Chapter 15: Dinner at the Burrow
Ron and Luna were flying around the Quidditch pitch, not really playing Quidditch but some form of wizard tag. True there was a bludger of sorts after them but it was really a stuffed bear from Ginny's room. Mum had charmed it to fly after them for it was IT in the game of tag. They had very similar brooms so it was about as fair as it could get.
Drats Luna thought, he's going to win. I just can't dodge as fast as he can, oh well at least it was fun and illogical at the same time. Suddenly Luna stopped in mid air. Ron nearly collided with her but swerved just in time. The bear bounced harmlessly into her chest and she grabbed it absently.
Ron quickly spun around and pulled up beside Luna, a concerned look on his face. "What's wrong Luna?"
They were slowly drifting to the ground as she sat there thinking. "Sorry Ronald, it just hit me why I love doing things with you. You're so illogical. What ever made you think of this silly game?"
"Oh, well I love to play Quidditch so I was trying to think of something like Quidditch that I could play with you. Suddenly this popped into my head." They had both absently gotten off their brooms when they had drifted to the ground. They stood now only a foot apart, Luna still holding Ginny's bear absently against her chest.
Ron found himself leaning towards Luna, she looked so cute holding that bear; suddenly there was a flurry of wings about his head and an owl landed on his shoulder.
Luna looked up and exclaimed "Hedwig." After a moment of utter confusion Ron reached up and tried to untie the note from Hedwig's leg. Since he couldn't really see it there was not much he could do. Luna dropped the bear on the ground and reached up to help. "Hold still a minute Ronald, let me do it. Oh, she has two letters let's see which one is for you. 'Mum ONLY,…girl…talk...' Oh, I wonder what that's about but since you're not a mum it's not yours, Ah Ron, The Burrow." She untied that note. "Thank you Hedwig"
Ron flinched and exclaimed "OW" as Hedwig lurched into flight and momentarily dug her talons into his shoulder. He stood there a moment rubbing his shoulder "Well let's see the letter."
Luna handed it to Ron who immediately opened it and started reading. He suddenly muttered "she's there?" and sat down hard on the ground. Now Luna was worried about him and she knelt down close beside him to give her support if he needed it. He reached the bottom of the letter and looked up at her; his face was suddenly red in anger. A heart wrenching "no" was all he said.
Suddenly Ron stood up and lunged onto his broom. The letter fell crumpled to the ground as he rocketed off at top speed. Luna grabbed the letter and flung herself onto her and broom after him. The stuffed bear took chase again, forgotten.
Ron didn't seem to know where he was actually going; apparently he was trying to run away from what he had just read. Luna read the note from Harry as quickly as she could; she had never flown this fast before and was having a hard time just keeping Ron in sight. When she had finished getting thru the letter she folded it and stuck it in her pocket. Ron had just flown into the forest; he seemed to be heading in the general direction of her house. Now that she could keep her eyes on him he seemed to be flying very erratically; he was definitely not paying close attention to his path. She decided to try and reason out this puzzle.
Ok Brain high gear, explain.
Detail 1: Hermione is staying with Harry right now. Probability: 100%
Detail 2: Ron is livid about Harry and Hermione becoming engaged. Probability: 99%
Detail 3: Percentage of those at Hogwarts who know that they belong together: 75%
Detail 4: Hermione sent a "girl talk" letter to her mum. They have already slept together. Probability: 90%
Detail 5: Ron is going to hit a tree at this rate, he is barely missing them. Probability: 80%
Detail 6: Harry and Hermione still value his friendship and want to know how he feels about this. Probability: 90%
Resolution 1: Ron feels inadequate; he can never be as good as his brothers or Harry. Probability: 85%
Resolution 2: Ron feels they are now a duo so the trio is broken. Probability: 75%
Resolution 3: The trio was broken last year; it is now a sextet, those of us who went to the Department of Mysteries. Probability: 99%
Resolution 4: I will need to knock some sense into his thick head. Probability: 100%
Detail 7: Ron just clipped a branch and crashed to the ground. Probability: Oh bloody hell
Luna landed almost on top of Ron, where he had come to rest on the forest floor. He was lying on his left side in a small clearing. It looked as if he had missed most of the bigger branches on the way down. As she bent to look and see if he was seriously injured the stuffed bear bounced into her back. Ignoring the bear she reached down and turned Ron onto his back. He was bloody and battered but he was definitely breathing. He had broken his left forearm when he hit something but the rest of him appeared whole. She found a pair of nearly straight branches and used her scarf to tie his arm into a splint. Ron moaned once when she straightened his arm, otherwise he was silent. Luna was suddenly quite glad her dad had that weekly column in the Quibbler on first aid.
