A New Life
A/N:
Welcome to my new and improved story, previously this was two separate stories that was intended to be a three-part series, however, after a long absence from Fanfiction and writing I am back and revamping this story. I can't give a specific update guideline; however, I am looking at updating at least once a week. I will leave up the old series until this story has been completed and then it may be brought down. Please enjoy the story and remember to review! I would like to thank: TabiPrewett for their work as BETA on this chapter.
-Raider
Chapter One
Ron looked at the destruction of the castle, there were dead bodies lying all around the grounds, many of them he remembered as older students who had left years before and still some he did not know at all. His black robes hung limply from his shoulders as he sagged and leaned against a cool stone, trying his best to steady his breathing. He had blood running from a wound on his head and arm; he noticed without so much as a flinch that he also had a broken finger. He sighed as his gaze landed on a horribly familiar sight that was just visible beneath the blood that covered his left arm; he had his wand in his hand but he did not pay it much attention as he was alone with the dead and his thoughts until suddenly there were a dozen small 'pops' all around him causing him to admit to straightened up, ready to fight again if needed.
A dozen Auror's stood before him with their wands raised and pointed at him, he stiffened his back and let his wand hang from his side.
"Drop your wand and raise your hands!"
"Why?"
"Do it now!"
Ron chuckled as he looked out upon the faces of the men and women before him and silently cursed their good luck. The luck to have been sorted into a different house than what he had been in... Slytherin. He sighed and told those now facing him, "I only did what I needed to keep my family safe."
Before they could respond a new voice entered the fray, "Drop your wand Mr. Weasley, no harm will come to you."
Ron looked up at the sound of this new voice and he gasped in surprise, "You're dead! I saw you die with my own eyes...how...?" He trailed off into silence, unable to complete his thought.
"That is not important right now Mr. Weasley", the new man said in a controlled and even tone of voice, "Do as the Auror's say, it is important for you to do so."
He shook his head, unable to muster his voice, "I-no! I-I only did what I had to do, you know what it was-is like in there. You're the h-" but before he could finish he was cut off.
"ENOUGH! Drop your wand, I will vouch for you.'
Ron snorted, "As if...your word is no better than mine is-you're just as bad to them" he jerked his head in the direction of the Auror's. He blinked as the smoke began to sting his eyes.
"You are right, for the moment. If events transpire the way I think they will, then my word will be as good as Harry Potter's."
That did not impress Ron and he made sure that was known, "Harry bloody Potter, that prat made my life a living hell!"
The man sighed, "As did you for him Mr. Weasley. Have you already forgotten that?"
"No, but only because of what he did to me, I tried to be his friend, back in first year. He wouldn't let me, kept pushing me away. I-I wanted to stay 'good', I tried to do that, it's just so damn hard."
The man bowed his head, "I understand Ron, and believe me I do, but the cause is dead, he is dead and we must surrender."
Ron looked to the man in disbelief "I-I can't believe that! I had to give up what I believed for so many years now, nearly half of my childhood has been spent with them, and it tends to alter you after a while."
The other nodded his head, "That is true; I am a prime example of what it is to be altered by other's beliefs. I was never a true believer Ron. I only liked it at first because of what he had to offer. I had a chance to be the big kid on the block, a chance to have power, fame, and glory. Along with all those things my enemies had the honor, no, the privilege of having them for my entire childhood and school years. "
"Y-you weren't a true believer? B-but you seemed so real, you were his right hand! How could you have deceived him so?"
"I have my ways; I always have and I always will. I can help you out of this situation, let me help you Ronald."
Ron hung his head in resign because after so many years of constantly being on guard, being political, it was-awkward for him to let all of that go. To embrace those, he had called enemies not twelve hours' prior, those who he had never thought to call…friend.
He looked between the man and the Aurors, and then he made his choice. He lifted his wand, which caused those watching him to stiffen, and then he threw it on the ground and lifted his hands. The man who had helped talk him down nodded his head once towards his former pupil and comrade before they were both arrested by the Aurors.
They were both sat on the ground as the lead Auror tried to find someone in charge as they tried to figure out where to take the prisoners, this left Ron and his mentor to talk quietly to one another.
"How did you survive?" Ron finally asked after moments of silence had passed between them.
"I do not know Mr. Weasley, I do not know. All I remember is Harry standing over me and then I blacked out. When I came too I was alone and made my way up towards the castle and that is where I ran into your…situation. "
"So, you were a spy then, for the order?"
