch and the 60 points from Gryffindor. The sight of the 3 Slytherins on the floor bloodied and in pain was enough. The fact that Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle had also lost 60 points for their house and had to walk Hagrid's skrewts every night for a week was icing on the cake.
The three Gryffindors received a hero's welcome when they arrived in the common room. Fred and George actually admitted that Ron was their little brother. Neville went off to talk with Ginny and Seamus while Harry and Hermione went to find a quiet corner of the common room to talk.
Katie Bell managed to corner Ron as she congratulated him for his role in the snake stomping. "Hi Ron, that was a really great thing you did at dinner tonight. And what you did for Harry and Hermione before lunch today really touched me. I was wondering if you would go to the Yule ball with me?" Ron blushed a deep crimson and felt that his body was shaking with nervousness. He took a deep reassuring breath before he spoke. "Y-y-yes I'd l-l-like that"