Behind Emerald Eyes

Time of Your Life

"Another turning point, a fork stuck in the road. Time grabs you by the wrist, directs you where to go. So make the best of this and don't ask why. Its not a question but a lesson learnt in time. Its something unpredictable but in the end its right. I hope you had the time of your life. So take the photographs and still frames in your mind. Hanging on a shelf in good health and good times. Tattoos and memories and friends getting on trial. For what its worth, it was worth all the while. Its something unpredictable but in the end its right. I hope you had the time of your life." - Time of You Life by Unknown

The Ministry of Magic was busy this time of year. With all the organisation under way for the new year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. And the Quidditch World Cup taking place in England once more, this year was to be quite busy. They also had new Aurors being recruited as well as new wizards for the Magical Law Enforcement. Yes, this year was to be a nightmare.

The press had been playing up lately. They had somehow got wind of an attack on a small muggle town in Scotland and spread the rumour that it was another Dark Wizard like Voldemort. That was not the case. The Aurors had investigated and found out it was normal muggle terrorists. Also, Rita Skita was up to her old tricks. After disappearing for many years, she returned to the Wizarding World with more angst than ever. In her latest article she unearthed the secrets behind Minister Weasley's family. Stating that 'they were more like a mob of monkeys than human beings'. But because of the Minister's many children, he was able to pick up all sorts of useful information at the handiest of times.

All the new rumours being spread around in the Wizarding World and the fear of another Voldemort being born, it was a lot of work for the Junior Undersecretary to the Minister, Ron Weasley. And he was not one for pressure. At the moment he was stuck behind his desk in the office beside that of his father, Arthur Weasley, the Minister. On his desk was pile after pile of paperwork all to be read and sorted by the morning. It was a hard job, being the Undersecretary to the Minister and his son. Because, as well as work problems getting in the way, they also had family issues. And those types of problems could not be ignored.

Ron Weasley grumbled under his breath as a drop of ink splattered the previously neat sheet of parchment. Growling angrily, he scrunched the paper in his hands and through it towards the bin. It missed by an inch and joined many other balls of parchment scattered over the deep blue carpet. Dipping the long feathered quill into the ink pot, he began again. More carefully this time.

'Monday, May Twentieth.

Ronald Weasley, Junior Undersecretary to the Minister

Under Minister Arthur Weasley's instructions, nine Aurors-in-Training arrived to report for duty. All are under the age of twenty-five and have fully passed their Auror Training with one-hundred percent. They were all in the top places in their course.

The Minister had ordered for ten new Aurors to join the ranks of the British Ministry, only nine have arrived in the listings this morning. The tenth place was reserved for Jonathon Kilbert, a young American Wizard who passed his training in the top of his class and received the Certificate of Honourable Passing for reaching and breaking the top marks ever received by one Trainee in Britain.

The other nine, newly appointed Aurors are as follows:

They will begin their further training on Wednesday the Twenty-second of June. Their missions will begin at the start of the next week, on Monday the Twenty-seventh.

Junior Undersecretary to the Minister of Magic

Ronald Weasley

Ron inspected his report and grinned. He placed it on a small pile of paper-work sitting on the left side of his desk. Shifting his weight and stretching his arms above his head, he yawned. Sitting in thought for a few minutes in complete silence, Ron sighed and reached for the top paper on a pile on the right side of his desk. Reading it briefly, he picked up a blank sheet of parchment and began a report on the Quidditch World Cup, which was to begin later on in the year around October. The games had been postponed for that later time as they needed another Head for the Department of Magical Games and Sports as Mr Ludo Bagman had disappeared after the historical Tri Wizard Tournament over eight years ago.

As well as the loss of Ludo Bagman, Mr Crouch, the previous Head of Magical Co-operation, had been replaced by a male equivalent to Dolores Umbridge. Named Jeremiah Jesston, the toad-like man took pleasure in other people's pain and enjoyed turning down those less fortunate than himself. Ron often wondered it he was any relation to the woman who made his fifth year a nightmare.

