1 Chapter Three
1.1 Grandfather
Ron entered the house and he found himself walking into the kitchen.
"Ron, you'll be staying at your grandfather's for part of the summer, depending on if your behavior improves. If there isn't an improvement, you'll find yourself there all summer." Mrs. Weasley says.
Percy entered the kitchen with Ron's trunk. Ginny entered with Pigwidgeon in his cage.
"I'm leaving now?" Ron asks.
"Yes. Percy will take you on the Knight Bus to your Grandfather's. I'd allow you to take Floo powder there, but frankly, I don't trust you. You'd probably say somebody else's house or jump out early." Mrs. Weasley says.
Ron grabbed his trunk and his owl and started for the front door. "You coming Percy?" Ron asks.
"Ron, say goodbye first." Mr. Weasley says.
"Percy, I'll be waiting outside." Ron says.
He pushed past the twins and found his way out front of the burrow.
"I guess I better take him now, before he finds his way to Tobias'. I'll be home shortly." Percy says. He kisses his mum on the cheek before leaving the burrow.
With his wand, he signals for the Knight Bus and it crazily arrives. Percy pays for the two of them to go to Ireland and the bus disappears, heading for another town. Ron fell back on to his bed on the bus as it sped into the night.
Percy fell backward onto his bed too, though he looked and felt as if he were going to be sick.
After three stops, they landed in Ireland in front of Grandfather Weasley's home. Ron and Percy shakily stepped off of the bus. Ron got his things, and they walked up to Grandfather's manor.
The reason Mr. Weasley never asked his father for money, was because Grandfather was so strict and hard on him as a child, he drove him away, and Mr. Weasley didn't want the indignity of asking for help. Grandfather thought Mr. Weasley's job at the Ministry was a mistake, because he knew that his son had more potential than that. It was his liking of muggles that kept him there, even though the pay was poor.
Grandfather was very strict and he wasn't fond of boys. He wouldn't have liked any of his grandsons if it weren't for the facts that they had brains and talent. Ron knew he had neither, and he was despised for this.
Percy knocked on the door and grandfather opened the door.
"Percy! It's always a pleasure to see you. Do come in lad. Ah, and Ronald. Enter." Grandfather says.
Percy and Ron entered. Ron was a bit reluctant, but he had yet to show it.
"Sit down, sit down." Grandfather says as he brings tea in for them. "Percy, how are you doing? You're a young man I see. I understand you were made Head Boy, and received top marks on your N.E.W.T.'s. Where have you been working?" Grandfather asks.
"The Ministry." Percy says.
"What department?" Grandfather asks.
"The Department of International Magical Cooperation. I helped with the setting up of the World Cup and the Tri-Wizard Tournament." Percy says.
"Ah, of course. It was to perfection, until those damn death eaters got drunk." Grandfather says.
"Yes, that was a catastrophe." Percy says.
Grandfather looks at his old grandfather clock. "Well, I know it's a bit late. I have an extra room upstairs that you may sleep in, if that is your wish." Grandfather says.
"Oh no, sir. I was just asked to bring Ron here. My parents were afraid he'd runaway again." Percy says.
"Oh, he'll be wanting to runaway, all right, but not to worry. There's no where or way to run." Grandfather says.
Ron wanted to look to his brother with a desperate plea in his eyes, but his stubbornness wouldn't allow him to remove his eyes from the table.
Percy could see the battle going on between Ron's stubbornness and his fear. Percy also knew that his Grandfather would indeed change Ron, wherever there was a change needed, and no matter the pain or push it took, his grandfather would change him.
"Grandfather, I'm sure Ron will change his attitude now that he's away from a certain girl." Percy says.
"He'll change his attitude all right, I guarantee it." Grandfather says.
Ron sighed as if he was bored, but he shivered at the thought of his Grandfather's guarantee.
"Well, hopefully there won't be a need for that. I guess I should be going now. It was good seeing you again Grandfather." Percy says.
"Always a pleasure Percy." Grandfather says.
Percy patted his brother's shoulder before disapparating.
"Where am I staying?" Ron asks his Grandfather.
"Upstairs the last room on the right." Grandfather says.
"May I bring my things up there now?" Ron asks.
"It's smart of you to ask permission. Yes, you may take your things up. Don't mess up the room. I'll have daily inspections. Starting tomorrow, I'll lay down the rules and your chores." Grandfather says.
