Chapter Ten.
Disclaimer: JK Rowling owns the 'Harry Potter' universe and everything and everyone in it, I am just a fan with an imagination running on caffeine and chocolate. I own nothing…believe me!
A/N: Thank you to everyone who is reading the story and to Magnolia Lane and Golden Lass for reviewing the last chapter, it really makes me smile to read your reviews, thank you!
Previously…
Ron's head began to spin and his breathing became ragged and uneven as the darkness advanced further towards him. He was unable to remain standing as the pain returned to his left leg and he fell backwards towards the tree. He sat at the foot of the large tree trying to fight the panic and fear as the darkness further encroached upon the daylight…
Ron's eyes suddenly snapped open…
Chapter 10.
Ron had been expecting to encounter the persistent darkness when his eyes opened and was surprised when he could see some faint cracks in the ceiling above him. His breathing returned to normal as he turned his head slightly and could see the soft light created by the torches that were lining the walls. He squinted automatically but soon found that he could see without much trouble in the dim light. His contemplation of the light was suddenly interrupted by a faint noise that was coming from the other side of the room.
He froze.
The noise stopped for a second before returning and then it sounded through the room at constant intervals. There was something vaguely familiar about the sound and he chanced a look towards it.
As he turned his head slightly a small smile graced his lips.
Fred and George were snoring in tandem as they sat on either side of a slumbering Hermione. It took a minute for his mind to figure things out. Through the faint light he could see the outline of a large window with its curtains drawn. If the room had been empty he may have thought that it was another fantasy, but his escapes from reality were always solitary, there were never any other people there. And yet as he slowly moved his head he could see that not only were Fred, George and Hermione in the room, his mother, father, Harry, Ginny and Charlie were all present. They were spread across the room on various different chairs that had been transfigured into more comfortable chairs to sleep on. After summoning his strength he slowly pushed himself into a sitting position. His head began to spin slightly at the sudden movement and the very familiar headache began to return. He sat for a moment to recover his strength and used the time to get a good look at where he was. He smiled slightly as he saw Ginny sleeping with her head resting on Harry's shoulder. Harry had an arm draped around Ginny's shoulder. Charlie was sprawled across a sofa on the far side of the room. As he looked at his older brother Ron could vaguely remember Charlie's voice reassuring him that everything was going to be okay. Was it true?
His attention was drawn away from his memories by the sound of a voice from the other side of the room.
"Ron…no…it's alright now…it's…"
He saw his mother talking frantically in her sleep. Her eyes never opened as his father gathered her in his arms and she fell into a deeper sleep. His father's glasses were sitting slightly crooked on his nose as his head rested on the side of the chair.
Could it really be true? Was he actually free?
It was wonderful to see his family and a part of him felt like rejoicing in his freedom, but he had to know for sure.
He couldn't allow himself to believe until he knew for sure. He knew what he had to do and he wanted to do it before anyone woke up.
He pushed the blanket aside and slowly swung his legs over the side of the bed. Ron wearily rubbed a hand across his face and noticed that his hair had been cut and the beard was gone. As he reached for the nearby robe he could vaguely remembered being told that his hair had been cut…it was his mother…she had been talking to him…something about a ponytail?
He sighed, but returned his attention to the task at hand. There would be time to figure things out once he was sure that it was real, that he was truly safe.
He was grateful to notice that the sharp pain in his knee was now masked by numbness, and was reduced to a dull ache. He knew though that the respite from the pain was only temporary. If this was not real then the darkness and the pain would soon return, if it was real…then the medicine and the potions would eventually wear off and the pain would return.
Any energy he had had when he woke up was rapidly disappearing as he looked around the room. He turned his attention to the nearby medicine cabinet and began his search. It was not long before his search yielded results and he had found bottles of painkilling potion and an energy-replenishing potion. His hands shook slightly as he uncorked the bottles, and after swallowing the potions and giving them a moment to act, Ron carefully tried to stand up. With one hand braced on the bed, his bare feet hit the cool ground. He winced as a twinge raced through his knee, and he wobbled a bit as he stood. But he managed to stay on his feet and pulled the robe on over his hospital pyjamas.
He took his time and tried to make as little noise as possible as he took his first shaky step towards the door. His left leg threatened to give out under him, but he managed to take a few steps by keeping most of his weight on his right leg. He was grateful to reach the door however and took a moment to rest against the doorframe. He could tell that whenever the numbness wore off, his knee was going to be very painful.
But he was determined to do this; he had to keep moving.
He spared a few seconds to glance at his family and was reassured to see that they were still asleep. A small ghost of a smile flitted across his face as he stepped through the door and closed it carefully behind him.
The corridor was quiet and dimly lit and Ron guessed that it was very early in the morning. He noticed the directions, braced himself with one hand on the wall and began his slow journey down the hallway. The witches and wizards in the portraits that lined the walls were snoozing peacefully in their frames as he hobbled past them. He didn't notice a wizard in one portrait open his eyes and observe him curiously as he moved down the quiet corridor. He was able to make his way towards the door at the end of the corridor without meeting anyone who would question him. But the heavy door creaked loudly as he pushed it open and he held his breath for a moment, waiting to see if anyone was going to appear. When the corridor remained quiet Ron moved through the doorway and pushed the door closed again. He leant against the heavy door for a minute in order to catch his breath, but soon continued on his journey. The spiral staircase that lay ahead of him was undoubtedly a challenge but Ron slowly made his way to the first step.
