Love, War and Friendship - The Wizarding Way

Ron's POV

Walking into the house not to be greeted by Sirius or a large black lab felt wrong. We all walked solemnly to the stairway our hands clamped tightly over our ears to block out the screams. Hermione however didn't seem to notice the screaming coming from the portraits as she dashed upstairs. She'd been quiet ever since we'd left the train station. I think she's worried about Harry... again. *Sigh* She never worries about me...well...all right she does but never as much as she pines away for Harry. I know that there's nothing romantic between them. Harry has no interest in her that way but I get the feeling she has interest for him. I wonder if she and Ginny talk about him. No... Hermione said that Ginny was over him. Good for her. One less girl in the "Harry Potter Fan Club" millions to go.

It took me all of last summer to forget the memory of her kissing Harry. I know, I know, it was only on the cheek but still... She didn't kiss me.

Oh shut up! I think. I can't help being jealous of Harry. I mean he's Harry Potter. I'm just Ron Weasley, son of Arthur and Molly Weasley who have no money and too many kids.

I'm ashamed to say but I was kind of enjoying how horrible this year was for Harry. I almost thought that all his blow-ups at us would make Hermione's crush go away but judging on her actions today I'd say not.

"Well go after her," Ginny ordered, walking up the stairs to her own room. She smiled a mischievous smile that caused me to frown. Did she know what I was feeling? No... She probably just thinks I should go talk to Hermione about what upset her.

I sigh again and begin following Ginny's trudge up the massive staircase. Our cleaning last summer had been useless the house had reverted itself back into its former state.

Finally I made it to the door. I knocked quietly unsure if I should walk in as usual.

"Come in," she calls from within, her voice sounding croaky. I clapped a hand to my forehead as I opened the door. She was probably crying ...

Sure enough the moment I step into the room I see Hermione sprawled out on her bed her tear streaked face staring back at me. I stand frozen for a moment. I don't know what to say.

"What's wrong?" I ask knowing full well she was crying for poor, little Harry.

She shakes her head and turns away. She doesn't look like she wanted to talk.

"I'm scared, Ron." Her voice is barely audible.

I walked slowly to her bed, settling myself beside her.

"Of what?" I ask. There have been a lot of scary things happening in the wizarding world lately.

"Of everything," she whispers, still hiding her face. "Of what's to come...what Voldemort will do next" (I wince at the mention of his name, I will never get used to hearing it) "I'm scared for myself and for Harry."

My heart dropped although I'd suspected that was what this had been about in the beginning.

"Why Harry?" I ask stupidly. "He can take care of himself."

"I know," she says shakily, turning around to face me. "But can't you see? He's in so much more danger than the rest of us. Look at what happened last summer; Dementors attacked him and Dudley! I'd be a bad friend if I didn't worry about him."

I watch her intently. The tears streaming down her face have begun to slow. I have a sudden urge to wipe them away but I contain myself.

"Is that all you are?" I ask, not sure if I really want to know the answer. Whether she says yes or no I'll be able to tell the truth on her face. "Friends?"

"Friends," she repeats. I think she looks like she's going to laugh. Oh God, don't tell me I gave myself away. She probably thinks I like her now!

"Just wondering," I muttered looking at the wall. "You two just seemed kind of friendly this year."

This time she does laugh.

"Well its impossible to be friends with someone if you're not friendly towards them," she explains. There's a twinkle in her eyes. Well...at least I made her stop crying. She laughs again. I try to keep the redness of my face and neck down.

"Anything else you're scared of?" I ask, hoping a change of subject will get her to stop laughing at me.

"Yah," she says softly becoming more serious. "I'm scared for you Ron."

I stare at her, my mouth hanging open. Did I hear that right?

Hermione laughs again. "Don't look so shocked, Ron. You're my friend too." She reaches out to squeeze my hand. "You and Harry are my best friends. I don't know what I'd do if anything happened to either of you."

I looked away. Ok...it meant nothing. Friends...such an awful word, well when you want something more anyway. I try to smile at her.

"It's weird without Sirius here isn't it?" she says, echoing my earlier thoughts as she looked around her room sadly. "I can't imagine what Harry's feeling right now. His only family - "

"Not his only family," I interrupt. "He has the Dorsey's."

