Iuga Sortis III: The Beginning

Nine

How in the hell is it mid-December already?

They'd just ended the last Quidditch practice of the term, and he was glad for it. He felt as if the school year just started, while at the same time, years had passed since they boarded the train to begin seventh year. Surely a lot had happened since then--most notably the attack on Hogsmeade and Malfoy's "death."

The attack still had many of the students reeling, though it happened almost two months ago. Initially the students had been upset when the Halloween trip was cancelled and even considered going to Hogsmeade on their own. It took a firm Dumbledore to threaten expulsion if any student did, but after Hogsmeade's attack, the students finally understood the gravity of the situation. There were some who lost family members in the attack, and faculty members, along with some counselors, helped the students grieve. Ron was among the lucky ones, for he didn't have anyone who fell in the attack. He felt guilty and sad his sister couldn't make the same claim.

When Draco had been pronounced dead, it was as if someone sucker punched Ron with a two-by-four. Death was a foreign concept to him--even when Sirius died. For better or for worse, Malfoy was a central piece in his world, even if he was a bullying prat. The prospect of never hearing Malfoy call him a Weasel came with dread instead of relief as he thought it would. Death was too permanent, and he didn't wish it on Draco, no matter how annoying the git was.

But now, that didn't matter, for Malfoy was alive. No one would tell Ron how it happened, but he knew it had something to do with Nia Roberts. He was secretly glad of the news; his sister was happy again. She'd been deathly quiet during Malfoy's death, and he could not comfort her. For those two days, she spent every waking moment by Malfoy's side, and the hollow look upon her face broke his heart. While in the grand scheme of things two days was nothing, for Ron it might as well have been two decades. It was good to see her smiling again, even if it took Malfoy's resurrection to accomplish the feat. Of course Malfoy was still the same git he always was, but now it seemed more for sport on his part than actual malice.

He didn't know what to make of it.

"Ron!"

He saw his sister approach, and he smiled, opening his arms to hug her. She went into his arms willingly, and he just held her for a while. It had been too long since they had sat and talked without worrying about Dark forces and premonitions. He admitted to himself he missed his baby sister and knew he would never see her that way again. But the woman she'd become more than made up for that part of his life. She was indeed lovely, growing into herself and the role she was supposed to fulfill flawlessly. Though to this day he still didn't fully approve of her life mate, there was only so much he could do against fate. Draco was good to her, and in the end that was the most important thing, but the minute the blonde so much as breathed wrong, Set would be the last thing the Slytherin would have to fear.

"You don't have any training to do?" he asked, his eyebrow raised. They separated and began to make their way to the castle. Everyone else had already left the pitch for dinner, and Harry said he'd save them a seat.

"No. Jamilah thought we deserved a break after all we've been through. We won't have to pick back up until after the New Year," Ginny said breathlessly. "Two whole weeks to relax . . . it feels good to be just Ginny Weasley again."

Ron snorted and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. "You were never 'just' anything, love. You've always been special, even before this reincarnate business started."

She beamed at him, and his heart swelled. "Thank you, big brother. I needed to hear that, especially after--"

It was still hard for her to talk about--the death of Draco. It didn't matter that he was alive now; Ron knew Ginny thought he shouldn't have died in the first place.

"How's he doing?"

She smiled at him and nodded. "Fine. Just fine. After he fainted when he awoke, it was as if nothing happened. Physically he had a clean bill of heath and is even better now than he was before then."

"Well . . . what did happen?"

Ginny shook her head. "I don't know, but he's been awfully tight-lipped about his experience--not that I blame him anyway. I can't talk about being possessed by Voldemort all that freely, so why should I expect him to be forthcoming about his brush with the Dark Lord?"

Ron scowled and looked ahead of him. Everything that bastard touched turned to ash, and he hated Voldemort all the more for it. However, they were just like phoenixes--Harry, Ginny, and even Malfoy--for they came out of it better than they entered. In a sense, it was a double-edged sword--baptism by fire--but the fewer people who had to endure it the better.

"Anyway, enough about me. How are you, darling brother of mine?"

He scowled at her, and she giggled, not at all intimidated by his surliness. Why should she be? She'd seen and experienced much scarier beings than Ron. He sighed and shrugged. "Nothing much, just wondering where the year went."

She made an inelegant sound. "I don't care where it went. I'm just glad it's over."

"Only a semester left until we leave. Aren't you going to miss your big brother when I go?"

Ginny rolled her eyes but grinned. "Like you'll ever give me a moment's peace! I'm sure you'll figure out ways to always be around to 'check up on me.'" She put the last bit in air quotes, and he smiled. Of course he'd check up on her; she was at the top of Voldemort's list after all! She'd be at Hogwarts without anyone--not even Malfoy--and it left her vulnerable.

"I worry for you, love. You're the only sister I have."

"Don't worry; I'm sure you'll have plenty of sisters-in-laws to even things out a bit," she said happily.

"They don't count," Ron muttered.

"I wouldn't let Fred hear that if I were you," she murmured.

He stopped dead in his tracks, despite the fact the cold had begun to creep in now that they'd finished exercising. "Say that again?"

