Chapter 18

Ron woke to find Cilath gently kissing his neck, working her way along it to his shoulder and back to his jaw. He lay still, just enjoying her sweet touch. Finally he opened his eyes and stared at her sleepily.

"Morning." she whispered, kissing his lips softly and stroking back his hair. He could get really used to waking up with her doing that. His forehead creased in confusion. He didn't remember going to sleep and judging by the fact that she still had her dress on they hadn't made love last night… what had happened. Softly he asked her and her eyes darkened slightly,

"I was hoping you could tell me. I came in and you were raging. I thought you were going to attack me. Then you began to cry." She cupped his face with her hand and made him look her in the eyes. "What happened Balanidhren?" he reached out and brushed the backs of his fingers against her smooth cheek.

"I don't know. I remember feeling angry and then… nothing."

"Nothing at all?"

"I was… upset because I felt that Dumbledore was taking your people… and me for granted. That he could just snap his fingers and you jump in front of an arrow for him and then he'd step on you to make sure his feet weren't dirtied by the blood staining the ground. I just felt like he doesn't appreciate how hard I have worked to earn the title, the job, of captain."

"Oh I'm sure he does." she soothed, Ron shook his head.

"No he doesn't, he doesn't care, all that matters to him are three things, Hogwarts, Harry and Voldemort, not necessarily in that order." Cilath gave a soft sigh of frustration

"Why does it always come back to Harry?" Ron looked at her in confusion, "Why does it always go back to being better then him or your brothers? Why don't you see that you are your own person?"

"Because I don't know how to be him." Ron found himself choking on sudden emotions, his eyes filled with tears. "I want to be myself, but I never knew how. I used to think that when it was just Ginny and I at home, then I'd be able to be me, but all I did was pine for them. I hoped to find myself at Hogwarts but then I sat with Harry and I became his best friend. I don't regret it, I don't! I just wish… that he would stop getting all the glory, Hermione was right." He sighed and looked into Cilath's eyes.

"About what?"

"He has such a habit of playing the hero. He goes on to us how he hates being famous and hates being the one who does everything, but then when we offer to help, or the teachers tell him they'll handle it, what does he do? He says he's got to do it himself."

"I don't understand why this upsets you." she confessed.

"Because he, he, he's such a hypocrite! He goes on and on about not wanting to be a part of it, wanting to be normal but normal would involve stepping back and letting someone else handle it for once. He's always the one to get recognition for the stupid things we do, and it goes to his head and he forgets how hard it was to achieve the goal! I can't explain it any better Cilath, I can't. I don't want to feel this way I care about Harry too much, but I'm sick of it. I'm sick of him and I'm sick of Dumbledore and I'm sick of wizards!" She gave him a helpless look she didn't know what to say to him.

"Well… I don't, I suppose what-" he gently covered her mouth with his hand, and then kissed her brow.

"You just needed to listen, that's all I needed." he whispered softly and then moving his hand away he kissed her lips gently, pulling her form to him. He pushed away the material of her dress from her shoulder and kissed and nipped it with his teeth, leaving little red marks on her alabaster skin. She let out a little gasp, her cheeks flushed and her lips parted slightly. Ron looked at her and then a primitive growl issued in his head.

'Mine!' He continued to kiss her and slowly removed her dress, feeling free now. He'd finally really gotten what had been bothering him off his chest. He'd admitted how he felt about Dumbledore and Harry and now he knew what he was going to day to the old wizard.

"Professor Dumbledore!" Dumbledore and his staff and friends all looked round at the sharp call of his name. Ron strode up to them and they all instantly noticed a difference with him. He stood much taller and his eyes were hard and strong, showing cleverness and wisdom. He came to a sharp stop before them and said with perfect manners of a solider

"I accept the offer of teaching fight skills, however, I will insist on proper payment like any other."

"Of, of course Ron of course." Dumbledore was slightly taken aback by his sharpness.

"Good, I would like it arranged that the money be sent straight to my families vault."

"Consider it done."

"And while I'm at it, I think it would be best if students were ordered not to have any mention of the elves within letters or of myself. The less information is public the better I believe. Since owl's will be checked anyway I don't think it will be too difficult to ensure this."

"Absolutely I agree."

"Good, now I believe that's all I need to say at present. If you wish for us to arrive at Hogwarts in a week, horses and all, I have much organising to do." He gave them a curt bow and then Captain Balanidhren walked away, head held high, hands folded behind his back. The very image of a warrior.

Aaaand cut! Whew! Am I glad to finish this at long last. I'm already working on the sequel, but it might not be up for a while, I like to get as much done before I start putting it up… note: I like to do that, but I rarely do. Sorry to anyone who felt the last few chapters were too short but each part felt like it was able to stand alone. Thank you folks, you've been great!

Night's Darkness 