AN: I did not think I was going to get this chapter out today. It's been one of those weeks and I still have Friday to survive. Nonetheless, it is here. Things have been way too nice for Ron & Hermione, so lets see what Ron's first proper Auror mission will bring him! As ever, I appreciate all feedback and try to respond where I can (I love discussing all things Romione with everyone). Updates may slow down over the next week as I have a Secret Santa I HAVE to write but we'll see what else life throws at me. xxx
The Auror mission takes longer and is more boring than expected until Harry makes a suggestion that takes them off course.
Ron woke with a start on the fourth night of the mission, a deep sense of foreboding radiating through his body. The room they were sleeping in was pitch black and his limbs were tangled in the mess of blankets and sleeping bags he was using as a makeshift bed, making him feel as if he was trapped. For a moment, he panicked; he felt like he'd been thrust back a few years to the tent he'd shared with Harry and Hermione, the gloom mimicking the power the Horcrux had over him. He gasped for breath as he desperately searched for something to focus on and bring him back to where he was supposed to be; his keen ears finally picking up on the rolling snores of his colleagues. He blocked out all other senses, focussing on the snuffles and heavy breathing until his heartbeat slowed down and the urge to hex someone finally disappeared.
The group had made camp last night deep in the rolling Cotswolds hills, choosing an abandoned barn at the edge of a run-down muggle farm. It had taken them a while to hack a path through the tall grass and find an entrance, but the roof had seemed whole and the floor was dry – a massive improvement on where they'd slept the night before. Although it was May, a harsh wind had picked up whilst they'd completed their investigations that day and it was now howling menacingly though the rafters, making sleep almost impossible. And when Ron did manage to drift off, old anxieties were forcing his nightmares to the forefront of his mind.
So far, their mission had been an entire waste of time. They'd followed the reported sightings off Mulciber and Crabbe from the Yorkshire Dales, down through Leicestershire but there was no trace of them or the supposed key witnesses who had disappeared without a trace. To make matters worse, they had been on a limited diet since they'd left the Auror briefing room Saturday night and everything was adding to Ron's mounting frustration about the mission.
Once he was sure he had calmed down from his nightmare, he carefully untangled his arms from the blanket and pushed himself into a sitting position. He grazed his fingers over the blanket lightly, letting the soft, plush material ground him. He had been teased about it when he had pulled it from his bag, but he was the one laughing now as the rest of them complained they were cold. Whilst she was helping him pack, Hermione had jokingly placed a charm on his Chudley Canon's blanket, making it look similar to the scratchy Auror-issue covers. It usually stayed in the same location, flung over the back of the sofa ready for days when she decided to curl up with a book. It smelt of her, of the fire at Primrose Cottage and of spilt tea from when they'd both gotten a little carried away whilst cuddled up under it and it was comforting. Ron spotted a moment when she was distracted and stuffed it into the bottom of his bag, hoping she wouldn't miss it.
Most of his teammates had brought a token from home; he definitely wasn't the only one but they didn't have Harry, the specky git who used to be his best friend who conveniently spotted the one corner Hermione's charm had missed as Ron had unfolded it on their first night. The black-haired pricked had earned the sharp kick in the shin Ron had given him that night.
Ron took a long swing from his canteen then stowed it back in his bag before casting his eyes around the room, letting them adjust to the darkness. A short figure sat in the doorway; their shadow illuminated by the moonlight. It was Harry, his ex-best friend, taking his turn on watch. He let out a small sigh, sleep was far out of his reach now so he decided he might as well get up and keep the dickhead company. He pulled on a spare jumper for warmth, leaving his blanket in his sleeping space. After slipping his feet back into his boots, he carefully weaved around the sleeping bodies of his teammates and plonked himself down next to Harry, his eyes staring straight ahead over the hills.
"Anything exciting happened?"
For anyone else, the appearance of a lanky ginger person in the early hours of the morning would have scared the life out of them; but Harry wasn't even startled. He'd almost felt Ron's approach before he'd joined him. There were certain bonds that developed once you'd been through what they had together, bonds he was aware he would never even share with Ginny. Also, the guy stomped everywhere; despite his best attempts at being quiet. Harry shifted his eyes wearily to look at his best friend.
"A sheep passed by about 10 minutes ago. He looked at me as if to say 'you're wasting your time' before wandering off again…"
"So being a parseltongue isn't enough; you've decided to just start speaking the language of sheep, whatever that's called?"
"Only the one sheep. Maybe the Dark Lord is back and he's hidden a new Horcrux…"
"Well, we have no chance of finding that then; the whole countryside is riddled with the bloody things…"
Harry laughed softly. "What are you doing up anyway? Can't sleep?"