He had to be sure; he had to know.
He braced himself with one hand on the cool stone wall, put most of his weight on his uninjured leg and approached the first step.
One step…he had to know for sure.
Two steps…he couldn't trust the light until he knew that it wouldn't disappear.
Three steps… he could not dare to hope until he was certain that he was safe.
Four steps…he wanted to believe that he was safe but he needed to know for sure.
Ron made his way slowly but steadily up the spiral staircase, each step was a small mountain in his path, but he eventually made it to the top. He was out of breath as he reached for the door handle. He drew a shaky breath, pushed the door open and the cool early morning air hit his face. A step across the threshold of the door brought him onto the roof of the hospital, and he suddenly found himself able to take a deep breath.
As his lungs filled with the cool air he noticed that colours were beginning to creep across the horizon as the sunrise approached. He made his way slowly across the rooftop until he was able to lean against the wall that surrounded it. He watched as the light began to creep across the cityscape that lay below him. The jet-black roofs of some buildings, the roof gardens on others and the various other colours that made up the wonderful tapestry of colour caused his soul to lift as he leaned on the wall. He was so captivated by the colourful metropolis below him that he did not hear the door to the rooftop suddenly opening and a concerned voice muttering,
"Oh thank Merlin"
It was only when a hand gently touched his arm that he became aware of the fact that he was no longer alone on the rooftop.
He turned suddenly and met the concerned eyes of his brother Bill,
"Merlin Ron, are you okay? We didn't know where you were when we saw your bed empty"
Ron glanced over Bill's shoulder and saw Percy hovering around the doorway, looking worried and concerned.
Bill continued talking as he observed Ron's reactions. Charlie's description of what Ron had been like when he had last been awake had haunted him. Now, two days later, he was very concerned for his little brother.
"We were down at the canteen getting some breakfast for everyone and couldn't believe it when we got back to your room and saw your bed empty. We were about to raise the alarm when some old guy in one of the portraits told us where you went. Ron…"
He waited until Ron looked him in the eyes before he spoke again.
"What are you doing up here?"
Ron broke eye contact and returned his gaze to the colourful horizon as the sunrise continued.
"I'm okay"
His hoarse voice startled even himself as he ran a hand across his face and then gestured out towards the sky.
"I just…I need to see this"
Ron did not wait for any response as he focused on the scene in front of him, but he was silently grateful when his brothers seemed to understand. Bill remained at his side and Percy moved to stand on his left side. The three brothers watched the beginnings of the new day, and the two elder brothers kept an eye on their little brother.
When the light began to get so strong that Ron was starting to wince slightly in pain Bill broke the silence,
"C'mon mate we'd better get you back, c'mon"
He gently touched Ron's arm and guided him back towards the door. Ron was reluctant to leave but the potions he had taken were starting to wear off and the daylight was beginning to irritate his eyes, so he let himself be guided to the door.
He stopped suddenly however when he felt a small drop of rain hit his face. Both Bill and Percy turned to look at him in concern as he looked towards the sky and closed his eyes. The first raindrop was followed by many more as a light rain fell across the city. Ron savoured the sensation of the raindrops hitting his face and finally allowed himself to believe that he could actually be free. He did not say a word as he made his way back to the door, until he reached the top of the stairs. He turned to his brothers,
"I need to get a wand"
He felt himself incapable of sentences of more than five words but he needed to get his point across. He needed to feel safe. He knew that one way he would definitely feel safer was if he had a wand. The last time he remembered having his wand had been during the battle at Hogwarts.
His brothers exchanged a silent glance before Bill quickly nodded his head,
"We'll sort something out Ron, don't worry"
The steps of the staircase that had seemed like small mountains as he had ascended them now appeared enormous. He took the journey very slowly and once again braced himself against the nearby wall. His leg was beginning to ache again but he was focused on his destination. His brothers silently escorted him. They had tried to help him on various occasions, but Ron felt like he needed to do this on his own. They had settled on walking close to him in case he lost his balance.
As they walked through the hospital corridor, more and more hospital personnel were beginning the morning routine and many were watching Ron curiously. Ron was aware that there was an increasingly number of people in the hallway and many of them seemed to be watching him. He tried to pick up the pace in order to make it back to the room.
A wave of dizziness hit Ron as they neared the door to his room and he stopped for a moment to catch his breath. The potion was definitely beginning to wear off as the pain began to return to his knee and he began to lose his balance.
He was vaguely aware of his brothers suddenly at his side, and he felt himself being guided towards the door to his room. The pain and exhaustion had overwhelmed his stubbornness and pride. His eyes were starting to close as he saw the door to the room being pushed open.
To Be Continued…Chapter 11 coming soon.
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