Burn My Sins Away (5/5)
Disclaimer in Part One
The air of Cairo's Wizarding Quarter sparkled with an energy that Ron hardly remembered, more focused and structured then the energy that ebbed and flowed through the African hinterland. It prickled on his skin and had him constantly peering over his shoulder, certain that someone was watching.
The sun hadn't yet risen over the tops of the buildings, the shadows still cool and quiet. The street was obscenely quiet but as he walked down it he saw illusive movement out of the corner of his eyes; the twirl of a skirt here, the glint of a bauble there. The silence was more unnerving then anything he had faced in a long time.
Ron stopped, doubly uncertain as he stared at the garish door that was slightly recessed from the street proper. He thought it was the right door, vague memories flickering through his mind that were difficult to catch and even harder to retain, but couldn't double-check to be sure. He couldn't even ring the bell with his wand still buried somewhere in the Johannesburg dirt.
He knocked and waited, so nervous that his palms sweating and his heart in his throat. He very nearly turned and ran when he heard steps behind the door and a bolt being turned.
The door opened and everything stilled. Bill looked the same, a little bit older but still the picture of everything Ron had ever wanted to be.
"Hullo." Ron said, unsure.
Bill looked at him cautiously, his eyes flitting through the shadows behind him, his stance guarded and tight. Ron caught a glimpse of a wand in his right hand, hidden behind the line of his leg, and felt a quick bolt of fear knife through his stomach. After a moment Bill relaxed and grinned that same, confident grin. Ron felt every muscle loosen as tension drained out of him, a small spring of hope swelling up to take its place.
"Hullo, little brother." The sound of Bill's voice still able to make all the nightmares go away. Ron looked into his eyes, really looked, and saw there a love and acceptance that he never thought he'd see again.
Ron smiled.
Fin