Alesco
Chapter Nine---Plenus Contentus
*
Ron was angry, he was out of control. It all came upon him so fast. He'd been so happy that morning...but ever since, his emotions had come up and down...and back again. What was going on?
He was also confused; about everything. First it was Michael Corner, then Dean Thomas, and now Neville Longbottom. He figured his sister was now planning to break the record for the most Hogwart's boyfriends in nine months. A scarlet woman if he ever knew one.
It was just so strange to think about it. He was her older brother, and he hadn't even dated a girl. The date with Padma Patil to the Yule Ball didn't count.
After yelling something he hadn't really meant to Harry, he flew to the castle. He needed to get this off his chest. And he knew just the person who might let him.
He stomped up to the common room, dozens of thoughts passing through his mind. I'm not just mad about Ginny, I'm mad because of what I did in fifth year. Why the BLOODY HELL did I make that brain come after me? Why did I tell them I was going to learn about...controlling people's minds?
It was sick, thinking he was going to have to go through all of this. He wished he could pound Lord Voldy-Morty in the ground--BUT-GOOD, for all the heartache he was giving everyone!
He shouted "Hogwarts, a History" to the Fat Lady, who gasped and opened the portrait hole straight away. A concerned-looking Hermione peeked out.
"Why are you shouting? I saw you from the window, flying really fast toward the castle. Is someone hurt?" She had a fully ink-loaded quill in her fingers, and miniscule drops of black were dotting the marble floor.
"You're dripping!" He said, almost hysterically, and stomped into the room.
She took her wand and muttered a spell toward her quill. It floated quickly onto a table were Hermione's books and parchment lay, and then dropped neatly.
Ron looked around desperately. Nobody else was there, they were all probably milling on the Quidditch pitch. Leave it to Hermione to miss out on the try-outs.
He turned and said, "Did you know that Neville has been snogging my sister? Neville, that prat that Harry and I just made a new beater? How can my sister date so many guys? Why doesn't she get the right one? And how come I've got to learn all this fuckin' crap about killing You-Know-Who, when I'm just a stupid brainless git? Why did that brain have to get me? Why wasn't I more careful in the Department of Mysteries? I got hit by a Cheering Charm, for Merlin's sake! And Merlin knows what else!"
He brought his arms straight up over his head, his tirade not even nearly complete. Hermione just stood there, staring at him, her expression imperceptible.
"I used to hate getting all the shitty leftovers from my brothers, now I sort of wish I could stay "Good 'ole leftover Ron!" Now, because of what I've done, I've got this fuckin' demon in my head! And now, I've got to use it.
"Why did I have to come to Hogwarts? All I've gotten here is more pain, more heartache, more suffering. I spend year after year, worrying about you and Harry. So...tell me, when are we all going to die? When will it ever end? How long do I have to worry about this crap? About what about Percy...and Mum and Dad..."
Ron's vision clouded, and he felt dozens of red-hot tears streaming down his face, now dribbling on the hands that were clenched in front of him. At the back of his mind, he wondered what would happen if all the Gryffindors came in the room now. His blinded eyes hardly recognized the tears that were also flowing freely from Hermione's eyes. He got even more angry.
"What if everyone saw me crying?! You think THEY would care?! They'd all laugh and say, there's Ron, the nobody boy. I thought sure he'd break down like a baby before now. Can't even stop himself from making evil brains come and get him. Why did I have to be such a fuckin' idiot, ruining everyone's life and---I---I can't even protect the girl I love!"
With that, he swiped the multitude of tears from his face in one wipe and turned to go up the stairs. He ears were humming with an energy that was flowing through him, like liquid steel. He barely heard the soft, choking voice of the girl below, who was crying desperately. Her voice was muffled. "I care, Ron. Oh, Merlin, I'm so sorry, Ron...."
He kept running, as fast as his feet and legs would let him. Kicking open the shower room door, he didn't bother taking off any of his clothes. Fast and cold will do it, let me freeze to death right here......
Freeze....?