"Yes sir." Ron says. He carries his trunk up the stairs and down the hall to the last room. He opens it and fines a brown, wooden walled bedroom with a beige carpet and a white ceiling. There was a desk against one wall, which Ron placed his books, his wand, and his assignments on. There was a small wardrobe by the window, and Ron hung his robes inside. There was a chest of drawers next to his bed against the wall, and Ron folded his clothes neatly and placed them in the drawers. He put Pigwidgeon's cage on top of the desk as well. He lie down in the bed and fell asleep.
The next morning, Ron was awoken earlier than he would've liked by his Grandfather, but he knew better than object. Not that Ron had ever spent the night over his Grandfather's before, but he knew better to object to any of his Grandfather's wishes, or a better term for them would be orders.
Ron dressed and walked tiredly down the stairs. "Good morning Ronald, there's a list of chores to be completed before breakfast for you on the table." Grandfather says.
Ron rubbed the tiredness away from his eyes. "Pardon me, did you say before breakfast?" Ron asks.
"Yes I did." Grandfather says.
"I'd work better with something in my body. Can't I have breakfast first?" Ron asks.
"No, you won't have breakfast until you've done your chores. I find that working on a hungry stomach gets the job done faster. It will motivate you to work quickly and efficiently, even if it means the job has to be done three times, because the first two you thought you could be slick and quick about it. I want everything done before breakfast, and should I hear a 'but,' yours will be whipped." Grandfather says.
Ron swallowed his pride back with a nod. "Yes sir." Ron says. Ron took the list into his hands and read them. His stomach growled, as he knew it would be at least noon before he was allowed to eat after doing all these chores. He'd have to do them the muggle way as well, as he was not allowed to do magic on the summer holiday.
"Trim the lawns… Sir to trim the lawns, I'll need a muggle lawnmower. I'm not allowed to do magic over the summer, sir." Ron says.
"There's one in the garage." Grandfather says drinking tea.
"All right then." Ron says.
Ron worked hard outside under the sun. He mowed the lawns, watered and spread manure over the flowerbeds, removed the weeds, and planted seeds for his grandfather. He came in exhausted and hungry as ever. "May I please have breakfast now? I'm starving!" Ron says.
"Starving? You don't know what that word truly means. I should teach you the meaning of it, but you've earned your meal." Grandfather says.
"Thank you sir." Ron says.
"Well, aren't you going to have something to eat or are you looking forward to an early start on your afternoon chores?" Grandfather says.
"No, I'll have breakfast now, thanks." Ron says.
"Well, what are you waiting for? The oven's free." Grandfather says.
"Oh." Ron says feeling stupid. He never really knew how to cook. He had had his mum to cook for him, and Hogwarts food was provided by the houseelves.
"You expected me to cook you breakfast, didn't you?" Grandfather asks.
"I thought…" Ron started, but Grandfather removed his pipe from his mouth and laughed, cutting him off.
"You thought wrong, 'tis what you thought, laddie." Grandfather says.
"Of course, sir. Sorry." Ron says.
Ron walks over to the stove and tries to figure out what to do. The only thing he knew how to make was tea. So he boiled some water.
"You don't know how to take care of yourself?" Grandfather asks.
"I do sir." Ron says.
"You don't know how to cook." Grandfather says.
"No, that I don't, sir." Ron says.
"'Tis time you learn, lad." Grandfather says standing up and walking over to Ron. He pulls a cookbook from the shelf. "We shall see how well you follow instructions. If you follow directions, your food will taste exactly the way it should. If you don't 'tis your own fault for your poor meal, lad."
Ron cooked himself scrambled eggs, the easiest meal he could think of and ate them greedily.
When he was finished Grandfather smiled, "Good, you can get a head start on your afternoon chores. I need you to put new shingles on the roof, otherwise laddie; it will be a wet night for you."
"I know nothing about fixing roofs." Ron protested.
"'Tis time you learn." Grandfather says.
"Why can't you fix your own roof? It's your house! Besides, in the bedroom I'm staying in, there wasn't a hole in the ceiling!" Ron says defiantly.
The punch came so quickly and unexpectedly; Ron fell to the floor covering his jaw where he was hit.
"I don't know who you think you are talking to me in that tone. You won't question me and you won't use anything but a respectful tone when addressing me, unless you want me to question my tolerance of you and be disrespectful toward you! I'm not indulgent like your father! I don't tolerate that, and I never will. Be grateful you have someone to take you in when you get too out of control for your poor mother, who does her best to take care of you, while your father avoids what's right in front of him and pretends not to see the pain you cause her. You took your mother for granted! You lied to her face! She cooks your meals for you, and she doesn't ask anything of you, but to turn out right. You're crashing down the wrong hill young lad, and I'm leveling the road out for you! You will work for your stay here, or I will dump you in a muggle orphanage, and you will find out what it is to truly be lonely, to be hungry, to be unloved, and to be unwanted! Your mother didn't know what to do with you. You lied to her, broke her trust in you, you let her down! You've sinned badly, and your father stands back and watches. She wants the best for you, but handing you everything isn't the best for you. You don't have to have money to be handed everything either." Grandfather yells.
