Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Everything hurt

That was the first thing Ron noticed as he was rudely awoken by the noise of his family, was the weary ache of his bones, the pain by his hip and the banging in his head.

Honestly , Ron thought blinking the sleep from his eyes, Did the twins have to be so loud…

Ron shot up quicker then his body should have allowed him, the Twins?

He slowly took in his surroundings, the stark orange of the walls, posters and bedding with prolonged confusion. The warmth and comfort so contrast with what he was used to living with these past through months distracted him momentarily from the hurt of his body and the awareness of his surroundings,

“RON!  Come one, mum’s been shouting for ages” exclaimed Ginny from the door, only then did Ron notice her indignant expression had been turned into a cautious, fearful confusion as Ron, unknowingly, had shot up from his position on the bed and had his wand pointed at her in quick succession.

“Ron…” Ginny took a step back from the door, and turned towards the stairs that were being occupied by Percy. 

“What is going on?” Demanded Percy, walking up to Ron, who in turn quickly put in wand behind his back and appeared to relax his position, only slightly.

“Nothing, Ginny just surprised me is all. I’ll be down in a moment” He managed with a quick smile, still apprehensive..

Percy and Ginny took off down the stairs, to Ron immense relief, though only lessened by the look shot at him by Ginny as went.

Ron stumbled back onto his bed, head in hands as he tried to make sense of the situation he was in…

Merlin's beard , Ron thought suddenly , he was in his room at home, but I have not been here since… Dread filled Ron, cold, stomach dropping dread

Where was Harry and Hermione? Are they at Hogwarts? Are they… 

Ron quickly put that thought away, taking a moment to clear his thoughts of the worst and think logically, Ginny and Percy looked different… young, younger than they should be. Ron looked down at his arms, no scars.

Ron quickly shot up, inspecting arms for the familiar scars that have graced his body for over two years, then he slowly lifted his shirt, he looked different . Fuller . Gone was the bony, brittle chest that had accompanied him from months on the run, searching for horcruxes.

Wait , dawning on Ron, he looked smaller, younger, blemish free. 

Ron ran out of his room quickly, taking no notice of the twins on their way down the stairs, who looked at him in surprise, 

“Look at that George, someone has wet the bed again” Taunted Fred

“I have no-” Ron stopped short, face pale, staring into the eyes of his brother, the brother who he had only moments ago, witnessed his death. 

“You alright there Ron?” Questioned George, quickly followed by Fred, “Yeah, you look like you’ve just seen a ghost”

Ron’s breath stopped short, the air suddenly felt hotter and hotter, his breathing seemed to fail him, why can’t I breath? Ron thought, his panic becoming more and more pronounced, his words failing him.

He turned to the bathroom, slamming the door shut behind him, slowing sliding down it. He sat there for what felt like hours, eyes squeezed shut, one hand on his chest and the other trying and failing to reach and pull the top of his shirt away from him.

“Whats going on? Come on, I've had breakfast ready for ten minutes now. Downstairs now.” 

"It’s Ron, mum" One of the Twins replied,

“Yeah, he just stared at me and ran into the bathroom, he’s not left yet”

Fred

His panic seemed to lessen at that, he realised with bafflement, as he stood up to inspect the mirror, he noticed with no short of confusion and hysteria…

I’m in the past. 

He laughed, he couldn't help it nor could he seem to stop, hysteric, manic laughter seemed to burst out of him with no end in sight.

“What?” One of the twins, no Fred, said in bafflement, “but…but, mum I swear, earlier he looked distraught”

“Yeah” George replied, “like he’s seen something he shouldn’t”

His laughter seemed to be charged by that, he knew. He knew which twin had spoken, he knew which twin he was looking at and that…that was only because he’d seen one of them die, one of them separated from the other for the first time, in what it felt like, in his life.

Ron slowly turned back to look at himself in the mirror, taking a look at his surroundings around him. Everything looked the same, but… but different . He felt different, he looked different. 

I must be dreaming, he thought , there's no way this is actually the past.

Before everything went wrong.

“Ron-”

“Ron!” Mrs Weasley banged on the door, "Are you okay? What are you doing, everyone is downstairs"

“...I’m okay, just had a weird dream, i’ll be down in a minute” Ron quickly answered. 

“Are you sure? Well come on them, and you two” Replied Mrs Weasley 

Ron heard them go down the stairs and steadied himself against the door, I’ll figure this out, and…and i’ll get back to Harry and Hermione and everything will be okay. 

The rowdy talk of his family downstairs urged him on, quickly splashing some water on his face, Ron headed downstairs. 

