Privet Drive

Ginny had reached the other wardrobe as it wobbled, "Ron!" she screamed.

Mrs. Weasley was screaming too, she had opened the door and Ron had fallen out of the wardrobe. "He's dead" she screamed, as his lifeless body lay in her arms.

"No! Molly, no!" Dumbledore was racing to the grief stricken Molly. Ginny, meanwhile, had opened the other wardrobe. There were shrieks and sounds of furniture scraping the floor as others were racing to get away. A basilisk, as tall as the ceiling, was advancing on her, as Ginny stood frozen in fear. Harry yelled at the snake, "Get away from her!" The enormous creature turned to Harry, there was the sound of a crack and the snake turned in to a Dementor, "Riddikulus," Harry shouted, the Boggart retreated back to the wardrobe.

Professor Dumbledore was already doing the same spell; with a flick of his wand the lifeless Ron was gone. Mrs. Weasley, who was overcome with grief, looked bewildered,

"That was not your son, Molly," Dumbledore said, waving his wand again. Old robes were flying out of the wardrobe; underneath them was the real Ron, unconscious. Mrs Weasley hesitated, "It's okay, Molly," Dumbledore reassured her. Mr. Weasley had just arrived and he ran over to pull Ron from the bottom of the wardrobe.

Ron's face was pale and thin, there were scrapes and cuts on this face and arms, "Oh, my baby," Molly sobbed.

Dumbledore tried to put Ron on a stretcher, but the Weasley's couldn't bring themselves to let go of him and they carried him to the hospital wing. On their way, they passed Professor Snape who was leading Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle, along with their parents, into a nearby office. Molly was too upset to notice, but Arthur Weasley gave Mr. Malfoy a malevolent stare. The faces of the Slytherin boy's were a mixture of disbelief and fear, Draco Malfoy broke the silence, "We d-didn't do that. We just . . ."

"Quiet, you!" his father demanded.

Madam Pomfrey had her hand over her mouth as they carried Ron inside, "Poppy, Mr Weasley has just had two days enclosed with a Boggart," said Dumbledore. Ron was placed in the bed and he seemed to be in a restless sleep, with an occasional twitch or murmur.

''~·'*'·~'Â'

In a room, much like the one upstairs in the Riddle house, Draco Malfoy was cowering at the sight of Harry. Harry advanced on him with rage and fury, raising his wand he said, "Crucio!!" Malfoy crumpled on the floor shrieking in pain. "That's for Ron!" Harry yelled, waking himself up and almost falling off his chair beside Ron's bed in the infirmary. He hoped he hadn't yelled out loud. Fred grinned.

Fred and George sat by the fire with Ginny between them. The common room was quiet and any students there stayed to themselves. "I don't know, George," Fred said, "Dumbledore said that it's mostly Mum and Dad's decision." Harry came in to join them.

"I don't understand," Ginny said, "It seams like an easy decision to me."

Fred saw the puzzled look on Harry's face and explained, "Whether or not Ron should have his memory modified."

"What?" Harry asked. Fred explained that Ron could be in a state of shock, and retaining the memory could make Ron a mess, like Mad Eye Moody.

"I think," George interrupted, "That Ron is tougher than you think. He has handled his adventures with Harry pretty well. What doesn't kill him will make him stronger."

Harry didn't even know that a memory wipe was an option.

Harry looked again to Ron's empty bed. He felt that at least knowing Ron was safe was somewhat comforting, but he couldn't wait until morning to see if Ron would come around. Wouldn't the Boggart have come out at Malfoy? Harry asked himself. Or, maybe the boggart came to the wardrobe after Ron was placed there. Harry tried to imagine what it would be like to spend two days in a wardrobe with a Boggart. He shuddered to think of it and tried to distract himself.

I should write to Sirius to tell him Ron was found. Harry suddenly remembered the care package that Sirius had sent to him and that Prof. Paetulus would explain more about it to him. But explain what? Harry ran to his trunk to retrieve the bundle. Inside was stationery; there were small and large envelopes and parchment with Harry's initials. This is an odd gift, he thought, Sirius is the only person I ever write to. Certainly Sirius would know it was dangerous to send him notes with Harry's initials in case it was intercepted. There was also a page of Muggle postage stamps and a letter from Sirius.

Dear Harry,

I hope you like the stationary. It is in case you ever wanted to send a letter to a friend who isn't familiar with owl post. Address the smaller envelope as you would normally with muggle post and stamps. Seal your letter and place it in the larger envelope for owl post. I know this will bring up questions that I can't safely explain in a letter. Prof. Paetulus will give you the details. Take care.

Sirius

Thoughts of Iris filled Harry's head; he had no idea what he would say to her. Who would I send the owl post to? Harry wondered. As he turned over one of the larger envelopes he saw the answer to his question, it was addressed "Mrs. A. Figg".

