Ron and Hermione : Bickering since 1991

Chapter 15 : Boggart

[Ron]

It has been three months since Hermione and Ginny went to Hogwarts and me and Harry came for Auror Training. Training here has been good, a bit pressurising for me and Harry, but good as such. The only thing I have been struggling with is living apart with Mione. Of course, we have been talking through letters, I also went to visit her last month, when there was a hogsmeade visit. But, its just not the same anymore.

Today, we will be facing boggarts to prove that we can cope with life distressing situations. As if seeing spiders would be a life and death situation. Though its definitely distressing, for sure. Maybe it may not be for everyone, but for me it is. It isn't my fault that I have arachnophobia (irrational fear of spiders). If anyone, its Fred and George"s fault. Fred and George. I still have the habit of reffering them as one. And I think that habit will never truly go. Well, Fred if it makes you feel any better, I am not mad anymore, and I am sorry for breaking your toy broomstick, not back then, but now, I know how much it meant to you. Still, I had just one soft toy, you should have forgiven me. I hope you have now.

Training had started. Many people had their first attempts. Well it was my turn now. I expected to see  giant spiders.

I... saw something else.

Something unexpected.

It was a really, really distressing and disturbing one. And this, was definitely a life and death situation.

Hermione.

She was screaming. And her screams were very agonizing. Why was she screaming? She was being tortured by Bellatrix Lestrange. Yes, Bellatrix Lestrange. Being tortured by Bellatrix.

It looked so real, apparently I forgot hat it was not real.

"R-riddikulus."

Nothing happened.

"Riddik-kulus."

Nothing happened again.

And why was that?

Because the thing that really defeats a boggart is laughter.

Lupin's words repeated itself in my head. Apparently, laughter wasn't something which I could perform right now.

Hermione was being tortured by Bellatrix, and all I could do was stand there helpless. I just could not think of anything funny.

Everything seemed irrational.

She was screaming so loud. And, it pained me so much. So much.

I was determined now. I mustered up all the courage that I had and cast the spell.

"Riddikulus."

And this time, it worked.

I stormed into our rooms, and Harry came in after me. I sat on my bed and put my head in my hands.

"I quit."

"Ron, you can't just quit."

"I very well can. And you won't stop me."

"Ron, you have always wanted to this, you can't refuse to make your dream to come true because of this."

"Anything's better than seeing Hermione like that."

He came and sat beside me.

"Ron, you are scared right now. Think this through. Don't make any life changing decisions in this state of mind."

"Leave me alone Harry."

He sighed.

"There is only one person who can do this."

And then he got up searching for what I believe to be quill and parchment.

What he meant, I don't know. I just lay and then drifted off to sleep eventually. It wasn't peaceful. I had nightmares.

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