Chapter two: Train Ride In.
Once everything settled down a press conference was held by the Ministry of Magic. Minister Fudge himself told the whole of the wizarding world that Harry Potter and Headmaster Dumbledore had be telling the truth and that yes indeed the Dark Lord had risen once more. Only to be deafened by Harry Potter yet again while everyone else was no the wiser. Along with a personal apology, Minister Cornelius Fudge gave his resignation.
After the press conference Molly Weasley had practically the whole Order of the Phoenix over for dinner. Where Molly had almost tore off not only Ron and Ginny's heads but also Harry's, Hermione's, Neville's, and Luna's. She proclaimed that no matter the causes that led to them being in the Department of Mysteries they should have contented a member of the Order and let them handled it. Not to go gallivanting into harms way and possibly get killed! Once she was done, headmaster Albus Dumbledore had spent almost two hours lecturing the students about going to a staff member when something was wrong instead of acting alone, which had Ron laughing out right since every year when something was "wrong" they did try to get a staff member. Beside Harry tried to tell Snape, maybe the git should've given some kind of sign that he understand that Harry believe his godfather was in dire need of help.
Dumblerdore's lecture actually had Ron reminiscing back to his earlier school days and the amount of times the golden trio did in fact go to a school administrator when they believe someone or something was in danger. In fact, the headmaster once gave Harry and Hermione permission to break not only school rules but laws made by the Ministry of Magic!
First year the golden trio knew the Sorcerer's stone was going to be stolen, so they went to Professor McGonagall who said they were wrong and set them to bed. And that ended Ron in the hospital wing for a few days, Hermione feeling terrible about breaking a few school rules, and Harry saved the Sorcerer's stone defending the Dark Lord for a second time. As a added bonus, Gryffindor won the house cup for the first time in years. And Neville finally got some house points.
In their second year they knew exactly where the Chamber of Secrets was. Then again Harry and Ron did go to Professor Lockheart, so maybe that was their fault. They somehow ended up with awards for serves to Hogwarts, so maybe they did make the right choice. Harry defended Lord Voldemort yet again and Harry saved Ginny, which of was the most important thing to have happen that day, of course.
And no one listened about Sirius Black or the Triwizard tournament. So why would they try to tell a professor this time? Even if they all weren't busy with Umbridge. Dumbledor baffled Ron at times.
Before the golden trio realized the last few weeks of fifth year and their O.W.L's flew by bring a glorious summer. Harry had even moved in with the Weasleys on one condition that Harry and Ginny not being allowed on the same floor after dark unless someone was with them. Harry was more than happy to agree telling them that as much as he liked Ginny he wasn't willing to disrespect Molly and Arthur. Even Hermione came over three-four days a week to spend the night. In fact, the only drawback they found was that they were key witnesses against the handful of Death Eater, which meant going to the Ministry for the trails throughout their vacation.
Most of the trails were open and shut. The only one that was causing problems was the Lucius Malfoy case. The testimony was split in half. Most were saying Malfoy senior was there but no one actually saw him. So the Ministry had to assume the witches and wizards saying he was there might have been out spit for the man. Maybe he did change after the first war. Maybe he did wise up. Than again maybe he was just better at hiding his true nature now. Either way, the Ministry hadn't forgotten of Mr. Malfoy old ties to the Dark Lord but unless someone could provide physical evidence they had no choice except to let him walk.
The Weasley in Ron wanted nothing more than to see Lucius Malfoy behind bars. The Gryffindor in him wanted to see justice at its finest. The inter voice inside his head knew he couldn't put anyone's head on the chopping block without being one hundred percent sure they were guilty. His father taught him that no matter the person their personality doesn't count only the crime. And all Ron saw was a little bit of blond hair, which could have been the same shad as the older Malfoy and a gray eye. It could have been anybody. Then again Ron doubted Malfoy would have been in the middle of a blood bath unless it was his father. Consequently Lucius Malfoy walked away a free man. Another slap on the wrist.
