Author's Note: The characters might be OOC and AU but keep reading and reviewing! I want to know what you guys think…and this story, it's actually quite weird so yeah…please let me know! Btw…I didn't really add any of the HBP's HP/GW romance in this story. As far as this story goes, they were always just 'friends'
PART I
"You don't have to do this honey" Mum…as much I love her; there are times when I feel like shaking her really hard.
Glancing at her petite form from sideways, I muttered softly "Mum, I've made my decision and no way in hell, am I turning my back on it now"
"It can be dangerous, Ginny" I didn't answer. I could not bring myself to argue on that point again. "People have died and you know it. He died…there is nothing much we can do. He didn't ask for this…"
"For god's sake, mum!" I snapped. "This is Ron we are talking about! …Who let me remind you, died trying to save us all. Stop talking like…like…you don't freaking care anymore!"
"Ginny!" her voice was low and hard but her face remained impassive "You know very well, I do. He was my son and I loved him more than you can ever imagine, young lady" She lost her breath then, her cheeks red with anger. I turned my face away from her sad and painful eyes. "But you've got to understand that I can not have you go out there alone too, knowing in my heart that one day, I will receive another letter claiming that you too had, in all honor, died for the rest of us…like Ron, apparantly had! Ginny, we didn't even see his body for heaven's sake! How can I let you go too? I've lost one…how can you make me see you walk out of this door too? I can not lose another, Ginny"
I still kept my eyes averted from her strong gaze, taking in her somber words with a nod. Her last five years had been hell and as a daughter, I should not make her suffer any more than she already had. But there comes a time when one knows exactly what he/she wants to do and slaying blood drinkers was what I wanted to do.
"Mum…I …" She knew my words even before I had the chance to speak them out. Tears filled her eyes as she sighed wearily, a sound that sliced my heart in half. I was causing all that pain. "I'm sorry" I whispered as I made my way to her and held her trembling body tightly.
"Ginny…" Her voice cracked slightly…
"Shhhh…Don't cry…I will come back Mum. I promise I will"
"That's what Ron said before he left" she whispered, teafully
...And somehow, I knew I would be no different. …That, I too will leave my family forever. Just like Ron had.
XXX
The aftermath of You-know who's downfall had been no better than the years during which he had lived in. Tensions and killings were occurring throughout London. Walking alone was, as the Ministry succinctly put it, a risk that we'd have to take. And this was all mainly attributed to the Dark Wars that were and is still taking place. The Wars between the Others and us, wizards.
They raided the cities, the villages…the city centers, the suburbs. They were uncontrollable. It when this became apparent, that the ministry created an army. They sent out some of their best aurors – both men and women. Some of them came back alive while others were found in wheat fields, with punctured holes pierced on the back of their throats.
When notices were sent out to all families and houses, Harry and Ron – both of whom had just been awarded with their Auror certificates – were recruited and sent to fight the Darkest Others…the Blood drinkers…the Suckers, much to my mother's disappointment. Dad was pretty much neutral about the whole affair – if they wished to fight, then they should do so.
Three years passed with mum waiting by the window sill for a letter claming either Ron's or Harry's death. And then, on one sunny Sunday morning (it is a paradox when thought about it…a sunny day for a horrible death?), a black owl flew into our kitchen and on to our dinning table. The stamp on the flap of the letter was that of the ministry's. The parcel we had received was, as we Weasleys put it, a death letter.
Mr Weasley,
…We are sorry to inform you and your family that your son, Ronald Weasley, aged 24, died on the 3rd of March in effort of saving one of his companions. He was a great man and will always be remembered for his bravery and good will…
…Our condolences…
Along with Ron's belongings they had sent us, there was a letter Ron had addressed to me. It was, to my amazement, dated a few months back. Sitting by my bed side, I read his untidy scrawl by moonlight
4th of January
God knows where I am
Hey Ginny,
What are you up to? Still aiming to be the auror we all want you to be right? Keep up the good work, mum was telling me about and you'll be here faster than I can say 'Jack'.
Nothing unusual happening here except for the fact that Harry has fallen hard for one the female aurors here. But whether they go out or not depends on whether the idiot has the guts to go ask the chick out. The guy is a pansy, I'm telling you. But don't tell him I mentioned anything…he'd throttle me if you do…But the lucky bastard! He's getting a girl in the bargain!