"Reckon I had a nightmare; I don't remember it now though. I won't be able to get back to sleep…" Ron rubbed the back of his neck as he tried to suppress a yawn.
Harry nodded but didn't say anything else. He knew how bad the nightmares were, he still suffered from them occasionally too. He stared out into the darkness for a moment.
"I've been thinking of Malfoy Manor…"
"That's not food mate…"
"I just wondered if I might suggest we go there and check things out, since everywhere else we've been has just been a dead end."
Ron turned his head, frowning at Harry. "You don't think they're hiding out there, do you? Didn't the Malfoys run away to Spain or somewhere after their trials had finished?"
"I dunno – I just think if there are uncaptured Death Eaters out there they may gravitate to Malfoy Manor given its history. I'm pretty sure it's in ruins now, but it's a significant building. I was surprised when it wasn't on the original list…"
Ron shrugged and pulled the sleeves of his jumper down over his hands as a shiver travelled over his spine. The last thing he wanted to do was to go back there, even if the building wasn't standing anymore. The Manor was the scene of his worst nightmares and he'd rather go ballroom dancing with Grawp than go back there. He was pretty sure that he'd still be able to hear Hermione's screams bouncing off the walls and he didn't want to relive them, ever again if he could help it.
He let out a heavy sigh. "As much as I really don't want to go back there, it probably is worth mentioning it to Healey. He's been open to our comments and feedback all week and the sooner we find something or check everything out, the sooner I can sleep in my own bed with my arms firmly around my girlfriend…"
Harry didn't respond; instead, he focused on a distant hill as he tried to process his thoughts. He wanted to go back to Malfoy Manor just as badly as Ron did. He just didn't want their first mission to be a waste of their time. Slowly, his thoughts drifted away as his eyelids started to close and the sudden jerk of his head dropping onto his chest woke him back up again. He felt Ron elbow him softly in the side.
"Go on, I'm on the next watch until dawn anyway and it's almost time to trade. Take my bed if you want it, my blanket is there and it'll be warmer than yours. I'm not going back to sleep tonight!"
"Cheers mate…" Harry carefully stood up as Ron pulled his wand from his pocket. "I am sorry for telling the team the blanket was from Hermione…"
Ron turned his head to look at his best friend, giving him a knowing look. "Oh, it's okay. I've seen the arm of Ginny's teddy bear poking out of your bag. I'm keeping that nugget for when I really need it…" He tapped his nose with a wry grin before turning back to staring into the darkness. He felt Harry clap a hand firmly on his shoulder and then he was alone.
Two days later, the pair found themselves stood at the end of the long drive that led to Malfoy Manor. With all of the rest of their leads providing no further evidence of Death eater activity; Healey had agreed to extend the mission to investigate the Manor. He was impressed with Harry's resourcefulness; even though Harry and Ron both agreed they probably wouldn't have said anything if it meant they could be home. The rain had started early that morning and hadn't let up. Ron was just thankful for the weather repellent spells protecting them from the majority of the elements.
Malfoy Manor was a shadow of its former majesty. One of the grand gates had rusted and was hanging off its hinge and the other was lying on the floor halfway down the garden. Where once peacocks frolicker, there was now only weeds and brambles. The building was still there, although there was no way it was still habitable. Only one wing of the house was still standing; rubble was strewn among the overgrown garden and piles of ash decorated what still existed.
Ron placed his hand on the gate post; wincing as the white brick crumbled underneath his touch.
"Oh, how the might have fallen…" He threw a satisfied smile at Harry. "Makes you feel good doesn't it?"
Harry shrugged. He almost felt impassive about it all. He was disappointed that his hunch hadn't come to anything; the place was so obviously deserted. Still, at least after a quick check of the grounds, they would be able to go home.
The pair were pulled back to the group as Healey summoned them. They stood around the small wizard so they could discuss formation. Once a planned was formed, the group moved into position and waited patiently for their cue, wands raised high at standard shoulder height and in front of their bodies.
"Alright, move-in folks…"
The group of Aurors moved in tight formation towards the building. They were well practised at this, having visited over 20 locations over the past week. They moved as one, taking their cues from Healey who had been their designated mission lead from Saturday. Robards was a paper pusher, he hadn't been on a mission for over 10 years and had warned the group he didn't like being called out to deal with things; especially if it was out of office hours.
The group came within five metres of the building before stopping and casting the charms that would reveal booby traps or anyone living in the dilapidated house, although the odds seemed unlikely. Ron made sure to cast his charms wide, he'd already had his fingers burnt during their visit to Long Buckby and he was pretty sure his Auror career would last another incident like that. He felt himself relax as his charms showed nothing untoward on his side of the building.
