May 2001

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Slinging his apron to the side, Ron called out his goodbyes to the cook and his assistant as he headed out the back door of Fondation Café and into the alley. Grabbing the bike he left wedged between the bins, he walked it down to the street before slinging his leg over and began to leisurely peddle down Rue Dupetit-Thouars towards his apartment building. He had taken out a short-term lease having arrived in Paris a month ago, hoping to start over following his breakup with Hermione.

He slowed his pace, slinging his leg over the saddle to jog up the steps into the apartment complex, leaving his bike secured to the rail outside his apartment. Unlocking the door, he slung his keys on the side table along with his wand that had been tucked into his waistband before headed for his ensuite shower. It was Friday night and he planned on heading out to his usual haunt, 4 Éléments nightclub.

Stepping out of the shower, he padded across the room in all his glory, air drying. Pulling the dresser drawer out, he grabbed a Ralph Lauren polo shirt and a pair of Diesel jeans that Hermione had given him for his last birthday, along with the Hugo Boss boxers that she'd liked him in. He smiled at the memory, before slipping them on, followed by his jeans. He pulled the polo over his head as he made his way into the lounge. Grabbing his Vans from next to the door, he hurriedly pulled them on before sliding his wallet and wand into his back pocket, and snatched up his keys. It was only 7pm but if he got to the club before half past, all his drinks would be half price until 10pm.

The club itself was quite small; an underground bar filled with bright colours and the repetitive hum that Ron found intoxicating. He stood by the bar, watching the sweaty bodies writhe to the music. It comforted him in an odd sort of way, to drown out his thoughts with the constant beat that resounded heavily in his mind.

He never stayed past 10pm knowing that was when the bar started trying to scam the tourists. Close to the darkest parts of the Red Light District, he knew that the girls outside would be turning tricks, and then, men would be looking to scam and start fights. Stepping out onto the street, he stuffed his hands in his pockets before turning in the direction of his apartment. Suddenly behind him, he heard a woman scream. He stopped and turned around, seeing the dark-haired woman get shoved roughly to the ground as the two men standing over her shouted something about payment being due. Frowning, Ron paused, torn between not wanting to get into it with two Muggles and wanting to help the girl. Something about her was familiar but he couldn't quite place it. A crowd of people burst out of the club, dancing their way across the pavement and blocking his view as he stood, shifting his weight from one foot to the other.

The woman screamed again as one of her assailants struck her across the face. The bald man went to do it again but found his wrist caught in the palm of a redheaded man who then pulled back his right arm, before smacking his fist straight into the bald man's jaw. The woman scrambled to her feet, only to fall into one of the shopfronts before landing in a heap on the floor as the three men fought, punching and kicking. The sound of sirens filled the street and suddenly the two men who had been attacking the girl moments before fled the street, ducking down a side alley. Ron turned to the woman who was now crying, head in her hands.

"Are you okay?" he asked her, gently removing her hands from her face. Recognition followed as his eyes widened.

"Merlin, Pansy?"