Love's Battle Revisited

Chapter 9 - Ron's Discovery

Of course, with Harry being Harry, his good luck couldn't last forever. It was basically a minor thing which made Ron Weasley aware that his erstwhile best friend and the latter's mate were back ... but it was a major thing for him, especially considering what all he had endured on their account. And what's worse, Luna had aided and abetted him! He didn't blame the children, of course; they weren't responsible for their parents' perfidy, but that didn't make it any easier for him to endure their presence. Wasn't it enough that Harry and Hermione had lied, covered up, made a fool of him and Ginny, and not only that, their whole family and everyone who ever loved them? And now to learn that Luna had in essence been harbouring the children of that ill-fated relationship in his very own home!

He watched, silently seething the whole time, as Luna played with the girls, and gradually their eye colour changed, not to mention their hair colour. Luna had been too occupied with her playtime with the children to notice that the Disguising Charm was wearing off.

"Luna!" he called to her in a voice which summoned her immediately to his side.

"Yes, my husband?"

"Is my suspicion correct? Have Harry and Hermione returned?"

"What makes you say that?"

"I just saw the girls you're babysitting change hair and eye colour. They're Harry and Hermione's children, aren't they? ... Aren't they?" he demanded, hands ready to shake the truth out of her if she didn't answer immediately--and be damned to the fact that his own children were within earshot.

"Ron, don't blame the children for what their parents did. Harry needed someone to look after them. He and Hermione split up recently and he got custody of their children. What did you expect him to do with two nine-year-old girls--leave them home alone while he's working? Whatever else Harry Potter is, he's a good father and loves his children!"

"May I remind you, dear wife, that we have two children of our own that need your attention just as much?" Ron retorted.

"I've never neglected our children, not for a moment. You should know that," Luna threw back. "Besides, Harry's paying me to look after his girls, so I don't have to pester you for spending money."

"And I suppose you think that makes it perfectly all right to harbour them in our home? Bloody hell! Didn't he take enough away from me without putting living reminders right before my eyes?"

"Didn't you hear what I said earlier? Harry and Hermione split up. They're divorced. As in not together anymore. In fact, he's begun seeing Ginny again." Luna knew she was taking a risk telling Ron this in his present emotional state, but she had to at least try to get the fact of Harry and Hermione's marriage breaking up through her husband's thick head.

"What?! That effing bloody bastard! I'll hex him into next year! He's put her through enough without trying to worm his way back into her good graces again!"

"It's all right, Ron. He's reconciled with your folks and they're okay with the relationship. If they can accept it, you can, too. Besides, he was your best friend for six years. Do you intend to throw all that away because of one mistake?"

"Was is right," Ron almost spat, ignoring everything else Luna said. "What about Hermione? Has she been welcomed back into the fold, too?"

Luna had never heard such a mixture of pain and bitterness in anyone's voice, but had to tell him the truth. It would only be worse if she didn't and he found out by accident later ... just as he had this time.

"From what I understand, yes ... at least to a degree."

"What do you mean, 'to a degree'? Either she is or she isn't."

"She doesn't have free run of the Burrow. Neither does Harry. They have to call ahead, make sure it's safe to come and/or bring their children."

"Safe?" Ron shot back.

"That you're not around. It's done for your sake."

"You mean, it's done to keep me from killing them both!"

"Nothing you do now can change what's happened, Ron," Luna entreated. "No one knows what you've been through better than I do, and Harry knows how I feel about the whole matter. That's why I didn't name names to you when I originally accepted the responsibility of looking after the girls, because I knew you'd go ballistic."

"So you just expect me to forget all the hell they've put me through, all their lying, cheating and covering up? I spent years in an alcoholic rehab clinic because of what they did and had to have just as many years of counseling for depression. Even now, I take antidepressants!"

"I know, my love, and I don't blame you one bit for feeling as you do, but you've got to at least try to forgive them and put the last ten years behind you. If you won't even try, you're no better than you believe they are."

"Bloody effing hell!" Ron swore. "Has everyone around here gone stark raving mental? These people have lied, cheated, covered up, made fools of us all ... and you expect me to forgive? As if nothing ever happened, as if neither of them ever meant anything to us? For that matter, how could Mum and Dad possibly forgive what they've done to us? And you ... it's obvious you've been just as brainwashed by their lies as the others. What may I expect next? Are you going to leave me and run off with Harry, too?"

"Don't be ridiculous! I love you, Ron ... only you!" Luna insisted. "Not even Harry could make me feel any less for you!"

"'Mione claimed to love me too, and look what she did," he reminded her bitterly. "That does it. You're going to tell Harry tomorrow that you can no longer look after his children. I have no intention of being used any further!"

"He's not 'using' me. I'm doing this willingly."

"You're my wife. What's done to you is done to me ... and the children of that--mésalliance have had the hospitality of my home for the past month without my knowledge. If you don't end this fiasco now, I will--and if I have to step in, it won't be pleasant ... to put it mildly!"

"But Harry's got no other child care option," Luna protested. "And if I stop now, I lose the money he's been paying me."