The kitchen went silent as he walked in, quick to assure them, he tried to shoot a quick smile, but even he knew it came out as more of a grimace.

“Well come on then, sit down” Mrs Weasley urged him, passing him a plate as she did. Usually the sight of bacon and sausage would have excited him, as opposed to the porridge that was usually fed to him, but right now, the smell nor sight could do no such thing.  The talk and the hustle of his family surrounded him, but Ron did not notice the unusual stares or worried glances of his family, or even the look Ginny had given him, concerned and apprehensive,  as he ate the food without so much as looking up or tasting. 

How has this happened? One moment he was at Hogwarts, surrounded by people, lifeless or otherwise. Trying to recall the last of what he remembered, Mrs Weasley spoke, “Hurry up and eat, we’re going to Diagon Alley today and perk up Ron, you’re going to see Harry and Hermione” 

“What?” Were first words out of Ron’s mouth since he’d sat down in the the kitchen, and Mrs Weasley shared a look with Mr Weasley, 

“You spoke to Hermione didn’t you? About getting to Diagon Alley today, with what went on with Harry?” Mr Weasley asked.

“Uhm yeah i did, sorry I erm forgot. Weird dream and all that” Replied Ron somewhat dazely, so it must be third year, thought Ron, I’m Thirteen again. 

Blimey.

Chapter Text

Ron gazed around his room, Mrs Weasley had sent them up to get ready after breakfast, Ron however, seemed to be having trouble getting started. For the first time since he’d been sent back, Ron’s mind was surprisingly blank. Coherent thoughts seemed to far out of reach, he wondered around the room, stretching out to touch aimlessly, lost in a lack of thought. 

A noise startled him out of his vacantness, a rat sat in a cage, atop his dresser. Ron stopped dead, air seemed to fail him again for a moment, the reality of his situation fully dawning on him.

Scrabbers, no… Peter.

Fuck.

He did not know what to do, expose him? Kill him? No no, he needed him. 

Stabilising stabilising himself on the bed, Ron took some deep breaths and promised himself he’d unpack his urge to kill Peter later. Quickly, he grabbed some random clothes and his trunk, pausing momentarily and grabbing some spare parchment and quill and brought it downstairs. 

Ron wondered into the kitchen, grabbing a glass of water when Mrs Weasley caught him, “Are you okay Ron? You were in the bathroom for quite awhile.” 

“Yeah, of course” Ron replied, quick to shoot a smile, “Like I said, weird dream.”

“A nightmare?” asked Mrs Weasley, patient and gentle, 

“No- i mean yeah kinda, but I’m okay now” 

“Do you want to talk about it?”, Ron only paused momentarily, it had been so long since he’d seem his mum, too long had be been comforted by her that after those horrible months searching, unwillingly tears began to form in his eyes. Embarrassingly, Ron attempted to stop them, urged himself to stay strong and stop embarrassing himself, he was eighteen for Merlin's sake, a few months without his mum’s comfort shouldn’t bring him to tears, after all he hadn’t even experienced the worst of it. 

Mrs Weasley was quick to bring him into a hug, and even more embarrassingly, he fell into it. Arms clutched tight around her, preventing her from ever letting go. Knowing fully well what her son was doing, and daring him to ever even consider the thought of letting go, she strengthened her arms around him, one hand cradling his face.

Ron basked in the warmth and comfort of his mum, only to spring apart when the ruckus on his family got to close.

Standing back slightly, Ron brought up his hand to his face and wiped his eyes, smiling softly at his mum, who smiled in return. Mrs Weasley gave his arm a soft squeeze and clapped her hands together, “Right, we’ve got to get moving if we want to meet up with the Grangers.”

Ron perked up significantly at this, thoughts that had swirled around his head since he learnt of the  arrangement at Diagon Alley, Have Harry and Hermione come back too?

Merlin, he hoped so. Ron continued to dwell as he made his way to the living room, I don’t know how i'm going to do this without them.

“Ron, you go first and don’t wonder off” exclaimed Mrs Weasley, and with a feeling of indigence Ron replied, “I know mum.”

This bizarrely brought a sense of calm and a smile to his face, he had missed his mum, over bearing nature and all.

Stepping through the Floo into the Leaky Cauldron, Ron took in his surroundings, it looked the same as last he’d last seen it, Tom behind the bar threw him and the rest of the Weasley bunch a wave as they came tumbling out.

As Mr Weasley went over to the bar to sort out accommodations, Ron took notice of the sight of bushy hair making it’s way through door, 

“Hermione!” Ron exclaimed in excitement and relief, while seeing his family, before the sorrow of the war took precedence, was amazing, seeing Hermione brought about another type of relief. Without a thought, Ron took off and gripped Hermione in a hug. 

