Kapitel 85: Sweet Words, Malicious Intent

Ron's words fell like thunderbolts onto Hermione's ears, how could they not. He'd come out and admitted to casting Legilimency on her without her knowing. God knows what he did to her, could be have manipulated her in someway. If so, what exactly had he done to her, countless questions raced through her mind. Was their friendship merely a fabrication of his, what about joining Ravenclaw House. Besides the obvious betrayal perpetrated by Ron, what was worse was that Hermione's entire life could be fake and she wouldn't know.

Coming to this realization, Hermione's knees buckled as she crumbled down to the floor with a blank expression. Laying there defeated, she repeatedly asked herself why he'd do such a thing to her.

' Why... Why would he do something like that? What had I ever done to him? Weren't we friends? Why would you do that to me? I trusted you.'

Seeking some sort of explanation for his betrayal she began to raise her head to confront Ron.

" While I'm sure you totally hate me right now. I'd like you to know why it is that I did what I did..."

Remembering the countless occasions she'd heard Ron talk his way out endless situations. Hermione took the initiative of the conversation and immediately cut him off.

" What could possibly make what you did right? Ron you messed around inside my head without me knowing. How could I possibly believe anything that you say now?!"

With every word that came out of her mouth Hermione's anger rose, ultimately culminating in her getting up and shouting that last sentence directly into Ron's face. During which he stood motionlessly doing absolutely nothing to stop her from doing so. Only after Hermione's anger turned to heartbreak and tears rolled down her face did he speak.

" I deserve that, and honestly probably even more. What I did to you is truly unforgivable, and if you never want to see me again after this I'd understand. However please hear me out, just this one last time... Please."

Believing that she'd heard enough from him, Hermione readied herself to storm out of the room. Although as she walked pass by Ron heading towards the door he continued.

" While I do apologise for what I did, If given the chance I'd still do it again."

Fury exploding from within engulfing her entire being, Hermione turned back attempting to slap Ron.

*Slap*

While the sound of skin making contact was heard, it wasn't from Hermione's slap connecting. Rather it came from Ron firmly grabbing and restraining Hermione's forearm mid air.

" Don't."

Feeling extremely frustrated at herself for being so easily stopped Hermione angrily spat out the first thing that came into her mind.

" Let me go or I'll scream."

To her surprise, Ron didn't release her instead he closed the gap between them and whispered into her ear.

" You weren't the only one I casted Legilimency on that day, I did so on every single first year that was on that train that day..."

At the end of his most recent confession, Hermione's eyes went wide with shock. Then when her shock slowly started to turn into despair, Ron added more to his little monologue.

" However out of all of them, even counting the countless it purebloods with years of tutoring and magical knowledge spoon fed to them since they were born. The only person to stand out in my eyes, was a bushy haired girl in search of a pet toad."

Endless amount of emotions flooded through Hermione's head none helping her settle down.

" Believe it or not, the reason I did what I did that day, and even what I'm doing right now confessing it all out to you, it's because you're not like the rest Hermione, you're like me, you're special."

The roller coaster that was this entire conversation took yet another unexpected turn as Hermione looked absolutely lost. In a span of a few minutes she went from believing she'd been betrayed to letting her anger take control of her, to now being called special.

" From that one encounter, I could tell that your talent would be wasted if not properly groomed. For that reason I befriended you, to help you achieve your full potential. As for influencing you, I did use the knowledge I'd gained from peeking inside your memories to nudge you to join me in Ravenclaw. However that's as far as I've ever influenced you, everything past that point has been entirely up to you."

Overwhelmed by everything that was being said, Hermione lashed out again in an attempt to free herself from Ron. She wouldn't have to overexert herself seeing as he released her almost immediately. Regaining control, she took a step back in order to put some distance between them. Again Ron merely looked on, not saying or doing anything to stop her from doing so.

" Why?"

She asked trying to appear to have some semblance of composure in front of him. Prior to answering the question, Ron who up to now always seemed emotionless and apathetic let out a small sigh followed by a mischievous grin.

" Why? Why did I invade the minds of the entire first year class? While it might appear to you to be for some superficial reason as testing myself, I can assure you it's not. I didn't do so merely to see if I could, that would be too simple..."

Having known Ron for quite some time now, Hermione quickly recognized him stalling.

" Stop! If you're not going to tell me then-"

Under the impression that he wasn't going to truthfully answer her, she coldly spoke these words to put an end to everything. Although, like how the majority of his conversations went, Ron stalled in order to add suspense ultimately he'd always respond.

" I have a dream, you see and it's far, far too great for myself alone to accomplish... That day on the train, I was searching for people like me, those who desire more be that what it may. In your case it's knowledge and I both respect and admire that of you. Similarly Theodore wants to create something never before seen or heard of. It's these sort of individuals that I need by my side to achieve my dream. For this dream of mine, I'd do anything so please don't leave Hermione, I need you."

Like a bad habit, the silence came rolling back in until it was awkwardly broken by a question burning at the back of Hermione's mind.

" What about Daphne?"