EMPATHO, RON
by Goliath
Summary: Harry learns a spell that helps him help his best friend.
Disclaimer: I don't own the characters or the setting. J. K. Rowling does.
A/N Thoughts are in italics
"Ah, good afternoon, Harry. What can I do for you?" Dumbledore asked.
"Well sir," Harry began. "it's probably none of my business really but Ron is one of my best friends and he's...well changed, and not for the better."
"I see. Any thoughts on why?" Dumbledore asked patiently
"I think I know but I'm not 100% sure and really feel I should be before I act."
"A wise decision." Dumbledore thought for a moment. "I believe that there is a spell that can help you determine your course of action, Harry." Harry brightened considerably at this
"It's called the 'empathos charm' or 'curse' depending on who you ask." Dumbledore continued.
"How does it work sir?" Harry asked eagerly.
"It's quite simple really. All you need to do is point your wand at whoever you want to know somone's feelings and then you say this." he got a small scrap of parchment out from his desk and scribbled down two words on it.
"Empatho, Ron" Harry muttered.
"Yes Empatho, followed by the name of a person will allow the target to experience that person's feelings as if they were their own. And this," he said handing him another paper, "will end it."
"Apatho, Ron" Harry read on the second piece of paper. Harry grinned broadly, "Thank you sir."
Dumbledore held his hand up in warning. "Be careful with this spell Harry. If Ronald's emotions are particularly intense they could swallow the target whole. Be especially careful if you cast it on yourself."
"Yes sir." Harry said seriously. Harry walked back to the Gryffindor common room to thankfully find it empty. Taking a seat in one of the comfortable chairs by the fire, he took his wand out from his robe and pointed the "business end" as Ron had put it directly at himself.
"Empatho, Ron." he said in a clear voice and waited. For a second nothing seemed to happen, then he felt almost dazed. A rush of emotions ran through him. Pain and despair flooded his very being. It was almost like the "Crucio" curse except it was not physical agony but emotional as if his heart was breaking. Underneath that Harry detected something else.
Love.
Not just love but an overwhelming need for something, someone.
"Hermione." Harry whispered tears forming in his eyes.
Harry finally understood. The reason that Ron had been so depressed was because Hermione was dating Viktor Krum. Harry knew that Ron had been jealous, he didn't need a spell for that, but he couldn't possibly had known how deep those feeling were. He felt sobs wracking his body. Then, remembering Dumbledore's warning he turned his wand toward himself again.
"Apatho, Ron." he said in a shaking voice.
As suddenly as the emotions had hit him they faded. Harry was still gasping for breath when he heard the portrait swing open. Hermione walked through, her soft brown curls swaying slightly behind her. When she saw Harry, her cinammon eyes went wide with concern.
"Harry are you all right?" she asked dropping her book bag and running to his side. He was still gasping for air and looked as though he had been crying very badly.
"What happened?" she asked brushing his long dark bangs from his forehead.
"I was trying out a new spell." he told her truthfully. "Dumbledore taught me, said it could be pretty intense."
"I'd say that was an understatement." she replied. Something made her frown.
"Harry what spell was it?" Harry was finally back under control.
"It's called the Empathos Charm." he said and proceeded to explain how it worked as well as the counter for it.
Always eager to learn something new she asked if she could try it.
"Ok, but be careful. You saw what it could do." she nodded and took out her wand pointing it at herself. "Empatho Harry." she said. After just a second she could feel Harry's emotions;. his bravery, his apprehension, his deep brotherly affection for her, which made her smile and, his concern for...
Ron
"Apatho Harry." she said and felt Harry emotions leave her. "Harry, why are you so concerned about Ron?"
Harry resisted the urge to look up in frustration.
You've got to be kidding me.
A/N a bit short I know but wasn't sure how to do this one. It could be two chapters or three. BTW I'm having writer's block on my other fic "A Secret In Time." any suggestions and how to proceed would be great. I'm sure you've all probably figured out the secret by now but I hate leaving unfinished work. As always R/R is greatly appreciated.
