Chapter Two- Keep Your Enemies Closer
Ron sat back after finishing a large meal and looked around at his family. His mother, father and Bill sat at the head of the table quietly discussing business involving the Order of the Phoenix. The twins and Ginny were excitedly talking about the possibility of Harry being able to rejoin the Quidditch team again now that Professor Umbridge was no longer in charge at Hogwarts. Ron also thought about the missing family members not present at the dinner table. Charlie was still working with the dragons in Romania. Percy had not yet spoken to the family even in light of the fact that the Ministry now recognizes that You-Know-Who is back in power. His mum keeps assuring everyone that Percy is just embarrassed about the things he said about Harry and that he will come around eventually.
It felt good to be back at the Burrow after the events that took place last year. Although things appeared to be back to normal, there was an overall apprehension about what You-Know -Who would do next. Ron's parents and Bill had begun taking turns being on duty for the order so that there was always an adult home with the children. After nearly losing her two youngest, Mrs. Weasley had insisted that they return to the Burrow instead of going back to Number 12 Grimmauld Place because they were too young to be involved with the order yet.
That suited Ron just fine. He had experienced a lot during his fifth year at Hogwarts and after what happened at the Department of Mysteries, Ron wasn't sure he would be able to do much to help the order anyway. He glanced down at his own arms. He had felt so foolish about what had happened. He knew now that he was under a curse from one of the death eaters, but he felt that he should have had little more common sense than to mess with something he knew nothing about. There were faint scars from where he was attacked by the brain's tentacles. Madame Pomfrey was confident that the scars would fade completely if he continued to use the healing balm that she gave him.
The twins had moved onto the topic of opening their joke shop in Diagon Alley. Everyone was really excited by them owning their own business, and were discussing all the products they should sell. The family had just finished clearing the table after the meal when they heard someone tumble out of the fireplace. Turning around they all could see that Dumbledore has just used the floo network to arrive in their kitchen.
"Why, Professor Dumbledore, what do we owe this surprise… has something happened?" Mrs. Weasley asks tentatively while drying her hands on a kitchen towel. Her face was a mixture of emotions. She was trying to be pleasant, but Ron could tell that she dreaded hearing anymore bad news.
"I apologize for my rude entrance, but I have something of the utmost importance to discuss with you," he replied. "Please, sit down." The family all sat down around the table once again, wondering what he would say next.
"Is it Harry? Is he alright? I haven't heard from him yet," Ron cried frantically. He had been so worried for his best friend since Sirius died. Harry had already been through so much, and he knew that this tragic loss could shatter Harry completely. He also knew that Harry's life was perpetually in danger, which is why he was placed at the Dursleys again. Apparently he would remain safe from the death eaters as long as he lived with his Aunt Petuina.
"No, Ron. I believe that Harry is just fine. However, I do come to you in regards to another student. As you may know several prisoners have managed to escape from Azkaban." They all nodded grimly. It had been all over the papers. "One of your peers has come forward seeking sanctuary from his father. He has provided the order with some valuable information to prove his loyalty to the light. By doing so he has put his life in great jeopardy. He insists that he does not want to become a death eater and that he now fears for his life. His father was one of the escapees, and he tried to forcibly take him away."
"Who is it?" the twins asked in unison.
"Draco Malfoy," replied Dumbledore.
"WHAT! You have got to be kidding me? This is just some evil scheme for Draco to spy on the order for his father. You don't actually believe..."
"RON! Do not speak to Professor Dumbledore that way!" Mrs. Weasley shouted.
"But mum.."
"Ron… I assure you that Draco is telling the truth. He was severely beaten before he was able to escape from his father using an emergency portkey that his godfather had given him," Dumbledore replied carefully.
"Professor…what is it that you are asking us?" Mrs. Weasley asked.
"Molly, as you know Severus, Draco's godfather, is unable to take Draco in right now for obvious reasons. There is no one to look after him at Hogwarts and I feel that it is inappropriate to house him at the order's headquarters. I was hoping that you and Arthur could find it in your hearts to take him in temporarily. You are the only one I can ask that is affiliated with the order and understands the danger of housing him. Oh, and I have already taken the liberty of placing some wards around your home in the chance that you would agree." Dumbledore had that twinkle in his eye again. He was quite manipulative and knew how to make someone agree to something before they even thought about it enough.
"Molly, it will be only for a couple of months. We can manage it," Mr. Weasley said looking at his wife trying to read her expression.
"I suppose so…," Mrs. Weasley said thoughtfully.
"Mum, NO! You can't!" Ron said desperately. Fred, George, and Ginny nodded in agreement.
"Ron, you do not have a choice in the matter. Alright, Albus. When will he be here?" asked Mrs. Weasley sighing deeply.
"He is currently at Hogwarts being healed by Madame Pomfrey. He will arrive by the floo network once I return and inform him of his new living situation. I suspect that he will not be happy about this matter either," Dumbledore said looking at Ron knowingly. He glanced to Mr. and Mrs. Weasley and said, "Thank you both for your kindness." He turned away and looked as if he were about to floo back to Hogwarts.
"Wait! Professor Dumbledore! This isn't fair! Harry needs us a lot more now than Draco does. You said there were wards around the house now. Can't Harry come here too? He will be a lot safer here where we can all keep an eye on him. Please, mum?" Ron looked over at his mother pleading his case.
"We would love to have him, professor," Mrs. Weasley replied.
Professor Dumbledore looked at the floor and stroked his beard thoughtfully. Ron looked at his headmaster expectantly. After much deliberation, he looked up and said, "Alright. Yes, I suppose it would do Harry some good to be near his friends. I only ask that you wait a few weeks to allow Draco to get settled in. I hate to see this situation escalate any further. I trust that you will contact him and bring him here safely?"
