-NEEDED-

Ron outstretched his arms as a yawn escaped him. He was seated on his very comfortable chair while his two children played with their toys in front of the fireplace. He was happy. It was something that he thought he'd never get. He understood that contentment was possible and within his grasp when he still attended Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry but now, to have proper happiness—a family to call his own, a beautiful and loving wife, two saint-like children—it was a miracle.

Soon his wife entered the living room and seated herself on his lap, holding him tight. They shared a chaste kiss, keeping in mind that their children where present. 'Dinner's ready, love,' Hermione whispered into his ear.

'But you're already 'ere and I'm oh so comfy right now.' he smirked. How did he get so lucky as to marry the most brilliant witch in the world?

They settled down and seamed just happy to be so close to each other…it was a knock on the door that interrupted their peace—an annoying knock on wooden plank that shook them. Ron sighed and announced he would get it.

Hermione didn't have to but she followed close behind her husband as he opened the white door to their nice home. There was a man in a navy-blue suit and a silver suitcase, standing tall. Handsome features but a serious look that told of experience marred his face.

Ron spoke first, 'Sorry, sir, we're not interested in any products you wish to sell to me,' he was about to close the door when Hermione after rolling her eyes at her beloved's attempt at sly humour and reopened it.

The man cleared his throat and introduced himself as Bruce Wayne. 'I'm the CEO of Wayne Enterprises and…' he made a gesture toward the inside of the house, 'may I come in?'

They both hesitated but Ron complied and allowed the stranger to their home. The man was strange but he was clearly not a wizard. His accent sounded American, and a rich one at that.

Hermione had their daughter Rose and her younger brother Hugo, taken to their rooms and asked that they studied before coming back down to her husband and their American visitor. 'Can we help you at all, sir?' she asked in a half scolding tone.

'Actually yes, there is something,' said Wayne as they entered the lounge room and Hermione gestured for their guest to sit on her chair. In this action Ron was able to perform a quick charm Hermione taught him that stopped their photos from moving. 'I am a friend of Harry Potter,' said the CEO.

This caught them by surprise. 'We were not aware that Harry had any friends that we did not…know about.' Ron replied sternly, suspicion was not hidden in his tone.

'He saved my life a few years back and we've been friends ever since. So yes, I actually do know of the Wizarding World that you all live in.'

Now, things were getting weirder. 'Okay, what do you want exactly?' Hermione sat on Ron's seat while her husband remained standing—perhaps a strategy to help intimidate their guest in the case that his intentions were not sweet.

'Let me just get to the chase then,' he paused. 'I am not just a businessman in the Muggle World. I am also in charge of a secret Intergovernmental organization called StarGate Command and Security or SGCS. We protect the world from the many threats that the majority Muggle and sometimes even Wizard population, are not yet ready to face.'

It had become quiet. Both Ron and Hermione studied the man for any proof of a lie but Bruce's expressions had remained neutral throughout the start of the conversation. He was good.

'Again I must ask what you want with me and my family.' Bruce looked up at Ron, with his arms crossed as he stood there. To Ron it all sounded like rubbish, complete and utter rubbish and he had half a mind to show this American.

Bruce just gave him an uncertain smile, one made for politeness even. 'We're putting together a team of extraordinary people that can help our defence of Earth— to fight those battles deemed too impossible for the rest of the world—to avenge them when it came to do so. I need someone to lead this team.' With that Bruce's gaze went back to Ron.

Shocked, Ron returned the gaze with opened mouth. He knew exactly what this American was implying and he did not like it one bit. A resounding 'What?' was all he could manage.

'Mr Weasley, we need you to lead this group of the extraordinary, this league of heroes—'

Ron staggered with what to say, 'Sir, I think you've made a mistake. Perhaps you should speak to Harry—he's the leader sort of person—'

Bruce feigned thought and produced a file from the suitcase and examined it, then said, 'Nope, my files specifically say that you match the profile and characteristics of that of a true leader: Headstrong, able to keep a levelled head during difficult situations, advanced knowledge of leadership—'

It then dawned on him, why Mr Wayne was there for him. 'You already went to Harry didn't you?' he asked accusingly. 'He told you that he didn't want more fame and stuff so he though the one with the least of the trio should get it.'