In a softer tone he says, "Now get on the roof and learn how to fix a shingle. There's a toolbox in the shed."
Ron runs out the back of the house trembling from his mixed emotions. He was scared from the yelling. He was in pain from the punch. He was upset and confused about what his Grandfather had said. He had hurt his mother by sinning and lying. Somewhere though, he still resented her for sending him there. His Grandfather was cruel and mean, he thought. He still selfishly cared about himself now, and he thought of what he would be doing if he hadn't gotten caught. He could be seducing Sabrina. He could be practicing Quidditch or playing Wizard's Chess with Toby, but he wasn't. Instead, he was nailing shingles to the roof.
Ron came inside at seven that evening after fixing his grandfather's roof. Grandfather left and inspected the job. "Well, you know how to fix a roof." Grandfather says simply.
This made Ron angry, to be proven wrong. It was only because he'd be spending the night on the roof if he didn't fix it that Ron actually figured it out.
"May I have dinner now, please? I missed lunch." Ron says bitterly.
"Make something. The cookbook was left out from earlier, something I don't allow. I should take it away from you and let you make yourself a poor meal, but I like to keep my kitchen clean." Grandfather says.
"Thanks." Ron mutters, rolling his eyes. Luckily his back was turned to his Grandfather, because he was hungry, and he didn't want to fight or starve because he rolled his eyes. It took a lot out of him to say thanks, because he knew if he didn't he wouldn't be allowed to eat, or he'd get a lecture over it postponing his meal even longer.
Ron made himself a plate of spaghetti. It tasted all right, but it still didn't fill Ron's appetite. He was too worn out and exhausted to cook more though.
"Grandfather, may I go up to my room?" Ron asks. "I want to start on my assignments." Ron says. Ron couldn't believe what a relief homework seemed to be when he hated essays and assignments. Usually, he'd rather go exploring Hogwarts or outside in the summer sun depending which season it was, but after working all day, homework seemed like a good escape.
"After you wash those dishes in the sink. They're not going to clean themselves, you know." Grandfather says.
"Grandfather, I've only used two dishes, and two mugs all day. Those other dishes were used by you, sir." Ron starts.
"You wash all the dishes in the sink, not just your own. Wouldn't it be a pain to wash every dish you use the very minute your done with them?" Grandfather asks.
"Sir, I understand having one person do the dishes. They're going to get washed eventually, why not all at once, right?" Ron asks.
"Exactly." Grandfather says.
"Well, we both have to eat as well, why can't you just cook for the both of us?" Ron asks.
"I'm teaching you a lesson, Ron. I'm teaching you how to cook for yourself." Grandfather says.
"Well, I already know how to wash dishes, and since the majority of the ones in the sink are yours, you can wash them." Ron says bitterly.
Grandfather's eyes told Ron he was about to explode, but he calmed himself before speaking. "I know I can wash them, but I gave that job to you." Grandfather says.
"Why won't you do them? Because you're too lazy! I've done everything around this house, and you haven't done a thing! It's not as if you work! It's not as if I have nothing to do, I have to do my summer assignments!" Ron yells sounding frustrated.
"Nonsense, you have all summer to get them done, and you usually don't do them at home until the end of the summer either." Grandfather says.
"I usually don't do a lot of things that I do here, but I haven't a choice!" Ron says.
"Exactly." Grandfather says. "So go wash the dishes."
Ron wanted to say, "Wash them yourself," but knew the consequences. So instead, he walked into the kitchen and washed the dishes.
Later that evening, when Ron had claimed he was going to his room to do his essays, he was playing Wizard's Chess looking at the different strategies he could use when Grandfather entered. Ron tried to hide it, but he didn't have enough time.
"I don't like liars, and I don't like sneaky people. When you try to deceit somebody, it makes you as bad as any Slytherin. I came up here expecting you to be doing something constructive, your assignments for example." Grandfather says.
"I did an essay, and I just wanted to have time to myself before I went to sleep." Ron says.
"Where's the essay?" Grandfather asks.
"On the desk." Ron says.
Grandfather picks the parchment up and reads Ron scribbled writing. Ron sighs in relief, having done it the first night home.