Ron briefly entertained the thought of casting a freezing charm on himself while under the shower head. As the cold water rushed over him, he threw any remnant of the thought aside completely. His mind was clearing, due to the cold rush of reality that was pouring over him. How dumb could he get? They'd all probably think suicide was typical for a boy like him.
He'd never let them think that.
He'd die in battle--after all, it might be his destiny.
~*~
He stayed in the shower for a half-hour, hour, he wasn't sure how long. He began to feel raw hunger burn in his belly, and at that point he got out of the shower and cast a drying spell on himself. He didn't cast a warming spell. He wanted to feel the cold burn through him all the way to his bones.
Peeking out to the dormitory, he saw that nobody was there. They were probably all at lunch, he thought. Nobody was concerned about him...it figured.
Laying on his bed, he cast an impenetrable charm on his curtains and hoped to sleep...to sleep forever.
As he closed his eyes, vivid images flashed before him. Imperceptible, confusing images.
Finally, as his body drifted toward peace, a striking vision came to him. He was in the common room.
Harry, Hermione, Ginny, and Neville were sitting close together, looking very worried.
"How's your nose, Neville?" Ginny asked Neville softly.
"Ids fime." Neville was holding a handkerchief to his nose.
"Maybe you should let Madam Pomfrey see it?" Hermione suggested, her voice sounding nasally. She blotted her eyes with her own handkerchief.
"Mo, Imfime." Neville replied.
"How long can one boy take a shower?" Ginny said angrily. A white hot heat passed through Ron's body.
"I don't know." Harry muttered hoarsely.
"This is ridiculous, Harry. I think you should go back up there and demand he come out." Ginny said fiercely, her face was red and it was obvious she'd been crying.
Hermione's face was even redder, and she was rubbing her nose this time. "I'll do it myself." She said determindedly, but didn't move.
Harry shook his head, none of the emotions shared by the girls reflected in his face. "Ron can be a prat for as long as he likes. He'll finally realize how bloody mad he is, and everything will be fine again. Really...that's what had to happen for me. It took me a while, but it will happen."
Ron inwardly flinched. That's what you think, Harry. You'll think that, when I've got You-Know-Who wrapping his fingers around his throat, trying to choke himself. Just try to make me think everything is back to normal again. I'd love to see you try.
"No, Harry!" Hermione shouted. Harry leaned back, looking stunned.
Ginny and Neville also appeared shocked.
"Something is going on with Ron, something about the brain that attacked him. I think he's got a right to be angry. It's possible he can't tell us what is going on. He needs us all to let him know how much he matters. Can't you see that?" Hermione said thickly, her face trembling. A fresh set of tears dripped down her cheeks.
~*~
Ron sat up involuntarily from his bed. I was asleep, right? It hadn't feel like sleep. It was strange.
He peeled off the Quidditch gear he wore and pulled on some clean underpants, jeans, undershirt, and jumper. He then pulled on some socks and trainers.
Ron started down the stairway from the boy's dormitory. When he reached the common room, he was surprised to see an exact duplicate of the scene that had played out in his mind only moments before.
He edged closer, silently.
"...Harry. I think you should go back up there and demand he come out." Ginny said.
"I'll do it myself." Hermione said.
"Ron can be a prat for as long as he likes. He'll finally realize how bloody mad he is, and everything will be fine again. Really...that's what had to happen for me. It took me a while, but it will happen." Harry said.
"No, Harry!" Hermione shouted.
Everyone reacted exactly the same as in Ron's vision.
"Something is going on with Ron, something about the brain that attacked him. I think he's got a right to be angry. It's possible he can't tell us what is going on. Therefore, I think someone should talk to him. He needs us all to let him know how much he matters. Can't you see that?" Hermione said, and began to cry. Again.
How can I do that to her? What kind of a friend am I?
"No!" He shouted hoarsely. Everyone looked up at him in surprise. Hermione stood up, and anxious look in her face. "Ron..." She held out her arms to him.
Trying not to let the choking tears he felt inside burst forth, he ran out the portrait hole, seeking refuge...and answers. Hermione was crying after him to stop. He couldn't stop now. This thing in his head was destroying him.
