(A/N Harry Potter and Co., do not belong to me. Ok, I know I told you I was finished with this story. I discovered a couple of days after the last chapter was out, however, that I had forgotten to include a piece of the endstory. I couldn't resist adding it, so, here it is. ^-^)

Harry Potter and the Staff of Time

Epilogue

It was a quiet summer day at the Weasley household, when Ron recieved a gift which could change his life.

The majority of the Weasley family were occupied with various household chores. Ron and the twins had drawn the dubious honor of de-gnoming the garden.

Ron paused after removing a particularly nasty family of garden gnomes. He wiped beads of sweat off his brow and wondered when he'd be able to join Harry and Hermione at Savana's estate.

"...then I can enjoy myself and have some fun, instead of doing all of these chores! I hope she sends for me, soon!"

Ron was about to begin working again when Errol, their old owl, crashed down next to Ron. Errol looked at Ron expectantly. Ron untied a small package from Errol's leg.

"Who could be sending me a package?" He wondered.

Ron carefully unwrapped the package and Errol flew off to get some well earned rest.

Inside of the wrapping was a darkly tinted plastic case, with air holes and a removable lid. Ron noticed a letter addressed to him underneath and debated which one to open first.

Curiosity got the better of him and Ron carefully lifted the lid off of the container. He peeked inside, then quickly slammed the lid back in place and screamed!

Moments later, the entire Weasley family surrounded Ron.

"What happened?! That shout was enough to raise the dead from their graves!" Fred asked after he had jogged over.

"Yeah!" Agreed George. "On the bright side, however, the garden gnomes just went running for the hills!"

Ron mutely pointed to the container sitting innocently atop the letter on the ground.

Ginny carefully opened the container and looked inside.

"Aw-w-w-w...did my big brother scare you?" She asked as she gently reached into the box and removed its occupant.

Fred and George grinned when they saw the large, furry spider which Ginny held in her cupped hand. Ron simply turned a shade whiter and remained frozen where he sat.

"Whoa! He's amazing! Who sent him to you?" Fred said as he tried to take the spider from his sister.

"Someone who wants to be Ron's enemy for life, I'll wager." George chuckled as he retrieved the letter. "Let's find out who sent it."

"George! That letter was meant for Ron, not you, or any of us! Give the letter to Ron, now!" Mrs. Weasly scolded her son.

George reluctantly handed the letter back to Ron.

Ron tenatively opened the letter and read its contents.

Ron, This is Igore. He is a dear friend of mine, whom I will be unable

to take care of for quite awhile. I was hopeing you would care

for him in my absence.

This in not a prank. I am aware of your feelings concerning spiders.

I had similar feelings for arachnids before I made Igore's aquaintence,

which is why I sent him to you. It is my hope that Igore will help you,

as he has helped me.

Igore is from the desert in the Southwestern United States. So, he

likes a warm, dry, sandy environment. He also likes a dark, cave-like

hidey-hole where he can relax when he wants to be alone...

The letter went on to explain what Igore liked to eat; how often to feed him; etc. It was signed: Sir A of the Quest.

"Alex?!" Ron thought.

"Well, who sent it to you?" Ron's father interupted his thoughts.

Ron quickly thought up a cover story. After all, it wouldn't do to let his family know that Alex was still alive...not just yet, anyway.

"Savana Walker. She said Igore, that's the spider's name, wasn't getting along with Orion and Mariah. She thought he might be happier with me..."

"Where would she get an idea like that?! Doesn't she know how you feel about spiders?" Mrs. Weasley asked.

"It's not exactly something I advertise, mum!" Ron grumbled.

Ron folded the letter and put it in his pocket. Then he looked at Igore, who now sat in Mr. Weasley's hand.

The spider was covered in black fur with red stripes. It more closely resembled a fuzzy toy than the large, venomous arachnid it actually was. It made no aggressive moves, however, and Alex had said Igore wouldn't bite unless he was frightened. Ron relaxed a bit.

The tarantula studied Ron with its multiple black eyes. Then he tenatively moved the furry feelers near his mouth in a waving motion.

"If you don't want Igore, I'll be happy to take him." Ginny volunteered.

"No, Savana sent him to me!" Ron told his sister.

"Alex sent you to help me, like you helped him." Ron thought as he timidly extended a curious finger toward Igore's back. Ron's terror of arachnids disapated a bit with that first contact. Igore remained respectfully motionless and non-threatening.

"That wasn't so bad...perhaps Alex's idea has some merit to it...only time will tell." Ron thought as he studied Igore once again.

Igore waved his front legs and feelers in a comical fashion. He sensed Ron had accepted him and he had a new home.