Lions Breed True Chapter 1

First, this story is obviously AU, but nothing that happens would interfere with canon. Next, Ron will be physically abused, so if that bothers you, please don't read this. Third (and I really hate doing this), I need to explain (briefly) where this story begins. Harry watched the Marauders torment Snape in a pensieve, and wants to talk to Sirius about it. But Umbridge has taken over the school, and the only safe way to talk to Sirius is through her own fireplace. The last night of Easter break the Golden Trio is looking through pamphlets and discussing career options because they're to meet with McGonagall the next day about their career goals. The twins come up to the trio and tell Harry they're going to cause a diversion the next day that will give Harry about twenty minutes to sneak into Umbridge's office and talk to Sirius. Hermione dislikes the idea, scolds the twins and Harry, and appeals to Ron to agree with her. In canon, Ron says it's up to Harry, but my version goes a little differently.

In retrospect, Ron should never have volunteered to assist his twin brothers. Of course, by the time he realized that, it was already too late. One minute he was brooding over career options (it wasn't that he didn't WANT a career, but Ron couldn't think of a single career that he wanted), and the next thing he knew Ron had committed himself to helping the twins with their 'diversion'.

He wanted to blame Hermione, but Ron knew that was unfair. Still, if she hadn't acted so disapproving, then appealing to Ron to back her up, he probably wouldn't have opened his mouth and asked the twins, "You don't need any help, do you?"

Ron had to admit in all fairness to Hermione that the major reason he made the offer in the first place was the conviction that his brothers would not take him up on it. Why should they? They never had before. But this time Fred and George considered him a moment then George said slowly, "Actually, we could use your help. You can create a secondary diversion. Thanks Ron."

Fred clapped him on the back, "We'll fill you in tomorrow. See you later." And with that they were gone. A surprised Ron watched them walk away, then turned to find a grateful Harry smiling at him, and a furious Hermione glaring daggers at him.

Ron whimpered slightly and sunk down in his chair. An angry witch was scary. An angry Hermione was positively terrifying.

"I can't believe you!" Hermione hissed. "You're a prefect! You're suppose to be setting a good example."

"Oi!" protested Ron, "You're a prefect too! And who's idea was the DA?"

"That's different," argued Hermione. "We were making a reasonable stand against an oppressive..., well, an oppressive something. What's the word I want? Administration? Ministry? Alright, a stand against oppression!"

"And if that oppressive something, I'll call it the Pink Toad, wasn't in power Harry would have no trouble contacting Sirius," answered an annoyed Ron. "But Harry needs to talk to him, it's important. Isn't it Harry?" Ron appealed to his best mate.

Harry squirmed slightly. It WAS important to him to talk to Sirius, but he was very much aware it was strictly personal. It wasn't like other times, when he had desperately needed advice or guidance.

"Um, yeah, sure," he replied.

"See?" said Ron, smugly. "I'm doing this for Harry. Besides, I already told my brothers I'd help. I can't back out now."

Hermione sniffed, obviously unimpressed. "I just hope the two of you don't end up regretting this. I think it's irresponsible."

The next morning Hermione was still lecturing both boys on their recklessness, while Ron worried over what he was going to say during his future career meeting.

"Come on Ron," encouraged Harry, "you must have some idea of what you want to do."

"I know what I DON'T want to do," replied Ron. "I don't want to work with muggle artifacts, I don't want to be a curse breaker, and I definitely don't want to be anywhere near a dragon." Ron reflected a minute, "Although I think I'd prefer a dragon to eat me boots and all over spending my life writing pointless, dull papers about the thickness of cauldrons."

Harry grimaced, "Yeah, I think you can come up with a better career than Percy."

"Well, that's giving me a vote of confidence, that is," mocked Ron. "Hey Ron, you're not quite as lame as your brother Percy!"

"Come on Ron," said Harry, "you know I didn't mean it like that."

"I know," sighed Ron. "It's just that I've always thought that no matter how lame I am, at least I"m not as lame as Percy. That's not exactly setting the standard very high though, is it?"

"You're loads better than Percy! What's he ever done?" exclaimed Harry.

"You mean besides being Head Boy? And he had a rather pretty girlfriend."

Ron's own words registered with him, and he gasped, "Harry! Percy had a girlfriend! When he was our age he was snogging a girl! I've never had a girlfriend or snogged anyone. It's official, I'm lamer than Percy."

"Ron, stop being ridiculous," retorted Harry. "It's impossible to be lamer than Percy."

"That's what I thought," agreed Ron, "but apparently I am. A girl wanted Percy as a boyfriend, and was willing to snog him. No girl's felt that way about me. It's sad how resistible girls find me."

"Ron, will you stop making me laugh," begged Harry. "Besides, you don't know. I bet there's at least one girl here who desperately wants to snog you."

"I doubt it," replied Ron, gloomily. "I'm acquainted with mirrors you know."

Harry fought to keep from either laughing, or risking a look at his other best friend who had stopped complaining about his and Ron's behavior to listen intently to the conversation.

"I'm not exactly very experienced with girls myself," Harry humbly pointed out. "The one time I snogged a girl, she cried."

Before Ron could reply his twin brothers swooped up to them, "Ronniekins! Here, take these."

"What are they?" questioned Ron.

"Fireworks, of course, " answered George. "At 5:00 you're going to set them off and hopefully help cause mass confusion. Why, you're not backing out, are you?"

"Of course not!" retorted Ron, stung. "I'd said I would help, and I will. Um, it is safe, right? I won't get caught?"

"Ron," said Fred reproachfully, "would we let you do anything dangerous?"

"Yes," replied Ron, frankly.

George clutched his heart, "You wound us little brother! Seriously, all you have to do is set off a few fireworks and then scram. It should be perfectly safe."

Ron had to admit that it didn't sound too difficult. So he went to the suggested corridor at the appointed time and set off the fireworks. But when Ron tried to scram, he scrammed straight into Warrington and Goyle of the Inquisitorial Squad. Bloody Hell!