Ronald Weasley's life had taken an unexpected turn since the fall of Voldemort. As the war concluded, Ron found himself grappling with a sense of purposelessness. The Burrow, the once bustling home, now stood lonely and empty, the echoes of his childhood laughter reverberating through its walls. He had chosen to remain at the family home, but it was no longer filled with the lively chatter of his siblings.
It had been two years since the war ended and he was forced to wake up, remembering daily of how he lost each of his family members in the war, fighting for their life and adding to the fame of Harry Potter, no Weasley had gotten any recognition. The war was 'Once again' saved by the MAN WHO LIVED TWICE.
Each morning, Ron's day began with the same melancholic routine. He'd wake up to the creaking wooden floors of the Burrow, its aging structure revealing the passage of time. The room he occupied was modest, and the posters of his Quidditch heroes had faded with age, mirroring his own life's diminishing vibrancy.
His mornings were marked by solitude. After a solitary breakfast in the dimly lit kitchen, he'd retreat to his room to get ready for his job. The muggle clothes felt foreign to him, a reminder of how his magical world had taken a backseat in his adult life.
'Well, I'm just 21 anyway' he thought.
Ron worked as a waiter in a nearby muggle restaurant. The commute was his only connection to the bustling world outside the Burrow. He donned a crisp white shirt and tie, trying to muster a sense of purpose in his daily tasks.
His dreams were once to become an quidditch player for the Canon's, but as everyone does - his dreams changed soon and he wished to become an Auror and fight death eaters, being side by side with his best mate.
Unfortunately for him, the Auror department had said that only Harry Potter gets to join straight without any training into the team because he fought the dark lord and all the Dark Lord's army, with Harry's fiance Hermione Granger.
Harry and Hermione started dating almost a year ago as they were both single, fame and successful people - the power couple as the papers mentioned - Harry proposed marriage to Hermione five months ago and she accepted. He can't fault her, even though Ron had his feelings for Hermione it's her choice to choose a more rich and famous best friend as her life partner than the poor, jobless, idiot as she always must have thought of him.
Ron felt tired actually, because of the stupid double standards and even the Ministry know that Ron did fought and killed as much as Harry did in the whole seventh year and not to mention himself, Hermione and Dumbledore saved Harry several times they actually didn't see his worth. It wasn't surprising.
He could have gotten other jobs but getting into the Auror department and becoming the head is his dream and he is ready to fight for that dream and be a man. He is not really angry at anyone but maybe a bit disappointed that Harry didn't even voice his concerns or fought for him with them as they refused to give Ron a job without him going through the two years training and the classes, which all cost a good amount that he have to pay. Lily Potter offered to help him or to even move in with her and James Potter but Ron didn't want to leave his house all alone, it's were his family's memories are.
Thankfully, he had no money, from his family - his best mate offered him some money though but Ron refused to get it from him as Harry had a vault full of galleons and Ron wanted to make his own name for himself as he always did from his childhood - and he had never thought of saving money for himself to live because he never thought his whole family disappearing just like that. He took the job in a muggle restaurant as a waiter, that way no more Rita Skeeter's would mocking him in the daily newspapers.
With a heavy sigh, he'd leave his empty childhood home behind, closing the door to the memories of a time when the Weasleys were a tight-knit family. Loneliness was his constant companion as he ventured into the muggle world, a world so different from the magical realm he once knew, and yet the only place he could find solace and distraction from his solitude.
As he got to his work place, Ronald Weasley, tall and red-haired, stood behind the counter at "Bella's Bistro," a quaint muggle restaurant in a corner of London. It helps him working there to gain some muggle world experience and understand their culture better. So far, it had been quite an adventure.
"Table for two, please," a gruff voice interrupted his thoughts. He looked up to see a burly man with a scowl and a slender woman beside him.
"Of course," Ron smiled politely. "Right this way."
Ron led them to a window seat, hoping the view might lift the man's spirits. "Here you go, sir. Your server will be with you shortly."
The man grunted, "This table is too close to the window. It's drafty."
