What Could Have Been - Harry Potter

Ron (Hufflepuff)

{ published: 2_th october 2014. }

written for The Sorting Hat's Challenge, Open Category Competition, Greek Mythology Mega Prompt Challenge (Hector), The "As Many As You Want" Comp., Pick a Card, Any Card Challenge (Two of Diamonds), The Chocolate Frog Card Trading Competition, Procrastinators United Competition II & As Much As You Can Competition.

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What Could Have Been
Ron (Hufflepuff)

If nothing else, the Hufflepuff common room was close to the kitchens.

Ron, above all, could happily admit that he was a glutton. Whenever he passed the House Elves, they were sure to gift him with treats. Of course, his findings were shared with his housemates, as well as Pomona Sprout (Hufflepuff Head of House) if she was in vicinity: much like the modest badger, Ron was generous enough.

Hufflepuff had three main values: honesty, hard-work and fairplay. Ron didn't cheat [despite the temptation], did decent work, and he told the truth fairly often. He wasn't glued to their beliefs, but the other fellows in yellow eagerly accepted him anyway. He felt as though he belonged.

- - - - - - - - - -

(At least, he did sometimes.)

- - - - - - - - - -

'Gryffindor, Gryffindor, Gryffindor!' Ron had chanted madly at his Sorting as he yanked the Hat over his head. The ancient item roused shortly, speaking soothingly.

"Another Weasley, ehh?" it drawled in a whiskery voice "You're looking to be in the same House as your brothers, I see. Pray tell?"

It took a moment for him to confess, his teeth gnawing at his bottom lip nervously, but he soon came clean: 'I don't want to be alone.'

"You're looking for a House where everyone will accept you, no questions asked, correct?"

He almost jumped at the offer.

"HUFFLEPUFF it is!"

- - - - - - - - - -

(Was it the right chose, to unintentionally surrender his courage in order to obtain the selfish favour of acceptance?)

- - - - - - - - - -

At bedtime that evening, Ron slipped down from his dorm to warm his feet at the fire. He could have used a bed-warmer, he knew, but the stunning flare was much more comforting.

Kneeling in-front of the coals, the redhead frowned and edged closer anyway. This fireplace wasn't as hot as it should have been, due to overprotective safety measures in spite of their access to magic. Images of roaring embers came to mind, though the mental picture did nothing to affect the true heath.

Suddenly, the boy jerked, realising his position. It was after lights-out, and he was downstairs – out of his bed. He staggered to his feet, halting almost immediately. His home, the Burrow, was never this silent, but his was floundering deafening in the hush of the Hufflepuff common room.

"This isn't a very Hufflepuff thing to do, is it?" he snapped quietly at himself, dropping his hands and glaring lightly at the fire. If he looked from the right angle, the flame was identical to his House theme. He glanced at his sleepwear. Yellow, also. He despised the colour almost as much as he did maroon: the sunny enthusiasm and warmth did nothing to hide the cowardice and bullying directed at it.

Beneath him, the fire hissed at the blob of moisture that struck it. He didn't want to be Hufflepuff anymore.

- - - - - - - - - -

(At least, that's what his mind was screaming at him whilst he plastered a smile on his face, ascending the staircase in considerate silence)

That's what a Hufflepuff would do, afterall.

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WORD COUNT: 500.

prompts used: courage; Trio Era; write about Ron Weasley; hush; alternatively, write about Ron Weasley.

A/N: according to my old author's notes, past me headcanon'd that ron wound up in gryffindor due to a plea of wanting to be with his brothers.
- crystalcanon.

{ original chapter: 2_th october 2014.
updated a/n: 23rd august 2020. }