AUTHOR'S NOTES: Chapter 23 is now out! Sadly, I couldn't finish the holidays just yet.
1. No Lavender clad menace...
2. A Ron meets Pure-Bloods. (only some... some were too good to approach the blood traitor)
3. More Sirius, Remus, and Ginny!
DISCLAIMER: I do not own Harry Potter, and I do not intend to make any money off of this. Harry Potter is the intellectual property of J. K. Rowling , and I take no credit of it whatsoever.
I was also inspired by Demon Eyes Laharl's: THE RED KNIGHT! and also from Random-Fruitcake04's: CHOICES! I hope you check them out as well because they are genuinely very good stories.
Fate
Chapter 23 – A Pure-Blooded Party
Ronald Weasley's POV
Ron woke in the dead of night and looked around groggily, wondering where he was. When did I fall asleep? Ron sat up on his bed and rubbed his eyes with gloved hands. And I'm still wearing gloves? Why? I take them off when I sleep… Ron then let out a long yawn before stepping off of his bed, and he immediately froze at what he saw in his room. Harry was asleep in Ron's room, and he was sleeping on a bed that wasn't there this morning… Guess I have a roommate now… Ron smiled at his sleeping friend, glad that his parents had allowed Harry to stay. Ron never doubted that they would, but it had taken no convincing whatsoever. I should give them more credit!
Ron approached Harry's sleeping form slowly, and looked at the boy-who-lived. Harry wasn't wearing his glasses, and he was breathing in-and-out at a steady pace. Ron couldn't stop himself as he slowly moved Harry's fringe and looked at his famous scar. The Dark Lord gave that to Harry… Just like the Entity gave me mine… Harry then shifted in his sleep and Ron took a step back, not wanting to wake Harry up. Harry muttered something incoherent in his sleep, and Ron just chuckled lightly at the boy-who-lived. Ron then decided to go wash up, and eat something. His stomach felt tight with hunger.
As Ron creeped downstairs from the bathroom, he made sure to avoid all the floor-boards that he knew would creak under his weight. Ron found himself in the kitchen, and he saw a plate of food sitting on the table. It was covered with a lid, and Ron assumed that it was left there for him in case he woke up at night. Either way, Ron didn't care. He was hungry, and there was a plate of food sitting inches away from him. Ron demolished the plate of food that was still warm due to warming charms, and he let out a burp when he finished. Damn that was amazing, mum's cooking is the best…
Ron then spent the next few hours sitting outside and watching the stars, it felt truly peaceful. This relaxing period made him think on many things about his life. Daphne's birthday was in four days, and she had told him that it was a formal event. She had made him promise to wear clean, formal robes and to not embarrass her whatsoever… Ron chuckled at her bossiness. And then he remembered that he didn't have a gift for her yet… and that it was Ginny's birthday the day after Daphne's… And he didn't have a gift for Ginny either! He had to rectify that… Getting a gift for Daphne was a must, but for Ginny, it was something that he wanted to do. The Weasley siblings never spent money on each other, mostly because their family was broke… But Ron wasn't broke! He had almost seven-hundred Galleons stashed away at Gringotts! Now he just had to convince his parents to take him to Diagon Alley…
Ron entered the house again after witnessing the sun-rise, and he felt wholesome. Seeing and appreciating nature's beauty had relaxed his mind quite a bit, and he vowed that he would do it more often. Ron immediately noticed his mothers working in the kitchen, and he slowly approached them with a sly grin.
"Hello!" Ron greeted a little loudly. Pandora jumped in fright and Molly shrieked. Haha that was great! Both women turned around and looked at him with frowns. Bollocks… I forgot that they are mad at me!
"Ronald Weasley" Molly scolded. "Don't sneak around the house like some thief in the night! It is bad manners!" What the…? She's mad about me sneaking about… and not me 'kidnapping' Harry?
"Where were you?" Pandora asked. "We found the empty plate, but you weren't here… We thought you went back to your room."
"I was outside" Ron replied sheepishly. "Watching the sun-rise… It was really amazing." Pandora and Molly's expressions softened at hearing that.
"Well take a seat, love" Molly said, pointing to his chair on the dining table. "Pandora and I are making breakfast, and the others should be here soon." Molly watched her son do as he was told, and she turned back to her task. She was still a little upset over his actions yesterday but she had calmed down quite a lot. Sirius' story had been horrible to hear, and she was somewhat proud of Ron for saving his friend from those horrid Muggles. It was a bitter truth to swallow, to know that Sirius was right all along… And that she had chosen wrongly by taking Dumbledore's side… All the adults felt the same way…
It didn't take long for Ron's siblings and Harry to come down. Harry had made to sit down next to Ron, but Ginny had flown into the seat and grabbed Ron's right hand in a death grip. Ron winced and mouthed 'sorry' to Harry, who simply just chuckled and sat down next to Percy. Luna sat on Ron's left, and hummed her mother's tune to herself. Molly and Pandora served breakfast to the children on the table, and they once again piled Ron and Harry's plates with an absurd amount of food… Ron didn't mind though, he knew that he had to eat and gain more weight. Harry on the other hand looked rather intimidated by the mountain of food on his plate.
"So is it true?" Fred asked Ron suddenly. Is what true?
"Did you really steal dad's car?" George added, and Ron felt his stomach do a flip. MUM IS RIGHT THERE YOU IDIOTS!
"And then you kidnapped Harry from his Muggle family?" Fred went on.
"Um…" Ron said lamely, smiling sheepishly at his frowning mother. The twins let out a roar of laughter that took everyone by surprise.
"BRILLIANT!" both twins yelled.
"Utterly…" Fred said.
"Brilliant…" George finished. Ron just frowned at them, and he could feel his mother and Pandora glaring at him.
"Utterly irresponsible…" Percy scolded, and Ron felt his ears burn. Ginny also frowned at Ron's carelessness, though she was quite happy to have Harry Potter in her house. She had spent all night gushing on about Harry to Luna, and Luna had just listened with a smile.
"What are Muggles like?" Luna asked out of nowhere, smiling at Ron pleasantly. Oh Luna, don't ever become like these savages…
"They're…" Ron started but then stopped. He looked over to Harry to elaborate, and Harry just seemed shrink in his seat. "They're different…" Ron answered lamely. He didn't know a damn thing about Muggles, and the only ones that he had met were Harry's horrible family…
"Different how?" Luna asked, tilting her head a little.
"They can't do magic…" Ron said, and then he frowned internally at his own stupid answer. Even his siblings were looking at him like he was stupid. Luna simply snorted at that.
"I know that silly!" Luna said loudly. "I want to know how they behave in their natural habitats…" Natural habitats?!
"Love…" Pandora said with a soft chuckle. "Muggles aren't animals… they are people. They are like us, only they can't use magic." Luna looked a little surprised to hear that, and Ron cocked an eyebrow at her. Natural habitats she said… Did she really think that they were creatures of some sort?
"Good morning everyone!" came Ron's father's voice from the front door. Ron turned to see his father, Remus, Xenophilius, and Sirius enter the house. Where did they all go? It's odd seeing them all together…
"It smells amazing in here" Sirius said with a wide smile, he looked extremely happy.
"Breakfast is on the table, go on" Molly said as she guided the men into their seats. Pandora took a seat next to her husband, while Molly did the same with hers. It was… really crowded… Ron was squeezed in between his sisters, while Harry was squeezed between Percy and Ginny. Ginny went crimson, and just looked down at her plate with an intense look. Ron didn't miss her reaction because Ginny was squeezing closer and closer to him. Bloody hell… How are we supposed to eat?
"We should eat outside…" Arthur said with a chuckle. "A bit crowded in here…" Everyone nodded at him.
Ron walked into his father's 'study' after spending the last twenty minutes mustering his courage. He was planning to ask permission to go to Diagon Alley, and he was worried about being rejected. Ron saw that his father wasn't alone, and that he was talking with Remus and Sirius about something rather animatedly.
"Dad…" Ron called, gaining the attention of all three men.
"Ronnie? Is everything alright?" Arthur asked with a happy smile. It will be if you say yes!
"I was wondering…" Ron started, feeling his resolve shake. Was it wise to ask for this so soon after he had pulled his reckless stunt? "Could I um… go to Diagon Alley?" All three men were taken aback by this, and his father looked a little worried.