"He wrote me to say he was going to ask Angelina to marry him."

Ron was happy and nervous at the same time. He liked Angelina--a lot, even despite her, er, determination on the Quidditch pitch. If anyone could make Fred serious for more than two seconds, it was she. But for a minute, he thought Ginny knew something more than that.

"How do you feel about it?"

"Love Angelina! She's been like a big sister to me all this time anyway, so why not make it official?"

"My sentiments exactly!" He bit his lip, wondering if he should tell her what was on the tip of his tongue. Why the hell not? She's my sister anyway! "What do you think about Hermione being one of those sister-in-laws?"

She stopped walking, but Ron kept on, allowing a grin to form on his face. He'd expected that reaction, but not the next one, when she squealed and launched herself on his back. He let out a grunt at the force of her body weight and staggered a bit, before readjusting her to rest more comfortably and securely. Ginny hugged his neck tightly and kissed his cheek. "YES! YES! YES!"

"Oi! It's not like I'm asking you to marry me!"

"Not for all the galleons in Gringotts!" she laughed.

"Thanks!" he pouted.

"But she would for free!"

He couldn't help the blush creeping up his cheeks. "You think so?"

"I know so. She loves you, Ron! Madly! Then again, she would have to be mad to be in love with you."

He snorted and tickled the backs of her knees, causing her to squeal and jerk on his back. "I'm mad, am I? I'm not the one who's in love with a ferret!"

"Ferrets and Weasels have a lot in common," she said in defense as she kissed his cheek.

Ron rolled his eyes and shook his head. "You are cousins."

"Not even close enough for it to matter," Ginny said, patting his cheek condescendingly. "In a way, we're all related anyway--we had to start from one man and one woman."

"Thanks for that lovely reminder," he said with a shudder. He couldn't think of Hermione as even remotely related to him, not with all of the fantasies he'd been having of late. This time he shivered.

"Are you cold?" Ginny asked in his ear. "Hurry it up! Nia's not out here, and quite frankly, she couldn't make it warm if she wanted to--Jamilah would kill her!"

Ron chuckled at her sudden bossiness but kept his pace. He rather liked the brisk air hitting his cheeks, and the stars were starting to make their nightly appearance--much like they did in Hermione's eyes whenever she looked at him.

He scowled again. That thought was much too sentimental for his liking.

"So when will you ask her?"

He shrugged as he climbed the steps to the entrance hall. "I don't know. Christmas seems so cliché that I don't want to do it then, but then again, it's the most wonderful time of the year. Besides, I don't really want to make a grand production out of it."

"You haven't told the twins, have you?"

He snorted but blushed. "I'm not daft, woman!"

She squeezed his neck again before sliding down his back. "Good! They would've told the whole of wizarding world by now! Anyway, thanks for the ride! We haven't done that in a long time."

"Well, you're much heavier now than you were when you were six," Ron said wryly.

Ginny punched his arm before she wrapped her arms around it and leaned into him. "I didn't have a care in the world then."

He hadn't either. It was funny how much could change in a decade. The Dark Lord was back with reinforcements, fear was commonplace, and now the school was on lockdown. If he didn't have his friends, Ron knew he would've been committed to St. Mungo's long before now. "We'll come out of this," he promised Ginny. They had to; there was too much at stake for them to lose to You-Know-Who and his gits. He planned to have Hermione as his wife and his own Quidditch team plus alternates. No Dark Lord or washed-up god with a vendetta would stop that from happening.

His stomach began to rumble as the aroma of dinner tickled his nose. Ginny patted his belly and snorted. "It's like holding a carrot in front of a horse, I tell you!"

"You're lucky I love you, or you would've seen a nasty hex coming your way," he muttered.

"And I would've dissolved it without batting an eyelash, babe. Don't mess with Nephthys," she said with an arched eyebrow.

He brought his free hand around her neck and hugged her tightly. "You maybe be Nephthys to the rest of the world, but you're still little Ginnykins to me!"

She tickled him, and Ron let out an embarrassing giggle as he loosened his grip. Ginny stuck her tongue out at him and ran into the Great Hall. He growled at her cunning as he followed her; she'd been spending way too much time with the Slytherins.

True to his word, Harry saved seats for them. As was customary, Ginny and Harry had an unobstructed view of the Slytherin table, leaving Hermione and Ron to face them. He'd caught on to this trick earlier this year but didn't say anything. Even he admitted it was a clever move.

Ron gave a loving kiss to Hermione's cheek, uncaring she was mid-bite on her turkey leg. She rolled her eyes and chewed, but he was pleased to see her cheeks take a rosy color.

"I was just telling Hermione about our new play. I think we'll be able to get the Slytherin team good," Harry said as Ron sat down.

Ginny snorted. "Draco's not going to take whatever we throw them lying down. I'm sure they'll have a few tricks up their sleeves."

"Illegal ones," Ron muttered. Ginny glared at him, and he blew her a kiss.

Harry smirked at the exchange and shook his head. "Regardless, I'm sure this game is as good as won."

Hermione looked smug. "Of course it is; you are the best Seeker this school's ever seen--no offense, Ginny."

