Disclaimer: Only in my dreams could I own something as wonderful as Harry Potter?
CHAPTER XIII: THE ENTIRE WEASLEY CLAN
One week later, Ron Weasley arrived at the Burrow, clad in a blue shirt and a pair of black pants. It had been a few days since he had been released from the hospital but the memory of what had happened when he had awaken was something still fresh in his mind, especially since it was the only thing he actually remembered. When he had woken up, the old man with the long beard, or Professor Dumbledore as he was known as, had told him that since he had forgotten his memory, his family and friends would try to help him get his memory back.
Family and friends…yeah-right…people he wasn't familiar with and a world that seemed so strange to him that he felt he didn't belong here. And strange how everyone knew whom he was. He had left the hospital just to roam the area when he had been bombarded with questions from inquisitive reporters. Luckily, a local innkeeper, who called himself Tom had rescued him and had escorted him inside where he was treated with a delicious meal, even though he didn't pay for it. But somehow, Ron didn't feel quite right. He wanted to remember, yet he had a feeling that he wasn't supposed to remember his past. But, now on the request of Albus Dumbledore he had agreed to come and have a long memory lesson with his supposed family.
Ron slowly made his way across the lawn. It was a beautiful garden with roses growing here and there. The house wasn't exactly a mansion; it seemed rather dilapidated from the outside but somehow Ron felt welcome here. He was just admiring the wonderful way the lilacs were blossoming, when a weird-looking creature darted past him. Startled, he jumped back as the little creature ran into the grove. He looked around him frantically in search of anymore-strange beings coming up. Not taking his chances, however, he hurriedly made his way towards the door and knocked on it.
He heard someone call from inside, "Just a minute," and then from the pounding of footsteps, he was certain someone was coming to answer the door. A redhead young lady opened the door, peeking her freckled face out.
"Hi, can I help you?" the girl's voice trailed off upon seeing his presence. He gave her a wry smile.
"Hi, I was actually wondering if you could help me?" Ron remarked. He suddenly had a strange feeling that she probably didn't know he was supposed to be here. He was just about to turn around and leave before he made a mistake, when her face suddenly cleared, and she replied, "Ron, you're here."
"Well, I don't know about me being Ron, but I'm here to find out who I am," Ron answered, glad she remembered he was coming.
Ginny smiled at him shyly. "Well, come in." She moved aside, allowing him to enter the house.
"Can I get you anything?" Ginny asked, as she hung his coat on the coat rack.
"What do I normally like?" Ron inquired, observing the house. It didn't seem quite familiar but somehow he felt welcome in the cheery atmosphere. The house was rather cramped, but it didn't seem to make a difference to anyone, since he had heard he had five older brothers.
"Well, you always like Butterbeer," Ginny responded. "With some Chocolate Frogs," she added quickly, recalling how he'd always had a crave for chocolate.
"That sounds great. Thanks…" Ron's voice trailed off, when he realized he didn't know this girl's name. "Uh, I don't know your name," Ron muttered softly.
Ginny's face lost the spark that she'd held when Ron had arrived on the doorstep. Ron didn't even know who she was. She shrugged her shoulders. "It's Ginny," she mentioned, extending her hand. He shook it, grateful for removing her awkwardness.
"Your sister," she included hastily.
"Yea, I guessed from the color of our hair," Ron responded, glad that his mind was still working.
"So where's my family?"
"They're in the living room," she remarked, and then remembering he didn't know where the living room was, she gave him the directions. With that, she headed for the kitchen, while he went in search for his family.
Ron slowly made his way down the hall, with an empty pit in his stomach. He suddenly felt as though he was making the wrong decision in even trying to remember what had happened to him. But, he knew he was left with no choice but to face the empty fire. So taking deep breathes, he entered the living room.
The first thing he noticed when he entered the room was redheaded people and a huge pile of photo albums. The family seemed to be engrossed in a deep conversation when a young boy with glasses noticed him standing in the doorway. He nudged the longhaired boy next to him, but by then the entire Weasley family was aware of his presence.
