I'd like to dedicate this chapter to the families of the victims in our recent tragedy, and to the American people in general. This is a time we have to stick together, and I'm praying and hoping for all of us.
Ron looked glumly out the window. It had finally stopped raining, and the sun was shining brilliantly. Ron, however, felt dark.
Had it really been five days? It had seemed like an eternity. Every day dragged on endlessly, and Ron only left his room for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. He hadn't seen Ginny at all, who had refused to come down from her room. He couldn't blame her. But seeing the rest of his family seemed to be the only connection to reality. He needed that, even if they were as depressed as he was.
He thought of his mother. She, surprisingly, was getting along very well, all things considered. Somehow, she was still keeping the house together.
There was a knock at his door. "Come in," he said to his window.
The door opened, and Ron's mother stepped inside. "Hello, dear."
Ron turned around to look at her. He could see wrinkles on her face that weren't there before. The area around her eyes was somewhat bruised, as if she had constantly been rubbing at them. "Hello, mum."
"I was thinking, dear, have you written to Harry and Hermione yet?"
Ron was confused. "For what?"
"Well, to let them know they can come to say in a week for the rest of the summer."
He stared at her, not believing his ears. "Why?" he asked.
"Well, we already agreed that they could. Dumbledore even said Harry could stay. He's been getting the precautions ready."
"But why would you want them to come, mum? After all that's happened, you still want them to come?" To Ron's utter embarrassment and astonishment, tears started to leak out of his eyes.
Ron's mother rubbed them away with the corner of her apron. "Dear, when a tragedy like this happens, you cry. You never forget it, and it lives with you for the rest of your life. Charlie will always be with us. But after you cry, you have to move on. Because if you don't, then Voldemort wins. Don't you understand? Hope is the only way for us to survive now. Hope, love, and friendship. We all need our friends at a time like this. That's why I want Harry and Hermione to come over."
Ron was crying harder than ever, clinging to his mother. Finally, he pushed himself away, looking his mother in the eye.
"I understand, mum. I'll write to them right now."
"Perfect." She turned around to start to walk out of the room.
"Oh, mum?"
She turned around. "Yes, my dear?"
Ron smiled, for the first time in five days. "Thank you."
His mother smiled back at him. "You're welcome." She left Ron's room.
Ron looked over his letter to Hermione. He had already sent Harry's letter off.
Dear Hermione,
Hello. I know I haven't written to you like I promised. I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner, but Charlie was murdered by Voldemort five days ago. These past days have been a living hell for me, but I'm trying my best to cheer myself up. Would you like to come over to the Burrow, in a week, to spend the rest of the summer here? Harry will be here too; Dumbledore's taking care of the necessary precautions. I'd really like it if we could. Send you answer back with Pig. I'll be waiting.
Love from,
Ron
He was satisfied with his handiwork. He attached the letter to Pig's foot. As he sent him out the window, he felt a little bit of hope stir in his heart.