A/N: Thank you for your reviews, I really appreciate them. Once again, I do not and am not trying to claim the Harry Potter characters. Thank youuu

Chapter 2 - Explanations

Ron awoke with a stir. He had only interrupted himself from broken sleep anyway. He rubbed his tired eyes and sat up quickly. Gauging his surroundings, he remembered how Kingsley had allowed him to sleep at the Ministry for a few hours before returning to his London flat. It was just a mere box room, that Ron doubted was really intended to be a bedroom, but he was grateful nevertheless. Having spent the last few years of his life in between houses, campsites, even palaces. Merlin, it had been a crazy few years, he chuckled to himself. Raising himself from the camp bed, he stretched his tall frame before heading to the door of the dark room.

"Ah, Ron. You're awake!" Kingsley smiled at Ron from where he sat behind his desk. Ron nodded dazedly as he noticed a girl with long, blonde hair sat opposite the Minister. Kingsley seemed to notice. "This is Amy, she's here to take you to have some tests done. Just in case your memory had been tampered with during your mission." Kingsley explained.

Ron nodded absently, in his first year working as an Auror, these tests were common procedure after carrying out a mission so he wasn't really phased. "Excellent. I'll speak to you later" said Kingsley as he motioned his hand towards the door when the blonde stranger, Amy stood up.

"Right then. Better get you down to the testing centre" she smiled warmly and Ron smiled back nonchalantly. They headed down the long hallway that led to the lifts. "So" she began, bringing a quill up to a clipboard. "I would ask you your name, but I don't think there's a witch or wizard walking this earth that doesn't know it" she added. Ron chuckled politely, in all honesty he had forgotten how high of a profile he had amassed since the war. Amy continued to ask him the general questions about his height, the last time he had eaten, etc. It wasn't until just then he realised that he hadn't eaten in a while. Kingsley had offered him some food when he arrived last night but he couldn't find his appetite. A heavy contrast to his younger self. But then again, his younger self wasn't carrying around multiple sources of impending masses of guilt.

They finally landed in the basement of the Ministry, where a variety of tests took place. He followed the blonde healer (he presumed that's what she worked as) as they went through the pristine white corridor. Ron sat on a familiar medical bed and awaited the standard preparations for having these tests done.

"Okay" she began again. "Do you feel pain in any particular areas?" she asked, studying him.

Ron shook his head. "Nah. I'm fine" he answered nonchalantly.

Amy looked at him for a moment. "If you don't mind me saying, you don't appear fine. Especially not for someone who just saved thousands of lives".

Ron shrugged. She busied herself with preparing a needle, cleansing the sharp point. "Tired, I guess"

"Bet you're looking forward to seeing your family again. I really don't know how you did it, I'd be a wreck without mine" she added.

"Yeah" Ron added politely, he knew his blunt answers were supposedly rude, but he just wasn't in the mood for talking.

"Oh and I bet you must be ecstatic about seeing your girlfriend, Hermione" Amy continued. Ron shifted uncomfortably. He forgot that not only did his family keep up to date with their relationship, the whole wizarding world seemed to. He didn't answer, instead looked to the floor as he realised he would have to break the news to his mother and everyone sooner rather than later.

"Okay. If you could just lay back for me" she asked as she neared closer to Ron, holding the injector. Ron lay back hesitantly; this was the first time actually looking at her eyes, he thought he recognised them for a glimpse but the quick pain of the injection snapped him out of his trail of thought. He flinched slightly. "There you go. All done" she smiled and stood out of his way so he could stand. "I'll send the results up to the Minister." She added. Ron nodded and left, muttering a thanks.

Harry twiddled his fingers nervously as he paced slowly around his office. Kingsley had asked him to come in early this morning, to discuss something, and it worried him. He couldn't help but let his mind wander down the paths of panic as he thought of the million things this could be about. Harry had promised himself a while ago to never get his hopes that high when Kingsley had asked him to come in early for a private discussion. He sat down to check the time on his desk clock, when a photo caught his eye. It wasn't unusual that photos moved in the wizarding world, in fact it was actually more unusual if they didn't. But having been brought up by his Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon, he hardly ever had any photos of any memories, especially ones that could move. He picked up the small photo frame and watched with sadness in his eyes as he watched his younger self and his two best friends laughing carelessly. He hadn't experienced laughter like that in what felt - and what most probably was - like years. The last years of his life he had spent nervously anticipating each of Kingsley's updates about his, as far as he was concerned, missing best friend. Not even Kingsley knew of his exact location, not that he ever disclosed any inch of information to Harry and the Weasleys. He had learnt by now though, that Kingsley would usually bring all of the family together for any updates, so the possibility of this meeting having anything to do with his long gone companion was far too much of a stretch. Harry sighed as he let the photo replay in his hands, feeling suddenly jealous of the boy in the photo, and the boy in the photo was still a horcrux of Voldermort himself, so the fact he longed to be him again for a moment, really said something.

