For a fraction of a second Harry was dazed. Though he had never ever doubted Ron's abilities - he had never ever thought Ron could have done what Harry had just seen. Besides...Harry thought to himself…Ron's Patronus was a Jack Russell Terrier. So obviously the stranger who looked like Ron was not Ron.
A tiny voice inside his head spoke to him : It is not because of his patronus that you speak like that, it is because of your disbelief that Ron Weasley could have carried out something like this… Harry was surprised to learn that the voice was Rons not his own and suddenly saw Ron giving him a look that was between scathing and friendly. Ron gave a chuckle " Legimency!! He said… obviously you have not paid much attention to Occlumency since Snapes disastrous lessons have you"? Harry felt patronised and knew all his happiness at finding Ron had been vapourized after this incident. The Auror in him rose and confronted this guy Honos just outside the door of the Leaky Cauldron- "Honos or Ron! Not that I believe you are Ronald Weasley but what the hell was all this about?..who are these wizards? I thought dark wizards…"
"Harry!" Rons voice was a bit tight now. It was obvious he was looking at Hermione and she looking back at him. "Will tell you when we eat….Loads to catch up with y'know". Hermione gave Harry a glance to tell him to stop questioning Ron until they were seated, and so Harry shrugged and walked in to the Cauldron where everyone was staring at them openly. Proudfoot, Groundling, Mulberry and Auberson were now talking excitedly and animatedly to the young witch and wizard who had been with Ron and had already taken a seat at a corner table.
They sat at a center table and ordered Steak and Kidney Pies, Mashed Potatoes, Strawberry Shortcakes and Butterbeers. Ron ate like a wolf- though Harry and Hermione were still numb by the encounter. Ron kept looking at Hermione and shades of the old Ron were seen. When his hunger seemed appeased- he looked at Harry meaningfully – "Ok Harry! Shoot..".
Harry was suddenly short for words. The questions were so many they fogged his mind. Which one to ask first-where have you been all these years? Why the hell did you not contact us? Why do they call you Honos? Are you really Ronald Weasley? ……they were all there and Harry could not get a single question through. Ronald gave a meaningful grin as though he could understand and waited patiently. After the struggle- Harrys first question came across: "Where the hell have you been all these years and why did you not contact anyone"?. Ron nodded and seemed to take sometime to comprehend his reply…a sign of maturity that the old Ron had never seemed to have.
"Do you know what it feels like to be a mediocrity Harry?...Probably not"- as Harry was about to interrupt. "Born to a house with exceptional talent- Bill the head boy, Percy with his top grades, Fred and George with their talents and Charlie a champion of quidditch. Finally Ginny with her excellent abilities…I was a mediocrity Harry and you know it. You were the great Harry Potter and Hermione was a very talented witch. I was just a tag along often ridiculed behind everyones backs and called a stupid git. Not able to take the hexes and the curses and struggling all along the way. No Talent, No Money, Nothing."
Ron paused for a drink of butterbeer unaware that the entire pub could be hearing him. "I loved Hermione…loved her since the day I saw her but probably realized it a year or so later…but I was terrified Harry..terrified that she loved you and thought of me as a brother dammit. All my grouchiness and grumpiness was because I was prepared for that eventuality..everyone expected it y'know- Harry and Hermione. Poor old Ronald weasley was your average waste of space…" Hermiones eyes were filled with tears and suddenly he turned to her with his voice full of affection "I knew you liked me……but I could not help thinking it was because Harry did not love you or could not love you and you accepted second best". "Ron!"- Hermione said- her voice a whiplash. "I have never felt that way about Harry, Krum or anyone but.."-but Ron cut her short. "Look!"-"I could not bear the thought that I was the second best and had to prove myself which I now have done".
"Done what"? Harry finally asked. The revelation of Ron had hit him worse than a kick in the solar plexus. It was true though, all of it and the fact that Harry as Ron's best friend had not realized it made him disappointed and angry with himself. "Trained!"- Ron began…"Trained in Albania with Anvil Hammersmith and his exiles. Hammersmith found me wandering and offered to teach me his skills. I became his best student..and today am a bounty hunter". "Bounty Hunter"? Harry asked. "Ministries pay money for catching dark wizards Harry". Todays lot would be worth at least ten thousand galleons to your Ministry". He smiled. I live as I please, travel as I please and have taken the name of Honos the bounty hunter.
"All right!"- Harry said- "Who were these wizards"? "Dark ones!" Ron answered. "Voldemorts followers from other countries. Supposed world conquerors. They rally around the red man who is a mysterious voldemort student and death eater who has not been arrested. This is a rather small group- but they do generally weird stuff like release Dementors and harrass wizards and muggles alike. I want to find the Red man….he is worth a hundred thousand galleons". "Ron!"- Hermione said. "Your parents have been worried…your sister". Ron made a purring sound. "In this world nobody cares for any other. You best take charge of these bozos Harry and I will be coming to put in my claim tomorrow'. He hesitated and then spoke- I will be seeing George and Dad in the Burrow tonight. I hope you are there.." he said but Harry could see him looking straight at Hermione.
"Yes I will" Harry said determined to find out about this Red man and Anvil Hammersmith. Ron got up and flicked his wand- in a flash every one went quiet- he gave a grin to Hermione and walked out with the young wizard and the witch.
