HPNSA - BOOK ONE

CHAPTER EIGHT
A SLIT IN HIS SOUL
Timeline: AUGUST 1997



Ron opened a window to let in a soft night wind then sat beside Harry who lay sleeping on his bed. Then he took Harry’s hand and placed it on his cheek. He could not hold back the tears as he felt Harry’s pulse beat softly against his skin. He nearly lost him tonight to a creature that will hunt him for as long as he lives. Ron finally understood why Harry was so adamant to get married – to get rid of the curse - this was what he saw: an endless parade of demons and sorcerers after him – bent on getting the Iranna.

This was worse than what that scar of his came with, he thought. At least with the scar came the Prophecy and that had a thin ray of hope that Harry would somehow come out victorious. However, this is different. This curse came with nothing but death and no sign of requisition. Ron shook as fear and pity filled him and his tears showered down like summer rain upon Harry’s hand. He wondered if their marriage made any difference. Hermione said it would but Harry was still attacked.

Then he remembered hearing something that old Mrs. Figg said before they left the Dursley’s house; that she has been hearing Harry’s screams for many years. This was not the first time Lars attacked him and not the first time that the Dursley’s ignored his cries. The anger came back; how he wanted to kill them all. Ron closed his eyes tightly as he remembered the feel of Lars’ flesh as he crushed him with his fist – it felt good but not enough. He knew all about the nasty things the Dursley’s put Harry through but this was something else, something even more unforgivable than all the other cruel tings they’ve done to him combined.
He looked at Harry’s battered face and he was overwhelmed by pity; he has been fighting that monster since he was a child and back then no one came to help him, no one took him away from that wicked place…until tonight. He wondered why Harry had not spoken of this to him before. Then Ron asked himself, was there really anything he could have done had he known? He was hardly instrumental in Harry’s plight aganst the Dark Lord, could he be any good with this new threat?

Then he leaned his head gently over Harry’s bandaged forehead and kissed the place where Voldemort placed the scar. The feeling that he was not enough to keep Harry from these foul elements kept growing in his heart and Ron realized he would have to face this and all the other evils that are coming his way because he loved him; because he vowed to protect him with his dying breath. So even if he was not prepared to fight demons, or dark wizards, or sorcerers if they all came pouring in from all directions, he has to stand and fight them – until his dying breath. Then he asked himself, what if he wasn’t enough?

He remembered the many years that passed by when he and Harry were just two friends fighting only one enemy. Although he was there for him - he and Hermione always seemed to be there halfway--- but in the end, Harry was always by himself, fighting for his life. It was a pattern every year; Harry would always face death before the year ends and because of some twist of fate, he always came out victorious. Ron figured the Prophecy was at work there. He wondered how this year would be and if Harry would be able to win this round. Facing death and escaping it, was something Harry had proven to be good at, yet tonight he almost died.

Ron felt his mind spin as more questions invaded it. Then the door opened and Professor Snape’s figure loomed outside.

“Mr. Weasley, you are needed downstairs.”
He nodded. On his way out, he noticed a woman behind Professor Snape. Ron remembered seeing her when they visited his father while he was in Saint Mungos last year. Professor Snape and the woman went in as he stepped out of the room, and closed the door behind them. He turned around and slowly walked down the creaking steps.

Downstairs, he saw Professor Lupin and his family gathered.

“So, Lars is actually a---a---“ Mumbled George, he was still in shock after hearing the news from his father.

“A Demon! An Incubus!” Charlie answered.

“Imagine that beast hurting poor Harry!” Fred cringed.

“Scrimgeour is furious! There hasn’t been an Incubi attack in ages! Not one demon was able to cross the Borders in more one hundred years!” Remus added. “It was a lucky turn that Ron called Harry. Imagine what would have happened if he didn’t.”

Ron swallowed hard before alighting from the last few steps of the stairs. When they saw him, their immediately quieted down, and looked at him sternly. He bowed his head as he approached them slowly. He looked at everyone; Remus nodded at him and then looked away, Charlie was staring at him worriedly, the twins were scratching their napes and evaded his eyes, Molly was still in shock, and Ginny looked at him and smiled a little. Ron looked at Arthur last. Arthur slumped on his chair, and his drawn and disturbed face had picked Ron’s last attempt with courage.

“Well…” Arthur sighed heavily. “There will be a trial on the ninth. Your first I believe so you’d better be ready for it. They would want to know about you and Harry.”

