Once again Ron was placed in front of Wizengammote as a witness. Luckily, everyone was convinced by the appearance of Peter Pettigrew. The fact that he hid for 12 years cast doubt on his innocence and light onto Black's dilemma. Black was now a free man.

Percy seemed just as sick about the fact that he'd been so close to him as Ron felt. His mother had been angry and after all of her youngest children assured her they'd never remembered any strange man in their bedroom at night, calmed.

For the first time in a long time, Ron felt as if he had nothing to worry about.

Ron was relieved even if it felt a bit abrupt and anti-climactic. He'd felt so much confusion and anxiety that year that it felt strange for there not to be something to be nervous about now.

So Ron agreed to go with Don to Romania for Christmas "your really not going to spend Christmas with us?" Ginny asked as soon as he'd mentioned it while they were eating breakfast. Well, that relief didn't last long.

"Mum and dad will be in Romania seeing Charlie, they said they'd see me too, soon. I'm overdue for a visit there, it's part of my duties" Ron said.

"But what about us?" Ginny demanded "you didn't spend Christmas with me last year or the year before," she said.

Ron sighed "yes, I know and I'm sorry I've been so busy. It's just Don expressed how important it was to visit Romania in the winter while there are special traditions going on."

"But Ron, family's important, isn't it?" Ginny seemed to be taking this a lot more personally then he'd expected.

"Of course it is, but Don's more than just my teacher. He's like family, alright? Like Harry" he said.

"But we know Harry, it's like I don't know you anymore," Ginny said.

"Ginny," he sighed then walked around to sit next to her and pulled her into a hug. "I really don't know this is all about but I'm your brother, that's not changing," he said.

"I just wanted you around," Ginny said "your part of another world that I don't know anything about. You get all these new clothes and your appearance changes every day. You speak another language sometimes with Mr. Gray" she sighed. "I'm sorry, I just feel like your drifting away."

"I'm here when you need me. You just say the word all right?" he said. Ginny nodded after a moment, maybe he could work out a way for Ginny and the twins to join his parents going to Romania. That way he'd at least be with them for a while on Christmas day.

Xxx

Donovan Grey had enjoyed his time instructing Ron. The boy was bright despite his poor opinions of himself. He was a fast learner when taught in a manner that was compatible.

He made many strides since that young man he'd first met several months ago. He seemed to not have noticed it himself but he'd begun to stand taller and new information seemed to be absorbed into him. Time was beginning to go quickly now as it got closer to break, he had a confession to make to Ron. He had a reality, he just hoped the reality wouldn't be tossed away by his pupil.

"Donovan, I have no idea what you are teaching the young man but it's clearly working," Minerva McGonagall told him.

"Oh?" Donovan asked, pleased to see others take notice. He was quite a remarkable boy who seemed to come second to his friends. It was nice to see his pupil get recognition.

"His recent ability to achieve spells so quickly is nothing I would bat an eye at. He's always been capable of that if he would stop and think," Minerva put so bluntly.

He chuckled lowly "he has a natural talent in defense too, I bet Harry and Ron make excellent partners" Remus Lupin commented. Don nodded in agreement.

"His essays are what I am most impressed about, however," Minerva added.

"He's a good writer" Remus agreed.

"Hmph, Granger's influence, no doubt" Severus commented negatively. Ah, that was a man that Don could never quite understand.

"Actually, I've asked Ron not to enlist his friend's help in his studies. Although, I think he gives them to Hermione in order to check for spelling and grammar errors after he writes to them," Don replied with.

"Why is that?" Remus asked.

"A matter of confidence and independence. By doing his homework by himself and getting a high mark he's aware that he has the capability. Hermione, while I'm sure she meant well, has been hindering his confidence by her instruction," Don explained.

Minerva expression turned to a very faint but clearly there smile.

"Mr. Grey, for how long do you intend to mentor Mr. Weasley?" Minerva asked.

"Oh, for quite some time. His school years at the least although I don't he will need so much hovering after this year," Don said.

"Indeed, do not inform your student but I think he is an excellent candidate to be a prefect in his fifth year," Minerva mentioned.

"That he is, you know by the beginning of term next year I expect he will also be an excellent ambassador as well,"

"What do you mean?" Remus asked.

"For the tri-wizard tournament of course," Don said, gaining himself a raised eyebrow look from Dumbledore.

xxx

Ron was a little nervous, it was common for him to visit Don whether they had their sessions planned or not. It was unusual that Don requests that Hermione and Harry be present.

Ron sat in the chair first and the two of them sat on either side. It seemed it had become instinct now that whoever was the subject matter for a top among them, they would sit on either side.

If it was about Harry, Ron sits on one side and Hermione the other. Since it was about Ron though, he was in the middle. It was a very odd place to be especially considering Don hadn't explained the reason.

"I considered how to break this to you in many ways. At first, I thought maybe you would know but the British Ministry of Magic is not as close or well informed as the Romanian MM. Instead of me going on and on explaining the way that Vampire Monarchy works, it's best I just hand you this," Don handed him a large tome.

