Disclaimer: Can be found in the first chapter.

~*~

Chapter 9: Ron's Vendetta

~*~

As the term passed, Harry managed to sneak away to see Severus at least once a week. Things between them had gotten quite far in this short period of time. They were almost regularly polite to each other, in class and around the school.

Ron wasn't happy with the newfound friendship between Harry and Severus, and he was determined to destroy it.

~*~

"Harry, what's with you lately?" Ron asked, staring Harry down.

"What do you mean, Ron?" Harry asked, caught off guard.

"Why is Snape suddenly being all nice to you?" Ron asked, his face reddening.

"Because we've managed to get past our hostility," Harry said, standing up. "Is that a problem with you?"

"Yeah, it's a big goddamned problem," Ron spat. "You're supposed to be MY best friend, not the greasy dungeon bat's."

"Fuck you, Ron," Harry said, before shoving the other boy away from him. "It's my life. I can be friends with whomever I want. If you can't handle that, then you aren't my friend."

"Fuck you, Potter," Ron spat, before attempting to shove Harry into the wall.

Fortunately for Harry, Ron gave away what he was going to do, providing Harry with the chance to use his wandless magic to shield himself.

"You pussy," Ron spat, trying to get to Harry. "Afraid to fight like a man?"

"No, I'm afraid of humiliating you even more," Harry said, his voice dropping to the baritone as his Vampire slowly came out. "Either get over your petty grudge, or get out of my life. Simple as that."

"Whatever," Ron muttered, going to the dorm. Harry followed him, to prevent any of his things from being damaged.

~*~

"What was it that happened in your dorm?" Dumbledore asked, watching Harry carefully.

"Ron was angered by my friendship with Professor Snape, and decided that he didn't like it. He essentially told me that I was either his friend, or Professor Snape's," Harry said, calmly. "It's really just a childish grudge."

"And how did you retaliate to his words," Dumbledore asked, still carefully watching Harry.

"I shoved him, which I know was the wrong thing to do. He attacked Professor Snape verbally, and I thought that it was in poor taste," Harry explained. "He then made his way into the dorm, intent on destroying my things. Luckily, I followed him and prevented any damage."

"I see," Dumbledore said. "It sounds like something you two will have to work out on your own."

"Sir, I mean no disrespect, but that is the stupidest thing I've heard you say," Harry said, his voice shaking. "I'm supposed to apologize to Ron because he attacked Professor Snape and I defended him? I'm supposed to stick my tail between my legs and apologize? I'm not the person holding a grudge with absolutely no reasoning behind it."

"Mr. Potter," Dumbledore said, standing. "It would be in your best interests to continue your friendship with Ron."

"If he's going to insult my friendship with Professor Snape, I'd much rather leave Gryffindor tower," Harry said, standing as well. "I'm not some pawn you can do your bidding with. I defeated Voldemort with little help from you. I withstood the abuse at the Dursley's because you put me there. I've fought my way this far basically on my own.

"Now you want me to continue being friends with someone who can't accept that I've gotten over the hatred I harbored for Professor Snape simply because you think it's in my best interests?"

"I am the Headmaster of this school," Dumbledore said, staring into Harry's eyes. "What I say is law."

"To those who wish to accept it, Albus," Severus said, standing in the doorway.

"He tells lies, Severus," Dumbledore said, pointing to Harry. "He says that Ron is angered by your friendship."

"Will you allow me into your mind, Harry?" Snape asked, looking to the young man.

"Of course, Sir," Harry said, lowering his guards.

"Legilimens," Severus muttered, before entering Harry's mind to find said incident. After viewing it, he allowed a smug grin to grace his features.

"Harry tells the truth, Albus," Severus said, crossing his arms. "The Weasley boy doesn't approve of Harry's friendship with me."

"Gryffindor tower," Dumbledore said, throwing Floo powder into his fire. "Ron, would come to my office?"

A moment later, Ron stepped out of the Floo and glared at two of the people in the room.

"What are they doing here?" Ron spat, gesturing at Harry and Severus.

"Harry says that you're not okay with his friendship with Professor Snape," Dumbledore said.

"I'm not. Since he's befriended Snape, he's not the same person I knew last year. He's completely different, and it makes me feel as though I'm not good enough for him anymore. I'd prefer not to have to share a room with him any longer," Ron said, looking to Dumbledore. "He's not my friend."

~*~

"What happened?" Hermione asked, as Harry came into the common room.

"Ron's pissed because I'm friends with Snape," Harry said, throwing himself into his favorite chair. "He can't accept the fact that I'm doing better than him in class. He refuses to accept that I'm not slacking off anymore."

"He's just immature, Harry," she said, sitting near him on the sofa. "He'll get over it soon."

"I doubt that. He told Dumbledore that he doesn't want to share a room with me any longer," he said, looking into the fire. "If he wants to be immature like that, I'd much rather get out of the dorm than stay there."

"I'm sorry, Harry," she said, placing her hand on his.

"I really hope that you won't be biased against me because of Ron, Mione," he said, looking to her. "I couldn't stand losing you both."

"I support your friendship with Professor Snape, Harry," she said, looking to him. "And nothing Ron says can change that. It's about time you have someone you can trust."

~*~

"What did you tell him?" Ron asked, glaring at Hermione.

"That I support his friendship with Professor Snape," Hermione responded. "And nothing you say can change that."

"You're going to side with him over me?" he asked, enraged.

"Ron, you're in the wrong here. Can't you see that? Harry is happier than I've seen him in a long time," she replied, anger in her voice. "You're blinded by some stupid thing that happened in the first year."

"He's a git. He treats us like shit. He was a fucking Death Eater!" he exclaimed, throwing his hands up. "Why is it okay for Harry to be friends with him now?"

"You know what Snape did for us in the war. You know that he spied for our side," she said, her voice a sharp bark. "If Harry wants to be friends with him, it's his choice. Not yours."

"Whatever, Hermione," Ron said, getting up. "You're just like him."

~*~

"Are you sure that you're alright, Harry?" Severus asked, after he and Harry made their way to his quarters.

"Yeah, I'm fine," Harry replied, sitting on Severus' sofa. "It was bound to happen sooner or later."

"He was always a bit pigheaded," Severus said, fetching two glasses and a bottle of Firewhiskey.

"Yeah, but before, I was right there with him, being pigheaded and immature," Harry said, accepting a glass of the brown liquor.

"Does anyone know about your creature?" Severus asked, sitting at the other end of the sofa, facing Harry.

"Not that I'm aware of," Harry said, after taking a sip of the liquor. "The only people who know, aside from myself, are you and Dumbledore."

"Perhaps you should let Miss Granger in on the secret," Severus said, looking at Harry. "She could be a great help to you."

"I know, Severus, but I don't want to scare her," Harry said, setting his glass on the table and placing his head in his hands. "It's hard enough to be around them some days. It's going to complicate things so much more, and there's a good chance that she'd tell Ron. If Ron found out, it'd be in the papers the next day."

"I'm not sure what to tell you, Harry," Severus said, reaching over to place his hand on Harry's shoulder. "You just have to have faith that she'd keep it to herself. She's a smart girl."

"Thanks, Severus," Harry said, smiling slightly. "I'll tell her tomorrow evening."

The two sat in companionable silence, finishing their drinks.

~*~

A/N: And here's where Ron decides to be a stubborn little boy. Haha. He was fun to write.

I think the next update may be a bit early, so be sure to keep your eyes out for that.

Thanks for all the wonderful reveiws, guys! They really make my day!

-KD