A retelling of - BuckNC - classic tale …Dragon Heart …as redone by Billybob
Chapter 21 - Missing Christmas and you
Words within this chapter; 4,657
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This re-write will be AU …which means it will be set in an alternate universe – as far from the world JKR wrote about in books six and seven, which means dear reader …that my version of Ron, Harry, Ginny and Hermione will behave very differently than JKR's …characters. So of course the people in my tale are going to speak and act 'OUT OF CHARACTER / and OUT OF CANNON' …duh!
Again if you can't handle it – by this point - hit the exit button.
A semi-Classic Disclaimer: All characters of the Harry Potter books are the sole property of J. K. Rowling, and Time Warner. This remake of the BuckNC 'classic' Dragon heart is strictly for non-profit Internet entertainment of those 'few' who will read it … and if JKR wishes to sue me, tell-her I do not have a dime to my name
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Billybob note: I want to take this opportunity to thank each and every reviewer for your input. In particular I'm grateful for those reviewers who make me think – compel me to take a step back and try to be objective. Sometimes a writer gets so wrapped-up on what is going on in his/her tale – they can't see the forest for the trees.
I hope you've noticed the story changes as a result of 'your' advice, it's all in there believe me. I'm still following BuckNC basic story outline, and will continue until Ron's return. I've tried to tweak this story into being more Rocky Road - (mine) and less plain vanilla (BuckNC's original)
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Ron's POV:
Ron felt homesick and no matter how much Jane or Charlie tried to cheer him up, it didn't help. What did help was the letters he was getting from Ginny, Harry, his dad and mum, Bill and lastly and least appreciated of all was from the twins.
The personal adds prank was still 'going strong' although out of the goodness of their hearts – yeah right – Fred and George had decided to 'bin' some of the more outrageous proposals and just sent-on those that were actually 'somewhat' worthy of consideration. He was 'allegedly' getting this 'thinning out' due to his 'score' with Emma, as told to his siblings by a boasting Charlie.
That these dating magazines witches were not hard to look at, not twenty years older than he was and not ten stone overweigh made the situation worse not better. For it was an indication that these attempts were less of a joke and more of a serious attempt to hook-him up with someone – anyone …and that scared Ron to death.
Speaking of the bold Miss Watson – He'd received a 'nice' long letter from the cinema starlet and he really didn't know how to respond to that. It was filled with generalities which oddly enough reminded Ron of Hermione's pen-pal letters to him over the years. Teasingly intimate in overall content - but nothing a bloke could point too and say that 'this line' or 'that paragraph' was proof positive that she fancied him more than just a friend. Emma reminded Ron of HER so much it was scary.
Then there was a big box of Chocolate Frogs from Harry that arrived three days before Christmas much to the delight of Jane and the little dragon called Ginny. Of course the moment Jane saw the return label on the box; Ron had to at once open it and give out a few of his precious frogs to Jane on the promise that she would keep Ginny, the Dragon, out of his room. Ginny by now had grown to be eight feet in length and well over three hundred pounds. Apparently, the girl Dragons tended to grow faster and bigger than the boy Dragons.
Jane's appetite for Chocolate Frogs sedated - for the moment - Ron opened his first letter from Ginny, hoping for a touch of home – news about his family and Hogwarts friends as he chewed down on a squiggling Chocolate Frog.
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Dear Ron,
How many times must I tell you to play nice with the Dragons? I can't believe you got involved in a 'civil war' with them, you stupid Git – you could've been killed! Then, I would've had to get rid of all that ugly Chudley Cannons stuff in your room. You never stop to think of how/what you do ultimately affects me. I swear you make me mad enough to come up there and do a Bat Bogey Hex on you.
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Ron smiled and chuckled at his sister's weird sense of brother-sister love toward him.
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Now on to other matters, you Prat, when are you going to read Hermione's letters? 'So what' that she thinks of you as I do …as a sister, she has been 'worried sick' about what you've been 'doing' up there - and I doubt there is anything in her letters concerning her love for the big-headed-boy, especially now.
