1 Changes In Ron
2 Chapter One
2.1 Tobias and Sabrina
Ron awoke to the first morning of summer holidays in his bedroom, on the top floor (with the exception of the attic) of the burrow, to see it pouring outside his window. Ron changed out of his pajamas and into his clothes before going downstairs for breakfast. To his surprise, he saw his father drinking tea at the table, with Fred, George, and Ginny talking to him. Percy was also at the table but he was talking to his mother who was cooking breakfast. The reason why his father surprised him by being at the table was because his father was usually off to work before Ron awoke. This was the first summer where he got to see his father the first morning of his holiday. Fred and George were currently telling him their plans for the summer, and the joke shop they'd start next year. It seemed as though Ginny wanted to say something, but Fred and George would cut her off. Ron didn't want to bother his father with anything he had wanted to say, because Ron knew he had nothing to say that would interest his father. He was just glad to see him and watched as the twins talk to him.
"You should see some of our ideas, dad. You'd crack up." George says.
"You'd laugh your socks off. These inventions are going to make us rich!" Fred says smiling.
Ron left the room. Nobody had noticed him leave, because frankly nobody had seen him enter. He left the house and started walking. He had no destination in mind; he just wanted to get some air. About a half hour after he started walking somebody called him. Ron turned to find himself just past the Lovegoods' house. He found his friend Tobias running out to meet him.
Tobias Lovegood was athletic looking with brown hair and blue eyes. Tobias was a wizard, and Ron's best friend for the first eleven years of his life. They ended their friendship before they started Hogwarts, because they knew they'd be separated, with Tobias following his family's tradition of being in Ravenclaw, and Ron knowing he'd be in Gryffindor. Well, they had figured the sorting would place them there, though they weren't sure.
However, Tobias and Ron never made contact since the day before Ron went to get his school supplies in Diagon Alley.
"Toby?" Ron asks.
Toby grinned his mischievous grin like old times. "How are you doing Ron?" Toby asks.
Toby pulled Ron into a hug. "Good and you?" Ron asks.
"Good. I've had to live without my best friend for four years, but I've managed to stay alive." Tobias says.
"I thought you made a new one." Ron says.
"I have, but I've still missed you. You were like my brother once upon a time. I mean you haven't even said hello on the summer holidays. I bet you wouldn't have even thought about me if I hadn't yelled for you." Tobias says.
"You know you could've stopped by the burrow plenty of times yourself, but I didn't even realize where I was to tell you the truth. I was just walking and thinking." Ron says.
"Yea, I know a lot's been happening, hasn't it? I mean with You-Know-Who rising again… my mum was not happy with Dumbledore informing us. She still thinks he's dead. Some people refuse to believe it, even when the truth's right next-door. I mean the Diggory's are still in grief. It's horrible. I don't know what I'd do if Tabitha died. It must be even worse on parents though. Luckily, Cedric didn't have any brothers or sisters. Could you imagine if any of your brothers died or even worse yet, Ginny?" Tobias asks.
"In my second year when the Chamber Of Secrets was opened, they said Ginny would die in the chamber, because nobody knew how to get in. I thought she was dead. I felt so horrible, because I was always picking on her, and I didn't know if she knew I loved her and that I was only playing, or not. Thank God that Hermione did her research and Harry could speak Parseltongue. I mean I was never so depressed in my life even if it was only a few hours." Ron says.
"I know, Ron I was so close to finding you and trying to say something, but I wasn't allowed in Gryffindor, because I didn't know the password, besides we were supposed to stay in our common rooms, but I could only imagine the pain you must've gone through. I was so relieved to find out she was alive." Tobias says.
"So…" Ron says feeling a bit awkward.
"Hey, why don't you come in? We have a lot to catch up on." Tobias invites.
"All right." Ron says.
Ron followed Tobias into the house and saw two girls sitting at the table. One was Tobias' sister, Tabitha. She had long brown hair with blue eyes. She had always had a crush on her twin brother's best friend. She was very disappointed when she never saw him because they stopped talking. Ron couldn't believe how different she looked. He had to shut his mouth quickly as it dropped open.
"Ron!" Tabitha cried. She ran up to him and gave him a friendly hug.
"Hey Tabitha, how are you?" Ron asks.
"Well and you?" Tabitha asks.
"All right. Wow, you've grown up. You look, beautiful." Ron says.
Tabitha blushes. "You don't look too bad yourself." Tabitha teases with a wink.
"All right stop flirting with my sister, Ron." Tobias warns.
"Ron, you remember Sabrina Fawcett?" Tobias asks referring to their neighbor. Sabrina Fawcett was a year older than them, but hung out with Tabitha. Sabrina had dirty blonde hair, and green eyes.
"Yes, of course." Ron says smiling she was beautiful as well. He looked her over slightly and this caused Sabrina to smile and blush.
"Well, I could never forget the cutest Weasley." Sabrina says standing up.
"Oh, well Bill's in Egypt." Ron jokes. He caused the girls and Tobias to laugh.
"Still funny as ever." Sabrina says hugging him.
"Well, Ron and I have some catching up to do, so we're going upstairs. Ron I have to show you my room." Tobias says.
Ron followed Tobias upstairs. His room was like Ron's, only bigger. He had his walls covered with orange Chudley Cannon posters. His bedspreads were the same, and the only difference between Ron's room and Tobias' was Tobias' was bigger.
"Do you realize Sabrina likes you?" Tobias asks excitedly.
"What do you mean?" Ron asks.
"You are so blind! Honestly, she was eyeing you worse than Tabitha. Man, I've been trying to get her attention for years, but all she thinks of me as is the boy next door." Tobias says.
"Well you practically are." Ron says rolling his eyes.
"No, I mean she thinks of me more as a friend than a man." Tobias says.
"You're not a man just yet." Ron reminds.
"Neither are you! Ron, you're so dense. She wants you!" Tobias says.
"Wants me?" Ron asks.
"Yes, you know…" Tobias says.
"Oh! What? Wait! No, she doesn't want me! Does she?" Ron asks.
"It's so obvious." Tobias says.
"Really?" Ron asks.
"Really." Tobias says grinning.
"So you think I have a chance with her?" Ron asks.
"Yes, dunderhead!" Tobias says.
"But you want her more than I do." Ron says.
