This was a really interesting read, and I like how you had Ron listening at the door the whole time. I'm a little thrown off by the ending...though I'm assuming it just catches up with canon and he realizes he's not worthless, which is why he goes back? XD It really puts a final note of despair...really shows his mental state at that moment though.

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No, no, no! *huggles Ron* You are not worthless. That Bill...ugh! Can you tell that I hate Bill right now? *sniffs* I understand that he is angry at Ron for walking out on Harry and Hermione but speaking like that about his own brother! It's just so...un-Bill-like *shakes fist* Andy, you really know how to capture your readers' attention, don't you? Now, you have me all angry and welled up. Brilliant for you, bad for me :P I truly feel so sorry for Ron.

As usual, I loved this story, too. And do I have to tell you that Fleur is absolutely lovely here? I am so glad she stuck up for Ron. And gosh, her dialogues are awesome, Andy. I find Fleur so hard to write. You did her justice. I am really glad she stuffed some sense in Bill's head. He was being a jerk!

All in all, another fantastic story by the more-fantastic Andy =D Keep it up!

Author's Response: I'm not a fan of Bill in this story, but I also believe I would probably act like he did. I mean I'm horrible about my sisters in the heat of the moment! I feel sorry for Ron too, especially if this whole scene is just a working inside his head. The poor guy is so insecure.


I can't take much credit for Felur, I'm afraid. I only wrote the words - Gubby did all the translating into Fleur-speak. I'm glad you liked her though - Bill did need some sense stuffing! As always, thanks so much Tahi - you're more fantastic. xxx

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That was so sad. I really like what Fleur says about him in your story. I think it needed to be said because ven Ron has only ever seen himself as "the best friend" and it's good that he knows that he isn't. Sorry if that made no sense. I liked it good job!

Author's Response: You're so right - it did need to be said. I'm glad Ron had someone to stick up for him. Thanks so much for reviewing. :) x

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This made me sad. Especially the end. Poor Ron. I remember how I felt when I finished reading that chapter when he left. I was so mad and disappointed at him. But this gave another perspective to the situation. I really liked how Fleur told Bill of what his younger brother had one and it struck me that he hadn't known. I suppose they never were interested to know. His reaction was great, and Fleur's too. I liked it that she defended him, to almost all extent. But... Ron being worthless... That just breaks my heart. Anyway, I'm too tired to think. It was a very nice piece, with great characterization. But... gaah, I'm still sad though! Well done Andy =)

Author's Response: Accck! I responded to this last week! Where'd my response go? Sillly computers! Thank you so much for your insight - it's so glad to hear an opinion from someone who, I presume, is also a Ron-lover. The idea of ron feeling worthless, breaks my heart too. He's anything but. Once again, thank you. *huggle attackle*

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Andy,

When I was told about this one shot and saw the characters listed, I truly wondered what this story was about and my curiosity was immediately piqued. 'One-shot' is the perfect format for those 'missing' moments that we would have liked to see in the series, isn't it?

First off, I liked how you set this in the bathroom - or at least the part with Bill and Fleur. You could have chosen any other room, but the bathroom, like the bedroom, is a place where people can have a real heart-to-heart.

There were times when I thought that Bill was a bit too harsh - but maybe it was his disappointment speaking, and he over-reacted. It was strange to see that Fleur knew Ron so much better than "Beell". But at the same time it made her a true Weasley.

About the so-called Fleurspeak, it was a bit too 'heavy', but then I think that the way JK Rowling wrote her was too. The heavy accent tends to make her an airhead, though she is anything but an airhead. It was bad characterization by JK Rowling, who never developed her past the two dimensional character. I'm glad you gave her more depths here. Good job!

Poor Ron... *sigh* Of course, I was disappointed when he walked out on Harry and Hermione. I really thought he would came back a few hours later. But it didn't happen that way... I think you wrote his confusion and feelings well here. You made him over-react to Bill's words - and to his own actions - the way teens over-react at times.

Good job, Andy!

*huggle*

-Anne

Author's Response: I really don't know how the bathroom setting came about. I think it was something to do with using a mirror so I could describe both characters at the same time without them having to look directly at each other. I'm not sure such a big bathroom could possibly fit into a tiny sounding place like Shell Cottage, but it worked for the fic! :P Glad you like it!


Bill was harsh. Even I thought that as I reread the piece, but like I said - I didn't want to take away of the reaction. I was angry too, so I let Bill be. You're right, I suppose it does make it a true Weasley! :D I figured sometimes it's easier for a relative outsider to understand the workings of the family. I think in recent years, Fleur has probably spent just as much time with Ron as Bill has and she' s not caught up in brotherly bias. Bill is only lashing out because he loves his brother. And you're right about the accent, but Gubby did a wonderful job of reproducing JKR's one.