"Ron," Mrs. Weasley gasped, getting up from the couch she was sharing with her husband and headed over towards her youngest son. She embraced him warmly. Ron wasn't used to being hugged by anyone but as a polite guest, he gently hugged her back. She slowly pulled away from him and her face was streaked with tears.
"We're so glad you're back," she whispered, planting a kiss on his check, because being a very short woman that was as high as she could reach.
"Ron, come and sit down," Mr. Weasley requested, gesturing for him to join him on the couch. Ron seemed shy in front of all the young boys, so keeping his head down he seated himself between the supposed parents.
"So ickle Ronneikins, how you feeling?" Fred inquired, leaning towards him. The twins were sitting directly opposite of their parents.
"Uh, who are you?" Ron asked hesitatingly.
Mr. Weasley sighed. "I suppose we'll have to make the introductions. I am your father, Arthur Weasley. The woman who hugged you on your arrival is your mother, Molly Weasley. Sitting on the far left is your eldest son, William Weasley or Bill, as we call him. And sitting on the right at the desk is our second son Charlie Weasley, and the boy with the glasses is Percival or Percy Weasley. The two brothers who are sitting right in front of me are Frederick and George Weasley. And you are my youngest son, Ronald Weasley," he finished breathlessly.
Ron slowly digested this new information. "So that means you're my family," he commented slowly. Mr. Weasley smiled at him. "Guess so." Just then Ginny walked into the room carrying a tray full of chocolate and a tall glass of Butterbeer.
"And that is your sister…"
"Ginny," Ron interrupted smiling at his sister. "I know. She introduced herself to me."
"Here's your drink Ron," Ginny stated handing him the glass, which he accepted graciously.
"Hey, how come he gets something to drink and we don't?" George questioned indignantly.
"Because he's our guest of honor," Ginny pointed out, seating herself on the floor and rummaging through the photo albums.
"Or does it mean you like his best friend better than the rest of us?" Charlie teased, his brown eyes twinkling.
She smirked at him. "Yea, I do, but let's not start into which person you like," she shot back.
"Now kids," Mrs. Weasley began sternly, while the Weasley siblings were on the verge of cracking up in laughter. "I'm sure we have much more important things on our hands than teasing each other on our likes and dislikes. Did I make myself clear?"
"Yes Mum," they chorused in unison.
"Okay Ron, are you ready to be reminded of your previous childhood?" Bill inquired, joining Ginny on the floor with the photo albums. The other siblings followed suit.
"I guess so," Ron replied uncertainly, as he squirmed in his seat uncomfortably.
"Well then, let's start…"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~**************************~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"…And remember that time Ron created a scene at Honeydukes just because they were out of Chocolate Frogs?" Percy related, leaning back against the sofa.
Ginny let out a small laugh. "Yea, and he was already eight and he was still a monster."
"And remember when he used to pull all the girls' hair because he despised them," Fred remarked, clutching his stomach with chocking fits of laughter.
Ron shook his head in amazement. "I can't believe I did all this," he stated as he flipped through the photo albums.
"So let me get this straight. I live in the wizarding world where men and women are wizards and witches. Non-magic people are called Muggles and we use wands to do all our daily routines in life," Ron remarked glancing at his family.
"That's correct dear," Mrs. Weasley replied, smoothing his hair.
"And I enjoy Quidditch and wizard chess."
"Last time I checked," Bill remarked, a grin spreading across his face.
"And you're my family," he continued quietly.
"Hey we're not the best family in the world but we're certainly great company," Fred commented.
Ron nodded his head. This was his family and he didn't seem a bit ashamed to call them family. They were funny, amusing, intelligent and extremely happy with one another. He did, however, need to know some more about his life.
"Okay so you've told me about my first ten years but when do I go to school in order to become a wizard?" Ron asked his brothers.
"When you had just turned eleven," Charlie responded.
