Continuing from where I left off, this is going to start with the letter from Draco being received by Ron. Worry not, while I do intend for this to be well written and detailed, there will be enough to entertain you at the story's pace.

So. With that said, let's go.

0—

Dear Ron,

It was good to hear from you. I'm going to write out all that I can so that we can keep our correspondence on the down low. I know if my father caught me with a letter from you, then I'd probably be in some trouble.

If your parents gave you back your wand, that's a good omen. Perhaps they'll be more receptive towards me as your friend. Keep your fingers crossed that they don't see your correspondence with me as a bigger problem for now, though, lest they attempt to bind you to them. Or, magic forbid, expel you from the family.

If you have your spare, it would be a wise idea to only use magic sparingly with your other wand. If they get a hint that you have a second wand, you'll be in even worse trouble. However, you should still be able to use it without tipping them off. (I assume they have you leave your wand in the kitchen or something every night.)

Anyway, my summer so far has been subpar. I am reacquainting myself with Dobby, my house-elf, as my first act of rebellion against my Father's ways. (I gave him eggs and toast today!)

Father has me taking night lessons under his tutelage. He wants me to learn the shrewd ways of business and the proper methods to putting others in your debt.

Anyway, I have to go now, Dobby will be back with new linens and I really want to see what happens when I give him a new pillowcase.

Until I write again,

Draco.

P.S. Watch out for muggle farmers, I hear that they can be a pain. -

Ron blinked at the letter, what did Draco mean by 'watch out for muggle farmers'?

A knock from his door caused him to jump and hastily hide the letter beneath his mattress, just in time for his father to walk in.

"Are you ready?"

Ron nodded, straightening his collar. They were going to Diagon today, earlier than normal this year. It would only be him, dad, and Ginny, getting some books, robes, and Ginny's wand.

Of course, Ginny's Hogwarts letter hadn't arrived yet, but they knew it would. They knew she was magic ever since she sneezed and set dads beard on fire as a baby.

He kept himself cleanshaven now.

Climbing down the stairs, Arthur and Ron stopped at Ginny's room, gathering the girl who was now dressed in some rather plain looking robes.

Still, plain was fine. She would fit in at the alley.

The three walked down the stairs and onto the ground level of the Burrow, where Molly was currently stirring a great big cauldron of some kind of potion. Arthur swept in and gave her a kiss on the cheek before walking over to the fireplace and grabbing a pinch of floo powder.

"Now, stay close to me you two. Three, two, one. The Leaky Cauldron!"

There was a swirling feeling as the green flames roared up around them. The world flew by in a blur of green and orange, and they landed in the fireplace of the Leakey Cauldron, in London.

"Hello Tom!" Arthur smiled, waving at the barkeep. The man nodded back as he polished a glass.

"Arthur! Bringing the kiddo's I see!"

"Well, Ron here is in need of a few things, and Ginny here needs a wand!"

"Right about that time now isn't it?" Tom nodded. "How many does that make it now?"

"All of them." Arthur replied with a sigh.

"Time sure flies." Tom shook his head. "Well, bring yourselves back here for some lunch when you're all done! I'll make you up some of the house special!"

"We may have to take you up on that!" Arthur chuckled.

Leading his children to a dead end alleyway just outside of the tavern, Arthur drew his wand and tapped a few bricks. The bricks spun and folded outwards into a marvelous archway, leading right into Diagon Alley.

Arthur leaned down next to Ron. "I figure Ginny should get the whole experience, don't you?"

The boy smiled and nodded, keeping his hands at his sides. He felt his wand in his sleeve, its magic still attuned perfectly to his own. He doubted that he would need it, but it was safe to have.

The family's first stop was of course, Flourish and Blotts. It was wizarding tradition to get the wand last in a new witch or wizards first trip. Apparently it would build suspense or something.

Weird tradition.

Ron raised an eyebrow as he saw a title in the 'New Releases' window.

