Misunderstood
Chapter Three
Ginny's Escape
Disclaimer: I don't own anything besides the plot to this story. All characters that you recognize belong to J.K. Rowling and Scholastic and all them people.
As the first week of their stay at Grandfather's was coming to an end, Ginny found her brother in a lot less trouble as he was kept busy from dawn to dusk with muggle chores. Her Grandfather stopped going out at night to make sure Ron did a holiday assignment the correct way, and to make sure that Ron was indeed asleep, before he went off to bed. Ginny couldn't help but feel angry with her brother. From what she was told by Grandfather and Ron, Grandfather had to stay home when he could very well be helping somebody feel better. Ron had told her that their Grandfather was a retired Mediwizard, which was true, but he also said that he was probably helping out a friend, as older families didn't trust a lot of new Mediwizards, which had been a lie to cover for his Grandfather's drinking nights. Grandfather had also told Ginny that he had to stay home, to make sure he'd stay in the house all night. Grandfather had told Ginny that Ron had kicked him, for trying to stop him from sneaking out to seek his revenge on the muggles. Ginny had never known her brother to act so foolish, but she was sure he was finished, after the load of work Grandfather made him do.
Ginny looked up from an essay she was assigned to do for the holidays. She couldn't concentrate with her brother's behavior on her mind. She pulled the curtain back and looked outside to see Ron hammering something.
"Is something wrong Virginia?" Grandfather asked.
"Grandfather, what is Ron doing?" Ginny asked.
"He's building me a fence or trying to do so anyway." Grandfather answered watching Ron from the window.
"Grandfather, I don't know what's wrong with him. He's usually never so stupid. He's usually good at home. Well, I mean he never tried sneaking out or ever hurting my parents. This just doesn't make any sense. I'm starting to wonder if he hit his head too hard when he fell down the stairs our first night here." Ginny said thoughtfully.
A knock from the front door interrupted Ginny's thoughts.
"Mum and dad are here!" Ginny cried excitedly as she raced to the door.
She opened it and hugged her parents tightly.
"Mum! Dad! Oh I missed you so much! Grandfather's is great, but I feel like I haven't seen you in ages! Do you like my new robes?" Ginny asked excitedly.
"Oh, Ginny they're very nice! We missed you too." Mr. Weasley said beaming at his daughter before hugging her.
Grandfather entered the room. Mr. Weasley straightened himself up. Mrs. Weasley's father had never liked him, and was never very welcoming around him. However, he had a smile on his face when he looked at Mrs. Weasley upon entering the room.
"Dad, thank you for helping us out." Mrs. Weasley said apprehensively.
"Molly, you know I'd love to help you out any time." Grandfather said crossing the room to hug his daughter, which she returned. Grandfather pulled away and looked at Mr. Weasley. "Ronald's outside. I'm assuming you wanted to talk to him."
"Oh yes, we'll be having quite a few words with him!" Mrs. Weasley said and Ginny could see from the anger in Mrs. Weasley's eyes that Ron was in a lot of trouble.
"Well, let- let Arthur speak to him. You spend time with Virginia." Grandfather said.
"Yes, Molly dear, I need to speak with Ron alone anyway, so I hope you'll excuse me." Mr. Weasley said and went outside around to the side of the house where Ron was hammering a piece of the fence into the ground.
Ron stopped hammering as he heard somebody walk up behind him. He assumed it was his Grandfather, but said nothing and didn't turn to look. He felt a gentle hand rest on his shoulder. Ron flinched, as his Grandfather used to yank him roughly by his shoulder, but relaxed when the hand just rested there reassuringly. Ron turned around to see his father standing there.
"Dad…" Ron started wanting to explain the truth, but he knew he couldn't. "I'm sorry."
Mr. Weasley raised his hand and touched Ron's bruised face gently. The bruises were fading, but they were still there. Ron flinched but relaxed again, remembering who was touching him. His father would never hurt him.
