The Troll

Chapter 3: Logical Thinking

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"Ron, wake up," said Harry groggily.

"Wha'?" Ron asked, rubbing the sleep from his eyes.

"If you don't get your lazy arse out of bed right now, you'll miss breakfast."

Ron fell back onto his pillow and sighed in relief. Everything yesterday was a dream! Ron, whose head still rested on his pillow, began to fall back to sleep.

"Oh no, you don't! Do you want to be late for Defense? If you don't get up right now, Professor Hart will get ugly. Remember what she's like when she's ugly?"

The image of Professor Hart questioning him and making him look like a complete fool shocked him awake, and he leapt out of bed like a French Fairy after a raspberry. He didn't think twice about his "hallucinations" the day before.

"I thought so," Harry muttered, exiting the dorm in triumph.

Ron made it down to breakfast with just enough time for a piece of toast and goblet of pumpkin juice. He didn't bother to dry his hair that day for fear he would be late for class.

As Harry and Dean talked about football, it dawned on Ron that Hermione wasn't sitting with them. No - Ron thought disbelievingly. It can't be true! Those were hallucinations - it was a dream! Ron looked up at the Head Table where Dolores Umbridge sat in her Headmistress chair. He fingered his left eye and cringed at its tenderness. Damn! Everything from yesterday was real. It's all real, thought Ron, as though he just realized boys and girls aren't the same. There's something crazy going on. I don't understand. This is just wonderful! I have a headache, a black eye, a befuddled head, and my friends have gone bloody mad! What happened to my life?

"Ron?" Harry asked, as he waved his hand in front of Ron's face.

"Huh?" he replied, turning his eyes to Harry.

"Never mind. Let's go." Ron followed closely behind Harry, thinking about everything. However, thinking didn't get him very far.

He never did see Hermione at breakfast, but when he walked into the DADA room, there she was - at the front of the classroom, her face buried in a book.

For one fleeting second, Ron forgot he wasn't supposed to be friends with Hermione and moved to sit with her.

"Ron! Where are you going? Right here, mate. Are you feeling ill again? I thought you took something."

"My mind's just wandering. The potion . . . er, does that to you. Right then," said Ron uncomfortably.

"Good morning, class!" said Professor Hart, coming through the door. "Take out your wands and books, please. My, my, you're all here on time, good show! Right, please turn to page 159, thank you. Now, can anyone tell me what the name of this curse is?"

The class looked strangely at their professor before looking down at the book. It said at the top in big, bold letters, "The Memory Curse." Ron wasn't sure, but this seemed like a very bad joke from their professor, who probably thought it was funny. Ron went along with it and raised his hand like the rest of the class.

"My, my! You all want a crack at it? Well then, Mr. Macmillan, what's the answer?"

"The Memory Curse," he replied confidently.

"Wonderful, Macmillan! You are wrong! Its name is not the Memory Curse. Can anyone tell me the name of this curse?"

Nobody's hand rose this time, except Hermione's. Ron rolled his eyes. Even when the rest of the world was going crazy, count on Hermione to know the answer to every question.

"Ah! Ms. Granger! I never get tired of your hand. Five points to Gryffindor."

"But I haven't even said the answer!"

"I know, but you're the only one in here who actually bothered to read ahead. Now, what's the name of the curse?"

"The Heart Curse."

"Correct! Five points to Gryffindor. Now, if anyone - besides you, Ms. Granger; one answer a class for all of my pupils - can tell me why this curse has two names, ten points will be awarded to his or her house. Does anyone know?" Silence. "I didn't think so. What are you all waiting for? Start reading!"

Harry turned to Ron and whispered, "Ron, you read the first half, and I'll read the second."

Ron nodded his head and dove into the chapter.

He finished the chapter, thinking about the names. They weren't mentioned - ever! All it talked about was how the charm was developed and what it did, but never why it had two names.

"Harry," Ron whispered. "Got anything yet?"

