The Adventures of The Misfit Professors
Chapter 16
"Ron's Revelation"
By: Deep Shadows and Eckostalker
Naples, Italy... 5:54am... apartment room 7... that's it I think...
Ron lay staring up at the water stained ceiling of his apartment, sighing as he shifted uncomfortably for what had to be the twentieth time that night, finding yet another broken spring in the small twin sized mattress for his bed. He yawned canvernously, looking over at the clock with tired eyes and seeing it was about six in the morning, and he knew he wouldn't get any more sleep.
Between the wretched uncomfortableness of the bed, the squeak and scurry of mice, and the constant roar and scream of traffic and crash outside his window all night, he had gotten a grand total of about three hours sleep.
He rolled out of the bed, stretching his back, cursing the Ministry for their cheapness. They couldn't even afford to get him an apartment with a stove in it... and he was there for them!
"Jerks..." Ron mumbled as he stumbled to the bathroom in the shower, remembering too late that the hot water only lasted for the duration of a minute. After a cold shower and breakfast of cereal, Ron gathered his breifcase and papers strewn about the small table, stuffing them in the case and snapping it closed. He sighed as he looked about the dingy apartment room, then shook his head and parted from the complex, the only thing keeping him in a better mood being the fact that he'd get to see at least part of the Naples Quidditch match today, since it was there in the stadium box office that the first meeting would be held.
Ron stepped off of the stairs to the apartment complex, then quickly stumbled back as a group of mean looking kids shot past on bikes, laughing at him as he fell against the side of the building. He glared at the children half heartedly, then picked himself up off the wall and started off towards the busstop, wondering wistfully how his darling Alexis was faring back in England.
Ron had read about Naples, Italy before, had even visited once, and it wasn't too bad a place. That is, if you were staying at the right place. But unfortunately for Ron, that wasn't the case this time. He swore he had to have been housed in one of the most dingy neighborhoods in the city, no joke.
Ron finally made his way out of the small neighborhood, having only been cursed at twice and only narrowly missing a drunken driver once on his way. Better than the first night there.
He sat quietly at the instructed spot at a busstop, looking about a bit nervously. A white company car pulled up after a few minutes, and Ron sighed with releif, seeing one of his familiar colleagues from the Ministry, Olsten Rook, smile at him through the window. He had this strange feeling that he was being watched, but couldn't offhandedly see if anyone was doing so.
Ron quickly hopped into the passenger seat of the car, throwing his breifcase in the back as Olsten took off down the road, speeding on his way to the Naples Quidditch Pitch on the outskirts of town.
They arrived at the quidditch pitch, the seats already filling for the city's match, and Ron smiled as he looked out into the large playing area, wishing he could've somehow brought Alexis to see this. And it being in Naples, the wine capital of the world? Man, would he and Alexis have had some fun...
He tried to push those thoughts aside though as he joined the other commitee members filing into the office space. Ron took a seat on the opposite side of the round table, so he could face the large window that took up the wall of the room and looked out upon the pitch.
He pulled out several papers from his case and a quill, leaning back on two legs of his seat, only him and a few others actually early to the meeting. He sighed, knowing this was going to be one long, lonely month. Finally the Head officials for the sport of Quidditch appeared, and the meeting commenced as the match outside the office roared to a beginning.
Throughout the meeting Ron would sneak glances at the pitch, whenever he didn't need to hear what was going on that is, and had a pretty good idea of the winning and losing teams. He hid a yawn as he thought. I swear, if it wasn't paying good, I'd would've told them to shove this assignment where the sun don't shine... what's the point of this meeting anyway? All we're discussing is former rules... I'm pretty sure these people, who work in the Games Department, know those rules quite well... Could be out there watching the-
Ron stopped mid thought, sitting up straighter as he viewed an odd occurence outside the window on the Quidditch Pitch. It seemed as if the Bludger, though hit squarely towards a player, swerved around him and was actually heading towards the stands under the box office the meeting was being held in.
A voice called him out of his observation though.
"Mr. Weasley, I'm pretty sure a local match isn't that important that you have to miss this meeting." One of the officials spoke, and Ron looked at him sheepishly.
