Chapter Eleven.
Disclaimer: JK Rowling owns the 'Harry Potter' universe and everything and everyone in it, I am just a fan with an imagination running on caffeine and chocolate. I own nothing…believe me!
A/N: Thank you to both Magnolia Lane and Golden Lass for reviewing the last chapter. When I see your reviews it makes writing this story even more enjoyable. Your reviews and your support of this story are greatly appreciated…your reviews make me smile! Thank you and I hope that you like this chapter.
Thank you to everyone who is reading this story.
Chapter Eleven.
It was pain and the murmurings of a conversation around him that brought Ron quickly back to consciousness.
"Did he say anything?"
"Not really, he was kind of quiet"
"What was he doing on the roof?"
"I think…well I'm not sure but…I think…"
"Bill, what is it?"
"I think he needed to make sure that he was really safe"
There was a moment of silence, which was only broken when someone noticed Ron's eyes flickering open.
"Ron! Ron it's okay, Fred and George went to get the Healer, they will be here in a minute, it's okay"
Ron could hear the worried voice of his father, but he still instinctively pulled away and winced slightly when he felt a hand on his shoulder. The light in the room was dimmed but he could see the worried faces of his family and friends. The flickering lights of the torches that lined the walls of the room highlighted their anxious and tired faces. He tired to ignore the shadows that the dim light created and focused instead on his family. He also noticed that along with his parents and his siblings, Harry and Hermione were also anxiously watching him. It was the sight of Hermione's tear filled brown eyes that prompted him to speak.
He softly cleared his throat before he attempted to talk.
" Hi everyone" he managed to croak out before his mother grabbed him into a hug soon to be followed by two others who he was guessing were Hermione and Ginny. Despite knowing that he was safe, he began to panic.
It had been so long since anyone had touched him without meaning to do him harm that the panic had become almost automatic. The whispers of the cruciatus curse echoed through his mind as he found himself unable to return his family's hugs. The pain in his knee brought memories of the past screaming back to him as he struggled to catch his breath. Through the haze of painful memories he could hear his mother's worried voice.
"Oh Ron, it's so good to see you awake, you're safe now"
"Mum, I…"
"Ron, are you…are you alright, are you in pain?"
"Hermione, I'm …"
"Ron why did you disappear like that? What were you doing on the roof? Are you okay?"
"I'm okay Ginny, I'm…"
"Ron, how are you feeling?"
The constant flow of questions was finally interrupted as Ron heard a strong voice from across the room.
"Alright everyone back off, let Ron catch his breath and give him a chance to answer your questions before you ask the next one"
Ron gratefully met his father's eyes as he was released from the hug and fell back onto the soft bed. He shakily pushed himself up so that he was sitting against the wall and fought against the panic attack that was threatening to overwhelm him. His breathing was uneven and his head was beginning to spin as his tired eyes sought out the door and the window of the room. The early morning light of the day was trying to push itself around the edges of the heavy curtains. He focused his attention on that light as his breathing became more regular and he managed to calm himself.
However, as he calmed down, he not only became more aware of his surroundings but also of the pain and the fatigue that was coursing through his body. The potions he had taken before his trip to the roof had worn off and his journey through the hospital seemed to have exacerbated his injuries.
His discomfort must have shown as he could hear his father's voice at his side.
"Ron, the Healer's on his way. You're going to be okay, can you hear me?"
He nodded his head but closed his eyes in an attempt to focus on fighting back the pain. The room had grown quiet and he knew that they were all watching him. The silence was only broken when the door to the room opened suddenly. As he slowly opened his eyes he saw a strange face looking down at him.
"Ron, it's good to see you are awake, my name is Healer Reilly. You're in hospital, can you remember what happened?"
He realised that the voice was vaguely familiar as he nodded his head yet again.
"Yeah"
He coughed slightly in an attempt to clear the hoarseness in his voice as he continued,
"I remember it all"
The Healer nodded his head and as Ron heard the emotional reactions of his family, he chose to focus on the detached care of the physician. He felt that he needed to stay in control and if he gave in to the myriad of emotions at that moment, he would lose any semblance of control. He was desperate for some control over any situation and right now, that control rested with keeping his emotions in check. Healer Reilly quickly checked the chart that was magically suspended over the head of the bed, before turning his attention back to Ron.
"Ron are you in pain right now?"
A small nod of the head was all the answer that Ron could manage by this point and he was grateful that that was all the answer that the Healer needed. Healer Reilly moved quickly to the medicine cabinet and extracted various potion bottles. He moved towards Ron and attempted to administer the potions. But Ron fought against the pain; mistrust and defiance were evident in his eyes as he shook his head,
"No…"
The occupants of the room were obviously confused about Ron's reaction and his refusal of the potions; his father took a step towards him,
"Ron, you need the potion, take the potion please"
Ron's head snapped over and he met the concerned eyes of his father. Arthur began to reach for Ron's arm before he quickly remembered his son's previous reaction, and stopped himself. He did however maintain eye contact as he continued,
"Ron, please take the potion"
Ron let out a loud sigh and battled against the instincts that had been created by five months of isolation and captivity. He raised a trembling hand towards the potions and took them from the hands of the Healer. He squinted slightly at the label, and as he recognized the pain-relieving and energizing potions he became more aware of the colours of the potions. The world around him began to fade away as the vivid red in one bottle and the swirling shades of green in the other captured his attention. His tired eyes found momentary relief but that moment was soon lost as a concerned voice brought him back to reality.
