HPNSA - BOOK TWO

CHAPTER FIFTEEN
THE UNEXPECTED
TIMELINE: February 2 – 3, 1998


(Feb. 2 - 6:00 am)


The train ride to Exeter was the most unbearable one Ron ever had. Not only was the train taking twice the amount of time getting there, Ron knew his return here will not be unlooked nor unchallenged. He nervously paced around while Rio rummaged the luggage for clothes that would fit them both.

“Here, try this,” Rio had given him a long black blazer. “Oh cool! Hah!” He exclaimed flashing a shiny one that had the word TWISTED embellished on it. Rio took off his cloak looking very glad to be getting rid of it.

Ron did not agree though. “We should really wear our cloaks, Rio.”

Rio picked up his cloak and waved it in front of Ron; it was covered in dried Lycan gut and blood, and it had the faint smell of rotting flesh. “You wanna wear yours, fine by me. I’m packing mine.”

Ron watched as Rio empties a bag of its contents – clothes and other items were now piling on the floor. A snow globe fell and rolled towards the corner where the porter was-gagged and tied- he was shaking in fear as Ron went closer to him to pick up the object. There was a small castle inside—it reminded him of Hogwarts and how all he wanted to do for the past three days was to get there. Why it had become such a struggle has not dawned on him yet. His life has gone down a spiral since the start of the year and as much as he wanted to blame someone else, that guilty finger always pointed back at him. For many days now he could feel that he is slowly losing himself, losing control of how he felt, and what he did, and it scared him because for some reason he could not understand, he liked the change.

“Harry…” Ron closed his eyes tightly forcing back the tears. He was already tired of crying and feeling powerless but it could not be helped, he knew very little of what was happening to him, his family, and the world that changed before him overnight. Then he remembered Archer; how he wanted to hex himself. He hoped that wherever he was, Arabella was taking care of him.

“The train is slowing down. Come on!” Rio hailed.

Ron put the snow globe between the porters’ legs. “Sorry.” Then he and Rio went back to their seats. “Now, remember, try to be inconspicuous.” Ron reminded. “The last thing we need is another confrontation.”

“I got it! Here, this is the last of our stock.” Rio said handing the vial to Ron. They took it at the same time. “This is our last chance to get to that castle, if this doesn’t work, we’re in deep shit.”

“Yeah, don’t remind me.” Ron looked out the window – it looked as though things were still peaceful in these parts. Not a wizard in sight, Ron noticed as they slowed down. “Not for long…” He whispered.

“I’ll go ahead, and get us a ride.” Rio said.

The train comes to a full stop and the passengers stood and inched slowly towards the door. Rio and Ron separated and tried to blend in with the crowd, though it was rather difficult since Rio stood about an inch taller than most of the commuters.

They made it to the escalator without so much as a nasty glance. Ron drew the blazer as a gust of cold wind splashed through him when he reached the top; groups of muggles clumped together near the ticket booth, others bustling towards the line of taxis that waited outside. Rio was a couple of meters ahead of him negotiating with one of the cab drivers. He saw Rio move to the next one with the cab driver shouting profanities at him. Ron was getting closer to him a bit relieved that the situation seemed better than what he anticipated. Rio was successful in his third try for transportation towards Ottery Street, and he boarded the cab waiting for Ron to follow. He was almost inside when something hit him from behind.

“RON!”

“Bloody hell!” Ron tried to stand when another streak of light hit him. He crashes against the cab, its door torn off by the impact.

Rio got out from the other side and threw his dagger hitting the wizard hexing Ron right between the eyes. The crowd that had been muted by the display of magic suddenly erupted into pandemonium when the wizard fell on the floor twitching.

“So much for being discreet!” Rio cried. He jumped on the cab drawing his sword. “Get up, Ron!”

Ron could feel his ears ringing; he wiped the side of his face and saw blood. He took off the blazer and unsheathed his sword as well.

“LOOK OUT!” Ron cried pushing Rio to the other side.

The streak of light hit the cab and it exploded. Ron rolls on the ground and hides behind a barrier as pieces of the automobile came crashing down.