He was abruptly forced out of his musings by a knock on his door. Harry put down the photo quickly, "come in" he said.

"Harry. Thank you for coming in on such short notice." The Minister walked in and invited himself to sit down opposite Harry.

"It's no problem, Sir" Harry smiled but his eyes didn't portray his calmness as well as his mouth.

"How are you, Harry?" Kingsley watched Harry closely.

"I-I'm fine, Kingsley" he sighed. "Just a little nervous, I suppose"

"Ah, don't worry, Harry. I think you will be quite pleased with why I have asked of your early presence" Kingsley exclaimed. Harry furrowed his brows in confusion. "There is just one thing I'd like you to have in mind before I let you know why you're here"

"Yes, sir, of course, anything" Harry stammered.

"Good. Well, you know, like most, the rewards of being an Auror" Kingsley began. Harry nodded slowly, trying to work out what the Minister was getting at. "But you also know, better than most, the costs of being an Auror, too" he added. Harry nodded even slower, still confused. "So you know that sometimes you have to do things that are difficult for not only you, but the people in your life. But those are the types of sacrifices that this job requires you to make" he paused and looked at Harry. Harry looked back at him, still rather confused by what he was saying. "I would just ask that you remember this. These sacrifices are made by many Aurors everyday, but sometimes they just do not have a choice. Do you understand?"

Harry nodded, wasn't that just common sense? He thought to himself as he watched his superior stand and head to the doors of Harry's office. "Sir?" Harry stood up too. "Is that what you asked me here early for?" he asked rather incredulously, surely that little speech couldn't have been enough for Harry to come here three hours earlier than he was anticipated to that day. But Kingsley didn't answer him, nor did he leave. He simply looked up and down the hallway, and Harry thought he could see him nod at something - or someone perhaps?

All of Harry's musings were quickly demolished however and his heart dropped. In came the tall redhead Harry had missed so sorely over the past few years. Harry almost thought he was hallucinating, that his mind was fooling him.

"Alright, mate?" The redhead asked casually. "What's it been? Like three years or something?" He joked. All Harry could do was shake his head incredulously before hurling himself at his best friend, hugging him.

Maybe this would go better than he expected. Ron thought to himself as he returned his friend's hug. "Where on earth have you been? Do you have the faintest idea of how bloody worried we all were?" Harry asked, anguish replacing the glee in his face. Ah, maybe not.

"I know. I know. I'm sorry?" Ron offered his apology in an overly cautious voice, in hopes that Harry's expression would soften. He succeeded. Harry shook his head again as he chuckled.

"Well, I'll leave you two to..to catch up shall we say?" Kingsley smiled as he made his way back to the doors and left.

"Bloody hell, Ron. I can't believe it's really you" Harry stated as he rushed his fingers through his black, messy hair.

Ron shrugged. "Not that big of a deal, mate"

"Not that big of a deal?! Ron, are you serious? When did you get back? Where've you even been? What have you even been doing? Oh, we've got to tell everyone. They'll be chuffed" and before Ron could even process all of his questions, Harry had rushed around his desk, picked up his wand and was about to cast a patronus, no doubt to convey the message to his family.

"A-actually, Harry. Do you think we could j-just not tell them, not just right now" Ron asked, holding up his arm in protest. Harry's expression quickly fell.

"U-um, okay" he agreed reluctantly and put back down his wand. He sat in his chair and Ron sat in the one opposite. "Well, where do we even start?" he asked exasperatedly.

"I-I don't know" he answered truthfully. "I am really sorry" he admitted sheepishly, looking down at his hands.

