Obsequium

Ron really thought his life would be easier if it weren’t for Draco Malfoy. The boy seemed intent to mess with Harry and more often than not, Ron found himself caught up in it.

As it was, Draco had challenged Harry to an Honor Duel which was almost definitely a set-up, and Harry, in his infinite wisdom, agreed and said to Ron,

“You’ll be my second!”

Ron hiccupped. His obedience forced his head to nod and he wanted to reach out and smack Harry silly but Draco just smirked and proclaimed Blaise Zabini to be his, and this was even worse because Ron actually thought that Zabini was a solid wizard.

“Why would you agree to that?” Ron cried, once Draco was gone and Harry looked a bit embarrassed. “Why’d you make me your second?”

“There’s no one else I’d rather have,” Harry replied confidently. “Besides, if it’s a prank then at least we have our honor.”

Ron stared at him like he was stupid and he flushed, shoving Ron a bit and Ron couldn’t help his chuckle.

“Fine, we’ll do it, but if we’re caught I’m throwing you under the bus, mate.” Ron warned and Harry beamed. 

They were on their way to breakfast and once they sat down and got their breakfast the mail came in and Ron blinked, surprised when a parcel dropped on his lap again. It had been about two weeks since Bill’s letter, and Ron had since sent him another one telling him what had happened and lightly scolding him/thanking him for letting the professor’s know on his behalf.

“From Bill?” Harry asked curiously and Ron shook his head. The twins were on the other end of the table, thankfully.

“No, it’s from the muggles I work for in the summer,” Ron said honestly. “I’ve worked in their bookstore for four years. They think I’m at a muggle boarding school.”

“Oh, is that why you have so many muggle books?” Harry asked, surprised. “I noticed your bookshelf has a load of muggle books. My mum is a muggleborn so I’ve read some of them, not a lot though.”

“Yeah, I spent most of my teenage years in their bookshop.” Ron said fondly. “They like hearing my opinion on all the books.”

“Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine?” Harry read the title of the book Ron had been sent with a bemused face and Ron flushed, tucking the letter away to read later.

“I’m interested in being a healer,” he admitted. “I’m supposed to speak with Madam Pomfrey soon to ask if she’d be open to taking me on as a student, Bill’s been nagging me to actually do it but I’m a little, well, either way I told them I wanted to be a doctor, that’s why they’ve sent me a muggle medical textbook.”

“You want to be a healer?” Harry smiled. “That’s so cool, I always thought I’d be an Auror. My dad is an Auror and always seemed like the coolest person ever.”

Ron smiled.

“An Auror and a Healer, pretty neat pair we make, eh?” Ron teased and Harry laughed.

“I’ll do reckless and stupid things so you make sure to read that book to stitch me up after!” Harry warned, making Ron laugh as well.

Much later, nearing midnight, both Harry and Ron were both awake and reluctantly sneaking through the dark common room.

“Where are you two sneaking off to?” Hermione Granger’s voice sounded and Ron cursed under his breath as he stumbled in surprise. 

Hermione was sitting in front of the dwindling fire, holding a book open on her lap and Ron thought it looked like she’d been crying.

“Er-”

“Tell me.” She demanded, looking a bit frustrated and Ron’s mouth fell open obediently and said,

“Harry’s going to see if Draco Malfoy will show up to their midnight duel in the trophy room.”

Harry gaped at him, horrified.

“Dude!” he hissed. “What the hell are you telling her that for?”

Ron blushed.

“Dueling is against the rules.” Hermione frowned. “You could get Gryffindor in a lot of trouble if you’re caught.”

“We just won’t get caught then.” Harry said stubbornly, glaring at Ron.

Hermione frowned deeper, snapping her book closed and standing up to face them properly.

“You won’t get caught,” she agreed, and this was a bit surprising because she was a notorious stickler for the rules. “Because I’m coming with you to make sure of it.”

Both he and Harry stared at each other with wide eyes. Harry lifted a brow, asking his opinion and Ron shrugged slightly.

“Er, alright then,” Harry said unsurely. “We’d better hurry.”

Ron wasn’t sure how he got there, sneaking around the castle with Harry Black and Hermione Granger, but there he was, crouched against the shadows along with them.