To Ron's horror, Grandfather rips it up. "What are you doing?" Ron asks in disbelief. He lost all control over himself. He tried to contain the anger and strain that he had bottled up from the past twenty-four hours, but he couldn't take it anymore. He had enough.
"You had no right to touch my essay! I actually did it! I did everything you asked me to, today! You could at least keep your hands off my things, and you could give me some time of my own to do what I want! It's not like I'd hurt anyone!" Ron yells. He was dark red with fury.
Grandfather hit Ron painfully in the face. Ron fell onto the floor covering his cheek and eye with his hand. Tears ran down Ron's face, tears of pain and anger, but he had not given up.
"You'll keep a civil tone when talking to me!" Grandfather says.
"I'll talk to you however I want!" Ron yells standing up.
Grandfather grabbed Ron roughly by the back of his neck. He dragged him down the stairs and out back into the shed.
When Ron woke up the next morning he resented his mother more than ever for sending him there. His back was sore from all the welts Grandfather had given him last night. He was sore from all of the strain his muscles had been under yesterday as well. If his Grandfather expected him to do chores this morning or even the rest of the week, he wouldn't be able to, and he knew his back couldn't handle another whipping.
Ron jumped as he heard the door to the shed unlock from the outside. He squinted as sunlight poured in the dark shed, and then the silhouette of his Grandfather came into view. Ron buried his tear-stained face in his arms and bit his lip, fearing what his Grandfather was going to do or say.
"I got some ice for your back. You can let me take care of you, or you can carry on until it hurts so bad you'll beg for me to help you." Grandfather says.
"Can't you heal it with a spell?" Ron asks.
"I could, but I won't. You deserved what I gave you. You're out of control, and you didn't expect anybody to stop you." Grandfather says.
"Couldn't you have just shut me up with a spell and made me listen?" Ron asks.
"I could've, but you wouldn't have listened. Besides, you're at a muggle disadvantage. Teaching you a lesson with a wand wouldn't be fair to you since you aren't allowed to use yours. You wouldn't have taken me seriously. You would've whined about how you wouldn't have listened to me if you were allowed your wand. You were upset that somebody is actually telling you what you have to do, what you're not allowed to do. You don't like the rules, but even more you don't like the consequences. Last night, I enforced what I said before… I'm not indulgent or lenient. I expect certain things from you, while you're here. The thing I expect the most of is how you respect me. You do or you don't, and I will or I won't respect you back the same. It's an old motto; treat people how you want to be treated. You yell at me, I'll yell at you or worse like you found out last night. You may not think it fair, but it's life. I'm the adult, and you're the child. You won't get the respect of a young man, until you learn to act like one." Grandfather says.
"You never gave me a chance, I don't know why I had to give you chance." Ron says.
"What chance?" Grandfather says.
"You never gave me a chance to explain anything. Nobody gives me a chance. You never got to know me! You know you hate me though. You don't like me, why should I like you?" Ron asks.
"You take chances with your actions. If I didn't like you Ronald, you wouldn't be here. I am giving you a chance." Grandfather says.
"Why did you rip up my essay? I hate homework, and I actually spent a couple of hours researching that." Ron says.
"You need to spend more time researching, then. That wasn't done properly. It was sloppy, and very disorganized." Grandfather says.
"Still, I could've used some of the notes from it. I don't remember what I wrote." Ron says.
"Then you really haven't learned anything. When you read a chapter of a book, it's not just to summarize and write about it, it's to keep the knowledge in your memory. That's what learning is about. You learned your alphabet, and have you ever forgotten any letters? Have you forgotten how to read after learning how to?" Grandfather asks.
"No." Ron says.
"Think twice about your actions and your tone of voice. You'll have less chores and your back won't be as sore." Grandfather says.
A week later, Ron was painting the porch for his Grandfather. It was his only chore of the day, besides washing the dishes and doing his own laundry. Grandfather came out with an extra paint roller. He helped Ron finish painting.
When Ron came in they had dinner, and Grandfather helped Ron with another of his essays. Grandfather had been helping Ron with essays every night.
Ron finished the essay and massaged his hands. He didn't know how Hermione could write so much without getting a hand cramp.
"Thanks Grandpa." Ron says rolling up his parchment.
"Your welcome." Grandfather says. Thoughtfully, he looked at his grandson. "Ron, I noticed last week, before I punished you that you have Wizard's Chess."
"Yes sir." Ron says.
"Why don't you bring it down here? We'll have a match. I can understand if you're afraid to lose to your Grandfather, but you've been up to quite a few challenges lately, this one shouldn't be as hard." Grandfather says.
"You're on!" Ron says.
Ron won against his Grandfather, and as a reward Grandfather let him off all chores for the next two days.
