Chapter Fourteen
Confrontations
Author's Note: Sorry for taking so long to update, I was caught up in a book one night, and then I got sucked into working by guilt Friday night and tonight. Sorry if this is rushed. I wanted to get to the next chapter as quickly as possible. I hope you all enjoy! Thank you all for reviewing!
Ron's fun in America continued throughout the week. For the first time, Ron enjoyed learning. The school was like his new family. He hung out with the same seven people mostly. There was Derek, Dave, Doug, and Josh, but then there were the girls he met as well. Dominique Rodriquez was Puerto Rican, and she was very exotic looking. She wore her long dark hair in cornrows all the time, and she had her ears pierced several times. During muggle studies, another person chose to try the keyboard, and her name was Roxanne Simpson. Roxanne was white with short brown hair that was always worn in a cute ponytail. Roxanne had a tough girl personality once you first met her, but once Ron befriended her, she was a completely different person.
Then there was Abigail; Abigail Walker was a snob to almost everybody. Abigail had long blonde hair. Most of the guys were attracted to her, but she never gave them the time of day. She noticed Ron, when he was the only guy who never approached her. It was during Care of Magical Creatures that she finally approached him. The class would need to work in pairs to feed Nogtails, piglet type demon creatures, and Abigail pushed Derek out of the way as she walked over to Ron.
"Hello partner." Abigail says.
Ron wanted to partner with Derek, because he always made the lessons entertaining, and he didn't want to be rude and leave Derek out, but Derek was more than all right with it. Derek paired up with Doug, while Josh paired up with Dave. As they began feeding the nogtails, Abigail began to make conversation.
"So what part of England are you from?" Abigail asks.
"Ottery St. Catchpole, a little way outside the village." Ron says.
"Never heard of it." Abigail says.
"It's by Exeter in Devon." Ron says.
"Right." Abigail says, clearly she wasn't interested.
"You asked." Ron mutters.
"I was trying to make conversation." Abigail says.
"Why don't you just feed this thing already?" Ron asks annoyed. Abigail was the American female version of Malfoy.
"What do you mean, why don't I feed it? Mr. Hunter said to work together." Abigail says.
"Well then why don't you start? I'm holding it, mind you it's bloody hard to keep this thing still." Ron says.
"If I throw food on the ground, do you think it's going to runaway?" Abigail says snottily.
"You want to take that chance, do you? Fine, throw food on the ground and if it runs, you can catch it." Ron says.
"Whatever." Abigail says. She throws the food on the ground for the nogtail.
Ron grinned and let it go. It ran extremely fast away from Ron and Abigail.
"Clearly, it didn't see me throw it." Abigail says.
"Clearly, you should run after it." Ron says.
"Please, I don't run, and especially not in the middle of a pigpen." Abigail says. "I don't need mud all over my shoes, thanks. Americans don't like mud, I don't know what you people are used too, but…"
SPLAT! Ron had taken a handful of mud and thrown it at Abigail's face. Abigail opened her mouth and wiped her eyes with her hands. She shook her hands out away from her in disgust.
Ron knew for sure he was in trouble. He looked around, and saw Derek, Doug, Dave, and Josh trying hard not to laugh. Even Roxanne and Dominique had their mouths covered as to hide their amusement. Ron looked down before looking at the two teachers. Mr. Hunter was trying hard to suppress a smile, and Mrs. Hunter had her mouth open with surprise.
"Look what you did!" Abigail shrieked.
Ron turned back to her. "Oh no, are you going to melt now?" Ron jokes.
Derek couldn't hold back anymore. He busted out with an obnoxious laugh. "Girl, you got told!" Derek yells.
"Mr. Hunter, Mrs. Hunter punish him! People like him clearly don't belong in this school!" Abigail screams.
"Hey! What do you mean people like him? English people? I hate to tell you, but half of us would've loved to do what he did if we had the chance to girly, so shut your mouth. Derek's ten times more obnoxious than him, and unless you want to be pushed in the mud, I suggest you shut up!" Roxanne says.
"Mr. Hunter! Look what this animal did! It's all over my face!" Abigail cries.
"Oh, don't worry honey, you look ten times better this way." Dominique says.
"Ugh! I am so going to Mrs. Maloney about this. She'll see about letting outsiders, like this piece of white trash, come here!" Abigail cries. She stomps up to the school.
"Ron, why don't you go talk to Ms. Turner?" Mrs. Hunter suggests.
Ron walks up to the school not wanting to stir up any more trouble. When Ron arrives in Ms. Turner's office, Abigail was already there.
Abigail glares at him. Ms. Turner looks at him.
"Sorry, I'll wait. Mrs. Hunter sent me." Ron says starting to back away.
"No, why don't you come in. After all, her problem seems to be along the lines of why you were sent here, I assume." Ms. Turner says.
Ron takes a seat.
"Why did you throw mud at Ms. Walker?" Ms. Turner asks.
"She was acting like a snob. Maybe not acting… I lost my temper and since she said she wasn't going to get dirty I knew she hated mud and threw some at her." Ron says.
"Do you see what he's like? Calling me a snob… we shouldn't tolerate people like him in our school." Abigail says.
"Well it's good to know you consider me a person in the presence of an authority, I mean outside you referred to me as garbage. I only called you a snob, because in my opinion that's what you are. A definition of a snob to me is somebody who thinks they're better than everybody else, and I was just trying to show you that you aren't the queen of the world. Derek and them told me you were really conceited when I first got here, and I know enough people like you back in England to know not to interact with you. You were the one who pushed Derek aside to be partners with me, and I only had to know you five seconds to realize that I didn't want to know you anymore. You deserved that mud, and that's the least of what you deserve. Ms. Turner, what's my punishment?" Ron asks.
"I don't give out detentions, Mrs. Maloney does." Ms. Turner says writing something on a piece of paper. She folds the paper up and hands it to Ron. "Bring that to Mrs. Maloney's office, it's right across the hall there."
Ron takes the paper and walks across the office to the door of Mrs. Maloney's office. He knocks on the door.
