Chapter 1: The Night That Was

A red dawn.

There is nothing more beautiful than seeing the sky painted a mixture of crimson and violet. The forthcoming sunrise will be breathtaking along the ocean's horizon. The ocean breeze blows his red hair back as the smell of salt water fills his nostrils. Clearly, he hears the peaceful waves crashing gingerly onto the beach. Ah yes, this reminds the red haired young man of a morning just a few years ago when it was all over. A red dawn.

"Bloody hell!"

'Damn at all of the memories that comes back to me like a flood. Could it really have all happened just a few years ago? Merlin, how it only feels like it was yesterday!' "Damn it how those feelings still echoed thru his body. The fear, the panic, the unknown, and yet still the love.

These thoughts made Ron cringe and shiver a bit as he stood by the edge of his patio and stared off into the ocean's waves. He swallowed another sip of his coffee.

"Bloody hell!"

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On the night he almost died at the hands of his best mate, Ron was sleeping soundly with dreams of Quidditch zooming thru his mind. He could hear the crowds now. The cheers for the Gryffindor team and for every save he would make. It was a good dream, and like all good dreams seems to be interrupted by something from the outside world. Ron opened his eyes as a hazy figure stood over him. Slowly things came into focus, but before he could say anything a hand shot over his mouth.

"Not one word or I'll kill you."

It was Harry, but how could this person be Harry? Ron felt the tip of an object against his neck and knew instantly it was Harry's wand. Panic flew thru him. He looked up at the bright, emerald green eyes of Harry's that showed pure evil. Tears started to stream down Ron's cheeks as he looked into the face of his best mate. Surely, Harry would not kill him. After all of the fun times they have been thru, all the times they got detention, all of the adventures they had together; it just couldn't end like this. This was not the way it was supposed to be. The best friend he ever had, the best friend he ever knew, could not be this shadow of a murderer standing over him.

"I never meant to hurt anyone!" You don't know how hard it is to try to resist. He calls to me to come to him. I hear him in my dreams! It is as if he's living inside my soul. I'm sorry but you just don't understand, Ron!" he growled.

Harry was breathing heavily and prodded the tip of his wand deeper into the side of Ron's neck. A rage of anger engulfed Harry as he screamed with fury and hatred in his voice. The hand over Ron's mouth tightened its grip even more. The gleam in Harry's eyes became sinister. Fearing the worst, Ron closed his eyes and said a silent goodbye to all that he loved. The vice-like grip on his mouth began to loosen a bit. Ron opened his eyes and saw Harry start to back away. He turned and fled out of their dormitory and thru the Gryffindor common room.

"Harry, wait!" Ron shouted.

The shouts fell upon deaf ears as Harry was quickly thru the portrait hole. Ron jumped to his feet and hurried after him. His shouts inside the castle awakened Professor McGonagall who flung open the door to her room and shouted at Ron.

"Merlin's beard, Weasley! You will wake the dead with your shouting. What is this all about? Why are you out of your dormitory at this time of night?"
"It's Harry, professor. He's trying to run away!"
"Oh no. It's not safe for him to be outside of Hogwarts in his condition. Quickly Mr. Weasley after him! Albus, Albus!"

In a flash the headmaster was quickly outside and chasing after Harry. The young Gryffindor ran towards the Forbidden Forest with blazing speed.

"Harry, Harry!" Ron yelled at him.
"Step aside Mr. Weasley."

She nudged Ron to her side and out of the firing zone. She fired two hexes of Locomotor Mortis at Harry. With the training from his Quidditch skills, Harry dodged and avoided both hexes that were aimed at him. Like the blackness of the night, Harry disappeared as he ran into the Forbidden Forest. Professor Dumbledore stopped at the edge of the forest while Ron and Professor McGonagall arrived behind him; both heaving deep breaths of air.

"The both of you will not enter." ordered Dumbledore. "I must do this alone." "You both return back to the castle and send an urgent owl to the Ministry of Magic explaining to them what has happened here tonight. I promise you I will return."

"Please, sir!" cried Ron between breaths. "Let me go with you".

"Not to worry Mr. Weasley, i will return with Harry."

Ron saw the warm glow of care in Dumbledore's eyes, but also the slightest look of caution on his face.

"I think I know where Harry is going. I only hope that I am not too late." spoke the aged wizard.

He turned from them and walked as darkness swallowed him.