Luna then held both brooms parallel to each other and threw her cloak over them. She carefully tied the cloak to each broom then placed the broom gurney on the ground behind Ron. She pulled him back onto his side and slid one broom close against his back. She then rolled him onto his back again. Now her cloak was under him and there was a broom on each side. She commanded both brooms UP, bearing their burden on the cloak between them they rose slowly. She made sure the knots were secure and he was laid as comfortably as he could be on the make-shift gurney, she tucked the stuffed bear under his head as a pillow.
Taking the tips of each broom in hand she started walking back to The Burrow, calmly whistling the tune to "Weasley is my King."
Twenty minutes later she was almost back to The Burrow when she felt Ron shifting on the gurney behind her. She stopped whistling and came around to see how he was doing. "Ronald? Are you awake yet?"
A very dazed Ron groaned "Luna what happened?"
"Well Ronald when you read Harry's letter you took off on your broom, I followed you, and you crashed and broke your arm. Now we're almost back to The Burrow so your mum can fix you up. Are you ready to talk sensibly or do you need to break something else?"
"Ugh now I remember. She can't love him! I love her!"
Without a hint of jealousy Luna replied. "Do you really Ronald? Or do you just want to beat 'The Great Harry Potter' at something for once? If I recall correctly I believe it was you and Ginny who won the Quidditch cup for Gryffindor last year. Use that brain for once Ronald; I know it's in there, use it!"
Luna spoke both accusingly and teasingly but coming from her it seemed to strike a nerve in his head. Suddenly he was ashamed at his prior outburst "I'm sorry Luna."
"That letter looked like they were worried about your reaction to them getting together at last."
Ron looked at her, shock written all over his battered face.
"Oh Ronald, wake up! They have been in love for ages now, the whole ruddy school is well aware of it. Are you the only one besides Harry who was unable to recognize it?" The look on his face told the answer to that. "I guess you were; Ronald, think about it a minute. They are always together or talking about each other; Hermione worries about him constantly and Harry tries to protect her from everything. They are a perfect team. Ronald yet they value your friendship and want you with them still."
He had gone from anger to confusion and then shame, now he found himself back at confusion. Was I that blind? The whole school knew and I didn't realize it? Rita Skeeter's articles in the Daily Prophet. Yes she knew and told the world; damn where do I fit in with them now? "What do you think I should do Luna?"
"Well, are they still your friends?"
"I think so?"
"Then congratulate them on their engagement, they asked for an owl, let's go write one."
"Thank you Luna, if you hadn't been here I would have ruined my friendship with them."
"Welcome Ronald, we need to hurry, everyone will be arriving soon for Bill and Fleur's dinner party and we need to help your mum get ready. Lay there and think, I will get you back so your mum can fix you up in time for the party."
Ron started thinking as Luna once again took hold of the brooms and slowly walked along. Nearly everyone should be at the dinner tonight along with Neville, Alicia, Angelina, and Luna. Only Percy was not expected to attend though Dad and he had apparently started talking at work. Bill had told everyone that he had a special announcement for tonight. Since Bill and Fleur had announced their engagement last week, what could this be about? As it was only midday there were a few hours before anyone would arrive home. Well maybe Charlie would be early but everyone else would be working for another three hours or so. Ron suddenly became aware that Luna had been talking while he was thinking but he didn't have a clue what about. "Sorry Luna I was thinking about tonight, what was that you just said?"
"I said 'What are you going to tell Harry and Hermione in your owl?" She turned and looked at him expectantly; one blond eyebrow raised in question her large eyes piercing him.
"Oh, I haven't thought about that yet."
Luna giggled airily "Well you should start with congratulations and work your way up from there. You know you will be the best man at the wedding don't you? I wonder who Hermione will choose to be bride's maids? Ginny would be my first guess; she is the closest Hermione has to an actual female friend you know. I hope she is really over her crush on Harry.
