The Daily Prophet

Friday, October 6th, 1995

Ministry Watchwizard injured while arresting violent miscreant in Ministry.

Watchwizard Eric Munch has been hospitalised for minor injuries during his apprehension of Sturgis Podmore, who had been assaulting a member of the public.

"He just started trying to curse me apropos of nothing," said Lucius Malfoy, victim of Podmore's assault. "I'm very grateful for the quick intervention of the Ministry employees."

Podmore has reportedly been uncooperative with Department for Magical Law Enforcement investigators and is looking at up to a year in Azkaban.

"The Ministry takes its security very seriously," Minister Fudge told reporters while hat shopping in Diagon Alley. "And it is shameful that people are still believing silly rumours. Silly rumours about Lucius' association with You Know Who, of course, not the silly rumours about You Know Who being back, which are just rumours. And silly, naturally."

Podmore is scheduled to be tried and sentenced on the fifteenth.

Dear Ron

Thank you for your concern, but I'm fine. I didn't even go to the Ministry and the worst I suffered was being woken up in the middle of the night.

As best as we can tell, Malfoy was skulking around where Sturgis was on guard duty (I can't tell you where that is, though). Sturgis knows better than to attack unprovoked, so Malfoy must have tried to do something, either by trying to get somewhere he shouldn't be or by attacking Sturgis first. The Ministry wizard that was hurt was running towards the sound of fighting and stupidly walked right into the crossfire.

Dumbledore made us all get ready to move in case it was part of a larger attack, but it only turned out to be a couple of pawns jostling at the side of the board. We're ready though. As soon as the enemy makes his move, we'll be on him.

As it's only a few days until we meet in person, I'll resign our correspondence game here. I know you well enough to know that you're going to win when two pawns up in this endgame.

There's more I'd like to say to you, but it can wait until we see each other. To be honest, I'm so excited about being with you again that I feel like I'm Gabrielle's age all over again.

Lots of love

Fleur

P.S. I realised that this letter was a lot more revealing about the Order than I'd usually write, so I've charmed it for your eyes only. Still, it might be best to destroy it after reading anyway.

Ron fought the urge to speed up as he walked towards the Hogwarts gates. As much as he was longing to see Fleur in person after weeks apart, he didn't want to make a fool of himself. Besides, it was too cold to run.

"Are you even listening to me?" Hermione said, walking beside him.

"Huh?" Ron said. "Oh… no, I guess not. Sorry."

Hermione let out a sigh. "I guess I can't really blame you," she said. "And I'm no better. I haven't seen Krum for just as long as you haven't seen Fleur. I was asking if you two had any specific plans."

"All I know is that we're meeting at The Three Broomsticks."

Hermione nodded. "Well, we should all share a drink, at least, before we go our separate ways."

Harry and Ginny were walking ahead of them, arm in arm. They had left the castle about fifteen minutes after the gates had opened. The first Hogsmeade weekend of the school year always had dozens of eager students, especially third-years, ready to go the moment they were allowed to. None of the four of them really wanted to be surrounded by people, but it was worse for Harry. Hardly a week went by without several students coming up to him and either telling him that he was a delusional liar, telling him that they believed him, or on one memorable occasion, telling him that the Dark Lord was going to win (Hermione gave the second-year Slytherin responsible a week of detentions before Ron could hex him). Walking away from the crowds was easier.

It did have the unfortunate consequence that The Three Broomsticks was already packed with rowdy students by the time they arrived. Ron knew that Fleur was there, partly because he sensed her allure long before they reached the door, but partly because of the crowd of students surrounding her.

She was wearing a polite, but unimpressed expression as several older male students vied for her attention. Krum was standing next to her and was trying to help by glowering at the would-be suitors, but he had his own gaggle of giggling girls to tend with.

"Fleur!"

"Victor!"

Ron and Hermione had to half-shout to get their attention as they shouldered their way through the press of students. Ron's heart rate shot up when Fleur spotted him and she smiled angelically. Despite the desire to, which was exacerbated by the feeling of her allure wrapping itself around him, Ron stiffled his instinct to kiss her in greeting.

"Hey," he said instead.

"I 'ave taken the liberty of arranging a private room for everyone," Fleur said.

