Ron walked along the beach, skipping stones and trying not to panic. He'd already put on his suit pants, shirt, and tie for the party, he'd grown so anxious. His pant legs were rolled up and he was barefoot. He'd left the jacket inside with the ring in the pocket. There was an unseasonably warm breeze at the beach and Ron already felt he was sweating more than usual. Earlier in the afternoon he'd fallen asleep on the couch and he'd woken up feeling a bit groggy. The sand between is toes made him feel alive and almost made him forget the nausea that threatened him. All he had to do now was wait. Then he'd get his shoes and the ring and pop over to the Burrow. Different scenarios of Hermione's reaction played in his head. Some made made him blush and others frightened him. He decided he'd definitely show up holding flowers. That would ease some of the tension. Ron had a distinct flashback of his return to the Horcrux hunt after his abandonment and too-long absence. She'd been so angry she'd punched him over and over. And he'd expected her to run into his arms and kiss him, thanking Merlin he was alright. Could he really expect that kind of reaction now? At least it would be easy enough to explain why he'd "forgotten" her birthday for such a surprise and he felt fairly certain that the ring would smooth everything over. He turned a smooth stone over in his hand, the coolness of it felt good in hand. Suddenly, a light flashed, somewhere over the water. Instinctively he got wand and turned towards the sea. As quickly as the light had come, it had disappeared, and Ron wasn't entirely sure he hadn't imagined it. But it looked to him like the water was choppier than a moment ago. Squinting, he stepped closer and illuminated his wand. Nothing.

"Hey," a voice startled him and he spun on his heels, on the defensive. It was Harry.

"Harry, sorry," Ron said, lowering his wand.

"On edge, much?"

"No it's just that I thought I saw..."

"What?" asked Harry. Ron turned back to the sea and still there was nothing.

"Nevermind. You're right, I'm just on edge. How's the party going?"

"Excellent. Hermione's in a right state. She's miserable."

"Good, good," said Ron. He knew it was impossibly ludicrous to be glad his girlfriend was feeling so terrible on account of him.

"Well, it will be time for you to swoop in soon."

"I know."

"How you feeling?"

"Great, I'm ready to..." Ron's voice was cut off by the sound of rushing water. Harry and Ron stood dumbfounded for a second as an enormous wave came crashing towards them. On instinct, they turned and ran towards the cottage, but the water broke over them hard. They struggled to fight through water that pulled at them, shouting curses and jinxes until they stood soaked, but safe on the sand.

"What was that?" asked Ron. Harry didn't answer. His wand was out and he turned, looking all about him with a Sneak-o-scope in the air.

"Someone's here."

"You don't say," said Ron. Then he saw a hooded figure gliding towards them. "Harry, there!" he said motioning towards the figure. "Kingsley said there might be surprise 'missions' from time to time, for training. Not the real thing, but simulated..."

"This isn't for training," said Harry. Ron gulped. He was afraid of that. Before he had time to think, before he even had time to fear, sparks flew at him and he instantly deflected them. He didn't have time to process anything, he could only act. Thoughts of Hermione, her birthday, the party, the ring, the proposal, the plan seemed miles away. It was just him and Harry and they needed to stay alive. It was clear now that there wasn't only a single figure, but three, and they seemed ready to kill. Over what, Ron hadn't the slightest clue, but at the moment it hardly mattered.

"Who are they?" shouted Ron as sand swirled around them, obstructing their vision.

"Raiders," said Harry.

"Not Death Eaters?"

"No!" Harry yelled as he ducked a curse. "I think we were wrong...about the Gringott's break in!"

"What?"

"I'll tell you later! Kind of busy, right now!"

"If we live 'til later!" muttered Ron. He was caked in sand, it stung his skin and his eyes burned with salt. Despite the warm air, being wet made him very cold indeed and his teeth were chattering. Of all the days for an attack, he thought as he threw spells left and right. He'd ignored Hermione all day and now it might be his last. He vowed that if he lived he'd never go to such extreme measures to surprise her again, no matter what the payoff might be.

"Which one of you weasels is Bill?" grunted one of the hooded wizards. Bill? What did they want with Bill? So this fight was personal? On what grounds? He didn't have the chance to ask, one of the cloaked men was fiercely attempting to Crucio Harry. "Stupefy!" yelled Ron, but the Raider blocked the curse and it bounced off his wand exploding in a nearby tree, which instantly burst into flames. Another Raider was working on the sea again, this time the water rising in a huge funnel, like a tornado, high above their heads. Ron moved to break the wizard's concentration and took a page out of Hermione's book, setting his robes on fire, like she'd done first year when they'd thought Snape was cursing Harry's broom. It worked and the water came splashing down, but Ron used all his might to send it back to the sea. Still, the force of all the magic was causing large waves to stir. Chaos continued to reign and Ron rapidly felt his senses deteriorating. Maybe something had hit him. He was tiring quickly, he strength waning. Still he pressed on. He had to keep fighting. This could not be it. No matter what, Ron was determined not to die tonight.