"A Study in Arrangement…"

Arthur walked up beside his son and looked at the book as well. "How interesting. It has been many years since anyone published a proper study in Rune's."

Ron looked down the cover and did a double take as he saw the name of the Author. "Of course… She would."

Arthur looked at the author and nodded, speaking with a hint of surprise. "That's Charlie's little charge, isn't it? She must have a good head on her shoulders. Ravenclaw, I suspect?"

"Hufflepuff." Ron shrugged. "Top of the year. She scares Fred and George."

"Well someone has to." Arthur chuckled, before pushing the door to the bookstore open. "Come along now, Ginny, we don't have your list yet, but you can pick out a few books that you find interesting."

Ron raised an eyebrow. His family never had that kind of money before. He had been able to buy new things in the last term, mainly thanks to selling his possessions. Before, the only brand-new books or clothes that they received had been for the winter holidays.

Arthur must have seen his expression, because as Ginny beamed and began perusing the sections of sorted literature, he pulled his youngest son aside.

"I haven't told anyone but your Mother. I got my old position back."

Ron blinked. "Wait, so you aren't head of the muggle objects-"

"No. And truth be told, I'm glad. That was a dream job but the pay was far below what we needed." Arthur nodded. "And I still get to go into the muggle world. Now I'm back in my position as a ministry cursebreaker."

"Like Bill."

"A bit like Bill. I will get to see him as we have a job coming up together, and i hope to pass on some of the skills of our family to him."

"He got your gift for languages." Ron nodded.

"And Percy got your mothers gift for sensing magic." Arthur nodded. "Oh, don't look so confused. You know, the Prewetts had their own family magics. Molly could read a persons magic with a family spell, Percy can do it on instinct."

"So he can- That's how…"

Arthur chuckled and ruffled his sons hair. "Now don't you worry one minute about it. I had a good long talk with your mother. As long as you don't try to harm your siblings with dark magic or start torturing muggle-borns, you'll be okay."

"Mum's really okay with dark magic?"

"I wouldn't go as far as to say dark. All spells have their uses, and that's important to remember." Arthur nodded. "I myself am more of a practitioner of darker magics, but that's mainly because I use them to combat dark artifacts and to fix messes in the muggle world. Truth be told, I did learn many many dark curses and spells in Hogwarts, simply because I wanted to be prepared if Death eaters came after me."

Ron nodded. The look in his father's eye told him that such a decision ended up saving his life. "Does that mean…"

"I'm not proud of it, Ron." Arthur shook his head. "I killed… a lot of people. When I was part of the order. Circe Malfoy was just another name on my list. I think that's what made Lucius even angrier at me."

Ron stared at his father, who shook his head.

"Come on. I really came here for you. Let's get you some books."

Ron followed his father around the bookstore as the man selected a few tomes and leafed through them.

"This one, definitely a good read. Good spells for protection and healing. A few fun ones when it comes to fire."

Ron blinked as Arthur set the book down in a basket, before moving on to the next. "Ah, One Hundred and One Dark Curses for *ahem* Practical Use."

Something told Ron that the practical use of said curses was not in fact, practical. Nevertheless, the book was added to the pile.

When they left Flourish and Blotts, Ginny was beaming with her books on beginner magic that one could practise at home, while Ron was doing his best to carry the three bags of books on dark curses and charms, beginner rituals, learning tinted magics, such as reflections and alterations, and more.

Arthur carried two of the newer releases. One for himself, which was Merlot Scortwits book, and one for Molly, which was the latest in "The Adventurous Adventures of Gilderoy Lockheart."

Arthur looked at Ron when he stumbled over a crack in the cobblestone floor of the Alleyway, and shook his head. "That simply won't do. Come along you two. We can get Ginny a trunk and I will see to it that Ron gets one as well."

A trunk. Something Ron had wished for for some time. He had managed with a shoddily repaired case that he fished out from the attic, braving the Ghoul's domain. It worked, but it wasn't completely perfect. He had to worry quite a few times about his possessions being damaged by the elements.