Ron looked around at the sixth and seventh-years glaring at him. "Good idea," he replied.

After they had escaped the unwelcome entourage (which required severe expressions from Ron, Harry and Krum, the threat of detention from Hermione and more than one minor Stinging Hex from Fleur's wand), they went into their private room and locked the door behind them.

"I do not remember the students being this bad last year," Fleur said.

"That's just because you've gotten more beautiful since then," Ron said.

Fleur smiled in amusement and Ginny scoffed, but behind her back, Harry gave Ron an enthusiastic thumbs up.

"It's the atmosphere in the castle," Hermione said, taking off her cloak and sitting down. There were drinks and sandwiches provided and Hermione popped the top off a Butterbeer. "Half the castle doesn't believe us, but the other half is split between those who believe he's back and support us and those who believe he's back and support him." She sipped at her drink and sighed. "Prefect duties have been a nightmare, honestly. Anyway, emotions have been running high, so the first chance to leave the castle has led to all this pent-up tension being released."

They all sat down and sipped at their drinks. They chatted amiably for a few minutes while they recovered. Harry, Ginny and Ron asked Krum about the Quidditch season so far. Hermione and Fleur talked about curse breaking.

"Oh, that reminds me," Fleur said, a few minutes later. "Can I see your 'and 'Arry?"

"You told her?" Harry asked Ron, sounding betrayed.

"She's a curse breaker," Ron said defensively. "Of course, I did."

"I told you I was fine!" Harry protested.

"There are still marks on your hand!"

"I'm handling it," Harry said.

"Oh, for Merlin's sake, Harry! Show her your bloody hand!" Ginny snapped. The others all looked on awkwardly while Harry scowled at Ginny and she scowled right back. After a brief struggle of wills, Harry slammed his hand down on the table.

Fleur leaned closer to inspect it. Harry had taken to keeping his hands in his pockets as much as possible after his detentions with Umbridge had started, but Ron had spent enough time with him to have seen the very faint white lines on the back of his hand.

Fleur waved her wand in precise motions above his hand.

"It's definitely caused by a cursed object," she said. "I won't be able to reverse the damage already done, but they may still fade in time, so long as you're not forced to use this cursed quill anymore."

"That's fine, then," Harry said, snatching his hand back and putting it back into his pocket.

"Harry, if you can go the rest of the year without getting detention from Umbridge, I'll eat my hat," Hermione said, ignoring the glare Harry sent her.

"'Ere," Fleur said, writing on a sheet of parchment. "These are instructions for a protective charm. If you cast it before your detentions, it should protect you from the worst of the damage." She pushed the parchment towards Harry, but Hermione snatched it up first. "It'll still 'urt, but this should prevent permanent damage… 'opefully."

"Well, yeah, thanks," Harry said, grabbing his cloak and stalking from the room. Ginny gave them a half-hearted 'sorry' and followed him.

"Thank you," Ron said more sincerely, squeezing Fleur's hand.

"I'll make sure Harry knows this charm," Hermione said. "Thank you, Fleur." Fleur nodded. "Now, come on, Victor, you promised we could visit the bookshop."

With another exchange of goodbyes, Ron and Fleur were left alone.

"So, did you want to see some of the village?" Ron asked.

"I've seen the village before," Fleur said dismissively. "What I want to see is more of you."

Ron coughed awkwardly. "Actually, in English you say—"

"I know what I said," Fleur declared. Ron gulped. "I booked us a private room," Fleur said, waving her wand to relock the door and close the curtains. "And I intend to use it."

"Eventually, it turned out zat there was a Regeneration Charm interlaced with the Befuddlement Jinx, so—"

"So, everytime you managed to dispel the Befuddlement Jinx it would come back," Ron nodded along to Fleur's explanation.

"Exactly! I ended up 'aving to do a tricky piece of Double Casting in order to remove the charm and the jinx at the same time. And let me tell you! Casting two spells at once, all the while a powerful Befuddlement Charm is affecting you, is not easy!"

"I believe you."

They were sitting at the table in the room above the bar. Ron was working his way through the last of the cucumber sandwiches which Fleur refused to touch. She was sipping at her Butterbeer while sharing her work stories.

"Even then, it took me another week to remove all the other curses. I think my supervisor was impressed, well, as impressed as a goblin can be, anyway."

