Family Time and Goodbyes

Everyone met back at the burrow. The whole family changed and gathered in the backyard.

"So son" Arthur said "tell us all about this new job."

"Yeah mate, I'd love to hear all about it" Harry added.

Ron took a long drink from his butterbeer. "Mate, it's almost too good to be true. My first job when I get there is to review all of their present tactical plans. I have to make suggestions and revise them. Then I have to train all of my officers in tactical thinking. That should be interesting. Sometime in early fall I start traveling to some of the other bases to train their staff. I go to California, Texas, New York and Nebraska on my first trip. That's as far as I know. At some point I'll meet with the International Division to do some training other places."

"Where are you going to live Ron? What about food and such?" Molly asked.

"I have a furnished flat on base. It has two bedrooms so you lot can come to visit. They actually feed you on base, but they have a grocery store and everything if you'd rather cook yourself. There's also a muggle town nearby that you can go to if you want. They provide all of my work robes and dress robes, so I don't have to worry about that."

"So you're going to be making all of this money and don't have to spend it on anything. Gee, sounds like a plan to me." George laughed.

"Yeah, we're always looking for investors" Fred added.

Ron laughed. "I'll think about it, but only if you have the Ron Weasley line."

Everyone laughed. The afternoon was filled with laughter and jokes. Molly made them all dinner and they ate and talked well into the evening. As they were finishing dinner, Neville popped in.

"I hope I'm not disturbing you all, but I wanted a chance to say goodbye to Ron."

"Not at all Neville dear. Have a seat. I'll get you a plate."Molly rushed into the house.

Neville sat and ate. He entertained the family by telling them tales of their excursions at school. Everyone laughed and enjoyed the evening. Neville finally stood and said it was time for him to leave.

"Mate, can I talk to you for a minute before you leave?"

"Of course Ron." He and Ron walked to the back part of the yard, away from the rest of the family.

"Neville, I am going to be a long way away and I need to ask you to do something for me, but I need to explain some things first." Neville was taken aback at the serious tone in Ron's voice. "I need to tell you what happened with Hermione." They sat on the ground as Ron told Neville everything about the spell and what he had heard Hermione tell Harry. Neville was shocked when Ron told him that Harry still wanted to stay in touch with Hermione. "I'm not telling you this to make you pull away from her, Neville. She needs support and friends. But I am very afraid of what she could do to Harry and Ginny. She's going to be away at Hogwarts and Harry is going to be here in London. I trust you, mate. Can you please just help my brothers keep an eye out for them? Hermione has already messed up enough in our lives. I can't let her do anymore."

"Ron, I'll do what I can. I agree that they belong together and I'd hate to see anything come between them. You can count on me mate."

They both stood and hugged each other. Neville left and Ron went down to join his family. They sat out in the yard until very late.

"Well, I need to go up and decide what to take with me. I'll see you all in the morning." Ron hugged both of his parents and Ginny and went into the house.

Ron was laying in his small bed in his room late in the night, staring at the ceiling. He hadn't been able to get to sleep. He listened to Harry's quiet breathing. Finally, he got up and went downstairs to the kitchen. He was surprised to find his mother sitting at the table.

"Mum? What are you dong up?"

"Seems I'm not the only one having trouble sleeping." She smiled at her youngest son. "I was just sitting here thinking about you when you were little." She pushed the photo album in her hand towards Ron. He sat down and starting looking at it. "You were such a sweet boy. You always hugged me, even for no reason. It seems like it was just yesterday."She had a sad smile on her face. "Ron, you have had to go through so much more than any of us can imagine. I wish I could have saved you from some of that pain."

"Mum, it was what I had to do. I don't regret anything that has happened."
"Nothing?"

Ron looked at his mother and sighed. "I do regret what has happened with Hermione, mum. You know, I was going to ask her to marry me after all of the craziness was over. I was so in love with her, but I can't let go of what she said and did. I'm just not built that way." Ron had tears running down his face when he looked up at his mother.

Molly got up and gathered her son in her arms and let him cry. As the last of his tears fell, Molly looked at him. "You are a great man, Ron Weasley. You deserve the best in life. I hope you find it in America. If not, then you can come back here. You know you're always welcome here, right."