"Charlie is here early Ronald here he comes now."
Ron heard his brother's voice calling from far away. "What happened Luna? How badly is he hurt?"
Before Ron could decide how to answer, Luna replied. "Well he got upset that Harry and Hermione are engaged, he decided he needed to break something so he went and crashed into a tree and broke his arm in the process."
Ron finally spoke up "That's not what happened! Well I didn't want to break anything, it just happened" he finished lamely as he realized that was exactly what had happened.
Charlie walked into Ron's view and looked at him concerned. "So they have finally gotten together, wow Ron you did a number on your head too, I hadn't heard they were even dating yet."
Luna again answered "No dating, well unless you count the last five years, they just sent an owl to Ronald and told him they were engaged."
"Man, Harry moves fast when he moves eh?" Charlie commented
"Don't tell me you knew they were in love already too?" Ron asked.
"Of course I did little bro, Hermione positively glows whenever she is with Harry. I wouldn't question if she knew a long time ago; but what got Harry to realize it I wonder?" Charlie asked.
"Apparently Hermione is staying with him at Privet Drive right now so I would guess that close proximity to her made him realize it." Luna remarked blandly.
They had continued walking while Luna and Charlie talked about Harry and Hermione. Now they had arrived at the back porch of The Burrow. "Can you stand Ron?" Charlie asked.
"Yeah I think so, help me get up though ok?"
"Sure Bro" Charlie reached under Ron's shoulder with his left hand and held his right hand as he helped Ron sit up and then stand.
Ron noticed that Charlie had gained an awful lot of body mass; guess wrestling dragons for a living makes you very strong. "Man, I'm dizzy but I think I can walk." Cradling his left arm, he walked inside to face his mother's wrath.
Charlie walked close behind him ready to help him if he stumbled.
"I'll be in when I get these put away, I'm sure Charlie can handle it from here anyway."
"MUM!" Ron hollered as he walked into the kitchen.
"Coming Ron" he heard his mum saying from upstairs.
"Sit at the table Ron, I will get the bone mender from the cupboard." Charlie ordered
"What is it Ron?" his mum asked as she walked into the kitchen and saw him sitting at the table. "Oh My! what happened to you Ron?"
"I hit a tree and broke my arm" Ron spoke up quickly before Charlie could.
"Charlie can you set it please, you do have more experience at it now than I do, give me the mender potion please."
"Ok Mum, here you go."
Charlie sat down opposite Ron. "Lay your arm on the table bro" when Ron did so Charlie untied the splint and pulled back his sleeve.
Ron turned his head away, unable to watch.
"Ok this will hurt a minute then drink the potion mum gives you. Try not to move or I won't be able to hold it straight."
Ron nodded his head as his mum came over to him holding a steaming mug of the bone mender potion.
He felt his arm twisting, no he felt the bones twisting inside and he cried out in pain, just then he saw Luna come in the back door. Thru the pain and the tears in his eyes he managed to gather his courage and stay as still as possible.
"Drink it Ron" Charlie told him; he took the mug mum offered and downed it in one gulp. He felt it burning down his throat and course through his body. His arm was on fire for an instant as the potion found the breaks. He whimpered and closed his eyes in agony. He felt caring arms embrace him in a tender hug and he returned it tightly with his free arm. He stayed there until Charlie spoke up.
"Ok Ron, you're good as new, good thing Luna was around to bring you home so soon."
Ron opened his eyes to look at Luna and thank her but discovered she was right in front of him. It was she who had been holding him not his mum. Luna stepped back, sensing his discomfort at being seen like this. Ron quickly grabbed her left hand with his right and mouthed 'Thanks" to her; she smiled at him and said very softly "welcome". His mum was across the room putting away the bone mender potion. He looked at Charlie quickly and saw his brother grinning.
"You took that quite well Ron, that potion burns like dragon's fire." Then he whispered "Tell mum now about Harry and Hermione."
Ron nodded his head "Mum I need to tell you something"
When she turned to look at him her right eyebrow was raised and she was looking pointedly at them holding hands.
"Harry and Hermione sent me an owl today. They're engaged."
"WHAT!" she held her hand over her heart and sat down in the nearest chair. "What did you say Ron?"
Charlie leapt to his feet and went over to their shocked mother. "Mum, Harry and Hermione have become engaged."
