Chapter 2:
Ron ran away from the tent, further and further away, and once he was out of the Anti-Disaparating Wards, he disapparated immediately. He did not know where he was heading and even when he was miles away from the tent he could still hear Hermione's anguished voice.
When his feet touched solid ground, he looked around, and recognised the cottage of his brother Bill and Fleur. "Bill, open the door! It's Ron, I used to have a crush on Fleur, and Fred turned my teddy bear into a huge spider when I was a kid!" he banged on their door.
"Ron?!" Bill opened the door and his face was filled with shock. "Why are you here?"
"Just let me in first," Ron replied.
As he sipped the hot soup Fleur forced him to eat, he was thinking more and more about Hermione and Harry. Are they safe? Is Hermione crying? He knew that Hermione and Harry did not engage in any romantic behaviors, and he knew that they were just plain good friends. Seeing them together every second and wearing that goddamned Horcrux just triggered his years of buried jealousy of Harry and even of Hermione. He could not hold it all in anymore. After his outburst he ran away in blind anger and sadness.
"What happened, Ron? Where are Harry and Hermione?" Bill asked, and sat across him. "I don't know. I ran away from them, I left them alone," Ron whispered, and a single tear slid down his face.
Bill did not know what to reply to this, he could only say, "Ron, after you're done, go have a shower. I'll have Fleur find you some clothes." Ron nodded his head and focused on his soup.
Ron quickly finished his soup, and went into the shower with some clothes and a towel. He turned the shower on to the coldest it can get, and drowned himself in the icy cold water. His mind was collapsing from worrying about Harry and Hermione, and scolding himself from leaving them. I shouldn't have left them, I bet now they think of me as a selfish idiot, Ron thought.
After he finished showering and threw on the fresh and clean clothes, he got out of the cottage and walked to the nearby cliff. The sky was dark, reflecting his emotions. He sat down by the cliff side, and hanged his legs over the edge. As he did so, small rocks tumbled down and fell into the unknown. He wondered what would happen if he jumped down.
I just left Hermione and Harry! I just left them! And because of what, my stupid jealousy and blindness! Ron thought angrily at himself.
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After days and days of eating, sleeping, wandering around and sitting by the cliff, Ron's mood was not getting any better. I bet they really hate me now, he thought bitterly.
"Ron! Ron! Get in now! Potterwatch's on!" Bill's voice travelled, and Ron whipped his head around. Indeed, his brother was running towards him. He stood up and walked slowly towards the cottage.
"What's this Potterwatch thing, Bill?" he asked, when they closed the cottage door. "It's run by people who's in the Order of the Phoenix, frankly. It's a radio station and they installed a password on their station. Once in a week or so they would air another 'episode' and the password of the next 'episode' will be announced at the end of that 'episode'. "
"They provide the listeners with advice about protecting themselves from Death Eaters, they announce those dead in the week, they assure listeners that Harry, Hermione and you are all alive and still on the run to You-Know-Who, that kind of stuff. They have code names, of course. Fred's Rapier, Lee's River, Kingsley's Royal and Lupin's Romulus."
Bill then tuned the radio on his coffee table, and muttered the password "Ollivander". The radio came to life, and voices were heard.
"Welcome to Potterwatch! I am River, and we're sorry for another late air of Potterwatch! Waves from other stations were interfering, again. Now, today, we have Rapier and Royal with us. Before I hand over your attention to them, I will announce the things that happened the past few days.
"By the village of Lakeside, a wizard family, half-blood, by the name of Sterlings, was attacked two days ago. Sadly, all members of the family were killed, leaving no surviving wizards. The Death Eaters kidnapped Diagon Alley shopkeeper Florean Fortescue, and no further information about the kidnapping was found. Maddie White, a Muggleborn, was also found dead by the roadside of a deserted village. May we keep them in our prayers, and hope for the best. Now, let's welcome our guests, Royal and Rapier!"
