Author's Notes: Sorry the update took so long, but Damos and I hit a rather big wall of writer's block and then forgot about this thing. I just remembered it today, so here is chapter two.

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"Where has my heart gone?

An uneven trade for the real world
Oh I
I want to go back to
Believing in everything and knowing nothing at all

I still remember the sun, always warm on my back

Somehow it seems colder now

Where has my heart gone?

Trapped in the eyes of a stranger..."

Evanescence, "Field of Innocence"

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Chapter Two: Ronald Weasley, Death Eater

"Ron?"

Ron slowly sat up in the darkness, feeling the soft give of a feather bed beneath him. He turned to his side, looking down at the Oh crap, she's barely wearing anything young woman next to him, a sleepy but concerned look on Ron's face. Hell, I'M barely wearing anything and I'm in BED wi—

"Ron, darling, did you have another nightmare?" she asked sympathetically, sleepily. Nightmare? NIGHTMARE? THIS is a nightma-

"Yes, that's all it was…" Ron replied after a thoughtful pause. What? He sighed gently and lay back down in the bed, settling after moments and letting his fiance WHAT! snuggle up to him again.

As Crimaiestas quickly dozed off in his arms again Crimaiestas? Who's… this girl, Crimaiestas? Fiance? he thought quietly ahead… he knew he had to sleep again, the master needed him at the lesson tomorrow Master… what lesson? Surely this wasn't Hogwarts… but it looked to be a bad night again, the nightmares again… Something very, very weird is happening here…

He sighed and hugged the girl, gently if not with true feeling… nightmares… There were some things no magic could keep away forever, not even from the Secret Keeper of the prophecized fate, Ronald M. Riddle, soon to be son-in-law of the Dark Lord Voldemort himself, the true master…

…Wait, I'm going to be the WHA-

A voice hissed, "Sleep, my son."

Ron was out cold before he knew it'd spoken.

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Ron awoke again to find himself alone, sighing. A… dream, a nightmare… the battle, the time-turner, the… fiance, god, Hermione would kill me if sh- He gently turned his head, his eyes slowly turned to the white mask on the dark bedside table. Death Eater mask… in here… I'm… He got up to a sitting position slowly, looking at the mask slowly, picking it up for a moment, before finally setting it down.

Slowly he got up, glancing around the room for a heartbeat, searching, before moving over to the wardrobe. He opened it and picked one of the set of identical all black, high-class, like a uniform- robes, putting it on with stiff mechanical movements A uniform for Death Eaters…I'm one of them? No! I can't be- and quickly nodded, checking his image in the mirror, making final adjustments They fit me perfectly… better than anything back home… god, I look like Draco in his fancy-shmancy tailor-made dress robes…

"Ron, aren't you up yet?"

Though slightly startled, he gave no outward indication, merely turning to see Crimaiestas in similar black garb, her long black hair tied back in an intricate design. She smiled, and a crimson snake tattoo glared at him from her right cheek, flicking its tongue at him as he watched her, strange and exotic, quite a contrast from the cinnamon-brown eyes… The eyes don't fit the face… which somehow seemed to smile both far more gently and far more dangerously than the tight, blood-red lips.

"Oh, so you did decide to get up," she said, smiling slightly. "It's about time. Father wants to talk to you before today's entertainment."

"Alright then." Ron nodded, without smiling back. "I shall go see him now, then." Father… she's…

She suddenly grinned far more wolfishly, a smile that would probably send shivers down many men's spines, though he took it impassively. What's she got that scary grin for? "Try not to delay him too much this time." In a lecturing tone, half-serious and with the sound of something oft-repeated. "I want to get a chance to participate this time, before the festivities start getting… monotonous."

"I'll do my best." Yeah, no delay in mind before a visit to the Dark Lord… He gave her a tight, humourless smile, and walked from the room. Not that it seems I have much choice. He left the door open behind him, walking out into the compound beyond, footsteps echoing with every long stride. I even have Snape's walk now… Double doors, intricately carved and very impressive, were passed through with barely a glance, two Gah! guardian-looking Death Eaters with just as little notice or care.

…I really do fit in here…

A second set of double doors led into an enormous audience chamber. The air seemed to chill slightly as four cloaked figures Dementors… oh god… turned to observe his entrance, but turned away again shortly afterwards as he met their eyeless gaze; their emotion-searing presence barely touching him. I h-hate dementors…

But central to the room was a raised dais, a throne sculpted with the bodies of snakes, silver scales shining, emerald eyes glinting, and in it…

It's him… he'll see right through me, I'm dead…

"Ah, my son." Voldemort crooned, as Ron strode to the stone platform, somewhat slower. Son, now, too? This just keeps getting bett-

"My master and father." Ron knelt on the floor. Why am I going along with this?

