Part X: When there’s nowhere else for Ron (24 December, 2002)
Title: Tart Noir Around and About Vertick Alley
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Tart Noir, crime-romance
Pairings: Lavender/Zacharias, Draco/Ron, Susan/Blaise, Zacharias/Ginny ...
Summary: Lavender Brown is part of the investigation into the murders of the children of Death Eaters and is madly in love with her flatmate and best friend, Zacharias Smith. Ron Weasley is babysitting Draco Malfoy and sick of being gay in a terribly straight Wizarding World. Susan Bones doesn't get patronuses and is not having a relationship with Blaise Zabini. Zacharias Smith is sick of his job and thinks he might ask Ginny Weasley to move in with him. Mr Darcy, the flatmate's cat, thinks they're all bloody ridiculous. Four twenty-one year olds suffering with work, love and life.
Notes: Right, well, two exams down, one to go. And then Nanowrimo. I must be trying to kill myself. I have a plan though now. And this chapter's a bit of light relief comparatively.
Parvati still hasn’t woken up. The Healers have managed to stop the bleeding and she’s in what they call a stable state, but she hasn’t woken up. Harry hasn’t left her side since he was allowed to be there. And he’s had company. Lavender was there until she had to go into work, then Hermione took over.
But life goes on. I have to leave for shift work with Malfoy shortly after the scene is cleared. Hermione is under very strict instructions to contact me the moment there is any change in her condition for the worse. There is no way I am leaving Harry to deal with that and to hell with Malfoy.
But there is no change, for better or worse. So I spend the day with Harry, trying to get him to eat, or at least take a shower.
“Parvati’s going to wake up and be absolutely disgusted by this gaunt, smelly little person sitting by her bed.”
“Shut up Ron,” Harry says. It’s the most I’ve got out of him all afternoon. I manage to get him to have tea and toy with a piece of toast and bring him a towel to wash his face. But that’s about all I can manage before I leave for Malfoy-sitting again. Lavender apparates in before I leave, huge bags under her eyes and her hair tied back in a lank ponytail.
“Have you slept?”
“Don’t mother me, Ron. I’ve got the rest of my life for sleep.”
So I leave the two of them. Hermione’s promised to pop in on her break and make sure they’re still breathing.
I get to Hogwarts and Malfoy’s getting ready to go to the pub to meet Pansy.
“So you and the git that’s bothering her can skulk in a corner while we get on with our own business,” he says.
I roll my eyes. “Pansy and I get on pretty well, Malfoy.” Besides, I am not spending an evening with only Ferris for company. The idiot makes me want to rip my arm off and throw it at him.
He shrugs and we make our way down to Hogsmeade in relatively comfortable silence. It’s strange, just over a week ago I could barely tolerate walking ten steps behind him. Routine settles in quickly.
“Draco darling,” Pansy simpers. Ferris is off in another corner with some older men. Then she grins. “And you’ve brought your latest toy.”
Draco’s cheeks stain pink. “Fuck off Parkinson, Weasley’s not my choice.”
“Ron.” She nods. I nod back.
“How’s the morgue?”
“Depressing. How’s being a hit wizard? I heard about Parvati …”
I feel this tense knot in my stomach again. Draco’s looking curiously at me.
“Firewhiskeys for these two, a water for me,” I say to Madame Rosmerta. “And a quiet booth if possible.” She points us over to a secluded spot, towards the back of the pub.
“She’s stable,” I say, once our drinks have arrived. Pansy breathes a barely audible sigh of relief.
“That’s good,” Malfoy says.
Pansy snorts. “Why would you care? You didn’t know her.” Pansy and Parvati had gone to the same tutor as children and, although never the best of friends, they got along well enough once they’d got through Hogwarts.
Malfoy looks agrieved. “Did so. She was the hot Indian twin. Everyone wanted her. Or her sister.”
“You make me want to vomit a little,” Pansy informs him.
“Oh come on. Weasley, back me up.”
“It’s true,” I say reluctantly. “Dean Thomas was shocked that they went to the Yule Ball with me and Harry. They could have had anyone, he kept muttering.”
“I’d have to agree with Thomas there,” Malfoy says, smirking.
