Chapter Text
Ron was swarmed by Death Eaters. Everywhere he looked the black swirls of the enemies’ flight was woven through the clouds. He shot stunning spell after stunning spell, hexes and jinxes until he couldn’t think of anything else to shoot. He and Tonks had lost sight of the others the moment they had all split up. For what felt like hours now they had been relentlessly chased by Death Eaters as they flew away from Number 4 Privet Drive and towards the Burrow.
Ron yelled as he ducked when streak of green light ripped through the air. Instinctively Ron aimed backwards and shouted, “Confringo!” A blade of fire sliced out towards the pursuing Death Eater who screamed and fell back, flames licked at their robes.
Ron allowed himself a grim smile and shoved the fake glasses higher up his sweaty nose. How Harry manged to play Quidditch all these years without his glasses falling off was beyond Ron.
“Bank left!” Tonks called out and Ron nodded following her trajectory. They hunched low over their brooms and pushed them as fast as they could go, Ron could feel the smooth wood of his Cleansweep vibrating slightly under his hands. Another round of curses filled the air as the Death Eaters returned; Bellatrix Lestrange and her husband Rodolphus flew as a pair. Ron could see the hatred burning wildly in Bellatrix’s eyes as she raised her wand.
“Dive!” Ron bellowed and saw the killing curse just miss Tonks by centimetres but she and Ron were forced to fly even more defensively as the Lestrange’s attacks increased until the air was alive with blinding flashes of colour. Ron, when he could, hurled spells around desperate to try and throw the Death Eaters off their backs. He glanced to his right and cried out in shock as he was almost nose to nose with Rodolphus whose yellowed teeth glinted in the faint moonlight.
Without thinking Ron jammed his wand at the Death Eater and yelled, “Expluso!” and Rodolphus was blasted backwards, arms whirling as he tumbled down to earth. Bellatrix wailed with rage and turned her wand to Ron. He had a second of dreadful realisation when she paused. Her eyes flicked down to her arm and with a terrible grin that pulled at her waxy skin she cackled and disappeared.
Ron stared around trying to see where the next attack was coming from but nothing came out of the clouds. He rose up to fly next to Tonks who looked just as confused as he felt.
“What the hell was that about?” He said his voice raised over the cold wind.
“No idea.” Tonks shook her head, “But let’s not hang around to find out.”
Ron nodded and they leant forwards over their brooms pushing hard for the Burrow. The rest of the journey was quiet. Too quiet. The sky was empty but for themselves and the cool clouds. Ron kept glancing over his shoulder expecting to see enemies rush out from behind. Now he wasn’t fighting for his life his mind was brought back to the others. He hadn’t seen anyone else since take off. He assumed, since Ron and Tonks had been almost instantly bombarded, that everyone else had been suffering the same. Fear for everyone’s survival crashed through him; Fred and George, Dad, Bill, even Fleur. Most of his family were out in the skies tonight. Before they had taken the Polyjuice potion Ron had taken a long look at all of them burning their faces into his memory just in case… well for an eventuality he hoped never came to pass.
And then of course there was Harry and Hermione. He knew they were both highly skilled and had been faced with dangerous situations before but there was something different about this mission; something that felt like it was the final tipping point before the chaos could no longer be contained. Now they had made the move to rescue Harry, everyone on this mission had made it clear their allegiance against You Know Who. There would be no changing their minds now. Every single one of them had committed to fight against the rising tide of darkness. When Ron had hugged Harry this evening as they met at the door Ron’s mind had been thrown back to their first year at Hogwarts when it had been announced that Gryffindor had won the house cup and Hary had all but turned and leapt into Ron’s arms, his face aglow with joy. Despite everything that had happened – Umbridge, The Triwizard Tournament, Cedric’s death, Sirius’ death, Dumbledore’s death, You Know Who’s return – Ron could still feel that same joy at seeing Ron and Hermione when they had all hugged in the Dursley’s doorway as he had done way back in their first year.
Ron blinked hard and gritted his teeth just as the Burrow appeared out of the distant cloud. They would all make it here, he thought to himself as he and Tonks descended, they had to.
When they passed over the magical barrier that protected the house Ron felt a warmth brush over his skin. He had made it. He saw figures running out of the doorway when they touched down but they were oddly blurry. Realising the Polyjuice was wearing off Ron took off the glasses just in time to see a mass of bushy brown hair barrel into him. Hermione wrapped her arms around him and without hesitating Ron hugged her tightly back. They stood like that for a moment, both unwilling to break the moment of quiet relief at seeing the other safe. Hemione was the one to pull back first, her face was flushed and her hair was wild from the ride on the Thestral and from running her hands through it countless times no doubt.
“Who else is back?” Ron asked as he looked over her shoulder.
“Almost everyone.” Hermione turned around as Tonks gave a cry of relief when Lupin came out of the Burrow, “Myself and Kingsley, Fred and your dad, Lupin and…and George…” her voice trailed off and Rons’ stomach dropped.
“Hermione what–” he couldn’t keep the tremor out of his voice.
“He was hit on the flight.” She took his arm and pulled Ron towards the house, “He’s going to be ok, but he lost a fair amount of blood.”
