"I find it very interesting that you of all people have volunteered to mentor the Weasley boy," Professor Dumbledore commented, sitting down across from Donovan Grey. Grey smiled where one could never sure if he was amused or simply being polite.
"Me? Well, why not?" Grey asked.
"Don't misunderstand me. If I could pick someone to carry out this training to ensure that we don't have a rogue on our hands, it would be you" Dumbledore responded.
Grey nodded "yes, I'm aware that is the case," he said.
"My true question is why is the current Patriarch of Romanian Vampires interested in a 13-year-old wizard from England. And even if you were interested because of a small interest why not have one of your esteemed underlings be his mentor," he said.
Grey's expression hadn't changed "because that boy has a future that I am interested in. He's unimpressive at the moment, yes but his mind is fresh. He doesn't lack intelligence, what he lacks is confidence."
"And that future is what you wish to change or ensure?" Dumbledore asked curiously.
"Perhaps a bit of both but do you not have the same consideration with the Potter boy?" he asked.
"I hope to give the tools he'll need when Voldemort comes back," he said.
"My aim is similar, let me put this simply, Ronald Weasley will be my successor" Grey explained.
xxx
They name Ron's wolf puppy: Valkyrie after the woman warriors in Norse Mythology because while she was adorable and soft now she would be worthy of the name later on.
The Prophet updated on Black only to be disrupted by the announcement of the vampire who'd turned him being sentenced to life imprisonment in Romania. His mentor was featured as the Romanian Vampire Council representative, being Ron's mentor, and being a new Professor to present a language option for Hogwarts.
This was news to Ron but he wasn't surprised as Don couldn't just sit around waiting for night to Mentor him. Also, Dumbledore wouldn't just let a man like Donovan Grey just sit around.
As the day they needed to go King's Cross came closer, Ron found himself overwhelmed with his senses. They caused his pounding headaches.
Then there was Scabbers, he kept him in the cage always now because the bloody rat was terrified of him. Ron hated how he smelled. Strange how he had lost weight and Ron figured he might be dying. He'd have to ask Don about it.
He thought about just leaving him at home but something nagged at him with that option so he decided to bring the rat to Hogwarts.
The rat wasn't the only odd things he had going on, everything seemed to shift at once especially when it came to his physical body. Dreams were among the hardest to deal with.
Xxx
He was in a river, his hair slicked with rushing water and forcing his way up it. He was so cold, freezing actually with his clothing stuck to him. His breath came out like smoke and suddenly someone appeared in the river.
Hermione stood in the middle effortless against the rushing water, he screamed but nothing came out. His mouth watered as got closer to her, she held out her hands. The closer her got the more beautiful she seemed to become.
Her eyes were golden, her skin like bronze, and lips like silver. Finally, he grasped her hand and gasped at his nails. Pointed and long like claws. She bled and the river shifted into a river of blood.
He couldn't help himself; he raised her wrist to his mouth and bit down. Her other hand came to his grasp his lips, sliding under his shirt to pull it up as he drank. She leaned into him pushing them both into the bloody river.
Xxx
His eyes snapped open and he was still soaked but in sweat. His breathed heavily, one hand twisted into sheets and the other grasping the bedpost. His fingernails had grown overnight into points.
He released the post, acknowledging the deep scratches on it, to stare at his nails. There was dried blood on them. It seemed like every day he felt less like a wizard and more like an animal. His sense of smell, his hearing, and his sight was really cool but the headaches from the combination were grating on him.
"Ron?" he looked up to see Harry was awake, his eyes were wide, so Ron figured he looked worse than just sweaty. He stood up to find the mirror in his room, he really did look awful. His shirt torn and dried blood on his lips and on his shoulder. He opened his mouth; his canines were still longer.
He made a fist, his nails digging into his skin then sniffed. He nearly collapsed in relief, he hadn't attacked anyone. All the blood was his own. "Ron, are you…" Harry hesitated, it was natural after all.
He was dangerous and he'd become a vampire because of an out of control one. He shouldn't feel like hurt about it. "I'm awake, it's my blood," Ron said.
Harry got out of bed and grabbed Ron's wrists "stop that," he said placing his hands palm up so his nails couldn't dig into his palms. They sealed quickly, leaving just a small white mark as if they were old founds.
"Ron, wake up" Harry shook him "what did you dream about?" he asked moving Ron's shirt to look at his bloody shoulder. His sheets were probably stained too.
He shook his head "Harry, you can't honestly not be afraid of me, can you?" he asked. "Look at me," he said sliding his wrists out of Harry's grasp.
Ron sat on the bed and Harry sat next to him "afraid of you? Never," Harry huffed "Ron, stop pulling away from us."
"Harry, what if I'm not me by the end of this? I already don't feel like myself," he said.
"Your the same, Ron," Harry said "you look different outside but we all change. Ron what happened in your dream that made you so…" he gestured to him.
