Chapter 6 Lavender's Visit
Ron lay on top of his quilt on his bed reading QUIDDITCH THROUGH THE AGES the next morning. He was feeling a bit more cheerful than he had been in the past few weeks, because he was looking forward to spending time with Harry and Hermione and his other Gryffindor friends. Speaking of friends, his concentration broke when a gray, thick-feathered barn owl swooped into his bedroom through the window, and dropped an envelope on his bed.
"What the-thanks," Ron told the owl who gave him a feeble hoot before zooming out again. Ron, wondering who on Earth could have written him this time, tore the envelope open and pulled out a piece of parchment. Immediately his lips curled into a big smile when he recognized the handwriting-the letter was from his girlfriend, Lavender Brown. It read:
Dear Ron,
Hullo, love! How are you? I haven't heard from you in a bit, so I was starting to get a bit worried. I received your most recent letter and is Harry better? I feel so sorry for him. I feel sorry for you too, because it seems like you and your family are still having a hard time getting over Charlie, which is why I decided to come up with this idea. I'm stopping over tonight so we can just cuddle and talk, because I miss you so much. And, because-you crazy git-your Mum wrote me and said she was worrying about you, because you've been sleeping in every day till almost noon. I'm ready to knock some sense into you. (Ron had to laugh at that comment. Lavender always tried to sound threatening but she never really was)
I'm just sorry Harry's sick and that you've been so upset lately, but I'm sure you'll feel better once I'm there with you. Expect me around 9:00 tonight-you'd better be awake.
Love You, Lavender
Still smiling, Ron folded the letter and fell back on his bed, gazing up at the ceiling. The face of Victor Crum stared back at him, and though Ron had met the Quidditch player in person and hadn't been too fond of him, he still had his poster hanging up.
"RON! COME AND HELP DEGNOME THE GARDEN!"
Ron groaned when he heard his mother shout again from downstairs, and he figured it was safer to obey so he quickly hurried into the front hall.
"Coming, Mum!" Ron shouted and hurried out into the backyard. The Weasley garden was not the neatest of gardens around, but it was certainly hardy in greens. Ginny stood giggling to one side as she watched Fred chase around a stray potatoe-like creature in circles.
"Get 'im, Fred! Get 'im!" Ginny squealed, leaping up and down. "Ron! There's one!" She pointed to another potatoe-like creature. Gnomes were NOT, as Harry had originally thought, little Santa-Clause-type figures. They were ugly tiny gits that had mud-coloured, leathery skin and VERY sharp teeth.
Ron took his sister's advice and bolted after the thing, slamming hard down on his stomach as he grasped it by the feet. "Gerroff me!" It squealed, trying to force itself loose. "Gerroff me!"
"Half a moment," Ron laughed as he wound up his arm and sent the Gnome flying far over the fence. Fred and George watched as it sailed, grinning with amusement when they heard a PLUNK. "Try and beat that one, Fred!" He teased.
"I could as a matter of fact. Stand back, George. This one's going all the way past that tree!"
Ginny stood up on the garden bench to watch if her brother really COULD get it that far. Just as Ron had expected, Fred's ego got in the way and he had a pathetic throw that sent them all laughing. Mrs. Weasley came outside with a smile on her face as she saw Ron doubled over, tears streaming down his face. He cried out when Ginny attacked him in a tickle frenzy and was soon lying on his back, kicking his feet in the air. "Stop that!" He begged.
"You have to say UNCLE first!" Ginny yelled as she continued the torture.
"UNCLE! UNCLE!"
Ginny stood and watched as Ron continued lying on the grass, his breath coming in great heaves admist more laughter.
"Glad you kids are having fun working," Mrs. Weasley told them. "But I've brought you all some lemonade and cookies."
"Thanks!"
"Ron, by the way-I forgot to tell you something."
"That Lavender is coming over tonight? I know-her owl came and dropped off a notice."
Mrs. Weasley nodded. "Yes, that was exactly what I wanted to tell you. You're all right with that, aren't you? We didn't give you too much notice."
Ron shrugged. "Of course I'm all right with that. I'm always happy to see my girlfriend."
"His giiiiiirrrrrllllfriend," George teased. Then he pretended to burst into noisy tears. "Our ickle Ronnekins is growing up!" And he threw his arms around Fred.