The trunk shop was wonderful. While the man inside seemed a bit batty, he was still nice. They didn't need any super fancy rooms in boxes. All Arthur purchased was a small suitcase for Ginny that had enough expanded space to hold her school supplies, and a larger, actual trunk that had extended pockets for extra books, food and such. Arthur made sure that Ron knew to practice the shrinking charm before school, saying that moving his things around would be much easier then.

Next came the apothecary. Arthur said he needed some ingredients for Molly's potions. Mandrake, some beetle eyes, dried newts, powdered unicorn hoof, and more. It seemed to be a pretty extensive list.

"Surely your new, well… old… ugh. This job can't be paying this much?" Ron whispered. "I really don't need some of these things."

Arthur sighed. "Ron… we neglected you. I did what I could, but even then, I didn't have a lot. Now, my old job… It's kind of why I have such a high body count. Ministry cursebreakers were mainly employed during the war. We sought out cursed items and destroyed them. There were a few of us in my division, we were assigned the duty of hunting down objects of importance that the dark lord had once held."

"He Who Must Not Be Named… His things?"

"Dark wizards all have a goal, my boy. For Grindelwald, it was the enslavement of muggles. For Herpo the foul, it was the creation of dangerous magical creatures, and taking control of Britain. For the dark lord, it was immortality."

"Like Nicholas Flamel."

"Sort of, but not quite." Arthur nodded, picking out a box of toad eggs. "The Philosipher's stone is what is used in the elixir of life, but it is incredibly hard to make. No, there is another way of ensuring one's survival, but it is twisted beyond magic… we were assigned to hunt them, Horcruxes."

"Horcruxes?"

"Don't let anyone hear you speak of it." Arthur shook his head. "A horcrux is an object that a witch or wizard ties a part of their soul to. Through abhorrent magic, they use the fleeing life of another to tear their soul in two. In the time I worked in my division, I destroyed three Horcruxes… I captured another, and I study it."

Ron's eyes widened. "You-"

"Shhhh… Do not tell anyone. Yes, I have a captured Horcrux. One belonging to Bellatrix Lestrange. What do you think the Ghoul guards son. Now, I'm back to doing what I did. Twenty galleons an hour, do you believe it? That's fifteen more than my desk job in the muggle office made me."

Ron nodded. "Dad…"

"Yes son?"

"Be careful… when you go out."

Arthur blinked, and his features softened. With a gentle hand, he pulled Ron into a hug. "I'm not going anywhere. Now… let's go find Ginny."

As it turned out, Ginny had snuck across the street to Eeylops Owl Emporium, using money she had saved for many a birthday to purchase an owl of her own.

"I'm calling her Agatha! See? She's a very curious sort…"

Arthur scratched the side of his cheek, a worried smile on his face. "Now how am I going to explain this to your mother…"

Ginny giggled as the owl waddled up her arm, coming to rest on her shoulder. "She really likes me, dad!"

Arthur sighed, ruffling his daughters hair. "All right all right. Come on then, to Ollivanders!"

"Already?" Ginny beamed.

"Guess time flies when you're having fun." Arthur chuckled. "Come on! And while we're at the shop, we can pick up some supplies for your wand care, Ron."

Ollivanders was as mysterious as he remembered. The dust within the shop smelled of old magic, ash and brimstone…

Ron closed his eyes as he breathed in the magic of the shop. He knew that not everyone experienced this lace the same way he did, but it always felt right to him. Diagon Alley and the shops had ingredients and books… but Ollivanders had magic.

It seemed that Ginny could sense it too. As he opened his eyes, he found her slack jawed, staring up at a blank part of the wall, her body just… swaying.

Garrick Ollivander, owner of the shop, appeared as quietly as he had the day Ron purchased his wand. His grey hair stuck out as it had done when he was last here, that style that seemed to be so messy, but with a practiced eye, could be found to be quite naturally perfect.

