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Chapter 20: Letter from the Ministry

Ron returned to his previous state of drinking his way through the day. They all noticed, but if they mentioned alcohol, Ron vehemently denied the abuse of the liquid. Nothing they said ever stuck. He lost days of memory at a time, often walking through a haze. He tried to start arguments with his housemates and Hermione, but no one took the bait. They placated him and sent him on his way. Occasionally he would duck into hiding spots and pass out throughout the day, missing many classes. Yet, the professors did nothing. He was an adult war hero. What could they do?

A few more weeks passed by normally. Hermione and Draco had moved to small electronics in their tutoring, and things between them were nicer, and they were becoming closer. Tutoring sessions ended with Hermione, Draco, and Blaise spending time together laughing and sharing stories. Draco spent more nights in the Head's dorm than in his own dorm. He had finally caved and told Blaise about the abuse his other housemates were doling out. Blaise had not been surprised and invited Draco to stay.

Things were getting into a decent routine. Well, they were until Ronald Weasley received a letter. The letter came in a simple envelope with Ron's name written neatly and clearly on the front from a ministry owl. The letter was signed by one Percy Weasley. What could Percy want?

Dear Ronald,

I hope this letter finds you well. I know I do not normally write, but this is of the utmost importance. I wanted to warn you of the unrest in the ministry. As my brother, I wanted to forewarn you of the upcoming decision that will be decided upon in the coming weeks. An old law is about to take effect, but Minister Shacklebolt has a plan. The public at large must not know of this solution to a pressing matter that will plague us for generations to come. Keep courage my good man, and keep your friends close. Do not sink to the depths of despair should this not go according to your life plans. This will change everything. Give Ginevra my love.

Your brother,

Percy Weasley

Assistant to the Minister of Magic

Ronald crumbled the letter. Why would he go around the issue and not just tell him? Stupid git! Just tell him the problem instead of hinting at problems to come that were not even pressing matters right now. Shit. He had his whole life planned out and no one was going to change it. Him and Hermione were going to marry and have a brood of kids while he played professional quidditch. "This will change everything, my ass," Ron thought and stormed to his room in frustration. He needed a full bottle to deal with this mess. Fuck his brother.

Ron proceeded to down an entire bottle of Firewhiskey. Chugged the whole thing at once. And that was not a little bottle either. In his drunken state, he decided he needed to go see Hermione. She would love to see him. Yeah. She understood him. Ron hurried off, stumbling every step of the way to the head's dorm.

As he approached he heard Hermione laughing. He loved that laugh. He loved her. He began knocking on the portrait to gain entrance. Well, banging is more like it. He started to call to her, too.

"'Mione! Open up!"

Hermione stopped laughing at Draco's joke when she heard Ron. What was he doing? And he sounded absolutely knackered. Shit.

"I think Ron's at the door, Draco."

Draco's face fell. What did that piece of dung want now?

"I'll answer it, Hermione."

"No, it's fine. I've got it."

Hermione walked over to the door and hesitantly cracked the portrait's opening.

"'Mione!" he yelled as he pushed his way in. "Just the brilliant witch I wanted to see!"

However his face fell as he saw the blond Slytherin on the couch.

"What the fuck 'Mione?"

"I was just tutoring him, Ronald."

"I told you to quit. And in your room? Tutoring him in what? Fucking? Are you fucking cheating on me?"

"Of course not, Ronald!"

But it was too late. Ronald Weasley had descended into a shadow of a man. He cocked his fist back ready to punch her in the face. That bitch wouldn't know what kind of pain she was in for. But just before impact, a hand shot out and caught his fist.

"Don't. You. Dare. Hurt. Her," Draco stated menacingly.

Ron cocked the other fist back and connected it to Draco Malfoy's nose. They began to punch each other. Ron from blinded drunken anger and Malfoy from anger at his abusive tendencies. After a few moments, Hermione acted. She stunned the pair and separated them.

"He's not worth getting in trouble, Draco. I'll be back. I'm taking him to his room."

Draco grumbled. Of course she still took care of him. And it crushed Draco to see her go. She would always stick up for the Weasel. Who was he kidding? And why did it hurt so much to see her helping that dung bag instead of helping him?