Disclaimer: don't own (why do we have to this every chapter?)

Ok, here we are. The 24th part of the Other Way. It took us a while to get this far didn't it? You know what I just noticed-the title applies to the fact that Ron swings the Other Way, as well as the fact that there is a complete reversal of roles in everyone. Yeah. I never thought of that when I started this. The Other Way just seemed like a cool name for a story. Right, as I'm making this up off the top of my head I don't know if this is the last chapter or the second last. I think it might be the second last though.

The Other Way

"Ron!"

My eyes snapped open at the sudden voice in my ear, I blinked and looked round, to find Charlie and George sitting on the chair across from me, both smiling, but concerned. Draco pulled away from me, looking anywhere but at my brothers, holding the robes close to him.

"Em, hi guys?" I made it a question. Why were they there?

"We got the paper this morning-express owl; we've been getting it since you said you were in it. You were on the front page taking Malfoy out of Harry's house. We had to come over. Are you both ok?" Charlie asked.

"Draco?" George asked.

Draco looked over

"Would you show me where Ron keeps his tea stuff? I think we could all use some."

To my astonishment Draco nodded. I had forgotten that George had broken the ice with him. When they had gone into the kitchen I turned to Charlie, who smiled. "I've been trying to get him to tell me what he said to Draco since I got him home. He say's it's a secret." He said.

I glanced back.

"So are you ok Ron?"

"I'm fine Charlie, its Draco I'm worried about." I sighed.

"So am I, but Ron, you can't forget, Harry was your friend, for years. To have this happen-its gotta be hurting you."

I looked up at him with a smile. "Since when did you take over my job?" I asked.

"I'm a big brother Ron, it comes with the territory. Now I'm serious, are you ok? Really." Charlie asked again, his eyes boring into me.

I couldn't lie to him. "I don't know Charlie. It's all so confusing. Harry, Draco-Hermione even!" I sighed. "I don't know what to think. I'm just confused. Right now all I really know is that I'm going to make Draco better, if it kills me, I'm going to."

"Ron. Why don't you and Draco come stay with us for a while? Away from all this hype you'll be able to think clearer. And it might do Draco some good to get out of here." He suggested with a small smile.

It was a good idea, that just goes to show just how tired I really was. "I'd have to clear it with Ruth, but maybe."

"Good-get changed and go clear it with her. We'll stay here with Draco until you get back."

I blinked. He meant now? "Now?" I asked stupidly.

"Of course now!" Charlie grinned, pulling me off the sofa and pushing me towards my bedroom. "George, forget tea for Ron, he's going to the unit to get some time off."

George's head poked out into the hallway. "Why?" he asked.

"He and Draco are coming to stay with us for a while." Charlie said, shoving me into my room. I turned as he shut the door to see Draco standing, confused in the hall, watching us. "Its great being a big brother really." Charlie laughed. "Hurry up Ron!"

I changed quickly and returned warily to the living room. "Ah, took you long enough." George said with a shake of his head. "Get going ickle Ronikins."

Beside him Draco ducked his head; I just knew he was hiding a smile. And it made all the teasing worthwhile. I had never been as glad as I was in that moment that I had older brothers. I smiled in return and went to the fireplace. "I'll be back very soon-don't blow the house up will you." I said.

George muttered something to Draco that made him smile more.

I arrived at St. Mungos seconds later and walked quickly to the unit, slipping past the press, thankfully unnoticed. I quickly made my way behind the desk. Gerard was sitting at it, looking haggard, trying to hide under a pile of papers.

"Gerard, where's Ruth?" I asked.

He looked up at me, and his eyes widened. "Merlin! Ron! Are you ok? Is Malfoy ok? What the hell happened last night?"

"I'm fine, Draco's a lot better than expected. He's with my brothers at the minute. And where's Ruth?" I asked.

"I'm here Ronald. What are you doing here, shouldn't you be with Mr. Malfoy?" she asked, giving me that stern look that made me feel like I was three.

"He's at home with my brothers. He's ok. I'm here to ask can I have a week or two off to go to Romania with my brothers, and can I take Draco with me. I know its short notice, and I know I should be taking back my cases, but…" I trailed off.

Ruth smiled and nodded. "All right Ron. I think you've earned it-and it's not like you'll be leaving all your work here." She smiled. "You'd best head on, I'll take care of the paper work, but I expect you back in exactly two weeks Ronald, no longer."

"Thanks Ruth." I smiled in relief.

"Hey Ruth-can I have a week off?" Gerard asked, and got a thwack with a file for his trouble. "Fine! I was only asking!"

I was nearly at the fireplace when I realised I had to see Percy, I couldn't just disappear for two weeks without seeing him. I changed direction and went up to the incurable ward and to his room.

"Hey Perce." I said, taking the seat beside the bed. "I don't know if you heard, but Harry's been arrested-he probably won't be out for a long time. He kidnapped Draco last night, and tried to… tried to kill him. You know. If the Aurors hadn't arrived when they did I couldn't have saved him, he'd have been added to my long list of people I couldn't save. Just like Harry has." I studied his still features, willing him to wake up. "Just like you are." I took a deep breath. "I'm going away for a while, with Charlie and George, Draco's coming too."

I fell silent. There was so much I needed to say, but it was all jumbled up. "I wish you could come to Percy. I wish you would just wake up-anything. Tell me to stop being stupid. Charlie's tried, but he's not you Percy, he was always there for the twins, like Bill was always there for Ginny. But whether I liked it or not it was always you there for me, wasn't it. Right till the end." I looked at the window, at the sky outside. "Why can't you be here now Percy? Why?"

I closed my eyes and sighed.

"Ron?"

My eyes snapped open and I looked at Percy. He was still lying there, unmoving. But then, it hadn't been Percy's voice. Why did I let myself get my hopes up that he would wake up?

"Ron?"

I looked up and behind me, to find Hermione standing there. "Hey 'Mione." I said tiredly.

"I thought you might be here. Ron…"

"Don't 'Mione, there's nothing to say." I smiled at her. "It's over now anyway." I got up, put an arm round her shoulder and gave her a half hug. "Bye Percy, I'll see you in a week or two ok." And I left the room, left Hermione with those thin tendrils of forgiveness that she needed and headed home to begin my two week vacation in Romania with my two crazy brothers and Draco.

Yup, wasn't that cute. I just love Charlie and George! I think the adventures of Ron and Draco in Romania is on the cards don't you-lets watch the romance blossom! Yay! Poor Ron… poor Percy… poor Hermione… poor Gerard, that poor mans never going to get any time off work is he?