Author notes: It looked like I wouldn't be able to release the chapter until likely tomorow, so I figured I'd release something else for the time being.
...
Ron stared down at the sink, a distant looking his eyes. He grit his teeth when he turned back up to stare at the mirror. He'd failed again... And so quickly too. How did he even apparate like that? Was it because of his Phoenix thing? He'd wanted to ask someonebut... He didn't want to push the bastards ego any further up.
He was in the boy's bathroom alone. Notce-me-not charm on himself, which was only really effective as long as no one was actively looking lfor you.
But that wasn't really a problem for him. Who looked for Ron Weasley? When you had the rest of his family to choose from.
"Didn't go well I take it?" A strangers voice suddenly filled the room.
Ron sighed. He would've been startled if that had been the first time.
"You again?" He questioned tired, though there was a small smile on his face.
"Nice to see you too," The man huffed.
That was Barty. He'd started showing up randomly when no one else was there after that Unforgivable's lesson where the professor had tried to teach them how to protect themselves from the Imperius. Only Harry got it. Of course Rodrick was obviously too good to try, no he had to go ahead and skip and of course nothing happens to him! Had he or anyone else tried the same, they'd be helping out in the forest by the afternoon.
He never told anyone about it. He had enough on his plate for others to start thinking he was damaged as well.
It had worried him at first. Until it turned out Barty was supposedly some ghost, he'd really died a long time ago. Maybe he was there to help him.
Apparently he had the same problem with his own father not acknowledging him... Only, it was a lot worse for him, Ron supposed.
Considering he was an only child.
Barty had died because his father never trusted him. Because of some Death Eater's word!
"So what's the next plan?" Barty questioned, an amused look on his face. "Clearly, the cloak isn't enough,"
Ron groaned. "Why don't you give me an idea for once!"
That was the other thing. Barty didn't seem to like Rodrick from all the stories he's told him. Still... The main thing was... Well, it was great having someone that was really on his side.
...