Chapter Thirteen: Traitors
"Umm... Harry?" Ron's voice came from behind his bed draperies. They had left Neville in the Common Room with Dean and Seamus on their way through from their meeting in the Head's Lounge. Harry was just about to climb into his bed.
"What?"
"Can we talk?"
Harry paused; something in Ron's voice wasn't... right.
"What's wrong, Ron?" he finally asked as he climbed under the covers, settling down against his pillows.
"Well, I kind of wanted to clear something up with you."
"Clear something up?"
"Yeah..."
"Okay?"
"I kind of thought that this summer... you and Mione..."
"Mione and I what?" Harry prompted, not understanding.
"Well, I think... I think we kind of misunderstood each other."
"What do you mean, Ron?"
"Well, I think that you think that I was asking you about... well, Ginny, when I thought we were talking about... Mione."
"What?" Harry threw back his covers and marched over to Ron's bed, where he flung back the draperies. "You thought that I liked Hermione?"
"Umm... yes?" Ron said, looking at his friend from where he lay.
"Are you insane?"
"No... it's just... Ginny said she saw you two together in the hallway, and..."
"Oh," Harry sighed, losing his anger immediately. "I see."
"And Mione explained it to me when I..." Ron flushed. "Well, I kind of made a bit of a fool of myself... but she explained, and I just wanted to say... well, a couple of things, but most importantly, I'm sorry."
"Sorry?"
"For thinking that you wouldn't tell me... I know... I know you would."
"Of course I would, Ron... I wouldn't keep something like that..." He sighed. "You're my friend."
"I know, which kind of brings up the other two reasons I wanted to talk to you."
"Oh?" Harry sat down on the side of Ron's bed.
"Yeah... because I know that you wouldn't not tell me something like that, I kind of have to tell you..."
"What?"
"Ilikemione..." it came out as one long mumbled word. Ron's ears, cheeks, pretty much every bit of exposed skin, turning bright Weasley red as he said it.
"You what?"
"I like Mione. In that way," Ron said, meeting Harry's eyes. "And... well, she likes me, too."
"I know."
"What?" Ron seemed stunned.
"I know. I've known for a long time that you two liked each other, Ron. Neither of you were ready to admit it, though. I figured you'd figure it out, eventually."
"Oh."
"Yeah. So, are you together?"
"Umm..."
"I mean, are you... is she your girlfriend?"
"Oh, yeah..." Ron flushed again.
"Hmm," Harry grinned. "Convenient, that."
"What?"
"Well, having a private room all to yourselves..."
Ron turned a deeper shade of red, then threw a pillow at Harry.
"It's not like that," he said. "Not yet."
"Well, it had better be a while before it is, mate," Harry said, his voice suddenly very quiet. "She's a nice girl, and I would hate to have to pound you ."
"Uh... right," Ron looked at him, all humor gone. "Same goes, there, Harry."
"What?"
"Well, while I thought you were talking about Mione, it turns out you were talking about my sister."
Harry sighed. "Ron, she's not..."
"You're darned right she's not, so keep that in mind."
"What I meant was..." Harry took another breath, trying to find a way to phrase this that wouldn't have his best friend beating him to a pulp and then never speaking to him again. "Ginny isn't... she's not interested in me."
"Not interested in you? You're mad," Ron said, sitting up. "She's been interested since she was ten."
"No, Ron... she used to have some kind of... well, it's not there anymore. You've seen..." Harry flushed again. "Ron, I know that you think she's completely innocent, but I... she's not, okay? She's... well, not with me, but..."
"Harry," Ron sat up.
Is this where he kills me for slagging off his sister? Harry thought, looking up at his friend of six years.
But Ron surprised him. Shocked him, really. Instead of looking as though he was ready to kill him, Ron looked almost... well, pitying.
"Harry, it's an act," Ron said gently. "She'd kill me if she found out I told you this, but... it's not real. All that.. acting like a tart... it's all pretend. She's convinced that if you think she's completely over you, you'll not run every time she comes within ten feet. It's more important to her that you be her friend than think well of her."
"What?"
"I don't know. Girls think differently than we do, Harry. For some reason, Ginny thinks that as long as she doesn't have someone else, you're going to think she's still got a crush on you, and she hates the way you behave when you're uncomfortable around her. So she puts on an act. Apparently, she's a better actress than I gave her credit for. I guess you've seen her in some... situations..."
"With Ernie MacMillian, and Colin," Harry admitted. "And Terry Boot..."
Ron started to laugh. "I should have known."
"What?"
"Harry, Ginny has been doing this, getting some guys to help her out, so that you don't run like a scared rabbit every time she walks into a room. Did it not occur to you that she was hanging out, apparently being very friendly, with very safe guys?"