1.1 Grandfather
Ron entered the house and he found himself walking into the kitchen.
"Ron, you'll be staying at your grandfather's for part of the summer, depending on if your behavior improves. If there isn't an improvement, you'll find yourself there all summer." Mrs. Weasley says.
Percy entered the kitchen with Ron's trunk. Ginny entered with Pigwidgeon in his cage.
"I'm leaving now?" Ron asks.
"Yes. Percy will take you on the Knight Bus to your Grandfather's. I'd allow you to take Floo powder there, but frankly, I don't trust you. You'd probably say somebody else's house or jump out early." Mrs. Weasley says.
Ron grabbed his trunk and his owl and started for the front door. "You coming Percy?" Ron asks.
"Ron, say goodbye first." Mr. Weasley says.
"Percy, I'll be waiting outside." Ron says.
He pushed past the twins and found his way out front of the burrow.
"I guess I better take him now, before he finds his way to Tobias'. I'll be home shortly." Percy says. He kisses his mum on the cheek before leaving the burrow.
With his wand, he signals for the Knight Bus and it crazily arrives. Percy pays for the two of them to go to Ireland and the bus disappears, heading for another town. Ron fell back on to his bed on the bus as it sped into the night.
Percy fell backward onto his bed too, though he looked and felt as if he were going to be sick.
After three stops, they landed in Ireland in front of Grandfather Weasley's home. Ron and Percy shakily stepped off of the bus. Ron got his things, and they walked up to Grandfather's manor.
The reason Mr. Weasley never asked his father for money, was because Grandfather was so strict and hard on him as a child, he drove him away, and Mr. Weasley didn't want the indignity of asking for help. Grandfather thought Mr. Weasley's job at the Ministry was a mistake, because he knew that his son had more potential than that. It was his liking of muggles that kept him there, even though the pay was poor.
Grandfather was very strict and he wasn't fond of boys. He wouldn't have liked any of his grandsons if it weren't for the facts that they had brains and talent. Ron knew he had neither, and he was despised for this.
Percy knocked on the door and grandfather opened the door.
"Percy! It's always a pleasure to see you. Do come in lad. Ah, and Ronald. Enter." Grandfather says.
Percy and Ron entered. Ron was a bit reluctant, but he had yet to show it.
"Sit down, sit down." Grandfather says as he brings tea in for them. "Percy, how are you doing? You're a young man I see. I understand you were made Head Boy, and received top marks on your N.E.W.T.'s. Where have you been working?" Grandfather asks.
"The Ministry." Percy says.
"What department?" Grandfather asks.
"The Department of International Magical Cooperation. I helped with the setting up of the World Cup and the Tri-Wizard Tournament." Percy says.
"Ah, of course. It was to perfection, until those damn death eaters got drunk." Grandfather says.
"Yes, that was a catastrophe." Percy says.
Grandfather looks at his old grandfather clock. "Well, I know it's a bit late. I have an extra room upstairs that you may sleep in, if that is your wish." Grandfather says.
"Oh no, sir. I was just asked to bring Ron here. My parents were afraid he'd runaway again." Percy says.
"Oh, he'll be wanting to runaway, all right, but not to worry. There's no where or way to run." Grandfather says.
Ron wanted to look to his brother with a desperate plea in his eyes, but his stubbornness wouldn't allow him to remove his eyes from the table.
Percy could see the battle going on between Ron's stubbornness and his fear. Percy also knew that his Grandfather would indeed change Ron, wherever there was a change needed, and no matter the pain or push it took, his grandfather would change him.
"Grandfather, I'm sure Ron will change his attitude now that he's away from a certain girl." Percy says.
"He'll change his attitude all right, I guarantee it." Grandfather says.
Ron sighed as if he was bored, but he shivered at the thought of his Grandfather's guarantee.
"Well, hopefully there won't be a need for that. I guess I should be going now. It was good seeing you again Grandfather." Percy says.
"Always a pleasure Percy." Grandfather says.
Percy patted his brother's shoulder before disapparating.
"Where am I staying?" Ron asks his Grandfather.
"Upstairs the last room on the right." Grandfather says.
"May I bring my things up there now?" Ron asks.
"It's smart of you to ask permission. Yes, you may take your things up. Don't mess up the room. I'll have daily inspections. Starting tomorrow, I'll lay down the rules and your chores." Grandfather says.
