Chapter 8

"Sway"

Three days later and there was still no sign of Ron. The Prophet has already begun to call the search a wild goose chase and that Ron is most likely dead. Fred's funeral is on Sunday, Colin's on Monday, and Mr. and Mrs. Lupin on Tuesday.

Harry felt over whelmed with the despair and mayhem that his killing Voldemort has caused. He hadn't left the Burrow since he arrived after the war in fear of being ambushed by people. Harry lay on his back in the middle of the garden staring at the early morning sky. The sun was almost completely up. The sky was a pale hazy blue with a wash of orange from the rising sun. Harry hadn't been sleeping much lately and liked to catch the sunrise. He closed his eyes and felt someone's hand touch his. He didn't bother to open his eyes. He knew it was Ginny so he grasped her hand tighter.

_IN THE KITCHEN_

Mrs. Weasley was at the sink filing the kettle for tea. Mr. Weasley came up behind her and gave her a kiss on the cheek.

"Good Morning beautiful", he said with a smile. He looked out the window to where Harry and Ginny lay in the grass. His eyes widened in confusion."Molly dear, are Harry and Ginny a couple?"

Mrs. Weasley just smiled at him.

"How long has this been going on?"

"Awhile, I'm surprised you hadn't noticed", Mrs. Weasley said simply as she continued to prepare her tea.

"There may just have to be some new rules with this recent bit of information", Mr. Weasley said sharply.

Mrs. Weasley turned to look at her husband, "No there will not! They have been just fine so far so just leave them alone! Don't even mention it!"

Mr. Weasley was going to object but with one look from Molly decided not to.

"I must be off to work", he said getting his things ready.

"But it's so early and you haven't had breakfast yet."

"Things at the Ministry are hectic right now with the falling of Voldemort. There are death eaters on trial and were looking for a new Minister… and I told Percy I'd meet him at the Leaky Cauldron for breakfast", he said quickly.

"Are you sure your feeling up to it," she asked concerned he had bags under his eyes and she knew he was having trouble sleeping. They both were with the death of their son and the disappearance of Ron they were worn out.

"I'll be fine," he grabbed his things, gave Mrs. Weasley a kiss and went out the door, down the drive and apparated to Diagon Alley.

Ron decided that after work he would go to the Leaky Cauldron and have a firewhisky. He didn't care that it was six o'clock in the morning, after the night he had involving a man dressed as a woman, chasing a bunch of kids down the street who tried to skip out on the bill, and some nuns which he was quite sure had nothing holy about them. Ron was convinced he deserved it.

He stepped through the doorway of the pub. There were two guys asleep at a back table, probably drunk and as usual Tom behind the bar.

"Ronald Weasley", said Tom with a grin.

"You remember who I am", questioned Ron.

"Why of course, we've been looking for you", said Tom.

"What?"

Tom held up the Daily Prophet. The front page read, "Three Days Later and Still Missing… or is he Dead?" There was a picture of Ron smiling and waving at the camera from his family holiday in Egypt. Ron grabbed the paper from Tom and began to read…

Three days after Harry Potter single handedly killed Lord Voldemort his best friend Ronald Weasley has still not been found. He was last seen during the battle. Witnesses say he was still alive when it was all over. But could this be a wild goose chase? Could Ronald Weasley really be dead and his parents refuse to give up the search?

Read Rita Skeeter's full article on page four

Skeeter he sneered to himself. Ron put down the paper and remembered that he promised Percy he would write to his parents. He was also surprised that Percy hadn't bothered him about it yet.

"Thanks Tom", Ron retuned the paper. He went to the alley behind the pub and tapped on the wall. The bricks began to move and he started to walk through and he collided with someone.

"Sorry", said Ron

"Ron!" said Mr. Weasley in excitement. Before Ron could realize who it was, his dad had pulled him into a hug. "Thank goodness you're all right. You are all right aren't you?" He asked pulling away to look into Ron's eyes.

"Yes Dad I'm fine", answered Ron.

"Good. Now WHERE THE HELL HAVE YOU BEEN! YOUR MOTHER AND I HAVE BEEN WORRIED SICK!" He shouted as he dragged Ron by the arm back into the pub and forced him into a chair. Ron thought when Percy left was the angriest he ever saw his Dad since Fred and George tried to get him to do an unbreakable vow but this may take the cake.

"I've been around," he answered nervously

"BEEN AROUND WHERE?" continued Mr. Weasley shouting. The two drunken men woke up and were now listening to what was going on.

