NOTES: This chapter is only in Ron's POV. It got a little too long and I decided that if I added another POV, the chapter would be too long and (maybe) a bit boring. Besides, it'd take more time to finish it and I didn't want to make you guys wait too long. So, here's chapter five!

Ron Weasley always thought little of himself. He was the spare-son of the spare-sons in his family. He was none too bright like his brother Bill or Percy, nor was he dazzling like Charlie or the twins Fred and George. His mother, who always wanted a daughter, had always showed a little too much affection toward his younger sister Ginny. The first few years of his life, before he went to Hogwarts, he spent it trying all his might to best his siblings. He tried to be the better son. He studied harder when his parents weren't looking, sneaking to play Quidditch when his brothers were too busy minding their own business, and even sparing sometime to do the meticulous job of primping himself every morning so he would look presentable. He was reaching the point of desperation that no one in his family took notice of his hard work, when he found out the one thing that he was much better than anyone in his family was.

It was chess, and Ronald was a brilliant chess-player.

And at the moment, his bishop was murdering Harry Potter's king – literally.

"Checkmate," Ron declared with a smirk. "And that marks the third time in four hours, Potter."

It was a week after New Year, and just a few days till school started again. Harry had managed to convince his Godparents (read: Godmothers) that he would be a good boy for the rest of the year if they'd let Ron to come and spend the rest of the holiday with them. The adults agreed without further coaxing, wordlessly admitting to themselves that Harry needed a friend after living an almost-isolated life before he received his Hogwarts letter.

"Ugh," Harry groaned. "How in the world did you manage that? I haven't been beaten in chess for two years, except for Sirius because he is abnormally good when it comes to chess."

"Huh," Ron said, tilting his head to his side a bit. He opened his mouth but quickly closed it again, his ears flushed red. It caught Harry's attention.

"What's wrong?"

Ron shook his head. "It's…nothing."

Harry cocked an eye brow. "No, it's definitely something. I've known you for quite some time now for me to understand that when your ear flushes red, that means you're embarrassed about something. So, spit out, Weasley."

Ron gulped, his blue eyes flirted toward the door where he was well aware where a certain Black was reading bedtime stories for his daughter. The redhead contemplated on lying, but he was a rotten liar. He had no choice but to tell his friend (best friend?) the truth. "Well uh… You said Sirius was very good at chess. I couldn't help but to wonder whether – "

"Whether he'd play with your or not so you can find out who's better?" Harry finished for him, grinning. When Ron nodded his head shyly, he was caught off guard when his green-eyed friend laughed evilly.

"Why are you laughing?" Ron asked, looking a bit scared when Harry only laughed harder. "You're not secretly mentally disturbed…right?"

"I'm perfectly sane, Ron," Harry chuckled, finally his laughter stopped though he was still grinning. "I just thought that it'd be a brilliant idea. I mean, Sirius has always bragged about him being the best chess-player in the bloody universe. Just imagine the look on his face if you actually beat him…"

Then, as if there was a switch, Harry's smile dropped from his face, replaced by a forlorn look on his face. It worried Ron, so being the good friend he was, he asked the other boy. "Harry? You okay?"

"I'm fine," Harry quickly replied, giving a very convincing lie. But Ron Weasley, even though he sucked at lying, he was actually very good at detecting one.

"Mate, you know you can trust me, right? You can tell me whatever it is bothering your mind and I promise I won't tell anyone."

Harry sighed and ran a hand through his eternally-messy hair. "You know Sirius' daughter was just born, right? And I swear, at first, I was really looking forward for her arrival. I even helped the couple to decorate her room. But when she's finally here…"

"You're not so excited anymore," Ron supplied, giving an understanding smile. "I know what you're talking about, Harry. Heck, I've got six siblings back at home who constantly make me crazy."

