Chapter 3: Regulus Smythe
Three Months Earlier
Ron looked at his new appearance in the bathroom mirror. His short red hair was now an auburn brown that was curly and long, making its way past his ears. His face was chiseled with sharp cheek bones, but you could barely tell from under the red and brown beard. He was also a few inches shorter. His reflection reminded him of when he, Hermione and Harry had entered Grigotts, right before Harry's disappearance.
"Are you sure you still want to do this?" Hermione was watching him with a look of concern from the doorway.
"Yes." Ron stopped upon hearing his new deeper voice for the first time. "Harry would do it for me if the roles were switched." Ron turned back to the mirror and adjusted his black robes.
"We don't even know if he's alive. What if Malfoy was tricking you, it's Malfoy!" Hermione crossed her arms. She hated everything about this plan.
"I don't know Hermione. Maybe he was. But he's been - been odd lately. When I run into him it's like he bee lines for me."
"He's always done that Ron." Ron could hear the pleads in his girlfriend's voice, but this was something he had to do.
"I know but it's different. He looks at me differently. I can't explain it. And even if I'm wrong, if Harry is alive I might find him." Hermione sighed, she knew her boyfriend was determined and she also hoped he'd find Harry alive.
"If you take the oath, I don't think I'll be able to remove the Dark Mark." Ron looked at Hermione as she held back her tears. Ron hated the idea of having the Dark Mark , but if he was to find Harry it was a fate he had to accept.
"I know." Ron raised his hand to Hermione's cheek and brushed the tears away that had fallen. "I will be as safe as possible, I promise." Ron pulled her into a tight hug. "You'll tell my parents I'm not really dead, right?"
"And that you're a bloody fool." Ron chuckled as he ran his hand over Hermione's bushy hair.
"If I don't find him in three months, I'll come back." Hermione nodded into Ron's shoulder as she held him tight.
~*~*~*
Ron walked back and forth down Knockturn Alley. He had waited over two hours for someone to show up. Aggravated his weeks of stakeouts in Knockturn Alley had been useless. Every Saturday, like clockwork, Lucius Malfoy came to one of these stores. Of course the one week I'm dependent on him he doesn't show, Ron thought.
Ron kicked an empty can down the alley, earning himself a few stares. Just as Ron was about to give up for the night he saw the familiar blonde hair out of the corner of his eye.
He stood tall and cleared his throat before striding over to him with an air of fake confidence.
"Excuse me, are you Lucius Malfoy?" Mr. Malfoy turned to face someone he thought he had never met.
"I am and who might you be?"
"I'm Reg, Regulus Smythe. I just moved here from America. I was told you were the man to find." Ron lowered his voice as he spoke. He watched as Lucius moved his eyes to see if anyone was watching them.
"And why would you need to find me?" He asked sharply. Ron could see in his eyes he had peaked his interest.
"I was told if I wanted to join the Dark Lord I should find you since you're in his inner circle, one of his most trusted Death Eaters." Lucius smiled.
"Indeed I am. When would you like to meet our Dark Lord?" Ron tried to hold back a smile. Lucius was predictable. Make him feel high and mighty and he'd immediately like you.
"As soon as possible."
~*~*~*
Two hours later, Ron was kneeling on the floor in front of a large wooden throne. In front of him sat, Lord Voldemort.
"I've heard about you and your conquest, my Lord. If Britain was smart, it would bend to your will. The Wizarding World in America thinks it's moved forward, letting wizards marry muggles freely." Ron spat in disgust. If he was suspected as a Weasley before, all doubts would be put to rest after this performance. "I wish to serve someone who knows the muggles and mudblood's place." Ron looked up to meet Voldemort's blood red eyes with determination. He could feel him try to enter his mind. Ron let him in, but to the fake memories Hermione had given him for exactly this purpose. Ron had studied the art of Legilimency for months. If he could trick Voldemort, he could trick anyone. Voldemort leaned back in his chair, clearly please with what he saw.
"Lucius show our newest member to his new rooms."
~*~*~*
Ron sat on the edge of his dorm bed, staring at the black and silver mask he held in his hands. He was dressed in his new Death Eater robes awaiting to be summoned for his initiation. He had spent the last three days walking the mansion and getting on Death Eater's good sides. He needed to figure out who could lead him to his best friend. So far, nothing he had learned was turning out useful.
Ron was stirred out of his thoughts when a Death Eater he recognized, but could not name, came to get him. The two silently walked to the grand banquet hall. The thought of the feasts at Hogwarts came to mind as they walked through the hall. Ron came to a stop in front of a few stairs that led up to Voldemort's throne. He and two other candidates knelt in front of a large group of Death Eaters. After a few minutes, the large oak doors opened and in walked Voldemort. Ron could hear the Death Eaters behind him kneeling on the ground.
"My friends," Voldemort's voice echoed throughout the hall. "We come to welcome three more to our ranks. Percival Goyle, Theodore McLeary and Regulus Smythe." Ron's stomach summersaulted as he heard a round of applause come from behind him. Ron missed what was said next, but stood as the others did.
"I pledge my loyalty and my life to our Dark Lord and to the cause. May the pure remain and conquer the untouchables." Ron continued to say the pledge as his stomach twisted in knots. As they finished their pledge, the three new recruits bowed low at Voldemort's feet. Voldemort's smile unnerved Ron, but he had to stay calm.
"Goyle." The new Death Eater stood clumsily before bowing again in front of Voldemort.