She shrugged. "I'm a Chaser, anyway, but I'd like to remind you I helped the Gryffindor team win the cup my fourth year, thank you very much."

Harry tapped her with his elbow. "No doubt studying my moves."

Ginny gave a half smile and quirked her eyebrow. "Actually . . . it was more Malfoy's style, really."

The pumpkin juice Ron was drinking went down the wrong pipe. He coughed, and Hermione patted his back to help clear his windpipe. "Don't ever say that!"

Ginny looked at him with innocence in her eyes. "I didn't say anything wrong!"

He looked at her, aghast. "You practically admitted to watching Malfoy since your fourth year!"

Ginny rolled her eyes. "Oh, honestly, Ron! That's not a crime. Besides, he's a damn good Seeker!"

"Not as good as Harry!" Ron shot back.

"Please . . . guys . . . you're embarrassing me," Harry said, his cheeks tinted red. Ron noticed some people at their table looking at them with amusement and curiosity. He glared at Ginny and resumed his dinner. The four ate in silence as the rest of the hall chattered.

"Oi, Ginny!" Dean yelled from Ron's right.

She spared Dean a brief glance. "Yeah?"

"Is that Roberts girl single?"

Ron watched Harry scowl and look to the Slytherin table. Harry's gaze softened slightly before they turned hard again as he looked back at Dean. Ginny's eyes darted between the two men, and she answered cautiously, "Yes."

Dean looked behind him and grinned. "Good."

Harry calmly put his fork down, giving Dean his undivided attention . . . whether the other boy asked for it or not. "And why do you care?"

Dean shrugged. "I was thinking about asking her to the dance."

Oh yeah . . . that . .

There was to be a New Year's Eve dance that year, to make up for the lockdown they were experiencing. Ron couldn't blame the faculty for keeping them all at Hogwarts; after the destruction at Hogsmeade, everyone was on edge--even the parents supported the decision to keep them there. The longer the students were safe from Voldemort and his lunacy, the better off everyone was. Hermione told him it was actually Malfoy's idea. The Yule Ball was fun, but no one, not even arrogant Malfoy, wanted to have to dress up in nice robes and such, so it was a much less formal affair.

But a dance was a dance, and the most important thing about a dance was to have a date. Ron was glad he already had his first choice.

"Why ask her? She's a Slytherin!"

Dean rolled his eyes. "So what? She's gorgeous! Look at her, Potter; don't tell me you haven't noticed! I'm surprised some Slytherin bloke hadn't snatched her up yet--"

Harry's scowl deepened. "She's not a fish, Dean. She's not for anyone to snatch!"

Dean nudged Seamus' shoulder. "I guess no one's thrown her a good 'line' yet!"

The boys laughed at Dean's barb, but Harry was unimpressed. Even Ron rolled his eyes at that one.

"I would appreciate it if you'd stop talking about my friend that way," Ginny said through clenched teeth.

"And if you even think about asking her to the dance, I'll make what I did to Malfoy in fifth year seem like a pat on the back," Harry said, throwing down his napkin and stomping off from the Hall. They all watched his progress until the door closed behind him.

Ron had never seen Harry so . . . possessive before, not even over his Firebolt! It was then he knew it was time to have a little chat with his best friend.

"Great job, Dean!" Ginny suddenly exclaimed, handing the older boy some products from their brothers' joke shop.

Dean grinned as he took them. "Thanks, though there wasn't much acting on my part--she's beautiful! If I didn't know what I know, I would ask her."

"Not after that threat though, eh, mate?" Seamus laughed.

Ron looked at the boys incredulously before turning to Ginny. "That was all a setup?"

Ginny shrugged unapologetically, looking mighty pleased with herself.

"Ginny!" Hermione said in admonishment, though Ron could hear the hidden admiration in her tone.

"Oh, c'mon, Hermione! You know he needs a little push to get off his arse. He should take her to the dance!"

Ron looked at his little sister in disappointment. "You tricked Harry, made him jealous, all so he could ask Nia to the dance?" Ginny nodded, looking mildly ashamed. "And you didn't even tell me?"

Ginny smirked. "You'd blab to him. Couldn't risk it; could've compromised the mission."

He stared at her with reluctant awe. "You're spending too much time with the Slytherins."

"Strategy is not a Gryffindor's strong suit, you have to admit."

He shrugged. "You know Harry's going to get you back for that."

"He can do that after their wedding . . . speaking of which," she said with a wink, looking pointedly between him and Hermione. Ron thought if Harry ever planned his sister's demise, he'd be more than happy to assist with the arrangements.

"Who's getting married?" Hermione asked. Ron looked warily at his sister and kicked her shin.

"Ow!"

"Are you all right?" Hermione asked kindly. Ginny glared at Ron but offered a smile to Hermione.

"Yeah, I'm fine . . . some of my brothers are thinking of popping the question," Ginny said, none too vaguely.

Hermione's eyes sparkled as she looked to Ron. "Really? Who? Tell me!"

