How Do "You" Like It?

Chapter Three: Dealing with Your Devil

Ron walked into the great hall thirty minutes later, just before breakfast was cleared.
He had read enough of the book to get himself protected by what he discovered to be an absorbent pad that was held in place by the elastic band and gauze strips.
He was still a little concerned that the contrivance might slip and he would find himself sporting a wet red spot on the front of his muggle jeans, but he figured if he walked carefully, he’d be safe enough.
At least the pills made his stomach feel better. It still throbbed, but not as disabling.
Harry was sitting with Seamus and Neville, laughing at a joke or something so Ron carefully slid onto the bench next to him.
“Harry, I need to talk to you.” Ron said grabbing a slice of plain toast and leaning closer. “In private.”
Harry looked over, not speaking out loud but Ron could see the concern and curiosity in his eyes. “Okay, Ron. Excuse us, guys.” he said to the other Gryffindors as he climbed to his feet.
Ron led the way to the doors, walking cautiously and debating how to begin.
In the entry hall, Harry pointed to an unused classroom and Ron nodded before going in.
Harry sat against the teacher’s desk as he waited for his friend to decide what to do.
Ron paced only a few careful steps, for a few revolutions and then he stopped when another cramp made itself known.
“Not again!” he said, grabbing his middle.
Harry jumped to his feet, but Ron waved him back.
“It’s okay. Hang on a sec.” the redhead said as the effect decreased. “Okay, so I got this little package today. Then, I don’t feel too good and . . .and . . Ah, Harry! Read this.” Ron said, handing Harry the book with the note inside the cover.
Harry opened it and read the note, then he looked in the book for a few minutes.
Every so often, his eyes returned to his friend, disbelief and concern in their green depths. “Is this a joke, Ron?” he asked.
“I wish!” Ron shouted leaning against a student’s desk. “There was this blood and oh, no!”
“What?” Harry said as Ron’s face went pale.
“I’ve got to pee!” Rona announced looking as if he dreaded it.
“Is that all?” Harry asked.
“It’s enough. Same plumbing, mate. Hurts like hell.” Ron said grabbing the book and heading for the closest bathroom.
Harry followed behind.

Harry paced the sinks listening to his friend groan as the sound of water splashed in the background. He was reading through the small book as he did and firing off questions here and there.
“So, it’s coming out regularly? I mean a steady stream.”
“More like a trickle, but yeah. Don’t hurt till I gotta pee, then it’s like the piss has to force the rest through and all.” Ron answered. “Starts up again, right after, too.”
“Have you been to Madam Pomfrey?” Harry continued. “You could be real sick.”
“Would you go for sompin’ like this?” Ron asked, pulling open the door and standing against the frame. He had managed to replace his protection and was figuring on going back to the dorms to dispose of the old one in his back pocket. He didn’t tell Harry about that.
Harry was pondering his last question when realization hit him. “No. I guess not. There are certain things I do not want that woman checking.”
“Thought so.” Ron commented.
“Are you going to be okay?” Harry said flipping to the next page. “I think this is gonna take a few days.”
“A few days? Maybe a week. I got that far, Mate. ’Symptoms can last from three to eight days, depending on the person’. Luckily, there were a lot of things in that parcel.”
“That’s another weird part, Ron. This book gives instructions on how to conjure up those items. Why did it come with a supply, unless whoever sent it didn’t think you had time to get them?” Harry asked, flipping another page. “Hey, now! Look here.” he said walking over to the redhead.
Ron looked at the part under Harry’s finger.
“Pass this book on to . . . .” he read. “To who?”
“It’s blank. There’s a space, but no name. Ron, I think this is bigger than just you. I told you to apologize to Hermione.” Harry said.
“Hermione? You think she did this to me?” Rom scoffed.
“You were teasing her about her . . . Women’s stuff. . .and now look at you.” Harry argued.
“There is no way that Hermione could have done this. She’s not that sneaky and underhanded. This is a Slytherin quality hex.” Ron retorted.
“You think that someone in Slytherin wanted to give you . . .whatever this is?” Harry asked.
“Could be. I don’t know!” Ron said as he grabbed the book back and headed for the door. “I just want to go lie down.”
Harry watched him go, thinking about all of the possibilities.

Ron managed the weekend without incident, mostly.
He had snuck into Myrtle’s bathroom and discovered a special bin to dispose of his . . .well, disposables.
No one bothered him, too much, as he stayed in his room most of the time, but on Monday he had potions and as the Gryffindors shared that class with the Slytherins, trouble was bound to come his way.
The assignment was a complicated potion to turn water into fuel for underground lighting.
Ron was paired with Theodore Nott and the Slytherin was letting him do as much of the work as possible.
At one point, after blending powdered pine nuts into the water and adding some toad feces, the liquid had to be stirred evenly and smoothly until it turned red and then maroon.
Ron was working on the next ingredients while Theodore stirred, when he happened to look into the cauldron.
“Oh, no.” Ron breathed as the mixture turned an all too familiar color and his face drained of its own.
“Looks like blood, eh weasel?” Nott scoffed as he noted Ron’s pale complexion. “You aren’t squeamish about blood, are you?”
“You wouldn’t believe me if I told you,” Ron said dropping his mortar and pestle and grabbing his gut.
Professor Snape happened by and looked down at the pair. Their potion was perfects so far, causing him to frown at his inability to chastise them. Then, he noted Ron’s face and posture.
“If you are sick, Mr. Weasley, you should be at the hospital not in my class.” He said. “Mr. Finnigan, take him out of here. Five points from Gryffindor.” This brought a half smile to his face as the two left the dungeon.
Theodore ruined the completed potion and he and Ron both failed for the day.

Ron refused to go to Madam Pomfrey, so Seamus took him to the dorm.
Ron managed to make it to the bathroom before loosing his breakfast down the toilet.
Seamus was worried, but as Harry and Ron had decided to keep their secret, he didn’t know what to do.
Ron came out of the bathroom and climbed onto his bed, thanking Seamus for his help and telling him to go ahead. Then, Ron drifted off to sleep.
Harry, followed by Dean and Neville, rushed to the dorm after Potions to check on their friend and roommate.
Ron was sitting on his bed, his face still pale and the book in his hands. His eyes were wide open as was his mouth and Harry took the book and read the page.
“Pass this book on to Seamus Finnigan, fifth year, Gryffindor.” He read out loud “Oh, no!”
Neville and Dean had no idea, so they other two filled them in. Ron’s color came back in embarrassed blushes at certain points and the other two were looking decidedly uncomfortable.
By the time thy had digested it all, Seamus returned from a trip to the library and the four teens did their best to break it to him gently.
Seamus fainted.