Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

EY YO!! Welcome to my first ever fanfic.
Little bit about myself. I’m South African and a huge Harry Potter fan.
This fanfic will focus on Ron Weasley. Why? Because I firmly believe that there aren’t enough fanfic that really make everyone’s favourite ginger shine like he should.
Important points:
• Some factors will be canon, others won’t. For example, whoever died in the books by the end of Deathly Hallows stays dead.
• Elements from both the muggle and wizarding world are going to be included.
• Ron and Ginny have the most beautiful, supportive brother-sister bond ever.
• The Harry and Ron bromance is on a mad ting.
• There will be slight bashing of Harry and Hermione at the very early stages. They could’ve been better friends to Ron
• Ron is eventually going to be overpowered, extremely attractive, etc.
• Hermione is going to be head-over-heels for Ron.

This is going to be a massive project and really hope you guys enjoy it.
Lastly, I promise that no matter how long it takes, or how infrequent the updates, I will NOT abandon this work. All I ask is that you give it a read.
Anyway, onward!!

Chapter Text

As the entirety of the Great Hall witnessed Voldemort’s body fall to the ground with a dull thud, a few things occurred. Firstly, the deafening silence, and then the sickening cries of the Death Eaters as their dark marks burned and shrieked until no longer existent. A few immediately disapparated while most were captured by the Aurors and ordinary wizards that were present during the Final Battle.

As Ron looked towards the centre of the final confrontation that had just ended, he found his mark. Harry-Won’t Bloody Die-Potter, his best mate in the whole world. His best mate, who gave his life for all them…and then the dark thoughts began;

See, he did without you, he didn’t need you, the voice began taunting

Shut. Up Ron mentally commanded

Ooh, look who’s finally grown a pair, doesn’t change the fact that he’s better than you the voice continued

You know absolutely nothing Ron retorted

Really, weren’t you the one left your best mate? A man you swore to always protect?

And there it was. Try as he might, there was no denying it, he had left Harry and Hermione. They could have died, and he wasn’t there. Sure, he came back, but…

I- Ron began to reply but was immediately cut off by his own psyche

You made a promise and broke it, all because of your jealousy

stop-

No wonder you own mother can’t stand you

Stop-

And you think Hermione will EVER look at YOU?!

Stop-

You are

Stop-

A waste

Stop-

OF TIME!

ENOUGH!! Ron mentally raged, and as he viciously silenced the voice in his head, his magic had responded, blowing out every candle in the Great Hall and changing the ceilings imagery to completely darkness, a feat that should not be possible at all.

As Ron collected himself, he noticed every pair of eyes in the vicinity were on him. Realising the magic he had accidently performed, he bolted from the Hall to the grounds. As he made his way there, he started to have a panic attack, clasping his hears in absolute agony, the world around him spinning at sickening speeds. More alarmingly, the tentacle scars he had received from their escapade in the Department of Minsters flared to life, as if actively responding to his pain. “Make it stop”, Ron pleaded to no one in particular. “Please make it stop!!”

“Ro-“, Ron heard his name but could not make out the voice.

“Ron!” Ron could make out Ginny’s voice anywhere

“Ron, it’s me. You’re safe now, okay? You’re safe” Ginny reassured Ron looking deep into his eyes.

He immediately broke down in tears. “Shh, shh” Ginny soothed, holding Ron’s crumpled form onto the ground. “The voices can’t get you Ron, I’ve got you” she reassured him.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Harry Potter had been fighting for his life and those he cared about since the age of eleven, meaning that he had to pick up a few abilities in reading people. While he wasn’t as much of an expert yet as he would have liked, he knew one thing after witnessing Ron abrupt departure; his brother was not okay.

Yes, Harry Potter regarded Ron Weasley as his brother. Blood or not, Ron was his family and best mate, and while Ron liked to put on a brave front for the sake of everyone else, Harry saw right through it; just like Ron saw right through him. Worse still, he knew this would eventually happen.

When Ron came back, Harry was ecstatic. He thought that destroying a horcrux was exactly what Ron needed, that was until he saw what Ron truly feared. The memories of the visions that came from the locket still made Harry’s blood run cold, worse still was seeing how Ron thought so little of himself. It made Harry ill because he loved Ron, how couldn’t he? The issue however, was that Ron didn’t love himself. Never had, if Harry was completely honest, and for Ron to envelope the entire Great Hall in darkness, to display an unheard level of power, was enough for Harry to realise that he and Hermione needed to have an honest conversation of their treatment towards Ron.

As luck would have it, he found her making her way towards him.

“Harry, where’s Ron? What happen-”

Harry cut her off, “’Mione, we need to talk. About Ron”.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Having finally calmed Ron down, Ginny sat in a comfortable silence beside her brother. She didn’t want to pressure him into speaking, but she was determined to know what she had just witnessed, what they’d all just witnessed. Ron performed a level magic long believed to be folklore, an old wives’ tale, and yet everyone in the Great Hall witnessed the castles’ magic respond to Ron’s. Moreover, it had responded to a particular type of emotion; pain. Not physical pain or the type of emotional you get when some bird breaks up with you. No, this was true, deep physiological pain, the type associated with torment. She loved her brother, and she wanted to talk about whatever was bothering so deeply. If not her, then anyone else, as long as he talked about it.

“Ron, if you’re not ready to talk, I get it. Just don’t keep it to yourself”. Ginny tried to poach the topic as gently as possible. She didn’t want him to close himself off.

Ron looked at her and sighed, “I don’t even know where to begin Speedy. I don’t how I did that. I don’t even know what I did”.

Ginny smiled slightly at the use of Ron’s nickname for her. “How about you start from the beginning”.

Ron took deep breath and then he began. “Gin, I-…I’ve never felt like I actually belong in the family. It’s always been about Bill or Charlie, Percy or Fr-”, Ron felt a lump in his throat when he was about to utter Fred’s name but soldiered on. “Or Fred and George, or you. Me, I’m just Ron, and since I can remember I’ve always felt like that wasn’t enough for mum and dad. I’ve always felt like an extra, until I met Harry. I was never his friend because he was famous and all that, I was his friend because for the first time in life someone saw me. Not anyone else in the family, just me, and the fact that he loved me for it, well added bonus I guess”

Ginny looked at Ron encouragingly.

