ORDER ONLY: RON!!!

[alt_molly]

HE'S A SNAKE?! WHERE IS HE?

YOU HAVE TO FIND HIM! HE COULD BE HURT! HE COULD BE TRAPPED! WHAT IF HE'S A WATER SNAKE? HE COULD WANDER INTO THE LAKE AND BE EATEN BY THE GIANT SQUID!

MERLIN, YOU HAVE TO FIND HIM!!!

Comments

[alt_bill]

What the--

[alt_bill]

My journal chimed at Mum's message since it was...a bit urgent; I'm just catching up.

He did it? He did it! Congratulations, Ron! Er, whenever you see this.

(Mum, stop panicking. What does the clock say?)

[alt_molly]

It says he's at school.

[alt_bill]

Well, there you go, then. I suppose he's holed up for the moment, which is probably the best thing he can do, to stay out of people's way.

[alt_molly]

THE LAKE IS PART OF THE SCHOOL GROUNDS. AND HOW'S THE CLOCK SUPPOSED TO KNOW WHAT'S MORTAL PERIL FOR A SNAKE?!

[alt_rachel]

I'm sure he's fine, Mrs Weasley. It can take a bit of time to get your bearings when you first learn the transformation, but it's quite rare for new animagi to wander into dangerous situations. In fact, it's far more likely that the reason he hasn't turned up yet is that he feels more secure in the safety of the walls, and is instinctively trying to keep himself safe.

Private message to Bill Weasley

[alt_rachel]

Never in all my life have I been quite so grateful that Mum (by which I mean my aunt who raised me) has never been privy to any of the details of my life I did not choose to share with her.

[alt_gredforge]

A snake? That's brilliant.

And at least it'll make his Slytherin girlfriend really happy!

[alt_neville]

Since he's a snake, he might gravitate to somewhere warm, too. Snakes like warmth.

Someplace like behind a fireplace might be my guess.

I dunno, depends on how much he's thinking like a snake instead of thinking like Ron. What do you think, Miss Brodie?

[alt_molly]

Fine? FINE?! HOW CAN HE BE FINE WHEN HE'S A SNAKE AND WE DON'T KNOW WHERE HE IS?!!!

Private message to Mum

[alt_bill]

Mum, please. I know you're upset, but yelling at Rachel isn't going to help. She, if anyone, might have the best idea of where to find him.

[alt_rachel]

That's a really excellent thought. Even if he's thinking like Ron, he's got the physicality of a snake -- surely Ron would go sit by a fire if he's cold, right? Snakes get cold very easily.

Re: Private message to Bill Weasley

[alt_bill]

I can imagine.

[alt_rachel]

Of course you know where he is. He's at Hogwarts. You didn't know exactly where in the school he was BEFORE he turned into a snake, right?

Re: Private message to Mum

[alt_molly]

I'm sorry, I--I'm sorry. I'm just so upset.

Oh, how I wish your father was here.

[alt_molly]

I'm sorry, I shouldn't have--I shouldn't have written back so stridently. You're only trying to help, and I'm sorry I took my worry out on you.

It must seem enormous to him, and oh, he must be very frightened and confused.

If he isn't, I'm frightened enough for both of us!

[alt_gredforge]

Sally-Anne said it was a classroom near Alecto Carrow's old office. Which is a really cold part of the castle, trust us, so it would make sense that he'd head for somewhere warmer. Or back to Gryffindor Tower. Or both.

[alt_sally_anne]

Well, and he was spotted near Hufflepuff. Hufflepuff's always warm, since they're right near the kitchens.

Private message to Rachel

[alt_bill]

What you're saying makes sense, so I do hope--

Oh, of course you're right. He'll be okay. Probably come out in a day bragging to his friends about mastering the transformation.

I am proud of him, and it's a huge relief, since he seems to be headed for the Auror programme.

About Mum...I'm sorry. She's just really sensitive about all our personal safety. Especially after what happened to Dad.