Ron raised an eyebrow, sensing the man was just in the mood to complain. "I'm sorry, sir. Would you like another table?"
The man sneered, "Just bring me a coffee, ginger."
Ron took a deep breath. "Of course, sir."
Returning with the coffee, he placed it in front of the man, who immediately exclaimed, "This coffee is cold!"
Ron, his patience waning but his customer service intact, replied, "I apologize, sir. I'll get you a new one right away."
But before he could, the man knocked the cup over, splashing coffee onto Ron's apron. "Clumsy waiter!" he mocked.
Magic pulsed through Ron's veins. The urge to split the man to pieces, to retaliate with a spell was overwhelming. The lessons from Hogwarts echoing in his mind, he reminded himself about the importance of self-control and the laws against using magic on muggles.
Swallowing his anger, Ron said calmly, "I apologize for the inconvenience, sir. Let me clean this up."
The woman, looking embarrassed, whispered to the man, "Roger, stop it."
But Roger just huffed, "Just doing everyone a favor, pointing out how incompetent he is."
As Ron cleaned the mess, the woman slipped a generous tip onto the table. "I'm so sorry about him," she whispered.
Ron smiled wryly, "It's all right, ma'am. Thank you."
He had never imagined that he'd end up as a waiter in a Muggle restaurant, but life had its own plans. He bustled around the tables, clearing plates, and folding napkins as the last diners finished their meals. The restaurant's dim lights cast a warm, inviting glow, and the clinking of cutlery had now transformed into laughter and chit-chat.
As the clock struck midnight, Ronald found himself at the counter, tallying up the receipts. His red hair was tousled from a long day of work, and his uniform, a crisp white shirt and black trousers, was stained with the remnants of various meals. The only magical thing about his life now was the art of balancing a tray filled with food.
Mr. Amarnath, the kind old Indian manager, approached Ronald with a friendly smile. "Ronald, my boy, you've done a splendid job tonight. We couldn't run this place without you," he said, placing a hand on Ronald's shoulder.
Ronald grinned, his tired eyes twinkling. "Thank you, Mr. Amarnath. It's a bit different from serving butterbeer at the Leaky Cauldron, but it pays the bills." He said silently.
The manager is a nice guy, who well know everything about Ron as Mr. Amarnath's daughter was pursuing her schooling in Hogwarts, only to die in the war in the hands of a death eater.
Mr. Amarnath chuckled. "Ah, but the world of Muggles has its own charm, doesn't it?" They both shared a laugh, their bond deepening over the months of working together. Ronald admired the wisdom and humor of the elderly manager.
"Ronald," Mr. Amarnath said, his tone turning more serious, "I've noticed how hard you've been working lately. Here, take this." He slipped an envelope into Ronald's hand.
Ronald opened it to find some extra money, his eyes widening in surprise. "Mr. Amarnath, you didn't have to do this."
The manager patted him on the back. "Consider it a bonus, my boy. You're young, and life is meant to be enjoyed. Go out, have some fun, and don't work yourself too hard. You deserve it."
Ronald thanked him, genuinely touched by the gesture. As he left the restaurant, he couldn't help but smile, appreciating the unexpected kindness from his Muggle boss. Life might be different from what he had known at Hogwarts, but it was full of surprises and good people, just like Mr. Amarnath.
He then met the group of his old school friends at the diagon alley including Harry and Hermione as they all invited him to a night out to the new wizarding pub after they had planned to go. But seriously Ron felt like he was infiltrating their plans. The group of friends strolled down Diagon Alley, their laughter mingling with the enchanting sights and sounds of the wizarding world.
Ron kept his pace, his eyes flicking between his well-to-do companions. Harry, accompanied by his fiancée, Hermione Granger, walked ahead with Neville Longbottom, deep in conversation. Dean Thomas and Seamus Finnigan chatted animatedly with Parvathi Patil a few steps behind. Even Neville had found his calling, excelling in Herbology and securing a high-paying job at the Ministry.