"What do you need from Diagon Alley?" Arthur asked. "I'll go and get it for you." NO! No, I need to go myself… Ron was surprised with himself for a moment for wanting to go alone so badly.
"Daphne's birthday is in four days… I wanted to get her something nice…" Ron said, his cheeks going red and his ears burning. Sirius' ever-growing grin didn't help Ron at all…
"Remus and I can take him" Sirius said suddenly. "Today, that is! We were planning to take Harry this afternoon, and Ron can come along!" Arthur looked at Sirius apprehensively. "Come on Arthur, the boy wants to get 'Daphne' something 'nice'…" Ron narrowed his eyes at Sirius for saying things in such a weird way, but Arthur's eyes-widened a bit.
"Oh…" Arthur muttered, and Ron got even more confused. Um… what's this? Why are they acting so weird?
"It'll be fine, Arthur" Remus said with a light chuckle. "I'll keep my eyes on both boys at all times." Arthur nodded slowly at Remus.
"Make sure you do, Remus" Arthur pleaded. "If Ron looks tired, bring him home at once…" HEY! I'm right here!
"I'll be there too…" Sirius said, clearly irritated about being left out of this conversation. Arthur and Remus looked at Sirius, and then they gave him forced smiles. "I can be responsible too! Why are you looking at me like that?! Answer me!"
Ron just stood there looking at the three adults with an open mouth. Arthur and Remus were just giving Sirius forced smiles, and Sirius was yelling at them to take him seriously. Grown-ups… they're all so weird…
Ron was waiting with Sirius and Remus as Harry was being fitted for robes, and Ron massaged his legs and groaned. It had been a tiring afternoon so far, and Ron still didn't have Daphne's or Ginny's gifts. They had all gone to Gringotts first, and that's where Ron had bought a pouch for twelve Galleons. This pouch would let him pull out money directly from his own vault, and Ron was quite amazed at the convenience of such an item. Even Harry had gotten one, and then they had waited around for an hour while Sirius and Remus spoke to the Goblins about 'private' matters… The damn Goblins didn't even offer them a seat, and Ron's legs were now hurting because of it! And now… now they would be here for hours while Harry had his robes made for him… Ron knew this because he had gone through this himself…
"Kid, you alright?" Sirius asked, looking at Ron with worry. Not you as well… Bloody hell!
"I'm fine, Sirius…" Ron said flatly. Sirius looked at Remus, and then the two men nodded to each other. Wait… we aren't going home are we? I haven't gotten the gifts yet!
"Kid, while Harry gets his robes" Sirius started "Why don't you and I go get those gifts? Does that sound alright? We can finish up earlier and head back to the Burrow." Ron smiled widely and nodded, relieved that they weren't going home just yet.
"I'll meet you two back here" Remus said with a smile aimed at Ron, and then he turned to Sirius and looked at him seriously. "Remember… don't push him. If you do, we will have words…" Ron looked at Remus sheepishly, and Sirius nodded quickly.
"Of course, Remus" Sirius said, a devious smile fighting to break out. "I'm the definition of responsible…" Remus sighed at that and Ron chuckled.
"Just go before I change my mind…" Remus muttered, frustrated with Sirius. Ron and Sirius wasted no time and exited the shop, and then Sirius turned to Ron with a massive grin.
"So kid! What are we getting for your girlfriend?" Sirius asked excitedly. GIRLFRIEND?! WHAT THE HELL?!
"She… she isn't… my girlfriend" Ron spluttered, going completely crimson. Sirius guffawed at Ron's reaction and was in tears from his hysterical laughing. Ron had never felt so embarrassed.
"I was just joking kiddo" Sirius wheezed, and then he chuckled again. "Don't be so embarrassed! I meant that she is a girl and a friend, I swear."
"That's a load of shite and you know it" Ron gritted out, annoyed at Sirius' teasing. Sirius chuckled again and tutted Ron.
"Swearing is for adults…" Sirius scolded mockingly.
"Then why do you do it?" Ron retorted. Sirius frowned and Ron broke out in a grin of his own.
"Touché…" Sirius muttered, and then he chuckled humorously. "Seriously though, what were your thoughts? Chocolates, a dress, some joke items, or jewelry… What is she into?" Chocolates melt… A dress could work but I don't know shite about them… Joke items? I might as well spit on her face… Jewelry… Now that works… She got me that ring…
"Sirius, there is a jeweler here in Diagon Alley…" Ron started, and Sirius looked rather interested. "Do you know of any, this one is supported by the Greengrass Family?" Sirius tried to recall any information, and came up empty.
"No, I don't" Sirius replied, and Ron sighed tiredly. "But we can have a look… All the jewelers set up their shops just down the street, in the more 'refined' area…"
"Refined?" Ron asked with a frown.
"It's mostly for Pure-Blooded tossers…" Sirius said bitterly.
"Sirius… We're Pure-Bloods… and many would say that we are tossers" Ron joked, smiling widely at Sirius who also grinned back.
"That we are… Let's have a look, eh?" Sirius grinned. Ron and Sirius then made their way to the 'refined' section of Diagon Alley, and it didn't take long to find the jeweler with a sign in front of his shop that read 'Proudly sponsored by the Greengrass, Parkinson, Bulstrode, and Malfoy Families'. "This must be it…" Sirius frowned at the sign.
"Let's go in then!" Ron said, glad to have found this place so quickly. They entered the shop and Ron was immediately dazzled by all the jewelry that he saw around the shop. The shop itself wasn't too large, but it was neat and organized. There were over a dozen display cases showing off different works, and Ron smiled widely. I'll definitely find something here… Ron and Sirius approached the counter and waited, no one was behind the counter. Sirius 'coughed' loudly, and Ron heard skittish footsteps come from the back of the shop. Then a weedy and shy young man came out, he looked at his customers wearily.
"Who are you? What do you want?" the Jeweler asked, and Sirius frowned at the rude greeting.
"We want to buy bread…" Sirius said sarcastically, and then he shook his head. "We are looking to buy jewelry, a friend of this boy is turning twelve in four days. She is a girl of noble birth, can you help with that?" I'm so glad Sirius is here… I wouldn't even know how to start…
"I… I can…" the young man muttered, and then he looked at Ron. "What are her… tastes… do you know?" Ron found the man's fragile demeanor rather pathetic, but he didn't comment on it. What are her tastes? I mean, I can't get her another hair clip… that's just lazy. Wait… MY RING! It can show him Daphne's taste in jewelry! Ron took off his left glove, and looked at his little finger and the serpent ring on it. He had started wearing his ring on his left hand because it looked so odd on his right, scarred one.
"Here" Ron said, showing his ring to the jeweler. Both the jeweler and Sirius went wide-eyed at it, but for different reasons. "She had this made for me on my birthday, March the first…"
"Lady Greengrass…" the jeweler said, looking at his work fondly. "I made this for her… a special order… So it was for you?" the jeweler smiled at Ron sheepishly, and Ron nodded with a smile of his own. "My name is Martin" the jeweler introduced himself. "You are clearly a friend of the Greengrass Family, come with me… I'll show you the best of my selection…" Martin then came around from the counter and eagerly led Ron to a display case.
"Here" Martin said proudly. "A gold tennis bracelet with dark sapphires… She came through a week ago with her mother and sister, and her eyes were glued to this…" Ron looked at the beautiful bracelet, and he smiled widely. This is perfect!
"What's a 'tennis-bracelet', it sounds Muggle?" Sirius asked, looking at the bracelet from behind Ron.
"It… it is" Martin said shyly. "I studied Muggle Jewelry in my time abroad… Their designs have helped me quite a lot. Especially with families like the Greengrass'…"
"I'll take it!" Ron said excitedly.
"Excellent, young master" Martin said excitedly. Martin then flicked his wand and the case opened. The bracelet floated into the air, and it was packaged magically. Sirius and Ron then followed Martin to the counter. "That'll be two hundred and twenty Galleons…" Ron blanched and Sirius almost passed out.
