CHAPTER IV
CHAPTER IV
A heavy atmosphere still blanketed Ron, Harry, and Hermione as they made their way to the Potions class. Ron has a feeling, an intuition if you may, that it will be an utmost unpleasant event because of Malfoy. It's a given, knowing the blonde's... character. It doesn't hurt to have hopes, though. Maybe, by heaven's will, the git will drown in the Hospital wing's blankets and pillows.
"Totally dreadful." Hermione said, chucking massive books into her sling bag. There is a certain weight to her steps, as if leading her to Azkaban itself.
"What is?" Ron asked, peering from her side.
"The rubbish those slytherins are spouting. They make it sound like Malfoy's blameless!" If there is a heaviness in her feet before, now he's certain she's trying to bear a whole into the floor.
"Probably led by his little gang," grumbled Harry. He's still upset about Hagrid, as all of them, and probably sulking because he got scolding from the usually friendly groundskeeper.
Their conversation was cut short as they arrived in the dungeons, the room almost filled up with students in green and silver, and gold and red tie.
A moment later, a Snape's figure came billowing with a flutter of his robes.
Ronald heaved a deep sigh.
'Merlin help us all...'
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Sometimes, Ron really hates his uncanny intuition. That was his thought as Draco Malfoy's and Parkinson's voice loudly filled the air. He hates it more as the boy complains to Snape about his 'injured' arm. So much that he sliced the roots as hard as he could, when he was put to 'assist' Draco.
He's pondering though, if it was worth it, now having those mutilated roots as his own ingredients.
"I told you, Weasel. Watch what you're saying." Said the git with that arrogant smirk in his face. If it's possible, he'd have that irritating face unto the unlit cauldron, with all the roots and livers and spleen and everything nasty in it.
"Shut up, Malfoy."
"Ooh. Reduced to that comeback, huh? Thought that Mellow Echo wouldn't notice, didn't you?"
Wha-- How did he know that? Mellow Echo is something - someone he invented during childhood. No one knows about it. So how-
The trail of thought was broken when Harry joined him, skinning the git's shrivelfig. He was also fuming as Ron previously was.
The three engaged in a malicious banter, albeit not loud enough to warrant the Potions Master's attention. The elitist even egged them on using Hagrid!
This continued until the end of the class, Mellow Echo long forgotten at the back of Ron's mind.
It's only morning and there's already so much happening. From assisting Malfoy, to the almost-failed potions of Neville, to the discussion of Sirius Black lurking near, and lastly, Hermione's mysterious disappearances.
Ronald swears that there's something odd about Hermione. She would be beside him and Harry one second, and a couple of feet away in the next. She also claims to attend all of her classes even though it coincided with all of their existing schedules. It is baffling him as burning sensations across his chest persist.
He consulted it with Harry, but all he got was a shrug and a similar baffled expression.
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Ron couldn't decide whether to like Professor Lupin or not. The bloke is cool, as their first ever DADA teacher to actually teach the subject. He's also the one to save them from the dementors in the Hogwarts Express. And although it was a bit mean, he felt a little connection to the man with the tattered robes and old briefcase.
But. But he makes them face those nasty Boggarts! And him to a spider!
It was supposed to be fun as he was watching his classmates face the creature. Godric, Snape in granda clothes with a vulture hat and all is hilarious! He thinks it could possibly be a cheering charm alternative. He and Harry tried to hide their snickers to no avail. Even Hermione's lips are twitching. She's fighting so hard not to let out a teeny tiny bit of smile. The same scenario filled almost all the students present.
It was until he was to face off his own boggart though. Merlin, that was so scary. One moment it was a funny something from the previous student, and a blink then an enormous arachnid was facing him off. It was towering him with all hairy legs and creppy eyes and deformed mouth and spouting webs, but no, not webs. It was strings of runes, one that he recognizes so much. It was densely-packed into strings, coming out of the spider's massive mouth constantly.
He was suddenly out of the DADA room, everything was blurred, his vision darkened, and the only thing notable is a huge spider coming out of his favourite teddy bear, and his whole body seemingly on fire. His heart, eyes, stomach and everything else is burning, his head pounding, and a painful sensation of his bones being sucked dry overwhelmed Ron.
'I wanna go out! I don't want to be here! Please!'
He could hear his name being called by a voice. Lupin. Right, Professor Lupin.
"-spell. Say the counter spell!"
Spell. Spell, yes. What SPELL??!
Ridikulus. Ridikulus.
"Ridikulus!"
The spider's legs were turned into a mushy jelly, and the string of runes changed into a banner of different events. There was one for Halloween, one for Christmas, birthdays, and many more.
Ronald heaved a sigh of relief.
"You alright, mate?" Harry asked, concern palpable in his face. Beside him is Hermione, sharing his sentiments.
