Runaway Fox
Chapter Eleven: Ties that Bind
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter. No way, no how. I would be very rich if I did. As it stands, I'm only a college student on scholarships and one loan.
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"He's lost too much blood. That's what they said, Mom," said a very anxious Simon. His hands were covered with a mixture of Ron and Mari's blood. Jordan Scott came to the hospital as soon as Simon called.
"The doctors are working on him right now," said Simon as they walked further into the Muggle hospital emergency room. Simon had no choice because the injury inflicted on Ron was a bullet wound, and he didn't want to risk a wizard doctor doing any work on him.
They stopped cold when they saw the team of trauma surgeons working on Ron. The machines were beeping endlessly and suddenly increased in speed. "He's going into cardiac arrest!" declared the head doctor. He started shouting instructions to the team. Ron's heartbeat and breathing didn't stabilize. Instead, his heartbeat dropped and stopped. Simon felt himself go pale as his mother clutched his hand. The doctor order that another Muggle machine be brought in. A nurse turned it on. Another doctor was also shouting instructions that Ron lost too much blood. He had lost more than two pints of blood. The nurse said that there was a shortage of blood. Specifically, Ron's type, so the doctors order that some O blood type be brought in. The doctor with the paddles had them charged up and shocked Ron in the chest in an effort to get his heart beating. After the first two tries with the paddles, the doctor ordered the charge to be increased. He did it again, and a weak beeping came from the machines signaling that Ron's heart was beating. Simon sighed, but he knew that Ron wasn't out of the woods yet.
"We need to get O blood type from the bank," said one of the nurses with the other doctor standing with her. Jordan Scott stepped up to them immediately.
"He's going to die if you waste time. I have the same blood type as Ron. He's my son's best friend. Let me give him some blood," pleaded Jordan. The doctor nodded and ordered the nurse to tell the staff in the room that she was going to give blood to Ron. They wheeled in a stretcher, when Simon tried to get inside, he was pushed back away from his mother and best friend.
The doctors put the needles with a long thin plastic tube attached with another needle on the other end and put that into Ron's arm and Mrs. Scott's arm. Jordan was laying down on the stretcher to allow her blood to go to Ron's body. She took a hold of his hand and noticed that it was icy cold. His skin was deadly pale. She saw the tubes that were coming out of him. The doctors got the bullet out of him and that's what made him go into cardiac arrest earlier. His mouth was covered with a mask to help him breathe, and machines told her that he was barely alive. She closed her eyes and started to chant a spell which became a prayer.
Jordan Scott looked at her empty coffee mug. She remembered that horrible night. It was the night that Ron became a real member of the Scott Family. Ron never really recovered from that night mentally. Even physically, he had that bullet scar on his body. She loved Ron like he was one of her own children. He practically was. She remembered a birthday about two years ago when Simon bought the ranch that she and his sisters were now living in. Ron bought the horses for the ranch. Ron always said that he wanted to give money to his parents, but they would never accept it from him. Instead, Ron sent expensive gifts to his family members, but that was for rare occasions like Harry and Ginny Potter's wedding.
Mrs. Scott always thought that Ron seemed like a lost child, so her heart went out to him the moment she met him. He was intelligent and better mannered than any of Simon's other friends. She had to hand it to Mr. and Mrs. Weasley for raising a wonderful son. Jordan felt like she also raised Ron herself even if she met him when he was eighteen. Her two daughters, Jacqueline and Jenna loved and were annoyed with Ron as if he were another older brother to them.
In the United States, wizards and witches didn't send their children away for schooling, well some of them didn't, and one of those parents was Mrs. Scott. Her children went to a wizards' school that was far away in Los Angeles near the school of fine arts for the Muggle children. The children went to school via Floo Powder. Rebecca was fifteen and still going to school in Los Angeles, but came home everyday. Jenny was attending Ellsinore with her major as Liberal Arts. Both girls had the same characteristics as their brother and mother, both had blue eyes and blonde hair. Some people have mistaken Mrs. Scott for a Veela, but she wasn't. She was just a California beauty like the kind the Beach Boys sang about. All her children loved the bench and horses like she did. Ron never liked the beach except to stroll in, but he did learn how to ride horses for Mrs. Scott's sake. He was glad to know that riding horses wasn't any different from riding a broomstick. Mrs. Scott thought of him as another son. When she gave him her blood, he became a real member of her family in her eyes. And she was rightfully concerned for him.
~*~
Harry, Ginny, and Remus apparated to Hermione's apartment in London. Using her key, Ginny unlocked the door and found that it was empty. There wasn't indication of Hermione being there. According to Mrs. Granger, Crookshacks was with them until Hermione came back, but she left no word as to where she had gone. Remus had never been to Hermione's place before, so he felt a little uncomfortable there.
"There aren't any papers laying around," said Ginny. She really didn't want to go searching through Hermione's things. Harry already headed for Hermione's desk. "Wait, Harry," pleaded Ginny. That didn't stop him. He went over there and opened it with the the unlocking spell. He spotted some parchments and newspaper clippings.
