Through The Eyes Of Ron
Chapter Nineteen
Surprises
Disclaimer: I don't own anything but the plot to this story. This is just fan fiction, I'm writing this for fun and for free. Any characters you recognize belong to J.K. Rowling, and all them smart, rich people.
Author's Note: This is fan fiction, a story idea from the brain that's mine entangled with J.K. Rowling's world and characters. I'm writing this for me, and posting it on Fanfiction.net so I have it saved. I'm not trying to impress anybody I'm just writing and saving that's all. I'm from Southern New Jersey, in the United States, I try to write J.K.'s way, but I'm nowhere close to perfect. Don't flame me if y'all don't like it, but if somebody should happen to enjoy it, please feel free but not obligated to leave a review. Also, I apologize for the delays in updating, I got the Chamber Of Secrets DVD, which I've been watching over and over again (My store released it on the tenth), and I don't know, maybe it wasn't that long of a delay, but I haven't written as quickly as I would've liked to. ~*Carey*~
Thank You: Thank you lordoftherats rw fan, and moonlight. Lordoftherats, I never actually considered that happening, but I will give your idea more thought. Thank you Sara for your review, you're right students don't have to be Animagus' unless they choose to and have a license, as far as I know, but I thought the Professors at least taught you how to transfigure yourself into an Animagus, incase you wanted to be one later in life. I'm not completely sure about that, but I was under the impression of how that works. If I'm wrong, which I probably am, I apologize. Thanks for correcting me. ~*Carey*~
Ron was in the middle of a chess game against Hans when somebody tapped him on the shoulder. Ron turned around and gasped.
"Hermione?" Ron asked. "What are you doing here?"
"I- I'm sorry, I just haven't seen you in a long time, and my parents are visiting relatives, and I- I just wanted to see the school… and you." Hermione said timidly.
"I didn't mean it rudely, I was just surprised. Headmaster Campbell actually let you in though?" Ron asked.
"Yes, I told him I didn't have an owl to ask permission, and I just wanted to stop by for maybe a minute or two to see how you were doing, and he said you could use a visitor." Hermione said.
Hans cleared his throat, never taking his eyes off of Hermione.
"Hermione, this is Hans, Hans, this is my best friend, Hermione." Ron said.
Hans took Hermione's hand and kissed it. "It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance. You're only her friend?" Hans asked looking at Ron.
"We're best friends." Ron corrected him.
"But she's unspoken for?" Hans asked.
"Don't even think about it." Ron warned.
"Why not, you and her are best friends, isn't that what you just said?" Hans asked.
Ron stood up. "Hermione, want to have a look around?" Ron asked.
"Sure." Hermione said.
"This is the dining room, this is where we eat and have chess tournaments." Ron said taking her hand. He brought her to the nurse's office. "This is the nurse's office. Madam Moore is the nurse, and she's really understanding."
Ron then brought Hermione into the education wing. He mentioned the Headmaster's office before entering the wing. He brought her into the Muggle Studies Classroom. "This is the school wing. All of our classes are down this hall. Professor Lupin, tutored me because of my behavior, but I'm allowed to hang out in the Muggle Studies classroom. I'm not allowed outside whenever I want yet, so I have the option to play chess or spend the day in here. Here we can watch muggle television or movies, and we just chill." Ron explained.
"They've got a huge Quidditch field out back, but it's fenced in, so that nobody can runaway, and outside this door, which I'm not allowed out of yet, is a muggle basketball court and you can play tennis, volleyball, hockey, or basketball out there." Ron said.
"How do you know about muggle sports?" Hermione asked with amazement in her eyes.
"Muggle studies. I have to take all twelve subjects here." Ron said.
"How can you?" Hermione asked.
"Professor Lupin tutored me one hour for every subject a day, lots of homework, but the better students just go to every class for an hour a day, there's really not a lot of kids in every class, and the Professors make sure every student knows the material before moving on." Ron explained.
"So what do you want to do? Your Headmaster said I could stay here until seven this evening, unless you didn't want me to." Hermione said.
"I want you to stay, if you can." Ron said hopefully.
"I can." Hermione said.