"Yeah. Yeah. It's just- you know, spiders,"
Another sigh.
" Next!" Professor Lupin said, prompting the three to move along to give way to the next student.
The lesson moved along but Ron, in an increasingly manner, barely pays any attention. It's certainly becoming a bad habit.
It was only after the class started confusing the boggart and as Harry had faced the creature that he snapped out of his reverie.
Harry's boggart turned into a dementor, which froze him, but Lupin intercepted and faced the shapeshifter. The boggart briefly changed into a blob of circular light, but the teacher immediately uttered the counter-spell.
The class ended, with the students excitedly chattering about the lesson. Ron could relate, he'll be sure to be the one's chattering only if there's no imaginary hammer trying to shatter his skull.
He also noticed that Harry, although excited as the rest of them, is slightly scrunching hisface.
"You okay, mate?" Ron asked him. "You look worried 'bout something."
"Nah. Just disappointed I didn't cast the spell earlier. But the class was interesting, don't you think. "
Ah. The classic changed the topic route.
"Yes! I have high hopes for Professor Lupin. It's about time we have a proper DADA teacher. Pity I didn't also get a chance to try the spell." Hermione said, a spring on her steps. She went on chattering happily about the possible lessons they will have with the new professor.
Ron and Harry shared a mischievous look, ready to launch into a little reminiscing moment of Lockhart-crush era of the girl. The bushy-haired girl in question, however, immediately noticed it.
Her face painted a vivid annoyance, but the red-ears gave her away.
"Do not."
"What?"
"We haven't said anything."
The boys are speaking simultaneously, grinning up to their ears.
"I know what you both are thinking." She narrowed her eyes into slits, a try-to-say-anything-inappropriate look directed at them.
"Ohoh, so you're a mind-reader now?" He shot her a cheeky grin then turmed to Harry, who's also sporting a Cheshire smile. "Hey, Harry. D'you think you could tell me what I'm thinking?"
"I'm not sure, but if I have to guess, it must be somewhere along the lines of 'Lockheart's pearly teeth, and his golden locks, and his ability to conq- ow! Stop that, Granger!"
"Oi, I didn't say anything! Why hit me too -- ow! Merlin, woman!"
The two ran for their lives as a crimson-faced Hermione Granger swung her book-filled bag at them. Laughter filled the halls as they passed, and the students giving them looks.
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There's a lot of rustling in Ron's bed. Harry woke up at the sound of Scabbers hysterically squeaking, and heard groans coming out of Ron's enclosed duvet. The raven-haired boy hesitated. He didn't want to disturb Ron on whatever he was doing, but he's also worried about his friend.
"Ron?" The rustling stopped but Ron still let out a groan. He called out again, this time determined to check on the redhead.
"H'rry." A huff.
"Merlin, what happened to you?" A beat. "You're burning up! Wait here. I'll get some potions from Madam Pomfrey. D'you want anything else?
"M'kay. I 'lready drank up a vial earl'r." The boy sounded groggy. "I'll be fine. Can, can I just have a water, please."
Harry immediately got up and took a glass of water from the bedside table. He assisted Ron sitting up, putting his arms at the ginger's back as a support.
"Thanks. The potion will take effect a little later." Ron said after he emptied the glass of water.
"Are you sure you're alright, the hospital wing operates 24/7, you know?"
"I'm sure. Besides, a I can already feel the potion."
They both sat in a comfortable silence. All Harry could hear is the snoring from Seamus' bed and the steady rhythm of Ron's breath, which is a little heavy.
"Hey, mate."
"Hmm?"
"Don't tell my siblings 'bout this, alright?" Harry whipped his head towards his friend. At his questioning gaze, Ron averted his eyes.
There's something wrong. Ron doesn't just avoid gazes when he's talking to someone.
"I already told you I was pretty sick when I was younger, yeah?"
Harry furrowed his brows as he nodded. He tried recalling it, and sure enough, Ron indeed mentioned it in the passing.
"Well, they could be a little overp-bearing. Especially Percy. The bloke is stressed enough from his NEWTS."
For the first time in a while, Harry looked into his friend. Really looked into his friend.
Ron lost a little fat in his face, making it a bit gaunt. There's also dark eyebags surrounding his eyes. The movement in his chest is slow and seemed to be heavy. A tired look adorned his face. Harry felt guilty for not noticing earlier. He was his bestfriend, he should have known.
"I know that look." He was startled as Ron spoke. "It's not your fault. It's just a little fever. A nap will take care if it."
A sigh.
"Really, Harry."
A beat.
"Fine."
They both settled in that position, until Ron fell asleep. Harry pulled Ron's blanket to his chest. In his relief, the redhead's temperature indeed cooled down.