"Come in." Mrs. Maloney calls.
Ron enters Mrs. Maloney's office. He hands her the piece of paper, and waits while cracking his knuckles, nervously.
"You threw mud at Ms. Walker?" Mrs. Maloney asks.
"Yes mam." Ron says nervously.
"Do you have an excuse for this?" Mrs. Maloney asks.
"Not a brilliant one." Ron says.
"Well what was your reasoning for doing so?" Mrs. Maloney asks.
"She was being stuck up. I was just trying to bring her down to earth." Ron says nervously.
"I'm not going to lie to you Ron, Ms. Walker does think she is better than most of the students here. My suggestion to you, is to stay away from her, and as a last resort don't do something so immature. Five year olds throw mud at each other. Try and act your age." Mrs. Maloney says.
"Yes mam. Is that all?" Ron asks hoping to get out of a detention.
"How's your first week been?" Mrs. Maloney asks.
"Brilliant. I love it here." Ron says.
"That's great, your teachers have a high opinion of you as well. Don't lose a good name, because of one girl. It's not worth it." Mrs. Maloney advises.
"Does that mean I'm getting a detention?" Ron asks. He was confused.
"No, I'm letting you off with a warning." Mrs. Maloney says.
"Thank you. I won't mess up again." Ron says.
Ron leaves with a weight lifted off of his shoulders. He met Derek and everybody as they were coming in.
"Man, that was too perfect." Derek says.
"We warned you of what she was like." Roxanne says.
"I didn't have a choice. She came up to me." Ron says.
"Did Mrs. Maloney 'hear about it'?" Josh asks mocking Abigail.
"Yes, she let me off with a warning, which is good, because all my parents need is to hear about me throwing mud at a girl. My mum would send me a howler telling me to act my age." Ron says rolling his eyes.
"I didn't know you could act like that. I thought you were uptight and quiet." Derek says.
"Uptight and quiet are the last words I'd use to describe myself." Ron says.
"Really?" Derek asks.
"Really. I usually have a comment for everything, and if you had twin brothers always playing pranks on you, you couldn't be uptight and still living." Ron says. "You'd lose it." Ron says.
"Yea, but you were acting all shy and formal when you came here." Dominique says.
"Yes, but I didn't want to get kicked out of another school. I wasn't sure if everything here would be uptight or what, and I didn't want to get in trouble... Trouble got me here in the first place." Ron says.
"Shoot! You were kicked out of your old school?" Roxanne asks wrapping an arm around Ron.
"Suspended for two weeks originally, but then other crap happened, and now I'm here." Ron says trying to avoid the subject. "Back at Hogwarts you don't interact with your teachers the way you do here. You get your lecture and instructions, and then you work in silence. Anyone who interrupts that silence gets a detention."
"The dance is tomorrow night." Dominique says pushing Roxanne out of the way and wrapping her arm around Ron's shoulder.
"On a Friday night? Why not Saturday?" Ron asks.
"We go home on the weekends, unless we get projects that need us to sacrifice them." Derek says.
"Oh, but people do stay on weekends, right?" Ron asks.
"Yea," Dominique says. "My momma says it's easier for her if I stay and get free meals. Save her from cooking, or me from her cooking."
"Good, so you'll be here too?" Ron asks.
"Yes, aren't you going home?" Dominique asks.
"He lives in England remember?" Derek asks.
"Well, I'm not going home, this weekend, but my parents do have a cabin here. My Grandfather paid for it, which was the only decent thing he's ever done." Ron says.
"We'll all just have to come over some weekend, meet your parents." Derek says.
"You are joking, aren't you?" Ron asks.
"Why would I be joking? You can meet my momma if you want, she'd love to meet you." Derek says.
"You'd want to come meet my parents?" Ron asks.
"Haven't I established that?" Derek asks.
"All right, I'll write home for some weekend." Ron says.
"Make it the weekend after Thanksgiving break." Roxanne says.
"Yea, that sounds good for me." Dominique says.
"In that case it's good for me." Josh says.
"Wait… you're all coming?" Ron asks.
"Yea, we can have a giant sleepover, it'll be a blast." Dominique says.
"As long as you leave your makeup and nail polish here this time." Dave says.
"Yes, because it took forever to get pink off my nails. Black, I wouldn't have minded, but pink… it's too terrible to remember." Doug shudders.
"Okay, we'll remember black this time." Dominique jokes.
"The cabin's small. It only has two bedrooms." Ron says.
"We'll sleep on the floor in the living room." Derek says.
"All right, I'll owl home." Ron says.
On Friday, Ron entered Mrs. Prewitt's Charms' lesson when she walked over to him.
"Hey pumpkin." Mrs. Prewitt says sweetly.
Mrs. Prewitt was easily every student's favorite teacher from her sense of humor to her sweetness. Whenever Ron entered, he earned the greeting of hello pumpkin, Mrs. Prewitt claiming Ron looked as cute as a pumpkin.
"Good afternoon, Mrs. Prewitt." Ron says.
"What is this I hear about you throwing mud all over Abby?" Mrs. Prewitt asks.
"I should've pushed her in it." Ron mutters.
"Hey! What have you got against my Abby?" Mrs. Prewitt asks.
"Oh, sorry, I didn't know there was anybody who liked her." Ron says.
"Why don't you like her?" Mrs. Prewitt asks.
"She's a snob and thinks she's better than everybody else." Ron answers.
"That's not true." Mrs. Prewitt says.
"Outside of an authority's eye it is." Ron says.
"Well, think of Abby when you try to perform hexes today. Though, don't you dare try one on her!" Mrs. Prewitt says.
Ron laughs, and surprisingly perfected all his hexes.
"You going to the dance tonight?" Mrs. Prewitt asks Ron as he started to leave.
"Yes." Ron says.
"Good, you'll get reintroduced to Abby then." Mrs. Prewitt says.
"Mrs. Prewitt, you'd have to be a miracle worker to get me to even go near her again." Ron says. He leaves.