“Anyway,” Pansy says, glaring at me for siding against her. “How’s everyone bearing up?”
“Harry’s a mess.”
“Potter’s always a mess.”
“Shut up, Ferret.”
“Make me, Weasel.”
“You two make me want to be a lesbian,” Pansy sighs. “Carry on, Ron.”
“Everyone he loves dies - his parents, Sirius, Dumbledore, Luna Lovegood. She was just like a sister to him, you know, by the end of it all. And now Parvati. It’s killing him a little bit.”
“What about Lavender?”
“Lavender,” Malfoy says, eyes clouding over. “There’s another one of the ‘Girls We’d Like to Fuck If They Weren’t Slimy Gryffindors’ list that we wrote in sixth year.”
“Please don’t tell me anyone else on this list,” I groan.
“Well,” Malfoy’s smiling wickedly and I know what’s coming next. “Your sister was number one on Blaise Zabini’s list …” He waves his hand at Madam Rosmerta, who flicks her wand and a full bottle of Firewhiskey floats over. He pours another glass, raising his glass at me. “Cheers.”
“I’d wring your neck if I wasn’t working,” I tell him wearily, and turn to Pansy. “Lavender’s coping. Not very well, but she is. She’s talking about staying at the flat for Christmas, instead of going home to her dad, so I probably will too and she’s had a tiff with Zacharias so he’ll scarper and Susan will spend her whole time in her room.”
“And Padma?”
“I don’t know, to be honest. She hasn’t visited to ward at all.”
“Be a bit scary seeing the mirror image of yourself in a hospital bed, barely breathing,” Malfoy says. I stare at him. “What?” he says irritably.
“Nothing.” Just that I didn’t even think about that. “She’s completely absorbed in her work, going over the past cases even though she can’t work on Parvati’s case.”
“So you think that it’s the same person?” Malfoy asks, looking at Pansy.
She shrugs. “All signs point to it so far. I don’t really know. Parvati’s not a corpse so I don’t get to autopsy.”
I try to shake off the image of Parvati on the morgue table, chest stitched up like some sort of Frankenstein monster. It would kill Harry. Even now, even if she does wake up, I don’t know how he’ll react. Those scars aren’t going to go away. I shudder. Then, I feel someone’s foot running up my leg. And it’s not Pansy’s. I notice that half the Firewhiskey is gone.
“How much have you had to drink, Malfoy?” I ask.
He looks guilty. “Not so much really.”
“Just half a bottle.”
“Pansy had some.”
“I had one small glass,” she says. “Draco, you’re drunk. I’m not helping you get him up to Hogwarts, Ron.”
“Some friend you are,” I grumble.
She apparates away and I drag Malfoy away from a table of barely legal girls. “They’re probably your students,” I say as the crisp outside air hits our faces.
“They’re not,” Malfoy says sulkily. “They’re Canadian.”
“All the same.” I shrug. “Let’s get you home and asleep before my shift ends.”
“Is no one looking after me tomorrow?” Malfoy whines. “I won’t know what to do with myself.”
“You’ll be perfectly safe for one day, I’m sure. Gabrielle’s bringing across some sort of charmed wrist contraption that will keep her directly linked with you.” Why we couldn’t just use the charm bracelet permanently, I don’t know. I’ve given up questioning the decisions of the Ministry.
“Swell.”
“Hopefully it will all be over soon,” I say. We’re almost back at Hogwarts. I can see the lights of the castle glimmering just about the trees.
“I don’t know,” Malfoy says. “I’ve kind of got used to having you around.”
“What?”
“I’ve … kind … of …got-“
“I heard what you said, you big git. I’m just surprised, that’s all.”
“You shouldn’t be, not really.” Obviously liquor makes Malfoy honest. I must remember this.
“Why shouldn’t I be?”
“I don’t really hate you, you know. I mean, I did at Hogwarts.”
“Thanks, I hated you too.”
“It’s just nice having someone to fight with. There’s no one at Hogwarts to argue with, except the students.”
He looks so upset, his bottom lip almost quivering, that I feel sorry for him. “If you ever need someone to fight with, just owl me. I’ll be happy to oblige.”