They managed to get to the Trophy room without getting caught and they waited there for at least ten minutes until Hermione’s wristwatch told them that it was ten past midnight.

“Told you,” Ron said to Harry, who scowled at him.

“This was about honor, Ron,” he complained. “What if Draco showed up and we didn’t? He’d never let us live it down.”

Ron could agree with that.

“Did you hear that?” Hermione asked skittishly. She was trembling, Ron didn’t know whether it was with fear or adrenalin but judging by her expression he was putting his gold on fear.

That being said, they really had heard a noise and when it sounded like it was getting closer they shared an alarmed look and made a run for it. Harry was holding Hermione’s hand because the girl was nearly frozen with fear of getting caught.

They nearly made it away and they would, but Ron heard a voice say sternly,

“Freeze!”

Ron’s body came to a screeching halt and he gave his friends an alarmed look. Harry looked like he was about to come back but Ron shook his head, motioning for him to just leave and Harry did so, looking confused as to why Ron stopped.

His body felt like lead. He was literally frozen in place.

James Potter got close enough to see him, holding a lantern up to show his surprised face. Beside him, a slightly out of breath Lily and Sirius Black.

“Oh, it’s you, Mr. Weasley,” Lily said, surprised. “What are you doing out so late?”

Ron wanted to speak but his limbs were quite literally locked up.

“Move, Ron.” James Potter said quietly and Ron took a shuddery breath as his limbs obediently unlocked.

Both Lily and Sirius’s eyes widened in understanding.

“Er,” Ron said awkwardly. “Sorry, I-I have no excuse for being out this late.”

“Was it just you?” James asked, lifting a brow. “Apparently Mr. Filch got a tip that there would be two students out of bed. Seeing you here makes me think my godson isn’t far.”

Ron turned red.

“Just me.” He lied through his teeth. He knew for sure that all three of them knew he was lying and for a moment he was certain that now would be the moment. 

Tell me the truth. It was a simple command, he’d heard it more than once, and yet all three of them smirked a little amusedly.

“Well, at least my son has a loyal friend on his side.” Sirius said amusedly. “Not a great liar, but loyal is good.”

Ron turned pinker.

“I’d love to let you go free, Mr. Weasley, but you’ll have detention tomorrow afternoon,” James Potter said with a smile. “No points lost, all things considered you wouldn’t have been caught if it weren’t for that, so let’s call it even.”

Ron bit his lip and nodded, relieved that he wasn’t losing the house too many points.

“Come on, we’ll walk you back and you can let us know if Harry got back inside safely before we leave.” Lily said with a grin.

“I’m just saying, I could persuade one of these professors to give you a couple points if you told us what Harry was sneaking out for.” Sirius said eagerly. “Something tells me this wasn’t your idea.”

Ron laughed a bit nervously.

“Honor,” he said after a moment’s thought. “We snuck out to defend our honor against another student who gets on Harry’s nerves a lot.”

All three adults looked surprised at that.

“Honor? What kind of honor?” James asked curiously and Ron blushed, lifting his hands up for peace.

“That’s all I’m lawfully saying. Harry dragged me along and I’m totally going to make him pay for that but you’ll have to ask him if you want the details.” he said shyly. He wasn’t sure what Harry would want his parents knowing. Fortunately his impertinence seemed to amuse them all and Sirius gave a bark of laughter.

“All the best friends let themselves be dragged along every now and then,” He said with a fond, reminiscing smile. “It’s how all the best adventures start.”

Ron just smiled mildly.

In front of Gryffindor, Lily paused them and said in a quiet voice,

“I know you aren’t ignorant of the fact that we three know about your unique situation,” Ron stilled at that. “But I hoped I could ask you something. You’re not obligated to answer me, I just wanted to know for my own peace of mind.”

Ron swallowed, waiting.

“You’re friends with Harry, quite good friends I’ve noticed, he doesn’t … I mean, I know he doesn’t know, that much is obvious, but he doesn’t trigger it too often does he?” she asked worriedly. 

Ron bit his lip. He wasn’t quite sure how to respond to that, nor how to feel about the question in general.

