An Unconventional Fairytale: A Better Man

Two nights after their return from France, Ron and Hermione attended dinner at the Burrow to share stories of their holiday. After dessert, Ron sought out his father, away from the rest of the family.

"Dad? Can I ask you a question?"

Arthur Weasley, a bit older and grayer than his years would suggest, knew when one of his children were looking for a little advice. "Of course son." He gestured to the door and they stepped out into the garden and walked towards the orchard.

It was a few moments before Ron found his voice. "How did you know mum was the one? That you would spend your life with her?"

Not really sure what he was expecting, this wasn't it. "Frankly, I didn't know." Arthur shrugged. "You never can know until you find yourself there. You can only trust what you feel now."

The memories swiftly started coming back to him. "At first, she was just a pretty girl that I fancied. Good thing she fancied me too- I was quite shy you see. It must have been our fourth year at Hogwarts- one day I realized that she sat next to me in nearly every class. At mealtimes she would sit near, always talk to me." He smiled at the memory, and at his own inability to see what was in front of him. "I don't remember when or why, it finally occurred to me that it was by choice. So I plucked up the courage and asked her to drinks at Hogsmeade. The rest is, as they would say, history."

They had reached the orchard where there was a bench for Quidditch spectators. Arthur sat and Ron followed, intent on his father's story.

"Did I think she was 'the one' then? No. She was just a pretty girl I fancied. But, the next year came and I realized she was the 'only' one I fancied- there were plenty of other pretty girls at school. Then the next year, and the other girls just weren't as pretty anymore, not next to her, and I couldn't imagine fancying any other girl and I thought 'is this love?'" Arthur smiled, starting to understand the purpose of Ron's question. "Then we were of age, and war was looming and I didn't want to spend it with anyone else- I wanted to keep her close. Keep her safe. I knew I loved her. We married. We had a son. My feelings grew only stronger. Another son and so on. Here we are, nigh on thirty years later and I couldn't wish for a different life and I can't imagine a different future. But did I know when I was eighteen that I would spend my life with her? No." Arthur squeezed Ron's shoulder. "But I knew I wanted to try."

Ron nodded, absently, as if still processing it all.

"You're thinking of yourself and Hermione?"

Looking in his father's eyes, Ron sighed. "Yeah."

Arthur smiled at him. "Ron, no two couples are the same- so don't measure your relationship by your Mother and I." He gave a little chuckle. "I'm afraid you two never were very good at expressing your emotions. Opinions- yes. But emotions, especially for each other, no. Tell me, when you were seeing that girl… what was her name?"

Ron looked away, ashamed. "Lavender."

"Yes, Lavender. Did you, at any time, think 'I love this girl'? Not did you care about her, but love her?"

His eyes darted around before Ron sighed again. "No. Honestly, I was only with her to make Hermione jealous. Which was completely pointless, but I was just being stupid. I'm not proud of it."

The wild ride that was teenage hormones was not a topic Arthur wanted to get on, and it was moot at this point anyway. "That's fine, son, we all do stupid things when we're young. It's all part of the package. It's whether we learn from our mistakes or not that makes the difference." He patted his son's knee. "You love Hermione."

It wasn't a question, but Ron affirmed the statement. "Yes."

"So, what's your concern about her?"

"That's just it, I know I love her. Or, at least, I think I do- I don't know what else this is if not love. And I want what you and Mum have- I want to spend my life with her. It's just, I hear some people talk about how young we are. Makes me think that maybe what I'm feeling... won't last, or something."

Arthur knew this feeling all too well- he had the same reservations twenty eight years ago. "Son, I cannot predict the future- no one can, despite what the Hall of Prophecy may suggest. But, as far as you and Hermione are concerned, I don't think you're making a mistake. Whatever your future may hold, I think in the here and now you're making absolutely the right choice."

As the words sank in, Ron's smile grew. "Thanks, Dad."

As he looked at the young man before him, and thought back over the last eighteen years, Arthur couldn't help but become emotional. "I don't say it enough, son. I'm very proud of you."

Ron smiled at his father's praise, but quickly glanced away, a look of doubt crossing his face.

Arthur interrupted his train of thought before it could go further. "It must not have been easy, being the last son. All those brothers, all those accomplishments- what was left for you?" He gripped Ron's shoulder again. "Now here you are, and words cannot describe how proud of you I am."