"Ron, I'm more disappointed than I've ever been at any of your brothers put together, and a few days ago, I thought I couldn't be more disappointed at anybody after Percy sided with the Ministry against his own family, but Ron… I've been trying to protect muggles my whole life, and you're one of the people who goes and hurts them! You hurt me Ron… I always thought you… But it doesn't matter now." Mr. Weasley sighed sadly.
Ron wanted to cry, but he had no tears left. He had to make his father understand! "Dad! You don't understand!" Ron tried desperately, but what could he say that wouldn't get him in trouble with his Grandfather? "I didn't use magic to hurt them."
Mr. Weasley looked horrified at his son. "It doesn't make a difference Ronald… you still hurt them and you admitted it to me. I didn't want to believe your Grandfather, I came here hoping for it to be a mistake, but you confirm what he says, and you don't sound sorry about it at all! That kills me Ron!" Mr. Weasley said in tears.
"Dad, I said I'm sorry!" Ron cried.
"I heard you say it, but you didn't mean it." Mr. Weasley said throatily.
Mr. Weasley went back inside the house. Ron ran after him, but it turned out that he had only came in to say goodbye to Ginny before he disapparated.
However, Ron had run into his mother coming in the house.
"HOW DARE YOU HURT MUGGLES? YOU KNOW YOU'RE FATHER WORKS TO PROTECT THEM! HIS OWN SON BETRAYED HIM! OF COURSE HE'S GOING TO LEAVE LIKE THAT! YOU'VE ASHAMED US AND DISGRACED HIM! WHAT IS YOUR PROBLEM? ARE YOU STILL MAD AT US FOR SENDING YOU HERE? IS THAT WHAT THIS IS ABOUT? YOU'VE BEEN GIVEN EVERYTHING HERE! NOW YOU'RE DOING MUGGLE CHORES, BECAUSE YOU CAN'T SEEM TO HANDLE FREE TIME CIVILLY!" Mrs. Weasley yelled.
Ron had had it and ran out of the house through the woods as far as he could run. He couldn't be blamed for something he didn't do a moment longer.
Ron returned well after his mother left, and his Grandfather wasn't happy. "Where have you been?" Grandfather asked.
"I don't know you seem to have the answers to everything else I've done, why don't you tell me where I went. I mean you're going to tell my parents anyway. I might as well know so I can play along." Ron said miserably.
"My fence won't build itself, you know." Grandfather said. He seemed to ignore Ron's words. Ron would pay for them later, now that his parents had visited, they wouldn't be back for at least a week, and he could be beaten again.
"No, I guess it won't. I suppose you'll have to raise your wand and find a spell that will build it for you." Ron said insolently.
"You'd do best to lose the attitude now, as you're already in enough trouble." Grandfather said.
"You'd do best to find a spell, because I'm not building your damn fence." Ron said boldly.
"Perhaps, not today." Grandfather said.
"Nope, not today, not tomorrow, not next week. Read my lips. I am not building you a fence." Ron said.
Ron was sure Grandfather would strike at him, but luckily Ginny came down the stairs.
"Ron! Where have you been?" Ginny asked worriedly.
"Not here." Ron answered calmly.
"Mum's very mad at you. Why couldn't you just have put up with her? She was only yelling at you, which isn't anything you don't deserve." Ginny said.
Ron's eyes closed at her words, nothing he didn't deserve, eh? He wanted nothing more than to tell Ginny everything, but he hadn't told his parents, and he'd still be stuck here tomorrow no matter whom he told.
"I'm not in the mood for a lecture, Virginia. I'm in the mood for dinner and then bed." Ron said.
"Well you defied me, so you won't be eating any of my food, and I'm going out tonight, so you need to wait up." Grandfather said.
"I'll eat your food and we'll see about me waiting up." Ron said standing up and striding into the kitchen.
Grandfather did nothing to stop him, and Ron knew it was only because he'd pay for it later. Well, what if Ron weren't there later? What if Ron took off in the middle of the night, like Grandfather said he had done nights before? Ron sighed in defeat realizing he couldn't leave, because no matter what, his Grandfather would be drunk, and he didn't want Ginny to get hurt. Grandfather would never hurt Ginny, but Ron couldn't take a chance of it happening either.
