The Sky on Fire

Ron and Ginny spent most of the afternoon in the garden, and had soon cleared all the gnomes, save for a few rogues, who seemed eager to try their luck twice. George had wandered outside, and was perched on the garden wall. He, like Arthur, had said very little since that afternoon, and had kept to himself for the most part. Ron was becoming increasingly worried, as George was quite clearly not eating; his frame was shrinking by the day, and his clothes hung from him like parachutes.

On the discovery of a particularly large gnome attempting to attack his foot, Ron plucked the little bugger from the ground, debated with himself for a moment, then walked over to the garden wall, and held him out to George. George looked down at his brother for a long time, then jumped off the wall, and accepted the gnome. He walked into the centre of the grass, and taking a deep breath, cried out.

"This is for you, Fred!"

With an almighty crack, he kicked the gnome, with so much force that it would probably have landed three fields over. He then stood, in total silence, and neither Ron nor Ginny said a word. Tears trickled down his cheeks, and he made no attempt to wipe them away.

Go hug George. Ron didn't need to be told twice. He walked over to his brother, hesitated for but a moment, then wrapped his arms around him.

Startled, but grateful, George embraced Ron, and held onto him tightly for a long time. After they broke apart, George's face split into a small, and all too missed grin.

"Turning soft are we, Ron?" He said quietly, ruffling Ron's already mussed hair.

"Oh, do shut up." Ron retorted, but he couldn't keep the smile off his face at seeing George happy again.

George winked, and then returned to his spot on the wall, and gazed out at the setting sun. Ron soon joined him, and they sat and watched the sky darken. Someone once told me that he is out there, and he will always remember you. Ron glanced at Ginny, who smiled. He couldn't help but wonder how she knew when to do that, how to say just the right thing when he needed it. He turned his back to the garden, and instead watched how the shadows played about the trees, trees that he and Harry had so often flown through when his mother wasn't home. Ron was so completely absorbed in the memory that he did not hear the footsteps behind him.

"Hello, Ronald."

With a squeak, Ron fell backwards off the wall, landing with a dull thud. He looked up to find a pair of bemused brown eyes staring down at him.

"Jeeze, Hermione, a little warning would be nice," he grumbled, as he took her offered hand as a help up. George was now in hysterics. "I am so glad my misfortune is of so much amusement to you," Ron quipped, and stalked back to the house with Hermione and Ginny in tow.

Once up in his room, Ron did not have to wait long before Ginny sent him a barrage of thoughts, instructing him to tell Hermione, who was currently giving a detailed description of where her parents were going on holiday - something to do with dolphins.

Ron, just tell her! Ginny thought for the umpteenth time. I will when I am ready! Ron snapped.

"...and they are going to go and see the Red-handed Tamarins, also known as Saguinus midas..." Ron became distracted by yet another comment from Ginny. You know she won't be worried about--

"I will tell her when I am ready!" Ron cried, and felt two pairs of eyes suddenly snap in his direction. Ron dropped his head into his hands and groaned. Thank you, Ginevra, he thought in annoyance.

"Ron?" Hermione had that quizzical look on her face; and was watching Ron intently. "Tell me what?"