Chapter 51 - Greengrass Ambush III

Ron froze and looked towards the voice. It was Harry's bed, his eyes were open but there were no glasses. He was still looking in his direction.

"S-She came here, Harry. Wait… did she lie about the sleeping draught?!" Ron began to sweat and looked towards the other two beds. But they appeared unmoved.

Harry shifted under his quilt and faced his back toward Ron. "I couldn't sleep… Didn't inhale whatever she was holding. Good night, Ron."

"...That was embarrassing." Ron sighed, cleaned his bedsheets with magic and lay down once again. "Good night."

####

Ron trained harder than the rest. It wasn't just the attack on the Department of Mysteries that he was worried about, but also his visit to the Greengrass manor that Easter holiday. It was going to be a close-quarter indoor fight, so he had to prepare for it well.

"Let's try again!" Ron requested, standing against Harry in a duel. Both of the boys panted in fatigue, sweating like peak summer.

Harry breathed deeply and took off his glasses to wipe them clean. "Aren't you pushing yourself too hard, Ron?"

"Harry, you and I are one spell away from death. If anything, we were taking this too lightly until now," Ron replied. "Anything can happen when we go to the Ministry."

Harry turned serious at that mention. He was well aware of the attack on the Ministry that was coming soon. He had agreed to destroy his prophecy orb and replace it with a trap. "You're right."

Harry honestly felt worried for his best friend. Ron was never this serious about things. What caused so much sudden change?

"By the way, how is the thing with Cho going?" Ron inquired suddenly.

Harry shrugged. "I… don't really see her anymore."

Unlike before, Ron didn't urge Harry to go after Cho. Especially after having pondered about Daphne's actions, being forced to seduce him by the Dark Lord. I am to Cho what Voldemort is to Daphne; Ron had thought.

"It's better to end things with her officially now," Ron suggested, wanting to move on entirely. "We got that old picture of you two kissing at the Christmas party. Just send it to Cedric with a letter."

Harry silently nodded and prepared to spar once again. The fifth year was coming to an end, and he expected something violent to happen soon just as years before.

"Help me practice Protego," Harry requested.

"Sure." Ron was happy to oblige and bombarded Harry with spells.

Day after day, twice a day, the two boys trained to the best of their abilities until they'd drop down in exhaustion. It wasn't easy to manage everything since their OWLs were also coming soon.

But for Ron, it was even harder as he had decided to head out during the Easter holidays, while Harry and Hermione decided to stay back and study.

"I really worry you're going to fail the OWLs, Ron." Hermione nagged as he prepared to leave. Among the 5th year Gryffindors, he was the only one heading home.

"Then make sure you write me letters and remind me to revise the books," Ron replied and winked at her. "Besides, I haven't forgotten that offer yet."

Hermione blushed red that instant, questioning herself why she had made that offer back then.

"What offer?" Harry asked confusedly.

Ron coughed and changed the topic. "Keep practicing, Harry. I will send you a letter if I find anything new."

"I still don't understand why you have to go," Harry added.

"To see my family. They're not living at the Burrow anymore, Harry. I gotta make sure they're safe." Ron lied, but it was only half a lie. "Then, I'll see you later."

"Take care." Hermione gave him a quick hug and walked away, returning to the school in embarrassment.

Harry shook his head, having realized Hermione had feelings for Ron. "Does she know?"

"No."

"Buddy, you're in one deep mess." Harry sympathized, patted Ron's shoulder, and returned.

Ron silently watched them both leave. A mess of my own making, I'm afraid. Damn my horny cock.

####

Easter was on April 7th that year, and the holiday lasted two weeks. So there was still a week before Easter, and Ron decided to prepare himself for the duel at that time.

He couldn't return to the Burrow since Narcissa was hiding there. So, he chose to stay at Leaky Cauldron Inn. Being in Diagon Alley gave him ample opportunity to slowly buy the potions and supplies needed for the battle.

But he never tried to keep himself hidden, openly ensuring that everyone knew Ronald Weasley was roaming freely. At times, as per the plan, he met with Daphne on a few 'dates' in Diagon Alley, acting close with her to sell the whole act to the hidden eyes focused on him.

Biding his time in his room most of the days, it didn't take long before Easter arrived. Just as evening approached, he changed his clothes into something clean and modest and headed out to the Greengrass manor.

The Greengrass family… I don't think they can avoid being scrutinized with what's about to happen. Ron thought and just before he approached the manor, he tied a letter to his owl and sent it away flying. The Ministry should take care of the rest.

Then before moving again, he took out some small vials of potions and consumed them one by one for various enhancements.

At last, he entered through the wide open gates of the mansion compound. All these ancient families have these big mansions. No wonder they look down on the Weasley name.

It didn't matter, however. Ron preferred the Burrow more. It felt homely, at least. With his money it had already been renovated decently, expanding the space magically in the rooms. In comparison, the mansions gave off a cold feeling.

And most of them tend to be owned by blood purists. Ron muttered, trying to make sense of the correlation.

Knock! Knock!

He reached the massive twin doors soon and knocked on them. His breath was controlled, but his heart raced in expectations of what was to come next.

"Ron?" Daphne opened the door and greeted him.

She's not that bad. Ron admired her looks in that white, ankle-length aristocratic dress. It accentuated her skin, blonde hair, and especially her charming figure.

"Here I am." Ron walked into the mansion. He couldn't find any hint of worry or anxiety on Daphne's smiling face. "So, where to?"

