Unofficial Portkey Archive

Ron walked briskly down the corridors of Hogwarts, whistling and feeling very elated. He had no idea where his good mood had come from. Maybe it had something to do with the fact that Gryffindor had won the Quidditch Cup again, in part because of Ron's amazing skills as a Keeper and also because of Harry's brilliant catch of the Snitch. Gryffindor was a shoo-in for the House Cup, which would be presented in less than a month.

Ron felt some of his good mood evaporate as he remembered he would be leaving the beloved walls of Hogwarts very soon. The castle held so many memories, adventures, and friendships he felt sorrow at leaving it in the past. He was on to great things though. Ron had been accepted to the rigorous Auror training department at the Ministry of Magic. He was also on reserve for the Chudley Cannons, his favorite Quidditch team, but his priorities went to the Auror training, as the Cannons knew. He had been promised that his spot would remain open and they were looking forward to having his talent on the team.

Ron stepped out into the bright sunshine and began his routine walk to and around the lake. He did this a lot lately, ever since Hermione and Harry had gotten together and he had broken up with Lavender. Not that any of this really bothered him, but he needed some alone time at certain moments and with his best friends' new relationship, he sometimes felt left out. Ron didn't mind being single but he wondered at times if maybe he should find someone. With the temper he had though, Ron chuckled at this thought, he'd be lucky to ever find someone that balanced him out.

Something was truly beginning to worry Ron though. It had been on his mind for a long time, ever since fifth year. He wanted to talk to someone about it. Harry was out of the question, as he had so much on his mind, particularly about this subject. Hermione wasn't right either, she was so close to Harry and Ron didn't want to make her more upset.

Ron was worrying about the final battle with Voldemort. He knew the time was drawing nearer and nearer. Since Harry had told him and Hermione about the Prophecy, it had been on his mind almost constantly. He wanted to fight, to be by his friends' sides, and help in any way he could, but he was scared. It was only natural really, to be frightened that death may be meeting you sooner than you ever thought. Ron shivered a little in the warm air, not wanting to picture the face of Lord Voldemort and what might happen that dreaded day.

Ron sat down underneath the large, leafy oak tree by the lake and watched as the Giant Squid stretched its tentacles lazily across the still lake, making small ripples disrupt the surface. Closing his eyes and reveling in the breeze blowing through his hair, Ron let everything escape his mind and just enjoyed the calmness of the day, wishing he could do this more often.

His peaceful moment was suddenly shattered by a high-pitched scream that echoed from the castle to the grounds outside. Ron sat up in surprise, catching a glimpse of the Squid ducking under the water. His blue eyes shot to the Gryffindor Tower, where the scream had come from. He stood up, ready to run back inside when a figure appeared on the doorsteps of the school and started running toward him. He squinted, panic starting to fill him when he saw the person had bright red hair. Ginny.

Ginny finally reached him and he was shocked to see tears pouring down her face and a sheet of parchment crumpled in her clenched fist. She collapsed in front of him, her wild hair falling in front of her eyes.

"Ginny!" Ron cried, falling to his knees as well. "Ginny, what's wrong?"

Trembling, his sister lifted her head, the flow of tears seeming to grow greater. Her eyes were bloodshot and puffy and her cheeks were bright pink. She seemed unable to speak and only stuttered out some words.

"Mum...mum," she kept repeating, sobs in between the word.

"Mum what?" Ron questioned, grabbing her shoulders, an icy coldness gripping his heart.

Ginny shook her head in agony though and very slowly held the hand clutching the parchment toward him. Ron snatched it away from her and Ginny curled up on the ground and started bawling. Ron carefully undid the letter and started to read, his heart pounding, oblivious to Ginny's continued crying.

In very shaky handwriting, with teardrops marring the surface, the letter read:

Dear Ginny and Ron,

I don't even know how to begin this letter and I'm in tears as I write it. There is no easy way to say this and the pain I feel is immeasurable. Your mother was on a mission for the Order, when she was attacked by a group of Death Eaters. They tortured her for information but she refused to give it up. They......they murdered her. I can barely write anymore, I'm in shock and I'm angry, but most of all, I'm in grief. I know you will grieve too. There was no one like your mother. I will send you another letter shortly about both of you coming home and about the funeral that will take place. I can not express in this letter what I am feeling right now. I wish I was there for both of you though, but try and be there for each other. I am so sorry. I love you both and be strong.