"Two hundred and twenty?!" Sirius asked, shocked at the price. "You might as well bend me over the counter…"
"Um… no" Martin said, clearly missing Sirius' sarcasm. Two-hundred and twenty… Is that how much money she spent on me? Why?! I can't even begin to understand why… But I can't let her gesture go unrewarded… She gave me this amazing ring…
"I'll pay" Ron said, strengthening in his resolve. Ron then took out his new pouch and began taking out the Galleons.
"Kid… At least let me buy it for you…" Sirius said, watching Ron in shock. Ron turned to Sirius and frowned.
"She is my friend, so I'll pay…" Ron said, and then he finished taking out the necessary Galleons. I've spent two hundred and thirty two Galleons in total so far today… And I had ninety Galleons from before I won that tournament… That leaves me with… three-hundred and fifty eight Galleons… Merlin, kill me!
"Excellent, and here is the bracelet" Martin said as he handed over the bracelet and took the Galleons. "A pleasure doing business with a friend of the Greengrass Family…" A pleasure… I hope you get the dragon-pox, you bastard!
"It was my honor…" Ron said with a smile, and then both Sirius and he left the shop.
"Fucking hell, kid…" Sirius muttered, looking at Ron with a frown. "This girl better put out…" What?
"Put out?" Ron asked in confusion, and Sirius just sighed.
"It doesn't matter…" Sirius said, and then he smiled at Ron faintly. "Guess we should head back now."
"Wait, I still need to get something for Ginny!" Ron said quickly and Sirius looked taken aback.
"Your sister too?" Sirius asked.
"Her birthday is a day after Daphne's…" Ron explained. "Maybe she'd like some jewelry too…"
"Um… no…" Sirius said, frowning at Ron. "Brothers shouldn't buy sisters jewelry…"
"Why?"
"Because it's fucking weird… What does your sister like? Does she have a hobby?" Sirius asked, pondering the same questions. She likes Quidditch… Probably more than all of us considering her future…
"She likes Quidditch…" Ron answered. "She sneaks out to practice all the time… Don't tell anyone I told you!" Sirius laughed at that and put his right hand on his own chest.
"I promise I won't… Well, Quality Quidditch Supplies isn't too far from here. We can go and have ourselves a look there" Sirius suggested, and Ron nodded his agreement. They then made their way to the Quidditch shop and Ron began browsing for a gift.
While Ron looked around, Sirius did his own business quietly and quickly. He had come to a wonderful decision on the way here, one that would surprise both the boys he was looking after. And this gift made the perfect amount of sense to Sirius. Harry was the youngest seeker in a century, bless him, and Ron loved Quidditch just like his siblings.
Ron decided to buy his sister a Comet 260 broomstick. It was the perfect starting broom, and a lot better than anything in his father's shed. Not to mention that it was on sale for forty Galleons. This would leave Ron with three-hundred and eighteen Galleons in total, and Ron was fine with that. Ron had the new broomstick polished and packaged, and then he paid and left the store. Need to sneak this into Ginny's room quietly… or mum will slap my face off… Sirius was waiting outside for Ron, and he had two packaged brooms in his arms.
"I didn't know you bought something…" Ron said with a smile.
"And I see you got your sister a broom as well. Which one is it?" Sirius asked, trying to contain his own smile.
"A Comet 260, perfect for beginners!" Ron exclaimed excitedly. "She'll love it!"
"You're a good brother Ron" Sirius praised. "So I got you a broom as well…" Ron was taken by surprise at that, and he looked to Sirius's two packaged brooms.
"Is… is one of those mine?" Ron asked, feeling a huge smile break out onto his face.
"Yup… care to guess which broom?" Sirius asked merrily. Ron shook his head, how could he possibly guess that. There were so many models out there… "A Nimbus 2001!" Sirius said happily, and Ron's mouth fell to the floor. What… He got me a Nimbus 2001? They just came out six days ago…
"Sirius…" Ron muttered, his heart swelling in gratitude. "You didn't have to…"
"No, I didn't have to" Sirius laughed. "I wanted to! I got one for Harry too, and now you two can fly around Hogwarts and cause all sorts of mayhem!" Sirius remembered his days with James at that, and he sighed in nostalgia. Ron ran up and gave Sirius a thankful hug, but it was hard to pull off. Both of them had brooms to carry, but Sirius did his best to hug the kid back.
Ron and Harry quickly ran up to Ron's room, hoping that no one saw them and their brooms. Harry wanted to surprise Fred and George, but Ron didn't want to be caught giving Ginny a broom. That would not end well for Ron… If his parents didn't kill him for endangering Ginny, then his brothers would!
"I think we're safe" Ron said as he closed the door behind him. Harry sat down on his own bed and stretched.
"I'm so knackered" Harry groaned.
"Take a nap, dinner won't be served for another couple of hours at least" Ron suggested, then he put Ginny's new broom and his own new broom on his bed gently. I have a Nimbus 2001! Bloody hell this is amazing! Maybe I should try for the Slytherin team? Ron grimaced as he thought about his family's reaction to that. Fred and George would lose their minds at him…
"I would sleep… but I haven't even touched my homework for the holidays yet…" Harry whined. "The Dursleys hid my books away so that I couldn't study…" Ron frowned at that, those Muggles were truly the worst. Then an idea clicked in Ron's head. Ron walked over to his trunk and took out his own completed homework, and then he handed it to Harry.
"Here" Ron said. "You can use mine to copy off of… Just change the words up a bit!" Harry stared at Ron's homework, and then he beamed.
"Are you serious?" Harry asked in disbelief.
"Yeah, of course… just don't tell Hermione or my family… Or we'll both be done for!" Ron said with a grin.
"Thanks Ron! You're a life-saver!" Harry grinned. You have no clue mate…
"I'm going to sneak off and give Ginny her new broom" Ron said, watching Harry get his own homework out excitedly. Ron smirked and shook his head, and then he grabbed Ginny's broom and snuck back out. Luckily the hallway was empty and Ron knocked on Ginny's door lightly, hoping that she'd answer quickly. Ron heard quick footsteps and then her door swung open, and Ron hid the broom by putting it to his right.
"Ron!" Ginny greeted excitedly. "You're back, do you want to play with Luna and me?" She didn't wait for his answer and gripped his left hand tightly. Merlin… my fucking hands…
"I have a surprise for you Ginny" Ron said mysteriously, and Ginny beamed.
"Really? What is it?!" she asked excitedly.
"Go inside and wait, and I'll bring it in." Ginny did as she was told quickly, practically jumping up and down. Ron grabbed the wrapped broom and entered her room, and then he closed the door behind himself and locked it. Ginny saw the broom shaped gift in his right hand and she squealed, which made Ron grin widely. "Happy Birthday, Gin-Gin" Ron said as he gave her the broom, which she took quickly.
"Luna look!" Ginny showed her best friend, and Luna smiled airily at Ginny. Ginny ripped off the wrapping paper unceremoniously, and Ron chuckled at her. "WOW!" Ginny exclaimed, taking in her new Comet 260 broomstick. "Ronnie…" Ginny then ran up and hugged Ron tightly, crushing his ribcage. Why is she so strong?! My ribs! I HEARD A CRACK! "Thank you, thank you, thank you!" Ginny repeated over and over again, tightening her hug. Ron wasn't going to lie, it was starting to hurt his ribs…
"It's no worries" Ron chuckled, and then he looked over to Luna for help.
"Ginny… you're hurting him" Luna hummed, and Ginny let him go quickly.
"I'm sorry!" Ginny apologized.
"No, it's ok… Just promise me that you won't get caught sneaking around with that broom" Ron grinned. "Mum and dad will go mental on me…"
"I promise!" Ginny exclaimed. "Now I can use that Quidditch uniform you got for me at Christmas! I promise I'll practice a lot!" And then she looked put off for some reason. "First years aren't allowed broomsticks…" Ginny muttered. Damn… she's right! I'll ask for Harry's help…
"Don't worry" Ron said with a smile. "I'll just have Harry take your broom with him, and you can ask him for it whenever you want to practice! He'll help me, I know it!" Ginny went crimson at that…
"Harry...?" Ginny asked, shuffling her feet. Ron found her reaction rather odd. "Can't you take it? And give it to me when I ask?"