Spurred on by her genuine concern, he continued, “Then ‘Mione came along and at the beginning…I didn’t like her. She was really good at making me feel stupid. Looking back, I can see she just wanted to help, but bloody hell, she was annoying”. Ginny laughed at this. Smiling, Ron continued, “Anyway, you know the rest, and we’ve been friend ever since. It was alright, until fourth year”

“Meaning?” Ginny looked puzzled

Ron explained. “Meaning that I started to see Hermione as more than just a friend. Hence, I got jealous when Krum asked her out to the Yule Ball. Hence, I behaved like a giant wanker. I didn’t know what it was at the time, but I knew that I wanted to be the one to dance with her. It’s also why I got so mad when she didn’t think that Dumbledore would make me a Prefect on purpose in fifth year. Never felt more rubbish in my life”.

Ginny sighed, she needed to explain something. “Ron”, she began but he cut her off.

“No Speedy, I need to talk about this”. Ginny understood, and supportively squeezed his shoulder for him to continue. “Anyway, we all ended up in the Department of Ministries, and I was attacked by those bloody brains. Those things weren’t there for display, they wrapped around me and started to choke me. At the same time, they showed me my deepest fears; not being needed by anyone”.

“So, sixth year?”, Ginny enquired

“Look, Lavender would never have been my first choice, but she was hot, to put it simply. But, more importantly, she actually showed that she liked me. She actually made me feel like I was attractive, something Hermione had never done”, Ron finally stated, sounding reasonably vindicated. “She never voiced how she felt or anything, it’s like I was supposed to just know. Then she had the nerve to attack me with birds. Fucking birds Gin, what was normal about that?! What right did she have? I’ll tell you, none at all. It was alright for her to get snogged by Krum, alright for her to feel special, but the second someone showed genuine interest in me, I’m the villain? What the bloody hell man!”

Ginny frowned upon hearing this. She vividly remembered the horror she felt upon finding out the attack. She also remembers how she gave Hermione a piece of her mind.

“So, what do you want Ron? I mean, what do you think would be best for you?”

Ron pondered the thought, and finally answered, “I think, the best thing for me, would be to talk to both Harry and Hermione about what I’ve been dealing with. Talking to Harry will be easy. Regarding ‘Mione, I’ll need some time to consider where I stand with her”.

“Then do that Ron. Don’t let anyone force you into something you’re not ready for and don’t be disillusioned by how things could appear. Take your time”.

“You know what, I think will”, and as Ron stood up to make his way back to the castle, he turned to look at Ginny.

“Gin?”

“Hmm?”

“Thank you”

“Any time”, Ginny stated as she smiled brightly.

As Ron made his way towards the castle, he could two distinct voices from the top of the Astronomy Tower.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

At the top of the Astronomy Tower stood Harry and Hermione, with Harry pacing up and down, thinking about how best to broach the topic at hand. Failing nuance, he took the classic, bull-headed Gryffindor route.

“’Mione, we’ve been shit friends to Ron, don’t even try to deny it”, Harry cut Hermione before she could argue against this, “We have. He’s been there for us through everything, and…I don’t think we’ve loved him as well as we should have”.

“Harry, I don’t-, I mean we’ve-, there’s no possible way that-”, Hermione tried in vain to deny the heavy truth bomb that Harry had just dropped on himself and her.

However, this only served to anger Harry and as result, he let her have it. “Right there Hermione! There’s no arguing against it, no matter how hard you try. You know it’s true. Answer me this question, when have we ever let Ron know exactly what he means to us, hmm? When have actually showed him how much his presence, his friendship really means to us?”

“But”, Hermione tried to interject

“Hermione, shut up and listen! For once in your life, you don’t have to be right or have the last word. This isn’t about you or me, it’s about Ron! 1^st year, he almost died for us completing that chess challenge-”

“Wait! What do you mean he almost died?”, Hermione demanded.

Harry relented, “I- I overhead McGonagall and Dumbledore talking it about it when were in the Hospital Wing after we recovered Flamel’s Stone”

Hushed voices could be overheard in the Hospital Wing, and as the voice grew closer, Harry couldn’t help but listen in.

“It seems Voldemort took desperate steps in trying to regain his body”, Dumbledore mused

“You’re telling me. If it wasn’t for these three..., and to think I didn’t believe them when they confided in me their suspicions”. McGonagall was disappointed with herself. Her cubs had brought up their suspicions that they thought the stone might be in danger, and she brushed them off.

“Moreover, it is young Mr Weasley’s handling of your chess challenge that intrigues me the most,  Minerva”

“What do you mean?”

Dumbledore eyed McGonagall, “I have timed myself in testing that challenge of yours. It took me at least 40 minutes. Young Ronald here was tired, his energy sapped and yet all it took him was 15 minutes”

McGonagall looked at Dumbledore with shock, “You don’t possibly mean what I think you do?”

Dumbledore smiled serenely, “Mr Weasley possess an aptitude for strategy and tactics like no other. He surpasses Voldemort and even myself by such a huge margin, it is honestly quite embarrassing”, Dumbledore chuckled at this last statement.

“More worrying however, is his lack of self-preservation. If he was brought up to the Hospital Wing any later, he would have suffered a brain haemorrhage”

“That’s what I mean Hermione. I willingly offered myself to Riddle, but Ron has been willing to lay down his life for us countless times”.

Hermione hung her head in shame, she knew it was true.

Seizing the opportunity, Harry continued, “2^nd year, he came with to Aragog if it meant getting you back. You know why he’s so afraid of spiders, because when he broke Fred and George’s toy broomstick as a two-year old, they turned his favourite teddy bear into spider as revenge”

Hermione stood shocked, and then, she was filled with rage.

“3^rd year, he stood on a broken leg, stating that Sirius would have to go through him to get to me. 4^th year, he thought I abandoned him, and then in 5^th year? I agreed with the twins that no one in their right mind would make Ron a prefect. Even you didn’t believe it” Harry reminded. Hermione flinched, she was appalled by that situation, that she actually that no one would make Ron a prefect.