The dance that night was held in the cafeteria. There was a disco ball in the ceiling and Ms. Hoffman and Mr. Levine of Muggle studies brought strobe lights and provided the music. Roxanne and Dominique took turns grinding with Dominique. Ron also took turns dancing with other girls. He danced with Jade, the girl from Transfiguration, but mostly stayed to Roxanne and Dominique.
During a slow song, Ron had taken a break and gotten some butterbeer, when Abby walked up to him. She looked beautiful in her robes of pink velvet, her blonde hair was down against her back and she wore pink lipstick with rose-colored eye shadow. She wore gold earrings in her ears, and what Ron saw in Abigail's eyes was a mixture of hope and fear. Ron knew how these emotions felt, but he highly doubted that Abigail would punch him like Ron often did to Malfoy, but he was sure her temper was rising in the height of her anxiety, and he knew if he didn't say anything she might start an argument, like Ron had often done with Hermione.
"Abigail, you look brilliant tonight. I can understand why the mud wouldn't go… I'm sorry for throwing mud at you." Ron says. He was lying. He wasn't sorry for throwing mud at her. "Actually, I'm not sorry, because you seemed like a lovely young lady, and your personality showed me different. Would you like to dance? I'm wondering if deep down your heart's hiding, and maybe I could bring it out." Ron offers.
"I'll dance with you." Abigail says looking at Ron with teary eyes.
Ron guessed she had zoned him out and not heard anything but his asking her to dance. Either way, he took her hand and led her on the dance floor and they started to slow dance.
They danced uncomfortably, avoiding each other's eyes not knowing what to say.
"Do you play Quidditch?" Abigail asks suddenly after a few seconds of silence.
"Yes. Well, I did…" Ron says. He missed Hogwarts.
"I'm sorry for calling you white trash. It was my way of putting the humiliation on somebody else. I couldn't stand everybody laughing at me." Abigail says.
"Why do you act the way you do?" Ron asks.
"What way do I act?" Abigail asks.
"Well, you act like you're better than everybody else. Everybody I've met has warned me to stay away from you. Said I'd humiliate myself if I talked to you. You only associated with certain people, and everybody else is something you step on." Ron says.
"I'm not fond of getting dirty. I like animals but animals like unicorns, not like nogtails in mud." Abigail says.
"Why do you only associate with people who are rich, good-looking, and intelligent?" Ron asks. "Mind you, I do know that I'm neither of the three, and that you're just dancing with me, because Mrs. Prewitt is watching."
"You asked me to dance." Abigail reminds Ron.
"You didn't answer my question." Ron says.
"I associate with people like myself, because they understand me. They're the only people who I can understand." Abigail says.
"Did you ever think that other people might want to understand something about someone as 'perfect' as you? Did you ever think of trying to understand other people?" Ron asks.
"Like who?" Abigail asks.
"Derek." Ron says.
Abigail let out a laugh.
"What was that for?" Ron says letting go of her waist.
"I don't understand why everybody likes him. He's immature." Abigail says.
"Everybody likes him, because he doesn't choose friends by judging them. I came here, and he befriended me and showed me around no questions asked. He has a great personality. Some of his jokes are immature, but he's a brilliant person." Ron says.
"Well, of course everybody's befriending you. You're not from here. Nobody's ever transferred, for whatever reason, here." Abigail says.
"But I'm not perfect. I'm not good looking, I'm not smart, and I'm definitely not rich. I have an accent, but I also have a personality, and I take risks making friends, but they're worth it. Derek has to be the most lively person I've ever met… well, okay my brothers are lively too, but not like Derek. Derek gets along with teachers and is a bit more obnoxious than my brothers, but I think that's why I got along so well with him… because he's different. He's his own person." Ron says.
"Wait, did you say you have brothers?" Abigail says.
"Five older brothers and a younger sister, which is why people consider me low class, because I have their hand-me-downs." Ron says.
A faster song came on.
"Thanks for the dance." Ron says.
He was about to leave when Abigail grabbed his wrist.
"Wait, why don't you dance with me some more?" Abigail asks. "The way you danced with Roxanne and Dominique…"
Ron started grinding with Abigail, which earned Ron a smile from her.
"Wow, you've got a beautiful smile… you should smile more." Ron says.
Abigail laughs.
"See, you can have fun with different types of people. Follow me." Ron says.
He pulled her over to where Derek and Josh were. Derek was grinding with Roxanne, and Josh was grinding with Dominique.
"Abigail wants to know if she could join the fun." Ron says.
"No way, she's actually going to be near us, possibly talk to us?" Dominique teases.
"Hell yea." Derek says. He grabbed her and started dancing with her before Josh could.
Ron took Roxanne and started dancing.
By the time they were exhausted from dancing it was one in the morning, and they dragged their tired bodies to bed. Only now, Abigail was their friend.
However, it was this night when Ron forgot to take his sleeping potion…
Derek awoke to hear a strangled cry from one of his roommates. He squinted around in the darkness. Nobody was moving, but somebody was talking. Derek got up and walked over to Ron's bed to wake him up and see if Ron could hear anything, but it was then that he realized Ron wasn't in bed, and he was rolling around on the floor in his bed sheet. He was sweating and he kept crying. Derek tried unsuccessfully to wake Ron up. Then he listened to what Ron was saying.
"I don't know! I can't… Please go away…"
Derek was too busy listening to notice the twins and Josh stir as Ron's cries for help grew louder.
Ron was trembling violently, and he was swinging his arms as if to hit somebody. Doug ran over to Derek to see what he was staring out.
"Oh no, I think he's having a seizure." Doug says.
"A nightmare." Dave says.
"You don't shake like that in a nightmare!" Doug says.
"Yo, quit arguing and somebody go get the nurse." Derek says.
Doug and Dave both ran out of the dorm.
By the time the nurse had arrived everybody in Ron's dorm was awake and down in the Rec room, where Derek sent them so they wouldn't see Ron.
The twins and Josh joined the nurse and Derek.
"What's happening to him?" Josh asks the school nurse.
