"You boys are in big trouble," were the first words out of their mother's mouth. She pointed to the stairs. "I don't appreciate your mischievous deceivings. For goodness sakes, Pirate Alley of all places! You're all grounded to your rooms for the day. Now, up to bed all of you. Yes, even you, Charlie." Fred and George opened their mouths.
"But we've got work today!"
"You can take the day off!" Mrs. Weasley's voice was starting to get a little unstable and her face was going the famous Weasley Red. The twins, recognizing these signs, shut their mouths and trudged upstairs. Ron went into his room, and Charlie, a little miffed at being grounded at his age, went up to be alone in Percy's old room.
Ron flopped onto his bed after shutting the door and cracking his bedroom window. A light dawn breeze wafted into his room and Ron felt himself dozing off.
When he awoke, his face was itching terribly. He rubbed his eyes, scratched his cheeks and was surprised to find them covered with hair. His heart did a little flip flop and he jumped up to look in the little cracked mirror above his chest of drawers. Ron laughed to see that he had a full beard. He didn't really like the look, but he was excited about it, nonetheless. He was a little curious about how it had grown so fast, but the thought escaped his mind when there was a knock at his door.
"Ronald, it's your mother." She opened the door and seeing her son, jumped a little. "Goodness, Ron. You gave me a start. I'm just not used to seeing you – Well, anyway I've brought you a little breakfast." She set the tray down nervously on the edge of his bed. "I've also just gotten an owl from Madam Pomphrey. She wants to know how you're doing and whether or not I feel it's safe to send you back to school yet or not." She sank down into a chair covered with clothes and hid her face in her hands. "Ronald, I don't know what to do! Look at you! How can I send you back to school looking like that?" Ron awkwardly patted his mother on the back.
"Mum, I feel fine. Fred and George seem to think it's something I've eaten. Maybe something got in my food by accident. It could have been Draco Malfoy for all I know. I swear, Mum he's out to get me." His mother huffed.
"No doubt it was Fred and George, and one of their ridiculous experiments!" Ron swallowed the sudden lump that appeared in his throat.
"Please, Mum. Just let me go back to school. I'll be fine. I feel much better. Madam Pomphrey was right. I was probably just a bit overwhelmed. I think I can handle things now." His mother eyed him, doubt written all over her face.
"I don't know, Ronald."
"Please, Mum! I want to go!" He couldn't believe he was pleading with his mother to let him go to school – back to homework and endless taunting from Draco and his cronies. But not for long, he thought smugly to himself. They'll sing a different tune when they've seen me. Mrs. Weasley heaved a huge sigh.
"All right, Ronald. All right. But your professors will be keeping a close eye on you." She shook a finger at him. "I don't want you to have another episode like before." Ron grinned.
"I won't, Mum. I promise."
Before he knew it, Ron was back on the train to Hogwarts, clean-shaven, with a crisp, freshly pressed white button-up shirt on. He'd had to borrow some of Charlie's clothes, being that his own shirts were getting rapidly too small. He had buttoned up one of his shirts, bent down to pick something up off the floor and a few buttons popped off from where his chest muscles had flexed. It was an exciting discovery, but not a good thing for his wardrobe.
Watching the blurred landscape in the window, butterflies flittered in his stomach. It was rather odd to be the only one on the train – well, besides the Treat Trolley Lady. She came by just then and offered him some sandwiches and candy. She gave him an odd look out of the corner of her eye. Ignoring it, and since Harry wasn't with him to order the lot of candy before him, he decided to be grown up and responsible and only ask for a sandwich and a chocolate frog.
Ron gazed out at the flashing scenery. He grinned through his sandwich. He couldn't WAIT to see the look on everyone's faces! He giggled, and quickly glanced around. Had he just giggled like a girl? He swallowed, cleared his throat, and pushed out a deep, resounding laugh. Hearing himself, he laughed again. What fun this was going to be!
Finishing his sandwich, he picked up the chocolate frog package and suddenly stopped. A sickening feeling filled him. Memories of the last time he ate a chocolate frog swirled in his mind. He swallowed. He was craving this chocolate, but was almost afraid... Trying not to think about it, he pulled the box open, grabbed the frog before it could jump away and shoved it in his mouth. He froze in fright remembering. What if this was the chocolate frog that was to bring death??!!! That trolley lady sure had a suspicious look about her. He nearly spat it out, but since it melted so deliciously in his mouth and he swallowed it without difficulty, he relaxed, shaking his head in disgust with himself. How could he let that old crony, Professor Trelawney, get to him?