"Rise, Ronald," the Dark Lord granted, and Ron straightened to face him. The serpentine eyes bored into his own. "Your sleep was troubled last night."

Oh crap oh crap he knows he can read my mind "Yes." NO! No deny it I'm not here! Has he got me under an Imperius curse? Is that why… has he known all along? Ron paused slightly, tilting his head with a slightly concerned look, but then straightened. "A minor nightmare, nothing more."

"Oh? What did this nightmare involve?"

"I remember little, my lord, save that you were struck down somehow, by a mere child, untrained. It is nonsense." Voldemort hissed quietly, but Ron's face betrayed no smugness, merely stating fact. Haha, yeah, you know it happened, 'dark lord'. It should've… should've happened.

Voldemort's look was dark. "No other memory remains of this… aberration?" he hissed, his voice like a knife being sharpened. This is the aberration. The other world is true.

"None, my lord."

The serpent eyes were worse look away, he'll see than the voice, sharper, more dangerous look away, look away! but Ron met them without flinching, Do you WANT him to kill you! staring impassively back into them.

"You are hiding something from me, my son." His voice fell like the final stone on my unmarked grave to tones dangerously low, but still Ron stared into those eyes, not responding. Look away! Run! KILL HIM if you have to!

Everything stood still for an eternity a few seconds, then Voldemort suddenly started laughing. "You're improving, child. You can keep your little secret. You'll make a fine heir indeed. Come! The entertainment begins."

How did I… why am I still alive… "Yes, master. You know I am always prepared to serve you in whatever way you see fit." He bowed again. Oh god, why do I get the feeling I'm not going to be entertained…

"Excellent, my servant, my son. Attend me." He stood, walking for the doors. What the blazes is going on… why am I here Ron fell into step on his right, slightly behind him at the right hand of the dark lord… and paid equally little notice as the two Death Eaters bowed to the duo then fell into step either side; the chill in the air suggested that the dementors followed also. The group strode through the corridors with a purpose Where are we going and didn't stop until they came to a door, otherwise unmarked.

What is this place? Voldemort nodded to the red-haired boy and gave him a full keyring, from which Ron deftly located the desired key Well, I'm glad my body knows where we are, but why don't I! and fitted it to the lock, turning to Voldemort for confirmation and, receiving the nod, opened the cell wait, cell? Prison cell? door and pulled it open; and at another nod from the Dark Lord, preceded him into the room.

The cell was small and somewhat cramped, and held Oh god, no... but a single occupant, chained to the wall by his wrists Not like this… grease matting his black hair into a wildly disgusting style I won't… bare, rather scrawny chest covered with bruises, and green-gold eyes squinting against the light entering the dark cell, flinching from the dementors, narrowing at the silhouette that filled the doorway.

"You," he croaked in a hoarse voice, staring hatefully at Ron.

"Me," Ron replied flippantly, a smile touching his face that didn't touch his mind. He looks familiar… I know him… it's not Harry, thank god, but…

"Haven't you had enough!" the wizard spat out, but with more despair than any real energy or threat. Ron sneered as he watched the dementors' aura sink into a mind that might have thought itself prepared for one final fight against its captors Final fight, both of us know this is the last…

Voldemort chuckled in amusement at these antics. "Such rivalry," he spoke in a hiss that was almost a purr. "Such a shame today will be your last…"

Voldemort's going to kill him… No! I can't let him die… whoever he is…

"So soon, my lord?" Ron turned to Voldemort. Yes, let him put it off! "I was so enjoying his company, though I do admit he becomes less entertaining with time." He said boredly, apathetically. The wizard had been fun, his struggles pathetic, but there was only so much to do. How can I even THINK this?

"Yes, my son… this one has outlived his purpose. What was it the prophecy stated? Either must die at the hand of the other, that was it, wasn't it, Longbottom…"

Longbottom? Oh god, Neville! If Neville had grown up being trained like Harry, in a world like this… Neville's the one in the prophecy? Ron chuckled darkly to himself, shaking his head at what even the other Death Eaters didn't know Oh, come on, can't I know either? I'm you, why ca-

"Well, your hands don't look too set to do much killing, young man" Oh god, his hands look like they've been mauled by one of Hagrid's pets "so here's to prophecy." Voldemort smiled grimly, putting a hand to his wand, then hesitated, slight worry showing on his face.

