Hey! So I've reposted chapters 11-13. There were no changes, I just sort of hoped it would solve the problems with access. And here comes chapter 14.
In which we accompany Ron for a little while...
Enjoy!
A_A
For Salazar, Ronald Weasley was quite a common case. One of the younger children in the family with as many talents as his siblings but too overwhelmed by the success of the older brothers (in this case) to truly focus on developing his own possibilities. Salazar saw it in Slytherins many times. Children who are stuck in jealousy and lack of confidence instead of putting the realisation of personal ambitions into action. Salazar got this impression of Ronal Weasley when he first met him during the birthday celebrations, which he confirmed later during the Quidditch World Cup Final, and so he wasn't surprised by the sorting in the slightest. Salazar also expected the initial reluctance, considering the boy's family and general attitude and opinions. Yet in the morning, most of the Slytherins who were initially unhappy or moderately happy about their sorting were in significantly better spirits during breakfast. It was only natural after a full night's sleep when the first shock passed, and there was time to talk with roommates and feel a little more comfortable.
It seemed, however, that Ronald Weasley chose the sole path and was even more sulky in the morning. Salazar saw how the child glared at other tables and viciously attacked his food. Therefore, after finishing his morning coffee (the wonder of the modern world, according to Salazar) and tiny breakfast, Salazar left the Slytherin table and approached the presidial table (a ridiculous suggestion that the teachers were much more important, comparable with more significant earls or kings) with the intention of talking to Severus Snape (the professor title was as undeserved for the majority of the teachers, as the honourable seat).
"Master Snape," Salazar said, referring to the man's actual title of the Potions Master, "Do you have any class during the first hour of the day?"
"No," Snape answered briefly.
"And does Ronald Weasley?" Salazar enquired.
"No," Snape repeated.
"I'd like an hour of your time after breakfast. I believe that Ronald Weasley could use the planned conversation a little earlier than other Slytherins. If you care to join, that is."
Snape looked slightly surprised yet confirmed with a nod.
"May I suggest my office?" He proposed.
"That would be convenient, considering the documentation we'll need. However, I believe that my office will be more comfortable and appropriate for this matter," Salazar replied, remembering the cold dungeon room furnished only with one desk, two chairs, a massive amount of shelves for potions, ingredients and books, and some closets for the documents. No. That was a terrible place for such a conversation. For any conversation. "I'd appreciate it if you'd take Ronald's documentation and join us there."
"Very well," Snape replied, equally brief as previously. "And where would that be?"
"You'll find the door on the first floor of the Dark Arts Tower, second floor. Right next to the impressive painting of the burning witch... Rather appropriate, I would say. The only doors you haven't seen previously." Salazar replied with a small smile and turned to leave the Great Hall, taking Ronald Weasley with him.
They walked slowly and in silence. Salazar knew only by the footsteps behind him that Ronald was following in the tow. They were halfway there, on the viaduct bridge connecting two main parts of the castle, when Salazar spoke casually, "How do you like the weather, Ronald?"
There was a misstep behind him.
"Erm... just fine, I think... Professor."
"None of that. I believe 'sir' would be appropriate in the present times. I am not entitled to be called a 'professor'. Do you know which of your teachers are?"
After a moment of silence, Ronald guessed, "Um... all of them?"
"No. Only two. Professor Sinistra and Professor Flitwick. Besides that, you have Potions Master Snape and Transfigurations Master McGonagall, optionally Deputy Headmistress McGonagall."
"Seriously?" the boy asked, clearly surprised by such easily accessible knowledge.
"Yes. Which teacher is your favourite?"
"Lupin," the boy replied almost instantly, "He's not teaching now, though. He was here last year. So Flitwick, maybe."
"And why do you like those two?" Salazar wanted to know. Yes, the boy's opinion was interesting and provided valuable information, but it was more important to drag him into any conversation.
Salazar pushed another door open and led the way through another part of the castle. Some were unhappy with the amount of time it took to walk from one place to another, yet Salazar enjoyed the walks and used to use it as a time to think or chat casually with some students.
"Lupin was cool. He had cool lessons with a lot of creatures and spells to practise and did a nice exam, too. Practical," Ronald explained, "Charms are similar. A lot to do. I'm never bored. And Flitwick explains it neatly, I guess. But I'm not very good at charms... I'm not very good at anything, though."
Salazar felt the urge to sigh heavily, hearing the wording of Ron's statement and its contents.
"An interesting conclusion. How have you reached it?" He asked.
"Hermione is very good at everything. Harry and I were always behind," Ronald explained, and his tone soured.