The man inclined his head, ever so slightly. Then he let out a long sigh before he spoke again, "That I was, and a rather good one to. I managed to trick the most skilled legilimens in the history of our people. "
"What's going to happen to us now that the war is over and we…they…I, lost?"
The man raised his eyebrow, "Having trouble figuring out your role in all of this?" he asked, indicating the ruin now surrounding them. One of the Aurors looked their way at his head gesture but soon turned back to his companion.
Ron nodded his head after a few seconds, wanting to be sure they weren't being watched, "I am" he said softly. "On the one hand, I didn't ever believe in what they stood for. I was in it because I am a Slytherin and that is what I had to do to protect my family. Everything I ever did was to protect them."
Ron looked up at the man he had once hated, and then had come to admire. The long black robes, greasy black hair and dark black holes that he had for eyes. He looked upon Severus Snape, Head of Slytherin house and Headmaster of Hogwarts.
"I do not know how this will all end, but I do know one thing" Severus said softly, "I will vouch for you because you deserve it Ronald, you're a good man, but with our memories, they will see that it was you, and you alone who took the mark."
Ron cast his eyes down to the dirty ground, "I did it so that they could trust me; I did it for myself and for my family. They promised not to mess with them if I took it, so I did."
"I understand Mr. Weasley, I truly do. I will help the court, the new Ministry, the public, and your family and friends understand our reasons for joining the Dark Lord."
Ron was silent for a moment, and then he whispered something that Severus was barely able to pick up it was so quiet "Thank you Severus."
Two days later found Severus and Ron in a holding cell within the Ministry of Magic, the holding cells had not been damaged severely in the battle that had taken place and now they were the only two in the cells. The only people they had seen in two days had been the Aurors that brought them their food, but a week after arriving in their cells they came for Severus, they took him and he did not come back and Ron worried for his mentor, the man who had saved his life on more than once occasion.
Ron sat back on his bunk and thought back to his first days at Hogwarts, the ride on the train and his meeting Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy, both would change his life forever. He sighed as he allowed his memories to come to the forefront of his mind…
Ron groaned slightly as he made his way down the hall of the train, Fred and George had left him as soon as they had been out of sight of their mother. Ron huffed to himself as he considered the different compartments that lined the train car. He came to a compartment that had a single girl in it, her platinum blond hair hung to her shoulders and her skin was milky smooth; Ron mustered his courage and knocked once before sliding the door open and taking a step into the compartment.
"Err hello I was wondering if you'd mind if I sat here."
The girl looked up at his knock and fixed him with an intense stare that showed she had bright blue eyes. She looked him over in silence for a minute before giving him a curt nod and standing to her feet. Ron gave a smile as he hauled his trunk into the rack above the empty seat and turned to face his compartment mate.
"I'm Daphne, Daphne Greengrass" she said with a soft voice as she sat back down and picked her book back up.
"I'm Ron, Ron Weasley" he replied as he too took his seat. Daphne nodded her head and resumed her reading, leaving Ron to stare out the window and contemplate his near future. After about an hour of silence Daphne cleared her throat which caused Ron to look her way.
"I was wondering if you've given any thought as to what house you'll be in."
Ron smiled at this, "Well my whole family has been in Gryffindor so I imagine I'll go there." To his surprise though, Daphne wrinkled her nose and shook her head at him. "What it is?" he asked in confusion.
Daphne sighed, "Nothing is wrong with Gryffindor per say, but if it were me, I would want to stand out from my family and be my own person, I mean each house has great qualities and each have less favorable as well."
Ron nodded his head at her words but he wasn't sure where she was headed with this.
"My mother was in Ravenclaw and my father was in Slytherin, my uncle was a Hufflepuff and my granddad was a Gryffindor. I would be happy with either Ravenclaw or Slytherin."
Ron grunted in surprise at that last bit, "Slytherin? Really now..." He trailed off into silence at this.
Daphne ignored his surprise, "Yes, Slytherin may have a lot of bad press, but really, every house has its' share of dark wizards and witches throughout history. Slytherin has some great qualities such has ambition, pride and they're very close knit because of the dislike for them by the other houses."
This did make some sense to Ron, even thought he loathed to admit it out loud to this girl he had just met. He remained silent for a while thinking over what she had said to him, all of the houses had some good qualities about them, even those slimy gits in Slytherin.
"Get up."
The words surprised Ron out of his trip down memory lane and he sat up slowly rubbing his eyes. Four men in maroon robes were standing inside his cell door, wands pointed at his chest.