"Nothing. It's just telling about technical points and the background of the curse. You?"

"Just how it was developed and what it's used for."

"Nothing about hearts or memory?"

"Yeah, about memory. It gave a vague summary going into some technical terms, but those were explained. It said the curse forces the memories to leave the body."

"All memories?"

"No, just sad ones. But why would that be bad? I mean, you'd have only happy memories."

"Oooh, it all makes sense now. Mine said the wiforce of the curse pulled the deprem from the brain out of the heart, slowly causing the heart to die from strain. What's left is insanity and folrem. What in the world are wiforce, deprem and folrem?"

"They're technical Charms terms. Wiforce is the magic in the charm, deprem is basically sad memories, and folrem are happy memories."

"So basically, you use this, and what happens is the heart dies from the strain of every sad memory killing it, even though the brain doesn't register the heart is dying."

"And a head fully of giddy thoughts and no heart to feel them makes the person go insane."

"Makes sense. But why would it have two names?"

"Good show, boys!" said Professor Hart. Both Ron and Harry's faces blanched. "You seem to be enjoying your little chat; what were you two talking about?"

"The curse, Professor." Ron's voice cracked.

"Oh? I'm pleased you two find my lesson so captivating, but I don't think I said it was a team effort. Come with me. Up to the front of the class you go!"

Ron and Harry cringed towards each other and followed Professor Hart. With a flick of her wand, cursive letters wrote themselves on the blackboard. As the final "i" was dotted, Ron was able to read, Group Discussion.

"Since you two boys are so keen on talking, why don't you go on with the rest of the lesson? Tell us your findings. Remember - you're being graded," she said in a singsong voice. The class watched them, looking rather amused as Ron and Harry started describing their conclusion. It didn't go well; they stuttered over every word and constantly interrupted each other. When the torture was over, Professor Hart stepped in.

"Very good, boys, very good. No doubt confirming two heads are better than one. Now, why do you think this charm has those two names?"

"Well," started Ron, "the spell pulls out sad memories?"

"Wouldn't it be called the Sad Memories Curse, then?"

"I suppose -," Ron said, feeling very foolish. He hated being up on spot like this.

"But it isn't. Mr. Potter, why isn't it called the Sad Memories Curse?"

"It doesn't just affect sad memories but all memories?"

"Spot on! What's the reason behind the Heart Curse? Mr. Potter, you seem to understand this, you tell me."

"It affects the heart?"

"Nope, there are plenty of spells that affect the heart, Mr. Potter. A simple heat spell will affect your heart rate. Mr. Weasley, care to give it a shot?"

"It's the only spell that affects the heart in a non-physical way? Like, thoughts and memories hurt it instead of physical things."

"Exactly! Wonderful answer! Now, both of you tell me - without help from the other - why exactly it's called the Heart Curse? Each of you, take a quill and a piece of parchment and write the answer." She handed them their supplies before leaving them on their own.

Ron thought about it for a moment before scribbling down, "The Memory Curse could easily mean some other bad thing to the body like 'Obliviate.' While a hex sets off an unnatural reaction to the body so it damages itself, a curse is a non-physical (or directly magic or spiritual) spell causing pain to the body. The Heart Curse is the only curse to harm the body through a magical way instead of where the body would injure itself with a hex. The Memory Curse is a misnomer. The memories are not harmed at all, just removed from the body. So it should really be called the Memory Charm." He handed his parchment to Professor Hart, just a little while after Harry, and she looked over their explanations.

"Incredible," she said with a hint of amusement in her voice. "Simply incredible. You boys, even after using each other's information, went with what you originally read, I presume, and figured it out entirely on your own. You may have briefed each other on what you read, but if you read on a bit further, or a bit backwards in your case, Mr. Potter, you would have been able to figure out these theories on your own. Mr. Potter, your description went on about the technicality and background of the Curse, did it not?" Harry nodded. "And Mr. Weasley, yours was how it was developed and a brief summary of the use?" Ron nodded.