"You should be," Harry sighed. "We were all terrified, in fact the only reason you got off so scot free is because the Minister for Magic was right by your side" he smirked and Ron felt a lot better - he felt at home. "But I doubt Hermione let you off so easily." Ron felt his heart sink at a surely unhealthy speed. "She must've been over the moon, though. She hasn't been the same since you left, it's been weird." He sighed. "So, when did you get back? And how? And, and from where?" Harry couldn't stop himself from asking questions, however Ron was hardly in the mood to answer them at the moment.

"Sorry, mate. I'm just knackered. I promise I'll tell you everything. Why don't you come over tonight or something? Reckon my flat's gonna need some life in it ever since...well, ya know?"

Harry opened his mouth and Ron braced himself for a retort. But instead, Harry just sighed. "Okay. You do look shattered, Ron."

"Thanks" Ron chuckled sarcastically and Harry smiled in return. "See ya later" he said as he stood and made his way to the office door.

~~~
Ron stood out onto his vast balcony as he familiarised himself with the busy scene of the city that displayed in front of him. He sighed as he placed both of his hands against the edge of the balcony, leaning his weight against it. He wasn't on the mission anymore. He was back. But why did he feel all the more tense? He knew why of course, a certain curly haired woman could answer. His heart tightened as he thought about her, as he thought about the fact even Harry, his best mate, had assumed he had spoken to her. But why wouldn't he? The way Ron left things he didn't even squeeze in the vital piece of information that he knew was going to disappoint everyone. But of course, she hadn't told them either. I mean, he hadn't asked her not to, he thought that would be pushing his luck a bit. But she still hadn't. He couldn't help but feel grateful. He rubbed his temples with his thumb and forefinger. He was in a right mess.

The sound of a door knocking yanked him back to reality. Who could that bloody be? He thought as he eventually pried himself from the somewhat peaceful view. He sighed again as he made his way through the living room to the hallway. He glanced through the eyehole of the door and furrowed his brows before opening the door. "You know you can just apparate in, right?" he reminded his best friend as Harry entered the room with a bottle of muggle wine in his hands.

"Still a lazy git then?" he smiled mockingly as he made his way through the flat. As Ron collected two glasses from his kitchen, he couldn't help but notice Harry sigh as he stood and took in the space. "Been a while" he stated, almost solemnly.

"Yeah" Ron agreed softly as he led Harry into the dining room. He sat down and motioned a seat for Harry to take.

"So, what's been going on then, Ron?" he sighed. Ron looked at the floor nervously. He finally lifted his head to look back at Harry.

"May I? He asked as he hovered his hand over the bottle. Harry nodded and Ron poured them both a considerable glass. Sighing, he leant back in his chair. "What do you want to know?" he asked.

"Everything" Harry responded almost mechanically.

Ron waited before answering, his mind felt blank although he knew he had a million things to say. He had to start somewhere, but where? Every route his mind took was messy and unclear, but he knew the longing silence was growing suspicious.

"Kingsley" he began. "Kingsley pulled me aside one day after an Auror briefing. Told me there was some new information on some remaining Death Eaters and their whereabouts" he paused and watched Harry's eyebrows raise, but he continued. "Well, actually they were only supposed Death Eaters" he corrected himself. "Somewhere in France. I thought it was a bit strange at first, didn't know what Kingsley was getting at pulling me to one side. But he told me that he was sending me, just me, off to go and investigate. Find some evidence or something, even just a Dark Mark on their arm and I could arrest them. That's why no one else was really told about it." Ron could see the question die from Harry's expression with that last bit of information. "Was meant to be simple, just in, arrest them, out and be done with it. I was gonna tell you all, I promise. But you know how bad I am at giving news, I knew Mum wouldn't be best pleased that I was doing it alone. So I put it off, initially thinking I'd be able to contact you all from France. But there was more, they weren't just Death Eaters, these French folk. They were working with some sort of wizarding crime association. Like a wizard mafia, sort of" Ron paused as Harry gasped.

"How did you find out?" Harry asked, itching to get more answers.

Ron shrugged. "You know what Kingsley's like, got his own sources left and right, I didn't bother asking much." He took a moment to sip his wine. "So," he began again. "The plan was that I would impersonate another French Death Eater, had to take polyjuice potion so often I felt like Barty Crouch's bloody son in our fourth year. But yeah, I pretended I was one of them, offered information about this random crime group, Cobra was the name." He stopped again.

