July 31st 2022- The Burrow
James Potter II
It had been a really really strange week. First his Dad had been moping around the house like the ghoul that lived in The Burrow, plus his parents had had a massive argument that ended with his Dad spending several nights in the spare bedroom. The two of them had kept whatever the hell was going on between them and no attempts at prying had been successful- even with extendable ears.
Still it was his Dad's 42nd birthday today and the whole family was going to be at The Burrow- which was pretty exciting because James hadn't really seen the cousins since the last party their which had been when they all returned from school. While he didn't see all of his family every week, and his older cousins and he had never been close, there was nothing like being at The Weasley family home surrounded by family and friends. He was also hoping to see Ted, who he'd missed during the school year. Since getting married and 'becoming an adult', Teddy hadn't been around as much. Not to mention the fact that Ted had been hurt the other week, James hadn't even gotten to see him at the hospital. He'd had only his mother's word that his almost-brother was okay.
James dressed in his usual jeans (the ones with a hole in the knee) and pulled on his least smelly shirt. He really needed to sort his room out, it was bordering on dangerous to his health. He bumped into Al in the hall, who was looking a whole lot smarter than him since his jeans lacked a hole and his shirt looked clean. Al eyed the stain on the hem of James' shirt with obvious disgust.
"Seriously, we have magic- just get Mum to clean your clothes."
"But I don't have magic," James huffed, crossing his arms and striding into the bathroom before slamming the door. They both knew that his Mum wouldn't wash his clothes until he'd at least collected them up.
"You're just hoping Mum will give up and tidy your room," Albus called mockingly through the door, "Tough luck, mate. You've got no chance." James rolled his eyes and grabbed his toothbrush, his mum would cave soon he just wasn't sure if it would be before or after rats had invaded the house.
The Potter's burst through The Burrow's fireplace with the usual amount of grace meaning that Albus, Lily and James landed face first on the rug only to be pulled up by a laughing George. He shook his head at them and strode into the kitchen leaving the Potter's in the for once deserted room.
The room was as it always had been- cosy, warm and inviting. It was adorned by pictures of the entire Weasley/Potter clan and barely a surface was clear of photos. In the soft chair in the corner lay a pile of presents, the presents were small but knowing his family it could just all be an illusion and the presents could contain a horse or something equally large. It certainly wouldn't be the first time. Harry gave a small smile and gestured to the kitchen, Ginny glared at him before flouncing into the kitchen, an uneasy Lily following. Albus raised his eyebrows at James, sharing their unease and confusion at the entire situation, before following them into the noisy garden.
"Jamie-boy!" Fred called from the bottom of the garden, waving him over impatiently. He was stood with Daniel Thomas, son of Dean Thomas, the old room-mate of Ron and Harry and Ginny Potter's ex girlfriend. In school, they made up the terrible fivesome when joined by Maddy Collins and Aalaa Shahid. The girls weren't at the gathering however, and although there were many familiar faces, there was only Dan and Fred that James really wanted to spend the day with. James ditched his family, glad to leave the awkwardness that was surrounding his parents, and happily clapped hands with the boys, instantly falling into their old pattern.
They spent the next few hours discussing prank ideas for the next year and debating who out of them would get the most detentions, (they'd all decided Fred since he could never keep quiet) it was then that a furious woman stomped up to them the bushy hair instantly identifying her as Rose. They stared at her as she stamped her foot.
"Look James, I'm a reasonable person- I am!" She cried at their incredulous faces, "but you have to talk to your idiot of a father!"
"Eh?" was all James managed to say. She rolled her eyes.
"Look, I get it, you don't want to get involved- I mean he is your Dad, but they are being ridiculous. Even Mum thinks so."
"Rose, I have no idea what you are talking about." Behind Rose's back, Dan and Fred exchanged confused looks, but their mirth was apparent even though they managed to keep their face neutral.
"Don't be coy! We all know that your dad was a huge bastard to mine and now they aren't bloody speaking!"
