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Chapter Text

Ron knows that late night walks, especially in the forest, are strictly forbidden at Hogwarts. But, his head is busy and rammed with unwelcome thoughts, and sleep isn’t an option when his mind won’t turn off. It’s so easy for him to push his worries and anxieties deep down into his system, but once the lights are out and there’s no talking to fill the void, they crawl up and around his brain, festering like a terrible disease until he drives himself completely mental. 

So, a walk is really the only option. Sure it’s not exactly allowed, but Ron’s never been great at following the rules anyway, so he slips on some shoes and a jumper over his pyjamas, careful not to wake Harry or any of the other boys up- which proves difficult when you’re six foot three and rather clumsy- and slips out. He ducks behind bushes and hides in the shadows to prevent being caught, and eventually reaches the opening of the forest. Ron looks up at the looming trees that seem to stare down at him with disapproval, but he shakes his head and walks, anyway. The trees can’t tell him what to bloody well do. 

Ron breathes in the cold air deeply, the occasional whistle of the breeze through branches and leaves and the crunches of twigs below his shoes the only sounds to be heard. Being in his sixth year at Hogwarts, Ron now knows the forest very well due to some of Hagrid’s lessons and the numerous, and very much prohibited, adventures he and Harry have been on, Hermione always trailing on behind, nose in the air but secretly enjoying the thrill of sneaking around. Harry and Hermione have been his best friends ever since first year, and Ron would actually murder someone for them, as he can’t love half-heartedly; he loves with his whole soul, all of his energy goes into it, all of his passion.

Sometimes, despite his love for his two best mates, Ron can’t help but feel a little inferior. Harry is famous for killing Voldemort, who was a dark wizard wanting to take over the world, when he was just a baby. So, a pretty big deal. And Hermione, well.. she’s absolutely brilliant. Her mind is sharper than any other and she excels in most of her subjects, the highest grades in practically everything apart from the odd one or two. Ron loves that they’re both such awesome people, but it’s hard to constantly stand in the shadows. It would be nice, occasionally, for him to have the spotlight… but he knows that’s childish, and pushes the thought away whenever it arrives unwanted. 

Anyway, what’s been getting to him recently isn’t his friends, but more his family. Ron’s been raised well, around good people and a morally good mother and father who take care of him and love him. It’s not that Molly and Arthur Weasley have done anything wrong in terms of Ron and his six other siblings, it’s just… he feels the least liked. Least cared for, least needed. He’s the second youngest before his sister, Ginny, and sometimes he wonders if he was just a filler child since he wasn’t a girl. Molly always goes on about how much she wished for a daughter, and it makes Ron wonder if she took him in her arms after birthing him and stared down at him with disappointment. The image of it haunts his dreams sometimes, which is so stupid because he’s completely made it up, but Ron’s like that. Self sabotaging in every way possible. Maybe that’s why he’s trekking into the woods in the middle of the night when he is absolutely not supposed to. 

The wind picks up considerably as Ron stalks through the trees, and he tugs his jumper tighter around him, leaning against a huge pine tree stood high and mighty in the middle of the path. He goes to sit, when the sound of a branch snapping has him stopping in his tracks, body stilling immediately.

Ron scans the woods ahead of him, behind him and around, and it’s so dark he can barely see past the first few trees. He stays frozen for a minute, the cold gust nipping at his skin and giving him goosebumps, and he hates the feeling of dread that pools into his stomach and settles there, he hates it because it’s probably just an animal, nothing to worry about, stop being stupid…

So why can’t he move? Why does it feel like the forest floor has gripped hold of his feet and is holding him prisoner there?

A rustle from a distance away has Ron rapidly turning in the direction of the sound, squinting his eyes to peek into the blackness. Maybe it’s his imagination playing tricks on him, but he swears he can see a looming silhouette painted out in between two trees. Just an animal, just an animal…

What happens next leaves no time for hesitation, no room to think.