"Oh, it doesn't matter, what matters is what she wants, and she wants you." Tobias says.
"So what am I supposed to do then? Ask her out or something?" Ron asks.
"She'll ask you first." Tobias says.
"So, do you think she's experienced in this area?" Ron asks.
"From what I heard she could be a teacher in this area. She gets around." Tobias says.
"Well, then I better forget it. I have no experience at all in that area." Ron admits.
"Just go by the bases." Tobias says.
"What are they?" Ron asks.
"The American Muggles have a sport called baseball, in it they bat a ball, and try to run home before they get out. Anyway, there are four bases. First, second, third, and home. Well, it's the same in uh… you know. Anyway, first base is hooking up, or French kissing. Second base is when you're allowed to slide your hands up her shirt. Third base is when you can uh… touch... below her waste. You're home when you've done it."
Ron thought about this but couldn't comprehend.
"Abide by the four F's then. French, feel, finger, and uh… you know." Tobias says.
"How do you know all of this?" Ron whispers.
"My cousin from America came to visit over Christmas, and he told me." Tobias says.
"Have you ever done any of that?" Ron asks.
"No." Tobias says. "But I wish. You could make it home with Sabrina, unless she calls you out."
"Oh." Ron says still thinking.
"TOBY!" A women's voice called from downstairs.
"Mum's home, come downstairs, she'll be so pleased to see you!" Tobias says.
They return downstairs.
"Toby, we're going out to dinner tonight at the Leaky Pub, and- RON! Oh my, come here. Let me look at you!" Tobias' mother cried.
"Hello Ms. Anne." Ron says.
Anne slapped Ron upside the back of his head, taking him by surprise.
"If you ever stop coming over here again, I might have to hurt you!" Anne snaps.
Ron laughs, "Don't worry I think you'll have to hurt me to get me to leave."
"Oh!" Anne cries. "There's always an extra invitation for you at dinner, you know that, right?"
"Oh, thank you, but I'll have to take a rain check. My mum's making a big dinner, because my dad's home from work. It's one of the few days he ever took off, with the exception of the Quidditch Cup last year." Ron explains.
Sabrina and Tabitha entered the room. "Hey Sabrina, would you like to join us for dinner?" Anne asks.
"Any other night, Ms. Anne. Unfortunately, my mum's a bit ill and I have to take care of her and make dinner for my dad." Sabrina says.
"Oh no, is there anything I can do? I could brew up some pepper-up potion!" Anne offers.
"Oh, thank you, but she's already taken some. She's still a bit under the weather. She should be back on her feet again by tomorrow." Sabrina explains.
"Oh well tell her that I hope she feels well soon." Anne says.
"I will, thank you." Sabrina says.
"What are you kids doing inside on such a lovely day?" Anne asks.
"It wasn't lovely until you came along." Ron jokes.
"Oh, stop it." Anne says lovingly.
"Yea, why don't we go outside?" Sabrina asks.
"All right." Tobias agrees.
When the Lovegoods took the Knight Bus to the Leaky Cauldron, Sabrina and Ron started to leave for their houses.
"Well see you." Ron says.
"No, wait up a second. Ron… do you want to come over?" Sabrina asks.
"Sure." Ron says.
Ron entered the house. Sabrina invited him into the kitchen. They found a note on the table.
"Well my mum's feeling better." Sabrina says handing Ron the note.
Sabrina,
Your mum's feeling better. We're staying the night at the Leaky Cauldron. Make your dinner, and go to the Lovegoods if you need anything. Be careful! Owl us if you need anything. We'll be home in the morning.
Love,
Dad
"So you'll be home by yourself all night? Isn't that just a bit dangerous?" Ron asks.
"Are you offering to spend the night?" Sabrina asks.
Ron opened his mouth and frowned with confusion. "I would, but my parents would never approve." Ron says.
"Tell them your spending the night at Toby's. They won't be home until tomorrow either." Sabrina says.
"I'm a horrible liar." Ron says.
"Send an owl." Sabrina suggests.
"I don't know…" Ron says.
"What's the matter? Don't you like me?" Sabrina asks.
"Of course, but if I get caught, I'll be grounded for the rest of summer, and then I won't be able to see you again." Ron says.
"One, you won't get caught. Two, if you're grounded, you can easily sneak out, then what? You're grounded longer? Big deal. It's not a punishment. And three, you'll be able to see me again. Trust me." Sabrina says. She hands him a piece of parchment and a quill.
Ron sighs. "All right." Ron agrees. He writes his mum a letter.
Sabrina reads it over. "Perfect. Use Zippy to send it." Sabrina says grabbing her owl.
Later that evening, Ron was making out to Sabrina on the couch. Sabrina was kissing Ron's neck as he nibbled gently on her ear. Ron didn't know whether or not his hormones possessed him to put his hands up her shirt or not, but he did it anyway. Sabrina gasped as she felt his hand underneath her bra. Ron quickly withdrew his hand hearing her gasp. He got off of her quickly.
"I'm sorry. I don't know what came over me." Ron says running a nervous hand through his hair.
"No, no. You just took me by surprise. I mean I never expected a boy like you to do that." Sabrina says.
"A boy like me?" Ron asks.
"Yea, an innocent boy. I never thought you even kissed a girl, before me. Though, you are a great kisser. You must have a lot of experience." Sabrina says.
"Not really." Ron says scratching his neck and sitting back down on the couch.
"How many?" Sabrina asks.
"How many what?" Ron asks.
"How many other girls have you been with?" Sabrina asks.
"Honestly, I haven't. I've never kissed a girl before you." Ron says.
"Are you serious?" Sabrina asks.
"Yes. I struck out, haven't I?" Ron asks.
"If you've never… then how do you know about striking out and I'm assuming you know the bases?" Sabrina asks.
"Toby." Ron sighs.
"Oh, of course his cousin." Sabrina says.
"I guess I better go then?" Ron asks.
"No, no. I like you Ron. I like you a lot." Sabrina says. She took off her shirt and pulled Ron back down onto the couch.
Ron woke up to the doorknob turning and unlocking. He shook Sabrina awake before grabbing his clothes and darting up the stairs into Sabrina's room. Sabrina grabbed her clothes off the floor and hid them under her blanket, which she wrapped her naked body under tightly and pretended to be asleep as her parents entered.