“MOTHER FUCKING SHIT!” Rio cried he too hid behind a barrier on the other side of the station. “THERE’S TOO MANY OF THEM!”

The whole area was steadily clearing and those that were too shocked to move were immediately disposed. Ron could hear the wizards conjuring the killing curse like it came naturally.

“Give it up, Weasley! You’re outnumbered, and out skilled! You might as well surrender!”

Ron recognized that voice, having heard it many times in their house before. He used to haggle Arthur for help in many raids that went out of hand because he used too much magic on muggles. He was very nearly sent to Azkaban more than once, had it not been for his father who managed to convince the Ministry that what was done had been an honest mistake- though even Arthur suspected that this Auror had a hatred for non-magic folk though he denied it.

“Bartus Waite!” Ron cried back the name left a disgusting taste in his mouth. “I should have known.”

“I see you still remember me, ickle Ronnikins!” Bartus replied. “You’re dad has placed his foot too far this time, hasn’t he?”

“He usually does, sticking up for bastards such as yourself! You working for Voldemort now?” Ron blasted back. “Expelliarmus!”

“PROTEGO!” The spell was repelled. “Stop playing games, boy!”

“Fucking hell!” Ron could see Rio on the other side sneaking slowly out.

“I’m an Auror, Ronald. A real one, unlike those confounded traitors like Kingsley, and Alastor! Do you think your little sword play will daunt me?” Bartus had levitated a burning car hood and smashed it against the barrier.

Ron jumped out seconds before the bulk of burning iron smashed against the barrier. He quickly conjured a shield repelling Bartus’ stunning spell in time. Then he ran and hid against another thick pillar of brick. Bartus levitated another car and hurled it against that barrier.

“REDUCTO!” Ron cried and the car exploded a few meters away from him. He rolled out of the barrier as shards flew towards him. Bartus got a clear shot and Ron was sent flying out into the street. He felt his face burn as it scraped against the hard pavement. “Wingardium Leviosa!” He levitated a broken chassis and flung it towards Bartus.

“REDUCTO!” Cried the Auror and the hot car framework blew up.

Ron saw an opening and he took it. “EXPELLIARMUS!” The hex hurled the Auror against the ticket barrier.

“IMPEDIMENTA!” Another wizard had taken up the fight.

The spell hit Ron the same time his dagger pierced the Auror’s larynx. His cloak reduced the spell’s impact as it absorbed most of it; His limbs felt heavy but he could still move, and the effect of the hex wore off quickly. He ran back behind the protection of the barrier.

“There are two of them Bartus!” cried one of the Aurors. “The other has killed Bint and Marcus!”

“BE QUIET, YOU COWARD! We still outnumber you, Weasley!” Bartus mocked. “Try a—arrgh!” Bartus screamed in pain. Rio had struck him no doubt by a Sai from the sound of the weapon flung onto the floor. Bartus was howling in pain and when Ron looked, he saw that Bartus was holding his hip. Rio smiled deviously at him from the other side.

“Give up?” Ron cried his whole face was now crimson.

“Bartus, the muggles!”

A host of police cars careening towards the train station, parked with a screech in front of Ron. A team of heavily armed men lined themselves behind the cars all their weapons aimed at Ron and Rio.

“Now what?” Ron said to himself.

“What in the name of heaven is going on here? You! Put down your weapons!” The police addressed the two Knights.

“Ron,” Rio whined.

“Quiet!”

“There are wizards here, you freaking idiots!” Rio cried out to the police.

“Wizards?” The chief echoed. “I can only see you two!”

“What?” Ron asked then he felt the tip of a wand pointed at his temple.

“Got you!” The wizard said.

Ron swung his sword and the arm fell off still holding the wand tightly. Ron stood and grabbed the wizard as the police showered them with bullets. The wizard absorbed the shots and wriggled a bit before limping in Ron’s arms. Ron levitated one of the cars and dropped it on top of another, causing a halt in their attack and giving him time to run for cover. He drops the dead body on the ground and raced towards Rio who had slit the throat of the wizard that tried to hex him.