"Yes!" all the children exclaimed giving each other high fives.
"Of course, Albus," Mr. Weasley replied shaking his head at his children for their silliness. Dumbledore nodded and smiled. He grabbed a handful of floo powder from atop the mantle and made his departure.
"Well, now that we will be having a house guest we should clean this place up. Come along now, help me tidy up!" Mrs. Weasley said. Everyone groaned, but helped out anyway. Ron suspected that they all wanted to make a good impression after all the hateful comments that Draco had made about them being poor. Cleaning up wasn't going to change that fact, but it felt good to do something while waiting around for the inevitable to happen. They set about dusting off the furniture and wiping each surface. Ron's father and his brother Bill regrettably had to leave before meeting Draco because they both were on duty for the order.
About an hour later, Draco was found falling out of the fireplace and into the kitchen. He collapsed over his trunk, but quickly righted himself and began to brush the soot of his clothing. Looking up, he realized that the Weasley family was looking at him apprehensively.
"Hello, thank you for taking me in," Draco replied timidly, looking back down to the floor. His response sounded rehearsed to Ron, and he seemed so shy and unsure of himself. His blond hair, which was normally plastered back, was now hanging down in front of his face. There was some faint bruising on his face that appeared to have been healed magically. Ron wasn't sure what to make of Draco. He had never seen him looking so distraught, and he wasn't sure how to relate to this boy who had become their house guest.
"No problem, dear. We are glad to have you," Mrs. Weasley replied sweetly. She came around and gave him a small hug. Draco noticeably stiffened and looked uncomfortable with the gesture. Much like Harry used to.
Ron stared at him curiously. He wasn't sure if he was ready for the daily bickering that was bound to occur with Draco living at the Burrow. He wondered if the boy really had changed. He seemed so different from how he was at Hogwarts. He almost pitied the boy for what he must have gone through. Almost.
"Now you all listen. I am well aware of your dislike for one another at Hogwarts. I assure you, I will not tolerate that kind of behavior while you are under my roof. Is that understood? You do not want to find out what happens if I catch any of you fighting. Everyone has a fresh chance to build some new friendships. I hope you take advantage of it."
Ron rolled his eyes. He was not going to become buddy buddy with his enemy.
"Ron, help Draco to get settled in your room," Mrs. Weasley said.
"WHAT! Why does he have to stay in my room?" Ron was flabbergasted. He had never been informed that Draco would be bunking with him.
"Because I said so. Now help him get settled," she said more firmly.
Ron mumbled some incomprehensible and probably inappropriate words as he grabbed one end of Draco's trunk. "Come on!"
Draco picked up the other end and followed Ron. He led Draco up the many flights of steps until he reached his bedroom. He opened the door to reveal a small orange room with two beds. Posters of his favorite Quidditch team, the Chudley Canons, covered most of the room.
"This is my bedroom. Don't mind the noises, there is a ghoul that lives in the attic that likes to clank on the pipes whenever it gets too quiet. You will sleep on that bed over there," Ron said pointing to the bed on the left hand side. "Well, for the time being at least. When Harry gets here, you will have to move."
Ron could tell that Draco was irritated. Probably from the fact that he had to come here in the first place, and the fact Ron insinuated that Harry, Draco's enemy, was soon to replace him. Away from the rest of the family, Draco's cool, confident exterior was starting to exhibit itself once again.
Draco placed his trunk at the foot of the guest bed and turned to face Ron. "Pretty shabby, eh Weasley? But I guess it's the best you can do," said Draco. The smirk that Ron had grown to hate had already been plastered on the blonde's face. He hated to be reminded about what little the Weasleys had.
"Shut up, Malfoy. You don't even have a home anymore because your father is a death eater," Ron replied angrily. Things had not started off very well. Fred and George had just begun to enter the room when the fight began to escalate.
"DON'T TALK TO ME LIKE YOU KNOW ME, WEASEL!" Draco's face was beginning to flush with anger.
"AT LEAST I AM NOT A BOUNCING FERRET!"
And with that Draco and Ron lunged at each other. They ended up on the floor punching, kicking, and pulling at one another with all of their might.
"Hey, break it up!" Fred said grabbing Ron away from Draco.
"Yeah, mum will be furious if she catches wind that you two are already at one another. Do you really want two weeks worth of chores?" George yelled grabbing Draco.
"No," they both replied. Each boy went to go sit on their respective beds looking a little disheveled. Draco rolled onto his side and faced the wall sulking. Ron plopped down on his bed and grabbed a parchment and a quill. He began to compose a letter to his best friend.
Dear Harry,
Guess what? Dumbledore said you can come stay at the Burrow in a few weeks. He has placed some wards around the house because of a special "guest" we are housing. I will explain more later when I have some more time. You will never guess who it is!
I hope that you are okay and that your relatives are treating you decently. If they aren't let me know and we can send the werewolf over there to keep them in line. Also, let me know if you get hungry. We can send you a food package in no time at all.
Sincerely,
Ron
Ron was unsure if he should say anything about how Harry was coping with Sirius's death. He figured that Harry didn't need to be reminded of it right now. He walked over to Hedwig, who was asleep on her perch next to Pig. Harry had left the snowy owl with Ron this summer because he knew that his uncle could not handle another summer with that "bloody bird."
"Here girl, take this to Harry," Ron told her softly. Hedwig gave Ron an affectionate nip and flew out the window.
He would wait to write Hermione later about the situation when he had a little more privacy. Ron grabbed a book to study and began to walk out of the room to go downstairs. If he didn't know better, he could swear he heard Draco let out a small sob as he left the room.