Ron Weasley: A Noble's Ascension

For Hermione, accepting or denying Ron's hand was arguably the most important decision of her life. Staring at his hand hovering right in front of her she thought about the fact that up to this point, they were the first ones to ever treat her as a real friend. Back in the Muggle World there wasn't anything for her anymore, at least ever since she'd learned of Hogwarts.

"* The day that letter arrived, I swore that I wouldn't let this chance slip away. I didn't want to return to that mundane world which rejected me, yet now I'm asked to place that same dream in the hands of someone else.*"

As several thoughts began to race around her head, she started to feel overwhelmed. She could already picture it clearly in her head, she'd accept their proposal, get caught and after which be thrown aside. If what they both said was true that wouldn't be but a simple pebble in their road in life, but to her this might we'll be her only chance. Could she honestly place her trust in someone which she'd known for less than a few days.

Not able to overcome her insecurities and doubts she'd come to the decision to decline Ron's idea. Even if it cost her their friendship at the end she still didn't fully trust either of them. After taking a few deep breaths she readied herself to do so when the boy once again spoke.

" Mion, it's fine. It's obvious that you don't feel the same way we do about you and that's okay. We've only known each other a couple of days, it's normal for you to have doubts. That being said I'll have to ask you to forget about the both of us... "

After saying that Ron pulled back his right hand and placed it in his pocket. As he spoke she could see the sadness in his eyes and hear a barely audible crack in his voice. Turning towards Daphne she saw how her tightly grip Ron's hand and face away from her. Witnessing them act in such a way made her feel as if she'd lost something precious to her. They weren't mad or annoyed at her refusal instead they were filled with disappointment.

"* Why... I still hadn't given them my answer. Why are you looking at ne with such sadness, Ron? Daphne why won't you face me? Am I really in the wrong? Did they place more importance in our friendship than I did? What did I do wrong?*"

" Guy's that's not... "

Trying to somehow salvage their friendship she thought that if she explained herself they'd forgive her. What she didn't expect was for them to not even let her speak, instead doubling down on ending their friendship.

" Hermione, there's no need for you to explain yourself, It's okay we understand."

" Ron's right, we shouldn't have asked you to make such an important decision in the first place. I'm sure I can speak for Ron when I say that we're sorry."

Saying those words Daphne slightly bowed down, seeing her friend bowing in forgiven left Hermione even more conflicted.

" That's.. I.. I.. "

Stumbling through her words she tried to think up something which could somehow fix everything when she finally did. Quickly getting on her feet she pulled on Ron's right hand and Daphne's left as she uttered the only words she knew could save their friendship.

" Guy's, you've got it all wrong. Of course I trust the both of you, as you two said before we're friends. So please stop with the sad faces I'm not going anywhere."

Ron and Daphne happily held her hands and together formed a small triangle. In that moment unbeknownst to Hermione who was hoping she'd made the right choice. Daphne was also thinking the same thing, staring at Ron she couldn't help but ask herself why he did what he did.

"* Why would Ron ask me to help him convince Hermione to join us? It was more than obvious that she didn't want to. Yet he continued to press on until she finally broke and agreed to follow us. Was he always this forceful? Would Ron also act that way if it was m- *"

Before she could finish her thought, Ron tightly clasped her hand causing her to face him. Seeing his charming smile, she could never imagine him doing anything even remotely close to that to her.

"* I've known Ron for a long time now and he's never been wrong. I'm sure he must have his reasons for doing what he did, I'm sure of it.*"

-

Finishing their little celebration, Ron had them sit down while he summoned one of the books he'd taken out.

" Now that we've settled all that, let me tell you why placing your trust in me was the smartest decision you'll ever make. The three books I have here are on two obscure but very important skills for any Wizard or Witch... Occlumency and Legimency."

When he'd summoned the books Daphne had caught sight of one of them which she'd seen before in her father's library. As a young Noble Lady she had learned about Occlumency as to protect her mind, Legimency on the other hand was deemed unnecessary by her father so she never learned anything about it. Now she found herself with an opportunity to finally learn what she wasn't allowed to those years ago.

While Daphne had a slight grasp on both subjects, to Hermione they were completely foreign. She'd never seen, read or heard anything about either of those subjects anywhere. So seeing actual books on them, only made her eagerly want to start reading said books as soon as possible.

" By the looks on both your faces I can tell you want to begin as soon as possible. Daph, as I'm sure you've learned the basics of Occlumency I'll help you with Legimency. Meanwhile Mion you can start reading the first two volumes to get some understanding of what's to come. So let's get started!"

" I'm ready whenever you are! "

" Which book should I read first!?"