Note: I'm glad that so many people seem to be enjoying my little story. Sorry the chapters seem a bit short. I tend more toward writing short fiction and it shows in my longer stories I guess. Anyway the little twists and turns aren't over quite yet. hehehehe.

Chapter 14: A surprise
Ron's thoughts were in turmoil. On one hand he'd never seen Harry looking quite so happy before, but then he'd catch Malfoy grinning and his temper would threaten to boil over. To make matters worse when he owled Hermione (after getting Harry's ok) he got a very nasty shock. She actually seemed to approve of Harry's choice. Seemed to think that under the circumstances Malfoy might give their friend some needed stablity. He hadn't known how to answer that and so he hadn't written back to her. As spring break had been almost over by that time she hadn't seemed to notice. Now they were all back at school, even Malfoy. Ron gritted his teeth. The fact was that even though he'd publicly agreed to a truce he still didn't trust the little ferret. Dumbledore had visited the burrow several times during the break but Ron hadn't felt able to confide his feelings to the old wizard. If he did that sooner or later it would reach Harry's ears and then there would be hell to pay. He didn't feel comfortable talking to his parents for the same reason. That left just one person he might be able to talk to. He surpressed a shudder as he made his way through the dungeons and up to a door with a portrait of a silver serpent on its surface.

The snake glared at him and then spoke. "Password?"

"I. I don't know the password. Could you please tell the professor that I need to speak to him?"

"Very well. Wait here." The snake moved out of sight. A moment later the door swung open revealing the figure of professor Snape.

"Weasley, what do you want?"

Ron forced himself not to turn pale. "I need to talk to you professor. I have a problem." It was almost two hours later when he left the potion master's office, a tiny vial in his pocket. The hard part was done. Or was it? After all he still had to find a way to get Harry to drink it. He sighed.