Ron had a fulfilling dinner and showered before his Grandfather left. Ginny was in bed at nine, this was also before Grandfather left. Grandfather had left with the same warning he had given Ron the first few days of his visit. "Wait up for me, keep an ear out for Virginia, and don't you dare hurt her or mess up my house."
Ron knew he'd better wait up for his Grandfather. So he brought up a random book, a scroll of parchment and a quill and inkbottle. He started to read a chapter on Transfiguration to refresh his memory for the essay he was to write, when he heard a door open upstairs. Ron decided to ignore it. Ginny probably just had to use the bathroom. As Ron continued to read he heard light footsteps coming down the stairs.
Ron sighed irritably. "Ginny, I thought Grandfather said for you to be in bed, and stay there." Ron said.
He turned around to find his sister in tears, looking very upset. Her hair was in two braids that were a bit frizzy from being laid on, and she wore a lavender nightgown with slippers on her feet.
"Ginny, what's wrong?" Ron asked concernedly, now closing his book and putting it on the table.
"I'm worried about you Ron! You've never been so cold towards me, and I don't know what I've done! You've never acted so bad before, and it scares me. What did I do?" Ginny asked breaking down into tears.
"Ginny, you haven't done anything! I'm just a little messed up right now. I'm sorry you think it's you." Ron said.
"You never call me Virginia, and you did earlier. Not even when you're mad at me do you ever call me that, yet you did." Ginny cried.
"Ginny, Grandfather told me to call you Virginia, because 'Ginny' isn't what he considers a respectful name for his Granddaughter." Ron explained hugging his sister as she cried.
Ginny wiped her tears and looked at Ron anxiously. "So, you aren't mad at me?" Ginny asked.
"Of course not." Ron said casually.
Ginny smiled. "Then here, these came for you, only I'm not supposed to give them to you. I'm supposed to write them back saying you're grounded and lost owling privileges, but I thought you might want to read and write back anyway. Only don't tell Grandfather, I don't want him to be mad at me for going behind his back." Ginny said quietly.
"I don't think he could ever be mad at you, but don't worry, you know I'd never squeal on you." Ron said taking the letters from his sister.
"They came with Hedwig, but I sent her back. I want to give Pig a bit of air, so I figure I'd use him to send any letters you might want to write." Ginny said.
"Thanks Ginny." Ron said smiling.
"Your welcome. Leave them in my top desk drawer if I'm asleep." Ginny said.
"All right. Goodnight." Ron said watching as his sister ran up the stairs back into her bedroom.
Ron looked at the top parchment it was from Harry. He read it.
Ron-
Feel free to write me anytime now. I was only joking about you giving me a week's break of letters. Now I'm bored. The Dursley's don't even make do chores anymore, because Snuffles is still a threat to them. But I miss the wizarding world terribly, and as you're the only friend I know who can still be informed on the happenings of Quidditch and such, I'm begging you to let me know of any news, Quidditch related to Dark Wizard Activity. I wish the warning were lifted from the burrow already. I actually wish nothing bad would've been thought to be around there to begin with, so I could come and visit. You don't know how bad it is to be separated from the rest of what feels like the world. I can't wait until September so I can see you and Hermione again. It's only a week into the holidays, how terrible is that?
Speaking of Hermione, she wrote to me and asked me to send you her letter to you. She was using a delivery owl, and only thought for it to stop once. She told me she's having a fascinating time in Bulgaria and that she's learning lots. That's just like her to learn everywhere she goes. However, I would want to learn a few Quidditch moves from Krum. I know you're probably thinking I'm a traitor too, but I was just sticking up for Hermione, or trying to. I hope you and Ginny are well. – Harry
Ron wrote a quick letter to Harry and then grabbed the second piece of parchment that was written from Hermione.
