Disclaimer: I'm still not J.K. Rowling. How it hurts.
Luna Quiz Answer: Norbert
As to why this chapter took so long, see profile.
Chapter 7
Desire Fulfilled
The Burrow was in an uproar after learning about Ron's new position. Mrs. Weasley arranged for there to be a party, and there was a never ending stream of owls. While all of this was going on, Harry noticed that Ron's face seemed to have permanently settled with a red rue.
A letter from Hermione announced that she was Head Girl. This didn't surprise anyone. It had been a given since first year. It was even less surprising when Fred and George arrived from Diagon Alley with a few interesting songs written about the newest Head Girl. They claimed that they had started the compositions in their seventh year, once Hermione and Ron became prefects. After learning that Ron was a Head also, they quickly put together a few more songs originally meant for Percy. Although everyone had a good laugh listening to them, Mrs. Weasley heard them sing a particularly inappropriate verse and she forbade them to sing it anymore. Of course, this only caused Fred and George to teach the lyrics to more people.
On the night before the celebration Ron looked particularly ill, which caused him to be sent to bed early. Harry went up with him, knowing that the only thing effecting Ron was nerves. After adjusting his eyes to the violent orange of the Chudley Cannons, he sat across from his mate.
"Ron, what's wrong?" Ron started and instantly turned red. It was amazing at how bad Ron was at concealing his emotions and not knowing that they were obvious to the world.
"I just…I just don't want you to be mad," Ron muttered. This time, Harry's emotions betrayed him, shock washing over his face.
"Why would I be mad?"
"When I got prefect and you didn't…you kind of got mad," Ron shrugged, turning away. Harry could still see the Weasley's ears turn a deep maroon.
"How…?"
"Phineas told me. The guy in the portrait heard you mutter that 'No one in their right mind would make Ron a prefect'. He figured I should be told." Ron's ears had impossibly turned a darker maroon.
"Ron, I'm sorry mate. I never really meant it," Harry said, his voice hollow. At the time, he had almost meant it. It was just a big shock when the badge went to Ron and not him. But he had already been out of the running for Head Boy when he didn't become a prefect. At least it went to a Gryffindor who deserved it.
It seemed amazing how long ago Harry had gazed into the Mirror of Erised and had brought Ron along. He had intended to show his family to Ron, but Ron had seen himself surpassing all his brothers. And now his friend had done that. Except for having more detentions than the twins, he had done everything his brothers had. No wonder Mrs. Weasley was so excited. Each of her earlier sons achieved something, and now her baby had done them all. She hadn't even noticed that Ginny hadn't gotten prefect the year before.
After a few moments of awkward silence, both boys got ready for bed. Harry heard Ron start to snore loudly, a ploy that had been used for the longest time. Obviously, he had realized that he shouldn't have brought up the subject. Harry took of his glasses, looking at the blurred night sky, watching what was presumable Pig being chased by Hedwig. After a while, Ron's snores became more regularly and normal.
Turning away from the window, Harry tried to sleep as well. He was about to drift off when there was a loud bang on Ron's bedroom door. Ron shot up as Harry slowly pulled out his wand. He motioned for Ron to be quiet, who had also drawn his wand.
"What was that?" Ron asked, still a bit asleep.
"Sounded like someone knocked on the door. Really hard," Harry responded. A breeze came in from the window, sending shivers down the boys backs.
"On the count of three," he said, reaching for the door. "One, two, three!" They pulled the door open, but there was no one on the landing. Ron looked at Harry and shrugged. They were about to go look on the stairs when Harry heard Hedwig give a light hoot from behind him. Both he and Ron turned to face her, and they closed the door again. As Hedwig hooted persistently, Harry went over to her. Perhaps she had seen something.
"Oiy! Harry!" Ron called. His friend was pointing at the floor behind the door. It looked like a pile of clothes Mrs. Weasley had forgotten. Then it started to move. Harry grabbed his glasses from the nightstand.
"Blimey, it's Errol! What's he doing here?" Picking the owl up gently, Ron put the aged owl into Hedwig's cage. Harry noticed the letter attached to it's leg and pulled it off.
Neatly labeled Ron, it was easily the writing of Percy Weasley. That was strange. For nearly two years the middle Weasley brother had been at odds with his family. It was strange for him to write to them, let alone Ron.
"You open it," Ron said, staring at the letter. There was a slight scowl on his face. Harry remembered the last time Ron had gotten a letter from Percy. After reading it, Ron had shred it to pieces.
Ronald,
Congratulations on receiving the position of Head Boy. It is reassuring to know that someone else in this family has a chance for a future in the Ministry. However, even the Ministry has changed in light of recent events. With Cornelius gone, everything is a mess. There is a shortage of qualified employees, and more are leaving to be with their families. I don't understand it.
"Of course he doesn't understand, the git," Ron mumbled. Harry kept reading before allowing Ron to destroy the unfortunate parchment.
I had given up on you when you did not respond to the letter I sent two years ago. (Here Ron snorted) At first, I considered it was on Errol's fault, but then I compensated that perhaps you had decided not to respond for an odd reason. ("I wonder why" Ron said coldly) But now it appears that you have proven me wrong. As you know, to be a Head means you were dedicated to your studies and a model student, such as myself. (Ron nearly burst out laughing)
As soon as this year at Hogwarts is over, please apply at the Ministry. Please ask the Head Girl and all the prefects to go as well. But please do not bring Mr. Potter. If you received my last letter, you know my concerns.
Sincerely,
Percy
It took Ron less than three seconds to tear the letter up. Once done, over the papers he said a few choice words that Mrs. Weasley would have surely disapproved of. In a huff, Ron dropped back onto his bed, this time not bothering to pretend snore.
Harry also climbed into his bed, and for a while he stared at the scraps. Only a while ago he had wondered how anyone could hate their family. It was all a choice. Percy had decided that his family was below him, that they were wrong. He had torn himself away from his family as easily as Ron had torn the parchment.
Luna Quiz: Magical Mix-Up
Rearrange the following letters to reveal "what you might (or might not) find at Hogwarts".
GDAPPNSIIEAR SSSRECATAI
Rearrange the following letters to reveal "what Harry's fortune is made of".
GSELLOAN ISESKCL DAN KSTUN