"I didn't!" he said indignantly before adding under his breath, "It does explain the sleeping arrangements." He said with a smile and wink at Freddie who chortled.
"He told my Dad that he was an awful auror. Despite the fact that he nearly died saving your ungrateful father!" She truly was mad now although James, (having been on the end of her when she was truly furious) realised she was more upset than mad at him.
"Rosie, they haven't told me," James said shrugging and looking to his gob-smacked friends for help, they shrugged back at him.
"Yeah, well. It needs sorting. I can hear my dad screaming in the night again and he hasn't done that in years." Rose sniffed suddenly and seemed to sag under the weight of her words. James felt a little tug in his chest at her words. Rose was insufferable and he always enjoyed getting one over on her- but he hated seeing her so obviously upset and unsure. Fred and Daniel glanced wearily at her as though she was an animal about to attack. They were never that good with girls, or emotions.
James pulled her into a hug, cradling her quivering body to him and stroked her hair softly. "They'll work it out Rosie," he tried to soothe. She pulled away quickly dabbing at her eyes. He didn't really know what else to say, or to do. He was often the source of comfort for his family, and it wasn't the first time Rose, or any of the other younger ones had come to him for help. This was the first time it was about parents, and it somehow made it much harder. He knew what to do with bullies, and overly touchy boyfriends. He wasn't sure what he could do to help her with this.
"I hope so Jimmy because I don't like it at all, it's like you and Fred falling out. It's just wrong."
"Yeah but it isn't our job to stop them from being morons, they'll work it out, they always do," Fred cut in, "Look Rose, they worry about us, can't go changing it to the other way round. It'll confuse everything."
"Be right, Rose. Promise," James held out a pinkie and they hooked them just like they had as kids and they would promise the most ridiculous things. Rose smiled sadly, wiping at her eyes again. James just hoped that this promise he could keep.
"GUY'S, GUYS! SERIOUSLY!" Lily was screaming from about twenty yards away, "Grandma wants everyone to get some food!" She danced on the spot, "Come on!"
Everyone stared at the disappearing form of Lily, she was like a whirlwind and it was impossible to keep up sometimes. They followed quickly fearing that there would be soon no food left, James clenching his cousins hand and led her to the house trying to let her know that she didn't have to worry alone; they were all in it together, really.
Happy birthday songs are always awkward, but this one took the cake. Pun unintended. The adults looked awkward and all the smiles were strained. If James was a betting man (and he was), he would have bet that every member of the Weasley family and associates knew that some crap had gone down between his Dad and Uncle. I mean it was obvious. Only last year Ron had bellowed the song into his Dad's ear whilst George sneakily exploded the cake. In an instant, everything had changed and it hadn't only changed his Dad and Ron but everyone in the family. James had heard stories of the famous falling outs of his dad and uncle (his favourite was them falling out over the Goblet of Fire) but he'd never actually seen them fall out- they'd always been solid. In fact, he had rarely even seen them angry at each other.
So his dad blew out the candles with a strained smile, his Mum watched the scene with disapproving eyes, Hermione had tears in her eyes and looked between Harry and Ron in despair whilst Ron stood as far away as possible from the event with his arms crossed. James thought he looked as sad as his Dad did.
In all, the party was a bit of a disaster. They got back before dark which was a first for parties at the burrow, his dad headed straight to the study. His mum smiled tensely and offered them all a hot chocolate before bed. Lily bit her lip and looked at James fearfully, even Albus looked shook up, and that never happened. James smiled and took Lily's hand and pulled her into the kitchen, tickling her as he went until she was crying with laughter.
"How old are you, James?" Albus sniffed pushing past them. James put his nose in the air and shook his finger at Albus' disappearing back, Lily bit her fist but her shoulders shook as they entered the kitchen after their more serious and boring brother.
