Disclaimer- I don't own HP.
Ron walked on the outskirts of Marcula, the small wizarding village Charlie had worked in. Ron saw a scorched sign up ahead of him reading "Beware of Dragons!!!" Laughing Ron saw a small store up ahead just what he was looking for. The place Charlie had worked at. Ron took a deep breath and walked up to the building. Ron opened the wooden door to find a quite peculiar inside. Jars of a white powder were found on some shelves, long swords on another. They were labeled "Garneed Swords," a large steel mask hung from the ceiling; it looked much like a dog mask but bigger. There were also big yellow cases lying on the floor labeled "Nacious gas," and more reading "Fireproof gas," and such.
Ron picked up the sword, examining it. It didn't look that special really, it was just very smooth and sharp.
"I'd watch out fer' tha' if I was you," a voice from behind him said. Ron turned to look at the man. "Those things er covered 'n Concupus Poison. Once they git inside ur, ur dead in lessen a minute. Don' use em tha offen, just once en er while, when de dragons er gonna die neways. It's a bit more peaceful way ter end ther passings."
Ron glanced back at the sword; somewhat fearfully and quickly put it back. "Hi, I'm Jack Spears," Ron said. Thinking that sticking with a fake identity would be best.
"Oh, sorry…Grandyliff, I run de store here at Firetrap. Another Englishman I see. There's been a lot of ur comin down ere lately."
"That is strange. I've just come down here on vacation to visit some relatives, thought I'd check in on some dragon businesses. I find them quite interesting. But about these other Englishmen do you know much about them?" Ron said, trying to hide his curiosity by focusing his attention on a jar of white powder.
"Not really. Don't talk much em fellers. Mostley stay dressed n black, hide ther faces. Those fellers bin poking round ere though, in fact," Grandyliff leaned in to Ron who was now looking at him avidly. Grandyliff glanced around and said softly "Few weeks ago, one a our fellers ere went missin. People bin sayin tha one of em dragons let out an old huffer at em. But I knowed dis ere feller. He was from England emself, and boy could er handle dem dragons. Betteren any feller I'd ere seen, and I been in dis business fer a while. No e's not dead, not good ol Charlie boy. They took em somewhere, I just knows it. Dem sneaky English fellers," At this Grandyliff looked at him meaningfully; it seemed that all he wanted was his "good ol Charlie boy" back.
Ron felt a surge of sympathy, as he looked at the helpless man in front of him. This man had known his brother, and had cared for him. He remembered Charlie talking about Grandyliff awhile back. He kinda reminded Ron of Hagrid. Although not as big, he had the same burly build, although Grandyliff had a weird kind of accent to his voice
Ron boldy went ahead "Do you suppose they're dark wizards?"
Grandyliff looked at him sharply, "You don't think…no…they couldn be. You know Os' ne'er seen round dees parts,"
"Yes, but like you said, this guy was English," Ron said, pressing Grandyliff father.
"Ya, but why'd they wanna come down er anyway?"
"Well, you've got something. You've got dragons. And a trainer who can control them, herds of them."
At this point Grandyliff fell apart "Well I swear it those damn bloody, snoddin', Englishman stole mi Charlie and er trying to sue em ter help their damn evil side, Den I swear I'll kill every bloody one a them crazy murderous loons!!!" Grandyliff screamed, his face contorted in anger, and his fists clenched in rage.
At first Ron was shocked by this outburst, it had been so sudden. But then he grinned, He'd pulled another member onto their side, it was obvious that Charlie had trusted this man, so Ron figured it was safe to push him just a little bit farther.
"Good." Ron said, "My name is actually Ron Weasly. I'm Charlie's brother, when I heard about his disappearance I decided to come and investigate. He wrote me some letters about things getting a little suspicious. So…It's my first mission in the Order of the Phoniex- a group of people working with Dumbledore to fight against Voldemort and his followers. I know a few people here but none in the dragon business. I talked to Tonks, who's been living with Charlie, and she said you might be able to help. So…will you help me?" Ron asked hoping that this had worked, if not he'd just blown his cover and was surely dead.
Grandyliff was simply staring at him in shock.
Harry glanced at Hermione who was across the room working with Luna on a Charm. Looking at her it still shocked him, how she felt about Ron. He wondered if, over time she could learn to love him. Ron wasn't coming back, he knew that, she knew that. He gazed at her thoughtfully, how could he go about winning her? Looking down he noticed his pen drawing a little heart on his paper, scowling, he muttered a little spell to erase it. Glancing back at her he smiled, and watched as she perfectly turned her dinner spoon, into a beautiful golden sunflower. He watched her closely, and could see a tears forming in her eyes, quickly she wiped them away.
Hermione looked at the flower in front of her, Ron had always given her sunflowers. They were kind of big, and awkward plants, but still…they somehow had a homey feeling about them. Slowly, she began to pick the petals off her sunflower, thinking he's safe, he's not safe, he's safe, he's not safe. When Hermione was only half way through the flower the bell, rang, leaving the half ruined flower on her table, she shoved her books in her bag and headed for the door.
"Hey," Harry ran up next to her.
"Oh, Hi Harry," Hermione said, putting on a smile.
"Are you ok? I mean, you still seem a little…out…" Harry said, trying not to start her going on an emotional breakdown again, "Is there anything I can do to help?"
Hermione sighed, "No, its ok Harry. There's not really anything that can be done. I mean, Ron's just gone, you know? I guess I'm just going to have to get used to the emptiness for now, and hope that later, I can…fill it I guess," Hermione said, hoping that Ron would come back, that Ron would be able to fill that place.
"Oh." Harry said, not really knowing what to say. Later….later she had said, someone might be able to fill her life again. Harry had a chance. Although it was later, it didn't matter, what mattered was that he had a chance to be with Hermione. They had a chance together…later. Oh, if only he knew when that later would be. If only that later was now. Then he would have his arm around Hermione's waste, and be walking her through the halls, letting her lean on his shoulder, telling her stories about quidditch, and whispering in her ear. Talking about their future together…their future…later…someday, Hermione could be his.