Anyway so how have you guys doing? I wish I could come back home and see you all again…Mum. Dad. You. Fred. George. Charlie. Bill… To see your faces just one last time and know that you are all doing fine…
Oh, god…Ginny…look, I know I haven't said this before and I'm not the sort of person who would but…things are getting harder you know. I can feel it and somehow, I know that…now, everything isn't going to be the way I thought it'd be. And even if it isn't, promise me Ginny that you'll always look after Mum and Dad…whatever happens…
I don't want to scare you or anything but when I wake up each morning, I'm determined to finish this all up so you wouldn't have to come here and suffer too. Not that it's bad you know. I mean it's nice to know that you are doing something good… to feel that you've accomplished something.
But…it's just different. The suckers are getting stronger and stronger with each passing day. Damn, I wish things were different. I wish I was back home, bitching about the last boy friend you had.
But forget it…While, there's life, there's hope. I shouldn't be unloading all this on you. Just keep studying and do well. The humor in me has just all dried up without having Fred and George by my side. Oh, by the way, give them a big thank for the 'Give me a smile' tonic they sent me last week which nearly got me into a whole lot of trouble if not for Harry – thank god for him! I dunno what it'd be like without the bloke.
Anyway, keep strong, Ginny and study hard! Keep an eye out for mum and dad, for me and give mum a kiss from me too. Tell them that I love them and that I will be back home – soon!
Love (since when did I start doing this? groans I am changing aren't I?),
Ron
P. S Harry sends his love to all too.
I read it once again, pondering over its content. The things about Harry had been a cover up – a sort of mask to cover up his worries. It was the first (and the last, when thinking about it) letter he had confessed in. Was that why, he hadn't sent it? Did he think it, too emotional? Getting harder? What can you be talking about, Ron? Did you know that you were dying?
That night, I cried savage tears into my pillow.
Mum cried and moaned too for Ron for about a year before I was awarded my auror certificate. She smiled slightly on the day it was handed out to me. But her happiness was short lived for the moment we reached home, after our small celebration dinner, I announced that I wanted to fight the suckers too…
XXX
My bags were packed and everything was ready. I was ready. My whole family – with the exception of Ron and Percy, who was still the bastard – stood beside me, their eyes all tearful.
I had been strong the whole week but during that last hour, I felt the strong armour of bravery and indifference I had put on, wearing away. "Okay guys…" My voice shook slightly "I've got to go…"
Mum looked at me, reaching out as I buried my face in her shoulder and cried out a silent good bye "Stay strong, Ginny. Stay strong"
Charlie and Bill both kissed my forehead in an affectionate brotherly fashion that made me cry even harder. Fred made a silly remark that brought a small smile on to my face and George's smile wavered slightly as he held me in a strong grip "Be a good girl now…" he whispered, mockingly
Dad was to come with me to the Ministry where I will be allocated with my group. I was glad that he'd be there for I did not want to be alone just yet. We were to travel, unfortunately, by portkey to our destination. Apparating, we were informed, was too dangerous these days.
Grabbing my luggage and after a few tears and hugs later, Dad and I walked into the sunlight, my head held up high. I can do this, I told myself. I wanted to do this – for myself and for Ron.
The sky was blue and cloudless. The early signs of spring were blossoming. I was enjoying the serenity of my surroundings when Dad suddenly interrupted my peaceful thoughts. "I'm proud of you, Ginny" We walked on, to the portkey station which was not too far away. But the further we were away from the muggles, the better.
"Thank you. I'll miss you guys, Daddy" Tears brimmed my eyes.
"Write to us and everything will be fine!" he smiled, rather unconvincingly. "If you meet Harry, let me know"
It was then that we heard an owl – a black owl fly above us, towards the burrow as it perked itself on window sill of the kitchen. A funeral owl which could only mean one thing – Harry, whom I loved as a brother and hoped I'd meet sometime soon, had died too. I let out a startled sob and suddenly, my stomach started squirming. Oh god, not him too…
Everything turned deathly still – somewhat like the pause between lightening and thunder before my father turned to me and tightened his grip on the little bag he had been carrying for me. From the somber expression on his face, I could see that he was thinking the exact same thing as I was. "Lets go, Ginny" he muttered, sadly as he pulled my frozen body along
As we arrived at the Portkey Station, in awkward silence, I thought I head mum's startled cry of anguish, echo (after reading the bleak words on the death letter) through the atmosphere, from the Burrow…from afar...
The boy, who lived had died at last…