"Oh.. yes... sorry sir... just thought- nothing. Go on." Ron stammered, sitting back in his seat and smiling at the official. The man shook his head, but then went back to his lecture. Across from Ron, Olsten raised an eyebrow, and Ron looked at him, then out at the Pitch, and Olsten looked confused, but shook his head and went back to doodling on the edge of his notepad.
Ron sighed, wondering if it was just a trick of the light. He zoned in and out of the lecture for a few more minutes, which was now turned to how it was our duty to do something or another, and Ron fought back another yawn.
A flicker of movement caught his eye outside the window, and this time Ron knew it wasn't a trick. He scrambled to his feet, eyes locked on something outside the window, and the others in the meeting room stopped talking, looking at him with confusion.
"Watch out!" Ron hollered loudly as suddenly the huge glass window shattered into a thousand glittering peices, zinging about the room like so many bugs. Ron dove to the floor, covering his head as shards fell on his back, pricking him in places. A roaring filled the room as the speeding bludger that had broken throutgh turned circles around the top of the room like a vulture, the commitee members, now all on the floor, mumbling with confusion.
Ron looked up at the bludger, wondering what idiot had hit it in this direction, when the enchanted ball stopped mid turn above him. Ron's eyes widened and he gulped, having a bad feeling that this wasn't just any accident. He rolled under the table just as the bludger flew down at him, striking the floor with a resounding crack.
He scrambled backwards under the table, eyes wide as he watched the bludger float up off the floor, then zoom towards him. He tried to dive aside, but the rogue ball caught him in the shoulder, and he was flung forward a few feet, grimacing in pain.
The bludger zoomed upwards from under the table and then proceeded to fall and pummel the wooden table in an insane attempt to get at Ron once again. Ron covered his head as the table splintered and he looked around frantically. The other members in the room were not moving too much, too confused or frighten to actually do anything, and Ron knew he had to get out of there before the bludger injured anyone else.
Gritting his teeth against the pain in his shoulder, Ron scrambled out from underneath the table and scampered towards the door, and the bludger stopped it's annhiliation of the table to zoom up and after Ron.
He jumped to his feet and barreled out of the door just as the bludger rammed him in the back, knocking the breath out of him and sending him careening down a few stairs. He rolled to a halt, doubled over in an attempt to breath as the bludger pounded like a pinball against the sides of the metal staircase, quickly making its way towards him. Ron got to his hands and knees, scrambling hastily down the stairs, ducking as the ball zoomed overhead.
But Ron slipped, and he fell down a few more stairs, landing painfully on another landing. He opened his eyes with a grimace, but his pain was forgotten as he witnessed the ball zooming down towards his head with the speed of an out-of-control train.
No time for anything, he merely shut his eyes tight, waiting for the impact that would shatter his skull, his only thought full of sorrow for how his Alexis would take this. Ron waited... and waited... and waited some more. Damn, it does seem like forever to die, don't it... He thought, eyes still shut tight, breath held in his chest.
He couldn't comprehend what was actually going on until a hand touched his shoulder and a voice asked worriedly. "You okay there son?"
Ron opened his eyes slowly, and jumped slightly, seeing the bludger frozen mere inches from him. A swell of relief rose in his chest as he shakily looked up, seeing about three or four wizards standing there, wands out at the bludger and looking at him warily.
"Close call there. Looks like you weren't completely lucky though..." The man who was kneeling next to him spoke, gently touching his swollen and bloody shoulder. Ron was too shocked to say anything, and merely sighed hugely, falling back to lay on the floor despite his throbbing back, eyes closed as he focused on the beautiful sesantion of merely breathing.
A few days later...
Ron trudged down the littered and broken sidewalk, hugging his jacket about him as a cold wind whipped past him. He was just returning from a meager dinner at a resturant who's food he seriously debated wasn't any better than his usual cereal breakfast.
His main thoughts and concerns, though, were still on the meeting that had been interupted by the rogue bludger, the bludger that had oddly been attracted to him. He had been sent to the nearest wizarding hospital to be patched up from his minor injuries aquired after that incident, and had been kept there overnight for observation. That was a day ago, and Ron was just as perplexed as he had been when the bludger first attacked.
Why would it attack me? I doubt I was one of the more important men there at the meeting... or in the stdium for that matter... but it didn't even accidentally hit anyone else... I'm pretty sure I haven't made anyone that mad at the Ministry... so who could've sent it after me?
