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Harry had been on a weeklong mission in Scotland when he got an urgent owl from the Ministry ordering him back immediately. He entered Kingsley's office feeling extremely apprehensive.

Kingsley asked him to sit down and as he did Kingsley explained why he asked Harry back. "We have a situation Harry. We just got a very detailed missive from the Ministry in Russia. They claim that Ronald Weasley is there asking for help to return to England."

Harry just stared at Kingsley for a moment trying to grasp what he just heard. How can it be? "I'm sorry Sir this must be some kind of mistake. Ron died three years ago. I identified his body it's impossible." He felt like the whole room was turning on it's side. He stood up and took a glass of water from the side table.

Kinsley watched Harry intently. "I know this is a shock Harry but the Ministry sent detailed information that only Ron or someone from your department could have known."

Harry sat down again his thoughts were racing. "It could be another trap."

Kingsley nodded. "I thought the same thing but we can't afford to anger the Russian Ministry by accusing them of anything dishonest. I told them I would send you there to investigate this whole matter." He stood up and started to pace. "We need to keep this under wraps until we know for certain. We can't say anything." He stopped pacing and looked at Harry. "Not to anyone. Do you understand?"

"What about Hermione? I can't not tell her about this."

"You can't Harry. What if their wrong? You will get her hopes up for nothing. It's not fair to her. Let's handle this carefully. How soon can you leave?" He was picking up the file and handing it to Harry.

Harry stood up taking the file. "Right now. Just let me send Ginny an owl to let her know that I've had a change in missions."

Kingsley nodded. "Great. You do that and I'll arrange the Portkeys."

Harry left the office and ran to the owlery. His head was a mass of questions. How could this be? He thought back to the day he had to I.D. Ron's body. The body had been bruised and battered but there had been no doubt in his mind that it was Ron. Not to mention the fact that his wedding ring and watch were found on his person. It was Ron. The Russian Ministry must be mistaken. It had to be an imposter. But what if it were true? What if he was alive? His heart skipped a beat. He would have his best mate back. It would be a miracle.

He penned a quick note to Ginny explaining that he had a top secret mission and he'd be back as soon as he could.

Before he knew it he had left taking his first Portkey from Kingsley's office. Two days later he was in St. Petersburg at the Russian Ministry in an office waiting anxiously. It took awhile to get the interpreter to the office so he could speak to their Minister of Magic.

Now he was waiting for Ron, or who he hoped was Ron, to enter. After ten minutes the door reopened. The man who entered was a emaciated version of the Ron he had known. His hair was long, too long and there was a full beard on his face. His eyes were dull and with dark circles underneath. It looked as if he hadn't slept in months. He was thinner than Harry had ever seen him.

Harry processed this all in a matter of seconds and knew immediately this was his best friend. There was no doubt in his mind. "Ron?"

Ron nodded and Harry rushed across the office to hug him patting him on the back. "Ron, my God, this is a miracle." He pulled back looking at him. "I have a million questions for you."

Just then the Minister said something in Russian. The interpreter translated. "You have to ask the questions. He might be an imposter."

Harry turned back to Ron. "Sorry about this mate."

Ron shrugged. "I've been through worse in the last three years."

Harry proceeded to ask Ron a series of questions. What was Rose's first word? Dada. What was the date of your wedding? April 28, 2000. Anyone could know that Ron had responded. What did he see when he looked in the Mirror of Erisid? Myself head boy holding the house cup. What was the Patronus that led the two of them to the Sword of Gryffindor in the Forest of Dean? A Doe. Where was the first place they had camped on their quest for the Horcruxes? The field where the Quidditch World Cup had taken place. What did I tell you the night before you married Hermione?

Ron smiled for the first time and answered. "You told me that I was making the right decision and that I was one of the luckiest men in the world. Then you threatened to personally hex me if I ever hurt her. I am paraphrasing but it was something to that effect."

Harry embraced his best friend again. "Ron I can't believe this we had what we thought was your body. Your ring and watch."

Ron nodded. "They removed those from me a month or so after I was captured. I think I heard something about them using a Muggle and something about Polyjuice potion. I think the team searching for me was an inconvenience for them. They needed to throw you guys off the trail"

"Well it worked. What did they want with you?"

"They asked me constant questions about the Ministry, our department, you."

Harry rubbed his forehead. "This is all my fault. I should have been with you during that fight."

