Just a quick note to say, yes, it's real. Chuchi's gotten off her arse and finally wrap up Ron's first year. About bloody time.

'Nuff said. :D

Chapter Twenty-One

Between Summer and the Year's End

It was a calm, clear morning out in the grounds, just when the sun was slowly cresting the mountains. It felt like forever since Ron was able to have a morning run again, and the fresh air was cool and soothing in his lungs.

At least I get to have one more before leaving Hogwarts. Ottery St. Catchpole is nice, but the grounds just has a different feel to it.

A chirp sounded on his right, making Ron grin as he looked up. Gliding over his head, wings beating lightly against the wind, was his little windcaller friend. "Enjoying the view too, huh?"

The bird chirped again before settling on his shoulder. Ron tapped his head with a gentle finger, which was nipped affectionately.

"So, how are you? Your wings back to normal?" The windcaller chirped in affirmative, flapping his wings again for emphasis. Ron laughed and tapped the bird's head. "All right, I can see it. No need to show off."

The bird puffed his chest in response, making Ron roll his eyes. Still, it was a relief—and great timing—that the golden fluffball's wing managed to fully heal while Ron was recovering at the hospital wing. Something the red head found out the hard way when the rascal flitted frantically around him, squawking incessantly when he returned to the Room of Requirement.

Ron was finally released by Madame Pomfrey a few days before the Year End feast, giving him some time to settle a few things before the term ends. But since there was quite a bit of that, Ron hadn't had the time to see the bird until late into last night, barely an hour before curfew. And given that the last time they saw each other was when they discussed about Ron's plan to stop Quirrell, the boy could not blame the bird for being anxious.

There was also the thought that today will be the last they'll have together. Noddy did not need to tell him that the little windcaller was already strong enough to be released, and the timing could not be any more right for both of them.

While Ron was happy for the bird, he also can't help but feel a little sad. They may have not known each other for very long—hadn't even gotten around to figuring out what the creature actually is, even— but he will miss the little bloke. He wouldn't deny that he was prolonging the inevitable by lauding the bird with the stories he promised to tell once the whole Quirrell fiasco was over.

Besides, Ron could tell the bird was not going anywhere until then anyway.

The boy rubbed a finger on the creature's head as they made their way to the Great Lake, making the bird tweet appreciatively in response.

"So, where do I start?"

The curtains around his cot opened with a harsh snap, nearly making Ron jump out of the mattress at the sight of three very irate red heads.

"Err, Fred, George, Percy, I can—"

Fred cut off the feeble greeting. "Explain? Oh so there is a reason why you disappeared on us last time—"

"—and the next thing we hear, you're back in the hospital wing from magical core exhaustion—" George continued.

"—so if there's a bloody good explanation for giving us a collective heart attack, again, "Percy finished with a barely restrained hiss. "Then start talking, Ronald Bilius Weasley."

Despite his situation—and really, his anxiety is through the roof at the moment— Ron could not help but notice, "Did Percy just do the twin finishing each other's—?"

"NOT THE TIME, RON!"

"All right, all right, I'm sorry! Bloody hell!" Merlin, my ears! Looks like the twins did get something from mum after all. Ron raised his hands in surrender, as if it could somehow protect him from his brothers' livid glares. "Look, it's a bit complicated, but I'll tell you what I can. And I know it'll be hard to believe, but it was Professor Quirrell."

The angry expressions on his brothers' faces slackened into confusion as they asked in unison. "Professor Quirrell?"

Ron went on about what had happened between their former professor and his friends for the latter part of the term; from the wizard being the mastermind behind the attack last Halloween, to the confrontation at the Mirror of Erised. Granted, it was a slightly less accurate account, with some changes here and there, emphasizing just how brave Neville had been at the chess match, how smart Hermione was in the logic puzzle, and how determined Harry was to prevent Quirrell from getting the stone to Voldemort.

By the end of his tale, Percy, Fred and George had gone stark white and gobsmacked.

"Oh my God..." Percy put a trembling hand over his quavering lips. "Y—You-Know-Who, in Hogwarts, all year? How—how could anyone not have known?"

"Bloody hell, Fred!" George whispered breathlessly, his knuckles pale from clenching his knees too tightly. "We were tossing snowballs all over Quirrell's head before, didn't we? You reckon we—"

"Yeah, yeah we were." Even Fred was utterly disturbed by the realization. "To think we were actually throwing them on You-Know-Who."

Ron gazed at each of his brothers, surprised that even the twins appeared unsettled by Voldemort. Then again, they were still young right now. Mere students with the thought of going against a dark lord being the furthest thing from their minds.

"But it was just a ghost of him." Ron reassured them quickly. "Harry managed to stop Quirrell, remember? He and Voldemort are gone." At least, for this year.

"Unbelievable." Percy shook his head. "He's been dead for the last eleven years. Or he was supposed to be. So how...how is he still alive? Or has he been dead all this time, and was just recently revived?"

"He did not—" Ron had to bodily jerk himself back to still his tongue. There was only so much information he can share as a twelve year old. "I mean, however he survived—or got revived—I reckon it's not a complete thing, because like what I just said—"

"I know. I know. Harry stopped him. You only said so a billion times. But what's stopping him from trying again?" Percy gnawed his lower lip. "And what's going to happen when he does?"

"More importantly," George glared at Ron again. "Who's going to stop this trouble magnet from getting involved?"

Ron's brows twitched. "I'm not a—!"

"No? Really? How has this year gone for you again, Ron?" Fred ticked his fingers for emphasis. "First, the troll. Then, Pettigrew. Now, Quirrell. You've had two chances of getting your arse killed, and you're only a first year, for fuck's sake—!"

"Fred!" Percy hissed but Fred snarled at the interruption. "Come off it, Perce! You know I'm bloody right about this! Or did you forget about what happened back with Uncle Bilius and the Lovegoods—"

Ron's brows twitched again. He had yet to recall the full story about what happened with the Lovegoods. What's this about their late uncle?

"—And yes, I AM the one to talk! Pranks are one thing, but life-threatening bullocks like this?!" Fred turned his glare to Ron again. "And don't think I forgot, dunderhead! You still haven't told us why the hell you were in the hospital wing before that shite with Quirrell!"

