Strange Connection (A Ron Weasley Love Story)

Chapter 10 - Deception

I sat next to Ron and said,

"Where's she going?"

"Probably to tattle on Fred, George, and Harry. She's pretty good at that,"

"So it doesn't bother you? Your best friend and brothers are about to get detention because of you?" He shrugged.

"Why would it?" I shrugged, too, and said,

"I dunno. It would bother me."

"Why?"

"I guess I would feel like a guilty snitch?" Ron smiled and said,

"You know, Harry and the twins aren't actually on there way to prank Snape..."

"They aren't?"

"Nope."

"Where are they?"

"No clue, don't care."

"Why'd you tell Hermione that then?"

"'Cause I knew she would leave, and, besides on the train, I haven't had any time alone with you to just, you know, talk..."

"That's really sweet, Ron... in a weird, manipulative way," We laughed, and I finally said,

"So tell me about yourself, then. What's your family like?"

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We were sitting in the Common Room for about three hours. We covered such a broad range of topics and never ran out of conversation, there was no dead air between us. We covered the spectrum of life, starting from birth and childhood, stretching to hopes for the future.
And then something in me came out, something I had been dying to say since I revealed my secret to Ron.

"I need to tell you something..." I said, breaking into our deep conversation on candy preferences.

"You deserve to know the whole story," Ron looked at me, confusion written in his furrowed brows.

"I have already told you that I am an unregistered animagus..." He locked his gaze on me intently.

"But I told you nothing more of it, leaving quite a few holes in the story of my life...." I choked on the last few words, my voice cracking

"Brooke, you don't have to do this to yourself... we can talk of this later, I see it hurts you.."

"No. Until I tell you, I am living a lie. This is as much for my sake as it is for yours,"

He nodded, as and took one of my hands in his, the warmth of his touch gave me the confidence I needed.

"I have the ability to transform myself into a dire wolf at will," The words I spoke shook with fear. If he was shocked, his face didn't betray him.

"My dad taught me to transform, by teaching me himself. I was really excited about it, as any young witch would be... until afterwards, where I found out why he taught me.
Once he discovered that my inner animal was an intimidating beast, which he had hoped in secret it would be, he... used me..."
A tear had now slid down my pale cheek my voice began cracking,
"He used me for his own gain. Intimidating others so that they would give him power, wealth, and loyalty. I was able to escape in the night after years of torment, and I ran away to live with my mom.
She, gratefully, took me in..."
Ron wrapped his arm around me.

"You have to admit," he said, gently, "it is a pretty cool trait to have. I'm not making light of your situation, but that is badass... you can change into a wolf, like, whenever you want,"

"Yeah, I guess," I had to agree. It was an extraordinary power for an under-aged wizard... but at what cost?

"If it's not to much to ask..." he pressed on, gently. I looked up at him. His face was illuminated by the dancing flames of the fireplace.

"Of course!" I said, and without hesitation, I stood up, walked toward the fire place, and turned around to face Ron. With an almost inaudible 'snap', I had disappeared. In my place, stood a 35" tall wolf at the shoulder blades. Her fur was soft as hair, but still stiff enough to keep straight. Her pelt was a chocolate brown with auburn hairs spread throughout, much like my owl, Alex. The fierce muzzle had 2 inch long canine teeth which could could rip through flesh to bone as though it were J-ello.
But the most stunning feature, in Ron's eyes, were the big, beautiful turquoise eyes that made this killer beast look like a puppy.
I trotted over to Ron and waving my bushy tail back and forth, slowly. I sat down in front of him, waiting for him to react, for he froze the moment he saw the wolf.
I gave one, sharp bark, and he came to his senses, jumping back. He apologized for jumping as he reached down and rubbed my furry head in between my ears. I narrowed my eyes, that said 'seriously', but it might have been obscured by the wolf body.

"I'm sorry," he said pulling his hand away, "I just couldn't help myself!" He said, giving a chuckle. I smiled, best I could, up at him. I jumped up onto the couch and layed, curled up, beside him. My wolf body, laying, took up the space of two people, sitting. My tail curled up around me, I layed my large head down on Ron's knee. Well, intentionally his knee but was actually took up his whole lap.
He did not object. Instead, he stroked my head gently down my back, repetitively, until I drifted of to sleep, still in my animagus form...