Chapter 6
"Again"
Ron inhaled deeply, closed his eyes and swished and flicked. He opened one eye and nodded approvingly at the sleeping bag he conjured up. He was surprised it worked and was just about to try his luck on a pillow when there was a knock on the door. He opened the door of his room walked down the hall to answer the front door.
"What are you doing here?"
"Looking for you" said Percy as he walked into the flat.
"How did you find me?" asked Ron as he shut the door
"The Ministry keeps track of all magic done in muggle areas", said Percy.
"How did you know it was me using magic? I'm of age now and there isn't a tracker on my wand anymore", Ron was getting upset. It's as if they don't trust me.
"Calm down", Percy noticed Ron's ears turning red, "I didn't know it was you, I was only hoping it would be."
"Weasel, who the hell was at the door?" Draco shouted as he stepped into the living room.
Percy raised an eyebrow at the sight of Draco. "Good evening Mr. Malfoy", Percy said calmly. "What's going on here?"
"Malfoy's my new flat mate," Ron answered nervously.
"Oh! And you think that this is a good idea considering you're not so friendly relationship?" asked Percy.
"Nothing has changed", said Draco, "this is simply a business arrangement."
"How on earth are you going to pay for this place?" Asked Percy
"I got a job", said Ron proudly.
Percy chuckled and saw the look on Ron's face, "Oh. You were serious?"
"Of course I'm serious! If I'm going to be on my own then I'm going to have to support myself!" said Ron angrily.
"On your own," said Percy concerned, "You don't…"
"I feel a mushy moment coming on", Draco rolled his eyes and left the room.
Percy continued, "You don't have to go through this alone Ron. The entire family will support you through your grieving process."
"You're one to talk. Your part of the family and you blew us off because we said you receiving a promotion after what happened to Barty Crouch was suspicious. You blew us off for a job at the Ministry!"
"Yes! And I was wrong! But Mum and Dad never gave up on me through the whole ordeal and they are not going to give up on you either," persisted Percy.
"I know", Ron lowered his head, "I just need some time away from the burrow and everyone. I'm not trying to disown anyone. I just need to be on my own."
"I can understand that... Mum is worried sick though she thinks Lucius Malfoy may have tried to kill you."
"Why?" Asked Ron
"Him and Malfoy had some huge argument in the great hall during the celebration and were seen charging from the room", Percy paused and said, "Why are you living with Malfoy?"
"Why were you making out with Penelope Clearwater in an empty classroom when you were a prefect?" Ron smirked trying to change the subject
"Because she was hot", said Percy simply, "now why are you living with Malfoy?"
Ron was amazed that Percy answered the question he was quite sure that he would have changed the subject. Percy leaned against the wall and crossed his arms. "Well I'm waiting", said Percy, "The entire family and your friends are out looking for you. The least you could do is explain why you are living with the person whose father everyone thought was going to kill you."
Ron pondered this for a second. Why am I living with Malfoy? "Well", Ron started worriedly, "I don't really know. I'm working at this greasy spoon…"
"Which one," Percy interrupted.
"The Sighler", Percy nodded as if he knew where he was talking about, "have you been there?"
"Yes," said Percy nonchalantly. He noticed the questioning look on Ron's face and continued, "I live in the East Tower", Ron was still confused "It's about a block from the Leaky Cauldron. There is this muggle housing complex called the three towers and with a few charms a fourth one appears to the magical eye." Ron nodded as if he understood, "so if I wanted to go out to eat or for a drink or something and didn't want to run into certain people I went to the Sighler instead of the Leaky Cauldron. Now back to Malfoy."
"Well I saw a help wanted sign in the window so I went in and apparently Malfoy did the same thing because he was hired a bit before I was. We started talking… Well arguing, anyway we came to an understanding, what it is I'm not that sure. But anyway we're now flat mates. And as of right now I'm sure he is not trying to kill me", finished Ron.
"Okay, as long as you are not being held against your will", Percy said still not convinced this was the greatest idea.
"Percy?"
"Yes"
"What's wrong with you?" Ron was more thrown than ever.
"What do you mean?"
