What Would You Wish For?

He had made it through half his potions assignment, when Demona appeared at the edge of his bed, sitting cross legged and leaning against one of the posters.



“How was your day?” She asked.



“Fantastic. I can understand it all. It makes sense.” He said. “I’m already finished with everything else. I just have this one last essay, and it’s not due until Friday.”



“So why are you doing it now?” She asked with a smile as his excited smile.



“To get it over with while the lesson is still fresh.” He answered. “This is perfect, just what I was thinking of when I made that wish. Thank you.”



“Well that’s new.” She said.



“What is?”



“Someone thanking me for their wishes.” She said. “You are very welcome.”



“Nobody ever thank you?” He asked. “What kind of people did you end up with? Didn’t anyone decent find that watch?”



“Oh yes, sometimes, children find it.” She smiled. “One time this little girl found it. She was 8, and she was such a darling. She took a year to make her wishes but they were simple and they were innocent. Every now and then someone of good character gets it.” She smiled at him. “Like now for instance.”



He grinned and put aside his book, sliding a bit closer to her. “I want to apologize for what I asked earlier. I don’t know what happened but I do know that it made you feel bad and that wasn’t what I meant to do.”



She moved closer, and faced him. Their knees practically touched, but they had each other’s full attention. “It wasn’t your fault and I know you meant nothing by it.” Her face softened for a moment. “Although being apologized to is something that rarely happens too.”



Ron blushed. “What happened?” He asked.



She sighed deeply then spoke. “I was raised in an orphanage in the country side of Ireland long ago. My parents had died of sickness that tore though the villages, but back then people died from a simple cold at times. During my time at the orphanage people would drop off huge boxes of clothing, used toys and furniture. When people died they would take their belongings and donate them to charities. The orphanage would then have big sales and the money used to take care of us.”



Ron nodded. “That still happens.”



“Well in one of the boxes, I found the watch and it was so pretty and shiny, that instead of putting it on the table to be sold I kept it. I was 16 at the time. I read the words and couldn’t resist the temptation. When the genie told me I had three wishes, I knew what I wanted. My first wish was for a home.” Her voice dropped a bit.



“That sounds like a good wish.” Ron said.



“Yes, it sounded like one.” She agreed. “I found out the next day, that the orphanage was being given funding by the royal family. They had been asking for it for years, but it was never granted. This year however they finally relented, so I was told I would be able to stay there as long as I needed to. I could work with the staff until I married or was hired as a governess in someone household.”



Ron was shocked. “What? That was supposed to be a home?”



“That was his joke I guess. I supposed he had been in there for so long that he had developed this bitter attitude to everyone who came across the watch. Maybe I should have wished for parents.” She shrugged. “For my second wish I thought carefully. I asked for a partner in my life who would be loyal, and understanding. Who would never desert me and support me in my life.”



“I’m afraid to ask.” Ron said.



“The next day a puppy showed up at the door and wouldn’t leave my side. The women who looked after us let me keep him.” She said with a sad smile.



“A puppy? This genie was a real bitch.” Ron said.



“It was a ‘he’.” Demona told him.



“I remember, but that still makes him a bitch.” Ron told her.



“Well apparently he didn’t have a liking for anyone, including children. “I don’t know why.”



“What about your third wish?” Ron asked.



“I thought for days about that one. I didn’t want to waste it. I finally thought I had everything just right. I wished for a long and prosperous life, filled with chances to see the world, and have adventures.” She said.



“So what happened?” Ron asked.



Her eyes met his. “He placed me in his watch.” She said quietly.



Ron dropped his gaze and when he lifted his eyes to hers again, a tear slid down his cheek. “I’m sorry.” He didn’t know why he was apologizing, but he did. His heart felt crushed by her story.



She reached out and wiped away his tear. She had the touch of a regular woman, warm and soft. Just like her kiss. “You had nothing to do with it Ron.” She said softly.



“I made you think of it.” He said, letting another fall. She merely wiped it away again. “So you’re only sixteen?”



“Yes.” She answered.



“No offense but you look older.” She giggled. “I was thinking at least 20 or so.” He had thought 25 but there was no way he was admitting that.



“Times were different then. I was a woman at that age. Other girls my age were married and mothers by then. So it’s no surprise that you would see me as a woman. At the time, I was.” Her explanation seemed simple enough. “Besides, I have seen and done enough in my life to be mature enough in your eyes.”



“I suppose.” He looked in her eyes again. “I’m still sorry for bringing it up.”



“You cried.” She told him, reaching for his hand.



“I have never heard anything like that.” He said, wiping again to make sure there were no traces. “I’m sorry.”



“I know you are.” She said. “It was the question that brought it up, and you couldn’t have any idea about that when you asked.”



“That’s right. I asked what you would wish for, didn’t I?” He asked.



‘Yes, you did.” She told him, glad that he was calming down. Ron was remarkable and she felt drawn to him. She wanted to make sure this one was taken care of.



“What would you ask for then?” He asked, wiping his eye on his sleeve.



“Freedom.” She said without a moments thought. “Freedom to go anywhere and do anything I wanted. Freedom to tell someone no, I won’t do what they want. Freedom from a gold jail.”



“Why can’t you be free?” Ron asked. “Why not vanish like you do?”



“Because the watch keeps me connected to whoever has it. The moment I’m summoned I have to answer. When the wishes are used up I return to it and the next time someone gets a hold of that watch and rubs it, I am at their beck and call. Granted while I’m not needed I can go anywhere, but if someone wants me to shadow them, I have to. The only way I can gain my freedom is if someone wishes it and that’s not likely to happen. Don’t be sad,” she said when his face fell, “I get my revenge when I can.”



He grinned. “Wishes that backfire?”



‘Yes.” She said. “When I can help someone I help them. When I can bite someone in the bum, I do.” He smiled at his own words being used again. “Now, no more bad thoughts. I just love those hippogriffs and thestrals, so I am going back to the animal compound.”



“It’s cold out there.” He said, getting his sleepwear out from under his pillow.



“I don’t feel cold Ron.” She said.



“Oh yeah.” He said. “Sorry.”



She chuckled and rose and walked up to him. “You are always apologizing.” She took his shoulders and forced him to turn around. “You are wonderful Ron. I am having a wonderful time with you.”



“Thank you.” He said.



“Now relax, and no more sadness ok.” She said.



“Yeah alright.” He said.



“Good.” She have him a huge hug and then left him alone.



He went to sleep thinking about his remaining wishes.