"Yes sir." Ron says. He carries his trunk up the stairs and down the hall to the last room. He opens it and fines a brown, wooden walled bedroom with a beige carpet and a white ceiling. There was a desk against one wall, which Ron placed his books, his wand, and his assignments on. There was a small wardrobe by the window, and Ron hung his robes inside. There was a chest of drawers next to his bed against the wall, and Ron folded his clothes neatly and placed them in the drawers. He put Pigwidgeon's cage on top of the desk as well. He lie down in the bed and fell asleep.
The next morning, Ron was awoken earlier than he would've liked by his Grandfather, but he knew better than object. Not that Ron had ever spent the night over his Grandfather's before, but he knew better to object to any of his Grandfather's wishes, or a better term for them would be orders.
Ron dressed and walked tiredly down the stairs. "Good morning Ronald, there's a list of chores to be completed before breakfast for you on the table." Grandfather says.
Ron rubbed the tiredness away from his eyes. "Pardon me, did you say before breakfast?" Ron asks.
"Yes I did." Grandfather says.
"I'd work better with something in my body. Can't I have breakfast first?" Ron asks.
"No, you won't have breakfast until you've done your chores. I find that working on a hungry stomach gets the job done faster. It will motivate you to work quickly and efficiently, even if it means the job has to be done three times, because the first two you thought you could be slick and quick about it. I want everything done before breakfast, and should I hear a 'but,' yours will be whipped." Grandfather says.
Ron swallowed his pride back with a nod. "Yes sir." Ron says. Ron took the list into his hands and read them. His stomach growled, as he knew it would be at least noon before he was allowed to eat after doing all these chores. He'd have to do them the muggle way as well, as he was not allowed to do magic on the summer holiday.
"Trim the lawns… Sir to trim the lawns, I'll need a muggle lawnmower. I'm not allowed to do magic over the summer, sir." Ron says.
"There's one in the garage." Grandfather says drinking tea.
"All right then." Ron says.
Ron worked hard outside under the sun. He mowed the lawns, watered and spread manure over the flowerbeds, removed the weeds, and planted seeds for his grandfather. He came in exhausted and hungry as ever. "May I please have breakfast now? I'm starving!" Ron says.
"Starving? You don't know what that word truly means. I should teach you the meaning of it, but you've earned your meal." Grandfather says.
"Thank you sir." Ron says.
"Well, aren't you going to have something to eat or are you looking forward to an early start on your afternoon chores?" Grandfather says.
"No, I'll have breakfast now, thanks." Ron says.
"Well, what are you waiting for? The oven's free." Grandfather says.
"Oh." Ron says feeling stupid. He never really knew how to cook. He had had his mum to cook for him, and Hogwarts food was provided by the houseelves.
"You expected me to cook you breakfast, didn't you?" Grandfather asks.
"I thought…" Ron started, but Grandfather removed his pipe from his mouth and laughed, cutting him off.
"You thought wrong, 'tis what you thought, laddie." Grandfather says.
"Of course, sir. Sorry." Ron says.
Ron walks over to the stove and tries to figure out what to do. The only thing he knew how to make was tea. So he boiled some water.
"You don't know how to take care of yourself?" Grandfather asks.
"I do sir." Ron says.
"You don't know how to cook." Grandfather says.
"No, that I don't, sir." Ron says.
"'Tis time you learn, lad." Grandfather says standing up and walking over to Ron. He pulls a cookbook from the shelf. "We shall see how well you follow instructions. If you follow directions, your food will taste exactly the way it should. If you don't 'tis your own fault for your poor meal, lad."
Ron cooked himself scrambled eggs, the easiest meal he could think of and ate them greedily.
When he was finished Grandfather smiled, "Good, you can get a head start on your afternoon chores. I need you to put new shingles on the roof, otherwise laddie; it will be a wet night for you."
"I know nothing about fixing roofs." Ron protested.
"'Tis time you learn." Grandfather says.
"Why can't you fix your own roof? It's your house! Besides, in the bedroom I'm staying in, there wasn't a hole in the ceiling!" Ron says defiantly.
The punch came so quickly and unexpectedly; Ron fell to the floor covering his jaw where he was hit.
"I don't know who you think you are talking to me in that tone. You won't question me and you won't use anything but a respectful tone when addressing me, unless you want me to question my tolerance of you and be disrespectful toward you! I'm not indulgent like your father! I don't tolerate that, and I never will. Be grateful you have someone to take you in when you get too out of control for your poor mother, who does her best to take care of you, while your father avoids what's right in front of him and pretends not to see the pain you cause her. You took your mother for granted! You lied to her face! She cooks your meals for you, and she doesn't ask anything of you, but to turn out right. You're crashing down the wrong hill young lad, and I'm leveling the road out for you! You will work for your stay here, or I will dump you in a muggle orphanage, and you will find out what it is to truly be lonely, to be hungry, to be unloved, and to be unwanted! Your mother didn't know what to do with you. You lied to her, broke her trust in you, you let her down! You've sinned badly, and your father stands back and watches. She wants the best for you, but handing you everything isn't the best for you. You don't have to have money to be handed everything either." Grandfather yells.