The time traveler flinched guiltily. He didn't want to bring it up if he could help it. There was no point—the bastard was dead after all—but there was no way his brothers would let him weasel his way out of this one.

He took a breath to brace himself. "Actually, that was also because of Quirrell. Remember the rumors going on around Hogwarts about him being a bit of a loon?"

George nodded. "It's been around Hogwarts for weeks. Everyone's been talking about it, even in the middle of studying for the Finals. But what about it?"

"...The source of that...well..." Another deep breath as Ron scratched his cheek. "It may have been me?"

Percy and the twins were mighty in sync today, because they stiffened then glowered as one. Again.

Deciding to get it over with, the youngest Weasley in the room gave a quick, modified summary of that event, because Ron was absolutely sure he would not survive today if they found out that he actually planned for the whole thing.

By the end of it, his brothers' faces morphed into honestly such frightening expressions that they were nearly unrecognizable in their fury.

"That. Son. of. A. Bitch." Ron could taste the acidic rage in Fred's words. The older teen's fists were clenched so tightly they were shaking, his eyes narrowed so deeply his pupils were barely visible. "I swear, if he wasn't dead, I'd finish the job myself, that sick fucker!"

I can't believe I'm thinking this, but thank It that he is. "It doesn't matter anymore, Fred. The wanker failed, and he's six feet under—"

"Of course it matters, Ron!" George's voice cracked, be it from anger or something else, Ron couldn't tell. "He used dark magic on you! He—you said he planned to kill you! I bet he even used an Unforgivable on you, and you're just not telling us!"

Ron opened his mouth to deny it, but found he could not say the words. His silence being all the confirmation the three older Weasleys needed.

"...For fuck's sake, Ron." The fact that even Percy was swearing, and the twins didn't bother poking fun about it, rang alarm bells in the time traveler's head. If his brothers were that bothered by it, then Merlin help him when the rest of his family finds out. Ginny and his mother will probably scream his ears off, and his father might consider not letting him out of the house all summer.

(And if this news would somehow reach Bill and Charlie, Ron had a sinking feeling that not even Merlin will be able to save him.)

"I'm. Fine." Ron eventually said as firmly as he could. "Professor McGonagall managed to stop Quirrell from using too much dark magic on me. Whatever he did get to use, Madame Pomfrey already healed it." He pointed at his smooth cheek. "Remember that cut I had here? It's all gone, and I'm still a looker as ever!"

Fred's lip titled slightly up. "Thank Merlin for that, eh? Your face is already hideous enough even without a scar."

Ron smirked at that. Now this was the Fred he was used to. "You're just jealous I've got more on looks than you."

"He's got you there, Fred." George pat Ron's head gently. "Someone's got to say it. Ronnie's face is loads more adorable than yours."

"...You do remember we're identical twins, right?"

"Knock it off, George! I am NOT adorable!"

"Always, Forge." The younger Weasley twin said with a wink. "And sorry, Ronnie. I call it like I see it." A second later, though, George's good cheer slipped into a somber look. "But are you really OK, Ron? You don't have to hide it from us if you aren't."

The change in his brother's tone was so abrupt that it was nearly jarring, but Ron managed to smile reassuringly. "I am. I'm just glad that everyone's all right and this shite is finally over."

"Everyone's all right but you." Percy exhaled loudly before coming to sit on the cot, pulling the surprised Ron into a one-armed hug. "You're the only one still in the Hospital Wing. You're the one who always gets the short end of the stick, and you have no idea just how..." A pause. "Just how awful this all is..."

"What do you mean?" Before anyone could answer Ron, the curtains around the boy's hospital bed parted for the second time that day. "Ron?!"

The boy's blue eyes widened at the sight of his new visitors. "Mum! Dad!"

"So I had to tell everything all over again." Ron told the little windcaller, who had been paying attention to every word so far. The two settled on the tree by the still lake, with Ron sitting with his legs stretched to the water, while the bird nestled comfortably on the grass by his right hip. "And bloody hell, it was rough! Mum actually cried, and Dad, well, that was the second time I've seen him so angry this year! He actually said he'd have words with the Headmaster about it! It was embarrassing! It wasn't Professor Dumbledore's fault he wasn't at the school when all that happened!"

The bird let out a noise that Ron interpreted as a scoff, obviously not keen on absolving Dumbledore regarding the matter as easily as Ron did.

"It was just...odd. I've never gotten his much attention from my family, ever." Ron continued. "I remember back when I was younger, I've always wished for this. But now that it's happening, it's...I don't know, overwhelming? When you're so used to being in the side, when you're at front and center, it just feels wrong, that you're not the one who's supposed to be there. Because they've never really seen you before, so why now?"

There was a nudge on his hip, and Ron met the bird's concerned gaze.

The boy shrugged. "I don't mean anything by it. With seven kids, two parents can only do so much. It took me a long time to, but I learned to take what I can get."

"Least loved by a mother who craved for a daughter..."

The memory came unprompted, making Ron shake his head. "Least loved is still loved. That ought to count, right? Besides, someone's got to be the least favorite."

The following silence was a bit too chilly in his opinion, so the time traveler switched to a new topic.

Hermione and Neville quickly came up to Ron as soon as the red head stepped past the portrait hole with Percy behind him. The twins would have come along, but they mentioned having a meeting with the rest of the Quidditch team until late afternoon.

"Oh, Ron, thank goodness you're finally awake!" The bushy haired witch said after Percy excused himself. Both of Ron's friends appeared rather beside themselves, with Neville wringing his hands and chewing his bottom lip while Hermione looked close to tears.

"We wanted to go visit you," Neville added. "But Madame Pomfrey said you needed your rest."

"Don't worry about it. I'm just glad you're both all right too." Ron clapped Neville on the shoulder. "How's your head, Neville?"

"Just a mild concussion, nothing too bad. What about you? Hermione said she heard you had magical core exhaustion?"

"It's not as bad as it sounds. It just means I need sleep. A lot of it. And a couple of Pepper-Ups." Ron paused to look around. "Harry isn't here yet?"