"Bludgers just don't randomly pick out a guy and say, 'Hey, let's beat the hell out of that one, he looks scrawny enough'. At least, they didn't the last time I checked..." Ron grumbled aloud, shaking his head in confusion as he continued back towards his apartment. The sun was just going down, casting the neighborhood into cold shadow, deepening the overall gloom of the trashed area.
Ron just couldn't shake the nagging feeling that there was something more to this, something bigger, and he was a part of it somehow. He glanced behind him nervously, though the street both behind and ahead of him was empty... eerily empty.
Ron slowed by a step, a bit unnerved by the overall desertedness of the area. This part of town usually had some kind of action, either some angry looking kids playing street hockey with someone's car keys, while the owner of the keys stood on the sidelines yelling in vain, or a random couple screaming at each other from the steps of their apartment. Whatever it was, it added life to the neighborhood, but tonight, it was as dead as the cat he had just saw flattened in the gutter of the street.
Ron continued walking, hands in his pockets, one around his wand, as his gaze darted about nervously, his pace quickening a bit. A few minutes later, Ron heard the unmistakeable sound of footsteps echoing his, and he stopped. The footsteps stopped as well, and Ron spun about, though saw nothing. He stuck close to the walls of the apartments, continuing his walk, swallowing nervously. The footsteps resumed, and he didn't look back this time, knowing that he was being followed. He clenched his wand, tensing to spin around and confront whomever it was, but he never got the chance.
He had passed a darkened entrance to a supposedly empty alley, but was surprised to find it wasn't empty as two sets of hands shot out and grabbed him, yanking him into the secludeness of the alley.
He yanked himself away, wand out as he slowly backed away from the forms materializing out of the shadows, blocking his exit from the alley.
It would bloody well figure... Ron thought darkly, keeping the six or so men in complete view. At first he thought it was random gang out for a good mugging, but upon looking closer, he saw all were pretty much similar, clad in the same black outfits, all bearing the same intent gaze and buzz cut hairdo. This wasn't just some local gang, but Ron was not going to let that keep him from anything.
He held out his wand, not caring if these were Muggles or not. That was what memory spells were for.
But before he could even act, two bodies dropped out of nowhere, pummeling him to the ground and pinning him there, his wand being snatched from his hand.
"Oh shit..." Ron grumbled as the group broke into action, crowding into him. He didn't care how many there were, he swore they were going to regret messing with him. Ron kicked out at the nearest man, knocking him back as he bucked and struggled out of his captors' grasp, swinging out with both fists as soon as his hands were free.
He caught one across the face as a body rammed into his side, and he fell to his knees as kicks rained down upon him from all sides. Biting his lip from the pain, he growled and grabbed one foot heading towards his head, twisting it deftly and hearing a wet snap of bone. There was a howl of pain, and Ron smirked grimly, rolling out through the space that man had created. He pulled himself to his feet, but was knocked against a wall as a seeming rock solid fist slammed into his jaw.
His vision exploded in flashes of pain, and he grabbed his jaw, dimly knowing it to be broken. Instead of giving up though, he grew angrier, shoving off from the wall and tackling the nearest man to the ground, slamming his head into the concrete and knocking him out. But his moves were dampered as several bodies dove upon him, pinning him to the ground, crushing his chest under the weight.
A frightful thought came to him under the crushing bodies. Oh god, I bet this was what happened to Draco... I can't do that to Alexis... He fought with renewed vigor, and suddenly the weight on him was lessened slightly, and he dimly thought he heard more voices joning those already there.
He struggled against the two men still on him, managing to kick one in the kidneys and make him fall back. But that was the last thing he saw before a fist slammed him in the side of the head, making his jaw seem to scream at him in agonized pain and his vision went black as he crumpled back on the ground.
Vinnie was strolling down the sidewalk of his neighborhood, his cousin Toni and friends Brutus, Rolland, and Frank following close behind. It was thier night to be checking up on their territory, gather a few debts owed, and maybe visit Mama. Vinnie ran a hand through his thick red hair, looking around the street with curiosity. It was oddly quiet, Julian and Roberto weren't even fighting tonight in their apartment he commented.
He looked to Toni with confusion, and the shorter man shrugged with the same perplexity. The others seemed also on edge, looking about with narrowed eyes. Vinnie didn't recall anything going down tonight, so he didn't know why no one was out in the neighborhood, everyone knew it was safe when he was out patrolling.