“Oh, um,” he stalled. “He- he’s not- he’s not really a demanding sort of person, I think. Naturally it would happen once or twice, but I like Harry because he’s really polite usually so it really doesn’t happen that much. I mean, tonight it happened, obviously, but to be fair I would have gone with him whether he triggered it or not,” he said shyly.

“That’s a relief,” Lily smiled. “I was just worried that he was unintentionally making it harder for you.”

“Not at all,” Ron promised. “Harry’s naturally nice and undemanding.”

“Well, that’s a nice thing to hear about your son.” Sirius said cheerfully. “Why don’t you peek inside and make sure he’s in there, then we’ll leave you two to your scheming.”

Ron flushed, nodding and ducking his head inside. 

Both Harry and Hermione were inside, but they looked rather like they’d seen a ghost or death itself. 

“Ron!” Harry hissed and Ron held a finger to his lips and pointed to the doorway behind him. Harry’s eyes widened.

“My parents?” he whispered and Ron nodded.

“Tell them I’m fine!” Harry said wide eyed and Ron hiccupped slightly and stuck his head back out, cheeks pink, and he said obediently,

“Harry’s fine.”

“Good, in that case, goodnight, Mr. Weasley,” James said with a small smile. “I’ll see you tomorrow after your last class, alright?”

Ron nodded his agreement and watched the three of them leave before hurrying back inside the common room.

“What the hell happened to you two?” Ron blurted. Hermione was shaking even worse.

“Ran into Filch and had to take a few twists and turns to escape him,” Harry said, eyes looking haunted. “We ended up on the third floor corridor, the forbidden one. We hid in one of the doors and there was- there was a freaking Cerberus in there!”

Ron’s jaw dropped.

“Are you kidding?” He asked unsurely.

“No, he’s serious, there was an honest to god three-headed dog inside!” Hermione said, voice a bit pitched. “I can’t believe I went with you two! I have no idea what I was thinking, I’m going to bed before either of you come up with another clever idea to get us killed, or worse,” she actually shuddered. “Expelled!”

He and Harry stared at her, stunned, as she flitted up to the girls' dorms and shut the door firmly behind her.

“She needs to sort out her priorities.” Ron muttered and Harry scoffed in agreement.

“What about you? What did my parents do?” Harry asked worriedly.

“Oh, I got detention with your uncle tomorrow,” Ron admitted. “They were cool about it. I tried lying but that’s really not my strong suit and they’d gotten a tip that two students would be out of bed so they figured it was you once they saw me.”

Harry blushed.

“Thanks for trying to lie on my behalf, mate, it’s cool though, my mom will scold me a bit but both my dad and uncle were huge pranksters back in the day so they won’t be mad at me for sneaking out.” Harry shrugged. Ron smiled.

“Cool,” he said simply, softly padding up to the boys’ dorms and flopping on his bed tiredly.

He hadn’t seen the Cerberus but he was as tired as if he’d run from one himself. Technically, having dealt with Harry’s three family members, he’d had to deal with his own three-headed beast.

The next afternoon he had detention with James Potter. Fortunately it was just a simple afternoon spent helping the man organize his student files.

Ron had actually enjoyed himself, chatting freely with someone who was careful with their words was freeing. Usually he only chatted to Bill like this, because he could trust Bill not to demand.

James spoke similarly, and it ended up cheering Ron up a lot.

Harry was certain that the three-headed dog was guarding something after noticing that there was a trapdoor under it. Hermione had just glared at him when he brought it up and stormed off in the other direction.

“That reminds me, there’s something we have to do today!” Harry remembered suddenly and Ron blinked. 

“What’s that?” He asked curiously, unwilling to move from his comfortable spot where he was doing his potions homework.

Harry grinned at him and then very purposefully hit himself over the head with a book. Ron scrambled up, startled.

“Ow! Merlin, I didn’t think that was going to hurt that much!” He cried.

“What the heck are you doing, you dolt?” Ron asked confusedly and Harry squinted at him through teary eyes.

“You’re going to take me to the hospital wing,” Harry said with a pout. “I can’t walk straight after that. I need a headache reliever.”

Ron’s jaw dropped.

