Order Only: Ron

[alt_molly]

Ron sent Arthur a letter (to his office), telling him that he won't be coming home for Christmas. He wrote that he's been getting behind in things, and he figures the holidays would be a good time to get work done. As if Ron ever cared about being behind in school! 'And, anyway,' it went on, 'that way it won't be so many of us for Mum to cook for and things won't be so mad.'

!!!

Things have gone so dreadfully wrong with Ron this year, and I just don't know anymore how to fix things. I sent him a letter to apologise for sending him the Howler over all that business with the car at the beginning of the year. But it's clear he hasn't forgiven me. He couldn't have even send an owl to his own mum at home? For Christmas? Talking as if feeding him and welcoming him home is a burden???

Arthur says we should just act as if we're taking the letter at face value, let him have some distance to work things out on his own. But, oh, I don't know how much longer I can bear to go along with the pretence that there's nothing wrong.

Comments

[alt_bill]

You might ask Charlie if he knows anymore about what's going on with Ron. He was there at Hogwarts for a visit, wasn't he?

What do Percy's letters say?

[alt_molly]

That's a thought. Perhaps Charlie would know something. As for Percy, he's mentioned Ron in passing in his weekly letters, but he hasn't said anything in particular about what might be bothering Ron. But if I asked him directly...

I'll write to both of them tonight.

[alt_arthur]

Try not to take it too much to heart, Molly dear, at least until we've managed to learn a bit more from Charlie or Percy. Teenage boys can be a bit thoughtless when it comes to considering their mother's feelings. As you very well know.

[alt_bill]

Oi, is that supposed to be a commentary on your other sons?

[alt_arthur]

I'll leave that to your conscience to decide.

[alt_bill]

Ha. I wouldn't call it 'a little bit thoughtless,' myself.

More like 'a little bit thick.'

Don't know how you put up with me and Charlie all these years, Mum.