Chapter # 4
A retelling of - BuckNC - classic tale …Dragon Heart …as redone by Billybob
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Billybob note: Mostly the BuckNC version in this chapter - with only some important (if minor) changes, that although appearing small – will result in big …major differences in plotline further on in the story.
This is one of the parts where the old adage (if it ain't broke don't fix it) fully applies. For those who remember the original - consider this a stroll down memory lane – just be mindful of the minor Billybob tweaks.
Minimum BuckNC adoration society this time –okay?
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Part # 4 – Goodbyes
word count: 3,659
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"Hagrid!Hagrid!" Ron yelled as he pounded at the door of Hagrid's hut.
It wasn't until he heard the noise of Fang's barking and heavy footsteps that finally made Ron stop pounding on the door.
"Fang move aside. It's bloody three in da morning, this better be good." Hagrid bellowed, as he opened the door and swung it wide open to see a smiling Ron looking at him.
"Ron – what's wrong? - Harry in trouble? He's not in the forest is he?"
"No …Hagrid, - none of that. I'm sorry I had to wake you but I need to ask for a huge favor," begged Ron in an almost needy voice.
"What favor? At three in da morning, come in here and tell me what's going on." Hagrid said, ordering Ron to come in and pointing at the table and chair for Ron to sit down in.
Ron went in and explained the whole conversation he had just had with Professor's Dumbledore and McGonagall, minus the Hermione part, to Hagrid over tea and his rock cakes. Oddly enough, Ron ate the rock cakes as he figured it would be the only thing he could possibly keep down in his stomach. They were just too heavy to throw up.
"I still don't see why this couldn't wait for da morning Ron. Are you telling me everything?" asked Hagrid suspecting something more from Ron's strange behavior.
"Hermione is seeing…Malfoy, and I want to leave before I see her in the morning."
"Hermione seeing Draco, - CODSWALLOP! Where da hear such a lie?"
"Listen Hagrid, I really don't really want to re-live it. All I'll say is that I saw them with my own two eyes - going at each other like newlyweds on their honeymoon. You can ask her yourself tomorrow for the details, Merlin knows – there's no reason to keep it secret anymore. So can I have the recommendation, please Hagrid?"
"Sure Ron, but you are making a mistake about Hermione."
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Ron raced back to the entrance hall and found that the castle elves had stacked his belongings neatly by the giant entrance Hall doors. Ron now had everything he needed to leave and so far - luckily - everyone was still asleep and no one the wiser. He was just about to jump on his broom and fly off when a thought accrued to him. Leaving his kit by the door he rushed up to the Owlery to fetch Pig
Once there, Ron set down at the message writing desk; he figured he owned Ginny an explanation.
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Dear Ginny,
I don't have much time so I'll be brief. At times like this, you find out who your real friends are and just how important family is. Unfortunately, yesterday I learned the hard way that - except for you - I have no friends here at Hogwarts.
I am leaving school for the next three months to take a Co-op job with Charlie in Romania. I am not sure if I will be coming back or not - I don't know if I'll be any good handling dragons, for that matter. But I most definitely will be better-off being away from this place.
Please keep Pig for me while I'm gone, because I seriously doubt if he can fly and deliver the post over such a long distance. I think it would be better for you to use International Postal Owls instead of Pig. That is - if you still want to write to your terribly naïve - immature brother. I promise while I am gone to write you - once a week, at least.
I love you little sister and I am sorry I will not be around during Christmas. But I'm really hurting right now and I need some time and distance to heal.
-Ron
PS. Keep my whereabouts to yourself, I do not want anyone else knowing where I am or what I'm doing! - - - I'm serious - Ginny - tell no one …please. That especially goes for a certain Head Girl.
PS (1). Don't tell Harry, the back stabbing hypocrite, either!
