// Disclaimer: I don't own anything. JK is the Wizard Queen. It rimed...

// Author's note: I'm really, really sorry right now for making you wait all this time. I know I said it would be ready a month ago but although I knew what I was going to write I just didn't have time. Some other thing that I just have to explain is that I forgot to put "1997" in the beginning of the Prologue (I have already changed it now), so the chapters after that are Ron's memories of the summer after book five. I hope you all understand now. Have a nice read.

// Summary : As the war doesn't seem to be anywhere near it's end, hope has long been lost, and Ron thinks back at the only memories that can keep him going. (7th fic) (OotP Spoilers)

Something to keep us going

By Wine

Grimmald Place

My eyes slid open just a moment before the sun finally appeared in the sky. Dad had arranged a car that would fit us all, something called "van" or something like that. We have had to leave early that day since we were the ones supposed to be there when the others arrived.

I suddenly felt the car stop and fully realized why I had woken up. We had arrived.

The house seemed much more old and scary now. The silence of the morning fitted the mood perfectly. There really wasn't much to talk about. Sirius was dead. And we were invading his house. Or at least that was what it seemed.

I got my trunk and passed through the hallway observing what before had seemed strange and at that moment looked just like paintings on the wall watching me closely. While passing in front of a huge opening in the wall was that I realized that was where Mrs. Black was supposed to be.

'They must have found a way to get her out of there' I thought to myself. It was a good thing at least. Even the curtains that seemed nowhere to be found would have brought to many painful memories.

Going up the staircase and entering what was meant to be my room I finally realized how tired I really was. Deciding to rest a little before anyone else arrived I went straight to bed and slept soundly.

…

What seemed like hours after I heard a strange nose coming from my right side. Still a little groggy from sleep I just turned my head to the left hoping it would stop. It didn't.

A lot grumpier now I turned again opening my eyes slowly to see what the hell was that noise about….

"FRED! GEORGE! WHAT THE HELL IS THIS THING ON MY BED! I HOPE YOU JUST HAVE AN EXTREMELY GOOD EXCUSE 'CAUSE I REALLY HADN'T WOKEN UP ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE BED YOU DAMN CLOWNS!!!" I yelled jumping out of the bed and crawling to the corner as far as I could. I was just furious and my heart was beating to fast for my on good. 'How dare them in times like these pull a horrible, spooky and absolutely scary prank like this one!' I tried to yell once more but I could feel my voice falling me.

"This is outrageous, a..a..aa…"

"An alarm spider to be specific, Ron" George said apparating right in front of me. "It usually starts when it senses someone near it" The git was laughing! What a nerve!

"Just something to lighten the mood dear bother" said Fred not a second after.

"Lighten?! Lighten?! You two almost gave me a heart attack!! I will show you how to lighten the mood, you slime…"

"Calm down, Ron" I couldn't believe Fred was laughing too while holding me by the hem of my shirt. "Mum just told us to wake you up and tell that lunch is ready and that Harry will be arriving shortly after."

I could feel the tone sobering. Every time Harry was on topic it turned out to be like this. It was just a mixture of sadness, fear and even pity. Sadness from the moments we have passed. Fear for what they might become. And pity for what was happening, especially to him, at that moment.

"OK" I mumbled after he let go of me "I will go down in a minute"

"Don't make mum wait too long or she might have a fit and send the rest of the house looking for you. She's been a bit to emotional" George said and both of them disapparated at once.

I changed clothes quickly and went down to lunch. It had been a while since I'd last eaten so I was kind of hungry.

We ate mostly in silence, with a little comment from the twins now and then. It wasn't that funny but it helped to remember how meals used to be, with loud cracks and mum talking all the time.

One hour or so passed after lunch and Harry finally arrived.

He looked older, especially walking slowly as he was at that moment. His eyes were darker than usual and his hair was just a completely mess. More than the normal mess.

I stared at him waiting for some kind of reaction. But none came.

He just stumbled a little and walked in the direction of the staircase. He paused only once, staring longly at the opening in the wall as if sensing he had lost the last link to Sirius that he had in this house. He went straight to the bedroom after that. And locked himself.

It was really surreal how much the mood changed after that. Everybody started speaking in lower tones and my father just left saying he had some business with the Order to take care of. It was just so unlike him to leave like that that I simply looked fiercely towards the closing door as if it wasn't happening. There is a lot of things I wish wasn't happening.

I sat there, on the floor, and began wondering about lots of things that I had already thought before and kept thinking even after that. I thought about my life before Hogwarts. My days at school and this summer. It was then that I fully realized how much everything had changed.

Still in my little reverie I didn't listen to my Mum's call until the third time.

"Ron, get the door!" She yelled from the kitchen.

And just after I had stood up wondering who could it be my thoughts stooped for a moment and my unspoken question was answered.

It was Hermione.

// Author's note: I didn't plan on stopping the fic at this point. It's just that if I didn't I might had killed the mood of the next chapter. It just won't take as long to update. I hoped you all enjoyed this chapter and review with you want. Ahh, and just one more thing: for those who are wondering, the romance starts next chapter.