A/N: Sorry for the delay. Reviewer SvenHPotterFan brought up some interesting points in their review. You are correct about the first few chapters being long winded. I kinda like that kind of expose but its not for everyone, but your review did make me think more on what im adding my chapters for this rewrite and hence why this one is delayed. I wanted to add more to the story. I appreciate your review, it made me think.
michaelc100: Thank you very much. I hope you continue to enjoy it.
LiteratureSoccerEnthusiast: Thank you!
dreamer2229: I didn't mean it to come across as Ginny asking permission from Draco. I thought it more that she's pushing her family away and he was telling some truths.
merendinoemiliano: Thank you!
Guest : Thank you. Glad you're liking it.
Thank you guys. Please R&R. As you see I do read them and take your feedback into account. I hope you like it.
Chapter 7:
The time at the park with Harry and Evelyn had been full of excitement. The three of them spent the afternoon chasing after the little girl, pushing her on swings and just generally having fun. The whole thing seemed so normal, as if no time had passed and it lifted Ron and Hermione to see Harry so carefree. After a bit of that the adults got a little tired and decided to sit on the sidelines and chat while Evelyn played with the other children in the park.
They talked about everything and anything that didn't matter. All three of them had so many questions for the others but nobody was willing to break the happy feeling in the air by asking the hard questions that burned in each of their minds. Especially Ron and Hermione, but they figured they had time enough to ask all the hard questions. They both hoped Harry would consider them as none threatening and not run again. Though, while they knew why he left in the first place, the reason was still somewhat blurred to them. Especially on why he kept away after he had healed.
The trio separated after a few hours at the park, much to Ron's dismay with Harry stating that he and Evelyn had a birthday party to go to. Both Hermione and surprisingly Ron again hugged the life out of Harry, making him promise not to take off again. He Promised them, reiterating that he had created a life for himself and Evelyn and picking up and leaving without notice was not feasible for him. And if they didn't believe him then to feel free to stop by anytime, they were always welcome. So, it was reluctantly that Ron and Hermione watched Harry collect Evelyn from the swing set and head home.
That night dinner was a quiet affair for them as they thought about their afternoon with Harry. It took all his willpower for Ron not to go over there after a few hours just to check that Harry hadn't moved out while they were away. Hermione, while talking him out of it each time, couldn't blame him so much for worrying. She too wanted to just pop over and make sure he was there.
It was that night when they were lying in bed, exhausted after the previous night of not sleeping at all and the excitement from today that Ron brought up what Hermione had been thinking about since breakfast.
"What about Ginny?" He asked her sleepily, Snuggling up closer to her in bed. She thought about that for a few minutes. Trying to come up with something. Nothing came to mind. Ginny was just one issue in a long list of issues that involved telling other people.
"What about everyone else as well?" She whispered. After a moment when she didn't get a response, she turned her head up slightly to look at Ron and smiled. He was fast asleep. She snuggled further into her bed and closed her eyes.
They would think about that later.
Harry sat down warily later that night at his desk and glanced at the clock. It was past 9pm. He was glad that it was a Saturday night as he only just put Evelyn to bed. It had been a very busy day for the two of them, but mostly just a really long day for him.
Not long after he returned home with Evelyn and Mikey from Hermione's house did Laura pick up Mikey. He had been glad about it as he was expecting to keep the boy overnight. Evelyn was difficult to put to bed that night, somehow sensing something was on his mind. He had sat her down and told her of Ron and Hermione being his friends from when he was a little boy that he hadn't seen for a long time. He had told her stories about them of course, of their adventures at Hogwarts but he didn't think she would connect it to herself that they were the same people. She had been excited when he said they would be coming over the next day. It took over an hour and five bedtime stories before she finally fell asleep, leaving Harry to his own thoughts.
He wandered around the house a bit, cleaning it up and making it presentable for guests before trying to turn in. He had hoped sleep would come easily, letting his mind drift away and allowing the time to fly by quickly, but it was not to be. He lay restlessly in his bed, staring blankly at the ceiling lost in his own head. Fear gripping him knowing that in a few hours he would have to face his two friends and that they would most likely have questions for him. Questions he didn't really know how to answer.