Hermione shook her head. "We haven't seen him since we left you two at the Hospital Wing. Professor Dumbledore said his guardians came for him?"

Ron was about to say that he did see them take Harry, but then remembered that he should not have been able to witness that. "Err, yeah, but he also said that he'll convince Sirius and Remus to let Harry come back for the year end feast."

Hermione and Neville traded looks before sighing collectively.

"That's a relief," said Hermione. "We haven't heard anything about what happened with Quirrell and the stone. Professor McGonagall said that you were both fine but..."

"No one's told you what happened to Harry?" When his friends shook their heads, Ron signaled for them to follow him to one of the armchairs by the fireplace. After casting a quick Notice-Me-Not and a Muffiliato, the young Weasley recounted his and Harry's fight against Quirrell, Voledmort showing up, and how they managed to defeat him.

"Sweet Merlin!" Neville whispered, swaying slightly on his feet. "I—I reckoned Quirrell was working for him, but to think he had You-Know-Who sticking on the back of his head!"

"No wonder he wanted the Stone." Hermione's voice was hushed and tight, her eyes flitting around the Common Room warily. "He was basically a parasite, and Quirrell as his host. Someone who thinks of himself as a Dark Lord would certainly not want to live like that!" Her eyes then lit up. "Is it because of the unicorn blood?"

Ron nodded. "That must have been how Voldemort managed to stay attached to Quirrell—"

Neville shuddered. "Stop saying the name!"

"—, taking the idiot's life force until he can get the stone and make a new body so I reckon even if Harry hadn't...touched him, Quirrell would have died eventually." He could still vividly recall the sight of Quirrell crumbling like clumps of chalk while struggling against Harry's outstretched hands. The nauseating stench of burning flesh. The echoes of agonized screams. "It was disgusting. I hope Harry won't remember how it looked like."

"But what about you?" Neville prompted. "Are you all right?"

If I had a knut for every time I have been asked that this week... Ron forced the thought away. He should be grateful that his family and friends in this life cared enough to ask. "I am." And he meant it. He had seen enough gruesome deaths that another corpse to haunt his nightmares wasn't that big of a deal, as long as it meant they were all safe. "I just wish Harry would come back soon. I'm sure he has loads of questions for us."

"I wonder how he's doing," said Neville. "I'm sure Sirius and Remus are taking great care of him, but it's odd that he hasn't at least tried to send an owl."

"Maybe he's still resting." Hermione suggested. "Maybe whatever he did to Quirrell tired him out more than we thought."

"True." Ron did not understand the specifics, but he would not be surprised if activating the protection spell over Harry had effects similar to magical core exhaustion. Maybe he ought to ask Harry more about it in the future. Even Hermione hadn't thought of asking more about it back in his first life, at least as far as he knew.

Or maybe they had talked about it before, and just hadn't included him in the conversation?

Possibly.

Back in the present, the young witch shook her head. "I'm just glad it's finally over. This year's been so eventful! I know we can all use a break!"

"That's true—"

"Onto less stressful things, our exam results!" Hermione continued cheerfully, ignoring how Ron and Neville stared at each other incredulously at her statement. "They just posted our results, including those from the Study Clubs!"

"Right." With everything that's happened, his test results had been the last thing in Ron's mind until now. "Might as well check. Here's to hoping I didn't do too poorly, or else Professor McGonagall won't let me hear the end of it."

It was now Hermione's and Neville's turn to trade incredulous looks, making Ron raise a brow. "Bugger, are my exam results THAT bad?"

An awkward second later, Hermione face palmed while Neville let out a tired sigh. "How can someone so brilliant also be so bloody daft?"

"I still can't believe it!" Ron said with his hands up in the air. "Me? One of the top students of our year?! How did that even happen?!"

The boy remembered re-reading his scores at least five times to make sure that he was not imagining or mixing up the letters. To his astonishment, he received nothing less that Exceeds Expectations in all of his subjects, even netting Outstanding grades in Charms, Transfiguration and Defense Against the Dark Arts. He even managed to get EE in both Potions and History of Magic. Bloody History of Magic! Percy had been especially delighted about that, and managed to get Ron several Chocolate Frogs as a congratulatory gift.

His friends also did pretty well. Hermione was obviously the top of their class, netting nearly all Os in their subjects. Harry did pretty well, as did Neville, who Hermione said had burst into tears when he read that he actually got an Acceptable in Potions. He had been so happy, in fact, that he immediately rushed to Professor Imhotep, thanked the man profusely for his help, and vowing to rejoin the Potions club next year as soon as possible.

Speaking of the study clubs, his work with them had been just as satisfactory, with him getting an EE for his Potions and Ancient Runes papers, and A for his Arithmancy diagram. His Study Club scores made him more determined than ever to improve his math skills, which was on the top of his list to do in the summer.

"Commendable effort, but this is just the beginning." Ron recited in near perfect imitation of Professor McGonagall's crisp tone when he eagerly informed her of his scores. "She didn't have to say it, but I can tell she's expecting me to do just as well next year. So much for taking it easy after the finals. Then again, it's not that I was planning to."

Because going back to the Burrow meant him going back to the drawing board with Second Chance, as his Hogwarts years became more eventful the higher ahead he went.

And second year was one of those that hit especially hit close to home, because of a certain diary...

Ron was distracted from that thought by his bird companion's light tweet, shining golden eyes staring expectantly at him.

"Sorry, got lost in my head a bit. What else happened after that again?" A second later, his blue eyes brightened. "The year-end feast!"

"HARRY!"

Ron chorused with his friends when they saw Harry across the hallway, beaming and waving at them with Sirius and Remus trailing from behind.

"Ron! Neville! Hermione!" Harry said breathlessly as soon as he reached them. "You lot are all right!"

"You're the one we should be worried about!" Hermione exclaimed. "After what happened with—! That is to say, Neville and I feared the worst for you and Ron!"

"Your owl couldn't have come at a better time, mate." Neville said, now fully relaxed that the four of them were together again. "Professor Dumbledore told us that you were with Sirius and Remus, but it's loads better to hear it from you! How are you now?"

