Harry was about to question Ron further when Ginny opened the compartment door, a blonde girl trailing behind her. "Hey Harry." She greeted him, ignoring Ron "Do you mind if Luna hangs out with us?" Harry glanced at the door and wondered when Draco would be getting back "Don't worry, she's cool" Ginny said, answering Harry's silent question. The two girls sat down and glanced at Ron, his cheeks still wet with tears.
"I'm going to go" Ron said suddenly and quickly exited, Harry jumped up and tried to follow but lost the other boy. Heading back he bumped into Hermione and Draco.
"Harry, what are you doing?" Hermione asked "Trying to follow Ron," Harry replied.
"Why?" "He came and talked to me, told me some things, but he then he left," Harry sighed "I'll explain later." The trio silently returned to their compartment and sat down. Draco glared at Luna, obviously not happy with her presence. Luna just stared vacantly out of the window ignoring Draco's death glares. Harry sat quietly wondering what exactly had happened to Ron, it seemed their suspicions of Voldermorts involvement were correct, he had been in contact with Ron, but what exactly had happened? The compartment stayed quiet for most of the journey to Hogwarts. Ginny had eventually dozed off, her head leaning against Hermione's shoulder. Luna's gaze was still fixed, unmoving from the window. As the train approached the station Hermione nudged Ginny awake, Harry gave Draco a quick kiss before he disappeared to join up with his fellow Slytherians. Hermione, Harry, Luna and Ginny hurried off the train and piled into a coach together for the last leg of the journey to Hogwarts. Harry was still bothered by what Ron had told him. When and why had Ron spoken to Voldermort, it was a chilling thought.
"Stop looking so glum Harry." Hermione smiled at her friend "Just enjoy the feast tonight and I promise I'll help you look for him later."
Harry sat in the common room. Hermione was dozing in a chair by the fire, it was nearing midnight and Harry had still not seen Ron since dinner. Ron had arrived late and sat as far away from Harry as possible and then disappeared. Hermione had been helping Harry in the attempt to track him down but Ron was remaining elusive. There were footsteps on the stairs and Ginny appeared in the common room.
"Hey Harry." She said softly, sitting in the chair next to him "No luck?" Harry sighed "No, I'm worried Ginny, I want to know what he was talking about." Ginny looked at Harry "I doubt he would have spoken directly to Voldermort, it seems a little risky even if he is gaining strength." She sighed "I don't think he wants to talk to you anymore, maybe you should just go to bed" Ginny then stood up and went and woke Hermione "Come on babe, you should be in bed" "Going to join me?" Hermione asked sleepily "Of course" Ginny whispered, waving goodnight to Harry as she her Hermione left for bed.
Harry sat in the common room wondering if it would be best to wait till Ron was read to speak to him when suddenly Ron entered the common room.
"I'm sorry Harry" he whispered and appeared to be on the verge of tears "It's ok" Harry really wanted to avoid another bout of tears; "Why don't you come sit and tell me what happened" Ron nodded and took a seat. "You said Voldermort spoke to you, what happened?" "It was a dream, but it didn't seem like a dream, I thought it was real. I was brought in front of him in a great hall, death eaters lining each side and he called to me and told me I must join him." Tears had started streaming down Ron's face and he was shaking "He said I was just like him, so much hate, so much anger, he told me I would make a fantastic death eater. I screamed at him 'NO' and then I woke up, I'm sorry Harry I realise how awful and cruel I was to everyone, to Hermione and Ginny, my best friend and my sister and I got so caught up in my hate, it was horrible Harry, I don't want to be like him, I'm not evil" Ron sobbed and Harry awkwardly patted him on the back "It'll be ok Ron, it's ok"
Draco sat scowling at Crabbe and Goyle who were proudly examining one another's dark marks.
"Let's see yours Draco" Crabbe asked eagerly "Piss Off" Draco growled at them "This isn't some pissing contest, this stuff is serious, and I'm not letting myself get caught with that mark or Dumbledore will be all over me like a rash" It itched, it didn't itch like normal, it felt like an actual piece of evil knawing away at his flesh, slowly eating away at him. Draco wanted to scratch it, wanted to remove it. But he knew it would not come off; he knew he simply could not let it corrupt him. He was better than his father, than his generations of pure blood bigotry. He was better than Crabbe and Goyle, in many ways. He deserved Harry and would be there to help his lover in anyway he could. The dark mark itched and he knew he could use it to help Harry. "I'm going to go see Snape" He announced "Why?" Crabbe asked dumbfounded "None of your bloody business you twat" Draco stormed off, a plan was starting to formulate in his mind and Severus Snape was just the man to help.
Harry sat staring at the canopy above his bed. Ron had finally fallen asleep and his snores drifted across the dorm room to Harry's ears. Harry rolled onto his side and wondered how long it would be until Voldermort summoned him, Harry somehow knew Voldermort would first come to him like he did to Ron, and would most likely ask him to join. There was a strong link between the two Wizards and Harry knew there was darkness, both his own human darkness and Voldermorts evil, inside him. But he was stronger than that, even Ron who had seemed so angry and evil had rejected Voldermort and reverted into a blubbering mess. Deep down Ron was a good person despite his own prejudice. Harry tried to look deep inside him for some bright light, but it seemed there was only swelling lava of black. It depressed him to think of such things so Harry closed his eyes tight and focused on his parents and how he would avenge them when the time came, even if he wasn't good deep down he would not join the man who killed his family.