“You hit yourself to make me go to the hospital wing?” He asked, astounded and Harry looked too proud of himself as he grabbed Ron’s hand and tried to drag him along, only he actually did look dizzy so Ron easily adjusted their positions to take Harry’s weight.

“You said you were procrastinating to visit Pomfrey, and after the other night I figured we’re going to need a healer between us at some point.” Harry said wisely and Ron rolled his eyes.

“You’re impossible, just like Bill,” he groused. “He said if I was going to be friends with the Boy-Who-Lived then I’d better get a head start on healing.”

Harry laughed.

“Bill sounds like a very wise man.” Harry complimented and Ron just groaned as they got closer to the hospital wing. It had a solid white door and there was a distinct scent hanging around that told them they’d come to the right place.

When he pushed the door open he took in rows and rows of hospital beds and momentarily admired the careful ambience Pomfrey had created to make it look comfortable while also remaining a hospital.

“What’s happened here?” A woman appeared from outside an office door. She was older, slim, and wore a Healer’s gown. 

“Er, my friend hit his head.” Ron replied carefully. “He said he has a headache.”

Harry nodded eagerly, then winced when he realized he really did have a headache.

“Very well, I’ll do some tests and give you a potion for the pain.” Pomfrey said kindly, coming over to them and guiding Harry to sit down. She took out her wand and waved it in a pattern above Harry’s head, saying in a gentle voice,

“Cedo salus.”

Harry’s head glowed exactly where he’d hit himself and Pomfrey hummed.

“I see, it’s not too bad but I can see why you’re in pain. A simple pain reliever will be fine.” Pomfrey said with a kind smile. “Do be careful where you run around, Mr. Black.”

Harry smiled with a shy expression and when she turned to get the potion, he sent Ron a pointed look. Ron bit his lip.

“Madam Pomfrey?” He said quietly. Pomfrey returned with the potion, giving it to Harry. She looked at Ron with a lifted brow.

“I was wondering if you accepted students.” He said bravely and Pomfrey’s eyebrows actually lifted in surprise.

“You wish to study healing?” she asked curiously. Harry drank his potion, pulling a disgusted expression, and watched them.

“I’ve been interested in healing for a while. I’ve been studying muggle medicine books for four years in my spare time, just to familiarize myself with the human body.” He explained honestly. “I’m interested in attending the Manhattan Academy of Healing, just like you did, Ma’am.”

Pomfrey pressed her lips together, looking at him thoughtfully.

“I do not usually take students. There used to be healing courses but there was a lack of students so it was eliminated.” she said and Ron’s stomach fell. “However, I will allow you to come in on Wednesday afternoon after your last class and you will take a small test, nothing too difficult at all. I will also speak with your professors, specifically professor Flitwick, McGonagall, and Snape, in order to receive their opinion on your grades and ability. If I am satisfied then, should you pass the test, I will take you on as a student. Is that alright?”

Ron’s throat closed off. 

“He’s happy with that,” Harry said hurriedly. “He gets nervous sometimes, but I promise he’s happy with that, Madam Pomfrey, he’ll be here on Wednesday for the test!”

Madam Pomfrey arched her brow but inclined her head in agreement.

“Very well, I trust you both will see yourselves out. Mr. Weasley, I look forward to seeing your results.” she said, turning and leaving. 

Harry dragged him out of the wing and when they were outside of the hospital he hugged Ron tightly.

“Amazing!” he cried. “This is so great, you’re totally going to pass the test and become a healer!”

“Harry, I don’t know how I could possibly pass a test?!” Ron said worriedly. “I can tell you where your humerus and your femur are, but don’t ask me how to heal anything!”

“Mate, I don’t even know what those things are, let alone where to find them.” Harry said bemusedly. “Besides, she’s not going to give you a test to see if you can heal anything, it’s probably just to see if you have potential.”

“How should I know if I have potential?” Ron pouted. Harry snickered, patting his back.

“You want to be a healer, if you want it hard enough then you have potential, even if she doesn’t see it.” Harry assured and a rush of affection for his friend prompted him to smile and hug Harry gently.

“Okay, I’m gonna go and read every medical book I’ve ever read again.” he said and Harry laughed as they made their way back to the dorms.

☆

With almost a month of first term passed, the professors had once again gathered for a staff meeting. 