PS (2). But - …do me a favor. Keep a close eye on Harry for me, at least until he gets a replacement sidekick. He needs someone to watch his back - as he has a habit of attracting trouble
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Ron attached the letter to Pig's leg for him to deliver it to Ginny during breakfast. Then returning as fast as he could to the Entrance Hall where he performed a Featherweight Charm on his old trunk before attaching it to the back of his Cleansweep broomstick with a bit of rope. Finally, ready to go - he saw out of the corner of his eye Crookshanks watching him from the stairs.
At first, Ron had hated Hermione's cat - but after several years, they both began to tolerate one another. As if only for the sake of Hermione, both of them learned to be friendly.
"Meow!"
"Crookshanks?" asked Ron in disbelief that anyone would be up - much less an always-sleeping cat.
"Purr!"
Ron petted the cat and said, "Crookshanks…I cannot believe I'm actually talking to a cat as if it will understand me. I really must be losing it."
Ron exhaled as he finished shaking his head before he climbed on his broom with his kit and added, "Crookshanks keep an eye out for your owner for me. I am leaving and if I don't come back it will be your full-time job to protect her. Don't trust Harry anymore either, he keeps important stuff to himself that he should share with his best mate. The Git never did give the required attention to safeguarding - - HER - that he should, - he always left that little chore - to me.
Also keep an eye on the blokes that will be queuing up soon for my old posting of best mate to the backstabbing boy who lived. Once they all know I quit and that the post of Harry's best mate is open, they'll be coming out of the woodwork in droves. I'm afraid they won't look after Her …as well as I did, so it will be up to you to take up their slack." Ron said rambling.
"Purr!""Purr!""Purr!"
Oh, and do me another favor - if you see the Head Ferret, - claw his ruddy balls off for me."
"Meow!" the cat seemed to say in agreement.
"Five fifteen - just need to drop this recommendation off in McGonagall's office - and then I'm out of this den of deceit." Ron said to him-self proudly and leaving once again his broom and trunk hovering near the front entrance next to the Great Hall he rushed off toward McGonagall's office.
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Five thirty AM
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Hermione's POV:
Hermione rose up early than usual after having another romantic dream of Draco and her by the lake. She could almost feel his soft kisses on her lips. In her dreams - her fantasy Draco - was always gentle - the exact opposite to his lovemaking style when she was awake with the real boyfriend. With patience and time Hermione knew she would be able to convert her diamond in the rough boyfriend into a smooth cut stone of the greatest value.
The thought of Draco's transformation into a gentle and faithful lover brought - as always - a small smile to her face as she took a shower and dressed in her school uniform. She decided to go to breakfast a little bit early today, as she had to post the new Prefect Patrol schedule along with putting a bit of polish on her speech to the Prefects concerning strict enforcement of the long neglected traditional dress code. She and Draco would need the staffs' approval first - before forcefully reestablishing, the old uniform regulations for the general student population - and the next staff meeting was only a week away
Lately the school dress code enforcement had become haphazard. This allowed students to wear individual apparel and personal clothing items. Not to mention how many of the boys are looking and dressing like slobs, one Redhead Prefect in particular came to mind. When Draco and Hermione agreed to re-enforce the old dress code rules Ron's sloppiness was ever-present in her thoughts. She also had to speak with Ron about skipping out of Potions yesterday.
Of course, she would have to wait until eight o-clocks before he usually got up. As for enforcing the dress code throughout Hogwarts, Hermione mental organization of her schedule was interrupted as she strolled toward the Great Hall she discover a broomstick and a battered belongings trunk floating near the entrance Hall Doors.
"I cannot believe some-some …lazy oaf, left this in the hallway," cried Hermione louder than necessary in the hope that the 'someone in question' would hear her.
"Fine Then - I'll just have to confiscate the lot - until someone is willing to take a detention for it," announced Hermione to the hallway as she pulled out her wand and stood beside the broomstick.
She was about to hex the truck and broom when she noticed that this clearly old and used foot locker had a faded Gryffindor seal on it, and it looked vaguely familiar to her as well. Then she unexpectedly noticed the initials RBW on the side of the trunk.
"Expelliarmus," roared a familiar voice from behind her!
