Shadows

A/N- wow, you know I am really making rounds on story updates if Shadows is getting done. I apologize for being lazy with this. Let's see…I started this last July, I'd really like to have it done by this July. So, that's my goal. We'll see how it goes. Oh, and this, like last chapter, is not the most exciting…but I am getting there. I just need a little more time to set things up, then I can finally get to the fun scenes ;)

Chapter Twenty-two

Strategic Planning

I surveyed Mark and Melissa with growing distaste. They had long since given up on explaining things to me, and were now focused on attempting to make me believe that this situation really wasn't that bad. All I had to do was view it from a more optimistic standpoint. Right, optimism is precisely the key to keeping myself alive…and be sure to note to sarcasm there, folks.

"…and so, Ron, I think you will see that once you really consider it, life as a spy is not truly that bad. I mean, the pay is good, the company--"

"Is death eaters," I interrupted Melissa, "so therefore, cannot be considered savory company. And the health plan, is…well, nonexistent, as living through tomorrow is not exactly a guarantee."

Mark raised an eyebrow at me, which only served to annoy me farther. I mean, who raises one eyebrow? Raise both of them or just forget about it. "Ron," he began slowly, "I don't think that you are taking this seriously."

"Oh, no, you are reading me wrong. See this, this is my serious face. Notice the stone-like expression, and narrowed eyes. If I weren't taking this seriously, then I would be laughing."

"Funny," Mark commented dryly.

"I thought so. I mean, we all have our gifts in life, and I am lucky enough to have two. Not only am I the sarcastic kind of funny, but I am also the new target of You-Know-Who. Yes, I am just blessed all around."

Melissa sighed heavily. "Ron, can we be serious about this for just one minute? Much as I enjoy your unnecessary comments, there are other things we could be discussing."

"Fine," I said shortly, "consider me solemn. What would you like to talk about first, Melissa? How about we begin with how the hell I'm going to live past my next birthday?"

"Alright," Mark agreed readily, "we can discuss that. For you to survive all of this you need to learn how to think like a death eater. You need to become on of them--in appearance only, of course."

"And how am I supposed to become one of them? Bloody hell, I cannot even look at the dark mark without gaining the urge to vomit. Besides, won't V…Vol…You-Know-Who, find it just a bit suspicious if one day I show up, announcing that I am now in support of him?"

Mark began to look in good spirits for the first time of the day. Apparently, strategy planning is one of his strong suits. "Of course we won't play it off like that. You can come back captive, and after a few days of struggle, begin to really listen to what Voldemort is saying. Pretend as if you are really interested, and act like it all makes sense to you.

"And what's to stop him from just deciding that I make a fitting captive and keeping me there without opportunity for a change of heart?"

"Because he needs your cooperation. You see, Ron, true seers are the one of the few types of magical beings that cannot be manipulated or forced. Their power is solely within themselves, they can receive visions by ways of force…but there are many people who can merely see the future. It is only the true seers that have the power to change what they see, and they may only change the past, present, and future by their own freewill. He needs you on his side, Ron. He can mark you, he can kidnap you, he can kill people that you care about; but at the end of the day, he needs you to want to help him, and his cause."

I sat still for a moment, as that was a lot of information to digest at once. "So, what exactly am I supposed to do if I do get into the dark inner circle? Hang around; inconspicuously ask for signed confessions of overall evil doings?"

The unlikely tag team seemed to be out in full force, as it was now Melissa's turn. "It will not be fun and games for you, Ron. If you can pull this off, you will bring down the dark lord."

"And where exactly are the two of you in this scheme? Neither one of you have explained exactly what you are, and what is in this for both of you."

Mark looked at me uneasily. "We are…complicated. We are what you would call spies, but we do not exactly work for anyone. We have no one to refer to, no one that we gather information for. I worked for Dumbledore at one time, but parted under differences in opinions."

"And?"

"And what?" Mark's irritation was beginning to show, "I told you all that there is."

I bit back the urge to tsk at him. "You forgot the why. Why would the two of you go through all this effort, what is in it for you?"