“I know Dumbledore made him a prefect because Ron simply was the best choice. Oh sure, he told me it was because he thought I had enough on my plate, but I knew he was lying. Ron was better, simple”

“Now 6^th year, I really didn’t do anything, but you did Hermione”

Hermione looked at Harry scandalised, “What are you talking about?”

“Really Hermione, is it so hard for you to take accountability? Okay then, remember the birds?”, Harry asked vindictively.

Hermione froze, instantly the memory came flooding back. The unreasonable jealousy she felt, the look of pure horror on Ron’s face. The scars she left him with. Finally, the weight of the harm she caused Ron bore down on her, reducing her to sobs.

“Harry, what am I going to do, what if Ron never forgives me? What if I lose him for good this time?” Hermione asked between sobs, panicking with the realisation that she could potentially lose the most important man in her life.

Harry sighed, “I don’t think Ron will never forgive, but I think you need to face the possibility that he’ll need time away from you, away from us to process everything”

Just as Harry and Hermione had finished their conversation, the voice of the topic of their argument came from behind them.

“Well,”, Ron stated with a small smile, “I thought it was you two”

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

“Ron, -”, Harry started

“Harry,”, Ron interrupted, “you and me will talk at Grimmauld mate. Right now, I need to talk to Hermione”.

Harry was a little anxious about what Ron might say to Hermione, but respecting his brother’s request, he left the Tower and made his way back to the Great Hall.

Ron took a deep breath, and with a look of determination and a little sadness, he turned to face Hermione.

“So, I'm going to take a wild guess and say that you and Harry were talking about me”. Hermione, looking to the floor, nodded her head.

“And I’m going to assume that you two were talking about what could have caused my magic to react like it did”. Hermione nodded again.

Ron walked towards Hermione, took her hands in his and with a sigh, beginning to say what needed to be said. “’Mione, I’ve known you since I was eleven, gone on the most dangerous adventures and even killed Old Nose-less with you, but I-, I need space away from you for a while.  I have a lot of self-esteem issues that need to be worked through and I need to genuinely feel safe around you”.

This startled Hermione and broke her already aching heart, “Ron, you don’t feel safe around me?”

“’Mione, I haven’t for a long time. You never made it clear that you fancied me, but when someone else showed genuine interest in me; you assaulted me, made me feel worthless, went out of your way to be absolutely horrible to me. I need time and space to process all of that”.

Hermione heart completely shattered. She had deeply hurt the man she loves, and now she could lose him forever. “So, what happens now?”, Hermione asked trying to keep her voice steady.

Ron held her close, “I need time away from you ‘Mione, I don't want to hurt you or self-sabotage what we’re meant to be, but I need to heal, and you need to fully understand what you've done. That can only happen if were not together”.

Hermione, holding onto Ron, finally understood, “You’re right Ron, I understand”

Ron smiled slightly, and before he left on the tower, he kissed her temple. “I know you do”.

And as he descended those stairs, Hermione crumpled to the floor, tears falling from her face.

Chapter Text

Ron was back in the Great Hall, with all eyes on him. “Here we fucking go”, Ron muttered silently before making his way towards his family. 

Why was I ever jealous of Harry having this kind of attention? Ron asked himself in exasperation. 

Upon seeing his son, Arthur Weasley embraced him tightly, “Ron, are you alright son?” 

“Yeah dad, I’m okay, I have a favour to ask though. Can I stay at Grimmauld with Harry for a bit? I need time to process everything”, but before Mr Weasley could respond, Mrs Weasley cut in, full of concern for her boy 

“Ronnie, are you sure? Isn’t better if we mourn together as family? I complete respect your wishes my baby, but is that what you really want right now?”, but the Weasley patriarch immediately interjected, not wanting to put any more strain on his beloved wife, 

“Look Ron, what your mom means is that everyone grieves differently, and you have the right to grieve as you see fit. Just, let us know you’re alright, yeah?”. Mrs Weasley nodded in agreement with her husband  

Ron looked at his mom and dad, “Don’t worry dad, I will”, and with hug to his dad, a kiss to his mom’s cheek and a wink to Ginny, he turned to leave for Grimmauld. However, as he was making his way out, he saw the Malfoy family out of the corner of his eye. As if on instinct, he made his way straight towards them. 

Draco, seeing Ron approaching, sighed. “What do you want, Weasl-”, but could not get the rest of his sentence out as Ron hit him with a vicious left hook, knocking him out cold. 

“What do you think you’re-” was all Lucious Malfoy could utter as Ron followed through with a vicious right, putting the Malfoy patriarch to sleep. 

Finally, he turned to face Narcissa Malfoy and asked the question that was burning inside him. “Was it worth it?” 

With Narcissa paralysed by shock, Ron elaborated, “Was it worth it to follow a madman? A jumped-up half-blood, so ashamed of his own heritage that he destroyed himself to forget who he was? A coward who was willing to use your own child if it meant achieving his own ends? WAS THE DEATH OF INNOCENT CHILDREN WORTH IT?!!!”, Ron demanded scathingly. 

Narcissa, frozen by fear and the pain of the truth delivered by the youngest male Weasley, finally broken down in tears. Ron, however, could not care less. With one final look in disgust, he unconsciously, without even thinking about it , disapparated from the Great Hall. 

Once again, all eyes watch in complete shock and awe, and looked to Harry for an answer. Well, the surprises didn’t end there, as Harry himself proceeded to do the impossible and disapparated from the Great Hall as well. 

“Minerva”, Professor Slughorn enquired in shock, “That should not be possible, right?” 

“No Horace”, agreed Headmistress McGonagall solemnly. “What we just witnessed should not even be conceivable”. 

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 

As Harry and Ron touched down in the hallway of Number 12 Grimmauld Place, Harry immediately started firing questions, 

“Ron, what did we-? How did we even-? What in Merlin’s Name?!” 

“Harry, I-, I don’t know mate. I mean-”, but Ron swiftly cut himself off, and instead turned his attention to that portrait, the one of Sirius’s late mother, Walburga Black. 