“Thank you, Weasel Boy.”
“Ferret Face.”
“Spotty git.”
“Pointy cross-eyed squirt.”
“Red-haired oaf.”
“Snub nose.”
“Pinnoccio.”
“Oh shut up,” I say, and, without thinking, I lean over and kiss him, right on the mouth.
He looks like he’s just been obliviated. “What the hell was that?”
Oh Merlin’s tinsel covered balls. I’m screwed. “An accident?” I ask, knowing how weak my voice is.
“Hah.” Then, he turns around and kisses me back, biting my bottom lip as he does so.
“What was that?” I ask, when I’ve recovered from this confused state of mind.
“Turn about is fair play.” He smirks. And falls over, into a snowdrift.
“You’re even more gone than I thought, Malfoy,” I mutter.
He snorts into my robes as I pick him out of the snow drift. “Dun wanst gno.”
“Quit whining Malfoy. I’m going to get you up to Hogwarts and put you to bed.” With a bit of heaving about, I manage to get him through the gates and down to his quarters. I heave him into bed and pull the blankets over him. “You’re going to have such a hangover tomorrow,” I murmur. “And I will laugh and laugh.”
Gabrielle comes at around five in the morning. “I have zee bracelet,” she says. “And some instructions.”
“Thanks. I’ll slip it around his wrist and then we can both get some sleep.”
She grins. I duck into his quarters. He is muttering and murmuring in his sleep and it is only then that I realise the craziness of what has just happened. And that I had forgotten about Parvati.
I apparate straight to the hospital.
Harry is slumped over Parvati’s bed, fast asleep. He hasn’t even taken his glasses off and they’re sitting crookedly on his nose. Parvati is still out cold. Her face is closed off and beautiful, two thin scars running down each cheek marring otherwise perfect skin. From underneath the hospital gown, I can see the deep ridges of scaring around her shoulders and and wrists.
Hermione pads into the room with a cup of tea. “Merry Christmas Ron,” she murmurs.
I hug her. “You alright?”
“I’m fine. Worried about Harry though.”
“Do you want me to stay?”
“No, you need some sleep. You look exhausted. I’m going to try and get Harry to my place for Christmas dinner. It will be quiet there and he can curl up in bed. I’ll owl you.”
“Just let me know what I can do. I feel so useless.”
“We all do. Kingsley’s stationed me on collecting evidence from Parvati. That is, look after Harry and when she wakes up you’ll be there to find out what she remembers.”
I think my respect for the guy has just gone up about four points. “He’s a good man, Hermione. Too old for you, but good.”
“I know.” She smirks. “I’m always right.”
I kiss her cheek. “I’ll see you as soon as I can.” And apparate back to the flat.
Mr Darcy is sitting on a couch in the living area, purring contentedly. There are four stockings up and someone (probably Zacharias, who is always far too cheerful around this time of year) has put up a tree and decorated it. I colapse on the couch, breathing in the scent of pine needles that never fails to remind me of Christmas. Darcy crawls onto my lap and snuggles down.
There’s a soft pattering of feet and Lavender’s door opens. “Hi Lav.”
“Any change?” Her face is drawn and the bags under her eyes are still glaringly obvious. “Hermione made me leave the hospital.”
“You needed the sleep.”
“I know.”
“There’s no change,” I say. “Harry’s still there and Hermione promised that we would know the second she comes around.”
She sits down on the couch next to me and curls in under my arm. “Everything’s going to be different, isn’t it?”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, how’s Harry going to cope marrying a woman with the dark mark carved into her stomach? The scarring’s not going to heal.”
“Harry will stick by her.”
“But will it be the right thing to do? Everytime they sleep together, everytime he touches her, he’s going to be reminded of Voldemort.”
My throat is dry. “I don’t know what will happen, but I do know that he loves her. So much.”
Lavender starts to cry quietly. “I wish someone loved me as much as Harry loves Parvati.”
I just hold her. What do I say? He’ll come round? You’ll find someone new? I hope Zacharias Smith breaks my sister’s heart to be with her?
