What Would You Wish For?

Ron woke up the next morning surprisingly well rested. He would have thought after the previous night he’d have had trouble. He sat up and picked up the watch looking down at it, wondering if it had all been a dream.



“Good morning.” The genie popped into sight on his bed. Ron nearly jumped out of his skin. He wasn’t used to people just popping into view on his bed, let alone a woman. “Did you sleep well?” He smile was wide and sunny.



“Yes thank you.” He said lazily. He never was a morning person. “I have to get ready.”



“Of course. Try outs.” She said, and continued sitting patiently, while he rose and gathered his clothes. He was heading for the loo when he stopped and looked back at her. She looked different. She was in black jeans, with the same boots. And a red v neck sweater with long belled out sleeves. Her hair wasn’t pinned up anymore, it was loose and hanging down her back in waves.



“Your clothes are different.” He said.



“I snuck into the girls dorms for a bit. I must say it is remarkably liberating to be able to wear whatever you want. I found this on one of the pictures I came across, somebody‘s older sister or something, although I took a little liberty with the colors.” Ron smiled at her excitement and quickly showered and dressed.







Quidditch tryouts took the rest of the afternoon and afterwards they immediately began talking over tactics and strategy. Ron was named co-captain by Harry and they used the rest of the day to go though plays. He had told the genie to explore as she wanted to since he needed to focus on the try outs. Thinking of using a wish to gain a spot was quickly dismissed. If he was confident about anything he could do it was chess and quidditch. He didn’t need to wish himself onto the team.



That night as everyone slept, she appeared again. “You’re a master on the broom.”



“Did you see?’ He asked, suddenly glad that she may have.



“Indeed I did. Nothing gets past you does it?” She said with a smile.



“I try.” He said. “Did you explore the castle?” He asked.



“Yes I did and it hasn’t changed from when the teacher had the watch.”



“What teacher was it?” Ron asked her.



“He taught Herbology. Shy, and very insecure. He took his time but also wanted me around him all the time. He was always looking over his shoulder to see if I was there.” She let out a sigh. “He sure was pathetic in a lot of ways, but he had a kind character, even if he was a doormat in a lot of ways.”



“What happened to him?” Ron leaned closer, listening to her story.



“He wanted me to put a woman in his path.” She said smiling. “He was lonely like a lot of men are, but know I couldn’t make a woman want him. He merely wanted me to put a woman in his path and maybe they would figure it out from there.”



“Did it work out?” He asked, surprised at how much he wanted to know.



“It did.” She said with a laugh. “About six months later a woman visited Hogwarts on some meeting with the headmaster at the time. She was given a guest room, which the school has for visiting parents and such. She was a historical researcher, but after hours she would read up on Herbology in her room. I spied on her a few times.” She said with a wink.



“How did you make it happen then?”



“As they passed one another, I made her bag split at the seem and the text she was reading fell out. He saw it and the rest they say, is history.” She said. “Although, I would like to know what happened to him.”



“I could find out. The library has biographies on past teachers.” Ron offered, wondering himself what happened to the man.



“That would be great.” She met his eyes. “But what about your own wishes?”



“You said I have time, so I plan to think very carefully.” He said, relaxing into bed.



“Good.” She rose off the bed and tucked him in. “Now go to sleep young man, you have lessons tomorrow.” Her teasing voice made him smile.



“Yes ma’am.” His light was extinguished and he closed his eyes.







The next morning Ron tried to ignore the woman who settled herself on the book shelves, tables and work surfaces in his classes. He tried hard to focus and take notes, but as always, he had trouble making connections and understanding. He made several mistakes as he again foiled a potion he looked at her, seated on the counter next to the sinks, an idea formed in his head.



She had been watching him all day. He wasn’t the best of students but he wasn’t the worst either. He just needed help that was all. She decided to stay with him to see what his life was like, and to get a better idea of who he was. One of the good parts of her existence was that she could take revenge in her own hands if needed. There was nothing stopping her from performing her own magic when she wanted to. If he proved to be a jerk, and a bully, she could always turn his wishes into regrets.



But this one was different and she knew it. He was polite and hardly malicious. He joked with his friends, but he understood humor and it’s repercussions. He seemed the sort to apologize when it was called for and he would most likely feel guilt strongly. He was loyal to his sister and supportive of her too. As any big brother should be, but he also kept his distance and didn’t try to force his ideas on her.



As she watched him in his brewing class, she saw him try hard and then look at her. A thought showed on his face and she knew he was thinking carefully about wish number one. She had made up her mind to help this one and not hinder him. He was worth it. She would make sure he made the right type of wish.







While they were eating dinner, Ron thought about what he needed and how to go about it. He had to clarify what he wanted first because it wasn’t something as simple as someone might think of, but he knew it was something he needed.



“I’m heading to the library. I’ll see you guys later.” He said rising and gathering his bag.



“You are going to the library?” Hermione asked, giving him a sarcastic look.