Luckily though their visit went well. It was awkward the whole way, and Harry fully expected it to continue to be so for a while yet. But he had been pleased with the way it went. Evelyn warmed up right to Ron and Hermione and they to her. It warmed his heart to see Hermione interact with his daughter. Harry knew Hermione was very nurturing, having experienced so much of it himself growing up. She was a very studious person and very serious, very mature, but watching her talk to Evelyn, watching her play with Evelyn, gave him great hope that this could work.
After a nice afternoon at the park Harry had to end the visit to take Evelyn to a classmate's birthday party. He hated to leave his friends and he knew they felt the same. He hated the fear he saw in their eyes as he said goodbye, knowing it was him who put it there.
Harry sighed to himself as he pulled out some paper from his desk drawer. It was going to take a while for them to believe he wasn't going to run. He knew that. He accepted that. It was his fault they feared that, and he had determined to do everything he could to prove he was there to stay.
After the party though Harry made an unscheduled stop to Andromeda's asking to borrow her owl. Harry had been delighted to hear that Ron was doing so well at Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes and that George had wanted to make him a partner. He was surprised, however, to find that neither Ron nor Hermione knew that Harry was the silent partner. It made him glad that George would keep the secret all these years, not expecting it. But it was this news that spurred Harry into action that night to send the first owl he's ever sent since the night Hedwig died. [A/N: Yes, you read that right].
Dear George,
George was in the middle of testing a new product early Sunday morning when he was startled out of his concentration by an owl knocking at his window. He stared at it dumbly for a moment before walking over and opening the window to let the bird in. With a grateful hoot the Owl hopped onto the nearby table to allow him to remove the attached letter from its leg before taking off without a second glance.
He watched the owl go until it was no longer in sight before looking down at a funny looking envelope in his hand, brows furrowing at the handwriting that looked vaguely familiar. Without further thought George opened it and unfolded the letter, his eyes going wide and his heart beating faster in his chest.
Dear George,
It started, his eyes getting wider and wider as he read it. George ended up reading it at least ten times before putting it down, mind racing with thoughts about what he should do. Harry had contacted him, giving his vote for Ron to become a partner in their business. What did he do now? Did he tell Ron and Hermione about it?
'No.' his mind supplied. He didn't think he could bear to watch his brother and sister in law's hearts break at finding out Harry communicated to him and not them. He decided then to keep it to himself for now and headed to the fireplace to make a call to his solicitor instead.
"How about we skip this week's lunch Hermione?" Ron started as he walked down the stairs. He was dressed in nice slacks and one of his numerous maroon sweaters that his mother had knitted for him over the years. Thankfully one without an 'R' on the front. "I'm not really up for socializing."
"You mean you're not up for answering questions from your family about your search last week."
"More like I don't want to have to lie to them." He countered, grabbing his wand from the dining room table where he had left it earlier. Hermione wrapped her arms around him and gave him a kiss.
"I know, but you're going to have to." She told him simply before walking away. Ron scowled at her for a second before following her towards the back yard.
"We could skip it and go see Harry."
"Or we can go to your parents' house and let Harry have a quiet day."
"He's had plenty of those Hermione." Ron said, once again scowling. Hermione gave him a sharp look as she stepped into the unnoticeable marked section of their backyard that was opened for apparition.
"If you really believe that Ronald, I don't think you've been paying attention." She told him. "Mental health issues aside, I doubt he's had such quiet days since Evelyn was born. You're around children all the time Ronald, you know how they are."
"Yeah yeah." He replied. Without another word the two of them apparated just outside the wards at the burrow. The two of them hurried over to the house to get out of the rain, hearing the loud laughter and excited shouts of the others already inside.
Stepping into the burrow the two of them were immediately assaulted by the delicious smells that was Mrs. Weasley's cooking, causing Rons mouth to water. Looking further in they could see Bill and Fleur already there with their three children along with George and Angelina. They were greeted as they walked into the living room by Mr. Weasley.
