75 Hand In The Shadows?

Heading Inside, their potions class, the newly formed quartet drew in everyone's attention. The degree varied, as the Ravenclaw's weren't all that shocked. The same however couldn't be said for the Slytherin's and Prof. Snape. The former were fuming mad while the Professor tried to retrain his anger. Their collective anger stemming from the agreement they'd made as a House to not interact with Ron.

Now, one of their housemates and promising students was happily chatting with him. Unfortunately the worst was yet to come, as Theodore and Ron sat down together.

It should be important to state that majority of students for the most part only interact with those from their own House. This specially went for those in Slytherin, as they had strict guidelines regarding interactions with the other houses. Such a custom was implementated to draw in their own together while creating a rift between the others.

It was for this reason that Slytherin House and Prof. Snape found the pairing of Ron and Theodore intolerable.

" Theodore, what are you doing!?"

Millicent furiously yelled out, an action worthy of point deduction that went unnoticed by the potions master. Although it didn't slip by Ron, who was quick to recognized what was going on.

' Eh, so the one to fill in the void left behind by Draco was quite literally filled by Violet from Charlie and the chocolate factory after she ate the blueberry gum. I guess whoever's the loudest, most annoying person in the year becomes the default leader.'

_

" What, I'm just sitting down, and please don't speak to me, class is starting."

Theodore apathetically replied, before turning away from her. She of course wanted to continue the verbal spar, but his words were true, class was about to begin. In which case she and her little group looked over to their Head of House, Snape. Regrettably he couldn't force two students who wanted to work with each other apart. That didn't stop him from partaking in the traditional Slytherin stare down, thought he started class shortly after.

" Open your books to page..."

Taking a minute to gloat at the man's misery, Ron inwardly mocked his professor.

' Really now, I can't decide whether he likes me or not. I mean he's always watching me with such intensity! Hahaha!'

He also hadn't forgotten about the brooding Millicent or her scowling group of Slytherins. Who he smiled and waved at, receiving death stares trough their suppressed rage faces.

' Hmm, while I do love to see you all squirm, I think it'd be a lot better if I didn't have to look at any of you. Hopefully that day isn't that far ahead now, thankfully I'm a very patient person.'

—

At the end of class, when everyone was gathering their belongings a few Slytherin's approached Ron's Quartet. Being the schoolyard bullies that they were, they "accidentally" bumping into the four. Sadly both Daphne and Hermione fell victim to their little act of bullying.

The two boy's who intended to duplicate the act on Ron and Theodore weren't as successful.

As the one aiming for Ron "lost" his balance, he fell hands first towards Ron. At the exact same time Ron also lost his, although he did so knee first which struck the boy in the stomach.

Theodore on the other hand simply sidestepped out of the way, leading for his bully to land flat on his face.

" Argh!"

Groaned Ron's attacker as his knees buckled and he dropped down to the floor.

" Oh, I'm sorry. It seems I've tripped. Are you okay? Let me help you up."

Before the boy coule say a word, Ron roughly raised him up and pulled him in close amd whispered to him;

" If any of you ever get close to any of us again you'll end up worse than Draco. Got it?"

In that moment the Slytherin boy's face lost all color and he started trembling out of fear. To everyone else the entire scene played out totally differently. All they saw were two classmates bumping into each other before one helped the other up.

" Alright then see you later, take care!"

Ron cheerfully said while patting the boys shoulder before joining his companions.

Of course those who were in on the "job" trembled in anger, while Millicent snapped her quill in half.

' Just you wait, you damned blood traitor! Unlike that loud mouthed fool Draco, I'm not afraid of you! I will find your weakness and get rid of you once and for all!'

—

Being in different House's Ron's and Theodore's schedules were different. Meaning that after Potions, Theodore had to separate from their group. Before he did so Ron got the Marauders Map back from the girls and showed him a passageway leading to his next class.

" See you soon."

" Yes, and you have to let me study that map in depth sometime."

" Certainly."

Done with their goodbyes, the newly formed Quartet returned to being a Trinity. The biggest change being that Ron took a back seat to the girl's conversations. He also didn't mind such dynamic, as it allowed him to think about more pressing matters. Specifically those pertaining to his next class, Charms with Prof. Flitwick. Who was supposed to train him in Dueling, but after what transpired with Draco he wasn't so sure.

' I need those lessons. Not having any real experience in duels places me in dangerous situation. For now my precise magic control is the only weapon I have at my disposal. Sure it allows me to toy with my peers at Hogwarts, but as I've already seen outside its far from enough. Hopefully I can still salvage things with Prof. Flitwick, if I can't, It's going to be a real tough year.'

—

Arriving to their class Ron went directly to Prof. Flitwick's office. After knocking thrice, the professor's voice rang out telling him to enter. Receiving the go ahead, Ron took a deep breath, put on his game face before opening the door.

" Ah, Ronald what can a pleasant surprise! Is there something important you wanted to tell me, because class is about to begin."

Professor Flitwick quickly asked as he organized his teaching materials.

" Professor, I wanted to properly apologize to you."

" Hmm?"

" For how I acted the last time, during your class, with Draco."

" Ah, yes... That wasn't a very good day."

" I'd also like to thank you, for your assistance on the matter that followed. You truly went far and beyond to help me and offer your advice, thank you."

Done speaking, Ron took a half step back and gracefully bowed to Prod. Flitwick.

' Surely this show of sincerity will garner me some points with the dwarf.'

His speculation however wasn't anywhere close to actuality. Since the Professor's swift response left Ron with an irritating suspicion. One his previous words and perceived image didn't allow him to ask about.

" Ronald, let's place that incident behind us. For now let's head outside I have to start class."

" Of course, Professor."

Standing upright, Ron politely replied before exiting the professor's office. Once outside, he couldn't help but speculate on that irritating suspicion from moments ago.

' Hopefully this is nothing more than my imagination, because it definitely looks like he's thinking of not training me. Meaning my handling of Draco might've been done prematurely. Since it appears to have cost me crucial dueling lessons with the professor. Who I didn't think would be bothered to such an extent over Draco Malfoy.'

Reaching that last thought, Ron focused on it specifically until he seemed to have realized something.

' Unless it wasn't him...'