As they approached the Leaky Cauldron, Ron's stomach churned with unease. He had tried to dress up for the occasion but still felt like the odd one out in his Muggle attire. His job as a waiter at a modest Muggle restaurant seemed minuscule compared to the success his friends had achieved.
Desperation clawed at him, and he cleared his throat, attempting to break into their lively conversation. "Oi, guys. Do you know what happened today, there was this nasty customer at the restaurant---."
But his words were swallowed by the laughter and animated discussions around him. Hermione gave him a sympathetic look but couldn't pull Harry's attention away from Neville's tale of a recent adventure.
Ron's heart sank as he realized that even his best mate, Harry, was drifting away in a sea of successful friends. He felt invisible, like a mere shadow of his former self. Disheartened, he hung back, distancing himself from the group.
Hermione, however, noticed Ron's dejected state and frowned at Harry. "Harry, don't you think you've been ignoring Ron all evening?"
Harry blinked, finally recognizing Ron's absence in their circle. "Oh, sorry, Ron," he said, but it was too little, too late. It was embarrassing for Ron.
Ron gave a forced smile, his self-esteem battered. He walked in silence with the group, feeling like the last wheel in a perfectly oiled machine. His connection with his friends seemed to have frayed, and he struggled to find his place in their new, prosperous lives.
As the group of friends approached the newly opened extravaganza wizarding pub, excitement filled the air. Laughter and magical lights spilled out onto the cobbled street. They joined the queue to buy their tickets.
The ticket Giver glanced at Ron's meager coins "I'm sorry, sir, but your funds are insufficient for a ticket."
No way!
"No way!" Ron was shocked. It was a good amount of money and he thought it would do for the party. He touched his pocket remembering the stack of cash given by Mr. Amarnath, thought of using is just for a second before he stopped wanting to save that money.
Feeling ashamed about his financial situation, Ron's face flushed. Harry, stepped in, offered help "Ron, do you want some money to get in?"
"No, I'll pass. You guys go on. I'll head back home." Ron refused politely. The others walked past, not giving it a second thought, except for Hermione.
"Ron, are you sure?" She asked. Ron nodded, and as the others entered the pub, Hermione paused.
"I'm not really in the mood for partying tonight Harry." She told her fiance.
"Come on, Hermione, it's the grand opening. You'll have fun." Harry insisted.
"No, I think I'll stay out here." She replied firmly. With a shrug, Harry entered the pub, leaving Ron behind. Hermione smiled at Ron and extended her hand.
"Would you like to go for a walk with me?" Ron's face lit up, and he took her hand.
"I'd love that," The two friends strolled away from the bustling pub, sharing stories and laughter, creating their own magical moments under the starry night sky.
It was a peaceful evening. Stars hung overhead as Ron and Hermione walked side by side, passing a small ice cream shop that sent wafts of sweet smells into the air. The nearby benches were mostly occupied by couples or friends enjoying their ice creams.
"Why did the hippogriff attend school?" Ron grinned, looking over at Hermione.
Hermione chuckled, "I don't know, why?"
"To improve his landing grades!" Ron burst out laughing and Hermione joined him.
"You always had the worst magical jokes," she replied, wiping a tear from laughing so hard.
The duo continued to share a few more light-hearted moments before they reached a quiet spot, a little away from the buzz of the ice cream shop.
Hermione took a deep breath, her expression becoming more serious. "Listen, Ron..." she began, looking at him. "I was thinking... I could recommend you for a position in some other departments at the ministry. Or if you want, I can lend you the money for the training for the Auror department."
Ron's face turned cold. He stepped back, clearly taken aback by Hermione's offer. "Why would you say that? Do you think I can't handle myself? Or are you embarrassed to be seen with a waiter?"
Hermione looked at him, startled. "Ron! It's not like that!"
He continued, his voice rising with anger. "If you're ashamed of being friends with a waiter, just tell me. You can go back to your fancy office and your magical creatures!"
Hermione's face reddened with emotion, and her hand reflexively went up as if she wanted to slap him. But she held back. Tears welled up in her eyes. "You really think so low of me, Ron? You think I care about status?"