"Want to watch a movie? I'm sure you've seen them all." Ron said.
"Don't be ridiculous, I read too much to watch movies. I'd love to watch a movie with you. What movie did you want to watch?" Hermione asked.
"Your choice." Ron said.
Hermione walked over to the shelves full of movies that were listed in alphabetical order.
"Have you seen this one?" Hermione asked pulling out Gone With The Wind from the shelf.
"No, what's it about?" Ron asked.
"It's brilliant." Hermione said hoping that Ron would want to watch it.
"If you say so. Put it in." Ron said.
Hermione pushed the tape into the VCR and grabbed the remote. She went to sit on the sofa, but Ron stopped her.
"Come sit over here with me on the bean bag. It's comfortable, and there's room for the both of us." Ron said flopping down on the bean bag.
"I'm not sure that would be very good." Hermione said.
"Look, if you don't want to sit with me that's fine, but-"
"Fine." Hermione said easing herself down on to the bean bag and in front of Ron.
"Lean back, you'll feel more comfortable." Ron said reassuringly.
Hermione hesitated. This would be a bit of a compromising situation for Ron's Headmaster to find them in, and he did trust her, but she also trusted Ron, so she eased herself back against Ron, and while their bodies touching sent strong vibes throughout her body Ron was right she was indeed much more comfortable, and in a school that she was a bit timid to enter, she finally felt safe in the arms of Ron.
"I should tell you this is a bit of a long movie. There are two tapes you know… if you want me to get up, just let me know." Hermione said.
Ron smiled and wrapped his arms around her. "You're not going anywhere. I reckon right now I could be in a world of pain, but I wouldn't feel it because you're here." Ron said smiling and he meant it.
Hermione was the only one, who had come to visit him, and she was more than his friend now, he felt comfortable to hold her in his arms. He wouldn't do anything more than that, but he was happy that she was there with him all the same. He had found comfort in the muggle studies classroom at Bridgeton, and when there was always tenseness in the air at Hogwarts between Ron and Hermione, it seemed to fade away as he held her and they watched the movie.
"You have to admit, Hermione, houseelves are better to use than muggles." Ron said as he stretched out at the end of the movie.
"Nobody should have to be anybody's slave." Hermione said.
"Scarlett was stupid." Ron said suddenly taking Hermione by surprise. She figured he'd fallen asleep throughout the movie; she'd been too involved to notice him. Had he actually watched the romance scenes? Why wasn't he mentioning how cool the war was or how stupid muggles were for using such devices to fight each other?
"What?" Hermione asked with surprise.
"It's funny how she's such a little girl and such a determined woman at the same time. I mean, Rhett gave her enough chances, but no, she was obsessed with Ashley. Why couldn't she just hear him the first time when he said he was in love with Melanie? She was a true spoiled brat, she was." Ron sighed.
Hermione opened her mouth with amusement. "You're upset?" Hermione asked.
"I can't believe how stupid some people can be. Hermione, am I that stupid when I'm stubborn?" Ron asked.
"Why switch topics?" Hermione asked quickly.
"So I am." Ron sighed.
"No, I didn't say that." Hermione said.
"You didn't have to, but you're right." Ron said.
"Look, Ron when you think you're right, you'll be stubborn, and you'll be passionate about what you believe in. It's not a bad quality, you just should use some thought." Hermione said. "Like that time with Scabbers. You wouldn't talk to me for ages because of my cat, and it ended up being-"
"Nobody could've known that Hermione, even you were wrong on that!" Ron said. "Well you didn't know anyway."
"Well what about the Firebolt, I was right then, wasn't I?" Hermione asked.
"You're always right, and I always try and check you just incase you're wrong. Because you have to be wrong one time in your life." Ron said.
Hermione laughed and rolled her eyes.
"I was stupid during the first task in the Tri-wizard tournament though, wasn't I?" Ron asked.
"Yes, I told you that more than enough times, but you didn't listen to me." Hermione said.
"Just like Scarlett didn't listen to Ashley." Ron said.
"You're good at analogies, Ron." Hermione said, then trying to switch topics, she asked, "Want a game of Chess? I've been practicing, while you were gone."