Their mothers back was to them as she busied herself making their drinks, her wand fluttered as she set the kettle to pour itself and the spoons to stir. The spoons rattled against the side of the cups before rising and falling into the sink with a loud clatter. The cups began to hover, slowly rising from the worktop while furrowing steam poured from the top. Steadily they floated over to their waiting hands, the beautiful chocolate aroma filling their nostrils. James took a grateful sip before sighing in pleasure.
"Mum, have I told you recently how much I love you?" James said warmly beaming at his mother.
Ginny looked round from buttering the bread, a soft smile spreading across her features making her appear even more youthful and beautiful, "Only every time I feed you Jimmy."
James blushed and looked down at his drink trying to ignore the sniggers coming from the other side of the table, "Well I do."
"And I love you Jamie."
"Mum?" Lilly asked hesitantly, "Do you think Dad and Uncle Ron will make up?"
Ginny paused, putting down the knife and turned slowly. She chewed her lip, "Your father and my brother are the stupidest, pig headed idiots to ever live," she said fiercely, "but... They also love each other. This isn't the end for them. Trust me on that."
"Is it true that dad said Ron was a bad auror?" Albus said suddenly. James turned and stared at him, how had Albus known? Lily looked confused but their mum just sat at the table with a very serious expression on her face.
"People say thing they don't mean, especially when they think it will help the other person."
"How does being mean to Ron help him?" Albus asked, "I mean it sounds like the sort of logic James would use."
"Oi!"
"Your father loves his family and friends more than anything, it's always been his biggest weakness. Your dad's biggest fear is something happening to you lot, or Teddy, or Ron and Hermione. He's scared Ron will get hurt so he hurt him in the worst way he could. He thinks he's keeping him safe that way."
James thought back to what he and Fred had discussed a couple of weeks ago and the penny dropped. "Ron wanted to rejoin the aurors, didn't he?" She jolted in surprise.
"Ron wants to help in the only way he knows, but what you don't realise is how scared your dad is of that idea. If Ron rejoins, if Ron and Harry are in danger, Ron will always put himself in harms way to save your father. He wouldn't be able to live with that."
"So you agree with dad? " Lily said, her brows drawing together.
She rolled her eyes, "No. He's a moron. If they'd just talk to each other..." She shook her head, "not that they have before," she muttered. "Look kids, just don't get involved, they'll sort it out. They always do." She stood up, ruffled Albus and James hair before giving Lily a kiss on the cheek. She headed upstairs leaving them to mull over the relevant ions of the night. Lilly looked worried but Albus looked his normal self, James reckoned he was off in la la land again.
They finished their drinks and then James led Lily to her room and bid her goodnight, he stepped into his own room before changing his mind. He hovered in the hallway, staring down the stairs to the glowing light of the study and then at his own comfy bed. It wasn't any of his business, really. His dad probably wouldn't want to talk to him anyway. He dithered for a moment longer before striding down to his dad's study. The door was closed but there was a soft glow coming from under the door. There was quiet music coming from within and James smiled as the vision of his dad sat listening to the WWN while he worked through his paperwork. He'd probably have a smudge of ink on his face from where he'd scrubbed at his eyes. The idea was familiar, safe, and one that James hoped he would find inside, it would mean that everything was going to be alright because earlier it hadn't felt that way.
Before he could change his mind he lightly rapped at the door, "Gin?" His dad's gruff voice replied.
James slowly opened the door, Harry caught sight of him and smiled tensely. "You alright James?"
James shuffled in, suddenly feeling like he was eight and in some sort of trouble.
His Dad's study, much like his office at work, was filled with books. The bookshelves covered the large back wall and the heavy tomes lined the wall like a small army. The desk was large and a dark mahogany and as untidy as his hair. It was littered with broken quills, files and empty ink bottles. There was however room on his desk for several family photos. Ones of them was fromlast year just before Lily's first year and one of the few pictures of the entire Weasley clan at The Burrow.