"Better than ever!" Harry reassured them. "A bit shocked at first when I saw I wasn't at Hogwarts anymore. Turned out Sirius and Remus asked if I could stay with them for a while at Remus' flat. It's a really cozy place somewhere in downtown London, feels just like the Common Room! I wish you could come see it!"

Sirius chuckled, ruffling Harry's hair while Remus' ears turned red. "Better not get too attached to it, pup. We'll be moving out within the week, remember?"

The dark haired boy pouted. "I still don't see why. Remus' flat is plenty nice enough."

It was Remus who laughed this time. "I'm happy you see it that way, but Sirius is right, the flat is too small, especially if you'll be having friends over."

"Besides, our new place will be just as nice! It's on a mountain so the air is always cool, and there's a gorgeous view! Not to mention the house itself! More than enough room to have friends over." Sirius winked. "Let's just say it will be like you never left Hogwarts."

Ron recalled Remus mentioning that Sirius had arranged for them to move somewhere in Scotland, but hadn't been specific on the details. Was it because the bloke bought a castle for Harry? Knowing Sirius—and seeing what a doting godfather he is—Ron would not be surprised.

And, judging by the way Remus' eyes widened in realization, it looked like it was just now that the thought occurred to him.

(If anything, Ron was more surprised that Remus considered that possibility only now.)

Harry's smile turned wistful and a tinge sad. "It would be nice if I could see it. You reckon I can stay with you for the summer?"

Remus squeezed Harry's shoulder. "We'll ask Dumbledore and the Dursleys for permission, don't worry. Sirius has been looking forward to showing us his new place. I doubt he'd last a day there without having you over before the end of it."

"How many times do I have to say it? It's OUR place. Remus. Ours." Sirius rolled his eyes. "And I can wait. I wouldn't I'd whisk Harry away from his relatives without a word!"

"But you were thinking it."

"I WAS—" Sirius cleared his throat before turning away with an injured sniff. "At least I didn't say I was going to do it!"

The way Harry's eyes lit at the prospect said that he would very much appreciate it though. Too bad Sirius and Remus were in such a deep conversation about the former's track record of impulsiveness that they had not noticed.

Seeing that the adults were occupied, Ron and his friends took the opportunity to have their own talk with Harry.

"Did you tell them about the Stone and You-Know-Who?" Hermione whispered while glancing at Sirius and Remus every now and then.

Harry nodded. "Dumbledore came over a while after I woke up, and they were there when I told Dumbledore everything. They...they didn't take it very well that we were anywhere near Voldemort."

"I can imagine." The memory of Molly sobbing and his father's face becoming a gradient of red and purple at the thought still made Ron's insides freeze to this second. "No denying that we all could have died back there."

"And you two nearly did."Neville pointed out.

"But still, they said that they were proud of us." Harry continued. "That we were brave enough to try and stop Quirrell. That we were smart enough to work our way through the traps. That we looked out for each other until the end."

The surreal, overwhelmed look on Harry's face reflected a familiar feeling to Ron: knowing what it was like to have someone be overly concerned, disapproving yet proud of you at the same time; and the confusing mix of guilt and fulfillment that came with it.

To think that it had been a decade and some before Harry finally had someone outright tell him that they were proud of him. That he wasn't a freak and that they loved him for who he was. Ron never knew if Harry had been ever told those things out right in his old life. But with Sirius and Remus here this time around, there would be plenty of time for them to.

"And we stand by what we said." The four first years jumped when Sirius cut into their conversation. Ron and his friends turned to the two older wizards, who were now facing them. "But we also hope you won't make a habit out of it. Pranks and even a handful of detentions throughout the year are all fine, but I draw the line at these death-defying stunts."

"Don't encourage them to be like how we used to be." Remus shot him a sidelong glance. "Or like how you still are, Sirius, or Lily will have our hides."

"No, she won't. She was every bit as devious as the rest of us. You two were just better at getting away with it." Sirius snorted. "The most blatant abuse of Prefect power I have ever seen in my years at Hogwarts!"

Remus chose to ignore him. "What we're saying is that we are both proud of you for being so brave and supportive of one another. Having strong friendships is one of the best things you can get out of Hogwarts. It will help you survive the years to come." He paused. "I meant your upcoming OWLS and NEWTs, of course. Please try to stay out of any more life-threatening trouble from now on. You're only students! You're at Hogwarts to learn, not save the world every year you're there!"

"Oh, definitely!" Hermione nodded. "All that mess with Quirrell and the stone is enough adventure for a lifetime for me!"

Neville readily agreed. "This year's been something else. Fun, all things considered, but Merlin please let the next term will be a quiet one! Or else Nan might really get me home schooled!"

Harry and Hermione raised their brows at Neville. "Home schooled?"

"It is an option, but a rarely mentioned one." Remus informed the two muggle-raised children. "Private tutoring has its advantages, but the cons—including its outrageous cost in the long run—has led to its decline in popularity over the last century. Only the wealthier families, like the Most Ancient and Noble House of Longbottom—"

Neville's cheeks colored at the mention of his lineage but remained silent as Remuse went on. "—can afford it. But I don't think Lady Longbottom will seriously consider such a thing. Children benefit from being around their peers more than studying on their own."

"Besides, it's not like this sort of thing is going to happen again." Harry reassured an unsure looking Neville. "Don't worry, Nev. You'll see, next year will be a quiet one, and there will be no more trolls, jinxed brooms and dark wizards for the rest of our lives!"

Sirius and Remus' relieved expressions dropped immediately at that. "Jinxed brooms?!"

Harry's eyes widened at what is now an apparent slip of the tongue. "Oh, I—didn't I mention that?" A feeble laugh. "Strange, I— thought I did, but—I ought to tell you some other time? Because, the year end feast is—"

"Oh, you are not going anywhere yet, Harry James Potter!" Sirius exclaimed, his jaw clenched and eyes ablaze.

"Not until you tell us what's this about a jinxed broom!" Seconded an equally rigid and flustered Remus.

Harry turned to Hermione and Neville for help, who only shook their heads and smiled apologetically. Even at their age, they knew that trolls and dark wizards have nothing on irate father figures.

Good thing Harry, Hermione and Neville had been distracted by Sirius and Remus' worried outburst to notice that Ron had to bite his inner cheek to stifle an ironic laugh.