Ron shivered, remembering the dream vividly, it had almost left him before it came back like ice water. "I… don't think I should tell you."
If Harry knew the truth, would he really not be afraid? If Ron was terrified of himself, how would others feel? He found himself sick to his stomach at the idea of Hermione being scared of him.
xxx
The morning of, they were all woken up early and got dressed.
Ron was first ready having the least trouble with tiredness and strength to bring his trunk down the stairs. "Hello, Ron," Don greeted him "I got your letter, we'll speak once the Hogwarts Ceremony is over."
Ron tensed then nodded, he hadn't slept since that dream and still didn't feel any tiredness. It was unnerving that no sleep would have such little effect on him.
"Ah, there is the prize pup" Ron looked up as Valkyrie trotted in, tongue lolling and tail in the air. "And how is this little one?"
"She's great, my brother helped me train her and she's learning really fast. Sit" Ron said and Valkyrie sat. Ron reached in his backpack and pulled out the jerkey his mother made for her. "Lay down" he added and she did so gladly and he handed her the jerkey which she immediately took and tore into.
"Good, she's quite taken with you already I see," Don said.
"Yeah, it's a bit odd but she really only seeks me out," Ron said.
"That's to be expected, wolves aren't subservient to humans, it's the fact you exude the quality of an apex predator that makes her seek you and pledge her allegiance" Don responded.
"Huh, so she won't listen to anyone else?" Ron asked.
"That is the idea, of course, she has enough intelligence and smell to understand that your friends and family are pack to her and you. She won't be aggressive to those in that area" Don explained.
"Wicked" Ron said, petting Valkyrie on the head, she licked his hand.
"Ron, can you go help your siblings carry their trunks down?" Mum asked.
"Sure," he said standing straight to go upstairs.
"I can assist as well," Don said.
"Oh, don't worry about it, Mr. Grey" Mum said and Ron ran upstairs. That was one of many advantages in being a vampire, you were rarely out of breath.
It was funny, despite the fact that Ron had been the target of recent changes and drama that summer, in the end, Harry was still the concern in going from their home to Kings Cross station.
Ron was used to it though and though no one ever said, he had a hunch he was going after Harry for something nobody mentioned. With Don's dark portal it was simple to work to get to an alley across from the station.
Don was the only guard and Ron considered that this meant that he was formidable enough that the Aurors figured Harry didn't need further guarding if he was on their side.
Ron was second to get onto Platform 9 ¾ and drew stares as he strode up nex tot Bill, Ron had cut his hair recently since Charlie offered to pay for one. Ron agreed since mum used the bowl method and so he avoided her cutting it ever.
It was cropped short, a couple of centimeters in the back then fringed in the front. It looked good on him but it also made it obvious that his ears were pointed. Not that there would be any doubt since his di-color eyes made it fairly obvious. Mix those features with his flawless skin and the only thing you could peg him as is a vampire.
"Hold your head high, Ron," Don said as he filed onto the platform last. Don didn't seem to mind seeking Ron out to tell him something. It was strange but he seemed to be solely focused on what Ron was doing. It should have annoyed him but instead, it felt kind of good, somebody more intent on him than anyone else.
"Easy for you to say" Ron replied.
"Have you heard of the phrase fake it until you make it? It's rather a favorite of one of my colleagues from America" Don said.
"Yeah" Ron nodded.
"Well do exactly that, I think the phrase could do with a bit of emphasis, however. More like fake it until you believe it, your lack of confidence comes from your belief of not being good enough. Am I on the right track?" Don asked in his ear.
"You don't have ta put it so bluntly," he said.
"I think you'll find I only do things bluntly, your incredibly tall for your age Ron, use it and stand up straight," he said seriously "if someone stares, look them blankly in the eye, watch what they do it's rather amusing."
Ron nodded, straightening his back and lifting his chin so it wasn't near his chest. That simple change in posture made him feel better.
"Already getting on your case, I see?" George mentioned.
"Rather like a baby sitter" Fred added in tow, Ron rolled his eyes, he noticed standing up straight that he was quite a bit taller than his older twin brothers. Actually he was taller than Charlie and Percy too.
An involuntarily grin spread across his face "I'd say you two need a baby sitter more than I do" Ron replied.
They shared a confused look "and what do you mean by that, baby brother?" they asked.
"Oh, nothing, just that you're both quite short aren't you?" Ron asked ruffling Fred and George's hair before leaving them behind to walk next to Harry was snickering at his comment that had Fred and George objecting behind him.
"They are going to get you for that later" Harry commented.
"Oh I'm sure" Ron shrugged "I'm always expecting to be a subject for testing their jokes anyway. Need help with loading your trunk?" he asked.
"Yeah thanks," Harry said and Ron loaded his and Harry's trunks on the train.