She looked at Charlie like he was speaking a foreign language. "No they're too young to get married much too young they are just children for gods sakes."
"Mrs. Weasley, maybe this will explain a little." Luna released Ron's hand and pulled out Harry's letter and started to read out loud:
"Hermione sent a letter to Dumbledore complaining that I needed someone to talk to. He then spoke to her parents and brought her here. Yes Hermione is here at Privet Drive with me. She has forced me to come to grips with Padfoot's death. We have read his will and I have inherited Grimauld place. Hermione's parents will be picking us up on August 1st to go there with us. You are all welcome to join us there for August. Ok now for the hard part Ron. Hermione and I are in love, well we have been for some time but have now admitted it. We are also engaged to be married. I am terribly sorry that we can't tell you about this in person."
"Oh my, so soon, why do children have to grow up? There far too young for this." she spoke to no one in particular. Charlie and Luna were both about to reply when she stood suddenly. "Charlie make this table big enough for fourteen, Luna could you be a dear and start setting the table. Ron go owl them and say we will be glad to join them for August. She moved towards the stove and pulled out her wand."
Ron looked admiringly at his older brother, silently thanking him for handling the discussion with their mum. As Ron stood, Luna grabbed his hand and gave it a quick squeeze then went to get the plates.
An hour later, Pig was on the way to Privet Drive with Ron's message. The Burrow was back to its former days of glory. It was an absolute madhouse; Bill and Fleur had arrived first, though they were tight lipped about their announcement Fleur seemed to be almost glowing with excitement. They had settled on the front porch talking with Charlie. Ron and Luna sat with them; Luna was working on something in the latest Quibbler while Ron was trying to figure out how to tell everyone tonight that his best friends had just gotten much closer. Fleur seemed to be very fascinated with dragons for some reason but blanched whenever Charlie mentioned a Welsh Green. Then the invasion happened as the Joke shop was apparently closed an hour early. First Ginny, then Neville tumbled out of the fireplace; just as they were standing up Fred, George, Alicia, and Angelina apparated into the living room. Only Dad and Percy were missing, the clock showed them still at work.
Into the middle of this apparated a very somber Mr. Weasley: "Everyone, your attention please." After a brief pause for conversation to come to an end he continued. "Percy and Penelope will be joining us tonight. I ask that no ill words be spoken about prior disagreements tonight. There will be time enough later to discuss that matter." He quickly walked to a suddenly sobbing Mrs. Weasley in the kitchen and tenderly embraced her. "Come with me please Molly" and he lead her upstairs.
In the absence of their parents the Weasley clan erupted in indignation.
Then Bill spoke up over the din. "Stop this now. This will not help the situation at all; Tonight is to be a happy occasion. Apparently Percy is willing to make amends and even bring Penelope with him. Show him that we can be gracious and accept him back among us."
Fleur spoke into the sudden silence "hee is uour brover, show hem vat vou wove him like one."
Fred snickered "I'll show him I love him, damn left almost all my prank stuff at the shop."
"We'll think of something bro" George quipped.
"Not tonight please guys, you heard Dad, I'm sure he meant pranks to." Bill tried to speak with authority.
Just then Mr. Weasley came back down. "Thanks Bill, Percy will be here in a few minutes, make sure there is enough room at the table Charlie."
"Ok Dad" Charlie answered; Luna stood and followed him to the kitchen. Ron had thought she was still lost in her quibbler but obviously she had been paying attention after all. Just then there was a pair of pop's and Percy and Penelope apparated into the middle of the living room.
"Welcome home", Dad and Bill spoke simultaneously. Everyone else seemed to say something similar just after they did. Even Charlie and Luna could be heard from the kitchen.
"Hello everyone and thank you for the kind welcome" Percy spoke stiffly but seemed honestly sincere about it.
Mum came down; she was still crying but seemed to no longer care if everyone saw her. She almost ran to her third son and crushed him into a hug.
"Mum please I need to breath" came Percy's muffled protest.
"I missed you Percy, and you too Penelope, thank you both for coming tonight. Dinner should be ready let's go eat shall we." She turned Percy around and pulled him and Penelope towards the kitchen.
Charlie and Luna had corrected the table and there was now room for fifteen. Steaming bowls and plates ranged all up and down the center of the table. They all struggled to sort out who was sitting where.