"Oh come on, Ron, the Dursleys hardly count as family. They treat him horribly. Oh I wish he could stay here with us. I feel so bad leaving him at home while we're over here -"

"Hey," I interrupt again. "It's not like we're having fun here. You heard what Mom said they're going to work us to the bone this summer what with the ministry admitting You-Know-Who's alive."

Hermione glared at me. "I think you know what I mean," she says in a slightly sing song voice.

This was not going well. I could see a fight coming on.

"Yah," I say picking at the bedspread beneath me. "Sure."

She leaps to her feet. "Come on Ron can't you be the least sympathetic towards him? So what if he's richer or more famous than you?" Her eyes flashed furiously. "He's your best friend and as long as Voldemort's alive he's in great danger. Put aside your stupid, petty jealousy's for once!" With that she left the room, slamming the door hard. I stared at it for a long while. That was the problem with liking Hermione. She was so annoying! Not to mention the fact that I seem to irritate her more than anyone else. That cant be a good sign...

***

I went to look for Hermione to apology and explain that I had no "petty jealousy's" about Harry *I do I know but does she need to know that?* But no one knew where she had gone off to. I suspected she was either hiding away writing a letter to her parents, Harry or was trying to convince the house elf how much he'd like freedom. I shook my head, wondering if she would ever let SPEW go.

"Ginny, I - I need to talk to you," I said walking into her room and shutting the door quietly.

"Hey!" she exclaims, rushing to hide whatever she'd been writing in. Probably that stupid diary Mom had bought her in a Muggle shop three years ago. Not to worry, Ginny, I think, I'll read it later when you're downstairs.

"What do you want?" she asked impatiently. Has she talked to Hermione?

"Well the thing is I, well I kind of need to talk to somebody about this and there isn't anyone else in the house I can go to - "

"What about Hermione?" she asks looking at me with suspicion, still trying to shove her diary farther under the blanket.

"Oh, definitely not Hermione," I mutter under my breath shifting my weight from right to left uncomfortably.

"Why not?" She sounds curious.

"Well...you see...the thing...the things is that...umm I - Hermione is...I," I stuttered not quite able to put my thoughts into words.

"Ron do you fancy Hermione?" Ginny whispers, jumping off her bed excitedly.

"No!" I exclaimed, my face a bright shade of red. "Well ok, yes I - I like Hermione."

I can't look at her right now. I'm so embarrassed. Why oh why did I go to Ginny?

"You can't tell her," I hissed, grabbing her arm ready to shake her.

"Of course not!" she says wriggling away. "Oh Ron, I bet she likes you too! ... Wait a second, you have told Harry about this right?" She stops to look at me, an odd expression coming over her face.

"No, but I will, I suppose."

"You should," she presses. "I really really think you should."

Ok...this is getting weird.

"Ginny," I ask slowly. "Do you know something that I don't? Has Harry or Hermione said anything that I should know about?"

"No, no," she says quickly. She has her lying face on. "Nothing like that. Umm..."

"You're lying." I stare at her hard, hoping she'll give in and tell me. After all I am her brother. The only brother she's got left these days, with Bill, Charlie, Percy, Fred and George all moved out and everything.

"Alright!"

"Alright what?" I ask.

"I do. Know something I mean. But I - I can't tell you. I promised!" She has a determined look on her face and there's no way she's going to crack.

"Please, I'm your brother. You have to tell me."

"No I don't!" she retorts. She's starting to get angry. I watch her walk back to her bed and begin to take out her diary once again.

"Well then how am I going to find out? Will you at least tell me who said it? Who do I need to talk to?"

She ignores me for moment, concentrating hard on whatever she wrote moments.

"Well?" I really need to have a look at that diary, I think. Bet that would tell me everything I need to know.

