Hope....perches in the soul Characters: Ron Weasley, and Luna Lovegood Date: Wednesday, May 7th Time: Evening Location: Leaky Cauldron Rating: PG
He had walked to Diagon Alley after practice, and had taken the long way to get there. Having showered and changed at the Ministry, Ron had decided to walk to Diagon Alley for a drink before heading home to an empty apartment and an empty bedroom. He had ducked into a Muggle bookstore, drawn by the sight of books and trinkets, all that made him think of Hermione. He had wandered the stacks, and found a small book of poetry, written by Emily Dickinson. One had made his heart feel a bit better, and it read, Hope is the thing with feathers That perches in the soul, And sings the tune without the words, And never stops at all,
And sweetest in the gale is heard; and sore must be the storm That could abash the little bird That kept so many warm.
I've heard it in the chillest land, And on the strangest sea; Yet, never, in extremity, It asked a crumb of me.
They were the last words he read before he nodded off in the comfortable chair, tucked away in the back of the shop. He had been awoken by the shop keeper, and had mumbled his apologies and bought the book. He'd give it to Hermione, he thought, but after he had read some more of it. His heart was lighter as he carried his small bag with him, making his way into Diagon Alley and straight into the Leaky. Ordering the daily special at the bar and a pint of Guinness, he headed to a table, and found himself curious about more of the text. Eating with one hand, he held the book in the other, and read as he slowly consumed the sheppard's pie meal.