Disclaimer: All characters are property of J.K. Rowling and are being used
without permission. No attempt has been made to copyright this work. This novel
is purely for the entertainment of the author and readers and is not being used
for profit of any sort.
CHAPTER THREE
Interesting Conversation
"WHAT?!?!?!"
That was all Harry could say.
That was all he could THINK.
It was simply too good to be true.
Harry looked at Ron as though he was waiting for him to break down and tell him that he was only kidding, but Ron just sat there with that devilish grin on his face.
"You heard me right, Harry." he said after letting it sink into Harry's mind. "Snape is not teaching Potions at Hogwart's this term."
Slowly, the same silly grin that was on Ron's face spread to Harry's.
"How did you do it?"
"Oh I had nothing to do with it, unfortunately." Ron said. "It's all got to do with Order business. It's all very hush-hush." Ron's face suddenly got serious. "Now that the public knows that Voldemort is back and that the Death Eaters are roaming around, Dumbledore took the opportunity to insert Snape into their ranks as a spy. After all that business about Malfoy and Crouch came out, there's been a lot of public scrutiny around 'reformed' Death Eaters. A lot of the parents wrote letters to the school saying they weren't too comfortable with one of the Dark Lord's old cronies teaching Potions. Dumbledore's making it look like he's giving Snape some time off so he can clear his name. Now Snape can go back to the Death Eaters as a double-agent without appearing to be too close to Dumbledore."
"How do you know all this, Ron?" Harry asked. As far as he knew, Ron was not a member of the Order of the Phoenix. Although his parents were, Order business was usually kept pretty secret.
Ron started to smile again. "Hagrid kind of let it slip in a letter he wrote me. Once I knew something was up with Snape, I started investigating with a few items from Fred and George's shop. Didn't take much after that to figure out what happened."
Harry found himself a bit torn. He was very happy that he wouldn't have to tolerate Snape this year but at the same time he had to admire the man. He was willingly going into Voldemort's camp as a spy, fully aware of what would happen if he got caught. Not very many people would have the courage to do that.
"So yeah, Harry. I wouldn't worry about that Potions NEWT. Unless Dumbledore can find someone worse than Snape to teach it."
Harry couldn't help but laugh at that. Even though he was a little uncomfortable with the situation, a lot of the apprehension he had about this upcoming term at Hogwarts had suddenly been lifted.
"Any idea who the new instructor is?" he asked.
"Not a clue." Ron responded. "No word on the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher either. But...there's a new NEWT level subject this year. Creation of Magical Devices. I know who's teaching that. Maximillian Wiseacre."
"Wiseacre?" said Harry. The name sounded vaugely familiar to him. "You mean the old warlock that runs the Magical Device shop in Diagon Alley?"
"Nope." replied Ron, reaching for another sandwich and running a hand through his damp hair. "It's his son. He does research at the Department of Mysteries sometimes, Dad has introduced me to him. Nice fellow really, said he'd like to have me in the class. You need an A in Charms and an E in Transfiguration to take the course, so we could get in."
Harry pondered this new information for a moment. He had always wondered how many of the magical devices he'd seen worked. This could be a really useful course. He also noticed how Ron had said "we". Ron apparently expected Harry to join him, which of course he would. Neither of them could imagine spending an entire class period without the other around for moral support.
Talk of classes inevitably led Harry's train of thought to the next logical topic. "How's Hermione doing? You said earlier that she stopped by."
"Oh yeah. The 'Sat on the Cat' incident. Other than accusing me of trying to murder her pet, she's fine. Still going on about her OWL scores and how she ALMOST got an E instead of an O in Runes. I haven't told her about Snape yet, I'm waiting for just the right moment to let her know that I figured out something that she didn't."
Harry smiled. "You're playing with fire there, Ron."
"I know, but it's exciting in a scary sort of way. Anyways, how are YOU doing Harry? You haven't said a word about yourself since you got here."