But thinking of his fifth year and all the horrible things Dolores Umbridge did to him, brought back other, more painful memories. Thinking of how much that woman irritated and peeved him off, made him wary off how bad another got off. Because what Umbridge did to him was nothing compared to what she did to Harry Potter. Just that name brought spurts of anger mixed with guilt swim through his body. Anger from what he did and did not do on that day. And guilt from what he himself did or did not do. The memories from five years ago were as fresh in his mind as his morning breakfast was in his stomach. The feelings he felt back then were renewed to bubble inside him to this day.

Harry Potter and Ron Weasley had been friends. Best of friends. And Harry being the true Gryffindor, in flesh and soul, made him the more brave and fearless. Of course Harry was occasionally afraid, but that was for the safety of others. He never thought about the consequences of his own actions on himself. He only thought about saving the ones he loved. And that's what made Ron angry. He could never belike that. Never hesitating when someone was in danger. Or never being strong enough to take on five grown men and live and walk through it. He could have never faced Voldemort. And he knew Harry knew that.

On that day, when Harry sealed the doors from the outside and placed a powerful charm over the whole of Hogwarts castle, Ron felt somewhat pleased that he did not have to fight. Just thinking about that day when Ron was glad he was safe inside the castle while his best friend was outside in the midst of the greatest battle ever seen in the Wizarding World; facing death around every bend, made him sick and cold to the bone.

But the feeling of being happy stuck in the doors of his school, was not long lasted. He watched as Hermione Granger used all her strength attempting to break through the Barrier Charm and help Harry. He watched as she kept trying and failing. Upon seeing her collapse to the floor, exhausted and in tears, Ron truly understood the power of friendship. Hermione knew every spell there was to learn at her age, but that didn't mean she would come out best against a duel with a Death Eater. But she did not care. She would die for Harry. And he for her. And there Ron was, pleased he was away from the danger. When it was all around him. In the end he discovered he would die for Hermione and Harry. For anyone in his family. But in the end it had been too late.

Being just a wall away from the edge of battle, made you able to hear the screams. The last breathing moments of his school friends, caught in a blood curdling scream, still woke him to this day. He would awake with his ears ringing with the sounds of dying voices, body coated in a cold sweat and tears flowing from his eyes. He never could understand how Harry had coped with it all the time. The voices in his head, visions replaying over and over. People dead once more living, caught in memories, only to be killed off once more.

The screams had been the second terrifying part of the whole ideal. The most horrifying part was when there were no screams. No noise. Just silence. The last sounds heard were ringing in their ears as they sat within the confides of the castle. They could not hear any more fighting. That was when you knew it was over. Ron had sat there, holding both Hermione and his sister, in total silence. He had been pale, clammy and teary-eyed when the doors opened. The barriers had dropped. Either Harry had dropped them himself, or they were forced to fall.

When he had stumbled from the hall, just before the others, he felt like vomiting. Blood was everywhere. The grass was coated in glittering crimson and the rocks sparkled with scarlet. Bodies had lain everywhere. Some were in Hogwarts robes others in plain black. A dragon was lying half inside the courtyard, the stones shattered and its beautiful scaly body tarnished with its own blood. All the dark creatures had fled or else their bodies lay with the bodies of humans.

As he had walked across the slippery, scorched ground, the only light the setting sun, he thought they were only those left alive. But slowly they rose, like a phoenix from the ashes. Some were students others teachers. Even Aurors stumbled over the bodies of the enemy. And as he watched, Ron spotted one figure standing apart from the rest. He could feel a strong power emanating from their poised figure. He was standing over a fallen man. A long silvery beard caught his eye from the lowering sun and his breath caught in his throat. For a moment he thought all was lost. And the man standing over the deceased Albus Dumbledore was none other than Voldemort. But the glitter of a familiar sword encrusted with rubies and the stunning emerald eyes brightened his spirit. The body of Tom Riddle was deposited on the ground behind Harry Potter, a single stab wound straight through the heart had taken his life.

But instead of greeting Harry like a brother, congratulating him on finally killing Lord Voldemort and setting himself free, Ron had been a total prat. He let his own feelings get in the way. Because Harry had locked him in, only to protect him, did Ron reject the best friend he ever had for pride. Harry had finally fulfilled the prophecy that had plagued his life. Destroyed the nightmares and avenged his parents death. And Ron turned him away. When Harry needed him most, he was not there. No one was. Hermione and Ginny had acted the same as he. So, Harry, with nothing left, had left. Broken-hearted and miserable. He had never wished to take another's life, even one as blackened as Voldemort's, but he had. And when he really needed support from the only family he had left, they weren't there.

