Scars of the Past | A Drarry Story | A Mattheo Riddle Story

Chapter 43

Previously on Scars of the Past -
In the midst of this ill-fated day, Rosemerta, still under the influence of the Imperious curse, sweetly approached Ron with a seemingly innocent request. Three mugs of mead deep, Ron readily agreed to deliver the bottle of mead – and Poison but Ron didn't need to know that yet – to Dumbledore.

Draco, repulsed by Ron's behaviour, listened with disdain as Rosemerta provided him with a candid and unfiltered account of the encounter. Ron's wandering eyes and inappropriate behaviour, even with a girlfriend, left Draco disgusted. Rosemerta, a woman of almost his mother's age, deserved better than to be subjected to such behaviour.

Draco, though no stranger to manipulative actions, found himself feeling an unexpected twinge of sympathy for Rosemerta. He mentally added her name to the growing list of individuals to contact when dealing with Ron.

Hermione disapprovingly shook her head at the sight of her drunk boyfriend and dragged Ron away from the pub and back to the castle. Merlin! Did Hermione hate her life? As bushy haired know–it–all, returned to the Gryffindor common room, leaving Ron alone for a mere 10 minutes so that she could keep the newly bought books on her bed. Meanwhile, Ron had started devouring a box of chocolates on his bed with the enthusiasm of an animal. Not even caring to see for whom it was actually meant or if the box belonged to someone else in the dorm. The chocolates, unbeknownst to Ron, were laced with a love potion.

Upon re-entering the boys' dormitory, Hermione was met with the sight of her boyfriend, Ron, in the throes of romantic inspiration, composing love poems for none other than Lavender Brown, who wasn't even present there. An overwhelming mix of jealousy and frustration consumed Hermione as she questioned Ron about his sudden infatuation with Lavender. Much to her dismay, Ron admitted to being in love with Lavender as he pointed to the box of chocolates on the bed, leading Hermione to a startling realization—Ron was under the effects of a love potion.

Heaving a sigh of relief at this revelation, Hermione took immediate action. Determined to avoid Snape at all costs, she disregarded the option of seeking help from the Potions Master and instead dragged Ron to the hospital wing. Madam Pomphrey, the school's matron, skilfully healed Ron of the love potion's effects, alleviating the immediate crisis.

However, in the ensuing excitement of Ron's recovery, a new problem emerged. Ron, perhaps seeking solace or celebration, grabbed a bottle of mead intended for Dumbledore and hastily consumed half of it. The sudden surge of alcohol hit him hard, causing him to collapse. Panic set in; Hermione screamed, and Madam Pomphrey let out a startled yelp. Ron had been poisoned. Foam leaked from his mouth.

Reacting swiftly, Pomphrey rushed to her drawers, retrieving a bezoar. She forced the bezoar into Ron's mouth, and gradually, he began to recover. The relief that washed over Hermione was palpable, but it was swiftly followed by a wave of frustration and tears. The rollercoaster of events had left her emotionally drained.

Amidst the chaos, Pomphrey, the ever-pragmatic healer, insisted that both Ron and Hermione stay in the hospital wing for the night. As the gravity of the situation sank in, Hermione found herself questioning the unpredictable twists her life had taken. Her frustration and exasperation were now compounded by an added layer of anxiety.

Meanwhile, amidst the commotion, the trio failed to notice Astoria Greengrass discreetly occupying a corner of the hospital wing due to a broken nail. Unbeknownst to them, Astoria had witnessed the entire saga unfold. By the time breakfast arrived the next day, the news of the attempt on Ron's life had become common knowledge, spreading like wildfire through the Hogwarts corridors.