Harry knew this was coming. He really did not want to talk about his summer. It had been hard. It had been VERY hard. At the same time though, he had finally learned that things never get better if you don't say what needs to be said. Dumbledore had taught him that all too well.
"Er...I've been better, Ron."
Ron's eyes took on a very concerned look.
"Dealing with...what happened....has been difficult. I miss him Ron. It wasn't until he was gone that I realized how little I got to see him. How little I got to ask him. I guess that's what hurts the most...the fact that I'll never get the chance to know him. If I had known him all my life, maybe it would've been easier...I dunno...but the thought of what COULD have been...hurts."
Harry really hadn't meant to say all that, but something about the way Ron seemed so concerned about him opened the floodgates.
"And then I just got paranoid. I've seen death before Ron, but never someone so close to me, unless you count my parents but I was just a baby then. Sirius was strong, Ron. He lived for years in Azkeban, and he ESCAPED. I didn't think anyone could touch him except maybe Voldemort himself. But then...he was just gone. Just like that, a simple little tumble through a stupid ancient artifact. It made me worry about the other people close to me...about you and Hermione. That's why I wrote so many letters Ron. I couldn't sleep without knowing you guys were okay...without knowing that I wasn't going to lose you too."
They sat in silence for a little while after that. Harry felt a little better having spilled his guts, but he was afraid that he might be placing a burden on Ron. Everything he said was completely true though. He was certain that if he were confronted by a boggart today he wouldn't be seeing a dementor...but a dead Ron, just like Mrs. Weasley had.
"I know how you feel, Harrry. Everytime you go to the Dursley's Hermione and I are worried sick, worried that Voldemort might try something else while you're away from us. I can't tell you how cold I got when I heard about what happened with Cedric. But...we're in a war Harry. I didn't realize that fully until my Dad almost died. In war, people die. I've had to accept that my friends may not make it through this...I've had to accept that I might not make it through this. As much as that scares the living daylights out of me, I know that some things are worth dying for."
"Ron..."
"Harry," Ron interrupted, "have I ever told you how much I admire you?"
Harry wasn't expecting to hear that.
"Here you are, 'The Boy Who Lived', the personal target of Lord Voldemort himself...and all you can worry about is your friends. I don't care what anyone says, Harry, you ARE a hero. You don't just play at it. You fight for the things that are important, no matter what it might cost you."
"Ron," Harry objected, "I couldn't have done half the things I've done without you or Hermione."
"Well of course not." Ron smiled. "But we're like the pawns in a chess match Harry. Some pieces are more important than others...some pieces have to be sacrificed."
Something in Ron's voice when he said "sacrificed" alerted Harry. "What are you getting at, Ron?"
"I've been thinking a lot this summer, Harry...about how Voldemort used Sirius to get to you. I mean, it's great that we were able to beat him and all but things could have turned out very differently."
Harry didn't like where this was going.
"Harry, it's just a matter of time before Voldemort tries something like that again, and we both know who's next on the list of likely hostages."
Oh boy, here it comes.
"Harry, I want you to promise me that if it comes down to saving me or beating Voldemort, you take out Voldemort."
Silence.
"Ron...I can't..."
"Harry...Voldemort could kill thousands of innocent people. I'm not worth it. I have a feeling that this war is going to end with you, Harry. From day one you've been defeating him. You're the one that has to live. You're the one that has to end it all."
Harry couldn't believe what Ron was asking him to do. Harry also couldn't believe how close Ron's words had mirrored Trelawney's prophecy...that he was the only one that could kill Voldemort. He was glad he hadn't told Ron about it months ago, Ron probably would have forced him to make this promise right then and there.
"Promise me."
Harry stared at Ron, hoping to find some indication of uncertainty...some sign that he really wasn't sure about what he was asking Harry to do.
Ron's face was stern though, serious. For the first time Harry realized how much older that face looked...still youthful, but definitely not the boyish face that Harry first saw on the Hogwart's Express that faithful day. Ron was becoming a man, and he had made a man's request.
Harry respected him far too much to deny that request.
"Alright, Ron." Harry finally said. "I promise."