“Ron, what are you-”, but Ron signalled for Harry to be quiet. As he approached the portrait, he felt an awful familiar sense of dread . The same feeling, he experienced in the Black Forest during the horcrux hunt. The same feeling, he experienced when he wore… 

With horrific realisation dawning on, Ron immediately turned to face Harry and asked him an important question, “Mate, do you trust me?” 

Harry, now realising Ron’s seriousness, answered truthfully and without hesitation, “With my life”. 

Nodding, Ron drew his wand and uttered commandingly, “ Accio basilisk fang !!” 

The object in question zoomed towards Ron and entered his free hand. 

“You might want to stand back”, Ron warned Harry. A warning he took seriously.  

Finally, with all his might, Ron stabbed the portrait with the fang. First there was silence, and then, the portrait screamed in absolute agony. The entire house came to life, every inch creaked and groaned, and then…nothing. 

As both boys opened their eyes, the sight that greeted them was startling. Walburga’s portrait was burned inside out, a black liquid leaking from the painting like the blood of a dying animal, but that was not the most shocking development. The entire house was bright, as if a cloud of evil had finally been lifted. 

“A horcrux”, Harry started. “A bloody horcrux. That thing was horcrux and none of us knew it, what in the Name of all Magic?” Harry enquired incredulously 

Before Ron could reply however, a third voice spoke, “Master Potter and Master Weasley have returned” said Kreacher genuinely pleased. “Good, Kreacher will begin preparing dinner”. 

As Kreacher walked off, Harry and Ron looked at each other, looked ahead, and simultaneously uttered, “What the bloody hell?” 

Having had their dinner, Harry and Ron retired to the study, about to begin their long-awaited talk. 

“Ron, I-”, Harry started but was cut off by Ron himself 

“Harry, I know you have a lot to say and so do I. We’re brothers, and we need to air everything out so we can function as a team, get me?”, Ron asked to which Harry nodded. 

“Cheers, so I suggest that first thing tomorrow, we start attending therapy. I think you’ll agree that we both need it”. This was very mature of Ron, and if Harry was being honest, very necessary. So, this was how they found themselves in the waiting rooms of one Dr Eugene Nordstrom, a leading psychologist who counselled both muggle and magical folk alike. 

“Weasley, Potter. The doctor will see you now”, the receptionist stated, ushering the boys into the doctor’s office. 

“Well, it’s not every day that two of the wizarding worlds heroes show up on your doorstep”, said the doctor with intrigue. 

“I have three rules’ boys. One, both parties come to the table. Two, everyone is to be honest with themselves and with each other. Three, leave nothing out, no matter how trivial it may be. Do we have an understanding?” 

Both boys nodded. 

“Excellent”, smiled the doctor good-naturedly. “Let’s get to work”. 

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 

Three months. Three months of brutal honesty, tears, hugs, horrific revelations, and finally the end of any misunderstandings between Harry and Ron. It was worth every moment. Ron remembers vividly when he and Harry had their breakthrough, 

“Now Ron”, Dr Nordstrom encouraged, “tell Harry how you really feel”.  

  With tears in his eyes, Ron started, “Harry, I-. I’ve never felt like a truly belong at home. Everyone else seems so much better than I am, and sometimes I felt like mum never really loved me, you know? Apart from Ginny and Dad, I’ve always like I was an extra. Then, I met you and for the first time, I wasn’t an extra anymore. You saw me, not my siblings, not just another Weasley. No, you saw me, Ron Weasley. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do to protect that. I’d go to the ends of the earth for you mate. Blimey, I went through a fucking war. So, whenever I was jealous, it was because I was afraid. It sounds stupid now but…I was afraid that you’d get bored of me, that you’d replace me and when I wore that locket…I’m so sorry Harry, and I promise I’ll never leave you like that again mate”  

“Harry,”, Dr Nordstrom stated, catching Harry’s attention, “your turn young man”.  

With tears swimming in his eyes and sheer determination, he spoke, “Ron, I entered the wizarding world having no clue who I was. Everyone knew more about me and my parents than I did. The Dursleys were abusive, vindictive bastards that made sure I knew and felt their hatred of me. Then I met you, a gangly, ginger-haired, freckled ray of sunshine who basically adopts me as his brother straightaway. You made your family mine, you literally force fed me because I was way too skinny, you spent Christmas at Hogwarts so that I wouldn’t be alone, and if you went home, you took me with you. You sacrificed your life for me at eleven, entered a den of manic, cannibalistic spiders to stop Riddle in second year. You helped break out my godfather at thirteen, and despite all logic pointing to the ridiculousness of the next plan, you followed me to the Department of Mysteries in fifth year and got attacked by sentient brains for your troubles. You followed me on the most brutal jounrey we’ve ever taken; finding pieces of Voldemort’s soul and getting rid of him once and for all. You loved me completely from the second you saw me…and that scared me. It scared me because if you could love that easily, you could also take it away just as easily, and if you did that, I wouldn’t survive it. So, I’d push you away, try to fight with you. When I told you to go, when you were wearing the locket, and you did, I immediately felt lost. I didn’t want to keep going, and when I almost died trying to get the sword of Gryffindor from that lake, you pulled me out. You saved my life again. I may have been trying to save the wizarding world, but you’ve been saving me since we were eleven. I’m so sorry I didn’t appreciate you as I should have”  

And, with all those revelations, Harry and Ron were stronger than ever. Now, it was time for the final consultation, and this was individual, having to dive into their own psyche. If you told Ron two years ago that he’d be at therapy, actually solving his issues, he’d thinking you’re barking, but now… 

Ron entered the doctor’s office. “Ah Ron, good to see you, young man. How are you?” the doctor enquired 

“I’m really good, doc”, which was true. While Ron thought the doctor was as mad as Dumbledore, he couldn’t deny that the man knew what he was doing. 

“So, Ron, this is the final session. We’ve worked through and solved the issues between you and Harry, now it’s time we solve those within yourself”. 

Ron nodded. He was a bit nervous but ready, “Let’s do this, doc” 

“Close your eyes, and take deep, steady breathes”, commanded Dr Nordstrom 

Ron did as he was ordered, Dr Nordstrom then began his incantations 

“ Legilimens reversa ” 

“ Protego cerebri ” 

This was it; Ron knew it was coming, “ Revelio mentis !” 