Ron felt a surge of insult. “Yes Hermione, I am. If I want to be taken seriously for Auror training then I have to work harder then I have been.” His voice was harsh and he felt sorry for speaking to her that way, but Hermione’s next comment stopping any apology he was going to make.



“I wonder how long the novelty will last.” She said, continuing her lunch.



Harry looked up at Ron. “Good luck Ron, if you need any help I’m here.” He said.



“Thanks Harry.” He said then turned and left making it to the library quickly.



As he settled into an empty table far away from the other students and somewhat hidden behind tall bookshelves, he quickly whispered, ‘Genie?”



“Yes?” She popped into the chair next to him.



He looked at her for a moment, unsure of what he wanted to say. “What’s your name?” He asked after a moment. “Calling you genie seems a bit rude, unless that’s actually your name?”



She looked surprised. “Nobody has asked me that in a long time.” She said.



Now it was Ron’s turn to look surprised. “Nobody asked you your name? That’s horrible.” He said, with a stunned look on his face.



She smiled. Oh yes, now backfiring wishes for this one. “My name is Demona” She said softly.



“Then if it’s ok with you, that’s what I’ll call you.” She smiled brighter. “So listen, if I make a wish is it going to come back and bite me in the bum?” She laughed out loud, and for a moment he looked around but then remembered that he was the only one who could see her. He let her laugh it out until she calmed down.



“I can see how you might be worried about that. When it’s obvious that the holder of the watch is bent on revenge and avarice then yes I can make wishes turn on someone. Wishes say a lot about a man or woman.” She explained. “Someone may wish for millions of galleons but if they don’t want to work to earn them or keep them, then it would be pointless. Besides, having sudden amounts of money doesn’t come without consequences.”



“Like what?” Ron wondered. He wasn’t going to wish for money, he already decided that. He knew what money did to some people and he was more then willing to work for his own.



“Taxes, and expenses. You can buy a home, but you have to furnish it, food isn’t free, cleaning a home, repairing it, this all takes money and no matter how much you ask for, it will run out if you don’t replenish it. Not to mention people who you owe money to may suddenly show up looking to collect.” She said with a wink.



“Someone before me owed people money?” He asked.



“Yes and after an anonymous note from someone letting them know that he had wealth, they showed up and demanded it.” She grinned widely.



“You didn’t?” He said suppressing a chuckle.



“He deserved it.” She said. “He thought if he had money that he wouldn’t have to work anymore. He also had a low opinion of women in general, and seeing as how I had to grant his wish, he thought he had power over me. He considered women property and disliked backtalk. I saw him hit his wife a few times. I wonder what happened to him too.” She dismissed her thoughts and focused on him. “You have no need to worry though. You are respectful and a gentleman, that’s what I’ve seen. I will make sure you are happy.”



“That’s why you were following me around?” He asked.



“Yes.” She said. “I know honor when I see it. Now tell me. What is your first wish?”



“Well, I know what I want but it’s complicated.” He said.



“I’ve learned a lot of the centuries. Explain.” She said, paying close attention.



“It’s my dream to be an Auror, you do know what those are right?” He asked.



“Yes, I do. It hasn’t been centuries since someone had that watch last, you know.” She said.



‘Right, sorry. Well, they have this intense training program and to qualify you have to have excellent marks to pass the test.” He said.



“You want to wish to pass the test?” She asked lifting an eyebrow.



“No.” He said firmly.



“Then go on.” She said.



“What I want you to do is sharpen my mind a bit. I want to be able to understand with clarity what’s being taught to me. I don’t want to have to rely on someone else’s notes and someone else’s explanations.” He said.



“Does this someone else have brown curly hair and a huge book bag?” She asked with a giggle.



“She’s hard to miss, but Hermione means well.” Ron said defending the girl he was no longer mad at. He knew she must have seen Hermione‘s less then subtle suggestions over the course of the day. “I would just like to be able to take my own notes and understand what I am learning. If I can understand easier what’s being taught then I can learn it on my own and pass the tests and training with confidence.”



“That’s brilliant.” She said. “You aren’t just asking for the knowledge to pass.”



“If I had a keener mind, then I can gain the knowledge myself. I can do it, I know I can, I just need the tools I have polished and shined.” He said. “If you can help me master the one small part then I can make it on my own. That’s all I want.”



“That is wonderful. That is the type of wish everyone should make.” She said.



“Really?” He smiled at the compliments.



“Yes. Wishes are meant to enhance your life, not change it.” She said.



“If you can do that, it won’t vanish right after the test will it?” He asked.



She laughed again. “No, I wouldn’t do that to you.” She faced him and took his shoulders. “Repeat after me, ‘I wish I had a sharper, well honed mind for the rest of my life’.”



“I wish I had a sharper, well honed mind for the rest of my life.” He said.



She closed her eyes and he felt a warmth cover him and then vanish. She smiled at him. “You’ll see a big change tomorrow.”





A/N: Dont forget to review!!!!