"I suppose he hasn't told you then. You'll have to ask him why he's here to begin with." Nurse Web says putting a potion she had brought with her on Ron's bedside table. He would need to be awoken first.
"No, he means is he having a nightmare or a seizure?" Dave asks.
"A violent nightmare." Nurse Web says.
"That's what I said." Dave says.
"Ron, Ron, sweetheart wake up." Nurse Web says.
"I already tried that… well, without the sweetheart." Derek says. "It's no good."
"Ron, you're in Salem, in the United States… you're not there anymore. Just wake up." Nurse Web says.
That didn't do any good he couldn't hear her.
Nurse Web muttered an enchantment, and water poured out of the tip of her wand soaking Ron's face and waking him up.
Ron dried his face with his nightshirt, before he opened his eyes and saw his friends… watching him. They saw him mental. Ron wanted to breakdown and cry, but he didn't have the strength to, he was even more exhausted than before.
He followed Nurse Web out of the dorm and down to the nurse's office where he spent the night after taking a sleeping potion.
The next morning, Ron wanted nothing more than to stay in the Nurse's all day, undisturbed, but that didn't happen.
Derek, Dave, Doug, Josh, Dominique, Roxanne, and even Abigail were all sitting in chairs around him waiting for him to wake up.
"I think there's a question you've been avoiding." Derek says.
Ron turned his head away.
"Aren't you supposed to be home?" Ron asks.
"I'll go home at noon, if you answer me first. If not, I'll go home next weekend. Please tell me why you're here in America. Don't leave any details out." Derek says. Surely, he knew it would take more begging to get the whole truth out, but it didn't.
"I was suspended from Hogwarts for fighting with a real jerk. His father was a death eater, which is a follower of You-know-who…" Ron says.
"No we don't, who?" Abigail asks.
"The dark lord." Ron says.
"What's the name?" Derek asks.
"I can't say it." Ron says.
"Is it hard to pronounce?" Derek asks.
"No. We don't speak the name." Ron says.
"Oh, who is that person? You know the dares…" Roxanne says.
"Bloody Mary?" Dominique asks.
"No." Roxanne says.
"The Candy man?" Dominique asks.
"Beetlejuice?" Doug asks.
"No, no… oh I remember… it's… Voldemort!" Roxanne exclaims.
Ron flinched as he always did at the name.
"Why couldn't you say his name? That only makes him have more power over you, and you more afraid of him." Dave says.
"Anyway, this kid's father was a follower of him." Ron says.
"Say the name, Ron." Derek encourages.
"Voldemort." Ron says wincing.
"Say it again, this time without wincing. When you say his name, you have the power, not him." Derek says.
"Voldemort." Ron says softly avoiding Derek's eyes.
"We'll work on that later, continue." Roxanne says taking Ron's hand.
Ron sighs. "I was at home, on suspension… and they… the death eaters and Voldemort came to my house. I came downstairs; my grandfather was staying with me, because he was the only one who could control me. I was a bit out of hand for my parents… and they were in hiding, because this kid threatened my parents lives. I didn't want to know if he was joking when he said his father was going after them or what, but my Headmaster wrote home and let them know there was a threat made and he felt it better if they went into hiding. Anyway, it was just me and my Grandfather at home. They were going to kill him. He would've been able to escape if I hadn't been suspended, so I made him leave. Voldemort… tortured me. They expected me to be insane the rest of my life if I did live, but I somehow survived, but I have nightmares of that day every night I don't have a sleeping potion. I can't escape them either, they never end, and they're always the same, and the pain's real in the nightmare." Ron says.
Roxanne squeezes his hand.
"They moved me here, because aurors knew he still knew I was alive, and I was in danger there. I leave sometime around Christmas." Ron says.
"Yes, but we're going to make the best of your time here." Derek says.
Ron somehow got himself to talk about everything that happened to Ms. Turner, and he felt better for it. It was like a huge burden was lifted off his shoulders.
As weeks flew by, Ron liked America more and more, but at the same time he found himself missing home more and more. Derek and the boys had got Ron to be more loud and open than he ever was before. Like Derek he also spoke back to the teachers, but with a different respect. He knew when to shut up. Ron found that Derek acted up worse, when he would act up. The teachers couldn't help laugh at the pair. They were so different, but in some areas they were alike.
Ron was having wonderful time learning. Anytime, Mrs. Prewitt would yell at Ron or Derek they'd flash an innocent smile, and she couldn't help but laugh and pinch their cheeks. They made very good marks, only very disruptively.
Ron learned to love the American holiday Thanksgiving. Even if it was for muggles, they were encouraged to have the dinner, and frankly Ron didn't mind. He enjoyed the hot mashed potatoes and gravy and the turkey, which he couldn't get enough of. Only after a week filled with turkey sandwiches, was Ron finally starting to get sick of it.
In muggle studies, Ron was learning to play Fur Elise on the keyboard. He and Roxanne were having a competition between the two to see who could learn faster.
Abigail was definitely friendlier toward everybody, after having many talks with Ron.
After it was postponed, Ron finally was allowed his seven friends to come home with him on the weekend before Christmas break.
They had all known that this would be their last week of seeing him. Ron dreaded leaving everything he had here, but he longed for home.
They all laid in their sleeping bags around the muggle Monopoly board. Dave and Doug had brought it. They said it was for when you were really bored, and there wasn't enough Wizard Chessboards for everybody to play. All in all they were distracting themselves of what everybody knew was coming.
Derek got up to use the bathroom. He passed Mrs. Weasley in the kitchen, and doubled back.
Mrs. Weasley smiled at him, and gestured him into the kitchen where she was making pie.
"I wanted to thank you. My son's been through a lot, and you've helped him get through a lot more, and now he's controllable, but in the same respect a kid." Mrs. Weasley says.
"He was quiet and shy when he first came here. He had a lot of things on his mind. He probably didn't tell you half. He's not a kid anymore Mrs. Weasley, he's a teenager. He probably wanted to talk to somebody, but was afraid that person, whether it was you, or his father, or his friends, wouldn't understand. Do you know why teenagers and parents don't get along, a hundred percent of the time anyway?" Derek asks.