In a softer tone he says, "Now get on the roof and learn how to fix a shingle. There's a toolbox in the shed."
Ron runs out the back of the house trembling from his mixed emotions. He was scared from the yelling. He was in pain from the punch. He was upset and confused about what his Grandfather had said. He had hurt his mother by sinning and lying. Somewhere though, he still resented her for sending him there. His Grandfather was cruel and mean, he thought. He still selfishly cared about himself now, and he thought of what he would be doing if he hadn't gotten caught. He could be seducing Sabrina. He could be practicing Quidditch or playing Wizard's Chess with Toby, but he wasn't. Instead, he was nailing shingles to the roof.
Ron came inside at seven that evening after fixing his grandfather's roof. Grandfather left and inspected the job. "Well, you know how to fix a roof." Grandfather says simply.
This made Ron angry, to be proven wrong. It was only because he'd be spending the night on the roof if he didn't fix it that Ron actually figured it out.
"May I have dinner now, please? I missed lunch." Ron says bitterly.
"Make something. The cookbook was left out from earlier, something I don't allow. I should take it away from you and let you make yourself a poor meal, but I like to keep my kitchen clean." Grandfather says.
"Thanks." Ron mutters, rolling his eyes. Luckily his back was turned to his Grandfather, because he was hungry, and he didn't want to fight or starve because he rolled his eyes. It took a lot out of him to say thanks, because he knew if he didn't he wouldn't be allowed to eat, or he'd get a lecture over it postponing his meal even longer.
Ron made himself a plate of spaghetti. It tasted all right, but it still didn't fill Ron's appetite. He was too worn out and exhausted to cook more though.
"Grandfather, may I go up to my room?" Ron asks. "I want to start on my assignments." Ron says. Ron couldn't believe what a relief homework seemed to be when he hated essays and assignments. Usually, he'd rather go exploring Hogwarts or outside in the summer sun depending which season it was, but after working all day, homework seemed like a good escape.
"After you wash those dishes in the sink. They're not going to clean themselves, you know." Grandfather says.
"Grandfather, I've only used two dishes, and two mugs all day. Those other dishes were used by you, sir." Ron starts.
"You wash all the dishes in the sink, not just your own. Wouldn't it be a pain to wash every dish you use the very minute your done with them?" Grandfather asks.
"Sir, I understand having one person do the dishes. They're going to get washed eventually, why not all at once, right?" Ron asks.
"Exactly." Grandfather says.
"Well, we both have to eat as well, why can't you just cook for the both of us?" Ron asks.
"I'm teaching you a lesson, Ron. I'm teaching you how to cook for yourself." Grandfather says.
"Well, I already know how to wash dishes, and since the majority of the ones in the sink are yours, you can wash them." Ron says bitterly.
Grandfather's eyes told Ron he was about to explode, but he calmed himself before speaking. "I know I can wash them, but I gave that job to you." Grandfather says.
"Why won't you do them? Because you're too lazy! I've done everything around this house, and you haven't done a thing! It's not as if you work! It's not as if I have nothing to do, I have to do my summer assignments!" Ron yells sounding frustrated.
"Nonsense, you have all summer to get them done, and you usually don't do them at home until the end of the summer either." Grandfather says.
"I usually don't do a lot of things that I do here, but I haven't a choice!" Ron says.
"Exactly." Grandfather says. "So go wash the dishes."
Ron wanted to say, "Wash them yourself," but knew the consequences. So instead, he walked into the kitchen and washed the dishes.
Later that evening, when Ron had claimed he was going to his room to do his essays, he was playing Wizard's Chess looking at the different strategies he could use when Grandfather entered. Ron tried to hide it, but he didn't have enough time.
"I don't like liars, and I don't like sneaky people. When you try to deceit somebody, it makes you as bad as any Slytherin. I came up here expecting you to be doing something constructive, your assignments for example." Grandfather says.
"I did an essay, and I just wanted to have time to myself before I went to sleep." Ron says.
"Where's the essay?" Grandfather asks.
"On the desk." Ron says.
Grandfather picks the parchment up and reads Ron scribbled writing. Ron sighs in relief, having done it the first night home.
To Ron's horror, Grandfather rips it up. "What are you doing?" Ron asks in disbelief. He lost all control over himself. He tried to contain the anger and strain that he had bottled up from the past twenty-four hours, but he couldn't take it anymore. He had enough.
