How Fifth Year Changed My Life

How Fifth Year Changed My Life

Fifth year. I must say that despite its problems, it was an amazing year for me personally. I know this may sound crazy, but I learned a lot about myself. As cheesy as it may seem, I realized this year that being me, that being Ron Weasley, is pretty damn cool.

It's not so secret that all my life, I have been overshadowed. First it was by my brothers. The amazing athletes, the prefects, the Head Boys, the jokesters, the popular, good-looking ones. Then, by my best friends. Harry and Hermione. The most famous person in our world, and the top girl in our year. I felt like I was always the weakest link, a mere afterthought. I felt like nothing. I felt pitied. I felt like a person without a personality of my own, as if my personality was just formed from a piece of each of theirs. After all, no one on the outside ever asked me questions about myself, it was always someone else, someone who they deemed more of their time with me than, well, me. I became bitter, and it wasn't healthy. It made me feel a little better to get upset at first, but later, I would be more miserable than ever. Those weeks in fourth year when Harry and I weren't speaking were the worst of my life. And somehow, though I don't know how, I felt even worse when Hermione and I had a spat over her going to the Ball with the famous Viktor Krum. All of that changed fifth year, and this is the story of how.

In mid-July, I received an owl from Hermione.

Dear Ron,

How are you? I am well, though the holiday is beginning to seem a bit long, isn't it? I know you're probably thinking I feel that way because I miss the lessons, but well, I miss you. Harry too, of course, but you know that no one can make me laugh like you, not even Fred and George (by the way, how's the joke shop coming?).

Hope to see you soon!

Hermione

I read the letter once, but was afraid to read it again because I was worried I'd read it wrong, She missed me? There were several things that startled me about the way I felt after this letter, it didn't feel like much to in a sense "beat" Harry as something, it just felt so good to know Hermione missed me, and that I made her laugh. I wrote back right away.

Dear Hermione,

I am well also. I miss you very much as well, and it cheers me to know how positively hilarious you find me, I never knew. I reckon Mum will let you come and stay soon, though she'll have to check with Dumbledore about Harry, she asked recently and he seems to want him to stay with the Muggles. Wonder why.

Your Friend,

Ron

P.S. Have you gone to visit Krum at all?

Dear Ron,

Honestly, you never knew I found you so funny? I would have thought it was utterly obvious. And no, I did not visit with Viktor, and I do not plan to. I can explain why some other time. I would love to come and stay. Harry's birthday is in a week and I'd love to do something special for him. I write him often, but his responses are usually short, and almost cold. I know he doesn't mean anything by it, there is still a lot of stuff he needs to sort through yet.

Love Always,

Hermione

Dear Hermione,

Dumbledore says Harry shouldn't come at all until a week before term starts. You can come whenever you like though. It's very quiet around here. I reckon it frightens Mum a bit. Bill and Charlie won't be able to make it home at all this summer, and Dad and Percy may as well live at the Ministry. Fred and George are working at Zonko's for the summer, and somehow they came up with enough money aside from their wages to live near the shop. Mum wasn't too keen on that idea, but now she would rather have them there than wanting to work for the ministry. Next she'll be after me to find some direction. So anyway, it's just Ginny, Mum, and I except for the 6 or 7 hours a day Dad and Percy manage to spend at home, which of course is devoted to sleep. Ginny spends a lot of time in her room and asks to borrow Pig a lot, don't know what that's about. If you come over for Harry's birthday, we can have a little party in his honor and then write to him about it. He's been rather short with me as well. If he had someone to confide in I wouldn't worry so much, if he could confide in the Muggles, or someone else even...But I'm sure he'll get over Cedric's death at least in due time.

See You Soon!

Ron

Dear Ron,

I've lots to say, but I'll be arriving on the afternoon of the 30^th. We can talk then.

Love Always,

Hermione

I wasn't quite sure how it would be with Hermione there. One thing is for certain; I was NOT used to living in a house with virtually only three women. It turns out, the apprehensions I had weren't unfounded. The rest of the summer would be an interesting journey.