Scattered

Ron stood stock-still, gaping at his older brother. He felt Hermione press up against him, saw Percy put an arm around Penny and move forward to the table where their mother sat, her face blank and white. Ginny was edging into the Hall warily, while Bill stepped around them all and went straight to stand at their father's side. Ron felt the gentle pressing of Hermione's hand, pulling him inside as well. He followed, still feeling oddly numb.

He hadn't recognized Fred. He'd looked right at him and wondered who the thin, gaunt-looking bloke talking to his father was. He'd even felt a bit impatient, wanting to share the best news of his life with the two people he loved most... well, the two people who weren't Hermione, of course. He'd seen Dean Thomas, and Padma, and he'd felt some surprise at their arrival, but he still hadn't put it all together until their mother had spoken, and called her son by name.

Fred looked so changed, far more than anyone else. Everyone came to the island tired and worn, some more than others, most overcoming their exhaustion with the exhilaration of coming home. That Auror, Shacklebolt, who'd come in the other day -- he'd looked like hell, that was for sure. His wife and son hadn't looked much better. And no wonder; Hermione told him they'd been practically living in a basement for a month. But even they hadn't looked as bad as Fred did now. He was thin and his skin was pale. His voice sounded rough. His hair seemed dimmer. He just didn't seem at all like the brother Ron had always known. Fred had always been the more diabolical of the twins by far, the most daring, the wildest, the funniest, though just by a little. Really, it wasn't that Fred was better or greater than George: he was just a little bit more. Ginny had said once, with a snort, that that summed up Fred in a nutshell -- just a little bit more than the rest of the world.

Hermione stood on tiptoe and pressed her mouth up to his ear. "Ron?" she whispered.

He turned and met her eyes, letting out a breath he hadn't known he'd been holding and put his arm around her. "I didn't recognize him," Ron admitted, burying his face in her hair.

She hugged him briefly in return. "I didn't either, for a second. He looks so old, really. Poor Fred." She sighed and took Ron's hand firmly in hers. "Come on."

As they'd whispered together, Bill had been speaking to Fred calmly, his voice too low to hear more than a few feet away. Ron and Hermione approached the table where his mother sat and she gave them a shaky smile. Hermione sat in the chair beside her, with Penny on the other side. Percy stood behind her chair; he shared a worried look with Ron.

Ginny appeared at Ron's side. "What's going on?" she whispered fiercely. "Why are they fighting?"

"I don't know," Ron replied, frustrated. He wanted to talk to his father, but he, Bill and Fred were still locked in discussion. Amos Diggory was with them as well, though hanging back slightly. "Maybe Dean knows," he added.

Their former fellow Gryffindor was looking a bit better, having worked his way through a large piece of chocolate. He gave Ron and Ginny a tired smile and shook Ron's hand.

"Welcome home, I guess," Ron said.

"Thanks, mate," Dean replied. "Wasn't sure we were ever going to make it here. Not that Padma or I knew where 'here' was. I just figured we had to be headed somewhere. You know? I'm babbling," he said, shaking his head. "Sorry. I'm bloody exhausted."

"It's okay," Ron told him. "Do you know what in hell's going on, though?"

"Fred wants to leave right away," Dean told them. "It's all he's talked about for weeks. He said the second we were safe, he'd go looking for George. I mean, I don't blame him, if it was my brother... I'm sorry, it is your brother. Merlin, I'm tired," Dean said again. "What I mean is, Fred wanted to go from the first, but he explained to us it wasn't safe, that there were too many other people involved. But that's why he waited so long. That's why we didn't leave the safehouse until three days ago. He wanted to be last. Because now, he says, there's no reason he can't go."

Ron frowned. He couldn't say he disagreed with Fred. If everyone was safe on the island now -- everyone except for Harry, Hagrid and Moody, but that was a different story -- then there was no reason not to go looking for George now. Right now.

He spun around and took three long strides to his father and brothers. He gripped Fred's arm, causing his older brother to turn towards him. "You're right, Fred," Ron said firmly. "We need to go find George. I'm coming with you."

Fred stared at him blankly for a few moments, his face, once so expressive, completely devoid of emotion. "No," he said finally, quietly, "you're not. As I've just explained to Mum, and Dad, and Bill, I'm going alone."