"Don't you see? You don't need two heads to come to the same conclusion. That's why it shouldn't have been a team effort. You may have used each other's information in the beginning to form a theory, but you didn't answer my question from the other person's information. You went by your thoughts, and you both came out correct. But it goes a bit deeper. Mr. Weasley, Mr. Potter, you both said the Memory Curse name was incorrect?" They both nodded dumbly. She announced to the class their theories on why it was called the Heart Curse. "Now, can anyone tell me why it would be called the Memory Curse when it's an obvious misnomer?" Padma Patil slowly raised her hand. "Ah! Miss Patil! What do you think?"

"This book's name is 'Technical Defensive Spells.' From what I've read so far, the writers focus more in depth with magical Charm terms. And I was thinking since they use proper terms, they would use proper spell names as well."

"How would it be proper?"

"Well, the term wiforce could easily be said the 'magic' instead. Therefore, the Heart Curse is more like saying 'magic' instead of 'wiforce.' It's a simple, more common way of saying it. But the Memory Curse is more like 'wiforce' because it's known to Defense spell researchers by a more formal name."

"But why is it researchers use the formal name instead of the informal?" said Professor Hart, clearly pleased and interested with Padma's explanation.

"Because researchers use everything by their proper, technical names, and spells are always categorized by the wizard or witch who developed it. So it would make sense that in a technical spell book, you'd see the proper names for spells. I believe the maiden name of the witch who developed this spell was Memory. Elizabeth Memory-Kirick"

"Precisely correct, Miss Patil. Ten points for Ravenclaw." Padma's face brightened. Professor Hart thanked Ron and Harry before allowing them to return to their seats. She looked up to the clock and cried in astonishment.

"Oh dear! Five minutes left. Well, homework time!" There was a large groan. "Oh, don't complain. The assignment is a four-foot essay - no complaining! - consisting of one foot on the Memory Curse's use in defense, one foot on three more curses or hexes affecting either the heart or memory. More points if you find one that affects both. Due in exactly twelve days! So you have almost two weeks, and three days per foot!" She shouted the last part over the ring of the bell and the buzz of students leaving. "Mr. Weasley! A word before you leave, please! Mr. Potter, I'd like a word after classes today, as well."

Ron groaned before turning back towards her desk. Harry patted his back reassuringly before exiting himself. She was definitely going to give him a lecture. She always gave a small lecture. Ron despised lectures.

"Very good today! I am impressed. I think ten points for Gryffindor is in order." Ron's faced flooded with a mix of happiness, confusion, and disbelief. "Don't get too excited yet. I'm very proud of you. You're doing what I've been trying to teach my pupils from day one. You're thinking like an adult, reasoning like an adult, becoming an adult. However, using Mr. Potter as a backboard is not a very adult thing to do. You understand why I'm upset?"

"Yes, Professor," Ron replied, trying to hold a bit of a smile down at their newly received points.

Ron loved and hated Professor Hart at the same time. She was one of the best Defense teachers he ever had. She made him think more, compared to any of the previous teachers (though Professor Lupin came in very close second, if not equal). She came down to the level of her students - made them teach her. She was the only teacher (besides Dumbledore) that made him feel guilty when he messed up. She was the most annoying teacher too, since she told him what he did wrong without really telling him. She made him figure it out for himself. Like most teenagers, he didn't like to be wrong, and hated it even more when he figured out he was wrong by himself.

She was also a teacher that didn't have a problem getting personal with her students. She would praise him for good work, or scold him for putting out less then his ability. She could find something good in every person (not as if there was anything good about Draco Malfoy), and she made them see it too. It was as if she knew everything about him just by looking at him. Yes, Professor Hart was one of the best teachers ever.

"So, why don't you tell me what you did wrong?"

"We weren't supposed to work together," said Ron quietly.

