A/N: First of all, it's been five years since I first published this story. Idk why, but writer's block happened and then I procrastinate until I forget about it. Fast forward to now, post-pandemic and whatnot, I'm starting again. I apologize for the delay. I'll be posting this one chapter, and the other chapters will continue a bit later because I will need to write a few chapters in advance before I post one. If you know what I mean. Enjoy this one and don't forget to leave a review. Tell me if I've lost my touch or anything. Love xx

Chapter 4: The Boathouse

Ron contemplated for a few moments before reaching his parchment and quill. He dipped the tip of his quill in the black ink and started scribbling.

'Meet me in the boat house after dinner.'

-Professor Weasley

He read the short sentence over and over and decided to sign the letter with 'Uncle Ron' instead of 'Professor Weasley' so that he sounded informal, more like a family rather than just a teacher. He gave his owl a treat and asked her to send the letter to the Slytherin dungeon, to the boy who had eyes, just like hers. The one who got away.

Ron did not plan to disappear as long as he did. But as time went on, it had been harder for him to drop everything, and return home to see everyone else but him, happy. He could not bear to see his long-time enemy happy beside the love of his life. He was pretty sure that he will hurt her sooner or later. He was sure, every Malfoy was built that way.

The clock went off to mark dinner time. Ron got up, he scrambled around the table to search for his wand and found it under the table. He locked his office and found Professor McGonagall doing the same.

"Evening, Minerva." He started.

"Evening, Ron." She replied. They walked together towards the Great Hall. "So, have you met them?" she asked knowingly.

"Who?" he asked back. Although he knew who she meant, he was trying to stall from answering so he would find a good answer.

"Your nieces and nephews, Ron." She gave him a stern look. The look he always gets during his years as a Hogwarts student himself. "Don't pretend to be oblivious. Hogwarts is full of them alone." It was true. From Charlie's children to Bill's, Percy's, George's, and Ginny's. This still does not include Harry's and Hermione's, who were practically family to the Weasleys.

"Oh." There was a long pause.

"Oh? That's all you have?" she raised her eyebrow. "Don't tell me you haven't met your family too."

Only their footsteps echoing can be heard and McGonagall released a long sigh. The journey to the Great Hall seemed abnormally long this evening.

"You ought to let go of the past, Ron. They're your family. Forgive and forget." She said while holding his arm reassuringly.

"I met her son." He started. "We didn't have a good start. I'm trying again tonight." He looked at his foot. "But I must say I'm a bit disappointed that the twin didn't get our signature red hair." He smiled a little. "They would've been carbon copies of Fred and George." A hint of longing can be heard in his voice.

"Visit them, Ron. This weekend. Spend a little time with your parents. They've missed you so much."

"I will." He said, patting McGonagall's hand on his arm.

Once they've reached the long table for the teacher, Ron greeted the teachers closest to him and began eating. He remembered McGonagall saying that Hogwarts was full of his nieces and nephews. So, he lifted his head and scanned across the hall from left to right. He could see little specks of redhead amongst the blondes and brunettes. He was pretty sure that they were his family.

And then he saw the boy. The blondest of them all. The blonde was unreal. Obviously, it was inherited from his father. But that eyes, how could he forget them. The boy was carefully listening to his twin cousin chatting away. About what, he did not know, but if given the opportunity, he would very much like to know.

Dawson felt like someone was watching him as he was listening to the twins bickering about partnering in potions class. In his opinion, they should not be partners with each other because, well, imagine the disaster. But then, he also pitied those who will be their partners, if they chose to be separated. He stopped them and reminded Aiden about that little note. When Aiden noted that their professor uncle was done, Dawson quickly followed behind.

"Good evening, sir. I received your note which made me curious. You must know that I already sent the letter to our family. So, I guessed by now, Grandma Molly must've known about you being home." Before Ron could say anything, Dawson chipped in first. The professor did not respond.

"I need to tell you something, kid."

"Yes, professor?"

"Uncle Ron. Just call me Uncle Ron." He said. Trying to forget that this boy's father married the love of his life. "Do you know why I disappeared this whole time?" he asked. Trying to figure out how much they told the kids.