Arthur watched pride and doubt vie for control of Ron's face. "But, what did I do?"

He smiled softly. "It's not a tangible thing, like a badge, or trophy… or shop. It's your loyalty, son. It's the depth of your heart, your courage and the strength of your loyalty." Arthur could feel tears well in his eyes. "You're a better man than I."

Ron sat back, looking stunned. "No, Dad. I learned all that stuff from you."

"Did you? Oh yes, I have friends. I love your mother and my children dearly and I would fight to the death for them. But think, son, I have no one- no non-relation- I can call brother." Arthur looked deeply into Ron's eyes, holding his attention. "Since you were eleven, you've stood by your friends' side through thick and thin. Did you argue? Of course, you were boys- but when it mattered, you were at his side. We've just seen greatest evil our time has ever known, and you bravely, loyally, stood at Harry's side and stared it down."

Ron shook his head, trying to disagree. "But Harry…"

Arthur wasn't having any of it. "Harry? He's brave and noble, but that poor boy- he didn't have a choice. He had a piece of that foul thing's soul in him- you can't run from that. You had a choice- you could have said he was too much trouble and walked away ages ago. But you didn't. Even when Cedric died and the danger became very real- you stood at his side. When everyone called Harry a liar and ridiculed him, you never walked away."

Clasping his arm, Arthur hoped his son could see the difference. "As a man, it's not easy to admit. Wonderful, yes- I couldn't be more proud to call you my son." At last, a lone tear fell. "But, you are a better man than I."

"Dad." Ron's mouth moved, trying to form words. "Dad, you should know. I did walk away." He looked away, red faced and ashamed.

Arthur's brow creased in confusion. "What do you mean?"

Without looking up, Ron told him- about the locket and the fight the night he walked out. "So you see, I'm not any of those things. I walked away." His voice was small, cracking with emotion.

Arthur sat upright; pondering the confession his son just gave. "So do I understand- You were wandering in unknown places, with minimal food, no information, the threat of Death Eaters hanging over you and an object of Dark magic, the likes you'd never seen before, begins the process of possessing you? Not unlike that diary did to your sister. And in a rage of emotion you leave? Is that right?"

Ron's voice was barely a whisper. "Yeah."

"What then?"

Ron looked up. "Sorry?"

"Well, you were at Hogwarts at the end? So what happened after you left them?"

Ron seemed confused by his father's lack of anger. "I… I tried to go back. Away from the locket I knew I made a mistake."

Arthur encouraged him on. "Yes, what then?"

"I couldn't find them. Hermione's spells were too good, and once they changed locations I had no way to know where they were."

"But you did find them."

"Yeah. It's a long story, but the Deluminator Dumbledore gave me-" Ron reached into his pocket and pulled out the little silver box. "It connects Hermione and I, like a sort of port key. I was able to Apparate to close by. That's when I found Harry nearly drowning in that pond trying to get the sword. That's when I found them. But that was months later."

Arthur, while intrigued by the Deluminator knew this wasn't the time to ask about it, looked at his son and shook his head. "Ron, I'm afraid, despite your best effort, my opinion hasn't changed. You are very human and made a human mistake and have learned from it. Only two people have the right to judge those actions and they have clearly forgiven you." He paused, sighing deeply. "I am a vastly fortunate man- all seven of my children are remarkable and yet each are unique. And, don't tell them I said this, but sometimes I think we saved the best for last."

"Ginny's last."

The boy just wouldn't let up. "Well, last of my sons. And you'd be hard pressed to refer to Ginny as 'last' anything. You had it hardest."

Ron stayed silent, finally out of counterarguments.

Arthur thought he saw the first glimmer of acceptance in Ron's eye. There was hope for the boy yet.

Ron sniffled, his own eyes had started tearing up long before. Reaching across the bench, he embraced his father. "I love you, Dad."

"And I you, son."

A/N: This chapter isn't what I set out to write, but Ron had a few things to sort out first. Next chapter will be as intended- or at least I think it will be.

HalfASlug has a new story, 'Make This Real'- so go read the prologue and start taking bets as to who will apologize first.

J.K. Rowling's solicitors have asked me to stop suggesting I many be her under a pen name. I politely declined.