"Get up" the lead Auror repeated in a hard voice, "If you don't comply with our demands, then we will be forced to subdue you."
Ron slowly made his way to his feet, his eyes traveling over his guards before he asked, "Where are you taking me, and what did you do with Severus?"
The man who had been talking to him thus far, who he assumed to be the lead Auror had a nasty sneer come over his face, "Mr. Snape has been dealt with. Don't you worry your little red head over that, now will you comply?"
For his answer, Ron nodded his head and walked over to where the four men stood. They bound his hands behind his back and then two of the Aurors took up positions in front of him and the last two came up behind him. They walked him down the long hallway and through the large side door which led to a dingy cement hallway lit by a single torch with a flickering blue flame. Ron stared at it as they went by.
At the end of the hallway was another smaller door, the guards in the front opened it and led Ron out into a rather large room with hundreds of people milling about. He noticed a chair in the middle of the room and it had chains attached to it from the floor and when he was sat in the chair the chains sprang up and chained him to his seat. Ron looked out among the crowd and saw many faces he did not recognize, but he also saw some that he did. His entire family was there, as was Harry, Hermione and Dean Thomas, the 'Golden Trio' as they were so often called.
"Ronald Billius Weasley, you have been brought forth in front of the Wizengamot to be held accountable for the crimes leveled against you. You are charged with one count of being a known Death Eater, five counts of kidnapping, two counts of torture with a non-lethal spell, four counts of using an unforgiveable curse and one count of murder. How do you plead?"
Ron looked out among the court room of his peers, the boys and girls, now men and women he had gone to school with. He looked to his mum and dad, saw one of the twins and wondered where the other one was at, and then he looked to the man who asked him the questions. Ron cast about for his name; the face was familiar to him. Then it hit him, Kingsley Shacklebolt, he had been one of the Aurors to be assigned to Hogwarts a few years back.
Ron looked to the 'Golden Trio' and saw the hate, anger, grief and sympathy on their faces and he wasn't sure which he disliked worse. His gaze turned back to Shacklebolt and he knew he had to answer, he knew it might mean the end of his freedom, but he no longer cared. He had made his choice and now he had to face the consequences of his actions. He squared his shoulders, set his jaw, looked Shacklebolt square and the eyes and then he said, in a clear, crisp voice. "Guilty."
Murmurs broke out throughout the hall as people pointed at him and whispered behind their hands. He saw the light leave Shacklebolt eyes as he leaned in with the other members of the Wizengamot. They were there for nearly ten minutes, and when they separated Shacklebolt cleared his throat.
"The Wizengamot has concluded Mr. Weasley that based on your youth and the testimony of one of the spies from the Order and our own inability to come to a quick, precise judgment. We hear by sentence you to Azkaban prison for no longer than a period of one year, while this court reviews the files on this case."
The guards released Ron from the chair and grabbed him by his forearms as they stood him to his feet. As they walked Ron out of the room he kept his head held high. They took and apparated him to a small island not too far from where Azkaban stood in the ocean. Dark clouds filled the sky as the wind ripped at his robes and Ron could not help but shudder at the sight of his new home. A boat came not long after their arrival on the island and took him and his guards towards the imposing figure of Azkaban. When the boat arrived at the prison, he was offloaded and led into a small building where they removed his clothes and changed him into a shabby grey outfit of loose pants and shirt.
He was then led to a hidden doorway which opened to reveal a shabby hallway that turned out to be a long, dark corridor. He knew the dementors were still there, he felt their presence and they were soon leading him to a cell block where there was no natural light; just a single blue flame the barely illuminated the cellblock. His cell was equally dingy as it had no window, a pile of hay on the ground and a bucket for a toilet. It was not even wide enough for him to stretch his arms out fully, he sighed, sat on the bed and slipped into his own, dark thoughts.
His time in Azkaban was impossible to distinguish as time seemed to stand still. He was constantly filled with his worst memories and it was nay impossible to tell time because the days were an endless repetition of each other: wake up in the dark, food was brought and it was always the same meal of bread, a jug of water and oatmeal.
He hoped that Severus would keep his word, but his faith slowly faded as time wore on. He waited every day to be summoned once again to the Ministry, the Dementors had begun to take their toll on him he could tell. He wasn't as clear headed as he had once been and it was difficult to even remember his name sometimes, but he always had his memories because every day he relived his worst ones repeatedly.
