Shadow of Corruption

IMPORTANT NOTE: Today, it's Hermione's thoughts first, then the passage after the first * is a flashback. Then the next passage after the * is what actually happens when Hermione goes to see Ginny. And you get my point. Inspired by Pygmalion and Artful Facade.

OTHER IMPORTANT NOTE: Story will not be fluffy. Do not be worried about this chapter because Ron and Hermione do love each other. But they don't love each other. And there's something that went wrong in the past. A lot of things actually- it's a mystery Hermione's getting to bit by bit.

Chapter 2- Hermione

Say my name, Hermione Granger, and it brings back school memories to everyone. I used to be the head girl, bossy and know-it-all. Now I just want to know it all. There are so many mysteries surrounding everything. Ron's "traitorous turn", what really happened between Ron and Harry, where Ron is now, the death of Professor Dumbledore and the mystery of Harry's father. Was it really Snape? Or was it the mere ramblings of an old man approaching the gates of death?

So many mysteries to unravel- each in their turn as enticing as the other. Somehow, I think they all whisper to me- for me to solve them. So many mysteries so heavily buried under the burdens of the past. So many natural shocks our flesh has endured, concealed under the years of pain.

What happened to Ron can answer what happened to Harry. Why Dumbledore died can answer why Snape lives on. Who Snape is can answer who Harry is. Where Ron is can redeem the grief I have silently let fall these years. And when that happens, I can find out from myself, what really happened between Ron and I.

Which is why I must find out all I can from Ginny.

My old school friend, who yet hates me bitterly for tearing her family apart- a reason I do not know, yet her family knows of. Practical Ginny, the sunny Ginny who loves her friends and family with the equal passionate fervour so often seen in Ron. Ginny loved Ron a lot too, it seems back then everyone did.

So maybe, I'll just have to accept Ginny's blame.

A tear streaks a silvery path down my face. A stray tear- because I don't cry too much now. It's just not me to cry.

What is it for me to do then? Bury myself in a book, like in my teenage years? Which brings back so many more memories. Of the sun, dawn, a new light shining its rays at Ron and me. Ron's red hair, his laugh and jokes. Ron trying to pull me away from the window ledge, laughing and persuading me to play Quidditch.

Quidditch. I was never good at it. Harry still plays of course, to show-off really. A way to entertain some new important international guests. A good conversation topic at the World Forums from the British Minister of Magic...

I have to know what Ginny knows. The normal me, the bookworm, has already spent one year reading up all that I can about Ron, Snape and Dumbledore. Nothing. Because nowadays, amidst the war, books tell cheery lies.

I wait impatiently for the time to come. To see Ginny again. Maybe after all these mysteries have been solved, then we could be a shadow of what we were back then. A shadow is all I can expect at the present. A fluttering fragile geometric shape.

Funny how Ron always used to describe shadows. As a half dead soul, waiting to catch the other half- like waiting for the Golden snitch. Ron always philosophised with quidditch. I wonder what Ron is doing now. Telling a pack of vicious Death Eaters how Rainbows are God's way of making peace and letting us play quidditch? Having a cup of tea and telling the Dark Lord to vote for the Chuddly Cannons?

I could never imagine what Ron joined a place that sounds so stark and bleak. He's too energetic for the dark side. So why did he go? Harry tells me everyday that there are people there who rape and murder on a daily basis. Harry tells me that over on the other side, it is dangerous, savage and brutal.

I shudder so much when I hear these things. But recently, I am starting to doubt this piece of propaganda. Yes, I am calling it propaganda. Because everything that comes out of Harry's mouth is praise to the light side of our world. I am sure that there are many people who have just been misinformed.

Like me?

I am confused. But I am glad that I am confused. Because to be in confusion, my mind is changing. And because my mind is changing, it is a sign from above. That maybe today, I shall not walk home to a dull companion in failure.

Part of my mind is afraid. Yes, sorely afraid of what I will learn. Perhaps there was some grievous misconduct on my side concerning Ron. Perhaps all those years ago, I did something. Perhaps I said something that made him go. Fragments blow into my mind as it dimly remembers another conversation we once had.

When I was reading, sitting on the window ledge and Ron came. Thinking back, I realise he matured so suddenly that everyone was caught off the handle...

*

A seventeen-year-old Hermione Granger sat on the window ledge, her legs tucked neatly below her nightgown. It was dawn, and the sun had called out to Hermione once again. So, as usual, she had gone to read by its dim yet warming rays.

Soon after, as usual, Ron Weasley came to find his best friend reading in their favourite spot. Hers to read, his to tease.

"Morning Hermione." Ron bellowed into Hermione's ear, startling her extremely. Yet it had been their usual greeting of each other. Still, as Hermione reflected, neither of them ever got bored with it. Thankfully too, otherwise Ron had threatened he would dance around the school naked except for Dobby's tea cosy. Which wouldn't have been a good thing for the poor innocent first-year girls of the school.