"My Lord." He said as he pulled his sleeve up. Voldemort pressed the tip of his wand against Goyle's arm. As soon as he did thick black ribbons came floating out of his wand and wrapped around Goyle's arm. Goyle withered in pain as the black ribbons twisted around him. After a minute the ribbons disappeared, leaving their mark on Goyle. The same happened to McLeary, who cried out in pain as the ribbons tightened around his biceps. Next was Ron. He took a deep breath before walking up to Lord Voldemort. He could feel his heart pounding in his chest, surely if Voldemort touched him he'd feel it.
"My Lord." Ron said calmer than he expected. He lifted his sleeve to reveal his arm. Voldemort lift his wand to Ron's arm. The second it made contact with his skin he felt a warm tingle. The tingle quickly grew to a burning pain as the ribbons flew around his arm. As they tightened, Ron realized they only looked like silk, but actually felt as if they were sandpaper covered in glass shards. Ron bit his lip to prevent any sound from escaping his lips. Through the whole endeavor, Ron kept his eye contact with Voldemort. As soon as the pain was over, he bowed deeply and joined his new place with his fellow Death Eaters.
~*~*~*
Weeks later Ron was laughing with a small group of Death Eater as he walked through the dormitory.
"This is me. Night." Ron nodded his head towards the Death Eaters he was getting close to. They nodded and waved back as they continued down the hall. The second Ron closed the door he cast a silencing charm. He grabbed an empty vase off his desk table and threw it angrily at the wall. As it shattered, he let out an anguished scream. This wasn't working. He knew nothing new about Harry. Nothing! Ron grabbed a book from his desk and launched it with such force, he dented the wall. Ron clenched his fists together and fell to his bed. He screamed into his pillow and thumped his fists on the mattress.
After staring into his pillow for a few minutes, Ron calmed himself. He flicked his wand at the wall and vase, which magically repaired. Ron leaned back on his bed. Perhaps he could use the library here to find something to find Harry? He hadn't a clue where to even start but he was running out of time.
Ron was startled from his thoughts at a knock at the door. He jumped from his bed and opened the door. Immediately he dropped to his knees.
"My Lord."
"Stand, Regulus." Ron quickly came to his feet and looked into Voldemort's face. "You have done well here."
"Thank you my Lord." Ron tried to force the feeling of being happy to the forefront of his mind, in case Voldemort tried to read it.
"As a reward, you are invited to a celebration tonight."
"Thank you my Lord. It would be a honor. What are we celebrating?" Ron hated the crooked smile that appeared on Voldemort's thin lips. He had become familiar with it and knew there was something else to the celebration.
"A birthday." Voldemort smiled before leaving Ron to his thoughts. A birthday? Voldemort's birthday? He did not seem like the type to throw himself a birthday party. Ron's eyebrows knitted together in thought as he prepared for the celebration.
~*~*~*
Later that night Ron entered a beautiful banquet hall. The windows were covered in drapes and rose nearly to the ceiling. There were multiple round tables covered in tablecloths and silver glowing candles. The centerpieces nearly matches the elegant chandeliers that hung above him.
One of the Death Eaters we had grown "friendly" with approached him with a large smile and two glasses of wine.
"You were invited!" He said over the music as he passed a glass to Ron.
"Yes, just today. But the Dark Lord failed to mention what we were celebrating." The Death Eater laughed before raising his glass to the air.
"The birthday of the best kept secret in Britain." Ron followed his hand to see someone sitting on the raised platform. The man was thin and very pale. His black hair was scraggly and long. His beard matched his hair, but was shorter. Ron did not fail to see the chains around his ankles and wrists. Ron dropped his glass.
"Harry." He couldn't stop himself from saying his name out loud. The Death Eater laughed and took a swig of his wine.
"Best kept secret." He smiled before welcoming another Death Eater to the group. Ron did his best to act normal, but kept looking to Harry, whose head was leaning back on the chair. A million thoughts came through Ron's head. He had found him, he had actually found him! But where was he kept and how would he rescue him now that he knew he was alive. Ron was so captured by his thoughts he did not realize the music had stopped. Someone grabbed his elbow and pulled him back as everyone stepped back to make a path. Ron looked to see two house elves pushing in a tray table with a large cake.
Ron's heart somehow sank lower. It was Harry's birthday. He turned to watch Harry try to stand with the chains holding him down. Everyone began to sing but Ron's mouth wouldn't move. He just stared at his best friend. To anyone Harry looked like he lacked any emotion at all, but Ron could see it in his eyes. As the singing stopped Harry sat back down. Someone handed Ron a piece of cake at some point, but he couldn't bring it to his lips.
~*~*~*
Well after midnight, Ron joined the Death Eaters bow to Voldemort as he and Harry walked from the room. A few Death Eaters continued to talk and others left for home or their dormitories. Ron did his best to follow Harry and the Dark Lord but lost them in the crowd. He could hear the rattle of the chains echo, but could not figure out which direction they came from.
A few minutes later, Ron was seemingly the only person awake walking the halls of the mansion. He quickly looked into the banquet hall to see if any last stragglers remained. Noticing no one, Ron ran to a window.
"Expecto Patronum." He whispered as a blue silvery jack Russell terrier came from his wand. Ron lifted his wand to his mouth.
"I found him. He's alive." The terrier flew from the window and into the sky. Ron knew it would find Hermione.
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