Since Ron was unable to shave, he slowly grew stubble that covered his face and eventually turned into a full-blown beard that he was sure didn't look appealing whatsoever but he couldn't be sure because he had not seen himself in Merlin knew how long. He had not used his voice since he had been brought here and was slowly going mad. His only hope, his only salvation, was his memories, the few good ones he could recall. His memories of his school days, the day he was sorted into his new house, Slytherin, and the day he had meet Daphne Greengrass.
When they finally came for him he was asleep and they took him to an area of the prison that he had not seen when he had first been brought there. It was a newer addition by the looks of it and it had several floo portals. He was surrounded by two guards as he was flooed straight to the Ministry, and taken back to the chained chair.
There were no specters this time. Just the purple robed Wizengamot and the 'Golden Trio.' Shacklebolt looked at him, his face grim. Ron lost all hope at the look on his face; he sank as low as he could in his chair and stared straight ahead.
"Ronald Weasley, you have been summoned to the Wizengamot because we have reached a decision on your case." He paused there, and looked to either side of him. He seemed to be looking for something-or someone. "After much deliberation and discussion, we have reached a decision as to your punishment. " He stopped again and looked over to where Potter sat with his friends in tow, the boy gave the Minister a firm nod and realization dawned of Ron. Shacklebolt had been looking for strength. "It is the decision of this court that you, Ronald Weasley, have been found guilty on all charges brought against you in the preliminary trial. As such, it is also the decision of this court that you shall be sentenced to…" here the Minister drew in a deep breath and Ron sat up straight he knew what his fate was…"Death."
The entire Wizengamot looked down upon him; he saw no sad features, but those of triumph and glee. 'Thus to the victors go the spoils' Ron thought, with no malice in him.
"Do you wish to contest this decision? If so, you shall be held in Azkaban and new evidence examined and new witnesses brought forth. If you do not wish to contest, then speak now."
Ron would have laughed if he had the strength in him to do so, instead he slowly shook his head and croaked out, "No."
Shacklebolt nodded his head once and in a slightly more even tone continued, "Then, the sentence of death is to be carried out in the morning, this hearing is hereby officially closed."
Ron was led to a holding cell within the very depths of the Ministry; the cell was an improvement on his Azkaban cell. He was given a last meal of bread and water which was better than he had expected. Eventually sleep took him and he dreamt of his school days and what he had been, and what he had become. He thought of Death, and what it would bring for him…maybe what it had brought for so many of his friends and allies…Peace.
"CLANCK!"
"CREEEEEEKKKK"
The noise startled him and he looked up in time to see a little man enter the cell followed by two armed Aurors, their faces set into neutral expressions.
"Alright Weasley, it's time."
He gave a firm nod of his head as he stood to his full height. His orange hair fell around his face in a tangled mane and he was once again magically bound and led down the hall way. The little man looked up at him. He was pale and shaking with fright from what was to come. "H-how old are y-you?" he eventually asked.
"Eighteen."
The little man gave an exclamation and did not speak again. He stopped Ron at a large door and turned to face him. "I-I am s-s-sorry about this, you know?"
Ron only nodded, for he could not speak. He had suddenly gone quite dry in the mouth and could not even swallow. He began to trimmer with fear, and he could not control it, no matter how hard he tired. The door was opened and the room immediately filled with bright light as Ron was pushed forward into a large, cravenness room.
Ron blinked and looked around him; he saw that he was in the Ministry, the same room where he had first fought as a Death Eater. He saw the room was empty, except for Kingsley and Potter, both of whom were watching him like hawks. Ron also noticed five Auror's standing in the background, wands at the ready. Ron walked up to the two men and saw a podium, with a see-through veil on it. Ron's heart skipped a beat. That was the veil Sirius Black had gone through.
"I see you recognize this room Mr. Wesley." The voice of Kingsley Shacklebolt wafted from behind him as the man moved to stand next to him. "This is known as the executioners' veil, for obvious reasons. It was created by the Ministry so that no one would have to tarnish themselves by killing another."
The Minister and Harry Potter stood on either side of him as he tried to get a hold of his courage, so he did not have to show his fear in front of these two. "Let's get on with it then." The Minister raised his eyebrows in interest at the statement, but he did not say anything. Potter merely looked at him, a little sympathy behind his eyes.
"Why such haste to meet you end, Mr. Weasley?" The Minister asked quietly.
"There is no rush," Ron said slowly, "I don't have anything to live for. No family, no girlfriend or wife, I don't even have any friends to watch me die. So let's get on with it." Ron did not want to rush into it, he wanted to stay and talk forever, he did not want to die.