Ron smiled, but it faded from his face as he looked out of the window at the slowly darkening sky.

"I should get going soon," he said.

Fleur's smile faded away, too. "I suppose so," she said.

Ron struggled for a moment, thinking of what to say.

"We're making it work, though, aren't we?"

"Oh, of course," Fleur said authoritatively. "Don't worry, I'm not letting you slip away from me."

"Oh, good."

"Zat reminds me," Fleur said, reaching into her bag, "'ere." She handed Ron a small silvery object.

Ron inspected it curiously. It was a metal disk, small enough to fit into his hand and, seeing the hinge on one side, he opened it.

"It's a mirror."

"Oui."

"It's a little girly."

"Mm, it was Gabrielle's."

"And why are you giving me a French girl's compact mirror?"

Fleur reached into her bag again. "Because it's 'alf of a linked pair. Watch." She pulled out another, identical compact. "Ron Weasley," she said.

A moment later, Ron felt the mirror he was holding warm up and then Fleur's face faded into view before him.

"Bonjour," she said, her voice coming from the mirror Ron was holding half a second later.

"Oh, cool," Ron said. "That's easier than writing letters."

"Yes," Fleur agreed. "Although these are pretty old and the enchantments are beginning to fade. Considering the distances involved and the amount of defensive magic around 'Ogwarts castle, I don't think we will get more than a few minutes of conversation a day, before the charms need to recharge."

"Still," Ron said, snapping the mirror closed and pocketing it. "That's great. Was Gabrielle really willing to give up her way of talking with you though?"

"She actually… kind of likes you, I think."

"Really?" Ron said, surprised.

"I think you impressed her while we were holidaying together. You showed that you weren't just some weak-willed simpleton, 'oo was too easily swayed by the power of my allure."

"But I am swayed by your allure," Ron pointed out.

"'Ardly anymore," Fleur said. "And you affect my allure, in that strange way you do, just as much as it affects you. Did you know zat I could feel when you came close to the door this morning?"

Ron raised his eyebrows. "Huh, is that so?"

Fleur nodded. "In any case, Gabrielle is a romantic at 'eart and she know 'ow I feel about you."

"Well, please thank her for me."

A brief silence settled over them. Following an impulse, Ron reached out and took Fleur's hand. Neither of them looked towards the clock or the window or the door and instead stared into each other's eyes.

But even if they were intentionally ignoring it, time crept on.

"I'm going," Ron said, even if he didn't stand up or release her hand.

Fleur gave him a sad smile as she pulled her hand out of his. "As am I," she said. "I'll talk to you later." She patted her pocket where she had put her mirror.

They had both learned, early on during their dates, that they had to be very careful that kisses goodbye did not evolve into anything more enthusiastic, but they really pushed themselves to the limit of their self-control on this occasion.

Ron broke apart from Fleur, his breath coming a little fast. "Right," he said. He went for the door, but paused and turned back with his hand on the knob. "Uh, I love you."

"I think you just made that very clear," Fleur said, her cheeks still a little flushed. "I love you, too."

The cold November was a shock to Ron's system after a day with Fleur, but it helped to clear his mind. It was nearly curfew as he strode through the gates, Filch was standing guard with a long list of students' names, but he only grumbled as he scratched a mark next to Ron's.

Ron's long legs sped him past the other almost-late students and he sped up again when he spotted Hermione's bushy hair ahead of him.

"Hey," he said, his breath escaping him as a mist.

"Oh, hello, Ron," Hermione said. "We didn't see you at all after we separated this morning."

"I was with Fleur," Ron said simply.

Hermione raised an eyebrow. "Did you spend the whole day in that room? What did you— you know what? I don't want to know." She kept walking on.

"Get any good books?" Ron asked, ignoring her remark and eyeing the bundle Hermione was carrying.

"Hmm, I've been feeling the need to brush up on my Defence studying," she said. "You know, I ran into more than one student in the bookshop who had the same idea."

"I guess Umbridge isn't particularly popular with anyone," said Ron.

"Well, quite. You know, I had an idea," Hermione began.

"That you want to expand our independent study group?" Ron guessed. "It's not a bad idea."

"How did you know I was going to suggest that?" Hermione asked. "Was it a prediction?"