A streak of light flashed and hit the line of cars sending several in the air. Ron rolled to his side and conjured a shield as he ran across. The shield had repelled the spells but some of the police had returned and fired at him. His cloak had deflected the bullets but one scraped the side of his head— Ron saw his blood splattering like red paint as the bullet cut through. The potion he took earlier prevented him from loosing consciousness but his left eye dimmed a bit and he fell over. At first, his head felt numb but seconds later the wound began to ache.

He stood, and as soon as he got to his feet, a large object hit him and flung him against the debris of cars. Bartus had enlarged one of the bags and hurled it against him. Though he could not see, he could hear only one other wizard other than Bartus, and he was busy hexing the police. He had landed on a burning car door and now the heat of the iron was slowly scorching his back. The hot surface had reached his hair and was now frying his scalp but he dare not move; he just lay there like a dead thing for Bartus was moving foolishly closer to him.

“Aveda…”

Ron drove his sword straight through Bartus’ stomach and slowly pushed the blade upwards cutting through layers of organs and muscles. Then he kicked Bartus’ corpse away and rolled to his side then jumped behind a barrier. He felt the back of his head and grimaced in pain. The whole backside of his hair had been singed and his scalp was tender to the touch.

The last wizard recovering from the shock of seeing Bartus gutted had begun conjuring blasting spells aimed at the walls – steadily keeping his distance from the Knights. Rio had run towards Ron who had covered them both with his cloak as bricks came falling down. The wizard kept at it until Rio shot him with his last dagger.

“Man you’re bleeding bad!” Rio said.

Ron knew he was not exaggerating either for he could feel the gush from the wound on the left side of his head.

“Let’s go before those police men return.” Ron said.


***

Neville grimaced as he drops a rotting limb onto the ground. Dean looked around the place and nodded in disgust as Neville pointed out one werewolf carcass after another.

“There’s about six werewolves here,” Said Neville cringing.

“Ron where are you?” Tonks whispered as she scoured the area for signs of Ron. This was their last hope after returning to the other gateways to see whether Ron had tried to return to them. She thought Arabella might have seen him though now that they see her place nearly run down, she was convinced that Ron had been here all this time. “We’re too late…again.” She threw a glass against the fireplace.

“Where now, Tonks?” Dean asked.

However, Nymphadora had not the slightest clue where to head to next. She hoped Ron would not risk going back to the Ministry but under the circumstances, he has been left with no other recourse.

“We have to go to the Ministry.” Tonks said.

“The Ministry? Tonks, that is dangerous, Professor Lupin said that the Ministry is no longer to be trusted.” Protested Dean, Neville nodded in agreement.

Tonks looked at them and knew that she had to risk it somehow. “I have to try, Dean. By this time, knowing Ron, he just might try. ” Her voice cracked a bit.

“Look!” Neville cried. “Over here, Tonks!” He ran towards what was left of the bedroom and lifted a baby bag from the floor.

“It’s Archers.” Tonks concluded after looking at the items inside. “They were here, and they were attacked by these…these werewolves.”

“Now we’re sure that Ron would not return to the Ministry. He still had his son, and now Arabella is with them as well. And old lady and a baby…Tonks, he’s not that foolish yet.” Dean said.

“Where would he go, then?” Tonks asked.

“Perhaps he went back home?” Neville suggested.

“No, it’s too far and Ron knows it’s guarded.” Tonks said.

“We can’t stay here, some of these muggles have been bitten. They’ll transform by tonight when the moon comes out full.” Dean said.

Tonks nodded. She hated giving up on her search, not after so much toil, but there was no use lingering in this place or wandering off to search only to come out empty handed. Ron’s move had become unpredictable and the riddle was slowly wearing Nymphadora’s resolve.

“I will head back towards the Burrow. You two best return to Hogwarts. Tell Remus that werewolves have ravaged this area, and that Ron is now on the run with his son, and Arabella Figg.” Tonks said.

The two wizards nodded then mounted their brooms and flew. Tonks rode hers and headed southwest.