Chapter Nine---Plenus Contentus
*
Ron was angry, he was out of control. It all came upon him so fast. He'd been so happy that morning...but ever since, his emotions had come up and down...and back again. What was going on?
He was also confused; about everything. First it was Michael Corner, then Dean Thomas, and now Neville Longbottom. He figured his sister was now planning to break the record for the most Hogwart's boyfriends in nine months. A scarlet woman if he ever knew one.
It was just so strange to think about it. He was her older brother, and he hadn't even dated a girl. The date with Padma Patil to the Yule Ball didn't count.
After yelling something he hadn't really meant to Harry, he flew to the castle. He needed to get this off his chest. And he knew just the person who might let him.
He stomped up to the common room, dozens of thoughts passing through his mind. I'm not just mad about Ginny, I'm mad because of what I did in fifth year. Why the BLOODY HELL did I make that brain come after me? Why did I tell them I was going to learn about...controlling people's minds?
It was sick, thinking he was going to have to go through all of this. He wished he could pound Lord Voldy-Morty in the ground--BUT-GOOD, for all the heartache he was giving everyone!
He shouted "Hogwarts, a History" to the Fat Lady, who gasped and opened the portrait hole straight away. A concerned-looking Hermione peeked out.
"Why are you shouting? I saw you from the window, flying really fast toward the castle. Is someone hurt?" She had a fully ink-loaded quill in her fingers, and miniscule drops of black were dotting the marble floor.
"You're dripping!" He said, almost hysterically, and stomped into the room.
She took her wand and muttered a spell toward her quill. It floated quickly onto a table were Hermione's books and parchment lay, and then dropped neatly.
Ron looked around desperately. Nobody else was there, they were all probably milling on the Quidditch pitch. Leave it to Hermione to miss out on the try-outs.
He turned and said, "Did you know that Neville has been snogging my sister? Neville, that prat that Harry and I just made a new beater? How can my sister date so many guys? Why doesn't she get the right one? And how come I've got to learn all this fuckin' crap about killing You-Know-Who, when I'm just a stupid brainless git? Why did that brain have to get me? Why wasn't I more careful in the Department of Mysteries? I got hit by a Cheering Charm, for Merlin's sake! And Merlin knows what else!"
He brought his arms straight up over his head, his tirade not even nearly complete. Hermione just stood there, staring at him, her expression imperceptible.
"I used to hate getting all the shitty leftovers from my brothers, now I sort of wish I could stay "Good 'ole leftover Ron!" Now, because of what I've done, I've got this fuckin' demon in my head! And now, I've got to use it.
"Why did I have to come to Hogwarts? All I've gotten here is more pain, more heartache, more suffering. I spend year after year, worrying about you and Harry. So...tell me, when are we all going to die? When will it ever end? How long do I have to worry about this crap? About what about Percy...and Mum and Dad..."
Ron's vision clouded, and he felt dozens of red-hot tears streaming down his face, now dribbling on the hands that were clenched in front of him. At the back of his mind, he wondered what would happen if all the Gryffindors came in the room now. His blinded eyes hardly recognized the tears that were also flowing freely from Hermione's eyes. He got even more angry.
"What if everyone saw me crying?! You think THEY would care?! They'd all laugh and say, there's Ron, the nobody boy. I thought sure he'd break down like a baby before now. Can't even stop himself from making evil brains come and get him. Why did I have to be such a fuckin' idiot, ruining everyone's life and---I---I can't even protect the girl I love!"
With that, he swiped the multitude of tears from his face in one wipe and turned to go up the stairs. He ears were humming with an energy that was flowing through him, like liquid steel. He barely heard the soft, choking voice of the girl below, who was crying desperately. Her voice was muffled. "I care, Ron. Oh, Merlin, I'm so sorry, Ron...."
He kept running, as fast as his feet and legs would let him. Kicking open the shower room door, he didn't bother taking off any of his clothes. Fast and cold will do it, let me freeze to death right here......
Freeze....?
