A/N: So it's now Ron's birthday in the UK and I hashed this out earlier. Part 2 will go up tomorrow since I've not written it yet. Part 1 is Ace safe. Part 2 certainly will not be. Stay tuned! – DG

"I never thought I'd say this, but I hate flying."

Harry looked up from his over-stuffed plate of dinner – or what passed at training camp as a dinner – and smirked. "You're only bent because it's your bloody birthday tomorrow and you can't shag Hermione for it."

"Well, that too, but all these flying drills are rubbing in the wrong places."

"Ugh, I don't want to know."

"You asked."

"No, I didn't."

Ron shoved a bite of dinner into his mouth. Sure it was six am in the morning but they trained all night and had class much of the day. "I thought Aurors didn't fly this much?" Ron griped over his jacketed potato.

"Bollocks. Tonks flew on all the broom missions, remember."

"No. I'm too tired to think or remember anything."

"Weasley," a booming voice erupted from the doorway. "You got a love letter from your girlfriend."

Ron hunched down over his plate and tried to ignore Saunders. But when you're the Auror flying instructor and a former All-England Quidditch star, you couldn't ignore him except at your peril. Patrick Saunders flew for Ballycastle back in the late 80s before his contract wasn't renewed. He joined the Aurors and took to it exceptionally well.

"Think I should read it out-loud to everyone in here?" His smile wasn't friendly or kind but predatory.

"Si,r no Sir," Ron barked back. "Sodding git," he said under his breath.

"Well, you don't get a choice in the matter, do you?"

"Sir, No sir!" His ears turned painfully red, knowing that the other man took pleasure and pride in humiliating him in front of the others. But then the man enjoyed breaking every single trainee in camp, one way or another.

The Auror pulled his wand from his holster and spelled it open, charming it to read aloud to everyone present. A soft voice started out and Ron begged and pleaded that it wasn't one of Hermione's saucy letters she'd send him from time to time.

"Dear Ron,

"I apologize that I can't get away to see you tomorrow. I know you're working hard at Camp and will return when you are done. So, for now, think on Christmas to help you get through the rough days you're having.

"As for you, Auror Saunders,"

The lunchroom went dead silent at her mention of the Flying instructor's name.

"I know you're reading this letter to the trainees, hoping to humiliate them with ribald letters written to them to keep their morale up. You'll get no such pleasure from me.

"However, I have filed a formal complaint with Director Robards, in London, at your illegal activities.

"So Auror Saunders, have a fantastic day. It should be your last as a free man."

Ron glanced towards the door and saw Director Robards along with a tall black witch standing behind him. He knew that witch well enough to not cross her in a brightly lit room – much less Knockturn Alley.

"Auror Saunders, you're relieved of duty, pending a full inquiry in London. Intercepting owls without a direct order is illegal. We're also investigating your malicious hazing of trainees we're in desperate need of since the Auror Corps were decimated."

"I dunno Auror Jones. It might be that Auror Saunders has an agenda, maybe even treasonous, as to why he wants everyone to drop out."

The tall witch walked up to the Auror and took the parchment out of his hands and walked to Ron. "Here. Here's your real letter." She turned to the mortified one. "You're also under arrest for abetting Umbridge in capturing Scrimgour for Voldemort." She kept her wand down but her face was murderous. "He used my wand after stunning me, stunning Scrimgour before kidnapping the Minister and escaping. He left my wand as implicating evidence." She scowled deeply. "I look forward to putting you in Azkaban for the rest of your miserable life, you sodding bastard."

"No! You won't take me." Auror Saunders pulled his wand but was powerfully stunned into the oak ceiling supports before dropping bonelessly in a lump.

All heads were turned and saw Ron standing in front of Harry, sliding his wand back into his holster. "Sorry, sir, but I saw his hand at his wand and knew he'd hurt someone if I didn't act."

The others looked him over once before dropping their wands. "Good work, Weasley." He looked around at the rest of the trainees. "We'll have someone up from London tomorrow to take over. You've got liberty the rest of today and tomorrow."

Auror Jones stood close to Ron, speaking under her breath. "Weasley, you need to give a statement first before your 24 hours of liberty. Report back to camp at 8am Tuesday. Oh, and Weasley? The Headmistress already knows you're coming to visit. You can use the Floo in the Camp office to get to McGonagall's office. I've informed her of your arrival but don't cock it up."