Dear Ron,
How has your holiday been so far? I know it's only been a week, but so much has happened and it's gone by so quickly, and I thought I'd write you to see how you were. Harry let me know about your letter to him not even twenty-four hours after we departed at King's Cross Station. I'm sorry that you can't be at the burrow, but I'm sure you're having a wonderful time at your Grandfather's. I'm sorry for not telling you sooner that I'd made up my mind to go to Bulgaria, but I was afraid you'd be mad at me, though Harry told me you couldn't care less.
I've learned a lot about Durmstrangs and Quidditch from Viktor. I've been to two of his practices and seen a game against Transylvania. Oh it was terribly exciting to watch. I've finished my holiday assignments already. I'm sure you haven't even started. I've also read through a few of Viktor's old school books. They teach a lot more about the Dark Arts alone and the Defense Against them. Well, I hope you and Ginny are having a great time at your Grandfather's! You have an owl, so write back!
Love From,
Hermione
Ron rolled his eyes as he read the letter. He gave a short reply to her as well, and brought his letters of reply up to Ginny's room where he tucked them into her top dresser drawer. Ginny was fast asleep.
Ron ran back downstairs and grabbed the two original letters. He brought them downstairs and tucked them away into his trunk.
Ron climbed back upstairs to the living room and picked up his reading where he last left off. He was going to impress McGonagall for sure.
Ron was on his Potions Essay by the time his Grandfather entered at four in the morning. Ron gathered his stuff looked from his Grandfather's drunken eyes to the basement door and walked downstairs in defeat. He knew there was no way out. There was nobody who could help him.
Grandfather made his way down the basement steps carefully, afraid that Ron was going to pull something. However, Ron just lay on his stomach on his bed with his face buried in his arms, fearing his Grandfather more with each drunken footstep.
Grandfather took off his belt and snapped it once before beginning to beat Ron's backside with it. Ron gripped the corner of his pillow tightly as he cried into his arms. He wouldn't be able to sit comfortably for a week!
"Ow! Ow, stop!" Ron cried loudly, only causing the belt to come down harder and faster. "Stop! Please stop! I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" Ron yelled.
"You weren't sorry this afternoon though, were you?" Grandfather asked loudly as he continued to whip him.
Ron swung his legs off the bed and tumbled to the floor. He couldn't take it anymore. He thought if he just cooperated, he'd have a shorter punishment, but his back couldn't take it. "Please Grandfather! Stop! I'm sorry! I'll build your fence now! Please just stop!" Ron cried covering his face.
Ginny didn't bother to rub her eyes awake as she crossed the hall to use the bathroom. After she was finished, she washed her hands and was about to continue her sleep, when a sound caught her attention. She thought she heard her Grandfather yelling. She opened his door a crack to see if he was in there, and to her surprise he wasn't. She walked to the landing above the top stair on the second floor and saw Ron's door was open. She listened intently.
"IF YOU EVER, EVER WALK OUT ON MY DAUGHTER AGAIN, I'LL KILL YOU!" Grandfather yelled.
Ginny tiptoed down the stairs as fast as she could. She ran over to the basement door, and the yelling was louder. She could also hear Ron… Ron was crying! Ron never cried!
Ginny walked softly down the basement steps. She saw Grandfather punching something near the ground by the far wall. She walked over to her Grandfather seeing Ron on the ground, she pulled his hand back.
"Grandfather stop!" Ginny cried.
Grandfather turned around swinging a punch, and hitting Ginny hard in the face. She fell to the floor with a cry of pain. She covered her face.
"Virginia!" Grandfather gasped in surprise. He started towards her, but Ron stopped him.
"Don't touch her or I'll kill you!" Ron yelled standing up painfully but determinedly.
Grandfather picked up his belt, which had lain on the floor forgotten, and beat Ron with it. "LOOK WHAT YOU DID! YOU WERE SO LOUD YOU WOKE YOUR SISTER! LOOK WHAT YOU MADE ME DO!" Grandfather yelled.
"Grandfather, please, please, stop it!" Ginny sobbed.