When Ron opened his eyes, he was standing within his own psyche. Flashes of memories one after the other, in no particular order, whizzed past every few seconds. Wasting no time, he made his way through his own mind for his intended destination. 

He soon found he was looking for. It was easy, the area was flooded with all of Ron’s unpleasant memories. At the centre of it all, was what appeared to be a prison. Its inhabitant, Ron’s specified target; doubt, fear, self-loathing, and deep self-hatred all moulded together in the form of an unsightly, malnourished, ragged man.  

As the figure to face Ron, it’s eyes light up in disdain, “ You, what are you doing here? ” the figure enquired aggressively. 

Ron snorted, “ You’re in my brain tosspot, I should be asking you that question ”, challenged Ron confidently. A confidence that threw the figure off. 

“ What have you been up to? ”, asked the sickly figure, now intrigued by Ron’s calm and confident demeanour. 

“Trying to get you out of here. You can't tell me you actually enjoy being stuck in this place, that's a bit mad, innit ?”, Ron questioned humorously. 

“ Ha! You really think you’ll get me out of here? Out of this?! ”, commented the sickly figure sarcastically 

Ron sighed, took a deep breath, and finally said what he’d been yearning to for so long, “ Look, what happened to you, to us, it wasn’t right. It never was, but that doesn't mean we need to live in self-imposed mental prison forever. We’re Ron Weasley, the best of the best, but...you need to believe it. This ends now mate. So, come on, free yourself. Get out of there ”. 

The sickly figure looked at Ron in shock, and... hope. Ron had never acknowledged the mental trauma that he had suffered, and now here he was. With this in mind, the figure grabbed hold of the bars of the mental prison. 

“I'm better than this,”, the figure stated as it began to pull the bars apart. “I've been in here for so long. I want my freedom, my sanity. I WILL NO LONGER BE BETRAYED BY MY OWN THOUGHTS!!”, and with all the force it could muster, finally broke apart the mental bonds that had kept it prisoner. 

The result was quite a sight to behold. The memories showing Ron’s perceived shortcomings were viciously torn apart, and the sickly figure now transformed into a healthy, version of Ron. 

Ron smiled, “ See, told you could do it ”, 

“ You were right ”, agreed mental-version Ron, “ I-, I'm so sorry. All the pain I've caused you, caused us. I- ”, 

“ Already forgiven, but since you’re healthy, how about we work together from now ”, suggested real Ron humorously. 

His mental version chuckled, “ Sure thing, wanker ”. They both laughed at this. 

As Ron was about to exit his mind, his mental consciousness called him, 

“ Ron? ”, 

“ Yeah? ”, Ron answered 

“ Thanks ”. 

Ron answered with a smile and a wink and exited his own mind. 

Ron came to the land of the living with a panic, dry heaving immensely, 

“Ron, Ron?!”, Dr Nordstrom called out. “Are you alright?” 

Ron opened his eyes, and the effect of his visit to his own mind was immediate. Ron could see everything more clearly; his senses were more sensitive. His magic.... 

Ron took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and spoke the spell, 

“ Expecto Patronum ” 

And right before his eyes, a full corporeal Patronus in the form of a Jack Russell Terrier stood in front of Ron, in a solid form, the strongest form a Patronus could ever take. The Patronus yapped happily and cuddled itself on Ron’s leg. 

“And that, is evidence that your therapy sessions have come to a successful end Ron”, commented the doctor as he smiled contently. 

“I-, thank you Dr Norstrom”, was all Ron managed to get out. 

“My absolute pleasure, Ron. Look after yourself”, responded Dr Nordstrom kindly. With that, Ron entered the Floo Network and travelled back to Grimmauld with his Patronus in tow. 

As Ron exited the doctor’s office, one of the portraits came to life, 

“You do realise, by helping those two young men to heal, you have officially unleashed the most powerful wizards the magical world has ever seen? No one will be a match for them”, commented the portrait. 

“That was the point, Martha. They are what our world needs”, the doctor replied solemnly. 

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 

As Ron entered through the familiar chimney of Grimmauld, surrounded by green flames and chimney soot, he heard Harry calling him, 

“Ron, mate, you back?” 

“Yeah, Harry, it’s me”, Ron replied. The two boys slowly approached each other, and after a long stare-down, embraced each other as brothers. Suddenly, Ron noticed Harry’s Patronus walking around the kitchen. 

“Uh, Harry. Is that Prongs walking around in the kitchen mate?” 

Harry smiled proudly, “Yeah mate. I've been holding the spell since I came back from Dr Nordstrom’s. Also, the spell is different, like it’s more powerful” 

“Bloody hell, you too?”, and as if on cue, Ron’s Patronus ran up to Harry, cuddled around his leg, then ran over to Prongs and jumped on top of it, and proceeded to sit there happily. 

Both boys were lost for words. 

“Anyway,”, said Harry to bring them back to the present, “there’s a spell I found that I want us to try” 

“Okayyy, what is it exactly?”, enquired Ron cautiously 

“If, it works, it means that Magic has identified us as brothers”, Harry answered. Ron needed no further encouragement. 

They setup the ritual on the library floor, clasped hands and they began the incantation; 

“I, Harry James Potter”, 

“I, Ronald Bilius Weasley”, 

“Do hereby recognise”, 

“Do hereby recognise”, 

“Ronald Bilius Weasley”, 

“Harry James Potter’, 

“As my brother, in all but blood”,  

“As my brother, in all but blood”, 

“And from this day forth”, 

“And from this day forth”, 

“Swear to love and protect”, 

“Swear to love and protect”, 

At this point, both boys began to choke up but continued the ritual, 

“To the best of my abilities”, 

“To the best of my abilities”, 

“ S icut magicae permittit ”, 

“ Sicut magicae permittit ”. 

And the final line of the incantation was uttered, both Harry and Ron felt themselves transported through each other’s mind, felt each other’s magic intertwine, and while their magic connected, a mark in the form of sentence took form on the front of the left bicep of both boys. 