"There's nothing wrong with working with another, but when you can to do it on your own, you should. I must admit it's faster to do it your way, but this is a school, and you won't learn anything if you always look to someone else for an easy way out. I understand there are hard spots, but my intention today was to get you thinking. For yourselves."

Feeling especially brave, Ron said, "Well, you did, right? We did think. We thought a lot, actually."

"And that's why I awarded you the points. You thought; you could have just ignored it or passed notes like others did. Granted, you did get the points by doing something unfair. Therefore, I don't feel bad at all for what I'm about to do."

Ron groaned loudly, sounding like a cross between a bullfrog and very old dog.

"Three detentions. You did what I wanted, you got others interested, and you proved to me you could do it. You can think logically, and you can do it on your own. You applied yourself."

"I've applied myself before -"

"Yes, Mr. Weasley, you have. But for the first time I saw you think the way I've been trying to make you think. Applying yourself in a way I've been trying to make you apply yourself. I saw you do that today, and I saw you do it well. Whenever my pupils do something right, I reward them. Whether it's with praise or points is the difference between a lucky chance, a bit of thinking, or real thinking as you've done today. Luck gets you praise, to reinforce participation, a bit of thinking gets you a couple of points, but real thinking gets you more points. But you did something us teachers call cheating. In tests, you can't use someone else's help; it's the same thing in class unless I tell you otherwise. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Professor."

"Good. Take this pass just in case, and hurry to your next class. I'll send your detention slip in the morning. Oh, Mr. Weasley, one more thing. . ." said Hart. Ron turned around and looked at the Defense Professor. "You have so much hidden potential. You are an incredible person with such enthusiasm and love in your heart. You have the intellect to go wherever you want. I honestly have never known another human with such a wonderful heart - thirst - love for life that I know you have. You can go so far if you put your mind to it. I don't have a doubt in my mind that you will one day change the world for the better. You are a very special person, Mr. Weasley. You are your own individual, driven by courage, eager to prove your worthiness, knowledge of life, and loving compassion. Don't lose something so special. Don't lose that gentle heart and passion."

Ron walked out of Professor Hart's class slowly. Ron Weasley - him - intelligent? A special individual with a caring heart or whatever feminine bullocks she said? Not him. Not Ronald Gareth Weasley. He was the sixth Weasley son; below two Head Boys, prefects, and popular pranksters. He wasn't clever like Bill, with his curse breaking, or Hermione. He wasn't brave like Charlie, with his dragons, or Harry. He wasn't bossy or snooty (not that he wanted to be). He wasn't a prankster genius, mischievous, and popular like Fred and George. He wasn't the baby of the family and only girl (thank Merlin). He was just Ron. Ron wasn't smart like his brothers, he wasn't a leader, and he wasn't anything special.

Ron Weasley was mediocre.

That's right - mediocre. He had mediocre everything. Mediocre marks. Mediocre Quidditch skills. Mediocre leadership. Mediocre possessions. A mediocre life. Ron wasn't destined for anything special. He was exactly what Malfoy said last year. He was born in a bin. He was nothing.

Ron walked into Flitwick's classroom and handed him the pass before taking his seat next to Harry. Ron noticed Hermione sitting in the front row, ready to pounce at a question like a thestral at meat.

"Well, you are just in time, Mr. Weasley. We were discussing the Timeline Charm. Does anyone in the class know what the Timeline Charm does?" asked Flitwick's squeaky voice. It came as no surprise when Hermione's hand shot up.

"Miss Granger?"

"The Timeline Charm is an immensely complex charm that records time by the millisecond."

"Very good, Miss Granger! Five points to Gryffindor. Now, does anyone know what objects use the Timeline Charm?" Hermione's hand shot up again, and Professor Flitwick nodded to her.

"Its major use is in Pensieves and a Time-Turners. Though a Time-Turner is more dependant on the Charm."