Confused, but happily surprised, she hugged him back.

Coming back into himself, and only mildly embarrassed having forgot himself and where he was, Ron took a step back, ears tinged red. 

The Weasley’s and Granger’s shared a look of amusement, 

“Hello Ron” Hermione spoke, a slight dash of pink of her own, 

“Uhm Hi, sorry. Just happy to see you. Worried about Harry and all-” Ron finished lamely, shrugging.

“Oh I know! Honestly what was he thinking? He could be expelled, he knows we’re not meant to be doing magic outside of school. God, I've been worried out of my mind, do you think he’s alright? He wouldn’t do this for no reason, right?” Hermione finally finished, and Ron couldn’t help himself, he gave a short laugh and grin. He’s missed her. 

Wait

She doesn’t know what had exactly taken place. That means…means this wasn’t his Hermione. 

The grin faded from his face, panic, fear and, confusion filled him… 

Why wasn’t Hermione back? 

Did she-

no.

“Ron, what is it?” Hermione asked urgently, and quick to appease her, Ron shook himself slightly, “Nothing. Harry will be okay, he’ll be around here somewhere won’t he? Let's go find him.” 

Turning towards his family to let them know of their plans, he could only watch in amusement as Mr Weasley had the Grangers in a mostly one sided conversion, asking all sorts questions about muggles, 

“So there’s not magic involved at all? Then how does it fly?”

“Well um... so, a plane goes really fast, and then, somehow, the air makes it stay up. The wings are important, I think, and maybe the engines too? Anyway, it just kind of... works." Mr Granger shot a look towards his wife, hands waving dramatically as if to emphasise his points. It didn’t seem to matter though, Mr Weasley seemed to be immersed nonetheless, nodding along as though he was understanding any of it.

“Come on dear, lets leave the Grangers to say goodbye to Hermione, we need to settle in” Pushed Mrs Weasley,

 “Yes, yes of course. Sorry about that, it’s just all so fascinating isn't it, how muggles do without magic. Incredible” Mr Weasley replied almost chagrined.

Ron and Hermione shared a look of amusement.

While Hermione said goodbye to her parents, Ron tried to recall how this had happened last time around, and to be honest with himself, all the minor details of the whole year. He didn’t want to slip up and say something wrong, Merlin knows what would happen then. A new thought appeared in his mind, 

Was him being here changing things completely? Could he even rely on his previous knowledge to get through, or is him even being here changed things Irreparably. 

Dread filled him once again, this is becoming a trend he didn’t like. 

Recalling to parchment and quill he’d quickly stashed, Ron rushed to the room he’d be staying in and got the parchment out, making a list, 

• Scrabbers

• Sirius 

• Dementors 

• Remus

• Map

• Buckbeak 

• Quidditch game

Ron took a deep breath, trying and failing to put a complete chronological timeline together, the eventful years at Hogwarts just seemed to blur together, What happened first?

A knock at his door brought him out of his thoughts, “Ron?” Hermione asked a little impatiently as she opened the door, Ron put the list in his pocket, something that Hermione noticed with a slight frown,

“What's that? What are you hiding?” 

“Nothing!” Ron answered a little shakily, If someone saw this, If Hermione saw this, there’d be some questions he wouldn’t even know how to answer. 

“Come on then, lets go find Harry”

“Oh. Alright then” Hermione spoke in a huff, unable to keep her eyes from drifting to his pocket. Shooting her a quick grin, Ron followed her out of the door, and nearly tripping over as he remembered, 

The time turner.

Chapter Text

Is that what sent him back? Some old, forgotten about time turner at hogwarts? Ron pondered as he walked out of Leakey Cauldron, into the streets of diagon alley. 

It could make some sense, time turners may not go back years, but clearly something had happened. Hogwarts is an ancient, sentient castle and perhaps the destruction of the battle triggered something, lay lines or something, Did Hogwarts have lay lines? Ron tried to recall anything Bill might have spoken about regarding Hogwarts. 

Maybe not ley lines, runes? Merlin, knowledge about runes would be really helpful right now.

“-Ron!”

Ron turned towards Hermione, who had apparently been trying to get his attention for awhile if her face was any indication, 

“What’s the matter with you today? You’re acting weird” Question Hermione with a concerned yet inquisitive frown on her face.

Debating with himself internally only for a moment, Ron grabbed Hermiones arm and turned towards his parents, 

“Mum, is it alright if me and Hermione go-”

“Go on, but be quick and meet us back here in two hours” Answered Mrs Weasley, his strange behaviour today pondering in the back of her mind.