"I wasn't trying to make you worry", said Ron.

"WELL AFTER EVERYTHING THAT'S HAPPENED AND YOU JUST DISAPPEAR, YOU THINK THAT WOULDN'T MAKE US WORRY?" Demanded Mr. Weasley

"I was going to…" he trailed off, "but I forgot…"

"YOU FORGOT? YOU FORGOT YOU HAD A FAMILY WHO CARES ABOUT YOU AND WOULD BE WORRIED SICK, HOW COULD YOU FORGET SOMETHING LIKE THAT?"

"Hey!" Smiled Percy walking over, "What's going on?"

"Ronald here was just explaining how he forgot to tell us he was alive!" Said Mr. Weasley heatedly

Percy took the seat next to Ron, "Oh. Glad to see your okay Ronald." Percy looked at him disgusted, "what happened to your face?"

"Yes Ron what has happened to your face", asked Mr. Weasley just noticing.

Ron took a deep breath before he began to speed through the whole story, "Sorry I didn't inform you I wasn't dead. I didn't mean to cause everyone so much stress. I live and work up the street, I just need to be on my own and I can't see myself going back to the burrow. As for my face I made the stupid mistake of agreeing to be Malfoy's flat mate."

"Malfoy," said Mr. Weasley with a raised eyebrow, "Why on earth would you agree to that?"

"For a brief moment he was acting like a human", stated Ron.

"So why haven't you removed the spell?" Asked Percy scrunching up his nose

"He made it permanent," he chuckled. "I made his nose the size of an orange."

"That's my boy!" Said Mr. Weasley cheerfully, Percy whipped out his wand and returned Ron's face to normal.

"Thanks," said Ron rubbing his hands across his smooth skin

Percy looked at his watch, "Dad we must be getting to work."

"Didn't you resign," asked Ron confused.

"Yes, but Kingsley asked me back," Percy said proudly.

"You're Mother and the rest of the family will want to see you", said Mr. Weasley sincerely.

"I'm not going to the burrow", answered Ron.

"Why not, I know you don't want to live there but you can at least stop by", argued Mr. Weasley.

"I just can't bring myself to do it yet," Ron lowered his head.

Mr. Weasley was getting ready to respond but Percy jumped in before the topic could escalate. "We can all have dinner at my place tonight," suggested Percy hurrying his father along. "I will send Mum a note and the key during lunch so she can head over early."

"Great idea!" agreed Mr. Weasley. "I expect to see you there at seven Ron."

"Yeah", said Ron

Mr. Weasley and Percy left for work and Ron got his firewhisky. He didn't know how tonight would go for him but he hoped that it wouldn't be disastrous. He decided to have a second whisky just in case.

_DRACO_

Draco apparated home after work, he had just turned on the shower when there was a knock on the door. He wrapped a towel around his waist and went to answer it. I know the rent is due today but it's a bit early for Harold to be collecting. He pulled open the front door…

"Dad"

"Hello Draco", Lucius smirked, "What? No warm hug for Daddy."

"What do you want?" He sneered impatiently.

"I have come to see how my only son is doing", he answered as he pushed pass Draco into the flat.

"I'm doing just fine. Please leave." He stated holding the door open hoping he would walk out again.

"If you're doing just fine then what happened to your face?"

Draco closed the door. "A bee sting"

Lucius raised an eyebrow. He waved his wand and Draco's nose returned to its normal state. He decided not to continue with the subject and looked around the flat.

"You need furniture", he looked about the empty room.

"I know thanks," I could also use more than two towels, some sheets, dishes, and a mop or something, Draco was annoyed at his presence, "how did you find me?"

"Wasn't that hard, there's a hole in the side of my house and I'm guessing if I go into the other room I will fine your bed", he eyed Draco sternly. "Only takes a simple spell to find out where it went."

"What do you want" Draco rolled his eyes, "because I would really like you to leave."

"Your Mother was concerned and she asked me to find you and bring you home", he stated.

"Tell her I'm fine and that I am home. I will write to her later. Now if you would please leave I am very busy", he said as he walked over to the door.

"Not so fast", Draco turned to look at his father with one hand on the door.

"We have to talk about what happened the other day", Draco knew this was going to get ugly and was praying that Ron didn't come in any time soon.

"What is there to discuss", he shifted his weight uncomfortably. "You were acting like a lunatic."

"You ran off with that filthy mudblood!"

