Chapter 309 "The Diary Effect"

Hermione's shock only intensified as Ron confessed to his involvement in the sinister plot. She struggled to comprehend Ron's betrayal, her mind reeling with disbelief.

"Why are you guys forcing me to confess my mistakes?! That's right, I'm the one that has done all this. Are you happy now that I've confessed?!" As Ron continued his confession, Hermione's heart sank further, each word weighing heavily on her.

"That day, I accidentally learned that Cassandra disguised as my own sister, Ginny. By drinking the Polyjuice Potion and then she handed a diary of some sort into Wentworth." Ron continued explaining what he saw that day.

Hermione couldn't shake the feeling of déjà vu, as if she had heard a similar story before.

"I wasn't expecting the diary to be the key to the secret chamber of Slytherin's room. By the time I had the diary in my possession, I could feel an extraordinary surge of power flowing within me." Ron's revelation about the diary's true nature sent shivers down Hermione's spine. She couldn't fathom how something seemingly innocuous could harbor such dark power.

"Ro---Ron..." Unable to find her voice, Hermione exchanged a bewildered glance with Luna, silently grappling with the gravity of Ron's admission.

"I told you I felt something off about you by the time I met you," Luna's soft voice pierced through the awkward tension between them.

She couldn't comprehend the depths of Ron's involvement in the unfolding tragedy, nor could she comprehend how their once-trusted friend had become trapped in such darkness.

Hearing Ron's unexpected outburst, Luna's frown deepened, her intuition telling her that something was amiss. Hermione, too, sensed the tension in the air and cautiously reached out to take the notebook from Ron's hand.

"Really? Can you show me what's so special about this notebook?" Hermione asked tentatively.

But before Hermione could even touch the notebook, Ron recoiled, his expression contorted with anger. "Go away! Get your dirty hands away, you dirty mudblood!" he spat venomously.

Hermione froze, her heart sinking at Ron's hurtful words. She couldn't believe her ears, couldn't comprehend how her friend could utter such vile insults.

As the weight of his words settled in, Ron stood motionless, his face etched with horror at what he had just said. "No...no...that's not what I meant... that's not what I meant to say... that's not what I meant!" he muttered, his voice barely audible.

Tears welled up in Hermione's eyes as she stared at Ron, her heart breaking at the realization of his true feelings. "Ron, I didn't expect that even you had such a view. I really... I really didn't expect that you are such a person?!" she choked out, her voice trembling with hurt and disappointment.

Panicked, Ron waved his hands frantically, desperation evident in his voice. "No, no, you misunderstood Hermione; I really didn't mean that, I... I don't know why I said this, but it's really not my intention!" he pleaded, his eyes pleading for forgiveness.

Observing Ron's desperation to clarify matters to Hermione, Luna paused for a moment, then gestured toward the diary clutched in Ron's hand.

"I think it should be the diary that's causing the disturbance. It might be a magical artifact capable of subtly influencing people's minds," Luna hypothesized. "That's probably why Wentworth chose to hide it rather than keep it close."

Hermione, her resolve strengthened by Luna's insight, addressed Ron with determination, extending her hand towards the diary.

"Ron! Give me the diary! I'll help you explain everything to Dumbledore. Like you said, this isn't your intention at all; this peculiar diary is manipulating you!" Hermione implored with a concerned expression, trying her best to save Ron.

Despite Hermione's earnest plea, Ron refused to relinquish his grasp on the diary, his resolve unyielding. Finally, with a bitter smile, he confessed, "Actually, I'm not even sure if I'm under the diary's control or if these actions stem from my own desires..."

Hermione's eyes widened in shock as she gazed at her friend, a sudden realization dawning upon her: the person standing before her, her steadfast companion through countless trials, was now a stranger, a puzzle she couldn't solve.

Ron, his emotions boiling over, continued his confession with increasing intensity.

"The first time I directed the Basilisk to confront Colin, I kept convincing myself that it was because Colin's actions were disrupting Harry's life, making him miserable, and I wanted to help my friend," Ron recounted bitterly.

As he spoke, Ron abruptly halted, his silence pregnant with inner turmoil. Then, with a sudden burst of fury, he bellowed, "But deep down, I asked myself! Why? Why is Harry the center of attention? Why it's always him?!"

Witnessing Ron's sudden outburst and the fiery transformation in his eyes, Hermione instinctively recoiled, her voice trembling as she pleaded, "Ron, please calm down! We're friends!"

But Ron's laughter rang out wildly, echoing through the corridor. Amidst his laughter, he pointed at Hermione, his tone laced with bitterness, "Friends? Yes, friends indeed! How fortunate I am, Ron Weasley, to be blessed with such illustrious friends!"

"Harry Potter! My famous friend, the boy who lived! Hermione Granger! My academic prodigy friend, the girl who excels at all her studies! Draco Malfoy! My rich friend, the boy who had everything given to him by the time he was born!"

With a bitter sneer, Ron gestured toward himself, his voice seething with frustration, "And what about me? What kind of friend am I? Just a mere shadow! My existence merely serves to highlight all of your brilliance!"

Hearing Ron's words, Hermione rushed forward, her eyes brimming with tears, and pleaded, "No, Ron, it's not like that! Everyone sees you as their closest friend! I've never looked down on you! You're overthinking this! It's not your fault. It's the diary! The journal has influenced you, Ron! Please, give it to me, and I'll take it to Dumbledore!"

But before Hermione could finish, Ron eyed her warily and interjected, "You want to take my diary?"

Without waiting for Hermione's response, Ron hastily stashed away the diary and insisted, "No, I won't let you take my diary! It's my beacon of hope! You have to understand?! It's my lifeline!"

"Great people only associate with greatness. I want to be outstanding, better than all of you!"

"Hermione, see! Whether it's Harry or Draco, I'll surpass them. With this diary, it's guaranteed I will stand on top of all of you!"

Hermione gazed at Ron, her expression filled with disbelief, and uttered softly, "Ron, you've changed..."

Excitedly, Ron retorted, "Changed? Of course I've changed! This diary has made me stronger!"

Observing Ron's frenzied demeanor, Luna discreetly signaled to Hermione, then slowly reached for her wand.

"I knew there was something wrong with you by the time I saw you for the first time," Luna commented.

Hermione gazed at the once-familiar face of Ron, now twisted by the influence of the diary, and inquired with a heavy heart, "How did a mere diary transform you like this? What twisted teachings did it impart to you?"

Ron heard Hermione's questioning, but instead of offering an explanation, he smirked mysteriously, "Why don't you figure it out yourself? Consider it your challenge!"

"Expelliarmus!" Ron yelled as the tip of his wand glowed red.