"Why is she sleeping on the couch?" Her father asks.
"Maybe she was reading again and fell asleep. Don't wake her." Her mother says.
"All right. Well, I have to go to work. Will you be all right, by yourself?" Her father asks.
"She's quite all right as you can see, and she's only sixteen." Her mother says.
"Owl me if you need anything." Her father says. He kisses his wife before disapparating.
Mrs. Fawcett could be heard going upstairs, and Sabrina quickly dressed under the blankets, hoping her mother wouldn't come back down anytime soon.
She hopped out from under the covers fully dressed and combed her hair quickly. She picked up her blanket and tiptoed up the stairs. She knew her mum was asleep, and she ran into her room. She looked in the closet, but Ron wasn't there. She bent down to see Ron hiding under the bed. She smiled and kissed her hand before touching Ron's face.
She checked the hall again before gesturing Ron to come out. She kissed him again and ran her hands up his back before she sent him off, as her mum would be up eventually.
Ron started walking home when Toby came running out of his house.
"Ron! How did you know I'd be home this early? We spent the night at the Leaky Cauldron, I didn't know or I would've sent you an owl." Toby says.
"I spent the night at Sabrina's." Ron whispers.
"What?" Toby asks with disbelief and amazement.
"She asked me to keep her company, because she was home alone, and you went to the Leaky Cauldron." Ron says.
"What did your mum say?" Toby asks.
"Nothing yet. I haven't been home. I told her that I slept over your house." Ron says.
"Wicked! Ron you've got guts. What was it like?" Toby asks.
"It was unbelievable. She's incredible." Ron says.
"I can only imagine!" Toby says.
"I'll be over later, I have to go check in with my mum. If anyone asks, I slept over here last night." Ron says.
"Oh, don't worry I'll cover for you." Toby says.
"Thanks. I'll be by later." Ron says.
Ron walked into the burrow and ran up the stairs into the bathroom. He checked his appearance and shut and locked the door quickly. He was very glad he hadn't run into his brothers, his parents, or Ginny for he had a few hickeys on his neck. He tried hiding them, but had no clue as what to do.
Finally, an idea occurred to him. He ran upstairs to his room and threw on a turtleneck. He checked his appearance again, he looked a bit sweaty and red, but Ron had yet to take a shower.
There was a knock on the door as Ron threw a flannel tee on top of the turtleneck. Ron opened the door to find his oldest brother, Bill standing there.
"Bill, what are you doing here?" Ron asks.
"Making sure you were the one who came in the house without informing anybody." Bill says.
"I wanted to change my clothes." Ron says.
"Right, well when your done, mum wants you down in the kitchen. She's not thrilled that you've been gone for twenty-four hours without saying anything." Bill says.
"I'll be down in a minute." Ron says.
"All right." Bill says.
Ron changed his pants before going downstairs and entering the kitchen. To his surprise, his whole family was sitting around the kitchen table. Charlie had also gotten time off as well. Ron couldn't imagine why his father was still at home. Mrs. Weasley stood up looking a bit upset.
"Ron, have some breakfast." Molly says handing him a plate of eggs.
"Actually, I'm not hungry. Bill said you needed to see me?" Ron asks, still standing in the doorframe of the kitchen.
"I need to talk to you about your irresponsibility yesterday, but that can wait until after you eat. Now, please have a seat." Molly says.
"Irresponsible? I sent you an owl telling you where I was." Ron says.
"I said we'd discuss this after we ate." Molly says.
"I'm not eating. I told Toby I'd be back as soon as I got changed." Ron says.
"As happy as I am for you and Toby to be speaking to each other once again, you won't be going over there today." Molly says.
"What? Why not?" Ron asks in disbelief.
"You were very irresponsible in not telling anybody where you were going yesterday. You never asked if it was all right." Molly says.
"Mom I owled you and let you know I was staying the night there!" Ron says.
"You don't tell me what you're doing, you ask for my permission, and I never gave my consent!" Molly says.
"If you didn't want me to stay the night, you could've owled me to come home!" Ron says rolling his eyes frustratingly.
"Ron you should've asked to go in the first place. You never asked for permission to leave, and you didn't let anybody know where you were going. You knew I wanted you home for dinner, because it was one of the only nights your father wasn't working, and you never came home." Molly snaps.
"I forgot! It looks like he's going to be home today too, or he's going to be late! I'll be home tonight." Ron says.
"You will be home tonight, and all day today, because you're grounded." Molly says.
"You can't do that! That's not fair! I didn't do anything!" Ron says.
"It's in my right as your parent to ground you, and you are grounded. Perhaps, keeping you away from Toby will keep that attitude away. If you continue, your groundment will keep adding up. On the other hand, you could lose the attitude and have breakfast with us." Molly says.
"Unbelievable." Ron growls.
He runs up the stairs furiously to his room. He slams his door and locks it before diving on to his bed angrily. He couldn't believe he was grounded on the first week of the holidays. He wasn't going to stand for this. He got up and he climbed out his bedroom window. Despite, the fact that it was the second to highest floor in the burrow, Ron climbed down the tree that was conveniently located outside his room that led all the way down the back to the back of his house.
Once on the ground, Ron ran as fast as he could to Toby's house. Sabrina was already there; she was talking with Tabitha in the kitchen. Tabitha looked really interested in their conversation and winked toward Ron as he walked past the kitchen and started for Toby's room. Was it possible that Sabrina told her? He didn't know. He ran into Toby's room. Toby was in the middle of a holiday essay.
"Hey." Toby says dropping his quill immediately. It seemed as though he were waiting for an excuse to get out of doing his homework.
"Hey. Was I interrupting something?" Ron asks.
"No! I'm glad you came!" Toby says. "I told mum you'd be back, but she said you didn't even know I was back, and I said you thought we'd be home last night. She said you probably came back and saw that we weren't back, and she made me start on my holiday work. She said if you did come back, I could quit and hang out with you."
"Oh in that case I'll be leaving." Ron teases.
"No you won't!" Toby says.
Ron laughs, "All right I won't."
"What took you so long?" Toby asks.
"I got in trouble. I'm grounded, and I'm supposed to be in my room, but I snuck out. I figure it's only a matter of time before my mum sends my brothers over here to get me." Ron says.
"Why what did you do?" Toby asks.