"Maybe you should talk to them both," she says in a slightly strained voice. "Now if you don't mind..." Ginny gestures toward the door. That would be my cue to leave but I don't want to. I want to know who said it. It must be Hermione. They are pretty good friends aren't they? But maybe Harry said it; he and Ginny seem close at times. Come to think of it I wouldn't mind if they got together. That would solve a lot of problems: I wouldn't have to worry about Ginny and Harry would be out of the way. I feel a flash of resentment towards her. She just had to stop liking Harry didn't she? Couldn't have held on for another year? Oh nothing seems to go my way!

"Out!" Ginny orders. I'm startled to find she's pushing me out the door. I must have been lost in thought there. She's pretty strong for a thirteen-year-old girl. I nearly fall on my ass as yet another door is slammed in my face.

"Alright there?" I hear a voice ask. I look up to see Fred standing in front of me grinning widely.

"What are you doing here?" I ask. I lose my footing as Fred claps me on the back - hard. He beckons me into an empty room.

"Me and George have joined the order," he whispers, looking around anxiously like he expected someone to come bounding into the room.

"What about the store?"

"We're taking turns. I'll go look after it in August. Now, Ron, you can't tell Mom about this. She doesn't know. I told her George and I got in a fight and need a break from each other."

I laugh. "You know she didn't believe you right?" Fred and George taking a break from each other? As if. They've been inseparable since birth. I don't think they've ever had a fight. Maybe one or two squabbles but that's it.

Fred smirked. "No, she's definitely suspicious but -" he shrugged as if to say who cares. "Anyways Ron, I came to find you cause Dad wants to talk to you, Hermione and Ginny. He's waiting downstairs."

"Hey Fred, while we're down there can you do me a favour? After Ginny leaves her room can you steal her diary? I need to read something she wrote."

Fred makes a face but I know he can't resist reading it either so he can find something new to tease his little sister about.

"Thanks," I say, hurrying to find my Dad. He's standing in front of Hermione, his arms crossed. He looks angry, a characteristic I'm not used to seeing in my Dad's face. Getting mad at us is usually Mom's job.

A strange Muggle object I half recognize is in Hermione's arms. It's not - what's it called again - a ... fellytone?

"Ron, good then," Dad says looking slightly happier. "We're just waiting on Ginny now."

I try to make eye contact with Hermione but she keeps looking down at the fellytone and steps away from me.

Ginny finally makes her way downstairs. She looks from Dad to me to Hermione in confusion. "What is it?"

"Dumbledore sent an owl just moments ago. It seems as if You-Know-Who has spies trailing Harry. Arabella noticed them tailing the Dursleys as they were coming back from King's Cross."

Hermione and Ginny both gasped.

"There are to be NO letters sent to Harry. Do you hear me?" Dad looks at us all, his face changed from angered to kindly. "The owl may be traced back to us. Harry will be brought here as soon as possible but for now a group of wizards and witches have been stationed in his house."

I snort. "Bet his uncle doesn't like that."

"No," Dad agrees. "I expect not. However," he takes the fellytone from Hermione's arms, "We will be able to talk to Harry through this." He looks down at it excitedly. "Hermione will have to set it up for us. Here's Harry's phone number," he hands us each a small scrap of parchment paper with a bunch of numbers written on it. "When you'd like to contact Harry we'll show you how to use the telephone."

Telephone, I swear it was called a fellytone. Muggles have the stupidest names for everything.

"You can tell Harry most everything you want but I ask you to be careful. We're pretty sure You-Know-Who won't try to tap into any of the phone lines but we do have to remember he had a Muggle father. He may know how to use it."

Ginny and Hermione nod seriously. I just stand there. My Dad takes my silence as concern. Gently putting a hand on my shoulder he says, "Don't worry Ron, Harry'll be all right. He'll be with us in no time."

"Ok, well Hermione if you wouldn't mind setting that thing up?" He hands her back the telephone. "I'll see you all at dinner."

Hermione busies herself putting things into a hole on the wall.

I look over at Ginny. Her eyes are as wide as saucers. She looks scared.

"Ah come on Ginny," I say. "He'll be fine. You heard Dad, he's got a bunch of wizards looking after him."

Ginny shook her head. "That's not it. I was just thinking ... what if we're being watched too."

"They don't know where the house is," I assure her.

Hermione turns from what she's doing. Her face is full of worry as well. "This house isn't Sirius's anymore," she murmurs.