“Thanks! Come on” Ron shot a grin at Mrs Weasley and dragged Hermione away.

“Ron what. Let go of me, what are you doing?” Hermione questioned insistently, appearing puzzled.

Ron ignored her for the time being, instead trying to find a suitable place to speak to Hermione without the fear of anyone overhearing. Ron spotted Florean Fortescue's and dragged Hermione to one of the tables outside, away from others.

“You better explain yourself right now, Ronald Weasley” exclaimed Hermione after finally being allowed to catch her breath.

“Right yea sorry, I just really don’t know how to tell you any of this and if anyone overhears then…” Ron trailed off as he took notice of Hermiones expression turning more and more concerned as he rambled on.

“Ron, just tell me. It’s not this Sirius Black is it? I saw the posters, and nevermind his face all over muggle news” Her expression becoming more and more wild 

“No, no! Just listen for a moment will ya? I know this is going to be hard to believe but you’ve gotta. I’ve been thinking about this and you’re the only person I can think to tell right now, and you know, you might know more about this than me.” Merlin, is this a good idea? Is he ruining everything right now? Is this even how visiting diagon first happened back in third year?

“Wh- why- what would I know more about?” Hermiones patience was thinning, her insistence becoming more incoherent and confused. 

“Right okay well, how do I put this?” Hermione shot him a glare, “Well this morning I woke up somewhere I shouldn’t have been”

“What do you mean? The burrow?” Hermione interrupted.

“No, well yes but no. Just let me get this out, as mad as it sounds. I shouldn’t have been at the burrow at all. I don’t even remember going to sleep last night but I do know that it was not 1993” Hermione went to interrupt him again, eyes wild, expression turning from annoyance, bewilderment and finally dumbfounded. 

“I’ve time traveled Hermione. An- and I don’t know how or why or what the hell is going on but I woke up in my room at home, in a different body and everything being wrong. But- but not wrong because it was normal and happy and everything it should have been and stayed and I can’t do this! I can’t do this alone, why me? Why not Harry or you! It shouldn't be me when you could do a much better job. I mean what can I do compared to the Brightest Witch Of Her Age or the Boy Who Lived” Ron finally managed to stop, breathes ragged, face downcast in shame and exhaustion, it seems just having been fighting in a war has finally caught up to me.

Hermione stared, and just continued to for what felt like hours, Ron finally looked back up and gazed at her, “Huh, I seemed to have finally rendered you speechless” Ron attempted to joke, and Hermione seemed to be shot back into action, grabbing Ron’s arms in the process, leaning close to him, attempting to lessen the chances of anyone overhearing, 

“That’s not possible. No one can time travel that far, I mean time turners can’t even go back that far, theres dire consequences for doing so. I mean the risks of creating paradoxes or people accidentally killing themselves…It’s just too dangerous an- and impossible!” Hermione ended her speech finally.

“This is why I need you, your knowledge on time turners. I mean, I know the basics but I reckon you’ve done a lot of research on them” Ron explained to a still perplexed Hermione, who slowly turned pink, 

“What? Why would I know about time turners?” Hermione stuttered out, Ron grinned again,

“I just told you, I’ve time traveled, so I know all about that little present Mcgonagall has got for you” 

“No one can know, I was specifically told my Professor Mcgonagall to keep this a secret Ron. What if they take it away?” 

“Bloody hell Hermione, I just told you about me time travelling and still all you think about is school work” Hermione had to decency to appear abashed.

“ No, you’re right. I’m sorry. So you’ve time traveled? Well how far? How old are you? Wait, what do you mean happy and should have stayed that way, what happened?” Hermione came back to herself, immediately diving straight into interrogation mode.

“One question at a time women. It’s kinda hard to explain and i’m scared that i’ll ruin things if i say too much but I was in 1998 so i’m eighteen and i- no we need to at least try to figure things out before I go damaging and changing the future. And see! You’ve already helped me.” Ron ended with a burst of excitement, might be closer to figuring out how to fix this 

“How?” Hermione exclaimed, “I haven’t said anything.”

“No no you have, see the reason time travel is so dangerous is the consequences of your past self seeing you. But my past self isn’t here, i’m back in my thirteen year old body. So there’s not a chance of creating a paradox or-”

“A alternative reality” Hermione finished for him

So this is still the same reality, meaning there’s not a reality of himself losing fred. He can fix this. He can end Voldemort before he kills anyone.

Excitement burst within him, he can do this. He may not have his Harry and Hermione but he has some version of them. 

