The Serpent's Snare

Chapter Two

My eyes begrudgingly opened, my vision strained to make sense of what I was seeing. It was like I had entered an alternate reality that made all that was once before my very eyes into shadows swaying like smoke in the wind. Even Granger appeared like some sort of ghost, her features distorted in the constant movement the world was displaying. Sounds grew muffled and a feeling of disorientation began to overwhelm my senses.

I scrambled as far as my throbbing body could take me and I watched as Granger began searching for me, despite the fact I had not left her range of sight. She frantically looked all around; calling my name and allowing apologies spill from her trembling lips. What the bloody hell was happening?

A sudden rush of warmth brought my attention to the ring. It was growing hot, as if trying to brand its very presence upon my flesh but still I refused to take it off. Whatever curse that I brought to life just moments ago, was keeping me from sight and until I knew Granger regained her composure I wasn't about to appear before her for round two.

I scanned the strange, nightmarish surroundings and found it hard to focus until I began to feel like I was no longer alone in this state I had stumbled into. I slowly turned to see the sky behind me growing dark. Flashes of red began to dance about the clouds creeping towards me.

I raised an eyebrow to the muffled voices now approaching my ears. Was someone speaking to me? I could have sworn I heard my name amongst the incoherent babble.

"Who are you? Show yourself!" I demanded while standing to face whatever was drawing near. I was not known for my bravery, in fact I was terrified of everything taking place this day…but if there was one thing that infuriating golden boy had taught me through the years was that appearing brave was a defense all its own. I had often wondered if he truly was as brave as he seemed, I'd bet my money that he wasn't. He had to be scared, trembling to the very core but the fact the he never showed it…was enough to raise doubts even in my father during the war. So, here's to you scarhead, I'm pretending to be brave here. It better work.

"SHOW YOURSELF!" I demanded once more. Without warning the darkness gave way to a blinding light that forced me to shield my eyes.

"You need not fear me. I have no power here…" Whispered a voice. A towering, angelic creature was pushing through the light and taking steps closer to me. I quickly pulled my wand from my lapel and directed it towards him. His flawless features, armor clad in shimmering brilliance and even his humble tone was not enough for me to trust so easily.

"No offense mate but I'd rather not take my chances." I hissed.

"So you are the one…" He spoke as his amber eyes beaming like garnets began studying me as I stood.

"Excuse me?"

"Yes…you are the one. I can see your mind…we can be of great use to one another." And there it was, the same sort of words I had heard before. This figure before me was far from having the same hideous face as Lord Voldemort, in fact he was entrancing to behold, a trick of the eye no less because such words only came from a darkened soul.

"What kind of fool do you take me for? I have served darkness in my past and it has done nothing but rip all that I had away from me. My family is in ruin and you stand before me thinking I am going to leap onto the chance to do it all over again? No thanks mate. You can take your medieval fair getup and your twisted intentions elsewhere."

"Allow me to speak plainly to you. You forget that I am not of this world. I have no power here but power can be found in a realm even you cannot deny interest in. A new life, a new opportunity to start over with the odds in your favor rather than against. Do you deny the promising future that awaits you?" I was a weak man. It had taken many years and many experiences for me to accept this fact but such crippling weakness still remained within me. The offer was appealing, seductive even. I was so tired of this place. People were right to distrust me, to resent me to even hate me. But what else can I do? How much time will it take to rebuild my life and did I even want to wait?

"I simply desire to return home." He spoke. His eyes burning with desire, but it did not appear to be simply that. There was something else, there always was.

"What's stopping you?" I asked only to watch him point to my hand by my side. The ring.

"Take it then. You can have it; it hasn't exactly brought me the best of fortunes."

"I cannot. I am…that ring. Rather, the power within it." He quickly replied, his eyes were now locked with the ring. I suppose it had been some time since he had laid eyes upon it, the way he was staring at it.

"Your power isn't exactly sunshine and daisies is it?" I sneered; all this ring has done was draw me towards it and held my compulsions to keep it near. Oh and turn those around me into raving lunatics intent on taking it from me, even if it meant killing me in the process.

"Such effects of the ring is not my doing, it is a revelation for those in its presence. The true nature of a soul cannot be blamed upon a simple ring."

"But there is more to this ring. Granger's true nature is not a murderous sort, she a bloody hero." A sickeningly kind individual as well, she often disgusted me with how revering she was to those she cared about. We all had dark tendencies, hidden agendas that come to surface from time to time but she would be the last person to show them if she even had them at all.

"All manner of creatures desire power. What the use such power once it is within their grasp may vary, but the desire for power still remains." He had a point there. I felt myself lowering my wand but I did not establish trust to put it away completely. The ghost like figure of the so called spirit of the ring was hiding much from me; I mean where was he even from? What brought him here in the first place and why the hell was he trapped within this insignificant ring?

"You alone have the ability to change your fate and in the process you would be doing a favor to me. I would be forever in your debt, all that you are seeking will be found. Think of my offer." Suddenly the ring began to singe my very skin. I winced while I began clawing to remove it.

"A new life…awaits." That was the last thing I heard him say before I managed to free my finger from the ring. As I removed it quickly fell to the ground and I found myself back to reality.