"There you are. We wondered if you would be stopping by or not." Mr. Weasley stated as he gave Hermione a kiss on the cheek. "Any news?"
"Uh…no dad. He wasn't in Northern Ireland that I could find." Ron ignored the disappointed faces as he sat down on the floor next to Fred, missing the look that crossed George's face.
The conversation moved on from there as the rest of the family arrived. The whole affair felt forced to him and he truly wanted to go home.
While the meal was delicious as always, the conversation that surrounded him seemed almost trivial and Ron had tuned them out. It wasn't until the mention of easter that he tuned in as his mother spoke about making her traditional chocolate eggs for everyone. It made him think of the ones that still sat in the cupboard, protected by a spell to prevent them from ever spoiling that was for Harry. He idly wondered if Harry would soon be able to claim them, but quickly shook the thought from his mind.
"Hey mum…" Ron started, interrupting the conversation. "I was wondering if you could make an extra egg this year."
"I suppose dear. Who is it for?" She inquired.
"For the daughter of a friend. I think she may enjoy it." Everyone stared at him for a moment, causing him to shift his eyes to Hermione who was just giving him a loving smile. Ron had returned it until George piped in with his question.
"I know all your friends, who would this be?" He asked. Ron shrugged.
"Just someone in our neighborhood." He said plainly, not giving anything further away.
There were a few more questions for him but for the most part he ignored them. As soon as the meal was over, and the food was put away George tapped his glass harder than was strictly necessary to get the family's attention.
"Sorry folks, but I've some great news I'd like to share with you all." George started. Ron took note of how hesitant George was acting, finding it weird but didn't comment. "As you all know there is a silent partner in the Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes company, and no I can't tell you who it is." He shot a look at the others, knowing they were probably going to ask again "I've had a solicitor filing the paperwork and everything in order to get an injunction to allow me to bypass him to bring Ron in. I don't know how he did it but somehow the solicitor must have located the partner because I received an owl this morning from said partner about Ron joining and he had agreed to it. It's going to take a little time to get the paperwork together and complete it but soon Ron will officially own part of Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes."
Everyone erupted in joy and congratulations as Ron sat there stunned. He didn't think it would happen for another few years. George had told him there was a remaining two years on the statue before anything could truly be done. Ron looked over at Hermione, seeing her serene but happy face, not even looking surprised at this revelation. He wondered for a moment if she had known beforehand but George giving him a slap on the back and bringing up a possible expansion to a new branch took his attention away.
Ron and Hermione left soon after the meal was finished, not wanting to linger too much longer. They apparated back to their house, Hermione stopping just on the inside of their back door.
"That was really sweet of you Ron. I'm sure Evelyn will love the egg." She said. Ron just shrugged and kissed Hermione on the head.
"I was just thinking about how she'd feel if Harry claimed the past nine and she hasn't any."
"It was still sweet. And I'm very proud of you becoming a partner."
"I can't believe it. I really can't. We seem to be having a lot of good luck this year. First this house, then Harry, now this." He signed and brought her closer to himself. "It's like our lives are starting to fit together. I don't think I've been this happy in a long time."
Hermione didn't say anything to that, just nodded her head into his shoulder.
The remainder Sunday passed without word from Harry, which Hermione had figured would happen. The two of them lounged around the house as the rain poured down outside. But Monday came soon enough and with it, brought Tea with Laura. Ron grumbled about having to go to work that day and wanting to rather stay home.
They had spoken again that morning about not exposing their knowledge of Harry yet. Ron wanted Harry back with the family as soon as possible but Hermione didn't want to overwhelm their wayward friend. Plus, Harry did have more to worry about at the moment such as school, work and most important Evelyn. The two of them had just come back into his life, and only seeing him once or twice. Once Ron apparated to work Hermione set about cleaning up the house before heading out at about 10 for Laura's house. She had taken the day off from work, something she rarely ever did but the chance to question Laura was just too good to pass up.