I didn't want to tell you this, and I expect it will come to you as no big surprise to you, but Draco cheated on her. She walked in on him shagging a Hufflepuff girl, she 'broke up' with him after seeing that and I will bet that ever since - she has been feeling guilty about how she has treated you and Harry this term.
I'm not saying that she wasn't foolish for buying into Draco's line of crap, but she knows now that she made a mistake - at least romantically. We all make mistakes, like Harry and I not telling you about Hermione and Draco.
If it gives you any comfort they have both suffered for their errors in judgment. Hermione is now one of the most despised Head Girls in Hogwarts history and as a result of her ill-advised 'rules fascisms' she's even been banded from entering 'all of the house's commons rooms.' Malfoy is banned too from everywhere but Slytherin, not that he seems to care. Her tenure as Air-Head is going from 'bad to worse' and she is too ruddy stubborn to take anyone's advice on how to make things any better.
Harry is 'fit to be tied' angry with her 'all the time' now - as they seem to be 'butting heads' more and more often over this 'dress rules' crap. The two of them don't seem to get along as well as they use to – especially now that you're not around to keep the peace. You need to get back here and 'mend' a-lot of fences - PDQ.
Harry has also discovered how much he has missed the regular Goalie for the house team - the same bloke who could always keep him on 'speaking terms' with our 'favorite' bookworm as well as drag him out of his bad mood funks by beating his arse in wizard chess.
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Ron stopped reading and then carefully reread the last fewbits. He didn't know whether to believe it or not. He was pretty sure about the part of Draco Malfoy cheating was true, his reputation as the prince of Hump and Dump was widely known before he'd left.
Ron was somewhat disappointed however - that it took 'this long' (three months if you started counting back on October first) for Hermione to finally 'catch' the ferret at being a snake, but 'then again' the old saying that - 'LOVE IS BLIND' - had worked against him as well - not seeing what was going on for a solid month before he'd left, - so he really couldn't fault her for the same blindness he had suffered from.
No - It was the-bit about Hermione feeling the least bit guilty about her so-called 'brother' leaving Hogwarts that he couldn't believe. Why would she care?
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Look here …you Git, I knew about Hermione and the Head Ferret, and as your sister I should have told you about it, so I made a mistake too, but you don't seem to hold it against me. None of us are prefect Ron, including you.
Or have you forgotten about the time you jumped off the tree house and broke your leg thinking you could fly. So read her next letter fly boy and send her a nice Christmas gift while you're at it! You were 'friends' with her for 'six years' you git, she deserves to be remembered for 'putting up with you' all that time if nothing else.
Harry wants me to pass on to you on how jealous he is for of all the 'fun' you're having up there.
You two are just incredibly stupid Gits!
I must be 'cursed' to have to 'put up' with the two of you …like I do. Anyway, Harry will be staying with us at the 'Burrow' for the Christmas holidays, along with everyone else except for Charlie and you. I wish you were here so I could 'beat a little sense' into you in person, but instead I'll have to tell you through this stinking letter.
Next subject: what's this 'rot' about you –'maybe' - not coming home to finish school, don't be daft – you try to stay up there and your right - Mum will Portkey up there and drag you back by the ears. Don't laugh - she'll do it! - Mum still hasn't forgiven the twins for not finishing school.
As for Hermione; she is being totally self-delusional on any number of subjects this term to the point that I swear that ruddy head-badge has cut-off the blood-flow to her brain. She still is insisting that she feels only a 'sisterly affection' toward you and Harry.
Her feeling 'that way' about Harry I don't mind so much - but if she persists in her current idiotic thinking along those lines about you - then it will be HER loss.
I probably shouldn't tell you this, but I'm 'sick and tired' of you putting yourself down as being unworthy of 'her' all the time. She is not the only bloody-fish in the sea. Listen to me - you dimwitted Prat -, there are loads of girls out there that desire a bloke with one tenth the devotion that you've showered on that stupid bookworm - Air-Head!
I don't believe I'm actually writing this on parchment 'but' – I have it on 'good authority' that - you're currently 'considered to be' because of that after practice photo taken by Colin – (the one Fred and George used in that lonely-hearts advert – remember). Well anyway that one picture has been reprinted and spread about - making its way into 'all four' common-rooms.