"Well, my mum said that I had no permission to leave yesterday, and I never had permission to stay the night here, even though I owled her. She said she thinks my friends are changing my attitude." Ron says.
"Ron, if your mum finds out you're missing, and she comes here to look for you, well, you could be in a bit of trouble. I mean what if she brings up last night, and my mum says that nobody was here last night. My mum loves you, but she's still a mum, and she wouldn't want your mum lying to her. She's not going to lie for you." Toby says.
"Toby, I'm in a lot of trouble. I wasn't thinking. Well I was thinking, more along the lines of fun and not of the consequences. What should I do?" Ron asks.
"Sneak back in before they realize you left. I mean they don't always notice you. Not with the twins causing havoc, and Ginny being as good as she is. I don't know if Percy's still at the burrow or what, but he'll take attention from your parents as well." Toby says.
"Everyone's home. Bill and Charlie are home, I don't know why though. Oh! My dad has taken off work again." Ron says.
"So you have enough time, unless your mum went to come and talk to you. Then you're in more trouble. Go home. I'll drop by and suck up to see if I can get you off punishment a bit anyway." Toby says.
"Thanks Toby. I don't know how I lived without you for four years." Ron says.
"I'll drop by shortly to see how deep you're in. Calm down, and keep cool. Don't lose your temper and don't be too stubborn." Toby says.
"Thanks!" Ron says.
On Ron's way out of the Lovegoods house, he sees Tabitha and Sabrina talking in whispers at the table.
Quickly, Ron runs home, and climbs the tree to his room. He just closes his window as his bedroom door opens. Mrs. Weasley still looks upset, though a bit more calmer, and in control.
"I told you we'd discuss everything after breakfast, because you were very childish and wrong, and you ruined everybody's mood. I don't know what's gotten into you, but I want it out of you. Do you understand?" Molly asks.
"I understand, and I apologize. I'll apologize to everyone downstairs as well, if that's what you want. I guess I was a bit tired. We were talking all night catching up on everything, but even then we still weren't caught up. I wanted to go back this morning. When you said I couldn't, it got me frustrated, because we just picked up our friendship, and I don't want anything destroying it now. I really am sorry, and I can understand why I'm grounded. I just lost track of the time yesterday and wanted to spend the night. I thought that if it was a problem you'd send a howler or an owl, and since you didn't I just thought I was lucky. I apologize." Ron says.
"You're forgiven, and you may go over to Toby's, but you must be home by five." Molly says.
"Thanks mum!" Ron says. He gives his mum a hug before running downstairs and out the door.
He runs back over to Toby's. He runs up the stairs to find Toby finishing an essay.
"Oh good, you're back! Are you in deep?" Toby asks putting his quill down.
"Not in any trouble." Ron says shaking his head.
"How'd that work out?" Toby asks.
"She never knew I snuck out, and she gave me a lecture about my attitude and my behavior, and I apologized, and said that I was just tired from talking all night to you. I said we were so busy catching up, and that we never finished catching up, and that's why I wanted to go back this morning, and a lot of other stuff. Anyway, she just said for me to be home at five." Ron says.
"So, let's catch up. Your best friends with Harry Potter and Hermione Granger, right?" Toby asks.
"You're my best friend." Ron says.
"Of course, but inside your house, I meant." Toby says.
"Yes that's about right. Who are your friends inside your house?" Ron asks.
"Terry Boot and I have been best friends since our second day at Hogwarts." Toby says.
"I don't think I know Terry." Ron admits.
"Oh, well I'll introduce you. So was there ever anything going on between you and Hermione?" Toby asks.
"No. I never really thought of her more than a friend, until it was too late. Then Viktor Krum already had her. I never would've been good enough for her anyway. Besides, I would've never gotten with Sabrina if Hermione and me were more than friends." Ron says.
"True." Toby says.
"So, are you going out for the Quidditch Team this year?" Ron asks.
"Yea, Ravenclaw needs at least one chaser. Are you going out for Gryffindor, or are they full?" Toby asks.
"They need a Keeper, but I'm not exactly the best flier. In my first year, my broom smacked me in the face, when I said 'Up!'" Ron laughs.
"We can practice. Tabby's got a broom that she's never touched. She's not into Quidditch. I can try scoring against you, and you can try blocking me." Toby says.
"Well, I suppose it wouldn't do me any worse off than now. All right." Ron agrees.
Toby gave Ron his sister's broom, and they went out into a clearing in the woods, where the muggle village beyond wouldn't be able to see them. Toby brought with him a ball, which was very odd to Ron.
"What's that?" Ron asks.
"A muggle soccer (football for the English) ball." Toby says. "Look, the branches are wide enough to be the scoring posts." Toby adds. He tosses the ball to Ron, who catches it.
Toby flies back far enough so that Ron has a good distance to throw. Ron throws the ball far and weaves back and forth in front of the branches. Toby tries to throw it past Ron, but Ron makes a quick turn and catches it. Toby looks surprised.
"Beginner's luck, you've got." Toby teases flying away again.
Ron throws the ball again far back. Ron flies up and down left and right weaving out of the way of the branches, and Toby comes up close enough to the left branch to score, but Ron flies and catches it, just as it leaves Toby's hands and just flies to the rim of the branch.
"That's ten for Ravenclaw scored by Tobias Lovegood, and the crowd goes wild!" Toby jokes.
"Dream on Lovegood, it didn't go past the branch, I caught it and stopped it before it went through!" Ron says.
"I'll get it through!" Toby says.
Ron and Tobias played hard and rough. After a couple of hours, it started to storm, and even though it poured hard, it didn't stop them from playing. They only stopped playing when lightning struck a tree nearby. Then they headed back to Toby's house. When they got inside the Lovegoods house, they were soaked to the bone and muddy from splashing each other in puddles.
"Mum, I think we'll be needing some towels here." Toby called from the porch.
Mrs. Lovegood didn't look amused at all. She looked at the two of them very disappointed.
"Sorry, Mrs. Lovegood, I haven't been able to splash puddles with him in years." Ron says.
"Ron, you need to go home. It's four o'clock, and it'll take you a bit to get home. Your mum wants you home by five." Mrs. Lovegood says.
"Oh thanks for reminding me. I would've forgotten. I'll see you later Toby!" Ron says.