"Gin… I'm in Slytherin" Ron explained, and she pouted adorably. "You can't seriously expect to come down to my common room every time just for a broom… With Harry, you just have to approach him in your shared common room…"
"What if I join Slytherin too?!" Ginny questioned, crossing her arms defiantly. "Then we can be in the same house!" Trust me… you won't…
"Well if that happens, then I'll take the broom off of Harry…" Ron negotiated, but he knew that she was a Gryffindor through-and-through. "Otherwise, Harry will keep your broom safe, all right?" Ginny pouted and then nodded. "Good" Ron said with a smile. "Happy birthday Gin…" Ginny smiled widely at that and then she hugged him again, this time she didn't squeeze him too tightly.
Ron finished combing his hair back, and then he admired his reflection. He was wearing his black velvet dress robes with a high collar, and a skinny silver tie. He was also only wearing one black leather glove which covered his right hand, and in doing so he was showing Daphne's serpent ring on his left hand. Ron thought that was rather appropriate, considering whose party he was attending. Ron just hoped no one questioned his odd choice to wear one glove. But even with one glove on, Ron looked dashing! At least he thought so anyway… His slightly gaunt and pale face worked well with this look, he had to admit that as well. Overall, Ron was quite pleased. Now I just have to remember my manners…
Ron made sure to check for Daphne's gift in his inner robe pocket, and when he felt it there, he headed downstairs. His siblings and Harry were all sitting around the dining table, playing exploding snap and socializing with each other. But once they spotted him, all of them gave different reactions. Ginny and Luna cooed at him, which made him blush terribly. Harry and Percy were impressed, which pleased Ron. The twins made jokes and called him their 'Lord Brother', which slightly irked Ron. I could've guessed their reactions actually… At least I'm sure now that I look appropriate for this party. Ron smirked at his friend and family, and then he strutted to the living room. The adults were all socializing inside.
Pandora cat-called him once again, and his mother gushed like she always did. Arthur was shocked, Remus wasn't eve surprised, and Xenophilius nodded his head in approval, and Sirius… Sirius was grinning mischievously again. Oh shite… now what is he up to?
"Kid, can I talk to you before you floo off?" Sirius asked, and then he got up and guided Ron away from the adults. "Here, take this" Sirius said, and then he handed Ron a box with two platinum and diamond studded cufflinks inside. The cufflinks were shaped in the shapes of the letter 'S' and 'G'. What's this?
"Is this for me?" Ron asked in confusion.
"No, this is for Lord Sebastian Greengrass" Sirius replied, chuckling lightly. Sirius then went to explain further but Ron cut him off.
"Why? It isn't his birthday… or is it?" Ron asked, feeling worried. Sirius frowned and flicked Ron's forehead. "Ow! Why?"
"Will you just listen" Sirius scolded. "It is good manners to bring a gift for the host. The host tonight is Sebastian Greengrass, so this is his gift. Give it to him when you meet him, do you understand? This is important!" Ron nodded, confused at why he didn't know this piece of knowledge yet. I really need more lessons from Daphne… How do these Pure-Bloods remember all of this?! Sirius then guided Ron back into the living room and in front of the fire-place.
"Be safe, dear" Molly ordered him. "And come back before midnight…"
"Mum…" Ron complained. "It's already six in the evening, can't I spend a little more time with my friends? I haven't seen them since I left the hospital!" Molly frowned and was about to say no, but Arthur cut in instead.
"Of course, son" Arthur said, and Molly frowned at her husband. Ron beamed at his father. "Just come back whenever you want, but floo directly back home. Is that fair?"
"That's perfect dad" Ron smiled widely. "Thanks!" Sirius then picked up some floo powder and chucked in the fire as he called 'Greengrass Manor'. The fire blazed green and Ron walked through, shooting one last glance at his family.
Ron stepped through the fire-place and was instantly amazed. The room he had walked into was astonishing, it had marble statues everywhere and was immaculate. There was a large crystal chandelier that lit up the whole massive room, and there were multiple fire-places alongside the one Ron had come through. Bloody hell… this is just the entrance room? Ron then made his way towards a large open door, and he was greeted with the sight of the Greengrass Family. They seemed to be standing guard, and behind them was a grand ballroom filled with people! Ron approached the family, and Daphne beamed at the sight of him. Lord and Lady Greengrass smiled approvingly at his dress robes.
"Good evening Lord and Lady Greengrass" Ron said with a short bow. "Thank you for inviting me into your beautiful home. It is a fitting household for a family as illustrious as yours." I'm a fraud! Daphne wrote this down for me in her letter! Please don't figure that out! Lady Greengrass smiled widely at the familiar words, but she didn't say anything.
"Thank you, Ronald" Lord Greengrass said, pleased with Ron's good manners. "We are honored to have you here." Ron then approached the Lord of the house and offered his gift to the host.
"This is for you, my Lord" Ron said with his best smile. Lord Greengrass took the box and smiled at Ron.
"A gift for the host?" Lord Greengrass asked, and then he looked at the cufflinks with a smile. He was quite pleased. "A good gift, my thanks Ronald. Please, enjoy your evening. I hope we can speak later tonight." Ron nodded at that, and looked to Daphne with a pleasant smile.
"Mother, may I take Ron inside?" Daphne asked her mother. Daphne was wearing an emerald dress that was long-sleeved and form-fitting. Her hair was tied in a tasteful bun, and his golden hair-pin was sticking out of the hair bun. She also had a black fur shawl covering her neck and shoulders.
"Let your sister do it" Lady Greengrass said with a smile. She was surprised to see Daphne trying to neglect her duties. "This party is in your name, you must greet all the guests." Daphne nodded, and then she looked at Ron with a blank face. She isn't pleased…
"I'll see you shortly" Daphne said, and Ron could hear the irritation in her voice. Ron smiled at her in amusement, and then he turned to Astoria. She was smiling widely at him, and she was dressed in a white dress which was sleeveless and extremely frilly at the bottom. Ron liked Daphne's dress better…
"Come, Ronald" Astoria said softly. "I'll take you to your friends…" Daphne warned me about her… She's just as bad as the twins! I need to be careful… Luckily I have two little sisters, so I should be fine… I hope.
"Thank you" Ron said pleasantly and then he followed after her, he also noticed Daphne giving him a warning look as he passed her. The ballroom was grand, and people were dancing to the faint music coming from a charmed harp. It was all… illustrious… Ron couldn't think of another word.
"What did you get for Daphne?" Astoria asked as she led him, her voice was soft and mischievous. Here we go!
"Something that she will like, I hope" Ron deflected calmly.
"Oh, maybe you should tell me?" Astoria egged on. "I know what my sister likes, I can make sure you don't embarrass yourself."
"Maybe I like to embarrass myself?" Ron returned, smirking at the game that they were playing. She is a little she-devil, isn't she?
"But would you like to embarrass Daphne too?" Astoria asked with a sly smile, she had him now. Emotional blackmail always worked in her favor!
"If I ever see a chance to embarrass your sister, I take it" Ron said with a grin. Astoria blinked at that, but she kept moving.
"Really? Why?" Astoria asked, slightly jarred at his immunity against emotional blackmail.
"Same reason as you, I imagine" Ron deflected again. "I remember your comment at the hospital when I first woke up, stellar work!" Ron praised her, and she blushed a little.
They made their way past the dancers and towards a corner where all of Ron's friends were standing. All of Ron's friends, and Malfoy and his goons… What the fuck?! Why is he here?! Ron was shocked to see Malfoy there, and even more shocked that Theo and Blaise were talking to him rather calmly. Ron decided not make a scene. He didn't actually want to embarrass Daphne tonight, or Lord Greengrass. The last thing he wanted was to lose his apprenticeship when he was so close to getting it!
"Here you are" Astoria said politely. "Have fun, I hope we can talk some more after I'm finished." Before Ron could even respond, the youngest Greengrass daughter turned around and walked back to her family. Ron slowly approached his friends, and Pansy was the first to see him.
"Ron, you're here!" Pansy exclaimed, making all of the children look to Ron. Ron smiled widely at Pansy and greeted all of his friends with a smile. And then he turned to Malfoy, and noticed that Malfoy wasn't sneering at him like usual.
"Malfoy, Crabbe, Goyle…" Ron greeted curtly. The gorillas narrowed their eyes at him and cracked their knuckles. Really?