“We can talk more about this later without the fear if others overhearing, and when we get to Hogwarts I am going to find as many books on time travel that I can and we can figure a way to send you back” Hermione interrupted his musings. 

“Send me back? No Hermione, I can fix things, make sure no one has to get hurt!” 

“Hurt? Ron who’s hurt? What happens in the future?” 

“I can’t tell you right now, later when we’re alone” Ron answered with a shake of his head, 

“Well we need to find Harry then” Hermione stated, intending to stand up. Ron quickly grabbed her arm, bringing her back down, 

“We can’t tell Harry.”

“What? What do you mean we can’t tell Harry? Why not Ron?” Hermione asked frantically, uncomfortable with the idea of keeping Harry in the dark, 

“I know, i’m uncomfortable with not telling Harry as well but I have a plan, well a beginning of a plan and I just need to time figure this all out. I don’t want to hurt him any more than he needs to be” 

Hermione looked hesitant, indigence over keeping her friend in the dark, and worry for Harry fighting with her, “Well alright! But you’re telling me everything later”

“I will! I Promise.” Ron nodding his head frantically.

“What are you promising?”

Ron and Hermione both swung their heads towards to the voice, 

Harry stood in front of the table, grinning.

Chapter Text

Ron gazed around the room he was sharing with Percy, waiting for his brother to go to sleep. He and Hermione had agreed to talk downstairs while everyone slept, but that was quickly becoming a problem as Percy continued to scribble on his parchment. 

How much can he tell Hermione? Merlin, why had even told Hermione, she’s not going to let this go, Great job Ron, you’ve already screwed this up. Ron put his head in his hands with a groan, 

“You alright there Ron?” Questioned Percy, absentmindedly.

“Yeah, headache” Ron replied quickly,

Percy returned to his parchment, Ron attempted to gather his thoughts. He didn’t like not telling Harry, it felt like a betrayal but why should Harry have to struggle even more, he’s just a kid. I just need a plan. 

The horcruxes, he could get into the chamber and get a basilisk fang but how is he even going to get them all? The diary is taken care of, the Diadem is at Hogwarts, the Cup is in Bellatrix's vault, Dumbledore found the ring, the snake hasn’t been made yet, has it? The locket is at Grimmauld Place an-

Harry

Ron took a shuddering breath, Harry can’t die again. How is he going to destroy the horcrux in Harry without destroying Harry? Even Dumbledore couldn’t find another way, is he going to have to tell Dumbledore? 

Ron paused his musings at the sight of Percy turning into bed, “Good night Ron” Percy spoke as he turned off the light,

“Night” Ron mumbled, as he turned on his side, bundling up the covers towards him.

I can’t think of that right now, I just need to think about what I can do.

With the help of Sirius, he might be able to take care of two of them. The cup is in Bellatrix’s vault, would Sirius have access?

Merlin, I hope so.

The first thing he needs to concentrate on is Sirius, exposing Pettigrew publicly would ensure that Sirius isn’t guilty, and then Harry can have a proper relationship with him. Telling Harry about the future would only cause him more pain, telling him that his godfather died would not be a good idea, even though he doesn’t know about that right now.

 If he can stop Sirius’ death then Harry will have someone else there for him, a proper family and he can help destroy the horcruxes.

How am I gonna do that? In front of Dumbledore? Diagon Alley? No, more opportunity for him to escape. It’s going to have to be at Hogwarts. 

Ron snuck a look over to Percy, who was fast asleep. As quietly as he could, Ron withdrew the quilt from over him and stationed himself up right, tiptoeing towards the door. He found Hermione curled up on a chair. I can help her too, she doesn’t have to go through anything like that again. His resolve strengthened, he wandered over to Hermione, who was already looking at him.

“Hey” Ron whispered, “Sorry it’s late, Percy just wouldn’t go to sleep.”

“Nothing about that, come on. I’ve been dying all day. So you’ve time traveled five years in the past, occupying your younger body and you don’t want to be sent back because something bad will happen in the future?” Hermione questioned, disbelievingly, “I mean Ron, you have got to admit that it all sounds a little preposterous, you haven’t just had a bad dream or something?” 

Ron had to laugh, this is why he told Hermione, her disbelieving nature may make her hesitant but she gets answers an- and he’d missed her and Harry and the thought of doing this by himself without his two favourite people in the world made him worry even more then just suddenly showing up in the past.

“Yes Hermione, I'm sure. How else would I know about your time tuner? Or even have such detailed information about the future? And I just can’t be sent back okay? Not when I have the chance to change everything. What kind of person would I be if I had the ability to stop people from suffering and just didn’t? I’d never be able to forgive myself” Ron finished with a sigh, sitting down on the chair next to her, rocking it lightly.

