It was a week before the beginning of the new year at Hogwarts School of

Hiya! This is one of my first attempts at writing, and I really wanna know wotcha think, so please read, and review, and if you like it I'll put up another part soon!

It was a week before the beginning of the new year at Hogwarts School of

Witchcraft and Wizardry. Harry, Ron and Hermione were getting ready to begin

their seventh, and all being well, final, year at the school. But the hidden

wizarding world wasn't the happy, cheerful place it had been in their first few

years at Hogwarts. Voldemort had risen again, more powerful than before,

and life was a living hell. Many people had been struck down, hurt, and

murdered, and nobody was safe. Ron's own brother, Percy, had been killed

by the Dark Lord, as he was a vital element of the Ministry of Magic. He'd

been tipped to be the next Minister, with his enthusiasm, and handling of

situations. This position was now vacant, following the tragic suicide of

Cornelius Fudge, now almost four months ago. Albus Dumbledore,

headmaster of Hogwarts, was now widely regarded as the leader of the people

who hadn't gone bad. Though being wellknown in the past for being a bit of a

crackpot, he was handling the situation very well, and people trusted him. But

not even Dumbledore could prevent the devastation caused by Lord

Voldemort, and his followers. Life wasn't safe, you never knew who you could

trust, or how long the people you loved would be with you.

The trio was staying at Granger Dentist's Surgery, otherwise known as

Hermione's house. It was a large, detached Muggle house, with most of the

ground floor taken up by the surgery, so they (Hermione, Mr and Mrs Granger,

and their son, Ben) lived on the first floor and above. Hermione's bedroom

was in the attic, and they were all in there.

"Verit-a-serum!" said Hermione, correcting Harry's work. "You should

know that by now!"

"Well, sorry, Little-Miss-Perfect!" laughed Harry, and Ron joined in.

There was a knock at the small attic window, and Hermione opened it, letting

in a small, enthusiastic bundle of fluff named Pigwidgeon fall at Ron's feet,

followed by a rather proud snowy owl known as Hedwig, who dropped a letter

in Harry's lap. A dark brown school owl appeared slightly afterwards, who

delivered it's letter, which looked very similar to Harry's and Ron's, with green

ink and the Hogwarts crest on yellowed parchment, to Hermione's hand.

Ripping them open, Hermione screamed with joy, Harry looked embarrassed,

and Ron was disappointed. A silver Head Girl badge was being fastened to

Hermione's top, and a similar Head Boy badge slid out of Harry's envelope.

All Ron's contained was a list of books. He forced a smile. "Well done, both of

you. Congratulations." he said stiffly, trying to force enthusiasm, but failing.

He knew he'd never had a chance, but he'd still hoped... oh well, he should be

happy for his two best friends. The only trouble was, he was always trying to

be happy for his best friends, as they always beat him. He tried not to let it get to him, but it did. Forcing a smile, he excused himself, and left the room.

*******************************************************

Hagrid took Madame Maxime's hand, as they came down from the mountains.

Love had truly blossomed between the two of them, during their long trip to the

giants, but would it last? He hoped so. She had admitted to him that she was

half giant, but would she admit it to the world, and risk losing her job as

headmistress of Beauxbatons school, or maybe even her life? He smiled

sadly, and looked into her eyes. "We'll see." he said to himself.

*******************************************************

Ron locked himself in the bathroom, and the tears came. "Don't be stupid." he

said to himself. "you're nearly eighteen now. You can't cry." but he could.

Not only did he have to put up with the fact that Harry and Hermione were

perfect, he also had to put up with the fact that they were perfect for each

other. And they knew it. Hermione would flirt with Harry, and put on a fake,

girlie laugh. "But she never does that with me." he thought sadly. "Why won't

she realise how much I like her?" he sobbed. "There's no way out of this

mess!"

"Oh, but there is..." said a strange, inviting voice.

"What?"

"Follow me, and discover the solution."

Ron followed.

*******************************************************

Albus Dumbledore was sitting in his office reading his mail, when there was a

loud knock. He heard a booming voice say, "Professor Dumbledore, sir?

We're back!"

He rushed to the entrance, and said "Candyfloss." It was the password

you had to say to the stone gargoyle for it to work. Professor Dumbledore had

discovered the sweet, seaside treat on holiday that year. The stone gargoyle

sprang into life, and the door opened. In walked Hagrid.

"Mornin' professor. How are ya?"

"Frightfully good, or as good as I can be. The world may be on the

verge of devastation, but life does go on. Actually, some lives don't, and more

and more lives are being reported to have ended every day. I have to deal

with it. Anyway, congratulations! you did a fabulous job, getting the giants

back on our side!"

"It wasn't easy, mind. We've been gone almost two years! Is my job, is

it still available?"

"Well, as groundskeeper, certainly, but you and Professor Weasley

shall have to take lessons together. Charlie's fitting in a treat, so combining

your forces should work first-rate!"

"Ah, sure Professor Dumbledore, sir. I'll enjoy seeing young Charlie

Weasley again!" he said enthusiastically.

*************************************************

Harry and Hermione sat in her room, waiting for Ron to return.

"Where could he have gone?" Hermione asked, worriedly. "I hope he's

still talking to us!"

"Yeah, me too," said Harry hopefully. "I don't think I could bear it if he didn't. But it isn't our faults, surely?"

Hermione giggled, then replied, "No, I suppose not!" Then, looking into

his eyes, they were silent. And she kissed him.

*************************************************

Ron tried to find where the voice was coming from, but could not. He was

afraid, but he needed a way out of his awful life. And then it was offered.

"Touch the toothpaste." the voice ordered. Ron touched it, then was

jerked about. It was a portkey.

He arrived in a forest. Not the forbidden forest- just a non-magical,

ordinary forest, but he realised that he was quite far from home, as it was hot,

and damp. A robed figure apparated beside him. It spoke. "If you choose to

follow me, you must speak of it to no one. I shall give you tasks, and in return

for you doing a good job, I shall give you power. Remember that there is no

good or evil, just power, and those too weak to get it. You are not weak. Will

you join Lord Voldemort?"

"I will join you, Lord Voldemort. I will serve you, and serve you

gratefully." he paused. "You are my master."

So what did you think? Please tell me, I won't be too upset if you didn't like it!!!