"Damn it, woman, what do I have to do to get through to you? I don't want those children in my house anymore!"

"Beloved, I can understand your grievances with Harry and Hermione, but don't take it out on the children. It's not their fault they're here. If you don't want them in the house, I can take them elsewhere for a couple of hours. The only problem with that is that our son has taken a liking to them. If he can't see them anymore, he's going to raise holy hell, and he's got the same kind of temper that you do! And I can't leave little Molly alone, so she'll have to go with us."

"All right, all right! If it's that important to you, keep doing it. Just do it where I don't have to see them!"

"Gladly," Luna returned. "Now, if you'll allow me to owl Harry and explain the situation ..."

"Go ahead," Ron sighed. With that, he threw up his hands and whirled around to head in the direction of the kitchen, yanked open the door of the fridge and grabbed a bottle of Ogden's, charming it open and beginning to drink. Luna didn't keep any more than a few bottles around at any one time, and kept them under a Locking Charm, but he knew how to unlock it. Besides, it was enough for him to get good and sloshed, because Ogden's had a high alcohol content, being 100 proof. Maybe with any luck, he'd pass out and forget this waking nightmare, at least for a while.

* * * * *

Luna sat down immediately at her desk upon leaving the room and told Harry everything, particularly the changes that had to be made, not to mention her fears that this could provoke a renewal of Ron's heavy drinking, thrusting the envelope under Pig's beak and almost literally throwing him into the air to send him off.

* * * * *

Harry had had a bad feeling all day during his classes despite his sweetly memorable interlude with Ginny on their mutual break, and when Pig showed up during his teaching of the sixth-year DADA class, his fears were confirmed, especially when he read Luna's letter after class let out. He should have known things were going too good to last. He could only hope that this wouldn't make Ron start drinking again; he had enough on his conscience without that. He could even tell that some tears had fallen onto the parchment since there were wet splotches in various words here and there, although he got the gist of what she said.

Harry, Ron found out about your children. We argued, and he made me promise not to have the girls in the house anymore after I insisted that I intended to continue my care of them. I know you need my help, Harry, Luna had written. Just the same, I don't like the risk I took in not coming clean with my husband regarding my care for your children to begin with. Ron didn't take the news at all well in regards to your and Hermione's return, not to mention your dating Ginny, and I'm afraid he might have a relapse of his heavy drinking.

I make sure not to have too many bottles of Ogden's around, and keep them under a Locking Charm, but that wouldn't necessarily stop him. You know how determined he is when he really wants something. If he has any money and sufficient motivation, he's likely to Apparate to the Three Broomsticks and start drinking there. If he does that, I don't know what I'm going to do, because I need to stay here with the children. I love him, Harry; I don't want to lose him. If worst comes to worst, can I call on you for help? If only for the sake of possibly renewing your friendship with him, I hope your answer is yes.

Your friend always,

Luna Lovegood-Weasley

Harry sighed heavily and laid down Luna's letter. Merlin, if that didn't lay the proverbial heavy guilt trip on him, nothing did! If Ron had a relapse of his alcoholism, Harry knew he would only have himself to blame. All the same, he knew he would be glad to help if Luna needed him--if only for the chance to reconcile with Ron. He scribbled a quick reply and sent it back with Pig after giving him a treat, if only to give Hedwig a chance to rest. Best to be prepared for the worst, so he sought out Ginny and told her to contact the elder Weasleys in order to have as much help available for Luna as possible.

* * * * *

Luna got up from her desk and sent Pig out with her letter to Harry, wiping her eyes with her plain white but violet-scented handkerchief upon standing up, intending to apologise to her husband for snapping at him, even though he had started it. Ron was under a lot of pressure and didn't deserve her defying him. What he needed was her loyalty and support; Merlin only knew what he must think of her now. She headed back to the living room, unaware of the nasty surprise awaiting her there.

"Ron? Honey? I'm sorry for snapping at you. How about we go out to eat, then come back for a romantic evening together after putting the kids with your mum?" At the doorway leading into the living room, Luna stopped, frozen in her tracks with horror. Ron was sprawled on the couch, unconscious, mouth open and snoring--and reeking of liquor, the six bottles of Ogden's she generally kept under a Locking Charm scattered on the floor next to him.

Nothing she did roused him, not even the Ennervate! incantation. Just the same, she felt for his pulse and knew he was alive, just dead drunk--and he was far too heavy for her to manoevre alone. She needed help ... and fast! The last thing she needed was for the children to see him like this. She did all she could, cleaning up the floor near him and covering him with a blanket, stating a quick Scent-Masking Charm before heading to the fireplace and Flooing Harry, first at his classroom, then if he wasn't there, at his home.

Her head popped into his classroom fire, but she didn't see him anywhere and there was no response to her repeated calls, so she backed out and tried to Floo him at his home. "Harry! Harry!" she called frantically.

However, it was one of the girls who responded. "Luna, what's wrong?" Helen asked.

"Is your daddy home, honey? I need his help," Luna told her.