Laura's house was just as nice as the rest of the neighborhoods. Though the inside was full of even more toys and slightly messier. Hermione attributed this to her having a little boy. They sat down on the front porch to have their tea and ate some fresh baked cookies while they enjoyed the mild March weather. Hermione was quite enjoying herself. Most of her friends were Weasleys or a few at the Ministry. She had very few female friends in general, always having had a hard time making friends.
"So, tell me about your reunion. How was it?" Laura asked, taking a sip of tea. Hermione thought for a moment how much she should tell her or what to tell her. She hadn't discussed it with Ron. Nor had she asked Harry about how much Laura knew of anything about him. She didn't want to invade his privacy by revealing anything.
"It was very nice. "We've missed him so much, "she said honestly. She figured it would be best to just keep it vague. "We had a nice long chat. I suspect we'll be in the 'getting to know you again' stage for a while."
"Good, good. It's nice for him to have someone from his past around. you can always tell who you are by who you once were." Hermione laughed a little bit at that. Laura looked over at her with a wicked grin.
"That sounds like something our old headmaster would say." Hermione told her. Laura chuckled into her tea.
"The school in Scotland?" she asked. Hermione remained quiet and sipped her own tea quietly letting the silence stretch a few beats. Laura put her own tea down and sat staring at the table for a few minutes before speaking up. "Ok look, I'm sorry if this will all feel like the 3rd degree, I'm just really curious about Harry. He is a wonderful man who is very sweet and caring. As I said yesterday, he is very well liked by most. He's been teaching at the local school for the past few years so anyone with younger children knows him. But he's so secretive. I'm not trying to gather info behind his back I swear. It's just, this really young handsome man with a young child just came out of nowhere and that just makes people curious."
Hermione smiled at her. She appreciated her honesty. Laura was after the same thing as Hermione was, she had blanks that needed filling. But the problem was Hermione had more secrets that she couldn't tell Laura the vice versa. Hermione gave a sigh as she put her cup down as well.
"Well, I can try to answer some of your questions, but just know I can't tell you the whole story. There are a lot of things you will never be able to know or understand."
"I might if I knew what they were."
"I have no doubt, Laura. But there are things about Harry, and about Ron and I that we just can't tell you. I know it doesn't make any sense and I'm sorry for that." Laura nodded at that and looked out to the sidewalk where someone was walking by. She sighed and grabbed a cookie.
"Wish I could say the same, but Harry isn't very good at telling secrets. But I'll tell you what you want to know as well. But I suggest we do not tell Harry about this little exchange. You may know him better, Hermione but I have a feeling he would not like us gossiping about him."
Hermione laughed and nodded in agreement. Butterflies flew in her stomach in excitement of learning something new about Harry. "Ok, you first then" Hermione offered. "What would you like to know?" She relaxed in her chair, crossing her legs at her knees. Sun filtered through the trees across her face. It was a nice day out. It was still a little chilly but sunny.
"Where is he from?" Laura asked. Hermione wasn't sure what that meant. So, she asked her to clarify. "Well, he just kind of showed up here three years ago with Evelyn. Where was he before that?" Ah, a tricky question Hermione thought.
"Well, He was at school for a while, In Scotland like you said." She said vaguely.
"But certainly, that was a while ago. He's nearly 28." Ok so maybe this was going to be tougher than Hermione thought.
"I can't really tell you, mostly because I really don't know, and partly because it has to do with something I can't talk about," she said. Laura looked at her in slight annoyance.
"Could you be any more cryptic?" She asked. Hermione let out a slight bark of laughter.
"Trust me, if I could just come out and say it, not only would this conversation be easier but also you probably wouldn't believe me."
"Ok, well how about, when was the last time you saw him. Certainly, you can at least answer that" Hermione smiled.
"Yes, it was eight years ago."
"Why so long?" Hermione wasn't sure how to answer that. She couldn't very well say that Harry, in a fit of depression, ran away from them all to possibly die.
"Pass," she said simply. Laura looked disappointed.
"Does he have any family?" That Hermione could answer easily.
"He has a very, very large extended family. Ron's mother practically adopted him in 2nd year, I mean when he was 12." she added at the look of confusion on Laura's face.