***


“Don’t move.” Rio said as he tried to clean Ron’s head. “Man, the bleeding won’t stop. We have to get you to a hospital or you’ll bleed to death.”

“No! We have to get to Hogwarts…”

“How?”

“Rio…” Ron was no longer strong enough for a debate and he knew Rio was right.

“Come on, man!”

“If you don’t want to help me, stay here then…” Ron said.

Rio sighed exasperatedly. “Alright! We’ll do it your way. Where do we go now?”

Ron sat up slowly holding his head with his hand; he could feel the open cut and knew that it was a considerable wound. Deep inside he knew he might not make it to the Burrow in this state, but he will not give up. Harry was leaving him and that alone was pushing him to continue though his whole body was against any movement.

“Ron…” Rio whined. “Look, I know you want to get to Harry. The task Ron, the task will bring him back permanently. Think about the task!”

“No! You don’t understand!” Ron said.

“You’re right, I don’t! What the fucking hell is wrong with you? Why are you struggling to get there?” Rio yelled at him.

Rio’s voice made the ringing of his head worsen. He now felt nauseous and he staggered towards the corner and then threw up.

“Whoa man! Come on, we can’t go on with you like this.” Rio insisted.

Ron shook his head. “No! Let’s go. It’s not far,” Ron staggered out the door.

“You can barely stand! Ron!”

“Must…get…to…” His eyes dimmed, and he could feel his head getting heavier and heavier as though it was made of stone. Luckily, Rio followed closely, supporting him as he tried to continue, but the potion has worn off and he falls down on his knees.

“Please, Ron…” Rio begged him.

“No…must get to…Har…” The blackness was sudden, claiming him fully.


***

Ron slowly opened his eyes and saw a woman beside him trembling in fear. He was on a bed inside a small room. It was filled with the smell of alcohol and blood. Rio was standing by the door, his sword drawn watching the woman who kept pouring some liquid onto the side of his head. He expected it to hurt terribly but the whole left side of his face was now numb.

“I can’t make the bleeding stop!” The woman sobbed. “He has to see a doctor!”

“Just patch it up with gauze!” Rio instructed.

The woman obeyed and covered Ron’s head with layers and layers of gauze then she bound it with lots of tape.

Ron closed his eyes tightly and blinked hard several times. But it was no use, the blur in his eyes would not go away. “What time is it?”

“It’s midnight.”

“It won’t stop, unless it’s stitched up! The wound is too big!” The woman interrupted. “If he doesn’t get medical help…”

“Shut up!” Rio cried. “Put one more layer, and that will do it!”

“Midnight…” Ron could feel his entire body giving up. How he wanted to stay there and rest. His mind, however, was now mortally afraid of missing that last chance he had to see Harry again. Fighting the fatigue that plagued him with every ounce of will he could muster, Ron sat up holding the woman’s hand and reached out for his sword that lay on the bed.

“Right. Can you stand?” Rio asked.

“Let’s go.” Ron said. The moment he stood, he felt the wound open and the gauze was soon drenched. He wobbled but Rio caught him in time.

The woman looked at him with concern and Ron tried to thank her but she nodded her head and dismissed them.

“Just leave.” She said grimly.

Ron nodded and Rio helped him out of the house.

“The cliffs…” Ron said pointing at the deep purple shadows before them. “We head straight for it. Then turn right at the broken sign post…we’ll see the burrow…”

“You are unbelievable you know.” Rio said as they slowly walked towards the hills. “All this for a dead guy.”

“I love him…” Ron said.

“Bullshit! Look at you! Look at what this ‘love’ of yours has done.” Rio berated. “I will never understand what you get from it.”

However, Ron understood why Rio despised love—love was a weakness for the Knights, something that made them vulnerable. It was a commodity you enjoy for a while but must never allow to consume you. Part of him agreed with this concept –more than once, he regretted loving Harry this much. The love that was supposed to bring them happiness has caused nothing but pain and loneliness. How he wanted to use a time turner, return to that turning point in their lives, and kill the person he blames for all this misery…himself.

