AUTHOR'S NOTES: Chapter 9 is here and I hope you are keen! Sorry for the delay, usually I post daily but this chapter was a difficult one to write because of... well no spoilers!
Please enjoy!
DISCLAIMER: I do not own Harry Potter, and I do not intend to make any money off of this. Harry Potter is the intellectual property of J. K. Rowling , and I take no credit of it whatsoever.
I was also inspired by Demon Eyes Laharl's: THE RED KNIGHT! and also from Random-Fruitcake04's: CHOICES! I hope you check them out as well because they are genuinely very good stories.
Fate
Chapter 9 – The Storm
Ronald Weasley's POV
"Ron? Oi, Ron are you all right?" came a girl's voice, Ron didn't bother trying to place it. He just stared at Hermione's fleeing form, right up until she bolted around a corner and disappeared from sight. "Ron?" came the voice again and Ron felt a light hand on his arm. Ron looked at the hand and followed it to Tracey, who was looking worried at Ron's odd behavior. "Ron, why won't you answer?" Even Daphne and Millicent were getting a little worried, as they too looked over to Ron to see what was wrong.
"I… I'm fi… fine" Ron managed to stutter, but he couldn't give a reassuring smile. His face wouldn't move to make one.
"Are you sure?" Millicent asked. "You look really pale, paler than usual anyway. We need to get to Transfiguration Ron…" Ron gave her a quick nod and started walking to his next class. I don't need these questions… I don't want to think about this… He had honestly believed that Pandora's death would be the most horrible thing that he would ever have to witness. He was dead wrong… This vision was more horrifying than Pandora's vision by a long mile, and the fact that it was going to happen soon made Ron's hands start shaking.
What was he supposed to do with this knowledge? Could he even alert the teachers that a Mountain Troll would soon break into Hogwarts, and kill three students, without sounding like a complete nutter? Not to mention telling the teachers would mean that they would question him on how he knew of such a random and unforeseeable thing… His secret would definitely be discovered then… But what was the worth of his secret? Should he leave three people, his Gryffindor friends, to die like that just to protect himself? No… no I can't leave them. I have to warn the teachers somehow. Ron had made it to his class without even noticing if he was heading in the right direction. His mind was too busy being bombarded with questions of his future actions and his own morality. Was this the best choice he could make?
"Ron, we're here…" said Daphne, as she stopped him with her hand on his shoulder. "Something is wrong with you, we know it. You almost just walked into a wall…" Ron looked behind him to see her, and he found that all of his friends were looking at him. The girls looked genuinely concerned now, while Theo and Blaise held a suspicious look in their eyes.
"I know what's wrong" Theo said softly, staring intently into Ron's eyes. No… no you don't… "It's Granger isn't it?" Ron froze for a second, but quickly relaxed in order to not give anything away. "Finnigan insulted her and Ron is probably trying his best not to attack the Irish git!" Theo then smirked and patted Ron on his back. "Well done! You're finally learning to keep that temper of yours in check." Ron's mouth flew open slightly, while everyone else looked to Theo as if he was insane. Even Blaise was looking at Theo as if the weedy boy had grown another head. What the… GO WITH IT! This is my chance to stop them from questioning me further.
"Bloody hell…" Ron let out a sigh, trying his best to look defeated. "How did you figure that out?" Theo grinned smugly, while everyone else turned to stare at Ron in disbelief.
"It's because I'm a gen…" Theo was cut off by Daphne.
"Why do care if someone insults her? You don't even know her…" Daphne spoke in a really haughty and annoyed voice. "You only study with her once a week, AND she is in Gryffindor." Daphne then glared daggers at Ron, which made him take a step back. Um… what's her problem? Crazy bint… Ron felt his own irritation grow, and he had to do his best not to crack it at Daphne.
"She happens to be my friend" Ron retorted, making Daphne narrow her eyes at him. "I don't like people bullying my friends, so yeah I'm annoyed. Now leave it alone." Ron then turned around just in time for McGonagall to open the classroom door for the students. Ron wasted no time and was the first one through the door. Ron took his usual spot and Theo joined him this time, instead of Daphne who always sat with Ron in Transfiguration.
The class was moving slowly for Ron, as his mind was too busy thinking about Hermione. Then it became even harder for Ron to concentrate when he noticed that Hermione wasn't in the class. She would never skip Professor McGonagall's class… or any class for that matter! His stomach twisted in a knot at the thought. What if she was in the bathroom…? Was the troll incident going to happen today?! Why didn't I at least try to find a damn calendar?!
Ron smothered his fear down and tried to recall his memory of the vision to find any relevant information he could use. It was an odd experience as always. It was like he was inside the vision again but he wasn't at the same time. Ron shook away any unnecessary thoughts from his mind and tried to focus on the memory. There were little windows near the very top of the walls. The sky outside was… black and white… for Merlin's sake! It looks like it was night because the sky looked completely dark. Also both Harry and Neville were there, so I should definitely keep an eye on them today. If they move towards the girl's bathroom then I'll know when it's going to happen… Now I just need to figure out how to tell the professors without giving away my secret.
Ron spent the remainder of the class plotting a plan on how to save the three Gryffindors. If people did notice that he wasn't paying attention and not being his usual self, they didn't say anything about it. By the end of the lesson, he had a rough plan formed in his head, one that he would need to execute at lunch.
The bell rang, signaling that Transfiguration Class was finished and the sudden movement around him pulled Ron out of his thoughts. He packed his quills and clear parchment away, and moved with Theo to the exit. "Mr. Weasley" came McGonagall's voice from behind him. Ron turned around to face the stern professor, whose lips were pulled into a thin, faint smile. "Stay behind a moment, I wish to have a word with you." Ron nodded to Theo, giving him permission to go ahead without him. Theo smirked at him and marched off without a second thought. Git thinks I'm in trouble… Am I? Ron then walked up to Professor McGonagall. "You didn't answer any questions and you looked like you were somewhere far away. Is everything all right Mr. Weasley?"