"He's never mentioned them before." That comment hurt Hermione, but she wasn't surprised.
"I don't know why he hasn't. but it is a large family, and they all love him greatly, and miss him so much." She looked down at the table at that, sadness washing over her at the thought of the Weasleys. here she was, sitting not two blocks away from Harry and they had no idea. Laura picked up her tea and took a long drink from it.
"Strange then that he never mentions them, or that they don't know where he's at." She commented. Though Hermione wasn't sure if it was meant for her, or Laura was speaking to herself. They sat in silence for a few minutes, each lost in their own thoughts before Hermione prompted. "Harry also has an aunt, uncle, and cousin. I haven't asked him about them yet so I'm not sure where he is with them, but he didn't exactly get along with them."
"What happened to his parents?" Hermione stayed silent for a moment, playing out what to say.
"They died when he was young, and he was sent to his aunts." She said softly. "Trust me when I say that will be a topic you will want to avoid with him at all costs." The two women sat in silence for a few minutes, enjoying their tea. "Have any other questions?"
"I have plenty of questions, just none I feel you would answer." she sighed in frustration. Hermione let a small smile slip upon her face, she knew that feeling. Harry installed that feeling everywhere he went.
"Yeah well, That's Harry Potter for you." Hermione said, causing Laura to chuckle as she turned a bit more to Hermione.
"Well, I will probably be able to tell you more than you've told me. So go ahead, what's your questions?" She prompted. Hermione barely thought, she had so many she just let them come out of her mouth at will.
"How long have you known Harry exactly?" She asked. Laura thought for a moment.
"About 3 years now? Evelyn was barely over a year and half when I met him. He had moved into that house one day. It was quite curious really. One day the house was abandoned then the next he was suddenly there. Everyone was curious about the handsome man with a baby."
"Having children, the same age must have helped get to know him."
"Well, it certainly helped. One of his students' parents recommended me to him. Being a stay at home mom I like to take a kid or two in the year to keep me busy. Plus, it's great for Mikey. Harry needed to find some childcare for Evelyn and that's how I came to know him. He was quite a nice guy, very polite. And Evelyn. I can't tell you how well behaved she was, and still is. It's amazing. I have never met such a well-mannered child in my life." Her vision glazed over a bit as she wandered down memory lane.
Hermione was smiling like crazy at this, drinking up anything and everything about Harry's mysterious past. She wasn't surprised to hear about Evelyn's behavior. Wizarding children had a history of being well behaved…well, depending on your point of view. And the fact she was Harry's would mean she'll have a very quiet temperament, although will probably have a very angst ridden teenage years. She chuckled at herself at that thought.
"What about Evelyn's mother?" Hermione asked. She had wanted to ask Harry about that on Saturday but was too nervous to do so. Ron had asked about it too. Which was silly considering despite what he thinks, she doesn't truly know everything.
"That I don't know either. Though I truly wish I did. When I asked him about it, he would just say that She's not around and change the subject." They both groaned in frustration at that, and then laughed when realizing they both did it.
"I'll try to find out. I can't promise I'll be able to share with you the exact situation, but I will find a way to at least share something with you secretly in payment for all the other secrets I can't share with you. Hermione swore. Laura looked at her appreciatively and reached to pour another cup of tea.
"Yes, I will hold you to that one."
Ron gave a huge sigh of relief once he rang up the last customer of the night and waved his wand to lock the door and close the curtains. The day finished at last. His relief didn't go unnoticed however by George who was stocking a nearby shelf.
"Eager to get home to the little misses?" He asked, looking over at Ron, wiggling his eyebrows suggestively. Ron just rolled his eyes at him and started counting the receipts.
"No, I'm just tired. It's been a crazy couple of weeks."
"I bet it has." George responded as he began restocking. They worked in silence for several minutes before Ron paused and looked over to his brother.
"Once I'm partner will you tell me who the other bloke is?" Ron asked him. It was something that had bothered him since he first found out about this mystery guy. But George had been very tight lipped about the man's identity.
