Ron hadn't hesitated when Lavender asked if he would come over - but it turned out his boss wasn't quite so accommodating. Ron didn't think to lie, and his story of how a friend needed him but he didn't know why or what for wasn't very compelling. He was on the verge of just storming off anyway when Ashby jumped in for him, with a lot of very sensible arguments that Ron would never have thought to use. Finally, he was allowed to leave, on the strict understanding that he would work through his usual lunch hour and work late if Lav needed him for longer than his allotted break. Ron didn't care, he'd have worked all night if it meant they let him go and make sure Lav was okay.
Ron walked into Lavender's house with his wand drawn. After what had happened to Ginny, even though Ron hadn't been there, he wanted to be prepared. Nothing jumped out at him - or looked wrong in any way he could see. "Lav?" He hadn't brought anything with him except his wand and his journal - and he'd discarded the latter on a table by the front door. Slowly, Ron moved through the house towards Lavender's bedroom. He paused only long enough to read her note before he pushed the door open. "Lav?"
With Lavender under all her blankets, Ron could only see the outline of her, not nearly enough to reassure himself she was alright. She'd said she was terrified, so Ron did the only thing he could think of and closed the door behind him, warding it strongly with one of those wards Bill had taught them all after curse-breaking training. Ron had never expected to have to use it, and he couldn't be 100 per cent sure it had worked. He moved to the window and repeated it, then stood awkwardly at the end of Lav's bed. "It's me," he said, probably unnecessarily. "Are you okay? Do I need to get -" Who could Ron get? Uncle Gideon was in hospital. "Help?"