Chương 81: Twisted Love

Rushing over to the impromptu opening Ron had created, both Daphne and Hermione hysterically yelled out his name.

" Ron!!!"

Daphne, with almost no time to think, mimicked his earlier actions, stepped onto the edge, raised her wand above her head, before reciting the same incantation.

" Ascendio!"

She then felt a powerful external force literally propel her entire body upwards. Similarly like Ron she too disappeared into thin air almost instantly.

" Daphne!"

Being the last one remaining, Hermione bit her lower lip out of hesitation before following suit. Stepping on the edge of the platform, she took a deep breath before slowly raising her head up.

Some several feet up high, she managed to make out two familiar silhouettes. Both of which she immediately recognized as Ron and Daphne respectively. From her point of view, she witnessed as Ron helped Daphne inside his room via his bedroom window. Afterwards he sat on the window frame looking down right at her while gesturing her to go up.

Albeit hesitant at first, Hermione didn't want to be left behind, so she reenacted their movements. Stepping onto the edge of the Ravenclaw Tower, she couldn't stop her body from trembling. Then gently raising her wand, somewhat unsteadily, she recited the incantion.

" Ascendio!"

Just like Ron and Daphne before her, Hermione's body seemed to be launched upwards at a great speed. Unfortunately, unlike them, she made the erroneous mistake of looking down below. Doing so she couldn't help, but become terrified by how high above the ground she actually was.

" I.. I can't do this!"

Facing the ground underneath, Hermione lost all confidence in herself and control of her magic. Losing the latter, sent her into further panic as she began to free fall. Panicked she tried to cast a variety of spell, but without a calmed mind none were successful. Becoming overwhelmed by dread she Instinctively raised her head in search of someone.

" R..o..n..."

Being in free fall, the pressurized air around her made it almost impossible for her speak. Luckily that turned out to be unnecessary as Ron had been carefully monitoring her. In fact the second Hermione lost control of her magic, Ron immediately jumped down.

Being so high up he was forced to bring his body inwards to try and catch up to her. In this moment Ron believed he truly resembled a super hero, the air parting his long red hair, robes wildly fluttering in the sky, and wearing a calm yet focused look on his face.

' Almost there...'

Closing the distance between them, Ron had to quickly decide how he'd settle this. The easiest and fastest way would be to bring out Longinus. Problem with that solution is his lie being exposed.

' Decisions, decisions...'

After some thought, Ron drew his gimmick wand swiftly creating a capital "M" figure mid air, while silently reciting an incantation.

' Arresto Momentum!'

Ultimately deciding not to use Longinus, Ron utilized proper wand movement to stabilize his magic. Managing to stop Hermione's decent, he awkwardly grabbed on to her to stop his own momentum.

" Ow! You're heavy!"

Due to Ron's magic Hermione remained floating, but was forced to endure having his entire weight on her body.

" Sorry, about that!"

Having come this far, Ron wrapped his arms Hermione and after ensuring that she couldn't see him drew Longinus.

" Hold on tight!"

" Eh. What are you going to d--"

" Ascendio!"

With Longinus on hand, the power in which they ascended was multiplied by several times. Even with both of their weights combined they reached Ron's window in mere seconds. Thankfully for Ron going at such high speeds allowed Longinus to go unnoticed. Of course when they were outside his room's window he made sure to have Hermione enter first.

Doing so knowing Daphne would place all of her attention helping her inside. Creating the prefect opportunity for him to hide the nonexistent wand.

" Hermione! Are you okay!? What happened out there!?"

" I-im fine, I don't really know what happened, I looked down for a brief moment and then everything just went dark..."

Hermione took a second to catch her breath before continuing.

" That's when I think I lost consciousness, before I knew it Ron was on top of me."

Daphne glanced over at Ron with a confused look after that comment from Hermione. For his part Ron apologized to her, albeit not as sincere as he could have been.

" Yeah, sorry about that. It kinda just happened, it was a spur of the moment thing..."

' It's not like I could've stopped the both of us from falling, at least not without potentially exposing myself.'

With Daphne's help, Hermione layed down on Ron's bed to get some much needed rest.

" Well now that she's fine, I should go close up that hole I made down there."

Not waiting for a response, he stepped over the window frame and jumped down again.

This time around, without the immediate need to save Hermione, Ron's trip went by far smoother, returning back to his room a few seconds later. On his return he was on the receiving end of a mean glare from Daphne who was tending to Hermione.

" What?"

" Nothing."

Not being that dense, he could tell that she was obviously mad about what happened. That said, if given the chance he probably wouldn't have done it any differently.

' I'm sorry, but this type of magic shouldn't pose any problems to competent wizards or witches. Although I should've taken into account Hermione's uncontrollable curiosity. Next time I'll display a more practical means of transportation, maybe something with transfiguration.'

" Ron, was that really necessary? Vanishing just like that without telling us, me anything beforehand?"

Getting up to her feet, Daphne solemnly looked over at Ron, who's expression was one filled with regret.

" I'm sorry Daphne, you're absolutely right. I shouldn't have scared either of you like that. It won't happen again, I promise you."

Staring into his glistening green eyes brimming with sorrow, she ultimately forgave him.

" It's fine, just please don't do anything that dangerous again at least not without telling me. I'm your fiance after all."

That final sentence was said slowly and very clearly making it impossible to misinterpret. Surprised at Daphne's comment Ron instinctively glanced at Hermione. Daphne meanwhile maintained her gaze on Ron specifically on his reaction.

" She can't hear us, I casted a sleeping charm on her while you were away."

" Why'd you--"

" Why did I say that? Because I'd like to be included in your life more. Ever since we've arrived at Hogwarts it feels like you've put this distance between us. I'm not entirely certain what it is that you're up to, but I do know you're hiding something from me."

" Daphne that's not--"

" But you see that doesn't matter because I trust you, because I love you."

As she reached that final line, Daphne stepped foward placing her right hand on Ron's left cheek. He was momentarily stunned at the entire ordeal not really knowing how to react.

' Shit...'