"Hello Weasley, Potter, had a fun summer?" they turned to see Draco Malfoy smirking. Ron met his eyes and Draco's eyes widened at seeing his eyes then glanced quite obviously at his ears. "So it's true, you really did get turned into one?" Malfoy said.
"I dunno, maybe you ought to step towards me and find out?" Ron suggested, grinning showing his fangs.
Malfoy paled and didn't comment further. Ron rolled his eyes then decided he'd try something he's never tried before, being nice to Malfoy. He walked forward, ignoring Malfoy's tenseness then picked up the Slytherin's trunk and placed it in on the train.
Harry watched with shock and followed with a small glance to him as they walked back "I figured it'd confuse him" Ron said.
"Well it worked on me" Harry mentioned.
Ron chuckled as he walked back to his parents, Hermione was speaking with his mum about Egypt. It seemed like ages ago, so much had changed since then. He had changed.
"Hello Hermione," he said and Harry followed suit, she smiled at them. After they had said good to his parents then Bill and Charlie the three of them boarded the train along with the twins and Ginny who went off on her own with a determined look on her face.
"You think she'll be alright?" Hermione asked.
"Yeah, Ginny's always been tougher than she looks but it still worries me though," Ron said, Harry patted his shoulder.
"Well, we should find a compartment then" Harry mentioned and they headed to find one. Hermione leads them into a compartment where a man was slumped against the window.
"Professor R.J. Lupin," Hermione said.
"How is it that she knows..." Ron paused noticing the suitcase that was nearly eye level spelled it out very clearly. "Um never mind" he flushed sitting down, looks like standing straighter had more than just a confidence boost. Hermione would probably be knocked off her feet if he could just be a bit more observant.
"Saw the suitcase?" Hermione asked him with raised eyebrows, Ron nodded curtly. Harry raised his eyes to stare up at it then chuckled. "Oh, I actually have something for you, Ron" she took out a gift-wrapped box, simple brown paper, and blue yarn tying it up nicely.
"What's the occasion?" Ron asked.
"You can think of it as an early Christmas present but it's really something that'll help you focus. Harry wrote me about your headaches and stuff" Hermione explained.
"Harry," Ron complained.
"What, you think I wouldn't tell Hermione?" Harry said.
"Yeah, whatever, I just get them sometimes but they're not a big deal. I just have to close off for a while" Ron explained.
"I know, that's why I'm giving you this. I can't take all the credit, your dad helped me when I wrote him" Hermione looked, her eyes lighting up as Ron untied the string.
He lifted the lid of the box to reveal an odd-looking object. "What is it?" he asked, grabbing the square part.
"Well, it's typically called a walkman or a disc player. You listen to music on it, like radio except their all on discs. Usually, they have to have batteries in them, something to make it work. Your dad used some spells so that it'll work indefinitely. Added some spells to the headphones too so they'll be comfy to wear" Hermione explained.
"Ah, so I just press a button?" Ron asked looking at the box where there was a little button that had on/off written in tiny letters next to it. He turned out, a little window blinked 'no disc.'
"You need to put the cd in," Hermione said pointing at the box, Ron pulled out a thick book with a zipper. A bunch of thin round things was in each slot. Ron figured these are CDs, he selected one.
It took a few minutes of pushing buttons, 'plugging in', and then placing the 'headphones' on before he heard music. His eyes widened when he did, it was an odd sensation. He hadn't realized how noisy everything was until it was cut off.
Plus he liked the music on this cd, he pressed pause as Hermione showed him and took off the headphones. "Thanks a lot, Hermione, these are great," he said.
"It's nothing" Hermione smiled, it's a good day and surprisingly they haven't had any issues with Malfoy or anyone else. Of course when things are going great, things just have to go wrong.
Dementors, awful miserable things in long grey whispy robes and rattling chest come out of nowhere. As soon as Harry faints, Ron is on his feet in front of Harry. He'd been affected a bit but clearly not enough to keep himself stock still like Hermione seemed to be.
Ron pushes back mentally and then it doesn't matter what he does because Professor R.J. Lupin stands and aims his wand blowing the dementor away. "It's rare to be able to move in the presence of a dementor" Lupin mentioned opening his bag and shoving something in his hand then Hermione's.
Ron sniffs staring at it then realizes it's chocolate "I don't think I had much to do with it, Professor" Ron admitted taking a bite. It's surprisingly comforting and he's able to relax and warm up.
"No?" he asked surprised.
"I'm a vampire" Ron admits then turns to Harry "will Harry be alright?" he asked.
"I see," Lupin replied "I remember Dumbledore mentioned that," Lupin said.
"You're not surprised?" he asked.
"There are a lot stranger things than a wizard who can suck blood to live," Lupin responded cryptically.
"Harry, are you alright?" they all looked down, Harry was walking up.
"Was someone screaming?" Harry asked.