Grandfather stopped. He put his belt back on and turned to Ginny. "Virginia, I didn't mean to hit you. I'd never hit you, if I'd known it was you. I'm so, so sorry! Let's go get some ice for your face. Oh God, I'll never forgive myself." Grandfather cried.
"Grandfather it's all right. You didn't know it was me. I know you'd never hurt me." Ginny said softly. "But you thought it was Ron! You've been hurting Ron, all this time?"
"Is that what he told you?" Grandfather asked.
"No, he didn't have to." Ginny cried. "How could you hurt Ron?"
"You don't understand Virginia! I came home, and he wasn't here! I had to search for an hour before he finally came home. He was fighting again!" Grandfather said. "You do believe me, don't you?"
Ginny looked horrified from her brother to her Grandfather.
"Answer me!" Grandfather snapped shaking her.
"Yes, I believe you." Ginny cried.
Grandfather smacked Ginny hard across the face. Ginny cried.
"Don't lie to me, Virginia. You don't believe me… I can tell, but you'd best believe me if you want things to stay the way they were, do you hear me?" Grandfather asked.
"Yes Grandfather!" Ginny cried frantically.
"Good, then go on up to bed." Grandfather said.
"Goodnight Grandfather. I love you." Ginny said. She hugged and kissed her Grandfather goodnight, as she usually would and climbed the stairs, getting out of the basement.
"You'll pay for this tomorrow night, you can count on that. And so help you if Ginny finds out. If she comes down here again, I'll hit her, and then you'll pay for it." Grandfather said.
Grandfather put his belt back on and walked up the stairs. He walked up the stairs to Ginny's room, and let himself in. Ginny was lying in bed crying.
"Where's your owl?" Grandfather asked noticing the cage empty.
"It's delivering the message to Ron's friends, about him not being able to write them anymore, because of the fight with the muggles." Ginny said.
"Your parents are coming in the morning. I'm writing them to let them know that Ronald hit you. You wouldn't have come down if he hadn't been yelling… so it really was his fault. You're going to tell them that you tried to stop him from sneaking out at half past two in the morning, and when he wouldn't come in you threatened to tell on him, and he turned around and hit you. Do you understand?" Grandfather asked.
Ginny opened her mouth horrified. Ron would never hit her, ever! They already were angry with him as it was.
"Virginia, you're going to say this and it will save you and Ron from worse beatings. Why were you sent here in the first place? Because they have nowhere else to send you. You and Ronald are stuck here until the warning is lifted, and who knows when that will be? I warn you not to go against my word… do you understand?" Grandfather asked.
"Yes sir, it was Ron's fault." Ginny said.
"Good girl, now get some sleep." Grandfather said and he left the room.
The next morning Ginny and Ron sat on the couch waiting for their mother to arrive. Ron couldn't risk his sister's back for the truth, which wouldn't help anything. If the truth would've helped, he would've started to tell it ages ago. As it was, nothing would change no matter what they said, they'd still be at their Grandfather's. If they lied, they'd be okay, if they told the truth, Grandfather would somehow manage to turn it on them, and they had nowhere to go anyway, so things would only get worse.
Mrs. Weasley entered the front door with Mr. Weasley just behind her. She slapped Ron across the face; it was something he was getting used to.
"How dare you hit your sister? And for something so stupid too! You knew your Grandfather would catch you anyway! Look at your sister's face! Look what you did to her!" Mrs. Weasley raged pointing to Ginny.
Ron's lips quivered as he looked at his sister's beautiful, but bruised face, if he had only been quiet or maybe if he hadn't been so defiant none of this would've happened.
"Apologize!" Mrs. Weasley snapped.
"I'm sorry Ginny." Ron said, and he meant it.