(Early next morning)

Harry ran to the infirmary.

" ...But he's so young Arthur," Harry heard Molly say.

"No, Molly, we can't pretend it didn't happen," Arthur answered.

"Um, excuse me, I'll come back later" Harry said apologetically.

"Come in Harry, come in," Mr. Weasley said, "Ron is the same age as our Harry here," Arthur grabbed Harry's shoulder. "Harry here has been through more than many adult wizards have. Ron has been alongside him for some of it. They are well-adjusted boys Molly."

Mrs. Weasley looked at Harry thoughtfully and asked, "Let me ask you Harry, if you could forget your very worst memory would you want that?"

"No," Harry answered, so quickly that he startled her. Harry briefly explained how a Dementor affected him, "You see, my worst memory is also the only memory I have of my parents. I kind of think that my memories are what make me who I am . . . But, I suppose that's stupid?"

Mr. Weasley said softly, "No, Harry, that's not stupid at all." Mrs. Weasley remained silent, "Come back after lunch. We will have made our decision by then, and they will bring Ron around."

"You mean he's been awake?" Harry asked hopefully.

"Only for a moment. He needs a proper antidote for the sleeping drought, which he'll get after our decision has been made," Arthur said.

Harry sat at the Gryffindor table and said, "Ron will be up around lunch time."

"I know, Ginny told me," Hermione said, "Notice anyone else missing breakfast?" She motioned to the Slytherin table. The absence of Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle made for an animated conversation.

"Maybe they got expelled!" Neville said with an optimistic tone.

"Or maybe they'll be suspended for a year," Dean Thomas chimed in. It cheered Ginny up, listening to all the possible punishments they could come up with.

Hermione and Harry set off for their Defense Against the Dark Arts lesson. "I think Ron would rather have a bad memory and tell the great survival story, than to have it wiped out of him. It would stink if he didn't have the chance," said Harry.

"I already thought of that," Hermione smiled as she handed Harry a newspaper clipping and he began to read:

MINISTRY OF MAGIC FEARED WORST!

Ronald Weasley, a fifth year student at Hogwarts, and son of Arthur Weasley, from the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts Department, vanished two days ago. Officials did not deny or confirm that this may be the work of You Know Who's supporters. Ron would not have been the first Weasley child to be abducted, as his younger sister, Virginia, was found in the Chamber of Secrets. * See full chamber story page 3*

As best friend to Harry Potter, Ron is no stranger to life threatening adventures involving He Who Must Not Be Named. After a two-day search the boy was found at school in a storage area, the victim of a prank. Three boys have been suspended for two weeks for their involvement . . .

"How?" Harry looked amazed, "Ron will love this!"

"I sent Rita a note, that said Ron was found in a wardrobe after two days due to a prank," Hermione looked pleased with herself, "She still has to keep me happy, after all."

In class Harry reread the article, "This'll be like an early birthday present for him," Harry said, "Birthday," Harry whispered to himself again.

"What, Harry?" asked Hermione.

"Um . . . Just an idea I had, remind me to talk to Fred and George later," Harry said, smiling. Hermione looked puzzled.

When Professor Paetulus finished her lesson and had covered the tank of Plimpy fish, Harry and Hermione approached her desk.

"Do you have a few minutes?" Harry asked.

"Yes of course. Did you have a question about the Plimpy?" Prof. Paetulus asked.

"I opened my care package and I wondered if I could ask you something?" Harry asked.

Professor Paetulus gave a quick glance to Hermione while she asked, "Would you like to see me in private?"

Harry realizing what she was getting at and answered, "Um, well if Hermione could stay it would save me from having to repeat it all later. Besides, Hermione has known more about me than I have for years." Hermione blushed, to their relief Prof. Paetulus laughed.

Professor Paetulus discussed the stationery, "Do you remember the evolutio-tutela, how it showed someone nearby to keep a close eye on you over the years?"

"Mrs Figg," Harry said. Harry's thoughts went back to the days he spent at Mrs Figg's house on Dudley's birthdays, "But she has lived there for as long as I can remember, and I never saw any thing remotely magical."

Prof Paetulus continued, "Mrs Figg gave up most of her contact with the wizarding world when she went to live there."

"The Dursley's would go mad if they knew," Harry said in amazement.

Hermione noticed that Professor Paetulus quickly change the subject, "So, Harry, to send a muggle post, send owl post to Mrs. Figg, she'll then send it the customary way for muggle post." Prof. Paetulus moved closer to them, "Harry, you must be very careful what you write to Iris," Harry started going red. He tried not to make eye contact with either of them, "You must remember not to make any reference to magic or Hogwarts."

Hermione couldn't resist adding, "Yes Harry, keep it general, just tell her you miss her and . . ."

"Don't you think we should check on Ron?" Harry cut her off. She looked up to the ceiling, smiling.