"Let's see what you got." Ron said leading her back into the dining room.
"Still no match for me." Ron said grinning as Hermione sighed in defeat as she saw that she was in checkmate.
"Nobody can beat you." Hermione said exasperatedly.
"Ah, and you're never wrong. The day you're wrong is the day somebody will finally beat me." Ron said.
"Then we'll die on the same day?" Hermione asked.
"Probably. A big bolt of lightning will strike me, and I won't be able to finish the game." Ron said.
Hermione laughed.
"So how did you do on your O.W.L.S.?" Hermione asked.
"All right, I suppose. I got more than the twins." Ron said not wanting Hermione to know he received twelve. She took two less subjects than him, and would therefore only receive ten. "How about you?"
"Ten." Hermione said smiling.
"Congratulations, I had no doubts." Ron said smiling. "How's Harry doing?"
"He seems all right. He's at the burrow, didn't you know? He's had a few nightmares and has woken up with pain in his scar, but Snuffles is always nearby." Hermione explained.
"Oh, good." Ron said.
"How are you doing Ron? Honestly." Hermione asked.
"I'm doing better. I'm progressing. One day a kid hit me, and I didn't hit him back. I surprised myself, but I did well. I won the Chess tournament here." Ron added.
"Surprise, surprise. Congratulations." Hermione said.
"Thanks." Ron said.
"Ms. Granger?" Headmaster Campbell called.
"Just a second please." Hermione said looking at her watch with a frown. "I have to go now."
Ron looked down with dejection. He didn't want her to go. It had been one of the best days he'd had in ages. Why did it have to end so soon?
"Wait, there's something I want to give you, before you go." Ron said.
Hermione looked up at him, and he leaned down to her and kissed her, taking her breath away.
She gasped at the shock of Ron's lips touching hers.
She kissed him, hugged him, and kissed him again before leaving with a tear in her eye. Ron sighed and sat down. There was someone that was worth having to work hard for to get out of here. Hermione.
"Ron," Headmaster Campbell said a week later, as he entered Ron's dorm.
"Yes sir?" Ron asked.
"You behaved very maturely for a young man your age when your young lady friend came to visit, and again you have impressed me and made me proud." Headmaster Campbell said.
Proud? He was proud of Ron? Nobody was ever proud of Ron, and his Headmaster was? Ron turned around to look at the Headmaster.
"I was wondering if you were interested in going home for a week. We'll have a magical tracer inside of you, so we'll know where you are at all times. You won't have to worry about being sent off to live as a muggle or anything of that sort. It would only be for a week though, because then it will be time to begin your sixth year." Headmaster Campbell said.
"You're serious? I can go home?" Ron asked.
"For a week." Headmaster Campbell corrected.
"What did my parents say?" Ron asked hopefully.
"I couldn't get in touch with them, but your brother Percy, said it would be a real treat to have you home." Headmaster Campbell said.
"I'd like to go home for a week then if I don't screw up." Ron said.
"I'll make arrangements then. Keep up the good work." Headmaster Campbell said turning to leave.
"Sir?" Ron asked.
Headmaster Campbell spun around.
"Thank you, and not just for letting me go home, but for saying that you're proud of me. That means a lot." Ron said honestly.
Headmaster Campbell smiled in surprise at Ron. "You don't have to thank me. Thank yourself." Headmaster Campbell said leaving the dorm.
Ron arrived at the burrow by way of Floo powder. Percy smiled and welcomed his youngest brother home. He hugged Ron and then pulled away to look at him.
"How have you been?" Percy asked.
"I've been good, I'm really straightening up." Ron said smiling.
"That's what your Headmaster told me. I meant how are you?" Percy asked.
"All right." Ron said. "Why is the house so quiet? Where is everybody?"
"Sleeping. Well dad's at work, and everybody else is asleep. Not everybody wakes up at five thirty in the morning." Percy said.
"It's been ages since I've been able to sleep in later than that." Ron said. "Everybody's all right with me coming back for a week, right?"
"Well, of course they'll be all right with it." Percy said.
"What?" Ron asked.
"What?" Percy asked.
"You said they'll be, as in they will be, as in they don't know yet." Ron said.