“What were the charges, Arthur?” Remus asked.
Ron was breathing heavily now, trying to swallow for his throat felt sore. His chin was twitching terribly, but he dared not look at Arthur.

“Use of magic outside of Hogwarts, use of magic in front of Muggles, use of an unforgivable curse…” Arthur counted.

“Surely they are not counting that one, that was self-defense!” Remus said.

Ron couldn’t agree more. He would have used the killing curse if it had entered his mind first.

“Yes, well, that’s not what the Ministry thinks. So you are charged with that as well.” Arthur sighed.

“What will happen to him?” Molly whispered.
Ron looked at her; she had been crying and though her tears have stopped running, her eyes were all puffy and red and her voice quivered. How he wanted to hit himself with something solid.

“He’ll get expelled, probably loss his wand…” Arthur said.

Molly covered her face with her hand and started crying again.

Ron could not take it anymore. His knees trembled and his chin twitched until at last he gave in to the gigantic sobs that had closed his air pipes. “I’m sorry, father! I’m sorry! Please forgive me!”

Arthur placed his hand on Ron’s head and said, “Why, Ron? Why did you keep this from us?”

Ron did not answer he just kept crying.

“How long have you known?” Arthur’s voice cracked.

“Just late last year.” Fred answered.

“And you,” Arthur said facing the twins who cowered back immediately. “You should have known better. I was beginning to wonder why you kept asking about Nymphrodites. I thought you respected us enough to tell us what you were planning to do!”

“We were afraid you wouldn’t approve.” George winced as Fred poked him hard on his side.

“Approve what?” Arthur frowned.

“The wedding. That you wouldn’t approve the wedding.” George replied, his voice hoarse as tears began to choke him.

“Well, we have good reasons not to! Not yet, at any rate, your brother is only sixteen! Harry is only sixteen! What the bloody hell were you both thinking?” Arthur berated.

“Arthur…” Molly groaned, massaging her head.

“I love him, father.” Ron whimpered.

“Marriage isn’t only about love.” Arthur stressed. “Son, there is incredible responsibility that comes with it – this marriage especially. Ron, Harry is a Nymphrodite – do you know why Dumbledore kept that even from him? What happened tonight is but a taste of what other Nymphrodites have gone through. Are you ready for that? Are you prepared to protect him from that?”

Ron bowed his head. Arthur was right and tonight he knew the answer was ‘no’; he’s not ready for it---he’ll never be ready for it.

“Had you told this to any of us we could have given you both sound advice.” Arthur berated.

“I’m sorry…” Ron sobbed. Arthur looked at him as though he was about to hit him. Ron braced himself for it.

However, Arthur just placed his hand on head and said, “Well, you are married. There’s nothing more to do. We cannot change that anymore. You have to face this responsibility, Ron, whether you’re prepared for it or not is no longer the issue.”

Ron felt relieved that he was spared his father’s fist, though he would have accepted it gladly knowing he was at fault.

“Just remember from now on, everything you do should be transparent to us, no more secrets. From all of you.” Arthur said sighing heavily.

Ron nodded and so did the twins.

“I’m curious, who did the ceremony? No ministry-approved priest would accept this arrangement.” Professor Lupin said.

“There is a new priest in town named Uriel.” George said.

“Uriel?” Remus said. “Never heard of him. How did you find out about him?”

“Hermione found his ad in the Daily Prophet.” Fred said.

“So Hermione knows as well?” Arthur asked.

“Yes, Harry told her first.” Ron said, wiping his eyes.

“Well. Since there is nothing we can do to change the past, we might as well improve things at present. Your mother and I have a little money saved and you can use that to start. Stop crying! You’re a married man, start acting like one!” Arthur cried.

Just then, Professor Snape came down the stairs.

“Arthur,”

“Severus! How is he?” Arthur asked.

“He is awake and he calls for Ron. Be sure not to let him move at all or he’ll bleed again.” Professor Snape instructed. “Arthur, we have to talk.”

“Alright. Ron, go on upstairs. The rest of you head to bed, it’s getting late. Ginny, you stay with you mum for a while. Severus, let’s go outside.” Arthur said.

“I’m coming with you.” Remus said.

Ron ran upstairs and opened the door just as the woman conjured magic to clean the floor of blood and bloodied gauze. Harry was fully awake now, looking up at the ceiling and sniveled; the whole room smelled like a hospital.