Ron felt like he would throw up if he said another word so he broke into a run and sprinted through the front door. Everyone was crowded round the sofa, Ron pushed past them desperate to get a look at his older brother.
“Ron.” He heard his mum say as he finally saw George. Thick bandages covered most of George’s head and he was so pale. Ron looked up to meet his mum’s eyes as his own swam with tears. She gave Ron a watery smile and she moved closer to bring him into a tight hug, “he’s going to be alright.”
Ron swallowed thickly, “What happened?”
“Snape.” Mr Weasley’s word was curt and filled with anger.
“What?” Ron almost couldn’t believe it. Almost.
“He hit George with a curse then vanished. It was lucky it only took his ear off, if he had flown any closer it would have…” Lupin couldn’t finish his sentence.
“Thank Merlin he wasn’t.” Mrs Weasley said, fury burned hot for a moment and then when she turned her gaze back on George who blinked blearily up at them it melted away.
George caught sight of Ron and he gave him a lop sided grin, “Ron, you’re back.” He pointed at his head, “Judging by your face this must look pretty bad.”
“Don’t worry you’re still better looking than Fred.” Ginny smiled softly as she gave Ron’s shoulder a quick squeeze of greeting.
“That’s music to my ear.”
Their mother looked like she wanted to scold George for making such a poorly timed joke but the joy of seeing so many of them back clearly won out and she just smiled as she busied herself plumping up Geoge’s pillow.
Kingsley stepped into the room: him, Lupin, and Tonks were waiting outside to watch for anyone else what was arriving. He nodded at them all then said, “Bill and Fleur have just landed.”
“Oh thank heavens.” Mrs Weasley said and grabbed Mr Weasley’s hand as they both dashed outside. Ron followed with Ginny and Hermione. The smiles on everyone’s face vanished when they saw Bill’s grim expression.
“Mad-Eye’s dead.” Bill ran a hand over his face and Fleur wound an arm around Bills’ waist. She looked shaken. Bill sighed, “Mundungus disapparated the moment he saw You Know Who and then Moody…” Bill’s face darkened, “He didn’t stand a chance. Six killing curses at once.”
The intense feeling of nausea returned. Moody couldn’t be dead. He had seemed so unkillable to Ron. Some timeless creature that just survived. But now…now he was gone.
“Who else still needs to arrive?” Asked Bill.
“Well after that only Harry’s left now.” Mr Weasley said quietly.
Ron’s eyes met Hermione’s and hers reflected the fear he felt. Harry being the only one not back felt like an omen. He and Hagrid should have been back first. What had happened that had delayed them so much?
Hurried footsteps behind made Ron turn around. Lupin and Tonks were jogging up to them. Lupin looked worried and that rarely boded well.
“Tonks and I were talking, we noticed something. Did any other pair have Death Eaters that just vanished mid battle?”
Everyone nodded. Bill spoke up, “Yeah. We were surrounded by four Death Eaters, the ones chasing Mad-Eye and Dung joined in following us. After You know Who vanished – he must have thought Harry was with Moody initially – the Death Eaters kept chase for a while but then suddenly they disapparated.”
Everyone recounted similar events and a dropping feeling swooped into Ron’s stomach.
“Do you think they found Harry?” Hermione voiced Ron’s thoughts.
Lupin nodded slowly and he looked pale, “Yes. I think that’s a strong possibility. Voldemort wouldn’t give up chase without a reason, especially when he knew Harry would be moving tonight. The only thing I can think of is that somehow they found the real Harry and the Death Eaters were summoned to congregate around Voldemort.”
“But that means he and Hagrid will be fighting…” Ginnys’ voice was weak as she imagined the dozens of Death Eaters that Harry would have been battling on his journey here. Ron looked up at the cloudy sky hoping to see the headlights of Hagrid’s bike break through but no such luck. It took everything in Ron’s being to stop himself grabbing his broom and flying back out there to go find his best friend.
“We can’t risk a scouting mission.” Kingsley said as if reading his mind, “We here are lucky to be alive, we can’t risk losing any more of us.”
Mrs Weasley beckoned everyone back inside but Ron and Hermione remained in the garden, their eyes locked skywards. For a while they stood in silence.
“He can’t be far now.” Hemione said, “If he kept on course, he’ll be here soon.”
Ron nodded, “Yeah. He’ll be here soon.” He said trying to convince himself of the fact despite the steadily increasing time since Bill and Fleur’s arrival said otherwise. The wind was their only company for a long time, it whispered around them as they maintained their lookout. Not long after Ron heard Lupin and Tonks come back outside and talk in soft voices to each other.
Ron risked a glance at Hermione and saw her arms were wrapped around herself and she was shivering slightly, Ron pulled off his zip up and put it over Hermione’s shoulders, she gave him a small smile that warmed Ron’s insides better than butterbeer on a cold day. Wordlessly Ron stepped behind her and wrapped his arms around her and rested his chin on her head and they resumed their watch of the night sky.
A bang of a backfiring motorbike broke the night. Ron jumped and let Hermione go. Lupin called to everyone in the Burrow to come outside. Ron’s eyes raked the cloud soaked sky for any sign of Harry. The sound of an engine grew steadily louder as everyone, even George, rushed to a halt behind Ron and Hermione.