"Don't make a scene you two" Malfoy ordered, frowning at them both. Then he turned to Ron. "Weasley" Malfoy greeted him curtly as well. Huh? Where is the good-old-fashioned 'Blood-Traitor' I'm used to? Wait… Am I asking for abuse? What's the matter with me?
"You're dressed to kill" Blaise said with a smirk. "I like this look on you much better. It suits you." Ron grinned at Blaise, who simply smiled back and shook his head. "Don't grin…"
"Not sure about the one glove though" Theo added in, looking at Ron's covered hand. "Did you lose the other one?" Theo asked with a smirk. Of course Theo is the bastard who points it out…
"No…" Ron answered lamely, and Theo cocked an eyebrow at him. "It's complicated… I don't want to talk about it." Theo narrowed his eyes at that, and was about to ask more questions but Millie stopped him.
"Stop being rude, Theo" Millie scolded, and then she turned to Ron. "How have you been? You haven't been pushing yourself too much have you?" Ugh… And here I thought that I escaped mum for the night…
"No, I haven't… I've only passed out a couple of times" Ron joked, but his friends didn't laugh. Instead they frowned at him.
"Are you serious? You've been passing out?" Tracey questioned, she sounded worried.
"No, that was a joke…" Ron smiled sheepishly.
"Not funny" Pansy frowned. "We've been worried about you…" Yeesh… tough crowd…
"Worried?" Malfoy asked Pansy, he looked surprised. "About him?" Malfoy jerked his head in Ron's direction. So much for not making a scene… Ron turned his head and cracked his neck, which earned him odd looks from Theo and Blaise.
"Draco" Pansy said softly. "If you can't be civil… then leave…" OOF! That's my girl! Show this prick the door! Malfoy was honestly just jarred to his very core at Pansy Parkinson's comment. When did she become someone who could dismiss him?!
"There is no need for this" Blaise said, sounding aloof as usual. "You know how these things work, we are to stay together and behave…" We are?
"It's expected of us" Theo explained, looking at Ron's confused expression. "The adults don't want us to cause problems in their own alliances, so we are expected to get along…" That makes… no sense… Why are their alliances jeopardized by their children? Is that how fickle things are with these people? I mean, I know that Slytherin house is bloody fickle, is that where it all stems from?!
"So we are all expected to be friends?" Ron asked Theo.
"We aren't friends…" Malfoy scoffed, and Ron frowned. Maybe I should remind him that he is only here because of me…
"And you would be dead if it weren't for me… So mind the attitude…" Ron grit out, glaring at Malfoy. Malfoy looked taken aback, but he quickly recovered his composure.
"Ron… don't" Millie said in a scolding tone. "You'll get us all in trouble, and you will also tarnish your own name amongst the guests here."
"Our parents are here" Tracey provided. "So please behave, and that was meant for you both!" I got put in my place… don't know about Malfoy, but I think I'll listen…
"Sorry" Ron apologized to his friends. "I will behave, I promise." Ron's friends turned to Malfoy, and he just grunted his answer. I'd say this was progress… But it clearly isn't… There was an awkward silence amongst the children, one that was broken by Millie.
"Ron, let's go find my parents" Millie said suddenly.
"Your parents?" Ron asked, worried about meeting more strangers. "Shouldn't we wait for Daphne?"
"She won't be around for another hour or so" Tracey added, making Ron cock an eyebrow at her. "Being the heiress of the Greengrass Family is no joke." No it isn't…
"Alright then, lead the way" Ron said to Millie. Millie smiled and did just that, and Ron followed after her. They walked around for a minute and then Millie spotted her parents. She grabbed Ron's right wrist and dragged him towards them, taking Ron by surprise. Damn I'm weak… Millie could probably beat me up…
"Mummy, daddy" Millie called to them, and Ron was shocked to hear her childish tone. "This is Ronald Weasley, my friend." Just friend… no friend and ally? Ron looked at Lord and Lady Bulstrode, and they were an intimidating couple. Lord Bulstrode was a pudgy bald man with beady eyes that looked angry and a thick goatee, and Lady Bulstrode looked just like Millie would if she was a grown-up.
"So this is him…" Lord Bulstrode said sternly. "I've heard quite a bit about you, boy…" MERLIN! I want to bolt!
"It is an honor to meet the Lord and Lady of house Bulstrode" Ron greeted, giving a polite bow to them.
"And well-mannered in our ways…" Lord Bulstrode said with a raised eyebrow.
"Daddy, stop scaring him" Millie whined. Lord Bulstrode looked at his daughter and gave her a nod.
"Forgive my husband" Lady Bulstrode said, her voice was quite gentle and kind. It didn't match her body… "I'm glad to finally meet you, Mr. Weasley. Millie has told us a lot about you, and I must say that I am impressed. Impressed… and grateful."
"Grateful, my Lady?" Ron asked with a polite smile.
"Our daughter is excelling at school" Lord Bulstrode answered for his wife. "She claims that it is because you spend hours tutoring her. Is this true?" Merlin… what do I say to that? I don't want to take the credit for her hard-work… I'll look like a tosser if I do that! But it is true…
"Millie has worked very hard, Sir" Ron replied. "I only helped a little." That was pretty good… Lord Bulstrode smirked at that, and Lady Bulstrode smiled kindly at Ron.
"Well, we thank you on behalf of our daughter" Lady Bulstrode said. "Please, keep taking care of her."
"Mummy…" Millie groaned.
"Don't make that sound, love. It is unbecoming" Lady Bulstrode scolded with a smile. This family… is quite odd…
"I assure you Lady Bulstrode" Ron started. "It is Millie who generally takes care of me. I can be… reckless."
"Reckless?" Millie asked sarcastically. "Down-right stupid if you ask me…" Ron smiled sheepishly at Millie.
"I'm not that bad…" Ron said, forgetting that her parents were watching.
"You got caught smuggling a Dragon through school…" Millie pointed out, a smile breaking out on her face.
"A Dragon?" Lord Bulstrode asked, surprised at that odd fact. Ron looked to Lord Bulstrode and tried to contain his smile.
"Yes, Sir" Ron responded. "Not my finest moment…" It was fun though…
"Oh my, what an odd boy you are" Lady Bulstrode chuckled, and then she pinched Ron's right cheek. Ron blushed at that, and his cheek stung. "Millie has made a fine friend it seems. Don't you agree, Husband?" Lord Bulstrode smirked at that.
"Indeed… It is good to finally put a face to you, Mr. Weasley" Lord Bulstrode said. And then he looked over at someone behind Ron. "Excuse us, Mr. Weasley. An old friend has just arrived." With that, both of Millie's parents walked off to greet their friend. That went well… I think…
"You did great, Ron" Millie congratulated with a smile. "The first time Theo met my father, he made Theo cry!" WHAT?! "Though Theo was only six at the time…" That makes more sense!
"Not going to lie… Your dad is scary" Ron admitted, grateful to still be in one piece.
"No, he is a sweetheart" Millie chuckled, and Ron just gaped at her. Maybe towards you he is….
"Want to join the others again?" Ron asked, and Millie nodded.
"I should warn you, Ron" Millie said as they made their way back. "Pansy also wants you to meet her parents… Her father is quite nice, but her mother… Her mother is an acquired taste…"
"What does that mean?" Ron asked, he didn't want to meet some Pure-Blood fanatic…
"She is… she is obsessed with money and fame…" Millie said as she shook her head. "It's why Pansy stuck around Draco for so long… Pansy was convinced that she needed to act just like her mother taught her to, and I think she even fooled herself… So much so that she became just like her 'dear' mother… And now…"
"Now she is a close friend of mine…" Ron finished for Millie, and Millie nodded. "And I'm not famous or rich…"
"Your fame is debatable, but yes… you aren't exactly rich" Millie agreed, and then she looked him over with a smile. "But you dress well, did you use your tournament money for these?"
"A gift from Lord Black" Ron provided. "He spent an absurd amount of Galleons on my wardrobe."
"Then you need to thank him, how you dress is important at these events."
