Chapter 10
Harry ran and ran until he reached the place where he knew he would find the others. Beneath the tree near the lake. Ron and Hermione immediately got up seeing him run towards them and as he stopped and they saw the tears in his eyes they immediately hugged him without any word. Walking on either side of him, they led him under the shade of the tree and sat him down. Harry put his head on his knees and try to take deep breaths and Hermione shook her head at Ron seeing him almost bursting with questions a look of anger evident in his eyes as they both assumed the worst.
After calming himself down, Harry life his head up and looking at both of them waiting for them patiently he tells them everything. From his parent's appearance to the revelation of the new family. After hearing everything, Harry could see there was a varying reaction in Ron and Hermione's expression. While Hermione show a confused expression, Ron expression shows a revelation that Harry may end up not liking.
Hermione then asks "What do you want to do Harry? Continue talking to them?". Harry shrugs his shoulder and said "I don't know. On one side this means that I don't have to go back to the Dursleys and I am not sure that they will take me in also. On the other hand, this new family they have created, do I really fit in that? Would I fit in that family? I don't even know how to be a son yet alone a brother to someone I barely know." Ron said "Why don't you think over it? we have to go to class. It's almost time." Harry looked at his watch in surprise, he was surprised that an hour and a half had already passed. Getting up Harry took his bag from Ron and all 3 of them walked towards the castle.
The entire day went in classes. McGonagall gave a brief expression of concern when Harry showed no interest in her class, but before she could ask any questions he had already left the class. In the evening, Harry went for Quidditch practice while Ron and Hermione sat on the armchair near the fir. Hermione had observed Ron all day and she could see and he was thinking deeply about something. That was in itself a rare occasion since Ron mostly used to comment or give a reaction immediately. After seeing Harry off to Quidditch practice Hermione looks at Ron continuously till Ron looks up and notices her stare.
Ron said "Hermione, you are staring." Hermione said "you are doing homework." Ron replies "I always do homework everyday Hermione." Hermione said "Not voluntarily, I have to force you and Harry to sit down and do homework. You only do homework voluntarily when you are deep in thought about something or you want to avoid thinking about something."
Ron put down his quill and said "You won't understand." Hermione said "Try me." Ron takes a deep breath and said "you know that I have 6 brothers and 1 sister. What you don't know that every one of those pregnancies were planned except for mine. Mum and Dad had always had a dream that they have a big family one day especially since the war had also almost reduced Mum and Dad's bloodline to almost non existent. Mum especially always had a dream of having a little girl she can dote on and fulfil her wishes with. Ginny always is up to filling that dream." Ron stops and looks at Hermione who still stared at him with a confused expression. Ron takes a deep breath knowing that what he is going to say next may make him look ungrateful in Hermione's eyes. He continues " For as long as I can remember, I have been on my own. I don't remember much about the earlier years but by the time I was 3 yrs old I had already learned to be quiet and not to take Mum's attention too much. Whenever Dad was at home and we all sat at the dining table, the voices of my brother telling my dad about the daily happening was so loud that I never got to say anything at all. And Ginny used to always end up on my Dad's lap being fed by him. I don't remember a time when I was on my dad's lap. If I was the victim of Fred and George's pranks Mum used to tell me to be careful. If Ginny was the victim of the same pranks Mum used to shout at Fred and George. Bill, Charlie and Percy never used to make time for me but used to always make time for Ginny. Every penny that was ever saved would either going to buying Bill, Charlie and Percy's needs or would be to buy something extremely new for Ginny. The only thing that I ever got was hand me downs.