Ron briefly entertained the thought of casting a freezing charm on himself while under the shower head. As the cold water rushed over him, he threw any remnant of the thought aside completely. His mind was clearing, due to the cold rush of reality that was pouring over him. How dumb could he get? They'd all probably think suicide was typical for a boy like him.
He'd never let them think that.
He'd die in battle--after all, it might be his destiny.
~*~
He stayed in the shower for a half-hour, hour, he wasn't sure how long. He began to feel raw hunger burn in his belly, and at that point he got out of the shower and cast a drying spell on himself. He didn't cast a warming spell. He wanted to feel the cold burn through him all the way to his bones.
Peeking out to the dormitory, he saw that nobody was there. They were probably all at lunch, he thought. Nobody was concerned about him...it figured.
Laying on his bed, he cast an impenetrable charm on his curtains and hoped to sleep...to sleep forever.
As he closed his eyes, vivid images flashed before him. Imperceptible, confusing images.
Finally, as his body drifted toward peace, a striking vision came to him. He was in the common room.
Harry, Hermione, Ginny, and Neville were sitting close together, looking very worried.
"How's your nose, Neville?" Ginny asked Neville softly.
"Ids fime." Neville was holding a handkerchief to his nose.
"Maybe you should let Madam Pomfrey see it?" Hermione suggested, her voice sounding nasally. She blotted her eyes with her own handkerchief.
"Mo, Imfime." Neville replied.
"How long can one boy take a shower?" Ginny said angrily. A white hot heat passed through Ron's body.
"I don't know." Harry muttered hoarsely.
"This is ridiculous, Harry. I think you should go back up there and demand he come out." Ginny said fiercely, her face was red and it was obvious she'd been crying.
Hermione's face was even redder, and she was rubbing her nose this time. "I'll do it myself." She said determindedly, but didn't move.
Harry shook his head, none of the emotions shared by the girls reflected in his face. "Ron can be a prat for as long as he likes. He'll finally realize how bloody mad he is, and everything will be fine again. Really...that's what had to happen for me. It took me a while, but it will happen."
Ron inwardly flinched. That's what you think, Harry. You'll think that, when I've got You-Know-Who wrapping his fingers around his throat, trying to choke himself. Just try to make me think everything is back to normal again. I'd love to see you try.
"No, Harry!" Hermione shouted. Harry leaned back, looking stunned.
Ginny and Neville also appeared shocked.
"Something is going on with Ron, something about the brain that attacked him. I think he's got a right to be angry. It's possible he can't tell us what is going on. He needs us all to let him know how much he matters. Can't you see that?" Hermione said thickly, her face trembling. A fresh set of tears dripped down her cheeks.
~*~
Ron sat up involuntarily from his bed. I was asleep, right? It hadn't feel like sleep. It was strange.
He peeled off the Quidditch gear he wore and pulled on some clean underpants, jeans, undershirt, and jumper. He then pulled on some socks and trainers.
Ron started down the stairway from the boy's dormitory. When he reached the common room, he was surprised to see an exact duplicate of the scene that had played out in his mind only moments before.
He edged closer, silently.
"...Harry. I think you should go back up there and demand he come out." Ginny said.
"I'll do it myself." Hermione said.
"Ron can be a prat for as long as he likes. He'll finally realize how bloody mad he is, and everything will be fine again. Really...that's what had to happen for me. It took me a while, but it will happen." Harry said.
"No, Harry!" Hermione shouted.
Everyone reacted exactly the same as in Ron's vision.
"Something is going on with Ron, something about the brain that attacked him. I think he's got a right to be angry. It's possible he can't tell us what is going on. Therefore, I think someone should talk to him. He needs us all to let him know how much he matters. Can't you see that?" Hermione said, and began to cry. Again.
How can I do that to her? What kind of a friend am I?
"No!" He shouted hoarsely. Everyone looked up at him in surprise. Hermione stood up, and anxious look in her face. "Ron..." She held out her arms to him.
Trying not to let the choking tears he felt inside burst forth, he ran out the portrait hole, seeking refuge...and answers. Hermione was crying after him to stop. He couldn't stop now. This thing in his head was destroying him.