"It's not really that, Ron. I…I was jealous of Payne. I am jealous of her. I mean, I don't mean to be insensitive or vain or anything, but you should know that for years, it's always been me. I've always been the center of attention. And I don't mean it in a Malfoy-attention-seeking way. What I really meant was – " Harry groaned in frustration, burying his face in his hands. It took him sometime to continue. "What I meant was, I miss their attention. I miss how Sirius would spend hours playing Quidditch with me, even when he was busy with Auror missions or Sacred Council meetings or the Ord- other things. And I miss how Marlene would take me to the kitchen and how we'd cook dinner together with Dorcas. Sure, I still have Remus and Dorcas. But for how long? I heard they're trying to have their own baby. And when they all have their own kids to take care of, where would I be?"

Ron had no idea what he had to say to Harry's confession. He thought having six siblings and almost non-existent attention from his parents were bad. But now, after he listened to Harry, he realised that he wasn't that unlucky after all. At least, even if he had twenty other siblings, Ron wouldn't have to worry about whether he'd be casted aside when there were other babies. Harry had it hard. Being adopted, he would forever fear the time when his Godparents got sick of him and wouldn't want him anymore.

"Well, Harry," Ron finally said. "I'm sure your Godparents wouldn't be that cruel to you. But, if they ever did, just remember that you have me, okay? And Hermione too, I suppose."

The redhead swore he saw tears welling up Harry's green eyes. But when he tried to have a better look, Harry's eyes were free of tears, though they looked rather shiny. "Thanks, Ron. I really, really appreciate it. "

Ron grinned and was about to say something when he saw Harry froze at the sound of a loud chime. His eyes went wide as he looked around wildly around the room. Ron was just about to ask what was wrong when Harry pulled a thin piece of fabric from out of nowhere; an Invisibility Cloak. Harry was given the cloak from an anonymous sender, and when he showed the Cloak to Sirius and Remus, the two nearly had a heart attack. They explained that the Cloak used to belong to James, and they thought that the Cloak was lost when James died. Both Marauders said that they suspected the Cloak was with Dumbledore all along, because Sirius recalled in a letter from Lily saying that James was going to show it to the old professor. When Harry showed Ron the Cloak, who promised he wouldn't tell anyone about it, Ron was mesmerized. Being a Pureblood, he grew up with stories of the Cloak, and how a lot of people were obsessed about it. So, when Harry beckoned him to go under the Cloak with him, Ron was having conflicted feelings about it. Part of him wanted to see how could it'd be to have the Cloak around him, another part of him was scared that Harry was up to something not good. Ron was told by Marlene that even though most of the time Harry showed his Remus-side to the whole world, there were times when his Sirius-side (hah!) would pop, especially when he was feeling particularly mischievous.

In the end, Ron's curiosity won.

"Fine," Ron said. "But if we get caught, I'm blaming all of this on you."

They were just going to get under the Cloak when Dorcas came into the living room, a familiar blonde boy following behind her. Upon the look Dorcas gave him, Harry quickly hid the Cloak under his shirt, creating a huge bump on his front. Ron mentally face-palmed at his friend's stupid move when he caught the blonde boy's eye following Harry's hand. Once she was standing in front of Harry, she said, "Boys, you know this is Draco Malfoy. He's here with his father. And I know you two have the same stupid house-rivalry all Gryffindor and Slytherin have through the years, but I expect you to put that aside and behave, okay? Draco, I expect the same from you."

"Yes, Mrs Lupin," Malfoy muttered, looking at anywhere but the two boys in front of him. Dorcas nodded her head, a small smile appeared on her face.

"Awesome. Now, I'll be with Marlene and Payne, okay? Remus is in there with Sirius. You know the drill, Harry Potter; you may not come in there."

"Of course, Doe," Harry said with a huge smile. Dorcas gave another smile, along with a hand through Harry's messy-hair, before she headed to Payne's nursery, where the little baby and her mother were waiting for the petite Healer.

Leaving the three boys alone.