Ron couldn't look at Hermione with shame as he knew if he looked up he would see disgust in her eyes " I was 6 yrs old and I was very bored. We had no friends near by and Dad used to come home so late that we used to almost never go out. Our money situation was also not so great. But I didn't understand at that time. I, Ginny, Fred and George were busy playing one day. Dad also was home that day. So he said that we play Hide and Seek. Dad was the seeker and we all hid. So I was hiding at the top of the tree hidden by the branches. I could see everything from there. So I could see easily how Dad found everybody. Mum called everyone inside. But I was up on the tree so I couldn't come down so easily and Dad never said that the game was over. So I waited and waited. It became afternoon and by then it was almost lunchtime. I was really hungry so I got down from the tree without any scratches. When I went in for lunch, everyone was already seated at the table. Dad was sitting on the armchair Ginny on his lap. No one even noticed I was not at home and hiding in the tree. Looking up he saw me and his face became a colour. I realised at that moment that my own father forgot about me. Mum came into the room and walked right past me and went to dad and stroked Ginny's hair. She didn't even notice that I was missing." Ron finally found the courage to look at Hermione and saw her eyes filled with tears. Ron said "I know that my parents love me Hermione but I am not their choice. If it came down to forget anything, the first thing they forget is what I want. My own mother barely remembers what colour I like and what type of sandwich I prefer. And my brothers if I even achieve something then also they are surprised like they never expected me to do anything at all. When I first got on the Hogwarts Express I knew that everyone including the teachers would expect things from me that was achieved by my brothers and I was not wrong. I thought that I have to live in the shadows of my brothers these 7 years. But then I met Harry. Harry was like a breath of fresh air. He knew nothing about my family and I could be how I am with him without any comparison with my brothers. Then I met you and you reminded me of Percy. But later as I got to know you I realized that you also never expected me to match my brother's expectations even when you pestered us to study."
Hermione said "then what are you afraid of Ron? That Harry would forget about us now that his family is alive?" Ron shook his head saying "the one thing I know about Harry is that he will never leave us behind. He will always be there to catch us. What I am afraid for Harry is him becoming a brother and a son." Seeing Hermione's confused expression Ron said " Being a brother Hermione is both a blessing and a curse. I know that as a brother I can count on my brothers and my sister to have my back when the time comes but when it comes down to my parents I know that I will always be the last choice. I am not the choice at all many times also. Harry's family has grown and maybe his parents will accept Harry as a son and may love him also but he may never end being a choice for his parents. In the end if it comes down to their children and Harry, I am afraid they may end up placing more importance in their children than on Harry even when they don't mean to do so which may break Harry's heart even more. And you know Harry Hermione, even if his siblings don't accept him Harry will still try to take care of them at the cost of himself, I don't want that for Harry. I want Harry to start thinking for himself not others." Both Ron and Hermione were silent as both Ron pondered over his thoughts whereas Hermione pondered over Ron's revelations.
Layla could see Harry flying above the sky as some more people were throwing something in the field below him. She felt two arms surround and she heaved a breath as she leaned into the person behind him. Layla asked "What do you think is going to happen?". Jameson kissed her head and said "I don't know. I can't see anything." Layla turned and he saw her expression is turned into a frown. "You can't see anything? Is that a good thing or a bad thing?" Jameson just shrugged his shoulder. Layla moved out of his arms and he could see that she is hugging herself as if trying to prevent something from her. Jameson led her to the sofa and made her sit on it. He said "Still feel the presence?" Layla said "it is getting stronger. But I still can't sense where it is coming from. And on what person it is?" Jameson said " what about its proximity to Harry?" Layla shrugged her shoulder. Jameson said "We will see what we can do?". Then a knock is heard on the door. Opening the door, they saw Harry shuffling his feet nervously as he clutches his broom tightly by his side.
Hi, Sorry I know it has been a long time since I updated. RL got in the way and I had some conflicts of my own. So, Please if you like this update, Do comment.
A warning about any bashing: I am not going to bash any characters in this ff. The reason why the update may seem character bashing is because I want to also explore the development of Ron, Hermione and Harry in case there was a different scenario. None of the Weasleys are also being bashed but I do want to point out the kind of development RON has undergone to warrant his character and if any difference in the upbringing would also bring a change in his character. Rest of what you make of this update is your wish.
Hope you like the update.