Soon, the word came down the line that Harry had identified movement in the dungeon. Ron felt his heartbeat speed up and he fought against every inch of his being to rush to his best friend's side. Breaking rank could result in an immediate suspension. He pushed his feet into the mud, ready to hold his ground until Healey gave the signal for the group to move in. He shifted only when the Aurors either side of him moved and eventually drew closer to Harry. It wasn't until he moved that Ron noticed his hand was shaking, and he fought to keep control of it. As if being at Malfoy Manor was bad enough; it was like the death eaters were deliberately teasing him by hiding in the dungeon. He joined the small group around Harry as the wizard talked through the feedback from his charms.
Auror Healey listened carefully to Potter speak and was relieved when the group remained silent. He wasn't expecting to find anything at the Manor, this was his first mission in charge and he'd been hoping for nothing to happen so he could file an easy report and take it as a win. He knew he had to think fast; whatever was hiding in the dungeon could have already spotted them and be planning their attack.
He stood up straight and addressed the group, keeping his voice low. "Okay – here's what we're going to do. Watson, you take the lead with Morgan. From the floor plans I looked at last night, the dungeons are pretty small so we don't all need to investigate. I'll take the rear. I want the rest of you to move back into watch formation; keep your eyes peeled for any potential escape routes and be there to stop them."
Ron immediately knew the plan wasn't right. He sighed; he knew this would happen if they came here. He cast his eye across the group towards Harry, checking he felt the same way and was rewarded with a nod. Ron straightened up and raised his hand.
"Yes, Weasley?" Healey looked annoyed at being interrupted.
"Harry and I have been here before. We were held captive in the dungeons by Lord Voldemort and his closest followers. If anyone should go first, it should be us…"
Healey looked like he was considering the plan. He didn't look happy, but Ron knew he was right. He kept his head up high and eventually the Auror nodded his head. "Okay, but the two of you are to go in together, okay? Keep close to me and keep your ears peeled for anything unusual. I don't like this but knowing what the two of you have been through already, I'm going to go with it. At the first sign of anything going wrong, you two are to leave straight away; understood?"
Harry and Ron agreed at the same time and quickly moved into the new formation. They waited with Healey until the rest of the team had taken up position around the house before cautiously stepping towards the building.
Despite the fact it had been over three years since they'd last been at the Manor, Ron still found the path leading to the dungeons with ease. He carefully stepped over large pieces of rubble; every one of his senses feeling like they were being amplified 100 times over. It was enough to make him feel sick. He easily located the stairs that led to the metal gate and paused briefly, using the opportunity to take a deep breath. It was raining harder now, either that or his weather repelling charm was running out and he lifted his head towards the sky; hoping the raindrops would cool his hot forehead. He was vaguely aware of Harry performing homenum revelio but the charm showed nothing further. The feel of Harry's hand on his back brought the ginger back to the present. It told Ron that he felt it too but that it was going to be okay.
The gate creaked as Ron pushed it open, letting it swing against the brick wall with a loud clang. The group followed the stairs down into the dungeon and spread into the space. Ron lit his wand and scoured the room. It was in a worse state than when they were there before. The walls were slick with rain and mould and the entire room stank to high heaven. He grimaced as he stepped into a puddle and shook the water from his boot.
All of a sudden a lump formed in his throat and his body went cold. He fought to keep his grip on his wand as he tried desperately to catch his breath. The small room they were stood in represented everything he still stressed about, deep in the night whilst Hermione was asleep next to him. He glanced towards the corner where he sat with his hands clamped over his ears to block out the sound of Hermione's screams, the gate at the top of the stairs clanged once again in the wind and all of a sudden he could hear himself pleading to be taken instead of her. He didn't want her to be tortured again.
His wand finally gave up the fight against his sweaty grip as panic took over and his ears started to ring. Almost as if he were underwater, his sight wavered as he watched a small figure step out of the darkness and the concealment charm that was hiding him. Suddenly, Healey was forced out of the room and up the stairs by a gust of strong magic, the gate slamming shut behind them. Ron could hear Healey trying to regain access but time and time again he hit a shield that could not be penetrated. He stooped for his wand, yearning for the willow wood to find its way back to him but it was no good. In his panic, he forgot about the months of wandless magic they'd practised. Cursing to himself, he lifted his head once more and found an elderly elf stood where Healey had once been; his eyes glowing with menace. A familiar nasal voice reverberated around the room.
"You will pay for the mudblood's transgressions…"
A blue curse hit Ron's body before he could dodge it and he felt tight bindings wrap around his body. As he fell to the ground, he could hear Harry calling for him but then everything went dark and he could hear no more.