"Ah, yes. I have heard that if one person excels at the area, none other can," Salazar replied sarcastically and looked at the boy with amusement. "Do you believe it to be true, Ronald?"
The boy's cheeks reddened slightly.
"I guess not," he muttered.
"You guess correctly, then," Salazar pushed the doors to his office and invited the boy in, "Sit down wherever you please."
Salazar's office differed greatly from Severus Snape's. Salazar modernised it just the day before. Now, the room was not only spacious but had plenty of light let in through the large windows cuddled by heavy curtains. Before them stood a chessboard table with two chairs, very comfortable and just a little smaller than the one accompanying the desk. It was a large piece of furniture that stood in the right corner opposite the door, facing the entrance and surrounded by the most handy books inhabiting simple bookshelves. The opposite corner hosted a capacious closet, half-empty at the present. He rearranged the multiple trinkets brought from numerous travels on the side tables and shelves, but the lion part of the room consisted of the sitting area. Armchairs and sofas had plush upholstery in the warm, creme shade that was composed nicely with the deep green of the carpet and curtainst, as well as the dark wood used in the room. The overall impression was aimed at making the person called here comfortable and welcome for this or other reason.
Ronald looked surprised by the insides, but Salazar pretended not to notice and sat in one of the armchairs, calling for a house elf.
"Please bring us tea for three," he asked. The creature confirmed the order with all the disgusting humility that now manifested its species. Salazar waited patiently for the boy to sit down at the chosen place.
"Erm... for three... sir?" Ronald asked then.
"Yes, Master Snape is going to join us in a couple of minutes," the boy grimaced, so Salazar added, "You do not like Master Snape."
"Duh? Nobody likes that greasy git besides Slytherins," Ronald blurted out before he had time to think about his statement. When Salazar gave him a few seconds to process, the boy's face got an even brighter shade of red than before.
"And that entitles you to disrespect?" Salazar raised his eyebrows. "Interesting, I must admit. Try again, Ronald. The correct way of reference is Master Snape."
"Erm... He... Erm... Master Snape is rude, sir, especially to Gryffindors and never to Slytherins. He takes plenty of points and gives detentions for nothing. Of course, we don't like him."
"You, Gryffindors?"
Longer silence followed that question. The boy's fists clenched, his knuckles whitened, and he stared at his knees stubbornly. Salazar waited for the reply patiently. When the set of tea appeared on the coffee table, he reached to pour some for himself. He enjoyed this part of modernity as well, although he preferred normally sized mugs to tiny porcelain cups.
Salazar waited, sipping his tea.
Ronald stared at his shoes, obstinately silent.
When the knock on the door sounded, Salazar opened them with a careless movement of the hand. Severus Snape entered, carrying a folder signed 'Weasley, Ronald'. Salazar indicated to him an armchair. And Snape sat down with a short, sharp look at the boy.
Salazar waited, sipping his tea.
Ronald stared at his shoes, obstinately silent.
Severus' expression skillfully hid curiosity and confusion. He said no word.
The situation lasted a while before Ronald finally muttered, "No."
"Yes, I believe that is the correct answer. I see you're upset about the sorting, Ronald. I would gladly find out your thoughts on the subject. Mind to be respectful in your reply, but speak freely... And help yourself to the tea, both of you."
Ronald used the provided excuse not to respond for another moment, busying himself with pouring tea and adding milk and sugar. A loud clinking sounded in the room when the pieces were placed back on the table, the lid hit the sugar bowl, and a teaspoon rang the fragile cup's walls.
"I don't like Slytherins, sir," Ronald said finally. "I don't like how they treat people, and I don't like their stu... how they smile at everybody like they're better than anybody else. They were rude to me for all three years, mostly Malfoy and his cronies. And it piss... It's annoying that Harry is talking to Crabbe and Goyle like nothing happened, like they wouldn't be ass... rude all the time. But Malfoy always laughed at my family, that we're... that we're poor. And stupid. So I've got my reasons to hate the slim... Slytherins. And to not want to be one. At all. Besides, I don't fit. I'm not a manipu... cunning. Or ambitious. Or whatever."
"What are you like?" Salazar enquired, ignoring the multiple slips in the reply that clearly irked Severus.
"I... er..." the boy started uncertainly, "I play chess a lot. And I want to play Quidditch. I... erm... I'm not quite good with learning, I guess... And... kinda messy sometimes... I... I'm not impressive, okay?" suddenly he sparked with anger, "I'm not smart as Hermione, or brave as Harry, I won't be a prefect or Head Boy, like Charlie, Bill or Percy, and I won't be as good at quidditch as Charlie or Harry. I'm nothing special, just..." the anger disappeared as quickly as it appeared, the boy deflated, and added softer, "Just Ron."