"Oh stop it," Ron snapped. "Grow up."
"Yes. So I'm glad you're all right with the arrangement. I think you need some company other than your siblings"
Ron nodded, watching his mother set the tray of refreshments down on the bench and head back into the house.
Sure enough, later that night following dinner, there was the sound of a doorbell. "I'll get it!" Ginny called, starting to run out of the kitchen, where she stood helping with the dishes. Ron stopped her.
"Oh no you don't. I'll get it. It's Lavender." He hurried to the front hallway and, taking a deep breath and smoothing his flaming red hair, opened the door.
"Hullo, Ron."
Ron grinned. His girlfriend stood on the doorstep, dressed in a pair of denim shorts and a light blue tank top. Her brown hair was pulled back into a ponytail and she had a backpack over her shoulders. "Well, Ron-aren't you going to kiss me?" She asked, putting her hands on her hips.
Ron blinked. "I was just so amazed at how beautiful you look." He made up with her by kissing her, and led her into the house.
"I'm glad you think that." Lavender stood and cocked her head, gazing at him curiously.
"What?" Ron asked.
"Nothing. Let me go and say hi to your Mum and Dad first."
"Oh yeah. Mum's in the kitchen cleaning up and Dad's working on something in the garage. Fred and George are..."
BOOOM!
Lavender screamed when she heard an explosion from upstairs and leapt into Ron's arms. "What was that?" She cried.
Ron laughed. "It's only Fred and George," he explained. "Just because Mum banned them from their Weasley Wizard Wheezes doesn't mean they haven't stopped their inventing."
Sure enough, the VERY annoyed form of Mrs. Weasley came storming down the hallway.
"Hullo, Lavender. Pardon me-I have to holler at my boys for a moment." She stomped upstairs. Ron led Lavender into the living room and the two of them plopped down on the couch.
"So. Tell me-exactly what was wrong with Harry?" Lavender asked.
Ron sighed. "Tons of things. He just had an allergy test done yesterday...Hermone sent me an owl this morning, and it came out positive," he sighed. "and he was in the hospital earlier this summer...it's just been awful. I haven't seen him since the beginning of July. I just couldn't go to see him when he was sick-it was so sad."
Lavender nodded. "Poor Harry," she replied. "I'm sure once school starts it'll be a good distraction for him. Ooh...did I tell you my cousin Jessica is coming to Hogwarts for the first time this year?" she asked, and Ron raised his eyebrows. "She's my Dad's brother's youngest daughter, so she has my same last name."
"Really?" he asked, and she nodded.
"Yep! She's been showing random bursts of magical energy over the past few years...apparently she floated into mid air when she was having a bit of a temper tantrum. When she received her letter from Professor Dumbledore, my Aunt sent Mum an owl, and she starts on September 1st with us."
Ron blinked. "Wow," he replied. "are you close to Jessica?"
Lavender shrugged. "I guess," she admitted. "We dont see each other often, because she lives about two hours away. But she sticks to me like glue when we have family parties, and I have a feeling she'll do the same at school. I'll have to find someone she can kip with other than myself."
Ron snorted. He'd been very fortunate to become friends with Harry Potter; they'd hit it off immediately on the train the first day. Hermione hadn't come into the picture until later, after battling a mountain troll in the girl's bathroom in an attempt to save her life. Lavender casually grew into friendship with the trio, and soon they became a quartet by the end of the fifth year at Hogwarts.
"I hope so," he replied. "Sorry, Lavender...I haven't been the best at conversation lately; I really miss Charlie still, so it's hard..." he choked on his words, and Lavender smiled kindly.
"I understand," she promised, and he nodded, folding his arms. "We can just sit here if you like."
"Thanks," he replied, and she placed her hands in her lap, listening as the Weasley family went about their normal routine that evening. She felt a bit of relief tingling through her when Ron placed an arm around her shoulders, and closed her eyes, quite comfortable where she was. It wasnt until Ginny said good night and headed upstairs, that the two of them decided to make their way up to bed, not minding the small space they had to share. "G'night," Ron muttered once they were in their pajamas and the lights were off.
"G'night, Ron," Lavender replied, and soon the house dissolved into silence.