"Thank you, River," a deep and assuring voice was heard," Advice to all fellow wizards and witches of England, if you're in the house, remember to put on strong wards, and keep all entrances and exits sealed when you're at home, for Muggle-borns and wizards and witches alike on the run, stay safe, be alert, and try to avoid Snatchers and Death Eaters. Lastly, always keep your wand by your side, and never leave it unattended, even in the showers or the restroom. Remember, faith is needed in this war, and I hope all listeners will stay safe and sound. And, as Alastor Moody used to say, Constant Vigilance! Handing over to Rapier."
"Thank you, Royal," Fred's voice came from the radio," Now, listeners, we are sure that the Golden Trio are still on the run. They are still safe and not caught by anyone, and let's put all our hearts together and wish them good luck."
"If any of the Golden Trio's listening to this, what do you have to say to them?" River asked.
"I'll say, have faith, don't give up, and continue your task. We will support you. They are not on the run away from You-Know-Who, but on the run to You-Know-Who. Back to you, River," Rapier answered.
"Thank you, Royal and Rapier, for the advice and information. This concludes the end of today's Potterwatch. Keep each other safe; keep faith. Also, remember that You-Know-Who's name taboo, they've put a tracking charm on those who dares to say it. So do not refer to him by his name, even though I'm sure you dare to. We are not sure when we can air another episode of Potterwatch, so keep those dials twiddling; the next password will be 'Florean'. Goodbye."
After hearing Potterwatch, Ron's mind was in a whirl.
Even Fred's doing something for Harry! And I'm lazing around at Bill's house, pitying myself, and doing nothing for Harry! I was supposed to be his best mate! Ron thought furiously.
He was sure he could never find Harry and Hermione, the charms and wards they placed were too hard to breakthrough and he did not have the ability to do so anyway. What other way can I help them, he thought. Obviously finding the Horcruxes and destroying them. He knew another Horcrux was somewhere at Hogwarts, but there was no way he could find it. The Carrows were there, eyes were everywhere and the castle was just too big. The other Horcrux was Nagini, and who the hell knows where it is? It's probably by Voldemort's side, and that Horcrux is harder to kill.
Think, Ronald, think!
There is a way to destroy the snake. I have to be by You-Know-Who's side. That means I have to get into the Death Eater's hideout. And the only way to know where it is is to ask someone who knows. But only the Death Eaters know. So I have to find one. No, no, they would not give in so easily; they'd rather kill themselves first. I need someone who's willing to tell me. Who? Gears shifted in Ron's mind.
After a while of thinking, the perfect answer came into his mind.
Snape.
He had to get to Hogwarts.
He was thinking so deeply that he did not notice Bill beside him asking him a question.
"Ron, Ron! Are you listening?" Bill asked.
"Huh what? Oh. Sorry Bill. I was kind of out. So what were you talking about?" Ron gave an apologetic smile.
"What do you think about Potterwatch?" Bill asked.
"It was really good. It helps a lot of people, I'm sure, and it was just…just great that people are doing that in this time," Ron replied.
"Well, I'm happy you think so too. Y'know, we can have you on the next episode. I can just ask Kingsly," Bill said.
"Uh, I'd prefer not to," Ron rejected, and quickly continued when Bill raised an eyebrow at him, "Not that I don't want to, but its kinda risky for Harry and Hermione. I know, I'll be under another name, but you won't know, the Death Eaters may just hear and recognize me. It's just to be safe."
He slapped himself mentally as that was such a bad excuse. Luckily Bill accepted it and went to look for Fleur.
As soon as Bill left, Ron's mind was on finding Snape again. He needed to get into Hogwarts without suspicion or detection. He could get in by Hogsmeade, but high chance there would be Death Eaters roaming around, when they knew Harry and Hermione might visit Hogwarts. He could impersonate an overseas student and get in that way, but it'll be troublesome. Someone might just recognize him and it'll be hard to get the attention of Snape and McGonagall. It'll be handy to have Harry's Invisibility Cloak, he thought sadly. But, hey, didn't Harry tell me that in Year 1, once when he visited the Mirror of Erised, Dumbledore was there? Dumbledore cast a very strong Disillusionment Charm and was practically invisible! Yes, I'll have Bill teach me that spell.