"I just told you I'm living with Malfoy and you weren't upset. I asked about Penelope and you gave me a straight answer, and you have yet to drag me out of here by my hair back to Mum", said Ron quickly
Percy smiled and said, "How do the muggles say it… Life's a bitch and then you die!"
Ron's eyes widened with shock, terror, and excitement. He was thrilled by this, a huge grin spread across his face, "What happened to the smarty pants know it all we've all grown to love and hate?"
"I'm still smart, articulate, and a firm believer in following the rules, but I don't smile enough", he paused, "or laugh," he gave a small chuckle. He looked down at his hands, "Fred laughed so much... and he died laughing and full of life and spirit. If I were to die right now I would die a stale old git. It's okay to do things by the book but it's also okay to lighten up. From this day forward I plan on having fun. I also understand needing to be alone. I know that I left home for stupid reasons but when I was by myself it was great and truly needed. There are going to be times when you want to go home and I couldn't go home because of the way I left. That's why you need to let everyone know that you are safe so they don't shun you or believe that you are dead so you can always go home", he looked at Ron seriously, "I won't tell where you are or that I've seen you but you must promise me that you will inform Mum and Dad that you are alright."
"Okay", said Ron
Percy walked over to the door to leave, "Percy", called Ron. He turned around to face Ron with one hand on the knob, "Thank You."
Percy smiled, "no problem, you know where I live now if you ever need anything", he closed the door behind him and then opened it again. "Don't forget now that you're living amongst the muggles you must register your residence with the ministry."
_MALFOY MANOR_
"LUCIUS WHERE THE HELL IS HE" Naricissa demanded as she paced back and forth in front of the couch where Lucius sat.
"I don't know", he snapped, "He ran off with that mudblood Granger."
"Why would he do that? Did you do something to him?"
"Why would you think that?" Lucius said getting to his feet
"OH! I don't know maybe because you always put so much pressure on him!"
Lucius thought for a moment if he should tell Narcissa about the details of the night… He decided not to. "I don't pressure him, I just want him to be the best and I know that he can be better than he is."
"AND YOU DON'T CALL THAT PRESSURE?" She shouted, "He's not you! You should just let him be himself."
"What's that supposed to mean? When have I ever told him he has to be like me?"
"You don't have to say it. It's in your actions, for example you told the Dark Lord he was ready and willing to serve him!"
"And he was! He told me that he admired the Dark Lord!"
"He does admire him but he wasn't ready. If you ever took the time to look at your son…" he cut her off
"I DO LOOK AT HIM!" retorted Lucius
"I don't mean stare. You should be able to read him like a book, know his every thought even if he hasn't said anything."
"You think that you know him that well!"
"I don't think I know I do. I knew he wasn't ready and you and your stubbornness wouldn't listen to me. He could have been killed because of you!"
"I wouldn't have let that happen. You know I would step in front of any unforgiveable curse for him." Lucius defended
"Yes I know and that would only leave the both of you dead."
"I suppose you had a better plan?" questioned Lucius
"I made an unbreakable vow with Snape", she said simply. Lucius' eyes widened surprised by these details, "he promised that he would keep Draco alive even if that meant he had to kill Dumbledore himself."
"Why didn't you tell me?" Demanded Lucius
"Because you were too busy trying to win Voldemort's forgiveness."
Lucius looked down at his feet. Not only had he failed the Dark Lord but also himself and his family.
"Find my child and bring him home", Narcissa said sternly as she left the room.
(For more on the relationship of Lucius and Narcissa look out for my next story The Malfoy Manner)
_DRACO_
Aw! Isn't that cute, the Weasel family sticks together in times of trouble. Well who the bloody hell cares! Weasley thinks that we had a moment where we understood each other. HA! He will never understand me. Well at least I won't let him it's not like I have a deep dark past to understand anyway. I don't know what I was thinking asking him to be my flat mate.
Draco was sitting against the wall in his bedroom. I wonder if I can summon my bed he thought, "It's worth a try." He said aloud, "Accio bed." Draco thought it didn't work he walked over to the window and sat on the sill giving up on the idea of having his bed. He stared out down the alley towards the park, when he saw something hurling through the sky. It was getting closer and coming fast. His eyes widened when he realized what it was and jumped out of the way. The entire building began to shake as Draco's bed came crashing through the wall and slid lightly into place in the center of the room.