"I imagine that I will be attending a few more of these in the future…"
"You will" Millie agreed with a smirk, but then she stopped. "Those are Pansy's parents with her right now…" Ron looked at the couple, and he noticed that they were talking with his friends. Lord Parkinson was talking to Theo and Blaise, while Lady Parkinson was talking to Mafloy and Pansy. Pansy looked rather uncomfortable, as did Malfoy… "Just keep you head on straight, Ron. Don't lose you temper… Lady Parkinson has a way of getting under people's skins… Horrible woman." Ron gulped and followed after Millie.
"There they are" Theo told Lord Parkinson, and the man turned around to face Millie and Ron as they approached. Lord Parkinson was a chubby man, but less chubby than Millie's father, and he had a head full of light brown hair that was combed back. Ron also noted that Lord Parkinson was wearing a faint smile on his shaved face, and he looked rather approachable. Ron smiled back as he approached the man.
"Ron, your back" Pansy said with a smile, and Ron didn't miss the frown that Lady Parkinson sent her daughter. "Mother, father… This is Ronald Bilius Weasley, my friend and ally." Ron gave them a bowed greeting with the usual Pure-Blood jargon.
"At least he has manners… I didn't think that the Weasleys had manners…" Lady Parkinson said rather bitterly, and Ron flinched internally. What a bitch… Lady Parkinson was a tall, skinny woman with black hair that was tied in a ponytail. And she seemed to enjoy looking down at him from her beak-shaped nose…
"From what I've heard, Ronald here is quite different from his family" Lord Parkinson said with a smile. "How are you, Ronald? Enjoying the party?" Ron smiled at him, he definitely liked Lord Parkinson more than his wife…
"I am, my Lord. And I am doing well" Ron replied. "How is your evening progressing?" Lord Parkinson chuckled at that, and Lady Parkinson frowned more.
"Quite well, I'd say" Lord Parkinson said with a laugh, and then he showed Ron his empty wine glass.
"Tell us, Mr. Weasley… How have your holidays been?" Lady Parkinson asked with a smirk. "Did you enjoy your stay at St. Mungo's?" What the fuck?! What is her problem with me?! Even Malfoy looked at her with some semblance of annoyance, which Ron found quite odd.
"I did… The staff were kind and the gardens were quite therapeutic" Ron said, barely keeping it together. One more snarky comment, and I'm ripping out my wand… I swear to Merlin… Lady Parkinson was clearly annoyed at his answer because she frowned at him again.
"Come, Husband…" Lady Parkinson ordered. "Let us find more… appropriate company…" And with that, she walked away with practiced grace and her chubby husband ran at her heels like some love-struck puppy… Ron felt pity for Lord Parkinson, no one deserved to be married to such a vile witch. And he felt sorry for Pansy as well, he imagined living with this woman as his mother… Ron shuddered at the thought.
"I'm really sorry about her" Pansy said with a sad smile. "She can be… difficult…" Difficult? Try rude and vexing…
"Not your fault" Ron said, trying to calm down. "Though I'd rather not run into her again…"
"That won't be a problem then, Weasley" Malfoy said with a cold smirk. "I doubt she wants to lay eyes on you again." Ron's friends frowned at Malfoy, and Ron just looked at Malfoy with indifference.
"Then perhaps you should go with her…" Ron said bitterly. "She seemed to enjoy talking to you from what I saw…" Malfoy frowned at Ron, and Crabbe and Goyle narrowed their eyes on him. It was hard to take the gorillas seriously because they had plates full of food in their chubby hands. Now that I think about it, I'm a little hungry as well… "Excuse me, I'm going to go find some food…" Ron said to his friends, and then he went off to go search.
Ron was annoyed, there was no doubt about that. But some food would cheer him up again, he just knew it! He was on his way to a table full of food when Blaise caught up to him.
"Slow down there, Ron" Blaise said in his aloof voice as he approached Ron from behind.
"Blaise? Are you hungry as well?" Ron asked, surprised to see Blaise catch up to him. I can't help but think that he wants to make sure I don't do anything stupid… I'm not that stupid…
"I am actually" Blaise said with a smirk. "Also the girls sent me to make sure you didn't do anything problematic." There it is… "I told them that you wouldn't, but your temper is rather unpredictable." Ron frowned at that.
"I was annoyed" Ron started. "But I was also hungry… I was going to grab a plate and come right back. Where is the faith?" Ron said as he feigned hurt, it made Blaise chuckle.
"Ease up on the melodramatics" Blaise said with a humorous voice. "Also, I'm making your plate of food. There's a few things I want you to try." Ron was taken aback by this, but then he remembered that Blaise loved eating different foods from different countries. So Ron let Blaise make him a plate of food. As they tried different foods, Ron was amazed by Blaise's knowledge.
"This is Tikka-Masala, and it hails from Punjab. It's a Muggle dish" Blaise said with a smile. "Here, try some." Ron did as he was told and he immediately felt the spice burn his tongue and cheeks.
"What the hell, Blaise?" Ron gritted out, and then he drank down a glass of pumpkin juice. Blaise actually laughed at Ron's red face. "Who would eat this?"
"It is a very well-loved dish from what I've read" Blaise said with a chuckle. "You should try everything here… Lord Greengrass tends to enjoy showing off his knowledge on the Muggle world. I doubt you'd see such a selection in any other Pure-Blood party." Blaise then took a spoonful of rice and Tikka-Masala from his plate and put it in his mouth.
"Doesn't that burn?" Ron asked, looking at his own share with trepidation.
"The spice is what makes the dish unique" Blaise explained after he swallowed his food. "And you get used to it…" Ron nodded slowly and kept eating, and by Merlin, it was a painful experience. But he was glad to share this with Blaise, it was enjoyable with his company. After they finished their food, both boys walked back towards the other children. Blaise was carrying a plate full of food for Theo, and Ron smirked at the thought of Theo eating this 'Tikka-Masala'. This is going to be hilarious.
"Finally" Theo muttered as he saw his friends. "I was wondering if you two ditched me here with them…" The girls frowned at Theo, and Tracey smacked his right arm.
"We can hear you…" Tracey said with a frown.
"That was the point, my Lady" Theo said with a smirk, and then he dodged the next smack heading his way. Theo quickly made his way to Ron and Blaise, smiling deviously. That smile fell off his face when he saw the plate of food that Blaise was carrying. "Blaise… I asked for some 'normal' food… What is this muck?" Blaise frowned at Theo.
"This is Tikka-Masala, and it tastes great" Blaise said, annoyed at Theo's comment. "Ron and I had a full plate and we loved it. Tell him Ron…" Time to lie and sell this dish!
"I was wary just like you, Theo" Ron said with his best smile. "But I have to admit, it was fantastic. I'm so glad that Blaise convinced me to have a plateful." Theo narrowed his eyes at the dish, and took it slowly from Blaise. Yes… fall for the lies, Theo… Your mouth will burn… Ron had fight the urge to let out an evil laugh. Even Blaise was struggling to keep his cool, and both boys were keen to see Theo suffer. Theo ate a few bites and he was enjoying it, but then the spiciness slowly started to burn his mouth. And then, it was like an inferno of pain!
"What the fuck…?" Theo said as he exhaled through his mouth. His face was getting red, and his eyes were getting teary. Ron and Blaise looked at him with massive grins, while the girls looked at him with shocked expressions. "Blaise, what the fuck…? Why is this so spicy?!" Theo gritted out, glaring at his friend who was grinning ear-to-ear. Theo then went to put his plate away, but Ron stopped him.
"Nah, nah!" Ron tutted. "We ate a plate each, so you have to eat a plate too!" Ron was doing his best to not start laughing his head off.
"What kind of logic is that?" Theo complained. "I'm not eating this shite…"
"Coward…" Blaise egged Theo, who was taken by surprise. "Ron and I did it… Guess we're just tougher." Theo gaped at Blaise, his tongue and cheeks burning. Was that a challenge? Theo wasn't about to let Blaise show him up… So Theo gritted his jaw and took another bite. And then another, and another. Ron and Blaise just watched in extreme amusement, while the girls begged Theo to stop eating. Malfoy and his goons just watched quietly. Malfoy was… shocked… He had never seen his friends be so… open with their emotions before. This unsettled him greatly, and he knew whose fault it was. Weasley was turning them into simpletons.
By the time Theo finished, he was almost passing out. Ron quickly grabbed him some pumpkin juice from a nearby waiter, and Theo chugged it down in one go. Ron and Blaise had to admit that Theo had impressed them, and the girls were openly congratulating Theo who was smiling proudly.
