Well, Sorry this took so long, it was a very difficult chapter to write. And also I have been so busy with planning for my wedding and such, its just been a whirlwind! BUT HERE IT IS! Please R & R and keep me going!

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Chapter Seven: A Moment's Weakness

            The sunshine was very bright out as a tall red haired man walked into the Ministry of Magic. He waved at the guards near the doors and smiled, as he always did. But he had alternative plans today….

Speak with Cornelius first. That old fool has to be the first to go.

(Yes Master)

            A tall man walked up to Ron and patted him on the shoulder. "Well, it's about time you showed your face Ron! How's my boy! How are you feeling?"

            It was his father, Arthur. He smiled at him happily and moved him toward a large table of pastries, breads, and sliced meats. "Ahh, lunch service! Hungry Ron?"

            He grinned at his father. "Starving! But, I must speak with Cornelius first. I have some interesting news about the latest escape of Lucius Malfoy." He grabbed up two slices of bread and put some meat in the middle. He knew he had to keep his strength up, even though his master did not need to eat. Arthur paused as he bit into his sandwich.

            "Hmm, you have? Well, do hurry then son, he is having an awful time at the moment with it."

            Ron patted his shoulder. "Don't worry, I will be helping all of you very soon. I will be back father!" He took his food and ate it as he went up the spiral staircase to the main corridor. Arthur looked behind him, bewildered. "He had never called me 'father' before…." He thought for a moment as he finished his tea. Then he finally decided to follow Ron and see if everything was all right.

            Ron smiled as he passed more members of the ministry and headed straight for the main office. This is too easy, he thought to himself.

            Don't get too confident, we still have to get them all.

            (I won't master. I will use the gifts you taught me.)

            Ron knocked on the door and heard the familiar scratchy voice of the biggest fool in the entire wizarding world, Cornelius Fudge. Ron almost laughed at the sight he was greeted to as he walked in. Cornelius, a pudgy balding man with the same bowler hat he was always known to wearing. He looked up from his desk and motioned for Ron to come in.

            "Ron, old boy, how are you doing? I heard from your father you were recently engaged to a young lady?"

            Ron forced a smile. "Thank you." He closed the door behind and quietly turned the lock, whispering and silencing spell into the air. Luckily for him, Cornelius was somewhat hard of hearing and unaware of it. He moved to the center of the room.

            Cornelius looked up and noticed a strange look on the young man's face. "Something troubling you Mr. Weasley?"

            Ron smiled, this was so perfect…..

            "No sir. Just wanted to let you know that I have information about the Malfoy escape. It seems there has been another problem as well."

            He now had his complete attention as he moved his papers aside on his desk. "Do continue."

            He moved closer, his wand ready in his hand, tucked in the arm of his robes. He still kept smiling at Cornelius. "It seems there is a man who thinks he has become the heir of Voldemort. That he contains Voldemort's soul. That he IS Voldemort."

            It was the minister's turn to smile, even laugh. "You can't be serious my boy! Do you know who this is?"

            Ron fingered the end of his wand handle with anticipation. "Yes, minister, I do."

            He paused, waiting….

            Cornelius eyed him curiously. "Well?"

            "It is me….." he hissed as Voldemort's voice rang through the air from his mouth. He could feel his eyes glowing. Cornelius gasped loudly, almost falling out of his chair. "What in the name of Merlin! Who ARE YOU!"

            He was backing away from his desk now in a panic. Ron could almost taste his fear. "I am who all others fear. My very name makes you tremble Cornelius. You thought you had defeated me? You honestly think I could BE DEFEATED!"

            "No! It, can't be you! Your dead!"

            Ron answered for his master. "He will never be dead in me. We are one and I am here to make sure he will rule once again. You are pathetic Fudge. You will always be known as the man that let Voldemort win. Now, on with business."

            He pointed his wand straight at Cornelius and said in a booming voice, "IMPERIO!" A burst of red hit Cornelius. He tried to fight it, but suddenly the intensity increased and his eyes slid out of focus. He stood there in a trance, unknown to anything except Ron's commands. He was in his total control.

            "What a fool. And he is our fearless minister? Well, I think we can definitely change some things around here, that is for sure. Now, Mr. Fudge, please sit down."

            Without hesitation, Cornelius sat in his chair, eyes still unfocused. Ron handed him a piece of parchment and a quill. Cornelius dipped the quill into the ink well and paused, waiting.

            "Now, write a decree for a handful of Dementors to come from Azkaban and guard the ministry. Mention about possible attacks and Malfoy. That will be enough for the prison. Also, summon a meeting in 10 minutes for every person here. Make sure to have the doors locked and bolted, understood?"

            "Yes master," he droned as he began to fill out the parchment. Ron sneered viciously and laughed. Suddenly he was aware of a noise behind him and a man called out, "Expeliarmus!"

            His wand moved out of his hand and into the air, but his hold over himself and the wand was too strong and he was able to reach out and grab it, turn around and point it at the intruder. His eyes widened as he saw his father from a secret door on the other side of the room.