…What's he waiting for? He… he's still afraid… if the prophecy somehow transferred… that he might fall… Not endlessly smug, are you, oh dark lord? Ron turned to him slightly, about to say something, but he was gestured back, and a dementor entered the cell with a sweeping finger Oh no… don't do that, you wouldn't—and glided forward onto Neville… Ron got one last look at the terrified stare on Neville's face No, no, no no no no NO! NO! Fight it, ward it off, Harry showed you how, expecto patronum! EXPECTO PATRONUM! and gave a slight frown, twitching his head slightly, and then the dark cloak swirled around Neville and all that could be seen was the final spasms of the body, as the dementor inhaled, then the body fell as almost as still as a corpse as it swept away out of the room once more, the terrified stare locked on Neville's face, softened only slightly as his body's natural functions took over without the direction of a conscious soul, long breaths, slow heartbeats. No, Neville… this is all my fault…

Voldemort laughed. "What a gift that will make for our friends in the wizarding circles… the prophecy is fulfilled! The Dark Lord triumphs!" You know that's bull, Voldemort, you murdering bastard!… "That's today's entertainment… our success is assured! Dismissed!" You cold, callous, evil reptile He gave a triumphant smile and strode from the room, leaving the others to do as they wished. The bodyguards followed with barely a thought, and the dementors soon swept away down the corridor Neville, this isn't fair, how dare they, you weren't even the one but Ron hesitated in the room, staring at Neville for a long moment.

"What is…" What is what, and who cares anyway?

Without warning he turned on his heels, slamming the door shut and leaving Neville to rot in a cell, trapped in a body without a soul it to lock itself, heading back towards his room, nearly running into Crimaiestas as she stepped from her room.

"It's over already?"she asked, sounding most disappointed You're as bad as he is, you heartless bitch that she had missed the fun.

"There wasn't anything left of him. And now there's absolutely nothing left of him. Dementor's Kiss." And apparently I'm just as bad as well…

"Huh. Didn't think he'd do that, what with his talk of the prophecy all the time… I suppose he's not dead, then, just soulless."

"If it helps, it was Father's hand that pointed the dementor to its target." Ron smirked at her ignorance, the one thing he was given priority over her for…

"So be it. What now, then, oh mighty heir to the dark lord?" She smiled and Get away from me sidled closer, a seductive smile on her lips as she stared up at him. Don't even think about it.

"I have my own business to attend to," he said coldly, and gently slipped around her, and strode down the corridor I'm not sure who I'm rooting for here… leaving her standing rejected behind him.

He opened the door to his room, closed it behind him, and tapped the handle with his wand, satisfied that it was locked beyond anyone's ability bar his father himself.

What am I doing? He stared around the room for a moment then settled on the Death Eater mask once more, picking it up again filthy piece of… don't want to touch it, just burn it, I am NOT a Death Eater, I am…

"I know you're there." What! Ron said thoughtfully, to no-one apparently. "I can feel you… you're trying to talk to me. You don't want this to happen. You don't like the mask. Who are you?"

I'm… I'm Ron. I'm RON! The real Ron! You're a phoney, a twisted… a twisted aberration, that's what you are! Death Eater scum, Voldemort's lackey, I'd never be—Ron held his head slightly, falling back against the bed… "What are you…"

Get out of my body, and stop this charade! The dark one won't win! This isn't real!

"…I… don't understand. This is… curious. I will not all-"

I'm not CURIOUS, I'm YOU, and you are NOTHING! I won't let this happen! Give me ba "-ck my body!" Ron screamed suddenly, still holding his head, his face twisted as internal struggle took place.

"I am the dark lord's-" You are nothing, I am- "heir. No mere voice in-" my head is going to- "Ronald Weasley, I am not Voldemort's playtoy, and-" take my place, I will be feared by all and- "worshipped at the side of my master as is proper!" you will not continue this foolishness any longer!

Ron snarled, then seemed to calm somewhat. "You will not have me. I will be the Dark One's heir. Nothing will stop me."

You're weakening. Before you could barely hear me. Now I can speak, I can fight you. Soon I will have you.

"Never."

But despite his words, Ron looked and felt as worried as he could ever remember feeling. Worry was something he had left behind long ago, but this was… this was dangerous indeed.

The voice in his head laughed, sensing the weakness, and he knew he could hide nothing. He settled back on his bed, preparing his mental fortress for a battle from a direction he'd never expected to face…