"Ah… Mr Arthur Weasley, your first wand was quite average I recall… Eight inches, Maple. Dragon heartstring. Surprisingly swishy. Although I see that your current wand is… different. It seems to match to you quite well, even for the work of a novice."

Ron glanced at his father, who held his wands grip upside down, keeping the rest hidden in the sleeve of his robes.

"Yes, well. It has served me well since I lost my last to a rather nasty cursed item."

"Ah yes, cursebreaking does have its tragic moments. I see you have two with you today."

"Just one, thank you sir." Arthur Weasley smiled, patting Ginny's shoulder. "Ginny is starting at Hogwarts after this summer, and Ron has come along to pick up a few extra things for his own study."

"Ah yes… I see now. Mr Ronald Weasley. Powerful Wand. Blackthorn and Black walnut. Acromantula venom core… twelve and a half inches. I assume you still use it regularly?"

Ron looked down at his feet. "I haven't had much of a chance, sir. I look forward to using it this year, however."

Ollivanders eyes flicked from Ron to his father, who stood, looking at a wand display with a guilty expression. "I see. Do make sure to treat it properly. Acromantula's are powerful, but beyond that, they are loyal. Show your wand equal loyalty, and it will help you to do great things. Shun it, and you may find it has a bite of its own."

Ron nodded. "Yes sir. I was wondering if I may purchase some of the necessary materials to care for my wand. A polishing cloth, some oil, and maybe-"

"A wand tie? Yes yes. Let me pull out a kit. It will be three sickles for the full kit, which should last you a year at the least." Ollivander nodded, reaching under his counter. "Take your pick. These wand ties don't have any enchantments like those fandangled holsters they use in the west. They are simply bracelets with a cord to keep your wand in hand."

Ron nodded and selected a nice set of materials, containing a wooden bracelet with a leather cord. With a flick of his hand, Ollivander bonded the tie to his wand, helping him to slip the tie onto his wand hand.

"Make sure that when you oil it, the leather stays dry. Now, Miss Ginevra Weasley."

"Ginny." The girl said, snapping from her reverie. "I don't like Ginevra."

"I will keep that in mind." Ollivanders eyes glimmered. "How shall we go about this… hm? We can try some of the more favored cores… or… straight to my family's creations? Yes, that will certainly do."

As Ginny tried wands, Ron walked to his fathers side once more. "I have one more question."

"Only one?"

Ron blushed, knowing that he sounded foolish. He had been asking questions during the entire trip, after all.

"The Malfoys," Ron watched his father tense. "I firmly believe that Draco is different."

Arthur regarded his son for a while, his eyes searching silently for something in Ron's face. "Perhaps you are right… Lucius was not like his father."

"His father?"

"Abraxes Malfoy was a war hero. He convinced Arcturus Blac to fight in Grindelwald's war, and he operated as a double agent, behind enemy lines. Abraxas was a powerful man. A wise man."

"I'm sensing a but."

"He put too much faith in his own family. Lucius Malfoy took control of the family title after the man was killed by death eaters. Do you think it a coincidence? Perhaps Draco isn't like his father, but I cannot make that judgment. We are sworn against them, as they are sworn against us."

"I'm not." Ron looked at his father, determination shining in his eyes. "And neither is he. Draco despises his father. He is not Lucius, and I am not you, or mum."

Arthur's eyes glimmered a bit, but his face remained stoic. "The Malfoys are filled with backstabbing wizards. If you try to mend the gap… you may wind up falling further than you think possible."

Ron tore his gaze away from his father and watched as Ginny picked up her seventh wand. With a wave, a shelf was thrown into the wall. "I will not repeat the mistakes of the past. Maybe… maybe if Draco and I can be friends. If our two families can heal. Maybe it serves to prove that not everything was lost to the war."

Arthur patted his sons shoulder. "You are wise beyond your years."

"You forced me to grow up, last summer."

