Chapter Sixty-Five: Ronald Weasley Grows Up
Ron exposes what the curse-breaking demanded as his sacrifice.
(i) The characters and world of Harry Potter are the property of J.K. Rowling. I make no money from this.
(ii) Thank you to all the readers who have stayed with me through the writing of this tale. Your patience has been truly amazing and your continuing reviews are so appreciated.
(iii) This time last year I was Course Director at a summer school that taught English as a Foreign Language to students from France, Italy and Spain. How things have changed since the world turned upside down.
I hope you are staying safe wherever you are. Big, socially distanced hugs everyone.
Ron threw down the Prophet and sighed. He knew Lavender would be on cloud nine to have her exposé and interview featured on the front page. Knowing he needed to talk to her, and seeing this as providing an excellent opportunity to meet up, he Flooed her bed-sit immediately.
Lavender was just finishing her make up routine and was ever so pleased to see Ron.
"Won-won," she gushed. "I didn't expect you to Floo this morning."
"How could I not?" said Ron, grinning. "The article was wonderful and I was so proud to see you'd made front page."
Lavender preened. "Thank you, honey-pie," she said.
"Dinner to celebrate?" asked Ron. "We could go into Muggle London. I saw a Vietnamese place I think we might enjoy."
"Ronald," Lavender said in delight. "Oh, that's such a good idea. I can't wait."
Ron grinned, but inside he felt like a cad. Did it take so little to please Lavender? How and why had she put up with him for so long?
"Shall we meet at the Leaky at about half six?" he asked. "I've got a full day of training so I'll meet you there."
Lavender smiled. That would give her plenty of time to get back from the paper and wash her hair. Perfect. "I'll get the drinks in," she said by way of agreement.
Ron grinned and blew her a kiss before withdrawing from the tiny fireplace in his flat. Ron was really surprised at how talking to Lavender had made him feel. He knew he had strong feelings for Susan, but he realised he'd always cared for Lavender, too. He'd just been confused, and he'd used someone he could have been real friends with because he hadn't been able to control the urges brought on by his inner Darkness.
Ron was upset at the way he'd treated Lavender. He wanted to be her friend and celebrate her success. She was a nice person deep inside. It was her Darkness that had turned her into a wannabe Rita. And that Darkness had emerged and taken root because she had fought for the Light. It was so unfair that the Good had paid a high a price for victory as to become in many ways so similar to those they'd considered Bad for so long. And of course, so many like Lavender had played such small, even insignificant roles in the war that they were not being given the intensive support that people like Neville and he had received. He would have to talk to Kingsley to make sure all of the DA were called into the Ministry at some point. No one should be left to the mercy of their Darkness.
Ron was taken aback at his sense of righteous indignation. How could he be nasty towards Lavender and her friends like Romilda when he had been unaware of his own Darkness and petty, grubby behaviour for so long?
Ron hadn't really had a full day at the Ministry. But he knew he was going to, now. He was going to sit down and talk to Warrington. He'd take in his journals, messy with late night writing scrawled on random pieces of paper, scribbles in the book he'd been given to start sketching in, everything. At least, that part of the training had gone into his thick head, and he'd been diligent in documenting his changing moods, thoughts and magic. This was going to be hard, but he was ready. He wasn't going to be less than the Malfoys in doing what was right.
He collected everything and packed it into the leather bag Bill and Fleur had given him for Christmas. He'd not used it before this, it had felt too pompous, too Percyish, but well, he thought it was time. He looked at himself in the tall mirror by the front door. Ron realised he'd only looked at his appearance, not his eyes for a while now. Today he stood in front of the mirror and looked into his own eyes. Somehow, he felt like he could. Whatever the curse-breaking had done, whatever sacrifice he'd been called to make, it was worth it.
Ron walked through Diagon Alley and couldn't help but note the normalcy and lack of drama in the air. It felt good. Whatever he may have become in the last year since the fall of Voldemort, he'd done something amazing with Harry and Hermione. He remembered how they'd used Polyjuice to enter the Ministry, how they'd snuck into Gringotts. Now, now he walked to the designated Apparation point outside Madam Malkins and emerged into a cubicle at the Ministry. He nodded at the security wizard, had his wand checked in as usual and made his way into the trainees' office. He had appointments to make and his soul to bare.