Hermione wand immediately flew out of her hand and landed banging and rolling down the hallway about twenty paces away. Now she was really mad, as magic wasn't allowed in the hallways before - during or after classes. She furiously spun around to see a tired and sick looking Ron pointing his wand straight at her.
"Ronald Bilius Weasley, what do you think you're doing? You are a Prefect for Merlin's sake. You are not supposed to be doing magic in the hallways!" Hermione screamed not believing how stupid her best friend could be. "Are you even listening to me?"
Ron ignored her shouting entirely as he walked right past fuming Head Girl and casually jumped onto his broomstick. He then kicked off the floor to hover at a height of about eight feet so as to avoid her reach.
"Ronald - you cannot fly in the hallways! Get down here this instant!"
Ron took one last deep look at Hermione before saying with regret, "I'm leaving. Good bye – Hermione Jean Granger."
Ron turned his head toward the front entrance, a flip of his wand and the huge outer doors gently swung all the way open and then slowly he flew his way toward the opening as Hermione screamed and jumped try to capture one of his dangling feet from below.
"Ronald, you get down here this instant! - - What do you mean …leaving! - - I have a good mind to write your mother!"
Ron cleared the giant front wooden doors and without looking back, he flew off into the soft golden glow of sunrise.
"Ron! …RON!" Hermione screamed at him as she suddenly felt an unexplainable feeling of remorse and pain as she watched Ron fly away.
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Six fifteen AM
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Hermione POV:
"Professor McGonagall, - Professor! …I need to report Ronald Weasley for leaving the school grounds without permission." Hermione said in an out of breath huff, after running all the way to the Deputy Headmistress' office - seventh floors above the Front Entrance hall.
"Good Morning to you too, Miss Granger," interjected Professor McGonagall, a little bit more grumpier than usual after staying up for the entire night. "Perhaps you are not aware of this, but being Head Girl does not excuse you from knocking on my door before entering."
"I'm sorry Professor but it's an emergency. Gryffindor Prefect Ronald Weasley just flew out of the Front Entrance with his trunk attached the back of his broomstick. I took the liberty to check his dorm room and discovered that his bed has been striped down to the mattress and his dresser completely empty of clothing. We have to notify the Ministry and his mother." Hermione explained in a more calm and formal manner, a little bit taken aback at seeing her favorite Professor short with her.
"Really and did he say anything to you - before leaving?" asked Professor McGonagall looking up from her papers for the first time to see Hermione clearly.
"Yes ma'am. He was all weird and sick looking as he told me he's leaving and good bye."
"Hmm, I guess he really did want to leave quietly after all, but with that mood he was in, I'm surprise he didn't say more." Professor McGonagall said and then turned her stare back down toward her papers.
"Professor, – the Ministry, - and his Parents?" Hermione pleaded not understanding Professor McGonagall behavior and realizing that time was of the essence if they are going to catch Ron.
"Miss Granger, Mr. Weasley is of age and free to go where he wishes." Professor McGonagall said, not looking up at an exasperated Hermione. "Just as you are."
"Professor we can't just let him quit school. What will he do for the rest of his life?"
"And exactly what concern is that of yours, Miss Granger?" asked Professor McGonagall in a sharp tone.
"Ron is …is my friend and…"
"I believe you should be using the past tense, when describing Mr. Weasley as your friend. Good day, Miss Granger." Professor McGonagall snapped, ending the discussion.
"Professor!" Hermione whined surprised at the Professor's behavior and reaction.
"You have been Dismissed - Miss Granger, leave my office at once," Minerva growled.
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RON POV
Ron felt an overwhelming euphoria of freedom as he left Hogwarts and flew off into the sunrise. It was like taking all his problems, sweeping them under the rug, and quickly leaving it all behind. The more he flew the greater the distance from his problems. He could have stopped and apparate from anywhere private after leaving the Hogwarts grounds, but the thrill and exhilaration kept him flying South for three hours.
