Chapter 13
Ron was gently awakened by a cacophony of muffled voices round him. Eyes closed, his senses slowly came back to him - making him aware of the hot-and-cold feeling in his body, the subtle throbbing pain in his head, and the prickling-like sensation in his insides with his heart in particular.
Ron let out a groan of pain and frustration. He knew these feelings all too well. After all, he spent the majority of his childhood being cooped up inside the Burrow because of this.
Painstakingly, he opened his eyes. He was greeted by the dim light coming from the bedside table, and curtains drawn close.
“Ron..?” a voice that seemed to be behind him said. Just then, he noticed two silhouettes sleeping on the side of his bed. Another one was hovering above him, reluctantly palming his forehead. Squinting his eyes while also trying to sit, he saw Harry, Hermione and Ginny. The voice that spoke just now and the one feeling his head was his sister.
She immediately supported him up, propping his pillows behind his head with a practiced fashion. And Ron hated it, that she seemed to be very used to these kind of gestures.
“How do you feel? Does anything hurt? Do you want anything?” she whispered worriedly. Ron’s chest warmed at the feeling of being cared for, but he was just as sad to see himself back in such a situation. He desperately hoped that he wouldn’t need to.
“Like I was bludgeoned in the head then left out in the sun to burn.” He said, wincing at the raspy sound that his voice produced. He vaguely remembered shouting in pain, and crying himself to sleep. “What happened? Who was that speaking? And what time is it?” he took a look at the dark surrounding of the place.
“It’s about four in the morning. You were brought here by Harry and Percy. Hermione was told to wake Fred and George and I.” she held his hand and squeezed it gently. “It was awful, Ronnie. You were screaming in pain, just like when we’re younger. I, I really thought I was gonna lose you again, you know that? And you, like the bloody idiot you are, didn’t even think to inform us about your health?!”
The talking voices stopped and was exchanged to shuffling footsteps instead as Ginny’s voice started to rise in anger. Harry and Hermione also stirred from their sleep.
Ron winced at the sudden rise in volume. Ginny seemed to notice and immediately softened her expression. The accusing look still reflected in her eyes, however. “I thought we are well passed this, Ronnie. Why?”
He did not know what to say, did not know words to comfort her because what could he say? That it is inevitable and they would only prolong their agony, hoping to finally be free of this damned curse only to be disappointed? He could not tell her, or any of them for that matter, for she would surely never let him live it down.
Fortunately (or not), his Mum, Dad and Percy came in his bed space. He was swept up in his mother’s embrace in no time at all. While Dad and Percy both sported a relieved look. Arthur immediately went to his other side, gently ruffling his hair.
“Oh, Ronnie. I was so worried! Your father and I were both shocked when letters from the twins and Percy came in the middle of the night. My baby boy… Tell Mum, does anything hurt? Do you still feel nauseous? Do you wa-“
“Molly dear, please slow down a bit. Ronnie just woke up, you see?” His dad said, gently prying his mum off him. “Just let him settle down a bit, yeah? He still has a slight fever, he is ought to be resting.”
“But-“
“I’m fine, Dad.” He winced at the cracking of his voice. “J, just a glass of warm water, please.”
“We’ll get it,” Hermione said. He did not notice them waking up completely. She and Harry are now standing on a bit farther corner of his bed.
“Yeah, mate. Madam Pomfrey always keep a nearby pitcher here.” Harry agreed, stating the fact very confidently (which is a bit worrying, to be honest). And then they went to find a glass of warm water. Ron thinks they are giving a moment for their family out of respect. He knows they’ll talk later, though. The three of them.
The two of them immediately came back with a pitcher and a few glasses. He thanked his best friends and slowly drank the warm water, stalling time as much as he can. He’s not really in the mood for confrontation now. His head is still throbbing very slightly, albeit leagues better than before. His throat hurts, and a tiny twitch could be felt in his chest.
Arthur is not having any of it, unfortunately. He straight went up to the topic as Ron fiddles his glass.