Ron shook his head. "No intuition involved," he said. "I've just been friends with you for the last four years. You'd think I'd gain a vague idea of how you think."

"I guess so."

"If our group gets much bigger though, I do predict that Umbridge will come down on us like a pile of bricks."

"What?" Hermione flung out her hands theatrically. "Do you really think that she'd object to students studying independently on their own— you know what? Stupid question. Of course she would." She sighed. "We could do it in secret? You know what, let's ask Harry first. He's the best at Defence and we should probably let him veto any plans that involve letting potentially dozens of students spend extended periods of time around us."

"Yeah."

They passed through the doors into the Entrance Hall, the warmth of the castle washing over them.

"You know, I'm looking forward to next week," Hermione said. "We're starting that new topic with Professor Flitwick and I've wanted to study Conjuration Charms for ages."

"Speak for yourself," Ron sighed. "With the match against Slytherin coming up, Angelina has been pushing us harder than ever."

"Shouldn't it be easy for you?" Hermione asked.

"According to Angelina I could always be better. I can get distracted, too, and I can't see very well when that happens."

"Huh, and how's Fleur?"

"She's fine, enjoying work at Gringotts. Oh, look at what she gave me." Ron pulled out the mirror and flipped it open to show Hermione.

She gave him a strange look. "It's a little girly for you."

"Ha ha," Ron said in a flat voice. "It's enchanted, obviously. I just say 'Fleur' and we can talk face to—"

"'Ello?"

"Fleur!" Ron fumbled with the mirror, bringing it around to look at it properly.

"Barely ten minutes and you already miss me? I'm flattered."

"Sorry, Fleur." Ron said. "I was just showing Hermione and said your name."

"Hi Fleur!" Hermione said cheerfully.

"'Ello, 'Ermione."

"Talk to you later," Ron said. "Bye."

"Bye," Fleur said, amusement audible in her voice.

Ron snapped the mirror closed.

"Well, like that," he said.

Hermione let out a laugh, but then she had a far off look in her eyes.

"Do you think Harry will go for it? You know, letting more people study with us?"

"You know what?" Ron said. "I think he might."

"No, absolutely not."

"Oh, come on, Harry," Hermione implored him. "Think about how much it will annoy Umbridge."

"You were the one who told me to ignore her!"

They were sitting in the far corner of the Common Room, later that same evening, but Hermione was not selling the idea of expanding their private study group very well.

Hermione changed tactics. "In that case, think about all the students who are going to fail their exams this year."

"How is that my problem?" Harry said. "They can study on their own."

Hermione opened her mouth to retort, but Ron had an idea of his own. "How about You Know Who?" he said. "Aren't people going to be unprepared for when he starts fighting openly again?"

Harry grimaced. "That's a better argument," Hermione scowled at him, "but all the training in the world won't help there. If he wants you dead, you're dead. Just like— well, you know."

Ginny rubbed Harry's arm sympathetically. "But it's not just him," she said. "He's got followers, too. There are even students here, who want to follow him. Wouldn't you feel better if they knew how to defend themselves from the likes of… Crabbe and Goyle, let's say."

"I'm not their saviour," Harry said, but he looked visibly uncomfortable. "If they're underprepared they can worry about it themselves, or Dumbledore or McGonagall can worry about it."

"But—"

"I said no, Hermione! Why—" Harry stopped himself. "Sorry," he said softly, rubbing his forehead. "I've got enough to worry about at the moment as it is. Teaching second-years to cast the Tickling Jinx is very low on my list of priorities. If you think it needs doing, Hermione, you can do it yourself."

"Maybe I will," Hermione said coolly.

Harry froze, then nodded at her. "Sorry for snapping. I'm going to bed. Early Quidditch practice, you know?"

They sat silently after he left.

"Does he do that a lot?" Ron asked Ginny, after a moment had passed.

"Do what?"

"Rub at his scar."

"No, but…" Ginny's face scrunched up in concentration. "Maybe a little, I'm not sure."

"Do you think it's… him?" Hermione asked.

Ron shrugged. "Your guess is as good as mine… better, probably. He did get those visions last year, though."

"I'll keep an eye on him," Ginny said.

"We all will," Hermione added.