Ron eyed the young Malfoy, or more like glared at him. He knew how Malfoy's father often made fun of Ron's own father in front of other Ministry officials about his love toward Muggle-related stuffs. Arthur Weasley was well-known for his interest in the Muggle world, especially the technology. Most people never really thought about it, but because of Lucius Malfoy's rather big influence on everyone in the Ministry including the Prime Minister himself, Arthur was looked down on by almost all officials. But Ron silently admired the composure Malfoy had as he stared right back at Ron, a mask of indifference on his face. Harry was quick enough to distract Ron's attention when he felt the tension between the two boys.

"Ron, do you still want us to do it?" Harry asked.

"What about him?" Ron said, nodding his head at Malfoy's direction.

Harry turned to look at Malfoy, who shifted his attention from Ron to Harry. Cocking an eye brow, Harry said, "You know what your father is doing in there, right?"

"Yes," Malfoy drawled, scowling a bit at Harry's tone. "Father was taking me…somewhere when your Godfather's Patronus came and summoned him for a meeting immediately. He had no choice but to take me with him because Auror Black insisted there could be no delay."

When Harry had a contemplative look on his face, Ron realised that Harry was seriously considering on taking Draco with them to spy on the so-called meeting. If it was up to Ron, he'd probably hit Malfoy in the face until he fell unconscious before locking the insufferable prat in a broom cupboard lest he'd follow them. But Harry was raised rather differently than Ron did. He was raised by two Aurors, whose every move was always calculated and had a certain purpose. From the few months Ron were friends with Harry, he noticed that Harry never did anything if he knew that he'd benefit nothing from it. Ron didn't need to read Harry's mind to know what exactly his friend wanted from Malfoy. Ever since the whole thing with the troll during Halloween, the two boys had accepted Hermione to be a permanent figure in their friendship. Being the good friends that they were, Ron and Harry felt entitled to know why Malfoy saved Hermione.

"What if I tell you that I can take us to eavesdrop on the meeting if you'll tell me why you were with Hermione when the troll came?" Harry said.

The look on Malfoy's face was hard to read as he looked at Harry with a slight frown. Ron could almost see the battle waging inside the blonde, trying to decide whether spilling his secrets to his enemies was worth it for a chance to eavesdrop on an exclusive meeting the Council had. The redhead thought Malfoy would say no to Harry's offer, when suddenly, the ever-present mask of nonchalance dropped from that pale and pointy face as Malfoy ran a hand through his sleek and pushed-back hair, a tired sigh escaped his lips and only then that Ron noticed the gaunt boy looked even more gaunt than the last time he was him back at school.

"Truthfully, Potter? I don't know why I helped Granger. Hell, I didn't even know why I went to find her when I heard ginger boy over there made her cry. I just…" Malfoy trailed off, looking lost. Both Gryffindors shared a look with each other before coming with the same conclusion.

Malfoy had a thing for Hermione.

When Ron first met the brunette bookworm, it'd be a lie to say if he didn't find her interesting. All his life, he'd never met a Muggle-born before. Sure, his parents taught him that there was no such thing as blood purity. But growing all his life secluded from other people, who had no idea that magic existed, Ron couldn't help himself when he found himself intrigued. Here was a girl who had no idea that she was special up until she had her letter, a girl who looked at him, the invincible Ron Weasley, with a look people reserved for their idols and such. It would be a lie if Ron said that he didn't think her a bit attractive.

"Potter, Weasley," Malfoy's said suddenly, sounding determined. "I can't tell you why I saved Granger because I don't know too. But believe me when I say that I know why Auror Black called for a meeting tonight."

It was obvious what Harry and Ron decided upon hearing Malfoy's words.