He and his group were walking past an alley when the sounds of a scuffle met his ears. He stopped, looking down into the deep gloom of the alley, picking out several forms crowded around something. He whistled to the guys, who were beginning to walk off, and they stopped, looking at him with curiosity. He nodded his head towards the alley, and they joined him, wondering what was going down.
At first Vinnie thought it was just one of the local wannabe punk gangs making trouble, but upon looking closer, he saw that these fellows weren't kids at all. He saw a flash of bright red hair in the midst of the group along with a few pained grunts, and he narrowed his eyes suspiciously.
The only other red-head he knew of in these parts was his brother, Louie. Well, there was that cat-lady who lived on the next street, but he was sure this wasn't her, for this fellow was putting up a good fight. He looked to his group and nodded to the guys down the alley. "Eh boys, why don't we go see what's going on?"
The guys smiled, and all started running back towards the group, Vinnie seeing the red-hed going down under the mass of bodies. Boy, if that was his brother, there were going to be some heads rolling. They came upon the group, yanking the guys off of the man underneath and flinging them backwards. Vinnie saw the red-head go down and he grew angry, throwing of few of his famous right hooks at the nearest punks.
There was a breif scuffle, but Vinnie and his Boys were renowned in these parts for their ability to kick ass, and Vinnie wasn't about to let his people down. His group of five quickly drove off the eigth or so opponents, Vinnie cursing at them in Italian as they disappeared from the alley, dragging their wounded with them, most unlike the gangs around here.
"Hey Vinnie, I don't think we know this one..." Toni called to him, and Vinnie turned to see him and Frank kneeling by the small red-head that had been the center of this scuffle. Vinnie walked over and knelt by the unconcious man, looking him over with interest. He had the same bright red hair of his family, but he had never seem this guy before in this town. But the kid had a good look about him, he didn't seem too bad.
He stood up with a thoughtful smirk. "Hey Brutus, you and Rolland take the kid to the hospital by my house, get him fixed up. I like the looks of him..."
"Sure boss." Brutus answered and Rolland nodded, hoisting Ron between them as Vinnie, Toni, and Frank followed them out of the dark alley.
Ron awoke warm and comfortable, yawning widely. He grimaced though at his jaw's soreness, and he cracked his eyes open in pained confusion. He was laying in a dimly lit room and he knew it wasn't his apartment just by its clean smell. He tried to sit up, but groaned at the sorness of his ribs and sides, and he fell back on the bed with a releived sigh.
"Well, I'm not dead... surprisingly..." Ron grumbled, wondering how he had gotten here when the last thing he remembered was getting knocked out of senses by the five or so still standing men in that alley. He was brought out of his reverie though by the door to the spacious room opening, and a white clad woman walked in with a tray holding a glass of water and a few vials of potions.
"Good morning Mr. Weasley. I hope you're feeling better." The nurse spoke, setting the tray on a table and handing him a potion without any hesitation.
He took it slowly with surprise, asking her with confusion. "Um... this is a... wizard's hospital right?"
"Yes sir. You were brought in almost two nights ago. Drink up now." She told him, and he shook his head in confusion as he downed the potion, his soreness fading thanks to it. He managed to sit up, and the nurse handed him a glass of water.
"Your wallet was found on you, I'll have it returned as soon as possible. Oh, and this was also left for you." She spoke, handing him a business card of sorts. Ron took it and the nurse smiled at him and then left the room. Shaking his head in wonderment, Ron looked at the card with interest, reading the simple red lettering to himself.
'Vinnie Grimauldy, 676-7227'
"Okay then... I guess he wants me to call him?" Ron told himself. He had no clue who this Vinnie guy was, but he must've been the man to bring him here, maybe had even saved him from his attackers. The least he could do was call up and thank the man.
Ron reached over and picked up the phone on the table near the bed, dialing the number with curiosity.
He heard the sound of it being answered, and a gruff Italian voice answered. "Hey Red, how're you feeling?"
Ron was silent for a moment with surprise, guessing that he was Red. He stammered back. "Um... I'm, okay..."
"That's good, that's real good. Was worried about you for a while there." The voice answered heartily, and Ron shook his head in confusion.
"So... this is Mr. Grimauldy I take it?" He asked, and there was a short laugh on the other end.