Dear Ron

If this post owl sets a good pace, then this letter should reach you on the morning before your Quidditch match. I'm not going to distract you before a game, but I just wanted to tell you to do your best, keep your cool and that I'm sending you my love from afar.

You, Ronald Weasley, have no reason to not feel confident.

Yours

Fleur

Ron carefully folded the letter closed and slipped it into his inside pocket. Maybe it was his imagination, but he thought he could feel the faintest tendril of Fleur's allure touching his heart.

To his side, Hermione was keeping up a non-stop flow of advice.

"Just remember to keep your head in the game. Don't let anything or anyone distract you. Oh! And don't forget to stay relaxed. You know what the Muggles say? Sting like a butterfly, float like a bee. Wait, that's not—"

"Hermione, lay off him, alright?" Ginny said, coming to Ron's rescue. "He'll be fine."

"Of course, he will," Hermione said. "But—"

"Hermione," Ginny said warningly.

"Okay! Sorry."

Fleur was right, Ron thought, ignoring Hermione and Ginny, he didn't have any reason to not be confident. He'd defeated McGonagall's giant chess set. He'd gone to fight that basilisk. He was dating Fleur Delacour, for Merlin's sake! There wasn't a member of the Slytherin team who wouldn't be jealous about that.

He placed his hand over Fleur's letter. He could feel his heartbeat slow down as he did.

His calm had vanished a little, by the time he was in his Quidditch uniform and was half-listening to Angelina's pre-match speech. Harry gave him an encouraging shoulder pat as they lined up to go outside. Even Fred and George gave him respectful nods.

When the whistle blew, he rocketed towards the goal posts, trying to let the relaxed, calm sensation that he had worked on so much during practice take hold in his mind, but he didn't have long to prepare.

"And an interception by Slytherin!" Lee Jordan was commentating. "Now Warrington only has to beat Gryffindor's new Keeper, Ron Weasley!"

There was a roar from the Gryffindor part of the stands, but Ron ignored them, his eyes on Warrington.

"Left, right or centre," he mumbled to himself under his breath. Warrington whipped his arm forward, the Quaffle flying towards the goals, but Ron was already moving in the right direction.

"WEASLEY IS OUR KING."

Ron flinched as the loud singing broke out from the Slytherins. He only just managed to keep moving and to brush the Quaffle with his fingertips. Instead of catching it and sending the Quaffle to his teammates, it bounced off the goal ring and fell into Pucey's waiting hands.

"HE ALWAYS LETS THE QUAFFLE IN."

Katie had come back and was now harassing Pucey, but it was a tough spot for Gryffindor to be in.

"Do you like my lyrics, Weasley?" Malfoy was floating just above him, seemingly unconcerned that Harry was searching for the Snitch unopposed.

Ron tried to ignore him, but he glanced at Malfoy just as Pucey took a shot. Ron tried to move his broom, but he was too late.

"Goal! Ten zero to Slytherin!"

If anything the Slytherin's chanting got even louder.

"THAT'S WHY SLYTHERIN'S ALL SING,

WEASLEY IS OUR KING."

And so the game went on. Ron tried to ignore the singing, but the more goals he let by, the harder it was to calm down and let his instincts take over. By the time it was seventy to twenty in Slytherin's favour, Ron was ready to give up.

"Timeout!" Angelina called.

Ron slowly floated down to the ground, the Slytherin's laughter and jeers still continuing.

"Take me off," Ron said morosely, holding his broomstick out to Angelina. "Let someone else be Keeper, it turns out I'm rubbish after all."

"Shut up, Weasley," Angelina said angrily. Behind her, Fred opened his mouth, ready to make some joke, but George shushed him. "Granger's here to help."

Ron blinked. "Okay, when I said replace me, I kind of meant anyone except Hermione… or Neville."

Hermione ignored him, pulled out her wand and jabbed it at him. Ron felt a sharp stinging sensation in his head.

"Ow!" he said, or at least, he thought he did, but no sound came out. "What the…?"

Angelina waved her hands to get his attention, then pointed at her ears.

"Oh, you've deafened me," Ron said. Then he noticed that the sound of hundreds of rowdy students had vanished too, the Slytherins included. It was strange talking without being able to hear his own voice. "That's a clever idea, Hermione."