"Safe? What the hell are you talking about?"
"Look," Ron grinned. "I'm not sure about Ernie, but Boot and Creevey are both more attracted to blokes than girls, Harry!"
Harry was stunned. Ginny had been putting on an act?
"She decided that if she couldn't have you as her boyfriend, she'd settle for having you as her friend... but she thought she had to prove to you that she was over you. This was the only way she could think of to do that."
"It didn't occur to her to talk to me?" Harry spat.
"Harry..."
"No, Ron... I..." Harry held back what felt suspiciously like a sob. Once again, someone he trusted had lied to him. "I... I like her. A lot. I think I might... and then I find out she's been lying to me? No... oh, no..."
Harry jumped off Ron's bed and strode angrily over to his trunk.
"Harry..."
"Look, I'm sorry, Ron... I just need... I need to get some air, okay? Can we talk later?"
"Sure," Ron nodded. "You want me to come with you? We can head down to the kitchens and get some food..."
"No, thanks. I really think I just need to be alone right now."
"Fair enough, mate. Wake me when you get back if you need to... well, to talk... or anything. And be careful."
"I will."
"Harry, I'm sorry. I thought this would help."
"One would think," Harry said quietly before pulling his invisibility cloak over his head. The only indication Ron had that he had left the room was the opening and closing of the door.
Harry wandered aimlessly through the corridors, knowing that he was reasonably safe from detection under his cloak, but also knowing full well that that damned cat of Filch's could somehow sense him. He went around corners quietly, and made sure that no one was in hallways before he entered them.
Eventually, he found himself heading for the owlery. Hedwig should be there, unless she was out hunting, and he really needed to feel close to someone who couldn't lie to him right now.
As soon as he entered the large, straw-strewn room open to the night sky, he knew he wasn't alone. The straw and droppings on the floor made it difficult to move without making a noise, but Harry moved slowly over to one of the large pillars and stepped behind it.
"I told you to go back to your room," a voice said. "You've delivered your message, now leave me."
Snape.
"You don't order me around," the second voice said arrogantly. "Don't ever think you do. My father knows all about you... and it follows that I know things that I'm sure that you don't want dear old Albus to hear about."
"Draco," Snape said menacingly. "The old man trusts me without question for a reason. You are too young to understand the history... what was used to make it clear he could trust me. Adults value things beyond pride, at times. You are a child, playing in things you do not understand."
"Oh, I think I understand, all right. I understand far too well for your comfort, don't I, Severus?"
"Don't push it, Draco. Your position is not nearly so immutable as you seem to believe it is."
"I know exactly how stable my position is, Severus. Don't fool yourself. But you... you need to reconsider a few things, I think. Remember this, without me, you have no position with our Lord. I am your link, and should I, or my father, become displeased..."
"Like I said, Draco, do not dabble in things meant for adults. You will end up... regretting it. Tell that to your father, and tell him this, as well. It is not my duty or my desire to protect you here, and your arrogance is beginning to endanger you."
Harry heard all of this from beneath his cloak, and hardly dared to breathe when he felt the air move as Snape whisked past, his dark robes flying out behind him as he quickly strode through the door and down.
"Someday, Severus, you and I are going to have words... and then, Voldemort or no, I am going to teach you a lesson you will not soon forget," Draco's low voice came from where Snape had left him standing. Harry considered this for a moment, and then watched as Draco, too, left the Owlery.
Waiting a moment, thinking hard, Harry realized that what he had just witnessed was very, very important. Quietly, in case he wasn't the only one hiding in the shadows, he moved back out of the Owlery and down the stairs. Something needed to be done... someone needed to be told.
Snape was, indeed, not on their side. And he knew everything there was to know about the Order.
My apologies again. I know I haven't been updating as often as usual – I've been pretty sick. I had the flu (thanks to my kids and a birthday party from hell – why do people bring their sick children to birthday parties?), and then, I guess because my immunities were down, I ended up with a cold that has turned into a bronchial infection. Needless to say, I've been sleeping quite a lot. If anyone knows of any home remedies for a nasty cough (which I'm getting heartily sick of), let me know, because even the prescription strength cough meds aren't working. And I'm not a very good patient... at all. As a matter of fact, I've been a right bitch the last week or so.
Anyhow – enough of my sob-story – and on to my reviewers. I know there are a lot of them this time – but I got some really fantastic reviews to Chapter 11 which I didn't respond to, and I really wanted to. You know I love you all --
CQ
PS – for those of you living under a rock and unaware of James Milamber's AMAZING fic, Harry Potter and the Mind Mage, I just wanted to blatantly plug it here, as I was honored by James, who asked me to write a guest chapter to celebrate Chapter 50 of this wonderful story. If you haven't read it yet, GO! NOW! He's really an unbelievably gifted author.
