Seated by the Gryffindor-table, Harry witnessed yet another sorting-ceremony take place. Right after the ceremony, Dumbledore announced that their new Defense Against Dark Arts teacher would be Snape, and their new potions teacher was a man by the name Wilfred Jade.

"I would rather have Snape back", Ron mumbled. "That guy will kill us in our sleep if he'd get the chance."

Hermione gave him a quick, annoying look. "Don't be so judgmental, Ronald. Just because he was a Death Eater fifteen years ago, doesn't mean he will slit our throats in our sleep."

"Say whatever you want. I'm not trusting that bloke for one second", Ron mumbled.

"For goodness sake, Ron! Unless you haven't been keeping up, he did join the Aurors for just a couple of years ago."

Harry wasn't sure whether or not he would trust a former Death Eater, even if Dumbledore gave his say-so. He had this experiences with Death Eaters on the inside once before, who said this wasn't an attempt at infiltrate the castle?

Dumbledore slowly glanced over the room. "Before our feast starts, I want to address the increased security here at Hogwarts. As you all know, dark forces roam in the world, trying to penetrate these castle walls at all cost. A member of those dark forces are likely to already be among us. But do not be alarmed", he raised his hands in the air as soon as panic started to spread amongst the students. "There's a suspicion of a certain figure, me and the rest of the staff can certainly track him down."

Harry and Hermione exchanged looks.

"What?" Ron said with a small chuckle.

"It's nothing", Hermione shook her head.

"We have a suspicion that the figure that resides here is indeed a Death Eater – the man known as Spider-Man. The Ministry of Magic have put out an arrest warrant for this man. This man is suspected to be disguised as a student", immediately heads were turned. "If any of you suspect of his presence, alert the staff immediately. Prefects are obligated to search their houses throughout."

Silence fell over the hall.

Harry frowned in confusion; why would Dumbledore do this? Out of all people he would encourage Spider-Man, not despise him.

Hermione looked at Harry with a frightened expression.

Dumbledore broke the silence. "But please, enjoy the feast. Do not let such dark news cloud your mood and judgement."

A couple of days at Hogwarts was all Harry needed to understand that this hunt for him – well Spider-Man – was being taken seriously.

Harry was at least glad that Hermione had kept Ron from searching his trunk and taken the task upon herself to cover for him.

Though it was hard to get to London using the Floo Network, he still managed to stay out of the Aurors range. Their new teacher – Wilfred Jade – wasn't unlike Snape, but at least not as cruel and unforgiving, he even had some sense of humor.

Harry stumbled into the class-room, exhausted from last night.

"Ah, mr Potter", professor Jade exclaimed. "Late again?"

"Yes, sorry sir. It won't happen again", Harry found his spot beside Hermione, who kept staring angrily at him.

"For goodness sake, Harry. This is the third time this week you're late!" Hermione whispered while she kept staring at him like she was about to breathe fire at him. "Your web…"

Harry noticed one of his web-shooters were barely exposed beneath the robe. "I got it, I got it", quickly he managed to cover the web-shooter and hoped no one had spotted it.

"To be honest, I'm not surprised. The security in this day and age is very strict. Even as an Auror off-duty, I have to empty my pockets every time I'm going to the bathrooms. Maybe they're afraid I'll rig the seats with some practical joke again, even after all these years."

A spread laughter was heard in the room.

"Enough joking around, let's get to studies shall we?"

The days went on and on, and the security around Hogwarts started to wear Harry down after a few weeks. It was tiring to be as stealthy as possible when using the Floo Network, probably even impossible with the mess it made.

And it didn't help that the teachers put a lot of pressure on them, when he sometimes barely got any or no sleep at all during the night.

"How many times do I have to tell you, Ron? It's not worth the trouble. The Aurors will catch him", Hermione said as they entered the portrait of the Fat Lady.

"No they won't. Have you seen how fast he is? There's been multiple sightings of him these past days and no spell is fast enough to even come close to him. Don't you think it's time to bring back Dumbledore's Army? Maybe we have a chance at stopping him?" Ron said and raised his eyebrow at Hermione.

Harry scoffed. "Sorry Ron, I'd rather stay alive than chase some crazy guy climbing on walls."

Hermione tried to cover a smile with a quick cough as they sat down in front of the fireplace.

"What the hell happened to you?" Ron stared at him. "I thought you fought for our cause and all of that? Or have Hermione made you soft these past months?"

"I don't think it's worth it, not after what happened at the Ministry", Harry said.

"What are you scared of? You dueled against You-Know-Who and lived! Twice!"

"Barely. So what?"

Ron just kept staring at him, until he stood up. "I'm going to find Lavender", and he was gone.

Harry sighed.

Hermione gave him a caring glance from the pages of her book. "It's hard, I know. But you have to let him know you can't keep throwing your head first into danger all the time."

"Maybe I should just tell him", Harry leaned back in the couch and put his arm over her shoulders.

"It's not a good idea. It will spread like wildfire through the school if he finds out."

"Hermione, I trust Ron. He's my best friend! Why would I keep him out of something like this?"

Hermione looked up at him again. "Don't you notice anything different with him? He's too rash, too clever and gloomy for the Ron Weasley I know."

"Hermione, he did lose his father."

"That's still no excuse to treat your friends like dirt."

"I suppose not."

For a couple of minutes he leafed through the new issue of the Quibbler, but he couldn't simply get Ron out of his head. Hermione was right; Ron wasn't himself.

Ever since his dad died there was something off, like the world was unhinged.

"I'm going to talk to Ron", he put away the Quibbler on the table and got up.

"What?" Hermione immediately grabbed his arm. "Are you even thinking straight? You have no idea what he will do."

"I'm not gonna say a word about that, I'll just have a quick talk with him."

She gave him a firm look and let go of him. "Don't do something stupid, Harry."

"You know me", Harry smirked.

As Harry walked into his dormitory, he saw Ron look out through a window.

He closed the door behind him. No sight of Lavender – maybe he just couldn't find her?

Harry slowly approached him, but as soon as he took another step, Ron turned around with his wand pointed at him, making him jump a little.

"Oh, it's you", Ron put down his wand. "I thought you were too busy snogging with Hermione."

Ron didn't look very good, more like feverish and with his hair in a mess.

"Where's Lavender? You never told me you guys were together", Harry inspected him from top to toe, attempting to figure out what was wrong with him.

"No, yeah. We met last year", Ron mumbled.

"Ron? Are you alright?" Harry approached him.

Ron looked like he was about to pass out, swaying back and forth.

"Yeah, I'm fine."

"You want help to get to the hospital wing?"

"No, I…", Ron lost his balance and would've hit the floor if Harry didn't catch him in time.

"Ron? Ron!"

AUTHORS END NOTES

Originally Harry and Ron were supposed to fight at the end of the chapter, ending with Harry knocking him out. But that felt too sudden and weird so I had to rewrite it.