A/N: Sorry about the lack of updating this story. I had to rest for 4 days because I had a fever and a sore throat x_x. Anyways, I'm all better now! As of right now, it's still Friday the 13th (spooky boo). I mean, all the bad luck I've experienced today was having the internet down for an hour. This chapter is just getting ready for grumpy, angsty, insecure Ron. Don't worry, next chapter will have loads of Romione in it! Thanks to JeanAndBilius, WeasleyIsMyKing540, notsing, CrazyTulip and fons19 for the amazing feedback! :D

As always, feedback is appreciated. :)

Warning: Swearing

Disclaimer: *Holds a sign saying, "I don't own Harry Potter or any of these characters!"* *Holds up a picture of J.K. Rowling* "She owns it, not me!"

UPDATE: I've decided to make this story rated M. So, get ready!

Chapter 18 ~ Numb

The trio sat in a compartment in silence. The three of them were preoccupied with whatever they were doing. Harry was rereading the letter he received from Sirius. Hermione was reading an advanced textbook about Ancient Runes. Ron, however, looked out to see the gloomy dark skies pouring over the land. He was deep in thoughts, something no one thought he would ever do.

Ron's gaze turned to Hermione, who so happened to be in front of him, while Harry sat next to him. He wanted to smile at the sight of her concentrated face showing so much passion, but he didn't have enough strength to. He felt numb for some reason.

Hermione closed her book and took a deep breath. She looked to see Ron gazing at her, emotionless. Hermione eyed him with suspicions forming around her bushy hair.

"Abnormal, isn't it? Seeing Ron looks serious.." Hermione said to the both of them. Harry looked up from the letter sniggering at Hermione's comment on Ron's strange behavior. Ron frowned at her comment instead. Harry looked at the expression on Ron's face, and he rolled his eyes.

"C'mon, mate. She has a point you know.." Harry nudged on his shoulders playfully. Ron's eyes narrowed and took Harry's friendly gesture as an insult.

"Very funny.." Ron spat out with his eyes still narrowed.

The feast had begun finally, serving all the hungry students with delicious and delectable food for them. Hermione sat next to Ron, noticing he didn't grab anything for his plate yet. Hermione's eyebrows were knitted in confusion. Ron had his face down, not wanting to face anyone as of right now. Hermione has a saddened expression on her face to see the worn out, Ron.

What if he's thinking about was happened between the two of us in the Burrow, Hermione thought to herself. Her thoughts were interrupted, when she heard the people around her mumbling about werewolves. She turned to Ginny who sat next to her.

"Ginny, why are people talking about werewolves?" She whispered to Ginny. She whipped out the Daily Prophet. Hermione read it to herself.

Werewolves

Man or Monster?

Numerous reports from households have started to take cautious about the sight of a werewolf. The most likely victim is Fenrir Greyback. Wizards and witches have spotted corpses of bodies. The investigators had come to a conclusion that werewolf mauled the helpless wizard and witches, due to its bite marks. We've interviewed some of the witnesses of the corpses.

"It was nasty! Seeing those poor and innocents die because of the cruelest creatures out there! Werewolves.." A witch said.

"Absolutely, horrible! Whoever did this will pay!" A wizard said.

The 10 corpses that have been found are all confirmed dead. 2 were beheaded, 3 lost all their limbs, 5 of them had their face completely mauled. The Ministry of Magic is on the lookout for the most gruesome beast known as, werewolves. Who knows? Maybe your friend or family member is the murderer.

Hermione ripped up the newspaper.

"Rubbish, I say! They've made werewolves look like complete mental prats.." Ginny said to Hermione. Hermione nodded her head in agreement.

"Not all werewolves are gruesome.." Hermione turned around to her red haired best friend. Ron looked up at Hermione, who was looking at him. His eyes softened at the sight of her.

"Are you alright?" Hermione questioned him.

"Just feeling a bit out of the weather.," Ron replied with a lopsided grin. Hermione giggled at his joke, making Ron feel tepid, yet beamed at the same time.

"Hey, if you wanna take the potion, I have it here.." Hermione showed him the vial.