His Dad looked dishevelled; he wasn't working like James had thought he would he, instead he was nursing a glass of muggle drink - whisky James remembered. He looked older than he ever had before, tired and so very lonely. James rarely thought about what it must be like to be his father but he did just then, he imagined the pressure, the loneliness the attention gave him and for the first time ever was truly glad he hadn't been forced into glory like his Dad.
"James," he said softly, reminding him that he had yet to say anything. James gulped and walked towards the chair opposite his father, he sank slowly down into it, regretting ever deciding to knock on the door.
"Dad."
"Yes James?" His dad was polite but James recognised that he was starting to worry him. Perhaps he thought he'd done something terrible and was here to confess. Although what he could have possibly done, he didn't know.
"Dad I was talking to Rosie and-" his Dad's eyes flashed in warning but James couldn't stop now. He owed it to Rosie to do as she'd asked. "Uncle Ron is really upset, he's been having nightmares and stuff."
"Are you trying make me feel guilty?"
"No, I wouldn't. I don't know what happened or why you're fighting but if me and Fred fell out like that- and we were both as upset as you and Uncle Ron are- I know that you'd have told me by now to stop wallowing and talk to him." James talked quickly, hoping beyond hope that his dad would understand him and not get angry.
"I would," he acknowledged, "But then I doubt that you could ever be as cruel as I was."
"Wouldn't bet on it dad, I was a monster to Albie his entire way to Hogwarts."
His Dad smiled softly before rubbing the side of his head. His smile dropped as he slowly said, "Sometimes things are too broken to be fixed."
"Bullshit dad. You and Ron are best mates, surely nothing can change that."
"Nothing will ever change that, and I have no doubt that if I went to Ron and apologised he would except, because he's a good mate and a even better person. But I can't let him do that. I can't."
"Dad you're punishing yourself for things you can't control. It wasn't your fault Ron got injured. It wasn't your fault Ron saved you."
Harry smiled brokenly, his eyes filling with tears. "I lost too much the first time, we are all in danger as it is. I don't want him risking anymore for me. Since he was eleven he's been throwing himself on the grenade for me and it has to end."
"Dad don't you realise? He's not going to stop- even now. Say we are at The Burrow and someone attacks you. Do you think he's going to let you get killed? If he has the chance, no matter what you say to him, he'll save your life, and you know you'd do the same for him."
"I know," he murmured, staring into his whisky.
"He's going to do it anyway and if anything happened you'd feel guilty for not apologising."
"I know."
"Write to him, do it now. Just apologise and then at least mum will let you back in your own bed." His Dad smiled wryly at that.
"Okay son." They stood but before James could leave he wrapped him in a tight hug. "You pretend to be such a pillock, James, but you're a good kid, I'm proud of you Jamie."
James went to bed, proud and happy and that night a letter found itself to a small detached house with a grumpy red head inside.
Perhaps soon this could all be forgotten.
August 10th 2022- Chertsey, Surrey
Ron Weasley
He was back at Malfoy mannor. Harry was next to him but instead of looking into the panic stricken face seventeen year old face that had been there last time- it was Harry as he was now, greying at the temples and crows feet as laughter lines. Unlike the last time, Harry looked confident but grim. From above the sickly screams of Hermione echoed through the cold stone walls and panic rose like a flame licking at his insides. He needed to get to her. He had to get to her...
"Ron," Harry called, "They'll be okay."
Ron bolted for the stairs, Harry close behind him. The tall door swung open and Rob barrelled through, drawing his wand from his back pocket and sprinting into the drawing room.
In the centre of the room stood Bellatrix, twirling her wand with a sickly smile in front of her she held Hermione. Ron couldn't see her face, only the back of her bushy head.
"Aww, has ickle Ronnie come to save his family?"
Ron tensed drawing his wand back to fire the first spell, determined to end her right now. But Bellatrix turned the girl in her arms, raising her head. It was not Hermione that looked back at him, but Rose.