"Yes, Professor McGonagall" Ron replied, putting on his best fake smile. It didn't fool the wise professor for even a second, but she didn't push him.
"I see. Well in that case, you are excused to lunch" she said. Ron nodded to her and turned to leave. Just when he got to the door, McGonagall's voice rang out from behind. "Next time Mr. Weasley, do try to pay attention in my class. Or I will be forced to remove house points." Ron stopped for a second, and then quickly left towards the Great Hall. Damn she is scary…
Ron walked through the massive doorway that led into the Great Hall and he stopped to look over the Gryffindor table. She isn't there… Ron spotted Harry and Neville talking to Fred and George, while Seamus Finnigan sat with them and was laughing about something. That made Ron's blood boil in his veins. THAT GIT! He is the reason she is there! He got them ALL KILLED!
Ron felt his body striding over to the Irish boy on its own. He was doing his best to keep his fiery temper in check but the sight of Seamus laughing like nothing was wrong made Ron want to hex that smile clean off. Ron stood behind Seamus, his face grim with anger. His brothers, Harry, Neville, and many other Gryffindors stared at Ron in disbelief. "Hey Ronnie…" Fred began slowly, but then stopped immediately as Ron glared straight at the brother who had called him a Death-Eater for being sorted into Slytherin. These Gryffindors are so self-righteous, and yet they ignore Hermione and bully her without a second thought. His mother's first letter flashed in Ron's mind, and Ron felt a sick bitterness in his stomach. Self-righteous tossers…
"Shut up" Ron spat at Fred, earning a shocked look from his brother. George frowned at Ron.
"Ron, what's your problem?" George asked, his tone was angry. "Don't talk to Fred like that. We are still your older brothers!" Ron shot daggers at Fred, who was now looking back at his little brother with a furrowed brow. Calm down… ask them about Hermione… Ron turned and faced Harry, who was staring at the scene sheepishly. Ron also noticed that Neville and many of the Gryffindors were frowning at Ron.
"Have you seen Hermione?" he questioned Harry, who just shook his head slowly. "She skipped Transfiguration and you know that she would never do that!"
"I don't know where…" Harry started but Ron cut him off.
"Why didn't you stand up for her? She is our friend and you didn't say a word… You should be ashamed of yourself, Potter…" Ron shot Harry a glare before he marched off again to rejoin his Slytherin friends. He knew that making Harry feel guilty wasn't a nice thing to do, but he needed it for his plan to work. Harry and Neville had to go looking for Hermione so that Ron could know when it was all going down.
And since no professors were present in his vision, Ron came to the conclusion that they had no clue about the troll in the first place. This meant that trying to persuade them would be extremely difficult, mainly because what kind of adult would believe a first year when they made claims as ludicrous as 'there is a Mountain Troll in the girl's bathroom'… So he knew that he needed to be ready for the exact moment the troll first entered the bathroom.
His plan was to convince McGonagall that Hermione had been skipping classes due to being bullied and that she was rumored to be crying in the girl's bathroom. Then he would lead her to the bathroom, and hope that his friends may just survive. If he acted too early, and led the professor to the bathroom with no troll in it, then it might still work-out for him. But he really didn't want to be labelled as a tattle-tale. He needed that troll to be there in order to save face. He also didn't plan on making a prediction about there being a troll as well, mainly because the troll had clearly snuck into the castle without anyone noticing it. How was he going to explain his unnatural foresight?
Ron sat down next to Theo and across from Millicent, and slowly started putting food on his plate. "What was that about?" Blaise asked him.
"Nothing…" Ron said before he started eating with the 'etiquette' that Theo had taught him. Blaise just shook his head at Ron's curt response before continuing with his own meal.
"What did McGonagall want from you Ron?" Millicent asked slightly enthusiastically, no doubt trying to lighten the mood up with her tone. Ron finished chewing and swallowed before speaking.
"She asked if I was alright." Ron replied, he saw no reason to lie about this. "I told her I was fine and she let me go."
"You were acting very strange Ron" Tracey added. "You didn't even answer a single question… you always answer everything, or try to at least. You can tell us if something is bothering you, you know! We are 'allies' after all." She chuckled after emphasizing the word allies. Ron couldn't help but smile at Tracey's mockery of Pure-Blood politics.
Of all his friends, he felt the most comfortable around Tracey mainly because she wasn't raised with these crazy Pure-Blood ideals drilled into her head. If she liked someone, she befriended them and didn't call them 'allies'… Ron enjoyed that air of normalcy around her and it made him feel relaxed, like he didn't have to watch his words constantly or mind his actions and their consequences all the time.
"Thanks Tracey, but it really is nothing. You have nothing to worry about." Ron smiled genuinely at her. She beamed back, gave him a wink, and then continued eating. Ron was about to start eating again but Daphne stopped him with a snide remark.
"Yes Tracey" Daphne muttered under her breath, but loud enough for everyone to hear. "Ron is just angry because his 'girlfriend' was getting picked on…" The mood changed immediately. Both Tracey and Ron stopped smiling, while Millicent and Theo just stared at Daphne with blank faces. Blaise just sighed, and then turned his plate and body towards the other direction and continued his meal. What is Daphne's problem with me? She is pushing me for no reason…
"She isn't my girlfriend, Greengrass" Ron gritted out, his cheeks flushing and ears turning red. "She is my… friend…" Ron finished lamely. Nice going there, that was convincing I'm sure… Daphne huffed in annoyance and started eating again. Ron could see the scowl on her face and it irked him to no end. What is her damn problem with me now? She always finds a reason to get on my last nerve…
Out of all his friends, Daphne was definitely the most infuriating because she would always try and push his buttons. She would throw tantrums if he didn't help her with their homework first, she would always make annoying, judgmental comments about his actions, she was incredibly blunt and inconsiderate with her words, and that damn huff was always so… so aggravating!
"Guys don't fight" Millicent piped in lightly. "We are in front of the whole school right now… let's just talk about this at the common room."
