Ron was buttoning up his robes. It had been three days and Doc had finally declared him fit for duty. What the Hufflepuff didn't know was the Gryffindor had been working from his bed.
"Ugh, Shaggy, what have they been feeding you?" asked the redhead waving his hand in front of his nose looking down at the giant red dog. The dog's tail flopped against the floor several times as he made a wheezing sound.
"Laugh it up fuzzball*," the tall redhead said. The door opened and Hermione walked in to the small medical room Standing in front of him she started straigthening his robes. "How are you? What's that smell?" she asked crinkling her nose.
"I'm fine," Ron said smiling and placing a kiss on her forehead. "That smell," he said looking over at the great golden-red dog, "is what happens when Shaggy isn't fed properly." Taking Hermione by the arm Ron started towards the door when he stopped abruptly. "Did you get the Anti-Apparation Net to work?" Ron said concerned.
Hermione nodded her head, "Yes. With the ten we have they should cover up to a quarter mile. It was simple really. I don't know why the Professor didn't think of it. I used the same charm he used on the fire poles. You know, the Distance Distortion Charm. Anyw-" The brunettes ramblings were cut off my Ron's lips.
"Thank you. Thank you," he said quietly after pulling away. Brushing his fingers across Hermione's cheeks he asked, "Is the team here?"
Smiling at Ron's praise and touch Hermione answered, "Yes." Placing her wand to the badge on her chest she said, "Rook, the Chief's coming out. Be ready." Ron looked at her quizzically when a 'roger' came from her badge.
"What was that about?" asked the blue eyed man.
"Nothing. Come on," Hermione said as she led him to the door. Shaggy jumped up and followed closely behind.
Ron stepped out into the S.W.A.T. warehouse and stared. The room was bustling with activity. Dozens of people moved about the room. The map from the ops room had been placed on the far side of the warehouse on a small platform. Chairs and tables had been set up facing the map. Different accents and languages filled the air while various colors and clothing assaulted the eyes.
"What the bloody hell is this?" Ron asked gawking.
"You said bring you everyone," said Rook as he walked up with a grin on his handsome face. "This is everyone."
"Not quite."
Ron spun around to be greeted by an unlikely sight. A sea of red. "What are you lot doing here?" the Chief Auror said gobsmacked. He turned his head and glared at the dark haired Romani who shrugged in a 'I don't know' manner. Turning his head back to the redheads he said, "You lot can't be here. Go home."
"Is that right?" asked a fiery redhead with her arms crossed as she tapped her foot. Ginny said, "I don't think you have a say in the matter anymore Ron."
"Yeah, ickle Ronniekins, we wouldn't want you to do anything stupid," the remaining Weasley twin said. "Like get captured by a great dirty werewolf."
"You don't know what's going on. It's dangerous," Ron said angrily.
"Would you say it could place us in mortal peril?" asked a thin, curly haired redhead. Pushing up his glasses Percy continued, "I think we have a right as your family to be here."
"Percy," Ron said. Looking around at the faces of his family he saw the concern and love in their faces. There was also something else. Weasley determination. Ron gulped, "Okay. You can stay. Just keep out of the way." Suddenly Shaggy burst forth to jump on a stocky redhead to lick his face enthusiastically.
"Blimey Ron, where'd you get a knuzzle?" asked Charlie as he wrestled the excited canine with a look of longing on his face.
"Charlie? Why aren't you in Romania? What the bloody hell is going on?" Ron said flabbergasted. Someone brushed his arm as they walked by.
"L'enfant de firebolt," Gabby said in awe as she looked wide-eyed at the youngest Weasley.
"Uh, hello," Ginny said uncertainly. The look on Gabby's face changed from awe to delight as she stepped forward to hug the redhead. The young veela pulled back holding on to the redhead's hand.
"Ze 'arpies are my favorite. You are ze best," Gabby said excitedly.
"Oh, um, thank you," the star chaser said looking around wide-eyed.
"Beel!"
The petite veela released Ginny's hand to embrace the eldest Weasley child who stood in the back of the group. Pulling away the pretty blonde started haranguing the scarred redhead in French as she lead him away by the arm. Bill gave Ron a long suffering look and a shrug as he walked off.
"Well son, it's good to see you on your feet."
"Dad!" Ron exclaimed hugging his father. "What are you doing here?"
"Moral support," he answered. "Don't worry," he said pulling away holding up his hands, "I'm too old to take part in your mission. I'm here to check on you."
"What about mum?"
"She's with your sister-in-law and the grandchildren. Now, I believe you have some business to take care of," Arthur said. He hugged the veteran Auror and walked into the crowd of people. Ron turned to see Rook's dark eyes focused on something in the main room. Following his gaze Ron saw Gabby with her hand in Bill's talking to a portly middleaged man.
"Relax," the redhead said placing a hand on the younger man's shoulder. "That's my brother. You know, Gabby's sister's husband." The young Romani's head jerked towards Ron as his cheeks colored. "Come on," Ron said, "Let's meet everyone."
Ron and the young Romani started walking towards the map on the far side of the room with the Weasley clan tagging along. As they neared the edge of the chairs a group of four dark haired men bowed their heads. The men had dark, dangerous eyes. They were clothed in loose, dark garments with wide belts around their waists. Sticking from the belts were what Ron recognized as knife handles similar to the young Romani Auror's.
"Rook, who are they?" The Chief asked as they walked past.
"Carracas."
"And what do they do?"