Thunder rumbles in the sky and, together, we watch the rain pour down, onto the roof tops of Vertick Alley.
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Tart Noir, crime-romance
Pairings: Lavender/Zacharias, Draco/Ron, Susan/Blaise, Zacharias/Ginny ...
Summary: Lavender Brown is part of the investigation into the murders of the children of Death Eaters and is madly in love with her flatmate and best friend, Zacharias Smith. Ron Weasley is babysitting Draco Malfoy and sick of being gay in a terribly straight Wizarding World. Susan Bones doesn't get patronuses and is not having a relationship with Blaise Zabini. Zacharias Smith is sick of his job and thinks he might ask Ginny Weasley to move in with him. Mr Darcy, the flatmate's cat, thinks they're all bloody ridiculous. Four twenty-one year olds suffering with work, love and life.
Notes: Right, well, two exams down, one to go. And then Nanowrimo. I must be trying to kill myself. I have a plan though now. And this chapter's a bit of light relief comparatively.
Parvati still hasn’t woken up. The Healers have managed to stop the bleeding and she’s in what they call a stable state, but she hasn’t woken up. Harry hasn’t left her side since he was allowed to be there. And he’s had company. Lavender was there until she had to go into work, then Hermione took over.
But life goes on. I have to leave for shift work with Malfoy shortly after the scene is cleared. Hermione is under very strict instructions to contact me the moment there is any change in her condition for the worse. There is no way I am leaving Harry to deal with that and to hell with Malfoy.
But there is no change, for better or worse. So I spend the day with Harry, trying to get him to eat, or at least take a shower.
“Parvati’s going to wake up and be absolutely disgusted by this gaunt, smelly little person sitting by her bed.”
“Shut up Ron,” Harry says. It’s the most I’ve got out of him all afternoon. I manage to get him to have tea and toy with a piece of toast and bring him a towel to wash his face. But that’s about all I can manage before I leave for Malfoy-sitting again. Lavender apparates in before I leave, huge bags under her eyes and her hair tied back in a lank ponytail.
“Have you slept?”
“Don’t mother me, Ron. I’ve got the rest of my life for sleep.”
So I leave the two of them. Hermione’s promised to pop in on her break and make sure they’re still breathing.
I get to Hogwarts and Malfoy’s getting ready to go to the pub to meet Pansy.
“So you and the git that’s bothering her can skulk in a corner while we get on with our own business,” he says.
I roll my eyes. “Pansy and I get on pretty well, Malfoy.” Besides, I am not spending an evening with only Ferris for company. The idiot makes me want to rip my arm off and throw it at him.
He shrugs and we make our way down to Hogsmeade in relatively comfortable silence. It’s strange, just over a week ago I could barely tolerate walking ten steps behind him. Routine settles in quickly.
“Draco darling,” Pansy simpers. Ferris is off in another corner with some older men. Then she grins. “And you’ve brought your latest toy.”
Draco’s cheeks stain pink. “Fuck off Parkinson, Weasley’s not my choice.”
“Ron.” She nods. I nod back.
“How’s the morgue?”
“Depressing. How’s being a hit wizard? I heard about Parvati …”
I feel this tense knot in my stomach again. Draco’s looking curiously at me.
“Firewhiskeys for these two, a water for me,” I say to Madame Rosmerta. “And a quiet booth if possible.” She points us over to a secluded spot, towards the back of the pub.
“She’s stable,” I say, once our drinks have arrived. Pansy breathes a barely audible sigh of relief.
“That’s good,” Malfoy says.
Pansy snorts. “Why would you care? You didn’t know her.” Pansy and Parvati had gone to the same tutor as children and, although never the best of friends, they got along well enough once they’d got through Hogwarts.
Malfoy looks agrieved. “Did so. She was the hot Indian twin. Everyone wanted her. Or her sister.”
“You make me want to vomit a little,” Pansy informs him.
“Oh come on. Weasley, back me up.”
“It’s true,” I say reluctantly. “Dean Thomas was shocked that they went to the Yule Ball with me and Harry. They could have had anyone, he kept muttering.”
“I’d have to agree with Thomas there,” Malfoy says, smirking.