Ron closed his eyes and took a deep breath releasing it. "It's no one's fault mate. It happened. I'm alive and that's all that matters. I just want to go home."

Harry turned to the Minister and explained that they wanted to return to England as soon as possible.

He nodded and the interpreter translated. "We will have a Portkey for you first thing in the morning. 8 a.m."

They were shown back to their rooms. Once they were settled Ron recounted his last three years for Harry. He even showed him the scar from the gunshot wound in his upper thigh.

Ron then asked about his family. "Do I have a son or another daughter?"

Harry smiled broadly. "You have a son." He reached into his robe pocket and pulled out his wallet and removed the picture he had in there of James, Albus, Lily, Rose and Hugo from the party a few weeks ago.

Ron took it from Harry and ran his fingers over his son and daughter's faces. They were laughing in the picture. His eyes filled with tears. Rose was so big. Her chocolate brown eyes, so like her mother's, were sparkling and his son three years old and a complete stranger to Ron but he loved him instantly. The tears started to slide down his cheeks. He closed his eyes. "What's his name?"

Harry wiped at his own tear filled eyes. "Hugo Ronald and he's an exact copy of you."

Ron handed the photo back to Harry. She had named him Hugo after all. It pleased him to know that she had done that. "How is she?"

Harry sat down in a chair. "When we first thought you were dead she was in total despair. I have never seen Hermione so distraught. We were all really worried about her."

Ron turned his back on Harry and gritted his teeth. "She seems to be over it now though."

Harry was confused. "What do you mean?"

"Her engagement to that idiot Krum. She doesn't seem too upset at the moment."

"Look Ron it's been three years. We had all been encouraging her to get on with her life."

Ron didn't turn around. "I'm really tired Harry. I think I need to get some sleep now."

Harry stood up. "Of course. I'll see you in the morning."

Ron didn't respond. He just went into the bathroom closing the door. Harry realized at that moment that they weren't getting the same Ron they had lost three years ago. This was a Ron that had been to hell and back and things would probably never be the same again.

Ron and Harry had arrived in Kingsley office by Portkey two days later. They were both exhausted. Kingsley grabbed Ron's hand and shook it telling him how glad he was to have one of his greatest Aurors back.

"We need to do a debriefing guys before you can do anything else." He glanced at Ron. "This might take awhile."

Ron ran a hand over his face. "Fucking hell, I just want to go home."

Harry very hesitantly said, "Ron we haven't told anyone yet. We wanted to make sure it was really you first." He put a hand on Ron's shoulder. "Look you guys start the debriefing I'll go call Ginny and I'll get the lay of the land." Harry reached for his cell phone and stepped out of the office to make the call.

He had gotten himself and Ginny cell phones a few years back. Some times, like this, it was a bit easier then owls when you needed instant contact. After three rings she picked up. "Hey babe, are you back?"

Harry felt his eyes well up with tears. He knew losing Ron had been hard on Ginny and he couldn't wait to tell her. "Yeah, I just got in. I have to do the debriefing and I'll be home."

"Great! We're at Mum and Dad's. What time do you think you'll be done and I'll meet you at home." There was such happiness in her voice.

"No you guys stay there. I want to talk to you altogether."

"Harry are you alright?" Now there was concern in her voice.

Leave it to Ginny to know when something was wrong with him. "Just tired. This was a rough mission." He lied. "I missed my wife and kids."

"Well your wife and kids missed you."

"Hey is Hermione there?"

"No she's going to Viktor's match. The kids are here though. Mum's going to keep them over night so she and Viktor can have some alone time. I don't know why she doesn't just let him stay at the house with her. I mean they are going to be married."

No they're not Harry thought to himself and then said to her, "She's just being careful. You know Hermione."

"Yeah I do. Look hurry home and just in case you're wondering we are definitely having sex tonight."

Harry smiled at her boldness. It was so Ginny. "In that case I'll tell Kingsley to screw his debriefing." He could hear her laugh. "See you shortly and I love you."

"Love you too. Bye."

Then she hung up. Harry stood there for a few minutes in the hall clutching the phone in his sweaty hands. Things were about to change and they had no idea at this moment how much.

The debriefing took three hours. Ron told Kingsley everything including Ferguson's betrayal. Kingsley was shocked but immediately wrote the order for Ferguson's arrest.

Ron was physically and emotionally exhausted by the time they were finished. It was hard enough living the last three years but to have to retell it in such detail just brought it all back.

