What Would You Wish For?

“Hello.” The voice was a soothing softness with it’s light Irish lilt and Ron turned his head toward it. His eyes drifted open and he blinked several times. He focused on brown hair and what looked like hazelish eyes and a familiar smile. “Awake now, are we?”



Ron jumped up and scrambled away until he was back against the headboard of his bed. “What……who……..how did you……..”



“Calm down now, there’s nothing to fear from the likes of me.” She backed away and sat on the edge of the bed, appearing very lady like and sophisticated. “Well now, last time I was out and about Queen Victoria reigned, who is it this time?” She asked him.



“What?” Ron frowned. “Queen? We don’t have a kings and queens.” He told her.



“Oh,” her smile brightened, “so your one of the magical ones are you?”



“Who are you?” He demanded.



“I am a genie of course. Didn’t the smoke give it away?” She gestured to his watch. “You were the one who followed the instructions, weren’t you?”



“Instructions?” Ron looked at the watch. “I couldn’t make out the words.” He admitted.



She nodded smiled. “Oh well then, I guess I should explain then.” She faced him. “I am encased in that watch until such a time as one summons me forth. The words on the back there let you know, but seeing as you couldn’t see them, then humbly I apologize.” She gave him a small bow with her head and then spoke again. “You have three wishes and I’m warning you now to use them wisely and carefully. I can’t …….”



“Wait, wait, wait,” Ron shut his eyes and then opened them, “there is no such thing as genies.”



“And if you go frolicking about in the non magic world, then such things as trolls, goblins and flying witches are just make believe.” She threw back at him. Ron could only stare at her. “Why is it so much harder to convince magical ones then non magical? I will never understand that.”



“This is impossible.” Ron rubbed his fists into his eyes.



“Why?” She asked. “Consider me another piece of magic in your world.” She looked around his room, at the four other beds. “You have brothers?”



“This is a dorm room. I share it with other students.” He said.



“Judging by your accent this is England and that would make this, Hogwarts then?” She asked excitedly. “The last time I was here was hundreds of years ago. A teacher had found the watch during that time.”



“When Victoria was queen?” Ron asked, remembering her words?



“No, it was Elizabeth during that time.” She answered. “Do you know a thing or two about non magical monarchs?”



“Just what my friends have told me.” He told her. “I can’t keep dates straight. Harry mentioned Elizabeth II though.”



“Well, let’s hope she’s as good as the last one.” She looked to the door as foot steps sounded outside and Harry, Seamus, Dean and Neville entered, talking. Each called out a greeting to him and went about fetching pajamas and taking turns in the loo. Ron looked back at the woman sitting on his bed.



“Don’t worry, the only one who can see me is you.” She sat penitently, listening to the talk of young men with interest. Ron merely watched and chatted with Harry about the years Quidditch try outs. He had planned it for tomorrow and was going over the plan he had. Ron was finding it hard to focus with the genie sitting on his bed, but he managed. She was right, nobody seemed to see her.



Soon enough, they gathered about Ron and Harry’s beds as they usually did and passed around treats and magazines. Ron and Neville found muggle issues intriguing and Harry and Dean always tried to get their hands on magical material over the summer.



“So there’s this girl in Hufflepuff that I’ve been eyeing last year and boy did she fill out over the summer.” He groped imaginary breasts on his chest.



“He gives my native country a bad image.” The genie said to Ron as she saw beside him. Ron grinned at her words, knowing that everyone thought he would be smiling with the group.



“I think I may get the chance to give her a couple of inches.” Seamus continued wiggling his eyebrows.



“This will make the, let me see, fourth girl you’d have sex with. Shouldn’t you slow down a bit?” Dean asked his closest friend.



“Three others?” Ron listened to the genie’s voice in his ear. “Did he date any of them for long?” Ron shook his head quickly enough that nobody would notice. “Well, then, when he offers them a couple of inches, is that all they actually get?” She asked with a laugh. Ron couldn’t control himself.



“You know Seamus,” he said, “you don’t date these girls for long. When you offer them a couple of inches, is that all they are really getting?”



Seamus sat red faced with a stupid smile as the room exploded in man-ish laughter and ribs at his expense. Ron slapped the hands of the others then shook Seamus’s in good faith. The Irishman always could take a joke.



Some time later Ron settled with a magazine while the others drifted to sleep. He had to much on his mind. “Shouldn’t you be resting?” She asked him.



He looked from bed to bed to make sure the others were asleep, then whispered. “It’s been a surprising day.” She smiled. “So I really get three?”



“Yes, but there are two things I cannot do and two things I can but I don’t recommend them. I can’t make anyone fall in love. That’s something the heart has to feel, and if it‘s not there, no amount of magic I possess can make it happen.” She explained.



“I think I’d rather have a lady want me on her own. So no worries there.” He said to her.



“I can’t grant you more wishes, even if you use your last wish for it.” She grinned at him.



“Understood.” He said, then laughed thinking it was a stunt Seamus would pull.



She nodded and continued. “I can bring back the dead, but trust me on this one, it’s messy and not at all pretty to look at.”



Ron swallowed and forced his mind away from the images he thought up. “I’ll take your word for it. And the other?”



“I can kill someone but do you really want that on your conscience?” She said in all seriousness.



“No I don’t, and I wouldn’t ask for that regardless.” He said, his stomach churning at the idea.



“I didn’t think you were the sort. Other that that, be careful what you wish for, you just might get it.” She said. “I know it’s a cliché but it’s true.”



Ron watched her closely. “It looks like you have expertise with that. And from the looks of it, regrets.”



“I have seem some men wish for power, influence and riches beyond words. Once you get those things however, you have to make an effort to keep them. Power is only good if you know how to wield it and if you have the right intentions. Influence comes with responsibilities. You not only effect your own life, but those who are drawn to that influence. Riches are only yours to keep if you make decisions wisely. If you haven’t the cunning to make money on your own, suddenly receiving it doesn’t make you any smarter.”



“I understand.” He let out a sigh. “It’s a lot to think about.”



“It is, but your young. One of the younger ones whose come across my watch. Your mind isn’t corrupted by hate and greed. You may want things, but the young always want things. Revenge against establishments, long standing laws, and enemies didn’t poison you as they do some men.”



Ron looked at her closely. She couldn’t have been more then 25 if he had to guess. “How long do I have to make up my mind?” He asked.



“As long as you want.” She said to him. She moved closer and rested a hand on his shoulder. “Take years if you want to, it doesn’t matter. I’m immortal, and to be honest, you don’t seem the abusive kind. I’d much rather spend my time exploring this world, then stuck inside the watch.”



“You mean you have to stay in there……..” he asked.



“Until someone releases me, and then I’m only free until the last wish is used. So take all the time you want. I will be close at hand, until you decide.” Ron thought for a moment, then yawned. “Here, into bed with you.”



Ron settled under the covers and curled up. A warm kissed was pressed to his cheek as he drifted off to sleep. “Goodnight.”