"Millie is right" Theo added quickly. "We can't show our dirty laundry to other people. Right, Ron?" Theo looked at Ron with a blank, no nonsense face. Ron sighed and nodded curtly. Ron knew that Theo didn't care about 'dirty laundry', and that he was saying this because he just didn't want to look bad around others. Theo was always playing some game to elevate himself… Complete Slytherin, right down to his very core!
"There is nothing to talk about" Daphne said in an annoyed voice. She didn't even look up to say it, and Ron almost blew a blood vessel because of her sulking behavior. So damn annoying… Just always pouting and complaining if she doesn't get her way… AND I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT I DID WRONG THIS TIME?!
"Whatever" Ron said after taking a calming breath. I have much bigger things to worry about right now. Lunch ended shortly after that and Ron made his way to his D.A.D.A Class for a double period with the world's most incompetent professor. Ron hated being taught by Quirrell because they never learned a thing from the man. All he did was tell nonsense stories about his travels and stutter like some dimwit constantly.
Ron greatly wished that they had Professor Snape as the Defense teacher and the Potions teacher. Everyone knew about Snape's desire for the Defense post, and the fact that the Headmaster chose Quirrell over Snape made no sense to Ron. Even though Snape was mean, and a harsh teacher, Ron knew that the Professor had a kinder side to him that only the Slytherins got to see. Every Slytherin, including Ron, respected Snape because he had their best interests in mind, and although he never outwardly showed it, it was just an unspoken truth amongst the House of the Cunning. And yet Quirrell was given the post of Defense teacher and it had all but ruined the subject for Ron. Bloody Quirrell…
The class was so boring that Ron began to quietly hope that the Mountain Troll would break into the classroom and kill Quirrell. He let out a dry chuckle at the morbid thought. I need to calm down… I need to focus on Hermione, and not on this turban-wearing incompetent moron… Then a horrid thought clicked in his brain. Where was he when the troll killed my friends…? He is the defense teacher, he is supposed to protect the school from things like that… Ron felt a burning heat rising from his stomach, and he was immediately flushed with anger. Ron felt like he could never hate Quirrell as much as he did just then. This idiot is supposed to protect the students! And he was nowhere to be seen! A grim scowl was on his face and Quirrell noticed the red haired boy staring intently at him.
"Mr. We… Weasley, is some…. something the mat… matter?" Quirrell stuttered out nervously. Ron quickly schooled his face and cursed at himself within his own mind for getting caught.
"No, sir" Ron said as politely as he could. "I was just thinking about the Halloween Feast tonight…" That was such a bad excuse for glaring murder at the man… Good one Ron.
"Oh I… I see" Quirrell let out a nervous laugh. "You al… all must be ve… very excited about it…" Quirrell addressed the class but kept his eyes on Ron. The class quickly agreed with the stuttering professor, and the class resumed. Everything seemed like it normally did during the class but Ron kept noticing Quirrell shooting him quick glances throughout the double period. Glances that Ron did his very best to avoid, he didn't want any trouble or attention whatsoever. If the attack was to happen tonight, then Ron wanted to be in a position to help instead of rotting away in detention.
As soon as the bell rang, Ron had his things packed and was out the door in a flash. He ran down to his dorm and dropped his things off. Then he was heading out just as fast as he had come in, but he was stopped at the exit of the common room by his friends.
"Where are you going?" Theo asked him, looking at him suspiciously. "You bolted right after class…"
"I'm gonna go find Hermione" Ron replied, he wanted people to believe that he had actually found her instead of just guessing her location. He knew that Professor McGonagall would question him about his knowledge of her whereabouts, and so he needed people to back up his story. "She skipped Transfiguration and lunch… for all I know she skipped her after-lunch classes too. I want to go and find her. Make sure she is alright." Ron finished and then he started walking through his friends to head out. Tracey started walking with him, which made Ron rather happy for some reason. At least she is backing me up.
"Where are you going Trace?" Daphne said haughtily. This stopped Tracey dead in her tracks, and Ron as well when he noticed Tracey had stopped. Daphne is my biggest headache today…
"I'm going to help Ron look" Tracey said meekly. "You know… two head are better than one, and all that…" she finished lamely. Daphne huffed in annoyance and glared at Ron. Ron had had just about enough of her attitude towards him and he was seconds away from cracking it at her.
"Fine" Daphne said curtly before she turned around and marched to her dorm. There was an uncomfortable silence left behind in her wake, one that lasted for a few long seconds.
"I'll help as well" Millicent said, nodding her head at Ron. Ron smiled at her in gratitude. "What about you two?" Millicent asked Theo and Blaise. Theo stared at Ron for a second before laughing rudely and then walking off towards his dorm. Blaise just shook his head and wished them luck in a very disinterested voice. Two out of five… Some 'friends'… Ron then shook his head and headed out, accompanied by the two girls.
"We should look for a few Gryffindor first years" Tracey suggested. "The girls especially, as they might know where to start looking for her. We should also look in the library, I've heard she lives there." Ron grinned to himself, happy that someone like Tracey was friends with him.
"I agree" Millicent piped in. "Also girls usually go cry in the toilets if they get upset. We could look there as well." Ron's grin got even bigger and he had to force it away. This is going to be so much easier because of them! They might even help me convince Hermione to leave the bathroom. If she isn't there in the first place, then she and the others won't get killed!
"Thank you" Ron spoke softly. "You two are brilliant." Ron kept his head forward and maintained his quick momentum, making him miss the smiles that broke out on the two girl's faces. "We should start with the girl's bathrooms."
"Of course, Ron" Tracey said in a suggestive tone. Then she and Millicent broke into small giggles.
"What?" Ron questioned, without stopping his movement. He had to get there before dinner started. It was already getting dark so he had no clue when the attack might happen.
"Nothing…" Tracey cooed. "Pervert…" Ron stopped immediately and turned around to face the girls, his face was red and his ears were burning. Tracey and Millicent broke into a laugh at the sight of his red, open-mouthed face.