"Well, I thought it would be a good surprise." Percy said.
"Percy, please tell me you're joking! The last time I saw mum and dad they disowned me, and I'm going to be here for a week, without them approving?" Ron asked in a whisper.
"Everybody misses you." Percy said.
"Including dad?" Ron asked.
"Well, dad's hardly ever home. He won't even have to know." Percy said.
"Percy, maybe I should just go back, otherwise there will be trouble, and I'll be blamed for it. I've been doing my best to avoid trouble, so maybe I should just go back." Ron said.
"No, Ron, I said it was all right for you to spend a week home. I'll take full responsibility if there are any problems. I invited you to come here, and I live here." Percy said.
Ron's stomach turned at a terrible thought. He didn't live here anymore. Percy lived here, Ron used to live here. Ron cringed at the realization that he was more of a guest now than a family member. Then he wondered if they had changed his room.
Percy must've known what was going through Ron's head, for he said, "You still are a part of this family, Ron. You still live here too, it's just a bit different now, and- Do you want breakfast?"
Ron realized that Percy felt guilty for saying what he did, even though it was the truth, so he nodded and took a seat at the kitchen.
"So what time does dad come home now?" Ron asked.
"Whatever time he can." Percy said making some eggs.
"How's your job?" Ron asked.
"It's complicated, but it suits me." Percy said pouring Ron a cup of tea.
"Wait, Percy, one of the reasons you're up so early, isn't because you have to work this morning, right?" Ron asked.
"I took the morning off. So I could explain to mum…"
"Percy, dear who are you talking to?" Molly Weasley asked entering the kitchen half asleep. She didn't see Ron. Ron knew that his mother wasn't really awake until she had a second cup of tea.
"Er… Did you want some tea?" Percy asked.
"Yes, but I wanted to know who you were speaking to." Molly said taking over the cooking for Percy. "Go sit down I'll make it."
"Mum, I spoke to Ron's Headmaster the other day, and he said that Ron had really come a long way, and he said that Ron deserved a vacation, to possibly come here and see his family and friends for a week, and I thought it would be a nice surprise and agreed." Percy said.
"Agreed to what?" Mrs. Weasley asked.
"Agreed to Ron coming here." Percy said.
"When?" Mrs. Weasley asked.
"It was the other day." Percy explained.
"No, when is he to come home?" Mrs. Weasley asked.
"Hi mum." Ron said.
Mrs. Weasley screamed in surprise and dropped her teacup, the teakettle, and the pan of eggs to the floor with a loud crash. She turned around and saw Ron looking down guiltily.
"I guess it's decided." Ron said standing up.
"No, it wasn't." Percy said pushing him back down in his seat. "Mum, aren't you happy to see Ron home?"
"Of course, I just wasn't expecting it at all." Molly said crossing the kitchen to hug Ron. She hugged him tightly and cried as she kissed his head. "I am so proud of you sweetheart, getting twelve O.W.L.S. That really made me proud."
"And he can stay here for a week, right?" Percy asked.
"Of course, this is his home too. His school's okay with this?" Molly asked still not letting Ron out of her embrace.
"Yes. They said he deserved a week home." Percy said cleaning up his mother's mess with a spell.
"Sit down I'll make you breakfast… When did you get here?" Molly asked.
"Half past five." Ron said.
"Did you see your father?" Molly asked.
"No." Ron said.
"He doesn't know yet either." Percy said.
"FREEZE!" Bill yelled from the top of the stairs with his wand out in front of him.
Ron couldn't help but laugh.
Bill came downstairs, surprised by the laughter. "Ron?" Bill asked with surprise.
"Next time you think somebody's killed mum, don't come downstairs like that, somebody could've killed you in under a second." Ron said.
"Well Charlie and the twins had my back." Bill said. "What are you doing here?"
"Bill, don't be ridiculous, he lives here." Molly said.
"But what about that school?" Bill asked.
"What school?" Ron asked.
"You know Bridgeton?" Bill asked.
"What's that?" Ron asked.
"Stop playing stupid." Bill said.
"Who said he was playing?" Fred asked descending the stairs with everybody in the burrow right behind him.