Yeah-yeah and before you ask - I did it - so-what …you're going to have to 'come home' to yell at me? You need 'all the help' –romantically, you can get …you 'clueless wonder'. How else am I going to end up as everyone's favorite-aunt someday – well – hold a sec - more news on that front later-on?
Long-story-short …many Hogwarts girls – including 'Morag' the newest bookworm intellect to join Harry's 'inner circle' of advisors – she's almost as book smart as the Air-Head and has a more friendly and outgoing way of doing things. A fair few of the girls here consider you to a 'prime-beef' …Hottie.
Hold-it right there, I said a few and not the entire school - so don't go getting cocky. They see you as a celebrity figure right now - because I've been exaggerating (big-time) your one or two marginally good qualities. They don't remember as I do that you're a sloppy dresser - have the table manners of a pig and a load of other 'girl turn-off's' that I don't have enough parchment to list. So don't go practicing your swagger you Git - - for I know you better – you ugly girl-clueless Prat. Once the girls here see the real you, you'll lose more than half of your current fans.
Those few that will accept you as is will be birds of 'legal breeding age' within all four Houses – and yes …that includes Slytherin. They're all queuing up in eager anticipation of getting the 'mitts' into your arse.
'Romance wise' big-brother when you get back –'bring a stick' – you'll need it to keep the horde (three or four) of legally of age prospective girlfriends at bay. If you don't go all conceited on them – your 'lounge dream' is still do-able
Speaking of getting a little romance - Now, Ron, I'm a big girl and I can take care of myself, with that being said.
I'm dating, Harry.
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"What!" Ron shouted out loud – causing everyone in the Preservers dining-room to stop what they were doing an openly stare at him.
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Stop it! I can hear your yelling from way over here. I have always cared for Harry and you've always known that. He is your lifelong-friend and best-mate, in-spite of your 'lying' by saying different. So 'basically' it comes down to this – and without going into 'details'- which are - 'None of your ruddy business.' - I hit him over the head with my 'club' and dragged him back to my 'cave'. He's 'mine' now – get used to it – okay?
Now, Harry feels sorry about not telling you about 'Hermione and the Ferret', but that's her mistake in judgment and besides; is all in the past now. You need to 'forgive him' and make up, and then give us 'your blessing' about being together.
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"Great, but I'm not even there to keep an eye on him!" Ron shouted at the letter.
"Keep a eye on what?" Charlie asked him from across the table in the Preserve's dining room where they were sitting at.
Ron ignored him as he continued reading.
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Now, I haven't told anyone else that we've been dating. I wanted you to be the 'first' to know, so you can use your oh-so subtle 'diplomatic skills', that I 'frankly' didn't 'acknowledge on any level' that you 'even had' until just recently - to convince the rest of my overprotective 'Prat brothers' and our 'she's too young to date' Parents to 'leave us along'.
Please, Ron, if you truly love me, you will do this for me.
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"Ah, Merlin!" Ron bellowed before dropping his head in defeat.
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Love from your favorite sister (As I'm the only one), BTW -Granger doesn't count.
-Ginny XXXOOO
PS: Tell Charlie to keep a better eye on you and out of Dragon Battles – tell him that I love and miss him too. Also, to keep taking more pictures of you. :-)
PS (2): A few of the Professors' wanted to assign you more essays, but I talked them out of it.
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"I bet, probably been campaign for me to have them," grumbled Ron as he picked up and tore angrily into Harry's letter.
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Dear Ron,
I know you're still sore at me and I'm really sorry for what I did. I should have told you 'about them' and I regret more than you'll ever know keeping my word to Hermione – our 'sister' -because it has 'almost' cost me your friendship.
The Ferret pulled the wool over Hermione's eyes and sold her a bill of goods that she should have seen though, I admit that. I should have figured it out too – but I didn't. For a book smart girl she acted kind-of dumb and she knows that now.