"What's that?" asked Remus.
Harry started reading them. They were things about Ron. His eye caught the first article it was dated just a few months after he left England. The headlines said, "Brit Wins International Wizards' Chess Championships," and the article said that Ron had been the youngest player to ever win the chess tournament which was held in San Francisco annually. Harry saw Muggle news clipings about Ron's company in Wall Street in New York City. There were the reports from the Quidditch World Cup about Ron's win. The article about Ron's refusal to renew his contract with the Astrolights. The rumors of what they were going to pay him were printed. Harry's eyes were wide open. "The Americans sure pay their players a lot," observed Remus from Harry's shoulder.
"What?" asked Ginny anxiously.
"These are about Ron. Hermione's was compiling information on him. There are addresses to the corporate offices from Warp Speed Technologies Limited, and the telephone numbers as well. Those are the bits of real, useful information that Hermione has. Please hand me the telephone," said Harry. Ginny knew how to use one, but never tried, and Remus didn't even know for sure what Harry was talking about. Ginny handed the telephone to her husband.
"I'm sure Hermione won't mind the long distance call," murmured Harry as he dialed the New York City number. Remus and Ginny looked at each other, not knowing what Harry meant. "Hello, I'm looking for Ronald Weasley or Simon Scott," he said, sounding as if he added Simon's name as a second thought.
"If there is specific business, I can direct you to the right department," said a smooth female voice on the line.
"Actually, I like to speak to Ron or Simon directly," said Harry. He didn't think that it would be so hard to get a hold of Ron. He didn't realized that Ron wouldn't be easy to find. There were levels that most people had to get passed before getting to top. Simon was the last stop before Ron. "No, I'd prefer to speak to either." Harry had to figure out how to bypass this person along with several others, so he did something he didn't normally do, "My name is Harry Potter." He hoped the person on the phone wasn't one of those uninformed Muggles.
"Harry Potter?" said the voice on the other end.
"Yes, and I would like to speak to Ronald Weasley or Simon Scott," said Harry in a calm voice.
"I'll check to see if Mr. Weasley is there. Please wait a moment, Mr. Potter," said the voice.
Harry smiled and waited.
~*~
Hermione woke to the warm sunrise in her hotel in San Francisco. She stretched her arms in the large bed in her large hotel room courtesy of Simon. According to Mrs. Scott, Ron and Simon were currently en route to San Francisco from New York City. She got up and took a shower. She didn't know what she was supposed to do in San Francisco until Ron arrived. She thought about Ron. Mrs. Scott seemed to know Ron as if he were her own son. Ron was constantly on Hermione's mind. She was starting to get cold feet because she hadn't come up with anything to say to Ron.
"I murdered two people." Those words went through her mind. Who did Ron say he killed? No where in Hermoine's being, especially in her heart, could she believe that Ron murdered two people. Simon neither confirmed nor denied if Ron killed anyone. Hermione knew that Simon had to keep his promise to Ron. Besides, Hermione wanted Ron to tell her himself. She didn't know him that well anymore. Doubt started to seep into her mind. She started to wonder if she had made a foolish mistake What if Ron didn't love her at all? What if he hated her for not being on his side?
I've always been on his side. I love him. It should be enough. He asked me if I could love him to matter, and I do. I have to wake him up. What can I do for him? How can I get him to see? How can I help him without understanding what he's been through without him telling me anything?, thought Hermione. She looked out the window and drew the curtains wider. The Golden Gate Bridge greeted her outside.
"No wonder Ron came here. It looks like paradise," whispered Hermione as she gazed at the bridge. It looked like the gates of Heaven itself.
~*~
"Mr. Weasley is currently on his way to San Francisco, Mr. Potter. And Mr. Scott is with him. Would you like me to take a message?" returned the voice on the phone.
"Thank you. Goodbye," said Harry as he hung up. He looked back at Ginny and Remus. "He went to San Francisco." He didn't like the thought of Ron pulling even further away from England. Ginny looked upset. She had her hopes up that Harry could have at least spoken to Ron.
"Let's go. We don't know where Hermione's gone. We can't just stay here," said Remus. They decided that they should go. Harry was already formulating a plan and pocketed something. His plan was something he should have done five years ago.
~*~
Ron was sitting in the plane waiting for it to land. Simon seemed quiet and thoughtful. It was bothering Ron. "What are you thinking about?" he asked.
"About what happened to us three years ago. The night I grew up," answered Simon. This threw Ron because Simon was hardly ever serious about anything other than business.
"I don't want to talk about it," said Ron coldly. Simon didn't need to look at him to know taht he had struck a nerve.
"You don't have to tell me anything, Ron. I was there, but I think you had to do more to help yourself," said Simon calmly.
Ron said nothing more, but he could feel his temper rise. He stood up and walked to the backroom and slammed the door shut behind him with a loud snap. Simon didn't bother to turn around.