He needed to inform McGonagall too. He could not just appear beside her. Ron paced the kitchen, and thought as hard as he could. He could send a letter by owl! Yes, he had to expect someone to intercept the owls at Hogwarts. He could maybe hide some secret message in, or only perform some charms that only let McGonagall see the message. He would also ask Bill on that.
Ron then shouted for Bill, and when Bill descended from the stairs, Ron quickly cut his question off.
"Bill, I need you to teach me a Disillusionment Charm, I need it to be extra strong and last long. Also, are there any spells that would only show a letter's message to the one that's receiving it?" Ron asked.
"Yes, there's a type of Disillusionment Charm that lasts until caster cancel it, and I think it's pretty strong if you concentrate on the charm. I'll teach you after dinner. And no, I do not know if any spell can do that. But I know one that can show others fake information if they open the letter, and the letter will only show itself to the intended receiver. I'll teach you that too." Bill replied with a quizzical look on his face.
Ron offered no explanation and muttered a 'thank you' back before rushing to his room.
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After dinner, Bill did what he promised and by the end of the hour, Ron could place quite a strong Disillusionment Charm and he could perform the concealing and trickery spell.
He thanked Bill again and asked for some parchment and ink. Bill handed him some and he set off running up the stairs again for the second time that day.
In the deep of the night, Ron finally finished his letter. He tried to keep it as simple and as clear as possible, and refrained from leaking out any information about the Horcrux hunt.
Dear Professor Minerva McGonagall,
I'm sorry that I'll not reveal much information of what Harry, Hermione and I were doing the past month, but I need a favor from you. I'll visit Hogwarts soon, within this week, and I will be coming as someone else. Be on the lookout, Professor. I'm sorry that I can't exactly tell you when, as I'm pretty sure someone will intercept this letter, so I won't give any further information. To assure you that I'm no impersonator, the previous Secret Keeper of the Order of the Phoenix was Professor Dumbledore.
And, don't worry; I've placed a charm on this paper, the Death Eaters or whoever's intercepting this would only see a letter of a Professor from the States asking you for permission to visit Hogwarts to learn how you Professors teach the students. And also, I've placed another Charm under the previous one. Those who managed to find out that the information they read was a trick and managed to break the Charm, they'll see a blank piece of paper. No, it's no plain Concealing Charm; they won't be able to see this content with the Revealing Charm. I hope you are satisfied with the layers of protection. But, if they really manage to breakthrough both levels of charms, they'll only see this letter. I hope I did not put any information that the Death Eaters doesn't know of or can make use of.
Also, if that does happen, I'm sorry if I've put you in danger, Professor. It's the only way.
Sincerely,
Ronald Bilius Weasley
Ron read through the letter again and again, trying to find any loopholes in the content. He did not ask the Professor not to tell anyone about that letter, as he was pretty sure McGonagall knew what not to do. He finally sealed the parchment, and borrowed Bill's owl.
"To Hogwarts, and specifically Minerva McGonagall." He said, and let the owl fly into the unknown mist of the cold, dark night. He had to hope the letter would safely make its way to Minerva McGonagall. Ronald finally switched off his light, and sank into a deep slumber.
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Author's Note: Hooray! Chapter 2 uploaded:D are you happy that its longer than the first one? Well, its 2k+ words after all. Next chapter is being mapped and plotted out in my mind, and it haven't touched the computer yet, so it may take a while.
I'm also thinking for another Ronmione one shot, but. Shall it have lots of fluff or angsty? Review your opinion!
And, lastly, Reviews and kindly appreciated, and normally i reply them! Thanks for reading!