Guilt and Innocence

Ron sat down on one of the two chairs in the room, he had always loved being in this room as it gave him the power. When Death Eaters were brought in he would sit here and question them for hours trying to weasel some information from them. Sometimes he would be successful but if not they would be sent to Tonks to carry on.

Today though was going to be different he wasn't going to be trying to get information he would be trying to convince the prisoner to join him and fight the evil. A strange sensation took over his stomach he didn't want to admit it but he was scared.

This was one of those circumstances that he didn't want to admit real he hadn't seen this prisoner in five years since he had stood in the witness box at his trail and helped to send him to this place, he knew though that this wasn't going to be the man he had once shared things with.

As he was thinking he heard the scrap of the door and looked up to see the prisoner enter. He was dressed in a simple pair of black trousers that muggles wore and then a black and white striped top. His hair hung in his face hiding all features but Ron knew that under it sat bright green eyes still framed by glasses.

Behind him stood Gwyn and Clive two experienced Aurors who had been placed to watch the prisoner, they led him to the desk and forced him to sit. Ron nodded at the two men and they moved to stand outside the door.

Ron didn't move as he looked at the prisoner he was thinner than he had remembered him and much paler but it was still him, he didn't know why but part of him wanted to grab him and hug him as he once had but he fought that sensation and began the questioning.

"Prisoner X do you know why you're here?"

The man shrugged and Ron had to keep hold of his temper but then the man looked up flicking his hair over his shoulders and he caught the smirk that the man wore.

"You need me, always did what can't you defeat Voldemort on your own."

He was staring him down and Ron felt like the boy he use to be watching the hero that was now nothing fighting for everyone.

"Yes we need you. Everyone is falling and we can't do it without you no matter whether we want you or not."

"You want me to stay here and rot don't you?"

"You deserve it, Neville was your friend and you murdered him."

"I didn't, I was framed didn't it ever occur to any of you that it was a good way for Voldemort to get rid of me."

"It was you Death Eater now you will help us."

"NEVER!"

"YOU WILL."

Ron felt his anger of all those years hit him he wanted to hurt this prisoner for still sounding like his friend, he shouldn't be like that but he'd be damned if he fell for his tricks. The prisoner though was watching him closely and Ron thumped the table hard.

"Temper Weasley."

"Shut up prisoner."

Silence flooded the room for a moment before the prisoner spoke again.

"I will not help a world that doesn't trust me Weasley. I'll just sit here and watch you all die because that's what you deserve."

Ron had had enough and thumped the table again climbing to his feet and made for the door.

"What don't you like the truth then Weasley because I will never help you."

He opened the door and slammed it shut behind him. He slumped against it for a moment and looked at Gwyn and Clive.

"Don't let him out of that room."

He quickly moved down the corridor and opened a door two on the left. Inside Hermione was sat with Chambers. Ron quickly took his chair and shook his head.

"He's not co-operating with me, he told me he's going to watch me die."

"Ron what did you say to him?"

"It doesn't matter he's not going to help us."

"Let me try."

Hermione looked straight at Chambers as if asking for him to back her up.

"Miss I don't think you should go in on your own."

"I agree Hermione you can't."

"I'm a big girl I can handle myself. Come on I've faced Death Eaters and even Voldemort I think I can handle Prisoner X."

"This is different Hermione; he's still himself in some ways. He still looks like he use to and he sounds like he did and its horrible."

"I know Ron I don't want to do this but we need him and you couldn't convince him, let me do it."

"But not on your own."

"Ron I'm more likely to succeed on my own than I am if I've got Aurors with me. Let me do this."

"But -"

"Ron look the only other thing we can do is get every single Order member in there and beg him to help or take him against his will."

"I like the second idea."

"No I'm doing this and you can't stop me."

She got up from her chair and moved to the door. Without looking back she opened it and stepped into the hall.