Hermione said something, an unhappy expression on her face, but Ron just smiled at her.

She then pulled out a bronze Knut. Ron took a deep breath and nodded.

"Heads," he said whej thencoin was flipping in the air. The rest of the team looked at the coin in anticipation, but Ron already knew that he was right.

Ron could see the relief among his teammates when they saw that he got it right.

"Alright everyone," he said. "Let's do this."

Ron looked towards the Slytherin spectators as he returned to the goals, but they hadn't realised he couldn't hear them anymore. Ron suddenly felt very silly for letting them get under his skin so easily, no doubt Fleur would have some choice words for him later.

But Ron knew it wasn't the time to think about Fleur, because here came the Slytherins again, Quaffle ready to shoot.

Without thinking, Ron moved.

"Harry Potter catches the Snitch for Gryffindor! Gryffindor wins! Four hundred and forty to seventy! After a gruelling, three hour match, Potter finally ends the Slytherins' agony. It was a rocky start for new Keeper Ron Weasley, but once he found his metaphorical feet, nothing could get by him. Seriously, what is up with this red-headed family and Quidditch prodigies?"

"Jordan!"

"Sorry, Professor."

Ron joined in the cheers as he flew towards the rest of the team, even though he couldn't even hear his own voice. It was an astounding victory. Even if Malfoy had caught the Snitch, it wouldn't have mattered, not that Harry would ever let that happen. Once it became clear that Ron was 'in the zone' and wasn't going to let in many, or as it turned out, any, goals, Harry had abandoned his search for the Snitch and spent the whole time harassing Malfoy so that he couldn't end the game. The one time Malfoy came close to a catch, Harry fouled him so severely that Malfoy almost fell off his broom. He'd conceded a penalty, but Ron saved it easily. The only reason Harry ended the match was because they were all so tired and cold that there was a non-trivial risk of somebody seriously hurting themselves in a crash.

Four hundred and forty points was a ridiculous score. Some teams scored less than that over the whole Hogwarts season, let alone in one game. It was very premature, but Ron thought that Gryffindor would probably defend their champion title easily.

He was still engulfed in hugs, trying to spot Hermione so she could fix his hearing, when he noticed everyone looking behind him in panic. Ron spun around to see Harry, Fred and George pummeling Malfoy with their fists.

Ron rushed over with the others to help, though Ron wasn't sure if he wanted to stop Harry or join him, but he saw Umbridge scurrying over from the opposite direction. She tried to hide it, but she had a grin on her face.

Ron had a sudden premonition that maybe the Quidditch Cup wasn't as secure as he had just thought.

"A lifetime ban," Harry said in a hollow voice.

The mood in Gryffindor Tower was mixed. On the one hand, they had utterly thrashed Slytherin and put themselves miles in the lead for the Cup, but they had just lost their star Seeker and both Beaters.

"We'll think of something," Hermione said. "We'll appeal to Professor Dumbledore."

"Umbridge got another one of those decrees passed," George said. "Makes her the Supreme Meter out of Punishment or something. Nothing Dumbledore can do."

"We can still win," Angelina said, a little frantically. "Even if Hufflepuff or Ravenclaw get all three catches, that puts them at four hundred and fifty just on Snitch points so we just need to score two more goals than them and if they split the catches between them, then it's even easier."

"And no one can score goals against our Ron," Katie said, prompting cheers from those listening.

"Hermione's the real hero here," Ron said, causing everyone to shift their attention to her. "I've never been so happy to have been cursed."

Hermione blushed as everyone cheered her. "I wouldn't suggest any more applications, though, or you might run the risk of permanent damage," she said. "We'll have to think of an alternative."

As the Gryffindors relished in their victory, ranted about Umbridge and hypothesised about the rest of the season, Ron spotted Harry leaving with Ginny through the portrait hole, even though it was after curfew. Ron hid a grimace. Quidditch was one of the few joys Harry had left and it wasn't as if he had been having a good year to begin with.

Ron must have fallen asleep before he got back to the dorm, because he didn't see Harry until the next day at breakfast.

"I'll do it," Harry said without preamble, collapsing into the seat opposite Hermione.

Hermione grinned.

AN: I'm Lordrowantree on Lichess.