"I remember that day as if it were yesterday," Mr. Weasley said, sighing.
"I don't," Ron grumbled.
"Hey, how about letting me show you your room?" Ginny suggested brightly.
"Why not?" Ron replied, shoving the albums off his lap and excusing himself from the living room he followed his sister up the stairs.
"So when am I going to make my best friends?" Ron inquired.
"Oh tomorrow Harry and Hermione are coming to meet you," Ginny informed him as they walked up the last flight of stairs.
"Hermione?" Ron wrinkled his nose in disgust. "I have a girl as a best friend?"
"Oh she's a lot more than that," Ginny mumbled under her breath. "Anyway," she stated aloud, stopping in front of the only door on the floor. "This is your room." With a grand gesture she pushed open the door.
Ron carefully peeked inside. The bedroom was extremely dusty and spider webs hung from the walls but a sudden sharp pang hit his heart as if it was familiar. Ginny was eyeing him oddly. "I think I'll leave you alone," Ginny stated, gently excusing herself.
Ron meanwhile had made his way towards his very messy desk. He gazed at the unused quills, the stained papers, the Chudley Cannons miniature sculpture along with their quite bright posters, where the players were zooming everywhere. He slowly headed towards his bed and sat down. This was too much for him. Burying his face in his hands, he tried desperately to recall anything from his life but it was met with no avail.
When he looked up, he glanced at his bedside table. There was nothing on except for a framed Muggle picture (he knew that because George had explained to him the difference between a normal picture and wizard picture; the people in Muggle pictures didn't move).
He reached across and gently picked it up and studied the photo.
There were three teenage kids standing together; a raven haired boy who had a lightning scar on his forehead, a redheaded boy who had freckles splattered all over his face and a bushy-haired girl whose face showed intelligence and wit. The girl was standing in between the two boys, the lightning boy had his arm draped around her shoulder but the redhead had his arm securely wrapped around her waist. Lowering his gaze he read the caption. It read, "Harry, Ron and Hermione. Best friends for life."
***
CHAPTER XIII: THE ENTIRE WEASLEY CLAN
One week later, Ron Weasley arrived at the Burrow, clad in a blue shirt and a pair of black pants. It had been a few days since he had been released from the hospital but the memory of what had happened when he had awaken was something still fresh in his mind, especially since it was the only thing he actually remembered. When he had woken up, the old man with the long beard, or Professor Dumbledore as he was known as, had told him that since he had forgotten his memory, his family and friends would try to help him get his memory back.
Family and friends…yeah-right…people he wasn't familiar with and a world that seemed so strange to him that he felt he didn't belong here. And strange how everyone knew whom he was. He had left the hospital just to roam the area when he had been bombarded with questions from inquisitive reporters. Luckily, a local innkeeper, who called himself Tom had rescued him and had escorted him inside where he was treated with a delicious meal, even though he didn't pay for it. But somehow, Ron didn't feel quite right. He wanted to remember, yet he had a feeling that he wasn't supposed to remember his past. But, now on the request of Albus Dumbledore he had agreed to come and have a long memory lesson with his supposed family.
Ron slowly made his way across the lawn. It was a beautiful garden with roses growing here and there. The house wasn't exactly a mansion; it seemed rather dilapidated from the outside but somehow Ron felt welcome here. He was just admiring the wonderful way the lilacs were blossoming, when a weird-looking creature darted past him. Startled, he jumped back as the little creature ran into the grove. He looked around him frantically in search of anymore-strange beings coming up. Not taking his chances, however, he hurriedly made his way towards the door and knocked on it.
He heard someone call from inside, "Just a minute," and then from the pounding of footsteps, he was certain someone was coming to answer the door. A redhead young lady opened the door, peeking her freckled face out.
"Hi, can I help you?" the girl's voice trailed off upon seeing his presence. He gave her a wry smile.