"Don't be daft," Ron shot back. "That's ridiculous."

"No, it's not," Fred said, his voice even and low. "It's safer for one person to be out there, going into these places, asking around, than it is for two." He ran a hand over his face, his voice dripping with restrained anguish. "And on top of everything else, Mum doesn't need to worry about more of her sons than necessary."

Ron couldn't think of what to say. He looked at Bill, who sighed and looked away. He looked at his father, whose gaze had not left Fred's face until now, when he turned to share a wordless look with his wife. Ron watched his parents and knew they were saying something to each other with looks only they could interpret. Ron knew what that was like; he'd experienced it with Harry, and with Hermione.

Hermione. He realized, suddenly, that she had gone as pale as his mother. Penny reached across the table and squeezed her hand. Ron tried to get her to look at him, to tell him what was wrong, but she kept her face turned away.

Percy caught his frustrated and worried expression and came over to stand at his side. "She's just a little upset, it's okay."

It occurred to him, then, that he'd acted without thinking. He'd stepped forward and said that he was leaving the island, going out there, leaving her behind -- just moments after he'd said he wanted them to be together forever, and asked her if she wanted the same. He'd made a decision that affected them both, without a thought to her reaction or her feelings.

"She understands, Ron," Percy said.

"I should have talked to her about it first, though," Ron replied. "I'm off to a great start, aren't I?"

Percy chuckled a little. "Weasleys are fast learners of husbandry, that is, in the domestic sense. You'll be fine."

"Dad?" Bill said, pulling them back into the matter at hand. "What do you think we should do?"

Their father took a long, deep breath and sighed. "Fred, I have to concede you're right about the best way to unearth information on George. I've already talked this over with the Aurors and they agree that one agent, if you will, will be more effective that two. But the plan was to ask Charlie to do this, not you, Fred. He's had more experience and training, and he's been moving about Britain more than any of us over the past few months.

"Arthur, I have to mention, though, that Kingsley and I were speaking of this just yesterday and we're somewhat concerned that Charlie's been spotted already, that he's too recognizable," Amos Diggory said, his manner respectful but serious. "Glamour spells are well and good, but the Wolfsbane contacts... we think they may be compromised. Charlie may not be safe off-island just now."

"Charlie doesn't have to go anywhere," Fred said. "I will."

Their mother spoke again, this time with fewer tears but the same worry in her voice. "Any one of the Aurors would do this, Fred," she said firmly. "Trained men and women. It doesn't have to be you."

You could see in her face what she didn't want to say outright: one son, one child was missing. If another went looking for him, she might lose that other as well.

"It does have to be one of us, though," Ginny said sadly. Her mother scowled at her, but Ginny went on. "He's our brother. We don't want to ask someone else to risk themselves for our family."

"If not Charlie, I can go," Bill said. "It should be me."

"No, Bill," Fred said, his sunken and unfamiliar eyes unblinking. "It should be me." He turned and put his hand on their father's shoulder. "Dad. You know I'm right. It should be me. It's my right. He's my twin, and I'll find him."

No one spoke. Their parents shared another wordless exchange and Ron glanced at Hermione again; she gave him a tentative smile this time and he felt a rush of relief. Still, though, I won't do that again, he promised himself, and her. From now on... every decision, it's for both of us.

"Amos, would you mind showing Dean and Padma to their rooms?" his father asked.

"Of course not," Diggory replied. "Helen -- that's Mrs. Diggory, dear," he said to Padma, "went up as you got here, to get things ready. You both could use a good night's sleep, I'm sure."

Dean and Padma, both barely keeping awake, readily agreed and followed Amos from the room.

"You'll leave in the morning, Fred," Ron heard his father say then, quietly, regretfully, but with a finality that told them all that his decision had been made and would not alter. "Not tonight. You're no good to George this exhausted. And," he added, when Fred seemed ready to argue, "after you get some sleep, you need to sit down with both Elphias and with Charlie, and go over some strategy for your search. In the meantime, Winky will prepare your pack for you, just as she has for Charlie every time he's left the island on Order business. Winky knows what you'll need better than you do."

No one moved, or barely breathed, as he finished. A tense silence had settled over them all as they waited for Fred's reply.

"Okay, Dad," Fred said finally.