Sabine Strohem-Moss: Glad you're still liking it. No one ever accused Ron of subtlety!
Luka Black: I'm happy you're enjoying it. I'll have to do something about those "alone" moments...
Shotgunn: Oh, no – I'm turning into a bad influence! Go and do your homework, Scott! (Did I sound suitably Molly-ish then?) And Ron's not being stupid – he's trying to be clever... and failing dismally as Ron usually does... And Harry tends to believe what he sees, rather than thinking about things that hurt for too long.
NotYourAverage: I know, I know... I'm NOT a fan of SuperHarry – Have you seen him glowing with power or anything yet? No. Hang in there... my stories generally have a lot of detail that seems superfluous at the time, but it generally comes together in the end. I promise, fluffy romance-y goodness is coming... very soon! As for the "merlin" thing – I just like the sound of it... so much better then every piece of dialogue starting with "Oh My God..." -- I am definitely NOT a Valley girl...
GiGiFanfic: Now, would I go messing with canon, Jeanne? Don't worry about who's going to die at this point. There are much more interesting things to worry about!
Azn-anime-freak11: That is the shortest review that made sense that I've ever gotten. Thanks!
Heather: I'm glad you're enjoying it – I think you'd probably enjoy the Truth series I wrote – read them in order, the prequel (In the Beginning) then The Power of Truth, then the sequel, The Power of Faith, and it will make the most sense... As for the Lupin thing, I don't think Dumbledore particularly cares what the parents think – it was more Moony leaving before he "thought" he'd be run out of town after their third year. Moony is back – because it's Harry's seventh year, and Dumbledore is trying to surround Harry with those who can best help him – Moony knows this.
114ever: We'll see – you're not going to find out anytime soon, though – sorry!
Lizliterarius: To my eternal shame, I made a mistake on canon. See, that's why I have James around... he normally keeps me from making a complete prat of myself, but I added those comments after he'd beta'd that chapter. Silly me...
Madoleine Tolkien: I don't think they're getting shorter... there are short chappies and longer ones... and a few REALLY short ones... but I try to cut off at a logical point in the story... and I try to make up for it with quick updates!
RealityIntrovert: Everyone is so focused on the death line... funny that, isn't it? Strange how it's the same way in the canon prophecy. Andyou know what? You just never know with prophecies, do you?
Sumers Girl: Corny? Come on, this is a H/G romance drama! There are GOING to be corny bits! BTW – did this chapter answer your question about which camp I think Colin is in? Hope so!
XiaoXiao: Ron is rather misguided at times – but I don't think Ginny would have much patience for him in any case!
Merlindamage: "Prophecies are confusing"? You know me too well, my friend. And as to Ginny and Colin dating – are you relieved?
RadcliffeRox24: Yep – I always wanted to do a story based on the effect of the lies and lies by omission in canon... I think that this is something that JKR is going to have to deal with in the last two books somewhere...
Weselan: You know, if it were just Hermione, I think subtlety wouldn't be an issue – but Ron? No way! As for my muse, she tends to come and go based on how well I listen to her... I was fighting her again, so off she's gone, but I'm sure she'll be back as soon as I'm feeling better.
James Milamber: Much to my disgruntlement, you're right... where did that "moon" thing come from, I wonder... I was convinced... oh, well... my point remains, it doesn't HAVE to be Harry, necessarily... we're all assuming that because the main canon characters assume that. JKR has surprised us before. Many times.
Tanydwr: Yes, prophecies CAN be rather tricky things, can't they? Even JKR says that she, and Professor Trelawney, were very careful about how the canon prophecy was worded...
Treck: Sorry about the delay, my friend – I'll try to do better this week!
Xangelic-Beautyx: There you go – maybe not what you were looking for in terms of H/G interaction, but it IS coming, I do promise...
Larna Mandrea: I think one of my favorite things to write with HP fanfiction is Ron's irreverent attitude. He really can be quite witty at times, and the funniest part is that he doesn't even realize it – it just comes naturally.
Kordolin: Thanks – I'm on the mend, at any rate.
Unwrittenlaw: You know, you're about the fifth person who has told me that. That is the highest compliment I think I can get, because JKR is, IMHO, one of the most talented writers out there right now.
UnrealityCheck: Good comments, thanks. You're right – it's not really possible to change how we feel about someone COMPLETELY. But remember that Harry has hardly led a "normal" life until now – and he's at a very ANGRY age, especially for someone with his challenges. But, like most angsty teenagers, anger is fleeting... As for your question about this fic fitting into the "other" world I created with the Truth series... no, it is totally and completely separate.
Starlight698: Umm... okay... I'll do my best. I hope that you don't mind if I take time to sleep between updates?
Life is good: You're welcome!
CQ