"Good," said Ron, looking relieved, "and I promise to try not to get kidnapped any time soon."
Interesting Conversation
"WHAT?!?!?!"
That was all Harry could say.
That was all he could THINK.
It was simply too good to be true.
Harry looked at Ron as though he was waiting for him to break down and tell him that he was only kidding, but Ron just sat there with that devilish grin on his face.
"You heard me right, Harry." he said after letting it sink into Harry's mind. "Snape is not teaching Potions at Hogwart's this term."
Slowly, the same silly grin that was on Ron's face spread to Harry's.
"How did you do it?"
"Oh I had nothing to do with it, unfortunately." Ron said. "It's all got to do with Order business. It's all very hush-hush." Ron's face suddenly got serious. "Now that the public knows that Voldemort is back and that the Death Eaters are roaming around, Dumbledore took the opportunity to insert Snape into their ranks as a spy. After all that business about Malfoy and Crouch came out, there's been a lot of public scrutiny around 'reformed' Death Eaters. A lot of the parents wrote letters to the school saying they weren't too comfortable with one of the Dark Lord's old cronies teaching Potions. Dumbledore's making it look like he's giving Snape some time off so he can clear his name. Now Snape can go back to the Death Eaters as a double-agent without appearing to be too close to Dumbledore."
"How do you know all this, Ron?" Harry asked. As far as he knew, Ron was not a member of the Order of the Phoenix. Although his parents were, Order business was usually kept pretty secret.
Ron started to smile again. "Hagrid kind of let it slip in a letter he wrote me. Once I knew something was up with Snape, I started investigating with a few items from Fred and George's shop. Didn't take much after that to figure out what happened."
Harry found himself a bit torn. He was very happy that he wouldn't have to tolerate Snape this year but at the same time he had to admire the man. He was willingly going into Voldemort's camp as a spy, fully aware of what would happen if he got caught. Not very many people would have the courage to do that.
"So yeah, Harry. I wouldn't worry about that Potions NEWT. Unless Dumbledore can find someone worse than Snape to teach it."
Harry couldn't help but laugh at that. Even though he was a little uncomfortable with the situation, a lot of the apprehension he had about this upcoming term at Hogwarts had suddenly been lifted.
"Any idea who the new instructor is?" he asked.
"Not a clue." Ron responded. "No word on the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher either. But...there's a new NEWT level subject this year. Creation of Magical Devices. I know who's teaching that. Maximillian Wiseacre."
"Wiseacre?" said Harry. The name sounded vaugely familiar to him. "You mean the old warlock that runs the Magical Device shop in Diagon Alley?"
"Nope." replied Ron, reaching for another sandwich and running a hand through his damp hair. "It's his son. He does research at the Department of Mysteries sometimes, Dad has introduced me to him. Nice fellow really, said he'd like to have me in the class. You need an A in Charms and an E in Transfiguration to take the course, so we could get in."
Harry pondered this new information for a moment. He had always wondered how many of the magical devices he'd seen worked. This could be a really useful course. He also noticed how Ron had said "we". Ron apparently expected Harry to join him, which of course he would. Neither of them could imagine spending an entire class period without the other around for moral support.
Talk of classes inevitably led Harry's train of thought to the next logical topic. "How's Hermione doing? You said earlier that she stopped by."
"Oh yeah. The 'Sat on the Cat' incident. Other than accusing me of trying to murder her pet, she's fine. Still going on about her OWL scores and how she ALMOST got an E instead of an O in Runes. I haven't told her about Snape yet, I'm waiting for just the right moment to let her know that I figured out something that she didn't."
Harry smiled. "You're playing with fire there, Ron."
"I know, but it's exciting in a scary sort of way. Anyways, how are YOU doing Harry? You haven't said a word about yourself since you got here."
Harry knew this was coming. He really did not want to talk about his summer. It had been hard. It had been VERY hard. At the same time though, he had finally learned that things never get better if you don't say what needs to be said. Dumbledore had taught him that all too well.