“Oh Ron, okay so you’ve traveled back but can you tell me at least something? We can go to the library once we get back to Hogwarts tomorrow and try to figure this out. I mean, time travel is so dangerous for a myriad of reasons. Just being here right now, what if you change something and then you have no idea what happens next?” Hermione spoke, concern and anxiety in her eyes and voice.

“I’ve thought about that, I have but- but consequences or not, I still have more information then the average person and if something does happen that wasn’t supposed to i’ll fix it-”

“We’ll fix it” Hermione interrupted, with a smile that came out as more of a grimace.

“Thank you Hermione, this has been a lot. I mean” Ron stopped short with a hysterical laugh that he quickly quieted, a look up the stairs to where his family and Harry was sleeping, “When i woke up this morning, I didn’t know what to think, I  was comfortable you know? For the first time in months, and warm and everything seemed so far out of reach and then reality hit me and I felt my stomach drop, and it shouldn’t have should it? I mean my family were safe, you and Harry were safe but thi- this dread I felt. I realised we’ll never all be comfortable and warm and safe and okay again.” Ron felt his face turn red, comfortable ? Harry and Hermione had gone through more than he had and here is he is spilling his guts to Hermione when she shouldn’t have to worry either.

“I’m sorry, I don’t know why I'm telling you this. You’re here for answers” 

“I’m here for you Ron, and answers. Anything that will help you and whatever will happen in the future” Hermione replied softly, a hand on his. 

Ron looked down to their joined hands, Hermione following his gaze, turned pink in the cheeks and quickly removed her hand back.

“Thank you and I suppose I should tell you something but this isn’t going to be easy okay? Me telling you and what you’re about to learn but I know how to prevent it, or at least some of it” Hermione nodded her head slowly, an apprehensive look on her face, 

“Are you sure you want to know? Because I can’t take this back and I don’t want to burden you. And I know we’ve faced worse, or we will but not this young, not this responsibility this young” Ron hesitated to question, the thought of causing more hurt and worry to Hermione didn’t feel right but this was Hermione and maybe he was selfish after all. 

“Yes Ron” She spoke softly again, “you already have this burden and more and what type of friend would I be if I let you face it alone?”

Ron smiled, she was still Hermione.

“Voldemort, he comes back” Ron whispered, slightly stumbling over the name.

Hermione’s mouth opened and closed, face white and shocked,

“What? You mean-”

“Yeah and soon. And the damage and destruction he caused is not something that can happen again. I can’t let it happen.”

Hermione stayed silent for several moments, 

“I know this is a lot and i’m sorry”

“No- no don’t be, it’s not your fault. Just give me a moment to think” Hermione replied, stunned.

Ron nodded and lent back on his chair. 

“Why can’t we tell Harry?” Hermione spoke rather abruptly, “I mean this involves him doesn’t it?”

“Yeah but if I were to tell Harry I'd have to tell him something, something that I'm afraid I might never be able to do and that-that is more scary to me than anything. I need a plan, something that means Harry doesn’t have to-”

“Have to do what Ron?” Hermione spoke urgently.

Ron closed his eyes, tears, that he tried so hard to not let fall, fell from his closed lids, 

“Die Hermione, die.”

“Die?” Hermione questioned, seemingly without any conscious emotion.

“I-” Ron stopped, collecting himself.

“There are some things, some information that I'm not privy to and I don’t know how Harry or Dumbledore did it but he came back. Somehow, it’s Harry, of course he does but without that information, I'm scared that Harry would not care about how, he’d just do it all over again and I'd have no idea how to bring him back.”

“So we just have to figure out how” Hermione stated, rather matter of factly Ron thought, for the situation they were in.

“What? How are we going to do that?”

“We’ll research, and we’ll find something. We have to.”

“You’re right, you always are” Ron replied with a grin, somehow with some of the weight lifted from him.

They sat in contemplative silence for a few minutes, none of it awkward but strangely stilted.

“Right, we better get to sleep. We have to be up early for tomorrow and we can’t talk about this with Harry around okay? He’ll notice something is up and I’d rather we have something concrete before Harry gets involved in this” Hermione stated, her usually matter of fact voice only slightly shaky.

“Goodnight, Hermione” 

Hermione stopped at the beginning of steps, aimed a slight smile at Ron,

“Goodnight, Ron.”

Ron stared at the stairs only a moment longer, listening to Hermione walking to her room and dragged himself up as well, wincing at the creaks of the stairs.

He hesitated as he got to his room, slowly turning the handle on his room door so as to not awaken Percy, who only continued to snore.