Salazar held back a smirk hearing that and seeing how Severus moved uncomfortably in his armchair. Just slightly. Not enough for Ron to notice.
"Would you like to be?" Salazar asked calmly.
"A Slytherin? No!"
That was a peculiar response, one that Salazar did not expect. He gave his own predictions the benefit of the doubt but kept it in mind as food for future thoughts.
"No, Ronald. Would you like to be the Quidditch team captain? To become a prefect and then a Head Boy? Would you like to be special?"
Ronald stirred in his place, straightened a little with a slight smile lingering on his lips, and then slumped again, moving a cup to his lips. Salazar observed him and patiently waited for the response.
"It doesn't matter," Ronald said.
"Well, let's see. Tell me about how you learn. When and in what way?"
And again, they waited for the boy to speak before he shrugged.
"Dunno, usually when Hermione tells me to. So after dinner, mostly. Sometimes we go to the library. I guess I read or something."
"Would you say that you work hard on your grades?"
"Erm..." Ronald's redness climbed up to his ears, he rubbed his neck. "Not really?
"Very well," Salazar nodded, "Could you tell us about Ronald's grades, Master Snape? How does it look?"
Severus observed with raised eyebrows for a longer time now, his posture emanated scepticism. But he opened the folder. His eyebrows rose even higher as he studied the parchment he held in his hand before he said.
"Your grades are rather satisfactory in care for magical creatures, defence against the dark arts, charms, herbology, and transfiguration. You're doing below acceptable in astronomy and the history of magic. Your divination grades... I wouldn't treat it as binding in any way. As for potions... I see much room for improvement."
"That seems rather good, Ronald. Considering how poorly you evaluate your studying habits," Salazar judged, "Especially if there are more teachers who would see room for improvement. Would you like to say something more, Master Snape?"
Ron gulped, and Salazar saw the microscopic changes when the eyes of the Potions Master narrowed, and his jaw muscles moved when he clenched his teeth. If Salazar could, he would smile triumphantly at this point.
"I believe that Mr Weasley is often distracted during the class and poorly prepared. Possibly in circumstances of lesser distractions and pressure, if Mr Weasley would care to prepare conscientiously for his lessons, he could easily move up a grade... Possibly even two grades," Severus said, although very, very reluctantly, while Salazar was observing the boy and his reactions. The signs of irritation and guilt.
"We should look closer at how it looks in the case of your other subjects, Ronald, but it seems to me that you are quite capable... just disappointingly lazy." Salazar declared.
Ron's head bowed down, his ears burning. Good. Salazar poured himself some more tea and gave Ronald a little bit of time. Just enough so that the shame and the feeling of humiliation would settle. Only then was the time to add an achievable goal. After all, what would better motivate an ambitious person willing to prove themself, if not a way out of their failure?
"Now, I expect you to give your best this semester, not only in potions but in all of your subjects. After all, a little bit more work, and you could become a strong candidate for a perfect... You are capable of a little effort, aren't you?"
"Yes, sir," the boy replied quietly, angrily, through the clenched throat.
"And do try for the Quidditch team this year."
"Yes, sir," Ronald repeated.
Then Salazar looked at Severus.
"I believe you will take good care of the... general conditions in the classroom, Master Snape. So Ronald's effort wouldn't be put to waste." Salazar said and could enjoy something akin to the traces of annoyance and shades of guilt on Severus' face. Good.
"I could make appropriate arrangements," Snape replied, "Assuming, of course, that there will be something that could be wasted."
"Very well," Salazar nodded, "You can go now, Ronald. We will talk again soon."
Ronald carefully placed his cup back on the table, then awkwardly retreated. As the doors shut, Salazar moved his eyes on Severus.
"Quite a lot of your students would benefit from better conditions in your classroom, I presume?" He asked in a lighter tone.
"Possibly," Severus responded slowly and stiffly.
"Do let me know if there's anything I could help you with in this regard. I heard a lot of positive opinions of you as a teacher and the head of the house. Setting aside those unfortunate conditions in your classroom, you seem to be perceived as a demanding but attentive teacher. That could lead your students to excellence."
"That is the general idea, yes," the man answered. "Yet students with attitudes similar to Mr Weasley's are the majority in this school."
"One of the many issues that needs to be addressed..." Salazar acknowledged, "May I ask you a personal question, Master Snape?"
"Assuming that I will not be obliged to answer."
Yes, Salazar liked this man, even if his sadistic tendencies ensured the atrocious atmosphere in the classroom. One that leaked outside, settling in most corners of the castle. That is if one could believe students. But soon enough, Salazar would see for himself. Or wouldn't if - hopefully - Severus will be smart enough to change his teaching habits by then.