"Call me Vinnie, Red. My papa's Mr. Grimauldy, I'm not that old yet."
"Sure... Vinnie. Um, I'd just like to say thanks for helping me out-" Ron started but was cut off.
"Nothing to it kid. Those punks were on our turf, and nobody messes with nobody on my turf, unless it's me doing the messing. What's your name Red?" Vinnie asked good naturedly, and Ron debated on whether or not to say anything.
He gave in though, figuring that if these dudes wanted him dead, they would've walked away from that fight. "Ron. Ron Weasely."
"Well Ron, hope you don't mind me calling you Red, helps me remember it better, you understand?" Vinnie asked and Ron smirked.
"No problem."
"That's great. Well, just wanted to make sure you were alive and kicking. Hey, you know what, we should meet up somewhere... yeah. I know this little place down the road, serves great pasta. You should stop by." Vinnie suggested, and Ron was quiet for a moment in thought.
Well, wouldn't hurt to make friends who could kick some ass... probably mine included if they wanted too... "Yeah, that sounds... cool."
"Great. Listen, I'll send my cousin Toni to come pick you up in a bit. You feeling fit enough right?" Vinnie asked, and Ron snickered.
"As good as to be expected... and that pasta's sounding awfully good right about now..."
There was a heartfelt laugh on the line as Vinnie replied. "I like ya kid. Toni's easy to spot, red hair like yours, loud mouth, obnoxious voice-"
There was a sound like a smack in the background, and a few jumbled Italian curses, and Vinnie continued, Ron grinning. "He'll find you. Don't sweat it. See you soon Red."
Vinnie hung up, and Ron put down the phone as well, shaking his head in amusement as he rose to find some clothes to put on besides the thin hospital ones, preparing for what he knew was going to be an interesting meeting.
Ron and Toni arrived at the Cafe where the afformentioned meeting was to be held, the drive there a rather silent one, which consisted of Ron analyzing the red haired, stocky man with interest. Toni hadn't say much, he had only asked for an affirmation of his identity and gave him a greeting, but Ron wasn't about to question a man who looked liked he could probably bench press two of him without breaking a sweat.
The large but cozy Cafe was empty besides the one large round table near the back where about six or so more guys sat, talking animatedly with loud, hearty laughs here and there. Toni gestured for him to go on ahead, and Ron did so, a bit sheepishly as he approached the table.
Another simliarly red haired man turned and smiled upon seeing him, standing up and throwing his arms out wide. If Ron thought Toni was big, this guy was huge. He stood almost a good foot taller than Ron, and those arms he flung about so carelessly looked like they could knock the head right off Ron's shoulders. But he was surprised as the man spoke in a thick, familiar Italian accent.
"Red! Nice of you to join us! Come, sit by me, there's plenty of room..." He greeted, slapping Ron on the back goodnaturedly, making ron stumble forward a step.
This guy can rival Hagrid quite easily... Ron thought as he sat down, being greeted loudly by the other members at the table. Toni sat to his left as the other took his seat at his right.
"Hey Vinnie, who's your friend?" One of the men asked, looking Ron over curiously.
The man beside him, obviously Vinnie, slapped Ron on the shoulder and answered. "This here's Red. Helped him out of a little mess he got into down on Gero Street."
Ron smiled in greeting, not sure of what to say. Sitting in the midst of these huge men, Ron knew what it must be like for Alexis. "Um, hi?"
"So Red, tell us what brings you to Naples. I know you're not from around here." Vinnie asked as he grabbed some drinks from the middle of the table as a few of the other men went back to their own conversations.
"Well, uh... business." Ron alluded, not sure if telling them would bode well. He wasn't sure if they would understand or not...
Vinnie smiled, then stopped, seeming to remember something. He reached into his back pocket and pulled out Ron's wand, handing it to the shocked man. "Found this when we found you. Wouldn't do good for a wizard to be running around these parts without his wand."
Ron took it, looking at Vinnie with surprise, stammering quietly. "You... you guys are, wizards?"
Vinnie laughed and replied. "Who else would know what a peice of wood was doing near a near beat to death person?"
Ron sighed, feeling a bit releived to be among people like him. Among this pretty friendly group he felt very... protected.
Vinnie smirked at him knowingly, leaning back in his chair as he spoke. "So, what were you saying about business?"