"Okay, so you went to France to spy on some unknown crime organisation to try and...prevent something? Shut them down?" Harry inquired.

"Bit of both, to be honest" Ron answered. "It was mad, it was actually huge. They were running crimes all around France. Had to go on loads of bloody missions. Witnessed awful things. Felt so useless, couldn't do anything, it'd give the whole thing away. But I didn't do anything. Not a thing." Ron took a considerably larger gulp of his wine as the flashes of what went on replayed in his mind.

Harry sighed sadly as he noticed Ron's clear discomfort. "You-you don't have to keep going, if-if you don't want to" Harry suggested, trying to suppress the reluctance in his own voice.

Ron shook his head. "Nah. It's done now, I guess. Just couldn't believe it. People getting tortured, raped, killed" he swallowed with sombre. "Took way longer than expected, had to wait for a pinnacle moment, when they trusted me enough to meet the big boss. Victor his name was, funny isn't it? Suddenly Viktor Krum was only second on my list of Victors that I didn't like." Ron paused momentarily as he remembered her again. "Had to go about it carefully, they were a huge deal. Loads of security that, as I quickly learnt, weren't afraid to kill. But we got him, I let in a few Aurors through the back door of a gala Victor was attending. There was a bit of a fight, I wondered if the Cobras had half expected something to happen, but they weren't prepared enough. And that was it. We killed him. I, I killed him." He stopped there and finished off the glass.

His mouth opened with shock, however Harry stood this time, and filled it for him. He sat back down and rubbed his head. It was a while before anyone said anything. "And you did that all by yourself?" Harry asked, a note of admirance in his voice, completely dismissing the fact that Ron had just confessed to murdering someone.

"Sounds braver than it was, I suppose." Ron said rather casually.

"Are, are you okay?" Harry asked.

Ron looked at him for the first time since he began his story. "I'm fine" he answered rather unconvincingly.

"Really? All sounds a bit traumatic if you ask me" Harry noted sympathetically.

Ron shrugged again. "If our lives have taught us anything, it's to be ready for a bit of trauma" he chuckled softly.

"Suppose" Harry agreed. "You, you don't feel guilty about, about this Victor person, do you?" he probed. Ron didn't answer but instead sloshed the wine in his glass nervously. "Ron, he was an awful person. Having all those people tortured. You did the best thing. No one else will suffer,you're a hero!" Harry assured.

"I know" Ron mumbled.

"Where's Hermione?" Harry asked suddenly. Ron would've been happy for a subject change, although this was not what the subject he would've hoped for. "She moved into this flat months before you, you left" Harry added.

Ron sighed and downed his glass again. Here we go, he thought. The real difficult bit.

"Ron?" Harry nagged concernedly. "Surely she wasn't so angry she moved back out. Especially not after you told her that. You couldn't have argued that badly"

"We didn't argue" Ron clarified.

"Oh, well where is sh-"

"We didn't argue because she was never here. We, we broke up" Ron felt like he had just ripped off a plaster that he dreaded even looking at. Harry's mouth fell even wider this time.

"W-what?! When?!" he cried incredulously.

"About three and a half years ago" Ron stated.

Harry's heart dropped for his best friends, he suddenly felt every happy emotion he had felt drain from him and it wasn't even his relationship. He could never imagine this happening. And of all emotions he could feel, guilt was the one that drowned him first. He knew he shouldn't have sent that bloody letter.

~~~
Not even ten minutes from the flat that sat two very emotion filled friends, a young blonde man arose from his spot on his girlfriend's sofa at the sound of her owl hooting.

"Draco, could you get the post please?" Hermione asked wearily as she took off her shoes, only just arriving home from work.

Draco smiled, "of course" he said as he went over to her owl, Poppy. That's strange, Draco thought as he realised one letter wasn't encased in an envelope. Before he could stop himself, he recognised the scraggly handwriting of his girlfriend's best friend, Potter. Many of his letters were scattered around her flat, so he knew it was his. But what it read made Draco's heart seem to stop.

Hermione, he's back! I can't believe you didn't tell anyone. I won't hold a grudge for too long, though, I'm too relieved. See you later.

Draco crumpled the piece of parchment, looking back at his girlfriend, anger flowed through his veins, anger and a desire - no - a need to keep what was his, his only. And with that, he shoved the letter deep into his work robes' pockets.

A/N: Well now we know where Ron went. I didn't want to make that too long, didn't appeal that necessary to me that he had a huge backstory. Just one or two things that would be haunting him now, along with other things. But I promise I don't just bash Ron during this story, he is my fave. Thank you for reading!