As they left for the infirmary Harry said, "You're really enjoying this aren't you?"

"Me?" Hermione tilted her head sideways, looking up at Harry, "Why yes, I am. You have letters to look forward to; Ron will be back and on the Quidditch team. And . . ." she grinned, "We have two full weeks of no Malfoy, Crabbe or Goyle to enjoy!"

"When you're right, you're right," Harry said with a smile

Fred and George were also entering the infirmary, "Can I have a word?" Harry called over to them. Hermione went in alone, looking back over her shoulder. She could see them agreeing and shaking Harry on the head, try as she might, Hermione could only make out a few words as they came in.

"You're a good friend, Harry," said George.

Arthur Weasley sat in a chair next to Ron; Harry, Hermione and the twins sat on a nearby bed, Madam Pomfrey could hardly move about the room.

Mrs. Weasley was on the bed alongside Ron, "Have some more water, dear."

Ron was awake for a while, his parents had decided not to modify his memory and they were happy to see he was doing very well. Ron had explained to them that he had been in and out of sleep, he had only seen the Boggart for the first time when he had woken up enough to get his wand out.

"I used lumos to see where I was. Before I knew it, a giant spider popped out of nowhere," Ron shuddered, "I think it was too big to fit in the wardrobe and I got knocked out. When I came around again I saw other things, but I'm not sure what." Dumbledore explained to them that since Ron was under a sleeping spell, it had been difficult for the Boggart to determine what it should turn into. Due to Ron's unconsciousness the Boggart had probably reverted back to it's natural form until Ron woke again.

"I'm pleased to see you've faired so well," Dumbledore finished.

Fred and George told Ron all about the Slytherin 's getting suspended and about the boy in Ginny's class who's mum refused to allow him to play Quidditch since he had been caught cheating. Ron looked at Ginny, "That was the boy you were talking to Hermione about?" Ron was laughing; he looked all around the room to see every face was smiling, "You mean?"

"Yep," said Fred, George was grinning, "You're on the team!" Ron gave a great whoop. They spent the rest of the evening talking about the past few days, but mostly about Quidditch.

Ron, Harry and Hermione waved good-bye to the Weasley 's, closing the big oak doors Ron asked, "Tell me again about the snake," they enjoyed retelling the events to him many times. Each time Ron laughed harder at the part about Malfoy in trouble, and gave a shudder when they got to the part about his Mum's worst fear.

When they arrived at the fat lady Ron went in first, there was a roar from well wishers all wanting to here about what had happened. Fred and George came through gloriously with snacks and butterbeer, Hermione read the Daily Prophet article aloud while Fred read over her shoulder, "They spelled Percy's name wrong!" he said and there was a great roar from the crowd.

Angelina announced that Ron was the new Quidditch chaser; most knew this already, but still cheered loudly and Harry was the loudest. Neville and Ginny handed Ron a large package, "What's this?" Ron asked.

Neville answered sarcastically, "I forget."

Ron's jaw hung open, "A broom, a new broom!"

"It's an early birthday present. Almost everyone here chipped in, Mum and Dad too. It was Harry's idea," Fred told him.

"Great broom, it's no Firebolt, but, I guarantee you won't be out stripped by butterflies any more," George teased.

"This is great!" Ron exclaimed.

~~*~~*~~

"This has been a great week," said Ron. They were strolling across the lawn on their way to Hagrid's class.

"No Malfoy," Hermione and Ron said together.

"I came across these in the lake while I was collectin' some Plimpy for Prof. Paetulus," Hagrid said to the class.

"It's like playing name that creature," whispered Harry. Hagrid had a large tank in which the creatures swam around.

"Get your books out an we'll try to identify 'em," instructed Hagrid. Some of the Slytherin students mumbled, but were fairly subdued without Malfoy there to egg them on. Pansy Parkinson looked over towards Ron several times.

"All right Ron?" asked Hagrid

"Yeah, sure," Ron answered. Hagrid looked at Harry as if checking to see if it were true, as Ron did still look very tired.

Once they reached the entrance hall the Slytherin's were out of earshot, "Did you see Pansy looking over?" Hermione asked them.

"Maybe she wanted to make sure we weren't going to put a hex on her," Ron snorted and said that she had been to the infirmary a few times when he was recovering, "I guess she was on detention, too bad she didn't have to clean bedpans like I had to last year."

Ron and Hermione sat in front of the fire in the common room, "Let's just say that Malfoy was put up to it by his father," Ron pondered, "They've gotten off easy with two weeks suspension." Hermione was quick to point out that Malfoy did not know a Boggart would be there, and it was probably just a prank. "Yeah, I suppose," Ron muttered, "You've been very quiet lately Harry; even at the party you seemed to be hanging back a bit," Ron looked a little put off, "You're not feeling um . . . "

"No," Harry cut him off, "It's just that was the first time I'd been at one of those parties and not been, well . . um. . in the middle of things. I'm enjoying my new spectator status." Harry smiled and headed up to the dormitory, "I'm just going to write a letter."