"NO! It isn't… I didn't mean… I'M NOT A PERVERT!" Ron was stuttering from embarrassment. Tracey and Millicent laughed even harder.
"She is only teasing you Ron" Millicent said in between her laughs. Ron stared at the two, and then he quickly turned around and started walking even faster. Do they actually think I'm some pervert…? I'm not… Then he remember his vision about Luna and how he had stood there gawking at her nakedness. He cringed at the memory. Merlin… They're right, I am a pervert…
Ron and the girls made it to the girl's bathroom near the dungeons, and Ron hoped that Hermione was inside. He wasn't sure which bathroom she was in, just that she was in one. "Ok, you two should go inside and check" Ron said as he leaned against the corridor wall. The girls nodded and went inside, leaving Ron to wait for them outside. She has to be in there… If she is, then I need to convince her to come out and stay away from this place. But how am I supposed to do that without giving away my secret? Bloody hell, what a mess…
Ron waited for around five minutes, growing increasingly more and more impatient. What was taking those two so long? He had half a mind to just barge in and find out himself, but he really didn't want to be labelled as the 'boy-who-peeped' for the next seven years of his life. Another five minutes later and Ron was at the end of his rope, but just then the girls came walking out. They looked a little confused, and maybe worried… "Well? What took you two so long?" Ron asked, tapping his foot in annoyance.
"She is inside, I…" Tracey paused, and then she continued as she looked right at Ron. "I think she has been crying all day Ron… She wouldn't even talk to Millie and I, and we tried everything… Sorry." I'm going to end Finnigan's life after I get through this… They can send me to Azkaban for it, I don't bloody care… I'm stuck cleaning up his mess while he is laughing around without a damn worry!
"There is no one else inside" Millicent added. "Tracey and I can keep watch while you go and talk to her…" Ron nodded quickly and walked right in without a second thought. He had to get her out of this place, a place where she was going to be crushed to death. As Ron entered the bathroom, he was actually taken aback by how… not destroyed this place was. It was stupid to feel that way, but he just couldn't help it. The last time he had been in this room, it was destroyed completely and covered in blood… FOCUS! Ron shook his head and slapped his cheeks. He walked up to the only toilet stand that had a closed door.
"Hermione…" Ron whispered, not sure on what volume he should be using. "Hermione, it's me Ron…"
"YOU CAN'T BE IN HERE RONALD!" came a screech from past the door, making Ron step back in fright. His nerves really were at the end of their limits, weren't they…?
"I know" he quickly replied. "But Tracey and Millicent told me that you wouldn't talk to them… so I… I decided to come and talk to you myself." There was no response from Hermione, and Ron waited a couple more seconds before he spoke again. "They said you were in here all day… You didn't go to your classes either… Please just talk to me…" Why am I so bad at this? Percy would have already gotten her out…
"You sent them to get me" Hermione said, then she sniffled loudly. "Why?"
"I was worried about you… and I looked around for you, but when the girls suggested that you might be in one of the girl's bathrooms, I knew that I would need their help." Hermione didn't reply but he could hear her sniffling from past the door. "Hermione please just come out and talk to me…" There was silence for almost a minute, but Ron waited patiently.
"No one likes me here" she suddenly sobbed. "No one talks to me, and everyone in my house mocks me for studying… The other girls ignore me whenever I'm in the dorms with them… I hate it here… I want to go home… I just wanted to fit…" Hermione started crying loudly, and Ron felt something in his chest tighten. She felt that lonely? Then he remembered all the times she had shown so much eagerness about studying with him, and it made his chest tighten even harder. I am an actual idiot… Why didn't I notice something so basic?! If it had been Ginny that was this upset, he would have figured it out in a heartbeat. But he hadn't given Hermione's position a second thought.
"I like you, Hermione… Harry and Neville do too…" Ron was then cut off by Hermione.
"NO THEY DON'T" she screeched loudly and then let out a guttural sob. "They haven't even spoken to me since… since the day we went to the… Trophy Room. They don't like me. No one likes me here… The others even make fun of me for studying with you, a Slytherin, and Harry… Harry and Neville never say a word to stop it…" Hermione's sobbing was bringing tears to Ron's eyes for some reason and he rubbed his eyes hard with his robes. "I just want to go home…" she rasped.
"Hermione I like you… you and I are friends. You know that right?" Ron was practically begging at this point. Please just come out of there… We can't be in here! Tracey barged into the bathroom, making Ron jump.
"Ron there's some older girls coming! Millie is stalling them! HURRY!" Tracey was hysterical. Bloody hell! I was getting so close…
"Just leave me alone" Hermione's raspy voice came. "We aren't friends… you just feel pity for me…"
"Hermio…" Ron started but Tracey cut him off.
"RON C'MON!" Tracey all but screamed at him. Ron cussed aloud and ran out with Tracey, leaving a sobbing Hermione behind. Merlin help my shite luck… Ron and Tracey quickly ran to the opposite end of the corridor and looked around the corner, only to see Millicent talking to three older girls. Ron recognized the one in the middle as she was the Slytherin fifth year prefect. Bloody hell I dodged a curse there…
Ron and Tracey casually approached Millicent from behind, trying their best to look as innocent as possible. Millicent excused herself from the girls when she heard Ron and Tracey approaching from behind. Ron waved to the older girls and smiled innocently at them. The prefect smiled back and waved as well, Ron had to admit that she was very pretty. But the other two girls raised an eyebrow at Ron and just scoffed. The older girls then walked past Ron's group and headed for the bathroom.
"Oh Merlin that was close…" Tracey breathed out, apparently she was holding her breath the entire time.
"Thank you Millie" Ron said, trying to slow down his heartbeat. He didn't even notice that he had called Millicent by her nickname, something he hadn't done yet. She blinked at him for a second before she smiled a full smile at Ron.