“You were hovering a very fine line of danger tonight, son.” He started, voice grave. “You just had a relapse, and quite a severe one at that. Your mother and I was not so please when we learned that you, of all people, hid your symptoms from everyone else. Including your siblings.”
“Do you know what that means, Ronald?” His mother asked. Disappointment was palpable in her voice, and Ron could not blame her for it. He just lowered his head, not wanting to face either of them.
“It means that you could’ve had an attack, and we wouldn’t know. There is not much that we know about your illness, Ronnie. And with all the ruckus here in school? A mass-murderer intruding the castle, these bloody dementors-“ Father’s voice quivered. Out of frustration, or anger, or nervousness, Ron doesn’t know. “We were considering moving you to St. Mungo’s entirely.”
That earned a startled look from Ron, Ginny, Harry, and Hermione. Ron’s head immediately shot up and vehemently shook.
“No, Mum, Dad. You can’t do that!”
Molly released a heavy sigh. “They could take a better look at you over there, dear. The hospital wing in school isn’t really cut to cater such medical needs. Besides, they might have an idea how to deal with the curse now.”
“You know they won’t, Mum. We made consultations for years and they couldn’t even tell us a way to alleviate the pain. ‘Sides, the hospital wing is enough. I’ve been here for a month now and so far, this is the only-“
“A month?!” Molly asked sharply. Alarm bells rang in Ron’s head. He knew that has been a major, major spill up and it’s gonna bite him in the arse.
“Since when did this started, Son? Since when did the symptoms came back?” His dad asked tensely. And he knows they wouldn’t stop until they get their answer.
Ron knows better than to lie. Grudgingly, he uttered his answer in an incomprehensible whisper.
“Again.” His father commanded.
“Since September 1st.”
They all let out a gasp, but the most obvious was Percy’s. Ron immediately turned his gaze away. He knows Percy remembers their similar conversation barely a month ago. Now, his elder brother would know that he lied, and the betrayal was etched on his face. He could not face Percy, at least not now.
“Ronald Weasley. Oh, you’re in such a deep trouble, young man-“ his mother bristled at the thought.
“Wait, Molly dear.” His Dad placated his Mum. And then, he turned to him. “So the first day of classes. You mean to say that you were feeling ill even before we left the house? When you were perfectly capable of telling us?”
“What? No! I was feeling alright back then. It just started with encounter with those… dementors.”
“Dementors.” He flinched at the barely concealed anger in his Dad’s voice.
“That’s it! I’ll talk to Albus, and you are going to the proper hospital before the end of the day. What was he thinking, letting those vile creatures here, in a school full of children?!” If not for the situation, he would’ve laughed at the mental image of his Mum, a plump, stout woman with all her flowery blouse and a cute handbag in arms, berating the greatest wizard of this generation.
“Mum, no! Please, I don’t wanna go back in that place anymore. I promise to tell Percy and the others what I’m feeling from now on. I, I’ll obey Madame Pomfrey and the teachers. Just don’t take me back there-“ his pleas were cut short as another wave of pain flared up in his chest.
His mother and father were beside him in a second. He could vaguely hear Harry and Hermione and Ginny calling out to him and to Madame Pomfrey. The twins, who were roused from their sleep on one of the beds, were also joining the fray.
“Please, Mum…”
“Hush, Ronnie. You won’t be going there, alright? Come on, calm yourself, Mum and Dad is here.”
She said, hugging him gently. Her hands were caressing his face, and his Dad is tapping his hands. That moment, the matron of the hospital wing came.
“Mister and Missus Weasley. It would be better to let Ronald have his rest. It’s still some time before the dawn, and the children needs to have proper sleep. Merlin knows it’s essential after all the events tonight.” The mediwitch told his parents, while checking up on him. Then she handed him a vial of an unknown potion. He couldn’t care less what it is anymore. “Here, young man. This would at least help with the pain and let you sleep.”
“Mum-“
“Your parents will stay with you, little one. Now rest.”
All he remembered was his parents setting on both side of his bed, gently lulling him to sleep before darkness overtook his vision.
The next morning, Ron’s predicament joined Sirius Black’s sudden intrusion on the Hogwart’s Rumour Mill.