Only at Hogwarts to learn, they said. No more dark wizards for the rest of our lives, they said. The eighteen-turned-twelve year old boy snorted wryly. Oh, if you lot only knew...

"Thankfully, we managed to make it to the feast. A bloody miracle by itself, really. I thought Sirius and Remus' overprotective fit would never end." Ron laughed at the memory of Harry's flustered and desperate pleading for the two wizards to not come charging at the Great Hall shouting bloody murder for Dumbledore after hearing the full jinxed broom story. "Though I think all that will do Harry some good. He never had anyone worry so much about him before. Maybe now he'll think twice before letting his saving people thing get to his head."

The year-end feast went on mostly the same as it had in the old future, with a few small changes. Slytherin had been the initial leading House for this year's House Cup, but Dumbledore's last minute additions changed everything.

"First, to Mr. Neville Longbottom, for having such loyalty to one's friends, even at the cost of great sacrifice, I award fifty points!"

"Neville had been in a right stupor. Said that was the most points he had ever won for Gryffindor all year," recalled Ron. "Poor bloke didn't even react to the other lions piling around him. Just sat there gaping like a pale fish. It was hilarious!"

"Second, for exemplary use of cool logic in the face of a fiery challenge, I award Ms. Hermione Granger fifty points!"

"Hermione looked like she was going to faint when Dumbledore mentioned her before she straight out cried." Ron smiled sadly. "Among the three of us, she was the one who was most bothered by the points we lost when we were caught out during curfew."

"Third, to Mr. Harry Potter, for his outstanding bravery and mettle against overwhelming odds, I award sixty points!"

"The Gryffindor table had been bloody hysterical! It was the first time we have ever gotten that close to winning the House Cup in years!" Ron paused, remembering how frazzled the Gryffindors' nerves had been back then. "Those who could do the math in their head said that we were tied to Slytherin for first place. Everyone, even the other Houses, were excited to know how this was going to end."

Apparently, so did the little windcaller next to him, who let out an impatient hoot while his eyes plainly said, "So how did it end?"

"Well..."

"And finally, for having the wisdom to bring friends together, and for the best played chess game Hogwarts has seen in decades, I award Mr. Ronald Weasley sixty points!"

Ron felt his whole face burn at the memory of the Gryffindors jumping up to hug him, his ears ringing so loudly because of their screams of delight that he barely heard Dumbledore announce the need to change the decorations.

"YOU DID IT, RON!" Harry and Neville shouted in jubilation while Hermione hugged him, laughing through her tears. The other Gryffindor first years were quick to follow suit, with Seamus dragging them to pile around the overwhelmed Ron; and Lavender leading the cheers of, "WE GOT THE CUP! WE GOT THE CUP!"

"Our little brother! Our little Ronniekins—" He remembered the twins saying. "Beating McGonagall's chess set and winning us the House Cup!"

"—not surprised in the least, of course!" He also heard Percy say from somewhere to the side. "Our Ron's been brilliant at chess ever since he learned how to play. Not even our grandfather could—"

"...Just thinking about everyone's reactions is still a bit too much," Ron continued. "It wasn't bad. I'm happy they're proud of me, but it just feels wrong to hear that I won the House Cup. We all did. It just so happened Dumbledore announced my name last, for some mad reason. As if I need any more attention."

Merlin, if he ever had the chance to tell his younger self anything, it would be that being noticed this much is not worth the bloody pain. Because who knows how much this will change the future? Who's to say that this won't pique the interest of some undesirables?

Calm down, Ron. Deep breaths. What's done is done, and the term is almost over. Ron exhaled a few more times to get rid of the tension before smiling at the bird next to him. "And that's it, that's pretty much what happened. Quite a lot, huh?"

The golden fluffball tilted his head before bopping it against Ron's thigh, chirping gratefully.

"I did promise to tell you everything once I saw you again. Never let it be said that Ronald Weasley is no wizard of his word." Ron said in a playful, lofty tone, to which the bird ruffled its feathery body, seemingly in a fit of laughter.

It was such an adorable sight that the boy couldn't help but chuckle, amused. The more he was around the creature, the more evident it became that the bird really was a juvenile. An energetic, excitable and expressive thing. It was going to be quieter in the Room of Requirement without him around...

Ron's expression fell slightly as he rubbed his index finger on the bird's forehead. "I'll really miss having you around, you know."

Sensing the drop in Ron's mood, the creature's demeanor became subdued, his chirping lower.

"You've been a big help to me, little windcaller, but I know you can't stay. There's somewhere you ought to be, right?"

He couldn't tell why he knew, but Ron just did. He didn't have the heart to ask if the bird's clan, as Noddy called it, was really wiped out, but he truly hoped that they were still out there, looking for the little fluffball.

The sun was halfway past the mountains now. Ron took the bird into his arms one last time before standing up, turning to face the tree they had both been sitting under.

"Remember this place? This is where we first met." Ron nudged the creature tucked over his elbow. "Back then you could barely lift your wing, and now look at you, ready to fly on your own."

The bird gazed at the tree before his eyes went back to Ron again before shaking his head the slightest bit. This made the boy raise a confused brow. Was it him, or was the bird disagreeing with him about something?

But he supposed it doesn't matter anymore. Ron cleared his throat.

"Well, it's time to go." His arms felt a bit heavy at the moment, but he managed to lift the bird up to lightly jostle him to the air. It took a few tries before he finally spread his wings, but the bird remained flapping in the air in front of Ron, eyeing the boy intently.

Ron swallowed the lump in his throat in favor of a grin. "Come on now, off with you. If someone sees us, we'll both be in a world of trouble."

The bird remained stationary for a bit longer, its golden eyes fixed on what Ron hoped was a convincing, encouraging expression. Then, to the young Weasley's surprise, the bird tucked its wings in its front for a second before spreading them wide, making the creature's body glow a soft white light.

"O—Oi, you, what are you—?" Ron reached a hand to the creature in concern. Just when his fingers were an inch away, the light enveloping the golden bird's body shrank into a ball a bit to the left of his chest. The ball quickly turned into a slim, threadlike light that then snaked its way onto his right wrist, binding itself into a circle.