Slowly Ron tiptoed towards his bed and got in, turning to his side.

Ron lay thinking, was it a good idea telling Hermione? Should he tell Harry? Would he jeopardise the wizarding world so Harry didn’t have to die?

Chapter Text

“Ron!”

“Huh wha-a” Ron mumbled, turning over to fall back asleep, when the covers were quickly ripped from him.

“Percy!”

“Come on Ron, we’re going to be late for the train!” Percy exclaimed, just as the knocking on the door started.

“Ron! Percy! Hurry up and get out, we’re going to be late!” exclaimed Mrs Weasley, rather loudly.

“I’m up! I’m up! Merlin” Ron mumbled, blinking the sleep from his eyes, he hadn’t got much sleep last night, his thoughts and worries keeping him up, not knowing what time he fell asleep, Ron forced himself up and suppressed a yawn as he staggered to the bathroom past Percy.

After the quickest shower of his life, Ron gathered his trunk and met up with the rest of his family who were waiting for him, Percy seemed especially annoyed. Ron walked up to Harry and Hermione, the latter who smiled at him with what he can only assume was meant to be reassuring, he gave the same smile back and she grimaced.

Turning towards Harry, Ron spoke quietly, “You doing alright mate? No trouble or anything while you’ve been staying at Diagon?”

“No, it’s been good. Did my school shopping ages ago, have just been wandering around.”

“That’s good mate, come on, let's hurry before Percy decides to shoot.”

Ron kept shifting glances at Mr and Mrs Weasley, they looked pale. Ron knew they were talking about Sirius, and Harry was listening in.

“What’s that about?” Questioned Hermione, shooting inquisitive looks towards Harry.

“Sirius Black” Ron whispered back, “Was kind of hoping dad won’t say anything, but I guess it’s best to keep things exactly as they went originally.”

“Why are you so against telling Harry? I mean, it's a bit unfair and I feel bad keeping things from him. You know he’d tell us if anything happened to him.” Hermione asked, rather sternly.

“I know Hermione, I know. And I feel awful but” Ron stopped as soon as Harry started walking towards them, expression apprehensive.

“I need to speak to you in private” Harry spoke to Ron and Hermione as they entered the compartment, Ron’s eyes were immediately drawn towards the figure sat there.

Remus.

Ron’s eyes watered, the memory of the last time he’d seen this man immediately running havoc in his mind. Another reason why Ron had to succeed, this man did not deserve the fate that lay ahead of him, he was good, too good.

Ron’s mind took him back to Grimmauld's Place, Ron had not spent that much time with Remus, nor did he have the same relationship towards him that Harry did, not someone close to his parents, someone who gives him the information he desperately wants. However, in the time Ron had spent getting to know him, he’d grown to respect him, not some idolised version of him, but the man he was.

Grief overcame Ron, and then fear.

The Dementors.

“-n. Ron!” Hermione shook him.

Ron blinked, those awake in the compartment were looking at him with concern.

“Are you alright Ron? You’ve been acting strange” Ginny questioned, concern taking precedence over her reserve of Harry.

“Yeah course, sorry. Just who’s that man?” Ron pointed at Remus, hoping to distract.

“R.J Lupin. Says on the case, must be a new Professor” Hermione answered, gaze turning to Ron in question.

“Must be the new Defence Professor, let’s hope he’s better than the last” Harry stated, only to turn to Ginny, grimace on his face.

Ginny put on a quick smile and shook her head, “I’m going to go and find the twins.”

They took their seats furthest away from the sleeping professor, Ron next to Harry and Hermione across from.

“What did you want to talk about Harry?” Hermione asked Harry.

“I overheard Mr and Mrs Weasley talking about Sirius Black, and well Mr Weasley told me that”

Harry was interrupted by the compartment door opening, Neville on the other side, “Have you seen a toad?”

“No, sorry mate. Here”

Suddenly, a toad flew into the compartment and landed in Ron’s hands, who passed it over to Neville, only then seeing the shock on their faces.

“What? I only summoned it.” Ron replied, oh.

Hermione spoke to Ron directly, “We haven’t learnt that spell yet”, albeit gently.

“Oh, well it’s just something Percy taught me. I couldn’t find something over the summer and he taught me it.”

“But,” Neville spoke, “You just performed that non-verbally,”

“Yeah, well…” Ron stopped, struggling to come up with a believable lie, he wasn’t the best liar after all.

“It’s not like that's the first time Ron’s performed a spell non-verbally, remember last year with the slugs?”

Harry and Neville seemed to accept it, only Neville somewhat reluctantly.