"Ahem" came a voice from behind them. The group turned to face Daphne looking at them all with a smile. "Enjoying yourselves?" Then she looked to Theo and her smile faltered a bit. "What happened?" Tracey quickly told her everything, and Daphne shot Blaise and Ron a scolding glare. Ron smiled sheepishly at her.
"It was Blaise's idea" Ron said, pointing an accusing finger at Blaise.
"You liar…" Blaise shot back, looking at Ron with shock. "I would never do something so childish. Everyone knows that…" Daphne just scowled at Ron.
"Ron…" Daphne muttered, and Ron was horrified. IT WAS HIS IDEA THOUGH! Ron looked to Blaise, and Blaise shot him a quick smirk. Evil little git… "So, what else did I miss while I was on guard duty?" Daphne asked the girls. They all recounted the events of the party so far, and Daphne nodded along. When they finished, Daphne turned to Ron.
"I'm glad you didn't make a scene" Daphne said approvingly, and Ron felt a little insulted.
"I don't always make scenes…" Ron frowned, and his friends cocked their eyebrow at him. "Okay… fine… I make a few…" The girls giggled at that, and his two best mates just chuckled.
"How are you enjoying the party?" Daphne asked Malfoy and his goons. "I hope everything is meeting your standards…"
"The food is really good" Crabbe said, and Goyle nodded at that. Ron was shocked to see the gorillas speaking in English.
"Thank you, Vincent" Daphne said with a soft smile. "Please have as much as you like. What about you Draco, are you enjoying yourself?"
"It's acceptable" Mafloy said indifferently, and Ron frowned at him. Complete git…
"I'm glad to hear that, please let me know if you need anything" Daphne said with a smile. Why is she being so nice to him? Ron felt a little jealous of Malfoy but he kept his composure. Stupid git Malfoy… "Ron, can you accompany me for a bit?"
"Um… sure" Ron said with a smile. Daphne then turned around and began walking, and Ron caught up to her. "What about the others?"
"I've spent the entire holidays with them…" Daphne said, inwardly frowning that he didn't want to be alone with her. Well she didn't care about what he wanted, it was her birthday today. So he had to do what she said! "Have you seen our gardens?" Daphne asked, smiling slyly at her latest idea.
"Can't say that I have" Ron replied. How could I have possibly seen them? What is she up to?
"Then I should show you" Daphne hummed.
"It's night-time…" Ron said, wondering how they could even appreciate the gardens in the dead of night.
"We have magic…" Daphne giggled. "Come on, I'll show you!" Then Daphne tangled her left arm with his right one and tugged him along. Ron went beet red, mostly from the intimate contact with a girl, but also because Daphne had more strength than him. They quickly made their way out of the ballroom, and exited it through a large door which led them straight into the gardens. "Tada!"
Ron was awed by the size of the gardens. There were gazebos, marble benches, and even a maze just in their backyard. The whole garden was lit up with bright colored lights that were darting about, and upon closer inspection, Ron was amazed to see that they were fairies. As for the flora, well Ron had never seen anything like it. There were hundreds of flowers that Ron didn't even know existed, and there was a large tree in the center of them that had pink petals for leaves. Ron's jaw dropped at the beauty of the gardens.
"My mother takes care of this place all by herself" Daphne boasted. "Astoria and I help of course, but she does most of the work. What do you think?"
"It's beautiful…" Ron muttered, a smile breaking out on his face. A fairy flew past Ron's head, and he could hear the little ball of red light giggling. "Where did these fairies come from?"
"They live here" Daphne said softly. "When we have parties, they come out to play and dance as well. Come on" Daphne whispered, and then she pulled Ron along. He came willingly this time, he was too busy looking around with awe. They walked on a path which led them to a marble bench. Daphne sat down and patted the bench, inviting Ron to sit down as well.
"This place is amazing, Daphne" Ron said as he sat down. I wish we had something like this back at the Burrow… Ginny and Luna would love it!
"Thank you" Daphne beamed, and then she inspected his robes. "You dressed perfectly by the way, this look suits you." Ron felt his cheeks heat up.
"Thanks" Ron said with a grin.
"Don't grin like that" Daphne giggled. "It makes you look really silly when you are dressed in such a well-fashioned manner." Ron kept grinning though, and Daphne snorted from laughter.
"And what was that?" Ron laughed. "A Lady shouldn't snort I'm sure. What would your mother say if she saw that?" Ron joked, and Daphne laughed a bit more.
"She would say the same thing you just said" Daphne said, her laughter dying down slowly. "How have you been, Ron? How are you settling in at home? We haven't seen each other since you went home from the Hospital…"
"I'm doing alright" Ron told her, he didn't feel the need to hide anything from Daphne. She knew quite a bit about him but she never told the others. "Still recovering slowly… But it's happening. I don't even need my crutch anymore, which is great. As for my home… everyone is stepping on eggshells around me. It's annoying…"
"Well, that's to be expected" Daphne said with an understanding nod. "You did almost die…"
"Ugh… not you as well…" Ron muttered, and Daphne frowned at him.
"Letting people worry for you isn't a form of weakness… Stop being such a stubborn goat, Ronald" Daphne scolded, and Ron was taken by surprise at being called a goat.
"A stubborn goat? Really?" Ron said, a smile playing on his face.
"Yes, a goat! A red-furred stubborn goat" Daphne said seriously, and then she began sniggering. Ron laughed at the odd description.
"How about the party? Are you enjoying yourself?" she asked Ron. "Other than the thing with Lady Parkinson, that is…"
"This party is great" Ron replied honestly. "This is probably the grandest birthday party that I've ever attended."
"Well, it is my birthday" Daphne boasted with a sly smile. "So it was to be expected."
"Careful… you almost sounded like Malfoy for a second" Ron said jokingly.
"I resent that" Daphne chuckled. "I'm actually surprised to see him behaving himself for once. Usually he draws a crowd and tries to show off constantly. But today he is… subdued…" What a tosser… "I can't say the same for my sister though… She has been acting more like a monster rather than a lady… Especially after she came back after guiding you to the group."
"She is a handful…" Ron said, remembering his conversation with the younger Greengrass daughter. "She kept wanting to know what I got you for your birthday, care to explain that?"
"That's an odd habit of hers…" Daphne sighed. "She likes to find out what people got for their birthdays or for Christmas before they do… And then she tells them in order to ruin their surprise…" That's just plain evil…
"Well, it's a good thing I didn't tell her then…" Ron said in relief.
"She was shocked" Daphne said with a soft smile. "She is used to getting her way… She wouldn't stop talking about you." Daphne frowned at that, but she quickly shook out of it. She herself really wanted to find out what Ron had gotten her. "So… what did you get me?" Daphne asked slowly. I guess I should give her the bracelet now… I mean we are alone, so it won't be too embarrassing. Ron reached into his inner robe pocket and pulled out the box that contained it.
"Here, I got this from a certain jeweler" Ron said mysteriously, and Daphne went wide-eyed. She took the box and undid the wrapping carefully, which Ron found rather amusing. Ginny ripped her wrapping away like a little beast… Daphne uncovered the box and opened it, and she let out a loud gasp at the sight.
"Ron…" Daphne whispered, her voice shaky. "How did you know about this bracelet?" She beamed at the gold tennis-bracelet with the dark sapphires. Ron smiled ear-to-ear. SUCCESS! Thank you Martin!
"Martin told me that you liked it quite a bit" Ron explained. "So I bought for you! I hope you like it."
"I love it!" Daphne exclaimed. Daphne then took the bracelet out carefully and put it around her left wrist. She was having trouble with the closing the clasp with one hand, so Ron decided to help. He leaned forward and did the clasp with his own hands, and he missed Daphne going red in the face.
"There" Ron said as he finished sealing the clasp. Daphne then looked at the bracelet around her wrist and smiled happily. "It looks great on you" Ron complimented, glad that she was loving her gift. Daphne went even redder in the face.