All members of the staff were there, including Poppy, who was seated towards the end of the table. Much of the subject matter was standard and didn’t deviate from the same meetings they had every year.

This time, however, when Albus asked if anyone else had something to mention, Poppy stood up, getting a few looks.

“I was hoping to ask some questions about a student’s grades on the subjects of Charms, Transfiguration, and Potions.” she said carefully and the professors for those subjects straightened up.

“Which student, and why?” Minerva asked curiously.

“Mr. Ronald Weasley.” Poppy said promptly. “He approached me a few days ago when he brought his friend, Mr. Black, in for a pain reliever- oh, he just hit his head, nothing serious-” she said to a suddenly worried Lily, “and he asked if I would be willing to take him on as a student.”

“He wishes to be a healer?” Albus asked interestedly. “How rare.”

“According to him, he’s been studying muggle medicine textbooks for over four years. I informed him that if his grades in the most important fields of magic, in relation to healing, were satisfactory then I would take him as a student provided he pass a simple test.”

“What test will you have him do?” Albus pressed curiously. “I didn’t think there were many tests he could pass in magical healing.”

“Magical healing is not all about what spell to use, Albus, there’s more to it than that. If he’s truly been studying muggle medicine then he’ll take a simple test based on that knowledge, as well as basic healing potions. I’m only considering it because of his background in muggle medicine.” she said sternly.

“Well, you’ll be happy to know that he’s a perfectly reasonable student in Transfiguration.” Minerva said helpfully. “His essays are well put together and it’s clear he puts effort into researching them. They could be a bit better, but overall he’s never had a below A grade. His transfiguration work is much better than his essays.”

“It is the same in Charms,” Flitwick confirmed. “Essays are good, never below A, and his actual charms work is good. We have not yet progressed to many actual charms, but he has a good base of reference that tells me he will be good at it.”

Eyes went to Severus for his verdict.

“Mr. Weasley is currently the only Gryffindor, aside from Miss Granger who makes acceptable potions, to show any actual talent in brewing.” Severus said honestly. “In his first class he answered several difficult questions and even gave me further explanation about each thing. His essays have been consistently graded Exceeds Expectations and he’s gotten several Outstandings.”

“His brewing is flawless too.” Severus added.

“Well, I see no reason not to take him as a student then,” Poppy said eagerly. “It will be nice to have an intern.”

“If you don’t mind staying later, Poppy, I believe I’d like to speak with you further.” Albus said simply. The matron nodded.

When the meeting finished, James stayed behind along with his friends, and the other Head of Houses.

“Is there a problem with me taking Mr. Weasley as a student, Albus?” Poppy asked curiously, sitting closer to them.

“Not at all, dear Poppy, however I believe it is necessary for you to know about his condition in advance.” Albus said tactfully.

“His condition?”

“He is under a curse,” James said calmly. “Since he was a year old. The Obsequium curse. Forever cursed to obey until his true master, the one who cast the curse, releases him or dies.”

Poppy’s jaw hung open.

“Oh my,” she murmured. “The poor dear. He seemed so nervous to ask. It was Mr. Black who ended up agreeing for him, I heard them speaking outside the hospital wing afterwards.”

“What were they saying?” Sirius asked curiously, always eager to hear about his son.

“Mr. Weasley was worried he wouldn’t have enough potential to pass a test, and Mr. Black told him that his desire to be a Healer was potential enough, regardless of if he passed the test or if I took him as a student. If he wants to be a healer, then he has the potential to be one.” Poppy told them warmly. “Mr. Black was, in part, the reason I resolved to accept Mr. Weasley as a student even if he doesn’t pass the test.”

Both Lily and Sirius looked terribly proud of their son and even James couldn’t help the proud smile on his lips.

“I support it, Poppy, I just wanted you to know about it so that you mind the way you speak to him.” Albus clarified, explaining briefly what he meant by speaking to him, and Poppy nodded.

“I shall be wary of my words, Albus, but I do truly think that he has a lot to offer and I’m eager to see where his interest in Healing will take him. He expressed a desire to study at my old Healing Academy.” she said, looking pleased.

“We all look forward to seeing how he flourishes under your tutelage, Poppy.” Minerva said with a smile.