The Schizopersona Curse and the First Visitor: White

Hermione slept for a long time. When she awoke, it was dark, and her head still hurt, She figured it must be very late, or very early. She remembered about how Ron had acted very strangely right before he had gained consciousness. She thought hard, but couldn't recall what the diffindo charm did to humans.

She heard a faint click from a door. The curtains had been pulled around her bed so she couldn't see, but the direction of the click seemed to indicate the visitor's door had opened. She couldn't think who on earth would be visiting at this hour, so she strained her ears to listen. She heard quiet footsteps, and they were approaching her bed. She could see a faint white glow behind the curtain, becoming brighter. The person must be carrying a lantern, she thought. Hermione started to feel very frightened that someone was coming toward her. Then she heard Ron whisper, "Hermione?"

Hermione felt a wave of relief. "Oh, Ron! It's you! Come in!" The curtains around her bed rustled as Ron pulled them away.

As he emerged, Hermione stifled a scream. It wasn't Ron, but a shining, pearly white version of Ron. He appeared worried that Hermione was so scared.

"Ron! Oh, Ron! You're dead! You've died! You're a ghost! The spell killed you!" Hermione sobbed.

"Shhhhh! No, no, Hermione! I'm not dead! I promise! Please believe me!"

"Then why are you white, and transparent, and glowing? Oh, Ron!"

"I am not a ghost! Here, touch me!"

Hermione shrank back. "I don't like touching ghosts, or whatever you are."

"Hermione," Ron looked at her with wide, truthful eyes. "Trust me."

Blinking away tears, she reached out tentatively to touch his outstretched hand. She was surprised. Ghosts felt icy and insubstantial, but Ron felt warm and solid. Puzzled, she looked back at her friend.

"See? I told you. If I was a ghost I could have floated through the wall. But I'm not, so I had to use the door and walk!"

"Okay, Ron, I believe you. But then why are you like this? What about the spell?"

"You were right that the spell did something weird to me. It's called the Schizopersona Curse-"

"That's it! I remember that's the name of it now! But what does the Schizopersona Curse do? In Latin it means divide… personality…"

"You're too good, Hermione," the shining Ron smiled. "When diffindo accidentally hits a person, it splits his or her personality into its most elementary aspects. I am one of Ron's. We represent all the traits that make Ron… Ron. We all look just like Ron, but we're all different colors. Some of us are fainter or stronger than others because that's how much that aspect is expressed in Ron's personality. Together, we all form Ron. We're always there, inside of him. But the Schizopersona Curse allows us to separate. The effect is only temporary, though. In a few hours, all of us will meld back into just the one Ron with a multifaceted personality."

"How many of you are there?" asked Hermione, fascinated.

"Ten."

"Which 'trait' are you, then?"

"I am the good in Ron. I am his conscience, wisdom, innocence, and truth," the specter said humbly.

Hermione looked at him meaningfully. "You're pretty solid, so I guess Ron is a really good and honest person, isn't he?"

"Yes, he is. But you didn't need to meet me to find that out, did you?" he said graciously.

"No, I didn't. I know he is," Hermione sighed. She sat thoughtfully for a moment, then looked back up at the good side of Ron. "Can you…can you keep a secret?"

"Of course I can!" he said kindly.

"Don't tell the others, okay?" Hermione felt embarrassed. "I really, really, really love Ron," she confessed. "I have for such a long time."

The specter smiled. "I won't tell a soul. I should be honest – Ron loves you too!"

Hermione gasped. The news made her feel so…wonderful. She thought for a moment, then pouted, "He sure hasn't shown it!"

The specter laughed and said, "Neither have you, till now! Don't worry! I won't hold it against you. But you must forgive Ron. His romantic aspect isn't very strong."

Hermione laughed. "I could have guessed. But I want to meet him, too!"

"Of course! All the others want to visit you!"

"They want to visit me too? Why?"

"Because we know you well enough to know you would want to meet us." Hermione paused, appreciatively flattered and touched that Ron, er – all ten of them, knew her so well.

The ghostly Ron continued, "I just wanted to visit first and tell you straightforwardly about the Schizopersona Curse. I'm not sure any of the others could do that… But our time is limited and I've already taken too long! I'll get going and send in the next one!"

"Thank you so much, Ron! It's been so nice to meet you!"

Ron chuckled. "You've already met me! You talk to me everyday! So long for now though!" And he leaned over and hugged Hermione. She was surprised at first – Ron had never hugged her like this before. She felt so much compassion in his embrace. Then he released her gently. He smiled and waved goodbye before stepping out and closing the bed curtains. Hermione heard him walk softly across the room and quietly open and close the door.