"Ron?"
He quickly drank the two potions, letting his head fall back against the wall and the now empty potion bottles roll onto the bed. The pain began to lessen and became more of a dull ache as he felt his exhaustion begin to fade. He opened his eyes to see the Healer standing beside him,
"Has the pain faded?"
Again a short curt nod was all the answer he got, but he did not seem to be fazed by it.
"Right then Ron, we need to give you a more complete medical check up now that you are awake. It will only take a moment to complete the necessary diagnostic spells"
Healer Reilly automatically reached for his wand and was only stopped when a thin hand grasped his wrist and a hoarse voice interrupted him.
"No"
Ron was fighting against the instinctive reaction to last out at what could possibly be a threat. While his left hand kept a firm hold on the arm of the Healer, his right hand was clenched into a tight fist. His breathing quickened as he fought against the need to swing his fist against the person who was about to point a wand at him. The logical and rational part of his mind knew that he was safe and that it was highly unlikely that the Healer would harm him. Even before he had been taken, he had not been known as the most rational wizard and as he now faced the prospect of another wand being pointed at him, all logical thought began to disappear.
Rationality was overruled by strong memories and ingrained instinct and he knew that he could not let someone point a wand at him, especially when he lay unarmed and defenceless. He could not allow that to happen again. He would continue to fight back. For him, there was no other option. He refused to be beaten.
Once again his family were momentarily puzzled by his reaction until they saw the horror and the courage vying for dominance on Ron's face.
The power and determination in Ron's voice and the pain in his eyes stunned the occupants of the room. As realization dawned, Fred and George swiftly sprang into action. They made their way quickly across the room and tried to free the Healer from Ron's grasp. It took the combined actions of the two men before Ron began to loosen his grip.
"Ron, Ron you need to let go of him"
Healer Reilly took a step back as his arm was suddenly freed and Ron sat back and rested his head against the wall. His eyes closed as he fought the battle against the memories. It was Fred and George who once again acted decisively when the Healer moved towards Ron.
"Mr Weasley", everyone in the room noticed that the tone had changed. The Healer was not going to let things drop until he was able to complete a full medical check-up.
"I know that you have been through a lot but we need to complete a series of spells in order to determine the extent of your injuries and how the treatments are progressing. You will not be given any special treatment here, you are a patient like everyone else and as such you will allow me to complete the spells. This is not up for negotiation"
Fred and George seeing both the distress and the determination on their brother's face quickly moved into action. After hearing about what Ron had gone through they quickly realised why he was reacting in this way. They knew what they had to do.
George took the Healers right arm while Fred took his left and they guided him towards the door of the room.
"Now, Healer Ronan" Fred began as the Healer began to move back towards the bed.
"Actually it's Healer Reilly, now if you don't mind I need to get back to …"
Fred interrupted the man as a hint of his customary cheekiness crept back into his voice.
"George my good man, did you hear that? This mans name is Healer Robin"
"Fred my friend I am afraid you are mistaken", George quickly continued the banter as they manoeuvred the Healer towards the door that had been opened by Charlie. "My hearing is exceptional and I do believe that he said that his name is Healer Rafferty"
George's response and any attempt by the Healer to respond were cut off when they moved out into the corridor and the door was shut behind them.
There was once again silence in the room that was only broken by Ron's ragged breathing that was gradually slowing and becoming more regular. Bill took a step towards his brother; he remembered the look on Ron's face as he had looked out at the sunrise only an hour ago and he needed to try to help him now
"Ron, are you okay?"
Ron's eyes snapped open and he shakily rubbed a hand across his face and through his hair before he spoke,
"Yeah… yeah I'm alright"
Charlie moved to stand beside Bill,
"Well that's dragon dung baby brother and you know it"
A ghost a smile flickered across Ron's face and he found himself agreeing with his brother,
"Yeah…yeah I guess it is…I just…I need a wand before I can let anyone point a wand at me…I need my own wand in my hand"
Although they had suspected as much, the occupants of the room nodded their heads in understanding. But Ron grew curious when he noticed the fleeting looks and glances that were being exchanged by everyone. He caught his father's eye,
"What is it? What's wrong?"
Arthur moved quickly to reassure his son,
"Nothing Ron, everything's okay. It's just that it may be a bit difficult to get you a wand of your own at the moment"
"What do you mean?"
To be continued…
Thank you for reading and please review.
Chapter Twelve will be posted on 13th Sep.