Long story short, the three boys slid under the Cloak and hastily went toward the room where the Council meeting was held, carefully entering the room lest anyone would find out. The room was still considerately empty, with Sirius and Remus being the only ones present. Both of them were wearing the finest dress-robes Ron had ever seen in his life. Sirius was even wearing a fur-coat over his shoulders, looking every bit like a prestigious Pureblood would. Their eyes widened in absolute horror when they saw Remus frowned at the opened hidden door in the corner of the room behind a shelf by the fireplace when they came in. Harry decided that it would be safer if they got in from the secret passage Harry found connecting the meeting room and Harry's own room, the same door he had used to sneak into the meeting since he was seven, after he was sure that none of his Godparents had any idea of the secret passage. They breathed in relief when Remus' attention was distracted the moment the door to the room was opened, and twenty-six people came in, all dressed up in fancy clothes too. It was obvious to Ron that his companions knew everyone who came, seeing that Harry had probably snuck into this meeting a lot of times in the past, and Malfoy being who he was reason enough. But Ron only knew a few of those people. There was his own father, Arthur Weasley, wearing the best robes Ron had ever seen him wearing. Ron's mother was also there, going as a representative of the Prewett family since her brothers' deaths. There was also Augusta Longbottom, taking over her son's place since Frank Longbottom fell mysteriously ill years ago. There were other people who Ron supposed he'd seen when he came with his father to the Ministry, but he really had no idea who most of them were. The person that attracted Ron's attention the most was Lucius Malfoy, who casually went to the seat on Sirius' left.

"Welcome, my fellow Sacreds," Sirius said in a voice Ron had never heard during his stay in the Black Manor. It sounded cold and calculated. He took off his coat and draped it over his seat before lowering himself down on it while Remus slid onto the last empty chair on Sirius' right. It was only when the handsome Auror was seated than everyone else took their seats as well.

"According to the Old Rules, other members aren't allowed to sit until the Head Council has taken his seat," Malfoy whispered. "And since it was first established, a member of the Black family was always the Head Council, what with them being the noble and most ancient family in all of Britain. So, you can say that until a representative of the Black family is finally sitting down, no one is allowed to sit."

"Do shut up, Malfoy," Harry snapped in a hiss. "If you keep talking, they're going to find out that we're here eavesdropping."

Ron nodded in agreement. "Besides, it's scary how you went completely Hermione, going all book-smart and explaining the details about the Sacreds to us."

Malfoy glared at Ron. "Well, unlike you Weasley, I am smart."

"You bloody – "

"Shut up, you two!" Harry reminded, pointing at a dark-skinned man who stared right at where they were. The three boys held their breaths, afraid that the smallest sound would alert the man. It was very fortunate of them to have Sirius speaking again because the man had no choice but to avert his attention back to Sirius.

"I thank you all for being here," Sirius said, his normally-expressive face was impassive. "I know that this is an unscheduled meeting, but there are some important matters that need to be addressed as soon as possible."

Sirius was about to continue when a man, who bore striking resemblance to Malfoy's best friend Theodore Nott, opened his mouth. "What the hell is Lupin doing here? He is not part of the Sacred."

"He is here because I wanted him to, Adrian," Sirius spat coolly, the tone in his voice sent chills down the boys' spine. "Why I want him to attend this meeting is none of your business."

Adrian Nott, father of Theodore Nott and an old friend of Lucius Malfoy, scowled darkly at Sirius. Ron noticed the other Sacred members snickered silently, even Nott's own friend. The look on Sirius' face told everyone enough that he wanted Nott to apologise to Remus. But before Nott could even consider such a thing, Remus started to speak in his infamous careful and calm way.

"I am here to deliver news that the Ministry wish to exterminate the Twenty Eight Sacred from its existent," Remus said, his face as impassive as his best friend's. "They know the influence the Council has on other Old Families, and they don't like it."

As if on cue, except for Lucius Malfoy and the dark-skinned man who Ron remembered was named Kingsley Shacklebot, all the Council members started to speak at the same in anger.

"That is outrageous!" one man, who Harry and Malfoy identified as Yaxley, exclaimed. "The Sacred Council has been around since the time of Merlin, when there were thirty-five families involved. There is no way for the Ministry to do so."