A low, haunting voice whispers Ron’s name, right next to his ear.

He gasps out loud, soul jumping out of his skin, and sprints away from whatever the hell is behind him, his long legs driving him through the forest. He doesn’t remember walking this far in, and the trees seem endless as he looks desperately for the opening… but it doesn’t come. Ron stops, panting hard, panicked eyes darting around him. What the fuck?

Before he can do anything else, he is pounced on from behind by something so strong that he’s sent flying to the floor. He yells out as something pins him down to the dried mud, and he wrestles and struggles and fights as whatever it is puts all its weight on him, like it’s trying to push him through the floor and into the Earth’s centre.

“LET GO!” Ron screams, and large hands with sharp nails dig into his sides painfully and spin him around, so he’s facing his attacker. 

Ron’s gaze meets pale skin and red eyes that glow for the Devil, sharp fangs and a wicked smile and red lips-

It’s a vampire, he’s being attacked by a fucking vampire.

Of all times, now is when he doesn’t have his stupid wand!

Ron screams for help as the fanged man’s eyes glint with greed, his hungry gaze falling to Ron’s neck. Desperately, he knees the creature in the gut, causing it to wheeze and release its thorny grip on him slightly. Not wasting a second, Ron kicks it a second time, hard and ruthless, and scrambles away quickly as it leaps off him, anger overcoming its features. 

Breathing jagged, Ron rushes to his feet and turns to run, but the vampire moves as fast as light travels, pinning him up to a tree. His skull cracks against the bark, and his visions blurs for a second, body weakening at the impact. Through the haze and the clouds, all he can make out is those red eyes staring through him, getting closer and closer, and suddenly he can feel warm breath on his neck.

Ron yells and cries as a tremendous pain soars through him, the vampire’s fangs digging into his neck, sucking the blood and the life from his veins. He struggles weakly, pointlessly as he’s held in place, body sagging with agony and faintness. He hears himself begging the creature to stop, his eyes slowly closing as his blood is drained from him, and all he gets in response is cruel, evil laughter.

Ron’s near unconscious when the vampire is yanked off of him and thrown onto the floor, roughly. He can barely keep his eyes open, but can make out two figures, a shoot of magic from a wand and the screech of the creature. 

“Weasley!” The voice from one of the figures is shaky and panicked, and he feels hands lift him, vaguely making out fingers waving in front of his eyes. “Weasley, can you hear me?”

Another voice. “For merlin’s sake, Theo, just pick him up. We have to take him to Pomfrey.”

Is that… Malfoy?

Ron’s eyes droop and close, sleep engulfing him. 

Chapter Text

Ron awakens to bright, seething light that prickles at his skin uncomfortably. His entire body aches tremendously, a pain pulsing at the side of his neck. Blinking, he realises he’s in the hospital wing as he wipes sweat from his brow, his senses kicking in.

“You look terrible.”

Jumping slightly, Ron turns to the side to find Theodore Nott lazily sat on a chair next to his bed. His memory flashes with hazy images of the attack from last night, the vampire, its scarlet eyes ablaze with death, Nott grabbing him, the fear and panic that had been laced in his voice. Malfoy had been there too. 

They had saved him.

Ron scrunches his eyebrows at the boy; Nott is a Slytherin, and a rather quiet one, usually keeping to himself and staying away from most people. He’s pretty smart, always getting good grades in classes, and whilst he’s probably still a dickhead as all Slytherins are, he’s definitely not the worst of the bunch.

Ron sits up slowly, his gaze never leaving Theo’s, who watches him with eyebrows raised. Ron goes to speak.

“What…”

“What,” Theo repeats, an amused smile curling at his lips, “That’s all you can come up with?”

There’s no energy in Ron to clap back at him. He feels weak, deflated and so thirsty it’s making his throat itch. “I need water.”

A mean laugh falls out of Theo’s throat. “I don’t think it’s water you need, sweetheart.”