"I don't know. I tried asking Uncle George about you when I saw your pictures in the frames but never saw you in person. But he wouldn't tell. He said I'm not old enough to know about grown-up stuff." He shrugged. A bit disappointed when he remembered about it.

"Well, your mom and I," he paused, not knowing how to start. "I think you are old enough to know about this. Your mother and I used to date. We were in love. But one day, I decided I didn't love her anymore. And it broke her." He paused. He moved his view from the black lake to the boy. Dawson was staring at the rocking boat. His feet dug at the floor.

"Why are you telling me this?" Dawson looked at his uncle and asked without a hint of emotion.

"I thought you should know, why I acted so indifferent to you after class today. And I'm sorry for that."

"Apology accepted." He said softly. "I still think you should go home, though. They've missed you so much. I mean, they wouldn't tell us, but I can see it in their eyes." He resumed staring at the boat.

"You're so much like your mother. And at the same time, your father." He said, voice wavering at the end. And Dawson noticed that. "Well, I am planning to go home this weekend."

"Why do you hate my father?" he asked, ignoring the last statement from Ron. Ron already expected the question.

"I didn't. At least not anymore." He admitted. "When we were students here, your father was kind of an arse. He was a bully and a bigot. Just like his father. You'll learn this in your history lesson later but, I think you know that the Malfoy family was the right-hand man of Voldemort."

"Yes, I do. I've heard it since the moment I stepped on the train. When I was getting sorted. When I received points from Professor McGonagall. And every time I answered a question in class, all I hear was 'Brilliant. Just like your mother.'" He paused. "But I know that father was always behind mother in every test, every class. Why can't they say that I am like my father too?" he said, looking at Ron, with tears brimming in his eyes. His shoulder's slouched, not something a Malfoy would do, but he felt defeated now.

He admitted, that every time the teachers praised him, he was hoping that they would mention his father's name too. He might be able to brush it off the first few times, but then, he was just an eleven-year-old. Ron felt something tugged in his heart.

"Dawson, is it?" Dawson nodded. "Listen to me. What I'm trying to say is that your father was an arse at school, but he is a changed man. Don't let anyone's opinion about him change your opinion about him. They don't know him as you do." Ron stood from his seat and kneel in front of Dawson. He held the boy's shoulders reassuringly and said, "Look, I have gotten over everything we've been through in the past. I was just taken aback by how time has passed. I should've been home a long time ago. I promise you, we'll get to know each other. What do you say to weekly dinner with all your cousins in my quarters?" he wiped the brimming tears from his nephew's eyes.

Dawson composed himself. He wiped the remaining tears and carved a small smile for his uncle. He nodded. Unexpectedly, his Uncle Ron pulled him in and hugged him tightly. He was stunned but then he let himself go and buried his face in the crook of his uncle's neck. He returned the hug. After a while, they walked together back to the castle.

"How was the family?" Ron asked, trying not to make the journey back to the castle filled with awkward silence.

"They're fine. Although, we usually gather at Malfoy Manor during the holidays. The manor's too big, it has many empty rooms. So, the family gets their own room."

"Do you still have a room for me too, for when I celebrate holidays with you guys?"

"Of course we do. But I must say, all the big rooms have been taken. Grandma Cissy let us kids sleep in the drawing-room though. But I don't like noise. And with the twin's pranks. Ugh." He rolled his eyes. Ron chuckled. "What?" Dawson asked.

"You're just like your mother when you do that," Ron said. Dawson did not reply. "But when you talked about your big house, you sound so smug," Ron smirked while Dawson scrunched his eyebrows. "Just like your father." Ron continued.

"I try," Dawson smirked his father's infamous smirk.

"Just like your father." He drawled at just. They arrived in front of the Slytherin dungeon and Dawson unexpectedly gave Ron a hug. He returned it and said nothing. "I'll owl you later about the weekly dinner arrangements. But not this week. I'm going home first."

"Okay. Good night, Professor."

"Good night, Mr. Malfoy."

Just like that, Ron knew that he will be able to move on, and turn over a new leaf, even if he was a decade late.