"I have your back" was all Millicent said. Ron gave her an appreciative nod. She saved our skins… If I had gotten caught in there by my house's female prefect… Ron shuddered at the thought. "Dinner is about to start and Carey was just telling me that I need to head down to the feast."
"Who?" Ron asked, concerned at who this Carey girl was.
"Carey… our prefect" Tracey gave Ron an annoyed look. "Do you boys ever pay any attention to your surroundings?" Ron just shrugged his shoulders at that. So much for getting Hermione out of that bathroom… I have to get Professor McGonagall involved now… That's my only move.
Ron sat in between Tracey and Millicent at the Slytherin table for the Halloween Feast. Theo, Blaise, and Daphne sat across from them, and Ron couldn't help but feel uncomfortable at the silence between them all. "The decorations are neat" Theo piped up, trying to be casual. "I love the bats and the flying pumpkins…"
"Yeah, and the food is going to be amazing apparently …" Tracey added in. She was avoiding looking at Daphne for some reason, probably some girl stuff that Ron didn't really care to understand.
"Shame I didn't see Granger when I entered" Daphne said curtly. Ron glared at Daphne, and she glared back at him. The silence was back…
"For the sake of Merlin" Blaise let out a tired sigh. "Will you give it a rest Daphne…?" Daphne turned her glare to Blaise immediately.
"ME?" she all but screeched. "It's Ron who is running around associating with a Mud-Blo…"
"Shut up!" Ron ordered and slammed his hands on the table, making the plates rattle. Everyone jumped a little, and the older students looked down the table and frowned at Ron. Ron didn't give a damn though.
"Didn't I warn you once already…" Ron gritted out. He knew that he must have been frothing at the mouth because Daphne went wide-eyed. As a matter of fact, all of his friends did as well. Ron didn't care one bit right now. He had messed up with getting Hermione out of that infernal bathroom, and he was so stressed because of her imminent death, that he was having trouble even breathing properly. Daphne then regained her composure and glared at Ron. They held eye contact for a bit but then Daphne huffed and looked away from Ron. Selfish little brat!
"May I have your attention" boomed the voice of Albus Dumbledore, silencing everyone in the hall. "I wish you all a Happy Hallowe'en and without further ado, let the feast… begin" Dumbledore finished with a loud clap, and mountains of food appeared onto the tables. It wasn't ordinary food though, all of the foods were sugary delights and Ron wasn't sure that his parents would approve of this.
But then again, he didn't really care much for their opinions right now. Ron put a couple of pumpkin-pastries onto his plate and ate them slowly. He could feel the wetness in his armpits and on the top of his brow. She is going to die all alone while we just eat… I need to do something! Anything! And yet Ron couldn't think of a single thing he could do that would keep his secret intact. The only way Hermione could live was if he told Dumbledore everything right this second. That was all he could think to do at this moment.
He still had McGonagall but that plan had a high chance of failing. She probably wouldn't go and check up on Hermione instantly just because Ron told her to. And he already didn't have any time to waste. This is it then… I have to do this… For Hermione, Harry, and Neville… Ron slowly stood up from his seat, ignoring his friends' voices questioning his behavior. I can't believe that I didn't even last more than three months at Hogwarts before outing myself… The main door of the Great hall then swung open loudly, pulling everyone's attention towards it. Professor Quirrell came running in at full tilt and went straight to the staff table.
"TROLL IN THE DUNGEONS!" Quirrell screamed at the staff. "Thought you ought to know…" he then muttered and collapsed face-first into the ground, passing out. What… wait what am I…? The entire Great Hall broke into a frenzy of panic, with the students screaming and getting up frantically to run away. Ron just stood there frozen, before students started bumping into him and pushing him out of their way. That woke him up and he knew instantly what he had to do. I have to tell the professors now! They will save her! Ron felt desperation ignite his sense of purpose and he started pushing his own way through the students towards the staff table. Ron yelled at them to get out of his way, but he was being overwhelmed by the older students who he didn't have the strength to push past.
"SILENCE!" boomed Dumbledore's voice throughout the whole Great Hall. Everyone stopped moving and screaming at once. "Good, now remain calm and join your house's prefects. They will take you all into your common rooms, and no one is allowed to leave until the situation is resolved. Prefects, do your duty to this school. Professors, follow me to the dungeons." The Headmaster then moved quickly towards the door behind the staff table, and the professors all began to follow him. NO! WAIT! Ron tried to push past the bigger students even harder but it wasn't working.
"WAIT! PROFESSORS WAIT!" Ron yelled but his voice was drowned out by the noise of shuffling feet and chatter from the other students. Ron was being pushed back against his will and he was about to fall over when a hand grabbed his shoulder and pulled him back onto the table.
"What are you doing?" Millicent asked him. "There is a troll on the loose! We need to get back to the common room!" Ron stared at her with pure fear etched on his face, making Millicent go wide-eyed. "Ron?"
"Hermione… she doesn't know about the troll Millie!" Ron said quickly and loudly. Millicent looked worryingly at Ron and then she sighed.
"Ron, she will be fine" Millicent reassured him. "The professors and the Headmaster are all going after the troll. C'mon, we have to keep moving." Millicent grabbed Ron's arm and dragged him along with her towards their house prefects. Ron wanted to resist but his head was spinning from everything going wrong at once. All that planning and I've failed… She is really going to die… WHAT DO I DO?! Why didn't I just tell Dumbledore everything…?
The Slytherins then began exiting the Great Hall, with Millicent dragging Ron behind her. Ron could only gaze around at the frightened faces of his friends and house-mates. His stomach felt so heavy and his legs seemed to be dragging, it was like he was going to pass out right there… They won't find her… and when they do… She'll be in pieces…
Ron's eyes began burning as he recalled her shattered form. As he recalled her words to him just before dinner. As he recalled how excited she was when he offered to be her study partner. And then, as he recalled her sobbing and loneliness, his feet stopped moving. NO… NO I WON'T LET THIS HAPPEN! SHE DESERVES BETTER THAN THAT! Millicent stopped too because of Ron becoming rooted to his spot. He ripped his arm out of her grasp and looked at her, eyes red with tears and fear. "Ron… What are you doing?" Millicent asked, her voice shaking from seeing her friend in such a state.