~*~
"Are you serious, Harry?" asked Sirius, not believing what he had just heard.
"Yes, I'll be going to San Francisco. Hopefully, I'll catch up with Hermione," replied Harry.
"What makes you think you can find Hermione so easily? I mean what if she's not there," said Ginny as she rocked Jessica to sleep.
"Well, then I'll find Ron. Either way, I'm finding one of my best friends," vowed Harry. Remus, Sirius, Ginny, and even little Jessica, who peeked through her blankets, looked at Harry. They knew that Harry was serious.
Ginny put Jessica to bed and started pack Harry's things. Harry called to make plans to take a plane. It was a bit of a surprise when some of Ginny's brothers dropped by.
"What's going on?" asked Fred.
"Harry's going to San Francisco," answered Ginny as if it were perfectly natural.
"What?" asked Percy in an amazed voice.
"I have to find Hermione. Ron's other offices are there," said Harry as he handed Percy the slip of paper he had "borrowed" from Hermione's apartment with the addresses and phone numbers on it.
"Oh my, if we knew where to look, then we could have found him. He's managed to live in the Muggle world," said Percy.
"Dad would be so proud of him," said George.
"I say some of us should go with Harry," suggested Fred.
Harry didn't know about that. Yes, he knew how to blend in with Muggles in England, but in America? He wasn't so sure about that and bring one of the Weasleys would have been difficult as well. However, Ron was able to do it, and he had no one with him to really help him.
"There's probably Wizards' places in America. New York City and San Francisco are major cities. I wouldn't be that surprised if there were Wizards' enclaves in both cities," said Remus thoughtfully.
"That's right There has to be a Wizards' enclave in San Francisco or any where close to where Ellsinore is," reasoned Sirius.
Harry knew they had to be right. Somewhere around San Francisco was a place just like Diagon Alley in London. Together the seven of them came up with a plan. First off, Percy wanted to go, but was quickly talked out of it because Percay would be missed as the head of the Department of International Magical Co-Operation. Neither of the twins could be spared from Weasleys' Wizards Wheeze. Harry knew that Ginny wanted to go but she had misgivings about Jessica coming on board a Muggle contraption known as an airplane. So, it was down to either Bill or Charlie. The four Weasleys present nominated Charlie to go as the San Francisco and found out that the Wizards' enclave, Whispering Footsteps Cove, was in the Fisherman's Warf. There were other smaller enclaves wedged within places like Chinatown, but Whispering Footsteps Cove was the largest and most well known and it was the closest to Ellsinore. Remus decided to use his connections as a professor of Hogwarts to contact anyone on Ellsinore. Remus decided to use his connections as a professor of Hogwarts to contact anyone on Ellsinore faculty. Harry and Ginny packed Harry's things so that everything would be ready. Percy, Fred, and George left to go inform Charlie of what was to happen. They were going to tell Bill, of course, but decided not to tell their parents. They wanted to spare them any disappointment.
~*~
Ron was meditating in the backroom. He was sitting Indian style ion the bed with his shoes, socks, and jacket off. He was trying to keep calm because it wasn't Simon's fault.
Marcus was so quiet after Ron's win at the Quidditch Wold Cup. Ron was a little concerned because he thought of him as a younger brother. He was looking at Ron differently. Ron was wondering what was wrong with him.
They were back in America and celebrating Ron's team won the Cup. Mari was laughing with Simon and talking with him, but she had a special smile on her face just for Ron. Ron knew how she felt about him, but he didn't the same but, to Ron relief, their friendship became stronger. However, Marcus was more quiet than usual.
"What's wrong Marcus?" asked Ron.
"Nothing. Nothing's wrong. Get off my back, Ron," answered Marcus gruffly.
"Marcus, please tell me what's wrong?" asked Mari from behind them.
"Leave me alone, Mari," spat Marcus as he turned and walked away.
"I'm sorry, Mari," said Ron.
"It's all right. Something's been bothering him lately. I'll talk to him," said Mari as leaned forward and gave Ron a kiss on his cheek.
"That was a great win, Ron. I'm so happy for you," she said a happy tone as she went to talk her brother.
Ron sighed because he wished he had seen the signs before it was too late. He unbuttoned his shirt to look at the scar on his abdomen. He staggered to the water closet (AN: I've always wanted to use that.) He turned on the sink and ran his hands under the water. He was careful not to look directly at himself in the mirror. When he did, Ron saw the scar in his abdomen. He frowned at himself. He remembered when the wound looked like a big gapping hole in his liver. He washed his face and took one last look at himself as he buttoned up his shirt.
AN: The first draft is written in pen on paper. I usually prefer to type because I can do it much faster on a keyboard than with my right hand. I bough a copy of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire for my dad for Christmas. He read the first book and went looking for the other two books, but I took them with me. So, I'm leaving the second and third books for him to borrow and the fourth to keep. That's it for now. And I do have the British version of the paperback of GoF on hand. ^_^