It engraved with a silver wolf, one he knew was the mark of the Greys. The book was heavy and locked on all sides, Don handed him a key as well. "I figured somethings may be unsettling and confusing so support would be needed. I'm not so egotistical to think that I can do a better job than your best friends," Don added.

"So you want us to read?" Ron asked.

"You'll find while there is a whole history, it is more that you need to know the last couple of pages. I made some notes in the book in case. For now, I figure you will need time to absorb" Don said standing up and leaving the room.

Hermione was practically vibrating at the idea of knowing the history. "Well?" she said, excitedly.
Ron sighed and set the book on the table and took the key in his hand. It was weighty and seemed to be Goblin made. The key had a stylized wolf on it with two glowing eyes.

He slotted the key in and turned it, the set off several boxes until the last one popped the clasps off. He opened the cover, it just told a brief explanation of the contents and he turned the next page.

Looking back at him was the portrait of a man with black wavy hair, he had a strong jaw and tan skin. His clothes were a silky material and there were many layers. Around his neck was an intricate gold collar with red rubies. His eyes the part that stood out the most, glowing silver and gold.

He sucked in a breath and Hermione over to look closer. "The first King of the Vampires, Octavian Rosu Grey. He was originally from Persia" Hermione said.

"That early?" Harry asked.

Ron picked up the note Don left in the book "every Monarch and Head has always held the last name Grey regardless of last names previous to coming into their title" Ron said.

"Grey?" Hermione's eyes widened as they all did "Ron, do think Donovan is the King?" she asked.

"There's no way a King could just leave his post to train a random accidental vampire," Ron said, shaking his head.

"Then why is his last name Grey? I get that it's not the most uncommon name. Lots of people have the last name Grey but not Vampires it appears" Hermione said turning towards the back of the book.

Harry leaned in when she found a page she stopped on "oh" she said, "it's not a King right now, it's a Queen" she said.

A woman in a long blue dress stood in a throne, the same one from earlier. She wore a circlet that had not been there before, her hair was long and silky, black while her skin was tan. She looked like she might be Hispanic.

"Raya Alfraro Grey" she read and Ron perked.

"That's Don's wife, that's why he has the last name of Grey," Ron said.

She turned the page and there was Don "that's…" Donovan Alan Grey. Patriarch. Hermione read the page "Patriarch. They are second only to the King or Queen, as a Duke or Duchess" Hermione said.

"But they are still technically royalty?" Harry said.

"Not technically they are," Hermione replied and Ron's stomach flipped. "But how does being next in line work?" she flipped the pages until she found what she was looked for.

She sucked in a breath then looked at Ron "what?" he asked.

"Well, Vampires are not immortal so they normally choose someone if they don't have a child,"

"Vampires can only have a child if one of them is human," Ron said then let her continue with a look.

"Right, the person who's chosen is usually the one who takes the throne and the other head seat. So long as the council believes them to be a fitting representative" Hermione said.

"Right, that would be Raya and Don's son," Ron said.

"It says there needs to be at least two representatives. If the rulers at present do not choose then they forfeit they're swaying opinions to the council. The council then must choose someone who is the correct age range and is fitting to be the next Monarch or Head" Hermione said.

Ron paused and felt a bit faint as Harry and Hermione gave him looks. "Just tell me what your gonna say, alright?" he said.

"Ron, I think you're the one that Don chose. It perfectly explains why he's so attentive to you" Hermione said then turned the pages landing on a page.

One portrait of a boy around 10 years old with dark hair like Don's and bright eyes like whiskey. It read "Prince Sol Grey," then underneath it had where he was born, turned, and other important bits.

Besides his portrait was a blanket one but as if a response to all his doubts like a nail of a coffin, there was his name: Prince Ronald Weasley Grey.

"This is nuts. Ron, the Vampire Prince" Harry commented shaking his head.

"Honestly, I'm pretty positive our lives are like some sort of book series," Ron said slumping backward on the couch.

"Or a fanfiction?" Hermione said.

"What's that?" Harry and Ron asked.

"Why the title though? Don's son is the real prince, I'm not related to Don" Ron said.

"Because of what we just read, Ron. There's not typically any blood relations between heirs so their given something to signify," Hermione said.

"It's almost like some fairy tail" Harry commented "pauper to prince."

Ron needed to talk to Don but Hermione insisted they look through the book beforehand. It turned out that Vampires that collected at the castle were from many different places.

It made Ron realize just why Don was teaching him Romanian all this time and why he insisted on mannerism. Was Don expecting him to inherit his title?


So in the next couple of chapters, Ron will be coming to terms with newfound authority and being a political figure. He's going to travel to Romania and you will see what other vampires are like. What the castle of the vampires is like.

Oh and heads up, once this is done, I'm planning on starting the next one where Ron will be in his 4th year with the Goblet of Fire.

Which includes

Veela
Vampires
Public Figures
Rita Skeeter being nosy
Valkyrie, the wolf, being a very good girl.
and much more.


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