The Battle

The Toast

"No!" Ron and his mothers voices were almost in sync.

"No way." Ron shook his head.

"Aw, c'mon Ronnie, let the girl play." a familiar voice spoke. You looked over and saw Angus. He gave you a small wink, making you smile.

"No. Out of the question. This isnt her life." Rons words hurt you.

"But I want to, Ron." you tried hard to keep your voice steady.

"Lets talk about this outside" Ron said quietly, taking your hand and leading you out of a nearby door, away from prying eyes.

You pulled your hand away from his, walking away from him.

"Y/n," he began, "you cant do this. I wont allow it."

"You wont allow it?" you almost screamed. "Ron, I'm not a child. I can make my own decisions. If theres going to be a battle, I want to fight. I dont want to be sat at home, worrying, feeling useless.

"But its no place for you, people die."

"No place for me?! Why, because I'm not as smart as Hermione? Or as brave as Harry? Screw you, Ron!" you yelled, automatically feeling guilty. "People die every day, Ron." you sighed. "Why wont you let me? You dont have a problem with anyone else in your life joining."

"I do. I hate the fact that we have to do this...again." he took your hand, "but y/n, I love you more than any of them. If anything happened to you, I'd..." his voice trailed off as he looked away from you.

"Dont you get it, Ron? I cant not be there. I cant not be with you every second of this. If it was the other way round, would you stay at home and leave me?"

"Not a chance." his voice was quiet now.

"Ronald Weasley, like it or not, I'm in." you voice was firm. "this is your life, and I want to be in it. Every part of it. Good and bad." you brought your hand up to his cheek. "I love you, Ron. Im sorry but I've made my mind up."

His silence spoke volumes. You turned and walked back inside, leaving him standing alone. The room went quiet when you walked back in. You looked at the ground and went straight to the kitchen, ignoring everyone on your way. Pouring yourself a glass of water, your eyes focused on the wall infront you, you didnt notice someone entering the room behind you.

"Something stronger?"

You turned, startled. "Please. I wouldnt have thought you'd be the one to ask me that" you smiled. Hermione opened one of the nearby cupboards taking out a bottle of rum.

"Well, we are all full of surprises. I wouldnt have thought you'd have wanted to join" she commented as she poured you both a drink. "I'm not here to talk you out of it" she held her hands up before you could start. "I just know what its like to fight with Ron Weasley, he can be such a bloody idiot." she laughed.

"Hermione...what was it like, the last time?" you asked, taking a sip of your drink.

"Brutal. It was terrifying. We didnt know who we could trust. Families were ripped apart. But, it didnt last forever. We made it out the other side, many didnt." a sadness filled across her face.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry I wasnt there. I honestly didnt have a clue what was going in. Ignorance is bliss I guess. But I cant sit it out this time, I have to do something"

She nodded, "I understand, I couldn't either." You both finished your drinks in silence. "He'll come around," she rested a hand on your shoulder, gave you a sympathetic smile and left the room.

You sat along for what felt like forever, lost in your thoughts. Hermione had left the rum sitting out, so you helped yourself to another glass.

"C'mon, y/n." Angus appeared at the door "come join in the fun" he reached out, took your hand, and pulled you away from your pity party.

You entered the room to see everyone chatting and laughing, the atmosphere much different to how it had been earlier. You quickly saw why, everyone had began drinking. You smiled to yourself as you joined them, Angus handing you the bottle you had been drinking from in the kitchen.

The party went on for hours, everyone was in great spirits, despite the fate that you all faced. Ron still wouldnt speak to you. Every so often, you'd catch him looking at you, but as soon as you did, he turned away. This hurt your feelings but you let it be. Hermione was right, he'd come round. Hopefully.

"Could I have everyone's attention for a minute." Sirius had climbed ontop of a table, swaying slightly. "Oi, shut up!" he spoke louder, looking directly at the twins. They grinned back at him, giggling to themselves. "I just wanted to take a moment to thank you all for being here. Who knows what's going to happen, but like always we will fight til the very end. Heres to all of us. Old and new. Heres to The Order Of The Phoenix." Everyone raised their glasses, taking a second to look round at each other. You took it all in. Every single face. Your eyes fell on Ron again, but this time he didnt look away. He smiled at you, nodding his head slightly as he took a drink from his glass.