Your Father

The letter fluttered to the ground from Ron's limp hand. Tears welled in his eyes but didn't spill over. Now he knew, now he knew the grief Ginny was feeling. He was shaking with the effort of keeping his emotions in check. Death Eaters had killed his mother. His mother was dead. Raged filled him and he finally understood completely all the anger that Harry felt every time someone he loved died. He now didn't blame Harry for his anger, Ron felt it too.

Ron reached forward to Ginny, remembering what their dad had written: "be there for each other." He needed to be strong for Ginny, who was so close to their mother. As he gently touched Ginny's shoulder, the younger girl backed up and stared at him with watery, unseeing eyes.

"Don't touch me," she cried, cringing away from him.

Ron flinched visibly. "Gin," he whispered.

"No, stay away. Stay away from me, I want to be alone." And she scrambled to her feet and fled without a backward glance, her hair flying behind her.

"GIN!" Ron yelled after her, knowing it was useless.

He collapsed against the tree once more, feeling more alone that ever. He saw the piece of parchment and grabbed it angrily, throwing it in the lake and watching it float for a second before disappearing beneath the surface. And then Ron gave into his emotions and cried.

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

Luna descended the steps to the outer grounds later that night, beginning her routine that she had ever since second year. Hogwarts was completely bathed in moonlight and there was a light mist falling. Shaking water droplets from her hair, Luna continued walking to her favorite spot by the lake underneath the oak tree.

As she came closer, she noticed that she was not alone on the grounds tonight. A figure was leaning their back against the tree, seeming to be staring blankly into the night. Curiosity filling her, Luna moved a little closer and the person turned their head slightly, giving her a view of a profile. She gasped. It was Ron.

She still felt her heart skip a beat at the sight of him but she immediately squashed it. You're over him, remember? she told herself angrily. Luna was ready to turn around and leave, not wanting to get in any situations with him, when Ron finally noticed her.

"Hey! Who's there?" he called out.

Luna hesitated, biting her lip and trying to decide what to do. With a cautious step forward she said, "Hello, Ronald."

"Oh," Ron said, disappointment in his voice. "Hello, Luna." He turned away from her.

With more confidence, Luna seated herself on the ground beside him, watching him carefully. She noticed the dried tearstains on his face and how puffy his eyes were. His red hair was more ruffled than usual and a deep sadness was etched all over his face.

"Is something the matter?" she asked quietly.

"No," Ron snapped bitterly. "Leave me alone."

"You know," Luna responded vaguely, "you don't have to be so rude. I was just asking you a question."

Ron bit his tongue to keep himself from uttering another rude comment. He really didn't want to deal with "Loony" Lovegood right now. His mind was still reeling with the death of his mother and the antics of a crazy, imaginative girl was not something he needed right now.

"Nothing is the matter," he said coldly, "I just want to be alone right now."

"A better response," Luna said lightly, "but I think you are lying."

Ron groaned loudly and buried his face in his hands. "Must you butt into everyone's personal business?"

"No," Luna replied simply, "only people I care about."

The response went unnoticed by Ron, who was suddenly staring at Luna as if he had never seen her before. She twirled a strand of blonde hair around her index finger and gave him a puzzled look, her blue eyes very wide.

"Is something the matter?" she repeated in a questioning, innocent voice.

"You know," he whispered.

"Know what?" Confusion was in her voice.

Ron cleared his throat. "You know....what it's like.....to lose your....m-mother."

Luna gave him a very surprised look, not knowing where he had found that information out. "How did you hear about the death of my mother?"

"Harry," Ron mumbled.

Ah, yes, now Luna remembered. She had told Harry back in her fourth year. She was surprised Harry had told Ron, and even more surprised that Ron would remember something like that. Luna stared at him steadily and noticed Ron's gaze hadn't wavered from her face. She desperately fought the urge to blush.

"What does my mother have to do with anything?" Luna asked.

Ron looked away, more tears gathering in the corner of his eyes. "My mother," he swallowed tightly, "was killed by Death Eaters today."

Luna's heart went out to him immediately, knowing how hard the news must be. The way her mother had died had been horrible enough, but to lose your mother to Death Eaters was just downright cruel. Luna had no doubts that she had been tortured, such was the way of Death Eaters. This world they lived in now was horrific, so many innocent people dying. Luna looked at Ron sadly, suddenly feeling his pain.

"I'm so sorry, Ron," she whispered, not saying his full-name for once.