"Good. Now, go apologize to your mother for upsetting her."

Fred's face lit up with the ghost of his old mischievous smile as he turned and stretched out his arms to his mother. "Can you ever forgive me, Mum?" he asked dramatically.

Ron watched as his mother clasped Fred's tall, lanky frame in her arms. He and Percy shared a relieved grin and moved over towards the table with the others.

"Perce, you old dog," Fred exclaimed over his mother's shoulder, gaping at Penny. "You resorted to this to get her to marry you?" Everyone laughed and Penny rose as gracefully as possible to her feet. Fred held out a hand to help her balance and gave her a careful hug. "Aw, Pen, it's the oldest trick in the book."

"How do you know I didn't trick him this way?" Penny asked with a smile.

Fred chuckled and shook his head. "Are you kidding? Perce here didn't need tricking to marry you." He looked over at Percy and held out his hand, the teasing smile replaced with an open, thoughtful look. "Congratulations, Percy."

Their mother sniffed a bit as the two brothers shook hands.

"Hermione!" Fred said, reaching out to hug her as well. "Is Ronniekins taking care of you?"

Hermione looked past him, though, and smiled at Ron. "As a matter of fact, he is," she answered, still looking at him.

Ron knew what question her eyes were asking, however, and he nodded, grinning.

"I'm doing such a terrific job at it, in fact, I'm apparently up for a promotion," he said. Penny and Percy moved back as Ron crossed to take Hermione's hand in his. "Or at least, that's what she told me when I asked for a raise."

"What in bloody hell are you going on about, little brother?" Fred asked, confused.

Ron smiled at Hermione. She frowned slightly. "Charlie isn't here," she said.

"It's okay," Ron said. "He knows already."

"Ronald," she scolded, rolling her eyes. "You said it was just Penny and Percy and Gin."

"I lied," he said without any remorse. "While we're at it, I might have run it by Bill, too. Just so you know."

"Argh," Hermione said, throwing her hands up in defeat. "Oh, I give up."

"Anyhow, Charlie's got different plans this evening," Ginny added, laughing. Bill elbowed her in the ribs.

Ron grinned. "That he does." Hermione elbowed him as well, though not as hard as Bill had Ginny. "Sorry," he said. She shook her head at him, but nodded her agreement to his earlier unspoken question. "Okay, then," he went on. "Mum, Dad... Hermione and I have an announcement to make."

His mother's eyes lit up with hope. "Is this the announcement I hope it is?"

"I hope it is, Mrs. Weasley," Hermione said. "Ron?"

"We're engaged," Ron said simply, the smile stretching his face too wide to allow anything more.

"That's wonderful!" his mother shouted, and came forward and grabbed them both.

Ron returned his mother's hug and took in Fred's flabbergasted face. Percy, Penny, Bill and Ginny were laughing and filling him in on the proposal that had taken place just minutes ago.

"Well, you could knock me over," Fred said, still shocked. "I mean, congratulations, you two," he said.

Ron couldn't help noticing that his brother's well-wishes seemed a bit strained and he winced, thinking perhaps Fred thought less of him for doing something like this while George was still missing.

"Fred, I know it seems odd to, you know, be thinking about this kind of thing when George is still out there, but --"

"Don't be an idiot, Ron," Fred cut him off swiftly. "Seriously, don't think that way for second. I don't."

"Is something else wrong, then?" Ron couldn't help asking. Hermione squeezed his hand.

Fred sighed and shrugged. "It's just, you're my little brother... aren't you two still in school?" he asked reluctantly. "I mean, if there was a school? You know I'm crazy about you, Hermione, love, but aren't you two -- oh, bloody hell, forget I said anything," he finished in a rush. "It's nothing. It's great."

"It's alright, Fred," their father said, stepping forward. "Ron and Hermione are young, you're right."

Ron swallowed, hard. He'd debated all week about whether to talk to his parents before proposing to Hermione.

He'd gone to Percy first, surprising even himself at that choice, but it had proved to be a good one. Percy and Penny had been really supportive and happy for him. They, along with Ginny, had helped him plan it all out, and Penny had helped him transfigure Hermione's ring from a pendant Winky had given them, found in the castle's small coffers. Charlie had been surprised, but unequivocally pleased. Then Ron had gone to Bill, his heart in his throat.