"I have some things to finish first, Mr. Weasley, then we can get on with this-" He did not finish the sentence; he just waved his hand about him. "Funny thing" the Minister said, not finishing his sentence.
Ron tried to ignore it but his curiosity got the better of him and he asked, "What is funny?"
The Minister looked up and gave a weak smile that did not reach his eyes. "My first death sentence as Minister is to execute a barely legal adult."
Ron did not answer, he did not have one for that matter, but he did cast his eyes over his school enemy, Harry Potter. "Harry Potter, boy who lived twice, the chosen one, you must have a pretty good life ahead of you." He could not help the note of bitterness that escaped his lips.
Potter looked over himself and gave a weak smile of his own, and like the Minister before him, his smile did not reach his eyes. "I might, but I am sad to see you end this way."
"Why?" Ron scoffed, "We were never friends."
"I know that Weas-Ron, but still, you are young and have a full life ahead of you. Won't you reconsider?"
Ron raised his eyebrows at that, "Reconsider what? It is not my choice to die, it was the Ministry's."
"It is yours as much as it is mine, Ron; you did not wish to appeal our decision. There is still time for you to do so."
Ron shook his head, "No, I've already told you. I have nothing to live for, not now. I am considered a traitor by my family, my friends are all dead or in prison. I have nothing left for me here."
"I am sorry to hear you say that, I was hoping you would have appealed. The Wizengamot wishes to make an example of you. Therefore, you were sentenced as harshly as you were. We've heard that you were-"
"That I was what?" prompted Ron, after the Minister failed to continue. The Minister and Harry both looked a little uneasy at this, and it was Harry who spoke up for the Minister.
"We've, that is to say, the wizarding world, we've heard that you-that you were Voldemort's" the Minister flinched, slightly, at the name "Right hand apprentice."
Ron shook his head once again, "No I wasn't. I was just a regular Death Eater, like everyone else. Malfoy and I were both Death Eaters, but I joined before Malfoy did."
Harry's eyebrow rose a few inches, "When did you join?"
"I took the mark in fifth year; I was with them when we fought the Order in this room."
"You were here when Sirius died?"
"I was, but I had nothing to do with his death, that was Bellatrix's doing. I was brought along to kill someone, as part of my induction."
"Who were you to kill?"
"Longbottom."
"Why Neville? What did he ever do to any of them?" snapped Harry. Ron did recall that Neville was often in the presence of Harry during school, might have been part of the 'trio' at one time.
"I don't know, but I failed, was punished then sent back to school for my second task."
"Which was?"
"Bring in Malfoy, he was not totally prepared to join. I brought him in at the end of the year when he took the mark that summer, as did I, and the rest you know."
"So, you have been a Death Eater for three years?"
Ron nodded his head, "I have-no, I was."
"Are you sure" began the Minister, for the first time in a while. "That you do not wish to reconsider your decision? Is there nothing you hope to be able to gain from life? I will grant you a full pardon, and with the help of Severus, I am sure we can clear your name."
"Has Severus said anything on my behalf?"
"He has" said the Minister with a somber nod of his head, "But the Wizengamot has decided not to listen to him. They still do not, fully, trust him I fear."
"Why not? He risked his life for your cause. He saved my life on several occasions when I might have otherwise died, even though we were enemies. I thought he was my ally and he always treated me as such. He has helped me and I wish you to pardon him."
"I already have pardoned Severus; I was a member of the Order as well you know. I was there in the meetings when he gave his reports. I have seen his memories as to why he acted as he did in the past year. I have even re-appointed him as the Headmaster of Hogwarts. Minerva has agreed to stay on as the Deputy Headmistress and oversee the renovations while Severus recovers from his wounds that he received during the battle."
"That is good to hear. He is a great man, Severus; I will miss him the most. He has served as my father for the past four years." Harry looked at him, and Ron saw a single tear rolling down his cheek.
"What will you miss most" asked Harry. "If you don't mind me asking."
"I don't mind" Ron said, and he thought a bit before he gave his answer. "I will miss my family, Severus, Quidditch, and my mum's cooking in that order, as well." The three of them shared a quite laugh, before an Auror cleared his throat and the Minister checked his watch.
"It is nearly time, so I ask you once again, will you reconsider?"
Ron did not answer right away this time. Instead he took his time and thought over all his options. If he decided to fight and stay alive, he would be ridiculed for the rest of his life. No, it was better for him to go out now, while he was young and still had his honor. He snorted at that, if there was one thing he had taken from being a Slytherin, it was Honor and Pride. After a few more minutes, of quite pondering, he reached his decision.
