chapter 15 : The Good Samaritan

The next day, he had his first divination class and he slept throughout the class because the teacher was really too boring and the atmosphere of the class favored his sleep.

It had easily become his favorite class.

They then had a lesson on the study of monsters and fantastic beasts with Hagrid who introduced them to a hippogriff that he named Buck and he instructed the students on what to do or not to deal with the animal. 

He asked for a volunteer, Ron and Harry stood still and the others backed away.

Ron: You cowards.

Hagrid selected Harry and told him what to do to approach the animal safely, that is, approach slowly, bow, wait for it to do the same before approaching it gently.

Harry did everything right and the animal accepted him.

Hermione approached Ron and when the time came for Harry to touch the animal, the latter first wanted to bite Harry and Hermione, having flinched for him, immediately grabbed Ron's hand before holding it.

She blurted out in embarrassment, he hadn't even noticed because he was fascinated by the animal.

Harry succeeded and Hagrid put him on the back of the animal which went for a ride with him flying.

Ron directly approached Hagrid to ask questions about the hippogriff, he found the animal majestic and it was a real crush on him.

When Harry returned with the animal, Hagrid took him down and Ron graciously bowed to Buckbeak who greatly appreciated the tribute and did the same to accept it he approached humbly with his head bowed in front of the proud animal who let him touch him and caress his feathers.

Suddenly Malfoy in all his arrogance approached the animal, insulting it, which agitated the beast which injured its arm.

Ron: You really are a complete idiot, that's quite an achievement at this level Draco.

Hagrid calmed Buck and took Malfoy who began to make threats towards Hagrid and the hippogriff. Ron sensed trouble coming and warned the others.

Ron: We all came here to a Fantastic Beasts class, not just dogs and cats. Magical animals with dangerous or exceptional abilities that are part of the wizarding world. We cannot approach them or treat them like any animal, Hagrid showed us how to approach a hippogriff and Harry approached it without incident, I did it too with Hagrid's methods but Malfoy insulted this animal and did as he pleased. You all witnessed what happened and neither Hagrid nor Buck did anything wrong. If anything happens to them because of that idiot Malfoy and none of you show up to protest then I can swear to Merlin you'll be in serious trouble with me.

Hermione: Ron...

Ron: We're from Gryffindor, this kind of stupidity can't get past us, we'll cover for Hagrid and little Bucky, I'll go to Dumbledore's office myself if necessary! Who is with me ?

Harry: me

Hermione: me.

Neville: me

Everyone else followed.

"Very good" Ron said with a creepy smile.

Days passed and they found themselves fighting against the dark arts with Lupin and he showed them how to deal with a boggart. 

He asked questions and the students answered when next to Ron who yawned, Hermione answered one of the questions and it confused him because a moment ago she wasn't there, he noticed this for a few weeks at certain classes and he decided to warn her.

Ron: I don't know what artifact or spell you're playing with to do this but I'm going to warn you to avoid future complications, space-time magic can be very useful but incredibly dangerous, I don't know what reasons push you to use it that but be very careful.

Hermione: I...I don't know what you're talking about...

Ron: It's up to you, I only warned you and the rest is no longer my business.

He stopped there and no longer paid attention to her to listen to the teacher, unfortunately for him Lupin had asked the students to line up and he was third after Neville and Parvati, he had noticed people moving but not why when he spoke with Hermione.

Lupin took Neville and asked him to imagine his worst fear and it was Snape who came out of the cupboard, thus showing by the boggart that Neville's worst fear was his potions professor.

With the professor's encouragement, Neville cast the 'ridiculus' spell and grotesque clothes of an old woman appeared in Snape's image to everyone's hilarity.

The turn passed to Parvati and her fear was a giant cobra which she changed into a clown.

Lupin: Very well, Weasley it's your turn...

Ron casually walked in front of the boggart and he stared at it intently as the image changed to a clock or rather an alarm clock which began to make an enormous amount of noise and with a "ridiculus" Ron changed it to pillow.

Lupin: Can you explain Mr. Weasley to us?!

Ron: Well professor, since I was a child there are two things that I love, they are reading and sleeping. I like to sleep, I love to sleep and one day my dad brought back an alarm clock from the muggle world, it was the worst thing that ever happened to me.

Lupin: And apart from being awakened from your sleep you are afraid of nothing else?