You thought he'd be back in a few hours? So did I. Have I told you my reading story? I must have. I started reading it at midnight one month later and by the time Ron left my eyes were drooping, but I let myself keep reading for at least two more chapters because I was SO SURE he'd come back! So I finally fell asleep and obviusly the first thing I did the next morning was slump on an armchair and continue reading...and the silver doe chapter came and all around me my family were making breakfast...when I first suspected it was Ron, let's just say I ran out onto the Irish hillside in my skimpy pjs to get some quiet! :P LOL! That's how happy I was that he was back. I think he needed to overreact Bill's words so that he would make the choice to go back. Or as I said in some of my other responses, if this whole argument took place in his head than it was his way of understanding his emotions.


Thank you so much for stopping by! :D You rock my Ron Weasley socks, Anne! :D :D :D x x x

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omg bill is horrible

Author's Response: Not horrible - angry, frustrated and disappointed. :)

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Andy,

Kudos to you for not letting this opportunity to write about a small, but significant event, go to waste. I wish I had thought about it.

You set the scene wonderfully, using the confined space of the bathroom as a tool to focus the tensions. Would be a great one-act play!

Everything seems a bit over the top here... but knowing your prowess with one-shots, I suspect that the extravagance of emotion to be a tool that you have used intentionally to engage your readers. Once again, very theatrical.

From Bill's comments on what he had been told in the past by Ginny and the twins... I feel he should have been able to sort the truths and half-truths out a bit better. But then again, he hasn't lived much with his siblings over the past few years as he traveled the planet for Gringotts.

I feel that the Fleur-speak was a bit too much, and that it distracted me from appreciating her dialog, and from the message she was trying to convey. Fleur is definitely a worthy character in the Potterverse, and many of the people I have been chatting with the last few months agree that they want to see her become more of a three-dimensional character.

Thanks again for another fine story, Andy!

--Jim

Author's Response: You know I always get a massive grin on my face when I see a review from you. Not only because I know you've come despite how rubbishy I am at reviewing in return or the fact that you always thank ME for writing the story, but because you're reviews are just so insightful and you always know what to say! :D


Seee look at that - tell the drama geek wannabe playwright that her writing is dramatic and watch her head swell! :P Actually, with regard to the extravagance, a big part of believed as I wrote this - and still believes - that this argument might actually have taken place inside Ron's head. You know? He's in that jealous, catty mood and wants to lash out. You're right Bill should be able to sort out the truths, but ultimately I reckon he's phased by the same underlying jealousy all the Weasley siblings must, on some levels, feel towards Ron. And as for Ron, he in turn, has always been jealous of his brothers so it makes sense that the horribly perfect older brother is the one lashing out at him and after everything with Hermione choosing Harry, it also makes sense that he's moulded the beautiful girl to stick up for him. this would also explain the over the top Fleurspeak, but alas I chickened out and let darling Gubby do it so wonderfully for me. All that said, the other part of me is also sure that everything is as it was written and it was simply a very dramatic night. :P Lol.


Jim, Jim, Jim...don't thank me! I write because I have to! Thank YOU for taking the time to stop by! :) Jim = amazing x x x

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er... i also thought bill was very mean, i could see why he was angry but i always thought of bill as a very kind person. still good though anyway, fleur made up for it.

Author's Response: I think Bill is a kind person. Even the nicest people need to vent. Remember he does resolve to let Ron stay. We all lash out when we're angry. Thanks! x

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That is so sad! you have to write another one about when it's all over and ron feels good about himself. hes not worthless hes just human. great writing any way, well done!

Author's Response: This was very much a reaction piece. You know, me venting my spleen through Bill, so I doubt there will be another one. However, I am working towards a collection of short pieces on Ron, which show him finding his way after the world. :) Thank you very much for your kind compliments! :)

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Very good, very nicely done. There was always more to Fleur than people give credit for. One of the best characterizations of what happened that first night I've seen. But there's a second part of this, a conversation where he realizes he needs to go back, regardless.

Author's Response: You are sweet! Thank you so much! I actually don't think ron needed a realisation point. He always knew he had to go back. I said in another response that a large part of me believes that this argument is actually withing Ron's head and if that's the case, this was the realisation process. :) Thanks, again! x x x

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Hmm . . . interesting.

I'm more ambivalent about this than some of your other pieces although it is a very interesting 'missing moment' idea. Well, to begin with I like Fleur about as much as I like Sirius/Lily *throws up* (I can't stand the accent - part of the reason I hate Hagrid as well) , so that doomed it from the start. And I thought the ending was a little . . . rushed and could be developed a bit more with Ron. Also, the argument seemed too . . . stylized.

I don't want it to sound like I hated it, but I just wanted to point out what I didn't like first (so I wouldn't forget ^_^). I think that this is a very original idea and that you have Bill down perfectly. I found the idea of werewolves becoming ugly when they're angry hilarious (I can just picture Bill slowly getting more menacing with his teeth elongating and saliva dripping down his canine . . . oh, em, gee). His anger at Ron, I felt, was justified and actually represents some of my thoughts on Ron when I read that part in DH (can you tell I'm most definitely not a Ron lover? :P). As for Fleur, well . . . you already know I'm hardly unbiased when it comes to her . . . And I truly think that the emotions you started to write about at the end concerning Ron should be explored further. You've really hit some important and meaningful things and some elaboration wouldn't be amiss.