George didn't even look up from what he was doing, the silence stretching out so long that Ron questioned if his brother even heard him before an answer came. "I can't really answer that right now Ron. He wants to remain anonymous."
"Won't I have to deal with him when it comes to the company?"
"No." George scoffed. "If that were true I'd not have lost contact with him now would I?" George put down what was in his hands and turned towards Ron, crossing his arms across his lanky chest. "Being a silent partner, he leaves the daily operation of the company to me."
"And he just gets a portion of your profits? He doesn't do anything."
"I get it doesn't make sense to you Ron, but it does to me, and it did to Fred." He said, leaving no room for argument. "He gave us our startup. He didn't even want to be a partner; it was something Fred and I forced on him."
"But he's not around now." Ron argued. He didn't really object to this, he just wanted to understand. Not to mention he was horribly curious who could have caused such an esteemed impression on the twins. It wasn't an easy thing to do.
"He's not, no. But neither is Fred." George paused his voice catching a bit. Ron put the receipts he was holding onto the counter as he watched his brother, sadness filling him with the mention of their lost brother. "Besides, it's not like the profit he's getting is going to waste, just sitting in a bank or anything. He had me set it up with the shops in Diagon Alley and the school to help pay for school items for those coming from low income families.
"What?"
"It's actually quite nice. The parents can apply for it, or the school can identify those who may need some extra assistance in paying for things such as robes, books, and even wands, anything needed. It has helped a lot of families. There's even an allowance given to those in the program so during Hogsmeade days they could have some fun with their friends. It's very discrete and everything."
"Huh…I wonder where that was when we were students eh?" Ron said dumbfounded, looking back down at his work, in doing so missing the saddened look that crossed George's face. Ron couldn't stop thinking about it for the rest of the night. He wasn't sure how he felt the generosity of the person who set that up. Growing up, being poor was a huge embarrassment to Ron, it was hard on him always having hand me down things that were barely usable. But he didn't know how he would feel about getting assistance to get better stuff. He was too proud to willingly accept it. Still, it was a kind gesture and he was glad it was available.
Hermione wasn't home when Ron finally apparated in the backyard that night. The house was dark and silent, which annoyed him slightly as he wanted to hear about her afternoon with Laura. He chuckled a bit to himself at that thought. Never had he thought he would want to hear about the gossip of women.
He went into the kitchen to find something to snack on, or at least consider starting dinner. Grabbing a piece of fried chicken that sat on the top shelf and a bottle of butterbeer he sat at the table to eat it. His brain was moving a thousand miles a minute thinking. He wondered for a moment if this was what Hermione's brain felt like most of the time, always thinking.
He laughed out loud at that.
His mind went back to Harry again though, and he wondered when he would see him again. Still half afraid that Harry had snuck away since Saturday and was missing again. Ron didn't know what he would do if Harry had left once more. He didn't think he had the energy to start tracking his friend again. Hermione and he had put their lives on hold, stupidly, he could admit to himself though he didn't regret it. It was right then that Ron made up his mind that if Harry had left again, he would move on and marry Hermione. In fact, he wanted to do that right now regardless. Ron was ready and had been for a long time.
As his thoughts lingered on his friend, he was overcome by a desperate urge to see Harry. Just to check. He berated himself for it however. Thinking over and over again since Saturday how pathetic they must all seem to put so much time in their life for one person. It was hard to explain to people, so they normally didn't bother, but as fruitless as it all seemed to outsiders, it was very important to them. Because Harry would do the same if it were Ron or Hermione, or Luna, or anybody that he loved. It was known by those who were loved by Harry that Harry would go to the ends of the earth to find them.
Feeling restless as he waited impatiently for Hermione to come home, Ron decided to go for a walk. Grabbing the pen from the counter, he wrote a note for Hermione on the fridge notepad where he went then grabbed his sweater that was discarded on a chair in the living room and exited the house.
The sun was setting and cast orange and pink colors on the sky. The air had a nice, sweet perfume from the flowers that were starting to grow on the trees. It had rained a bit overnight, and while it was sunny most of the day the air still smelled of rain. He'd never admit it to anyone, not even Hermione in fear of being thought of as girly, but he loved this time of year. It was peaceful and smelled nice and reminded him of good things in the world.
