Chapter 8

Disclaimer: I do not own the world of Harry Potter. Alas, that privilege belongs to JKR. I have simply kidnapped the characters, killed some of them, aged the rest, and plopped them down in my world. Thanks to JKR for letting me do so. As for Ron, I do not know if I will easily give him back.

Ron had just gotten back from a debriefing when he noticed something was amiss. There was a great crowd of people gathered around his office. He couldn't even see the door.

He tried to push past the gathering crowd, but failed. "Excuse me!" he bellowed. "Can I please get into my office?"

Someone turned to him. "Why is all your family here, Weasley? Why are they all acting so funny? And why are they demanding to see you immediately?"

"Hell if I know! Now will you please get out of my bloody way so I can find out?" Ron began to shove the crowd aside, finding it much easier now that he had scared them into thinking he was completely mental.

He threw open the door and immediately saw his father. Mr. Weasley had not been himself since the death of his wife and children. He hadn't been the head of the household since. That task, like everything else that was difficult, had fallen to Ron. Mr. Weasley had been treated for depression, and George and Ginny had flat-out broken down. Ginny was still a little funny at times.

"Dad? What are you doing here?"

"Great news, Ron. It's amazing. You'll never believe it." His eyes were shining, reminding Ron of a child opening his Christmas presents.

"What is it, Dad?" Ron said softly, beginning to think his father had finally cracked too. God, he thought, why am I the only sane one? I wanted to stand out, but I never wanted to be the head of the whole damn family. Dad can't go mental on me too.

"You've got to see. Come on, they're waiting in the back part of your office."

"They?" Ron asked, as he followed his father to his office study. He opened the door and let his father proceed first. When he entered the room, he saw Ginny and George.

"Well, what is this?" Ron cried. "I don't see anything different. What did you want to show me, Dad?" he asked gently.

"Ron?" George asked.

"Just a minute, George," Ron said shortly, "I'm trying to talk to Dad."

Mr. Weasley just grinned.

"Ron," Ginny said slowly, "Look at George for a minute."

"Ginny," Ron sighed, "Aren't you listening to Dad? He sounds just like y—he sounds like he doesn't feel well."

"So he sounds just like me, huh?" Ginny huffed. "Before I went nutters."

"Well, yeah, actually," Ron said, blushing profusely. "But I didn't mean for it to come out that way."

"Well, look at that. Ickle Ronnikins is the man of the family."

It was then and only then that Ron noticed. "Wait. Fred? Fred? Is that you?"

Fred grinned evilly. "It took you long enough. I see you're still as dense as ever."

At the same moment the two ran to hug one another. Ron quickly began to sob. "Oh, Fred, I'm so glad you're here."

When they pulled away, Fred looked his younger brother up and down. "You're all grown up now, Ron. Wow. I'm proud of you. An auror that's holding the family together."

"Fred, how?"

Fred laughed. "I was the bait for you, Ronnie. You just never came and found me."

"They told me they had you, Fred, but I swear I thought you were dead. Even the Order thought so."

Fred frowned. "Whatever." He looked at Ron once again. "I hope you're happy, Ron. You got to go off and be the hero. You just forgot one thing. The villain always goes after the hero's family. They were looking for you, you know."

Mr. Weasley watched Ron's face fall. "Fred, stop that! Blaming ourselves and others doesn't bring anyone back. It just tears us apart."

Ron tried to recover. Shit. I always knew it was my fault. "Have you seen George yet?"

"No, he hasn't. We want it to be a surprise," Ginny stated. "But everyone wants to test Fred first. Make sure he isn't a Death Eater in disguise. So we brought him to you."

"Oh Ginny, they won't let me test him."

"Why not?"

"They'll think I'm being partial. They'll think I'll want to believe he's my long-lost, presumed-dead brother, even if the evidence suggests otherwise." Though right now, I'd be more willing to believe he's a bloody wanker posing as Fred. Of course, that's because he just told me that everyone died because of me.

"Well, can you pick someone to test him for you?" Ginny asked.

"Yeah, I can request someone." He smiled. Someone I trust to be fair but considerate. I know just the man.

Ron had been trying to muster up the courage to talk to someone he hadn't really talked to in ages. The only person he trusted with his family. Someone who had come damn near close to being a part of his family.

The receptionist looked at him in shock when he approached her. "Is Potter in?" he asked gruffly.

"Yes," she said carefully, "but he doesn't want to be disturbed."

"Well, tell him it's urgent. Oh, and I promise not to jump him or hex him into oblivion." Ron quickly added.

The receptionist shot him a look that clearly stated she did not believe him, but went to go get Harry anyway.

Harry seemed to think the same thing. He followed the receptionist out to Ron and looked at him skeptically. "You asked for me?"

"Look, can we please talk about this in private?" Ron stated, eying the receptionist pointedly.

Harry nodded and led Ron into his office. The minute Harry closed the door, Ron began to talk.

"Okay, Harry, I really didn't come here to yell at you or jump you. I have a good reason, or I wouldn't be wasting your time or mine."

"Well, do enlighten me."

Harry's sarcasm was not lost on Ron. Stupid git has to smart off regardless. I'm tempted to pummel some sense into his thick head. Or tell him like it really is; he still owes me. He shook his head. No, that will never do. Then Harry won't agree to anything.

"I need you to do me a favor. For old times sake."

Harry raised an eyebrow. "What kind of favor?"

"You wouldn't believe me if I told you right now. Tell me you'll do it first."

Harry smiled. "Old times sake, huh? Bloody hell, I miss the old times. Hogwarts and the Burrow…"

"Yeah. Me too." I miss the days where chocolate frog cards and potion lessons were my biggest concerns. And quidditch. Damn, I miss that.

"Okay, Ron, I'll do whatever it is. Just fill me in."

"Ginny found Fred." He said it bluntly, letting Harry experience the full weight of the words.

"Fred? Your brother Fred?"

"Yeah. Turns out he had been captured, not killed. They were holding him as bait. Remember how Lestrange goaded me about having something I would want? Turns out she meant Fred. If only I had taken her seriously…"

"Ron…"

"I know, I know, it might not be Fred. But I don't want just any auror poking and prodding my brother. I want it to be someone I trust, someone who respects my family. You're the only person I can think of."

Harry smiled. "I'd be honored, Ron." He paused. "You know, I've missed this."

Ron looked at him, confusion evident on his face. "Missed what?"

Harry laughed. "Us, of course. Being mates, you know?"

Ron smiled, his lopsided grin no longer as large as it once had been. "Yeah. Me too. I miss Hermione too."

Ron might be oblivious, but he did notice how quickly Harry turned away. "Yeah. Where is Fred?"

"In my office. With Ginny and Dad. They haven't told George yet. They wanted to make sure it's okay first. George will go bonkers he'll be so happy."

"I can imagine. The terrible twins united again? It'll be wicked."

"Just imagine. They're my brothers." He pulled a face, feeling more at ease than he had in three years.

A/N: Well, here it is—a Ron/Harry reunion. So JohnCardy87 must be happy. However, the good news ends here. This may be the last chapter I post before Thanksgiving break. (braces for evil reviews and mice thrown at computer screens) I'll try to have chapter 9 up before then, but I can't promise anything. I thought this chapter would be short, but alas, it's another five-pager. I don't foresee chapter 10 going up until next Sunday under any circumstances. I apologize.