By the time they reached the cliffs, Ron was too exhausted to continue; Rio let him rest for a while and lowered him slowly on the ground. Ron laid back leaning against a tree breathing hard.

“Ron, we’re…almost there,” Rio assured him. “Just a little more.”

“Let’s go…” Ron said.

Rio placed his arms around his shoulders then the two of them hobbled over to the pathway that led to the house. Ron expected an attack and braced himself for it, gripping the hilt of his sword with the strength he had left. But when nothing greeted them except the howling of the cold wind he knew help had come and he let go of his weapon. The thought of help after many days of incredible struggle gave him enough energy to continue walking. He legs have stopped responding, numbed by exhaustion. His wits now dimmed though he resisted losing consciousness.

“It’s empty,” Rio said.

“Dumbledore…He must be…inside…” Ron said weakly.

They headed straight towards the house, opened the door and headed inside- Ron was expecting to see members of the Order gathered there waiting for him. However, the house was empty save for one person who stood in the middle of the room.

“Aidan!” Rio gasped.

“Hello Rio.” Aidan said calmly approaching them. “Ronald…”

Ron tried to say something, but he collapsed before the thought left his mind.


***

“Ron?”

Ron slowly opened his eyes though they felt like they were glued together. He struggled to get a glimpse of the owner of that voice because he could not believe he would hear it again.

“Ron? How do you feel?”

It was Tonks, she was here and Ron thought he had made it to the castle.

“What time is it?” He asked.

“Just take a rest.” Came another voice. “You will need it.”

Ron blinked several times and forced his eyes to focus on the blur that stood a few feet away from him. What Ron initially thought to be a hallucination brought upon by the loss of blood turned out to be real --Aidan McGrugger had come.

“You have a nasty head wound, Ron. Madam Pomfrey needs to have a look at this,” Tonks said. “I thought I’d never find you.” Her eyes rimmed with tears.

“What time is it?” Ron asked again. Tonks just looked at him and her eyes betrayed her thoughts. “Tell me, Tonks! What is the time?”

Tonks looked at Aidan who walked towards Ron and said, “It’s half-past nine…in the evening.”

“What?” Ron gasped. “No…”

It sunk in quickly--He did not make it; Harry had left hours ago. The sobs came back and it made his head wound hurt. He hit the wall with his fist trying to vent out the anger he felt. Soon his eyes stopped burning and all that was left was the incredible fury that made him shake.

“I didn’t make it! I didn’t make it!” Ron felt like his heart had been wrenched out and hacked to pieces.

“Ron!” Tonks tried to stop him from causing further damage to himself. “Stop! Your wounds will bleed again.” But Ron kept punching the wall until he weakened again. Then he stopped, breathing heavily. How he wanted to scream.

“Don’t work yourself too much, Ron.” Aidan said casually. Somehow, Aidan’s indifference was adding massively to Ron’s misery and though he could barely open his eyes now, he strained it to look at the Head Knight. The message he wanted to convey fell flatly on Aidan’s smiling face. “So you were late a couple of hours, I’m sure Harry would understand.”

Ron closed his eyes tightly and gritted his teeth. “Fuck you…”

“What was that?” Aidan asked sarcastically. “Come on, Ron. You really think I should sympathize with this display of weakness. You’re obviously a lousy learner. I warned you several times, you wouldn’t listen. When did you say Alastor Moody would come over?” Aidan had turned his attention to Tonks who, from the look on her face, did not agree with the way he was treating Ron.

“Soon,” Tonks answered a bit flustered. “In any case, if they don’t show up, we have to leave before the Ministry shuts the floo channel here.”

“Here, drink this,” Aidan gave him a vial. “This will help you get to your feet so we can leave as soon as possible.”

Tonks took the vial and helped Ron drink it. He felt the potion coursing through his veins and felt strength returning to his tired limbs. Soon he’ll be fit enough to at least maim Aidan.

“Maybe I should have some of that,” Tonks said. Aidan handed her one, and she downed it slowly. “Incredible!”

“Get on your feet, Ronald. We have a lot of work to do.” Aidan said then he left the room.