The drunken brother.

"Ron! Ron, open the door! Now Ron!"

He had woke up already when the pounding on the door had started. Yes, he had grunted and turn around in his bed just to fall down on the floor and realise he wasn't in bed, but in the sofa, still dressed. "Fuck." he thought and placed his forehead on the carpet as he listened on the hurried voice.

"Ron! We know you're in there!" a darker voice yelled and he slowly gathered his hungover limbs and got up on his feet. He stumbled to the hallway and unlocked the door which after he returned to the sofa and sat down as his two friends opened the door and stepped in.

"Ron," Harry exclaimed and coughed. "what has happened in here?"

Hermione didn't speak. She just walked right in to the windows where she pulled away the curtains, so the light came in, and opened the window. "You could wonder when you last breathed some fresh air." she commented with her hands on her hips.

He shook his shoulders as he fumbled with the bottoms in his shirt. Unsuccessful though, and eventually Hermione sighed and sat down next to him to help him out. It gave Ron a chance to examine her a bit closer. They haven't met much lately, the trio, and he noticed many new things about both of his friends; Such as Hermione's hair which he for the first time ever (on a casual day) saw put up, or that Harry didn't wear glasses but probably lenses. He cleared his throat.

"So," he said in a hoarse voice, and noticed how Hermione flinched when she felt his of alcohol stinking breath. "is this some kind of reunion, or did you just happened to be in the neighbourhood?"

"You obviously haven't read the prophet today." Harry said and waved the paper in his right hand. Then he sighed. "What were you doing yesterday Ron? It was Monday for Merlin's sake!"

"I was out, in fresh air," he answered and gave Hermione a knowing glance. "celebrating the disappearance of my sister. It was ten years ago yesterday, does the two of you even remember that day?"

His blaming words lit up a fire and Harry, whose eyes immediately locked on Ron. "Don't you dare blame me for that Ron!" he almost hissed. "I bloody loved that girl!"

"Tell me why then," Ron answered and stood up facing Harry. "why you gave up?"

"Because, I realise what everyone, except your bloody family did: She left on purpose, with the guy she loved."

Ron was about to protest, but Hermione placed a hand on his shoulder. "Ron, you found the photo yourself." She said. "You should read the prophet."

Harry hesitated, but after a look from Hermione he sighed and unfolded the paper so the headlines could be seen.

First Ron's eyes grew wide, then he shook his head and took a few steps back, and finally he looked shocked upon his friends. Eventually Hermione silently approached him and enveloped him in her arms. Also Harry was there with a hand on his shoulder.

"Ron," Hermione whispered. "No one knew about this until this day, not even the other teachers at Hogwarts, I spoke to Neville this very morning."

"What," Ron said as Harry helped him sit down. His head was aching even more now. "what did my family say about it?"

"I talked to Arthur earlier," Harry answered. "and they are all as shocked as you Ron. No one has taken a stand yet." he paused and looked at Hermione, who nodded encouraging, and he continued. "We know you probably want to bolt off to Hogwarts right away Ron, but I think it's best to await until you've melt everything. Take a shower, a painkiller, and shave off that terrible stubble. We'll wait for you."

Ron nodded and stood up. They were right, as always, but when he had gotten over the worst part of the hangover he would grab the first broom he laid eyes on and hurry to Hogwarts, he'd already made that clear to himself. It didn't matter what Harry and Hermione said, not this time either.

"You think he will be able to deal with this?" Hermione asked Harry as soon as they heard the bathroom-door being locked.

"I'm hoping," Harry answered thoughtfully. "that he finally will, now when he'll see it for real and not just on a old photograph."

"It probably can't get any worse at least." She sighed and smiled as Harry wrapped her arms around her waist. "Oh Harry, wouldn't you want to hear her story? What happened and where they've been all these years?"

"Yeah," Harry mumbled. "but still, I'm just glad she's back in one piece."

I was so not going to make this any longer than a 1shot!

But then something happened and I got all this inspiration, and realised that this fic totally needed something more.

So here it is, I'm so surprised.

Review.

Hunny