A/n: For anyone who wanted more Ron, here you go. Also some from Remus.
(Ron's perspective)
He seemed different, quieter, more withdrawn. Harry had changed during the summer, and it wasn't hard to miss if you knew what to look for. The way he reacted to seeing us at Diagon Alley was the first clue. I wrote it off as being lonely, but it was something different. When the school year started, I heard that he had begun training with McGonagall after regular classes. What few else knew was that he held Quidditch over her head to get her to accept.
As the school year went on, Harry began to become focused on class work, almost to the point he started edging out Hermione. Though he still continued dominating the other seekers, I could tell that his heart wasn't in it anymore. Even now, Harry's mind is else where. It used to be that he would try as hard as he could to beat me, now he doesn't even seem to bother. At first I was angry at this dismissal, but I've come to realize that there is something he's holding back.
What happened to my friend to cause him to collapse in to himself? Harry never wanted to talk anything serious when we were around each other; it was about quidditch or various things that would be funny. I talked to my brothers, but they didn't know anymore than me, less actually.
I could have ended the game easily, but I let it drag on. I would let Harry escape whatever he needed to, after all that's what friends are for.
Once the game was over, I decided to try to get some answers. "Harry, I got some questions to ask you." I indicated that we should leave the common room. Once Harry agreed, we walked outside.
"What's up Ron?"
"That's my question, something has changed and don't deny it." Harry stiffened. "I know that it wasn't recent, it happened before the school year even started."
Harry bowed his head, "yeah, something did happen but I can't tell you right now." He sighed, "I can't explain to anyone what happened, even if I wanted to."
"Why not?"
"I have to. What happened involves a lot of things that would be hard to explain, and I have to wait until a certain time to tell everyone what happened."
I nodded, "I see. So whatever it was, caused this change?"
"In a word, yes."
"So, how can I help? I know you have been training with McGonagall, will you let me join you?"
He smirked at me, "are you ok Ron? You do realize that you're volunteering for extra work that won't help your grades."
I punched him in the arm, "Yea I know, but that doesn't mean I don't want to."
Harry grinned, "Meet me after dinner tomorrow, and be prepared to work."
I grinned as well; I was starting to wonder exactly what I volunteered for.
(Remus' Perspective)
"Come out Padfoot."
I couldn't believe it when Harry told me. Sirius was here at Hogwarts and was innocent. At first I thought Harry was placed under a persuasion spell, but I quickly disproved that. Harry explained what he knew of the events of that night so long ago, and I was amazed that I didn't think of it sooner.
Sirius stepped out of the fog in his animal form. He changed into his human form, worry clearly written on his face. "Remus, I," he began.
"Harry told me Sirius. I know about Peter." Sirius' face instantly relaxed. It seemed as if He had been through a war, his hair wasn't as matted as when I saw him in the paper, but he was almost pain fully thin.
Sirius noticed my gaze, "and this is thanks to Harry. I was a lot worse before." I saw sadness in his eyes that had never been there before, "I felled James when I let Peter take my place. I thought he was happy about being given such trust, it didn't even occur to me that it was because he was a Death Eater." He looked me straight in the eye, "I'm sorry for doubting you."
"And I'm sorry for doubting you. Harry told me Peter was still on campus, he was afraid to move because we might have the map."
"To bad we don't."
I smirked, "oh but we do, Harry loaned it to me to find him. He said that he would like it back when we're done."
Sirius grinned as well. Holding the map, we said together, "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good." We watched as the familiar lines drew themselves across the sheet. Seeing no one near by, we decided to split up, Sirius would ensure Peter didn't get through the tree, I would begin at the top floor and see if I could spook him out.
The hunt was on.
(Harry's perspective)
It had been a couple of days since I gave Remus the map, much to the displeasure of Ron. Ron was actually enjoying the sessions with Minerva, much to everyone's surprise. It seemed that Ron was fully competent, but needed an action oriented lesson style. Ron and me were now spending once a week, Saturday no less, studying under Flitwick on dueling while Hermione focused more on a defensive strategy.
Hermione had begun studying minor healing magic under Pomfrey while we focused on dueling. Her reasoning was "if either of you get hurt, I can repair some of the damage so we could get away easier." Personally I thought it was because she didn't like fighting.
Ron had truly found his niche in dueling. He quickly rose to a new level of ability that had me hard pressed to keep up. Flitwick eagerly asked Ron if he would consider learning dueling as an elective next year. Ron seemed surprised that he was considered to be that good, so he accepted. He would have to drop Divination, but that was no loss. Flitwick told me that it was an elective for people who wished to duel competitively after Hogwarts. It was primarily for sixth year students, but he felt Ron had the natural skill to keep up.
Quidditch practice was picking up as well; our match against Ravenclaw would be necessary to get us back in the running. Wood warned me that I needed to hold off on getting the snitch until we had a fifty-point lead. I smirked and told him I had a trick I would unveil at the match.
The day of the match dawned fairly nice, though I was the only one who wasn't nervous about anything going wrong, as I would be laughing at Malfoy's attempts to shake my concentration.
