Lucky Find

After all the other students had left, Prof. McGonagall motioned Ron over. Doing as he was told he approached her while maintaining his cheerful, upbeat demeanor. Unlike with his much younger female peers, the old Witch barely reacted to Ron's charismatic appearance. Which he found refreshing as having girls blankly stare at you was becoming stale.

" Ronald, your impressive talent speaks for itself, there's no denying that. Your work is impeccable and for the most part so is your character. However while all of that may be true, it also means you must held to a higher standard. Meaning that you cannot act unruly during class and disturb your peers. Unlike you many of them have more than enough trouble understanding the class as it is."

This unorthodox method of reprimanding, starting off with praise before turning to scolding. Brought Ron numerous memories of his lessons under his aunt. Causing Ron to relax and instinctively apologize to the old Witch.

" I apologise ma'am, It won't happen again. You have my word, I'll also accept the corresponding punishment."

A bit shocked at his apology, Prof. McGonagall didn't know what else to say. She'd actually expected him to try to talk his way out. Never did she imagine Ron to admit his wrong doing. At least not without an exchange of words, now she felt a bit out of sorts.

" Well then.. that's good. Let this be the last time I have you distracting my class. Now go on, don't be late for your next class."

After a short bow Ron turned around and left the classroom, leaving behind a perplexed Prof. McGonagall.

-

Walking out, Ron was immediately pulled off to the side by Daphne and Hermione. Naturally they wanted to know what led the ever solemn Ron slip up.

" So are you going to tell us why you the most subtle Wizard ever lost his composure?"

Asked Hermione while pulling on his robes, making it impossible for him to retrieve the Marauders Map.

" That was actually funny, It's rare to see you startled. I was starting to believe that you were incapable of showing any other facial expression other than grinning."

Daphne also joined in, although Ron was sure she actually believed that to a certain extent.

" If you two must know, I was genuinely bored. I mean, while I make it appear easy, it's quite difficult to act like I'm not. Oh, and by the way I'm an exceptionally normal person.. if I do say so myself."

" Hehehe."

" Tehehehe."

Ignoring the girls giggling Ron managed to fetch the worn out map out of his pocket. After hastily going over it several times, he handed it over to Daphne.

" Why are you giving her the map?"

Taking a step back, putting some distance between them Ron answered.

" I'm not going. I honestly find History of Magic to be an unnecessary class. So this is a temporary goodbye, as I'll be going somewhere else."

Without a second thought Daphne pushed the Map to Hermione.

" Then I'll go with you. I'm sure whatever you're up to will be way more interesting than listening to an old ghost."

" Hey, what about me? If the both of you leave I'll be left alone. Besides you'll both get in trouble for not showing up to class."

" That is why I'll be going alone. Daphne, I'm sorry, but you can't come."

Unwilling to be left behind again, Daphne tightly grabbed on to Ron's right sleeve. She'd grown tired of covering for him while he went god knows where, doing who knows what.

" Then you can't go. You always do this, Ron. You leave me behind while you go off to do something else. So if you don't take me along, you can't go either."

From earlier today Ron knew something like this could and would happen. Yet he'd hoped for it to slowly build up, giving him enough time to sway her mind. This of course was a byproduct of leading a young girl on, who wasn't accustomed to being denied.

' (Sigh) Why did she have to chose now to be so unreasonable?'

" Daph, please. I can't take you with me-"

Tightening her grip on his sleeve, she proceeded to pull him closer to her.

" Then you can't go."

Hermione who was witnessing their quarrel wasn't sure what to do. She too was curious as where exactly Ron would run off to, but not enough to hold him back forcefully. Taking a few steps back she patiently waited for things to settle down. Which only did so when Ron leaned over and whispered something into Daphne's ear. Hermione did try to lean in closer to hear what he was saying, but wasn't able to catch anything.

Shortly thereafter Daphne released Ron and happily walked over next to Hermione.

" Let's go, Mion, we'll be late to class."

Surprised at the sudden reconciliation, Hermione wasn't able to react before she was pulled along by Daphne. Looking back, Ron waved them goodbye with an obviously forced smile.

-

*Sigh*

Walking through an empty corridor, Ron couldn't help but sigh as he thought back to what had just occurred.

' I can't believe I was played by her again, maybe we're more alike than I originally thought. Nevertheless, I can't have her acting out too much out of my set expectations. Otherwise I'll be forced to cut her out of my life...'

_

Entering the secret passage he purposefully looked for earlier, it took him minutes to reach the seventh floor.

' I really love that Map, it saves me so much time and effort. I can't fathom how the plebs manage to climb staircase after staircase. I'd have killed myself, if I wanted to exercise I'd gone to a normal school.'

Standing in front of the entrance to the Room of Requirements and focusing on the Forbidden Section of the library. He was able to summon exactly what he needed, books, specifically the book on breaking Voldemorts Horcrux Curse. Entering the room he immediately searched for the book, once found he turned to the correct page.

' I wasn't able to fully copy the recipe the last time I was here due to time constraints. Now I can finish transferring the recipe over to my personal journal...'

" And here it is, Aurum Maledicta Delens. With this the Curses and Hexes placed on the Horcruxes are reduced to nothing."

-

" Done. Now, I'll just have to wait until winter break. After that, things will surely pick up."

Finished copying the Recipe, Ron continued reading the book, and even found another interesting recipe. Felix Felicis, the good luck potion, It's usefulness undoubtedly more immediate and impactful.

Thinking he might find something else he skimmed through the rest of the book. Having nothing grab his attention, he finally closed the old tome.

" Guess that's all, class is about to end and I'm quite hungry, perfect time to head out."

Rising from his seat, storing a small black notebook inside his Item Pouch, he walked to the rooms door.

" Ah, right, I can't have others coming across this. Oh, well it's not like they'd be able to use it either way."

Drawing Longinus, Ron threw the potions book up into the air and uttered a simple one word incantation:

" Expulso."