Ron pulled his hand back with a gasp, watching with bated breath as the light eventually faded, revealing what appeared to be a cord, right on top of the charms bracelet Luna had given to him for Christmas. It looked like crimson rope, about a foot thick, with gold light entwined between its fibers. It didn't feel uncomfortable—in fact, it felt nicely warm—but it also felt odd. Like he was holding onto some sort of corporeal energy.

Something alive.

This bird really is a magical creature. Ron may not be a Care of Magical Creatures expert, but even he can take a guess that whatever this bracelet was, it was definitely something akin to a very special gift.

"Thank you." He managed to croak out, running the fingers of his free hand on the crimson cord. "I—I'm sorry I don't know what this is, but—I really appreciate it."

The bird rolled his eyes, and Ron was in the middle of laughing sheepishly when he felt a wave of emotion sweep into his being. A combination of exasperation, pride and fondness that went as quickly as it came.

Feelings that he knew were definitely not his.

You will know. Someday.

A voice rang in his mind, that of a collected, proper and soft-spoken child. Ron's eyes flew to the bird in front of him, who tilted its head to confirm his suspicion.

Dziękuję za wszystko, mój pan.

Before Ron could say anything else, the bird took off to the sky without looking back.

"Professor Hui!"

The half-goblin lecturer looked up from his papers, sitting behind his desk in the currently empty Ancient Runes study club classroom. "Ah, Mr. Weasley. Doing well, I hope?"

"As well as I can be, sir," said Ron. "I remember seeing you with Professor Flitwick back in the Hospital Wing after...well, that. Are you both all right?"

Hui's brows furrowed. "Yes, that. Dreadful business indeed, a second troll attack this school year. Filius was not severely injured, thankfully. I was even more fortunate, having gotten away with mere scratches."

"And the troll, sir?"

"Challenging work, but the staff held their own splendidly," said Hui. "Several of our esteemed professors and lecturers have the right experience. There were some injured, yes, but worse things could have happened. And I was made aware that a certain student or two seemed to have exhausted their magical cores a little too much?"

"You've heard of that?"

"Everyone in the faculty has. Your Head of House was frantic with worry for you and Mr. Potter because of that." Hui elaborated, making Ron's cheeks burn.

"I'm sorry."

"It's fine. As I have said, no one was severely hurt, which is all that matters in the end." Hui said with a wave of his hand. "Onto other things, I believe you're here regarding your wand?"

Ron nodded. He was supposed to meet Hui the morning after the final exams, which fell through for obvious reasons.

"The delay is expected. I imagine you have much to sort through after what happened with Mr. Quirrell." Hui sighed. "He really was a troubled soul. So unfortunate that he was beyond our help."

The boy shrugged. "It's not like Quirrell thought he needed it."

"Indeed. But we digress." The half-goblin got down from his table, folding his hands behind his back as he approached Ron. "Truthfully, I have not been able to work on your new wand as much I'd like these last few months. But I intend to make it my focus this coming summer, and hopefully by this coming September, I will have the beginnings of a working prototype for you."

"There's no need to hurry, Professor." Ron protested. "You must already have a lot of work here as a lecturer. And if you have any other jobs out of Hogwarts."

"It will be no trouble. Unlike the Professors, we lecturers don't have much left to do here once the break starts. An advantage to some, since it leaves us with more time with our own pursuits." Hui said with a smile. "Not to mention I look forward to the challenge. It is not everyday that I get to use your type of wand wood."

"The 'honeysuckle' one, right?" Ron said with the air quotes, to which the half-goblin inventor laughed. "Ah, so that's what we're calling it. I almost forgot."

"Can't you just tell me what it really is?"

"Now, now, there is no need to get too excited yet. The wand wood is only a third of the equation." Hui pulled out the suitcase he used to summon Yggdrassil before. "This time, we are going to find the best cores for it."

"Cores?" Ron echoed. "You mean more than one?"

"That depends," answered Hui. "Some cores—particularly the three prized ones of unicorn tail hair, dragon heartstring, and phoenix feather— can do well on their own. In fact, both phoenix feather and dragon hearstring cores prefer it that way. On the other hand, there are others that, for varying reasons, work best when there is a sub- or even a co-core materials added with them in the wand wood."

"Sub-cores? Co-cores?"

"The sub-core functions as materials that usually either manage the main core's, ah, less desirable tendencies, or strengthen its compatibility with the wand wood."

Ron did a double take. "There are cores that don't get along with wands woods?!"

"Veela hair is a prime example. No known sub-core in the world thus far has been able to make it work with dogwood." Hui laughed again at Ron's incredulous, bordering to frustrated, look. "I did say that wandlore is a complicated study."

"...And co-cores? I reckon they and the another core will share the work?"

"Roughly speaking. Studies have also proven that those types of wands—also called dual core wands— are more powerful than single core wands if mastered. However, it is also their great power that makes them potentially unstable and difficult to use."

"And yet there are others who'd want to have one, I bet."

"Yes, but those wizards usually misunderstand why dual core wand wielders exist in the first place." Hui said. "Seeing only the power these wands have, ignoring the difficulties and the dangers that come with them. Moreover, wielders of dual core wands are not usually those who seek them. Rather, they are those who have been chosen."

"Chosen?" Ron took a few seconds to think over it. "You mean they're equally compatible with two wand cores?"

"Exactly, although there are other contributing factors. Not all who are compatible to multiple cores need that much to have a working wand. Mind you, some cores also don't play nicely with each other." Hui then tapped his wand over his suitcase, causing Yggdrassil to spring to life once again, filling the room with its soft yellow light as its branches stretched to the stone ceiling, inching towards Ron's head as it—

"Wait, what is it—?" Unlike last time, where in the branches and fruits remained hanging just out of Ron's reach, one branch bent in front of him, seemingly offering the boy wizard the fruit hanging on its glowing branch.

"All part of the process, Mr. Weasley." Hui reassured him. "It is just a sample of your wand wood."

Ron gave a short nod before gingerly reaching to take the proffered fruit. The way it filled his ears with that familiar, resounding chorus as soon as his fingers touched it confirmed that it was the honeysuckle branch from before.