Ron shrugged half-heartedly. "Its ok, but thanks. I mean, I have had people to talk to about it all day. Harry and Hermione came down here earlier to talk to me. I know Harry knows what it's like but he barely knew his mother. I'm not trying to be harsh but….I knew my mother."

His voice fell. "They were both great, trying to be here for me. I wanted to be alone though and I don't really think they knew how to comfort me. They were both crying as well, they were close to my mother." Ron sighed. "I just want to really talk to someone, someone who can understand a bit more deeply."

Ron glanced sideways at Luna. "I guess it'll be you, Luna. Who would've thought that?"

Luna smiled slightly. "Yes, who would've."

Ron shook his head though. "I'm sorry, Luna. I don't mean to put my problems on you, its just......you, out of most people, would understand." He broke off and then said abruptly, "Does the pain ever end?"

Luna thought about this question for a second. "Not really. I was nine when my mother died. She wasn't killed by Death Eaters but her death was still a shock. I was very close to my mother and I loved her dearly. I still think about her and talk to her often. She watches over me." She shrugged. "But no, the pain doesn't lessen entirely, maybe a little."

Ron plucked a few strands of grass and twirled them in his fingers, staring absentmindedly at the forest. "I never thought this would happen to me," he said softly, "I mean, I know families have been torn apart and hurt by You-Know-Who, but I never thought it would come to my family. Its so much worse than reading about it." He threw the strands angrily to the ground. "Its just not fair! Why did it happen to me? Why did I have to lose my mother? Why do I have to suffer?"

Ron started crying again and Luna picked herself up silently and quickly moved over to him, giving Ron a tight hug. He cried up against her, wrapping his arms unknowingly around her. Luna lightly rubbed his back, trying to soothe him.

"I know it hurts, Ron," she whispered, "I know. You'll get through this though and it'll make you stronger. That doesn't mean much at the moment but trust me, it'll matter later. All you can do right now is grieve though."

Luna felt Ron nod and she slowly let him go. He quickly wiped his tears away and pulled away from her sharply, for some reason missing her warmth. He stared at her for a few minutes, confused at the feeling and too overcome with grief to really try and think about it. He smiled shakily at her and ran a hand through his hair.

"Thanks, Luna."

She smiled back at him, a real smile, not one of her vague, dreamy smiles. "Anytime. I'm glad I could help, Ronald. I really hope everything works out for you."

Ron just nodded and stared blankly toward the lake, a numbness starting to descend on him once more.

"Well, its late, I should head back to my dormitory." She stood up and brushed her jeans off.

Luna turned to leave when Ron leapt up and grabbed her arm. "Wait, please wait."

"Yes, Ronald?"

"I…I just wanted to tell you I really appreciated this. I know I'm usually a huge prat to you and have said some not too kind things about you. But really, thank you. I'm really in debt to you." He dropped his hand and looked away from her, as if embarrassed.

Luna's jaw almost fell open but she forced herself to stare at him passively. No, she thought desperately, I can't let that affect me. He's in pain so he's just trying to be nice and apologizing for all that. I can't like him anymore. I gave up on that. I'm moving on.

Luna slowly nodded her head and laid a gentle hand on his shoulder. "You owe me nothing, Ronald. I was here for you when you needed someone. I understand you more than you think. You're very welcome." She paused. "And I forgive you."

Ron turned his head to her and smiled gratefully. "That means a lot to me, Luna."

Reaching forward and wrapping him in a quick hug, Luna allowed herself to lean her head on his shoulder and revel in the closeness of him. Before he could become suspicious though, she let go and stepped back.

"I really must go. If you ever need to talk again, you know where you can find me."

After her final words, Luna turned and began the walk back to the glowing Hogwarts castle. Ron watched her for a minute before dropping to the ground once more and letting his head fall into his hands. Soon, more tears were falling from his eyes and no one was there to stop them.

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

Author's Note: Yes! I was finally able to edit this chapter and get it re-posted. I was very unhappy with how I wrote chapter two before but I kept most of it the same with a few things changed toward the end. Ron's not as big of a prat in here anymore and I'm going to allow his relationship with Luna to develop much more slowly. I really hope you like my re-do!
For all first time reader's of the story: I hope you enjoyed the first two chapters and I know it's harsh of me to kill Mrs. Weasley but it was the best way I could think of Luna relating to Ron. Starting the next chapter, you'll see more of the relationship start. I'm going to fastforward a bit so it won't seem like Ron is moving on so quickly. I really hope you enjoy the story and please please review! I will update "Heirs" asap!!
Much Love,
PhoenixFirebolt