"Rosie-" he gasped, her eyes were dull, dead. Bellatrix cackled even louder.
"Ickle Ronnie's family is all dead!" She cried, dropping the dead body of his daughter to the ground in disdain. "You are too weak, too pathetic to save them."
Ron stumbled back as he noticed the bodies of his dead family in the room. Fred, as he had been in the last battle. Hermione cradling the body of Hugo as blood pooled beneath them both. His mother and father- all dead.
Bellatrix cackled again before she vanished into smoke.
"It's your fault, Ron." Harry said furiously, holding the body of his dead wife, "They'd be alive if it wasn't for you! I told you! I told you! You killed them" his eyes flashed furiously, morphing into the face if Voldemort, "you made this happen."
"No... NO!" He screamed falling backwards over the body of his dead nephew, a face so similar to Harry's but with his sisters eyes... "NOOO!"
"Ron, Ron," Hermione called softly, shaking him as he shook still in the throes of his nightmare. Slowly, he came back to himself, blinking to clear the terrible dream as he stared up into the worried face of his beautiful wife.
"What-" he moaned trying to raise a hand to wipe his face, his hand shook as he attempted to, until Hermione's hand closed over his holding it as her other stroked through her hair.
"Shh," she soothed softly, "Just a nightmare."
"Everyone was dead..." Ron moaned, "All my fault."
"It wasn't real," she self closer to him, wrapping herself around his trembling body. "It's okay."
Ron didn't say anything but instead squeezed her tighter to him, leaning into her and allowing himself to seek comfort. She sank into him, feeling as his shakes faded slowly and his heartbeat began to beat as normal. She glanced over at the dark sodden bedside table, tidy but for an unopened letter. The letter had been delivered by the Potter's owl and Ron had thrown it down the second it arrived, storming around the room. Hermione knew, however, that Ron longed to read the letter and that is why it still sat on his bedside table rather than the bin. Hermione reckoned that Ron was more scared about the contents of the letter than he was angry.
They'd all been friends for so long... They'd been through so much and barely survived. Looking back to those first months after the war she shuddered. Back then, everything was a mess, they were the walking wounded except only they could see the open wounds festering. She'd been so worried about Harry, and Ron. Harry had been barely functioning at the time, he'd lived to work and that was all he did. He barely ate, never slept and never talked. She'd been half convinced that although they'd won, they'd still lost Harry...
And Ron, Ron had lost a brother, almost lost Harry and was trying to keep it together for her and him. She'd been stuck at school while Ron had tackled a suicidal auror, a grieving brother, not to mention the rest of his family. He'd worn himself so thin back then... Just trying to keep it together.
Hermione closed her eyes against her husband's chest, blinking back the tears. All that Ron had done for them all and all it had taken was a few hurtful words and he'd crumbled. Ron was strong, he always had been, but even he could only take so much.
Fury rose in her and she wished she could punch Harry, scold him for being such a pig-headed idiot. But she wouldn't. Couldn't. They'd have to sort this out between themselves.
Perhaps this letter was the way to that.
Mind made up, Hermione reached over him and grabbed the envelope before pressing in into his chest, he looked up at her with confusion.
"You've been friends thirty-one years, Ronald. At least give him the chance to make it up to you."
Ron didn't reply but he blinked slowly, before picking up the letter in his left hand. He stroked away the tears in her eyes and stood up, leaving Hermione alone in the bed.
He didn't know where he was going but just that he needed to be alone while he contemplated opening the letter. His heart ached to see what Harry wanted to say but a larger part of his wanted nothing more than to screw it up and throw it into the fire. He flushed again, remembering the cruel words that had been barrelled at him- words that he'd always know was true but that he'd never thought Harry would say to him.
Ron turned the letter over, the front just said 'Ron' in Harry's chicken scratch, he stared at the word and decidedly ripped the letter open.
Mate,
Although after what I've said, perhaps I don't deserve to call you that anymore.