She was entirely too beautiful, he mused as he stared at her. There was no way a bloke like him deserved a woman like her, of that he was sure. He noticed Ginny look at him with rapt amusement, and he scowled. "Fred," Ron mumbled, shoving shepherd's pie into his mouth.

Hermione squealed, and he grinned at his girlfriend. Rarely did Hermione show her girly side, but when she did, it was endearing. "When? Oh, that's wonderful news!"

Ginny laughed and held out her hands to placate the excited girl. "Wait a minute! He hasn't asked her yet, but I'm sure no woman could reject the Weasley charm." Ginny looked at Ron pointedly, and he had half a mind to do away with her himself.

"Don't I know. He had me at 'Ron Weasley,'" Hermione said with a wink towards Ron. The look of unadulterated love Hermione sent his way made him reconsider plotting his sister's downfall.

"When did Hermione have you?" Ginny asked, very annoyingly. He didn't know what was going on with his sister, but it was as if they were five and six again, and she was asking questions she knew would get him in a pickle.

"That's all right, Ginny. He doesn't have to answer. We're together now," Hermione said, but he heard the mild disappointment in her voice.

He glared at Ginny and looked at his plate. When did Hermione have him? He could say from birth, but he didn't even know her then. Or he could say when she went to the Yule Ball with Vicky, but that was when he decided to admit it to himself. No, he knew exactly when she had him.

"When Neville said you were in the girls' bathroom crying because I had teased you . . . then the troll. That's when I knew. You even took the fall for us, despite the fact I'm the one who put you in harm's way. I knew then there would be no one like you."

He said it all while looking at his plate, and he felt his cheeks go red. A wet, soft sensation grazed said cheeks, and he looked up to see a smiling Hermione.

"I love you," she said sincerely.

He didn't understand his sudden shyness, but he looked down at his plate again. Those eyes, those brown eyes he'd come to search for during the past seven years, did a number on him every time he saw them. He couldn't imagine his life never seeing those eyes again, and he wanted them to be the first thing he saw in the morning and the last thing he saw at night.

Hermione Granger would be his wife; that was a guarantee.

"I love you, too, Hermione."

She kissed his cheek again and returned to her dinner. Ron returned to his as well, but the forkful of food never made it to his mouth. He regarded the fork and the food on it for a moment. He needed nutrition to survive, to live. He would die without it. He sneaked a glance at Hermione and thought of the similarity she had with the food. Ron made a face, well aware the thought was unromantic, but he couldn't deny the basic commonality between Hermione and food. He remembered when he told her she was his drug after the battle in the Department of Mysteries. In a way she was, an addiction he never wanted to end, but she was also essential to his life--just as food was. Of course he could survive without her, theoretically, but it would be like he was given a Dementor's Kiss if she was ever taken from him.

My . . . that's a morbid thought!

"Are you going to eat that sometime this year, Ron?" he heard Ginny ask with a hint of amusement. He glared at her before putting the fork in his mouth. Beside him, Hermione let her fork clatter on her plate, and she stood abruptly.

"Where are you going?" he asked her, his mouth full of food.

She gave him a distasteful look before looking at Ginny. "Malfoy and I have to go over plans for the dance. Where do you want him to meet you for rounds?"

"Library's fine," Ginny said before sipping from her glass.

"Since I'm sure you're going there to study," Ron muttered as he looked at her incredulously. When Ginny wasn't training, in class, eating, or practicing Quidditch, she was usually with Malfoy. Though he was sure nothing like that happened yet, regardless that he had no way of knowing, he still thought they spent entirely too much time together.

Besides, there was no way his baby sister would lose her virginity before he did!

Ginny quirked an eyebrow. "We are . . . anatomy, in fact . . ."

Hermione gasped in disbelief, and Ron blushed even as he glared at his sister. Malfoy had an entirely bad influence on his sweet, innocent, little sister.

Right. And You-Know-Who is the Easter bunny . . .

"I hope you mean from a book," Hermione said warningly as she gave Ginny a slight frown.

Ginny's eyes darted past him, and Ron knew she was staring at Malfoy. "Does the Kama Sutra count?"

Ron felt himself turn green. "The pictures in that book move!"

Suddenly two pairs of brown eyes were upon him--one set amused, the other bemused. "How do you know that?"

Ron shrank in his chair at their question, hastily putting more food into his mouth. He would never admit he took Hermione's studying habits to heart and studied the book in the Restricted Section. He'd overheard Fred and Sirius talking about it during the summer, and he wanted to see for himself.

The pictures moved . . .

"Wipe that grin off your face, Ron! You are unbelievable!"

"Ouch!" he yelped, scowling at his girlfriend, who tapped him none too gently on the shoulder. Ginny snickered across the table from him, and he stuck out his tongue.

"Real mature, Ronald. I'm sure that'll bring you that much closer in trying to practice what you read in the book," Ginny said, her thumb and forefinger an inch apart. Ron glanced at Hermione, making sure she was as red as he was.

He wasn't disappointed.

"Let's hope you haven't had any 'practice,'" Hermione accused.

Ginny didn't bat an eyelash. "Like we'd need it."

Ron's mouth dropped open, and his eyes widened. "Virginia Anne Weasley!"