“Anyway,” Pansy says, glaring at me for siding against her. “How’s everyone bearing up?”
“Harry’s a mess.”
“Potter’s always a mess.”
“Shut up, Ferret.”
“Make me, Weasel.”
“You two make me want to be a lesbian,” Pansy sighs. “Carry on, Ron.”
“Everyone he loves dies - his parents, Sirius, Dumbledore, Luna Lovegood. She was just like a sister to him, you know, by the end of it all. And now Parvati. It’s killing him a little bit.”
“What about Lavender?”
“Lavender,” Malfoy says, eyes clouding over. “There’s another one of the ‘Girls We’d Like to Fuck If They Weren’t Slimy Gryffindors’ list that we wrote in sixth year.”
“Please don’t tell me anyone else on this list,” I groan.
“Well,” Malfoy’s smiling wickedly and I know what’s coming next. “Your sister was number one on Blaise Zabini’s list …” He waves his hand at Madam Rosmerta, who flicks her wand and a full bottle of Firewhiskey floats over. He pours another glass, raising his glass at me. “Cheers.”
“I’d wring your neck if I wasn’t working,” I tell him wearily, and turn to Pansy. “Lavender’s coping. Not very well, but she is. She’s talking about staying at the flat for Christmas, instead of going home to her dad, so I probably will too and she’s had a tiff with Zacharias so he’ll scarper and Susan will spend her whole time in her room.”
“And Padma?”
“I don’t know, to be honest. She hasn’t visited to ward at all.”
“Be a bit scary seeing the mirror image of yourself in a hospital bed, barely breathing,” Malfoy says. I stare at him. “What?” he says irritably.
“Nothing.” Just that I didn’t even think about that. “She’s completely absorbed in her work, going over the past cases even though she can’t work on Parvati’s case.”
“So you think that it’s the same person?” Malfoy asks, looking at Pansy.
She shrugs. “All signs point to it so far. I don’t really know. Parvati’s not a corpse so I don’t get to autopsy.”
I try to shake off the image of Parvati on the morgue table, chest stitched up like some sort of Frankenstein monster. It would kill Harry. Even now, even if she does wake up, I don’t know how he’ll react. Those scars aren’t going to go away. I shudder. Then, I feel someone’s foot running up my leg. And it’s not Pansy’s. I notice that half the Firewhiskey is gone.
“How much have you had to drink, Malfoy?” I ask.
He looks guilty. “Not so much really.”
“Just half a bottle.”
“Pansy had some.”
“I had one small glass,” she says. “Draco, you’re drunk. I’m not helping you get him up to Hogwarts, Ron.”
“Some friend you are,” I grumble.
She apparates away and I drag Malfoy away from a table of barely legal girls. “They’re probably your students,” I say as the crisp outside air hits our faces.
“They’re not,” Malfoy says sulkily. “They’re Canadian.”
“All the same.” I shrug. “Let’s get you home and asleep before my shift ends.”
“Is no one looking after me tomorrow?” Malfoy whines. “I won’t know what to do with myself.”
“You’ll be perfectly safe for one day, I’m sure. Gabrielle’s bringing across some sort of charmed wrist contraption that will keep her directly linked with you.” Why we couldn’t just use the charm bracelet permanently, I don’t know. I’ve given up questioning the decisions of the Ministry.
“Swell.”
“Hopefully it will all be over soon,” I say. We’re almost back at Hogwarts. I can see the lights of the castle glimmering just about the trees.
“I don’t know,” Malfoy says. “I’ve kind of got used to having you around.”
“What?”
“I’ve … kind … of …got-“
“I heard what you said, you big git. I’m just surprised, that’s all.”
“You shouldn’t be, not really.” Obviously liquor makes Malfoy honest. I must remember this.
“Why shouldn’t I be?”
“I don’t really hate you, you know. I mean, I did at Hogwarts.”
“Thanks, I hated you too.”
“It’s just nice having someone to fight with. There’s no one at Hogwarts to argue with, except the students.”
He looks so upset, his bottom lip almost quivering, that I feel sorry for him. “If you ever need someone to fight with, just owl me. I’ll be happy to oblige.”
