Ron's Pay Day!

When they got home, Ron quickly said hello to his mom before heading up to his room.

" Mom, we're back! I'll be in my room if anyone needs me!"

She tried to speak to him but failed to do so as he literally ran up the stairs.

" No running!"

_

Closing the door, Ron ran to his window and stared off into the vast planes outside.

' Time for reckoning! Up to this point, I made sure to only use magic around the house or with other wizards. According to what Bill told me about the "Trace" that should've masked my magical usage. Today however I obviously went out of my way to cast several charms and hexes by myself.'

Recalling all the times he'd used magic today, Ron couldn't help but feel his chest tighten.

' I obviously created an alibi just in case, but if that doesn't work I might just have to run away. Where to, I'm still not sure but I'd be dammed if I get locked up in wizard jail!'

Conscious of the dire situation he found himself in, Ron stared out his bedroom window the entire day. When he was eventually called down for dinner, he feared he'd miss the arrival of those from the Improper Use of Magic Office.

' Do I go down? They haven't shown up yet and it's been several hours already. What are they waiting for?'

After three more shouts from his mother to head down for dinner, Ron finally caved and went downstairs. He had a good long meal with his parents, told the twins and Ginny about the places he'd visited. Leading to the three of them all simultaneously pestering their parents to let them go.

Learning of the truth regarding Ron's little outing their mother berated their father. The atmosphere after that became a bit tense but she eventually calmed down. The kids obviously continued to ask to be taken to visit those places. Only for their mother to remind them of their current state of funds which were quite low.

In response they got their dad to talk to her and she ultimately agreed, but on the condition that they would just be looking around.

" We'll head over tommorow morning, but let me remind you all we're not buying anything, you hear me?"

The twins and Ginny ignored her as they were too busy imagining all the stuff they'd see. Ron meanwhile felt much more relaxed seeing as no one came for him.

That night, as he tucked himself to bed, he couldn't help but wonder why that was so.

' I'm almost one hundred percent positive that I should have been reported for casting magic. Yet, why did no one come for me or at least inform my parents? Bill said the Trace breaks once a wizard turns seventeen, I'm just about to turn nine so what gives?'

Unable to sleep without knowing why the Trace didn't trigger for him. Ron rolled around in his bed trying to figure out the reason. As the sun was just about to rise, he could only attributed to him being special.

' The only aspect of my life, or being compared to everyone else is that I was brought here. I don't know why or how exactly, but what I do know is that I retained my memories. So maybe what the Trace reacts to isn't physical age but rather their souls? It may sound strange and convoluted but that's all I have.'

_

True to her word, that morning the entire Weasley family, or those present headed to the Muggle World. Arriving to London, they went to the places Ron talked about the day prior. Another happy surprise was the fact that most of the arcade games were rather cheap. So the kids were able to play several different games and have fun.

Unbeknownst to his family, Ron slipped out while they were inside the comicbook shop and entered a phone booth. Gulping down a diluted aging potion, he called James his "Lawyer" to ready his money by the end of the week.

James tried to get extend the time, but before he could protest Ron hanged up on him. Returning to the comic shop he showed the twins the Spider-Man and Loki comics, and those of Wonder Woman and X-Men to Ginny.

-

The following week after he practically begged his mother he was allowed to go with his dad to the ministry again. The reason he desperately needed to go, being to collect his money from James.

Just like last time he separated from his father at the lifts, his father went to work while he made his way outside.

For his disguise, which he totally ripped off a popular series from his previous life. Ron went to a nearby alley, drank an aging Potion and used the Hair Loss Curse to become bald. Taking out his black trench coat from his dad's Mokeskin bag (Which he borrowed) his disguise was finished.

Calling a black cab to drive him to James's office, the transformed Ron patiently waited. He arrived at his office building, forty minutes later and after paying the cab driver got out of the cab.

' Abscondam!'

Using the hiding charm Ron entered the office undetected and walked directly into James office. Who was carefully going over a series of documents, Ron dispelled the charm immediately frightening James.

" You scared me! how do you even do that!?"

" ... Do you have it?"

James nodded before opening a secret compartment in his office with two duffel bags inside. James slowly stepped back, allowing Ron to inspect the bags contents.

" That's all I could get in a week, I should have the rest ready in a month or two."

Ron didn't respond, he did however take out several stacks of bills from a duffel bag. After which he closed it back up before placing both bags on top of James's desk.