He walked around the neighborhood for a little bit. He thought for a few moments about heading over to Bill and Fleurs house, even though he had already seen Bill earlier that day. Ron knew he would be home and that an hour or two of playing with his nieces and nephew could be just what he needed right then. Ron started in the direction of Bill's house then. His mind wandered further as he let his feet take him, trying to think of why Bill or Fleur hadn't noticed that his missing best friend lived just a few blocks away from them for months.
Ron remembered he originally saw Evelyn at the park nearby. It seemed at the time, and times after when he'd taken his nieces and nephew there after they moved in, that it was frequented by most if not all of the children in the area, as well as their parents. He had seen Evelyn several times at the park, but no Harry. She was always with Laura. But even though Ron had only been there a few weeks, he knew eventually he would have bumped into Harry. If what Laura said was true, and from his experience so far, the neighborhood was just that, a neighborhood that was full of caring neighbors. And his sibling had been here for months.
Ron's feet stopped in front of a house, and he looked up and stood still. He had meant to go to his brother's house but instead his feet stopped in front of the pale green house of his recently found missing best friend. He looked around wondering how the hell he had gotten here, and debated if he should walk up to the door and knock. Harry had said they could stop by any time, but that doesn't really mean most people meant it.
After a few more moments of internal struggle Ron finally unlatched the front fence and slowly made his way up to the door. He could see a light on in the front room, looking at his watch he noted the time as only being about 6pm. Ron wondered where the time had gone. Had he really been walking around for almost 2 hours. Hermione was probably home by then waiting for him.
Ron reached the front door and stood there for a moment staring at it, debating with himself still whether it was a good idea or not. Eventually he raised his hand and knocked smartly upon it. He stood there for a moment waiting to hear footsteps or something to show if Harry had heard him knock or not, or if he should do it again. His stomach was twisting in anticipation and his mind raced with different scenarios as the seconds ticked by.
After a few moments he heard footsteps coming down the stairs, followed by the lock on the door unlocking. Ron blew out a breath he wasn't aware of holding at the sight of Harry. So, he didn't run, good.
"Good evening, Ron." Harry greeted, smiling. "I was wondering how long it would take you to get here again." Harry opened the door wider and stepped aside so that Ron could come in.
Ron stepped in slowly, looking around. The place looked different in the night time, with the lamps on and no natural sunlight. It looked very warm and comfortable; one could even say inviting. He could see a few more things lying about that weren't there the last time he had visited. Apparently, Evelyn had been finger-painting as a new picture lay forgotten on the nearby table, with some paint splashed in random places.
Harry shut the door once Ron entered and motioned for him to enter the living and to sit. Ron followed him, choosing to sit in the large comfortable looking recliner.
"Would you like something to drink?" Harry asked. Ron nodded, not sure what exactly to say, as he was not planning this visit.
A few minutes later Harry came out with a couple of glasses of fruit punch and a plate of assorted cookies, handing the glass to Ron and putting the plate on the coffee table before taking his own seat on the end of the couch.
"Sorry I don't really have much in the way to drink. I haven't had a chance to go shopping" He smiled as he held out the plate of cookies. Ron grabbed one and started nibbling on it. "Well, this is kind of awkward, isn't it?" Harry asked, trying to break the tension.
"Yeah, sorry, I wasn't planning on coming, my feet kind of just brought me here" Ron tried to explain.
"It's alright. I was planning on visiting you guys in the next day or so anyways." Harry took a sip of his drink. "Evelyn's been asking to visit 'Miney'"
"I'm sure Hermione would love for her to visit. She's quite taken with Evelyn. Says she's a mini copy of you." They both kind of chuckled at that.
"That she is. But Evelyn spends half her time trying to copy me so no surprise there." Silence descended between the two of them as they awkwardly sipped their juice. Ron hated that he felt so nervous, he and Harry used to have such an easy friendship but now it all seemed kind of forced. "I know it was a bundle of nerves Saturday, and now, But I'm really glad you came" Harry told him and Ron felt relieved.