Harry came downstairs last with his wand still out.
"You're finished with Bridgeton?" Harry asked hopefully.
"No, I've been given a week's vacation though." Ron said happily.
Ginny was on the bottom stair. "Mum, why'd you- Ron!" Ginny shrieked happily.
She ran over to him and hugged him.
"Can you go back to Hogwarts now?" Ginny asked hopefully.
"Now, no it's still holiday." Ron said.
"In a week you can?" Ginny asked.
"No." Ron said.
"Hermione's with her parents, they're going to conventions, and such." Harry said.
"I know." Ron said. "She told me when she came to visit me."
"Wait, she went to see you?" Harry asked.
"Yes." Ron said.
"And she was allowed?" Harry asked.
"No, we had to talk loudly so we could hear each other on either side of the door. The Headmaster let her in." Ron said.
"So all this time, I could've came to visit you?" Ginny asked.
"No, I would not let you be within ten feet of the building." Ron said.
"But Hermione could." Ginny said feeling put out, she was family, and Hermione was just his friend.
"Because all of the bad asses- I mean jerks, I'm sorry mum, but because all of the more dangerous students happened to be in solitary confinement or outside on that particular day. Had it been any other day, the Headmaster wouldn't have let Hermione in." Ron said.
"Oh." Ginny said.
"Believe me, I would've loved visitors, but Bridgeton's too dangerous for them. The students go crazy if somebody comes to visit." Ron said.
The door opened and Mr. Weasley entered the house looking exhausted and worried. He looked up, bewildered as to why everybody was up at this hour.
"Did you forget something dad?" Percy asked quickly trying to block Ron from view.
"Why are you all up before six?" Arthur asked.
"Because-" Percy said trying to think of a lie, but he was never a great liar, and never had reasons to think of excuses.
"Because Ron's home, isn't it wonderful? Headmaster Campbell said he's been very well behaved, and that he deserved a vacation." Molly said happily.
Mr. Weasley's expression went from bewildered to angry. "And you let him come home?" Arthur asked taking everybody but Ron by surprise.
"No, I did. I thought it would be a great surprise. Mum liked the idea." Percy said.
"Percy, you did?" Arthur asked.
"Yes sir." Percy said.
"I want to talk to you in private in the living room, please. Now." Arthur said.
Percy followed his father into the living room. Ron listened carefully as he quietly ate his breakfast.
"Percy, I know that you think what you did was right, but it isn't. I know you thought it would be a great surprise, but Perce, I'm not going to be held responsible if he runs away again. He isn't in my custody anymore. There are a lot of consequences that come with Ron." Arthur said.
"They have a magical tracer inside of him. They'll be able to find him wherever he is if he runs away." Percy said.
"No, they don't. Perce, if we had magical tracers, we'd be using them on suspected death eaters, and You-know-who, and Sirius Black, especially. They told you and Ron that, so Ron will think that they know where he is at all times, so if he runs away he'll worry about being caught and punished, but they don't have any track of him. They can't. It's impossible. The only reason why they know why he's here right now is because they sent him here. Percy, it would've been a great surprise, if it was anybody else but Ron, but it is Ron, and he can't be trusted. There's a difference from being a father and a brother. You are his brother, you'll give him all the chances in the world you think he needs, but I'm his father, and I know that I've given him more than enough chances. The first time he screwed up, it was his fault, the second time he screwed up it was my fault, because I let him screw up. I don't want him here. I want him gone, by the time I get back tonight. That's not a request either Perce." Arthur said.
Ron walked in the living room.
"You want me gone dad?" Ron asked.
"Yes, I-" Arthur started, but saw Molly standing in the doorway. "No, you can stay."
"Well, I don't want to stay where I'm not wanted, and you've made it quite clear, that I'm not wanted here. I'm sorry I'm such a failure." Ron said taking a pinch of Floo Powder. He stepped into the fireplace. "Bridgeton!"
Everybody stared in disbelief as Ron very willingly went back to the school that he ran away from.
Author's Note: I'm sorry for the R/H ship thing. I tried, I mean I love that couple to death, I just can't write them. I'm sorry if I disappointed anybody. ~*Carey*~