It read; ‘ Fratres obligati sunt in hac vita et in sequenti ’ 

As both Harry and Ron collected themselves from the experience, Harry was the first to speak his mind, 

“So, that's it? We’re officially brothers?”, Harry asked hopefully. If he was being honest, he was still angry with himself about he had treated Ron throughout the years, and worried that Ron maybe hadn’t healed completely. However, his worries were incompletely unfounded. 

“Yeah mate,”, responded Ron happily. “Stuck with me for life now” 

Harry just laughed. He wouldn’t have it any other way. 

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 

With all developments between the two brothers, time really flew by. Hence, it wasn't surprising that September crept up on them. What was surprising, was the letter they received one warm spring day; 

Dear Mr Weasely and Mr Potter, your presence is urgently required at Gringotts. There is much to discuss. Best to be done in person.  

Signed by Ragnarok  

Head of Inheritance and Matters of Will at Gringotts  

P.S. This is not a trap. We are not upset about the dragon incident  

Ron eyed the letter with a great interest and skepticism, while Harry voiced his concern, 

“Mate, you think they're trying to pull one over us?”, Harry enquired cautiously 

Ron wracked his brains for information before he remembered something Bill told him, “If Gringotts has a problem with you, they don't send letters. They create circumstances that force you to go to them, and then you’re screwed. Formal communication, that’s a genuine matter. Think we’ll be alright, mate. Anyway, we’re war heroes. Can't do much, can they?” 

If there was ever a time Harry was glad for titles, this was it. 

So, they made their way to Gringotts, trying as best to avoid gawking onlookers. 

“Nosey bleeders, you’d think they have better things to do with their time now”, commented Ron scathingly. 

“Too right, but then again, no one’s ever associated the wizarding world with common sense, have they?”, answered Harry, making Ron laugh. 

As they ascended the stone steps to the entrance of the bank, Ron stopped abruptly, causing Harry to bump into him. 

“Ron, what the bloo-”, but Ron cut him off. 

“Mate, do you see that moving statue to the left of the bank?”, Ron asked Harry 

Harry looked in the direction which Ron was mentioning, and then, he saw it. A golden statue on the left side of the building. 

Looking at each other, they decided to keep going. Once inside, they got the attention of the attendant at the front desk. Ron decided to speak for them both 

“Uh, hey mate. We're here to see Ragnarok? We got a letter this morning” 

The attendant looked up and immediately sprang into action, “Oh! Mr Weasley, Mr Potter, right this way please”. The goblin led them to the inheritance department of the bank and there, sat down waiting for them, was Ragnarok. 

“Ah, if it isn't the heroes of the hour. Sit down young wizards, there is much to discuss”, Ragnarok dictated sternly but pleasantly. 

“I am Ragnarok, and this is my assistant, Skolgor” 

“You two alright?”, greeted Skolgor happily. Ragnarok just rolled his eyes in fond exasperation. 

“Anyway, before we begin, what do you two known of wills and inheritance in the wizarding world?”, Ragnarok asked. 

Harry had no bloody clue. “Oh, uh, um, nothing really...”, thankfully Ron took over 

“Inheritance and wills can only be claimed by those whom they have been made out to, and it requires blood. Just a needle prick Harry, don’t freak out”, Ron clarified in response to Harry’s look of pure terror. 

“Bloody hell, it's always blood, isn't it?”, Harry complained in frustration. Ron just rolled his eyes 

Ragnarok merely chuckled, “Yes Mr Potter, it is rather unfortunate, but consider this; magic can alter many things. It cannot change someone’s genetic makeup” 

Harry paused to ponder this statement, and then shrugged in acknowledgement. 

“Now, if you’ll be so kind”. At Ragnarok’s request, both boys held out an index finger. Ragnarok pricked them both individually and placed their drop of blood onto two separate pieces of parchment. 

“Great Salazar, how in all of magic?” was all Ragnarok was able to utter in response to their results. 

Ron took his first; 

Name: Ronald Bilius Weasley  

Date of Birth: 25 May 1980  

New bonds formed: Harry James Potter (recognised as family by Magic)  

Soulmate: Hermione Jean Granger  

Level of magic capabilities: 15 (highest ever recorded, limitations unknown and may potentially not even exist)  

Height:   

• Current: 6ft 3in 
• To be reached: 6ft 4in 
• Reason for full height not yet achieved: Diet, lack of exercise 
• Remedy: Nutritious calorie surplus, heavy weight training complimented with cardiovascular endurance training 

Property Inherited:  

• The Weasley Estate, located in Bakewell, Britain 
• Beach house, located in Los Angeles, California, USA 
• Le Manoir Weasley, located in Bordeaux, France 

Currency Inherited:  

• Magical Galleons: 800 million 
• British Pound: 400 million 
• US Dollar: 220 million 
• The Euro: 350 million 

Lordship Inheritance:  

• Heir to the House of Weasley 
• Heir to the House of Gryffindor 

Ron was struggling to process all this, “H-, huh?! Who, what?!” 

However, just then, Harry was trying to get Ron’s attention, “Um, R-, Ron? I-, I need you to look at this”. 

At Harry’s bequest, they swapped information, and to say Ron was shocked was an understatement; 

Name: Harry James Potter  

Date of Birth: 18 August 1980  

New Bonds formed: Ronald Bilius Weasley (recognised as family by Magic)  

Soulmate: Ginerva Molly Weasley   

Level of magic capabilities: 15 (highest ever recorded, limitations unknown and may potentially not even exist)  

Height:   

• Current: 5ft 8in 
• To be reached: 6ft 2in 
• Reason for full height not yet achieved: Severe under-nutrition, extreme physical and psychological abuse, lack of exercise 
• Remedy: Complete overhaul of diet, extreme nutritious calorie surplus, heavy weight training complimented with cardiovascular endurance training 

Property Inherited:  

• Potter Manor, located in Aylesbury, Britain 
• Beach house, located in Los Angeles, California, USA 
• El Potter Manison, located in Andalusia, Spain 

Currency Inherited:  

• Magical Galleons: 910 million 
• British Pound: 670 million 
• US Dollar: 150 million 
• The Euro: 280 million 

Lordship Inheritance:  

• Heir to the House of Potter 
• Heir to the House of Slytherin 
• Heir to the House of Black 

Ron looked at Harry in complete disbelief, “Mate, what in the name of Merlin?” 

