„Meta menardi!"
Ron threw Henri a puzzled look.
"That is the Latin name of this cave spider, "Henri nodded his chin toward the corner, in which Ron looked mesmerized before.
Ron snorted: "Devil Spider would probably fit more"
"And", grinned Henry, "insects contain twice as much protein as meat or fish!"
Ron looked horrified to spider: „Only over my dead body, " he pointing with shaky fingers at the spider, "I would so eat such a thing, let alone touch!"
Henry shook his head: „„Tss, Boss, a spider is not an insect!" - Ron let out a relieved breath – "but, men, what I would give now for a big fat caterpillar." His team leader shuddered at the thought.
„My wife once said: People can survive for 30 to 200 days without food, if enough water is available", with a smile he remembered, what she also said: "of course the don't know you, Ronald Weasley!"
"If we get out of here safely, then you have to try the apple pie from my wife", Henry looked at the cave ceiling, " just divine"
"Mmmh, apple pie," Ron murmured dreamily.
Both men fell back into silence.
1 hour later:
"Let's take a look at your leg wound!" Ron gently put his jacket, with he had Henry covered, aside.
The makeshift bandage from a Chudley Cannon-T-shirt had turned dark red. When he dared to look under the bandage, Henry hissed in pain. "Hey, Boss, I think, you're shit with the healing spell, " he joked.
Ron revealed Henry again "That's why I'm not a healer and become an Auror!".
Another hour later:
Ron rubbed his hands: "Okay, time for a stroll in front of our cozy home".
"Here, put on your jacket", Henry held up Ron's jacket, "it's cold outside, darling".
Ron rolled his eyes and pointed to his sweater: "Mum, I'm not cold, also I have the the famous Molly-Wealsey-sweater on! Henry, while I'm gone, try.."
- "do not fall asleep, I know!".
" Exactly", Ron confirmed, "He, while I'm away, you can have a cozy conversation with Meta."
"Not a bad idea, Meta does not contradict me!", grinned Henry.
Ron waved Henry briefly and then went out into the cold.
Outside was a strong wind, and Ron took his cap from his pocket and pulled it deep into his face. Sighing, he thought: "With all the snow, the water will not run out!"
After fifteen minutes Ron was shaking so hard, that he decided to return to the cave.
"Hi, Sweetie, what you have cooked for us?, " he asked jokingly Henry.
"Hey, I thought you'll get us take-a-way-food. But I've already said to Meta, I'm for you only the housewife," Henry showed in the round, "and do you think the house is clean by itself"
Both men laughed. Then Henry asked Ron seriously: "Do you think they are still here behind us?"
"I saw no footprints" He helped Henry to an upright position, so that he could drink. "Now sleep a little and dream of the apple pie your wife!" Carefully he let Henry glide back to the ground.
Henry closed his tired eyes and fell asleep in a short time.
"So, now there are only you and I, Meta, " Ron watched the spider, but she did not move, "blame yourself, you would have escape long ago". He took a deep rattling breath: "The Chudley Cannons are a British Quidditch team, they wore bright orange robes, and their logo included two black Cs and a speeding cannonball. They have won the League Cup twenty-one times, the last time in 1892; many consider their glory days to be over. There is a Chudley Cannons Fan Club - I am a member. Our motto is 'Let's all just keep our fingers crossed and hope for the best'!" Ron coughed and quickly held his arm over his mouth to not disturb Henry.
When he had recovered from the attack, he repeated softly: "Let's all just keep our fingers crossed and hope for the best'"
Every breath was an agony and Henry watched him searchingly: "Are you okay?!"
Ron smiled wryly: "Never better"
"You does not look good, "contradicted Henry.
Ron acted, as if he had been insulted: "You are currently not like a beauty queen, too."
"I' m sorry," Henry whispered quietly.
Ron ran a hand over his unshaven chin: "No, you're right, I should shave".
"Not for that!" , Henry closed his eyes.
"Stop this, it's not your fault, " interrupted Ron Henry, "if guilty at all, then I'm to blame. I was so stupid to take the secretary to the Mission …"
"Boss, you had no choice."
"I was so stupid to losing my wand, but the main thing is, that Emily was rescued!" added Ron.
Henry nodded tiredly.
The next morning:
"I think the wind has died down. Time to explore the places. Shall I bring you something nice from my exploring?"
Henry laughed: "Pine cones? "
"I have spoken with Meta!" grinned Ron.
"Please, be careful, we - Meta and I - have only you!"
Ron put Henry's wand in his pocket and saluted jokingly: "I will do my best"
When he was a few meters away from the cave, he allowed himself to cough. Exhausted from the strength of the coughing, he sat down on a stone. After he had rested, he looked around.
He needed an indication of where they were, so could send out a Patronus for help. Ron knew, that under these circumstances it would be difficult, to produce a Patronus. He need positive feelings.
"Hermione, Rose, Hugo, apple pie, a warm bed", he thought, "Hermione, Rose, Hugo, apple pie, a warm bed.
Sighing, he stood up, thought a moment and climb then on the stone "Hermione, Rose, Hugo, apple pie, a warm bed…" Disappointed he learned that they are in 'nowhere', trees, only trees. When Ron wanted to climb from the rock, he slide, and fell and fell..
Ron had no idea, how long he was unconscious, but when he woke up, he was slightly covered with snow. He felt a stab of pain in his right arm and his head ached. With his left hand he groped for Henry's wand. Nothing! He frantically searched all his pockets, no wand. Painfully he straightens up in the hope, that the wand had fallen out of his pocket. Horrified, he realized that he had fallen down a hill.
Powerless he dropped back, to look at the snow-shrouded sky: "Hermione, Rose, Hugo, Hermione, Rose, Hugo…" he sobbed.