"So?" I ask, glad she's speaking to me again.

"So, I expect everything he had is now Harry's and Voldemort -"

Ginny and I both shudder at the sound of his name.

" - Probably knows that. I wouldn't doubt if he had people trying to find the Black mansion..... Oh," Hermione gasped. "You guys, Malfoy's wife she knows. She knows about the house and Malfoy he's sure to let You-Know-Who know about it." She didn't have the courage to say his name any longer. Hermione now looked more scared than Ginny. Almost frantically she started working with the telephone again.

"I wouldn't worry about that," Fred's voice came up from behind me. "Dumbledore's placed more than a few charms on this house, and now that it's not Sirius's but Harry's they probably won't be able to find it."

Hermione breathes a sigh of relief as she gives Fred a hug.

"Hey Hermione," he greets her.

"What are you doing here?"

"I'll explain later," he says stealing a glance at Ginny. Ginny glared at him catching his eye.

"I'm going back to my room," she announces.

"Wait!" Fred and I called out at the same time.

"Don't you want to talk to Harry?" Fred asks, winking at me.

"Well..." she looks over at Hermione.

Hermione nods. "I'm going to call him just to see if it works and if that dreadful uncle of his will let him take calls."

"Alright then," she agrees.

"The diaries up in your room," Fred hisses in my ear.

I smile at him. "Thanks."

As Hermione teaches Ginny how to use the phone, their backs to us I creep up the stairs as silently as I can. Just as Fred said the diary was sitting on top of my trunk. Now I had to read this.

* * *

Well that was a big waste of time. The second I touched the diary it tried to bite me! Ginny must have put an enchantment on it. I would say it was a good idea if I hadn't wanted to read it so much! I had to be rescued by Fred, who spent ten minutes laughing at me as I ran in circles around the room, the diary chasing me, nipping at my hair.

Downstairs Hermione was still talking to Harry on the phone. She had a dreamy sort of smile on her face and she twirled a strand of hair around her finger.

"Yah," she says several times before giving a little giggle. "Would you like to talk to Ron?" she asks when she catches sight of me. She held out the blue telephone for me to take.

"Don't yell," she hisses referring to the last time I used one of these things. I glare at her.

"I'm not stupid."

"Could have fooled me," she retorts, her head held high. "And don't hang up the phone when you're done. I want to say good bye to him."

I glared at her again. I don't even know how to hang up a phone!

"Harry?" I ask, trying to keep my voice in a normal tone. Talking on this Muggle thing was weird.

"Hey Ron," he replied. His voice is low and tinged with sadness. I feel sorry for him.

"How're the Muggles treating you?"

Harry sighs. "The same. They're ignoring me at the moment." He laughs. "Dudley nearly dropped the phone when Ginny asked to speak to me."

"Yah," I say. "Stupid git." I don't much like speaking on the telephone. It feels awkward and strange. I don't know what to say. "Well," I finally say, "Hermione wants to say goodbye."

I pass the phone to Hermione, who eagerly takes it.

"Harry," she says. "Aww, Harry," her voice has become more girly. "We'll see you soon though ok? And no owls! Harry no, it's too dangerous."

I roll my eyes at Fred as I listen to her lecture Harry.

"Ok here's the number," she says rattling off another bunch of numbers that have no meaning to me. "Call whenever you want to talk. Or when you're bored. Tomorrow? Ok. Bye," she whispers setting the phone down.

"I don't like that thing," I tell her.

"Oh Ron," she says as though I'm a child. "I really do think you'd do well to take a Muggle Studies course."

Fred made a muffled noise that sounded like he was holding in a laugh.

"Did you want to say something?" I snap.

"Getting a little bit testy are we?" Fred asked. "Wonder what's causing all this aggravation. Could it be what I heard you and Ginny discussing in her bedroom?"

My eyes widen. "Fred-"

"Shall I elaborate?" he asks. "I don't think Hermione knows what we're talking about."

I looked over at Hermione who is watching us curiously. I know she was dying to know what this was all about.

"No, I don't think that's necessary," I said grabbing the front of his sweater. I drag him far away from Hermione. "What do you want?"

* * *