“Thank you, Weasel Boy.”
“Ferret Face.”
“Spotty git.”
“Pointy cross-eyed squirt.”
“Red-haired oaf.”
“Snub nose.”
“Pinnoccio.”
“Oh shut up,” I say, and, without thinking, I lean over and kiss him, right on the mouth.
He looks like he’s just been obliviated. “What the hell was that?”
Oh Merlin’s tinsel covered balls. I’m screwed. “An accident?” I ask, knowing how weak my voice is.
“Hah.” Then, he turns around and kisses me back, biting my bottom lip as he does so.
“What was that?” I ask, when I’ve recovered from this confused state of mind.
“Turn about is fair play.” He smirks. And falls over, into a snowdrift.
“You’re even more gone than I thought, Malfoy,” I mutter.
He snorts into my robes as I pick him out of the snow drift. “Dun wanst gno.”
“Quit whining Malfoy. I’m going to get you up to Hogwarts and put you to bed.” With a bit of heaving about, I manage to get him through the gates and down to his quarters. I heave him into bed and pull the blankets over him. “You’re going to have such a hangover tomorrow,” I murmur. “And I will laugh and laugh.”
Gabrielle comes at around five in the morning. “I have zee bracelet,” she says. “And some instructions.”
“Thanks. I’ll slip it around his wrist and then we can both get some sleep.”
She grins. I duck into his quarters. He is muttering and murmuring in his sleep and it is only then that I realise the craziness of what has just happened. And that I had forgotten about Parvati.
I apparate straight to the hospital.
Harry is slumped over Parvati’s bed, fast asleep. He hasn’t even taken his glasses off and they’re sitting crookedly on his nose. Parvati is still out cold. Her face is closed off and beautiful, two thin scars running down each cheek marring otherwise perfect skin. From underneath the hospital gown, I can see the deep ridges of scaring around her shoulders and and wrists.
Hermione pads into the room with a cup of tea. “Merry Christmas Ron,” she murmurs.
I hug her. “You alright?”
“I’m fine. Worried about Harry though.”
“Do you want me to stay?”
“No, you need some sleep. You look exhausted. I’m going to try and get Harry to my place for Christmas dinner. It will be quiet there and he can curl up in bed. I’ll owl you.”
“Just let me know what I can do. I feel so useless.”
“We all do. Kingsley’s stationed me on collecting evidence from Parvati. That is, look after Harry and when she wakes up you’ll be there to find out what she remembers.”
I think my respect for the guy has just gone up about four points. “He’s a good man, Hermione. Too old for you, but good.”
“I know.” She smirks. “I’m always right.”
I kiss her cheek. “I’ll see you as soon as I can.” And apparate back to the flat.
Mr Darcy is sitting on a couch in the living area, purring contentedly. There are four stockings up and someone (probably Zacharias, who is always far too cheerful around this time of year) has put up a tree and decorated it. I colapse on the couch, breathing in the scent of pine needles that never fails to remind me of Christmas. Darcy crawls onto my lap and snuggles down.
There’s a soft pattering of feet and Lavender’s door opens. “Hi Lav.”
“Any change?” Her face is drawn and the bags under her eyes are still glaringly obvious. “Hermione made me leave the hospital.”
“You needed the sleep.”
“I know.”
“There’s no change,” I say. “Harry’s still there and Hermione promised that we would know the second she comes around.”
She sits down on the couch next to me and curls in under my arm. “Everything’s going to be different, isn’t it?”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, how’s Harry going to cope marrying a woman with the dark mark carved into her stomach? The scarring’s not going to heal.”
“Harry will stick by her.”
“But will it be the right thing to do? Everytime they sleep together, everytime he touches her, he’s going to be reminded of Voldemort.”
My throat is dry. “I don’t know what will happen, but I do know that he loves her. So much.”
Lavender starts to cry quietly. “I wish someone loved me as much as Harry loves Parvati.”
I just hold her. What do I say? He’ll come round? You’ll find someone new? I hope Zacharias Smith breaks my sister’s heart to be with her?
Thunder rumbles in the sky and, together, we watch the rain pour down, onto the roof tops of Vertick Alley.