2 Chapter One
2.1 Tobias and Sabrina
Ron awoke to the first morning of summer holidays in his bedroom, on the top floor (with the exception of the attic) of the burrow, to see it pouring outside his window. Ron changed out of his pajamas and into his clothes before going downstairs for breakfast. To his surprise, he saw his father drinking tea at the table, with Fred, George, and Ginny talking to him. Percy was also at the table but he was talking to his mother who was cooking breakfast. The reason why his father surprised him by being at the table was because his father was usually off to work before Ron awoke. This was the first summer where he got to see his father the first morning of his holiday. Fred and George were currently telling him their plans for the summer, and the joke shop they'd start next year. It seemed as though Ginny wanted to say something, but Fred and George would cut her off. Ron didn't want to bother his father with anything he had wanted to say, because Ron knew he had nothing to say that would interest his father. He was just glad to see him and watched as the twins talk to him.
"You should see some of our ideas, dad. You'd crack up." George says.
"You'd laugh your socks off. These inventions are going to make us rich!" Fred says smiling.
Ron left the room. Nobody had noticed him leave, because frankly nobody had seen him enter. He left the house and started walking. He had no destination in mind; he just wanted to get some air. About a half hour after he started walking somebody called him. Ron turned to find himself just past the Lovegoods' house. He found his friend Tobias running out to meet him.
Tobias Lovegood was athletic looking with brown hair and blue eyes. Tobias was a wizard, and Ron's best friend for the first eleven years of his life. They ended their friendship before they started Hogwarts, because they knew they'd be separated, with Tobias following his family's tradition of being in Ravenclaw, and Ron knowing he'd be in Gryffindor. Well, they had figured the sorting would place them there, though they weren't sure.
However, Tobias and Ron never made contact since the day before Ron went to get his school supplies in Diagon Alley.
"Toby?" Ron asks.
Toby grinned his mischievous grin like old times. "How are you doing Ron?" Toby asks.
Toby pulled Ron into a hug. "Good and you?" Ron asks.
"Good. I've had to live without my best friend for four years, but I've managed to stay alive." Tobias says.
"I thought you made a new one." Ron says.
"I have, but I've still missed you. You were like my brother once upon a time. I mean you haven't even said hello on the summer holidays. I bet you wouldn't have even thought about me if I hadn't yelled for you." Tobias says.
"You know you could've stopped by the burrow plenty of times yourself, but I didn't even realize where I was to tell you the truth. I was just walking and thinking." Ron says.
"Yea, I know a lot's been happening, hasn't it? I mean with You-Know-Who rising again… my mum was not happy with Dumbledore informing us. She still thinks he's dead. Some people refuse to believe it, even when the truth's right next-door. I mean the Diggory's are still in grief. It's horrible. I don't know what I'd do if Tabitha died. It must be even worse on parents though. Luckily, Cedric didn't have any brothers or sisters. Could you imagine if any of your brothers died or even worse yet, Ginny?" Tobias asks.
"In my second year when the Chamber Of Secrets was opened, they said Ginny would die in the chamber, because nobody knew how to get in. I thought she was dead. I felt so horrible, because I was always picking on her, and I didn't know if she knew I loved her and that I was only playing, or not. Thank God that Hermione did her research and Harry could speak Parseltongue. I mean I was never so depressed in my life even if it was only a few hours." Ron says.
"I know, Ron I was so close to finding you and trying to say something, but I wasn't allowed in Gryffindor, because I didn't know the password, besides we were supposed to stay in our common rooms, but I could only imagine the pain you must've gone through. I was so relieved to find out she was alive." Tobias says.
"So…" Ron says feeling a bit awkward.
"Hey, why don't you come in? We have a lot to catch up on." Tobias invites.
"All right." Ron says.
Ron followed Tobias into the house and saw two girls sitting at the table. One was Tobias' sister, Tabitha. She had long brown hair with blue eyes. She had always had a crush on her twin brother's best friend. She was very disappointed when she never saw him because they stopped talking. Ron couldn't believe how different she looked. He had to shut his mouth quickly as it dropped open.
"Ron!" Tabitha cried. She ran up to him and gave him a friendly hug.
"Hey Tabitha, how are you?" Ron asks.
"Well and you?" Tabitha asks.
"All right. Wow, you've grown up. You look, beautiful." Ron says.
Tabitha blushes. "You don't look too bad yourself." Tabitha teases with a wink.
"All right stop flirting with my sister, Ron." Tobias warns.
"Ron, you remember Sabrina Fawcett?" Tobias asks referring to their neighbor. Sabrina Fawcett was a year older than them, but hung out with Tabitha. Sabrina had dirty blonde hair, and green eyes.
"Yes, of course." Ron says smiling she was beautiful as well. He looked her over slightly and this caused Sabrina to smile and blush.
"Well, I could never forget the cutest Weasley." Sabrina says standing up.
"Oh, well Bill's in Egypt." Ron jokes. He caused the girls and Tobias to laugh.
"Still funny as ever." Sabrina says hugging him.
"Well, Ron and I have some catching up to do, so we're going upstairs. Ron I have to show you my room." Tobias says.
Ron followed Tobias upstairs. His room was like Ron's, only bigger. He had his walls covered with orange Chudley Cannon posters. His bedspreads were the same, and the only difference between Ron's room and Tobias' was Tobias' was bigger.
"Do you realize Sabrina likes you?" Tobias asks excitedly.
"What do you mean?" Ron asks.
"You are so blind! Honestly, she was eyeing you worse than Tabitha. Man, I've been trying to get her attention for years, but all she thinks of me as is the boy next door." Tobias says.
"Well you practically are." Ron says rolling his eyes.
"No, I mean she thinks of me more as a friend than a man." Tobias says.
"You're not a man just yet." Ron reminds.
"Neither are you! Ron, you're so dense. She wants you!" Tobias says.
"Wants me?" Ron asks.
"Yes, you know…" Tobias says.
"Oh! What? Wait! No, she doesn't want me! Does she?" Ron asks.
"It's so obvious." Tobias says.
"Really?" Ron asks.
"Really." Tobias says grinning.
"So you think I have a chance with her?" Ron asks.
"Yes, dunderhead!" Tobias says.
"But you want her more than I do." Ron says.