Ron was shattered. He didn't think he'd ever worked so hard in his life. Not even when they were on the run from the Snatchers and Moldyshorts had he felt like he'd been through the wringer like this. Warrington had listened and asked what felt like a million probing questions, all the while taking notes, then called in Kingsley, who'd then called in Lucius around tea-time so that all four of them could discuss and examine all the things that Ron had to say. He'd been taken aback at how proud and pleased everyone had been at his manning up and disgorging his deepest, darkest fears and emotions for discussion. He hadn't realised that Lucius cared. Seriously cared.
The next big surprise was when the consultations ended and Lucius indicated he wanted a private word with Ron. He'd never liked the poncey arse, but after the day he'd had, Ron had inclined his head and asked the great shark if he'd like a cup of tea in the Trainees' break room. He'd been surprised when the Slytherin had accepted.
You could have knocked Ron over with a feather when the blond ponce took a seat on the scared wooden arm chair and took the chipped mug of tea the red-head brewed. Then, while Ron sipped and waited expectantly for the Slytherin to speak, Ron had learnt how to be silent, Lucius placed the mug on the arm of his chair and leaned forward.
"When I entered the Ministry this afternoon, the magics would have noted that you and I now share a blood-bond. Fairly soon, if not already, some lacky in the Records Department will notice that you, Harry and Percival have joined our family. I wanted to warn you that you might be asked questions. I know we agreed that we'd say it was done to strengthen our bonds and ensure peace after the fall of the Dark Lord, but given today's successful Prophet manipulation, there is no saying what might occur."
Ron nodded. "I'm meeting Lavender for dinner. I'll tell her then. I'll say I wanted to tell her in person. That it took place because of Ginny's post-traumatic stress outburst, and how we as a family felt it would help strengthen our blood connections."
"Masterful," said Lucius, not doing anything to mask the satisfaction that was obvious on his face. Taking a sip of the strong, hot tea, Lucius commented, "Hermione has mentioned that you have an excellent grasp of strategy. We should have a game or two of chess."
Ron grinned. He loved chess, and he could well imagine that Lucius would prove to be a wily, cunning and crafty opponent. Just the kind of competition to hone his skills. "You're on," he said.
Lucius smirked. Then, in a more serious tone, he added. "I've also got a request and invitation from Narcissa. She is determined that you and Percival are and should be true members of the family. Harry already considered the Manor home in many ways; we extend the same open invitation to you and your brother. Do not think this blood bond was mere formality and now done with. There are things that you can talk to us about that you may not be able to discuss with Molly and Arthur. Use our names if they further our joint purposes. Use Slytherin tactics, you can always blame us and say that we have corrupted you. I use the same tactic in reverse. It flummoxes people to see Gryffindor forthrightness in me. I blithely say I am learning from Hermione. It is rather amusing to see peoples' reactions and changing facial expressions."
Ron laughed. But the laughter hid his shock and surprise. He hadn't thought the ponce would be so open or want more than political usage of the Weasleys, if that was even possible given the Malfoys already impressive connections. It was time for Ron to demonstrate that he did know how to behave. He was Arthur's son as much as he was Molly's. He did know protocol.
"Thank you." Ron remembered the ancient book on etiquette that Hermione had leafed through that year they'd prepared for the Yule Ball. She'd been such a pain, looking up appropriate greetings and customs. Now, he used the sketchy recollections and knelt formally in front of Lucius. He could see the blond was taken aback.
Ron bent his head. "I offer you the fealty of a blood-bound son and liege man," he said. "Your honour is safe with me."
Lucius hadn't expected the youngest Weasley male to even know the old customs. He'd assumed they'd been forgotten, left to only Slytherin families to maintain. Each interaction was teaching him more about their shared misconceptions than he could have imagined. Standing up, Lucius pulled out his wand and tapped the young man first on his right shoulder and then the left. "Benedictio Militis," murmured the patrician. The magic took, and their blood-bond tightened and strengthened. It was done.