"Err, what next?"

"Now that we have the fruit, wouldn't you agree it is time to find the right seed?" Hui gestured at the floor when Ron raised a bemused brow. "Look at the ground, Mr. Weasley."

"OK—woah! What—?" Ron's confusion turned to wonder when he saw, glowing at his feet, were shimmering, thick, curved lines of gold and white. Unlike the ones above that were obviously modeled after leafless tree branches, the ones on the ground were smooth and lined with circles about four inches apart. The way they circled the room reminded him of a maze, with some curved lines stopping abruptly in some places, forming groves and dead ends in between them. "Amazing! They're like the branches with the fruits, only they're on the ground! Are the circles here the ones with the cores?"

"Good observation." Hui nodded approvingly. "Although the way to find which one is meant for you is different than last time, since the cores will be drawn to not just you, but also to your wand wood."

He pointed at Ygddrassil's trunk, which only now Ron noticed had a hollow around the size of the fruit he was holding. "Put in some of your magic and your intent into the orb and then place it inside this hole. Intent is especially important, not only for you to be able to find the right core, but also to send your magic into the orb to begin with."

Ron swallowed as he made his way to the glowing trunk. "Right. Anything I should do in particular?"

"Nothing, really, but it helps to start focusing on what you plan to do with your wand—your magic—in the future. Most of my clients said that everything else followed after that." Hui paused. "And try not to be so nervous! These cores may be picky, but they won't bite!"

The red head gave a feeble, but grateful, laugh at the lecturer's attempt at humor before taking a deep breath in front of the tree. From this angle, Yggdrassil looked much bigger, almost otherwordly, making him feel as small as the gnomes back at the Burrow.

The thought didn't help with his sudden case of nerves, so he tried to calm himself with some deep breaths as he focused.

Focus on what I want to do with my magic. What I want to do with my magic. He chanted in his mind, willing his magical core's energy to flow into the orb with the wand wood. It was a strange feeling, the sense of his magic flowing out of him onto something other than his wand, but it was not unfamiliar. In fact, it felt exactly like this whenever he would use the Deluminator It left him.

Ron felt the fruit pulse between his palms and the chorus ring in his skull into an enticing hum as the world around him dimmed, all the light around him gathering into the heat thumping in his hands.

His mind supplied images prompted, the faces of his friends and his family, meshing with the fallen bodies he had seen in the war and in the chess game with It. The multitude of white masks. Flashes of colorful lights. Hissing. A familiar, chilling laughter.

"We have seen thy heart..."

Meeting Harry's jaded green eyes the eve before Bill's wedding. Seeing him on the train for the first time in the current timeline.

His parents visiting after the troll attack. The sound of his mother wailing and weeping.

Hermione's lips on his, the scent of the perfume he gave her on her birthday. Hermione tearfully apologizing to him in the Hospital wing.

The burning feeling of his magic coursing through his wand as black flames took form of a giant bird. The excruciating pain as his skull shattered.

"And it is ours..."

"Excellent work!"

"Wha—?" Ron unconsciously backed away from the tree trunk, mind still reeling from the haphazardly flitting flashbacks he experienced, when Hui clapping his hands broke through his trance.

The half-goblin was smiling broadly as he pointed to the floating orbs that had seemingly sprouted from the roots' circular formation. "It appears you will have to learn more about what it means to be chosen by multiple cores, Mr. Weasley!"

Ron's jaw slackened at the sight of the two glowing balls on either side of him, at least four feet away from him, the lines connecting them to the trunk noticeably brighter than the rest on the floor. "No bloody way."

"Frankly, I, too, am surprised! Your wand wood is notoriously hard to pair with, and yet lo and behold!"

"So honeysuckle's a picky wand wood?"

Hui shook his head. "Not picky. More of, for the lack of a better term, an intimidating one? Most cores end up overwhelmed by the stubbornness of that wand wood's will; and those that can match its power and tenacity are also the ones that tend to clash with it. In fact, there is only one known wand core that works well with...honeysuckle wood. But oh what a pair those two make!"

The half-goblin's eyes then twinkled when he approached one of the orbs. "I had added that wand core in this selection to cover all the bases. I had half-expected this, but still, I am impressed. But just when I thought you could surprise me no further..."

The old feeling of dread crawled up Ron's spine again. "What is it?"

"I told you that your wand wood is only known to work with one core, yes? But here you have two." Hui nodded towards the other ball, a good distance away from the one he was next to. "Not to mention these two are a most unusual combination. Of course, we would test your compatibility with single core prototypes first. But judging from how brightly they are shining right now..."

Ron's brows twitched. "And what sort of cores are they?"

There was a pause—one too long for Ron's comfort— before Hui began to explain,

"—Ron! Wake up, Ron!"

"Huh? Wha—?" The boy was shaken out of his nap when Harry shook the his shoulder.

"Had a nice nap, Ron?" Neville smiled teasingly from his seat next to Hermione. "We're already at King's Cross."

"Oh." Ron looked out the window, his ears filled with the loud roar of the train whistle, to the familiar facade of the station and the throngs of people waving at them. "Sorry. I hadn't meant to fall asleep."

Hermione shook her head. "We all fell asleep at some point. I told you boys having that much sugar would do just that!"

Harry rolled his eyes at the admonishment as he whispered to Ron. "As if she didn't have as much candy as we did."

Ron ruffled the other boy's hair with a laugh. "Come on, you."

He went through the motions of exiting the compartment with his friends, laughing at making jokes while queuing up for their trolleys. He made sure to keep the smile on his face all throughout, when in reality, he was thinking, mulling over what happened over the last few days.

As if he didn't have enough going on in his life, a quick review of Second Chance before leaving Hogwarts reminded him of the new puzzles his second chance at life thought of sending his way.

The wand wood and cores from Professor Hui, and the foreboding feeling he got from them. The need to learn Occlumency. The truth about what happened with the Lovegoods, and the recent addition of his uncle Bilius. That throw away information about the Prewetts speaking the dragon language. His bird friend's gift, the gentle pulsing on his wrist a constant reminder of its presence.