"Ron, don't do that again." Hermione scowled, yet burst into a cheery smile a while after. No one could be angry with Ron for very long. Especially herself.

"But Hermione. It's always so funny." Ron pouted, assuming the air of a sulking seven year old. An air which he was very professional at assuming, Hermione pointed out to herself.

"So it's funny to see me tumble down out of the window after getting the worst shock of my life one day is it?" Hermione retorted, with some cheek in her own special way.

"You know I would never do that." Ron replied. "I would never live to see you hurt."

Hermione smiled and looked up from the pages of her book (So what if you can't fly by Squib. Wings). To her surprise, Ron was looking somewhat serious.

"I am serious Hermione. I would never let you get hurt." Ron took Hermione's hand and looked into her eyes somewhat keenly.

Like a hawk that had just ran into Peeves carrying a bucket of red paint.

Hermione looked back into those brown eyes of Ron's and looked away uneasily. "And this speech is coming from a person who tried to recently use a cardboard house-elf looking like it was in distress to lure me into the lake. Thank goodness I wasn't fooled and that you could only draw stick figures, Ronald Weasley." Hermione weakly joked, trying to keep the conversation light. It had just been a simple mechanism. Whenever Ron ever said anything, she always replied lightly.

Hermione sank her head hastily back into the book she had been reading. She was not sure of Ron today. He seemed so serious.

Ron sighed. There was a long pause. The birds, the early diligent ones started chirping. No worms for them however. The magical worms knew the English saying and only came out at night.

"Would you follow Harry whole-heartedly, Hermione?"

Hermione looked up, rather surprised at the question. She paused however, and tenderly looked back into the freckled face of her best friend.

"Harry is our best friend. I think I would give my life for his."

"Really?"

"Yes Ron."

"What if Harry changed. Or what if I asked you to go somewhere with me?"

"Would it be Disneyland?" Hermione asked.

"Huh?" Ron asked.

"Disneyland, the place you were going to ask me to go to. Is it Disneyland?"

A smile. "Could be. They sell good peanuts there."

"Then I would go with you and Harry, Ron."

"Everywhere with the both of us?" Ron asked carefully, hiding some kind of glint in his eyes.

Hermione looked up from her books again. "Everywhere with you and Harry."

*

Hermione put on a heavy jacket, the one that Harry had gotten her once he had been holding a meeting in Paris. Apparently it was an expensive jacket too. With some stupid brand label called Armani. Hermione wasn't one for labels but the coat was unusually warm. Something she might need for the windy afternoon.

She took out her wand and apparated with ease into the Weasley house. Hermione looked around. On the other hand, she shouldn't have taken the coat. Whatever the weather would be outside, the Weasley house was always so warm. Just looking around the mantle place gave Hermione other memories she did not want to remember. Not yet anyway.

Ginny came bustling from upstairs, her wand in one hand, and a silly picture drawn by the House Ghoul's baby brother in the other. Evidently housekeeping.

"Hermione. I'm sorry if everything's a bit messy for you," Ginny began, not sure of the exact tone of voice she should been using.

"There's nothing wrong. I'm sorry for any problems but I thought this time would be best for both of us." Hermione somewhat stammered. "You know, everyone else. They are working." Hermione still sadly referred to the fact that the rest of the Weasleys hated her as much as she sometimes hated Harry. Hermione looked around uneasily. She was also trying to find a corner to fling her coat at.

Ginny saw Hermione's coat. "Here, I'll put it away for you," she offered more gently and took it up to hang on a clothes hanger.

Hermione saw the brief look pass by Ginny's eyes. So Ginny knew it was a gift from Harry too. And whatever the memories, Hermione wondered if the little girl inside of Ginny ever completely stopped loving The Boy Who Lived- a little boy called Harry who had just been as lost as she had been in her second year. "I'm so sorry Ginny." She murmured.

Ginny looked up. She smiled somewhat tightly. "Harry wasn't your fault."

Hermione looked into Ginny's sad, and yet still unfriendly eyes. "But everything else was, wasn't it Ginny?" She asked, her voice barely above a whisper. Hermione blinked her eyes- God; she wasn't about to start a bawling fit in the Weasley house was she?

Ginny took tentative steps forward. "Hermione," Ginny whispered, "Here, let's talk upstairs. We need this so much for our sakes."

Hermione nodded, the once threatening tears now subsided. In a way too, she was curious- here was something. A first. Finally, one step, one clue to the mysteries she was living in.

The two walked up stairs. Ginny first, leading the way. They briefly passed Ron's room. "We never stopped wishing." Ginny replied wistfully to Hermione's thoughts.

"You must think I am a monster." Hermione replied quietly, her determination not to cry wavering.

"We did. But not just you." Ginny's voice starting flowing with emotion as she turned her head away.

The two walked on, each in their own thoughts. Each trying to piece out the other's. One was in doubt, doubt whether to forgive. The other was doubting. Doubting if she could ever be forgiven. Finally, the path stopped. Ginny pushed open the door. A creaking noise followed.