"Nah, I'll take it tomorrow." He said denying her offer. Hermione nodded in agreement and went back to eating her salad.

"Uh, can you pass me the steak?" Ron asked Hermione. "Sure.."

Once Ron had his plate piled with steak, he stuffed it all in. It seemed impossible for someone to have that much food in one's mouth, but not for Ron. All the Gryffindors laughed at Ron's appetite. His ears turned pink in embarrassment. When he heard Hermione chuckle because of him, he lightened up.

Today just wasn't Ron's day.

At Transfiguration, he was scolded by Professor McGonagall in accidentally making a guinea fowl into a more like a big pig with hair, instead of a guinea pig. After class, he slipped and fell, making everyone laugh at him.

He just needed her to enlighten him somehow.. Where was she, though, was the only question that popped out of Ron's head. Then, he spotted her walking alone, no Harry in sight.

Ron smiled and walked up to her with confidence.

"Hey!" He said in a happy mood. All that ever did was make her jump slightly.

"You nearly gave me a head attack!" She teased him while catching her breath.

"So, how do you think Mad-Eye Moody is gonna be like?" He questioned her.

"I hope he's as great as Professor Lupin. A shame he resigned due from.. that night." She replied, but made the last part a little quieter. Ron frowned at the thought she still remembered that night.

"Well, let's just hope for the best- arugh!" Ron clenched his chest, grimacing in pain. Hermione's eyes stayed alerted at the sight in front of her.

"Ron, we need to go to the hospital wing! Come on!" She said without hesitation.

"N-no. I'm fine." He lied to her, still grimacing in pain.

"Ron, please. We need to go-"

"I'M BLOODY FINE!"

Hermione's chocolate brown eyes widened at Ron's sudden outburst. He stared at her with daggers, and a growl came from him as well. Did she saw his eyes full of anger, directly at her?

"I-I'm sorry.." She choked out, while her throat formed a small lump. She bit her lower lip. For the rest of the walk, they tried avoiding any interactions. Ron felt the guilt within him spiraling out of control. He stole a glance at Hermione. She was playing around with his thumbs awkwardly, while she was staring at the ground to stare at her shoes. Ron couldn't take it anymore.

"Hermione?" Ron managed to say to her. He waited for a response from her.

"Yea..?" Hermione said, as she slowly met his clear ocean blue eyes.

"I'm sorry.."

Er- Mister Weasley, stay for a bit, would cha'.." The voice came from the new professor, Professor Mad-Eye Moody. A well known retired Auror. Ron remembered his father talking all about him. He was pretty pumped up to hear he was going to be a professor. Well, until the class has just ended. Ron came up with a simple conclusion, that everyone, including Hermione, would agree on.

Professor Moody was.. Moody.

He looked like he gave a single fuck during his teachings. He was even mental! He let Neville suffer, making Ron pissed off at the professor. Why does he need me, Ron thought to himself. He entered the classroom and sat on a chair near his desk.

"You're Arthur's youngest son if I'm not mistaken." He asked him, as his fake eyes went haywire. Ron replied with a nod for, yes.

"Here, he told me to give this to you." The professor pulled out a letter from his pocket and handed it over to the perplexed Weasley.

Dear Ron,

I'm going to make this short and simple.

I want you to be careful of the potion, Liquid Lunar. There have been cases where anonymous people have brewed the potion. They're still investigating to who is doing such activities like that.

Please, be careful

Ron looked at the professor and walked off with the letter. If he remembered it clearly in his 2nd year, Liquid Lunar could transform a person that is a werewolf, no matter what. He could feel himself shiver at him consuming the liquid, somehow.

Ron went to the owlery and saw Pigwidgeon chirping and chirping.

"Bloody hell.." He mumbled at the sight of the small owl, chirping as if it were mental.

Dear Dad,

Don't worry. I'll be careful, for sure.

Ron shrugged at the length of his letter, so he gave it to Pig. After his mini trip to the owlery, he went up to his dorm for a good old' sleep.

A/N: Currently working on the next chapter. Get ready for the package of Romione for the next few upcoming chapters.