Chapter Two ~ Unspeakable Actions
Shasa Perino
He said the worst words anyone could think of to hear after the most beautiful words in the English language. He said, "I- I'm going to kill myself."
"What!?"
He looked very sad. "The only reason I told you my true feelings is because I don't want to die knowing that you didn't know."
"But why? Why are you going to-to die?"
"Because I have nothing left to live for. Percy's got that job at the ministry. And if I must tell you, that's the job I really want. Well, actually, I want to be Minister of Magic, but Perce'll get there before me. And then there's Bill. He's so cool. He's got all the women he'll ever want. And of course there's Fred and George. They are already working at Zonkos. All they need is a few more galleons and they'll have their own shop. And Charlie's got that wonderful job over in Romania. He gets to be around those dragons all the time. All I'll ever amount to is some guy like Tom in the Leaky Cauldron. You and Harry have jobs as Aurors already lined up. They don't want a good-for-nothing Weasley boy there to get in the way."
I stared as Ron continued on and on. He was depressing me, after the most wonderful moment in my entire life. I couldn't stand it. This was the worst moment I can remember.
"…And then there's Ginny. She's not even out of school yet and she's got a job! The only other Quidditch player that was accepted onto a team before he was out of school was Viktor Krum, and he's really good. I have nothing. Nothing, Hermione."
"Yes you do! You have me. I love you, Ron." I leaned in to kiss him, but he pulled away.
"Hermione, I need to do something with my life. Something important."
"Isn't making me happy enough?"
"No. You-know-who's still out on the loose. More and more Muggles are being killed. We need people who can help destroy him. I'm just not one of those people."
"You are! Just because you don't have a job lined up yet doesn't mean that you won't have one! You could be getting an owl right at this very moment asking you to be an Auror. Or an Unspeakable. You don't know that you won't amount to anything! Ron, please. Don't kill yourself!"
"I know I don't have an owl at this moment, and I know I'm never going to get one. Just because you are getting letters right and left doesn't mean that I am!"
"Ron, listen! Everyone's going to miss you! Why are you going to put us through so much pain?"
"Who's this 'us'? The only person I know that actually cares about me is you, Hermione. Who else does?"
"Ginny! Harry! Fred, George, Bill, Charlie, Percy, your Mum and Dad! I'm sure that Seamus, Dean, and Neville would be upset if you just off and killed yourself! And then there are the teachers! Sure, Dumbledore comforts Harry a lot more than he comforts you, but that's because Harry keeps facing the Dark Lord! And Professor McGonagall wouldn't be too happy that one of her seventh year Gryffindors is dead. Come on, Ron! Snap out of it!"
"No, Hermione! This is not a dream! I'm going to kill myself! There's nothing more to it!"
"But Ron--"
"Listen to me!"
I sat still. I had no idea what was coming, but I knew that nothing I said would help.
"Hermione, I'm going to kill myself, whether you like it or not. Let me tell you what I'm going to do so you can tell them the true story. Okay?"
I nodded. Not because I wanted to, but because I had to. I was the only person left that Ron would trust. I had to do what he wanted. I wanted him to be happy.
"All right. I-I'm going to put the Imperious Curse on you" He shuddered at the thought of me being put under one of the Unforgivable Curses. "And-and I'm going to make you say A-avada Ked-kedav-kedavra. Please don't try to fight the curse, Hermione. I want this to go as easy as possible."
"Okay, Ron. Just-just make sure you want to-to die before you do this."
"I'm positive! There'd nothing left for me to live for!"
I sighed. I knew that he wouldn't see reason if it smacked him in the face.
"Good bye, Hermione. I love you."
"I-I love you too, Ron." I just sat there for a minute as he stood up and pointed his wand at me. "Ron, don't do this! I can't stand to live without you! Please, see reason!"
"No!" he bellowed back at me. It was the first time he raised his voice to me. "I've had enough of this stupid world with that stupid Dark Lord! And I'm not afraid to die!" He shuddered at the thought of dying. "And you know what? I'm not afraid of He-who-must-not-be-named either! Voldemort! See? I said his name!"
"Why must you act so crazy, Ron? D-don't go through with this!"
"Imper-"
"I love you, Ron."
"I love you, too, Hermione, but I'm going to do this whether or not you'll help me!"
I looked down. "Fine. Go ahead."
"Imperious!"
I felt the strangest sensation go through my body. All the trouble of Ron's words left me. It was the best feeling in the world. Until I heard that voice. It was like a little man walking inside my head telling me what to do. "Pick up your wand." I did as I was told. "Good, good. Now point it at Ron." I did. "There. Now-now s-say the k-killing curse. Like a good girl." I muttered those fateful words. Ron's wand fell down. He tumbled over. He was dead.
A/N: Ooh, another cliffhanger! I wonder what happens to Hermione? You'll just have to wait to find out.
I'm so sorry that I didn't get this out as soon as I planned to. I had to go play in the marching band at the football game and I didn't realize that the game was so close. Once again, you have my apologies.
I also think that there might be four chapters instead of the three that I had planned on. Ah, well. At least it'll be longer. Ta ta!