"You had no right to touch my essay! I actually did it! I did everything you asked me to, today! You could at least keep your hands off my things, and you could give me some time of my own to do what I want! It's not like I'd hurt anyone!" Ron yells. He was dark red with fury.
Grandfather hit Ron painfully in the face. Ron fell onto the floor covering his cheek and eye with his hand. Tears ran down Ron's face, tears of pain and anger, but he had not given up.
"You'll keep a civil tone when talking to me!" Grandfather says.
"I'll talk to you however I want!" Ron yells standing up.
Grandfather grabbed Ron roughly by the back of his neck. He dragged him down the stairs and out back into the shed.
When Ron woke up the next morning he resented his mother more than ever for sending him there. His back was sore from all the welts Grandfather had given him last night. He was sore from all of the strain his muscles had been under yesterday as well. If his Grandfather expected him to do chores this morning or even the rest of the week, he wouldn't be able to, and he knew his back couldn't handle another whipping.
Ron jumped as he heard the door to the shed unlock from the outside. He squinted as sunlight poured in the dark shed, and then the silhouette of his Grandfather came into view. Ron buried his tear-stained face in his arms and bit his lip, fearing what his Grandfather was going to do or say.
"I got some ice for your back. You can let me take care of you, or you can carry on until it hurts so bad you'll beg for me to help you." Grandfather says.
"Can't you heal it with a spell?" Ron asks.
"I could, but I won't. You deserved what I gave you. You're out of control, and you didn't expect anybody to stop you." Grandfather says.
"Couldn't you have just shut me up with a spell and made me listen?" Ron asks.
"I could've, but you wouldn't have listened. Besides, you're at a muggle disadvantage. Teaching you a lesson with a wand wouldn't be fair to you since you aren't allowed to use yours. You wouldn't have taken me seriously. You would've whined about how you wouldn't have listened to me if you were allowed your wand. You were upset that somebody is actually telling you what you have to do, what you're not allowed to do. You don't like the rules, but even more you don't like the consequences. Last night, I enforced what I said before… I'm not indulgent or lenient. I expect certain things from you, while you're here. The thing I expect the most of is how you respect me. You do or you don't, and I will or I won't respect you back the same. It's an old motto; treat people how you want to be treated. You yell at me, I'll yell at you or worse like you found out last night. You may not think it fair, but it's life. I'm the adult, and you're the child. You won't get the respect of a young man, until you learn to act like one." Grandfather says.
"You never gave me a chance, I don't know why I had to give you chance." Ron says.
"What chance?" Grandfather says.
"You never gave me a chance to explain anything. Nobody gives me a chance. You never got to know me! You know you hate me though. You don't like me, why should I like you?" Ron asks.
"You take chances with your actions. If I didn't like you Ronald, you wouldn't be here. I am giving you a chance." Grandfather says.
"Why did you rip up my essay? I hate homework, and I actually spent a couple of hours researching that." Ron says.
"You need to spend more time researching, then. That wasn't done properly. It was sloppy, and very disorganized." Grandfather says.
"Still, I could've used some of the notes from it. I don't remember what I wrote." Ron says.
"Then you really haven't learned anything. When you read a chapter of a book, it's not just to summarize and write about it, it's to keep the knowledge in your memory. That's what learning is about. You learned your alphabet, and have you ever forgotten any letters? Have you forgotten how to read after learning how to?" Grandfather asks.
"No." Ron says.
"Think twice about your actions and your tone of voice. You'll have less chores and your back won't be as sore." Grandfather says.
A week later, Ron was painting the porch for his Grandfather. It was his only chore of the day, besides washing the dishes and doing his own laundry. Grandfather came out with an extra paint roller. He helped Ron finish painting.
When Ron came in they had dinner, and Grandfather helped Ron with another of his essays. Grandfather had been helping Ron with essays every night.
Ron finished the essay and massaged his hands. He didn't know how Hermione could write so much without getting a hand cramp.
"Thanks Grandpa." Ron says rolling up his parchment.
"Your welcome." Grandfather says. Thoughtfully, he looked at his grandson. "Ron, I noticed last week, before I punished you that you have Wizard's Chess."
"Yes sir." Ron says.
"Why don't you bring it down here? We'll have a match. I can understand if you're afraid to lose to your Grandfather, but you've been up to quite a few challenges lately, this one shouldn't be as hard." Grandfather says.
"You're on!" Ron says.
Ron won against his Grandfather, and as a reward Grandfather let him off all chores for the next two days.