"Ronald, you've been only disappointing me since this summer began! First you hurt me, and then you physically harm your sister! Your sister, who has always looked up to you! Your sister, who I've always made you look out for. You harmed your younger sister who almost died three years ago! You're an older brother Ronald Patrick Weasley! You are supposed to protect her, not hurt her! I can't believe you! I'm terribly ashamed of you! Of all my children… I thought I could in time forgive you for hurting me, because you're a teenager, and teenagers do crazy things, but this isn't a stupid mistake, this is a crime Ronald! I'll never forgive you for this. Every time I look at Ginny, I'll still see the bruise you gave her. I'm terribly disappointed in you. And if the warning was lifted today, I wouldn't take you home!" Mr. Weasley said despairingly.
Tears ran down Ron's face. "I'm sorry." Ron cried.
"Yea, well… you should be." Mr. Weasley said gravely.
Molly shook her head at Ron and hugged Ginny. "We'll come and get you as soon as the warning's lifted. If he hits you again, you write me, and I'll make sure he isn't able to again." Molly said to Ginny.
"Yes mum." Ginny cried.
They left the manor and disapparated.
"Ronald, a fence needs to be built. Virginia, dear, I thought we'd go out to lunch. What do you say?" Grandfather asked.
"I'd love to." Ginny said happily and Ron hung his head in defeat. Ginny really did believe Grandfather even after seeing the truth!
Ron came in well after dark sweating freely. He had built a fence along the perimeter of the large property that was owned by Grandfather O'Riley. Grandfather could've easily waved a wand and the pegs would've dug themselves right where they needed to be in the ground, but he had made Ron do this as punishment.
Grandfather was just finishing up dinner with Ginny in the dining room, when Ron entered.
Ron took their empty dishes out into the sink and washed them without saying a word.
Grandfather entered the kitchen. "Wait up for me tonight. I'll be home earlier." Grandfather said gripping Ron's shoulder tightly.
"Yes sir." Ron said.
Ron sat on the couch at ten o'clock finishing the Potions essay he had started the previous evening when Ginny crept out of her room and down the stairs. She sat next to her brother and hugged him tightly.
"I'm so sorry… I had to say what I did…" Ginny sobbed.
"Ginny, if you hadn't done everything you did, he would've hit you again and killed me. I should be thanking you if anything. Though I am sorry you got hit." Ron said.
"It wasn't your fault, and you shouldn't be sorry anyway. You shouldn't be getting hit. Please explain to me everything the way it really happened starting with the night after the fight." Ginny said.
"It started the night I fell down the stairs." Ron began, shutting his Potions book.
"What do you mean?" Ginny asked horrified.
"I was pushed." Ron explained.
Ginny gasped. "Oh my God, I'm so sorry."
"It wasn't your fault." Ron said. "I knew Grandfather hated me since I was five."
"He couldn't have!" Ginny cried.
"But he did. He hated me, because I reminded him of dad. Mum was Grandfather's only daughter, and as soon as she met dad, she left Grandfather. So naturally Grandfather hates dad, and now me because I'm like him." Ron explained.
"That's terrible." Ginny said softly.
"Yea, and you remind him of mum, so naturally Grandfather loves you. I thought it would be all right, if he paid all his attention to you and ignored me, which he was doing during the day, but when he comes home… he's not about to hurt you." Ron said.
"Maybe his patients upset him so much, from being incurable. Maybe if I convinced him not to go, he wouldn't be so upset!" Ginny cried.
"Ginny, I shouldn't be telling you any of this, but you want to know the truth, right?" Ron asked.
"Yes." Ginny answered.
"Then you should know that Grandfather's been retired for so many years, and he isn't helping his friends… Ginny, he's out right now having a few drinks. He's going to come home shortly…" Ron said.
"He's going to hit you again!" Ginny cried.
"As long as it isn't you." Ron said.
"That's not right, Ron!" Ginny cried.
"I know, but I have a plan for you to get out of here." Ron said.
"That wouldn't help you at all! Ron, if I were gone, he'd kill you! The only reason he doesn't beat you during the day, is because I'm here!" Ginny cried.
"I'd be all right if I could just runaway, but I can't risk that with you here. So I'm going to get you out of here." Ron said determinedly.
"How?" Ginny asked.