"Hermione doesn't know Millie… she… she doesn't know" Ron muttered, sounding mad. "I was supposed to get her out… I can't…" Ron started stepping back from Millie who just stared at him wide-eyed. The female prefect noticed Ron stepping out of the line and drifting away from the pack.
"Weasley!" the female prefect called out to him. "Weasley get back in line now! What are you doing?" Ron's friends and house-mates turned and stared at him. His friends looked at him with the same look Millicent was giving Ron, one of worry, fear, and shock.
"Ron…" Daphne and Tracey said softly. Ron looked at them and chuckled dryly, his fear muddling his mind up. She doesn't know… Harry's head is going to be eaten… They will never find all of Neville… I… I'm supposed to do more than… Just like with Pandora… MOVE ALREADY! YOU BLOODY COWARD! MOVE PLEASE!
"I'm sorry… I can't let her die like that…" Ron mumbled to his friends, stepping back faster.
"WEASLEY WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING?!" the male prefect shouted. "GET THE FUCK BACK INTO LINE NOW!" The shouting became thunderous in Ron's ears, and tears fell down his face. They can expel me… but I… Hermione doesn't know… her death… it will be on my head…
Ron turned to the direction of the girl's bathroom and bolted as fast as he could towards it. He heard loud shouting and quick footsteps behind him. Some of the shouting was from the female prefect but Ron could also hear all of his friends telling him to come back, even Blaise was yelling at him to just stop.
But Ron didn't stop. He ran so hard and fast that his feet hurt every time they hit the ground. I CAN MAKE IT! I CAN STILL DO SOMETHING! The shouting became more and more distant, and Ron knew that his exercises were paying off. They could be the reason why he just might make it there in time. Ron ripped out his wand and tightened his grip on the handle, thinking of nothing but the girl's bathroom. I'm almost there, I'm almost… Ron's thoughts stopped when he heard a loud thud and the sound of ceramics shattering. His heart pumped in his ears and he screamed as he pushed his body even harder. DON'TDIEDON'TDIEDON'TYOUBLOODYDIE!
Ron tried to turn into the bathroom but he was going so fast that he couldn't slowdown in time, and so he slammed right-shoulder-first into the wall leading into the bathroom with full force. He yelled out in pain but quickly ran forward and slammed the door open with his left shoulder. Ron walked right into the moment when Neville was trying to help Hermione up and Harry was trying to dodge the troll's cudgel. I MADE IT JUST IN TIME! No one noticed his entrance because they were all too busy with their own dilemmas.
Ron quickly moved a bit more into the room and pointed his wand at the back of the troll's head with his left hand, he completely ignored the door slamming open behind him as his friends and house prefect barged in. Ron instead focused on his aim, blocking out the gasps and screams that came from behind him.
"DIE YOU MONSTER!" Ron screamed at the top of his lungs, garnering everyone's attention to himself. The troll turned around to look at the commotion behind it, and just as it did Ron yelled the first curse that crossed his mind. "CONFRINGO!"
The wand burned hot in his hand and a fiery orange light burst out of Ron's wand, and it stuck the troll on the right side of its face. There was a deafening sound and an invisible force pushed everyone away from the troll. Ron himself went flying back into his friends, while Harry got flung into the broken toilet stands. Ron had the wind knocked out of his lungs on impact, and judging from the grunts, his friends did too.
The troll fell to its side with a loud thud that made the ground shake upon contact. Eerie silence consumed the room for a moment that lasted forever. Ron then tried standing and the pain in his right shoulder almost made him fall back down. But he couldn't afford to fall down, not yet. So Ron pushed himself up, screaming to let the pain out.
He fumbled towards Hermione who was in the corner with Neville, both looking horrified beyond words. Ron's gaze fell on the dead troll as he passed it, and the sight made him feel a sick satisfaction. The right side of the troll's face was blown to pieces, chunks were completely missing, the visible flesh was charred and smoking, its right eye was also completely gone, and a large pool of blood was forming around its mangled head with bits of flesh and teeth mixed into it. This is what you deserve… monster!
Ron then looked back at Hermione as he limped towards her. She was staring back at him with pure fear etched on her face, her body shaking from adrenaline. "I… I saved you… I made it in time…" Ron said softly to her, a faint smile on his lips. Then he was standing directly in front of her, and she couldn't stop shaking at the sight. Ron's bloodshot eyes, his faint smile, and the tear tracks on his face made him look so… so unhinged. As if he was a monster… And then Ron fell on his knees clutching his right shoulder with his left hand. "My bloody arm…" he croaked out. Hermione instantly moved to his side.
"Ronald… what have… what did you do… to the troll…" her voice came out shaking.
"He was going to kill you… and…" Ron gritted his teeth in pain. "And both Harry and Neville… you're my friends…" he said in delirium, pain overtaking his senses. Ron then heard the door bang open and Hermione squealed and stood back up. Ron slowly turned around and saw Harry climbing out of the broken stands, grunting as he stood up to look at the troll. Ron then looked to the door and saw Professors McGonagall, Snape, Quirrell, and Flitwick standing there behind his shocked and terrified friends.
"What… What is the meaning of this?!" demanded McGonagall, her voice shaking from the horrific sight of the troll's corpse. "EXPLAIN YOURSELVES THIS INSTANT!" she yelled as she turned to the female prefect.
"Weas… Weasley Professor McGonagall…" the prefect mumbled, pointing her shaking finger at the red-haired boy. "He blew the troll's head… into pieces" the prefect finished and then she ran to the side, and retched her dinner out. The sound and sight made Ron gag as well, he felt sick from exhaustion, adrenaline, fear, and even his actions. I just killed something… and I felt…
As soon as the thought dawned on him, Ron vomited as well. It wasn't much because he had barely eaten, but it still burned his throat. McGonagall moved to his side in a blur and put her arm around him, which made him wince in pain and back away from her. McGonagall flinched, and then she removed her wand from her robes and cast a non-verbal spell on him.