But Bill had listened to him as he'd poured out all of his reasons: mostly, that he knew he loved Hermione, that he'd never love anyone else, and that it seemed silly to put something so inevitable off. Ron had been ready for an argument, prepared not with clever answers or with counterpoints, but simply with the sheer strength of his feelings. And he hadn't needed one. When he'd finished talking, Bill had just nodded and told him he should follow his heart. Ron hadn't known what to say.

"Just promise me, Ron, that you'll do your best to be your best for her," Bill had said while he sat there, still stunned. "That you'll remember that you're asking her to do this, and that she's saying yes -- if you're lucky, that is. You're asking her to take this chance with you, and if a day comes that you wish you hadn't--"

"That's not going to happen," Ron had replied hotly.

"I don't think it is either, Ron." Bill had smiled. "I'm just saying, you think of me as Hermione's big, scary older brother from now on. If you don't make her happy, you answer to me."

Ron had promised, all the while knowing that he'd never need to be reminded. But he'd felt oddly reassured by his talk with Bill, and he'd decided to go ahead with his plans, and propose, and then (dear god please let her say yes) they'd tell his parents together.

Right now, he was feeling a little regretful of that plan. He held Hermione's hand tightly in his and took a deep breath as his father continued. It soon became clear, though, that he had nothing to worry about.

"In years, they're younger than almost all of you. But they've grown up faster than the rest of you, as well, in the past few years. And in these past few months, especially," his father said somewhat sadly. He turned to Ron and Hermione. "Ron's mother and I both feel you've earned the right to decide how to live your life."

"We know how much you love each other," his mother said. "And we're very happy for you." She grinned, then, nudging her husband playfully. "Also, your father has always said he can't abide a hypocrite, and truth be told, we weren't any older than you are now when we got married."

"Thank you, Mrs. Weasley," Hermione said, a few stray tears leaking from her eyes. "I'm just... we're so glad that you're glad."

His mother moved forward to embrace Hermione tightly. "My dear girl, I have to confess to you that I've been hoping for years that I'd have the chance someday to ask you to call me 'Mum'. And now I finally can."

"Alright... Mum," Hermione said, shakily. She smiled at Ron, embarrassed, he knew, at the emotions she was feeling.

He felt a bit shaky himself when his father stepped forward and clasped his hand, then pulled him into a hug. "I'm very happy for you, son. And proud."

Ginny's voice carried over from the other side of the table, where she'd been deep in discussion with Penny. "So, when's the wedding?" she asked.

"Now promise me you'll give me time to plan something proper," her mother cut in before Ron or Hermione could answer. "Don't even think of doing what Remus and Nymphadora did. That's all well and good for them, but I want you two to have a proper wedding." She blushed, then, and her hands came up to cover her mouth in embarrassment. "Penny, dear, I'm sure your wedding was just lovely, of course, but--"

"But you weren't there, Mum," Penny finished kindly. "So it wasn't perfect. Let's do it right for Ron and Hermione, shall we?" Percy beamed and leaned down to whisper something in his wife's ear, something that made her blush. Ron smiled.

"We wouldn't want to cause much fuss," Hermione tried to demur. "After all, Remus and I have a great deal of research to work on, and Mr. Weasley--" Ron's father coughed abruptly into his hand, something that sounded suspiciously like 'Dad, you mean'. "--has so many demands on his time, so something simple, surely..."

Ron stepped in swiftly. "Oh, you know Mum can whip these things together in no time," he said. "Look at what she's done for the holidays." He leaned down and whispered as casually as he could in Hermione's ear. "She wants to do this," he said. "And it doesn't matter to us either way, right?"

Hermione gave him a thoughtful look. "Of course, Mrs.--I mean, Mum. We'll talk more about it soon." She turned to Ron, then, and said quietly, "We didn't really talk much about when."

"No," he agreed. "Listen, Hermione, I'll get married tomorrow if you want to. But... I have to admit it wouldn't feel right..."

"No, it wouldn't," she said firmly. "Of course we'll wait. It won't be long now."

"Are you sure?" he asked.

She nodded firmly. "Definitely." She looked at the others, then, and spoke for them both. "We'll get married as soon as Harry comes home."