“Try to calm him down. No sudden movements, alright?” She directed.

Ron smiled at the woman who smiled back at him then left. He closed the door and slowly went to Harry’s side and gently sat on the bed.

“Hey…” Ron said, taking Harry’s hand.

“Hey…” Harry replied, squeezing Ron’s hand. Tears streamed down to his ears, and Ron reached out to wipe them away.

“How are you feeling?” Ron asked.

“I’m fine,” Harry winced. “Thanks to you.”
Ron hushed him as he began whimpering again.

“Everything will be alright now. He will never hurt you again, not while I’m alive. I promise.”

Then he stood and bent down to plant a soft kiss on Harry’s lips. When their lips parted, Harry pulled him back, and Ron knelt by his bed giving in to his request.


***


Hermione arrived the next morning after Ginny sent an owl to her telling her what had happened.

“How is he?” She asked a sleep-deprived Ron who was coming down to have breakfast.

“He’s alright. He’s still sleeping.” Ron yawned. “Have you eaten breakfast yet?”

Hermione nodded then walked over to join him at the table.

“So they already knew.” Hermione said.

“Yes. They’ve known all along it seems. I knew there was something terribly wrong with that concept. How could they not know? Dumbledore trusts the Order. We should have done the same.” Ron frowned.

Hermione did not answer. Then Molly came in with Ginny.

“Hello Dear!” She said then went over to Hermione and gave her a kiss.

“Hello, Mrs. Weasley, Ginny!” Hermione said kissing Molly back. Ginny looked at her and nodded curtly.

“Why aren’t you eating? Ron, give Hermione something to eat.” Molly said.

“No thank you. I’m alright.” Hermione answered.

“Well, you can visit Harry after I give him his breakfast.” Molly said. She then took a bowl of soup, a few bagels and milk and headed on upstairs.

Ginny sat beside Ron at the table. “I heard that the priest that did the wedding was an Incubus too.”

“What?” Hermione and Ron cried in chorus.

“When did you hear that?” Hermione added after recovering from the shock.

“Last night. While you were upstairs, Professor Snape said that Uriel is working for the Dark Lord.” Ginny said.

“How did he find out?” Hermione said.

“Well, he used to be a Death Eater remember?” Ron said.

“No. The information came from Draco.” Ginny said.

“Draco?” Hermione and Ron said in unison.

“Yes. Apparently, he ran away from home last night because Lucius wanted to kill him.” Ginny said.

“Why would he want to kill his own son?” Hermione said. “If I didn’t know better I’d say he’s up to something.”

“No. Professor Lupin even told Professor Snape to keep Draco out of sight for while. I think it’s real.” Ginny corrected.

“Well, these Death Eaters have been dealing with Dark Magic and you don’t mess around that without sacrificing your soul. So it’s possible that he can kill Draco.” Hermione cringed.

“Also, Draco knows about Harry being a Nymphrodite.” Ginny added.

“Well, that’s not good. If he knows, all the Slytherins know!” Hermione said.

“Actually, he has not told anyone at all.” Ginny said – glaring at Hermione --- she stopped when she noticed Ron frowning at her. “He also knows you two got married.”

“That doesn’t sound like Malfoy at all.” Hermione said. “You’d think with a discovery like that he’d use it to torment both of you. I wonder what has happened to him?”

***



“Hermione.” Harry greeted softly.

“How are you feeling?” Hermione replied pulling up a chair beside his bed.

“I’m quite fine. Though it still hurts here.” He said pointing to the right side of his lower abdomen. “And I’m not allowed to move.”

“It was an Incubus attack.” Hermione said.

Harry nodded. “I didn’t know he was an Incubus until last night.”

“Has he attacked you before?” Hermione asked brushing Harry’s hair with her hand.

“Yeah.” Harry whispered. “Since I was five.”

Ron came in with Ginny bringing in a bowl of sliced apples. “Mum said you should have some fruit.”
Ron placed the bowl near the bed and Harry took several slices.

“How are you doing, Harry?” Ginny asked.

“Okay, Gin.” Harry smiled.

“Ron, can I talk to you for a while?” Hermione asked.

Ron darted a look at Ginny before nodding. Hermione noticed that Ginny didn’t seem to approve of her wanting to be alone with Ron. In fact, she didn’t approve of her having anything to do with Ron of late. However, she needed to tell Ron what Harry had revealed about Lars, and she didn’t want to upset Harry by reminding him of it in front of Ron and Ginny.
She stood and grabbed Ron’s hand and they both walked outside.