"He just got here. I'll go get him. Be right back." The girl smiled reassuringly and left the room.

Moments later, to Luna's relief, Harry came running in a short time later, Helen on his heels, his forehead creased with concern when he saw the look on Luna's face and the tears on her cheeks. "Harry! Thank Merlin! I need your help! Ron ... He's ..."

"What's wrong, Luna?" Harry asked.

"I had just sent my letter to you and had intended to suggest to him that we go out so he could forget his troubles, and I found him passed out on the couch, dead drunk. I did what I could, but I can't move him alone, and we need to get him to St. Mungo's right away."

"I'll be right there, Luna. Meanwhile, see if you can get Fred and George to come help." Harry then turned to his daughter. "I don't like leaving you and your sister here alone, love, but Luna needs me. Do you think you'll be all right until I get back?"

"Of course, Daddy. We'll be fine. Just put a Locking Charm on the door."

A short time later Harry was ready to Floo to Ron's after a quick kiss and hug for both his girls and admonishments to not answer the door under any circumstances or approach the fireplace unless it was him or someone else they knew well. "Take care, darlings. I'll be back as quick as I can." Then Harry was gone after throwing Floo powder into the fireplace, stepping into it and calling out his destination.

* * * * *

Once he arrived, he found Luna standing over her unconscious husband in tears; when he stepped up beside her, she threw herself into his arms. "Oh, Harry, I'm so glad you're here! This is just what I was afraid would happen. You've got to help me!"

Harry held and comforted her, beginning with patting her on the back. "Easy, Luna. I'm sure everything's going to be fine."

Just then, Fred and George popped in, taking in the scene before them with frowns and a shake of their heads. "Stupid git. He should have known better," the former remarked as he and George each took one end of their unconscious sibling and prepared to Disapparate with him to St. Mungo's. They smiled and acknowledged Harry, who was still trying to comfort a distraught Luna. "Mum and Dad are on their way; they'll meet us at the hospital, Harry. So glad you came. We're going to be busy and Luna's going to need a shoulder."

With that, all of them Disapparated out, popping back in in front of the hospital, where a concerned Arthur and Molly were waiting, as were a mediwizard and witch with a stretcher. All followed the medical team in to the Alcoholic Rehab clinic upon entering the hospital, Harry and Luna following the elder Weasleys and the twins. To Harry's shock and pleasant surprise, Ginny came running up and threw herself into his arms upon their arrival at the clinic.

"Harry! Is Ron all right?" she asked with concern upon releasing him.

"He's alive. Just dead drunk and out cold," he assured her, one arm around her and the other around Luna as the medical team went to work on Ron to get him sobered up again.

"What about your girls? Aren't they alone?" Ginny asked with concern. "Do you really think that's a good idea?"

"I put a Locking Charm on the door. That's the best I could do."

The next thing out of Ginny's mouth, neither of them expected--but Harry appreciated it very much, nonetheless. "Would you like me to go and stay with them?"

Harry frowned with concern for all the ladies he loved. "I don't know. You've not officially met them yet."

"Maybe it's time I did. It wouldn't be any trouble. There's just one condition."

"Name it."

"Kiss me goodbye--and spend the night with me tomorrow night. It'll be Saturday. We can put the girls with Mum."

"You've got things all planned out, don't you?" Harry teased with a sly wink even as he slid an arm around her waist before whispering to Luna that he'd be right back. Once they were out of sight, the two lovers melted into each other's arms for a lingering kiss, each moaning softly at the intimate contact. "Oh my God, Gin, don't tease me. Saturday's far enough away as it is."

"Sorry. Just impatient. Let's get back to the fireplace and call your girls now," she purred, nuzzling his ear and smiling when he shivered.

In moments they were there; again, Helen seemed to be the one pulling sentry duty. "Helen?" Harry called.

"Daddy? Is Uncle Ron all right?" she asked. Harry had always referred to Ron as his brother in all but blood in his girls' hearing, so it wasn't any surprise that Helen would refer to him as she did.

"I think he will be. He just needs some help. Which reminds me ... I have a friend of mine who's willing to look after you until I get home. Not that you can't take care of yourselves, but it'd make me feel better for her to be there. Is it okay?"

"I suppose so," Helen agreed, somewhat unenthusiastically but she didn't argue. "Is the lady next to you your friend?"

Harry nodded and smiled. "Yes. Her name is Ginny, and she's Ron's sister. I'm sure you'll get along fine." At the other end, Harry whispered to her, "Let me know how it goes."

Then Ginny called, "Harry Potter's quarters!" after throwing some Floo Powder into the fireplace and stepping into it, the heatless flame instantaneously transporting her to Harry's quarters and his daughters. Even as she left, she wasn't sure she was doing the right thing, but better sooner than later. She also made a mental note to do all she could to see that Harry met their Lily at the earliest opportunity, especially if this meeting with his and 'Mione's girls went well. Draco probably wouldn't be too pleased at her wanting Harry to meet their Lily, but she could deal with him. What mattered was that they each got to know their children from their other relationships.