"I know mum. I would like to come home at some point, but I'm going to just have to feel it out. I have never been so sure that what I am doing is right."

They both turned when they heard a throat clear behind them. Arthur was standing there with a small smile on his face and tears in his eyes. "I take it we're all getting along now?" Ron and Molly both laughed.

"You could say that dad."

"I didn't mean to eavesdrop, but I couldn't help it. Ron, you know that your mother and I are proud of you, right?" Ron nodded. "We are going to miss you son, but I know you are going to go over there and take America by storm." He hugged his son. "Now, I think we need to get to bed. Big day tomorrow."

After one more hug, they all went to their rooms. Ron finally fell asleep and dreamed of better days to come.

Ron woke up the next morning and went downstairs to find the entire family in the kitchen. "Morning all."

"Glad you're up Ron. I was just getting ready to leave. I have to get to the bank and then Fleur and I are heading home."

"Bill, I can't thank you enough for everything you and Charlie have done for me. I couldn't have made it through without you." Bill looked at his brother and gave him a hug.

"You'd better write you big git. Just because you're bigger than me and some big war hero doesn't mean I won't beat you." Bill smiled at Ron, hugged his parents and stepped into the flue. With one more look and wink at Ron, he was gone.

"Well, I hate to break up the party too, but I have to get going." Charlie stood. "We've get some eggs ready to hatch and I need to be there. Besides, I've about pushed the limit on how long I've been gone." Charlie turned to Ron and hugged him. "Be great over there Ron. I'll help Bill if you don't write." He smiled at Ron at stepped into the fire. "I love you little brother."

"Well is anybody else leaving?" Ron looked around the table.

"Nope brother. You're stuck with us."

Harry was holding Ginnys hand. "Us too."

"Good. So I was thinking. How about a fly before I go? I don't know when I'll get another chance to go flying."

After breakfast they all went out to the backyard and flew for hours. I was like they were kids again, laughing and just having fun. Finally Molly came out and yelled for them to come in. "Time for lunch, then we need to get to the Ministry."

Everyone had a big lunch. Afterwards, Ron went to his room and grabbed his trunk. He shrank it and his broom and went back downstairs. "I guess we need to head to the Ministry. I'd like to get there a little early."

Arthur nodded and headed to the fireplace. "Well, let's go."

A few minutes later they were all standing in the portkey office at the Ministry. They were surprised to find Kingsley, Tonks, Remus and Minerva there waiting for them.

"Good morning Weasleys. Seems this will be our second Weasley departure for the day." Kingsley smiled at the family.

Ron stepped forward and shook his hand. "Thank you for coming Kingsley. I appreciate all of your help."

He then stepped over to Tonks. "I hope I can do as well in my job as you have in yours. You are a good role model for me." Tonks smiled at him with tears in her eyes and hugged him.

"Be good Ron. Show them what you're made of and you can't help but succeed."

Ron looked at Remus and shook his hand. "I hope I can be as good a man as you are Remus. You have shown great courage in some of the worst situations."

Remus pulled him into a hug. "You've become the great man I always knew you could be Ron."

Ron nodded and stepped in front of the only woman other than his mother that could make him behave with just a look. "Professor. I don't know what to say. You have been a force in my life for so long. I don't think you even realize how much you have taught me and how highly in esteem I hold you." Then he did something he never thought he would. He pulled his professor into a hug.

"Mr. Weasley-Ron. You have done Hogwarts proud." Then she whispered in his ear "You were always one of my favorites. If you ever tell anyone I said that I'll hex you."

Ron smiled as he pulled away. "Well, I guess it's time." He hugged his mother as she sobbed into his shoulder and then his father and brothers. Ginny was crying as he pulled her to him. "Take care of Harry" he whispered. She nodded and pulled away. He turned and faced his best mate. "We'll take care of each other" Harry said as tears fell down his face. He pulled Ron into a fierce hug. When they parted, Ron looked around the room at the people he loved and smiled. He then put his hand on the old boot and waited. As he felt the pull in his stomach he glanced at the door just in time to see Hermione standing there crying.

And with that, Ron Weasley was gone.