"I was helping you! If you were to kill her there would be one more reason for you to be sent to Azkaban!" Draco was standing tall and felt as if he could take on his father.

Lucius lowered his eyes from Draco's view. Maybe somewhere inside he really does care if I die. Should I tell him about my hearing? Telling him may make him stronger. He has to learn to face reality. Yet if I don't tell him it may protect him longer.

"I will deliver your message to your Mother. I have a very important meeting to attend, must be off… You know where to find me." Lucius turned on his heel and silently apparated

I have to remember to put an anti-apparition spell or some shit like that on this place. Draco couldn't believe what just happened. He didn't even put up a fight. I could have sworn that "you know where to find me" had some love in it…

"Ow!" Shouted Draco as he was hit by the opening of the door, "watch what you're doing Weasel."

"Sorry. Didn't see you there", Ron said as he kept walking to his room. He closed the door and opened it again and walked back out into the living room.

"Who fixed your nose?"

"Lucius, yours"

"Percy", Ron looked horrified. "Lucius was here?"

"Yup, don't worry he doesn't know you live here… not for your safety but who knows what he'll do to me when and if he finds out", Draco went back to the bathroom to take his shower.

_PERCY'S HOUSE_

"Harry can you please enlarge the table so everyone will fit", Mrs. Weasley was rushing around the kitchen putting finishing touches on dinner.

Percy's flat was much larger then Ron's but it only had one bedroom. It was extremely neat and sleek, the complete opposite of the Weasley house. It had dark brown wood floors and marble counter tops. When you first walk in you are on a platform and then you step down into the living area. Along the back wall was the kitchen. It had a counter with stools that separated it from the living area. The living room furniture was all brown leather and all the chairs had high backs. The walls were lined with bookshelves and the fireplace was large enough to fit three people comfortably. On the wall to the left of the front door were doors that lead to the balcony. To the right was the hall that leads to the bathroom and Percy's bedroom.

Ginny had moved all the furniture to the perimeter of the room to make space for the table and then magically set it, after Harry enlarged it.

"Ginny no magic," Mrs. Weasley said sternly, "It's almost seven," she got excited. She couldn't wait to get her hands on Ron so she could hug him and then strangle him.

"Calm down Mum," Ginny rolled her eyes as she took a seat next to Harry on the couch.

The fireplace lit up, Percy and Mr. Weasley stepped out. "Is he here yet?" Questioned Mr. Weasley hurrying from the fireplace hoping to see his son

"Nope", stated Ginny simply.

"How do you think he'll come", asked Harry.

"I don't know I didn't even think to ask if he had a fireplace", answered Mr. Weasley.

"He does", responded Percy absentmindedly sorting through his mail

"How do you know that", said Mrs. Weasley coming from the kitchen.

"Lucky guess", said Percy trying to sound innocent. There was a knock on the door Percy rushed to answer it relieved for the interruption, "It's only you."

"It's nice to see you too big brother", said George as he and Hermione walked into the flat.

"He didn't mean it like that. He was only hoping it would be Ron so he wouldn't have to explain why he knows Ron has a fireplace," Ginny said uninterestedly.

"Thanks Ginevra," Percy glared at her and she stuck her tongue out

"How do you know that Percy", questioned George curiously.

There was another knock at the door and Percy rushed to answer it.

"Thank goodness you're here", he pulled Ron inside and closed the door.

Ron smiled slightly, "Hello everyone".

Mrs. Weasley pushed everyone out of the way to get over to Ron. She pulled him into a hug and Ron hugged her back. He felt safe in her arms, like this would be the only place in the whole world where everything would be okay.

"I'm sorry Mum", he whispered.

"It's okay. I'm just glad to see you're alright," she said pulling away to look at him.

"No it's not!" Said Ginny sternly and walking over and punching Ron in the arm and then taking a seat at the table.

"Yeah it's good to see you're alright no matter how much of a git you are," George sat down at the table, "I'm starved let's eat."

Everyone started to take seats around the table. Percy helped his Mother bring the food to the table. Harry and Hermione went over to Ron. "I'm glad you're okay", said Harry giving Ron a hug. "I tried to tell them you weren't dead."

"How did you know?"

"I've needed to disappear myself quite a few times," Harry smiled and went to sit next to Ginny.

"It's good to see you in one piece," Hermione said as she rubbed her arm nervously and went to take a seat.

Ron was getting ready to sit when there was another knock on the door and he went to open it.