Suddenly a burst of light broke the clouds and Ron saw Hagrid’s bike at last. Death Eaters, more than Ron could count, were circling the vehicle. Black smoke trails followed the Death Eaters as they flew around Harry and Hagrid shooting curses at the pair. Ron could see Harry twisting in the sidecar shooting back spell after spell. Harry threw up a shield charm to protect Hagrid but a spell caught his own shoulder which wrenched Harry forwards. Ron heard his friend’s cry of pain. Harry hunched over still casting hexes and jinxes around but Ron knew he was relying more on luck rather than aim now.
The bike drew closer to the protective boundary and for a moment Ron allowed hope to bloom in his chest. Then Ron saw him. You Know Who flew without need of a broom, he drew level with Harry across from Hagrid and pointed his want at Harry. A streak of brilliant green light shot from You Know Who’s wand and bright red light came from Harry’s. The two spells met in mid-air and connected.
Ron heard his mum gasp as the line of magic began exploding at the point of contact between the two spells. Death Eaters dodged out of the way of the rogue magic, their constant attacks halted at they sped around the bike. One of the Death Eaters was hit by an arc of blinding light and they dropped to the ground instantly. Ron watched astounded as the hissing ball of light moved steadily towards You Know Who’s side and it exploded when it reached the wand tip. You Know Who shouted in rage as the wand shattered in his grip.
As if on command ten stunning spells shot into Hagrid’s back as soon as You Know Who recovered. Harry wrenched his arm back from the handlebars just before Hagrid slumped forwards onto it. The bike started to tip downwards. Ron watched, his eyes wide and unblinking, as Harry was forced to alternate between making the bike continue to float with the levitating charm and hurling spells around him to defend the now unconscious Hagrid. One Death Eater flew directly in front of the bike and Ron saw with a flash of horror that it was Bellatrix. She pointed her wand at the bike and with a shriek of laughter blasted a spell at it.
The metal stood no chance. It sheared at the joint, and the bike twisted in mid-air making Hagrid’s side burst forwards as Harry’s sidecar was forced backwards. Fire licked the engine of the bike and Hagrid started to slip off the side. From the last burst of speed, he and the bike crossed the magical boundary. Ron saw out of the corner of his eye that Lupin, Kinglsey and his dad all sprinted to Hagrid’s enormous falling form to cast spells to slow him down but Ron’s focus remained on Harry who, after the explosion, had been thrown out of the seat and was now free falling.
Without thinking Ron summoned his broom. He ignored the cries of the others as he sprinted forwards, leapt onto it and took off in pursuit of his friend. Harry was spinning, only missing the curses by chance as the Death Eaters swarmed around him. Ron pushed his broom faster; Harry had spotted him and was now trying to orient himself towards Ron.
Their arms outstretched Ron reached as far as he could aware that the Death Eaters could hit him at any time. Harry was close enough now for Ron to be able to see the terror in his green irises. Ron’s heart was about to burst out of his chest from fear and adrenaline. Their hands were inches apart. Centimetres.
A masked Death Eater reared up behind Harry and just as their fingertips were about to touch, he was gone. The Death Eater had disapparated taking Harry with him.
Ron sped through the air where Harry had just been, only just pulling himself round to a stop when he realised that all the Death Eaters were gone. Ron frantically searched for any sign of Harry but he knew deep down that he was gone. He had been taken by You Know Who, taken Merlin knows where because Ron had been too bloody slow. If he had taken off sooner Harry would be safely across the boundary right now. A sob stuck in Ron’s throat. He felt like he might pass out, his mind was spinning. The whole point of this night had been to get Harry to safety and not only was Moody dead, George was badly hurt and Harry was in the hands of the enemy. Down below he saw Hermione waving at him. Slowly Ron let the boom drift back down to the floor. When he crossed the magical line nausea crept up his spine, its safety taunted him. Harry had been so close to it and now Ron was returning alone and with no idea how to get him back.
Hermione, Ginny, and his mum was racing towards him. Hermione skidded to a halt right in front of him, her hands wringing tightly by her chest and her eyes bright with tears. His mum stormed up to him and gripped his shoulders so tightly it hurt.
“That was the stupidest thing you have ever done, Ronald Weasley.” She shouted, her cheeks were wet from crying, “How dare you do something like that. I never– How could–” her words cut off as fresh tears slid down her cheeks, “I was so scared you’d be hit.” She yanked Ron forwards into a rib cracking embrace that Ron found he couldn’t return.
“I thought” Ron found it hard to push the next words out of his mouth, “I thought I could get to him.”
Mrs Weasley pulled away and Ron saw the grief etched in her face, “I know you did, darling.” Her chin wobbled as she fought to keep her composure, “We’ll find him.”
Ron’s face crumpled and he sank back into his mum’s arms, “How?”
“I don’t know yet, Ron.” His mum cupped the back of his head gently, “But we will.”
They stood still for a long time after each holding the other up, their thoughts full of nothing but dreadful fear for Harry and what the future now held for them all.