Chapter 3
It was most peculiar, Ron thought as he walked down the hall. He’d woken up early that morning and gone to breakfast for once. Only when he arrived, he’d discovered that he wasn’t hungry, so he decided to talk to people. Problem was, no one spoke to him. They didn’t even notice his presence. It was like he wasn’t there. Twice he tried to get Seamus’ attention, only to be ignored. Why is everyone giving me the silent treatment? What’ve I done to deserve this?
Confused, Ron got up and left. Now, as he headed back to Gryffindor he wondered if his sulking had caused this negative reaction. Looking up he noticed the twins coming towards him. Feeling like he should make up for being such a dunderhead the past week, he called out to them. They didn’t seem to hear him through the crowd of chatting people. Lifting his arm, he waved to them. They came forward walking at their normal pace. Ron felt his spirits lift as they stepped towards him….and right through him.
His jaw dropped. Whirling around, he gawked at them in shock. His brothers continued on their way to the Great Hall without looking back. Ron stared after them for a few moments before his mind finally comprehended what must’ve occurred.
“I’m a ghost,” he said flatly. Then it hit him. “Oh Merlin! I must’ve died in my sleep!” Feeling completely numb, Ron staggered towards a wall and sank down. “I’m a ghost. I’m not sure what’s worse, that I’ll never play Quidditch again or I’ll have to spend the rest of eternity in school!” He laughed. It was a tight hysterical laugh reserved for those moments of total hopelessness.
Tears slid down his face, but disappeared as they fell towards the floor. He couldn’t feel the wall, the floor or even his own clothes. He knew he was wearing them because if he looked down he saw them. He was dead; there was nothing to feel anymore. Nothing.
Slowly the laughing was replaced by shallow breathing, if he could call it that. Trying to clear his mind and come to grips with his own death, Ron stared out at the passing students.
If he was a ghost, why couldn’t they see him? They could see the other ghosts after all. Maybe I’m invisible, he thought as Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle entered the Great Hall. Propping his elbows on his knees he watched them pause at the door and laugh at some joke. Ron toyed with the idea of sneaking up and passing through them. It’d give them a good fright, but he’d have to figure out how to become visible first.
Someone gasped. It sounded very close. Whipping his head around, Ron hoped that somebody had finally seen him. No luck, the other students continued on their ways without a hint of recognition.
“Great, I’m a ghost who can’t become visible. How am I supposed to scare people?” Ron sulked hugging his knees to his chest.
“But you’re not a ghost.” A voice called out.
Starting, Ron dropped his arms to his side. “Who’s there?” He called just as he realized something. “Wait, you can see me?” Scanning the corridor, he couldn’t find anyone who looked like they had spoken. The voice giggled.
“Yes silly, and I’m not down there, I’m up here.”
Ron lifted his head and he caught sight of a figure, a girl about his age, wearing a pleated gray skirt, white blouse and gray Hogwarts sweater. Her thick, cinnamon brown hair was bound in a single braid that dangled behind her. The girl herself was currently hanging upside down from the ceiling, her legs from the knees down imbedded in the stone. Hazel eyes blinked as she watched him scramble to his feet.
“Who are you?” Ron moved out from underneath her as she began to swing back and forth.
“I’m me,” she said continuing her to and fro motion.
“What’s your name?”
“I don’t know. I forgot.” She shrugged as she passed by him.
“How could you forget your own name?” Ron was beginning to feel desperate. The first person to see him and she didn’t know who she was!
“Easy. I’m Nothing and now, so are you.” She seemed excited by this and sped up her swinging. When she reached the right velocity, she launched herself into the air, up into the ceiling and back down, doing a flip so that she landed facing him. Smiling broadly she skipped over and shook his hand before he could stop her. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“Wait. Nothing, I don’t understand.” He said trying to pry his hand from her enthusiastic grip.
“Just as I said. Nothing. Witches and wizards become Nothing when they don’t want to be Something. Since we’re not Something anymore, we don’t need things like names. Therefore we forget them.” She made the explanation sound cheerful.
Ron squeaked. When I was a kid, Fred and George told horror stories about people just disappearing into nothing. I always assumed they were old wives tales. How could I become Nothing? Closing his eyes, he realized what he’d done to himself. Between his constant sulking and self-pity, he’d closed himself off from everyone. Not that they’d seemed to notice too much. He’d begun believing he was Nothing, nothing special, nothing important, just nothing. Say something long enough and it may come true. In this case it had.
“Don’t look so down, it’s actually fun to be Nothing. You’ll see,” The girl grinned excitedly. “I’ll show you everything! But first, why don’t we go somewhere more cheery?” She suggested. Her smile was warm and friendly. He could tell she was trying to make him feel better, but it wasn’t helping.
“I should stay,” he reasoned. “I mean what if someone comes looking for me?”
“It won’t matter. They can’t see, feel, or hear you. You’re Nothing.”
The word had such finality to it. It meant no more talking with his friends, no more playing with his brothers, no more Christmas sweaters from Mum. Suddenly it felt overwhelming. Ron felt his throat constrict. He’d never be able to go adventuring with Harry again; he’d have to watch from now on.
“There isn’t anything for you here,” she said, her voice softening, becoming sympathetic. “We’re Nothing; they’re Something. Something always ignore Nothing. It’s better if we leave.” She put her hand on his shoulder trying to comfort him. “Let’s go. Sir?”
“My name is Ron. Could you call me that? I don’t want to forget it,” he whispered. She gave him a little squeeze.
“Anything you want. Come on,” she urged softly. Sniffing, Ron nodded his head.