I stumbled to the ground, the weigh of the situation was far to great to remain standing and I could not help but want to look upon the ring once more. The rays of the sun only brought the firey letters of a language unknown to life before fading into the golden surface.

I quickly scooped the ring into my hand and shoved it into my pants pocket and lifted my gaze to see Ron charging towards me, his fists balled up ready to swing. Can I not catch a break with these people? I had been through enough in the past hour to last me a lifetime and yet the redhead intended on making matters worse.

"You've got some nerve showing up here again after what you did!"

"After what I did? Can you not see the scratches…my busted lip…I'm sure you can see the goose egg on my skull from being slammed against your bloody stairs! I bet I straightened them for you…no thank you's necessary." I said but the angered red head continued to charge until Granger came sprinting towards us, cleverly positioning herself between us as I rose to my feet.

"Ronald! Stop right there! The situation…is unstable enough as it is. Nothing will be solved if you insist on fighting with him. Can we all just go inside, have some pie and calmly discuss everything." Well it was good to see Granger was back to her old self, better late than never I should say but all I could think of is when the next moment she lost it would be. Best to keep the ring out of her sight.

"Just don't get any ideas of attacking any of us do you hear?"

"You have a very skewed perception on who's fighting who mate. Keep your fists and you keep your claws to yourself eh?" I demanded.

"Did you send an owl to Harry?" Granger asked Ron who nodded slowly with a proud grin upon his face he offered for my benefit. Great just bloody great.

"You didn't!" I whined half hoping this was some joke being played on me. The one person I didn't want or need to see could be on his way here now.

"I had no other choice Malfoy, clearly we're dealing with more than I can handle. We need him."

"Like hell we do. I need him around like I need a rash." I spat. Granger flashed a glare before turning and heading towards the Burrow and I reluctantly followed. Ron quickly took up position closely behind me, no doubt watching my every move.

I stopped and turned unable to hold back my frustration any longer.

"Look here Weasley give me some space would you? I came here because I need help okay? Are you happy, I said it…I need help! But what I don't need is to be watched like a bloody criminal! I am not a death eater anymore and I'm not secretly plotting against anyone especially not the likes of you! So…BACK…OFF or I'll be happy to show you a glimpse of the monster you claim me to be! Understand? Or shall I write it down for you?" I was fuming. I could feel the heat radiating from my flushed cheeks as I roared. Weasley instantly took a few steps back; for once his words were kept silent. That's more like it.

Well it didn't take long before four eyes made his grand entrance. Molly Weasley quickly showering with affection and questions regarding her daughter Ginny who for some reason was under the impression a life with Potter was a life worth living. The poor girl.

Within moments I found myself sitting around the wooden table with Weasley, Granger and Potter. Molly quickly placed slices of her pie she continued raving about the origins of the recipe and other such nonsense before waltzing away leaving us to our awkwardly silent meeting. The sun was starting to disappear, leaving our interactions to be lit by the candles adorning various locations of the darkened space.

"Malfoy." Potter finally acknowledged me forcing a smile.

"Scarhead." I replied. Granger instantly rolled her eyes.

I did the only thing I thought was worth doing at the moment, I began eating my slice of blueberry pie which was surprisingly good. Sweet, rich with a buttery crust that was enough to cause me to relax…a bit. Well played Molly.

"We have…a problem Harry." Granger breathed. We've got more than one that's for sure. Silence erupted once again, it was a rather…hard to explain sort of situation. We knew nothing of this ring, where it came from, and I didn't know if telling the story of my meeting with the medieval fair reject would serve any purpose except causing more concern.

"Are you going to eat that?" I asked Ron while shoving my empty plate aside and reaching for his. Heck, why not enjoy the treat?

Ron shook his head in aggravation and I quickly slid his slice of pie over to me and I began indulging in the truly delectable distraction I was thankful to have in the midst of this nightmare come true.

"As I was saying…" Granger said towards my direction. Oh get of it would you?

"We've got a problem. Malfoy, mind showing Harry what you came across?"

"I don't think so. I'm not curious to see if its effects on Potter or Weasley here are similar to your own. I found a ring. A ring of power I believe it do be." Yeah, that's what it was no doubt. This was no curse, or enchantment. This was a power meant to be wielded, but in what way…I was still unsure.

Author's Note: I've got a few follows and favorites out there! Always a pleasure to see, thanks for following along! I hope you enjoyed the update! I wanted to portray Sauron as a different entity than the eye, he's appearing to Malfoy in a way he believes will work with him so that is why he is speaking in a more plain fashion. And besides it's hard to really understand how Sauron in his elven form would be like or talk like, not much to go on there but I hope my portrayal of him wasn't too shabby and hopefully added some complexity to his personality than simply the eye. The next one is around the corner!

SereniteRose: My first review, thank you so much for that and what an awesome review it was! Hope you continue to enjoy the story! Let me know what you think! Thanks again!

Nellaus: Thanks for taking the time review! Glad the one ring version 2.0 scene with Hermione was to your liking (well titled too BTW) I wanted it to mimic the scene of Smeagol and Deagol in Return of the King a bit but of course stand alone as well. Hope you enjoyed the update, next one is coming soon!