"Hi, I was actually wondering if you could help me?" Ron remarked. He suddenly had a strange feeling that she probably didn't know he was supposed to be here. He was just about to turn around and leave before he made a mistake, when her face suddenly cleared, and she replied, "Ron, you're here."
"Well, I don't know about me being Ron, but I'm here to find out who I am," Ron answered, glad she remembered he was coming.
Ginny smiled at him shyly. "Well, come in." She moved aside, allowing him to enter the house.
"Can I get you anything?" Ginny asked, as she hung his coat on the coat rack.
"What do I normally like?" Ron inquired, observing the house. It didn't seem quite familiar but somehow he felt welcome in the cheery atmosphere. The house was rather cramped, but it didn't seem to make a difference to anyone, since he had heard he had five older brothers.
"Well, you always like Butterbeer," Ginny responded. "With some Chocolate Frogs," she added quickly, recalling how he'd always had a crave for chocolate.
"That sounds great. Thanks…" Ron's voice trailed off, when he realized he didn't know this girl's name. "Uh, I don't know your name," Ron muttered softly.
Ginny's face lost the spark that she'd held when Ron had arrived on the doorstep. Ron didn't even know who she was. She shrugged her shoulders. "It's Ginny," she mentioned, extending her hand. He shook it, grateful for removing her awkwardness.
"Your sister," she included hastily.
"Yea, I guessed from the color of our hair," Ron responded, glad that his mind was still working.
"So where's my family?"
"They're in the living room," she remarked, and then remembering he didn't know where the living room was, she gave him the directions. With that, she headed for the kitchen, while he went in search for his family.
Ron slowly made his way down the hall, with an empty pit in his stomach. He suddenly felt as though he was making the wrong decision in even trying to remember what had happened to him. But, he knew he was left with no choice but to face the empty fire. So taking deep breathes, he entered the living room.
The first thing he noticed when he entered the room was redheaded people and a huge pile of photo albums. The family seemed to be engrossed in a deep conversation when a young boy with glasses noticed him standing in the doorway. He nudged the longhaired boy next to him, but by then the entire Weasley family was aware of his presence.
"Ron," Mrs. Weasley gasped, getting up from the couch she was sharing with her husband and headed over towards her youngest son. She embraced him warmly. Ron wasn't used to being hugged by anyone but as a polite guest, he gently hugged her back. She slowly pulled away from him and her face was streaked with tears.
"We're so glad you're back," she whispered, planting a kiss on his check, because being a very short woman that was as high as she could reach.
"Ron, come and sit down," Mr. Weasley requested, gesturing for him to join him on the couch. Ron seemed shy in front of all the young boys, so keeping his head down he seated himself between the supposed parents.
"So ickle Ronneikins, how you feeling?" Fred inquired, leaning towards him. The twins were sitting directly opposite of their parents.
"Uh, who are you?" Ron asked hesitatingly.
Mr. Weasley sighed. "I suppose we'll have to make the introductions. I am your father, Arthur Weasley. The woman who hugged you on your arrival is your mother, Molly Weasley. Sitting on the far left is your eldest son, William Weasley or Bill, as we call him. And sitting on the right at the desk is our second son Charlie Weasley, and the boy with the glasses is Percival or Percy Weasley. The two brothers who are sitting right in front of me are Frederick and George Weasley. And you are my youngest son, Ronald Weasley," he finished breathlessly.
Ron slowly digested this new information. "So that means you're my family," he commented slowly. Mr. Weasley smiled at him. "Guess so." Just then Ginny walked into the room carrying a tray full of chocolate and a tall glass of Butterbeer.
"And that is your sister…"
"Ginny," Ron interrupted smiling at his sister. "I know. She introduced herself to me."
"Here's your drink Ron," Ginny stated handing him the glass, which he accepted graciously.
"Hey, how come he gets something to drink and we don't?" George questioned indignantly.
"Because he's our guest of honor," Ginny pointed out, seating herself on the floor and rummaging through the photo albums.
"Or does it mean you like his best friend better than the rest of us?" Charlie teased, his brown eyes twinkling.