“Well I better go and find another compartment, this one’s full” Neville states, somewhat reluctantly, shooting a quick look towards Ron, who furrowed his eyebrows back, in feigned confusion.

Ron let out a small breath and turned to Harry, “Go on then mate, what did you hear?”

“Mr Weasley said that Black is after me, wants to kill me and to not look for him. I mean, why would I go after someone looking to kill me?” Harry states, confusion and apprehension clear in his voice.

“He’s after you? Why would Black be after you?” Hermione questioned, shooting a look towards Ron before focusing her attention on Harry.

“I don't know, do I?” Harry shot back, “Must have something to do with Voldemort.”

Hermione flinched, while Ron…

Ron froze.

That name, he knew he should not be afraid of the name, especially after speaking, no shouting at Voldemort but that name had brought nothing but destruction on everything that Ron loves and cares for. That man had made him feel fear like never before, made every struggle in his life feel so inconsequential compared to the image of Harry’s lifeless body in Hagrid's arms.

Ron remembers that his heart quite literally stopped at the image, the way his grief turned into rage, uncontrollable rage that wanted to lay waste to everyone and everything on the other side of that battle field. The way that rage hardened into something ineffable at the scene of Fred’s body on the cold, dust ridden floors of Hogwarts. That rage seized him again, that fear of taboo that nearly took Hermione from him.

The train lights flickered, though Ron hardly took any notice, too caught up in his head, his grief and rage and sense of helplessness.

“-Ron!” Hermione exclaimed, kneeling across from him, hands on his own clenched on his lap.

“Huh” Ron blinked blearily at her, and then Harry as he took notice of Harry’s hand on his arm, grounding him with the pressure.

“Is anyone else cold?” Ron questioned, not quite hearing himself speak, still gazing at Harry and Hermione with a somewhat dazed expression.

“Cold? What Ron- HARRY!” Hermione exclaimed suddenly, catching sight of Harry slowly fainting.

Hermione shivered and put her arms around herself as the train suddenly stopped and everything went dark.

Ron blinked himself back, confusion taking over as he took sight of Remus standing, arm outstretched in front of him, expelling the dementors from the compartment.

That’s when Ron took sight of Harry on the floor below him, face ashen and pale.
Ron quickly rushed to the floor towards Harry, nausea overwhelming him as he moved too quickly.

“Harry, Harry are you okay?” Ron grabbed Harry’s arm, and shook him gently, his other arm reaching for Hermione, “Are you okay?” He quickly questioned Hermione, who looked at him with an expression he could only describe as fear, for just what he couldn’t tell.

“Who screamed?” Harry asked quietly, “There was a woman, Hermione, are you okay?”

“I didn’t scream, there were no women” She answered, staring at Harry with a mixture of fear and confusion.

“I saw green and then a woman's voice” Harry replied, sternly.

There was a hand in front of Ron’s face, who looked up and noticed Remus handing him chocolate, grateful, Ron grabbed it.

Ron took notice of Harry’s hesitance, as did Remus.

“Eat it, it’ll help” Remus stated, he was interrupted by the compartment door opening and Neville entering, “What was that? Are you guys alright?” He took the chocolate handed to him.

“Did you hear it?” Harry questioned Neville,

“Hear what?”

“That women, the screams”

Neville took a visible step back, face pale and trembling.

“No. I didn’t hear any women”

“Oh,” Harry replied, somewhat embarrassed, “Well did anyone else faint?”

“Ron did, Harry. Are you both okay?” Hermione answered Harry, who only looked somewhat relieved at the answer.

They were all interrupted by the compartment door opening again, this time it was Ginny entering the compartment, trembling and visibly shaken. She took a seat closest to Ron, who turned towards Remus again, hand outstretched,

“Can she-”
Remus handed him the chocolate, and Ron handed it to Ginny.

“Eat it, it’ll help. Chocolate helps against Dementors.” Ron said softly to Ginny.

“Is that what that was? Dementors” Hermione asked, while Harry looked on confused,

“What are Dementors?”

“Dementors are among the foulest creatures that walk this earth.They glory in decay and despair, they drain peace, hope, and happiness out of the air around them... Get too near a Dementor and every good feeling, every happy memory will be sucked out of you. If it can, the Dementor will feed on you long enough to reduce you to something like itself... soulless and evil. You will be left with nothing but the worst experiences of your life, and you will just be an empty shell that lost its soul." Remus answered, pale in his own expression.

Remus caught himself, clapped his hands together, Ron and the rest of the compartment flinched,

“Sorry” Remus grimaced apologetically, “I better go speak to the train driver, excuse me a minute.”

The rest of the compartment stared as he left, blinking.