"Oh, it doesn't matter, what matters is what she wants, and she wants you." Tobias says.
"So what am I supposed to do then? Ask her out or something?" Ron asks.
"She'll ask you first." Tobias says.
"So, do you think she's experienced in this area?" Ron asks.
"From what I heard she could be a teacher in this area. She gets around." Tobias says.
"Well, then I better forget it. I have no experience at all in that area." Ron admits.
"Just go by the bases." Tobias says.
"What are they?" Ron asks.
"The American Muggles have a sport called baseball, in it they bat a ball, and try to run home before they get out. Anyway, there are four bases. First, second, third, and home. Well, it's the same in uh… you know. Anyway, first base is hooking up, or French kissing. Second base is when you're allowed to slide your hands up her shirt. Third base is when you can uh… touch... below her waste. You're home when you've done it."
Ron thought about this but couldn't comprehend.
"Abide by the four F's then. French, feel, finger, and uh… you know." Tobias says.
"How do you know all of this?" Ron whispers.
"My cousin from America came to visit over Christmas, and he told me." Tobias says.
"Have you ever done any of that?" Ron asks.
"No." Tobias says. "But I wish. You could make it home with Sabrina, unless she calls you out."
"Oh." Ron says still thinking.
"TOBY!" A women's voice called from downstairs.
"Mum's home, come downstairs, she'll be so pleased to see you!" Tobias says.
They return downstairs.
"Toby, we're going out to dinner tonight at the Leaky Pub, and- RON! Oh my, come here. Let me look at you!" Tobias' mother cried.
"Hello Ms. Anne." Ron says.
Anne slapped Ron upside the back of his head, taking him by surprise.
"If you ever stop coming over here again, I might have to hurt you!" Anne snaps.
Ron laughs, "Don't worry I think you'll have to hurt me to get me to leave."
"Oh!" Anne cries. "There's always an extra invitation for you at dinner, you know that, right?"
"Oh, thank you, but I'll have to take a rain check. My mum's making a big dinner, because my dad's home from work. It's one of the few days he ever took off, with the exception of the Quidditch Cup last year." Ron explains.
Sabrina and Tabitha entered the room. "Hey Sabrina, would you like to join us for dinner?" Anne asks.
"Any other night, Ms. Anne. Unfortunately, my mum's a bit ill and I have to take care of her and make dinner for my dad." Sabrina says.
"Oh no, is there anything I can do? I could brew up some pepper-up potion!" Anne offers.
"Oh, thank you, but she's already taken some. She's still a bit under the weather. She should be back on her feet again by tomorrow." Sabrina explains.
"Oh well tell her that I hope she feels well soon." Anne says.
"I will, thank you." Sabrina says.
"What are you kids doing inside on such a lovely day?" Anne asks.
"It wasn't lovely until you came along." Ron jokes.
"Oh, stop it." Anne says lovingly.
"Yea, why don't we go outside?" Sabrina asks.
"All right." Tobias agrees.
When the Lovegoods took the Knight Bus to the Leaky Cauldron, Sabrina and Ron started to leave for their houses.
"Well see you." Ron says.
"No, wait up a second. Ron… do you want to come over?" Sabrina asks.
"Sure." Ron says.
Ron entered the house. Sabrina invited him into the kitchen. They found a note on the table.
"Well my mum's feeling better." Sabrina says handing Ron the note.
Sabrina,
Your mum's feeling better. We're staying the night at the Leaky Cauldron. Make your dinner, and go to the Lovegoods if you need anything. Be careful! Owl us if you need anything. We'll be home in the morning.
Love,
Dad
"So you'll be home by yourself all night? Isn't that just a bit dangerous?" Ron asks.
"Are you offering to spend the night?" Sabrina asks.
Ron opened his mouth and frowned with confusion. "I would, but my parents would never approve." Ron says.
"Tell them your spending the night at Toby's. They won't be home until tomorrow either." Sabrina says.
"I'm a horrible liar." Ron says.
"Send an owl." Sabrina suggests.
"I don't know…" Ron says.
"What's the matter? Don't you like me?" Sabrina asks.
"Of course, but if I get caught, I'll be grounded for the rest of summer, and then I won't be able to see you again." Ron says.
"One, you won't get caught. Two, if you're grounded, you can easily sneak out, then what? You're grounded longer? Big deal. It's not a punishment. And three, you'll be able to see me again. Trust me." Sabrina says. She hands him a piece of parchment and a quill.
Ron sighs. "All right." Ron agrees. He writes his mum a letter.
Sabrina reads it over. "Perfect. Use Zippy to send it." Sabrina says grabbing her owl.
Later that evening, Ron was making out to Sabrina on the couch. Sabrina was kissing Ron's neck as he nibbled gently on her ear. Ron didn't know whether or not his hormones possessed him to put his hands up her shirt or not, but he did it anyway. Sabrina gasped as she felt his hand underneath her bra. Ron quickly withdrew his hand hearing her gasp. He got off of her quickly.
"I'm sorry. I don't know what came over me." Ron says running a nervous hand through his hair.
"No, no. You just took me by surprise. I mean I never expected a boy like you to do that." Sabrina says.
"A boy like me?" Ron asks.
"Yea, an innocent boy. I never thought you even kissed a girl, before me. Though, you are a great kisser. You must have a lot of experience." Sabrina says.
"Not really." Ron says scratching his neck and sitting back down on the couch.
"How many?" Sabrina asks.
"How many what?" Ron asks.
"How many other girls have you been with?" Sabrina asks.
"Honestly, I haven't. I've never kissed a girl before you." Ron says.
"Are you serious?" Sabrina asks.
"Yes. I struck out, haven't I?" Ron asks.
"If you've never… then how do you know about striking out and I'm assuming you know the bases?" Sabrina asks.
"Toby." Ron sighs.
"Oh, of course his cousin." Sabrina says.
"I guess I better go then?" Ron asks.
"No, no. I like you Ron. I like you a lot." Sabrina says. She took off her shirt and pulled Ron back down onto the couch.
Ron woke up to the doorknob turning and unlocking. He shook Sabrina awake before grabbing his clothes and darting up the stairs into Sabrina's room. Sabrina grabbed her clothes off the floor and hid them under her blanket, which she wrapped her naked body under tightly and pretended to be asleep as her parents entered.