However, before either boy could make sense of this development, Skolgor burst into laughter, 

“Ha! I told you Ragnarok, I told it was them! You owe me 10 galleons!!”, stated Skolgor between bursts of laughter. 

“Shut up Skol!”, snapped Ragnarok in fond annoyance. He could never be upset with Skolgor 

While all this was happening, Ron asked an important question. “Hold on, how did all these investments come about, especially the muggle money? Also, comparing mine and Harry’s investments, they aren't far off from one another. How is this, any of this , even possible?” 

Ragnarok eyed Ron with intrigue, and then began his response, “Mr Weasley, your uncle, Bilius Percival Weasley went into business with Mr Potter’s grandfather, Oswald Septimus Potter. Bilius was something of an apprentice to Oswald Potter, and as sometimes tends to happen, a bond was formed between them, leading to Bilius to learn as much as he could from Oswald, in all spheres of life, and Master Bilius took a particular interest in money matters. More specifically, he was interested in how wizarding currency could influence or be influenced by muggle currency, how to invest in both the wizarding and muggle world. A young Bilius raised these possibilities with Master Oswald. At first, Oswald could not be bothered to enquire about muggle money, but he could not resist the constant prodding of his young ward. Out of fondness for his apprentice, Oswald started to investigate, and what he found was a goldmine. The reason why the Potter’s investments in muggle currency is smaller simply stems from the fact that Oswald caught on later.” 

While Harry was completely enamoured with the story, Ron picked up on something. “Um, Ragnarok, I-, I swear I'm not trying to be rude or anything, but the way you talk about my uncle and Harry’s grandfather, it’s really respectful and I’ve never heard of a goblin address a wizard like that.”, Ron enquired cautiously 

“Mr Weasley, history is written by the victors and even then, many goblins have gone out of their way to spread their hatred of wizards. While it is true that many wizards have committed heinous acts against goblins, many witches and wizards were kind to goblins and were considered friends of the goblin race. Your uncle and Mr Potter’s grandfather were two wizards that I considered to be great friends”, answered Ragnarok fondly, his faraway look showing how reminiscent the memory was. 

This gave Harry an opportunity to collect himself and ask a follow up question, “Hold on, if Goblins and Wizards have been known to be friends, why has there always been so much hostility at Gringotts? Even when I first came here at the age of eleven, the goblins weren’t exactly the most cordial bunch of creatures, and Griphook, we saved him, and he thanked us by locking us in Bellatrix’s vault.”. 

“Most magical folk underestimate the true insidious nature of a horcrux. It is the darkest of all magic, surpassing the potency of even soul magic. Once on the premises, it corrupted the entire bank, turning normally kind goblins into rather unpleasant creatures, and those that are already prone to greed and hatred...well, it turns them evil.”, responded Ragnarok bitterly. 

“In fact, I’m rather surprised at you Mr Potter. For someone who lived with a piece of Voldemort’s soul for all these years, you seem to have handled it relatively well”. 

“Not really sir,”, Harry was quick to respond. “There were many times, throughout the years, where it influenced my behaviour. Mostly, it made me unbearably compulsive and far too prone to take risky decisions. At its worst, I would be violent, mean, cruel, especially to those I cared about”, Harry answered guiltily. Ron simply put his arm around Harry’s shoulder. 

And so, the two boys learnt everything they could about their newly acquired inheritance, how to most effectively reach the full potential of their inheritance, and in the process, being regaled by stories from Ragnarok and Skolgor about their deceased relatives and gaining new friends in the process. 

As Ron and Harry found themselves back in Grimmauld, they started to discuss the way forward. 

“So, what now mate?”, Harry enquired 

“I need to let mum and dad know about everything. I think you should go check out Potter Manor, then we’ll discuss how to go about transforming ourselves.”, Ron responded 

Harry nodded in agreement. “Get to the Burrow safely mate. Let me know how it goes, yeah?” 

At this, Ron smiled in acknowledgment of Harry’s request. With one final look, Ron closed his eyes and disapparated on the spot. 

“Still can’t believe we can do that”, Harry mused as he too disapparated to his destination 

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 

As Ron apparated in the grass fields of Ottery St Catchpole, he took a moment to breathe in the scent of the air he had grown up with.  

“Home”, Ron stated as he breathed out in content 

As he approached the Burrow, the first person he spotted was his mother. Mrs Weasley turned around, her breath catching in her throat. 

“Ronnie”, Mrs Weasley uttered in a mixture of disbelief and pure happiness. 

“Hey mum-. Ugh, mum, get a grip”, Ron whined as Mrs Weasley envelope in a sea of hugs and kisses. However, if he was honest with himself, he was very touched by how much his mother missed him. 

“You have a lot of explaining to do, young man”, said Mrs Weasley with mock sternness before her features melted into a smile. “How have you been my baby, and how is Harry?” 

“Harry’s alright mum. We-, we went to therapy to sort out our problems and…it honestly worked mum. Even Magic itself recognises us as brother now” 

Mrs Weasley looked at her youngest son with great pride. “I’m very proud of you, Ron. Takes a lot to open up about you’re going through, but why do I get the feeling there’s something you’re not telling me?” 

Ron took a deep breath before speaking next. “Harry and I received a letter from Gringotts, and…maybe its better if we get inside first. Is dad around?” 

“Yes, as well as Ginny”, responded Mrs Weasley 

“Okay, that’s good because this is going to be lot to take in”. Upon making their way to the living room, Ron was greeted by the sight of his father and Ginny, his favourite and closest sibling. After all the greetings were finished, Ron told Ginny and his dad what he had told his mum. 

“Strange. So, what exactly were you two called to Gringotts for?”, enquired Mr Weasley 

“Brace yourselves, yeah? This is going to be heavy stuff”, Ron warned the gathered family members as he handed them the results of the inheritance test that had been run at Gringotts. 

At least five minutes went by before anyone uttered a word. 

“Ronnie, do you know what this means?”, Mrs Weasley barely managed to breathe out 

“That not only am richer than Malfoy rich but that our family is back in the Wizengamot? Or the fact that none of you ever have to struggle anymore? Or the fact that I’ve just found out that I’m really good in figuring out how money works? I mean, it’s a bit wonky at the beginning, but then it all just comes together”, said Ron rather proud of himself, and deservedly so. 