"Um... I'm here with the committee that's laying down the new rules for Quidditch matches. From England actually." Ron spoke more freely, and Vinnie nodded.
"Now we're getting somewhere. Hey Grigori, bring the man some food, he looks half starved. Don't forget the canolies either!" Vinnie called to someone towards a Kitchen door, and a voice answered him back in Italian, obviously agreeing, for Vinnie smiled back at Ron.
Feeling bolder, Ron decided to find out a little about his new 'friends'. Trying to sound as casual as possible, he asked. "Great coincidence you guys being out in that part of town at the same time I got jumped. How'd that come to be, if you don't mind me asking?"
Vinnie chuckled, folding his arms behind his head. "We were ah... checking up on the territory, you know? On patrol in other terms."
Ron looked at him curiously, wondering what that could mean. He continued his friendly questioning. "Patrol? You guys don't look like any police I've ever seen..."
Several people laughed at that one, and Ron wilted, not sure of what he said that provoked that reaction. Vinnie shook his head with a smile, raising an eyebrow as he asked curiously.
"So, you work with the Ministry of Magic then?"
Ron nodded warily. Vinnie rubbed his chin, continuing. "What department again?"
"Um... Magical Games Department..." Ron spoke slowly, wondering what he was getting at.
"So you've no real connection with the foreign magical enforcement group then, right?" He asked, watching him carefully, barely acknowledging the man that came out a set a huge tray of bowls of pasta and little cake looking things in the middle of the table.
A bit unnerved, Ron shook his head, replying quietly. "No... don't like getting into foreign affairs that they say is against the law. Not really our business in my opinion as long as they don't mess with my town or family."
Vinnie looked releived at that answer, patting him on the shoulder as he chuckled. "I like you kid, you got spunk. I heartily agree with you on that one... I bet the Godfather would take a liking to you as well..." Vinnie spoke, smirking at Ron slyly with an intent brown eyed gaze.
Ron didn't catch on at first, but then his eyes widened as he pieced together the hints. Wait... patrolling their territory... in the middle of Italy... and they have a Godfather?... they couldn't be-
He spoke in a near whisper, scared that he'd assume wrong and anger them, which would probably not be pretty. "You guys are... are a part of the Mafia?"
Vinnie smiled widely, crossing his arms as he spoke amusingly. "'Mafia' is such a negative sounding word... but if that's what people must call it..."
Ron was still too shocked to reply. Here he was in a Cafe, eating pasta and canolies in the midst of six huge wrestler looking wizards that were a part of the infamous Italian Mafia. This trip was getting odder by the minute. He shook himself from his surprise and asked, too curious to be subtle.
"You're wizards... in the Mafia?"
Vinnie gave one of his heart, genuine laughs and answered with amusement. "You think those Muggles in our 'Mafia' could get this far without a wizard's help? We have our own branch, and don't do too bad."
Ron sat back in his chair, eyes stil lwide with surprise as he drank this in. Vinnie gave him a wary look and leaned towards him, asking seriously. "You're a part of the Ministry you say-"
"Yes, but like I said, foreign affairs are really none of my business! I never had, have, nothing against the... Mafia." Ron hurriedly spoke, and Vinnie took one look at him and cracked a huge smile.
"You act like the wrong answer's going to get you killed. Don't worry Red, if I wanted you dead, you wouldn't have even seen it coming. But I like you, you have nothing to be nervous about. We aren't that bad really. Simple thing actually, we only get violent when the other side gets violent. It's not like we go looking for trouble... often..."
Ron swallowed a bit painfully, and Vinnie laughed at him, slapping him on the back as he continued. "Just playing! Enough of this, we're all family here, right?"
There was a chorus of loud and boisterous 'heys' of agreement around the table, and Ron managed a small smile as Vinnie looked to him as well. He had a point, they weren't that bad so far, and he had never really heard of the Mafia making big trouble for the Ministry. Plus, he owed them for saving his ass. He could be friends...
Ron smiled with a little more confidence, looking at the dishes of food and asking sheepishly. "What's a canolie?"
Vinnie's face contorted into a look of shock as he grabbed his chest in mock pain, murmuring a string of Italian words. He quickly grabbed one of the said food items and shoved it into Ron's hand, shaking his head.
"My boy, you have truly been deprived..."
