chapter 3: DECEPTON - walking the devil's road

"I assume you've had enough time to explain everything," Lucius had stated. "It is now time we make arrangements for the next few days, before the boys go back to school. Once there, of course, they can work things out for themselves, but until then..." Ron had begun to be very annoyed by the whole 'daily taste' thing. His only consolation had been that Draco had looked equally displeased with their situation. Ugh, Ron had been able to tell that this was not going to be a great year.

"Why don't you just take a couple vials of my blood right now and leave me alone for the rest of the vacation?" Ron had asked crossly. Man, if Hermione were here she'd have a perfect solution, once again, he had thought. That had reminded Ron of his friends. At that moment he was undecided whether he wanted them to find out about this.

At his suggestion, both Malfoys had gotten a slightly queasy expression on their faces and Ron han paused in being frightened and annoyed to be confused. Blood was blood wasn't it? "I'm sorry, Ron," his father had stepped in, "I don't understand it well, but I think the blood has to be fresh." At this, Draco had looked briefly relieved and Ron had known the bafflement was showing on his face.

Draco had seen his expression and crossed his arms, looking belligerent. "What!?" he had snapped. "Have you ever TASTED cold blood? It's disgusting!" Ron had just blinked and refrained from asking why they couldn't just heat it. He hadn't really wanted to know why Draco was some sort of blood gourmet anyway.

They had all argued for a while after that but it had finally been decided that Ron and Draco would just go to Hogwart's a few days early. That way they could get used to things without a bunch of people around and work out some arrangement for meeting everyday, since, obviously, neither wanted to be in the other's company more than was necessary.

And so Ron had found himself at Hogwart's much sooner than expected and shortly after his arrival, his had luggage come. He might have gone home and packed himself but he hadn't wanted to face Harry just yet. It had been a bit embarrassing arriving at Hogwart's in pajamas and fuzzy slippers, but he had just gone straight up to his room and locked himself away anyway.

Over the next couple of days, he and Draco had met a couple of times in the Great Hall and worked out a discreet meeting time and place. During these discussions Draco had remained his sneery self but Ron had worked hard not to let it get him worked up because, really, what was the point? Just after lunch had seemed to be a convenient time to work with and, because apparently about half the teachers at the school knew about the situation, and because he had offered and promised to remain discreet, they had decided to meet in one of Professor Snape's private rooms that he said he rarely used. Ron had been uncomfortable with this arrangement for a while because a large part of himself really did hate Professor Snape, but he had reasoned with himself that Snape had proven to be a good guy enough times to be at least marginally trust worthy, and if Harry or anyone ever asked he could always say that Snape was giving him extra detention or something. That would be plausible enough that they probably wouldn't question it.

When Harry and every one had arrived, Ron had made up an implausible story about needing to get a jump-start on studying. He knew it was a weak excuse and was sure they didn't believe it but he had stuck to it persistently and they had finally given up trying to get the real story out of him. Or at least, he daily hoped they had given up. Sometimes they would surprise question him and it was making him edgy. Actually, what had been harder to explain away was the fact that a plate of spinach appeared in front of Ron every day and that he actually ate most of it. His mother had ordered it for Ron to try to keep him from getting anemic and, despite the fact that he generally felt fine, Ron's very small practical side insisted that she was probably right in this case. Harry was particularly baffled by Ron's compliance in eating the stuff but had yet to connect it to his early arrival at school.

For the past week or so, Ron had been debating with himself, whether or not to tell his friends. On the one hand he wouldn't have to continue to keep such a secret from them. Letting it out would probably be a relief. But on the other hand he couldn't get over the fear that they would treat him differently if they found out. Also, who knew how Harry would react to his 'assistance' of Draco Malfoy. He also lived in perpetual fear that the other students at Hogwart's would find out. So he had kept the secret and his worries to himself and tried to think about it as little as possible.



"I still don't understand why you won't let me use your arm. It would be a lot easier, you know." Draco sat up and Ron began shrugging back into his sweater.

"I told you, marks on my arms are much more visible." Ron scowled. It wasn't fair that he had to cover up and Draco had nothing to worry about. "What do you care anyway?"

"Oh, there's no problem, really. The blood is sweeter there, actually." Draco stood and strode to the door as Ron's scowl deepened. Draco was always saying creepy things like that. He seemed to take delight in Ron's discomfort. "You could always ask Madam Pomfrey for a salve though," Draco said before disappearing out of the room.

"You could always ask Madam Pomfrey for a salve," Ron mimicked in a high, whiny voice before scowling even more fiercely than before. The truth was that Draco was perfectly right and that just pissed Ron off. The problem was, he tried to think about this little "problem" as little as possible and was rather too embarrassed to ask anyone for their help. Bad enough that he had to rely on Snape keeping his mouth shut, though that was probably as much to protect his wonder student Malfoy as anything.

Still grumbling to himself, Ron lugged himself up off the couch and headed for the door. Not really looking where he was going he practically jumped out of his socks upon nearly colliding with the figure that came hurrying through the door. "Gah! You should warn a person before you come charging through a door like that," he spit out at Harry who looked at him, slightly puzzled.

"You ok Ron?" Harry asked.

"Yeah, you just startled me is all." Ron smiled with what he was afraid probably looked
more like a grimace and tried to calm down, doing his best not to think about what would
have happened if Harry had come through that door a few minutes earlier.

"Sorry." Harry grinned. "I just needed to ask you about the potions assignment and Colin Creevy said he saw you going into Professor Snape's office. What happened this time?" Ron wasn't prepared for the question, having been thinking that he had been meaning to ask Harry why he had missed potions. Ron had been partnered with Neville, a trial for anyone's nerves. Thus he was caught completely off guard and for a second couldn't even figure out what Harry was asking about and just stood there, gaping slightly.

"Having failed to pay attention to my instructions, Mr. Weasley added adder's tongue to the potion instead of bat liver and the resulting brew ate threw the cauldron, the table and had started on the floor before I was able neutralize it." The cold voice of Snape came from behind Ron and he jumped before doing his best to put on his most chagrined face. He had no idea why Snape had chosen to help him with this but he hoped he didn't look as relieved at the explanation as he felt. Harry winced in sympathy before ducking his head at Snape's next words. "And why, Mr. Potter, where you not in class today?"

"I wasn't feeling well and Madame Pomfrey excused me," Harry mumbled to the floor. Snape sneered, looking unconvinced but just watched silently as the two boys headed for the door.

Before they had effected their escape however his voice rose menacingly behind them.
"Don't forget, Mr. Weasley, I expect to see you in this classroom after lunch everyday
until we can be sure you've learned the value of doing things correctly."

"Yes, sir." Ron glanced back gratefully at Professor Snape, who was still looking rather
sour, before following Harry out the door.