She smirked at him. "Yea, I do, but let's not start into which person you like," she shot back.
"Now kids," Mrs. Weasley began sternly, while the Weasley siblings were on the verge of cracking up in laughter. "I'm sure we have much more important things on our hands than teasing each other on our likes and dislikes. Did I make myself clear?"
"Yes Mum," they chorused in unison.
"Okay Ron, are you ready to be reminded of your previous childhood?" Bill inquired, joining Ginny on the floor with the photo albums. The other siblings followed suit.
"I guess so," Ron replied uncertainly, as he squirmed in his seat uncomfortably.
"Well then, let's start…"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~**************************~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"…And remember that time Ron created a scene at Honeydukes just because they were out of Chocolate Frogs?" Percy related, leaning back against the sofa.
Ginny let out a small laugh. "Yea, and he was already eight and he was still a monster."
"And remember when he used to pull all the girls' hair because he despised them," Fred remarked, clutching his stomach with chocking fits of laughter.
Ron shook his head in amazement. "I can't believe I did all this," he stated as he flipped through the photo albums.
"So let me get this straight. I live in the wizarding world where men and women are wizards and witches. Non-magic people are called Muggles and we use wands to do all our daily routines in life," Ron remarked glancing at his family.
"That's correct dear," Mrs. Weasley replied, smoothing his hair.
"And I enjoy Quidditch and wizard chess."
"Last time I checked," Bill remarked, a grin spreading across his face.
"And you're my family," he continued quietly.
"Hey we're not the best family in the world but we're certainly great company," Fred commented.
Ron nodded his head. This was his family and he didn't seem a bit ashamed to call them family. They were funny, amusing, intelligent and extremely happy with one another. He did, however, need to know some more about his life.
"Okay so you've told me about my first ten years but when do I go to school in order to become a wizard?" Ron asked his brothers.
"When you had just turned eleven," Charlie responded.
"I remember that day as if it were yesterday," Mr. Weasley said, sighing.
"I don't," Ron grumbled.
"Hey, how about letting me show you your room?" Ginny suggested brightly.
"Why not?" Ron replied, shoving the albums off his lap and excusing himself from the living room he followed his sister up the stairs.
"So when am I going to make my best friends?" Ron inquired.
"Oh tomorrow Harry and Hermione are coming to meet you," Ginny informed him as they walked up the last flight of stairs.
"Hermione?" Ron wrinkled his nose in disgust. "I have a girl as a best friend?"
"Oh she's a lot more than that," Ginny mumbled under her breath. "Anyway," she stated aloud, stopping in front of the only door on the floor. "This is your room." With a grand gesture she pushed open the door.
Ron carefully peeked inside. The bedroom was extremely dusty and spider webs hung from the walls but a sudden sharp pang hit his heart as if it was familiar. Ginny was eyeing him oddly. "I think I'll leave you alone," Ginny stated, gently excusing herself.
Ron meanwhile had made his way towards his very messy desk. He gazed at the unused quills, the stained papers, the Chudley Cannons miniature sculpture along with their quite bright posters, where the players were zooming everywhere. He slowly headed towards his bed and sat down. This was too much for him. Burying his face in his hands, he tried desperately to recall anything from his life but it was met with no avail.
When he looked up, he glanced at his bedside table. There was nothing on except for a framed Muggle picture (he knew that because George had explained to him the difference between a normal picture and wizard picture; the people in Muggle pictures didn't move).
He reached across and gently picked it up and studied the photo.
There were three teenage kids standing together; a raven haired boy who had a lightning scar on his forehead, a redheaded boy who had freckles splattered all over his face and a bushy-haired girl whose face showed intelligence and wit. The girl was standing in between the two boys, the lightning boy had his arm draped around her shoulder but the redhead had his arm securely wrapped around her waist. Lowering his gaze he read the caption. It read, "Harry, Ron and Hermione. Best friends for life."
***