Ron: No!

Lupin: Not even death?

Ron: I've read enough to know that we all die one day and I'm sure there's a spell somewhere in the world that brings the dead back to life. Although in my case I prefer to stay dead, you really have to be evil to deprive someone of the sweet eternal rest.

Lupin:…

Others :…

"You can go" The professor said scratching his temple before calling Harry. He arrived in front of the pillow left by Ron when suddenly after a few seconds, the pillow changed into a Dementor.

Harry, as if paralyzed, was unable to do anything and it was Lupin who intervened to change Harry's fear into his own before sending her back into the cupboard and shortening the class to the disappointment of the other students.

Ron looked intently at Lupin who went to sit down because of the fear the professor displayed, it was a full moon.

A little later, while Lupin was alone in the room, Ron approached the professor with a few vials of a potion he had learned with Merlin.

Lupine: Weasley? Do you need anything ?

Ron: Me? Great God No! On the other hand, you do!

*Clack*

He placed the three vials on the table and looked at the professor, smiling.

Lupin: I don't think I've confided any of my needs to Mr. Weasl-(interrupted)

Ron: You're a werewolf, aren't you?!

Lupin immediately looked at him seriously but Ron reassured him.

Ron: There's no point denying it professor, your secret is well kept with me and I know you by name. You see, when my parents found out about Sirius Black's escape, they became very serious and it was such a rare thing that I had to eavesdrop on one of their conversations. They talked about bringing together a certain order of the phoenix to discuss it and your name was part of the discussion. You're a friend of my parents, aren't you?

Lupin: That's right. How did you guess about my curse?!

Ron: Your boggart! I don't know anyone who is supposed to be scared or worried by a full moon, that would be ridiculous to a normal person. These vials contain a very effective potion against your curse. Just one sip per month is enough to avoid the complications of the full moon. Take this as a gift from your "little nephew".

He left, leaving Lupine completely dazed, this recipe he had learned with Merlin and had never tested it, Lupine was going to be a guinea pig for him and it made him happy to help an ally of his parents.

The pre-winter period arrived and while the others went to visit the village of Hogsmead, Ron and Harry stayed at the school in a secluded place outside with Luna in colorful clothes and Hermione.

Harry: Ron why are we here? We should go have fun with the others in the village.

Hermione: He's right, I wanted to go!

Ron: I don't see what stopped you from leaving Hermione, I would have simply helped you another time. (looks at Harry) Your problem with the Dementors is becoming ridiculous, the Slytherins are laughing at you and the day you find yourself in front of a Dementor, it is better for you that you know how to defend yourself against one or more of them .

Harry: So you're going to teach me?!

Ron: Why do you think we're here?

Luna: Can I learn it too?

Ron: did I ever told you "no" once?

She blushed at this and took out her wand.

Ron: Listen to me carefully, it's a spell that is both simple and special. Dementors feed on our worst fears from what I have read so to chase them away, you have to dig deep within yourself and look for the most beautiful memory you have within you. The purest memory, the one that makes your eyes water when you think about it.

Before I teach you this formula I want you to concentrate and draw within yourself to find this memory for me. Certainly you have many strong happy memories but this one must mix extreme joy with the sorrow of regret. Go for it !

Harry and the girls closed their eyes for a moment and it lasted for several minutes.

Luna: I have it.

"The formula is Expecto Patronum, think very hard about this memory to do it" He said calmly to Luna.

"Expecto Patronum" She said as a bright light shone at the tip of her wand and a rabbit made of light started running all around her as a tear fell from the girl's eye.

Ron: Are you okay?

Luna: This memory...it was with my...-(interrupted)

« I understand, don't say anything. The very fact that you succeeded in this spell proves that your mother still lives in your memories. I'm proud of you Luna. » He said taking the girl into his arms.

Hermione and Harry also succeeded on the first try. Initially, Harry's best memory was the day the Weasleys first celebrated his birthday, the memory was strong but when he heard Luna talking about her mother, his brain had a certain reaction which unlocked a memory that he himself had his own mother carrying him as well as his father smiling while looking at him and he succeeded in the spell before thanking Ron.

Lupin who watched all this from afar shook his head smiling and Dumbledore saw it too. They were shocked that Ron made them succeed with this spell on the first try as it was known to be difficult to perform but apparently it depended on the teacher.