Ginny however, latched onto one of Ron’s statements. “Hold on, what do you mean none of us are poor anymore ? How’s that possibl-, what did you do Ron?”, enquired Ginny, narrowing her eyes. 

Ron smirked, and then responded confidently, “Everyone in the family now has 10 million galleons in their own accounts at Gringotts. However, 90% remains as an investment and continuously gains interest, while 10% is spending money accrued from the excess interest. No, you can’t give it back, and I don't need it. My investments keep growing anyway, so might as well spend it before the Ministry tries to tax me on it. Just, don’t tell George where it came from, I don’t how he might react, and I don’t have the patience to deal with that.” 

Just then, two house elves appeared in front of Ron 

“Master Weasley! Master Weasley! Master Weasley!” they began shouting 

“Enough!! Firstly, who are you and how do you know me?” Ron demanded in shock to the reception he just received 

The first house elf looked at Ron before answering, “Master Weasley, I’m Mipsy and this Blink. We’ve been waiting for you all this time.” 

Ron still looked perplexed but just accepted this as part of the inheritance process. However, this posed another problem. Ron understood realised that if these elves have been waiting for him all this time, they might find it hurtful and offensive if Ron freed them without their consent. This gave him an idea. 

“If you two want to work for me, there are some conditions. Firstly, you will take a wage, no way I’m letting the two of you work for free. Secondly, you’re free to go wherever you want, just don’t ever compromise the safety or sanctity of this estate. Third, you two need to pick a room on the property for yourselves. Fourth, whatever I’m able to eat, you can eat as well. I consider you two family” 

Ron expected the elves to be shocked but he didn’t such an emotional reaction. 

“Thank you so much Master Weasley!!!”, the house elves cried out gladly. 

However, before Ron could reply, that’s when he heard it. A loud, vicious groan. The kind of groan that could only be made by a manticore. 

Immediately, there was panic all-around Ron, but strangely, he was calm. Naturally, he should have panicked, but it was like he knew this creature. As it descended upon all of them, Ron jump into action. 

“Woah big guy, calm down”, as Ron said this, he couldn't help but acknowledge his behaviour considering the current situation was not normal, however he just carried on. 

“Look, I don’t know how, but I feel like I know you, and somehow...I know you won’t hurt us. So, take a breather yeah?” 

The manticore aggressive breathing immediately calmed and then...it began to laugh. Just as Ron was processing that a manticore that looked seconds away from eating them all was now laughing, something else happened. The manticore transformed from a manticore to a giant Gryffindor. 

“Well, well, well Mr Weasley. It seems you truly do deserve to be my heir” stated the now Gryffindor through chuckles 

Ron was flabbergasted, “What the fuck?! What just happened, and what do you mean I’m your heir- no, that’s not possible. Who are you?” 

“My name is Salazar”, answered the Gryffindor with a wink 

Ron thought about for a second, and then it as the understanding dawned on him, he asked in complete shock, “Godric, how are you alive?” 

“Magic Ron...and having Salazar Slytherin as a best friend and brother”, answered Godric as he walked back to the large forest on the property 

“Um, okay. This is way too much to handle. I need to go. Mum, Dad, Gin, check out the property if you want, and if there’s anything that needs fixing, let me know”, Ron stated whilst in shock 

“Ronnie, where are you going”, enquired Ron’s mother in concern for her boy 

“I need to talk to Harry, mum. Also, don’t tell anyone about anything we’ve seen today.”, and with that, he disapparated back to Grimmauld. 

As Ron touched down in Grimmauld, he was immediately met with a nervous Harry 

“Ron, you wouldn’t happen to have giant Gryffindor named Salazar on your property, would you?”, Harry asked Ron with apprehension 

“Well, that depends Harry. Do you have a Giant Basilisk named Godric on yours”, asked Ron in return. 

“Ron, what the fuck is happening to us” 

“Harry, I honestly don’t know” 

“And Ron, we still have to figure out how to build ourselves, we have investments, we have property. Mate, this too much.” 

But before Ron could reply, there was a knock on the door. Now, the Fidelius charm was still active, hence anyone that knew how to find Grimmauld had to be in on the Fidelius. 

“Ron, Harry, it’s Kingsley” 

Now that was interesting. They needed a way to test if that really was Kingsley. Then, Harry had an idea. 

“If you’re really Kingsley, then what happened in my fifth year in Dumbledore’s office when Fudge came to arrest me” 

A few seconds passed, and then he answered, “While no one was paying attention, I adjusted Marietta Edgecomb’s memory, thus preventing you from getting expelled” 

“Okay, it’s you”, and as he opened the door, there was Kingsley Shacklebolt, the new Minister of Magic 

“Harry, Ron, how are you?” 

“Uh, alright. Just processing a lot of information. Anyway, to what do we owe the pleasure?”, enquired Harry 

“You, Ron and Hermione were vital in the destruction of Voldemort. However, I doubt Hermione would voluntarily fight dark wizards again. You two however...there are dark wizards that escaped after Voldemort’s death. In fact, we don’t even know the full reach of his influence. We cannot allow that to go unchecked”, stated Kinglsey in a very sombre tone 

At Kingsley’s words, Harry and Ron’s eyes burnt with fire. 

“What do you need Kingsley?”, asked Ron with fierce determination 

“That’s why I’m here. I’m offering you two an opportunity.” 

Chapter Text

Hey everyone, I hope you're keeping well. Just a few things I want to touch on going forward.

There's soon going to be a time where Ron will be interacting a few Slytherins that I think would have tried to protect Hogwarts students when Snape was Headmaster. Also, after being a few seconds from death over two years while trying to hunt horcruxes, I think Ron would have matured extremely, thus letting go of his prejudice against Slytherins and instead would judge people by their actions.

Also, given that Hermione has been quite horrible to Ron numerous times without this ever being addressed, she's going to have to work to earn the heart of the Gryffindor King (Ron).

Other than, don't forget to drink water and mind ya business.

PEACE!!!