Ron nodded once and proceeded to follow Director Robards out of the luncheon hall. "Potter, you've got liberty too. I don't want to hear any escapades tittering around the Great Hall when I return Tuesday. Understand me?"

"Yes, Auror Jones."

The tall witch spelled ropes around Auror Saunders before hoisting him up with magic. "Next stop, London." She pulled a journal out of her pocket and saw it turn blue. She disappeared with her suspect to applause from the rest in the gathering.

"Anyone who has been humiliated by that wretched sod, form a queue at Camp Headquarters. We'll get through it as fast as possible."

Director Robards lead the way out, followed by Ron and Harry.

Two hours later, Ron stepped out of the Floo with his rucksack over his shoulder, trying to dust the ash from his cloak.

"Ah, Mr. Weasley. You're right on schedule."

He looked out and saw the Headmistress sitting primly at her desk. "Headmistress."

"Rubbish on that. You're training to be an Auror. Call me Minerva."

Ron put his hand out and shook hers. Once an Auror, Always an Auror, so the saying went in Camp. She was never an Auror but anyone who can survive five stunners at the same time at her age deserved equal respect. "Mum would beat me if I was that respectful, Minerva." He grinned before blushing hard. "How about McGonagall?"

"That's fine, Mr. Weasley."

"So do I wait here?"

"Yes, actually. See, I've summoned Miss Granger to my office under the pretense of capturing an intruder on the grounds. Instead, I must insist that you mind your manners while here for the time being."

"And my Sister?"

"You'll see her at dinner, since it's only half three. I've also made arrangements for you to have a guest quarters in Gryffindor tower, since Miss Granger still shares a room with Miss Weasley. It would behoove you to set wards around your room, so others aren't pestering you all hours of the day – or night. I'm sure you'd like some sleep on your liberty, correct?"

"It might be nice. But then Hermione might want to continue her studies and I'll only be in her way."

"Regarding that, Miss Granger is excused from all her classes tomorrow. I will insist upon it." McGonagall barely smiled but Ron took it as the warmest compliment.

"You sent for me, Headmaster?" A voice called up the stairwell. "Miss Luna said that there was an intruder on the grounds?" She took the final ten steps up and froze. "Ron!"

Hermione stood frozen on the steps leading into the Headmistress office. Her boyfriend, who she thought would be off at camp until May, was sitting there, looking a little worse for wear but beaming. "Hi," he said quietly, trying not to break the moment.

"Here's our intruder, Miss Granger."

"He's not an intruder," she dropped her satchel and ran to him. He lifted her up off her feet and spun her around, dropping a not-so chaste kiss on her lips.

"Hurmph, Hurmph," McGonagall cleared her throat to cease their passionate reunion. "As much as I am thrilled to witness your re-acquaintance, I must ask that you keep decorum in public spaces while you are here, Mr. Weasley."

Ron lowered Hermione to the ground and sat back down, slightly mortified at what had happened. "My apologies, Headmistress."

"Rubbish. But please keep your reunion chaste when not behind closed doors. I don't wish for the Head Girl to have any more second years nattering on about her any more than already occurs."

"The kids talk about you? Anything I need to deal with?"

Hermione blushed further. "It's nothing that I've not heard before or can't handle. I'm fine."

"Now, Miss Weasley, you are excused from lessons tomorrow, provided you see to escorting Mr. Weasley around the castle. Since there have been some changes, he should have a guided tour around, provided the student body doesn't mob him while he is with us."

The couple stood to leave before being stopped. "It is good to see you too, Mr. Weasley. I'll instruct the elves to make a special feast tonight, for you and Mr. Potter. Is that acceptable, Miss Granger?"

"That's more than acceptable, Headmaster. Good day." She stopped short of the doorway. "When do I need to have him back here?"

"I have to report back at 8am Tuesday. So I need to be here at 7 so I can stow my gear and change accordingly for camp."

"Do you have any further questions, Miss Granger?"

"I have none, headmistress. Thank you. I will escort our intruder forthwith."

The couple departed and the Headmistress scribbled her note to Madame Pomfrey and the other professors. They didn't need to prattle on either about the two couples in the castle – well, no more than usual, considering the circumstances.