"The only person I know in your year is Colin Creevey, perhaps you could stay at his house until the warning is lifted, and when it is, and you're allowed home, you can tell mum and dad the truth." Ron said.
"I don't know…" Ginny said.
"Well name some friends of yours that you could ask to stay over." Ron said.
"My friends are away for the summer." Ginny explained.
"So Colin, then?" Ron asked.
"You're not worried about me going over to a boy's house?" Ginny asked.
"No, because I'll kill him if anything happens. Hermione's been over to the burrow plenty of times." Ron said.
"That's because I was there. The Creeveys' don't have any sisters." Ginny explained.
"Look, trust me… these kids are from muggle families. You write him asking if you could spend a few weeks there to learn about muggles in exchange for help on homework. Harry's stayed over your house before; the kid will do anything to have you stay so you could talk about him. Trust me." Ron said.
"What if his mum wants to talk to our parents?" Ginny asked.
"I'll forge a letter, you just write to say that it's a bad time at our home, and ask if you can stay there. See if he's even at his house, then we'll talk about the next steps." Ron said.
"Ron…" Ginny began.
"Ginny, go write the letter." Ron said leaving no room for objection.
"I was just going to say thank you." Ginny said hugging Ron.
"Oh well then your welcome." Ron said.
Meanwhile on Privet Drive, Harry received a letter from Ron. Harry was glad, because he was bored and looked forward to any letters from his friends. Harry read Ron's letter.
Harry,
I know this letter is short, but I really wasn't allowed to write anything at all. The reason I'm writing you is because I won't be allowed to owl you anymore during the rest of the time I am here at my Grandfather's. See I got into a bit of trouble, and as I told you before he's rather strict, and my owling privileges have been taken away. I wasn't even supposed to have read your last letter, but Ginny, being the good but sneaky little sister that she is slipped them to me and let me write back to you and Hermione rather than her writing to let you know that I can't have any more owls. I'll write you as soon as I get back to the burrow, and I hope it's soon. This first week has gone by too slow! Well, hopefully you'll hear from me before September 1st, though I am in a bit of trouble with my parents as well. Hope the muggles are treating you well! - Ron
P.S. Could you possibly send the other letter with Hedwig the next time you owl Hermione? My Grandfather made me give Pig to Ginny, and she might need him back soon. Thanks!
Harry frowned. Ron was sure leaving out a lot. What did he do to lose his owling privileges? Harry decided to write to Hermione, and he wondered if Ron possibly told Hermione what he did to lose his owling privileges. He opened the letter to find the same letter only addressed to Hermione. Harry sighed and sent the two letters with Hedwig. This summer was only getting worse.
Ron found it terribly hard to nail shingles on his Grandfather's roof the following afternoon when he couldn't sit down without feeling terrible pain. However, Ron found being on the roof, very fortunate when he saw Pig with a letter attached to his leg flying towards the manor. Ron whistled for it's attention, and luckily the owl flew to Ron rather than enter the dining room where Ginny was having tea with her Grandfather. All Grandfather needed was to see the letter in order to figure out what they were up to. Ron was glad that Pig was so stupid. It could be easily intercepted, but at least it hadn't flown to Ginny. Ron snatched the letter from the owl's leg.
"Thanks Pig, go get an owl treat from Ginny." Ron said petting his owl. He tucked the parchment into his pocket for later.
It was perhaps very lucky that Grandfather didn't see Ginny's face when she saw Pig fly through the window. She breathed a sigh of relief when she saw the owl didn't have anything. She was a bit disappointed, but her Grandfather hadn't known about it, so Ginny wouldn't be in trouble.
Grandfather had again gone out at night, and Ginny crept down the stairs to Ron worriedly. "Ron, Pig came back today, only there was no letter for me. I'm sorry." Ginny said sadly.
"Oh, thanks for reminding me." Ron said pulling out the rolled up parchment from his pocket. "I was on the roof when you and Grandfather were having tea. I got it here."
"What did he say?" Ginny asked.
"I don't know I'm not one to pry through your mail." Ron said.