Wood gave us his usual prep speech, with assists from Fred and George. Once we were on the field and I saw Cho, I didn't feel any sort of nervousness like I did the first time. We kicked off and Cho quickly started to shadow me. I took off, staying slow enough for her to keep up, and suddenly dived. Cho, thinking I'd seen the snitch, came straight after me. We raced neck and neck, and then I pulled up at the last instant, perfect Wronski Feint. Cho it seems didn't pull up in time and now had a broken nose. As I floated next to Wood, he, Fred and George were saying how good a move it was.
Cho refused to quit so the game resumed. I made various feints to pull her off, but she didn't want to follow me any more. Lee had called the score with Gryffindor in a sixty-point lead. I quickly spotted the snitch and took off. Cho hadn't followed me at first, but began too late. I noticed three Dementors walking onto the field and shouted "expecto patronum" and then quickly grabbed the snitch.
After I landed Remus who had a look of shock met me. "Harry how did you cast that, that is a advance spell."
I shrugged before walking over to see what I'd done. Malfoy and his two henchmen were knocked unconscious by the impact. Minerva was looking at them with a look of rage. She was telling them all the things they were about to be punished for. She saw me and smiled, "excellent job Harry, go and enjoy the party."
The party was enjoyable, but I keep thinking about where Wormtail was. Even though I was supposed to celebrate, I just couldn't bring myself to. I sat next to Hermione, who was reading on common healing magic, and watched everyone enjoy him or herself.
A couple weeks later were another Hogsmeade visit. Once everyone left, I quickly made my way to the one-eyed witch and muttered Dissendium. I quickly stepped through it, just in time to hear Snape walk around the corner. As I made my way down the stairs, I cast the Disillusionment Charm on myself so no one would know that I went to Hogsmeade.
After the walk that seemed to take forever, I finally made it to Honeydukes. I sneaked past the owner, and quickly found myself outside. I saw Ron and Hermione walk onto the main street, I moved quickly next to them and said, "so how's everything going?"
Ron and Hermione whirled around to try and find me. "Easy there, people are staring." Hermione said softly, "Harry?" "That would be me," I replied.
"Where are you mate?"
I tapped Ron on the shoulder, "right here. I thought I could do some shopping with your help." Ron looked surprised, "how did you get past the Dementors?"
"I have my ways."
We spent most of the day walking around window shopping. After a while we made our way towards the Shrieking Shack. This was where my knowledge of the future came in handy, as sure enough Malfoy and his cronies showed up.
"Well if it isn't Weasel and Mudblood, looking for a house? I'm sure this place must look luxurious compared to that hovel you," Malfoy was cut off by a chunk of mud hitting his face. I gave Malfoy and his idiot friends credit, they don't back down. Malfoy tried to figure out where the attack was coming from and sent Crabbe to chase after me. I stuck out my leg to cause him to fall on his face.
Quickly moving to Ron and Hermione, "get out of here, if you're around other people then they can't do anything." Hermione nodded and dragged Ron, who was trying to savor the moment.
Once we reached the safety of town, I went back to Hogwarts through the tunnel. I picked up the broom I left there and quickly flew back down the tunnel. After using a cleaning charm and reversing the Disillusionment Charm, I stepped out and returned to the common room.
As I sat there stroking Sirius' head, Hedwig flew through the common room window. I noticed she had two letters attached.
Harry,
Would you and your friends care to join me for tea next Saturday? Simply come down around 3:00 if you can make it.
Hagrid
Harry,
I'm sorry but we have been unable to locate Peter at this time. If you have any idea where he is, it would be most helpful.
RemusI think I need to visit Hagrid with Sirius today.
I'm coming to get you Wormtail.
A/n: Sorry for this taking so long, writer's block is a pain. Next up: Tea with Hagrid, confrontation at the Shrieking Shack: Part 1.
Thanks to athenakitty, Bobboky, captuniv, FeigningInoence, Delta 74, Lady Urguentha, AgnesSophia, Trunks2598, A-man, Locathah, HPfan, TatraMegami, Spezlee, Marquerida, humg321, Shadow Rains, Maxennce, gaul1, C. Rose, Gabwr, and Siripirituas.
C. Rose: It's on a need to know basis, when Harry requires the knowledge, he gets it. His speed in learning is increased because he already knows it: like practicing a skill you already have, it comes easy.
Maxennce: Here's Ron back into the picture, I left him out because he didn't fit into the main scheme of the plot. If I had him there, he would just be along for the ride.
Shadow Rains: yes
humg321: most of the story is in first person. Harry's not really paying attention to what is going on that doesn't take him to his goal. I will be increasing the amount of detail.
Marquerida: what do you mean old? Here's a short thing on Remus.
Locathah: I'll think about it. I hate overt romance, and their thirteen.
FeigningInocence: Your welcome. Thanks about McGonagall and Sirius. Glad you like the romance angle, I read too many with Harry falling madly in love and I just don't see how.
captuniv: Here are two embarrassments for Malfoy.
athenakitty: Ron never fought with them. yes. here is your answer. definitely. next couple of chapters deals with Wormy. you'll have to wait and see.