"What the bloody fucking hell…" Ron barged into Draco's room. He stopped and looked from the hole in the wall to the bed. "Oh shit! What did you do?"
"What does it look like I did", Draco spat irritably getting off the floor.
There was banging on the door. "WHAT'S GOING ON IN THERE?" Shouted Harold
Draco and Ron looked at each other in horror. "I'll get rid of him", Ron said as he quickly ran from the room.
Draco began repairing the wall "repairo!" he shouted in a whisper. He had to do it multiple times due to the massive hole. He took a moment to swear under his breath because he couldn't think of a stronger spell at that moment. He heard voices outside of the door. Weasley's not doing a very good job of keeping Harold out. He had just gotten the last piece of the wall back together when the doorknob started jiggling. THE BED! He panicked to himself. How would he explain how it got there with no one noticing? The door started to open and he whispered a vanishing Charm and the bed disappeared.
"The building was shaking and I'm positive it was coming from this flat!" Harold huffed as he pushed past Ron into the room.
"Can I help you", asked Draco innocently.
"What was that noise and why was the building shaking?" Said Harold angrily
"I didn't hear any noise. But I did feel the shake… perhaps it was an earthquake." Draco reasoned simply
Harold looked at Draco suspiciously. "Look! I run a respectable building and I will not tolerate any funny Busi….AH!" Harold screamed as he was suddenly swept off his feet and was now lying in the middle of Draco's red oak four-poster bed. Draco and Ron gasped when the bed reappeared.
"WHAT THE BLOODY HELL IS GOING ON!" Yelled Harold as he struggled to get off the bed, Ron rushed over and pulled him up.
"Where did that bed come from", questioned Harold as Ron and Draco made an effort to drag him from the room. "How on earth did it just appear out of nowhere!"? Harold struggled as he tried to remove himself from Ron and Draco's grip to turn and look at them.
"We're wizards", said Draco calmly.
"Yes and I'm the Pope! There's no such thing," argued Harold.
"No, we really are", said Ron as he pulled out his wand, "and if you hold still you won't remember a thing obliviate."
"Draco, Ron!" Said Harold happily, "Wait a moment… what am I doing here?"
"You just came to welcome us to the building", said Draco with a smirk.
"Oh. Well WELCOME! Hope you like it here", he walked over to the door and left.
"How long do you think that memory charm will last?" Asked Draco
"Dunno", sighed Ron, "But hopefully longer than your vanishing charm."
"It's not like you could have done any better!" Challenged Draco
"Maybe not, but I'm not the idiot who tried to summon my bed through a wall!" said Ron not backing down.
"Can you even fit a bed into the cardboard box you call a home", laughed Draco.
Ron lunged at him. Draco stepped out of the way and Ron ran into the wall, he pulled back rubbing his head. Draco punched him in the stomach. Ron hurdled over and crumbled to the floor. Draco gazed down upon him and smirked. Ron lifted his leg and kicked Draco in the groin. He howled in pain and fell to his knees. Ron stood up and punched Draco in the face. He fell backwards and Ron bent down to hit him again. When Draco's hand shot up and grabbed him around the neck. He pulled himself up off the floor using Ron's neck for leverage. They were standing face to face. Draco smirked as Ron gasped for breath. His smirk quickly faded when Ron wrapped his hands around Draco's neck. They stood there glaring at each other looking as if their eyes were going to pop out of their sockets
"Truce", slurred Draco.
"Truce", slurred Ron back.
They let go of each other and gasped for breath while they massaged their necks. For a moment they looked at one another. Within seconds they had their wands drawn and pointed at each other's throats. They stood there glaring determined not to be the first one to back down.
"ENGORIO" shouted Ron, "FURNUNCULUS," yelled Draco at the same time
Boils quickly spread across Ron's face as Draco's nose grew three times its normal size.
"You remove your spell", demanded Draco.
"When you remove yours", retorted Ron
Defiant stares in both their eyes "Permanento!" they screamed at the same time making their spells permanently sick to one another.
"Fucking asshole," Ron sneered as he stormed off to his room.
"Again" Lenny Kravitz