Ron reached into the Chocolate Frog box and pulled out the collectible card. Ron frowned. Dumbledore again. The old wizard turned and looked right at him and Ron nearly dropped the card with shock. It looked as if the tiny eyes were staring right through him – as if they knew everything... Ron shivered and shoved the card in his pocket. Trying to forget about it, Ron settled back in his seat and slept fitfully for the rest of the trip.
Ron stepped out onto the platform of Hogsmede station, a lone horseless carriage waiting for him. He thought it odd that after a mental breakdown they were leaving him all to himself. Still, he got in and the carriage started with a jerk. Ron looked down at the thing clutched in his hand. Fred and George (no doubt feeling guilty) had let him borrow one of their Firebolts.
Now he stroked it absentmindedly. His stomach had butterflies again. Why was he so nervous? He laughed, suddenly remembering. He wasn't exactly going to be arriving the same way he left. What would everyone say? What would they think? Would Lydia still like him?
He looked at his reflection in the carriage window. He had taken great pains to shave right before the train arrived in Hogsmede. Even with the swaying of the train he had managed not to nick himself. It seemed his facial hair was getting a little out of control, but he'd keep a close eye on it. However, it was hardly the most important thing for his thoughts to be dwelling on at the moment.
Just then the carriage stopped and Ron trekked up to the castle, lugging the broomstick and his satchel filled with finished homework (his mum had insisted he get done before he went back). It was getting dark, the sky turning brilliant hues of the rainbow with the retreating sun leaving behind a cool midnight blue darkness.
Stomach topsy-turvy, Ron shoved open the door and stepped inside. The front hall was quiet, a rush of voices sounding from the great hall. It was obviously supper time. Ron took his satchel and Firebolt upstairs and freshened up by combing his hair and brushing his teeth. He caught his reflection in the mirror and grinned at himself. He was one handsome devil.
Most of his nervousness gone, Ron walked with a confidence he had never known as his old self. He was on top of the world and nothing was going to knock him down. He reached the open doors of the great hall, threw back his head, stuck out his chest, and strode inside.
The chatter instantly stopped as they watched this unfamiliar redhead move down the center of the room. More than one girl giggled, or blushed, eyeing the good looking, much older-looking guy, including Hermione who wondered Where did HE come from? Harry narrowed his eyes. The boy looked familiar... or was he a man? He looked about twenty and Harry wondered what he could be doing at Hogwarts. Ginny stared at Ron, unaware it was her brother, but very curious who he was because this guy was gorgeous! (The last owl she had gotten from her Mum about Ron was that he was doing better and relaxing well and that was three days ago.) Even Draco couldn't help being curious. He eyed Ron wondering if he was going to be new competition, especially since this guy had some years on him.
Ron sauntered right up to the head table and bowed a little to the Headmaster. Whispers broke out over the hall. Ron's deep, sexy voice echoed pleasantly through the room.
"Reporting back for classes, Headmaster Dumbledore, sir." Dumbledore looked down at Ron over his spectacles and was silent for a long moment. There was a twinkle in his eye and Ron seriously wondered if the man really did know...
"I beg your pardon?" Dumbledore asked softly. "Do I know you?" Ron deflated a little. Of course he didn't recognize him. It was apparent no one did.
"It's me, Professor. Ronald Weasley."
Ginny jumped from her seat in shock. "RON??!!!" Her face was red from embarrassment. It's a good thing she hadn't leaned over to tell Lydia what a gorgeous guy her BROTHER was!!!
Lydia herself was slightly flushed. Harry stared at the back of Ron's head. There was no way... Harry felt the blood drain from his face. That handsome guy was his friend Ron? What had happened to him? Draco had no words of insults for once. He was choking on something and Crabbe and Goyle were pounding his back to try and revive him. Hermione gasped, having a hard time breathing. Had she just thought Ron was extremely attractive?? She felt she was going to be sick.
Ron spun around to look at his sister. His cute chiseled face had a quizzical look on it.
"Ginny? Didn't Mum tell you?"
"No," she squeaked. "Tell me what?" Ron scanned the hundreds of staring eyes.
"Uh – I'll tell you later. In the meantime, I think I'm going to bed. Uh – goodnight all."
Ron walked out of the great hall at a great speed. He had imagined all sorts of reactions, but he hadn't quite imagined this. He glanced at Harry as he passed and the boy stared at Ron, unbelieving, and almost looking betrayed – Not the look of jealous rage Ron had secretly been hoping for.