"No, why?" Mrs. Weasley asks.
"Parents don't give teenagers all the respect they deserve, some think of them as children, or some put too much pressure on them and expect them to be adults. All I did was set him free of the pressure. He was able to have fun while learning, he was able to talk back to teachers, and have them talk back to him. He was able to let loose and have fun. All the teachers over there must've shut him up and disrespected him. People won't know anything, unless they listen. Don't listen to me, it was something I read in a muggle's philosophy course." Derek jokes.
The last two days before Holiday break were heartbreaking and of course humorous.
Ron's friends and teachers all hugged him goodbye many times. Roxanne had beaten Ron in learning how to play Fur Elise faster. They both got great grades though for actually learning it.
"You come back some time. You owe me a dance." Roxanne cried.
"No, I don't." Ron says hugging her.
"Yes you do. You danced with Abby to a slow song, but not me. So you have to come back." Roxanne cries.
"I'll come back, one day." Ron promises.
"Yea, then you can show me that back flip you said you could do." Josh says holding out his hand. They shook hands before giving each other a quick hug.
The twins found a way for Ron to remember them. They used an enchanted permanent marker to write their phone number, address and sign their names with a message on his skin.
Roxanne, Dominique, Abigail, and Josh all followed suit leaving marks and messages on his arms. Little did Ron know, it wouldn't wash off.
Derek wrote his own message as well, but had his own way of saying goodbye. He would make sure Ron would remember him for a long time… Derek pierced Ron's ear. Although, his mum would never approve of the silver hoop in his ear, Ron would always remember Derek, a true friend.
Ron hesitated as he stepped through the fireplace. He didn't want to go home to the burrow. Only more danger would come, but when he stepped out on the other side, it wasn't the burrow. He was in his Grandfather's house. Grandfather felt so guilty about leaving Ron; still, he let Ron stay in his room all of Christmas vacation like he wanted too. He didn't want to answer any questions that his parents and his Grandfather had desperately wanted to ask. They would disown him. How stupid had he been by not answering those questions… he risked a lot more lives by not telling.
Voldemort was going to kill Hermione, her family, Ginny… Ginny. On the other hand, it was Harry, and some lady Arabella Figg, who he had learned protected Harry, not to mention the Dursley's, but this wouldn't be a loss. Still, either way he looked at it he was guilty. Guilty for endangering Hermione's life, her parents' lives, his sister's life, but on the other hand he was guilty for almost letting it slip and letting Harry Potter be in danger.
Ron wasn't in much of a Christmas spirit as Christmas came. He was grateful for his maroon sweater, chocolate frogs, and Bertie Botts' Every Flavored Beans, but he was too worried about everything else to be happy. He missed his American friends even more, when they sent him presents. They had known he loved sweets and sent him loads of candy. Ron wished he didn't have to go back to Hogwarts now. He would face Malfoy again, he wasn't sure he could look Harry or Hermione in the eye without feeling guilty, and most of all learning wouldn't be the same. He couldn't have fun or interact with his teachers. He wished he could go back, but knew he had to face the music; it was just a terrible time to do so as everybody would be happy.
Mr. and Mrs. Weasley had told the kids to stay at the school for their safety during the holidays. They weren't having a merrier Christmas either. Bill, Charlie, and Percy dropped by. Ron told them about Salem, and about the school. They were fascinated. Ron enjoyed the company, but still wasn't feeling happy.
Finally, it was the morning when term would start again. Ron would be a bit late, but still he went. He used Floo powder to get to Hogsmeade. He dragged his trunk all the way up to the castle. Everybody would be in his or her first lesson by now. Ron dragged his things up to his dorm, and unpacked. He would be seriously late for his first lesson. He had a few things to do before he attended still, and so he started by going down to the infirmary. Ron waited for Madam Pomfrey, and when she saw him, she nearly passed out. She gave him the password to Dumbledore's office, and the gargoyle sprung aside for him. Ron knocked on Professor Dumbledore's door. Remus Lupin opened it.
Sirius changed into his human form and gaped. Remus paled and looked at Ron surprisingly.
"Let him in Remus." Professor Dumbledore says.
Remus stepped back and Ron stepped into the office.
"I don't mean to interrupt, Professor, but I was just wondering if er, I could have a pass to class. I'm a bit late." Ron says.
"How are you alive?" Sirius asks.
Ron ignores him. "I am allowed back, aren't I?" Ron asks Dumbledore.
"Yes, but perhaps you could explain a few things first." Professor Dumbledore says.
"I'm already late for class, I don't want to miss my first lesson." Ron says. "And I have to go ask Professor McGonagall if I'm allowed back still."
"I need to know what Voldemort wanted from you." Professor Dumbledore says.
"He wanted information on Harry." Ron says.
"Did you tell him anything?" Sirius asks.
Ron ignores him still. "Has there been anybody else killed since I was attacked?" Ron asks.
"Harry's still alive, because he's been here, it doesn't mean he will be if you don't tell us what you told him." Sirius says.
"Professor Dumbledore, was there anybody killed since I was attacked, any muggles?" Ron asks fearing Hermione's parents, or worse Hermione if she went home for Christmas…
"Not to my knowledge." Professor Dumbledore says.
"I knew you were on the wrong side of the tracks! You told him something didn't you? What a friend you are! Not even I betrayed James." Sirius yells.
Ron flinched at the yelling and paled. The death eaters and Voldemort had yelled.
"Mr. Weasley?" Professor Dumbledore asks concernedly.
Ron shook it off.
"I can't believe this! This is why I told you to stay away from him! This is why I told him to keep away from you! You've been gone for two months! You're a traitor!" Sirius says.
Sirius pulled up Ron's sleeves to look for a mark, but all he found were numbers, addresses, and notes that said 'You promised me a dance! Come back soon!' with a pair of lips under it with the name Roxy signed under it.
Ron still said nothing. "Mr. Weasley, may I ask if anybody might be in danger?" Professor Dumbledore asks.