Author's Response: I said in another response that quite a big part of me believes that this argument might actually be inside Ron's head. That might explain why it's turned out so stylised, but if not, like I said this was very much a reaction piece and I didn't want to change how it came out for the sake of a better story. As selfish as it might sound, this one (like 'Heroes') was really more for me. Lol.:P


LOL at the werewolf thing - I don't know where that came from, but it's exactly the same image I had in mind! :P You say you're not a Ron lover, but a lot of what Bill felt is what I felt too - and I AM a Ron lover. If anything, I think it was to do with that feeling of inevitable disappointment. We knew Ron had more to lose than the others and his family being there for him meant he had less of a reason to grow up as fast as the others did. He needed one last fall before he finally got the hang of walking, but none of us wanted it to happen! :o) Thanks for stopping by! x x x

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I can certainly see why it's taken you forever to post this due to Fleur...I don't know that I've ever read that much dialogue from her before, LOL. Gubby did a great job of "translating." I was so angry with Ron when he walked out on Harry and Hermione, *I* wanted to slap him. I'm glad he had somewhere to go though, Fleur really does see him better than his brothers...who, let's face it have always viewed him as their "kid" brother, destined to make "kid" mistakes. I hate that Ron overheard, and took it to heart...but of course he would, he never deemed himself worthy, although Hermione and Harry think otherwise.

I'm so glad he wised up, sucked up his pride and returned, because he truly is a hero.

Author's Response: Taryn! :D *Cowers and hides from Fleur* Gubby did od well didn't she? *huggle attackles* Your reaction to Ron walking out was very similar to mine - what a silly boy. You are right though, with sibling rivalry, sometimes it does take a relative outsider to see things straight. Ron has such a jealous nature, but I think he forgets that to his brothers, he is the one to be jealous of. He's the one who's dared break away from the family and he's the one standing in the frontline of battle. Whilst we know this isn't something to be jealous of, I have a feeling as a brother feeling helpless at home might see things differently.


I feel the same. In a way I'm glad JKR included the whole Ron thing, because, for me, it ultimately showed how brave he was. People forget how difficult saying sorry is. :) Thanks for stopping by, T! :D You rock! :D x x x

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Andy pandy... dearest andy.

You know how to bring a huge smile to someone's face, don't you? Thanks for the dedication- it makes me squee looking at it. One day I vow, Dennis will know of you.

Okay... onto the story.

This was actually incredible. It was (to me) one of those missing moment from the story chapters. And yeah... take a machete to Fleur's accent. But- her words were powerful, and hopefully Bill listens. Eh meh.

I feel for Ron, and for me- hard to do sometimes. He was 'bad' and 'disloyal' to runaway, but wasn't it expected of him? It's how he reacts, but when push comes to shove, he always would rise to what was needed of him.

All the points Fleur brought up- are the very essence of Ron. He's not first string guy- but the one who waits in the background, and when needed comes out and does his best for the team.

It's sad that he had to hear all that- but most assuredly good that he did. Sometimes guys just need a good proverbial 'smack' to get their brains going. He sure got his.

And no... no matter how mant difficulties I have had in writing him, I have never considered him worthless. Or Spineless. Or not needed.

He's no one but Ron Weasley. Our king =)

Huggles big time young lady. Kudos on another fab story.

~~juls

Author's Response: And you know how to make me smile too! :P Just look at the length of this review! And Dennis *swoons* ... LOL he's gonna think I'm some stalker lunatic! :P Obviously, I can't wait!


Ron was an idiot, wasn't he? And you're right, that's how he reacts. I'll get shot for saying this, but in some ways he's not too different from Percy. He's misunderstood and finds it difficult to explain himself. He gets angry.


And that's just the point with Ron, he does what he can and so does Hermione, but because Hermione is so clever what she can do is so often highlighted and Ron's abilities are forgotten. As Harry thinks frequently throughout the series - they don't realise how much they miss Ron until he comes back. Ultimately they need him just to keep going. I think what Fleur says most certainly focus on his victories, but for me, the most magic thing about Ron isn't that he done all those wonderful things, but rather that he's still standing there beside Harry when out of the three of them, he has the most to lose.


I think you're right - as horrible as it was, he did need to hear, because he's not worthless. Sometimes I wonder if it was an actual overheard argument, or rather something withing his own mind...imagined, you know? It would make sense for the brother he's always been jealous of to be turned into this over the top villain, and then after the thing with Hermione for him to reach out and mould the beautiful girl to stick up for him. Just a theory, though.


Thanks so much for popping over Juls and leaving such an insightful review. Weasley IS our King. :) x x x

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