Ron smirked, taking a bite of the treat, and he smiled with satisfaction, quickly eating the rest of it. Vinnie nodded with approval, making himself a plate of pasta. After a few moments, he looked to Ron curiously, who was quickly devouring his own plate of pasta, and asked with a rasied eyebrow.
"So, where you staying at Red?"
Ron swallowed his mouthful of spaghetti sauce drenched pasta, and answered. "Chily's Apartment Complex on 45th Street."
Vinnie set down his fork and looked at him sternly. "Oh, now we can't be having that. Not the best part of town for you to be living in. I'm sure we can fix that... hey Anthony, don't your uncle have a few suites down by your place? Tell him to give me a call, will you? Yeah Red, we got you covered..."
Ron, looking around at the group of large boisterous men, all eating, laughing, and having a great time in their little Cafe, suddenly didn't feel too bad about this trip as he had been two days ago. No... not too bad at all.
Ron paced the length of the white carpeted living room in his new apartment room, so caught up in his thoughts that he forgot about the pasta boiling on the stove in the spacious kitchen. He stopped by one of the windows, a look of deep thought on his face as he looked out upon the busy street alive with shoppers, tourists and meandering couples.
He turned from the window with a frustrated sigh, shaking his head. Something was wrong about all of this... first a bludger tries to kill him... and then he gets jumped. Vinnie had already called and told him his boys couldn't find who those guys had been, and Ron knew they must've been really good to escape Vinnie's tracking.
He plopped down in one of the comfy armchairs, drumming his fingers on the armrest in agitation. He mumbled to himself as he thought. "All kinds of freaky crap's been happening these past two months or so... Draco's beating's surely one of the- hold on a minute!" Ron exclaimed, jumping to his feet and pacing the floor with renewed vigor.
He mumbled to himslef as it slowly dawned on him. "Draco got beat... when he was with me. He ws pretty much... my bodyguard! And now someone sends a jinxed bludger after me, hoping I get killed... and when that doesn't work, they decide to see it down personally and track me down to most likely kill me! Why didn't I see it before!"
He stopped, smelling something burning. He yelped and ran to he Kitchen, quickly pulling the smoking pot off of the stove and shutting it off. He sighed as he stepped back away from it, taking up his pacing once again.
"Someone's out to get me, that's got to be the only answer... they found me at Hoggesmeade... but i got away. Draco didn't unfortunately, so they took him out of the picture and proceeded to track me all the way to Italy, figuring I'd be helpless. Which I pretty much was, but now I've got Vinnie and his friends..."
Ron stopped suddenly, eyes wide as he came upon a new revelation. "Wait... if they can't get to me here because of this new protection, they'll have to find something to get me to come out... something, or someone... oh my god... Alexis!"
He raced to the desk which held most all of his papers and yanked out a notepad and quill, sitting in the chair and hastily writing a letter.
"Dear Fred and George.
I need your help. I don't care how much you laugh at me as long as you do this. I rarely ask anything of you, because when I do, it usually gets dashed all to peices. But I don't think you'd want to mess this one up.
I need you to watch Alexis, make sure she's safe. There's something going on, I think someone has it out for me, but at the present moment I'm pretty sure they can't get to me. But they can probably get to Alexis to get to me. I can't let that happen, but if I go to her myself, I'll bring the danger straight to her. Which also means I'm going to be in Italy a little longer than I planned, until I get this figured out actually, so I'm not sure how long I'll be here. Please, make sure she's safe and keep an eye out for anything strange.
I know you can't be at Hogwarts all the time though, so I'm going to enlist more help, Severus to be exact. Trust me, I have reason for my choice. Artimis doen't need this stress, and Remus I fear will get too out of hand with this on top of the issue with Artimis. Severus is the only other one I can... trust, with the safegaurding of Alexis. DO NOT tell Alexis anything, I don't want her worried, she's already strung out enough with her pregnancy and I don't want her thinking she can go all Sherlock Holmes and solve this. I'm counting on you two. Please.
Your brother,
~Ron~"
Ron read it overly quickly, then nodded, stuffing it in an envelope and uncaging the small post owl he had been given fore this trip. He tied the letter to it's leg and sent it on it's way, then turned back to his desk for one more letter to a certain Potion's Master.
And this guy is never going to let me here the end of it... Ron thought grimly to himself as he picked up his quill with urgency.