"We need to oil it soon." Ginny said, trying to make conversation. Hermione smiled.

The two girls walked over the floor, covered by dust. No spiders, Hermione nodded. Something the Weasleys did perhaps, in memory of Ron. Hermione turned and looked around herself, until she was beckoned to sit down on some cushions.

Ginny sat too. Next to her, a small box. "I'm so sorry if this isn't what you are used to."

"It's really okay, Ginny. I am the one thanking you." Another pause. Not so awkward because no matter how one girl tried to hate and blame the other, they both loved the same. She as a sister. The other... was a mystery.

"Hermione. I don't thoroughly despise you. But I don't love you either. Because somehow I still blame you."

Tears were about to come, but Hermione managed to suppress them. She nodded. She knew it wasn't in her place to say sorry yet. How could she just say one senseless word and expect to be forgiven.

"So before anything, this is why you should read this." A letter taken from the box.

Ron's letter.

*

Crysanthmum Abbey

London

2003 June

Dear Ginny,

My sister. I know it shall pain you to discover this letter. But remember that your brother is only doing this for the best. Try not to blame anyone for all that will happen. If so, blame it on me. It is my own actions that will cause these changes.

You know, you have heard the news. The scandalous news that Ronald Weasley, best friend of the Great Harry Potter has gone over to the Dark side. I will not deny that Harry Potter is now no more that a great big-headed Cornelius Fudge. I cannot also deny that I have indeed left his side.

Out of mutual disagreements, which I sure the pompous man had suited his mind to forget. In truth, Harry is no longer the person he was, dear sister. You loved him as well as I. But in truth, he has hardened.

I think he is a bastard now. To be precise. Did you ever wonder what everyone else thought of James Potter when he grew older? Like Harry. The words Dumbledore told me. Like Harry. Both only cared for the world. Only cared for the "good" side.

I did join Voldemort. Funny, I always used to be afraid for his name back in school. But don't worry. People misrepresent him; Harry gives false lies about him everyday. Malfoy here, and I are the only two people who go on our own. Not a bad place. The truth can be seen here.

I think Snape might join. He always had a mystery about him. Something to do with Harry. Poor man.

The truth is, sister, I cannot tell in much detail as I still think over it too much. I join because I have been heart-broken. Yes Ginny, you joking and merry brother is forlorn. I know that you will find out, if I don't tell you. Not too unguessable anyway. Who were Ron friends back in school?

I had a talk with Hermione, after the incident with Harry. The one I talked to you about. As I found out, she was taking his side. Not exactly taking his side, but it was I guess, a natural reflex. But the thing is, I think that Hermione loves me more than Harry. But her head thinks more about Harry than me. If I told Hermione to go with me, she would go with me, only if Harry was there.

She still thinks we can still be the Jolly Old Trio.

And there's a bit more. Hermione might change. She might follow Harry more. I'm just his mere shadow. He's greater- much as I hate to admit it- more powerful. I don't want to fight out over Hermione. Harry will entice her with his reasoning. I'd rather...

So I would rather leave than to see Hermione become like Harry. My heart is already broken, Ginny. It does not want to stay to be tortured everyday.

There's not much more I can make myself say. I do love Hermione. Yet it is without reason that I love her. And I think she would want a normal life. I think privately, she understands more of Harry's philosophy.

I don't know.

Maybe I leave so I might leave the pain of loving her.

I know I would love too much. Perhaps she might be afraid of my love. But I love Hermione too much that I do not want to ask her and face rejection. In truth sister, perhaps I didn't love Hermione.

Perhaps it was a hell lot more.

Ron.

*

The rain started and the wind blew about in the attic. And tears of lose and regret could be heard by all.

*

Hope that chapter wasn't confusing for anyone. Please review- I would love to hear your comments concerning all this! By the way, just wondering- if you don't know what to write me a review on- write about if you like it, what you didn't like, was it sad, boring and etc.

Shan- Yes well, don't worry, this story will be continued! Thanks for your review.

Severus Snape- Dear Professor Snape, I did not steal at all. I was inspired by the way they wrote on their stories. As for you, kindly shut up or I'll write about you falling in love with an orgy. I expected better critique on your behalf as a teacher- shame on you :)!

Blank name- Lol thank you. I am extremely happy you like this chapter!

Aja Tres'- Yes, I realised that the end of chapter 1 was extremely jagged and the paragraphs didn't follow through. As a result, I changed the lower half of that chapter immensely, all thanks to you! Thank you for your review. Hopefully, this chapter is a bit better written than the last.

Please- here is the next chapter!

Angela- Yes, I know what you mean and I'm make the love between Ron and Hermione very mysterious. It's not going to be light-hearted fluff really. There's so many mysteries Hermione has to solve for herself.

J- Thanks. I liked your review too! :)

Cherly- Thank you!