Ginny rolled her eyes and stood. "Oh fine! I'll be a good girl now. I'm going upstairs to shower anyway."

"Alone!" Ron added with a frown.

His sister merely laughed and nodded towards Hermione. "I'll walk you out?"

Hermione glanced Ron's way and shrugged. "I'll see you in the common room?"

He nodded and presented his cheek to her. Hermione rolled her eyes, yet grinned as she bent and kissed his cheek. Ron smiled and watched two of the three women he loved most in the world leave the Great Hall.

And hopefully . . . all three will be Weasleys.

He'd need to borrow Harry's invisibility cloak, so he could get off Hogwarts grounds and Apparate into Diagon Alley. Hogsmeade was still in the process of rebuilding, and none of the stores were ready for business.

What time did Fred's letter say we should meet? I guess I'll have to go upstairs and check it, then.

He downed the rest of his juice before getting up to leave. He was so wrapped up in his thoughts he didn't notice someone follow him.

"Answer her when she's talking to you, Weasel."

Ron gritted his teeth, ready to spew expletives when he turned and found Nia in his wake instead. He turned his head back in his original direction to see Malfoy smirk and give him a mock salute.

"Git."

"And today he was bein' nice, too," Nia said wryly.

Ron snorted. "One would think having a brush with death would make a bloke nicer."

"He is nicer. You should hear the stuff he calls you when you ain't around."

"That brings peace to my mind," Ron said dryly.

"It should. He actually calls you Ron."

That was the last thing he'd ever expect Malfoy to call him, and he didn't know what to think about that. "Does he now?"

Nia snickered. "Heck no! But he don't call you Weasel no mo'--we upgraded to Weasley, now. I think that's a step, don't you?"

Ron's cheeks burned, angry at himself for falling into her trap . . . even if it was set up properly. "Is there a reason you wanted to speak to me?"

The humor in her eyes transformed into worry and concern. "Is Harry all right? He left the Hall in a mighty hurry."

He looked at her through slightly narrowed eyes. "What's it to you?"

She stepped back from him and held her hands up in a sign of surrender. "Well, jeez! Didn't know a friend can't be concerned for a friend. Shoulda known betta to ask you in the first place--"

"What are your intentions towards him?"

"Are you his mama?" she asked, placing her hands on her hips.

He felt himself blushing a bit. "No, but I am his friend. And if this is some sort of cruel joke you and Malfoy have concocted, it needs to end now. Harry's endured far more hurt than any decent human should, and I wouldn't be too kind to you if you add on more for him."

The fury in her golden eyes softened after his speech. "He has been hurt too much . . "

"You won't hurt him, will you?"

Nia didn't respond right away, and Ron's heart began to beat fast. He wasn't as thick as he had been when it came to him and Hermione; he knew his best friend had feelings for the girl before him, and unless he was completely dense, she had feelings for Harry as well.

"I will hurt him," she finally said, resigned.

He definitely didn't expect the admission, but he couldn't help the swell of anger that came forth. "You Slytherin scum."

"It will be for the best," she said dazedly, completely ignoring his outburst.

Ron was confused. "How could hurting Harry be for the best?"

Nia shook her head and hugged herself. "It won't be because I don't love him that I hurt him . . . it'll be because I do."

Ron sucked in a breath and stared at her in awe. He had a feeling it was the goddess in her talking that way, and he was afraid of the implications her prophecy held. "Nia?"

She blinked her eyes before looking at him, offering Ron a small smile. "I just want Harry to be happy, Ron. Tell him to buck up and find a nice girl to take to the dance, okay?"

His confusion deepened, and he shook his head to clear it. "But--bu--"

She lifted her hand to still his words, her expression wistful. "Tell Fred Angelina's awfully fond of opals--that's her birthstone."

It was the second time his mouth dropped open. "How did you--"

Nia laughed. "He wrote me a letter asking for advice. Looks like you'll be seein' more of me wetha you wanna or not."

"Better you than Malfoy," he muttered.

She snorted. "Then you'll really be in a pickle. You know he plans to marry your sister."

He growled. If he were completely honest with himself, Ron would say Malfoy and Ginny already acted like a married couple. Nia's prediction only confirmed his worst nightmare. "And when will this marriage take place, hmm? She still has a year left at Hogwarts!"

Nia shrugged. "She'll be of legal age in June . . ."

Ron sighed and ran his hand over his face in frustration. "I won't allow it."

"And as I said, you won't have anything to say about it. You know Malfoy, and you know Ginny. They do what they want and when they want--consequences be damned."

Ron did the mental math and groaned. Today was December thirteenth, and in exactly six months, his baby sister--the youngest Weasley--had the potential to become a Malfoy. He thought he was severely close to having a coronary.

"But then again, I'm just speculating. Maybe Malfoy will die again."

That comment snapped him out of his trance, and he scowled at her. "Don't say that."

Nia smiled, and Ron felt he got suckered again. "Oh, Weasley, I didn't know you cared."

He gritted his teeth again and tried to contain his blush. "I care about my sister's happiness, and, whether I like it or not, the ferret git makes her happy."

