Chapter 9

The sun crept over the top of the Rocky Mountains spilling light onto slumbering land. Sitting on a fallen tree, Ron watched the rock facings glow gold as dawn swept away the night.

Another beautiful sunrise.

Shifting his gaze down the sharp rock facings into the pine forests and then the meadows he smiled. Each day brought something new for him. He'd seen things other people would have to wait years to see. Finding a place as pristine as this spot was a treasure he'd love to share with his family. Too bad he couldn't with anyone but Miss Nothing.

A herd of deer fanned out to graze as the earth warmed. Birds, fully rested, gathered in the skies creating arrows pointing south. A black bear ambled into a grove of old pine trees, two nearly grown cubs at her heels. It felt wild, but serene here. He'd have to remember this spot. He hoped he would, but he was worried he wouldn't. Losing the memory of who he was and ending up like Miss Nothing wasn't something he wanted. He liked being Ron.

She didn't say it, but occasionally Ron got the feeling that she envied him. He still knew who he was. Visiting Bill had been nice, but it would've been better if he could've spoken with his older brother. The same was true when they'd stopped in to see Charlie too. Miss Nothing had admired the dragons, but hadn't wanted to stay long. They'd dashed off an hour after they'd arrived, leaving Ron wondering why? She'd seemed to have wanted to explore a little of the area. He didn't understand her.

"Miss Nothing, I was thin..." His voice trailed off. Ron was alone. She must've wandered off, he thought feeling a little concerned. Hopping off the log, he headed into the forest. Hopefully she'd just followed a squirrel to its tree. If he couldn't find her...he shuddered mentally. He didn't want to be alone. He'd had enough of that and as long as she was with him it stayed away.

Steadying himself he closed his eyes and thought of her. This had to work; it was the only thing he could think of to do. His surroundings changed and he found himself hovering above a ravine. A few spindly trees were trying to grow in this harsh place, but they were barely making it. She was sitting on a tiny ledge staring down at the river below.

Feeling relieved, Ron glided over towards her. As he approached he could hear her singing. He didn't realize she could sing; all he'd ever heard her do was talk or laugh. This wasn't the voice she used to laugh with though. This was soft and tender, beckoning him to listen.

"Can we ease the pain of those who love?
The force of Life goes on
Can we know the cost all this sorrow?
Tears of loneliness
Can we catch the tears of a broken world?
Falling down upon the Earth,
Falling down."

Entranced by the gentle, heart aching melody Ron sat in the air listening.

"Can we hear the voice of those that cry?
With an open heart
Can we see through this haze that blinds us?
Love will guide the way
Can we catch the tears of a broken world?
Falling down upon the Earth,
Falling down."

"That was beautiful," Ron said, startling her. Turning she saw him and quickly rubbed her eyes. She'd been crying, but he hadn't heard it in her voice. "Where'd you learn it?"

"I don't remember. I've always sung it, especially when I'm here," she replied obviously feeling a bit embarrassed. Standing abruptly, she straightened her skirt and walked over to him.

"You come here often?" He asked tilting his head slightly. She nodded and Ron wondered why. The view was amazing, but there were places in the area with more scenery.

"It's like Hogwarts." She replied, gazing down at the rushing water below them. "I'm drawn here for some reason. I must have started coming here when I still knew of being Something and have continued ever since." Her voice held a sad note. Ron wondered what had happened here. Why would she come back to this place? A breeze tugged at the sparse vegetation as the silence between them grew. Miss Nothing looked away for a moment, gazing back at the ravine. It wasn't fast enough; Ron saw her face twist as confusion and sadness clutched at her. She doesn't know why she's sad or why she comes here. It must kill her not to know.

"Why don't we go somewhere else? I've never seen the Great Wall of China, shall we go?" He suggested after a time.

"Sure." She brightened and smiled. "We can do all sorts of things there. Jump off the wall, have mock battles, wave at the tourists."

"Sounds like what we did in Paris," Ron said. Miss Nothing shrugged.

"Except we'll have a new location. Besides, you wanted to go." Ron sighed; he did want to see the Great Wall. Taking up her hand they headed off to their new destination.