"Ron!" Bill smiled excitedly and gave Ron a huge hug, "where have you been? We've been worried sick."

"I've been around," he said smiling slightly.

"I'm so glad you're alright Ron", said Fleur giving him a kiss on each cheek.

They all went over to join everyone else at the table.

"Charlie said that he won't be able to get back from Romania until tomorrow he has to tie up some loose ends at work", said Bill giving his mother a kiss on the cheek before taking a seat.

Ron took the seat between Mrs. Weasley and Percy and waited for the interrogation to begin.

"Now Ronald how about you tell us where you've been", demanded Ginny, "Or should we just ask Percy because clearly he knows something", she flung mashed potatoes across the table at him.

Ron looked suspiciously at Percy, "All I said was that you had a fireplace."

Ron looked away from Percy to all the anticipated faces. Ron went on to explain what happened and his current living situation.

"MALFOY" Shouted Harry, "Why are you living with Malfoy?"

"It's a business arrangement", said Ron.

"Sounds like bad business", added George.

"Right now it's working out okay if we just stay out of each other's way", assured Ron.

The rest of dinner was spent yelling and interrogating Percy about not telling that he knew where Ron was, Mr. Weasley also mentioned how Kinsley was up for the permanent position of Minster for Magic but unfortunately he was running against Doleres Umbridge. Ginny made the table disappear and put the furniture back as her mother yelled at her once again for using magic. Everyone sat around the fire talking. Ron motioned for Harry to follow him out onto the balcony.

"How bad was it when I was missing", asked Ron.

"Pretty bad, your Mum would cry anytime she passed the clock because your face was on home and you weren't there. She also took to counting all her children every night before she went to bed and every morning when she woke up", said Harry plainly.

"I guess I probably should have told everyone I was safe. Percy made me promise but I forgot… thank goodness it wasn't an unbreakable vow or I would really be dead", Ron looked up into the night sky.

Harry laughed, "Definitely, you should have especially informed Hermione", Ron looked at Harry, "She's been blaming herself."

"I told her this had nothing to do with her."

"You know how Hermione is. Everything must be perfect and she blames herself when it's not." Harry gestured towards the door with his head because Hermione was coming out. "I need to go ask Ginny something", he excused himself from the balcony.

"Hi", said Hermione shyly.

Ron looked into her eyes, "I need you to understand that I didn't leave because of you."

"I know", she paused, "I just… How I acted was terrible I didn't even think about how you must be feeling."

"You did think about my feelings. Just not those that, were so obvious. One second I'm cheering on the inside because I remembered the house elves and you kissed me and the next… We both know what happened next no need to go into detail. I'm sorry if I in any way made you feel that this was your fault."

She smiled, he took a step forward, she took a step forward until they rested their foreheads on one other's. Ron smiled, "I really want to kiss you right now but we have an audience."

Hermione turned to look in the window, the entire Weasley clan was watching with huge grins with the flick of her wand the curtains were closed and Ron and Hermione's lips crushed together…

"I think I speak for everyone when I say FINALLY!" Cheered George, when Ron and Hermione finally came back inside, they all laughed.

"What do you mean finally," Ron was highly offended.

"Honestly Ron, how many years have you been pining away for our dear Hermione", he held up seven fingers, "seven years is a long time to not say anything."

"That's not true," stated Ron firmly.

"Yes it is," interjected Harry, "I was there through the whole denial process and it's not that he didn't do anything about it, he talked negatively about all of Hermione's dates and then would stop talking to her completely."

"Hey! You're supposed to be on my side," said Ron trying to act hurt.

"Ronald, you've really liked me for seven years", asked Hermione smiling, "here I thought it only happened moments ago."

"Okay, I see how it is," said Ron smiling, "it's going to be pick on Ron day."

They sat around laughing and talking. Ron enjoyed the comfort of this familiar moment and was glad the night was going better then he thought it would until…

"Ron", Ron looked over to his mother, "Fred's funeral is tomorrow and we hoped that all his brothers would carry the casket." Ron looked down in shame. "What's wrong?"

Ron hesitated before he answered, "I wasn't planning on going to the funeral."

"WHAT!" Everyone started talking at once telling him he had to be there and he was being extremely rude. Ron just stood and left. He was down the stairs and getting ready to go out the door when he felt someone's hand on his shoulder. Hermione took his hand and just walked silently home with him. He loved that she was there for him with no questions asked. He loved her and he would forever have her at his side.

"Sway" The Perishers