Ron walked faster, trying to sort things out in his head. His sister had looked so upset. Hermione's face had been purple and Lydia – beautiful Lydia had looked embarrassed and refused to even look at him! Just then Ron heard a noise behind him. He looked back and could see his sister hot on his trail – along with half the girls from school! There were a few guys too, no doubt curious.
Suddenly panicking, Ron ran up the steps as fast as he could, raced down the hall and stopped, panting, in front of the painting of the Fat Lady.
"Pickle juice lollipops," he breathed.
"Why, who are you, sir?" the Fat Lady cooed flirtily. "I don't think I've ever seen a student as handsome or as er... old as you are. Are you sure you've come to the right place or did you just come to see me?" She batted her eyelashes at him.
"Just let me in!" he shouted, hearing the crowd come up the stairs.
The Fat Lady pouted. "Well, you don't have to be so rude." She swung open with a huffy swish.
Ron dove into the common room, pulled the painting shut behind him, and then dragged a sofa in front of the doorway. He dashed up to his room and slammed the door. Ron flopped down on his bed and covered his head with a pillow.
What a nightmare! He hadn't expected to be chased by a mob. He heard the shouting at the sofa and moaned. He really hadn't thought out how he was to explain all this. He thought everyone would just be impressed he was so darn good-looking and leave it at that. Ron removed the pillow from his face hearing someone at the door. His sister stood, face red and looking a mix between painfully hurt and slightly angry.
"Hi," he said, sitting up.
"Hi," Ginny whispered, chin trembling. Ron frowned.
"Oh, please, Ginny. Don't start crying. It'll be Mum all over again, and I don't need that right now."
"Why didn't you tell me?" she said, putting up a brave fight against the threatening tears.
Ron shrugged. "I was a little distracted with my new predicament."
"What happened?" she asked, walking further into the room. "It was Fred and George, wasn't it?" Ron shrugged again.
"Indirectly, I think. I actually ate one of their top-secret projects, and didn't tell them. I'm pretty sure they suspect though. They were treating me really nice the whole time I was home. Charlie says to tell you 'Hi' and he misses you, by the way."
Ginny smiled a little. "Charlie was home?"
Ron smiled back. "Yeah."
"Well, what did you eat?"
"A chocolate frog."
"And what happened?"
"I woke up three days later and looked like this. So, it wasn't on purpose or anything if that's what you or anyone else is thinking. I've actually been enjoying it, to tell you the truth." He stuck his chin out, prepared to defend his good looks, but he needn't have feared. Ginny grinned at him, watery eyes sparkling.
"I don't blame you. You look good."
"Thanks." The two were silent for a minute, the noise in the common room increasing.
"So what do I do now?" Ron wondered aloud. Ginny shrugged.
"You go out there and take it like a man. For goodness sakes, Ron, since when have you had so much attention? Isn't that what you were always whining about before? Did you know that a dozen girls kept asking me if you had a girlfriend?" Ron chuckled a bit.
"Really?" He sobered instantly. "How's Lydia?"
"She's fine. Confused, but fine. You might want to talk to her after the mobs have calmed down. In the mean time Hermione and Harry are outside. They want to talk to you." Ron stared at his sister.
"Harry wants to talk to me?"
"Yes. And Hermione."
"I thought Harry hated my guts." Ginny shook her head in disgust at her older brother.
"Don't be ridiculous. It was you that hated him, from what I remember. Should I let them come in?"
"Yeah, okay." Ron got up from his bed and straightened his clothes. Ginny went to fetch their friends. "Hey, Ginny?" he stopped her before she went out.
"Yeah?" she turned. Ron strode up to her on an impulse and embraced her. She stood stiffly, a little surprised. Ron had never been the huggy type of brother. But realizing he meant it, she hugged him back hard.
"Thanks, little sis. I'm sorry I didn't tell you first." She grinned up at him and stepping away she punched his arm.
"Ow!" she rubbed her knuckles, pouting. "Since when was there a muscle there?"
Ron grinned. "Shut up!"
Mwahahahahahahahaaaaaa...... If you want an update you must review!!!.... Well, I'll write it anyway, but it's so much more encouraging when you review! THANK YOU to all for your reviews so far! YOU ARE SO SPIFFY! I'll have another chapter up in a JIFFY! (hee hee...a rhyme. Special is me.)