As he notices the time he finally stops and lands on a private grassy hill overlooking a small sleepy Muggle village in Scotland. He knew he was running late, but he still wants to see his Dad working in the Ministry before going to the International Portkey office. Ron knew if he ever wanted to go back to the Burrow without his mother killing him, he had to explain himself to his Dad and win his support.
Ron quickly apparated to the Muggle visitor's entrance at the Ministry's office in London with his broomstick and trunk magically shrunk to fit in his pocket. Then he made his way up to the sixth floor to see his Dad.
"Mr. Weasley, your son is here and he wishes to speak with you," announces Mrs. Grabby Plank to the Muggle intercom that his Dad insisting on installing.
Arthur Weasley looks up from his mountain of paperwork to ask via the intercom, "Bill?"
"No sir."
"Charlie?"
"No sir."
Ron walks into his father's office unannounced and replies, "Seeing how I'm the youngest, I thought I save you some time from going down the list."
"Ron? But you are supposed to be at school. Are Harry and you in trouble again?" asks Mr. Weasley regaining his voice in front of his youngest son.
"I know...and no Dad, - Harry is not in trouble." Ron said with an angry grimmest, before getting a warm hug from his father.
"Son, what is it?" asks Mr. Weasley looking confused at his youngest son.
Ron explains the whole story of him getting a Co op job with Charlie at the Dragon Preserve in Romania. Then after some prodding from his father, he told his dad about Hermione and Draco relationship getting the whole story in between bouts of throwing up in the bin. Hagrid's hard cakes had managed to come up after all, leaving Ron's voice extremely scratchy. He even told his father about Harry's hypocrisy, how he'd known all about the Granger-Malfoy tryst and kept it a secret from him for a month. Arthur's face showed anger at this betrayal of trust and only returned to calmness during the retelling of the meeting in Dumbledore's office, and of Ron's final departure.
"Son...I know you feel terrible and heartbroken. I could not imagine Hermione in a million years doing that to you." Arthur said having long suspected that his youngest son had fancied the bushy haired girl. "Son, what you need now is some time and space to get over all of this." Mr. Weasley remarked, shaking his head in disbelief about Hermione and Harry's deceit.
"I know Dad; can you explain things to Mum?"
"I will, son. Now be careful at the Preserve, stay close to Charlie, and do as he does...on second thought, that boy spends more time in the infirmary than anyone else. Just promise me that you will be careful," finishes Mr. Weasley hugging his son again and walking him to the International Portkey office.
"I will Dad."
"Here it's not much, what with the pay cutbacks we had to push through to balance the budget, but you can get some new work clothes." Mr. Weasley said, emptying his pockets and handing Ron at least 10 to 20 Galleons and Sickles.
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Noon
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"Mr. Weasley?" asks a nervous International Portkey Ministry official surprise to see a high ranking Minister in his office.
"I'm here to see my son off to the Romania Dragon Preserve," adds Mr. Weasley smiling to the nervous Ministry worker.
"Yes... Sir, and his last name?"
"Weasley, - as in - First Under-secretary to the Minister of Magic - …Arthur Weasley's, son," Mr. Weasley snapped harshly, without missing a beat and earning small laughter from Ron and a few other Ministry officials working nearby.
"Yes sir, of course. Ah...Ronald Weasley, right here. Just need you to fill out all these forms." The nervous Ministry official said, handing Ron a long parchment to fill out.
"I'll take care of that son, go ahead. Now promise me you will write or your Mom will really have a fit."
"I will Dad and thanks for everything," replies Ron as he is hugging his father one last time.
"Just work hard and make me proud," said Mr. Weasley watching his son touch an old boot and lifting off toward Romania.
Mr. Weasley looks at the long parchment with the numerous questions and fill-in-the-blanks requirements. He signed his name at the bottom and then throws the parchment back to the nervous Ministry official.
"All done, - good day to you," Mr. Weasley said, not even attempting to fill out everything on the long parchment.
"Err...Yes sir, thank you Minister."
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End Tran – for now