***

“That demon had been abusing him since he was five. Although I think this was the first time he exposed himself as an Incubus. It was very lucky that you called, imagine what could have happened if you hadn’t” Hermione said, she was sitting on a low chair while Ron sat on the grass and leaned on a rock. They were in the garden watching four gnomes running after each other in play. The sun shone brightly but the house provided enough shade for them to laze around this late in the morning.

“I was awakened by Lily.” Ron recounted the haunting vision that had awakened him violently that night.

“Really?”

“Yes, she appeared to me in a dream. She was crying, and very afraid. But I couldn’t hear what she was saying. Then she went closer, held my face and mouthed ‘call Harry’” Ron narrated.

“How did your family react to the news? That you and he are married.” Hermione asked.

“They took it pretty well. But I’m no longer sure if we really did the right thing.” Ron lamented.

“What do you mean?” Hermione said.

“Hermione,” Ron said sitting straight. “You’ve read the book about the history of Nymphrodites right?”

“Yes.”

“About the curse, did it really say there that marriage would eliminate it?”

“No.”

“That’s what I thought. So why did you tell Harry it would?”

“I didn’t tell Harry it would. I said it just might. Ron if you analyze the curse the way to turn it is simple—the answer is love. Nymphrodites had to hide themselves from everyone, because no one seems to care what happens to them. They only care about the Iranna.” Hermione said.

“I don’t care about the Iranna!” Ron retorted.

“And that’s why I think it just might work. Because you love him…” Hermione replied.

“What?” Ron asked. Hermione had hung her head and was looking very gloomy.

“Nothing.” Hermione said, smiling wryly. “Ron…did you…when we were…Well…when we were---did you---did you love at all?”

Ron looked at her and furrowed his eyebrows. When she did nothing but look at him, Ron decided she was serious.

“Of course I did.”

Hermione nodded. She opened her mouth but was not able to say anything for they heard the Thunderbird screeching above.

“Dad’s back!” Ron exclaimed. He stood and helped Hermione up as well.

Arthur alighted and welcomed Ron with a smile on his face.

“Dad?” Ron wondered.

“The ministry has dropped all charges against you Ron. But you’ll still appear before the Wizengamot, but not until next week.” Arthur announced.

Hermione cried loudly hugging Ron’s arm as he stood there gapping unbelievably at his father. Charlie just got out and patted Ron on the back, laughing merrily.

“It was Charlie that saved you. He told them that Lars attacked you first and you acted in self-defense.” Arthur said.

“But that doesn’t mean I approve of your use of unforgivable curses, Ron.” Charlie warned.

“He’s right. Ron, there is a reason why we don’t use those even though we know how to conjure them. It’s Dark Magic. And we…” Arthur added.

“Don’t deal with Dark Magic because it eats the soul.” Said Ron finishing his father’s sentence.

Arthur inhaled deeply and looked at his youngest son. “Ron, did you enjoy watching him twist in pain that you’ve caused?”

“Yes, I did.” Ron said without a second thought.
Startled by Ron’s frankness, Arthur looked at Hermione and back at Ron and frowned.

“There are many ways to punish someone, even someone like Lars. But using those curses, any of those unforgivable curses,” Arthur said.

“I was angry, Dad. I was angry and I was afraid. I thought he had killed Harry.”

“Unlearn them, son. Unlearn them before they eat your soul.” Arthur said.

However, Ron enjoyed the feel of causing pain, especially if the recipient was someone as loathsome as Lars. He knew it would affect him gravely – no one has ever used those curses before and remained unfazed by them. Most of them fall to the brink, rescued only by wizards that are more powerful—a wizard like Dumbledore. He couldn’t expect him to bother with him though, because, technically, he was his parent’s responsibility. If he falls into darkness, they are the ones who need to pull him out.

Ron knew that Arthur could see the uselessness of such an endeavor right now. The memory of horror was still fresh his anger was too near. Arthur walked back to the house wearily, followed by Charlie who looked at Ron and ventured to speak, but decided to hold back his tongue.

“What have I done, Hermione?” Ron sighed.

“You’ve fallen in love with a Nymphrodite, Ron.” Hermione answered. She rubbed his back then headed back towards the house.