Ginny raised her eyebrow.
"Okay, well I would've but I was on the roof working. I knew if Grandfather heard the hammering stop he would've been suspicious." Ron said handing the letter to Ginny.
Ginny read it.
"He said I could come tomorrow night at ten. His parents would love to have me, and they're offering me the guest bedroom. He said the Floo Network is connected through his fireplace, since a friend of his had come over during the summer." Ginny said excitedly.
"Ginny, I thought you were going to write a hypothetical letter… what else did you ask?" Ron asked.
"Well, he had asked to come over to the burrow during the summer, before we left school, and I told him I'd have to ask mum. So I wrote him telling him how I was stuck at Grandfather's and that it was a bit boring here. I asked if I could go to his house for a few weeks and said that mum would write a letter to his parents if they needed it. I also asked if his fireplace was connected to the Floo Network, and I asked when would be a good day to go, if I was allowed, and I told him that Grandfather would be working until ten, so I couldn't come until then and asked if it was all right." Ginny explained.
"You were the one who was unsure of the whole thing…" Ron said rolling his eyes.
"Well there are still a few problems…" Ginny said.
"What are they?" Ron asked.
"Well, one is Floo Powder… I'm not sure that Grandfather has any." Ginny said.
"I took some from the burrow, for emergency reasons… It's in a jar in my trunk. What's the other problem?" Ron asked.
"How can we be sure Grandfather's going out tomorrow night?" Ginny asked.
"I'll make sure of it." Ron said.
The next morning Ginny woke up to her brother and Grandfather yelling at each other. Ginny even heard something made of glass break and she ran downstairs as quickly as she could.
"I WON'T DO ANY MORE WORK FOR YOU! I'M SICK AND TIRED OF YOU! LET ME GO TO THE WIZARD VILLAGE! YOU SAID IT YOURSELF THAT IT WAS UNHEALTHY FOR ME TO BE HERE ALL DAY!" Ron yelled angrily.
"I SAID IT WAS UNHEALTHY FOR YOU TO BE INSIDE ALL DAY. THEREFORE, I'VE GIVEN YOU OUTDOOR WORK TO DO!" Grandfather yelled back.
"Well, if you make me go outside to do yard work, I won't come back in!" Ron said.
"Fine, then you'll starve. And when your really hungry, you'll come in and then you'll pay!" Grandfather said angrily.
Ron had done chores all day, while Ginny had a great conversation with her Grandfather as they worked on her assignments.
Ron came in at eight that evening. Grandfather was putting on his jacket. "You're going out again?" Ron asked in a timid voice.
"After the way you've talked to me today, I warned you that you'd pay, so yes, I am going out tonight. You'd best be awake when I get in. Do you understand?" Grandfather asked.
"Yes sir." Ron said anxiously.
"That's what I thought. Virginia's in bed don't disturb her." Grandfather warned. He walked outside and disapparated.
At five of ten, Ginny was in tears looking anxiously at her brother.
"I can't do this!" Ginny cried.
"You have to! Please, Ginny… I made Grandfather mad so he'd leave. I need to get out of here before he gets back. Ginny, you'll have a great time, and you won't have to worry about me. I want you to write the twins if anything's wrong at the Creevey's. I'm giving you all the extra Floo Powder incase you need to get away. I'll let mum and dad know where you are, only when the warning is lifted. Don't write to them before that. I love you Ginny, but you have to go. I'm begging you… you've been the best little sister I could ask for, and I know I'm asking even more now, but please just go." Ron said.
"I love you! Please don't get caught…" Ginny cried hugging her older brother.
"I won't if you go now." Ron said.
"Bye Ron." Ginny cried. She threw a pinch of Floo Powder into the fireplace and stepped in with her trunk and Pig's cage. "The Creevey's!" Ginny cried, and in a flash of green, she was gone.
Ron prayed she'd be all right, but right now he needed to get away, and fast. Ron ran down to the basement and took out his school bag from his trunk. He packed a few items of clothing and left climbing out the basement window.