Ron's face flushed, realizing he might've overreacted. "Hermione, I-"
But she cut him off. "I've seen you working tirelessly, and you're so much more than just a waiter. I'm proud of whatever you choose to do! I just thought... you deserve so much more."
Ron looked down, biting his lip, struggling to find the right words. "I appreciate it, Hermione. But I need to find my way, on my own terms."
Hermione nodded, "I understand. It's just hard seeing someone you care about not achieving their full potential."
Ron sighed, "It's not that I don't have ambitions. It's just... right now, I'm figuring things out."
Hermione touched his arm gently, "I just want you to know that I'm here for you. Always."
He looked at her, his blue eyes softening. "I know. I'm sorry I lashed out. It's just... sometimes it's hard. Everyone expects so much."
Hermione nodded, "I get it. And I'm sorry if I overstepped and honestly I'm not much better with lashing out. Remember the times in Hogwarts when I couldn't control my mouth, saying one thing while thinking something else" they laughed "Like in 6th year when you win against Slytherins I told something like yoy only won because of the liquid luck, but on the contrary I meant that you could have easily won against them even if you not used it".
"I know" They shared a silent moment, the sounds of the night enveloping them. After a while, Ron grinned, "Now that we've cleared the air, how about some ice cream to lighten the mood?"
Hermione smiled, "That sounds like a plan. But you're buying."
Ron chuckled, "Always the frugal one."
They walked back to the ice cream shop, the weight of the conversation behind them, knowing that their bond was unbreakable, no matter the differences.
Ron sits alone on a small bench in that peaceful park, he gazes up at the stars, deep in thought. The weight of the past and his losses during the war are heavy on his mind. He sighs, feeling the loneliness that's crept into his life.
Hermione had gone to get one more ice cream cone for Ron, a small gesture of comfort in their evening together. Ron thinks of his family, of the brothers and parents he lost during the dark days of the war. He's grateful for Hermione's company, but there's a void that remains, a sense of being truly alone in the world.
As Ron sits there, lost in his thoughts, he suddenly hears the distinct sound of high heels clicking against the pavement. He looks down and sees a pair of stylish heels coming into his sight. His curiosity piqued, he raises his head to see Ginny Weasley standing there, her bright red hair flowing in the gentle night breeze. She's wearing a warm smile, and her eyes are filled with a mixture of joy and surprise.
"You missed me brother? Of course you do!" Ginny Weasley says cheerfully.
Ron's face lights up with a mix of shock and delight as he recognizes his sister "Ginny you're back! I can't believe it!" Without hesitation, he leaps up from the bench and engulfs Ginny in a warm, heartfelt hug. Their reunion is filled with laughter and tears, the bond of family stronger than ever.
Hermione returns with ice cream cones "What's all the commotion about? Ron, who is this?"
She returns to the scene, a puzzled frown on her face as she spots Ron embracing a woman she doesn't recognize. Her eyes widen as realization dawns upon her "Ginny? Is that really you?" She says incredulously.
Ginny breaks away from Ron's hug and turns to Hermione, her eyes showing joy "Yes, it's me. I just got back from America, and I wanted to surprise Ron. The dolt wasn't in the burrow and I thought he was some new chick but I didn't know it was you. You guys shagged yet? Does Harry know?"
"Ginny!" Ron said, his ears turning red as Hermione too blushed.
The three of them stand there, a trio of friends and family reunited after a long separation. The park, once a place of solitude and reflection for Ron, has transformed into a scene of joy and togetherness.
"You have no idea how much I've missed you, Ginny." Ron grinned sincerely also to change the subject.
Hermione, too, can't help but smile. The presence of Ginny has brought a new sense of warmth and completeness to their evening "Welcome back, Gin. We have so much catching up to do."
The night continues with stories, laughter, and shared memories. As Ron, Hermione, and Ginny enjoy their ice cream, the park becomes a place of rekindled connections and the promise of brighter days ahead.