"Tell him hello from me," Ron called over his shoulder referring to Sirius and Hermione giggled, "What?" Ron said looking from Harry to Hermione. Harry could feel his face getting red.

"I see you're still enjoying yourself." Harry said to Hermione with a smirk, she held her lips tight trying not to giggle.

"Go ahead and tell him before you bust," Harry said. He could hear a giggle the moment the door closed behind him.

Harry woke with a pile of crumpled paper around him; they all began Dear Iris, that went well, he said to himself as he tossed the papers in the bin. He heard a noise from Ron's four-poster in which Ron was mumbling.

"You OK, Ron?" Harry peered in to see him tossing and turning and shook him awake.

"I'm OK, I'm OK," Ron said, only half alert, "It's just the first night, you know?"

"Yeah, sure," Harry tried to sound reassuring. He knew only too well how it was after having a dreamless sleep potion in the infirmary, only to have to return to your own bed without it.

Potions class:

"The quality of your potion will be greatly affected by the preparation of your ingredients," Snape lectured as he examined the cuttings at each table. He stopped at Dean and Neville's table, "Surely you didn't think these would be acceptable?" With a swipe of his hand Snape dropped their ingredients into the bin, and replaced them,

"Start again," he said in a cold voice.

Afterwards the class filed out to the hall, "What's he picking on them for? Their ingredients looked the same as ours," Ron said angrily.

"It seemed to me that he was making a point," Hermione said.

"Of what? That he's a pain in the arse?" asked Ron.

"No, that..." Hermione stopped.

"...that he's keeping a closer watch on what we use," Harry finished her sentence.

Ron felt a bit foolish; it was after all bad ingredients that enabled Malfoy's prank to get the better of him.

"What do you think?" Ron asked Harry, as he stood in the locker room wearing his Quidditch robes for the first time. Angelina told the team that they could probably get 2 or 3 practices in before the Slytherin team got their seeker back in a few days.

"Fred, George," Angelina continued, "I know you two probably have plans for Malfoy, but don't forget to watch your chasers. Let Harry keep Malfoy from catching the snitch." "Malfoy couldn't catch a cold," Ron chortled.

"Maybe not," She agreed, "But what do you think he did for two weeks? I doubt his Father had much.... punishment, in store. He could have been flying all week."

Angelina knew that would motivate the team. They may have been motivated, but they weren't smooth. Katie and Alicia were used to the flow with Angelina as chaser, Fred and George kept yelling directions to Ron, forgetting about the bludgers, one of which almost knocked Harry clear off his broom.

"Sorry about that, Harry," yelled one of the twins as he flashed past. Alicia passed the quaffle to George, mistaking him for Ron.

"They all have red hair!" she wailed.

"Don't worry, Alicia," shouted George, "If we don't beat them with our moves maybe we can confuse them!" Harry laughed and flew a lap around the pitch.

Ron and Harry, sweating and hair windblown, headed back to the castle.

"Nice hair Weasley, getting hair tips from Potter here?" They froze on the spot. Draco Malfoy was in the entrance hall.

"What are you doing here?" Harry asked him, his knuckles were going white from holding his broom so tight.

"You're supposed to be suspended," Ron said with a glare.

"My Father came to discuss a few things with Dumbledore, so I came along to see if it was true, you are on the team I see," Malfoy said with a monotonous sort of tone, "Do you do everything Potter does?"

"Weasleys were on the Quidditch team before Harry was born," Ron growled.

Lucius Malfoy entered the entrance hall, Harry hadn't thought of what he would do when faced with Lucius, someone who would have killed him if he'd had a good shot at him. Harry grabbed Ron's sleeve and headed for the marble stairs, "Come on Ron, I can't stand to be in the same room as him."

After the first Quidditch practice Harry expected to fall right to sleep, he couldn't help but think about seeing Lucius Malfoy. How was it, that after all that had happened, a known death eater, (at least known to he and Dumbledore), could waltz right in to Hogwarts? Did Ron think he was scared when they saw him? Harry wished he had been better prepared.

Harry's thoughts were interrupted by the restless sleep of Ron. Harry crept over to Ron's bed wondering if he should wake him, as he got closer Harry realized it was Neville that he heard. I'd probably scare him more than his bad dream if I woke him, best to leave him alone, thought Harry. As Harry was awake he decided to write to Sirius, grabbing parchment and a quill from his bag he began

Dear Iris,

~*~To be continued~*~

AN: So much for Sirius' letter.

For those of you that freaked when I killed off Ron, (Aloha) I hope you have forgiven me now that he still lives and breathes. ;)