"Uh, best not to know Chief," Rook answered evasively. Before Ron could question the young man more another voice cut across his thoughts.
"Weasley-san, so good to see you."
"Prince Yamamoto-san," the redhead stammered turning to the new arrival. A man stood to the side with four men standing respectfully behind him. The black haired man had a powerful build and stood with rigid precision. "Uh, Konnichiwa. What are you doing here Yamamoto-san?"
"Ah, yes, your apprentice Rook," the short, well built man said while bowing his head at the dark haired youth. Rook returned the bow. Continuing the prince said, "He said you are in need of assistance. Of course we are in your debt. On such short notice I could only bring these four Ninmagi. They are my personal guard."
"I am honored," the tall redhead said with bow. "Dōmo arigatō." The Japanese prince bowed his head and motioned for his body guard to follow as he left.
"Wow Ron, I didn't know you spoke Japanese," Hermione said impressed.
"Nooo," Ron said wide-eyed, "I don't. Bit embarrassing really. Luckily Prince Yamamoto is really a laid back, fun guy." The Chief Auror turned to the dark haired Romani and said, "And what's that bit about being my apprentice?"
Rook shrugged and said, "Easiest way to get in contact with him." Hermione gave the young Romani a studious look. There was more to the young S.W.A.T. member than he let on. As the clever witch mused on this the group walked up on Gabby and Bill. The black haired, goateed man turned towards them with a toothy smile.
"Ah, Chef Weasley," he said as he stepped up kissing Ron on each bearded cheek.
"Monsieur Delacour, what are you doing here?" the Auror asked with red ears.
"My angel," the portly Delacour said, "she comes home after being away for months and months. I think she is to stay. Non. She says, "Papa, Chef Weasley needs our help. You will do this.' Of course, I cannot deny my angel anything. So, I bring these Maginaire," he said motioning to five men in Maginaire robes wearing the distinctive kepi blanc. Gabby made a rude gesture at the men and stormed off. Looking on a bemused Monsieur Delacour said, "She is proud."
"Thank you Monsieur Delacour. Are you staying?" Ron asked.
The senior Delacour shook his head. "Non," he said, "I came to see my angel. Arthur and I are going to Shell Cottage to see our beautiful granddaughters. And maybe drink some wine." Monsieur Delcour once more kissed Ron on the cheeks before joining Arthur to leave for Shell Cottage. The Chief Auror shook his head as he lead the group to the front. Ron couldn't help but chuckle when Rook knocked into one of the Maginaire with his shoulder.
"Good to see yer up Chief," Tex said taking the redheads hand before pulling him into an embrace. Clapping Ron on the back the Texan pulled away. Tex gave the group of redheads a quizzical look. Eyes settling on the youngest Weasley he said, "Well I'll be. If it ain't the Firebolt Kid." Taking the petite redhead's hand in his large one the Texan shook it vigorously. "Real pleasure to meet you," Tex drawled, "My little sisters are yer biggest fans. Got a fan club and everything."
"Could we stop with the Ginny Potter fan club for a bit," Ron said a bit shortly. The tall Texan released the chasers hand. Startled by all the attention the petite redhead blinked rapidly.
"Oh, right Chief," the Texan said. Motioning to a group of rough looking men behind him Tex said, "Brought some boys from back home." Ron looked at the group who tipped their cowboy hats and nodded their heads in acknowledgement. They were wearing long duster's in lieu of robes. In addition to their wands they all had pistols holstered at their waists. A grizzly, bearded man held a double barreled shotgun across his lap.
"Hey elf, how 'bout bringin' us a cuppa."
The young Auror's head snapped to a table slightly behind the Texas Rangers. Ron's jaw clenched as he strode over to the table. "YOU GET THE BLOODY HELL OUT!" The Chief Auror bellowed at a young HIT Wizard. All heads turned to the red faced youth. Hermione's mouth fell open as she stared at the youngest Weasley male. She knew all the Weasley's had a bit of a temper and had seen Ron angry before. Ron wasn't angry. He was pissed. The tall redhead was towering over a stocky, brown haired man sitting at a table of HIT Wizards with a timid looking Sarge nearby. "Oh dear," Hermione muttered as the man made to speak.
"Eaun," someone said quietly. Hermione's eyes darted to the source of the voice and saw the sandy haired Seamus Finnegan. Of course, this group of HIT Wizard's was Finnegan's Wake. As the man named Eaun glanced over at his team leader Seamus got up from the table. Grabbing the wizard by the robes Seamus shoved the man from the room while giving the Chief Auror a nervous look. Ron rolled his head cracking his neck.
"Listen, I'm only going to say this once," the Chief Auror said levelly. "Sergeant Winky only answers to one person. Me," Ron said looking around at the gathered faces. "You'll address her as Sergeant Winky or Sarge. You'll give her the same respect you'd give me. If you can't do that there's the door," he said pointing toward the back of the warehouse. Relaxing his jaw he said, "Sarge is the reason we're here. She's been inside the wolf's lair. She's gone where none of us could have gone."
Ron looked around the room before walking up to the raised platform holding the map table. Taking out his wand he zoomed in on the Forest of Dean. Pulling himself to his full height Ron said in a loud, clear voice, "The werewolf Fenrir Greyback is hidden in the Wolfslair in the Forest of Dean on the River Severn."
A collective gasp filled the room as a castle filled the map.
*The Empire Strikes Back - Han talking to Chewbacca