"Five more points to Gryffindor. Today we are discussing Time-Turners and next lesson, Pensieves. Do you see this, class?" Professor Flitwick asked, holding up a tiny hourglass attached to a chain. "This is a Time-Turner. It allows you to go back in time. Each time you flip it, you go back one hour. Can anyone tell me why a Time-Turner is dangerous?" Hermione's hand shot up for the third time, but Ron raised his as well.

Professor Flitwick saw this and looked extremely surprised. "Mr. Weasley?"
"A Time-Turner is dangerous because if you have the power to go back in time, you also have the power to change time. If someone who has bad intentions, like the Dark Lord, got a hold of one, he could go back in time and alter our reality in his favor." Ron stopped for a second before continuing. "They must be carefully handled because our decisions are very fragile; one little mistake and everything can crash down." He stopped for a moment and thought about what he just said. It was almost as if as one of his dad's ecleric switches turned on in his head. He started talking slower now, as if to comprehend every word he was saying. "Every decision we make, or every action we take has a consequence. But if someone has the power to turn back time and correct a mistake, the result can be completely different. If you redo a decision, everything affected by that decision also changes. There is no other reality to those around you, because you're the one who modified time. Only the one who altered time knows the differences. And that kind of power and knowledge is deadly, but nobody would know the difference. It can be used for good or bad, depending what you do with it."

"Ten points to Gryffindor, Mr. Weasley." Ron smiled coyly as Professor Flitwick continued with his lesson.

"Ron?" Harry whispered. "Where did you learn that?"

"I just - figured it out, I suppose."

"Well, keep it up. You're really on a roll today."

"Er - thanks."

Ron didn't think about Time Turners anymore. He was too concentrated on this new revelation. 'A Time-Turner? That's impossible, though!' No! It wasn't a Time Turner. Something else was going on. But he went back in time? If someone has the power to turn back time and correct a mistake, the result can be completely different. No, it - it couldn't be true! How could he go back in time? Only the one who altered time knows the differences. 'I am the only one around here that seems to know everything is different. . . .' One little mistake and everything can crash down. One little mistake? What mistake? His world had definitely crashed and burned, but what mistake? Every decision we make, or every action we take has a consequence. A decision? Did Ron change a decision? Did he do something that changed everything? The power to turn back time and correct a mistake. The power to change time? What about the power to change a life? A world? The power to turn back time time . . . one little mistake . . . a consequence . . . the result can be completely different . . . no other reality to those around you . . . that kind of power and knowledge is deadly . . . can be used for good or bad, depending what you do with it.

The power to change a life. . . .

How could this possibly be good for Ron? What was this other reality showing him? He changed something? What did he change? He thought back to the dream the other night. It was as if he was dead, and his whole life at Hogwarts flashed through his mind. Now looking back on it, it started from recent and went backwards. Like a huge Timeline Charm out in space, jettisoning him back in time. Then it changed time for him. It changed a decision path for him! What did it change? DAMN IT! He couldn't remember! He could only remember parts. What changed? Ron slouched down as far as he could before falling on the floor.

He heard Harry calling to him, but nothing outside of his mind mattered. It all sounded indistinct, anyway. However, it did sound as though Harry was concerned about him. He saw Professor Flitwick and everyone else in class crowded around. A floating sensation overcame him. Although Ron felt his entire body shutting down, sloping into unconsciousness, his mind felt just as sharp and awake as ever.

Ron ignored his body; it didn't seem to matter. What was he going to do about going back into time? A thought struck him from his explanation of Time-Turners. If you change a decision, everything affected by that decision also changes. Ron had to find an origin to everything different. From Dean being Prefect; from Sirius's death back in third year instead of last year. Everything was affected by one, little thing. And Ron would be damned to hell if he didn't find out what it was.

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Thank you so much to my wonderful beta and friend, Eleena Thea and my magnificent, awesome, incredible, prize worthy, and lots of other words meaning "great" (may I add, humble *wink*) checkmated beta, Liberty. I couldn't express my gratification in words.

Thank you also to all of my reviewers! You all rock my world!