The first thing Ron noticed when he entered the bedroom in Gimmauld place were the paintings. This was his and Harry's bedroom in headquarters and was supposed to be were the two of them could talk their business alone, but the painting of Fineas was hanging in the wall and conecting them to Dumbledore's quarters. And that didn't fit in the definition of intimacy. No, it fucking didn't.
So he collected all the paintings from the room and shove them to the landing just outside his door.
He was just careful to hang the former headmaster portrait in the place of a still-life painting on the landing wall and got inside the bedroom again. And he suddenly felt calm. Calmer than he had ever feel since King's Cross. It was weird, he didn't feel any headache or unease in his stomach. Just a little tingle from the scars in his arms and chest. He even felt hungry again.
Ron breathed deeply with relief and procedeed to unpack his things. It didn't took him much time and as he was still early to prepare dinner (he had been serious with the housekeeping thing) he sat to write to Harry and Hermione.
Dear Hermione:
How are you doing? Hope you feel better. Sorry I didn't told you this before, but this has been really a sudden thing. OK: I'm at" you know were" I've decided to wait here for Harry, perhaps this way "they" would speed a little things and bring Harry here sooner. But I'm sorry I wont be at the Burrow when you go there. Doesn't matter much though, Ginny is there. Anyway, sorry for the sort letter, I'm afraid I've got nothing else to tell, sorry.
Ron
It was sort and kind or rude, but he had nothing better inside. Oh, well, Harry next:
Mate:
I've made to Snuffle's. I couldn't take any more at home so I'm waiting for you here. Yeah, I'm sorry but apparently you wont be allowed anywere but "the two safest places on earth" this summer Bugger. I really don't know what to tell you by letter because I don't know if someone is checking what I write, sure you can understand what I mean. Just can tell you that I'm doing my best to get you out of there though I can't do much. I'm sure Hermione has told you how how she's been doing though you don't tell much yourself in your letters. Please, I know this is not the best place on earth to come, but I thing you'll agree it's better than there. And the entrance hall is big enough to play quiddich (Quiet quiddich), What do you say?
Ron
P.D. I'm giving this to Bill or Tonks to take it to you. Hope it reaches you soon enough.
P.P.D. I've made some redecoration in our bedroom, hope you like it.
While he wrote Harry's letter Ron could feel a change in the air, something warm but itchy somehow. Weird. That was the word. He finished writing and stoped to listen. Although he didn't know why he felt the urge to listen to the house's noises. He was supposed to be almost alone in the house. There was just Sackelbox in the downstairs library doing some king of report. But the air was different. And Ron could feel that something in the air keep changing, kind of electrin charge. And then he hear soft footsteps in the landing outside his door. A pause, and a soft knock on his door.
"Come in!"
And Remus Lupin head poke out from the door. He had black shadows under his eyes. He looked sad and worn out. Ron could almost feel his pain at his friend death.
"Hello flat-mate, I see you've decided to make some redecoration on the staircase…"
"It didn't cualified as teenage decoration, so I changed it"
Lupin looked thoughfull but soon seem to understand it. "We are alone now. Want sausages and chips for dinner?".
"That's supposed to be my job professor"
"Stop that, I'm not your professor anymore. It's Remus. And we are both to eat dinner, so we can take turns, what about that?"
And so it continued during the next week. Ron would send his days sweeping some floor or dusting some room furniture, or fixing any doorframe or chairleg broken. He had get a complete muggle toolbox from his dad as he could not use magic. The house didn't really need any cleaning, a complete year of inhabitance had made it livable though gloomy. And all Ron had to do was cleaning the kitchen and fixing some tea and sandwiches for the Order reunions. Dinner was always a matter between him and Lupin. But he still had nigthmares though he didn't woke up screaming any more. Somehow he felt more at ease by his own in the lonely mansion than in his home at the Burrow.
And then, just when he had made his seventh day at Grimmauld place, he came into his bedroom and found the portrait of Finea Nigelius in his place in front of the twin beds.
Livid, Ron made his way downstairs to found the remants of an Order reunion. Dumbledore spoted him and smiled saying:
"Ah, Mr Weasley!. Jolly news: We are waiting for Mr Potter arrival. Miss Tonks and Mr Moody have gone to fetch him."
And just when Ron was going to start yelling about the headmastes portrait he felt it: Fear. He could almost smell it. Fear coming from Dumbledore. Mmmm, interesting. Somehow Ron knew he had to wait for Harry to sort out the painting issue.
And ten minutes after an inconfortable and silent waiting in the entrance hall the door opened and Tonks, Moody and a disguised shadow entered the house.
A/N Thanks for the reviews! I really apreciate them. But I'm sorry, i'm going on hollidays and it will take a whilw till I get to update again. I'll try and make it as soon as posible, OK?