Once Lucius had left the Ministry, Ron went in search of his father. Arthur was in his office, still surrounded by piles of paper and random Muggle artifacts, sharing a pot of tea with Percy. "Oh, good," said Ron coming into the office and shutting the door.
Casting a Muffliato. he perched on the end of his dad's desk and quickly explained as briefly as he could all that had happened that day.
Both Percy and Arthur listened in silence.
Finally, Percy sighed. "I've spent most of the afternoon talking to dad about the changes in me as well. We don't have time to go into it, but Dad and I think we should tell Mother. Include Bill in the conversation, too."
Ron nodded. "If we tell Mum we all want to meet for a family meal, it will give her something to focus on, now that Ginny is for the time at least in isolation at Nott Castle."
Arthur took off his glasses with a sigh and polished them thoughtfully. "Yes, she has been in a right state since Fleur's parents took an international port key post haste to arrive at Hogwarts once they understood what Bill wanted from them. Molly's afraid of Apolline I think, she's not tried to contact Ginny or the Delacours once Ginny was removed to Theo's property. I think Molly expected things to take time. She didn't expect the Delacours to come as they were, no dithering or second guessing, or that they'd be happy to allow the Lestrange house-elves to pack up their home and belongings because of the urgency of the situation. But she was fretting as I left for work and I'm worried how she'll be when I get back."
Suiting action to words, Arthur stood up and began to organise himself to get back to the Burrow. "Percy, will you be okay on your own?" his father asked, as he put some papers into his satchel and began to wrap his scarf 'round his neck.
Percy nodded. "I'll be fine."
Ron broke in. "You could go to the Manor for dinner. They won't mind if you just turn up. I don't think you should be on your own. I had a miserable time last night – too many thoughts, too many regrets. But I'm seeing Lavender this evening. We're going out for dinner."
Percy looked aghast. "Just turn up at the Manor?"
"Lucius extended the open house invitation to us both. They'd be delighted. You'll probably see Harry there, if I'm not mistaken." Ron himself felt aghast at how comfortable he felt making Percy free of the Malfoys home. He has always hated them. Reason and politics had tempered his behaviour, but he hadn't expected to feel like he could send his brother there for succour.
Percy did not seem convinced. He followed his father and brother out of the office and watched his dad lock the door. "I don't think so," he said at last, "but I shall think about what you have said."
Ron nodded. "Shall we try and have dinner as a family tomorrow night, or do you think Mum needs more warning?"
Arthur considered it as he waited for the lift to arrive. "Tomorrow night should do. I don't think any of us are going to want to miss this conversation. This is important."
Ron Flooed George to check that he was okay. He suddenly felt like his day of talking had allowed him room in his head to think more clearly.
George was not alone. He and Lee Jordon were in their bright work robes, putting things away as closing time approached.
"Ron?" George asked, worry obvious in his voice. "Anything the matter?"
Ron smiled. "No, just checking to see you were okay."
George nodded briefly, understanding clear on his face. "I'm fine. Lee and I have been taking stock in preparing for the post-Valentine weekend sales."
Ron grinned. "Cool. I'll swing by if I can. But dinner tomorrow night at the Burrow. Mum's cooking and you don't want to miss that."
Lee looked up at that. "Doggy bag for my lunch the next day, mate, no one cooks like your mum."
George turned to Lee grinning. Ron left his brother to it. He knew George would be okay with Lee for company.
Ron just had enough time to wash his face, splash on some cologne and give his hair a brush before rushing to the Apparition Point to make his date with Lavender.
He was glad he's taken the time, because Lavender was sexily dressed in a skin-tight wool jumper and smart pencil skirt combo, looking very professional and attractive. Ron kissed Lavender on the lips and accepted the pint she'd already had ready for him at the little table she'd nabbed in the corner.
Taking a long, cool drink, he sighed in pleasure and pulled her closer for a proper squeeze. Even as he did it, Ron was torn. She was sexy and he enjoyed being with her, and yet, there was the thought of Susan, not too far from him mind. He wondered if he was doing the right thing. Would Susan even want him after all of this? Was he just building castles in the air? Maybe he should be grateful he had Lavender in his life?