“Get me water,” Ron demands, feeling so faint and sweaty that it’s almost unbearable. The fierce light shining in on him isn’t helping either. Theo looks at him with little to no sympathy.

“Ask nicely.”

Ron finds his gaze again, gritting his teeth. Fucking Slytherins. Always so difficult. 

“Tick tock, Weasley.”

Ron groans in half pain, half annoyance and mutters out the word ‘Please’. Theo chuckles before standing and disappearing around the corner. When he returns there’s a glass of water in his hand, which he gives to Ron, who downs it immediately. When finished, he stares at the glass with confusion, then looks back over at Theo, who’s watching him with an expression he can’t place. 

“Didn’t help, did it?”

Ron doesn’t respond, setting the glass down on the side and reaching up to touch his neck. He feels the bite mark and flinches, the ache of it reminding him of the terrifying encounter he had last night. Suddenly every realisation comes tumbling through all at once, and he can practically feel his skin pale. His breathing quickens, and his eyes widen in alarm. Theo sighs, impatiently.

“Calm down, Weasley.”

But he can’t. All he can see is those eyes, all he can feel is the fangs biting into his neck, what that now means for him. He can’t be.. he can’t actually be a- a-

Ron wheezes, clutching onto his chest, desperate for breath. He wrenches his eyes shut, putting his head in his hands as he starts to hyperventilate. He feels a dip in the bed, and suddenly there are strong hands on his shoulders. 

“Weasley,” Theo says urgently, squeezing him, “Breathe. You need to breathe.”

“I c-can’t-“

“Yes, you can. Touch your heart.” Theo guides Ron’s hand to his own heart and flattens it against his chest. “You’re alive, you’re okay. Just breathe, slowly.”

Ron takes deep shaky breaths, opening his eyes and finding Theo’s cold ones staring at him. He heaves, trying to even out his breathing as he feels his heartbeat thump wildly against his hand. Eventually, the panic subsides, and he shakes as his breathing slows down. Theo sits back, eyeing the state of him. 

“Pomfrey says that the turning is unavoidable. It’ll be within the next few days,” He explains rather solemnly, and Ron wonders why it’s Theodore Nott of all people soothing him through a panic attack and breaking this life changing news to him, “You’ll start craving blood soon.”

Ron shakes his head as Theo goes to sit back on his chair. “This can’t be happening.”

“It is happening, and there’s nothing you can do about it,” Theo states matter of factly, before scanning him with curiosity. “What on earth were you doing in the forbidden forest that late, anyway?”

“I could say the same thing to you,” Ron retorts snappily, feeling slightly smug when Theo’s composure breaks a little. He blinks, just once, and a guilty twitch at his eye tells him just enough- that Theo was also breaking the rules with Draco Malfoy last night. What they were doing, he has no clue. Probably something morally evil.

“There must be a way to fix this,” Ron says, deciding his predicament is more important than getting a one up on Theo. “Surely someone can... Reverse it, or something.”

“Do you know anything about vampires, Weasley?” Theo asks with a scoff. When Ron says nothing, he tuts irritably. “Of course not. Vampires aren’t like werewolves. There aren’t potions that can keep their tendencies at bay, reverse anything. Once you turn, you turn. End of story.”

A horrible feeling chews away at Ron’s stomach hearing those blunt words, but before he can spiral again, Madame Pomfrey, Professors Dumbledore and McGonnagal, and Harry and Hermione, rush into the hospital wing. 

“Oh, you’re awake,” Pomfrey says shakily, looking at Ron with a mix of pity and apprehension. “Thank you, Theodore, for taking care of him.”

“Not a problem,” Theo replies before standing up. He gives Ron a last scrutinising look, before sauntering past Harry, making sure to shoulder him a little. Harry scowls, but the expression is wiped away when he sees how pale and fragile Ron looks. He rushes to his best friend’s side, pine eyes wide with concern. 