Finally they were all seated and Charlie remarked "No one told me a date was required tonight! I could have brought a date too." Neville and Ginny blushed at that remark, Ron found himself unable to look at his family but Luna looked at them and laughed hysterically. Fred and George laughed heartily and even Percy could be heard chuckling.
When everyone had filled their plates Bill and Fleur stood. Everyone stopped eating and looked at them expectantly.
Luna whispered so only Ron could hear "Fleur's pregnant, that must be it, look how she is glowing"
Ron sputtered as Bill began to speak.
"Ok, I'm going to end the great mystery. Fleur's parents have invited all of us to come to France for the first week of August. They want to meet everyone before the wedding in October. Friends are also welcome to come; I'm not sure how you can manage your shop boys, maybe you can take turns, or something."
Angelina looked at Fred and told him "We'll work something out, the shop will survive"
Cries of wow went around the table.
Ginny was heard above the din "Wow that sounds great!"
Neville remarked to the room "Me too?"
Everyone seemed very excited about this, everyone except Ron. "What's wrong Ron?" Bill asked
"Oy, Harry just invited us all to Grimauld place for August, mum had me owl him yes just a few hours ago. I guess I can send him another one that we will come the second week onwards though."
"Ok, that works. Why is he going there and not here in August?"
"Umm, Ok here's the rub. He inherited Grimauld Place from Sirius and Hermione and him are engaged." Ron spoke unable to look at anyone; he had still managed to get it all out so that everyone heard him clearly.
A collective gasp went around the table. Charlie and Luna nodded their heads enthusiastically while mum shook her head sadly.
Bill reached for his pumpkin juice. "A toast" Everyone quickly grabbed their glasses and held them up. "To Harry and Hermione, together at last!"
Everyone echoed Bill; this seemed a very significant moment to Ron as they all drank pumpkin juice to his best friends' announcement.
Just as they were all settling down to eat again Charlie spoke up "Don't all pay me at once, I told you it would happen before seventh year!"
Fred and George grumbled but pulled out several galleon's each and morosely handed them to Charlie. After carefully looking at them he took them and pocketed them. Bill openly handed Charlie five galleons grinning. Dad seemed to be trying to hide the fact he also was in on the bet so Charlie relented and pocketed his winnings.
"You all had a bet going on them?" Ron exclaimed "Why wasn't I let in on this?"
"Ronniekins you were in the middle of it," George started
"…until Luna here showed you there was life beyond…"
"…the trio…"
"We were seriously worried about you Bro." Fred Concluded
Ron shrunk into his chair "Oy, sorry I asked."
"Don't slouch Ronald" Luna reprimanded.
Ron struggled back to an upright position and then bent back to his food, hoping to hide his red cheeks from everyone.
Nearly an hour later everyone was stuffed and even the desert of pumpkin pie and whipped topping was mostly gone. Dad stood up. "Thank you Molly as always for such a wonderful meal. Now I'm afraid I must make a sad announcement, it pains me greatly to end this wonderful dinner with this news but I cannot let it go unsaid. Alastor Moody was murdered last night by Voldemort."
Most of those gathered looked at him shock written on their faces. A collective gasp and a nearly breathless "no" was heard around the room.
"Apparently Dumbledore has an eyewitness, but he isn't saying much yet. Bellatrix and Moody were dueling, Moody won but Voldemort killed Alastor. The funeral will be tomorrow night and Dumbledore will be including a memorial for Sirius as well. Everyone needs to be here by six thirty, we will port key there together. Dumbledore will be officiating and everyone is expected to attend. There is a write up on it in today's Daily Prophet, they are covering it as though Bellatrix wanted revenge on Moody and they killed each other."
A/N I am taking Luna's oddness and the fact that she is in Ravenclaw as a sign that she is one of those very intelligent people who may generally ignore the daily grind of life to contemplate more important matters (to them). Not being one myself I decided to try having her detail everything very strictly when she was trying to analyze the situation and decide what to do about it. Not sure how well I pulled it off but I think it was odd enough to be attributable to Luna. I hope you like this installment. Chapter 16 will be revealing Dan and Emma's reactions to the news. Thank you all for the great reviews, the sheer number of them still astonishes me. Please Review and let me know how I am doing.
Thanks
Gol