Spellbound

Chepter Four

Ron

A/N: I was very disappointed in the lack of reviews for the last chapter. I would appreciate it if I got a little more. I am also very sorry that I haven't been able to update as often as I should but things have been quite hectic down my end. So without further delay, here is chapter four!

I hated going to my classes without Butler. I felt so vulnerable when I was without him and it scared me when he wasn't there. Butler and I haven't been separated for more than a few hours since birth, excluding some of the adventures with Holly. I trust Holly as much as I trust Butler, though. The two of them are my security blankets and without one or the other I felt uncomfortable and incomplete.

The first class I had was Potions with a one Professor Snape. I had met him the night before because he was the Head of Slytherin House. He told me that as a Slytherin, the majority of the school would consider me evil and not to take it personally. I didn't see why evil was a bad thing but I just nodded politely and went to bed.

He seemed like a nice enough person so I really didn't have any worries when I walked into his classroom with Draco and Harry.

The Potions classroom was very dark and overheated. Cauldrons were positioned at every seat with a flame going underneath each one. I noticed that the majority of the class were wearing normal clothes so that their robes wouldn't catch fire.

Professor Snape was seated at his desk in the front of the room staring ominously at everyone in the classroom. His eyes rested on mine and I was too afraid to look away. His glare rivaled mine and it felt as if he was probing my mind. I immediately put up the imaginary walls in my mind in case he was a Legimens. He must have been because he frowned slightly and then gave me and impressed look. I don't blame him, though; I tend to amaze everyone.

A bell sounded from somewhere and Snape rose from his seat. "Good morning." he said in a very soft but hardening voice.

"Good morning Professor Snape." everyone replied automatically.

"Before we start class I would like to make note of a new student if he would please rise." I stood up and looked at the blank, staring faces of everyone in the classroom. "His name is Artemis Fowl and is from Ireland. I know how much you want to make friends with him but please refrain from doing so in my class." I sat down and let Snape continue on with his lesson less comfortable than I was before. Everyone kept glancing back at me every so often and it was very distracting, none-the-less I was able to concentrate enough to do what I needed to do.

A half hour later I found myself adding the last ingredient to a quite difficult sleeping drought. The potion turned the palest of blues as it should have. I smiled and bottled it, knowing that I did my potion perfectly. I stood up and gave the vial to Professor Snape.

He took it rather quickly and started to examine it thoroughly over his rather oversized hooked nose. He smiled a bit which brightened his features quite flatteringly, making him almost seem handsome- oh good lord, I need to stop talking to those poufs! "Fine work for a boy who lived in the Muggle World for so long. It seems you have been precise with every detail." He looked around the classroom, who were quite alarmed to see their Professor smiling. "A few of you can learn something from Mr. Fowl here." His smile faltered as his eyes lingered on a brown-haired boy with a tiny bit of an overbite. His potion was a sickly green-orange color from what I could see.

Snape gave me another smile, this time more discreet, and I sat down. I heard someone murmur, "Wow, it's like Granger came back from the dead as a boy." Then there was some chuckling. And then all the calmness in the world disappeared.

Ron Weasley stood up in all of his red faced glory and stalked across the room to a boy named Theodore Nott. He then squarely punched him in the face; repeatedly.

Soon enough Ron and Nott were in an all out brawl. I have never seen so much punching, kicking and even biting in my life. I gulped audibly. I really wanted Butler.

Snape took out his wand and separated them to opposite sides of the room. "That is enough." he said in a dangerously low voice. "Nott that was completely uncalled for. Same goes to you Weasley."

"But he said-." Ron began.

"I know what he said, but it still doesn't give you the excuse to injure him in my class. That's why I'm giving you two weeks detention with me."

Nott smirked and Ron's ears turned red. "But that's not fair! He's getting away with no punishment?"

"No, he isn't. He is getting two weeks as well."

Nott's smiled faltered. "But all I did was-"

"Insult the dead, and no matter who that person was, it is still wrong on many different levels. So yes, Nott; two weeks detention."