"Good; we have something in common, then. So leave them alone." She attempted to walk past him, but he gently grabbed her arm. Nia looked at him, half annoyed, half curious. "What?"

"I care about Harry's happiness as well."

"Once again, we have something in common."

He opened his mouth, yet hesitated. She admitted she would hurt Harry, but Ron decided it would hurt his friend more if he didn't say this. "I think you could make him happy." She sucked in a wild breath, and her golden eyes went wide. He offered her a small smile, and Nia turned quickly, going to the dungeons.

Ron chuckled as he made his way to the Tower. Her reaction all but confirmed his suspicions--the young Slytherin was in love with his best friend. He understood her hesitation and realized they would have a hell of a lot more trouble than any other two people would. Two of the darkest forces in the world wanted them dead, and for them to come together--publicly or not--could spell disaster for the wizarding world. In a sense, Nia would hurt Harry--because she wouldn't be with him. But as she said, it was because she loved him that she would deny him. If Nia didn't care about Harry at all, she would have no qualms about being with him, thus putting Harry in danger.

Harry's a lucky man . . . and so am I.

That was the type of thing he could see Hermione doing, but Ron would be too stubborn and selfish to allow her to. As it was, he was trying to get her to stay with him forever now!

He approached the portrait and said the password quickly, intent on getting his money, cloak, and Harry's invisibility cloak, making sure to leave a note before he did. His mother taught him manners, after all.

He took the stairs to the dorm two at a time and slammed the door open, though his bluster came to a halt when he saw Harry holding a letter in his hands, staring at it almost blankly. "Harry?"

The other boy did not acknowledge his presence. Harry's hands trailed over the parchment as if it were a sacred writ. Ron dropped his belongings silently on the bed before sitting beside Harry. Neither boy spoke for a few moments, and Ron directed his eyes anywhere but at the letter. If Harry wanted him to read it, he would.

Harry let out a small chuckle, and Ron looked at him in surprise. "What?"

Harry's green eyes sparkled with a bit of mirth, and he smirked. "Aren't you going to ask who the letter's from?"

Ron shrugged lazily. "I reckon if you want me to know, you'll tell me."

Harry grinned and nodded, looking at the letter again. Ron didn't force him to say anything, willing to wait out the other boy's contemplations.

"Remember . . . remember back in first year when we first saw the Mirror of Erised?"

Ron snorted. He remembered it all right. "I'm not the Head Boy."

"And I don't have my parents . . . not physically anyway . . "

Ron quirked an eyebrow and looked at his friend. "How do you mean?"

Harry tilted his chin toward the letter. "This letter? It's from my parents. Read the date on it."

Ron did so, aloud. "October 31, 1997?" Harry nodded but did not say anything. "But that's impossible! They died when you were one!"

"But that's the day Draco died as well."

Realization slammed into Ron like a tidal wave. "No way!"

Harry shook his head and shrugged. "I keep thinking maybe this is some sort of cruel trick by Malfoy . . . but I--I can feel my parents in this letter. I know it's authentic and genuine, and I'm...I'm overwhelmed."

"Draco Malfoy met your parents?"

Harry snorted. "So unfair, I know."

"Did he give you the letter himself?"

Harry shook his head. "Nia gave it to me . . . she got a letter as well--from her mum."

Ron understood what that meant. "So it's definitely real. Draco loves Nia; he'd never hurt her like that." He couldn't believe he said something remotely civil about Malfoy, especially when it didn't concern his sister, but he could no more deny the affection between Draco and Nia than he could his love for Hermione.

"It's real, and it's them. This letter is them--sixteen years after they first died."

Ron was silent for a moment, and he grasped Harry's shoulder firmly. "Do you want to talk about it?"

Harry shrugged again. "As soon as I find the words to describe how I feel, I'll let you know."

"When did she give you the letter?"

"Right after Malfoy woke up . . . I couldn't read it until a few weeks ago, after a training session . . . Nia saw my parents die again."

Ron looked at him in surprise. "What do you mean again?"

Harry sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "We do link exercises during training, and she's been able, at times, to see my parents die--as in, what I saw when I was a year old."

Ron was amazed, his mouth opening and closing a bit before he could find his voice. "Well, has she told you what she's seen?"

Harry shook his head. "Not that I can really blame her; there's a reason I suppressed it in my subconscious all those years ago."

"But you have a right to know!"

"The question is, does it matter? They're dead, and they're going to be dead long after she tells me. You know, she has no idea why her mother died."

Ron shook his head in disbelief. "Must be hard . . . not having the closure. I hope to Merlin I never experience something like that."

"I hope so, too, mate. But this letter, it gave me closure, as much closure as I can get. I don't need to hear what Nia has to say right now. This brings me closer to my mum and dad more than anything I could've possibly dreamed."

"What does it say?"

Harry smiled. "They are proud of me. I never knew how much that simple statement could mean to me. Dumbledore says it often, but it's not the same as hearing your own parents say it."