"Er...I've been better, Ron."
Ron's eyes took on a very concerned look.
"Dealing with...what happened....has been difficult. I miss him Ron. It wasn't until he was gone that I realized how little I got to see him. How little I got to ask him. I guess that's what hurts the most...the fact that I'll never get the chance to know him. If I had known him all my life, maybe it would've been easier...I dunno...but the thought of what COULD have been...hurts."
Harry really hadn't meant to say all that, but something about the way Ron seemed so concerned about him opened the floodgates.
"And then I just got paranoid. I've seen death before Ron, but never someone so close to me, unless you count my parents but I was just a baby then. Sirius was strong, Ron. He lived for years in Azkeban, and he ESCAPED. I didn't think anyone could touch him except maybe Voldemort himself. But then...he was just gone. Just like that, a simple little tumble through a stupid ancient artifact. It made me worry about the other people close to me...about you and Hermione. That's why I wrote so many letters Ron. I couldn't sleep without knowing you guys were okay...without knowing that I wasn't going to lose you too."
They sat in silence for a little while after that. Harry felt a little better having spilled his guts, but he was afraid that he might be placing a burden on Ron. Everything he said was completely true though. He was certain that if he were confronted by a boggart today he wouldn't be seeing a dementor...but a dead Ron, just like Mrs. Weasley had.
"I know how you feel, Harrry. Everytime you go to the Dursley's Hermione and I are worried sick, worried that Voldemort might try something else while you're away from us. I can't tell you how cold I got when I heard about what happened with Cedric. But...we're in a war Harry. I didn't realize that fully until my Dad almost died. In war, people die. I've had to accept that my friends may not make it through this...I've had to accept that I might not make it through this. As much as that scares the living daylights out of me, I know that some things are worth dying for."
"Ron..."
"Harry," Ron interrupted, "have I ever told you how much I admire you?"
Harry wasn't expecting to hear that.
"Here you are, 'The Boy Who Lived', the personal target of Lord Voldemort himself...and all you can worry about is your friends. I don't care what anyone says, Harry, you ARE a hero. You don't just play at it. You fight for the things that are important, no matter what it might cost you."
"Ron," Harry objected, "I couldn't have done half the things I've done without you or Hermione."
"Well of course not." Ron smiled. "But we're like the pawns in a chess match Harry. Some pieces are more important than others...some pieces have to be sacrificed."
Something in Ron's voice when he said "sacrificed" alerted Harry. "What are you getting at, Ron?"
"I've been thinking a lot this summer, Harry...about how Voldemort used Sirius to get to you. I mean, it's great that we were able to beat him and all but things could have turned out very differently."
Harry didn't like where this was going.
"Harry, it's just a matter of time before Voldemort tries something like that again, and we both know who's next on the list of likely hostages."
Oh boy, here it comes.
"Harry, I want you to promise me that if it comes down to saving me or beating Voldemort, you take out Voldemort."
Silence.
"Ron...I can't..."
"Harry...Voldemort could kill thousands of innocent people. I'm not worth it. I have a feeling that this war is going to end with you, Harry. From day one you've been defeating him. You're the one that has to live. You're the one that has to end it all."
Harry couldn't believe what Ron was asking him to do. Harry also couldn't believe how close Ron's words had mirrored Trelawney's prophecy...that he was the only one that could kill Voldemort. He was glad he hadn't told Ron about it months ago, Ron probably would have forced him to make this promise right then and there.
"Promise me."
Harry stared at Ron, hoping to find some indication of uncertainty...some sign that he really wasn't sure about what he was asking Harry to do.
Ron's face was stern though, serious. For the first time Harry realized how much older that face looked...still youthful, but definitely not the boyish face that Harry first saw on the Hogwart's Express that faithful day. Ron was becoming a man, and he had made a man's request.
Harry respected him far too much to deny that request.
"Alright, Ron." Harry finally said. "I promise."
"Good," said Ron, looking relieved, "and I promise to try not to get kidnapped any time soon."