"Thanks…" Daphne said softly, smiling at Ron. There was a short pause between the two, and Ron felt butterflies in his stomach. He didn't know why he suddenly felt so weird… or why they had both stopped talking and were just looking at each other. Daphne broke the silence after a few long seconds. "We should… go back inside…" Daphne said softly. What just happened? It got weird between us for a bit… Just like that time right after Christmas Holidays… When she hugged me…
"Sure…" Ron said, and then he stood up and offered her his gloved hand. She took it with a faint smile, and then the two of them made their way back quietly. Once they were inside, they quickly found the others.
"There you two are" Tracey said with a smile. "Your mother was looking for you, Daphne. You shouldn't keep her waiting…" Daphne nodded at that, and just like that, she was gone… Did I do something weird? Merlin… I need to talk to Sirius…
"So…" Theo said with a smirk. "Enjoy your alone time with the heiress?" What…?
"I did" Ron answered honestly, but it took the wind from Theo's sails.
"Ugh… can't even poke fun at this moron" Theo groaned. HEY!
They all talked to one another for a bit, and Ron couldn't help but feel like he was being watched by a lot of people. And then, Lord Greengrass approached the group and stood right behind Ron.
"Ronald, may I speak with?" Lord Greengrass asked with a kind smile. Ron turned around and gave a short bow.
"Of course, my Lord" Ron said politely. "Please lead the way." Lord Greengrass led them to the gardens, and Ron's stomached tightened over an unknown reason. What's wrong with me? Am I worried about my conversation with Daphne? I shouldn't be… Nothing happened!
"What do you think of the gardens, Ronald?" Lord Greengrass asked with a faint smile. "This is my wife's pride and joy. Not counting our daughters, of course."
"It is an astonishing place, my Lord. When Daphne first showed me…" Ron was cut off by Lord Greengrass at that.
"My daughter showed you this place already?" Lord Greengrass asked, his tone humorous. I'm so fucking stupid!
"Um… yes, my Lord" Ron answered sheepishly, going red with embarrassment.
"Don't be shy, Ronald. I know that you two are quite close. She barely even spoke when you were in your coma, and now her life-force has returned to her. Your friends share a similar pattern to hers… You have established yourself well, but you could still do better."
"Better?" Ron asked, confused at where this was going.
"I imagine that Slytherin house will be quite pleased with you next year…" Lord Greengrass went on as if he was talking to himself rather than with Ron. "They should be, considering that you won them the seventh House Cup. But I must warn you, certain things are in motion Ronald. Things that will cause you many problems…"
"Problems, my Lord?" Ron asked, getting worried. Why did he bring me out here?
"Your father…" Lord Greengrass sighed, and then he turned to Ron with a serious look. "Your father is attempting to pass a law called the Muggle Protection Act, and as he is the head of the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts Office, it will most likely pass within a couple of days." Muggle Protection Act? What does that have to do with me?
"My lord, I don't understand…" Ron started but was cut off by Lord Greengrass.
"The law proposes thorough searches, or raids, on the homes of wizards and witches in order to find any dangerous artifacts… And their primary targets will be Pure-Blood families, including my family. Though I have nothing to hide, many other families are not so innocent… families like the Malfoys, or the Notts." Theo's family?
"You must take care this upcoming school year, Ronald" Lord Greengrass continued. "Do not give anyone any reason to doubt your loyalties to Slytherin, or you will become a target. And so will your friends, including my daughter. Do you understand me? I will not allow any harm to befall my daughter, and I will order her to keep her distance from you if it comes to it…" Distance?
"I… I understand" Ron muttered, looking down at his feet. He himself didn't want his friends to be targets…
"I'm sure you won't let it come to that" Lord Greengrass said in a kind voice, and then he placed his hand on Ron's left shoulder. "Keep your head up, Ronald. Never lower your head, or people will think you weak." Ron did as he was told. "I am simply warning you as it is my duty to look after you now." Ron gave Lord Greengrass a confused look.
"I have spoken with your father" Lord Greengrass continued with a smile. "On August the fifteenth, I will come to your house with an employment contract. Your father and I have worked out all of the details, and now you simply have to sign this contract. Then, you will be officially listed as my apprentice."
"What does the contract entail?" Ron asked, feeling relieved that this was finally happening.
"It is quite simple" Lord Greengrass explained with a faint smile. "You will come to Greengrass Manor every Saturday for practice, and do not worry about your school because they will allow you to attend. Simply ask Severus, and he will send you to the manor. I will teach you how to better your game, and take you under my wing in other matters too. I will also personally sign you up to play in different tournaments. Some of them will be grand and others will be minor, but we must spread your name. If you wish to be invited into the more 'exclusive' scene, then you need a reputation."
"Furthermore" Lord Greengrass continued, and Ron listened intently. "You will be paid, by me, at the start of every month. Your father and I have worked out your payment plan, you will earn fifty Galleons a month. I think that is more than fair for someone your age. You will also keep all of your winnings and trophies. You may donate those trophies to your school, I'd recommend that. I will also grant you a token of our noble house, and it will work to show others that you are allied with the Greengrass Family. Is this all satisfactory?" Ron just blinked as he processed all of this information. He was more than happy with all of this, but he wanted to know what Lord Greengrass truly gained from this.
"And you gain prestige, reputation, and things of that variety?" Ron asked slowly. Lord Greengrass smirked and nodded at that.
"You will wear a uniform designed by me when you attend the tournaments" Lord Greengrass stated. "A uniform that will display the colors and coat of arms of the Greengrass Family. It will establish my presence at these events when you win." A uniform… Merlin it better be long-sleeved…
"Is the uniform long-sleeved?" Ron asked, and Lord Greengrass shook his head slowly. Damn it… "Can you please make it long-sleeved…?" Lord Greengrass was taken aback by this request.
"Is there a particular reason why?" Lord Greengrass asked, the uniform was already designed and made… Ron shuffled his feet and contemplated on what to do. I have to tell him now… or everyone will know when I attend the tournaments… Ron pulled the sleeve on his right arm back and showed Lord Greengrass his scarred arm. Ron was looking down on the ground, so he missed Lord Greengrass' mouth hang open in horror. Lord Greengrass quickly regained his composure, but he was still shaken internally. What could leave such scars?!
"It was the Dark Lord…" Ron lied, talking more to himself rather than with Lord Greengrass. "My right hand is also…" Ron trailed off, it felt so… uncomfortable. Like he was naked… It made his skin crawl…
"I will have a new uniform made" Lord Greengrass said clearly, and then he covered Ron's arm. "One with gloves…" Ron smiled gratefully at Lord Greengrass who smiled back sadly. "Do your friends know of these?"
"No…" Ron muttered. "Not even my siblings know… Please don't tell Daphne."
"I will not betray your trust, Ronald. Our partnership requires absolute trust if it is to thrive. If you ever need to talk or need advice, I expect you to come to me first. Is that understood?"
"Yes, my Lord" Ron said with a smile.
"Good" Lord Greengrass said with a kind smile, and then he guided them back to the party.
Ron stumbled through the fireplace of the Burrow in an absolute daze. Right before he had parted ways with the Greengrass Family, Daphne had given him a kiss on his right cheek. It had… it had stunned him into a silly state.
"You're home" came his mother's voice, and Ron looked to her. The adults were all still in the living room, and they were drinking wine…
"Hello" Ron said lamely, still reeling from the kiss. It was really soft… why did she do that? I mean Tracey kissed my cheek once… but this was… different… It lasted longer too…
"There's some food on the dining table if you're hungry" Pandora cooed, her cheeks red from drinking.
"Wait…" Remus said, narrowing his eyes on Ron's face. "Is that lipstick?!" Sirius grinned widely at the sound of that, and all the adults looked at Ron in shock.
"Um… Daphne…" Ron stuttered, quickly covering his right cheek. The adults broke into cheers and giggles, and Ron's face almost melted from embarrassment. Ron ran out of the room and right up the stairs, pushing the limits of his speed like never before. He could still hear them laughing and whistling, and it was the most mortifying thing Ron had ever experienced…
AUTHOR'S NOTES: Sorry to those who wanted to see Lockhart, but he will be in the next chapter. I felt the need to lay ground-work for characters like Ginny and Lord Greengrass! This felt like the perfect way to do it, mainly because the events of second year aren't bearing down on Ron yet. So next chapter will be the last chapter of the Holidays Arc!
See you all soon!