He glared and turned to Melissa. She took the initiative and answered the question. "We have our reasons. Our separate reasons that is. Mark and I don't actually like each other…just thought I should make that clear."

"Yes," I responded, "one can never have too much clarification." I waited for a moment to see if anyone had anything further to add. When nothing was said, I stood with a newfound decisiveness, "Right then, so if we're done here, I'm going to just go ahead and go."

They both stood immediately. "Go," Melissa voiced, "go where? You are not leaving are you?"

"I assume I am not a prisoner here. I want to go for a walk, is that alright with the two of you?" Without waiting for a response, I made my way to the door and out into the yard. I figured they would be watching from the window, so I made an effort to appear to just be getting some fresh air.

I went back to the woods behind the house, once I could no longer see the house--therefore, ensuring that no one in the house could see me--I leaned against a tree and closed my eyes. I could make myself have a vision, I knew I could. All I needed was to be completely without interruption.

I had the ability to see and change the past, present, and future…I just needed to figure out how to use that to my advantage. I slid down until I was sitting on the ground. How to force a vision…I figured my best bet was to concentrate on a specific place or event.

The first thing that drifted to my mind was Hermione. I wanted to see Hermione. I squeezed my eyes tighter together and pictured Hermione in my mind. Her face took shape against the blackness of my mind. I could remember the exact shade of her eyes, the curve of her mouth, her small nose…in no time at all there she was, a portrait of my memory.

"Where is Hermione now?" I whispered to a force that I could not name. "Where is Hermione? Show me Hermione."

The black background began to lift and was replaced with a room. A pink and white room that I had never seen before. There was a bed in the corner, a bed covered with a mixture of lace and books that had been tossed atop it. And lying in the middle of it all was Hermione. My breath caught in my throat, it was really her. I thought harder and zoomed in on her form to find that she was crying.

My lips felt suddenly dry as I surveyed her shaking form. All of the books surrounding her had the word seer contained in the title, and among the books were magazines and newspapers from the wizarding world. All of which had my name on the cover or front page.

Ron Weasley: Dead or Alive? Sources say there is more to his disappearance…

Ronald Weasley, Death Eater? Is He Being Protected By You-Know-Who?

Harry Potter Accused of Taking Part in Death of Best Friend, Ron Weasley.

I looked away in disgust, she should have had to seen all that. I then immediately felt guilty that Harry was obviously being subjected to media scrutiny as a result of my "disappearance." He did not need that stress added to his life. Maybe I would pop in on Harry next. But, for now…I sat down next to Hermione and tried to brush her hair off her face. The strands did not move, it was only a vision after all, I was only seeing what was happening, and I was not actually there.

Unless…I supposedly had the ability to change what I saw, could I change this? Did I want to? I would just try something simple, I promised myself, I would only attempt to get the hair off her face. That could not hurt anything. Besides, I was sure that it wouldn't even work.

"I want to change what I see," I said strongly. A glowing white ball appeared in my hand. I nearly started laughing out of shock, something had really happened. All I had to do was say what I wanted and it happened…

I leaned in towards Hermione and placed the ball near her face. The offending strands of hair lifted up as if being controlled by static and pushed their way back by her ear. I jumped back in astonishment, it had worked…

My breathing became more rapid, I could really do that, and I could change things! I licked my lips and looked back at Hermione, I could change other things. I went over to one of her newspapers and narrowed in on the one with the headline proclaiming me a death eater. I hovered to ball overtop it and concentrated on what I wanted it to say.

After that act, I could feel myself growing weaker and the vision was becoming fainter. I obviously did not have enough control of my powers to attempt too much…

I allowed myself to slip away, but not without one last glance and a smile at the new headline.

Ron Weasley Loves Hermione Granger, Forever and Always.

A/N- Okay, so the newspaper thing is really sappy…but I couldn't resist! And I know the chapter is somewhat short, but that seemed like such a good place to stop. Again, I apologize for taking so long to update, school had me so stressed, but I am done now, so this will be getting more attention. Reviews are very, very appreciated!