"Yaxley, you've played a docile kitten to Fudge for too long that you forget the fat bastard is resourceful," Sirius said in a bored tone. "Fudge will find a way to nose his way into our business."

"What do you suppose our move then, Black?" Shacklebot said. "What are we going to do?"

"Kill Fudge and replace him with someone else?" someone said, receiving a murmur of agreement.

"As much as tempting that idea is, I'll have to say no," Sirius with a small grin. "Remus here says that we need to find leverage, all the dirt on Fudge, so when he comes to attack us, we'll have something to blackmail him with so he'll think twice about what he wants to do. And that's where you'll come in, Lucius."

The older Malfoy cocked an eye brow. "What do you want me to do, Black?"

An almost feral look took over Sirius' face as he turned painfully slow toward the blonde beside him. From where he stood, hidden in the dark, for the first time ever, Ron found the two richest Purebloods looked eerily similar to one another. It was only then that Ron realised just how closely related the Blacks and the Malfoys were, so much that almost all of them looked like each other. Beside him, judging from the surprised look on their faces', it seemed like Harry and Malfoy had finally realised it as well.

"I want you to write a written-report on everything you have about Fudge. I want to know everything about him, even the name of his bloody cat. And I am aware of your friendship with our dear Prime Minister, all your dirty transactions with the greedy bastard. So let me warn you to not lie. If I find out you're lying, and I will find out about it, I am going to reveal how you poisoned my fiancee, nearly killing her and my baby."

Whispers began to explode between the Council members. At the same thing, Lucius' stony face looked vicious as he stared bravely at Sirius. "Careful about what you say, Black. There's no prove of your claim."

"The night my daughter was born, Marlene had a huge portion of apple pie. She had been craving for it for a week, but according to both Marlene and Dorcas, there was no bakery available with ready-to-buy pies. Just when Marlene was going to ask the Elves to make one for her, she found a freshly baked apple pie in the kitchen."

"So? You still can't prove it's got anything to do with me."

"Everyone in British wizarding world knows that the gardens of Malfoy estate hold a vast land of apple trees. I remember as well back when we were still at Hogwarts, when I was a first year and you were in your fifth, some seventh year idiots teased you for being a great cook, Lucius. They said that your cooking skills were as legendary as your potion-making. And you were very famous for your bloody apple pies."

Ron felt Malfoy tensed beside him, his grey eyes narrowing at his father, who looked a little paler than his normal colouring, even from where they were. Still, Lucius wasn't backing down so easily. He gave his last ditch at contradicting Sirius and said, "I thank you for your compliments, Black. But I still maintain my previous opinion that you can't pro – "

"You Malfoys wear the same perfume as we Blacks do, and Dorcas claimed she could smell my perfume from an old man who was in the bakery with when she was going to buy the pie for Marlene. And don't tell me it's a coincidence because it's not. It's specifically made for both Blacks and Malfoys, seeing how our families were basically the same twisted clan."

Lucius was at lost for words, and from the way Sirius was smirking, it seemed like he knew Lucius had nothing to say anymore. Finally, the blonde man nodded his head, his face was as better mask of nonchalance than the one Ron ever saw on his son's face. Tilting his head to the side in what seemed like a bit of resentmen, Lucius said, "I'll do it. I'll give you the report withing three days time."

"Brilliant," Sirius said, flashing his white teeth at everyone else. "That is all for today, my fellow Sacreds. Council adjourned."

The three boys waited until everyone had cleared out of the room for them to leave. The whole time, Ron noticed that both his best friend and enemy was awfully quiet. When they returned back to the living room, just in time before Dorcas was there to fetch Malfoy, the blonde haired boy turned to Harry and said something that Ron thought he'd never say in a million years.

"Potter, you and I may have hated each other since the first time we met," Malfoy said uneasily, looking at everywhere but Harry. "But I want you to know that I am sorry for what my father did. I am sorry, and I hope Miss McKinnon and her daughter are all right."