            "Who are you? What have you done with Ron!" he yelled out as he held his wand, pointing straight at Ron's heart. He was shaking from head to foot, but tried to hold his ground. Ron simply scoffed and waved his hand, watching Arthur's wand arch high in the air and fall gently into his outstretched hand.

            "You were never good at dueling you muggle-loving pathetic excuse for a wizard! I am your son, sad to say for me, but I am sure I can hide that birthright properly some day. Any connection with you is highly embarrassing in any circle!"

            Arthur looked at son with sorrowful eyes. "Why have you done this to me? To the family? To the ministry! Who is controlling you! Whatever it is, you have to fight it son! You are strong, like Harry…."

            This was the wrong thing to say. Ron's eyes flashed dangerously and his anger filled him. "DON'T COMPARE HIM TO ME! HE IS THE MOST PATHETIC FILTH I HAVE SEEN! He will die and quiver in my wake! He will suffer just like all of you will! I will not be defeated, neither will my master!"

            Arthur shook his head. "Who is your master Ron? Who is controlling you?"

            Ron felt Voldemort step in and felt his eyes begin to stretch. The pain was immense but the power behind it was too intoxicating to let the pain stop. He felt his face distort, his eyes becoming more slanted. It was like take Polyjuice potion all over again. But he felt his eyes open and heard Voldemort's voice once again through his lips.

            "Arthur Weasley…… You know who I am….."

           

            Arthur had watched unmoving as his own son's face contorted into that of Voldemort. But how could that be? He was dead! Ron helped kill him! No, it isn't true, it can't be? Someone is controlling him….

            "Whoever you are, you are not Voldemort! Let my son go!"

            "But, Arthur, I don't need to leave him. He came all on his own. He LET me in! He is very loyal to me since I took him away from all his troubles. He even destroyed his stupid little sister for me. Yes, she was a very beautiful creature Arthur. But I loved watching her face melt away in flames even more…"

            "YOU LIE! NOT VIRGINIA! NO! You lie! Not my daughter!" Arthur was now in tears, his hands shaking. "Please Ron! Please fight him! Please tell me she is alright!"

            "Tell him my servant. Tell him what he wants to hear.."

            "She is dead father. But a pile of ash in the wind." Ron blew to the air, curling his lips in a cold smile. Arthur let out a heart wrenching sob, feeling his heartbreak in two. His precious little baby girl had been killed, killed by her own brother.

            "See father, you never cared for me. The last and most troublesome son of yours has become even greater than all of your offspring. I will become the greatest wizard of all time. Yet, that is not good enough for you. I Never Was! Now, one down, only five to go before I am the only one. You will watch all of your children that you ever cared for die by my hand, the one you forgot. The one you despised because I was never the best. I was never on top like Percy! I was never strong or fearless like Bill and Charlie! I was never funny like Fred and George! And I was never artistic and clever like Ginny! I WAS NOTHING TO YOU!!! NOTHING!"

            Arthur was on the floor on his knees, tears streaming his cheeks. Ron laughed at the sight. "Pathetic. You sniveling pathetic excuse for a man! You cry like a baby for a woman! A worthless woman! What kind of man are you?"

            Arthur looked up at Ron. "I am sorry."

            He was taken aback. "What?"

            Arthur looked directly at his son, his eyes never leaving his. "I am sorry for hurting you Ron. Don't let your pain feed him. Let it go. Come back to me. Come back to your family. I love you son!"

            It felt like a knife had penetrated his skull, the pain that filled his head was unrelenting. It was like his heart was raging a battle with his mind. His father's words echoed in his mind, making him feel……sad.

            A moment's weakness….

            He heard the voice of Voldemort. He felt him take over again, pulling his arm up in the air, pointing the wand at his father.

            "You are no longer of importance to us……Goodbye, foolish man……"

            The pain in Ron grew as he heard Voldemort's voice speak to him.

            Kill him now servant!

            (We need him!)

            Don't feel for him, destroy him.

            (He has information!)

            If you don't, I will, and skin him alive before your very eyes! I don't think we need that mess do you my servant?

           

            Ron shook his head. No, Arthur was trying to fool him, he didn't care!

He didn't….

Suddenly he saw a flash, a memory from his past……..

            He was young, nothing but a toddler, about two years old. He had fallen into a mud puddle outside of the burrow and was crying. Fred and George were laughing at him and pouring mud on him as Arthur came up, yelling at the twins. He levitated them and sent them toward their very angry mother at the house. He then looked at Ron, and with a father's embrace, he lifted him, muddy and all into his arms. Ron had never felt more loved and safe. He carried him into the burrow and gave him the best bubble bath he would ever remember, as he kissed him on his tiny forehead…….

            Another sharp pain in his head tore him from the memory, and he felt his arm lift up and pointed his wand at his father again. He let a single tear fall as he said the words that took his father's life. He stood and watched him crumple to the ground, his eyes grow cold. He felt the tear from his eye leave his cheek, the only symbol of his hesitation to follow his master and let his father live.

A moment's weakness……

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Well, I hope you liked it! I know, it was very sad. Well, does Ron still have hope to be turned back? Or had his moment passed? And how will he keep the ministry quiet? Well, I hope to get the next chapter out soon, but please R & R to keep this alive!!!