"Everyone's waiting in the dining hall… Everyone wanted to meet you quickly and get to know you." Daphne held his arm as they walked together. Her grip was too rough, as if suggesting something.

Everyone? Ron noticed her emphasis on 'Everyone'. I'll need more than that, girl.

"Father, Ron is here."

Before even looking at Mr. Greengrass, Ron gazed around the room with just his eyes, scanning every corner and place where Death Eaters could be hiding. But to his utter surprise, the entire dining hall was just a simple square room with a lone, long table in the middle. The walls were all empty, not even a single cabinet. Though there were a few portraits, none were big enough to hide someone behind.

Where are they hiding then?

"Mr. Weasley, welcome to my home." Mr. Greengrass approached him with a wide, inviting smile, extending his hand. "We have heard so much about you."

Ron politely shook hands with him. "Thank you for inviting me, Mr. Greengrass. Please, call me Ron."

"Then, Ron. Join us at the table."

Ron nodded and greeted Mrs. Greengrass next, an aristocratic-looking woman with auburn hair, a tall frame, and a rather chubby but attractive figure. It was Mr. Greengrass who was blonde.

But to his surprise, Daphne led him to a seat that was between herself and Astoria Greengrass. The arrangement felt weird, considering he was only 'dating' Daphne.

Willing to use both of your daughters? Ron eyed Astoria beside him and noticed her nervousness. She was paler, petite, and not as tall as Daphne, but attractive nonetheless.

"The Daily Prophet writes about you every day, Ron." Mrs. Greengrass tried to make small talk with him. "I greatly enjoy reading the articles."

"They overestimate me, I'm afraid," Ron replied, noticing the minute details about her expressions. It was faker than Luna's imaginary friends. Besides, he noticed the Greengrass couples had their wands placed on the table right beside their empty plates.

Will they be attacking too?

"But seriously, I've never seen Rita Skeeter write something good about anyone. You're the first," Daphne chimed in, jolting her body to slam her midriff against the table's edge.

Oh! Ron suddenly felt Daphne's hand on his lap, secretly reaching him under the tablecloth's draping sides. We don't have time for this, Daphne!

"I'm sure Ron's now famous in all four directions," Daphne added, smiling towards him while her blue eyes remained unchanged, wide open. "North, south, east, or west—I bet other schools are jealous of Hogwarts. We got two champions instead of one."

"Indeed, Daphne!" Mr. Greengrass voiced and waved his hand towards their house elf to bring the food. "Let's begin the dinner now. I'm sure there is a lot to talk about, we can continue that in the living room with dessert later."

"Sounds great, Mr. Greengrass." Ron agreed and focused on what Daphne was doing on his lap.

It wasn't erotic since her palm never touched his groin. It remained spread on his thigh, where just one of her fingers was constantly moving in different directions.

Up, down, left, left, right—Positions? Ron stretched his neck and gazed around. There's nowhere to hide.

But he still memorized the patterns Daphne made. Once the food arrived, he busied himself with eating while deeply pondering about where his enemies could be hiding.

The directions make no sense. Will they apparate in? No, wait! Ron picked up a glass to drink water and just then noticed the reflection of the roof. A wooden roof in a mansion made of stone?

To not alert anyone he avoided looking directly up and used his glass of water to assess it. The ceiling in this hall is lower than the way I walked in. Then… the directions make sense.

"What are your plans after Hogwarts, Ron?" asked Mr. Greengrass.

"Kill Volde… I mean, I will probably join the Ministry as an Auror." Ron purposefully added Voldemort's mention. As expected, just half of that name put them all on the edge. "I think after my achievements during the Triwizard tournament and the battle in the forest, I have a head start."

Mr. Greengrass cursed himself for opening his mouth and focused on the piece of meat on his plate.

But Ron refused to stop from there on. "How well do you know Mr. Malfoy, Mr. Greengrass? Why did he do something so stupid? To attack Madam Bones? I still ponder that."

"Haha…" Mr. Greengrass just chuckled and refused to answer. Of course, he wanted to say Lucius was a fool. But there was a sword hanging on his throat at that moment.

When will they attack? Ron wondered.

"Ah, I just remembered something important. Please enjoy your meal, Ron." Mr. Greengrass suddenly got up from his seat. "Astoria, come with me. It's time for your medicine."

Here it comes. Ron saw the man leaving as a sign of the start of the attack. Mrs. Greengrass will leave now?

"Ah, there isn't enough water in the pitcher. Let me go fetch it." Mrs. Greengrass left too.

As if you don't have a house elf. Ron now knew the attack was going to come. So he looked at the last leftover Greengrass. Go on, leave… leave?

For some reason, Daphne stayed in her seat, unmoving. She didn't eat either and silently stared at the plate, her eyes overcome with tears. Her hand holding the spoon was clenched so tight that he could see blood there.

What's going on? Ron questioned himself and swiftly slid one hand into his pocket. Why aren't you leaving?

Creak!

Ron heard something above and prepared himself. Go away, Daphne!

Creak!

They're changing positions? Ron cursed, staring at Daphne's face. Tears trailed down her cheeks and dripped down on the plate.

Ron gritted his teeth and reached for his wand with the other hand. He looked up directly, making a decision.

It was better to fight on his own terms, so he aimed above.

"Come out! Voldemort's dogs—Bombarda Maxima!"

Boom!

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