"And for that, I am sorry."

"Wonderful! Of course, it does make the most sense after all! Though the core is a bit worrisome, that doesn't matter."

Arthur smiled. "I take it we have found our match?"

"Indeed." Ollivander nodded. "Rowan wood. Eleven inches on the dot. A core made of the optical nerves of a cerberus, braided together into one. It is one of a kind. Strong, and yet…"

"A cerberus?" Arthur frowned. "A bit on the darker side, isn't it?"

"Oh no, not at all!" Ollivander said. Ron felt his stomach twist as his father seemed to relax a bit, before he caught his eye.

"I didn't mean-"

"Oh no sir, it is quite alright. I would be quite worried myself. You see, there are many creatures that can power a wizards focus. Of course, just as with wand woods, these magical cores have their own symbolism. For example, your son. As I said before, Acromantula venom wands are fiercely loyal, but they have their own bite should their master betray them."

"I do recall you saying something along those lines." Arthur nodded.

"Yes, well. Cerberus wands are one such kind that are linked to death. There is rumor of a wand with a core made of phoenix tears. It is for those who heal, and defy death. Just last year I sold one of two wands in magical history to hold dementors blood."

"Dementors blood?" Arthur's face whitened, along with Ron's. The boy knew of such creatures. Demons of magic, that stole the soul. "Who would use such a cursed-"

"It is not as cursed as you might think. Hard to obtain, even harder to work with." The old wandmaker nodded. "One who matches with a wand of Dementors blood has a close connection to death, having met them and being reincarnated. Yes… the holder of that wand is destined for greatness, I have little doubt about that."

"So what of Cerberus wands?"

"Cerberus wands…" Ollivander looked at Ginny, who was still enthralled with the sparks that floated from her wand. "They are more worrisome. A cerberus is protective of its own. Territorial beyond reason. They are destined for those who will meet death."

"Are you saying my daughter is cursed to die?" Ron saw his fathers hands flex in and out. He was trying to hold himself together.

"Perhaps." Ollivander nodded. "Though I cannot say for certain… Paired with Rowan wood, it could mean that she is protected from death, or perhaps that she is protected by the spirits of your family. It could even mean that she will protect her family when she passes on. I cannot say for certain."

Arthur sighed. "I see… Well, that just means that she will have to be careful. How much total?"

"The boy paid his sickles when you had your back turned. For the wand, it is six galleons."

"Thank you."

The three left the shop soon after, a bit flustered, but nevertheless ready to go home.

"Shall we stop by the Leaky for lunch, like Tom offered?" Ron asked.

"Perhaps." Arthur looked down at Ginny, who clutched her wand case close to her. "Although… It is getting late. Perhaps it would be better to go home for now. Ginny, do not tell your mother anything about your wand."

"Okay."

Ron nodded, catching the worry in his father's eye. "Okay."

With the words of the wandmaker still echoing within their minds, the three Weasleys walked back to the Leaky Cauldron, grabbed a handful of floo powder, and disappeared into the roaring green flames of the fireplace.

0—

Chapter four down!

I know I'm pretty bad with foreshadowing, especially with the preview I gave at the end of the first book. Still, there are quite a few things in here that will take time to explain. I did a quick summary of the Malfoy and Weasley history, but there is without a doubt, more to it than that.

When it comes to Molly and Arthur, I want to have a sort of line between them. Arthur Weasley is a talented wizard, powerful beyond belief, as is his wife. They were young in the throes of Voldemort's war, and because of that, they have many bad memories from it.

And specifically, when it comes to Arthur and Lucius, there is much more depth to their history, something that will eventually be uncovered.

But until then, all we can do is read on. As always, leave a review. I'll try to get chapters up more regularly because I have a looooot planned. I've pretty much mapped out this story, but going past that I've gotten the jump on the start of book three, just so I can drop 10-15 chapters when its release date arrives. And no, you won't get to know until this one is done.

Until next time, Adios.