"Why is she sleeping on the couch?" Her father asks.
"Maybe she was reading again and fell asleep. Don't wake her." Her mother says.
"All right. Well, I have to go to work. Will you be all right, by yourself?" Her father asks.
"She's quite all right as you can see, and she's only sixteen." Her mother says.
"Owl me if you need anything." Her father says. He kisses his wife before disapparating.
Mrs. Fawcett could be heard going upstairs, and Sabrina quickly dressed under the blankets, hoping her mother wouldn't come back down anytime soon.
She hopped out from under the covers fully dressed and combed her hair quickly. She picked up her blanket and tiptoed up the stairs. She knew her mum was asleep, and she ran into her room. She looked in the closet, but Ron wasn't there. She bent down to see Ron hiding under the bed. She smiled and kissed her hand before touching Ron's face.
She checked the hall again before gesturing Ron to come out. She kissed him again and ran her hands up his back before she sent him off, as her mum would be up eventually.
Ron started walking home when Toby came running out of his house.
"Ron! How did you know I'd be home this early? We spent the night at the Leaky Cauldron, I didn't know or I would've sent you an owl." Toby says.
"I spent the night at Sabrina's." Ron whispers.
"What?" Toby asks with disbelief and amazement.
"She asked me to keep her company, because she was home alone, and you went to the Leaky Cauldron." Ron says.
"What did your mum say?" Toby asks.
"Nothing yet. I haven't been home. I told her that I slept over your house." Ron says.
"Wicked! Ron you've got guts. What was it like?" Toby asks.
"It was unbelievable. She's incredible." Ron says.
"I can only imagine!" Toby says.
"I'll be over later, I have to go check in with my mum. If anyone asks, I slept over here last night." Ron says.
"Oh, don't worry I'll cover for you." Toby says.
"Thanks. I'll be by later." Ron says.
Ron walked into the burrow and ran up the stairs into the bathroom. He checked his appearance and shut and locked the door quickly. He was very glad he hadn't run into his brothers, his parents, or Ginny for he had a few hickeys on his neck. He tried hiding them, but had no clue as what to do.
Finally, an idea occurred to him. He ran upstairs to his room and threw on a turtleneck. He checked his appearance again, he looked a bit sweaty and red, but Ron had yet to take a shower.
There was a knock on the door as Ron threw a flannel tee on top of the turtleneck. Ron opened the door to find his oldest brother, Bill standing there.
"Bill, what are you doing here?" Ron asks.
"Making sure you were the one who came in the house without informing anybody." Bill says.
"I wanted to change my clothes." Ron says.
"Right, well when your done, mum wants you down in the kitchen. She's not thrilled that you've been gone for twenty-four hours without saying anything." Bill says.
"I'll be down in a minute." Ron says.
"All right." Bill says.
Ron changed his pants before going downstairs and entering the kitchen. To his surprise, his whole family was sitting around the kitchen table. Charlie had also gotten time off as well. Ron couldn't imagine why his father was still at home. Mrs. Weasley stood up looking a bit upset.
"Ron, have some breakfast." Molly says handing him a plate of eggs.
"Actually, I'm not hungry. Bill said you needed to see me?" Ron asks, still standing in the doorframe of the kitchen.
"I need to talk to you about your irresponsibility yesterday, but that can wait until after you eat. Now, please have a seat." Molly says.
"Irresponsible? I sent you an owl telling you where I was." Ron says.
"I said we'd discuss this after we ate." Molly says.
"I'm not eating. I told Toby I'd be back as soon as I got changed." Ron says.
"As happy as I am for you and Toby to be speaking to each other once again, you won't be going over there today." Molly says.
"What? Why not?" Ron asks in disbelief.
"You were very irresponsible in not telling anybody where you were going yesterday. You never asked if it was all right." Molly says.
"Mom I owled you and let you know I was staying the night there!" Ron says.
"You don't tell me what you're doing, you ask for my permission, and I never gave my consent!" Molly says.
"If you didn't want me to stay the night, you could've owled me to come home!" Ron says rolling his eyes frustratingly.
"Ron you should've asked to go in the first place. You never asked for permission to leave, and you didn't let anybody know where you were going. You knew I wanted you home for dinner, because it was one of the only nights your father wasn't working, and you never came home." Molly snaps.
"I forgot! It looks like he's going to be home today too, or he's going to be late! I'll be home tonight." Ron says.
"You will be home tonight, and all day today, because you're grounded." Molly says.
"You can't do that! That's not fair! I didn't do anything!" Ron says.
"It's in my right as your parent to ground you, and you are grounded. Perhaps, keeping you away from Toby will keep that attitude away. If you continue, your groundment will keep adding up. On the other hand, you could lose the attitude and have breakfast with us." Molly says.
"Unbelievable." Ron growls.
He runs up the stairs furiously to his room. He slams his door and locks it before diving on to his bed angrily. He couldn't believe he was grounded on the first week of the holidays. He wasn't going to stand for this. He got up and he climbed out his bedroom window. Despite, the fact that it was the second to highest floor in the burrow, Ron climbed down the tree that was conveniently located outside his room that led all the way down the back to the back of his house.
Once on the ground, Ron ran as fast as he could to Toby's house. Sabrina was already there; she was talking with Tabitha in the kitchen. Tabitha looked really interested in their conversation and winked toward Ron as he walked past the kitchen and started for Toby's room. Was it possible that Sabrina told her? He didn't know. He ran into Toby's room. Toby was in the middle of a holiday essay.
"Hey." Toby says dropping his quill immediately. It seemed as though he were waiting for an excuse to get out of doing his homework.
"Hey. Was I interrupting something?" Ron asks.
"No! I'm glad you came!" Toby says. "I told mum you'd be back, but she said you didn't even know I was back, and I said you thought we'd be home last night. She said you probably came back and saw that we weren't back, and she made me start on my holiday work. She said if you did come back, I could quit and hang out with you."
"Oh in that case I'll be leaving." Ron teases.
"No you won't!" Toby says.
Ron laughs, "All right I won't."
"What took you so long?" Toby asks.
"I got in trouble. I'm grounded, and I'm supposed to be in my room, but I snuck out. I figure it's only a matter of time before my mum sends my brothers over here to get me." Ron says.
"Why what did you do?" Toby asks.