"Because I didn't tell… Voldemort said he was going to kill Hermione, her family, and Ginny. I only answered one question." Ron says.
"What was the question?" Sirius asks.
"Where does Harry stay on the holidays? I told them." Ron says.
Sirius raised his hand up in the air, but Remus pushed him to the ground. "STOP!" Remus says.
"This could've cost Harry and Arabella's lives! Did you know Ron that there was an innocent witch guarding Privet drive?" Sirius yells.
"I told them Hogwarts." Ron says as if he never heard or saw Sirius.
"You told them what?" Sirius says as Remus lets him up.
"Professor Dumbledore, may I please have a pass?" Ron asks.
Professor Dumbledore gave Ron a searching look.
"You're not all right, are you Mr. Weasley?" Professor Dumbledore asks.
"I'm great actually." Ron lies, but what did it matter.
"After dinner tonight, I wish you to come to my office. I'll need to speak with you." Professor Dumbledore says.
"Is he going to be here?" Ron asks.
"What is your problem? You've been prejudiced about Moony ever since day one! He deserves respect from people like you." Sirius says.
"I meant you." Ron says.
"Damn right I'll be here." Sirius says.
"He doesn't have to be." Professor Dumbledore says.
"Whatever." Ron says.
Professor Dumbledore writes a pass and hands it to Ron.
"Thanks." Ron says.
Ron heads downstairs to Transfiguration. He knocked on the classroom door, not wanting to come back so rudely.
"Come in!" Professor McGonagall cries.
Ron let himself in. Everybody did a double take as they saw him.
Professor McGonagall's eyes were now watery and filled with shock.
"Professor, I was speaking to Professor Dumbledore, and I apologize for my tardiness. Here's my pass." Ron says handing her the pass.
Professor McGonagall didn't take the pass. She stood staring at Ron.
"I am allowed back, aren't I?" Ron asks. "Professor Dumbledore said it was all right."
Professor McGonagall blinks and nods. "Welcome back Mr. Weasley. Take a seat. We were just finishing our lesson. You've missed a lot." Professor McGonagall says.
"Have you done human transfiguration yet?" Ron asks as he takes a seat next to Neville.
"No, that starts next week." Professor McGonagall says.
"Then I'm ahead." Ron says.
"I beg your pardon?" Professor McGonagall says.
"I've already done it." Ron says.
"But how? You were…" Professor McGonagall says.
"I was in America." Ron says.
"Then why'd you come back?" Malfoy asks.
"Because I missed you so much Draco." Ron says sarcastically.
Malfoy turned around and glared at him.
"I heard you screamed." Draco whispers.
Ron chose to ignore this comment and began a conversation with Neville.
"If I'm as ahead in Potions as I am in this class, then you won't have to worry about Snape." Ron assures him.
"How did you?" Neville asks.
"I don't know. I was asleep for a whole week, so I don't know how I got there or what happened." Ron says.
"Your brothers confirmed it though…" Neville says.
"They lied. They had too. Rita Skeeter was lurking around the school, in her Animagus form, and they had to say that I was dead so she'd overhear it and confirm it. Aurors said I was in danger, because Voldemort knew I was alive, so they moved me to America." Ron says.
"So you went into hiding like a little baby?" Malfoy asks.
"No, I went on a vacation and had the time of my life." Ron says.
"Mr. Malfoy!" Professor McGonagall says.
"Yes Professor?" Malfoy asks.
"Switch seats with Ms. Parkinson." Professor McGonagall says.
Pansy sat with Millicent Bulstrode at the opposite end of the room.
Malfoy got up and traded seats with Pansy reluctantly.
The class ended and they headed for Charms, all the Gryffindors desperate for answers. Hermione stopped Ron by blocking him.
"I'm sorry! I'm sorry for being stupid and saying what I said! I'm so happy you're alive." Hermione cries and hugged him tightly.
Ron hugged her back. "It's great to see you too Hermione." Ron says feeling a tremendous amount of guilt… 'You could've saved me Ron…' A constant nightmare haunted him.
"You mean you forgive me?" Hermione asks wiping tears from her eyes.
"Yes, what's past is past. Although, speaking of the past, aren't you the little hypocrite?" Ron says grinning.
"How am I a hypocrite?" Hermione asks.
"Weren't you telling me off when I fought with Malfoy?" Ron asks.
"Oh, shut up." Hermione says quickly.
"Yes, I heard about your little stunt. I only wished I could've been here to see it." Ron says.
"If you would've been here I wouldn't have hit him." Hermione says.
"Do you got something against me now?" Ron asks.
"No! Of course not, I just got mad and blamed him for your supposed death. He deserved a great kick in the butt. I just got off without any trouble by using you as an excuse. Next year, I suppose I'll have to go to Australia and fake my death. Then you could hurt him." Hermione says. She turns around when she sees Ron stop and pale. "I was only joking."
"Would you mind telling Professor Flitwick I'll be a bit late? I accidentally packed my History of Magic book instead of my Charms book." Ron says.
"Er, all right." Hermione says. Hermione knew something upset Ron, but wasn't going to press him on it just then. Hermione knew Ron wouldn't be upset over grabbing the wrong book.
Ron ran up to his dorm, but he wasn't the only one. Harry had followed him, shutting the door behind him.
"Ron, please talk to me… I know you probably hate me even more now." Harry says.
Ron turned to find Harry pleading with teary eyes.
"I've never hated you Harry." Ron says.
"Why did you end our friendship then?" Harry asks.
"I didn't think it was fair for you to have to choose, and I knew Hermione would need a friend." Ron lies.
"You're lying! What did I do?" Harry asks.
"You didn't do anything!" Ron insists.
"Obviously I did." Harry says.
"No, it was I… I was on the wrong side of the tracks, and I didn't think it would be fair to bring you with me." Ron says.
"Why do you care what is good and bad for me?" Harry asks.
"Because if I didn't I'd be selfish like Sirius- seriously selfish." Ron says quickly knowing he slipped.
"What did you say? Did Sirius say something to you?" Harry asks.
"I didn't say anything, no I meant seriously selfish." Ron says.
