A/N: I've gotten a lot of requests to continue with this story, so I'm going to try- if anybody's got ideas to make it better, tell me in a review!

Emotionless

Chapter 2

Ron stared hard at the letter he'd just gotten. He didn't want to open it, didn't want to get disappointed if it wasn't from who he wanted it to be from. It'd been several months after he'd written his father, and he'd practically given up hope. Ron looked up as Pig flapped around his room, then shook his head as to get rid of bad thoughts. He opened the letter and sighed.

Hello Ron,

It's Hermione… are you feeling better at all lately? I know you wanted to get a letter from your father… I hope he's written you. How is the job hunt going for you? I heard from Harry that Puddlemere United wanted you two for starting positions on their Quidditch team. I always knew you would be asked to be on a great team, Ron, and I think you should take the chance. You're a great Keeper, and I think Oliver Wood is on Puddlemere's team as well, perhaps you two could teach each other some things. Oh, I got a job at the Ministry in the Department of Care of Magical Creatures, and my boss says I'm an excellent worker. Well, I need to get back to work soon, but please write me back, I miss you.

Love, Hermione

Ron smiled for the first time that day as he read the letter from his girlfriend. After he finished it, he put it down and grabbed the slip of parchment with Puddlemere's request for him to join their team. Ron scribbled a few choice words quickly and re-rolled the parchment, giving it to Pig.

"Sorry for making you fly out again so soon," he said to his owl. Pigwidgeon hooted softly and nipped Ron's hand, then flew out the open window.

"Ron!" Mrs. Weasley called from downstairs. Ron poked his head out his door to see what she was on about.

"Would you bring Ginny's trunk downstairs for her? School starts up again tomorrow and I don't want her to forget anything, since it's her last year," said Mrs. Weasley.

Ginny appeared out of her room dragging her large black trunk and a bag full of books. "Please, big brother?"

Ron smiled at his sister, picked up her trunk, and went downstairs, Ginny following close behind. He passed family pictures on the walls by the stairs and looked at his family, all waving excitedly in the pictures… including his father. Only Arthur Weasley wasn't really there anymore…

By the time Ron reached the kitchen, he was in a relatively bad mood again and angry with his father. He thunked the trunk down by the front door and then fell into a chair. When his sister and mother gave him odd looks, he pasted a fake smile on his face and said,

"I think I'll go out to practice a little Quidditch," and grabbed his broom. He didn't want to mention his father, or the letter, because he knew that Mrs. Weasley and Ginny were still trying to accept that he was really gone and he didn't want to upset them. As Ron walked out the door, he almost smashed into Fred and George.

"Little brother!" Fred said, ruffling his hair.

"Getting ready for some Quidditch?" asked George. "By the way, where's Mum?"

"Inside," grumbled Ron. But he was happy at seeing his brothers; they hadn't been expected back from their 'business' trip in the United States until the next day.

The twins maneuvered around Ron and into the house, leaving Ron alone to his thoughts once again. As he shuffled his feet and walked onto the field by the Weasley house that served as a Quidditch pitch, he was nearly bowled over by a large barn owl. The owl hooted loudly until Ron took the parchment from its clutches, then it flew off quickly.

Ron's eyebrows went up in surprise as he looked at the familiar writing on the envelope. He fumbled with it, almost ripping apart the parchment inside.

Hello son,

It's your father… I'm replying to the letter that you sent me a while ago. I'm glad you're doing fine and that your brothers and sister are doing fine. How is your mother doing? I'm doing all right, I want to tell you where I am but I can't because of the chance my letter might be intercepted. You see, Ron, I have some very important information and papers that You-Know-Who wants, and I have to hide. I left because I didn't want to put my children and wife in any kind of danger… hopefully I will be able to find a way to destroy the information and come back home. If you think your mother is ready to read this letter, give it to her… and ask her to write me. I miss you, son, and tell Ginny, Fred, George, Percy, Bill, Charlie, and your mother that I love them and miss them.

Dad

Ron's mouth was wide open in shock as he read the letter. He wiped his eyes quickly, not wanting anyone anywhere to realize that he was crying. Although the letter was slightly stiff and formal at the beginning, Ron was glad that his dad was all right…

"MUM!!!!!" he hollered, dropped his broom, and ran to the house.