Summary: Harry learns a spell that helps him help his best friend.
Disclaimer: I don't own the characters or the setting. J. K. Rowling does.
A/N Thoughts are in italics
"Ah, good afternoon, Harry. What can I do for you?" Dumbledore asked.
"Well sir," Harry began. "it's probably none of my business really but Ron is one of my best friends and he's...well changed, and not for the better."
"I see. Any thoughts on why?" Dumbledore asked patiently
"I think I know but I'm not 100% sure and really feel I should be before I act."
"A wise decision." Dumbledore thought for a moment. "I believe that there is a spell that can help you determine your course of action, Harry." Harry brightened considerably at this
"It's called the 'empathos charm' or 'curse' depending on who you ask." Dumbledore continued.
"How does it work sir?" Harry asked eagerly.
"It's quite simple really. All you need to do is point your wand at whoever you want to know somone's feelings and then you say this." he got a small scrap of parchment out from his desk and scribbled down two words on it.
"Empatho, Ron" Harry muttered.
"Yes Empatho, followed by the name of a person will allow the target to experience that person's feelings as if they were their own. And this," he said handing him another paper, "will end it."
"Apatho, Ron" Harry read on the second piece of paper. Harry grinned broadly, "Thank you sir."
Dumbledore held his hand up in warning. "Be careful with this spell Harry. If Ronald's emotions are particularly intense they could swallow the target whole. Be especially careful if you cast it on yourself."
"Yes sir." Harry said seriously. Harry walked back to the Gryffindor common room to thankfully find it empty. Taking a seat in one of the comfortable chairs by the fire, he took his wand out from his robe and pointed the "business end" as Ron had put it directly at himself.
"Empatho, Ron." he said in a clear voice and waited. For a second nothing seemed to happen, then he felt almost dazed. A rush of emotions ran through him. Pain and despair flooded his very being. It was almost like the "Crucio" curse except it was not physical agony but emotional as if his heart was breaking. Underneath that Harry detected something else.
Love.
Not just love but an overwhelming need for something, someone.
"Hermione." Harry whispered tears forming in his eyes.
Harry finally understood. The reason that Ron had been so depressed was because Hermione was dating Viktor Krum. Harry knew that Ron had been jealous, he didn't need a spell for that, but he couldn't possibly had known how deep those feeling were. He felt sobs wracking his body. Then, remembering Dumbledore's warning he turned his wand toward himself again.
"Apatho, Ron." he said in a shaking voice.
As suddenly as the emotions had hit him they faded. Harry was still gasping for breath when he heard the portrait swing open. Hermione walked through, her soft brown curls swaying slightly behind her. When she saw Harry, her cinammon eyes went wide with concern.
"Harry are you all right?" she asked dropping her book bag and running to his side. He was still gasping for air and looked as though he had been crying very badly.
"What happened?" she asked brushing his long dark bangs from his forehead.
"I was trying out a new spell." he told her truthfully. "Dumbledore taught me, said it could be pretty intense."
"I'd say that was an understatement." she replied. Something made her frown.
"Harry what spell was it?" Harry was finally back under control.
"It's called the Empathos Charm." he said and proceeded to explain how it worked as well as the counter for it.
Always eager to learn something new she asked if she could try it.
"Ok, but be careful. You saw what it could do." she nodded and took out her wand pointing it at herself. "Empatho Harry." she said. After just a second she could feel Harry's emotions;. his bravery, his apprehension, his deep brotherly affection for her, which made her smile and, his concern for...
Ron
"Apatho Harry." she said and felt Harry emotions leave her. "Harry, why are you so concerned about Ron?"
Harry resisted the urge to look up in frustration.
You've got to be kidding me.
A/N a bit short I know but wasn't sure how to do this one. It could be two chapters or three. BTW I'm having writer's block on my other fic "A Secret In Time." any suggestions and how to proceed would be great. I'm sure you've all probably figured out the secret by now but I hate leaving unfinished work. As always R/R is greatly appreciated.