That's what made Ron Weasley angry to this day. He was angry at Harry. Not for keeping him from fighting but for making him hate himself. For making him feel this way. Guilt plagued and tired. And all alone. Ginny had left a few days ago and hadn't returned. She had said something about heading into London to find something she had been looking for...what ever that meant.

Fred and George were off on some trip through Scotland to see how their shops were going. Weasley's Wizard Wheezes had shot off. The twins now owned a number of joke shops through Britain and were looking to open more in Scotland. That's what they were doing over there now. They were looking for premises in close proximity to young witches and wizards homes. They had opened a small store as a run off of another store. It turned out to be a big success so they were going to put in a larger shop in the heart of Hogsmeade and the other Wizarding town of Ghashton.

Bill had transferred from his previous job to one closer to home in the Second War. He was working in the underground tunnels of Gringotts in Diagon Alley. He had the joyful job of setting new curses on the more expansive vaults and checking the tombs which sucked in burglars for any latest victims.

George was still working in Romania with the dragon colonies. There had been a dramatic drop in dragon numbers over the years and the few groups they had of the magnificent beasts, they had to be kept under close-watch and observation.

And Percy, well, he really did not care where he was. Abandoning your family was one of the lowest things one could do. And Ron considered him no brother because of that.

Another hour passed and half his paperwork had been completed. Glancing at the clock told him it was ten to three. Yawning loudly and stretching his hands to the ceiling, Ron gathered the completed reports and his dirty coffee mug, then walked from the room, shutting and locking the door behind him. Passing a small, self washing sink, he deposited his mug into the frothing water. A second later the newly washed cup rose from the water. Ron snatched it up and dried it under a air vent. He then replaced it in its respectful place in the cupboard.

Strolling up the wall, he arrived before the office of the Minister for Magic. Knocking three times, he entered and spotted his father behind a desk on the other side of the room. The office was quite large. With lush royal blue carpets and white leather arm chairs, the walls finished the room with all round windows. You viewed upon any scene you wished. At the moment it was viewing the insides of a tropical rainforest. Trees, full and flowered swayed in a non-existent breeze as a deer cantered past.

Hey dad, I'm going home early today. I only have a few more papers to finish, so I will do them in the morning," Arthur Weasley looked up at his son. Grey was now flecked through his bright orange hair and his once shining eyes had grown with age. A few faint lines were placed around his eyes and forehead, showing the years that had past. His feather quill paused.

"All right, could you tell your mother I wont be home until six and to leave my dinner in the oven?" His voice sounded tired. Ron nodded. "Sure to, see you tonight." The youngest Weasley son left the office and walked down the hall. Stepping into the elevator, he closed the grate behind him and pressed the button for the Ground Floor Atrium.

A moment later he arrived in the brightly lit entrance hall. The runes still floated endlessly above him as he walked quickly across the shining floor. His shoes tapped at every step. Passing a bunch of people, he farewelled them as he joined the fast moving Express Floo-Fire place. Grabbing a handful of the green powder, he waited for the flames to return to their original colour as the previous traveller arrived at their destination. He threw the powder in and watched the flames turn emerald. Stepping in and speaking in a clear voice, "The Burrow!", he was whisked away in a twirl of ash and sparkling fire.

.............................

Brushing the ash from his pants he looked around at the only home he had ever known. Pots and pans were cleaning themselves in the sink; a broom was sweeping dirt up into a pile in the middle of the room; a feather duster was gathering dust of the shelves; an old wooden clock with, instead of numbers, had places that each member of his family was at. Looking at the clock and at one particular key and one particular face, Ron felt his stomach clench. During the summer after sixth year, Harry had come to stay with him at the Burrow. This was before his birthday. So, when his birthday came around they only gave him one gift. And the look of complete happiness etched across Harry's face made himself feel so happy and joyful that he was able to make his friend so content. On that day, they had given Harry a key that was to be placed on the Grandfather clock were each of the Weasley family had a place. On that day, Harry had truly become a part of a family. He had a family.