It was James actually, that wanted me to tell you what a prat I've been, and he's right really. He thinks I'm an idiot, so does Gin, actually.
Ron, there is no auror I would rather have at my back than you, no man I'd rather have as a friend. There isn't anyone I trust more than you. That's the truth.
I know you and I know you probably think I'm just saying this, but I'm not. Ron I'm going to be blunt I don't want you to rejoin the aurors. Not because you aren't good enough (because you are) but because I can't watch you die. I can't.
I know we never really talked about what happened and we probably should have, but feelings have never really been our strong suit, have they? You took a spell for me and you nearly died. In fact, you did die. I held you and you told me to tell Hermione you loved her, to look after her and Rose and Hugo and then you died in my arms.
They got you back, I don't know how. But those seconds when you failed to breathe I couldn't cope. Then watching you recover, watching Hermione as you laid there nearly dying for months, I just knew I could never cope with anything ever happening again. I didn't blame you for leaving, I never wanted you to leave but didn't want you to stay either. I knew and so did Hermione, I think. That it'd be only a matter of time before you killed yourself saving me. And I couldn't let that happen. Not then, not ever.
So it's not that you aren't a good enough auror, it's that you're too good a friend. You'd sacrifice yourself for me in a heartbeat and I've had enough of that for a lifetime.
Mate, I love you too much to lose you. Plus your wife would kill me.
I'm so sorry Ron, I hope one day you can forgive me,
-Harry.
Ron stared down at the letter that was smudged in places and with a stain that looked something like whiskey on the corner. Perhaps he didn't understand what the hell Harry was talking about, but he did understand Harry's fear. It was the same fear he'd always had when Harry was in danger (which was always). It was Harry's saving thing, he thought, making it okay to sacrifice himself for everyone but not okay for anyone to do the same for him. Which was stupid in Ron's opinion.
But it didn't take away his anger for what had happened all those years ago. Harry had made the decision for him and made him leave, something he'd never wanted to do. He loved the joke shop, loved working with George. But it wasn't the same as making a difference like he had in the aurors. That's all he'd ever wanted to do, was make a difference, to matter. They always referred to him in the papers as the member of the golden trio that worked in a shop while the brighter, better two changed the world. That had always hurt. He hadn't paved the way for new laws or kept the world safe for the past fifteen years, he'd invented a couple of sweets.
Perhaps that should be enough for him. But it wasn't.
Even if he sort of understood Harry's worries, Ron still thought that it was his own decision to rejoin the aurors. He wanted to be involved and really how involved could he be running a joke shop? Not very. He needed to be on the front lines, backing up Harry and Hermione. Like he always had, not hiding in the back of a shop. It just wasn't him.
Hermione would understand, she always had before and he doubted she would stop now. Harry understood too and like he said he trusted no one at his back more than Ron, and it was true the other way round. They were an unbreakable team.
Another war was looming, completely different from the last and this time it wasn't just them in danger but their children and Ron was not going to let this war affect them as it had him. They deserved the chance to be children.
Ron picked up a quill from the side and found a scrap of paper, he hurriedly scratched out a reply to Harry.
Harry,
I still want in. You don't get to decide what I do with my life. This is my decision.
Ron
Maybe he should've put more emotion in there, or more of an explanation. But what he wanted was pretty straight forward, he wanted to do his job.
A/N I was really annoyed when I read that J.K Rowling had said that Ron ended up working at WWW. Because it was so dismissive of everything Ron had ever achieved. What so Harry and Hermione get to do the cool jobs and Ron slinks off? Ron could have done so many things- even if he wasn't an auror. This is my way of matching what I think to J.K - that something happened that forced him to leave the aurors. It's the only thing that makes sense to me.
All of this story is written, but I am rubbish at remembering to update it. I go months and get distracted. Any feedback on this story is appreciated. I feel that since I've been with it so long, I've begun to either hate it or ignore its MANY flaws.