“Are you alright? Pomfrey said it was a- a, uh-“

“A vampire,” Hermione finishes. She’s stood at the end of the bed, staring at Ron furiously, her beady eyes raking over every inch of him and making him want to squirm. “You were attacked by a vampire. Right?”

Ron avoids her eyes miserably. He doesn’t feel like receiving a bollocking right now.

“What were you thinking, going into the forbidden forest in the middle of the night!” She hisses, anger and worry waving over her features, “It’s dangerous, Ron! That’s why it’s forbidden!”

“I know, Hermione, I-“

“-Well you clearly don’t, because you decided to take a nice little trip through it and now look what’s happened!” She cries, waving her large curls out of her face. “I can’t.. I can’t believe you.”

“I just needed a walk!” Ron protests defensively, “I’ve been there a million times before and nothing’s ever happened!”

McGonnagal raises her eyebrows at this, and Ron immediately shuts up. Dumbledore clears his throat, and places a gentle hand on Hermione’s shoulder in an attempt to keep her calm. She takes a breath, but her eyes remain fiery. 

“Ron,” Dumbledore begins gently, “Did Theodore tell you what’s to come?”

Ron swallows, looking up at his headmaster with apprehension. He nods. 

“Wait,” Harry begins, “So- so he’s just going to turn into a vampire? And we can’t stop it?”

“I’m afraid not, Harry. If he were merely bitten, it would be different. But this vampire had the intention of turning you, Ron. When it bit you, it infected you with its essence. There’s… no escaping it.”

“What’s gonna happen to me?” Ron asks weakly, “After I… I…”

Dumbledore sighs. “You will gain extraordinary abilities. You will be able to move faster than anything in the world, your strength will double. You will be able to manipulate minds and read them. Vampires are… truly incredible creatures. But the downside, as there always is one, is you will be marked an Undesirable by the ministry.”

“Which is why,” McGonnagal interrupts, “It is absolutely essential that this remains a secret.”

“B-But-“ Ron stutters, “Nott and Malfoy-“

“-Have sworn to keep their mouths shut,” She states sternly, “And keep them shut, they will. Mark my words.”

“But how will he be able to hide being a vampire?” Hermione asks, “Won’t he change a lot? And the fangs?”

“Ron will experience some physical changes, but it will not be anything so drastic that people would immediately catch on. As for the fangs, Ron, you’ll be able to control when they come out, but you will need a serious amount of self discipline for it.”

“And what about the sunlight,” Hermione questions Dumbledore, “Isn’t sunlight a weakness for vampires?”

“The weakness from the sun can be managed,” Is his response, “With a protection charm, ‘Shieldento.’ It is crucial that you perform this charm on yourself every morning after the turning, Ron. Once a vampire, you will only last five minutes under the sun without it.“

“And immortality?” Hermione continues, and Ron can see her calculating all this in her head, spreading out a sheet and bullet pointing it all. He hadn’t even thought about that. Living forever… staying young whilst Harry and Hermione grow old and eventually die, leaving him alone and trapped for eternity. 

Yeah, no way. No. Way. 

“That is where this grows a little more complicated. Whilst Ron will be invincible to attacks, stabbings, shootings, even the killing curse… His life span will depend on the type of blood he drinks. For instance, if he were to drink deer blood-“

Ron grimaces at the thought of it.

“-His lifespan would be that of a deer.”

“So, that means… he has to drink human blood if he wants a human lifespan,” Hermione concludes thoughtfully. Dumbledore nods in confirmation. “B-but… he can’t just go around-“

“Of course not, and that is where you all have some decisions to make,” Dumbledore says, his gaze bouncing between the three of them. “We will try attaining as much donation blood as possible. There is a secret organisation, sympathetic towards Undesirables, which specialises in this sort of thing. There may be times, however, like right now when we have nothing, where someone who knows of your secret may have to provide their own blood for you.”

Harry doesn’t hesitate. “We’ll do it.”

“No, Harry,” Ron croaks, “I-I can’t do that.”