Lavender giggled, pleased with his affections. Then looking at him properly, she said with obvious concern, "You look done in."
Ron nodded. "Shattered. Training for the Aurors is hard work. And it's not just the physical stuff, either. There's lots of psychological and magical training. Can't make mistakes like we did before. Kingsley is very conscientious and demanding."
Lavender nodded, interested. She always found Ron cagey about what they learned, but she knew enough to know the boys were being put through their paces.
They finished their drinks while talking, and Ron encouraged Lavender to tell him everything about the interview, from the moment she received Narcissa's missive. Delighted to have such an interested audience, Lavender gushed and preened and told Ron everything.
Ron listened at the Slytherin cunning. It was clear that Lavender had no idea she'd been manipulated or led to any of the things she'd written or suggested. Ron knew he'd learn loads if he was willing to put in the effort from the Malfoys. They were master strategists.
Eventually, when Ron's tummy rumbled loudly, Lavender laughed. "I guess it's dinnertime."
Ron agreed and they stepped out into Muggle London.
Dinner passed in more relaxed talk. Ron was determined to make the meal about Lavender and her delight in her front-page article. He didn't want to take away her moment in the spotlight. The old Ron would have barged right in, the new Ron could wait.
After dinner, they walked along the Thames and Ron tentatively began to explain things.
Lavender as always made a marvellous audience. She gasped as she heard of Ron making the blood-bond to ensure the family relationship between the Weasleys and the Malfoys was not hurt by Ginny's outburst.
Ron could see the avarice on Lavender's face.
"Will you be going to the Manor often then?" asked Lavender.
"Lucius wants me to," admitted Ron, seeing how Lavender was already angling for a foot into that circle.
"Oh Ron," she gushed. "How fabulous. You'll be invited to all their intimate gatherings now."
Ron felt his resolve hardening. Even if Susan never went out with him, he didn't want his family, both old and new, used. He pulled Lavender close and rested his head on her chin. "I've got something to say, Babes, and you're not going to like it."
He felt Lavender stiffen in his arms and he held her as tenderly as he could. "Have you really looked at the Malfoys?" he asked.
Lavender stepped away and starred up at him. "What do you mean?"
Ron sighed and raked his fingers through his hair. "I've been watching Lucius and Narcissa closely of late. Mostly because Hermione is so happy with them and I didn't trust them. You know that."
Lavender nodded. But she said nothing.
"The poncey arse adores his wife. Now that I've seen them en famille, there is such deep love between them that it is staggering. I do like you, Lav. I think you're gorgeous. Sexy, smart, beautiful and so much fun. I can't believe you took me back after how horrible I was at school. But now that we've been together for so long, now that I've put the war and the victory celebration nonsense behind me, I realise that I don't love you like you deserve to be loved and I don't want to string you along. You deserve to be cherished. To perform High Magic when you tie the knot. We are happy, but there's something missing. I think knowing that Hermione is my sister now in blood has helped me clear my head."
Focusing on the fact that Hermione was now his sister, therefore forever beyond his reach, was a gamble, but one that was sure to make Lav zero in on that and leave other possibilities behind.
"Say something, please?" begged Ron. "I'm so sorry. I feel like such a cad. I should never have buried myself in your warmth, used your kindness when I didn't know what was really going on in my head. But that was the Darkness inside of me. I was too shattered by the war to think straight. Now that I can, I know I did you a disservice."
Lavender was hurt, angry, shocked and frustrated. What Ron said was true. She didn't love him, not for a soul-binding. It wouldn't take. But Ron was her ticket into society. Now he was a Malfoy, she could have gone to all of their exclusive events with him. "You're a bastard," she cried. "Just as you're about to enter fully into high society you ditch me. Hoping to get one of these Slytherin whores are you?"
"Lavender," said Ron, trying for calm. "You know that's not true. But performing blood-magic comes at a cost. It forces the caster to examine himself or herself. We learned this for O.W.L.S., remember?"
"Bah," said Lavender, throwing him a haughty look, and staking off. She would write such an article tomorrow. He'd rue the day he ditched Lavender Brown.
A/N: Love it or hate it, please let me know what you think