But when Harry left the Wizarding world, where-ever he went, his key had left 'Mortal peril' and moved to 'Unknown'. But at the moment, as Ron watched with both fear and joy, Harry's key was moving. It was moving from 'Unknown' to 'Travelling'. It was now between travelling and 'Home'. But his was not the only one headed for home. Ginny's was with his. On the exact spot; as was another. When they gave Harry his key, they put one up for Hermione as her parents had been killed and she was as much part as his family as he was. So at the moment, two people he so wanted to see, yet didn't, were headed here. And by the look of it; soon.

Ron sat on the floor, leaning against the wall, watching the clock while occasionally glancing at the front door. With his heart thumping loudly in his chest, he did not hear his mother enter through the back door. She came inside to find her youngest son at seat on the wooden floor, staring blankly at the old family clock.

"Ron? What are you-?" she was about to ask, before her eyes caught the three hands headed straight for the picture labelled 'Home'. "Oh my lucky stars!" she exclaimed, dropping the flower pot she was carrying in to give a drink. The smashing of the ceramic pot made Ron jump backwards and bump his head on the wall. He turned to see his mother, white faced and clutching her chest. He immediately stood to help her with cleaning the mess up from the floor. Once the cracked pot had been repaired and the dirt restored to the pot and the plant re-planted, both son and mother sat at the kitchen table, staring avidly at the clock with glances at the front door.

The keys were slowly moving towards their home when one stopped. It reversed and swung back to 'Mortal Peril'. He heard his mother take a quick intake of breath and her hand found his. Ron squeezed it tightly, eyes transfixed on his sisters face quivering between 'Mortal Peril' and 'Travelling'. Suddenly, Harry's key found its way to hers, as they both sat on the danger face. But they weren't there for long. They soon joined Hermione on travelling, making their way to 'Home'. It took another thirty minutes before the hands were almost at their destination. Ron could feel his thumping heart in his throat. He felt tremendously sick. Nerves racked his body and made his stomach swirl queasily.

Suddenly, the fireplace exploded with emerald flames. The sudden burst of light made both Ron and Mrs Weasley jump with fright. But they soon got over their scare as Ginny appeared from the flames, grinning broadly but looking tired. She was as soon out of the fireplace as she was swept into a large hug by Molly Weasley. Ron grasped her in a brotherly embrace letting her go when the green flames jumped into life once more. Out of the fire stumbled Hermione, looking as beautiful as ever. She smiled weakly at them, hugging Ron's mother and pausing at him. Ron smiled and pulled her into a tense hug feeling her return it; slightly. Just as she pulled away, eyes moist with tears, the fire leapt up for the last time.

A figure climbed out like a phoenix from the ashes. Long dark hair hung around his face like a majestic halo; no glasses framed his iridescent emerald eyes; he stepped forth, sweeping ash from his black shirt and pants. Ron stood firmly, feeling emotions well inside his body but he refused to let them go. Harry Potter was now standing before him. Ron, although having not seen him for over five years, remembered that haunted look in his friends eyes all too well. Harry still blamed himself for the final battle and the deaths caused. Forgetting he was mad at him and forgetting he was a twenty-two year old man, he stepped forward and hugged Harry fiercely. Harry tensed briefly before he returned the embrace, just as strong. Ron could feel his back shaking and feel his own eyes stinging. His brother was finally back.

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Hey People!!!

Yay! I got 32 reviews for my last chapter! 32! I feel so happy! And they were all good! That made up for the chapter before that one...definitely! Well, I hope I get as many for this one! I love you all!

Kraeg001-thanks for suggesting the songs!

Huggiebear-thanks for reviewing all those chapters!

Rocky235- thanks for writing all positive reviews!

Rocky235- seriously, you are the best! I just read another review from you! You rule!

Sheilalein- yeah, maybe. I haven't watched Roswell in ages, so i can't remember Max that much! Except he's hot!

LunaShadows - Hey, thanks for pointing them out to me. I'll will go back and fix it up!!!

And a special thank you to Alexandra, who wrote a brilliant long review and made my day!!! Thank you all!

Peace out

DW