“You’ll have to,” Hermione snaps frostily, “You’ll take both our blood, even if we have to force it down your throat.”

Ron glares at Hermione and she glares right back, the tension in the air thickening uncomfortably. Ron clenches his jaw, biting his tongue to stop from snapping at her. The two of them have been at each other’s throats more often than not recently, and this is just adding fuel to the fire. 

Dumbledore clears his throat, again. “Well, you all have a lot to think about. Ron, come up to my office later today to discuss this in more detail. For now, we’ll leave you three to talk.”

The two professors say a swift goodbye to Madame Pomfrey, who is now busying herself around the hospital wing, wanting to give the three teens some space. 

Harry looks between Ron and Hermione, who have gone from glaring to refusing to look at each other, and huffs in exasperation. “Guys, don’t fight. We have to figure this out.”

Ron looks over at Harry defeatedly. “What’s there to figure out? In a couple of days, I’ll be a monster.”

“Don’t say that.”

“Why not? It’s true.”

Hermione has begun pacing, whispering to herself. Ron and Harry decide to leave her to it.

Harry looks a little disturbed as he runs his green gaze over Ron’s face. “Do you feel okay?”

“I’m sore all over, but especially my neck,” Ron says, and doesn’t miss the way Harry’s attention flicks to the bite mark, “It was so scary, mate. I thought I was gonna die.”

“I could’ve gone with you,” Harry says a little sadly, “You didn’t have to go by yourself.”

“Didn’t wanna wake you up,” Ron mumbles guiltily, “Besides, all that would’ve done is put you in danger, too.”

“Yeah, but two of us could’ve fought off that thing before it-“

“-Without our wands? No way.”

“Well, I would have been smart enough to remember my wand,” Harry remarks with a small smirk. Ron huffs out a weak laugh, giving him a push.

“I’m glad you’re so happy,” Hermione says angrily, stopping her pacing to stare back down at him. “You’re going to turn into a vampire and you’re laughing. Amazing! Only you, Ronald.”

“Hermione-“ Harry begins weakly.

“No,” She barks, making the boy go silent. She’s practically seething as she leers at Ron, who wants to disappear into the mattress. “Do you even know what is going to happen to you? The pain you’ll be in? Do you realise this will affect you forever? You will be shut off from society, pushed out and treated like an animal. You could get kidnapped or locked up just for being what you are. Your food source is blood, you could lose control and possibly hurt someone. This is going to be a fucking shit show, Ron. And all for what? For a walk in the woods?”

Ron’s ears are a dark red and his skin feels hot as she yells in frustration. His fists clench by his sides and he wants nothing more than to punch himself over and over, anything to numb all of these feelings. Of course he knows what’s going to happen, he’s not stupid. He’s so terrified that his hands are sweating and his fingers are shaking and he can barely move.

“Stop,” Ron says through gritted teeth, seeing red all over, and he tries to will the shaking of his bones to cease. Calm, calm, calm.. “I know I fucked it all up, alright? I know. So just stop it, Hermione.”

Harry hesitantly puts a hand on Ron’s shoulder, giving Hermione a meaningful look. She pauses for a minute, regaining composure, before joining Harry and sitting next to Ron’s bed. 

“I’m sorry,” she says quietly, taking a deep breath. “I’m just… I’m so worried, Ron.”

Ron nods understandingly, and her brown eyes find his blues, and he knows she can see the fear swirling behind them, because Hermione always sees everything. Her features soften as she takes in all of him, and she grabs his hand, as well as Harry’s.

“We’ll sort it out. Like always.”

“More like you’ll sort it out,” Ron says lightly, “Me and Harry just stand there and look pretty.”

“Harry and I,” Hermione corrects, a small smile curling at her mouth. Ron rolls his eyes, and Harry snickers.

And for a minute, Ron forgets the dark path that awaits him. He forgets about the creature with the red eyes whose venom sits inside of him, ready to fester.