Chapter 66: Late Night Stroll
After Neville joined his "Study Group" Ron ran off towards Hagrid's Hut. There he would meet up with both the giant groundskeeper and his Potions Professor. Knowing that he was already running late, he used the Marauders Map to teach his destination as fast as possible.
-
When he finally made it outside he was met with Snape waiting for him. Who showcased his annoyed and impatient face to Ron. Seeing that Ron couldn't help but think that was just about the best welcome he could expect from the man.
" Is this some sort of joke to you 'Black?' You were supposed to be here 15 minutes ago!"
" I apologise, Professor. It won't happen again."
" Let's go I don't have time to be babysitting you the entire night."
Ron barely payed attention to Snape's ramblings, but did follow him into a small clearing. There Hagrid was waiting for them with a large lamp and a massive dog next to him.
" Ah, both of yeh fin'lly made it."
" It's good to see you again Mr. Hagrid."
" Eh, righ', righ' y'are Molly and Arthur's kid."
" Yes, my name's Ronald, Sir. However I'd feel weird if you called me that, so could you just call me Ron?"
" O' Course! Then it's nice ter meet ya Ron. Yer can call me Hagrid an' this here is Fang."
As Ron happily shook the gentle giants hand and smiled at his enormous dog. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Snape turn red when he told Hagrid to call him Ron. It was made a bit more apparent that it annoyed him when Snape interrupted their talk.
" Hagrid! This isn't some trip. This student is here as part of his punishment!"
" Yer righ' Professor. C'mon then Ron, jus' remember ter stay close by an' don' wander off."
" No problem."
With the introductions coming to an end Hagrid led them towards very edge of the forest. Holding his lamp up high, he pointed down a narrow path completely surrounded by thick black trees.
-
It didn't take long for Ron to realize that Snape was keeping a very close eye on him. He was aware that this was most likely a test from the Headmaster but even then he found it annoying.
Every now and then Snape would cast a spell trying to hinder Ron. For the majority of them, Ron could predict them before hand and get out of their way but sometimes he wouldn't be so lucky.
On one such case a vine magically wrapped itself around Ron's ankle and pulled him high up into the air. Ron was unable to reach his wand, Hagrid tried to help him to no avail and in the end a Snape spell cut the vine. That of course wasn't helpful since Ron was dropped head first towards the ground.
As Ron was free falling without a wand in hand, Snape pulled back Hagrid so he also couldn't help. None of that went unnoticed by Ron who decided to try his luck and closed his eyes.
"* You want to play chicken against me!? Fine, let's see if you have the guts to let me die here with a witness. So what'll it be!*"
-
When Snape saw that Ron had closed his eyes time stopped for him. He was told to try and figure out Ron's limits, so he planned to hinder him and see how he'd react. Yet he never actually planned to hurt one of his students not even one as annoying as Ron.
"* This kid.. is he that confident that I will step in and save him!? Why? I have not shown him any signs that I would... So why!?*"
While Snape tried to understand the reasoning behind Ron's decision he kept falling. Right as Ron's head was about to hit the ground his body stopped.
-
Opening his eyes once again Ron could see Snape's wand pointed towards him. Now with his life no longer in danger Snape retracted his spell and Ron fell to the ground.
" Thank you professor. You saved my life... "
" You should've been more careful, Black. There weren't always be someone to safe you around."
Ron chose not to reply to his cold comment, instead he simply have him a short bow. The brooding Professor snorted before turning away, seeing that Ron couldn't help but let out a slight grin.
"* Unlike my peers and most of the British Wizarding World I know that you're all too kind-hearted Professor. You would never allow one of your students to die, not if you could help them.*"
-
After that incident Snape stopped trying to test Ron. Who found it a bit more liberating not having to keep an eye out for enchanted vines and trees.
" Hagrid, the headmaster told me that you had heard some disturbing noises could you tell me more about them?"
" Wha', yer know 'bout tha'?"
" Only a few details nothing over specific."
" Well -- Eh, over there, what's that stuff shinin' on the ground?"
Before Hagrid had even said anything the giant was distracted by some shining liquid. Ron had noticed it but with Snape around acted oblivious to it.
" You mean that silver liquid? It's definitely odd... "
While Hagrid inspected it and Ron tried to think of what else to say Snape identified it.
" Unicorn Blood. "
" Yer righ' Professor! That's unicorn blood!"
" Could that be what you heard, Hagrid? A hurt Unicorn or one being killed...? "
" Poor thing."
" Well no matter what it was there is or was something in this forest that either hurt or killed an Unicorn. We should head back and inform the Headmaster as soon as possible."
"* Not so fast there Professor.*"
Unwilling to let this rare opportunity go by, Ron brought up another point.
" What if whatever hurt the unicorn finds is still around?"
"There's nothin' that lives in the forest that'll hurt yeh if yer with me or Fang,"
" Is that so? Then could I hold on to Fang? I'd feel much safer with him by my side."
"All right, but I warn yeh, he's a coward."
" I'm not so sure. He seems quite brave to me. Isn't that right, Fang?"
Holding on to Fangs leash Ron followed after Snape and Hagrid but would slightly drag his steps. This went unnoticed by the pair until they suddenly heard an explosion that frightened Fang who ran away. Both Snape and Hagrid were to slow to react and soon Fang and Ron we're no where to be seen.
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