"His right shoulder is dislocated …" McGonagall diagnosed. "Filius, help me with the boy. We must take him and the children to Pomfrey." Professor Flitwick transfigured the cudgel into a stretcher quickly and McGonagall helped Ron onto it. She then turned and faced Neville and Hermione, who were still shaking from what they had just witnessed and gone though.
"Come children" McGonagall spoke kindly as she stretched her hand out to Hermione, who took it slowly. Ron spent the ride to the hospital wing in a blurry trance of sorts. He could hear words but they made no sense to him, and he heard footsteps but he didn't know who they belonged to. All he could see was the ceiling as he floated on a comfortable stretcher all the way to the Hospital Wing.
Ron was sitting up on his hospital bed, his legs covered by a white blanket, and he watching everything around him intently. Madam Pomfrey had fixed his shoulder in a jiffy and even given him a small dose of the Calming Draught, to lower his shock no doubt. Madam Pomfrey was walking around with a platter of sorts with small doses of the Calming draught, giving the doses out one by one to all the students that had just come from the girl's bathroom. Professors Snape and Flitwick had both left to fetch the Headmaster, while Professors McGonagall and Quirrell were talking to the female prefect, who was no doubt explaining everything to them. What was her name again? Millie told me before but I've forgotten it.
Ron also noted that unlike the Draught of Peace, the Calming Draught didn't leave him as a complete simpleton. However, it may just have been because of the smaller dose. Either way, it didn't matter because all he could feel was relief because of his success at saving the Gryffindors, who were there with Ron in the Hospital Wing as well.
Hermione was lying down not too far from Ron, while Harry and Neville sat in chairs not too far from her bed. Ron's Slytherin friends were also there, and they were all sitting in chairs around his bed. Daphne sat the closest to him. No one was talking, mainly because the potion had dulled their shock and senses a bit, but also because they were all processing what they had just seen. The calm of the room went away all of a sudden when the door flung open, and Dumbledore marched in with two professors on his heel. "Poppy" Dumbledore spoke softly. "Where is the boy?" Madam Pomfrey frowned at the older wizard.
"Albus let him rest, please" she requested, her face still in a frown. "He's been through a lot tonight."
"I'm afraid I cannot, Poppy" Dumbledore gave a remorseful smile to the matron. Then he whispered something to her that Ron couldn't hear. Whatever he said made Madam Pomfrey point out his bed. Dumbledore's gentle gaze fell on Ron, making Ron feel a bit queasy. I'm going to have to lie to him… to keep my secret.
Ron had decided that he would maintain his secret after all. Everything had worked out and he had even managed to kill a troll. Perhaps he could really do this on his own? "Ah Mr. Weasley, just the person I was looking for" Dumbledore spoke with some humor in his voice as he approached Ron's bed. The Slytherins stood up to leave, but Dumbledore tutted at them and asked them to sit. "I will need you all to explain everything to me, and there is no reason to leave your friend's side on my behalf."
The Slytherins slowly sat back down, shooting each other and Ron apprehensive glances. "So, Mr. Weasley, please tell me how you happened to find yourself in the girl's bathroom so late at night" Dumbledore asked him gently, his eyes twinkling at Ron. Is he… Is he enjoying asking me that in such an embarrassing and suggestive way…? Evil old codger… Ron cleared his throat and looked Dumbledore in the eyes.
"Sir I ran from the Slytherin line up… I wanted to warn Hermione about the troll." Dumbledore slowly nodded at that.
"How did you know where to find Miss. Granger?" Dumbledore questioned.
"I um… I sort of went into the bathroom before… but only because I was looking for her!" Ron's ears burned and his cheeks flushed. He definitely believes that I'm a pervert too…
"And why were you looking for her, Ronald?" Dumbledore's eyes danced in merriment. He was getting more and more interested in this tale.
"She skipped her classes this morning after…" Ron trailed off. Dumbledore raised his eyebrows, indicating for Ron to continue. I don't want to tattle on anyone… Fred and George always go barmy whenever I tattle on them.
"Granger was being harassed by her fellow Gryffindors, sir" Theo piped in, making Ron sigh in relief. "They made jokes at her expense and she ran off in tears right after Charms Class this morning. Ron was worried for her throughout the whole day and even went looking for her before dinner. Millicent and Tracey went with him" Theo finished, his eyes shifting to the two girls as if telling them to confirm his story.
"It's true, Headmaster" Tracey blurted out. "We um… we found her in the bathroom crying and she wouldn't come out. So we let Ron try and speak to her. She still didn't come out… and after the troll was spotted in the dungeon, Ron ran away to go warn her. He said that she didn't know about the troll, and that it could get her hurt or killed" Tracey finished, taking in a long breath. Dumbledore gave another slow nod. He then turned to Gryffindors and addressed Hermione.
"Miss. Granger, is this true?" he asked her gently. She sat up and looked over to Ron, a small smile broke onto her face.
"It is, Headmaster" she spoke softly. "Ron asked me to come out but I… I refused. That's how he knew where to find me."
"And you two?" Dumbledore asked the Gryffindor boys. "Why were you at the bathroom as well?" Dumbledore voice was filled with humor now, and it was showing.
"We went to find Hermione, sir" Harry answered, while Neville stared at the floor and fidgeted with his hands. "The… the Slytherins are telling the truth about people making fun of Hermione. Ron was furious and he… he yelled at us during lunch for not standing up for her."
Hermione beamed at Ron when she heard that, making him blush from embarrassment. "So Nev and I felt guilty, which made us ask around if she had been seen by anyone in Gryffindor. Parvati Patil told us that she had been in the girl's bathroom near the dungeons, crying…" Harry looked down at that. "We went to warn her as well, but the troll was already there. It almost…" Harry trailed off, his shock coming back slightly. Dumbledore let out a small sigh of relief.