"Yeah, Hermione told me, when I came home Friday night, that she had found you. I wanted to come right over that moment, but she stopped me." He looked slightly embarrassed admitting that.
"Well, you could have. I was up pretty late. What time was it?" Harry asked curiously. Ron sputtered for a moment, taking another bite of his cookie.
"Er...about 2am." Harry let out a loud laugh. Ron couldn't help but put a big grin on. He hadn't really heard Harry let out a real laugh since at least third year it seemed. Maybe a few times in sixth year when he was dating Ginny.
"Yeah, I take that back, it was too late. I think that would have been a bad idea. I don't particularly enjoy handling a woken up child." Ron looked around at that, for the first time noticing the child was nowhere to be seen.
"Speaking of which, where's Evelyn?" He asked.
"Oh, she's in bed. They had some kind of event at school today and it just wore the poor kid out." Harry replied. Makes sense, Ron thought, as they sat in silence some more. "So where is Hermione? I heard she had tea with Laura today." Harry sat back on the couch, looking totally relaxed.
Ron wasn't quite sure what to say, taken slightly aback that Harry had known. He was pretty sure Hermione would be pissed at him if he told Harry she was fishing for information. "She wasn't home when I came in. She probably had to go into the office." He replied. They sat there again for a few minutes in comfortable silence. "Wow, you're right. This is really awkward." Ron said. Harry nodded a bit in agreement.
"It will get better Ron. Once we get to know each other again." he said easily. "And when you stop fearing that I'm going to up and leave." Ron turned to stare at the wall, unable to meet his friends' eyes. He didn't think it was that transparent. Ron blinked a few times and counted to ten in his head to steady himself.
"Well, what's to stop you from doing it then?" He asked, turning back to the man on the couch, watching as Harry thought for a moment before replying.
"When I left, it wasn't to run away from you, it was to get away from everything." Harry confessed. It took Ron by surprise how freely Harry had spoken about it. It had been such a forbidden topic in Ron's world for the past eight years, only speaking of it when needed and very little about it. Ron had a hard time bringing it up, but Harry seemed to breeze right through it, and it took Ron aback how easily Harry broached the subject. "I have a life here Ron. I can't just get up and leave. And I don't want to. You found me and I want to stay."
That confession made Ron feel warm and fuzzy inside. He felt like he won the biggest, longest game of hide and seek ever. But a question ran across his mind that he had wanted to ask but wasn't sure if he should. It was something that had always been on his mind the entire time Harry had been missing. Harry seemed to have noticed though, a trait his friend had always seemed to have, and he raised his eyebrow in curiosity, silently encouraging Ron to say what's on his mind.
"Why did we have to?' Ron finally asked. Harry scrunched his eyes in confusion, not quite getting the question so Ron elaborated. "I mean, why did we HAVE to find you? Why didn't you just come home?" There, he asked it.
Ron watched his friend struggle for an answer, his mouth opening and closing several times, but no words seemed to come out at first.
"I don't know Ron."
"You just said you weren't running from us but from everything. Well Hermione and I are included in everything" Ron continued. "Why Harry? Why did you run? Do you not get how hurt and upset we were at waking up and finding you had just disappeared.
"I-I know Ron-"
"No, you don't, Harry. You don't know because you weren't there." Ron set his glass onto the coffee table and sat on the edge of the chair looking directly at Harry, wishing he could shut up but couldn't stop the words he had desperately wanted to say for so long from coming out.
"Ron…" Harry started, breaking the silence, but nothing else came after that. Ron watched his friend seemingly struggle for words and it caused Ron's heart to ache. This is not what he wanted to bring up right now, he hadn't even planned on coming over. They sat there in silence then.
"It's fine." Ron said softly, reaching out and placing his hand on his friend's sleeved arm.
"It's not."
"No, it's not. But for right now, it is." Ron gave a reassuring squeeze before removing his hand to grab his glass again and a cookie. "We'll get there though. To where we can talk about it. In the meantime, I got some great news from work..."