Harry ran out of the dorm and across the hall to Hermione's dorm. Ron followed him to see what he was doing. Harry was going through Hermione's dresser and finally found Ron's journal underneath a blouse.
"Harry! One, we can't be in here, you should know you're a prefect! Two, you should never go through a girls drawers, it's invading privacy, and you never know the scary things they keep, and three I left that journal for Hermione, not you." Ron says.
"Mid-September, just like she said. She lied to my face. I can't believe Sirius! If he would have just stayed away like I told him to, nothing might've ever happened. I could've stopped you from getting in trouble with Malfoy." Harry says. "You'd have been hanging out with me rather than be drifting down the lake." Harry says.
"It was the Hogsmeade visit, I wasn't allowed to go. Nothing will change what's past. You should know that by now." Ron says.
"Sirius has got a lot of nerve!" Harry says grumbling as he ignored Ron and read the journal.
Ron took it away from him and pocketed it. "As it's mine…" Ron reminded him. "We're a bit late for Flitwick's." Ron says.
"I've already got an excuse, don't worry." Harry says.
They walked down to Flitwick's class.
"Your late boys." Professor Flitwick squeaks as he sees them enter. He nearly fell of the pile of books he was standing on in shock.
"Mr. Weasley, how? Ms. Granger, have I gone mad?" Professor Flitwick asks.
"No Professor, you haven't I'm truly here and alive." Ron says.
"But… why have you been out all this time?" Professor Flitwick asks.
"Some aurors thought it was a bit too risky for me to remain here during my suspension, and I was transferred to America, where I attended lessons." Ron says.
"Where about in America?" Professor Flitwick asks interested, he forgot about the rest of his class.
"Salem. They have an institution for learning there." Ron says.
"Oh yes, the Salem Institute… how were the lessons there?" Professor Flitwick asks.
"They were fun." Ron says simply.
"Did they teach you anything you didn't already know in Charms?" Professor Flitwick asks.
"Loads." Ron says.
"Would you care to demonstrate?" Professor Flitwick asks.
Ron laughs. "Are you trying to kick me out again?" Ron asks.
"Would anybody like to volunteer?" Professor Flitwick asks.
"I'll do it, as long as it's in class. Professor Flitwick will know the counter curse of whatever it is anyway." Dean says.
Ron turned Dean's hair green, his breath bad, he enchanted Dean to talk only in rude phrases, and then only in a different language. The class including Dean laughed at the jokes.
Hermione was astonished that Ron had learned any of the charms, as immature as they were they were highly advanced so you wouldn't use them.
Ron even turned Dean right when he was finished demonstrating his favorite curses.
"That's highly advanced Mr. Weasley." Professor Flitwick cries amazed. That day Professor Flitwick taught them a hex, but Ron and Harry were excused. Ron had learned it in America, and Harry had learned it last year when he needed to learn hexes for the TriWizard Tournament.
After Charms everybody started down for lunch. Ron wished he could join them, but knew the circumstances probably wouldn't have changed. He took food from the kitchens and ate in his common room as a large owl arrived.
Ron took the parchment from the owl and the owl waited patiently as Ron read the parchment; only it wasn't just a parchment in the envelope. There was a card and several pieces of parchment inside.
Ron looked at the card; all the students he attended class with and all his teachers from America signed it. He put it on his dresser. On the pieces of parchment pictures of who the letters came from were taped with messages of we miss you, and remember me. Ron smiled inside, while a part of him longed to see them all again. He didn't have time to dwell on this though as he had to go down to the greenhouses for Herbology.
Professor Sprout was surprised but glad to have Ron back. Now he was almost as smart as Neville in Herbology, mind you Herbology was Neville's only good subject, and he had probably read almost any book he could on the subject. Other than Professor's gasp of astonishment, nothing extraordinary happened in the lesson.
Finally, it was time for Professor Snape's Potions lesson. When Professor Snape saw that Neville was sitting with somebody he looked up and saw Ron… alive! He stared at Ron, unsure of whether he was a poltergeist trying to haunt him or actually, alive…
"Mr. Longbottom, who is sitting next to you?" Professor Snape asks.
"You've forgotten my name have you? It's only been two months." Ron says.
"Mr. Weasley, how on earth are you back here… and alive?" Professor Snape asks.
"He was hiding in America the whole time. What a great big coward!" Malfoy teases.
Harry stood up outraged, but Ron pulled him down hard by his robes.
"That will be all Mr. Malfoy. Mr. Potter, your outburst has cost you ten points from Gryffindor. As for you, Mr. Weasley…" Professor Snape starts. "I think you're too far behind to stay in this class, perhaps it would be in your best interest to take off the rest of the year and repeat your fifth year. I couldn't teach you well enough when you were here, I certainly can't help you now." Professor Snape says grinning evilly.
Ron raises his hand. Snape nodded hesitantly. "Excuse me Professor, but I seem to be ahead in all of my other lessons, I don't see why Potions is any different." Ron says.
Snape listed all the potions they've done while Ron was gone.
"I've done them and more, sir." Ron says.
"For example?" Professor Snape says.
"A wound-cleaning potion, sleeping potions, memory potions, confusing concoctions…" Ron lists.
"Name one ingredient in a memory potion." Professor Snape says.
"Jobberknoll feathers." Ron says.
Professor Snape questioned him no more. They were told to make a hair-raising potion, and Ron had Neville copy everything he did. They were both stirring when Malfoy started. Professor Snape was busy with paperwork on his desk.
"It's a crime you weren't murdered Weasley." Malfoy whispers.
"If that's what you think, that's great for you. Try and keep your comments to yourself though, you're getting a bit distracting." Ron says.
"Why? Are you afraid of what I could tell Harry and Hermione now that you're friends again? I know everything you said and didn't say. Does your mother know whose life you put in jeopardy?" Malfoy asks.
Ron stood up packing his things.
"Going to run and hide again. This time they'll get you." Malfoy whispers.
Ron gasps for air. He paled and started sweating. He started toward the door of the dungeon.