Ron nodded. He knew how important it was to have his mum and dad's approval, regardless of how pushy his mum could be. He wanted them to be proud of him, and though he made mistakes, he felt confident in them because he knew, no matter what, Molly and Arthur Weasley would be proud to call him a son. "I'm proud of you, so are Hermione, and my sister, and the whole of the wizarding world."

Harry snorted. "Even the Death Eaters?"

Ron smirked. "Especially them. You can't possibly convince me they really want that wonky man running the wizarding world?"

"Well, one has to be wonky in order to follow the wonk."

Ron chuckled and ruffled Harry's hair. "When did you get so profound?"

Harry laid his letter carefully on the nightstand before tackling Ron in a headlock. "I'm a reincarnated god! Of course I'm profound!"

The wrestled good-naturedly, and Ron was glad they could just be silly for once! All of this doom and gloom really put a damper on everyone's spirits--none more so than Harry's. To see him have a little bit of fun made Ron feel much better.

Until Harry pinned him to the bed, that was.

"Damn training," Ron muttered.

"Does a body good, don't you think?" Harry smirked.

Ron mocked Harry and kneed him none too gently in the stomach. The black-haired boy made an oof sound and rolled off him. Both boys were sprawled on Harry's bed, staring at the canopy above it. He and Harry only had one more term left of staring at these canopies before they went to sleep, and if Ron admitted it to himself, he was all for the change. He'd rather see a bushy-haired Head Girl before he fell to sleep, anyway.

"Harry?"

The other boy sighed deeply before answering. "Yeah?"

It was Ron's turn to sigh. "May I borrow your cloak?"

It was a while before Harry answered. "You're a prefect, Ron."

Ron smiled at that. He knew Harry said that merely as a disclaimer--just in case Hermione started in on him for whatever mischievousness Ron would do. He desperately hoped it wouldn't come to that.

"That's right, mate," Ron said with a nod. "A prefect who plans to ask the Head Girl to marry him."

This time Harry didn't answer at all, and Ron frowned. He propped himself on his elbows to look at Harry. There was a rather large grin on his face, and Ron felt his own lips pull to match it.

"Really, mate?" Harry asked at long last.

"Not a force on earth will stop me," Ron said, his blue eyes twinkling.

Harry shot up and tackled Ron with a hug. "That's great, mate! My two best friends getting married!"

Ron laughed and patted Harry on the back. "I haven't asked yet, which means she hasn't said yes yet!"

Harry pulled back and looked at him incredulously. "Do you honestly think she'd tell you no? She's not daft! She loves you . . . then again . . "

Ron pinched Harry's side, and he cursed, shoving Ron on the bed as he stood from it. "That'll teach you to bad-mouth me!"

"It was just a little pinch!" Harry said, even as he rubbed his side.

"I learned it from my mum! Why else do you think Fred and George run away from her hands?"

"They have low tolerance for pain," Harry deadpanned.

Ron opened his mouth to retort, then shut it. It was true; Fred and George could be really big babies when they got hurt, especially when it came to their mum. One would think with all the explosions they encountered, they'd withstand pain better. Then again, there was no explosion that could compare to Molly Weasley.

Speaking of Fred . . .

"Forget them! Can I borrow your cloak or not?"

Harry raised his eyebrows. "I don't know if I should--after all, you did pinch me rather hard."

"Please, Harry, it's important."

He regarded Ron for a moment. "When do you plan on asking her?"

Ron smiled. "New Year's Eve . . . the anniversary of our first kiss is actually Christmas, but New Year's is the beginning of change . . . and next year, there'll be change for the better."

Harry looked mildly surprised. "I wouldn't think you'd be the kind of bloke to remember those sorts of things."

Ron looked at him smugly. "Don't be jealous because I have a girlfriend with whom to remember 'those sorts of things!'" Harry's face fell at the barb, and Ron realized how insensitive he made have sounded. "Harry . . . I'm--"

"Telling the truth," Harry sighed as he sat on the bed again.

"Doesn't make it less insensitive."

Harry offered him a small smile before looking at his fingernails. "One would think a bloke who's met and survived Voldemort could ask a girl to a dance!"

Ron bit his lip, and his brows furrowed. His mind drifted to the conversation he shared with Nia earlier. "Maybe . . . you shouldn't go to the dance at all."

Harry looked at him incredulously. "What?"

"Am I correct in assuming you'd want to go with Nia?" Harry blushed but nodded affirmatively. "And don't you think people would find it odd you're taking, for all intents and purposes, the best friend of your sworn school enemy?"

"I don't care about that--"

"You should care. People are watching your every move, Harry, especially now, after that attack on Hogsmeade. You know they're looking for Nia. What better way to present her to Voldemort and the rest of the Dark Side than by going with her?" The look of disappointment on Harry's face tugged at his heart, and he wished his friend didn't have to catch most of the bad breaks in life. Suddenly chuckling could be heard, and Ron looked at Harry with curiosity. "What's so funny?"

Harry's smile was wistful, yet slightly amused. "Hermione's had a good effect on you, mate. Seems some of her cleverness has worn off on you."

Ron gave a half-smile. "That can't be good; means she caught some of my daftness."

"Believe me, mate, it's a good thing. Balance is good. Ying and yang, that sort of thing."