" You bought the Arcade I told you about, right?"

" Yeah, along with the Comic book store and a car wash."

" I want you to use this and set up a fake prize at the Arcade."

" Huh, that's easy to set up, but who to give the money to?"

" Two days from now, I want you to personally go to the Arcade and give the prize to a red haired girl with a blue ribbon in her hair."

James had handled similar affairs, it was a common tactic used by criminals to anonymously give money to their friends and family.

" I got it. About the other things you brought me..."

" Keep it safe, I'll be back for it soon enough."

James slowly nodded, but couldn't help but sigh, knowing he was responsible for several kilos of coke. Ron meanwhile started stuffing his coat with the stacks he'd just taken out.

" Don't forget, two days."

" I got it."

Leaving the office Ron put the money in his enchanted bag and called for another cab.

" Where to, Sir?"

" Charing Cross Road, Please."

-

Arriving at a busy steet Ron payed the cab, got out and started walking towards the Leaky Cauldron. The bartender, a tall thin man looked at him for a moment before nodding at him. Ron did the same as he heading outside, to a small walled courtyard. After tapping the brick wall a large archway opened up revealing Diagon Alley.

Making his way throught the cobbled path, he headed to Gringotts, where he quickly exchanged the two thousand pounds he took from the duffle bag. Which turned into 400 Galleons, now with some real money in his pockets he confidently strut out the bank.

' I need, a bag with an Undetectable Extension Charm, books on Legilimency and Occlumency, a Couldron and some ingredients to stock up my Potion stash. I'll go get the bag first so I can stop using dad's.'

Entering Knockturn Alley, contrary to his previous visit all the creeps steered clear. Looking around he noticed a sign outside a shop with a bag on it. Heading there, he looked up at the shops name, Fledermaus and Tanner Bats & Skins.

' Seems welcoming enough...'

Walking inside he was instantly surrounded by bats in cages and several itema made of leather from what exactly he didn't know. Going up to the counter a small old woman greeted him from on top a high stool.

" How can I help you, young man?"

" Hello, ma'am I'd like a bag."

Purposely leaving it as an open ended question, the woman squinted her eyes before responding.

" What type of bag would you like to purchase?"

" One not easily seen with a large pocket."

" 10 Galleons."

Ron didn't bargain and placed the gold coins on the counter, which the woman quickly collected before throwing him a small red bag. He quickly inspected the bag, after seeing that it was authentic he walked out, once outside he placed all of his remaining money inside it.

' Next, books and I know the perfect place, Borgin and Burkes.'

Entering a large dimly lit shop riddled with dust, Ron was welcomed by a stooping man with greasy hair combed back.

" Ah, welcome, welcome to my humble shop, what can this lowly one offer you?"

Ron, didn't put much attention to the man's words instead he took out 100 Galleons and placed them on the table.

" Books, anything that has to do with Legilimency or Occlumency."

The ragged man's eyes shined at the sight of the gold coins and quickly went to the back of the shop and brought out four books, but only piled three on the counter.

" What about that one?"

Hearing Ron's question the man's lips stretched into a wide smile.

" These three cost 25 Galleons each, this one however is special and it's price is well... quite high."

" I see then I'll just take these three."

Ron, picked up 25G from the counter, grabbed his three books and put them into his bag before turning around and walking towards the door.

' Idiot, I ain't falling for that obvious lie, you just want more money!'

The man's smile vanished at Rons answer since he thought he could get some extra coin from him. Not willing to let gold leave his hands he quickly explained the books origin.

" Wait, you see this book is believed to have been part of Salazar Slytherins personal collection!"

" Is that all? Can I leave now?"

The man was desperate because athought what he said was true. Neither he or his shop could have anything to do with another Salazar Slytherin item. They were very hard to sell and if any Death Eater found out that it was in his possession he'd be in trouble. He did manage to find an overseas buyer, but hadn't from him in several days. Leading to him deciding this was a perfect opportunity to get rid of it once and for all.

" 300 Galleons and it's yours!"

" Not interested."

" ...100, final price."

Ron opened his bag and using Accio sent the 100 Galleons to the man, and at the same time nabbed the book. The gloomy man's head hung even lower as he picked up the coins, he hated when he took a loss. Ron didn't wait any longer and left the shop after placing the book in his bag.

" Atleast it's not my problem anymore..."