The Music of the Heart
Chapter Title: "Paint me a Birmingham"
By: Ree
Pairing: Ron/Draco and mentions of Harry/Severus
Song: "Paint me a Birmingham" by Tracy Lawrence
Summary: After the war, Ron Weasley has lost the love of his life and every day is a struggle to just go on. When he runs into an old classmate of his, memories come back that may be too strong to fight.
Disclaimer: I am not Miss Rowling and if I were, I would be filthy rich and be in heaven, so don't sue me. The song "Paint me a Birmingham" by Tracy Lawrence has been adjusted in some parts so that it could fit with the story, and if you would like to see the original, then please look it up. Thank you.
"He was sittin' there, his brush in hand
Paintin' waves as they danced, upon the sand
With every stroke, he brought to life
The deep blue of the ocean, against the mornin' sky
I asked him if he only painted ocean scenes
He said for twenty dollars, I'll paint you anything."
Muggle London was bustling and loud, not that the red-haired man noticed. He and his lover had been planning to live in Muggle London after the war...but things changed. Too much had changed and life had taken its toll on everyone in the entire wizarding world, including the young man. He was a man, but he was young as well, around his early 20's, but there was an aging look in his eyes. He was the product of a child who had to grow up too fast. As he walked through the park, he came upon another male around his age painting an ocean scene. The brown eyes softened as he recognized the other.
"Draco always did love the ocean," Ronald Weasley whispered as he walked over to the artist.
As the redhead observed the careful strokes of the brush, he hadn't noticed that the artist paused and turned around. Realization dawned in the dark- skinned man's eyes as he nearly dropped his brush.
"Ron..."
"Hey mate...what are you doing out here, Dean?" Ron asked as he approached his former year mate.
"I can't believe it's really you! No one's seen you since...well, you know. How have you been mate?"
"Doing as well as I can. So Dean," he gave a small shadow of a smile. "Do you only paint oceans?"
"Well I usually charge a fee of 20 pounds no matter what I paint. So yes, I paint more than oceans. But for an old friend, I'll wave that fee. Sit down mate, and tell me what your fancy is."
Looking deep in thought as he sat down on a nearby bench, Ron fingered the diamond ring on his left hand. He hadn't taken it off since it had been given to him. As the other male watched Ron silently suffer, Dean's heart clenched in his chest. The look in Ron's eyes was haunted and dead- looking. Ron's never been the same since Draco. I just wish he could get him back...Dean snapped out of his stupor when Ron finally looked up, eyes bright.
"Paint me a Birmingham, Dean..."
"Could you paint me a Birmingham?
Make it look just the way I planned
A Manor far away from the town
Porch goin' all the way around
Put him there in the front yard swing
Cotton robes make it, early spring
For awhile he'll be, mine again
If you can paint me a Birmingham."
Dean looked at him curiously, his brush halfway poised to be set on the canvas. He had no idea what Ron was talking about. Ron ran his fingers through his hair and sighed heavily. Licking his dry lips a bit, he inhaled deeply and then exhaled slowly, looking thoughtful.
"What I mean is..." he spoke slowly as if considering each word. "Well, you know that Draco and I had plans for after graduation didn't you? Plans to move in together, get engaged, ya know?"
"Sure I did, mate. Hell, everyone knew that."
"Well, when I asked you to paint a Birmingham, I meant this. Paint me a manor deep in the green, rolling hills. It's white and made of marble with columns and a pediment over the entrance. There are gardens all around it and open fields as far as the eye can see. It would be early spring...Draco would be wearing cotton robes then," Ron whispered and sighed.
"He looked at me, with knowing eyes
Then took a canvas from a bag there by his side
Picked up a brush, and said to me
Hey just where in this picture, would you like to be?
I said if there's any way you can
Could you paint me back into his arms again?"
Giving the man a knowing look, Dean wordlessly picked up his pencil and began to sketch. He'd only seen the Malfoy Manor once, and that was when he'd gone to Ron and Draco's engagement party. Dean began to poke around in the corners of his mind to recall just the kind of splendor that manor produced before it had been destroyed. As he began to sketch, he thought about all that had changed after the war had ended. They had lost so many lives...Draco Malfoy, Minerva McGonagall, Cho Chang, the Creevy brothers, and so many others that made Dean sick just thinking about. Miraculously, Harry Potter had survived and had fled the wizarding world to grieve with his husband, Severus Snape. Now there's a pair that I never imagined would get together, he thought with a smile.
Hermione Granger had dumped Ron to be with her husband, Viktor Krum, which was one of the reasons Ron had sought solace in Draco's arms. The two had been enemies for so long, but neither of them knew the reason why. One day, the blonde Slytherin had just up and asked Ron, why did the Malfoys and Weasleys despise each other so much? When Ron had been unable to answer, the two of them began to talk. It had led to many other things, one of which was Draco joining the side of the Light with his uncle, Snape. Draco had been an invaluable help to the Light, and when Snape was discovered as a spy, then he was still there to pass on information to the Order of the Phoenix. It had been the beginning of something great.
"Oi mate, where do you want to be in this picture?" Dean asked as he looked around the canvas at Ron.
"Well Dean, if you can, just... try to put me back into his arms again. I would really appreciate it."
That simple, broken phrase told Dean more than he ever thought he knew about Ron and Draco's relationship. During the final, climactic battle with Voldemort, the wizarding worlds finest and brightest were there to take him down. It was then that Draco had betrayed Voldemort and managed to kill his parents before they were able to kill him. It had hurt Draco more than anything to have to kill his own parents because he loved them unconditionally. Still, nothing compared to the pain that Ron had felt, that deep, cutting pain that seared you to your soul, when Voldemort had killed Draco. It was as though time had stopped and Ron couldn't believe that his beloved was dead, lying right in front of him. That was the day that Ron had died on the inside...and no one could bring him back.
"Paint me a Birmingham
Make it look just the way I planned
A Manor far away from the town
Porch goin' all the way around
Put him there in the front yard swing
Cotton robes make it early spring
For awhile he'll be, mine again
If you can paint me a Birmingham."
Dean continued his sketching and eventually began to paint as the two of them talked about anything except what had happened with Draco. Eventually, Ron just sat there with a blank look on his face and played with the ring on his hand. The two of them remained silent from then on until Dean finished painting. Finally, he stood up and smiled.
"There you are mate," Dean said and handed Ron the finished picture. "Take care of yourself, Ron."
Wordlessly, Ron accepted the painting, gave Dean the ghost of a smile, raised his hand in parting, and walked off. As he traced the perfect image in front of the manor and Draco, he choked back a sob.
"I'll be with you again soon Draco. I promise that I'll be with you soon. You'd better be waiting for me, ferret-boy."
"Paint me a Birmingham
Make it look just the way I planned
A Manor far away from the town
Porch goin' all the way around
Put him there in the front yard swing
Cotton robes make it early spring
For awhile he'll be, mine again
If you can paint me a Birmingham."
The next day, war-hero Harry Potter stood with a gaggle of people dressed in black with tears in his eyes. Staring at the cold granite in front of him, his shoulders shook with restrained sobs. Even the normally comforting embrace of his husband couldn't soothe him. Holding a painting in his hands that had been found among Ron's possessions, he smiled sadly. Go in peace Ron. He's going to be so glad to see you...and you'll have your Birmingham.
Ree here and all I have to say is....SORRY!!! I really didn't mean to leave this for so long, but I had finals before going on vacation. It was awesome, and I hope that you all can forgive me for leaving this!
Ree