Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. Nor do I make any money.

Are You Sure It's Thursday?

Ron could have sworn it was Thursday.

His watch said it was Thursday.

The Chudley Cannons' calendar on his desk had said it was Thursday.

Yet for some unknown, gods-forsaken reason, it felt like Monday. Maybe his Thursday was just masquerading as a Monday. Or better yet, the karma gods had decided his Monday had gone way to bloody well this week and had taken the residue of Monday and shoved it all into his face at this very moment on a Thursday.

That had to be it. There was no other explanation as to why he was sitting in Harry's office with Lucius Malfoy and Kingsley Shacklebolt, listening to Harry explain to him the details of his next assignment.

Ron had absolutely no idea what Harry was thinking assigning him to guard duty for the elder Malfoy until they could wrap up the trial of the Lestrange brothers. Was he the only one who thought that the wizarding world might just be a better place without the arrogant prat who was only able to see people by looking down on them?

"Do you have any questions Ron?" Harry's voice broke Ron's attention out from his wandering thoughts.

"Nope," he replied, trying his best to keep any of his irritation and anger suppressed beneath the surface. Especially since he was now going to be staying at Malfoy Manor until the bloody trial was over. "Just make sure that Mr. Malfoy stays alive for the trial. That about covers it, doesn't it?"

"Eloquent as always I see, Mr. Weasley," Lucius' voice though calm was so cold, that Ron couldn't help but shiver at it's sharp iciness. "I can assure you Mr. Weasley that I am not looking forward to this anymore than you are."

"Good, now that that's settled," Kingsley announced with a loud clap of his hands as he stood. "Ron, feel free to take the rest of the day to gather what you will need for the assignment. You will be expected at the Manor by six this evening. Mr. Malfoy, as you and I have a few more items to discuss, may I suggest we move to my office? Harry will meet you there and escort you home; staying there until Ron arrives."

Deciding that there was no longer any need for him to linger, Ron directed a sharp glare towards Harry before he bade Kingsley good-bye.

He had almost reached the door when Lucius' cold drawl stopped him in his tracks as he spoke, "Oh, Mister Weasley?"

Screwing on his best unaffected look, Ron slowly turned back around and coolly replied, "Yes, Mr. Malfoy?"

"You should pack a set of dress robes as there will be a formal event at the Manor on Saturday."

"A what?" Ron snapped. "An event at the Manor on Saturday? Minister? Harry?"

"We have already been made aware of it as several of us, including myself and Harry, are on the guest list," Kingsley's deep authoritative voice on full display as he demonstrated his displeasure towards Ron's questions in front of everyone in the room.

"I understand sir," Ron spoke coldly, knowing there was no room for any further argument. He had learned his lesson a long time ago to keep his mouth shut when Kingsley spoke to him in that manner.

Ron turned his face to glare at Lucius. He was shocked to see amusement on Lucius' face. It only caused Ron to become more aggravated as he snarled at him like a petulant child.

Two can play this game, he thought.

At that very moment, Ron decided that he would go out of his way to be formal and polite to the Death Eater scum just to get him off his game. As soon as he walked into the Manor that is.

With a final glare to Harry, he turned back around and marched straight out the door. A quick look at his watch told him he had plenty of time to catch a pint at the pub near his flat before embarking on the assignment from hell.

It just had to be Monday. There was just no other explanation.