"Fine." Nott mumbled and with a glare from Snape, the class resumed it's quietness.

I looked over at Ron. He was stirring his potion furiously, although the potion was clearly done. Harry was looking at him sadly and I couldn't help but feel sorry for Ron either. He was obviously still very hurt from whatever happened to his friend and Nott had really hit below the belt.

After Potions class we had a break. We all decided to head outside seeing as it was a nice day. I don't enjoy nice days because people tend to drag me outside, in which I get dirt all over my nice clothes. I suppose people just don't understand good hygiene these days.

The three of us sat down by the lake. Little people were there so Harry and Draco decided to kiss. This would be fine if they weren't trying to eat each other's faces off! Once again, eugh. I took this opportunity to look around.

About twenty students were out and about, either tossing a red ball around or teasing the giant squid in the lake. Everybody looked generally happy except for one person.

He was leaning his head against a tree a little while away from everyone else. His arms laid loosely at his sides as a small owl rubbed up against one of them. Ron looked so depressed that it was almost suicidal looking.

Harry and Draco were pre-occupied so I decided to try and talk to the redhead. I made my way over to him and sat down. He didn't seem to notice so I tapped him on the shoulder. He jumped and looked at me. "What do you want." he mumbled softly.

"I want to talk." I replied quite simply.

Ron huffed. "Well I don't so go away." My body gave me no choice as it started moving away on it's own accord. How was I supposed to save the boy from his suicidal-ness if this stupid obedience spell wouldn't let me?! "Wait. Come back." I sighed in relief as my legs started moving back towards him.

I sat back down and looked at him closely. His face looked very aged, even though he was only fifteen. "How have you been?" I murmured. I know I usually don't try and help people but Ron seemed very miserable and to be honest, he kind of dragged everyone's emotions down as well. And besides, Harry became one of my best friend and Ron troubled him as well.

"How do you think I've been?" Ron replied. "I got two weeks detention because I was defending my best friend."

"Hermione, was it?"

"Yes, she was the most wonderful person." Ron looked away. "You would have gotten along with her."

I nodded. "I suppose I would."

"Too bad you can't know her, because of Harry, no one will ever know her again." Ron's voice cracked a little at the end of his sentence and he put his face in his hands.

"But why is it Harry's fault? From what he told me it was entirely her choice to tag along on one of his 'missions.'"

"You just don't get it do you? If it wasn't for Harry, she'd still be here with us. If it wasn't for Harry, I wouldn't be depressed. If it wasn't for Harry, my mother wouldn't hate me for hating him. My life is completely torn apart and it's all because of the Boy-Who-Won't-Fucking-Die-Already!"

I put my hand on Ron's shoulder as he burrowed his face into his hands again. "I know it seems like it's Harry's fault, but it really isn't. You just need to get some closure I think."

Ron stayed silent for a little while. "How do I get closure?" Ron finally said as he turned to look at me.

I thought for a moment. "I think you and Harry need to talk to each other about what happened." I said.

"But we already talked about it and it didn't help at all." Ron replied stubbornly.

"I meant talk civilly. I'm not saying that the two of you need to become friends again but I think it might help if you put the bitterness aside and discuss what happened to your best friend with him."

Ron nodded. "Okay, I will tomorrow."

"Promise?" Ron nodded again and got up.

"Thanks, Artemis. I really appreciate you trying to help me." He walked away after that.

"Anytime, Ron." I murmured gently while I watched Ron walk away.

Butler sat down next to me. "That was a pretty good thing you just did kiddo." he told me.

I smiled. "I know." I frowned a bit then. "Oh lord, what's gotten into me?"

Butler laughed. "I think you're becoming human."

"Great, I start to become human when I'm a vampire and a wizard. How does that make sense?"

Butler just laughed again and so did I. I smiled and hugged him, thinking I can get used to this new kind of attitude, well, at least for a little while.

A/N: Again, sorry for the huuuge delay but now that school is out I can start writing again :-). Review please!