Bruce just smiled. Normally people would become impossibly nervous by this point but Bruce Wayne was not like anyone. '—and the uncanny ability to think outside the box, provide solutions for problems, Mr Weasley.' Bruce said with a knowing grin, like he had been waiting for Ron to figure that out.

Mr Weasley just sighed. When was Harry going to drop the whole insecurity thing? It was true that Ron had doubts about his own worth and ability in the past but now all that was just that: in the past. He had a beautiful wife now, and a daughter and son.

'I'm not a leader, Mr Wayne!' Ron knew he was losing his temper again, 'I never was. I'm not undermining what I'm worth or my honour, I am just accepting the fact that I've never led before. I don't have that sort of experience.'

Bruce shook his head in disagreement, 'That was not what Harry said…or what I have read in your autobiography, Mrs Weasley.' Bruce nodded to Hermione whom blushed at the acknowledgment but recomposed herself when she saw Ron's glary expression. Bruce got up from his seat, standing tall and walked over to the taller and masculine Ron Weasley. He looked at him with a serious expression he reserved usually for his alter ego. 'You have led before, Mr Weasley—you led Harry and your wife when you returned from self-imposed exile at age seventeen, before the Battle of Hogwarts. You led your family during the time of the Second Wizarding War,' Bruce chuckled a little to the next thing he would say. 'As I've also read you sacrificed yourself when you were eleven years old on a giant chess board.'

'Harry's sacrificed more times than me,' Ron countered, clearly not used to this strange form of appraisal. 'Harry's lost much, much more than I, which is why he deserves it, the spotlight and all, more than me anyway!'

'Which is exactly the point,' Bruce sighed. 'I will admit that I did go to ask Harry initially. He was the only 'wizard' I knew. After he pointed me to you, I did a little research first…a little habit of mine…I read your own account of your hunt before the Battle of Hogwarts—your misadventure after leaving the team temporarily. I've read the accounts that told of your entire schooling life and yes you're right that Harry Potter has sacrificed and had been willing to sacrifice his life on more counts than necessary. But that is why he is not a suitable leader, at least for this team.'

Ron at first felt sick when Wayne mentioned the time he betrayed his friends and left the hunt. In his time alone he had seen and done things that he might never forgive himself for. After a few seconds Ron's attentions went to what Wayne said about Harry and found himself about to explode with anger when he thought that Mr Wayne was talking trash about Harry. He himself had questioned Harry's leadership before, on those dark days on the run but after he destroyed his first Horcrux, Ron swore never to question that leadership again. It was an oath he took seriously.

Now this man was handing him—Ronald Weasley, the responsibility of leadership that he thought would by default be Harry's.

'Ron, if every leader thought giving up his own life would solve a life or death situation, we'd have no leaders in the world at all. A good leader makes sure that a life or death never becomes a problem to begin with. I need a leader that has the ability to continue leading on, that has a first plan where no lives will be lost. You have a great sense of loyalty, Ron and I bet that even if I ask your wife that she would honestly agree,' Ron looked at Hermione and she smiled warmly and nodded to him. 'These are the qualities that we need. So are you in?'

Ron hesitated, he was thinking. He needed more time to think and he told Bruce Wayne this. It was all too quick for his liking. 'I need some time to…process your proposal, Mr Wayne, and at the very least talk to my wife and family about this.'

'I understand, Mr Weasley, and I accept your refusal should it come to it but I have to tell you that I need an answer in the next two days.'

'Is that when you leave?' Hermione asked him.

The American nodded. Bruce lifted himself up off the chair and was about to make his way back to the front door. Suite case in hand he opened it up and produced a folder with StarGate COMMAND AND SECURITY written on the front with a symbol of a pyramid and a sun directly above it. He handed the folder to Ron and opened the door. 'Do not just think about yourself, Mr Weasley, this concerns us all and your decision might affect the survival of Earth.'

Ron understood, in a sense but still had a thin string of scepticism in his mind. 'And how do I contact you with my answer?'

'If you need to find me, I'll be at the Chancery Court Hotel in London if you need me, and you can also call me by phone—you do know how to operate one, right?'

Ron shrugged. He never really understood how to use one of those Muggle contraptions. That was usually what Hermione was for. And sure enough his wife comes up.

'Don't worry I know how to use a telephone or mobile,' she said stiffly, crossing her arms. But Hermione had no intention of actually calling and she hoped that neither did Ron.

Bruce smiled and bade them all farewell before disappearing through the door.