The worse part of this whole thing it is why the evil ferret did it in the first place. That piece of scum did not court Hermione out of any desire for her as a woman. No he did it solely to get 'you so jealous' that you'd pack-up and leave school, and deprived us of the best goal keeper in 10 years,
Slytherin beat us bad during the match. You were his real target from the 'get-go', he saw your weakness and exploited it perfectly. As much as I hate it - the tactic he used, it 'did'work and we have to give the Devil his due.
As you know I have been reading your letters, and I would have to be 'blind' not to see how much you feel for our now socially alienated Head Girl. But Malfoy's cheating on her like he did, opens an opportunity for a 'second chance' for you with her.
Yeah- yeah she says she is a sister to both of us, but like Shakespeare once said; "Methinks the lady protests too much". Meaning the carp she is spouting out-loud might-not match what she is feeling inside. So when you get back here, tell her'how you feel' - to her face, the 'love for her' I read 'plain as day' in your letters.
If you don't then you'll 'regret it' for the rest of your life - of that much I am sure.– again, with all this 'brotherly crap' she is sprouting these -days she might turn you down flat, but it's worth the risk – for at least you will have tried and can then move-on with a clear conscious.
Ginny told you about us dating in her letter, so let me say before you take the next Portkey out of there to come here to 'punch my lights out', that I care for Ginny more than anything else in the world and I would never do anything to harm her.
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"You better not!" Ron shouted as he ignored the stare from his brother Charlie, while he was talking with his girlfriend, Tania.
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So I'm also asking for your 'blessing' on dating her.
Now as for 'no longer' being your best mate, No Way! You and I have been through too much together to let it be any different.
Face it – we're stuck with one another.
It's taken me six years to get use to your snoring and eating everything that isn't nailed down …like a pig. I finally get a best mate the way 'I like' and you nip off for another country - without even saying goodbye. And I'm still sore about the fact that you didn't want to take me along with you.
Yeah – yeah, Dumbledore explained your reasons and yes, I was wrong for keeping it a secret. In spite of my best efforts to stay neutral - I got caught up in the middle of you and Granger - yet again. I hate that! And I got enough problems to worry about, only to … oh - never mind.
Ron, I miss you and you're still my Best Mate. I keep looking around the Burrow and it's not the same without you here. Besides whom else you going to find that don't mind playing an endless amount of Wizard's Chess with zero hope of ever beating you?
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Ron smirked to himself in agreement. He'd missed Harry too and thought that maybe he should think seriously about officially forgiving Harry and allowing him to date his sister.
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Now about the 'Anti-Dragon Business', I begged Dumbledore to let me come up there and help you, but as usual - he wouldn't. Believe it or not - Hermione even volunteered, not that she be much help in a Pub-fight, but with her temper, you never know. Ron, she misses you too.
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"Yeah, as a sister -," Ron replied angrily but was unable to finish his sentence.
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You two seem to have this weird bond and as much as she may deny, it is still there. Anyway - I think now would be a good time to voice some unpleasant truths –don't you?
She and I never really got along, - 'all that well', - but you've known that for a while - I guess? You have been the glue holding the trio together for years. Hermione has many times in the past and is still almost every day, always seems to be stepping on my last nerve.
This term in particular I've been more confused than ever as to 'what in hell' you ever-'saw' in Hermione. As an annoying friend yeah, she's clever and all that – but romantically – no way. I know you fancy her –okay – so don't get mad at me. It's just at times like this, with the bullocks she's pulled this term alone – that makes me unable to wrap my head around why you find her – so - irresistible. You have very little in common.
Your little sister Ginny on the other hand; is a cunning little prankster with a wicked sense of humor that reminds me strongly of a female version of the twins. And there is a-part of me, the Marauder blood running my veins - that can't help but be attracted to Ginny like a moth to a flame. I'm the son of 'Prongs' and yet it is only now… half-way through my last year that I have pulled my first funny prank. I know that 'Tom' is still out there – but Ginny involving me in her pranks helps me forget for a while - what I have to do – she helps me become a normal teenager for a-bit and that my friend, is worth its weight in gold.