"I wonder, what made you decide to become a teacher?"
"That is a very complex issue," Severus said carefully, evasively. "It was not, however, the amount of free time related to the job, nor the attractiveness of spending my time with children."
"Yet, you seem to be devoted to Slytherins," Salazar noted. "It took only one conversation to notice."
"Some responsibilities simply grew on me with time."
"I see... We're planning on some changes around here, as you probably gathered," Salazar decided to declare. "Are there any that you'd suggest? Apart from the students' attitude, that is."
This time, it was Severus who reached for a teapot and busied himself by pouring tea while considering his answer carefully. Contrary to Ronald, he did it quietly.
"There's always room for improvement," Snape answered, each word carefully weighed. "One that is sometimes ignored, like in the case of Mr Weasley. As changes occur here scarcely, thinking of them would be a wasted effort. I would need some time to consider your question."
"Take your time," Salazar waved it off, "There's nothing that would require urgency."
"Naturally," Severus nodded. "May I ask you the same question? What made you decide to become a teacher?"
"Passion for blooming talents," Salazar replied honestly, and then he decided to give a little more. After all, sometimes, you need to give something to gain more, "and the circumstances at the time... It may be hard to imagine for a modern person, yet when I was young, truly young, the open coexistence between magical and non-magical people was not only normal but easy. Only the changing circumstances made it different, then difficult, and... I'm afraid it might be impossible nowadays."
Severus nodded, pensive over his cup of tea.
"I'm of a similar opinion," he replied eventually, in an even tone with a decisive note. "Muggles tend to be dangerously aggressive towards the minorities and weaker opponents."
"And we would be a weaker minority," Salazar agreed. At this point, the tower bell rang. The clock struck a quarter to ten.
"I believe the second-years will destroy my classroom if I don't leave now," Severus said, standing up. "We should talk more some other time."
"With pleasure," Salazar confirmed and observed how the man left, the spacious black robes billowing behind him. Only when the door closed did Salazar smile. It wasn't much. Nothing heralded quick success, and some things rang the alarm. Yet, for this moment, Salazar was content and confident that in time, he would have a model Slytherin in Ronald Weasley and a good ally in Severus Snape. Both just needed some consideration and attention.
Disappointingly lazy. That stung. It angered Ron to the point of storming through the corridors and absentmindedly bumping into people without special notice. Besides that, it was hard to describe how Ron felt. Simultaneously wrong and right, sick and desperate. When he thought about the fact of being Slytherin, he felt angry and disgusted. But when he thought about the conversation, he had a moment before - something else was stirring inside. A sense of humiliation, determination, and… hope? He wasn't 'disappointingly lazy'! He would prove it! Because he couldn't fail now, right? Not when it seemed like he could actually have it... a perfect... a Head Boy... Ron wanted to be one. He still remembered himself in the mirror of Erised as one. And the Quidditch captain...
Ron wasn't lazy! It was that constant nagging of Hermione and his mother to do this, to do that, and to concentrate on something... It usually pushed him in the exact opposite direction! And now Slytherin demanded Snape to stop the bullying. Said pretty or not, it was more than straightforward. And the fact that Snape said, Snape!, that Ron wasn't doing bad, but satisfactory? Well, it was like a high-five from everybody else. Yet the thought of Snape again made him feel the ugly, pressuring discomfort and revulsion, and brought additional thoughts about Slytherin, which automatically made Ron feel simply nauseous.
The whole mixture inside him led Ron to absolute confusion.
His first lesson was Herbology, a good thing, as Professor... Or maybe just Mrs? Well... Sprout, during first lessons, tended to ask a few questions to check what they remember from last year, reminded them about the rules of the greenhouses, and - finally - introduced them to the plan for the upcoming year. And this year they were paired with Ravenclaws, so Ron was safe from being asked a question behind their eager hand-waving. He only noted the plan. He'd need it this year... The thought scared him. Because could he really do this? Try? Was it even possible for him? Had he even a small chance of being considered as a prefect? His mood soured even more, when Hermione just waved at him before leaving for her next lesson in the company of chattering girls. How would he manage without Hermione?
Harry, on the other hand, invited him to join him during care of magical creatures. It was only weird, because Harry and Dean came with a tail of Crabbe and Goyle.
"McGonagall is going to kill us this year," Harry said quietly when Hagrid spoke about how wonderful a summertime is and that this year they have plenty of amazing creatures to see.
"If Hagrid won't be first," Ron muttered, "Amazing creatures. Right. Amazingly boring or amazingly murderous."