Instead of tying up all loose ends, I end up with a whole lot more. All these questions I don't even know how to begin answering. Ron thought. Reckon this is the consequence of messing with time, right? You get shite you never thought would be added into the equation. And Merlin help me, it's just my first year! There are six bloody more to go! And the coming year is the one with that fucking diary and—!

"RON!"

"—oof!" The boy nearly stumbled back when he felt a smaller body collide against his. The scent of sugar and strawberries brought a genuine smile to his face as he put his arms around the weight on his chest.

"Hullo to you too, Ginny!" He said with a laugh before waving at his parents who were beaming at him from behind his sister.

It had been a pleasant distraction, seeing his family interact with his friends. Hermione had been shy at first upon being introduced to his parents, but Arthur and Molly treated her, as well as Harry and Neville quite warmly, asking how their year had been and making small talk over the Professors and their studies. Ginny let out an eep when she saw Harry, and made a dash for her mother's side to hide her flaming face behind her robes. Something the twins had a grand time poking fun at when they arrived shortly before Percy, who came just before Vernon Dursley showed up.

He was as huge and hideous as Ron remembered: a rotund body, face the color of old beets with a thick mustache and eyebrows, and beady dark eyes.

"Oh, you must be one of Harry's relatives!" Molly said pleasantly, if not a tad unsure. "It's a pleasure to meet you."

The way Vernon twitched, Ron wouldn't be surprised if the big prude had a small seizure right there and then. "In a manner of speaking. Come on, boy."

Hermione and Neville both frowned from the corner of Ron's vision when Harry shrugged the rough words off, focusing on promising to exchange owls over the summer instead. And since the Weasleys have all arrived by the time Harry left, Arthur also thought it was time to leave.

"It was nice meeting you!" Hermione said as she and Neville waved them goodbye. "Have a great summer!"

"You too, Hermione! Neville! I'll send an owl soon as I can!"

Ginny elbowed Ron as soon as his friends were out of earshot. "Was that the Granger girl the twins said you didn't get on well at first?"

"Uh huh. But don't worry, we're friends now, and she's a really nice person. You two will get along just fine."

"Right. You haven't told me how that happened." Ginny said with an expectant look. "How you two became friends, I mean."

Ron paused for a second before shrugging with a lopsided grin. "We got all summer to talk, right? I'm sure it'll come up eventually."

"I hope so, because I reckon you'll have quite a bit going on back at the Burrow."

Wait? Seriously? The boy turned questioningly at her. "You know something I don't, Ginny?"

To which Ginny laughed with a wink. "You just have to wait and find out."

Sad story of my life nowadays, it seems. Ginny's words held more weight than it appeared, now that Ron thought about it. The unanswered questions. The coming surprises. The way things are changing around him, with consequences he was not so sure he was ready for.

Still, he had gone through his first year with most of his boxes checked out. That must mean he was doing the important things right.

"So, Ron," Arthur began after he got into the driver's seat, nodding at the boy's reflection, seated between Percy and Ginny at the back, on the rear view mirror. "How would you say your first year went?"

He didn't even need a second to think.

"Honestly," Ron answered, putting an arm around Ginny as he grinned. "I'd say it was a bit of an adventure."

Let whatever shite will come next year come. For now, Ron was going to sit back, relax with his family, and celebrate that his eventful first year has finally come to an end.

Second Chance Notebook

Things to Do

25 June 1992

[X] Get Norverta out of Hogwarts while avoiding getting detention and being bitten by the ungrateful oversized lizard

[ ] Learn Occlumency!

[ ] Learn more about the Deluminator

Learn more about how the Deluminator's abilities on memories work.

[ ] Test if Deluminator works the same way as Dumbledore's does.

Takes light?

Apparate?

[X] Help Harry get safely past the traps

[X] Stop Quirrel from getting the stone.

[ ] Look into the Prewett family history and the dragon language

[ ] Remember what happened with the Lovegoods.

Learn more about what happened with the Lovegoods.

[X] Get the bird's wing fixed before the term ends.

[ ] Figure out what sort of bird the windcaller is.

[ ] Learn more about what happened with Uncle Bilius and what it has to do with me.

[ ] Figure out what the red bracelet I got from the little windcaller is.

[ ] Learn more about the honeysuckle wand wood the honeysuckle wand wood and the two cores...

[ ] Plan for Second year.

[ ] Get my hands on that bloody diary.

[ ] Don't die trying.

END OF YEAR ONE

Translations:

- Dziękuję za wszystko, mój pan: Thank you for everything.

Other Notes:

Holy shit, yes I'm alive.

No, really, I've been getting messages asking this, and I'm truly touched and flattered that you lot are actually concerned for me. I haven't had the time to write a lot lately, as I have been preparing to sit a very important exam and a lot of my focus is there and on my job. But I am writing as much as I can, and hopefully once my exam is out of the way, I can write more.

So yeah, that's the end of first year. Hope you enjoyed the ride, because I sure did. Comments and feedback very much appreciated. Sorry I haven't gotten around thanking you all individually this time, but I do read your comments and they mean a lot to me. More than I can put to words, in all seriousness.

And, yes I'm also sorry I haven't updated Pendragon as I promised I would. I have half of the next post written out, but I just haven't had the time to finish. Maybe before Halloween? I hope?

Please don't hate me. (T_T) And thanks for reading! Much love and have a great day, wherever you are!

UP NEXT:

First year has come and gone, but Ron's journey has just begun.

A certain diary is bound to cause trouble soon, and Ron wants to be the first to get his hands on it. But something in an already eventful summer forces a change in the time traveler's plans, as chains of events are set off around him, both the familiar and the unprecedented.

The return of a flamboyant farce of a teacher and meeting new faces. Encounters both by chance and by design. A well-meaning, meddling House Elf. Whispers of parseltongue as tensions run high. A growing circle of friends, and the number of watchful eyes that may not have the best intentions. Questions with answers one may be better off not knowing.

Not to mention a snake. A very big and angry snake.

A skeleton will lie in the chamber forever, so they say.

But whose skeleton is it? Will it be Ginny? Harry? Ron?

Or someone entirely unexpected?

Because when there's a horcrux on the loose, all bets are off.

Looking forward seeing you all again in Ronald Weasley and the Missing Secret.