"That is enough, Harry" Dumbledore spoke softly. "I now have a clear grasp on the events of today. Poppy, you may dismiss any students whom you do not wish to keep overnight. I'm sure they could all use a good night's rest after all the excitement today."
Madam Pomfrey then dismissed Ron's Slytherin friends, Harry and Neville, and the female Slytherin prefect back to their respective common rooms. This left Hermione and Ron as the only children within the Hospital Wing. The professors did not leave however, Ron also noticed that they were shooting him curious and… fearful glances. What's wrong? Am I in trouble…? Dumbledore then walked over to Professors Snape, McGonagall, Quirrell, and Flitwick. They began discussing something in hushed whispers, while glancing at Ron every now and then. Ron decided to just ignore it, there wasn't anything else he could be bothered doing at this point.
"Pssst" Hermione called for Ron's attention, which he gave her quickly. "Did you… did you really yell at the Gryffindors?" She was smiling at him, and he couldn't help but give her a smile in return.
"Um… yeah" Ron said, scratching the back of head and feeling rather embarrassed. It's alright Ron, it was all part of the plan… A plan that failed rather miserably but still…
"So you really meant what you said to me in the girl's bathroom…? That we're friends?" she was looking a flustered as she asked him.
"I did" was all Ron said. Hermione beamed, and Ron could see the tears in her eyes.
"You even came looking for me… even after you knew that there was a troll on the loose. And then you…" she trailed off as she remembered what Ron had done to save her. She was grateful beyond words but a small part of her was scared of Ron. He had looked truly terrifying in that moment, right after he had killed the troll.
They both stayed quiet after that. Ron tried to listen in on the adults but he couldn't make out any words. After a few more minutes, Dumbledore and Snape approached Ron's bed. The other professors left the Hospital Wing in a hurry.
"Mr. Weasley" Snape spoke in his usual soft, drawled out tone. "We must talk about your actions against the troll. The Headmaster and I wish to know which spell you used, and where or whom you learned it from. Is that clear?" Snape's eyes burrowed into Ron's, making the boy gulp loudly.
"Do not worry Ronald" Dumbledore said gently. "You are not in any trouble, I promise." Ron gave a slow nod and looked back to Professor Snape.
"I used the… the Blasting Curse, sir" Ron confessed, which made Snape's eyes widen for a split second. "Confringo" Ron added quickly.
"That is a very advanced curse, Ronald" Dumbledore said softly, his eyes weren't twinkling anymore. Instead they looked hard, and piercing. "Not something that any first-year should even know about, let alone be able to cast. Where did you gain the knowledge needed to cast this?" Not in any trouble my arse… He is scarier than Professor Snape…
"My… my brother Charlie… taught me" Ron stuttered out, feeling extremely nervous. Dumbledore stared at Ron for a few second, and then the twinkling in his eyes came back and he let out a small chuckle.
"You truly are something special, aren't you Ronald?" Dumbledore smiled at the bewildered boy. "Not many eleven year-olds can claim that they slayed a twelve feet tall Mountain Troll in order to protect their friends. You saved lives tonight, Ronald. I hope you truly understand how remarkable that is." Dumbledore smiled kindly at Ron, and Ron smiled back in relief. So I'm not getting expelled… that's great. "I hereby award Slytherin house… fifty points. For your bravery and keen foresight in looking for your friend despite the dangers it presented to you. Well done." Ron's mouth flung open at the sound of that. Fifty house points… Dumbledore let out a chuckle at Ron's expression.
"Mr. Weasley" Snape said softly. "Did the encounter with the troll addle your mind? Thank the Headmaster properly."
"Thank you, Headmaster" Ron said quickly, scared of earning Snape's ire.
"There is no need for that, Ronald" Dumbledore said as he raised his hand to stop Ron. "I should be thanking you for your service to the school and to your fellow school-mates, regardless of their house. I bid you and Miss. Granger goodnight, and sweet dreams." Dumbledore and Snape then turned to leave, but both stopped right at the exit. "I will also alert your families of what has transpired today, it is school policy of course." Family… Mum and dad will hear about this… What about…?
"Headmaster" Ron called out without thinking. Dumbledore turned around and faced the boy with a smile.
"Yes, Ronald" Dumbledore replied.
"Can you… can you also please contact the Lovegoods? On my behalf, that is… they are like a family to me as well." Ron said clearly. Dumbledore smiled and nodded his head, and then he turned around and left with Snape.
"Bloody hell" Ron muttered as he lay down in his bed.
"Language, Ron!" Hermione scolded in a mocking voice. Ron almost jumped at the sound of her voice. He had almost forgotten she was there in the first place. I'm so exhausted…
"Sorry" Ron said, smiling at her. He wasn't really sorry, he loved saying bloody hell.
"Thank you, Ron" Hermione smiled back at him. "For being my friend, and for standing up for me." Ron could only nod at her. He didn't know what to say to that in all honesty. But she didn't seem to mind, because she kept smiling at him. "Goodnight, Ron."
"Goodnight, Hermione." Both of them closed their eyes, and didn't utter another word. Ron's last thoughts were about Hermione's grateful smile, and about the fact that he would have never seen it if he hadn't managed to pull through. He smiled in bliss as the dark took him. I won the day… I saved them…
AUTHOR'S NOTES: Well, how was that? I hope you all found that intense and entertaining. Also a couple of people have pointed out that Dumbledore and Snape should have already used Legillimency on Ron... They may or may not have already. After all, we haven't seen their side of the story. We are seeing Ron's. But other characters will start getting their own POV parts from here on out. I've established Ron's character to the best of my ability, and from here on out, the Story will really pick up! Get ready to be surprised at how many changes I have planned from the original canon-timeline!
Looking forward to posting tomorrow! or the day-after... Will aim for Tomorrow though!