Behind his back, Crabbe and Goyle chuckled. Ron looked at them with confusion, but they really laughed with Ron and not at all at him. This year crossed all boundaries of freakishness right at that point. What would be next? Stupid Hermione? Snape with roses in his hair? Snape with clean hair?
The care of magical creatures passed quickly in a quite nice atmosphere, and during lunch - Ron joined Harry at the Hufflepuff table. Sure, Smith scoffed at Ron, but Ron didn't care about what some slimy git thought of him until Ron could stay as far away as possible, for as long as possible.
Besides that, lunch was quite funny.
"So, you can do whatever now. You only have Astronomy later," Harry was explaining, pointing Crabbe and Goyle their plan.
"But you said we have Divination," Goyle replied furrowing his bushy eyebrows.
"Yes, I said that, but I meant 'we' as Ron and I. You and Crabbe have time off."
"But we're in the same house," Goyle replied. "We have lessons at the same time."
"Yes, but not all," Harry was saying quite patiently, and Ron tried not to laugh. "We have one different elective. You have Arithmancy, and I have Divination."
Goyle thought, and Ron tried really hard.
"We can go to the common room, then," said Crabbe. It was - it seemed - the first thing he said.
"Good idea," Harry replied, clearly relieved. "I'll meet you there later, and we can go to the astronomy together."
Goyle nodded in acknowledgement, and only then - confusion settled - he started on his lunch of considerable size. Ron, however, wondered why Harry bothers at all and what sense it makes to drag those two idiots behind or care what they do.
"Where's the common room?" Crabbe asked suddenly. "I don't remember how we went there yesterday."
Harry promised to show them the way, while Ron was even more puzzled than before. If they were stupid enough not to know where their common room is, that's their problem! What's more, on the way downstairs, Harry explained to them how they could remember the simpler route. It wasn't far, fortunately, but they had many more stairs to climb. From the dungeons all the way up to the divination tower.
"Why do you help them?" Ron wanted to know. "They're dicks."
"Not really," Harry shrugged, "And we're in the dormitory together. There are two rooms for our year. There's three of us in each, and I'm with them."
"Ugh... Sorry, mate."
"Nah, I prefer it this way. Y'know, they're not that bad. I mean, Goyle is really stupid but completely harmless, quite nice, even. And Crabbe is just quiet and pretty agreeable. They're not messy, and they don't mind Pretzel."
"Wouldn't you prefer to be with Dean?"
"He's messy. Michael doesn't like snakes. And I don't really like Ernie. I mean, do you remember this whole bullshit he pulled off during our second year?"
Ron shrugged.
"It was like two years ago, mate. Who cares?"
"I do. I don't want him getting some insane ideas and getting on my nerves from the bed next to mine. Nah, I prefer Crabbe and Goyle. And how is your dormitory now?"
Ron made a face pretending to vomit, and Harry laughed.
"That bad?"
"Worse. I've got Zabini, Smith and Goldstein. They suck. Slimy snakes..."
Harry didn't comment on that, and Ron eagerly engaged in telling more about how Snape made this stupid speech about the rules, how Percy was a dick, his roommates wanted even more rules, about the wet floor and the morning conversation with Snape and Slytherin.
"You're not lazy," Harry finally declared when Ron was done. "And Salazar is sometimes this way, but you don't have to worry about it. Overall, he's okay."
"You think Crabbe and Goyle are okay," Ron countered, amused. He appreciated what Harry said, but inside, it nagged him, that he actually kind of possibly might be lazy... Or at least should be doing more than he is.
During divination, for a moment, everything was almost the same. Just like it should. Ron and Harry sat together in the sultry classroom, Trelawney wandered in the fumes, and her melodious voice sang about all the disasters of the future. To Ron's absolute delight, Harry acted exactly like always, and they choked not to laugh out loud when Trelawney predicted a second different death for Harry during the first hour.
Ron started to think that they could spend the afternoon together, maybe go flying, but when he asked about it, Harry shook his head.
"Sorry, Rowena asked me to come directly after divination. I kinda help her with one thing recently. It's super boring, but..." he shrugged.
"Maybe I can come and help? If it'd go faster, we could still go flying or something."
But Harry shook his head.
"Nah, she'll be done at the same time anyway. You'd only die of boredom. Tomorrow?"
"Sure," Ron replied, sulky again. "Tomorrow."
And Harry ran downstairs, apparently eager to get wherever he was going.
Ron dragged himself downstairs. Alone. With a mess in his head. And knowing only one thing for certain: there was no way he'd go to the Slytherin common room before the curfew. That meant he had the next five hours to do nothing, nowhere, and with nobody.