A year went by since the Battle of the Ministry took place. All seemed right in the world unless Ron fixated on the fact that he received an Order of Merlin First Class and yet still had to take N.E.W. T's at the end of his seventh year.
Ron quickly strolled through the barrier of platform nine and three quarter. Briskly boring the Hogwarts Express to avoid long drawn out goodbyes. It wasn't like he wouldn't be seeing his mum again. Beside a little time to himself with a long way now a days. Don't get Ron wrong he loved his family even the extended ones, but sometimes he needs just a signal minute to himself. Over the summer break his oldest brother, Bill, had got married and family members came from eleven different cities and five different countries just for one of their own to get married. Since the first war the Weasley family had moved apart and don't get together much like they use to. Bill's wedding gave them that excuse to spend the month of June and some of July at the Burrow. The Burrow barely fit eight much less twenty eight. Those that didn't fit inside pitch a tent outside.
Walking down the mostly vacant ails Ron was looking for the perfect compartment to house not only himself but several friends as well. He found it towards the back of the train. Before he could open the door however his hand fell upon another one. The hand below Ron's was smooth and pastel a far cry from his own callous and tan one. Sighing Ron turned his head risking a quick peek at the hand's owner to confirm his suspicions.
"Ronald." Malfoy's delivered in a strong and steady voice. Emotionless mask in place.
"Ron" Ron automatically corrected. "Ronald makes me feel like I'm in trouble. Than again I only get called Ronald when I am in trouble." Both stood staring waiting for the other to make the first move. In the Past all Malfoy would have to do is utter one signal word and Ron would go into a fit of rage attacking the blonde. Now however Ron was clueless. Should he mention the tails or about why Malfoy was at the battle of the Ministry. And yet several classmates claimed Malfoy never left school. In the end, Malfoy took mercy on him.
"Thank you for not saying anything about my dad." Ron was quite for a long time as he searched Malfoy's eyes for something. He wasn't sure what he was looking for only that he didn't have an answer. Why didn't he say anything? That was the number one question that kept him awake at nights. And would be even harder to sleep now knowing for sure that it was the older Malfoy he saw that day.
During their Sixth year they stopped having classes together. Choosing different career paths does that kind of thing though. They hung around different people, but that was a given. Hell Malfoy even gave up quidditch. There was not a signal reason for them to interact. This was the first time they spoke to each another since the battle. Hack it was the first time they were even in the same place. Was that why it felt so abnormal? They use to be a daily part of each other's lives. Hell, an hourly part if Ron was being totally honest. Except now Ron could n't say if Malfoy eats green apples any more. Ron remember back in third year Malfoy wasn't saw without a green apple. Back than Ron had never seen someone eat so much fruit.
"I don't know what you're talking about." Ron wasn't sure what possessed him to lie and it may very well become the second question that keeps him up at night. All he knew was the Malfoy he saw that day was different than the Malfoy he knew. Before Malfoy could reply, Harry and Ginny walked up followed closely by Hermione.
"All I'm saying is you're wrong Harry." Ginny said laughing as she led the way into the compartment sitting by the window. Followed by Harry who sat beside her and Hermione in front of them laughing along with whatever they were talking about. When Ginny went by she pushed Ron into Malfoy like she didn't even notice the blonde. None of them noticed. Ron went to ask if anyone remember Malfoy when Neville and Lune walked up to join them.
"I should go." Malfoy whispered almost afraid to be heard. "Thanks again Ron. Let me know if I can ever repay you."
Acting on impulse, Ron's quidditch reflexes kicked in as his hand shot out to prevent Malfoy from walking way. Merlin knows the next time they would meet again. "Come to the quidditch pitch with me. Maybe tonight after the opening feat?" Ron could see the wheels turning inside the Slytherin's head. He was debating the pros and the cons. "I promise no funny busyness. Just to talk?" That must have done the trick since Malfoy gave a slight smile and agreed to sneak away with him.