"And what's more ying and yang than a Slytherin and a Gryffindor, hmm?"

Harry snorted. "The two Houses are more alike than we care to admit."

"That may be, but the approach is different. We go in, wands blazing, for courage and bravery at all costs. Slytherins are slick and cunning, abandoning ship at the first sign of trouble. A healthy balance of that can make one unstoppable."

Harry quirked an eyebrow. "And who's being profound?"

Ron smiled and crossed his arms at his chest. "I had a discussion with Nia before I came up here . . . talking to her made me realize it."

Harry bit his lip and looked at his hands again. "Oh?"

Ron glanced at the ceiling before looking at Harry. "It seems probable she's not going to the dance, either." He saw when the proverbial light bulb came on in Harry's head, and they shared a grin. "Follow me?"

"Down the yellow brick road," Harry said, jumping from his bed and going through his trunk.

Ron got up as well and gathered all the necessary items for the trip. "Eh?"

Harry shook his head and waved the comment away. "Never mind, mate. It's from a famous Muggle movie . . . Ask Hermione about it; she's probably read the book, too."

"No doubting that," Ron muttered. Suddenly something very heavy draped over his head, and his body gave a bit under the weight.

"Better hurry and leave before Hermione gets back. Even if you're invisible, she'll probably find you and then never let you leave," Harry said wisely, then waved and gave him a wink.

"Good call, mate, and thanks!"

Harry nodded. "You helped me; why shouldn't I return the favor? Besides . . . you'll let me see the ring first, won't you?"

"Not before me," Ron said, his tone teasing.

Harry shook his head and closed the trunk. "See you later, mate."

Ron waved, though he knew Harry couldn't see it, and left the room. His steps were light as he left the common room and eventually the castle. He walked a few meters beyond Hagrid's hut to the very edge of the Forbidden Forest. He shuddered slightly, remembering second year and his brush with Hagrid's "pet" spider.

"Bloody nightmare," Ron muttered before pulling out his wand. He closed his eyes and concentrated on his destination, and with a pop, he left the Forbidden Forest.

Unfortunately, he was greeted with a sight he knew to be forbidden.

"AAAH!"

"What the bloody hell!"

There was much shouting and screaming going on, and Ron whimpered, closing his eyes and turning away from the sight. It was done so quickly he slipped on a gag banana peel--guaranteed slippage of whoever stepped on it.

Ron barely registered his fall, so great was his shock. One should never walk in on his brother doing . . . things with his girlfriend--even if it was on the checkout counter of their joke shop after closing.

"Who's there?" his brother bellowed as he pulled up his pants.

Ron was crouched in a corner, rocking back and forth as he chanted, "Take me to a happy place," over and over.

"Ron?"

"I'msorryI'msorryI'msorry," he murmured, his mantra changing once directly addressed.

"You're supposed to meet Fred upstairs, you tosser! You need to learn to read letters more thoroughly," George said, extremely irate about being...interrupted.

Ron got over his embarrassment and glared at his brother. "And you need to learn to find a bedroom!"

"Where's the fun in that?" George said with a wink. Ron shuddered and Apparated to the twins' flat, which was above the joke shop.

Fred was sitting on the sofa, his elbows on his thighs as he cradled his chin. He looked up when Ron popped into the room and grinned. "Hullo, Ronniekins."

"You're a complete waste of human space, and you're a great big, pratty git."

Ron knew he read the letter correctly, which stated to meet Fred in the joke shop. His brothers merely had twisted minds.

"I take it you didn't like my surprise?" Fred said in mock disappointment.

Ron rolled his eyes and huffed. "It's times like these when I wonder what god I cheesed off to make me the younger brother of you two."

"Cheesed off? Ronnie, you should consider it a blessing!" Fred said as he stood and gave his brother an enthusiastic hug.

"That's a view," Ron said dryly, his head bobbing back and forth from Fred's rough shaking.

"And what a lovely view it was, wasn't it?"

Ron shoved himself out of Fred's grasp and glared at his older brother. "You're such a pain."

"The very 'such a pain' who is helping you buy an engagement ring for your beloved. Don't think you want to make me mad, mate."

Ron settled for another glare and sighed. "Where are we going?"

"Actually, to a Muggle shop. I've already converted the galleons into pounds--we get more for our money in the Muggle World."

"But doesn't wizard jewelry have--"

"Relax! It's better if you get the gems raw anyway; you can personalize your spells, and the charms last longer and are more effective. Jamilah and Nia are going to help us with it," Fred said, patting Ron's shoulder.

Ron stared at a stain on the carpet and burrowed his eyebrows. "Speaking of Nia . . she said go opal."

"Angel's birthstone--good call. I'm gonna love having her as a sister-in-law!" He transformed his robes into a Muggle coat, and Ron followed suit. "Ready?"

Ron nodded, and they both Apparated in front of a Muggle jewelry store.

"Nia also says Draco and Ginny plan to marry soon after her birthday." He grinned evilly and walked inside the store as he heard the desired reaction from Fred.

"I'm gonna hate having him as a brother-in-law!"