What I'm trying to say is; Ginny and I share a 'love of pranking' – we have that in common. What do you ever share in common with Hermione? Again I know you love her and falling in love isn't always explainable. It just seems to me that what you've always felt for her has been rather one-sided, you know?.
Since you've been gone I've come close to strangling her more than once- she's been that infuriating. I've had to pull-in loads of favors from the other houses just to keep our friend from years past from being hexed into next year.
Ginny wrote you about how she is despised – and that's not an exaggeration 'at all'…and I'm not referring to her dating the evil ferret – no one but us cared about that. It's what she done during her tenure as Air head that has turned into such a disaster.
Face it Ron, things are miserable for everyone at Hogwarts right-now and she still has six months to go before graduation. She needs 'help' and she's refuses to listen to me – maybe you'll get through to her - when you get back – heaven knows I've tried and failed.
Maybe you're not ready to forgive her or me for that matter, but at least write to her, - its Christmas. – She needs to hear from someone who still cares for her and right now that list is down to just us. I said my piece about it and it's up to you to write her or not.
Now back to the 'off preserve' business outings you've been updating us with info and just keep coding it as you have. If you need anything else, like research or whatever, don't hesitate to ask. I haven't given Dolohov's wand to Susan Prewitt or Hermione yet. I thought you should have the honor, when you get back.
Speaking of which, I don't care how much 'fun' you are having up there, you had better get your butt back here in one piece in February. I need my star keeper for our next match and I won't hesitate to fly up there, tie you up, and drag your silly-arse back here.
Your Best Mate and Captain,
-Harry
PS: You need to seek professional help about this addiction you have for Chocolate Frogs. It's costing me five Sickles a week.
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Hermione's POV:
Hermione was spending her Christmas holidays with her parents in Muggle London at her house. She missed them terrible over the long time that she had been away at school and was very happy to be home for Christmas. However, it was the empty feeling in her heart whenever she thought of Ron that kept her from enjoying the holiday. 'Not to mention', it would be over two 'long weeks' before she heard one of Ron's amusing letters again.
If only he would've read one of her letters then he would've known that his sister was reading his private thought to almost the entire school. She had tried to get Ginny to stop doing what she knew to be wrong - and all she got for her trouble were angry glares and the painful reminder of – 'the pot calling the cauldron black analogy' - of her-self not telling Ron about her 'dalliance' with Draco. The problem was - Ginny could be extra stubborn when she was in the right about something.
On Christmas morning, Hermione woke up to the sounds of an owl tapping on her window. She looked over from her bed to notice that the Barn Owl carried an international post on him. She jumped immediately out of her warm bed, ran toward the window, and let the Owl in. Then after she untied it from the owl's leg she frantically opened the post.
Oh please let it be from Ron, please let it be him. Hermione begged to herself as she opened the post to pull out a book.
Inside the post was an old and battered book about Dragons, within the flyleaf was a small 'unsigned' note. Not that it being unsigned really mattered; she instantly recognized the sloppy handwriting as Ron's.
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Dear Hermione,
I was sorry to hear that your romance with Draco Malfoy didn't work out as you planed. I freely admit that I wasn't surprise when I was told that you broke-up with him because of his well-earned reputation. I was however saddened with the thought of how you must be feeling. I recently discovered the pain of heartache myself and I wouldn't wish that upon anyone, especially you.
Try not to get too upset about what has happened, he threw away something special and will regret it someday. Besides his loss will be to a certain Bulgarian's gain as he will think he still has another chance to earn your affection.
This book is out of print and very rare, just the kind of read that I know you'll enjoy the most.
- Happy Christmas
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Examining her present while feeling guilty for not having obtained one for him in return, Hermione was indeed greatly impress at the thought, time and effort - that had to have been involved in acquiring such a rare manuscript. This wasn't the kind of tome that could be found in the check-out line of a local grocer.
Later that day, Hermione was sitting with her mother and father in front of a warm fire as she opened the rare book that Ron had sent to her. She smiled as she no longer felt the empty feeling from before. She started to appreciate the true meaning of Christmas and hoped that the New Year would bring a new beginning.
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End Tran – for now