Kingsley looked between Ron and Harry. "Can you handle it from here?"

Harry nodded. "Yeah I prefer it that way. I want to proceed carefully."

Kingsley nodded. "Then I'll leave you guys to it. Ron, there's a place for you on the team whenever you're ready. Just let Harry know." He shook Ron's hand. "Welcome back."

Ron nodded standing up. "Thank you Sir." Kingsley left and Ron started to pace. "I want to see my family, tonight, Harry."

Harry was afraid of this. "Ron, you have to let me talk to everyone first and break this to them. You can't just waltz in there and act like nothing happened."

Ron stopped pacing. "I know that Harry, but I've spent the last three years in complete agony. I need to see them. Where are they?"

"Ron….."

"Where are they?" He was getting angry.

"Their at the Burrow along with everyone else." Harry sat down in a chair.

Ron glanced at Harry. "Is Hermione there?" Something told him he already knew the answer.

Harry shook his head. "She's out with Viktor. She usually goes to the game and then out. Your Mum keeps the children overnight so Hermione can have a break."

Ron snorted. "You mean so she can fuck Krum without any interference from my children." He stressed the word "my".

"Ron, she's under a tremendous about of stress with work and the children and she handles it wonderfully. She's a great mother sometimes though she needs a break." Harry got up and put a hand on Ron's shoulder. "Look mate this has all been exhausting. Why don't you go to Grimmauld Place? Get cleaned up, have a bite to eat and get a good nights sleep. Give me twenty four hours to explain the situation to everyone and then we'll take it from there. Okay?"

Ron shook his head looking at the clock. "You have till noon tomorrow. I'll be at the Burrow then." He took a deep breath. "I need your invisibility cloak."

Harry closed his eyes sighing. "Ron don't do this."

Ron held out his hand. "Please Harry I have to see her. I promise I won't reveal myself. I just want to lay eyes on her for the first time in three years. Just for a minute and then I'll go to Grimmauld Place. I promise. Please."

Harry reached into his bag and pulled out the cloak. "Ron I really think this is a bad idea. Wait until tomorrow."

Ron ignored him gripping the temporary wand Kingsley had given him he started to pull the door open. He stopped and turned back to Harry. "Thanks for coming for me, mate."

Harry felt his eyes well up with tears again. "I just wish it had been sooner."

"Me too." The door shut behind him.

Harry pulled himself together and Disapparated. He entered the Burrow to squeals of delight from his children, Rose, Hugo and Ginny too. After kissing and hugging them all, Rose and Hugo a bit more than the rest, he pulled the adults into the other room and told them about Ron. Molly actually swayed on the spot and nearly passed out. They were all in shock.

Ten minutes after Harry's news though and a sense of excitement was running through them. Ron was back. It was a miracle. Molly immediately began to plan a welcome home lunch. Arthur and Harry left to tell everyone else.

A short distance away Ron was waiting for Hermione to arrive home. He was leaning against the banister of the porch under the cloak. He didn't have his watch so he wasn't sure of the time. He felt like he had been waiting for hours when he heard a "pop" and turned to see Hermione coming up the walk.

She was laughing and she never looked more beautiful. He wanted so badly to let her know he was there but he had promised Harry he wouldn't. She stopped at the front door fumbling for her keys. That was when Ron became aware of him.

Viktor wrapped his arms around her waist from behind kissing her neck. "Tell me who vas he. I von't go in until you tell me." He was smiling.

She turned in his arms kissing his lips. "Are you jealous?"

"Vhy should I be jealous? You're mine."

She raised her eyebrows in mock outrage. "Excuse me but I am my own person. I don't belong to anyone." She kissed him again.

His hands rested on her bottom as he pulled her to him. "Let's go inside and I vill show you just how much you belong to me."

It was all Ron could do to not punch the arrogant Bulgarian. He waited until they were in the house, his house and upstairs before he Disapparated to Grimmauld Place.

He was more angry than he had been in a very long time. His entire life had been stolen from him. Hermione had looked as if she didn't have a care in the world. How could she have moved on so quickly? He had spent the last three years only thinking of her. She had been what kept him going every day. The thought that if he ever got back home she would be waiting for him.

Instead he comes back to find someone else in his place and in her bed. It was driving him crazy. He threw the cloak across the room. How dare she allow Krum into his house with his children?

He threw himself down on the couch collapsing in pure exhaustion and anger. Tomorrow it would all change. He would put a stop to it once and for all.