Se·duce – 1) To lead astray, as from duty, rectitude, or the like; corrupt

2) To lead or draw away, as from principles, faith, or allegiance

3) To win over; attract; entice

Tempt – 1) To entice or allure to do something often regarded as unwise, wrong, or immoral

2) To attract, appeal strongly to, or invite

3) To render strongly disposed to do something

4) To put (someone) to the test in a venturesome way; provoke

5)To try or test.

"I count him braver who overcomes his desires than him who conquers his enemies; for the hardest victory is the victory over self." – Aristotle

"Opportunity may knock only once, but temptation leans on the doorbell." – Unknown

The Ring had become a prized possession of Harry Potter's, ever since that night he put it on. He always wore it around his neck, relishing in the weight of it against his chest. He didn't even need his invisibility cloak anymore, as all he had to do was slip on the Ring. Mrs. Norris couldn't even see him when he was wearing it!

But, while it might've appeared as a good thing, the Ring had a much darker history than Harry could've ever imagined. Every single day he held it, touched it, wore it, he was becoming more and more possessive, more and more obsessed with it.

You see, while Harry Potter is a great man, a pure man at heart, he was only that – a man. And the hearts of men are easily corrupted.

And there was, after all, a reason that Harry Potter was almost sorted into Slytherin House.

While not extremely ambitious, he had goals – goals that Harry, deep down, felt as though he could not accomplish. Lord Voldemort was more than three times his age, much more experienced, and oh-so powerful. How could a teenager who had only been studying magic for six years ever hope to defeat him?

But yet, Harry felt as though he had to at least try– he saw no way out. That didn't stop him from, in his heart, believing he wouldn't survive the Final Battle.

When Harry wore the Ring, though, his thoughts began to change.

Why couldn't he defeat Voldemort? Was the man that powerful? He was only a halfblood – in fact, he and Harry were quite alike. Very much so. Harry could almost see himself in the Dark Lord's place. Now that he came to think about it, why was he on the light side? Because Dumbledore told him he was? Harry wasn't fond of muggles at all – he hated most of the ones he'd ever met. Why was he willing to risk his life to save them? Was Dumbledore just using him as a tool against Voldemort? Had he brainwashed him into thinking like he did? Were Dumbledore and the Order holding him back? He could be so much more powerful without them, couldn't he? . . .

Not that Harry was the only one affected by the Ring, though. Far from it. Many of his classmates and a few of his teachers were very ambitious as well, with hidden desires and desperate wants that made them easy prey for something so seductive and tempting as the Ring.

When the Ring called Ronald Weasley's name, he heard promises of recognition and fame, things that would set him apart from his many brothers.

When Hermione Granger's name was hissed, she was promised infinite knowledge and wisdom.

When Draco Malfoy caught his glimpse of the Ring hanging around Potter's neck, his pretty blond head was filled with fantasies of freedom from his father and triumph over his enemies.

When Ginny Weasley heard her name being whispered in the back of her mind, she could so clearly see herself married to Harry Potter she thought for a moment it was reality.

When Colin Creevey snapped a photo of Harry, just catching a glint of metal in the picture, he heard promises of a career as a famous photographer.

When Rubeus Hagrid caught himself preoccupied with staring at Harry's clunky new ring, visions of revenge on Tom Marvolo Riddle were still dancing in his head.

Filius Flitwick's name was sibilantly called, accompanied by a tantalizing image of himself – the height of an average human.

There were many more people who heard the Ring's call, many, many more, all over the school. From a few of the little weak-willed first years who were too young to have any ambition or wish other than to make their parents proud, to Lucius Malfoy, who was sent to the school by the Board of Governors, only to find his silver eyes unfocussed as he saw himself sitting in his dark Master's Throne.

But, the Ring's call could only be resisted for so long . . .

"Mister Potter!!!"

Severus Snape's sharp hiss brought Harry's attention back to class. The black eyed Professor smirked meanly, taking great pleasure in having caught Harry off guard.

"Answer the question, Mister Potter," Severus demanded.

Harry stuttered for a moment, desperately looking around the room for some clue as to what the question had been.

"I – I, uh – I don't know, Sir."

Severus's humorless smile was toothy. "Twenty points from—"

Severus . . .

Severus paused. "Twenty points—"

Severus . . . I can give you what you want . . . I know what you desire . . . It will be yours . . .

Severus's mouth was strangely dry and his eyes unfocussed.

Redemption, Severus . . . Redemption for all the sins you've committed, the people you've killed and tortured . . . Forgiveness . . . Severus . . . Severus Snape . . . Professor Snape . . .

"—Professor Snape?!"

Severus snapped his eyes over to Draco Malfoy, shaking his head as if to clear it. "Yes, Mister Malfoy?"

"Are – are you all right, Sir?" Draco asked cautiously.

Severus blinked his eyes several times. "Of course I'm all right, Mister Malfoy." He turned back to Harry. "Twenty points from Gryffindor for not paying attention. Now, everyone get their ingredients."

No one moved. Most of the class was still staring at their Professor as if he might've finally lost it.

"NOW!" Snape shouted.

The class all bolted up from their seats at the same time, scurrying in the direction of the ingredients.

Harry carefully gathered up the moonstone that he needed and was about to grab a few unicorn hairs, but Ronald Weasley's dreamy voice stopped him.

"Beautiful ring, Harry," he said, his eyes intently staring at the gold band.

"Yeah," Harry replied warily.

Before Harry could react, Ron's had darted out and grabbed the ring.

"Thief!!" Harry shrieked, pulling on the chain. Ron pulled back.

"What are you guys doing?" Hermione hissed. "Do you want Professor Snape to take more points?"

"Traitor! Bloody, no good thief!" Harry ranted, gripping the chain. "It's mine!"

"I want it!" Ron shouted, pulling with all his might. The chain snapped, sending Harry and Ron flying into each other.

Harry groped wildly for the Ring, finally resorting to jabbing Ron in the eye to distract him. The redhead balled his hand into a fist and hit Harry squarely in the jaw. Momentarily stunned, Harry finally retaliated with a sharp kick in the shin, but froze when he heard the sound of something metal swiftly sliding across the stone floor.

Realizing he must've accidentally hit it with his foot, Harry frantically pulled himself to his feet, spinning around, only to be met with the sight of Severus Snape straightening back up, holding the ends of the chain together and staring suspiciously at the dangling ring.

"Headmaster's Office," he commanded. "Now."

Author's Note: It's 5:02 AM and I haven't slept . . . but I suddenly got past my writer's block a few hours ago and have been working on this ever since. I'm still trying to get the hang of how the ring affects people (and I'm taking a lot of liberties with it) but if it's completely unbelieveable I'll try very hard to improve it.

I didn't want Ron to be the one to try to take the Ring from Harry, but I thought having someone like Hermione do it was even less believeable, so . . .

Thanks for reading and reviewing!

-snarryvader81 (aka Anna)