"Mr. Weasley, sit down!" Professor Snape says threateningly.
"I apologize… Professor… Snape… I need to leave… I'm going to be sick." Ron pants and runs out of the dungeon trying to breathe.
Harry got up and ran after him. He didn't have to run far though; Ron was sitting down against the wall of the hallway. He could hardly breathe. Everything was dizzy.
Harry hit him gently on the face trying to bring him to reality.
"Can you help me to the bathroom?" Ron asks holding his head to stop everything from moving.
"Yes, can you get up?" Harry asks.
Ron stands up. Harry helps him to the bathroom. Ron vomited. When he was finished he felt much better.
"Thanks for helping me here. I'm sorry if I got you into trouble with Snape." Ron says wiping his face with a wet paper towel.
"It wouldn't be something new, and it wouldn't be your fault…" Harry says. He felt it would be best if he got off the subject. "Did you know that Hagrid's back?"
"He is?" Ron asks.
"Yes. He came back the same time you left. He stayed for a week before leaving again. He only returned Christmas. He'll be glad to see you." Harry says.
"Oh that reminds me, I need to tell him about the American Care of Magical Creatures lessons. They had a zoo for us to learn in. My teachers were fascinated with everything I told them about Hagrid and his liking for dangerous creatures." Ron says.
"You mean there was more than one teacher?" Harry asks.
"In every class except Divination. The teacher was a great big fortune cookie." Ron says. "And she didn't say anything horrible about my future, which is more than I can say for Trelawney."
"What were the kids like?" Harry asks.
"They were cool. I met seven really good friends… I even got the attention of a snob, but I warmed her cold heart." Ron jokes.
"What about the classes?" Harry asks.
"They were brilliant! The teachers weren't strict at all. They made learning fun and easy. Potions was actually easy. The teachers helped you out. They joked around with you. I had to take Muggle Studies, as it was required, and it was really fun. For instance, during muggle studies, you played muggle sports, or watched a muggle movie, and as the lesson was four hours long you ate muggle food, which was quite delicious. For a project, we had to learn how to play an instrument. I can actually play a song on a keyboard." Ron says.
Ron explained to Harry all he could the differences about Hogwarts and Salem. He only stopped when he realized that he had better be going up to Dumbledore's office, as it was well passed dinner.
Ron entered the office, and Remus as well as Sirius were there with the Headmaster.
"Ron, if you wish Sirius or myself to leave, we will fulfill your wishes." Remus says.
"You're more than welcome to stay. I only want him to stay, so he can hear everything." Ron says glaring at Sirius.
"May I ask, why you don't like Sirius?" Remus asks.
"You can ask Sirius." Ron says.
"Sirius what did you do?" Remus asks.
"Nothing important, I need to know what happened to Harry, so go on Ron." Sirius says.
"Actually, I'd like to know why Mr. Weasley doesn't like you." Professor Dumbledore says.
"He told me to stay away from my best friend." Ron says.
"Was Harry aware of this?" Remus asks Sirius.
"I only asked Ron after Harry wouldn't comply." Sirius says. "Now, make him tell."
"Sirius, what do you think is the difference between Harry and Ron's friendship and your friendship with James Potter?" Professor Dumbledore asks.
"James is dead." Sirius says softly.
"Besides the fact, that you two played more practical jokes, I'd say nothing. Ron is loyal to Harry, just as you were to James." Professor Dumbledore says. "Could you imagine somebody telling you at age fifteen to stay away from James?"
"No, but there's a difference between Ron and I, I'm not out of control like Ron is." Sirius says.
"When you were fifteen you were worse, and James was almost as bad. I'd shudder to think what it'd be like if he didn't have Quidditch, but still the difference is your not a teenager anymore, and I'm surprised Ron complied at all." Remus says. "Why did you agree?"
"Sirius said I put Harry in danger by getting into trouble. He told me to stop being selfish and give Harry a break. He basically said I was more of a problem than a help, and I didn't want to be selfish and cause more problems for Harry, because friends are supposed to help with problems, not cause them. I don't know I just didn't block Sirius out when he said what he did, and I couldn't help but do what I thought was the right thing, but usually the right things in my opinion are wrong." Ron says.
"Why didn't you tell Harry what Sirius said?" Remus asks.
"Sirius is the closest person to a parent that he has. I didn't want him to hate him because of me, a friend." Ron says.
"Harry wouldn't hate me." Sirius says.
"Have you talked to him lately?" Ron asks.
"What do you mean?" Sirius asks.
"He found out. I couldn't lie to him." Ron says.
"Why not, you lie to everybody else!" Sirius says.
Ron's eyes focused on the floor.
"Sirius leave." Professor Dumbledore says.
"No, he owes me an explanation. I want to know if he said anything about Harry!" Sirius says.
"I DIDN'T SAY ANYTHING ABOUT HARRY! I RISKED SO MANY LIVES BY NOT TELLING THEM! Not to mention I had to suffer more torture, because they weren't going to kill me until I cooperated with them!" Ron yells frustrated.
"I had to choose between Hermione or Harry's lives! I had to choose my own sister's life or Harry's. I had to make split-second decisions, and forget everything Harry ever said. You don't know how hard it is to look Hermione in the eyes. I haven't seen Ginny yet, and frankly I'm glad Professor Dumbledore's banned me from the Great Hall, because I don't think I can look at them without wanting to die. It would've made things a lot easier if Voldemort had killed me, but I kept my mouth shut, and suffered much more than I had too. Have Voldemort perform the Cruciatus Curse on you, and you try and sleep at night without a sleeping potion and not get trapped in the nightmares! It was more painful than almost anything… except for the feeling of guilt that I have, because I didn't tell! If they had asked me that question, or any other question first, I would've risked Harry's life, because I couldn't fight the Imperius Curse, and I almost betrayed him. You don't know how guilty I feel. I am sorry Sirius; you don't know how sorry I am! I almost told, and I'm sorry… but I didn't tell." Ron cries.
Ron got up, crossed the room quickly and ran out of Dumbledore's office.