"No sir. I do not think I will. It is best for me to go."
The Minister nodded and then with a wave of his hand, the magical binding that was holding his hands tied together was lifted. Ron reached into his inner robe and pulled out a letter and handed it over to the Minister.
"This is for my entire family. Please tell them that I love them, I always have loved them and I always will. I am sorry for my actions but I did as I thought I had to do." Then Ron turned to Harry and extended his hand, which the other boy took after a moment's hesitation. "I hope you can forgive me Pot-Harry. Tell Hermione, Neville, Dean and all the others I hurt, that I am sorry. I know it is not much, but it is all I can give them." Harry nodded his head, and Ron did see that his eyes were very clearly glistening in the artificial light that was being cast within the room.
"I hope you find peace Ron, wherever it is that your next journey may take you."
"Thank you," Ron said softly before turning to Kingsley, "Minister would you please tell Severus that I will miss him, and I appreciate everything that he has done for me?"
The Minister nodded his head, and so it was, Ron Weasley squared his shoulders and stepped up onto the dais. He considered the executioner's veil and saw the wall on the other side. He gave it a weak smile and he turned to look out on those he has once called enemies, "I will remember what you did for me, both of you. I-I am sorry it had to be this way." With that, Ron Weasley backed up a step, he took a deep breath and then he stepped into the beyond.
Harry gave a start as Ron stepped back into the veil. At first it was as if nothing had happened, and then, just as Sirius had before him, Ron Weasley floated up and out of sight and thus he become no more.
"I wish he had chosen otherwise." Came the voice of Kingsley Shacklebolt.
"Why?"
"It was not his fault, not entirely anyway, and he could have been useful in helping hunt down the last remaining Death Eaters."
Harry nodded his head and gave a small, brief, smile to his comrade. "I wish he would have stayed, who will tell his family?"
Kingsley gave a frustrated sigh and said "I will. It is only fitting that as Minister I do this."
Ron looked around and did not see a lot. Everything was pure white, warm and almost welcoming. "So…this is death then."
"Aye, Ronald Weasley, this is Death. I welcome you to it."
Ron gave a start, he had not spoken out loud and he could not see anyone or anything around him.
"HAHAHA! I am no mortal thing for one to see Ronald. I am a part of this vast void, the beyond. Tell me, if you will, why did you choose me over life?"
"You?"
"Yes me, I am Death after all."
"I-I don't know to be honest. I didn't want to go on living. I had nothing left for me there."
Ron could almost hear the thought process as the…being thought his answer over.
"A good enough answer I suppose. But tell me this; you had a chance to escape me, a chance to live. A chance that so many have not had to opportunity to have…a second chance at life."
Ron nodded his head in agreement to the words that had just been spoken, "It is true, what you just said. I did give up my second chance, I did not want it, and I did not need it."
"Hmmm. It seems that you are a very… complex case. I have never had anyone who did not beg for a second chance. Yes, quite strange indeed. I think that you might make the perfect candidate, yes…"
"I'm sorry-but what do you mean?"
But Death was not listening to him; he seemed to be lost in his own thoughts. He was muttering to himself, stuff that Ron was unable to make out.
"Excuse me, but what do you mean?" Ron repeated once again.
Death, this time, answered in a solemn voice, "I have deemed that you, Ronald Billus Weasley, shall have a second chance. A chance to right wrongs, to make different decisions, to be a new person. No matter what, you cannot stop this terrible war from happening, but you will need to decide what you stand for Ronald; you will need to discover who you are…truly. You will need to choose sides in the war, you alone will know what to do when the time comes. You have seen one side of the coin, how they were treated, maybe you can choose the other? I hope you appreciate this gift, for I do not grant it often. I will be watching you, and if you ever should need my help, then all you need is to call upon me."
With that, Ron's vision went black all around him, he could not move his head, his arms, nor his entire body. He did not know what to do, he could not scream and he could not see. He did not know where he was, and then suddenly he felt someone or something, shaking him.
"Wake up Ron!"
Ron opened his eyes with a snap and what he saw both terrified him and made him laugh. Standing before him was not one but two twins, death must have sent him back in time. Ron jumped out of bed and ran to the mirror and saw a sight that made him smile, it was his younger self but his older mind. He could still remember every spell he had learned during his time at Hogwarts.
"What day is it?" he asked his brothers, both of whom smirked at him and said in unison "September first! You're first day at Hogwarts!" [6,211 words]