"Well, my mum said that I had no permission to leave yesterday, and I never had permission to stay the night here, even though I owled her. She said she thinks my friends are changing my attitude." Ron says.
"Ron, if your mum finds out you're missing, and she comes here to look for you, well, you could be in a bit of trouble. I mean what if she brings up last night, and my mum says that nobody was here last night. My mum loves you, but she's still a mum, and she wouldn't want your mum lying to her. She's not going to lie for you." Toby says.
"Toby, I'm in a lot of trouble. I wasn't thinking. Well I was thinking, more along the lines of fun and not of the consequences. What should I do?" Ron asks.
"Sneak back in before they realize you left. I mean they don't always notice you. Not with the twins causing havoc, and Ginny being as good as she is. I don't know if Percy's still at the burrow or what, but he'll take attention from your parents as well." Toby says.
"Everyone's home. Bill and Charlie are home, I don't know why though. Oh! My dad has taken off work again." Ron says.
"So you have enough time, unless your mum went to come and talk to you. Then you're in more trouble. Go home. I'll drop by and suck up to see if I can get you off punishment a bit anyway." Toby says.
"Thanks Toby. I don't know how I lived without you for four years." Ron says.
"I'll drop by shortly to see how deep you're in. Calm down, and keep cool. Don't lose your temper and don't be too stubborn." Toby says.
"Thanks!" Ron says.
On Ron's way out of the Lovegoods house, he sees Tabitha and Sabrina talking in whispers at the table.
Quickly, Ron runs home, and climbs the tree to his room. He just closes his window as his bedroom door opens. Mrs. Weasley still looks upset, though a bit more calmer, and in control.
"I told you we'd discuss everything after breakfast, because you were very childish and wrong, and you ruined everybody's mood. I don't know what's gotten into you, but I want it out of you. Do you understand?" Molly asks.
"I understand, and I apologize. I'll apologize to everyone downstairs as well, if that's what you want. I guess I was a bit tired. We were talking all night catching up on everything, but even then we still weren't caught up. I wanted to go back this morning. When you said I couldn't, it got me frustrated, because we just picked up our friendship, and I don't want anything destroying it now. I really am sorry, and I can understand why I'm grounded. I just lost track of the time yesterday and wanted to spend the night. I thought that if it was a problem you'd send a howler or an owl, and since you didn't I just thought I was lucky. I apologize." Ron says.
"You're forgiven, and you may go over to Toby's, but you must be home by five." Molly says.
"Thanks mum!" Ron says. He gives his mum a hug before running downstairs and out the door.
He runs back over to Toby's. He runs up the stairs to find Toby finishing an essay.
"Oh good, you're back! Are you in deep?" Toby asks putting his quill down.
"Not in any trouble." Ron says shaking his head.
"How'd that work out?" Toby asks.
"She never knew I snuck out, and she gave me a lecture about my attitude and my behavior, and I apologized, and said that I was just tired from talking all night to you. I said we were so busy catching up, and that we never finished catching up, and that's why I wanted to go back this morning, and a lot of other stuff. Anyway, she just said for me to be home at five." Ron says.
"So, let's catch up. Your best friends with Harry Potter and Hermione Granger, right?" Toby asks.
"You're my best friend." Ron says.
"Of course, but inside your house, I meant." Toby says.
"Yes that's about right. Who are your friends inside your house?" Ron asks.
"Terry Boot and I have been best friends since our second day at Hogwarts." Toby says.
"I don't think I know Terry." Ron admits.
"Oh, well I'll introduce you. So was there ever anything going on between you and Hermione?" Toby asks.
"No. I never really thought of her more than a friend, until it was too late. Then Viktor Krum already had her. I never would've been good enough for her anyway. Besides, I would've never gotten with Sabrina if Hermione and me were more than friends." Ron says.
"True." Toby says.
"So, are you going out for the Quidditch Team this year?" Ron asks.
"Yea, Ravenclaw needs at least one chaser. Are you going out for Gryffindor, or are they full?" Toby asks.
"They need a Keeper, but I'm not exactly the best flier. In my first year, my broom smacked me in the face, when I said 'Up!'" Ron laughs.
"We can practice. Tabby's got a broom that she's never touched. She's not into Quidditch. I can try scoring against you, and you can try blocking me." Toby says.
"Well, I suppose it wouldn't do me any worse off than now. All right." Ron agrees.
Toby gave Ron his sister's broom, and they went out into a clearing in the woods, where the muggle village beyond wouldn't be able to see them. Toby brought with him a ball, which was very odd to Ron.
"What's that?" Ron asks.
"A muggle soccer (football for the English) ball." Toby says. "Look, the branches are wide enough to be the scoring posts." Toby adds. He tosses the ball to Ron, who catches it.
Toby flies back far enough so that Ron has a good distance to throw. Ron throws the ball far and weaves back and forth in front of the branches. Toby tries to throw it past Ron, but Ron makes a quick turn and catches it. Toby looks surprised.
"Beginner's luck, you've got." Toby teases flying away again.
Ron throws the ball again far back. Ron flies up and down left and right weaving out of the way of the branches, and Toby comes up close enough to the left branch to score, but Ron flies and catches it, just as it leaves Toby's hands and just flies to the rim of the branch.
"That's ten for Ravenclaw scored by Tobias Lovegood, and the crowd goes wild!" Toby jokes.
"Dream on Lovegood, it didn't go past the branch, I caught it and stopped it before it went through!" Ron says.
"I'll get it through!" Toby says.
Ron and Tobias played hard and rough. After a couple of hours, it started to storm, and even though it poured hard, it didn't stop them from playing. They only stopped playing when lightning struck a tree nearby. Then they headed back to Toby's house. When they got inside the Lovegoods house, they were soaked to the bone and muddy from splashing each other in puddles.
"Mum, I think we'll be needing some towels here." Toby called from the porch.
Mrs. Lovegood didn't look amused at all. She looked at the two of them very disappointed.
"Sorry, Mrs. Lovegood, I haven't been able to splash puddles with him in years." Ron says.
"Ron, you need to go home. It's four o'clock, and it'll take you a bit to get home. Your mum wants you home by five." Mrs. Lovegood says.
"Oh thanks for reminding me. I would've forgotten. I'll see you later Toby!" Ron says.